Tag: NFL Week 16

Chargers QB Justin Herbert among ‘most egregious Pro Bowl snubs’

Justin Herbert is still on his way to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The 2021 Pro Bowl rosters were unveiled on Monday.

By no surprise, wide receiver Keenan Allen and edge defender Joey Bosa were among the crop. But there was one player who many that was deserving that was nowhere to be found.

Quarterback Justin Herbert, who’s on his way to putting together the best campaign by a rookie signal-caller, didn’t make the cut, which caught many by surprise.

The omission of Herbert was so head-scratching that he made Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar’s list of the “most egregious Pro Bowl snubs.”

Here is what Farrar had to say:

While it’s hard to argue with any of the quarterbacks who did make it — Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Deshaun Watson in the AFC, and Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Kyler Murray in the NFC, it’s hard to leave Herbert off the list. The Chargers’ rookie franchise quarterback is having an amazing inaugural campaign, and he’s been especially effective against man coverage and under pressure. If Herbert keeps playing as he has, he’ll make more than his share of Pro Bowl rosters in the future

Like Farrar mentioned, it’s hard to exclude quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Deshaun Watson. But Herbert is every bit of deserving to be recognized with the group.

Herbert has completed 66.5% of his throws for 3,781 yards and 27 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions and for a 96.3 passer rating in only 13 starts.

Despite the underwhelming season by Los Angeles, Herbert’s presence has given reason for optimism. He’s the reason why he’s kept L.A. in every single game. With a competent play-caller, the sky is the limit.

Even if Herbert wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl this year, we can expect to see him recognized among the cream of the crop for years down the road.

Texans interview director of player personnel Matt Bazirgan for general manager

The Houston Texans continue their general manager search, and have recently interviewed director of player personnel Matt Bazirgan.

The Houston Texans continue their due diligence when it comes to filling their general manager vacancy.

The team announced Tuesday they have interviewed director of player personnel Matt Bazirgan for the full-time job.

Bazirgan has had a hand in the construction of the current Texans roster, collaborating with then-general manager and coach Bill O’Brien and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby. Bazirgan’s current role oversees both the pro and college scouting departments while also evaluating the players on the roster.

The Bates College alumnus joined the Texans in 2018 after spending 14 years with the New York Jets. Prior to joining the Jets, Bazirgan worked as a graduate assistant coaching defensive ends and linebackers at Springfield College. In 2001, he was the receivers coach and an intern at Bates College.

With the Jets, Bazirgan worked his way up from being a pro personnel intern and college scouting assistant in 2004 to assistant director of pro personnel in 2013. In 2015, Bazirgan spent the next two seasons as the Jets’ director of pro personnel.

Easterby is the interim general manager. Houston has interviewed ESPN analyst Louis Riddick for the vacancy.

Texans fine QB Deshaun Watson, teammates for NFL COVID-19 protocol violations

The Houston Texans fined quarterback Deshaun Watson and teammates for violations of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.

The Houston Texans fined quarterback Deshaun Watson and teammates on Tuesday for violations of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Last week, Watson, including teammates DE Charles Omenihu, OT Roderick Johnson, RB Duke Johnson, RT Tytus Howard, and WR Brandin Cooks, appeared at the grand opening of Lefty’s Cheesesteak on Kirby Drive about a half of a mile away from NRG Stadium. The players were photographed not wearing masks.

According to NFL rules, the limit for player gatherings outside of team facilities is three. The rules were agreed upon by the NFLPA.

As such, Watson, who is also a co-owner of the restaurant, was fined $7,500 and the rest of his teammates were fined $5,000 apiece.

Houston media grilled Watson about the event on Dec. 16 during his availability for Week 15.

“We had the masks,” Watson said. “We did everything that we were supposed to do. Six feet from different people. It was a restaurant opening. It wasn’t really an event. It was a grand opening of my restaurant, so, people were coming in to get food and things like that and everyone was excited about it, so it turned out pretty good.

Right now, from the messages I got after it’s still popping, so everyone go out to Lefty’s on Kirby (Drive) for sure.”

The fine comes in the wake of Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins allegedly appearing to patronize a night club while not wearing a mask.

Texans place practice squad protections on DT Auzoyah Alufohai, WR Damion Ratley

The Houston Texans placed practice squad protections on defensive tackle Auzoyah Alufohai and receiver Damion Ratley for Week 16.

The Houston Texans have announced their practice squad protections for Week 16 as they gear up to play the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.

Houston has placed protections on undrafted rookie defensive tackle Auzoyah Alufohai and receiver Damion Ratley.

Alufohai saw the first action of his career in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. The former West Georgia product collected a tackle among his 15 snaps played on defense. The 6-4, 320-pound interior defensive lineman also played five snaps on special teams.

