2016 September - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Austin Seferian-Jenkins

September 24th, 2016 at 9:56am CST by Ben Levine

We hadn’t heard much from the Buccaneers since they cut bait with tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins yesterday. The former second-rounder was released by the organization after he was arrested for driving under the influence, and the organization was pretty tight-lipped when the transaction was announced.

Fortunately, coach Dirk Koetter finally discussed the move when he appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

“Well, it is disappointing and Austin is a guy that we had high hopes for,” Koetter said (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com). “He was a second-round pick here a couple of years back. He has fought through some injury issues. He’s a very talented individual. It is disappointing when guys, when they make mistakes, and there’s more to every story than meets the eye. Sometimes there is more to it than things I can say on the radio. We wish Austin well. The number one thing is I am glad that Austin is safe and healthy. And I hope he can get himself healthy.”

Let’s check out some other notes pertaining to the embattled tight end…

Seferian-Jenkins’ release from the Buccaneers was a “long time coming,” writes Sporting News’ Alex Marvez. Besides being charged with a misdemeanor DUI, Seferian-Jenkins was also charged with “circumventing a court-ordered ignition lock device,” which was placed in his car following another DUI arrest. The tight end had issues during his time at the University of Washington, and those problems apparently carried over to the NFL. Seferian-Jenkins was reportedly thrown out of practice for his lack of familiarity with the playbook, and the tight end also got in a shouting match with Koetter and other coaches during the Bucs’ preseason finale.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times said (via Twitter) that Seferian-Jenkins’ release had “less to do with the DUI than his lack of professionalism and reliability.”
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN notes (via Twitter) that the Buccaneers are “genuinely worried about” the tight end and hope he “gets straight.”
Rich Cimini of ESPN.com wondered if the Jets could pursue the embattled tight end. Despite the team’s need for a pass-catcher at the position, Cimini can’t envision the front office pursuing the 23-year-old. The organization did bring in both Brandon Marshall and Erin Henderson, but the writer notes that both veterans have done an admirable job of repairing their “checkered” past. Seferian-Jenkins is still rather young and has yet to prove that he’s learned from his mistakes.

Browns Sign Cody Parkey

September 24th, 2016 at 8:39am CST by Ben Levine

The Browns have found a kicker to replace the injured Patrick Murray. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the team has signed former Pro Bowler Cody Parkey. The reporter notes that the team also placed Murray on the injured reserve, presumably ending his season.

There were whispers yesterday that the Browns were likely to sign Parkey after Murray went down with an injury during practice. The 24-year-old made a Pro Bowl as rookie in 2014, but a groin injury soon derailed his career with the Eagles. The kicker was released by Philadelphia back in early September after he lost his job to Caleb Sturgis. In 19 career games, Parkey has converted 87.5-percent of his field goals and all of his extra point attempts.

Murray, meanwhile, was playing his first season with the Browns following two years in Tampa Bay. In 16 games for the Buccaneers, the 25-year-old converted 83.3-percent of his kicks. In two games with the Browns this season, Murray made one of his two field goal attempts and three of his four extra point opportunities.

Latest On Adrian Peterson, Vikings

September 23rd, 2016 at 9:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Some in the Vikings organization are “privately upset” that running back Adrian Peterson opted to undergo surgery on his torn meniscus rather than play through the injury, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Per Cole’s sources, a few of Peterson’s teammates believe he could have continued performing in spite of the tear, but the “top” of the franchise — presumably the front office and/or ownership — are accepting of Peterson’s decision, and are hoping the veteran back returns in 2017.

While management may want Peterson back next season, Cole did make it clear the the club wants him back “under a new contract,” which makes sense given that he’s set to count for an untenable $18MM on the salary cap. The Vikings could clear out that entire total by releasing Peterson, as he has no prorated signing bonus or guaranteed base salary remaining. A new deal that lowers his cap charge is probably the only avenue by which Peterson could return.

Peterson’s teammates may believe that he could have played through his tear, but there’s been no indication that that is the case. Instead, a pair of surgeons yesterday told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that had Peterson opted to have the injured portion of his meniscus removed rather than repaired, he could have returned to the field in weeks, not months. But doing so could have presented problems for Peterson later in his career and during his post-football life, as such a procedure can lead to arthritis in the knee.

Peterson, 31, missed the majority of the 2014 season but bounced back last year to run for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 30 receptions for 222 yards.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Seahawks Saving Roster Spot For RB?

September 23rd, 2016 at 9:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks didn’t sign another player after releasing fullback Will Tukuafu earlier this week, so the club still has one open spot on its 53-man roster. Seattle is likely holding that space for a running back in the event that Thomas Rawls isn’t able to play on Sunday, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, and the most obvious candidate to join the roster is Terrence Magee, who was signed to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Rawls, battling a shin injury, is listed as doubtful for the Seahawks’ Week 3 game against the 49ers, and if he’s unable to go, Christine Michael will draw the start, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters, including Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com. “[Michael is] averaging five yards a carry for a reason,” said Carroll. “He had a really good offseason. He had a terrific camp. All indications that he’s ready for a bigger load. He’s had 20-something carries so far. He’s ready to carry the ball 20-something times in a game. He could be fine with that.”

