Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (ankle) did not suit up for practice on Thursday. The good news is, Williams was working on the side with trainers, so it appears he's making progress. Despite that, Williams is viewed on the downside of questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Keenan Allen is a must-start with Williams out, while Joshua Palmer and DeAndre Carter could be possible streaming options for Week 13. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday to see if Williams is able to return to practice.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive guard Landon Dickerson (elbow) didn't practice at all this week, but he was removed from the week's final injury report on Friday and should be able to play in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 12, against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dickerson injured his right elbow in the NFC Championship win over the San Francisco 49ers and was seen wearing a brace after the game. The Eagles were most likely just resting Dickerson all week, so we should see him return to practice at some point next week before playing in next Sunday's big game. The 24-year-old should be able to handle his normal role as the starting left guard, which is great news for Philly's high-flying offense.
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (Achilles) said on his personal Twitter account that he will be ready to take part in organized team activities this offseason. Walker tore his Achilles in September and missed the rest of the 2022 season. The 28-year-old might be being a little optimistic about taking part in organized team activities, but it's a good sign that his rehab is going well. We'll have to monitor how much Walker does this offseason and through training camp this summer, but it sounds like he will at least have a realistic chance to be ready for the start of the 2023 campaign, which would be a big boost to Detroit's secondary. Walker played in only three games in 2022 before tearing his Achilles.
Former Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks will interview on Monday for the San Francisco 49ers vacant defensive coordinator job, according to a source. The position opened up when DeMeco Ryans became the Houston Texans' next head coach. The 49ers had the No. 1 overall defense in the NFL in 2022, so Wilks will have plenty to work with if he gets the job in San Francisco. They allowed an average of 300.6 yards of total offense per game and just 16.3 points per game. Wilks spent part of last year as Carolina's pass-game coordinator and secondary coach before becoming the interim head coach when Matt Rhule was fired. He turned the team around and finished with a 6-6 record, just missing the playoffs.
Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Scott Turner is joining Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels' coaching staff with an elevated passing-game role, according to sources. The 40-year-old was the Commanders' offensive coordinator for the last three years before he was fired on Jan. 10. Washington's offense ranked 20th in total offense, 21st in passing offense and 24th in scoring in 2022. Turner was a backup quarterback at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 2003 and 2004 and still has a Vegas area code for his phone number. He's the son of long-time former NFL offensive coordinator and head coach Norv Turner. The biggest question for the Raiders heading into next season will be the QB position.
The Denver Broncos have requested permission to speak with Pittsburgh Steelers assistant head coach/linebackers coach Brian Flores and Seattle Seahawks secondary coach Sean Desai for their vacant defensive coordinator position. With former defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero not returning in 2023, the Broncos need to fill the role. Desai has withdrawn from consideration for the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator job after interviewing last week. Flores came up as a defensive coordinator in the NFL and also has experience as a head coach with the Miami Dolphins for several seasons. The Broncos defense already has a pretty solid foundation in place after the 2022 season despite losing key pass-rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in recent seasons.
Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales will receive a second interview with the Baltimore Ravens for their vacant offensive coordinator position on Monday, according to a source. Canales impressed with his work with quarterback Geno Smith in 2022. He joins Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken and others as a finalist to run Baltimore's offense in 2023. Canales is looking to land his first job in the NFL as an offensive coordinator to replace Greg Roman, who parted ways with the Ravens after the season. The 41-year-old would be working with Lamar Jackson, who is expected to receive the franchise tag from the organization for the 2023 season. Canales has primarily worked with receivers in his NFL coaching career, a position he held in his first seven years in Seattle.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will receive a second interview with the Arizona Cardinals for their head-coaching job, according to a source. The second interview will take place late next week. In addition to Anarumo, New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will get a second interview. Anarumo made a quick impression on the Cardinals during his first interview last week. Going defense-first in Arizona would represent a major departure from former head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Anarumo joined the Bengals in 2019, and the Bengals D allowed the sixth-fewest points per game in the NFL in 2022 and were No. 11 in DVOA. Anarumo was previously a defensive backs coach with the Giants in 2018 and with the Miami Dolphins from 2012-17.
The Denver Broncos are allowing Ejiro Evero out of his contract, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. In simpler terms, the two sides are parting ways. On one hand, this move comes as a surprise considering the Broncos want to form a mega-staff under Sean Payton and Evero, who received several head coaching interviews, is viewed as a defensive mastermind. On the other hand, Evero was a member of Nathaniel Hackett's coaching staff and turned down Denver's interim head coaching job after Hackett was fired. As a result, it became clear that Evero did not see himself remaining with the Broncos long-term. Rapoport notes that the Vikings, who have a vacancy at defensive coordinator, are viewed as a possible landing spot for Evero. The same goes for the Panthers, who interviewed Evero for their head coaching job before hiring Frank Reich.
Las Vegas Raiders impending free agent running back Josh Jacobs "wants to be back but won't settle," according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. There is mutual interest in keeping Jacobs in Las Vegas long-term, but the reigning rushing champion won't come cheap. Jacobs timed everything just right, compiling impressive stats in a contract year. The 24-year-old ultimately finished 2022 with 1,653 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns, all of which are career-highs. Jacobs' outlook for next season is contingent on where he signs, but if he does return to Vegas, we can consider him a strong RB1 option heading into fantasy football drafts.
The Dallas Cowboys have hired Brian Schottenheimer as their offensive coordinator, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. The team needed to fill the vacancy after firing Kellen Moore. Schottenheimer most recently served as a Cowboys consultant in 2022 but does have experience as an offensive coordinator, filling that same role for the Seahawks from 2018 to 2020. Interestingly, although Schottenheimer will be in charge of the offense, head coach Mike McCarthy intends to call plays next season.
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