NFL Sunday preview: Trade deadline sparks plenty of speculation – Toronto Sun
Tuesday afternoon is the NFL’s in-season trade deadline. Trade business already has been a-boomin’ and might get even busier over the next few days.
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The list of speculated trade candidates keeps growing.
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For instance, the Los Angeles Rams — the least likely team to clench its future draft picks — desperately needs help at numerous position groups. From running back, to wide receiver, to offensive line to the pass rush.
On Saturday, ex-Rams speedster receiver Brandin Cooks, now with Houston, was reportedly a prime L.A. target of interest. Ditto backup Cleveland RB Kareem Hunt.
Of course, Green Bay might be even more desperate than L.A. for a pass-catcher of any degree of competence. Maybe the Packers want Cooks?
There’s also ample speculation now that the 1-5 Detroit Lions might be willing to deal super-talented tight end T.J. Hockenson, the Lions’ eighth overall draft pick in 2019. Hock would be a great short- and long-term acquisition.
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Don’t expect the Lions to send him to NFC North rival Green Bay, but Tampa Bay? L.A.? What about the New York Giants? Or Cincinnati?
Other rumoured trade-block candidates include Miami TE Mike Gesicki and Washington RB Antonio Gibson.
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TENNESSEE QB TANEHILL OUT
Tannehill is out, Willis is in.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Saturday was downgraded to out, after missing the Titans’ final walk-through prior to flying to Houston for Sunday’s game against the Texans.
Tannehill is battling an illness as well as an ankle issue.
His rookie backup, Malik Willis, will make his first pro start against the Texans.
He was a Round 3 pick in April, 86th overall. In garbage time of a 41-7 loss at Buffalo in Week 2, Willis got his only pro reps thus far, and the 23-year-old completed 1-of-4 passes for six yards, ran four times for 16 yards, and lost a fumble.
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Logan Woodside, elevated Saturday from Tennessee’s practice squad, will back up Willis. In three years in the NFL, Woodside has not thrown a pass.
WHO’S KICKING FOR STEELERS?
Pittsburgh on Saturday ruled out placekicker Chris Boswell because of a groin injury.
Thing is, the Steelers as of mid-day Saturday did not have another placekicker on either their active roster or practice squad. Presumably, they’ll make an emergency roster addition by Sunday morning.
Also, it was no surprise that Pittsburgh did not activate reigning NFL defensive MVP T.J. Watt from IR (torn pec) prior to playing at Philadelphia.
NO I.R. FOR CHASE
Good news for Cincinnati Bengals fans.
On Saturday head coach Zac Taylor said star second-year wideout Ja’Marr Chase will not go on injured reserve because of his hip injury. That implies the Bengals believe he will return in fewer than four weeks.
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Chase won’t play Monday night at Cleveland.
Top Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson likely will, however. The defensive end practised fully on Saturday, after suffering a neck injury last week, and was not given a qualifying designation when Cincinnati’s injury status report for Monday was released Saturday afternoon.
CRACRAFT CAN’T PLAY
Miami added wide receiver River Cracraft to its injury report on Saturday, and ruled him out of Sunday’s game at Detroit. He has a neck injury.
Also, Miami announced that top cornerback Xavien Howard would travel separately to Detroit for personal reasons.
EXTRA POINTS
Dallas elevated interior former CFLer OL Dakota Shepley of Windsor, Ont., off its practice squad, as well as RB Malik Davis (what with Zeke Elliott doubtful) and TE Sean McKeon … Cleveland placed OT Joe Haeg (concussion) on IR … The L.A. Rams activated WR Van Jefferson and CB Troy Hill from IR … Denver elevated DE Jonathan Kongbo, the former Winnipeg Blue Bomber, from the practice squad.
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FIVE BIG QUESTIONS
- Do Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have a chance at Buffalo? Well, not much of one. This might be the best Bills team ever, and one of the worst Packers teams of the century. Also consider that no Packers team ever has won in Buffalo (0-6). Yup. Rodgers is 0-1.
- How does new Colts QB starter Sam Ehlinger fare in his first NFL start? He was a prolific runner and thrower in college. Indy’s brain trust (including increasingly meddlesome owner Jim Irsay) has thrown Matt Ryan under the bus.
- Can Russell Wilson and the Broncos group their troop in London? They play ‘at’ the Jaguars in London, in Sunday’s early-morning kickoff our time. Wilson’s hamstring injury has healed, apparently.
- Do the Jets avenge all those losses to the Patriots? New England has won the last 12 games against the J-E-T-S. In fact the last time the Pats lost to the Jets in regulation was 2010. Thirteen seasons ago.
- Who wins the Battle of Pennsylvania? Um, the Eagles. Probably quite easily too, over the Steelers.
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THE BIG NUMBER
160
Single-game receiving-yards threshold WR Tyreek Hill has hit three times already, in eight games as a Dolphin (190 at Baltimore, 177 vs. Minnesota, 160 at Cincinnati). No other NFL pass-catcher in 2022 has as many as two games with 155 yards.
FUNKIEST FACTOID
Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson is underperforming as a passer, in numerous ways. Such as on third downs, when he’s averaging only 34 yards per game (273 in eight starts). Andy Dalton of New Orleans, in half as many games (four), has amassed 285 third-down yards.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s energy. The energy there is not good. It doesn’t look good. They have bad expressions on their faces.”
— Jason Garrett, ex-Dallas head coach and NBC commentator, on why the Bucs suck.
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