NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Report: Packers fear torn ACL for Rashan Gary



The Packers had several players leave Sunday’s loss to the Lions with injuries and at least one of them appears to be a season-ending one.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the team believes linebacker Rashan Gary tore his ACL during the 15-9 loss. Gary was on crutches after leaving the game with a knee injury.


Gary leads the Packers with six sacks, seven tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits this season. Rookie Kingsley Enagbare will step into a larger role when and if that initial fear is confirmed.

The Packers will also be waiting for updates on running back Aaron Jones, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, cornerback Eric Stokes, wide receiver Christian Watson, and linebacker Krys Barnes after a tough Sunday in Detroit.

PFT

 

Denzel Ward, Wyatt Teller back on practice field for Browns



Browns cornerback Denzel Ward has been out of action since suffering a concussion in Week Five, but he took a step back toward the lineup on Monday.

Ward was on the practice field for the first time since being injured when the Browns returned from their bye week for a workout. Guard Wyatt Teller, who has missed two games with a calf injury, is also working with the team on Monday,


The Browns won’t issue an injury report until Wednesday, so their participation levels in Monday’s session won’t be shared.

If Ward is cleared to play this week, the Browns will be happy to have him on hand as they try to slow down Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

PFT

 

That monster contract likely prevents him being traded or cut, unless the packers are ok eating a substantial amount of money

 

It's amazing to think they offered Carolina a first rounder for D.J. Moore. Green Bay - the team that never uses a top draft pick on a WR - hit the panic button hard enough to offer a future first rounder to get help right freaking NOW. That's serious.


But when I first heard that, what boggled my mind was that Carolina turned it down. WTF? They trade McCaffrey but not Moore??

Moore is about to have his cap costs jump to $20M+ for the next three seasons ($25M next year), and his $19.9 million salary for next year is fully guaranteed. You'd think that the opportunity to unload that cap cost would be a no-brainer for a team in a full throttle rebuild.

And it's not like the McCaffrey trade left them flush with ridiculous amounts of draft capital. They gained a 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the trade, but they were already without their own 3rd, 6th and 7th. So they do have the extra 2nd, but they likely moved down in the third, and they still have just the regular seven total picks. They also have more than half ($133M total) of next year's cap tied up in just five players plus the dead money they've already incurred. Meanwhile, Matt Corral is still the only quarterback that they currently have under contract beyond this season.

So the team without a coach and without a starting quarterback could have gained over $10 million in net cap space next year AND picked up Green Bay's first round pick. But they turned it down.

Seriously, WTF ???

 

Carolina turned down multiple first rd picks for Burns too. They don’t know what they are doing. Either you rebuild or you keep all your good players.

 

I just read that - Schefter says Rams offered two firsts AND a second for Burns. I'm guessing it was the 2023 second rounder plus their 2024 and 2025 first rounders, as the Rams had already traded away their 2023 first rounder in the deal for Matthew Stafford. I'm guessing Scott Fitterer rejected it because the two first rounders are both future picks.

I didn't like the McCaffrey trade, but it was done well ahead of the deadline. So I'll say that one is already baked into the cake before I take over as Trade Deadline Panthers Mock GM. With that one already in the bag thanks to my predecessor, I would have taken the Moore and Burns deals in a heartbeat.

Looking ahead, I would plan to tender QB P.J. Walker at the second round level (taking the draft pick if another team signed him, happily keeping him at an affordable cost if no one else grabs him), and I'd already be talking with RB D'Onta Foreman's agent trying to work out a fair-but-affordable 3-year contract extension. I'd also be auditioning Sam Darnold (just off of IR) to see if Ben McAdoo really can do anything with him. He and Mayfield would both get starts down the stretch.

I'm guessing that Mayfield would be expensive to re-sign, but I do want to give him the shot at winning the starting job and see what happens. Ditto for Darnold - except that at this point I believe Darnold would be dirt cheap to sign. And that's why I want to see him with McAdoo... the right guy with the right coach, etc, etc... ( McAdoo himself would be auditioning to stick around if he actually could get Darnold and/or Mayfield turned around.)

But the most important reason for auditioning them both is to do my due diligence in assessing these two pending free agents before I go full speed ahead with plans to draft the next franchise QB. Because here's the kicker... after the Moore trade and what I think would have been the Burns trade, I'd be looking at two first rounders (mine plus Packers) and three second rounders (mine plus SF and Rams) in 2023 already knowing that I also have two first rounders in 2024 and two first rounders in 2025 from the Burns deal.


