Month: January 2025

Tee Higgins comments on future with Bengals ahead of season finale

Tee Higgins with a few thoughts on what could be his last game with the Bengals.

There is a chance that Saturday’s Week 18 clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers could be the last game for Tee Higgins with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Granted, things seem better than ever on the topic of Higgins re-signing with the Bengals. There are a few reasons an NFL insider just changed his mind on the subject — two of those being Higgins getting a new agent, who just so happens to also rep Ja’Marr Chase.

Higgins himself briefly weighed in on the subject before the season finale.

“I’m not opposed to staying here. Obviously, it has to be right,” Higgins said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Right now, I’m thinking about winning this game and dealing with it after the season.”

Higgins has maintained that he would like to stay with the Bengals and the recent news around his agent change has suggested a new approach to contract talks.

It certainly helps that Joe Burrow has been sending very public messages to the Bengals front office about this, too, of course.

For now, this is about as much as Bengals fans can expect to hear from Higgins on the subject, as there won’t be traction on this front until the offseason.

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Tua Tagovailoa: I’ll be playing if Dolphins get in playoffs

Tua Tagovailoa says “no ifs, ands, or buts” about it, he’ll play next week if the Dolphins are in the playoffs.

Tua Tagovailoa isn’t expected to play Sunday against the New York Jets with the team’s playoff hopes on the line.

The same hip injury that kept the quarterback out last week against the Cleveland Browns will force the Dolphins to again turn to Tyler Huntley. But if Miami wins and gets help from the Kansas City Chiefs, Tagovailoa says there’s no chance he’ll sit out Wild Card Weekend.

“If the cards play out the way they should and the way we know and think they can, I’m going to be available next week,” Tagovailoa told reporters Friday. “There’s no ifs, ands or buts allowed. I’ll be playing. That’s for sure.”

Fortunately for the Dolphins, Huntley played well in Tagovailoa’s absence last week. The backup completed 84.6 percent of his passes for 225 yards and a touchdown, and added another 52 yards and a touchdown as a rusher.

“It’s tough for any competitor to have to sit out when the season is on the line and you know you can do more, but that just tells you how much trust and respect that we have for ‘Snoop’ (Huntley),” Tagovailoa said. “The defense has been balling as well, so looking forward to what our guys can do this Sunday and we’ll see how the cards fall and how they play out.”

The exact nature of Tagovailoa’s injury has been kept under wraps by the quarterback and the Dolphins. Head coach Mike McDaniel described it as a “unique muscle issue” that just needs time to regain security and strength.

“When it comes to pain, I think I’m good with all of that, but it’s just the restriction of what the doctors are saying I can do,” Tagovailoa said. “For sure, I thought I could’ve played last week. Just the doctors said no. That’s all it was.”

With Tagovailoa in the lineup this season, the Dolphins are 6-5. The fifth-year quarterback has 19 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, and an NFL-best 72.9 completion percentage.

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Falcons’ playoff fate rests in hands of Saints rookie QB

The Falcons’ playoff hopes are in the hands of Saints rookie QB Spencer Rattler…

After losing to the Washington Commanders in overtime last Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons need some help to get into the playoffs. Not only must they defeat the Carolina Panthers in Week 18, but the Falcons must swallow their pride and root for the New Orleans Saints.

The NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold a one-game lead in the division but the Saints have a chance to play spoiler in Sunday’s season finale. New Orleans could help send Atlanta to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Since the Saints have ruled out quarterback Derek Carr, the Falcons’ playoff hopes are in the hands of Saints rookie QB Spencer Rattler. 

The fifth-round pick was the odd man out in this year’s draft class, which featured six quarterbacks selected in the first 12 picks. Rattler has appeared in six games this season, passing for 1,077 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.

The fact that Rattler is getting the start isn’t a major surprise since the Saints have nothing to play for. However, New Orleans may view this game as a chance to set the tone for next season — as the Detroit Lions did in their 2022 season finale against the Green Bay Packers.

The Falcons won’t be headed anywhere if they can’t beat the Panthers, who will also be looking to end the season on a high note. Both NFC South matchups kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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Jordan Moore thinks Duke quarterback Henry Belin IV ‘can play anywhere in the country’

Despite Duke’s loss to the Ole Miss Rebels in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, Jordan Moore thought quarterback Henry Belin IV proved his talent.

Quarterback Henry Belin IV might not start for the Duke Blue Devils in 2025, but senior teammate Jordan Moore believed he proved something during Thursday’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.

“He’s a very talented quarterback,” Moore said after the game. “I believe he can play anywhere in the country, and he showed that tonight, and I’m so proud of him for stepping up in that role.”

Belin started in a 2023 victory over NC State, but he only threw one pass in this regular season with [autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag] as the team’s starter. Murphy and sophomore Grayson Loftis both opted to transfer in December, leaving Belin with a few weeks to prepare for one of the nation’s best teams.

Duke only mustered two offensive touchdowns against the Ole Miss Rebels in a 52-20 loss, but Mississippi allowed 13.9 points per game through the regular season. Belin picked up 236 yards through the air, completing 25 of his 44 attempts for two touchdowns, and added 16 yards with his legs.

Only one other quarterback threw for at least 200 yards with multiple touchdowns against this Rebels defense in 2024: LSU Tigers star Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 337 and three scores in an overtime comeback.

Tulane transfer Darian Mensah already committed to the Blue Devils last month, and it’d be stunning if the redshirt freshman didn’t start right away given how quickly Duke pursued him in the portal. Whether Belin stays in Durham or not, his teammates certainly believe in his talent.

Matt Prater will not be activated from IR to play in finale

It appears the Cardinals are moving forward with Ryland as their kicker as Prater will be a free agent after the season.

