THE DAILY BRIEFING
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NFC NORTH
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DETROIT
Coach Dan Campbell fixed the Lions offense in the middle of last year, to the point that they are now the NFL’s best attack – at least in terms of yards and points.
Now, he is focused like a laser on the team’s awful defense. Jeremy Reisman ofPrideOfDetroit.com:
The Detroit Lions defense ranks dead last in points allowed through four weeks, allowing 26 more points than the second-worst scoring defense (Seahawks). They’re on pace to allow the most points in NFL history. And coach Dan Campbell is primed to do something about it.
During his Monday press conference following the team’s 48-45 loss to the aforementioned Seahawks, Campbell indicated that there will be some personnel changes on the horizon.
“I know we’re going to need to move some personnel around,“ Campbell said.
Campbell did not go into detail about which players are in danger of losing their roles and who may step in, but the key thing the Lions coach is looking for is trust. The issue, according to Campbell, is that some players are consistently not doing their individual jobs. When that happens, it creates a snowball effect, where teammates then try to overcompensate for that player, only for them to abandon their own job. That builds mistrust between the players and destroys team confidence.
“We’re in this vicious cycle right now,” Campbell said. “And so, we’ve got to pull things way, way back, and just get our confidence back and getting some trust among teammates.”
Schematically, Campbell also plans on scaling things back considerably.
“(We’ll) certainly look at calming things down and simplifying schematically,” Campbell said, again scant on the details.
One thing the Lions will not be doing is firing or demoting defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Last year, Campbell demoted offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn after the Lions struggled offensively for the first half of the season. Eventually, the two would part ways after the season.
On Monday, Campbell was asked if making a similar move with Glenn would be tougher for him because he’s had a professional relationship with Glenn that spanned five years in New Orleans. He responded that he has no problem making tough decisions, but he doesn’t believe Glenn is the problem facing the defense right now—echoing statements he made after the game on Sunday.
“I had a ton of respect for Anthony Lynn and I made a tough decision. I’ve had to do this before and I’m not afraid to make a hard decision if I really believed that’s where it was the cause of it,” Campbell said. “And I don’t believe it is. I believe that Aaron Glenn is the right man for the job and he gives us our best – he gives us our best hope, our best option to run this defense. I just do.”
One potential change that has been popular among fans is moving Aidan Hutchinson from a three-point stance (hand on the ground) to a two-point (standing up). That’s essentially what Michigan did in the middle of Hutchinson’s career, and it resulted in his record-breaking final season in college.
Campbell said that is the kind of thing they may be considering, although in this specific case, he’s not sure it would benefit Hutchinson.
“We’re all open to whatever is most comfortable,” Campbell said. “Like if he feels like he can get his job done (standing) up, listen, no problem. I don’t feel like that’s an issue with him or that’s going to change anything, but we kind of take it all into account. If it’s something he feels like he’s more comfortable at, we’ll go with that.”
Detroit’s defense could have a chance to rebound this week facing a New England Patriots team that is just averaging 18.5 points per game.
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GREEN BAY
QB AARON RODGERS seems to like what he sees in WR CHRISTIAN WATSON, the rookie from North Dakota State. Kevin Patra of NFL.com:
Way back in 2014, then-Packers second-round rookie Davante Adams didn’t put up prolific numbers but showed signs of breakout potential to come.
To open the 2022 campaign, current Green Bay rookie second-rounder Christian Watson has had a similarly slow start to his career, catching six passes for 51 yards in three games played, and earned a rushing score in Sunday’s win over the New England Patriots.
During his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, quarterback Aaron Rodgers likened Watson to Adams as a rookie.
“Look, I tell you, he’s got special speed. He really does. He’s got incredible stride length,” Rodgers said of Watson, per Packers Wire. “When you watch some of the film back, it’s similar to watching Davante his rookie year. You know there were games where I didn’t give Davante a ton of looks, but you go back and watch the film, and you’re thinking, ‘Man, this guy is open often.’ It’s like that from time to time with Christian. There’s a few routes, I mean not as much as Davante, I just think Davante was a little more polished route-runner as a rookie, but there are a few times where I might need to give him a second look even when things don’t look great from the start because he does have that different type of speed. But we’re finding ways to use him, I think, and again, we have to have patience.”
Due to injuries and the fact that the Packers had Jordy Nelson and a young Randall Cobb at the time, Adams didn’t put up massive numbers in his first couple seasons. Adams had 12 games as a rookie in which he caught two or fewer passes.
Watson missed Week 3 against Tampa due to an injury and has been targeted just 10 times in three games. He played just 18 snaps in Sunday’s victory. But Green Bay has tried creative ways to get the speedy rookie the ball, including a jet sweep for a 15-yard TD in Week 4.
Rodgers has leaned on rookie Romeo Doubs and Allen Lazard through the first four weeks, but the MVP quarterback would also like to see the veteran Cobb see more snaps.
