NFL Player News

“He’ll begin to get more touches now, so that was just the beginning last night.” The Lions easing in Gibbs in his debut wasn’t a surprise, but it was surprising to see David Montgomery dominate the backfield with a 79% snap rate. Watching Montgomery felt like a repeat of 2022, when Detroit gave 260 carries and 50+ red-zone chances to Jamaal Williams. There were positive takeaways for Gibbs, who was a play away from scoring, but the lack of usage was stunning for a first-round pick. The history of first-rounders still projects a Gibbs takeover, with every running back since 2019 making double-digit starts. Gibbs bulls need to HODL as we wait out the next few weeks.

The Bears gave Brown two in-season promotions after hiring him as their pass game coordinator in 2024. He was first elevated to offensive coordinator before eventually taking over as the team’s interim head coach. He served as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator in 2023 after coaching in multiple roles under head coach Sean McVay with the Rams from 2020-2022. Per Wolfe, Brown has helped the Patriots incorporate pre-snap motion and tight end-usage concepts learned under McVay. Per Wolfe, “he is ready to run his own ship.”

Per Wolfe, Campanile has become a player favorite with the Jaguars, and LB Devin Lloyd credits Campanile with his development. Campanile has had quite the year. The Jaguars hired him as their defensive coordinator roughly 11 months ago. In early October, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler put Campanile on his shortlist of “young defensive coaches” who could be head coaching candidates.

Bryant is progressing through the NFL’s concussion protocol and should be able to play in Week 18 against the Chargers, though the Chargers are expected to rest some starters, which could result in an easy run-heavy win for the Broncos. The Broncos (13-3) currently hold the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. They can retain it with a win.

Vidal could get the start this week with RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) sidelined by an ankle injury. The team could choose to preserve Vidal’s health for the postseason, though. Rotational RB Jaret Patterson is healthy and Hassan Haskins (concussion) remains limited.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters earlier this week that getting his injured players healthy is his priority. With two absences to begin the week, Hampton seems unlikely to play this week. It is unclear whether rotational backup Jaret Patterson will get the start. Chargers No. 2 RB Kimani Vidal (neck) upgraded to full today while RB Hassan Haskins (concussion) remains limited.

Corum is firmly on the wrong side of questionable at this point and the Rams have already secured a playoff spot. Starting RB Kyren Williams (ankle) is nursing an ankle injury. If both players are declared inactive, rookie RB Jarquez Hunter could get the start.

Williams’ backup, RB Blake Corum (ankle), has not yet practiced this week and the Rams are already headed to the playoffs. Rams rookie RB Jarquez Hunter could see live action this week against the Cardinals, if the coaching staff opts to preserve Williams’ health for the postseason.

This “is not a permanent role” for Aikman. He is expected to continue providing insights for ESPN. Per Schefter, the Dolphins’ ownership wants “an outside respected perspective from someone who had strong relationships across the league.” That latter part could be key. Aikman is undoubtedly plugged into multiple front offices and may be able to help the Dolphins identify an up-and-comer from another personnel department.

Cross was unable to resume practicing this week, theoretically leaving OL Josh Jones (knee/ankle) as the team’s fill-in starter. Unfortunately, Jones is questionable to play this week, though he reportedly “just got banged up” in Week 17 and is expected to play.

The 37-year-old Williams suffered his first career hamstring injury, running 17.6 miles per hour on the 49ers’ first play from scrimmage last week. He was entirely unable to practice, but we expect him to give it a go in pre-game warmups.