NFL - NEWS & NOTES

You’d come eventually

 

Sinner.

 

That was all written tongue-in-cheek dirk

I'm really happy you found us too!

 

That was all written tongue-in-cheek dirk

I'm really happy you found us too!

 

it was pretty sweet. My company gives you your birthday off, but you have to use it during the week of your birthday. I took yesterday off and finished up some home projects at game time. Worked out perfect for me.

 

NFL reinstates Josh Gordon for last two games



Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has expressed frustration at times this season when asked about where Josh Gordon‘s reinstatement stood.

He will have a different answer in today’s media session.

The NFL has reinstated the receiver from his suspension, with Gordon eligible to return in Week 16, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports. That means Gordon can play the final two games of the regular season and into the postseason.

The Seahawks signed Gordon on Sept. 3, assuming Gordon would receive approval from the league office to play again. It took longer than the team expected.

This is Gordon’s seventh NFL suspension since he entered the league.

Gordon has not played a full, 16-game season since his rookie year of 2012. He played five games with the Seahawks and six with the Patriots last season.

UPDATE 3:53 P.M. ET: The NFL announced Gordon’s reinstatement. Gordon can rejoin the team Wednesday after passing COVID-19 protocols and attended meetings and engage individual workouts and strength and conditioning work. He can practice the week of Dec. 21.

NBC

 

Myles Garrett: COVID-19 kicked my butt



Browns defensive end Myles Garrett returned to the team this week after missing two games due to a positive test for COVID-19 and he met with reporters for the first time since that return on Friday.

Garrett said he felt “a little stiff” when he got back on the practice field and that it felt like he’d “been on the couch for a month” rather than two weeks. He also shared that he “was in pain” with a fever and body aches as a result of the coronavirus.

“It kicked my butt. Now I’m back,” Garrett said.

Garrett said his biggest fear after learning of his positive test is that he would develop myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscle that has been associated with COVID-19. Bills tight end Tommy Sweeney is out for the season after being diagnosed with myocarditis, but Garrett said he’s “fortunate and blessed” to be back on the field.

NBC

 

Kenny Golladay out, Matthew Stafford and D’Andre Swift questionable for Lions



Lions head coach Darrell Bevell said on Friday that wide receiver Kenny Golladay‘s hip injury is improving, but it hasn’t improved to the point that he’ll actually be able to play against the Bears on Sunday.

Golladay has been ruled out for the fifth straight game and seventh time overall this season. That’s made for a disappointing year for a player who entered the season with an eye on a new contract, but has been limited to 20 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns because of his injuries.

Running back D'Andre Swift has been listed as questionable after missing a second straight practice with an illness. Swift missed the last two days with a concussion and Bevell said he will only play limited snaps if he is active.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford practiced all week with a right thumb injury and has also been listed as questionable. He played with the injury in the team’s Thanksgiving loss to the Texans.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah (shoulder) and defensive lineman Da'shawn Hand (groin) are out. Defensive end Austin Bryant (thigh) and safety Tracy Walker (not injury related) are listed as questionable.

NBC

 

Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (ankle) will not play vs. Jets

The Las Vegas Raiders will try to stop their two-game skid without running back Josh Jacobs .

Coach Jon Gruden announced Friday that the running back is out for Sunday's game against the New York Jets due to an ankle injury. Jacobs will not make the cross-country trip.

The RB sat out practice this week after suffering a sprained ankle in Week 12's blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Before exiting in the third quarter, Jacobs touched the ball just 10 times for 44 yards.

The Raiders' workhorse, Jacobs has 782 rush yards (5th in NFL) on 206 carries and 9 rush TD (T-5th) this season.