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater will not be activated from injured reserve this week to play in the season finale against the San Francisco 49ers.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon was asked how close Prater is to playing on Friday. He said, “not close enough, I guess, because he’s not going to go (this week.”

That means Prater will finish the season on injured reserve and probably has already kicked for the last time for the Cardinals.

Prater is going to be a free agent in March and is 40 years old.

The man who replaced him after he injured his knee, Chad Ryland, is under contract through 2025. Since Prater did not return, which likely would have resulted in Ryland’s release, the Cardinals already have a kicker under contract. And Ryland has been pretty good. He has made three game-winning kicks and has made 26-of-30 field goals and 21-of-22 extra points. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

With all this, it would appear that the Cardinals will move forward with Ryland.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Jalen Hurts ruled out, 10 other Eagles listed as doubtful for game vs. Giants

Jalen Hurts ruled out, 10 other Eagles listed as doubtful for game vs. Giants

The Eagles released their final injury report of the regular season, and quarterback Jalen Hurts was ruled out with a concussion.  A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are among 10 others listed as doubtful for the Week 18 game against the New York Giants.

Hurts remains in the concussion protocol after leaving the loss to Washington, meaning he won’t be at the game and will start the wild card week off in the protocol.

Linebacker Nakobe Dean (abdomen) and tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) were once again full participants in practice. Whether or not they will play on Sunday remains to be seen, but their health is a good sign for the playoffs.

Defensive end Bryce Huff (wrist) and running back Will Shipley (concussion) were also full participants.

Quarterback Kenny Pickett didn’t practice and is listed as questionable, meaning Tanner McKee will likely start with Ian Book as the backup.

Alvin Kamara doubtful, 5 Saints questionable on final injury report of 2024 season

The New Orleans Saints shared their final injury report of the 2024 season. Alvin Kamara is doubtful for Sunday, and five more players are questionable:

The New Orleans Saints shared their final injury report of the 2024 season, but it doesn’t contain much good news before kickoff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Star running back Alvin Kamara (groin) is doubtful for Sunday, and five more players are questionable. Two others have already been ruled out.

Neither starting quarterback Derek Carr (left hand) nor running backup Kendre Miller (concussion) will play in the regular season finale. Kamara will have a workout on Saturday to determine whether he can travel with the team and dress out to chase his first 1,000-yard season (he’s already up to a career-high 950 rushing yards), but the doubtful tag suggests he’s a long shot to play.

As for the questionable group? That includes defensive end Payton Turner (ankle), linebackers Pete Werner (concussion) and Willie Gay Jr. (shoulder) as well as tight end Juwan Johnson (knee) and wide receiver Chris Olave (head). We’ll be watching to see if they can go this week.

For their part, the Buccaneers preemptively ruled out cornerback Jamel Dean (knee) and safety Antoine Winfield (knee). Tight end Cade Otton (knee) is doubtful to play, and two more are questionable between defensive lineman William Gholston (knee) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring). Here’s the final injury report from both teams:

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More details emerge about car accident involving Panthers OLB DJ Johnson

The Panthers have placed OLB DJ Johnson on the non-football injury list due to a concussion he sustained in a car accident on Thursday.

A few more details have emerged regarding the status of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker DJ Johnson.

Johnson was added to the Week 18 injury report this afternoon, just two days ahead of the team’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, due to personal reasons. The second-year defender, who did not participate in practice on Friday, was also ruled out of the contest.

Head coach Dave Canales told reporters following the session that Johnson was involved in a car accident and underwent evaluation. The evaluation, per a team spokesman, determined that 26-year-old sustained a concussion.

As noted by Joe Person of The Athletic, the Panthers have now placed Johnson on the non-football injury list—officially ending his 2024 campaign.

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One Raiders rookie Antonio Pierce thinks is not getting enough mention

The Raiders have found their new right tackle in rookie third round pick DJ Glaze. Antonio Pierce thinks that hasn’t gotten enough notice.

The Raiders have a bonafide Rookie of the Year candidate on their team. Brock Bowers has claimed the spotlight as not only the best rookie on the Raiders, but arguably the top rookie in the league.

After Bowers, it’s second round pick Jackson Powers-Johnson who gets some discussion as he was pegged to be a starter at the beginning of the season and has performed well at both guard and center.

But it’s another offensive lineman with whom Antonio Pierce has been consistently impressed. And in his final press conference of the regular season, he was sure to call attention to him.

“DJ Glaze,” Pierce called out by name. “I’m going to keep talking about him. Just consistent, going back to training camp. It’s just impressive. Blocking Malcolm [Koonce], blocking Maxx Crosby and then going out throughout the season and just be consistent.”

Glaze was the team’s pick in the third round out of Maryland. he was behind Thayer Munford at right tackle throughout the offseason and going into training camp. But when Munford got banged up in camp, Glaze got some reps with the first team and held his own, even against the likes of Crosby.

So, when Munford got injured in week three of the season, the team put in Glaze and never looked back.

Even when Munford recovered and was healthy enough to return to the field, they stayed with Glaze at right tackle.

And in the 13 starts since, Glaze has given up just three sacks. That is impressive for any rookie, let alone a third round pick.

He’s showed he may just be their answer at right tackle moving forward.

Texans vs. Titans injury report: Final updates, news for Friday

Here’s the injury report from Friday’s walkthrough as the Houston Texans prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans in the season finale.

Here are the full injury reports from Friday’s practice for the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans ahead of their matchup at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.

Following walkthroughs, both teams have determined which players are out for Sunday’s regular-season finale.

With a win, the Texans would secure a 10-win season for the second consecutive year under DeMeco Ryans since being hired.

It would also mark the eighth 10-win season in franchise history.

Kickoff from Nissan Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

Houston Texans (9-7)

OUT