Illinois DL Jer’Zhan Newton To Enter Draft
One of the top defensive line prospects will indeed be heading to the NFL for the 2024 campaign. Illinois’ defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton told reporters that he intends to declare for the NFL draft.
Per ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Newton revealed that he won’t be playing in a bowl game if Illinois lands one of the contests. The Illini can become bowl-eligible by beating Northwestern later today. That means today’s game will likely be Newton’s finale college appearance.
“It’s really important for me, trying to get my teammates one more game to play in,” Newton told reporters. “I know a lot of people don’t have careers after this, a lot of people won’t go to the NFL, so just to have people playing one more game together as a unit, seeing my team play, that would be really big for me.”
Newton put himself on the NFL radar following a strong 2022 campaign. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after finishing the season with 62 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. While his numbers have taken a bit of a dip in 2023, he’s still been productive, compiling 47 stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. The defensive tackle is a candidate for the Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player.
Newton will surely hear his name called during the first round of the 2024 draft, and there’s a chance he pushes himself into the top-10 conversation. In a recent ESPN roundtable, Newton landed as the No. 8 overall prospect in the draft.
Broncos S Kareem Jackson Suspended Four Games
NOVEMBER 21: Derrick Brooks, the jointly-appointed hearing officer overseeing Jackson’s appeal, has upheld the ban. Jackson will be forced to sit out four games, the NFL announced on Tuesday. As a result of the decision, the veteran will miss a total of six games this season for illegal hits; this latest suspension will cost him nearly $559K in forfeited salary. The disciplinary issues will no doubt hurt Jackson’s market this offseason, as he is a pending free agent.
NOVEMBER 20: Kareem Jackson has been slapped with his second suspension of the season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Broncos safety has been suspended four games “for repeated violations of the player safety rules.”
In the NFL’s release (h/t NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport), NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan cited a play from yesterday’s game where Jackson made illegal contact with Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Specifically, the league issued a suspension for violation of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 10 which states that “it is a foul if a player lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.”
“Illegal acts that are flagrant and jeopardize the safety of players will not be tolerated,” Runyan wrote in a letter to Jackson. “The League will continue to stress enforcement of the rules that prohibit using your helmet to make forcible contact with your opponent.”
Following Denver’s Week 7 matchup with the Packers, Jackson was hit with a four-game ban for violating the league’s unnecessary roughness rules. Following an appeal, that suspension was knocked down to two games. The 35-year-old was just activated from the reserve/suspension list last week. Jackson was also tossed from Denver’s Week 2 game (and later fined) for a flagrant foul.
Jackson will be allowed to appeal his latest suspension. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the safety will indeed by appealing the punishment. If he does indeed sit four games, he’ll be eligible to return to the active roster in Week 16.
After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Texans, Jackson joined the Broncos prior to the 2019 campaign. He started all 61 of his appearances through his first four seasons in Denver, and he’s started each of his eight appearances this year. The veteran has collected 51 tackles and two interceptions in 2023, and he had nine tackles in his return from suspension this past weekend.
Browns S Rodney McLeod Done For Season
Rodney McLeod is done for the season. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that the safety suffered a biceps injury that will require season-ending surgery, per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot.
The injury occurred during the fourth quarter of yesterday’s win over the Steelers. McLeod was later diagnosed with a torn biceps.
Following a career year with the Colts that saw him finish with 96 tackles, eight passes defended, and two interceptions, McLeod caught on with the Browns this past offseason. While the veteran has only started five of his 10 games this season, he’s played a significant role on Cleveland’s league-leading defense.
As Cabot writes, the Browns have leaned heavily on the 33-year-old’s leadership and experience in Jim Schwartz’ defense. McLeod has also contributed on the stat sheet, compiling 29 total tackles. The veteran played in about half of his team’s defensive snaps while also contributing on special teams.
The injury comes at an especially bad time for the Browns with safety Juan Thornhill also sidelined. This means Cleveland will have to rely on the likes of D’Anthony Bell and Ronnie Hickman to play opposite starter Grant Delpit until the team gets some reinforcement.
Cardinals LB Kyzir White To Miss Rest Of Season
The Cardinals will be without one of their defensive captains for the rest of the season. The team announced today that linebacker Kyzir White tore his biceps and will be placed on IR. The injury will knock White out for the rest of the 2023 campaign.
After signing a two-year deal with the Cardinals this past offseason, White proceeded to play in every snap for his new squad through the first 10 weeks of the season. He played in the first 26 snaps of yesterday’s game against the Texans, and head coach Jonathan Gannon revealed that the veteran played “five or six plays” with the injury before finally exiting the game.
“It was kind of gut-wrenching to watch, because I didn’t know he tore his bicep and he’s out there playing with one arm,” Gannon said (via the team’s website). “That’s why he is who he is.”
