2014 September - Pro Football Rumors

Bears Re-Sign Demontre Hurst

September 18th, 2014 at 11:39am CST by Luke Adams

The Bears have filled the final spot on their 53-man roster by re-signing a player that appeared in the team’s Week 1 game. According to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter), cornerback Demontre Hurst has rejoined the club’s active roster. The Bears cut running back Shaun Draughn and tight end Matthew Mulligan earlier this week, and had only filled one of those two openings, so no corresponding move is necessary to accommodate Hurst.

Hurst, 23, didn’t play on defense at all for Chicago in the club’s Week 1 game against the Bills, but saw a little action on special teams. He can play the nickel and is expected to provide secondary depth, but as Brad Biggs of the Tribune points out (via Twitter), Hurst’s re-addition to the roster may be motivated more by his special teams ability. The Oklahoma product worked out this week for the 49ers before latching back on with the Bears.

According to Campbell, Kelvin Hayden was also considered for the Bears’ open roster spot, but the veteran cornerback was wary of a cycle that could see him repeatedly released and re-signed.

Pro Football Rumors On Facebook/Twitter

September 18th, 2014 at 9:02am CST by Luke Adams

The NFL’s 2014 season is underway, and as teams deal with injuries, suspensions, and underperforming players, we can expect a significant amount of roster shuffling over the course of the year in the form of signings, cuts, and trades. There will be plenty of notable stories to track on Pro Football Rumors, and you don’t necessarily have to keep refreshing our site to keep tabs on them. There are a handful of different ways you can follow us to get the latest updates on NFL news and rumors all year.

You can like us on Facebook, and receive headlines and links for all our posts via your Facebook account. You can also follow us on Twitter to have all our posts and updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. Meanwhile, our Google+ page is located here, and if you’d like to follow us using your RSS reader of choice, you can find our RSS feed right here.

If you prefer to receive updates only on roster moves such as signings, cuts, and trades, you can follow our transactions-only feeds via RSS and Twitter.

NFL, NFLPA Announce New PED, Drug Policies

September 17th, 2014 at 10:55pm CST by Luke Adams

10:55pm: Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) has the breakdown of the new substance abuse policy.

A player will enter a program after one failed test and face a two game fine for a second failed test. From there it’s a four game fine for a third failed test, a four game suspension for a fourth flunked test, a ten game suspension for a fifth violation, and a one-year ban for a sixth failed test.

9:48am: The NFL and NFLPA have released a joint statement announcing changes to the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. The press release doesn’t include details on the NFL’s new substance-abuse policy, but notes that those changes are expected to be announced soon as well, once the two sides finalize their agreement.

The new agreement on performance-enhancing drugs will allow Broncos wideout Wes Welker, Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick, and Rams receiver Stedman Bailey to return to their respective teams this week. The agreement was expected to make a few more players eligible for immediate reinstatement, but those three names are the only ones mentioned in the release, so presumably other suspended players will have to wait a little longer, or serve their full suspensions. Additionally, when the substance-abuse policy changes are finalized, several more players could be reinstated.

Here are some other highlights of the new policy, per the release:

HGH testing will be fully implemented this season.
Appeals of positive tests in the performance enhancing drug programs (including HGH) will be heard by third-party arbitrators jointly selected and retained by the NFL and NFLPA.
Discipline for violations of the performance enhancing drug policy (including for HGH) will be modified.
A first violation will result in a suspension without pay of up to six games depending on the nature of the violation. Use of a diuretic or masking agent will result in a suspension without pay of two games. Use of a steroid, stimulant, HGH or other banned substance will result in a suspension without pay of four games. Evidence of an attempt to manipulate a test will result in a suspension without pay of six games.
A second violation of the steroid policy will result in a suspension without pay of 10 games.
A third violation will result in banishment for a minimum of two years.
Players who test positive for banned stimulants in the offseason will no longer be suspended. Instead, the player will be referred to the substance abuse program. Players who test positive for banned stimulants during the season will continue to be suspended without pay for four games.

