Tag: Herbert

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (15) makes a diving catch against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

NFL Trade Deadline: Cowboys acquire WR Jonathan Mingo from Panthers

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Edge rusher Za’Darius Smith is back in the NFC North, acquired by the conference-leading Detroit Lions from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday for a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and a sixth-round pick in 2026.

Pushing for a pass rusher since losing Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg, the Lions landed Smith and also receive a seventh-round pick in 2026.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Smith has five sacks this season playing opposite Myles Garrett in Cleveland.

He has 65 career sacks, 321 tackles and 10 forced fumbles in 132 career games (89 starts) with the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Browns.

–Bengals bolster RB room, trade for Bears’ Khalil Herbert
Displaced by the arrival of free agent D’Andre Swift at the start of the 2024 season, Khalil Herbert could step into an immediate role in the Bengals’ backfield after Cincinnati traded a seventh-round pick to acquire the 26-year-old.

Herbert provides depth in the Bengals’ backfield with Zack Moss dealing with a neck injury and deemed out indefinitely by head coach Zac Taylor on Monday.

Herbert had eight carries for 16 yards and a touchdown with the Bears this season. He has rushed for 1,791 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 45 catches for 291 yards and two scores in 48 career games (12 starts) with the Bears.

–Cowboys deal fourth-round pick for Panthers WR Jonathan Mingo
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Adding Mingo, 23, gives backup quarterback Cooper Rush another big, talented target as he steps in for injured starter Dak Prescott. As part of the announced trade, Dallas also nets a seventh-round pick in 2025.

Mingo started 14 games as a rookie last season. The emergence of rookie first-round pick Xavier Legette and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker pushed Mingo down the depth chart in 2024.

Rebuilding Carolina traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a 2025 sixth-rounder to the Ravens last week in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2025.

Drafted 39th overall by the Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft, Mingo caught 43 passes as a rookie and has 12 receptions this season. During the 2023 draft, Mingo was a receiver the Cowboys “really liked,” according to owner Jerry Jones. Dallas used its second-round pick, 19 spots after Mingo went off the board, to select Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker.

–Trades completed prior to Tuesday
Early action from the Kansas City Chiefs to bolster their injury-dinged offense and pass rush brought in Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick, and edge Josh Uche from the New England Patriots for a sixth-round pick 2026.

Hopkins caught two touchdown passes from Patrick Mahomes in Monday’s 30-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping the Chiefs improve to 8-0.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back D'Onta Foreman (21) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Bears down trio of RBs vs. Vikings

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D’Onta Foreman will jump to the front of the line at running back on Sunday with the Chicago Bears ruling out three players who left last week’s win over Washington.

Starter Khalil Herbert (ankle) and backups Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) were ruled out on Friday, leaving the Bears to scramble to fill out the depth chart against the Minnesota Vikings.

They re-signed Darrynton Evans earlier this week. Evans, 25, played six games for the Bears last season and rushed for 64 yards on 14 carries.

Foreman has five carries for 16 yards this season, his first with the Bears. But Foreman said he’s prepared to step into the starting role.

“A lot of people counted me out. A lot of people,” Foreman said of starting against the Vikings this week.

Herbert leads the Bears (1-4) with 272 rushing yards in his first season as the No. 1 back. The Bears parted with David Montgomery, who has 371 yards to lead the Detroit Lions, in free agency.

Foreman had five 100-yard games and averaged 4.5 yards per carry in 2022 with the Carolina Panthers. He ran for 914 yards and scored five touchdowns on the season.

The 27-year-old was a third-round pick (89th overall) in 2017 with the Houston Texans. He has 448 carries for 1,917 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career, which also includes a stop with the Tennessee Titans.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chargers QB Justin Herbert fractured finger in win

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert finished Sunday’s game with what he described as a “flesh wound” that turned out to be a fractured finger on his left hand.

According to multiple reports, Herbert won’t need surgery and should be ready to play when Los Angeles returns from a bye to host the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 16.

The Chargers (2-2) beat the Las Vegas Raiders 24-17 to regain their footing after starting the season 0-2. But the offense made major modifications to accommodate Herbert, who had two rushing touchdowns and a career-low 167 passing yards. Other than a failed quarterback sneak, every snap after his injury was out of the shotgun or modified pistol formation.

Herbert was injured tracking down cornerback Tre’von Moehrig following an interception. He was checked out by trainers, who bandaged his finger and offered him a protective glove, then cleared him to return to the game. Herbert was wearing a split on his finger after the game.

