2014 September - Pro Football Rumors

Lions Sign Josh Bynes

September 23rd, 2014 at 4:11pm CST by Zachary Links

TUESDAY, 4:11pm: The Lions have officially signed Bynes, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.

MONDAY, 8:00pm: Inside linebacker Josh Bynes is expected to sign with the Lions’ active roster off of the Ravens’ practice squad, sources tell Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Bynes will give Detroit additional linebacker depth after losing Stephen Tulloch to a torn ACL.

Bynes, 25, appeared in 26 games for the Ravens from 2011 through 2014 and made nine starts along the way. In total, Bynes recorded 79 tackles and five pass deflections for Baltimore. The Ravens cut Bynes from their active roster on September 2nd to make room for cornerback Derek Cox, but quickly re-signed him to their taxi squad. As our own Luke Adams detailed earlier this month, Bynes was one of just eleven NFL practice squad players to earn more than the minimum. Bynes had a $15K deal with the Ravens, making him the second-highest paid p-squad player of 2014.

Workout Notes: Chargers, Texans, Lions, Jets

September 23rd, 2014 at 3:52pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers are on the lookout for a running back after losing Danny Woodhead to a season-ending injury, and it looks like the team is close to adding one. A number of free agents auditioned for the club today, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter), while Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) identifies D.J. Adams as one of the participants. Adams, who was most recently with the Cowboys, spent a month with the Chargers earlier in the offseason.

As we wait to see which player takes Woodhead’s roster spot in San Diego, let’s round up a few more updates on workouts around the league….

As first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Texans took a look at a handful of free agent punters today in case Shane Lechler misses any time. Lechler is day to day with a hip flexor, per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), who also has the list of players who worked out for the club. According to McClain, the Texans brought in Mat McBriar, Zoltan Mesko, Brian Moorman, and Kasey Redfern.
Wilson reports (via Twitter) that veteran linebacker Pat Angerer auditioned today for the Lions, who are eyeing linebacker help after losing Stephen Tulloch for the season. Angerer has worked out for the Jets, Saints, and Rams since being released at the end of August by the Falcons.
Safety Jamarca Sanford, who was placed on injured reserve and then cut by the Vikings earlier this month, worked out today for the Jets, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
The Giants tried out about six players today, including safety Jawanza Starling, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

49ers Re-Sign Josh Johnson

September 23rd, 2014 at 3:10pm CST by Luke Adams

The 49ers have re-added a quarterback to their roster, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve re-signed Josh Johnson to a one-year contract. To make room on the 53-man roster for Johnson, the club has waived tight end Asante Cleveland, meaning the team completed the opposite series of moves it made three days ago, when Cleveland was signed and Johnson was cut.

Johnson, who saw most of his NFL playing time in Tampa Bay from 2009 to 2011, currently sits third on the 49ers’ depth chart behind Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert. However, given how Gabbert looked in the preseason, there’s a real possibility that Johnson could see the field if anything were to happen to Kaepernick this year.

Cleveland will likely land back on the Niners’ practice squad if he clears waivers, but for now, with Vernon Davis on the mend, the rookie tight end isn’t needed on the active roster.

Ravens Re-Sign Deonte Thompson

September 23rd, 2014 at 11:51am CST by Luke Adams

Wide receiver Deonte Thompson has rejoined the Ravens’ 53-man roster, signing a new deal with the team today, according to a press release. Baltimore had cut Thompson before this past Sunday’s game, replacing him on the roster with running back Fitzgerald Toussaint as insurance for the injured Bernard Pierce. With Pierce on the mend, Toussaint has been waived to make room for Thompson.

Thompson, 25, has spent his first two NFL seasons with the Ravens, and played well during training camp and the preseason this year, so the team didn’t want to let him get away. After he was cut this weekend, we heard that Thompson would likely be returning to Baltimore as long as he cleared waivers.

The Ravens currently have an opening on their practice squad, so Toussaint looks like a candidate to fill that 10th and final spot as long as he clears waivers.

