News
12/2/22
32 min read
Heisman Finalists Announced ; Jackson 'Week to Week'
Thursday, Dec. 1
Von Miller (Knee) to IR
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller (knee) is headed to injured reserve and will miss at least the next four weeks of the regular season, according to NFL Network.
“We’ve been assessing Von [Miller] this week and seeing how he is," said Bills general manager Brandon Beane, "and we don’t want to rush him back. This gives us a chance to go ahead and count tonight’s game and three more on injured reserve, and hopefully, we can get him back for the stretch run.”
Miller said on his podcast earlier in the week that he hoped to return in time for the Bills' Dec. 11 game against the New York Jets. Already ruled out for Thursday's game against the Patriots, the IR designation ensures Miller will also miss the Dec. 11 game against the Jets and two subsequent games. The earliest he could return to action would be in Week 17, Monday night when the Bills take on the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fields, Lamar Return to Practice
Two of the league's top running quarterbacks were in full practice participants on Thursday. For the Chicago Bears, quarterback Justin Fields (shoulder) was back in full on Thursday, according to the team. Fields' shoulder injury, suffered in the team's Week 11 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, held him out in Week 12. The Bears will take on the Green Bay Packers Sunday, and it appears that Fields could now be back in line to start.
And in Baltimore, Lamar Jackson was a full participant on Thursday, as reported by NFL Media. Jackson left the team's practice on Wednesday with a quadriceps injury. He has not missed a contest so far this season. The Ravens host the Broncos on Sunday.
McCaffrey Avoids Serious Injury
Running back Christian McCaffrey will lead the San Francisco 49ers' backfield on Sunday against Kansas City. McCaffrey had been dealing with an injury to start the week, but told reporters Thursday that he avoided a serious issue with his knee, and will be ready to handle his usual workload in Week 13.
The 49ers lost fellow running back Elijah Mitchell for the rest of the regular season to an injury in Week 12, making McCaffrey's availability much more important as the team contends for a playoff spot.
Watson Speaks to Reporters
After not speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answered questions from the press on Thursday, per ESPN. Asked about playing in front of Houston and the reaction he may get, Watson said, "I’m not sure. My main focus is on the game plan and trying to execute so we can win.”
Notably, Watson declined to answer non-football questions stating, “with my legal team and my clinical team, there’s only football questions that I can address at this time.”
Watson will make his season debut against the Houston Texans on Sunday. He returns after serving an 11-game suspension following an investigation into accusations that Watson sexually harassed and assaulted more than 20 women.
Michigan RB Blake Corum Out for Season
University of Michigan running back and Heisman candidate Blake Corum will undergo knee surgery and miss the remainder of the 2022 College Football season, according to NFL Network.
Corum is currently The 33rd Team's No. 73 overall prospect for the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, and he sat down with former NFL running back Robert Smith for a one-on-one interview to break down his game and how it could translate to the next level.
Rodgers Returns to Practice, Would Have 'Open Mind' to QB Change
Aaron Rodgers returned to the practice field on Thursday after missing the previous day's practice with rib and thumb injuries, multiple sources confirmed.
On Wednesday, a day after saying he wanted to finish out the season as the team's starter, Rodgers said if the Packers are eliminated from playoff contention that he'd be open-minded enough to engage with management in a conversation about a change to backup Jordan Love.
"Look, I'd love to finish the season out, but I understand this is a business and there's a lot of us kind of older guys who play a decent amount and they might want to see some younger guys play," Rodgers said Wednesday. "Hopefully we don't have to have that conversation. But if that conversation comes up, I'll approach that with an open mind and without any bitterness or resentment. Obviously, like I said, I want to win out and we don't have to have those conversations. I understand if we don't that's a possibility to have that conversation."
At 4-8, the Packers have just a 3% chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.
Patriots' Meyers Will Play Thursday Night
The New England Patriots will have receiver Jakobi Meyers available for their Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills, according to ESPN. Meyers had been listed as questionable with a shoulder injury.
Ex-Teammates Murray, Peterson In Public Beef
Just a few hours after the release of a podcast in which Vikings CB Patrick Peterson ripped his ex-Cardinals teammate Kyler Murray for being selfish and throwing his coach under the bus, the Arizona quarterback fired back on Twitter.
"This isn't true...you on some weird sh-- @P2 you got my number, if you really felt like this as a 'big bro' or 'mentor' you supposed to call me and tell me, not drag me so your podcast can grow...."
The comment that got Murray's ire on the All Things Covered podcast that was published Wednesday came from Peterson, who said: "Kyler Murray don't care about nobody but Kyler Murray."
Murray criticized the play-calling of Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury after Sunday's loss to the Chargers, which dropped Arizona to 4-8.
Warrant Issued for Antonio Brown's Arrest
There is currently an active arrest warrant for former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown, according to NFL Media. The warrant was issued by Tampa PD, and the charge is related to domestic battery.
Did Nagy Secure Mahomes Spot on Chiefs?
Patrick Mahomes likely secured his spot on the Kansas City Chiefs thanks to assistance from then-offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Mahomes told Jason and Travis Kelce on their New Heights podcast.
Mahomes told the Kelce brothers the story of his first meeting with coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs QB explains that the night before his meeting with the Chiefs, Nagy had provided him with the plays Reid intended to focus on.
Mahomes went on to tell the Kelces he did his part in making his way to Kansas City by giving the Chiefs an indication of where the team might need to trade up to in order to secure the future NFL MVP.
November Players of Month Announced
The NFL announced its players of the month awards for November on Thursday. In the AFC, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the offensive winner, while Chargers safety Derwin James and Bills kicker Tyler Bass were the winners for defense and special teams, respectively.
In the NFC, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson won the award on offense, 49ers edge rusher Joey Bosa was the winner on defense, and Commanders kicker Joey Slye was the special teams award winner.
The NFL's Rookies of the month were also announced Thursday, with Packers WR Christian Watson garnering the offensive honors and Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson taking home the defensive award.
Patriots' Trent Brown Questionable
New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown is questionable to play in Thursday night's game, according to the team. Brown is dealing with an illness ahead of the Patriots' prime-time matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Paradis Cleared to Return
Veteran center Matt Paradis was cleared to return to football, NFL Media reports indicated on Thursday. Paradis will be entering his eighth season in the league, having spent the first four years with Denver and the subsequent three in Carolina with the Panthers. In each of the seven seasons he has played in, Paradis has started at least nine games.
Patriots, Bills Restructure Contracts, Clear Cap
The New England Patriots restructured edge rusher Matthew Judon's contract on Thursday while the Buffalo Bills restructured the contract of cornerback Tre'Davious White, according to NFL Media. The move opens up just over $2.2 million in cap space for the remainder of the 2022 NFL season for both teams.
