HEADLINES

Year: 2024

49ers Rule Out Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw For Week 13

December 3rd, 2021 at 6:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

As expected, Deebo Samuel will not play for the 49ers in Week 13. The third-year wide receiver suffered a groin strain and could miss multiple games. San Francisco’s linebacking corps will be shorthanded as well.

Dre Greenlaw, who returned from a lengthy IR stay last week, is back among the 49ers’ inactives. The team ruled out its third-year linebacker starter because of a groin injury.

Samuel has been prone to injuries as a pro. He missed the start of last season because of a Jones fracture in his foot. After returning, the former second-round pick suffered a hamstring injury that led to the then-malady-riddled 49ers shutting him down for the rest of the season.

Sunday will mark Samuel’s 11th missed game as a 49er, though the Pro Bowl-bound talent said during an appearance on CBS Sports HQ this week (via 49ers Webzone) he has no doubt he will be back for Week 14. Through 11 games, Samuel has already cleared 1,000 receiving yards for the first time and has tacked on 203 rushing yards.

This will be Greenlaw’s 10th missed game this season. The 49ers are also likely to be without Fred Warner on their defensive second level. The All-Pro suffered a hamstring strain during San Francisco’s win over Minnesota, and he is doubtful to play Sunday in Seattle. This leaves Azeez Al-Shaair as the 49ers’ lone healthy starter at linebacker.

Additionally, Kyle Shanahan said Dee Ford is unlikely to be activated off IR ahead of Sunday’s game, via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch. The 49ers designated Ford for return on Nov. 25. He has three weeks from that date to come back. Should Ford’s ramp-up period not include an activation by Dec. 16, he would spend the rest of the season on IR. Ford is attempting to play through a back injury Shanahan has acknowledged will likely plague the oft-injured pass rusher for the rest of his career and beyond.

Giants Rule Out Daniel Jones For Week 13, Bracing For Extended Absence

December 3rd, 2021 at 4:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Injuries to various skill-position players and a coordinator change already impacted Daniel Jones‘ third season, a key audition for the former top-10 pick. The Giants are now preparing for their starting quarterback to miss extensive time.

Jones has yet to receive full clearance and is out for New York’s Week 13 game in Miami. Offseason addition Mike Glennon will start against the Dolphins. But the Giants are bracing for the prospect of Jones missing several games due to the sprained neck he is battling, SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reports.

Practicing in a limited capacity all week and took reps with the Giants’ first-stringers, Jones pushed for doctors to clear him for Week 13, Vacchiano adds. But his status going forward is uncertain.

When the Jones injury news surfaced earlier this week, he was labeled week-to-week. Joe Judge is sticking with that classification, indicating Friday the team has “no answers beyond that.” When asked if Jones’ season could end early because of this neck issue, Judge said the situation has not progressed to that point. That coming to pass could certainly alter the Giants’ quarterback plans.

On his sixth team in six years, Glennon started five games for the Jaguars last season. The Giants did not re-sign Colt McCoy, who caught on with the Cardinals and fared well during Kyler Murray‘s November absence. Signed off the Bills’ practice squad, ex-Georgia standout Jake Fromm is in line to be Glennon’s backup Sunday.

Big Blue is on track to miss the playoffs for a fifth straight season, though the team is just one game out of the NFC’s final wild-card spot. More importantly, an early Jones shutdown would deprive the Giants of seeing a potentially lengthy sample of their starter playing alongside Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney. The latter is doubtful for Week 13 but should be expected to return fairly soon.

The Jones-Jason Garrett partnership did not go well. The Duke product sits 25th in QBR. Jones’ 21 touchdown passes in the 25 games since his rookie season still trail his 2019 total (24). That output, achieved in 12 starts, ranks fifth among rookies in NFL history. Jones has shown flashes since but has largely not lived up to his No. 6 overall draft slot, though Barkley’s frequent unavailability and a low-end offensive line have impacted the young passer as well. The Giants are also likely to have a new GM in 2022, injecting some uncertainty regarding Jones’ fifth-year option. That price stands to come in at more than $21MM.

Eagles’ Lurie, Roseman Split On Jalen Hurts?

