Tag: Week 7

Chiefs elevate two players for Week 7 vs. Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs will have two practice squad players available to play on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs have elevated a pair of players ahead of their Week 7 contest against the Denver Broncos.

One of the new features of NFL practice squads during the 2020 season is the ability to elevate two players to the active roster. Players are designated as “COVID-19 replacements” or elevated using the “Standard Elevation” addendum. When the game is over the players simply go back to the practice squad. The one catch is that this can only be used twice on a player before they’re subject to waivers.

This week marks the first week all season that the Chiefs have elevated their two allotted players according to the NFL’s official transaction report. First, they elevated WR Marcus Kemp using the “Standard Elevation.” Kemp was also elevated last week, so this would be the last time Kansas City would be allowed to elevate the special teams ace in such a fashion.

In addition to Kemp, the team elevated OL Danny Isidora. Isidora was the only player the Chiefs protected on the practice squad earlier in the week. The team, of course, is shorthanded along the offensive line with injuries to Mitchell Schwartz and Kelechi Osemele.

Isidora first joined the team in September as a member of the practice squad. He was a former fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 and has spent some time with Miami Dolphins as well. The 6-3 and 306-pound offensive lineman has spent most of his career, NFL and college, playing the guard position. That’ll likely be the area that he’s prepared to fill in if the Chiefs suffer another injury.

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Seahawks guard Mike Iupati downgraded to out for Week 7 in Arizona

Seattle Seahawks guard Mike Iupati has been downgraded from questionable to out for Week 7 against the Cardinals due to a back injury.

The Seattle Seahawks had only ruled out safety Jamal Adams on Friday ahead of the team’s Week-7 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The only other player noted on the injury report was guard Mike Iupati, who was listed as questionable to play.

Seattle Has now downgraded Iupati to “out” for Sunday night due to his back injury.

“He’s struggled this week some,” coach Pete Carroll had said Friday. “It was an uncomfortable couple days, so we have to see how he is by the weekend and all that, and for next week. We’ve got to see, we’ve got to get Mike so he’s healed and that he has returned fully because it has nagged him a little bit, so I’m a little concerned about that.”

Jordan Simmons, who got the nod for Iupati in Week 5, will likely get the start once again.

Kickoff is set for 5:20 p.m. PT at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

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Detroit Lions elevate TE Isaac Nauta to the active roster for Week 7

The Detroit Lions announced they have elevated tight end Isaac Nauta to the active roster for Week 7.

The Detroit Lions announced they have elevated tight end Isaac Nauta from the practice squad to the active roster for Week 7.

This is the second time in as many weeks Nauta has found his way onto the 53-man roster, playing 18 snaps on offense in Week 6 with no statistical production — which isn’t overly surprising as he is mainly utilized in a blocking capacity.

Being able to elevate a practice squad player to the active roster is a new rule for 2020, due to COVID-19, but there are some important details to keep in mind.

After Nauta plays in the game on Sunday, he will then revert back to the Lions practice squad without having to clear waivers. But moving forward, if the Lions wish to elevate him to the active roster again, the rule has some stipulations:

“No player may be activated under this rule for more than two games per season, either regular-season or postseason games,” per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. “If a player has already been elevated twice under this rule, and the team wants to add him to the roster, it must terminate his practice-squad contract and sign him to an NFL contract, as has been the case with practice-squad players in years past.”

So, while Nauta will return to the practice squad after this week’s game, if the Lions wish to use Nauta in another game this season, he would have to be signed to the active roster.

Report: Miles Killebrew won’t play in Week 7 due to a personal issue

Multiple sources are reporting Detroit Lions safety/linebacker Miles Killebrew won’t play in Week 7 due to a personal issue.

Multiple sources are reporting Detroit Lions safety/linebacker Miles Killebrew won’t play in Week 7 due to a personal issue. The team is expected to confirm the report later today.

MLive’s Kyle Meinke was the first reporter with the news, but with Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman also echoing the report, it’s safe to claim the reports are accurate. ESPN’s Mike Rothstein is adding that the personal issue is not COVID-19 related, but nothing more beyond that is known at this time.

Killebrew has yet to see a snap on defense in 2020, but he has been involved in all five phases of special teams, logging 112 snaps over four games and earning a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 83.1 for the season — the highest special teams grade on the Lions, save for punter Jack Fox.

