Tag: rookie

Saints re-sign a running back to their practice squad

The Saints have re-signed a familiar running back to their practice squad. Preseason fan-favorite Jacob Kibodi is back on the team:

The New Orleans Saints have re-signed running back Jacob Kibodi to the practice squad, per a report from Saints News Network’s John Hendrix.

This comes shortly after Saints rusher Kendre Miller went down with a hamstring injury after he only played 10 snaps offensively on Sunday.

The undrafted rookie out of ULL was originally released from the practice squad at the beginning of October. He received a lot of love from the fan base and took advantage of the opportunity to play for a team that was all but completely in his own backyard.

“That was a dream come true. Coming from Louisiana, that’s a blessing. Everybody dreams of that as a kid,” Kibodi said after his two-touchdown preseason gamje against the Tennessee Titans, adding that his mother Meta and brothers Uriah and Caleb were in attendance.

It will be interesting to see how this venture with the Saints pays off for Kibodi in his second shot in New Orleans.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Steelers fans react to Roman Wilson IR news

Roman Wilson’s injured hamstring resulted in the rookie being placed on IR. Here are some passionate fan reactions to the awful news.

The, ‘will Roman Wilson play’ drama, appears to be taking a short-term hiatus—four weeks at least—as the rookie’s hamstring injury resulted in the receiver being placed on injured reserve. In recent weeks, fans and reporters alike have been calling for clarification as to why Wilson was being used so sparingly, only playing for a total of 5 snaps in one game thus far in 2024. 

Some were quick to point out Wilson’s injuries leading up to his Week 5 debut; however, he was a healthy scratch in the weeks before this. Wilson also missed his team’s Week 6 game, but Tomlin argued that Wilson’s hamstring injury was less of a reason and that he had ‘moved on’ from the situation.

Fans of the Steel City were split on their initial reactions to Wilson being added to IR on Monday, and here are some of the passionate social media responses to the news. 

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

What exactly does Roman Wilson need to prove to Mike Tomlin?

Mike Tomlin stated that ‘moving on’ from Roman Wilson was due to the rookie not showing enough, but what exactly does he need to prove?

When is the last time Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin openly spoke about moving on from a rookie? Roman Wilson and questions about his gameday availability appear to be a thorn in the sides of Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, as both have seemingly alluded to the rookie’s availability as vaguely as humanly possible. 

It was confirmed last week that Wilson’s hamstring injury was not the reason he was held out of Week 7’s contest, but rather that he didn’t prove himself enough to Tomlin. That seems to be the big question: what exactly does the rookie third-rounder need to do? 

Wilson will also miss Week 8’s Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants with the supposed hamstring ‘injury,’ but those who have seen the rookie in practice have stated that Wilson looks like he is the definitive WR2 for the offense. 

In Wilson’s debut game, the rookie was only used on five snaps, with zero targets and zero receptions to show for it.  It is clear that Tomlin is either seeing something that everyone else isn’t, or the rookie wide receiver has ruffled the feathers of his head coach in some way.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Chiefs vs. Raiders: Patrick Mahomes finds Xavier Worthy for touchdown

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes found rookie WR Xavier Worthy for a fourth-quarter touchdown against the #Raiders in Week 8.

The Kansas City Chiefs entered Week 8 as the NFL’s only undefeated team, and the Las Vegas Raiders have done their best to give the defending Super Bowl champions a run for their money in the fourth quarter of an AFC West showdown at Allegiant Stadium.

After three-quarters of back-and-forth football, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was able to lead a potentially game-sealing drive late in the game to extend Kansas City’s lead in a crucial situation.

With just under five minutes left in regulation, Mahomes hit rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a much-needed touchdown in crunch time.

Take a look at this video of Worthy’s touchdown against Las Vegas, which was posted by the Chiefs’ official Twitter account:

 

Expect Mahomes to continue looking Worthy’s way in the coming weeks as Kansas City’s offense does its best to keep the Chiefs’ perfect season alive through the middle part of their schedule.

Steelers’ DC isn’t keen on treating LB Payton Wilson like a rookie

Steelers’ defensive coordinator Teryl Austin spoke highly of Payton Wilson’s maturity and what it means for the team.

It is clear that not every rookie needs time to adjust to the NFL level of speed.  Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Payton Wilson has been turning heads through seven weeks of the 2024 season with his elite play in both the pass and run defense.  His instincts have further supported the argument that Wilson deserves more play time on defense, as he has been used sparingly thus far.

Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin seems to agree that the rookie linebacker shouldn’t be restrained in any capacity, as his maturity allows for the team to place more trust in his play.

The team would be wise to continue to treat him as a more established player in the league, even though he might have far less experience than other linebackers on the roster.  The admiration that Wilson’s teammates and coaches have for him is backed up by his competitive spirit on and off the field.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Saints rookie DB is about to be thrown into the fire

Kool-Aid McKinstry started in Week 2, but playing opposite of Marshon Lattimore is a much different experience. This is why the Saints drafted him:

Kool-Aid McKinstry’s rookie season completely changed when Paulson Adebo went down with injury. McKinstry goes from being a minor player in the system to basically being a starter. But the New Orleans Saints drafted him so highly because an emergency like this might happen.

He’ll be the outside corner opposite Marshon Lattimore in the Saints’ nickel defense, which they run more often than almost any other personnel grouping. You’ll frequently see Lattimore, McKinstry and slot corner Alontae Taylor on the field together.

This is similar to the role McKinstry played against the Dallas Cowboys, but the difference comes from who is on the other side of the field. In Week 2, the rookie filled in for Lattimore. This week, he’s playing opposite of Lattimore.

