Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray said Friday he expects to be a game-time decision Sunday against the Cleveland Browns due to a lingering hamstring injury."No matter what the situation is, if it's something that I can play through and fight through, I'm going to try to do that and worry about the aftermath when it's done, no matter what the repercussions may be," Murray said, according to Jason Wolf of the Tennessean. "We'll see how I feel. I'll get a warmup in prior to the game and see how I feel and then make a decision from there."The veteran runner has been dealing with the ailment since training camp, but has yet to miss a game.If Murray is sidelined, Derrick Henry should take over the majority of the rushing workload following a career-best performance in Week 6.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite claims to the contrary, the Philadelphia Eagles have gotten a fair shake from Pete Morelli's officiating crew, according to the NFL.The league found that Morelli's crew officiated the Eagles fairly during an Oct. 12 game against the Carolina Panthers, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.During the game - a Philadelphia victory - the Eagles incurred 126 penalty yards on 10 infractions, compared to just one penalty for 1 yard against the Panthers. Over the last four Eagles games that Morelli's crew has worked, the combined penalty disparity is 40-8 for Philadelphia compared to its opponents.A number of Eagles fans complained about Morelli's crew - even starting an online petition to ban it from working their games - but the league found no evidence of bias, meaning the crew will likely work more Eagles games in the future, according to McManus. The NFL Referees Association also vehemently denied the claims."Claims like these demonstrate a fundamental lack of knowledge about NFL officiating," NFLRA executive director Scott Green said in a statement obtained by ESPN. "NFL officials are graded on every call made in every game. Missing a single one can hurt his or her ranking and may be the difference between working in the postseason or not."The Eagles submitted videos to the NFL but have yet to receive any comment from the league.Morelli's crew is on its bye for Week 7, according to Football Zebras.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sam Bradford won't play in Week 7, but Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said Friday he expects the quarterback will return this season despite a lingering knee injury, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.Once again, Case Keenum will get the start Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens in Bradford's stead. Bradford has only played in two games this season, one of which saw him pulled at halftime after clearly looking less than 100 percent healthy.He has reportedly sought a new treatment in hopes of calming the knee joint. The Vikings have provided no timeline for his return.Meanwhile, Teddy Bridgewater practiced for the first time in 14 months this week and may be ready to return to game action soon.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears with a concussion, the team announced.Kuechly participated in individual drills during the week, but wasn't cleared to play after being placed in the concussion protocol following last Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's the third concussion Kuechly has suffered in as many years.The standout linebacker has recorded 46 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception during six games this season.David Mayo is expected to start in Kuechly's absence.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every week, theScore's football editors will take a deep dive into the rating changes from the Madden 18 video game, looking at the most notable risers and fallers based on the previous week's action.RisersLavonte David, LB, Buccaneers88 overall ➔ 89 overallTwo defensive touchdowns marked quite a return to the lineup for David after weeks on the shelf. His instinctual playmaking abilities were on full display as he forced a pair of fumbles and earned a ratings boost.Brandon Scherff, G, Redskins83 overall ➔ 88 overallFacing the superbly talented DeForest Buckner and the rest of the 49ers' underrated defensive line, Scherff didn't allow a sack, giving plenty of time for Kirk Cousins to scan the field. While Washington's run game didn't really take off, blame can't be placed on the first-round guard.Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans78 overall ➔ 79 overallMariota notched his fourth career 300-yard passing game Monday as he led the Titans to their first win over the Colts since 2011. The third-year pro had his mobility compromised by a bum hamstring and still managed to find plenty of success from the pocket. Look for Mariota to take another bump once healthy.Alex Okafor, DE, Saints76 overall ➔ 79 overallNew Orleans' defense was full of playmakers last Sunday, and Okafor was doing it all. With two tackles, one sack, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble, it's no wonder Okafor's ratings are climbing.Robby Anderson, WR, Jets75 overall ➔ 77 overallAnderson gave the Patriots fits Sunday, matching his season high in catches with four while notching 76 yards. Anderson drew 12 targets in the close loss, though most of his incompletions were equally his and his quarterback's fault.FallersMatt Ryan, QB, Falcons93 overall ➔ 92 overallSquandering a 17-point lead against the Dolphins is an offense that cannot go unpunished. While Ryan certainly isn't the only one at fault for the latest collapse, he is the quarterback and at least one overall point should be deducted.Martellus Bennett, TE, Packers89 overall ➔ 87 overallBennett has been having a poor season overall, but hitting his season low in catches with just two, while also dropping the pass Aaron Rodgers threw before breaking his collarbone may have been his worst performance yet.T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts89 overall ➔ 88 overallHilton caught only one of four targets in Monday's loss, as the Titans blanketed him in coverage. Hilton has been fairly inconsistent all season, culminating in his fourth career one-catch outing.Tony Jefferson, S, Ravens83 overall ➔ 80 overallThe Bears' tight ends led the passing attack against the Ravens as both Zach Miller and Dion Sims caught Jefferson out of position for key touchdowns. Jefferson also struggled to contain Chicago's rushing attack.Sean Smith, CB, Raiders77 overall ➔ 73 overallAll of Oakland's opponents have been taking advantage of Smith's lack of foot speed, especially the teams within the division. The Chargers got their money's worth targeting Smith en route to their second win of the year.