MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

As soon as Herbert took the field on that surprise night, and it came out that the doctor had screwed up and punctured Taylor's lung, I knew this situation was coming. Taylor lost a starting job because of a mistake by the team doctor. I don't know what protections that doctor has, but I have to imagine that Taylor was asking about a lawsuit against him the night that it happened. Because no doubt he saw this coming, too.

 

Cam Newton remains on track to play on Monday, barring the development of symptoms



The league’s protocols can be a little convoluted and confusing when it comes to the moment the window opens for a COVID-positive player to return to action. The typically evasive nature of coach Bill Belichick when asked simple questions about the subject makes it even more convoluted and confusing.

Belichick told reporters on Saturday that he doesn’t expect quarterback Cam Newton or cornerback Stephon Gilmore to practice with the team today. Belichick otherwise had nothing to say about when/if Newton or Gilmore will return.

“I’m not getting into a bunch of hypotheticals,” Belichick said at one point. “We’re taking it day by day, hour by hour.”

Based on the official protocols, there’s a path for both Newton and Gilmore to return for Monday’s game against the Broncos.

For a player who tests positive but remains asymptomatic, the player can return 10 days after the first positive test — if the team’s head primary-care physician determines, in consultation with the league, that it’s safe for the player to return to the facility. Alternatively, an asymptomatic player may return if he receives negative PCR virus tests, at least 24 hours apart, if (again) the team’s head primary-care physician determines, in consultation with the league, that it’s safe for the player to return to the facility.

This procedure acknowledges that an asymptomatic player who tests positive may not be able to test negative within 10 days, but that he otherwise may not present a risk of spreading the virus. So Newton, even if still positive, can return on Monday.

That rule makes the one-day delay in New England’s game against Denver a huge potential benefit for the Patriots. If the Week Five game hadn’t been moved to Monday, Newton would have been able to return only with a pair of negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

Gilmore won’t fit within the 10-day window, given that he tested positive on Tuesday. He still has a chance to play with a pair of negative tests. While unlikely, it’s still possible.

So New England could have both or neither come Monday night. The safest guest is that they’ll have Newton but not Gilmore.

NBC
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Good to know for fantasy owners................. and oh ya, the Pats too.

 

Taylor lost his starting job to a rookie in Cleveland when he (Taylor) got injured also.

Moral of the story: If you're Tyrod Taylor, don't sign a free agent contract with a team in need of a QB - and - who owns a high draft pick.

 

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott to undergo surgery Sunday for compound right ankle fracture

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will undergo surgery Sunday night after suffering a compound right ankle fracture and dislocation in the third quarter of Sunday's 37-34 win over the New York Giants, the team announced.

On what appeared to be a designed quarterback draw play on a first-and-10 from the New York 27-yard line, Prescott picked up nine yards but his lower right leg twisted awkwardly on a tackle by the Giants' Logan Ryan.

Prescott was carted off the field as many of his teammates offered him encouragement, shedding tears as he exited. The Cowboys later announced he was transported to a local hospital.

"I feel terrible for him," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He was having a tremendous year. He has made such an impression on me and clearly a leader on this football team. No doubt he will bounce back."

Jerry Jones said in a statement Sunday night that the organization has "no doubt" that Prescot will return "to the position of leadership and purpose that he brings to our team."

And we have no doubt that he will return to the position of leadership and purpose that he brings to our team.

Prescott's injury reverberated throughout the locker room following the game.


Running back Ezekiel Elliott said: "It sucks. It sucks. I know we won. But it sucks to lose Dak, our leader."

Rookie wideout CeeDee Lamb told reporters he reached out to Prescott immediately after the game.

"I appreciate everything he's done for me," Lamb said. "I can't thank him enough. I told him we're gonna hold it down until we get to see him on the field with us again."

Linebacker Jaylon Smith said: "Devastating when you lose your No. 1. I know how it feels. I've experienced it myself. I know Dak is a fighter. Just looking forward to hearing his voice ... When that happened, everything was about 4. It was about getting that win for him."

Prescott had been off to a remarkable start to the season in passing for more yardage than any QB in NFL history over a four-game span (1,690). The 27-year-old Pro Bowler is playing on Dallas' franchise tag after he and the team were unable to agree to terms on a long-term deal in the offseason.

Andy Dalton replaced Prescott with the Cowboys holding a 24-23 lead and would led the offense on a game-winning drive in the closing seconds.

