Tag: Week 3

Detroit Lions will not elevate any practice squad players for Week 3

The Detroit Lions will not elevate any practice squad players to the active roster for their Week 3 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

A new rule was put in place this season, allows teams to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week, expanding the team’s active roster from 53- to 55-players on game day.

But with a moderately healthy roster this week, the Detroit Lions have elected to not elevate any players from the practice squad for their Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals and will enter the game with 53-players on their roster.

Another new rule this offseason is an expanded game-day roster, increasing it from 46- to 48-players, as long as eight offensive linemen are active. The Lions currently have nine healthy offensive linemen, therefore as long as they keep at least eight of them active for game-day, they can expand to 48-players on Sunday.

So, with 48-players allowed and 53-players on the roster, the Lions will only need to name five players inactive this week, instead of the traditional seven.

With Hunter Bryant ruled out on Friday’s injury report, and Desmond Trufant downgraded to out on Saturday, that means the Lions only need to declare three more players inactive.

Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and Hal Vaitai (foot) are both listed as questionable and could be game-time decisions — though most expect them to start barring any issues during pre-game warmups.

C.J. Moore (groin) is also listed as questionable, and with his injury coming mid-week, he is much closer to a 50/50 decision than Golladay or Vaitai.

Of note: last week, EDGE Julian Okwara and CB Chris Jones were both healthy scratches, but with a new opponent on the schedule the Lions may opt to make some changes to their healthy scratches in Arizona.

Chargers place 3 players on injured reserve, add 5 from practice squad

The Los Angeles Chargers made a few roster moves ahead of their Week 3 matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

The Chargers announced a handful of roster moves ahead of their Week 3 matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

Los Angeles has placed defensive end Melvin Ingram, defensive tackle Justin Jones and linebacker Asmar Bilal on the injured reserve.

Ingram has been dealing with a knee injury. Jones has a shoulder issue, and Bilal has had a calf injury.

With Ingram out, Uchenna Nwosu will likely start at LEO while Jerry Tillery will get an uptick of snaps as the three-technique.

In correspondence, L.A. activated linebacker Malik Jefferson, guard Ryan Groy and defensive end Jesse Liemonier. They have also promoted running back Darius Bradwell and safety Jahleel Addae from the practice squad.

Ingram, Jones and Bilal are eligible to return in three weeks.

Below is the official team statement:

The Los Angeles Chargers today promoted guard Ryan Groy, linebacker Malik Jefferson and defensive end Jessie Lemonier to the active roster. In corresponding moves, the team placed linebacker Asmar Bilal, defensive end Melvin Ingram III and defensive tackle Justin Jones on injured reserve. Los Angeles also activated safety Jahleel Addae and running back Darius Bradwell from the practice squad.

Cowboys place CB Chidobe Awuzie on IR, promote from PS

The Dallas Cowboys made a roster move on Saturday, prior to facing off against the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 3 matchup in the Pacific Northwest. Already ruled out of action for the week and thought to be out for multiple weeks, things became …

The Dallas Cowboys made a roster move on Saturday, prior to facing off against the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 3 matchup in the Pacific Northwest. Already ruled out of action for the week and thought to be out for multiple weeks, things became official for cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, as the club has placed him on injured reserve.

Awuzie will now be out through at least their first NFC East game, Week 5 against the New York Giants. To fill his spot, free agent signing and second-year corner Saivion Smith has been signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The team also took advantage of the 2020 rules and has elevated practice squad players CB Deante Burton and OT Eric Smith to the active roster.

Awuzie, a fourth-year corner, seemed to have injured his hamstring in the game against the Falcons. He had started for Anthony Brown who went on IR the week prior with a rib injury. Dallas will continue to start rookie corner Trevon Diggs on one side. Fourth-year corner Jourdan Lewis and free-agent Daryl Worley are expected to be the other key corners in use, as well as veteran Brandon Carr. Carr was signed right before the season to the practice squad and was active for 17 snaps against the Falcons in Week 2. He was signed as a safety, but will have to resume corner duties as injuries have ravaged Dallas’ already suspect secondary.

Smith went undrafted out of Alabama, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an udrafted free agent in 2019. He never appeared in a game so Sunday will be his professional debut.

Smith last played football for the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL’s inaugural, then defunct season. He was once a top high-school prospect who finished his college career at Alabama after trasnferring from LSU.

The Florida native started 12 games as a junior for the Crimson Tide in 2018 and racked up 60 tackles, three interceptions, and five pass breakups, Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 200 pounds, Smith seemingly has the physical profile necessary to play in the league.

Burton signed with the Cowboys down the stretch of the 2019 season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound corner came off of the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad and has a wide receiver background before making the conversion to defense.

