The NFC North division has been hit hard the past two days in a couple of different ways. First, it was announced on Monday that Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been suspended four games for violating the league's PED policy. Recent reports say that Jeffery took a "recommended supplement" that included an ingredient on the league's banned list. The wideout will be eligible to return to the roster following Chicago's December 11th game against the Lions.
Jeffery is playing under the franchise tag this season, and leads the team with 630 receiving yards, and ranks second with 40 receptions. He is tenth in franchise history with 13 games of 100-plus receiving yards, and eighth in the NFL in receiving yards since 2013.
The 26-year-old is scheduled to be a free agent this season, unless the Bears place another franchise tag on him. In five seasons with the Bears, Jeffery has 292 receptions, 4,358 yards, and 25 touchdowns. The 19th-ranked offense in the NFL is already without first-round pick Kevin White, as they now turn to veteran Eddie Royal as their top target.
Moving up the standings in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings made the tough decision to release kicker Blair Walsh on Tuesday. This comes after he missed four extra-point attempts this season, as the team did hold tryouts for kickers last week. He is known for his missed 27-yard field goal in last year's playoff loss, and he just could not find the consistency this season.
His missed extra-point and blocked 49-yard field goal try was key in the team's overtime loss to the Lions in week 9. He missed another point-after try this past week against the Redskins, and now has more missed PAT's than any other kicker in the NFL.
Walsh made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2012 after setting an NFL record by going 10 for 10 in tries from 50 yards or more. His numbers began to drop following that season, including him making just 74.3 percent of field goals in 2014. He did lead the league in made field goals in 2015, but his troubles returned when the league pushed back extra-point attempts.
Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer could not commit to Walsh's future in recent interviews, as the team was preparing themselves for this tough change. The Vikings currently sit tied for first with the Lions atop the NFC North with a record of 5-4.
Jeffery is playing under the franchise tag this season, and leads the team with 630 receiving yards, and ranks second with 40 receptions. He is tenth in franchise history with 13 games of 100-plus receiving yards, and eighth in the NFL in receiving yards since 2013.
The 26-year-old is scheduled to be a free agent this season, unless the Bears place another franchise tag on him. In five seasons with the Bears, Jeffery has 292 receptions, 4,358 yards, and 25 touchdowns. The 19th-ranked offense in the NFL is already without first-round pick Kevin White, as they now turn to veteran Eddie Royal as their top target.
Moving up the standings in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings made the tough decision to release kicker Blair Walsh on Tuesday. This comes after he missed four extra-point attempts this season, as the team did hold tryouts for kickers last week. He is known for his missed 27-yard field goal in last year's playoff loss, and he just could not find the consistency this season.
His missed extra-point and blocked 49-yard field goal try was key in the team's overtime loss to the Lions in week 9. He missed another point-after try this past week against the Redskins, and now has more missed PAT's than any other kicker in the NFL.
Walsh made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2012 after setting an NFL record by going 10 for 10 in tries from 50 yards or more. His numbers began to drop following that season, including him making just 74.3 percent of field goals in 2014. He did lead the league in made field goals in 2015, but his troubles returned when the league pushed back extra-point attempts.
Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer could not commit to Walsh's future in recent interviews, as the team was preparing themselves for this tough change. The Vikings currently sit tied for first with the Lions atop the NFC North with a record of 5-4.
