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John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterNov 6, 2024, 05:42 PM ET
Close- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders’ players received a clear message sent by the front office after they acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.
“We want to win, and we want to win now,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “It was cool for them to do that.”
The Commanders (7-2) traded three picks to New Orleans — 2025 third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks — to get Lattimore and a 2025 fifth-round pick. He instantly improves a defense that ranks 18th in opposing quarterback rating and 21st in net yards per pass attempt.
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Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, said his arrival pushes Washington closer to a goal of contending for a Super Bowl.
“Most definitely,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. They made that obvious with what they gave up to get me. I just got to do what I’ve got to do.”
Which, he said, is “go out and do everything I can for the team, just being a dog.”
Lattimore did not practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury that sidelined him for New Orleans’ loss to the
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Kevin Seifert, ESPN Staff WriterOct 25, 2024, 02:27 PM ET
Close- Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia. You can follow him via Twitter @SeifertESPN.
The Minnesota Vikings have lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw, one of their top players and among the best at his position in the NFL, for the season because of injuries to the ACL and MCL in his left knee, coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Friday.
Darrisaw suffered the injury late in the first half of the Vikings’ 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. The Vikings placed him on injured reserve Friday afternoon and, in the corresponding move, activated tight end T.J. Hockenson to their 53-man roster from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
“He’s clearly one of our offensive pillars that we have leaned on a lot,” O’Connell said of Darrisaw, “and it’s going to be a significant loss. But we’ve all got to do a little bit more.”
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Last week I felt as if I were on a long and lonesome highway, east of Omaha after all three of my bets failed to cash. First, Marvin Harrison Jr. left early with a concussion. Obviously, his health is what’s most important here, but it was still a bummer to lose a bet by the second quarter of a game. Then, the Detroit Lions did exactly what I thought they were going to do: utilize their running backs to dominate the Cowboys banged-up defensive line. That’s great, right? Actually, no. David Montgomery didn’t hit his mark of 10 receiving yards, and even though the game script worked out perfectly in our favor, CeeDee Lamb fell well short of his receiving line and didn’t find the end zone.
That brought me to 0-3 on the day. Some weeks it just seems like you’re running against the wind. Oh, and on top of that, my Lions lost potential DPOY Aidan Hutchinson to a brutal season-ending injury. I felt like a beautiful loser, because some weeks, you just can’t have it all. So, just like my guy Bob Seger, I was ready to turn the page on last week. (Quick note, my dad and his band opened a concert for Seger long before I was born, which I’ve always thought was cool.) So, from dad, Mr. Seger and myself, how about we all turn the page and look ahead to Week 7. If you’re a Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man like me, I hope you enjoy a new edition of props that pop! — Daniel Dopp
All odds as of publication time. For the latest odds, visit ESPN BET.
Quarterback props
Ladd McConkey’s fantasy outlook for Week 7
Explore Ladd McConkey’s fantasy numbers as he prepares for his Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals.
Justin Herbert OVER 249.5 passing yards & Ladd McConkey anytime touchdown (+950)
Loza: It’s my birthday so I’m celebrating with some spicy picks. Yes, Herbert is tethered to a low-volume passing offense, but he still has a canon. He also threw for 237 yards (without surrendering a single pick) against a stout Broncos’ defense. Pat Surtain II’s early exit certainly made Herbert’s job easier, but even a Surtain-less Denver Broncos squad is stiffer than the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona’s passing defense ranks either last or close to the bottom in nearly every metric including completion percentage, yards per attempt and completions of 10-plus yards allowed while also registering the seventh-fewest pressures.
Arizona Cardinals passing defense
Comp pct | 72% (31st) |
Yards per att | 8.1 (31st) |
10-yard comp | 61 (T-28th) |
Pressures | 50 (26th) |
In a game with a spread of 2.5 there should be enough volleying to push Herbert to the over. Leaning on the team’s No. 1 WR is how he’ll best accomplish that task. McConkey leads all Bolts’ pass catchers in routes run, targets drawn, receptions and receiving yards. He found the end zone in Week 5 and nearly managed a second trip during the first quarter of Week 6. With red zone looks in back-to-back efforts and facing a Cardinals squad that has allowed the sixth-most scores to opposing WRs (8), McConkey should find six Sunday.
Running back props
Is Bijan Robinson hitting his stride in fantasy?
Tristan H. Cockcroft breaks down Bijan Robinson’s fantasy production in the Falcons’ win in Week 6.
It’s not too late to play the No. 1 fantasy game
Jordan Addison OVER 49.5 receiving yards (-120) 2 Related Loza: It has been a rocky start to Addison’s second year as a pro. He has exactly three catches in each of his three outings. Despite missing two games due to an ankle issue, the 22-year-old ranks second among the team’s WRs in looks. He struggled mightily against the Jets’ stout secondary back in Week 5 but will be fully rested and coming out of a bye. Addison figures to rebound into fantasy flex territory. The 5-0 Vikings will host a surging Lions squad for an NFC North showdown this Sunday. Detroit will be without star DE
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Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff WriterOct 14, 2024, 02:53 PM ET
Close- Covered Chiefs for 20 seasons for Kansas City Star
- Joined ESPN in 2013
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rashee Rice had posterolateral corner surgery on his injured right knee, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said on Monday.
The timeframe for Rice’s return is similar to if he had reconstructive ACL surgery, Reid said. Ten to 12 months is generally considered a realistic return time after ACL surgery.
“It takes a while for that to come back,” Reid said. “He’ll get into his rehab and get rolling on that as we go here.”
Rice was injured in a Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers when quarterback Patrick Mahomes accidentally collided with his knee while the two were chasing a fumble that followed an interception.
Rice entered the Week 4 games leading the NFL in receptions with 24. He was second in yards with 288.