NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Wink Martindale: Xavier McKinney’s comments hurt the locker room

After the Giants lost to the Raiders last Sunday, safety Xavier McKinney said that he doesn’t think Giants coaches have “done a great job of letting the leaders lead” and that “it’s hard to go out there and be able to make plays” when you don’t feel like you’re being heard.

McKinney said this week that he met with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale about his feelings and that they are now on the same page. On Thursday, Martindale had his chance to talk about McKinney’s comments and his exchange with the safety.

“It surprised me, because it’s the first time it’s ever happened in my career,” Martindale said, via Charlotte Carroll of TheAthletic.com. “That a player would make a statement like that. I think it was a case where the kid is just frustrated from losing. We spoke. We cleared it up. The example he gave me of what he was talking about was an in-game adjustment. And it really took a while for him to point out to me what exactly it was, but I think you grow from that.”

Martindale said “it hurts the locker room” when players publicly air their grievances and shared what he told McKinney and the rest of the team about handling such feelings.

“When you make a statement like that, it puts money in your pockets and takes it out of ours,” Martindale said. “Talking about the media. You just have to understand that it was an emotional thing right after the game.”

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that McKinney’s spot in the starting lineup won’t be impacted by his comments, but the safety is an impending free agent and his future with the Giants beyond this season remains up in the air.

PFT

 

Texans HC DeMeco Ryans: 23 injured players 'doesn't stop our process' for preparing for Bengals

There were 23 players listed on the Houston Texans' injury report Wednesday.

Eleven -- including first-round pick Will Anderson -- did not practice.

Seven -- including wide receiver Nico Collins -- were limited.

There were multiple wide receivers, and offensive tackles, too. There was a fullback and a kicker, as well.

For a Texans squad seemingly trending in the right direction after a thrilling C.J. Stroud-led Week 9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it's certainly not the best news to begin Week 10.

Nonetheless, Houston rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans isn't making any excuses as his team prepares for the red-hot Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

"It doesn't stop our process," Ryans said Wednesday, via team transcript, when asked about the difficulty of preparing without knowing the status of multiple key players. "We go through the same process, and things happen. That's life. Things don't go your way all the time, so I continue to smile through it, and we're going to have our best guys out there. Whoever is available, we're going to have our best guys out there and we're going to play the Texan brand of football."

Among the plethora of notable Texans dealing with injuries are Anderson (knee), running back Dameon Pierce (ankle), receivers Collins (calf), John Metchie III (ribs) and Robert Woods, offensive tackle Tytus Howard (knee) and Laremy Tunsil (knee) and defensive backs Steven Nelson (back/neck) and Jimmie Ward (hamstring).

NFL.com
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Must be a record of some kind... one you dont want, obviously.

 

Tee Higgins out of Thursday practice, Ja’Marr Chase returns

Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase appears to have avoided significant injury but there remains concern about his teammate, Tee Higgins.

According to multiple reporters on the scene, Higgins was not practicing on Thursday after he popped up as limited on the Wednesday injury report. That suggests Higgins suffered an injury during Wednesday’s practice.

While it initially appeared Chase also was not going to practice, he then came on the field with a jersey and went through his usual routine during individual drills. Chase is dealing with a back injury after taking a hard fall during the team’s victory over the Bills on Sunday night.

Higgins also made an appearance at practice but was in street clothes.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is not slated to address the media until Friday. We’ll see how Cincinnati lists Higgins and Chase on its injury report, but it seems like Higgins is more at risk of missing Sunday’s game against Houston than Chase at this point.

NBC

 

A Preview of the Panthers vs Bears game Tonight for TNF.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The Chicago Bears are facing a win-win scenario.

Beat the Carolina Panthers and they boost their chances at the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

It's an unusual spot to be in, yet that's where the Bears find themselves heading into their matchup at Soldier Field on Thursday night. If they come out on top, it would be a win on two fronts.

That's because Chicago (2-7) owns Carolina's first-round draft pick next year.

