Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins Suffers Torn Achilles
3:37pm: Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed after the game that Dobbins has indeed suffered an Achilles tear. His season is now over, and questions will be raised about his financial future with his rookie contract set to expire in March. The Ravens ran for 110 yards in a 25-9 win on Sunday, but their ground game has taken a major blow given today’s news.
3:03pm: Expectations were high to start the season for J.K. Dobbins, who is set to hit free agency at the end of the campaign. He may do so coming off of another massive injury. 
The Ravens’ lead running back is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles during the team’s Week 1 contest against the Texans, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He adds that an MRI is required to confirm a diagnosis, but in such a scenario, the news would mark the second season-ending injury of Dobbins’ brief NFL career.
The former second-rounder suffered a knee injury which included an ACL tear in the 2021 preseason. He missed his second Baltimore campaign in its entirety as a result, and questions lingered about his ability to return to full health last season. Dobbins was eased back into action, and he ultimately underwent a cleanup procedure in October. The decision to do so proved to be effective considering his production upon return.
Dobbins averaged 6.96 yards per carry in the final four games of the regular season, and he recorded 105 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in Baltimore’s postseason loss to the Bengals. With his injury seemingly in the past, Dobbins appeared to be well-positioned for a strong season in 2023, something which would have had considerable financial implications moving forward. The Ohio State alum expressed frustration with his contract status, though the team has indicated on multiple occasions that they want to keep him in the fold.
Extension talks have already taken place, but if the injury does prove to be an Achilles tear, Dobbins’ value will obviously suffer greatly. Running backs as a whole saw their market continue to take a step back this offseason, and essentially a second campaign missed in its entirety would leave the 24-year-old with a weaker negotiating position. For the time being, the Ravens will move forward with a shorthanded RB room.
Backup Gus Edwards and special teamer Justice Hill will be in line for an increased role in Dobbins’ absence, something of significance for the former in particular since he too is headed for free agency in March. Baltimore also retained undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell on the active roster, and he will likely see game action presuming Dobbins is indeed set to be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Addresses Future
Plenty of veterans made their way out of Minnesota this offseason, but quarterback Kirk Cousins is still in place for at least one more year. He recently spoke about his future with the Vikings (or another team) as he enters the final year of his contract.
Cousins is set to earn $30MM this season, after it became clear he would not sign another Vikings extension this offseason. Talks on a new contract are expected to take place after the campaign but before his deal expires in March, something which would take him to free agency for the second time in his career. That leaves the 35-year-old with plenty to prove this season, something he is acutely aware of. 
Cousins admitted he is playing for his job when speaking to the media. He added, “that’s kind of the life you live. And I think when you take that seriously, that lends itself to having success more days than not” (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert).
Both team and player have expressed an openness to continuing their relationship, one which has seen Cousins earn $155MM to date in Minnesota. The four-time Pro Bowler will earn another signficant payday on a new deal in 2024 if he continues his strong play from last season, in which he threw for the second-most yards of his career (4,547) and helped lead the team to a 13-4 record. Cousins has cashed in on a number of occasions, and he has done particularly well in securing guaranteed money in his career. Doing so again will require a strong season, as Minnesota could move on if he regresses or suffers an injury.
“Tom [Brady] made the point that there is no entitlement in the NFL,” Cousins added. “And if there is entitlement in the NFL, that organization is probably doing it wrong. I think it’s healthy when players need to go out every day, and nobody is entitled to anything… If it ever isn’t that way here, I would be the first one to complain and say, ‘I sense some entitlement, and let’s change that.”
As Seifert’s colleague Adam Schefter notes, Cousins’ contact – which includes four void years for salary cap purposes – does not expire until after the deadline to apply franchise tags. Minnesota will have likely made a decision on his future by that point, something which will be worth watching given the lack of long-term successors in the organization. Many expected the Vikings to be aggressive in drafting a passer in April, but they did not add one until the fifth round (Jaren Hall).
For that reason, Seifert notably reports that Minnesota was not in on Trey Lance trade talks. The former 49ers top-three pick was dealt to the Cowboys for a fourth-round selection after a quick negotiating process which included a few other teams. The fact the Vikings steered clear of Lance leaves their QB situation beyond 2023 something to monitor.
