NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Report: MRI confirms James Daniels out for season



Word on Friday morning was that the Bears feared left guard James Daniels suffered a season-ending pectoral injury during Thursday night’s win over the Buccaneers.

An MRI was scheduled to confirm that was the case and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the results showed a torn pectoral. It’s a season ending injury for the 2018 second-round pick.

Daniels has been a starter since midway through his rookie season and he played every offensive snap of every game last season.

Alex Bars took over for Daniels on Thursday night. Daniels was also the backup center behind Cody Whitehair, so the Bears will likely have to make an addition to the roster to address that need before their next game.

NBC

 

Really liked Tuitt coming out. I have to double check but I believe I gave him a late first round grade and considered him an ascending prospect.

I would like to see what kind of damage he can do over a 3 year stretch of healthy football.

 

lolol...



The NFL usually suspends players. Sometimes, it suspends employees of the NFL’s in-house media conglomerate. Recently, NFL Network suspended its top information gatherer/provider/reciter.

Ian Rapoport issued a statement to PFT on Friday night explaining that he’ll be off the air until October 22 because “I posted something to my social channels without clearance from NFL Network, which went against its guidelines.”

The statement, tweeted shortly thereafter by Rapoport, created plenty of questions and speculation regarding the contents of the post. The truth is much more innocuous, and it makes the league seem unreasonable for its decision to suspend Rapoport for two weeks, presumably without pay.

Per multiple reports, which PFT has confirmed, Rapoport posted a commercial for Manscaped, a device intended to groom the male groin, on Instagram. Rapoport’s colleague, Jane Slater, then posted it on Twitter. Within a day, the video had disappeared; it quickly became clear that the deletion related to the league’s reaction.

The content of the ad, delivered from Rapoport’s usual in-home broadcast position for NFL Network, contained the usual puns and campy content that makes indirect and direct reference to the purpose of the product. But the league can’t credibly wag a finger at the association; the 49ers announced in June that Manscaped had become the “Below The Waist Grooming Partner” of the 49ers.

Logic suggests that there was an issue with Rapoport doing a deal directly with Manscaped without receiving all appropriate clearances and permissions from the league.

Given those facts, a two-week suspension seems like an overreaction. Such discipline by NFL Network previously had been reserved for much stronger actual or alleged violations, like allegations of sexual harassment that resulted in Heath Evans, Marshall Faulk, and Ike Taylor being suspended and ultimately leaving the network in 2017.

That same year, Michael Irvin faced allegations of rape. Although the criminal charges were dropped and no civil suit was ever filed, the league never took any action against Irvin pursuant to the kind of independent investigation the league routinely performs when players face such accusations. (It’s still not clear that the league even conducted an independent investigation.)

In 2015, Warren Sapp’s seven-year run at NFLN ended after he was arrested for alleged solicitation and assault of a prostitute. In 2016, Brian Baldinger received a six-month suspension for arguing that the Eagles should try to “hurt” Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and should “put a little bounty” on him.

Rapoport’s conduct, in contrast, seems tamer than a slightly overgrown thicket of human hair. While he may have violated business rules relating to when and how on-air talent can cut their own deals, it seems that there could be a remedy short of whacking him for two weeks.

 

Jalen Ramsey fined, Golden Tate not fined for postgame fight



The NFL apparently concluded that Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was to blame for his postgame fight with Giants wide receiver Golden Tate.

The NFL fined Ramsey $15,625 but did not fine Tate.

Ramsey and Tate throwing hands led to a big brawl spilling out on the field after the game, with players on both teams getting involved. It could have been a very ugly situation.

The two players have a long personal history, as Ramsey is the father of two children with Tate’s sister, and Tate has said publicly that Ramsey treated his sister badly. Whatever the issues between them, what happened on the field on Sunday was not something the NFL ever wants to see.

NBC
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I thought it took two to tangle...

