HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Ohrnberger, Buckley Likely Out For Season

November 25th, 2014 at 8:44am CST by Luke Adams

With just five weeks left in the NFL’s regular season, even shorter-term injuries can spell the end of a player’s season, and it appears two more won’t return until 2015. According to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Chargers center Rich Ohrnberger will undergo back surgery and will be placed on injured reserve, while Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that the Saints believe defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley tore his quad, ending his season.

Ohrnberger, 28, will become the third San Diego center whose 2014 campaign has been cut short by injury, following Nick Hardwick and Doug Legursky to the IR list. In his absence, Chris Watt, who received the first start of his NFL career this past weekend, is expected to continue to hold the job. The Chargers will also open up a spot on their 53-man roster when Ohrnberger officially lands on IR, perhaps leading to the promotion or signing of another offensive lineman.

As for Bunkley, his diagnosis is still pending the result of an MRI, but according to Rapoport, his season is “almost certainly over.” With 276 defensive snaps this year, Bunkley was New Orleans’ second-most-used defensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). I’d expect increased roles for players like John Jenkins and Tyrunn Walker over the last few weeks of the season.

Extra Points: Ryan, Hundley, Jags

November 24th, 2014 at 11:10pm CST by Ben Levine

While some may be questioning Rex Ryan‘s job security following the Jets loss to the Bills, the head coach is confident he’ll be sticking around. “One thing I know for a fact, unless it changes drastically, is I will be the head coach here for the next five weeks,” he told reporters after the game (via Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo on Twitter). However, Ryan did clarify that he hasn’t spoken to owner Woody Johnson (via New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta on Twitter).

Let’s take a look at some assorted notes to wrap up this Monday evening…

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Broncos, Patriots, Mallett

November 24th, 2014 at 9:01pm CST by Ben Levine

As the Bills finish up their rout of the Jets in an impromptu Monday Night Football contest, let’s take a look at some assorted notes from the AFC…

  • The Broncos scoring 39 points on Sunday without the services of Julius Thomas doesn’t help the tight end’s contract leverage, opines Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Without Orange Julius, Manning looked to Demaryius Thomas – also a pending free agent – in the red zone.
  • Following the news that the Broncos auditioned a pair of kickers, John Fox clarified that it was business as usual (via ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold). “…We have tryouts every week, at a lot of different positions,” said Fox. “As far as my satisfaction with Brandon McManus, is kind of like our record, we’re 8-3, wish we were 11-0. But we are kind of where we are and we’re always looking to improve our team if we feel need be.” If the team ultimately decides to add a kicker, Legwold believe it would be wise for the Broncos to keep McManus as a kickoff specialist.
  • Ryan Mallett‘s season-ending injury means that he won’t hit the playing time triggers that would have increased the Patriots‘ draft pick compensation for him, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. New England will now receive Houston’s seventh-round choice for the quarterback.
  • Mallett’s season may be over, but that doesn’t mean his tenure with the Texans is finished. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the team wants the young quarterback to return next season, adding that the Texans will likely add a young player for competition.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NFC Links: Eagles, Falcons, Manning

November 24th, 2014 at 7:49pm CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings lost another key member of their offensive line today, as Phil Loadholt is finished for the season with a torn pectoral. Despite the injuries, coach Mike Zimmer isn’t panicking (via Craig Peters of Vikings.com)…

“I think Phil is a great person,” Zimmer said. “He’s very conscientious, works hard, he’s got a great heart. So, that’s just part of football. Obviously we’ll miss him but we’re not going to let it hold us back from what we’re trying to get done.

That’s just the way it goes. That’s how things happen and you’ve just got to keep playing.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC…

  • While it would appear that rookies Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff have cut into Riley Cooper‘s playing time, the wide receiver joked that Jeremy Maclin‘s contract situation has played a role, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Maclin signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in February. “Maclin’s trying to get a contract so he’s probably not going to try and come out of the game,” Cooper said, with sarcasm.
  • The Falcons have continued to struggle, compiling only eight wins since their 13-3 record in 2012. At this rate, Peter King of SI.com can’t envision coach Mike Smith sticking around past December.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap examines the decisions the Giants will soon have to face, particularly in regards to quarterback Eli Manning. The writer believes the team has four courses of action: stay their usual route, spend on veteran free agents, move on from Manning or build young around Manning.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Practice Squad Updates: Monday

November 24th, 2014 at 7:30pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here..

  • The Chiefs have placed Darin Drakeford on the practice squad-injured list, tweets Aaron Wilson. The linebacker was originally cut by the Falcons in August, and he signed with Kansas City in October.
  • The Colts have re-signed wideout Griff Whalen to their practice squad, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. The 24-year-old was waived this past weekend to make room for Zurlon Tipton.

Earlier updates:

  • The Packers have signed offensive tackle Justin Renfrow to their practice squad, tweets ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. To make room, they released guard Rishaw Johnson, who was signed to the practice squad last week. Renfrow, a former standout for the Miami Hurricanes, briefly spent time with the Cardinals.
  • The Chiefs are planning to sign defensive lineman Nick Williams off of the Steelers’ practice squad, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Kansas City has their eye on the 2013 seventh rounder all year, Rapoport adds. Williams, 24, spent last year on injured reserve. He’s now the second defensive lineman to be plucked from the Steelers’ practice squad this month. The Cardinals signed defensive end Josh Mauro off of the Steelers’ taxi squad two weeks ago.
  • To fill the space left by Williams’ departure, the Steelers have signed defensive end Joe Kruger to their practice squad, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

East Notes: Mariota, Jets, Dolphins, Giants

November 24th, 2014 at 4:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Oregon standout Marcus Mariota says that he would embrace the opportunity to play for the Jets, writes Steve Serby of the New York Post. “It’d be a great experience,” Mariota said. “I haven’t put much thought into it yet. I obviously haven’t decided if I’m gonna leave or go yet. I’m gonna take the time after the season to decide that, but it’d be a blessing. “If the Jets want me there, I’d love to be there, and I’d play my heart out for them.” More from the AFC and NFC East..

