Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger Vows To Return
Ben Roethlisberger is done for the year after suffering a serious elbow injury and many have speculated that this could ultimately end his career. But, Big Ben, who turns 38 in March, says that won’t be the case. 
[RELATED: Big Ben Done For Year]
“The Steelers committed three years to me this offseason and I fully intend to honor my contract and reward them with championship-level play,” he said (via ESPN.com).
Thanks to his three-year, $80MM extension, Big Ben is under contract through the 2021 season. Before the injury, the buzz was centered on whether Roethlisberger would, or would not, play beyond ’21. Many doubt that Big Ben can bounce back and play next season, but both the quarterback and head coach Mike Tomlin believe he will.
“He fully intends to come back from his injury, and everything we’ve heard, we’re comfortable that’s a strong possibility,” Tomlin said.
For now, the Steelers will turn to Mason Rudolph with the newly-promoted Devlin Hodges as his backup.
Jets To Sign QB David Fales
The Jets have agreed to sign quarterback David Fales in advance of this week’s game against the Patriots, according to Manish Mehta of the Daily News. Fales will serve as the No. 2 QB behind Luke Falk, who has been thrust into the starting role. 
To put it mildly, the Jets’ current quarterback situation is a tire fire. Starter Sam Darnold is out with mono and can only hope to return in time to face the Eagles in Week 5. His absence pushed Trevor Siemian into the starting job, but his season ended midway through his first start when his ankle was contorted, resulting in serious ligament tears. Falk, the club’s No. 3 QB, is now set to make his first Jets start against the league’s greatest dynasty of all-time.
Fales has familiarity with Adam Gase‘s system thanks to their time together in Chicago in 2015 and Miami in 2016-2017. In two games for the Dolphins, Fales completed 29 of 43 throws.
Latest On DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery
Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson has an abdominal strain that is expected to sideline him for about two weeks, sources tell ESPN’s Tim McManus. Making matters worse, Philadelphia is unlikely to have Alshon Jeffery in Week 3. Both suffered injuries against the Falcons.
It is unclear when the injury actually occurred, but Jackson was not listed on the Eagles’ Week 2 injury report. However, he felt discomfort during warmups and only played 11 snaps on offense against the Falcons before exiting. Jeffery is dealing with a calf strain. Although not considered major, Jeffery’s status for the Eagles’ Week 3-4 games — which occur in a 10-day span — is in some doubt, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
Jackson had originally hoped to play this Sunday against the Lions, but the Eagles will undoubtedly remain cautious with their speedster. The veteran logged eight receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns in Philadelphia’s Week 1 victory against the Redskins. His presence as a deep threat is extremely valuable to the offense.
With Jackson and Jeffery both potentially out for two weeks, the Eagles are down to three healthy receivers on their 53-man roster: Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins and JJ Arcega-Whiteside. Arcega-Whiteside and Hollins played 93% and 85% of the snaps last week, respectively, due to the injuries to Jackson and Jeffery.
In the interim, the Eagles could look to promote either Greg Ward or Marcus Green from their practice squad, along with potentially signing ex-Eagle free agent Jordan Matthews. Matthews, who had three productive years for the organization between 2014 and 2016, was among the final cuts for the 49ers this past August. Matthews worked out for the Saints on Tuesday.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/17/19
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad decisions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Nate Wozniak, P Matt Wile
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Cole Herdman
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Curtis Akins
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: T Dino Boyd
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Jordan Chunn, LB Chris Covington
- Cut: RB Darius Jackson
Denver Broncos
- Signed: C Corey Levin
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DB Tevaughn Campbell, S Adarius Pickett
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB J.T. Barrett
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Will Holden
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: T Elijah Nkansah
- Cut: QB Cardale Jones
Washington Redskins
- Signed: TE Donald Parham
- Cut: TE Drew Belcher
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/17/19
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: QB Jeff Driskel
- Released: QB Josh Johnson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DE Chris Peace
- Waived: WR Andre Patton
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: WR Keith Kirkwood
- Waived: DT Taylor Stallworth
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Alex Ellis
- Waived: CB Craig James
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LS Jon Condo
- Waived: LS Colin Holba
NFL Workout Updates: 9/17/19
Here are Tuesday’s updates from the workout circuit, all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter unless otherwise noted.
