MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Dan Campbell: You can see when Hendon Hooker throws the ball why Lions drafted him

A year after suffering a serious knee injury in his final college game at Tennessee, Lions rookie quarterback is finally on the practice field this week. Lions head coach Dan Campbell says it was worth the wait.

Campbell said today that he likes what he’s seeing from Hooker and is excited about his potential.

“It’s good to get him out there,” Campbell said of Hooker. “I know he’s excited to feel like he’s now part of the team. From his perspective, it’s hard when you’re limited to, ‘I’m in meetings and that’s about it, then I go and rehab.’ So I know he’s excited to be out there, and we’re just in the beginning stages of it. You can see, just when he throws the ball, why we acquired him. He’s got a poise about him and he’s got a really smooth delivery. Tight spiral. But he’s just starting. He’s just starting. It’s good to get him out there.”

Hooker is highly unlikely to play this season, as Jared Goff will continue to start and Teddy Bridgewater would replace Goff in case of an injury. But the Lions believe Hooker has potential, and they’ll evaluate him in practice late this season before deciding whether to potentially make him the third quarterback for the end of the season.

NBC

 

Joe Flacco is set to start for Browns on Sunday

The Browns are set to start their fourth different quarterback of the season against the Rams on Sunday.

Joe Flacco is in line to make his first start with the team because Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been ruled out with a concussion. Flacco signed to the practice squad in Cleveland last week and has not appeared in a game since playing for the Jets in Week 18 last season.

Flacco was bumped up to No. 2 ahead of P.J. Walker early this week. Walker started when Deshaun Watson was injured earlier this season, but didn’t impress in relief of Thompson-Robinson last weekend.

Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (concussion) and cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) have been ruled out along with Thompson-Robinson.
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Go Joe!

 

Kenny Pickett to undergo ankle surgery, is expected to miss 2-4 weeks

Another playoff contender won’t have their quarterback for some time.

As first reported by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett will undergo ankle surgery on Monday morning, PFT has confirmed. The procedure is expected to keep him out for two to four weeks.

Pickett suffered his ankle injury during the first half of Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals. He had come into the game with an ankle issue already on the radar, as he was listed on the injury report throughout the week — though he was a full participant and had no game status. Still, Pickett had his ankle heavily taped at the start of the game.

After being declared out, Pickett was back on the sideline in a walking boot and street clothes.

With Pickett out, Mitch Trubisky is in line to start for the Steelers when they take on the Patriots this Thursday night. The Steelers will then play at Indianapolis, vs. Cincinnati, at Seattle, and at Baltimore to end the regular season.

Pickett has completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,070 yards with six touchdowns and four picks this year.

Trusibky has completed 29-of-49 passes for 273 yards with two touchdowns and two picks in 2023.

PFT

 

I find it mildly amusing that the only week 1 starting QB in the AFCN still standing is the one who most people thought wouldn't survive a season due to his style of play. Lamar Jackson

 

I'm not amused.... But I concede your point.

For the previous two seasons he only managed 12 games played, which is where he stands today. What I find interesting is that his numbers are down across the board. He has fewer passing TDs per game, fewer rushing yards per attempt...His passing and rushing attempts have not dropped and his yards per catch have gone up. Rushing TDs have gone up slightly. Yet, they are rolling right along.

 

Saints quarterback Derek Carr is back in the concussion protocol.

Carr suffered his second concussion in the last four weeks during Sunday’s 33-28 loss to the Lions in Detroit and he has also dealt with multiple right shoulder issues, but he’s yet to miss a start in his first season in New Orleans. After Sunday’s loss, head coach Dennis Allen faced questions about whether the time has come for that to change.

Allen said that “it’s concerning” any time a player has a concussion in response to a question about multiple head injuries in a short period of time and he was also asked about the cumulative effect of the injuries being a reason to sit Carr down. The team did something similar with Jameis Winston last year, but Allen said it’s not the same picture for the two players.

“I think both of those are totally different situations,” Allen said. “They’re both totally different situations. We’re not getting into what we did last year and what we’re doing this year, alright? Look, Derek’s in the concussion protocol right now. We will evaluate that as we go.”

The Saints have home games against the Panthers and Giants the next two weeks and they need to start stacking some wins if they’re going to have a shot at the NFC South title. The concussion may keep Carr out the picture for at least the Panthers game and the home crowd may not mind it if Allen were to extend any time away from the field.

PFT
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I think I have the right helmet up there.

 

Wrapping it in a bandage would be a nice touch.

 

Trace McSorley is a Pittsburgh Steeler.

McSorley, the former Penn State star quarterback, was signed to Pittsburgh’s practice squad, according to a report on Monday from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The move coincides with Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett undergoing ankle surgery after suffering an injury in Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He will miss Thursday night’s game against the New England Patriots.

Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph are the only other QBs on the Steelers’ active roster.

Pittsburgh will be McSorley’s third NFL team this season. He spent training camp and preseason with the Patriots, signing with the team back in April. He was waived in August.

Then, McSorley was signed to the Chicago Bears’ practice squad while starter Justin Fields recovered from an injury. He was cut a couple weeks ago.

McSorley is now in his fifth season in the NFL after an illustrious career with the Nittany Lions. He set all-time program records for passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense, all of which were eclipsed by four-year starter Sean Clifford in 2022.

McSorley was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round (No. 197 overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. He spent three seasons in Baltimore before being signed from the practice squad by the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the 2022 season.

McSorley has played in nine NFL games with one start, completing 48 of 93 passes for 502 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.

PENN LIVE

 

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is coming back to practice this week and the Giants opened a spot for him on the 53-man roster on Monday.

The Giants waived quarterback Matt Barkley, who served as rookie Tommy DeVito’s backup for the last three games. They also released quarterback Jacob Eason from the practice squad.

Barkley can re-sign to the practice squad if he clears waivers and it seems likely that the Giants would keep a third quarterback on hand given the injuries that have sidelined Taylor and Daniel Jones this season.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll has not said whether DeVito or Taylor will start against the Packers next Monday night.

NBC
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I think you might need more than 2 QB's.

 

Trevor Lawrence has a sprained ankle, with more testing to come

After exiting Monday night’s game in the fourth quarter and not returning, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence could miss more than that.

Per multiple reports, Lawrence has a sprained ankle. Which means that initial testing showed no broken bones. He’ll have more testing on Tuesday.

Coach Doug Pederson provided no specific information during his post-game press conference. He confirmed that more testing will happen tomorrow.

Asked about his level of concern regarding Lawrence’s injury, Pederson said, “I don’t know until I talk to the doctors, honestly.”

The type of sprain will be critical to his potential absence, along with the extent of any ligament damage. Earlier this year, he suffered a knee injury but missed no games.

There is some good news, under the circumstances. Via Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media, Lawrence was “in the locker room with teammates telling them about his ankle injury.” Wolfe adds that "[a] couple left him smiling after update and he seems in good spirits.” Per Wolfe, there is no wrap on the ankle and Lawrence was standing on his own.

Lawrence was able to walk, slowly and with considerable assistance, from the field to the locker room. It’s still unclear why a cart didn’t take him inside.

The 8-4 Jaguars host the 7-5 Browns on Sunday. The following week, Jacksonville visits Baltimore on Sunday Night Football. The Jaguars finish with the Buccaneers, Panthers, and Titans.

Tonight’s loss opens the door for both the 7-5 Texans and 7-5 Colts to make a run at the division title and home playoff game that would go with it.

UPDATE 12:27 a.m. ET: Wolfe adds that Lawrence “is now using his crutches and trainers just gave him a walking boot to put on his right ankle & exit the locker room,” and that Lawrence “can stand on his ankle but clearly not trying to put a lot of pressure to walk on it.”

PFT

 

Trevor Lawrence suffered high ankle sprain, not ruled out for Week 14

All things considered, it sounds like Trevor Lawrence’s injury could have been a lot worse.

Head coach Doug Pederson told reporters in his Tuesday press conference that Lawrence suffered a right high-ankle sprain during Monday night’s loss to the Bengals.

“Everything is stable,” Pederson said. “Everything looks good and we’ll see where he is in a couple of days.”

Lawrence suffered the ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game and did not return. He was demonstratively in pain as he was helped off the field and into the X-Ray room.

Pederson did not rule out Lawrence for Sunday’s upcoming game against the Browns, but that also doesn’t mean the quarterback will play.

“I think to be honest, I want to make sure that Trevor’s 100 percent before I put him — or any player — back on the field,” Pederson said. “And it’s just a matter of their … tolerance that they can withstand with any injury. And you just don’t want to risk — if the player is not in any harm or [couldn’t] risk further damage to the area, then you have to consider it. But, definitely don’t want to risk further injury.”

Pederson also noted that given where the injury is for Lawrence in his ankle, surgery is not necessarily warranted at this time.

“The one last night looked worse than what it really was — very fortunate there. But he seems to have a little bit of a knack [for avoiding serious injury],” Pederson said. “I just think that for the most part, just been fortunate to not have a [more] serious injury that what they are.”

Lawrence has not missed a game due to injury since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2021. Through 12 games this season, he’s completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also rushed for 248 yards with four TDs.

NBC

 

C.J. Stroud on pace to top 5,000 passing yards, shatter rookie record

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud may be having the greatest rookie season ever.

