Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire To Miss Tomorrow’s Game
The Chiefs will be without their top running back for tomorrow’s showdown against the Bengals. The team announced that running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been ruled out for tomorrow’s game and won’t travel with the team to Cincinnati. The Chiefs also announced that they’ve activated running back Jerick McKinnon from IR.
Edwards-Helaire has been battling a shoulder injury that kept him out of practice all week. The RB was knocked out of last weekend’s win over the Steelers, but subsequent X-rays were negative.
The former first-round pick has already missed five games this season, and while he’s started each of his 10 games, he’s pretty much splitting playing time with Darrel Williams at this point. Williams will likely get the starting nod tomorrow, with Derrick Gore likely serving as the number-two back.
McKinnon should also be on the roster for tomorrow’s game. The veteran signed with the Chiefs this past offseason, and he saw time in 11 games before landing on IR in late November, collecting 119 yards from scrimmage on 17 touches. The veteran also saw plenty of playing time on special teams. A hamstring injury sidelined McKinnon for all of December, but he returned to Chiefs practice earlier this week.
Patriots Extend S Adrian Phillips
Adrian Phillips is sticking around New England. The Patriots safety is inking a three-year extension, reports SiriusXM’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).
The three-year deal is worth $12.75MM and could be worth up to $14.25MM. The deal contains $7.25MM in guaranteed money.
Phillips evolved from an undrafted rookie into an All-Pro special teamer with the Chargers. He caught on with the Patriots in 2020, signing a two-year, $6MM deal ($3MM guaranteed). After starting 24 games in six seasons for the Chargers, Phillips has started 27 games in one-plus seasons with New England.
Following a first season in New England that saw him starting all 16 games and collecting a career-high 109 tackles, Phillips has had another productive season with the Patriots in 2021. In 15 games (11 starts), the 29-year-old has compiled 76 tackles, eight passes defended, and four interceptions. He ranks among the top of Pro Football Focus’ ranking of top coverage safeties, and he also earned a spot on the site’s recent “All-Pro Team.”
While Phillips is listed as a safety, Bill Belichick and co. haven’t been afraid to use the veteran throughout their defense. Per Next Gen Stats (and passed along by ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter), Phillips has played more than 100 defensive snaps at safety, slot cornerback, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and edge. He’s also seen time at perimeter cornerback and interior defensive line.
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/31/21
Here are the New Year’s Eve additions and subtractions from teams’ reserve/COVID-19 lists:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: NT Tyeler Davison
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on virus list: TE Tommy Tremble
- Activated from virus list: S Kenny Robinson, TE Brandon Zylstra
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on virus list: DT Quinton Bohanna, LB Keanu Neal
Denver Broncos
- Activated from practice squad virus list: T Drew Himmelman, LB Barrington Wade
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from virus list: S Henry Black, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, CB Kevin King, LB Tipa Galeai
- Activated from practice squad virus list: LB La’Darius Hamilton
- Placed on practice squad virus list: K J.J. Molson, LB Ray Wilborn
Houston Texans
- Activated from virus list: DL Maliek Collins
- Placed on virus list: TE Antony Auclair, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from virus list: S Jahleel Addae, RB Marlon Mack
- Placed on virus list: LS Luke Rhodes
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from virus list: LB Josh Allen, TE Luke Farrell, LB Myles Jack, WR Laviska Shenault, DE Jordan Smith, LB Damien Wilson
- Placed on virus list: CB Shaquill Griffin
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from virus list: QB Marcus Mariota, LB K.J. Wright
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on virus list: TE Jared Cook
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from virus list: OL Solomon Kindley, WR Albert Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from virus list: T Rashod Hill, QB Sean Mannion
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from virus list: WR Deonte Harris
- Placed on practice squad virus list: LB Chase Hansen, DB Dylan Mabin, TE Ethan Wolf
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on practice squad virus list: WR KeeSean Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on virus list: LB Joe Schobert, DL Chris Wormley
- Placed on practice squad virus list: DL Daniel Archibong
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from virus list: DE L.J. Collier
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from virus list: WR Mike Evans
- Placed on virus list: P Bradley Pinion
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from virus list: WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Washington Football Team
- Placed on virus list: G Ereck Flowers, RB Antonio Gibson
Bengals’ Trae Waynes Lands On Virus List
The Bengals will not have their highest-paid cornerback available against the Chiefs on Sunday. Trae Waynes is now on Cincinnati’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
This will mark yet another absence for Waynes, who has struggled to stay on the field since signing a big-ticket contract with the Bengals last year. Waynes missed all of last season because of a torn pectoral muscle and was down nearly three months this year due to a hamstring injury.
The former first-round pick has played in just four games since signing a three-year, $42MM deal with the Bengals in March 2020. Waynes returned from injury in Week 15 and started against the Broncos. However, Eli Apple started over him against the Ravens, with Chidobe Awuzie back after missing the Denver trip due to a positive coronavirus test. Waynes is due to count $16MM against the Bengals’ cap in 2022.