"First and foremost, the worst thing that happened today was the Dak injury," Ryan said to open his postgame press conference. "I mean, bigger than football. I feel terrible."

NFL.com

 

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has returned home, approximately 24 hours after he was taken from the field to the hospital following a compound fracture of his ankle.

Dallas coach Mike McCarthy confirmed today that Prescott had successful surgery and was released from the hospital, and he is now recovering at home.

Prescott appears to be done for the 2020 season, but Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said the team still considers Prescott its quarterback of the future.

For Prescott to be the quarterback of the Cowboys’ future, he’ll need a new contract, as he’s currently playing on the one-year $31.4 million franchise tag. He’s slated to hit free agency again in the offseason. The Cowboys could keep him for another year with a one-year, $37.7 million franchise tag, or they could sign him to a long-term contract, or they could let him walk. Prescott has a lot to consider as he begins the long path to a return to the field.

NBC

 

Joe Flacco remains the Jets’ starting quarterback for another week.

Sam Darnold will miss Sunday’s game against the Dolphins and Flacco will start in his place, the Jets confirmed today.

Darnold suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder two weeks ago against the Broncos, and although he was able to return to that game, he missed last week’s game against the Cardinals. Flacco started in his place and did not play well in the Jets’ 30-10 loss.

Now Flacco will get another chance to show what he can do on Sunday against the Dolphins. The 0-5 Jets are desperate for something to go right.

 

Jimmy Garoppolo set to start on Sunday night



49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t get an injury designation before last week’s game against the Dolphins and he went on to start for the first time since Week Two.

Garoppolo didn’t appear comfortable with his ankle, however, and played poorly before being benched in favor of C.J. Beathard. The 49ers will be hoping for better results this weekend.

The quarterback is absent from the final injury report of the week again this week and he’s in line to start against the Rams on Sunday night.

Five players did land injury designations on Friday. Linebacker Kwon Alexander (ankle) and cornerback Dontae Johnson (groin) have been ruled out. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (concussion), safety Marcell Harris (ankle), and running back Jeffery Wilson (calf) are listed as questionable.

NBC

 

I've been wondering the same thing. Can Taylor prove that the doctor's actions hurt his potential future earning power? Would assume that the doctor/team would say that it was inevitable that he lost his job.
Either way this will be interesting to keep track of.

 

It was inevitable that Taylor would lose his starting job to another 1st round draft pick. He's done that two times before in Buffalo and Cleveland (once to injury). Keep in mind, if he wasn't injured, the doctor wouldn't have been injecting him with pain medication.

 

Nick Foles: We’d rather win ugly than lose pretty



The Bears climbed to 5-1 with a road win over the Panthers on Sunday. They’ve yet to get the respect that a record like this should generate, in part because they’re not winning in dominant fashion or exhilarating highlights.

And that’s OK with quarterback Nick Foles.

“Would you rather lose pretty or win ugly?” a passionate and animated Foles said after Sunday’s win over the Panthers. “I think we’d rather win ugly. . . . Is this who we are offensively? We want to improve, we want to get better, we want to have rhythm. But ultimtately in the NFL it’s about winning games. It doesn’t matter how you do it, it just matters that you get it done. If you put up 50 points and you lose a game, those 50 points don’t mean anything.”

Foles, in his third start for the Bears, completed 23 of 39 passes for 198 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. His passer rating was a sluggish 70.2. But he’s got no problem with that.

“Right now, we’re winning games,” Foles said. “We’re playing together as a team. We can improve. I think that’s exciting. If we were winning these games and playing perfect and they were this tight and we’re playing perfect, where do you improve?”

They’ll need to improve quickly. Next Monday night, they have a date with the Rams in L.A. Then, the Bears host the Saints. Then, the Bears face the Titans in Tennessee. Regardless, Foles is undaunted and undeterred.

“I’m excited about our offense, I’m excited about the guys that are there,” Foles said. “I like the communication that’s happening on the sideline. I love the passion of the players. Most importantly, they care. And we’re bonding. We’re getting to know each other. That’s football. You don’t just go out there and play football. You’ve gotta care about the man next to you to make those plays. So I like where we’re at. I know we’re gonna improve. I believe in our staff, I believe in our players, and I’m really grateful to be a part of this organization.”

The organization is surely grateful to have Foles, a former Super Bowl MVP and the consummate teammate and leader. At 5-1 through six games, even a .500 record over the next ten translates to 10-6 and, with seven playoff spots per conference, a near-certain playoff berth.

