Is Justin Herbert elite? Jim Harbaugh has ambitious goals for Chargers QB

 (Photo illustration by Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times)

In his second season as San Francisco’s coach, Jim Harbaugh got the 49ers to the Super Bowl. While that’s a big ask of the Chargers, especially for a club that hasn’t won a postseason game since 2018, it’s reasonable to predict his team will do as well or better than last year’s 11-6 finish.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passes during a preseason game against the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 16. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A big question: Is Justin Herbert an elite quarterback? His coach certainly thinks so. “I woke up the other day and said, ‘Gotta get Justin Herbert to the Hall of Fame. ... That would mean winning a couple Super Bowls,’” Harbaugh said on “The Rich Eisen Show” this offseason. “A lot of people would benefit from that. That’s a worthy goal.”

It’s a lofty ambition, especially considering Herbert has yet to win a playoff game. The 6-foot-6 passer, entering his sixth NFL season, has another chance to translate his talent into postseason results. He threw only three interceptions during the regular season, but tossed four in the playoff loss to Houston, including his first pick-six in 46 games.

The challenge just got tougher. Ten days after signing left tackle Rashawn Slater to a historic deal for offensive linemen, the Chargers lost him for the season to a knee injury. That leaves Herbert’s blind side in the hands of rookie Joe Alt.

It’s a crowded AFC quarterback field with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. The question is whether Herbert can finally join that top tier.

Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt will start at left guard following Rashawn Slater's season-ending knee injury in training camp. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Losing Slater is a devastating blow, but the timing allowed the Chargers to reshuffle. Alt, a standout left tackle at Notre Dame, shifted over from the right side.

“He’s one of our top guys, elite player on the team,” Harbaugh said. “Great player. He’s been ascending as much as anybody on the team. People ask me, ‘Who’s the most improved guy?’ It could be Joe Alt, and he was really good last year.”

The original vision was Slater at left tackle and Alt at right, a pair of brick-wall bookends, for years to come. Now, with Alt sliding left, Trey Pipkins moves into his more natural spot at right tackle. The group is as prepared as it could be, but as Harbaugh admitted, losing Slater was a “gut punch.”

The bigger issue last season, particularly evident in the playoff loss at Houston, was vulnerability inside. To address that, the team added right guard Mekhi Becton and will stick with Bradley Bozeman at center and Zion Johnson at left guard.

Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton could spearhead the team's running game this season. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

For the first time since 2015, the Chargers used a first-round pick on a running back, selecting North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton. Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman plan to lean heavily on a physical ground game.

“He’s the total package,” Roman said at camp. “His vision, I’m really pleased with what I’m seeing right now. You don’t see a lot of guys find the hole like he’s doing right now, which is exciting.”

Roman envisions bringing Hampton along much the way he did J.K. Dobbins in Baltimore, when the rookie averaged 5.8 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns in 2020.

The Chargers won’t rely on Hampton alone. Veteran Najee Harris missed all of training camp with an eye injury suffered in a July 4 fireworks accident, but returned to practice last week. Fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock, listed at 296 pounds, adds unique versatility as a backfield blocker or extra lineman in jumbo sets.

According to the “Chargers Weekly Podcast,” the team ran 143 plays last season with at least seven players weighing 285 pounds or more. That led the league by a mile; Baltimore ranked second with just 28.

With the quarterback of Herbert’s caliber, the Chargers want to open the passing lanes.

There’s plenty of buzz around rookie wideouts Tre' Harris (second round) and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (fifth round), though history shows first-year receivers rarely make an immediate splash. Then again, it wasn’t long ago that Ladd McConkey broke that mold.

Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey is poised to see plenty of targets after a phenomenal rookie campaign. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A 2024 second-round pick out of Georgia, McConkey delivered a tremendous rookie campaign, setting franchise marks with 82 receptions and 1,149 yards. He is now entrenched as WR1.

“We were able to do things with Ladd in Year 1 that you generally don’t do with a guy until Year 3 or 4,” Roman said on the “Chargers Weekly Podcast.”

“His football IQ, a lot of different things that give him options to get open ... graduate-level stuff, as I like to call it.”

Who emerges as his sidekick remains to be seen, Quentin Johnston, Harris, or Lambert-Smith. Then there’s Keenan Allen, who returns after a season in Chicago. Now 33, Allen still thrives in the slot, where McConkey also operates. He may have lost a step, but his game was never built on speed. Just two years ago, he posted 1,243 yards, the second-best season of his career.

The AFC West boasts star tight ends in Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Brock Bowers (Raiders) and Evan Engram (Broncos). The Chargers take a committee approach, adding veteran Tyler Conklin, a reliable pass-catcher with the Jets and Vikings, and drafting Oronde Gadsden II, the most productive tight end in Syracuse history.

Will Dissly, who arrived last season after six years in Seattle, is expected to return to his more natural blocking role after being pressed into receiving duty.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Roob's Eagles Observations: Why A.J. Brown will be a Hall of Famer one day

Roob's Eagles Observations: Why A.J. Brown will be a Hall of Famer one day originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Understanding just how historically productive A.J. Brown has been, a look at why the Eagles are so good at developing young players and the dwindling list of players remaining in the NFL from the 2017 Super Bowl championship team.

Welcome to our final offseason edition of Roob’s 10 Random Eagles Observations. 

We’ll be back after the Eagles beat the Cowboys.

1. He missed most of training camp with that hamstring injury, so we didn’t really talk much about A.J. Brown this summer. But with opening day four days away, this is a good time to take a look at just how legendary this dude is. Because the numbers are mind-blowing. Brown has 7,026 career receiving yards in 90 career games, and that’s 78.1 yards per game. In his three years with the Eagles, though, he’s averaged 85.8 yards per game. If he maintains that 85.8 average through the first 10 games of this season, he’ll have 7,884 yards after his 100th career game. That would be the 10th-most yards in NFL history by a receiver through 100 games behind – check out these names – former teammate Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Torry Holt, Jerry Rice, Antonio Brown, A.J. Green, Marvin Harrison and Isaac Bruce. Brown is already eighth in Eagles history with 4,031 yards in just three years and if he stays healthy he’ll pass Dallas Goedert (4,085), Harold Carmichael (4,579), Fred Barnett (4,634), Jeremy Maclin (4,771) and most likely Zach Ertz (5,354) this year. Only Mike Quick (6,439) and DeSean Jackson (6,117) are out of reach in 2025, although at his current pace of 85.8 yards per game Brown would be the all-time Eagles leading receiver in Week 11 of the 2007 season. Or 4 ½ years into his Eagles career. That’s insane. Brown is one of only three players in NFL history to average 15.5 yards per catch and 75 yards per game, along with Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson and Lance Alworth. And finally, his 10.1 career yards per target is 3rd-highest since 1978, which is as far back as Stathead tracks yards per target. He trails only Pennsauken’s John Taylor (10.4) and Justin Jefferson (10.2). There are a few potential Hall of Famers on this roster, led by Lane Johnson. If he keeps playing the way he has, Brown is definitely headed to Canton.

2A. Nick Sirianni has been the head coach for 25 percent of the home playoff wins in Eagles history. Fifteen before 2022, five since 2022.

2B. Eagles home postseason wins by coach: Greasy Neale (1), Buck Shaw (1), Dick Vermeil (3), Ray Rhodes (1), Andy Reid (7), Doug Pederson (2) and Nick Sirianni (5).

2C. The Eagles have had more winning seasons since 1991 than before 1991. They had a winning record 21 times in the 58 years from 1933 through 1990, and they’ve had 22 winning records in the 34 years since 1991.

2D. The Eagles haven’t had consecutive losing records under the same coach since 1997 and 1998 under Ray Rhodes.

3. With Brandon Graham, Jordan Hicks, Ronald Darby and Rodney McLeod retiring after last season and Nelson Agholor, Jalen Mills and Nate Sudfeld not currently on rosters, there are only nine players still active who played in at least one game during the Eagles’ 2017 championship season. Lane Johnson and Jake Elliott are the only ones left on the Eagles, and Zach Ertz (Commanders), Carson Wentz (Vikings), Isaac Seumalo (Steelers), Mack Hollins (Patriots), Derek Barnett (Texans) and Rasul Douglas (Dolphins) are also on NFL rosters. Also, Rick Lovato is on a practice squad (Chargers).