December 3rd, 2021 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Carson Wentz‘s Colts usage tracking toward the Eagles receiving a first-round pick from their recent quarterback trade, the NFC East franchise will face a big decision in 2022. The Eagles are in line to have three first-round picks next year, giving the team ammo to move up in the draft or dangle picks for an established quarterback.

The prospect of the Eagles standing pat at QB next year has entered the equation, with Jalen Hurts showing growth as this season has progressed. But the franchise is not yet certain Hurts will be a long-term starter.

Owner Jeffrey Lurie, who directed the Eagles’ front office to avoid adding competition for Hurts’ QB1 gig this offseason, still believes in the second-year passer, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes. GM Howie Roseman, however, is not as bullish on Hurts long-term.

Lurie led the way in the Eagles drafting Hurts in the 2020 second round, with McLane adding Roseman supported the pick and made the final decision to pull the trigger. The move ended up triggering a seismic shift at QB in Philly. Wentz went from big-ticket extension recipient in summer 2019 to Colts starter by winter 2021. And, it seems, the Eagles are still entertaining the prospect of making another big splash.

Lurie is believed to have led the way in the Eagles being in the Deshaun Watson mix, per McLane, who adds Hurts was viewed as a possible trade chip in such a deal. Of course, Watson would have needed to approve a trade to Philadelphia. Thus far, the Texans quarterback is not believed to have waived his no-trade clause for any team but the Dolphins. Watson figures to be moved in 2022. While the Eagles stand to be interested again — especially once clarity regarding the embattled star’s NFL discipline emerges — Miami appears to have a lead on the field at this juncture.

Hurts is completing 61% of his passes and averaging 7.0 yards per attempt. He sits 22nd in QBR. Not upper-echelon numbers, but the ex-Alabama and Oklahoma starter has obviously made a major impact on the ground for the Eagles as well. Hurts has a shot at a 1,000-yard rushing season, sitting at 695 (with eight TDs) through 12 games. Neither Randall Cunningham nor Michael Vick accomplished that as Eagles. Catalyzed by 200-yard rushing games in four of their past five games, the Eagles lead the NFL rushing. It would be interesting if the Eagles bailed on him as a starter after such an accomplishment, but quarterbacks like Watson, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers figure to be heavily involved in trade rumors again in 2022.

The Eagles would acquire the Colts’ first-round pick if Wentz plays 75% of Indianapolis’ offensive snaps this season. The injury-prone QB is on pace to do so. Though the Colts could make a run to the playoffs, the Eagles at this point project to have three picks inside the top 20. While the 2022 QB crop is viewed as a significant step down from 2021’s celebrated group, Hurts stumbling down the stretch would certainly link the Eagles to first-round passers. The Eagles’ quarterback decision figures to be one of next year’s top dominoes.

Bucs Activate CB Carlton Davis From IR

December 3rd, 2021 at 2:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers will have another of their longtime cornerback starters in uniform Sunday. They activated Carlton Davis from IR on Friday. The fourth-year cover man is set to suit up for the first time since Week 4.

A quad injury in New England rerouted Davis’ season. He has missed the past seven Bucs games, joining Sean Murphy-Bunting in being sidelined for a sizable chunk of the season. But both are now back on Tampa Bay’s active roster.

While the Bucs are still without Richard Sherman and received notice Thursday that Mike Edwards will be suspended three games, the Bucs have not had Davis and Murphy-Bunting on the field together since Week 1. The duo has played together as starters for most of the past three seasons, including in Super Bowl LV.

In addition to Davis’ extended absence this year, he missed four games between the 2019 and ’20 seasons. He still leads the NFL in passes defensed (42) in that span. Davis added four interceptions last season and grabbed another pick this year. This season’s home stretch stands to be pivotal for the Auburn product, who is due for free agency in 2022.

Lions Rule Out D’Andre Swift For Week 13

December 3rd, 2021 at 1:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

FRIDAY: Swift is now officially out for Week 13. The Lions will sit their ascending running back starter against the Vikings. Swift did not take the field during Detroit’s three practices this week.

WEDNESDAY: The Lions might be without their starting running back for an extended period of time. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (via Twitter) that D’Andre Swift‘s injury is a sprained AC joint, and that the team will be cautious with regards to getting him back in the lineup.

