David Montgomery Expected To Miss Time
The Lions improved to 5-1 on the year with a victory yesterday, but the team’s ground game could be significantly shorthanded for at least a brief stretch. Running back David Montgomery‘s rib injury is likely to lead to missed time, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. 
Montgomery was forced to exit the Lions’ Week 6 win, and he was unable to return. X-rays came back negative, and further testing will no doubt be needed to determine a firm return timeline. Dan Campbell said Monday (via the Detroit News’ Justin Rogers) the starting back is dealing with a cartilage issue. Any missed game action for Montgomery would be noteworthy, especially given the hamstring issue fellow back Jahmyr Gibbs is battling.
The latter has missed the past two games due to his injury, and the Lions would be well-suited to proceed with caution with the first-round rookie. Going without both Gibbs and Montgomery for any length of time would leave Detroit’s offense without two of its most important contributors, and threaten to unbalance one of the league’s most efficient offenses.
The conclusion of Sunday’s game offered a glimpse of a pass-heavy Lions attack would look like over the course of a full contest, with Craig Reynolds receiving the bulk of RB snaps and plenty being asked of quarterback Jared Goff. The latter set a new season high in pass attempts (44) and yards (353) while leading the team to victory. Detroit sits seventh in passing yards per game, but the strength of the team’s rushing attack has played a central role in their No. 4 rank regarding both scoring and total offense.
The status of both Montgomery and Gibbs will be worth watching closely as the week progresses, and either being able to suit up in Week 7 will be a welcomed development. In the case of the former (who inked a three-year, $18MM deal in free agency), though, it appears that will not be the case.
Injury Notes: Harris, Tannehill, Garoppolo, Montgomery
Another scary scene in a Bills‘ regular season game, this time on their own home turf. Shortly before halftime in tonight’s Sunday Night Football game, Bills running back Damien Harris went down after an awkward-looking stinger and laid motionless on the turf, per Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN, requiring Buffalo’s award-winning medical staff to leap into action once again.
Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reported that Harris was able to give the stadium a thumbs up as he was loaded into the ambulance in the middle of the field, providing a bit of comfort in a terrifying situation. Reports quickly followed that Harris was ruled out for the remainder of the contest with a neck injury but that he had movement in his arms and legs as he was being taken to the hospital for further testing, according to The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia.
While James Cook has shouldered most of the load at running back in Buffalo so far this year, Harris has worked in tandem with Latavius Muray to spell Cook here and there. Harris came into the game as the team’s second-leading rusher in the running backs room. Hopefully, Harris will be able to make a quick and strong return to the field and retake his role in the Bills’ backfield.
Here are a few other injury rumors from around the NFL today:
- Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered a right ankle injury in today’s loss to the Ravens in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. After the initial injury, when a Ravens defender rolled over the back of Tannehill’s legs on a sack, the veteran quarterback attempted to return to the game. He found it difficult to step into throws and subsequently threw an interception. He told the media after the game that he felt he couldn’t be effective with the injury, leading to the entry of backup quarterback Malik Willis. According to ESPN’s Turron Davenport, Tannehill was on crutches after the game with plans to undergo an MRI once back in Tennessee. He missed the last three games of the season last year due to an injury to that same ankle, so there may be some concern about further damage to a previous injury. Despite the early hype, second-round rookie Will Levis has not been active for recent games, leading to the use of Willis. With a bye week coming up, there are myriad possibilities in the quarterbacks room. Tannehill could have plenty of time to heal, Willis could have ample time to prepare, or Levis could use the time to earn the staff’s trust, along with his first start.
- The Raiders played the second half of today’s win over New England without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo after the former Patriot left the game with a back injury. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Las Vegas chose to “err on the side of caution” with their 31-year-old quarterback, sending him to the hospital mid-game for some precautionary tests.
- Lions running back David Montgomery was knocked out of today’s win over the Buccaneers with a rib injury, according to Schefter. With Jahmyr Gibbs already ruled out while nursing a hamstring injury, Detroit turned to third- and fourth-string backs Craig Reynolds and Devine Ozigbo. X-rays came back negative on Montgomery’s ribs, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, a good sign that Montgomery may have avoided serious injury to his ribs. If neither Montgomery nor Gibbs are able to return for next week’s trip to Baltimore, expect more of Reynolds and Ozigbo.
