Footballguys #241 - 12/16 - News And Notes From Around The League

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It's Championship Week and we've got some News and Notes for you. Let's go. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [SEA - WR Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely](#1) 2. [MIN - RB Dalvin Cook making progress](#2) 3. [CAR - QB Will Grier expected to get Week 16 nod](#3) 4. [CIN - WR A.J. Green meets with specialist](#4) 5. [KC - Kansas City claims OLB Terrell Suggs](#5) 6. [NYG - QB Daniel Jones may play in Week 16](#6) 7. [DEN - TE Noah Fant expected to be fine](#7) 8. [JAX - DJ Chark cleared to run](#8) 9. [CAR - TE Greg Olsen ready to return](#9) 10. [TB - OLB Shaquil Barrett staying put in 2020](#10) 11. [HOU - DE J.J. Watt eyeing return during playoffs](#11) 12. [CLE - WR Odell Beckham Jr. not shutting it down](#12) 13. [PHI - WR Alshon Jeffery undergoes surgery](#13) 14. [TB - WR Chris Godwin expected to be out](#14) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [SEA - WR Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Seattle Seahawks WR [Josh Gordon]( has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the league's policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This is now the fifth time that Gordon has been suspended by the league for substance abuse. Gordon played only five games for Seattle, finishing with seven catches for 139 yards and no touchdowns. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [MIN - RB Dalvin Cook making progress]( Source: Vikings.com Minnesota Vikings RB [Dalvin Cook]( (shoulder) is making progress in his recovery, but head coach Mike Zimmer said he is not sure if Cook will be able to handle his normal workload in Week 16. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We'll see if Cook can get a full practice in this week. If not, then Mike Boone could have a huge workload in Week 16. Alexander Mattison, Cook's normal backup, is banged up too. Boone was a standout player for the Vikings on Sunday and is ready for a larger role if necessary. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [CAR - QB Will Grier expected to get Week 16 nod](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Carolina Panthers QB [Will Grier]( is reportedly considered likely to start in Week 16 versus the Indianapolis Colts, according to sources. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Panthers quarterback in 2020 is unlikely to be Kyle Allen. Things have fallen off after flashing early when Allen initially took over for an injured Cam Newton. Grier was a third-round pick out of West Virginia for the Panthers in the 2019 NFL draft. He's got a gunslinger mentality but did not wow as much as some expected in the preseason. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [CIN - WR A.J. Green meets with specialist]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Cincinnati Bengals WR [A.J. Green]( (ankle) met with a foot specialist Monday, Dec. 16, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is still holding out hope that Green will be able to play this year. In the famous words or Ricky Watters "For Who? For What?" It just doesn't make sense for Green to come back with two games remaining in a lost season. Green is set to be a free agent in the spring, and risking aggravating this ankle injury would not be wise. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [KC - Kansas City claims OLB Terrell Suggs](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Former Arizona Cardinals LB Terrell Suggs was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Dec. 16, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Over the weekend, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Suggs "will strongly consider not reporting to his new claiming team if it is anyone other than the Baltimore Ravens." We'll see if playing for a Super Bowl berth with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs would change his mind. He'd likely end up having to go through Baltimore in the playoffs if he joins the Chiefs. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [NYG - QB Daniel Jones may play in Week 16]() Source: ESPN.com - Jordan Raanan New York Giants QB [Daniel Jones]( (ankle) appears to have a chance to play in the Week 16 game, but the team will see how he does during practice this week, according to head coach Pat Shurmur. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The ankle injury was originally supposed to keep Jones out 2-4 weeks. He's missed two games but has been trending to get back in Week 16. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [DEN - TE Noah Fant expected to be fine](=) Source: 9News.com - Mike Klis Denver Broncos TE [Noah Fant]( (shoulder) should be ready for Week 16 even though he suffered a shoulder injury during the Week 15 game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Fant got banged up against the Chiefs on Sunday. The rookie tight end has been a revelation for the Broncos offense as he's the second weapon in the passing game behind rising star Courtland Sutton. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [JAX - DJ Chark cleared to run](=) Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco Jacksonville Jaguars WR DJ Chark (ankle) was cleared to do some running and cutting on the field Monday, Dec. 16. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] He's getting closer to a return but we won't know anything about his status until later in the week. Head coach Doug Marrone indicated Chark has a chance to play in Week 16. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [CAR - TE Greg Olsen ready to return](=) Source: The Associated Press - Steve Reed Carolina Panthers TE [Greg Olsen]( (concussion) cleared the league's concussion protocol Monday, Dec. 16. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Panthers need Olsen back on the field to help their inept offense. Rookie Will Grier should take over at quarterback in Week 16 and having a seasoned veteran like Olsen out there would greatly help. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [TB - OLB Shaquil Barrett staying put in 2020]( Source: ESPN.com - Jenna Laine Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Shaquil Barrett is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but head coach Bruce Arians made it clear Monday, Dec. 16, that the team has no interest in letting him hit the free-agent market. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Barrett leads the league with 16.5 sacks. Undrafted out of Colorado State years ago, Barrett was a rotational player for the Broncos. The Buccaneers picked him up on the cheap this offseason and he has turned in a star performance for his new team. We'll see them try to hammer out a new contract that pays Barrett a lot of money...or they could always franchise tag Barrett if need be. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [HOU - DE J.J. Watt eyeing return during playoffs](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt (pectoral) is reportedly generating optimism that he can recover from the torn pectoral muscle he suffered in late October and return from the Reserve/Injured list and play at some point during the playoffs. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Texans are built to make a deep postseason run but they will have a tough road (just like everyone else in the AFC) if they go through Baltimore. Getting Watt back would be incredible for their defense. 'He's certainly made progress based on his work ethic and who he's working with in the training room. We will see,' head coach Bill O'Brien said. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [CLE - WR Odell Beckham Jr. not shutting it down]() Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot Cleveland Browns WR [Odell Beckham]( Jr. (groin) has no plans to sit out the final two games regardless of the team's playoff chances. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Browns aren't going anywhere, but Beckham isn't going to shut down. He's been banged up all season long and that's why his numbers are down and his impact hasn't been as big as it should have been. Only 90 yards away from the fifth 1,000-yard season of his career, Beckham will play out the rest of the season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [PHI - WR Alshon Jeffery undergoes surgery]() Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo Philadelphia Eagles WR [Alshon Jeffery]( (foot) underwent surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury Saturday, Dec. 14, by noted foot specialist Robert Anderson. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The hope is that Jeffery is ready for the 2020 season. The Lisfranc injury can be problematic, so Jeffery is likely to be eased along in his recovery during the offseason. We may not see him do much of anything until training camp at the earliest. The Eagles roll on with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Greg Ward and Robert Davis as their top three wide receivers. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [TB - WR Chris Godwin expected to be out](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR [Chris Godwin]( (hamstring) is expected to miss the Week 16 game with a hamstring injury. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Bucs are really banged up now at the wide receiver position. Without Godwin (and Mike Evans done for the year), they will turn to Breshad Perriman, Justin Watson and Scott Miller. Perriman is the hot hand here coming off his three-touchdown performance against the Lions on Sunday. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. 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