NFL Catchup: Latest News on Rams, 49ers Stars; Sheader Sanders QB3?

Week 1 of the regular season is finally here and teams across the NFL are putting the final touches on their roster while others are dealing with last-minute injury news before the season kicks off Wednesday with the Super Bowl rematch between the Patriots and Seahawks.

The Atlanta Falcons formally named Tua Tagovailoa as their Week 1 starting quarterback, while the Dallas Cowboys suffered a blow to their offensive line with All-Pro guard Tyler Smith set for thumb surgery. 

Down under, the Niners and Rams are preparing to play the first NFL game in Australia and one side is confirming the return of a pass rusher while the other is being more secretive about theirs.

Here is the latest news from around the league on Monday.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald remained noncommittal Monday about whether he will travel, let alone suit up for the team’s Week 1 opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. 

Speaking to reporters following practice, the recently unretired veteran offered vague answers when asked if he plans to make the trip and play on Thursday.

“Feeling really good. Feeling great,” Donald said when asked about traveling to Australia. “Come up with a game plan and see what’s going on.”

Donald, who ended his retirement Aug. 30 to rejoin the Rams, continues to work through a progressive conditioning ramp-up. 

While head coach Sean McVay previously indicated the entire roster is expected to make the flight, Donald’s actual game-day snap count and active availability remain a day-to-day evaluation as kickoff approaches.

Meanwhile, Myles Garrett looked like he was trying to add more power to his tackles, so the Rams’ pass rush will still be plenty for opposing offenses to handle.

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris told reporters Monday that star defensive end Nick Bosa will play in Thursday’s season-opening matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. 

Bosa, who tore his right ACL in Week 3 of last season and dealt with knee tendinitis during training camp, returned to practice last week before making the flight with the team.

“He’s going [to play]. We don’t hide it,” Morris told reporters.

Bosa’s return is a key boost for San Francisco’s pass rush, which finished last in the NFL in sacks last season. While the team can handle his production as he continues to build his fitness, his active status keeps the 49ers safe for a historic start in Australia.

Browns’ Todd Monken Hints That Talen Green Could Become QB2

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken told reporters Monday that sixth-round rookie cornerback Taylen Green could be active during Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, potentially serving as the primary game-day option behind starter Deshaun Watson.

When asked if Green could get an active game-day spot in place of Sheader Sanders to pursue specialized athletic packages, Monken left the door open.

“Maybe,” Monken said. “There might be a package out there that we have it in.” Monken added that activating three defensemen on game day remains a possibility. Green, a sixth-round pick in April’s draft, entered the Browns’ 53-man roster as QB3 after Dillon Gabriel was placed on injured reserve with a back injury.

Monken named Watson the starting quarterback on August 24 following a training camp competition between him and Sanders.

While the Dallas Cowboys offense has been in flux in recent seasons, cornerback Tyler Smith has remained a consistent anchor.

The Cowboys will now have to survive without him after head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Monday that Smith will be sidelined. He is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks following thumb surgery.

The surgery will force Smith to miss at least the first four games of the regular season while opening up a spot on the 53-man active roster.

“Tyler Smith is scheduled to have surgery on his thumb tomorrow morning.” Schottenheimer said during his press conference. “This is what he just dealt with.”

With Smith out, forward TJ Buss should take over as the starting left guard.

Bass joined the organization as an undrafted free agent and made 10 career starts, including five last year. The Cowboys retained Bass this offseason after placing second round of restricted free agent tender on it.

The Cowboys are set to open their season on Sunday night when they travel to New York to take on the Giants on Sunday Night Football.

The New York Giants officially released veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton on Monday, ending his seven-year tenure with the organization.

A fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the 29-year-old was New York’s longest-tenured player until his release. In seven seasons in New York, Slayton had 296 catches for 4,435 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns.

The decision frees up roster space as the Giants finalize a receiving corps led by Malik Nabers, Odell Beckham Jr., Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields ahead of their Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Slayton posted a farewell message Monday, thanking the organization and officially becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Before last season, the Giants signed Slayton to a three-year contract worth $36 million. He was due $13 million this season.

The move will create just over $3 million in capital this year.

After a competitive quarterback battle, the Atlanta Falcons are naming Tua Tagovailoa as the starter for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Kevin Stefanski did announcement officially on Monday morning.

Michael Penix Jr. is still recovering from season-ending knee surgery, although he is expected to return to the field later this year. Until he is fully cleared, Tagovailoa will take the reins of Atlanta’s starting lineup.

With Penix’s return still unknown, Stefanski is expected to play with Cooper Rush as a backup early in the season.

Tagovailoa is coming off a rocky final season in Miami. In 14 starts with the Dolphins, he completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions while adding 43 yards on the ground.

• Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales remains optimistic running back Jonathon Brooks will suit up for Sunday’s opener against the Chicago Bears despite missing his third consecutive practice due to general soreness.
• Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur expressed optimism Monday that first-round rookie running back Jeremiyah Love would play in Sunday’s opener against the Los Angeles Chargers as he completes his recovery from a preseason high ankle sprain.
• Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to play in Thursday’s Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia after being held out during August practice sessions while recovering from a psoas injury.
• Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith agreed to terms on a new deal with the Minnesota Vikings, officially returning to the franchise for his 15th NFL season after contemplating retirement during the offseason.
• The New York Giants agreed to a two-year, $13 million extension with veteran backup quarterback Jameis Winston, keeping him under contract through 2028.