All-Pro running back Le'Veon Bell is unlikely to report to the Pittsburgh Steelers by Tuesday's deadline, making him ineligible to play the remainder of the season, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The saga between Bell and Pittsburgh has taken plenty of twists over the last two years but this one would be stunning, considering what the 26-year-old tweeted in July.

New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas has been fined $30,000 for using a cellphone while celebrating a touchdown last week against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The celebration was a tribute to Saints icon Joe Horn, who famously whipped out a cellphone after scoring a touchdown in 2003. Horn was also fined $30,000.Thomas pulled out a phone after scoring a 72-yard touchdown that all but cemented New Orleans' victory over the Rams. Both the play, and the celebration, sent the Superdome into a frenzy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills are expected to start Matt Barkley in Sunday's game against the New York Jets after Josh Allen was ruled out with an elbow injury, the team announced Saturday.Barkley will become Buffalo's fourth starter of the season after Allen, Nathan Peterman, and Derek Anderson and will enter the lineup just 11 days after signing with the team.Peterman started last week against the Chicago Bears and threw three interceptions in the 41-9 loss, taking his season tally to seven on just 81 attempts.Josh McCown will also likely get the start for the Jets with rookie Sam Darnold nursing a sprained right foot.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An MRI confirmed that New Orleans Saints wide receiver Dez Bryant suffered a torn Achilles during practice Friday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Bryant is expected to take eight months to recover.The veteran wide receiver was released by the Dallas Cowboys in April after spending his first eight seasons with the franchise. Bryant elected to mull over his offers before signing with the Saints.Bryant was expected to amplify an already potent offense, carving out a role alongside standout Michael Thomas and rookie Tre'Quan Smith in the passing game.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week, we take a look at five last-minute additions for your fantasy team heading into NFL Sunday.Josh Adams, RB, Eaglesvs. CowboysTim Williams / Action Plus / GettyAdams was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in April. He's been active for six games and had his most impressive outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8 prior to the team's bye.He rushed nine times for 61 yards - more than doubling his season total - and added a 6-yard reception in the victory.This week, veteran Darren Sproles reportedly suffered a setback in his return from a hamstring injury and is expected to miss his eighth straight game. That would leave Adams in a committee with the underwhelming Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood, both of whom he vastly outperformed last time out.Josh Rosen, QB, Cardinalsat ChiefsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyRosen got his second win of the season before the Arizona Cardinals' Week 9 bye, throwing for 252 yards and two touchdowns in an 18-15 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.The rookie has another prime matchup in Week 10 against a Kansas City Chiefs team allowing more fantasy points to quarterbacks per week than all but six teams, and the most passing yards against in the league.The extra week of preparation under new offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich should have Rosen more in tune with his receiving corps as he looks to string together strong outings for the first time since replacing Sam Bradford.John Ross, WR, Bengalsvs. SaintsScott Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / GettyRoss, the ninth overall pick of the 2017 draft, is expected to return from a groin injury that held him out of the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He'll have a chance to play a significant role against the New Orleans Saints with A.J. Green sidelined by a toe injury.Tyler Boyd will continue his breakout season and serve as Andy Dalton's No. 1 target. Behind him, though, the Bengals' receiving corps is thin, and Ross could rise to be the second option.The Saints have allowed nine plays of 40 or more yards, which is tied for second-worst in the league through nine weeks. Ross could have a big day if he's able to capitalize on the blistering speed that led to his high draft position. One of his two touchdowns this season came on a 39-yard haul in Week 4.Chris Conley, WR, Chiefsvs. CardinalsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettySammy Watkins is battling a foot injury that could keep him out of the Chiefs' Week 10 contest against the Cardinals. With that in mind, Conley, who ranks third on the team in targets among wide receivers this season, could play a significant role opposite Tyreek Hill.Arizona has fared worse against secondary receivers than No. 1s, according to Football Outsiders' DVOA; Conley could find room to operate with Hill and tight end Travis Kelce commanding the defense's attention. In terms of volume, he will likely see a slight uptick to his 66 percent of snaps played so far this season.Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Packersvs. DolphinsNurPhoto / NurPhoto / GettyWith Geronimo Allison sent to injured reserve this week with a groin injury, St. Brown should step in as the Green Bay Packers' No. 4 receiver.Although it's not usually an enviable position for fantasy purposes, Allison and fellow rookie Marquez Valdes-Scantling have each averaged at least four targets per game while operating behind veterans Randall Cobb and Davante Adams.St. Brown saw a season-high five targets in Week 5 and made three catches for 89 yards. He hasn't had the chance to play as large of a role since, but he should have the opportunity in Week 10.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is reportedly not expected to play against the Tennessee Titans, a source told the Boston Herald's Kevin Duffy.Gronkowski was listed as questionable throughout the week with back and ankle injuries. He was also sidelined during the Pats' 31-17 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 9.New England has a bye next week, leading to a possible Week 12 return for Gronk against the New York Jets.With a 7-2 record, the Patriots may be taking precautions to ensure their star tight end is healthy down the stretch."It’s been more challenging, just with the obstacles in the way," said Gronkowski of his 2018 season. "But it’s life. You’ve got to take them on, and that’s what I’m doing. Just got to get back to where I need to be and just be myself when I get back. It’ll all be good."In his seven starts this season, Gronkowski has 29 receptions, 448 yards, and one touchdown.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears there's no love lost between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys ahead of their pivotal game Sunday.The Eagles (4-4) and Cowboys (3-5) are looking to capitalize on an opportunity to surge in the NFC East, which still remains very open entering the second half of the season.Ahead of the divisional game that could eventually impact playoff positioning, both teams played up the heated rivalry."Of course I don't like the Cowboys," Eagles left tackle Jason Peters said, according to Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News. "It's just the arrogance. The organization. 'America's Team.' Right now, they're not winning. Let's see how many people jump off their bandwagon."Both teams sought upgrades at wide receiver prior to the trade deadline. Dallas traded a first-round pick to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for Amari Cooper, while Philadelphia acquired Golden Tate from the Detroit Lions for a third-round selection."They say it's a huge rivalry," Cooper said. "Obviously I don't know too much about it. But the guys are definitely pumped up. They say it gets crazy over there in Philly when they play the Cowboys."Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie singled out Tate while detailing his animosity toward the Eagles."We've got to prepare for everything and be on our toes and hopefully not let that happen again," Awuzie said of Tate. "That's probably why the Eagles got him, honestly, they know we don't like him. ... We'll prepare our best way. It's no extra or nothing less. ... When you love this game you approach everything like it's the hardest challenge, like it's the Super Bowl. We're going to approach this game like it's the Super Bowl."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rooting for points is fun, but money is more fun. Prepare to cheer for defenses in Week 10.As always, be sure to shop around for the best numbers.Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles RamsWager: Under 50.5There's no other way to cut it: The Los Angeles Rams are going to score points. It's just a matter of how many.Last weekend, the Seattle Seahawks were one Russell Wilson pick-6 away from holding five of their last six opponents to under 20 points. The only exception? The Rams back in Week 5. Seattle's defense is a pretty middling, bend-but-don't break unit - average in terms of yards per play allowed, but No. 6 in the NFL in scoring.The Rams' offense is still potent, but it might be regressing just a bit. Despite hanging 35 on the New Orleans Saints last weekend, the Rams have averaged 6.3 yards per play over their last four games, as opposed to 7.4 over their first five.The icing on this play is Seattle's knack for playing in low-scoring divisional road games, a nugget we dug up earlier in the week.Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWager: Under 51A Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that's allowing the most adjusted yards per play of any team in the NFL might catch a break in Week 10 when the Washington Redskins pay a visit.The Buccaneers' schedule hasn't exactly been a cakewalk. They've faced six teams that rank in the top 11 in the league in scoring, and their two other opponents were the Eagles and the Browns. Tampa allowed 21 and 23 points in those contests, respectively.Washington lost three offensive starters in last week's game against the Atlanta Falcons and was already having a difficult time scoring - it's 26th in the league with 20.0 points per game.We've gotten accustomed to Tampa Bay barnburners this season, but don't expect one on Sunday.Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis ColtsScott Halleran / Getty Images Sport / GettyWager: Jaguars +3If the Jacksonville Jaguars, currently on an 0-4 skid, are going to turn the corner, there's no better opportunity than Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.First, the Jaguars are coming off a bye and play as the road team. Teams in this situation are on a blistering 60-23 run against the spread.Second, it's the right opponent for quarterback Blake Bortles to show out against. Across his last six games against Indianapolis, he's posted an average quarterback rating of 105.3 to go along with 10 total touchdowns and zero interceptions.The perception of both teams has changed drastically from early in the season. The Jaguars haven't won since September, while the Colts offense' has gotten praise for scoring plenty of points on the Jets, Bills, and Raiders.To top it off, Jacksonville still owns the edge over Indianapolis in adjusted yards per play (both for and against). We like the points here.Extra PointsLos Angeles Chargers at Oakland RaidersRecommended Pick: Over 50The Oakland Raiders' defense is an absolute mess. If allowing 34 points to the Nick Mullens-led San Francisco 49ers wasn't embarrassing enough, the Raiders now welcome one of the hottest offenses in the entire league.There should be enough points from the road team and some contributions from a pass-happy Oakland offense to get this one over the total.New Orleans Saints at Cincinnati BengalsRecommended Pick: Under 54Through the first half of the Cincinnati Bengals' season, the offense has been night and day.Weeks 1-4: 31.5 points per game, 6.1 yards per play

New York Giants safety Landon Collins appears to be unsure about his future with the club.Collins has been one of the lone bright spots on a 1-7 Giants team, recording 62 tackles and a forced fumble through eight games.The 24-year-old is in the final year of his contract and said he doesn't know if the Giants want to retain him; current negotiations haven't begun regarding a potential long-term extension.Collins also said he doesn't want to be franchise tagged under any circumstance."Honestly I don't want it," Collins said this week, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. "I know what type of player I am. I'm going to bring forth hard-work, talent, play-making abilities to the game each and every week. Why would I want to play under a one-year deal? If something happens I'm not guaranteed. And even though I'm guaranteed that for a year, I'm still not guaranteed."The Giants hired Dave Gettleman as their new general manager in December 2017, and he's now tasked with figuring out where Collins fits into the team's long-term plans.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dez Bryant era in New Orleans could be over before it starts.Bryant was helped off the field at practice on Friday, and the team is "pretty sure" he tore his Achilles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Testing on the Achilles is considered a formality, Schefter adds. He also reports that doctors believe it's torn, and the veteran is expected to be sidelined for eight months.The injury occurred toward the end of practice while Bryant was running a route on the scout team, as MMQB's Albert Breer reports. He also went down just two days after signing a one-year contract with the Saints.New Orleans has yet to confirm the severity of the injury, but the team did place the 30-year-old on its injury report.The former All-Pro receiver went unsigned after the Dallas Cowboys released him in April. He reportedly rejected a multi-year offer from the Baltimore Ravens shortly after his release and later worked out with the Cleveland Browns near the end of the offseason.He reacted to the injury shortly after it happened.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is dealing with a hip injury that could jeopardize his availability versus the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 following the team's bye, sources told Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.The severity of Flacco's ailment is unclear.The 33-year-old reportedly injured his hip early in the first quarter of Baltimore's Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went 23-of-37 for 206 yards in that contest as he and the Ravens suffered their third consecutive defeat.If Flacco is forced to miss time, the Ravens will turn to rookie Lamar Jackson or veteran Robert Griffin III at quarterback.The Ravens elected not to practice during their bye in an effort to get several ailing players healthy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the second consecutive year, the New York Giants are in the middle of a nightmare season, but Odell Beckham Jr. believes his team is capable of pulling off the nearly impossible."Win eight games," Beckham said Friday, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, when asked what he wanted to accomplish personally over the season's second half. "Get in the playoffs. Giants been there before - 9-7, got to the playoffs - and I think they did pretty good. So that is the goal. ..."Win every game and do anything I can to help that."The 2011 Giants won the Super Bowl after posting a 9-7 record in the regular season.New York sits last in the NFC East at 1-7 after firing its head coach and general manager following the 2017 campaign.It's been another dramatic year for Beckham, who caused controversy by criticizing the offense in an interview with ESPN in October. He said he doesn't feel any additional pressure to spark the team."I know my mentality is not going to be to quit ... I'm trying to go hard every play, any chance that I get," Beckham said Friday. "That's just always how I'm going to be. I know we're not in a very good situation, but you just try to make the most out of that."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Khalil Mack appears to be ready to return to the lineup after an ankle injury forced him to miss the last two games.The Chicago Bears' star pass-rusher fully participated in Friday's practice and is set to play in Sunday's divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions, reports Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune.Mack originally hurt his ankle in Chicago's Week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He suited up in Week 7 but rested the two following games.The All-Pro defender's return comes at an opportune time, as the Lions surrendered 10 sacks in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings.Mack's excelled under Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio since being acquired from the Oakland Raiders. He's accumulated five sacks, four forced fumbles, and a pick-6 in five contests.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd could be the next player to deliver a tribute with an on-field celebration.After New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas and Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard channeled Joe Horn and Terrell Owens, respectively, with celebrations in Week 9, NFL Network's Michael Silver posed the question on Twitter of who would honor former wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, originally known as Chad Johnson. Boyd responded, indicating he was interested.