“I really feel like he needs some more playing time,” Rodgers said of Cobb, per SB Nation’s Acme Packing Company. “He’s made plays in every game that he’s played. He had two huge plays in the game, both on third down. Third and six, he gets on the sideline for 20-something. Third and one, on our last drive, we’re like at mid-40s, we do an action, he runs a beautiful through route, I hit him, first down, move the sticks. Then I hit two plays to Doubs. Next thing you know, we’re in field goal range. I think he needs more opportunities for sure. He’s earned them. Big kudos to him, though, you know. He figured out how to get his body back. He’s stayed healthy so far, but he went through the entire offseason program, OTAs, busted his ass and earned the opportunity he’s gotten and probably more, so I look forward to some more snaps for him ’cause every time he’s out there he’s making explosive gains.”
In just 107 plays through four games, the 32-year-old Cobb has generated 10 catches for 150 yards on 12 targets, tallying eight first downs, including five third-down conversions.
“I don’t know why you’re all acting like I’m geriatric. I’m not in a nursing home,” Cobb quipped after Sunday’s win, per Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal. “This is the best I’ve felt since I was like 29. I feel really good.”
The Packers offense has predictably gotten off to a slow start as Rodgers attempts to gain chemistry with his new receiver corps. Despite the struggle, Green Bay still sits at 3-1 ahead of Sunday’s trip to London to face the 3-1 New York Giants. The offense could get rolling in the next few weeks with games against the Giants, Jets and Commanders.
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MINNESOTA
Some thought the arrival of offensive-minded head coach Kevin O’Connell would unleash the best QB KIRK COUSINS. So far, that’s not the case. Kevin Seifert ofESPN.com:
A sequence late in the fourth quarter Sunday perfectly illustrates Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins’ uneven start to the 2022 season.
Tied at 25 and facing a first down from his own 32-yard line at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Cousins launched a perfect 39-yard pass down the left sideline to receiver Justin Jefferson, the pair’s 10th connection of the game. Jefferson was tackled at the New Orleans Saints’ 29, putting the Vikings in position for a game-winning field goal. Cousins’ top priorities at that point were to maintain possession and get in reasonable field goal range.
Both were threatened, however, on a second-down play. The offense got to the line of scrimmage with 10 seconds remaining on the play clock and, at the 4-second mark, Cousins stopped and put both hands on his helmet to signal an alert. Now Cousins was in a frenzy, shouting: “Gotta go, gotta go!” He stomped his right foot to send receiver K.J. Osborn in motion just as center Garrett Bradbury snapped the ball with :00 on the play clock.
Although Cousins had avoided a damaging delay of game penalty, the timing of the play had been thrown off. Cousins collided with Osborn as he backed away from center. He held on to the ball and managed to hand off to tailback Dalvin Cook, who gained 1 yard. The Vikings moved no closer before kicker Greg Joseph converted his winning 47-yard kick on fourth down.
The Vikings are 3-1 this season, their best record after four games since Cousins joined the team in 2018. That accomplishment has run parallel to a jagged start by their offense, starting with Cousins. He has made key throws to win games but has also flirted with — and occasionally encountered — disaster. If nothing else, Cousins’ first four games have dispelled the fanciful notion that new coach Kevin O’Connell would wave a magic wand, inducing instant elite-level performances from a quarterback who entered the season with a clear track record established through 120 career starts.
Cousins’ Total Quarterback Rating (46.1) ranks No. 20 in the NFL. For the first time since he joined the team, his completion percentage above expectation — an NFL Next Gen Stats statistic that measures quarterback performance relative to the level of difficulty of his throws — is below zero (-2.5%) after four games. In other words, he is completing fewer passes than an average quarterback would be expected to in the same situation.
Cousins has expressed full awareness of that reality, especially after needing fourth-quarter comebacks to pull out victories over the Saints and Detroit Lions the past two weeks. He said last week the offense is “not where I want it to be” and reiterated that sentiment Sunday.
“There’s just a lot to clean up still,” he said. “Similar to coming away after the Lions game with a win, you feel great about the win [over the Saints], but you also feel there’s a lot you leave out there. We’ve got to get better. I’ve got to get better. That’s where our focus is.”
It’s important to take a step back and put Cousins’ performance in context, especially in light of an ongoing transition to O’Connell’s complicated scheme. Using QBR as a measure, Cousins has had better starts to a Vikings season (2018, 2021) and he has had worse (2019, 2020). His four interceptions are tied for sixth most in the NFL, but in 2020, he had six by this point in the season. He had more touchdown passes through four games in 2018 and 2021, but his current total of six is tied for No. 10 in the NFL during a down year for scoring league-wide.
O’Connell is the sixth playcaller Cousins has had in Minnesota and is still learning his rhythms. Asked Monday to assess the ups and downs of Cousins’ performance, O’Connell noted that he has “been incredibly clutch when we’ve had to have it” and said: “It’s still four weeks into a new offensive system to him.”
He added: “I think Kirk is going to continue to be more consistent and make the throws that we ask him to make while running the show. … I feel great about where Kirk is headed, and then there are obviously some things that we can coach harder, that I can coach better, to help him be at his best and truly start maximizing what we’re going to become as an offense.”
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NFC EAST
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DALLAS
The Cowboys have lost their long snapper, a favorite of special teams coach John Fassel:
Dallas Cowboys long snapper Jake McQuaide is out for the season after tearing a triceps muscle against Washington, the team reported on its website Tuesday.
