NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Bills CB Tre'Davious White out for rest of 2023 season with torn Achilles

The Bills scored a win on Sunday against the Dolphins but endured a massive loss in the process.

Cornerback Tre'Davious White suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the remainder of the 2023 season, coach Sean McDermott confirmed to reporters on Monday.

White's injury occurred on a non-contact play in the third quarter while guarding Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The seventh-year cornerback was coming out of his backpedal and turned upfield before reacting and going to the turf.

He was visibly distraught and taken off the field via a cart.

White tearing his Achilles and missing the rest of the year is an undeniable knock to a top-ranked defense on the precipice of getting pass rusher Von Miller back -- McDermott said Monday that Miller will return to practice this week -- but also a terrible turn for one of the league's better corners.

"This game, people really don't understand, weighs on you," wide receiver Stefon Diggs said Sunday following the game, per ESPN, one of many teammates to express their grief over White's injury. "With everything he's already been through, it's kind of tough. Keep him in your prayers. It's easy to say it's unfortunate, but football means the world to him. You can tell by how he works, how he grinds, how he approaches each and every day. He really doesn't care about the limelight; he cares about being the player and teammate he can be. ... At a time like this, it's rough."

The 28-year-old CB, who has 18 career interceptions in 82 games for the Bills, is just two seasons removed from tearing his ACL on Thanksgiving.

He returned exactly a year later, suiting up for Buffalo's 2022 Thanksgiving matchup against the Lions and then finishing out the rest of the season.

Although White now faces another grueling recovery, McDermott is confident the All-Pro will persevere once again.

"He personifies what it is to be a Buffalo Bill," McDermott said on Sunday. "His family is tremendous. And he works as hard as anybody I've ever been around. And I love him.

"I mean, to see him on that field, the way he was hurting, is hard. It's hard to watch. But I'm so proud of the team and the way they rallied around him. And I know, like I said earlier, I know that he will rebound. He's just, he's too tough."

NFL.com

 

To put McCaffrey's record-breaking day into perspective, here are 13 stats (courtesy of the 49ers) showing all the different ways he etched his name into football history and why it was one of the best performances of his NFL career.

• McCaffrey’s 106 yards on the ground mark his 19th career game (playoffs included) with 100 or more rushing yards.
  
  
• McCaffrey’s four TDs mark a career-high and the most TDs recorded in a single game by a 49ers player since RB Tevin Coleman in 2019 [four TDs vs. the Carolina Panthers (10/27/19)].
  
  
• McCaffrey joined Coleman as one of two players in franchise history to score three rushing TDs and one receiving TD in the same game.
  
  
• McCaffrey's three TDs in the game's first half mark the first time in his career that he has scored three or more TDs in one half.
  
  
• This also was McCaffrey’s 12th career game with at least one rushing and one receiving TD, which is tied for the second-most such games all time (Marshall Faulk is No. 1 with 15 games).
  
  
• With 177 yards from scrimmage and four TDs, McCaffrey is the first player in 49ers franchise history to tally 100 or more yards from scrimmage and one TD in each game in Weeks 1-4, and is the first NFL player to accomplish the feat since former Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray in 2014.
  
  
• McCaffrey also is the eighth NFL RB to accomplish the feat since at least 1970 (RB DeMarco Murray, Cowboys - 2014; RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs - 2013; RB Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins - 2002; RB Emmitt Smith, Cowboys - 1995; RB Billy Sims, Detroit Lions - 1981; RB O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills - 1975; RB Ron Johnson, New York Giants - 1970).
  
  
• McCaffrey also became one of four NFL players in the Super Bowl Era to post 70 or more rushing yards, three or more rushing TDs, 70 or more receiving yards and one or more receiving TDs in the same game.
  
  
• McCaffrey’s three rushing TDs give him six on the season and 44 in his career. His four TDs against the Cardinals marked his 10th consecutive regular-season game with one or more TDs, which is the longest streak of his career and the second-most consecutive regular-season games with one or more TDs by a 49ers player since wide receiver Jerry Rice [13 games (Week 16, 1986 – Week 16, 1987)].
  
  
• Including the postseason, McCaffrey has scored one or more TDs in 13 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak of any NFL player and the longest streak by a member of the 49ers in franchise history.
  
  
• McCaffrey’s 13 consecutive games with a TD also ties former NFL RBs Arian Foster and Emmitt Smith for the second-most consecutive games with one or more TDs in the NFL since at least 1990.
  
