Volume 22, #150 -- Monday Night, September 14th, 2020
News And Notes From Around The League
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Howdy Folks,
Good Tuesday,
As I type this the Monday Night games are rolling and Football is back. Pretty dang happy about that.
We've got some News and Notes you need so let's get to it.
J
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. DAL - TE Blake Jarwin done for the year
2. NYJ - Le'Veon Bell could miss a game or two
3. NO - WR Michael Thomas has high-ankle sprain
4. IND - Jonathan Taylor moves into starting lineup
5. HOU - RB Duke Johnson likely out
6. WAS - RB J.D. McKissic plays the most
7. CLE - TE David Njoku injury update
8. NFL - RB Devonta Freeman nearing a decision?
9. MIA - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick remains the starter
10. HOU - Houston brings three onto practice squad
11. IND - Indianapolis giving RB Lamar Miller a look
1. DAL - TE Blake Jarwin done for the year
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Updating a previous report, Dallas Cowboys TE Blake Jarwin (knee) was diagnosed with a 'clean' tear of the anterior cruciate ligament but not suffer any additional injuries in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.
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Jarwin is expected to undergo surgery in the near future and make a full recovery for the 2021 season. The Cowboys move forward with Dalton Schultz and Blake Bell at the tight end position.
2. NYJ - Le'Veon Bell could miss a game or two
Source: SNY - Ralph Vacchiano
New York Jets RB Le'Veon Bell (hamstring) is in danger of missing 'a couple of weeks,' according to comments made by head coach Adam Gase on Monday, Sept. 14.
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Bell might have to miss a couple of games. The Jets do play the Broncos in Week 4 on a short week (Thursday Night Football) and that might be when he comes back. Gase did suggest that Bell could return sooner than anticipated. The Jets move forward with Frank Gore and Josh Adams at the running back position.
3. NO - WR Michael Thomas has high-ankle sprain
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain near the end of the game in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the injury is something Thomas believes he can play through.
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Oof. High-ankle sprains are known to linger and need time to heal. The Saints have a bit of extra time as they face off against the Raiders on Monday Night Football in Week 2.
4. IND - Jonathan Taylor moves into starting lineup
Source: The Athletic - Stephen Holder
Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor will take over as the starting running back following the season-ending injury to Marlon Mack in Week 1, according to head coach Frank Reich, who added Jordan Wilkins will also have a role.'Jonathan (Taylor) will step into the starting role ... He's ready. Nyheim (Hines) will still be a big part of the offense.'
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Taylor shouldered a huge load for the Badgers when he was in college. Doing the same thing in the NFL will not be too much for the rookie with star potential. Hines isn't going anywhere and could have a large role as a runner and receiver out of the backfield even though he's not the starter.
5. HOU - RB Duke Johnson likely out
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Houston Texans RB Duke Johnson (ankle) is a long shot to play in Week 2, according to a source. He could return in Week 3, though.
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The Texans have David Johnson as their lead back and he could just get more work with Duke Johnson likely out.
6. WAS - RB J.D. McKissic plays the most
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Washington Football Team RB J.D. McKissic played in 31 snaps in Week 1, which was the most of the running backs.
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Well, he is their starter after all. McKissic is working in a RBBC with rookie Antonio Gibson and veteran Peyton Barber. Gibson looked good on limited touches and Barber scored two touchdowns in the opener.
7. CLE - TE David Njoku injury update
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (knee) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list with a sprained medial collateral ligament Monday, Sept. 14.
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Njoku looked good in limited action against the Ravens, scoring a touchdown for the Browns. Now, this injury will keep him out for some time. He'll miss three weeks at least but can be reactivated in Week 5 if ready. Rookie Harrison Bryant will work with starter Austin Hooper in 12 personnel.
8. NFL - RB Devonta Freeman nearing a decision?
Source: JosinaMedia.com - Josina Anderson
Free-agent RB Devonta Freeman (Falcons) told NFL insider Josina Anderson on Monday, Sept. 14, that he is 'ready for whatever team needs a (veteran running back)' and that he is currently choosing between four teams.
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After Week 1, veteran's salaries are not fully guaranteed so it's not a surprise that Freeman would be signing now. He did visit with the Jaguars before the start of the regular season but they're not the only team interested. We should see Freeman land with a team sometime in the near future.
9. MIA - QB Ryan Fitzpatrick remains the starter
Source: The Miami Herald - Barry Jackson
Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starting quarterback by head coach Brian Flores for Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills on Monday, Sept. 14.
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Fitzpatrick was flat out awful in the season opener against the Patriots. He threw three picks and couldn't get the offense into a rhythm. The veteran is just a bridge quarterback to 2020 first-round quarterback Tua Tagovailoa...and that bridge might be a shorter period of time than some originally anticipated. Stay tuned.
10. HOU - Houston brings three onto practice squad
Source: NFLCommunications.com
Free-agent TE Pharaoh Brown, TE Troy Fumagalli and QB Alex McGough were signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans on Monday, Sept. 14.
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The Texans are clearly taking a look at some tight end help. Brown is a huge player who hasn't quite been the same since a major leg injury in college at Oregon. Fumagalli has strong hands but failed to make much of an impact with the Broncos and didn't make the 53-man roster this year.
11. IND - Indianapolis giving RB Lamar Miller a look
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Free-agent RB Lamar Miller worked out for the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Sept. 14.
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The Colts lost Marlon Mack to an Achilles' injury and are in the market for help at the position. They have a stacked running back room with rookie Jonathan Taylor, pass-catching back Nyheim Hines and reserve Jordan Wilkins. Miller worked with the Patriots in training camp but did not do enough to make the final roster.
12. DEN - WR Courtland Sutton unlikely to play Monday
Source: 1 No Source
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (shoulder) appears to be 'a longshot' to play in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, according to a source via NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
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No surprise here. Sutton just sustained the shoulder injury last week and will need some time to get healthy. If he does miss the season opener against the Titans, then rookie WR Jerry Jeudy could get a lot of passes thrown his way.
13. LAC - More of the same ahead for RB Austin Ekeler?
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler will remain a priority in the offense moving forward, but head coach Anthony Lynn told reporters Monday, Sept. 14, that the new scheme will limit check downs to running backs.
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Ekeler got almost seven targets per game in 2019 but in the season opener he was targeted just one time. More of the same means that Ekeler won't be targeted as much. In games where the Chargers fall behind, Ekeler should see plenty of passes thrown his way. However, if the game is close then we should see something like what we saw in Week 1. Ekeler is still a RB2 with upside for Fantasy GMs in PPR leagues.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. WE'll see you tomorrow with the Update.
Peace,
J
