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AFC Notes: Ravens, Manning, McCown, Colts

September 18th, 2015 at 7:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Let’s look at some of the news coming from AFC teams’ camps as teams begin final preparations for Week 2.

  • Eugene Monroe will miss the Ravens‘ second game after sustaining a concussion in their first, Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com reports. James Hurst will likely start at left tackle. Hurst helped DeMarcus Ware receive a J.J. Watt-esque +10.6 grade from Pro Football Focus in the Ravens’ Week 1 loss to the Broncos. Breshad Perriman will also miss Week 2.
  • John Harbaugh deemed recently signed pass-rusher Jason Babin fit to suit up for the Ravens on Sunday, with the team likely using him in pass-pursuit situations behind Elvis Dumervil and Courtney Upshaw, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports.
  • Josh McCown did not believe he sustained a concussion on his end zone dive against the Jets and drove himself home from the Browns‘ facility after the game, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports. Cleveland’s primary starter expected to be cleared for this week but will comply with the concussion protocol, Cabot notes. Mike Pettine seemed to acknowledge McCown endured a setback this week, according to Cabot, noting that such an occurrence resets the recovery clock in the concussion protocol.
  • Gary Kubiak‘s offense continues to be a dud with the Broncos thus far, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reports, with Peyton Manning‘s hot stretch coinciding with the 18-year veteran taking 31-of-37 snaps out of the shotgun following his second-quarter pick-six compared to being under center for seven of the 13 plays prior to Marcus Peters‘ interception, per Football Outsiders. “We’re trying to help him by running the football better and do some things,” Kubiak told media. “But we also know what he’s very comfortable doing, so we’re trying to somehow find a medium between the two and we think that will be good for our team.”
  • Joel Corry of CBSSports.com examines whether a potential Colts dynasty has been squandered due to the failure to form a quality roster around Andrew Luck. Corry’s chart of contenders’ quality players lists the Colts with having nine, a number well below their top-tier brethren; the Broncos have 17, the Patriots 15, the Packers 14 and the Seahawks 13 in this analysis.
  • Jonathan Cyprien (calf) is doubtful for the Jaguars‘ AFC Florida supremacy battle, while Luke Joeckel (ankle) is questionable, according to an Associated Press report.

Latest On DeAndre Levy

September 18th, 2015 at 6:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

A rumor that made its way into Jim Caldwell‘s Friday press conference has no bearing on why DeAndre Levy will miss his second straight game Sunday, according to the linebacker’s agent.

Caldwell declined to address a report that Levy, who’s been out for over three weeks due to a muscle strain in his hip, contracted a parasite while vacationing in Chile this summer, per Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. DetroitSportsRag.com originally reported the parasite rumor that Levy’s agent, Joe Panos, told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter) the report was “100 percent false.”

The Lions don’t expect Levy to be out much longer, using their IR-DTR slot on rookie cornerback Alex Carter instead of their newly extended outside backer.

Caldwell, however, also offered no clarity as to when Levy will return. Josh Bynes will again start in his place. The Lions’ schedule strength increases in the next two weeks, with the Broncos and Seahawks on the docket.

Meinke notes the Lions would face stiff sanctions for doctoring an injury report, meaning the second-highest-paid 4-3 outside linebacker is almost certainly dealing with a hip malady.

Levy, who hadn’t missed a game since 2012, signed a four-year deal worth $33.74MM last month.

Workout Notes: Raiders, Pollard, Eagles

September 18th, 2015 at 5:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this afternoon, we passed along word that the Patriots had brought in six players for workouts, including wide receivers Jarrett Boykin and Austin Pettis, along with running back Bryce Brown. A few other teams have been auditioning free agents of their own this week, so let’s round up some of the latest updates….

  • The Raiders, who recently placed Nate Allen on IR-DTR and saw Charles Woodson go down with a shoulder injury, could use some help at safety, and the team auditioned a veteran free agent this week, bringing in Bernard Pollard, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Pollard, whose 2014 season ended with a torn Achilles, tweeted that he “smashed” today’s tryout with Oakland.
  • The Eagles made some changes to their offensive line this offseason, and the unit didn’t look as effective in Week 1 as it has in past years. It’s not clear yet if changes are on the horizon in Philadelphia, but the club worked out interior linemen Lemuel Jeanpierre and J.D. Walton this week, per Howard Balzer of The SportsXchange (Twitter link). Adam Caplan of ESPN.com adds (via Twitter) that Philadelphia also took a look at UDFA running back Ross Scheuerman.
  • Quarterback Dustin Vaughan, one of those six players that worked out for the Patriots this week, also had an audition with the Titans, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Vaughn was waived by Dallas during the Cowboys’ cutdown to 53 players.
  • Cornerback Trovon Reed, cut by the Rams earlier this month, tried out today for the Jets, says Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter).

Patriots Notes: B. Brown, Workouts, Martin

September 18th, 2015 at 5:10pm CST by Luke Adams

With a showdown against the Bills in Buffalo around the corner, the Patriots engaged in the usual gamesmanship, bringing in a pair of former Bills for workouts this week. According to Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter link), running back Bryce Brown and quarterback Alex Tanney were among the players to get auditions from New England this week.

Brown has showed flashes of promise in the past, and Tanney has spent time on multiple NFL rosters, so the Pats were likely assessing both players as potential options in case of injuries throughout the season. But it probably didn’t hurt that Brown and Tanney were with the Bills in camp, and could provide some info on the opposition.

Here’s more out of New England:

  • In addition to trying out Brown and Tanney, the Patriots also took a look at fullback Henry Hynoski, quarterback Dustin Vaughan, and wide receivers Jarrett Boykin and Austin Pettis, per Kyed.
  • Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the latest details on the NFL’s appeal of Judge Richard Berman’s Deflategate ruling, as the case figures to drag on for at least the next several months.
  • Head coach Bill Belichick hinted today that newly-acquired wide receiver and return man Keshawn Martin will be more of a factor as a kickoff returner than as a punt returner, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • The Pats made a practice squad change today, cutting wide receiver Nathan Palmer and replacing him with defensive lineman Jimmy Staten, tweets Reiss.

Community Tailgate: Week 2 Upsets

September 18th, 2015 at 4:37pm CST by Luke Adams

With the NFL season underway, we have a whole new series of topics to discuss, and PFR’s Community Tailgate is designed to address those topics. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

The second week of the NFL’s 2015 regular season got underway last night, and we couldn’t have asked for a wilder, more bizarre ending than what we got from the Broncos and Chiefs in Kansas City. Thursday night’s game will be hard to top this weekend, but as NFL executive Michael Signora tweeted last night, 13 of the 17 games on the schedule so far have been within a single score heading into the fourth quarter.

Heading into the weekend, we want to get your thoughts on Week 2’s slate of games, with a specific focus on potential upsets. The following teams are currently underdogs by at least a field goal, according to Bovada.lv:

  • 49ers at Steelers
  • Lions at Vikings
  • Buccaneers at Saints
  • Chargers at Bengals
  • Texans at Panthers
  • Washington vs. Rams
  • Raiders vs. Ravens
  • Jaguars vs. Dolphins
  • Cowboys at Eagles
  • Seahawks at Packers
  • Jets at Colts

In all likelihood, at least a couple of these teams will pull off upsets this weekend, and it’s possible a handful will come through. Which underdogs do you like to pick up Week 2 wins? Weigh in below with your thoughts.

Breer’s Latest: Colts, Maxwell, Los Angeles

September 18th, 2015 at 3:38pm CST by Luke Adams

A week after Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota – the top two picks in the 2015 draft – squared off in Tampa Bay, Albert Breer of the NFL Network spoke to Buccaneers GM Jason Licht and Titans GM Ruston Webster, and both executives are still very happy with the choices they made back in April. Of course, there wasn’t much to dislike about Mariota’s Week 1 performance for Webster, and even though Winston struggled, Licht says the team “saw some flashes of great play” and still has a lot of faith in the No. 1 overall pick.

As Breer notes, history suggests that a rookie quarterback’s performance in the first week of the regular season doesn’t necessarily reflect what kind of career – or even what kind of season – he’ll have, so it’s hard to draw too many conclusions from Mariota winning round one over Winston.

Let’s round up a few more of Breer’s items of interest….

  • Colts owner Jim Irsay wants to make the most out of Andrew Luck‘s time in Indianapolis after the Colts only won one championship in 14 years with Peyton Manning, and there’s a belief that Irsay will have an itchy trigger finger with his decision-making as a result. If the 2015 season ends the same way the last three seasons have, Irsay will look to make changes, according to Breer, who says the Colts’ owner may go “big-game hunting” if he decides to replace Chuck Pagano as head coach.
  • In examining Byron Maxwell‘s unsteady start with the Eagles, Breer cites one NFC executive who has said in the past that teams’ biggest free agent mistakes often involve projecting players into bigger roles. In Maxwell’s case, he was surrounded by Pro Bowl caliber defensive backs in Seattle, but is being relied upon as the No. 1 option in Philadelphia after inking a lucrative long-term contract. It remains to be seen whether Maxwell’s poor performance vs. the Falcons was a one-week blip or a sign of things to come.
  • St. Louis and San Diego reps won’t get an opportunity to make presentations at the NFL’s owners meetings in October, but that doesn’t mean the subject of Los Angeles won’t be discussed. As Breer writes, owners could address and agree to a relocation fee, and figure out how it would be paid. The league may also try to finalize a temporary stadium for 2016 and a new window for applying for relocation, since the current window (January 1 to February 15) is expected to be moved up.
  • Within his L.A.-related observations, Breer also says that Dean Spanos and his Chargers have garnered the most sympathy around the NFL based on his situation, so it seems extremely unlikely that any relocation scenario would leave the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium — the franchise figures to either move to L.A. or get a stadium solution worked out in San Diego.