NFC Injury Rumors: 49ers, Shenault, Knight
The 49ers saw two big offensive pieces suffer injuries in today’s loss to the Browns. Star offensive tackle Trent Williams had to leave the game for a bit with an ankle injury, while wide receiver Deebo Samuel was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury and didn’t return to the field.
Luckily, Williams, after sustaining a right ankle sprain, was able to return to play and stayed in for most of the remainder of the game. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, Williams was wearing an orthopedic walking boot after the game. It’s a good sign that he was able to return, so the boot is likely just to minimize movement and help get the healing process going for a return to play next week.
Samuel, on the other hand, after failing to return to the game, had X-rays done to determine if their was any bone damage in his shoulder. The X-rays were negative, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, but San Francisco still felt the need to hold Samuel out from further activity. He will undergo MRI scans tomorrow to determine if there is any further damage to his shoulder.
Here are a couple of other injury rumors from around the NFC:
- Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault was carted off the field today in Miami with what appeared to be a leg or ankle injury. Augusta Stone, a team staff writer, later clarified that Shenault had suffered “a fibula injury.” The specification of the exact bone that was the focus of the trauma is not a great sign. At best, it sounds like Shenault could have suffered a painful bone bruise that could keep him off the field for a week or two. Mentioning the bone, though, could indicate a more severe injury like a fracture or even a break, which could necessitate a much longer recovery.
- The Lions placed backup running back Bam Knight on injured reserve yesterday with their Week 6 transactions. Knight, who saw time as an undrafted rookie with the Jets last season after Breece Hall went down with a torn ACL, was brought to Detroit in order to fill in for an injured David Montgomery last month. Unfortunately, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the shoulder injury that sent Knight to IR will be a season-ending shoulder injury.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/14/23
Here are today’s minor transactions heading into the Week 6 weekend:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: OL Dennis Daley
- Elevated: CB Bobby Price, RB Damien Williams
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: S Micah Abernathy, DT LaCale London
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: RB Keaton Mitchell
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: LB Baylon Spector
- Elevated: CB Ja’Marcus Ingram
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: CB Kyler Gordon (story)
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: CB Khalil Dorsey
- Signed to active roster: T Dan Skipper
- Elevated: RB Devine Ozigbo
- Placed on IR: RB Zonovan Knight, CB Emmanuel Moseley (story)
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: WR Noah Brown
- Elevated: CB D’Angelo Ross
- Waived: CB Alex Austin
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: CB Tyler Hall, G Netane Muti
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: DT Marquise Copeland, DT Cory Durden
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: G Robert Jones
- Elevated: TE Tanner Conner
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: RB Jordan Mims
- Elevated: TE J.P. Holtz, S Daniel Sorensen
- Placed on IR: FB Adam Prentice
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: G Jalen Mayfield
- Elevated: QB Tommy DeVito, G Justin Pugh
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from IR: LB Nakobe Dean
- Elevated: WR Devon Allen, CB Mekhi Garner
- Placed on IR: WR Quez Watkins
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Shemar Jean-Charles, LB Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: WR Cody Thompson
- Placed on IR: CB Coby Bryant
Dean took the starting role the Eagles had in store for him in Week 1, but a foot injury interrupted his second NFL campaign. The 22-year-old was poised to return ahead of Sunday’s game by returning to practice earlier this week, though, and a first-team role is expected to await him upon suiting up. Dean taking on a heavy workload will relegate Nicholas Morrow (who was promoted from the practice squad) to backup duty despite the latter’s strong performances so far.
Seattle has seen fellow corners Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen enjoy considerable success, but the team’s secondary will be shorthanded without Bryant. The latter will miss at least the next four weeks as a result of the IR move as he recovers from a toe injury. The 2022 fourth-rounder, who has seen his defensive snap share jump from 65% to 77% this year, has not played since Week 2.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/13/23
Friday’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Designated for return from IR: DE Josh Paschal
Kansas City Chiefs
- Granted commissioner roster exemption: DL Charles Omenihu
Paschal has missed the last four games due to a knee injury, but he could be back after sitting the minimum amount of time required by an IR designation. The 2022 third-rounder returned to practice on Friday, opening his 21-day window to be activated. He could be brought back as early as tomorrow, which would allow him to suit up in Week 6. Paschal recorded a pair of sacks as a rookie and will look to carry on in a rotational role as part of Detroit’s deep edge rush contingent. The Lions have seven IR activations remaining.
