MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

John Harbaugh: It looks like Tyler Huntley will start for the Ravens on Sunday



Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is likely to miss Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh confirmed today that he’s expecting Tyler Huntley to start at quarterback while Jackson sits out with a knee injury.


“It looks like it’s going to be Tyler on Sunday,” Harbaugh said.

Jackson suffered the injury on Sunday against the Broncos and Huntley came in and played most of the game. Huntley threw mostly short passes and wasn’t able to get much going offensively, but the Ravens finally sustained a long drive in the fourth quarter that Huntley capped off with a touchdown run, giving them a 10-9 victory.

Now the Ravens will hope that Huntley can build on some of that late momentum from last week on a very big Sunday for the AFC North, with the Ravens and Bengals tied for the division lead, the Ravens facing the Steelers and Bengals facing the Browns.

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Matthew Stafford won’t need an offseason procedure



Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to miss the rest of the season with a spinal-cord contusion. He’s not expected to need any type of surgical procedure when the season end.

“No, he’ll be good,” coach Sean McVay told reporters on Friday regarding the possibility of Stafford requiring surgery. “To my knowledge, there’s nothing like that that’s going to be required or necessary. I think it’ll be great for Matthew to be able to have a healthy offseason and do a lot of the things that I think he’ll feel good about being able to do.”


McVay recently attributed the team’s struggles this year to, in part, the inability of Stafford to throw in the offseason, due to an elbow injury.

In the interim, Stafford is with the team, and actively participating.

“Really, what’s so impressive about Matthew is just being able to contribute and connect with his teammates, stay connected with his teammates in any way that he can,” McVay said. “He was even on the headset on the last drive and making sure that he was able to add in a couple things that would be helpful to kind of relay specific information to Baker [Mayfield]. That tells you everything that you need to know about Matthew and who he is. So, I think sometimes being able to get a different perspective can be beneficial. Obviously, he would be better equipped to answer it, but his vantage point, his understanding, his ability to still be able to contribute in spite of I know he wants to be out there competing with his teammates. [He] has just continued to impress me with the man he is.”

Stafford remains the unquestioned starter for the Rams, when healthy. It remains to be seen whether they’re willing and able to keep Mayfield as a backup in 2023. Given the way he played on Thursday night, Mayfield could end up with a starting job, somewhere, by March.

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Elbow injury, Spinal contusion and Concussions... the guy is a warrior, beaten up, but a warrior.

This was cool to read. I had no idea about the communication with Mayfield in game. I found that to be very interesting.

He's not just a good QB, he sounds like a good guy, period. Hope he makes the correct decisions regarding his future.

 

Report: Lamar Jackson likely to miss next week, return Christmas Eve



Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is doubtful for today’s game against the Steelers, and he’s not likely to be able to play next week, either.

Jackson will probably not be ready to return on Saturday against the Browns, and will more likely be back on Christmas Eve against the Falcons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.


Jackson, who suffered a sprained PCL last week, may not be at 100 percent even when he does return.

Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley will start as long as Jackson is out, and Anthony Brown is Huntley’s backup.

The 8-4 Ravens are currently tied with the Bengals for first place in the AFC North, and with two divisional games in a row coming up, this is crunch time in the playoff race. If the Ravens are going to win those two games, they’re going to win with Huntley, not Jackson.

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Lions do not consider current starter Jared Goff to be bridge QB

Most of the NFL world considers Jared Goff to be a bridge for the Lions, a starter to help them get to the real franchise starting QB at some point in the future. That is, everyone except the Lions.

Winner of four of its last five games, Detroit is one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Goff's play is a big reason why.

As the Lions prepare to face the Vikings today, they do so with a 5-7 record and with Goff playing as well as he's played since 2018.

As sources have explained, Goff is believed to be their starting QB. Period. Not just until someone else comes along. With all due respect to the unknown -- weird things happen in the NFL -- the plan is for Goff to be in Detroit for the future.

"Here's the one consistent is, man, just make the right decisions, take care of the football, and he's done that," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday following Detroit's 40-14 win over Jacksonville. "And that's five weeks going now and that's a big part of the reason why we're winning. He's making very smart decisions and we were going to put a lot on him (Sunday) with his arm. This was going to be a big -- put it in the air, we just felt like that was the way to attack this team. And he did that and then some."

To be sure, Goff is on his best run since he led the Rams to Super Bowl LIII. His passer rating of 95.7 is his best since that year, and so is his 7.5 pass yards per attempt -- both figures per NFL Research.

The only three players to have multiple games with four-plus TDs this season are Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen… and Goff. Goff is also one of three QBs with five-plus TD passes and zero INTs since Week 10 (along with Jimmy Garoppolo and Trevor Lawrence).