Swift had played in every game so far this season, producing 555 yards and four touchdowns on 140 carries, adding another 429 yards and two scores on 56 catches. The Lions, as the NFL’s only winless team, however, will likely not be in any hurry to get the 2020 second-round pick on the field again.

In Swift’s absence, look for Jamaal Williams to take over as the lead back, with Jermar Jefferson getting an increased workload as well. In the passing game, this news likely means more targets for tight end T.J. Hockenson and wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond.

The Lions will try again to get into the win column for the first time on Sunday when they host the Vikings.

Bears To Start Andy Dalton In Week 13

December 3rd, 2021 at 1:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Justin Fields practiced this week, but the Bears are keeping Andy Dalton in their starting lineup for the time being. The 11th-year passer is set to start against the Cardinals, Matt Nagy said Friday. Nick Foles will be Dalton’s backup.

Nagy has said Fields will return to Chicago’s lineup when he’s healthy. The first-rounder logged three practices this week but each came in a limited capacity. This will lead to Dalton making a second straight start.

Sunday will be Dalton’s fourth start this season. Chicago is 2-1 in games Dalton starts, though the team’s Week 2 win over Cincinnati featured Fields replacing an injured Dalton midgame. Despite being proclaimed the Bears’ season-opening starter throughout the offseason, Dalton did not get his job back upon returning. He eventually returned to the lineup because of a Fields rib injury in Week 11. Foles has not taken a snap this season.

Dalton, 34, sports a 64% completion rate — compared to Fields’ 58% mark — and is coming off a 300-yard game on Thanksgiving, in a narrow Bears win over the Lions. With Fields having progressed to limited work, this might be Dalton’s last chance at auditioning for another gig in 2022. The longtime Bengals QB1’s Bears deal expires at season’s end. Foles’ contract runs through the 2022 season.

Surgery For Saints QB Taysom Hill?

December 3rd, 2021 at 11:39am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints believe that quarterback Taysom Hill has suffered a torn tendon in his middle finger that may require surgery (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Hill will know more after further testing, but he’s likely dealing with Mallet Finger, the same injury that forced Seahawks QB Russell Wilson to miss time this year.

Hill started under center for the Saints last night, completing just 19 of his 41 throws for two touchdowns against four interceptions. On the plus side, he was able to make plays with his feet, carrying the ball eleven times for 101 yards.

Hill came into the game with a partially torn plantar fascia that still isn’t 100%. Then, after suffering the finger injury, he had to play with a splint on his throwing hand — that didn’t go so well, so it stands to reason that the Saints will keep Hill off the field for at least a few weeks. And, now that the Saints are 5-7 with slim odds of securing a Wild Card spot, there’s little reason to rush things.

“I thought he played with a lot of heart, a lot of guts. We didn’t help him any in the first half,” said head coach Sean Payton, referencing Hill’s first interception, a catchable ball thrown to Kenny Stills (via ESPN.com).

The Saints, who will likely be without Hill, have a little over a week before their next game against the Jets.

Buccaneers Promote Breshad Perriman

December 3rd, 2021 at 11:21am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers are promoting Breshad Perriman to the active roster, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). He’ll fill the spot of fellow wide receiver Antonio Brown during his three-game suspension.

[RELATED: NFL Suspends Antonio Brown]

Perriman re-joined the Bucs earlier this month for his second stint in Tampa. Last time around, in 2019, he registered 36 receptions for 645 yards and six touchdowns. That performance earned him a one-year, $8MM deal ($6MM guaranteed) with the Jets. He had a solid season in New York during the 2020 campaign, finishing with 511 yards from scrimmage.

This year, he was initially set to play with the Lions, but he was dropped before the final cut. He later joined the Bears, but was released without appearing in a single snap. Since returning to Tampa, Perriman has been jockeyed between the active roster and the practice squad. To date, he’s got just two catches for 19 yards in two games.

As of this writing, the Bucs now have six WRs on the roster in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson, Jaelon Darden, and Perriman. Perriman could see some time this Sunday when the Bucs face the Falcons in Atlanta.

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