2 weeks agoPhiladelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens (back) did not practice on Wednesday due to a back injury, but he is returning to practice on Thursday, according to head coach Nick Sirianni. The 2022 second-round pick out of Nebraska has started all but one game for Philly this season, and his return to practice is a promising sign for his potential availability against the Washington Commanders in Sunday's NFC Championship Game. Given the high usage rate of the "tush push" or "brotherly shove" in Philadelphia, the center spot is a critical position for the Eagles offense.
UPDATE: Jurgens is not practicing on Thursday despite the initial report.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Tim McManus
2 weeks agoPhiladelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert (ankle) is set to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's sessions due to an ankle injury. The 30-year-old's return should signal he's trending toward being available for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders. Goedert has been a major contributor in the postseason so far, leading all Eagles' pass-catchers in receptions (eight) and receiving yards (103) over the last two games against the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams. Washington presents a neutral matchup for fantasy tight ends, so he should continue to be heavily involved in the
Jalen Hurts-led passing attack.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Mike Garafolo
2 weeks agoFormer New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick officially signed his contract with the University of North Carolina on Thursday, more than a month after he was introduced as the Tar Heels' new head coach. The deal is laden with incentives that could make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football. His contract is for five years and will pay him $10 million annually, with only the first three years being guaranteed. If Belichick leaves before June 1 of this year, he'll owe $10 million, but if he leaves after that date, the buyout drops to only $1 million. His $10 million salary would have tied for sixth-highest in college football. Despite several NFL teams trying to get Belichick to back out of his deal with UNC, including former quarterback
Tom Brady (now a minority owner of the Raiders), Belichick plans to give it a go in the college ranks.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: CBS Sports - Shehan Jeyarajah
2 weeks agoThe Chicago Bears will not retain offensive coordinator/interim head coach Thomas Brown and wide receivers coach Chris Beatty after the team hired Ben Johnson to be their next head coach, a league source told ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Brown interviewed for Chicago's head-coach position and also has interviewed for the Seattle Seahawks' offensive-coordinator vacancy. In addition to Brown and Beatty, offensive-line coach Chris Morgan, quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph and defensive coordinator Eric Washington will not stay in Chicago under Johnson. Brown started the 2024 season as the Bears' passing-game coordinator but became the interim head coach after both offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus were fired. In the last five weeks of the season, the Bears went 1-4 under the 38-year-old Brown.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Courtney Cronin
2 weeks agoNFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars are not down to the two candidates who will interview for their head-coaching job for the second time this week in former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Jacksonville is still expected to conduct in-person interviews for the head-coaching job with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. The Bills and Eagles are still in the playoffs, so the Jaguars will have to wait until next week to talk with Brady and Moore. With Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen out of the running for the Jags, Saleh or Brady could be the favorites to take over for Doug Pederson, who was fired after two years at the helm. In addition to the Jaguars, Brady is still a candidate for the head-coach job in New Orleans.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
2 weeks agoESPN Dallas' Todd Archer reported on Wednesday night that the Dallas Cowboys held a second interview with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for their head-coach opening. Clarence Hill Jr. reported on Thursday morning that the Cowboys could cross the finish line on hiring Schottenheimer as their next head coach no later than Friday, and possibly as early as Thursday. Owner Jerry Jones' previous eight hires were either former head coaches and/or had familiarity with the Cowboys. The 51-year-old Schottenheimer is the son of long-time NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer. He joined Dallas' staff in 2022 as a coaching analyst and has been running their offense the last two years after Kellen Moore left to join the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cowboys have also interviewed Moore, Robert Saleh and Leslie Frazier, but Schottenheimer is the clear favorite at this point.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
2 weeks agoAccording to his wife, Kelly, Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford (ribs) played through a rib injury late in the season after cracking four of his ribs in Week 15 against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. Stafford aggravated his ribs in the first half of the Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday and admitted after the game that he had been dealing with it "to a varying degree for some time." He said he "was able to kind of calm it down" and "didn't feel like it was much of a factor" against Philly. Despite being less than 100%, Stafford threw for a season-high 324 yards and two touchdowns and almost led the Rams to an improbable coming back win. The 36-year-old acknowledged that he will contemplate his future this offseason. If Stafford comes back for a 17th season in 2025, he'll be a midrange QB2 target in fantasy drafts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
2 weeks agoNFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints are planning second interviews for their head-coaching job with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore next week. In addition to Brady and Moore, the Saints are looking at former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for their head-coach position. Even if the Bills and Eagles advance to the Super Bowl, they'd be able to interview with the Saints during an off week next week. New Orleans fired Dennis Allen midway through the 2024 season and finished out the year with special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi serving as the interim head coach.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
2 weeks agoWashington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne (knee, finger) was listed as a non-participant for his team's practice on Wednesday. The former first-round pick had been battling through a finger injury he suffered in Washington's Wild Card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He'd also pick up a knee issue in last Saturday's stunning upset of the Detroit Lions. While the finger ailment caused him to practice in a limited capacity the week prior, this new injury has forced him from practice altogether. Payne has missed just one game in his seven-year career, so we'll see if he can elevate his practice status for Sunday's divisional clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. If he's inactive, look for Jalyn Holmes and Sheldon Day to rotate in behind Jonathan Allen.
