Tag: Week 7

Lions keep same practice squad protections for Week 7

The Lions have protected the same quartet of players for several weeks in a row now

Lions head coach Dan Campbell hinted at changes coming to the roster and/or the practices for the team this week, but there are no changes to the team’s protected practice squad players for Week 7.

The Lions protected the same four players as they have since at least Week 4:

  • DL Bruce Hector
  • S Jalen Elliott
  • QB Steven Montez
  • K Ryan Santoso

The ongoing protection of Santoso is interesting. The Lions have a kicker in Austin Seibert who has played well since returning from a stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Santoso proved himself a worthy NFL kicker in his own right.

None of the quartet has been elevated for non-COVID purposes in several weeks, but the protection ensures that no other team can sign them until the start of Week 8.

Broncos protect 3 practice squad players for Week 7

Broncos protected WRs Tyrie Cleveland and John Brown and LB Pita Taumoepenu on the practice squad this week.

The Denver Broncos have protected three practice squad players ahead of their “Thursday Night Football” showdown with the Cleveland Browns in Week 7, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

The Broncos protected wide receivers Tyrie Cleveland and John Brown and linebacker Pita Taumoepenu. These players are not eligible to leave the team to join another team’s active roster this week.

The 13 unprotected players on Denver’s practice squad are allowed to leave the club if offered a spot on another team’s 53-man roster.

Last week, the Broncos protected Cleveland, linebacker Curtis Robinson, guard/center Austin Schlottmann and wide receiver Seth Williams.

Robinson was promoted to the 53-man roster and Taumoepenu was signed to the practice squad on Tuesday.

Denver made several changes to the practice squad last week, with the biggest move being bringing in Brown. After losing KJ Hamler to a season-ending injury, the Broncos signed Brown to add more speed at wide receiver.

Thursday’s game against the Browns will be nationally televised on Fox and NFL Network. The game will also be available to stream on Prime Video.

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Broncos injuries: QB Teddy Bridgewater ‘limited’ on Tuesday practice report

Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater was listed as ‘limited’ on today’s estimated practice report.

The Denver Broncos did not officially practice on Monday or Tuesday ahead of their “Thursday Night Football” showdown with the Cleveland Browns, but the team did release an estimated practice participation report.

The big injury news for the Broncos this week is the status of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who is nursing a foot injury. Bridgewater primarily sidestepped questions about his health Tuesday and said he’s taking it “one day at a time.” Denver coach Vic Fangio was more optimistic, noting that he expects Bridgewater to start on Thursday.

Here’s a look at Denver’s injury report from Tuesday.

Player Mon Tue Wed Game Status
OT Garett Bolles (knee) DNP Limited
ILB Baron Browning (concussion) DNP DNP
ILB Alexander Johnson (chest) DNP [Injured reserve] [IR] Out
OLB Andre Mintz (hamstring) DNP [Injured reserve] [IR] Out
OLB Aaron Patrick (ankle) DNP DNP
QB Teddy Bridgewater (foot) Limited Limited
TE Noah Fant (foot) Limited Limited
RB Melvin Gordon (hip) Limited Full
DE Shelby Harris (wrist) Full Full
S Justin Simmons (hand) Full Full
S Caden Sterns (illness) Not listed DNP

And the Browns’ injury report can be seen below.

Player Mon Tue Wed Game Status
WR Odell Beckham (shoulder) DNP DNP
RB Nick Chubb (calf) DNP DNP Out
OT Jack Conklin (knee) DNP DNP
CB A.J. Green (shoulder/groin) DNP DNP
RB Kareem Hunt (calf) DNP [Injured reserve] [IR] Out
QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) DNP Limited
LB Jeremiah Osusu-Koramoah (ankle) DNP [Injured reserve] [IR] Out
LB Malcolm Smith (abdomen) DNP Limited
C JC Tretter (knee) DNP DNP
OT Jedrick Wills (ankle) DNP DNP
DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle/chest/knee) Limited Limited
DE Malik Jackson (knee) Limited Limited
DE Takkarist McKinley (ankle) Limited Full
TE David Njoku (knee) Limited Limited
LB Mack Wilson (calf) Limited Limited
DT Myles Garrett (knee/ankle) Full Full
DT Malik McDowell (elbow/foot) Full Full
CB Greg Newsome (calf) Full Full
CB Denzel Ward (neck) Full Full
CB Greedy Williams (knee) Full Full
DT Jordan Elliott (neck) Not listed Limited

Thursday’s game will be nationally televised on NFL Network and Fox with streaming coverage available on Prime Video.

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Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence nominated for Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week

Lawrence earned his second Rookie of the Week nomination for his effort in Jacksonville’s win on Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence continues to progress as a rookie. While his season numbers aren’t incredible (with a 59.7% completion with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions), the week-to-week improvements have been clear.

For the second time this season on Sunday, Lawrence avoided any interceptions as he led the Jags to their first win in the 2021 campaign with a walk-off field goal to beat the Dolphins in London. He was 25-of-41 and tossed for 319 yards and a touchdown. He also manufactured the quick field-goal drive at the end of the game.

After his impressive performance, Lawrence was named a finalist for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week in Week 6. He was previously nominated for the award in Week 1, as well, though he didn’t win it. This time around, he’s joined by Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle, Steelers running back Najee Harris, Bears running back Khalil Herbert and Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Fans can vote for the Rookie of the Week by heading to NFL.com/voting/rookies.

Falcons stats tracker: Kyle Pitts leads team in receiving yards

Falcons rookie tight end Kyle Pitts leads the team in receiving yards (308) entering Week 7.

The Atlanta Falcons got off to a brutal start this season, but with a win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, the team could move to 3-3 and get back in the playoff hunt. Starting wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage will return to the field after missing Atlanta’s 27-20 win over the Jets in London.