I have absolutely no idea why Fitterer passed that up. Maybe he thinks one of his QBs will catch fire this season throwing to Moore and lead the Panthers deep into the playoffs.

 

This week on Monday Night Football we’ll get a matchup between the 5-3 Ravens and the 3-5 Saints.


Both teams have been plagued by injury troubles that they’ve had to adjust to throughout the season and even up to this week, with both Baltimore and New Orleans announcing on Thursday that one of their top WRs would be out for the remainder of the season.


The Saints are coming off a shutout win over the Raiders, which appeared to get them back on track after having off-and-on struggles throughout the season. They have yet to win two games in a row, but will be looking to change that this week with Andy Dalton now the quarterback for the foreseeable future. In an NFC South where no one has really pulled away, a win for the Saints could put them right back in contention for the division.


The Ravens have also had some close losses, but held off the Buccaneers in last week’s Thursday Night Football game, winning 27-22 for their first winning streak of the season. Now with an extra-long rest and back on prime-time TV on Monday, Baltimore will be looking to build on that win and stay on top of the AFC North.


A fun aspect of this matchup is the prime-time component, in which one team holds a distinct historical advantage. Lamar Jackson has proven to be up to the challenge of the bright lights of prime time, ranking third in win percentage for QBs in prime-time games since 2000 with an 11-4 record. And only the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott has a higher passer rating than Jackson on Monday Night Football (123.0).


In contrast, Dalton has not had much success on prime time, coming into Monday on a six-game losing streak in such games, including a loss to the Cardinals just a few weeks ago during which he threw two pick-sixes.


Of course anything could happen on this Monday night, and we’ll have to see how things play out beyond what history and record predict.


Here are four things to watch for when the Ravens visit the Saints:

1. How will Jackson deal with injuries on offense? For the second year in a row, injuries to key players have the possibility of deeply affecting the Ravens offense. Earlier this week came the news that wide receiver Rashod Bateman would be out for the remainder of the season after getting surgery to address a Lisfranc injury. So Jackson’s No. 1 WR is gone. In addition, Jackson’s favorite target, TE Mark Andrews (knee), is out for Monday, while RB Gus Edwards (hamstring), who only just came back from injured reserve a couple of weeks ago, is doubtful. Both Edwards and Andrews were active last week after being labeled as questionable, but both also exited the game early with injuries and were not able to fully contribute. The fact that there’s a possibility that the Ravens’ No. 1 wide receiver, tight end and running back will all be unavailable on Monday is a concern and raises questions about how the offense will perform with its top performers not fully healthy.
2. Can Kamara run over the Baltimore D? Running back Alvin Kamara is going to face a challenge in the Ravens' front. While the Baltimore pass defense has been less than stellar, its rush defense is ranked fifth in the league and will provide a formidable test. Kamara’s numbers aren’t quite at the level of some of the leading rushers this season and he’s only broken 100 total rushing yards in one game. But he’s been one of the Saints’ most consistent pieces, and they’ve relied on him heavily, leading to Kamara having the most touches of any RB since Week 5. Against the Raiders last week, Kamara had one of his strongest performances of the season by supplementing his rushing duties with receiving opportunities. He finished as the Saints’ leading rusher (62 yards) and receiver (96 yards), and scored all three of New Orleans’ touchdowns, showing his two-way skills. But there’s a difference between the Raiders’ low-ranked defense and the Ravens’ considerably stronger unit. Considering how crucial Kamara’s role is on the offense, the way this matchup plays out will be important in determining the game’s outcome.
3. How will the Ravens' new acquisition affect the game? Baltimore traded for Roquan Smith less than a week ago, sending 2023 second- and fifth-round picks to Chicago to acquire the linebacker. And based on what the coaches have said, Smith will be available to play versus the Saints, barring a setback. Baltimore is ranked 28th in passing defense and 20th in points allowed, so by obtaining a quality tackler like Smith, there is hope he’ll help improve a defensive unit that has had some issues holding strong in key moments. The Ravens have blown leads of 10 or more points in all three of their losses, and some of the wins have been closer than necessary at the end as well. Smith has been a solid player this season for the Bears, leading the league in combined tackles (83) and also collecting 2.5 sacks and two interceptions. The Ravens acquired Smith with the hope that he’d be a boost to their struggling defense. Will his presence be felt in his first outing with Baltimore, and will that translate into a strong individual performance from Smith, an overall improvement on defense, or maybe both?
4. Can Dalton continue to collect wins as the starter? Dalton has officially been named the Saints’ starter for the foreseeable future, earning the role through his play over the last five weeks while Jameis Winston recovered from injuries, managing to hold on to the starting spot even now that Winston is healed up. But what now? Despite the Saints offense sitting in the top 10 in most major offensive categories, New Orleans has a losing record and hasn’t been able to string together multiple wins in a row under either quarterback. Last week’s performance was encouraging, with Dalton finishing with a 117.2 passer rating and 229 yards on 22-of-30 passing in the blowout. But can that be sustained? The Ravens have their struggles in passing defense, as mentioned, so this could be an opportunity for Dalton to really make a statement and show that he can lead the team to wins on a consistent basis. He’ll definitely need to continue to play at a high level to justify the decision coach Dennis Allen made to name him the starter, or it could be back to the backup role.