His impact will be surely be missed and will put more pressure on the Lions other special teams players, specifically Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jayron Kearse, C.J. Moore, Jason Cabinda, and Will Harris.

Look for Elijah Lee, who has been a healthy scratch the last two games and has five-phase special teams experience, to potentially be active this week in Killebrew’s stay.

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing the Lions matchup in Atlanta with Falcons Wire

Thanks to Matt Urben for taking the time and answering our questions

It’s been a long time since the Lions and Falcons last met. That Week 3 matchup back in the 2017 season was a memorable one, but both teams have had coaching and significant personnel changes since.

To get caught up on what’s going on with the 1-5 team in Atlanta, I turned to Falcons Wire editor — and former Lions Wire staffer — Matt Urben for some questions about the new-look birds. Thanks to Urben for the info!

The changes to the coaching staff and management seemed to work. How would you assess Raheem Morris’ interim debut with the Falcons?

Morris has handled the entire situation extremely well, and the players seemed to respond on the field in Week 6. Defensively, there was a renewed sense of energy. The team played with speed on both sides of the ball for all four quarters. Atlanta has actually played well in the first half of most games this season but as Lions fans will understand, there just seems to be a mental hurdle when closing opponents out.

If Morris can figure out how to minimize the Falcons’ late-game woes, this is a talented football team that could go on a run.

What’s going on with Julio Jones?

Julio Jones exploded in Week 1, then suffered a severe hamstring injury that slowed him down. After sitting out in Week 5, Jones came back and absolutely lit up the Vikings in Week 6. Similar to Calvin Johnson during his later years, Jones’ big frame causes him to basically live on the injury report. When he’s out there healthy, though, Julio is still the best receiver in football.

Who are some bright spots that deserve more national attention for their play?

One huge bright spot has been linebacker Foye Oluokun, who’s taken an unlikely path as a sixth-round pick out of Yale to a difference-making part of the Falcons’ defense. Entering the year, many doubted whether Oluokun could replicate the production of De’Vondre Campbell, who signed with the Cardinals in free agency. Through six games, you could argue the third-year LB has been an upgrade from Campbell. Oluokun forced three fumbles in the first half against the Cowboys and recorded an interception last week against Minnesota.

What one matchup with the Lions worries you from an Atlanta perspective?

All three of the Lions’ receivers could be in for a big day. While Falcons first-round pick CB A.J. Terrell has been solid since returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team’s biggest weakness remains in the secondary. Safety Damontae Kazee is out for the year. Veteran Darqueze Dennard and second-year CB Kendall Sheffield have each missed time, leaving Isaiah Oliver to pick up the pieces. It’s been ugly at times, and I think Stafford’s ability to get the ball out quickly will serve Detroit well.

Who wins and why?

This is really a tough game to pick. Both teams are underachieving, yet coming off of their biggest wins of the season. I think the Falcons keep things going in their second game under interim coach Raheem Morris.

Falcons 28, Lions 27

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Week 7 with Lions Wire

Pete Carroll hopeful Jamal Adams can return to practice next week

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is hopeful safety Jamal Adams can return to practice next week after battling a lingering groin injury.

The Seattle Seahawks have ruled out safety Jamal Adams ahead of their Week-7 battle against the Arizona Cardinals in the desert which has been flexed to “Sunday Night Football” in primetime.

Adams has missed the last two contests due to a lingering groin injury and won’t make the trip this week either.

Coach Pete Carroll is hopeful Adams will return to practice soon.

“He’s really close,” Carroll said Friday. “We want to make sure to get it right. The consensus is that it’s better to wait until next week. I anticipate that he’ll be practicing next week. We hoped to and wanted to, but we couldn’t get him out, so we’re going to leave him home, one more good weekend of rehab and prep and try to break him out next week.”

Adams was the only Seahawks ruled out against the Cardinals. Guard Mike Iupati, however, was listed as questionable to play with a back injury.

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Detroit Lions Week 7 injury designations: Desmond Trufant ruled OUT, everyone else ready to go

Examining the Detroit Lions injury designation for Week 7 as they head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons.

The Detroit Lions (2-3) will take on the Atlanta Falcons (1-5) in Week 7 and both teams are entering the contest with a relatively healthy roster. The only Lions player listed with an injury designation this week is cornerback Desmond Trufant, who has been ruled OUT.

