Tag: Week 13

Report: Lions to start David Blough on Thanksgiving

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions are planning to start David Blough on Thanksgiving Day in a Week 13 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions are planning to start David Blough on Thanksgiving Day in a Week 13 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

With Matthew Stafford ruled out with a fracture in his back and reserve quarterback Jeff Driskel listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, the Lions were utilizing third-stringer Blough on the first team all week during practices.

Blough entered the league via Purdue and caught the Lions’ attention at the East-West Shrine Game, but after going undrafted Blough signed with the Cleveland Browns. Blough went 25 of 43 for 271 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the preseason.

The Lions acquired Blough from the Browns after trading for him at the 53-man roster cutdowns — swapping seventh-round draft picks in the 2021 draft.

If the Lions were to lose Blough during the game on Thursday, the team would turn to tight end Logan Thomas who was a quarterback at Virginia Tech and tried his hand under center in the NFL before making the position switch.

Falcons won’t say who will start at right guard in Week 13

The Falcons struggled to block the Buccaneers in Week 12, giving up way too much pressure, particularly on the right side. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked six times during Sunday’s loss.

The Falcons struggled to block the Buccaneers in Week 12, giving up way too much pressure, particularly on the right side. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked six times during Sunday’s loss.

Right tackle Kaleb McGary and right guard Jamon Brown did not play their best games. McGary is a rookie and has played well this season, so you can live with his occasional struggles.

The same cannot be said about Brown, however, and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter wouldn’t say who he planned to start at right guard on Thursday:

It will either be Brown or backup Wes Schweitzer starting next to McGary in the team’s Thanksgiving matchup with the Saints.

Brown was given a lucrative free agent contract in the offseason, but wouldn’t be starting if it were not for an injury to first-round pick Chris Lindstrom.

Atlanta defeated New Orleans in Week 10, thanks in large part to the offensive line playing its best game all year. We will see if the unit can replicate those results tomorrow night and complete a season sweep of a hated NFC South rival.

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Falcons Week 13 injury report: Freeman will play, Jones questionable

After Wednesday’s practice, the Falcons listed wide receiver Julio Jones as questionable with a shoulder injury. Jones will be a game-time decision for Thursday’s game.

The Atlanta Falcons (3-8) will play the New Orleans Saints (9-2) on Thursday in the NFL’s prime-time slot on Thanksgiving.

After Wednesday’s practice, the Falcons listed wide receiver Julio Jones as questionable with a shoulder injury. Jones will be a game-time decision on Thursday, but the team has a backup plan if he cant play, according to offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.

Defensive end Takk McKinley is questionable as well after being limited in practice all week, and playing only a small portion of the team’s defensive snaps in Week 12.

The Falcons got some good news, though, with starting running back Devonta Freeman set to return on Thursday after a two-game absence. Check out Atlanta’s complete Week 13 injury report for their Thanksgiving showdown with New Orleans below.

Player INJ.  Mon.  Tues. Wed. Status
Devonta Freeman Foot  LP  FP FP
Julio Jones Shoulder  DNP  DNP DNP
Austin Hooper Knee  DNP  DNP DNP Out
Luke Stocker Back  DNP  DNP DNP Quest.
Desmond Trufant Toe  LP  FP FP
Takk McKinley Shoulder  LP  LP LP
Sharrod Neasman Shoulder  LP  LP FP Quest.
Tyeler Davison Neck  LP  FP FP
Jordan Miller Illness  DNP  FP FP

Make sure to check back prior to kickoff on Thursday night when the Falcons release their inactives list.

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Seahawks have a plan at fullback if Nick Bellore is out

The Seattle Seahawks have a backup plan if fullback Nick Bellore is unable to suit up on Monday, but Pete Carroll won’t say what it is.

Seattle Seahawks fullback Nick Bellore exited Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles with a quad injury, and it looks like the veteran might be out for Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

“Nick’s not able to practice right now,” coach Pete Carroll confirmed on Wednesday. “He’s got a pretty good quad injury. We’re gonna wait a little bit on him.”

Bellore does most of his work on the special teams for Seattle, having only been targeted once on the season, which went for a 20-yard gain.

However, Bellore is Seattle’s only fullback, and if he is unable to play in Week 13 the team will either have to play without a fullback, or find someone else who can play the position.

Carroll indicated on Wednesday that, if Bellore is out, they do have a backup plan at fullback. However, he didn’t want to divulge any secrets as to what that plan might be.