Without Jacobs, Vegas is expected to lean on Devontae Booker out of the backfield against the Jets. Booker has generated 326 rushing yards on 59 totes (5.5 average) with 3 TDs. As a backup, the 28-year-old former Bronco has shown burst in limited opportunities and has some pass-catching acumen. Jalen Richard (14 carries for 83 yards, TD) and Theo Riddick (2 carries for 13 yards) are the only other backs on the roster with carries this season. Fullback Alec Ingold is also an option to see touches.

Facing the Jets sans Jacobs portends a pass-heavy day for Derek Carr, who is attempting to get back on track after an awful outing in Atlanta. The Jets pass D ranks 30th in the NFL, so expect the Raiders to come out throwing plenty Sunday afternoon in New Jersey.

Also out for the Raiders are safety Johnathan Abram and defensive lineman Maliek Collins. The following Raiders are questionable to play: DT Maurice Hurst (ankle/calf), CB Trayvon Mullen (illness) and CB Isaiah Johnson.

NFL.com

 

Report: Lions plan to waive Marvin Hall



The Lions intend to waive receiver Marvin Hall, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports.

Hall had a 100-yard game in Week 8, catching four passes for 113 yards. In 11 games this season, Hall has 17 catches for 290 yards and two touchdowns.

He has played 40 percent of the team’s offensive snaps this season.

Hall could garner interest on the waiver wire.

He entered the league as an undrafted rookie in 2016 and has had stints with the Raiders, Cardinals, Falcons and Bears in addition to the Lions. He joined the Lions’ practice squad in 2019 and played nine games with Detroit last year.

The Lions want to look at the younger players on the roster, according to Garafolo. Wideout Quintez Cephus and tight end Hunter Bryant could benefit from Hall’s departure.

NBC

 

Texans activate David Johnson from IR, place Cullen Gillaspia on IR



The Texans will get running back David Johnson back for Sunday’s game against the Colts.

They activated Johnson from injured reserve. He spent three games on the list with a concussion.

Johnson, acquired by the Texans in the trade that sent DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona, has 119 touches for 569 yards and four touchdowns.

“He’s been looking halfway decent at practice,” Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel said Friday, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

The Texans also activated linebacker Kyle Emanuel from injured reserve. He went on the list Nov. 9 with a concussion.

The Texans placed fullback Cullen Gillaspia on injured reserve with a back injury.

NBC

Gillaspia, a 2019 seventh-round draft pick from Texas A&M, has appeared in seven games this season, mostly on special teams. He also had one reception for 6 yards.

The Texans elevated receivers Chad Hansen and Steven Mitchell Jr. from the practice squad.

NBC

 

Dolphins activate Myles Gaskin



The Dolphins will have their top running back on the field on Sunday.

Myles Gaskin has been activated from injured reserve, the Dolphins announced on Saturday. He’ll be the starter on Sunday against the Bengals.

Gaskin leads the Dolphins with 100 carries for 387 yards this season despite missing the last four games with a knee injury. He’ll surely get plenty of carries on Sunday, as Patrick Laird is the only other healthy running back on the roster.

The Dolphins also elevated practice squad safety Nate Holley to the active roster.

NBC

 

Report: James Conner unlikely to play Monday



Steelers running back James Conner missed last Wednesday’s win over the Ravens and he’s reportedly set to be out of action against Washington on Monday night as well.

Conner is currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list after a positive test and Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that he will be eligible to be activated on Monday. Schefter adds that Conner is considered unlikely to play against the Washington Football Team.

Benny Snell started in place of Conner against the Ravens. He ran 16 times for 60 yards and caught three passes for 33 yards in the 19-14 Steelers victory.

Center Maurkice Pouncey and tackle Jerald Hawkins are on the COVID-19 reserve list along with Conner. Defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt has been activated and will be able to play on Monday night.

NBC

 

Week 13 of the 2020 NFL season is upon us.

Below is the official injury report and game day designations for all 12 games on Sunday.

Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans
Browns: OUT: WR Khadarel Hodge (hamstring), WR Taywan Taylor (neck), CB Denzel Ward (calf); QUESTIONABLE: C Nick Harris (ankle), DT Vincent Taylor (knee)

Titans: OUT: CB Adoree' Jackson (knee), TE Jonnu Smith (knee), T Isaiah Wilson (illness); QUESTIONABLE: G Rodger Saffold (ankle), DT Jeffery Simmons (knee)

Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets
Raiders: OUT: S Johnathan Abram (knee), DT Maliek Collins (hamstring, ankle), RB Josh Jacobs (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: DT Maurice Hurst (ankle, calf), CB Isaiah Johnson (groin), CB Trayvon Mullen (illness)

Jets: OUT: G Alex Lewis (not injury related); QUESTIONABLE: G Pat Elflein (shoulder), T George Fant (knee, ankle)


Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings
Jaguars: OUT: LB Dakota Allen (hamstring), LB Kamalei Correa (hamstring), TE Ben Ellefson (knee), DT Davon Hamilton (knee), CB Sidney Jones (Achilles); QUESTIONABLE: WR Chris Conley (hip), T Jawaan Taylor (knee), S Jarrod Wilson (shoulder)

Vikings: OUT: TE Irv Smith (back), DE D.J. Wonnum (ankle, back), RB Alexander Mattison (illness)

Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
Bengals: OUT: CB Tony Brown (hamstring), G Alex Redmond (concussion); QUESTIONABLE: DT Christian Covington (illness), C B.J. Finney (back), LS Clark Harris (illness), CB Darius Phillips (illness), WR Mike Thomas (hamstring), DT Xavier Williams (back), S Brandon Wilson (hamstring)

Dolphins: DOUBTFUL: RB Salvon Ahmed (shoulder), RB DeAndre Washington (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: G Solomon Kindley (foot), WR Malcolm Perry (chest), QB Tua Tagovailoa (left thumb)

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Colts: OUT: T Anthony Castonzo (knee), LB Bobby Okereke (ankle), P Rigoberto Sanchez (illness), S Khari Willis (back, quadricep); QUESTIONABLE: T Chaz Green (back), TE Noah Togiai (knee)


Texans: OUT: RB Cullen Gillaspia (back), RB C.J. Prosise (illness); QUESTIONABLE: DT Ross Blacklock (illness)

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Lions: OUT: WR Kenny Golladay (hip), DE Da'Shawn Hand (groin), CB Jeff Okudah (shoulder); DOUBTFUL: RB D'Andre Swift (illness); QUESTIONABLE: DE Austin Bryant (thigh), QB Matthew Stafford (right thumb), S Tracy Walker (not injury related)

Bears: OUT: LB James Vaughters (knee); QUESTIONABLE: QB Nick Foles (hip), DT Akiem Hicks (hamstring), G Germain Ifedi (calf), T Charles Leno (toe), LB Khalil Mack (back), WR Darnell Mooney (knee), WR Allen Robinson (knee), LB Josh Woods (foot)

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Saints: OUT: WR Marquez Callaway (knee), DE Marcus Davenport (concussion), CB Janoris Jenkins (knee), RB Ty Montgomery (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: WR Deonte Harris (neck), CB Patrick Robinson (hamstring)

Falcons: OUT: G James Carpenter (groin); QUESTIONABLE: DE Dante Fowler (hamstring), RB Todd Gurley (knee), WR Julio Jones (hamstring), CB Kendall Sheffield (illness)

New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks

Giants: DOUBTFUL: QB Daniel Jones (hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: LB David Mayo (knee)

Seahawks: DOUBTFUL: RB Travis Homer (wrist, knee), T Brandon Shell (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: DE Carlos Dunlap (foot), G Kyle Fuller (ankle), RB Carlos Hyde (toe), G Damien Lewis (groin), T Cedric Ogbuehi (calf)

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals
Rams: OUT: LB Terrell Lewis (knee); QUESTIONABLE: C Brian Allen (knee), DT Sebastian Joseph (hip)

