Major injuries are unavoidable in the NFL and the Green Bay Packers are feeling it unlike anyone else right now.
Defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson was placed on injured reserve on Saturday after undergoing ankle surgery for an injury suffered against Washington in Week 3. The Packers added Wilkerson in free agency with eyes on bulking up their run defense game.
And to further complicate their health issues, wide receiver Randall Cobb and cornerback Kevin King are OUT for the Packers and won’t play in today’s game against the Bills. That’s three key starters out for Green Bay, which is 1-1-1, but could easily be 0-3.
Let’s check in with what else is happening around the league before Sunday’s noon games kick off, shall we?
The NFL’s Competition Committee is standing firm on one of its most controversial rules, announcing no changes will come this year to the roughing the passer rule or the emphasis on it:
Oh, and the league even sent out an Al Riveron narrated video featuring examples of impermissible and permissible contact.Here’s a hit that helped earn rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin some major props:
And while we’re nodding and smiling, let’s take a moment to chuckle about the 0-3 Raiders, who rank last in the NFL in sacks and takeaways. At least it sounds like Jon Gruden is finally coming to the reality that trading your best player comes with some pretty significant consequences. “Yeah, it’s hard. It’s hard to trade one of the best players on your franchise. It’s hard,” Gruden said, via the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Michael Gehlken. “We didn’t get anything for him that’s going to help us this year.”
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports the Steelers are “actively shopping” running back Le’Veon Bell. I’m not sure what the market is for the talented (but obviously disgruntled) running back who wants to be paid what he’s worth in a league that doesn’t value running backs nearly as much as they should. If Pittsburgh finds a suitor and executes a deal, it’s probably because there will be a team out there willing to meet Bell’s contract demands. This isn’t a situation for the Bears to necessarily monitor, but when the best player at his given position goes on the market, you should keep your eyes open to the possibilities it could impact situations that could impact other teams.
Elsewhere on the trade market, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Seahawks aren’t budging on their demands when it comes to potential compensation for safety Earl Thomas. Sources indicate to Schefter that Seattle is “stuck” on getting a 2019 second-round pick for the six-time Pro Bowl (and three-time first-team All-Pro) safety who is the last standing member of the Legion of Boom.
In 2017, an injured Sam Bradford started, but didn’t finish a game against the Bears and eventually lost his job as starting quarterback. A year later, Bradford started, but didn’t finish a game against the Bears and lost his job as starting quarterback. Time is a flat circle. First-round rookie Josh Rosen gets the call for the Cardinals moving forward, which drops Bradford out of the top spot again. It’s been tough sledding for Bradford, a No. 1 overall pick whose career has been sideswiped by injuries.
And to add insult to injury, Arizona’s decision to move Bradford into QB3 status (elevating Mike Glennon to QB2) is going to be a costly one:
The Carolina Panthers upgraded their secondary earlier in the week by signing free agent safety Eric Reid:
That it took Reid this long to find a home is a bit of a surprise because every team could use quality help in the secondary. However, because Reid was one of Colin Kaepernick’s teammates who did not stand for the anthem and currently has a pending collusion grievance against the NFL that was filed by the player’s association on his behalf could have played a role in teams not being interested in him. All that aside, Reid is a proven NFL safety with a first-round pedigree who is still just 26 years old. His past performance indicates he can play, so it’s good to see he has a home.
NEWSLETTER
