Seahawks Place RT Abraham Lucas On IR; CB Devon Witherspoon Expected To Play In Week 2
SEPTEMBER 15: As expected, the Seahawks will be without both starting tackles on Sunday. Carroll confirmed that Cross will be out for Week 2 while he recovers from a toe injury. He added, encouragingly, that the blindside blocker made progress in his recovery during the week, meaning he might be available come Week 3. With Peters not ready to play so soon after signing, though, Seattle will be notably shorthanded along the O-line for the time being.
Lucas underwent knee surgery this week, Carroll said. It is not known if the second-year tackle will be back when first eligible (Week 6). Forsythe and Curham will start at tackle Sunday, per the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta.
SEPTEMBER 13: As the Jason Peters signing foreshadowed, the Seahawks will be shorthanded at offensive tackle for a stretch. The team announced on Wednesday that Abraham Lucas has been placed on injured reserve. 
As a result of the move, Seattle’s right tackle starter will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks. Lucas, part of the team’s highly impactful 2022 draft class, was a first-teamer right away as a rookie. He partnered with first-round selection Charles Cross to give the team a young tackle tandem with the potential to give the offense a consistent presence up front for both the short- and long-term.
Like Lucas, Cross is banged up following the Seahawks’ Week 1 loss. His status moving forward is also in question, so it comes as no surprise that the team added tackle depth in the expected absence of both its left and right tackle starters. Seattle signed Raiqwon O’Neal off the Buccaneers’ practice squad, and added McClendon Curtis from the Raiders’ taxi squad. Both players are undrafted rookies, so they have less experience than incumbents Stone Forsythe and Jake Curhan. The latter two, likewise, have far less service time than Peters.
Having not taken part in spring workouts or training camp, Peters’ most recent team practices came during his time with the Cowboys last season. The 41-year-old would thus be a longshot to suit up on Sunday, as head coach Pete Carroll noted (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). Cross being unable to play, coupled with the timeline of Peters’ ramp-up period, would leave the Seahawks particularly thin up front for Week 2.
In more positive injury news, Carroll said earlier this week that first-round corner Devon Witherspoon will be a full participant in practice in the build-up to his NFL debut, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Taken with the No. 5 pick in April’s draft, Witherspoon was held out of Week 1 with a hamstring injury but playing him on Sunday will give Seattle’s secondary a notable boost when they look to rebound from their season-opening defeat to the Rams.
Vikings’ Danielle Hunter Addresses 2018 Contract, Offseason Trade Talk
For much of the offseason, it appeared as though Danielle Hunter‘s time with the Vikings would be coming to an end. Instead, team and player reached a compromise for the 2023 campaign, something the veteran edge rusher recently addressed. 
Hunter skipped OTAs and minicamp, then staged a hold-in during training camp in the hopes of leveraging a raise from the $5.5MM he was originally due in 2023. That effort came amidst reports that a trade sending him out of Minnesota was being considered. Such a move would have been in line with much of the team’s offseason, one which was dominated by the departure of several veteran players. The Vikings were indeed active in the trade market amongst pass rushers before working out a new Hunter agreement.
That pact – which includes $17MM in guaranteed money and a no-tag clause – will keep the three-time Pro Bowler in place for at least one more season. It also allowed him to move up the financial pecking order amongst edge defenders, something made necessary by the position’s upward market in the years following his $14.4MM-per-year contract being signed in 2018. When speaking about his second Vikings deal, Hunter expressed no regret about the long-term commitment.
“I signed that deal when I was 23 years old,” he said, via Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “I mean, look at this picture: Most of the guys who come into this league are 23 when they sign their rookie deals. I came into this league at 20 years old, so I don’t regret anything. I’m here now, Year 9, still with my team. I love everybody. I play for my teammates. And I’m still only 28 years old.”
Despite frequently being mentioned in trade talks through the offseason, Hunter added that he never asked to be moved. His 2022 performance (10.5 sacks, 34 pressures) helped confirm his return to form after missing all of the 2020 season and much of 2021. His production thus would have made him a prime extension candidate for an acquiring team, but instead he will play out at least one more year with the only only franchise he has been with in the NFL.
“This is a great organization, and they love me here,” he said. “If anything were to have happened, it was out of my control. I love the Vikings. This is the only thing I know.”
Colts In Communication With RBs Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette
With their Jonathan Taylor-less backfield still in flux due to injuries, the Colts remain interested in a free agent addition at the running back spot. As a result, they are in talks with two of the top options still available. 
Indianapolis has communicated with both Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The former met with the Colts last month as part of his late-offseason free agent tour, though no deal materialized. Hunt also drew interest from the Saints and Vikings, but they too elected not to sign him in advance of the regular season.
