Chiefs Damien Williams Ruled Out For Week 3
Damien Williams has been ruled out for the Chiefs‘ Week 3 contest against the Ravens, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (Twitter link). The running back suffered a knee injury during last week’s battle against the Raiders.
Kansas City is dealing with a bevy of injuries, including LT Eric Fisher and WR Tyreek Hill. LeSean McCoy is nursing an ankle injury but is expected to play.
While McCoy is expected to carry a heavier load, Darwin Thompson could see action as well. Darrell Williams, who played a role for the Chiefs last postseason is also a candidate to earn touches.
NFC Notes: Ramsey, 49ers, Zimmer, White
With another busy day of football news winding down, let’s take a look around the NFC:
- The 49ers are “not in” on Jalen Ramsey, a source tells Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. San Fran isn’t interested in trading for the cornerback because of the level of compensation that the Jaguars are requesting (two first-rounders) and the sizable extension Ramsey will expect to sign.
- Jason Verrett, who has dealt with health issues throughout his career, has yet to make his debut for the 49ers and the cornerback hasn’t ruled out requesting a trade. Maiocco (as he relays in a separate piece) asked Verrett if he would ask for one if he continues to be inactive for games and the CB responded with “We’ll see what happens.”
- In an interview on NFL Network, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he wants to coach until he’s 70-years-old. Zimmer turned 63 in June.
- Buccaneers LB Devin White continues to sit out of practice, as Josh Alper of PFT relays. White injured his knee during the team’s TNF game against the Panthers last week and coach Bruce Arians insinuated that White would not be out long. Now, it’s looking like his status for Tampa Bay’s Week 3 contest is in doubt.
Josh Rosen To Start For The Dolphins
It’s been a tough week for veteran quarterbacks. The Eli Manning-era in New York came to an end earlier this week. Ben Roethlisberger may have played his last game for the yellow-and-gold after going down with an elbow injury and Drew Brees is out of the Saints’ lineup with a thumb injury. Now, another veteran quarterback is on the outs, as the Ryan Fitzpatrick era in Miami appears to be over.
Josh Rosen will make his first start for the Dolphins against the Cowboys on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (Twitter link). Rapoport hears that coach Brian Flores made the decision this afternoon.
Rosen, who Miami gave up a second-rounder for, started 13 games for the Cardinals as a rookie last season. The offensive line in Arizona wasn’t a strength because of injuries and a lack of talent and Rosen struggled, completing just 55.2% of his passes. Rosen will again be saddled with a poor offensive line and it’s arguable that the weapons around him in Miami are inferior to the ones he had out in the desert.
The former No. 10 overall pick has seen action on two occasions this season, both coming late in Miami’s pair of blowout losses. He’s completed 8-of-21 pass attempts for 102 yards so far during his time in Miami.
Adam Gase On Trumaine Johnson: It Hasn’t Worked Out
As part of their spending spree during the 2018 offseason, the Jets brought in Trumaine Johnson on a five-year, $72MM deal. Earlier this week, Johnson found himself benched against the Browns because of ineffective play.
“It just hasn’t worked out as well as we need it to. The good thing is we have a long ways to go,” head coach Adam Gase said (h/t Michael David Smith of PFT).
The Jets organization reportedly does not believe that the cornerback enjoys football. Johnson missed six games last season with five of those coming because of a quad injury and one coming because of suspension (tardiness).
As our own Zach Links noted, releasing Johnson now would leave the Jets with $24MM in dead money and no salary cap benefit. Cutting him after the season would allow New York to save just $3MM against the cap but leave them with $12MM in dead money.
AFC Notes: Ramsey, Wynn, Conner, Brady
Coach Doug Marrone confirmed at Jalen Ramsey will play for the Jaguars on Thursday Night Football, as Tiffany Blackmon of NFL Network relays (Twitter link).
“Jalen and I have always had a good open relationship,” Marrone said. “…we sat down yesterday and talked about what went on with him and I… that’s behind us right now…”
Blackmon adds that Ramsey is focused on the game against the Titans. It was reported earlier today that the team may be targeting Friday as the ideal time to trade the cornerback. While we await to see if Ramsey ends up elsewhere, let’s take a look at some notes from the AFC:
- With LT Isaiah Wynn on injured reserve with a toe injury, the Patriots may move starting LG Joe Thuney to the tackle spot, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. Wynn isn’t eligible to return for another eight weeks but it’s possible he finds his way back on the field at that point.
- James Conner‘s knee injury doesn’t appear to be serious, Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 The Fan relays (Twitter link). Conner expects to play for the Steelers this Sunday.
- Tom Brady is dealing with a “minor” calf ailment, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com passes along on Twitter. Brady was limited today in practice, though there’s been no indication that his status for the Patriots’ game this week is in jeopardy.
