Sports Al Dente

Tyreek Hill’s receiving numbers have dropped significantly.

As the NFL’s leader in receiving yards for 2023, he has caught 23 passes for 286 yards in five games with the Miami Dolphins. This is less than half of what he achieved in his first five games last season, where he had 651 yards.

Several factors have contributed to this drop in production, such as injuries at quarterback and mistakes on offense. However, the All-Pro receiver doesn’t want to blame anyone.

“I’m here for this team,” Hill said Wednesday. “I’m here for my brothers all day long. If I’m open, I’m not going to go to the sideline and point it out. We’re just going to fix it when we watch film together on the offense the next day.”

As they prepare for their Week 7 game against the Indianapolis Colts, the Dolphins ranked last in the NFL for scoring offense and 26th in passing.

Before catching six passes for 69 yards in Week 5 against the Patriots, Hill had three consecutive games without reaching 50 yards. He hasn’t had a 100-yard receiving game since he had 130 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s season opener. In comparison, Hill had four 100-yard receiving games by Week 7 last year.

The Dolphins have been without Tua Tagovailoa, last year’s passing leader, since Week 2 due to a concussion. They have been using Tyler “Snoop” Huntley for the past two games. Skylar Thompson, Tagovailoa’s backup, started in Week 3 but injured his ribs and hasn’t played since.

Huntley has acknowledged that he needs to develop chemistry with Miami’s fast receivers, including Hill, whom he missed on several deep throws during his debut with the Dolphins, a 31-12 loss to the Titans in Week 4.

Huntley mentioned that he used the team’s recent bye week to work on his footwork and study the details of coach Mike McDaniel’s playbook. The former Ravens quarterback even asked some of his receivers to come back from their vacations early to practice together.

“I didn’t really want to bother too many guys,” Huntley said. “The guys that were able to come back earlier were able to catch a few passes, and it was good.”

Huntley’s teammates have supported him, praising his communication, effort in learning the offense, and how he handles mistakes.

“For being here for only a short time, he really came in and learned the offense,” said receiver Jaylen Waddle. “Not only did he learn the offense, but he also had to get to know new receivers and different players.

It’s tough coming in, especially since we’ve played some really good teams while he’s been here. So just getting him used to throwing to us, timing, all these motions — he’s doing good, man, doing great.”

The expectation is that Tagovailoa will play again this season, but Hill has said he feels confident no matter who is the quarterback.

Hill also mentioned that he doesn’t feel the need to criticize his quarterback for missed chances on the field. “I just tell him, ‘Hey man, let’s go. Keep going,’” Hill said. “That’s my mentality. I’ve always been like that.

My parents raised me in a different shape and form. I know a lot of people try to compare me to (Antonio Brown) all the time, but I’ll never run off the field and ruin my paycheck like that. I’m smart at the end of the day. I’ve got kids to take care of.”

Hill added, “At the end of the day, the quarterback is almost like a kicker. If you say something to him, then you’re in his head and he’s like, ‘Oh, I’ve got to find my guy.’ I don’t have to do that. When it’s time, it’s time.”

When asked if he feels he’s playing at the same level as he did before, Hill smiled. “Cheetah’s going to be Cheetah,” he said.

Since Chuba Hubbard joined the Panthers, it seems the team has been looking for a better option at running back. However, the more he plays, the more he shows he can be a valuable, all-around back.

Hubbard, who is from Canada, has been one of the best running backs this season, even though he plays for one of the league’s weaker teams. He has averaged over 100 rushing yards per game in the last four weeks and more than 6 yards per carry in the last five games.

For a team that often has to give up on the run game when they fall behind—Carolina has allowed the most points in the league with 203—that’s impressive.

Hubbard’s 485 rushing yards rank third in the NFL, behind Derrick Henry from Baltimore and Jordan Mason from San Francisco. His pass blocking has gotten better, as has his ability to catch passes. He has caught 22 of the 24 passes thrown to him this season, gaining 93 yards and scoring a touchdown. “I pride myself on being a complete back,” Hubbard said.

At 25 years old, Hubbard is driven by the need to support his family, his passion for the game, and the goal of becoming one of the best running backs in NFL history. Despite facing challenges, Hubbard keeps pushing through.

