Latest On Bears QB Justin Fields
OCTOBER 22: Prior to the Bears’ Week 7 win, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports confirmed that IR is not a consideration in Fields’ case while noting that “multiple” missed weeks remains a distinct possibility. Of course, much will depend on the swelling in his right thumb and his ability to grip the ball in the coming days. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds that the 24-year-old is “determined” to return as soon as possible, which means suiting up in Week 8 is still in play at this point.
Bagent impressed in the victory, completing 21 of 29 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown. He added 24 yards on the ground and avoided any turnovers, which should boost the team’s confidence in him should he be needed moving forward. To no surprise, though, Eberflus confirmed in his post-game remarks that Fields will remain the unquestioned starter upon his return.
OCTOBER 21: As expected, Justin Fields has been ruled out for tomorrow’s game against the Raiders. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like the Bears quarterback will miss much time. Per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, there’s optimism “about the quarterback’s prognosis beyond Week 7.”
Further, coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears are “not on that path” when asked if Fields will require surgery and/or a stint on injured reserve (per Adam Jahns of The Athletic). Swelling in the quarterback’s injured thumb has gone down this past week, but Eberflus did caution that Fields may eventually need to go under the knife after the season. The coach also indicated that the training staff is especially focused on Field’s “grip strength,” and it doesn’t sound like the QB is at the necessary level to play this weekend.
“He’s improving,” Eberflus said (via ESPN). “The mobility’s getting better, the swelling went down, the grip strength is better. It’s trending in the right direction. He’ll be week to week and we’ll know more Monday.”
Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent will earn the spot start on Sunday in place of Fields. The DII Shepherd product filled in for Fields last weekend against the Vikings, completing 10 of his 14 pass attempts for 83 yards and one interception. The rookie also had a pair of rushes for four yards and one touchdown. Bagent earned a number of accolades during his college career, including a pair of first-team DII All-American nods.
Fields has guided the Bears to a 1-5 record through six starts this season, perhaps leaving the door open to a QB competition if Bagent plays well. However, Eberflus quickly shut down that notion, declaring that Fields will return to the starting lineup when he’s healthy.
“Yeah, obviously Justin’s our starter and we’re working him back in there,” Eberflus said. “So we’ll see where it goes and as he progresses we’ll see where it is.”
Cardinals Not Shopping WR Marquise Brown
The Cardinals sit at the bottom of the NFC West, and the team’s lack of success has naturally led to some trade rumblings. While Marquise Brown would seem to be a worthy trade candidate, Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes that the Cardinals aren’t looking to deal the wide receiver.
“Hollywood” hasn’t seen a significant drop-off in production this season despite going from Kyler Murray to Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. The receiver is pacing the Cardinals in receptions (29), receiving yards (334), and touchdowns (three). This follows a 2022 campaign in Arizona where Brown finished with 67 catches for 709 yards and three touchdowns. Brown missed a handful of games while recovering from a fractured foot.
The former Ravens first-round pick is playing out the 2023 campaign on his fifth-year option, and he’s set to hit unrestricted free agency following the season. Considering the Cardinals’ unlikely playoff chances and Brown’s uncertain future in Arizona, the receiver seemed like a logical trade candidate. However, Russini notes that the wideout “looks to be part of this team’s future,” a potential hint that the Cardinals will look to retain the receiver this offseason.
Further, the Cardinals aren’t in any rush to add draft capital. As Russini notes, the front office is currently armed with six picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Cardinals would probably be hard pressed to recoup the first-round pick they gave to Baltimore for Brown, especially since most suitors would view the receiver as a rental. The front office would presumably rather take their chances with Brown’s free agency than take on another non-Day 1 pick.
Dolphins Activate RB Jeff Wilson Jr. From IR
The high-powered Dolphins offense is adding some more talent to the mix. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Dolphins have activated running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from injured reserve. 
The activation comes at a good time for the Dolphins. Rookie sensation De’Von Achane landed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and UDFA rookie Chris Brooks has also been shelved for at least the next four weeks. That left Raheem Mostert and Salvon Ahmed as the only healthy RBs on the roster, but Wilson will provide an experienced option that the Dolphins can add to the mix.
Wilson, who has missed time due to finger and rib issues, was deemed ready to play in time for last week. However, roster calculus led his 2023 debut being delayed until Week 7, something head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed earlier in the week would take place. Today’s expected move will use up one of Miami’s seven remaining IR activations.
