Tag: Jaguars

Andy Reid gives grim update after ‘Hollywood’ Brown injury vs. Jaguars

Andy Reid gave reporters an update on ‘Hollywood’ Brown’s status after the #Chiefs’ loss to the #Jaguars. | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs lost more than their preseason opener on Saturday to the Jacksonville Jaguars as head coach Andy Reid confirmed one of their fears from the exhibition.

Reid addressed the media after the game in Jacksonville, providing an update on Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown’s health status.

“Hollywood Brown has that same thing that Tyreek (Hill) had down here, actually, the sternoclavicular joint dislocation,” said Reid. “They’ve taken him to the hospital; they’ll check him out; they’re working on that as we speak.”

Brown sustained the shoulder injury in the first quarter of Saturday night’s 26-13 loss in Jacksonville. He was initially ruled as questionable to return to the game by the Chiefs staff, but he was likely to sit out following the opening series with the rest of the starters.

The Chiefs lost then-wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the same diagnosed shoulder injury for four games in 2019 after he went down to the Jaguars in the regular season opener. Kansas City would eventually win the Super Bowl that season for the first time in 50 years, with Hill still serving as an essential contributor when he returned from the injury.

There are signs of optimism that Brown won’t miss much time in the regular season since it’s still August, but it is far too early to assume his recovery timetable.

Inactives for Chiefs vs. Jaguars, preseason Week 1

These players are expected to be inactive for #Chiefs vs. #Jaguars, preseason Week 1. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t expected to release their list of inactive players for their preseason Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The preseason slightly differs from the regular season in that players aren’t formally made inactive. They’re not expected to play, either due to injury or otherwise.

Here are the players who aren’t expected to play for the Chiefs:

  • S Justin Reid
  • OL Joe Thuney
  • DL BJ Thompson
  • DL Charles Omenihu
  • DL Derrick Nnadi
  • LB Nick Bolton

Here are the Jaguars players who aren’t expected to play:

  • OL Ezra Cleveland
  • CB Tyson Campbell
  • RB Keilan Robinson
  • OL Steven Jones
  • OL Anton Harrison
  • DL Jordan Jefferson
  • S Andrew Wingard
  • S Darnell Savage

Though both teams will be without multiple players for the preseason kickoff, this matchup has low stakes. The Chiefs and Jaguars will look to gain more experience for their reserves and rookies during this tilt as they move on through the exhibition schedule next week.

Rookie Chiefs WR receives a letter from his mother before Saturday’s game vs. Jaguars

Kansas City #Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy receives a letter from his mother before his first NFL game | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs return to the field for an NFL game for the first time since winning Super Bowl LVIII months ago. The rookies on the roster will get their first taste of the NFL in Saturday night’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In honor of his first NFL game, a video titled’ A Letter to Xavier,’ narrated by Xavier Worthy’s mother, Nicky Jones, was released on her X account.

“Xavier, as you get ready for your first NFL game, I can’t help but think of some of my favorite memories of you playing the game you love: that one game when you were in Pop Warner, and you scored like seven touchdowns in a game, or when you scored your first high school varsity touchdown, your first collegiate touchdown. And, of course, I can’t forget that 75-yard touchdown versus Oklahoma on the opening play in the Red River rivalry game, one of the biggest rivalry games in college football; you do everything fast, ‘Mr. 4.21’,” said Jones. “But that doesn’t mean all this happened overnight. As your Mom, I’ve watched you put in years of sacrifice, lots and lots of hard work, and dedication to get where you are today, and you deserve every single blessing coming your way as you start your NFL career.”

“Xavier, I want you to remember you set your own standard of excellence—no one else. Continue to set that bar high, and every day, strive to be the best version of yourself on and off the field, my son. I am so proud of you and love you—Times Infinity. Go be great. Go be amazing. Go be legendary.”

Worthy is expected to play significant time in his preseason debut, hoping to make an immediate impact before the regular season begins.

