The Jacksonville Jaguars have decided to shut down quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the rest of the season after he suffered his latest concussion.
Since the Jaguars (2-10) are no longer in playoff contention, they placed Lawrence on injured reserve on Wednesday. While he could return for the season finale against Indianapolis, it’s believed he won’t play again this season.
To fill Lawrence’s spot on the roster, the Jaguars claimed receiver Josh Reynolds off waivers from Denver. Reynolds, 29, has 12 catches for 183 yards and one touchdown this season.
Mac Jones is expected to start for the Jaguars in place of Lawrence this Sunday against Tennessee (3-9).
Lawrence was carted off the field after taking a hard hit to the facemask from Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair.
Doug Pederson and Trevor Lawrence on the field before the game
The hit, which sparked a brawl on the sideline and another fight shortly after, left Lawrence in the fencing position — a common response to a brain injury where both fists clench. Lawrence remained on the ground for several minutes before being ruled out with a concussion.
This injury is the latest for Lawrence, who missed a game in 2023 due to a sprained right shoulder. He also missed time earlier this season because of a sprained left knee in October, a sprained right ankle in early December, and now this concussion.
Lawrence threw for 2,045 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 10 games this season. The Jaguars also signed John Wolford to their practice squad to give them a third quarterback option.
Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson talks in the 2nd half
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson has no issue with how his team reacted to the illegal hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was placed on injured reserve.
Pederson said he was “a little surprised” that Houston coach DeMeco Ryans blamed Jacksonville’s sideline for making the fight worse and was confused by some former Jaguars players questioning if the team did enough to respond.
“I don’t know what that means,” Pederson said Wednesday. “We’re not out to hurt anybody. We’re not out to ruin careers. We’re out to win a football game and play hard within the rules. That’s our job. That’s how we coach it, that’s how we play it.
“If they’re asking or suggesting we go after someone, we’re not doing that. Flat out, we are not doing that. It’s not how I coach. It’s not how I’m going to coach these teams, these players. We’re just going to go out and do our jobs. Play hard, play fast, play physical within the rules.”
Trevor Lawrence (NFL)
Former Jaguars cornerback Bucky Brooks, who is now the team’s sideline reporter, called the team’s response “a collective shrug” in a post on X.
“Most teams would’ve enacted some form of vigilante justice to ensure that kind of hit didn’t happen again,” Brooks wrote. “Now, every future opponent knows they can take shots without fear of retaliation.”
Former Jaguars defensive lineman Austen Lane disagreed with players suggesting they didn’t do more for fear of being ejected or fined.
“At the end of the day, when one of your own gets taken out like that, I think there’s some teams in the NFL that have pride — whether they’re in playoff contention or they haven’t won a game yet — they’ll try to make it right,” Lane said during his daily show on Action Sports Jax.
Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL for three games without pay for repeated violations of player safety rules after the hit to Lawrence’s head, which caused his second concussion in less than a year.
Al-Shaair led with his forearm and helmet while hitting Lawrence after he started his slide. The unsportsmanlike hit left Lawrence in the fencing position — a common response to a brain injury where both fists clench — and he stayed on the ground for several minutes while a fight broke out nearby.
Lawrence remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, likely ending his season.
Doug Pederson talks to the media after the game
“I told him, ‘You have a daughter; you have a blessing that’s coming. So get right, take care of yourself, take care of your family, and we’ll be here holding it down and waiting til’ you get back next year,” running back Travis Etienne said.
Etienne and other teammates attacked Al-Shaair near the sideline, with tight ends Evan Engram and Brenton Strange leading the charge. Rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones was ejected for throwing a punch.
“I would be naïve to say I didn’t really do nothing,” Jones said Wednesday, still awaiting a fine from the league office. “One of the biggest things I regret about it is getting ejected from the game and not being there for my teammates. But as far as the whole thing went, that’s my brother. I’d do the same thing for all 70 guys or however many make up the Jags organization.”
The Jaguars (2-10) were trailing 6-3 at halftime and were down 23-6 before making a late rally that came up short. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said the best way to respond would have been to win for Lawrence.
“We didn’t do enough,” he said. “We ended up losing the game. We lost.”