Extension Talks Between Vikings, Justin Jefferson To Be Tabled To 2024
A push was made by the Vikings to work out an extension with Justin Jefferson, but they have come up short. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year will play the 2023 season without a new deal in place, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Schefter adds that both the Vikings and the All-Pro wideout made an effort to reach agreement on a mega-contract in time for tomorrow’s season opener, but nothing is expected to be signed in the next few hours. As a result, the parties will press pause on negotiations until after the campaign is over. Jefferson will thus earn $2.39MM in salary this season in anticipation of a dramatic raise in the spring.
The 24-year-old was the subject of a late-summer push on Minnesota’s part to get a deal worked out in time for Week 1. That news followed a lengthy stretch without updates on the status of negotiations, and it confirmed the team’s willingness to make Jefferson a central part of their long-term plans. His personal preference was to have an agreement in place by Sunday, but he will now shift his attention to another hugely productive season in line with the three has had authored so far.
Jefferson comfortably holds the record for most receiving yards in the first three seasons of a player’s career (4,825), meaning his second contract will be enormous. The matter of injury guarantees (and their scheduling within the pact) were mentioned earlier this offseason as a potential issue, but it is unclear at this point what caused the failure for a deal to be reached.
Minnesota’s financial outlook looks much different moving forward after an offseason filled with a number of veteran departures. Jefferson is part of a young core the team will look to invest in – as it did recently with the extension for tight end T.J. Hockenson. Plenty of questions regarding the Vikings’ spending power in 2024 and beyond will be answered when clarity emerges regarding quarterback Kirk Cousins‘ future. The latter is set to hit free agency after the season, and Minnesota does not have a long-term successor in place at the moment.
Waiting until the conclusion of Year 4 to sign a new pact can be a risky proposition for players, but those at the top of their positional markets can ensure a major payday while remaining successful from an individual and team perspective. Nick Bosa‘s record-breaking deal for defensive players was signed just before his fifth season began, providing an example of patience (and in Bosa’s case, a training camp holdout) paying off. The lengths Jefferson will go to next spring if negotiations hit a snag upon resumption will make his situation worth watching closely.
NFL Injury Updates: Armstead, Andrews, Waller, Okudah, Moss
The Dolphins are expected to be productive on offense with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa under center, but protection for him up front will be critical to his success. Miami will be shorthanded up front to begin the campaign.
Left tackle Terron Armstead is out for the Dolphins’ opener against the Chargers, as noted by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. The four-time Pro Bowler is dealing with back, knee and ankle injuries and has not practiced since August 16. He was carted off the field that day, which represented a setback from his ongoing recovery from offseason knee surgery.
Armstead, 32, expressed optimism that he would be healthy in time for Week 1 before suffering the new injuries last month. His absence will be sorely missed given his importance to the team as a high-end blocker when available, and the five-year, $75MM pact he signed with the Dolphins last offseason. Wolfe notes that veteran Kendall Lamm is expected to get the nod in place of Armstead.
Here are some other injury updates in advance of Sunday’s action:
- The focal point of the Ravens‘ new-look passing game will likely not be in action tomorrow. Tight end Mark Andrews was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report, but he is not expected to play against the Texans, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The three-time Pro Bowler has been dealing with a quad injury recently, but he practiced on a limited basis each day this week. If he does indeed miss the contest, Baltimore will turn to 2022 draftees Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar at the TE spot, while leaning on a revamped receiver room which added Odell Beckham Jr. and first-round rookie Zay Flowers in the offseason.
- Darren Waller‘s Giants debut may be delayed. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the 30-year-old is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his availability for Monday night against the Cowboys is in question. Waller is no stranger to hamstring issues, and they caused signficant missed time during his Raiders tenure. Upon being traded to New York, he received an opportunity to serve as the team’s top pass-catcher, so any absence would deal a blow to the Giants’ offense. 2022 fourth-rounder Daniel Bellinger would take on an increased role at the TE spot if Waller were unable to play.
- Cornerback Jeff Okudah has been ruled out by the Falcons, Wolfe notes. The former No. 3 pick had a disappointing run in Detroit which included a number of significant injuries, one of which was a 2021 Achilles tear. Plenty is at stake for him in Atlanta, as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Okudah, 24, suffered a leg injury last month and his recovery was not expected to last deep into the start of the regular season. Free agent signing Tre Flowers could step into a starting role opposite A.J. Terrell against the Panthers on Sunday.
- Colts running back Zack Moss was downgraded to doubtful by a team announcement on Saturday. He is recovering from a broken arm, and it was always in the air whether or not he would recover in time to play Week 1. Of course, the absence of the former Bills draftee will compound the fact that Jonathan Taylor is on the PUP list to begin the season, meaning he will be sidelined for at least four weeks. Plenty of rushing responsibility will likely fall to former UDFA Deon Jackson and 2021 Rams seventh-rounder Jake Funk in quarterback Anthony Richardson‘s NFL debut.