The injury happened on McQuaide’s final snap of the game, which was a punt late in the fourth quarter of Dallas’ 25-10 victory, the team said. The Cowboys were working out replacements Tuesday.
McQuaide replaced longtime Dallas long snapper L.P. Ladouceur in 2021. It was a reunion with Cowboys special teams coach John Fassel.
The 34-year-old McQuaide is in his 12th season. The first 10 were with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles.
More on who might be next from Todd Archer of ESPN.com:
The Cowboys added Matt Overton and Tucker Addington to the practice squad after workouts at The Star on Tuesday, according to a source, and plan on calling one up to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Overton was recently on the Rams’ practice squad, while Addington played for the Houston Gamblers of the USFL.
McQueen had not missed a game in his career, dating back to 2011 with the St. Louis Rams.
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NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants will leave WR KENNY GOLLADAY stateside when they venture to London this week – but not for disciplinary reasons. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:
It appears wide receiver Kenny Golladay‘s disappointing Giants tenure will include missing this weekend’s game against the Packers.
Golladay injured his knee last weekend and head coach Brian Daboll said earlier this week that he was doubtful to play as a result. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Golladay sprained his MCL and is not expected to travel to London with the team for this Sunday’s game.
Golladay had two catches for 22 yards in the season opener and has not caught a ball in the last three weeks. While that suggests they won’t miss him much, the team is short on wideouts.
The Giants were missing Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson last weekend and Sterling Shepard is out for the year, so the receiving corps may be down to David Sills, Richie James, Darius Slayton and practice squad callups this weekend.
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WASHINGTON
RB BRIAN ROBINSON moves closer and closer to playing. Mike Florio ofProFootballTalk.com:
On August 28, Commanders running back Brian Robinson was shot multiple times in a robbery attempt. On October 5, it was announced he has been designated to return to practice.
It’s an amazing development that underscores the incredibly good fortune of Robinson, who had a bullet pass through his knee but not seriously injure the ligaments and cartilage and bone.
The return to practice opens a 21-day window for a return to the active roster. Presumably, he’ll be back sooner than later. He could play, in theory, as soon as Sunday, against the Titans.
Robinson, a third-round pick from Alabama, had essentially won the starting tailback position before the shooting. Given that he’s now healthy and ready to go, he’s likely destined to officially claim the top spot on the depth chart.
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NFC SOUTH
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CAROLINA
Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com on the Cardinals offense:
Baker Mayfield isn’t saving the inept offense: Whether it’s play calling or execution, the Panthers offense just isn’t NFL level. Mayfield has his worst game of the season in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, going 22 of 36 for 197 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions (61.9 rating).
Through four games, Mayfield is completing 54.7% of his passes for 747 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions for a 75 passer rating. The Panthers are averaging just 19.5 points and 262.3 yards per game (last in the NFL).
PJ Walker is the backup quarterback with Sam Darnold still injured. Whether Mayfield has failed or not, he’s the quarterback as long as he’s healthy. This is what the Panthers are — an inept offense.
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TAMPA BAY
The New York Post has its biggest story in two years.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen seem to be heading for the end zone: Both have retained divorce lawyers, multiple sources tell Page Six exclusively.
As previously revealed, the couple have been living separately for the past couple months following an epic fight — and they’re now apparently looking at dividing up their multimillion-dollar empire.
“I never actually thought this argument would be the end of them, but it looks like it is,” one source in the know tells Page Six.
“I don’t think there will be any coming back now. They both have lawyers and are looking at what a split will entail, who gets what and what the finances will be.”
Reps for Brady and Bündchen did not respond to requests for comment.
Insiders close to the seven-time Super Bowl champ, 45, and the supermodel, 42 — who have been married since 2009 — say both are very involved in their children’s lives and would share joint custody in any separation.
They share son Benjamin, 12, and daughter Vivian, 9, and Brady is also the father of son Jack, 15, with ex Bridget Moynahan.
The couple would likely file for divorce in Florida, as that’s where they are primarily based, legal experts say. Another source who knows the couple confirm they are looking at dividing their assets, which includes a $26 million property portfolio.
Brady is the highest paid NFL player at $250 million, with endorsement deals including FTX, Hertz, BRADY brand, Autograph and TB12.
As Page Six first reported in December 2020, their most recent property purchase was a $17 million home on Indian Creek Island in Miami, nicknamed “Billionaires Bunker.” They planned to knock down the 5,172-square-foot, five-bedroom mansion on the two-acre lot and build a new one.
But work has recently stalled on the property amid the marital fallout.
The couple also own a condo at 70 Vestry St. in Tribeca, valued at $3.6 million, as well as a $5.7 million property at developer Mike Meldman’s Yellowstone Club in Montana.
Bündchen’s favorite property is believed to be their remote home on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, where the family often vacations.
Ahead of Hurricane Ian, the pair both fled Tampa, where Brady is playing for the Buccaneers, and went to Miami, where they have been staying apart. Bündchen has been spotted there over the past few days.
A source told us that Bündchen has been staying in the Miami home that she and Brady rented in 2020; it’s not clear where the quarterback was holed up.
A source says Brady and Bündchen were both in Miami but living in separate places during Hurricane Ian.
