Tag: Wanya Morris

AFC Championship picks: Who the experts are taking in Ravens vs. Chiefs

We’re looking at the NFL expert picks for the AFC Championship game and the Ravens are projected to defeat the Chiefs

We’re a little over 32 hours from one of the biggest AFC Championship tilts in NFL history when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, we’re looking at one thing to watch at each offensive position group.

Marlon Humphrey among 3 listed as questionable for AFC Championship game

The Ravens are listing Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin and Tylan Wallace as questionable for the AFC Championship game, while Mark Andrews will play

The Ravens released their final injury report, and the team is listing Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin and Tylan Wallace as questionable for the AFC Championship game, while Mark Andrews will play after missing six games.

Head Coach John Harbaugh said he is “confident” that Humphrey will play on Sunday, which is a big boost to the secondary. Ronald Darby has played well with Humphrey sidelined, and it could give Baltimore’s secondary even more versatility.

Andrews enters the game with no injury designation.

3 burning questions ahead of Ravens AFC Championship matchup vs. Chiefs

We’re looking at seven burning questions ahead of the AFC Championship Game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, here are three burning questions to answer.

Ravens vs. Chiefs: 7 early storylines to watch in the AFC Championship game

We’re looking at seven early storylines to watch when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.  Kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET.

Sunday will mark the Chiefs sixth-consecutive AFC title game appearance, it’s first of the stretch that will be played on the road.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The last time these two teams met was in 2021 in Week 2.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had two fourth-quarter rushing Touchdowns to defeat the Chiefs 36-35.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, here are seven storylines to watch.

Chiefs downgrade WR Kadarius Toney’s status to out vs. Bills

Chiefs downgrade WR Kadarius Toney’s status to out vs. Bills

The grind of the NFL regular season continues to take a toll on the Kansas City Chiefs as several players are listed on their injury report with various designations ahead of Sunday night’s divisional round matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The team announced on Saturday some status changes that should affect the lineup in Buffalo as key players are expected to be sidelined due to nagging injuries.

Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney will miss his fifth consecutive game due to hip and ankle injuries as the team has officially ruled him out for Sunday night. Toney won’t have the opportunity to redeem himself on the field following the infamous offensive offsides penalty in the teams week 14 game halting a potential Chiefs comeback victory. He’s been bothered by multiple injuries throughout the season including knee surgery at the start of training camp, finishing the 2023 campaign with 169 yards and a touchdown on 27 receptions.

On Saturday, the team also announced that defensive end Charles Omenihu is now questionable battling an illness and linebacker Willie Gay is questionable due to a neck injury. Gay was a limited participant in practice on Friday while wide receiver Justyn Ross remains questionable with a hamstring injury limiting his work in practice throughout the week.

Skyy Moore, Wanya Morris and Derrick Nnadi were ruled out on Friday according to head coach Andy Reid. Moore had been on injured reserve due to a knee injury but practiced on a limited basis this week, Morris remains in concussion protocol and Nnadi missed practice all week due to a triceps injury.   

11 former Oklahoma Sooners to watch during NFL Wild Card weekend

Want to know what former Sooners will be competing this weekend? We’ve got you covered.

The Oklahoma Sooners are known for putting players in the NFL. In fact, Oklahoma ranked in the top 10 for most players on an NFL roster on opening day this season and led the Big 12 in that stat.

The NFL playoffs are finally upon us with several former players who donned the Crimson and Cream playing this weekend. Whether it’s the redemption story of [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag], the continued Hall of Fame career of [autotag]Lane Johnson[/autotag] or solidifying his place as one of the top receivers in the game of football today in [autotag]CeeDee Lamb[/autotag], there are a ton of storylines for Sooner fans to watch.

So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at the former Sooners playing this weekend in order of when their game will be played.

Chiefs announce Jerick McKinnon and Kadarius Toney are out vs. Raiders

Chiefs announce Jerick McKinnon and Kadarius Toney are out vs. Raiders

The Kansas City Chiefs will be light on the offensive side during their Christmas Day matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The team announced Saturday that four players are out of the potential AFC West-clinching game.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid broke the news that Jerick McKinnon, Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman, and Donovan Smith will be unavailable as he addressed reporters following the team’s last practice before Christmas. As expected, Donovan Smith, who continues to deal with a neck injury, and Mecole Hardman, returning from injured reserve, haven’t been available in recent games. Hardman returned to practice during the week as a limited participant continuing to rehab his thumb injury.

McKinnon’s nagging groin issue has flared up again and has already cost the veteran running back two games this season. Toney is down with a new injury as he’s been designated out because of a strained hip. He has battled different injuries throughout the season, including knee surgery that held him out of training camp and the preseason.

