The 49ers’ receiver situation is drawing attention around the league, and one name that keeps coming up is Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr.
FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano reported that almost everyone he spoke with around the NFL believes Jacksonville will eventually trade Thomas. One executive questioned why his role has been so limited and made the case that the talent is still obvious.
“It doesn’t make sense. He can still run.
He can still move. He’s still big.
It was just two years ago that he was one of the best rookies in the league (87-1,282-10). He’s had issues with drops, but you can fix that.
He’s just too talented to give up.”
That same source told Vacchiano that San Francisco could emerge as a dark-horse landing spot because of the rash of injuries the 49ers have had at receiver.
There’s also a separate 49ers situation involving Brandon Aiyuk. Per Tom Pelissero, Aiyuk owes the team roughly $13 million in bonus forfeiture, which could make it harder for him to push for his release by reporting to the facility on Friday.
Pelissero said the NFL Management Council and NFLPA are both working to sort it out. The sides could reach a deal to return the money, or the matter could end up in arbitration, but either way it may take some time.
In Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford says his throwing arm is a little sore, but he isn’t sounding alarmed. The Rams quarterback said he’s feeling good and hasn’t missed any reps.
“ I’m 38 years old, trying to keep up with these young bucks. Little bit of soreness and stuff that is not uncommon this time of year, ” Stafford said, via Rams Wire.
“ Haven’t missed a rep. Feel good.
So I’m not too worried about it”
Seattle is dealing with its own offensive issues after the Week 8 loss to the Bears, when the Seahawks allowed 14 quarterback pressures on 39 pass attempts.
Head coach Mike Macdonald said there was a “bit of a learning curve” after the team brought in G Quenton Nelson and shifted Grey Zabel to right guard.
“I think there [is] a little bit of a learning curve with the new group, the new alignments,” Macdonald said, via Brady Henderson of ESPN. “There are a couple coaching points that are going to happen. [The mistakes] should be fewer and far between from week to week.”
Zabel said the midweek position change made the adjustment tougher, but he wasn’t using that as a crutch.
“It’s a tough transition to flip sides in the middle of the week, but at the end, no excuses,” Zabel said. “Could’ve played better.
I will play better. We move forward from here.”
Quarterback Sam Darnold also pointed to his own decision-making after Monday’s loss, saying he needed to get the ball out faster.
“Just being decisive, knowing when I need to move on in progression and doing that. Talking about this game specifically, got to watch the tape, obviously. I feel like there were opportunities to get the ball out, and I just didn’t,” Darnold said.
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Sundays trip to Northwest Stadium looks like it should be a clean one on paper, with the Rams set to face the Commanders in a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Nov. 8. The early forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in the low 60s, which usually suggests a comfortable afternoon for football, and the game-day logistics are straightforward enough with parking and stadium opening times already laid out for fans making the trip.
The one wrinkle is the wind, which could matter more than the mild weather suggests. West winds are expected around 11 mph, with gusts reaching 21 mph, and that kind of movement can quietly affect everything from deep throws to kicking decisions if it hangs around into game time. For a road team trying to settle in early, it is the sort of small but real variable that can change the feel of the afternoon before the first quarter even gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Puka Nacua Injury Fallout Puts Commanders Collision Under Spotlight
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The early indication is at least somewhat encouraging, with reports that the team believes he did not tear his ACL. Still, any issue involving Nacua changes the conversation for Los Angeles, especially after he was so heavily involved against Washington, and the next update will go a long way toward shaping the Rams outlook moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Face A Delicate Matthew Stafford Problem On Offense
Matthew Staffords arm soreness has become a subtle but important subplot for the Rams as they try to keep their offense on schedule without asking too much of their quarterback. He was a full participant in practice and stayed off the injury report, but the way Los Angeles has been shaping its attack suggests the staff is still thinking carefully about how much it wants on Staffords plate.
The Rams have been leaning more on the run to ease his passing load, and the results have varied depending on how often Stafford is asked to throw. When his attempts stay under 30 a game, the offense has generally been in a better place, which leaves the Rams balancing efficiency, health and the need to keep defenses honest as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]