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Martavis Bryant isn't going anywhere.The Pittsburgh Steelers wideout reportedly requested to be traded recently, but Bryant later denied the report. Ben Roethlisberger followed that up by saying he didn't want out, and now team president Art Rooney II is confirming the receiver won't be on the move."We're not looking to trade Martavis," Rooney told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He was out of football for a year. Maybe some of us had higher expectations how quickly he could get back up to full speed, but he's making progress."Bryant was suspended for the entire 2016 campaign for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He returned to the field this season but has only found the end zone once in six games."He's working hard, he's making progress," Rooney said. "He's been a contributor to the offense and has the potential to be a bigger contributor."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The young boy who went viral after being surprised with Los Angeles Rams tickets last week got an even better present Thursday: a chance to hang out with Todd Gurley at practice.Griff is a huge fan of Gurley, and was overcome with emotion after learning he was going to watch the Rams play against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His mother, Kathryn Langley, captured the heartwarming moment on video.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette is listed as questionable for Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts with an ankle injury, but said he'll play, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Fournette didn't practice this week and previously said he expects to play, but would ultimately defer to his coaches.The rookie is off to an excellent start to his professional career, ranking second in the NFL with 596 rushing yards, trailing only Kansas City Chiefs sensation Kareem Hunt.Fournette has topped 100 yards rushing in consecutive games and, if he's out, it would be a crushing loss for the Jaguars, who have centered their offense around him.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston will start Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills despite dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder, head coach Dirk Koetter announced Friday, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.Winston reportedly suffered an AC joint sprain to his right shoulder last weekend against the Arizona Cardinals that knocked him out of the game, though he was cleared to return in an emergency situation.The Bucs sit precariously at 2-3 after two straight losses, in desperate need of a win to get back on track following an offseason full of optimism.Winston's lackluster play has been one of the main issues. He's thrown for 1,259 yards and seven touchdowns to three interceptions in five games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is reviewing Marshawn Lynch's ejection from Thursday night and is considering further discipline, league spokesman Joe Lockhart said, according to Judy Battista of NFL.com.Lockhart added that all forms of discipline are on the table, including fines and suspension.The Oakland Raiders running back was ejected against the Kansas City Chiefs after he ran onto the field and made contact with an official while getting involved in a skirmish.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL apparently isn't willing to compromise with Ezekiel Elliott regarding his six-game suspension."We're not looking to make a deal, we're very confident our arguments will prevail in court," league spokesman Joe Lockhart said Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Likewise, a source close to Elliott said the Dallas Cowboys' star running back has no interest in a settlement following a report that the two sides had discussed a possible middle ground.Elliott had his ban temporarily put on hold Tuesday, with the ongoing legal war set for another battle later this month. Until then, the second-year pro is eligible to play.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thursday Night Football has long been a punchline; a shorthand for sloppy play and bland matchups.Ever since its inception in 2006 - and especially since it was expanded to run for nearly the entire season in recent years - TNF has been an embarrassment for the NFL, which has soldiered on with the program despite inconsistent ratings, poor fan feedback, and concerns over player safety due to the short turnaround between games.However, no one is laughing now. TNF has become, for indiscernible reasons, the best part of the NFL this season.The Oakland Raiders' dramatic last-second win over the Kansas City Chiefs was just the latest Thursday night matchup that enthralled the sporting world.Related: Raiders-Chiefs' insane ending needs an explanationYes, the game still contained the usual sloppiness on occasion. But it also boasted the type of compelling storylines, must-see moments, and highlight-reel plays that are usually saved for January - from Marshawn Lynch being ejected for making contact with an official, to Amari Cooper breaking out of his slump with a career day, to Derek Carr's game-winning touchdown pass after penalties extended the final play of the game not once, not twice, but three times.The only ones who were left wanting this Thursday were those hoping for dominant defensive displays:

SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the 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 7 rankings.StartJared Goff, QB, Ramsvs. CardinalsGoff is coming off his two most disappointing games of the season with just one touchdown and two interceptions over the past two weeks. He's completed less than 50 percent of his passes in that time, throwing for just 124 yards last time out. The Rams have still found themselves in competitive games, while Goff can correct the downward trend against a Cardinals team allowing more than two passing touchdowns per game.Fearless prediction: 268 yards passing, 3 TDsOther QBs to start

Warning: Video contains coarse languageMarshawn Lynch's night didn't end after he was ejected against the Kansas City Chiefs.The Oakland Raiders running back watched the game from the stands after he was removed from the contest for making contact with an official.

The New Orleans Saints looked down and close to out after an 0-2 start to the season.However, thanks to a much-improved defense and Drew Brees continuing to defy Father Time, the Saints have won three straight - and the star quarterback believes his team is just scratching its potential."We want to continue to win. Winning feels good. Winning cures a lot of ills. But I don't think we ... we still don't know how good we can be," Brees said, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett. "But each week I feel like we get a better idea of what we're capable of, and we'd like to keep that going in the right direction."The much-maligned defense has enjoyed a dramatic turnaround, allowing the fourth-fewest yards and sixth-fewest points since Week 3. Meanwhile, Brees' unit has averaged more than 35 points a game.In Week 7, the Saints face the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers. If New Orleans can take advantage of Green Bay's misfortune and move to 4-2, it will be hard to dismiss them as a legitimate contender in the NFC."Obviously, we have some momentum. We like the direction that we're going. We understand the things that have happened these last three wins that have allowed us to win," Brees said. "And I think when you taste that success, the light bulb comes on a little bit and you are able to realize when we do this, it gives us a great chance to win. When we do this, this hinders our chances of winning. So we're just becoming a smarter team."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Todd Gurley seems to be a man of routine.The Los Angeles Rams running back wasn't too pleased when he was asked how this week's game against the Arizona Cardinals in London impacted his schedule."Terrible," Gurley said, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. "They need to stop this, all this stuff. This London, this Mexico City stuff, it needs to stop."Los Angeles stayed in Florida after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday, before heading to London on Thursday.The Rams also played in London last year and are expected to head across the pond again in 2018 and 2019. Gurley wanted to make it clear that his issue is with the schedule disruption, not the fans."It's cool playing over there, don't get me wrong," Gurley said. "Just more of the long week, messes up a bunch of people's schedules. I'm pretty sure y'all (the media) wanna be in y'all bed right now, too. But naw, it's all good. It'll be love. The fans over there are great."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week during the NFL season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up a three-pack of picks.Week 5 record: 6-8

Jack Del Rio wasn't thrilled with Marshawn Lynch's decision that led to his ejection from Thursday night's win over the Kansas City Chiefs.The Oakland Raiders running back was kicked out of the game for leaving the sidelines to interject himself into an altercation where he made contact with an official."I was disappointed that he ran out because I knew we had a 15-yard penalty and we were going to be in good shape," Del Rio told reporters postgame. "I didn't have a chance to have much of a conversation about it. I told him you can't leave the bench like that and that was about it."Next thing I knew he was being tossed and the ref told me that (Lynch) had actually put his hands on him. I didn't see that occur. Obviously, you can never put your hands on an official and he was DQ'd."Lynch left the locker room to watch the game in the stands after the ejection and was seen returning to his team after the game, though he declined to speak to the media.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you decided against watching the Thursday night contest between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, you missed quite the night.Two 60-plus-yard touchdown passes from Alex Smith, 210 yards and two touchdowns from Amari Cooper, and Marshawn Lynch getting ejected all seem like the most noteworthy ingredients of an exciting division matchup - but the most fun came at the end.As the Raiders trailed 30-24 with 23 seconds to play and the ball at the Chiefs' 29-yard line, the final five plays produced some absolute madness that requires some explanation.Play 1: 3rd and 10 at Chiefs' 29-yard lineThe Raiders lined up in shotgun formation after throwing incomplete passes on the previous two downs. Derek Carr ignored the coverage in the area and threw the ball toward the goal line at tight end Jared Cook running a streak.

Marshawn Lynch's ejection from Thursday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs came with plenty of controversy.The Oakland Raiders running back left the sidelines to get involved in a skirmish and ended up with his hands on an official, earning himself an automatic ejection.The altercation occurred when Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters hit quarterback Derek Carr late in the play, which drew an unnecessary roughness penalty as well as most of the Raiders' offensive line.

The Mitch vs. Mitchell debate may be coming to an end; the Chicago Bears have given their quarterback a separate nickname.Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee told media Thursday that Mitch Trubisky will now be known as the "Pretty Boy Assassin."McPhee says second-year linebacker Leonard Floyd awarded Trubisky with the new label and it appears to have stuck.

Marshawn Lynch was not as hot tempered as some had assumed after being ejected from Thursday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.It had been reported on the broadcast that Lynch left the game following his ejection, though Marcus Thompson of The Athletic clarified that Lynch went to the stands.Henry Wofford of CSN Bay Area was first to report Lynch's exit, adding that the running back left the locker room five minutes after entering and headed to his car wearing sunglasses, a scarf, and a hat.Lynch's second-quarter ejection came after he grabbed an official upon leaving the bench during a skirmish among players.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

President Donald Trump and vice president Mike Pence have begun a petition on the GOP website demanding NFL players, and everyone else, to stand for the national anthem.

San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York doesn't believe Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed by NFL owners."Obviously, there's the lawsuit that's going on so it's hard for me to get into any details or really share my opinion but I don't believe that there's base to that claim that he's being blackballed," York said Thursday, via ESPN's Nick Wagoner.Kaepernick, who played quarterback for York's 49ers for six seasons, has become the poster boy for NFL player protests during the national anthem, making him a polarizing figure across the country.The 29-year-old is currently suing the NFL for collusion, alleging owners are forming an unofficial pact not to sign him after he became a free agent following the 2016-17 season.York took part in a meeting earlier this week between owners and players, and afterward praised the socially fueled message that players are attempting to highlight by kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch was ejected from Thursday night's contest against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter after making contact with an official during a skirmish among players.Raiders quarterback Derek Carr took a late hit toward the end of the play, which brought a crowd that included Lynch, who came off the bench.

Green Bay Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers underwent successful surgery to repair his broken collarbone on Thursday, the player announced via Instagram.

The loss of Aaron Rodgers has a lot of Green Bay Packers fans electing to stay home Sunday.Green Bay ticket retailer Ticket King told WBAY resale values for the Packers' game against the New Orleans Saints have already declined by at least 50 percent."A lot of people they're just saying they can't make it to the game now, I am sure there's some people that don't want to go to the game because of what happened," Ticket King manager Travis Loftus said, referring to the broken collarbone Rodgers suffered in Week 6.The Packers are 5.5-point underdogs with Brett Hundley starting against the Saints.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril plans to return from injury this season despite reports that he is considering retirement, the veteran told Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated.Avril is getting numerous medical opinions for his neck injury and has been placed on injured reserve, though he plans to return."You might see me at the end of this year," Avril told Bishop.Avril, a Pro Bowler in 2016, had two tackles and one sack through four games before suffering a neck injury against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman started for the Oakland Raiders in his first game since being acquired when his club meets the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Not only did Bowman get the start, the Raiders made him their defensive playcaller, being the only one to communicate via radio to the sidelines, according to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez.Bowman, a four-time All-Pro, signed a one-year deal with the Raiders on Monday after being released by the San Francisco 49ers.In five games this season, the 29-year-old recorded 38 tackles and one pass deflection for the Niners.Bowman is expected to replace rookie middle linebacker Marquel Lee in the starting lineup.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Count Jay Gruden among those on the Carson Wentz bandwagon.The Redskins head coach heaped praise on the second-year quarterback for his rapid development ahead of Washington's Monday night clash with the Philadelphia Eagles."He's progressed at a rate as fast as anybody I've seen, really," Gruden said, according to Tim McManus of ESPN. "I think he's already proven this short in his career that he's one of the top quarterbacks in the league, quite frankly, and he's going to be for a long time. I don't know how he got to Philadelphia, and I'm very upset about that."Wentz had led the Eagles to a surprising 5-1 start, tied for the NFL's best record with the Kansas City Chiefs.Following a rookie season in which he started fast but then struggled for the majority of the campaign, Wentz has displayed the sky-high talent that convinced the Eagles to give up a king's ransom to acquire him in 2016."Obviously he's got the big, strong arm, he's got the big body, he can run through tackles, all that stuff, but his poise under pressure is something that you cannot coach," Gruden said. "And he is very, very good."The 24-year-old pivot has thrown for 1,584 yards with 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions, good for a seventh-ranked 99.6 passer rating.While Gruden wishes the Redskins weren't facing a quarterback of Wentz's quality, he's relishing the opportunity to avenge his team's 30-17 loss to the Eagles from Week 1."Every week it seems like we're playing against an excellent quarterback, and knowing that Wentz is going to be there for a long period of time just puts a few more gray hairs on my head," Gruden said. "But love the competition, and it's our job to get after him and make him uncomfortable."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the second consecutive day, Leonard Fournette did not practice Thursday due to an ankle injury he picked up in Week 6, but expects to suit up Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts."It's up to my coaches if they're going to let me play or not," Fournette said, according to Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. He added that he's "most definitely" healthy enough to play, but needs to show he can cut on the wonky ankle on Friday.The rookie fourth overall draft pick has scored in every game he's played this season and is second in the league in rushing yards with 596. He's powered the Jaguars to No. 1 in rushing through six weeks.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton declined to hold a weekly interview with reporters Thursday, a team spokesman informed Steve Reed of the Associated Press.The NFL plans to look into the situation, a league official told David Newton of ESPN. Under NFL rules, Newton could be fined for skipping his required media availability.Panthers coach Ron Rivera said during his press conference that he wasn't sure what prompted Newton to bypass his session.Newton found himself in hot water after a press conference earlier this month when he responded to a question from a female reporter by stating "it's funny to hear a female talk about routes." His comments were denounced and Newton apologized in a video released the following day.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fourth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 7.The final rankings will be released Sunday morning.Standard

