Jags activate 2 starters from Reserve/COVID-19 list

Shaquill Griffin and Ben Bartch were removed from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and should be good to go on Sunday against the Colts.

Jacksonville has one more game to play before the 2021 season mercifully reaches its conclusion, and the team will be back closer to full strength for that matchup. Two starters that missed Sunday’s 50-10 loss to the New England Patriots will be back this week in cornerback Shaquill Griffin and right tackle Ben Bartch, the team announced on Thursday.

The Jaguars’ secondary struggled without Griffin last week, and the offensive line was down three starters. Bartch’s return will be welcome considering the lack of depth at the position when the team finishes its season at home against Indianapolis.

Other players who were taken off the COVID-19 list include rookie linebacker Dylan Moses, who returns to the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list, and receiver Josh Hammond, who returns to the practice squad.

However, the Jags also placed a couple of contributors on the Reserve/COVID-19 list in linebacker Chappelle Russell and punter J.K. Scott. Russell sees quite a bit of playing time as a backup, and he started two weeks ago with Myles Jack out. Scott, meanwhile, started on Sunday after Logan Cooke was placed on the injured reserve, ending his season. With Scott likely out on Sunday, the team could be forced to sign another punter.

COVID-19 cases are something that every franchise is dealing with as the more transmissible omicron variant spreads, but the Jags seem to be past the worst of it and will have most of their starters back for this week’s game.

Jags list 2 coaches as unavailable for Week 17’s game, add Griffin to Reserve/COVID-19 list

the Jags made multiple moves Friday and placing Shaquill Griffin on the Reserve/COVID-19 list was one of them.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made several moves and decisions Friday to help get them prepared for their trip to New England to take on the Patriots. Among them was the decision to list defensive Line coach Tosh Lupoi and defensive quality control coach Patrick Reilly as unavailable for Sunday’s game.

Both were deemed unavailable because of the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 protocols, and if Lupoi is unable to make the trip, assistant defensive line coach Sterling Lucas would step in and fulfill his role for Sunday’s game.

The Jags also announced that one of their defensive team captains, Shaquill Griffin, was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. With the news being announced just after 3:45 pm EST, it appears Griffin won’t be able to play Sunday as he would need at least 48 hours to register two negative tests to take the field. That said, the Jags could turn to Nevin Lawson or Tre Herndon to play in his place Sunday.

Lastly, the Jags made two signings, adding punter J.K. Scott to the active roster from the practice squad and signing safety Bradley McDougald to the practice squad.

Scott joins the Jags after spending three seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 2018-20 where he registered 194 punts for 8,654 yards and had an average of 44.6. He was drafted by them out of Alabama in the fifth round (172nd overall) after being a two-time All-SEC specialist in 2014 and 2016.

As for McDougald, he entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. Along the way, he’s also played for the Tampa Bay Bucs, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans and has participated in 107 games. He’ll enter his Jags tenure with 477 career tackles, and 10 picks.

Jaguars bring 7 players back from Reserve/COVID-19 list, sign OL D.J. Fluker to practice squad

The Jags will be closer to full strength this week, with several starters returning to the fold.

Jacksonville was shorthanded in Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets, missing several starters on both sides of the ball. That isn’t much of an excuse for the loss, as New York was forced to reach even further down its depth chart as 15 of its own players were on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, but it certainly didn’t help things for the Jags.

The team will be closer to full strength this week for the team’s difficult road matchup against the likely playoff-bound New England Patriots, as it will be getting seven players back from the COVID-19 list. Those players include key starters in edge rusher Josh Allen, linebackers Myles Jack and Damien Wilson, as well as receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. The team also gets tight end Luke Farrell and edge rusher Jordan Smith back, while rookie running back Travis Etienne is off the Reserve/COVID-19 list and back to the injured reserve.

The team also added a player to the practice squad in guard D.J. Fluker, a former first-round pick with 96 starts in 108 career games. He began the 2021 season on the Miami Dolphins roster but was placed on the injured reserve on July 29 and released four days later. He landed with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on Oct. 20 but was released again on Dec. 2.

This move is likely made as a result of Will Richardson Jr., the primary interior backup, being placed on the injured reserve. Richardson started on Sunday in place of Ben Bartch, who interestingly is not listed among the players returning from the Reserve/COVID-19 list. If he is once again unable to go, it’s very possible that Fluker will be elevated to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game.

Broncos will be missing at least 6 starters vs. Chargers

Among the Broncos out with COVID-19 this week: WR Jerry Jeudy, WR Tim Patrick, RT Bobby Massie, OLB Bradley Chubb and CB Bryce Callahan.

