MasterStrategist

Definitely think there's HOPE for Daquan. Milano, I think there might be some unknowns. If BangedupBills is correct with diagnosis, it's a more unique "broken leg" and time frame is a bit more volatile...given fewer of these type of injuries to reference. Not trying to predict, main silverlining is "appears" Milano avoided a torn ACL (or other serious ligament tear). That's huge for keeping hope alive for a very late postseason run, but especially for longevity/returning to top form next year. Injuries happen and guys miss time, I just hate to see injuries that impact multiple seasons/ability to get back to prior playing level. So I'm grateful, if these can get back to their level of play in the next year

Sorry misread your post as being more focused on overcoming the injuries. Agree, it will be a challenge to win the division. I'd say it is not too different than LY or prior (NE). Injuries aside, those were both situations we had to "catch up"/take care of our business against them toward end of year. I think it's still way too early/alot can happen, and we've seen alot happen in years past. 1 game differential can be made up literally in a week. Even being 2 back isn't the end of world. If we had Miami next week, I'd be more concerned given where we're at injury wise. I think we need to see what this team does in these circumstances, and get back on track.

If you wanna take a closer look, then please include: 1. 4th qtr defense: at this point we're gassed, Von being out (snap counts), and injuries. 175 yards given up. We had still just given up only 11 points 2. Medicare Jags offense: as you said. T Lawrence had been playing better. Ridley, Kirk, Etienne, Engram, and Zay is not Medicare offense. Not to mention their starting LT back from 4 game suspension 3. This style of defense is how we will need to keep playing. Without those key players, we need to rely on turnovers and we got critical ones to keep points off the board Jags TOP also influenced by our offense playing putrid for a good chunk of the game. If we even got average to above average play, we win and we're just stuck discussing injuries. At this point, we need to accept our defense will be giving up long drives to good offenses. Getting timely sacks, turnovers, forcing FGs is our game. Our offense has to be the catalyst and driving force. Coach can dial up blitz/pressures and we can get good rush with our front 4 to play winning football. Just can't expect our offense to go into a shell of itself for >half of the game

^This And Dorsey still hasn't schemed many easy YAC opportunities. I blame the personell a little (ie this isn't Gabes strong suit). But I'm perplexed how guys like Kincaid, Harty, Sherfield (even Shakir) can't be used more in ways that give them YAC chances. Honestly, my patience has been wearing thin with the offense. 1 game Josh looked lost/1 game our playcalling rhythm was horrible/2 above average performances/1 outstanding game. Not to mention above issues with using our playmakers, add Cook to that list and Knox. It's not much different than frustration with Dabs, but he at least got all our playmakers involved.

Obviously big injuries for our defense, but few things to counter: 1. Our offense LOST us both games thus far. Even depleted on defense yesterday, they found a way to keep it close. Our season goes as our offense does, that's been the case the past 3 years running. 2. Our defense still has talent, especially at DL. Need to get leads and wreak havoc. We have comparable defenses to KC, Cincy, Miami. Not gonna carry us to victory, but can force turnovers/cause issues for opponent passing games 3. Depth: next man up philosophy, perhaps we will be surprised (ie. AJE stepping up, Bernard) with a few weeks of consistent playing time. That's obviously best case and no replacing our starters, but these "backups" are either former starters or early/mid picks. I'll finish by just saying that SB contending teams have found ways to rally, when losing key players to injury. We won't be the first or last to deal with a series of unfortunate events. We need our offense to be on the same, or close to same, level as the Miami game regardless against top tier teams. This defense likely is the same/potentially better, especially at DL, as the 2021 team that lost with 13 seconds.

No debating the stats look good. But the inconsistent performances, Jets and Jags, cost us 2 wins. Even with a depleted defense, no excuse to get "shut down" in the 1st half. I'm a Dorsey supporter, but he has to devise better plans than what we saw yesterday. Not saying execution was great, but this offense went back to lacking identity/rhythm and that to me is more on coaching.