Although sources close to Bündchen have stressed that it is “sexist” to say the split is over the model’s issues with Brady reneging on his NFL retirement, the source in the know says, “As with many marriages, it’s not just one thing. Gisele has made it clear that she worried about Tom playing football and that they had had many talks about it.
“But they have had a series of blowups over the past few years, and this time it looks like there’s no going back.”
– – –
The late diagnosis of the concussion of TE CAMERON BRATE seems to be accepted by everyone but Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:
The NFL’s “Concussion Game Day Checklist” consists of a flow chart that commences with a first step: “Player receives impact to the head.”
In the case of Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate, the NFL contends that step one didn’t happen.
“Immediately following the game, the NFL contacted team and unaffiliated medical personnel to gather information concerning the injury sustained by Tampa Bay’s Cameron Brate,” the NFL said in a statement provided to PFT. “The league reviewed the information with the NFL Players Association. Based on the standardized gameday reports, it is clear to both parties that the spotters in the booth concluded that Brate was hit in the shoulder and therefore did not trigger the concussion protocols. As soon as medical personnel identified concussion symptoms, they removed Brate from the game.”
The NFL Players Association has informed PFT that it reviewed the situation as well, and that it backs that assessment.
Beyond the fact that Brate did indeed sustain a concussion (as proven by the fact that he was removed from play, but only after returning for several snaps before halftime), the video doesn’t indicate a blow to the shoulder. At the end of the play that started with 1:35 remaining in the first half, Brate’s head CLEARLY collides with the torso of Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin.
The impact, combined with Brate’s reaction to it, absolutely should have prompted the two spotters (one is a Certified Athletic Trainer and the other is an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant) to activate the protocol. We reject flatly and unequivocally the contention by the NFL and the NFLPA that Brate did not receive an impact to the head.
We realize that things are a little dicey right now, given the Tua Tagovailoa situation. There’s a natural inclination to circle the wagons. To look the other way so as not to make the heat too hot in the kitchen. Perhaps even to trot out some good, old-fashioned alternative facts. That’s absolutely the wrong approach.
While the system may not be “broken” (as Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy described it), the system failed in this situation. Brate received impact to the head. Everyone saw it. Everyone, apparently, except the two people who are paid to see it.
And if the league and the union can’t see that, maybe there should be a governmental agency that manages (and, as needed, micromanages) the game of professional football.
We looked at the Brate hit and it is an odd one. His head never hit a helmet or the ground, two things we think we would be looking for if that was our job. He was not struck by a flailing arm or a kicking leg. We would think that many rushers hit their heads on opposing players mid-sections while being tackled. He got right up and ran to the bench.
And we’re not sure “everyone saw” the contact with the head.
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NFC WEST
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ARIZONA
Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com says the Cardinals are playing good, winning defense at the moment:
Defense has shown up the past 11 quarters: For all the talk on the inconsistent offense and the slow starts to games, the Cardinals defense has allowed just 39 points in the last two and a half games (10 quarters plus overtime). Seven of those quarters game against the Raiders and Rams, so there’s a significant sample size to indicate that the defense is getting better.
Arizona has five takeaways during that stretch, including a walk-off fumble return touchdown for a win. The Cardinals have allowed only 18 points per game and 279.5 yards per game over the past two weeks — including 70 rushing yards per game. The defense is a huge reason Arizona is in the NFC West race after what looked to be a disastrous start.
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SAN FRANCISCO
The case is made that EDGE NICK BOSA is being held frequently without flags. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com:
San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa is having another strong season, leading the NFL with six sacks through four games. But 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan thinks Bosa could do even more if offensive linemen wouldn’t get away with holding him so much.
When a reporter on Shanahan’s conference call said Bosa appears to be getting held on many plays, Shanahan replied, “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Shanahan said Bosa has been getting held since his rookie of the year-winning season in 2019, and the 49ers often send plays in to the league office to ask why Bosa isn’t drawing more flags.
“It’s something I’ve seen a lot with him since he’s been here, going back to his first year in the Super Bowl. So it’s always been tough. We turn everything in every week. Sometimes they agree, sometimes they don’t,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan said there’s not much the 49ers can do other than continue to point out to the league that Bosa is getting held.
“You just hope it improves,” Shanahan said.
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AFC WEST
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DENVER
QB RUSSELL WILSON thinks his right shoulder injury will be good enough for him to be available on Thursday night. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was listed as a limited participant in Broncos practice again on Tuesday, but the right shoulder issue that’s affecting him isn’t causing him to be concerned about his availability for Thursday.
Wilson spoke to reporters on Tuesday and said, via Nick Kosminder of TheAthletic.com, that he is “super confident” that he’ll be playing against the Colts. He added that he believes he will be able to play “without limitations” from the shoulder.
Wilson was 17-of-25 for 237 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders on Sunday, but the Broncos lost 32-23 to fall to 2-2 on the season.
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AFC NORTH
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PITTSBURGH
Adam Schefter is among those breaking this news about the Steelers:
@AdamSchefter
Pittsburgh is a 14-point underdog in Buffalo. Pittsburgh is the only team since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger to never be at least a 14-point underdog, via @MackNova. Pittsburgh’s largest underdog role since the merger is +13.5 against Dallas in Super Bowl XXX, when it lost by 10.
