Bears QB Brian Hoyer To Undergo Surgery
SUNDAY, 10:22am: Hoyer will indeed have surgery on his broken left arm, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan, who adds that the surgery will happen today. Hoyer will miss at least eight weeks and could be placed on IR. If Jay Cutler is still not ready to suit up in time for next week’s matchup against Minnesota, Chicago likely will have to sign another quarterback this week, as Matt Barkley would be the only healthy quarterback on the roster.
FRIDAY, 10:52am: Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer has been diagnosed with an isolated radius forearm fracture, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Surgery is considered likely, but a late-season return could also happen, Rapoport adds. 
Hoyer is almost certainly going to be placed on injured reserve, though the Bears could bring him back late in the year if he heals up in time. If placed on IR, the veteran would be out of action until Week 16 at the earliest. Of course, the Bears can only bring one player back from IR this year. As shown on Roster Resource, cornerback Kyle Fuller could still theoretically return and could do so as early as Week 11. Wide receiver Kevin White was previously thought to be a return candidate, but his recent surgery probably rules him out for 2016. Ultimately, the Bears will have to weigh their valuation of Hoyer versus Fuller, assuming both are capable of playing.
Hoyer has completed more than 68% of his passes for 1,396, six touchdowns, and no interceptions since taking over for Jay Cutler during Week 2. When Hoyer exited, backup quarterback Matt Barkley was put into the game, but it’s also possible that Cutler could get another opportunity to start once he’s healthy. In any event, the Bears will probably add another quarterback to the roster in the coming days.
Ben Roethlisberger To Miss Just One Game?
SUNDAY, 9:27am: Contrary to Mortensen’s report, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that while Roethlisberger has been ruled out for today’s game against the Patriots, he could be back to face Baltimore in Week 9 following Pittsburgh’s Week 8 bye. Indeed, team officials are optimistic he could face the Ravens and would be surprised if Roethlisberger missed more than two games, barring an unforeseen setback. The Steelers do not plan to work out additional quarterbacks or acquire a veteran, which suggests that they do expect Big Ben to return sooner rather than later.
WEDNESDAY, 10:38am: Ben Roethlisberger will be out for a little while longer than anticipated. The Steelers quarterback’s post-surgery outlook has shifted from 2-3 weeks to 4-6 weeks, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (Twitter link). 
Roethlisberger underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee earlier this week. While Roethlisberger is out, the Steelers will turn to backup Landry Jones as their starter. Jones did alright in two games last season when he had to fill in for Big Ben, but the offense obviously won’t be the same without No. 7.
Roethlisberger, a future Hall of Famer, has thrown for 1,685 yards and a league-leading 16 touchdowns this season. The 34-year-old turned in 16-game seasons in 2013 and 14 but missed at least one in each of Pittsburgh’s previous four campaigns. Last year, knee and shoulder troubles cost him one-quarter of the regular season.
The Steelers take on the Patriots next week before entering a bye week. Then, they’ll face the Ravens, Cowboys, and Browns – likely without their star quarterback in the lineup.
Cardinals RB Coach Stump Mitchell In Contract Year
David Johnson has made a name for himself as one of the very best running backs in the NFL today. Less well known is Cardinals running backs coach Stump Mitchell, the man who is responsible for developing Johnson into an elite offensive weapon. Pro Football Rumors has learned that Mitchell is now in the final year of his contract and he is aiming to take on a larger role next season. 
Mitchell hopes to remain with the Cardinals, agent Burton Rocks tells PFR, but Rocks also believes that he is capable of a higher title. Rocks says he could conceivably pitch Mitchell as an associate head coach, offensive coordinator, and even head coaching candidate this offseason. It’s also possible that Mitchell could entertain D-I head coaching job offers if the right one comes along.
Mitchell, of course, has deep ties to the Cardinals after spending his entire nine-year career with the organization. The 57-year-old holds the franchise record in all-purpose yards and is second all-time in rushing yards. Now, he has Johnson on track to eventually leapfrog him in the history books. There’s no sign of a staff shakeup in Arizona, but the Cardinals could theoretically promote Mitchell without displacing another coach. For example, Tom Moore holds the title of assistant head coach on offense, but the soon-to-be 78-year-old could choose to return to a less demanding consulting role.
