Nolan Bianchi asks Kelvin Sheppard about containing Baltimore’s high-scoring offense.
Nolan Bianchi asks Kelvin Sheppard about containing Baltimore’s high-scoring offense.
Micah Parsons told Myles Garrett he wasn’t just going to surpass Garrett’s $40-million-a-year average salary. In Parsons’ words, he was going to “beat the (expletive)” out of it.
Parsons ended up being a man of his word, signing a four-year deal with Green Bay that averages $47 million after being traded by the Dallas Cowboys.
On Sunday, two of the NFL’s top pass rushers will meet when Garrett’s Cleveland Browns host Parsons and the Packers.
“Holy (expletive), he did it! I think that was the same thing that went through most people’s minds,” Garrett said Friday about what went through his mind when news of Parsons’ trade and contract broke last month. “So that was part of the, I guess, the humorous part of the deal. Then him texting me talking about, ‘Did I do right?’ And I was like, ‘Nah, you did perfect.’ So I’m just glad to see him get what he’s earned and he’s worth every dollar. He’s shown that.”
Parsons got to watch Garrett set the market early in the offseason. Garrett demanded to be traded before repairing his relationship with the Browns.
Parsons had a different experience with the Cowboys.
“There was always a potential of me being back in this same spot, which I am now,” Garrett said. “I don’t think that’s what he wanted after no discussions with (owner) Jerry (Jones) and some of the other people, especially without his agent being present. I feel like that seemed like a show of disrespect, the way they were handling the situation, and I think the way ours was handled was a bit more respectful all around.”
Parsons and Garrett’s camaraderie was strengthened this offseason when they worked out together. Parsons said the workout sessions were heated and competitive, surpassing the ones he had while he was at Penn State.
Parsons also said Friday he wouldn’t argue with anyone who said Garrett was better.
“I would say he’s probably one of the better guys. If you argued Myles is better, I wouldn’t hesitate to probably say you’re right,” Parsons said. “But competing and understanding what he’s done for the game of football and how he’s came in and dominated but then also offering fellowship and mentorship, I think that’s what separates the good and the great, like just being a big brother, a big friend outside of football, You offering that, I think that just offers just an unbelievable amount of respect when you do that.”
Garrett has 106 sacks in nine seasons since he was the first overall pick by the Browns in the 2017 draft. Garrett, who turns 30 on Dec. 29, needs 2 1/2 sacks to surpass Reggie White for the most by a player before turning 30.
Since Parsons came into the league in 2021 as the 12th overall pick by Dallas, Garrett has an NFL-best 63 1/2 sacks, while Parsons is fifth with 54.
Both are off to great starts again this season.
Garrett has 3 1/2 sacks, tied for the league lead with New Orleans’ Carl Granderson. He’s also tied for fifth with five quarterback hits and tied for 11th with nine QB pressures.
Parsons has 1 1/2 sacks and is tied for fifth with 11 pressures despite being on a snap limit the first two games after he missed all of training camp.
“He’s a little bit shorter as a rusher, and that gives him the leverage angles that some guys just don’t have naturally, and he’s able to use that to his advantage,” Garrett said. “He’s just ferocious and relentless when he’s out there. He’s a fun rusher to watch.”
When asked if he might play the entire game this week, Parsons said he didn’t know. Green Bay faces Dallas next week in what could be an emotionally charged matchup.
“I mean training camp’s four weeks for a reason. It takes a while, but the training staff, we’ve been working out before and after every day so we’re slowly getting there,” Parsons said.
Garrett has sacked 45 quarterbacks, but this will be the first time he has faced the Packers with Jordan Love behind center.
Love has not been sacked this season, and the Packers are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2020.
Parsons’ QB sack list is at 23, but this will be the first time he goes against veteran Joe Flacco.
Flacco and the Browns’ offense have struggled as Cleveland has dropped its first two for the first time in eight years.
Garrett and Parsons have exchanged texts throughout the week – including Parsons asking for two tickets for family.
“I mean, that’s my brother on the other side of the field,” Garrett said. “But it doesn’t matter who it is or what the relationship is, that’s who I want to beat any time I step on the field regardless of the team or the person on the other side. And I know that’s his aspiration as well.”
Purdy ‘highly unlikely’ to start vs. Cards
Santa Clara, Calif. – Quarterback Brock Purdy is “highly unlikely” to start on Sunday for the San Francisco 49ers as he deals with a toe injury that has already sidelined him for one game.
