MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Bears quarterback Justin Fields appeared to suffer an ankle injury in the third quarter today against the Ravens.

Fields walked to the locker room under his own power and was replaced by Andy Dalton.

Before the injury, Fields was having an ugly game, as the Bears’ offense could get nothing going and the Ravens jumped out to a 6-0 lead.

The Bears play again on Thanksgiving, so if Fields is going to play, he won’t have a lot of time to rest this week.

PFT

 

Well that sucks was forced to start him in 1 league and bad gets worse

 

Kevin Stefanski: If Baker Mayfield is ready to go, he’ll start against Baltimore on Sunday



Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has been playing through several injuries. But at this point, it doesn’t sound like Cleveland is planning on letting him rest and heal anytime soon.

“We have to see how the next few days go,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said in his Monday press conference, via Zac Jackson of TheAthletic.com. “If he’s ready to go, yes he’ll start.”


Mayfield was ineffective on Sunday for a second poor game in a row. He finished 15-of-29 passing for 176 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He was inconsistent in hitting and missing receivers throughout the 13-10 victory over Detroit.

Stefanski had admitted that Mayfield isn’t 100 percent and is “definitely battling.”

“We’ll always defer to the medical staff,” Stefanski said. “He’s ready to play and help the team win.”

Still, there’s a possibility Mayfield could be out as the Browns take on the Ravens for Sunday Night Football in Week 12.

“If he’s limited and can’t play to his potential, those are things we’ll discuss,” Stefanski said. “He’s played pretty well at times the last few weeks. We’ll never do anything that’s not in the best interest of the team.”

The last time Mayfield really played well was in Week Nine when the Browns beat the Bengals in Cincinnati. He finished that game 14-of-21 passing for 218 yards with a pair of touchdowns as the Browns won 41-16.

Since then, Cleveland has scored only 20 points in its last two games. Mayfield had to exit the Week 10 loss to New England early due to injury after completing just 11-of-21 passes for 73 yards with a touchdown and a pick. But Mayfield was healthy enough to return to the game — he just didn’t given the lopsided score.

Mayfield did sit out Cleveland’s Week Seven win over the Broncos, in part because the game was on a Thursday.

In 10 games, Mayfield has completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,166 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.

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The New York Jets' wait for Zach Wilson's return from injury is over.

The rookie quarterback will start against the Houston Texans on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, per a source informed of the decision.

Behind Wilson, the Jets will be short-handed against Houston, as the club as placed both Mike White and Joe Flacco on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday. Reserve QB Josh Johnson, who also saw action during Wilson's absence, will likely serve as the rookie's backup against the Texans.

Wilson hasn't started since an awkward hit in a Week 7 game against the New England Patriots caused a PCL sprain in his knee. With limited help from his surrounding cast, Wilson has struggled in his rookie season, completing 104 of 181 passes for 1,168 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions. On a rebuilding team, however, Wilson has been given the keys to the offense as the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft. While he's shown excellent mobility and extended plays for some big downfield throws this season, turnovers and inconsistency have plagued his first pro campaign. The Jets had struggled to protect Wilson early in the season, allowing 15 sacks over his first three starts, but had improved in that area when Wilson was injured.

After Wilson was hurt, the Jets traded for the veteran Flacco but started White three times in Wilson's absence before turning to Flacco for last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins.

NFL.com

 

Report: Jared Goff expected to start for Lions against Bears



Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff was trending toward being able to play in the opener of the Thanksgiving slate against the Chicago Bears.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Lions are planning for Goff to start after missing last Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.


An oblique injury kept Goff out of the lineup against the Browns with Tim Boyle starting in his place. Boyle completed 15 of 23 passes for just 77 yards and was intercepted twice in the team’s 13-10 loss to Cleveland.

Goff was officially listed as questionable to play against the Bears. He had called himself a “game-day decision” while head coach Dan Campbell had said Goff was trending in the right direction.

While Thursday games don’t allow for normal practice schedules, Goff was listed as a limited participant throughout the week for Detroit.

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Kevin Stefanski: Baker Mayfield looks good, feels the best he has felt



Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is getting better heading into a visit to Baltimore on Sunday Night Football.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said after Friday’s practice that Mayfield looks and feels better than he has since the injuries he’s been struggling with since Week Six.


“Looked good. I think he said he is feeling the best he has felt. He is throwing the ball well. I think he looked good,” Stefanski said.

Stefanski said Mayfield is healthy enough that he can run the ball effectively and use his mobility to avoid pressure.

The 6-5 Browns’ season could still go either way. Stefanski thinks his quarterback is trending in the right direction.

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Matthew Stafford reportedly has various injuries, even if he’s not on the injury report



The Rams emerge from their bye today, and their quarterback officially is healthy.

Unofficially, he’s a mess.


