After benching, Marcus Mariota leaves Falcons Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota is out. Literally. After being benched for rookie Desmond Ridder for performance reasons, Mariota has left the team. And the team doesn’t know if he’ll be back. Coach Arthur Smith has said Mariota will be placed on injured reserve. The minimum four-game absence would knock him out for the rest of the regular season. Via Josh Kendall of TheAthletic.com, Smith said Tuesday that Mariota is currently not with the Falcons. Smith told Mariota last Thursday that he’ll be benched for Ridder. On Friday, Smith learned that Mariota planned to “step away” from the team. In lieu of placing Mariota on injured reserve, the Falcons could cut Mariota. He’d then head to waivers, like Baker Mayfield did last week. Mariota was the second overall pick in the 2015 draft. The Titans benched him for Ryan Tannehill in 2019. After two seasons with the Raiders, Mariota signed a two-year deal with the Falcons. He received a $5 million signing bonus, and a fully-guaranteed salary of $1.75 million for 2022. Without Mariota, Logan Woodside will serve as the backup to Ridder, a third-round pick in April. PFT
Brock Purdy questionable for Thursday Night Football The 49ers already said they don’t expect to know Brock Purdy‘s status for Thursday Night Football until game day. So, it comes as no surprise that they list the quarterback as questionable with his oblique/rib injury. Purdy had another limited practice Wednesday, the third consecutive day he’s had that practice designation this week. He said Wednesday he feels “pretty good.” Josh Johnson will start if Purdy can’t go. Purdy became the team’s third starter of this season. The 49ers ruled out quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), defensive lineman Kevin Givens (knee), defensive back Tarvarius Moore (knee), defensive lineman Hassan Ridgeway (pectoral), receiver Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) and cornerback Samuel Womack (concussion) Defensive lineman Kerry Hyder (ankle) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (ankle) are questionable to play against the Seahawks. PFT _______ _______________ Josh who???
No injury designation for Tyler Huntley, Lamar Jackson officially out Ravens head coach John Harbaugh suggested that Tyler Huntley will be starting at quarterback for his team again this week and the team’s final injury report ahead of Saturday’s game against the Browns makes it all but official. Huntley has no injury designation after suffering a concussion in last Sunday’s win over the Steelers and that puts him on track to make his second straight start. Lamar Jackson did not practice at all this week and has officially been ruled out with the knee injury he suffered in Week 13. Anthony Brown will serve as Huntley’s backup again this week. Right tackle Morgan Moses (knee), punter Jordan Stout (knee), and right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee) are listed as questionable, but all three were full participants in Thursday’s practice. PFT
Report: Brock Purdy to start Thursday night The 49ers said they would not know whether quarterback Brock Purdy is able to play against the Seahawks until close to kickoff on Thursday night and it appears they have made their call. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Purdy is expected to make his second NFL start against the 49ers’ NFC West rivals. Purdy suffered an oblique injury against the Buccaneers in last Sunday’s win and he was limited in practice before being listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report of the week. Purdy was 16-of-21 for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the 35-7 win over Tampa. He also ran for a touchdown. Defensive lineman Kerry Hyder (ankle) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (ankle) also drew questionable tags to play against the Seahawks. The status of Purdy and those two will become official 90 minutes ahead of kickoff on Thursday. PFT
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett‘s status was unchanged at Thursday’s practice. Pickett was a limited participant on Wednesday due to the concussion he suffered in last Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. The next update to Pickett’s progress through the concussion protocol will come on Friday and Pickett will need to clear all of the remaining hurdles in order to be cleared to play against the Panthers. Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky have been splitting first-team work with Pickett limited to individual work. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hip) landed on the injury report Thursday because he did not practice. Johnson also missed practice last Thursday before practicing on Friday and playing on Sunday. Linebacker Myles Jack (groin), tight end Pat Freiermuth (foot), and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (toe) missed practice for the second straight day. Defensive back Josh Jackson (ankle) was added to the report. Running back Najee Harris (hip) moved from out of practice to full participation. Cornerback Cam Sutton (neck, stinger) was a full participant for the second straight day. PFT
Mike White has no doubt he’ll play Sunday Jets quarterback Mike White was limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday, but it doesn’t sound like the Jets are on the verge of turning back to Zach Wilson as their starter. White was able to return to action after suffering a rib injury on a big shot from Bills linebacker Matt Milano last Sunday and he told reporters on Thursday that he has no doubt that he’ll be on the field against the Lions this weekend. “No, no, none at all,” White said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Sunday’s game would be White’s fourth straight start since he replaced Wilson in the starting lineup. Wilson was inactive the last three games, but has been bumped up to the No. 2 quarterback role ahead of Joe Flacco this week. PFT
No How many QBs have we seen hit the big stage and when no one knows what they do, they shine brightly… then DCs study film and you’re like, what happened to that guy? The other direction… we’ve only had one that was drafted in the bottom part of the draft that has actually went on to be “the next great thing”. Odds are against him
Been more than one. Only 1 GOAT, but there have been good to great QBs drafted late. Of course odds are lower later rounds produce great players at any position. Watching Brock play, not sure he’s anything special. Seattle’s defense did not stress him out much, and that offense is made for a game manager QB. Kittle’s first TD he was wide open on a busted coverage. Second one tons of YAC. And the defense is pretty damn good. First time I’ve watched them play and I came away impressed. Nick Bosa is great, that was a total bs roughing call against him that negated a pick 6. I have a hatred of the 49ers, but I’m more impressed with them than I was the Eagles. Shanahan was catching crap earlier in the season, but that team just may be the best in the NFC
Practicaly none but there are some succesful outside of the first round QBs Wilson and Cousins spring to mind among active qbs Some other lete round Qbs that had some succes Marc Bulger round 6, Mark Brunell round 5, Rich Gannon Round 4, Brad Johnson round 9, Matt Hasslebeck round 6, Mark Rypien round 6, Joe Thiesman round 4, and if you want to count it Montana round 3. Two late ones that one I didnt include becausenthey may not be what one would consider moderen era are Bart Star (round 17) and Roger Staubach (round 10).
