HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

49ers TE George Kittle Out Sunday With Hamstring Injury

September 21st, 2024 at 5:49pm CST by Ely Allen

The hits just keep coming to the 49ers offense. First, preseason injuries left San Francisco without starting guard Jon Feliciano and rookie first-round wideout Ricky Pearsall. Then, star running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve after being unable to start the season healthy. Then, a calf injury to versatile receiver Deebo Samuel robbed the team of another weapon for a presumed several weeks. All this while the team’s other leading wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, struggles to find his groove after the preseason holdout for his new contract.

Now, the 49ers’ star tight end, George Kittle, will be the next key offensive piece in San Francisco to miss time. According to a team announcement, Kittle has been downgraded from doubtful to out as he deals with a hamstring injury. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds to the report, claiming that the injury does not appear to be serious, and the team is hopeful that he’ll be able to return to the field in Week 4. Hamstring injuries, though, have a tendency to linger, and even if he is able to shake it off enough to play next week, there’s a chance that he may not be 100 percent if the injury persists.

Quarterback Brock Purdy‘s supporting cast now consists of Jordan Mason at running back, Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Chris Conley at receiver, and Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges at tight end. Mason has been phenomenal in his replacement duties for McCaffrey. His 247 rushing yards through two weeks ranks second only to J.K. Dobbins (266 yards) for most in the NFL. With Samuel and Kittle gone, Jennings enters Week 3 as the team’s leading active receiver with 101 yards over two weeks. He’s followed in that statistic by Aiyuk (71 yards) and fullback Kyle Juszczyk (59 yards). Kittle is the only skill player with a receiving touchdown this season for the 49ers. Saubert (26 yards) is the only other tight end on the roster with a target.

In addition to Kittle’s absence, San Francisco also announced tomorrow’s standard gameday practice squad elevations. Tight end Brayden Willis and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu will get the honors of joining the active roster against the Rams. Willis will add some depth behind Saubert and Tonges, while Okuayinonu will add some depth in pass rushing situations for the second time this season. Both players will revert back to the practice squad after tomorrow’s divisional matchup.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/21/24

September 21st, 2024 at 5:00pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor NFL transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Players like Hollman, Vigil, Webb, and Quarterman will now be getting called up for the third time this season. The NFL rules limit a practice squad player to three standard gameday elevations per contract. If their teams want to get them into more games in the future, the normal route is for them to be signed to the active roster after this weekend then released/waived and signed to new practice squad deals, starting their three-game count over.

Shy Tuttle‘s foot injury will keep him off the field for Week 3, as the Panthers announced that the defensive tackle has been downgraded from doubtful to out. The Panthers called up Williams to temporarily take the open roster spot. The defensive end started 10 of his 16 appearances for the Panthers last season, and he landed back on Carolina’s practice squad last month after spending the preseason with the Bills.

The Browns announced a handful of moves ahead of their game with the Giants tomorrow. Notably, the team didn’t promote any offensive tackles, which provided some optimism surrounding the availability of their injured tackles. While Jedrick Wills Jr. is expected to play (per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal), Jack Conklin will not (per Tony Grossi of 850 ESPN Cleveland). Conklin hasn’t played since Week 1 of the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. He practiced this week and was initially listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game, but it sounds like a new hamstring injury is the culprit for his Week 3 absence.

With both Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce set to miss Sunday’s trip to Minnesota, the Texans are bringing up Taylor off the practice squad. Taylor will back up Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale against the Vikings this weekend.

NFL Injury Updates: Texans, Herbert, Love, Mims

September 21st, 2024 at 3:38pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans offense has been inundated with injuries over the past week. Both starting running back Joe Mixon and primary backup rusher Dameon Pierce are set to miss the team’s trip to Minnesota this weekend, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. In addition, center Jarrett Patterson has been ruled out, as well.

Mixon is still dealing with an ankle injury that knocked him out of last week’s win over the Bears. After an explosive Week 1 debut with the Texans, in which he rushed 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown, Mixon only rushed the ball nine times before getting knocked out last week. Pierce was absent in last week’s game as he dealt with a hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 1.

With its RB1 and RB2 on the injury report, Houton will have to turn to Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale in Week 3. The team also called up practice squad rusher J.J. Taylor as some potential insurance. Juice Scruggs should be back starting at center, though he’s also listed as questionable with a groin injury. With Patterson out, Kendrick Green will be the backup center.

