News and Views
The Facts: Rodgers is planning to celebrate his 40th birthday in one very specific way. He wants to participate in football practice that day. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports that Rodgers has told the Jets he hopes to return to practice on December 2.
Diehards Line:
That’s a Saturday, one day before the Week 13 game against the Falcons. If they practice at all that day, it’ll be a walk-through aimed at nailing down details for the game. So we’ll see if/when Rodgers comes back. And we’ll see if it even matters. If the Jets lose today and on Friday, they’ll be 4-7 when Rodgers starts practicing (if his 40th birthday ends up being the day). If they lose only one more, the door might close, as a practical matter, on getting to the playoffs for 2023. So plenty to work through before he returns.
The Facts: Sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapopor that Ridder, who began the season as Atlanta's starter, is expected to resume that role on Nov. 26 against the Saints.
Diehards Line:
Ridder has been the backup to Taylor Heinicke the last two games, both losses. Ridder is 4-4 as a starter this season, with plenty of big moments. The hope is that the two-game break during which Heinicke started serves as a reboot for Ridder. Falcons head coach Arthur Smith had said prior to this weekend's bye that naming a QB during that week was a "little premature," but added that he considered the hamstring injury that Heinicke suffered against the Cardinals to be a low-grade one. In short, the QB decision would be made, injury or not. Now, it's slated to be Ridder.
The Facts: Jefferson was not activated off the injured reserve list Saturday and he will be ineligible to play Sunday night against the Broncos.
Diehards Line:
The Vikings continue to ramp Jefferson up and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports the wideout is making progress. His next chance to play will come next Monday night against the Chicago Bears, but keep in mind, the Vikings have a bye week after that game and ESPN's Adam Schefter suggests Jefferson could opt for additional recovery time for his hamstring if he does not play in Week 12.
The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Burrow suffered a torn wrist ligament that will likely require season-ending surgery, head coach Zac Taylor said.
Diehards Line:
We'll follow up with more details, but fantasy managers should start looking for their alternative now. Jake Browning will continue as the starter for Cincinnati In Burrow's absence.
The Facts: HC John Harbaugh said after Thursday night’s game that Andrews was likely out for the season after suffering a leg injury during the first half. There’s no more clarity on the nature of the injury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, an MRI revealed Andrews suffered a cracked fibula and an ankle ligament injury.
Diehards Line:
It’s a similar injury to what Cowboys running back Tony Pollard suffered on a similar hip-drop tackle during last season’s playoffs. The league has considered banning the style of tackle. In 10 games this season, Andrews caught 45 passes for 544 yards with six touchdowns. The Ravens also have Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar at tight end on the active roster with Travis Vokolek on the practice squad.
The Facts: The NFL is investigating why the Bengals did not list Burrow on their injury report this week over the wrist ailment that ultimately ruled him out of Thursday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, a league official told ESPN on Friday morning.
Diehards Line:
The Bengals had posted a video on X on Wednesday night of Burrow getting off the team bus wearing what appeared to be a soft cast on his right hand. They later deleted the post. Burrow appeared to be hampered by the injury against the Ravens before leaving the game in the second quarter and being ruled out shortly after halftime. Coach Zac Taylor said after the 34-20 Bengals loss that preliminary evaluations showed that Burrow had suffered a sprained right wrist. Burrow was seen in the locker room wearing a multilayered wrap. Taylor said Burrow fell on the wrist earlier in the game before he appeared to be in serious pain after throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to running back Joe Mixon on what was Burrow's final play. The coach said he was not aware of Burrow dealing with any wrist issue before the game. The NFL routinely looks into matters of compliance with its injury report policy. The league takes injury report violations seriously, with punishments including team fines or potentially a lost draft pick. The NFL warned teams at the spring owners meetings that they are required to list all injuries.


