Daily Email Update • Vol. 22, #268 • Jan. 10th, 2021
News And Notes From Around The League
Howdy Folks,
Quick tip of the hat to whoever came up with the idea for these two days of tripleheader games. It's fantastic. Followed by the College Football Championship Monday night. What a world.
We've got some News and Notes for you and also make sure to check out our sponsor and long time friends at Draft Kings.
Let's go.
J
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. MIA - QB Deshaun Watson open to trade to Miami?
2. WAS - No surgery for Antonio Gibson
3. TEN - Tennessee out of the playoffs
4. NO - QB Drew Brees expected to retire
5. WAS - QB Alex Smith uncertain about future
6. WAS - Update in QB Taylor Heinicke's injury
7. TB - QB Tom Brady likely to return in 2021
8. BAL - Baltimore moves on to Divisional Round
9. TB - RB Ronald Jones uncertain for playoff game
10. LAR - QB Jared Goff, John Wolford should be fine
1. MIA - QB Deshaun Watson open to trade to Miami?
Source: ESPN - Chris Mortensen
Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract but may consider a trade to the Miami Dolphins if he decides to push the Texans to move him, according to a source.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
That clause means the Texans cannot just send Watson to the highest bidder. They'll have to work to find Watson a place that he wants to go, and that could be with the Dolphins for a trade that would include Tua Tagovailoa. We think it's too soon for the Dolphins to bail on Tagovailoa, but getting Watson would be an upgrade for a team on the rise. The more information that comes out, the more it looks like Watson's relationship with the Texans is done. Stay tuned.
2. WAS - No surgery for Antonio Gibson
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Washington Football Team RB Antonio Gibson (toe) said he will not need to undergo surgery on his injured toe this offseason.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Good news for the young back here. Gibson played well during his rookie season, but the toe injury did slow him down towards the end of the year. He had more receptions than rushes in college, but Gibson has flourished with more carries in his first pro season. He looks like a RB2 with upside for Fantasy GMs and at full strength Gibson brings a dynamic skill set to the field where he can produce as a runner or receiver out of the backfield.
3. TEN - Tennessee out of the playoffs
Source: NFL.com
Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill went 18-for-26 for 165 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card playoff game. RB Derrick Henry rushed for 40 yards on 18 carries and caught three passes for 11 yards. WR A.J. Brown caught six passes for 83 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets, TE Jonnu Smith caught two passes for nine yards on three targets, and WR Corey Davis was held without a catch on two targets.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Titans couldn't get Derrick Henry going and their offense sputtered at times. On defense, they had difficulty stopping Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. They'll be headed into the offseason wondering what they need to add to get back to making a deep postseason run like they did after the 2019 season.
4. NO - QB Drew Brees expected to retire
Source: NFL.com
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees has not made an official statement about his playing future, but he is expected to retire once the season is over, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Saints are willing to be patient with Brees, and they'd welcome him back if he wants to play another season. However, things have been shaping up this season to make it seem like this is the last year for the future Hall of Fame quarterback. We'll see if the Saints can make a Super Bowl run one more time with Brees at the helm.
5. WAS - QB Alex Smith uncertain about future
Source: NBC Sports Washington - JP Finlay
Washington Football Team QB Alex Smith said he will take a few weeks to decide if he wants to play next season.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Smith was able to fight back from one of the most horrific leg injuries in league history. He ended up playing in eight games in 2020, passing for 1,582 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Smith proved he could still be a starter in this league and has all the respect in the world for the way he had to battle back from an injury most others would have not. We'll see if he wants to play next season, likely as a backup. He's signed through the 2022 season, and would need to restructure if he stays with Washington.
6. WAS - Update in QB Taylor Heinicke's injury
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Updating a previous report, Washington Football Team QB Taylor Heinicke (shoulder) suffered an AC joint during the Wild Card playoff game. X-rays on his shoulder were negative.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Heinicke completed 26-of-44 passes for 304 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Washington's Wild Card loss to the Buccaneers. He played well in the postseason and some team will have interest in bringing him on board as a reserve quarterback. Washington should be at the top of the list for the free agent. No matter what they do at the starting position, Heinicke proved that he could be a trusted backup/spot starter.
7. TB - QB Tom Brady likely to return in 2021
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady is expected to return to the club for the 2021 season. He will be entering the final season of a two-year contract and reportedly enjoys it there, believing that next year will be even better than this year.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
If the Buccaneers were to win a Super Bowl this year then perhaps Brady would change his mind. The allure of going out on top has only happened to a couple of Hall of Fame quarterbacks (John Elway, Peyton Manning) in NFL history. However, with the way that Brady loves to compete he could win it all then still come back to try and make it back-to-back. It's a safe bet, no matter the outcome this year, to assume Brady is going to play in the 2021 season.
8. BAL - Baltimore moves on to Divisional Round
Source: NFL.com
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson went 17-for-24 for 179 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception against the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card playoff game. He also rushed for 136 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries during the game. RB J.K. Dobbins rushed for 43 yards and one touchdown on nine carries, while RB Gus Edwards rushed for 38 yards on eight carries. WR Marquise Brown caught seven passes for 109 yards on nine targets, and TE Mark Andrews caught four passes for 41 yards on six targets.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Jackson wins the first game of his pro career by doing what he does best. In years past, Jackson seemed to press in the postseason. On Sunday, Jackson played within himself and within the structure of the offense. He looked good and if he continues to play like this the Ravens are going to be a tough out in the postseason.
9. TB - RB Ronald Jones uncertain for playoff game
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones (quadriceps) is dealing with swelling in his quadriceps, and his status for the Divisional Round playoff game is uncertain at this point.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
The Buccaneers will likely ease Jones into action during the week of practice. If he can't play in the Divisional Round then the team will turn to Leonard Fournette as their lead back like they did against Washington on Saturday.
10. LAR - QB Jared Goff, John Wolford should be fine
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff (thumb) and QB John Wolford (neck) are expected to be fine for the Divisional Round playoff game, according to a source.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Goff came in for an injured Wolford and helped the Rams to the victory over Seattle in the Wild Card Round. His thumb was clearly bothering him but he came through as a game manager of the offense.
11. CHI - QB Mitchell Trubisky may not return in 2021
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky probably will not return to the Bears next season unless he has a long run in the playoffs this season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Zero surprise here. Trubisky has been average-to-bad as a starter in the NFL. The Bears will never live down passing up on both Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes to select Trubisky with the no.2 overall pick. He is likely to move on next season but it would only be to compete for a starting job. No team is going to hand him the keys based on his career play.
12. LAR - LAR hope to have DE Aaron Donald for next game
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald (ribs) injured his ribs during the Wild Card playoff game, but the team is hopeful about his availability for the Divisional Round playoff game.
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
Ribs injuries come down to pain tolerance...and Donald is one of the toughest players in the NFL. X-rays revealed no broken bones, so it looks like Donald will be able to play in the Divisional Round. Expect him to be limited during the week of practice leading up to next week's game.
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