Wide receiver Trenton Irwin also landed on Cincinnati’s COVID list. Other than this Friday news, the Bengals are fairly healthy going into their matchup against the Chiefs. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen resides on the team’s virus list but has a chance to clear protocols by Sunday.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/31/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DB Rojesterman Farris, DL Carlo Kemp
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LS Kyle Nelson
- Released: DT Da’Shawn Hand
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL D.J. Fluker, S Bradley McDougald
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: C Cohl Cabral
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/21
The final minor moves roundup of 2021:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Rick Leonard
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB Damarea Crockett, WR Travis Fulgham, OLB Pita Taumoepenu, WR Seth Williams
Houston Texans
- Released: DT Xavier Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: P J.K. Scott
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: QB Nate Sudfeld
Washington Football Team
- Signed: P Ryan Winslow
Ravens Place OL Tyre Phillips On IR
Tyre Phillips‘ season has most likely come to an end. The Ravens placed the offensive lineman on injured reserve today. Phillips will be out for the rest of the season unless Baltimore makes a playoff run.
The Mississippi State product quickly established himself as a viable starter during his rookie season, starting eight of his 12 games. Phillips was expected to serve as the team’s starting left guard in 2021, but he’s battled a number of injuries throughout the season. He was carted off the field during Baltimore’s Week 1 loss, forcing him to miss four games.
He’s appeared in the each of the Ravens’ last nine games, but he’s seen inconsistent playing time. Phillips has started four games since his return, filling in for Patrick Mekari at offensive tackle. However, in his other five appearances, he’s been limited to only 92 offensive snaps. Pro Football Focus hasn’t been particularly fond of his performance this year, ranking him 78th among 84 eligible offensive tackles.
Phillips suffered a knee injury in mid-December that forced him to miss Week 16. He’ll likely return to full health and should compete for the starting left guard gig with third-round rookie Ben Cleveland (per Ryan Mink of the team’s website).
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/21
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted to active roster: TE Stephen Sullivan
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: DT Josiah Bronson
Houston Texans
- Extended: S Grayland Arnold and DE Ron’Dell Carter
Miami Dolphins
- Designated for return: OT Greg Little
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: S Joshuah Bledsoe
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/30/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on Practice Squad IR: RB Nate McCrary
Buffalo Bills
- Released: RB Antonio Williams
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LS Colin Holba
Cleveland Browns
- Released: K Chris Naggar
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR David Moore
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: OL Nico Falah and OL Brett Heggie
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Josh Adams
New York Giants
- Waived: LB Trent Harris
New York Jets
- Returned to Practice Squad: WR Vyncint Smith and DE Hamilcar Rashed
- Released: S Elijah Benton and WR Isaiah Zuber
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Darrius Shepherd
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Paul Adams and DB Shyheim Carter
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/30/21
Here are Thursday’s reserve/COVID-19 list updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T D.J. Humphries
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on virus list: OL Jason Spriggs
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from virus list: QB Tyler Huntley, S Tony Jefferson, DL Justin Madubuike
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from virus list: OL Cody Ford, CB Cam Lewis
- Activated from practice squad virus list: TE Quintin Morris
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from virus list: CB Rashaan Melvin
- Placed on virus list: DE Darryl Johnston, S Kenny Robinson
- Placed on practice squad virus list: RB Reggie Bonnafon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from virus list: DE Wyatt Ray, DT D.J. Reader
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from virus list: DT Jordan Elliott, K Chase McLaughlin, CB Greg Newsome II, C J.C. Tretter
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from virus list: CB Jourdan Lewis
- Placed on practice squad virus list: CB Kyron Brown, S Tyler Coyle
Denver Broncos
- Placed on virus list: CB Bryce Callahan, CB Mike Ford, T Bobby Massie, OLB Stephen Weatherly
Detroit Lions
- Placed on virus list: WR Kalif Raymond
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on virus list: OL Elgton Jenkins and LB Randy Ramsey
Houston Texans
- Placed on virus list: WR Danny Amendola
- Activated from virus list: DB A.J. Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from virus list: LB Darius Leonard, WR Zach Pascal, S Khari Willis
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on virus list: OL Will Richardson, S Andrew Wingard
- Placed on practice squad virus list: RB B.J. Emmons
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from virus list: WR Bryan Edwards
- Placed on virus list: DE Carl Nassib, G Jordan Simmons
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from virus list: LB Emeke Egbule, WR Mike Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from virus list: T Andrew Whitworth
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on virus list: LB Nick Vigil
New England Patriots
- Placed on virus list: T Yodny Cajuste
- Activated from virus list: DL Deatrich Wise
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on virus list: C Erik McCoy
- Activated from virus list: DE Carl Granderson, Jalyn Holmes
New York Giants
- Placed on practice squad virus list: LB Omari Cobb
New York Jets
- Activated from virus list: S Ashtyn Davis, G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, DE John Franklin-Myers, G Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Placed on virus list: RB Tevin Coleman
- Activated from practice squad virus list: DE Hamilcar Rashed, WR Vyncint Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from virus list: LB Shaun Bradley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from virus list: LB Marcus Allen
- Placed on virus list: CB Arthur Maulet
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on virus list: G Damien Lewis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from virus list: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from virus list: G Nate Davis, CB Caleb Farley; Farley remains on IR
Washington Football Team
- Placed on virus list: T Sam Cosmi, P Tress Way
- Placed on practice squad virus list: QB Kyle Shurmur
- Activated from virus list: DE Nate Orchard
- Activated from practice squad virus list: G Zack Bailey