NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Rams waive RB Darrell Henderson after three-plus seasons in Los Angeles

The Rams' struggle-filled season produced some noteworthy departures Tuesday.

Los Angeles waived running back Darrell Henderson Jr. and linebacker Justin Hollins, the team announced. Tight end Kendall Blanton was also terminated from the practice squad.

Henderson's release is a surprise, considering he played a significant role in the team's woeful rushing attack. Henderson leaves the Rams as the team's leading rusher, gaining 283 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 70 carries (four yards per attempt). Those numbers pale in comparison to the league's best runners but are indicative of the current state of the Rams, who rank 31st in the NFL in rushing yards per game at just 76.1.

Sunday provided a clue that pointed toward a potential parting of ways between Henderson and the Rams. Though Henderson has received the second-most carries of any runner for Los Angeles this season, he was an afterthought in the Rams' Week 11 loss to the Saints, seeing just two carries while Cam Akers led the way with 14 attempts and Kyren Williams received seven attempts.

Williams' return to the fold may have pushed out Henderson. The rookie missed more than two months due to injury but returned to the field in Week 10 and saw the most action of his career last weekend. It appears as if coach Sean McVay prefers to proceed with Akers as the team's lead back and Williams as a spell option, leaving little room for Henderson to make a difference.

Henderson didn't seem upset about his release, tweeting a pair of emojis expressing delight Tuesday.

The Rams are struggling in all areas this season, and the loss of receiver Cooper Kupp has only made things worse. Los Angeles doesn't have a clear answer to fix everything at this point, and it seems as if McVay's club isn't interested in finding carries for a running back who is headed to free agency in 2023.

NFL.com

 

I'll be damned 3 backs recently cut and I had them all on various fantasy team

 

Clyde Edwards-Helaire goes on IR, JuJu Smith-Schuster returns to practice



Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is going to miss at least the next four games.

Head coach Andy Reid said at his Wednesday press conference that Edwards-Helaire has been placed on the injured reserve list. Edwards-Helaire suffered a high ankle sprain last Sunday.


Isiah Pacheco, Jerick McKinnon, and Ronald Jones are the other backs on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster.

While Edwards-Helaire won’t be available, JuJu Smith-Schuster could be back from his concussion to face the Rams. Reid said Smith-Schuster will return to practice after missing last week with the injury.

Reis also said that wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hamstring) and guard Joe Thuney (ankle) are not going to practice and that tackle Lucas Niang has been activated from the physically unable to perform list.

PFT

 

Bills rally for 28-25 win over Lions



Thursday was not the Bills’ best day of the 2022 season, but they were able to do enough to leave Detroit with a win for the second straight week.

Days after beating the Browns in a game that moved to Ford Field because of a massive snowstorm in Buffalo, the Bills were able to come back to beat the Lions in the fourth quarter. Josh Allen hit Stefon Diggs for a five-yard touchdown with 2:40 left in the game. Kicker Tyler Bass missed the ensuing extra point, which left the Bills up 25-22.

A Jared Goff pass to D'Andre Swift moved the Lions near midfield just ahead of the two minute warning and Amon-Ra St. Brown ran for a first down on fourth and inches a few plays later to move closer to a game-tying field goal attempt. The drive stalled after a third down incompletion, but Michael Badgley tied the game with a 51-yard field goal.

There were still 23 seconds left, however, and Allen hit Diggs for 36 yards to move into the outer limits of Bass’ range. Two Allen runs produced 13 more yards and Bass hit from 45 yards to give the Bills a 28-25 win.

There may be renewed focus on the state of Allen’s elbow after the game as it was a slog offensively Buffalo for much of the second half. Before the Diggs touchdown, they had punted three times and turned the ball over on Allen’s 11th interception of the season.

Allen finished 24-of-42 for 253 yards and his throws didn’t appear to have the same zip that they did earlier in the season. While that didn’t stop him from leading the two late scoring drives or running 10 times for 79 yards and a score, the quarterback’s condition is likely to be of some concern as they head toward next Thursday’s game against the Patriots.

The Bills offensive line was missing center Mitch Morse all day and they had a hard time protecting the quarterback before or after left tackle Dion Dawkins left with an ankle injury.

Dawkins’ health won’t be the only medical concern for the Bills coming out of the game. Linebacker Von Miller left with a knee injury just before halftime and was ruled out immediately. A report during the game indicated the Bills believe it is a sprain, but more tests are coming.

Goff finished the day 23-of-36 for 241 yards and two touchdowns as he continued a run of good play for the Lions and they’ll need that to continue after falling to 4-7 on the season. Another loss probably ends any realistic playoff hopes for Detroit, so next week’s game against the Jaguars will be a big one.

PFT

 

Goff got to go the Lions played well enough to win

 

He really missed on a few throws late to wide open receivers... the one to Swift was very much a killer. He's not the sole problem tho and I think they are getting better, just night quite ready for prime time.

