HEADLINES

Author: Dallas Robinson

Matthew Stafford Wants To Return This Season

November 21st, 2019 at 7:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although reports on Sunday indicated Matthew Stafford could miss six more weeks while dealing with fractured bones in his back, the veteran Lions quarterback says he’d still like to return this season, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.

“Because this is what I do,” Stafford said when asked why he wants to play this year. “I understand your question, but this is what I love to do. I love playing football. I appreciate all the hard work that all the guys in this locker room and in this organization put into going out there and trying to win games on Sunday and I love being a part of that.”

“It’s tough for me to sit there without the pads on and not be able to impact the game on the field the way I’m used to doing,” Stafford said. “That’s driving me to get back out there, and whenever we all deem it’s the right time for me to get back out there, I’ll be out there.”

Depending on how his recovery goes, Stafford could potentially be available for a game or two at the end of the regular season. Sitting at 3-6-1 and last place in the NFC North, Detroit has less than a 1% chance of earning a playoff berth, per FiveThirtyEight.com, so it seems unlikely the Lions’ decision-makers would allow Stafford to return to the field with nothing on the line.

Stafford had started 136 consecutive games before missing Detroit’s Week 10 contest again the Bears earlier this month. Through eight starts, the 31-year-old Stafford had thrown for nearly 2,500 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions while ranking eighth in ESPN’s Total Quarterback Rating.

Seahawks To Place Ed Dickson On IR

November 21st, 2019 at 6:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After having just activated him from injured reserve on Wednesday, the Seahawks are expected to place tight end Ed Dickson back on IR, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Seattle reportedly has concern about Dickson’s recovery from an ongoing knee issue.

Dickson was originally slated to miss four-to-five weeks after undergoing knee surgery in early August, but he never came close to meeting that recovery timeline. The Seahawks have already placed Will Dissly on injured reserve and traded Nick Vannett, so Dickson could have seen immediate work alongside fellow tight end Jacob Hollister had he been able to stay on the field.

Dickson signed a three-year, $10.7MM contract with the Seahawks last spring, but his 2018 debut was delayed by various injuries. After spending the first part of the year on the non-football injury list, Dickson was activated in October, and went on to post 12 receptions and three touchdowns in 10 appearances.

If the Seahawks want to move on from Dickson next spring after essentially two lost campaigns, they could cut the 32-year-old without much financial consequence. Seattle would save $3.4MM in cap space and incur only $866K in dead money by releasing Dickson.

Myles Garrett On Racial Slur: I Know What I Heard

November 21st, 2019 at 6:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Myles Garrett is doubling down on his claim that Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph used a racial slur in the buildup to the infamous brawl that occurred last Thursday night, as the Browns defensive end indicated on Twitter.

“I was assured that the hearing was space that afforded the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about the incident that led to my suspension. This was not meant for public dissemination, nor was it a convenient attempt to justify my actions or restore my image in the eyes of those I disappointed.

“I know what I heard. Whether my opponent’s comment was born out of frustration or ignorance, I cannot say. But his actions do not excuse my lack of restraint in the moment, and I truly regret the impact this has had on the league, the Browns and our devoted fans.”

As the NFL indicated in a statement earlier today, the league found no evidence that Rudolph used such a slur before or during the fight. Microphones are all over the field during an NFL game, so it seems likely that any slur would have picked up. Nevertheless, Garrett is standing by his claim.

Garrett’s appeal of his indefinite ban was denied today, meaning he’s suspended for at least the rest of the 2019 regular season and playoffs. Meanwhile, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey saw his suspension reduced from three games to two.

NFC West Notes: Seahawks, Lockett, 49ers

November 14th, 2019 at 1:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Despite suffering a leg contusion against the 49ers on Monday night, Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett is expected to be available when Seattle returns from its bye in Week 12, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Lockett spent time at the hospital after injuring his leg (in what was called a “pretty severe situation” by head coach Pete Carroll), but he’s since flown back to Seattle. In the midst of a second consecutive excellent campaign, the 27-year-old Lockett has posted 62 receptions for 793 yards and six touchdowns through 10 games.

Here’s more from the NFC West:

  • While Lockett doesn’t figure to miss any time, 49ers running back Matt Breida isn’t so lucky. Breida aggravated a low ankle sprain against Seattle and will likely miss a week or two, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Breida is getting a second opinion on his injury, so the timeline could certainly change, but at this point it doesn’t appear he’ll be sidelined for too long. While he’s often banged up, Breida is typically able to produce at a high level when on the field. 2019 has been no different, as he’s managed five yards per carry on 109 attempts. San Francisco will now deploy Raheem Mostert alongside Tevin Coleman in Breida’s absence.
  • Breida’s loss won’t the only hit to the 49ers‘ running game — left tackle Joe Staley will also miss a few weeks after undergoing surgery on a dislocated/fractured finger, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link). Staley, of course, broke his fibula in Week 2 and had been sidelined until Week 9. San Francisco has been able to succeed on the ground even without Staley around, and the club will now turn back to Justin Skule — who’s played 451 offensive snaps this year — at left tackle.
  • In case you missed it, Rams center Brian Allen will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an MCL injury in Week 10.

