2021 November - Pro Football Rumors

Cardinals Kliff Kingsbury On Oklahoma Rumors

November 29th, 2021 at 6:02pm CST by Ely Allen

With Lincoln Riley’s departure from the University of Oklahoma to become the head coach at the University of Southern California, Oklahoma has expressed interest in Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

In a Monday afternoon press conference, Kingsbury emphasized his focus on the Cardinals’ upcoming game against the Bears, as Darren Urban of the team website tweets.

“[I] don’t get into those things,” Kingsbury said. “We’re in-season, we’re 9-and-2, just not a topic I want to touch right now.”

Kingsbury does have experience as a head coach at the college level, having spending six years with the Texas Tech University Red Raiders. His combined of 35-40 wasn’t stellar, but he did groom several current NFL players in Lubbock, including Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, DeAndre Washington, and Jakeem Grant.

It does seem a bit unusual that an NFL coach in the midst of an NFC-leading season would even be thinking about moving back to the college ranks. Kingsbury’s lack of a denial is curious, but, in reality, it’s probably a play for extra leverage. With one more year to go on his contract, Kingsbury use OU’s interest to drive his next deal even higher.

Titans Place Kevin Byard On COVID-19 List

November 29th, 2021 at 3:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans have placed safety Kevin Byard on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per a club announcement. Byard is one of several NFL notables to receive the designation today, alongside Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson and Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt.

The good news is that Byard might not miss any game action, since the Titans are on their bye week. And, at the same time, they’ve also been able to activate linebacker Joe Jones from the COVID-19 list. Assuming everything checks out, Byard could suit up for the Titans next game, a Week 14 matchup vs. the Jaguars.

Byard, 28, put himself on the map with a league-leading eight interceptions in 2017. He hasn’t reprised his Pro Bowl or First-Team All-Pro status since, but he remains a pillar of the Titans’ secondary. In 2019, the Titans furnished him with a five-year, $70.5MM extension, making him the NFL’s highest-paid safety at the time of signing.

Through 12 games, Byard has notched five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

Vikings Place Patrick Peterson On Reserve/COVID-19 List

November 29th, 2021 at 3:17pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings announced that they have placed Patrick Peterson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. As a result, the cornerback may be withheld from this Sunday’s game against the Lions.

Peterson already missed a huge chunk of the season with a hamstring injury. He returned to action in Week 11 to face the Packers and suited up on Sunday in San Francisco, playing on all 70 of Minnesota’s defensive snaps.

In theory, the All-Decade cornerback can still play this week, provided that he is vaccinated, asymptomatic, and able to pass two COVID-19 tests. If he’s unvaccinated, he’ll be required to spent at least ten days in isolation.

P2 declined a bit towards the end of his Arizona tenure, but he’s fared better in Minnesota so far. The eight-time Pro Bowler has allowed a ~60% completion rate in coverage, much improved from his 67% figure of 2020.

Peterson will hope for a quick return to help lift the Vikings’ playoff chances. And, even if the Vikings fall out of the race, the veteran could use the rest of the slate as a platform for his next deal. P2 is slated for free agency in March, following the expiration of his one-year, $8MM deal.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/29/21

November 29th, 2021 at 3:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: QB Chris Streveler
Released:QB Kenji Bahar

Buffalo Bills

Signed: CB Tim Harris
Released: OL Evin Ksiezarczyk

Jacksonville Jaguars

Released: WR John Brown

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart

Tennessee Titans

Waived: QB DeShone Kizer

Steelers Place T.J. Watt On COVID-19 List

November 29th, 2021 at 2:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers have placed linebacker T.J. Watt on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per a club announcement. His availability moving forward will hinge on his vaccination status and test results.

Per league rules, vaccinated players who test positive can return after two negative tests, provided that they are asymptomatic. Unvaccinated players, on the other hand, are ruled out for a minimum of ten days.

Watt missed Week 11 against the Chargers with hip and knee injuries but returned on Sunday to face the Bengals. Now, his status for this week’s game against the Ravens is in flux.

Through nine games this year, Watt has 12.5 sacks, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries to his credit. The Steelers, stationed at 5-5-1, can ill afford to lose him at this stage of the season.

The Steelers still have a 10% chance of making the postseason, per Five Thirty Eight, but a loss to the Ravens would make it a near mathematical impossibility.

Cowboys Designate Neville Gallimore For Return

November 29th, 2021 at 2:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have designated Neville Gallimore for return, per a club announcement. The move opens up a 21-day practice window for the defensive tackle, paving the way for his eventual return.

Gallimore, a 2020 third-rounder, started nine games in his rookie campaign and was expected to serve as a starter again this year. Unfortunately, a dislocated elbow has shelved him all year. Now, at minimum, he’ll serve as a valuable rotational piece on the interior.

