Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons declared for the 2020 NFL Draft Saturday, Jan. 18.
Footballguys View: Simmons is going to be one of the top players selected in the 2020 NFL draft. He’s one of the most versatile players in this draft and can play inside linebacker, outside linebacker, safety, and nickel corner. At 6-feet, 4-inches and 230 pounds, it will be interesting to see what teams consider Simmons to be. He should be a top-15 pick at the end of April.
San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has the confidence of former 49ers QB and Hall of Famer Steve Young. ‘When they’ve asked him to raise up and go win it, he did it,’ Young said. ‘Those are hard things to do. That just doesn’t happen. When you see it in the NFL and someone is able to do it, you go, once you’ve done it, you can do it again. You can keep doing it.’
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry has rushed for 377 yards on 64 carries in two wins this postseason, but Kansas City Chiefs DE Frank Clark says he isn’t intimidated heading into the AFC Championship matchup with the Titans on Sunday, Jan. 19. ‘He’s not hard to hit,’ Clark was quoted as saying on NFL Network. ‘He’s just a big guy — 240, 245, 250 (pounds). Honestly he should be running harder at his weight and size. I don’t see no difficulty in tackling him. … He’s just easy to me up front because I don’t look at any running back like they can’t be tackled. He’s not one of the best guys at breaking tackles to me, honestly.’
Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray hasn’t necessarily given up on playing the sport of baseball. In an interview with The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman, Murray said that he thinks that he would be capable of playing in the NFL and MLB in the same calendar year. ‘I think I could. … Athletically, I think yeah, I could do it. I’ve been playing both my whole life. I would love to add that to the resume.’
Confirming a previous report, the Dallas Cowboys have hired New Orleans Saints linebackers coach Mike Nolan to be their new defensive coordinator. Head coach Mike McCarthy said he plans to run a defense with four down linemen.
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken accepted the offensive coordinator position with the University of Georgia on Friday, Jan. 17. Monken was not expected to return following the hiring of new head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Monmouth RB Peter Guerriero announced his intention to enter the 2020 NFL Draft on Friday, Jan. 17.
New England Patriots CB Jason McCourty (groin) recently underwent surgery on the groin injury that hampered him throughout the 2019 season.
Green Bay Packers FB Danny Vitale (knee) was limited during practice Friday, Jan. 17, and is listed as questionable for the NFC Championship game. TE Marcedes Lewis (non-injury), LB Preston Smith (ankle) and CB Tramon Williams (non-injury) were limited during practice but are not on the injury report. S Adrian Amos (chest), OT Bryan Bulaga (non-injury), DT Kenny Clark (back), WR Ryan Grant (non-injury), LB Blake Martinez (hand) and OT Billy Turner (ankle) fully participated in practice and are not on the injury report.
Green Bay Packers WR Allen Lazard (ankle) fully participated in practice Friday, Jan. 17, and is not on the injury report for the NFC Championship game.