The Buffalo Bills have listed quarterback Josh Allen as questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Jets with a right elbow injury.Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Allen is "progressing well," according to ESPN's Mike Rodak.Buffalo has ruled out Derek Anderson for Sunday's game due to a concussion.Allen has missed the Bills' past three games after suffering the elbow injury against the Houston Texans in Week 6.Matt Barkley is another option for the Bills, although he's yet to be informed about his status for Sunday's game."I haven't been told anything (about starting). We're just preparing like all of us are preparing, like we can play," Barkley said, according to Rodak.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dez Bryant will reportedly have to wait another week to throw up the X.The newly acquired New Orleans Saints receiver won't play in Week 10 when his team faces the Cincinnati Bengals, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Bryant officially signed a one-year deal with the Saints on Thursday, leaving him little time to get in game shape and learn his new team's offense before Sunday's game.Pelissero added that the former All-Pro receiver could make his NFL return in a Week 11 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.The Dallas Cowboys released Bryant in April. He remained unsigned until this week.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers are 3-4-1 midway through the 2018 season, and those underwhelming results are beginning to wear on the team."We've lost games before here, but this just feels different," wide receiver Randall Cobb said, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "And it doesn't feel good. It's not fun. But we've got to figure something out."Aaron Rodgers and Co. have fought their way out of similar holes in the past - most notably in 2016 when the team won six straight games to end the regular season before making it to the NFC Championship game. But this year's Packers squad - currently trailing the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North - is in need of a boost."We definitely need some momentum, we need to get a win ... Very frustrating and it's tough," Cobb said. "Because I know what we're capable of and we're not there. I don't know what it is, but we've got to find a way to get it done."Cobb has battled through injuries this season, catching just 26 passes for 258 yards and one touchdown in five games.Green Bay has three divisional contests remaining on its schedule, presenting an opportunity for a late-season run. The Packers host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 10 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 10 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.StartPhilip Rivers, QB, Chargersat RaidersJack Thomas / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Raiders are clearly struggling on all fronts, making them a defense to attack in fantasy. Oakland has allowed multiple touchdown passes in every game but one this season, including three passing scores to each of its last three opponents. Rivers hasn't had an outing with fewer than two touchdowns this season and, in theory, if Nick Mullens can come out of nowhere to throw for three touchdowns against the Raiders, should Rivers throw for six? Eight?Boone's projection: 297 passing yards, 3 TDsOther QBs to start

Here's a breakdown of four significant mismatches in Week 10:Cardinals DE Chandler Jones vs. Chiefs LT Eric FisherIn this week’s marquee mismatch, defending sack king Chandler Jones will be pitted against middling Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher. In theory, the 2-6 Cardinals don't have much of a shot to win this game, but they could make Patrick Mahomes' life more difficult than expected due to Jones' prowess off the edge.Listed at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Jones has the ideal frame to combine with his fluid movement skills, incredibly refined hand techniques, and precise footwork. His stride length allows him to gobble up ground and stress offensive tackles' pass sets, while his unique ability to sequence his moves allows him to ward off and counter blockers' strikes while running a smooth edge track.Against the run, Jones leverages his 35.5-inch arms to set a strong edge, funneling ball-carriers toward the center of the field. He has the block-destruction techniques to penetrate the line, along with the quickness to pursue from the backside.Fisher will certainly have his hands full Sunday. He tends to be inconsistent with his weight distribution and hand timing in pass protection, while he lacks the strength and technique to consistently get the better of Jones in the running game.Here's an example of Fisher struggling to protect on a passing play - specifically when a defender converts their speed to power. Fisher's base tends to get too narrow at the point of attack, making it difficult to anchor against strong bull rushes:On the play above, Fisher's lined up opposite Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. After bursting upfield for three steps, Garrett converts his speed to power; he drops his pad level, puts his helmet into Fisher’s chest, and walks the offensive lineman into Mahomes with a bull rush.Notice that when Garrett makes contact with Fisher’s chest, the left tackle’s feet are almost touching - that’s way too narrow of a base. It means Fisher must reset his feet before he can even think about anchoring against the bull rush, which is entirely too late.Meanwhile, because Jones isn't the most powerful or violent player, people often sleep on his ability to convert speed to power. He's not going to win with raw strength, but instead with timing, leverage, and proper hand placement. Here's a great example:On this play, Jones executes a speed-to-power bull rush, similar to the one Garrett used above. In a matchup against Seahawks left tackle Duane Brown, Jones' initial movements mimic a long-arm pass-rush technique meant to win around the edge. But as soon as Brown turns his shoulders perpendicular to the line of scrimmage, Jones converts to a full bull rush that drives Brown backward, before tossing him aside for the sack.That ability to convert speed to power should give Fisher fits on Sunday, and it should lead to a dominant performance from Jones. To have any