Giants’ Leonard Williams To Miss Time
Giants defensive end Leonard Williams suffered an elbow injury on Sunday (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Williams is still having tests done, but he’ll miss multiple games at the very least. 
The Giants are 4-9 on the year, so they have little reason to rush their high-priced edge rusher back to the field. Williams remains under contract through 2023 on the three-year, $63MM pact he signed back in March. That contract will see his cap number jump from its current $9.4MM to $27.3MM next year.
In one of the more interesting moves of the offseason, the Giants gave Williams a second franchise tag prior to reaching that big-money extension. He had certainly earned himself the longer-term investment and raise: in 16 games in 2020, he broke out with 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
The 27-year old was enjoying another productive season with the Giants, registering 62 tackles and 5.5 sacks along with one forced fumble. He had started all 13 games this year, but according to Rapoport, “there is a chance he doesn’t return [in 2021]”.
In Williams’ absence, the Giants will have some shuffling to do along the defensive line. Alongside Dexter Lawrence and Austin Johnson, options to see an uptick in snaps include free agent signing Danny Shelton and undrafted rookie Raymond Johnson.
The Giants will host the Cowboys in Week 15 in an attempt to get out of the basement in the NFC East.
Dolphins’ Phillip Lindsay Tests Positive For COVID-19
Dolphins running back Phillip Lindsay has tested positive for COVID-19 (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). That completes an unfortunate hat trick for Miami as all three of their running backs — Lindsay, Myles Gaskin, and Salvon Ahmed — have tested positive in advance of Sunday’s game against the Jets. 
All three players are vaccinated, according to Pelissero, giving them a chance to suit up on Sunday pending additional tests. If they’re unable to play, the Dolphins will likely turn to practice squad RBs Duke Johnson and Gerrid Doaks.
The Dolphins are still fighting for a playoff berth, albeit with slim odds. Stationed at 6-7, the Dolphins currently have a 10% chance at sneaking into a Wild Card spot, according to the stats at Five Thirty Eight. A win over the Jets would keep the ‘Fins afloat — a loss would effectively rule them out of the postseason.
Lindsay, 27, hooked on with the Dolphins earlier this month after being released by the Texans. In his Week 12 debut against the Panthers, the veteran ran for 42 yards off of 12 carries. Gaskin finished with more yards in a less efficient performance — 49 yards off of 16 totes.
This Date In Transactions History: Eagles Place Carson Wentz On IR
The Eagles couldn’t have asked for much more out of the No. 2 overall pick in 2016 draft. Carson Wentz started all 16 games during his rookie season, played the second-most snaps in the NFL that year, and carried that momentum into the following year. Through 13 weeks, the Eagles were 11-2 as Wentz threw for an eye-popping 33 touchdowns.
Then, in their Week 14 win over the Rams, Wentz tore his ACL. So, on this date in 2017, the Eagles officially placed their young QB on the injured reserve list. We all know what happened next — backup Nick Foles took over under center and helped guide the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII victory over the Patriots. Things would never be the same again for the Birds or their one-time prodigy.
Wentz missed the first two games of 2018 as he recovered from knee surgery, only to suffer a back injury that would sideline him for the rest of the year. He managed to appear in all 16 games during the 2019 campaign, but a helmet-to-helmet hit from Jadeveon Clowney forced an early exit from his postseason debut. In 2020, he looked nothing like his old self. Wentz connected on a career-low 57.4% of his passes while leading the NFL in sacks taken (50) and interceptions (15 vs. just 16 touchdowns). Head coach Doug Pederson benched Wentz for rookie Jalen Hurts, setting the stage for their offseason divorce.
