Ex-UMass star gives Bills burst
Bills coach Sean McDermott was so eager to simulate the speed of the Dolphins offense in practice this week, he wondered jokingly if sprinter Usain Bolt might be free.
With the world record-holder apparently unavailable, McDermott leaned on his fastest player, former UMass wide receiver Andy Isabella from the practice squad, to handle the scout team duties to get his defense up to speed for what could become a track meet between AFC East rivals Sunday. The Dolphins are 3-0 and the three-time defending division champions are 2-1.
“There’s only so many guys to go around to run as fast we need them to run to just simulate the speed,” McDermott said. “It’s unique.”
“Revolutionary” is another word McDermott used to describe a Dolphins offense that scored 70 points in a span of 53 minutes to rout the Broncos last weekend.
And it’s a unit that features ball-carriers having achieved the five fastest speeds on the field in games this season, as measured by Next Gen Stats. Rookie running back De’Von Achane ranks first (as well as fifth) after topping out at 21.93 m.p.h. against Denver. Receiver Tyreek Hill made the list twice, and running back Raheem Mostert once.
Achane was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after he had 203 yards on 18 carries in his second career game last week. It was the most yards by an NFL player in his first or second game since the NFL and AFL merged in 1970.
The Bills will try to get another strong game from secondyear middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, who earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after becoming the NFL’s first player to post two or more sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery since Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher did so for the Bears in 2007.
Jackson perplexed
J.C. Jackson is trying to stay focused on the present, even though he has generated plenty of attention for what has transpired over the past week.
The beleaguered Chargers cornerback tried to pivot to Sunday’s matchup against the Raiders, even though many are still wondering why he was inactive last week at Minnesota.
Jackson said he thinks he will be in the lineup but also acknowledged he is still wondering why he didn’t play against the Vikings.
“I kind of knew what was going on. I’m still confused on why,” he said. “I can’t put my opinion on it. It was a coach decision. It’s not my team. I can tell you I’m confused and I don’t know what’s going on.”
Jackson played in 85 of the 132 Chargers’ defensive snaps in the first two games. He signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract last year but hasn’t come close to being the same player he was in New England, where he picked off 25 passes between 2018 and 2021.
Against Miami and Tennessee, Jackson was targeted 12 times and allowed six receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Last season Jackson played in only five games and allowed four touchdowns. He was benched during a Monday night game in Week 6 against Denver but suffered a season-ending knee injury the following week against Seattle.
Jackson said he is not fully recovered from the injury, but didn’t want to put a percentage on his level of health.
Garoppolo uncertain
Jimmy Garoppolo has been preparing as if he’s going to be the Raiders’ starting quarterback Sunday. The Raiders’ medical staff will make the call, and that might not happen until shortly before the 4 p.m. kickoff. Garoppolo, who’s in the concussion protocol, was limited in Thursday’s practice and has been taking part in meetings. The Raiders could go with 15year veteran Brian Hoyer or rookie Aidan O’Connell. Coach Josh McDaniels said experience will not be the deciding factor if Garoppolo can’t go . . . Saquon Barkley practiced on a limited basis with a sprained right ankle, and his status for the Giants game against the Seahawks on Monday night is still uncertain . . . Packers star left tackle David Bakhtiari was placed on injured reserve, his latest setback stemming from a knee injury that has required three surgeries and limited him for the past three years. Bakhtiari, who already had missed Green Bay’s past two games, now must sit out at least the Packers’ next four matchups.