Colts Place D’Joun Smith On IR-DTR

September 18th, 2015 at 2:31pm CST by Luke Adams

It’s been an active day of roster moves for the Colts, who have now made multiple changes to their active roster and practice squad in preparation for their Week 2 game against the Jets. According to a press release, the Colts have placed cornerback D’Joun Smith on the injured reserve list with the designation to return, promoting cornerback Eric Patterson from their practice squad to take Smith’s roster spot.

In addition to those moves affecting the 53-man roster, the club has also cut guard Robert Myers from its practice squad, adding guard David Arkin and cornerback Brandon Dixon to get back up to 10 players (Twitter link).

Several Indianapolis cornerbacks have been sidelined from practices this week with injuries, including Darius Butler, Greg Toler, and Smith, who was selected 65th overall back in May by the Colts. As such, it makes sense that the club would want to add some depth to its secondary to get through this weekend’s game.

A former Florida Atlantic defensive back, Smith was inactive for his first game in the NFL last week, and now he’ll miss at least the next eight weeks of action. The 22-year-old, who is battling a knee injury, will be eligible to return to practice in Week 8, but he won’t see the field in a game until at least Week 11, following the Colts’ Week 10 bye.

Indianapolis becomes the league’s 13th team to use its IR-DTR slot this season. The full recap of how teams have used that designation can be found right here.

2015 NFL Practice Squads

September 18th, 2015 at 1:16pm CST by Luke Adams

In addition to the 46 players active for regular season games and the seven additional roster players made inactive on game days, NFL teams are permitted to construct 10-man practice squads. The players on the squad work out and practice with the players on the active roster, but aren’t eligible to participate in games.

For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry 10 players instead of eight, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units.

Listed below are the current practice squad rosters for each NFL team. We’ll keep this list up to date throughout the year as players are shuttled on and off of these squads, so be sure to use the link in the sidebar on the right, under “PFR Features,” to keep tabs on the latest.

If you have any corrections, please contact us. Here are 2015′s NFL practice squads:

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Pigskin Links: Bears, Rodgers, Pats, Steelers

September 18th, 2015 at 11:54am CST by Zachary Links

Here at Pro Football Rumors, we deliver up-to-the-minute news on NFL transactions and high-quality original analysis. Each week, we also feature some of the best blog articles from around the web in our regular feature, Pigskin Links.

We’re looking for interesting reads on all things football from blogs of all sizes. While PFR is dedicated to player movement, Pigskin Links is open to pieces on all areas of the game. If you would like to suggest your blog post (or someone else’s) for Pigskin Links, send me an email with the link and a brief synopsis at PigskinLinks@gmail.com.

Here’s this week’s look around the football blogosphere..

Got a great football blog post that you want to see featured in next week’s Pigskin Links? Email it to Zach or tweet it to him: @ZachLinks.

Johnny Manziel To Start Week 2 For Browns

September 18th, 2015 at 10:38am CST by Connor J. Byrne

FRIDAY, 10:38am: The Browns have officially announced (via Twitter) that Manziel will start on Sunday. Ulrich tweets that McCown remains in concussion protocol and won’t practice today, opening the door for the second-year signal-caller.

THURSDAY, 5:40pm: Browns quarterback Josh McCown will likely start the team’s game against the Titans this Sunday if he’s medically cleared to practice Friday morning, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal writes.

“If he’s cleared and practices fully tomorrow, I don’t see, barring anything unforeseen, a reason why we wouldn’t play him,” head coach Mike Pettine said, according to Ulrich.

McCown entered the season as the Browns’ starter, but he suffered a concussion in their 31-10 loss to the Jets after completing 5 of 8 passes for 49 yards. McCown sustained the injury in the first quarter while diving into the end zone for what could have been a touchdown. However, multiple Jets hit him and caused a fumble that New York recovered. The game was scoreless at the time. Cleveland’s second-string QB, Johnny Manziel, entered the game in relief and performed poorly, hitting on 13 of 24 throws for 182 yards, a touchdown, an interception, and two fumbles.

Manziel will start against 1-0 Tennessee if McCown isn’t medically cleared to play, though Pettine is optimistic about McCown’s chances.

“We’re hopeful, optimistic,” said Pettine. “To me, these situations you learn over time, they’re just impossible to predict.”

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