Justin Herbert played through an ankle injury in the Los Angeles Chargers’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and it appears he may have hurt himself further.
Herbert was a true game-time decision after barely practicing during the week with a high-ankle sprain. He tested out the injury on the field at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., prior to kickoff, and doctors cleared him to play.
Herbert did not make it through the entire game, as he appeared to aggravate the ankle injury midway through the third quarter. The star quarterback was seen heavily favoring his right leg as he limped off the field and was replaced by Taylor Heinicke.
Herbert may have tweaked the ankle on a sack where he was smothered by multiple defenders:
Not surprisingly, Herbert did not return to the game.
Herbert showed serious toughness to begin with by fighting through an injury in a Week 3 game, but he might end up missing time now.
Herbert also battled a foot injury during training camp, so he has been banged up for several weeks.
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni walks off the field after win against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Sirianni is once again taking heat from Philadelphia Eagles fans over a baffling game management decision late in the first half against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La. on Sunday.
The Eagles appeared well-positioned for a game-tying field goal with 14 seconds left in the first half while trailing 3-0. The team faced a 4th and 1 from the Saints’ 15-yard line, and only had one timeout left.
The Eagles lined up to go for it, an odd decision but a defensible one given how effective the team’s “tush push” play is in short yardage situations. Sirianni called a fake that instead turned into an outside run by Saquon Barkley, but the Saints were all over it.
Sirianni was absolutely roasted for his decision. Even if the Eagles had converted, there would have only been time for them to take one low-percentage shot at the end zone. Instead, they walked away without any points.
Perhaps Sirianni was trying to jumpstart an offense that was struggling on Sunday. This is the second time in as many weeks that he has made a very high-risk decision that did not pay off, and fans and critics are starting to get very frustrated. This decision was even less defensible than last week’s play, and it had a hint of desperation to it.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) exits the field after the Titans lost in overtime to the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. Photo credit: Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis struggled early on in Sunday’s game, and it was not long before another unflattering stat about him went viral.
The Titans were trailing 10-7 and had the ball at their own 31-yard line in the first half of their game against the Green Bay Packers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. Levis completely telegraphed a pass toward the right sideline, and Packers defensive back Jaire Alexander came away with an easy pick-six.
The interception was the fourth in nine quarters this season for Levis. As John Glennon of the Nashville Post pointed out, that is as many interceptions as Levis threw in his nine starts as a rookie last season.
Levis has made several costly mistakes in Tennessee’s first three games. In addition to the four interceptions, he also lost a fumble on 3rd-and-goal in last week’s loss to the New York Jets. Television cameras even caught Titans coach Brian Callahan losing his cool with Levis on the sideline after that play.
If Levis continues to struggle, the Titans may have to consider a quarterback change.
Oct 22, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris (4) of Team Great Britain smiles to the crowd after he comes in third place in the 2023 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Lando Norris started from the pole and cruised to an easy victory at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday. In his win, Norris cleared Max Verstappen by over 20 seconds and cut into Verstappen’s lead in the driver championship, which is now 51 points.
Despite his success, Norris was unable to secure an F1 grand slam. Daniel Ricciardo, who reports say may be replaced by Liam Lawson, pitted on lap 60 on fresh soft compound tires to secure the fastest lap. Ricciardo was emotional after the race.
Rounding out the podium was Oscar Piastri, who continues to continues to secure podiums for McLaren and adds to their constructor’s championship lead over Red Bull, which saw Sergio Perez finish 10th.
With a substantial upgrade package coming to Red Bull in Austin, all eyes will be on McLaren to see if they are able to maintain their pace or if Red Bull is able to regain its previously dominant from.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones made quite the statement with his wardrobe prior to Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
Jones showed up to U.S. Bank Field in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday wearing a massive purple sombrero.
The look was not a new one for Jones. He wore a similar hat at times while he was with the Green Bay Packers. The veteran has had the Vikings-themed sombrero since it was given to him when he signed with the team this offseason.
Lindsey Young of Vikings.com explained the origins of the hat in a feature piece earlier this year.
Jones had 23 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown entering Sunday’s game. It will be interesting to see if the hat brings him any luck.
Aug 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks on before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Caleb Williams has had a disappointing start to his NFL career, and the Chicago Bears quarterback is hoping one big change in Week 3 will help.
Williams decided to wear a wristband to help with playcalling in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Stacey Dales of NFL Network.
Williams struggled in last week’s 19-13 loss to the Houston Texans. The former USC star went 23/37 for 174 yards, no touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Williams was also sacked seven times, so Chicago’s offensive line has been a big issue.
If wearing plays on his wrist helps Williams run the offense more smoothly, that could potentially improve his protection as well. One well-known NFL draft bust even said he got flashbacks with the way Williams had to constantly run away from pressure against Houston.