In 11 games this season, White collected 90 tackles, two sacks, and one interception. The former fourth-round pick had a breakout season with the Chargers in 2021, finishing with 144 tackles. He had a one-year stop in Philly in 2022, finishing with 110 tackles.
Josh Woods stepped in as the defensive play caller after White was knocked out of the game. Krys Barnes took on a larger share of snaps with White out of the lineup. The veteran hadn’t seen the field for a defensive snap since Week 3 but finished yesterday’s game having appeared in 30 percent of his team’s defensive plays.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/20/23
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: TE Parker Hesse
- Placed on IR: RB Jacob Saylors
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Scotty Washington
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: QB Drew Plitt
- Placed on IR: G Jaxson Kirkland
Cleveland Browns
- Released: WR Trinity Benson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB James Robinson
- Released: S Christian Young
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Marcell Harris
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Marquez Callaway
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Myles Jack, S Eric Rowe
- Placed on IR: S Elijah Riley
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Jake Curhan
With Mark Andrews sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Ravens have added some tight end depth. The team ended up opting for Scotty Washington, who got into one game with the Patriots as a rookie in 2022. The Wake Forest product was one of several tight ends to work out for Baltimore today, with the group also featuring O.J. Howard, Connor Davis, and Chris Myarick (per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston).
While Michael Thomas recovers from a knee injury, the Saints are turning to a familiar face. Marquez Callaway is back with the Saints after bouncing around the NFL in 2023. The wideout wasn’t re-signed by the Saints following the 2022 campaign, and he’s since spent time with the Broncos and Raiders. The former UDFA spent the first three seasons of his career in New Orleans, hauling in 83 catches for 1,069 yards and seven touchdowns.
Eric Rowe has found a new home after getting cut by the Panthers practice squad back in September. Rowe earned a pair of Super Bowl rings during his three-year stint in New England, and he followed that up with a three-year stint in Miami. Rowe got into 14 games (six starts) for the Dolphins in 2022, finishing with 56 tackles and two sacks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/20/23
Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return from IR: RB Chase Brown
Green Bay Packers
- Signed off Patriots practice squad: RB Patrick Taylor
- Designated for return from IR: S Darnell Savage Jr.
- Waived: DB Dallin Leavitt
New York Giants
- Waived: RB Deon Jackson, OT Joshua Miles
New York Jets
- Waived: DT Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: LB Ben VanSumeren
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: S Trenton Thompson
- Placed on IR: DB Elijah Riley
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return from IR: S Coby Bryant
Washington Commanders
- Signed off Bears practice squad: DE Jalen Harris
- Placed on IR: DL Efe Obada
- Waived from IR: CB Troy Apke
The Packers will soon be getting some reinforcement on defense, as the team designated safety Darnell Savage Jr. for return from injured reserve today. The defensive back has missed the last four games while recovering from a calf injury. The former first-round pick started all six of his appearances to begin the season, collecting 34 tackles. The fifth-year starter will provide the Packers with a welcome boost when he inevitably returns to the field.
It seems like Green Bay is already preparing for Savage’s return, as the team moved on from another defensive back. Dallin Leavitt spent the past year-plus with the Packers, with the veteran joining the organization following a four-year stint with the Raiders to begin his career. Leavitt got into all 17 games for the Packers in 2022, with all of his snaps coming on special teams. The veteran has seen a handful of defensive snaps in 2023, collecting two tackles in 10 games.
Chargers Place Joey Bosa On IR
Joey Bosa is set to miss some time. The Chargers pass rusher has been diagnosed with a foot sprain and will likely be placed on injured reserve, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Bolts have since announced the move.
This move would keep Bosa off the field for at least four weeks; he’ll be first eligible to return in Week 16. This will run Bosa’s career absence count to 34 games. While the standout edge rusher has suited up for 16 contests in three separate seasons, he has missed extended time in other campaigns.
Bosa was carted to the locker room during yesterday’s game against the Packers. He was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. Bosa was visibly upset while exiting the game, and head coach Brandon Staley later said it was “to be determined” if Bosa would miss the rest of the campaign, so Chargers fans were surely preparing for the worst.
This injury comes at a poor time for Bosa. As Daniel Popper of The Athletic writes, the star pass rusher was just getting back to full health after dealing with a hamstring injury and left big toe fracture earlier this season. Despite the veteran ramping up, he was still plenty productive, collecting 6.5 sacks through nine games.
Unfortunately, injuries have been an ongoing theme throughout Bosa’s career. The pass rusher was limited to only five games in 2022 thanks to a groin injury, and through the first seven seasons of his career, Bosa missed 30 regular season contests.
