Dave Canales: Bryce Young Will ‘Absolutely’ Start In Week 13
Panthers head coach Dave Canales emphatically backed quarterback Bryce Young after Sunday’s game, saying that the 2023 No. 1 overall pick will “absolutely” start in Week 13, per ESPN’s David Newton.
Young began the season as Carolina’s starting quarterback, but lost the job after just two weeks with a dismal combined statline of 31 completions on 56 attempts for just 245 yards with three interceptions and zero touchdowns. Andy Dalton took over under center, but sprained his thumb in a car accident in October, pressing Young back into a starting role in Week 8. He delivered his best game of the year with 224 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Broncos, earning him another start in Week 9, even though Dalton was healthy enough to play.
Young then led the Panthers to back-to-back victories to bring them to 3-7 ahead of their Week 11 bye, keeping him under center against Kansas City in Week 12. He put up a season-high 263 passing yards on Sunday and especially excelled against the blitz with 11 completions on 13 attempts for 135 yards and a touchdown, according to Newton.
Sunday’s performance earned Young an unusually strong backing from his head coach. Canales has typically waited at least 24 hours (and up to three days) before naming Young as the next week’s starter since Week 8, saying that he has to watch game film and consult his staff before making a decision. This time, Canales didn’t need any time to make up his mind.
In addition to winning over his head coach, Young seems to have earned the confidence of his teammates. Veteran offensive guard Robert Hunt was “fired up” by Young’s postgame speech in the locker room, a rare occurrence since he was drafted, per Newton.
Many expected Canales to kickstart Young’s development after his success with Geno Smith in Seattle and Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay. The benching may have eroded Young’s confidence initially, but his recent starts have the young quarterback trending in the right direction.
Aaron Rodgers-Woody Johnson Drama ‘Overblown’
Jets owner Woody Johnson‘s decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas in back-to-back months has painted a picture of a dysfunctional franchise rife with drama in the front office and the locker room.
However, reports of tension between Johnson and Aaron Rodgers are “overblown,” according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, despite a recent bombshell that Johnson suggested benching his star quarterback earlier this season. The two have remained in communication throughout the recent turmoil with both men disappointed in the team’s performance thus far this season.
After losing all of the 2023 season due to an Achilles tear, Rodgers has struggled to stay fully healthy this year, landing on the injury report several times due to issues with his hamstring, knee, and ankle. The mercurial quarterback has still started every game this season, playing 98% of the Jets’ offensive snaps to date.
However, it remains unclear exactly how banged up Rodgers is. He has refused medical scans on his leg injuries to avoid revealing their severity so he can keep playing, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. His September 29 hamstring injury “was believed to be a particularly significant one,” but the 40-year-old insisted that it was not significant and refused to consider taking a game off to recover. A stint on injured reserve has been floated as a way to force Rodgers to heal from his injuries while allowing him to save face publicly.
Rodgers’ injury struggles in New York – which have led to one of the worst statistical seasons of his career – have stirred doubt about his future as a Jet. As recently as November 14, Rodgers has confirmed his desire to play in 2025, though he was noncommittal about returning to the Jets for a third season. He reportedly desires a more stable situation, which has not been applicable to the Jets for several years. However, it is fair to wonder how much Rodgers contributed to the Jets’ instability over the past two years, between the arduous process for his acquisition, his subsequent influence over team personnel decisions, and his struggles to remain healthy.
Most signs are pointing to a mutual parting of ways after this season, with league executives predicting that the Jets will designated Rodgers as a post-June 1 release during the offseason, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. The team’s new head coach and/or general manager may prefer to move on from Rodgers and look for a new quarterback around whom they can rebuild. Rodgers would then be a 41-year-old free agent coming off the worst two-year stretch of his career and may not draw as much interest compared to when he wanted to leave Green Bay.
Panthers Place RB Miles Sanders On IR
The Panthers have placed running back Miles Sanders on injured reserve, per team reporter Darin Gantt.
Sanders exited Carolina’s Week 10 victory over the Giants in the second quarter and has not practiced since.
Despite signing a four-year, $25.4MM contract with the Panthers in 2023, Sanders has played second fiddle to Chuba Hubbard in the backfield over the past two seasons. This year, Sanders has just 38 carries for 139 yards (3.7 yards per carry) compared to 818 yards on 161 attempts (5.1 yards per carry) by Hubbard.