The former Chief and Brown was reported to have received four offers around the time of final roster cuts, but he has remained patient on the open market. Hunt would have a path to immediate playing time with the Colts for the time being, giving the absence of Taylor until at least Week 5. That is the earliest point at which the 2021 rushing champion can suit up in Indianapolis, though a trade sending him elsewhere is still in the cards. A lead role will be unlikely for Hunt in 2023, however, barring further injury developments around the league.
The same holds true for Fournette, whose release request was granted by the Buccaneers in February. The 28-year-old lost his starting role to Rachaad White in the 2022 campaign, and in the wake of Tom Brady‘s retirement, he favored a fresh start. Not much in the way of interest was shown in him through the offseason, however, with the Patriots hosting him on a workout but coming away unimpressed with his conditioning. It will be interesting to see if the Colts’ interest rises to the point of bringing him in for a free agent visit in the near future.
Indianapolis lost another member of its backfield in Week 1 with Evan Hull suffering a knee injury. He is now on IR and will thus miss at least the next four weeks of the season. The fifth-round rookie’s absence adds to Taylor’s stay on the PUP list, and questions remain regarding when Zack Moss will be able to suit up after recovering from a broken arm. The Colts worked out Darrell Henderson earlier this week, so Hunt and Fournette will have competition for a roster spot if they match the team’s interest in a potential deal. In any case, a move at the RB spot could be coming soon in Indianapolis.
Aaron Rodgers: ‘I Shall Rise Yet Again’
The 2023 NFL season took an unexpected turn when Aaron Rodgers‘ debut season with the Jets was cut short by an Achilles tear. Questions have since been raised about his playing future, but he hinted at an answer in that regard on Wednesday. 
[RELATED: Jets Committed To Wilson As Starter, Eyeing Free Agent QB Addition]
Rodgers took to Instagram to make his first public remarks about his injury suffered early in Monday night’s win over the Bills. In his post, he expressed appreciation for the support he has received since the diagnosis of a torn Achilles was confirmed Tuesday and pointed to a return to the field next year – something head coach Robert Saleh named as an expected course of action earlier today.
“I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love,” Rodgers wrote. “Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today. The night is darkest before the dawn. And I shall rise yet again.”
The latter sentence suggests the four-time MVP is planning to rehab in time for the 2024 season and in doing so continue his Jets tenure. One more year (in essence) remains on his reworked contract, and he previously stated a desire to play at least a pair of seasons in the Big Apple. Signficant changes in circumstances – such as the team winning the Super Bowl or, as has turned out to be the case, a massive injury – had the potential to change his career outlook, however.
Rodgers is due just over $38MM in 2024, giving him plenty of motivation to return to the field. He will be 40 by the time next season begins, the earliest point at which he will have recovered in full, though. As he rehab progresses, questions will no doubt linger about his ability to regain his previous Hall of Fame form following the arduous process Achilles tears require. If his initial remarks are any indication, however, Rodgers can be expected to at least attempt a return to the field.
On a specific note regarding the season-altering injury, Zack Rosenblatt and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report that Rodgers was unhappy with play calls that involved cut blocks by the team’s offensive linemen. Two such plays were run during his four-snap participation on Monday, including the play in which a missed block by left tackle Duane Brown led to the fateful Leonard Floyd sack. Attention will be paid to the Jets’ offensive scheme next year if Rodgers is able to return, something he appears to planning on doing.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/13/23
Today’s taxi squad moves around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams
- Placed on IR: S Jovante Moffatt
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Godwin Igwebuike
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Michael Strachan
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Michael Bandy
Houston Texans
- Signed: DT Bruce Hector
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: T Sebastian Gutierrez, CB Troy Pride Jr.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Jaret Patterson, OLB Ty Shelby
New England Patriots
- Signed: QB Ian Book, DB William Hooper
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Faion Hicks, TE Michael Jacobson, OLB Terrell Lewis, LB Ty Summers
- Placed on IR: LB Ryan Connelly
- Released: WR Jontre Kirklin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: OL John Molchon
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/13/23
Wednesday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed (off Raiders’ practice squad): CB Sam Webb
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
- Placed on IR: S Caden Sterns (story)
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Michael Dogbe
- Promoted from practice squad: P Ty Zentner
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Suspended to begin 2024 season: TE Leonard Taylor
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on non-football illness list: QB Stetson Bennett
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Lynn Bowden Jr., DE Kyle Phillips
- Placed on IR: DE Payton Turner (story)
Taylor was placed on IR by the Jaguars in July, guaranteeing that he would not see the field during the 2023 campaign. He has also been suspended for the first two games of next season, though, PHNX’s Howard Balzer notes. The 24-year-old has yet to see regular season NFL game action in his career.
