Tag: Update

Jawaan Taylor injury vs Texans: Latest news on Chiefs OL

#Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor is dealing with a knee injury. Here are the latest updates. 

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor exited the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 16 matchup against the Houston Texans after suffering a knee injury.

The team quickly updated his status to questionable.

Here are the latest updates on Taylor’s status:

Jawaan Taylor injury update

Taylor has been dealing with a knee injury in recent weeks, and it is unclear if he has aggravated an existing injury or sustained a new injury against Houston.

The exact nature of his condition is unknown.

How long will Jawaan Taylor be out?

The extent of Taylor’s injury is unclear. Given that he has already been dealing with a knee injury, it seems likely that he has merely aggravated the existing condition, which didn’t affect his ability to practice this week.

Chiefs OL depth chart

Rookie Ethan Driskell, who played collegiately for the Marshall Thundering Herd, is listed under Taylor on Kansas City’s depth chart, though Andy Reid may opt to use a more experienced lineman to man the right tackle spot.

Saints enter a low-risk, high-reward matchup vs. Packers

Expectations are low against the Packers, but some Saints have a lot to gain in Week 16. Spencer Rattler and Darren Rizzi could make waves:

The back half of the New Orleans Saints’ season became an evaluation period from the moment Dennis Allen was fired. The two people under the microscope the most are Darren Rizzi and Spencer Rattler. As the Saints enter a night game at Lambeau Field, this is a low risk, high reward game for both men.

There aren’t any expectations for the Saints to beat the Green Bay Packers. Because of that, the pressure on both Rizzi and Rattler is low.

The expected result alleviates a lot of pressure off Rizzi’s shoulders. You still want to see the Saints show some good traits, but you’re not looking at the final score as critically. If the Saints are able to pull off the upset, this will be a huge feather in the cap of Rizzi as he builds his case to shed the interim tag.

At this point, every game is high reward, low risk for Rattler. It’s unlikely for Rattler to be benched in favor of Jake Haener. All the Rattler needs to show is potential. If he can show enough potential, there is a shot he can be the starter next season for the new head coach.

Rattler’s weapons continue to dwindle. Alvin Kamara is likely out of the equation this week, which creates an opportunity for Kendre Miller to assert himself. Rattler will be attempting to do more with less, and the more he does, the more impressive it’ll be.

In general, we’re probably not judging the quarterback or head coach too harshly on Monday unless things go really bad.

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George Pickens’ injury proves Steelers made Roman Wilson-sized mistake

George Pickens’ absence in Week 16 argues that the Steelers must reconsider giving rookie Roman Wilson a chance in the WR room.

The worries of Steelers fans have been confirmed: George Pickens has been ruled OUT for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 16 AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

However, his absence from last week’s and this week’s games provides ammunition to the season-long argument regarding the Steelers’ wide receiver room: HC Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith need to give rookie WR Roman Wilson a chance.

It was recently argued by Steelers insider Gerry Dulac that Wilson’s inability to stay healthy during training camp and practices early on in 2024 forced the team to move on from his contributions this year. However, Pickens’ absence should force the team to reconsider.

In the past two games Pickens has missed, QB Russell Wilson struggled to find production out of his receivers and threw for a combined 286 yards in Weeks 14 and 15.

Regardless of Tomlin claiming to have “moved on,” or any insiders believing the rookie receiver will get his chance in 2025, one thing remains certain—the Wilson-to-Wilson connection could be the much-needed medicine for this dying Pittsburgh Steelers offense.

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Report: Derek Carr ‘very unlikely’ to return from hand injury this season

Report: Derek Carr is ‘very unlikely’ to return from hand injury in time to play again this season

Derek Carr didn’t receive good news on his fractured hand in a recent checkup. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the New Orleans Saints quarterback is “at least a few weeks away from being able to withstand contact” after breaking his non-throwing hand in two places.

With just three weeks left in the Saints’ 2024 season, there’s a strong possibility that Carr won’t be able to get the green light to return in time to play again this year. After traveling to face the Green Bay Packers (Dec. 23) next week, the Saints will return home for a matchup with Carr’s old Las Vegas Raiders (Dec. 29) team before closing out their season on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Jan. 5).

That sentiment was echoed by NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, who added that while “there was no surgery, it’s not a minor injury.” Carr’s ability to grip a football and execute his responsibilities from one snap to the next is in question, and it’s too risky to put him on the field until he’s healed up.

So expect rookie backup Spencer Rattler to start next Monday night against the Packers. Rattler outplayed Jake Haener (who got the initial start) on Sunday and should get the nod this week.

As for Carr; we may have already seen him throw a pass in a Saints uniform for the last time. His 2025 salary cap hit doesn’t match his production and the Saints have a few options worth exploring if their next head coach doesn’t intend to build around him. We’ll just have to wait and see how things develop in the weeks and months ahead.

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Darren Rizzi shares injury updates on Alvin Kamara, Kool-Aid McKinstry

Darren Rizzi shared injury updates on New Orleans Saints playmakers Alvin Kamara and Kool-Aid McKinstry after they were nicked up against the Commanders:

Interim head coach Darren Rizzi shared injury updates on a couple of New Orleans Saints playmakers after they were nicked up against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Star running back Alvin Kamara made the play of the day when he caught a touchdown pass on a trick play from wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., but he exited the game with a groin injury and didn’t return.

