Tag: NFL Week 9

Zay Flowers or “Footwork Flowers?” Ravens flock over Broncos 41-10

Flowers accounted for 127 of Jackson’s 280 passing yards on the afternoon, on a day where the Ravens only needed 19 pass attempts.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers averaged 25.4 yards per catch on just five receptions in Sunday’s 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos.

Flowers possesses impeccable footwork, allowing him to shake the shoes off defenders in the open field, turning the most basic intermediate pass plays into touchdowns.

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could’ve studied coaching film on Flowers all summer long, but he still can’t scheme for Flowers’s undisputable fundamentals and finesse.

The Broncos presumed that man coverage would allow their pass rush to be somewhat disruptive for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Instead, Joseph left his defensive backs on an island with the quick feet of Flowers and teammate wide receiver Nelson Agholor.

Flowers accounted for 127 of Jackson’s 280 passing yards on the afternoon, on a day where the Ravens only needed 19 pass attempts.

As long as offensive coordinator Todd Monken prioritizes the run, the Ravens offense will force defenses to play more man coverage, allowing them to target Flowers in coverage voids.

Commanders vs. Giants Player of the Game: OLB Dante Fowler Jr.

Dante Fowler Jr. is the Commanders’ Week 9 Player of the Game.

The Washington Commanders defeated the New York Giants 27-22 Sunday from MetLife Stadium. With the win, Washington improved to 7-2 and remained first in the NFC East.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was outstanding again, completing 15 of 22 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Washington also received contributions from Terry McLaurin (two touchdowns), Noah Brown (five receptions, 60 yards), and Chris Rodriguez Jr. (52 rushing yards). Still, none come away with Week 9 Player of the Game honors.

Washington’s Week 9 Player of the Game is veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. Fowler recorded six tackles, including two for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hits and one forced fumble. Fowler’s sack and forced fumble on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones helped lead to Washington’s first touchdown — a lead the Commanders never relinquished.

Fowler was active throughout the game and now has 6.5 sacks on the season, putting him on pace to break his personal best of 11.5 sacks, set back in 2019. Fowler, a 10-year veteran, leads the Commanders in sacks and now has more sacks than the two defensive ends Washington traded — Montez Sweat and Chase Young — combined.

Fowler and the Commanders face the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.

 

Fantasy football inactives, injuries and weather: NFL Week 9

Week 9 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the fantasy football lineup decisions.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 9 gameday inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: WR Amari Cooper (inactive), WR Tee Higgins (inactive), RB Tony Pollard (active), RB Brian Robinson Jr. (inactive)
Afternoon games: RB Travis Etienne (active), RB Tank Bigsby (active), WR Brian Thomas Jr. (active), QB Jordan Love (active), RB Josh Jacobs (active), WR Puka Nacua (active)
Sunday night:
Monday night:

Early games

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 66°F, cloudy, E 11 mph (retractable-roof dome)

Cowboys

Inactives: RB Ezekiel Elliott, CB Andrew Booth Jr., CB DaRon Bland, QB Trey Lance, OT Matt Waletzko, DL Micah Parsons and DL K.J. Henry

Lineup notes: WR Brandin Cooks (knee) remains on IR. LB Micah Parsons (ankle) and CB DaRon Bland (foot) are out. CB Trevon Diggs (calf) and OG Zack Martin (shoulder) are active. RB Dalvin Cook was elevated from the practice squad, while RB Ezekiel Elliott will not play for disciplinary reasons.

Falcons

Inactives: RB Jase McClellan, LB JD Bertrand, OG Jovaughn Gwyn, OT Brandon Parker, LB Troy Andersen, DE Brandon Dorlus and OT Elijah Wilkinson

Lineup notes: LB Troy Andersen (knee) was trending in the right direction but will not play.