The Baltimore Ravens have suspended wide receiver Diontae Johnson for their next game, stating that he refused to play in their recent match against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Johnson did not play in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, even though wide receiver Rashod Bateman was dealing with knee soreness. After the game, coach John Harbaugh said he wasn’t ready to comment on Johnson’s situation, and he kept that stance when speaking to reporters on Monday.
On Wednesday, general manager Eric DeCosta issued a statement: “We have made the difficult decision to suspend Diontae Johnson for our upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team.
Diontae Johnson celebrates after a touchdown in the 1st half
Diontae’s suspension is due to his refusal to enter our game against the Philadelphia Eagles. We will have no further comments on this matter going forward.”
The Ravens have a bye week this week before playing the Giants on Dec. 15. A message was left with Johnson’s agent for comment.
Johnson, who is in the final year of his contract, was traded to the Ravens from the Carolina Panthers in October. However, the 28-year-old receiver has only caught one pass in four games with Baltimore.
With Tommy DeVito still struggling with a sore forearm, Drew Lock will start at quarterback for the Giants for the second game in a row when they face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Coach Brian Daboll announced the decision on Wednesday, mentioning that Lock showed some positive moments in the loss to Dallas on Thanksgiving and will take all the first-team snaps.
“I think the reps help a ton,” Lock said on Wednesday. “I’d say anybody in this position would say the same thing. Getting back out there, letting them hear your cadence, letting them hear you calling it in the huddle, rhythm and timing with the receivers, even rhythm and timing for me with my feet on certain plays, whatever we’ve got up this week, it helps tremendously.”
Lock completed 21 of 32 passes for 178 yards and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown against Dallas. However, he also ran for a career-high 57 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown run, and set up Tyrone Tracy’s short TD run with a 28-yard scramble.
DeVito was injured in his first start after replacing Daniel Jones in the game against Tampa Bay on Nov. 24. He missed the Dallas game and was limited in practice on Wednesday. Daboll said it’s unclear whether DeVito will be able to serve as the backup on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where the Giants (2-10) have not won in six home games.
New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons players in the 1st half
If DeVito can’t go, Tim Boyle, who was recently signed, would serve as the backup against the Saints (4-8).
The Giants have had three different quarterbacks start over the past three games.
“It’s professional football,” said Lock, who started against Dallas without any practice due to the short turnaround before that game. “You expect roller coasters here and there. But, just excited to be able to go out and play one more time and get to practice with these guys, let them feel my energy a little bit.”
Lock, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, was Jones’ backup for the first 10 games. When Daboll benched Jones after a 2-8 start, DeVito was chosen over Lock because DeVito had sparked the team to a three-game winning streak last season with both Jones and backup Tyrod Taylor injured.
DeVito hurt his right forearm late in a 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers, and Lock got the opportunity to play.
New York is also dealing with several injuries this week. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (elbow) and rookie tight end Theo Johnson (foot surgery) were placed on injured reserve on Monday.
Defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (quad), right tackle Evan Neal (hip), inside linebacker Bobby Okereke (back), and cornerback Deonte Banks (rib) are all considered week-to-week.
Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde answers questions during a news conference
Micah Hyde enjoyed coaching his son’s soccer team in sunny San Diego, but the desire to continue his playing career and the chance to bring a championship to Buffalo was too appealing for the veteran Bills safety.
On Wednesday, Hyde decided to return to snowy Buffalo without knowing if he would play, signing with the team’s practice squad. At 33 years old, Hyde is ready to take on an expanded leadership role as a mentor and coach from the sidelines.
“Listen, I’m here to help. I left my ego in San Diego,” Hyde said.
“The goal has always been to bring a championship back to Buffalo, and if I can help in any way, if I’m able to give T-Rapp or D-Ham or whoever’s out there a nugget to make a big play in a big game, I did my job,” he added, referring to Buffalo’s starting safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin.
Hyde isn’t exactly coming out of retirement. After his contract ended in March, he didn’t get signed by any team. He turned down offers from other teams but kept the possibility of playing open, as long as it was with Buffalo, where he spent the last seven years of his 11-season NFL career.
“Match made in heaven, baby,” he said. “Everyone’s saying, ‘Welcome back.’ It’s more like ‘Welcome home.’”
