Insider Insights: Jets, Colts, Vikings, Broncos, and NFL Week 4 Injuries Shared by Russini – Hot

Aaron Rodgers rejoined the Jets on Saturday night for the first time since surgery on his torn Achilles tendon in Week 1, speaking in their team meeting and imploring them repeatedly not to point fingers during their rough start to the NFL season. The team was thrilled to see him, according to a team source, even though they likely will not see him playing again in a Jets uniform before 2024.

There is a lot of football to play between now and then, and it could be impactful football for the futures of head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. Two team sources say Jets owner Woody Johnson made no guarantees about Saleh’s and Douglas’ status before or after losing Rodgers to injury.

No one is more attached than Saleh and Douglas to the success and growth of Rodgers’ replacement, Zach Wilson, either. They realized they got it wrong with Wilson last season and admitted he would not be their starting quarterback going forward. They needed a veteran on the roster to run the offense, and Wilson needed to observe. Then during training camp with Rodgers taking the starter’s reps, Jets staffers told me, “Zach looks good!” “How about Wilson, right?!” But Rodgers’ presence masked the miss that Wilson was by being the 2021 draft’s No. 2 pick.

The question I keep coming back to is, why did the Jets keep Wilson after two horrible seasons of play? Did they really believe he would grow year to year, or was it about fear of him thriving in another organization if they moved on? Wilson has struggled while facing the second-, fourth- and fifth-best defenses in football. That has exacerbated a less-than-ideal situation for Saleh and Douglas.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is a Rodgers coach/friend challenged with teaching a young quarterback who looks to be playing afraid. I was told by multiple team sources the Jets are trying to be more gameplan-specific and less about the system that was built for Rodgers in order to build a plan for Wilson. They want every player around Wilson to elevate their games, allow Wilson to be himself, and find ways to give him confidence and lock in on explosive plays that work. One Jets source shared, “If we can keep every game grimy and mucky, then that’s a win for us. We understand who we are. We are a strong defense, we have to play complementary football and be efficient. We have to all step up around him.”

The Jets signed veteran QB Trevor Siemian to their practice squad this past week, but he won’t be active for Sunday night’s home game against the Chiefs. However, unless Wilson clicks with the offense tonight and throws for 300 yards, it’s apparent his time as the starter could be closing out. Multiple Jets sources shared their general trepidation this past week, with one texting, “Something needs to change, or it’s going to cost jobs.”

As I reported two weeks ago, former Chiefs backup QB Chad Henne told me the Jets offered him their backup job but he wanted to stay retired. There also has been speculation about other veteran QBs who could be in the trade mix for the Jets, especially Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins. But the Jets have not called the Vikings about Cousins nor the Titans about Ryan Tannehill, according to multiple team sources.

And despite the winless Vikings entering Week 4 with their second consecutive game against a winless opponent, two team sources said the Vikings are not punting on the season and have no plans to trade Cousins, who would have to waive his no-trade clause to be moved. In addition, those sources shot down trade rumors regarding star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The team already tried extending Jefferson in a deal that would make him one of the highest-paid players in football.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is eligible to come off the physically-unable-to-perform list after Week 4, and I’m told he has stayed in great shape and is ready to start playing, but the team needs to make a final decision on his status. The Colts plan to open the 21-day practice window for Taylor on Wednesday, a team source said, and they will have until Week 8 to move him to the active roster or out of Indianapolis in a trade. It is unclear how things will play out once the practice window opens.

According to multiple league sources, there is no deal on the table to trade Taylor from Indianapolis despite him requesting a trade this summer and Green Bay and Miami both inquiring about his availability. Unless the Colts get an offer that blows them away, Taylor is going to remain with the team. Indianapolis is looking for what league sources term a Day 2 draft pick for their star running back, and I sense the team doesn’t feel any urgency to move on. Those league sources say the Colts haven’t engaged in any serious talks with any teams.

Sometimes the best way to stir up business is by putting the work on display. Taylor could be playing against the Titans in Week 5.

Every time the winless Denver Broncos lose a game, the question is raised: “Is the relationship between Russell Wilson and Sean Payton just not working?” It figures that after a 50-point Week 3 loss the frustrations and chatter would focus on the franchise’s two most recognizable faces. But a team source said the relationship between Payton and Wilson is actually flourishing. Wilson is playing better than last year and making small improvements under Payton’s direction. Though there is still so much room to grow, the most significant problems in Denver aren’t on that side of the ball.

Injury report

The Saints are feeling good about Derek Carr’s progression from his shoulder injury suffered in Week 3, a team source said, and the QB is expected to start today against the Buccaneers. Carr’s injury was expected to keep him sidelined on a week-to-week basis, but there was a feeling of optimism around the building all weekend.

A Bengals source said this was the best week of practice Joe Burrow has had this season. Burrow was said to have woken up sore from Monday night’s win against the Rams, but his calf is feeling better, with the true test coming with his movement outside the pocket and ability to extend plays. The team source said, “The offense is close to ready to take off.”

Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s right shoulder contusion is bothering him, and team sources say that after a Sunday morning discussion between Watson and team officials, they have decided he will not be active today against the Ravens. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start.

Browns tight end David Njoku, who has burns on his arms and face from a fire pit accident, will play today against the Ravens, according to a team source. The team was concerned about his comfort in wearing a helmet rubbing against the wounds.

Meanwhile, Ravens running back Justice Hill, also listed as questionable, is expected to play after missing the team’s Week 3 loss to the Colts with a foot injury, a team source said.

(Photo: Nick Cammett / Diamond Images via Getty Images)