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

Injured reserve/PUP list

Ruled OUT

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Desmond Trufant Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice OUT

Trufant was drafted by the Falcons in 2013 and started 97 games for them before being let go this offseason. He surely had this game circled on his calendar and has to be disappointed he will not be able to play but after two weeks of not being able to practice, his hamstring will once again keep him OUT.

Questionable

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
None

No players listed as questionable this week.

Not listed with an injury designation

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Frank Ragnow Groin No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation
Joe Dahl Groin Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice No designation
Trey Flowers Wrist No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation
Marvin Jones Knee No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation
Danny Amendola Foot Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice No designation

Dahl returned from injured reserve last weekend and saw a subdued role in last Sunday’s game, not finding the field until the third offensive series. After a week of full practices, he will be cleared to return to full duty, but it’s unclear if that means he will return to his starting role at left guard.

Ragnow, Flowers, and Jones all followed the same practice participation pattern this week, taking the day off on Wednesday, getting in a limited practice on Thursday, and a full practice on Friday. No injury designation means they are ready to go for Sunday and all should start.

Amendola saw two limited practices before getting a full workload on Sunday and he should also start without issue.

Atlanta Falcons Week 7 injury designations: Takkarist McKinley Questionable

The Detroit Lions Week 7 opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, have released their injury designations ahead of Sunday’s game.

The Detroit Lions Week 7 opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, have released their injury designations and only one injured player is listed with an injury for this game: Takkarist McKinley.

Here’s a look at the Falcons’ full injury designations list.

Ruled OUT

Player Position Injury Designation
None

No players listed as OUT this week.

Questionable

Player Position Injury Designation
Takkarist McKinley EDGE Groin Questionable

McKinley did not play in the Falcons Week 6 game due to his groin injury and when this week’s practices began he was once again unable to participate on Wednesday or Thursday, but he did return to the practice field on Friday.

He has only played in three games this season, but McKinley has accounted for eight pressures and had a sack in Week 1.

He still seems like a longshot to play this Sunday, but the questionable designation gives him a chance. Expect the Falcons to re-examine him on Saturday and if he passes those physicals, then he could end up being a game-time decision.

No injury designation

Player Position Injury Designation
Julio Jones WR Hamstring No Designation
Calvin Ridley WR Elbow No Designation
Russell Gage WR Shoulder No Designation
Brandon Powell WR Elbow No Designation
Dante Fowler Jr. EDGE Ankle No Designation
Kendall Sheffield CB Foot No Designation
Jaylinn Hawkins SS Concussion No Designation

The seven players listed in this section are all nursing injuries and most — save Gage — saw at least one limited practice this week. Fortunately for the Falcons, they are all expected to be available for Sunday, as they will not carry an injury designation into the game.

Behind enemy lines: Cards Wire answers 3 questions for Seahawks fans

Jess Root, managing editor of Cards Wire, answers three questions for Seahawks fans ahead of the Week-7 contest between Seattle and Arizona.

Jess Root, managing editor of Cards Wire, answered three questions for Seahawks fans ahead of the Week-7 contest between Seattle and Arizona set for Sunday night.

The Seahawks have been on a roll to start the season, notching a perfect 5-0 record before their bye. What can the Cardinals do to stop Seattle’s winning ways in the desert?

The Cardinals have been surprisingly good statistically on defense. They are No. 2 in points and near the top in yards allowed, third-down percentage, red-zone percentage and sacks. As long as they don’t have a performance like they did against the Carolina Panthers, they should be able to get off the field and limit Seattle’s attack.

And since they can move the ball as well as anyone else, they should be able to put points on the board. The key will be maintaining that level of defensive play and not turning the ball over on offense. They also cannot afford a bad first quarter.

The NFC West is arguably the best division in football. How does Arizona stack up against the rest of the rivals?

If their defense maintains its level of play, they are as good as anyone. Seattle is definitely the clear favorite, but the Cardinals should be considered just a tick below them. They are definitely in the mix, though.

Who wins Sunday’s matchup and why? Score prediction?

I think the Cardinals finally get a home win over Seattle. They will do what no other team has been able to do and stop a late drive by Russell Wilson.

The Cardinals win 28-24.

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