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game
For Buffalo (10-2), Hyde’s return brings experience, leadership, and a strong understanding of the team’s defense.
“You’re just excited because you know what type of energy he brings to the locker room, you know his personality,” edge rusher Von Miller said. “We just got better by adding Micah Hyde, whether that’s on the football field or off the football field. … It’s all plus-plus in each and every category.”
Coach Sean McDermott stressed that Hyde’s return does not reflect any dissatisfaction with the team’s current safeties. However, Hyde provides additional support for the team in case of an injury.
“We’re in a good spot, very confident in the guys that have played there all season long and have both done a nice job,” McDermott said. “It’s about the team. It’s always about the team, and it’s never about one person. And in this case, Micah would not want that to be, in this case, about him.”
The Bills had kept Hyde’s locker empty and hadn’t given his No. 23 to anyone else, leaving open the possibility of his return.
Hyde signed with the team just after Buffalo’s 35-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers, which clinched the division. The Bills now focus on catching Kansas City (11-1) to earn the top seed in the AFC playoffs after beating them last month.
McDermott and Hyde have a strong bond dating back to 2017, when McDermott, in his first year as head coach, made Hyde and safety Jordan Poyer the team’s key free-agent signings.
Buffalo Bills celebates after scoring a touchdown in the 2nd half
Hyde and Poyer signed on the same day and became Buffalo’s starting safety duo for seven seasons. Hyde, who played his first four seasons with Green Bay, earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2017 and 2021. Poyer, an All-Pro selection in 2021, is now with Miami after being released by Buffalo in March.
Hyde missed most of the 2022 season due to a neck injury, starting 14 games but missing three because of injury. Now fully recovered, he has also lost weight by working out regularly during his time off. He confirmed that this will be his last season in the NFL, no matter how it ends.
“After the last game, that (retirement) paper’s going to be right here and it’s getting signed,” Hyde said. “You can guarantee that, for sure.”
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner is dealing with a hamstring injury that could keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich shared on Wednesday that Gardner is still undergoing tests on his leg after leaving last Sunday’s loss to Seattle late due to the injury.
Ulbrich didn’t sound hopeful about Gardner being ready to play, especially against the fast Dolphins wide receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Gardner missed practice on Wednesday.
“They’re still assessing the degree of which, beyond what the MRI told us,” Ulbrich said about Gardner’s hamstring. “He plays the position and we’re playing an opponent that you cannot play with a poor hamstring, in my opinion. So, we’ll see how it goes. If he’s feeling good and he’s ready to rock and roll, then we’ll let him play. If not, this is not a game we want him at half-speed.”
Gardner, an All-Pro in each of his first two seasons, has had an up-and-down third season but was playing well against the Seahawks before the injury. He had a season-high two passes defensed, but has yet to get an interception this year.
Miami Dolphins players celebrate after a touchdown in the 2nd half
Other players who did not practice on Wednesday include running back Breece Hall (knee), right tackle Morgan Moses (shoulder), and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle).
Hall was questionable before the Seahawks game but played and ran for 60 yards on 12 carries. Ulbrich said Hall didn’t seem worse off after the game and will be monitored through the week.
“We’re hopeful, he’s hopeful,” Ulbrich said. “He thinks he’s going to play. We’ll see how the week goes. Last week, we didn’t know and he got out there Friday and looked fantastic, so I’m hopeful we’ll have the same scenario.”
Linebacker C.J. Mosley, who has missed the last five games with a herniated disk in his neck, will continue to increase his practice work after returning to full pads last week. He participated fully in practice on Wednesday.
“He felt good, not great, so we’re going to give him another week to really take an assessment of where he’s at,” Ulbrich said.
The Jets also opened the 21-day practice windows for wide receiver Allen Lazard (chest) and offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer (hand), who are both on injured reserve, but Ulbrich said both might have a chance to play on Sunday at Miami. Both players fully participated in practice.
Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu, who is starting in place of the injured Tyron Smith, was limited due to a toe issue.
Aaron Rodgers reacts after throwing a touchdown pass in the 1st quarter
Aaron Rodgers believes his football career speaks for itself.
The New York Jets quarterback doesn’t feel the need to use the final games of the season to prove his worth to the team or show that he should return next year. He thinks it’s “ridiculous” to think that way.