The Denver Broncos will be without at least six starters when they face the Los Angeles Chargers on the road in Week 17.

Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (concussion), wide receivers Jerry Jeudy (COVID) and Tim Patrick (COVID), right tackle Bobby Massie (COVID) outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (COVID), inside linebacker Baron Browning (COVID) and slot cornerback Bryce Callahan (COVID) have all been ruled out for Sunday’s game, and the team now has 16 total players on COVID-19 reserve lists.

Elsewhere on the injury report, inside linebacker Kenny Young (concussion) is listed as questionable after missing the last two games.

Defensive line coach Bill Kollar is also in COVID-19 protocol and won’t be available for this week’s game.

The Broncos opened as 5.5-point road underdogs against the Chargers earlier this week, but that line might change with Denver being shorthanded going into the New Year.

[listicle id=670238]

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=670075]

Jaguars place 2 key players on reserve lists

Will Richardson Jr. will be shut down for the remainder of the season, while safety Andrew Wingard could miss Sunday’s game.

Jacksonville has two more difficult matchups before the 2021 season comes to a merciful end, and it will have to navigate those without several players available. On Thursday, the team placed offensive lineman Will Richardson Jr. on the injured reserve list while also placing starting safety Andrew Wingard on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Richardson spent most of the season as one of the team’s primary backups along the offensive line, but he was thrust into the starting lineup in last week’s loss to the New York Jets after Ben Bartch was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. He scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in that one, but he missed practice on Wednesday with a finger injury and has now been shut down for the remainder of the season.

Wingard, meanwhile, has started every game at safety this season but could potentially be out for Sunday’s game on the road against the New England Patriots. If he is vaccinated and asymptomatic, he can return after submitting two negative tests in a 24-hour period. However, if he is unvaccinated, he will have to wait at least five days to return, per the NFL’s updated protocol that reflects the latest recommendations from the CDC.

If Wingard is unable to go, Daniel Thomas and rookie Andre Cisco will likely start at safety. Cisco got the first start of his career last week, and both saw significant playing time, faring decently well.

One other piece of news the Jaguars announced on Thursday was the placement of practice squad running back B.J. Emmons, who was signed earlier this month, on the practice squad/COVID-19 list.

Broncos injuries: Teddy Bridgewater expected to miss another game

Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) is unlikely to play Sunday, and four Denver players were added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list today.

Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) is expected to miss another game, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday. Broncos coach Vic Fangio seemingly confirmed that report before Wednesday’s practice, indicating Drew Lock is trending toward starting against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17.

Broncos inside linebacker Kenny Young (concussion) also missed practice Wednesday, and wide receiver Tim Patrick, safety Caden Sterns, offensive tackle Calvin Anderson and wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland were all placed on the COVID-19 reserve lists. Those players will not have enough time to clear COVID protocol before Sunday’s game.

In positive COVID news, center Lloyd Cushenberry returned to the active roster Wednesday after sitting out in Week 16.

Denver’s complete injury report from Wednesday can be seen below.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
QB Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) DNP
ILB Kenny Young (concussion) DNP
CB Ronald Darby (shoulder) DNP
S Kareem Jackson (back/shoulder) DNP
OLB Stephen Weatherly (illness) DNP
OLB Bradley Chubb (shoulder/ankle) Limited
RB Melvin Gordon (thumb/hip) Limited
DE Shelby Harris (ankle) Limited
DE Dre’Mont Jones (foot) Limited
QB Drew Lock (ankle) Limited
DL Shamar Stephen (knee) Limited
RB Javonte Williams (knee) Limited

Denver will release injury reports again on Thursday and Friday. The Broncos are considered 5.5-point road underdogs this week.

[listicle id=670238]

[listicle id=670075]

Broncos now have 6 players on COVID-19 reserve

Broncos DL Mike Purcell, OLB Andre Mintze, DL Jonathan Harris, C Lloyd Cushenberry, ILB Barrington Wade and OT Drew Himmelman are in COVID-19 protocol.

The Denver Broncos added three more players to their COVID-19 reserve list on Monday, the team announced.

The Broncos placed defensive lineman Mike Purcell and outside linebacker Andre Mintze on the Reserve/COVID-19 list for active roster players and Denver also placed defensive end Jonathan Harris on the Practice Squad/COVID-19 list.

Purcell and Mintze joined center Lloyd Cushenberry on the active roster reserve list and Harris joined linebacker Barrington Wade and offensive tackle Drew Himmelman on the practice squad reserve list.

If the players are vaccinated, NFL rules would allow them to return in time for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers if they test negative.

The Broncos also released center Javon Patterson from the practice squad on Monday. Patterson was signed on Saturday to provide emergency depth at center after Cushenberry was placed in COVID-19 protocol.