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 50°F, partly cloudy

Dolphins

Inactives: DB Kader Kohou, C Andrew Meyer, CB Storm Duck, RB Jeff Wilson Jr., S Jevon Holland, TE Julian Hill and DL Zach Sieler

Lineup notes: WR Tyreek Hill (foot) and TE Jonnu Smith (finger) are good to go after full practices Friday.

Bills

Inactives: WR Amari Cooper, S Mike Edwards, LB Nicholas Morrow, CB Christian Benford, RB Reggie Gilliam, C Will Clapp and DT Zion Logue

Lineup notes: WR Amari Cooper (wrist) will not be available, but WR Curtis Samuel (pectoral) is able to go. LB Terrell Bernard (ankle, pectoral) is set to return after a full practice Friday. TE Dalton Kincaid (collarbone, knee) and QB Josh Allen (hand) practiced all week and will play.

Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 66°F, partly cloudy

Raiders

Inactives: CB Sam Webb, C Andre James, DE Janarius Robinson, S Trey Taylor and RB Dylan Laube

Lineup notes: QB Aidan O’Connell (thumb) remains on IR. RB Zamir White (quadriceps) is available after being questionable. WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle) and TE Brock Bowers (ribs) managed full practices Friday and will play. DE Maxx Crosby (ankle) will as well after he took Friday off.

Bengals

Inactives: TE Tanner McLachlan, DT Jay Tufele, WR Jermaine Burton, WR Tee Higgins, OT Orlando Brown, WR Charlie Jones and RB Zack Moss

Lineup notes: WR Tee Higgins (quadriceps), RB Zack Moss (neck), and LT Orlando Brown (knee, fibula) all are inactive. RB Kendall Milton was signed to the active roster from the practice squad. QB Joe Burrow (wrist) practiced fully all week and is good to go.

Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 60°F, mostly clear, ESE 11 mph

Chargers

Inactives: DE Justin Eboigbe, TE Stone Smartt, CB Kristian Fulton, OT Brenden Jaimes, WR DJ Chark Jr., QB Easton Stick and OG Jordan McFadden

Lineup notes: RB Gus Edwards (ankle) is on IR, but WR DJ Chark Jr. (groin) was activated from that same list, though he was deemed inactive. LB Denzel Perryman (toe), WR Quentin Johnston (ankle), TE Hayden Hurst (groin), and WR Ladd McConkey (hip) will play.

Browns

Inactives: QB Bailey Zappe, OT Germain Ifedi, LB Jordan Hicks, RB D’Onta Foreman and DL Quinton Jefferson

Lineup notes: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) went on IR. RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) and LT Jedrick Wills (knee) upgraded to full practices Friday and will return. DE Myles Garrett (Achilles) practiced all week and is good to go. WR  Jerry Jeudy (knee) was limited Thursday and Friday, but he and TE David Njoku (ankle, hand), who was limited Friday, are set to play. CB Denzel Ward (concussion) was cleared to return.

New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 76°F, cloudy, SSE 13 mph

Patriots

Inactives: S Kyle Dugger, DL Eric Johnson, QB Joe Milton III, WR Tyquan Thornton and WR K.J. Osborn

Lineup notes: QB Drake Maye (concussion) was removed from the injury report after clearing the protocol. RB Antonio Gibson (toe) upgraded to full work Friday and will play.

Titans

Inactives: TE David Martin-Robinson, OG Dillon Radunz, CB Tre Avery, LB Cedric Gray, RB Tyjae Spears, QB Will Levis and CB L’Jarius Sneed

Lineup notes: WR Treylon Burks (knee) remains on IR. RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring) is out. RB Tony Pollard (foot) and WR Tyler Boyd (shoulder) didn’t practice all week will play. QB Will Levis (shoulder) is inactive, and QB Mason Rudolph will start again. WR Calvin Ridley (shoulder) sat out Wednesday and Friday, but he’s ready to play. RB Joshua Kelley was signed to active roster from Tennessee’s practice squad.

Washington Commanders at New York Giants (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 52°F, clear

Commanders

Inactives: TE Colson Yankoff, OT Cornelius Lucas, QB Jeff Driskel, S Darrick Forrest Jr., S Dominique Hampton and RB Brian Robinson Jr.

Lineup notes: RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and won’t play. RB Chris Rodriguez was elevated from the practice squad. QB Jayden Daniels (ribs) and WR Olamide Zaccheaus (hamstring) were limited Wednesday and Thursday, but had full sessions Friday and will play. WR Terry McLaurin (ankle) practiced all week and will go.

Giants

Inactives: P Jamie Gillan, DT Jordon Riley, QB Tommy DeVito, S Tre Hawkins III, WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton and OG Jake Kubas

Lineup notes: PK Greg Joseph (oblique) went on IR, and PK Jude McAtamney was elevated to the 53-man roster. RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (concussion) upgraded to a full session Friday and will play.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 65°F, cloudy

Saints

Inactives: DT John Ridgeway, QB Spencer Rattler, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, RB Jamaal Williams, CB Rico Payton, LB Jaylan Ford and CB Marshon Lattimore

Lineup notes: RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) and WR Bub Means (ankle) were placed on IR. CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) has been ruled out, and RB Jamaal Williams (groin) was downgraded on Saturday to out. WR Cedrick Wilson (hip) was limited Thursday and Friday and is questionable. QB Derek Carr (oblique) was limited all week but will play. RB Alvin Kamara (hand, rib) and TE Juwan Johnson (shoulder) will play despite missing some practice time. RB Jordan Mims was signed to active roster from the practice squad.

Panthers

Inactives: TE Feleipe Franks, OT Ikem Ekwonu, CB Shemar Bartholomew, S Jammie Robinson, TE Tommy Tremble and LB DJ X. Johnson

Lineup notes: WR Adam Thielen (hamstring) and RB Jonathon Brooks (knee) were downgraded to out. WR Xavier Legette (toe) was limited Thursday and Friday but will play.

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 57°F, clear

Broncos

Inactives: CB Damarri Mathis, DE Dondrea Tillman, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, OT Frank Crum, S P.J. Locke, QB Zach Wilson and TE Greg Dulcich

Lineup notes: CB Pat Surtain II (ankle) practiced all week and is good to go.

Ravens

Inactives: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, DE Adisa Isaac, LB David Ojabo, C Nick Samac, DL Brent Urban, S Eddie Jackson and RB Rasheen Ali

Lineup notes: RB Keaton Mitchell (knee) practiced all week and is questionable. QB Lamar Jackson (back, knee) raised some eyebrows sitting out Wednesday and Thursday, but he was a full-go Friday and is fine.

Late-afternoon window

Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 55°F, clear

Jaguars

Inactives: WR Gabe Davis, DT Maason Smith, OT Javon Foster, DE Esezi Otomewo and OL Ezra Cleveland

Lineup notes: WR Christian Kirk (collarbone) was likely lost for the season with a broken collarbone and went on IR. OG Ezra Cleveland (ankle) also is out. RB Travis Etienne (hamstring), RB Tank Bigsby (ankle), and WR Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) will play. WR Gabe Davis (shoulder) is inactive after being questionable. RB Keilan Robinson (toe) was downgraded to out.

Eagles

Inactives: TE Dallas Goedert, OG Darian Kinnard, CB Darius Slay, QB Tanner McKee, OG Trevor Keegan and DB Tristin McCollum

Lineup notes: TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring) didn’t practice all week and is out. CB Darius Slay will not be out there. WR DeVonta Smith (personal) didn’t practice Friday, but he will play.

Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 69°F, clear, WSW 11 mph (retractable-roof dome)

Bears

Inactives: OT Kiran Amegadjie, CB Kyler Gordon, S Jaquan Brisker, DE Montez Sweat, OT Braxton Jones, DL Byron Cowart and RB Khalil Herbert

Lineup notes: S Jaquan Brisker and LT Braxton Jones (knee) are out. OG Teven Jenkins (knee) will give it a whirl. OT Larry Borom (ankle) activated off IR and will make his season debut. DE Montez Sweat (shin) couldn’t get right in time and is inactive.