Both players seem to have leapfrogged 2019 UDFA and 6-foot-4 Chris Westry, who still remains on the practice squad.

As for the tackle, Eric Smith, he has to be seen as a precaution against a second-straight week of not having Tyron Smith available. Last week, Smith was replaced by Brandon Knight, who fared very well while UDFA rookie Terence Steele continued to struggle in replacing right tackle La’el Collins. Eric Smith was brought up last week as well.

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Desmond Trufant downgraded to OUT for Week 3

The Detroit Lions announced they have downgraded Desmond Trufant (hamstring) to OUT for their Week 3 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Detroit Lions announced they have downgraded cornerback Desmond Trufant to OUT for their Week 3 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

After missing last week, and most of last week, with a hamstring injury, Trufant was able to return to a limited practice on Thursday and Friday, but was still listed with a doubtful designation on the final Week 3 injury report.

This absence means the Lions will likely continue to start Amani Oruwariye and rookie Jeff Okudah on the outside at corner and Darryl Roberts lining up in the slot.

While Okudah had an uninspiring start to his NFL career in Week 2, matching up against Davante Adams, it’s unclear if he will draw another difficult assignment in Week 3 with DeAndre Hopkins on the docket.

As suggested by our own Zack Moran in this week’s Honolulu Blueprint, the Lions would probably be better served to deploy Oruwariye against Hopkins, as Hopkins is a stylistic match to the types of receivers Oruwariye is typically comfortable with.

Seahawks opposing quarterback preview: Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott

A thorough look at the Seattle Seahawks’ opposing quarterback Week 3 at CenturyLink Field – Dak Prescott of the Dall Cowboys.

The Seattle Seahawks are flying high at 2-0 following a thrilling victory over the New England Patriots in Week 2. This week, they remain at home to face another quarterback who had a dynamic game in Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys.

Prescott has been somewhat of a controversial figure among fans and analysts alike. Is he truly a franchise-caliber quarterback who is able to carry the Cowboys on his back? Or is he just a solid player benefitting from a talented offense around him?

Wherever one falls on this spectrum, it is ultimately undeniable Prescott is a very capable player and not one to dismiss. Last week, Prescott helped guide the Cowboys to an unlikely comeback win over the Falcons. He completed 34 of 47 passes for 450 yards and four total touchdowns, three of which came on the ground.

Now Prescott faces a Seahawks defense ranking dead last in the NFL when it comes to passing yards allowed.

Prescott’s all-time record versus Seattle is 1-2, and the first couple of meetings did not go his way. In those first two games, Prescott had only one touchdown against four interceptions with only 349 total yards. However, Prescott got the better of Seattle in a 2018 wild-card playoff game.

Seattle had better figure out a way to develop a more creative pass rush, otherwise, Dallas offense might very well find a way to show the Seahawks their quarterback is very capable of cooking on his own as well.

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Packers list 3 as doubtful, 3 more as questionable for Week 3 vs. Saints

The Packers listed six players on Friday’s injury report, including Davante Adams and Kenny Clark. Saints WR Michael Thomas is out.

The Green Bay Packers listed three players as doubtful and three more as questionable for Sunday night’s showdown against the New Orleans Saints.

Matt LaFleur’s team could be a little short-handed in Week 3.

Receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), tight end Josiah Deguara (ankle) and outside linebacker Randy Ramsey (groin) were all listed as doubtful on Friday’s final injury report. Defensive lineman Kenny Clark (groin) is questionable, and so are offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (back/rib) and safety Darnell Savage (groin). Clark missed Week 2, and Jenkins and Savage were listed with new injuries on Friday.

Adams injured his hamstring against the Detroit Lions and didn’t practice this week.

While the Packers could be without two weapons in the passing game, including their top receiver, the Saints will be without All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas, who was officially declared out with an ankle injury.

The Saints also listed defensive ends Marcus Davenport and Trey Hendrickson, running back Ty Montgomery and defensive tackle David Onyemata as questionable.

The Packers are planning to give Adams the entire week to potentially play, but a doubtful listing gives him little chance of being active. Each team’s inactives for Sunday night will be announced 90 minutes before kickoff.

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Detroit Lions Week 3 injury designations

Updating the Detroit Lions Week 3 injury report and examining their injury designations for this Sunday matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Detroit Lions roster has taken another step towards a healthy roster in Week 3, as four starters all got in another limited practice ahead of this weekend’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals — though one of them remains doubtful to play on Sunday.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ injury designations, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/PUP list

OUT

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Hunter Bryant Hamstring Limited Practice No Practice No Practice OUT

On Wednesday, there was some optimism Bryant had turned a corner and was preparing to play, but after two days of not practicing, he was once again ruled out for the third week in a row.