Mostert has had success as the Dolphins’ top back, recording 20 touches in a game on two occasions so far this season. The 31-year-old has found the end zone in all but one contest in 2023, and he leads the NFL with nine rushing touchdowns. His role as RB1 will likely not be in doubt with Wilson back in the picture, but the latter has proven to be an efficient complimentary option both with the 49ers and the Dolphins. Both backs inked two-year deals this offseason, and with Achane currently unavailable, they will aim to prove those investments to be worthwhile.
Wilson, 27, averaged 4.7 yards per carry in his eight games in South Beach last season after being dealt away by the 49ers following their Christian McCaffrey acquisition. The former UDFA saw a 53% snap share in Miami in 2022, and it will be interesting to see how large of a workload he handles upon return this year. The Dolphins lead the league in both passing (324) and rushing (182) yards per game through six weeks, and Sunday’s primetime matchup against the Eagles figures to be an offensive shootout. Miami will have another option in the backfield for that contest as Wilson prepares to make his season debut.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Eagles “Staying Put” With RB Rashaad Penny
After joining the Eagles this past offseason, running back Rashaad Penny has barely seen the field for Philly. While the former first-round pick could appeal to a running back-needy team, it doesn’t sound like the Eagles intend to break up their depth at the position.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Eagles are “staying put” on Penny heading into the trade deadline. Howie Roseman and the Eagles understand that they’ll need their running back depth as they eye a deep playoff run.
Penny never lived up to his first-round billing during his time with the Seahawks, although that was thanks in part to a torn ACL that ended his 2019 campaign and wiped out most of his 2020 season. He had his best season in 2021, finishing with 797 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, but he still missed seven games thanks to injury.
The running back hit free agency in 2022 after having his fifth-year option declined, but he ended up re-signing with the Eagles a one-year, $5.7MM deal. He started each of the first five games for Seattle, collecting 362 yards from scrimmage on 61 touches. He suffered a season-ending broken fibula in Week 5, ending his season prematurely.
Penny caught on with the Eagles this past offseason, and we was part of the team’s RB makeover that saw the subtraction of Miles Sanders and the addition of D’Andre Swift. Swift has taken a firm hold on the RB1 role, with incumbents Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott still earning backup reps. As a result, Penny has only seen time in one game this season, garnering three carries on nine snaps.
While the Eagles aren’t looking to subtract from their roster, they are certainly looking to add. Per Russini, Roseman has “been working the phone,” with the organization specifically eyeing some defensive reinforcement. The secondary has been hit especially hard by injuries, and Russini notes that the Eagles have specifically been targeting a safety in trade talks.
Steelers Activate WR Diontae Johnson, Place TE Pat Freiermuth On IR
The Steelers will welcome back a key member of their offense, but they’re also set to lose their starting tight end for at least the next month. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Steelers have activated wide receiver Diontae Johnson from injured reserve. To make room on the roster, the Steelers have placed tight end Pat Freiermuth on injured reserve.
Johnson suffered a hamstring injury during the season opener that ultimately required a stint on injured reserve. The receiver was designated to return to practice earlier this week, opening his 21-day window to be activated.
The former third-round pick has been a productive member of the Steelers offense through his first four seasons in the NFL. Johnson earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2021 after finishing with 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. With Kenny Pickett taking over for Ben Roethlisberger in 2022, Johnson’s numbers took a bit of a step back, with the receiver finishing the campaign with 86 catches for 882 yards and no touchdowns.
George Pickens has picked up the slack through the first chunk of the season, hauling in 22 catches for 393 yards. Allen Robinson and Calvin Austin have combined for only 280 yards, so Johnson will surely provide a spark to Pittsburgh’s offense.
“I am very excited. It’s been a long process, fighting to get back. I am looking forward to showing them I am ready for Sunday,” Johnson said this week (via the team’s website).
Freiermuth suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 that forced him to miss the following week’s game, but the tight end was expected to be good to go following the Week 6 bye. Freiermuth aggravated the hamstring injury during practice this week, and now he’ll miss at least the next four games while recovering from the injury.
The former second-round pick had a standout sophomore season in 2022, finishing with 63 catches for 732 yards. He’s struggled to put up similar production in 2023, even with Johnson out of the lineup. In four games, Freiermuth has hauled in only eight passes for 53 yards.
Rookie third-round pick Darnell Washington should jump to the top of the depth chart with Freiermuth out. The Steelers are also rostering Connor Heyward and Rodney Williams at the position, with Noah Gindorff currently sitting on the practice squad.