4. Gabe Hall was on the practice squad. So was Fred Johnson. Britain Covey, Brett Toth, Braden Mann and Ben VanSumeren as well. Jakorian Bennett? Was never on the Eagles’ practice squad, but Thomas Booker was, and he’s the guy the Eagles traded to the Raiders for Bennett. As the Eagles get ready for the Cowboys Thursday night, it’s fun to think about just how many guys on this Super Bowl-caliber roster came up through the ranks of the practice squad. Nobody makes better use of the practice squad than the Eagles, who have been known to stash veterans on there (41-year-old Josh McCown, future Hall of Fame Julio Jones, 30-year-old slot corner Parry Nickerson this year) but mostly use it to help develop young players. The Eagles have an elaborate developmental program, with young guys getting extra reps as a group after practice, and it pays off. Not every player is ready as a rookie. There’s nothing wrong with not playing as a rookie or in Year 2. Every player has his own path, and sometimes it takes a while to figure things out, and the practice squad is the perfect place to do that. Some teams just give up on guys who don’t flash right away. The Eagles have the patience and the staff to develop raw talent. That’s why you see so many of their late-round draft picks turn into starters. Hall, the undrafted interior defensive lineman, is the perfect example of that. He was overmatched last year as an undrafted rookie out of Baylor, but he had this red-shirt year on the practice squad working with defensive tackle coach Clint Hurtt, sitting in meetings with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, practicing every day with a Super Bowl team and even getting a ring. A year later, he made the 53 and looks ready to contribute. Some practice squad guys just disappear after a few weeks, never to be heard from again. Has anybody heard from Ross Pierschbacher lately? The Eagles had 41 different guys on the practice squad in 2024, which might be some kind of record. But when it pays off, it can pay off in a big way. It’s hard enough finding talented players. It’s even harder developing them. The Eagles are very good at both.

5. A.J. Dillon looked good in training camp, stayed healthy, showed surprising receiving ability and ran hard when he got carries. He didn’t do anything wrong. But I’ve still changed my tune about what his role and Will Shipley’s role will look like. A few weeks ago, I figured a healthy Dillon would be RB2 behind Saquon Barkley, but Shipley has been better. He’s one of the smoother receiving backs you’ll see, and I can see him taking on that Kenny Gainwell role as a 3rd-down and two-minute back. Gainwell was solid in that role the last four years, and I expect Shipley to add some juice when he’s in there, mainly as a receiver but also potentially as a runner. I’m still not totally convinced about his pure running ability, but he looked fine as a ball carrier this summer. We know Barkley is going to get most of the touches, but even with his 23 ½ touches per game last year, Gainwell got about six per game. Give Shipley five or six touches, he’s going to make some plays.

6. Here’s something to think about: Jordan Davis and Jakorian Bennett are 25, Nolan Smith, Moro Ojomo, Quinyon Mitchell, Azeez Ojulari, Jalyx Hunt, Jalen Carter, Gabe Hall, Ty Robinson and Byron Young are 24, Kelee Williams and Mac McWilliams are 23, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Andrew Mukuba, Smael Mondon Jr. and Cooper DeJean are 22 and Jihaad Campbell is 21. Howie Roseman set out this offseason to build a young, fast, tough, physical defense after losing Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers and Oren Burks, and he’s sure done it. Yeah, that second corner and second safety spot remain question marks, but most teams have question marks at a lot more than two positions on defense. The Eagles have studs just about everywhere. And almost every one is in his early or mid-20s.

7. Five of the last eight Super Bowls were won by head coaches first hired by Jeff Lurie.

8A. Jalen Hurts is one of only 12 quarterbacks who started on opening day 2021 and is expected to start on opening day 2025 for the same team. And the Eagles are one of only seven teams that goes into 2025 with the same head coach and quarterback as 2021. There’s something to be said for stability, and the teams that have the same coach-QB combination are all considered among the best in the league – the Ravens with Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh, the Bills with Josh Allen and Sean McDermott, the Bengals with Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor, the Lions with Jared Goff and Dan Campbell, the Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid and the Rams with Matt Stafford and Sean McVay. 

8B. Hurts’ streak of five straight opening-day starts will be tied for 4th-longest in Eagles history. Donovan McNabb started 10 openers in a row from 2000 through 2009, Ron Jaworski started 10 in a row from 1977 through 1986 and Randall Cunningham started nine in a row from 1987 through 1995. Good ol’ Adrian Burk also started five in a row – from 1951 through 1955.

8C. Hurts is already the only Eagles quarterback ever to win four straight openers. Jaws won three straight from 1979 through 1981 and Michael Vick won three straight from 2011 through 2013. McNabb’s five opening-day wins are the most in Eagles history (2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009). Hurts, Jaws and Randall have all won four. Adrian Burk, Norm Snead, Vick and Carson Wentz each won three openers.

8D. The best opening-day performance statistically by an Eagles quarterback came 78 years ago, when Tommy Thompson had a 150.0 passer rating in a 45-42 win over Washington at Municipal Stadium (the future JFK) on opening day 1947. Thomson threw only 17 passes but completed 12 of them for 202 yards with three touchdowns – two to Pete Pihos and one to Neill Armstrong, who were both playing in their first NFL game. That remains the only game in Eagles history where a quarterback threw fewer than 20 passes with three touchdowns, no interceptions, 200 yards and 70 percent accuracy.

9. Last postseason, the Eagles won four playoff games in 29 days. The Cowboys have won four playoff games in the last 10,471 days.

10. If Howie Roseman were Eagles general manager in the 1980s, they would have drafted Dan Marino in 1983 instead of Michael Haddix, Wilber Marshall in 1984 instead of Kenny Jackson and Jerry Rice in 1985 instead of Kevin Allen. Can you imagine Marino throwing to Rice at the Vet for 15 years?

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/YA9UJqH

Fantasy Football: Dalton Kincaid headlines breakout candidates at TE position for 2025

Micah Parsons: Jordan Love recruiting me wasn't serious, I never thought I'd be traded

Packers quarterback Jordan Love appeared on Micah Parsons’ podcast during Super Bowl week and said he wanted Parsons to join him on the Packers. At the time, few thought that could happen.

Now that it has happened, Parsons was asked about Love's recruiting him to Green Bay and said it wasn't a serious discussion because at that time, Parsons thought he'd sign a long-term contract to remain in Dallas, and not get traded.

"I don't think it was ever a serious conversation because I never thought I'd be traded, but that's the harsh reality. Me and Jordan, we're super close, having the same agent," Parsons said. "We've got a very good relationship."

Parsons was traded by the Cowboys for the Packers' next two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. That's a win-now move by the Packers, and that's what Parsons is in Green Bay to do.

"Winning means everything to me," Parsons said. "I don't think you're going to find a more competitive person on the team or in the NFL."

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Kenny Clark plans to prove what kind of player he is after playing through injury in 2024

The Packers got a great player when they traded for Micah Parsons this week, but Kenny Clark plans to show that the Cowboys got a good player in the deal, too.

Clark, a defensive tackle who spent his entire nine-year career in Green Bay until he was traded along with two first-round picks to Dallas this week, says he's a better player than he showed last season. Clark told Jane Slater that he suffered a foot injury in Week One of last season and was playing through it for the rest of the year.

"I was playing through bone spurs last year, hurt it in the Brazil game," he said. "All that stuff is behind me and I'm excited to hit the ground running. I've got a lot to prove this year and I'm excited to prove that."

The 29-year-old Clark is a three-time Pro Bowler, and even with the injury he started all 17 games for the Packers last season. And the Cowboys are optimistic that he'll be a healthier player and a better player this year.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/fkDTL2H

Marquez Valdes-Scantling: It was between 49ers and Steelers, 49ers were better fit

Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed to the 49ers' practice squad on Thursday and he explained his decision to join the team later in the day.

Valdes-Scantling was released by the Seahawks on Tuesday and he said that he heard from a couple of teams. One offered the chance to reunite with one of his former quarterbacks and one offered a familiar offensive scheme. The 49ers' offensive coordinator is Klay Kubiak while Klint Kubiak was the wideout's coordinator with the Saints last year as well as with the Seahawks this summer.

The latter proved more tempting to a player who hopes to get on the field with his new club as quickly as possible.