When he was drafted in the fourth round in 2021, Christian McCaffrey was the main starter for Carolina. Hubbard showed his potential when McCaffrey was injured, rushing for 612 yards and five touchdowns in 10 starts.

The next year, McCaffrey was traded to San Francisco after seven games, but the Panthers chose D’Onta Foreman as their main running back, putting Hubbard back in a backup role.

Foreman left the Panthers after the next offseason through free agency, but instead of giving the starting job to Hubbard, the Panthers signed Miles Sanders to a four-year, $24.5 million contract. This was the biggest multiyear deal for a free agent running back that offseason, and former coach Frank Reich quickly called him the team’s “every-down back.”

However, Sanders didn’t hold the starting position for long

Hubbard took over as the starter six games into the 2023 season and rushed for a career-high 902 yards and five touchdowns. He has kept the starting job since then, but there are still questions about how long that will last.

This year, the Panthers drafted Jonathan Brooks in the second round, planning for him to become their main running back once he recovered from a torn ACL.

Brooks practiced for the first time on Wednesday but mentioned that he still needs to gain confidence in his knee before he can play in games.

“Like my doctor said, my knee is healed. It’s just the mental part of it now where you have to tell yourself it’s healed and just go play fast,” Brooks said.

Coach Dave Canales has not committed to what role Brooks will have once he is ready to play.

Considering Hubbard’s past performance and his 5.6 yards per carry average, it’s clear he won’t give up the starting job easily.

One thing working in Hubbard’s favor is that he seems to have impressed Canales. The first-year coach appreciates his quick and decisive running style, which he thinks fits well with his offensive plan.

“He’s not afraid of the dirty 2- and 3-yard run, where you just kind of have to cram it up in there,” Canales said. “And then later on in the game, they start popping into 8s and 12s, and here comes a 25. Just the discipline and his willingness to really commit to the system.”

Hubbard said, “I feel like the position gets overshadowed and people feel like anyone can do it. But to really know and understand certain runs, gaps, schemes, zones and power and all of these different things it takes patience.”

Canales views Brooks as more of a “home run threat” when he has the ball, so the rookie will get his opportunity eventually.

For now, Hubbard is still the starting running back for Carolina as they head into Week 7, where he will play against the Washington Commanders and six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner on Sunday.

Wagner mentioned that stopping Hubbard will be a challenge for the NFL’s 22nd-ranked run defense.

“I like the way he runs,” Wagner said. “He tries to finish runs. He sees the holes really well. He’s going to be a tough task for us.”

Will Levis is still very confident and believes that he understands his role well in his second offense in the NFL. The quarterback for the Tennessee Titans knows that the team’s performance is not what anyone hopes for.

The Titans have started the season with a 1-4 record and are ranked 31st in passing yards per game. This is worse than the last two seasons under former coach Mike Vrabel, where they were 30th in 2022 and 29th in 2023.

Levis mentioned on Wednesday that he would like to throw more deep passes, which he feels is one of his strengths. His longest completion this season was a 40-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley in a loss to the Jets in Week 2.

“We’re playing within the offense still, and I’m going to keep trusting what I’m seeing and making the throws and plays that I feel are appropriate,” Levis said.

First-year coach Brian Callahan is also in his first season calling plays in the NFL. He explained that it takes time, especially with five games now played with Levis.

“We learn as we’re going and we’re building as we go, and there are things that I’m discovering and things that I like and things that we’ll do more of as we keep moving,” Callahan said. “So it’s a process. It’s not an immediate thing.”

According to last week’s numbers, the situation is challenging. Levis threw for a career-low 95 yards in a game he both started and finished. The Titans lost 20-17 to Indianapolis, which has one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses.

Next, the Titans will go on a two-game road trip starting Sunday at Buffalo (4-2).

Levis, who was the 33rd pick overall in 2023 out of Kentucky, hasn’t won a game since December 11 last season against Miami. He has five touchdown passes this season, three fewer than he had in nine starts as a rookie. Levis also has the worst number of interceptions in the NFL with seven, which is three more than last season.

He ranks 31st among starting NFL quarterbacks with a 70.7 passer rating and 30th with 699 passing yards. He missed most of Tennessee’s only win in Miami, replaced by backup Mason Rudolph in the game where the Titans scored more than 17 points.

Callahan has emphasized that the Titans, who spent a lot during the offseason, are dedicated to helping Levis improve.

