Tag: return

Wisconsin senior safety announces return for 2025 football season

Big news for the Wisconsin defense

Wisconsin senior safety Preston Zachman announced his return to the Badgers for the 2025 football season on Tuesday.

He is one of several Badgers veterans to return, joining center Jake Renfro, right tackle Riley Mahlman and outside linebacker Darryl Peterson.

Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin landing QB Billy Edwards Jr., a busy day of transfer commitments

Zachman was previously honored during Wisconsin’s senior day before its closing game against Minnesota. That indicated his intention to move on, as no other player to participate in the festivities is returning for 2025. On Tuesday, Zachman became the first.

The veteran safety originally joined the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. He redshirted during the 2020 season, then missed all of 2021 with an injury. He found a role in 2022 before another injury cost him a chunk of the season.

Zachman was mostly overlooked as a starting option at safety entering the 2023 season with Hunter Wohler and Kamo’i Latu both returning. He wound up supplanting Latu for the second starting spot, and finished the campaign with 13 games (five starts), 49 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions and three pass deflections.

Zachman then helped lead the room in 2024, finishing with 58 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions and four pass deflections.

The veteran safety’s return is significant news for the Wisconsin defense. The Badgers recently landed Richmond transfer safety Matthew Traynor to bolster the position. Traynor broke out as a redshirt freshman in 2024 and gives the Badgers a strong multi-year starting option. There are, however, some questions about how his production will translate from the Football Championship Subdivision level.

Zachman’s return adds dependable production and a valuable leadership presence to the position as Traynor adjusts to the Big Ten game.

We can now cross starting safety off of Wisconsin’s list of pressing list of roster needs. The program may still look to add more depth at the position.

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All-American center Jake Slaughter returning to Florida for senior year

Despite much speculation, it was an easy decision for All-American center Jake Slaughter to return to Florida in 2025 for his senior year.

Once early signing day was over, Florida football head coach Billy Napier said the focus of the program would shift to retaining players on its current roster. On Monday night, Napier landed a return commitment from the biggest target on that list, All-America center [autotag]Jake Slaughter[/autotag].

On the same day the Associated Press named Slaughter a First Team All-American, he decided to put off his pro career to finish what he started in Gainesville. Slaughter’s coming back for the 2025 season. Nick de la Torre of Florida Victorious confirmed that news.

“The draft is always there but my thought was always that there’s so much more we have to do here before I’m done,” Slaughter said. “There’s so much improvement that can be made, not just in my own game but as a football team. That was a big reason. There’s so much left on the table for us.”

The 2024 Gators didn’t take steps forward throughout the season; they took leaps and bounds after a disheartening first month of the year. By the end of the season, the Gators believed they could compete with any team in the country — even with a battered defense.

The emergence of DJ Lagway as an elite starting quarterback had a lot to do with it, but the team improved in other areas, too. The most consistent piece of the team was the offensive line, anchored by Slaughter, who morphed into one of the best centers in the country. Draft experts have him pegged as a mid-round pick, but that’s before workouts and the combine.

For Slaughter, it’s not so much about improving his draft stock but rather bringing the program back to prominence. He’s been in Gainesville for the worst of it and wants to see things through to the end; and he might not be the only one with that mindset.

“We were playing complementary football, winning games, going toe-to-toe with anybody in the country. That was a big part,” he said. “The belief that this team has. All the other guys that are in a similar position as me and are coming back next year. We want to do something pretty special.”

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Saints sign a wide receiver back to their practice squad during bye week

The New Orleans Saints re-signed rookie wide receiver Jermaine Jackson back to their practice squad during the bye week:

That didn’t take long. The New Orleans Saints re-signed rookie wide receiver Jermaine Jackson back to their practice squad not long after waiving him last week, with another rookie going on injured reserve as a corresponding move — defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat, who suffered an elbow injury early in training camp and only recently returned to the team.

Jackson had been supplanted as the Saints’ returns specialist by another practice squad wideout, Dante Pettis, but they clearly want to keep him in the fold. Attrition with season-threatening injuries to players like Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Bub Means almost demands they keep that depth intact. But we’ll have to wait and see whether Jackson returns to the field this season.

