Tag: Jeff Driskel

Broncos agree to terms with backup QB Jeff Driskel

The Broncos have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with backup quarterback Jeff Driskel.

The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Jeff Driskel to be their new backup quarterback, according to a report from The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala.

Driskel (6-4, 235 pounds) is an athletic quarterback who ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in 2016, the fastest time among QBs that year. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the draft after a standout senior season at Louisiana Tech.

Driskel completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 4,026 yards with 27 touchdowns against eight interceptions at La. Tech in 2015.

After failing to make the 49ers’ 53-man roster as a rookie, Driskel landed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he served as a backup from 2016-2018. Driskel started in five games for the Bengals as an injury replacement for Andy Dalton. He threw for 1,003 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions in those contests.

Last year, Driskel served as the Detroit Lions backup and started in three games after Matthew Stafford went down with an injury. Driskel threw for 685 yards and had four touchdowns and four interceptions with Detriot before suffering a season-ending injury of his own.

The 26-year-old QB will serve as Drew Lock’s backup in Denver.

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4 backup quarterbacks the Redskins should target in 2020 NFL free agency

The Redskins will likely choose to keep Dwayne Haskins in the starting QB role for 2020, but they have a hole to fill at the QB2 spot.

The Washington Redskins seemingly have a question at the quarterback position that they need to answer during the 2020 offseason.

That doesn’t mean that they are unsure of who their starting QB may be — it seems safe to say that the Redskins will likely stick with rookie QB Dwayne Haskins going forward, even though new coach Ron Rivera stopped shy of naming him the QB1 when introduced to the team. Rather, the team needs to figure out what to do at the backup QB position.

With Case Keenum and Colt McCoy both set to become free agents once their contracts run out this spring, Washington will be left with a few options to fill the position. While it’s still a possibility — and probably the smartest course of action — that the Redskins sign either veteran QB to a cheap contract for the 2020 season and beyond, it feels likely that the two QBs who rode the pine in Washington would rather test their chances elsewhere.

That leaves free agency or the NFL Drat to find a QB2. With that being said, here are a few names to potentially keep an eye out to be added to the QB room in Washington.

Brett Hundley — Arizona Cardinals
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 27: Brett Hundley #7 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Hundley was a solid prospect coming out of UCLA in 2015, and he served as the backup for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay during the 2017 season where Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone. The results weren’t great, but that’s why he’s a backup.

Now in Arizona, Hundley has served as a valued member of the QB room behind rookie Kyler Murray, and he is said to have helped in the former Heisman-winner’s growth over the 2019 season. He also looked like a serviceable option in the single game that he played in place of Murray this past season, throwing for 49 yards with 35 more on the ground.

If the Redskins were able to convince Hundley to come to Washington, he would undoubtedly be able to help spur on the growth of Haskins, and he could also get the team out of a jam if called upon.

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Lions Week 13 comprehensive depth chart

A comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions depth chart as they prepare to host the Chicago Bears in Week 13 on Thanksgiving day at Ford Field.

In this comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions roster, we will be examining not only the positional depth chart but also looking at who coaches will turn to in specific situations, including who will step up in case of injury.

Here’s a look at how the Lions roster sets up for their Week 12 matchup in Washington.

Note — you will see some players listed more than once as they have multiple roles.

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford (9) — Ruled out
Jeff Driskel (2) — Questionable, may be active but will not start
David Blough (10) — Lions announced Blough will start
TE Logan Thomas (82) — Emergency QB

Running back

Bo Scarbrough (43)
J.D. McKissic (41)
Ty Johnson (31)

Third down back

J.D. McKissic (41) — Change of pace
Jamal Agnew (39) — Gadget option

H-back/Fullback

Isaac Nauta (89)

Wide receiver

Kenny Golladay (19)
Marvin Jones Jr. (11)
Danny Amendola (80)
Chris Lacy (15) — promoted on Wednesday

Slot receiver

Danny Amendola (80) 
T.J. Hockenson (88)

Tight end

T.J. Hockenson (88) — Questionable
Jesse James (83)
Logan Thomas (82)
Isaac Nauta (89)

