NFC West

Following Seattle's 27-11 loss to the Chicago Bears in their second preseason game, Carroll said of Lock: "He's really sick. He was sick. Well, that was of I think it was this morning. It hit him pretty hard."

Lock had been scheduled to start against Chicago, but with COVID rendering him unable to play, veteran Geno Smith got the start under center instead.

Smith and the first-team offense struggled Thursday, as Seattle didn't score a touchdown until the fourth quarter. Smith completed just 10 of his 18 passing attempts for 112 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions while getting sacked twice.

Seattle is one of the few teams remaining in the NFL without a definitive starting quarterback for Week 1 of the regular season, although Lock might be even more entrenched in the driver's seat now despite not playing Thursday.

In the Seahawks' first preseason game, which was a 32-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith and Lock split the snaps.

Smith went 10-of-15 for 101 yards with no touchdowns or picks, while Lock went 11-of-15 for 102 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Lock, 25, is the younger and higher-upside play, as he is still early in his NFL career.

The Denver Broncos selected him in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Missouri, and he went on to make 21 starts in three seasons for the Broncos, going 8-13.

He saw his most extensive action in 2020, starting all 13 games he played in, and throwing for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns and an NFL-high 15 interceptions.

Seattle acquired him from Denver during the offseason as part of the blockbuster trade that sent future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos.

The 31-year-old Smith is something of a journeyman who has bounced around since the New York Jets took him in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Smith has started games for the Jets, New York Giants and Seahawks, going 13-21 with 34 touchdowns and 37 interceptions in his career.

Per ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, Lock will be eligible to return to the team Sunday if he passes the necessary thresholds.

As a result, Carroll left the door open for Lock to potentially start the Seahawks' preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 26, although he hasn't committed to it.

Pete Carroll: Seahawks Week 1 Matchup vs. Russell Wilson, Broncos Like Any Other Game

Aug 19, 2022

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 13: Head Coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during warmups before a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on August 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks are prepared to host their former quarterback, Russell Wilson, in the season opener against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, but head coach Pete Carroll isn't treating the game any differently.

Carroll told ESPN's Adam Schefter before Thursday's preseason game against the Chicago Bears that the team will prepare to face the Broncos the same way it prepares for any other opponent.

"It's a ballgame; it's championship ballgame time. That's all. It isn't [any] different than that," Carroll said. "I won't make it one bit different. I won't talk one bit different. It's no different than any other game we play. It's the biggest game in the world, and we're gonna do everything in our power to win it; that's how we do."

The Seahawks traded Wilson to the Broncos in a blockbuster deal this offseason, ending his tenure with the team after 10 seasons. Seattle acquired two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant in the trade.

When the trade was announced, there were indications that Wilson was the one who pushed for the deal. The nine-time Pro Bowler had a no-trade clause in his contract and reportedly would only waive it for the Broncos. Seahawks chairman Jody Allen said in a statement that Wilson "made it clear he wanted this change." Wilson later said the decision was mutual.

The Seahawks have not yet named a starting quarterback for the 2022 season, with Lock competing against veteran Geno Smith. Lock was initially named the starter for Thursday's game, but he was ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19. Smith has spent the past two seasons in Seattle, and he's received most of the first-team reps in training camp.

While playing without Wilson under center will take some time to adjust to, Carroll is confident in the Seahawks' chances at competing when the season begins. When asked if there will be a competitive advantage on either side when he goes up against Wilson, Carroll responded, "We'll find out."

49ers' Projected Winners of Key Position Battles

Rams' Cam Akers' Soft-Tissue Injury Reportedly Not Considered Serious

Aug 17, 2022

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers stands on the field during an NFL football practice Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers has missed practice recently, but it appears to be a precautionary move.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday that the soft-tissue injury Akers is dealing with is "not considered serious." Fowler added that the Rams are "taking preventative measures by holding him out of preseason practices but that's the extent of it."

The third-year running back missed the first 16 games of last season because of an Achilles tear suffered during the offseason. Akers worked to make an improbable comeback and was designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 23.

