5 Key Stories: 11/28/21 — 12/5/21 

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

  • Big Ben Expected To Retire: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to call it a career after this season. Roethlisberger has outlasted both Eli Manning and Philip Rivers, but Father Time has clearly caught up to him. His QBR ranked just 24th in the league through ten starts and, even after today’s win over the Ravens, it’s clear that he’s lost a step. As of this writing, Roethlisberger sits eighth all time in touchdown passes with the sixth-most passing yards in NFL history.
  • NFL Suspends AB: The Buccaneers lost wide receiver Antonio Brown and safety Mike Edwards to suspension this week when both players were found to have violated league protocols. They’ll be eligible to return after three games, but head coach Bruce Arians says Brown might not be inserted into the lineup straight away. It’s possible that Brown could face legal consequences for his phony vaccination card and, even if he isn’t charged, the Bucs want to know that Brown is mentally prepared for the playoffs.
  • CMC Done For Year: Christian McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve for the second time this year, automatically ruling him out for the rest of the season. CMC previously missed five games with a hamstring injury. This time around, it’s an ankle injury that’ll require multiple months of rehab. Between the last two years, McCaffrey has appeared in just ten games for the Panthers. In 2019, his last healthy campaign, he made a push for Chris Johnson‘s single-season scrimmage yardage record. Now, his ’21 season ends with just 442 rushing yards and one touchdown, plus 37 catches for 343 yards and one receiving TD.
  • Panthers Fire OC Joe Brady: The injuries haven’t helped, but the Panthers were also unhappy with offensive coordinator Joe Brady. On Sunday, the Panthers fired the 32-year-old and replaced him with senior offensive assistant Jeff Nixon. Ranked just 28th in total offense, the Panthers will look for better results next week when they take on the Falcons.
  • Seahawks Sign Peterson: Adrian Peterson is back, this time with the injury-battered Seahawks. Seattle inked the legendary running back to a practice squad deal last week before quickly elevating him to the varsity squad. On Sunday, Peterson became the first player in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown with six different teams. That TD wound up being a difference-maker as the Seahawks beat the Niners 30-23.
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