Omenihu was given a six-week suspension to start the season, his first with the Chiefs. Now that his ban has been served, he has been given a one-week roster exemption to allow Kanas City time to find a permanent roster spot for him. The former third-rounder has 61 appearances with the Texans and 49ers, and he will add at least a depth presence along the defending champions’ D-line.
Latest On Jets WR Mecole Hardman
Earlier this week, we heard the Jets were “exploring” their options with rarely-used wideout Mecole Hardman, including potential trades. ESPN’s Rich Cimini was more definitive about Hardman’s future in New York, stating during an appearance on the Flight Deck Podcast that the receiver was “going to be gone” (h/t Paul Andrew Esden Jr.).
[RELATED: Jets WR Mecole Hardman On Trade Block?]
Cimini adds that New York will ultimately “trade him or cut him,” but the organization intends to do Hardman a “solid” by sending him to a team that could offer a clear path to playing time. The reporter also noted that the receiver is “clearly disgruntled” and has done some complaining behind the scenes, so it may be in the Jets’ best interest to resolve this in a timely manner.
Hardman recently spoke about his situation to reporters, telling them that he simply wants to play, whether for the Jets or another organization (via Cimini). The receiver also revealed that he hasn’t requested a trade. Meanwhile, Robert Saleh said the team will continue to find ways to utilize Hardman until he hears otherwise.
“He’s here, he’s working, competing, and until someone upstairs says otherwise, we we’re going to do our best to try to find ways to get him involved,” the head coach told reporters (via Cimini).
Hardman joined the Jets this offseason following a four-year stint with the Chiefs. The free agent was one of several receivers to join the new-look offense, but thanks in part to Aaron Rodgers‘ season-ending injury, Hardman has seen a lesser role than expected. The 25-year-old has hauled in a single catch and has been limited to 22 offensive snaps, and he also hasn’t been used in the return game, an area where he’s previously excelled. The Jets added Irvin Charles to the active roster earlier this week, giving the team seven wide receivers.
We haven’t heard of any definitive suitors for Hardman, but plenty of teams should have interest. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes that the Raiders, Lions, Vikings, and Browns were among the teams that expressed interest in Hardman during the offseason, and the reporter notes that a reunion with the Chiefs could also be an option.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/11/23
Wednesday’s minor NFL transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: CB Sam Webb
Denver Broncos
- Released: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Detroit Lions
- Designated to return from IR: CB Khalil Dorsey
Houston Texans
- Designated to return from IR: WR Noah Brown
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: G Ike Boettger
Denver releases Humphrey with the intention of adding him back to the team’s practice squad, filling the spot vacated by wide receiver Michael Bandy yesterday. Plus, with young tight end Greg Dulcich expected to return from injured reserve soon, releasing Humphrey opens up a spot on the active roster.
The Colts’ offensive line has been dealing with a couple injuries, so bringing in Boettger will help improve the line’s depth a bit. Boettger, a former undrafted free agent, spent the first five years of his career in Buffalo. He spent much of that time as a backup but did start 17 games in a two-year stretch from 2020-2022. Veteran starting experience is usually an asset worth having on the bench.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/10/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: WR Xavier Malone
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Collin Johnson
- Released: K John Parker Romo
Denver Broncos
- Released: WR Michael Bandy
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Anthony Averett (story), TE Anthony Firkser
- Released: CB Darius Phillips, WR Trey Quinn
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: WR Juwann Winfree
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Released: WR Marquez Callaway, CB Rejzohn Wright
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Jake Funk
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: QB Tanner Morgan
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Yodny Cajuste
- Designated to return: WR Cole Beasley
- Released: CB Amani Oruwariye, WR Cam Sims
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: FB Jack Colletto
Anthony Firkser will provide the Lions with some veteran tight end depth. Darrell Daniels has mostly transitioned to a fullback role and James Mitchell is sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright as the two healthy TEs on the roster. Firkser has seen time in 69 regular season games, hauling in 115 catches for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns. The 28-year-old tight end got into 11 games for the Falcons in 2022, finishing with nine catches for 100 yards.