Cardinals: OUT: S Jalen Thompson (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: DT Angelo Blackson (illness), DT Rashard Lawrence (calf), S Charles Washington (groin)

New England Patriots at L.A. Chargers
Patriots: QUESTIONABLE: LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (groin), DL Adam Butler (shoulder), DL Byron Cowart (back), DB Kyle Dugger (toe), K Nick Folk (back), TE Ryan Izzo (hamstring, hand), CB J.C. Jackson (hip), FB Jakob Johnson (knee), G Shaq Mason (calf), QB Cam Newton (abdomen), WR Matthew Slater (knee), RB J.J. Taylor (quadricep)

Chargers: DOUBTFUL: LB Denzel Perryman (back); QUESTIONABLE: RB Kalen Ballage (ankle), CB Casey Hayward Jr. (groin), DE Uchenna Nwosu (chest), WR Joe Reed


Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers
Eagles: OUT: S Rudy Ford (hamstring), WR Quez Watkins (illness); QUESTIONABLE: CB Darius Slay (calf)

Packers: OUT: C Corey Linsley (knee); QUESTIONABLE: LB Krys Barnes (calf), RB Tyler Ervin (ribs), LB Za'Darius Smith (ankle)

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Broncos: OUT: S Trey Marshall; QUESTIONABLE: WR Jerry Jeudy (ankle), RB Phillip Lindsay (knee), LB Malik Reed (shin)

Chiefs: OUT: LB Dorian O'Daniel (ankle); QUESTIONABLE: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness)

NFL.com

 

Lions come back to beat Bears, win first game for coach Darrell Bevell



The Lions played hard for interim head coach Darrell Bevell.

Bevell, who replaced the fired Matt Patricia and said he hopes he’s getting a five-game audition to be the Lions’ permanent head coach, got the most out of his team as the Lions fell behind early but came back to win 34-30.


The Lions’ comeback was aided by a strip-sack on Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky which set up Adrian Peterson‘s go-ahead touchdown in the final minute. That play by Trubisky epitomized his disappointing tenure in Chicago and dropped the Bears to 5-7, essentially ending any hopes they had of a late playoff run.

The Lions improve to 5-7, and they’re not going anywhere near the postseason either. But they looked like a more motivated, more organized team under Bevell than they looked under Patricia. Now Bevell has four more games to audition for the top job.

NBC

 

The bears suck

 

Three players ejected after brawl between Bengals, Dolphins



Multiple players were ejected after the Bengals and Dolphins brawled with 11:54 remaining.

Dolphins receivers DeVante Parker and Mack Hollins were kicked out as was Bengals safety Shawn Williams. Parker threw multiple punches after getting a shot to the face from Williams.


The player who started the fisticuffs, Bengals receiver Mike Thomas, remained in the game. Thomas hit punt returner Jakeem Grant twice in a row before Grant caught the punt. Thomas drew penalties on both plays, but the Dolphins took exception to the second illegal hit that left Grant briefly injured.

Both benches emptied along the Bengals sideline as emotions ran high.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores had to be held back first by Bengals safety Vonn Bell and then pulled back toward his own sideline by his own players and coaches. He went toward the Bengals’ sideline, apparently yelling at Bengals coaches.

The game became chippy in the first half. Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard and Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd were ejected for throwing punches at each other.

Bengals left tackle Jonah Williams has left the game with a right knee injury. He will not return.

NBC

 

In a hard-fought game that will have implications in the AFC South race, the Colts managed to escape with a closer-than-expected win over the Texans.

The Colts’ 26-20 victory was still in doubt until the final minute, when the Texans drove deep into Colts territory with a chance to win, until Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson fumbled a snap and Indianapolis recovered to seal the victory.


Philip Rivers had a strong game, completing 27 of 35 passes for 285 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. T.Y. Hilton had 110 receiving yards, and rookie running back Jonathan Taylor had 135 yards from scrimmage.

