HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Falcons Rule Out TE Kyle Pitts For Rest Of Season

November 30th, 2022 at 10:50am CST by Sam Robinson

Kyle Pitts underwent knee surgery Tuesday, and the second-year tight end will not return this season. Falcons HC Arthur Smith ruled out the former No. 4 overall pick from coming back this year.

This is not an especially surprising outcome for Pitts, who suffered a torn MCL in Week 11. He will now have several months to concentrate on knee rehab; Smith said the team is not concerned about this issue lingering into 2023.

Wednesday’s news ends a fairly frustrating season for Pitts, who entered the year after becoming just the second rookie tight end (after Mike Ditka 61 years ago) to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. In Atlanta’s run-oriented offense this season, Pitts amassed 356 yards and two touchdowns on 28 receptions. Pitts, 22, remains a central part of Atlanta’s long-term plan; he is signed through the 2024 season and can be kept on his rookie contract through 2025 (via the fifth-year option).

The highest-drafted tight end since the AFL-NFL merger, Pitts finishes his 2022 season having eclipsed 45 receiving yards in just two games. The Falcons needed plenty from Pitts as a rookie, having traded Julio Jones and having seen Calvin Ridley leave the team midway through the season. The Florida product delivered in a Matt Ryan-centered offense. The Falcons trading Ryan and signing Marcus Mariota soon after turned out to have major ramifications for Pitts, who will aim to move back on track in 2023.

With the Falcons racking up dead money and expected to continue their rebuild, third-round rookie Desmond Ridder was expected to make at least a cameo this season. But the Falcons are unlikely to bench Mariota until they are out of playoff contention. Given the way this year’s NFC South race is unfolding, that may not happen for a while. No Falcon pass catcher has totaled more than 500 receiving yards through 11 games; top-10 pick Drake London has 41 catches for 438 yards.

Eagles Designate DT Jordan Davis For Return

November 30th, 2022 at 9:39am CST by Sam Robinson

As most teams begin their Week 13 practices Wednesday, IR management re-enters the equation. The Eagles are moving forward with one of their hopeful returns, opening Jordan Davis‘ practice window.

Philadelphia designated the rookie defensive tackle for return Wednesday morning. Davis has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 8. This week marks the first window in which the Eagles could use this return designation, generating optimism the athletic run-stuffer could be back when first eligible.

The Eagles have changed their D-tackle equation since Davis last played, venturing into free agency at an unusual point for such transactions. Davis will join Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph at Philly’s practice today. The veteran duo joined the team after the Eagles had struggled against the run without Davis. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles deploy their defensive tackles going forward, given the presences of Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave.

Although Davis’ 154 defensive snaps do not meet Pro Football Focus’ minimum for full-time status, the advanced metrics site rates the Georgia product as a top-10 run defender among D-tackles this season. The Texans and Commanders’ rushing performances made Davis’ absence glaring. Having the 6-foot-6, 340-pound lineman back could provide a significant boost for the team with the NFL’s best record (10-1).

Philly is in good shape for injury activations, holding six at its disposal. Considering the investment the team made in Davis this year, one of those activations will undoubtedly be used on him. He of a 4.78-second 40-yard dash time at the Combine, Davis wowed teams and convinced an Eagles team big on line investments to invest the No. 13 overall pick in a D-lineman who does not factor in — production-wise, at least — as a pass rusher much. Davis made a massive impact during Georgia’s national championship run last season and figures to both improve the Eagles’ run-defending capabilities and give the team’s pass rushers more favorable matchups upon return.

Matt Ryan To Remain Colts Starting QB

November 29th, 2022 at 9:42pm CST by Ben Levine

Matt Ryan returned to the lineup and guided the Colts to a victory in Week 10, but Indy has since dropped each of their past two games. Following the Colts’ loss last night to the lowly Steelers, head coach Jeff Saturday told reporters that the veteran quarterback will remain under center.

“Matt’s going to continue to be the guy,” Saturday said (via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra). “We’re going to keep moving forward, keep pressing forward with what we got. I tell the guys in the locker room, we’ve got the players in the locker room to do it. We’ve got the plays to do it. We gotta figure out how to execute in moments that matter. That’s really what we have to focus in on and hone in on.”

Following his unexpected hiring, Saturday gave Ryan an immediate vote of confidence by inserting the QB back into the starting lineup over Sam Ehlinger. The interim head coach has continually asserted that Ryan gives the Colts the best chance to win each week, and while the 37-year-old’s production has been down during his first season with the organization, he’s still completing passes at a 68.8 percent clip while going 4-5-1 as a starter.

On the flip side, the Colts’ offense was mostly responsible for each of the past two losses, with Ryan tossing one touchdown and one interception over that stretch. Plus, with the Colts sitting at 4-7-1, the team effectively has nothing to play for, so it makes some sense to give their second-year QB more playing time. In his two starts, Ehlinger completed 32 of his 52 pass attempts for 304 yards and one interception. He also added another 54 yards on the ground.

