Former NFL Player Calls Out Vikings Over Justin Jefferson
The Minnesota Vikings made a bold decision this past offseason as they gave the starting job to J.J. McCarthy. Moreover, Minnesota allowed Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones to leave as the Vikings plan to usher in the McCarthy era.
However, that decision hasn’t gone as planned for Minnesota. The second-year quarterback has only played in two games before suffering an ankle injury that kept him out for several weeks.
Minnesota cannot foresee injuries happening, but it’s one of the risks that came with deciding that it was time for their first-round pick from 2024 to take over under center. Nonetheless, former NFL linebacker Bart Scott
“I think they’re wasting Justin Jefferson’s prime,” Scott said on the October 31 edition of “Get Up.”
“Nobody came into this season with more pressure than J.J. McCarthy because we know what we got from Sam Darnold. I agree with that. The fact that they let Sam Darnold go, let [Daniel Jones] go, and said, ‘That’s who we’re going to go with,
Vikings Continue to Get Criticism Over Justin Jefferson
Scott isn’t alone in saying that the Vikings are wasting Jefferson’s prime with their decision-making at quarterback. Recently, Dan Patrick questioned whether McCarthy, whom the Vikings selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and named their starter this offseason, might fail to develop into the quarterback they envisioned, leading Jefferson to grow frustrated with the situation and possibly want out.
“I think the bigger picture here is the Vikings because J.J. McCarthy hasn’t gotten any updates yet on that high ankle sprain, but he’s been out for six weeks, and Carson Wentz is not the answer,
“He chose a different direction. You chose a different direction, and I know this is hindsight. But this is a situation where you’ve got the best receiver in the game, and I wonder at what point Justin Jefferson says, ‘Get me out of here.
Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Talks J.J. McCarthy’s Return
Despite what the outside says, Jefferson is ready to pick up where he left off with McCarthy. Ahead of the second-year quarterback’s return against the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota wideout spoke with the media on October 30 to discuss what it’s like having the young signal caller back as QB1.
“Looks good,“ Jefferson told reporters. “Just going through the plays, going through the motions, dialing up the connection, and, of course, expanding the relationship that we have out there
“It’s just all about having that energy and thinking about one play at a time—not thinking about the big play, making the best play of the game, or being perfect throughout the game. It’s just all about taking one play at a time, leaning on everybody in the offense to go to work, and just lead us. And that’s pretty much the main message to him.”
Steelers Starter ‘Out for Foreseeable Future’ & ‘Likely the Season’: Insider
Things have escalated from bad to worse for Pittsburgh Steelers starting safety DeShon Elliott, who was initially only ruled out for the Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
On October 31, the Steelers announced that they would be transferring Elliott to the injured reserve, along with veteran defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale. This prompted an update from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, and it wasn’t good news.
“The Steelers placed S DeShon Elliott and DT Daniel Ekuale on Injured Reserve,” Rapoport informed. “Ekuale tore his ACL and Elliott (knee) is out for the foreseeable future, likely the season, as well.”
Pittsburgh has been very cryptic about Elliott’s knee injury, but it didn’t look good when it occurred, as the veteran was in visible pain. Now, it appears the Steelers’ worst fears might be a reality, as Elliott will be sidelined for at least four weeks and possibly much longer.
Steelers’ Week 9 Actions Hinted DeShon Elliott’s Injury Could Be Long-Term
GettyPittsburgh Steelers safety Juan Thornhill will likely see an increased role after the DeShon Elliott injury.
They say actions speak louder than words, and although the Steelers kept the long-term prognosis of Elliott’s injury a secret this week, their actions hinted that he could be out a while.
The Steelers first signed a former starting safety in Darrick Forest, then agreed to a trade with the New England Patriots for ex-starter Kyle Dugger.
Between Forest and Dugger, head coach Mike Tomlin is likely hoping he can patch up the back end of his defense without Elliott. Of course, he also has free agent acquisition Juan Thornhill as a potentially important chess piece to work with.
“[Elliott is] a significant component of what we do, particularly relative to some of the things that Indy does well,” Tomlin told reporters this week. “He is a central figure in our secondary in terms of run defense, for example. He covers tight ends in passing circumstances, so certainly we have some adapting to do in terms of how we divide the labor up this week.”
Continuing: “But that’s always the case when you lose someone, particularly someone significant. It’s not a one-person job. It’s a multiple-person job. That’s the spirit in which we’re planning. There will be several people given an opportunity to meet the demands of what he does for us.”
Thornhill has appeared in all 7 of the Steelers’ games this season, but he’s only been credited with 1 start. That could change following the injury to Elliott.
Steelers Rule Out Several Players for Week 9 vs. Colts
The Steelers are down another safety in Week 9, as the team ruled out veteran Jabrill Peppers (quadriceps) on October 31, per team reporter Teresa Varley.
Wide receiver Scotty Miller (finger) will also miss this contest, along with Elliott and Peppers, and cornerback Cory Trice Jr. was ruled out as he works his way back from a “hamstring/knee” injury.
According to Varley and the Steelers, four players are officially questionable for Week 9, too. Those players are quarterback Will Howard (right hand), starting safety Chuck Clark (illness), linebacker Malik Harrison (knee), and linebacker Cole Holcomb (illness).
Clark will be a key name to watch, considering the aforementioned absences at safety. Without him, it might be Thornhill and a newcomer leading the snap count at the position.
