Who is in and who is out for the Cardinals in Week 6 against the Packers?
The Arizona Cardinals are going with a backup kicker for the second straight week. They released their inactive list 90 minutes before their game on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
Kicker Matt Prater, questionable for the game with a left knee injury, was deactivated. That meant Chad Ryland, who made 3-of-4 field goals last week against the 49ers, including the game-winning 35-yard kick, would go again in Green Bay.
Here are the players that were inactive for the game for the Cardinals.
K Matt Prater
CB Darren Hall
LB Victor Dimukeje
LB Xavier Thomas
TE Travis Vokolek
Cornerback Garrett Williams returns to the lineup after a week off with a groin injury. For the second straight week, Thomas is inactive. Linebacker Jesse Luketa, who forced a key fumble last week, will get to play.
Rookie receiver Xavier Weaver is active for the first time this season and will make his NFL debut. He was the practice player of the week and wore the Pat Tillman No. 40 jersey all week in practice.
All their offensive linemen are active for this game, including Jon Gaines II, who is active for the second straight week. He made his 2024 debut last week after being the team’s practice player of the week and wearing the Tillman jersey all week leading up to the game.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTubeor Apple podcasts.
Some odds and ends as the Cardinals had their first practice of Week 6.
The Arizona Cardinals were back on the practice field Wednesday to begin preparations for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers and wide receiver Chris Moore was not on the field in the portion of work open to the media.
It was reported by Wednesday morning that he would be released, which we said was likely on Monday because of the return of wide receiver Zay Jones from his five-game suspension under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Jones was practicing and officially still has a roster exemption that expires next Monday (Oct. 14). But it can be lifted by Saturday to be able to play in Green Bay. The absence of Moore makes it a formality that the exemption will likely be lifted.
Defensive lineman Darius Robinson was officially designated for return from injured reserve and was on the field, but during individual drills, he only watched his fellow D-linemen. Today opens a 21-day period in which Robinson can practice before being activated, which can happen at any time before the 21 days ends.
Thursday marks seven weeks since Robinson was injured Aug. 22, so he hasn’t done anything football-related during the time. That would make it seem unrealistic that he could match the 30 percent of the snaps played Sunday against the 49ers by defensive linemen Khyiris Jones and Naquan Jones.
Tackle Kelvin Beachum participated in stretching, but was then on the side and not with the other offensive linemen doing individual work. He did not practice last Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday because of a hamstring issue, but played all 58 snaps at right tackle against the 49ers.
Both kicker Matt Prater (knee) and CB Garrett Williams (groin) were on the practice field, as was offensive lineman Austen Pleasants, who was re-signed to the practice squad following the signing of Charlie Heck to the active roster. Kicker Chad Ryland remains on the practice squad.
Rookie guard Isaiah Adams, who was inactive on Sunday with a thumb injury, was practicing in the open part.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTubeor Apple podcasts.
Numerous former Georgia Bulldogs made impacts in the matchup between the Packers and the Eagles on Friday night in Brazil.
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers met in Brazil for the second game of the NFL season on Friday night. Both rosters are filled with former Bulldog players, with four former UGA football players suiting up for the Packers and six on the roster for Philadelphia. A host of these players made contributions on Friday.
On the Eagles side of things, linebacker Nakobe Dean shined, recording four tackles and a tackle-for-loss, an encouraging sign for Eagles fans who have been waiting for a linebacker to step up. Along the defensive line, Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith each recorded two tackles, while Jordan Davis did not record a stat but started and played for most of the game.
For the Packers, a pair of Bulldogs shared the team lead in tackles, as linebacker Quay Walker and rookie safety Javon Bullard each recorded 11 stops, with Walker adding a tackle-for-loss. Eric Stokes recorded two tackles from the cornerback position, while defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt registered a tackle and a tackle-for-loss.
