Week 10 of the NFL season is set to resume on Sunday with a full slate of games. Teams continue to jockey for position as they fight for either a lead in their division or in the playoff standings.
This week is no different, and there are plenty of interesting matchups, including the Carolina Panthers (5-3) vs. the Green Bay Packers (7-2), Minnesota Vikings (6-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-3), and Seattle Seahawks (7-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (8-0).
With so much excitement going on on the field, let’s take a look at some of the news from around the league off the field.
Mahomes To Play Sunday
The Kansas City Chiefs are about to get a big boost to their offense as they are set to welcome Patrick Mahomes back under center on Sunday as they take on the Tennessee Titans. Mahomes is apparently not only good at football, but he is amazing at healing up, too. Missing just two weeks due to a dislocated kneecap, Mahomes appears ready to go.
It will still be interesting to see if the quick recovery plays an effect on his game, particularly since he is so reliant on his ability to be mobile and move outside of the pocket.
Still, for a team that sits at 6-3, just a game ahead of the Oakland Raiders in the AFC West, his return is certainly a welcome sight for Chiefs fans.
On the season, Mahomes is 157 for 241 with 15 touchdowns and just one interception. He has also only been sacked eight times this season. Matt Moore did well in his absence, but it will be a whole new game with Mahomes back under center.
Panthers Put Newton On IR
While one star quarterback is coming back, another appears to be done for the season. The Carolina Panthers have put quarterback Cam Newton on injured reserve. Although he is technically eligible to come back in January, it appears that he is likely done for the season.
Unfortunately for Newton, the last two seasons have been rather frustrating as he dealt with shoulder issues last year and now a foot sprain this year. In two games this season, Newton went 50 for 89 for 572 yards and an interception.
Since Newton was sidelined, though, the Panthers have actually been somewhat rolling under Kyle Allen. On the season, Allen is 116 for 191 for 1,291 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. The Panthers are now 5-3 and sit behind only the New Orleans Saints (7-1) in the NFC South.
Redskins Place Williams On NFI List
At 1-8, it has already been nothing but a frustrating season for the Washington Redskins and their fans. A lost season has already seen a fired coach and disgruntled players. Now, it appears that the organization is at odds with one of its best players.
Trent Williams, the stellar offensive tackle, has been placed on the non-football injury list, and he is effectively done for the season. To make matters worse, the Redskins have now opted not to pay Williams the remaining $5.1 million he is owed (a right they have when being placed on the NFI).
After being placed on the list Thursday, Williams spoke out, saying that he plans to never play for the Redskins again, despite the fact that he is still under contract through next season. A seven-time Pro Bowler, Williams will look to continue to play football but refuses to in Washington D.C.
For the Redskins, it was likely a huge missed opportunity when they didn’t move the tackle prior to the trade deadline. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out, but I can’t imagine him in Washington come next season.
Jackson Sidelined Again
The Philadelphia Eagles lost one of their deep threats this week when it was announced that DeSean Jackson is having surgery and will be out at least six weeks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Unfortunately, Jackson had a nice start to the season with a two-touchdown outing in Week 1 but has been ineffective since.
Having missed most of the season with this injury, Jackson has tallied nine catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns this season. It is still possible that he could play at the end of the year, particularly if the Eagles make the playoffs, but for now, he will have to wait on the sidelines while he recovers.
Bears Waive Running Back
It appears that the Chicago Bears will have one less person in the running backs meetings come Sunday. On Saturday, it was announced that the Bears have cut veteran running back Mike Davis. Davis signed a two-year, $6 million contract with Chicago this offseason, but with the emergence of rookie David Montgomery and the still available, but underutilized, Tarik Cohen, there just haven’t been the snaps for Davis that were anticipated.
On the season, Davis has rushed just 11 times for 25 yards. Needless to say, he was way too expensive for the stats that were being produced and the lack of playing time. Davis will be put on waivers, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see a team take a gamble on him.
For the Bears, the added bonus of this transaction is that it might line them up for a compensatory draft pick, but still, in retrospect, that signing was likely one that should have never been made.
