2015 September - Pro Football Rumors

Falcons Release Tyler Polumbus

September 29th, 2015 at 4:58pm CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons announced that they have parted ways with tackle Tyler Polumbus. In a related move, Atlanta has signed tight end Mickey Shuler.

Polumbus played under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan with Washington and the two were reunited in May when the Falcons signed the tackle to a one-year deal. However, Polumbus played a grand total of six snaps before his time with Atlanta came to an end. The 30-year-old was Washington’s primary right tackle for the last three seasons, but his services were no longer needed in D.C. this year with No. 5 overall pick Brandon Scherff taking over the position.

Polumbus began the 2014 season as the starting right tackle for Washington, but he was supplanted in Week 8 by Tom Compton. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t crazy about his play across seven starts and eleven total games, giving him a -12.6 overall grade and placing him just 62nd out of 84 qualified tackles. He was much better in the previous year, however, earning a 14.0 overall score and ranking amongst the top 20 tackles in the NFL.

Shuler, 6-4, 247 pounds, was originally selected by the Vikings in the seventh round (214th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was later signed to the Falcons practice squad on September 1, 2013 where he spent the 2013 season. Now, he’ll be with Atlanta’s varsity squad.

Patriots Worked Out Montee Ball

September 29th, 2015 at 4:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots worked out former Broncos running back Montee Ball today, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Ball was cut loose by the Broncos in early September and has yet to find his next NFL job.

A Heisman finalist while at Wisconsin in 2011, Ball was selected by Denver in the 2013 draft, and was expected to be inserted as the starting running back in the Broncos’ high-powered offense. But, over the course of two seasons, Ball was never able to secure a role as the No. 1 back, losing the job to Knowshon Moreno in ’13 and C.J. Anderson in ’14. All told, Ball saw less than 200 carries during his time with the Broncos, and totaled less than 800 yards on the ground.

Earlier this month we learned that the Falcons are among the clubs with interest in Ball. The 24-year-old could also be a fit for a team like the Colts, but there has been no reported interest on that front.

Rams Release RB Isaiah Pead

September 29th, 2015 at 4:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Rams have released running back Isaiah Pead, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com (on Twitter). That move will help clear the way for cornerback Brandon McGee, who has been promoted to the active roster.

Pead, 26 in December, was once expected to become a leading rusher for the Rams as theheir apparent to Steven Jackson. Things never worked out that way for the 2012 second-round pick, but he did spent three years and change with the club, playing in 27 games with one start. This year, Pead appeared in just two games and notched two carries for three yards.

Pead suffered a torn ACL in the summer of 2014 which ended that season before it even began. This offseason, he agreed to a restructured deal which reduced his base salary from $940,650 to $585,000 for 2015.

Browns, OL Coach Andy Moeller Part Ways

September 29th, 2015 at 3:49pm CST by Luke Adams

The Browns and offensive line coach Andy Moeller have “mutually agreed” to part ways, effective immediately, says Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter links). Moeller had been under investigation in recent weeks for an alleged domestic incident, though he ultimately didn’t face charges.

“While no charges were filed in connection with the recent accusations asserted against him, and which Andy vehemently denies, he has advised the Browns that he desires to devote his full attention and focus on his family,” the Browns and Moeller’s agency said in a joint statement. “Andy states that this was a difficult decision but the right one for him, his family, and the club at this point in time.”

The Browns initially suspended Moeller indefinitely earlier this month while he was being investigated for a possible domestic incident. Berea prosecutor Jim Walters announced that no charges would be filed against Moeller, though he didn’t entirely exonerate the veteran coach.

“It is quite clear an incident of volatile nature took place,” the Berea prosecutor’s office said in a statement last week. “What is less clear is the actions of the two persons involved.”

As Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets, Moeller met with NFL officials yesterday about the incident and the investigation, and the league has yet to make a decision on potential discipline. No matter what the league decides, it doesn’t appear Moeller will be coaching in the NFL again this season.

Bears Waive Brock Vereen

September 29th, 2015 at 3:49pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears announced that they have waived 2014 fourth-round pick Brock Vereen, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. In related moves, the team has also inked safety Chris Prosinski and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds. The moves leave the Bears with one open roster spot, which may be used for the returning Jeremiah Ratliff.

Vereen was one of the players who failed to make a tackle on the kickoff return for a touchdown at Seattle this Sunday. He was also on coverage for Jimmy Graham‘s 30-yard touchdown reception. While Vereen was not solely responsible for either score, those plays didn’t help his case in Chicago.

The Jaguars made Reynolds a free agent recently when they waived him to make room for wide receiver Tony Washington on the 53-man roster. Prosinski, a former Eagles safety, auditioned for Miami earlier this month but that did not result in a deal.

Chargers Place Johnnie Troutman On IR

September 29th, 2015 at 3:38pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers have lost one of their starting offensive linemen for the season, as Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (via Twitter) that the club has placed guard Johnnie Troutman on injured reserve, ending his year.

Troutman, who turns 28 in November, was San Diego’s right guard in 2014, starting all 15 games he played for the team, a year after stepping in as the Chargers’ left guard. Even after the club signed Orlando Franklin in the offseason, it looked like Troutman would resume his duties at right guard this year, but he suffered a broken foreman in August.

As Gehlken tweets, Troutman had been rehabbing and said just yesterday that he would “definitely” return to action for the Chargers this season. However, San Diego could no longer afford to use one of its 53 roster spots on him, and had to move him to IR.

D.J. Fluker and Chris Hairston have seen action at right guard in Troutman’s absence.

