NFL Player News

Williams’ signing follows an Ian Rapoport report indicating Lions DE Josh Paschal “may miss some time” following an MRI on his injured knee. Williams has tallied 32 quarterback pressures and 2.5 NFL sacks since entering the league as a 2020 undrafted free agent.

He also responded to a question about shutting Lawrence down for the season by saying no decisions have been made yet, and that he “wants to send positive message to team that we’re still fighting.” Mac Jones would receive yet another start if Lawrence fails to clear protocol by Sunday. It seems like the Jaguars are at least giving some thought to shutting Lawrence down, which would make sense as they’re all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

Burden is a former five-star recruit from the 2022 class. As a true freshman at Missouri, he caught 45 passes for 375 yards and six touchdowns but erupted in 2023 to the tune of 86-1212-9 while helping Missouri to an 11-2 record. Considered by some to be the top receiver of the 2025 draft class, Burden should hear his name called in the first round of next year’s draft.

Beatty will become the third offensive coordinator of Caleb Williams’ career, which has spanned roughly eight months. With former interim OC Thomas Brown being named as interim head coach, Beatty, who has been serving as the team’s wide receivers coach, will now get a crack at play-calling. Beatty served as offensive coordinator for the Hampton University Pirates in 2006 before moving on to Northern Illinois in 2007 to serve as their running backs coach. Beatty’s first crack at play-calling in nearly 20 years will come in Week 14 when the Bears visit the 49ers.

Warren also added that he and Poles “need to work hand in hand” during the team’s search for yet another head coach. Poles was hired as the Bears’ general manager in 2022 after spending 13 seasons with the Chiefs in a number of scouting and player personnel roles. He was instrumental in orchestrating a 2023 trade with the Panthers that led to the Bears acquiring what ended up being the No. 1overall pick in the 2024 draft, which led to the team taking Caleb Williams earlier this year. Of course, he also has some less-than-stellar marks on his resumé, like the hiring of former head coach Matt Eberflus and trading a second-round pick for Chase Claypool, who never played a full season with the team. The Bears roster is better than it was when Poles first arrived, but they still have a way to go before being competitive. A competent head coach and offensive coordinator could go a long way in this team turning the corner in what is a highly-competitive NFC North. It’s sure to be another interesting offseason for the Bears, who are about to embark on their fifth head coaching search since hiring Marc Trestman in 2013.

We don’t quite know when Mayfield suffered his injury, as the veteran quarterback was cleated by a defender on one play and had his ankle twisted on another in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers’ win over the Panthers. Regardless, Mayfield was able to finish the game and appears to be on early track to play in Week 14 against the Raiders. Bowles said he’s unsure how much Mayfield will practice this week, so it’s possible the team gives him some added rest in what will be a pivotal Week 14 matchup for the 6-6 Buccaneers.

It’s a torn ACL for Hill, who had to be carted off the field in Sunday’s loss to the Rams. The Saints will be without their do-it-all player for their final five games of the season. Hill didn’t do much as a pass this season, throwing for just 21 yards and one interception, but does finish the year with a rushing line of 39-279-6, and a receiving line of 23-187-0. Set to turn 35 before the start of next season, Hill is under contract for one more year and will likely have his deal restructured before the start of next season when the Saints do their annual salary cap gymnastics.

Steichen said center Ryan Kelly has a “good chance” to return after the team’s bye week but was non-committal on Downs’ return. The second-year receiver missed Sunday’s game against the Patriots due to a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 12, but may need more time to recover before returning to the field. The Colts’ passing game was slowed by the absence of Downs, as their wide receivers combined to catch just seven passes for 58 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. Alec Pierce wound up leading the team in snaps from the slot, with eight, but that’s not where he’s been best utilized over his career. Downs’ return in Week 15 would be a welcomed one as the Colts make a postseason push. We’ll see how things look at the start of next week.

Irving injured his hip during a kickoff return and, according to Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud, “labored to walk to the locker room after the game.” Irving managed to finish out the game, rushing 25 times for 152 yards — both season highs — while also finding the end zone for the third consecutive game. This may be something that lands Irving on the team’s injury report this week, but it doesn’t sound like he’s at risk of missing Week 14’s game against the Raiders.

Schefter added that “the only question is for how long” Al-Shaair could be suspended. The Texans linebacker delivered a brutal shot to the head of a sliding Lawrence on Sunday that immediately placed the quarterback in the league’s concussion protocol. It wasn’t the first time a hit by Al-Shaair was drawn into question, as so many pointed out via social media. Al-Shaair posted an apology to Lawrence on Monday, we’ll see if that bears any weight on whatever punishment the league decides to hand down in the coming days.

Ulbrich was asked if Rodgers’ status as the Jets’ QB1 was on a week-to-week basis, to which he said, “No, he’s our quarterback.” We shouldn’t expect Ulbrich to say anything different. This is, after all, Aaron Rodgers, who we are talking about here. Regardless of what Ulbrich says, there’s little reason to believe Rodgers is locked in as the Jets’ starter for the team’s final five games of the season. The Jets are 3-9, and a significant portion of the blame has justifiably fallen on the veteran quarterback’s performance. Barring an unexpected change, Rodgers will get the start in Week 14 against the Dolphins, but this is situation is probably more week-to-week than Ulbrich will ever admit.