Detroit Lions Get Uplifting News Ahead of Week 9

The Detroit Lions are on a much-deserved bye week, and they’d be wise to use the time to rest and reflect on their promising start to the season. The week off will also give the team’s injured secondary time to rejuvenate, even though the Lions were still able to pull off a strong and definitive win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 19, 24-9, despite the injured secondary.

Even though the Lions have a week off, it’s not too early to start thinking about their next opponent, the Minnesota Vikings. It’s been an up-and-down season for the Viks, and the team is heading into their Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers with a 3-3 record. One of the biggest issues for the Vikings this season has been their quarterback position. After drafting Michigan product J.J. McCarthy in the 2024 NFL draft, McCarthy had to sit out the entire 2024-25 season due to injury. He returned this season but was injured again relatively quickly, so the team has been relying on Carson Wentz.

So, what are the chances McCarthy will be healthy enough to play against the Lions? The answer to that question will help determine the result of that game.

J.J. McCarthy’s Status Going Into Detroit Lions Game

According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell commented on Tuesday, October 21, that McCarthy, who’s dealing with an ankle injury, was put through an on-field workout but it’s there yet. So, he’s not expected to play in the team’s Thursday, October 23, game against the Los Angeles Chargers for Week 8.

But, O’Connell commented that if the Vikings were playing on Sunday instead of Thursday, McCarthy may be healthy enough to play, implying that he would be ready to go for the Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions.

So, is it good or bad news that McCarthy might be available to take on the Lions? Colby Colwell of Detroit Jock City thinks it’s good news. According to the NFL expert and analyst, it’s not just good news, it’s “great news,” based on McCarthy’s early showing on the field.

“For starters, McCarthy has two TDs, three interceptions, and a dismal 58.5% completion rate through two NFL appearances, so that has to give the Lions some confidence already,” he notes in the Wednesday, October 22 piece. “Detroit was missing four starters in the defensive backfield on Monday night and still held the Buccaneers offense to 58 total yards in the first half, and got some key contributions from players like cornerback Arthur Maulet, who had a breakout performance in the win with an interception.”

Carson Wentz vs. J.J. McCarthy to Take on the Detroit Lions

Wentz hasn’t had the most stellar season, though. According to the statistics from ESPN and Pro Football Reference, he’s clocked five touchdown and four interceptions with a completion percentage of 66.9% and passing yards of 1,072.

So, it’s a mixed bag when it comes to which quarterback will be better to take on the Lions. The most important matter, really, is that the Lions’ defense and secondary gets healthier, and then they’ll be unstoppable no matter who they’re up against.

Obvious WR target just landed in the Steelers' laps after surprise release

The Pittsburgh Steelers' perpetual hunt for wide receiver help continues, albeit to no avail -- yet. However, they may have been given a lifeline courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta has released veteran receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, per an official team announcement. He was a surprise healthy inactive in the Falcons' Week 6 win over the Buffalo Bills, and had his "excused absence" against the San Francisco 49ers. It's unclear exactly what happened, though there was ostensibly tension brewing between him and the coaching staff.

Nevertheless, context aside, McCloud is suddenly available on the open market. He profiles as an all-too-obvious target for the Steelers amid their well-chronicled search for wideout help.

Pittsburgh Steelers-Ray-Ray McCloud reunion makes too much sense after Falcons release

A career journeyman prior, McCloud emerged as the Falcons' primary slot man last season before his falling out with the club. In turn, he posted career-highs across the board, recording 82 fewer years in 2024 (686) than from 2018 to 2023 combined (768). Seeing him thrive as a near-every-down player should motivate Pittsburgh to take a flier, given their unproven pass-catching corps behind two-time Pro Bowler D.K. Metcalf.

Pittsburgh's tight end tandem of Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth has handled most of the reps inside. That alone tells you there's room for McCloud on the bottom of the roster or practice squad, at the very least. The eighth-year pro could instantly assume a meaningful role in the Steelers' offense.

Moreover, as Steeler Nation presumably knows, McCloud spent the 2020 and 2021 campaigns with Pittsburgh. He was primarily a special teamer, and a damn good one. His 367 punt return yards in the second season donning the black and gold led the NFL.

McCloud's pre-existing connection to head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers organization certainly works in all parties' favor. The familiarity makes the idea of an ideal partnership feel like an easy, worthwhile reunion.

It seems that Atlanta's choice to part ways with McCloud is almost exclusively because of what their sideline general, Raheem Morris, called a "private matter." In other words, this wasn't a football-related decision.

Tomlin and the Steelers can handle whatever led to the Falcons moving on from McCloud; just get him in the building. If the guy can run routes and make receptions, that's enough for a Pittsburgh group lacking proven options outside of Metcalf.

Continue reading