Passing the ball requires all 11 players on the field to work together, including the offensive line blocking, receivers, running backs, and tight ends running their routes correctly. The quarterback needs to time his throws well.

Callahan stated that the Titans’ current issue is simply about execution.

“It’s certainly something that we’ve spent a lot of time and effort on as of late, trying to make sure we continue to refine it and get our timing down so we can have more success because we need to be better in the passing game,” Callahan said.

Six games into the season, the Seattle Seahawks needed support for their defense. This week, they made a move by trading for defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris from Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick in 2026.

The 31-year-old Robertson-Harris brings size and experience to a Seahawks defense that has had a hard time stopping the run this season.

Seattle has faced injuries recently and currently ranks 19th in total defense, allowing 339.7 yards per game, and 28th in the league by giving up 144.7 rushing yards per game.

With Robertson-Harris joining the defensive line and tackle Byron Murphy II expected to return from injury, the Seahawks hope for improvement soon.

“Just an opportunity to get a really, really good player that we have a lot of respect for,” said coach Mike Macdonald. “He’s big, he’s tough, he’s rugged.

He provides some, I know we use the term positional flexibility probably too much, but he does do that, and can play really all three gaps up front. So he gives us a great opportunity to have a pretty deep front.”

It’s been a busy week for Robertson-Harris, who played in London on Sunday for the Jaguars against Chicago, and he described arriving in Seattle just a few days later as “surreal.”

On the field, Robertson-Harris aims to bring a physical style of play to the Seahawks’ line, where he is listed as a defensive tackle. So far this season, he has recorded seven tackles and two sacks.

“Obviously this front is very talented and well known,” Robertson-Harris said. “I feel like I bring a lot of violence and get-off. I’m pretty solid in the run game, pass rush is pretty solid. I bring a lot of energy on the field, practice and Sundays.”

Along with getting used to a new workplace and meeting his coaches and teammates, Robertson-Harris has to learn the Seahawks’ system quickly with just a few days until Sunday’s game in Atlanta, which he hopes to participate in.

However, as a veteran player, Macdonald believes that Robertson-Harris will be able to make an impact right away.

“He’ll be a quick study,” Macdonald said. “You know, and guys up front, I mean, there’s so much carryover in the league with some of the language and stuff. A six technique’s a six technique everywhere you go, so we know he can do that.”

Robertson-Harris sees some familiar faces in Seattle. He played with linebacker Trevis Gipson in Chicago in 2020, and they were teammates in Jacksonville this past offseason before Gipson’s trade to Seattle in August.

He also played with strong safety Rayshawn Jenkins for three seasons in Jacksonville.

Defensive end Leonard Williams is looking forward to playing alongside Robertson-Harris on a Seattle defensive line that will face a tough Atlanta offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins and running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

“I’m excited to have him,” Williams said. “He’s a big guy, strong, physical, good in the run game, which, you know, we need that right now.”

Robertson-Harris, who went undrafted from the University of Texas-El Paso in 2016, has built a solid NFL career. But he still feels he has more to prove as he enters his eighth season in the league.

“Guys look at me like, ‘Oh, you went to UTEP.’ Like, yeah, I know a lot of guys I played with that are still playing in this league that were at UTEP,” Robertson-Harris said. “You know, I always play with a chip on my shoulder, just to prove that I’m here, respectfully.”

Alone in his car, with his phone buzzing from texts and missed calls, Amari Cooper felt a sense of calm as the Cleveland skyline disappeared from view. The closer he got to his new home in Buffalo, the more excited he became.

A drive that usually takes around three hours on I-90 felt longer for Cooper as he packed his things and thought about the new opportunities ahead after the Browns traded him to the Bills.

“It kind of felt like a long drive to my first day of school. So, yeah, it was a lot to think about,” Cooper said after practice on Wednesday, a day after the trade.

“I was really just trying to take it all in and just trying to think about this situation,” he added. “It did kind of reinvigorate me and motivated me for sure. So it was just a very introspective drive.”

In just 24 hours and during a trip along Lake Erie, Cooper went from being part of an unproductive Browns offense, where the team was struggling at 1-5 and had lost four straight games, to joining the Bills (4-2), who are four-time defending champions of the AFC East, and having the chance to play with Josh Allen.

“I don’t know him personally,” Cooper said about the seventh-year quarterback. “But as far as the way he plays, it’s phenomenal every time I turn on the television.”

At 30, Cooper is a five-time Pro Bowler who has achieved over 1,000 receiving yards in seven of his nine previous seasons, including a career-best 1,250 yards last year. In Buffalo, he gives Allen an experienced target that the team has missed since Stefon Diggs was traded to Houston in April.

With 24 catches and 250 yards, despite some unusual drops, Cooper is now Buffalo’s leading receiver, with one more yard and four more catches than Khalil Shakir.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane rejected the idea that the trade was made because his receivers were not performing well in what was called an “Everybody Eats” system that spreads the ball around.

However, Beane mentioned that he had spent the past few weeks looking for a receiver. He said he went “all-in” on Cooper on Sunday when it became clear that the Raiders were trading Davante Adams to the New York Jets, with both trades happening within hours of each other.

Quarterback Josh Allen had no doubts when asked how Cooper’s addition might change the “Everybody Eats” approach. “I think it’s going to help us regardless, because defenses obviously know who he is,” Allen said.

“I’m still just trying to throw it to the open guy, but I think having a type of guy like him, who’s done it consistently over the course of his career, and done it at a high level, is going to help everybody in this building.”

This trade comes at a time when Buffalo ranks 25th in the NFL for passing yards. Rookie running back Ray Davis, with 55 yards, was Buffalo’s leading receiver in a 23-20 win against the New York Jets on Monday, and Allen has not surpassed 200 passing yards in three games.

The key question is how quickly Cooper can adjust to Buffalo’s offense. Coach Sean McDermott did not confirm whether Cooper would be active on Sunday when the Bills host Tennessee.

One advantage of making the trade in mid-October, the coach said, is that it gives Cooper a few extra weeks to get settled in, compared to if Buffalo had waited until the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5.

Another positive is that Cooper has previously worked with Bills receivers coach Adam Henry, who was in the same role when they were together in Dallas in 2020 and 2021.

Cooper mentioned that Henry is one of the few former coaches he has kept in touch with and he looked forward to reuniting with him.

When it comes to setting expectations for Sunday, Cooper said it’s too early to tell. “I just got here, you know what I mean,” Cooper said. “If I had to answer the question, the expectation would be to take full advantage of my opportunities. That’s it.”

In Cleveland, his former teammates and coaches are missing him.

“You got to trust the organization and what AB and Kevin and those guys upstairs have planned,” quarterback Deshaun Watson said, referring to general manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski.

“But at the same time, we’re definitely going to miss him, and we appreciate everything he brought for this team and this organization.”

Now on his fourth team, Cooper is used to being traded during the season, like when the Oakland Raiders traded him to Dallas in 2018. On Wednesday, he focused on looking forward with a “just be where your feet are” mindset.

“You can look back at the past, but only to learn from it,” Cooper said. “We weren’t having the best season over there in Cleveland, but the season is long. But obviously I’m not there anymore. … So I can only go from here.”

Davante Adams was never a distraction, and his leaving doesn’t mean a rebuild is needed.

That was the message from the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday, one day after the six-time Pro Bowl receiver was traded to the New York Jets.

“Next man up, move on,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said during his weekly media session. “He was out for the last two weeks, so we’re fine. Just business as usual. That’s how we’ve been really operating the last couple weeks.”

The problem is, in the last few weeks, the Raiders (2-4) have faced tough losses in Denver and at home against Pittsburgh.

Star defensive end Maxx Crosby said that while he wishes Adams well, he is focused on the game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (1-4), a team coming off a bye week and also looking to get a win.

“I’m focused on who’s here now, and we’re just trying to win football games,” Crosby said. “The Rams’ offense clearly has a lot of talent. Starts with Matthew Stafford. Incredible quarterback. And then you got Sean McVay behind him, you got two guys that know the game really well.

And they provide a lot of issues. So we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge. I’m really excited.”

Crosby and the defensive line might not be the problem, as Las Vegas recorded three sacks in Sunday’s home loss to Pittsburgh. This marked the third game in a row that the Raiders have achieved at least that many, which is tied for the third-longest active streak in the league.

They have also had multiple sacks in their last five games, the team’s longest streak since achieving it in 10 straight games during the 2020-21 seasons.

