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NFL Injury Updates: Giants, Achane, Ramsey, Watson

October 15th, 2023 at 7:07pm CST by Ely Allen

While one-game injuries are not usually worthy of mention, the Giants‘ situation at offensive line this week is a wild exception. It would be difficult to look back and find a more dire example of desperation on a depth chart. With regular starter Andrew Thomas and primary backup Matt Peart already designated out for tonight’s game against the Bills, according to Ryan Dunleavy of NY Post Sports, any other adjustments to availability could prove disastrous.

Semi-luckily for New York, the team’s other regular starter, Evan Neal, who was questionable coming into today, will be available to play tonight, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The Giants’ other projected starter will be Joshua Ezeudu, who has struggled mightily as of late. Beyond those two, Marcus McKethan is the only other tackle listed on the depth chart, while Yodny Cajuste and Jaylon Thomas sit on the practice squad but weren’t elevated for today’s game.

Things could get ugly if Neal tweaks his knee or if the offensive line faces any further adversity. Hopefully, this is only just a one-week issue that the Giants will be clear of following this week’s trip to Buffalo.

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

  • After a blazing hot start to his NFL career, Dolphins rookie running back De’Von Achane was placed on injured reserve this week after suffering a knee injury. Based on the league’s rules for returning from IR, Achane wouldn’t be eligible for activation from the injury list until after the team’s Week 10 bye. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, that’s exactly when Achane plans to come back. Achane’s absence isn’t expected to be any longer than necessary as Miami is expecting a Week 11 return for the 22-year-old.
  • We reported this week that Dolphins cornerbacks coach Sam Madison had faith that we may see cornerback Jalen Ramsey return from knee surgery as early as November. That opinion was confirmed today by multiple sources. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Ramsey is far ahead of schedule and that a return by Week 11, after the team’s bye week, is not out of the question, allowing the star defender to play in Miami’s final eight games of the regular season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Ramsey could return to practice as soon as this week, cautioning that the team may still choose to ease him back in “gradually” but that an early return is becoming more and more feasible.
  • Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been week-to-week while missing the team’s last two games with a shoulder injury. While that status doesn’t really change with Schefter’s recent report that Watson could return as soon as next week, Schefter did specify that Watson is dealing with a subscapularis muscle contusion in the rotator cuff of his throwing shoulder, making it difficult for him to drive the ball down the field. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Cleveland is being “smart” with Watson, whom it views as its franchise quarterback.

Browns Elevate QB P.J. Walker

October 14th, 2023 at 2:57pm CST by Ely Allen

Finally setting up what has been hinted at all week, the Browns announced this morning that they have officially promoted quarterback P.J. Walker from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation. With starter Deshaun Watson still out with injury and rookie backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggling in a Week 4 start against the Ravens, Walker seems primed to start this Sunday under center for Cleveland.

Watson has been nursing a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the team’s fourth game of the season. He had technically been cleared to play in the divisional matchup but opted instead to rest and allow his shoulder to heal. While a timeline for Watson’s return is unclear to the public, the Browns and their 2022 trade acquisition appear to be on the same page. Time will tell when Watson gets back to the field, but for the time being, Cleveland will have to turn elsewhere for their quarterbacking needs.

Thompson-Robinson, the fifth-round rookie out of UCLA, may not be who they look to moving forward. In his lone NFL start, albeit against a stout Ravens defense, Thompson-Robinson struggled with three interceptions to zero touchdowns. After a bye week of rest and preparation, Cleveland may believe he has a better chance for success in Week 6, but it will likely have to be off the bench.

Instead, it’s become seemingly clear that the Browns will turn to Walker, the former XFL standout passer, until Watson can return. Walker started seven games for the Panthers over the last three years, going 4-3 in those starts. He struggled in his initial transition back to the NFL, throwing only two touchdowns to eight interceptions in his first two seasons back. Last year, though, in five starts, Walker showed improvement.

Walker is surely not a viable long-term option if the Browns are hoping to make a return to the playoffs. Until Watson is able to make his comeback, though, Cleveland will trust Walker’s experience and XFL success over Thompson-Robinson for now. Thompson-Robinson still showed a lot of promise in the preseason and earned a lot of faith from the coaches. He may just need a bit more time to develop his NFL game. For now, expect Walker under center.