According to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com, Stafford “has been dealing with pain in his throwing arm, his elbow, a sore ankle, and chronic back pain, per sources. He will play today.”

It’s a given that he’ll play; he’s not on the injury report. At all. The question is whether he’ll be affected by any of this.

This year, Stafford’s name showed up only once on the injury report, with a back issue in Week Nine. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday, was limited on Friday, and received no injury designation heading into the Sunday night game against the Titans.

He hasn’t played well since then, with two straight prime-time losses. And if he truly has these various injuries, the Rams may have some explaining to do as to why he hasn’t been listed as injured. Unless he has received no treatment from the team, the Rams could have a problem.

Then again, it’s also possible that this is just an overblown case of excuse making from the Stafford camp. The MVP train has sputtered in recent weeks. If the explanation isn’t that he’s banged up, then the truth could be he’s just not playing very well.

Regardless, the Rams are looking at three losses in a row. If Stafford really is banged up, it becomes even harder to turn things around at a place where, based on his 12 years with the Lions, he knows a thing or two about losing.

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This probably holds true for half the QB's in the NFL. Many banged up this time of the year and not just QB's of course.

 

Aaron Rodgers to decide on possible toe surgery in the morning



The Packers made it to their bye with a win over the Rams. Now, Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers will have to decide whether to have surgery on his broken toe.

He told after the game that the fractured pinkie toe “felt good most of the game,” but that he will undergo more testing in the morning. A decision then will be made on whether he needs surgery.


Last week, he needed another pain-killing injection at halftime, after someone stepped on his foot in Minnesota. This week, he said that he didn’t need a second shot.

Presumably, the goal of any surgical procedure would be to allow him to play in Week 14, when the Packers host the Bears on Sunday Night Football.

The Packers then play at Baltimore before hosting the Browns on Christmas Day.

PFT

 

Kevin Stefanski “frustrated” with Browns’ offense, but won’t bench Baker Mayfield



Browns coach Kevin Stefanski described his team’s performance on Sunday Night Football as “very, very disappointing,” and described himself as “frustrated” with his offense. But he insisted that Baker Mayfield will remain the starting quarterback.

Asked by a reporter after the game if a quarterback change could be coming, Stefanski said “No. No. Let me ask you a question: Why would we do that? We’re not doing that.”


Why would the Browns bench Mayfield? Perhaps because he has had ugly numbers while the Browns have scored a grand total of 27 points over the last three games. Perhaps because Mayfield is obviously struggling with injuries. Perhaps because they won the one game backup Case Keenum started in Mayfield’s place this season.

All those issues aside, Stefanski indicated that he puts more of the blame for the Browns’ offensive struggles on himself than on Mayfield.

“It is very frustrating to not score enough,” Stefanski said. “We’re just not doing a good enough job and it starts with me.”

Mayfield completed just 18 of 37 passes for 247 yards against the Ravens. The Browns aren’t going to win many games down the stretch if Mayfield keeps completing less than 50 percent of his passes. But they aren’t going to consider a different quarterback.

PFT

 

Im guessing with the 'bye week' for Cleveland, they will have the time to heal and address the offensive problems. In my opinion, work on the o-line and run game and it should/could open up some more targets for Mayfield. Having a 1 2 punch in the backfield as the Browns do, i dont understand why pounding the football isnt #1 priority. If defenses are going to cheat and put 8 men in the box, Mayfield should have some open targets on the play-action.

 

Report: Taysom Hill taking first-team reps at QB in practice this week



Having lost four games in a row to fall to 5-6, the Saints are apparently shaking things up at quarterback.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Taysom Hill has been taking first-team reps over Trevor Siemian at practice this week in preparation for Thursday’s game against the Cowboys.


Siemain took over at quarterback when Jameis Winston tore his ACL in the Week Eight win over the Buccaneers. But New Orleans has lost every game since, with the offense often getting off to slow starts. Siemian and the rest of the unit put up just six points in the team’s Thanksgiving loss to Buffalo.

Siemian has completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,083 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also lost a fumble.

Hill has appeared in seven games this season, but hasn’t been on the field since the Week 10 loss to Tennessee. He is currently going through a foot injury that has relegated him to emergency backup QB in the last two weeks.

The jack-of-all-trades has 104 yards on 20 carries with three touchdowns, four receptions for 52 yards, and is 7-of-8 passing for 56 yards with an interception this season.

Last year, Hill filled in for Drew Brees for four games, amassing a 3-1 record as a starter. Hill completed 72 percent of his passes for 834 yards with four touchdowns and two picks in those games while rushing for 209 yards with four touchdowns. He also fumbled six times, losing three of them.

According to Rapoport, Hill will have to get through the week healthy. But New Orleans is giving him every opportunity to start.