Atlanta Falcons
- LB Carroll Phillips (per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, on Twitter)
Cleveland Browns
- T Dino Boyd, G Colby Gossett, G Malcolm Pridgeon (Twitter links via Balzer and the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson)
Dallas Cowboys
- T Paul Adams, WR Quincy Adeboyejo, CB Deante Burton, DT Justin Hamilton, DE Willie Henry, LB Jawaun Johnson, S Josh Jones, WR DaMarkus Lodge, WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams (via ESPN.com’s Todd Archer)
Detroit Lions
- RB Benny Cunningham, RB Quinton Flowers, DE Durrant Miles, CB Marcus Sherels, LB James Vaughters (link)
Green Bay Packers
- WR Keon Hatcher, RB Bo Scarbrough, RB Austin Walter, DL Anthony Zettel (Twitter links)
Indianapolis Colts
- T Gerhard deBeer, Christian DiLauro, Brandon Hitner, C James Murray (link)
New Orleans Saints
- LB Ray-Ray Armstrong, QB J.T. Barrett, TE Crockett Gillmore, WR Krishawn Hogan, TE Gabe Holmes, QB Chad Kanoff, WR Jordan Matthews, TE Brian Parker, LB Brian Peters, LB Malcolm Smith, WR Deonte Thompson, QB Phillip Walker (link)
New York Jets
- LB B.J. Bello, CB Jordan Brown, CB Nigel Harris, CB Joshua Holsey, Shakial Taylor, CB Ahmad Thomas (link)
Oakland Raiders
- WR Jamal Custis (Twitter link via Wilson)
San Francisco 49ers
- LS Jon Condo, LS Garrison Sanborn, LS Drew Scott, T Sam Young (Twitter links via Balzer and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter)
Seattle Seahawks
- LB Malik Carney, CB Jeremy Clark, S Adrian Colbert, DT Lyndon Johnson, CB Greg Mabin, CB Duke Thomas (link)
Washington Redskins
- RB Josh Ferguson, RB De’Angelo Henderson (Twitter links via Rapoport and NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo)
Jaguars’ Jalen Ramsey On Trade Demand
For those of you just tuning in, Jaguars defensive back Jalen Ramsey wants out. Teams are interested – and some have offered a first-round pick for the Pro Bowler – but the Jaguars are seeking two first-round picks, which may throw a wrench into things.
On Tuesday, Ramsey addressed the swirling trade rumors with reporters. Here’s a look at the highlights from his presser, plus more on the situation:
- “I have nothing bad or negative to say about anyone in the building. I don’t want to speak on it or give too much detail. I will let God do his work,” Ramsey said (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). Then, when asked why he wants out of Jacksonville, Ramsey said: “I’m super excited to play this Thursday….if I’m still here“
- Ramsey says he and his agent are not the ones who leaked the trade request (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). The corner says he didn’t want it out in public, because he didn’t want it to be a distraction to his teammates. Meanwhile, as of Tuesday AM, he has yet to discuss
- GMs around the league think the Chiefs will go hard in a pursuit of Ramsey, CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora tweets.
- A note from Albert Breer of The MMQB (on Twitter) – Ramsey’s agent, David Mulugheta, has landed huge deals for clients Michael Thomas, Landon Collins, Kevin Byard, and Earl Thomas in 2019. Ramsey’s trade request could put him in the same class. The Jaguars have been unwilling to give him a big extension, but other teams seem ready to do it.
Redskins To Sign Noah Spence
The Redskins are planning to sign former Buccaneers outside linebacker Noah Spence, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. Spence worked out for the Redskins last week, after the Bears worked out the former Ohio State standout earlier today.
Spence has not lived up to the pre-draft hype after the Buccaneers took him with the 39th pick of the 2016 draft. Since then, he’s registered just 6.5 sacks in three seasons, with 5.5 of those coming as a rookie. He missed much of the 2017 season with an injury.
Washington selected Montez Sweat in Round 1, and he’s played behind Ryan Kerrigan and Ryan Anderson thus far. The Redskins’ fourth outside linebacker, ex-UDFA Cassanova McKinzy, registered his first sack of his career in Week 1.
After Redskins inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan declared this defensive unit “ultra talented” with “top five potential” earlier this summer, the Redskins have been anything but, giving up the third-worst yards-per-game average with 455, while giving up the second-most points (63).
Cardinals Audition Alfred Morris
David Johnson suffered a wrist injury in the Cardinals’ Week 2 loss, and although the standout running back returned to action, the Cards are gathering some intel for a possible in-case-of-emergency scenario.
Arizona worked out Alfred Morris, Thomas Rawls and Zach Zenner on Tuesday, ESPN.com’s Field Yates and veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer report (Twitter links). The team also auditioned tight end Luke Willson.
Morris reunited with the Cowboys, but Ezekiel Elliott‘s holdout coming to an end prompted them to part ways with the veteran back. Morris, 30, played 12 games with the 49ers last season. Rawls last held a notable role with the 2016 Seahawks; he’s since bounced around. Zenner averaged 4.8 yards per carry last season and re-signed with the Lions in March. However, he did not make their 53-man roster.
Kliff Kingsbury‘s Cardinals have lapped the field in terms of 10 personnel usage — four wideouts, one running back — and have not used tight ends Charles Clay or Maxx Williams much. But the team auditioned Willson, Thomas Duarte and Jason Vander Laan anyway. Willson played 14 games for the 2018 Lions but did not make the Raiders’ roster this summer.
Steelers Sign Paxton Lynch To P-Squad
Paxton Lynch will have another opportunity to develop, this time for a team that’s seen its biggest shakeup at quarterback in 15 years. The Steelers added Lynch to their practice squad Tuesday.
The former Broncos first-round pick has not come particularly close to justifying that No. 26 overall investment, being out of football in 2018 and failing to make the Seahawks’ roster this year. He will represent insurance and depth for a Steelers team that lost Ben Roethlisberger for the season.
Mason Rudolph is set to start, with recent UDFA Devlin Hodges being promoted from the practice squad Monday. The Steelers are believed to be on the lookout for a veteran backup to work behind Rudolph; Lynch obviously does not profile as that. As of now, Rudolph, Hodges and Lynch are the only healthy QBs the Steelers employ.
The Seahawks opted for Geno Smith over Lynch this season. The Broncos waived Lynch after claiming Chad Kelly last summer.