HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Chargers Tried To Claim Mac McCain

November 26th, 2021 at 4:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Broncos cornerback Mac McCain was a popular player on the waiver wire. Before he was awarded to the Eagles, the Chargers also submitted a claim for him, according to Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter). 

The Chargers could have used an extra CB with Asante Samuel Jr. in concussion protocol. But, beyond that, they probably would have benefitted from McCain’s intel as they prepare to face the Broncos on Sunday. After all, there isn’t a ton of game tape out there on the 23-year-old — he’s played in just one game this year with 13 special teams snaps.

Interestingly, McCain has spent the year bouncing back and forth between the Broncos and Eagles. In May, he signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina A&T. Then, in September, Philly plucked him off of the Broncos’ taxi squad. Then, when the Eagles waived him a few weeks ago, the Broncos claimed him. This week, when Denver cut him, Howie Roseman brought him back.

Eventually, McCain may get an opportunity to stay in one place. After all, he is a two-time All-MEAC player with multiple pick-sixes on his collegiate resume. For now, McCain will take the place of Davion Taylor on the roster, now that the linebacker is on IR.

The Eagles, winners of two straight, will try for three in a row when they face the Giants on Sunday.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/26/21

November 26th, 2021 at 3:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

Vikings Place Everson Griffen On Reserve/Non-Football Illness List

November 26th, 2021 at 3:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Everson Griffen is off the Vikings’ active roster, as of Friday. The team placed the veteran defensive end on its reserve/non-football illness list.

This news comes two days after an incident at Griffen’s home in which the 33-year-old defender refused to leave the premises. Griffen called police himself and requested assistance. He told the dispatcher that he had fired a round and that someone was with him, but police later said that no intruder was found and no one was injured.

Law enforcement and Vikings team psychologists began communicating with Griffen around 7am Wednesday. He wrote in an Instagram story that he needed help and people were “trying to kill” him, via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin.

Griffen did end up leaving his home at around 1:30pm, and the Vikings have confirmed the 12th-year veteran — who returned to Minnesota this year after spending the 2020 season with Dallas and Detroit — is receiving appropriate care. The Minntrista (Minn.) PD is investigating the matter, Cronin tweets.

“Law enforcement agencies have notified us Everson Griffen came out of his home without incident and is now getting the care he needs,” the Vikings said in a statement. “We are thankful to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnetrista Police Department and the Orono Police Department for their quick response and dedication to ensuring the situation ended peacefully. Our focus remains on Everson’s health and safety and providing the proper resources for him and his family.”

Beyond contact with staffers, Griffen has not been with the team this week. He will not play Sunday and must miss at least three games because of the reserve/NFI designation. Griffen has registered five sacks in nine games this season. While Danielle Hunter’s six still leads the team, the Pro Bowl D-end is out for the season. The absence of Griffen, a four-time Pro Bowler, will obviously hurt an already-limited Vikings pass rush.

This certainly reminds of the 2018 development that led to Griffen missing time. Griffen was involved in several bizarre incidents that led to his absence from the team for a few weeks. He later revealed in April 2020 that he lived in a sober house from October 2018 through the end of that season. While Griffen indicated that he was not diagnosed with a serious mental health issue like bipolar disorder, he was continuing to speak with a team of therapists, clinical psychologists and a life coach.

Titans’ A.J. Brown Out For Week 12

November 26th, 2021 at 2:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Already missing two All-Pros, the Titans will encounter a steeper uphill battle Sunday against the Patriots. Tennessee ruled out A.J. Brown on Friday.

Having suffered a chest injury, Brown did not practice all week. While the talented third-year wide receiver has made a habit of missing practice, the Titans will be cautious with him. Tennessee has a Week 13 bye, giving Brown two weeks of recovery time.

The offense the Titans deploy in Week 12 will not look especially similar to the one it hopes to trot out come January. Tennessee already has Derrick Henry and Julio Jones on IR. The team also lost fill-in wideout Marcus Johnson for the season last week. The team is hopeful Henry can return for the playoffs, and Jones — amid another hamstring issue — will presumably give it another go late in the regular season. Jones will not be eligible to return from IR until Week 16. For now, however, Ryan Tannehill will face a difficult assignment.

Brown is well on his way to a third 1,000-yard season, leading the Titans with 615 through the air. The big-bodied target has three touchdowns this year. Tennessee added Golden Tate to its practice squad this week, and it would surprise if the 11-year veteran is not part of the team’s makeshift solution Sunday. The Patriots lead the NFL in scoring defense.

