Panthers' Jonathon Brooks Will Have Season-Ending Surgery on Torn ACL Injury
Dec 8, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 24: Jonathon Brooks #24 of the Carolina Panthers takes the field prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a torn ACL during Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Panthers coach Dave Canales announced on Monday.
As ESPN's Adam Schefter noted, it is the second time in 13 months that Brooks has suffered an ACL injury:
For the second time in 13 months, Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee. Brooks went down on a non-contact injury Sunday vs. the Eagles. He tore his ACL at Texas on Nov. 11, 2023. pic.twitter.com/fBbKAG36yD
Sunday was Brooks' third game of the season after he was previously sidelined while recovering from his previous knee injury.
Carolina selected the Texas product with a second-round pick in this year's draft, and he has yet to make a significant impact.
He posted seven yards on two carries in his first game action against the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 24 and then followed up with six carries for 18 yards and three catches for 23 yards last Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Still, the Panthers clearly saw his potential when they selected him with a second-round pick even though he was dealing with the ACL tear.
Brooks ran for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 25 catches for 286 yards and a score as a receiver in 11 games in his final season with the Longhorns. He ran for more than 100 yards in six of those games and more than 90 yards in eight of them.
Carolina still has Chuba Hubbard at running back for the immediate future, but this is more about the future.
The NFC South team is playing out the string of a lost season at 3-9, but Brooks figures to be an important part of the offense in future years. However, he will now be sidelined as he deals with a second major knee in 13 months.
NFL Insiders Believe Mickey Loomis Has 'Good Chance' to Return as Saints GM
Dec 4, 2024
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 17: Mickey Loomis attends New Orleans Saints Hall Of Fame Induction luncheon on October 17, 2024 at Hilton Riverside in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kaitlyn Morris/Getty Images)
The 2024 season has caused some turmoil for the New Orleans Saints, but it sounds like general manager Mickey Loomis' job is safe for the time being.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported, "The early belief among league insiders is that Mickey Loomis has a good chance to remain as Saints general manager. That's not 100%, but that's what people in the know on these sorts of things are predicting."
Loomis has been a member of the Saints organization since 2000 and was named general manager in 2002. He added the title of executive vice president in 2013.
Unfortunately, New Orleans recently has struggled to capture the success of years past, failing to qualify for the playoffs for three straight seasons. At 4-8, the team is looking at a fourth consecutive year without a postseason appearance. Head coach Dennis Allen was fired after the team's 2-7 start and replaced by special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi as interim head coach.
Fowler went on to explain that Loomis' job security indicates that the Saints could be eyeing someone with previous ties to the organization as they search for a new head coach this offseason.
"The Saints have traditionally valued connectivity/familiarity, which could be a factor in the interview process. [Detroit] Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, a Saints defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020, is expected to get a look in New Orleans," Fowler stated. "[Buffalo] Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, a Saints offensive assistant from 2017 to 2018 and the LSU offensive coordinator when Joe Burrow led the Tigers to a national championship, is a logical name as well. And an intriguing candidate would be [Denver] Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who is from the New Orleans area. The Saints will likely cast the proverbial wide net, but I think their tendency toward familiarity is noteworthy."
The Saints will be in action on Sunday in a winnable game against the New York Giants, who are tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-10.
Report: Bryce Young Becoming 'More Vocal' After Panthers Benching for Andy Dalton
Dec 4, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has reportedly taken on a larger leadership role with his team since spending five weeks benched in favor of Andy Dalton.
Young, who took over as QB1 in Week 8, is now "learning how to become more vocal and showing more command and urgency," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
One Panthers source told Fowler that Young had improved at reading defenses, then "getting it out of his brain and to others."
According to Fowler, sources said sitting behind Dalton "was crucial for the second-year quarterback's development."
Young has completed 60 percent of his passes over the last five weeks as starter, throwing for 1,082 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions while adding another touchdown on the ground.
He looked noticeably more confident over that stretch than in Weeks 1 and 2 when he recorded one rushing touchdown while the Panthers scored 13 combined points in a pair of season-opening losses.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said when benching Young ahead of Week 3 that the 23-year-old was "absolutely" still the team's franchise quarterback, and that the team was "not really considering" the possibility of trading him.
Young got the nod to start against the Denver Broncos in Week 8 after Andy Dalton injured his thumb in a car accident.
The second-year quarterback started out the game with the first opening-drive touchdown of his NFL career. But the Broncos ultimately dominated, and Canales declined to commit to Young as the starting quarterback going forward.
Young recorded the first game-winning touchdown drive of his career in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. He said after the game he felt he had become more comfortable since watching Dalton start from the sidelines.
"Just being more comfortable in the system. Spending all the time just watching and growing, trying to take mental reps, and really trying to just take ownership of the system," Young said.
Young was tapped again to start in Week 10 in Munich, where the Panthers won consecutive games for the first time since the 2022 season.
When announcing the quarterback's fourth straight start ahead of Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Canales said the choice to keep Young in the QB1 spot was "about the continued progress and Bryce looking more and more confident."
After the Panthers lost, but were competitive, against the reigning Super Bowl champions, Canales named Young next week's starter in a postgame press conference for the first time since Week 3.
Canales' growing confidence in Young paid off. The Panthers' 26-23 Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday marked the first time Young had thrown for at least 250 yards in two straight games.
Young has a career record of 4-19 heading into Sunday's Week 14 road game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the progress he has shown this season could be giving Canales and the Panthers hope he is taking the next step in his development as a potential franchise quarterback.
NFL Rumors: Baker Mayfield 'Should Be Good' for Bucs vs. Raiders After Injury Scare
Dec 3, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 01: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after a 26-23 win in over time against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
Baker Mayfield suffered a leg injury on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers after he was stepped on and was seen going into the injury tent and utilizing a walking boot following the 26-23 overtime win.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, however, "Mayfield should be good to go this week against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to league sources."
While Mayfield was sore after the game, he reportedly did not require additional testing. He only missed two plays during the contest due to the injury, though he did throw an interception on his first play back.
"I think he'll be comfortable game-time," head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Monday. "I'm not sure about his practice status during the week, though."
The 29-year-old is arguably having his best NFL season, throwing for 3,034 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 70.8 percent of his passes and taking 28 sacks. He's on pace to surpass his career highs in passing yards (4,044 yards last season) and touchdowns (28, also last season), while his completion percentage is also a career best.
The interceptions have been high, but Mayfield has earned some grace giving he's spent large chunks of the season without his top two receivers, Chris Godwin (out for the year with a dislocated ankle) and Mike Evans, who missed three games between late October and November with a hamstring issue.
The Bucs went 0-3 without Evans, part of a rough four-game losing streak. But with Evans back, the team has rattled off consecutive wins against the New York Giants and Panthers.
Tampa Bay now sits 6-6 on the year and finds itself in a battle with the Atlanta Falcons (6-6) for the NFC South crown. Losing Mayfield for any period of time would have been a brutal blow, even against the lowly Raiders (2-10).
Following the matchup with Las Vegas, the Bucs will close their season against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), Dallas Cowboys (5-7), the Panthers (3-9) and New Orleans Saints (4-8). That's a favorable slate as they fight for a playoff berth, but the health of players like Mayfield and Evans will be vital during that stretch.
Falcons' Michael Penix Jr.: I'm Always 'Ready,' But Kirk Cousins Will 'Bounce Back'
Dec 2, 2024
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
After a disastrous performance from Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, rookie backup Michael Penix Jr. has confidence the veteran will respond well.
"He's a vet," Penix said of Cousins, per ESPN's Marc Raimondi. "He's been in a lot of different situations, so I have no doubt that he's going to bounce back from this and he's going to be great this weekend and for the rest of the season."
Penix also made it known that he'll be ready to step up if head coach Raheem Morris calls his number.
"I have to be, because you never know when the opportunity [comes]," Penix said. "So, I always stay ready, but at the end of the day, like I said, it's not up to me. I just got to continue to be ready, continue to stay ready for that moment whenever that is."
Cousins tied a career-high with four interceptions in Sunday's 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He leads the league in interceptions with 13, just one away from tying the most picks he's had in a season.
Penix has completed three of his five pass attempts for 38 yards this season, appearing late in a pair of fourth-quarter blowouts.
Though he has struggled at times, Cousins has the fifth-most passing yards this season with 3,052 along with 17 touchdowns. Atlanta started the year 6-3 but has now lost three straight, but still sits atop the NFC South.
The Falcons will face Cousins' former team, the Minnesota Vikings, on Sunday. Morris said Cousins would still be under center for that matchup despite his recent struggles.
"That guy has carried us. That guy has got us to the point where we are 6-6 and in first place in the division," Morris said. "We've got everything in front of us despite what happened today. It's up to us to bounce back and find a way to win football games. There isn't a better man than [Cousins] to go do that for us."
Video: Baker Mayfield Reacts to Wild CFB Flag-Planting Incidents, 'Let the Boys Play'
Dec 2, 2024
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield gave his thoughts on the flag-planting that occurred across the college football landscape as rivals faced off on Saturday.