The absences should open more opportunities for Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Wanya Morris and the potential returns of Justyn Ross and Isiah Pacheco.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is impressed by rookie OT Wanya Morris’ performance

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is impressed by rookie offensive tackle Wanya Morris’ performance.

The Kansas City Chiefs have faced multiple injuries this season on both sides of the ball. The most recent neck stinger to starting left tackle Donovan Smith forced the team to adjust their lineup and rely on a rookie.

Wanya Morris has stepped in admirably since Smith’s injury, protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. Mahomes praised his new left tackle during his Thursday press conference.

“I think the way you know is that he’s a battler; he’s someone that’s gonna go out there and fight the entire game,” Mahomes explained. “He’s getting better and better as far as technique and little things that we do within our offense and how coach (Andy) Heck wants it. But I think what you do know is that he’s gonna finish every play, he’s gonna go out there, and if he loses a rep, he’s come out that next rep with that mentality, he’s gonna win that one.

“He’s not gonna let anything affect his mentality. It’s great whenever you throw a guy in there like that, a young guy. He steps up to the plate, gets a base hit, or hits a home run. I mean, he’s ready to go. And whenever his number gets called, I think it’d be ready to play protection.”

The Raiders defense has had dominant moments this season, especially under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Mahomes understands their pass rush but hasn’t said the offensive line, including Morris, would change their protection schemes on Monday.

“We try to be really, like, top tier as far as picking up protections and stuff like that,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, you have pass rushers on there with 98 (Maxx Crosby). On the other side, you have to make sure you [add] some attention to him.

“But there are other guys, 51’s (Malcolm Koonce) been playing great, too. So I mean, it’d be a great challenge for us going up against this team and this pass rush. But I think you’d have to go out with the mentality of we’re going to execute the game plan and let the guys win their matchups.”

The key to clinching another AFC West division title hangs on a Christmas Day victory on Monday. The win would be even sweeter against a long-time rival if Mahomes can remain protected throughout the game.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco out vs. Patriots after shoulder surgery

Kansas City #Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is out vs. the ew England Patriots after shoulder surgery.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without two starters on offense for the second consecutive week. Running back Isiah Pacheco and left tackle Donovan Smith are ruled out for this Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots as they continue to deal with injuries from Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers.

During his Friday press conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced the players’ status as he explained that Pacheco had surgery to clean up things in his bothersome shoulder.

“We’ve got a couple of guys that are out (Isiah) Pacheco and Donovan Smith. Pacheco had surgery on his shoulder and had some things taken out that were floaters in there. And but he’s doing well,” said Reid, “So he’s moving around well, and I anticipate getting him back next week.”

Pacheco’s procedure sounds promising, and the running back could potentially return to the lineup in Week 16, “There were some things floating around in there,” said Reid regarding the reason behind Pacheco’s surgery. The status of Smith following his neck stinger is still being evaluated, so there remains no official timetable for his return as rookie offensive lineman Wanya Morris is expected to continue to start in his place.

Chiefs safety Mike Edwards, who missed practice while dealing with an illness, returned on Friday, increasing the likelihood that he will be available this Sunday.

Pair of Sooners OL declare for 2024 NFL Draft

Oklahoma lost two starting linemen as Andrew Raym and Tyler Guyton both declared for the NFL draft on Saturday.

Along with replacing starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who will head to Oregon, the Oklahoma Sooners will be trotting several new starting offensive linemen out next year as well. Saturday saw two of Oklahoma’s starters declare their intentions to enter the NFL Draft.

Tyler Guyton and Andrew Raym took to social media to express gratitude to the Oklahoma Football program before declaring their plans to forego any remaining eligibility and seek out the NFL.

For Tyler Guyton, this comes as no surprise. Guyton has been on mock drafts and prospect rankings as a consensus top 75 or 100 player all season. He was rock solid all year long and didn’t do anything to tank his stock. He should be drafted by the latest on the second day of the draft. This was Guyton’s first full year as a starter at Oklahoma since transferring from TCU. He helped hold down the right side of the Sooners’ offensive line after OU had to replace a third-round pick from last year in Wanya Morris.

Andrew Raym also plans to pursue his NFL dreams. Raym is a homegrown Sooner from Broken Arrow, Okla. He was a four-star recruit out of high school and had to follow in the footsteps of one of the best offensive linemen ever to put on crimson and cream. Creed Humphrey is an All-Pro in the NFL, so filling in his shoes at Oklahoma would always be a tough ask.

Raym was a mainstay on the offensive line for multiple seasons, and the Sooners will have to fill his spot at center as they head into the SEC. He put together some solid performances against tough interior defensive linemen in the Big 12.

Oklahoma got a commitment from Spencer Brown, a right tackle transfer from Michigan State who probably has the inside track to replacing Guyton at that spot. Things are a lot less straightforward at the center, but Troy Everett and Josh Bates are two early candidates who could take that spot.

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