East Notes: Giants, Thomas, Bills, Cowboys

September 17th, 2014 at 9:44pm CST by Zachary Links

Preston Parker was “begging for money” in September, as coach Tom Coughlin says, but he’ll now get a chance to start for the Giants on Sunday, writes Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News. Parker caught 40 passes for the Bucs in 2011 but hasn’t been heard from since. Now, with rookie Odell Beckham Jr. on the mend and preseason star Corey Washington still being brought up to speed, Parker has his chance to shine. More from the AFC and NFC East..

Daniel Thomas will be no higher than third on the depth chart this Sunday after re-signing with the Dolphins, but he’s okay with that, as Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald writes. “I haven’t been here in two weeks, and these guys have been practicing every day,” Thomas said. “It’s only right. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The Pegulas have sold Five Star Athlete Management, the NFL player agency run by Todd France and Brian Ayrault, tweets Tim Graham of The Buffalo News. Owning a player agency and the Bills at the same time, as you might imagine, would be a conflict of interest. Meanwhile, when the owners approve the Pegulas on October 8th, they’ll make their $1.4 billion payment in cash, according to Graham (link).
In today’s mailbag, a reader asks Kevin Sherrington of The Dallas Morning News about Rolando McClain‘s contract status and what the Cowboys can do to keep him in the fold long-term. McClain has quit on the game of football before and Sherrington cautions that the club should see what they have in the linebacker before locking themselves in beyond this season. If things work out, however, he could see Dallas wanting to keep him in the middle.

AFC West Notes: Justice, Williams, Raiders

September 17th, 2014 at 9:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s tonight’s look at the AFC West..

The Chiefs recently tried out offensive tackle Winston Justice and wide receiver Damian Williams, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Justice was in camp with the Broncos this offseason and worked out for the Cardinals last week. Williams, meanwhile, was with the Dolphins this offseason after four seasons with the Titans.
In today’s press conference, Raiders coach Dennis Allen refused to discuss his job security or lack thereof, writes Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News. When asked if he’s paying attention to the speculation, Allen responded, “What matters is getting ready for the New England Patriots. And that’s all I’m going to focus on.” When he was asked a follow-up question, Allen tersely answered, “Listen, I’m getting ready for the New England Patriots.”
Raiders owner Mark Davis has an idea for how domestic violence cases should be handled in the immediate aftermath, writes Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News. “In my mind, if somebody’s accused or arrested in a domestic-violence case, they should be suspended with pay,” Davis said. “I want to make sure it fits the legalities and with what the union wants, but I just think that’s the only thing that makes sense for us now.”

Cardinals Deactivate Jonathan Dwyer

September 17th, 2014 at 6:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested earlier tonight for involvement in a domestic dispute and the Cardinals wasted little time in taking action. The club announced that they have deactivated the 25-year-old.

“We became aware of these allegations this afternoon when notified by Phoenix police and are cooperating fully. Given the serious nature of the allegations we have taken the immediate step to deactivate Jonathan from all team activities. We will continue to closely monitor this as it develops and evaluate additional information as it becomes available,” the statement read, according to Craig Morgan of FOX Sports (on Twitter).

The early facts of the case, as you might imagine, are rather ugly. The Phoenix police department confirmed to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter links) that the charges stemmed from two incidents in July involving two victims – a 27-year-old female and an 18-month-old child. Police say Dwyer has admitted to the incidents taking place but has denied the physical assaults.

AFC East Notes: Graham, Dolphins, Jordan

September 17th, 2014 at 5:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this week, Bills cornerback Corey Graham went one-on-one with Peter King of The MMQB to discuss all things Buffalo, from the roster to the team staying in Western New York. The corner was born and raised in Buffalo, so he couldn’t be happier with his current situation. “To play for the team I grew up loving, that doesn’t really happen often. You rarely get those type of opportunities. I know for many people they may not feel Buffalo is the type of place you want to go play, but for me it was like a dream come true to have that opportunity,” Graham said. More out of the AFC East..

