Bills will be without a wide receiver against vs. the Chiefs Bills will already be without a wide receiver vs. the Chiefs Nick Wojton The Buffalo Bills will be without their top rookie wide receiver in their huge outing against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11. On Monday, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott made an early-week announcement, stating Keon Coleman will not play once again. “I’m being told by the trainers, we still feel like he is improving,” McDermott said via video conference. “It’s just not a situation where we expect him back this week.” Coleman has been one of two Bills wideouts dealing with wrist injuries. The other, Amari Cooper, still does have a chance to play per McDermott. His status will be monitored throughout the upcoming week. Cooper, like Coleman, did not play in Buffalo’s 30-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts last week. On top of the two receivers, McDermott provided a slight update on another playmaker in tight end Dalton Kincaid. However, it wasn’t much of one. Kincaid left the contest against the Colts because of a knee injury, tried to return, but did not. McDermott said: “We’ll see how he fares the next couple of days.” Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the week until kickoff against the Chiefs.
Bills will already be without a wide receiver vs. the Chiefs
Norse Code Podcast Episode 536: Ignoring the Darnold in the Room
Norse Code Logo Arif and James are back to discuss the victory over the Jaguars – likely the second dumbest victory in two years (thanks Raiders)! We go over the interceptions, the smothering defense, and the Aaron Jones injury. We also go over the Bears falling to Earth and why Eberflus MUST remain the head coach for the sake of all humanity. *****Download Link Here***** Episode Notes: My piece recapping the game In the past 14 months, eight different members of the Eberflus coaching staff have been fired or have resigned I mentioned a piece that went into the relationship Kevin O’Connell has with members of the defense, including surprisingly under-the-radar players like Bobby McCain, that helps him with self-scouting. I accidentally attributed it to Alec Lewis at the Athletic, but it was Matthew Coller at Purple Insider. Great piece. Who is Pookie Kyushu Basho live coverage. Hoshoryu and Onosato are both 3-0 as of publication. Follow us on Twitter Arif – @ArifHasanNFL James – @bigmono To listen to more, this is the link to that iTunes feed. If you can’t for whatever reason subscribe via iTunes, subscribe to via our RSS feed, which should support the RSS reader or podcast organizer of your choice. You can still leave a review even if you can’t subscribe via iTunes because it’s easy to create an AppleID. We also have a YouTube channel. Our podcasts are automatically uploaded there. You can visit our shop here. Buy a onesie? Maybe a wiggler sticker? But we also have a Patreon and that should make it even easier to support the best podcast for your Minnesota Vikings. We have a discord just for our Patreon supporters, along with special edition episodes. Check it out here. If you wanted to donate via Paypal instead of Patreon, head to this link. And if you want something to show off your support of the show, buy our merch! We have multiple designs. Please do not buy a shower curtain. Once again, contact me at arifmhasan (at) gmail dot com or the podcast at NorseCodePodcast (at) gmail dot com. Follow us on twitter at @NorseCodeDN or just me @ArifHasanNFL
Miami Dolphins add linebacker ahead of Week 11 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images The Miami Dolphins have added linebacker Tyrel Dodson. The Miami Dolphins made a roster move on Tuesday, claiming linebacker Tyrel Dodson off waivers. The Seattle Seahawks waived the veteran on Monday as the NFC West team continues a churn of the linebacker corps. Dodson leads the Seahawks with 71 tackles this year, and had moved to the weakside linebacker position the last two weeks to replace former Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker, who was traded away in this defensive shakeup. Dodson joined the Seahaws on a one-year, $4.26 million contract this season. He spent his first five years in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M. He has appeared in 68 games, starting 24 of them, during his career, recording 214 tackles 6.5 sacks, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. The Seahawks were on their bye week during Week 10. Against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 9, Dodson recorded nine tackles and a pass defensed. The Dolphins will be responsible for $1 million of Dodson’s salary the remainder of the season. Head coach Mike McDaniel said during his media availability on Tuesday of the team’s claim on Dodson, “It was a surprise he was out there.” The Dolphins had announced no corresponding roster move as of publication.
