John

Simpson

Stanley and LG John Simpson (groin) are both missing their second Week 2 practice. Entrenched veterans can sometimes play without practice, but this situation is worth monitoring. Playing without the left side of the offensive line would be suboptimal for the offense.

Ravens LG John Simpson (groin) was also sidelined. Both players are long-time veterans, so hopefully this is more of a maintenance issue than anything else. Losing the left side of the offensive line would make things more challenging for QB Lamar Jackson against the Saints.

The Ravens desperately needed to upgrade their interior line this offseason and made a big step in doing so with the addition of Simpson. Simpson, who was a part of the Ravens’ 2023 squad, has played in and started all 17 regular-season games each of the last three years while playing exclusively at left guard. He earned a PFF grade of 56.9 last season.

Gardner has been dealing with this injury for at least 10 days. His absence could simply be precautionary, but his status is worth following for matchup purposes. The Jets host the Steelers in Week 1. ESPN’s Rich Cimini notes QB Tyrod Taylor (knee) and G John Simpson (presumably back) are also absent.

The Jets were already down Alijah Vera-Tucker with injury, and now are without his backup it appears. Alec Lindstrom has taken over to help in the interior.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is worth “up to” $18 million. Drafted in the fourth round by the Raiders in 2020, Simpson was primarily a backup during his three years in Vegas, only serving as a full-time starter once. The Ravens then scooped him up on a one-year deal and got 17 starts from him. Though he is far from a premier option at the position, Simpson is a solid addition for a Jets squad that has had horrendous injury luck along their offensive line in recent years.

Simpson (6’4/321) was a two-year starting guard at Clemson who earned first-team All-American honors as a senior. His physical profile is intriguing. He has a thick frame and long arms, which makes him a quality run blocker and gives him upside as a pass protector. He was occasionally beat by quicker rushers because he has below-average agility, but he’s very strong (31 bench reps) and can move well when asked to pull. Simpson won’t be a high-level pass-blocker, but he has the size, strength, and straight-line athleticism to be a starter down the road, particularly in a run-heavy offense.

The Raiders gave up picks 121 and 172 to come up to this spot. Simpson (6’4/321) was a two-year starting guard at Clemson who earned first-team All-American honors as a senior. His physical profile is intriguing. He has a thick frame and long arms, which makes him a quality run blocker and gives him upside as a pass protector. He was occasionally beat by quicker rushers because he has below-average agility, but he’s very strong (31 bench reps) and can move well when asked to pull. Simpson won’t be a high-level pass-blocker, but he has the size, strength, and straight-line athleticism to be a starter down the road, particularly in a run-heavy offense.

Simpson (6'4/321) was one of the last players to have a chance at a pro day, as sports writ large would shut down altogether the following week due to the coronavirus. The Bucs checked in with him and Ledyard additionally relays that the Steelers, Bills and Giants likewise met up with the Clemson standout in this period. Simpson, who secured second-team AP All-American honors in 2019, profiles as a probable Day 2 selection for the draft.

Simpson (6'4/321) accrued the third-most bench reps amongst offensive lineman at the combine and one of only four OL to eclipse the 30+ reps mark. The second-team Associated Press All-American G is billed as having an NFL frame with the tools to develop into a starter in relatively short order. NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein bestowed a solid 6.39 grade on the massive Simpson who projects to be the first Clemson OL to be selected in the NFL Draft over last five years.