Author: nfltalk

FRISCO, Texas —  When a Cowboys wide receiver gets the invite to wear Jersey No. 88, that means they have been identified as worthy to live up to the lofty standard set by those who came before him as Dallas’ top target. 

Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson is the original, wearing the number for 11 seasons from 1973-1983 and becoming a pioneer of the Hail Mary alongside Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach. Hall of Famer Michael Irvin made 88 his as the Cowboys’ top receiver on their three Super Bowl title teams of the 1990s while setting numerous team records. Dez Bryant broke Dallas’ all-time receiving touchdowns record with 73 in his eight seasons (2010-2017) while rocking the double eights.

Today’s No. 88, 24-year-old Pro Bowl wide out CeeDee Lamb, broke one of Irvin’s team records with Irvin in the building for Jimmy Johnson’s induction into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor Saturday night against the NFC North champion Detroit Lions. Lamb’s 112 catches and counting this season lead the NFL, surpassing Irvin’s single-season Cowboys catches record of 111 that was set in 1995, Dallas’ last Super Bowl championship season. 

The downside of the play in which he broke the record is he fumbled the ball out of the end zone for a touchback to give the Detroit Lions the ball right as the Cowboys were about to go up 14-3. 

“If we win, it will mean a lot more,” Lamb said Wednesday about breaking Irvin’s record.

Most catches in a season in Cowboys history

* Two games left in 2023 regular season 

Irvin elaborated about his single-season catches record falling at the hands of Lamb on Fox Sports’ “Undisputed” on Friday.

“I love it,” Irvin said when asked about Lamb breaking his record. “If you retire a number and they put it in the rafters, they show it in passing and then go right back to the game. If your number is on the best player’s back, every time he makes a play, they say…

..

[ad_2]

Read More

The Vikings signed veteran linebacker Anthony Barr to their active roster from their practice squad Friday, the team announced.

Barr, whom the Vikings selected in the first round of the 2014 draft, joined the team’s practice squad in November.

The Vikings elevated Barr from the practice squad to the active roster for Week 11 at Denver and Week 12 against the Bears. In 26 defensive snaps, Barr has one tackle and a fumble recovery.

The team had an open roster spot after placing outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum on injured reserve. Wonnum required surgery to repair a quadriceps muscle.

In addition to signing Barr to the 53-player roster, the Vikings re-signed linebacker Nick Vigil to the practice squad.

The Vikings ruled out four players for Sunday’s game against the Packers. Safety Theo Jackson (toe), cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (knee), receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion) and defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (ankle) won’t dress out.

Receiver Jordan Addison (ankle), cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder/illness) and linebacker Troy Dye (wrist) are questionable.

..

[ad_2]

Read More

With just 31 games left in the regular-season, the NFL playoff picture is starting to take shape. 

With their 37-20 win over the Jets on Thursday night, the Cleveland Browns became the seventh team to punch their playoff ticket this year. Although the Browns were the first team to clinch a spot in Week 17, there’s a good chance they won’t be the last. As a matter of fact, by the time Week 17 is in the books, we could see six more spots clinched. 

Here are the the playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 17, starting with the AFC:

Can clinch AFC South and playoff berth with: 
1. Jaguars win over Panthers combined with Colts loss to Raiders AND Texans loss to Titans. 

Can clinch AFC West and playoff berth with: 
1. Chiefs win or tie vs. Bengals OR
2. Raiders loss or tie to Colts combined with Broncos loss or tie to Chargers

The Bills have 14 SCENARIOS where they could clinch a playoff berth this weekend, so let’s take a look at them. 

Can clinch a playoff berth with: 

Bills win over Patriots + Steelers loss or tie to Seahawks + Bengals loss or tie to Chiefs ORBills win + Steelers loss or tie + Jaguars loss or tie to Panthers ORBills win + Steelers loss or tie + Texans loss or tie to Titans + Colts loss or tie to Raiders ORBills win + Bengals loss or tie + Jaguars loss or tie ORBills win + Bengals loss or tie + Texans loss or tie + Colts loss or tie ORBills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss ORBills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Texans loss or tie ORBills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Colts loss or tie ORBills tie + Steelers loss + Jaguars loss + Texans loss or tie ORBills tie + Steeles loss + Jaguars loss + Colts loss or tie ORBills tie + Steelers loss + Texans loss + Colts loss ORBills tie + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss + Texans loss or tie ORBills tie + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss + Colts loss or tie ORBills tie + Bengals loss + Texans loss + Colts loss

The…

..

[ad_2]

Read More

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remained limited on Thursday’s practice report.

Tagovailoa has injuries to his left thumb and a quadriceps, with Wednesday marking the first time this season he has not had a full practice.

The only injury he had listed on the practice report over the first 16 weeks was a right arm laceration, though he had full practices during that entire week and no injury designation.

Offensive coordinator Frank Smith didn’t express concern about Tagovailoa before practice Thursday.

“Yeah, I think it was something on one of the throws or something like that in the game [where Tagovailoa hurt his thumb]. I’m not 100 percent sure. I can’t remember exactly what it was,” Smith said, via a transcript from the team. “But like everything, I think the big thing is as you go through it, it’s the last week of December. I mean, I’ve got a paper cut in my hand, too, that I’m working through. I’m trying to push through. But ultimately, it’s just for us, it’s worrying about today, making sure that we’re getting ourselves ready for Baltimore this Sunday.”

The Dolphins got running back De’Von Achane (toe), left tackle Terron Armstead (knee/ankle/back), receiver Robbie Chosen (concussion) and receiver Tyreek Hill (rest) back to practice on a limited basis after they missed Wednesday’s session.

Offensive lineman Lester Cotton was added to the report that a hip injury that limited him.

Receiver Jaylen Waddle, who is not expected to play with his ankle injury, and running back Raheem Mostert, who is expected to play despite knee and ankle issues, were the only players who didn’t practice.

Offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg (calf/ankle), safety Jevon Holland (knees), cornerback Xavien Howard (hip/thumb), offensive lineman Austin Jackson (oblique) and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (wrist) again were limited.

..

[ad_2]

Read More