Tag Archives: quarterback

general

Commanders WR Luke McCaffrey out after opening kickoff shoulder injury

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Luke McCaffrey suffered a significant injury during the Washington Commanders’ matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.

McCaffrey was expected to play a key role in the Commanders’ offense alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels. Additionally, the team was missing star receiver Terry McLaurin due to injury, which would have likely increased McCaffrey’s involvement throughout the game.

However, McCaffrey’s time on the field was cut short early in the first quarter. While participating on special teams during the opening kickoff, he suffered a shoulder injury. According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, this injury will sideline McCaffrey for the remainder of the game.

“Commanders ruled out Luke McCaffrey due to a shoulder injury,” Schefter reported.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-wr-luke-mccaffrey-out-after-opening-kickoff-shoulder-injury

general

Patriots Drake Maye faces tough test against Falcons

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Drake Maye hasn’t been afraid to throw the ball deep down the field during his NFL career. One of the Patriots’ second-year quarterback’s first memories as a pro comes from one of his initial practices last season, when he connected on a deep pass with receiver Kayshon Boutte that beat cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

“You just remember things of throwing deep throws, seeing him come up on the right side of it and it just makes you want to keep going back to it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Maye said.

In his sophomore season, Maye has leaned into that ability to chuck it long. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he has completed 13 of 17 passes (76.5%) that traveled 20 or more yards in the air, logging five touchdowns along the way.

This skill has helped the Patriots (6-2) win five straight games and take a step forward in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ latest return to New England. It’s come at the perfect time as the Patriots prepare to host the Atlanta Falcons (3-4) and the NFL’s top-rated passing defense this Sunday.

Through seven games, the Falcons are allowing only 149.1 passing yards per game. Notably, Maye has passed for at least 200 yards in every game this season.

“He’s way better than I want him to be,” Atlanta defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said of Maye. “He feels like a mini Josh Allen, a younger Josh Allen, in a lot of ways: his mobility, his arm, the way he can take the game over in both facets of the game. So, he’s going to be — he’s a problem.”

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel noted that Maye’s confidence in airing it out has steadily increased since the preseason, starting with the trust the coaching staff has in him.

“I think he stays patient. I don’t think he panics and launches it or throws it seven yards out of bounds, but I think there’s been a lot of improvement from training camp and seeing some of those passes,” Vrabel said. “I don’t think there were as many completed in the preseason as there were in the regular season. I’m glad we saved them for the regular season.”

### Good hands

One of the main recipients of Maye’s deep balls has been Kayshon Boutte. A 2023 sixth-round draft pick by New England, Boutte is tied for the league lead with seven receiving touchdowns that traveled 20 or more air yards since 2024, alongside Ja’Marr Chase. Other notable receivers like AJ Brown, Quentin Johnston, and DK Metcalf each have six over that period.

### Injury watch

A big storyline this week is the availability of Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and top receiver Drake London, both of whom missed last week’s 34-10 loss to Miami.

Penix was sidelined with a bone bruise on his left knee and was replaced in the lineup by Kirk Cousins. London was inactive with a hip injury. Both players were limited in the Falcons’ first practice of the week and are considered day-to-day according to Falcons coach Raheem Morris.

Morris expressed optimism about Penix being ready to play this week.

“Obviously, he feels better than he did last week,” Morris said. “He obviously feels better than he did every single day with it being a bone bruise. That stuff gets better every day, so I feel really good about him.”

### Run it up

While the Patriots may try to challenge the Falcons through the air, the outcome of this game could also hinge on who wins the matchup on the ground.

New England is the only team in the NFL this season not to surrender 50 yards to an opposing running back through eight games. Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson is tied for fourth in the league, averaging 79 yards per game. That includes a season-high 170-yard performance during Atlanta’s Week 6 win over Buffalo.

“A Vrabel-coached team is always going to be great. They’re always going to play sound. They’re always going to play really fundamentally fast, and we’ve got to be ready and prepared for that,” Morris said.