Doubtful

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice Doubtful

Trufant is making the right steps forward to recovery but despite two limited practices this week, a doubtful designation is not encouraging. Expect him to be evaluated tomorrow ahead of the Lions travel day. If he clears another hurdle, he may make the trip to Arizona, if he fails the check-up, he could be downgraded before the team plane leaves Detroit.

Questionable

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Kenny Golladay Hamstring Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice Questionable
Hal Vaitai Foot Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice Questionable
C.J. Moore Groin Not Listed Limited Practice No Practice Questionable

Golladay told reporters today that he is “definitely feeling a lot better. Wouldn’t say it’s 100 percent, I really wouldn’t even put a percentage on it. I just know I’m not 100 percent. I’m going to do everything I can and hopefully, I showed enough (in practice this week) that I can be out there” on Sunday.

Vaitai also continues to make strides towards returning, and after almost being ready last week, along with three limited practices this week, he sure looks like he will get his first start as a Lion.

Moore was added to Thursday’s injury report with a calf injury, and like most mid-week injuries, his status for the weekend is in some doubt. Like Trufant, Moore is a candidate for a Saturday downgrade before the team travels. It’s been a tough road for Moore so far in 2020 after a hamstring kept him out of Week 1 and limited him in Week 2.

Not listed with an injury designation

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Nick Williams Shoulder Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No Designation

Williams getting in a full practice and not being listed with an injury designation is very encouraging as the Lions will need his interior pass rush presence.

Chargers injury report vs. Panthers: 3 out, 3 doubtful

The Chargers could be without Melvin Ingram this Sunday against the Panthers.

The Los Angeles Chargers released their final injury report ahead of the Week 3 battle with the Carolina Panthers.

Here is a look at the report:

OUT

Tyrod Taylor

Asmar Bilal

Justin Jones

DOUBTFUL

Justin Jackson

Melvin Ingram

Nick Vigil

QUESTIONABLE

Rayshawn Jenkins

Bryan Bulaga

Trai Turner

Ingram was a full participant the first two days of practice, but coach Anthony Lynn said that it got worse from Thursday to Friday. If he’s unable to play, Uchenna Nwosu should see an uptick in playing time.

With Bilal out and Vigil doubtful, Lynn said that the team will decide between Malik Jefferson and Cole Christiansen on who gets the call up from the practice squad.

Lynn said that Turner, who is dealing with a groin injury, should be ready to go for this Sunday. There wasn’t any new updates on Bulaga, who left last Sunday’s game. If for whatever reason he isn’t good to go, Trey Pipkins will get the start at right tackle.

Chiefs RT Mitchell Schwartz discusses challenge of facing Ravens defensive front

“They’ve got a lot of guys,” Schwartz said of the Ravens defensive front.

Kansas City Chiefs RT Mitchell Schwartz has been through the grinder early on in the 2020 NFL season. He’s faced off with heavyweights like J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus, Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram to name a few. It hasn’t all been sunshine and roses either, in Week 1 he surrendered his first sack in what felt like a millennium.

As Schwartz gets prepared for Week 3, he’ll face an entirely new challenge. The Baltimore Ravens revamped their defensive front from a season ago, adding players like Derek Wolfe and Calais Campbell to the mix. The number of players they have who can get after the quarterback is a daunting task, even for a veteran like Schwartz.

“They’ve got a lot of guys,” Schwartz told reporters on Thursday. “(Matthew) Judon has been there for a while, he’s an awesome player. To bring in Calais (Campbell), to bring in Derek Wolfe, they’ve got some younger guys, (Tyus) Bowser has been playing really well, they still have (Pernell) McPhee there who seems like he’s been there forever, and he’s still playing awesome football.”

Schwartz isn’t just expecting to see just one player line up across from him the entire game. He’s preparing to face a variety of players and he’s preparing for a team that has dialed up blitzes nearly 42% of the time through the first two weeks of the season. He’ll be blocking up a lot of different players coming from a variety of alignments.

“You’ve got a lot of guys, they tend to like to blitz a lot too, go one on one a lot so they can roll those guys through,” Schwartz explained. “Everyone’s a little bit different and they’re all good players. They do a really good job of it. Who you’re going against isn’t as cookie-cutter as some weeks where, ‘Oh, I’m going to see this guy 85% of the snaps.’ You’re going to get a rotation of them. They’re able to roll through. The front seven seems like its 12 or 13 deep, and it’s pretty much all awesome players.”

Whoever lines up across from Schwartz in Week 3, expect him to elevate his game under the bright lights of “Monday Night Football.”

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