Tag: backup quarterback

Chiefs QB Carson Wentz on possible start in Week 16: ‘Nothing’s gonna change’

Kansas City #Chiefs QB Carson Wentz on possible start in Week 16: ‘Nothing’s gonna change’ | @EdEastonJr

In the offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs added veteran quarterback Carson Wentz for potential crucial moments in the chance that Patrick Mahomes could get injured. During his Tuesday press conference, Wentz shared his thoughts on possibly starting this Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans.

“Yeah, (the) same way I always have, honestly, you know, got my feet wet a little bit at the end of last game and felt good out there, and nothing’s gonna change this week,” said Wentz. “Obviously, Patrick’s (Mahomes), you know, had some nicks and bruises all year, and I prepared like I was gonna play every week. So on my end, nothing’s really gonna change.”

Mahomes participated fully during a light practice on Tuesday, showing promising signs of staying in the lineup. According to head coach Andy Reid, veteran Wentz will continue to prepare as if he’s starting, so anything is possible before Saturday.

Wentz was the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2017. The Eagles won Super Bowl LII that season following Wentz’s going down with a season-ending knee injury.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid reveals his quarterback plans for Week 16: ‘A little bit more day-to-day’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reveals his quarterback plans for Week 16: ‘A little bit more day-to-day’ | @EdEastonJr

The status of Patrick Mahomes’ ankle after suffering a sprain will affect many decisions for Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. During his Tuesday press conference, the long-time coach addressed his plan for playing with or without his star quarterback this Saturday.

“I think this one’s a little bit more day-to-day. Let’s just see what he (Patrick Mahomes) does and how he feels. He’s always honest with me.” said Reid. “So he’s gonna shoot me straight on it, and I’ll be able to see him. Today’s a lighter day. So get him in there and moving around a little bit.”

Mahomes has played through ankle sprains and pain in the past, but the risk of further damage before the postseason has Reid considering an alternative for the matchup against the Houston Texans.

“He’ll (Mahomes) talk to me. The doctors will talk to me. Trainers, Keep it open. Once you’re out of the game,” said Reid. “He’ll shoot you pretty straight there. So, starting the game, his juices are going.”

If Mahomes can’t play this week, backup Carson Wentz will start and pick up from his relief role against the Cleveland Browns last week.

“Yeah. Well, I mean, he’s (Carson Wentz) started in the league and been successful. He’s got a great feel for this offense. He’s very smart (and has a) big arm,” said Reid. “I like the way he carries himself. I like everything about him. He should be starting in this league somewhere, you know. So he’s, he’s a heck of a player.”

Wentz was an MVP candidate before an injury during his time as the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback. He has the trust of the offense if he’s needed to start on Saturday.

Ex-Broncos quarterback breaks news about his new NFL team

The Saints have signed former Broncos backup quarterback Ben DiNucci.

Ben DiNucci is returning to the NFL.

The former Denver Broncos backup quarterback has joined the New Orleans Saints, according to a very reliable source: the QB.

“I have fun news,” DiNucci tweeted on Tuesday morning. “I signed with the Saints this morning. Source – myself (fairly credible).”

The news was quickly confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

DiNucci (6-2, 222 pounds) entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of James Madison with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. After two seasons in Dallas, DiNucci starred for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in the spring of 2023. He then landed with the Broncos that summer and served as backup during the 2023 campaign.

The Saints previously attempted to sign DiNucci off Denver’s practice squad last season but the Broncos convinced him to stay by promising three practice squad elevations, improving his pay.

After adding Bo Nix and Zach Wilson to a QB room that already had Jarrett Stidham this spring, Denver cut DiNucci in May. After being let go by the Broncos, DiNucci had a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills this summer.

The 28-year-old quarterback now lands in New Orleans. He last appeared in a regular season game in 2020, completing 53.5% of his passes for 219 yards with the Cowboys that season.

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Daniel Jones makes decision on next team after spurning Broncos’ rival

Daniel Jones won’t land in the AFC West. He has opted to join the Vikings after turning down interest from the Raiders.

Former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is signing with the Minnesota Vikings, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports first reported Wednesday.

Jones received offers from multiple teams after being cut by the Giants and he spurned interest from the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Schultz.

The Raiders were seeking more help at quarterback after losing Gardner Minshew to a season-ending shoulder injury against the Denver Broncos in Week 12.

Jones will now serve as a backup behind Sam Darnold in Minnesota. He will initially join the practice squad but is expected to be activated to the active roster after getting up to speed.

Darnold is scheduled to become a free agent in 2025 so it wouldn’t be surprising if Jones is a candidate to re-sign in the spring to serve as the Vikings’ veteran backup behind J.J. McCarthy next season.

McCarthy is sitting out his rookie season with a knee injury, but he is expected to be fully recovered in time for the 2025 campaign.

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Dejected Drew Lock reacts to not being named Giants’ starter

“It’s just an interesting situation,” Drew Lock said after the Giants benched Daniel Jones and Tommy DeVito jumped Lock on the depth chart.

The New York Giants announced this week that quarterback Daniel Jones has been benched. Surprisingly, Drew Lock is not replacing him.

Lock served as New York’s backup quarterback for the first 10 games of the season. After benching Jones, however, the Giants are turning the offense over to Tommy DeVito, not Lock.

So why was Lock listed above DeVito on the depth chart all season until Jones was benched?

“Yeah, that’s a question I might still have for myself,” Lock told reporters on Wednesday, via SNY.tv. “You know, it was expressed to me that I was going to be the [No.] 2 and, I don’t know, it’s just an interesting situation.

“Not much I can really say about it besides, again, I’m going to be here for him and we’re still communicating, we’re still very good friends, believe it or not. No, yeah, I’m going to be here for him. This team needs to get a win and if you start winning, everything gets a little better around here.”

There’s been speculation that New York is not starting Lock in part because his contract includes reachable incentives based on playing time and performance. Whatever the reason, DeVito will start for the Giants going forward.

Lock, 28, was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Missouri. He is 9-14 as a starter in the NFL.

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Giants make surprising decision on Drew Lock

The Giants are benching Daniel Jones, but they are not turning the offense over to Drew Lock.

The New York Giants (2-8) are finally making a quarterback change, but not to Drew Lock.

The Giants are benching Daniel Jones and replacing him in the starting lineup with Tommy DeVito, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and others. This is a somewhat surprising move given Lock’s role before Jones’ benching.

Lock, 28, was picked by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Missouri. He is 9-14 as a starter in the NFL, including a 1-1 mark with the Seattle Seahawks last season. Lock has served as New York’s No. 2 this fall with DeVito inactives on game days.

DeVito seems to have now jumped Lock on the depth chart. DeVito, 26, signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois in 2023. He went 3-3 as a starter last season with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

It appears to be a financially-motivated decision.

The Broncos will not play New York this fall, but the Giants will play the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17. Denver needs to fend off the Colts and Cincinnati Bengals in order to make the NFL playoffs this season.

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Is Lamar Jackson playing today? Injury updates for Ravens QB vs. Broncos

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was dealing with back and knee injuries last week. Here are the latest updates.

The Baltimore Ravens (5-3) are set to host the Denver Broncos (5-3) in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season and quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s status has been a big storyline leading up to the game.

Jackson did not participate in Wednesday’s practice last week and Ravens coach John Harbaugh described it as a “rest” day for the quarterback. When the injury report came out later in the day, Jackson was listed as a “DNP” (did not participate) due to knee and back injuries.

Jackson then missed practice again on Thursday, bringing into question his status for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. Jackson practiced for the first time last week on Friday. Jackson told reporters in Baltimore that his status for Sunday was “never in doubt” and sitting out two days of practice was “just resting my body.”

Baltimore will have a short week after hosting Denver on Nov. 3 as the Ravens are set to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football four days later on Nov. 7. With two games in a five-game span, Jackson’s status will be worth monitoring this week.

Lamar Jackson injury update

Jackson practiced on Friday and he was not given a “game status” injury designation, so he has been cleared to play on Sunday. He’s ready to start against the Broncos in Week 9. 

How long will Lamar Jackson be out?