chance, Fisher will need to rely on all the misdirection that Kansas City uses to put himself in advantageous blocking positions.Eagles DT Fletcher Cox vs. Cowboys' interior O-lineFletcher Cox has been a Dallas Cowboys foil ever since being drafted 12th overall by the rival Philadelphia Eagles in 2012.The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Cox is one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the NFL, and the Cowboys have yet to find a solution for blocking him. All-Pro right guard Zack Martin has the best chance to stymie the Mississippi State product, but even he's had trouble with the unique mix of power, length, and quickness that Cox brings to the table. Meanwhile, left guard Connor Williams will likely miss Sunday night's game with a knee issue, making things even more difficult.In fact, among defensive tackles not named Aaron Donald, Cox has arguably been the best in the league this season with 25 tackles and four sacks in eight games. And while those stats are impressive, they still don't do Cox justice, as he's consistently disruptive on a snap-to-snap basis.Here’s an example of the technical refinement that allows Cox to be effective beyond simply using his tantalizing physical skill set:Above, Cox is aligned with an outside shade over Giants right guard Patrick Omameh and uses subtle, nuanced techniques to record the sack. After the ball is snapped, Cox takes a quick step toward Omameh, which causes the guard to narrow his pass set. But after that initial step, Cox expands his rush outside, which forces Omameh to lunge a bit with his strike.From there, Cox feints with a two-hand swipe, which prompts Omameh to lift his hands, giving Cox the space he needs to dip and rip around the edge.Plays like this make Cox nearly unblockable, and they're the reason the Cowboys' interior offensive line is going to struggle mightily against him on Sunday.Packers LT David Bakhtiari vs Dolphins DE Robert QuinnDavid Bakhtiari - who's allowed just two sacks this year and was named our Midseason Film Room All-Star at the tackle position - will have a chance to demonstrate his elite skill set on Sunday against formerly great Miami Dolphins pass-rusher Robert Quinn.Since his heyday with the Rams, Quinn's been one of the most overrated edge defenders in the NFL. He's racked up huge games against subpar opponents but often turns into a ghost against the better offensive tackles in the NFL.With that said, and with the Packers desperately needing a win this weekend, Bakhtiari's advantage over Quinn could ultimately decide the game.At this point in his career, Quinn's only hope to generate pressure is his speed rush off the edge. But unfortunately for him, Bakhtiari's mastered the ability to take away opponents' speed rushes, as he uses quick feet, proper body position, and unique hand techniques to stymie them with regularity. Here's an example:The best offensive tackles make it look easy - even against great competition. That's exactly what Bakhtiari does in a matchup with Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes, one of the most productive pass-rushers in the league this year. On the passing play above, Hughes tries to threaten the edge with speed, but Bakhtiari's too quick as he beats Hughes to the intersection point and walls off the defender from pressuring Aaron Rodgers.Expect similar things against Quinn throughout Sunday's game, as the former All-Pro pass-rusher will likely be rendered irrelevant by the best left tackle in football.Saints LT Terron Armstead vs. Bengals' DEsOverlooked amid the offensive brilliance of Sean Payton, Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, and Michael Thomas is New Orleans Saints left tackle Terron Armstead, who's been playing at the highest level of his six-year career this season. He's yet to allow a single sack in pass protection, while he's opened up running lanes on the ground for the Saints' dangerous group of ball-carriers.This week, Armstead should have his way with the Cincinnati Bengals' assortment of defensive ends. It would have been interesting to see him matched up against Carl Lawson, one of the best young pass-rushers in the NFL, but Lawson's out for the year with a torn ACL, which will make Armstead's life much easier.In pass protection, Armstead leverages his considerable athletic ability to mirror rushers around the edge, employing phenomenal hand timing to strike and disrupt defenders. He's also proven versatile with the ability to vary his pass sets against the trickier pass-rushers in the league.But most of all, the trait that makes Armstead stand out is his patience. Instead of looking to constantly get in heated hand-fighting battles at the point of attack, Armstead waits patiently for the perfect time to latch onto defenders. Here's an example:On this play, Armstead's lined up against Rams pass-rusher Dante Fowler. After bursting toward Armstead's center line with his initial steps, Fowler looks to expand his rush upfield so he can speed around the edge, employing a cross chop move. But Armstead remains patient, Fowler whiffs with his cross chop, and Armstead has the time he needs to latch onto Fowler, effectively ending the rush.That skill will come in handy against the Bengals' defensive ends - likely Carlos Dunlap and Jordan Willis - as they do possess active hands, if nothing else. It should be no surprise if Armstead puts together another near-flawless performance, yielding very little pressure off the edge while opening up running lanes for the ground game.John Owning is a football writer at theScore. He has written for Bleacher Report and Football Insiders. He was also the lead NFL content editor at FanRag Sports. John provides analysis on the Dallas Cowboys for the Dallas Morning News and edits for The Quant Edge. Find him on Twitter @JohnOwning.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Even in his NFL sixth season, Eric Reid is still learning."I didn't even know you could be ejected," the Carolina Panthers safety said following Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Reid was given a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and ejected from the contest after making contact with Ben Roethlisberger's head on what was ruled a late hit. The Panthers went on to lose 52-21."The referees told me I was targeting him, which I disagree with," Reid said.