The Patriots and Falcons are set for what promises to be a compelling battle, with both teams eager to assert their strengths on offense and defense.
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/10/31/patriots-drake-maye-faces-tough-test-against-falcons/

entertainment, sports

Jaylen Waddle puts Dolphins up 24-3 in Atlanta

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The Dolphins suffered a tough loss on the road in Week 7, but their Week 8 road trip is shaping up much better.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle took a short pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and broke loose for a 43-yard touchdown with 4:18 left in the third quarter. This was Tagovailoa’s third touchdown pass of the afternoon, giving the Dolphins a commanding 24-3 lead.

Early in the third quarter, the Falcons looked poised to score, driving deep into Miami’s territory. However, running back Bijan Robinson fumbled in the red zone, and linebacker Tyrel Dodson recovered the ball, marking the first turnover of the game.

Robinson has struggled on the ground, accumulating just 22 rushing yards. Meanwhile, the Falcons have totaled 85 yards as a team, playing with Kirk Cousins at quarterback in place of the injured Michael Penix.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jaylen-waddle-puts-dolphins-up-24-3-in-atlanta

sports

Saints rumors: The player who would make NFL history with another trade

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As the NFL trade deadline nears, the New Orleans Saints find themselves at the center of speculation, with veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks potentially on the move once again. If Cooks is traded before the Nov. 4 deadline, he would become the first player in NFL history to be traded five times.

The 32-year-old Cooks began his career with the Saints as a first-round pick in 2014 and has already been traded four times in his 12-year career. His journey includes moves from the Saints to the New England Patriots in 2017, then to the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, followed by a trade to the Houston Texans in 2020, and most recently to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.

This past offseason, Cooks returned to New Orleans on a two-year, $13 million deal that includes a $4.8 million signing bonus and a manageable $1.26 million base salary. This contract structure makes him an appealing option for teams in need of a receiver.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, a trade involving Cooks is “very possible.” Despite his experience and leadership qualities, Cooks’ role has diminished in a struggling Saints offense led by quarterback Spencer Rattler. Through seven games, he has recorded 14 catches for 127 yards and has yet to score a touchdown this season.

Could the Saints strike a deal?

Currently sitting at 1-6 under first-year head coach Kellen Moore, the Saints are in the midst of a difficult rebuilding stretch following the offseason retirement of quarterback Derek Carr. General Manager Mickey Loomis has fielded calls about several veterans, but reports indicate that fellow receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are less likely to be traded.

Cooks’ situation differs from teammates like Alvin Kamara, who has stated he would retire rather than leave New Orleans. While Kamara represents the core of the franchise, Cooks may serve as a trade chip that could help accelerate the Saints’ rebuild.

If a deal is struck, Cooks would not only continue his well-traveled career but also make NFL history in the process. It’s a fitting chapter for one of football’s most consistent and resilient wide receivers.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-orleans-saints/saints-rumors-the-player-who-would-make-nfl-history-with-another-trade

sports

Eagles are reportedly “not expected” to trade A.J. Brown (unless they do)

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Receiver A.J. Brown won’t be playing for the Eagles today due to a hamstring injury. He’s also reportedly not expected to play for any other team this year—unless, of course, someone makes the Eagles an offer they can’t refuse.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Eagles are shopping Brown. There’s no need for the team to actively shop him if they can plant a story saying they’re not interested in trading him. However, they remain open to moving him if the right offer comes along.

The real takeaway here may be that while the Eagles are deliberately not shopping Brown, he is not untouchable. If a team like the Bills, Steelers, Colts, Patriots, Broncos, Chargers, or even the Chiefs wants to make an over-the-top offer, the Eagles definitely won’t hang up the phone.