Sanders’ latest injury could spell the end of his time in Carolina, according to ESPN’s David Newton. Sanders has no guaranteed salary in the remaining two years of his contract, and the Panthers could save $9.8MM in salary cap space in 2025 and 2026 with a dead cap hit of just under $3MM, per OverTheCap.
The Panthers signed wide receiver Deven Thompkins to fill Sanders’ spot on the active roster. He was elevated for Carolina’s last two games with Adam Thielen still working his way back from a hamstring injury, though the veteran is expected to play in Week 12.
Carolina also used practice squad elevations for wide receiver Dan Chisena and linebacker Kenny Dyson, their first call-ups of the season.
Ravens Waive S Eddie Jackson
The Ravens have waived veteran safety Eddie Jackson, according to a team announcement, ending his time in Baltimore after just over four months.
Jackson started four games this year with 339 total snaps, but played just 16 snaps against the Bengals in Week 10 before being sidelined as a healthy scratch in Week 11. His 50.3 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) is the lowest of his career and ranks in the bottom 10 among NFL safeties this year.
The veteran safety “wasn’t pleased with [a] reduced role,” per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, and his “frustrations boiled over” ahead of the Ravens’ trip to Pittsburgh. Jackson did not travel with the team last week, and Baltimore’s switch to Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington at deep safety led to one of their best pass defense performances of the year.
Jackson will now be subject to waivers, though his struggles this year make it unlikely that he will be claimed, especially since he has not contributed on special teams since 2022. The Ravens will have to absorb Jackson’s $250k signing bonus and the remainder of his $750k of guaranteed salary on the salary cap, per OverTheCap, but another team will cover his salary if he is claimed on waivers. If Jackson clears waivers, he can sign with any team or their practice squad. A return to the Ravens’ practice squad seems unlikely given his recent frustrations.
The Ravens also signed linebacker and core special teamer Kristian Welch to their active roster from their practice squad. Welch had been elevated from the practice squad for the last three games, playing 73% of the team’s special teams snaps. With no more elevations remaining, Baltimore promoted Welch to the 53-man roster to ensure he can play on Monday night against the Chargers.
Cowboys Activate Marshawn Kneeland, Chuma Edoga From IR
The Cowboys made a flurry of roster moves on Saturday, including the activation of rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland and veteran offensive tackle Chuma Edoga from injured reserve, per a team announcement.
Kneeland, the 56th overall pick in April’s draft, was designated for return on Wednesday after recovering from surgery on a partially-torn lateral meniscus. Edoga has been ramping up in practice for a few weeks after a preseason toe injury sidelined him for the Cowboys’ first 10 games.
Neither player is expected to start for the Cowboys on Sunday, but they will provide depth on the edge of the trenches on either side of the ball. Kneeland is still hunting for his first career sack at defensive end, while Edoga is likely to serve as a swing tackle behind Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele.
To make room on their 53-man roster, the Cowboys placed safety Markquese Bell on injured reserve and waived defensive end K.J. Henry. Bell had to undergo shoulder surgery after a Week 11 injury, while Henry became surplus to requirements with Kneeland’s return.
The Cowboys also ruled out All-Pro guard Zack Martin with 2023 undrafted free agent T.J. Bass likely starting in his place. Dallas is also swapping out one All-Pro cornerback for another with Trevon Diggs ruled out and DaRon Bland expected to make his season debut after recovering from a setback from his foot surgery. Bland has played just two games with Diggs over the last two season, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, and he will be the sixth different starting outside cornerback for Dallas this year, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News.
Injuries have been a constant issue for the Cowboys this season. On Sunday, the team’s top-five 2024 salary cap hits – totaling more than $100MM – will all be sidelined, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. That list includes Martin and Diggs, along with Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Brandin Cooks, who all remain on injured reserve. Prescott is out for the season, while Lawrence is still rehabbing from a Lisfranc injury. Dallas declined to activate Cooks from injured reserve after he was designated for return earlier this week and progressing towards a return to the field.