"It was between here and Pittsburgh," Valdes-Scantling said, via 49ersWebzone.com. "Obviously, I have a great relationship with Aaron Rodgers over there, and he wanted me back over there. So, it was a toss-up, 50/50, and I had to weigh my options and see which one I wanted to do, which was going to be better for my career at this point, and I was excited about it. . . . Being able to get onto the field right away, obviously, that's the goal. And so, being able to jump-start that process of learning the system, it betters the chances of you being on the field."

Injuries to other 49ers wideouts also help Valdes-Scantling's chances of seeing playing time and his knowledge of the offense should help his chances of turning those opportunities into a regular role for the team.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/wKv8VoR

Undersized and underestimated, Willie Lampkin ready to outplay his stature

Undersized and underestimated, Willie Lampkin ready to outplay his stature originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Willie Lampkin can’t escape it. It’s the first thing everyone wants to talk about because there isn’t anyone else like Lampkin in the NFL. There’s just nothing the rookie offensive lineman can do about his 5-foot-11, 290-pound frame.

So, yeah, sometimes he gets a little tired talking about his size — or lack thereof.

“Yeah, kinda, yeah,” Lampkin said on Thursday. “I can’t change it. I’ll do my best and I’ll do what I have to do to stay here.”

Lampkin, 23, got to Philadelphia this week after the Eagles claimed him off waivers from the Rams. Lampkin initially signed with Los Angeles after going undrafted out of North Carolina but was released with an injury designation earlier this week. Had he cleared waivers, Lampkin would have reverted to the Rams’ Injured Reserve list.

But the Eagles didn’t let that happen.

The Eagles don’t seem too concerned about the leg injury Lampkin suffered in the preseason — he wore a brace on his left knee to watch practice on Thursday — nor do they seem too concerned about his smaller stature.

While the Eagles showed enough interest in Lampkin to claim him, even with an injury, the rookie lineman is used to being counted out.

“Yes, I would say yes, I have been definitely underestimated,” he said. “Because people see me and they think I’m just some regular guy. I feel like if I put the pads on, things can change.”

Despite being an All-ACC guard at North Carolina and despite an incredibly strong showing at the Senior Bowl, Lampkin still wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine and he still wasn’t drafted in April.

But there’s a lot to like about Lampkin’s game, and that includes the nastiness he shows on the field. That definitely translated into his first NFL preseason.

Willie Lampkin (5'11" 290) pancaking four Cowboys defenders in week 1 of preseason pic.twitter.com/pkbm7DoV86

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 10, 2025

“For me, I just want to dominate, man,” Lampkin said. “I just want to have my hands on the defender every play. I just want to show my dominance. Even though I’m a smaller player, I just want to show that I can be in this league.”

The Eagles showed some interest in Lampkin during the pre-draft process, and it’s likely that his performance at the Senior Bowl got the attention of Eagles scouts and coaches. The Eagles have traditionally really valued that week in Mobile, Alabama, and Lampkin made the most of his time there.

It probably won’t surprise you to hear that Lampkin was a late invite to the Senior Bowl. And, keeping with the trend, he far exceeded expectations.

“A lot of teams didn’t think I could anchor down on the bullrush or anchor down against people that are bigger than me,” Lampkin said. “But I feel like I showed that I could.”

While plenty of people will see Lampkin’s height as a disadvantage, he sees the positives in being under 6 feet. To borrow a Jim Schwartz phrase, short guys have “natural leverage.”

And there’s a clear-cut benefit to having leverage when you have to block bigger defensive tackles. That is part of what allowed Jason Kelce to have a Hall of Fame career as an undersized center.

Aside from that, Lampkin’s background as a state champion high school wrestler helps too. Not only does Lampkin still use his wrestling underhook to block defensive lineman, but he still has the mentality he learned on the mat.

“It definitely helped me to get that dawg mentality to want to dominate every single play,” he said.

Lampkin wasn’t just a good wrestler; he was great. As a senior, he was a Florida Class 2A state champion after going 47-0. He was so good at wrestling that he nearly gave up football when he transferred to Lakeland High School as a junior.

Lampkin credits a former coach Caleb Pickrell (now an offensive assistant at North Carolina) for convincing him to continue playing football. Good thing he did.

Because after playing offensive line at Coastal Carolina and then at North Carolina, Lampkin is now trying to stick in the NFL. And he’s going to get to learn from legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

“I would say he’s one of the best to coach offensive line in the NFL,” Lampkin said. “He’s coached legends, he’s still coaching legends right now. You got (Jordan) Mailata, Lane Johnson, (Jason) Kelce, you got Cam (Jurgens). There’s a bunch of talent in the O-line room.”

Because Lampkin just arrived in Philly, he hasn’t met Kelce yet. But with how often Kelce is still around the building, he won’t have to wait very long. Lampkin is looking forward to that and said people have called him “a more unathletic Jason Kelce” for a while because of their similar play styles.

Kelce was undersized too. Just not to this extent.

Right guard Tyler Steen on Thursday was asked for his first impressions of his newest offensive line teammate.

“He’s a wide dude,” Steen said before a lengthy pause. “Yeah, he’s short, but he’s a pretty big dude. I don’t know that much information on him, but it looks like he plays football.”

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/b7KWC9x

Mike McDaniel: Dolphins "supremely happy" to have Kendall Lamm back on the team

Kendall Lamm spent the last three seasons playing offensive tackle for the Dolphins, but in Mach he left to sign with the Eagles in free agency. But Lamm was cut on Tuesday, and the Dolphins re-signed him on Wednesday.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel says they couldn't be happier to have him back.

“I was really fired up for his teammates and for the Dolphins,” McDaniel said, via SI.com. “You talk about a guy that makes people better just by his existence alone, on top of his own play. This is a guy that his teammates were supremely happy to see come back. I think overall it’s nice to have him just jump back into the mix after our team has changed significantly since he was last here. That in-house litmus test I think provides positive residuals towards what this team has been building.”

Lamm suffered a back injury at the end of last season that required surgery, but he said he's grateful for the Eagles for working with him through the rehab. And now he's grateful to be back in Miami.

“It's great to be here,” Lamm said. “It's great to help the team once again, and it's a blessing for sure.”

The Dolphins and Lamm are glad that his departure was a short one.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/MDnXVeF

Why Gabe Hall wouldn't trade his rookie year on the practice squad

Why Gabe Hall wouldn't trade his rookie year on the practice squad  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Gabe Hall wasn’t ready a year ago.

When he showed up at the NovaCare Complex as an undrafted rookie from Baylor in the spring of 2024, Hall needed time to develop and grow, time to become a player worthy of a spot on the Eagles’ 53-man roster.

And after spending his entire rookie season on the Eagles’ practice squad, Hall found out on Tuesday that he officially made the Eagles’ roster.

“The first person I called was my mom,” Hall said. “I was so happy. It’s a thing I’ve been looking forward to since I was little. That moment was truly special. I’m still in disbelief right now.”

Hall, 24, might have been in disbelief the day after getting the good news but he didn’t make the Eagles’ roster by chance. NFL teams are not in the business of handing out jobs for charity. 

Hall earned his spot with his performance this summer.

And he knows there’s no way he would be the player he is right now if he hadn’t spent the entire 2024 season on the Eagles’ practice squad.

“It was a blessing that the head coach and everybody was so patient with me,” Hall said. “They believed in me. That was a good thing for me too. And that made me work harder, knowing that I had the coaching staff behind me. It made me come in here and work and be hungry every single day.”

It was clear this summer that Hall was pushing hard for a roster spot. He was making plays daily and seemed like a totally different version of himself from his rookie training camp. In fact, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio called Hall “a poster child for what practice squad is supposed to be.”

What did Hall learn during his full season on the practice squad?

“What it takes to be a man,” Hall said. “Going against the No. 1 offensive linemen in the league straight from college, it was a big step. But, you know, they trusted me. It was a big opportunity for me to grow as a player and as a man. I learned so many lessons and I would not trade it for the world. It was truly a blessing to be there.”

Fangio previously said he saw Hall’s confidence grow as Hall got further away from a college injury and said he saw Hall’s strength improve too. Hall specifically mentioned his work in the weight room as well.

Hall did not see game action at all as a rookie after the preseason ended. He spent all of 2024 on the practice squad and was not elevated for any games.

But he got better in practice, where he worked on scout team, going against the Eagles’ star-studded offensive line.

“I’m doing practice squad but you’re also going against the best people, in my opinion, in the world,” Hall said. “It was time for me to work on my craft, work on what I need to work on, while going against amazing competition.”