"College football is meant to have rivalries," Mayfield told reporters on Sunday. "That's like the Big 12 banning the 'horns down' signal. Just let the boys play."
Baker Mayfield was asked about the four flag planting incidents during college rivalry weekend. It was something he did at Ohio State in 2017. “College football is meant to have rivalries. That’s like the Big 12 banning the ‘horns down’ signal. Just let the boys play.” pic.twitter.com/XCLmjvUrDQ
The 29-year-old has some experience with the subject during his college days at Oklahoma, planting the Sooners' flag on the Ohio State logo following an upset victory over the Buckeyes in 2017.
Mayfield led the Sooners to a 12-2 record that season, securing a Heisman Trophy win by throwing for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns compared to six interceptions. He was subsequently selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
On Saturday, four games contained teams attempted to plant their flags on opposing logos.
The gesture wasn't taken lightly by the losing teams, as multiple fights broke out.
The most notable instance occurred following Michigan's surprising 13-10 win over No. 2 Ohio State. After the victory, the Wolverines headed towards midfield to plant their flag before several players on both teams were involved in a physical altercation.
An on-field view of the Michigan flag plant and the altercation with Ohio State that followed ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/If9Ng7ecW0
Florida also planted its flag following a victory against rival Florida State, leading to Gators head coach Billy Napier issuing an apology after the game.
"Obviously, what happened there at the end of the game is not who we want to be as a program," Napier said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). "It's embarrassing to me, and it's a distraction from a really well-played football game. I want to apologize on behalf of the entire organization just in terms of how we represented the university there. We shouldn't have done that."
Mayfield's impact on the celebration hasn't been forgotten, as Texas players planted a flag through his jersey after an Oct. 12 win over the Sooners.
Texas plants Longhorns flag through an Oklahoma Baker Mayfield jersey 😳
As he was known for his highly competitive nature during his college years, Mayfield doesn't appear to be a proponent of a potential ban of the celebration.
Bryce Young Excites NFL Fans Despite Panthers' OT Loss to Baker Mayfield, Bucs
Dec 2, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
The Carolina Panthers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-23 in overtime on Sunday, but a promising game from second-year quarterback Bryce Young left Panthers fans with something to be excited about.
The Bucs led 20-16 with just over three minutes left to play before Young led the Panthers 60 yards down the field to take a 23-20 lead. Bake Mayfield and Tampa Bay managed to drive down the field on the following drive to tie things up with a field goal.
BRYCE YOUNG TO ADAM THIELEN FOR THE LEAD WITH 30 SECONDS LEFT!
In overtime, the Bucs missed a 55-yard field goal attempt and the Panthers had a chance to win, but a Chuba Hubbard fumble gave Tampa Bay the ball again. From there, the Bucs marched down the field and won on a field goal.
Despite the loss, Young once again looked like the player the Panthers hoped to get when they drafted him first overall in 2023. He finished with a season-high 298 passing yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown.
His performance had fans hyped on social media.
I am thrilled/bemused/shocked/tickled to report that Bryce Young is Still On One
Last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, Young had 263 passing yards and a touchdown, taking the defending champs down to the wire in a 30-27 loss. He carried his momentum into Sunday's matchup and now seems to be hitting his stride.
The Panthers likely came into the 2024 season expecting to be a longshot to make the playoffs. Instead, they wanted to continue developing Young and building toward the future. Young had to spend some time on the bench earlier this year, but now looks like a completely different player than the one that struggled last year and early this season.
Saints' Taysom Hill Out for Rest of NFL Season With Knee Injury Diagnosed as Torn ACL
Dec 1, 2024
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 01: Taysom Hill #7 of the New Orleans Saints carries the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Caesars Superdome on December 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
New Orleans Saints versatile offensive weapon Taysom Hill is out for the season after being diagnosed with a torn ACL, Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi announced Monday.
Hill was carted off the field Sunday after taking a hit to his knee during a matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. He did not return to the game.
Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the injury was season-ending.
Rizzi had provided a limited update after the game, telling reporters that Hill would undergo testing on the injury.
"Hopefully it's not too bad, Rizzi said. "But no real information yet."
Hill was attempting to convert a fourth-down attempt late in the fourth quarter when it appeared he was hit in the knee by the helmet of a Rams' defender, as two players tackled him.
Hill, 34, has done a little bit of everything for the Saints offense this season. Coming into Sunday's game, he had completed 2-of-4 passes for 21 yards and an interception, rushed 34 times for 268 yards and six touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 150 yards.
