The regulars around here may have noticed that Tuesday is a down day for me, given I have a full workload on Sundays. So, I was working hard at getting our house packed ahead of the big move and had to bookmark many things for today. So, we have a packed morning notes to get through here this morning. Let’s start with Anthony Richardson, who is heading to the IR with an AC joint sprain that will cost him as many as eight weeks.
Richardson went down on Sunday against the Titans with what has been diagnosed as an AC joint sprain on his throwing arm. There was a certainty that Richardson would miss time, but how much time was the answer. Now we have it, and it’s not good news for the Colts. Richardson is hitting the IR, which will cost him at least the next four weeks. But reports this morning indicated that Richardson could miss as many as eight weeks depending on his rehab and whether or not surgery will be required.
Colts coach Shane Steichen said Monday that veteran backup Gardner Minshew will start Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Indianapolis also signed quarterback Kellen Mond, a 2021 third-round pick, to its practice squad.
For the next month, the Colts will be quarterbacked by Gardner Minshew. That’s a better backup plan than most NFL teams have, but it’s still not ideal with their rookie quarterback missing significant time and development. Indianapolis will take on the Jaguars, Browns, Saints, and Panthers during Richardson’s IR stint. The earliest that Richardson is eligible to return is November 12, when the Colts take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.
(Photo: Getty Images)
In other notable injury news, the Arizona Cardinals will be without starting running back James Conner, who will hit the IR with a knee injury. Conner has 76 touches for 394 yards and two touchdowns this season, and he will be eligible to return in Week 10. The Cardinals backfield includes Emari Demercado, Corey Clement (who were active in Week 5), Keaontay Ingram (who was inactive last week), and Tony Jones Jr. (claimed on waivers on Monday).
According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt suffered a dislocated finger and multiple torn ligaments in Sunday’s victory over the Ravens. Watt popped it back in and kept playing — and the injury won’t keep the DPOY candidate off the field after this week’s bye.
Despite being benched in back-to-back weeks, it seems that the Patriots aren’t pulling the plug on Mac Jones just yet. When asked if he envisions Jones being the starting quarterback this week, Patriots’ OC Bill O’Brien says “I do.”
Does #Patriots OC Bill O’Brien envision Mac Jones being the team’s QB this week?
Jones has completed 24 of 43 passes for 260 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions in his last two games. He posted passer ratings of 39.9 and 30.5 against the Cowboys and Saints, respectively. Bill Belichick said this morning that the Patriots aren’t making a change, so, there you have it. “Yeah, we’re not making any changes,” Belichick said.
Former Bengals tackle La’el Collins worked out with the Jets on Tuesday, and will work out with the Giants today. Both teams are in desperate need of help at tackle. The Jets lost Alijah Vera-Tucker, who was placed on the IR today due to an Achilles injury suffered in Sunday’s victory over the Denver Broncos.
No Justin Jefferson, no problem? Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell had to give the obligatory, “we’ll be fine” statement on Tuesday after news surfaced that Minnesota was going to place the star wide receiver on the IR with a hamstring injury. “We’ve got to change the way we look at it and we’ve got to get back to making sure that we have sound plays versus the looks we think we’re going to get,” O’Connell said. “Give our guys, our playmakers — which we feel like we have plenty, even losing the best receiver in football. We still are really excited about Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn’s been ultra consistent, T.J. Hockenson, there’s a reason why he’s here, and we’ll continue to build things on all downs to keep him involved, and then how does C.J. Ham or Josh Oliver or Johnny Mundt or Brandon Powell — how do those guys fit in in their complementary roles, where they can really, really see some premier opportunities.”
Do the Vikings have playmakers? Yes. T.J. Hockenson is very good. Jordan Addison has flashed a bunch in his rookie season. Are the Vikings a significantly worse team without Justin Jefferson? Duh. But the head coach can’t say that. I can, though. The Vikings could be 1-8 on the other side of Jefferson’s IR stint, and looking at their opponents, 2-7 is highly likely.
Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been better than anyone could have imagined on and off since being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Just ask Eagles DC Sean Desai: “I don’t know if it’s a surprise, but it’s impressive how much he loves football,” Desai said in a Tuesday press conference. “He’s like a sponge. He’s asking for feedback. He’s getting coached hard. And even from his peers, he’s taking a lot of coaching from his peers, and whoever he can feel like he can get information from, a lot of guys are touching him. Coach [Tracy] Rocker obviously is a primary key point. [Fletcher Cox], obviously, has been big. And even [defensive and football operations assistant] Matt Leo has done a tremendous job of pulling him aside and doing things with him, Coach [Jeremiah] Washburn. That’s the impressive part. He’s a sponge, wants to keep getting better, keep being a big part of this defense and impacting and he’s taking ownership.”
