San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Rodgers cleared to play; Rams’ Woods out for the year
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers received medical clearance to rejoin team activities Saturday with the Green Bay Packers, according to a person familiar with the situation. That cleared the way for him to be activated from the COVID-19 reserve list and start Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field.
Rodgers’s 10-day isolation from his positive test for the coronavirus expired Saturday. He was back in the Packers’ facility, the leagueowned NFL Network reported, for Saturday’s scheduled team meetings and a walk-through practice.
He was eligible to be activated, under the protocols for unvaccinated players developed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, provided that he was symptom-free and was cleared by doctors. Rodgers’s clearance included a cardiac screening, under the protocols, but a negative coronavirus test was not required.
He is set to return to the Packers’ lineup after missing one game.
“I don’t want to miss any more games,” Rodgers said during a broadcast interview earlier in the week. “It’s hard to watch.”
Coach Matt LaFleur had said Rodgers would start this game, even without participating in
practices throughout his isolation, if he was cleared to return to team activities in time to play. Rodgers was said to have participated remotely in game preparations throughout the week.
Rams lose receiver Woods to torn ACL
Los Angeles Rams receiver Robert Woods suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for the rest of the season, coach Sean McVay said Saturday.
“You’re sick for Robert,” McVay said before practice. “He’s epitomized everything that’s been
right about this place. Such a great competitor, such a tough player . it’s so unfortunate.”
Woods injured his knee during practice on Friday, the same day that new star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. arrived at the Rams’ facility.
“He’s just running something on air, puts his foot in the ground weird, and he kind of came back and said that he felt OK,” McVay said of Woods.
A scan later revealed the injury, McVay said.
Beckham was expected to practice with the Rams for the first time Saturday. His status for
Monday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium is still to be determined, according to McVay.
“There’s a chance,” McVay said when asked if Beckham would be ready to play. “We’re going to see. You can see he’s a really sharp guy. . We’ll see how he’s feeling, and we’ll see what that looks like as far as how we are able to utilize him if he’s ready to go on Monday.”
Yet replacing Woods will be difficult.
Woods, 29, has been instrumental in the Rams’ success since signing with the team as a free agent in 2017.
Woods, an All-American at USC who played his first four NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, produced more than 1,100 yards receiving in 2018 and 2019. Early last season, the Rams signed him to a four-year extension that included $32 million in guarantees.
This season, he has 45 catches for 556 yards and four TDs.
Steelers promote Sims to active roster
The Pittsburgh Steelers have promoted wide receiver Steven Sims to the active roster for Sunday’s game against Detroit.
Pittsburgh made the move Saturday after announcing wide receiver Chase Claypool is out for
Pittsburgh’s matchup against the winless Lions (0-8) due to a toe injury.
Claypool injured the toe during a 29-27 victory over Chicago last week.
Falcons LB Fowler activated from IR
Outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. has been activated to the Atlanta Falcons active roster from injured reserve and is expected to play in Sunday’s game at Dallas.
Fowler’s return caps a busy week of moves for Atlanta at outside linebacker. The team placed Steven Means on injured reserve on Saturday with a knee injury. On Tuesday, Atlanta released outside linebacker Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, who has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad.
Fowler returned to practice on Wednesday after being placed on IR on Oct. 22 with a knee injury.
Owusu-Koramoah returns to Browns
Browns rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, giving Cleveland back a key defender for this weekend’s game at New England.
Owusu-Koramoah missed the past three games with a high ankle sprain.