NFL Notes: Kickoffs, Bills, Chargers & Colts

Kickoffs

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently mentioned that eliminating the kickoff is a possibility at some point.

“We’ve made some very effective changes on the kickoff that have had a very significant impact reducing injuries,” Goodell said, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post. “It is still a play where we see a higher propensity for head injury. So we want to try to address that. We think there’s still further changes that we can make. We won’t take anything off the table, including the elimination [of it]. But we still think there are some changes that we can make that we’ll continue to see progress in that area.”

• A source with knowledge of the internal deliberations within the NFL tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the concern with eliminating the kickoff is finding an adequate way of simulating an onside kick.
• Florio says that the solution tossed out up to this post has been from former Buccaneers HC Greg Schiano, who suggested the team kicking off would get the ball at their own 30-yard-line, facing fourth down and 15 to go.

Bills

• Jason Cole reports that Bills WR Sammy Watkins was dealing with enough pain in his surgically repaired foot to consistently play.
• Doctors have maintained that Watkins’ foot is sound, but the pain will linger on throughout the season.
• According to Cole, there’s a “growing concern” that Watkins could injury another part of his body by continuing to play through the foot issue.

Chargers

• The Chargers are expected to officially rule out rookie DE Joey Bosa (hamstring) for Sunday’s game. (Michael Gehlken)
• Yesterday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported on Good Morning Football that Bosa is unlikely to face the Jaguars this weekend and could possibly even miss their Week 3 matchup as well, so that’s something to keep an eye on. (NFLTR)

Colts

• The Colts ruled out DT Henry Anderson, CB Vontae Davis, S T.J. Green, and CB Patrick Robinson for their Week 2 game against the Broncos.