Tag: safety

Chiefs DB Justin Reid praises secondary depth: ‘Guys have been able to come in and make plays’

Kansas City #Chiefs DB Justin Reid praises secondary depth: ‘Guys have been able to come in and make plays’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid has embraced his leadership role in a young secondary. During Thursday’s press conference, he shared his thoughts on their progression and overcoming all the injuries.

“The way it’s been all year has been the next guy up. We’ve had a constant rotation and have confidence in whoever is on the field. Chris Roland Wallace has been making plays.” said Reid. “Chamarri (Conner), if he is able to make it, he’ll be in there, and he’ll be making some plays for us. Josh Williams comes in and makes plays. Nazeeh Johnson comes in and makes plays. So, it doesn’t matter. Jaden Hicks, Bryan Cook, it doesn’t matter who’s on the field; when you’re on the field, you’re a starter.”

In the first quarter of their Week 15 victory against the Cleveland Browns, Bryan Cook intercepted a deep pass down the middle of the field from Jameis Winston, his second on the season. In the fourth quarter, Trent McDuffie recorded his first career interception, and with 1:26 left in the game, Jaden Hicks intercepted Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

“We have faith in all those guys to come in and perform,” said Reid. We have the record we have, because guys have been able to come in and make plays when we need them to.”

The injuries have sometimes hampered the Chiefs secondary, forcing the depth signing of veteran cornerback Steven Nelson last week.

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from All-CAA transfer safety

BREAKING: Wisconsin lands commitment from All-CAA transfer safety

This story was updated to add new information and correct a misspelling.

Wisconsin football’s transfer portal haul is growing by the minute.

The Badgers secured another commitment from the portal on Monday evening: former Richmond transfer safety Matthew Traynor.

Traynor is one of six transfer portal commitments Wisconsin gained on Monday, joining Arkansas long snapper Eli Stein, Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., UT-Martin defensive lineman Charles Perkins, Western Michigan defensive lineman Corey Walker and San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil. They join the program’s previous additions: Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger, Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol and Tulane defensive lineman Parker Petersen.

The talented safety announced his intention to enter the portal on Dec. 2 after two years with Spiders. The redshirt freshman played 13 games in 2024, totaling 69 total tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass deflections. That production was enough to earn him a spot on the All-Coastal Athletic Association third team.

Traynor’s acquisition is notable given UW’s recent defensive back movement. Since the portal opened on Dec. 9, cornerback Max Lofy, safety Kamo’i Latu, CB Braedyn Moore, defensive back Jace Arnold, CB Justin Taylor, CB Jonas Duclona and DB Amare Snowden have entered.

Wisconsin also loses 2024 starting safety Hunter Wohler (NFL draft). Traynor is a significant addition at a key position of need, and projects to start for the team for several years to come.

For more as this transfer cycle continues, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Former Steelers safety blasts Aaron Rodgers: ‘This dude is a fraud’

Ryan Clark ripped into Aaron Rodgers over hypocrisy and fraudulence in fiery response to Rodgers’ rant against ESPN and former players.

It appears former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark didn’t take too kindly to Jets QB Aaron Rodgers‘ latest rant regarding ESPN and the former players who work there. Rodgers took to the Pat McAfee Show to rip into ESPN, and Clark has fired back.

Clark, who revitalized his legendary football career through ESPN as an analyst following his retirement, went scorched earth on Rodgers’ comments and alluded to the hypocrisy of the former Packers QB: “My issue with him is that you’re doing the exact same thing. The reason you’re getting the opportunity to say these asinine things is because someone is paying you—who is exactly the same thing you are now speaking out against.”

Clark wasn’t finished just proving Rodgers to be hypocritical, however, as he continued to tear into the quarterback’s character: “This dude is a fraud. He’s been a fraud. He could throw a football, and that’s where it stops.”

It’s safe to say Clark and Rodgers will not be exchanging Christmas cards in 2024, but the 41-year-old New York Jets QB should consider the bridges he is burning once his football career is over.

