Seahawks' Tyler Lockett Diagnosed with Broken Bone After Hand Injury vs. 49ers
Dec 16, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 11: Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lumen Field on December 11, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett suffered a broken bone in his hand during Thursday's 21-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Head coach Pete Carroll told reporters about Lockett's injury after the game.
"I can't fathom playing without Tyler," the Seattle coach said.
#Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett is expected to have surgery to repair and stabilize his fractured finger, source said. It's possible he only misses one game and is back for the final two. But a firm timetable will be available post-surgery.
Lockett finished the game with a team-high 68 yards on seven receptions against San Francisco. The 30-year-old has only missed two games in his NFL career. He suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 15 of the 2016 season and missed Week 14 in 2021 due to Covid-19.
The 49ers' victory over their division rival clinched the NFC West title. The Seahawks have lost four of their past five games, but they remain alive in the wild-card race with a 7-7 record.
The Washington Commanders and New York Giants own the final two playoff spots in the NFC with identical 7-5-1 records. The Seahawks can make up ground on Sunday when the Commanders and Giants play head-to-head, unless they tie again.
If Lockett has to miss time, the Seahawks' final three games of the regular season are against the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams.
The Seahawks have D.K. Metcalf as their go-to receiver. Marquise Goodwin will likely be elevated to the starting lineup if Lockett is unable to play in Week 15.
Lockett leads the team in receiving yards (964) and touchdowns (eight). He ranks second in targets (108) and receptions (78). The Kansas State alum has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of the previous three seasons.
Seahawks' 'Pathetic' Defense Ripped by Twitter; Geno Smith Struggles in Loss to 49ers
Dec 16, 2022
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, right, runs toward the end zone to score past Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) and linebacker Cody Barton during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
The Seattle Seahawks are far removed from the good ol' days of the Legion of Boom defense, but it's still somewhat surprising to see a Pete Carroll-coached team struggle so mightily to stop the ball.
Unfortunately, that trend continued as the Seahawks suffered a 21-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football in front of their home fans at Lumen Field.
Facing a rookie quarterback would usually be an advantage for the Seattle defense, but 49ers signal-caller Brock Purdy didn't seem phased. He engineered a nine-play, 86-yard touchdown drive on San Francisco's second possession, and he found George Kittle for a 54-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the third quarter.
When Seattle's defense managed to get stops, the team's offense failed to do its job. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was under pressure throughout most of the game and couldn't develop a rhythm, finishing with 238 passing yards and a touchdown that didn't come until late in the fourth quarter.
NFL Twitter was not happy with the effort shown by the Seahawks on defense, but fans also didn't let the offense off the hook for failing to show up as well:
That was such a pathetic defensive effort by the #Seahawks
An awful play all around by the Seahawks' defense. A coverage bust leading to George Kittle getting wide open and then Quandre Diggs whiffing on the tackle, leading to a 54-yard TD. Getting ugly here at Lumen Field. 49ers lead 21-3.
The offensive situations we have been in tonight have beenâŠnot great. The best defense in the league exposing the offense. Defense wins championships. The LOB proved this when they dominated the best offense in the league in SB XLVIII. #Seahawks
Now that the 49ers will--finally--run repeatedly and seize control, should be noted: Seattle's defense has done the work it had to do to keep the Seahawks in this game.
The offense, the run game, the pass protection failed the entire operation.
The Seahawks entered Thursday ranked 28th in total defense, allowing 378.7 yards per game. It's a far cry from the team that terrorized opposing offenses in the early 2010s.
After falling to 7-7, Seattle remains on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. Things will not get easier next week when the Seahawks take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Eve, so the defense will have to take advantage of the extra days of preparation to avoid another subpar showing.
Brock Purdy Stirs 49ers Super Bowl Hype on Twitter as SF Clinches NFC West Title
Dec 16, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 15: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of the game at Lumen Field on December 15, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers are NFC West champions in large part because of their backfield combination of Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey.
Just like everyone drew it up at the start of the season.
San Francisco clinched the division crown Thursday with a 21-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Purdy threw two touchdowns, both of which went to tight end George Kittle, and led the 10-4 visitors to their seventh consecutive win.
Social media had nothing but praise for the rookie signal-caller:
At this point, Brock Purdy has to have the inside track to being the 49ers QB of the present AND future. 49ers will be too afraid to deal him or Trey Lance in off-season, so they'll battle it out all summer.