Detroit Lions signing familiar WR to practice squad
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK The Detroit Lions are bringing back a familiar receiver to the practice squad, while several roster spots remain vacant. Last week, the Detroit Lions had to do some roster maneuvering, and it ended up costing them rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams, who was waived and then claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals before Detroit had a chance to re-sign him onto the practice squad. On Tuesday, the Lions brought in a new receiver to help compensate for the loss. Per Aaron Wilson, Detroit is signing Maurice Alexander to their practice squad. Alexander has been on and off the Lions for the past two seasons, even making four game appearances for the team in 2022, primarily as the squad’s kick returner. In those games, he averaged a respectable 24.3 yards per return. Alexander was part of the Lions’ receiver competition this offseason, but he failed to make the 53-man roster and did not re-sign to the practice squad. Since then, he has not been signed by any other team, either. In other roster moves, the Lions announced on Monday that they have waived linebacker Abraham Beauplan. Beauplan signed to the active roster on Saturday, giving the Lions an emergency linebacker option with both Malcolm Rodriguez and Jalen Reeves-Maybin declared out for the Texans game on Sunday. Beauplan played in 11 special teams snaps. It’s reasonable to think he could be re-signed to Detroit’s practice squad, and hopefully, his cutting from the 53-man roster is a sign Rodriguez could return this week after missing the past two games with an ankle injury. That leaves the Lions with two open spots on the practice squad and one on the 53-man roster. It’s worth noting that Isaiah Thomas, who was waived Thursday, cleared waivers on Monday, and it’s likely Beauplan will on Tuesday. It’s quite possible both return to the practice squad. As for the remaining spot on the 53-man roster, consider that Detroit has several players currently on injured reserve who have already returned to practice and could be activated to the 53-man roster. That includes defensive tackle Brodric Martin, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu. UPDATE The Lions announced they have signed Thomas to the practice squad, filling another spot on the practice, while still leaving one remaining. #Lions have signed DE Isaiah Thomas to the Practice Squad. — Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 12, 2024
Eagles Injury Report: Jordan Mailata listed under full participation again
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Tuesday news and updates. The Philadelphia Eagles issued their second official injury report on Tuesday in advance of their Week 11 home game against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. Note that this report is an estimation because the team held a walkthrough in lieu of a normal practice. The Eagles listed four players under LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Darius Slay, and Nakobe Dean. All of these players were previously listed under DID NOT PARTICIPATE on Monday. That they’ve been upgraded to limited seems like a good sign for their playing chances. We’ll get more clarity when the final injury report comes out on Wednesday. The Eagles listed two players under FULL PARTICIPATION: Jordan Mailata and Bryce Huff. Mailata told SportsRadio 94WIP on Monday evening that “there’s a chance” he plays on Thursday night. That answer hardly guarantees he’s playing but it seems like a positive sign that he wasn’t more ambiguous about his status. He’ll replace Fred Johnson at left tackle if he’s indeed able to suit up. Vic Fangio had the following to say about Huff in answer to a question about Jalyx Hunt’s increased playing time: “[Hunt’s] done better in practice. And it’s kind of a result, too, of Bryce [Huff] — he’s got a big cast on his hand. Leaves his thumb totally immobilized. His palm is really immobilized. So he’s just got four fingers dangling there with no thumb or palm to help him. On the less obvious [passing] downs, just makes sense to put a guy in there that’s 100%.” I suspect the Eagles wouldn’t be limiting, say, Myles Garrett to obvious pass rush downs if he was on the team and had the same injury. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (TUESDAY) DID NOT PARTICIPATE LB Nakobe Dean (groin)TE Dallas Goedert (ankle)CB Darius Slay (ankle)WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) FULL PARTICIPATION DE Bryce Huff (wrist)OT Jordan Mailata (hamstring) WASHINGTON COMMANDERS INJURY REPORT (TUESDAY) The Commanders’ Tuesday injury report is identical to their Monday version, so, no new information. We’ll learn more from their final injury report on Wednesday. DID NOT PARTICIPATE LB Nick Bellore (knee)CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring)K Austin Seibert (right hip) LIMITED PARTICIPATION C Tyler Biadasz (ribs/thumb/foot)OT Brandon Coleman (shoulder)DE Clelin Ferrell (knee)OT Cornelius Lucas (ankle)RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring)OT Andrew Wylie (shoulder) FULL PARTICIPATION OLB Dante Fowler Jr. (groin)CB Noah Igbinoghene (thumb)LB Jordan Magee (elbow)
Giants’ GM Joe Schoen insists ‘we’re not far off’ despite team’s 2-8 record, more takeaways