Starting offensive line

Taylor Decker (68) — LT
Joe Dahl (66) — LG
Frank Ragnow (77) — C — No longer listed with an injury designation
Graham Glasgow (60) — RG
Rick Wagner (71) — RT

Reserve offensive line

Kenny Wiggins (79) — RG, LG — Not listed with an injury designation
Tyrell Crosby (65) — LT, RT
Graham Glasgow (60) — C
Oday Aboushi (76) — RG, LG
Beau Benzschawel (63) — Emergency IOL

Interior defensive line

Damon Harrison (98) — NT — Questionable
A’Shawn Robinson (91) — 3T
Da’Shawn Hand (93) — DDE, 3T, NT — Questionable
Mike Daniels (96) — 3T
John Atkins (99) — NT

Defensive end

Trey Flowers (90) — DDE, 3T — Questionable
Romeo Okwara (95) — DDE, JACK, 3T

Pass rushing linebacker

Devon Kennard (42) — JACK
Christian Jones (52) — SAM, JACK
Jahlani Tavai (51) — SAM, JACK

Off-the-ball linebacker

Jarrad Davis (40) — MIKE, WILL
Christian Jones (52) — WILL, MIKE
Jahlani Tavai (51) — MIKE, WILL
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) — MIKE, WILL
Miles Killebrew (35) — WILL, Hang Safety
Steve Longa (54) — MIKE, WILL

Cornerback

Darius Slay (23)
Justin Coleman (27)
Rashaan Melvin (29) — Ruled out
Amani Oruwariye (24)
Mike Ford (38)
Jamal Agnew (39) — Ruled out
Dee Virgin (30)
Michael Jackson (28)

Slot cornerback

Justin Coleman (27

Safety

Tracy Walker (21) — Questionable
Tavon Wilson (32)
Will Harris (25)
C.J. Moore (49)

Third-safety

C.J. Moore (49)
Miles Killebrew (35) — WILL, Hang Safety

Kicking team

Matt Prater (5) — placekicker 
Sam Martin (6) — punter, kickoffs, holder — Not listed with an injury designation
Don Muhlbach (48) — long snapper

Kick returns

Jamal Agnew (39) — punt and kick returner — Ruled out
Danny Amendola (80) — reserve punt returner
Ty Johnson (31) — reserve kick returner
J.D. McKissic (41) — reserve kick returner

Kick coverage

C.J. Moore (49) — gunner
Dee Virgin (30) — gunner
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) — five-phase specialist
Steve Longa (54) — five-phase specialist

Teams final injury reports

Lions’ injury designations — Matthew Stafford ruled out, Frank Ragnow in

Injury update: The Lions will start David Blough with Jeff Driskel nursing a hamstring injury

Injury update: Lions place Marvin Hall on injured reserve, promote Chris Lacy

Bears’ injury designations — 6 ruled out

Lions Wire game prep articles/media

Barry Sanders will be Lions honorary captain

Rookie expectations: Amani Oruwariye preparing for another start

5 Bold predictions for the Lions on Thanksgiving

Listen: Erik Schlitt on The Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast: Episode 130

Behind Enemy Lines: Breaking down the Thanksgiving Day matchup with Bears Wire

5 Bold predictions for the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving

Four bold predictions for the Detroit Lions as they host the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day.

The Detroit Lions are preparing for their second bout with the Chicago Bears this season, hoping for a much better outcome than last time.

Detroit has had quite the season so far, holding a lead in each of their 11 games but sitting at the bottom of their division at 3-7-1. With an injury-plagued roster and some recent struggles on defense, can the Lions turn it around in their prime time matchup?

Here are my bold predictions for this week’s game:

Quarterback change-up changes nothing

With rookie David Blough getting his first career start while both Matthew Stafford and Jeff Driskel deal with their injuries, don’t think that we’ll see anything new on offense.

Driskel’s tenure as the Lions’ starting quarterback wasn’t exactly noteworthy, with four touchdowns and just as many interceptions in three games. While he and Blough are very different passers, don’t think that this will change things up on offense.

Blough is an undrafted rookie who’s first regular-season action comes in a major prime time game. Though he has been with the team since the beginning of the season, don’t think his play will be any better than what we’ve seen in recent weeks.