Dolphins LT Terron Armstead Expected To Miss Time

November 29th, 2022 at 9:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

TUESDAY, 9:00pm: There’s some optimism that Terron Armstead will be back on the field before the end of the regular season. Coach Mike McDaniels said he’s confident Armstead will play again this season, and the HC even hinted that the lineman could be back in two or three weeks.

“Wouldn’t put that past him,” McDaniels said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald on Twitter). “Gathering information, seeking specialists and letting information settle so information can be a little more concrete…. Considering treatment options.”

SUNDAY, 8:00pm: The Dolphins came away with a comfortable win today, but their offensive line suffered a potentially significant blow in the process. Left tackle Terron Armstead exited the game with a pectoral injury, and is now facing the possibility of missing time for a stretch.

Armstead suffered the injury in the second quarter of the Dolphins’ win over the Texans, and did not return. Questions were raised about the severity of the ailment, and as such the length of Armstead’s absence, but the worst-case scenario appears to have been avoided. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the 31-year-old suffered a pec strain, and that the team hopes to have him available to return “relatively soon.”

Armstead missed Miami’s Week 6 contest, and had already been playing through a toe injury. This latest ailment could leave him sidelined for longer than that, though he is known for having a high pain threshold dating back to his nine seasons in New Orleans. Still, missed time was a constant during that portion of his career; the former third-rounder has yet to play in every game in a single season in his career.

Signed to a five-year, $75MM deal this offseason, Armstead represented one of numerous moves the Dolphins made at attempting to improve their offensive line. The three-time Pro Bowler had delivered a solid PFF grade of 76.3 heading into today, having yet to allow a sack. Any absence from him would put a dent in the Dolphins’ pass protection in particular.

Elsewhere on the o-line, right tackle Austin Jackson also left the game after suffering an ankle injury. It was that same issue which landed him on IR in September, interrupting his full-time transition to the RT spot. That position had been manned by Greg Little, then Brandon Shell, in Jackson’s absence. More shuffling involving those two, and potentially starting left guard Liam Eichenberg, who has left tackle experience, could be necessary depending on the severity of Armstead’s and Jackson’s respective injuries.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/29/22

November 29th, 2022 at 7:40pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: DB Lamar Jackson
  • Released: WR Kaden Davis, RB Tyreik McAllister

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: TE Nick Guggemos

New Orleans Saints

  • Signed: LB Kenny Young
  • Placed on IR: OL Drew Desjarlais

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/29/22

November 29th, 2022 at 7:23pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor NFL transactions:

Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packers

Free Agents

Penny announced his retirement on Twitter. The former undrafted free agent started his career with the Cardinals before spending four seasons with the Giants. He got 83 carries during his five years in the NFL, collecting 302 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also added 25 receptions for 147 yards and one score. He was most known for his special teams ability, with Penny having appeared in at least 50 percent of his team’s ST snaps in four of his five seasons.

Von Miller Aiming To Return In Week 14

November 29th, 2022 at 6:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

This week’s VonCast episode brought an update on its host’s status after a Thanksgiving knee injury. Von Miller informed listeners he is hoping for a return by Week 14 against the Jets.

While Miller acknowledged he did not receive the best of news and indicated he sustained lateral meniscus damage, he confirmed the previously reported plan of letting the swelling subside and making a decision after that. Miller will miss this week’s Bills-Patriots matchup but said he will try to play in Buffalo’s ensuing game.

“I do feel like I can play through that,” Miller said, via the Buffalo News’ Katherine Fitzgerald (Twitter links). “So, I’m just gonna wait a little bit, wait a little bit, let the swelling go down for about seven to 10 days. And hopefully, right before the Jets game, I will be back. I think every other week after this, I should be able to give it a shot.”

Previous reports did not guarantee Miller would be back this season, indicating the impending surgery’s timetable will determine the future Hall of Fame pass rusher’s status. Miller said the meniscus damage is “going to have to be addressed” (video link), but it does not sound like he is considering a surgery that will knock him out for the rest of this season.

That could potentially change, as ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds (via Twitter) no firm decision has been made. But Miller played with a knee brace earlier in his career and is believed to be comfortable doing so again, per Fowler. For now, the big-ticket Bills free agent signing is planning to be part of the team’s stretch run.

Miller returning barely two weeks after this injury might be on the optimistic side, but the Bills having their ace pass rusher back at any point in the regular season can be considered good news after his injury at Ford Field. The eight-time Pro Bowler missed all of the 2020 season with an ankle injury, and his December 2013 ACL tear occurred in the same knee he damaged last week.

The Bills have also been without 2021 first-round pick Greg Rousseau for the past three games because of an ankle injury. Miller’s top sidekick, however, has logged two full practices this week and is on track to return against the Patriots. Ditto Tremaine Edmunds, who practiced fully twice already this week. The fifth-year linebacker has missed the past two Bills games. With five sacks in eight games, Rousseau has already topped his rookie-year total. Despite being used on a career-low 61% of his team’s defensive snaps, Miller has eight sacks this season. Sitting on 123.5 career sacks, the 12th-year edge defender is on track for his first double-digit sack season since 2018.