Jameis Winston's status for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills remains unclear, but it certainly sounds like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is intent on playing.Winston reportedly suffered an AC joint sprain to his shoulder last weekend against the Arizona Cardinals that knocked him out of the game."My thought process is to play," Winston said Thursday, according to Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network.The 23-year-old was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick, but reportedly could have returned to the game in an emergency situation. Winston indicated he would be ready to suit up against the Bills, although it's a team decision."I’m ready," Winston said, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "When it’s time to let me go, I’m ready."Winston participated in practice Wednesday, but did not throw. Buccaneers offensive coordinator Tood Monken indicated he's expected to throw Thursday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eleven weeks remain in the NFL regular season, and Teddy Bridgewater has no doubt he'll be back on the field before the season ends."I definitely believe I'll play this year," the Minnesota Vikings quarterback said Thursday.Bridgewater returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a gruesome knee injury in which he dislocated his kneecap and suffered a complete ACL tear during last year's training camp. The rehab has been long and arduous, but the fourth-year pro said he felt no rust during his first team practice in more than a year."It was great to be back out there yesterday, working with the guys. It's been a long 14 months," Bridgewater said. "But it was great to be back out there and see the reaction from the guys, the reaction from the fans. It just meant a lot to me."Since Bridgewater was sidelined, he and the team have refrained from putting a timeline on his return, and on Thursday, he again chose not to put a date on when he would play in his first game since the 2015 season. But he expressed that he has no concerns about his repaired knee."I'm very confident (in my knee)," he said. "I wouldn't have gone out on the practice field if I wasn't."Bridgewater has yet to participate in a full-contact environment, causing head coach Mike Zimmer to state Wednesday that he still "has a ways to go" before being cleared to play. But with Week 1 starter Sam Bradford also sidelined with a knee injury, Vikings fans can take solace in the fact their former first-round pick is on the road back."It's not hard taking it day by day at all. I've learned to appreciate each day. Every day I wake up, put my feet on the ground, I'm thankful I'm able to walk. I'm able to stand up on my own," Bridgewater said. "There was a time where I needed help, I needed assistance. So I've learned to appreciate the smaller things."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nike has created a one-of-a-kind pair of Air Force 1 Lows to commemorate the New England Patriots' stunning comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.The shoes were made from two game-used balls, and feature the Super Bowl LI logo on the forefoot and the Patriots logo on the heel. The laces are the same laces from the footballs.

Steelers safety Mike Mitchell has been fined $48,620 for his late hit on quarterback Alex Smith during Pittsburgh's Week 6 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.Mitchell delivered a shot to the back of Smith's leg well after he'd released the football and received a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passerSmith said the hit was "about as flagrant as it gets," while Mitchell denied intentionally aiming for the pivot's leg.Mitchell - who's twice been fined for hits in the past - will appeal the punishment, Schefter added."The video shows what it shows. I wasn't trying to take Alex Smith's knees out," Mitchell said. "I went up to him and told him that. ... It's just one of those things you don't want to see in the football game."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback and Bay Area native Jared Goff is stepping up to help those affected by the raging wildfires in Northern California.A GoFundMe page set up by Goff has raised nearly $30,000 to date, which he says will be donated directly to wildfire survivors through the Sonoma County Fire Account."Being from the Bay Area and more specifically the North Bay Area the recent fires in the Sonoma, Napa, and Santa Rosa area have hit literally close to home for me," Goff wrote. "Like many others from the area, I know many families that have been seriously affected by this tragedy by losing loved ones or entire homes. I wanted to start this fund to try and help some of those families and people in need at this time."Among those who have donated so far is Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who pledged $10,000.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dak Prescott's second NFL season isn't going as smoothly as his first.The Dallas Cowboys sit at 2-3 after finishing with the NFC's best record a year ago, but Prescott insists no one is panicking."There's definitely no panic," Prescott said, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. "We're getting better. We're heading in the direction that we want to. We just have to turn some of these close losses into wins and we'll be right where we need to be."Both of Dallas' last two losses have come by less than a touchdown, so a bounce here and there and the Cowboys could be in a much better position. Prescott certainly hasn't been the reason for those defeats, as the quarterback has thrown for six touchdowns and run for another during that stretch.The 24-year-old's play hasn't dipped from his rookie year, even if the wins don't reflect it."I'm not comparing my play to last year," Prescott added. "It's a completely different me. It's a completely different team. Me individually and where this team is headed, we're going in the right direction. We're definitely getting better. When we're balanced and we're all doing our job, it's a lot (better)."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andrew Luck suffered a setback in his rehab from shoulder surgery Wednesday, and while the Indianapolis Colts refused to rule out the star quarterback for the rest of the season, it would be in the team's best interests to do just that.Here are four reasons why the Colts should shut Luck down:Increases Brissett's trade valueThe Colts have arguably already won the Jacoby Brissett-Phillip Dorsett trade with the New England Patriots, but they could make the move into an all-time great if Brissett is given the reins for the rest of the campaign.Thrown in as the starter days after arriving, Brissett has impressed with his composure, leadership skills, and arm strength. While the young quarterback still has much to improve on, it's clear he deserves to be a starter in this league.If Brissett's former teammate, Jimmy Garoppolo, has a touted value of multiple first-round picks from a two-game sample, it stands to reason the Colts will be able to demand a great haul for a 23-year-old with two years left on his rookie contract and a full season of solid tape.Ensures Pagano's departureEven if Luck returns, the Colts are likely to part ways with Chuck Pagano. The longtime head coach always looked like he was being set up to take the hits from a rebuilding year, allowing general manager Chris Ballard to hire his own guy in 2018 with a fresh slate and a healthy franchise player.And while a turnaround from a 2-4 start is likely beyond Luck's powers, the star pivot's miraculous play in poor situations has saved Pagano's job before.It appeared it was the end of the Pagano era in each of the last two seasons, only for eccentric owner Jim Irsay to be swayed to keep him. By sitting Luck, the Colts will likely struggle to win more than a handful of games, but they're also guaranteed to rid themselves of a head coach who's held back the franchise for far too long.Secures top-5 pickWith the Colts at the bottom of the AFC South, and Luck's timeline likely pushed back at least a few weeks by his setback, even his return wouldn't put the Colts back in the playoff picture.Luck would, however, be able to keep the Colts from imploding in the second half of games and get the team closer to .500 before the end of the season.

