News and Views
The Facts: The Jaguars placed Kirk on the injured reserve list due to his core injury. He’s out a minimum of four weeks.
Diehards Line:
Kirk is expected to undergo core muscle surgery and the Jaguars will be without a major part of their offense as a result. Kirk leads Jacksonville in receiving yards (787) this season, and he also ranks first on the team among wideouts in receptions (57). The presence of trade acquisition Calvin Ridley will help offset Kirk’s absence, though a sizeable gap exists between Ridley and Jacksonville’s next most productive wideout (Zay Jones, who has posted 186 yards on 18 catches). Tight end Evan Engram and running back Travis Etienne Jr. will be increasingly counted upon with Kirk not in the picture. Rookie Parker Washington could also figure into the mix.
The Facts: An illustrious kicking career has reached its end. Gould announced his retirement after 18 NFL seasons on Thursday via an article published by The Players' Tribune. "Now, although football has been a really great part of my life for the past 18 years, it is with the utmost regard and appreciation that I officially announce my retirement from the National Football League," Gould wrote in the piece, in which he recapped his winding NFL journey that saw him kick for three franchises (the Bears, Giants and 49ers).
Diehards Line:Gould began his career as an undrafted free agent signed by Chicago out of Penn State in 2005. He also played one season for teh Giants before finishing he career with a stint in San Francisco. He retires with a career field-goal percentage of 86.5 and extra-point conversion rate of 97.5 percent, walking away as one of the most trustworthy kickers of his generation. He accounted for 1,961 points scored in his 18 NFL seasons, and as an avid golfer, he'll hope to take that consistency to the course, where he'll enjoy rounds during a retirement focused on enjoying life as a retiree and dedicated father to two young boys.
The Facts: Following up on this week's Team Notes. ... Patriots ruled out for Thursday night's game vs. the Steelers: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, WR Demario Douglas, WR Kayshon Boutte and OL Riley Reiff.
Diehards Line:
No real surprise on any of these. Stevenson reportedly has a high ankle sprain while Douglas (concussion) and Boutte (shoulder) also missed last week's game. The short turnaround was almost certainly a factor there. ... I'll have more on this situation via Late-Breaking Update when they commence early Thursday.
The Facts: Following up on this week's Team Notes. ... Harris (knee) didn't practice for a second consecutive day and is officially listed as questionable for Thurday night against the Patriots.
Diehards Line:I'll have more on this situation via Late-Breaking Update when they commence early Thursday.
The Facts: Following up on this week's Team Notes. ... The Vikings are sticking with Dobbs as their starting QB this week against the Raiders.
Diehards Line:
The team mulled a possible change over the bye. But with All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson back this week, Dobbs finally gets to play with full weaponry. ... We'll have more when Late-Breaking Updates crank up early Thursday.
The Facts: Following up on this week's Team Notes. ... The Jets will start Wilson on Sunday against the Texans, coach Robert Saleh announced.
Diehards Line:
Wilson told Saleh on Monday he wants the ball, and Saleh is giving it back to the former No. 2 overall pick. In addition to saying Wilson gives the team their best chance to win, Saleh said Wilson is "fired up” to get another shot. We'll have more on this decision when Late-Breaking Updates begin early Thursday.
The Facts: Lawrence has a high sprain of his right ankle, HC Doug Pederson said Tuesday. "We'll see where he is here in the next couple of days," Pederson said, adding he wouldn't put a timetable on his starting quarterback.
Diehards Line:
If Lawrence is unable to play this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, backup C.J. Beathard would start. It would be his first start since Week 16 of the 2020 season with San Francisco. Lawrence was hurt in Monday night's 31-28 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. It's the second time this season Lawrence has left a game because of an injury. He suffered a sprained left knee late in the Jaguars' Week 3 win over Indianapolis, but he didn't miss a start and led Jacksonville to victory against New Orleans four days later on "Thursday Night Football." Lawrence has started all 46 possible games since being drafted No. 1 in 2021, tied for the third-longest active start streak among quarterbacks, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Buffalo's Josh Allen (83) and the Chargers' Justin Herbert (61) own the two longest streaks, while Lawrence is tied with Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes.