It’s been a long few days in between the end of one NFL week and the start of another. But there has been plenty going on during the days when no games were played. Let’s go over some of the headlines from the past few days in preparation for Week 6.
Just the One
We saw our first head coach firing of the season this past week, but it seems like it’ll be the only one at this point in the season. Atlanta’s Dan Quinn is now the leading favorite to be the next head coach to be fired. Many thought it might happen this past week after the team’s 53-32 loss to the Texans, but Falcons owner Arthur Blank gave Quinn a vote of confidence, indicating that he’s not considering a change at this time.
Also, following back-to-back losses, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says that he’s not considering a change of head coach, keeping Jason Garrett’s job safe. Garrett is behind Quinn in the eyes of oddsmakers as the second most likely coach to get fired. He’s not under contract beyond this season, so it would be a little easier for the Cowboys to make a move if they don’t get back on track. But Jones says he’s not operating week to week and doesn’t see a change coming midseason.
No Kidding
The Titans made the least surprising transaction this week, releasing placekicker Cairo Santos after he missed four field goals during the team’s 14-7 loss to the Bills. Taking his place will be Cody Parkey, who has been out of work since his missed field goal for the Bears against the Eagles during last year’s playoffs.
The Titans worked out both Santos and Parkey after Ryan Succop was placed on injured reserve prior to the season. Succop will be eligible to practice after Week 6, and, if his knee injury has healed, he could resume kicking duties soon after. That means this could only be a short-term job for Parkey, who obviously has something to prove after how things ended for him in Chicago.
Staying Put
A.J. Green is yet to play a down this season, but when he does return to the field, it will be as a member of the Bengals. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said this week that there are no plans to trade Green, who is in the final year of his contract. Prior to Taylor’s comments, Green said he isn’t asking to be traded but knew it was a possibility.
However, Taylor says the team is hopeful of reaching a new deal with Green to keep him in Cincinnati beyond 2019. At 0-5, the Bengals are all but done in 2019, but Taylor is optimistic that Green will soon be healthy enough to return from injury and join the Bengals for the rest of the season.
Steel City Blues
As the Steelers try to salvage their season after starting 1-4, they could be down to third-string quarterback Devlin Hodges when they face the Chargers on Sunday. Mason Rudolph, the de facto starter after Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending injury, remains in concussion protocol after taking a big hit from Earl Thomas last week. On top of Rudolph’s uncertainty, the Steelers are set to be without Jaylen Samuels and James Washington for several weeks due to injury.