Even though Adebo is a good cornerback, he was one of the NFL’s most-targeted players in coverage because teams didn’t want to try Lattimore. That tendency didn’t change with a rookie entering the lineup. Lattimore is rarely challenged. That’s another tendency that is unlikely to change.

McKinstry saw just two targets on 12 passing snaps in Week 2. He probably won’t see another game with just two targets. He also will see more than 12 snaps on passing plays as well.

In limited action, McKinstry has looked good. He’s about to really jump in the fire playing opposite of the Saints top corner. Expect to see McKinstry much more than you did against the Cowboys.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Ray Davis earned himself a new nickname from Bills teammates

Ray Davis earned himself a new nickname from Bills teammates

Buffalo Bills rookie running back Ray Davis has burst onto the scene over the past few weeks.

He far exceeded expectations in Week 6 while filling in for an injured James Cook, and with a healthy Cook in the lineup in Week 7 Davis still impacted the game.

His play has not only impressed NFL media and fans, but more importantly he has impressed his coworkers at 1 Bills Drive. His teammates have enjoyed his running over the past few weeks so much that they coined a new nickname for the rookie: “The Stallion.”

Bills center Connor McGovern was quoted as saying, “We love when he gets in [the game].” And how could the offensive line not love him? He finishes runs with power and he squeezes the most yardage out of every run. He has maximized his opportunity thus far.

Davis’ coming out party was Week 6 against the New York Jets when he ran the ball 20 times for 97 yards and added three catches for 55 yards. 152 yards from scrimmage in your first extended action in the NFL… not too shabby.

When Cook came back in Week 7, Davis reverted to his supporting role. On just five carries against the Tennessee Titans, he still posted 41 rushing yards and an impressive touchdown:

Davis’ play through seven weeks has the football analytics world taking notice. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis is the highest-graded rookie running back in the NFL with a grade of 76.4. That grade is good enough for 17th among all NFL running backs.

The fourth-rounder out of Kentucky will look to build on his recent play during Week 8’s road trip to face the Seattle Seahawks.

[lawrence-related id=142086,142111,142060]

Bills’ Keon Coleman voted NFL Rookie of the Week for Titans performance

Bills’ Keon Coleman voted NFL Rookie of the Week for Titans performance

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman was voted the NFL’s Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his performance in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans.

Coleman is the first wide receiver to be voted Rookie of the Week this year. In the game, Coleman caught four passes for 125 yards. He led the entire NFL in receiving yards for Week 7 in the 34-10 win.

He is just the third rookie WR to put up 125 receiving yards this year, joining Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers. That is pretty good company to be in.

Coleman’s big day found him being mentioned among even better company, too. In the last five years, only three other rookie wide receivers have led the league in receiving yards for any given week. Those three are Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and Justin Jefferson:

Graphic via NFL Network

The Bills brought in Amari Cooper to bring a spark to the receiving room last week. If Coleman is capable of games like this, and with Cooper across the field from him, the league could be in trouble. The two combined for 191 yards and a touchdown in their first game together.

Coleman’s 326 receiving yards ranks third among rookie WRs through seven weeks. He trails only Brian Thomas Jr. (513) and Malik Nabers (427).

The 5-2 Bills will take their new-look offense on the road to Seattle to take on the 4-3 Seahawks at Lumen Field in Week 8.

[lawrence-related id=142051,142061,142042]

Chiefs DB Jaden Hicks explains the failed fake punt attempt vs. 49ers: ‘That didn’t work out’ 

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive back Jaden Hicks explains the failed fake punt attempt vs. the San Francisco #49ers: ‘That didn’t work out’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs rookie defensive back Jaden Hicks addressed with reporters on Wednesday the failed fake punt attempt against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.

“Yeah. So throughout the week, we’ve been planning if it was a fourth and one, then we’re gonna run that fake,” said Hicks. “So the fourth and one came, and we decided to run it, but they clogged up the middle pretty much. And so, yeah, that didn’t work out too good.”

Hicks was unable to get any push when he received the ball on the fake and was immediately smothered by 49ers defenders. The turnover on downs occurred in the first quarter, stalling Kansas City’s drive.

“As soon as he said, it like, we’re running deep, that play, and I’m like, okay, so we had to get it,” said Hicks. “yeah, just seeing everything was closed up in the middle, that’s where the play was designed.”

The rookie redeemed himself with a clutch interception and was one of three on the day against Brock Purdy. The young defensive back continues to earn the trust of the coaching staff.

Chiefs vs. 49ers: Rookie DB Chris Roland-Wallace intercepts Brock Purdy

Check out this video of #Chiefs rookie DB Chris Roland-Wallace intercepting #49ers QB Brock Purdy in Week 7.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a two-point advantage in their Super Bowl LVIII rematch against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.

After a hot start for both teams’ defenses Kansas City needed a game-changing play to keep San Francisco from taking a lead in the second half.

When quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw his second interception of the game in the third quarter, rookie defensive back Chris Roland-Wallace was ready to answer the call to keep Kansas City ahead.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy drove San Francisco downfield after the Chiefs’ turnover, but threw an interception to Roland-Wallace that gave Kansas City’s offense to extend its lead.

Take a look at this video of Roland-Wallace’s game-altering interception, which was posted to Twitter by the Chiefs’ official account:

If Kansas City’s defense can continue to pressure Purdy and force bad passes, the Chiefs may be able to escape Levi’s Stadium with its undefeated record intact heading into Week 8.