This training camp, Hall was able to use his unique frame — he’s 6-6, 295 — to his advantage. The Eagles have been working with Hall to get the most out of his length and that worked showed up at practice this summer. He was one of the most improved players on the roster.

The first big clue that Hall would be on the roster this season came when the Eagles traded Thomas Booker IV to the Raiders for cornerback Jakorian Bennett. It seemed like the Eagles would only give up Booker if they had options to replace him.

From the outside, that trade looked like a great thing for Hall. But for Hall, he was upset to lose a friend in the locker room, someone who had really helped him as a rookie in 2024.

But Hall still has plenty of close friends in the Eagles’ locker room. Another one is fellow defensive tackle Byron Young, who also made the Eagles’ initial 53-man roster after not playing at all in the 2024 season. For a while it looked like either Hall or Young would make the team — but the Eagles elected to keep both on their roster.

“I got another year with my brother,” Hall said. “We’re going to keep working, keep pushing.”

What’s next for Hall?

“I’m going to continue to work hard,” he said. “I’m going to take my blessings as they come, wait for my name to get called and make the most of my opportunities that come in front of me.”

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/3JXd6qo

Joe Schoen: Giants would've loved to bring Tommy DeVito back if he hadn't been claimed

The Giants hoped when they cut quarterback Tommy DeVito on Tuesday that they could bring him back to their practice squad. The Patriots had other ideas.

DeVito was claimed by the Patriots and is now on the 53-man roster in New England, and Giants General Manager Joe Schoen said he wasn't surprised another team valued DeVito that highly, even if the Giants didn't have room for him on the 53-man roster along with quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston.

"We've got three on the active roster so it can be difficult sometimes," Schoen said. "We're happy for Tommy. He was claimed by New England, I'm not sure how many other teams put in claims. We'll be able to see that probably later today or tomorrow. We would have loved him back. He was claimed and we wish him nothing but the best."

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was asked about DeVito and declined to offer any thoughts until DeVito actually joins the team, but he did say that "strengthening our roster at a premium position" is a priority.

The Patriots saw up close what DeVito can do in the preseason finale, when he completed 17 of 20 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Giants' backup offense against the Patriots' backup defense. DeVito arrived with the Giants as an undrafted rookie and wasn't expected to last long in the NFL, but he has played well enough in limited opportunities to show he belongs on a 53-man roster, even if it will no longer be with the Giants.

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Lions agree to trade WR Tim Patrick to Jaguars

NFL teams slashed their rosters to get to the 53-player limit on Tuesday, but they aren't static and changes will start coming on Wednesday.

One of those changes will involve wide receiver Tim Patrick. According to multiple reports, the Lions have agreed to send Patrick to the Jaguars in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

Patrick missed the 2022 and 2023 seasons with a torn ACL and a torn Achilles, but returned to catch 33 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games last season.

The Lions kept six receivers through their final cuts and now have Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa, Kalif Raymond, and seventh-round pick Dominic Lovett. The move also drops their roster to 49 players, so the Lions will have more moves to come.

Jacksonville had Brian Thomas, first-round pick Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, Parker Washington, and Austin Trammell at receiver on their initial 53-man roster.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/arD4E0A

How Darius Cooper impressed Eagles enough to make the roster

How Darius Cooper impressed Eagles enough to make the roster originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

There’s a lot of bad news to deliver on roster cut-down day, but sometimes there’s good news too.

Darius Cooper was the recipient of some on Tuesday.

After an impressive training camp and preseason, the undrafted rookie receiver from Tarleton State officially defied the odds and made the Eagles’ initial 53-man roster.

“Obviously, it starts now,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “We tell all these guys, there’s no scholarships in the NFL, they got to keep earning it. But he’s done everything up to this point to earn the opportunity.”

There’s no doubt that Cooper (5-11, 210) did enough to earn a roster spot this summer. Not only did he make splash plays, but he was consistent, he got better, he showed commitment and plenty of promise. But you’re never really sure how these things are going to turn out.

In this case, not only did Cooper earn a roster spot, but he beat out 2024 fifth-round pick Ainias Smith to stick.

That’s a pretty incredible story for any undrafted rookie, but especially for one from an FCS school, a guy who wasn’t even invited to the NFL Combine.

So how did the Eagles identify Cooper while he was playing for Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas?

“We give our area scouts a chance to put their names on free agents and go get those guys and our area guys did a great job,” Roseman explained. “(Southwest Area Scout) Cam (Bradfield) did an unbelievable job. I think (Director of Player Personnel) Phil (Bhaya) was a big part of that too. 

“You just watch him, and you see obviously he’s not playing in the SEC, but you see that he’s got talent. When he came in here just seeing how big and strong he is, I mean, we sat with him today and he’s sitting there in shorts and a t-shirt and you’re looking at him and you’re going, ‘this guy has so much developmental qualities for us,’ and what a great kid.”

Cooper’s stats at Tarleton State were pretty incredible. In 2024, he played in 14 games and had 76 catches for 1,450 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had another 1,000-yard season in 2022.

While some might question the level of competition in the United Athletic Conference — others will question if they have ever heard of the United Athletic Conference — Cooper showed he belonged in the NFL pretty early on. In the spring, Cooper made some splash plays and he kept it going in training camp.

And he never had a doubt that he was an NFL player.

“I always knew I belonged,” Cooper said after an impressive preseason debut against the Bengals, when he had 6 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.

With the Eagles, Cooper is obviously behind some really good players and will have to fight for any role he gets on offense. But he’s a 23-year-old rookie with plenty of potential.

It’s clear the Eagles are excited about the chance to develop him.

“As far as his potential, one thing I think about him is he has this ability,” head coach Nick Sirianni said. “Not everybody has an ability to win 1-on-1, and I think he’s shown that through camp that he has tools in his body to be able to win. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s quick. My take on receivers always is the best guys have good body quickness and good play strength, and he has those things. 

“The other thing I think is he’s tough, right? Because we know we’re going to try to get the ball to A.J. (Brown), we’re going to try to get the ball to DeVonta (Smith), we’re going to try to get the ball to Dallas (Goedert), we’re going to try to get the ball to Saquon (Barkley) in the passing game. And so, some guys have to come up a different way. They have to come up with doing some of the dirty work.”

Cooper was already well on his way to winning a roster spot before Johnny Wilson went down with season-ending knee and ankle injuries. But without Wilson in 2025, Cooper should carve out a role as a blocker and a special teamer as a rookie.

And he has the potential to be even more.

“I’m looking forward to watching him continue to develop,” Sirianni said. “(receivers coach) Aaron (Moorehead) has done a really good job with him. Kevin (Patullo)’s done a really good job with him of helping him develop. I think he’s got some tools in his body to continue to develop. So, really excited.”

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/rQEdJRB

YouTube Week 1 NFL Broadcast Will Include Co-Stream With IShowSpeed

As YouTube looks to differentiate its first exclusive NFL broadcast—Chargers vs. Chiefs in Brazil on Sept. 5—the streamer will allow several personalities to host their own coverage of the Week 1 matchup, alongside a more traditional presentation on the platform.

IShowSpeed headlines the first group of creators who will use YouTube’s “Watch With” feature during the game, while Packers fan Tom Grossi and a pair of Spanish language web stars—Robegrill and SKabeche—deliver their own altcasts. YouTube is expected to announce more co-streamers over the next two weeks. The game and altcasts will be free to view. 

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IShowSpeed (whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr.) regularly streams to 43 million subscribers, nearly three times as many as the NFL has on YouTube. He is among those blurring the lines between sports media and digital stardom, having previously popped up at WWE events and this summer’s MLS All-Star festivities. He also joined the NFL and YouTube’s flag football game ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl after showing up to the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.

“A lot of what YouTube has done with sports and with the NFL in particular, looping Sunday Ticket in here … is really give the fans choice,” YouTube global sports partnerships head Jon Cruz said in an interview. “We’re really living up to that when you look at the kind of choice that we’re providing fans from a viewing experience and also from a personality standpoint.”

YouTube conducted its first public test of the “Watch With” feature during an NFL game last year, part of its larger push to get more users consuming YouTube content on their televisions. The company said late last year that watchtime of sports content on TV was growing 30% year-over-year. 

Grossi regularly streams realtime commentary of Packers and primetime NFL games on YouTube, though not with live images of the games. 

