Oct 13, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) looks back at wide receiver Sterling Shepard (17) as he runs in for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Bucs hope to ink WR Chris Godwin long-term: ‘I love him to death’

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are working toward a new contract for wide receiver Chris Godwin as general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles rained praise on him when speaking to reporters at the scouting combine Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Godwin, who is coming off a dislocated left ankle that limited him to a career-low seven games in 2024, is a pending free agent due to an upcoming automatic void year in his contract. The Bucs and Godwin’s camp pushed that void date back to March 12.

“Obviously, Chris is a great player, and I love him to death, and we want him back here every way possible,” Bowles said. “Obviously, we have to heal and there’s medical things going on right there and they’re trying to work through that but hopefully we can get them back because he was on a tear before he got hurt.”

Godwin racked up 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns in his seven games in 2024. He suffered his injury late in a Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

That put Godwin in a similar situation to 2022, when he was recovering from ACL and MCL tears and entered unrestricted free agency. He returned to Tampa Bay on a three-year, $60 million deal after receiving the franchise tag as a placeholder.

“If there was anybody on the team I thought could come back from an injury that I would pick, that I would bet on, it would be him,” Bowles said of Godwin. “Because his work ethic, his confidence, the way he attacks treatment, the way he tries every day to be the best he could be. … He’s probably the best at it on our team.”

As for Licht, he said the calculus for evaluating a free agent recovering from an injury doesn’t change at all.

“The facts are he had a serious injury, missed a lot of time and there’s still some uncertainty with any injury like that at this point,” Licht said. “We moved the void so it gives us more options and more flexibility as it pertains to him. We’ve just got to make a good decision.

“We, hopefully, can come to an agreement with him because Chris means the world to this organization — to all of us individually, but to the organization as a whole, nobody has been more resilient than him. We’ve been down this road before, a similar path with him. Nobody has been more resilient and works harder than him.”

Godwin, who turns 29 on Thursday, was the Bucs’ third-round draft pick in 2017 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2019, when he posted career highs of 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns to go with 86 receptions. He won Super Bowl LV with the Bucs and has amassed 579 catches for 7,266 yards and 39 TD receptions, plus two rushing touchdowns, in 111 career games (84 starts).

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) goes down after a hit on this trowing shoulder during the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Georgia QB Carson Beck has shoulder surgery, out for CFP

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck underwent elbow surgery Monday and will not play in the College Football Playoff, the school announced.

Beck had successful surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow. He saw Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for the procedure.

That leaves Gunner Stockton in line to guide No. 2 seed Georgia into the CFP, starting with the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal game against No. 7 seed Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl Jan. 1 in New Orleans.

“(Stockton) got lots of reps prior to these practices, but he’s getting much more now,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said earlier in the day. “I do think … when you get ready for an opponent like Notre Dame, you need time, and we have time.”

It also means Beck may have played his final game of college football, as before the injury he was expected to be a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Beck, the Bulldogs’ starter all year, missed most of the second half of the Southeastern Conference title game with the injury. Stockton helped guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff.

Beck threw for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season, his second as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

Stockton has amassed 206 passing yards, no touchdowns and one interception in three appearances this season.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

Report: Georgia QB Carson Beck out for CFP quarterfinals

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (elbow) is expected to miss the team’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, On3 reported Thursday.

That means backup Gunner Stockton is in line to start the knockout round game, when the Bulldogs face either No. 7 seed Notre Dame or No. 10 seed Indiana.

Beck, the Bulldogs’ starter all year, missed most of the second half of the Southeastern Conference title game with an injury to the UCL in his right (throwing) elbow. Stockton helped guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff.

On3 reported that Beck has not practiced or been with the team since it returned to workouts late last week.

It is unknown whether Beck would be ready to return for the semifinal round if the Bulldogs make it that far.

Beck has thrown for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season, his second as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) and linebacker Devin Bush (30) rush Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Patrick Mahomes (ankle) leaves Chiefs’ latest win in fourth quarter

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sustained an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of a 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and was replaced by veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz.

Mahomes got caught up under Cleveland defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson after firing an incompletion with 7:57 left in the game. He hobbled off the field and had his ankle taped on the sideline before Kansas City said he was questionable to return.

However, Mahomes never did, finishing the day with 159 yards and two touchdowns on 19-for-38 passing.

Since the Chiefs were leading 21-7 at the time of the injury, it is unknown if Mahomes was really unable to continue playing or if Kansas City made the change under center for precautionary reasons.

Wentz threw only two passes, completing both for 20 yards.

In 14 games (all starts) this season, the 29-year-old Mahomes has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 3,348 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Chiefs improved to 13-1 with the win on Sunday and have a busy schedule coming up. They will face the Houston Texans on Saturday, then travel to Pittsburgh for a meeting with the Steelers four days later.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) throws the ball during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell (knee) carted off

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted to the locker room with an air cast on his left leg after being pushed from behind by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey in the third quarter on Sunday.

