NFL News Updates

Blog

  • 49ers’ season unravels after Brock Purdy’s injury, prompting questions about future at QB

    49ers’ season unravels after Brock Purdy’s injury, prompting questions about future at QB

    PHILADELPHIA – “When you have two quarterbacks, you have none.”

    It’s one of those longstanding NFL maxims – who knows who first uttered it? – that pithily suggests that if you don’t have a star, or at least an established passer, under center, then your team is up a creek.

    But the San Francisco 49ers turned the phrase on its head during the 2022 season, riding a trio of QBs to the NFC West title, which included a 12-game winning streak that extended into the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, the Niners proved during Sunday’s 31-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship game that, “When you have to use your fourth-string quarterback, you have no chance.”

    HOW IT HAPPENED: Philadelphia dominant in 31-7 trouncing of San Francisco

    ANALYSIS ON AFC TITLE GAME: Everything to know for Bengals-Chiefs

    San Francisco’s season finally unraveled on its first offensive possession Sunday when Brock Purdy, “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final selection of the 2022 draft but vying to become the first rookie quarterback to guide his team into the Super Bowl, injured his throwing elbow while being sacked by linebacker Haason Reddick.

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy injured his elbow during the NFC championship game.

    A few practice throws and multiple trips to the medical tent seemed to effectively signal Purdy’s day was over, though he was forced to return in the second half after QB4 Josh Johnson suffered a concussion. But by that point, San Francisco trailing 21-7 and Purdy effectively unable to throw the ball more than a few yards, the Niners’ season was effectively over.

    Yet it’s amazing they made it this far – and coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch deserve all the credit for resourcing and managing a position that devours the salary cap and depth chart for so many clubs. San Francisco was on the verge of becoming the first squad in six years to reach the Super Bowl while starting three quarterbacks in the regular season.

    Now the Niners…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • 4-star LB commit to Florida after visiting for Junior Day

    4-star LB commit to Florida after visiting for Junior Day

    Florida earned another commitment from the class of 2024 on Saturday as four-star Largo (Florida) linebacker Adarius Hayes pledged his services to the university.

    Hayes was in town for Florida’s final Junior Day of the January recruiting period and announced his decision before leaving the Swamp. He was also in town last weekend to check in with the program, according to Swamp247. Hayes told Gators Online that he always planned on being a Gator and came into Saturday’s visit knowing that he’d be joining the class.

    “It was the plan the whole time. I’m blessed to be a Gator. Go Gators,” Hayes said. “I’ll be a MIKE only. They said I’ll just be a middle linebacker and come off the edge more on third down. Basically, I would be like Amari Burney/Ventrell Miller.”

    Hayes shadowed linebackers Shemar James and Derek Wingo on this trip and the duo did their best to reel him in. He got a glimpse of the role he’ll be playing on Florida’s defense and locked in with the Gators over Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others.

    This is the second blue-chip linebacker Florida has reeled in from the 2024 class. Myles Graham, who is ranked No. 30 overall on the 247Sports composite and No. 36 on the On3 consensus, picked Florida in August and seems locked in as a legacy commit.

    Hayes is the No. 61 overall recruit in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite. He’s also No. 7 among edge rushers in the class and No. 12 among prep players from the Sunshine State. On3 is even more bullish on him, ranking Hayes at No. 55 overall on the consensus rankings and No. 33 on the site’s independent list.

    Florida now has four players under commitment in the class. In addition to Hayes and Graham, UF has five-star quarterback DJ Lagway and four-star running back Chauncey Bowens on board as well. The…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • Meet Eagles QBs coach Brian Johnson, the hottest non-head coaching name in the NFL

    Meet Eagles QBs coach Brian Johnson, the hottest non-head coaching name in the NFL

    Getty Images

    Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is the hottest non-head coaching name in the NFL today.

    As the Eagles head into Sunday’s game one step from the Super Bowl, Johnson has risen to be several potential head coaches’ pick for their offensive coordinator. According to multiple sources, at least three head-coaching candidates have tabbed Johnson as their would-be OC.

    Whether Johnson leaves Philadelphia is another question entirely, though. Johnson hasn’t taken any interviews as of yet, and sources believe he’s waiting to see whether current Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen gets a head-coaching job. If that happens, it’s believed that Johnson would be the top candidate to replace Steichen as OC in Philly.

    That sort of promotion would create consistency in Philadelphia and give Johnson the ability to call plays for an MVP-caliber quarterback, giving Johnson the opportunity in 2023 to make his case as a potential head coach in next year’s cycle.

