News And Notes From Around The League

[Go PRO](=) | [View Online](=) [Unsubscribe]( | [Sign Up]() [Footballguys.com](=)Daily Email Update • Vol. 22, #171 • Oct. 5th, 2020 --------------------------------------------------------------- Howdy {NAME}, Another NFL week in the books. Now we're on to Week 5 with some News and Notes you need. Let's go. J --------------------------------------------------------------- SITE NEWS A. [The Audible Podcast - Week 4 Recap]() In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom go beyond the box score and recap the Week 4 NFL games. Topics Include - the Cowboys offense continues to make Fantasy GMs happy but they are not winning, Buccaneers QB Tom Brady played out of his mind on Sunday, what is the problem with the Texans offense, plus more! [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [HOU - Houston relieves Bill O'Brien of his duties](#1) 2. [HOU - Romeo Crennel likely to serve as interim coach](#2) 3. [CLE - RB Nick Chubb out six weeks](#3) 4. [TB - RB Leonard Fournette misses practice](#4) 5. [CAR - RB Christian McCaffrey doing well](#5) 6. [MIA - Miami being cautious with Tua Tagovailoa](#6) 7. [TB - TE Rob Gronkowski limited](#7) 8. [NE - RB Sony Michel headed to IR](#8) 9. [TB - TE O.J. Howard not on field](#9) 10. [TB - No practice for WR Chris Godwin](#10) 11. [TB - WR Mike Evans does not practice](#11) 12. [TB - RB LeSean McCoy likely out for a bit](#12) 13. [SEA - WR DK Metcalf making big plays a habit](#13) 14. [LAC - RB Austin Ekeler likely out at least a month](#14) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [HOU - Houston relieves Bill O'Brien of his duties]() Source: Houston Chronicle - Aaron Wilson Houston Texans head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien was fired Monday, Oct. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] O'Brien had all the power in Houston and the team was shaped in his image...and they are winless in 2020. Texans owner Cal McNair decided enough was enough and made the move to get rid of O'Brien -- even though it was reported that O'Brien was about to take over play-calling duties for the rest of the season on Monday. O'Brien has had multiple gaffes in his coaching career like wanting to start Tom Savage of Deshaun Watson (Texans fans can thank former GM Rick Smith for drafting Watson when O'Brien didn't want him) and the former Texans head coach ran off superstar WR DeAndre Hopkins. The team has a real franchise quarterback in Watson, so whoever ends up taking over permanently will have a good cornerstone to work with. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [HOU - Romeo Crennel likely to serve as interim coach](=) Source: Houston Chronicle - John McClain Houston Texans assistant head coach Romeo Crennel is expected to serve as the team's interim head coach following the firing of former head coach Bill O'Brien on Monday, Oct. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Crennel has plenty of experience and has been a head coach twice in his career. The Texans are winless and pulling them out of this funk could be difficult. We'll see if Crennel can get the most out of what he has to work with. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [CLE - RB Nick Chubb out six weeks](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Cleveland Browns RB [Nick Chubb](=) (knee) will miss six weeks with a sprained medial collateral ligament. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Chubb left the game against the Cowboys with an MCL injury. The Browns now turn to Kareem Hunt as their top back and he's a must-start RB1 for Fantasy GMs while Chubb is out. D'Ernest Johnson will serve as the backup to Hunt and should be considered a deep flex play (at least) for the near future. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [TB - RB Leonard Fournette misses practice]() Source: The Athletic - Greg Auman Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB [Leonard Fournette](=) (ankle) did not participate in practice Monday, Oct. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It was expected to be a multi-week absence for Fournette as he didn't practice at all last week and didn't play on Sunday. The Buccaneers play on Thursday night against the Bears and we should see plenty of Ronald Jones. Rookie Ke'Shawn Vaughn could be the primary backup as LeSean McCoy is dealing with a Grade 2 ankle sprain and is considered week to week. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [CAR - RB Christian McCaffrey doing well]( Source: Panthers.com - Myles Simmons Carolina Panthers RB [Christian McCaffrey](=) (ankle) still has a week left before he is eligible to come off the Reserve/Injured list, but head coach Matt Rhule told reporters Monday, Oct. 5, that his running back is 'attacking rehab every day.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] That's good news for the superstar running back. Let's wait and see what things look like when McCaffrey is able to return. It looks like he's trending in the right direction. He could be active for Carolina's Week 6 game against the Bears. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [MIA - Miami being cautious with Tua Tagovailoa]() Source: ESPN.com - Cameron Wolfe Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (hip) has 'checked all the medical boxes,' but head coach Brian Flores told reporters Monday, Oct. 5, that he's in not in a hurry to name him the starter.'If it was my kid and he had a serious injury like that, I wouldn't want his coach to be in a rush to put him in there because of media pressure. ... No one is going to pressure me into doing anything,' Flores said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ryan Fitzpatrick is flailing as the starter...with a few flashes here and there...just like we all expected from Fitzpatrick. Tagovailoa can be the team's franchise quarterback, something they've been searching for since Dan Marino retired 20-plus years ago. It's wise for the team to take it easy on him as he comes back from the hip injury that cut his final season at Alabama short. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [TB - TE Rob Gronkowski limited]() Source: The Athletic - Greg Auman Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE [Rob Gronkowski](=) (shoulder) was limited during practice Monday, Oct. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] With O.J. Howard likely done for the season with an Achilles' injury we should see more from Gronkowski going forward. The team has been mixing him in more than earlier in the season. If you're streaming tight ends this year, then Gronkowski becomes a better option. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [NE - RB Sony Michel headed to IR](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport New England Patriots RB [Sony Michel](=) (quad) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list on Monday, Oct. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The move to IR means Michel has to miss at least three weeks before he's eligible to return. The Patriots move forward with James White and Rex Burkhead. Plus, the Patriots activated Damien Harris (hand) off the Reserve/Injured list to replace Michel on the roster. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [TB - TE O.J. Howard not on field]() Source: The Athletic - Greg Auman Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE [O.J. Howard](=) (Achilles) did not participate in practice Monday, Oct. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No surprise here. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Howard is likely done for the season after suffering an Achilles injury. We should see him shut down officially in the near future. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [TB - No practice for WR Chris Godwin]() Source: The Athletic - Greg Auman Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR [Chris Godwin](=) (hamstring) did not participate in practice Monday, Oct. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Buccaneers have a short week as they play against the Bears on Thursday night. Godwin may not practice all week and has to be considered a game-time decision for Week 5. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [TB - WR Mike Evans does not practice]() Source: The Athletic - Greg Auman Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR [Mike Evans](=) (ankle) did not participate in practice Monday, Oct. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Evans is getting some rest here. The Buccaneers have a short week as they play against the Bears on Thursday night. We should see him practice at some point, likely Wednesday, before they play. Stay tuned to check in on his availability. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [TB - RB LeSean McCoy likely out for a bit](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB [LeSean McCoy](=) (ankle) suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain in Week 4 versus the Los Angeles Chargers and will likely be week-to-week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] McCoy was working as a pass-catching back for the Buccaneers. With Leonard Fournette out, McCoy was working as a backup to Ronald Jones. The Buccaneers play on Thursday against the Bears so McCoy is unlikely to play. That means rookie Ke'Shawn Vaughn will step in as the team's no.2 running back. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [SEA - WR DK Metcalf making big plays a habit]() Source: Pro Football Focus Seattle Seahawks WR [DK Metcalf](=) has gained a league-high six receptions that have gained at least 30 yards - two times more than any other player. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Metcalf has grown quite a bit from year one to year two. He's no longer just a one-route guy who wins with speed and strength on jump passes. Metcalf now has more nuance to his routes underneath, and can still win with plenty of speed, ball-tracking and 'my ball' mentality. It's fun watching him out there helping Russell Wilson cook. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [LAC - RB Austin Ekeler likely out at least a month]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Updating previous reports, Los Angeles Chargers RB [Austin Ekeler](=) (hamstring, knee) is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks with a hamstring injury and a hyperextended knee, according to a source via ESPN's Adam Schefter. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ekeler is in the process of seeking a second opinion on his injuries and recovery timetable. The Chargers move forward with Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson as the top two players in their backfield. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J = = Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! You're subscribed as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here](. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * News Items Powered By: =