News
10/23/22
29 min read
NFL Week 7 News and Notes
Monday, Oct. 24
Chargers Lose J.C. Jackson for Season
The injury that star cornerback J.C. Jackson suffered during the Chargers' Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks will cost him the remainder of his first season in L.A. On Monday, Head coach Brandon Staley announced that Jackson is out for the year with a ruptured patellar tendon. Jackson's injury came as he was defending a touchdown pass to Marquise Goodwin, and the initial announcement was a dislocated kneecap, with the team conducting an MRI to identify the full scope of the damage. Jackson's first season with the team ends with 15 tackles and no interceptions in five games. L.A. signed Jackson to a five-year, $82.5 million deal in free agency.
Bellinger Out Indefinitely
New York Giants rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger is out indefinitely after suffering a fractured eye socket in Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Giants coach Brian Daboll told reporters on Monday. It's unclear whether Bellinger will return at all this season.
Bellinger was slowly turning into one of the Giants' most reliable targets during their 6-1 start to the season. Bellinger left Sunday's game in a cart and blood could be seen coming from his face.
Jets Suffer Another Injury
On the same day the New York Jets lost star running back Breece Hall to an ACL injury, they lost offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker for the season with a triceps injury, Jets coach Robert Saleh told reporters today.
Vera-Tucker, a former first-round pick out of USC, had provided the Jets with quality play at both tackle and guard during his young career.
D.K. Metcalf Avoids Surgery, Timetable Uncertain
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf will avoid surgery following a knee injury suffered Sunday, according to coach Pete Carroll. Metcalf will miss time due to the injury, but has reportedly avoided the worst-case scenario — which likely would have held him out for the remainder of the season.
The Seahawks are coming off a 37-23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7, and will take on the New York Giants at home in Week 8.
Williams Expected to Miss Time
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday and is expected to "miss some time," ESPN reported on Monday afternoon.
Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer also left Sunday's game with an injury and Keenan Allen only had two catches in his return to action. Williams was picking up a lot of Allen's slack in the offense, but now, Allen will have to pick Williams' slack while he recovers.
David Njoku Expected to Miss 2-5 weeks
Browns tight end David Njoku will miss the next 2-5 weeks with a high ankle sprain, according to ESPN. He suffered the injury during the team's 23-20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.
Njoku has been a reliable target for Jacoby Brissett and the Browns' productive, albeit inconsistent, offense. The team will take on the Bengals on Monday night in Week 8 with a chance to improve on their 2-5 record.
Cowboys Lose Jourdan Lewis for the Season
The Dallas Cowboys lost defensive back Jourdan Lewis for the remainder of the 2022 NFL regular season, following a foot injury he suffered in Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions, according to the team.
The win, sealed in large part by Lewis' late interception, helped the Cowboys improve to 5-2 on the season in a competitive NFC East division. The Cowboys will take on the Chicago Bears in a Week 8 showdown in Dallas.
Buccaneers Antoine Winfield Jr. Unlikely to Play Thursday
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are unlikely to have safety Antoine Winfield Jr. for their Thursday night game against the Ravens, according to PFF.
Winfield, the 2021 Pro Bowl selection, has a concussion that will likely hold him out for the team's clash with the 4-3 Baltimore Ravens. Despite being the presumptive favorites in the NFC South heading into the season, the Buccaneers have struggled of late, sputtering to a 3-4 start to the season.
NFL Investigating Referee's Conduct Following Viral Mike Evans Video
The NFL is reportedly investigating an incident wherein referees Jeff Lamberth and Tripp Sutter approached Buccanneers' star receiver Mike Evans asking for an autograph following the team's loss to the Panthers in Week 7, according to NFL Media.
Video of the incident has been widely circulated, and the league's agreement with its referees expressly prohibits such behavior.
Marlon Mack Signs with Broncos
Running back Marlon Mack was signed to the Broncos active roster on Monday, according to ESPN. Mack had been a member of the San Fransisco 49ers practice squad prior to the signing. The Broncos were already without starting running back Javonte Williams when backup Mike Boone suffered an ankle injury in the team's Week 7 loss to the New York Jets.
Spending the first five seasons of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, Mack had suited up for the 49ers in just two games, and zero offensive snaps, thus far in 2022.
Mack reportedly flew from San Fransisco to Denver on Sunday night so he could join the team in time to fly with them to London on Monday. Denver will take on Jacksonville in Week 8 on Sunday looking to improve to 3-6 with a win over the Jaguars.
Patriots Elevate Jaime Collins
The New England Patriots elevated linebacker Jamie Collins for Monday Night's contest against the Chicago Bears, according to NFL Media.
Collins, a 2015 Second-team All-Pro, is in his fourth stint as a member of the Patriots as he attempts to help fortify an impressive defense that has helped the Patriots get out to a 3-3 start despite an extended injury to starting quarterback Mac Jones.