Magee, who went undrafted in 2015, is certainly one option to fill the vacant roster slot. The 23-year-old spent most of last season bouncing on and off the Ravens’ practice squad, then lasted on the Rams’ roster until cutdowns earlier this month.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/16

September 23rd, 2016 at 8:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

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

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: RB Terron Ward
Cut: RB Blake Sims

Latest On Rams, Jeff Fisher

September 23rd, 2016 at 8:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

No extension has yet been announced between the Rams and head coach Jeff Fisher, but many around the NFL are assuming a deal will get done, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). However, agents are beginning to push their coaching clients toward Los Angeles, and if the Rams ever decide to replace Fisher, there is expected to be significant interest in the job, per Cole, who adds that many consider the Los Angeles market a “gold mine.”

Last week, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the “widespread belief” around the league is that two the sides already having an extension in place. However, the Rams are likely to wait until a more appropriate time before announcing the new deal. Days after a 28-0 defeat to a 49ers team expected to finish last in the NFC West didn’t make sense, but Los Angeles didn’t confirm the contract after the Rams defeated the Seahawks in Week 2, either.

Under Fisher, the Rams have gone 28-37-1 and haven’t done better than seven wins in any season. The Rams haven’t reached the postseason in more than ten years.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett

September 23rd, 2016 at 7:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Multiple reports flooded in after news of Jacoby Brissett‘s thumb injury broke, but as the most recent reports have indicated, it doesn’t sound as though the Patriots quarterback will require surgery. In fact, the “sense” is that New England expects both Brissett and fellow signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo to be available for its Week 4 contest against the Bills, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Garoppolo suffered a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder on Sunday in the team’s 31-24 win over Miami. After Garoppolo was taken out by Kiko Alonso‘s hit, Brissett was put in the game for the first time in his NFL career. The third-round rookie got the job done, completing 6-of-9 passes as he guided New England the rest of the way, and then led the Patriots to a 27-0 victory over the Texans on Thursday night.

Before succumbing to injury, the 24-year-old Garoppolo had been excellent, completing 42-of-60 passes for 498 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in wins over the Cardinals and Dolphins. At least one report suggested that the Patriots were pressuring Garoppolo to quickly return to the field — despite the fact that he reportedly couldn’t lift his arm — and he’s presumably get the start against Buffalo if healthy. Tom Brady, of course, will return in Week 5 to start against the Browns.

It’s still possible that the Patriots could look to sign a quarterback before their next game, and the club did audition free agents T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree this week. However, team president Jonathan Kraft recently explained that New England doesn’t want to add another QB — and thus, cut another player from elsewhere on the roster — unless it absolutely has to.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Panthers Promote Safety Marcus Ball

September 23rd, 2016 at 6:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Panthers announced that they’ve signed safety Marcus Ball from their practice squad, adding him to their 53-man roster in advance of Week 3. Ball will fill the roster spot vacated by fellow defensive back Dean Marlowe, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

Ball, 29, has spent his entire career in the NFC South since migrating from the CFL to the NFL in 2014. He appeared in 12 games (two starts) with the Saints that year, posting 12 tackles and a fumble recovery, but hasn’t seen game action since. Ball spent the duration of the 2015 campaign on Carolina’s practice squad, and re-signed on a futures deal in January.

During that 2014 season, Ball played on nearly half of the Saints’ special teams snaps (fourth-most on the team), and that’s likely the role he’ll play on Sunday against the Vikings, backing up starters Kurt Coleman and Tre Boston along with fellow reserve Colin Jones.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jets Cut FB Julian Howsare

September 23rd, 2016 at 6:07pm CST by Dallas Robinson

SATURDAY: The Jets announced that they’ve officially signed Bowman.

THURSDAY: The Jets have waived fullback Julian Howsare, the club announced earlier today. To fill his roster spot, New York is likely to promote tight end Braedon Bowman from the practice squad, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets.

Bowman, a South Alabama alum, went undrafted earlier this year but ultimately agreed to a deal with the Jaguars. After being waived at final cutdowns, Bowman was claimed by the Jets, who subsequently cut him and re-signed him to their taxi squad earlier this week. If he’s added to the active roster, Bowman would serve as a third tight end behind Kellen Davis and Brandon Bostick while also likely playing on special teams.

Howsare, a former linebacker, has only played on 33 offensive snaps this season, as offensive coordinator Chan Gailey runs a spread attack that rarely employs a fullback. However, Howsare has been active on special teams, playing on half of the Jets’ ST snaps. It’s possible that he could be added to the practice squad, swapping spots with Bowman.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL Workout Updates: 9/23/16

September 23rd, 2016 at 5:40pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

As the NFL enters Week 3, clubs continue to audition players with an eye towards updating their emergency lists. Here are the latest workout notes from around the league:

Two running backs (Zac Brooks and Gus Johnson) and three receivers (Mario Alford, Kenny Bell and Cayleb Jones) auditioned for the Browns on Friday, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter links). The only member of the quintet with game experience is Alford, who saw action in one contest with the Bengals as a seventh-round rookie last year and caught a single pass.
Running back Kenny Hilliard will try out for the Seahawks on Monday, tweets Wilson. Hilliard, formerly of LSU, went to Houston in the seventh round of last year’s draft. Hilliard didn’t garner any experience as a rookie with the Texans, who cut him Sept. 2.
Cornerback Tye Smith and guard Darrelle Greene worked out for the Jets on Friday, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Smith, whom the Seahawks chose in the fifth round of last year’s draft, appeared in four games as a rookie. Seattle cut him from its practice squad Tuesday. Greene was previously with the Eagles, who axed him from their practice squad Wednesday.