Before joining up with the Cardinals in 2013, Mitchell was the longtime running backs coach of the Seahawks and also spent two seasons as the Redskins’ running backs coach/associate head coach. He also has college head coaching experience with Morgan State and Southern University. In addition to David Johnson, Chris Johnson, and Andre Ellington, Mitchell’s running back resume also includes the likes of Ricky Waters, Ahman Green, Shaun Alexander, Clinton Portis, and Mike Sellers.
As Johnson terrorizes opposing defenses, the timing could not be better for Mitchell to reach free agency. If the Cardinals’ ground game continues to produce, the veteran coach could have an opportunity to climb the NFL coaching ladder in the New Year.
East Notes: Giants, Brown, Bills, Ryan, Jets
The NFLPA has issued the following statement on Giants kicker Josh Brown, who was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list today following more revelations about his purported domestic abuse: “The NFL has the ability to place a player on the exempt list and the player has the right to appeal that decision, if he chooses. The League office wanted unilateral control of this process and accordingly, their system lacks transparency.” Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Facebook link) also obtained a copy of the letter the league sent Brown today informing him that he has been placed on the exempt list.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Conflicting reports emerged earlier this year as to whether Bills general manager Doug Whaley and head coach Rex Ryan faced playoffs-or-bust ultimatums — but team owner Terry Pegula says the rumors were unfounded. “No. We just hired the guys!” Pegula told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “Doug’s a new GM basically (promoted in May 2013). And we just hired Rex. We’re talking about continuity, and the players need that.” The Bills are now 4-2 and back in the thick of the playoff race after winning four straight.
- Offensive lineman Gabe Ikard was cut earlier today to make room for the return of Shaq Lawson, but the Bills plan to re-sign next week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Ikard, a two-year NFL veteran, hasn’t played an offensive role for Buffalo this season, as he’s seen zero snaps. But he had managed to see the field for 11 special teams plays.
- The Jets brought defensive end/outside linebacker Sadat Sulleyman in for a workout, Wilson tweets. Sulleyman, 23, is a UDFA out of Portland State who didn’t make Denver’s initial 53-man roster. He’s also tried out for the Bengals and Chiefs this season.
AFC North Notes: Flacco, Eifert, Browns
The Ravens announced that quarterback Joe Flacco was back at practice today. It’s a positive step forward for the QB after he was diagnosed with irritation in the joint of his throwing shoulder and missed practice earlier in the week. Still, it’s not clear whether he will play on Sunday against the Jets. If he can’t go, Ryan Mallett will get the start and the Ravens will likely look to sign another QB to back him up. David Fales, currently on Baltimore’s practice squad, would be the obvious candidate.
Here’s more from the AFC North:
- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says that the team will soon determine whether tight end Tyler Eifert will be make his 2016 debut on Sunday, as Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com writes. Lewis doesn’t have a timetable on Eifert, but he says that it will not be a game-time decision. Eifert, of course, was scheduled to return from ankle surgery earlier this month but suffered a setback when he hurt his back.
- The Browns worked out offensive tackle Darrion Weems on Friday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Weems, 28, had played on roughly a third of Denver’s offensive snaps this season before being waived last week, but graded as one of the worst interior lineman in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
- Given the health issues on their roster, the Ravens should be expected to make at least one transaction before Sunday’s game against the Jets, argues Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). Running back Lorenzo Taliaferro is one option to be promoted to the active roster thanks to his special teams prowess, per Zriebec, while corners Asa Jackson and Robertson Daniel also stand a chance to be signed since the Ravens are dealing injuries to their defensive backfield.
Pigskin Links: Garrett, Browns, Titans, Hodges
Here at Pro Football Rumors, we deliver up-to-the-minute news on NFL transactions and high-quality original analysis. Each week, we also feature some of the best blog articles from around the web in our regular feature, Pigskin Links.
We’re looking for interesting reads on all things football from blogs of all sizes. While PFR is dedicated to player movement, Pigskin Links is open to pieces on all areas of the game. If you would like to suggest your blog post (or someone else’s) for Pigskin Links, send us an email with the link and a brief synopsis at PigskinLinks@gmail.com.
Here’s this week’s look around the football blogosphere:
- Today’s Pigskin tackles Week 7 of the college football season and looks ahead to the 2017 NFL draft in their latest podcast.