 

Jets activate Le’Veon Bell



The Jets won’t have quarterback Sam Darnold against the Cardinals on Sunday, but they will have running back Le'Veon Bell back in the lineup.

Bell was activated from injured reserve on Saturday afternoon. He was put on the list after injuring his hamstring in a Week One loss to the Bills. He had six carries for 14 yards and two catches for 23 yards before getting hurt.

The Jets also announced that they have signed offensive lineman Jimmy Murray to the active roster from the practice squad. Murray played two games for the Chiefs in 2018.

Quarterback Mike White was elevated from the practice squad to back up Joe Flacco. Cornerback Lamar Jackson will also spend the day on the active roster before heading back down.

Linebacker Alec Ogletree and wide receiver Josh Malone were cut to make room for Bell and Murray.

NBC

 

NFL shutting down Patriots’ facility



The Patriots are not out of the woods on the COVID-19 outbreak yet.

Although New England had no new positive tests and was able to practice yesterday, today the NFL is shutting down the Patriots, facility, according to ESPN.

It’s not clear what led to the NFL’s decision, but it’s certainly not a good sign that the Patriots will be able to play against the Broncos on Monday night, in the game was originally scheduled for today but was moved back a day because of the coronavirus situation.

Patriots quarterback Cam Newton‘s positive test a week ago resulted in the Patriots’ game at Kansas City being delayed by a day. After playing against the Chiefs, cornerback Stephon Gilmore also tested positive. Practice squad defensive tackle Bill Murray has tested positive as well.

The Broncos are currently scheduled to fly to New England today for tomorrow’s game, but at this point every schedule is written in pencil, not pen.

NBC

 

Decision looming on Bills-Titans

The NFL has already postponed a Monday night game today, and now a decision is looming on the Tuesday night game.

A decision is coming within hours on Tuesday night’s Bills-Titans game, a league source tells PFT.

Of course, if the decision is to play, that decision could still be changed if more positive tests emerge. The Titans seem incapable of stopping the spread of COVID-19 within the organization, so no one should assume that a day of all negative tests means the Titans finally have the situation under control.

If the Bills-Titans game is played on Tuesday, that will move the scheduled Thursday Chiefs-Bills game to next Sunday. If not, the Chiefs are still scheduled to visit Buffalo on Thursday.

NBC

 

The Steelers have a message for Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz on Sunday: Run at your own risk.

Wentz has been running the ball more often of late, with seven attempts in Week Four against the 49ers and nine in Week Three against Cincinnati. As the Steelers prepare to face Wentz, Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Keith Butler had a clear instruction to his players.

“If Wentz takes off he’s told his players you remember he’s a runner not a quarterback,” said Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Media, regarding Butler. “That means you hit him and you hit him hard enough to dissuade him from doing it more.”

That sounds familiar. It sounds a little like something someone said the 49ers should consider doing to a certain quarterback who had run through and around the Titans in the AFC Championship as defensive players tippy-toed around the prospect of subjecting Mahomes to the same kind of physicality that running backs routinely face.

In an era where the NFL protects its quarterbacks (especially the stars) at all costs, quarterbacks who become runners forfeit those protections. So if you hit quarterbacks like running backs and they feel it like running backs they may think twice before running again.

It may not mesh with the league’s fairly recent (in the grand scheme of things) obsession with player safety, but it definitely meshes with the reality that football remains a physical game premised in part on establishing dominance and intimidation of an opponent. As anyone who ever has been hit hard in any athletic setting knows, that first big hit always makes you think twice about risking a second one.