“I’m just trying to get to 3-7,” Bears guard Teven Jenkins said. “That’s the only thing I’m worried about, sir.”

The Bears had the No. 1 pick in the draft last spring after finishing with the league's worst record. They traded it to Carolina for receiver DJ Moore.

Chicago is in the running for the top spot with its own first-round pick. But another route at the moment is through Carolina (1-7). Only Arizona (1-8) has a worse record.

Panthers coach Frank Reich said he hadn't considered the potential draft implications and the potential to play a sort of spoiler.

“Interesting question,” he said. “I guess this is good, but I hadn’t even thought about that. This is just about tryin’ to win the next football game. One of the things I said to the guys today - sometimes when you get in this position, you look back and you wanna change some things that have happened. You wish, somehow, that you can double down.

"‘Hey, let’s put it all in this one game. Let’s double down on everything. Get it all back!’ But that’s not real life. That’s not real life in the NFL. That’s not real life, period. You gotta take ’em one at a time.”

Both teams have more immediate concerns. And for both, they involve the quarterback spot.

For Chicago, quarterback Justin Fields is doubtful because of a dislocated right thumb. That means rookie Tyson Bagent likely will start his fourth straight game.

“He’s getting better, though,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said of Fields. “Accuracy’s improving. He’s throwing it better. And he’s starting to do more and more and more.

“So we’ll see it where it goes."

Fields hasn’t played since dislocating his right thumb during a Week 6 loss to Minnesota. The Bears are 1-2 with Bagent - an undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia - as their starter after losing last week at New Orleans.

For Carolina, rookie Bryce Young looks to rebound from his worst game as a pro in last week's loss to Indianapolis.

MOORE OF THAT

The most recent time the Bears played on a Thursday night, Moore had the best game of his career.

He went off in a Week 5 win at Washington, setting career highs with 230 yards and three touchdowns. Since then, he hasn't had more than 55 yards in a game.

Moore will be facing his former team for the first time since a blockbuster trade in March. The Bears sent the No. 1 pick to Carolina and moved back eight spots in this year's draft.

They also acquired the Panthers' 2024 first-round pick.

Moore could be in for another big game in prime time. Carolina's secondary is banged up with Jaycee Horn (hamstring/IR) and C.J. Henderson (concussion) out this week.

DEFENSIVE INJURIES

Carolina’s defense has been plagued by injuries all season and it enters Thursday night even thinner on the depth chart after several more on Sunday.

Outside linebacker Brian Burns will not play after suffering a concussion against Indianapolis.

That position has also been depleted by injuries with Justin Houston and Yetur Gross-Matos already on injured reserve.

That leaves the Panthers young at outside linebacker as second-year player Amare Barno and rookies DJ Johnson and Eku Leota are left to handle the reps.

Carolina’s secondary is likely to be without starting cornerback C.J. Henderson, who like Burns remains in the concussion protocol. Starting cornerback Jaycee Horn has been on injured reserve since Week 1 and is not quite ready to return.

YOUNG’S STRUGGLES

Young, the No. 1 pick in the draft, has one of the worst QB ratings in the NFL. He is coming off a game where he threw three interceptions - two of which were returned for touchdowns by Colts cornerback Kenny Moore - against the league’s 32nd-ranked defense.

Despite Young’s struggles, Reich said he is sticking with him as the starter.

“I’ve seen this happen to the best quarterbacks in the history of the game,” Reich said. “They all have games like this. Sure, it’s easy to put it on the quarterback, but you bounce back. That’s what makes the great ones.”

LACK OF SACKS

Chicago comes in with a league-low 10 sacks. Maybe this is the week to get the pass rush going.

The Bears acquired Montez Sweat from Washington at the trade deadline to do just that. He didn't have much of an impact at New Orleans with just two tackles in his Chicago debut. But he should be a little more comfortable this week.

Carolina has allowed 29 sacks - tied with Tennessee for fifth most in the NFL. Only the New York Giants (49), Washington (44), New York Jets (32) and Bears (30) have given up more.