Joining Walker as a standard gameday elevation from the practice squad will be Jaelon Darden. Darden has appeared in 23 games so far in his still young NFL career, only making eight catches for 69 yards. While he hasn’t been necessarily effective on offense, he’s averaged 9.4 yards per punt return and has experience returning kickoffs, as well.

Latest On Browns’ Quarterback Situation

October 13th, 2023 at 10:10am CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 13: Watson is expected to miss a second game, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports. After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Watson resting again is not especially surprising. But considering he was a late scratch for the Browns two weeks ago and had only missed one game due to injury between his 2017 ACL tear and this season, it is a notable development. Walker, who made eight Panthers starts from 2020-22, is set to take the reins against the 49ers. The Browns have since ruled Watson out.

OCTOBER 11: The Browns’ bye week did not move Deshaun Watson onto a smooth track toward resuming his season. The highly paid quarterback is not practicing Wednesday due to the shoulder injury that caused him to miss Week 4.

Watson is battling a rotator cuff contusion, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes. Suffering the injury during a third-quarter scramble against the Titans, Watson opted to rest in Week 4 despite being cleared to play. The Browns and the 2022 trade acquisition are believed to be on the same page regarding a return timetable, but the situation is uncertain for the time being.

More certainty now exists at backup quarterback. After the Browns trotted out fifth-round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson against the Ravens, Cabot offered that P.J. Walker might get the nod — in the event Watson is down for Week 6 — due to experience. The Browns concur, with Kevin Stefanski indicating Walker has leapfrogged Thompson-Robinson on the depth chart. If Watson is out against the 49ers, the ex-Panthers backup will be called upon to start.

Cleveland added Walker on a practice squad deal shortly after cutdown day. The Bears had released the former XFL 2.0 standout after their preseason slate wrapped. Walker, 28, has made seven NFL starts, going 4-3 in those games. Each of the starts came for Carolina, with Walker’s ex-college coach — Matt Rhule — adding to his contingent of Temple alums by re-signing the former Owls quarterback. Backing up Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield in Charlotte, Walker is a career 57.5% passer who sports a 6.4-yard average per attempt.

The drop-off from Watson to Walker would obviously be steep, but Thompson-Robinson was not ready to make an NFL start. The Browns had elevated Walker from their practice squad ahead of Week 4, though they did not use him in that Ravens matchup. Thompson-Robinson averaged a ghastly 3.4 yards per pass in Cleveland’s 28-3 loss to Baltimore, throwing three interceptions. The Browns had viewed Thompson-Robinson as ready to back up Watson, with that being the reasoning behind August’s Joshua Dobbs trade. Dobbs has continually kept the Cardinals in games as a Kyler Murray fill-in, and although Andrew Berry defended the trade recently, the Browns would have certainly had a better chance to win in Week 4 with Dobbs at the helm.

Watson missed 17 games in 2021 as a healthy scratch amid his criminal investigation for alleged sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct, and the NFL suspended the ex-Texans franchise QB for 11 games last season. Watson had only missed one game due to injury, however, since his October 2017 ACL tear. That came in 2019. Unless he returns to the practice field soon, that number will expand to three. The 5-0 49ers would then have the opportunity to face a Walker-quarterbacked Browns team.

Latest On Jets WR Mecole Hardman

October 12th, 2023 at 9:08pm CST by Ben Levine

Earlier this week, we heard the Jets were “exploring” their options with rarely-used wideout Mecole Hardman, including potential trades. ESPN’s Rich Cimini was more definitive about Hardman’s future in New York, stating during an appearance on the Flight Deck Podcast that the receiver was “going to be gone” (h/t Paul Andrew Esden Jr.).

[RELATED: Jets WR Mecole Hardman On Trade Block?]

Cimini adds that New York will ultimately “trade him or cut him,” but the organization intends to do Hardman a “solid” by sending him to a team that could offer a clear path to playing time. The reporter also noted that the receiver is “clearly disgruntled” and has done some complaining behind the scenes, so it may be in the Jets’ best interest to resolve this in a timely manner.