Following their Week 13 romp over the Texans, Wentz’s Colts are 7-6 with a clear path to the playoffs. His snap count also effectively solidified the Eagles’ haul from the blockbuster trade. With Wentz taking 75% of the snaps this year, Indy’s conditional second-rounder turns into a 2022 first-rounder for Philly. If the season ended today, the 6-7 Eagles would own the No. 10 (from the Dolphins), their original No. 11, and No. 21 from the Colts.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/13/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on COVID-19 list: WR Binjimen Victor
Denver Broncos
- Placed on COVID-19 list: WR Seth Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Released: QB Danny Etling
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on COVID-19 list: G Kyle Hinton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Mac McCain
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed DE John Simon
- Released: K Sam Sloman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: LS Garrison Sanborn
This Date In Transactions History: Rams Fire Jeff Fisher
On this date in 2016, the Rams moved on from Jeff Fisher. The decision came on the heels of a brutal loss to the Falcons, one that tied Fisher for the most losses of any NFL head coach in league history. 
[RELATED: Rams Place Henderson On Reserve/COVID-19 List]
Fisher’s 165th L tied Dan Reeves for the all-time record, though Reeves had 190 career wins vs. Fisher’s 173. Across 22 years of coaching, Fisher made the playoffs just six times, and none of those postseason appearances came in St. Louis or Los Angeles.
“Making a decision such as this – especially during the season – is one of the most difficult in sports,” Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement. “I have great respect for Jeff as a coach, person, father and friend. He has worked tirelessly despite some challenging circumstances. He played an integral role in helping this team make history in returning the NFL to Los Angeles, and we always will be grateful for his commitment and dedication to our organization. However, this is the right time to make a change as our performance has not lived up to my or our fans’ expectations. We all are focused on improving as an organization and building a team that makes Los Angeles proud. Our mission is to celebrate a Super Bowl title with our fans in Los Angeles. Today is the first step to bringing us closer to that goal.”
The Rams installed special teams coordinator John Fassel as their interim head coach before installing Sean McVay — Washington’s young offensive coordinator — as their next HC. McVay’s Rams nearly achieved Kroenke’s mission in 2018, before falling to the Patriots in the championship game.
Despite the ups and downs over the last four years-and-change, the Rams are undeniably in a better place today. The Rams have reached the playoffs in three of the last four years and they’re currently on track to go 4-for-5 with a Wild Card berth.
5 Key Stories: 12/6/21 – 12/12/21
Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:
- Demaryius Thomas Dead At 33: Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas passed away last week, just shy of his 34th birthday. Beloved by his teammates, Thomas captured a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos in 2015 before moving on to the Texans and Jets later in his career. On the field, he’ll be remembered for his exceptional performances in orange and blue. He ranks second in Broncos history in receiving yards (9,055) and receiving touchdowns (60) with more playoff receptions (53) than any other player in franchise history.
- Seahawks’ Wilson Open To Trade: Here we go again. According to multiple reports, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Broncos, Giants, and Saints. The Giants — currently slated to have two top-10 picks in the 2022 draft — have the resources to get a deal done. The Saints and Broncos would surely be interested in the seven-time Pro Bowler, but they have significantly less draft ammo to offer.
- Ravens’ Humphrey Done For Year: Marlon Humphrey was shut down for the year after suffering a torn pec. His loss was felt immediately last Sunday against the Steelers — without the star cornerback, the Ravens opted for a two-point conversion instead of an extra point to tie the game. When that failed, the Ravens lost 20-19 and ceded ground in the competitive AFC North. This hasn’t been the 25-year-old’s best season, but he still ranked as the 27th best cornerback in the NFL this year, according to Pro Football Focus.
- Seahawks’ Adams Done For Year: Less than a year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn shoulder labrum, Jamal Adams is set for a similar rehab odyssey in 2022. The Seahawks safety is out for the season with yet another major left shoulder injury, his second inside of eleven months. Adams’ absence weakens the Seahawks’ D while potentially improving the Jets’ draft outlook. Thanks to the blockbuster Adams trade, the Jets own the Seahawks’ 2021 and 2022 first-round picks.
- Titans Activate Julio Jones: After an extended absence, the Titans welcomed Julio Jones back to the roster. Finally healed up from his hamstring injury, the legendary wide receiver took the field on Sunday to face the Jaguars.
PFR Originals: Browns, Goodell, Fisher
In case you missed it, here’s a look back at some of our recent originals:
- You don’t usually see teams fire a GM and announce his replacement all in one day. But that’s exactly what the Browns did in 2017, swapping executive VP/de facto GM Sashi Brown for John Dorsey. Our own Ben Levine looked back on the Browns’ drastic overhaul and the ripple effect that’s still being felt in Cleveland to this day.
- This may surprise you, but not everyone is a fan of Roger Goodell. In 2017, when Goodell was up for a lucrative extension, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was among his most vocal critics. Recently, we reflected on all the juicy drama that ensued before Goodell inked his new contract, worth up to $63MM per annum. For what it’s worth, Jones and Goodell are in a much better place today. Just recently, Jones deemed Goodell to be an “excellent commissioner.”
- After five seasons at the helm, Jeff Fisher wasn’t able to shepherd the Rams to the playoffs. With three games left in 2016, owner Stan Kroenke decided that he couldn’t wait any longer. Hours after he tied the NFL’s all-time record for most losses by any head coach, Fisher got his pink slip. Five years later, the Rams are in a much better spot.
Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton To Enter NFL Draft
Kyle Hamilton is going pro. On Friday, the Notre Dame safety confirmed that he will forgo the rest of his eligibility to enter the 2022 NFL Draft. 
[RELATED: Arkansas WR Treylon Burks Declares For NFL Draft]
Hamilton, long been pegged as a potential Top 10 pick, will also skip the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State in order to protect his pro career. The 6’4″ safety has been lauded for his range, versatility, and advanced football IQ. Even scouts who have kept a watchful eye on him tend to forget that he’s still only 20 years of age and won’t turn 21 until March.
Hamilton posted 34 tackles, three interceptions, and four passes defensed in just seven games. He should impress even more at the combine when he displays his reported 40-inch vertical leap.
Along with Hamilton, Notre Dame will also lose running back Kyren Williams to the draft. Williams impressed with over 1,000 rushing yards this season and 4.9 yards-per-carry on average. He also added 42 grabs for 359 yards and three receiving TDs for good measure.
Texans To Start Davis Mills
Davis Mills will start the rest of the way for the Texans, head coach David Culley announced on Friday (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). That means Tyrod Taylor will serve as the backup quarterback starting this week, when the Texans host the Seahawks. 
It’s been a trying week for Taylor, who hyperextended his left wrist last Sunday against the Colts. Even though that’s his non-throwing arm, handoffs and snaps proved to be challenging. Taylor exited in the third quarter after going 5-of-13 for 45 yards and one interception. Mills, meanwhile, completed 6-of-14 of his throws for 49 yards. None of those passes achieved much in the end — the Texans lost 31-0, dropping them to 2-10 on the year.
Mills has made six starts for the Texans this year, filling in for Taylor when he was on IR. To date, he’s got a 65.5% completion percentage with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. Unless he really shines in the coming weeks, he’s unlikely to return as the Texans’ starter in 2022. If the season ended today, the Texans would own the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, behind the No. 1 Lions and No. 2 Jaguars — ample ammo to select, or trade down for, one of this year’s top QBs.
Taylor, meanwhile, will be a free agent when his one-year deal expires in March. His pact could have been worth up to $12.5MM via incentives, but the final tally will wind up closer to his base of $5.5MM.
Browns To Sign Dustin Colquitt
The Browns have agreed to sign veteran punter Dustin Colquitt (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Colquitt, cut by the Falcons earlier this week, will be eligible to play on Sunday against the Ravens.
[RELATED: Browns GM On Potential Mayfield Extension]
Colquitt, 39, is best known for his time in Kansas City. The Chiefs used a third-round pick on the punter back in in 2005 and he went on to play 15 seasons in KC. The second-generation NFL punter and older brother of Britton Colquitt, Dustin made the Pro Bowl in 2012 and 2016 and finished his first Chiefs stint in Super Bowl LIV.
The Tennessee product punted in five games with the Steelers and one game with the Jaguars in 2020. This year, he saw time in six games for the Falcons with an average of 47.7 yards per punt, the highest single season mark of his career.
The Browns’ Week 12 loss to the Ravens dropped them to 6-6 on the year. They’ll have a chance at redemption — and improving their playoff odds – when they welcome them to Cleveland this weekend.