NFL.com

 

Ravens score... Jackson to Likely... a likely story, 7-0

 

If I had to guess, someone with the Panthers is doing the ol', "positions of priority" dance. WR and DE are positions that matter. You've got young guys at each. Sure, you could trade them, but there's no guarantee you replace them in the immediate future. So, you build around those pieces - talent at the important positions.

Is that the way I'd do it? Maybe not. But that's my guess.

 

Monday Night Football: Lamar Jackson, Justin Houston carry Ravens to 27-13 win



Lamar Jackson did Lamar Jackson things Monday night, and Justin Houston turned back the clock. It added up to complete domination by the Ravens.

Baltimore beat up New Orleans 27-13, leaving no doubt from start to finish who was going to win. The Ravens moved to 6-3, and the Saints fell to 3-6.


Jackson completed 12 of 22 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown, a 25-yard throw to rookie tight end Isaiah Likely for the Ravens’ first score. It was Jackson’s 100th career touchdown.

He also ran for 82 yards on 11 carries as he passed Steve Young for the fifth-most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history.

Ten different players caught at least one pass, and no one caught more than two passes. Likely’s 24 yards were the most receiving yards for any player.

The Ravens ran for 188 yards on 40 carries led by Kenyan Drake‘s 24 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns. His scoring plays covered 1 yard and 3 yards.

Houston had three tackles, 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, a pass breakup and an interception on a pass tipped by Brent Urban. Newcomer Roquan Smith, acquired in a trade from the Bears, made five tackles.

Saints quarterback Andy Dalton took a beating in completing 19 of 29 passes for 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Rookie receiver Chris Olave caught six passes for 71 yards.

PFT

 

WEEK 9... is in the Books!

 

Steelers optimistic T.J. Watt, Damontae Kazee will play this week



The Steelers have not had linebacker T.J. Watt in the lineup since the season opener, but it looks like that will change this weekend.

Watt, who suffered a pectoral injury in Week One, returned to practice ahead of the team’s Week Eight loss to the Eagles. He was not activated for that game, but head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he’s optimistic about Watt making his return to the lineup this week.


Tomlin said he’s also optimistic about getting safety Damontae Kazee back on the field this Sunday. Kazee returned to practice a week ahead of Watt and will need to be activated this week in order to return this season.

Kazee injured his forearm in the preseason and went on injured reserve before Week One.

PFT

 

I like watching Kazee play. Looking forward to seeing him back in action for Pittsburgh.

 

Najee Harris won’t be benched (yet), but Jaylen Warren will get more touches



As the Steelers emerge from their bye at 2-6, there’s one and only one motivation. Win.

To make that happen, the coaching staff will be willing to shake things up.


And while it’s our understanding that this doesn’t mean running back Najee Harris will be benched (yet), Jaylen Warren will get more touches moving forward, per a source with knowledge of the team’s plans.

That meshes with comments made earlier today by coach Mike Tomlin. Harris, a 2021 first-rounder who was solid as a rookie, has been criticized for excessive dancing and hesitating. Undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2022, Warren gradually has gained more and more admirers by running hard.

It’s part of a broader effort by the coaching staff to make changes aimed at winning more games. The Steelers need to win seven of the final nine games of the season in order to avoid Tomlin’s first losing record of his 16-year career as the team’s head coach.

For the season, Harris has 108 carries for 361 yards, good for an average of 3.3 yards per carry. Warren has 29 carries for 153 yards, an average of 5.3 per attempt.

Obviously, the running back position isn’t the only problem. But Harris, a presumed breakout player this season, could be getting less work and, eventually, could be sliding behind Warren on the depth chart.

PFT

 

Warren has played better than Najee.