Chiefs To Sign T D.J. Humphries
The Chiefs are signing veteran offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. This will mark a return to the league for the longtime Cardinals blocker, who has battled back from a major knee injury.
Humphries was medically cleared to return to the field on Friday after an extensive recovery from a torn ACL suffered in December 2023, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. His contract with the Chiefs is worth $2MM with a maximum value of $4.5MM, per Rapoport, a strong deal for a Week 12 signing coming off a significant injury.
Kansas City likely had to offer Humphries more money than he would otherwise collect from the NFL’s injury protection benefit to motivate him to sign, per OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald. He received interest from the Patriots and visited the Giants earlier this season, but left New York without a deal with the team unwilling to accommodate his financial demands. The Chiefs, however, became desperate for tackle help after their difficulty protecting Patrick Mahomes‘ blindside this season and made Humphries a compelling enough offer to move to Kansas City.
The Chiefs came into the season hoping that one of their two young offensive tackles would lock down the left side, but 2024 second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia and 2023 third-rounder Wanya Morris have both struggled. Suamataia won the starting left tackle gig in training camp, but was benched in Week 2 in favor of Morris, who has started every game since. Morris did exit the game in Week 10 due to injury, with Suamataia putting together a disastrous performance in his place. Suamataia was then a healthy scratch in Week 11, forcing the Chiefs to look for tackle help elsewhere.
As an eight-year veteran with a 2021 Pro Bowl appearance under his belt, Humphries certainly fits the bill. He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but still brings 98 starts of experience to Kansas City, most of them at left tackle. Now, he offers the Chiefs another option at that position as the franchise attempts a Super Bowl three-peat.
Rex Ryan Wants To Coach Jets Again
Despite being fired as the Jets’ head coach in 2014, Rex Ryan wants to return to his former job under owner Woody Johnson.
Johnson fired Robert Saleh at the beginning of October after a 2-3 start to the season despite managing seven wins in 2023 after Aaron Rodgers played just four snaps before tearing his Achilles.
Ryan made his pitch on an ESPN New York radio show with ex-Jets linebacker Bart Scott, via ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio. Ryan was originally asked about Lions head coach Dan Campbell before pivoting into a passionate pitch to return to his old job in New York.
“I had a vision for the team and we weren’t gonna take any s—,” Ryan said. “And that’s exactly how Dan Campbell is. And that’s what I think, the other thing is, too, get a guy that connects with the fan base and all that. That’s why I want to be the next coach of the Jets.”
From there, Ryan took off, promising that he would get the most out of the Jets’ roster and backing Johnson despite recent reports of the owner’s meddling in the team’s personnel decisions.
“Blow it up? We’re gonna blow the opponents up,” Ryan said. “There’s way too much talent on this team to play the way we’ve been playing. Period.”
Ryan isn’t wrong about the untapped potential in New York. Recently fired general manager Joe Douglas may have only led the Jets to a 30-64 record during his tenure, but he did hit on a number of high draft picks. Most impressive is the 2022 class, with the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year (Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner), a Pro Bowl edge rusher (Jermaine Johnson), a star running back (Breece Hall) and a Day 3 interior disruptor (Michael Clemons). 2023 draftees Will McDonald and Joe Tippmann have also emerged as solid starters.
Ryan also claimed that he can get a disillusioned Jets team back on track, saying “nobody’s seen a team gonna play the way — as hard as this team’s going to play in the future, trust me. If I’m the guy. Trust me.” Ryan also cited his continued loyalty to the Jets since his 2014 firing, saying that other coaches would not be as dedicated to the franchise.
“They ain’t New York Jets. I’m all about the Jets,” he said. “Here’s the great thing. Yeah, you get a second chance at it and that doesn’t happen very often. Well, when it does it’s usually special.”
Ryan then cleverly praised the Jets’ direction under Johnson’s ownership, appealing to his former boss’ penchant for relying on yes-men in key positions within the organization.
“Woody Johnson was awesome,” Ryan said. “I can just tell you firsthand from my perspective, he was fantastic. You know what he’s guilty of? He’s guilty of giving you what you want. And that’s exactly what happened with this group. He gave them exactly what they wanted.”