Bills’ Tre’Davious White Tears ACL

November 26th, 2021 at 2:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tre’Davious White‘s early Thanksgiving exit turned out to be brutal news for the Bills. Buffalo’s top cover man suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Bills announced the MRI result Friday.

The two-time Pro Bowler had not missed a game this season and has only been absent for three throughout his five-year career. This will certainly sting a Bills defense that has rebounded to return to an elite level.

Signed to a monster extension last year, White is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. While Buffalo has been one of the NFL’s best pass defenses throughout the Josh Allen era, White’s first lengthy absence will test the Super Bowl contenders’ capabilities.

The Bills beat the Saints’ low-wattage pass offense to improve to 7-4, but they will go through their two Patriots matchups, a Buccaneers tilt and obviously their playoff docket without their outside coverage ace.

White’s yards-per-completion (9.9) and yards-per-target (5.2) figures rated as career-best marks through 11 games. The 60.8 passer rating the fifth-year corner allowed while in coverage is way down from last season as well.

Buffalo has Levi Wallace and high-end slot corner Taron Johnson anchoring its cornerback corps, and Siran Neal has been with the team since 2018. A seventh-round pick last year, Dane Jackson ranks fourth on the Bills in corner snaps this season — with 86. This setback coming after the trade deadline limits the Bills’ replacement options, though the presence of veteran safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer will help the Bills pick up the pieces to some degree.

Retirement On Table For Calais Campbell

November 26th, 2021 at 1:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Calais Campbell has provided a considerable boost to the Ravens’ defense over the past two seasons, running his string of post-30 Pro Bowl nods to four last year. But he is unsigned beyond 2021 and plans to take some time during the 2022 offseason to examine his future.

The 14-year veteran is expected to “strongly” consider retirement at season’s end, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Campbell is still playing at an elite level, slotting as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 overall interior defender, but he has logged extensive time in the pros.

While a Campbell retirement or free agency exit would leave a void on Baltimore’s defensive line, the former Cardinals and Jaguars standout is 35 and has played 222 career games — counting 14 playoff outings. That is fifth among defensive linemen in the 21st century. Given his role as a 3-4 defensive end, the ex-Miami Hurricane does not fit the profile of a player who could tack additional years onto his career as a situational edge rusher.

Campbell missed time last season because of a calf strain and a positive COVID-19 test. The six-time Pro Bowler, however, has not missed a game this year to help a Baltimore defense that will not have Derek Wolfe‘s services throughout the season. Campbell’s most recent blocked field goal kept a Ravens comeback win over the Colts in play last month. He certainly stands to play a key role in the Ravens’ latest push for the AFC North title.

Campbell has not been a free agent since signing a big-ticket deal with the Jaguars in 2017. That agreement played a major role in Jacksonville making a surprise run to that year’s AFC championship game. Despite not being honored as a Pro Bowler in his first six seasons, the 6-foot-8 defender has been named to the NFL’s all-star game in six of the past seven seasons. Campbell considering stepping away from the game would be a key offseason storyline.

Nagy: Justin Fields To Start When Healthy

November 26th, 2021 at 12:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Matt Nagy still running the Bears, he will continue to center his offense around Justin Fields. This comes days after the fourth-year HC did not answer a question regarding Fields’ status as Chicago’s QB1 when healthy.

Although Andy Dalton played well in relief of Fields against the Ravens and topped 300 yards against the Lions in Thursday’s narrow win, the Bears will go back to Fields — when he recovers from his rib injury.

[RELATED: Bears Unlikely To Fire Nagy During Season]

Though Nagy confirmed Friday that Fields will replace Dalton and be the Bears’ starter for the rest of the season, when he is able, the rookie quarterback is dealing with cracked ribs. It is unclear when Fields will return, but the rib trouble is not believed to be especially serious. Still, it would certainly make sense if Chicago was cautious with its first-round pick.

The Fields-Nagy-Bill Lazor partnership has not gone too well, with the rookie struggling and ranking last (among qualified quarterbacks) in Total QBR. The Ohio State product has completed 58% of his passes and holds a 4-to-8 TD-INT ratio. The Bears rank 29th in scoring offense and 31st in total yards, increasing the temperature on Nagy’s hot seat.