Bennett has been dealing with a shoulder injury, but the NFI designation is used for injuries (or, in this case, illnesses) which arise separate from football-related activities. When asked for specifics about the fourth-round rookie’s circumstances, head coach Sean McVay said, via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, “out of respect for him and the situation, I’m going to leave all of those specifics and particulars in-house” (subscription required). The Rams will move forward with Matthew Stafford as their starter under center, and Brett Rypien available as an option to be elevated from the practice squad.
Broncos S Caden Sterns Likely Out For Season
SE[TEMBER 13: Payton confirmed on Wednesday (via Denver7’s Troy Renck) that Sterns, who has been placed on IR, is not expected to return this season. The news marks another injury blow to the Broncos on the injury front, and will leave the team’s secondary without a promising young playmaker.
SEPTEMBER 11: The Broncos’ secondary suffered a blow when safety Caden Sterns exited their Week 1 contest. It was initially feared that the third-year safety had encountered a serious injury, and further testing has confirmed that is indeed the case. 
Sterns is dealing with a torn patellar tendon and is expected to miss the remainder of the season as a result, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The news marks a notable loss for Denver’s defense and an interruption to what appeared to be another season of signficant playing time for the former fifth-rounder. Sterns logged an 84% snap share last season, and he was poised to operate as a starter alongside Justin Simmons at the safety spot this year.
Those plans were halted when the 23-year-old was carted off the field during the Broncos’ loss to the Raiders. That signalled a major injury to his knee, though 9News’ Mike Klis reported after the game that the team believed Sterns’ ACL was intact. Even with that being the case, an indefinite absence will commence.
Sterns flashed potential as a rookie in 2021 with a pair of interceptions and five pass breakups. The Texas alum played well when inserted into the starting lineup in place of an injured Kareem Jackson last year, but a hip injury limited his campaign to just five games. Expectations were high heading into his return to the field, but Sterns now faces another lengthy recovery process.
In his absence, Denver will move forward with Simmons and Jackson (who re-signed in May on a low-cost deal) as first-teamers at the safety position. As the Broncos continue the beginning of the Sean Payton era on offense, the team’s defense will remain a unit counted on heavily to deliver success. Their ability to do so has been impacted by Sterns’ injury, though the Simmons-Jackson tandem has considerable experience, having played alongside each other since the 2019 season.
Chris Jones Addresses Holdout, New Chiefs Deal
Questions about how long Chris Jones‘ holdout would last were answered on Monday when he agreed to a new one-year deal with the Chiefs. The fact he is still set for free agency at the end of the campaign leaves his future in doubt, but he reiterated his desire to remain in Kansas City when speaking publicly about his situation. 
Jones was absent from training camp and the Chiefs’ Week 1 loss, decisions which led to over $2MM in fines and a missed game check of $1.1MM. Incentives in his reworked pact will allow the All-Pro to recoup the money he walked away from, and a massive statistical performance (coupled with team success) would allow him to slightly outpace the earnings he was originally scheduled for. With an agreement in place, Jones is set to make his 2023 debut in Week 2.
“I’m super pleased with how it turned out,” the 29-year-old said when asked about his decision to return to the team, via ESPN’s Adam Teicher. “I’m back in the building. I’m excited to be back, thankful for the organization. They [were] able to boost my salary up to make up for the fines and everything. I’m super grateful for that.”
Jones’ presence will be a welcomed sight for a team which has relied heavily on his interior pass-rushing abilities during his career. He matched a personal best with 15 sacks last season, and reaching that mark again will trigger one of several play-time and performance-based incentives in his new contract. With no new years added to his pact, though, it remains to be seen if team and player will remain interested in continuing their relationship beyond this season.
A report from yesterday indicated that is the case. Jones – who could still be franchise tagged in March, if resumed extension negotiations fail to produce a multi-year accord bringing his annual compensation closer to that of Aaron Donald, the leading DT earner – confirmed he holds no ill will toward the organization and is hopeful a free agent departure will not ensue.
“I think you as a reporters and fans kind of misconstrue the contract thing,” he added. “It is never personal. I don’t think I started hating Coach [Andy] Reid or I started disliking [GM Brett] Veach. I love Veach. He knows I love him. We had on and off conversation throughout it all… I don’t think our relationship was affected any [by] that. They know how much I love this organization. They know how much I love this team, and I don’t think that affected any part of our relationship.”
Diontae Johnson Facing Multi-Week Absence
SEPTEMBER 13: Evaluations on Johnson’s injury have produced a timetable that could leave Johnson shut down for a month. The fifth-year wideout is expected to miss up to four weeks with this hamstring ailment, Dulac adds. Coming into this season, Johnson had only missed two games in total as a pro.