Cardinals

Inactives: DB Sean Murphy-Bunting, DL Darius Robinson, TE Travis Vokolek, DT Naquan Jones, WR Xavier Weaver and OT Christian Jones

Lineup notes: No injuries of fantasy relevance.

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 49°F, 65% chance of rain, SE 11 mph

Lions

Inactives: OG Christian Mahogany, DE Josh Paschal, OT Colby Sorsdal, RB Sione Vaki, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, DT Mekhi Wingo and OT Giovanni Manu

Lineup notes: QB Jared Goff (ankle) practiced Thursday and Friday, and he’ll play. LT Taylor Decker (chest) upgraded to a full session Friday, and he will go as well.

Packers

Inactives: WR Malik Heath, DL Brenton Cox, OT Travis Glover, C Josh Myers, S Evan Williams and CB Jaire Alexander

Lineup notes: QB Jordan Love (groin) and RB Josh Jacobs (ankle) both will be on the field in Week 9. CB Jaire Alexander (knee) wasn’t able to get healthy in time and is inactive.

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 51°F, clear

Rams

Inactives: QB Stetson Bennett, WR Jordan Whittington, DT Neville Gallimore, CB Tre’Davious White, DE Brennan Jackson, P Ethan Evans and RB Cody Schrader

Lineup notes: TE Tyler Higbee (knee) remains on the PUP. WR Puka Nacua (knee) will give it a go, but WR Jordan Whittington (shoulder) is inactive.

Seahawks

Inactives: OG Sataoa Laumea, WR DK Metcalf, LB Trevis Gipson, DT Myles Adams, CB Nehemiah Pritchett, TE Noah Fant and OG Christian Haynes

Lineup notes: WR DK Metcalf (knee) didn’t practice all week and is out. TE Noah Fant (groin) had limited work Wednesday but was idle the rest of the week and ruled out. WR Tyler Lockett (oblique) had a full session Friday and will go. RT George Fant (knee) was activated from injured reserve.

Sunday Night Football

Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings (8:20 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Colts

Inactives: DL Adam Gotsis, WR Anthony Gould, OT Bernhard Raimann, LB Genard Avery and QB Sam Ehlinger

Lineup notes: WR Josh Downs (toe) and C Ryan Kelly (calf, knee) sat out Wednesday but had full sessions the other two days. WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was limited Friday, and RT Braden Smith (knee) sat Friday. All will play. LT Bernhard Raimann (concussion) won’t be available.

Vikings

Inactives: CB Akayleb Evans, LB Blake Cashman, OG Dan Feeney, OT Blake Brandel, CB Dwight McGlothern, QB Brett Rypien and OT Walter Rouse

Lineup notes: TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) practiced all week and will make his season debut. OG Dalton Risner returns to the field after being removed from IR.

Monday Night Football

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs (8:15 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 64°F, 65% chance of drizzle, 95% humidity

Buccaneers

Lineup notes: WR Chris Godwin (ankle) remains on IR and will miss the rest of the season. WR Mike Evans (hamstring) is out until at least Week 12. RB Bucky Irving (toe), WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring), and WR Sterling Shepard (hamstring) are questionable. S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) also is questionable, and LB Lavonte David (ankle, chest) has no designation.

Chiefs

Lineup notes: RB Isiah Pacheco (leg), WR Rashee Rice (knee) and WR Skyy Moore (abdomen) are on IR. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) will not play. RB Kareem Hunt (quad) is ready to roll. WR Mecole Hardman (knee) and QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) have been full participants all week.