Chargers WR DJ Chark impressing in training camp

DJ Chark has been showing off his ability to make plays deep down the field.

The Chargers need wide receivers to step up after the losses of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, and DJ Chark has been showing flashes of someone who could be counted on.

In the early stages of training camp, DJ Chark has made several eyebrow-raising plays, including a few catches deep down the field.

This is exactly why Los Angeles signed Chark in May. He possesses elite speed to serve as a vertical threat, something the Bolts haven’t had at the position in years.

“He’s doing a great job at everything,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “Great attitude, great team guy, smart, and he’s been a Pro Bowl player. I sense a hunger in him, too.”

Chark earned Pro Bowl status in his second season in the league, which came in 2019 with the Jaguars. That year, he caught a career-high 73 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns.

Flashes like this from Chark are very encouraging, and the hope is that he can keep stacking up these types of practices into the regular season to provide the offense with an explosive playmaker.

Bleacher Report’s new Marshon Lattimore trade isn’t much better than its last

Bleacher Report’s new Marshon Lattimore trade offer isn’t much better than its last. The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback is worth more than a mid-round draft pick:

We’ve discussed before how a Marshon Lattimore trade isn’t likely, but also how that isn’t going to stop speculation about the former four-time Pro Bowler getting moved any time soon. NFL trade rumormongering is in full swing now that training camps have kicked off for all 32 teams. And this newest trade offer proposed by Bleacher Report isn’t much more compelling than their last offer.

B/R’s Alex Ballentine suggested the Jacksonville Jaguars make a play for Lattimore’s services, which isn’t a bad idea. The Jaguars defensive coaching staff knows him very well. Former Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen is their new coordinator and he has several of his old coworkers coaching the secondary, including Kris Richard and Cory Robinson, who both worked with Lattimore directly.

Here’s why Ballentine argues a deal between New Orleans and Jacksonville would make sense, swapping Lattimore for the Jaguars’ third-round pick in 2025 (coming to them from the Minnesota Vikings):

The Saints restructured Lattimore’s contract in a way that makes it much easier to trade him before the season starts. With Paulson Adebo due for a contract extension in 2025, the Saints might be willing to part with the older, more expensive Lattimore.

L’Jarius Sneed was traded for a third-rounder and a seventh-round pick swap. That could put Lattimore’s value as a third-rounder straight up. The Jags would be on the hook for most of his 2024 cap hit and the remainder of his five-year, $97.6 million contract.

That might be the cost of keeping up with the Joneses in an extremely competitive AFC right now.

Look, we get what Ballentine is doing here. Using recent deals to project future trades — essentially going with what the market value appears to be — is fine. But just because teams are undervaluing the position doesn’t mean we (or the Saints) have to play ball. If the best offer the Saints could get for Lattimore is a third-round pick in next year’s draft, they simply shouldn’t trade him.

Even if he’s currently missing time with another injury after being sidelined for 17 games over the last two years. Lattimore is a rare talent and arguably the best player on the team when healthy. And he’s proven time and again that he’s worth waiting for when he’s injured. If a split is inevitable, wait it out until a better offer appears. He’s shown a willingness to suit up and go to work that other players haven’t when they want out.

He’s worth more to the Saints than, what, maybe the No. 87 overall pick in next year’s draft (based off this year’s draft order)? Unless a team is willing to make a really strong offer and put at least a second rounder on the table, Lattimore should spend the 2024 season in black and gold.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

New Orleans Saints sign offensive lineman Chandler Brewer

The Saints are adding some offensive line depth after multiple injuries at training camp. The team signed Chandler Brewer, per his agency:

After a couple of early training camp injuries, the New Orleans Saints have brought in some much-needed offensive line depth. The Saints are signing veteran Chandler Brewer per his agency Exclusive Sports Group.

Brewer played for four years at Middle Tennessee State, where he appeared in 53 games. He wasn’t drafted in 2019 but signed with the Los Angeles Rams, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring. Pro Football Focus gave him a 55.6 grade for his 228 snaps at right guard during the 2022 season. He wasn’t re-signed in 2023, at which point he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and remained there until his release in June.

Besides Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, and Taliese Fuaga in the starting lineup, there are a lot of spots open for grabs. This gives Brewer a chance to come in right away and compete. At the very least it’s good to have another veteran adding more competition in the locker room.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Tyson Campbell’s Jaguars extension is a big deal for Paulson Adebo

Tyson Campbell’s Jaguars extension is a big deal for Paulson Adebo. The Saints cornerback can point to a very similar resume as a free agent next year:

Whew: Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell earned a big bag this week by signing a four-year, $76.5 million extension. That made him the highest-paid corner in the league who hasn’t yet been recognized with a Pro Bowl nod. And it’s a big deal for Paulson Adebo. The New Orleans Saints cornerback is next in line for a new contract with free agency on the horizon in 2025.

Campbell, 24, has a lot in common with Adebo, 25. They were both picked on the second day of the 2021 NFL draft, with Adebo going off the board 43 slots after the Jaguars made Campbell the first selection of the second round. The two cornerbacks have posted strikingly similar numbers since then:

  • Adebo: 7 interceptions and 33 passes defensed, with 202 tackles (166 solo, 6 tackles for loss), 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries on 2,611 snaps across 45 games. 24 missed tackles
  • Campbell: 6 interceptions and 30 passes defensed, with 203 tackles (145 solo, 6 tackles for loss), 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries on 2,591 snaps across 43 games. 22 missed tackles

That’s close. Very close. Let’s take it a step further and look into their coverage stats from Pro Football Reference:

  • Adebo: 160 completions on 265 targets (60.4%) for 2,053 yards, or 12.8 yards per catch, with 12 touchdowns allowed
  • Campbell: 142 completions on 226 targets (62.8%) for 1,632 yards, or 11.5 yards per catch, with 17 touchdowns allowed

That has Adebo giving up more catches for more yards, at slightly more yards per completion and while being targeted much more often, but with Campbell being more of a vulnerability in scoring position. How do the numbers at Pro Football Focus compare to those from PFR?

  • Adebo: 150 completions on 237 targets (63.3%) for 2,138 yards, or 14.3 yards per catch, with 10 touchdowns allowed
  • Campbell: 148 completions on 226 targets (65.5%) for 1,696 yards, or 11.5 yards per catch, with 18 touchdowns allowed

PFF’s charting charged more completions to Adebo’s teammates than that from PFR, but they also dinged him for allowing more big plays. While it’s tough to overlook the 400-plus-yard gap in yards allowed between them, Adebo giving up so many fewer touchdown passes might balance things out.

But where they separate — unfavorably for Adebo — is in penalties. Adebo has been fouled 20 times for 276 yards through three years (with three more penalties declined by the offense). He’s drawn a dozen infractions for defensive pass interference and been flagged nine times for defensive holding. Adebo had his best season in the NFL last year and he still forfeited 92 yards by penalty.

How does Campbell compare? He’s been one of the cleanest defenders in pro football. He wasn’t fouled once during his rookie year, and he’s only had four penalties accepted in his NFL career (for 68 yards). Sure, he’s also had three penalties declined, but Adebo has allowed more than 200 penalty yards in the same period of time.

How great a difference will that make when Adebo’s up for a new deal? It says a lot that the Saints haven’t extended him yet, whereas the Jaguars have seen enough from Campbell to believe an extension is a wise investment. But with salaries on the rise and other corners from the same draft class with very similar production earning top dollar, it sure looks like Adebo may cash in next offseason. Will the Saints be the ones to pay him?

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

New Orleans Saints sign UFL wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr.