The Eagles will take their 1-0 record back home against the Atlanta Falcons next Monday night. The Packers, meanwhile, will try to rebound at Lambeau field against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Ex-Saints linebacker Zack Baun had a big-time debut with the Eagles. He totaled 15 tackles and had two sacks, tying his career total:
Credit where it’s due: Zack Baun delivered in a big spot for his new Philadelphia Eagles team. The Eagles left Brazil with a win over the Green Bay Packers on Friday night, and Baun’s efforts were a big part of their success. The former New Orleans Saints linebacker ended the night with 15 combined tackles, two quarterback hits, and two sacks — including a game-winner off of Malik Willis, who had replaced the injured Jordan Love.
And it’s not like Baun was cleaning up tackles 8 or 9 yards downfield. According to the official NFL Gamebook, Baun averaged 3.0 yards per tackle on his 15 stops. Just two of those tackles ended after the Packers offense gained 8 or more yards. He had five stops at or behind the line of scrimmage and three more within two yards of it.
He just needed this opportunity, which he wasn’t given in New Orleans. The Saints already had Demario Davis locked in at one linebacker spot but they chose to draft Pete Werner a year after they traded up for Baun. As highly regarded Dennis Allen and linebackers coach Michael Hodges are, they couldn’t figure out how to get Baun on the field for most of the four years he spent in New Orleans. A fifth of his 660 career defensive snaps with the Saints (142) came in the final six games he played in a Saints uniform. He played almost twice as many snaps on special teams (1,293).
What’s even more frustrating is that Baun wasn’t used much different in Vic Fangio’s Eagles defense than what he saw in Allen’s system. Per Pro Football Focus charting, he lined up on the line of scrimmage as a pass-rushing outside linebacker just 12 times. Just like he did with the Saints, Baun spent the majority of his 67 defensive snaps off the ball as an inside linebacker (47 times). He covered the slot seven times and was once asked to cover a receiver out wide.
Still, the fact that Baun had as many sacks in his first game with the Eagles as he did in 64 appearances with the Saints (including two playoff games) is embarrassing. It highlights a common criticism of the team extending even beyond Allen’s tenure. The Saints have struggled to draft, develop, and retain their own talent over the years, and Baun is another great example of it just like Trey Hendrickson, Marcus Williams, Alex Anzalone, and Kaden Elliss, among other players.
Too many draft-day gambles and picks spent chasing upside have come back to haunt them. When Baun signed with the Eagles this spring, it left Cesar Ruiz as the only member of the team’s 2020 draft class still on the roster. Ruiz and Erik McCoy are the only draft picks remaining from the 2019 and 2018 draft classes, too. Of the six-man 2021 class, Pete Werner is the only member to have signed a new deal; it feels unlike Payton Turner returns next year, and Paulson Adebo may be get priced out on the free agent market.
So there’s a good chance Baun isn’t the last player drafted by the Saints to go on and find more success somewhere else. But Saints fans will get a good look at him in just a few weeks when Baun and the Eagles visit the Caesars Superdome on Sept. 22.
The Rams’ schedule this season is not easy and these 6 games could decide Los Angeles’ fate
Well, folks, the opening week of the NFL season is finally here. Teams all across the league are set to begin their journey towards taking home the Lombardi Trophy in February.
For the Rams, that journey begins this Sunday night, as Matthew Stafford and company travel to Detroit for a rematch of last season’s wild-card tilt. Obviously, in the NFL, every single game is important. With only 17 games, the room for error is minute, especially in the more competitive divisions in the league. Despite this fact, there are typically a handful of games that shape a team’s season, and, for the Rams, I believe there will be six such games.
Here are the six games that will shape the Rams’ season:
Week 1 at Detroit Lions
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
This is a no-brainer in my eyes. The storylines, the wild-card game from last season, and two teams who are seen as contenders in the NFC. Los Angeles looks to avenge the 24-23 loss in the wild-card round against Detroit and prove they belong in the conversation to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Week 5 vs. Green Bay Packers
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Yes, the second season-shaping game is yet another opponent from the NFC North in the Green Bay Packers. Much like Detroit, media members and fans alike are very high on the Packers. With the emergence of Jordan Love and an unexpected playoff run last season, Green Bay is seen as one of the top dogs in the conference.