While we’ll see a much different style of play from Blough than the other two Lions quarterbacks, don’t expect anything new.

Amani Oruwariye will make another interception

In his first game as a starter, filling in for the injured Rashaan Melvin, Oruwariye proved to be more capable than many expected. In the loss to Washington, the rookie pulled off an impressive interception on a pass from Dwayne Haskins.

Bears’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has thrown six interceptions so far this season and will be down three offensive weapons on Thanksgiving Day. I think the rookie will be able to keep the momentum going from last week and capitalize on this opportunity.

There will be a dearth of yellow flags

There were 20 flags thrown the last time these two teams faced each other, but that may not be the case this time around.

Jerome Boger and his crew will be officiating this game. This is a crew that hasn’t called more than 12 penalties in a game in 2019, so this could bode well for the Lions. Detroit only committed six penalties last week, so it appears that some of their discipline issues have been resolved.

Hockenson will re-emerge in the offense

After a fairly quiet season, Hockenson may be able to rediscover his place in the passing game. He had three receptions for 47 yards against Chicago earlier this year.

Can he put on a similar performance this week? I hope so.

The Detroit Lions will come out with a win

Usually, predicting a victory isn’t considered a bold prediction, but that’s not the case for this team.

Detroit is itching for a win amidst a four-game losing streak. The Bears aren’t in a much better situation at the moment, so this game could be an interesting one.

The Lions defense has shown some improvement since their last game against Chicago. Their run game has been revived with the emergence of Bo Scarborough. The only liability is the quarterback situation. If the defense and the offensive line can hold up, the Lions will be able to overcome and snap their losing streak.

Report: Lions to start David Blough on Thanksgiving

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions are planning to start David Blough on Thanksgiving Day in a Week 13 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions are planning to start David Blough on Thanksgiving Day in a Week 13 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

With Matthew Stafford ruled out with a fracture in his back and reserve quarterback Jeff Driskel listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, the Lions were utilizing third-stringer Blough on the first team all week during practices.

Blough entered the league via Purdue and caught the Lions’ attention at the East-West Shrine Game, but after going undrafted Blough signed with the Cleveland Browns. Blough went 25 of 43 for 271 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the preseason.

The Lions acquired Blough from the Browns after trading for him at the 53-man roster cutdowns — swapping seventh-round draft picks in the 2021 draft.

If the Lions were to lose Blough during the game on Thursday, the team would turn to tight end Logan Thomas who was a quarterback at Virginia Tech and tried his hand under center in the NFL before making the position switch.

Lions expected to start QB David Blough vs. Bears

The Bears won’t be facing Lions QB Jeff Driskel, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Instead they’ll face undrafted rookie David Blough.

The Chicago Bears will face an unfamiliar face at quarterback tomorrow against the Detroit Lions.

Third-string quarterback David Blough is expected to start for the Lions on Thanksgiving, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

With Lions starter Matthew Stafford still out with tiny fractures in his back, backup Jeff Driskel has filled in for him over the last three games. But Driskel has been dealing with a hamstring injury in this shortened week. He’s been limited in practice this entire week.

The hamstring injury is enough to sideline Driskel as a starter, but he’ll be available as a backup on Thursday.

The Bears faced Driskel three weeks ago, where the surprise of facing a new quarterback allowed him to utilize his mobility to move the ball on Chicago’s defense.

Blough, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Purdue, was acquired by the Lions from Cleveland following the preseason finale. Blough has received first-team reps during practice this week in preparation.

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Lions Week 13 injury designations: Matthew Stafford ruled out, Frank Ragnow in

The Detroit Lions have released their Week 13 injury designations and declared quarterback Matthew Stafford, while center Frank Ragnow has been cleared from the league’s concussion protocol.

The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) have announced their injury designations ahead of their Week 13 matchup with the Chicago Bears (5-6) on Thanksgiving day at Ford Field.

The Lions have 13 players listed on the injury report, with four being ruled out, another six listed as questionable and three not being listed with a designation.