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Schoen believes in the foundation being built despite the record There will be some who think he is delusional, but New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said on Tuesday he believes the 2-8 Giants are “not far off” from being a good team. “I like the direction we’re going,” a somewhat defiant Schoen said during his bye week press conference. “I like my team. I like my strategy, the groups that help me in research and strategy, my scouting department, we’ve got a good coaching staff, and I truly believe we’re heading in the right direction.” Schoen, of course, understands that it doesn’t look that way with the team at 2-8 and having lost five straight games. Especially on the heels of a 6-11 2023 season. “Nobody’s happy that we’re 2-8,” Schoen said. “I believe in the process and, again, I believe where we’re going. “Building it, sometimes it hurts and it’s painful and it’s hard to go through it, but we’re going in the right direction.” Forget tanking for a draft pick Schoen pointed out that the Giants have a young core of players and that much of the roster you see next year will be the same as it is this year. “We have 19 of 22 starters are under contract for next year. I believe it’s 41 players on the 53. There is a young nucleus of players here and some veterans that are going to be together. We’re in a position where we have some continuity,” Schoen said. “Again, as this team grows together it’s important over these final seven weeks that a lot of these guys are going to be together again next year. We’re finally in a position where there will be some continuity year over year and it’s important that we find ways to win games, specifically those ones I spoke about earlier when it’s close. That’s part of changing the culture and expecting to win. “You don’t want it to be here we go again. That’s a mindset that we’re still trying to develop. “We do have a young team. We have the youngest defense in the league. We have Theo [Johnson], [Tyrone] Tracy, [Malik] Nabers, some young guys on offense that are playing major roles for us and contributing. It’s important for them to grow and learn how to win games as well.” ‘We’re not far off’ Schoen said “I really do” feel like the Giants could take a significant leap forward in 2025. “I’m excited about the young players that we have. The build’s tough. It hurts sometimes as you’re going through it, but you gotta go through it to get to the other side,” Schoen said. “I like the young foundation that we’ve put in place, whether it’s [Brian] Burns and Dex [Dexter Lawrence] and Kayvon [Thibodeaux]. There’s some pieces that are going to be in place. Nabers, the rookies I talked about, Theo. “There’s some young pieces here in place in terms of the foundation that we’re going to continue to build on. Another year of free agency and another draft, we’re not far off. We’re not far off.” Close, but no cigar Schoen pointed out that the Giants are 1-5 in one-score games. Add a 10-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and the Giants are 1-6 in close games decided in the closing minutes. “We’ve got to find ways to finish games, and that’s what we’ll do the rest of the week,” Schoen said. “How can we, whether it’s the way we practice, the way we’re doing things, scheme, coaching, personnel, whatever it is, we’re going to look under every rock and try to figure out solutions moving forward.” The Giants simply have to score more points. They are last in the league with an average of 15.6 points scored per game. They are last in the league in red zone offense, scoring touchdowns on only 39.29% of trips to the red zone. “We’re moving the ball, we’re getting down there, and we get in critical situations and we’re 32nd in red zone,” Schoen said. “We’ve got to find a way to put the ball in the end zone. That’s a big part of it. “Whether it’s execution, it’s scheme, it’s personnel, whatever it is, we have to figure it out. We believe we have the players in the building to do it. It’s execution.It’s not one individual each week. Maybe we have penalties or there’s a drop or we fumble. Everybody’s got a hand in it and we’ve just got to figure out how to come out and play a clean game with complementary football.” Daniel Jones not completely to blame The Giants might have a different starting quarterback when they return from the bye week to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 24 at MetLife Stadium. Schoen, though, sought to make sure Daniel Jones is not considered the sole reason for the Giants’ struggles this season. “It’s everybody. Everybody’s got a hand in this,” Schoen said. “I know being the quarterback and offense coordinator, head coach, a lot of people like to point to those guys in general. Daniel’s played some good games, and there’s some games where maybe he’d like to have some throws back or do things differently, but in general, it’s not one individual or one situation that keeps occurring, unfortunately. “We’ve got to find a way to get over the hump and make plays at critical times of the game, whether it’s red zone, third down, or getting off the field on defense, or tackling on punt coverage and not allowing a punt return for a touchdown. Again, there’s a lot of things that we can look at and we need to improve on.” Schoen said any decision to bench Jones will be a “football decision” and not a financial one. “The decisions we make will be football decisions,” he said. “We’re going to do the best football decision for us to win games.