Chiefs To Add DT Brandon Williams

November 29th, 2022 at 5:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Less than a week after the Eagles raided the veteran defensive tackle market by adding Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh, the Chiefs reached an agreement with another big name.

Kansas City is adding Brandon Williams on a practice squad deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. While Williams will take the increasingly common P-squad route, Schefter notes the intent is for the veteran interior D-lineman to move up to the active roster soon.

The Ravens did not re-sign the nine-year veteran this offseason. An eight-year starter in Baltimore, Williams has not played since last season. While Williams spent his entire NFL career in Baltimore, he played his college ball in Missouri — at Division II Missouri Southern.

Williams, 33, started 114 games with the Ravens from 2014-21. The veteran run-stuffer re-signed with the team on a five-year, $52.5MM contract in 2017 and did well to play out that contract. The Chiefs’ employment of Joe Cullen as their defensive line coach may well have played a role in Tuesday’s addition. Cullen, who spent the 2021 season as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator, coached Williams from 2016-20 as the Ravens’ D-line coach.

In their Chris Jones-fronted D-tackle group, the Chiefs have the recently re-signed Derrick Nnadi, free agent pickup Taylor Stallworth and 2019 third-round pick Khalen Saunders. The team lost third-year contributor Tershawn Wharton to an ACL tear in October.

Matt Rhule To Add Panthers’ Terrance Knighton To Nebraska Staff

November 29th, 2022 at 5:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers have seen extensive staff turnover this season. A handful of Matt Rhule‘s assistants are no longer with the team. Former nose tackle Terrance Knighton represents the latest departure.

Hired as Nebraska’s head coach late last week, Rhule is bringing Knighton along to be the Cornhuskers’ defensive line coach, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. Added as Carolina’s assistant D-line coach last year, Knighton had been helping Don Johnson helm the unit since interim HC Steve Wilks fired D-line coach Paul Pasqualoni earlier this month.

[RELATED: Wilks Making ‘Strong Push’ For Panthers’ Permanent HC Gig]

Knighton’s Charlotte departure is effective immediately. In addition to firing Rhule, the Panthers axed DC Phil Snow, Pasqualoni and cornerbacks coach Evan Cooper. Rhule has also added Cooper to his Cornhuskers staff, according to ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel (on Twitter). The Panthers are also losing assistant strength and conditioning coach Corey Campbell to Nebraska, per Person. Considering the likely staff turnover for the Panthers in 2023, it is unsurprising to see ex-Rhule staffers opt for more security now.

A 2009 Jaguars third-round pick who was a starter on the Broncos’ Super Bowl XLVIII team, Knighton hung up his cleats in 2017. “Pot Roast” has been in coaching since taking over as Wagner’s D-line coach in 2019. Rhule brought him to Carolina in 2021. Like several of Rhule’s Panthers acquisitions, Knighton is a Temple alum. While Knighton did not play under Rhule at the then-Big East program, Rhule was an Owls assistant at the time.

Part of Rhule’s staffs at Temple and Baylor, Cooper joined the Panthers in 2020. That marked his first NFL job. The DBs coach will head back to the college ranks. Rhule’s Nebraska hiring will take the Panthers off the book for the bulk of the $34MM remaining on his contract.

Raiders Place CB Anthony Averett On IR

November 29th, 2022 at 4:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

For the second time this season, Anthony Averett is on injured reserve. The Raiders moved the free agent acquisition to IR on Tuesday; a toe injury will send the fifth-year cornerback there this time.

Averett missed a chunk of the season due to a broken thumb sustained in Week 1. The Raiders used one of their injury activations to bring Averett back to their active roster in October. Turf toe will shut Averett down for at least another four games, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.

This offseason’s IR rule change would allow for the team to activate Averett again, but he must miss at least four games, shelving him until Week 17. Activating Averett a second time would count toward the Raiders’ eight injury activations. The timeline here could well lead to an Averett shutdown.

The Raiders added Averett on a one-year, $4MM deal and have turned to him as a starter. Trading Trayvon Mullen to the Cardinals on cutdown day, the Raiders installed Averett as a starter opposite March trade get Rock Ya-Sin. Averett has worked as a starter in six of the seven games he has played with Las Vegas. Pro Football Focus has not been particularly impressed with the ex-Raven, slotting him just inside the top 100 among corners this season.

Las Vegas has not been able to deploy its top three corners together for much of the year. Second-year cover man Nate Hobbs has been on IR for several weeks, though he is on the way back after being designated for return last week. A broken hand sent Hobbs to IR. This has affected the Raiders’ defensive capabilities. Patrick Graham‘s unit ranks 26th in points allowed and 27th in total defense.

To replace Averett on their active roster, the Raiders signed cornerback Tyler Hall from the practice squad. In his first season with the Raiders, Hall has played in two games, doing so in each of the past two weeks as a gameday elevation.

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