The biggest storyline for San Francisco is how it has survived so many injuries. It is down to its third quarterback of the season with Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo both sidelined, and do-everything playmaker Deebo Samuel was also out Thursday.
Enter Purdy, who was Mr. Irrelevant in this year's draft but is now a household name among all 49ers fans after leading the team to consecutive wins over the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seahawks.
He provided the highlight of a first half largely controlled by the defenses by faking a screen to one side of the field, turning around and faking a screen to the other side, and then hitting a wide-open Kittle over the middle for a touchdown on a beautifully designed play.
It was McCaffrey's turn to find the end zone after San Francisco's formidable defense set him up in ideal position with a monster Dre Greenlaw hit on Travis Homer and long fumble return by Charvarius Ward. By the time Purdy found Kittle for a 54-yard score on the first possession of the second half, the game was seemingly over.
The two-touchdown sequence sandwiched around halftime was a reminder of how perfectly set up San Francisco is for a quarterback to have success. There are playmakers such as McCaffrey and Kittle all over the field, and Nick Bosa spearheads one of the best defenses in the league.
Still, Purdy has played better than anyone could have realistically expected, and the NFC West-champion 49ers are Super Bowl threats as a result.
NFL Playoff Picture 2022-23 Week 15: Standings, Scenarios After 49ers vs. Seahawks
Dec 16, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 15: DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks carries the ball against Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers \d3q at Lumen Field on December 15, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Getty Images)
Week 15 of the 2022 NFL season is officially upon us, bringing new opportunities for teams looking to make a push for the playoffs.
The San Francisco 49ers kicked off this week's slate with a 21-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks to improve to 10-4 this year. With the win, the 49ers have clinched the NFC West.
Philadelphia Eagles: 12-1 (clinched playoff berth)
Minnesota Vikings: 10-3
San Francisco 49ers: 10-4 (clinched NFC West)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-7
Dallas Cowboys: 10-3
Washington Commanders: 7-5-1
New York Giants: 7-5-1
Seattle Seahawks: 7-7
Detroit Lions: 6-7
Green Bay Packers: 5-8
Carolina Panthers: 5-8
Atlanta Falcons: 5-8
Arizona Cardinals: 4-9
New Orleans Saints: 4-9
Los Angeles Rams: 4-9
Chicago Bears: 3-10 (eliminated)
Week 15 Clinching Scenarios
In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings will be looking to join San Francisco in wrapping up a division title this week. The Vikings haven't won the NFC North since 2017, and they have a pretty simple route to get there.
Minnesota would clinch the division with a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday. If the Vikings stumble against the 4-8-1 Colts, they can still win the division title with a loss by the Detroit Lions against the New York Jets. However, the Lions are surging and defeated the Vikings 34-23 on Sunday.
The only other NFC team with a chance to clinch a spot in the playoffs is the Dallas Cowboys, who will be facing the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. A win or tie gets Dallas its second straight trip to the postseason.
Over in the AFC, the first-place Buffalo Bills can punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night. Buffalo lost the first matchup 21-19 in Week 3 and will undoubtedly be looking for revenge.
The Kansas City Chiefs have the chance to clinch their seventh straight AFC West title with a win over the Houston Texans. A loss by the Los Angeles Chargers will also wrap up the division, but Kansas City will be playing the last-place team in the AFC and will surely want to secure the crown with a victory.
Former NFL CB Aqib Talib Sued in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Stemming from August Shooting
Dec 16, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 14: Former Rams player Aqib Talib during the Los Angeles Chargers versus the Los Angeles Rams preseason NFL game on August 14, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib was named in a wrongful death lawsuit on Thursday stemming from a fatal shooting at a youth football game in North Texas over the summer.
Per Paul Livengood and Matt Howerton of WFAA in Dallas, Talib, his brother Yaqub Talib and the Big 12 Youth Sports League are all being sued by the family of Michael Hickmon, who was shot and killed during an altercation on Aug. 13. Yaqub Talib was indicted on a felony murder charge by a Dallas County grand jury on Sept. 8.
The Hickmon family is reportedly seeking $1 million in damages and is seeking a trial by jury.
The Talib brothers had been coaching the North Dallas United Bobcats youth football team against Hickmon's D.E.A. Dragons in a tense game that saw the players engage in a scuffle. According to the lawsuit, the Bobcats coaches "became physically and verbally abusive" after the Dragons scored a touchdown, resulting in the game coming to an end early.
The lawsuit said that when Hickmon walked onto the field from the visitor's sideline, he was confronted by Aqib Talib, who allegedly threw the first punch. Aqib Talib's involvement in starting the altercation was also confirmed to WFAA by eyewitnesses.
Hickmon "defensively backpedaled to extricate himself from the situation" before Yaqub Talib fired approximately five shots from a handgun that the lawsuit states he was not permitted to carry because he is a convicted felon.
"Despite these facts, the [Yaqub and Aqib Talib] were allowed and approved by [Big XII Youth Sports League and Family Services] to coach and otherwise participate in the running of teams in the Big XII League," the lawsuit said.
Following Hickmon's death, local leaders have implored the implementation of more safety measures at youth sporting events.
Aqib Talib stepped away from his position as an analyst for Thursday Night Football on Aug. 21. His lawyer told WFAA in August that he "is distraught over the shooting and sends condolences to the family."
Tom Brady, Christian McCaffrey Headline Madden 23 Player Ratings Update After Week 14
Dec 15, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Buccaneers 35-7. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
If Sunday's matchup didn't make it clear, Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Tom Brady is trending in the wrong direction and San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey is trending in the right one.
Madden NFL 23 announced its latest batch of player ratings updates Thursday, and McCaffrey is the headliner. The running back jumped to a 96 overall, which makes him the second-best back in the game:
Only Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns (98 overall) is rated higher at the position.
McCaffrey made the one-point jump and moved ahead of Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry (95 overall) after a brilliant performance during Sunday's dominant 35-7 win over Tampa Bay. He ran for 119 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries and added 34 yards and another score on two catches.
The do-everything back will be even more important for San Francisco with Deebo Samuel sidelined because of knee and ankle injuries and the inexperienced Brock Purdy under center, and he will have the opportunity to keep the momentum rolling in Thursday's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle just gave up 223 yards and two scores on the ground in its loss to the Carolina Panthers, so McCaffrey could be in for a monster game.
Brady was on the other sideline of that 35-7 blowout, and the Buccaneers quarterback saw his rating drop to 90 overall.
Brady is a legend and widely accepted as the best quarterback in NFL history, but this season has not been particularly kind to the Buccaneers offense. Tampa Bay is an ugly 28th in the league at 17.2 points per game and managed just one touchdown against the 49ers.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion went 34-of-55 for 253 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss.
While the future Hall of Famer did throw two touchdowns in each of the previous three games, his rating took a hit after his team was blown out by Purdy and the 49ers. At least he can take solace knowing Tampa Bay's 6-7 record is good enough for first place in the dreadful NFC South.
Tom Brady Denies Report He Adjusts Buccaneers' Game Plan Without Coaches' Input
Dec 15, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady denied a report that he adjusts the team's offensive plan without coaches' input before every game.
"No," Brady said in his Thursday press conference, per ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio. "I have no idea. I mean, anybody can write anything, and say whatever they want. So, no. ... I'm not gonna respond to everyânext question."
NFL insider Michael Silver wrote in a recent article for the San Francisco Chronicle that Brady "runs a separate meeting with the Bucs' skill players" the night before every game and "goes over the game plan, makes tweaks to assignments and formations and provides a revised blueprint" that head coach Todd Bowles and the Bucs staff don't know about until it is being executed on game day.
Bowles also refuted the report earlier this week, via the team's official website:
"No, we know what's going on in the meeting and we know all the tweaks. The defensive guys meet by themselves as well. We have several position groups that meet by themselves as well to get on the same page together before a game. That's nothing ⊠That's not new."
Even if Brady is making "tweaks" to Tampa Bay's offensive game plan, it hasn't resulted in much improvement. While the Bucs are averaging 338.6 yards per gameâ265.7 yards passing and 72.9 yards rushingâthey rank 28th in the NFL in scoring, averaging just 17.2 points per game.
Additionally, it's worth wondering if Brady should be making adjustments in the first place. His resume, which includes seven Super Bowl titles and three MVP awards, speaks for itself, but Bowles is in his first season as head coach, and it's possible the offense is struggling without one concrete plan in place.
Tampa Bay's offensive struggles have resulted in the team posting a 6-7 record following a brutal 35-7 loss to rookie seventh-round pick Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Since the NFC South has been so bad this season, the Bucs are still first place in the division, occupying the NFC's fourth playoff seed. But if things don't change, they could be blown out come playoff time.
The Buccaneers have matchups against the 9-4 Cincinnati Bengals, 4-9 Arizona Cardinals, 5-8 Carolina Panthers and 5-8 Atlanta Falcons to close out the season. Tampa Bay's matchups with two divisional opponents could prove to be hugely important to the team's postseason hopes.
Cowboys' Micah Parsons: 'Not Once Did I Ever Disrespect' Jalen Hurts With MVP Remarks
Dec 15, 2022
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 04: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys is seen on the field against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons doesn't believe he disrespected Jalen Hurts with his recent MVP remarks about the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
"I was just having a good conversation with Von [Miller], a person I look up to, helped him on his podcast and the next thing I know it's a...storm. Not once did I ever disrespect Hurts," Parsons told reporters Thursday. "I mean, you guys [media] get to talkâall day. Why can't we talk a little chatter?"
Still, he knows how the Eagles probably feel about him following his remarks to Miller.
"I'm pretty sure they hate me," Parsons said, via ESPN's Todd Archer.
During a recent appearance on Miller's The Voncast, Parsons questioned Hurts' MVP candidacy. He suggested that Philly's "system and team" are what has propelled the third-year quarterback to the top of the MVP debate.
Miller added that the Eagles have a "great offensive line, which helps Hurts" and noted that the Alabama and Oklahoma product has some of the best wide receivers in the game in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Miller said the numbers Hurts has put up this year make him "MVP-worthy," but he then brought up Patrick Mahomes before Parsons declared the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback this season's MVP.
In 13 games this season, Hurts has completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,157 yards and 22 touchdowns against three interceptions, in addition to rushing for 686 yards and 10 scores.
While Hurts is having a career year, this is also the first season he has had a complete, capable offense, which is certainly worth considering when discussing the MVP debate.
With the offense firing on all cylinders, the Eagles are atop the NFCâand the NFLâwith a 12-1 record. They have already clinched a postseason berth and will be the team to beat come playoff time.
Mahomes, meanwhile, has completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 4,160 yards and 33 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, in addition to rushing for 280 yards and two scores. He arguably doesn't have as good of an offense to work with, but the Chiefs are still 10-3 and can clinch the AFC West with a win over the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Hurts responded to Parsons' comments while meeting with reporters Wednesday, noting that he's focused solely on the Chicago Bears, whom Philadelphia will face Sunday. A win at Soldier Field would only widen the Eagles' gap over the Cowboys (10-3) and the remainder of the NFC East.
The Eagles and Cowboys will meet at least one more time this season, and Parsons' remarks should make for a great matchup between the two on Christmas Eve.
Philly and Dallas last met on Oct. 16, when the Eagles beat the Cowboys 26-17.
Patriots Rumors: Matt Patricia Could Return as Offensive Coordinator Next Season
Dec 15, 2022
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 16: Senior football advisor/offensive line Matt Patricia of the New England Patriots walks onto the field prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
The New England Patriots have struggled on offense this season, and NBCSports Boston's Tom E. Curran said on the Merloni, Fauria, & Mego show Thursday that Matt Patricia returning as offensive coordinator is a possibility for next season:
Tom E. Curran reveals there is still a possibility that Matt Patricia will return as the Offensive coordinator next season.
He did add, however, that the Patriots may need to take a closer look at the coaching staff this offseason:
"I think that the biggest concern is that this is a very cloistered Patriots' society right now, and when you think about it, some of the biggest voices in it are people who are retreads, who are relied upon but not even paid by the team right now completely. Joe Judge and Patricia are both collecting from their former head-coaching jobs. So, to me, the world has to be opened up to new and fresh ideas, and I would imagine that Bill Belichick will probably do that if it keeps going the way it's going."
Patricia's official title is senior football advisor and offensive line coach, while Judge is considered an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach.
But for all intents and purposes, Patricia is the offensive coordinator and calls the team's plays on that side of the ball. As Arizona Cardinals' defensive coordinator Vance Joseph noted in the lead-up to New England's 27-13 win against the Cards on Monday night, Patricia's background as a defensive coach has shone through in his offensive style.
"I see an offense that's running the football well. It's a very conservative pass gameâlot of screens, all kind of screens. It's how a defensive guy would call offensive playsâ'let's not turn the ball over, let's get four yards a play, and let's try to burn clock,'" he told reporters last week. "That's what they're doing and that's what he's going to do on Monday night. He's going to be patient. Maybe take a shot from time to time. But for the most part, it's run game, it's quick game, and it's screens."
It is not an offense, however, that has been terribly effective overall. The Patriots rank 21st in pass yards per game (214.8), 23rd in run yards per contest (104.8) and 18th in points per game (21.2).
It has clearly caused frustrations for second-year quarterback Mac Jones, who was seen getting visibly frustrated on the sidelines during the team's 24-10 loss against the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago. At one point, cameras caught him appearing to say, "Throw the f--king ball! The quick game sucks!"
"Obviously, I just kind of let my emotions get to me," he told reporters after the game. "What I said was about throwing it deeper within the short game. I got to execute that part better. But it's the short game that we kept going to, which is working. But I felt like we needed chunk plays. I shouted that out to kind of get everyone going. That's emotional. That's football. I'm passionate about this game.
"Obviously, you don't want to let your emotions get the best of you," he added. "I think that's pretty much it. It wasn't directed at anybody. Just emotion coming out. We kind of needed a spark."
The stakes are high for the Patriots down the stretch. At 7-6, the Pats are currently the No. 7 seed in the AFC, with the Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) and New York Jets (7-6) nipping at their heels. The Pats have a tough close to the season, with the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Bills looming on the schedule.
The Pats need the offense to produce. If it doesn't, missing the playoffs is a very real possibility. And if that happens, the Patriots will have to take a long, hard look at whether Patriciaâwhose coaching background is primarily on the defensive side of the ballâis the right man to be calling plays for the offense.
Steelers' Diontae Johnson Wants Mason Rudolph over Trubisky If Kenny Pickett Is Out
Dec 15, 2022
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 04: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during warmups before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson wants to see Mason Rudolph get a chance to be the starting quarterback if rookie Kenny Pickett is unable to play on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers
"Yeah, I want to see him play," Johnson told reporters. "I know he's ready to play. I know it's probably in the back of his mind like, 'Dang, when I'm going get my chance?' I feel like this week is it for him. I know he's going to do everything it takes to be prepared this week, get ready for Sunday."
Pickett's status is up in the air after being put in the concussion protocol last week for the second time this season.
Mitchell Trubisky started the season as Pittsburgh's starter and has served as Pickett's backup since the rookie was elevated to the starting role. But Johnson clearly wants to see Rudolphâwho has been inactive every week this seasonâget his shot, although he indicated he'll adjust to whoever it is playing.
"Whoever's at quarterback, they have got to be prepared as well," he told reporters. "They've got to be on their stuff just like me. I'll make sure I talk to [Pickett] to see if he's cool or whatnot. But no matter who it is, I'm going to be ready. Don't matter who's throwing the balls, as long as you're making the play on the ball at the end of the day."
Rudolph, 27, started all of two games for the Steelers in the 2020-21 seasons as Ben Roethlisberger's backup after being given an extended look in 2019. He offered mixed results that year, throwing for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions in eight starts (10 total appearances), completing 62.2 percent of his passes while taking 15 sacks. The Steelers went 5-3 in those starts.
The Steelers as a team have had mixed results this season, going just 5-8. Trubisky was just 1-3 as the starter before losing the position, while Pickett has led the team to a 4-5 mark.
Neither has played particularly well, though Pickett has the caveat of being a rookie.
Trubisky has thrown for 1,073 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 63.3 percent of his passes and taking 10 sacks. Pickett has gone for 1,797 yards, four scores and eight picks while completing 65 percent of his passes and taking 23 sacks.
As for Johnson's preference for Rudolph over Trubisky, that may partially stem from an October dust-up between the two men during a game against the New York Jets, when Johnson reportedly told the quarterback at halftime that he wanted more targets.
Johnson said in October that the situation was resolved, and added Thursday that he believes Rudolph has proven in practice that he's earned a chance to play again if Pickett can't go.
"He's been doing a great job just staying solid through everything and continuing to get better every day," he said. "You see at practice, he's locked in, he's making those throws, continuously showing that he knows what he's doing, making the right throws here and there, getting everybody lined up right. I like that."
