Oct 2, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich, Titans’ Terrell Williams named Senior Bowl coaches

New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and Tennessee Titans assistant head coach/defensive line coach Terrell Williams will serve as head coaches for the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 in Mobile, Ala.

Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka were named head coaches for the East-West Shrine Game on Feb. 1 in Frisco, Texas.

Ulbrich, 46, joined the Jets’ staff when head coach Robert Saleh was hired in 2021. Ulbrich began his coaching career with the Seattle Seahawks (2010-11) and spent six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2015-20).

Williams, 49, who has been on the Titans’ coaching staff since 2018, began coaching in 1998 at the collegiate level. His first NFL coaching job came with the then-Oakland Raiders (2012-14), followed by a stint with the Miami Dolphins (2015-17).

“This is an opportunity for two excellent coaches, Jeff Ulbrich of the Jets and Terrell Williams of the Titans, to take the reins as head coaches in leading their staffs and top football athletes in the Senior Bowl’s week-long evaluation of NFL prospects,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent Sr. said.

The 43-year-old Hightower is in his second stint with the Bears, rejoining the team in 2022 after spending the 2016 season on the staff. He’s also coached for Houston (2006-08), Washington (2010-13), Cleveland (2014) and San Francisco (2015, 2017-21).

Kafka, 36, has been the Giants’ offensive coordinator for the last two seasons after five seasons on the Kansas City Chiefs’ coaching staff.

“Coaches Hightower and Kafka have the opportunity to not only evaluate top athlete prospects, but also to showcase their skills in leading players and coaching staffs in this high-profile game,” Vincent said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Christian Barmore (90) reacts to a defensive play against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

DT Christian Barmore, LB Dont’a Hightower active for Patriots

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore and linebacker Dont’a Hightower were active for the New England Patriots on Saturday night in their AFC wild-card game against the host Buffalo Bills.

Both players are dealing with knee injuries and were listed as questionable for the contest. Barmore was injured in the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins while Hightower missed that contest with his ailment.

Barmore, a rookie, had 46 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 17 regular-season games. Hightower recorded 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 15 contests.

Two healthy defenders, linebacker Chase Winovich and defensive tackle Carl Davis, are among the inactivates. Left tackle Isaiah Wynn (ankle, hip) was previously ruled out.

Running back Matt Brieda and defensive end Efe Obada are among Buffalo’s inactives.

–Field Level Media