Through 12 games, Stroud is leading the NFL with 3,540 passing yards, which puts him on pace to throw for 5,015 yards this season.

That would shatter the record for a rookie quarterback. Andrew Luck, who passed for 4,374 yards in 2012, currently owns that record. Luck set the record in 16 games; Stroud is on pace to break the record in the 15th game of this season.

With 20 touchdowns, Stroud is also on pace to throw 28 touchdown passes this season, which would be the second-most ever by a rookie, trailing only Justin Herbert’s 31 in 2020. And Stroud has thrown an interception on just 1.20 percent of his passes, which would also be the second-best mark ever by a rookie, trailing only Dak Prescott’s 0.87 percent interception rate in 2016. And Stroud’s passer rating of 101.2 would be the third-best for a rookie in NFL history, trailing Prescott’s 104.9 and Robert Griffin III’s 102.4 in 2012.

The Texans have been one of the worst teams in football for years, but this year they’ve suddenly become playoff contenders. The arrival of Stroud is the biggest reason for that — and a reason for a lot of optimism about the future in Houston.

PFT

 

Giants head coach Brian Daboll said Tommy DeVito will start in Week 14 against the Packers.

DeVito has played well of late, with four touchdowns and no interceptions to go along with a 68.7 percent completion rate over his past two outings. He’ll get the nod for Monday night’s game against Green Bay despite Tyrod Taylor’s practice window opening this week. Taylor continues to recover from a serious rib injury he sustained last month. DeVito is only viable in deeper superflex formats against the Packers.
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Go Go Giants!

 

Devito is getting more and more comfortable. He's taking advantage of his chances

 

I think because of his recent play over the last 4 games and he's the 'hometown hero' guy, he got the gig over Tyrod... gotta feel for Tyrod, but he's fresh off an injury and Devito is on a roll.

 

Jets coach Robert Saleh announced on Wednesday that quarterback Zach Wilson will return to the starting lineup.

“Zach gives us our best chance to win,” Saleh said.

The move was made notwithstanding a Monday report that Wilson is reluctant to play. Saleh refuted that claim on Monday. He also said he’s not concerned that it will have a lingering impact within the team.

“I"m not concerned one bit about that report within the locker room,” Saleh said.

Saleh said he has always believed Wilson gives the Jets the best chance to win, and that he was benched as part of an effort to “try everything” to turn it around.

Asked whether Wilson will be the starter for the rest of the season, Saleh said, “God willing.” While this implies that Aaron Rodgers won’t be back in 2023, Saleh said specifically of a potential Rodgers return, “I’ll never close the door until the door’s closed.”

The 4-8 Jets face the Texans on Sunday. With one more loss, the door most likely will be closed on the playoff chances for the Jets.

in part; PFT

 

Dorian Thompson-Robinson set to practice Wednesday

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name a starting quarterback for Week 14 on Monday and he did so again on Wednesday while sharing news of Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s progress toward a return.

Thompson-Robinson missed last Sunday with a concussion, but he was not on the team’s pre-practice injury report Wednesday. That indicated a return to practice was in the cards and Stefanski said a short time that the rookie will be working with the team.

Stefanski also said that Thompson-Robinson remains in the concussion protocol, so it will be a limited session.

Joe Flacco started for the Browns in last Sunday’s loss to the Rams and Stefanski said the team will continue to see how things play out this week before making any decisions about Sunday’s home date with the Jaguars.

PFT

 

If there is any video available showing that there is a better option than Joe Flacco to start this Sunday, please share and walk us through said video evidence.

 

Agree. Joe has forgotten more about playing QB in the NFL than everyone else in the Browns' QB room combined. That includes Deshawn Watson.

 

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence 'thankful' ankle injury isn't worse than he thought, feels 'a lot better'

When Trevor Lawrence pounded his fist into the turf Monday night, Duval braced for the worst. Fortunately, the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback avoided a severe injury, suffering a high-ankle sprain.

Less than 48 hours later, Lawrence met the media on Wednesday without a walking boot and said he felt "a lot better" than he'd thought, given the immediate pain.

"I'm thankful it's not a worse injury than what I thought on the field," Lawrence said.

The star QB won't practice on Wednesday. It's unclear at this stage whether Lawrence will be available for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Head coach Doug Pederson said the club won't sacrifice the health of its players for one game.

"We have to weather this storm, so to speak," Pederson said.

Lawrence reiterated the coach's comments that he'd "never put myself or the team at higher risk that we aren't going to do our best because I can't do my job."

The QB, who played through injury last season, said he will lean on the medical staff to decide the risk/reward of playing Sunday.

"If I can be out there and be myself for the most part, then I'm going to be out there," he said.

in part; NFL.com