Week 9 at Seattle Seahawks
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
As many know, every divisional showdown is important. With that being said, Week 9 in Seattle has the potential to hold some serious weight in the race for the NFC West. Seattle’s new head coach Mike MacDonald with instantly bring improvements to the Seattle defense and, with a crowd as rowdy as the 12th Man, winning in Seattle becomes increasingly difficult. Wins in hostile environments prove the resiliency of a team, Week 9 will give LA a shot to prove such.
Week 10 vs. Miami Dolphins
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Back-to-back huge games for the Rams, as Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins come to town for a showdown on Monday Night Football. Jalen Ramsey returns to LA for the first time since his departure, which is poetic because the Rams secondary will be put to the ultimate test. The aforementioned Hill and Waddle both bring incomparable speed to stretch defenses to their absolute limits. The Rams defense will be put to the test on national television against what is projected to be a high-powered Miami offensive attack.
Week 12 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Philadelphia comes to town for a Week 12 Sunday Night Football tilt that will surely impact the seeding in the NFC playoff picture. During the offseason, much like the Rams, the Eagles focused on reinforcing what was a below-average from last season. On Philadelphia’s offense, the free agent acquisition of Running Back Saquon Barkley will almost certainly bring one of the most balanced offensive units in the entire league.
Week 15 at San Francisco 49ers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
If all goes to plan for the Rams in the 2024 season, then this Week 15 matchup in San Francisco will be for the NFC West crown. The Rams notably struggle against the 49ers (we’ll always have the NFC Championship), however, this year may be a different story. Los Angeles should be able to run the football on what looked like – at times last season – a vulnerable San Francisco run defense. Nevertheless, it would not shock me if this week 15 game gets flexed into a prime-time spot given the potential for divisional ramifications at stake.
Josh Jacobs refused to sign with the Kansas City #Chiefs during free agency: ‘No way I was going there’ | @EdEastonJr
The Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions seeking an unprecedented three-peat. Players would ideally want to join the team, but old rivalries are too much to ignore.
Former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs told Dan Pompei of TheAthletic.com his strong reason for avoiding the Chiefs in free agency.
“They were trying to get me hard, but there was no way I was going there. I feel like once you are rivals with somebody, you have a genuine hate for them,” said Jacobs. “I couldn’t see myself in that color. And besides, I never wanted to be the guy that joined the dominant team. I want to be the guy that beats the dominant team.”
During his five seasons with the Raiders, the former Alabama standout accumulated 5,545 yards on the ground and 46 rushing touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in rushing in 2022, earning first-team All-Pro honors. Jacobs decided to sign with the Green Bay Packers because he couldn’t see past the many battles against Kansas City to join them potentially.
Listen to NFL veteran Jameis Winston on mic at the tilt against Green Bay as he delivers one-liners and rallies his teammates
Veteran QB Jameis Winston was mic’d up for his time on camera at the Cleveland Browns match versus the Green Bay Packers and gave a hilarious and passionate oration for those on the listening end.
Winston, who spent most of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints now hangs his jersey with the Browns after being picked up as a free agent.
Listen to the NFL veteran at the tilt against Green Bay chat up the referee, welcome rookies to the NFL, deliver solid one-liners and wisdom to the offense and try to rally the Browns before the drive in this clip posted on Twitter by Just Win Management Group.
Jameis Winston’s infectious humor, team player spirit and winning attitude can inspire everyone, not just the Cleveland offense. The second-string quarterback is certain to give NFL viewers some moments to remember this season.
Perhaps Winston’s rousing words at huddles will lead the Browns to keep him past the season, as his current contract is for only one year.
In his first game action in over two years, former Packers CB Kevin King grabbed an interception in the Falcons’ preseason opener vs. the Dolphins.