In their absence, rookie tight end Kyle Pitts had a breakout game, going for nine catches, 119 yards and a touchdown. Pitts now leads the team in receiving yards after five games. Here’s a look at the individual player stats for the Falcons’ offense.

Winless Lions hit the bottom in NFL power polls

The Detroit Lions are at the bottom of almost every NFL power poll as the last winless team

It took some time and the NFL’s only winless record after six weeks to drop the Detroit Lions to the bottom of nearly every NFL power poll.

Strangely enough, it’s not a unanimous opinion to have the Lions ranked at No. 32 of 32. Touchdown Wire lists the Lions as No. 31, ahead of the Houston Texans. Houston has a win over Jacksonville, which picked up its first win of the season in Week 6 by beating a Miami team that also has just one win. The two New York teams, the Giants and Jets, also have just one win and are in the bottom tier with the others.

Everywhere else, from ESPN to CBS, from USA TODAY to Sporting News, has the winless Lions at the bottom of the heap entering Week 7.

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Chiefs stand pat in USA TODAY’s power rankings after win in Washington

Despite a win over #Washington in Week 6, the #Chiefs are staying put in the latest USA TODAY power rankings.

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The Chiefs managed a bounce-back win over the Washington Football Team in Week 6, but they’re not yet bouncing back in USA TODAY’s weekly power rankings.

Last week, the Chiefs slid to the No. 10 spot after losing to the Buffalo Bills in prime time. Even though the Chiefs put themselves back in the win column, they’re not moving up in the slightest in USA Today’s latest power rankings. They’ll likely need a win against a more convincing opponent in order to make any sort of progress here.

Here’s what Nate Davis had to say this week, this time praising the offense and WR Tyreek Hill:

“They’ve had a lot of great backs and tight ends here over the years. But Tyreek Hill is staking claim as best wideout in team history, his 63 TDs most in Kansas City history among receivers and one behind RB Jamaal Charles for third place overall.”

Baltimore Ravens (5), Tennessee Titans (7), Buffalo Bills (8) and Los Angeles Chargers (9) still rank ahead of Kansas City. The Chiefs are 0-3 against those teams with a big game against Tennessee coming up on Sunday. A win likely changes the outlook of their season, but a loss could put them on the outside of the AFC playoff picture.

I find it hard to believe that anyone took anything away from this game other than the Chiefs’ dominant defensive performance. Save for one bad coverage call in the red zone, Kansas City basically pitched a shutout on the defensive side of the ball. If they can carry over any of that performance into Week 7 against the Titans, it’ll be a huge win for this team as they gear up for the second half of the season.

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Seahawks underdogs again for Monday night matchup with Saints

Seahawks underdogs again for Monday night matchup with Saints.

The Seattle Seahawks are back at home this week, hosting the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football in their third straight prime time matchup.  According to the latest odds at Tipico Sportsbook. New Orleans is a 5.5 point favorite for this game.

The Saints (3-2) should have fresh legs as they are coming off a bye week. They crushed the Packers by over 30 points in Week 1 but have also lost to the Panthers and Giants.

The Seahawks (2-4) lost in overtime to the Steelers on Sunday night. However, their defense was vastly improved from what we’d witnessed in the previous five games this season, offering some home for the next couple of weeks while Russell Wilson remains on IR.

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Broncos drop four spots in NFL power rankings

The Broncos are ranked No. 21 in USA TODAY’s NFL power rankings this week.

After losing three straight games, the Denver Broncos are now ranked No. 21 in Nate Davis’ latest NFL power rankings for USA TODAY Sports. That’s down four spots from their No. 17 rank last week.

Here is Davis’ commentary with the Broncos’ rank this week:

They’ve been rudely reality-checked back to .500, their 3-0 start as dubious as it seemed. Our advice? More carries for the RB duo of Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams, who are collectively averaging 4.7 yards per rush.

The Cleveland Browns, who Denver will face on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 7, are ranked No. 12 this week.

The Broncos are the lowest-ranked team in the AFC West, behind the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 9), Kansas City Chiefs (No. 10) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 17). Denver just lost to Las Vegas 34-24 on Sunday.

After facing the Browns on “TNF” this week, the Broncos will have 10 days before their next game, a home showdown against the Washington Football Team in Week 8 on Sunday, Oct. 31.

To view this week’s complete NFL power rankings, visit USATODAY.com.

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Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny is ‘raring to go’

Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny is “raring to go” and expected to be activated back from the injured reserve this week.

The Seattle Seahawks have taken a couple of hits in the running back department lately, losing starter Chris Carson to the injured reserve for the next couple of weeks with a neck injury and Alex Collins now battling some hip and glute cramps that are hopefully not too significant.

Fortunately for Seattle, Rashaad Penny should be returning to the action from the injured reserve just in time.

“I talked to Rashaad last week, I think I told you guys, in looking forward to this week coming up, that he needed to have a great week last week, which he did,” coach Pete Carroll told reporters Monday afternoon. “He’s had a number of weeks in the last three weeks that have been really good for him. He is raring to go. There won’t be any restrictions on him unless the workload builds up on him. I’m hoping that’s not going to be a factor because of the way he’s prepared.”

Penny was placed on the injured reserve with a calf injury at the start of the month and has only appeared in one contest – the season opener – this year. Hopefully, his durability won’t be an issue.

“It’s extremely important that he comes back to us now and helps out in the running game and all that,” Carroll said. “I’m really excited for him. It’s been a long year and return and all that for him. It’s been really frustrating for him. He’s really raring to go.”

Penny will have to be officially activated back to the 53-man roster before he can appear in a game.

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