Indianapolis Colts fire head coach Frank Reich, make stunning interim hire
- The Colts fired Reich after four-plus seasons and a 40-33-1 record.
- They opted not to promote an interim head coach from the current staff and instead hired former All-Pro center Jeff Saturday, who has been working as an analyst on ESPN and has no prior experience as a coach in the NFL or college football.
- The Colts have unraveled the last few weeks, benching Matt Ryan after Week 7, firing offensive coordinator Marcus Brady after Week 8 and now firing Reich after an embarrassing 26-3 loss to New England on Sunday.
- Reich had a different opening-day starting quarterback in each of his five seasons, as the team never bounced back after Andrew Luck’s shocking retirement in 2019.
- Meanwhile, Saturday will become the first person since 1960 to be named a head coach without any experience at either the NFL or college level. The Colts will travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders this week.
Green Bay Packers EDGE Rashan Gary Tears ACL, WR Romeo Doubs has high-ankle sprain
- Gary was carted to the locker room during the third quarter of Sunday’s game. The former first-round pick has had an outstanding season, leading the team with six sacks, seven tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits. His 82.9 PFF grade is a top-15 mark among edge-rushers.
- With Gary out, Kingsley Enagbare and Jonathan Garvin are in line to receive more reps.
- Doubs was also carted to the locker room and is likely to miss a few weeks. The fourth-round rookie leads all Packers wide receivers with 31 catches this season, earning a 60.6 PFF grade. Green Bay has dealt with a slew of short-term receiver injuries this season and Doubs is the latest one to join the list.
- The Packers have lost five in a row. They host the 6-2 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday as Mike McCarthy returns to Green Bay for the first time since getting fired.
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen getting evaluated for an elbow injury
- The injury happened on the Bills’ final drive when Allen was strip-sacked (video here). Allen stayed in the game for the final two plays but was shown grimacing after the final incompletion. He said after the game that he felt some pain but will battle through it.
- “We all know how competitive Josh is. I will never count him out. We're still evaluating it and we'll know more in the next 24 hours,” head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday.
- The Bills face the 7-1 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. If Allen can’t go, former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum would take over.
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney suffers hand injury during bye week
- McKinney injured his hand during an ATV accident in Cabo during the team’s bye week. He’ll miss at least four games after the team placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list.
- McKinney, a team captain and the Giants’ defensive play-caller, has not missed a snap since Week 3 of last season, the longest stretch in the NFL.
- He's recorded 38 tackles, four passes defensed, one sack and one forced fumble on the season, earning a 56.3 PFF grade.
- The Giants host the Houston Texans this week.
Carolina Panthers make several quarterback announcements
- The Panthers activated Sam Darnold off IR, released Jacob Eason from the practice squad, and announced that PJ Walker will once again start on Thursday night against the Falcons while Baker Mayfield serves as the backup.
- Darnold has not played this season after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the preseason. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract and there’s no clear indication of if he’ll get a chance to play.
- Walker had back-to-back productive weeks as the starter before laying an egg against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. He completed only 3-of-10 pass attempts for 9 yards with two interceptions. His PFF grade was 27.9
- Mayfield played in the second half, completing 16-of-20 pass attempts for 155 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 60.8 PFF grade
More news and notes around the NFL
- The San Francisco 49ers designated RB Elijah Mitchell to return from IR. They’ll have 21 days to put him on the active roster
- The Buffalo Bills believe EDGE Gregory Rousseau has a high-ankle sprain and will miss a few weeks. Rousseau has been exceptional this season with an 83.1 PFF grade and 83.7 pass rush grade.