The NFL has been hit hard by positive COVID cases in recent weeks. Denver specifically has had 19 players test positive since October.

[listicle id=670238]

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=670075]

Jags place 10 active roster players on Reserve/COVID-19 list

Jihad Ward, Andrew Norwell, Brandon Linder, and Malcom Brown are just some of the few notables who have been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list recently for the Jags.

The NFL has been dealing with a league-wide COVID-19 outbreak over the last few weeks, but the Jacksonville Jaguars avoided it in the early part of Week 16. However, their Reserve/COVID-19 list started to garner names the closer the team got to their last game against the New York Jets with linebacker Myles Jack, receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., and guard Ben Bartch going on it alongside others.

Now, heading into Week 17’s game against the New England Patriots, the team has placed another wave of active roster players on the list, five of which were on both sides of the ball. They placed one practice squad player on the list, too.

That list of names are as follows:

 

Of the 10 active players that went on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, seven of them have made at least three starts this season. Those players are tight ends Chris Manhertz, Dan Arnold, and Luke Farrell, guard Andrew Norwell, center Brandon Linder, defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton, edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, and defensive lineman Malcom Brown.

The returns of the listed players could vary based on their vaccination status. Vaccinated players can return after two negative tests that are 24 hours apart. However, unvaccinated players have to miss at least 10 days.

So far, the only player who has been revealed as an unvaccinated player is Norwell, so it’s guaranteed that he won’t be back for the upcoming game in New England. However, if Bartch is cleared to come back from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, they could start him at right guard and put Will Richardson at left guard in Norwell’s place.

The tight end spot and defensive line will be the key positions to watch as they have multiple members from their respective groups that are listed. At tight end, the Jags are down to two players in Jacob Hollister and James O’Shaughnessy. But if needed, they could activate tight end, Matt Sokol, for this week from the practice squad.

As for the defensive line, the Jags have Doug Costin and Jeremiah Ledbetter on the practice squad to help if needed, too.

Jags LB Myles Jack placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list just before game vs. Jets

The Jags will be without one of their team captains in Myles Jack Sunday against the Jets after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed a few starters on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Friday and one more will be joining them. That player is linebacker Myles Jack, who is one of the Jags’ leaders and defensive captains.

The team made the announcement Sunday morning as they are currently in East Rutherford getting ready to take on the New York Jets. This, of course, means he won’t take the field Sunday, though he does have time to return in a few days if he is vaccinated.

A vaccinated player can return if they produce two negative tests that are 24 hours apart. However, if Jack is unvaccinated, he’ll have to miss at least 10 days and that would rule him out for next week’s game in New England, too.

Jack leads the Jags in tackles with 97. However, with him set to miss Sunday’s game, the Jags could roll with veteran Dakota Allen, who has registered three starts with the Jags, in his place. The team also has options in Shaquille Quarterman or Chapelle Russell who could potentially step in.

The Jets offense is ranked 22nd overall, so the player who will replace Jack may be able to hold their own. Additionally, the Jets have placed a lot of players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list as well, so both teams will be without key players.

Jaguars place 3 players on Reserve/COVID-19 list

Both teams will be dealing with a number of COVID-19 issues on Sunday.

On Thursday, it was announced that the New York Jets were dealing with a number of players out with COVID-19, including starters Alijah Vera-Tucker and Elijah Moore as well as head coach Robert Saleh. However, it seems the Jets won’t be the only team with COVID issues during Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium.

The Jaguars announced on Friday that three key contributors had been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list: edge rusher Josh Allen, receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. and right guard Ben Bartch. These are all losses the Jags’ really can’t afford, especially the latter two.

Allen is reportedly unvaccinated, meaning he will not play as he must wait 10 days to return, per NFL protocol. With him out, it will likely mean more reps for second-year player K’Lavon Chaisson, who has mostly been a disappointment this season and has only seen a rep rate of 50% or more once this season (Week 5). The Jags could also activate rookie Jordan Smith for the first time this season.

The vaccination statuses of Shenault and Bartch aren’t clear, but if they are vaccinated, they could theoretically play on Sunday if they are able to test negative twice in a 24-hour period leading up to the game. If they are not able to go, Jacksonville’s receiving depth would be tested even further and likely lead to more playing time for Tavon Austin and Jaydon Mickens. Meanwhile, if Bartch can’t play, Will Richardson is likely to get the start.

This game is likely the Jags’ last winnable game of the season, and the stakes are high, as a win would move the team from the first overall pick to the fourth in the 2022 NFL Draft. Both teams could be very shorthanded, and considering we saw several games postponed last week due to COVID-19, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see that again here.