The injury to Herbert’s finger also caused displacement on the fingernail, he said.

“It is but a scratch. Just a flesh wound,” Herbert said Sunday night.

Herbert, who finished the game wearing a white glove on his left hand, has never missed a game in the NFL. He said the pain during the game was tolerable but trainers and medical staff would have input on when he’s back on the field.

“I don’t have all the information right now,” Herbert said. “If I was able to go back out there, and the doctors and trainers felt like it was safe, I’m sure it’s up to their hands. I’ve always felt really safe and comfortable with them working out. We’ll see what they have to say.”

–Field Level Media

May 23, 2023, Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws the ball during organized team activities at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers QB Justin Herbert optimistic about contract situation

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert knows he will be a rich man sometime in the near future, but he can’t tell you when he will agree to a big-money contract with the club.

Herbert addressed his situation on Monday at the team’s charity golf tournament in Rolling Hills Estates, Calif., saying he has faith the organization will make everything work.

“They’ve done such a great job of taking care of us and my message really hasn’t changed,” Herbert told reporters. “It’s been an honor to be a part of this team. It’s great to come to events like this and whatever happens, happens and it’s out of my control at this point.”

Herbert has seen the salary landscape rise this offseason with Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles landing a five-year, $255 million deal, and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens topping that with a five-year, $260 million package.

Herbert, slated to earn $4.23 million in 2023, underwent surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. The club has exercised his fifth-year option of $29.5 million for the 2024 season.

The injury situation leads observers to wonder whether Herbert would be fine with playing his fourth NFL season without an extension being signed.

“That’s a good question. I think that’s something you have to address and you have to think about,” Herbert said. “My job at this point is just to play quarterback and to be the best leader, quarterback and teammate that I can be. So I’m doing everything I can to rehab, get back and make sure my shoulder is ready for this season.”

The 25-year-old Herbert recently resumed throwing and is forecast to be ready to go well before the start of the 2023 season.

“I feel a lot better,” Herbert said. “The shoulder is holding up, been able to lift quite a bit more, conditioning, so picking up more, especially upper body-wise. So it has been tough. It’s an unlike any other offseason for me, but you have to find a way to make it work.”

Herbert has passed for 14,089 yards, 94 touchdowns and 35 interceptions in 49 games (all starts) over his first three NFL seasons.

Chargers coach Brandon Staley said Monday that he expects running back Austin Ekeler to participate in next week’s mandatory minicamp.

Ekeler sought permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason but the club recently added $1.75 million in incentives for this season, when he is slated to earn $6.25 million in base pay. Ekeler is slated to become a free agent after the season when his four-year, $24.5 million deal concludes.

“It’s best for everybody,” Staley said. “It’s best for him and best for us because you want to get joined up so that you can go have a productive training camp and really formulate your team and your identity going into the season.”

New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has raved about Ekeler’s fit in his offense. Ekeler led the NFL with 18 total touchdowns (13 rushing, five receiving) last season and tied for the league high of 20 with Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.

Ekeler rushed for 915 yards last season as well as establishing career highs for receptions (107) and receiving yardage (722).

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a wild card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers QB Justin Herbert to throw in ‘next couple of weeks’

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Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert expects to resume throwing this month as part of the next phase of his recovery from left shoulder surgery in January.

Herbert, who had a torn labrum, continues to actively participate in voluntary workouts, primarily on rehabilitation and mobility exercises with trainers. He hasn’t thrown the ball — or participated in his beloved disc golf — since last season ended in a dramatic loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild card playoff round.

“It’s a pretty long process. Kind of expecting to be a five or six-month recovery and being on the lead [throwing] shoulder, it’s kind of tough throwing, golfing and doing all those things that are kind of explosive movements,” Herbert said, estimating his progress to full health at 75 percent. “I’ve done everything I can to rehab to get good movement back in it, strengthen it back up. But I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy journey back. Just doing everything I can to be back.”

Herbert plans to attempt light throwing in the “next couple of weeks,” he said.

General manager Tom Telesco said last week the Chargers are working with Herbert’s reps on a long-term extension, but there are no signs of urgency. Los Angeles picked up Herbert’s fully guaranteed fifth-year option for the 2024 season before Tuesday’s deadline, which buys the franchise more time to plot for the future.