Wes Welker and others have had their suspensions reduced, but that won’t be the case for Dion Jordan of the Dolphins, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). Jordan’s positive test for stimulants came before March 11th, which means he still has to serve a four-game suspension.
The Dolphins tried out Jeff Mathews, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). The 23-year-old Cornell product joined the Colts’ practice squad on August 31st but is apparently keeping his options open. Mathews also worked out for the Packers before hooking on with Indianapolis.
The Jets worked out Michael Preston, according to Wilson (Twitter link). The Titans cut Preston loose in late August and while he auditioned for the Dolphins earlier this month, he didn’t find a home in the 305. The 25-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the Titans and has ten receptions to his credit over the last two campaigns.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

September 17th, 2014 at 4:57pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll round up Wednesday’s minor transactions right here, with additional moves listed at the top of the page throughout the rest of the day:

Rams wideout Stedman Bailey has formally been reinstated to the team’s roster and practiced today, according to Howard Balzer of The SportsXchange (via Twitter). Bailey, whose penalty was reduced as part of the league’s new PED policy, takes the lone opening on St. Louis’ roster.
The Giants have officially received the roster exemption for Eric Herman that we made note of below. As Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News tweets, the club will have until Friday afternoon to either cut Herman or someone else in order to get down to 53 players.

Earlier updates:

The Broncos officially announced Wes Welker‘s reinstatement today, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Denver had previously been carrying just 52 players, so no exemption or corresponding cut was necessary to slide Welker back onto the 53-man roster.
Chris Lewis-Harris‘ roster exemption has expired and the Bengals have re-added the cornerback to their active roster, tweets Coley Harvey of ESPN.com. Like Denver, Cincinnati also had an open spot on their 53-man squad, so now that Lewis-Harris is back on board, the roster is once again full.
Although his name wasn’t mentioned in the press release issued today by the NFL and NFLPA, the league’s new PED policy has allowed Giants guard Eric Herman to return early from his suspension, writes Conor Orr of NJ.com. The team has applied for a roster exemption for Herman in order to get him back on the practice field without immediately cutting anyone, and is waiting to hear back from the league.

Practice Squad Updates: Wednesday

September 17th, 2014 at 4:53pm CST by Luke Adams

In addition to today’s transactions involving 53-man rosters, several teams are also shuffling players on and off their practice squads. Here’s the latest news:

The Bears have filled the three openings on their practice squad by signing tight end Blake Annen, cornerback Jordan Sullen, and wide receiver Chris Williams, the team announced today (via Twitter).

Earlier updates:

Having been cut by the Raiders earlier this week, linebacker Bojay Filimoeatu has cleared waivers and rejoined the club’s practice squad, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). With the re-addition of Filimoeatu, the team is now back up to a full 10-man squad.
After clearing waivers, defensive tackle Matt Conrath has made the move from the Rams‘ 53-man roster back to their practice squad, says Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter).
The Dolphins have signed cornerback Rod Sweeting to their practice squad, releasing linebacker Terrell Manning from the unit to clear a spot for the new addition, tweets Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

NFC West Notes: Harbaugh, Cards, Seahawks

September 17th, 2014 at 3:47pm CST by Luke Adams

Within his latest 10-Point Stance column for Bleacher Report, Mike Freeman includes an item on 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, writing that there’s “definitely a chill” between Harbaugh and a significant number of players on San Francisco’s roster. Freeman didn’t go so far as it say Harbaugh has lost the team or even that there’s a rift, but suggests that many players are somewhat worn out by Harbaugh’s approach.

“We listen to him, we respect him as a man, we all want to win. But he drives us crazy,” one player told Freeman. “Right now, we’re all on autopilot.”

Considering extension talks between Harbaugh and the Niners were postponed until after the season, the situation will be one worth watching, amidst increasing speculation that this will be the coach’s last year in San Francisco. Here’s more from out of the NFC West:

With Carson Palmer‘s health steadily improving, the Cardinals aren’t currently exploring any outside options at quarterback, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
Defensive ends Everette Brown, Israel Idonije, and Chidera Uzo-Diribe worked out for the Cardinals this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). While John Abraham is working his way back to the field, the team is likely exploring ways to bolster its pass rush.
The Seahawks also auditioned a handful of players, according to Wilson, who tweets that tight ends Orson Charles and Weslye Saunders, as well as linebackers Todd Davis, Troy Davis, and Martez Wilson all worked out for the club.
Former Bears cornerback Demontre Hurst tried out for the 49ers this week, tweets Wilson.