 

Yea there getting better I just wonder can he take the Lions to the next level

 

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed Odell Beckham would visit the team after Thanksgiving Day, but Jones didn’t say when.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports that the visit will take place Monday, Dec. 5.

Beckham also reportedly will visit the Giants, which is where he began his career in 2014 as a first-round draft selection. The G.M., head coach and quarterback have changed since he was there.

The Cowboys have openly recruited Beckham for weeks.

The overriding question always has been about money: Are the Cowboys willing to pay Beckham what it will take to sign him?

The Chiefs, Bills and 49ers also could have interest in Beckham, who is coming back from a torn ACL in Super Bowl LVI.

PFT

 

Cowboys beat Giants 28-20, sweep season series



The Cowboys won for the fourth time in five games and took over sole possession of second place in the NFC East. They beat the Giants 28-20, outscoring New York 21-0 in the second half before the Giants scored a touchdown with eight seconds remaining.

The Cowboys moved to 8-3, while the Giants fell to 7-4. The Giants have lost three of their past four games, including two in a row.

Dallas beat New York 23-16 in Week 3, giving the Cowboys a sweep of the season series.

The Cowboys finished with 430 yards, with 222 coming in the second half.

Dak Prescott, who threw two interceptions in the first half, threw three touchdowns in the second half. The Cowboys scored on three consecutive possessions to open the second half before Brett Maher missed a 46-yard field goal with 1:13 remaining.

Prescott finished 21-of-30 for 261 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. CeeDee Lamb caught six passes for 106 yards, and Michael Gallup caught five for 63. Dalton Schultz caught two touchdown passes, and third-string tight end Peyton Hendershot ran for a score.

The Cowboys’ tight ends celebrated the final touchdown with a whac-a-mole game in the Salvation Army red kettle.

Ezekiel Elliott ran for 92 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, and Tony Pollard ran for 60 yards on 18 carries.

The Cowboys couldn’t get out of their own way in the first half with seven costly penalties for 47 yards, a fourth down they didn’t convert and two turnovers.

The second half was all Cowboys.

Daniel Jones finished 21-of-35 for 228 yards and a touchdown to Richie James in the waning seconds. Saquon Barkley ran for 39 yards on 11 carries.

PFT

 

Thursday Night Football: Vikings improve to 9-2 with 33-26 victory over Patriots



A strong day of Thanksgiving football had an exciting finish, with the Vikings holding on to defeat the Patriots 33-26 on Thursday night.

While it was a back-and-forth game for most of the contest, Minnesota took the lead for the last time early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Kirk Cousins hit receiver Adam Thielen for a 15-yard touchdown.


Receiver Justin Jefferson set up the score with another outstanding catch, reeling in a 36-yard pass down the left side. Jefferson finished the game with nine catches for 139 yards with a touchdown — a 6-yard score that was the first TD of the game. He also broke Randy Moss’ record for most receiving yards in a player’s first three seasons, with six games left on the schedule.

Jefferson also had an 11-yard pass to Thielen on Minnesota’s opening possession.

The Patriots had a chance to tie the game with one final drive that started with 53 seconds on the clock at their own 11-yard line. But with no timeouts, quarterback Mac Jones was sacked on the first play and cornerback Patrick Peterson made an outstanding sideline tackle to keep the clock rolling on the second.

By the time Jones hit Jakobi Meyers with a 23-yard pass on third down, time expired before New England could run another play.

Jones played well for the most part, finishing the game 29-of-39 for 382 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. But the Patriots’ run game could not get going, as they netted just 45 yards on the ground.

On the other side, Cousins finished 30-of-37 for 299 yards with three touchdowns and one pick. While Jefferson led the club in receiving yards, Thielen also had nine catches for 61 yards. Tight end T.J. Hockenson had five catches for 43 yards with a TD.

With the win, the Vikings are now 9-2 and running away with the NFC North. After a long weekend, Minnesota will host the Jets in Week 13.

Now at 6-5, the Patriots will host the 8-3 Bills on regular rest next Thursday night.

PFT

 

Buffalo Bills' Von Miller carted into locker room after leg injury
Miller walked off the field under his own power before leaving the sideline on a cart



It wasn’t a great Thanksgiving afternoon for one of the best pass rushers in the game.

The Buffalo Bills’ Von Miller was carted into the locker room on Thursday and soon ruled out for the game with a knee injury.

Miller suffered the injury in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions. He was able to walk off the field under his own power before taking a cart from the Bills’ sideline to their locker room.

NFL Network reports the initial diagnosis is simply just a sprain, but a more serious injury isn't ruled out - an MRI is scheduled for tomorrow.

Ford Field is one of six stadiums to use slit film turf, which the NFLPA recently called on the league to ban the surface, saying both parties have acknowledged that injuries are more likely.

Miller made his way to Buffalo this offseason when he signed a six-year deal with the team. He had previously won Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams after he was traded from Denver Broncos in the middle of last season.