That could change if the betting public thinks 14 points is a lot to give Mike Tomlin.
In Week 2, the Lions opened as 2-point favorites against the Commanders and a 24-game streak as an underdog seemed over. But Washington was bet into a 1.5-point favorite’s position at kickoff and the Lions streak survived – for two more weeks.
Detroit did open as a 3.5 favorite Sunday vs. Seattle and the streak was over at 26 straight.
– – –
It is official, QB KENNY PICKETT gets thrown to the Bills for his first start. Liz Roscher of YahooSports.com on the tough road ahead for the rookie:
The Pittsburgh Steelers have have named their young rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, who made his first NFL appearance against the New York Jets in Week 4, as their Week 5 starter against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Mike Tomlin made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.
Pickett, 24, was the Steelers’ first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. They’d signed former Chicago Bears/Buffalo Bills QB Mitch Trubisky to be their starter over the offseason, but with Pickett waiting in the wings, it was clear Trubisky was just a short-term solution, and wasn’t in their long-term plans.
The short-term ended for Trubisky on Sunday, when Tomlin benched him after halftime in what would end up being a 24-20 loss to the Jets. Pickett started the second half, and completed 10 of 13 passes for 120 yards by the end of the game, but also threw three interceptions — one of which was on his very first drive. He also had six carries for 15 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
As for why Tomlin decided that was the moment to get Pickett his first NFL action, he said after the game that the team needed a “spark.” However, he wouldn’t name Pickett as the starter at that point.
Obviously things changed for the Steelers with some reflection. Everyone already knows what Trubisky is, so why not try out the new guy who could give the team a better chance to win? It’s better to embrace the future than stand firm with Trubisky and say “this is fine” when there are other options available.
Steelers fans might be high on Pickett right now, but Pittsburgh’s upcoming schedule is extremely unforgiving. He’ll make his first NFL start against the Bills, one of the league’s best teams, and then face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, and the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. All four of those teams are killers. But at least at the end of that gauntlet, the Steelers will get to take a little time to relax, since they have their bye on Week 9.
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AFC SOUTH
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HOUSTON
The Texans have cut their best pass-catching tight end PHARAOH BROWN, their nominal starter. DJ Bien-Amie of ESPN.com:
The Houston Texans released starting tight end Pharaoh Brown, who led the team’s tight ends in catches (seven) and yards (72), on Tuesday.
Brown started three games but missed the 34-24 Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers because of a hip and shoulder injury.
The emergence of 2018 third-round pick Jordan Akins, whom the Texans brought back to the organization on their practice squad on Aug. 31, along with the signing of O.J. Howard on Sept. 1 made Brown expandable.
On the season, Akins has five catches for 64 yards with a touchdown and Howard has five catches for 72 yards with two touchdowns.
– – –
RB DAMEON PIERCE was a preseason Fantasy tout who is paying off. Jeff Kerr ofCBSSports.com:
Dameon Pierce looks like a star running back in the making: Pierce was the lone ball carrier for Houston in Sunday’s loss to Los Angeles, finishing with 14 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 9.4 yards per carry, which included a 75-yard touchdown run that got the stagnant Texans offense going as it was down 21-0.
It was Pierce’s first 100-yard rushing game and his second straight game with a rushing touchdown. He has 60 carries for 313 yards and two touchdowns as a fourth-round rookie (5.2 yards per carry). Houston had a good 2022 draft, but Pierce may be its best find.
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INDIANAPOLIS
The short week has put the availability of RB JONATHAN TAYLOR in doubt for Week 5. Stephen Holder of ESPN.com:
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is hopeful he’ll be able to play Thursday night against the Denver Broncos despite a badly twisted right ankle suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.
The All-Pro running back said Tuesday he is rehabbing furiously and has seen definite improvement since Sunday.
“I definitely do plan to play, but if you can’t go you can’t go,” Taylor said. “That’s why you have to get as much treatment as you can.”
Taylor was wearing a boot on his right lower leg during Tuesday’s light practice, during which he was a spectator. Taylor is not at risk for further injury based on what team doctors have told coach Frank Reich.
“From what I understand, the discussions that I’ve had, that’s not a concern at this point,” Reich said. “It’s an injury where he’s not ready to go right now, but we’ll see if he’ll be ready to go Thursday night.”
Taylor added that a turf toe injury that limited him during practice last week has improved.
“Definitely still dealing with that, but it’s in a good spot now,” Taylor said. “The main thing right now is getting that ankle back to 100 percent.”
Elsewhere, Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard suffered a broken nose in addition to the concussion he was diagnosed with after Sunday’s game. Reich said that aspect of Leonard’s injury could impact his return to the lineup separately from the concussion, but the team can’t determine that until the significant swelling subsides and doctors can see the extent of the damage.
The latest setback for Leonard comes just as he was making his season debut after offseason back surgery and figures to further test his patience.
“He’s the heart and soul of who we are,” Reich said. “I feel terrible for him. He worked so hard to get back. It means so much to him. The team success means so much to him. That’s what I’ve come to appreciate.”
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AFC EAST
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NEW ENGLAND
So far, QB BAILEY ZAPPE has been the most productive rookie QB (although QB KENNY PICKETT is also getting into the fray):
@ScottKacsmar
It’s Week 5 and Bailey Zappe has the only TD pass thrown by the 2022 draft class.
Zappe is the QB on an All-Rookie Team for the first quarter of the season, picked by The Athletic (see below).
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NEW YORK JETS
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com is an early member of the Jets’ bandwagon as he makes his Week 5 picks:
The Dolphins will be starting Teddy Bridgewater for an injured Tua Tagovailoa, who has concussion issues. Bridgewater is more than capable. The Jets have played better lately and Zach Wilson did some good things at Pittsburgh. Look for the Jets to continue to have momentum here as they pull off the upset.
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THIS AND THAT
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HOT SEAT COACHES
It’s got to be Matt Rhule above all others.
Let’s see how Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com has them ranked:
One game doesn’t define a season, but a couple of them might, and just four weeks into the 2022 NFL campaign, a few head coaches are struggling to elevate their respective teams. Much like quarterbacks, coaches often get too much credit when they win and too much criticism when they don’t. At the end of the day, however, a staff is built — or torn down — based on results.
With that in mind, here’s our view on which coaches are currently on the hot seat, and which ones aren’t quite there yet:
The Cool Chaps: Under fire but totally safe (for now)
John Harbaugh, Ravens (2-2): With Lamar Jackson back in peak physical form, there’s no reason his team shouldn’t be cruising atop the AFC North. Baltimore’s defense has crumbled twice — and almost thrice — in four games, and his once-vaunted aggressiveness has hurt, not helped. But Harbaugh is far too battle-tested, with way too much history in town, to be written off.
Mike Tomlin, Steelers (1-3): His stubborn commitment to Matt Canada at offensive coordinator — or an old-school philosophy in general — may spoil parts of Kenny Pickett’s rookie season. A quarter of the year is already gone to the Mitch Trubisky experiment. And they probably should’ve went all in on the rebuild. But 15 years of steady leadership buys you lots of time.
Brandon Staley, Chargers (2-2): He can’t control injuries to star players, and Los Angeles survived against Houston in Week 4 despite them. But he remains the biggest question for a theoretical contender, and his preferred side of the ball has allowed the most points in the AFC. As long as Justin Herbert is slinging it, though, his club should remain competitive.
Dennis Allen, Saints (1-3): A three-game losing streak has them on a fast track to a top 2023 draft pick they’ve already traded away, and there’s no clear path to redemption with Andy Dalton and/or a banged-up Jameis Winston under center. But ownership isn’t gonna can Sean Payton’s old buddy after basically making him a stopgap for 2022 anyway.
The Lukewarm Lads: Trending toward trouble
Frank Reich, Colts (1-2-1): It’s not all his fault Indy has cycled through starting QBs on an annual basis, but they’re on pace to make a single playoff appearance (with no wins) from 2019-2022. He just got an extension last fall, but that was unofficially predicated on him resurrecting Carson Wentz, who’s already been swapped out for an older, potentially worse signal-caller. He and general manager Chris Ballard are probably a package deal, having run the QB carousel while failing to fix other horses on the carousel. Regardless, owner Jim Irsay is notoriously aggressive when it comes to addressing leadership problems.
Nathaniel Hackett, Broncos (2-2): After their lucrative Russell Wilson addition this offseason, he’s gonna get a decent leash to make that pairing work, even if it takes until 2023. But if the wonkily conservative game plans and ill-timed decisions keep haunting the offense to the point not even Russ can keep them competitive, perhaps the new ownership group will get impatient.
The Burnt Rumps: Positively endangered
Matt Rhule, Panthers (1-3): He says all the right things, but his teams rarely do them. The chief issue, as anyone with eyes could’ve predicted, remains the QB spot, where every one of his gambles — Baker Mayfield being the latest and current — have come up short. The Panthers are now a combined 11-26 since he took over.
Ron Rivera, Commanders (1-3): You can be a beloved teacher and still fail as a head coach. Like Rhule, Rivera has shuffled through QBs as is the Washington tradition, and he still seems lightyears away from landing a true franchise arm. His once-tough defense is also a sieve. He is now 27-38 since 2017, his last winning season as coach of the Panthers.
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THE ATHLETIC’S ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
It’s impossible for us to hand out complete NFL Draft grades the day players are picked, as full context — multiple seasons’ worth — is needed for an exercise like that. However, we can do our best to chart progress along the way.
Which brings us to our All-Rookie Team at (approximately) the quarter mark of the 17-game NFL season. Our NFL Draft staff voted, position by position, on the early standouts from the ’22 class. Who’s leading the way for the first-year players so far? Dane Brugler, Nick Baumgardner, Nate Tice and Chris Burke weigh in.
Quarterback
Bailey Zappe, Patriots
Honorable mention: Kenny Pickett, Steelers
Entering Week 4 of the NFL season, we were ready to place an “n/a” designation on this spot. But lo and behold, two rookie quarterbacks came off the bench this past weekend: Zappe and Pickett (who’s now the official starter in Pittsburgh).
Zappe averaged only 6.6 yards per attempt in his NFL debut, but he became the first (and still the only) rookie to throw a touchdown pass. He also led an offense that pushed the Packers to overtime at Lambeau Field. The fourth-round pick might not have the strongest arm, but he showed sound decision-making and played well Sunday, considering the circumstances.
Running back
Breece Hall, Jets; Dameon Pierce, Texans
Honorable mention: Tyler Allgeier, Falcons
Pierce (Round 4, No. 107) stood out as a potential draft steal the second he slipped to Day 3. He’s matched that buzz, establishing himself as an early Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate with 313 yards rushing (135 more than Hall), two TDs and 10 receptions on 10 targets. On Sunday, he ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run against the Chargers as part of a 131-yard day.
Although Hall has been a more prominent receiving threat (15 catches for 113 yards and a TD on 27 targets), he hasn’t seen Pierce’s volume of carries. That might be changing, though — Hall had 17 rushes in a Week 4 win at Pittsburgh. All told, he’s averaging 5.5 yards per touch (rushing and receiving).
Keep an eye on Allgeier, too. The Falcons rookie just rushed for 84 yards on 10 carries against Cleveland, and an injury to Cordarrelle Patterson has propped the door wide open for Allgeier to play a sizable role.
Wide receiver
Chris Olave, Saints; Jahan Dotson, Commanders; Drake London, Falcons
Honorable mentions: Garrett Wilson, Jets; Romeo Doubs, Packers; George Pickens, Steelers
As expected, wide receiver was, by far, the toughest position to narrow down for our initial All-Rookie Team. It was painful to leave Wilson (20 receptions, 255 yards, two TDs) off the list, and even Doubs (19 catches, 184 yards, two TDs) made a strong case to earn a top-three spot. But it’s hard to argue against the three who made it.
Through four weeks, Olave ranks top 10 in the entire NFL in receiving yards (335) and is one of only six receivers with at least six receptions of 20-plus yards. Dotson has just 12 catches this season, but he’s made them count with four touchdowns, which ties him with Stefon Diggs for the NFL lead. And despite spotty quarterback play, London has been as-advertised thanks to his basketball skills on grass. He leads all rookie receivers in missed tackles forced (five) and has yet to register a drop.
Tight end
Jelani Woods, Colts; Isaiah Likely, Ravens (tie)
Honorable mention: Daniel Bellinger, Giants
This position is notorious for being difficult on rookies, and we’re seeing it again this season. No first-year tight end has 10 catches or 100 yards receiving yet. Bellinger leads in both of those categories (eight receptions for 79 yards), but Woods is the only rookie TE to have found the end zone twice. Those scoring grabs came in a Week 3 upset of the Chiefs, with his second touchdown that day handing the Colts a win in the final minute.
Statistically, Likely hasn’t carried over his eye-popping preseason performance (12 catches for 144 yards and a TD over the final two games). He did have a four-catch, 43-yard day against the Dolphins in Week 2, though, so the Ravens still should be excited about his potential.
Offensive line
Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens; Kenyon Green, Texans; Zion Johnson, Chargers; Tyler Smith, Cowboys; Jamaree Salyer, Chargers
Honorable mentions: Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers; Spencer Burford, 49ers; Luke Goedeke, Buccaneers; Dylan Parham, Raiders; Charles Cross, Seahawks; Abe Lucas, Seahawks; Cole Strange, Patriots
Many questioned (and rightly so) the Cowboys’ decision to give Smith a shot at tackle coming out of camp, as the deficiencies we saw from Smith in college seemed like they’d be better masked inside at guard. Early on, however, the former Tulsa star has proved the skeptics among us wrong. He had a bit of a dip last week against Washington, but he’s had some outstanding stretches.
Linderbaum and Green were dealt tough hands with camp injuries, but they’ve rebounded. It’s all there for Green to be a stud — but as was the case in college, there are still technical issues to iron out. Once he does, look out.
The toughest call here was Johnson over Parham. The Chargers guard gets the nod, although it’s important to note that Parham has already played both center and guard for the Raiders and should only improve with time. And while Salyer earned a nod off the back of just one game, that game — a start — was as good as Rashawn Slater’s rookie debut for the same team last year (and perhaps better from a pass-pro standpoint). That was special from Salyer, so let’s see if he can follow it up.
Defensive line
Jordan Davis, Eagles; Logan Hall, Buccaneers
Honorable mentions: Micheal Clemons, Jets; DeMarvin Leal, Steelers
The first defensive tackle selected in 2022, Davis (Round 1, No. 13) has collected a number of flash plays to back up his high draft pick. He logged multiple pressures each of the past two games and also showed off his motor to make things happen away from the line of scrimmage. One of the issues with Davis as a prospect was the uncertainty over whether he could play the 35-plus snaps per game needed to justify his stock. That question remains unanswered — he’s playing 21 snaps per game for Philadelphia — so it will be interesting to see if that changes.
Hall, who landed at No. 33, was considered a potential top-40 prospect, in part, because of a wide-ranging skill set that allows him to play multiple positions (he grabbed votes at both DL and edge on our ballot). The Buccaneers have tapped into that versatility, lining him up across the defensive line and even standing him up in space.