As for Pettis? He came up a toe’s width shy of a punt returned for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns last week, but still gained 53 yards on the play. Like Jackson he was an accomplished returns ace in college and interim head coach Darren Rizzi (who of course has a background as a special teams coordinator) wants him to get more opportunities to impact the game.

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Saints open practice window for a starter to return from injured reserve

The New Orleans Saints opened the 21-day practice window for starting safety Will Harris to return from injured reserve:

The New Orleans Saints announced Wednesday that they had opened the 21-day practice window for starting safety Will Harris to return from injured reserve, which could be a big boost for the secondary.

Harris went down with a hamstring injury during Week 5’s prime-time loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. To that point in the season the was the only defender to stay on the field for 100% of snaps — more than mainstays like Tyrann Mathieu and Demario Davis.

He  totaled 16 tackles (12 solo, 1 tackle for loss) and an interception with 3 passes defensed, so he was productive. The Saints have struggled to replace Harris between a rotation including Jordan Howden, J.T. Gray, and Johnathan Abram coming up from the practice squad.

Remember, teams can only activate eight players from injured reserve each season. Backup guard/center Shane Lemieux is also practicing during his own window to return, and the team hopes to get back starting center Erik McCoy later this year. But running back Kendre Miller has already come off injured reserve once before going back on it, so the Saints are rapidly running short on activations. Let’s hope the injury bug stops biting soon.

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Derek Carr tempering expectations in return from injury: ‘I am no savior’

Derek Carr is setting expectations ahead of his Week 9 return from an injury: ‘I am here to be a great leader and to be a great teammate’

Derek Carr set expectations ahead of his Week 9 return from an injury. He knows he can’t fix all the New Orleans Saints’ problems on his own, and he downplayed the pressure that comes with a starting quarterback returning amid a six-game losing streak.

“I am no savior. There’s only been one of those and that is not me,” Carr told reporters Wednesday. “I am here to be a great leader, and to be a great teammate, and to do my job to the best of my ability.”

Carr missed the last three games with an oblique muscle injury — an uncommon issue in football that’s typically seen in athletes for other sports. Rather than a pain tolerance challenge, it’s limited Carr’s range of motion and ability to wind up and throw with force. So he’s had to stand by and watch his team go out and compete and lose games without him.

Still, like he said, his return isn’t going to cure everything ailing them. The offensive line needs to hold up in protection. The receivers need to get open. Dennis Allen’s handcrafted defense needs to stop the run and  pressure the opposing quarterback. Their inability to do those things consistently has cost them six games in a row, on top of Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener’s struggles during Carr’s three-game absence.

But getting Carr back should help in some phases. Rattler took some sacks and misfired some throws that Carr would handle better. Erik McCoy’s injury has forced the quarterbacks to make protection adjustments at the line and that’s something an established pro is better prepared for than a rookie. Now, will it make a difference? It ought to, especially against a Carolina Panthers team the Saints beat once already, but you never know. One NFL team can upset another on any given Sunday.

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Antonio Brown arrives in Pittsburgh for Week 7, Le’Veon Bell is next

Announcing last week his plans to return for Week 7’s game, Antonio Brown has touched down in Pittsburgh on Friday, will Bell coming soon.

Last week, former Steelers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown made headlines as he announced his return to Pittsburgh for Week 7. Speculation ran rampant, but it was later revealed that he and former Steelers teammate, All-Pro RB Le’Veon Bell, would attend Pittsburgh’s Week 7 contest against the New York Jets.

The pair were also present at the game and the Terrible Tailgate in Las Vegas when the Steelers traveled to take on the Raiders in Week 6.

On Friday, AB confirmed his arrival in the ‘Steel City’ on social media, with Bell replying that he too would be next.

The nostalgia and memories the ‘Killer B’s’ created are enough to make any grown Steelers fan emotional, but excitement is in the air as two of the greatest NFL playmakers from the past decade return to root for the team they love. While polarizing, to say the least, it is heartwarming to see the two formerly disgruntled players put aside their differences with the team to return to Pittsburgh.