Panthers Place Mike Tolbert On IR-DTR

September 23rd, 2014 at 11:34am CST by Luke Adams

The Panthers have placed running back Mike Tolbert on the injured reserve list with the designation to return, the team announced today (Twitter link). As we heard yesterday, Tolbert suffered a hairline fracture and bone bruise in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, and now won’t be eligible to return to game action for eight weeks.

Linebacker D.J. Smith will take Tolbert’s spot on the 53-man roster, according to the team. Smith, who worked out for the Patriots a few days ago, was with the Panthers in camp and started the season on the club’s practice squad. As Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer notes (via Twitter), the fact that Carolina signed Smith instead of a running back suggests there’s some concern about the status of linebacker Thomas Davis.

While the Panthers didn’t replace Tolbert with a running back for now, the team may have to make another move to shore up the backfield before this weekend. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are also banged up, which prompted the team to promote Darrin Reaves to the 53-man roster this past weekend. The Panthers have another back on the practice squad, in Lache Seastrunk, so he could be a candidate for promotion depending on the health of Williams and Stewart.

Cardinals Sign Marion Grice

September 23rd, 2014 at 11:33am CST by Zachary Links

TUESDAY, 11:33am: The Cardinals have officially confirmed the signing of Grice, announcing that punter Drew Butler has been cut to clear a roster spot.

MONDAY, 5:59pm: The Cardinals are set to sign Marion Grice to a two-year deal, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter). Grice, who was on the Chargers’ practice squad, took his physical this afternoon and passed (link).

In the wake of Danny Woodhead‘s season ending injury, Grice was a candidate to be bumped to the active roster. That won’t be happening, however, as he’ll relocate to the Southwest and help support Cardinals starting running back Andre Ellington. Arizona’s change of pace back Jonathan Dwyer was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list after he was arrested for a July domestic violence incident. The Cards also have newly-signed running back Jalen Parmele on the roster, so it’s not immediately clear where he’ll fit in on the depth chart.

The 6’0″, 204 pound RB averaged 5.7 yards per carry in his two seasons at Arizona State, scoring 25 rushing touchdowns and 14 receiving touchdowns along the way. Grice was selected by the Chargers with the 201st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2014 Draft.

At this moment the Cardinals have five running backs in Ellington, Stepfan Taylor, Robert Hughes, Parmele, and Grice. No corresponding move has been announced yet.

AFC Notes: Ravens, Jets, Pats, Chargers

September 23rd, 2014 at 10:39am CST by Luke Adams

A year ago, the Patriots began the 2013 season by winning their first four games, the Broncos came out of the gates by winning six consecutive contests, and the Chiefs started 9-0 before being dealt their first loss. In 2014, however, we’re through just three weeks and only one AFC team remains unbeaten.

The 3-0 Bengals have the conference’s best point differential by far at +47, and with a bye week coming up, their loss column will remain unblemished for at least one more week. Starting in Week 5 though, the Bengals will play games against the Patriots, Panthers, Colts, and Ravens, meaning there’s a good chance their winning streak will be halted well before they have the opportunity to match last year’s Chiefs’ start.

As we look forward to seeing how long the Bengals can continue their winning ways, let’s round up a few items from around the AFC….

With Dennis Pitta having been ruled out for the season after undergoing hip sugery, the Ravens are eyeing potential replacements at tight end. Per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the team is working out free agents Emmanuel Ogbuehi, Jake Murphy, Matthew Mulligan, and Kellen Davis today.
Former Bills cornerback Brandon Smith is trying out for the Jets today, following the club’s Monday Night loss to the Bears, reports Wilson at the National Football Post. According to Wilson, Smith, who has recovered from a broken fibula suffered in training camp, is receiving some interest from multiple NFL clubs.
The Patriots worked out running back Rajion Neal, wide receiver Kevin Cone, defensive end Steven Means, and linebacker D.J. Smith, tweets Wilson.
Wide receiver and return man Marcus Thigpen agreed to join the Dolphins’ practice squad yesterday, but also recently worked out for the Colts, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
With the help of his colleague Adam Caplan, ESPN.com’s Eric D. Williams explores some possible free agent options at running back for the Chargers in the wake of injuries to Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead.

