Baltimore running back Ray Rice injured his hip against the Cleveland Browns Sunday and is not expected to suit up for the Ravens' next AFC showdown. With the Texans coming into town, Baltimore's feature back has been downgraded to doubtful.
NFL news roundup: Ray Rice doubtful for Ravens’ showdown with Texans
One of the feature backs in the league might not play in what many consider the premier AFC matchup this weekend
While Rice in in the midst of a slow start -- just 72 rushing yards and a score through two games -- he has been a picture of consistency in the Ravens’ offense. Not only has the Rutgers product played in 43 straight games, but has compiled more than 1,600 total yards from scrimmage in each of the last four seasons.
If Rice doesn’t make it into the game, the Texans can expect a healthy dose of Bernard Pierce. In his second season, Pierce carries a career 4.5 yards per rush and has two touchdowns in limited work.
The 49ers' star pass rusher ended up in handcuffs again Friday morning, arrested after his vehicle struck a tree. After a breathalyzer revealed a 0.15 BAC and assorted drugs were found in his vehicle, Smith was booked by San Jose Police. No one was hurt in the incident, but Smith's career trajectory is disturbing.
Just his third year in the NFL, the talented linebacker has been already been stabbed, sued and previously arrested for DUI. His prior drunk-driving charges in Florida were reduced, but the incident remains part of a laundry list that calls into question his decision making.
Suffering a torn ligament in his toe during Seattle's romp over the 49ers, left tackle Russell Okung is out at least until Nov. 17. The Seahawks placed him on short-term injured reserve, which holds a player out of practice until after Week 6 and out of game action until after Week 8.
Replacing Okung will be tricky, as the left tackle made his first Pro Bowl last season protecting quarterback phenom Russell Wilson. Head coach Pete Carroll will need to pick his poison, with left guard Paul McQuistan sliding out to tackle or undrafted rookie Alvin Bailey getting his first career start.
After a second consecutive putrid performance Monday night against Cincinnati, Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley took his players to task. With just 19 total points through two games, Pittsburgh trails only Cleveland and Jacksonville for worst scoring offense in the league.
Haley points to the rushing attack as the main problem, specifically naming the wideouts and the offensive linemen in his diatribe. The Steelers ground game hasn't had much help in the injury department, with expected starter Le'Veon Bell missing the start of the season and Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey lost for the season.
If the Steelers don’t pull themselves out of their 0-2 start and make the playoffs, it will be just the third time the franchise has missed the postseason since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007.
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