- NFL Draft Report examines how Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges has made the transition from high school quarterback to collegiate tight end.
- Titans 247 previews Tennessee’s upcoming divisional matchup against the Colts.
- From The Rafters argues the Browns should draft Texans A&M edge rusher Myles Garrett rather than use a high pick on a quarterback.
- Cup Of Joe In The D updated its power rankings for Week 7.
Got a great football blog post that you want to see featured in next week’s Pigskin Links? Email it to Zach or tweet it to him: @ZachLinks.
Browns Promote DB Darius Hillary
The Browns signed defensive back Darius Hillary to the active roster from the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the team cut defensive lineman Gabe Wright. 
Hillary was in a tight battle for the Bengals’ final cornerback spot this offseason but just missed the cut. Although he was dropped from the roster in early September, he eventually found his way to the Browns’ practice squad. Fun fact: Hillary’s father, Ira, played with the Bengals as a wide receiver.
Hillary will now join safety Ed Reynolds and cornerbacks Tramon Williams, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Marcus Burley as the Browns’ reserve secondary players. The Browns are starting Joe Haden and Jamar Taylor at cornerback with Derrick Kindred at free safety and Ibraheim Campbell at strong safety.
Wright has appeared in three games this season, recording two tackles and one pass defensed.
Vikings G Mike Harris Takes Pay Cut
The Vikings and guard Mike Harris agreed to a reworked contract today, as Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes. Harris has been on the non-football illness list since training camp. 
Minnesota had to move some money around to make room for the addition of Jake Long and Harris’ pay cut accomplishes that. Initially slated for more, Harris now only carries a cap figure of $1.5MM. When considering that Harris’ $1MM in likely-to-be-earned incentives are not at all likely-to-be-earned, that cap number will go down even further.
In total, the Vikings have cleared out $970K+ in cap space by cutting down Harris’ contract, giving them ample room to take on Long’s $423K+ cap hit. As of this writing, the Vikings have $591,491 in available cap space.
Harris, a former undrafted free agent, was an offensive tackle during his two seasons with the Chargers. Harris played 12 games at right tackle for the Vikings in 2014, and he started all 16 games at guard in 2015. He re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year, $2MM deal this past offseason.
Bills Add Shaq Lawson To Active Roster
The Bills announced that rookie Shaq Lawson has been activated from the PUP list to the 53-man roster. Buffalo also promoted tight end Manasseh Garner up from the practice squad. To make room, the Bills cut guard Gabe Ikard and tight end Gerald Christian. 
Lawson, the No. 19 overall pick in this year’s draft, will join the team’s outside linebacker rotation behind Jerry Hughes and Lorenzo Alexander. After the Miami game, it seems possible that Lawson could be in line for a larger role. Per the team website, Lawson could also be moved to inside linebacker on passing downs.
Initially, it looked like Lawson’s shoulder surgery would keep him out for longer, but he has beaten expectations on his recovery. Many also expected the Bills’ defense to wilt without Lawson and other key players, but Buffalo has shocked everyone by winning their last four games, putting them at 4-2.
Redskins Placing WR Josh Doctson On IR
The Redskins are placing wide receiver Josh Doctson on injured reserve, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Facebook). That means Doctson will be out through at least Week 14. The team was hoping to have Doctson back for Week 10, but his Achilles pain proved to be too much. 
“We saw another specialist, a couple of them now, with all the work that we’ve put in, we thought it was best to immobilize him for a little bit of time and see if that can help,” Gruden said (via Conor Orr of NFL.com). “By the time he gets out of the boot, then he’ll need time to see if he’s ready and hopefully we’ll get him back for the last, maybe, two games of the year. … He could be out for the year. He could not be. I don’t know yet, we’ll see how he is. Big thing is to just get him healthy. Based on all the research we’ve done, we thought this was best for him basically.”
Doctson appeared in two games this season and caught two passes for 66 yards. The Redskins had high hopes for Doctson this year and many believed that he would leapfrog DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon in the offense. In the long-term, Doctson still figures to be a focal part of Washington’s passing attack, but they may have to wait until 2017 before they can get him back on the field.
To take Doctson’s place, the Redskins promoted wide receiver Maurice Harris. The 4-2 Redskins travel to Detroit on Sunday to take on the 3-3 Lions.