Washington Signs Mason Foster, Places Shawn Lauvao On IR

September 29th, 2015 at 3:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Washington has announced a series of roster moves, confirming today (via Twitter) that they’ve added a pair of new players to the 53-man roster, signing free agent linebacker Mason Foster and promoting cornerback Quinton Dunbar from the practice squad.

In order to make room for the incoming additions, Washington has placed two players on the injured reserve list. Starting left guard Shawn Lauvao and cornerback Justin Rogers have both landed on IR. Rogers has been battling foot problems, while Lauvao suffered an ankle injury during the club’s Week 3 game against the Giants.

Of the two new players on Washington’s 53-man squad, Foster is the more interesting name. The 26-year-old appeared in 10 games for the Buccaneers last season and started all of them. In that time, he recorded 62 total tackles and three pass deflections. The former third-round pick also impressed with 105 tackles in 2012, and 92 tackles – to go along with three interceptions and two sacks – in 2013. However, after signing with the Bears in March, he failed to earn a spot on Chicago’s regular season roster.

As for the two players heading to IR, Lauvao will be the more noteworthy loss for Washington, since he was a key piece of an offensive line that looked very effective in the running game during the season’s first couple games. Josh LeRibeus is expected to replace Lauvao going forward, though he’s dealing with an injury of his own. Tom Compton and Spencer Long could also be in the mix.

Texans To Sign Nick Novak, Cut Randy Bullock

September 29th, 2015 at 3:04pm CST by Luke Adams

The Texans are the latest NFL team to make a change at the kicker position, having decided to part ways with Randy Bullock, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link). Berman reports that the Texans are signing former Chargers kicker Nick Novak to replace Bullock.

Bullock, 25, has been the Texans’ kicker since the 2013 season, making 74.3% of his field goals in his rookie year before bumping up that mark to 85.7% in 2014. However, he had been inconsistent through three weeks this season, missing a 43-yard field goal and a pair of extra points.

Novak, meanwhile, had been the Chargers’ full-time kicker from 2011 to 2014, making 101 of his 117 field goal attempts (86.3%) during his time in San Diego, including 11 of 17 from 50+ yards. However, the 34-year-old was beaten out in camp this year by the younger, cheaper Josh Lambo, and was released by the Chargers earlier this month.

Novak beat out Connor Barth, Kai Forbath, Chris Boswell, and Giorgio Tavecchio – who all auditioned this week for the Texans as well – for Houston’s kicking job. As for Bullock, he’ll have to pass through waivers before he reaches free agency.

Panthers Place Charles Johnson On IR-DTR

September 29th, 2015 at 2:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reported (via Twitter) that the Panthers weren’t considering placing defensive end Charles Johnson on their injured reserve list with the designation to return, but it appears the team reconsidered that stance today. Johnson has announced (via Instagram) that the team has used its IR-DTR slot on him, sidelining him for at least eight weeks due to his hamstring injury.

Johnson, 29, has been the Panthers’ most reliable pass rusher over the last several years, recording at least 8.5 sacks in each of his last five seasons. However, after Greg Hardy was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list in 2014 and then departed in free agency earlier in 2015, Johnson hasn’t had much help getting to the quarterback in Carolina. He had one sack in three games this season before sustaining his hamstring injury.

In Johnson’s absence, Jared Allen, acquired in a trade with the Bears, will slot into the vacated defensive end position, and the Panthers will count on the veteran pass rusher to help the unit get after quarterbacks over the next eight weeks.

While Johnson’s cap number for 2015 is $20.02MM, the highest in the NFL for a defensive player, Allen will cost the Panthers less than $1MM, since the Bears paid the majority of his 2015 earnings earlier this year, giving him an $11.5MM roster bonus.

Half of the NFL’s 32 teams have now used their IR-DTR slot. Here’s the complete list.

NFC Notes: Panthers, Brooks, Parkey

September 29th, 2015 at 2:40pm CST by Luke Adams

Although defensive end Charles Johnson is expected to miss multiple games due to a hamstring injury, the Panthers aren’t considering placing him on the injured reserve list with the designation to return, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Carolina acquired Jared Allen this week to help boost the pass rush in Johnson’s absence, and according to agent Ken Harris, the Panthers were one of five teams that he and his client identified as potential landing spots (link via David Newton of ESPN.com). Carolina was “by far” their No. 1 choice, per Harris.

Let’s round up several more items from across the NFC….

49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks wasn’t present in court today, but his lawyer put in a plea of “not guilty” for his client on a misdemeanor sexual battery charge, reports Damian Trujillo of NBC Bay Area (Twitter link). Brooks seems likely to face discipline from the NFL sometime after the legal process plays out.
Cody Parkey‘s groin injury is more serious than it initially sounded, with the Eagles kicker telling reporters today that he tore three muscles in his groin. While he landed on the IR today, Parkey fully expects to be kicking again for the Eagles again in 2016 (Twitter links via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer).
The Bears may not be done making trades this season, but the Cowboys haven’t discussed the possibility of acquiring a player like Matt Forte or Alshon Jeffery, says Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
No outside free agent got a larger contract from the Saints than the $16MM deal C.J. Spiller signed this offseason, and head coach Sean Payton admits that he needs to get the running back more involved in the offense, according to Christopher Dabe of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, who was taken out of Monday night’s game against the Chiefs, re-aggravated his high ankle sprain, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Adams is expected to miss some time, though it’s too early for an exact timetable. As for tight end Andrew Quarless, he has a sprained MCL, and is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, per Rapoport (Twitter link).