The Broncos prepared last week as if Jackson would play on Sunday and he’s been cleared to suit up today. The Ravens announced their inactives list at 11:30 a.m. ET and Jackson is ACTIVE for Sunday’s game. He’s set to start against Denver.

Ravens quarterback depth chart

Baltimore’s backup quarterback is Josh Johnson. The 38-year-old veteran has spent time with 14 different NFL teams, including three separate stints with the Ravens. Johnson is 1-8 as a starter in his career, including an 0-1 mark with Baltimore. Devin Leary, a rookie out of Kentucky, is the team’s third-string quarterback. He was picked by the Ravens in the sixth round of this year’s NFL draft.

QB1: Lamar Jackson
QB2: Josh Johnson
QB3: Devin Leary

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (TV broadcast map). Playing on the road, Denver is considered a big underdog in Week 9.

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Sean Payton comments on trade statuses of Broncos QBs Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham

“Right now, I like where we’re at with this group,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said when asked about the NFL’s trade deadline.

After Friday’s practice session, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about the possibility of moving one of the team’s backup quarterbacks — either Jarrett Stidham or Zach Wilson — ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline.

Payton’s answer seemed to imply that one team had already reached out, but the talks were very preliminary.

“George [Paton] would be the better one to ask, but we’ll get teasers,” Payton said. “You know, a team a couple weeks ago [says], ‘Hey.’ Not even (waves hand) — and then, you know. When there’s a call that is somewhat substantial, it’s still like the beginning process. ‘Hey, this is what we might [offer],’ and then — we’re two weeks away.

“George and I will talk about it each day, but we’re focused on this [game] right now. I understand [the questions about it], and yet, it’s pretty normal. There’s a group of teams shopping a certain list of players. Some teams are easier to do a deal with maybe than others, but right now, I like where we’re at with this group.”

The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5. If Denver does make any trades, we will track all the moves on Broncos Wire.

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Will the Broncos trade a quarterback before the NFL’s deadline?

The Broncos have two backup quarterbacks in Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Should they move one before the NFL’s trade deadline?

The 2024 NFL trade deadline (Nov. 5) is less than a month away, so talks could heat up across the league in the coming weeks.

One potential storyline to watch for is whether or not the Denver Broncos opt to trade one of their backup quarterbacks.

Denver decided to carry three QBs this season: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. The Broncos have insisted that they view Wilson as a player who will start again down the road, but he’s been inactive for the team’s first five games this season.

The names of Stidham and Wilson have been mentioned when the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins lost starting quarterbacks to injuries this season, but Denver hasn’t moved either QB yet. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has speculated that the approaching deadline could spark action.

“The Broncos have a surplus at the position, with the luxury of maintaining a quality backup whether it trades a passer or not,” Fowler wrote on ESPN.com earlier this week. “Wilson seems to be the logical candidate because he’s No. 3 on the depth chart. … I could see Denver having dialogue with multiple quarterback-needy teams and moving one of Bo Nix’s backups based on the direction of those talks.”

Right now, it’s merely speculation, but it would make sense for the Broncos to move a surplus quarterback if the team could fetch good value in a trade with a QB-needy team. We’ll see if Denver makes a trade before Nov. 5.

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Dennis Allen announces new starting quarterback for Week 6 vs. Bucs

Spencer Rattler will make his NFL debut as the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Spencer Rattler will make his NFL debut as the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. No sources needed here. Dennis Allen himself delivered the news during Wednesday’s presser.

When Derek Carr went down with an oblique injury, the first question was will he be healthy enough to play against the Buccaneers. That question was quickly answered. Carr is expected to miss multiple weeks due to the injury.

The second question was who would start in his place. Would it be Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener? We received that news just as quickly. That may be the most surprising part. Allen has kept many things close to the vest this year. It was shocking to see him announce this so quickly.

Rattler and Haener battled it out in a close competition during Saints training camp. Rattler seemingly pulled ahead during the final preseason game.

Rattler is the higher upside player, and if there was someone who would be the quarterback of the future on the roster, it’s him. He provides a mixture of arm talent and athleticism that’ll bring a different dynamic to the offense.

Let “The Agenda” begin.

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