Thursday's matchup between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs marks the renewal of the friendly rivalry between Marquette King and Travis Kelce.In last year's Thursday night game, the Chiefs tight end mocked the Raiders punter with one of the latter's signature dances. King responded by making fun of Kelce's reality TV dating show.He also vowed "something special" for their next meeting.

San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid met with former teammate Colin Kaepernick in New York earlier this week before attending league meetings and reports that the quarterback is "in a good place.""I don't want to talk too much about that out of respect for his case. But he's in good spirits," Reid said to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.Kaepernick was the first player to protest racial inequality and police brutality by sitting and then kneeling for the national anthem last season before he was joined by Reid.Kaepernick wasn't among the dozen players invited to attend league meetings on anthem protests earlier this week, but Reid was able to share some of Kaepernick's ideas during the nearly four-hour discussion Tuesday."A couple of the things that we discussed were his idea, things that we talked about last year when we started this," Reid said. "It's cool to see how it kind of comes full circle to give those ideas in the meeting with the owners."The NFLPA came away encouraged after the lengthy conversation with team owners and league executives and Reid concurred."It was a start, had a lot of good conversation, and I think we're on the path to what Colin and I were looking for when we first started protesting," Reid said."The NFL has agreed to commit to a long-term plan and use their platform to continue to raise awareness around the issues that affect our country and help us feel like we don't need to protest. So we're (going in) the right direction."Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, who joined the protests in the preseason, said on Wednesday that a team must first sign Kaepernick before discussions on anthem protests can truly move forward.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There’s 12 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a Week 5 game between the Chiefs and Texans at Houston’s NRG Stadium. Trailing 26-13, Houston faces second-and-6 at the Kansas City 48-yard line. Under center is Deshaun Watson, the 22-year-old rookie quarterback making his fourth career start, against arguably the league’s best (and, at the time, only undefeated) team.Watson receives the snap before faking a handoff to running back Lamar Miller, but as he turns his gaze downfield to survey the landscape of his receivers, Chiefs lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches scoots through the line unblocked. The pivot is seemingly dead to rights. But where most first-year QBs would be expected to cower like deer in the headlights, Watson instinctively shuffles to his left, miraculously avoiding a presumed sack, then heaves the ball downfield into the awaiting arms of receiver Will Fuller for a spectacular touchdown.It’s a sequence that perfectly encapsulates the intangibles Clemson coach Dabo Swinney cited when comparing Watson to Michael Jordan ahead of the 2017 NFL Draft. Watson also had a sterling resume after his three-year college career, which included vanquishing juggernaut Alabama on a last-second touchdown in the 2017 national championship game. He was a proven winner. But NFL minds evidently harbored doubts that his college success would translate to the pros, as Watson was the third quarterback off the board, after Mitchell Trubisky (Bears) and Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), and the 12th player drafted overall in April.Through six NFL games, including five starts, Watson appears to have plenty of that “other stuff” Swinney saw in his pupil. He ranks ninth league-wide in passer rating (101.1); fifth in DVOA (23.5 percent), an advanced metric representing value, per play, over an average QB; and first in ESPN’s Total Quarterback Rating (80.7).Mark Schofield, a quarterback analyst for Inside the Pylon, was high on the two-time Manning Award winner heading into the draft, believing Watson could overcome some of the limitations others had fixated on.“Watson, for me, was my top quarterback in last year’s class,” Schofield said. “I thought a lot of the hesitation-slash-criticism that was levied his way in the pre-draft process - some of it was warranted, some of it I think was a little bit overblown. I think people, when you get down to it, really sort of overthought Deshaun Watson.“But, at the same time, there were some red flags with him.”Watson was the 10th-most accurate FBS passer in 2016 by completion percentage, but tied for the second-most interceptions with 17. What’s more, 14 of those 17 picks came when he was not under pressure, according to CFB Film Room.Naysayers labeled Watson a “one-read” quarterback, incapable of smoothly working through progressions and the beneficiary of an uncomplicated offense. His velocity number (49 mph) at the NFL Scouting Combine was also alarmingly low, adding credence to the argument Watson would struggle on routes that require elite arm strength.“People questioned his arm strength, questioned him being able to make throws to the boundary,” Schofield said, “but if you watched him on film, timing routes - where he could use touch, placement, anticipation to an extent on routes to the boundary - that was when he was at his best. If he had to drill a throw into a tight throwing window ... not really for him.”Schofield sees Watson’s early success in Houston as a perfect example of the importance of scheme fit. Texans coach Bill O’Brien is a disciple of the Erhardt-Perkins offensive system, utilized by the New England Patriots and considered a simpler study than the West Coast offense for young quarterbacks. Unlike Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff - who struggled mightily as a rookie in 2016 after converting from a spread offense in college to a conservative, pro-style system - Watson isn’t being asked to drastically alter his style of play.Matt Waldman, author of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio draft guide, said the Texans have further eased Watson’s transition to the pros by “dressing up” their offensive concepts with play fakes, read-option fakes, and end-arounds, which play well to his strengths as a run threat and play-action passer.According to Sharp Football Stats, Watson has actually been a more successful runner than Cam Newton this season when taking into account down and distance to go, averaging 7.2 yards on 28 carries.Waldman slotted Watson within the top five QBs in the draft class, and expected the rookie to show flashes of a bona fide NFL starter.