However, it’s the mental mistakes that have troubled the Raiders, as they committed six turnovers in the past two weeks. They also had 11 penalties for 79 yards against the Broncos.

While they only had four penalties against the Steelers, two of them were roughing-the-passer calls on third down that led to touchdowns for Pittsburgh, including one on what would have been a Raiders interception.

“We know where we fall short — turnovers, penalties,” Ameer Abdullah said. “I feel like if we can get those things in order, we’re going to give ourselves a much better chance to win most of our games.

”(The Rams are) the biggest game because it’s the next game. I think it’s a must-win because it’s the next one.”

The Raiders also need to improve their offense, as they have the fourth-worst success rate in finishing drives with a score, at just 28.2%. They also have the sixth-lowest scoring average, with only 18.2 points.

Aidan O’Connell, who became the starting quarterback in Week 5, is now 0-2 while leading the offense. Still, he said he has faith in his receivers as the team moves on without Adams.

“I thought we did a good job executing,” O’Connell said about Wednesday’s practice. “Obviously, we’re still in the early stages of our install … it’s not Sunday yet, we’ve still got a few days to go and days to prepare.

“But I’m confident in our guys to go out and execute. And I think the good thing about the NFL is every week’s a new week. Whether you win or lose, you can wipe the slate and kind of have a short memory in that way.”

With Adams gone and Jakobi Meyers dealing with an ankle injury, second-year wide receiver Tre Tucker might get a lot of opportunities on Sunday.

“It’ll be a fun one; I played the Rams last year in preseason,” Tucker said. “That was a pretty good game, and I’m excited to play them again.”

Eight months later, the pain of losing their second Super Bowl in five seasons to the Kansas City Chiefs still lingers for the San Francisco 49ers as they get ready for a rare regular-season rematch.

Memories of Chris Jones disrupting key plays, Patrick Mahomes making plays with both his arm and legs, and Travis Kelce finding openings in crucial moments during Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime victory are hard to shake as the Niners (3-3) review tape from that February game in preparation for their matchup against the Chiefs (5-0) on Sunday.

“Everyone understands that we’ve lost the two Super Bowls to them. So I mean, that can give a little post-traumatic stress when you turn on the tape,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday.

“I think that’s human nature. But you’ve got to make sure you don’t get caught up in that. This game has nothing to do with past games; that was last year.”

Sunday’s game will be the 10th time in NFL history that teams who met in the Super Bowl face off again in the following regular season, with the defending champion winning 6 out of 9 of those games.

The 49ers don’t want to focus too much on that past game and know that a regular-season win won’t make up for a Super Bowl loss. However, they can’t ignore rewatching it for any lessons that could help them this week.

“It’s definitely a little emotional,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “But at this point, it’s just a game so we’re just looking at the tape, trying to learn from it. A lot of similarities from last year. A few new guys, but a really good defense and an offense obviously has No. 15 (Mahomes) back there. So always dangerous.”

The loss in February hurts especially because the 49ers had many chances to win their first championship since the 1994 season.

San Francisco had a 10-0 lead early in the game and held three leads in the fourth quarter and overtime, but Mahomes and the Chiefs managed to erase those leads and eventually win by coming through in key moments.

Kansas City put pressure on Brock Purdy, causing two important third-down passes to be incomplete, which led to field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime. Travis Kelce broke free for a 22-yard gain that set up a tying field goal at the end of regulation. Patrick Mahomes converted a fourth-and-1 run in overtime to keep a drive alive that ended with his game-winning touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman.

The most painful moments include the missed third-down pass at the end of regulation, which Purdy said still bothers him since it gave Kansas City a chance to tie the game, and not being able to stop Mahomes on that fourth-down run.

After San Francisco kicked a field goal on their first possession of overtime, they could have won the game with one stop on fourth-and-1.

Mahomes faked an inside handoff to Isiah Pacheco. Nick Bosa crashed down on that play, which was his assignment, while Mahomes rolled to his right. When Logan Ryan covered Kelce, Mahomes kept the ball and ran 8 yards for the first down that extended the game.

“That was tough especially because we have calls that can negate that,” Bosa said. “They ran the zone read a few times and we just didn’t find an answer to it. I definitely thought he was going to hold it or keep it, but I’ve got to do my job, especially in a big moment like that. … We definitely have a plan for the zone read this time. Hindsight is 20-20.”

