November 28th, 2018 at 8:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson
Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers — who is currently on the reserve/physically unable to perform list — returned to practice today, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
Rogers, 25, has certainly had an eventful 2018 to this point. After tearing his ACL in the divisional round of the playoffs, Rogers was non-tendered as a restricted free agent. He subsequently worked out for multiple teams — including the Chiefs, Browns, and Raiders — before re-signing with the Steelers in July. The NFL suspended Rogers for the first game of the season following a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, but he was able to serve that ban while on PUP.
Rogers has been a part-time player since entering the NFL in 2016, topping out at 62% playtime during his rookie campaign before dipping to 40% last season. The Steelers already have two top-tier wideouts in Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, so Rogers will have to compete with Ryan Switzer and James Washington for snaps.
Because he’s already missed the NFL-mandated six weeks of action, Rogers can be activated at any time. If the Steelers don’t place him on their 53-man roster in the next three weeks, he’ll remain on the PUP list for the rest of the season.
November 28th, 2018 at 7:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson
From a divisional perspective, the NFL playoff race isn’t all that exciting in 2018. While there is certainly intrigue regarding the No. 6 seed in the AFC, and the NFC wild card race still needs to shake out, there is only one divisional race that is truly up for grabs. The NFC East is still wide open at the moment, with three clubs still realistically in the hunt to take the division crown.
Two weeks ago, I asked PFR readers which team that wasn’t at first place at the time still had a shot of winning its division. The Cowboys had roughly a 10% chance of taking the NFC East, and only nine percent of PFR readers believed Dallas was the most likely non-first place club to end up as division champions. Oh, how things have changed. The Cowboys have won two consecutive games since (bringing their current win streak to three), first defeating the Falcons before winning a critical matchup over the Redskins on Thanksgiving. Dallas has topped 130 yards rushing in each of its last three contests, while Dak Prescott has remained interception-free during the same period.
Washington Redskins
NYT: 31%
538: 39%
FO: 29.9%
The Redskins looked to be in the NFC East driver’s seat as recently as two weeks ago, but they’ve since lost two straight games and their starting quarterback. Alex Smith was certainly limited as a passer, but Colt McCoy is perhaps even more restricted under center. Additionally, the interior of Washington’s offensive line has been absolutely decimated, which could present even more problems for the 6’2″ McCoy. The Redskins will face the easiest remaining schedule of the three NFC East contenders (indeed, the third-easiest remaining slate in the league, per FO), but they’ll go up against the Eagles in two tough matchups, the first of which comes this Monday night.
Philadelphia Eagles
NYT: 16%
538: 24%
FO: 20.5%
Back in August, PFR readers deemed the Eagles as the least likeliest 2017 division winner to miss the postseason in 2018. But if the season ended today, they’d be one of only two 2017 division champions (along with the Jaguars) to not make the playoffs this year. Philadelphia’s fate certainly isn’t sealed — they’ll get to play Washington twice more, and face a pivotal Week 14 game against Dallas. But the Eagles’ other two contests are against the Rams and Texans, two clubs who can certainly take advantage of Philadelphia’s secondary woes. The Eagles can likely only afford one more loss over the remainder of the season.
So what do you think? Which one of these teams is going to win the NFC East crown? Vote below, and leave your additional thoughts in the comments section.
November 28th, 2018 at 6:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson
The Lions have designated cornerback/returner Jamal Agnew to return from injured reserve, the club announced today.
Agnew was originally placed on IR on October 15, and given the NFL’s requirement that IR/return players miss six weeks, the earliest Agnew can return is Week 15. He was allowed to return to practice today, however, opening a three-week window during which the Lions must decide whether to activate Agnew to their 53-man roster, or leave him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Agnew, 23, earned All-Pro honors as a specialist during his rookie season in 2017 after leading the NFL in punt return yardage and average, and also scored two touchdowns on special teams. His prowess in the kicking game had continued into this season, but Agnew had also been asked to play more on defense, where his playtime percentage had jumped from just 7.8% a year ago to 36.3% in 2018. Pro Football Focus gave Agnew poor marks for his coverage abilities, however, grading him as a bottom-10 cornerback.
