HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

IR Players With Designation To Return

September 3rd, 2014 at 1:12pm CST by Luke Adams

As of 3:00pm central time on Tuesday, NFL teams could begin adding players to injured reserve lists with the designation to return. Unlike the usual IR list, which keeps a player inactive all season or until he reaches an injury settlement with his team, this shorter-term IR list allows a player to begin practicing after six weeks and to begin playing in games after eight weeks.

Of course, whereas the standard injured reserve list can accommodate several players at once, NFL teams can only use the designation to return on one player, so teams must be cautious about how to fire that single bullet. So far, a handful of clubs have taken advantage of the opportunity to use the IR-DTR spot, so we’ll list all those players right here. If other clubs decide to use their openings at any point, we’ll note that below as well.

Here’s the full list so far:

AFC East:

  • Buffalo Bills: Used on C.J. Spiller, RB (collarbone) after Week 7
  • Miami Dolphins: Unused
  • New England Patriots: Used on Sealver Siliga, DL (foot) after Week 3
  • New York Jets: Unused

AFC North:

AFC South:

  • Houston Texans: Unused
  • Indianapolis Colts: Used on Xavier Nixon, T (knee)
  • Jacksonville Jaguars: Used on Marcedes Lewis, TE (ankle) after Week 2
  • Tennessee Titans: Unused

AFC West:

NFC East:

NFC North:

NFC South:

NFC West:

Broncos Promote Nathan Miller To Roster

September 3rd, 2014 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

In the wake of Wes Welker‘s four-game suspension, the Broncos have filled his active roster spot by promoting wideout Nathan Palmer to the 53-man roster. As Mike Klis of the Denver Post tweets, offensive lineman Ryan Miller has been signed to fill the opening left by Palmer on the practice squad.

Palmer, 25, spent some time on Denver’s practice squad last season, and was signed to a reserve/futures contract following the Super Bowl. After being cut as part of the team’s reduction to 53 players, he landed back on the practice squad, and now could get a shot at the active roster on Sunday. Denver still has plenty of receiving depth without Welker, so I wouldn’t expect Palmer to see the field much even if he’s active.

Giants Sign Adam Snyder

September 3rd, 2014 at 10:56am CST by Luke Adams

10:56am: The Giants have confirmed the signing of Snyder in a press release. As expected, Schwartz was placed on the IR-designated to return list to make room on the active roster.

10:38am: The Giants will sign veteran offensive lineman Adam Snyder to help bolster their offensive line, reports Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (via Twitter). We heard yesterday from Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports that the team was working to sign the ex-Niner.

Snyder, 32, was one of the final cuts in San Francisco, despite having started several games for the team last season. Since being selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2005 draft, Snyder has appeared in 137 total contests, including 87 starts. All but 14 of those games (and starts) came for the Niners. The Oregon product is also capable of playing anywhere on the line, having spent time at all five positions at various times in his career.

A corresponding move will be necessary for the Giants to make the signing of Snyder official, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if it involved Geoff Schwartz. The veteran guard has a foot injury and is a candidate for the injured reserve list, with a designation to return.

Cowboys Sign Michael Sam To Practice Squad

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

WEDNESDAY, 10:10am: The Cowboys have officially added Sam to their practice squad, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). The team will have to remove a player from the squad to make room for Sam.

TUESDAY, 3:37pm: The Cowboys are looking into the possibility of adding free agent defensive end Michael Sam to their practice squad, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), who says the team is doing “research and due diligence” on the ex-Ram. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com adds (via Twitter) that Sam will be brought in for a physical on Wednesday, and is expected to be added to the team’s practice squad if all goes well.

Sam, who had 2.5 sacks in the preseason, was unable to earn a spot on the Rams’ deep and talented defensive line, and the club also declined to sign him to its practice squad. Dallas may be a better fit for the Missouri alum, given all the question marks in the Cowboys’ front seven. The team also currently has two openings on its practice squad, so no corresponding cut would be required.

East Notes: Dolphins, Pats, Giants, Redskins

September 3rd, 2014 at 9:17am CST by Luke Adams

While most teams around the NFL have set their 53-man rosters and 10-man practice squads for the season, we shouldn’t expect those clubs to just sit on their hands going forward. Many clubs have been auditioning players this week for potential spots on the active roster or practice squad, including several teams from the NFL’s two East divisions. Via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, who passes along the latest updates in a series of tweets, here are the latest items out of the AFC and NFC East:

Buccaneers Re-Sign Major Wright

September 3rd, 2014 at 8:18am CST by Luke Adams

The Buccaneers have officially placed rookie running back Charles Sims on the injured reserve with the designation to return, clearing a roster spot to re-sign veteran safety Major Wright, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter). Wright was among Tampa Bay’s final cuts when the team reduced its roster from 75 players to 53.

As the Bears’ full-time starter at strong safety last season, Wright grabbed a pair of interceptions, and racked up more than 100 tackles, but earned the dubious honor of ranking dead-last out of 86 qualified safeties, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). According to PFF’s data, quarterbacks completed 77.8% of their passes when throwing at Wright’s coverage, with a QB rating of 146.8.

Still, 2013 may have been an aberration for the former third-round pick. In Chicago under Lovie Smith, who is now the Bucs’ head coach, Wright’s PFF grades looked significantly better in 2011 and 2012, and at age 26, there’s still room for growth.