In theory, Gallimore can suit up for Thursday night against the Saints, but it’s not clear if he’ll be ready in time. Ditto for Randy Gregory and two-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence, who is aiming to return from his foot fracture.

The Cowboys would like to have all three linemen back in action ASAP. After dropping their last two, the Cowboys are 7-4 and still in danger of losing the NFC East lead.

WFT To Activate Logan Thomas, Curtis Samuel

November 29th, 2021 at 2:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Washington will have two of their best offensive players in action tonight. Both tight end Logan Thomas and wide receiver Curtis Samuel have been cleared to play against the Seahawks (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo).

The WFT opened Thomas’ practice window last week by designating him for return. Before that, he spent six weeks on IR with a hamstring injury. Through his four games this year, Thomas has tallied 12 catches for 117 yards and two scores. After his career year in 2020 — 72 receptions for 670 yards and six touchdowns — there should be plenty more where that came from. Still, as head coach Ron Rivera has said, both he and Samuel will be on a pitch count against Seattle.

Samuel joined Washington on a three-year deal worth up to $35.25MM with $24.5MM guaranteed. Unfortunately, he’s been limited to just two games so far this year. Like Thomas, he’s also coming off of a career year with 1,051 yards from scrimmage, five touchdowns, and one heck of a highlight reel.

Washington enters tonight’s game at 4-6, enough for a ~34% chance of making the playoffs, per FiveThirtyEight. With a win, they can inch a little closer to the Cowboys and improve their chances to about 46%.

Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey Done For Year

November 29th, 2021 at 12:52pm CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers have placed Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve, per a club announcement. Since this is his second trip to IR in 2021, the move will mark the end of the running back’s season.

CMC previously missed five games with a hamstring injury. This time around, it’s an ankle injury that’ll require multiple months of rehab.

McCaffrey was forced out early yesterday as the Dolphins went on to win 33-10. The loss dropped them to 5-7 on the year, further crushing their slim odds of reaching the postseason.

The Panthers got off to a 3-0 start with McCaffrey in the lineup, then dropped four of five games without him. Even after his return, they’ve lost three of four contests, though the offense was clearly better with him in the backfield. His Week 10 showing performance against Arizona — 13 carries, ten catches, and 150+ all-purpose yards — propelled them to their only win in November.

Between the last two years, McCaffrey has appeared in just ten games for the Panthers. It’s hardly what anyone envisioned for CMC after he inked a $16MM-per-year extension in 2020. In 2019, his last healthy campaign, McCaffrey made a push for Chris Johnson‘s record with 2,392 scrimmage yards.

Now, his ’21 season will end with 442 rushing yards and one touchdown, plus 37 catches for 343 yards and one receiving TD across seven games. The Panthers will likely add another RB to the mix between now and their next game, a Dec. 12 matchup against the Falcons.

Browns’ Jack Conklin Done For Year

November 29th, 2021 at 12:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Browns tackle Jack Conklin is done for the year (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Now confirmed to have a torn patella tendon, Conklin will have to turn his attention to rehab with an eye on 2022.

“That hurts to see Jack like that,” defensive end Myles Garrett said after Sunday’s game (via Cleveland.com). “I see the guy work every day, saw him work in training camp. I was part of the group that got him to come here. To see him have to deal with all these injuries, knowing what he’s going through and it’s tough to see, tough to watch and I feel for him.”

As noted by Garrett, this is just the latest malady for Conklin. In 2021 alone, he’s missed time with a dislocated elbow and a separate knee injury. It’s all amounted to a seven-game season, a disappointing follow-up to his stellar 2020. Last year, Football Focus rated him as the tenth best tackle in the NFL as he captured First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.

Blake Hance filled in after Conklin’s early exit, and he’ll continue to start at RT the rest of the way. The Browns can also be expected to add another tackle for depth during their Week 13 bye.

49ers’ Deebo Samuel To Miss Time

November 29th, 2021 at 11:41am CST by Zachary Links

49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is expected to miss time following his groin injury (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Fortunately, it doesn’t appear to be too serious, so Samuel should be able to return later this season.

Samuel, 26 in January, will know more about his outlook following today’s MRI. Still, the expectation is that he’ll be back before long, giving defenses fits at both wide receiver and running back. Through eleven games, Samuel has 56 catches for 1,006 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, he’s also been doing damage from the backfield. Last night, he racked up 66 rushing yards and two TDs off of just six carries. That brought him to 203 yards and five scores on the year, all from just 25 totes. The Niners are unlikely to have Samuel in the lineup when they face the Seahawks on Sunday, but he’ll be on the field before long.

Meanwhile, the Niners are hoping for more good news regarding the rest of their injured players. Along with Samuel, running back Trey Sermon (ankle) and linebackers Fred Warner (hamstring) and Dre Greenlaw (groin) find themselves in the questionable column.