The Raiders soon ruled O’Connell out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.

O’Connell was fleeing pressure toward the right sideline with 1:23 left in the quarter when Kancey shoved him from behind after the play. No penalty was called.

O’Connell began the season as a backup but became the starter after Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Nov. 24.

O’Connell, who was 11-for-19 for 104 yards and an interception, was replaced by Desmond Ridder.

The 26-year-old entered the day with a 64.1 completion percentage for 795 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions over his first five games (three starts) of his second NFL campaign.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;  Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) catches the touchdown pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) defends during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Steelers WR Calvin Austin III (head) ruled out vs. Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III was ruled out for the rest of Sunday’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals with a head injury.

Austin took a massive hit in the first quarter from Cincinnati linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, who was called for defensive pass interference on the play. Austin, 25, briefly left the game but returned later in the drive and caught a 23-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Later in the game, Austin was on the receiving end of a hard hit by the Bengals’ Cam Taylor-Britt. During the third quarter, the Steelers said Austin was being evaluated for a head injury, and soon after he was downgraded from questionable to out.

The second-year wideout finished the game with two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. That raised his season totals to 22 receptions for 383 yards and four TDs.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) heads for the locker room after sustaining an apparent injury during a play against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Reports: Raiders QB Gardner Minshew breaks collarbone, out for year

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew suffered a broken collarbone on Sunday and is done for the season, NFL Network and The Athletic reported.

Minshew suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of Las Vegas’ 29-19 home loss to the Denver Broncos — the Raiders’ seventh straight defeat, dropping them to 2-9.

With Las Vegas still within a touchdown and roughly three minutes to play, Minshew was sacked by two Broncos defenders and landed on his left shoulder. He left the game, replaced by Desmond Ridder for the rest of the day.

Minshew completed 25 of 42 passes for 230 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He finishes his first season with the Raiders with 2,013 passing yards, nine TDs and 10 picks on 66.3 percent passing.

He joined the Raiders in free agency after stints in Jacksonville (2019-20), Philadelphia (2021-22) and Indianapolis (2023) and won the starting job in camp. But he was benched multiple times for Aidan O’Connell as the Raiders struggled as a team.

The Raiders have a short week coming up. They will visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday in the NFL’s second-ever Black Friday game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Cole Adams (7) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Alabama WR/PR Cole Adams (lower body) done for season

Alabama will be without wide receiver/punt returner Cole Adams for the rest of the season due to a lower-body injury, coach Kalen DeBoer said Monday.

Adams suffered the injury early in Alabama’s 34-0 win over Missouri on Oct. 26. The Crimson Tide are returning from a bye week.

“With his injury, he’ll be out for the year,” DeBoer said. “We had to deal with that last week, and unfortunate, because Cole’s a guy that pours everything into it.”

DeBoer said Adams also had an injury early in the season and the redshirt freshman showed a lot of effort and toughness in his recovery.

Adams has six receptions for 94 yards in seven games this season. He is also the Crimson’s Tide’s leading punt returner with 11 returns for 58 yards.

No. 11 Alabama (6-2, 3-2 Southeastern) will visit No. 14 LSU (6-2, 3-1) on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. (2) during warmups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Eagles CB Darius Slay (groin) leaves game vs. Bengals

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay left Sunday’s 37-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals with a groin injury.

Slay, 33, was injured during the Eagles’ first defensive drive of the second half. He attempted to stay in the game after being hurt on an incomplete pass, but soon limped off the field.

Slay made four tackles and a pass breakup before his exit. Philadelphia did not have an immediate update on his condition after the game.

He was already playing hurt, having left the Eagles’ Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns with a knee injury. After missing some practice time, he was able to play last week when the Eagles beat the New York Giants.

In 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions (2013-19) and Eagles (2020-24), Slay has totaled 28 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), 152 pass breakups and 597 tackles in 170 career games (160 starts). He has been selected to six Pro Bowl games and was a 2017 All-Pro first-team honoree.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) walks off the field during the first quarter after an injury against the Carolina Panthers at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (rib) injured vs. Panthers

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels left with a rib injury in the first quarter of Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers in Landover, Md.

Daniels, the No. 2 overall draft selection in the spring, had gained 50 rushing yards and was 2-for-2 passing for 6 yards at the time of his exit.

Washington led 10-0 when Daniels went out. He slammed his helmet on the sideline and departed for additional evaluation. Marcus Mariota replaced him.

Daniels, 23, was seen as the frontrunner for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after racking up 1,404 passing yards, six touchdowns, 322 rushing yards and four rushing scores in Washington’s 4-2 start to the season.

–Field Level Media