SEPTEMBER 12: The Steelers’ defense was dealt a major blow in their Week 1 loss with Cameron Heyward suffering a groin injury which will sideline him for several weeks. The team’s offense will likewise be shorthanded moving forward. 
Wideout Diontae Johnson suffered a hamstring injury against the 49ers on Sunday and it is expected to keep him off the field for a few weeks, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Further evaluation will take place later in the week, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette adds. An absence of any significant length would be notable for the Steelers’ receiving corps.
Johnson exited Pittsburgh’s loss against San Francisco in the third quarter and did not return. He did not manage to find the endzone during his limited game action, extending a touchdown drought which spanned all of the 2022 campaign. In spite of that, the 27-year-old remains a major part of the team’s passing game, having recorded at least 86 catches and 882 yards in each of the past three seasons. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2021, and earned his lone Pro Bowl nod in the process.
That production earned the former third-rounder a two-year, $36.71MM extension last offseason, putting an end to speculation about his short-term future with the organization. Johnson had been pegged as a likely free agent departure, but he is now on the books through 2024. His absence will be felt in a Steelers’ WR room which will now need to lean heavily on second-year deep threat George Pickens and veteran Allen Robinson. The latter, acquired via trade this offseason, was pegged for a move to the slot but he will likely now resume operating on the perimeter, as he has for much of his career. 2022 fourth-rounder Calvin Austin should see an uptick in slot usage.
Pittsburgh is currently without Miles Boykin due to injury, and Cody White is on injured reserve. The Johnson injury thus leaves the team rather thin at the receiver spot moving forward, and plenty will be asked of Pickens, Robinson and tight end Pat Freiermuth (who himself encountered an injury on Sunday) in the passing game when the Steelers play the Browns in Week 2.
Jets’ Aaron Rodgers Suffers Achilles Tear
3:29pm: As expected, Rodgers is now on the Jets’ IR list. Saleh confirmed Tuesday afternoon the future Hall of Famer will require surgery. Although the Jets are in discussions with free agents — Chad Henne among them — the third-year HC made it clear Wilson is the unquestioned starter.
10:04am: The Jets’ worst fears regarding Aaron Rodgers have been confirmed. An MRI revealed on Tuesday that he has indeed suffered a torn Achilles, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes. His season is over as a result.
Rodgers exited his regular season Jets debut after just four snaps, and it was learned shortly thereafter that an Achilles tear was the expected diagnosis. With that now having been confirmed, New York is poised to move forward with Zach Wilson at the helm of an offense which was expected to take a dramatic step forward in 2023. Rodgers’ performance was set to play a major role in that improvement, but much will now depend on Wilson’s ability to rebound from his previous struggles.
SI’s Albert Breer notes that Jets decision-makers are set to meet today discuss their plans going forward at the QB position. At least a depth addition will be required with Rodgers headed to injured reserve, but head coach Robert Saleh confirmed after last night’s game that Wilson is in line to serve as the starter moving forward. The latter will be tasked with keeping the Jets (a team with Super Bowl aspirations in 2023) competitive with the help of an impressive skill-position corps and a strong defense.
Rodgers, 39, was the subject of considerable speculation regarding his future with the Packers this offseason. After giving serious thought to retirement, he ultimately went public with his intention of continuing his career with the Jets, a team which devoted much of its efforts to creating familiarity on the field and the sidelines for the four-time MVP. After the blockbuster trade sending him to New York was finalized, Rodgers and the Jets became the central storyline around the league entering the 2023 campaign.
The Jets’ package sent to Green Bay to acquire Rodgers included a conditional 2024 draft pick. That selection would have been a first-rounder had the 10-time Pro Bowler logged a snap share of at least 65%, but that will not be the case given the news of his injury. As a result, New York will send a second-rounder to the Packers as the former team contemplates its long-term future under center next spring.
Rodgers initially declined to make a commitment to playing beyond 2023, but his decision to take a $35MM pay cut over the remainder of his contract suggested he was willing to remain in place for at least a few years. He said as much in August, though he admitted that unforeseen developments could alter his thinking with respect to continuing his career. A massive injury such as this one would certainly qualify in that regard.
Attention will turn to Rodgers’ ability to rehab his Achilles, a process which could threaten his ability to return to full health given his age and the severity of the injury. Questions will be raised regarding whether or not Monday’s contest will represent the final one of his decorated career. For time being, though, the Jets will need to proceed with Wilson and Tim Boyle (who is currently on the practice squad) as the organization’s top passers. Who they target as an addition via trade or free agency will be worth watching closely.