Ravens OC Greg Roman shares thoughts on WRs Rashod Bateman, Miles Boykin

Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman shared his thoughts on wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin

The Baltimore Ravens activated wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin off of injured reserve on Wednesday, and both players returned to practice in full. The return of both players is great news for a team that has dealt with a massive amount of injuries over the past month, so getting two big pieces to their offense back on the field is a big deal.

When asked about his thoughts on both Bateman and Boykin, Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman showed praise on both players, noting that they bring something special to the table on the offensive side of the ball.

“I think we were very impressed with Rashod [Bateman], obviously. We know Miles [Boykin] a lot more. Miles, I think, is probably one of the more physical blockers in the league. [He’s] really probably Top Five, maybe Top Three, if you’re really honest with yourself if you watch the film. Bateman, we feel great about what we’ve seen. So, it’s going to be kind of a little bit of what you were alluding to, and we’re going to kind of get a feel and a sense as we go with what he does really well and how we can apply him. It certainly gives us opportunities to basically just take Rashod’s ability and put it to use. So, we’ll see how that goes. Certainly, yesterday was his first day back, and we’re excited about that. From what we’ve seen, I think good things are going to happen there.”

It remains to be seen whether both players will suit up and play in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos. However, when they both do return to the field, Bateman’s explosiveness and Boykin’s blocking ability will help the Ravens’ offense in a big way.

Joe Burrow checked into the game-winning play vs. Jaguars

Joe Burrow did it again.

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Joe Burrow did it again.

Thursday night, Burrow uplifted his Cincinnati Bengals to a big win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, putting up some gaudy stats and making a critical play late in the game.

With regulation nearly over, Burrow stood tall against a huge blitz and delivered a strike to C.J. Uzomah that put the offense in a position to kick the game-winning field goal.

And Burrow says that was all him making the check at the line of scrimmage, per the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith:

“You guys have heard about me knowing the playbook in the back of my head. I knew the defensive coordinator had a Baltimore background… We took advantage of the opportunity.”

Zac Taylor concurs, per ESPN’s Ben Baby:

A former quarterback weighs in:

Again, not the first time Burrow has done this. During his team’s Week 1 victory over Minnesota, Burrow called and executed the play that set up the game-winning field goal.

After Thursday, Burrow’s Bengals are 3-1, atop the AFC North and competitive in any game because it’s clear they have one of the league’s top-end passers.

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Rams injury report: TuTu Atwell still out, Leonard Floyd returns

Check out which Rams players appeared on Thursday’s injury report for Week 4.

The Los Angeles Rams released their second injury report of the week with mostly good news. After having five players sit out on Wednesday, only two players did not practice and only one was because of injury.

Rookie receiver TuTu Atwell was out for the second day in a row with an illness. The other player, linebacker Terrell Lewis, had the day off for rest.

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald and tackle Andrew Whitworth rested on Wednesday but returned as full participants on Thursday.

Linebacker Leonard Floyd (ankle) sat out on Wednesday but returned to practice Thursday as a full participant.

Rookie cornerback Robert Rochell (illness) was upgraded to limited on Thursday, while running back Darrell Henderson (ribs) was limited for the second day in a row.

Did not participate:

  • WR TuTu Atwell (illness)
  • LB Terrell Lewis (rest)

Limited participation:

  • CB Robert Rochell (illness)
  • RB Darrell Henderson (ribs)

Full participation:

  • LB Leonard Floyd (ankle)

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Bengals fans hit every range of emotion possible during wild TNF victory

The reactions scene was WILD during that rollercoaster of a game.

The Cincinnati Bengals took their fans through all ranges of emotions possible on Thursday night during their primetime game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Those Bengals bumbled around in the first half, going down 14-0 by halftime and getting booed by their own fans in the process.

They then rebounded in the second half to make it 14-14, only to get a game-winning field goal as regulation expired.

Here are the best reactions from throughout the game.

Cardinals injury report: DeAndre Hopkins returns as full participant on Thursday

The Cardinals still had three offensive linemen out on Thursday but WR DeAndre Hopkins was back at practice as a full participant.

The Arizona Cardinals returned to practice on Thursday and released their second injury report of the week. There one bit of good news, but things still look concerning on the offensive line.

For the second day in a row, three linemen were unable to practice. Tackle Kelvin Beachum (ribs), guard/tackle Justin Murray (back) and guard Justin Pugh (back) were all unable to practice Thursday, putting in doubt their availability on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was unable to practice all last week and sat out on Wednesday with a rib injury, was a full participant on Thursday, suggesting he will be at full health this Sunday.

There was a new addition to the list — running back Eno Benjamin. He was limited Thursday with a hamstring injury. He has not been active yet this season for any game.

Everyone who got the day off part of practice off on Wednesday for rest were all full participants on Thursday.