Darrell Henderson Jr. is expected to handle the running back duties with Akers out of the lineup. However, Henderson is also dealing with a soft-tissue injury. Rams head coach Sean McVay said he didn't want to put a timetable on the recovery for either running back.

"[With] soft-tissue things, it's always a difficult thing because you don't want to ever push somebody," McVay said Monday. "And that's where they've got to do a good job of communicating to us. ... And so the first goal for those guys is let's check the box on them feeling like they can really open up, no restrictions. I don't know if you ever really feel great at any point moving forward, especially at running back, but we want to be smart with that."

Akers rushed for 625 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.

Drew Lock Tests Positive for COVID-19, Out for Seahawks vs. Bears Preseason Game

Aug 17, 2022

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 13: Drew Lock #2 of the Seattle Seahawks throws a pass for a two point conversion in the fourth quarter during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on August 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks announced that quarterback Drew Lock has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his team's preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday.

Per NFL and NFLPA joint COVID-19 protocols, Lock must isolate for at least five days.

The 25-year-old was scheduled to start at quarterback for the Seahawks when they host the Chicago Bears on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in a preseason matchup. He and Geno Smith are currently locked in a battle for the Seahawks' starting signal-caller job.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll gave an update on the current race status to reporters Tuesday, noting that Smith was still leading the QB1 battle but that the plan all along had been for Lock to start the Bears game (h/t ESPN's Brady Henderson).

Pete Carroll says “Geno’s still the No. 1 guy” but Drew Lock will start Thursday’s second preseason game vs. Chicago. That was the plan all along, per Carroll. pic.twitter.com/j7n4ccGx0R
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 16, 2022

Without Lock for now, the Seahawks only have two quarterbacks on their current roster in Smith and Jacob Eason.

Lock and Smith are battling to determine the Seahawks' starting QB role after Seattle traded 10-year signal-caller Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.

Smith started the Seahawks' first preseason game, a 32-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former West Virginia star went 10-of-15 for 101 passing yards. Lock went 11-of-15 for 102 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Before the Steelers game, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll reiterated to reporters that Smith was leading the QB1 race.

Geno Smith is still in lead of QB competition and will start on Saturday, Pete Carroll says
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) August 9, 2022

After the Steelers game, Carroll praised both Smith and Lock.

"Both quarterbacks were efficient," Carroll said, per Ryan Decker of wboy.com. "Geno could’ve been 10-for-10. He had two drops, and Noah (Fant) has to stay in bounds on a ball on the sidelines and he hits them all. And we moved the ball pretty well with Drew also."

Week 2 of the preseason featured Lock getting looks with the starters during practice, as noted by Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune.

Drew Lock QB1 today at Seahawks camp
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) August 16, 2022

However, plans will now change with Lock out for the remainder of the week.

The former Bronco does have another preseason game on the ledger to showcase his talents in competitive action before the regular season, as the Seahawks will visit the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, Aug. 26 to close out the slate.

Lock, 25, spent his first three years in Denver and arrived in Seattle as part of the Wilson trade. The former Missouri star and second-round draft pick sported a 59.3 percent completion rate for 25 touchdowns (20 interceptions) and 6.7 yards per pass attempt in 21 games (24 starts) during his Broncos career.

Seattle's regular season opens on Monday, Sept. 12 against Wilson and the Broncos.

Kenneth Walker III Dealing With Hernia Injury; Seahawks Hoping He'll Play Opener

Aug 16, 2022

Running back Ken Walker III during NFL football practice Monday, May 23, 2022, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Seattle Seahawks rookie Kenneth Walker III may not be ready for the season opener against the Denver Broncos.

Head coach Pete Carroll told reporters the running back missed Tuesday's practice because of a hernia, and the hope is for him to be ready to go by Week 1:

Carroll on Walker continued: "We’ve just got to make sure that he’s OK by the opener is what we’re shooting for.”
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 16, 2022

The 21-year-old transferred to Michigan State ahead of the 2021 season, and he made his one year with the Spartans count. He ran for 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games. His 1,725 yards from scrimmage were more than he had compiled across his two seasons at Wake Forest (1,205).