Eagles waive Jack Stoll
Photo by Gus Stark/Getty Images Philadelphia might be opening a roster spot for Jordan Mailata’s return. The Philadelphia Eagles waived third-string tight end Jack Stoll on Tuesday afternoon, according to an official team announcement. One must wonder if the Birds are opening a roster spot for Jordan Mailata, whose 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve was opened on Monday. If that’s the case, that’s really good news. Fred Johnson has done an admirable job filling in at left tackle but Mailata is an unquestionable upgrade. Stoll is now subject to waivers, as are all players following the NFL trade deadline. We’ll see if another team claims him or not. If Stoll goes unclaimed, the Eagles could look to add him back on the practice squad. Stoll rejoined the Eagles in late August after spending the 2024 offseason trying to make the New York Giants’ roster. He originally signed with the practice squad but was signed to the roster to provide more depth at tight end. Stoll served as TE2 behind starter Grant Calcaterra while Dallas Goedert missed multiple games due to hamstring injury. All told, Stoll’s logged 201 offensive snaps and 88 special teams snaps this season. His three targets have resulted in two catches for 10 yards. Speaking of Goedert, he was listed under “did not participate” on Monday’s injury report due to an ankle issue. The Eagles being willing to waive Stoll seems to indicate that Goedert will be able to play. Otherwise, Calcaterra is the only healthy tight end on the roster. The Eagles also do have E.J. Jenkins (who is out of temporary elevations) and C.J. Uzomah on the practice squad. And they can re-sign Albert Okwuegbunam if they really wanted to; he’s still a free agent … though he did work out for the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday.
Week 10 Lockdown Report: The NFL’s best defenders at preventing separation in coverage
Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr. has prevented separation on 65.42% of his opportunities this season, the highest rate in the league.
PFF grades: Struggles of Joe Noteboom, Jonah Jackson were real
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Offensive line woes played a large part in disappointing loss to Dolphins Not much went right offensively for the Los Angeles Rams, and that led to a disappointing Week 10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. LA started three new faces along the offensive line. The results were mixed, but RT Joe Noteboom and C Jonah Jackson particularly struggled. The Rams had no choice but to replace Rob Havenstein with someone new, as the veteran RT was out with injury; however, LA voluntarily replaced impressive rookie Beaux Limmer in the starting lineup and there was a deep drop off to Jackson. Second-year LG Steve Avila also made his return and played well by most measures. Let’s take a look at the Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades from Monday Night Football as we put this painful loss in the rearview. Top five grades on offense: 1 – Tyler Johnson, WR: 83.0 2 – Puka Nacua, WR: 73.5 3 – Jordan Whittington, WR: 73.1 4 – Matthew Stafford, QB: 70.2 This was Stafford’s third-highest rated game on the season, but still it left for wanting as LA left key third down conversions and potential touchdowns on the field. This was the veteran signal caller’s sixth-straight game throwing an interception, and he entered Monday Night Football leading the NFL in dropped interceptions. It seemed that Stafford turned a corner on Thursday Night Football versus the Minnesota Vikings, but his last two outings have been subpar considering the Rams full receiver corps is back in the fold. The box score reflects 32/46 passing (69.5%) for 293 yards, an interception, four sacks, and a passer rating of 77.5. PFF credited Stafford one big-time throw and no turnover-worthy plays. He did earn a fumble grade of just 32.0 after a strip sack. Matthew Stafford is intercepted for the sixth straight game, the longest INT streak of his career. pic.twitter.com/a5ecAXRQhZ — Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) November 12, 2024 5 – Cooper Kupp, WR: 68.3 Taking all the receivers together at once here. We can’t put much of the blame of this loss on the receiving corps if four of the five top grades went to that group. Notably, Demarcus Robinson was further down in the grades at 58.7 after he managed just one catch on five targets for 23 yards. After hauling in four touchdowns over his last two games, Robinson was largely a non-factor in this contest. Nacua: 9 catches, 98 yards Kupp: 7 catches, 80 yards Johnson: 3 catches, 25 yards Whittington: No targets Other notes on offense: It’s pretty evident where to point the finger and find blame in pass protection. Steve Avila did not allow a single pressure at left guard. Alaric Jackson was the next best lineman at two pressures. Kevin Dotson and Jonah Jackson both allowed three pressures each. Their PFF pass blocking grades were 55.6 and 46.2, respectively. The biggest problem was Joe Noteboom at RT. He allowed six total pressures (including a sack) and earned a pass blocking grade of 53.7. Top five grades on defense: 1 – Kobie Turner, DT: 90.8 Turner recorded four pressures and batted a pass. He was all over the field versus the Dolphins and was effective against the run with a grade of 80.7. look at Kobie Turner’s hustle pic.twitter.com/SFqdNM56CX — Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 12, 2024 2 – Christian Rozeboom, MLB: 90.0 This was probably Rozeboom’s best game of his career. He earned a PFF coverage grade of 91.9. In coverage as the nearest defender he allowed just two of five targets for 35 yards with an interception and two pass breakups. Christian Rozeboom : 3 tackles, career-high 3 passes defensed & an INT pic.twitter.com/dq5r8MzG9X — Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) November 12, 2024 3 -Jared Verse, OLB: 89.7 On a single play Verse sacked the quarterback, forced a fumble, and then recovered the ball. It was a seemingly game-changing play until the Rams offense couldn’t take advantage. Verse’s Monday night finished with a team-leading five pressures. He also recorded three run stops. Hand Jared Verse the DROY already pic.twitter.com/TJzAW64svH — Bryce DeGroat (@NFL_Convo) November 12, 2024 4 – Tyler Davis, DT: 82.0 Davis played only 17 snaps on defense but made his presence felt. 10 of his snaps came against the run. He was most effective as a pass rusher where he recorded a pressure on seven rushes. 5 – Omar Speights, MLB: 77.0 Speights has been given more opportunities out of the bye week and following Troy Reeder’s stint on injured reserve. He’s played well at times, particularly at penetrating the backfield and making tackles for loss. He earned a rush defense grade of 77.8 in this game with two run stops. Notably, Speights was on the field for more snaps than Rozeboom at 39 versus 33. Other notes on defense: Three of the above listed players are members of the Rams rookie class. After the rookie duo of Jaylen McCollough and Kamren Kinchens made splash plays and combined for three interceptions last week against the Seattle Seahawks, they both struggled versus Miami. McCollough was given a 37.8 defense grade (17 of 18) by PFF and Kinchens was the Rams lowest-graded defender this week at 27.6. Kinchens was blamed for allowing a touchdown in coverage. Tua to Hill! Big TD for Miami! pic.twitter.com/yHP8DyyHge — PropSwap (@PropSwap) November 12, 2024
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin jabs Ravens WR Diontae Johnson ahead of Week 11 matchup
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin jabs Ravens WR Diontae Johnson ahead of Week 11 matchup glenn erby The Ravens sent the Carolina Panthers a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round pick. Johnson spent five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, amassing 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was selected to play in 1 Pro Bowl. Now with Baltimore, Johnson hasn’t been much of a factor through two games, and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about his former pass catcher. Being as blunt as he typically can be, Tomlin clarified that he wasn’t thinking about Johnson, with Baltimore having more important weapons to plan for. Johnson has just one catch for six yards, and Tomlin’s comments come just hours after Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told the media that the wide receiver would have an increased role as we advance.