--Alex CiullaSource: Washington Commanders
2 weeks agoPhiladelphia Eagles defensive back Quinyon Mitchell (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity to begin the week ahead of their meeting with the Washington Commanders this Sunday. After just nine snaps, Mitchell was forced from Philadelphia's Divisional win over the Los Angeles Rams and did not return. However, the sentiment regarding his injury appears to be positive, as it was noted that he avoided something serious. It's excellent news for the rookie, who led all Eagles' DBs in snaps during the regular season -- tying for second amongst his cohorts in pass breakups (12). The 23-year-old should be on track to suit up for the Conference Championship round, but if he can't, Isaiah Rodgers would likely fill in again, with Kelee Ringo mixing in behind him.
--Alex CiullaSource: Philadelphia Eagles
2 weeks agoBuffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps, hamstring) was a limited participant at Wednesday's team practice. The eighth-year pro spent the early portion of the season dealing with a bicep injury, but the hamstring issue is new for him. However, per Alaina Getzenberg of the team, head coach Sean McDermott has been told that Milano is just dealing with soreness and is unsure whether or not it's a traditional injury at this time. The 30-year-old seemingly sustained the ailment in Buffalo's victory over the Baltimore Ravens, though when it occurred is unclear as he played 51 defensive snaps (86%). For now, it appears Milano won't be in danger of missing this Sunday's bout with the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, he'll be one to monitor over the next 48 hours. Teammate Dorian Williams would be in line for more snaps if the veteran could not play.
--Alex CiullaSource: Maddy Glab
2 weeks agoPer ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg, the Buffalo Bills have opened the practice window of linebacker Baylon Spector (calf). The 26-year-old picked up a calf injury in the team's Week 16 win over the New England Patriots. It's good news for the Bills, though he was not spotted at Wednesday's practice. Spector appeared in 11 games this season -- registering 40 tackles (22 solo) with one fumble recovered -- racking up the third most snaps of Buffalo's linebackers. We'll see if he can progress enough to suit up for this Sunday's clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in the Conference Championship round. If he can't, fellow linebacker Dorian Williams will continue to mix in behind Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard.
--Alex CiullaSource: Alaina Getzenberg
2 weeks agoThe Chicago Bears have requested to interview Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and passing-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant for their vacant defensive-coordinator job under new head coach Ben Johnson, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Pleasant was a big reason why the Rams defense excelled with a lot of young players late this season. He joined the Rams in 2023 as a defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator before being promoted to assistant head coach under Sean McVay in 2024. Before coming to L.A., Pleasant spent time working with Johnson with the Detroit Lions in 2021 as their defensive backs coach/pass-game coordinator. He was also an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers in 2022. Although Pleasant has been coaching in the NFL since 2013, he would be a surprise hire in Chicago as the defensive coordinator.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
2 weeks agoAccording to Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg, Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the favorite to be the Tennessee Titans' pick at No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL draft if they stick in the spot, according to BetMGM. As of Wednesday, Ward is -115 to be the top selection in the draft after he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2024. He threw for 4,300 yards and 39 touchdowns in his only season with the Hurricanes. Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is the favorite to go second overall, and he's +625 to go first overall to the Titans. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is expected to go No. 3. Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said on Wednesday that Tennessee won't pass on a "generational talent," and Hunter best fits that description. The Titans took
Will Levis in the second round in 2023, but the Titans appear ready to move on after he struggled in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Yahoo Sports - Nick Bromberg
2 weeks agoThe Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reports that per the Baltimore Ravens' personnel notice on Wednesday, the team re-signed wide receiver
Anthony Miller to a Reserve/Futures deal. Miller spent the vast majority of the 2024 campaign in Baltimore on their practice squad and wasn't elevated to the active 53-man roster until Week 16. The 30-year-old former second-round selection by the Chicago Bears in the 2018 NFL draft out of Memphis only ended up playing in two regular-season games for the Ravens and caught his only target for a gain of 16 yards. He was also active for both of the team's playoff games with
Zay Flowers (knee) out and caught all four of his targets for 28 yards against the Steelers and Bills. Miller will stick around in Baltimore this offseason and heading into training camp this summer as valuable depth behind Flowers,
Rashod Bateman and
Nelson Agholor.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
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