The Seahawks saw enough from the 5'9", 211-pound ball-carrier to select him in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The move seemed to cement the franchise's decision to build the offense around a new vision, one that didn't include Russell Wilson. Carroll and general manager John Schneider want to set the tone on the ground.

Given what the Seahawks invested in him, Walker figures to be a big part of their future. Carroll isn't bereft of running back options with him out of the mix, though.

Rashaad Penny is coming off his best season as a pro, running for 749 yards and six touchdowns in 10 appearances, while Travis Homer provides depth.

Madden 23: John Madden Cover, Player Ratings, Roster Info and Modes Preview

Aug 16, 2022

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1977: John Madden head coach of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game circa 1977. Madden coached the Raiders from 1969-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

John Madden’s greatness in the annals of professional football is unmatched. That’s why there’s a widely popular and iconic video game that uses his name.

So when the NFL Hall of Fame coach and broadcasting legend died at the age of 85 in December, it was only right that he be chosen to grace the cover of Madden NFL 23 from EA Sports.

Normally, there would be another personality to share the cover of the game, but in this case, Madden stands alone.

One of the most talked about innovations arriving on the August 19 release date is the Face of the Franchise feature. It updates the created player storyline, fast-forwarding to the player's fifth year in the NFL instead of enduring the prologue of high school and college.

"There was a lot of feedback about the prologue, or Road to the Draft, whatever you want to call it," gameplay producer Clint Oldenburg said during an interview, per Owen S. Good at Polygon. "It was like, ‘I want to go play in the NFL; get me there.’ And, this is a big headline, ‘The narrative feels aimless and pointless and lacking context,’ something like that. That was in one of the reviews."

With no college or draft storylines, players can get to The League and start at the end of their player's rookie contract, so they can sign a one-year deal with their team of choice and begin playing their career-defining season.

Another major update is FieldSENSE, which equips players with more control at every position in every mode. It also sets the foundation for what the game's creators are calling "ultra-realistic" gameplay driven by physics-driven outcomes on the field.

Outside of the changes in the mechanics of the game, there's the updated list of players in the coveted "99 Club."

𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 😤

Aaron Donald is in the 99 Club for the 6th straight year 💪#Madden23 | @EAMaddenNFL pic.twitter.com/miC7IIdtAL
— ESPN (@espn) July 21, 2022

This year, there are only four players in the club, with only two holdovers from Madden 22: Davante Adams (now with the Las Vegas Raiders) and Aaron Donald, who recently helped the Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium:

Aaron Donald, DL, Los Angeles Rams

Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Myles Garrett, RE, Cleveland Browns

Trent Williams, LT, San Francisco 49ers

Madden welcomes Davante Adams back into the 99 club for the second straight year 🔥 @brgridiron

He becomes the first Raiders WR to do so since Randy Moss in '06 pic.twitter.com/cHAoDLdbzp
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 18, 2022

Gone from last year's list are Travis Kelce (TE, Kansas City Chiefs), Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City Chiefs) and Jalen Ramsey (CB, Los Angeles Rams).

Kelce and Ramsey only took a slight hit, both dropping to 98, while Mahomes dipped quite a bit to 95, which may be the result of losing his top target, Tyreek Hill, to the Miami Dolphins this offseason.

Grammy award winning artist is in the booth#Madden23 sounds created by @Hit_Boy pic.twitter.com/DEBlWuzwQo
— Madden NFL 26 (@EAMaddenNFL) August 16, 2022

Another bonus to Madden 23 is the music, with a litany of songs produced by Grammy Award-winner Hit-Boy.

All told, Madden 23 will feature multiple game modes that will draw in new players and appease loyalists.

By the end of this week, players will be able to take this celebrated game for a test drive and see if it lives up to the hype.

49ers' Kyle Shanahan Doesn't Think Trey Lance 'Is Going to Make or Break Our Season'

Aug 15, 2022

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 12: Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the start of a preseason NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on August 12, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is keeping the pressure off Trey Lance as the young quarterback enters his first season as a full-time starter.