Did not participate:

  • RT Kelvin Beachum (ribs)
  • OL Justin Murray (back)
  • LG Justin Pugh (back)

Limited participation:

  • RB Eno Benjamin (hamstring)

Full participation:

  • WR DeAndre Hopkins (ribs)

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Old Dominion vs UTEP Prediction, Game Preview

Old Dominion vs UTEP prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, October 2

COld Dominion vs UTEP prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, October 2


Old Dominion vs UTEP How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 2
Game Time: 9:00 ET
Venue: Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: Old Dominion (1-3), UTEP (3-1)
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Old Dominion vs UTEP Game Preview


Why Old Dominion Will Win

The Monarchs aren’t bad.

They might be 1-3, but there’s no shame in losing to Wake Forest or Liberty for a program that’s just getting up and going again, but pushing Buffalo in a 35-34 loss is a nice step.

The ODU running game has been great – the young combination of Elijah Davis and Jon-Luke Peaker are averaging over six yards per carry – and the offense is showing the potential to be dangerous with more time logged in.

UTEP isn’t going crank up the O and put this away easily. It’s bad on third downs and turned it over ten times in just four games.

Week 5 CFN College Football Expert Picks

Why UTEP Will Win

So what are the Miners doing to get to 3-1? The running game was great in the first two games, the passing attack was solid over the last two, and there’s real, live offensive production – that’s not a given for the program over the years.

It’s the other side that’s leading the way to wins.

The Miners are hardly a brick wall, but they’re holding up reasonably well – allowing under 350 yards in three of the four games, all the wins – and they’re dominating on third downs. Teams are only converting 19% of their third down chances.

Week 5 College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Can Old Dominion QB DJ Mack do enough with the passing game if UTEP continues to bring a strong run D?

The ground game might work. The Monarch offensive line is strong in pass protection for an attack that controls the clock for long stretches. Which team will turn the ball over less?

The Monarch defensive line will get in the backfield. UTEP’s won’t.

Week 4 CFN NFL Expert Picks

Old Dominion vs UTEP Prediction, Line

Old Dominion 31, UTEP 27
Line: UTEP -5.5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: ‘The Low End Theory’ 30th anniversary
1: Not knowing how David Letterman rolls

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Thursday’s injury report for Chargers ahead of matchup vs. Raiders

Chargers injury report ahead of Monday’s matchup with Raiders

The Chargers had their first practice ahead of Monday’s matchup with the Raiders on Thursday. 

Here’s a look at today’s injury report: 

All players practiced for the Bolts Thursday with some notable returning players. 

Defensive lineman Justin Jones, who is dealing with a calf injury, and cornerback Chris Harris Jr., who is dealing with a shoulder injury, were both back at practice. Jones and Harris participated in the individual drills throughout the portion of practice available to the media. 

“I’m optimistic about J.J.,” head coach Brandon Staley said. “Both of those guys, J.J and Chris were in the walk-through today. I think that we’re going to get J.J. back full in practice today and Chris is trending positive.” 

Safety Derwin James sustained multiple injuries last Sunday against the Chiefs, but is expected to return this week against the Raiders, according to Staley. 

“He’s got good strength and range of motion so it’s nothing that we’re concerned about,” Staley said. 

Edge defender Joey Bosa fully participated in practice; however, all five other players listed on the injury report were limited including veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen who is dealing with an ankle injury. 

Cornerback Ryan Smith, who sustained an injury related to his core muscle has returned to practice. The Chargers now have 21 days to either activate Smith or leave him on the IR for the rest of the season.   

Quarterback Justin Herbert was listed on the injury report earlier this week with an apparent hand injury, but according to Staley, it is a non-issue. 

Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga had a successful procedure done on his back, according to Brandon Staley. 

“He’s been, number one, a great resource for the guys,” Staley said. “Just having him around is such an advantage.”

Jaguars vs. Bengals game recap: Everything we know

Game recap and notes from TNF between the Jaguars and Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals moved to 3-1 with a Thursday Night Football, 24-21 win over the  Jacksonville Jaguars.

Cincinnati came out flat and fell into a two-touchdown hole, only to climb right back out of it in a hurry after some halftime adjustments. The game featured some head-scratching play calls and defense, but also some wicked plays by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and a random outburst from tight end C.J. Uzomah.

Here’s a look at everything we know coming out of the victory.

Former NBA player Ryan Hollins named lead TV analyst for Rockets

Craig Ackerman and former NBA player Ryan Hollins are officially the new television broadcast duo for the Houston Rockets this season.

Former NBA player and recent league analyst Ryan Hollins will be the lead television analyst for Houston Rockets game broadcasts in the 2021-22 season, the team announced late Thursday. In that role, Hollins is effectively replacing Matt Bullard, who moved into a front office role this offseason after spending more than 15 years in a TV capacity.

