Tag: ben niemann

Lions vs Jaguars: Final injury report and medical analysis

Lions vs Jaguars: Final injury report and medical analysis for the Week 11 matchup in Detroit

For the Detroit Lions who are mathematically at >99% to make the playoffs, the balance of playing vs resting players is rightfully getting nudged towards the side that helps with playoff performance.

With an 8-1 record, the Lions have earned the opportunity to rest minor playable injuries and employ selective load management. That strategy may have been a factor in the decision to sideline Taylor Decker last week and Sam LaPorta this week. There is still the extremely valuable #1 seed bye up for grabs so keeping the foot on the regular season gas does have playoff benefits.

The Jaguars are on the opposite side of the mathematical spectrum with a <1% chance of making the playoffs. But they may end up with the same answers as the Lions to the “play vs rest” question.

While the Lions are focusing on the 2025 playoffs, the Jaguars are focusing on the 2026 playoffs. Key long-term players like Trevor Lawrence, who is considering season-ending AC joint surgery, may decide to sacrifice the present for a better future.

During the week, the Lions had a new minor injury to Carlton Davis who broke his thumb, and an upgrade with Taylor Decker’s shoulder. Overall, the Lions active roster is in good health.

The Jaguars have multiple offensive skill players dealing with injuries including their #1 QB, #1 RB, and #1-3 WR’s. The team’s injury report is lengthy with many limited practices, but most of the players will be in.

DETROIT LIONS

Carlton Davis CB (hand UL LP FP – In)

Davis said he broke his thumb in practice but will play through with a cast. No concerns here, but a repeat 2-interception performance will be more challenging.

Ben Niemann LB (ankle UL UL NP – Questionable)

Presumably, Niemann hurt his ankle in practice. An NP on Friday means he’s likely out on Sunday. He played 19% of defensive snaps last game which was 4th amongst linebackers.

Sam LaPorta TE (shoulder NP NP NP – Out)

LaPorta suffered a left AC joint sprain last game which Dan Campbell has called “day-to-day”. Letting him rest is a good idea not just for the AC joint but in case of any residuals from his previous injuries this year:
• hamstring (preseason)
• right low ankle sprain (week 3)
• possible right knee hyperextension (week 7)

Taylor Decker OT (shoulder LP FP FP – In)

Decker suffered a rotator cuff strain in practice last week and missed the last game. Good news that it is minor and he’ll be playing on Sunday.

Malcolm Rodriguez LB (ankle LP FP FP – In)

After missing two games with a left ankle sprain, Rodriguez is ready to go.

Brodric Martin DT (knee FP FP FP – Out)

After a right knee hyperextension in preseason, Martin had his 21-day practice window opened on October 30. Expect him to be moved to the active roster next week by November 20.

Ifeatu Melifonwu S (ankle/finger FP LP NP – Out)

The downgrade is a concern. Hopefully, it is only related to the finger injury and not an aggravation of a suspected Achilles tendonitis. Defensive backs can play through finger dislocations or fractures (see Carlton Davis) so the finger shouldn’t impact his timeline.

Melifonwu’s practice window opened November 6 which means he should move to the active roster by November 27, the day before Thanksgiving.

Emmanuel Moseley CB (pec FP FP FP – Out)

Recovering from his torn pec in August, Moseley’s 21-day practice window opened November 6. Like Melifonwu, Moseley should move to the active roster before Thanksgiving.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Trevor Lawrence QB (shoulder NP NP NP – Out)

A left, non-throwing, AC joint sprain will keep the Jaguars’ starting QB out for a second straight game. He may even decide to call it a season and get AC joint surgery. Mac Jones, who was 14/22 for 111 yards last week in a 12-7 loss to the Vikings, will start again.

Tank Bigsby RB (ankle NP NP NP – Out)

The Jaguars #1 RB with 519 yards has been dealing with an ankle issue for 2-3 weeks and aggravated it last game. Expect Travis Etienne, who has 298 yards, to get the bulk of the carries.

Maason Smith DT (ankle LP LP LP – Questionable)

This 2nd-round rookie has missed the last four games.

Keilan Robinson RB (toe FP FP FP – Questionable)

With 3x FP, this 5th-round rookie should be available, but he has yet to play this year.

Ezra Cleveland LG (ankle LP LP LP – Questionable)

This starting LG missed the last two games but might be ready to return this Sunday.

Brian Thomas WR (chest LP LP LP – In)

The Jaguars #1 WR with 607 yards hurt his ribs two weeks ago but has been playing through. He only had 2 catches for 12 yards last game though.