The win improves the Colts’ record to 8-4 and helps them catch the Titans, who lost today, in the AFC South. It was a big win for Indianapolis, and a big game in the AFC South.

NBC

 

Raiders avert disaster, pull off last second win over Jets



The Jets were seconds away from their first win of the 2020 season, but the Raiders snatched it away.

Derek Carr hit Henry Ruggs for a 46-yard touchdown with five seconds left in the game and the Raiders escaped with a 31-28 win that moves them to 7-5 on the season. It was a redemptive moment for Ruggs after his fourth-quarter fumble set the Jets up for a go-ahead touchdown drive.


Ruggs lost the ball after catching a pass from Carr and the Jets drove for a Ty Johnson touchdown run that put them up with just over five minutes left to play. The speedy rookie beat Jets corner Lamar Jackson with a double move to make the fumble an afterthought to the final score.

Johnson’s touchdown was part of a run of 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter as the Jets erased an 11-point lead to put themselves in position for a win. Johnson and Josh Adams combined for 178 yards on 30 carries after Frank Gore left the game with a concussion on the second play of the day and the unheralded duo helped propel the comeback effort.

Sam Darnold threw two touchdowns and ran for a score, but he turned the ball over three times in the first half to help the Raiders build up their lead. Derek Carr bounced back from his four turnover outing with three touchdown passes, but the offense went into a serious drought after scoring on the first drive of the second half.

One remedy might have been to look tight end Darren Waller‘s way a little more often. The Jets had no answer for Waller, who caught 13 passes for 200 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns before halftime.

The Raiders will be back home to host the Colts next week in a game that will have major playoff ramifications in the AFC. The Jets will head to Seattle with their shot at a winless season still in place thanks to the late breakdown in pass coverage.

NBC

 

Browns are 9-3 for the first time since 1994 with 41-35 win over Titans



The Titans made things interesting after going into halftime down 38-7, but in the end the Browns still prevailed, 41-35.

Tennessee scored a pair of touchdowns in the first six minutes of the second half, making the score 38-21. The Titans had another chance to cut into the Browns’ lead late in the third quarter, but Cleveland cornerback M.J. Stewart intercepted a pass off wide receiver Adam Humphries’ hands to end the scoring threat.


Tennessee added another touchdown with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter, as running back Jeremy McNichols punched one in from two-yards out. Cleveland then had a chance to put the game away on the ensuing drive with a Baker Mayfield sneak, but he fumbled on the play. Safety Kenny Vaccaro returned the loose ball to Cleveland’s 13, and Ryan Tannehill turned that into an eight-yard touchdown to wide receiver Cameron Batson, getting the home team to 35 points.

But fullback Andy Janovich recovered Tennessee’s onside kick with 27 seconds remaining, preserving Cleveland’s victory.

Mayfield had one of his best games of the season, throwing four touchdown passes in the first two quarters, as Cleveland scored a franchise record 38 points in the first half. The previous high was 35. Mayfield finished 25-of-33 for 334 yards, good for a 147.0 passer rating.

Nick Chubb came out ahead in the battle of the running backs, finishing with 80 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland held Derrick Henry to under under 100 yards for the first time since Week 9, as the league’s leading rusher had just 60 yards on the ground.

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett recorded a sack in his first game back after testing positive for COVID-19, giving him 10.5 on the season. Linebacker Malcolm Smith and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi also had sacks for Cleveland.

Tennessee wide receiver Corey Davis set a career highs with 182 yards receiving on 11 receptions in the loss. Tannehill ended Sunday 29-of-45 passing for 389 yards, with three touchdowns and an interception.

The Browns are now 9-3 for the first time since 1994, which was also the last season they won a playoff game. They’re currently the AFC’s No. 5 seed. The Titans fall to 8-4. They’re tied for first place in the AFC South with the Colts, who beat the Texans 26-20 on Sunday.

NBC