Rizzi said after the game was told that Kamara felt something on his long touchdown catch: “That’s what it sounds like from our medical staff. I will have more information. He’s going to get some imaging stuff, so I’ll have more on that later.”

As for Kool-Aid McKisntry — Rizzi said the rookie cornerback was diagnosed with a stinger after taking the brunt of a big hit while making a tackle, but he was given the green light to return on Sunday afternoon.

“All I know is that if we had gone back on defense, I was told he would have gone back in the game. I don’t know all the details of it, but I was told during the game on the sideline. I was just told he was good to go back in the game,” Rizzi said.

Additionally, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was evaluated for a concussion after getting shaken up in a collision downfield, but he was cleared to return and later got back in the game. The Saints play on Monday night next week against the Green Bay Packers so we’ll have to wait until practice resumes on Thursday for official word on everyone’s status, barring any reports or announcements sooner.

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Steelers OLB T.J. Watt provides positive injury update from Week 15

T.J. Watt provides relief to fans with a positive injury update, keeping their hopes alive for the AFC North showdown against the Ravens.

Fear not, Steelers fans, for it appears your prayers have been answered! In Week 15, the hearts of the Black and Gold faithful dropped as fans watched former 2022 D.P.O.Y. T.J. Watt roll on the ground in pain during the fourth quarter of the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries have been a recurring concern for Watt over the past few seasons, but fans were treated to an immediate and remarkable update—straight from Watt himself.

While speaking to reporters after the Week 15 contest, Watt revealed that tests and X-rays came back negative, and the issue was as simple as rolling his ankle.

It remains to be seen if Watt will be able to recover in time for Saturday’s Week 16 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, but the Steelers defender will do all he can to make sure he is ready for the AFC North showdown—especially with the opportunity to clinch the division on the line.

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Alvin Kamara (groin) questionable to return vs. Commanders

Alvin Kamara (groin) is questionable to return in the fourth quarter of the Saints’ game with the Commanders:

This isn’t what you want to see: Alvin Kamara was seen walking to the New Orleans Saints locker room escorted by members of the team’s medical staff after scoring a long touchdown catch against the Washington Commanders. The Saints later announced that Kamara was dealing with a groin injury and was questionable to return midway through the fourth quarter.

He’s a huge loss. Kamara is the team’s best player and on Sunday brought a couple of much-needed sparks in the passing game, including that touchdown and a field-flipping catch earlier on. We’ll see if he can return. Kamara has dealt with a variety of injuries this season including a broken hand.

In the meantime, expect a heavier workload for second-year running back Kendre Miller and veteran backup Jamaal Williams. But there’s no replacing No. 41.

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Washington Commanders announce decision on Marshon Lattimore

The Washington Commanders confirmed Marshon Lattimore will make his debut against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15:

Well, this had been expected for a few days, but now it has been officially confirmed by the Washington Commanders. Marshon Lattimore will make his Washington debut against the team that traded him, the New Orleans Saints, in Week 15.

Lattimore has not played since his trade prior to the NFL trade deadline in early November due to a hamstring injury that he suffered with the Saints the week prior. Now, he will get the chance to go back on the field for the first time since Week 8, and do so in his former stadium against his former team.

The Saints will have their hands full with this as well, as their wide receiver core is already depleted due to injury, so Marquez Valdes-Scantling and crew will have to make the most of their opportunities when they get them, as Lattimore will not be giving many glimpses of hope against this offense.

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Will Harrison Butker play this week? Injury updates for Chiefs kicker

Kansas City #Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is dealing with a knee injury. Here are the latest updates. 

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker returned to practice this week after spending time on the team’s injured reserve list.

In Butker’s absence, the Chiefs have relied on two kickers—Spencer Shrader and Matthew Wright—to lead their special teams unit.

Will Butker be available for Kansas City’s Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns?

Harrison Butker injury update

Butker was a limited participant in the Chiefs’ practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. He does not yet have a game designation.

How long will Harrison Butker be out?

Though Butker could be activated at any time, it seems likely that Kansas City will continue to rely on Wright until he returns to full participation in practice.

Chiefs kicker depth chart

Wright is currently the Chiefs’ starting kicker while Butker remains on Kansas City’s injured reserve list. When Butker returns to the field, Wright will likely be waived and may have a chance to return to the Chiefs’ practice squad or be picked up by another team.

Calvin Austin on the ugly truth: There’s no replacing George Pickens

Calvin Austin discusses the challenge of replacing George Pickens and emphasizes the collective effort of the receivers and coaching staff.

Calvin Austin may be an honorary member of the George Pickens fan club, or he could be the most realistic man in all of Pittsburgh.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Austin made it clear that when it comes to Pickens and his time away with a hamstring injury, there is no way to replace him with another Steelers wide receiver: “It’s hard to say anybody is similar to GP.”

Austin continued to shift the focus and pressure away from one specific player stepping up to replace Pickens, placing emphasis on the coaching staff’s ability to utilize all of the Steelers’ wide receivers’ unique strengths: “Everybody in the receiver room has different skill sets—different strengths—and the coaching staff knows that. They know how to put us in the position to be able to show that.”

Austin hit the nail right on the head—it will take all wide receivers and coaches to overcome the loss of talent that Pickens brings to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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