NFL news and notes: Trent Williams reveals he had cancer; Patriots release Josh Gordon

Chelsea Howard

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NFL news and notes: Trent Williams reveals he had cancer; Patriots release Josh Gordon image

With Week 9 underway, we take a look at all that's happening around the league. 

From a few injury updates, the Patriots moving on from a key player, and the Redskins possibly starting yet another quarterback — we cover it all in this edition of NFL news and notes.

Three things that matter

Redskins' Trent Williams reveals he had cancer

Trent Williams, who just ended his season-long holdout, revealed he was diagnosed with cancer this offseason and had a piece of a tumor removed.

He was diagnosed with DFSP, which according to the American Academy of Dermatology, is a rare skin cancer that develops in the middle layer of skin. Williams said the cancer was weeks away from reaching his brain.

Williams, a seven-time Pro Bowl player, said the growth started nearly six years ago and he was told by the Redskins it was nothing serious. He thought he was dealing with a cyst until he received the DFSP diagnosis. He said he nearly lost his life and spent two weeks in a Chicago hospital without a single visit from anyone in the Redskins organization.

“I think the diagnosis they gave me at the beginning, they underestimated it. It was far more advanced than they realized,” he said.

Broncos QB Joe Flacco to miss 4-6 weeks

The Broncos will be without their starting quarterback for an extended amount of time. Veteran Joe Flacco is expected to miss 4-6 weeks as he deals with a herniated disk in his neck, according to ESPN.

The team announced earlier this week that Flacco would miss Sunday's game against the Browns, with backup Brandon Allen starting in his place. Denver initially feared Flacco's season was in jeopardy, but that feeling seems to have shifted in wake of the recent news.

Flacco, who was traded from Baltimore to Denver last offseason, has started eight games this season throwing for 1,822 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions while completing 65.3 percent of his passes.

Patriots releasing Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon's time in New England has come to an end. The Patriots will release Gordon off injured reserve Thursday, according to multiple reports. Gordon, 28, will then be placed on waivers where he hopes to "land in a good and supportive situation," according to ESPN.

Gordon, who caught 20 passes for 287 yards and one touchdown in six games, was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury on Oct. 23. It was reported at the time that the injury was minor and Gordon hoped to be released by the organization so he could join another team.

New England recently acquired wide receiver Mohamed Sanu from Atlanta on Oct. 22, hinting that Gordon's time could be coming to an end pretty soon.

Gordon's departure marks the third wideout to leave New England this season after the team traded Demaryius Thomas to the Jets in August and cut Antonio Brown in September in wake of sexual misconduct allegations.

Two things that don't matter

Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins "excited to put a first start on film"

Redskins rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins could finally get his chance to start as veteran Case Keenum remains in the concussion protocol. Haskins took the majority of the first-team snaps Wednesday and Thursday, putting him one step closer to making his first NFL start. 

“I get hyped every day I get to put a helmet on,” Haskins said (per The Washington Post). “Even more excited to put a first start on film, even more excited about it.”

Washington has struggled to find consistency with their quarterbacks this season since Alex Smith suffered a horrific season-ending leg injury during Week 11 last season. Case Keenum started the first four games of the year, but left Week 4's game against the Giants early with a foot issue. Haskins went in to replace Keenum, but he completed just 9 of 17 passes for 107 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Redskins opted to go with Colt McCoy, who hadn't played since December after suffering a season-ending leg injury, in Week 5 over Haskins. Keenum returned as the starter for Weeks 6-8, but was replaced by Haskins last Thursday in a loss to the Vikings when McCoy entered the concussion protocol at halftime.

Haskins, 22, has completed 54.5 percent of his passes for 140 yards with four interceptions and no touchdowns in two appearances. 

Jets' Jamal Adams upset about trade talks; Le'Veon Bell comments

Jamal Adams wasn't holding back in expressing his frustration with the Jets, saying the trade talks that went on behind his back "definitely hurt." 

Adams said: "The Rams don’t take calls on Aaron Donald. The Patriots don’t take calls on Tom Brady. That's where I hold myself in that regard. Regardless of that I understand that you have a job to do. That's the way I took it."

Le'Veon Bell, who held out all of the 2018 season in hopes of reaching a new contract with the Steelers and then later signed with the Jets, says he understands Adams' frustration and that he would have reacted the same way when he was Adams' age.

The Cowboys reportedly offered a first-round pick for Adams, but that wasn't enough for New York. 

One video you have to see

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who dislocated his right kneecap in a victory against the Broncos, looks good in practice. He was taking snaps behind quarterback Matt Moore.

Thursday's tweet of the day

The Browns had high hopes this season, but are 2-5 entering Week 9. Odell Beckham Jr. admitted Thursday he and quarterback Baker Mayfield are still figuring out a learning curve.

Chelsea Howard