Here are some other injury updates from around the NFL:

  • Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has spent the week dealing with a high ankle sprain, barely appearing at practice since last Sunday. Yesterday, it was announced that there was no decision on whether or not he would be able to start this Sunday. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, though, there’s growing optimism in Los Angeles that Herbert will be able to start in Pittsburgh tomorrow. He’s currently listed as questionable, and he’ll reportedly test the ankle before the game before making a final call.
  • Another starting quarterback, Jordan Love, is currently listed as questionable to play tomorrow. The Packers anticipated a multi-week absence for their newly-paid passer, but per Pelissero, the team has not yet ruled out the possibility that Love returns after only one absence. Still, Green Bay called up Sean Clifford from the practice squad. Clifford will back up Malik Willis if Love is unable to go in time for tomorrow.
  • We already knew that wide receiver Tee Higgins was set to make his 2024 debut on Monday, but Pelissero adds that rookie first-round offensive tackle Amarius Mims has been removed from the injury report and is set to make his NFL debut for the Bengals, as a result. Mims had been dealing with a pectoral muscle injury that limited his time in training camp and kept him out of the team’s first two contests. It’s unclear what his role would be if he does play immediately, as Trent Brown has been starting for the first few games, but regardless, Cincinnati will be happy to add a first-round talent to their offense this week.

Jets RT Morgan Moses Facing Multi-Week Absence

September 21st, 2024 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

TODAY, 10:35am: After undergoing “a battery of tests” on his injured knee, it’s been determined that Moses will only miss two to four weeks, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The veteran lineman has officially been diagnosed with an MCL sprain and a bone bruise.

FRIDAY, 12:55pm: The Jets’ offensive line suffered a blow during Thursday night’s win. Right tackle Morgan Moses is dealing with a knee injury which is set to keep him sidelined for a stretch.

Head coach Robert Saleh said the team was confident the worst-case scenario had been avoided when speaking about Moses’ status (h/t ESPN’s Rich Cimini). Further testing is still required, but veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports the 33-year-old is currently expected to miss “at least” a couple weeks due to the injury. Encouragingly, Schultz adds surgery will likely not be required.

The worst-case scenario has thus been avoided, but Moses’ absence will leave the Jets in need of a change to the starting lineup up front. First-round rookie Olu Fashanu is now set to handle a first-team role after spending time in the summer working at both tackle spots. The Penn State product was selected as a successor to Tyron Smith on the blindside, but the former Cowboys All-Pro has played every snap to date with his new team.

Moses began his career in Washington before a one-year stint with the Jets. The former third-rounder inked a free agent deal with the Ravens in 2022, and he served as the team’s full-time right tackle starter through the end of last season. With one year remaining on his pact, Baltimore dealt Moses back to New York in March as part of the Ravens’ youth movement up front.

The Virginia product has drawn a career-worst 51.2 PFF grade through three weeks, a steep decline from his past evaluations. He will aim to rebound once healthy, but for the time being Fashanu will be counted on to provide stable play at the right tackle spot while the Jets attempt to build off the momentum of a 2-1 start. It will be interesting to see if injured reserve (which would require a four-game absence) is deemed necessary for Moses once a full evaluation takes place.

Deshaun Watson Accuser To Meet With NFL; Browns Preparing For Suspension?

September 20th, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

Deshaun Watson‘s on-field performance has not matched expectations in 2024, but the more pressing storyline surrounding the Browns passer is the latest lawsuit filed against him for sexual assault. Watson’s most recent accuser is set to speak with the NFL, and a league investigation into the matter could result in another suspension.

Attorney Tony Buzbee – who is representing the woman accusing Watson of sexual assault in October 2020 and was a key figure for the plaintiffs in Watson’s original batch of lawsuits – said in a recent statement his client will cooperate with the league’s investigation noting the presence of “pertinent” video evidence. Non-league employees cannot be compelled to do so, making that development a notable one as it pertains potential discipline. Watson has (through attorney Rusty Hardin) denied the allegations and he will not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list.

While the 29-year-old is therefore free to remain in place with the Browns for the time being, the potential of a second suspension has led to renewed questions about his contract. Cleveland guaranteed all of Watson’s five-year, $230MM deal in 2022 with the expectation he would face a ban at some point. Watson was indeed sidelined for the first 11 games of the season stemming from sexual assault lawsuits (all but one of which have since been settled).

Written correspondence between the former Texan Pro Bowler’s camp and the Browns referred to the possibility of a suspension and how it would not affect the guarantees in the deal. However, as ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes, protection against a suspension only covered the 2022 and ’23 seasons. This new allegation is separate from the ones which have already been dealt with, and as a result a new suspension could allow the team to void the remaining guaranteed money ($92MM between 2025 and ’26) contained in the pact.