Hardman recently spoke about his situation to reporters, telling them that he simply wants to play, whether for the Jets or another organization (via Cimini). The receiver also revealed that he hasn’t requested a trade. Meanwhile, Robert Saleh said the team will continue to find ways to utilize Hardman until he hears otherwise.

“He’s here, he’s working, competing, and until someone upstairs says otherwise, we we’re going to do our best to try to find ways to get him involved,” the head coach told reporters (via Cimini).

Hardman joined the Jets this offseason following a four-year stint with the Chiefs. The free agent was one of several receivers to join the new-look offense, but thanks in part to Aaron Rodgers‘ season-ending injury, Hardman has seen a lesser role than expected. The 25-year-old has hauled in a single catch and has been limited to 22 offensive snaps, and he also hasn’t been used in the return game, an area where he’s previously excelled. The Jets added Irvin Charles to the active roster earlier this week, giving the team seven wide receivers.

We haven’t heard of any definitive suitors for Hardman, but plenty of teams should have interest. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes that the Raiders, Lions, Vikings, and Browns were among the teams that expressed interest in Hardman during the offseason, and the reporter notes that a reunion with the Chiefs could also be an option.

Browns GM Andrew Berry Addresses Josh Dobbs Trade

October 6th, 2023 at 9:28am CST by Adam La Rose

Week 4 marked the first regular season action for Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, as the rookie saw the start in place of the injured Deshaun Watson. The former’s performance led to questions about Cleveland’s decision to trade away veteran passer Josh Dobbs, one the organization is satisfied with.

The Cardinals traded for Dobbs in late August, putting him in position to serve as their starting signal-caller until the return of Kyler Murray. While the move reunited Dobbs with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing (who previously served as the Browns’ QBs coach), Arizona’s offer came as a surprise to Cleveland. The sides were quickly able to work out a deal, though, leaving the latter team short on experience under center.

Thompson-Robinson went 19-of-36 for 121 scoreless yards in a Week 4 loss to the Ravens, throwing three interceptions and taking four sacks. The fifth-rounder’s struggles were understandable in his debut, but they notably contrasted with his encouraging performances in training camp and the preseason. They also stood out when compared to Dobbs, who has posted a 4:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 99.4 passer rating in Arizona.

“In terms of trading Josh, obviously we had a high opinion of Josh,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said of the trade, via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I’ve often talked up here about the general manager’s role having a foot in the present and a foot in the future. That consideration, in that transaction, has elements of that… We’re really excited to work with Dorian and see him progress and develop. But thought it was the right move for the organization, both short and long term.”

Indeed, many pointed to Thompson-Robinson as the Browns’ eventual QB2 despite Dobbs’ presence, so moving on from the more experienced option helped accelerate his move up the depth chart. Berry confirmed his confidence in Thompson-Robinson as the team’s long-term Watson understudy, adding that he discussed the proposed Dobbs trade with head coach Kevin Stefanski before authorizing it. While much of Cleveland’s success in 2023 and beyond will be tied to Watson’s level of play when healthy, the team remains comfortable with its backup options (which currently includes P.J. Walker) behind him.

Browns “Pleased” With Current RB Group

October 5th, 2023 at 7:58pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns have made a handful of moves to account for Nick Chubb‘s season-ending injury, but that hasn’t stopped the organization from being mentioned as a potential suitor for any RBs who have been or could be made available. When asked specifically if the Browns would consider making a move for disgruntled Colts star Jonathan Taylor, GM Andrew Berry hinted that he’s content with his current running back corps.

“Because of the tampering rules, I know I can’t touch on specific players,” Berry said yesterday (h/t Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram). “We’re always active seekers, participants in the trade market, but I would say we’re pleased with the running back room.”

Jerome Ford topped 100 yards while filling in for an injured Chubb in Week 2, but since he’s entered the starting lineup, he’s put up two lackluster performances. Between the two games, Ford has been limited to 96 yards from scrimmage on 26 touches, although he did find the end zone twice in Week 3.

The team re-signed Kareem Hunt once Chubb went down, and the veteran has garnered the second-most snaps at the position for Cleveland over the past two weeks. However, the veteran RB has also struggled with a 3.9-yards-per-touch mark. Of course, Hunt could also still be finding his groove after waiting until the regular season to sign a deal.