“Where he’s surprised me is that his drop game, while it’s not perfect, his ability to really nail three- and five-step drops from under center, and really get into a good position early, is better than what we saw from Carson Wentz,” Waldman said. “I would say it’s even better than what we saw from Dak Prescott. And both Watson and Prescott didn’t play under center in their offenses on a consistent basis while they were in college.”After becoming the first rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era with three touchdown passes in three straight games, Watson’s stock is soaring. But Houston’s final 10 games following its bye week could be a stiff test, Waldman cautions, as teams begin to accumulate tape on Watson’s habits and weaknesses.It takes most quarterbacks two-to-three years to develop, if they ever do, Waldman said, and continuity in coaching, teammates, and scheme are vital.“You have a better chance of predicting a coin flip than you do a first-round quarterback developing into a good player. And to me, one year doesn’t do it," he said. "I like what Watson’s doing, but I’m more of a long game kind of guy.”With multiple winless teams, including the perennially QB-starved Cleveland Browns, next year’s quarterback-heavy draft looms large. However, don’t expect consensus on the bevy of top prospects as scouts and analysts begin to pore over film in search of vulnerabilities.Both USC’s Sam Darnold and Wyoming’s Josh Allen, two preseason darlings at the top of countless draft boards, have underwhelmed under the microscope, opening the window for Lamar Jackson (Louisville), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), and Josh Rosen (UCLA) to stake their claim as the top passer available.“What I think we really saw during this last draft process was sort of the life cycle of quarterback evaluations, and we’re seeing it play out right now,” Schofield said. “Guys get put on pedestals; guys get anointed as the next sure thing. Going into last year, Watson and (former Miami quarterback) Brad Kaaya were pointed to as top-five draft picks and they fell throughout the process because people start digging in more, they start nitpicking, they start seeing things, and they turn on them a bit.”Although it’s too early for a verdict, a handful of teams may come to regret talking themselves out of Watson.“As far as some of the teams passing on him, I was a little bit surprised. I think some teams are definitely kicking themselves, at least right now," Schofield said. "I think if he continues on the path like he’s shown so far, more and more teams will join that list."(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said Wednesday he didn't have any reservations about returning to the New York Giants following his one-game suspension.The cornerback told Art Stapleton of USA TODAY Sports he had no doubts the team would welcome him back."Oh no, no, no, no, no, no," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "One thing about this locker room, when I come in here, man, I light it up. You know what I mean? I'm an animated guy. I'm not saying that I can't be replaced, but, you know - still, what I did was wrong, and I admit that - as long as I admit that and I didn't run from it, you know, I'm good."Rodgers-Cromartie was first told he would be inactive for last week's game against the Denver Broncos for violating team rules, and he then walked out of the team facility prior to a practice. Head coach Ben McAdoo promptly suspended him indefinitely - a decision Rodgers-Cromartie ultimately came to respect."Definitely," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "I told him I messed up and I understand that and as a coach, you got to do what you got to do, whatever the consequence is I have to accept that and go on from there.''McAdoo appears to have no hard feelings over the incident either, and was excited to have the two-time Pro Bowler return."It’s great to have DRC back," McAdoo said. "Had a lot of energy. Welcomed him back with open arms. ... Glad to have him back."After winning their first game of the season against Denver, the Giants will look for another this Sunday when they host the Seattle Seahawks.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ezekiel Elliott's representatives and the NFL have discussed the possibility of a settlement amid the ongoing legal battle over his six-game suspension, sources told David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.The Dallas Cowboys' star running back was granted a temporary restraining order Tuesday from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, vacating his ban.While he's now eligible to play in Week 7, the case is far from over.But the latest development has created a "brief window" in which a serious dialogue over a settlement can take place, added Moore.However, a source close to Elliott and the NFL Players Association told Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram that there haven't been any settlement talks to their knowledge and that the second-year runner is set on clearing his name - not just reducing his suspension.Elliott will reportedly be required to make his case again in front of Judge Katherine Failla in New York upon her return from vacation, before or by Oct. 30.Her ruling will determine whether the suspension will be enforced this season or if the legal battle will continue into the offseason.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teddy Bridgewater may still have a "ways to go" before he can return to an NFL field, according to head coach Mike Zimmer, but the rest of the Minnesota Vikings' players were ecstatic to just have the young quarterback back at practice Wednesday."I thought he looked like Joe Montana," said tight end Kyle Rudolph, according to Chris Tomasson of Pioneer Press. "He was excited. He was smiling, bringing energy to practice.""He was getting some reps with the first team," said quarterback Kyle Sloter. "It looks like they're trying to get him ready to play. Case (Keenum) is the guy right now, he's been playing well. ... But I thought (Bridgewater) looked great."Bridgewater is highly unlikely to suit up in Week 7, but the 24-year-old impressed his teammates with how good he looked only 14 months after an almost career-ending knee injury."He's the same old Teddy," said wide receiver Adam Thielen. "It was fun to have him out there. ... He was out there slinging it around."Sloter added, "He looked like a normal person moving around out there. It didn't look like there were any glaring issues, no limp or anything like that."With starter Sam Bradford still battling a lingering knee injury, the Vikings may need to turn to Bridgewater sooner than anyone predicted, though Keenum has impressed in relief duty.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants co-owner John Mara wants the NFL to be measured in its response to continuous attacks from President Donald Trump, the latest coming after the league decided not to require players to stand for the national anthem."I'm shocked," Mara said of Trump's criticisms, according to Dan Duggan of NJ Advance Media. "I don't have any reaction to that."He added, "I think we're all aware that's going to continue, but we can't allow ourselves to get baited by that. We're going to do what we think is right."Related - Jaguars owner: Trump 'trying to soil' NFL after failing to purchase clubTrump called the NFL's decision "total disrespect for our country" in a tweet Wednesday, before again calling for players to stand in a second tweet later that same day in which he also tagged the league's official Twitter account:

Another week, another solid matchup on Thursday Night Football as the Kansas City Chiefs head to Oakland to face the Raiders.The Chiefs have absolutely dominated this rivalry lately, winning each of the last five meetings by seven points or more, and face a Raiders outfit that has lost four straight games.Here's where to lay the money for this week's clash.The wager: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders (+3)The Chiefs may be coming off their first loss of the season, but that pales in comparison to the dreadful run the Raiders have been on. The offense has failed to score more than 17 points in any of their four straight losses and hasn't come close to producing a 100-yard rusher.That may change against Kansas City, as the Chiefs' rush defense is one of the worst in the league and is coming off a game where it was gashed by Le'Veon Bell for 179 yards.Lost in the losing streak is the fact the defense has actually been fairly sound all season. The Raiders rank 12th in the league, allowing 21 points per contest, and are 13th in rushing defense, allowing just 3.9 yards per carry. The Steelers showed last week that if a defense can shut down the Chiefs' running attack, they can easily be stopped.Look for an inspired effort by the Raiders' defense in front of the home crowd, and Derek Carr to lead an offensive resurgence as Oakland snaps the losing streak. Raiders 24, Chiefs 20Thursday picks record: 4-2Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is doing his best to be an ally for his teammates.Mariota said he supports those of his fellow Titans who have chosen to protest racial inequality and police brutality during the national anthem, since he believes it's a constructive chance to use their platform."It’s an opportunity for them to express their right. When you’re able to bring awareness to some social issues, you give people a voice," Mariota said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe. "When it comes down to it, we’re at a point in our careers that we have a platform. If we’re able to use that in the right light, I think it can be something that’s very beneficial."Mariota suggested it's important for players to continue bringing attention to social issues, at least until there are signs that things have improved."Until there is actual evidence within the communities of some of these changes, it’s still good to be able to create some awareness to it," Mariota said. "Some of our guys in the locker room have done a great job of finding avenues to give back to our community and give back to people who need that voice. (I'm) very privileged to be a part of this locker room. I think these guys have done a great job of handling everything, and I look forward to seeing some changes in our community."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.