The Browns have restructured Watson’s contract in each of the past two years in cap-related moves, converting base salaries into signing bonuses. The most recent of those moves may have removed suspension protection entirely, Graziano adds.

Players’ salaries are affected by suspensions, so a ban being handed down in 2024 would produce minimal consequences in that regard. Given Watson’s showings when healthy during his Browns tenure, though, the possibility of getting out of the remainder of his pact would likely be enticing. A decision on that front will not be possible unless and until any league suspension is handed down, the timeline of which remains uncertain. Cleveland could be preparing for a new ban, however.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the presence of “chatter in league circles” that a personal conduct suspension could be coming, although nothing firm is in place with respect to when it could happen. Florio adds that some around the league believe the Browns are evaluating outside quarterback options, something which would become necessary in the event Watson were to miss time this year. Cleveland allowed backup Joe Flacco – who stepped in as the team’s starter after Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury – to depart in free agency. At the moment, veteran pickup Jameis Winston and 2023 fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson round out the QB depth chart.

Plenty is still to be determined in this situation, and more clarity will likely emerge once the anonymous accuser speaks with league officials. A suspension – either covering the end of the current season or a portion of future years – would be signficant for Watson and the Browns in its own respect, but if possible the team’s ability to void his remaining locked in money would of course create a major storyline.

Bryce Young Open To Panthers Trade?

September 20th, 2024 at 10:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

Week 3 will mark the first time in Bryce Young‘s career that he sits for a reason other than injury. The Panthers are relying on Andy Dalton under center for the time being, a move which has led to questions about Young’s future with the team.

[RELATED: Bryce Young Did Not Expect Benching]

The 2023 first overall pick is in place as the Panthers’ backup, and no consideration is currently being given to a trade. Carolina’s return in any Young swap would of course fall well short of the price which was paid to acquire the No. 1 selection last spring, giving the organization incentive to keep him in the fold for now. If a trade were to be worked out, though, Young would appear to be on board.

ESPN’s David Newton reports the 23-year-old is “open to anything” regarding his future, whether that consists of a continued stay in Charlotte or a deal sending him to a new team. Young’s value is low as things stand based on his underwhelming production to date (59.3% completion percentage, 11:13 touchdown-to interception ratio, 5.4 yards per attempt average, 70.9 passer rating), but he is attached to a rookie contract through 2026. For his part, the former Heisman winner has publicly stated a commitment to remaining in Carolina.

“I’m a day-by-day kind of person,” Young said (via Newton). “I’ve talked about that consistently. Big picture stuff, that’s out of my hands. That’s organizational stuff, for the people upstairs. I’m super grateful to be part of the team, with our organization. I want to help in every way I can.”

The Panthers were shut out during the final two games of 2023, and they have scored just 13 points through two weeks this season. Dalton and rookie head coach Dave Canales will be tasked with delivering an improved showing on offense with a unit which saw additions made up front and at the skill positions this offseason. Dalton – who made one start last year when Young was injured – is a pending free agent, and his value will be affected by his performances in the QB1 gig.

How the Panthers proceed with Young will remain a talking point during the 2024 campaign, one which was projected to be founded on Canales’ work in developing him. A trade would be surprising given the lack of a market which presumably exists for him, but Young himself could benefit from (and perhaps even welcome) a change of scenery.

Giants Not Considering WR Jalin Hyatt Trade

September 20th, 2024 at 10:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Giants traded up in the third round of the 2023 draft to select wideout Jalin Hyatt. Through the first two weeks of the current season, though, he has not emerged as a regular contributor in the passing game.

Hyatt has logged only 28 offensive snaps to date, and he has been targeted once so far. The Tennessee product spent much of the offseason competing with veteran Darius Slayton for a starting role, but he sits fourth on the depth chart as things stand. Slayton, Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson represent the Giants’ preferred trio on the first-team offense, so an injury will be needed for Hyatt to handle a notable workload.

During the summer, the 22-year-old expressed frustration with his situation, with ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reporting Hyatt told the Giants they should trade him if they kept him pegged for a backup role. Raanan adds no consideration is being given to to a trade, and head coach Brian Daboll said on Friday he never received a trade request in the offseason (h/t Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News). Hyatt himself also offered a denial of the report (video link via SNY). For now, attention from team and player will be focused on preparing for an evantual uptick in usage.