Former Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King wasted no time making a splash play for his new team. In his preseason debut with the Atlanta Falcons, King — a second-round pick of the Packers in 2017 — intercepted Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson with just over five minutes to go in the first quarter.
King returned the pick 29 yards, setting up a Falcons touchdown.
The Packers didn’t re-sign King following the 2021 season. Because of his decision to sit out the 2022 season and then a season-ending injury in 2023, Friday night’s preseason game with the Falcons was King’s first NFL action since playing eight defensive snaps in the Packers’ 13-10 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 22, 2022.
King had the only interception in the game. The Dolphins came back from a 10-3 deficit and beat the Falcons, 20-17.
On their unofficial depth chart, the Falcons list King as the top backup at cornerback behind starter A.J. Terrell, suggesting he has a strong chance to make the 53-man roster for the AFC South contenders.
King, now 29, intercepted seven passes over 51 games with the Packers between 2017 and 2021. He was the 33rd overall pick in the 2017 draft.
After injuries ravaged his first five NFL seasons with the Packers, King decided to step away from football for a year to get right physically. He aimed for a return in 2023 but suffered a torn Achilles tendon while training in May. The Falcons signed King on April 8, 2024.
The Packers are not scheduled to face the Falcons in the regular season in 2024.
Darren Sproles introduced himself to Saints fans in a big way as their new No. 43. His punt return TD against the Packers is our Saints Play of the Day:
Everyone remembers that 79-yard punt return for a touchdown from Darren Sproles in 2011. That's why it's our No. 3 top moment vs. the Packers!
We are now only 43 days away from the New Orleans Saints season opener in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, which makes Darren Sproles’ (who wore No. 43) punt return touchdown our Saints Play of the Day. Despite happening in a loss, this was a phenomenal showing for Sproles, who had 7 receptions for 75 yards, 2 kick returns for 76 yards, and 2 punt returns for 92 yards with the touchdown in his Saints debut.
This Week 1 matchup was a battle of the offenses, as the score ended up being 42-34 in this shootout between Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. At the time of the play the Saints were down 21-10, with 8:55 left in the half. The punt ended up traveling 52 yards, down to the New Orleans 28-yard line, where Sproles received it and took off to blow by every Green Bay Packers defender on his way to the end zone. A 72-yard punt return touchdown in his Saints debut was certainly one way to endear himself to fans.
Despite this game ending with a loss, the Saints had a chance because of this play before halftime by Sproles, and he was able to show off his prowess in returning both punts and kicks for New Orleans over the course of the next three years. While this was his only return touchdown for the Saints, he did have 70 kick returns for 1,827 yards, and a long return of 92 yards during those three seasons. He was a special player and big plays like this have done a lot to maintain a strong reputation among Saints fans ever since.
A potential Super Bowl hangover isn’t being factored into preseason prognostication about the 49ers. They might just have a roster that’s too good and too experienced to fall victim to it. A prediction from Nate Davis at USA TODAY certainly has San Francisco avoiding a Super Bowl hangover, but their season still ends in disappointment yet again.
Davis has the 49ers finishing with a stellar 13-4 record, along with the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
That in itself would be a rousing success considering the hurdles they’d have to clear as the previous season’s Super Bowl runner up.
Alas, they not only don’t win the title in Davis’s prediction. They don’t even make it back.
Davis has the Packers (the No. 2 seed) representing the NFC against the New York Jets and losing on the NFL’s biggest stage. To get to the Super Bowl the Packers defeat the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in the NFC championship game.
What a gut punch that would be.
Not only to lose in yet another NFC title game, but to have it come against the Packers – a team the 49ers have defeated in five consecutive playoff matchups – would be particularly brutal. It might also lead to some hard questions about San Francisco’s ceiling now that a team like Green Bay has eclipsed them in an NFC that appears to be catching up to them.
In the big picture another NFC championship trip would be a success for the 49ers organization, but zooming into the last six seasons, it would be hard to deem this version of the 2024 campaign anything less than a failure.
