NFL News and Notes – Tuesday January 1st 2019

Happy New Year! It’s playoff season (or draft season depending on your team allegiance) and there’s nothing better.

We’re going to take a look at the fallout of Black Monday, some nuggets from around the league, some impact injuries for the Wild Card round teams, and a look at the updated draft order.

A dreaded day around the league fell today, as coaches around the league were informed of their release.

Steve Wilks, Adam Gase, Vance Joseph and Marvin Lewis were all let go today, and this doesn’t include Dirk Koetter and Todd Bowles (fired Sunday) as well as Mike McCarthy and Hue Jackson who were let go earlier this season. The Atlanta Falcons also moved on from their offensive and defensive coordinators on Monday.

The 8 teams who will be in the head coach pursuit this offseason are: Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals.

Including these names, who are sure to get other interviews, other names to keep an eye out for open jobs include: Jim Caldwell (former HC: Colts, Lions), Josh McDaniels (OC: Patriots), Mike Munchak (OL: Steelers), Chuck Pagano (former HC: Colts), Brian Flores (DC: Patriots), Matt Eberflus (DC: Colts), Eric Bieniemy (OC: Chiefs), Zac Taylor (QB: Rams), Jim Schwartz (DC: Eagles), Freddie Kitchens (OC: Browns), Dave Toub (ST: Chiefs), Dan Campbell (TE: Saints), Shane Waldron (TE: Rams), Vic Fangio (DC: Bears), Matt LaFleur (OC: Titans), and Kris Richard (DB: Cowboys).

College coaches who may get interviews include: Kliff Kingsbury (OC: USC), Pat Fitzgerald (HC: Northwestern), Lincoln Riley (HC: Oklahoma), Matt Campbell (HC: Iowa State), Matt Rhule (HC: Baylor), Jim Harbaugh (HC: Michigan), and Chris Pederson (HC: Washington).

Random Notes

– Chargers TE Hunter Henry back taking first team reps
– PIT WR Antonio Brown missed practice, had disagreement with Big Ben, left CIN game at halftime
– Raiders hire NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock as General Manager
– 49ers TE George Kittle breaks single season TE receiving yards record (1,377)
– Jaguars void remaining guarantees on RB Leonard Fournette’s contract
– QB Jameis Winston to be Bucs opening day starter in 2019
– Ron Rivera returning in Carolina after losing 7 of last 8 games
– Eagles QB Nick Foles ties single game consecutive completion record (25)

Updated Draft Order

*needs following record

1. ARI (3-13) OL, WR, CB
2. SF (4-12) EDGE, CB, LB
3. NYJ (4-12) EDGE, OL, WR
4. OAK (4-12) EDGE, WR, CB
5. (5-11) OL, CB, EDGE
6. NYG (5-11) OL, EDGE, QB
7. JAX (5-11) QB, QB, QB (maybe some OL help)
8. DET (6-10) EDGE, CB, TE
9. DEN (6-10) OL, DT, QB
10. BUF (6-10) OL, WR, EDGE
11. CIN (6-10) LB, OL, CB
12. GB (6-9-1) EDGE, OL, S
13. MIA (7-9) DT, OL, CB
14. ATL (7-9) DT, S, OG
15. WAS (7-9) WR, CB, QB
16. CAR (7-9) OL, EDGE, S
17. CLE (7-8-1) CB, WR, DT
18. MIN (8-7-1) OL, CB, OL
19. TEN (9-7) EDGE, DT, WR
20. PIT (9-6-1) CB, S, LB

Wild Card Teams

* playoff teams dependent on playoff finish

21. PHI (9-7) CB, G, WR
22. IND (10-6) WR, CB, EDGE
23. SEA (10-6) CB, EDGE, WR
24. LAC (12-4) DT, OL, LB

Division Winners

*playoff teams dependent on playoff finish

25. OAK (from DAL) (10-6) EDGE, WR, CB
26. BAL (10-6) WR, EDGE, G
27. HOU (11-5) OL, CB, OL
28. NE (11-5) EDGE, DT, S
29. OAK (from CHI) (12-4) EDGE, WR, CB
30. KC (12-4) CB, S, LB
31. LAR (13-3) EDGE, LB, OT
32. GB (from NO) (13-3) EDGE OL, S

Injury Report

BAL WR Chris Moore (undisclosed) – questionable
BAL G Alex Lewis (shoulder) – questionable
CHI WR Allen Robinson (ribs) – questionable
CHI FS Eddie Jackson (ankle) – questionable
CHI WR Taylor Gabriel (ribs) – questionable
DAL DT Tyrone Crawford (neck) – out
DAL G Zack Martin (knee) – questionable
DAL T Tyron Smith (neck) – questionable
DAL LB Leighton Vander Esch (shin) – questionable
HOU WR Keke Coutee (hamstring) – questionable
HOU CB Johnathan Joseph (neck) – questionable
HOU EDGE J.J. Watt (arm) – questionable
IND C Ryan Kelly (neck) – questionable
IND Clayton Geathers (knee) – questionable
LAC LB Jatavis Brown (ankle) – out
LAC RB Melvin Gordon (ankle) – questionable
PHI QB Carson Wentz (back) – out
PHI CB Sidney Jones (hamstring) – questionable
PHI QB Nick Foles (ribs) – questionable
SEA S Tedric Thompson (ankle) – questionable
SEA EDGE Dion Jordan (knee) – questionable
SEA G J.R. Sweezy (foot) – questionable
SEA CB Shaquill Griffin (ankle) – questionable

Have a Happy New Year and an even happier Tuesday. Check back Thursday for some more storylines from around the league, an updated injury report, and an in depth look at the NFL playoff picture. Cheers!