“Nothing against the broadcasters whatsoever, but it’s more of just, you know, I’m jumping up and down when folks score,” Grossi said. “For me, it’s going to kind of be doing the continuous thing that we’ve been doing for almost a decade—just being excited about football and loving the game.”

Fans will be able to quickly jump between a more traditional broadcast and the creator co-streams

YouTube is still producing a more traditional broadcast that Cruz expects will be watched by most fans tuning in. Rich Eisen and Kurt Warner will call the game, with Kay Adams and Cam Newton, Brandon Marshall, Tyrann Mathieu, Derek Carr and fantasy football analyst Peter Overzet working the pregame and postgame shows. However, even on that broadcast creators will play a role, with Deestroying (AKA Donald De La Haye) manning the sidelines along with Stacey Dales. Deestroying, who played at UCF and in the UFL in addition to developing a YouTube Channel, currently boasts more than six million followers on the platform. 

The main broadcast video and audio will be shown alongside the creators on their “Watch With” feeds. YouTube is believed to be paying at least $100 million to stream the game globally. Peacock streamed the first NFL game from Brazil during the opening weekend of last season.

“We very much understand the prestige and importance of this window,” Cruz said. “We’re going to learn a lot about our delivery, and we’re going to learn a lot about the way that we’ve selected talent, both from a more traditional sense and also from some of these newer creators.”

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from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/bUzf7yx

Dolphins agree to terms with CB Rasul Douglas

It's cutdown day in the NFL, but the Dolphins are making a significant addition to their roster.

They have agreed to terms with veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports it is a one-year deal worth $3 million.

Douglas started 15 games for the Bills last season and he was the top available cornerback on the market for the last few months. That led many to link him to the Dolphins in the wake of the Jalen Ramsey trade and speculation that he'd wind up in Miami increased when Kader Kohou and Artie Burns suffered season-ending injuries this summer.

Douglas will join Storm Duck, Jack Jones, Cam Smith, and fifth-rounder Jason Marshall in the cornerback mix for the Dolphins.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/Czik4Xe

Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell make NFL history by getting traded three times before Year 4

Quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell were both selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Three and a half years later, they've both already been traded three times.

That makes NFL history: According to NFL Plus, Pickett and Howell are the only players in at least the last 30 years to get traded three times within their first four NFL seasons.

Pickett was a first-round pick of the Steelers in 2022. He got traded to the Eagles in 2024, to the Browns in march of this year and then to the Raiders on Monday.

Howell was a fifth-round pick of the Commanders in 2022. He was traded to the Seahawks in 2024, to the Vikings during the 2025 NFL draft and then to the Eagles on Sunday.

Few players in NFL history have been traded three times in their entire careers, although some notable names have.

Trades were a major part of Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson's NFL career. First the Rams traded up from the No. 3 pick to No. 2 in the 1983 NFL draft for Dickerson, and in 1987 he was famously traded from the Rams to the Colts in one of the biggest trades in NFL history. Later Dickerson was traded from the Colts to the Raiders, then from the Raiders to the Falcons, and finally from the Falcons to the Packers, although that trade was voided when Dickerson failed his physical with the Packers.

Brandin Cooks was similarly a frequent trade target: The Saints traded up to draft him in the first round in 2014, then he was traded from the Saints to the Patriots, then from the Patriots to the Rams, then from the Rams to the Texans, and finally from the Texans to the Cowboys. Cooks is now back with the Saints.

Another Hall of Famer, Randy Moss, was traded three times: From the Vikings to the Raiders, from the Raiders to the Patriots, and then from the Patriots back to the Vikings.

Brandon Marshall was also traded three times, from the Broncos to the Dolphins, from the Dolphins to the Bears, and from the Bears to the Jets.

But none of those frequently traded players had already been traded three times before even starting their fourth NFL seasons. Pickett and Howell occupy a unique place in NFL history.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/0ngVtLC

Squad Up: Now you can Draft With Friends in a Yahoo Fantasy Public League

Fantasy is better with friends. But until now, if you didn’t have enough people for a private league, joining the same public league with friends wasn’t always easy. It required you to enter the queue at the exact same time as a friend and hope you landed in the same public league.

Now, with Draft With Friends, that hassle is gone. With this new feature, you can invite your friends, family or league-mates to instantly join the same Yahoo Fantasy Public League and draft together.

No perfect timing, no crossed fingers. Just squad up and start drafting. This feature makes it easier than ever to share the draft-day excitement!

You can invite up to seven other managers (minimum of two). Once everyone is ready, you’ll just go straight into a Yahoo Fantasy Public League and be drafting in minutes. No complicated coordination required.

Drafting with friends has never been simpler. (Photo by Marvin Williams/Yahoo Sports)

Draft With Friends marks day 22 of our 28 Days of Fantasy. Follow it all here.

FAQ:

How does it work?

Create a group of up to eight managers, including yourself, by inviting other people. Yahoo will place you into a Public League to fill out the rest and the draft will begin right away.

Do I need a full league to start?

Nope. You only need two people to launch, and Yahoo fills in the rest.

What if my friends don’t join?

No problem — you can still join solo like before. Draft with Friends just gives you the option to bring others along.

Have more questions on how it works? Visit our overview here.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/Sthy5Cd

Tyler Shough: I'm fully capable of leading the charge

We're less than two weeks away from the start of the 2025 season and one NFL team has not announced their quarterback plan for Week 1 yet.

The Saints wrapped up the preseason on Saturday without making a decision about who will start against the Cardinals. Spencer Rattler started two preseason games, including the finale, and second-round pick Tyler Shough got the other one. Jake Haener is listed alongside them on the team's unofficial depth chart, but signs point to Rattler or Shough getting the nod whenever Kellen Moore decides to put an end to the competition.

After Saturday's game, Shough said that he believes he's shown what's needed to claim the job.

"I think, for me, what I put on tape, continually through the call out periods, throughout the games, just, kind of, had a steady growth on the operation," Shough said, via a transcript from the team. "I felt like it has been enough. I am fully capable to go out there and lead the charge. Obviously, I don't make those decisions. The whole team [and] the whole offense has continually gotten better. For me, I feel really comfortable going in from week to week, and I am just excited to go in and get to work on Arizona and see what we are going to do."

Rattler said he has "no doubt" that he's ready for the starting job if the Saints decide to go that route and it shouldn't be too much longer before we find out which way the Saints plan to go.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/pU0QlMi

When is Super Bowl 2026?

Super Bowl 60 will take place on Sunday, 8 February 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The game will kick off at 23:30 GMT.

It will be the 60th Super Bowl, the biggest game of the American football calendar and one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.

The annual showpiece takes place between the top two National Football League (NFL) sides, with the winner lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

There are 32 teams in the NFL, divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).

Seven teams from each conference enter the play-offs, with the last team standing in each competing in the Super Bowl.

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have the most Super Bowl victories - both teams have won the trophy six times.

The 2026 host stadium is home to five-time Super Bowl champions the San Francisco 49ers.

• Super Bowl all-time record book

Future Super Bowl games

The SoFi Stadium will host the 2027 edition in California - it is home to two NFL sides, the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.

In 2028, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, will host Super Bowl 62.

The 2029 edition is yet to be announced but Nashville, Tennessee, is aiming to host the 63rd game.

Why is it a big event?

It is the biggest game in the American football calendar.

About 127.7 million viewers in the United States tuned in to watch the 2025 Super Bowl - a record audience.

It is a cultural event in America, with a star-studded half-time show and many celebrities attending.

The 2025 half-time show, headlined by Kendrick Lamar, reached an audience of 133.5 million in America, breaking previous records.

The half-time show brought in more viewers than the game itself.

Advertisements are also part of the Super Bowl experience. Competitors must be prepared to pay for unique brand exposure.

For 2025's game, more than 10 advertisement spots were sold for more than £6.4m ($8m).

According to the National Chicken Council, Americans consumed 1.47 billion chicken wings during the 2025 Super Bowl.

Globally, the event is broadcasted to more than195 countries.

Tom Brady has won the most Super Bowls as a player (seven) [Getty Images]

What is Ask Me Anything?

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.

We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events.

Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.

More questions answered...

• How is the European NFL schedule decided?
• Who are the most expensive sports teams in history?

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Frank Gore Jr. was NFL's only player with 100+ yards rushing and receiving this preseason

Bills running back Frank Gore Jr. has never played in a regular-season game, but his preseason performance suggests he's capable of making plays if given the chance.