NBC

 

Week Five early inactives


Eagles at Steelers

Eagles: WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, QB Nate Sudfeld, RB Jason Huntley, DE Casey Toohill, TE Hakeem Butler

Steelers: LB Marcus Allen, FB Derek Watt, QB Josh Dobbs, DT Carlos Davis, T Derwin Gray, TE Zach Gentry

Cardinals at Jets

Cardinals: LB Devon Kennard, S Chris Banjo, QB Brett Hundley, OL Josh Jones, OL Josh Miles, RB Eno Benjamin, TE Jordan Thomas

Jets: QB Sam Darnold, QB James Morgan, RB Ty Johnson, CB Bless Austin, WR Breshad Perriman, T Mekhi Becton, S Marqui Christian

Bengals at Ravens

Bengals: WR John Ross, CB Mackensie Alexander, LB Markus Bailey, DT Andrew Brown, OL Keaton Sutherland, RB Trayveon Williams, K Austin Seibert

Ravens: QB Trace McSorley, WR Chris Moore, RB Justice Hill, OL Trystan Colon-Castillo, DT Justin Ellis, G Tyre Phillips, DT Broderick Washington

Jaguars at Texans

Jaguars: LB Myles Jack, CB CJ Henderson, DE Josh Allen, WR Dede Westbrook, DT Daniel Ekuale, QB Jake Luton

Texans: WR Keke Coutee, LB Benardrick McKinney, TE Jordan Akins, CB Cornell Armstrong, RB Buddy Howell, OL Charlie Heck, LB Peter Kalambayi

Raiders at Chiefs

Raiders: WR Bryan Edwards, S Dallin Leavitt, T Brandon Parker, G Patrick Omameh, DT Maliek Collins

Chiefs: OL Yasir Durant, LB Darius Harris, DE Demone Harris, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, RB DeAndre Washington

Rams at Washington Football Team

Rams: RB Raymond Calais, LB Micah Kiser, OL Tremayne Anchrum Jr., WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins

WFT: QB Dwayne Haskins, TE Marcus Baugh, CB Greg Stroman, LB Jared Norris, LB Cole Holcomb, T Saahdiq Charles

Panthers at Falcons

Panthers: CB Eli Apple, QB P.J. Walker, CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, G Dennis Daley, G Michael Schofield

Falcons: WR Julio Jones, S Jaylinn Hawkins, CB Jordan Miller, RB Qadree Ollison, T John Wetzel, DT Deadrin Senat

 

The scheduling cheese is starting to bind.

I Expect a significant announcement regarding the balance of the 2020 regular season schedule - hopefully soon.

 

Bubble wrap please

 

Las Vegas giving the Chiefs all they can handle....

 

Texans get first win, beating Jaguars 30-14 after coaching change



Maybe it was the change from Bill O’Brien to Romeo Crennel. Or maybe it was merely the Jaguars as the opponent.

Whatever, the Texans will take it.

Houston, which had the schedule from hell the first three weeks with losses to the Chiefs, Ravens and Steelers, beat the Jaguars 30-14. The teams now have identical 1-4 records.

The Texans gained 486 yards and forced and recovered two fumbles, denying the Jaguars points on one drive and leading to a short touchdown drive on the other.

The Jaguars were driving for a potential go-ahead touchdown when running back James Robinson lined up in the Wildcat, took the direct snap and was sacked and fumbled. J.J. Watt recovered at the Houston 10, and eight plays and 90 yards later, Will Fuller was in the end zone on a 19-yard score.

Brandin Cooks made eight catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, while Fuller caught four passes for 58 yards and the one touchdown.

Deshaun Watson went 25-of-35 for 359 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

David Johnson rushed for 96 yards on 17 carries.

Gardner Minshew went 31-of-49 for 301 yards and two touchdowns. Laviska Shenault Jr. caught seven passes for 79 yards.

NBC

 

Panthers make it three in a row, keep Falcons winless



The Panthers have won three straight games, and the Falcons still haven’t won a game.

Today’s 23-16 Panthers win in Atlanta was another ugly one for a Falcons team that has been one of this season’s major disappointments. At 0-5, it’s hard to see this Falcons season as anything other than a disaster.