“I thought I had a very, very good training camp and they told me I did,” the Tennessee product said (via Raanan). “They told me I had a great training camp, but there are things that I can’t control, and I am disappointed about it, but at the end of the day, I’m just going to keep getting better and my chance will come, and when it comes I will be ready.”

Hyatt put up modest production during his first two seasons with the Volunteers. During his junior campaign, however, he racked up 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to winning the Biletnikoff Award as the country’s top receiver. That helped his draft stock, although questions remained with respect to his overall skillset at the NFL level. Hyatt was primarily viewed as a vertical threat upon entering the league, and that was demonstrated by his 16.2 yards per catch average as a rookie.

Since he is attached to his rookie contract through 2026, it would have come as a surprise if the Giants had given serious thought to a trade involving Hyatt during the summer. Since he does not play on special teams, though, he is in line to remain a relative afterthought for the team’s WR room barring a change on the depth chart and a resultant increase in opportunities.

Top CB Prospect Shavon Revel Tears ACL

September 20th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Ely Allen

It’s way too early in the season to be producing any significant draft content. Unlike last year, when Caleb Williams was Sharpied in as the No. 1 overall pick shortly after the prior year’s draft, there doesn’t appear to be any sure things in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Still, one of college football’s most exciting cornerbacks, Shavon Revel of East Carolina, was a good bet to be a Day 1 selection. That draft stock took a hit today with a torn ACL that will end Revel’s senior season, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Revel’s path in football has not been a usual one. Heading to junior college out of high school, Revel was a major piece for the Louisburg College Hurricanes. Still, he didn’t jump off the page as a JuCo recruit, and as a three-star corner, Revel signed with the nearby Pirates.

His first year with the team didn’t amount to much as he appeared in nine games and only totaled eight tackles. Revel broke out in his junior year last season. He gained a reputation as a lockdown corner in the AAC, recording 13 passes defensed and an interception. His electricity showed up all over the field, helping him tally four tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble return for a touchdown, as well. His senior season was off to a hot start, too. In only three games, Revel already had two passes defensed and two interceptions, including one that he returned for a 50-yard touchdown.

ESPN’s draft specialists were extremely high on Revel in early rankings. Mel Kiper listed him as the second-best cornerback prospect behind only Michigan corner Will Johnson (and, technically, Colorado’s Travis Hunter). Jordan Reid, Matt Miller, and Field Yates all ranked Revel in their top-five players at the position, as well, with Reid even tagging him as the No. 14 overall player in the class.

It’ll be interesting to see how the injury impacts Revel’s draft stock moving forward. Revel was being compared to another top Group of 5 talent in Quinyon Mitchell, a first-round pick for the Eagles this past year. With elite size at 6-foot-3, 193 pounds, and amazing production in the short sample of a year where most expected quarterbacks to avoid him, Revel will almost certainly hear his name called at some point next April. Exactly when he hears his name called, though, will depend on his recovery and his interviews in the pre-draft process.

NFL Injury Updates: Higgins, Herbert, Seahawks

September 20th, 2024 at 9:05pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bengals have operated through the first two weeks of the season without two of their top targets from the 2023 NFL season. Tyler Boyd found his way to Tennessee in free agency, and Tee Higgins has missed the first two games of the year with a hamstring injury. Quarterback Joe Burrow will be happy to see one of the two return in Week 3 against the Commanders, according to Ben Baby of ESPN.

Higgins has been limited at practice throughout this past week, but the fifth-year wideout claimed that “he feels 100% healthy and…should be able to play at full strength” this Monday night. Higgins broke 1,000 yards receiving in his second NFL season despite missing three games, and he’ll be challenged to do so in 2024 after missing two already.

Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase may be just as happy to see Higgins as Burrow is. The only major receiving threat in the team’s first two games, Chase has been limited to 10 catches for 97 yards so far this season. Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin have been the beneficiaries of Higgins’ missed time, and they’ll hope that their early efforts have earned them some targets as WR3 and WR4 moving forward.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:

  • Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been seen very little at practice this week after getting rolled up on in last week’s game. Per James Palmer of Bleacher Report, Herbert told reporters he had been dealing with a high ankle sprain. Herbert also mentioned that a decision hasn’t been made yet on whether or not he’ll play this Sunday.
  • The Seahawks will likely be without four starters in Week 3. Running back Kenneth Walker and linebacker Jerome Baker are both doubtful, while outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and right tackle George Fant have already been ruled out. Per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic, Walker could return in Week 4 after missing two contests. ESPN’s Brady Henderson adds that the team is hopeful Nwosu will be back by then, too. He’s reportedly “progressing really quickly,” according to head coach Mike Macdonald.
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