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Wisconsin veteran safety enters NCAA transfer portal

Another Wisconsin defender is in the portal

This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.

Wisconsin safety Kamo’i Latu entered the transfer portal on Wednesday.

He is the 19th Badger to depart since the portal opened on Monday. 17 of those are scholarship players. The headliners include quarterbacks Braedyn Locke and Tyler Van Dyke, and defensive linemen Curt Neal and James Thompson Jr.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and top targets

Latu enters the portal after three seasons with the Badgers. He originally transferred to the program back in 2022 after two years at Utah.

The hard-hitting safety’s best season with the Badgers was that 2022 campaign, a tumultuous one with the in-season firing of head coach Paul Chryst. Latu finished it with 55 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and three pass deflections.

He then played just 14 games over the next two seasons, including only three in an injury-limited 2024.

Latu’s departure emphasizes Wisconsin’s roster need at safety. Hunter Wohler is off to the draft, leaving an open starting spot across from Preston Zachman. It is already an area of focus as Luke Fickell and his staff begin their transfer portal recruiting efforts.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Sean Payton pleased with Broncos’ safety play this season

“I like how we’re playing [at safety],” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

Last year, the Denver Broncos went into the season with Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson as their starting safeties. Caden Sterns was listed as a co-starter with Jackson, but he suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 1. That injury left P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell and JL Skinner as the team’s backup safeties in 2023.

Simmons played at his typical Pro Bowl level in 2023, but Jackson served two suspensions and was eventually released. Locke ended up starting eight games as a fill-in starter last season.

After parting ways with Jackson late in the 2023 season and releasing Simmons this spring, Denver signed Brandon Jones during free agency. Jones has been starting across from Locke this year, and they have been a dynamic safety duo for the Broncos.

Jones has recorded 79 tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery through 11 games.

“We’re better overall on the backend at that position than we were a year ago,” coach Sean Payton said of the safety positon. “We’ve played a few different guys back there, but I like how we’re playing. We’re communicating. Our guys on defense, Vance [Joseph] and Jim Leonhard and all those guys are doing a fantastic job. We’re definitely I would say further along, and it was a good performance by those guys [Sunday].”

Denver’s backup safeties behind Jones and Locke are Devon Key and Skinner. Payton clearly feels that the Jones-Locke-Key-Skinner combination is better than the Simmons-Jackson-Locke-Turner-Yell rotation from last year. (Jackson, as one might expect, disagreed with that assessment.)

Jones and Locke will look to build on their impressive campaign when the Broncos host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

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Kareem Jackson was not pleased with Sean Payton’s latest comments

Sean Payton said the Broncos are “better overall” at safety this year than they were last season. Kareem Jackson clearly disagrees.

During his conference call with reporters on Monday, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about the team’s current safety duo of Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke.

During his response, Payton said, “We’re better overall on the backend at that position than we were a year ago.” Last year, Denver’s starting safeties going into the season were Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.

Jackson saw Payton’s quote on Twitter/X and it’s safe to say he doesn’t agree with the coach’s stance.

“🤣🤣 if it’s one thing I’ve learned in this league after being in it for 15 years, some of these coaches will say any damn thing!” Jackson tweeted on Monday. “Even if it’s them putting their foot in their mouth lol!! S/o PJ and B Jones cause I love what they doing this year!! Keep going fellas 🫡”

Locke became a fill-in starter for the Broncos last year while Jackson served two separate suspensions. After Jackson returned from his second suspension, Payton cut him.

Jackson, 36, finished last season with the Houston Texans and he is now on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad.

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Chiefs safety comments on the defense’s performance: ‘We’ve got to do better’

Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook comments on the defense’s performance: ‘We’ve got to do better’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defense had a rough ending to Sunday’s victory over the Carolina Panthers. The highly praised unit couldn’t protect a two-point lead in the fourth quarter, as Carolina tied the game with a two-point conversion.

Safety Bryan Cook spoke after the game about the defense’s need to improve as the postseason approaches.