Gabe Davis WR (shoulder LP LP LP – In)

Davis hurt his shoulder three weeks ago but did return to play last week with 1 catch for 19 yards. He is the team’s 4th-leading receiver with 236 yards on the year.

Josh Hines-Allen DE (shoulder LP LP LP – In)

This star pass-rusher has five sacks on the year.

Blake Hance OL (knee LP LP LP – In)

Hance started last game at LG and may start again if Ezra Cleveland can’t go.

Brandon Scherff RG (knee LP LP LP – In)

This starting RG has not missed a game this year.

D’Ernest Johnson RB (hamstring LP LP LP – In)

Johnson is 3rd on the team with 114 rushing yards this year.

Tyson Campbell CB (shoulder LP LP LP – In)

Campbell missed a few games with a hamstring earlier in the year but has started the last four games.

Daniel Thomas S (hamstring LP LP LP – In)

This backup has not played a defensive snap the past four games.

NOTABLES

Christian Kirk, the Jaguars 2nd-leading WR, was placed on IR two weeks ago with a broken clavicle.

Detroit Lions sign former Iowa Hawkeyes LB Ben Niemann

Hawkeyes pipeline.

Another former member of the Iowa Hawkeyes has found his way to an NFL roster only continuing the healthy pipeline that Kirk Ferentz has built. Former Iowa linebacker Ben Niemann has signed with the Detroit Lions.

Niemann joins Sam LaPorta and Jack Campbell as two other Hawkeyes on the roster that fit the manta and hard-nosed mentality of Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

Ben Niemann has played six years in the NFL, primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he spent his first four seasons. He then bounced around to the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and spent 2023 with the Tennessee Titans and  Denver Broncos.

Niemann has appeared in 86 career games registering 239 total tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and five fumble recoveries. He joins a deep and talented linebacking group in Detroit.

While at Iowa, Niemann played in 53 total games while starting in 40. He was an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team in his sophomore and senior seasons. His career at Iowa included 201 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

Niemann will be a longshot to start for the Lions but his ability to play special teams could snag him a roster spot. During the 2023 season he did not play a defensive snap and was solely used on special teams, somewhere he could have an immediate impact for the Detroit Lions.

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Sorting out the Lions linebacker room after addition of Ben Niemann

Sorting out the Detroit Lions linebacker depth chart after addition of Ben Niemann and release of Steele Chambers

The Detroit Lions officially added free agent linebacker Ben Niemann to the roster. The 28-year-old joins the Detroit LB corps in time for the final OTAs before the extended break into training camp in late July.

The Lions released undrafted rookie linebacker Steele Chambers to make room for Niemann. That move gives a pretty good indication of how the Lions view their newcomer and his role. It also makes for a good time to refresh the view of Detroit’s linebacker depth chart.

Starters

This probably deserves an asterisk because the Lions might be morphing back to playing three linebackers in the base defense more often than they have the past few seasons with Aaron Glenn as the defensive coordinator. They’ve shown that look more in minicamp and OTAs than at any other time since Glenn took over the defense, but it’s important to note that it’s still primarily just two off-ball linebackers in the vast majority of sets.

Alex Anzalone is coming off his best season, setting career highs in tackles (129), sacks (3), PDs (6), QB hits (12) and TFLs (7). He is also the emotional leader and nerve center of the defense.

Jack Campbell has moved up into the first-team reps next to Anzalone when No. 34 plays and in Anzalone’s spot when the veteran didn’t participate in OTAs. The Lions are clearly grooming him for a full-time starting role in his second season after an up-and-down rookie campaign.

Derrick Barnes started with Anzalone last year, and he could still get starting reps as an off-ball LB. However, Barnes has been doing more of the SAM role this spring. In Detroit’s defense, that’s much more of a pass-rush role than a more reactionary and coverage role than Barnes has played. This is closer to the role he played collegiately at Purdue before morphing into an off-ball LB his first three seasons in Detroit.

This move could have a couple of root causes, both of which can be true but also coincidental.

Campbell could be ready for a bigger role and/or (likely both) the Lions are seeing how much more he can do in his second season. Barnes was also an adept pass rusher in college, and that could be a reflection that the team sees a bigger overall need for the defense than off-ball LB depth. That would keep an experienced Barnes on the field in more situations if some of the edge rushers (Marcus Davenport, James Houston, Mitchell Agude, Josh Paschal, Mathieu Betts) aren’t bringing the heat as well as hoped.