“If they want me to stay, fantastic,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “If it takes these five games, maybe they don’t know what I bring to the table.
“But that being said I’d love to play really friggin’ well the last five games.”
Rodgers, who turned 41 on Monday, has faced challenges with both his performance and injuries while the Jets have started the season with a 3-9 record.
He has struggled with leg injuries, including a sprained ankle, a sore knee, and a tweaked hamstring, throughout the season. However, after the bye week, he felt healthier than he had in weeks. Despite that, he was inconsistent in a 26-21 loss to Seattle and couldn’t lead the Jets to a winning drive on their final possession.
Aaron Rodgers (NFL)
Some people thought the Jets might bench Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor to try to boost the offense. But instead, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Rodgers would remain the starting quarterback as long as he’s healthy. Rodgers also said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday that his goal is to finish the season playing on the field, even though the team has a poor record.
“That’s what you do when you’re a professional and the most important ability you can have is availability, which I wasn’t available last year,” Rodgers said Wednesday, referring to his torn Achilles tendon injury just four snaps into his Jets debut. “So I’d love to play the games and I love playing football. I’m hyper-competitive and I love to be out there with the guys.”
He didn’t use his injuries as an excuse for his subpar performance this season, saying he feels healthy enough to play when he’s on the field. Though Rodgers has thrown for 2,627 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, his 6.3 yards-per-pass attempt is the lowest of his career as a starter.
Rodgers had mentioned a few weeks ago that he would like to play next year but recently said he wasn’t sure. He said his health would be a big factor in his decision. If he chooses to play in 2025, the Jets would be his first choice.
There’s uncertainty about whether the Jets will want him back next season as they look to rebuild with a new general manager and coach after the firings of Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh. Rodgers said some people have told him they hope he’ll return, but “not the people who are making those decisions.”
That comment got a few laughs, but Rodgers said there would be discussions at some point to figure out his next move.
“I just redid my house here in Jersey,” Rodgers said. “My goal was to play a few more years here, but we’ll see. I’d like to be healthy, I’d like to end on my feet and then I’d like to play well and I’d like to feel like I’m wanted back. If not, again, I will not be offended. I won’t be upset. I’ll be so thankful, either way whatever happens here.
“But I’ve got to be healthy mentally, physically, and then there’s got to be interest on both sides. And if that’s not the case, then I’ll look at other options. But first, I’ll think about whether I’d actually want to play or not, but it usually takes a good month to get away from it, which I’ll do the first month and then we’ll see what happens.”
Aaron Rodgers reacts in the 4th quarter
During his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers spoke about the Detroit Lions, who were 3-13-1 in Dan Campbell’s first year as coach in 2021, but are now tied with Kansas City for the best record in the NFL at 11-1. He pointed to the Lions’ success as an example of a team that benefited from patient and supportive ownership.
After practice Wednesday, Rodgers was asked about his comments and whether he thinks the Jets have been similarly supportive.
“Is that a rhetorical question?” he responded before explaining he was just giving an example. He also mentioned seeing both support and lack of it during his 18 years in Green Bay.
When asked if he felt there was support from Jets ownership, Rodgers said: “I’d have to look. I don’t follow a lot of stuff. I’d have to ask you guys: Has there been a lot of public, supportive comments?”
A reporter mentioned the Jets’ coach and GM firings.
The Detroit Lions have matched the franchise record for most consecutive wins and are currently in first place in the NFC standings.
However, there are still challenges ahead for them to stay on top. Even the NFC North division is still up for grabs, and the Lions will look to create more distance when they host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night.
The Lions (11-1), who have won 10 games in a row, haven’t managed to separate themselves from Minnesota (10-2) or Green Bay (9-3). Detroit will face Minnesota, which has won five straight games, in the regular season’s final game next month.
The Packers have stayed competitive by winning seven of their last eight games, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Lions. Detroit led by 21 points early in the third quarter and held on to win 24-14.
Lions coach Dan Campbell says the real challenge begins now.
“The best part of all this — we’re in playoff football right now, that’s where we’re at,” he said. “We’re in December, and our schedule reflects that. We’re facing tough opponents one after another, so this is the kind of challenge that prepares you for the playoffs. We’re a tough team, and nothing’s going to change that. We just need to focus on the next game in front of us.”
