News and Views
The Facts: Fairbairn kicked a 50-yard field goal with 5:17 remaining in the second quarter. He then kicked off. He did not kick again today.
Diehards Line:
The Texans ruled out Fairbairn with a quadriceps injury. Running back Dare Ogunbowale kicked off to open the second half, and he got it to the 4-yard line before a 23-yard return. Ogunbowale kicked a field goal later in the game.
The Facts: Osborn was carted off the field in the second quarter of today's game after taking a blow to the head. He has been ruled out with a concussion.
Diehards Line:Osborn was down on the field after the hit nade as he caught the ball over the middle of the field, but but able to get up and onto the cart. Osborn gave a thumbs up to the crowd as the cart drove off.
The Facts: When Cousins was lost for the rest of the 2023 season due to a torn Achilles on Oct. 29, it brought not only a crushing reality to the Vikings but also a question: Was this the end of their partnership? Perhaps not. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said this past Wednesday -- three days after Cousins' injury -- that "every option is still available with Kirk." That includes a return to Minnesota to finish what Cousins, head coach Kevin O'Connell and the rest of the organization have started.
Diehards Line:
Cousins is a free agent after the season, as the two sides agreed for him to play out his most recent extension after earning $30 million this year. Cousins also has a no-trade clause and cannot be franchise-tagged. All of which led to the assumption -- notably from QB-needy teams -- that Cousins would leave the Vikings after 2023, at which point Minnesota would draft a QB. The Vikings, who will start rookie Jaren Hall today against the Falcons, could still select a quarterback in the 2024 draft. But that move could be coupled with a Cousins return, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's something to watch in coming weeks.
The Facts: NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the Bears “hope” Fields (thumb) is able to return in Week 10 against the Panthers.
Diehards Line:
Garafolo noted that Fields still needs to make a lot of progress to return for the Thursday game, but after he was able to throw on Friday, there is at least a chance he is back. Fields suffered the thumb injury in Week 6 and has been sidelined ever since. Tyson Bagent will continue to start until Fields is back in the lineup. The UDFA rookie has mostly appeared out of his depth in the NFL, tossing one score to three interceptions. His presence under center is a notable downgrade for the offense.
The Facts: Jefferson is eligible to come off the injured reserve this week from a hamstring injury that was expected to sideline him four to six weeks. But Jefferson still has to meet with the doctors, the team has to decide how it wants to handle Jefferson, and there currently continues to be uncertainty about his status, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter, despite the fact that he could be activated as early as this week.
Diehards Line:
In case you missed it, head coach Kevin O'Connell wasn't willing to commit to Jefferson's practice window opening this week when asked by reporters. "I do not have that information as of right now," O'Connell said, acknowledging the uncertainty. We'll obviously be watching for more, so stay tuned.
The Facts: Bryant, a once-promising talent who ended up on the wrong side of the substance-abuse policy and eventually stayed there, has been reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The move officially happened on Saturday.
Diehards Line:
A fourth-round pick of the Steelers in 2014, Bryant played two seasons in Pittsburgh before being suspended for all of 2016. After returning to the Steelers for the 2017 season, Bryant was traded to the Raiders in 2018. The Raiders cut him in September and then re-signed him 10 days later, even though he was reportedly facing an indefinite suspension under the policy. He played until December, and he was suspended after suffering a season-ending knee injury. It’s unclear whether anyone will be interested in Bryant. He turns 32 next month, and he last played in a game on November 11, 2018. Bryant played for the Vegas Vipers of the XFL in 2013. In eight games, he caught only 14 passes for 154 yards.