In short, Brown’s future with the Eagles remains uncertain, hinging largely on whether a compelling trade proposal emerges.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/eagles-are-reportedly-not-expected-to-trade-a-j-brown-unless-they-do

sports

Rachaad White fined $46,371 for illegal use of helmet

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Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has been hit with a significant fine by the NFL. The league announced that White was fined $46,371 for the illegal use of his helmet during last Monday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

The incident occurred in the first quarter when White lowered his helmet to initiate contact with Lions safety Erick Hallett. Notably, White was not penalized for the play during the game. This fine represents the largest penalty issued by the NFL this week.

White had previously been fined for the same infraction late in the 2024 season, making this a repeat violation.

In related news, the NFL also fined Lions defensive lineman Tyrus Wheat $5,722. Wheat was penalized for tripping Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield during Detroit’s win.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rachaad-white-fined-46-371-for-illegal-use-of-helmet

sports

Giants veterans tell Jaxson Dart to ‘stick close’ in Philadelphia debut

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The New York Giants face one of their most important games of the season in Week 8. New York heads to Philadelphia with a chance to sweep their division rival in front of the Eagles’ home crowd.

Giants veterans are making sure that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is ready for his first road game in Philadelphia. Giants receiver Darius Slayton warned that Dart is about to receive some hate from Eagles fans this weekend.

“Yeah, I mean, if he didn’t have any haters, he’ll find where they all live,’’ Slayton said, as reported by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post. “He’s about to get introduced to all of ’em.’’

Tight end Daniel Bellinger also advised Dart to “stick close” to his teammates when playing in Philly. “You know you got to stick close to your brothers in the locker room, just kind of stay as tight as one group because that team and that fan base, they’re going to get a little gritty on the sidelines,’’ Bellinger added. “I would tell him, ‘Listen, focus on you, focus on the team and stick together and not worry about the outside noise.’”

The Giants at Eagles matchup is expected to be one of the best games on the Week 8 slate.

### Jaxson Dart Looking Forward to Playing the Villain in Philadelphia

Despite the warnings from New York’s veterans about the hostile environment, Dart is undeterred. The rookie quarterback expressed excitement about taking in the “hostility” when playing in Philly this Sunday.

“Yeah it’s going to be intense for sure,” Dart said on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. “I can’t wait to go out there and compete and kind of feel like the hostility in the air. The rivalry between the two organizations—it’s going to be really cool.”

Dart also admitted he is looking forward to embracing the villain role this weekend in Philadelphia.

“Yeah I think a little bit,” Dart concluded. “I think anybody finds it enjoyable when you’re able to win games on the road. That’s something that we haven’t done yet, so we’re still chasing that and I’m just excited for the environment.”

Now, the question becomes whether Dart will end up eating his words.

The Giants at Eagles game kicks off at 1 PM ET on Sunday.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-york-giants/giants-news-ny-veterans-jaxson-dart-stick-close-philadelphia-debut

culture, football, mystery, sports, team

Andy Reid says Chiefs ‘move on’ as mystery surrounding missing draft pick Josh Simmons lingers

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The bizarre Josh Simmons situation remains a mysterious subject surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had little to offer on Monday after Simmons missed his second straight game last week in what is becoming an increasingly odd circumstance.

“As far as Josh goes, I don’t have any updates for ya,” Reid told reporters. “(General manager Brett) Veach is handling everything there. And so, we just, ya know, just move on with that.”

The Chiefs have been tight-lipped about the reasons why their first-round pick has been sidelined, while reports have described the situation as “extremely unusual.”

Simmons first missed the Chiefs’ 30-17 Sunday Night Football win over the Detroit Lions on October 5, after leaving the team to head home to California to deal with what Kansas City referred to as a family matter. Coach Reid then declined to comment further on the situation during a press conference on October 15.

“As far as Josh Simmons’ situation goes, I’m not going to comment on it today,” Reid said. “Veach is handling everything there. And we’ll leave it at that.”

Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes hinted at the seriousness of the issue. “I’ll keep conversations kind of between us,” Mahomes said. “But I’m always praying for him. I’m praying for all my teammates, so I’m always praying for him. I’ll just keep everything else kind of private to us.”