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Injury update: Alex Highsmith planning to return in Week 7

Alex Highsmith has been estimated to return in the Week 7 game against the New York Jets. How will this affect Nick Herbig’s involvement?

Everyone stop what you’re doing! The Pittsburgh Steelers finally get some positive injury updates for a change!

As many Steelers fans are well aware, Alex Highsmith reaggravated a groin injury he sustained in the offseason during his team’s Week 3 contest versus the Los Angeles Chargers. This injury seemed to affect the Steelers’ pass rush heavily, struggling in Week 4 to pressure the Colts. This may soon change, however, as reporter Mark Kaboly stated that Highsmith now has an estimated return date.

For Week 7, the Pittsburgh Steelers are eyeing Highsmith to make his long-awaited return against the New York Jets.

While his return leaves some questions, such as whether he will be one hundred percent or if Nick Herbig will still factor into the defensive scheme in some way, Highsmith’s presence will be appreciated nonetheless.

Pittsburgh will need to make do without their star edge rusher for several weeks, starting with their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, on October 6th, at 8:20 PM EST.

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Isaac Seumalo’s return would lift Steelers offense

Isaac Seumalo could make his return in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, but how does this truly impact Pittsburgh’s inconsistent offense?

It is no secret that through the first two weeks, including their first-half performance in Week 4, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense looked lethargic. Key pieces of the offensive line struggled with run blocking, were undisciplined with penalties and at times even appeared to give up on plays.

What they seem to be missing is a true leader on the offensive line — and that leader is Isaac Seumalo.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is hopeful that Seumalo will make his comeback against the 2-2 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night in Week 5.

Seumalo’s expertise lies in consistency and discipline. He has been playing at a high level for the past couple of seasons, and he has a wealth of postseason experience, having played in two Super Bowls with the Philadelphia Eagles.

With the Steelers’ offensive line losing three starters to season-ending injuries, they need Seumalo’s leadership and presence to help mold the identity of the offense.

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Paulson Adebo had one of Week 2’s longest plays, per NFL Next Gen Stats

NFL Next Gen Stats tracking found Paulson Adebo traveled over 90 yards on his interception return against the Dallas Cowboys:

New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo delivered a major swing of momentum right before halftime when he intercepted Dak Prescott. What ensued was one of the longest plays of Week 2.

Adebo hit the ground after catching the interception, but wasn’t touched down. Instinctually, Adebo jumped up and returned the interception into Dallas Cowboys territory.

Officially, Adebo gained 47 yards. But those 47 yards didn’t come in a straight line. The beginning of the return looked disjointed and uncertain as he navigated traffic to keep the play alive. After getting up, Adebo ran forward and towards the sidelines. A couple of Cowboys players appeared in his sight. He made a loop moving backwards, and nearly went as far back as the catch point before he turned it back around.

In total, Adebo traveled 95.1 yards according to NFL Next Gen Stats. With all of the running around, Adebo ran double the amount of yards he’s credited for. That was good for the fifth-longest play in the NFL this week.

The Saints cornerback didn’t grow up far from A&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play. He went to school at nearby Mansfield High, so this play was probably very special to him.

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Alabama QB Jalen Milroe announces he will return to Alabama in 2024

Alabama’s Jalen Milroe to return to the Crimson Tide in 2024

It should not come as much of a surprise, but Alabama quarterback [autotag]Jalen Milroe[/autotag] officially announced that he will forego the 2024 NFL Draft and be returning to the Crimson Tide next season. Milroe finished sixth overall in this year’s Heisman Trophy voting and will likely be the odds-on betting favorite heading into next year.

His growth and resiliency in 2023 has been a blast to watch in real time as he went from being benched in Week 3 against USF to leading the Tide to ten straight wins, an SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. Milroe and the Alabama team are totally dialed in on the work they have this upcoming month, but this question still needed to be asked. During an appearance on the Next Round this morning Milroe was asked if he would be back to which he laughed and definitively said yes.

After beating Georgia and sneaking into the Playoffs Alabama fans should be soaking up every second of this season, but man it’s hard not to look forward to 2024. With Milroe returning now and a 12-team Playoff, it’s pretty hard to imagine that the Tide won’t be in the thick of it next year as well.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.