  
• With a 65-yard rushing TD Week 1 at the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 14-yard rushing TD Week 2 at the Los Angeles Rams, a 4-yard rushing TD Week 3 vs. the New York Giants and 1-yard, 18-yard and 2-yard rushing TDs vs. Arizona, McCaffrey became the first 49ers RB to score one or more rushing TDs in Weeks 1-4 in franchise history.
  
  
• McCaffrey also became the first NFL RB to score one or more rushing TDs in Weeks 1-4 since then-Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook did so in 2020.
  

They don't call him Run CMC for nothing.

Stolen from; YAHOO

 

WEEK 4, ITS IN THE BOOKS...

 

De’Von Achane averaging a ridiculous 11.4 yards per carry

Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane was inactive for Week One. In Week Two, he had one carry for five yards. In two weeks since then, Achane has been the most explosive running back in the NFL, putting up truly shocking numbers.

Achane had 18 carries for 203 yards in Week Three and followed that up with eight carries for 101 yards in Week Four. For the season, Achane has 27 carries for 309 yards, a ridiculous average of 11.44 yards per carry.

That just doesn’t happen; no player in NFL history has ever finished a season with an average of more than 10 yards a carry on more than 25 carries.

Obviously, Achane isn’t going to keep averaging 11.4 yards a carry, but he has already done things that many good running backs don’t do in a whole season: Achane has three different runs of 40 or more yards this year in just 27 carries; last year only six running backs had three 40+ yard runs all season.

Achane, who has four rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns, is proving to be a big-play threat in a way that few running backs can match.

NBC

 

Mike Tomlin: Houston played harder and was more physical than us, that has to change

After having some time to digest his team’s 30-6 loss to the Texans, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says he needs his team to get tougher.

“There were several things that were very disappointing about the game,” Tomlin said. “Chief among them was that Houston was more physical than us and played harder than us. That’s something that’s got to change immediately.”

Tomlin says he hasn’t had the Steelers as physical in their practices because of short weeks caused by playing on a Monday night and travel issues, and in hindsight he wishes he had had the Steelers practicing with more contact.

“The physicality component of it is something that has our attention,” Tomlin said. “Particularly as we prepare to get ready for the Baltimore Ravens game. Those of us who have been in this game, we understand what that’s about.”

It’s been a disappointing season so far for the 2-2 Steelers, but a win over the 3-1 Ravens would move Pittsburgh into first place in the AFC North. Tomlin knows his team needs to be tougher on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

PFT

 

So the answer to getting beat by a team that played more dynamic than you in multiple ways is just to get tougher?

...

If Baltimore smokes Pittsburgh this weekend, then I think there's a possibility we may be looking at the end of an era.

Chuck Knoll - 23 seasons
Bill Cowher - 15 seasons
Mike Tomlin - In his 17th season

There comes a point where the returns diminish from the gig to the point where even the most diehard of coaches would like to pursue other avenues.

Tomlin will no doubt make a shit ton of coin working in the booth or commentating in some other fashion.

If Kenny doesn't look like the answer by the end of season, would it be that big of a surprise if Tomlin stepped away after his first losing year?

 

I just don't think the shtick that Tomlin spews reaches players anymore. There comes a time where they tune it out. Unless they make real changes, the old "we just have to get more physical" crap just gets old.

 

That article is pure bullshit. Beaty Feathers finished a season back in the 1930’s or 20’s with 100 carries for 1004 yards which is in the Guinness World Book of Records. That’s 10.04 yards a carry. In that stupid article they need to do their research before talking.

 

If Tomlin becomes an announcer will they create a segment called
“Mike’s Tomlinsens “?

 

lol... the article said; "no player in NFL history". It didnt mention the, Neanderthal Flintstone League.

 

Or the futuristic league from the Jetsons with robot players.

 

Rams designate Cooper Kupp for return from IR

Rams head coach Sean McVay said last week that he hoped wide receiver Cooper Kupp would return from injured reserve this week and the first step in that process took place on Wednesday.

The Rams announced that they have designated Kupp for return. Kupp injured his hamstring this summer and aggravated the injury closer to the start of the regular season, which led to the decision to sit him down for the first four weeks of the year.

Kupp will be able to practice for three weeks before the team faces a deadline to activate him or shut him down for the year. He can be activated at any point in the next three weeks and McVay’s comments suggest that the hope it will be sooner rather than later.