Cowboys Expected To Be Active At Deadline?
OCTOBER 20: Contradicting earlier reports, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes that the Cowboys are “content” with their roster, adding that Dallas is unlikely to make an aggressive push for a splashy addition. Likewise, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports notes a blockbuster involving the Cowboys would come as a surprise. Instead, an “equitable mid-level deal” would make more sense, per the latter.
A defensive addition of that nature would make sense, particularly at the linebacker spot or in the secondary (areas Robinson identifies as ones to watch in Dallas’ case). The injuries suffered by Diggs and Vander Esch call for at least depth acquisitions, but anything more than that may now come as a surprise. The Cowboys currently sit mid-pack in terms of cap space with $7.15MM.
OCTOBER 19: The Cowboys have had an up-and-down start to their 2023 campaign. The team started the season by outscoring their opponents 70-10 across two wins. Since then, they’ve suffered a pair of losses: one to the lowly Cardinals and one to a fellow NFC contender in the 49ers, who blew out Dallas by a score of 42-10.
The team rebounded from that loss to San Francisco with a win in Week 6, and entering their bye week with a 4-2 record, the Cowboys still feel confident in their ability to compete for a championship. That’s why multiple NFL sources told Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports that the Cowboys are expected to be among the most active teams heading towards the trade deadline. Jordan Schultz echoed that sentiment during an appearance on CBS Sport Radio’s Maggie and Perloff, stating that Dallas is the “first team that comes to mind” among potential deadline buyers.
It sounds like the Cowboys are prepared to do whatever it takes to elevate their chances in 2023. Vacchiano writes that the organization isn’t “concerned with their long-term future,” and they’re not going to be passive with several glaring holes on their roster.
The Cowboys have struggled to replace cornerback Trevon Diggs (torn ACL), and the recent loss of Leighton Vander Esch (neck) could stretch a thin linebackers corps. However, even with those absences, the Cowboys have touted that they have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team invests resources into the other side of the ball.
Vacchiano opines that the Cowboys’ biggest hole is at WR2 opposite star CeeDee Lamb. Michael Gallup was expected to take on a bigger role when Amari Cooper was dealt to Cleveland, but the receiver has hauled in only 57 catches in 20 games since that trade. Meanwhile, offseason acquisition Brandin Cooks has struggled during his brief stint in Dallas, catching only 13 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown in five games.
Regardless of which position (or positions) the front office zeroes in on, it sounds like the Cowboys will be aggressive leading up to the trade deadline on October 31.
Giants Place OL Joshua Ezeudu On IR
OCTOBER 20: After tests on the second-year blocker’s injury, Brian Daboll revealed the situation “doesn’t look good,” per the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy. The 2022 third-round pick may not return this season, which would be another blow to a Giants O-line that remains without Thomas, center John Michael Schmitz, swing tackle Matt Peart and guard Shane Lemieux. All four are out for Week 7, with Lemieux done for the year after suffering a biceps tear in practice Thursday.
OCTOBER 17: The Giants are down yet another offensive lineman. The Giants have placed offensive tackle Joshua Ezeudu on injured reserve, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Ezeudu suffered a toe injury during Sunday’s loss to the Bills.
The 2022 third-round pick found himself starting for the Giants at left tackle after Andrew Thomas went down with a hamstring injury. After starting two of his 10 appearances as a rookie, Ezeudu has already started five of his six appearances in 2023. Pro Football Focus hasn’t been very fond of his performance, ranking him 71st among 74 qualifying offensive tackles, but his injury will still force the Giants to dig deeper into their OL depth.
Ezeudu’s exit from Sunday night’s game forced the Giants to play Justin Pugh at LT despite the veteran only having six career snaps at the position. Pugh was elevated from the practice squad with the expectation that he’d chip in at left guard, but Ezeudu’s injury changed those plans. It’s uncertain if Pugh is indeed the organization’s top healthy option at LT or if he was merely an emergency, in-game solution.
The Giants were busy adding some depth at the position today. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the team has signed offensive lineman Josh Miles off the Falcons’ practice squad. The former seventh-round pick saw time in 17 games with the Cardinals between the 2019 and 2021 seasons.
Raanan also reports that the Giants have snagged lineman Tyre Phillips off the Eagles’ practice squad. The lineman actually started five of his 12 appearances for the Giants in 2022 and was a surprise cut back in August. The former third-round pick started 13 of his 22 appearances with the Ravens to begin his career.
Latest On Colts QB Anthony Richardson
We learned yesterday that Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will undergo season-ending surgery to repair his AC joint. Since Richardson was placed on injured reserve last week, it seemed like the QB and the organization were going back and forth on how to proceed with the shoulder injury.
[RELATED: Colts QB Anthony Richardson To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery]
Per ESPN’s Stephen Holder, it was an unanimous agreement from the get-go that Richardson should go under the knife, but considering the procedure would definitively end the QB’s season, the sides weren’t in any rush to make a decision. That would explain why Richardson and the organization didn’t make their final decision until a week after the rookie landed on injured reserve.
Before the Colts and Richardson decided that surgery was the optimal path, they consulted with doctors from both the Texas Rangers and New York Mets. Holder notes that the Colts looked towards Major League Baseball docs because of the AC joint’s impact on “throwers.” These “outside” doctor worked alongside the Colts in-house doctors while advising Richardson on the best path forward.
When it comes to a timeline, Holder notes that the organization, Colts doctors, and Richardson will establish all of that following the surgery. The operation is intended to fix the injury and “prevent further occurrences,” and there’s no concern about the QB’s long-term health.
A concussion in Week 2 and the Week 4 shoulder injury came after Richardson ran the ball himself, leading some to wonder if the risk was worth the reward. When asked about the mobile quarterback’s running preference, Colts owner Jim Irsay shut down the notion.
“He’s not running too much. He’s protecting himself. He really is,” Irsay told Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports. “If you look at the one on the shoulder injury, you can’t believe it happened. It’s just a normal tackle.”
Latest On Patriots’ Struggles In 2023
Wins have been hard to come by in New England this season, with the Patriots winning only one of their first six games. Naturally, fans and pundits have been looking for a scapegoat. Mac Jones and the putrid Patriots offense have earned their fair share of the blame, and even Bill Belichick‘s job security has been called into question.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe recently explored how the Patriots got to this point, and the reporter didn’t exclude owner Robert Kraft when exploring the root cause of the organization’s issues. While ownership allowed Belichick free rein during the Patriots’ dynasty, Kraft’s recent meddling has contributed to the organization’s current predicament.
It started back in 2017, when Kraft forced Belichick to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of an aging Tom Brady. The following year, it was Kraft that convinced offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to renege on his HC deal with the Colts and stick in New England. Both of those decisions ultimately benefited the Patriots (Brady won another ring while McDaniels helped guide Jones to a successful rookie campaign), but those decisions may have emboldened the owner in recent years.
Specifically, it was Kraft’s decision to give de facto defensive coordinator Jerod Mayo a pay raise this past offseason while also potentially promising him the future head coaching gig. Mayo has earned respect around the NFL and has been considered for head coaching gigs, but Kraft’s promise may limit the organization’s ability to completely clean house. Further, Kraft also convinced Belichick to hire offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, and the Patriots offense and offensive line have struggled mightily in 2023.
Most significantly, some NFL sources believe that Kraft was the one who chose Jones in the first round of the 2021 draft, per Volin. This isn’t a huge surprise; Belichick has never seemed fully committed to the young quarterback, perhaps explaining why Jones’ confidence appears completely shot in 2023.
It’s probably easiest to place blame on all of Kraft, Belichick, and Jones, but Volin notes that there’s plenty of other reasons why the Patriots find themselves at the bottom of the standings. The front office and coaching staff have had a major brain drain in recent years. This loss of coaching/front office talent wasn’t any different during New England’s heyday, but as Volin writes, the Patriots have struggled to find replacements like they used to.
Kraft, of course, isn’t going anywhere, so Jones and Belichick would seemingly be the main scapegoats assuming things continue to go south. In a separate column, Volin explored some potential destinations for Belichick if he ends up getting pushed out in New England. In informal conversations with league personnel, the most popular hypothetical landing spots for the iconic coach were the Chargers and Commanders. The Bears were also previously mentioned as a potential suitor for Belichick. While the head coach has expressed interest in coaching well into his 70s, it’s uncertain if Belichick would have interest in uprooting his life to work elsewhere.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/19/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Shaun Jolly
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Lawrence Cager
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Mario Goodrich
It’s not a huge surprise that Lawrence Cager landed back on the Giants’ practice squad after he was waived from the active roster yesterday. After hauling in 18 catches in six games (three starts) for the Giants in 2022, Cager has hauled in a pair of catches in five games this season.