Miller’s deal is worth up to $120 million, and over $51 million of it is guaranteed.

He was drafted by Denver in 2011 and spent most of his 10 seasons in the Rockies.

The edge rusher turned 33 before this season, but Father Time has been on his side - he recorded eight sacks entering the Thanksgiving Day game over 10 games played.

Miller missed the entire 2020 season with an ankle injury, but has largely been able to stay healthy throughout his career. He missed just one game from the start of 2014 through the 2019 season.

Buffalo saw the return of cornerback Tre’Davious White on Thursday, as he returned from a torn ACL.

FOX

 

Report: OBJ to visit Giants, Bills, Cowboys (in that order)



Free-agent receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is ready to start making his free-agent visits. And despite all the chatter about OBJ going to see the Cowboys, they’re third on his current itinerary.

Via Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, Beckham will visit three teams in this order — Giants then Bills then Cowboys.


Anderson also reports that conversations continue with the Chiefs and Ravens.

Not mentioned are the 49ers, who were believed to be in the mix for Beckham’s services. The Rams have disappeared from contention, as have the Packers.

It also makes sense to keep an eye on the possibility of someone swooping in out of nowhere, like the Rams did a year ago. The longer this process takes, there’s a chance some team will say, “Screw it, let’s go get him.”

It’s hard not to think the Eagles are at least pondering the possibility, given the value of keeping him away from the Cowboys or the Giants. Ditto for the Bucs, given that they are surging — and that they have Tom Brady at quarterback.

PFT

 

I finally watched the Grey Cup final.

Wow, that was a hell of a football game. Big time punt returns by both teams, and the end of the game came down to a pair of blocked field goals. Unreal.

 

I used to watch the Grey Cup every year... but ive been missing the past few. I have an old VHS tape of the Grey Cup in a snow storm, it was a great game to. I remember a player called; PinBall (Eskimos, i think), he was fun to watch.

Always like some CFL in the Summer.

 

Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day win over Giants is most-watched NFL regular-season game ever

A record number of viewers gave thanks to "America's Team."

The Dallas Cowboys' 28-20 win over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day at AT&T Stadium attracted 42 million television viewers, marking the most-watched regular-season game ever, according to Fox Sports, which broadcast the NFC East showdown on Thursday.

The previous record stood for more than three decades. The most-watched regular season game previously belonged to the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers' matchup on "Monday Night Football" in December 1990, which delivered 41.474 million viewers.

Last year's Thanksgiving Day game between the Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders brought in an estimated 38.531 million viewers, marking the third most-watched regular season game ever.

USA TODAY

 

Report: No Ja’Marr Chase return on Sunday



He’s been back at practice. He apparently won’t be back on the field, at least not yet.

Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase won’t play tomorrow at Tennessee, reports Jordan Schulz of The Score.


The Bengals have yet to officially downgrade Chase to out. Given that they play the Titans on the road, it’s possible that he’ll not make the trip and, in turn, be scratched one day before the game.

Chase has missed three games with a hip injury. This will be his fourth.

He was a limited participant in practice all week. The Bengals officially listed Chase as questionable on Friday.

PFT

 

Ravens expect to have Devin Duvernay, Gus Edwards Sunday



The Ravens added two players to their injury report on Friday and they downgraded tight end Isaiah Likely to out on Saturday, but wide receiver Devin Duvernay appears to be in better shape.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Duvernay is expected to be in the lineup in Jacksonville on Sunday. Duvernay was limited in Friday’s practice with a hamstring injury, which lead to him joining Likely in receiving questionable designations.


Running back Gus Edwards (hamstring, knee) and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (hip) were in the same group and Rapoport reports they are also set to play against the Jaguars. Edwards has not played since Week Eight while Robinson has not missed a game this season.

Duvernay and Robinson will be joined in the receiving corps by DeSean Jackson. The Ravens elevated him from the practice squad for the second time this season.

PFT

 

Josh Jacobs is expected to play Sunday

 

Deebo Samuel, Cam Jordan are expected to play

 

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (illness), DE Cameron Jordan (eye) expected to play vs. 49ers

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (illness) and defensive end Cameron Jordan (eye) are expected to play in Sunday's game versus the San Francisco 49ers, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports, per a source.

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) is progressing well, but is not quite ready to play in Sunday's game, Rapoport added.

Kamara did not practice on Thursday due to the illness, but he was a full participant in Friday's session. Jordan was a limited participant throughout the entire week. On Friday, Saints head coach Dennis Allen said he didn't think Kamara's illness would be an issue and now the RB is on track to play.

Kamara has missed two games (Week 2 and Week 4) as he was dealing with a ribs injury. As for Jordan, he missed the first game of his 12-year career in Week 11.

This season, Kamara has 511 rushing yards and once rushing touchdown, while Jordan has 5.5 sacks in 10 games played.

The Saints (4-7) and the 49ers (6-4) will kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET.

NFL.com