But the Panthers are looking like a pleasant surprise. Teddy Bridgewater was excellent, completing 27 of 37 passes for 313 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Also playing well was running back Mike Davis, who has filled in for Christian McCaffrey without missing a beat. The Panthers are now 3-0 without McCaffrey after starting the season 0-2 with him.

Carolina, which was expected to be a rebuilding team in head coach Matt Rhule’s first season, now looks like a potential playoff contender. The Panthers are building something.

Atlanta, on the other hand, is heading the wrong way in a hurry. Dan Quinn’s job is in jeopardy, and a major rebuild may be coming soon.

NBC

 

Ravens run over the Bengals



The Bengals have a lot of work to do if they want to become contenders in the AFC North. The Ravens reminded them of that today.

Cincinnati had been looking better the last couple weeks, but today’s trip to Baltimore was a good, old-fashioned butt-kicking, with the Ravens simply dominating. The Ravens took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, ultimately winning 27-3.

Baltimore got some big plays from rookies, with first-round linebacker Patrick Queen scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery, second-round running back J.K. Dobbins having a 34-yard run and third-round wide receiver Devin Duvernay having a 42-yard run.

It was a rough day for Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who was under constant pressure and got sacked seven times.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson didn’t have a great game, either, but the Ravens didn’t need him to. They dominated the Bengals in all phases of the game.

NBC

 

The Rams might petition the NFL for a chance to change divisions.

They beat the Washington Football Team 30-10 on Sunday to move to 4-1 on the season. All four of those wins have come against Washington’s divisional mates in the NFC East as the schedule makers gifted the Rams games against the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys earlier in the season.

Jared Goff put together a strong game to lead the Rams to the win. He was 21-of-30 for 309 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while also running for a touchdown. Several of Goff’s passes were big gainers as Gerald Everett, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Josh Reynolds all had plays that covered at least 29 yards over the course of the afternoon.

The loss drops Washington to 1-4, but it may have opened the door for Alex Smith‘s return to the starting lineup. Smith played for the first time since his career-threatening leg injury in 2018 and remained in the game after Kyle Allen was cleared to return after a head injury evaluation.

Smith didn’t have much success as he went 9-of-17 for 37 yards while being sacked five times. That didn’t say much good about Washington’s offensive success, but the fact that Smith avoided further injury and was able to withstand the pressure was likely something Ron Rivera wanted to see.

Aaron Donald and Troy Reeder each had three sacks as the team also had success rushing Allen before he was forced out of the game. They’ll try to keep it going in their backyard when they turn to the NFC West and a trip to face the 49ers in Week Six.

NBC

 

Cardinals rout Jets to snap two-game losing streak



The Cardinals what they needed to snap a two-game losing streak when the schedule sent them to MetLife Stadium to meet the Jets.

Arizona followed in the footsteps of the first four teams to play the Jets this season and sent them to a convincing defeat. Kyler Murray threw for one touchdown and ran for another in a 30-10 victory that pushes their record to 3-2 on the season.

A repeat performance for Murray would help that cause. He was 27-of-37 for 380 yards and led a pair of touchdown drives that put the game out of reach after the Jets cut the lead to seven points in the third quarter.

The Cardinals posted 500 yards overall in a welcome return to the kind of success they enjoyed in the first two weeks of the season. Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds added touchdown runs and they’ll try to keep that balanced production coming in Dallas next Monday night.

The Jets will be in Miami after the NFL rescheduled many games in order to fit in games affected by the postponement of the Patriots-Broncos game scheduled for Monday night. It remains to be seen if quarterback Sam Darnold will be back for that matchup or if Joe Flacco will get his second start.

Flacco was 18-of-33 for 195 yards and Le'Veon Bell had 60 yards on 13 carries in his return from a hamstring injury, but the offense remained a listless unit that continually struggles to maintain drives. It’s hard to imagine that changing at this point regardless of who plays quarterback and it looks like a long year of losing for the Jets as a result.

NBC

 

Giants rolling the Cowboys, 14-3 , wow.