Third-stringer Pierre Strong has put up the best numbers of the bunch, with the second-year pro averaging 5.9 yards on his 13 touches. The former Patriots fourth-round pick has served as the clear RB3 behind Ford and Hunt, and his upside could be a reason why the Browns aren’t in any rush to add reinforcement at the position.

Besides signing Hunt, the Browns also added one of Taylor’s former teammates to the practice squad. Deon Jackson started Week 1 for the Colts but was limited to only 14 rushing yards on 13 attempts. The former UDFA looked serviceable in 2022, finishing with 445 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. For the time being, he’s sitting fourth in the pecking order in Cleveland.

As Berry indicated, the Browns wouldn’t shy away from a no-brainer trade, and plenty could change between now and the October 31 trade deadline. For the time being, it sounds like the Browns will be sticking with their current running backs grouping.

QB Notes: Watson, Pickett, Herbert, Cards

October 2nd, 2023 at 4:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a Week 3 bounce-back effort, Deshaun Watson sat out Week 4 due to a shoulder injury. The Browns endured a 28-3 loss. While Kevin Stefanski said the team is on the same page with its high-priced quarterback medically, the fourth-year HC added (via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot) Watson was cleared to play against the Ravens.

“He knows is body, he’s played through serious pain before, very, very serious injuries,” Stefanski said. “It wasn’t a matter of pain tolerance. He just did not feel like he had his full faculties.”

The 2022 trade acquisition had missed one game due to injury since the ACL tear that ended his 2017 rookie season, being sidelined for a 2019 contest. The Browns, who saw Watson predecessor Baker Mayfield struggle when playing through a shoulder injury in 2021, traded away their Watson backup — Josh Dobbs — just before the regular season, leading to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson taking the keys.

Here is the latest from the QB landscape:

  • After limping off the field in Houston, Kenny Pickett received good news upon going through an MRI. The second-year Steelers QB did not sustain serious damage to his knee, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. Pickett sustained a bone bruise and a muscle strain, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, but he has a chance to play this week. With the Steelers’ bye in Week 6, it would make sense for the team to hold its starter out. Mitchell Trubisky, who signed an offseason extension, remains in place as Pickett’s backup. After being usurped by the 2022 first-rounder, Trubisky was needed after Pickett sustained two concussions as a rookie.
  • The Chargers also received fairly good news on their starter. Justin Herbert is not expected to miss time after suffering a finger injury in Week 4. That said, Rapoport notes Herbert did suffer a finger break on his nonthrowing hand. Herbert playing through early-season injuries is, of course, nothing new. The star passer battled rib trouble after a Week 2 injury last year. The Bolts’ franchise centerpiece has never missed a game due to injury.
  • With Kyler Murray not particularly close to returning, Dobbs’ unexpected starter run will continue. The Cardinals pursued Dobbs in free agency, and Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com notes the team made him an offer to rejoin OC Drew Petzing. While Dobbs preferred a Cleveland return, he ended up back with Petzing — the Browns’ QBs coach last season — in Arizona via the “out of the blue” Cards trade offer. Dobbs became Arizona’s surprise starter due partially to the new staff’s concerns about Colt McCoy‘s lack of mobility, per Urban. McCoy, 37, did not impress as the starter during training camp. Murray’s two-year backup, who had signed a two-year deal worth $6MM in 2022, remains a free agent.

Deshaun Watson Will Not Play In Week 4

October 1st, 2023 at 9:45am CST by Rory Parks

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will not play in the team’s Week 4 game against the Ravens, as Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports. Watson is dealing with a right shoulder contusion, and while player and team hoped that he would be able to play through the injury, that will not be the case.

Watson struggled through the first two games of the 2023 season, but in Week 3, he looked like the Pro Bowler the Browns believed they were getting when they made the now-infamous decision to trade a king’s ransom for the embattled quarterback and hand him a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230MM contract in March 2022. In Cleveland’s 27-3 romp over the Titans last week, Watson completed 27 of 33 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

As James Palmer of the NFL Network notes, Watson did not throw much in practice this week as he attempted to rest his shoulder. During today’s pregame warmup and throwing session, it became clear that he was not healthy enough to suit up.