Edge
Travon Walker, Jaguars; Aidan Hutchinson, Lions
Honorable mentions: George Karlaftis, Chiefs; Jermaine Johnson II, Jets
This is a tough conversation, because — as was the case when we evaluated this position before the draft — there’s good news and bad news all over the place. While Hutchinson leads all rookie edges through four games with “true pass set pressures” (nine), per Pro Football Focus, and sacks (three), both he and Walker have had rather pedestrian win rates (PFF grades each at 8 percent). The top two picks in April’s draft have shown solid, improving work against the run, though, and each has offered glimpses of a much higher ceiling.
Karlaftis and Johnson shouldn’t be slept on here, at all. A case could’ve been made for either to make this list. Karlaftis continues to push the pocket for the Chiefs, but — as was the case at Purdue, on occasion — he’s not quite finishing (zero sacks).
Linebacker
Devin Lloyd, Jaguars; Malcolm Rodriguez, Lions
Honorable mention: Quay Walker, Packers
Lloyd has been, in a word, phenomenal. After (inexplicably) slipping to No. 27 in the draft, the Utah product has paired with Travon Walker to help the Jaguars reshape their defensive identity. Lloyd has 38 tackles and six pass breakups, and he picked a pass in each of Jacksonville’s two wins thus far — that puts him halfway to his total of four INTs as a Ute last year. As it stands through four weeks, he’s probably the leading contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez (33 tackles, three tackles for loss, two QB hits) has been a bright spot on a miserable Detroit defense. It was an absolute robbery that the Lions were able to snag Rodriguez in Round 6 (No. 188). He’s already playing 72 percent of defensive snaps and making a huge impact on special teams.
Cornerback
Sauce Gardner, Jets; Derek Stingley Jr., Texans; Jaylen Watson, Chiefs
Honorable mentions: Jack Jones, Patriots; Tariq Woolen, Seahawks; Roger McCreary, Titans
Gardner and Stingley were unanimous selections, but there wasn’t much separating Watson and Woolen for the final spot — especially after Woolen delivered a pick six in Detroit on Sunday (his second INT of the season). And Jones set himself up as a name to watch for our midseason All-Rookie Team with a pick six of his own during a brilliant debut start at Green Bay.
Watson, pick No. 243 in April, might still be riding the momentum of his own 99-yard interception in Week 2, which helped him land AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Those top two choices of Gardner and Stingley — picks 4 and 3, respectively — haven’t forced a turnover yet, but quarterbacks already are approaching them with caution. Gardner has five pass breakups, and Stingley came out of the blocks with a combined 15 tackles and three PBUs over Weeks 1 and 2. They’ll each be a centerpiece of a rebuild.
In general, the rookie CB crop looks deep. Also on the ballot were names like McCreary (leading all rookie corners with 26 tackles), the Bears’ Kyler Gordon and the Bills’ Kaiir Elam. Expect to hear a lot from all three.
Safety
Jaquan Brisker, Bears; Jalen Pitre, Texans
Honorable mention: Kyle Hamilton, Ravens
Brisker looked like the Bears’ best pick on draft weekend, and that’s held up so far. That he fell to No. 48 still feels pretty wild, but it was a good-looking find for Chicago. Brisker is a big safety who can play downhill, but he’s also athletic enough to hold his own in coverage. The Bears have moved him all over the place early defensively — the former Penn State star has seen time at deep safety, in the box, off the edge and in the slot.
Pitre’s another player whose success is no real surprise, based on what we saw from him at Baylor. Similarly to Brisker, Pitre is a fearless safety who can line up in the box and not get destroyed. He’s going to stick his nose in, he understands run fits, and he can cover. It’s been an encouraging start for both guys.
Kicker
Cade York, Browns
Honorable mention: None
The only kicker drafted in April (Round 4, No. 124), York is also the only rookie at his position to have scored a point this season. Through four weeks, York has 33 of them — he’s 8-of-8 on field goal attempts and 9-of-11 on extra points, with a touchback rate of 73.9 on kickoffs.
Punter
Ryan Stonehouse, Titans
Honorable mention: Trenton Gill, Bears
Unlike York and the kickers, the punters did have some action at the 2022 draft — there were four selected. Stonehouse wasn’t one of them, however, which looks foolish in hindsight given how he’s performed. The Colorado State product is averaging a ridiculous 56.2 yards per punt, almost a full 5 yards more than the standing NFL single-season record of 51.4, set way back in 1940 by Sammy Baugh; the Super Bowl-era mark is 51.1 (Shane Lechler, 2009).
Kick returner
Marcus Jones, Patriots
Honorable mentions: Trestan Ebner, Bears; Jerome Ford, Browns
Jones averaged — averaged(!) — 34.0 yards per kick return at Houston last season and 28.4 yards during a college career split between Houston and SMU. The Patriots have given him a shot over the past two weeks, and he’s responded with his usual electrifying stuff. On four attempts against the Packers last season, Jones posted a 27.8-yards-per-attempt clip (up from 22.5 against Baltimore the previous week).
Punt returner
Montrell Washington, Broncos
Honorable mentions: Britain Covey, Eagles; Kyle Philips, Titans
Jones might have this spot by midseason, too — he had returns of 20 and 29 yards in Week 4, his first attempts of the season. For now, though, it’s Washington, based on volume (nine return attempts) and consistent production (15.2 yards per attempt, second in the NFL behind only Devin Duvernay’s 15.4).
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