No Brian Burns Extension Imminent; Panthers OLB Expected To Play In Week 1
Brian Burns‘ hold-in efforts have not yielded an extension agreement in time for the start of the season. The Panthers edge rusher is not expected to sign a deal before Week 1, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
A Burns extension has been on Carolina’s radar for quite some time now, and it has become clear they intend to keep him in the fold for years to come on a few occasions. The Panthers turned down a Rams trade package for the 25-year-old which included a pair of first-round picks at the deadline, and they insisted he would not be involved in the swap with the Bears which allowed them to acquire the top selection in April’s draft.
That gave the Florida State alum plenty of leverage in extension talks, but little progress has been made with the team seeking to work out a new pact ahead of tomorrow’s season opener. Burns – who attended training camp – recently indicated he would not miss regular season time, a move which would have subjected him to $890K in weekly fines. Those comments contrasted notably with his decision to not participate in certain practices, however, and it remained in doubt whether or not he would suit up without a contract in hand.
On that point, Fowler adds that Burns resumed practicing in recent days, and he is expected to play against the Falcons on Sunday. It is unclear if extension talks will continue once the season kicks off, or if player and team will choose to wait until the spring to resume negotiations. In any case, Burns is now set to earn $16MM this season as a result of Carolina’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option. He is not signed beyond 2023.
Many expected the Burns camp to use Nick Bosa‘s extension with the 49ers as a measuring stick for his own value. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year secured the largest commitment ever made to a player on that side of the ball (five years, $170MM with $88MM guaranteed), likely boosting the edge market as a whole. Burns was reported to be seeking an AAV similar to Bosa’s, though that was before the latter’s $34MM figure in that regard was revealed through his deal being finalized. Carolina is aiming for a pact averaging closer to Maxx Crosby‘s annual compensation ($23.5MM).
The Panthers would be well suited to have Burns in place for Week 1 and throughout the early portion of the campaign since Marquis Haynes is on IR, ensuring a four-week absence. That will add to the former’s responsibilities as Carolina’s top edge rusher as he looks to secure a major payday in the future with contract talks now (at least seemingly) in the rearview.
49ers, Nick Bosa Agree To Extension
SEPTEMBER 9: Details were released today on Bosa’s big money extension. The five-year, $170MM extension reported below includes $88MM in fully guaranteed money (Overthecap.com), beating out the previous high from Watt’s contract of $80MM. Like most massive deals are, the deal is incredibly backloaded.
With cap hits for the next three years of $11.01MM in 2023, $14.67MM in 2024, and $20.52MM in 2025, things get much scarier over the following three years with cap hits of $42.03MM in 2026, $52.03MM in 2027, and $42.85MM in 2028. The team will likely never see those cap numbers as they’ll probably end up doing some restructuring before those dates appear, but with $88MM fully guaranteed, Bosa doesn’t have much to be concerned about.
According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, adjusting Bosa’s cap hit in 2023 sets San Francisco up well for future potential cap issues. With $42MM of cap space in 2023, the 49ers have plenty of space to go out and acquire some top talent by the trade deadline. If not, unused cap will roll over into 2024, a season in which the 49ers are projected to be $40MM over the salary cap. This would mean that San Francisco wouldn’t need to make any moves in order to stay under the cap with their current projected roster, though some adjusted are still expected.
SEPTEMBER 6: One of the NFL’s high-profile holdouts has come to an end. Nick Bosa has agreed to a five-year, $170MM extension with the 49ers, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter adds that the monster pact includes $122.5MM in guaranteed money, which, coupled with the $34MM annual average value, comfortably makes this the largest commitment ever made to a defensive player. Bosa will see more guaranteed money – provided it is paid out in full over the life of the pact – than all but four players in the league, each of whom are quarterbacks. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds that Bosa will receive a $50MM signing bonus, which is also unprecedented for defenders.
It has long been assumed that the former No. 2 pick would eclipse the $28MM-per-year mark and in doing so overtake T.J. Watt as the league’s top paid edge rusher. The only question was whether or not Bosa would move past Aaron Donald (whose re-worked Rams deal pays out $31.67MM per year) as the top earning non-quarterback. That question has now been answered rather emphatically, as reporting on this situation suggested would be the case.
