8.18.22: Rodgers, Javonte, Sermon, Mayfield, Derwin, Ryan

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Rodgers

Saints defense stifles Aaron Rodgers during joint practice

Details: Practice reports indicate that Rodgers mostly threw incompletions during competitive sessions against the Saints' starting defense.

• Rodgers also threw an interception and got “sacked” multiple times.

Impact: While it’s not uncommon for even the best quarterbacks to occasionally struggle in practice, the poor performance comes one day after Rodgers publicly expressed frustration with the Packers’ young receivers.

Bright Spots: The passes Rodgers did complete, came on throws to Romeo Doubs, Sammy Watkins, and Josiah Deguara. While Doubs — a fourth-round rookie — has struggled with drops and route running at times, it’s clear he’s still in line for a Week 1 role.

OBJ? If the passing game continues to struggle, the Packers will need to intensify their pursuit of Odell Beckham Jr. — or at least consider signing someone like T.Y. Hilton, Cole Beasley, Will Fuller, or Emmanuel Sanders.

Defense: The Saints’ impressive defensive performance was fueled by an effective pass-rush and lock-down secondary. The corner duo of Marcus Lattimore and Paulson Adebo were lights out, while the safety duo of Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye (who intercepted Rodgers) also looked good.

Image: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire

Broncos

Melvin Gordon: The Broncos “want Javonte (Williams) to be the guy”

Details: Gordon’s comments confirm that Williams will be the team’s starting running back and primary ball carrier.

Williams in 2021: Williams, who the Broncos selected in the second round last year, totaled 1,219 scrimmage yards (903 rushing, 316 receiving) and scored 7 touchdowns on 246 touches.

Gordon in 2021: Gordon totaled 1,131 scrimmage yards (918 rushing, 213 receiving) and scored 10 touchdowns on 231 touches.

More Broncos News...

• Cortland Sutton has emerged as Russell Wilson’s go-to receiver.
• Rookie fourth-round CB Damarri Mathis is exceeding expectations.

Image: Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire

Sermon

Trey Sermon operating as the starting RB with Elijah Mitchell out

Details: Sermon has been working with the starting unit ever since Mitchell injured his hamstring last week.

Sermon Profile: The 49ers selected Sermon in the third round last year, he totaled just 193 scrimmage yards (167 rushing, 26 receiving) and 1 touchdown as a rookie.

Praise: HC Kyle Shanahan has praised Sermon — who had an impressive senior year at Ohio State — multiple times over the past month.

Underperform: Virginia Zakas, a football injury expert, warns that Mitchell “is a candidate to significantly underperform in 2022.” She implies that Mitchell is injury prone — as he missed six games last season with a concussion, hand fracture, shoulder injury, and rib injury.

• She also believes that Mitchell’s new hamstring injury is related to a 2021 knee injury.

More 49ers News...

• S Jimmie Ward (hamstring) is likely to miss Week 1.
• Tavarius Moore has stepped in to replace Ward.
• DT Javon Kinlaw, DE Kemoko Turay, and rookie second-rounder DE Drake Jackson have been pass-rush standouts.

Image: Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire

Baker

Baker Mayfield clearly ahead of Sam Darnold in QB battle

Details: Virtually every league insider has indicated that it's only a matter of time before Mayfield is officially named the starter.

Sharp: Mayfield was described as sharp during Wednesday's joint practice with the Patriots. Highlights included a red zone touchdown to D.J. Moore and a highlight-worthy play to Rashard Higgins.

• Darnold on the other hand threw an interception on the first play of team drills.

More Panthers News...

• First-round rookie Ikem Ekwonu has been named the starting LT.
• Christian McCaffrey was involved in a practice scuffle that left a fan injured.
• Earlier in practice, Panther S Kenny Robinson was ejected for a hit that sent Patriots WR Kristian Wilkerson to the hospital.

Image: Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire

Derwin

Chargers sign Derwin James to a four-year extension

Details: The deal is worth $76.4 million over four years and includes $42 million guaranteed.

19.1: With an average annual salary of $19.1 million, James is now the highest-paid safety in the league. He takes the title from Minkah Fitzpatrick ($18.4 million).

James in 2021: According to Pro Football Reference, opposing quarterbacks only completed 56.7% of their passes when targeting James in coverage.

• Statistically, he totaled 118 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 5 pass deflections, and 3 forced fumbles.

Return: James, who refused to practice while negotiating, should return to on-field work this week.

Star-Studded: He’ll rejoin the Chargers’ star-studded 2022 defense — a unit that includes Pro Bowlers in Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and J.C. Jackson.

Image: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire

Ryan

Matt Ryan excels during joint practice with the Lions

Details: Ryan threw three consecutive touchdowns during a red zone period against the Lions’ starting defense.

TDs: The touchdowns were caught by Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman Jr., and Ashton Dunlin.

• The Pierce touchdown catch was described as a spectacular back shoulder catch.

Pittman: In addition to the touchdown grab, Pittman had a 45-yard gain on Lions corner Jeff Okudah.

Arm Strength: Ryan, by all accounts, has silenced the critics who said his arm strength was in decline.

More Colts News...

• Rookie sixth-round TE Drew Ogletree suffered a season-ending knee injury.
• Rookie third-round S Nick Cross continues to impress and could earn a starting job.

Image: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire

More News

• Packers claimed WR Travis Fulgham off waivers
• Cardinals TE Trey McBride (back) has been cleared to play in preseason
• Jaguars released DT Malcolm Brown
• Raiders TE Darren Waller (hamstring) returned to practice