Ryan even defended Johnson’s role in the Jets’ ill-fated acquisition of Rodgers: “You told him to go get Aaron Rodgers. And so that’s what he did. And it never worked out. But at least he fired his gun. Why? Because he wants a championship.”
Ryan added that he has not reached out to Johnson about returning to the Jets since the franchise will not start the search for Saleh’s long-term successor until after the end of the regular season.
The Jets went 46-50 in Ryan’s six-year tenure, which included back-to-back AFC championship game appearances in 2009 and 2010. New York hasn’t played in the postseason since then, a fact that Ryan will likely use in his pursuit of his old gig.
Seahawks Activate S Rayshawn Jenkins
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald announced that Rayshawn Jenkins would be activated from injured reserve, per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Seattle is expecting their veteran safety to take the field on Sunday against the Cardinals for his first appearance in Week 6.
Jenkins started the Seahawks’ first six games, racking up 38 tackles and a 102-yard fumble return touchdown, the longest in the NFL this season. He played with a cast over his left hand in Weeks 5 and 6, but landed on injured reserve on October 16 to allow his injury to fully recover. The 2017 fourth-round pick returned to practice this week and quickly got back up to speed in the defense.
Jenkins arrived in Seattle this past offseason on a two-year, $12MM contract to pair with Julian Love as starting safeties in Macdonald’s new defense. In Jenkins’ absence, third-year defensive back Coby Bryant has stepped up at safety, ranking fifth on the team with a 73.2 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
While Jenkins is expected to return to a starting role this weekend, Bryant’s emergence will give Macdonald more options in a defense that prioritizes interchangeability between versatile defensive backs. All three players are capable of playing deep safety or sliding into the slot. Jenkins also saw plenty of time in the box in dime packages, so Macdonald could also call more three-safety formations.
The Seahawks currently have 52 players on their active roster, so they will not need to make a corresponding move to accommodate Jenkins’ activation.
49ers Rule Out Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa For Week 12
Kyle Shanahan announced that the 49ers ruled out All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa and starting quarterback Brock Purdy for their Week 12 matchup with the Packers.
Shanahan also announced that Brandon Allen will make his first start since 2019 in Purdy’s absence. Allen has played just one snap this season: a kneel-down to close out a 32-19 victory over the Jets in Week 1.
[RELATED: Trent Williams Not Improving, Iffy For Week 13]
Purdy has been dealing with a shoulder injury since the 49ers’ Week 11 loss to the Seahawks, limiting him in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before holding him out entirely on Friday. Shanahan said that an MRI of Purdy’s shoulder did not reveal a long-term issue, but his status for Week 13 against the Bills is “up in the air,” per the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman.
Allen spent 2023 in San Francisco as the team’s third-string quarterback behind Purdy and Sam Darnold. He re-signed with the 49ers during the offseason and beat out Joshua Dobbs for backup quarterback job this year.
Purdy is still traveling with the team, but he will not be joined by Bosa, who is remaining in San Francisco for treatment on his oblique and hip, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Bosa has racked up 4.0 sacks in his last four games despite dealing with the injury for almost a month.
Yetur Gross-Matos is likely to start in Bosa’s place after being activated from injured reserve and recording his first sack as a 49er last week.
Colts Open Tyquan Lewis’ Practice Window
The Colts have opened the practice window for defensive end Tyquan Lewis to return from injured reserve, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder.
The Colts only held a walkthrough on Wednesday, but Lewis is expected to practice for the first time since September on Thursday.
Lewis landed on injured reserve on October 1 after dealing with wrist, calf, and elbow injuries over the first month of the season. He started the Colts’ first four games on the right side of the defensive line with 17 total tackles, including two for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Lewis’ injury offered more opportunities for 2021 second-rounder Dayo Odeyingbo and 2024 first-rounder Laitu Latu, both of whom have registered 3.0 sacks this season. The Colts’ depth at defensive end – which also includes 2021 first-round pick Kwity Paye – will allow Lewis to ramp up his participation upon his return to practice without too much pressure to appear in games right away.
Lewis signed a two-year extension worth $12MM to remain in Indianapolis during the offseason. He has spent his entire career with the Colts since being selected as the last pick of the second round in 2018.
Lewis will have 21 days to practice with the team before he must be activated or revert to injured reserve for the rest of the season.