NFL Player News

Considered one of the top special teams coaches in the league, Ventrone was also interviewed for the Colts head coaching vacancy before the team ultimately decided on Shane Steichen. A former player for the Browns (2009-2012), Ventrone first joined the coaching ranks in 2015 as an assistant special teams coach with the Patriots before being hired by the Colts in 2018.

Pickens was targeted just once in the first half as the Cowboys were held under 100 yards of total offense before the break. He would remain quiet through the third quarter, adding a single catch to his ledger on two additional targets before seeing eight looks in the final frame with the Cowboys in desperation mode. The 11 targets finished second on the team to CeeDee Lamb’s 18 while the 73 yards slightly edged the 70 of Lamb. Pickens remains an upside WR2 ahead of a divisional matchup against the inside-funnel Eagles’ secondary in Week 7.

Williams has now been held to 3.8 yards per carry or fewer in five of six games and 45 yards on the ground or fewer in four of six games, with seven combined touchdowns keeping his fantasy value afloat through the first third of the regular season. Furthermore, Williams has now seen 12 or fewer carries in four of six contests to start the year. The good news is that the Cowboys have no choice but to keep riding Williams until the wheels fall off considering the general lack of depth in the backfield, meaning there are likely to be better days ahead for the veteran back. He gets another middling matchup on the ground against the division rival Eagles in Week 7, where he will be a volume-driven RB2.

Prescott and the Cowboys were completely unable to get anything going prior to the half, managing just 92 yards of total offense while taking a 17-point deficit into the break. They would force a three-and-out to start the third quarter and follow it up with a touchdown drive to get on the board, but a punt and two turnovers on downs left them trailing by 16 until a late score inside of two minutes remaining in the final frame. Prescott’s two interceptions occurred deep in Green Bay territory in the second quarter, removing much needed points from the scoreboard in what was then a tight game. The loss drops the Cowboys to 2-4 and looking up at the Giants for the division lead through a third of the regular season. Prescott will be a back-end QB1 on the road against the division rival Eagles in Week 7.

Bringing back Harrison Mevis, whom the Rams waived five days ago, is one option, but it is unclear whether either side wants a reunion. The Rams might want to bring a few special teams contributors aboard while they’re at it. Grupe was injured during a tackle attempt because yet another return had scooted right past the Rams’ special teams coverage unit. The Rams rank outside the top 25 in average kick return yards allowed (28.9) and average punt return yards allowed (13.5). Minimizing kicker tackling attempts in the future is probably a good call.

Corum got the Rams’ second drive all to himself before re-entering the game on the fourth drive and splitting reps with Kyren Williams thereafter. Rams coach Sean McVay seemingly rewarded Corum for powering through contact on a third-down conversion from the Cardinals’ 19-yard line by allowing him to remain on the field for the scoring-position sequence. Two plays later, Corum was scampering upfield for a 15-yard receiving score after hauling in a pass in the flats. He ran hard the rest of the way, but the Rams got off just 20 rushing attempts today, surprisingly playing in a trailing game script for the entire second half, as the Cardinals achieved victory via voluminous field goals. Corum is an RB3/FLEX against the Raiders next week.

Williams played for the duration of the first and third drives, ceding the second to Blake Corum, who played well right out of the gate. The duo rotated during drives thereafter. Williams looked like his normal, capable self, showcasing a slick spin move off contact on the Rams’ fourth drive. Unfortunately for him, Corum fought hard to convert a first down just inside the red zone and coach Sean McVay kept him out there for the scoring-position sequence, which ended in a 15-yard receiving score for Corum. Williams quietly continued his high-end receiving involvement, earning six targets against the Cardinals today. Williams belongs in the RB1 tier next week against the Raiders.

Higbee was simply outplayed by fellow TE Colby Parkinson in this one. Higbee also had the ball ripped from his possession by LB Cody Simon while trying to fall forward for extra yards on the Rams’ seventh drive, further reducing his fantasy output. With Parkinson playing well, Higbee is a shakier, low-end TE1 against the Raiders next week.

Parkinson played effectively against the Cardinals’ zone coverage this afternoon. He bagged a first down after finding a soft spot downfield on the Rams’ fourth drive, and deftly hurdled a defender on a one-yard gain a few plays later. His touchdown occurred on the Rams’ final possession and required post-catch effort, barreling through contact and extending for the score. Parkinson is a touchdown-dependent TE2 against the Raiders in Week 7.

Andrews ran 11 more routes than rookie tight end Josh Cuevas but was out-targeted by Cuevas 5-to-3. Andrews continues to underwhelm in the passing game and has now failed to surpass 28 yards in four straight games. He can be left on waivers ahead of Week 7’s game against the Bengals.

McLaughlin operated as the Browns’ lead back with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson both sidelined. The 26-year-old back saw six of his carries go for four or more yards, and he was the only Browns running back to see a target. If either Judkins or Sampson are able to return in Week 7 against the Titans, McLaughlin will likely return to his role as a lightly used backup. If Judkins were to miss another game, McLaughlin could be in line for double digit touches, but he would be a risky bet as far as fantasy is concerned.