Detroit is coming off a 23-20 win over Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, where they almost blew a 16-point lead. The Bears’ poor clock management prevented them from tying the game, which led to coach Matt Eberflus being fired.
The Lions have been dealing with several injuries, especially on defense. They signed four players over the past week to strengthen their roster.
Green Bay Packers players celebrate after a first down in the 1st half
“I know the big topic is all the injuries on the defensive side,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “But our personnel staff does a great job of bringing in players who fit our style. It’s not the playbook that matters most for these guys to learn. It’s the style of play we have, and that’s easy for them to pick up.”
Jared Goff has thrown six touchdowns and no interceptions in the last three games after throwing five picks against the Houston Texans on November 10.
The Packers also played on Thanksgiving, beating Miami 30-17. Green Bay built a 24-3 halftime lead with two touchdown passes from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed.
Now, the Packers face a Detroit team that has won five of the last six matchups between the two teams.
“With most good teams, they play the game the right way,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said. “Detroit has been doing that for the last few years. That’s who they are, and that’s who we are too. It should be a great game Thursday night.”
The Packers may need to win in a high-scoring game, as the Lions lead the league in scoring with an average of 31.9 points per game (Green Bay ranks eighth at 26.5 points). Stopping the Lions’ running game will be important, according to LaFleur.
“They’ve got two very dynamic running backs. (David) Montgomery is a physical runner, and (Jahmyr) Gibbs can break off long runs,” he said. “Jared (Goff) is playing at an MVP level, so they have a really powerful offense.”
Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee) and three defensive linemen — DJ Reader (shoulder), Josh Paschal (knee), and Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) — missed practice on Tuesday.
For the Packers, offensive guard Elgton Jenkins (knee), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring), and cornerback Corey Ballentine (knee) also missed practice.
The Vegas Golden Knights bounced back well after their worst loss of the season.
Now, the Golden Knights will try to keep up their strong performance when they play the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.
Vegas won 1-0 against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, with goaltender Adin Hill making 28 saves. This was a great defensive showing after the team had lost 6-0 to Utah in their previous game.
“It was a good defensive game by both sides, so I think we got a little lucky with our goal there, and a 1-0 game feels like a 2003 throwback,” Hill said. “It was a fun game. They got some shots and some chances, but … our guys did a great job kind of keeping them to the outside. I thought it was one of our best defensive efforts of the season.”
The Golden Knights are currently on a 5-1-1 run and are at the top of the Pacific Division.
However, the win against the Oilers had its challenges. Edmonton outshot Vegas 16-2 in the third period, and the Golden Knights didn’t get a shot off in the last 19:04 of the game. But coach Bruce Cassidy wasn’t complaining about the win.
“We did our jobs well. That’s what you have to do against Edmonton. It’s no easy task when (Connor) McDavid’s coming at you fast, and (Leon) Draisaitl is a strong guy through the neutral zone,” Cassidy said. “But we were able to check in layers against them, and I think that’s when we’re the most effective.”
Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)
The game was only the fifth in NHL history with no penalty minutes and one goal or fewer, and the first since a game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 20, 1944.
The Ducks have won two of their last three games and are 5-2-1 in their past eight, showing big improvement from recent seasons.
Anaheim most recently won 4-3 in a shootout against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. In that game, the Ducks gave up the lead three times but still managed to win.
“We’re finally starting to get rewarded for some things we’re doing,” said forward Frank Vatrano, who scored two goals and had an assist.
“The biggest thing with us is, we know where each other’s going to be. We’re always playing in sync, and we know where our outs are, so it’s not like we’re trying to out-skill teams — we’re just trying to out-smart them and just play the right way. It’s good to see us getting on the scoresheet and we’re getting wins.”
Vatrano has been key to the team’s recent success. After scoring a career-high 37 goals last season, he only had two goals in the first 18 games this season. However, he has scored four goals in the past four games.
“I felt Frankie was going to score eventually,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said. “He’s a scorer, and those guys go through dry spells. … It doesn’t matter how many games you don’t score. I just believe when you score goals and you have a history of doing it, you’re eventually going to get rewarded.”
Kyle Higashioka has had some memorable experiences at the Texas Rangers’ home stadium. He caught a no-hitter there and hit a home run on the same day Aaron Judge set the American League season record with his 62nd home run.
Now, Higashioka will be playing at Globe Life Park regularly after signing a two-year, $13.5 million contract with the Rangers. They want to pair the 34-year-old catcher with All-Star and Gold Glove winner Jonah Heim.
“So many good memories have happened for me personally in this ballpark. It’s like I would always look forward to coming here every year,” Higashioka said on Tuesday, the day after his deal with Texas was announced. “It’s funny that I’m actually going to be on the team. … Hopefully ready to make some more (memories).”
Texas Rangers players celebrates the win
Higashioka spent his first 16 professional seasons with the New York Yankees, including his first seven seasons in the major leagues. He is coming off his only season with San Diego, where he hit .220 with career-highs of 17 home runs and 45 RBIs while playing 84 games for the Padres. San Diego had acquired him from the Yankees in a trade last December that sent Juan Soto to New York.
Higashioka became the Padres’ primary catcher during the second half of the season and played through a playoff run that ended in the National League Division Series against the eventual World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I settled into a pretty good rhythm there and was able to get the bat going a little bit,” he said.
Texas will pay Higashioka $5.75 million in 2025 and $6.75 million in 2026. The contract includes a mutual option for 2027 worth $7 million, with a $1 million buyout. Higashioka could also earn a $250,000 performance bonus in any season where he plays 81 games.
“We see it as a situation where him and Jonah are going to complement one another, more of a timeshare to equal playing time,” Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said. “I think a lot of that will be driven by performance, but I think they both offer some unique traits and have their own abilities.”
Higashioka was the Yankees’ catcher when Corey Kluber threw a no-hitter against the Rangers on May 19, 2021. He was also behind the plate when New York’s Domingo Germán pitched a perfect game at Oakland on June 28, 2023.
Among only 13 men to catch both a perfect game and a no-hitter, Higashioka was with the Yankees during Aaron Judge’s record-setting 2022 season. Judge broke Roger Maris’ American League record with his 62nd home run on October 4, the second-to-last day of the regular season. Higashioka had hit a home run in the first game of that doubleheader.
Kyle Higashioka and David Peralta celebrate after a home run in the 9th inning
Jonah Heim, who is a switch-hitter, was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2023 when the Rangers won their first World Series title. Heim played 131 games in each of the last two seasons. He hit .258 with 18 home runs and 95 RBIs during their championship season but dropped to .220 with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs this year.
“We have a lot of confidence that he’s going to bounce back and be an All-Star type catcher for us,” Fenstermaker said. “We’re looking forward to complementing him with somebody like Kyle, who I think will help elevate and create one of the better catching tandems in the game.”
Only a team that has struggled with quarterback issues for nearly two decades could get a record-breaking 497-yard, four-touchdown, jaw-dropping performance from Jameis Winston on Monday night — and still lose.
A history of disappointment wrapped in one night. Only the Browns.
Winston wasted his impressive performance in Denver’s thin air by throwing two pick-sixes — the second one with 1:48 left in the game — as the Broncos took advantage of big plays to secure a 41-32 victory over the Browns (3-9). Now, the Browns have to wonder what might have happened this season if Deshaun Watson had been benched before he got injured.
The loss ended any hope the Browns had of making a late playoff push, like they did last year. It also marked their 22nd losing season since the team was reborn in 1999.
In his fifth start of the season, Winston gave more proof that the Browns made a big mistake by not changing quarterbacks earlier, before Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon on October 20 against Cincinnati.
Cleveland’s offense has improved with Winston, who has thrown for over 300 yards three times — something Watson didn’t do in 19 starts over his three injury-plagued, suspension-shortened seasons with the Browns.
Jameis Winston scrambles in the 2nd half
While there were some positive moments, Winston’s turnovers were too costly.
“You’re not going to play perfect at the quarterback position. He knows that,” coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday during a Zoom call. “I know that. Ultimately, he wants to do anything in his power to help this team win, and that’s going to be taking care of the ball. But he also had moments where he was moving that offense and did a nice job.”
Winston might not be the long-term solution for the Browns, but he’s showing that he could at least be a viable option for 2025 while the team deals with the complicated Watson situation, which continues to hold a tight grip on the franchise.
Most likely, and assuming he fully recovers, Watson will return next season in some role with the Browns, who still owe him $92 million of his fully guaranteed $230 million contract over the next two years.
Releasing Watson would hurt the salary cap, and while it would be a tough financial decision for owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, it could be the Browns’ safest and easiest way out.
If the Browns need proof that such a move can work, they only have to look at the Broncos, who moved on from QB Russell Wilson’s huge contract by cutting him, taking the financial hit, and drafting Bo Nix.
After some early struggles, Nix has settled in, and the rookie has the Broncos in the mix for a playoff spot.
Not long ago, the Browns thought their quarterback problems were behind them.
Green Bay Packers celebrates after a field goal in the 2nd half
Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses for the past few years.
But that’s not the case recently.
Green Bay held San Francisco to just 16 carries for 44 yards in a 38-10 win over the 49ers on November 24, with two-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey getting 31 yards on 11 attempts. Then, four days later, the Packers defeated Miami 30-17, limiting the Dolphins to 39 yards on 14 carries.
It was the first time since 1995—and only the second time since 1950—that the Packers allowed fewer than 45 rushing yards in back-to-back games in the same season.
“I think we’re playing harder and harder each week,” said first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. “And that’s how you play good defense.”
The defense will need to be at its best on Thursday as the Packers (9-3) finish a stretch of three games in 12 days by playing against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (12-1), who have the highest-scoring offense in the NFL, partly due to a rushing attack with the fast Jahmyr Gibbs and the tough David Montgomery.
Los Angeles Rams center Jonah Jackson and guard Steve Avila wait for the snap of the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions
“Gibbs is a great running back,” said defensive lineman Kenny Clark. “I really think the offense really starts with him, honestly. He can do everything — receive, in-and-out runner, can do stretch, duo plays. We’ve got to have all hands on deck with Gibbs. And then Montgomery, he’s a great complement to him. He can do everything, also.”
The Lions were the first team since the 1975 Miami Dolphins to rush for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of their first 11 games. The streak ended on Thanksgiving when the Lions ran for 194 yards but did not score a rushing touchdown in a 23-20 win over the Chicago Bears.
In the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Lions on November 3 at Lambeau Field, Green Bay outrushed Detroit 138-124. Montgomery ran for 73 yards, while Gibbs had 65 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs has 973 rushing yards this season, ranking fourth in the NFL.
Last season, Montgomery ran for a total of 192 yards and four touchdowns in the Lions’ two games against the Packers. Green Bay’s run defense has improved since then.
This season, the Packers are allowing 106.6 rushing yards per game, ranking eighth in the league. They haven’t finished a season in the top 10 for run defense since 2016 and have been outside the top 20 in four of the past six years, including 26th in 2022 and 28th in 2023.
“I think Haf’s doing a good job of mixing up the fronts and some of the coverages, but really it’s ultimately about tackling, swarming, getting many hats to the football,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “And our guys have really embraced that style of play.”
The Packers are allowing 4.2 yards per carry, ranking seventh in the league after finishing 22nd or worse in that category for the last three seasons. They haven’t finished a season in the top 10 for yards allowed per carry since 2017.
Hafley credits the improvement to the play of the defensive line.
“The interior part of our D-line has done such a good job these last few games,” Hafley said. “They really have. They’re hard to block. They’re staying in their gaps. They’re tearing off of blocks, and it’s the same thing with those defensive ends.
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They’re setting edges, they’re forcing the ball back inside, they’re getting off blocks and then we’re tackling and we’re running to the ball and there’s multiple people to the ball.
“And when you turn on our tape right now and when you freeze it, you see that. You see a lot of guys around the football. And then you’re not afraid, right? Like if I have an open-field tackle and I know eight other guys are coming, I’m going to take my shot because I know if I miss, it’s going to be, ‘Bang, bang, bang,’ we’ve got three or four other guys there, and we’re starting to play faster.”
The Packers’ defense has caught the attention of the Lions.
“They’ve been playing well,” said Detroit coach Dan Campbell. “I mean, they have, really, all season, and nothing has changed.”