Reserves

Malcolm Rodriguez jumps right into the inside backer role in drills with the second-team defense. He has his limitations in range and coverage, but the fan favorite “Rodrigo” is a very good smart defender and good open-field tackler. He can be one of the best reserve backers in the league, and Rodriguez also proved he can capably fill in as the team’s fullback last season too.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin is primarily known for his special teams play, but the veteran proved he could handle business as a defensive reserve, too. His speed in the open field and quick reactions worked in coverage packages, and that could continue more in 2024. Reeves-Maybin and Rodriguez are omnipresent on special teams units, where Reeves-Maybin served as a captain and Rodriguez played extensively. That will continue in 2024 with the new kickoff rules.

Competing

Any remaining roster space at LB figures to be devoted exclusively to special teams. It’s the role Anthony Pittman played in Detroit for the last few seasons. Pittman is now with the Washington Commanders.

This is where Niemann fits in. He’s got over 80 NFL games under his belt, including 21 starts across six seasons. Fans of the Chiefs and Cardinals will opine that Niemann was much more capable on special teams than in actually playing linebacker. He did not have a defensive snap with the Broncos last season.

With Chambers now gone, the only other true off-ball LB on the roster is undrafted rookie DaRon Gilbert, a 218-pound Northern Illinois product who essentially played the same college role that Lions slot DB Brian Branch did at Alabama.

Lions adding LB Ben Niemann to the roster

Lions adding LB Ben Niemann to the roster as a free agent

The personnel front has been pretty quiet lately in Detroit. Through the recent session of OTAs and last week’s mandatory minicamp, the Lions kept the same group of players on the roster.

That has changed as the final week of OTAs sets in. Per several sources, the Lions are adding veteran linebacker Ben Niemann to the roster. The Lions don’t have their scheduled Monday session this week due to a violation of league rules regarding contact in the last OTA week, but Niemann will be signed for Tuesday’s session.

Niemann, 28, is entering his seventh NFL season. He spent his first four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, moving from special teams standout to occasional starting OLB. He started nine games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and logged a career-high 70 tackles that year. Niemann played in seven games for the Denver Broncos in 2023, appearing exclusively on special teams. He was with the Tennessee Titans in the 2023 preseason before moving on to Denver.

Terms of Niemann’s pending deal with the Lions are not yet known.

Broncos add linebacker Ben Niemann to 53-man roster

The Broncos promoted linebacker Ben Niemann from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Monday.

The Denver Broncos promoted inside linebacker Ben Niemann from the practice squad to their 53-man roster on Monday, the team announced.

Another team tried to sign Niemann off the practice squad, prompting Denver to promote him, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Niemann is a sixth-year player who has appeared in 21 regular season games and 11 postseason games for three teams: the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals and Broncos. During his career, he has recorded 220 tackles, two sacks, three defensed passes, one forced fumble and six fumble recoveries.

Niemann previously appeared in a Denver uniform in their Week 4 win over the Chicago Bears, where he played mostly on special teams, appearing on 17 snaps.

It will be interesting to see where Niemann fits in the defense and special teams unit, as the defense has improved dramatically since they gave up 70 points to the Miami Dolphins early in the season. Niemann will likely contribute on special teams while providing depth at inside linebacker behind Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton.

The Broncos had an open spot for Niemann on the active roster after placing wide receiver Brandon Johnson (hamstring) on injured reserve last week.

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Broncos elevate 2 players from practice squad for Bears game

The Broncos elevated RB Dwayne Washington and ILB Ben Niemann from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 4.

The Denver Broncos have elevated two players from their 17-player practice squad to the game-day roster for Sunday’s showdown with the Chicago Bears.

The Broncos called up running back Dwayne Washington and inside linebacker Ben Niemann, adding them to the active roster for Week 4.

Each player on the practice squad can be elevated to the game-day roster three times during the season without having to clear waivers in order to revert back to the practice squad after the game.

This marks the third of a possible three elevations for Washington in 2023. So if he’s called up to the active roster again, Washington will be subject to the waiver wire before returning to the practice squad. Last week, the veteran running back played 21 snaps on special teams.

This marks Niemann’s first elevation of the season. He was called up to provide more depth at ILB with Josey Jewell (hip) ruled out.

Sunday’s game against the Bears will begin at 11:00 a.m. MT. Denver is considered a betting favorite at home (view the TV map here).

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Broncos sign ex-Titans LB Ben Niemann to practice squad

Former Titans LB Ben Niemann has found a new home on the Broncos’ practice squad.

