Week 1 of the regular season is finally here and teams across the NFL are putting the final touches on their roster while others are dealing with last-minute injury news before the season kicks off Wednesday with the Super Bowl rematch between the Patriots and Seahawks.
The Atlanta Falcons formally named Tua Tagovailoa as their Week 1 starting quarterback, while the Dallas Cowboys suffered a blow to their offensive line with All-Pro guard Tyler Smith set for thumb surgery.
Down under, the Niners and Rams are preparing to play the first NFL game in Australia and one side is confirming the return of a pass rusher while the other is being more secretive about theirs.
Here is the latest news from around the league on Monday.
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald remained noncommittal Monday about whether he will travel, let alone suit up for the team’s Week 1 opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.
Speaking to reporters following practice, the recently unretired veteran offered vague answers when asked if he plans to make the trip and play on Thursday.
“Feeling really good. Feeling great,” Donald said when asked about traveling to Australia. “Come up with a game plan and see what’s going on.”
Donald, who ended his retirement Aug. 30 to rejoin the Rams, continues to work through a progressive conditioning ramp-up.
While head coach Sean McVay previously indicated the entire roster is expected to make the flight, Donald’s actual game-day snap count and active availability remain a day-to-day evaluation as kickoff approaches.
Meanwhile, Myles Garrett looked like he was trying to add more power to his tackles, so the Rams’ pass rush will still be plenty for opposing offenses to handle.
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris told reporters Monday that star defensive end Nick Bosa will play in Thursday’s season-opening matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
Bosa, who tore his right ACL in Week 3 of last season and dealt with knee tendinitis during training camp, returned to practice last week before making the flight with the team.
“He’s going [to play]. We’re not hiding that,” Morris told reporters.
Bosa’s return offers a key increase to a San Francisco move rush that completed final within the NFL in sacks final season. Whereas the crew could handle his snap quantity as he continues increase his conditioning, his energetic standing anchors the 49ers’ protection for the historic kickoff in Australia.
Browns’ Todd Monken Hints Taylen Inexperienced Might Be QB2
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken told reporters Monday that sixth-round rookie quarterback Taylen Inexperienced could possibly be energetic for Week 1 towards the Jacksonville Jaguars, doubtlessly serving as the first game-day possibility behind starter Deshaun Watson.
When requested if Inexperienced might earn the gameday energetic spot over Shedeur Sanders to run specialised athletic packages, Monken left the door open.
“May very well be,” Monken stated. “There could possibly be a package deal the place we’ve him.” Monken added that whereas activating three quarterbacks on sport day stays doable. Inexperienced, a sixth-round choose in April’s draft, made the Browns’ 53-man roster as QB3 after Dillon Gabriel was placed on injured reserve on account of a again damage.
Monken named Watson the starting quarterback on Aug. 24 after a contest in coaching camp between him and Sanders.
Whereas the Dallas Cowboys’ offense has undergone fixed turnover in latest seasons, guard Tyler Smith has remained a gradual anchor.
Now, the Cowboys should survive with out him after head coach Brian Schottenheimer introduced Monday that Smith can be sidelined. He is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks after present process thumb surgical procedure.
The surgical procedure will drive Smith to overlook no less than the primary 4 video games of the common season whereas opening up a spot on the 53-man energetic roster.
“Tyler Smith goes to have surgical procedure on his thumb tomorrow morning,” Schottenheimer said throughout his press convention. “It is one thing that he is simply been coping with.”
With Smith sidelined, offensive lineman T.J. Bass is slated to take over because the beginning left guard.
Bass joined the group as an undrafted free agent and has made 10 profession begins, together with 5 final yr. The Cowboys retained Bass this offseason after putting a second-round restricted free agent tender on him.
The Cowboys are set to open their season on Sunday evening once they journey to New York to tackle the Giants on Sunday Evening Soccer.
The New York Giants formally launched veteran large receiver Darius Slayton on Monday, ending his seven-year tenure with the group.
Chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2019 NFL Draft, the 29-year-old was the longest-tenured participant on New York’s roster earlier than his launch. Slayton had 296 catches for 4,435 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in seven seasons in New York.
The choice clears roster house because the Giants finalize a receiving corps led by Malik Nabers, Odell Beckham Jr., Darnell Mooney, and rookie Malachi Fields forward of their Week 1 opener towards the Dallas Cowboys.
Slayton posted a farewell message on X Monday thanking the group, formally turning into an unrestricted free agent.
The Giants signed Slayton to a three-year, $36 million deal earlier than final season. He was due $13 million this season.
The transfer creates simply over $3 million in cap house for this yr.
After a aggressive quarterback battle, the Atlanta Falcons are naming Tua Tagovailoa because the starter for Sunday’s sport towards the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Kevin Stefanski made the announcement official on Monday morning.
Michael Penix Jr. continues to be recovering from season-ending knee surgical procedure, although he’s anticipated to return to the sphere later this yr. Till he’s totally cleared, Tagovailoa will take the reins as Atlanta’s starter.
With Penix’s return nonetheless unknown, Stefanski is anticipated to rock with Cooper Rush because the backup to begin the season.
Tagovailoa is coming off an up-and-down last season in Miami. Over 14 begins with the Dolphins, he accomplished 67.7% of his passes for two,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, whereas including 43 yards on the bottom
Harm Information & Notes
- Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales remains optimistic running back Jonathon Brooks will suit up for Sunday’s opener against the Chicago Bears despite missing his third consecutive practice due to general soreness.
- Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur expressed optimism Monday that first-round rookie running back Jeremiyah Love would play in Sunday’s opener against the Los Angeles Chargers as he completes his recovery from a preseason high ankle sprain.
- Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to play in Thursday’s Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia after being held out during August practice sessions while recovering from a psoas injury.
- Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith agreed to terms on a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings, officially returning to the franchise for his 15th NFL season after contemplating retirement during the offseason.
- The New York Giants agreed to a two-year, $13 million extension with veteran backup quarterback Jameis Winston, keeping him under contract through 2028.