Growing pains were expected for Williams, and the wristband will not be the only adjustment he has to make during his rookie season.
Nov 19, 1972; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins running back Mercury Morris (22) on the bench against the New York Jets at the Orange Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
A prominent member of the Miami Dolphins’ famous 1972 undefeated team has died.
Former Dolphins running back Raheem “Mercury” Morris has died at the age of 77, according to the team.
“Beyond the field, Mercury was a devoted father, a loving brother, a loyal friend, and a pillar in the community,” Morris’ family wrote in a statement, via The Associate Press. “His presence extended far beyond football, as he touched the lives of many throughout his time in Miami.”
No cause of death was given.
Morris played in the NFL for eight seasons, the first seven of which were with the Dolphins. He was a key member of a talented Miami backfield that also featured Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. Morris made the Pro Bowl each season from 1971-1973.
Morris’ best season came in 1972, which is the year the Dolphins went a perfect 14-0 and won the Super Bowl. He rushed for 1,000 yards and led the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns that year. Morris averaged an NFL-best 6.4 yards per carry the following year while helping to lead the Dolphins to another Super Bowl title.
After his playing days ended, Morris had some legal trouble. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 1982 for cocaine trafficking. Morris admitted to using cocaine but said he never sold the drug, and his conviction was overturned in 1986.
Morris was also well known for the way he celebrated each year when the last undefeated team in the NFL lost a game. He was particularly outspoken about the New England Patriots when they had a perfect regular season in 2007.
Sonny Dykes had a night to forget against his former team on Saturday, and it ended even earlier than expected for the TCU coach.
Dykes is in his third season as the head coach at TCU. He coached at SMU for four-plus seasons prior to landing his current job. SMU cruised to a 66-42 win over the Horned Frogs on Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas, but Dykes was barely around for any of the second half.
TCU trailed 41-21 at halftime but opened up the second half with a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The score was wiped off the board because of a holding penalty, which infuriated Dykes. The coach received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for arguing and kept chirping the officials at the start of TCU’s drive. Dykes was then hit with another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejected.
As he made the long walk to the visiting locker room, Dykes was booed mercilessly by SMU fans. He pumped his fists at the crowd.
Dykes may have looked like he was soaking in the moment, but he expressed regret during his postgame press conference. He said the long walk to the locker room was “not one you ever want to make.”
“I apologize to our players and our fans. That should never happen,” Dykes said. “I was disappointed it happened. I thought it was maybe unwarranted, but it happened and that’s my responsibility to make sure that never happens. 100 percent my fault. Obviously, I gotta be better. Obviously, I wasn’t there to coach my team in the second half very long, and obviously that’s a huge mistake.”
SMU enjoyed a lot of success under Dykes, which is how he landed the TCU job. Mustangs fans clearly still have some bitterness toward him for leaving, however, and they could not have asked for a better way to be able to express that.
Apr 28, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Bryce Young greets the media and answers questions during his press conference at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers made a surprising move when they benched Bryce Young just two games into his second NFL season, but the team is reportedly planning to give Young another shot.
Young is expected to start for the Panthers again at some point during the 2024 season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Sunday. Andy Dalton is starting against the Raiders on Sunday, but Rapoport was told by sources that Young’s benching should “be viewed as more of a break than anything.”
The Panthers are hoping that Young will benefit from being forced to take a step back. Of course, it hardly sounds like Young is on board with the decision. The former No. 1 overall pick was said to be stunned and angry over being benched. There have been questions this week about whether he might ask to be traded.
Young probably feels that he is being punished for being placed in a bad situation. The Panthers fired several coaches during the former Alabama star’s rookie season and then brought in a new head coach this year. Rather than letting Young work through his struggles, new coach Dave Canales benched Young after just two games.
If Carolina were to show improvement with Dalton under center, it would be difficult to imagine them going back to Young. It is also possible that Young prefers a fresh start with another team, anyway.
Nico Gramatica might be the latest budding star in a family that has produced more talented kickers than any other.
Gramatica, the son of former NFL kicker Martin Gramatica, is a true freshman at the University of South Florida. Nico showed off his big leg by drilling a 58-yard field goal during the first quarter of USF’s 50-15 loss to Miami at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Saturday night.
The kick even hit the back net, so it probably could have gone 60 yards:
That was Nico’s first career collegiate field goal. He later converted from 51 yards in the second quarter.
Martin converted a 65-yard field goal when he played at Kansas State in 1998. That still stands as the longest FBS field goal in the modern era. His son might have a chance to match that feat in the next few years.
Nico’s two uncles, Bill and Santiago, were also kickers at USF. Bill, who played in the NFL like Martin, holds the record for the longest field goal in USF history with a 63-yarder he converted in 2000.
Martin is the most successful of the Gramatica kickers, as he made the Pro Bowl in 2000 and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. Nico certainly has some big shoes to fill, but he is well on his way.