“You’re gonna have to wait and see on that one,” Carroll said. “Why would we tell them now?”

Seattle could certainly opt to use one of their tight ends, potentially Luke Willson if he’s healthy, at that spot. Additionally, while none of their running backs have the prototypical build and skill set to play in that role, Carroll could certainly get creative and utilize someone like Travis Homer if need be.

Lastly, the team doesn’t use fullbacks on too many offensive sets as it is, so they could opt to just go without if Bellore has to sit out.

Regardless of what the team opts to do, it’s clear Carroll won’t make that information available before the game, as a way to maintain his competitive advantage.

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Bears Week 13 injury designations: 6 players ruled out for Thanksgiving

The Detroit Lions Week 13 opponent, the Chicago Bears, have declared their injury designations and have ruled out 6 players for Thanksgiving.

The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) Week 13 opponent, the Chicago Bears (5-6), have declared their injury designations ahead of their Thanksgiving day matchup at Ford Field.

The Bears only have six players listed on their injury report, but all six are not be cleared to play on Thursday.

Ruled out

WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion)
TE Ben Braunecker (concussion)
TE Adam Shaheen (foot)
RT Bobby Massie (ankle)
LB Danny Trevathan (elbow)
S Sherrick McManis (groin)

Gabriel and Braunecker are both in the league’s concussion protocol and will miss this game. This is good news for the Lions as the last time these two teams faced off, Gabriel and Braunecker each scored a touchdown — two of the three scored by the Bears offense on the day.

Braunecker isn’t the only tight end ruled out for the Bears in this game. Starter Trey Burton was recently placed on injured reserve and reserve Adam Shaheen is also out. The Bears will now turn to their fourth option at tight end — JP Holtz.

Right tackle Bobby Massie is expected to miss several weeks with his ankle injury and the Bears will likely have to turn to former Lion Cornelius Lucas to start in his place.

Starting linebacker Danny Trevathan is the Bears biggest loss on defense and he will be replaced in the starting lineup by Nick Kwiatkoski. Kwiatkoski has nine tackles, a sack, and an interception against the Lions last time out.

McManis was the Bears’ third option at safety, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them lean on their nickel cornerbacks more in this game.

Lions Week 13 injury designations: Matthew Stafford ruled out, Frank Ragnow in

The Detroit Lions have released their Week 13 injury designations and declared quarterback Matthew Stafford, while center Frank Ragnow has been cleared from the league’s concussion protocol.

The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) have announced their injury designations ahead of their Week 13 matchup with the Chicago Bears (5-6) on Thanksgiving day at Ford Field.

The Lions have 13 players listed on the injury report, with four being ruled out, another six listed as questionable and three not being listed with a designation.

Ruled out

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
WR Marvin Hall (foot)
CB Rashaan Melvin (ribs)
RET. Jamal Agnew (ankle)

Stafford is working hard to return to the field but is still not medically cleared. Maybe the extra rest ahead of the next game will give him the time he needs to heal up, or maybe the team will look ahead to the future and shut him down for the season. Only time will tell.

Hall was in a walking boot after the last game and unsurprisingly won’t play in this game. The Lions only have three healthy wide receivers active right now, so a roster move may be made before tomorrow’s game.

Melvin was a game-time decision last Sunday, but his rib injury is apparently more significant than what was originally thought. Amani Oruwariye will most likely get the start as the third Lions corner in his place.

Agnew is still not ready to play, meaning the Lions will turn to Ty Johnson on kick returned and most likely Danny Amendola on punt returns — as Hall, the second in line on punt returns, is also out.

Questionable

QB Jeff Driskel (hamstring)
TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder)
EDGE Trey Flowers (concussion)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)

Driskel was limited in all three practices this week, nursing a hamstring injury, but expectations are he will give it a go on Thursday and start the game. If Driskel can’t play or aggravates his injury the Lions would turn to undrafted rookie David Blough.

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Hockenson was limited to start the week but was upgraded to full on Wednesday and is expected to be fine to play.

Flowers saw limited work on Tuesday and a full practice on Wednesday suggesting he only needs medical clearance from an independent doctor to pass the league’s concussion protocol. If he does, he will start.

Harrison is going through his standard limited week and expectations are he will be good to start. It’s possible he will see fewer snaps, but he should play.

Hand and Walker saw limited practices all week after not being able to practice the week prior. Both will likely be game-time decisions. If either play, it will be a big boost to the Lions defense.