  • The Dolphins will probably have to decide between defensive tackles Jared Odrick and Randy Starks in 2015, tweets Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. Miami could use the franchise tag on Odrick but they’ll probably have to let Starks walk.
  • Giants LB Jameel McClain is getting an MRI on his knee as we speak, but right now the belief is that it’s not a serious injury, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • The 2014 receiver class looks to be the deepest and best in recent memory and the Jets completely missed out, writes ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. Eighteen of the 20 receivers selected in the first four rounds have at least one reception this season. The only two who don’t were picked by the Jets: Jalen Saunders (since released) and Shaquille Evans. The Jets didn’t have a crack at Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, or Odell Beckham Jr., but there was plenty of talent on the board including Eagles receiver Jordan Matthews and Dolphins standout Jarvis Landry.
  • Eagles safety Earl Wolff had surgery on his right knee, writes Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com. Wolff was placed on season-ending injured reserve last week.

Broncos Considering Kicker Change

November 24th, 2014 at 4:36pm CST by Zachary Links

4:36pm: There could be others joining Feely and Barth at tomorrow’s audition, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.

3:32pm: It will be Connor Barth auditioning alongside Jay Feely on Tuesday, according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post.

2:30pm: Broncos coach John Fox denies that he’s looking for a new leg, tweets Lindsay Jones of USA Today. “Contrary to whatever Adam Schefter is reporting, there is no ‘search’ for a kicker,” Fox said. Regardless of how Fox wants to frame it, the Broncos are still having kickers in for tryouts (link).

2:23pm: The Broncos will bring Jay Feely in for a workout on Tuesday, two NFL sources tell Mike Klis of The Denver Post. Feely, 38, has kicked in 13 NFL seasons for five teams, most recently last season with the Cardinals.

Klis adds that Denver will also audition a second veteran kicker, though it’s not known who that might be. Among the veterans available are Alex Henery, Garrett Hartley, Connor Barth, John Potter, and Nate Kaeding.

2:22pm: The Broncos are considering a kicking change and they’re planning to work out kickers this week, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Brandon McManus has missed four field goal attempts this season, including a 33-yard attempt in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against Miami.

The Broncos could go on to win 39-36, but McManus’ struggles understandably have Denver concerned. Looking ahead to the final five games of the season and the postseason, Denver could be compelled to move on to their third kicker in 2014. Matt Prater, of course, was set to be the Broncos’ kicker this season before a four-game suspension threw a wrench into those plans. McManus was originally brought aboard as a stopgap but General Manager John Elway wound up keeping him and releasing Prater. Prater connected on 25-of-26 field goal tries in 2013, including a 64-yard kick that broke a 43-year-old record.

Colts To Sign Victor Butler

November 24th, 2014 at 4:32pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts are set to sign linebacker Victor Butler, according to Mike Chappell of the Indy Star (on Twitter). To make room, Indianapolis will waive defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles.

Butler, 27, was released by the Colts less than a week ago. The former fourth round pick of the Cowboys has shown promise but he missed last year with a torn ACL while with the Saints. The pass rush specialist signed with the Cardinals in mid-September but his stay in Arizona was brief as he was released on October 1st. In his four seasons in Dallas (2009-2012), Butler totaled 11 sacks and 68 tackles.

Quarles, 22, appeared in two games for the Colts this season and registered a sack in their week three win against the Jaguars.

Chiefs Place Berry On NFI List

November 24th, 2014 at 4:30pm CST by Zachary Links

4:30pm: Berry has released a statement on the Chiefs’ website:

“I am truly thankful for all of the support from family, friends, coaches, teammates and the entire Chiefs kingdom. At first I was in shock with the diagnosis on Saturday and did not even want to miss a game, but I understand that right now I have to concentrate on a new opponent. I have great confidence in the doctors and the plan they are going to put in place for me to win this fight. I believe that I am in God’s hands and I have great peace in that. I know my coaches and teammates will hold things down here the rest of the season and until I am back running out of the tunnel at Arrowhead. I am so thankful and appreciative of being a part of this franchise and playing in front of the best fans in the NFL. I will be back!”

4:00pm: The Chiefs have placed safety Eric Berry on the non-football illness list, which means he’s done for the year, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Trainer Rick Burkholder told reporters, including Adam Teicher of ESPN.com (on Twitter), that Berry experienced discomfort in his chest after Thursday night’s tilt against Oakland. Burkholder went on to explain that upon further inspection, the Chiefs crew found a mass on the right side of Berry’s chest, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Right now, it is believed that Berry has lymphoma and the safety will travel to Atlanta to visit with a specialist (Twitter links). There’s no definite diagnosis yet, however, and the evaluation will continue through tomorrow.

Pro Football Rumors would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to Berry during this difficult time.

Jorvorskie Lane Out For Season

November 24th, 2014 at 3:11pm CST by Zachary Links

Fullback Jorvorskie Lane will undergo surgery on his right leg, ending his 2014 season prematurely, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (on Twitter). Lane is the only true fullback on the Bucs’ roster so we could see a corresponding move shortly.

Lane was hit with a two-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances last month. He only just returned to the Bucs’ active roster on November 3rd, so he really hasn’t had much of a season. Backup tight end Luke Stocker filled in at fullback after Lane’s injury and has played the position in the past, but Tampa Bay might look to sign a true fullback.

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