A strong preseason helped Gore make the Bills' practice squad as an undrafted rookie last year, and Gore turned in an even better preseason this year.

Gore finished the 2025 preseason with 23 carries for 104 rushing yards, and 11 catches for 109 receiving yards. That made him the only player in the NFL who went over 100 yards both rushing and receiving this preseason.

That doesn't mean Gore will make the Bills' 53-player roster. He's behind James Cook, Ty Johnson and Ray Davis on the depth chart, and the Bills will likely keep three running backs. Gore is likely to land on waivers, and if no team claims him he'd likely return to the Bills' practice squad.

Gore's father played 16 seasons in the NFL, including one with the Bills, and retired with 16,000 career rushing yards.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/OmoGHgF

Aidan O'Connell to have surgery on fractured wrist

The Raiders won't have quarterback Aidan O'Connell available for the first couple of months of the regular season.

O'Connell had to leave Saturday's preseason finale against the Cardinals after consulting with trainers and he returned to the sideline with his right hand in a splint. Head coach Pete Carroll announced after the game that O'Connell fractured his wrist and that he is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks as a result of the injury.

The Raiders planned for O'Connell to be their No. 2 quarterback behind Geno Smith. Sixth-round pick Cam Miller is the only other quarterback on the roster.

With O'Connell set for injured reserve, the Raiders will likely be in the market for another quarterback for the active roster or practice squad in the next few days.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/efuxUOM

Roob's Eagles Observations: What people keep getting wrong about Jalen Hurts

Roob's Eagles Observations: What people keep getting wrong about Jalen Hurts originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

What people keep getting wrong about Jalen Hurts, a roster longshot I’m finding a way to keep on my 53-man roster no matter what and the latest on the Eagles’ cornerback dilemma.

Welcome to the penultimate Roob’s Random Eagles Observations of the 2025 offseason. (I’m pretty sure penultimate means next-to-last.)

1. A lot has been about how Jalen Hurts threw “only” 18 touchdown passes last year, 20th-most in the league. All the dopes who rank him in the bottom of the top 10 quarterbacks or even outside the top 10 point to that stat to justify their ranking. The reality is that most of the people ranking Hurts that low are doing it because they didn’t like him coming out of Alabama and gleefully predicted he’d never be an elite quarterback, and they don’t want to admit they were wrong. Anyway, about those 18 touchdown passes, let’s try putting them in context. Hurts was also 22nd in the NFL last year in pass attempts. When you have a running back averaging nearly six yards per carry and 125 yards per game and you keep winning, you don’t throw the ball 50 times a game. So if you want to measure Hurts’ touchdown passes, you have to do it on a percentage basis, and out of the 28 quarterbacks who threw at least 300 passes last year, Hurts’ touchdown percentage – one every 20.1 attempts – ranked 10th. Ahead of Aaron Rodgers, who threw 28 touchdowns (in 122 more attempts. Ahead of Justin Herbert, who threw 23 touchdowns (in 143 more attempts). Yes, even ahead of Patrick Mahomes, who threw 26 TDs (in 220 more attempts). Of course, if you want to include rushing touchdowns – which count the same as passing TDs last time we checked – Hurts had 32 TDs, which was 8th-most in the league. Anybody who brings up that 18 touchdowns thing is intellectually dishonest without providing context. Bunch of haters.

2. Other than two days when he was limited – Aug. 10 and Aug. 12 – A.J. Brown hasn’t practiced since Aug. 1, and it’s now Aug. 24, and I’m still not ready to say I’m concerned, but that’s 3 ½ weeks now he’s been dealing with that hamstring injury and opening day is 11 days away. We saw A.J. out on the practice field every day during training camp running around and having fun. He loves throwing passes to the wide receivers and backs in individual drills and watching him you wouldn’t think he was injured. But he practiced in full exactly seven times since camp began on July 23, and if this thing goes into Dallas week then it’s definitely time to be concerned. With the Thursday kickoff, the Eagles will start Cowboys prep a week from today. If A.J. isn’t out there next Sunday, it’s definitely fair to start worrying.

3. If I was selecting the Eagles’ 53-man roster, I’d find a spot for Patrick Johnson. If that means just keeping two tight ends or four safeties or going light somewhere else, I would just get him on the roster. Somehow, some way. Johnson has had such a good training camp and has obviously been very active in the preseason games – an interception vs. the Bengals and a sack Friday vs. the Jets. He’s a veteran that everybody on the team looks up to, a one-time 7th-round pick who’s battled the odds for five years now. He was the 234th pick out of 259 players taken in the 2021 draft And you have to love what a positive attitude he’s had about being forced to spend last year with the Giants and missing the Super Bowl run after starting the season with the Eagles. But the main reason I’d keep Johnson is that he’s a fast, athletic, tough special teamer, and if he had to play edge snaps I think he’d give you an honest effort. There are certain guys you can’t help but pull for, and Johnson is one of them.

4. It’s hard to tell exactly what Vic Fangio is thinking, but it sure looks like Adoree’ Jackson will begin the season as CB2 opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Jackson was nominally better than Kelee Ringo this summer and basically won the job because he messed up less often than Ringo. Once Ringo suffered that quad injury and missed practice on Wednesday, that pretty much sealed it, although nothing is etched in stone just yet. But this is important: Just because Jackson starts the season in the starting lineup doesn’t mean he’ll finish it there. You saw Friday night just how active Jakorian Bennett is. His coverage was tight, and when he did give up a pass he got the receiver on the ground or out of bounds with no further damage. I get the sense Vic Fangio doesn’t think Bennett is quite ready to start. He’s only had eight practices and two games since the Eagles acquired him from the Raiders. And Mac McWilliams, the rookie 5th-round pick from Central Florida, has shown some promise as an outside corner, but he’s also probably not ready yet either. So Week 1? Probably Jackson. Week 2 and 3? Probably Jackson. And maybe the 30-year-old veteran will play well. But if he struggles and Bennett – or possibly McWilliams – gets to the point where they’re a viable option to start at outside corner, Fangio won’t hesitate to make a move.  

5. Don Burroughs had the 3rd-most interceptions in the NFL during his five years with the Eagles from 1960 through 1964. He was a 2nd-team all-pro. He’s the only Eagle with three seasons with seven interceptions and they were consecutive, something only three other NFL players have done in the last 50 years. He was a starter on the 1960 NFL Championship team and despite only playing here for five years ranks sixth in franchise history with 29 interceptions (trailing only Brian Dawkins, Eric Allen, Bill Bradley, Herm Edwards and Wes Hopkins). Someone please explain to me why this man is not in the Eagles Hall of Fame? #TeamBurroughs.

6A. There’s been a gradual change in Jalen Hurts and it has nothing to do with the way he plays football. Those of you who watch Eagles player interview live streams have probably noticed that Hurts has been far more insightful and open this summer than ever before. In past years, Hurts interviews were often a tangled web of cliches, catch phrases and vague generalities that left you with more questions than you had before you spoke with him. Occasionally, we’d see a glimpse of his intelligence and thought process and get moments of clarity. But rarely. And then just as you were about to feel enlightened, he’d go back to Jalen-speak. He was always pleasant and cooperative but never truly enlightening. I’m not sure what’s changed. Maybe he’s just more comfortable as he goes into his sixth season. Maybe it’s being another year removed from Nick Saban. Maybe it’s a reflection of his comfort level with his current coaches. He spoke recently about how winning a Super Bowl and being named MVP made him more confident, and maybe this is another manifestation of that. Whatever the reason, it’s been a delight talking with him this summer. You leave each interview feeling like you’ve truly learned something about Jalen. And he’s such a fascinating and brilliant guy that’s really welcome for any Eagles fan. Getting a real glimpse into what makes the best quarterback in Eagles history tick has been an unexpected bonus in this Eagles preseason.

6B. The best Eagles quarterback interview – by far – was Michael Vick. He’s the last Eagles quarterback who did interviews at his locker and was available to chat with every day. He never turned down a 1-on-1 request and every time you spoke with him, he was open, honest and insightful. First time I met Michael he gave me his cell and told me to call anytime I needed anything. That just doesn’t happen. 

6C. That said, here are my top 10 Eagles starting quarterback interviews: 1. Michael Vick, 2. Rodney Peete, 3. Jeff Garcia, 4. Nick Foles, 5. Jalen Hurts, 6. Mark Sanchez, 7. Doug Pederson, 8. Randall Cunningham, 9. Sam Bradford, 10. Kevin Kolb.