Steelers Sign James Harrison

September 23rd, 2014 at 9:11am CST by Zachary Links

TUESDAY, 9:11am: Harrison has officially confirmed his signing, posting a photo on Instagram of him inking the deal.

MONDAY, 6:53pm: James Harrison may be on the verge of beating Sugar Ray Leonard’s record for the shortest retirement in professional sports history. The linebacker is scheduled to meet tomorrow with Steelers coaches and if all goes well, he’ll sign with Pittsburgh, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter) hears an agreement is already in place and says that the veteran is coming back to play for the Steelers.

The reunion with Harrison is more than a feel-good story, it was something of a necessity for the Steelers. In their comfortable 37-19 victory over the Panthers, the Steelers lost two linebackers. Rookie inside linebacker Ryan Shazier exited early in the third quarter with a knee injury and outside linebacker Jarvis Jones was taken out of action with a wrist injury. On top of that, veteran cornerback Ike Taylor suffered a broken forearm in the third quarter.

While Harrison played the 2013 season with the Bengals, most of his NFL career was spent in Pittsburgh, where he earned spots in five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2007-11. The 36-year-old logged 146 career games, including 105 starts, racking up 647 overall tackles and 66 sacks. His best season probably came in 2008, when he recorded 101 tackles, 16 sacks, and seven forced fumbles for the Steelers, earning a first-team All-Pro nod.

Harrison’s August visit with the Cardinals didn’t lead to a deal, but one month later he’s on the verge of returning to the team where he enjoyed his best seasons. In a fun twist, he’ll be playing for a coaching staff that includes former teammate Joey Porter, who now serves as a defensive assistant.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Chargers To Promote Cordarro Law

September 23rd, 2014 at 8:51am CST by Luke Adams

With two open roster spots to fill after placing Danny Woodhead and Melvin Ingram on IR, the Chargers will promote a player who has spent the season on their practice squad. According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, linebacker Cordarro Law will be added to the team’s 53-man roster.

Law, 25, drew NFL interest last winter after a standout 2013 season with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders, in which the outside linebacker racked up 14 sacks. Before he signed with the Chargers, the Jaguars, Patriots, and Ravens were among the teams who auditioned Law or at least had some interest in him, according to various reports. The former Southern Miss standout went undrafted in 2012 and was picked up by the Seahawks before being cut and heading north to the CFL.

For San Diego, Law will help reinforce a linebacking corps that has been depleted by injuries in recent weeks. Ingram is on injured reserved with the designation to return, meaning he won’t be eligible to return to game action for another seven weeks. According to Gehklen, Manti Te’o is also expected to miss significant time after suffering a foot fracture during Sunday’s game against the Bills. Te’o likely won’t land on injured reserve, but figures to miss multiple contests.

Once the Law promotion becomes official, the Chargers will still have one opening on their 53-man roster to fill. Presumably, that spot is earmarked for a running back.

Jaguars To Re-Sign Sherrod Martin

September 23rd, 2014 at 8:09am CST by Luke Adams

The Jaguars have struck a deal to bring back safety Sherrod Martin, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Although Wilson classifies the signing as having been completed, Jacksonville will need to cut a player to make room on the 53-man roster for Martin, so the team has yet to officially announce the move.

Martin, who will turn 30 next month, was a second-round pick by the Panthers in 2009, spending the first four seasons of his NFL seasons in Carolina. During that stretch, the Troy alum appeared in 59 games, starting 36, and accumulated 184 tackles to go along with seven interceptions and four forced fumbles. Having signed a futures contract with the Jaguars at the end of the 2013 season, Martin spent the offseason and preseason with the club before being cut when rosters were trimmed from 75 players to 53.

The Jaguars had been in need of some added depth at the safety position after cutting Craig Loston over the weekend and seeing Chris Prosinski suffer an elbow/triceps injury during Sunday’s game against the Colts. Loston is now back on the team’s practice squad, while Prosinski is expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks.