Snacks Harrison Announces Retirement
After nine NFL seasons, Snacks intends to walk away from the game. Damon Harrison announced his retirement on Saturday (via Twitter).
Some interest emerged for the veteran nose tackle in the spring, but Harrison, 32, did not catch on anywhere this year. He will step away after 124 games and 111 starts as a pro.
Although Harrison contemplated retirement at the end of the 2019 season, he returned for one more and played with the Seahawks and Packers last season. Snacks’ seven games in Seattle and Green Bay will be closer to the footnote section of his career, one that included multiple seasons with the Jets, Giants and Lions.
Harrison latched on with the Jets as a UDFA in 2012 out of NAIA William Penn (Iowa) and became a starter during his second season. Snacks’ high-end Jets production, alongside Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, led to the Giants giving him a five-year, $46.25MM deal in the 2016 offseason — when Big Blue loaded up with vets on defense.
Olivier Vernon and Janoris Jenkins joined Snacks by signing with the Giants that offseason, and that trio played a key part in the Giants advancing to the 2016 playoffs. While Harrison did not receive a Pro Bowl invite during his career, he earned first-team All-Pro recognition for his work that season.
A struggling Giants team traded Harrison to the Lions ahead of the 2018 deadline, when they also unloaded Eli Apple, and Snacks played in Detroit through the end of the 2019 campaign. Harrison finished his career with 494 tackles and 37 tackles for loss.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Will Start Sunday
3:01pm: The Packers officially activated the reigning MVP off their reserve/COVID-19 list. Rodgers will start against the Seahawks in Week 10.
11:01am: It sounds like Aaron Rodgers will be returning to the field tomorrow. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that Rodgers is back with the Packers, is expected to be activated from the COVID-19/reserve list, and will start tomorrow against the Seahawks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds (on Twitter) that Rodgers has remained asymptomatic and “has met the NFL/NFLPA return-to-play protocols.”
Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, forcing him to miss Green Bay’s Week 9 game. He later revealed that he experienced COVID-19 symptoms before and after his positive test, putting his availability for Week 10 in doubt. An unvaccinated player must be away from his team for 10 days after experiencing symptoms. Ultimately, Rodgers made it through protocols in time for tomorrow’s showdown.
Rodgers’ positive test also sparked an investigation by the NFL into the Packers’ handling of COVID-19 protocols. The team was slapped with a $300K fine, while Rodgers and teammate Allen Lazard were fined $14,650. The two players were fined for attending a maskless Halloween party. The Packers’ organizational fine also stemmed from the party; while the gathering wasn’t organized by the team, the NFL believes the organization should have penalized each player. The Packers organization was notified that “future violations could result in escalated discipline,” including the potential loss of draft picks.
The Packers offense predictably struggled without Rodgers. The team was limited to only seven points in their loss to the Chiefs, with former Packers first-rounder and fill-in starter Jordan Love completing 19 of his 34 attempts for 190 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Poll: Who Will Earn NFC’s No. 1 Seed?
While the AFC features a deeper contender pool, the NFC brings more clarity near the top. Five teams enter Week 10 with one or two losses, bringing about a high-level second-half race for the conference’s lone bye.
The 2020 CBA reducing conference byes from two to one made the No. 1 seed more valuable. Only one team — the 2020 Buccaneers, in a season with limited attendance — has qualified for a Super Bowl without the benefit of a bye week over the past eight seasons. Week 9 certainly benefited the Cardinals, with the Rams, Packers and Cowboys joining the Buccaneers as two-loss teams. But eight weeks remain.
The Rams also made two major efforts to tilt the scales over the past week and change, trading for Von Miller and signing Odell Beckham Jr. Will that be enough to give them their first No. 1 seed since 2001? Los Angeles (7-2) is coming off a one-sided loss to Tennessee. The team has not lost one of its impact players the way the rest of the NFC’s top tier has, though Miller and Beckham are coming off injuries sustained with their previous teams. The Rams rank in the top 10 offensively and defensively and have made a major upgrade at quarterback, with Matthew Stafford sitting first in QBR after nine games. Road games against the Cardinals, Packers and Ravens remain, however.
Responsible for handing the Rams their first defeat, the Cardinals (8-1) are the NFL’s lone one-loss team and the only NFC squad to rank in the top five on offense and defense. The Cardinals, who have not earned a No. 1 seed since home-field advantage was introduced in the mid-1970s, have seen their defense make more strides under DC Vance Joseph. Arizona ranks second in defensive DVOA, though the team is now down J.J. Watt for potentially the rest of the season. The Cards, who have seen offseason additions A.J. Green and Rodney Hudson also play key roles in their early 30s, still face the Rams and Cowboys and have two Seahawks matchups — presumably each with Russell Wilson at the controls — in their final seven games.
Last earning the NFC’s top seed five years ago, the Cowboys (6-2) are coming off a strange loss to the Broncos — one in which they trailed 30-0 — and have seen Tyron Smith run into more injury trouble. The Cowboys are also down both DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, the latter being placed on IR this week. Dallas’ defense gave up a franchise-most points last season, but the arrivals of Dan Quinn and Micah Parsons have helped the NFC East leaders move toward the middle of the pack on that side of the ball. No other NFC East team has more than three wins, but the Cowboys still have games against the Chiefs, Raiders, Saints and Cardinals.
While the Packers have gone through significant midseason turmoil, they are expected to have Aaron Rodgers back in Week 10. Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith remain on IR, however. The NFC North leaders (7-2) signed Whitney Mercilus and have seen Rashan Gary fare well in replacing Smith. Despite Smith and Alexander’s absences, the Packers rank sixth defensively. Summer signing De’Vondre Campbell (83 tackles, which lead the Packers by nearly 30) has bolstered new DC Joe Barry‘s unit as well. Green Bay also stands to receive a boost once David Bakhtiari returns following his ACL rehab. The All-Pro left tackle spent nine weeks on Green Bay’s PUP list and is not expected to play in Week 10. The Packers still have games against the Rams, Ravens and Browns.
Tampa Bay’s second Super Bowl run came from the No. 5 slot; the franchise has never secured the NFC’s top seed. But this Bucs edition’s bye path includes an inviting second-half schedule. The defending champions play just one team — the Bills — with a winning record over their final eight. The Bucs (6-2) brought back their full nucleus from last season but have seen some of their veterans run into injury trouble. They will again be without Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski in Week 10, and Gronk may be facing another extended absence. Cornerback unavailability has also helped define Tampa Bay’s season, but the team is getting healthier on that front.
Which of these five teams will prevail en route to the NFC’s bye? Is there another squad that could make a stealth bid? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your NFC thoughts in the comments section.
Rams, Odell Beckham Jr. Agree To Deal
Well, one of the mystery teams revealed itself Thursday afternoon. The Rams have emerged at the 11th hour for Odell Beckham Jr. They are expected to sign him, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, adding that the sides are finalizing an agreement. The Rams have since announced the signing.
The star-chasing franchise was not among the initial squads linked to the free agent wide receiver, but The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue indicated earlier this afternoon momentum was developing here (Twitter link). Beckham was down to the Rams and Packers, according to NFL.com’s Kim Jones and Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).
Los Angeles won out, with USA Today’s Mike Jones indicating the Rams and Beckham have a deal in place (Twitter link). The Rams have also shared an image on their team site in anticipation of Beckham’s impending arrival (via Rodrigue, on Twitter). Beckham will follow LeBron James in going from Cleveland to Los Angeles, doing so after James dropped a #FreeOBJ hashtag to help ignite a strange separation from the Browns.
Beckham’s deal will run through season’s end, Rapoport tweets, giving him the opportunity to try and rebuild his stock ahead of a likely 2022 free agency run. OBJ committing to the Rams adds a three-time Pro Bowler to an already-strong receiving corps — one that has played a big role in the team starting 7-2. Beckham sought a contender and a high-end quarterback. The Rams supply both, with Matthew Stafford having provided a big upgrade for the franchise.
The Chiefs, Patriots, Saints, Seahawks and Packers represented the top quintet linked to Beckham this week. The Rams, who already roster the potent Cooper Kupp–Robert Woods pairing in addition to emerging second-year talent Van Jefferson, have pursued big-ticket performers for years. The franchise just sent two Day 2 picks for Von Miller. Beckham becomes a famous complementary piece in Los Angeles’ offense, which ranks in the top five in both scoring and yardage through nine games. Beckham’s fit will be interesting, seeing as the Rams just cut DeSean Jackson due to their depth at the position.
After Beckham’s three inconsistent Browns seasons, Sean McVay will have a chance to catalyze a rebound as his team vies for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Beckham, 29, moved his way out of Cleveland last week, doing so after catching one pass in the Browns’ Week 8 loss to the Steelers. A reworked contract helped OBJ clear waivers, with no team wanting to pick up his $7.25MM in base salary. The Browns saved $3MM by Beckham hitting free agency and will see him leave the AFC rather than land in Kansas City or New England.
The former first-round Giants pick has five 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, but his Pro Bowl streak stopped after the 2016 season. Injuries slowed Beckham at the end of his New York tenure, and his value dipped further with the Browns. Time is running short for the former superstar to show he can still be an impact player. Beckham has more than two receptions in just two of the six games he has played this season, though the eighth-year veteran began the year coming off ACL surgery and has run into shoulder trouble. The Rams, who acquired Miller after an ankle injury, are betting on Beckham still providing difference-making capabilities.
The Packers presented a clearer need for a No. 2 wide receiver. Davante Adams has been the team’s unquestioned WR1 for years. This season, the All-Pro wideout has a 500-plus-yard lead on Green Bay’s second-leading pass catcher. The Seahawks, Saints and Chiefs also took turns as the supposed favorites in this rare midseason sweepstakes, but the Rams — as they did for Miller, Stafford and Jalen Ramsey in recent years — won out.
Packers Activate T David Bakhtiari
David Bakhtiari is now eligible to make his 2021 debut Sunday. The Packers activated their All-Pro left tackle from the PUP list Wednesday, the team announced.
The ninth-year blocker returned to practice nearly three weeks ago, but Green Bay has been cautious with his ramp-up. Wednesday marked the last day the Packers could activate him this year. While Bakhtiari is not a lock to suit up against the Seahawks, it would certainly be a big addition for the Packers, who are coming off a loss and a rather turbulent week.
Bakhtiari went down with an ACL tear during a New Year’s Eve practice and has spent nearly a year rehabbing. His injury played a key role in determining the NFC’s Super Bowl entrant last season, with Buccaneers edge rushers teeing off on the Packers’ tackles. Coming into this season, the most games Bakhtiari had missed in one campaign was four. He topped that more than a month ago.
Whenever the 30-year-old edge protector returns, it stands to reshuffle the Packers’ offensive line, which has used multiple left tackles this season. Versatile standout Elgton Jenkins, who has been the team’s primary Bakhtiari sub this year, will likely be shifted back to an interior role. Bakhtiari is a four-time Pro Bowler and has made two All-Pro first teams.
It is uncertain if Aaron Rodgers will be under center for the Packers. The reigning MVP remains on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list, but he would be eligible to do so if symptom-free. Rodgers is eligible to return to the team Saturday. But the possibility the Packers could have the Rodgers-Bakhtiari tandem back would represent quite the change from how their offense looked in Kansas City.
Odell Beckham Jr. Interested In Chiefs, Packers, Saints; Patriots Reach Out
A first-time free agent, Odell Beckham Jr. could pick a new destination Wednesday. Some finalists appear to have emerged. The recently released wide receiver has prioritized landing with the Chiefs, Packers or Saints, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets.
Although the Patriots have reached out, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, talks between they and OBJ’s reps were more exploratory in nature (Twitter links). New England, which has strung together some wins after a slow start, has significant competition for the eighth-year pass catcher. Beckham cleared waivers Tuesday.
The Packers have made an offer, with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein reporting it is for the veteran minimum (Twitter link). The Browns are still on the hook for $4.25MM of OBJ’s salary, turning this into a recruiting skirmish of sorts.
The Saints have had Beckham on their radar for a bit, and NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan notes they indeed are among the teams Beckham is considering. They also might be more interested in Beckham than the Chiefs or Packers, given their connection to the struggling receiver prior to his Ohio exit. The LSU alum is a New Orleans native, and the 5-3 Saints have a glaring need for a No. 1 wide receiver — a deficiency the Chiefs and Packers do not possess. But New Orleans does not have a quarterback close to the level of Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes, potentially limiting its appeal as Beckham looks to re-establish his value.
Both the Chiefs and Packers would benefit from a No. 2 wideout, though the two-time reigning AFC champions are suddenly a bit needier here given their recent performance. Mahomes has run into the biggest slump of his career, as teams continually take away his long-feared long-range game, and Mecole Hardman has not worked out the way the franchise hoped opposite Tyreek Hill. The Packers’ offense struggled without Rodgers, and Davante Adams still has a sizable lead on every other Packer pass catcher in terms of yardage. Adams’ 786 yards are 500-plus more than any other Green Bay player’s total through Week 9.
Though money stands to factor in to some degree, Beckham prioritizing fit here makes more sense. Having turned 29 last week, the former Pro Bowler saw his value dip considerably in Cleveland. The ex-Giants superstar is running short on time to prove he can still be an impact player. Late-season production this year would certainly help Beckham’s cause in free agency come March, in the event he signs a one-year deal and hits free agency again at that point.
Seattle and Las Vegas also emerged on the radar for Beckham, and a Sunday report indicated he was interested in the Seahawks. The Raiders signing DeSean Jackson seemingly takes them out of the mix.
Extra Points: Packers, Cook, OBJ
The NFL has finished their investigation into the Packers handling of COVID-19 protocols. The organization has been slapped with a $300K fine “for violations of the NFL and NFL Players Association protocols,” per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky (on Twitter). Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wideout Allen Lazard were also fined $14,650.
Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter), the two players were fined for attending a maskless Halloween party. The Packers’ organizational fine also stemmed from the party; while the gathering wasn’t organized by the team, the NFL believes the organization should have penalized each player. Otherwise, the NFL determined that the Packers complied to all protocols, with Garafolo noting that there was “no widespread or systemic mask-wearing violations.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Packers organization was notified that “future violations could result in escalated discipline,” including the potential loss of draft picks.
The league looked at footage taken at the team’s facility to assure that masks were being worn and protocols were being followed. The NFL also interviewed Packers personnel as part of the process.
More notes from around the NFL:bay
- A woman filed a lawsuit accusing Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook of assault, battery and false imprisonment, per Schefter. Cook’s attorney said his client was the victim in the incident, adding that the woman also tried to extort millions of dollars from the player. According to the lawsuit, the woman traveled to Minnesota to break up with Cook, and the meeting soon turned violent. Cook is accused of causing a concussion and leaving a scar on the woman’s face. Cook’s side says the woman stole Cook’s garage door opener, broke into the player’s house, and maced him upon entering. Both the Vikings and the NFL acknowledged that they were aware of the lawsuit.
- New Raiders wideout DeSean Jackson will receive $1MM for the rest of the season, according to Garafolo (via Twitter). If Jackson decides to file for termination pay, he’ll end up earning more than he would have by sticking around Los Angeles. Meanwhile, interim head coach Rich Bisaccia told reporters that he’s excited to see what Jackson can bring to the squad. “I think we all have a lot of respect for his career and what he’s done, and I can remember him coming out,” Bisaccia said (h/t to Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com). “So, we are excited about getting another speed element out there to be a complement to what we are trying to do on offense, certainly with the speed that Zay [Jones] has and what Bryan [Edwards] and Hunter [Renfrow] bring to us. It will be good for us to get another speed element going on offense. We are excited about getting him to practice.”
- Sam Darnold suffered a fractured scapula, and the Panthers QB will “most likely” miss several weeks, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Darnold had one of his worst outings of the season on Sunday against the Patriots, completing only 48 percent of his passes while tossing three interceptions. P.J. Walker will likely get the starting nod with Darnold out of the lineup, although the team did add Matt Barkley earlier today.
- Odell Beckham Jr. cleared waivers today, and the Browns will only be on the hook for $4.25MM, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. The two sides’ decision to rework the player’s contract ultimately saved the team around $3MM. Meanwhile, Garafolo notes that Beckham is considering both one-year deals and multi-year pacts.
Latest On Packers, Aaron Rodgers
The NFL will continue to investigate the Packers for their handling of COVID-19 protocols, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The investigation stems from Aaron Rodgers‘ positive COVID-19 test (and the subsequent revelation that he was unvaccinated). Both the organization and Rodgers are facing fines for the violations, but there aren’t expected to be any suspensions (per Mark Maske of The Washington Post on Twitter).
Per Schefter, coaches and front offices around the league are crying foul of Green Bay’s mishandling of protocols, noting that the Packers were “held to different COVID-19 protocol standards” throughout the preseason and into the regular season. Rodgers himself admitted that he did not follow the protocols regarding media availability, but he claims he’s followed all other rules.
“What’s going on in Green Bay, that’s not what teams were told by the NFL,” one executive said to Schefter. “Our players wore masks all the time. We made our guys that weren’t playing wear masks.”
The NFL will continue to look at footage taken at the team’s facility to assure that masks were being worn and protocols were being followed. The NFL is also interviewing Packers personnel as part of the process, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Further, the league is looking into a Halloween party that multiple players attended. Per Schefter, “only a certain number of players can be together outside of the team’s training facility” according to the league’s rules, and the NFL believes a violation may have been committed.
“The primary responsibility for enforcement of the COVID protocols within club facilities rests with each club,” the league said in a statement (via Rapoport). “Failure to properly enforce the protocols has resulted in discipline being assessed against individual clubs in the past. The league is aware of the current situation in Green Bay and will be reviewing the matter with the Packers.”
Latest On Aaron Rodgers, Packers
In his latest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Aaron Rodgers said he experienced COVID-19 symptoms before and after his positive test. This casts further doubt about his availability for the Packers’ Week 10 game.
An unvaccinated player must be away from his team for 10 days after experiencing symptoms. Rodgers, who tested positive Wednesday, said symptoms were present Tuesday, via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and added that he did not feel well as late as Thursday. The Packers host the Seahawks next week. News of Rodgers’ positive test will thrust Jordan Love into the spotlight against the Chiefs.
Rodgers, 37, violated NFL protocols by speaking to media without a mask in-person. While the 17th-year quarterback said he followed all protocols while in the team’s facility, he admitted he did not follow the one regarding media availability. With the players having agreed to protocols before the season, Rodgers may be set for a fine for not adhering to them.
Rodgers said Aug. 26 he’d been “immunized” but added Friday that if a follow-up question came at that point, he would have indicated he did not receive a vaccine dose. Rodgers said the NFL was fully aware of his choice to go through the season unvaccinated. While the future Hall of Famer said he petitioned the league to authorize an exemption that would essentially count him as vaccinated due to the homeopathic treatment he received, no such exemption was given, according to The Athletic. Rodgers himself did not petition the league, according to the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, who notes a Packers employee made the inquiry (Twitter links).
When Rodgers appealed the NFL’s ruling, he said one of the league’s doctors communicated to him a vaccinated person could not contract COVID or spread it. The NFL countered Friday by responding (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, on Twitter), “No doctor from the league or the joint NFL-NFLPA infectious disease consultants communicated with the player. If they had, they certainly would have never said anything like that.”
This, of course, follows a turbulent offseason in which Rodgers requested a trade and skipped Packers offseason activities. The parties agreed to a revised contract, making the three-time MVP a 2023 free agent, but his long-term status in Green Bay is murky. Rodgers’ positive COVID test does not stand to help matters for the Packers. When asked if he planned on listening to Rodgers’ interview with McAfee, Matt LaFleur said he most likely would not (via Silverstein, on Twitter).
Regardless of the plot points that led to the present circumstances, the Packers are without one of the NFL’s best players amid a push for the NFC’s only playoff bye. Based largely on Rodgers’ play, the Packers earned a bye in each of LaFleur’s two seasons. Although they did not have Love when Rodgers was last absent, the Pack went 3-7 in games their starting QB did not complete in 2017. Three other NFC teams enter Week 9 with one loss, with the Buccaneers sitting at 6-2. With Rodgers out, the 7-1 Packers are now 7.5-point underdogs against the Chiefs. His absence against the Seahawks would create another hurdle for a team already missing its top two defensive players.
Packers Activate Davante Adams From Reserve/COVID-19 List
While the Packers will not have the reigning MVP in their lineup against the Chiefs, they will see their top skill-position talent return. Davante Adams is off Green Bay’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
Aaron Rodgers is out for at least Week 9 due to his positive coronavirus test. The superstar quarterback is not vaccinated, putting his Week 10 status against the Seahawks in doubt. Adams, however, is vaccinated and had a simpler avenue to return after missing just one game.
Despite Adams missing Week 8, he still has a 500-plus-yard lead on any other Packers pass catcher. Through seven games, Adams has 744 receiving yards. The next-closest Packer — Aaron Jones — has 237 through the air. Adams, 28, is thriving in a contract year. He and the Packers broke off talks before the season started, and the All-Pro’s performance thus far continues to point him to a monster contract — or a franchise tag — in 2022.
The Packers won last week without Adams, Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. All three may be in uniform in Kansas City. Lazard’s COVID-19 close-contact period ended last week, and Green Bay designated MVS to return to practice this week. Given the extra 10-day rest Valdes-Scantling will have had after being sidelined for the team’s Thursday game, it is a good best the deep threat will be back in Week 9. Green Bay’s top receivers re-emerging will certainly benefit first-time starter Jordan Love.