During his most recent full-game performance, however, Fields averaged 10 yards per attempt and totaled seven 15-plus-yard completions — tied for the most by a Bears quarterback in the past 15 years. While Fields was less effective against the Ravens in Week 11, the 4-7 Bears plan to give their prized prospect more work down the stretch.

Browns Designate Kareem Hunt, Jack Conklin For Return

November 26th, 2021 at 12:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

FRIDAY: Both Hunt and Conklin are expected to return when first eligible. Kevin Stefanski said he anticipates each key contributor being activated and suiting up in the Browns’ pivotal Week 12 game against the Ravens on Sunday night, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. While Cleveland has 21 days to activate each player, it looks like neither will stay in IR-return limbo longer than a week.

WEDNESDAY: Two key pieces of the Browns’ offense will be back on the practice field Wednesday. The team designated Kareem Hunt and Jack Conklin to return from IR, opening their respective 21-day activation windows.

Hunt has been on Cleveland’s IR list since suffering a calf injury in Week 6. Conklin went down with a dislocated elbow in Week 8, adding a three-game absence on top of a two-game hiatus earlier this season. Both will be eligible to return Sunday, should the Browns move to activate them by Saturday afternoon’s deadline.

Despite Hunt missing extensive time and Nick Chubb being sidelined for multiple games as well, Cleveland’s vaunted rushing attack still leads the NFL. Hunt, however, was averaging 5.2 yards per carry through six games. The ex-rushing champion has topped out at 4.9 over a full season.

Hunt has experienced knee and wrist issues as well this season, and he is unlikely to be 100% again until the 2022 campaign. But Hunt returning at slightly less than 100% would certainly help a Browns team that has struggled through the air. The running back duo obviously affects the Browns’ offensive output. In five games with Chubb and Hunt active, the Browns are averaging 28.4 points and 417.6 yards per game. In the six in which either has missed, they have scored just 16.5 points per contest while averaging barely 315 yards, via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter).

Like Hunt, Conklin is signed through the 2022 season. The Browns gave the ex-Titans right tackle a three-year, $42MM deal in 2020. His five missed games this season mark his first extended absence since 2018, when he missed nine games. The former first-round pick remains one of the NFL’s best right tackles. Pro Football Focus grades Conklin 14th among all tackles in his abbreviated 2021 slate.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/26/21

November 26th, 2021 at 11:47am CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest practice squad moves from around the league:

Green Bay Packers

Minnesota Vikings

  • Reinstated from practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Jake Bargas

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Packers Expect Late-Season Jaire Alexander, Za’Darius Smith Returns

November 26th, 2021 at 11:35am CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers finished their Week 11 loss to the Vikings without most of their Pro Bowlers. In addition to David Bakhtiari and Aaron Jones‘ absences, Elgton Jenkins suffered a torn ACL. And the outing marked yet another game without Za’Darius Smith and Jaire Alexander.

While little clarity has emerged on Smith and Alexander’s statuses, it appears the Packers are not expecting either to miss the rest of the season. The Packers are eyeing a Smith return at some point during the regular season’s final six weeks, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes (ESPN+ link). Ditto Alexander, whom The Athletic’s Matt Schneidmann adds is expected to be back at some point late in the season as well (subscription required).

The lack of concrete timetables over the past several weeks opened the door to one or both standouts being shut down. That was in play for Alexander, but the fourth-year cornerback did not opt for surgery. Green Bay’s top cover man has instead progressed to the point he is working out without an arm sling, Schneidmann adds. Alexander suffered a shoulder injury in Week 4. A rebound for Alexander will only further bolster his stock, with a clear extension window opening ahead of his 2022 fifth-year option season.

Smith has been out with a back injury since Week 1, and the Pack’s top sack man having battled back trouble this offseason and during camp creates a murkier situation. The seventh-year pro underwent surgery in late September and has a monster cap number ($28.1MM, up from $14MM this season) in 2022. While Smith’s post-2021 Wisconsin future is highly uncertain, his return to rejoin Preston Smith and Rashan Gary would be a tremendous boon to the Packers’ Super Bowl chances. Smith totaled 26 sacks between the 2019 and ’20 seasons.

Neither Smith nor Alexander has been designated to return from IR. Once the Packers make those moves, respective 21-day activation windows will open. The Packers’ defense has played well without its top players, ranking fifth in points allowed and seventh in yards yielded. While the Vikings dented the previously stingy unit, the Packers can hope their squad will be reinforced with top-level talent in the not-too-distant future.

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