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Jets owner suggested benching QB Aaron Rodgers

Tue Nov 19 11:49pm ET
Field Level Media

The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, and they fired general manager Joe Douglas on Tuesday.

Yet team owner Woody Johnson reportedly sought another huge move that didn't happen: the benching of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Athletic reported Tuesday that Johnson advocated a QB change in a Sept. 29 meeting.

Per the report, Johnson brought together a group of coaches and front office staffers in the wake of a 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos that dropped the Jets' record to 2-2.

Johnson advocated installing Tyrod Taylor at quarterback in place of Rodgers, according to The Athletic. Douglas and the coaches, including Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and Jeff Ulbrich, then the defensive coordinator, now the interim head coach, reportedly were shocked by the suggestion, with one participant asking Johnson if he was being serious.

The meeting ended with the idea being dismissed.

Rodgers, a 40-year-old veteran who is a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, has started every game this season for the 3-8 Jets. He has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,442 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Last year, his first with New York, Rodgers sustained a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon early in the opening game.

In his career, largely with the Green Bay Packers (2005-22), Rodgers has a 151-83-1 record as a starter with 61,497 passing yards, 492 passing touchdowns and 112 interceptions.

Taylor, 35, went 2-3 as a starter for the Jets last year. A former Pro Bowl performer with the Buffalo Bills who also has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and New York Giants, Taylor owns a career 28-28-1 record in a starting role.

This season, Taylor has completed 6 of 8 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

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Player Notes
Saquon Barkley Nov 20 8:20am CT
Saquon Barkley

Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni on Monday said running back Saquon Barkley losing out on touches near the goal line is something "you always think about." The Eagles, of course, are devastatingly effective using quarterback Jalen Hurts to sneak the ball in short yardage, but often at the expense of their running backs. Kevin Patra of NFL.com cited Barkley being tackled at the one or two-yard line 11 times this season, which is the most in the league. The 2024 free agent signing is still having a monster year with a career-best 5.8 yards per carry, eight touchdowns, and the overall No. 2 ranking for fantasy running backs. Sirianni called Barkley "a great teammate," but it seems as if Hurts getting the goal-line work will continue to be a fact of life for Eagles running backs.

From RotoBaller

Adrian Colbert Nov 20 12:10am CT
Adrian Colbert

The Chicago Bears have signed free agent safety Adrian Colbert, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Colbert spent this past training camp with the Bears, but he hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2022. The veteran has totaled 41 appearances (22 starts) across six years in the league. He has two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery but is still looking for his first career sack and interception. Colbert will offer additional depth as the Bears look to bolster their defensive secondary.

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Markus Bailey Nov 19 8:50pm CT
Markus Bailey

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Bailey has been suspended six games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. The loss of Bailey won't mean much for this Cardinals roster given Bailey has only played in one game in 2024. Bailey spent four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before joining the Cardinals this offseason. Bailey will be eligible to return at the end of the regular season, but he was a non-factor on this defense anyway.

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Marco Wilson Nov 19 8:40pm CT
Marco Wilson

The Cincinnati Bengals have claimed defensive back Marco Wilson off waivers on Tuesday. Wilson was waived by the New England Patriots on Monday, so it didn't take long for him to find a new home. Wilson has been a rotational player in New England this season with only 15 tackles in 10 games. The Bengals needed to do something quick with DJ Turner (collarbone) done for the season. That being said, Wilson should have a bigger role with the Bengals than he did with the Pats. Wilson is a former third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, but he has seen his role on the field decrease each season. He'll get a chance to prove himself in Cincinnati.

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T.J. Watt Nov 19 8:28pm CT
T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt was a full participant in practice Tuesday. Watt was listed as a DNP on Monday's practice estimate but it appears to have been a rest day for the eighth-year veteran. Watt is arguably the most important piece of a talented Steelers defense. He has recorded 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2024. With the Steelers set to play the Cleveland Browns and a turnover-prone Jameis Winston in Week 12, Watt could have a field day. The Steelers are rolling in 2024. They sit atop the AFC North with a 8-2 record. Thursday Night games tend to be defensive struggles which bodes well for Watt's production. As such, the Steelers D/ST could be excellent in this game if they can to force turnovers out of Winston.