"I believe in him as a man, as a person. I believe in his talent," Shanahan said, per Peter King of NBC Sports. "I don't think he is going to make or break our season, just like in 2019 and last year, I didn't think Jimmy was going to make or break our season."

Shanahan and the 49ers have found success in recent years even without elite quarterback play from Jimmy Garoppolo.

Garoppolo ranked 13th in the NFL with a 53.3 QBR last season, but it was enough for the 49ers to reach the NFC Championship Game. In 2019, the squad went 13-3 before reaching the Super Bowl even as Garoppolo ranked 12th with a 60.8 QBR.

San Francisco won four playoff games during that stretch, all with Garoppolo throwing for fewer than 200 passing yards in any of the wins.

It means the 49ers likely won't need much out of Lance, who is set to take over after being taken with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 draft. The 22-year-old made six appearances last year, including two starts, showcasing his upside with five passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.

The lack of game experience for Lance creates a risk heading into 2022, but the rest of the talent on the roster should keep San Francisco in contention.

King: Jimmy Garoppolo Doesn't Have 49ers Playbook, Attend Meetings amid Trade Rumors

Aug 15, 2022

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 30: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass the ball in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Jimmy Garoppolo clearly isn't preparing to spend the 2022 season with the San Francisco 49ers.

According to Peter King of NBC Sports, the veteran quarterback doesn't even have a playbook. He also reportedly doesn't attend quarterback or team meetings and "barely knows new quarterbacks coach Brian Griese."

Garoppolo has a $24.20 million base salary in 2022 that would be guaranteed if he remains on the roster the week before the first game. Only $2 million of his $26.95 million cap hit would remain if he is traded or released, per Spotrac.

The 49ers have chosen not to cut him yet and reportedly believe they can still get a late-round draft pick in a trade, per Albert Breer of The MMQB.

As Breer noted, the 49ers are concerned that releasing Garoppolo would allow the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks to pick him up.

Without meetings or a playbook, the quarterback at least won't have extra intel to spread to teams around the league.

In the meantime, the 30-year-old is working out away from his teammates.

"He's just trying to get his body ready for hopefully the next situation he goes into," head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this month.

Garoppolo has been a key part of the 49ers organization over the past five campaigns, making 45 regular-season starts. He helped the team reach the Super Bowl after the 2019 season and took the squad to the NFC Championship Game last year.

Despite the highlights, it's clear both sides are preparing for a fresh start in 2022 with San Francisco turning to 2021 third overall pick Trey Lance under center.

Cardinals' J.J. Watt Asks Twitter for Help with Baby Rattlesnake Stuck in Bathroom

Aug 13, 2022

CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 12: J.J. Watt #99 of the Arizona Cardinals walks across the field before a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on August 12, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Living in Arizona comes with the benefit of warm weather virtually year-round, but there's also the occasional hazard of finding a snake in your bathroom.

Arizona Cardinals star J.J. Watt apparently had that happen to him, as he put out a call on Twitter for advice about what to do with one of the creatures:

Alright Arizona, this is a new one for me…

I’ve got a baby rattlesnake in my bathroom.

What do I do?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 13, 2022

None of the replies appeared to be very helpful, though New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan did chime in with another idea:

Easy solution… pic.twitter.com/7aooIxNPnS
— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94) August 13, 2022

Watt later posted an update, saying in a video message he called someone who informed him it wasn't a rattlesnake and just "picked it up with his bare hands."

Rattlesnake Update: pic.twitter.com/XhFAf7lKAk
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 13, 2022

Anyone who has ever tried to use social media for advice would probably have told Watt that he wasn't going to get anything helpful.

Watt has overcome a lot of adversity in his career. The five-time All-Pro has missed extended periods of time because of back surgery, a fractured leg and a torn pectoral, among other injuries.

Finding a solution to get rid of a baby rattlesnake from his bathroom is a different sort of challenge, but history has shown Watt is capable of coming out on the other side unscathed.

If worse comes to worst, then he can take up Jordan's idea to sell the house.

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