The Buffalo Bills ruled out quarterback Derek Anderson for Sunday's game against the New York Jets due to a concussion, head coach Sean McDermott said Friday, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.McDermott added that the Bills are "still working through" the decision on their starting quarterback for Sunday, and that rookie Josh Allen is "progressing well" in his recovery from a wrist injury. With regards to Allen's status, McDermott said it will come down to a "medical decision," according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW, who added that Allen's thrown in the last four practices while dominating the number of individual reps on Wednesday and Thursday.If Allen can't suit up, the Bills could start Nathan Peterman or Matt Barkley. Peterman's struggled badly when he's played this season, completing 54.3 percent of his passes for one touchdown and seven interceptions.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's a lot more orange around the New England Patriots' locker room these days.Fed up with players taking home their team-issued gray practice shorts and not leaving them at the facility as required, the Patriots decided to swap them out for a burnt orange color, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton accurately summarized his team's performance following a 52-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.“We got whooped, man," Newton told the Panthers' official website.Carolina entered Thursday's contest at 6-2 and on a three-game winning streak but submitted its worst performance of the season. Newton threw two touchdowns and an interception, but he was outdueled by counterpart Ben Roethlisberger, who threw five touchdowns and no interceptions for the Steelers."It was a learning experience for a lot of guys,” Newton continued. "If we expect to be as good as we expect to be, we have to find ways to win games like this in hostile environments."Despite the drubbing, the Panthers are still in the thick of the NFC playoff race, and Newton made it clear he's moving on while looking ahead to next week."I've been playing in this league long enough to understand that you need to fight through games like this," he said. "You are going to have these types of games in the league, but it’s going to be about how we rebound."We’ll bounce back from this."The Panthers will next head to Detroit for a road game against the Lions in Week 11.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner has been placed in the concussion protocol following Thursday's blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, head coach Mike Tomlin announced postgame, according to NFL.com's Austin Knoblauch.Conner was taken to the locker room early in the fourth quarter. Trainers also looked at him in the medical tent during the third quarter after the 23-year-old took a big hit, but he was able to return.The second-year back recorded 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries before exiting the game.Conner will have 10 days to progress through the protocol before Pittsburgh's next game. However, over that time it's possible Le'Veon Bell returns to the team and challenges Conner for the starting running back role.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid was ejected from Thursday's game after delivering a late hit to the helmet of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.Several members of the Steelers' offensive line came to their quarterback's defense, leading to a brief scuffle between the two teams.

Warning: Story/video contains coarse languageMarcus Peters is itching for a do-over after the New Orleans Saints handed his Los Angeles Rams their first loss of the season in Week 9.The Saints' win was sealed when the cornerback was burned for a 72-yard touchdown by Michael Thomas. After the game, Payton said it was a matchup the team wasn't scared of attacking."They were going to travel Marcus to him, and that was fine by us," Payton said, according to Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune. "We thought we really liked that matchup - a lot."Peters didn't appreciate being dismissed so easily."Tell Sean Payton to keep talking that shit. We're going to see him soon," Peters said.

The clock is ticking on Le'Veon Bell's return to the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of Tuesday's deadline for franchise-tagged players to report to their teams.The star running back will lose his eligibility to play this season if he continues to stay away from the Steelers. However, team owner Art Rooney II said on Thursday during a SiriusXM NFL Radio appearance that he expects Bell to rejoin the team before time runs out."I don't know what his plans are, but I would say at this point we expect him to come back next week," Rooney said, via NFL.com's Austin Knoblauch. "We know he's back in Pittsburgh and so we're hoping to have some communications with him over the weekend and we're kind of expecting he will be back next week."Despite Bell's absence causing friction, including public calls from his teammates to end his holdout, Pittsburgh wants the Pro Bowler back, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Bell is reportedly considering skipping the rest of the 2018 season after learning the Steelers will have to pay him around $25 million if the team franchise tags the veteran for a third straight year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bruce Irvin is apparently ecstatic to have been released by the Oakland Raiders, and the pass-rusher let everyone know it during his first practice with the Atlanta Falcons."I'm free! I'm free!" Irvin yelled as he left the locker room Thursday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.The veteran defensive end leaves the 1-7 Raiders for a Falcons team on a three-game winning streak, and also finally gets to play in his hometown after a failed push to sign in Atlanta as a free agent in 2012."Kind of, yesterday it hit me a little bit," said Irvin. "I know I looked scared, but I really was crying yesterday. This is a childhood dream for me, man."Growing up watching Michael Vick and guys like Terance Mathis, guys like that, this was always my dream. For me to be able to come and live it out was a surreal moment. I'm just very fortunate to be an Atlanta Falcon right now."Irvin joins a group of pass-rushers that includes Takkarist McKinley, Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, and Jack Crawford.The unit has produced 17 sacks this season - 27th in the league - and will need Irvin to contribute immediately if the Falcons are to continue to move toward a playoff spot after a 1-4 start.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver Dez Bryant participated in his first practice with the New Orleans Saints on Thursday after signing a one-year contract with the team, and he's eager to contribute to an explosive offense.Bryant said he's excited to join running back Alvin Kamara and fellow receiver Michael Thomas, the "baby GOATs," and quarterback Drew Brees, the "big GOAT," via Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune.The veteran added that he turned down workouts with other teams, per Doug Mouton of WWL-TV."Who wouldn't want to play with Drew Brees?" Bryant said.Bryant was released in the offseason following the third year of a five-year, $70-million contract signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2015. The three-time Pro Bowler's prolonged free agency generated plenty of discussion. However, Bryant insists he's not concerned about his public image, even after calling out his former team on Twitter."I'm going to always be me," Bryant said, per Mouton. "I'm not a bad guy. I've always been a good guy, you can ask my teammates."The Saints face off against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10, but head coach Sean Payton said it's too early to determine whether Bryant will make his debut on Sunday."He's a little heavy and that's pretty common," Payton said, according to NFL.com's Herbie Teope. "I'd think probably five pounds without having gone through a training camp. We felt like he did a number of things that we liked in the workout. We'll begin that process today."