Not listed with an injury designations

C Frank Ragnow (concussion)
OG Kenny Wiggins (knee)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)

Ragnow is not listed with an injury designation, meaning he is expected to start on Thursday. It has not yet been confirmed if he has passed the medical stage of the concussion protocol, but if he hasn’t, him being listed in this section suggests the team expects him to.

Wiggins’ knee doesn’t appear to be an issue as he was listed as having full practices all week.

Martin was upgraded to a full practice on Wednesday and does not carry an injury designation into the game. He’s good to go.

Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast, episode 130: Bears Week 13 Thanksgiving Day preview

Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast, episode 130: Bears Week 13 Thanksgiving Day preview, is now available to download and listen.

This week on the Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast the guys discuss last week’s loss to Washington, update the Lions injuries, review the latest news from Allen Park and preview the Lions Week 13 game against Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving.

The DLB podcast is a weekly conversation with Lions Wire’s own Erik Schlitt and his co-host Joe Kania.

This week they discuss:

You can follow the Detroit Lions Breakdown Podcast (@LionsBreakdown) and it’s hosts Schlitt (@Erikschlitt) and Kania (@JoeKania_DLB) on Twitter, with a Facebook page on the way.

The podcast is available to listen at the DetroitLionsBreakdown.com website and is available to download and subscribe to on multiple podcast platforms, including Itunes, Google Play, Stitcher, among others.

Dirk Koetter says Falcons have plan if Julio Jones can’t play Thursday

The Falcons may be without star wide receiver Julio Jones when the team takes on the New Orleans Saints on Thanksgiving night. 

The Falcons may be without star wide receiver Julio Jones when they take on the New Orleans Saints on Thanksgiving night.

Jones missed practice Monday and Tuesday while recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers. It’s anyone’s guess if he will suit up, and Atlanta is saying he’s a game-time decision.

The Falcons’ chances of completing a season sweep of New Orleans would take a hit if Jones can’t go Thursday. He leads the team with 950 receiving yards, and impacts the game even when he’s not getting the ball.

However, Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said the team has a plan in place if Jones sits out:

Obviously Atlanta would love to have its top weapon against a 9-2 Saints team, especially with tight end Austin Hooper likely out as well.

Second-year wideout Calvin Ridley should see an uptick in production if Jones can’t go. Over the past two games, Ridley has 14 catches for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

Also, keep your eyes on Russell Gage, who has already been highlighted as a fantasy football sleeper for Week 13. Gage is coming off of a career-best performance against the Bucs, grabbing eight catches for 76 yards.

Check back before kickoff on Thursday for the team’s inactives list.

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Week 13 NFL TV schedule and game maps

There are five primetime games this week so the Sunday schedule is a bit light. That’s what happens when three games are played on Thanksgiving, and Sunday and Monday night have their usual slate. Somehow the Niners-Ravens game didn’t get flexed to …

There are five primetime games this week so the Sunday schedule is a bit light. That’s what happens when three games are played on Thanksgiving, and Sunday and Monday night have their usual slate. Somehow the Niners-Ravens game didn’t get flexed to Sunday Night. We do get Patriots-Texans though. Monday Night Football is a pretty good game as well as the Vikings travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. As usual, thanks to 506Sports.com for the maps.

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Quandre Diggs named to PFF Week 12 Team of the Week

Quandre Diggs is making a difference in the Seattle Seahawks secondary in his short time, and was named to PFF’s Week 12 Team of the Week.

Trade and wait isn’t the greatest strategy, but for Quandre Diggs and the Seattle Seahawks, there wasn’t much of a choice. Diggs is finally on the field after missing two weeks of action, and he’s proving he is worthy of the fifth round pick Seattle dealt for him, after making the Pro Football Focus Week 12 Team of the Week.

This honor comes after Diggs forced a fumble in the Seahawks win over the Eagles on Sunday. He was given a coverage grade of 89.1 by PFF in his performance and 88.4 grade for his overall performance – which was tops on the team.

Diggs’ presence in the Seahawks secondary is apparent already. Not bad for a player that had some questions about the severity of the hamstring injury that held him out of competition since the trade.

Since his return, Diggs has been involved with two turnovers, an interception and Sunday’s forced fumble.

There is a chance for Diggs to get three takeaways in as many games in Seattle’s Week 13 contest against a tough Vikings team, led by Kirk Cousins.

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