Our offense needs to execute and adjust better, simple as that. We have too much talent on offense, to put up a display like yesterday. Especially in the 1st half. Same story as Bengals game LY. Can't get completely shut down...fortunately our defense kept the game "manageable"/close yesterday, even with all the injuries. Bottom line, we lose when our offense sucks. Jets game, Jags game. I'm a Dorsey supporter, but thought yesterday was complete garbage. Like others said, we aren't utilizing our offensive talent: 1. Cook- dude is a gamer, if we can't run then get more passing plays 2. Kincaid- i don't care he's a rookie, he has ALOT of talent and we're not getting him involved down the field enough 3. Harty/Sherfield- Harty finally got a few more looks yesterday, but these guys need utilized more often. YAC, both bring that 4. Screen game/creative plays: when we hit a rut, mix up some calls. I can't imagine our OL/off unit is that bad at screens. Find a way to get more creative with reverses, playaction boots, etc I'm sure Josh missed some plays too, and drops didn't help the cause in critical moments. BUT, Dorsey was bad yesterday

Dang, not heard of that combo much

I tend to agree. Mentioned up thread that 1 key iniury is "manageable", but just too .any stacking up on key guys. Frustrating, but this happens every year to very good teams (Ravens, 49ers, others). A game of attrition and frustrating when we've built a team to contend right now. This is the exact reason why you don't go "all in", not directed at you, but others who've advocated for this (ie: Dhop, others). We will see what officially Milano/Jones time frames are - optimistic it's 6-10 weeks; and can get guys back for playoff push.

Interesting on Milano. If it was a broken bone, x-rays would confirm that at stadium. Not knowing definitely, might indicate some ligament/advanced imaging needed. Not good on Daquan either...sounds like a torn or partially torn pec about to be announced. Not a good time to just lose Ankou as well. Managing 1 key injury is doable, but everything stacking up right now. Not like we drop to a bottom tier team, but likely move from a top 5 to a borderline 15-20 unit. Until we start getting healthy again.

https://x.com/kfitz134/status/1711067166894674306?s=20 News on Milano sounds bad

Now Taron....ugh...3 years running with these "prime" off normal time games...key injuries

Or a sprain. But looks like a fibula fx, likely. Possible end of season return if that's the injury

LFG

Yeah I agree. Except putting an aircast on implies they are concerned with a broken bone. Hope we get best news possible, too much unknown now to speculate.. but appeared bad

Looked like a potentially broken leg

Milano and Floyd injured on that play too

Vickers hasn't bumped out to end in the past, to my knowledge. But that has to be the Plan B (behind AJE/Kingsley). We need to get interior pressure this week, and get out to a lead. Hopefully get Jax 1 dimensional by 2nd half

Ingram being elevated points to Benford being a gametime decision/sitting out this one. Vickers is interesting. Wonder if they think he could bump out to Def end/play the Shaq role if needed. That's a puzzling one.

Is it really though? Guess we will find out. Not like we move Tre around on the teams #1 all game. We mix up so much zone/safety help. I don't think we will see a ton of drop off with Dane, or Elam. As long as our DL and LB play continues

Benford is one tough dude, would expect he plays through whatever is ailing his shoulder. If not, I'd expect Ingram to get called up tomorrow. Watching tomorrow for roster moves: Ingram promoted? Von taken off PUP (then Tre likely to IR). When Von is activated from PUP, easy move right now is moving Tre to IR. But long term, can't imagine we keep 6 DEs and 5 DTs on the 53. We also have Shorter and Spector sitting on IR, waiting to return if/when ready and needed

That's the point of not trading for him....he's a locker room cancer. Was a pain in Pittsburgh, again at Chicago. Very interesting for Miami. Hope it works out just like it did for Chicago 😁

It's a "national"/nationally televised game. Just like primetime, should absolutely be fired up. Literally a full day of NFL games...doesn't get much better than that 😁. Just like a tailgate, I'll be excited to fire up the grill and be drinking prior to 9am

Connecting the dots, it would seem to be "minor". A lot of reports, first from @HappyDays, that it could be a bad bruise or sprain. Maybe a 1-3 game absence. The fact he finished the Miami game and played through it, tells you its likely "short term" / could be similar to what Po dealt with leading up to last week (albeit his knee). Either way, I'd expect AJE to get 50%ish of the snaps and possibly more Shaq. Step 1 is activating Von, which would have to occur by tomorrow. Step 2, I'd assume they gave him on a snap count...maybe 25% or less of snaps...so I think we should all tamper expectations if he plays...torn acl/age 34/approx 10 months from surgery. No need to rush him back. AJE and Kingsley need to step up.

Totally agree. I'll start posting more weekly, mostly NFL. From what I posted on here before game starts, I'm 5-1 (all NFL). That's of my 16-4 NFL, 9-2 college (which more than half my wins were courtesy of you...so thanks! 😃) I like Washington -6 tonight vs Bears. Western Kentucky/ LT game - under 58.5 Liberty-20.5 vs Sam Houston