Linebacker Fred Warner mentioned that there were ways San Francisco could have played that better but added that the game wasn’t decided by just one play.

“You want to be great in those critical situations to ultimately end and win the game, but there are little plays throughout the entire game you could have said, ‘Aw, that was the one. That could have won it,’” he said. “You’ve got to look at all of them.”

Almost from the time Nick Chubb was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, he has felt a strong connection with the city and its fans. This bond has never been stronger.

As he prepares to return to play in an NFL game after his second major knee injury, the usually quiet Chubb shared his feelings on Wednesday in a heartfelt essay.

He worked with The Players’ Tribune to write a letter that told his story and thanked fans for their support during his recovery.

“Just trying to give back a little bit,” Chubb explained Wednesday before practice. “I am kind of a closed-off guy, so I thought it’d be good. I thought people would appreciate me opening up a little bit, especially at a time like this.”

Chubb has won the hearts of the area’s passionate sports fans like few other athletes. He is loved in a way that goes beyond the typical fan-player relationship, which is why he felt inspired to write “Cleveland Got May Back.”

He wanted to share his emotional journey back after his left knee, the same one he injured in 2015 while playing at Georgia, was severely damaged in Week 2 last year in Pittsburgh. While trying to run inside the 5-yard line, he was hit by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

His season was over, and he feared his career might be too.

Chubb pushed through his own doubts and what others predicted. With the support of family, friends, and even strangers who recognize him by his No. 24 jersey and orange helmet, Chubb is ready to play again. He’s thankful for the opportunity.

“It means a lot because people only see me on Sundays and they don’t know what it’s been like this past year,” said Chubb, who is likely to start this week against Cincinnati. “It’s been a lot of downs, a lot of hard work, a lot of stress.”

In more detail than he had shared before, Chubb wrote in the essay that after he was taken off the field, he went on social media and saw a comment from LeBron James on X, which was formerly known as Twitter.

“Those messages meant the world to me,” the four-time Pro Bowler said. “Just LeBron and everybody showing me love in a really dark time. But I can’t lie to you. At that moment, I was thinking that I had probably played my last NFL down.”

Chubb needed two surgeries to fix two torn ligaments, along with damage to the medial capsule and meniscus in his left knee. Given Chubb’s dedication and work ethic, the Browns were hopeful he would return at some point in 2024.

He didn’t let them down. He never has.

“Nick’s a pretty special football player,” said coach Kevin Stefanski. “He’s a pretty special person. I think he embodies a lot of what we want to be as Cleveland Browns, and certainly, I think our fans feel that from him.

“For me, from my chair, I get to watch him work and I get to see the fruits of his labor. I get to peek out of my office window early in the morning, and he’s the only one out there running. I’ve gotten to witness this journey back to last year and how hard he’s worked.”

Even though he was in the last year of his contract, the team changed his deal, telling his agent that they never thought about cutting Chubb and wanted to bring him back because of what he means to the city.

“That really meant the world to me,” he wrote. Chubb said that once he started running in April, any doubts about playing again were gone. He has been going full speed since then.

“It was just a monumental moment for me to actually run again,” he said. “I knew at that moment that I would come back to be who I was.”

His teammates have supported him throughout his recovery. As Chubb started his media session in the middle of Cleveland’s locker room, several Browns players playfully cheered for him.

In what has been a tough season so far, Chubb brings some excitement. “He’ll be that spark for us,” linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah said. “We can’t wait to see that.”

Chubb hasn’t let himself think too much about how he will feel when he steps onto the field. Just being out there will mean as much to him as scoring a touchdown or rushing for 100 yards.

Cleveland fans have been waiting to chant his name again — “Chubb, Chubb, Chubb.” It’s time.

Chubb laughed when he was reminded that he went unrecognized at Cleveland’s airport after being drafted in 2018. While waiting near the baggage carousel, someone asked him what he was doing in town.

“I miss those days,” he said. “That’s still the person I am. People in Cleveland just came to appreciate me for who I am and that’s what I love. I’m still that guy. I just want to work and I want to win.”

Tom Brady officially began his role as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday.

Mark Davis, the majority owner of the Raiders, was spotted cheerfully sitting on a bench outside the team facility, despite the team struggling with a 2-4 record and the recent trade of star receiver Davante Adams.