    Interestingly, a source told CBS Sports that one of the five teams in need of a head coach asked a veteran coaching candidate whether he’d be willing to bring on Johnson in an assistant head coach capacity. The idea being that the franchise would then be turned over to Johnson when he was deemed ready.

    Johnson is in his second year as the Eagles QBs coach. A former star quarterback at Utah, Johnson worked as a quarterbacks coach and/or offensive coordinator at Utah, Mississippi, Houston and Florida during the 2010s before joining Nick Sirianni’s staff in 2021.

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • The Hunt Report: Power 5 QB earns Senior Bowl invite, plus more standouts from NFLPA Collegiate Bowl week

    The Hunt Report: Power 5 QB earns Senior Bowl invite, plus more standouts from NFLPA Collegiate Bowl week

    Last year was my first year attending the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena, California, and I said I would always return for this game, as the level of talent was tremendous. That was also the case this year, as both rosters were stacked with excellent pro prospects from across the country. 

    What was also cool about last year was that former Tennessee Titans and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher was coaching one of the teams. And then, later on that same week, he ended up getting the head coaching job for the upstart/restart USFL’s Michigan Panthers. 

    He returned this year to coach the American Team, and I was able to catch up with him after practice to ask about seeing his former player and current Tennessee State coach Eddie George coaching against him on the other side, his thoughts on the USFL’s first season, and what we can expect from his Michigan Panthers in 2023.

    Before getting into the standouts from both teams throughout the practice week, here’s all of the game information for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

    How to watch 

    Date: Saturday, Jan. 28 | Time: 6 p.m. ET
    Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, California)
    TV: NFL Network | Stream: fuboTV (try for free)  

    American Team

    QB Lindsey Scott Jr.: 5-10 215, Incarnate Word

    The 2022 Walter Payton Award winner (best offensive player in FCS) had an impressive showing throwing the football all week in Pasadena. What really stood out was the decisiveness and accuracy shown over the middle of the field. Scott has a complete mastery of the passing game, as well as the type of throws necessary on any given play.

    I was able to catch up with him post-practice to get his thoughts on the week.

    WR Malik Heath: 6-2 216, Ole Miss

    Heath played like a man amongst boys all week at…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • WR Jarvis Landry, stay or go?

    WR Jarvis Landry, stay or go?

    The New Orleans Saints receiving corps needs some reinforcements. While fans saw plenty to like out of youngers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed in 2022, the players under contract for 2023 include backups like Tre’Quan Smith, Kirk Merritt, and Kawaan Baker — plus injured starter Michael Thomas, whose status is less than certain.

    It’s kind of set up for a good situation for Jarvis Landry to return to. He already knows the Saints’ playbook, he remains popular with fans and teammates, and if Olave and Shaheed are your starters it makes sense to hold onto a veteran presence at the position who can still teach them a thing or two.

    On the other hand, Landry is coming off the worst year of his career and he may want to try his hand somewhere else around the league. Let’s review his 2022 campaign with the Saints and decide whether he should re-sign:

    Season stats

    Landry set new career-lows in targets (39), receptions (25), receiving yards (272), touchdown catches (1) and first down conversions (12) in 2022, though a lot of that can be chalked up to an early-year ankle injury limiting him to just 9 games on the season. That injury kept him in and out of the lineup as a lot of things changed around him, including a move at quarterback. Landry looked like a stellar fit with Jameis Winston in Week 1 (totaling 7 receptions for 114 yards) but he never got into rhythm with Andy Dalton the way Olave and Shaheed managed to.

    Snap counts

    Landry played 301 snaps on offense for the Saints last season, with 90 of them coming in the first two weeks. That lingering ankle injury kept him in and out of the lineup all year long. After getting on the field for 72% and 68% of the team’s snaps in those initial two games, he only saw more than 63% of snaps in two of the seven games left on the schedule. He was relegated to more of a bit part in the offense while struggling with his health.

    2022 season review

    There’s no way to look at Landry’s return to New Orleans than as a…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • ESPN tabs Peyton Bowen as a ‘freshman worth following’ in 2023

    ESPN tabs Peyton Bowen as a ‘freshman worth following’ in 2023

    When Brent Venables and his staff pulled off the flip-flip of Peyton Bowen, it helped the Sooners secure their highest-rated recruiting class in the modern era. Beyond everything that transpired during the early signing period, Oklahoma earned a signature of a difference maker.

    Peyton Bowen is one of the best players in the class and the No. 2 safety in the nation. It’s that talent that has ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg believing Bowen is a freshman to watch in 2023.