Purdy was officially listed as questionable for the game against the Arizona Cardinals with a final decision on his status likely to come on Saturday. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy could be available as the backup or the emergency third quarterback if he can’t start.
“A lot of progress and thought he had a good week,” Shanahan said. “We’ll see how he does tomorrow. It’s highly unlikely that he will start.”
Mac Jones would start his second game for San Francisco if Purdy isn’t ready. Jones threw for 279 yards and three TDs in his first start last week against New Orleans.
If Purdy is inactive or designated as the emergency third quarterback, San Francisco would have to elevate Adrian Martinez from the practice squad on Saturday to be available for the game.
Purdy hurt his toe in the season opener at Seattle and missed last week’s win at New Orleans with the injury. He returned to practice this week on a limited basis.
Purdy initially hurt the toe in the first half against the Seahawks, but was able to play through the injury on adrenaline. Purdy went 26 for 35 for 277 yards with two TDs and two interceptions and led a game-winning TD drive capped by a 4-yard pass to Jake Tonges.
The pain got worse after the game and Purdy underwent an MRI that showed he had an injury that has been described as similar to turf toe but does not require surgery like the injury that could sideline Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow for three months.
Purdy missed two games last season with injuries, sitting out one game with a right shoulder injury and another with a right elbow injury. Those are the only games he has missed because of injuries since taking over as the starter late in the 2022 season. He did have a significant injury to his right elbow in the 2022 NFC championship game that required surgery but he made it back for the opener the following season.
Niners receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, shoulder) missed his third straight practice this week and is questionable for the game. Offensive lineman Connor Colby (groin) is also questionable after getting hurt in practice Friday.
San Francisco had two players clear concussion protocol with fullback Kyle Juszczyk and defensive back Siran Neal available for Sunday.
The 49ers will be down two players for the game with backup tackle Spencer Burford out with a knee injury and rookie receiver Jordan Watkins sidelined with a calf injury. Watkins is expected to miss three to four weeks after getting hurt in practice this week.
Commanders’ Daniels will not play vs. Raiders
Ashburn, Va. – Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will sit out Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of an injured left knee, the first start he’ll miss since entering the NFL last season.
“He was just not all the way there yet,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Friday.
“Said at the beginning: We were going to be very diligent on his return to play and make sure we didn’t miss any steps,” Quinn said. “So we’re going to be smart, not just fast. The player wants to do everything all the time. That’s who he is as a competitor, which I love.”
For a third consecutive day, Daniels was unable to practice fully on Friday; he was not on the field with the rest of the team during the portion of the workout open to the media, and the Commanders officially listed him as “limited.”
Marcus Mariota will replace Daniels in the lineup and make his first start since 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons. Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Oregon, came in during three games in relief of Daniels last season. Mariota was a backup with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
“The good thing about it is we have banked reps with Marcus. You know what I mean? So honestly, for me, nothing really changes. Obviously not having Jayden – he’s a big part of our offense and our team. He’s one of our leaders. We’re better with him on the field,” receiver Terry McLaurin said, adding that he and Mariota have spent time working together after practices for “extra reps.”
“But at the same time, the game plan doesn’t change with Marcus in there. They have similarities in their mobility. Nobody is like Jayden outside the pocket, but Marcus does have the ability to extend plays,” McLaurin said. “And with his – not just his maturity, but his – his veteran savvy, (Mariota) brings a calm to our offense that I just feel really stands out.”
Daniels sat out practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of the knee and was wearing a brace on his left leg in the locker room.
Quinn declined to discuss any specifics about the injury to the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, who was hurt in Washington’s 27-18 loss at the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. Daniels was sacked four times and faced pressure throughout the game from a blitz-heavy Packers’ defense.
“We’re definitely encouraged about where the progress is being made,” Quinn said Friday when asked about how long Daniels might be sidelined.
Daniels went through rehabilitation work on the knee and did movement and throwing drills on his own this week, but Quinn said he wanted to see Daniels participate in practice with teammates before letting him play in a game.
Mariota was rested during this year’s training camp and preseason because of Achilles tendinitis and said that he’s felt back to normal for a couple of weeks now.
“He’s just got such a strong grasp of what we do,” Quinn said.
Mariota will be working with a new starting running back, which is expected to be rookie seventh-round draft pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt, now that Austin Ekeler is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Two other players on offense were ruled out for Sunday: tight end John Bates (groin), a key blocker, and receiver Noah Brown (groin, knee).
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