 

I havnt seen him play yet, but from what ive read, why not see what he can do on a more consistent basis. Nothing to lose here, so see what you got, adjust accordingly and put the best offense you can out there. A stronger run game is definitely a great cure for QB's who are struggling also... opens things up.

Per PFT;

As the Pittsburgh Steelers search for answers to aid a struggling offense after a 2-6 record to open the season, could undrafted rookie running back Jaylen Warren leapfrog first-round pick Najee Harris in the backfield?

Head coach Mike Tomlin was asked directly on Tuesday if he would consider moving Warren to a featured role in the offense. Tomlin was evasive, as usual, but didn't discount the possibility.

"You know he's a quality back that's made some plays," Tomlin said of Warren. "We'll keep giving him an opportunity to do so, and maybe he'll write that script."

Harris has struggled to open the season, generating 361 yards and one touchdown on 108 carries through eight games. Harris is averaging 45.1 rush yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry, the fewest YPC among 41 players with 70-plus carries in 2022. Meanwhile, Warren, who has earned a more prominent third-down role in recent weeks, is averaging 5.3 yards per carry on 29 attempts.

Harris dealt with a Lisfranc injury during training camp. And while he hasn't missed action, the injury has clearly slowed the back this season.

"To what degree, I don't know," Tomlin said of Harris' injury affecting his play. "He's playing, and so obviously he's healthy enough to play. I'll let him speak to that.

"But both guys (Harris and Warren) have been available to us. We've gotten some awesome contributions from Jaylen, and it's reasonable to expect that to continue."


Coming out of the bye, the Steelers could siphon off some of Harris' workload, making the backfield a larger timeshare moving forward.

The offensive line struggles haven't aided either running back, but Warren has displayed more consistent tackle-breaking ability in his limited reps. Beginning Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, who rank 19th against the run, the rookie could get a chance to cement a significant role in the offense as the Steelers attempt to turn their season around.

 

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers Prediction, Game Preview



Date: Thursday, November 10
Game Time: 8:15 ET
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
How To Watch: Prime Video
Record: Atlanta Falcons (4-5), Carolina Panthers (2-7)

Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers Game Preview
Why Atlanta Falcons Will Win
Run, run, and keep running.

The return of Cordarrelle Patterson helped in last week’s tough loss to the Chargers, rookie Tyler Allgeier is great when it gets his chances, and Caleb Huntley has turned this into a three-headed monster to go along with the mobility of QB Marcus Mariota.

And Carolina will have a hard time stopping all of it.

The team is fighting the good fight as it’s in full-on tear down mode, but the run defense just got ripped apart by Cincinnati’s Joe Mixon. That was coming off the first go-round with the Falcons when the D allowed 167 yards in the overtime win.

This time around the Falcons should be able to keep grinding, they’re not going to get hit for over 300 passing yards that PJ Walker came up with in the first meeting, and …

– Week 10 CFN NFL Expert Picks

Why Carolina Panthers Will Win
The team is fighting the good fight.

Even with all of the problems and all of the turnovers and issues, the offense is having its moments.

D’Onta Foreman ran for 118 yards and three scores in the first meeting to go along with Walker’s big day, and it should all continue a few weeks later.

Baker Mayfield is back in the mix, the running game won’t have any problems, and the offense will hit on more big plays against a defense that allows way too many deep shots.

However …

What’s Going To Happen
Carolina’s two wins this season came when it stuffed the run. One win came against the miserable Tampa Bay ground game, and the other was early on against Syracuse. Those were the only two times the team allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards.

Atlanta has rushed for fewer than 100 yards just once. That’s not happening here.

Carolina is 4-2 when running for 165 yards or more. It got there in the first meeting a few weeks ago, and it’ll do it again.

Story originally appeared on College Football News

 

The ending of the game two weeks ago made that one worth watching.

But if we don't get that kind of craziness and if both QBs play tonight like they did last week, then this one will be another Amazon Prime fiasco like the Colts-Broncos and Bears-Commanders. I'm not even sure if I want to sit through it myself.

 

Im thinking shoot-out... with the Falcons on top, not just fluffing you, Torgo, but thats what I expect or hope for. Im wondering if weather will be involved and have a factor. I havnt looked at the forecast yet... just know of the storm to the south of the Carolinas at the present time.

Falcons establish the run game with Patterson and get half-way decent defense, it should bode well for the Birds, but they have to stuff the run defensively as well as get some secondary plays.

Panthers on the other hand have played well, which is a mystery to me considering the changes they have made, so thats why im thinking offenses will rule this tilt.

 

Wind and rain forecasted for tonights game... fun, fun, fun.