“I think that’s probably a better question for my agent and the front office,” Herbert said of extension talks. “I’m kind of left out of those negotiations and I think my job now, my focus, is to be the best quarterback that I could be and to rehab my shoulder. Make sure that I could be back for these OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and do everything I can in the building,” Herbert added. “As far as (contracts are) concerned, I wish I could give you a better answer.”

The NFL might be looking for a better answer from Telesco and head coach Brandon Staley regarding Herbert’s shoulder injury that led to surgery but didn’t receive mention on the injury report for the wild-card game. He was listed on the Week 18 injury report with a shoulder injury.

Herbert, who turned 25 in March, had 25 touchdown passes in 2022 while setting career-bests for completions (477), attempts (699) and completion percentage (68.2). Herbert said he’s working with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to be ready when he’s fully cleared to be on the field.

“I think you get as much as you can in the classroom, the walkthroughs, all of the different components to that thing,” Moore said. “Obviously, there will be some field work that Justin may not be able to be a part of — as much as he would want to, we would all want to, but we’ll catch up with it. We have plenty of time through the training camp and all of that.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a wild card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers QB Justin Herbert still recovering from shoulder surgery

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is a passive observer as his team goes through voluntary offseason workouts.

Herbert was on the field with teammates Monday but largely took in the workout as a bystander. He’s recovering from surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder.

Head coach Brandon Staley said Herbert’s status for offseason team activities will be “up in the air” while the team monitors his progress.

“We’re going to listen to the doctors, and I know he’s making progress,” Staley said, “Again, we’ll have those updates as we get closer to practice time.”

Herbert, 25, was not listed on the injury report before the wild-card playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

General manager Tom Telesco said in February the Chargers are approaching contract talks with Herbert as a “good problem to have.”

The No. 6 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Herbert is scheduled to make $8.45 million in 2023 and is eligible for a fifth-year option at a value of $29.5 million for next season.

“You have a franchise quarterback that’s now moving into a franchise veteran quarterback. There’s a lot of good things that come with that,” Telesco said.

The QB market remains on a constantly forward trajectory with the five-year, $255-million deal between the Eagles and Jalen Hurts standing as the latest benchmark.

–Field Level Media

Aug 18, 2022; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore during joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers at Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

New Chargers OC Kellen Moore sees starring role for Justin Herbert

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New Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore doesn’t need an introduction to quarterback Justin Herbert.

Moore has been a spokesperson for a car dealership in Meridian, Idaho, since 2012. Herbert began a small role with the same dealership in 2020 and filmed some commercials last offseason with Moore serving as coach, and Herbert and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch cast as trainees or “rookies.”

The association packs extra meaning now with Moore taking over the reins of the Chargers’ offense and Herbert on the doorstep of stardom after passing for 14,089 yards and 94 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons.

“It’s amazing how life can come full circle,” Moore said, referencing the commercial shoot. “I hadn’t spent a ton of time with him outside of those couple days, but I’ve always watched him from afar, loved watching him play at Oregon and certainly what he has done in the NFL …

“We know his ability to throw it down the field. I’m just really, really excited to be able to work with him and, hopefully, help him in some way as he continues to build the career that he is going to have. I’m just really, really excited.”

Moore, 34, is now with the Chargers after eight seasons with the Dallas Cowboys — three as a backup quarterback and five as an assistant coach. Moore served as offensive coordinator for the past four seasons.

The Cowboys and Moore mutually parted ways on Sunday, seven days after the season ended with a 19-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional playoffs.

And Moore wasn’t the least bit sad. He said knew it was time to leave though he appreciated his long stay in Dallas.

“I’ve been fortunate to have been at one spot for eight years.” Moore said. “… I love everything about that place. It’s certainly a very special place to me. As we went through the process, sometimes change can be really good for all of us, and I felt like I was in that space. It works for both sides.

“I think that it’s an awesome opportunity for Dallas, and an awesome opportunity for me. I’m certainly really, really excited about how this thing all played out.”

Moore also recently interviewed for the Carolina Panthers’ head-coaching position that was filled by the hiring of Frank Reich.

A record-setting quarterback at Boise State when the team went 50-3 from 2008-11, Moore has been a fast riser on the coaching front.

His success led Los Angeles coach Brandon Staley to move quickly in pursuit of Moore, and the sides had a deal less than 24 hours after Moore’s departure from the Cowboys.

Moore and Staley previously established a relationship when the Cowboys and Chargers held joint practice sessions during training camp.

