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BEREA, Ohio – The Ravens ‘streak of horrific chances continued on Thursday, and the Browns’ attempt to win AFC North strengthened.
In back-to-back games in unpadded practice, running back Gus Edwards and All-Pro starting cornerback Marcus Peters both suffered what are believed to be ripped ACLs late in the season.
It’s another horrific blow for the Ravens, who have now lost their top three running backs in the past 12 days, starting with JK Dobbins who tore his ACL in the preseason final, then Judge Hills injured his Achilles tendon on September 9.
The Ravens, who signed Le’Veon Bell to their practice squad on Wednesday, are now in dire straits as a running back and have lost one of the league’s best cornerbacks to Peters, the double running back. All-Pro corner kicker from the first team. . Peters and starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey, both tough and physical corners, presented a huge challenge for Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr., and it’s a blow to the Ravens.
Cleveland and Baltimore are widely regarded as the two best contenders for the AFC North crown, and it now looks like the Browns have the decisive advantage. Sure, they’ll need luck and health to reach their goals, but they’re heading into the opening game in Kansas as healthy as they’ve been since training camp began.
Jadeveon Clowney and now Tony Fields are sick
Clowney was out of practice for the second day in a row Thursday due to his illness, but defensive coordinator Joe Woods expects him to return on Friday or Saturday and is confident he will play in Kansas City on Sunday. The good news is that Clowney has tested negative for COVID-19.
“He’ll be fine,” Woods said. “I hope we get JD back here in a day or two. “
Takk McKinley is the next man and has looked excellent in training since returning from his three weeks off at camp while working on a personal issue. McKinley is in excellent form and looks extremely quick off the ball. The Browns also have denfeisve Joe Jackson on hand.
But if all goes as hoped, Clowney will start against Myles Garrett.
“I feel comfortable,” said Woods. “We want to send waves of defensive linemen on people. This is how we are built anyway. I feel comfortable where Takk is. Joe Jackson understands the system. ”
Rookie linebacker Tony Fields also missed practice with illness on Thursday, and I’m hoping for the Browns that ends with those two.
Grant Delpit should play
Delpit, who missed most of training camp as he came out of his Achilles and hamstring break, is ruled out to play in Kansas City, and the Browns would like to use him as much as possible. in their three security packages and other sub-defenses.
“We’ll have to assess this really day in and day out,” said Woods. “He was involved. He was in all the walkthroughs. He’s taking reps there so he really understands what he’s doing, and we want to make sure he’s healthy enough to play.
Tyrann Mathieu still in the COVID-19 reserve
The Chiefs are still waiting for Mathieu, their triple safety at the Pro Bowl, to be activated out of the injured reserve. Andy Reid said on Wednesday his tests were improving, but defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo admitted Thursday that his status for Sunday was in doubt.
“It’s up in the air and it’s a little difficult to plan the game,” Spagnuolo told reporters at the Chiefs. “We have a plan A and a plan B. We will move guys, do what we have to, try to do most of the things that we do with Tyrann, but some of those things are definitely going to change and some of the calls could change to. because of that.
Mathieu led the Chiefs with seven tackles in their 22-17 playoff win over the Browns, and knocked out Baker Mayfield in the third quarter on an assist to Jarvis Landry. It will be a huge loss for them if he cannot play.
Spagnuolo is not sure what Mathieu will be ready if he plays. Like all vaccinated players, he needs two negative COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart to be activated.
“We don’t know,” Spagnuolo said. “But this guy is a special guy, in my opinion. We’ll see. I think we have to be fair to him. We always say that sometimes you have to protect the players from themselves, so we have to be careful there. “
Steelers make TJ Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, compared
The Steelers paid the man.
They made outside linebacker TJ Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL with $ 28 million a year, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
He signed a four-year extension worth $ 112 million, of which $ 80 million is fully guaranteed. His teammates were delighted.
“He is arguably the best football player in the game right now, not just in defense, just in general,” Roethlisberger told reporters on Wednesday. “I have experienced negotiations here with contracts. One of the reasons I took less money was that guys like him were getting paid, and he needs to be paid.
“He deserves every penny he wants and asks for. TJ Watt is that guy who should get anything he wants.
Watt’s average new money is $ 3 million more per year than Myles Garrett’s average of $ 25 million since his extension last July.
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