    The Peyton Bowen drama was one of the biggest stories around signing day, but we now know he will be an Oklahoma Sooner. Bowen, ESPN’s No. 2 safety and No. 14 overall player in the 2023 class, should be an immediate factor on a defense looking for production and playmakers in the back end. His adjustment to Brent Venables’ defense will be interesting, but Bowen is the type of elite-level recruit that OU needs. He will make the trip to Norman with his former high school teammate in Texas, quarterback Jackson Arnold, who is set to play behind Dillon Gabriel but also could see the field. Arnold is ESPN’s top dual-threat quarterback and No. 8 overall player in the class. – Rittenberg, ESPN

    The Oklahoma Sooners were 119th in passing yards allowed in 2022 at 273.5 per game. They didn’t fair much better in run defense, allowing 187.5 yards per game on the ground. The Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff has a mandate to make significant changes on the defensive side of the ball. That could lead to opportunities for Bowen to have a role for Oklahoma in year one.

    The Sooners return Billy Bowman and Key Lawrence. Robert Spears-Jennings should see a jump in playing time in his second year in Norman and Oklahoma added Texas Tech transfer Reggie Pearson. The Sooners also brought in fellow 2023 signees Daeh McCullough and Makari Vickers, who could factor into the…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • Eagles vs. 49ers expert picks, odds: Point spread, total, player props, TV, live stream for NFC Championship

    Eagles vs. 49ers expert picks, odds: Point spread, total, player props, TV, live stream for NFC Championship

    The NFC Championship is here as the San Francisco 49ers will face the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday. This is the first meeting between these two teams since Week 2 in 2021. The 49ers won, 17-11, but much has changed since then. 

    Jalen Hurts has evolved into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and then the 49ers found a different starting signal-caller altogether in Brock Purdy, who was selected with the very last selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. These two quarterbacks have faced off before, however, as they delivered a Big 12 classic back in 2019, where both quarterbacks combined for 11 total touchdowns. 

    These are two of the — if not the most — well-rounded teams in the NFL. The 49ers’ defense and the Eagles’ offense both ranked first among NFC teams in points per game and yards per game this season. Who comes out on top Sunday?

    Below, we examine the different betting angles for this matchup. We will provide picks from both CBS Sports and SportsLine experts on this NFC showdown, as well as a few player props that we view as enticing. 

    All NFL odds are via Caesars Sportsbook.

    How to watch 

    Date: Sunday, Jan. 29 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
    Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
    TV:     Fox | Stream: fuboTV
    Odds: Eagles -2.5, O/U 46

    Featured Game | Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers

    49ers at Eagles spread picks

    “Philly has an elite rush offense, so this elite San Francisco rush defense — that matchup really could decide the game. Who gets the win there? And if the Eagles can do what…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • Why 49ers’ DeMeco Ryans has emotional sideline demeanor during NFL games

    Why 49ers’ DeMeco Ryans has emotional sideline demeanor during NFL games

    Why Ryans has emotional sideline demeanor during 49ers games originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

    DeMeco Ryans isn’t afraid to be himself on the sidelines during games. The 49ers’ 38-year-old defensive coordinator shows his emotions despite the stress that comes with coaching against the opposition.

    Although there are high stakes heading into the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, Ryans isn’t changing his approach and will show he’s hyped up when players on his defense make a big play on the field.

    “I’m emotionally involved because I’m excited when these guys make plays,” Ryans told reporters Thursday. “I know the work that they put in. I know how much effort, how much time, how much sacrifice these players put in. And when we go out there on Sunday, the whole world gets to see that. I’ve been seeing it all week, and I’m just excited for everyone else to see who our guys are. And I’m excited to see guys make plays.

    “Football is meant to be fun. That’s what football is about, so you have to have fun playing football, and that’s what our guys do. You see them flying around, they have fun, they have fun playing with each other. That’s what football is always meant to be. It’s always meant to be played in a fun manner, and we’re going to have fun playing football on Sunday.”

    Ryans’ approach to coaching football has resulted in him being one of the top head coaching prospects potentially to land a job this offseason.

    Furthermore, the former linebacker is held in high regard by his coaching peers, such as Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, who has noticed how players on the 49ers’ defense play for Ryans.

    “Like, I see [Ryans’] players genuinely selling out,” Sirianni told reporters Monday. “And you can see their interactions in the game right when you watch it on television. Like, you see those guys playing really hard for him.”

    Story continues

    RELATED: How 49ers can stop Jalen…..

    [ad_2]

    Read More