“It was a very fast process in very unique circumstances,” Moore said. “Enjoyed my time with Brandon during those couple days, and so naturally we kind of had a relationship that extended through the season, mostly through text messages. … We kind of stayed in contact, and then, over the weekend, this thing obviously happened pretty fast.”

Moore said his initial tasks with the Chargers include studying the personnel. He is well aware there is a lot of talent with Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler and receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams all in the fold.

“I’m just really excited to get to work with them,” Moore said. “The beauty of football and the beauty of systems — you want to build it around the players. I’m excited to figure out what they do best, how they’ve worked and work, and put them in the best situations to be successful.”

Moore said the offensive attack will be a mixture of systems, even paying a nod to the historic offenses of the franchise’s San Diego days with legend Don Coryell — a current finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“We’re going to build a 2023 L.A. Chargers offense,” Moore said. “Will you be able to see the Air Coryell, Jason Garrett side? Absolutely. Will you see the West Coast and Mike McCarthy? Absolutely.

“We’ll keep things that are in place here that Justin feels really, really good about, and then we’re willing to explore.”

The Chargers went 10-7 this season before their campaign crumbled in the AFC wild-card round. The club blew a 27-point lead — the third biggest collapse in postseason history — while falling 31-30 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Chargers fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shane Day after the epic loss.

Herbert recently underwent shoulder surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder and is expected to be ready for offseason workouts.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a wild card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

QB Justin Herbert’s voice prominent in Chargers’ OC search

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Justin Herbert might not get the keys to the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator search, but the quarterback will steer when general manager Tom Telesco seeks input.

“I know that’s what (head coach) Brandon (Staley) thinks,” Telesco said Thursday. “And that’s the way I’ve always operated with quarterbacks who’ve kind of earned that.”

The offensive coordinator hire will be the third in Herbert’s four seasons, and Staley said Wednesday the replacement for fired Joe Lombardi needs to be innovative and adaptable.

More than anything, the play-caller must showcase his plan to feature, develop and maximize Herbert.

“We’ll always be a passing team,” Telesco said. “We have Justin Herbert. We like to throw the ball. We’re never going to be a 50/50-balance team of run and pass. But you do have to be able to run the ball efficiently and effectively, especially in the second half of games when you have leads. We were unable to do that this year.”

The Chargers were 30th in the NFL in rushing, and while not striving for exact run-pass balance, Telesco and Staley pointed to a less-predictable plan on offense.

Staley, who coached under Sean McVay with the Rams before taking over the Chargers in 2021, said ideally he would find a coordinator familiar with the McVay- or Kyle Shanahan-style scheme. The Chargers reportedly were denied in their request to interview Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Wes Phillips, who worked under McVay on the same staff as Staley in 2020.

Phillips is the son of former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach Wade Phillips and the grandson of former Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints coach Bum Phillips.

Other options could include former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich, who served as Chargers’ offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015 and before that was the team’s quarterbacks coach. His tenure overlapped with Telesco, now in his 11th year with the franchise.

“There are some positives here,” Telesco said. “Understand that I’m not sitting up here saying I deserve anything, but I like where our roster is headed. I love the coaching staff.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 30, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) runs for a first down against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Bears to activate RB Khalil Herbert from IR

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Bears running back Khalil Herbert will be activated to the roster and in the lineup Saturday when the Buffalo Bills visit Chicago, head coach Matt Eberflus said Thursday.

Herbert returned to practice this week from injured reserve after missing four games with a knee injury.

Herbert has 108 carries for 643 yards and four touchdowns along with six receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Justin Fields (1,000 yards) and running back David Montgomery (694) lead the Bears in rushing this season.

Herbert injured his knee Nov. 13 against the Detroit Lions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Bears RB Khalil Herbert (hip) lands on IR

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Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert landed on injured reserve on Tuesday with a hip injury that will cost him at least four games.

Herbert, who favored his hip after a 50-yard kickoff return and a 12-yard run in which he carried multiple Detroit Lions several yards on Sunday, has rushed 108 times. He was on pace for more than 1,100 yards in 2022 with 643 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season.

Herbert stepped in when David Montgomery was hurt with 20 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns Week 3 against the Houston Texans. He’s averaging 6.0 yards per carry, second on the team to quarterback Justin Fields.

Montgomery is averaging 3.8 yards per carry and had nine carries for 37 yards in the 31-30 loss to the Lions last week.

–Field Level Media