“Hey guys!” Davis exclaimed, grinning widely as reporters approached the media room. Davis eagerly anticipated Brady’s arrival, joined by a small group of employees waiting in the lobby.

Brady’s presence seemed to invigorate the atmosphere as he took the stage with a cordless microphone.

“I have tremendous respect for Tom Brady,” noted Raiders coach Antonio Pierce. “He’s a true professional and a hard worker. His journey has been full of challenges.

“While we focus on the end results, like his championships and the ‘GOAT’ title, we must remember he’s put in a lot of effort to reach this point as a minority owner with the Raiders. It’s a significant advantage to have someone with such a successful and gritty background on board.”

Despite the lingering discussion around Adams’ departure, many Raiders players felt energized by Brady’s presence and the potential impact he could have on the franchise.

Quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who recently took over as starter, expressed enthusiasm about learning from the seven-time Super Bowl champion and would welcome any opportunity for one-on-one discussions.

“I know he’s busy, but if he has any time, I’d love to pick his brain,” O’Connell said. “He’s a remarkable asset to have in an NFL setting. His extensive experience at the highest level offers us a lot of valuable insights.”

Defensive captain Maxx Crosby shared his hopes that Brady’s competitive spirit will resonate throughout the locker room.

“He embodies competition,” Crosby stated. “I personally thrive around people like him, and his presence is bound to enhance our culture and contribute to our success.”

Jim Harbaugh believes that a sign of a great team is when backup players step up when they are needed the most.

Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still did just that for the Los Angeles Chargers last week, and they will likely be relied on heavily again for Monday night’s game against Arizona.

The rookie cornerbacks are expected to start again due to injuries. Asante Samuel Jr. is on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury, and Kristian Fulton strained his hamstring during the third quarter of last Sunday’s 23-16 win against Denver.

Backup Ja’Sir Taylor has not played the last two games because of a leg injury. Deane Leonard, who mainly plays special teams, also hurt his hamstring in Denver.

Fulton, Taylor, and Leonard did not practice on Wednesday. Eli Apple was added to the practice squad, but it is unclear how long it will take him to get ready to play.

“You can see it brewing when that next guy steps up and plays to his best, sometimes it’s as good as the starter and when real magic starts happening,” Harbaugh said. “Guys understand that their opportunity is coming and they are preparing for it.”

Hart made his first NFL start in Denver in place of Samuel and played all 55 snaps. The Chargers began the game in nickel defense, with Still playing slot corner for the second game in a row, but he moved to an outside position after Fulton’s injury.

Hart and Still were both picked in the fifth round. Besides playing the same position, they were also roommates during training camp.

“I guess we just bounce off each other, motivation-wise, knowing we have something to prove,” Hart said. “We are good enough no matter where we were picked in the draft and just have to continue to keep showing that the rest of the season.”

Hart wasn’t targeted in coverage but managed to make three tackles against Denver. “He played really physical and covered well,” Harbaugh said.

Still has been on the field for an average of 44 snaps during his starts in the last two games. He made a solid pass breakup on a deep throw from Bo Nix intended for Marvin Mims Jr. in the first quarter.

“I felt more comfortable out there. I’m still adjusting, but the coaches have faith and confidence in me,” Still said.

The strong performances of Hart and Still add to what has been a successful draft class in Joe Hortiz’s first year as general manager.

Joe Alt, the fifth overall pick, has been a strong presence at right tackle, while wide receiver Ladd McConkey, whom the Chargers traded up to select in the second round, leads the team in receptions (19) and receiving yards (219).

Linebacker Junior Colson, a third-round pick, is averaging 24 snaps in the three games he has played, and running back Kimani Vidal (sixth-round) scored a touchdown on a 38-yard catch last week, marking his first touch in the NFL.

“I felt like all the rookies that came in were competitive. You don’t want to be too out of control or reckless, but you do want to be competitive and show the coaches that you want it,” Still said. “Some people’s chances came earlier than others, but everyone is going to get their opportunity.”

One of the main challenges for the defense, especially the secondary, will be containing Kyler Murray when he scrambles. The Chargers allowed six scrambles for 61 yards by Nix last week.

Murray ranks third among NFL quarterbacks in scramble yards, with 150 on 16 runs. “We know he’s going to be able to extend the play sometimes. So when that happens, just stay close to your guy, keep good coverage, and don’t lose sight of him,” Still said.