The Rams have seen rookie Puka Nacua break out with Kupp out of the lineup and the prospect of teaming the two wideouts against the Eagles this weekend and beyond will be an appealing one to contemplate as they see how Kupp fares in his return to the practice field.

PFT

 

Thats a tough question or would the owner/gm fire Canada first because thats what the peoples are clamoring for and give Tomlin another year to see what goes?

In my own opinion, I think Canada will go before Tomlin. In answer to your question specifically, I would be surprised if Tomlin stepped away on his own... he seems to me like the kind of guy who would rather leave on a positive note. I wonder also if Tomlin's relationship with Canada is getting in the way of decision making by both Canada and Tomlin. Seems Tomlin is Canada's biggest fan and defender.

Offensively, I checked this years offensive stats and they were just that... offensive. Went back to last year and they were down statistically and considerably from the Big Ben season before. Total yards/game and scoring all trending down since Pickett was drafted and assumed control along with Canada in January 2021, when he became OC instead of QBC.

Its brutal, but changes need made just about as soon as possible or all things are lost. Does the GM and Owner have the nads to do it?

 

Tomlin seems like he’s losing the team finally. As long as Canada is there he’ll have a hard time trying to get it back under control.

 

All of this will go away when the Steelers win this week. It will be sunshine and lollipops in Pittsburgh for a week and the fans will be in love with Kenny again after he throws for 3 TDs

 

Ron Rivera understands what the Chicago Bears are going through.

In his first three seasons as coach in Washington, the former Bears linebacker and assistant dealt with one off-the-field distraction after another, from the NFL and Congress investigating owner Dan Snyder's dealings to the Drug Enforcement Administration raiding the facility and home of trainer Ryan Vermillion.

Earlier this season, Rivera relished a line of questions about the long snapper situation because if that was the Commanders' biggest problem, it's good to just be worried about football.

“Things have changed, and it’s been different,” he said. “It’s been refreshing."

Not so much with the Bears, who are mired in chaos off the field and winless on it. They visit Washington on Thursday night with a player in exile for undisclosed reasons, their defensive coordinator gone for what he said was health and family reasons and little reason to believe they're primed for their first victory in nearly a year.

“When you lose, we’ve lost a couple games here this year, for me, everybody has frustrations,” said Matt Eberflus, who has lost more than a couple of games - 18 of 21 games actually - since taking over as Chicago's coach. “But you got to be able to control your emotions and focus on the task at hand.”

The task at hand is a prime time matchup against the Commanders, who are 2-2 after back-to-back losses but feeling better about themselves after pushing defending NFC East champion Philadelphia to overtime. Moral victories don't amount to a hill of beans in the NFL, but players see the upcoming schedule starting with the Bears and know this is the time to stack wins.

“We’ve got a lot of games in front of us that are, for sure, winnable,” second-year receiver Jahan Dotson said. “We should do pretty well during this little stretch.”

Upcoming for Washington are games at Atlanta and the New York Giants, who have been outscored 94-15 in their three losses. But first the 0-4 Bears, who are coming off blowing a 21-point lead to lose to Denver.

And that's just the start of the problems at Halas Hall, where receiver Chase Claypool is no longer welcome to work at. Eberflus declined to say why he and general manager Ryan Poles asked Claypool to stay away from the team.

“We feel right now this is the best decision for us," Eberflus said.

The drama surrounding Claypool comes after defensive coordinator Alan Williams abruptly resigned earlier this season and franchise quarterback Justin Fields suggested he was being overcoached, comments he tried to walk back later the same day. Fields on the field has rebounded; he's coming off throwing for a career-best 335 yards and four touchdowns against the Broncos, which is one glimmer of hope for the Bears, who last won a game on Oct. 24, 2022.

“You want to win," Fields said. "I’d rather throw for 50 yards with three picks and we still win the game than what happened this past Sunday. At this point, winning is just the No. 1 thing on my mind.”

Same for the Commanders, who because of their favorable, last-place schedule could be in the mix for a wild-card spot if they get on track. Despite FanDuel Sportsbook setting Washington as a 5 1/2-point favorite, receiver Terry McLaurin insisted he and his teammates aren't taking Chicago lightly.

Left tackle Charles Leno, who played his first seven pro seasons with the Bears before being surprisingly released, also knows better than to underestimate his former team.

“Chicago, I don’t care what’s going on out there, but I guarantee you their players and their coaches are telling their team they can come in here on Thursday night to Washington and try to kick our (butts) in our house,” Leno said. “That’s what I’m worried about. That’s what I care about.”

MOORE OF THAT, PLEASE

The Bears expected big things from DJ Moore when they acquired him from Carolina for the No. 1 pick in the draft. He finally delivered last week.

Moore caught eight passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. He had 11 receptions for 170 yards combined in the first three games.

It helped the Bears were moving Fields in and out of the pocket. He looked more comfortable throwing the ball.

“I do think we took a step closer in finding our identity as an offense, so that’s always a positive,” Fields said.

SLINGIN' SAM HOWELL

Even in a losing effort, Commanders starting quarterback Sam Howell bounced back in a big way against the Eagles. After throwing four interceptions and getting sacked nine times in a blowout loss to Buffalo, Howell had 330 yards combined in the air and on the ground and avoided a turnover at Philadelphia.

Howell goes into just his sixth pro start looking to build off that performance.

“The more games that we play collectively as an offensive unit, the better we’ll be,” Howell said. “The more we get more comfortable with ( first-year offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy ) calling the game and just everybody, - the whole process, players, coaches, everybody included - the more we can do that together, the better we’ll be.”

MORE PRESSURE

The Bears doubled their sack total last week, though that’s hardly a point of pride for them.

Chicago remains at the bottom of the NFL with two on the season after taking down Russell Wilson once last week. The New York Giants, who are 31st, have twice as many.

Then again, the Bears could have some opportunities this week. No one has allowed more sacks this season than the Commanders' 24.

“We have to remind ourselves about getting off the ball, being able to play fast and physical, and those opportunities will present themselves,” said defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who has one sack - in the opener against Green Bay.

FORBES FOCUS

Rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes had a rough day against the Eagles trying to cover A.J. Brown with Jalen Hurts throwing the ball his direction early and often. Brown finished with a game-high nine catches for 175 yards and two TDs.

Targeted 25 times and allowing 18 catches for a league-worst 356 yards, the first-round pick out of Mississippi State had a reassuring conversation with Rivera after the game and hasn't gotten down on himself.

“I’m still the same person, confident in my game, knowing what I can and can’t do,” Forbes said. “I just got to dial in to the smaller details. ... I just got to make the best of my opportunities when they do target me.”

AP

 

Najee Harris: It’s not the coaches, we have to play better

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said this week that the team team will not be making any coaching changes “at this juncture,” which did not come as happy news for those who blame offensive coordinator Matt Canada for having a major hand in the team’s sluggish start to the season.

Running back Najee Harris is not among those who believe a coaching change is in order. On Wednesday, Harris said players “can’t just keep pointing fingers” at others because the offensive shortcomings fall squarely on their shoulders.

“Coaches can only coach. We’ve got to execute the plays,” Harris said, via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. We’re not trying to point the finger at all. This is not the time to do that. It keeps being a conversation brought up, things that are talked about so much. I can honestly say we’re not doing it. It’s not the coaches. It has nothing to do with coaches. We have to play better. We can’t just keep looking at the coaches as an outlet or whatever is putting out there. . . . It’s stupid.”

Harris also agrees with Tomlin when it comes to the effort and physicality the Steelers showed in last Sunday’s loss to the Texans. Harris said the team lacked edge against Houston and were “just playing soft,” which he also puts in the category of things the players control rather than the coaches. He pointed to a Week 17 game against the Ravens last year when the Steelers ran for 198 yards as an example of what kind of effort they need to have now and called this weekend’s game against Baltimore a “good time to get that back.”

PFT

 

J.C. Jackson is officially back with the Patriots.

Word of a deal sending Jackson from the Chargers back to New England broke on Wednesday and the two teams announced the trade was completed on Thursday. In addition to Jackson, the Chargers will be sending a a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to New England in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick.

Jackson left the Patriots to sign a five-year, $82 million deal with the Chargers last year, but struggled early in the season and then went down with a torn patellar tendon. He struggled again upon returning to action this year and was a healthy scratch in one game before the Chargers made the trade with New England.

A report Wednesday said the Chargers will pay the majority of Jackson’s salary, which makes him an affordable reclamation project for the Patriots as they try to fill the void left behind by the loss of rookie corner Christian Gonzalez.

PFT