Ratley, a Yoakum High School and Texas A&M product, has been a member of the Texans’ practice squad since Oct. 20. The Texans signed former practice squad receiver, Chad Hansen, to the active roster ahead of the Week 15 loss to the Colts.

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Texans sign CB Brandon Williams to the practice squad

The Houston Texans signed cornerback Brandon Williams to the practice squad on Tuesday.

The Houston Texans have added some depth to their ailing secondary, albeit to their practice squad.

The Texans signed former Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants cornerback Brandon Williams to the practice squad on Tuesday.

Williams, who played college ball at Texas A&M, recently played six games with the Giants, recording one tackle in six games. New York primarily used Williams on special teams, where he played 68 snaps on the transition unit.

The Cardinals drafted Williams in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he played 45 games for the NFC West club, starting in three games. Williams provided 38 combined tackles and five pass breakups during his tenure in Arizona.

Houston declared cornerbacks Phillip Gaines and rookie John Reid inactive with injuries during Week 15’s 27-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Saints, Vikings rest 12 combined players on initial Week 16 injury report

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings injury report listed a staggering 12 players as non-participants in the first Week 16 practice.

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings are each working on a short week before Friday’s Christmas Day matchup at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, so it isn’t surprising to see both teams taking a cautious approach on the injury report. Still, seeing a dozen players listed as not participating in practice between the two squads is a bit staggering.

We’ll know more once practice participation ramps up later in the week. For now, here’s everything you need to know following Tuesday’s practice session:

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 16

It’s time to find those IDP gems on the fantasy football waiver wire in Week 16.

Ring the alarm – it’s championship week in a lot of leagues. Let’s find those diamonds in the rough to help decimate the competition and bring home that hardware.

Defensive linemen

DE Jeremiah Attaochu, Denver Broncos

The 27-year-old journeyman has made a name for himself with sacks in the the last three games. He has eight total tackles in the last two games, which adds to his value. He’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers this week, which presents a midrange matchup.

DE Dawuane Smoot, Jacksonville Jaguars

The former third-round pick has also made a statement the last four weeks with 10 tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles. The Chicago Bears are a tough matchup in terms of sacks, but their backs are active enough to compensate with tackles or potential turnovers.

Linebackers

OLB Kenneth Murray, Los Angeles Chargers

Murray was hit or miss for a big portion of the season, but he has been ablaze the last three games. He has 28 tackles and a sack during the stretch. He’s only owned in 63 percent of leagues, and he should be universally rostered.

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ILB Anthony Walker, Indianapolis Colts

Walker has flirted with double-digits in fantasy points for three weeks straight. He has 25 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed during the stretch. He’s still available in almost 80 percent of leagues and should be owned for his tackle prowess.

Defensive backs

CB Kenny Moore, Indianapolis Colts

Moore has put together one the best stretches of his career and been a top option at the position the last three weeks. He has 20 tackles, four passes defensed, two picks and a forced fumble. He faces the suddenly struggling Pittsburgh Steelers this week in search of more.

SS Karl Joseph, Cleveland Browns

The 27-year-old has been flying around the field for the 10-win Browns. Joseph has 17 tackles and two passes defensed the last two games. The lowly New York Jets are on the docket this week, and it could be another chance at a big day for the safety.

Chargers open as favorites over Broncos in Week 16

The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to end the 2020 season on a strong note.

The Chargers snapped their divisional losing streak last weekend with their win over the Raiders, and are now looking to keep that momentum going with another AFC West battle against the Broncos.

Going into this weekend’s contest, Los Angeles is favored by 3.5 points over the Broncos in Week 16 of the regular season, per BetMGM.

Led by quarterback Justin Herbert, L.A. got past Las Vegas in overtime, as Herbert scored on 1-yard plunge to give them the victory, all after tying Browns’ Baker Mayfield for the most touchdowns thrown by a rookie in a single season (27).

Denver, on the other hand, got stomped on by Bills, as they allowed 48 points. Their rushing attack did all they could to keep up, but QB Josh Allen was too much to overcome.

Sunday’s matchup will begin at 1:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

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Report: Texans sign DL Willie Henry to the practice squad

The Houston Texans have signed former Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Willie Henry to the practice squad.

The Houston Texans have made an adjustment to their practice squad.

On Tuesday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans signed former Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Willie Henry to the practice squad.

Henry is a former 2016 fourth-round pick from Michigan, who spent the first three seasons of his career with the Ravens. In 2018, Henry missed the first four games of the season as he recovered from hernia surgery, and he ultimately played in three games for Baltimore that season before being placed on injured reserve. The Ravens released Henry at the end of 2019 preseason, and he was out of football until January 2020 when he signed a reserve/future contract with the San Francisco 49ers, who later cut him on Dec. 16.