Then-new Lions general manager Brad Holmes traded for Goff in the Matthew Stafford deal during the 2021 offseason, taking on his contract and getting two first-round draft picks and more. While Stafford led the Rams to a Super Bowl title the next season, the trade has paid off for Detroit, too.

The Rams' 2023 first-round pick they sent to the Lions could end up being a top-10 pick, and Goff has two years left on his deal worth $52.3 million -- very favorable for a starter.

If Goff continues to impress and Detroit doesn't need to select a QB in this draft, that pick could end up being used on a top position player or a perfect pick to trade. There's plenty of time left until then, but where it stands right now is a huge positive for Detroit.

When Goff arrived in Detroit from Los Angeles, it was in the wake of the Rams and head coach Sean McVay making clear they were moving on from him. They reached the Super Bowl together, but it was over, and both sides were ready. Yet Goff had started for five years and had more than his share of moments with the Rams.

As the Lions consider it, he came to Detroit in the midst of a franchise undergoing a complete teardown, with a team crushed by injuries and starved for talent, plus one that would move on from offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn following the 2021 season. This year under OC Ben Johnson, who has emerged as a potential head coach candidate himself, Goff has impressed.

And no, the team is not looking to move on from that.

"I think like anything else, there's been growing pains throughout the whole thing," Campbell said this week, "but I think we're to the point where now those two know exactly who each other are and what they're looking for, and that's a nice place to be at."

NFL.com

 

Kenny Pickett ruled out with concussion



Kenny Pickett left after the Steelers’ first series to be evaluated for a concussion after being slammed to the ground on a sack by Roquan Smith.

The quarterback was cleared to return, so he didn’t miss a play on the second series.

But Pickett headed to the training room and has not returned, and the Steelers have ruled him out with a concussion.

Mitch Trubisky now is playing quarterback, and he led the Steelers on a five-play, 64-yard touchdown drive. Trubisky went 2-for-3 for 56 yards, including a 42-yarder to George Pickens.

Najee Harris scored on a 1-yard run to cut the Steelers’ deficit to 10-7.

Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins has provided a shot in the arm to the Ravens’ running game. He has five carries for 56 yards and a touchdown.

The Ravens’ top back went on injured reserve Oct. 21 after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He returned to practice two weeks ago.

His 4-yard touchdown run was his first touchdown since Week 4.

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Tyler Huntley leaves for training room; Anthony Brown now in for Ravens



The Steelers lost their starting quarterback to a concussion in the first half, with Mitch Trubisky replacing rookie Kenny Pickett. Now, the Ravens are playing their third-string quarterback.

Tyler Huntley, who started in place of the injured Lamar Jackson, took a vicious hit from Minkah Fitzpatrick with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter. He immediately entered the blue medical tent before eventually jogging to the training room.

Anthony Brown is in for Huntley, who is being evaluated for a concussion according to the CBS broadcast.

Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams had Huntley wrapped up around the legs after a 3-yard run on third-and-four when Fitzpatrick finished off Huntley. Officials initially threw a flag but picked it up for what looked like a legal hit.

Huntley has completed 8-of-12 passes for 88 yards and run for 31 yards on nine carries.

Brown, an undrafted rookie, is active for the first time this season and now seeing his first career action.

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Mike White to locker room after Matt Milano hit

 

War of attrition against QB's today... Dammmm.

 

He's back in... thats good news.

 

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson did not return to Sunday's 34-28 loss the Chiefs after sustaining a concussion in the fourth quarter.

Wilson was injured at the tail end of a 14-yard scramble when Chiefs defender Frank Clark seemingly put all of his body weight onto the Broncos QB as he made the tackle.

Wilson lied still on the turf as the Broncos medical staff rushed to his aid. He slowly got up and walked to the sideline under his own power before going to the blue medical tent and finally the locker room.

Brett Rypien relieved Wilson upon his exit and finished the drive with a touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy, bringing the Broncos to within six points in the final frame.

Wilson completed 23 of 36 passes for 247 yards and a season-high three TDs (one interception) while adding 57 rushing yards before leaving the game.

NFL.com

 

Nick Bosa on Brock Purdy: We’ve got a quarterback



Brock Purdy made a good impression in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo after Garoppolo’s foot injury in Week 14 and he made another strong one in his first NFL start.

Purdy was 16-of-21 for 185 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a touchdown in Sunday’s 35-7 rout of the Buccaneers. The seventh-round pick’s performance left his teammates singing his praises.


Running back Christian McCaffrey called his play “very impressive” and right tackle Mike McGlinchey referred to Purdy as “a very serious professional.” Defensive end Nick Bosa made it clear that the good feelings extend to the other side of the ball as well.