Khalil Mack has been having a standout season for the Chargers, and the team will lean on the linebacker even more with Bosa sidelined. Second-round rookie Tuli Tuipulotu will also take on a larger role with his teammate injured.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford Expected Back In Week 11
NOVEMBER 16: Stafford returned to practice in full on Wednesday, and he said (via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic) he expects to do the same during the rest of the week. The veteran added he originally thought his thumb injury was worse than it was, but a strong next few days will pave the way for his return. That will be a welcomed development for a Rams team looking to improve on its 3-6 start.
NOVEMBER 13: Matthew Stafford is expected to be back under center for the Rams in Week 11. Coach Sean McVay told reporters that his starting QB should be good to go for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop).
“He’s making great progress, and so we’re operating with the anticipation and expectation that he is going to be good to go,” McVay said. “He’ll be pushing through, but we expect him to be able to start and play and do his thing and lead the way this week.”
Stafford injured the UCL in his thumb back in Week 8. The Rams went with Brett Rypien in Week 9, and the organization ended up moving on from the backup following that loss to the Packers. Barring an unexpected setback, newly-signed Carson Wentz will be the Rams QB2 moving forward. McVay spoke on the Rams’ QB switch, noting that the front office viewed the move as a clear upgrade.
“[We] feel good about Matthew returning, and obviously when he’s out there, you feel great about the leadership and everything that he provides, but god forbid if something were to happen where he weren’t available, felt like this would offer an opportunity for somebody that’s played a lot of high level football to get him in here [and] get him kind of familiar with some of the things that we’re doing,” McVay said.
Thanks to the Rams’ Week 10 bye, Stafford has had two weeks to recover from his thumb injury. While the veteran’s completion percentage and TD percentage are among the lowest of his career, the Rams offense will surely welcome back their starter.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith On Hot Seat?
Things aren’t going well for Arthur Smith and the Falcons. After losing to the lowly Cardinals on Sunday, the Falcons have now dropped three-straight games and six of their last eight. This has naturally led to some questions surrounding the head coach’s job security.
Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post opines that the Falcons will move on from Smith following the 2023 season. The reporter cites a rival general manager who believes Atlanta will look to make a change during the offseason.
“I think they’re making a change,” the GM told La Canfora. “This is Year 3, when you’re supposed to show something. [Owner] Arthur Blank isn’t getting any younger. …
“They can’t throw the ball downfield, they don’t have a starting quarterback, they took the running back way too high. [Smith] is a great guy, but he got hired to be a quarterback guy and they have all these top-10 picks and they can’t do anything with them. Somebody in the NFC South is going to save their job by winning the division, but I don’t think it’s him.”
Smith was expected to revamp the offense when he was hired as Falcons head coach in 2021. The team finished with identical 7-10 records in both 2021 and 2022, but it was the current 2023 campaign that was intended to be Atlanta’s breakout season.
Instead, the offense has continued to struggle. Desmond Ridder was inconsistent under center to begin the season, and replacement Taylor Heinicke didn’t fare much better. Further, the Falcons have invested significant draft capital into offensive players like running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and wide receiver Drake London. Despite all three of those players being selected in the top-10 of their respective drafts, the trio has combined for only seven touchdowns this season. Smith has his fingerprints on the entire roster, and assuming the Falcons fail to make the playoffs, the head coach will surely find himself on the hot seat.
However, there may be hope for Smith in Atlanta. Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports that Blank has been supportive of his head coach behind the scenes. While the owner previously indicated that he wanted to see progress from his squad in 2023, Schultz writes that this doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a change on the sideline. In fact, Schultz opines that the only way Smith loses his job is if his squad completely unravels or tunes the coach out.
For what it’s worth, Smith isn’t overly concerned about his job status. The coach told Schultz that he understands the criticism but isn’t paying much attention to the headlines.
“I’m an old lineman — I’m used to getting my ass ripped,” he told The Athletic. “In the old days, it was just you writing a column. Now there’s 7,000 forums for outrage. I get it. But you can’t worry about everything around you, things you can’t control. Like I said earlier, if you’re worried about that stuff, don’t sign up for professional sports.”
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/14/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OT Josh Wells
- Released: TE Eric Tomlinson
Carolina Panthers
- Released: G Deonte Brown
Denver Broncos
- Released: CB Reese Taylor
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Michael Schofield, CB Kindle Vildor
- Released: CB Anthony Averett, RB Devine Ozigbo
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Austin Ajiake
Houston Texans
- Signed: OT Jaylon Thomas
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: S Mark Webb
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed:RB Myles Gaskin
- Released: DL Michael Dogbe
New Orleans Saints
- Released: DE Jordan Willis
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OL Lecitus Smith, TE Noah Togiai
- Released: TE E.J. Jenkins
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: G Joey Fisher, TE Scotty Washington
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Jaquan Johnson
- Released: DE C.J. Brewer