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A meaningless score late; an improbable comeback; a final play that impacts your bankroll, leaving you curled up in the fetal position in the corner of your living room.Every gambler has experienced at least one soul-crushing beat. The first half of the NFL season has seen no shortage of them, so we narrowed down some of the worst beats for bettors through the first nine weeks.5. Ryan Fitzpatrick comes in to spurn Cincinnati backersSituation: Bengals -3.5 vs. BuccanneersThe Cincinnati Bengals had leads of 21-0, 27-6, and 34-16, and still couldn't cover against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.After Ryan Fitzpatrick was called in to replace Jameis Winston late in the third, Fitzmagic set up the Bucs for a field goal on his opening drive to cut the lead to 15, threw a 72-yard pass to Mike Evans to chisel it to eight, and then, in a last-ditch effort to tie the game, converted an 18-yard touchdown pass to O.J. Howard on fourth down.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was cited for reckless driving Thursday morning, according to WPXI.A Ross Township Police officer was on watch for a possible bank robbery suspect when a black Porsche went speeding past in excess of 100 mph. The driver was identified as Brown.The Steelers released a statement that said, "We are aware of the situation, but we are still gathering information. We won’t have any further comment at this time."Pittsburgh will host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead returned to practice on Thursday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.Burkhead was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury after the Patriots' Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. He is eligible to play Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 10.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.You can also listen to the Week 10 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.Standard

Here's a look at the team totals for all 28 teams playing in Week 11, along with our picks and confidence level:Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh SteelersPanthers team total: 23.5Offensive coordinator Norv Turner has Carolina's offense humming. The Panthers boast a top-eight offense in adjusted yards per play (5.9) this season and are tied for fourth in the league over the last three games (6.5). However, they haven't fared well on the road and will face a Steelers defense that hasn't allowed more than 24 points since Week 4.Pick: Under (-120)

When the Carolina Panthers hired Norv Turner this offseason as their new offensive coordinator, the move set up a potentially fascinating marriage of play-caller and pivot.Turner has spent 27 years in the NFL as a head coach or coordinator, primarily relying on offensive schemes and passing concepts from the “Air Coryell” system, which is predicated heavily on a vertical passing game. While Cam Newton certainly has the arm strength and velocity to operate in such a system, initially it looked like the Panthers’ roster might not have the right weapons to support the quarterback and help him succeed with Turner's playbook.But an evolution in Turner’s offensive philosophy can be seen when watching the Panthers this season. Some of the vertical concepts are still in place, as a zebra doesn't change its stripes overnight. However, Turner has done a great job of using what's available to him and designing plays that get his best players in space, all while still stressing a defense at every level of the field.One of Carolina’s touchdown drives during the team's Week 8 victory over the Baltimore Ravens provides a wonderful example of how Turner is evolving as a play-caller, and how that's paying off for the Panthers.Play No. 1First-and-10, ball on Carolina's 46-yard-lineThe Panthers put Newton in the shotgun to start the drive and use 11 personnel, with three wide receivers and a tight end joining the passer.They line up with two pass-catchers on each side of the field. Tight end Greg Olsen (No. 88) is in a tight alignment on the right side, and D.J. Moore (No. 12) is in the left slot:NFLHere is the play Turner calls:NFLThe Panthers run a play-action passing play with a run-pass option element. Newton fakes a handoff to Christian McCaffrey, then looks to throw a backside hitch route to Devin Funchess (No. 17).But as Newton flashes his eyes to the left, he sees cornerback Jimmy Smith (No. 22) jumping the route. So the QB moves on to Plan B, which is Moore on a swing route after the wideout completes his motion across the formation:Think about how this play impacts Baltimore's second-level defenders. First, the Panthers show a potential run on the fake handoff to McCaffrey. Then Newton looks to his left, making the defenders think a pass will go in that direction. Finally, the quarterback goes to his third option, the swing route to Moore on the right side.From inside, then to the left and right, the Panthers’ offense stretches Baltimore's defense on this play while giving Newton two potential short throws that have a high possibility of completion.To top it all off, Moore catches the pass in the right flat and is working against linebacker Matt Judon. That's a matchup the Panthers will take on every snap. Moore puts a move on the defender and picks up seven yards, putting Carolina in a very manageable second-down situation.Play No. 2Second-and-3, ball on Baltimore's 47-yard-lineOn second down, the Panthers change things up, switching to a 21 personnel package with two running backs. They add C.J. Anderson (No. 20) and put him in the backfield next to Newton, who is in the shotgun.McCaffrey starts the play aligned as a receiver on the right, but then he goes deep into the backfield and to the left through orbit motion:Here is the offensive design Turner dials up on second down:NFLCarolina uses some misdirection here to again trick the eyes of the Ravens’ linebackers and get them moving away from the intended targets on the play. Newton and Anderson fake an outside zone running play to the left, and the Panthers’ offensive line moves in that direction to sell it.The design also features the threat of McCaffrey on a deep swing route to the left. But that's all “eye candy” to confuse the defense, because as Newton pulls out of the fake to Anderson, he rolls to the right and sees three receivers on that side of the field.Newton is pressured off the edge, but he finds Moore on a shallow crossing route for another easy throw and a quick gain upfield, giving the Panthers a first down:Again, the Panthers gave Newton a higher-percentage throw through their use of misdirection. Turner also put Moore in open space and in position to succeed after the catch.Play No. 3First-and-10, ball on Baltimore's 29-yard lineHaving used misdirection, play-action, and shorter throws on the first two plays, Turner now turns to his roots and calls a vertical pass.The Panthers line up again with two running backs on the field, but this time they use a pistol formation with McCaffrey behind Newton, and Anderson standing to the right of the quarterback. Olsen aligns in a wing to the left:NFLThe Panthers show a split-zone running look, with Olsen executing a cross block from left to right as Newton makes a cursory inside-run fake to Anderson. McCaffrey runs another deep swing route to the left side.All of this is done to confuse the defense. But this time, instead of attacking short, the Panthers push the ball downfield:NFLThe play design here is the Yankee Concept, a vertical passing play that combines a deep post route with a crossing route at the intermediate level of the field.Many NFL teams are using this design, and here, after stressing the Ravens’ defense near the line of scrimmage on the previous two plays, the Panthers attack downfield:Newton finds Funchess on the crossing route, and he makes a good anticipation throw as the receiver comes across the field. The Panthers catch the defense in a single-high coverage look, and with the free safety dropping to take away the deep