7. Fourteen of the last 18 times the Eagles won on opening day – including the last eight – they’ve gone on to reach the playoffs: 1996, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The only years since 1994 they won their opener and didn’t reach the playoffs are 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016. In 2011 they were 8-8 and 2014 10-6. So the only times in the last 30 years they’ve won their opener and had a losing record are 2012 and 2016.

8. Only three linebackers in NFL history have had 35 career sacks and 25 career interceptions. And two of them played together with the Eagles for three years. Seth Joyner had 52 sacks and 27 interceptions in his 13-year career, and William Thomas had 39 sacks and 28 interceptions in 12 seasons. The Eagles drafted Joyner in the eighth round in 1986 and Willie T. in the fourth round in 1991. They were teammates here from 1991 through 1993. The only other linebacker with 35 and 25 is Hall of Famer Ray Lewis (43 ½ sacks, 33 interceptions). 

9. Jahan Dotson didn’t drop a single pass during training camp and with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both missing significant practice time, he got a ton of targets. This time last year he had been here for one day and although he grew a little more comfortable late in the season, he never really fit in. Now, Dotson has had a full offseason in this offense, spent time with Jalen Hurts in Houston during the offseason and has been the one veteran receiver who’s been healthy throughout the preseason. The last day that Brown and Smith both practiced was July 26, so Dotson has gotten a month’s worth of 1st-team reps with Hurts, and it shows. They are super locked in. Now, what that translates to during the regular season is hard to say. Assuming Brown and Smith are healthy, they’re going to get most of the targets, with Dallas Goedert next. But I really think Dotson is going to get opportunities this year and I expect him to make the most of them. This is a guy whose quarterbacks were Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz as a rookie and Sam Howell in 2023 and then came in late last year. He’s finally in a situation where he’s comfortable in the offense, has a great connection with the quarterback and is surrounded by talented teammates. There’s a reason Dotson was the 16th pick in the 2023 draft, and there’s a reason Hurts targeted him down at the goal-line for 27 yards early in the Super Bowl. We probably don’t talk about him enough because of Smith and Brown, but Dotson can play.

10. Adoree’ Jackson, who turns 30 on Sept. 18, is the Eagles’ oldest possible starter on defense, and unless the Eagles sign a veteran already in his 30s, this will be the first time the Eagles haven’t had a defensive starter in his 30s in a season opener since 1974. Their oldest opening-day defensive starter in 1974 was cornerback John Outlaw, who was 29 (and a month older than Bill Bergey).

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/s1XyUIe

Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of 2025 final cuts

Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of 2025 final cuts originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles had 16 training camp practices and three preseason games so it’s time for the tough decisions.

The 90-man roster must be trimmed to 53 players by the NFL’s 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.

Here’s my final 53-man roster projection for 2025:

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord

Early in training camp, Dorian Thompson-Robinson was actually ahead of Kyle McCord, which would have led to a tough decision. But McCord eventually pulled out in front and he was likely going to stick either way. McCord didn’t have a strong preseason but unless the Eagles find a different QB3 elsewhere, the draft pick stays.

Out: Dorian Thompson Robinson

Running back (4): Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon, Ben VanSumeren

This is really three running backs and a fullback in Ben VanSumeren. Could the Eagles keep an extra running back? Maybe. The top candidate would be UDFA Montrell Johnson, who played well on Friday night, but it’s more likely they’ll stick with these three. VanSumeren isn’t a lock but he’s the only fullback on the roster and is a big special teams contributor.

Out: Montrell Johnson, Keilan Robinson, ShunDerrick Powell

Receiver (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, John Metchie III, Darius Cooper

A spot opened up late because of the unfortunate injuries suffered by Johnny Wilson during the week. The top three of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson are locks. The Eagles didn’t trade for John Metchie just to cut him, so he stays too. Then it comes down to Darius Cooper and Ainias Smith. It’s possible just one makes the team and I’m giving the nod to Cooper. When I left MetLife Stadium, I had Smith on my roster but changed my mind on the drive home.

Out: Ainias Smith, Terrace Marshall, Avery Williams, Taylor Morin, Elijah Cooks, Ife Adeyi
IR: Johnny Wilson

Tight end (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson

Both Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra are locks for the roster. The real question is whether or not the Eagles keep three tight ends on the roster. They didn’t last year. If they do this year, it will be either Kylen Granson or E.J. Jenkins. Granson did enough good things this training camp and offers enough on special teams to keep.

Out: E.J. Jenkins, Nick Muse, Cameron Latu

Offensive line (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Matt Pryor, Brett Toth, Darian Kinnard, Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton

The starters are obviously set. While Matt Pryor hasn’t had a great summer, he seems like the sixth offensive lineman right now and Brett Toth has been getting first-team reps in place of the injured Landon Dickerson. Darian Kinnard is a valuable and versatile piece. And two of the three rookies stay. Kendall Lamm was signed to be the veteran swing tackle but I just don’t see it. Cameron Williams needs more time to develop. We just never saw much from Kenyon Green this summer. And Trevor Keegan just misses the cut too.

Out: Kendall Lamm, Cameron Williams, Kenyon Green, Trevor Keegan, Hollin Pierce, Laekin Vakalahi

Defensive tackle (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Byron Young, Gabe Hall

The top four are locks and are expected to be in the rotation in 2025. That last spot could come down to Gabe Hall vs. Byron Young. They’re two different types of players and both were here last season. Ultimately, I couldn’t decide and kept them both. The Eagles kept six defensive tackles on their initial roster in 2024 too, so this isn’t a crazy idea.

Out: Jacob Sykes, Joe Evans, Justin Rogers

Edge (5): Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari, Patrick Johnson

The only locks in this group are Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. After that, I kept Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari, the two veterans signed in March. Uche outperformed Ojulari this summer but Ojulari has been productive in his NFL career. That last spot came down to Patrick Johnson vs. Ogbo Okoronkwo. I gave the nod to the better special teams player.

Out: Ogbo Okoronkwo, Ochaun Mathis, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Jereme Robinson

Linebacker (4): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon

All four of these linebackers feel like locks. It looks like Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell are going to be the starters in Week 1 but Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon were good all summer too. Trotter and Mondon should provide quality depth. I actually gave a thought to keeping Lance Dixon, the UDFA out of Toledo but he can be a practice squad guy. Nakobe Dean begins the season on PUP as he continues to rehab from the torn patellar tendon that ended his playoffs in 2024.

Out: Lance Dixon, Dallas Gant, Chance Campbell 
PUP: Nakobe Dean

Cornerback (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Mac McWilliams, Adoree’ Jackson, Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett

There were a wide range out outcomes for Adoree’ Jackson. Before training camp, you could have convinced me he wasn’t going to make the team but now they might need him to start in Week 1. Eventually, if another player overtakes him, Jackson could become expendable. The tough cut here is Eli Ricks, who has been with the team a couple seasons.

Out: Eli Ricks, Parry Nickerson, Brandon Johnson, A.J. Woods, Tariq Castro-Fields

Safety (4): Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Andrew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum

I almost went a little heavy at safety because Andre Sam is a player worth keeping. Sam at times this training camp was pushing McCollum and he’s a good special teams player. But I think you can get Sam through waivers and back to the practice squad.

Out: Andre Sam, Maxen Hook, Lewis Cine

Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Charley Hughlett

During training camp, Hughlett dealt with a neck injury and the Eagles even brought in another long snapper. But Hughlett healed up and these three had no other competition.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/CRljbnJ

Brandon Aubrey hit a 64-yard field goal and Joey Slye was good from 63 on Friday night

A whole generation of football fans grew up knowing that Tom Dempsey's 63-yard field goal in 1970 was not just the NFL record, but one of the most extraordinary feats in NFL history. But in the modern NFL, 63-yard field goals are so ordinary that one happened in a preseason game on Friday — and it wasn't even the longest field goal of the day.

Titans kicker Joey Slye made a 63-yard field goal on Friday but was topped by Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who made one from 64. Neither was even close to the longest field goal of this preseason; that distinction belongs to Jaguars kicker Cam Little, who booted one from 70 yards.