“We’ve got to do better. We’re doing good in the red zone but that’s only a third of the field. Overall, we just have to do better.” said Cook. “At the end of the day, we’re all vets in the room for the most part. As I said before, we got to go back to the drawing board, see what we’re doing, and correct it from there.”

Cook and the defense had lapses throughout the game as Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was able to convert on quick releases ahead of blitzes in the second half.

“Whether it’s then, the beginning of a quarter, or the beginning of a game, it comes down to execution. You have to execute,” said Cook. “They’re at a high level, and I know we had times where we didn’t execute at the highest level, and the team exploited that. So, we got to figure that out, go back to the drawing board, and see what we can do.”

Trent McDuffie, Nick Bolton, and Mike Danna were able to get their hands on Young for sacks, but the second-year starter proved elusive under pressure.

Broncos release final injury report: Ben Powers status update

Broncos guard Ben Powers (shoulder) has no injury designation for Sunday’s game. He’s good to go.

After sitting out Wednesday’s practice, Denver Broncos left guard Ben Powers (shoulder) was back at practice on Thursday and Friday.

Powers has no injury status designation on the final injury report, so he has been cleared to play against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Powers started all 17 games for the Broncos last season and the first 11 games this fall. He has been penalized four times and allowed one sack in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.

Elsewhere on the injury front, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) have been ruled out. Denver’s top defensive lineman, Zach Allen (heel) is listed as questionable.

The Broncos’ final injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DL Zach Allen (rest Wed/Thur, heel Fri) Limited Full Limited Questionable
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full Full Full
WR Josh Reynolds (hand) Full Full Full Out
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Full Full Full Out
G Ben Powers (shoulder) DNP Limited Full

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox (view the TV map). The Broncos are considered the favorite despite playing on the road.

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Broncos release Thursday injury report: Starting guard back at practice

Good news — Broncos guard Ben Powers (shoulder) was back at practice today after sitting out Wednesday’s session.

After sitting out Wednesday’s practice, Denver Broncos left guard Ben Powers (shoulder) was back on the field Thursday on a limited basis.

Powers started all 17 games for the Broncos last season and the first 11 games this fall. He has been penalized four times and allowed one sack in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus.

Denver’s depth chart lists Calvin Throckmorton as the backup guard behind Powers. Other backup options include Alex Forsyth, Matt Peart and Alex Palczewski.

Elsewhere on the injury front, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) and running back Tyler Badie (back) are eligible to return from injured reserve, but Badie has not yet returned to practice.

Denver’s complete Thursday injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full Full
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Full Full
WR Josh Reynolds (hand) Full Full
DL Zach Allen (NIR – rest) Limited Full
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited Full
G Ben Powers (shoulder) DNP Limited

The Broncos will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Broncos injury report: Delarrin Turner-Yell shut down for season

The Broncos did not activate safety Delarrin Turner-Yell during his 21-day window, so he will remain on reserve for the 2024 season.

The Denver Broncos did not activate safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) from the physically unable to perform list on Wednesday, which rules him out for the rest of the 2024 season.

Turner-Yell returned to practice three weeks ago and Wednesday was the deadline to activate him to the 53-man roster. Because he was not activated within his 21-day window, DTY will remain on reserve for the rest of the season (unless the team cuts him).

“We spent a lot of time just going through it,” coach Sean Payton said after Wednesday’s practice. “We have a real clear vision for him. [He has] a bright future. [We] had a real good visit. I know it’s difficult. With where we’re at in the season, it just became a challenge relative to managing the roster.”

Next week, the Broncos will have to make a similar decision on linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles). His 21-day window will expire on Nov. 27.

Denver also has two players — wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) and running back Tyler Badie (back) — who are eligible to return from injured reserve. The Broncos will have to make some tough roster decisions with multiple players set to return from injuries in the coming weeks.

Denver’s complete Wednesday injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Full
WR Josh Reynolds (hand) Full
DL Zach Allen (NIR – rest) Limited
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited
G Ben Powers (shoulder) DNP

The Broncos will practice again on Thursday and Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders.

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