Jeff McLane reports that Eagles safety Sydney Brown could be activated off injured reserve on Friday and cleared to play against the Giants
The Eagles are getting healthy at the right time, and with 12 straight games to play, a talented second-year safety is set to join the lineup.
Jeff McLane reports that Sydney Brown is trending towards being active for Sunday’s game against the Giants one week after having his 21-day practice window opened after he missed the first five games of the season with a torn ACL.
Sydney Brown is tracking toward being activated off IR for Sunday’s game at the Giants. The #Eagles safety’s practice window was opened last week.
Brown will likely just have a special teams role at first. He, of course, tore his ACL at MetLife Stadium last season on punt cover.
Brown finished his rookie season with five starts in 13 games played, registering 45 tackles, one tackle for loss, three passes defended, and a 99-yard interception return against the Cardinals.
He’ll now compete for a key role in Vic Fangio’s revamped defense.
The Buccaneers’ high-octane offense ranks second in a key category—scoring. The Bucs are tied with the Commanders for the league’s top spot in total points scored—178.
If you like scoring points, you have come to the right place. Last week, the Baltimore Ravens beat the Washington Commanders, 30-23, in a match-up of the NFL’s No. 1 (Baltimore) and No. 2 offenses.
And by top offense, we mean average yards gained per game. The Ravens still hold this distinction this week as they prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
The Buccaneers’ high-octane offense ranks second in a key category—scoring. The Bucs are tied with the Commanders for the league’s top spot in total points scored—178.
However, the Detroit Lions hold the top spot for points per game at 30.2, scoring 151 points in one less game (5). The Ravens’ next opponent is tied with Baltimore’s most recent opponent, averaging 29.7 points per game.
The Ravens are the next team in both tables, with 177 points scored in total and 29.5 ppg. In other words, this sounds like a game where you should take the over.
We will learn a lot about the Commanders this week.
The Panthers game is a big game this Sunday.
No, I’m not kidding. Honestly, it is a bigger game than many may realize.
Oh, how quickly we forget.
That’s right. In one short calendar year, the Commanders revealed to all of their fan base and the NFL world that they were never going to have a winning team under Ron Rivera.
Rewind to October 1, 2023. The Commanders (2-1) went up to Philadelphia to play the Eagles and lost a tough, contested game 34-31 in overtime.
What happened next was an eye-opener. The Commanders were announced as a 6.0-point favorite to defeat the winless and hapless 0-4 Chicago Bears at FedEx Field.
Players were heard in postgame interviews talking about how the loss in Philadelphia had been a good loss. Ron Rivera continued to talk about how the culture was good and how he believed in his team and, in particular, Sam Howell at quarterback.
Reading Twitter and listening to DC sports radio the next three days, the overwhelming consensus was the Commanders were so much better than the Bears and would win handily in the Thursday Night Football game.
Watching the game was so enlightening. From the outset, it was irrefutable that Ron Rivera did not have his team ready to compete. The Commanders were a step slow, they were not intense. The fact is Ron Rivera’s team was not energetic, and they were not competing as the Bears were.
The Bears thoroughly embarrassed Rivera’s team on national television. The team that seemingly was two games better, playing at home and on a very short week, found itself down 17-0 and then 27-3 at the half. The final score was 40-20. It was the definitive moment; we all knew the Ron Rivera era was finished. He was never going to have a winning team in Washington.
Fast-forward to 2024. Ron Rivera is gone, and Dan Quinn coaches here now. His team went to Baltimore last Sunday and won respect from the Washington fan base and NFL world, competing well, though losing to the Ravens 30-23.
Similarly to the 2023 game, the Commanders are 4-2, and the Panthers are only 1-5. Again, the game is going to be a Washington home game. The Commanders are a 7.5-point favorite.
Frankly, the Commanders need to be focused and intense in preparation, ready to show they are not resting on a moral victory like the 2023 team did.
This is an opportunity for Dan Quinn and his staff to show how much better they are than the Ron Rivera staff. Have this year’s Commanders team focused to truly compete each and every week.
On more than a couple of occasions, the Ron Rivera teams (2020-23) raised expectations and hopes of the fan base, only to then lay an egg in games where they were expected to or had a chance to win.
The good teams focus on process. On Sunday, we learn how focused and mature Dan Quinn’s Commanders really are.