Nick Herbig Nov 19 8:20pm CT
Nick Herbig

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) was unable to participate during Tuesday's practice session. Highsmith has missed his second straight practice which is not good news heading into the Thursday Night matchup against the Cleveland Browns. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 10 and as a result Highsmith didn't play during last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers haven't placed him on the injured reserve, but head coach Mike Tomlin did say that Highsmith is considered as week-to-week right now. Highsmith has 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks through six games this season. If he sits, Nick Herbig could see more snaps during Thursday's game.

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Cameron Heyward Nov 19 8:20pm CT
Cameron Heyward

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (rest) was once again absent from the practice field on Tuesday. This is now back-to-back days that Heyward has sat out of practice for rest purposes. The veteran pass rusher doesn't appear to be dealing with any injuries and he has played in all the games so far this season. Heyward has recorded 39 tackles, six tackles for loss, and five sacks through 10 games this season. The Steelers have a short week with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. It looks like the Steelers just want to keep Heyward fresh for that game.

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Brandin Cooks Nov 19 7:23pm CT
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks (knee) will hopefully be back this week, head coach Mike McCarthy said on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

From TheHuddle

Adrian Colbert Nov 19 6:23pm CT
Adrian Colbert

Free-agent S Adrian Colbert is signing an undisclosed contract with the Chicago Bears, per source on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

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Myles Garrett Nov 19 6:10pm CT
Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns standout cornerback Denzel Ward (ribs, ankle) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Ward was limited on Monday as well but he has not missed a game in 2024. As such, his status for Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers is not likely to be in doubt. The Browns are beat up on defense. Cornerback Greg Newsome II (shoulder) has also been limited in practice this week while defensive end Myles Garrett (hip) joined the two corners on the injury report on Tuesday. The Browns will need all hands on deck to slow down a talented Steelers offense. Before last week's slugfest against the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers had scored at least 26 points in four straight games. Additionally, the Steelers are in the midst of a five-game winning streak and do not look like they will be vulnerable to the Browns. With this Browns defensive unit so beat up, expect the Steelers' skill position players to have a solid day against this middling defense. Neither Ward nor Newsome has played well enough in 2024 to insight fear into opposing passing offenses. What is more, if Garrett has to miss this game, the Steelers offense may be unstoppable.

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Myles Garrett Nov 19 5:50pm CT
Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (hip) did not practice on Tuesday. Garrett was not listed on Monday's injury report so his sudden appearance is concerning for Browns fans. The Browns' defense has not played anywhere near the level it did in 2023 when they were one of the best units in the league. Without Garrett, this defense would crumble. Garrett has recorded seven sacks and two forced fumbles this season. He has not been as dominant as in past years, but he has still been excellent. The Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night so Garrett's sudden appearance on the injury report does not bode well for his chances to play this week. Garrett's absence would signal a boost in value for Steelers players. Wide receiver George Pickens, running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, and quarterback Russell Wilson would all benefit from Garrett's absence. This is already not a scary matchup for Steelers players and it could quickly turn into a must-start situation for each player if Garrett is poised to miss this game.

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Jerry Jeudy Nov 19 5:40pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) was a full participant in practice on Tuesday. Jeudy has been listed on the injury report for two straight days but has been a full participant both times. Jeudy certainly did not appear to be limited by injury in Week 11. He caught six passes on 11 targets for 142 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the New Orleans Saints. The production was by far Jeudy's best of the season. With quarterback Jameis Winston slinging the rock, Jeudy has enjoyed solid success in recent weeks. He has reached at least 73 receiving yards in three straight games. Week 11 marked his second touchdown of the season. The Browns will meet the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Week 12. The Steelers pose a tough matchup for opposing offenses. However, Winston has been able to find success through pure volume and that does not project to dwindle in Week 12. With the way the Steelers' offense is playing, they should have no problem jumping out to a lead in this game. As such, the Browns should have to play catch up just as they have for most of the season. Jeudy has a chance to deliver high-end flex value or even WR2 numbers once again in Week 12.

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Cooper Rush Nov 19 4:30pm CT
Cooper Rush

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that quarterback Cooper Rush will once again be the starter for the Week 12 matchup with the division-rival Washington Commanders on Sunday. However, there will be a package of plays for backup Trey Lance. The Cowboys have been blown out in back-to-back games in the two games that Rush has started, and McCarthy admitted himself that he regrets not getting Lance into the game late in the Monday night loss to the Houston Texans. Rush did throw for over 300 yards with a touchdown and interception in the loss to Houston on Monday, but there's a good chance Lance could be making starts under center for the Cowboys by season's end now that Dak Prescott (hamstring) is out for the year. Rush will be no better than a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues this Sunday against Washington.

