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Good morning. Kareem Hunt is back in Kansas City, Ezekiel Elliott is in Dallas and the Bears have both a struggling quarterback and strong defense.
Great Scott, it’s 2017! Today:
- Injury reports: Latest on Kupp
- Field goals getting easier?
- Best of Week 2: Brian Flores
Injury Reports: It keeps getting worse
The list of injured Pro Bowl-caliber players is already staggering, and it’s only been two weeks. Colts DT DeForest Buckner and Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa are the latest stars to be placed on the IR. The injury gods are cruel.
Here’s what you should know before Week 3:
- With Cooper Kupp expected to miss “extended time,” per HC Sean McVay, and Puka Nacua on the IR, there’s a huge opportunity for Rams pass catchers. The highest-upside player is rookie WR Jordan Whittington, who “really stood out” to McVay this preseason and had a touchdown called back in Week 1.
- In Tagovailoa’s place, the Dolphins will start QB Skylar Thompson, with recently signed Tyler Huntley as backup. We last saw Thompson start for Miami as a rookie in the 2022 playoffs, when he completed 40 percent of his passes for 220 yards, a TD and two INTs in a 34-31 loss to Buffalo. Not optimistic he’s improved a ton, but I trust Mike McDaniel’s quick-hit scheme.
- With Deebo Samuel out multiple weeks, 49ers beat reporter Matt Barrows’ mailbag is mandatory reading. Rookie Jacob Cowing is Samuel’s understudy and could see an increased role, but the better bet is a force-fed Brandon Aiyuk.
- The Bengals‘ defensive line was decimated in Week 2, losing both starting DTs, B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins, for an undetermined time after already struggling with depth there. They’ve since signed former Patriots DE Lawrence Guy. Sitting at 0-2, their playoff odds are just 44 percent.
- Starting Broncos RT Mike McGlinchey is expected to miss a month with an MCL sprain. Losing a strong pass blocker is the last thing a struggling Bo Nix needed.
Others hoping to suit up in Week 3 include Jordan Addison (ankle), Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Justin Jefferson (quad). Reports are positive, but none is yet confirmed to play.
What Dianna’s Hearing: Why kickers look automatic right now
Kicking long field goals in the NFL looks easy this year (though I know it isn’t). Kickers have made 35 of 39 (90 percent) of their attempts from 50 yards or longer.
What’s behind the long-range trend? I asked around the league.
The most common answer is that weather conditions and playing surfaces have been ideal. Most surfaces are in great shape this time of year — especially the natural-grass fields — leading to fewer issues for kickers. We will likely see the success rate go down once it gets colder and windier.
One coach said of this era in general: “There are more indoor stadiums. There are more specialist coaches. There is more exposure to kicking as a specialized skill. Guys are actually growing up aspiring to be kickers, compared to how it used to be when guys kicked and played another position.”
Another head coach said: “Since the rule changes in recent years, it’s almost impossible to block a kick. You can’t cover the center, you can’t jump and land over the line of scrimmage, and you can’t push interior lineman … blocking kicks is almost a non-factor.”
The strangest part about all these boots on fire is that the one kicker who has been burning up the record books for years, Baltimore’s Justin Tucker, is off to a slow start. He’s already missed two kicks — though his record for longest field goal, 66 yards, still stands.
Back to you, Jacob.
Best of Week 2, including Packers and Bowers
Power Rankings riser: Packers. They jumped from No. 21 to 12 after winning with backup Malik Willis at quarterback. Josh Jacobs (32 carries, 151 yards) continued to dominate touches, and the team’s 237 first-half rushing yards helped maintain possession for nearly 70 percent of the game. For more: 13 thoughts on the Packers.
Biggest faller: Dolphins. It’s hard to be confident in a team starting the aforementioned Thompson at quarterback, even with the league’s best weapons and (arguably) scheme. Look for star RB De’Von Achane to see even more looks. He’s currently fifth in total touches while averaging seven targets per game.
Best coaching decision: Brian Flores confusing Brock Purdy by using pre-snap disguises. As Ted Nguyen’s article explains, Purdy’s 3.27 seconds to throw was the third-longest average of the QB’s career. It led to six sacks, a Vikings win and Purdy saying to Flores, “Your scheme is crazy.”
Worst decision: Again from Ted: Sean Payton declining to try an onside kick against the Steelers with just 1:54 left, down by 7. Denver got the ball back with nine seconds left and no timeouts.
Best rookie breakout: Brock Bowers. The most promising tight end prospect since Kyle Pitts (so much for that dream), the Raiders’ 21-year-old has more catches (15) and receiving yards (156) through two games than any rookie tight end in NFL history. Tashan Reed has the full story on Bowers’ breakout.
Bryce Young Situation: Who’s to blame?
In Year 1, Bryce Young’s offensive line and receivers gave him no chance at success. In Year 2, we’re still seeing the damage.
This year, the sophomore ranked 31st in yards per attempt (4.4), 32nd in total passing yards (245) and No. 1 in jumping checkdowns before Carolina benched him.
As Mike Jones explains in his column this morning, it’s another example of teams failing their rookie quarterbacks. I’m always surprised when teams fail to give their rookie quarterback an offensive line and a strong run game (looking at you, Chicago). It seems so obvious.
Around the NFL
In New England, meanwhile, the Patriots are being patient with rookie QB Drake Maye. As Chad Graff writes, Jacoby Brissett facing the NFL’s second-highest pressure rate is one reason why it’s the right approach.
The Rams’ depleted roster and 0-2 start have their playoff chances at just 9 percent in Austin Mock’s model. It’s probably time to panic.
Former Giants and Vikings legend Fran Tarkenton, is the subject of an excellent feature by Alec Lewis this morning on the “Mahomes before Mahomes.”
Yesterday’s most-clicked: Jake Ciely’s Week 3 Waivers.
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(Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)
