As Week 12 approaches, teams are jockeying for postseason positions as we enter the final third of the season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories around the NFL, both on and off the field.
Fields Dislocates Shoulder
Despite their 3-8 record, the Chicago Bears have been the talk of the NFL in large part due to their quarterback, Justin Fields. Having unprecedented success running the football, the young quarterback seemed invincible to opposing defenses.
Unfortunately for Bears’ fans, those feelings have subsided as Fields has suffered a dislocated shoulder in his non-throwing shoulder. While he is waiting for the results of an MRI, Fields is currently considered day-to-day. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise if, at the very least, Fields misses the Bears’ game against the Jets.
On the season, Fields has thrown for 1,642 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Even more impressive for the 23-year-old quarterback, though, is his ability with his legs. This season, he has rushed for 834 yards and another seven scores.
It is worth noting that Fields was also dealing with tightness in his hamstrings in his last game, but the shoulder still appears to be the bigger concern.
Stafford In Concussion Protocol, Rams Waive Henderson
The Bears aren’t the only team dealing with an injured quarterback. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, it appears that Rams’ starting quarterback Matthew Stafford is back in concussion protocol.
After a year that culminated in a Super Bowl championship, Stafford and the Rams have struggled mightily this season. They are currently 3-7 and sit dead last in the NFC West. At this point, they are just +15000 to win the division, the worst of the four teams.
As for Stafford, he has played in nine games throwing for 2,087 yards, ten touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
If Stafford is unable to go this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Rams will likely turn to Bryce Perkins to start at quarterback.
In other Rams’ news, the team has waived running back Darrell Henderson. While he started much of last season, Henderson has struggled this year.
He has rushed 70 times this season for just 283 yards (four yards per carry) and three touchdowns. Still, the 25-year-old has not produced, and the Rams will move on as they finish out their disappointing season.
Gordon Dropped By Broncos
Darrell Henderson was not the only running back cut by his team this week. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Field Yates reported that Melvin Gordon has gone unclaimed after being cut by the Denver Broncos, and he has now become a free agent.
The 29-year-old Gordon has rushed for just 318 yards and two touchdowns this season for the Broncos over ten games. Even more concerning, he has fumbled five times already this season.
While it would not be surprising if he was eventually given another opportunity somewhere, it is very clear that his days of rushing for over 1,000 yards, like he did back in 2017, are long gone.
Darnold Gets Another Shot In Carolina
With the struggles of Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers continuing, head coach Steve Wilks has indicated that Sam Darnold will get the start in Week 12.
Still just 25 years old, this will be Darnold’s first action of the season. Last year, in 12 games (11 starts), he threw for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
At just 3-8, the Panthers want to explore all of their options, and with Mayfield struggling to get the offense moving, Darnold will get his shot.
Coming into this week, the Panthers rank 25th in scoring, averaging just 18.8 points per game.