The Saints signed UFL wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr., who previously tried out with the Jaguars after playing college football at Notre Dame:

It’s a little late to make earth-shaking moves, but the New Orleans Saints are adding a new wide receiver. Kevin Austin Jr. signed with the team before the start of training camp, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Austin lands with the Saints on a one-year deal. He played college football at Notre Dame and had his best season in 2021. In 13 games, he caught 48 passes for 888 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Austin went undrafted in 2022 but signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars that summer. After he was waived by the Jaguars, he landed with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions, where he caught 15 passes for 253 receiving yards (that’s 16.9 yards per catch), scoring two touchdowns. Austin has NFL-quality size and speed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds with a timed 4.43 in the 40-yard dash.

After Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, there’s a lot of competition for reps at wide receiver. The team brought in veterans Cedrick Wilson Jr., Stanley Morgan, and Equanimous St. Brown while adding young guys like Bub Means, Jermaine Jackson, and Mason Tipton. A.T. Perry also returned from last year’s team.

It’ll be an uphill battle, but if Austin can impress at training camp, he might be able to earn a spot on the depth chart. The good news for Austin is that there is an opening for playing time with Michael Thomas not returning to the team.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson reflects on Andy Reid’s impact on his NFL career

Ed Easton Jr. spoke to American Century Championship tournament participant Doug Pederson about Andy Reid becoming the league’s oldest coach | @EdEastonJr

Now entering his third season as the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach, Doug Pederson completed his first two years with back-to-back winning records. He spent time as a Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff member under his long-time collaborator Andy Reid.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to American Century Championship tournament participant Pederson about Reid becoming the league’s oldest coach and impacting his career.

“As the oldest coach in the National Football League right now, I mean, it’s for a reason, and it’s because of the success that he’s had on the football field, and obviously, he’s to me, it’s a Hall of Fame career, hands down,” said Pederson. “I’ve learned so much as a player from him when he coached me and Brett Favre in Green Bay, which are still some of the things that I use as a head coach now in Jacksonville.

“Then, when I got to work for him in Philadelphia when he was the head coach there, and I became an assistant coach for him, just watching how he comes to work every single day and his attention to detail and his focus and drive, and how he leads his football teams.”

Pederson coached the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016 to 2020 and won the 2018 Super Bowl, the first Super Bowl title in the Eagles’ history. As a backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers under Reid as a coordinator, Pederson was part of the 1997 Super Bowl championship team. According to Jacksonville’s head coach, Reid isn’t expected to appear on any golf course soon.

“No, I don’t even think he plays golf,” said Pederson. “So, no, I’m not going to get him on the golf course.”

Pederson will be attending this year’s American Century Championship tournament for the fifth time.

Check out the website for more information about the American Century Championship.

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson on matchups vs. Chiefs: ‘You want to beat those guys’

#Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Doug Pederson about the coming NFL season and his respect for the defending Super Bowl champions.

Only days away from the 35th edition of the American Century Championship, better known as the “Super Bowl of Celebrity Golf.” Travis Kelce will be participating and representing the Kansas City Chiefs, facing off on the golf course against many of the team’s football rivals.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach and tournament participant Doug Pederson about this year’s NFL season and respecting Kansas City’s championship roster while trying to dethrone them.

“It’s impressive to watch, and when you think his teams are out, they’re not; they’re always going to be in there at the end,” Pederson explained of facing Andy Reid’s Chiefs teams. “It was obviously evident last year with the team he had in Kansas City and how they went on to win the championship. So that’s what we’re all striving to do as head coaches, to be just like that. You want to beat those guys, and that’s what motivates you to do well, and that’s what motivates you to win. That’s the that’s the pinnacle in our sport right now, and those are the teams you got to beat.”

All eyes will be on Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course during the second week of July, with competition set for Friday-Sunday, July 12-14. The nationally-televised (NBC/Golf Channel/Peacock) tournament features 90 sports and entertainment celebrities performing for crowds of up to 60,000. Almost $8 million has been raised for charity.

Check out the website for more information about the American Century Championship.