In Sunday's 21-14 loss, he rushed five times for 10 yards and added five catches for 37 yards, yet again being utilized in multiple ways.
He had arguably the best game of his career in a Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns and was named the NFC Player of the Week after rushing seven times for 138 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught eight passes for 50 yards and completed a pass for 18 yards.
"The more he's on the field, the more effective we've been," interim head coach Darren Rizzi told reporters this week. "... There's a fine line between getting him too much and not enough, so we've got to do a good job of managing that."
New Orleans safety Tyrann Mathieu, meanwhile, said that Hill is one of the best players he's ever played with during an appearance on Up & Adams this week.
"People say it to me, 'You the best football player I've ever played with,' and I'm like, 'Y'all never played with Taysom Hill though,'" he said.
"He can understand how to play slot receiver and how to play H back and maybe he's the backup quarterback in the red zone," Mathieu continued. "He has about three or four different game plans every week that he has to know and he has to understand, and I think along with his athleticism, that's a really good, talented player. Whoever that player is, a guy that studies well and a guy that puts in work in the weight room, those guys are usually hard to stop in general."
That makes Hill the sort of player that the Saints simply cannot replace. In an already disappointing 4-8 season for the Saints, Hill's injury is another tough development.
NFL Official Carl Paganelli Carted Off with Injury After Collision in Bucs-Panthers
Dec 1, 2024
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 28: A detail shot of an NFL shield logo painted on the field prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on November 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
During Sunday's game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, official Carl Paganelli was carted off the field after suffering an injury.
The Fox broadcast noted that Paganelli "seemed to be doing OK":
Official Carl Paganelli appears to be doing fine after being carted off the field 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sKgWocJwud
Nick Carboni of WCNC reported that Paganelli appeared to injure his leg when a Bucs player inadvertently ran into him before a punt.
Per Nick Geddes of On3.com, Paganelli made contact with Tampa Bay linebacker Vi Jones as the team's punt unit ran onto the field. The officiating crew is now down to six members, with back judge Grantis Bell assuming some of Paganelli's umpire duties.
Paganelli has been an NFL official since the 1999 season. His two brothers, Dino Paganelli and Perry Paganelli, work in the NFL as back judges. He worked as the umpire for Super Bowl XXXIX and Super Bowl XLI in 2004 and 2006, the latter of which he worked alongside Perry to make them the first set of brothers to work a Super Bowl together. The 64-year-old later officiated Super Bowl XLVI and Super Bowl XLVIII in 2011 and 2013, making him the only official to work four Super Bowls since 2000.
This is the first meeting of the season between the Panthers and Buccaneers. With a win, Tampa Bay (5-6) could tie with the Atlanta Falcons (6-6) for first place in the NFC South. Carolina (3-8) sits in last place in the division. The Panthers and Bucs will meet again in Week 17 on Dec. 29.
Kirk Cousins Won't Be Benched for Michael Penix Jr. After 4 INTs, Falcons HC Says
Dec 1, 2024
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 01: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons aren't considering a quarterback change.
After Kirk Cousins threw four interceptions during a 17-13 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris confirmed that Cousins would remain the starter over rookie Michael Penix Jr. moving forward (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic).
"I have no doubt in my mind he's going to bounce back and be ready to go, especially against his former team," Morris said in regards to Cousins, per Kendall.
Atlanta fell to 6-6 with the loss.
"I have to play better," Cousins said after the game, per Zak Keefer of The Athletic. "You take responsibility and go back and watch it with a really critical eye and say, 'OK, how can I make sure this never happens again?' Felt like that was a game we had a chance to win if I had played at the standard I expect to play."
Cousins finished 24-of-39 for 245 yards in addition to his quartet of interceptions. He was also sacked once.
The Falcons jumped out to an early 7-0 lead due to a rushing touchdown by Bijan Robinson in the first quarter, but they were held to just six points for the remainder of the contest. Los Angeles was aided in its comeback effort by Cousins, as his second interception was returned for a go-ahead touchdown.
The veteran signal-caller has thrown for 3,052 yards and 17 touchdowns while getting picked off 13 times during his first 12 games in Atlanta.
Cousins hasn't been able to meet expectations after signing a massive four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in free agency. Atlanta finished at 7-10 record in 2023 with a sluggish offense, hoping that the four-time Pro Bowl passer would help the team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
After signing Cousins, the Falcons selected Penix with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The 24-year-old was coming off an impressive senior campaign at Washington, recording 4,903 pass yards and 36 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions.
Penix looked comfortable in the preseason, finishing 9-of-16 for 104 yards in limited action.