Cowboys Release Taco Charlton
Taco Charlton, who the Cowboys selected in the first round of the 2017 draft, has been released, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports and the Cowboys confirm. It was reported earlier today that the Cowboys would shop the defensive end or cut him if they couldn’t find a suitor on the trade market.
Robert Quinn, who the Cowboys acquired in the offseason, is set to return from a two-game suspension and with Quinn in the defensive line rotation, playing time for Charlton would have likely been minimized.
Charlton has been ineffective during his time in Dallas, though injuries have robbed him of a chance to get better. He finishes his Cowboys career with four sacks in 27 games.
Raiders Interested In Jalen Ramsey
Jalen Ramsey‘s time in Jacksonville may be coming to an end. The Jaguars play on Thursday night and it’s been reported that Friday is the “likely target date” for the team to trade the 24-year-old.
The Raiders are one of the teams that have checked in with the Jaguars about the cornerback, a source tells Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Ramsey has previously indicated that the Raiders and Titans would be his ideal destinations, though that was back in August before any serious chatter of the team trading him.
“I like (Las) Vegas,” Ramsey said back in August. “They don’t have any state income tax.”
The Raiders will move to Las Vegas next season. The move will be costly for the team and adding Ramsey, who will be expecting a new deal, could be problematic. Cash flow for an extension could be an issue for the Raiders, as Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune tweets.
Jacksonville is reportedly asking for two first-round picks for Ramsey with a 2020 first-rounder as a baseline in negotiations. The Raiders have two selections in the upcoming draft: their own and the Bears’ pick (from the Khalil Mack trade).
LT Joe Staley Breaks Leg In 49ers Win
49ers LT Joe Staley is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks after breaking his left fibula against the Bengals today, as ESPN’s Nick Wagoner relays.
“From what I hear so far, we’ll find out more tomorrow but it should be less than eight weeks, so I don’t think he’ll be an IR candidate,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “But we’ll find out more tomorrow. I think it’s something he’s had before.”
The team had a tremendous game, dominating the Bengals on all fronts, but they lost Staley near the end of the third quarter. He was seen in a walking boot after the contest.
“I’m going to do everything I can to be part of this team for an end-of-season run,” said Staley. “I have a lot of years and knowledge. I’ve always thought that after my football career ends as a player, I’d give coaching a try. Now maybe I’ll have some time to try it. I’m bummed.”
Sam Darnold Hopes To Return After Week 4
The Jets may not be without Sam Darnold for as long as initially expected. FOX’s Jay Glazer (Twitter link) caught up with Darnold and the QB told Glazer that he was feeling much better. Darnold, who was diagnosed with mono, said that he hopes the doctor allows him to re-join the team sometime this week.
Darnold’s been told it should take him 21 days to completely recover and with that timeline, the former No. 3 overall pick expects to return to Jets’ starting lineup after the team’s Week 4 bye.
It’s worth noting that previous reports have pegged this timeline as optimistic, instead, presenting Week 9 as a viable return date. However, hearing from Darnold (through Glazer) is encouraging.
The Jets have been uploading information and sending it to Darnold in hopes that he stays mentally sharp and up-to-date with the playbook. Yet, without game reps in Adam Gase’s offense, Darnold will certainly face an uphill battle in getting back up to speed once he returns.
Backup QB Trevor Siemian will start Monday’s game against the Browns and likely Week 3 vs. the Patriots.
AFC Notes: Jaguars, Patriots, Randall
The Jaguars will be without several players on Sunday against the Texans, Michael DiRocco of ESPN recaps on Twitter. S Ronnie Harrison is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. CB A.J. Bouye, WR Marqise Lee, DE Yannick Ngakoue and LT Cam Robinson have all already been ruled out of the contest.
Last week, Jacksonville lost starting QB Nick Foles, who suffered a broken left clavicle in Week 1 and has been placed on injured reserve. The franchise’s collective health has put a damper on what should have been a bounceback year for the Jags. As the team carries on in Houston, let’s take a look around the AFC:
- The Patriots worked out several players ahead of their game against the Dolphins, a source tells Nick Underhill of The Athletic (Twitter link). OT Caleb Benenoch, NT Carl Davis, DT Willie Henry, DB Josh Jones and DB Adarius Pickett worked out for New England.
- Browns S Damarious Randall has been ruled out of Monday’s game, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Randall showed up to Cleveland’s facility with a concussion and was placed in the concussion protocol.
- A.J. Green, who injured his ankle during the Bengals‘ training camp, is out of his walking boot and feels like is he ahead of schedule in his recovery, as Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer relays. “I’m only six weeks out and I’m already walking,” Green said. “You never know what the next two weeks or three weeks are going to bring to where I can start back putting on shoes and actually running and doing some on the field stuff. You never know.”