Hollins, who did not play for Houston in his 10-year NBA career, joins play-by-play voice Craig Ackerman as the primary broadcasters for official TV partner AT&T SportsNet Southwest. Former Rockets player Mario Elie, who won championships with the franchise in 1994 and 1995, will also appear on AT&T SportsNet’s coverage, according to the team.

From the announcement:

“We hope Rockets fans are as excited as we are to watch the journey of our young players this season,” said Rockets President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr.  “We worked with AT&T SportsNet and SportsTalk 790 to put together broadcast teams that will add appreciation and knowledge to the viewing and listening experience.”

Hollins joins the broadcast team from California, where he has worked as a game analyst for CBS and as a studio analyst for Los Angeles Clippers games.  He has also worked as an analyst for ESPN and appeared on various programming for them, including SportsCenter and First Take, and has co-hosted “The Opinionated 7-Footers” podcast this past year.

Cayleigh Griffin returns for her third season as the Rockets sideline reporter and host of the weekly magazine show, “Rockets All Access.”

Once again this season, AT&T SportsNet’s pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage will include Kevin Eschenfelder along with Rockets great and Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy.

New this season, Rockets coverage will include reoccurring appearances by Elie, who played in the NBA for 11 seasons and won two championships with Houston and one with San Antonio before spending 10 seasons as an assistant coach.

“That championship Hakeem won, Houston was the team that made me fall in love with basketball,” Hollins (now 36 years old) told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “As a little boy, to look up and say, ‘Who’s that?’ Me and my dad watched that championship. ‘Dad, who is that? What’s a 2-pointer? What’s a 3-pointer?’ I learned the game of basketball watching the Rockets win a championship. Now, it’s come full circle to have the opportunity to be one of the voices of the Houston Rockets. An average, everyday kid has an opportunity like this.”

Matt Thomas will take over as the full-time voice for Houston’s radio broadcasts. In recent years, Ackerman was the radio broadcaster for home games and television for road games — since longtime Rockets voice Bill Worrell was transitioning into retirement. Thomas was the public address (PA) announcer at Toyota Center and the radio broadcaster for road games, sliding in when Ackerman moved to television.

But now that Worrell is retired, Ackerman and Thomas can each take over in full-time play-by-play roles for TV and radio, respectively.

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Instant analysis after Bengals beat Jaguars on TNF

Instant analysis after the Jaguars vs. Bengals on TNF.

The Cincinnati Bengals made sure a primetime game against the Jacksonville Jaguars was at least interesting.

After falling behind 14-0 after a miserable first-half showing, the Bengals quickly stormed back to 14-14 out of halftime, eventually winning, 24-21.

Here’s a look at some game notes, numbers and names to know coming out of the big game.

 

Quick Hits

— Logan Wilson picked up right where he left off, continuing his epic tear with a sack on the first Jaguars drive of the game.

— Huge opening drive for Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow. The first play was a wicked fake-pitch that ended up being a 33-yard gain for Tyler Boyd. Auden Tate had two key catches and Chase had one. So much for that vanilla, conservative play-calling.

— Bengals defense collapsed on its second drive, allowing four runs of double-digit yardage before coughing up a score.

— An almost funny, in the worst way possible, first half for the Bengals. Zac Taylor calling runs on 2nd-and-long and going run, run, pass and punt every drive hurt. So did Trae Waynes getting burnt like toast for a bomb of 50-plus yards in his debut with the team.

— At halftime, Bengals were 1-of-5 on third downs and outgained 240-107. Jaguars picked up 11 rushing first-downs.

— Huge turnaround for a Bengals offense that is so dangerous when called well. Taylor and Co. made the right adjustments and sprinted to a pair of quick touchdowns, mostly by emphasizing the passing game.

— Ja’Marr Chase had yet another play of 40-plus yards, which set up one of those touchdowns that went to C.J. Uzomah.

— Uzomah got in the endzone again, capping off the best game of his career and making for one heck of a story given the massive injury comeback he had to make this offseason, too.

— Burrow went way off script on that second touchdown to Uzomah. If there was any doubt remaining that he’s not back to 100 percent, it should be wiped out now.

— As we pound the drum on every week, Logan Wilson looks like a star in the middle of that defense. He’s constantly around the ball, putting up big tackle numbers and looking good in coverage, too.

 

Key Stat

10.9: Burrow’s yards-per-attempt on his 25-of-32 line. He was greatly efficient, even when running off-script or under pressure. No game is out of reach when he’s playing like that.

 

Game Ball

C.J. Uzomah: Hard to pick one, but CJ was a terror for the Jaguars to contain. His five catches for 96 yards extended multiple drives, never mind the two touchdowns. Without it, the offense just doesn’t look the same.

 

Top Takeaway

Culture reset: Even one year ago, it’s safe to suggest the Bengals would have come out of that halftime tunnel down 14-0 and been sluggish before taking a loss. Not this team — the players are clearly having fun and the culture is totally different. They fought back, and regardless of the end result, that was pretty impressive from this young, rebuilt team.

 

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