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Jake Ferguson Nov 19 4:30pm CT
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) "will be hard-pressed" to play on Sunday against the division-rival Washington Commanders in Week 12 after suffering a concussion early in Monday night's blowout loss to the Houston Texans. Ferguson was quickly ruled out in Week 11 and will struggle to gain clearance from the league's concussion protocol on a short week. The 25-year-old deserves to be kept on fantasy rosters through his injury, but those in need of a TE with six teams on bye this week may want to look at Ferguson's replacement, Luke Schoonmaker. The 26-year-old ended up playing 43 offensive snaps on Monday after Ferguson was hurt and hauled in six of 10 targets for 56 yards. Schoonmaker will be a TE2 sleeper/streamer if Ferguson is ruled out for Week 12, as expected.

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Brandin Cooks Nov 19 4:20pm CT
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said he's hoping the team will get wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) back for their Week 12 contest versus the division-rival Washington Commanders on Sunday. Cooks has been on Injured Reserve since Oct. 5 due to an infected right knee that required surgery. The fact that the Cowboys have yet to open the 31-year-old veteran's 21-day practice window before coming off IR makes us skeptical that we'll see Cooks on the field against the Commanders this weekend. And even if Cooks is activated from IR and is active on Sunday, we'd expect him to serve as more of Dallas' No. 3 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert in his first game back. Before his injury, Cooks had been a disappointing WR4/flex for fantasy managers, collecting nine catches for 91 yards and one touchdown. Things won't get any better with Cooper Rush at QB.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Nov 19 4:10pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore was limited in practice for the second straight day to open the week on Tuesday. Moore's injury isn't believed to be serious enough to put him in danger of missing Thursday night's game against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, so the Browns are likely just taking it easy on the 24-year-old wideout on a short week. Like many of Cleveland's offensive skill players, Moore has benefitted from quarterback Jameis Winston taking over under center due to the season-ending injury to Deshaun Watson. In the last three games with Winston starting, Moore has 17 receptions (29 targets) for 179 yards and his first touchdown of the season, which came this past week in the loss to the New Orleans Saints. However, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for Moore as a WR4/flex in a tough matchup against the Steelers' vaunted defense this week.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Nov 19 4:03pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (knee) was limited in practice for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Fantasy Spin: Njoku has been a fantasy stud since the team traded Amari Cooper and inserted Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback. He has caught at least five passes in four straight games, topped 61 yards in three of them and scored twice. Although the Pittsburgh Steelers are a middling matchup for tight ends, Njoku should be starting in most leagues for Thursday's AFC North tilt.

From TheHuddle

David Njoku Nov 19 4:00pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Tuesday for the second straight day this week ahead of Thursday's divisional tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers to kick off Week 12 action. The Browns most likely aren't going to do much more than walkthrough practices on a short week, and the 28-year-old should be good to go to suit up on Thursday night. Coming off a nine-catch, 81-yard performance in the Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Njoku should be treated as a midrange TE1 in fantasy with more upside now that quarterback Jameis Winston is throwing him passes. In three games since Deshaun Watson (Achilles) went down with a season-ending injury, Njoku has caught 19 of his 23 targets for 171 yards and one touchdown while working with Winston.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Hicks Nov 19 3:43pm CT
Jordan Hicks

Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett (hip) and TE Geoff Swaim (concussion) did not practice on Tuesday, Nov. 19. OG Joel Bitonio (pectoral), WR Elijah Moore (shoulder), CB Greg Newsome (shoulder), TE David Njoku (knee), CB Denzel Ward (ribs, ankle) and OT Jedrick Wills (knee) were limited. LB Jordan Hicks (elbow, triceps), DT Maurice Hurst (shoulder), WR Jerry Jeudy (knee) and QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

Cameron Heyward Nov 19 3:33pm CT
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Pittsburgh Steelers LB Alex Highsmith (ankle), OG Isaac Seumalo (rest), DT Cameron Heyward (rest) and DT Larry Ogunjobi (rest) did not practice on Tuesday, Nov. 19. RB Najee Harris (rest), DB Cory Trice (hamstring), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee, rest) and LB T.J. Watt (rest) practiced in full.

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