THIELEN FACES FAMILIAR FOE

The Panthers' most productive player this season has been 33-year-old wide receiver Adam Thielen, who has 62 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns for one of the league’s worst offenses.

Thielen has plenty of experience playing against the Chicago Bears having spent 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, but hasn't had much success against them. He’s never had more than 68 yards receiving in game against Chicago.

AP

 

Its really kinda magical how Thielen has 600+ yards on the season.

 

Im wondering if Bagent had something to do with the orange uni's tonight?

 

Thursday Night Football: Bears hold off Panthers 16-13

The Bears did themselves a favor with a 16-13 victory over the Panthers on Thursday Night Football.

Chicago owns Carolina’s first-round draft pick as part of the Bryce Young trade, and the Panthers fell to 1-8 in tying the Cardinals for the worst record in the league. The Bears now are 3-7.

Young drove the Panthers from their own 9 to the Chicago 41 with 1:54 remaining, but he threw three consecutive incompletions. Frank Reich opted to try a 59-yard field goal and Eddy Pineiro’s kick was short.

The Panthers gained only 213 yards, and Young finished 21-of-38 for 185 yards. Adam Thielen had six catches for 42 yards.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette scored Carolina’s only touchdown on a 79-yard punt return in the first quarter. It was the Panthers’ first return for a touchdown since Nov. 26, 2017, against the Jets, and Smith-Marsette became the seventh player in franchise history with a punt return touchdown.

The Bears took their first lead with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter when D’Onta Foreman scored on a 4-yard run for the team’s only touchdown. Cairo Santos kicked field goals of 54, 36 and 39 yards.

The Bears gained 295 yards with rookie Tyler Bagent going 20-of-33 for 162 yards. DJ Moore caught five passes for 58 yards against his former team, and Foreman, another former Panther, had 21 carries for 80 yafds.

The teams combined for 12 punts and 12 penalties, but neither team turned it over.

 

Bears’ victory will pay off in April. As the owners of both theirs and the Carolina Panthers’ first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, Thursday’s game was, in essence, a net-zero event. One of the Bears’ picks moves up, the other goes down -- win or lose. However, it was far more beneficial for the Bears to beat the Panthers, as they did Thursday, with Carolina now tied with the Arizona Cardinals for the NFL’s worst record at 1-8 (pending Sunday’s Cardinals result). The Panthers have a far higher chance of having the league’s worst record this season, with the Bears now at 3-7. If Chicago lands the top pick in the draft for a second straight year (without the stigma of the worst record), it’s a nice feather in the cap of general manager Ryan Poles and more ammunition to continue attacking roster needs.

 

NFL Research: With six receptions on Thursday, Adam Thielen became the fifth undrafted player in the common-draft era (since 1967) to have 600-plus career receptions. Ahead of Thielen on the list: Antonio Gates (955 receptions), Wes Welker (903), Rod Smith (849) and Danny Amendola (617).

 

Love seeing stats like that!!

 

Question is, will they opt for a second year in a row to stick with Fields? I really hope they do.

I think with Kyler Murray returning, the Cardinals find a few wins this year. Personally, I think the #1 pick comes down to Panthers and Giants. IF the Panthers are the worst team in the league, then I would like to see the Bears trade out of #1 again, but only down to like 3-4. Pick up a first in 2025, let the Broncos, Packers or Buccaneers take their QB of the future, having to leap frog the Giants to get him. That way, they are still in position to draft Marvin Harrison Jr and get a starting tackle with their own pick.

DJ Moore and Harrison Jr together would cause nightmares for DCs.

With the trade for Sweat, I think the Bears are looking at 24'/25' as leap years. If they aren't looking to win "SOON", why make that trade and contract signing?

I like Kmet as their TE, Iike the defensive pillars and I like DJ Moore as their #1 receiver. They have a nice foundation. Now... with an offensive line that is, well, offensive, they will have a harder road to travel. So, getting a couple of upgrades on the line will go a long way. Marvin Harrison Jr., would take pressure off the reads Fields will be making. It should open up the field for Moore.

I really like the structure of this team so much that, unless they fuck things up drastically, I see them as NFC North contenders in 2024/2025. It's going to be a little weird seeing the Bears and Lions battling it out and the Packers as bottom feeders, but I think that is where we are heading.

 

Yes... I said Packers...

Question is, will the Packers trade with an in division rival for their choice at QB? In my opinion, the Bears SHOULD do this trade. The success rate of any QB, even the #1 overall isn't the greatest. They would also be taking another piece away from them in 2025. Trading up has always been a curse for the Browns, I don't think it has ever worked out for them.

 

Wild that Gates was undrafted and will likely ends up in the HOF (or should be)

Agree the question becomes when do they try to grab Harrison Jr because early though that was they trade back if they end up with the #1 but they have to be careful because Arizona is definitely eyeing Harrison Jr as well. Most talking heads say you trade back with the #1 to one of the QB needy teams but if you are that sold on Harrison Jr do you really risk him slipping through your fingers so that you get a haul of picks?

 

In my scenario up top, I had assumed the Cardinals will lose out by winning some games with the return of Kyler Murray.. I saw them dropping out of the top 5, being passed on the draft board by the Broncos, Packers and Buccs. If they don't, then it would definitely be an issue.

It's going to be fun seeing how all the dominoes fall....

 

In my hypothetical opinion, Fields has seen his last days in Chicago. Im thinking if the Cardinals get the #1, they will pick Harison Jr, then the Bears probably go Caleb Williams and trade Fields for probably decent capital from a team farther down in the Draft that might be desperate enough to take a flyer on Fields. With Maye, Penix Jr, Nix and Jayden Daniels, throw in a McCarthy and Ewers, the QB smorgasbord looks pretty good for the Giants, Panthers or whoever else trades up or falls in line in need of a QB.

From what I can decern (which is never much), this '24 QB's look a lot better than the past couple years, but whats fun and frustrating is, the step up to the NFL is nearly unpredictable.

Not to pick on or beat on, Bryce Young, but the 3 or 4 times Ive watched him, a lot of his passes are way off the mark, almost in embarrassing fashion, not sure whats going on there, but he doesnt look at all like a starting option to me.

Draft season, the talk, the speculation is a fun part of this football thing. What some teams will do or how creative they get will be a good thing to watch.

 

Meh, there are a lot of them, but I don't think any of them look better at this point of the season than C.J. Stroud did. Then the Panthers trade up for someone else...

The prospect is in the eyes of the beholder. If there is someone in any of their eyes that stands above the rest, that's the guy they want to tie their career to.

As for the Bears, I'm not sold that any of these QBs will grade out better than Fields either. When healthy, Fields has shown to be a force in the NFL, not just on the college field. I think Fields biggest issue right now is a porous O-Line. If the Bears feel the same way.. They will not be in the QB market. imho

 

Thats kind of my point... Stroud is blossoming already, but the battle by the draftee's prior to the Draft were debating over Young at #1 also. To me they missed on Young, but C.J. is panning out. Then you have Levis who dropped way down, only to look pretty decent to start in Titansville. Then Mr. Irrelevant gets placed in SF and barely can lose a game. Systems, coaching, mentors, OC play calling, offensive lines, a running game thats consistent, the whole kit and Kaboodle factor in. With Fields, its been an o-line and coaching thing from the git-go (my opinion). Im a big Fields fan, not just a Buckeye thing, but he has tools and I don't think the tools are being properly utilized, like using a hammer when a screwdriver should a been used (personal analogy from my own work). I was also thinking that Anthony Richardson looked like a 'top' NFL caliber guy, but he got lame blasted for mechanics and lack of playing time... my point if I even remember what it was or can articulate it properly is there seems to be a lottery/gamble element that's unpredictable... guess its always been that way, i dont know.

 

Frank Reich defends decision to try 59-yard field goal

With 1:40 left to play in Thursday night’s game between the Panthers and Bears, Carolina faced fourth and 10 at the Chicago 41. Down 16-13, Panthers coach Frank Reich opted to attempt a 59-yard field goal in lieu of going for the first down.