Ruled out

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
WR Marvin Hall (foot)
CB Rashaan Melvin (ribs)
RET. Jamal Agnew (ankle)

Stafford is working hard to return to the field but is still not medically cleared. Maybe the extra rest ahead of the next game will give him the time he needs to heal up, or maybe the team will look ahead to the future and shut him down for the season. Only time will tell.

Hall was in a walking boot after the last game and unsurprisingly won’t play in this game. The Lions only have three healthy wide receivers active right now, so a roster move may be made before tomorrow’s game.

Melvin was a game-time decision last Sunday, but his rib injury is apparently more significant than what was originally thought. Amani Oruwariye will most likely get the start as the third Lions corner in his place.

Agnew is still not ready to play, meaning the Lions will turn to Ty Johnson on kick returned and most likely Danny Amendola on punt returns — as Hall, the second in line on punt returns, is also out.

Questionable

QB Jeff Driskel (hamstring)
TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder)
EDGE Trey Flowers (concussion)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)

Driskel was limited in all three practices this week, nursing a hamstring injury, but expectations are he will give it a go on Thursday and start the game. If Driskel can’t play or aggravates his injury the Lions would turn to undrafted rookie David Blough.

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Hockenson was limited to start the week but was upgraded to full on Wednesday and is expected to be fine to play.

Flowers saw limited work on Tuesday and a full practice on Wednesday suggesting he only needs medical clearance from an independent doctor to pass the league’s concussion protocol. If he does, he will start.

Harrison is going through his standard limited week and expectations are he will be good to start. It’s possible he will see fewer snaps, but he should play.

Hand and Walker saw limited practices all week after not being able to practice the week prior. Both will likely be game-time decisions. If either play, it will be a big boost to the Lions defense.

Not listed with an injury designations

C Frank Ragnow (concussion)
OG Kenny Wiggins (knee)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)

Ragnow is not listed with an injury designation, meaning he is expected to start on Thursday. It has not yet been confirmed if he has passed the medical stage of the concussion protocol, but if he hasn’t, him being listed in this section suggests the team expects him to.

Wiggins’ knee doesn’t appear to be an issue as he was listed as having full practices all week.

Martin was upgraded to a full practice on Wednesday and does not carry an injury designation into the game. He’s good to go.

Lions QB Jeff Driskel questionable for Thursday’s game vs. Bears

The Bears don’t know which Lions quarterback they’ll face on Thanksgiving, as Jeff Driskel is questionable with a hamstring injury.

As the Chicago Bears prepare to face the Detroit Lions tomorrow for a Thanksgiving matchup, they don’t know which quarterback they’ll be facing.

They do know for sure that they won’t face starter Matthew Stafford, who remains out with tiny fractures in his back. But backup Jeff Driskel, who has filled in for him over the last three games, has been dealing with a hamstring injury this week.

The Lions officially ruled Driskel as questionable against the Bears.

If Driskel is good to go for Thursday, he’ll likely be affected by limited mobility given his hamstring injury. Driskel’s mobility has been a big part of his success in these last three games, where he has 22 rushes for 151 yards and a touchdown.

If Driskel can’t go, the Bears will face third-string quarterback David Blough, who hasn’t played in a regular-season game.

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Behind Enemy Lines: 5 questions with Lions Wire

Ahead of Thursday’s matchup, we’re going behind enemy lines to learn about the Bears’ Week 13 opponent, the Lions.

The Chicago Bears (4-6) will face the Detroit Lions (3-7-1) for the second straight Thanksgiving with the Bears determined to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

The Bears are coming off an unimpressive victory over the New York Giants (2-9), where there’s much improvement to be desired on offense. They’ll face a Lions team depleted with injuries and that has lost seven of their last eight games.

Before the game, we caught up with managing editor Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire to get the scoop on the Bears’ Week 13 opponent.

Here are five questions with Lions Wire:

1. After starting the season 2-0-1, the Lions have lost 7 of their last 8 games. Is Matt Patricia’s seat getting warmer with each passing week?

A lot of Lions fans wish it was, but most indications are the team and ownership remain committed to the process. It does not help Patricia that he’s known for being a defensive mastermind and his Detroit defense is largely terrible. An embarrassing loss to the Bears on national television might heat things up more.

