In the midweek NFL news: Head coach Ron Rivera is upbeat about the availability of QB Alex Smith; RB Dalvin Cook will not play in week 17 and beyond.
Rivera, optimistic with Smith’s availability
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera is optimistic that QB Alex Smith can play in Sunday Night Football week 17 against the Eagles. The team is not directly sure if he will be ready until the veteran is training and testing his calf, which is what left him absent in week 16. Taylor Heinicke will be the starter if Smith cannot play.
Ron Rivera says he’s optimistic Alex Smith (calf strain) can start Sunday against the #Eagles, but the WFT won’t really know until Smith gets on the practice field. It’s about functionality, not soreness. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/dwiC519NaI
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 29, 2020
Cook won’t play the Lions on Sunday
Sad situation within the NFL news. Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook will not be available in week 17 against the Lions because he had to travel to Miami after the death of his father, James, at 46 years of age. The running back will be attending to the family matter during the week at home, so he will not report with the Vikings in Detroit.
Dalvin Cook will not play Sunday after father’s death https://t.co/YY9ZaBe76v
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 30, 2020
Kupp placed on the COVID-19 list
Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list and is doubtful to face the Cardinals in week 17. The receiver would enter the five-day window to be reactivated to the roster, but it is unlikely to occur. The Rams will be without QB Jared Goff, without RB Darrell Henderson and probably without one of their top WRs when they meet Arizona.
Rams placed WR Cooper Kupp on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2020
NFL establishes new rule on practice squad
The NFL Board of Directors and the NFL Players Association agreed that from now on there will be unlimited rises from the practice squad to the active roster without a player having to pass waivers during the 2021 NFL Playoffs. Previously, a player could only be lifted twice straight for a match at standard lifts.
The NFL also informed clubs daily testing and intensive protocols will continue throughout the playoffs, and laid out guidelines for club’s offseason testing and workout rules, including a 20-player maximum inside facilities. Full memo: pic.twitter.com/R1bwMiCh9s
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 29, 2020
Robinson won’t play the Colts on Sunday
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said rookie RB James Robinson will not play for the second straight game due to his ankle discomfort. The first-year player finishes that season with 1,070 yards and 7 TDs. The coach also announced that QB Mike Glennon will be back under center for the Jaguars.
#Jaguars coach Doug Marrone tells reporters that Mike Glennon will start on Sunday and that rookie RB James Robinson (ankle) won’t play. He finishes with 1,070 yards and 7 TDs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 30, 2020
New positive cases within the Browns
The Cleveland Browns have new positive cases of COVID-19 after they learned that a coach and a player from the practice squad presented these results. LB BJ Goodson tested positive late last week and several colleagues were isolated as high-risk contacts. Yesterday another player tested positive and two close contacts were isolated. The facilities were closed in accordance with the security protocols.
#Browns LB B.J. Goodson tested positive late last week and several teammates were isolated as high-risk close contacts. Then yesterday, another player tested positive and two more close contacts were isolated. The facility is closed this morning after two more positive tests. https://t.co/GShJ58Ifm6
– Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 30, 2020
This is today’s NFL news.
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