Or maybe a division title. On Sunday night of Thanksgiving weekend, the Bears visit Lambeau Field. In Week 17, the Packers come to Chicago. Potentially, they could be meeting for a third time in January.

NBC

 

Is it just me or are the Bears flying under the radar... quietly achieved a 5-1 record.

Those future games with Packers are going to be special... all of them are in a 16 game schedule, but the rivalry is going to get ramped up, in my opinion.

 

The Bears feel like an overachiever at the moment. I mentioned it on another thread - the Bears have the type of schedule that lends for the potential to see them end up with a record closer to .500 than over.

Stacking losses but still making the playoffs opens the door for Chicago to keep both Pace and Nagy, something that I disagree with and I would need to see some kind of massive shift in how this team performs on game day (regardless of the Ws) before I can begin to rethink my stance on the coach/GM combo.

 

Patrick Mahomes tops 90 passing TDs in 37 games, fastest in NFL history



Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw his 90th and 91st career touchdown passes on Monday in his 37th career game, topping a new NFL record.

Mahomes is the fastest quarterback ever to reach 91 touchdown passes, surpassing Dolphins Hall of Famer Dan Marino, who reached 90 touchdown passes in his 40th career game.

Kurt Warner had 86 touchdown passes in his first 40 NFL games. No other player in NFL history has even thrown 75 touchdown passes in his first 40 games.

Mahomes also has 11,111 career passing yards and is also the fastest player ever to reach 11,000 passing yards. Warner set the previous record by topping 11,000 yards in his 39th game.

The 25-year-old Mahomes has a chance to rewrite the NFL’s passing record book.

NBC

 

Ryan Fitzpatrick on benching: “My heart just hurt all day”



Ever since the Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa in the first round this April, Ryan Fitzpatrick has said all the right things when it comes to acknowledging that the rookie is the future of the quarterback position in Miami.

Fitzpatrick just didn’t expect the future to come so soon. Fitzpatrick is coming off two strong games in wins that have the Dolphins at 3-3 through three weeks, but he was benched by head coach Brian Flores this week and it was clear when he spoke to reporters that the news hit him hard.

“I was shocked by it,” Fitzpatrick said, via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. “It definitely caught me off guard. It was a hard thing for me to hear yesterday, just digesting the news. My heart just hurt all day.”

Fitzpatrick has been benched before, but said this one hit different because of how invested he was in the Dolphins and “felt it was my team” as a result. He said he hasn’t thought about what comes next for him beyond wondering if he’s played for the last time, but did say he won’t “go in there and ask or demanding anything” involving a move to a different team this season.

The Dolphins would probably be unlikely to make such a move given the chance that they’ll need to use a different quarterback at some point in the next 10 games and that likely leaves Fitzpatrick to play out the year as one of the top backup options in the entire league.

NBC

 

I dont think the benching of Fitz is wise.

 

He has played pretty well. They've won 3 of 4 and he's been a big part. If Tua struggles, I think it will be hard for the players to get behind him, knowing how Fitz was playing.
IMO. It's not the right time for it.

 

Dan just liked my post at the bottom of the first page from 2017 lol.

 

Too funny... I had to look it up and see what it said.... good stuff!

 

Well, I guess that I’m the one a bit late. I didn’t notice that this was exactly two years old. It still strikes me as funny. It’s a Joe Flacco message, after all.

 

Report: Gardner Minshew has multiple thumb fractures



We’ve officially reached the excuse-making stage of the Jaguars’ latest lost season.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew has multiple fractures and a sprained ligament in his thumb. Per the report, Minshew concealed the injury from the team, which is another way of saying the team didn’t disclose the injury on the various injury reports since the injury happened on October 11 against Houston.

Minshew reportedly told the team about the injury after Sunday’s loss to the Chargers.

The injury opens the door for the Jaguars to potentially give Mike Glennon a whirl when the Jaguars emerge from their bye, with a game against the Texans. Then, they can go back to Minshew when he’s healthy.

Setting aside the question of whether the Jaguars knew or should have known about the injury, and whether and to what extent any team has an obligation to ask a player who isn’t playing well whether he’s hiding an injury, the news underscores the reality that, after a promising Week One win over the Colts, the Jacksonville season has gone sideways.

It may continue to go sideways. After a Week 10 game against the Texans, seven of the Jaguars’ final eight games will be played against playoff contenders.

Which puts the Jaguars squarely in the mix for Trevor Lawrence, regardless of whether they’re actually trying to end up there.

NBC