But before other fan bases get upset, I firmly believe that Carter’s early success has much to do with where he was drafted. Playing alongside the caliber of veterans that he is in Philadelphia was the perfect landing spot for Carter, and he’s responded well. Good for him, and a hat tip to the Eagles for knowing they could provide him that situation.
It’s a turn the page Wednesday as we prepare for Week 6 of the NFL season, and we’ll be giving our final thoughts on the Bears victory over the Commanders last week on this afternoon’s episode of the BN Bears Show. If you’re free at 1:00 p.m. (CT), come chat with us!
Last night's Monday Night Football matchup against the Bengals was a tough one for the Jaguars. Not only did Jacksonville suffer losses of both Trevor Lawrence and Christian Kirk, but they lost on the field as well to Cincinnati and...
And just like that, it's all over! The College Football regular season has come and gone - with the exception of one of the greatest spectacles in all of sports this Saturday - and we have our final four teams...
That was fun! The Jaguars and Bengals treated us to one of the season's more entertaining games last night. Which is extra cool because we're two days from being subjected to the Patriots and Steelers on Thursday Night Football to...
The New York Jets want to make another switch at quarterback. They want Zach Wilson to return to the starting role. After two weeks of the Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian experience — in which the they scored a combined...
When Joe Burrow went down for the season with a wrist injury that required surgery, everyone wrote the Bengals off. But don't tell them that. Specifically, don't tell Jake Browning that. After a slow first start for Browning last week...
The Jacksonville Jaguars have gotten an unexpected challenge from the Cincinnati Bengals tonight, and they're currently tied with them late in the fourth quarter with the Bengals getting the ball back. But after being sacked on third down, quarterback Trevor...
The Cincinnati Bengals are leaning into the spoiler role tonight in Jacksonville. A Bengals victory would muddy up the AFC playoff picture, and Cincinnati is doing their darnedest to make it happen. Two Joe Mixon rushing touchdowns and a surgical...
Jacksonville and Cincinnati are barely underway, but we already have an important injury to monitor. Wide receiver Christian Kirk left the field with trainers on Jacksonville's first drive of the game after falling down awkwardly on a 26-yard reception on...
Just a day after getting throttled by the 49ers in an NFC Championship rematch, the Eagles are getting aggressive to add to their roster. Ian Rapoport is reporting former Colts All-Pro LB Shaq Leonard is heading to Philadelphia to join...
The Houston Texans picked up a huge win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon in Houston. This game had massive playoff implications, and the Texans came out on top and moved to 7-5 on the season. But, there was...
The Atlanta Hawks play the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires four trifectas from Trae Young.Trae Young's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the NetsTrae Young's over/under for three-pointers...
The San Antonio Spurs meet the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires two treys from Zach Collins.Zach Collins' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the TimberwolvesZach Collins' over/under for...
On Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Orlando Magic, and Max Strus' 3-pointer over/under for this matchup requires three treys.Max Strus' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the MagicMax Strus' over/under for three-pointers in this game: 2.5 at...
Desmond Bane's Memphis Grizzlies play the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET, and to beat his 3-point prop, he must make four from beyond the arc.Desmond Bane's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PistonsDesmond Bane's over/under for three-pointers in...
At 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, it'll be the San Antonio Spurs versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Keldon Johnson needing two treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Keldon Johnson's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the TimberwolvesKeldon Johnson's over/under for three-pointers in this...
Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET, and to beat his 3-point over/under, he must make two from beyond the arc.Victor Wembanyama's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the TimberwolvesVictor Wembanyama's over/under for three-pointers...
Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers meet the Washington Wizards on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET, and to beat his 3-point over/under, he must make two from beyond the arc.Joel Embiid's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the WizardsJoel Embiid's over/under for three-pointers in...
Will Pascal Siakam make just a single 3-pointer when the Toronto Raptors meet the Miami Heat on Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his over/under for the game.Pascal Siakam's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HeatPascal Siakam's over/under...
Will Mikal Bridges drain three 3-pointers when the Brooklyn Nets face the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at 7:30 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Mikal Bridges' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksMikal Bridges' over/under for three-pointers...
To beat his 3-point over/under, Spencer Dinwiddie must make three from beyond the arc on Wednesday, when his Brooklyn Nets play the Atlanta Hawks, beginning at 7:30 PM ET.Spencer Dinwiddie's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksSpencer Dinwiddie's over/under for three-pointers...
