Turmoil hounded the Cincinnati Bengals before head coach Marvin Lewis finally fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese after a disappointing 0-2 start to the season. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Lewis faced a "near mutiny" before he let go of Zampese, who was blamed for the Bengals’ failure to score a touchdown in each of their first two games of the season. Florio added that several players had “pointed things to say privately” following their losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. One player was heard saying “it’s toxic in here” while leaving the locker room following their 13-9 loss to the Houston Texans Thursday, per Omar Ruiz of NFL.com.
Lewis eventually fired Zampese and promoted quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor to the position. In his statement, Lewis said a change was needed to “breathe new life into the offense.” Wide receiver A.J. Green recently voiced out his opinion regarding the offense, saying he doesn’t control play-calling and he just go out there and run the play” designed by coaches. Bengals fans are hoping that Lewis’ move could jumpstart the Bengals’ stagnant offense when they face the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 24 at Lambeau Field.
Vikings add another QB
As a precautionary move amid uncertainty over quarterback Sam Bradford's injured left knee, the Minnesota Vikings added practice squad quarterback Kyle Sloter to the 53-man roster.
Sloter spent the preseason with the Denver Broncos and has been with the Vikings for just two weeks. Viking head coach Mike Zimmer said Bradford is expected to play after MRI showed no specific damage in his left knee, which already underwent two surgeries to repair a torn ACL.
If Bradford can’t make his start, backup quarterback Case Keenum will take his place under center while Sloter will be the backup.
Last season, Keenum started nine of 10 games for the Los Angeles Rams, throwing for 2,201 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He was eventually replaced by last year’s top overall pick Jared Goff as a starter.
Odell Beckham Jr. might play vs Lions
The New York Giants have marked wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. as questionable to play against Detroit Lions Monday.
The All-Pro wideout was limited in practice all week after he returned from an ankle injury that he suffered in the preseason. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider, the Giants expect Beckham will indeed make his season debut on Monday Night Football. The Giants need Beckham’s offense as they were limited to just 233 total yards and three points in their loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