The kick didn’t make it to the crossbar. Eddy Piñeiro’s reaction was perfect; he gave a shrug that conveyed, “Yeah, it was short. What the hell did you expect?”

So why the hell did Panthers coach Frank Reich do it?

“It was a tough decision, you know?” Reich told reporters after the game. “And, honestly, as far as percentages, I felt like the percentages — I listened to the analytics guys, talked to coach [Taves] — you know, there was mixed opinions about what we should do. That’s my call. I’ve seen us make 60-yarders in practice. Felt like there was a little bit of a breeze at our back. If you just look at the pure percentages, I think the pure-percentage play is to kick it. A fourth-and-10 conversion is probably 30-percent conversion, and a 60-yard field goal is higher than that.”

That might sound a little ludicrous, at first blush. However, MDS informs me that, since 2013, 26 field goals have been attempted from exactly 59 yards. Twelve of them (more than 45 percent) have been good. One happened at Soldier Field, courtesy of Matt Prater.

Alas, however, it didn’t work out last night.

“Do I second-guess myself over it?” Reich said. “I mean, yeah, after we missed it, yeah, I did. You know what I mean? Because the one reason why maybe you go for it there, even though the percentage play is to kick it, if you’re just going pure percentages is to kick it, is because if we make it we still have a chance to win the game and not just tie. There was still time left. It’s not like there was 20 seconds to go.”

He’s also overlooking the fact that, if the kick had been good, the Bears would have had 1:35 and three timeouts to get in field goal range for a game winner. A first down by Carolina would have milked more of the clock, resulting in a closer field goal with less time left or maybe a game-winning touchdown, also with less time.

That’s why it’s important when considering analytics to look beyond the narrow question of relative percentage chance of success in the specific moment, as to the choice between going or it and kicking. The broader (and more important) consideration comes from the percentage chances of winning by kicking it and making it, going for it and making it, going for it and not making it, and/or kicking it and not making it.

Then there’s perhaps the most important factor, which cannot be quantified. At a time when many are saying the Panthers picked the wrong quarterback, Bryce Young leading the Panthers to a late win would have done wonders for his confidence, and his reputation. It was his prime-time debut. Who knows what a last-minute win in that moment would have done for him?

Basically, if Young and the Panthers hadn’t made it, big deal. If they had made it, big deal indeed. Potentially.

That’s why the real world is, for many reasons, the water’s edge for analytics. It’s good to know the numbers. Ultimately, the coach has to make a decision that takes into consideration various layers and levels of factors, from the outcome of a given play to the outcome of a given game to the arc of the career of a quarterback who is facing relentless pressure to justify the investment the team has made to get him.

PFT

 

Tee Higgins, Sam Hubbard ruled out for Week 10

The Bengals will not have a key offensive and a key defensive player for this week’s game against the Texans.

Via multiple reporters, head coach Zac Taylor said in his Friday press conference that receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring) and defensive end Sam Hubbard (ankle) have both been ruled out.

Higgins suffered his injury on Wednesday and didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday. Hubbard did not practice all week.

As for Ja’Marr Chase (back), Taylor said that they’ll have to see. Chase was limited on Thursday after he didn’t practice on Wednesday. He was on the field for Friday’s session.

Cincinnati’s full injury report with game statuses will be released later on Friday.

 

Drake London set to return for Falcons on Sunday

Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke wasn’t able to throw to wide receiver Drake London in last week’s loss to the Vikings, but London will be on hand against the Cardinals this Sunday.

London missed Week Nine with a groin injury, but practiced all week and moved up to full participation on Thursday and Friday. The team did not give him an injury designation for Sunday’s game, so he is on track to play.

The 2022 first-round pick has 37 catches for 438 yards and two touchdowns this season.

While London will be able to catch passes, Mack Hollins will not. He’s been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Defensive back Dee Alford (ankle) is also out and defensive tackle David Onyemata (ankle) is listed as questionable.