Volume 22, #264 -- Wednesday Night, January 6th, 2021
News And Notes From Around The League
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Howdy Folks,
It was a tumultuous and ugly day in Washington today. I know you open this email for football talk so I'll say the thing I always say in tense times: Love your Neighbor and stick together. And spoiler alert, we're all Neighbors.
We do have some NFL News and notes so let's get to it.
Be safe.
J
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. TB - Optimism for WR Mike Evans
2. TB - WR Mike Evans doesn't practice Wednesday
3. NFL - Trevor Lawrence entering draft
5. WAS - QB Alex Smith listed as limited
6. LAR - WR Cooper Kupp off COVID list
7. NO - New Orleans activates three RBs
8. BUF - No practice for WR Stefon Diggs
9. IND - Jonathan Taylor listed as limited
10. NO - WR Michael Thomas returns to practice
1. TB - Optimism for WR Mike Evans
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (knee) has optimism to play in the Wild Card playoff game against the Chicago Bears Saturday, Jan. 9.
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This matches earlier reports about Evans and his knee. The injury looked worse than what it was as tests revealed it was only a hyper-extended knee instead of something more serious. We'll know more about his status later in the week.
2. TB - WR Mike Evans doesn't practice Wednesday
Source: Buccaneers.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (knee) was a non-participant at practice Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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Even though Evans didn't practice on Wednesday, there is optimism about his availability in the Wild Card Round. We'll know more about his status later in the week, but it's looking like Evans could be a game-time decision.
3. NFL - Trevor Lawrence entering draft
Source: NFL.com - Dan Parr
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence has announced they he will forego his remaining eligibility and will enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
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The Jaguars are over the moon as they have the no.1 overall pick and that is going to be Lawrence. Ever since he was a true freshman at Clemson, Lawrence has shown the ability to be a franchise quarterback. He's athletic and can use his legs to make plays. Lawrence is also a high-talent passer with great placement, accuracy and high-football intelligence. He should start and star from day one.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey resigned Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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There were reports about Gailey getting fired but it turns out he's just headed back to retirement. The Dolphins are once again looking for a new offensive coordinator. The new OC will have a potential franchise quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa to work with and a smattering of weapons around him. We'll see if the Dolphins look outside the building or look on their own staff for a guy like RBs coach Eric Studesville.
5. WAS - QB Alex Smith listed as limited
Source: The Washington Post - Nicki Jhabvala
Washington Football Team QB Alex Smith (calf) was limited during practice Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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Smith should be the starter in the Wild Card Round, although it has been suggested that the team will use two quarterbacks if the situation arises. That means Taylor Heinicke might get some reps here and there. Stay tuned.
6. LAR - WR Cooper Kupp off COVID list
Source: TheRams.com
Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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Kupp will be back out there for the Rams in the Wild Card Round. Who is throwing him the ball is a question mark at this point. Jared Goff hopes to play but the team might have to go with John Wolford again like they did in Week 17.
7. NO - New Orleans activates three RBs
Source: NFLCommunications.com
New Orleans Saints RBs Michael Burton, Latavius Murray and Dwayne Washington were activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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The Saints will have a more normal looking backfield this week after missing most of the backs on their roster in Week 17. Alvin Kamara has to stay quarantined through Saturday but Saints head coach Sean Payton has already stated that he doesn't have to practice to play. Murray would get a large workload if Kamara is unavailable.
8. BUF - No practice for WR Stefon Diggs
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs (oblique) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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The team needs Diggs as healthy as he possibly can be entering the postseason. He's getting that oblique injury some rest and should get more work on Friday at the latest.
9. IND - Jonathan Taylor listed as limited
Source: Colts.com
Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on the team's estimated injury report for their walk-through practice Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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Taylor is a battering ram for the Colts offense. They'll take it easy on him with the plan to feed him the rock early and often in the playoffs.
10. NO - WR Michael Thomas returns to practice
Source: NFLCommunications.com
Updating a previous story, New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle) was designated to return from the Reserve/Injured list Wednesday, Jan. 6. Thomas also returned to practice.
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This was the plan all along. The Saints have designs on making a Super Bowl run, and that's why they shut down Thomas in the regular season. The idea was that he would be ready for the postseason, so expect the team to ramp his activity up as the week goes on.
11. TB - RB Ronald Jones puts in full practice
Source: Buccaneers.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones (finger, quad) was a full participant at practice Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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Jones should be the lead back for the Buccaneers in the postseason. There's a chance they lean on their rushing attack more than some think with an eye on getting to the Super Bowl.
12. BUF - RB T.J. Yeldon activated from COVID list
Source: BuffaloBills.com
Buffalo Bills RB T.J. Yeldon was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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Yeldon was shut down for the final two games of the regular season but he will be ready for the Wild Card Round. He's a little-used reserve runner behind the RBBC combination of Devin Singletary and Zack Moss.
That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. I mean it about that Love Your Neighbor business.
Peace,
J