Former Tennessee Titans linebacker Ben Niemann has found a new home with the Denver Broncos after being cut on Tuesday.

According to the league’s transactions wire, Niemann has signed on to the Broncos’ practice squad, with the team releasing wide receiver Michael Bandy to make room.

Niemann was signed by the Titans earlier this offseason and was in the mix for a roster spot before being waived.

He played well during the preseason, notching Pro Football Focus grades of 76.7 in run defense and 68.8 in coverage. But Tennessee ultimately decided to go with its younger options in Azeez Al-Shaair, Jack Gibbens, Luke Gifford, Monty Rice and Otis Reese.

Niemann has always proven to be a reliable tackler. In fact, the veteran was one of nine players to not miss a single tackle in 2022, converting all 70 of his stops, per The 33rd Team.

Niemann has a good shot to see some playing time in Denver, as he’s the only linebacker on the practice squad and the fifth on the team overall when including the active roster.

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Broncos made a change to practice squad on Friday

The Broncos signed LB Ben Niemann to the practice squad and cut WR Michael Bandy to make room on Friday.

The Denver Broncos swapped players on the practice squad Friday.

The Broncos signed inside linebacker Ben Niemann, who had a free agent visit with the team on Thursday. To make room for Niemann on the 17-player practice squad, Denver cut wide receiver Michael Bandy.

The Broncos still only have four receivers on the 53-man roster and the team now has just three WRs remaining on the practice squad in Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Phillip Dorsett and David Sills.

Before adding Niemann, Denver was also thin at inside linebacker with just four on the active roster and none on the practice squad. Niemann will be eligible to be elevated from the practice squad three times during the season, so it’s possible that he might even be viewed as the fourth-string ILB above special teams contributor Justin Strnad.

The Broncos’ starting ILBs are Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton, and the just used a third-round draft pick in April to add Drew Sanders.

Niemann, who played under Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph in 2022, now gives the team more depth at ILB. He has recorded 237 tackles in 79 career games (21 starts), including 17 games in Arizona last year.

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Broncos buzz: Free agent LB Ben Niemann visits team

The Broncos brought in LB Ben Niemann for a free agent visit on Thursday. The Super Bowl LIV champion has started 21 games in his career.

Story update: The Broncos signed LB Ben Niemann to their practice squad on Friday. See our original post below. 

The Denver Broncos brought in linebacker Ben Niemann for a free agent visit on Thursday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

Niemann (6-2, 235 pounds) signed with the Kansas City Chiefs out of Iowa following the 2018 NFL draft. He spent the first four years of his career in KC, winning Super Bowl LIV following the 2019 season.

In four seasons, Niemann totaled 110 tackles, five fumble recoveries, two sacks and one forced fumble in 62 games (12 starts). He also played 1,062 snaps on special teams over four years in Kansas City.

After his rookie contract with the Chiefs expired, Niemann signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022. He recorded 70 tackles in 17 games (nine starts) with the Cards last fall.

This spring, Niemann signed with the Tennessee Titans. He failed to make their 53-man roster earlier this week and is now a free agent.

At the time of this writing, Niemann has not signed. Denver is likely looking for more depth at inside linebacker. The team currently only has four inside linebackers on the active roster and no ILBs on the 17-player practice squad. Niemann might be a player they keep in mind for down the road.

Broncos buzz: Denver had scouts at Utah-Florida, UConn-NC State and ASU-SUU college football games on Thursday night. The Broncos currently hold six picks in the 2024 NFL draft.

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Titans training camp preview at LB: Roster locks, competitions, prediction

Our next installment of training camp previews for the Titans comes at the linebacker position.

With Tennessee Titans training camp just days away, we keep chugging right along with our positional previews (we’re cutting it close, I know), with the linebacker position being up next.

The Titans are set to have two new full-time starters in 2023 after the team parted ways with both David Long and Zach Cunningham this offseason.

Monty Rice got a taste of being a full-time starter while one or both were hurt during the 2022 campaign, and he’s projected to get the nod in 2023 alongside newcomer, Azeez Al-Shaair.

However, neither player has a ton of experience as a full-time starter in this league, making linebacker arguably the biggest question mark on the defensive side of the ball.

Aside from the acquisition of Al-Shaair, the Titans also signed Ben Niemann and Luke Gifford. In addition, they have Jack Gibbens and Chance Campbell returning for Year 2.

Here’s a look at the roster locks at the position and competitions set to take place, as well as a prediction for how things will ultimately shake out.