Wes Welker Suspended For Four Games

September 2nd, 2014 at 9:32pm CST by Zachary Links

9:32pm: The league officially announced the suspension, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

9:18pm: Welker’s suspension will indeed go into effect immediately, meaning that he’ll be out of action this Sunday against the Colts, Klis tweets.

8:19pm: Because the suspension was announced so late in the week, the Broncos believe that Welker will be in action this Sunday against the Colts, tweets Klis. Whether that’s rooted in reality or simply wishful thinking on the Broncos’ part remains to be seen. Welker would also have to be medically cleared due to his concussions.

If Welker’s suspension does not go into effect this week but he’s still not medically cleared to play, that would actually be a worse outcome for the Broncos.

6:50pm: Welker was suspended for ADHD drug Adderall, according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post. This doesn’t necessarily contradict Florio’s report since Adderall can be a stimulant packaged with MDMA. Also, it doesn’t matter much for Welker in the grand scheme of things since he has already lost his appeal.

6:00pm: Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker has been suspended four games for the use of amphetamines, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Welker appealed the suspension two weeks ago and all parties were notified today that he lost that appeal, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network.Wes Welker (vertical)

A source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter) that Welker took “molly” at the Kentucky Derby, which resulted in the positive test. Florio adds that the drug was cut with with amphetamines, which would mean that Welker had taken ecstasy rather than molly. The situation is, of course, reminiscent of Orlando Scandrick‘s. The Cowboys cornerback reportedly took ecstasy while on vacation in Mexico this offseason and because the drug included amphetamines, his positive test put him in violation of the CBA’s performance enhancing drug policy rather than its recreational drug policy.

Even though it’s a four game suspension, Welker will have to wait until Week 6 to make his 2014 debut. The Broncos have a Week 5 bye, so Welker won’t be eligible to return until Denver’s game against the Jets on October 12th. The Broncos have known about Welker’s four game suspension since before camp but were holding out hope on his appeal, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (on Twitter).

The Broncos could be on the lookout for outside help though they have plenty of receiving weapons already in-house. Peyton Manning will have free agent addition Emmanuel Sanders and promising rookie Cody Latimer at wide receiver while Julius Thomas and longtime teammate Jacob Tamme will be at tight end. Tamme sits behind Thomas on the depth chart, of course, but he could see some additional work while Welker is sidelined.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extra Points: Vickerson, Cardinals, Bengals

September 2nd, 2014 at 9:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Broncos defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson was brought into Cincy to take a physical for the Bengals but he won’t be signing with them this week, a source tells Mike Klis of the Denver Post (on Twitter). Here’s more from around the league..

  • The Cardinals were busy looking at linebackers today, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter): James Anderson, Zac Diles, Moise Fokou, and Yawin Smallwood all worked out for them, according to the source.
  • The Bengals worked out tight ends Kevin Greene and Ryan Otten this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • The Redskins worked out Chaz Sutton and Derrell Johnson, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • In addition to signing Colton Schmidt, the Bills also worked out fellow punters Bobby Cowan and Drew Butler, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

East Notes: Wilkerson, Giants, Pats, Dolphins

September 2nd, 2014 at 9:26pm CST by Zachary Links

If J.J. Watt is the standard for the defensive line market, averaging about $16MM per year, Wilkerson should come in somewhere around $13MM or $14MM a year, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Wilkerson is in the same boat as Watt was – he’s under contract through 2015. There isn’t a ton of pressure on the Jets to get something done, but they may want to lock up their stud for the long haul before it could cost them even more money. Here’s more out of the AFC and NFC East..

  • Linebacker Steve Beauharnais was among the notable names auditioning for the Giants today, tweets Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Other names from today’s Giants workout include quarterbacks Matt Scott and Tyler Wilson, and wide receiver Juron Criner. As was previously reported, offensive lineman Adam Gettis and former Ball State wideout Willie Snead were also among the players in attendance.
  • The Giants are working to sign former 49ers guard Adam Snyder, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Giants are looking for help on the offensive line with Geoff Schwartz out of action.
  • The Patriots worked out long snapper Kevin McDermott, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
  • Former Patriot wide receiver Jeremy Gallon had a try out for the Dolphins today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

NFC North Notes: Suh, Bennett, Packers

September 2nd, 2014 at 8:25pm CST by Zachary Links

J.J. Watt‘s new contract could affect their Lions and their plans regarding Ndamukong Suh, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Watt arguably has been the NFL’s most destructive player the last two seasons. He had 20.5 sacks and 16 pass deflections in 2012, 10.5 sacks last year, and is two years younger than Suh. Still, Suh has the threat of free agency as leverage for a new deal. Here’s tonight’s look at the NFC North..

  • When asked why free agent wide receiver Earl Bennett wasn’t called to replace the injured Marquess Wilson, Bears GM Phil Emery said, “Don’t assume that Earl was not called,” according to Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times (on Twitter).
  • The Packers have worked out offensive linemen Michael Bamiro, Manase Foketi, and Adam Gettis, as well as cornerback Robert Steeples, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Earlier today Green Bay worked out quarterbacks Jeff Mathews, Pat Devlin, and Jon Jennings.
  • The Bears auditioned linebacker Nate Askew and defensive backs Shamiel Gary and Josh Thomas, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
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