Current 2020 NFL Draft Order

November 14th, 2019 at 1:21pm CST by Dallas Robinson

With 10 full weeks of the NFL season in the books, the 2020 draft order is beginning to take shape. Here’s the rundown of where things would stand if the 2018 season ended today:

1. Bengals (0-9)

2. Redskins (1-8)

3. Giants (2-8)

4. Jets (2-7)

5. Dolphins (2-7)

6. Falcons (2-7)

7. Broncos (3-6)

8. Buccaneers (3-6)

9. Browns (3-6)

10. Cardinals (3-6-1)

11. Lions (3-5-1)

12. Chargers (4-6)

13. Jaguars (4-5)

14. Raiders (via Bears) (4-5)

15. Titans (5-5)

16. Colts (5-4)

17. Eagles (5-4)

18. Jaguars (via Rams) (5-4)

19. Panthers (5-4)

20. Raiders (5-4)

Malik McDowell Sentenced To 11 Months In Prison

November 14th, 2019 at 12:07pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Former Seahawks defensive tackle Malik McDowell has been sentenced to 11 months in jail and three years of probation after pleading guilty to numerous crimes, including a DUI, a fight with police officers, and a stolen property offense, as Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

“I’m doing everything I need to do, seeing all the doctors I need to, working out…doing everything I can to get back to where I was, back to the NFL,” McDowell said, and added that he’s “very remorseful,” as Aileen Wingblad of the Oakland Press writes.

Seattle selected McDowell with the 35th overall pick in the 2017 draft, but he never managed to actually get on the field. The former Michigan State Spartan was injured in an ATV accident three months after being drafted and spent the first two years of his career on the non-football injury list. The Seahawks officially waived McDowell in March, and are currently suing him to recoup a portion of his rookie contract.

McDowell received a two-game ban from the NFL earlier this year, but clearly, a league-imposed suspension is the least of his worries. The Cowboys worked him out after he was released by the Seahawks, but Dallas’ doctors weren’t able to give him a clean bill of health. Given his legal issues and his injury questions, McDowell isn’t likely to play in the NFL again.

Ravens’ Brynden Trawick To Return From IR

November 14th, 2019 at 10:12am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Ravens have designated safety Brynden Trawick to return from injured reserve, the club announced today. Trawick was placed on IR October 3 after suffering an elbow injury.

Because Trawick is required to miss a minimum of eight games, he won’t be eligible to return to action until Week 14 when Baltimore faces Buffalo. However, he can return to practice immediately, allowing the Ravens to gauge his health for the stretch run. Baltimore will almost certainly activate Trawick when able (the club wouldn’t have designated him for return if his health wouldn’t allow), but if it doesn’t, Trawick must remain on IR for the remainder of the year.

An undrafted free agent out of Troy in 2013, the 30-year-old Trawick is essentially a pure special teamer. He’s played only 194 defensive snaps during his six-year career, and just four over the past two seasons. On special teams, though, Trawick is especially valuable, managing at least 300 ST snaps in each of the past five campaigns. Trawick is currently in his second stint with the Ravens, and has also spent time with the Raiders and Titans.

With Trawick now designated for return, the Ravens have now reached their two-player IR/return maximum. Cornerback Iman Marshall returned to practice in late October and was officially re-activated to Baltimore’s roster earlier this week.

Latest On Colin Kaepernick’s Upcoming Workout

November 14th, 2019 at 9:31am CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL will stage a workout for free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Saturday, and — as could have been expected — the event has already become something of a spectacle. We’ve since learned that Kaepernick himself didn’t even know about the audition until the league informed him of it earlier this week, while the NFL is unwilling to budge on date, time, or location.

Here’s more on Kaepernick’s upcoming tryout:

  • The league originally contacted Kaepernick and his camp on Tuesday morning, and subsequently sent out a memo regarding the workout to all NFL teams on Tuesday night, per Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter thread). Because the NFL wanted to hold the workout at a team facility, a Saturday after a club had left for a road game presented the best option.
  • The audition is reportedly largely in response to teams reaching out to the league with interest in Kaepernick, according to Breer. While it may seem odd that clubs didn’t simply contact Kaepernick or his agents, Breer does offer one possible explanation: Kaepernick’s talks with the Seahawks and Ravens — both of whom expressed interest in recent years — ended poorly, so clubs could be “skittish” about negotiating with him.
  • While a late-season workout is certainly curious, it may create a chance for Kaepernick to have a six-week audition with a team with an eye towards 2020, per Breer. Moreover, teams that don’t have a spot for Kaepernick at the moment will at least be able to gather more info on him for a possible 2020 signing.
  • There is confusion as to whether the NFL promised to provide a list of attendees at the workout, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Some sources have told Schefter that Kaepernick was promised such a list, but the league is saying no indication to that effect was ever given.
  • The actual substance of the workout is still unknown as well, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. As of Wednesday night, it was unclear what Kaepernick will actually be doing throwing-wise at the audition, and the quarterback isn’t aware of who he will be throwing to.

Saints Designate WR Keith Kirkwood To Return From IR

November 13th, 2019 at 9:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Saints have designated wide receiver Keith Kirkwood to return from injured reserve, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Kirkwood, 25, suffered a hamstring injury in mid-September that knocked him to the sideline. He’s now returned to practice, opening a 21-day window during which New Orleans must either activate Kirkwood to its 53-man roster or leave him on IR for the remainder of the year.

A 2018 undrafted free agent out of Temple, Kirkwood spent the first half of his rookie campaign on the Saints’ practice squad before being promoted. He went on to play 44% of New Orleans’ remaining offensive snaps, posting 13 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns in the process.

The Saints’ wide receiver corps has mostly been a one-man show thus far in 2019 — Michael Thomas leads the club with 86 receptions, while Ted Ginn is second among wideouts with just 20. Kirkwood should factor in as back-of-the-roster depth while also playing on special teams.

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