Yodny Cajuste is back in New York after getting cut by the Jets back in August. The former third-round pick got into 17 games (five starts) for the Patriots between the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He was waived by New England back in May before catching on with the Jets for the preseason.
Lions To Add CB Anthony Averett
Two of the Lions’ three starter-level free agency additions in their secondary have suffered major injuries. The team will attempt to patch up the unit by adding another veteran.
Anthony Averett will join the Lions on a practice squad deal, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Averett enjoyed a short stint with the 49ers during training camp, but a preseason injury brought his time in San Francisco to a close. A mid-August injury settlement, however, led Averett off the 49ers’ IR list and opens the door to the sixth-year veteran playing in 2023.
The Lions are down both C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley in the secondary. Moseley made his season debut in Week 5, returning from the ACL tear that ended his 49ers tenure early. But the veteran cover man tore his other ACL against the Panthers on Sunday, knocking him out for the season and throwing cold water on potential hopes to use this year as a springboard to a lucrative multiyear deal.
Averett worked out for the Texans last week, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, providing an indication he has recovered from the unspecified injury he suffered with the 49ers. The former Ravens and Raiders starter will join a Lions team that is still in decent shape at corner, but in light of Moseley’s injury, Aaron Glenn‘s defense will pick up some insurance.
Injuries have hindered Averett for a bit now. Thumb and toe issues shortened Averett’s Raiders season to seven games. While the former Ravens fourth-rounder parlayed his 14-start 2021 season (in relief of Marcus Peters) into a Raiders first-string opportunity, he could not stay on the field. The Raiders then scrapped their 2022 CB setup this offseason, letting Averett and Rock Ya-Sin walk in free agency (and eventually signing Peters), and Averett went without a job until August.
Pro Football Focus did not grade Averett’s 2022 sample especially well, slotting him just inside the top 100 among corners. The Alabama alum worked as a backup to Peters and Marlon Humphrey from 2019-20, but due largely to the past two seasons, the 5-foot-11 cover man has 27 career starts. The Lions have lost Moseley but still have two veterans — Sutton and Will Harris — joining ascending second-year cog Jerry Jacobs. Averett, 28, could take the route many 2020s veterans have by using the P-squad as a quick-forming passage back to an active roster.
Lions’ Emmanuel Moseley Suffers Torn ACL
Week 5 marked Emmanuel Moseley‘s return to action after missing most of the 2022 campaign to a torn ACL. On Sunday, however, he was met with the exact same fate, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Mosely tore his left ACL in Week 5 last season, an injury which ended his campaign and dealt a signficant blow to his free agent value. The 27-year-old tore his right ACL yesterday, Schefter notes. Instead of locking down a starting role in Detroit’s revamped secondary, Mosely will now be forced to begin the lengthy rehab process again.
Across five season with the 49ers, he established himself as a starting-caliber cover man. The major knee injury suffered in his contract year unexpectedly put him Detroit’s price range, and paved the way for a move out of the Bay Area for the first time in his career. Mosely signed a one-year, $6MM deal – a sign of the damage done to his market value by the injury, which required a cleanup procedure in August.
That surgery further delayed his 2023 debut, but expectations were still high for him once he was able to suit up. Moseley recorded one interception in each season between 2019-22, totaling 33 pass breakups over that span. The former UDFA generally put up strong coverage numbers as well, making him a prized acquisition for the Lions as part of their defensive renovations this offseason. Unless he is retained on what will no doubt be another low-cost deal, Mosely’s Detroit tenure will have lasted just two defensive snaps.
The Lions signed Cameron Sutton in free agency, and the ex-Steelers starter will remain a crucial part of their CB room moving forward. The same is true of second-round rookie Brian Branch, whose impressive performances in the summer as a slot corner forced C.J. Gardner-Johnson to move to safety. Third-year Lion Jerry Jacobs – who has gotten off to a flying start with three interceptions – will also be a key member of the team’s secondary, a unit which will be without Moseley for the remainder of the season.
Two of the Lions’ three free agency secondary additions are facing extended rehab timetables. Gardner-Johnson’s torn pec is not certain to sideline him for the rest of the season, but that is in play.