Fifth-round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will get the nod in Watson’s absence, and he will be tasked with leading the team in an important divisional matchup. The Browns had initially planned to have Josh Dobbs serve as Watson’s backup this year, but when the QB-needy Cardinals made an “out-of-the-blue” trade offer for Dobbs at the end of August, Cleveland decided to pull the trigger on the trade and elevate Thompson-Robinson to the QB2 role.

Obviously, that decision indicated that the Browns were comfortable with Thompson-Robinson being called into action in his first professional season. Thompson-Robinson justified that faith with a strong preseason in which he completed 37 of 58 passes for two touchdowns and added 14 carries for 69 yards.

Although he did not always look like an NFL prospect during his collegiate career at UCLA, Thompson-Robinson put himself on the radar during his final season with the Bruins, completing just under 70% of his passes and throwing for 27 TDs against 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 645 yards and 12 touchdowns while maintaining a healthy 5.5 yards-per-carry rate.

DTR will at least have Cleveland’s top tight end at his disposal. After suffering burns to his face and arm during a household accident this week, David Njoku is expected to play against Baltimore.

The Browns have a Week 5 bye, and given that they were optimistic Watson would play this week, it seems reasonable to expect Watson to take the field against the 49ers in Week 6. However, it is obviously too early for the team to make that call.

Browns RB Nick Chubb Undergoes First Knee Surgery; 2024 Return In Play

September 30th, 2023 at 10:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

Nick Chubb‘s long road to recovery began earlier this week, undergoing surgery to address, among other things, the MCL tear he suffered in Week 2. The team announced on Saturday that his procedure – performed the day prior – was a success.

The Friday operation was scheduled in the wake of Chubb being learned to have suffered a torn MCL, but not a full ACL tear as a result of the hit he took in Cleveland’s loss to the Steelers. Yesterday’s surgery was aimed at addressing the MCL damage, along with that done to his medial capsule and meniscus. As expected, a second operation will be required; that subsequent procedure, which take place “in the coming months,” will tend to his ACL.

The Browns’ statement on the Chubb surgery adds a return to the field at some point in 2024 is in play. While much of his recovery timeline will depend on the success of the second surgery, that update offers optimism regarding the four-time Pro Bowler’s long-term future. A return next season would be a welcomed development for Cleveland’s most consistent offensive producer, and it would represent a best-case scenario for all parties.

As ESPN’s Jake Trotter notes, the Browns initially feared Chubb suffered a more serious injury than he actually did. The fact he has a path to returning to the lineup next year has financial significance, as that is the final year of the 27-year-old’s contract. No guaranteed money remains on his three-year, $36.6MM deal after this season, so it will be interesting to see how the team handles Chubb’s situation given the injury but also his central importance to the team’s offense.

While the four-time 1,000-yard rusher (who has posted high-end totals while averaging 5.3 yards per carry in his career) cannot be fully replaced, the Browns made the unsurprising move of reuniting with Kareem Hunt in the wake of the Chubb injury. The veteran, along with 2022 fifth-rounder Jerome Ford, is tasked with handling the load for the remainder of the season as Cleveland aims to maintain a strong ground game. While the team is shorthanded in the backfield for the time being, a Chubb return next season can at least be loosely counted on in the wake of a succesful first step in his rehab process.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/23

September 30th, 2023 at 8:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves ahead of tomorrow’s slate of Week 4 games:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Walker’s elevation comes amidst a degree of uncertainty regarding Deshaun Watson‘s Sunday availability. The latter is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he has expressed confidence he will be able to suit up. In the event he is unable to play, though, Walker will provide insurance under center. NFL Network’s James Palmer reports Watson will be a game-time decision.

Chosen, formerly Robbie Anderson, made his Dolphins debut in Week 3, scoring a 68-yard touchdown on his only catch. His performance – along with other depth wideouts currently being sidelined for Miami – will give the 30-year-old a longer look with his new team.

Gore’s elevation will give him the chance to see regular season game action for the first time since 2021. The former UDFA recorded 361 scrimmage yards with the Chiefs that season, but a subsequent IR stint marked the end of his time in Kansas City. Gore has since spent time on the Saints’, and now Commanders’, taxi squads. Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes that fellow depth back Chris Rodriguez has bee ruled out with an illness, opening the door to Gore seeing limited snaps.

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