“We’ve got a quarterback. . . . I had a lot of confidence in him, but obviously it’s the NFL and you’ve got to go perform. And he did that pretty darn good,” Bosa said, via 49ersWebzone.com.

Purdy’s play the last two weeks has meant the 49ers haven’t needed to lower their expectations about where this season can go and they’ll try to keep rising higher against the Seahawks on Thursday night.

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Brock Purdy is expecting to be “ready to roll” on Thursday despite oblique injury



49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was dealing with a minor oblique injury in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers. But the young quarterback doesn’t expect to miss any time because of it.

Even with the short week ahead, Purdy told reporters after the game that he expects to be fine to play on Thursday night against Seattle. With the 49ers up 35-7, head coach Kyle Shanahan elected to take Purdy out in the fourth quarter for Josh Johnson.


“Yeah, I mean, we’ll see how it goes this week,” Purdy said, via 49erswebzone.com. “Just felt a little tight at the end, just from taking some hits. But honestly, man, like if I needed to play throughout the rest of the game, I definitely would have. So, I’m going to get some treatment on it and be ready to roll.”

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Purdy is slated to undergo an MRI on Monday for the oblique injury. But given that he was able to finish the game, there isn’t too much concern about the signal-caller.

Purdy was 16-of-21 passing for 185 yards with two touchdowns. He also ran in a 2-yard score in the second quarter as San Francisco finished with 404 yards of offense.

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Cardinals QB Kyler Murray carted off field vs. Patriots with knee injury

Just three snaps into Monday night's game, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a non-contact knee injury and was subsequently carted off the field.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the fear is Murray suffered a serious injury, and an MRI and other tests are forthcoming. Following the Cardinals' 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots, head coach Kliff Kingsbury said it "doesn't look good," but the team would know more in the morning.

Murray scrambled and went down following a 3-yard run on the third play from scrimmage. He was initially designated as questionable to return, but the scene was grim and he was ruled out soon after.

Surrounded by teammates, Murray was transported off the field and could be seen with tears in his eyes before covering his head with a towel. He was replaced by Colt McCoy.

A two-time Pro Bowler in his fourth season, Murray missed two games earlier this season with a hamstring injury and missed three a year ago with an ankle ailment. In both instances, he finished the games he was injured in before missing time. On Monday, the scene was far different and far more worrisome.

"It's tough to see a player like Murray get hurt," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. "I hope he's OK."

The 25-year-old, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 and signed a lucrative extension this year, has completed 258 of 389 passes for 2,359 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions with 415 yards rushing and three more scores this season.


"It's tough," Kingsbury said. "There's no doubt. You see teams go through it ever week, but you lose your starter on the third play of the game [it's tough], non-contact, it's just tough to watch and see. You gotta be able to rebound and play the game, though."

NFL.com

 

Report: “Little doubt” Kyler Murray has torn ACL



It looked bad when it happened. All indications are that it is bad.

Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports that, although Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will have an MRI to confirm the extent of his knee injury on Tuesday, there’s “little doubt” that he suffered a torn ACL early in Monday night’s loss to the Patriots.


Although an MRI typically confirms such injuries, a physical examination often indicates a lack of knee stability, consistent with an ACL tear.

If that’s the diagnosis, Murray’s season will definitely be over. The question then becomes his timeline for full health in 2023.

Some players come back quickly. For others, it takes time. Given the extent to which Murray relies on speed and agility and sudden, sharp changes of direction, it will be important for him to be 100 percent before he plays again.

Colt McCoy will be the starter through the final four games of a lost season for the Cardinals. They may need to invest in a veteran backup to handle the offseason program, and possibly beyond, for next year.

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Mike Tomlin: No call on who starts if Kenny Pickett can’t play



Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett is in the concussion protocol after being injured during last Sunday’s loss to the Ravens and it’s unclear if he’ll be cleared in time to play against the Panthers this week.

It is the second time that Pickett has been in the protocol this season, but head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that he will start if he does get that clearance. Tomlin isn’t saying who will get the start if Pickett does not get the green light.


Mitch Trubisky opened the season as the team’s starter and he took over for Pickett against Baltimore, but Tomlin said that the team would also give snaps to Mason Rudolph in practice if Pickett is not on the field.

Tomlin said that the team would “work both guys” in that scenario and called them both “capable” of running the offense. Tomlin added that he is “not even looking toward the end of the week” when it comes to who would get the start, so it will likely be some time before there’s any word on who will be taking snaps this Sunday.

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Toadays MRI confirmed... torn ACL.

 

Seems like the injury bug has been unleashed in NFL