2. The Lions will likely face the Bears again without Matthew Stafford, but backup Jeff Driskel is also dealing with a hamstring injury, which means the Bears could possibly see third-string QB David Blough on Thanksgiving. Can you give us a scouting report on Blough? Also, if Driskel is good to go, how could his limited mobility affect his play?

Blough is an interesting guy. He was in Browns camp and preseason this summer and looked good for an undrafted rookie. He does not lack confidence and his ball placement is impressive. Blough is not much of a runner. He’s smaller (6-0) and needs clean passing lanes. From what I’ve seen he doesn’t have Stafford’s arm strength (almost nobody ever has) or Driskel’s either, but he not without some ability to zip in an 18-yard out pattern. Driskel’s mobility and ability to escape pressure are his greatest assets. If he’s athletically limited, the Lions might be better off starting Blough. Driskel’s running has been a huge boon; only Lamar Jackson has more rushing yards per game at QB than Driskel’s 50.3.

3. The Lions defense fared well against the Redskins minus for that final scoring drive by Washington. Detroit allowed 13 first downs and just 230 total yards. Given the struggles of the defense this season, have they shown progress in the last few weeks?

To be honest, Washington’s offense is horrifyingly bad. That probably played more of a factor in the Lions’ successful stats than anything Detroit did well. One move that has helped lately is making rookie LB Jahlani Tavai the defensive signal-caller. He’s smart enough to handle it, and taking it away from Jarrad Davis has allowed Davis to focus more on the actual plays. Tavai continues to play pretty well.

4. The Lions’ depth is being tested right now in terms of injuries. Detroit had 11 rookies playing last week against the Redskins. How much have injuries impacted the Lions this season?

It’s been brutal. Last week Matthew Stafford, Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, Da’Shawn Hand and Tracy Walker all missed due to injuries. That’s five of the eight best all-around players on the team. Kerryon Johnson is on I.R., so is his replacement, Tra Carson. Stafford was on pace to basically match Dan Marino’s legendary season (stats wise) when he suffered his broken back, so that’s a major blow.What’s been problematic is so many guys are hurt with short-term injuries. It’s not severe enough to go on I.R., but they’re out 2-3 weeks instead. That means no depth when other guys get dinged during a game, and that keeps happening.

5. What’s your prediction for the game?

I think a healthy Lions team would roll at home on Thanksgiving, but given the shell of a team the Lions will trot out, it will take a lot of help from the Bears themselves for Detroit to win. Bears win, 30-17.

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Logan Thomas would be the Lions’ emergency QB

Thomas has a crazy stat line form his brief time at QB for the Cardinals in 2014

Matthew Stafford has a broken back. Jeff Driskel has a hamstring injury. David Blough is the only healthy quarterback on the roster, and he’s an undrafted rookie who has never taken an NFL snap.

What happens if Driskel can’t play and Blough gets hurt in the Thanksgiving game against the Chicago Bears?

The obvious answer is tight end Logan Thomas, who was a collegiate QB at Virginia Tech and even competed as a quarterback at the 2014 Senior Bowl. Lions coach Matt Patricia was asked about Thomas’ possible emergency role in his press conference.

“We have a couple emergencies out there just in case,” Patricia said Tuesday. “We always do that anyway. Just when you activate only two for the game, just in general, you make sure that you always kind of have a third in mind from that standpoint… Obviously Logan with his background, is a pretty good possibility in there too from that standpoint. But really you do that on game days just in general in case something happens.”

Thomas posted one of the craziest stat lines in NFL history during his (very brief) time as a quarterback for the Cardinals back in 2014. He completed 1-of-8 passes for 81 yards and a TD. Thomas was also sacked twice in the 41-20 loss to the Broncos. He did complete his one pass attempt in 2018 as a Buffalo Bill on a gadget play. That’s his entire NFL passing log.

In college, he was a dual-threat QB with a huge arm but not a lot of accuracy. Thomas completed just 55.5 percent of his passes in his three years as a starter for the Hokies, tossing 52 TDs and 39 INTs.

Here’s hoping the Lions don’t have to break that emergency glass open…