NFL kickers are so good now that the very concept of the term "field goal range" has changed. It wasn't long ago that until the ball got inside the 35-yard line, coaches wouldn't even think about sending their field goal team onto the field. In the not-too-distant past, coaches would rather try a coffin-corner punt on fourth down than a field goal of 53 yards or longer. Now a kicker who can't consistently make 53-yard field goals won't have a job in the NFL for long.

The official NFL record for the longest field goal currently belongs to Justin Tucker at 66 yards, but that record won't last for decades the way Dempsey's record did. In fact, there's a good chance that it will be broken this year. Little showed that NFL kickers can make field goals from 70 yards in game conditions, and on Friday night both Slye and Aubrey made their kicks with enough room to spare that both of them would have been good from at least 67 yards. (Slye also hit a 53-yarder in the same game that bounced off the top of the upright and through, and in the NFL the uprights extend 35 feet above the crossbar, so that kick had the distance to set a record as well.)

The field goal record is sure to be broken soon. The only question is which coach will give his kicker that opportunity, as the NFL is now full of kickers who have redefined field goal range.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/qI53AmZ

15 Eagles to watch in preseason finale vs. Jets

15 Eagles to watch in preseason finale vs. Jets originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles will wrap up their preseason on Friday night when they play the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

This is the final part of the evaluation process before the Eagles must trim their roster from 90 players to 53 by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.

With that in mind, here are 15 players to watch on Friday night:

QB Kyle McCord

After Tanner McKee suffered a finger injury this week, McCord got all of the second-team snaps ahead of Dorian Thompson-Robinson. It seems obvious that McCord has passed DTR on the depth chart but this game is a chance for McCord to put a stamp on it.

RB Montrell Johnson

The UDFA from Florida missed time in training camp with a hamstring injury. While he was able to play against the Browns, the offensive line didn’t give him much room to run. Johnson has some ability and has a chance at a roster spot. Hopefully, he’ll have more of a chance to get something going on Friday night.

WR Darius Cooper

The UDFA from Tarleton State has been great all summer and has a really good chance at making the 53-man roster. Heck, he might already have a roster spot locked up but this is another chance for him to show why he deserves to be on the team.

WR John Metchie III

The Eagles acquired Metchie in a trade with the Texans earlier in the week. He has practiced just twice with the Birds and will play in this game. There’s no doubt the former second-round pick has some talent so it’ll be exciting to see him take the field for a game.

WR Ainias Smith

The second-year receiver has caught touchdowns in each of the first two preseason games so he can pull off a hat trick on Friday night. Smith is pushing for a roster spot but isn’t a lock. His ability as a punt returner could give him an edge.

TE Kylen Granson

There’s a chance the Eagles could keep just two tight ends — Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra — but if they want to go with three, Granson is an option. He made a lot of catches in training camp and offers a different body type than E.J. Jenkins, who is also in the mix.

OL Darian Kinnard

The veteran could end up being a big key to the Eagles’ depth on the offensive line this season. While we’ve seen some shaky play from Matt Pryor and Kendall Lamm, perhaps Kinnard can establish himself as a top backup at multiple spots.

OT Myles Hinton

The rookie from Michigan has had his ups and downs this preseason but has also shown plenty of promise. Hinton should make the roster because of his developmental traits but a nice game to finish off the preseason would go a long way.

DT Byron Young

After dealing with a groin injury earlier in camp, Young returned and had a strong performance against the Browns in the second preseason game. Young has entered the mix to potentially earn a roster spot and a spot in the rotation.

DT Gabe Hall

It could come down to Young vs. Hall for one spot. Hall developed last year on the practice squad as a UDFA from Baylor and really flashed this summer. Hall (6-6, 295) has a unique build for a DT but was disruptive in camp.

OLB Patrick Johnson

The former seventh-round pick just seems to show up in every preseason game. He was already good against the Bengals and Browns this summer and with another strong performance against the Jets could make the Eagles’ roster again in 2025. He’s always on the bubble but he always makes a strong push.

OLB Ogbo Okoronkwo

That last edge rusher spot could come down to Johnson vs. Okoronwko. The 30-year-old really flashed at times this summer and was actually more productive than Azeez Ojulari, who was the top free agent acquisition. His teammates have been impressed by Okoronwko and he has one more chance to prove himself.

CB Jakorian Bennett

Against the Browns, Bennett had a great pass breakup on a long-developing play. It just wasn’t enough to wrestle away a starting job. In practice this week, first-team reps still went to Adoree’ Jackson, who will probably be the Week 1 starter. But if Bennett can make a last-second push, it needs to happen for him in this game.

CB Mac McWilliams

The rookie from UCF also entered the CB2 battle later in camp. It’s clear that Vic Fangio likes McWilliams so even if the rookie can’t earn a starting spot in Week 1, keep an eye on him the rest of the season. He has been playing both outside corner and nickel corner with the Eagles.

S Andre Sam

The second-year UDFA from LSU is a very good special teamer and is firmly on the bubble ahead of this preseason finale. He’s either going to be one of the last players in or out at final cuts.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/rvM3LjP

Russell Gage reportedly suffered sprained MCL, dealing another blow to 49ers WRs

Russell Gage reportedly suffered sprained MCL, dealing another blow to 49ers WRs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers can add another injured wide receiver to their growing list.

Veteran wideout Russell Gage is “believed to have suffered a sprained MCL” that will keep him out of action for a week to 10 days, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday morning, citing sources.

Another 49ers skill-position injury: Wide receiver Russell Gage, who was being counted on to help replace other injured receivers, is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL that is expected to sideline him 7 to 10 days, per sources. https://t.co/d4v3tYUKMxpic.twitter.com/y3RLDfSXVg

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2025

That prognosis would rule Gage out for the 49ers’ preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night at Levi’s Stadium.

Gage, in San Francisco’s first two preseason games, has caught five total passes for 28 yards.

In Matt Maiocco’s latest 53-man roster projection, Gage doesn’t make the final cut, but could be ticketed for the 49ers’ practice squad.

San Francisco has been ravaged by injuries up and down its roster, and the wide receiver group has been hit hard.

While star receiver Jauan Jennings holds in as he pushes for a new contract, second-year pro Ricky Pearsall appears to be the only healthy wideout. Jordan Watkins is dealing with a high ankle sprain and Jacob Cowing sustained a lower-body injury this week.

Brandon Aiyuk is expected to start the 2025 NFL season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as he finishes his recovery from ACL surgery and veteran Demarcus Robinson likely will be suspended for the first three games of the year.

All of that prompted the 49ers to acquire wide receiver Skyy Moore from the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan. The deal involves the teams swapping future sixth- and seventh-round picks.

It’s likely the 49ers knew about Gage’s injury when they made the Moore trade. And general manager John Lynch might not be done searching the trade market for healthy players.

Gage spent his first four NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he caught 244 passes for 2,491 yards with 14 touchdown receptions. He spent the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he caught 51 passes for 426 yards with five touchdown receptions.

Several injuries cost Gage the entire 2023 NFL season and he didn’t make the Baltimore Ravens’ roster last year.

Now, another injury has gotten in Gage’s way of making the 49ers’ roster.

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Yahoo Fantasy app gets a refresh just in time for the season

Your Yahoo Fantasy experience is getting a refresh for the fall. (Photo by Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)

We’ve given your favorite fantasy app a little refresh so you can play faster, smoother and smarter.

With today’s update, the Yahoo Fantasy app is refreshed and refocused. We’ve made it easier to see more leagues, more players and more of what matters most. Setting lineups is easier and navigation is faster so nothing slows you down on your path to the championship.

Here’s what’s new:

1. Updated Homescreen

As you play in more and more fantasy leagues, you’ll see more matchups on the screen at once — up to 50% more are in view at all times. We’ve also made it easier to go directly to your matchups from the home page. You can tap anywhere in the matchup preview to take you there. Or, if you want quick access to your team page, tap “View My Team” and it will take you there!

2. Updated Navigation and Padding Across the App

You asked for more data on the screen, and we listened. We tightened up navigation, reduced padding between elements, and freed up more space across nearly every screen to give you more info at a glance.

3. Starting Players Grouped Together

All starting players are now grouped together at the top of your Team screen. You can see your full starting squad without benched players breaking things up by position, making your lineup cleaner and easier to manage.

It’s the same fantasy experience you know and love, just better. Enjoy the refresh and may the odds be in your favor come draft day!

Fall Refresh marks day 18 of our 28 Days of Fantasy. Follow it all here.

from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/NqHMxLy