NFL Player News

As one might have guessed, Shula is the grandson of legendary Dolphins head coach Don Shula, who holds the NFL record with 347 career wins. Shula, 37, has spent the last seven seasons with the Rams, serving primarily as a linebackers coach. He served as the pass game coordinator in 2022 and the pass rush coordinator in 2023. While he feels like a long shot to get the job relative to other candidates, Shula’s family ties to the organization make him an interesting candidate. He also received an interview for the Eagles defensive coordinator role last season.

The team will carry three running backs and a fullback on the game-day roster for the third consecutive week, with Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle likely splitting snaps relatively evenly against the Ravens. Cook was signed to the team’s practice squad two weeks prior to the start of the season and have yet to elevate him or give him a spot on the 53-man roster through three weeks of the regular season.

Higgins missed the first two games of the regular season after suffering a hamstring injury in the week leading up to the first game, but will make his season debut against the Commanders on Monday night. The 0-2 Bengals got embarrassed by the Patriots to start the season before going toe-to-toe with the Chiefs in Week 2, ultimately losing by one point on a last second field goal. They now receive a get-right spot against the floundering Commanders and are nearing full strength on offense, the perfect opportunity to grab their first win of the season. There have been no reports regarding an expected snap rate for the contract-year veteran but it is safe to assume he might be held below his normal every-down role in his first game action of the season.

The journeyman edge rusher has the Commanders’ only two sacks through two games. Coach Dan Quinn does not expect it to be a long-term issue, so Ferrell should have a decent shot at returning for Week 4.

Originally listed with a knee issue, Conklin evidently injured his hamstring in practice. It places extra pressure on LT Jedrick Wills (knee) to make his 2024 debut. He is expected to do so after the Browns did not elevate a tackle from the practice squad on Saturday. Dawand Jones will man the right side in Conklin’s absence. 30-year-old Conklin is having an increasingly difficult time staying on the field.

It’s not a bad outcome after veteran Moses went down in a heap Thursday evening, though he could still end up a candidate for injured reserve. The Jets at least have a viable backup plan in rookie first-rounder Olu Fashanu, but it’s never good to have to dip into your critical depth this early in the season.

Bigsby’s shoulder issue ended up little more than a scare. The Jags upped Bigsby’s workload in Week 1 and would clearly like to continue doing so, but it’s possible his Week 2 ding gives him fewer opportunities to claim the “hot hand” against the Bills Monday. He’s not an overly compelling RB3/FLEX as a touchdown-dependent road ‘dog.

Engram has yet to resume practicing, and the Jags aren’t expecting him to go on Saturday. That leaves Brenton Strange to make another spot start after he surprisingly commanded six targets in Week 2. Seeing as he’s yet to take the field since getting injured in pre-game warmups last Sunday, Engram is not looking like a particularly strong bet to return in Week 4.

The rookie made his first career start last week. He took over at right tackle and played well in his debut, allowing two pressures but no sacks on 29 pass-blocking reps according to Pro Football Focus. The No. 20 overall pick was one of many recent moves made by the Steelers to bolster their offensive line. Broderick Jones, taken in the first round of the 2023 draft, started at right tackle in Week 1 and will presumably reclaim that job until Fautanu returns.

Koonce was injured one day before the 2024 season kicked off, though no official word had been given as to whether he could return this year. Koonce’s 52 quarterback pressures and 8.0 NFL sacks in 2023 trailed only Maxx Crosby among Raiders defenders. It delivers a significant blow to the Raiders 2024 season.

The Bengals’ pushover run defense is now dealing with a pair of injuries on their interior defensive line. Both Hill and Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) have failed to practice thus far this week. The Commanders will likely attempt to impose their will on the ground if both players are inactive.