Detroit has no chance at making the postseason, so it’s fair to wonder why the Lions would risk Agnew’s health in a lost year. But as Kyle Meinke of MLive.com writes, Agnew could use the final three weeks of the 2018 campaign to get more experience playing cornerback. Detroit can certainly use all the help it can get, as the club has been deploying lackluster options Nevin Lawson and Mike Ford (an undrafted rookie free agent) alongside Darius Slay. The Lions currently rank 31st in both pass defense DVOA and opposing passer rating allowed.
November 28th, 2018 at 4:54pm CST by Zachary Links
The Seahawks have officially activated running back J.D. McKissic to the 53-man roster. McKissic will return to action after missing the first 12 weeks of the season with a foot injury.
McKissic was designated for return last week and it didn’t take long for him to prove his health. The 25-year-old will look to build off of a breakout season in which he compiled 187 rushing yards and one touchdown on 46 carries. He also added another 34 receptions for 266 yards and two scores. The former undrafted free agent out of Arkansas State also offers special teams and kick-return experience.
The tailback could see the field on Sunday when the Seahawks host the 49ers. It’s a pivotal game for Seattle as they look to capture a Wild Card spot in the NFC.
Colts tight ends have caught 18 of Luck’s 32 touchdown passes this season, so Walford may have an opportunity to shine in Indianapolis. Then again, eleven of those TD grabs belong to Eric Ebron, and the UNC product figures to be the primary tight end going forward. The Colts also have tight ends Erik Swoope, Mo Alie-Cox, and Ryan Hewitt on the roster, though they were sidelined on Sunday.
Walford, a third-round pick of the Raiders in 2015, missed the Jets’ final cut in the offseason. His best season came in 2016 when he hauled in 33 catches for 359 yards and three scores. Last year, he had just nine catches for 80 yards with Oakland. He’s worked out for multiple clubs in recent months, including the Seahawks, Bengals, Lions, and Packers.
November 28th, 2018 at 2:38pm CST by Zachary Links
Ryan Tannehill says he has been given no assurances that he will be the Dolphins’ quarterback in 2019 (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald). The QB added that he’s not focused on the future right now, but it’s definitely a topic of discussion within the Dolphins’ headquarters.
Tannehill is set to have a cap hit of over $26MM in 2019, hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and hasn’t been consistent on the field even when he is able to play. If Tannehill cannot close out the season on a high note, the team will have to think long and hard about whether to stick with him. Releasing Tannehill would result in a $13.4MM cap hit, though it would free up about $13.1MM in funds.
The Dolphins could attempt to rework Tannehill’s contract, though his guarantee for 2019 could provide him with leverage. Instead of taking a significant pay cut, Tannehill may prefer to pocket his $13MM and try his luck on the open market.
Tannehill missed the end of the 2016 season with a torn ACL, then missed all of the 2017 season when he re-tore the ACL. This year, Tannehill started the first five games, then went down with a mysterious shoulder injury. He returned in on Sunday to complete 68% of his passes and throw for two touchdowns in a loss to the Colts.
November 28th, 2018 at 12:40pm CST by Sam Robinson
Signing with the Jets in 2015, James Carpenter started 58 straight games. A shoulder injury caused Carpenter’s streak to stop there last week and will end his season.
The veteran guard will undergo surgery on an injured shoulder, leading to the Jets placing him on IR, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports (on Twitter). Offensive lineman Ben Braden is on the practice field for the Jets, with the New York Post’s Brian Costello tweeting he’s up from the practice squad.
This comes at a bad time for the 29-year-old blocker. He is scheduled to be a free agent in 2019. Carpenter has played through shoulder pain for much of this season but could no longer effectively fight through it, per Mehta.
The Jets moved free agent addition Spencer Long from center to Carpenter’s left guard slot last week, and Mehta notes that arrangement could be how Gang Green proceeds the rest of the way. Jonotthan Harrison started at center in Week 12.
Carpenter’s anchored the Jets’ offensive line following the departures of stalwarts D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold. Carpenter reaching free agency would make for an interesting equation come March. Ramon Foster, Andy Levitre, Rodger Saffold and Mike Iupati are all playing on expiring contracts, leading to a unique set of elder-statesmen linemen representing most of the top free agent guards, barring extensions or pre-free agency re-ups.
