9.6.22: Lance, Godwin, Trubisky, JuJu, Jeudy, Dillon

Lance

Albert Breer heard that Trey Lance was “a little annoyed” by the retention of Jimmy G

Details:?Breer’s insight generated so much controversy that it had to be?removed?from his weekly MMQB column.

• Breer later clarified by stating that Lance had a “natural” reaction to a “complicated” development.

Implication:?The obvious implication here is that Lance felt undermined by the team’s decision to keep Garoppolo — as it does, to a certain extent, display a lack of total confidence in the young quarterback.

Public:?For what it’s worth, Lance’s public reaction to the news has been positive — he told reporters last week that he was excited to have his “big bro” back.

Week 7:?In his annual set of NFL predictions, Peter King guessed that Garoppolo will?take over?for an underperforming Lance by Week 7.

Image: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire

Godwin

Chris Godwin (knee) sheds knee brace, Russell Gage (hamstring) returns to practice

Godwin:?Godwin practiced without a brace for the first time on Monday.

• Ian Rapoport is implying that Godwin could?suit up?against the Cowboys on Sunday night.

Last Year:?Godwin caught 9-of-13 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown when the Bucs played the Cowboys last year.

Gage:?Gage, who has been out with a hamstring issue, returned to practice and is expected to play against Dallas. He’ll be in line for a significant role should Godwin sit out.

More Bucs News...

• According to Greg Auman, the coaching staff would like to?reduce?Leonard Fournette’s workload — which could lead to increased snaps for rookie third-rounder Rachaad White.
• Rookie second-rounder Luke Goedke has won the starting left guard job.

Image: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire

Trubisky

Mitch Trubisky listed as the starting QB on Steelers Week 1 depth chart

Details:?Trubisky is?listed?as the starter, ahead of Mason Rudolph (second-team) and Kenny Pickett (third-team).

Captains:?Earlier on Monday, Trubisky was voted a team captain along with Najee Harris, TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Miles Killebrew.

Strong Impression:?Trubisky locked down the job with a strong showing in the preseason — he completed 24-of-34 passes (70.5%) for 283 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Week 1:?Trubisky will make his first start on the road, against the defending division and conference champion Bengals. Cincinnati is a 6.5-point favorite.

Pickett:?If the Steelers’ offense struggles versus the Bengals, it won’t take long for the fanbase to begin calling for Pickett.

• The rookie was even more impressive than Trubisky in the preseason — he completed 80.6% of his passes for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Image: Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire

TOGETHER WITH STATHEAD

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Which QB has the longest streak of consecutive games with at least 3 passing touchdowns?

1. Tom Brady
2. Brett Favre
3. Peyton Manning
4. Patrick Mahomes

JuJu

Matt Bowen predicts that JuJu Smith-Schuster will have more than 100 receptions

Details:?Bowen (ESPN)?thinks?Smith-Schuster has “the traits to produce immediately as a volume target” in Andy Reid’s system.

Role:?Reid will look to maximize Smith-Schuster’s explosive after-the-catch ability. The 25-year-old is expected to “work the dirty areas of the field” and line up both on the outside and in the slot.

Targets:?More than 250 of Patrick Mahomes’ pass attempts from last season went to pass-catchers who are no longer on the team — Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson, and Byron Pringle. Smith-Schuster seems primed to absorb a good portion of those targets.

More Chiefs News...

• Backup TE Blake Bell (hip) was placed on IR — which should open up more playing time for potential breakout Jody Forston.
• The Chiefs are a 4.5-point favorite over the Cardinals.

Image: John Jones/Icon Sportswire

Jeudy

Jerry Jeudy has been “a regular in quarterback meetings”

Details:?Jeudy is attending the meetings to “speed up” the process of getting in sync with Russell Wilson.

Big Jump:?Jeff Legwold (ESPN) wrote on Monday that Jeudy’s spectacular route running skills make him a strong candidate for a big jump this season.

Jeudy in 2021:?In ten games last year, Jeudy caught 38 of 56 targets (67.9% catch-rate) for 468 yards and no touchdowns. He missed time with an ankle injury.

Hamler:?Legwold also expects receiver K.J. Hamler to break out to “some degree” this season. He sees Hamler as a true downfield threat for Wilson.

Wild Card:?Legwold views the Broncos as a wild card team that will struggle to win over ten games.

Image: Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire

Dillon

A.J. Dillon is expected to lead the Packers in rushing yards

Details:?Matt Bowen (ESPN) thinks that Dillon will “see the necessary volume” to?lead?the Packers in rushing yards for the second consecutive year.

• Dillon saw 187 carries to Aaron Jones’ 171 last season.
• Bowen expects the Packers’ offense to lean on the running game.

Dillon in 2021:?Dillon totaled 1,116 scrimmage yards (803 rushing, 313 receiving) and scored 7 touchdowns on 221 touches last season. He caught 34 of 37 targets (91.9% catch-rate).

Jones in 2021:?Jones totaled 1,190 scrimmage yards (799 rushing, 391 receiving) and scored 10 touchdowns on 223 touches last season. He caught 52 of 65 targets (80.0% catch-rate).

ADP:?Interestingly, Jones (ADP: 20.5) is going well ahead of Dillon (ADP: 50.5) in fantasy drafts.

More Packers News...

• All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari is on track for Sunday’s matchup against the Vikings.
• WR Allen Lazard (undisclosed) is not practicing and could miss the opener.

Image: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire

More News

• Rams?WR Van Jefferson (knee) did not practice
• Patriots?signed WR Laquon Treadwell to the practice squad
• Lions?placed starting RG Halapoulivaitai Vaitai on IR
• Colts?LB Shaq Leonard could play Week 1
• Jaguars?RB James Robinson will be active for Week 1
• Dolphins?WR Jaylen Waddle returned to practice
• Jets?QB Zach Wilson "has a chance" to play Week 1

TOGETHER WITH STATHEAD

QUESTION OF THE DAY (Answer)

Answer: Peyton Manning

• Peyton Manning: 15 (2013-2014)
• Patrick Mahomes: 14 (2018-2019)
• Tom Brady: 13 (2010-2011)
• Brett Favre: 12 (1994-1995)

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