The Commanders host the Panthers in Week 7 and there is one player the Commanders would steal from the Panthers.
The Washington Commanders are coming off of a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week, and they’re looking to rebound when they host the Carolina Panthers at Northwest Stadium.
The struggling 1-5 Panthers finally sat Bryce Young on the bench in favor of veteran Andy Dalton, and while it hasn’t panned out for them yet, Dalton’s experience will at least help Young learn how to run an offense in the NFL. Still, despite the Panthers’ struggles, there is one player the Commanders would steal from them this week: Cornerback Jaycee Horn.
Horn hasn’t been stellar this year, but he’s been good, and the Commanders’ secondary is struggling, ranking in the bottom half of the league. Perhaps Horn could take his game to the next level under the tutelage of Dan Quinn, who has been a coach in the NFL for over 20 years, and his defensive mindset could give Horn the tips he needs.
Panthers’ head coach, Dave Canales, is more offensive-minded and relies more on his defensive coaching staff to reach those players. But in Washington, that would be different.
This season, Horn has recorded 27 tackles (22 solo), six passes defensed, two stuffs for eight yards, and one interception. With Quinn building Horn’s skills over top of his talent, Horn would be a welcome addition to the Commanders’ secondary.
Dallas Goedert and Jordan Mailata did not practice, while Darius Slay was limited in the Wednesday practice ahead of Eagles game vs. Gaints
The Eagles released their initial injury report for Sunday’s game against the Giants, and Milton Williams was among three starters who did not practice. Dallas Goedert (hamstring) and Jordan Mailata (hamstring) both sat out practice and could miss multiple weeks.
Star cornerback Darius Slay was a limited participant, along with Jalyx Hunt and Oren Burks.
Five things to know ahead of this week’s Titans vs. Bills’ matchup.
The Tennessee Titans are gearing up to head to Buffalo to take on the Bills in Week 7.
The 1-4 Titans desperately need a win if they plan to keep any hope for the season alive. The Bills, meanwhile, are coming off a victory over the New York Jets, improving to 4-2 on the season.
The Titans enter the game as a heavy underdog, with the line currently sitting at Bills -9. Stopping Josh Allen and the Bills offense will be a tough task for a Titan defense that has mostly held its own.
Here are five things to know ahead of this AFC showdown.
Both teams have banged up running backs
Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans Will Levis (8) hands the ball to running back Tyjae Spears (2) against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Tyjae Spears left the Titans’ loss to the Colts in Week 6 with an injury and did not return. The RB is listed as questionable for the matchup at Buffalo.
Bills RB James Cook missed the game against the Jets in Week 6 with a foot injury and is also questionable. However, Cook’s backup, Ray Davis, excelled in his place, racking up 97 rushing yards in Week 6.
Bills have a new weapon
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Bills recently acquired veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. Brown is a former Pro Bowler who immediately elevates the Bills’ offense.
This is just another player the Titans have to worry about. Cooper joins Kahlil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, and others on an impressive Bills offense.
Titans and Bills have a back-and-forth history
Sep 19, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) is tackled by Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Teair Tart (93) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
The last five times these teams have played, the games have either been decided by one score or have been a blowout. The Titans have won two of the last five, with the wins coming in 2020 and 2021.
The last time these teams played was in 2022, when the Bills destroyed the Titans, winning 41-7 in Buffalo. The Titans are hoping to get some payback for that terrible game.
The Bills defense can be run on
Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Heading into this game, the Bills have the No. 23 run defense in the league. The unit is allowing 140.2 rushing yards per game, meaning Tony Pollard could be in for another big game.
Given the Titans’ issues passing the ball, this is not a bad matchup. The Bills are much better against the pass anyway, so this should be a game where the Titans try to have long, sustained drives on the ground.
Can the Titans’ offensive line keep Will Levis upright again?
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 13: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
In Week 6 against the Colts, the Titans’ offensive line did the unthinkable. For the first time in two years, the unit didn’t allow a single sack.
Will that be repeatable in Buffalo? The Bills are 12th in sacks per game with 2.7. There are some real pass rushers on this defense that will test the Titans’ linemen. If the team performs well again, it will officially be a trend.