post route, Newton makes the right decision.Now Carolina is on the Ravens' 10-yard line and deep in the red zone.Play No. 4First-and-10, ball on Baltimore 11-yard lineAfter calling three straight pass plays, Turner decides to keep the ball on the ground to close out this drive. For the first time on this series, Newton lines up under center, and yet again the Panthers use a different offensive personnel package:NFLThe Panthers bring two tight ends into the game and use 12 personnel. They align with both tight ends to the left, and with McCaffrey as the single back behind Newton.Carolina showed zone running play looks previously, and the split-zone design is what Turner draws up here:NFLMoore comes across the field in pre-snap motion, and as the play begins, tight end Chris Manhertz (No. 82) executes the cross block, working left to right. The offensive line flows in unison to the left at the snap on a zone-blocking design.Baltimore, however, gets some quick interior pressure, forcing McCaffrey to stop in the backfield. That's usually a death knell for a running play, but with McCaffrey's vision and quickness, the second-year back turns lemons into lemonade:McCaffrey bounces to the outside and scampers into the end zone for the touchdown.The Panthers' quick scoring drive provides a great glimpse into how much Turner has changed his offense. While traditionally a vertical-based play-caller, Turner has added a focus on short and intermediate passing to Carolina’s playbook.There's a dual benefit to that approach. It gives the Panthers some routes and throws with a higher likelihood of success, and it also puts players like Moore and McCaffrey into space working against linebackers.The NFL is a matchup league, and teams need players who can win one-on-one. When a coordinator can get someone like Moore matched up in space against a linebacker like Judon, the offense has a better chance to succeed.Turner remains a coach with the desire to push the ball downfield, and as we saw on the third play of this drive, the Panthers can take deep shots while incorporating play-action and misdirection to confuse defenders.Turner has adapted, combining his old ways with some new-found creativity. The result has been a 6-2 record, putting the Panthers among the NFC's top teams.Mark Schofield writes NFL feature content for theScore. After nearly a decade of practicing law in the Washington, D.C., area Mark changed careers and started writing about football. Drawing upon more than a decade of playing quarterback, including at the collegiate level, Mark focuses his work on quarterback evaluation and offensive scheme analysis. He lives in Maryland with his wife and two children. Find him on Twitter @MarkSchofield.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dez Bryant's one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints will pay him a prorated base salary of $600,000 for the remainder of the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The deal includes an additional $500,000 in incentives, Schefter adds.The Saints have restructured offensive tackle Terron Armstead's 2018 contract in order to free up cap space for Bryant, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Bryant was released in the offseason following the third year of a five-year, $70-million contract he signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2015.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former All-Pro corner Darrelle Revis is keeping busy post-retirement.Revis has signed a deal with PointsBet, an online digital sportsbook based in Australia, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. PointsBet offers a traditional fixed-odds market on sports, racing, and more.The seven-time Pro-bowler will contribute video content and a series of blogs, Schefter notes.Revis started in 142 games over his successful 11-year NFL career, which included two stints with the New York Jets. He finished with 497 combined tackles and 29 interceptions. He won Super Bowl XLIX with the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seven-year-old Rylan Wood, like many Dallas Cowboys fans, isn't happy with the team right now. So, he decided to air his frustrations in a letter to owner Jerry Jones.Wood came up with the idea while watching the Cowboys' game against the Tennessee Titans on Monday night with his mother, Kayla Jimenez."He told me, 'if the Cowboys lose, I really want to write a letter,'" Jimenez told Matt Howerton of WFAA-TV. "So, I was like 'OK.'"The Cowboys lost 28-14, falling to 3-5 on the season. Wood had to be up early for school the next day, so he didn't get to watch the end of the game."The first thing he asked me when he woke up was, 'did we win?'" Jimenez said. "When I told him no, he said, 'OK, I'm writing this letter after school.'"

Cornerback Malcolm Butler will be front and center Sunday when the Tennessee Titans host his former team, the New England Patriots, for a Week 10 matchup.It'll be Butler's first official reunion with ex-teammates and coaches after he was benched in the Patriots' Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but he's not looking at it as a chance for revenge."It's just another game," Butler insisted Wednesday, according to Erik Bacharach of The Tennessean.The 28-year-old has largely been a disappointment this season after signing a five-year, $61.25-million contract as a free agent last offseason. Butler ranks just 98th among 111 qualified cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He's allowed seven touchdowns, 618 passing yards, and 39 receptions, the worst figures in the league among corners.While facing the team that gave up on him a little more than nine months ago could spark a strong performance from Butler and help out a Titans team sitting at 4-4 and second in the AFC South, the defensive back says he's not using the marquee opponent as extra motivation."It's just a game," Butler said. "I know I used to play for New England and all of that. I'm not overhyped. I'm not very pumped. It's just another game. I've got to be ready to play no matter who I play. People are throwing the ball. Just have to be ready."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints are placing wide receiver Cameron Meredith on injured reserve as he awaits arthroscopic knee surgery, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The roster move accompanies the signing of free-agent receiver Dez Bryant on Wednesday.The 26-year-old appeared in six games this season, making just one start. His season will end with nine receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown.Meredith was signed to a two-year, $9.5-million offer sheet last offseason as a restricted free agent of the Chicago Bears.He didn't suit up with the Bears in 2017 after tearing his ACL in a preseason game.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is going to great lengths to display his discontent during his ongoing holdout.On Wednesday, the running back posted two tweets with the font purposely framed upside down.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast hosted by Justin Boone and David P. Woods.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone and Woods are joined by Eliot Crist of The Quant Edge to discuss the biggest fantasy questions heading into Week 10.Topics include:

Quarterback Drew Brees was among the players eager to welcome Dez Bryant to the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday after the wide receiver inked a deal with the team."Dez has been a really good player in this league for a long time and there's certainly a skill set he has that is going to be beneficial," Brees told Herbie Teope of NFL.com. "I look forward to working with him. I look forward to building a rapport with him. I look forward to getting him involved in this offense and just become a complement to all the guys that we already have."Bryant, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys, signed a one-year contract with the Saints following a workout on Tuesday. He'll join a New Orleans club sitting atop the NFC South that's thin at receiver beyond Michael Thomas.It's uncertain whether Bryant will be ready to make his Saints debut on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Regardless, Brees is prepared for Bryant's impact to come later rather than sooner."It's not like you just hand him a playbook and expect him to learn it overnight," Brees said. "It's one of those things that's a process. I think for any new guy coming in, especially a skill player, it's new verbiage."I don't know how much carryover there will be from what he had in Dallas - it's probably not a lot - so that's a process. You bring him along and you want to put him in position to succeed, right? Take the stuff that he's really good at, and then integrate him in the offense accordingly. We'll have a plan for that as we go along."Bryant, 30, posted 838 receiving yards with six touchdowns for the Cowboys in 2017.Here's a sample of what other Saints players said about his addition:Sheldon Rankins, DT"If he can come in and help this team and give our offense another dimension, I'm throwing up the X right along with him. Listen, Dez Bryant has been a hell of a player in this league for a long time. I know he can still contribute to a team and I'm glad it's going to be us."Zach Line, FB"He just makes our offense that much more dynamic and obviously the question is who are you going to cover on our team now. Is it (Alvin Kamara)? Is it Mark (Ingram)? Is it Mike (Thomas)? Is it Dez? Is it Tre'Quan (Smith)? He's just another weapon in our system and we find ways to use everybody, and you can even include Taysom (Hill) in that mix."A.J. Klein, LB"We know that Dez is a competitor and he's been a great wide receiver in this league for a long time. Anytime you can add that type of talent to your team is very important."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins were fined $30,000 and head coach Adam Gase was fined $15,000 for the handling of quarterback Ryan Tannehill on the Week 6 injury report, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Tannehill was listed as a full participant on Thursday of Week 6 despite missing reps because of a shoulder injury. He should have been listed as a limited participant.The quarterback wound up being a game-day scratch against the Chicago Bears. The 30-year-old hasn't played since.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings have claimed ex-Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah off waivers, the team announced on Wednesday.Abdullah was cut Tuesday after falling behind Kerryon Johnson and LeGarrette Blount on the Lions' running back depth chart. The former second-round pick had 1,250 yards and six touchdowns in three seasons with Detroit prior to this year, but he's been active for just three games in 2018, running the ball once.The 25-year-old will likely provide insurance behind Latavius Murray and Dalvin Cook, with the latter still working back to full health after a hamstring injury.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dez Bryant has finally found a home.The free-agent wide receiver has signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, the team announced.Bryant will wear his No. 88 in New Orleans, NFL Network's Jane Slater adds.

Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones doesn't regret removing himself from the Miami Dolphins' game last week, but he doesn't expect it will happen again.Jones said Tuesday he and the coaching staff are "all on the same page now" after last week's kerfuffle, according to the Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad."Not at all," he responded when asked if he had any regrets about leaving the game.It's still unclear what exactly prompted Jones to pull himself out of the contest at the end of the first quarter, but the rotation defensive coordinator Matt Burke implemented forced the two-time Pro Bowler to come out of the game at one point.Whatever the issue was, it doesn't appear to be a problem going forward."That's behind us," Jones said."Whatever the coaching staff says, we have to do," he added. "That's what we're willing to do."Jones noted that he addressed the situation with head coach Adam Gase after Miami's 13-6 win over the New York Jets, and with his teammates. He dispelled the notion that he quit on the Dolphins by taking himself out of the affair."I've never been a quitter," he said. "I've been here nine years playing my ass off for this team. I've never been a quitter, never will. I'm going to keep on doing what I need to do to help this team win football games."Jones, who's spent his entire career with the Dolphins, has 35 tackles and two interceptions in seven appearances this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran wideout DeSean Jackson is frustrated with the struggles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his secondary role in their offense as he prepares to play his former team, the Washington Redskins."I can't say I'm as happy," Jackson said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "I'm not winning. I'm not being as productive. For me to sit here and say I'm happy with that, I'd be lying to you."Jackson's irritation with the Buccaneers is nothing new - he reportedly requested a trade before the Oct. 30 deadline. After beginning the season 2-0, Tampa has dropped five of its last six games.Jackson's production has also dipped. He started the season with three 100-yard performances in four games but has posted just 202 yards over his last four outings combined."I know what I can do as far as big plays and explosiveness, and I know what that does to other guys," he said. "It just sparks energy."The 31-year-old vertical threat ranked fourth in snaps among Bucs receivers last week, lining up for 48 percent of offensive plays. He recorded just two receptions in last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers, though his targets have been steady throughout the year."The frustration is just knowing what's in this locker room, knowing the players we have all across the board and knowing how talented it can be," he said. "It did show early on. That's the frustration. Not being able to have the results the past three or four games, whatever that number is. That's been more the frustration with me. It's not individual."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett only had positive things to say about his team's former receiver Dez Bryant, who is set to join the New Orleans Saints on a one-year deal."Dez was a great player in this organization for a long time," Garrett said, according to Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams. "Really happy for him and that opportunity. I know it’s important to him. He wants to finish his career strong. He’s done such a great job for this organization and been an impact player in this league over the course of his eight years playing. Seems like a real good opportunity for him. I know he’ll help their team."... I’m happy he has an opportunity to go play and finish the right way."The 30-year-old didn't end his tenure with the Cowboys on the best terms. In July, Bryant called out linebacker Sean Lee and owner Jerry Jones in a Twitter tirade.Dallas released Bryant in April, saving $8 million against the salary cap. He remained unsigned until Wednesday after reportedly turning down offers from the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns.Over eight seasons with the Cowboys, Bryant recorded 531 catches for 7,459 yards and a franchise-leading 73 receiving touchdowns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills fans' patience with quarterback Nathan Peterman is quickly wearing thin.After creating a GoFundMe page for Peterman's retirement, a Bills fan named Bilal Chaudhry has launched a new fundraiser to put up a "Fire Peterman" billboard near New Era Field. His goal is to raise $10,000."If we can't buy out his contract, we will get him fired! #Billsmafia deserves better," the new GoFundMe page reads.Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters Tuesday that quarterback Derek Anderson, not Peterman, will start against the New York Jets in Week 10 if Josh Allen is ruled out.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.