The Saints will release their first injury report later on Monday.

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I was wondering when this was going to happen. Time is running out. Got nothing to lose at this point.

 

I would roll with Hill as the starter at the beginning of the season. I like Hill and would love to have him on the Steelers.

 

A couple of years ago, Sean Payton said Hill was the next Steve Young. OK. Lets see it!

 

Im surprised it took this long after winston went down

 

Daniel Jones has neck strain, Giants sign Jake Fromm off Bills’ practice squad



Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is dealing with an injury that has the team bringing in reinforcements.

Jones has a neck strain and may not be able to play Sunday against the Dolphins, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The Giants have only Mike Glennon on the active roster behind Jones on the depth chart, so they’re bringing in quarterback Jake Fromm from the Bills’ practice squad.

Glennon would start if Jones can’t go. The Giants already had only 52 players on the 53-man roster, so they can bring in Fromm without having to make a corresponding move.

Jones suffered the neck injury early in Sunday’s game and continued to play, having one of his better games of the season as the Giants beat the Eagles.

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DeAndre Hopkins, Kyler Murray practicing for Cardinals on Wednesday



After a few weeks off including the bye, quarterback Kyler Murray and receiver DeAndre Hopkins both have a chance to be back when the Cardinals play the Bears on Sunday.

That’s been the plan and it appears to be coming to fruition.


Per Darren Urban of the team’s website, both Murray and Hopkins are practicing on Wednesday. Their level of participation will be announced later on Wednesday. But it’s a good sign that they are at least on the field.

Murray has been out there in a limited capacity for a few practices, though he hasn’t played since the Week Eight loss to Green Bay with an ankle injury. Colt McCoy has filled in, going 2-1 as a starter.

Hopkins hasn’t practiced since before the team’s Week Seven win over Houston. He was on the field for 15 offensive snaps in the loss to the Packers on the Thursday after, but has been sidelined ever since.

Arizona sports the league’s best record at 9-2. After weathering the storm of not having two top players, the Cardinals have a chance to solidify themselves as the No. 1 seed in the NFC down the stretch.

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Andrew Berry: We expect Baker Mayfield to play his best football down the stretch



Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has had an up-and-down fourth season.

He’s been plagued by several injuries, at one point saying he’s as beat up as he’s ever been. But Mayfield has maintained that he’s felt better week after week.


At the Week 13 bye, Mayfield has completed 62 percent of his passes for 2,413 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. His passer rating is down from 95.9 in 2020 to 89.9 in 2021. He’s yet to engineer a fourth-quarter comeback or game-winning drive this season.

General Manager Andrew Berry addressed the media on Wednesday and noted how everyone knows Mayfield is physically tough.

“[Baker] has had stretches this year where he has played well for us,” Berry said, via 92.3 The Fan. “He’s worked through injuries. We expect him to play his best football here down the stretch after the bye.”

The Browns are 1-2 in the last three weeks, with Mayfield playing some of his worst football. He’s completed just 51 percent of his passes for 496 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions, which works out to a 65.1 passer rating. He’s also fumbled twice, losing one of them.

Mayfield is in a critical fourth season. Though the Browns have already picked up his fifth-year option for 2022, he has yet to sign a long-term contract extension. Berry said Cleveland’s struggles in the pass games aren’t a one-person issue. But Mayfield is still the one who touches the football on every play and the Browns rank 25th in passing offense.

Still, Berry said the Browns aren’t considering a QB change, so Mayfield will play as long as he’s healthy. And Berry noted that the last five games won’t necessarily be about Mayfield showing him anything to earn a contract extension.

Instead, Berry said, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, that there’s plenty of time to figure out how the Browns want to build their roster into the future. At this point, the focus is on the final five games of the year.

Cleveland has a difficult schedule down the stretch. The club will come out of its bye to play Baltimore on Dec. 12. Then the Browns will face the Raiders, Packers, Steelers, and Bengals to end the 2021 season.

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Jalen Hurts “feeling better every day,” Eagles hopeful for Sunday



Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is dealing with an ankle injury, but head coach Nick Sirianni sounded optimistic about his outlook for this Sunday’s game against the Jets.

Sirianni said that Hurts is doing better than he was when he reported soreness early this week and that he is expected to take part in Wednesday’s walkthrough practice. Sirianni added that the team is proceeding with preparations as if Hurts is going to be in the lineup.


“We’re feeling good,” Sirianni said, via Reuben Frank of NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “We’re really hopeful. He’s feeling better every day. He’s tough. He’s as tough as they come. In his mind and my mind he’s playing.”

One concern for the Eagles would be if Hurts’ ankle compromises is ability to make plays as a runner. They may still believe that Hurts at less than 100 percent gives them a better chance to win than Gardner Minshew and final word on their plans isn’t likely to come until late this week.

PFT