The Philadelphia Eagles opened up the 21 day practice window for tight tend Albert Okwuegbunam
The Eagles could lose Dallas Goedert for multiple weeks, but they’re getting some athleticism back on the roster with Albert Okweugbunam’s return to practice.
Philadelphia announced that his 21-day practice window has been opened.
The Eagles have three weeks to put the athletic tight end on the active roster or put him on season-ending injured reserve.
Philadelphia acquired Okwuegbunam from Denver after the 2023 preseason finale that saw the versatile tight end catch seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. But the Broncos didn’t have room for him on their roster, so they made a deal with the Eagles.
Philadelphia traded a 2025 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-rounder to the Broncos last August and decided not to utilize the pass catcher at all the previous seasons under offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.
A fourth-round pick out of Missouri, Okweugbunam was targeted just once in four games of action last season and did not have a catch.
Giants’ Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence miss Wednesday practice ahead of Week 7 game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles (3-2) and Giants (2-4) are set for a critical NFC East matchup on Sunday, and New York’s two best defenders are nursing injuries that must be monitored.
Jordan Raanan reports that outside linebacker Brian Burns (groin) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hip) will not practice on Wednesday. It’s the first practice of the week and not unusual, but Brian Daboll’s team must have their two most important defenders in the lineup.
Two big ones: OLB Brian Burns (groin) and DT Dexter Lawrence (hip) will not practice. #Giants#Eagles
Overall, the Giants are already without linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist), who is currently resting on injured reserve (IR) and will soon be joined by left tackle Andrew Thomas (foot), who is out for the season.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) donned a red non-contact jersey and returned to practice.
Malik Nabers trending towards clearing concussion protocol and returning to Giants lineup for game vs. Eagles in Week 7
The Eagles (3-2) are in prime position to take control of the NFC East over the next few weeks, and that journey starts with the New York Giants (2-4) on Sunday afternoon.
Saquon Barkley’s return to Metlife Stadium will also feature elite wide receiver play on both sides of the football. Philadelphia has two of the league’s best in DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, while the Giants have a guy who’s got next in former LSU star Malik Nabers.
The No. 6 overall pick has missed time with a concussion, but Jordan Raanan reports that the Giants are optimistic that Nabers will be available for this critical division matchup.
WR Malik Nabers (concussion) has made “progress” and will practice in a red jersey on Wednesday, per Brian Daboll.
The Giants are “optimistic” and they’re hoping he makes the next step on Thursday.
Nabers has missed the last two games and had yet to progress to Phase 4 of the five-step concussion protocol after he exited the Giants’ loss to the Cowboys in prime time on “Thursday Night Football” two weeks ago.
According to the Bergen Record, Nabers is the third rookie in the Super Bowl era with 30+ receptions in his first four games, joining Anquan Boldin (30 in 2003) and Nacua (39 last year). Boldin (101) and Nacua (105) set rookie receptions records in those seasons. Jaylen Waddle (104 in 2021) is second in single-season receptions for a rookie.
His 35 receptions are the second-highest four-game total to start a career in league history. Puka Nacua of the Rams had 39 catches in his first four games in 2023. Nabers’ 386 yards is the eighth-highest four-game total.
Nabers’ 35 catches rank first among all Giants players in the first four games of a season, surpassing Steve Smith’s 34 receptions in 2009. His 386 yards are first among Giants rookies and second to Plaxico Burress’ 396 yards in 2005, and his three touchdowns are tied for seventh all-time in franchise history.
Giants’ Andrew Thomas to miss game vs. Eagles after Lisfranc surgery
The Giants will welcome Saquon Barkley back to Metlife Stadium for his first game against his former team, and they’ll be without their star left tackle, Andrew Thomas.
Ian Rapoport reports that Thomas will miss the remainder of this season after having surgery on a Lisfranc injury.
#Giants star LT Andrew Thomas, one of the NFL’s best, had successful surgery this morning to repair a Lisfranc injury in his foot, sources say.
Thomas met with noted foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Tuesday when the surgery was recommended.
Thomas is one of the NFL’s best left tackles. He now leaves a void along the Giants’ offensive line that will likely weaken in two areas. Early expectations are that Jermaine Eluemunor will shift to the left side, paving the way for the return of embattled right tackle Evan Neal.
If the Giants opt to pass on a Neal return, Joshua Ezeudu could take over as the start at left tackle.
