Trent Williams saga: The drama with Williams and the Redskins took a few turns this week, and the team ended up placing the left tackle on the NFI list, ending his season. Williams blasted the team and said there was no hope of reconciliation between the two sides, and Washington elected not to pay him any of his remaining salary for 2019. Williams was placed on the NFI list because he is unable to wear a helmet without pain, stemming from surgery he had to remove a growth on his head that turned out to be cancerous. Williams contends that Redskins doctors told him the growth was just a harmless cyst, and told him not to get it removed for years. A grievance could be in the works.
Derwin James to return in Week 13: The Chargers suffered a brutal loss on Thursday Night Football against the Raiders, but they did get some good news this week. Their star safety is apparently set to return in Week 13 following the team’s bye. When James is healthy, the Chargers have one of the league’s more talented defenses. The AFC is very muddled at the moment, so Los Angeles could still be very much alive in the playoff race when James returns.
Panthers place Cam Newton on IR: The Panthers officially pulled the plug on Newton’s 2019 season, placing their longtime franchise quarterback on injured reserve. Newton was initially only expected to miss a few weeks when he was shutdown because of his foot injury, but he has been unable to relieve the pain. With Newton on the shelf, it’ll be Kyle Allen under center the rest of the way. Earlier this morning we heard that Newton was considering surgery, and that he’s likely to be traded this offseason. It’s looking like we’ve seen Newton take his last snap as a Panther.
Desean Jackson to IR: Speaking of guys getting shutdown, Jackson was placed on injured reserve as well. He could come back for a playoff run technically, but that seems unlikely. Jackson will end his Philly return campaign having just played in just one full game. He had eight catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns in that game, and the Eagles’ offense just hasn’t looked the same without him in the lineup.
Seahawks considered Antonio Brown: The Seahawks ended up claiming Josh Gordon off waivers, but they apparently considered bringing in a different big-name receiver. Earlier this week we heard that the Seahawks kicked the tires internally on adding Brown before ultimately adding Gordon. Apparently Russell Wilson was lobbying for Brown to join Seattle, which would’ve been highly entertaining if nothing else. Despite the Seahawks’ interest, the most recent report indicated that Brown isn’t going to play in 2019.
I really hope Trent has documented all of this and when he files a grievance, he’ll file a lawsuit as well. Nothing would make me happier then to see Dan Synder in court defending his medical staff. If the doctors need to be vetted by the league, I’d sue the league as well.
But I don’t think its documented and I think that’ll be a huge hurdle for Trent to clear.