An ESPN Chiefs reporter noted during an interview on the “Only Weird Games” podcast that Simmons left the team at an “extremely unusual” time, and no one within the organization knows when he will return.

Simmons also missed this past Sunday’s 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs initially drafted Simmons with the No. 32 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he started each of the first five games while playing 95 percent of the offensive snaps.

Despite Simmons’ absence, Kansas City hasn’t missed a beat. Jaylon Moore has protected Mahomes’ blindside over the last two weeks as the offense has averaged 30.5 points per game, helping the team improve to 4-3 on the season.

The Chiefs have an extra day of preparation this week for their Week 8 Monday Night Football contest at home against the Washington Commanders, who could be without quarterback Jayden Daniels due to a hamstring injury.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/21/sports/andy-reid-says-chiefs-move-on-as-mystery-surrounding-josh-simmons-lingers/

general

Texans QB C.J. Stroud Gets Bad News Before ‘Monday Night Football’

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Quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans had the bye week to rest up before taking on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7. However, they enter the contest with new concerns about one of their top playmakers, wide receiver Christian Kirk.

### Christian Kirk Injury: Bad News for C.J. Stroud and the Texans

The Texans acquired Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars. A hamstring injury interrupted Kirk’s early tenure this offseason, and a similar injury now threatens to hinder or possibly sideline him against the Seahawks. Kirk, who is on an expiring four-year, $72 million contract signed while with the Jaguars, is supposed to be a safety valve for Stroud in the Texans’ offense.

Kirk missed Weeks 1 and 2 with his initial injury. Notably, he was not on the injury report this week until Friday. Since the Texans do not play until “Monday Night Football,” the next update is expected to come from head coach DeMeco Ryans on Saturday.

“#Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk added to injury report as limited, hamstring again,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X before following up with an article detailing the veteran’s tumultuous start in Houston.

Kirk, who turns 29 in November, has caught 10 passes for 109 yards this season. He has battled injuries for much of his career, and this latest potential setback comes just as the Texans had found a rhythm offensively.

“If Kirk can’t go or is limited Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks, the Texans will lean on Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to complement Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins,” Wilson wrote in his follow-up piece.

### C.J. Stroud Draws Attention as Texans Return From Bye Week

There was a lot to like about the direction Stroud and the Texans’ offense were trending before the bye week. Moreover, the third-year QB believes some of it can carry over as they move throughout the regular season and, hopefully, an extended playoff run.

Stroud and the Texans averaged 385 total yards of offense and 35 points per game in Weeks 4 and 5, earning their first wins of 2025 against the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans.

Stroud was optimistic about the offense’s strides and drew attention for his remarks.

“I think we’re starting to find our identity and being versatile,” Stroud told reporters on October 16. “A lot of guys touched the ball against Baltimore. I think that’s a good thing. So, some things we can keep up, and keep up our tempo and getting in and out the huddle, just operational things, is good. So, keeping all that stuff up.”

However, Stroud was not pleased with everything the Texans did over the first five weeks of the season. He said he did some self-scouting during the team’s bye week.

While he did not disclose his findings, he noted some things he prefers the Texans stop doing.

“I’ll just keep that kind of to myself on what we think,” Stroud said. “But there were some things where I think we can build upon, and there are some things that I think we shouldn’t do anymore. We should just move on, try some other things. But I thought what we did coming to practice last Wednesday was really helpful to work on some of the things that we need to work on from just a big-picture standpoint as an offense.”

### Christian Kirk’s Potential Absence Looms Large in Week 7

The Texans had their three best offensive performances of the season with Kirk on the field, which could be coincidental. They have increased their yardage in each subsequent game since their loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.

Stroud’s candor drew attention as the QB found his stride, signaling potential growth for the Texans’ offense going forward — though the team will certainly feel the impact if Kirk’s hamstring injury keeps him sidelined against the Seahawks.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/houston-texans/stroud-bad-news-kirk-injury-report-seahawks/