Bosa – who has long been on the extension radar – has been holding out through the summer in an attempt to leverage a new deal. He incurred $40K in daily fines starting at the onset of training camp, but the team has long been expected to waive those. NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco confirms that will indeed be the case. The 25-year-old will now travel to Santa Clara in advance of a very brief ramp-up period for his fifth season with the 49ers.
After following in his brother Joey Bosa‘s footsteps at Ohio State, Nick entered the league with massive expectations. He has lived up to them when healthy, earning a Pro Bowl nod each year aside from his injured-shortened 2020 campaign. Bosa took a step forward in 2022 by leading the league in sacks (18.5), helping him win Defensive Player of the Year honors. A continuation of that production will be expected through at least most of the term of this deal, which will cover the remainder of his prime years.
Bosa was due to earn $10.8MM this season on the fifth-year option, but with an extension in place his cap hit for the coming season can now be adjusted. He has a window of only a few practices to prepare for Sunday’s season opener against the Steelers, but head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed during a Wednesday press conference (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) that Bosa will indeed suit up for that contest.
With Bosa’s holdout now in the past, attention will turn increasingly to Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns. The latter in particular will be affected by today’s news, as he is believed to be seeking a second contract not far off the AAV of what Bosa earned on his extension. Looking ahead, talks between the Cowboys and Micah Parsons on a monster deal next offseason will no doubt be centered in large part on the figures of today’s agreement.
For now, though, San Francisco can enter another season in which expectations are high (particularly on the defensive side of the ball) with the team’s best defender on the books through 2028. A repeat of Bosa’s previous performances could again make the 49ers a force in the NFC come playoff time now and into the future.
Latest On Bears’ Backup QB Situation
SEPTEMBER 8: As expected, Eberflus said on Friday that it will indeed be Peterman backing up Fields when the Bears host the Packers on Sunday. The veteran will thus be turned to if anything should happen to Chicago’s starter during the game. Bagent will be designated the emergency third quarterback, meaning he will be in uniform without counting as part of the team’s gameday lineup. Only injuries to Fields and Peterman would allow the rookie to enter the game, though, and a return from either would obligate Bagent to head back to the sidelines.
SEPTEMBER 3: The Bears only had two quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster after deciding to release both P.J. Walker and Nathan Peterman. The decision to cut the latter proved to be a paper transaction, though, and he is again on the active roster. 
As a result, questions have been raised about how the backup spot will shake out behind Justin Fields. The QB2 role was up for grabs during training camp and the preseason, and the play of undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent earned him at least a roster spot to start the year. He may not see backup duties right away, however.
“We have not decided that,” head coach Matt Eberflus said, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, when asked about who will dress behind Fields in Week 1. “We’re sure glad to have [Peterman] back. He’s really good for that room. Him and Justin learned the offense together, so to speak, so they’re speaking the same language. So they understand it really well. It’s good to have him in the room.”
Peterman’s inclusion on the active roster – as opposed to the practice squad – could suggest he is in line to serve as the backup at least early in the season. Biggs predicts that the 29-year-old will start the campaign in the No. 2 role, which would relegate Bagent to emergency QB duties. Teams are allowed to carry three signal-callers on the roster while still only dressing two on gamedays. Injuries to the starter and backup are required for the third-stringer to be allowed to enter the game, however.
As Biggs notes, Bagent could move himself past Peterman while continuing to impress in practice during the season while the more experienced option works as a fill-in option. Things could change quickly from the presumed depth chart in short order, and Eberflus is not (at least publicly) prepared to declare how the team will proceed at the position to start the year.
“We wanted to secure him in that situation,” he said of Peterman’s release and re-signing. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future with who’s going to be up for the game, who’s going to be the backup. We’ll decide that as we go.”
Joe Burrow To Play In Week 1; Bengals Rule Out DE Joseph Ossai
Joe Burrow has a new contract in hand and the Bengals will not need to wait long to have him in the lineup after working out a record-setting extension. Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed on Friday that Burrow will play in the regular season opener. 
That has been the expected decision after Burrow continued making progress from the calf strain he suffered in July. The team gave him a recovery timeline of “several weeks” upon diagnosing the injury, which left open the possibility of missed game action in September. However, the league’s newest top-paid player resumed throwing shortly thereafter and returned to practice last week.
Given those developments, it comes as little surprise that Burrow will be in place on Sunday despite the missed training camp reps. The former No. 1 pick said early this week that he expected to play in Week 1, though he added, via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, that the injury is one which he will have to manage (subscription required).