Teams that hit the Saints’ benchmarks vs. Panthers are now 275-1

The Saints’ 23-22 loss to the Panthers was historically bad in many ways, especially in this one stat. Teams that hit their benchmarks are now 275-1:

The New Orleans Saints losing to the previously 1-7 Carolina Panthers was brutal in its own right, but when looking at the statistics that led to that point, it’s even worse. According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Saints were the first team in the last 20 years to lose a game in which they:

  • Outgained the opponent by 150-plus yards
  • Ran for 150-plus yards
  • And won the turnover battle

On top of that, these three qualifiers have occurred in 275 prior games during that 20 year span, and the Saints are the only team to have lost in a matchup containing all three. So teams that dominate that well are now 275-1, with New Orleans as an outlier. That’s embarrassing.

This loss primarily resides on coaching, as they knew what was working in the run game and yet managed to still lose the game due to poor play-calling and decision-making when it came to timeout utilization. An ugly loss all around for New Orleans as they move to 2-7.

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Bengals injury updates immediately after Week 9 vs. Raiders

The Bengals suffered injuries around the game against the Raiders in Week 9.

The Cincinnati Bengals got a huge 41-24 win over Las Vegas on Sunday but didn’t emerge unscathed in the process.

Cincinnati suffered multiple injuries to starters, never mind had injuries to the likes of Zack Moss and Tee Higgins hanging over the proceedings.

Here are the latest injury updates from right after the game.

 

Erick All Jr. injury update

The rookie whose draft stock fell due to injuries suffered one in the second quarter on Sunday after a catch. He limped off the field and went to the blue medical tent with trainers. The team quickly listed him as doubtful to return.

 

B.J. Hill injury update

One of the team’s key defensive linemen, Hill suffered a rib injury on Sunday and was quickly declared out.

 

Zack Moss injury update

The starting running back didn’t even make it to the game. Like Higgins the week prior, he suffered an injury on Friday (neck) and the team ruled him out by Sunday morning.

 

Tee Higgins injury update

Higgins was one of the game’s inactive players after suffering a quad injury during practice on Friday.

 

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Instant analysis after Bengals smash Raiders, keep season alive

Instant analysis after Bengals vs. Raiders in Week 9.

The Cincinnati Bengals needed a huge day to keep the season alive on Sunday with the Las Vegas Raiders in town.

Joe Burrow provided it.

Burrow put the Bengals on his back in the 41-24 win, throwing five touchdown passes to move the team to 4-5 in the messy AFC.

Before the spotlight fully shines on the NFL trade deadline in a few days, here are some quick thoughts and takeaways.

 

Quick Thoughts

  • No nice way to put it — this is a bad, bad defense. The Raiders, the worst rushing team in the league, marched 70 yards down the field on the first drive to go up 7-0.
  • Incredible opening drive from Joe Burrow led to seven points. He navigated the pocket, third downs and a fourth down with ease. His MVP-level year continues.
  • Great showing from Chase Brown, who bested career-highs like yardage on a day the offense lost Zack Moss to an injury just days prior. He’s the workhorse now and clearly ready.
  • Brutal injury setback for the rookie tight end Erick All, who only fell in the draft due to medical concerns.
  • The cornerback position is a mess, with everyone from Cam Taylor-Britt to DJ Turner giving up huge gains. Safety Jordan Battle, finally getting some more work, was erratic too.
  • Funny to see Burrow mad on the sidelines after his fifth touchdown pass. Mad about the poor execution on the pick-six, sure, but also mad about the team’s overall record. The locker room notices stuff like that.
  • The last Raiders touchdown in the waning moments wasn’t a big deal — except that it showed how bad the pass rush is without Trey Hendrickson.

 

Key Stat

8-15: We could go with a lot of numbers here, but this conversion rate on third down makes it really hard for a team to lose. It is also additional proof of Burrow’s massive day.

 

Game Balls

QB Joe Burrow: If the Bengals had a better record, he might be leading the MVP race. It’s not just the numbers — most of his five touchdown passes were off-script while he created from messy pockets.

DE Trey Hendrickson: A stunning four-sack day for the superstar edge. He had some help this time, finally, but still took over the game.

