NFL Week 10 News & Notes

Thursday, Nov. 10

Steelers Place Kicker Chris Boswell on IR

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced today that they have placed starting kicker Chris Boswell on IR and subsequently added Damontae Kazee from the Reserve/Injured list.

Boswell underwent an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his recent groin injury, and the former Pro Bowler will now be out for at least four weeks.

The 31-year-old was extremely productive this year in Pittsburgh, nailing 36 of his 40 field goal attempts, which already gave him a career high in field goals made in a season. Boswell signed a four-year, $20 million contract this August during training camp, so any replacement that Pittsburgh brings in should be temporary.

Jason Verrett Tears Achilles, Out for Year

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jason Verrett tore his Achilles tendon in practice yesterday and will miss the rest of the season.

Verrett has struggled with injuries his entire career, but when on the field, he has been an excellent defender. He was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2014, but tore his labrum and missed the second half of the season. In 2015, Verrett earned his first Pro Bowl nomination as an alternate for Darrelle Revis. From 2016 through 2018, he only appeared in five games, tearing his ACL twice (2016 and 2017) and his Achilles once more (2018).

With his contract with the Chargers expired, Verrett signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. He missed most of the season again but impressed the Niners enough for them to re-sign him. He played very well in 2020 and recorded his first interception since 2016. But in 2021, Verrett tore his ACL again in the season-opener and missed the rest of the season. He started this year on the PUP list and was activated on October 26th. But he has not appeared in a game this season.

The 49ers host the Chargers, Verrett's former team, on Sunday night.

Blake Martinez Retires

Raiders linebacker Blake Martinez announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday, ending an impressive seven-year career.

Martinez was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Following four strong seasons with Green Bay, Martinez spent a season anchoring the New York Giants defense after signing a lucrative off-season deal to join the team. But after Martinez missed most of the 2021 season due to injury — and with a new coach and general manager calling the shots in New York — Martinez was released prior to the start of the 2022 NFL regular season.

Martinez participated in four games this season with the Las Vegas Raiders but is moving on to pursue other interests and passions.

Raiders Sending Renfrow to IR

Hours after announcing Darren Waller's move to injured reserve, the Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly also putting wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (oblique) on IR, according to ESPN. Renfrow will miss the team's next four games and could be out even longer if he's unable to recover over the next month.

The Raiders currently sit at 2-6, good for last place in the AFC West. Their prospects only look bleaker without Renfrow who broke out last season compiling 103 catches for 1,038 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.

Josh Allen Not Seen at Bills' Practice

Josh Allen (elbow) was not an active participant during the media viewing portion of Thursday's Buffalo Bills practice, according to The Athletic. The news is significant given reports earlier in the week that Allen was recovering from a sprained UCL.

The Buffalo Bills will take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10, with both teams looking to extend their divisional leads. Allen's status for the game remains in doubt but the Bills are hopeful they'll have their star quarterback under center.

If Josh Allen is unable to play due to injury, the Bills have a reliable backup — and a former Vikings QB — in Case Keenum available to run the offense.

Raiders Place TE Waller on Injured Reserve

The Las Vegas Raiders officially placed tight end Darren Waller on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, according to ESPN. Waller will miss, at least, the next four weeks while he recovers. The Raiders will play the Colts, Broncos, Seahawks and Chargers over that span.

Waller started for the Raiders in their first four games in 2022 but has been a regular on the weekly injury report in the weeks following.

Reports indicate the team is hopeful Waller will be able to return to the team in four weeks healthy and ready to contribute. However, the Raiders, currently sitting at 2-6 and in last place in the AFC West, could be essentially eliminated from playoff contention by the time Waller returns.