Burrow also said he is unsure of how long he will take to return to 100%, but his presence will be welcomed in Week 1 and throughout a season in which the Bengals are expected to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Cincinnati lost backup Brandon Allen in the offseason, and questions remain about who will emerge as the team’s new QB2; that competition is now between Jake Browning and recent practice squad addition Will Grier.
The Bengals will not be at full strength when they take the field against the Browns, however. Taylor ruled out edge rusher Joseph Ossai, who has been dealing with an ankle injury. The 2021 third-rounder missed his entire rookie campaign, and he will now begin his third NFL season on the injury list. Ossai missed only one game between the regular and postseason in 2022, though, logging a 32% snap share. A rotational role behind Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard will await him upon return.
Mike Evans Addresses Buccaneers Future
Time is running out for the Buccaneers and Mike Evans to work out an extension before the latter’s self-imposed negotiating deadline. Plenty of progress remains to be made to get a deal done in that span, leaving his future in Tampa Bay beyond 2023 in question. 
The two sides have until tomorrow to reach an agreement on a new pact, with attention shifting to the new campaign after that point. One year remains on Evans’ current deal, and both team and player have expressed a desire to continue their relationship for years to come. When speaking publicly about his financial situation, though, the 30-year-old did not repeat the sentiment that he is looking to continue playing in Tampa beyond this season.
“Ownership and management are going to do what they feel is best for the team and the team in the future, and I’m going to do what’s best for me and my future,” the former first-rounder said, via ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “And right now, that’s just playing some good ball.”
Evans is reportedly seeking a deal similar to the three-year, $80.1MM contract the Rams gave Cooper Kupp after his triple crown winning season in 2021. Evans’ track record of consistent success (highlighted by his nine consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns to begin his career, an unprecedented run in NFL history in that regard) will likely not be enough to earn him such a commitment from the Buccaneers. Signficant cap constraints are present for the now Tom Brady-less outfit in 2023 and the future, so a pricey investment investment in a veteran would need to be weighed carefully against efforts to free up money for the team’s younger core players.
Tampa Bay also has a $20MM-per-year commitment at the receiver spot in the form of Chris Godwin. The 27-year-old was among the Buccaneers personnel who expressed optimism that a deal keeping Evans in the fold would pay dividends for all involved. It is increasingly unlikely that one will be worked out in the immediate future, though, something Evans in acutely aware of.
“Obviously we’ve been working with them for over a year now, trying to get something done,” he added. “Any player in my position would want to be secure… I don’t know. We got a little bit of time left, but we’ll see.”
QB Joe Flacco Hopes To Play In 2023
For the first time in his career, Week 1 of an NFL season has kicked off without Joe Flacco being on a roster. The former Super Bowl MVP is not looking to hang up his cleats, however. 
Flacco is unsigned after his three-year stint with the Jets came to an end this offseason. The 38-year-old made nine starts in New York over that span, including four in 2022 as the team dealt with injuries and underwhelming play under center. That led to the decision on New York’s part to move on from Flacco and Mike White, as well as the blockbuster acquisition of Aaron Rodgers this offseason.
As a result, Flacco remains on the open market after 15 years in the league, much of which came as a starter. The longtime Ravens No. 1 is well aware any new deal would see him handle backup duties at this point, though, and that it would check in at a much lower rate than the six-year, $120MM pact he landed after leading Baltimore to victory in Super Bowl XLVII. He remains confident he can step into a vacancy created by an injury or other factor midseason, though.
“Listen, I can still play,” Flacco said, via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “I’m hoping that there’s the silver lining that I’m not anywhere right now and that I can be available to anybody… When people are really pressed to win some games, if they have to call on somebody, then they’d be more willing to get somebody like me who can hopefully come in and learn an offense pretty quickly and at least give you a fighting chance.”
The former first-rounder has 180 starts to his name, and he is among the few signal-callers left on the open market who have a long track record in the NFL. Passers such as Carson Wentz and Nick Foles are also unsigned, so they too will watch how the early parts of the season unfolds before weighing any offers which come their way. Flacco admitted that he did not generate much of a market for his services during this offseason, and his nearly $175MM in career earnings certainly do not require him to continue his playing career. For at least the time being, though, that does remain his intention.
“I still believe that I have all of the athletic and physical tools to do it,” he added. “In terms of the quarterback and the mental part of it, I’ve only gotten better over the last 15 years… I mean, not to say that I’m not 27, 28 years old anymore. But I’m in great shape and I don’t see a real drop-off.”