 

Top Takeaway

Time to buy: That report that the Bengals want to be buyers at this week’s NFL trade deadline is so much more important now. They should be — 4-5 is not a death sentence in this AFC. Burrow is playing too well to not get him some help. They need to do whatever it takes to upgrade his defense.

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Saints share another positive update regarding Chris Olave’s status

The Saints shared another positive update on Chris Olave’s injury. He’ll fly home with his teammates after a scary concussion:

The New Orleans Saints suffered a tough blow early in their matchup against the Carolina Panthers, as wide receiver Chris Olave suffered a concussion and was sent to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for evaluation. According to the CBS broadcast and the Saints’ public relations account, Olave was discharged from the hospital and will fly home with the team after the game ends.

“One last Chris Olave update guys, and it’s a good one,” CBS sideline reporter Amanda Balionis said on the broadcast. “He’s on his way back to the stadium and he will be flying home with the team.”

This is an enormously positive sign, as the initial contact and injury most definitely looked very concerning as he went face down onto the field. Thankfully, Olave will be able to travel with the team back to New Orleans. Given his previous history of concussions, it is good to hear he was discharged and was not held for further evaluation.

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Chris Olave carted off after scary hit vs. Panthers

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off on an immobilizing stretcher after a scary hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods:


This is the worst thing to see in an NFL game. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off on an immobilizing stretcher after a scary hit from Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods. Derek Carr’s pass sailed too high for Olave to catch it and the wideout was sandwiched between Woods and the Panthers defender covering him. He remained motionless on the turf after the collision.

Players from both teams crowded around as the medical staff attended to Olave, as did Saints coach Dennis Allen. It’s an awful situation. Olave raised his arms after he was placed on the cart, which is a great sign, but he’s already suffered three concussions in his brief NFL career. He practiced this  week with a unique Guardian cap over his helmet and considered wearing it into the game, but ultimately chose not to. Few players do.

Hopefully this wasn’t as serious as it looked, but Olave shouldn’t be expected to return to this game against the Panthers. Stay tuned for updates.

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Demario Davis had just three words for his Week 9 Saints pregame speech

Demario Davis had just three words for his Week 9 Saints pregame speech. His team needs to dig deep for a win, even if it’s against the Panthers:

Demario Davis called his New Orleans Saints teammates together for a quick address before kickoff with the Carolina Panthers. It’s a tradition he continued after inheriting the leadership role from Drew Brees, so what did he have to say on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium?

Davis started with just three words.

“Fire, fight, finish,” Davis chanted. He went on to talk about everyone’s motivations,  why they put in the hard work to prepare for this game, and what they need to do to come away with a win.

His team needs to dig deep for a win, even if it’s just the Panthers. Nothing is  guaranteed in the NFL and any team can win on any given Sunday. If they’re going to end this losing streak, it has to start here.

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Saints starting cornerback was a street free agent just two weeks ago

From street free agent to starting on Sunday: Recapping the last month for New Orleans Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles

It’s been a busy couple of months for Shemar Jean-Charles. The New Orleans Saints cornerback has bounced on and off of the team’s practice squad after a standout performance during the preseason; if not for rookie sensation Rico Payton, he likely would’ve made the roster outright. Instead, he’s gone from being a street free agent to a game-day starter in a matter of weeks.

Let’s recap his experience. Jean-Charles was waived during final roster cuts on Aug. 27 and re-signed with the Saints practiice squad a few weeks later on Sept. 11, only to be let go again on Oct. 15. His return was announced the next week on Oct. 22, after Paulson Adebo’s season-ending injury. He was promoted to the 53-man roster on Nov. 2, just in time to start in Adebo’s place against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 3.

Not bad for a former late-round draft pick. Payton is dealing with a back  issue and hamstring injuries have sidelined both Marshon Lattimore and  Kool-Aid McKinstry, so Jean-Charles is one of a couple of new faces in the Saints secondary on Sunday. Here’s hoping he makes some plays and hangs tough against a Panthers offense desperate to end their losing streak.

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