Report: X-rays negative on Jalen Hurts’ throwing shoulder, MRI confirms it’s not serious Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has a sprained right shoulder, but John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports that X-rays were negative and an MRI confirmed it was only a sprain. Hurts’ availability for Saturday’s game against the Cowboys is in doubt, and coach Mike McCarthy said the team is preparing for Hurts and Gardner Minshew. But the good news for the Eagles is the injury is not considered serious, per Clark, and will require only “some rest and some rehab.” “I’m told there is no doubt: Jalen Hurts will be ready for the playoffs,” Clark wrote. “One Eagle told me, ‘He’s a tough MF.'” Hurts was injured late in the third quarter when Bears defensive end Trevis Gipson drove Hurts into the frozen ground after the Eagles quarterback kept the ball on a zone-read. Hurts was slow to get up. “Yeah, it wasn’t the first time I’ve been slow [to get up],” Hurts said after the game when asked about it. “Won’t be the last. I didn’t play a really physical game, and it was real cold, too. So happy we were able to find a win and find a way.” Hurts was helped to his feet by left tackle Jordan Mailata, and Hurts didn’t miss a snap. “The one that scared me, he just laid there,” Mailata said. “I ran over and said, ‘Stay down.’ And he said, ‘Pick me the f— up.’ And I said, ‘Yes, sir.’” In the fourth quarter, after his injury, Hurts went 6-of-9 for 102 yards and had six rushing attempts for 9 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles need only one win in their final three games to clinch the division and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. PFT
Kenny Pickett set to start vs. Raiders The Steelers will have their starting quarterback for the Christmas Eve matchup with the Raiders. Head coach Mike Tomlin said at his press conference that he anticipates Kenny Pickett will clear the concussion protocol shortly and will be able to start against Las Vegas. “As far as Kenny Pickett, I think the concussion component of where he is is behind us,” Tomlin said in his Tuesday press conference.”I think he has to check a box procedurally, but if we were to practice today, he would be a full participant.” Pickett had to exit the Week 14 matchup against Baltimore after suffering a concussion early on in the game. Mitch Trubisky finished that game and started the Week 15 win over the Panthers. The 20th overall pick of this year’s draft, Pickett has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,797 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions. He’s also rushed for 225 yards with three TDs. Tomlin also noted that Terrell Edmunds has a hamstring injury, Dionate Johnson is dealing with turf toe, and Derek Watt has an ankle injury. PFT
Nick Foles to start for Colts on Monday night The Colts are turning to their third starting quarterback of the season. Nick Foles will start for the Colts on Monday night against the Chargers, Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday said. Foles takes over for Matt Ryan, who is benched for the second time this season. The first time Ryan was benched, rookie Sam Ehlinger took over, the Colts lost the two games Ehlinger started, and head coach Frank Reich was fired. When Saturday was installed as interim head coach, he immediately put Ryan back in the starting lineup. But now Saturday has decided to go to Foles, the veteran who has a Pro Bowl season and a Super Bowl MVP on his resume but has mostly been a backup since that Super Bowl MVP-winning performance for the Eagles five years ago. Foles has only played in one game this year, and only for the final two snaps of a 24-0 loss to the Jaguars. The Colts are reeling after suffering the greatest collapse in NFL history, losing 39-36 to the Vikings after leading 33-0 at halftime. It’s possible that game will go down as the last start of Ryan’s career. PFT ___________ _________________________ Seems odd that a QB who orchestraded a 33-0 Half lead and then watches his shit defense give up 39 in the 2nd half, gets blamed for this. But, what the hell do i know?
WAKE UP MINSHEW FANS!!!!! While the Eagles have not yet officially ruled out Jalen Hurts for this week, it certainly seems as if Gardner Minshew will start at quarterback in this weekend’s game against the Cowboys. Tight end Dallas Goedert is also slated to return to play after missing the last five weeks with a shoulder injury. He displayed a solid connection with Minshew last year, catching six passes for 105 yards with a pair of touchdowns from the quarterback in last year’s victory over the Jets. On Tuesday, Goedert said the team has a lot of respect for Minshew. “He came in here after he was in Jacksonville, you know, Minshew Mania. He kind of had that legend behind him. He came in here and didn’t disappoint,” Goedert said, via Reuben Frank of NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “He’s been himself since the day he got in here. And he’s always been a little different in the best way possible, and I love that about him. He’s just got a lot of respect because he comes in here to work every day, prepares like the starter even though he knows he’s the backup. “He knows his role, and he just waits for an opportunity like this, and we all have faith that he’s going to make the most of it.” Minshew has completed 63.2 percent of his career passes for 6,003 yards with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 30 games. PFT
I am this guys biggest fan! He makes football fun with his style and personality. Frankly, I think, while he doesn't have the highest ceiling in the physical sense, he is savvy and smart and has the opportunity here to succeed and get noticed. I think this one is on in Green Bay because the Packers play Sunday.