2016 September - Pro Football Rumors

Month: October 2024

5 Key Stories: 9/4/16 – 9/11/16

September 11th, 2016 at 4:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

A compromise in New Orleans. Although Drew Brees had reportedly been looking for a $100MM contract, he agreed to an extension that will keep with the Saints through the 2017 campaign. The deal is technically for five years, but will void after two, and will allow New Orleans to lower Brees’ 2016 cap charge from $30MM down to a more manageable $17.25MM. Brees still wants to keep playing even after this current contract expires, and one report indicated he had his eyes on the Cardinals as a potential option down the line.

Another trade by the Eagles. General manger Howie Roseman has been extremely active in the trade market this offseason, and he added to his ledger by dealing cornerback Eric Rowe to the Patriots in exchange for a conditional 2018 fourth-round pick. Offensive lineman Josh Kline was originally thought to be part of the Eagles’ return as well, but he was ultimately waived by New England and then claimed by the Titans. The Eagles are also reportedly open to trading offensive lineman, including interior options Stefen Wisniewski and Josh Andrews.

Injuries strike early. Sunday Night Football hasn’t even started yet, and already injuries have taken their toll. The Chargers are likely to be without wide receiver Keenan Allen for the season after he suffered what is believed to be a torn ACL today. Allen, 24, missed half of the 2015 campaign after lacerating his kidney. Meanwhile, Texans linebacker Brian Cushing tore his MCL against the Bears today, and there are differing reports about how long he will be sidelined.

Extensions roll in. Most teams aren’t comfortable negotiating once the season begins, so a bunch of clubs worked out extensions last week in advance of the 2015 campaign. The two biggest names were Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders (three years, $33MM) and Steelers G David DeCastro (five years, $50MM), but a number of other players scored long-term deals as well. Tank Carradine (link), Theo Riddick (link), Rob Ninkovich (link), and Joe Berger (link) received new contracts, as did specialists Sam Martin (link) and Caleb Sturgis (link).

Tebow knows. Tim Tebow is now officially a professional baseball player, as he agreed to a minor league deal with the New York Mets. “This isn’t about publicity,” Tebow said. “It’s definitely not about money. I took a pay cut to do this. For me, you pursue what you love regardless of what else happens.” PFR’s Zach Links joined the conference call with Tebow and Mets GM Sandy Alderson following the signing.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Texans LB Brian Cushing Tears MCL

September 11th, 2016 at 3:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Texans won the first game of their season by defeating the Bears today, but in doing so they suffered an injury to one of their key defenders. Linebacker Brian Cushing tore his MCL during today’s contest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), and while Rapoport says Cushing will be sidelined for six weeks, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports Cushing is merely week-to-week. Cushing will not require surgery.

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports it’s a Grade 2 MCL sprain and notes the veteran linebacker will be out between four and six weeks.

For the time being, the Texans will likely turn to Akeem Dent and Max Bullough at inside linebacker next to Benardrick McKinney. Dent has far more NFL experience, but Bullough was the first to enter the game once Cushing sustained his injury. Bullough, a 2014 undrafted free agent, appeared in 13 games last season, but mostly played on special teams, as he saw action on less than 15% of Houston’s defensive snaps.

Cushing, 29, has missed time with injuries in the past, but he’s been pretty healthy as of late, as he played in 30 of 32 possible games over the past two seasons. The Texans’ next opponents are the Patriots, Titans, Vikings, Colts, and Broncos.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

PFR Originals: 9/4/16 – 9/11/16

September 11th, 2016 at 3:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The original analysis and content produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

After Tim Tebow signed with the New York Mets in order to pursue his dream of a baseball career, Zach Links joined the ensuing conference call with Tebow and Mets general manager Sandy Alderson. Alderson, for his part, emphasized that signing Tebow was not a public relations move, while Tebow revealed that he’s actually been interested in trying out baseball for more than year.
The PFR staff made its predictions for the 2016 season, projecting postseason teams, Super Bowl winners, and individual awards. The Cardinals, Seahawks, Panthers, and Patriots are among the favorites to win the championship in our opinion, while many of our writers think that Aaron Rodgers can return to form and capture the MVP crown.
PFR has continued to look back at the offseasons for all 32 clubs, examining the major signings, departures, trades, and other notable offseason events for each team. We covered two clubs over the past week:
- Carolina Panthers
- Washington Redskins
Zach rounded up the best of the football blogs in the latest edition of Pigskin Links.

Anthony Davis Returns To 49ers

September 11th, 2016 at 2:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Offensive lineman Anthony Davis returned to 49ers practice this morning, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, and will likely be available for the team’s Monday night contest against the Rams. Davis was reportedly considering retirement (again) yesterday, but this news would seem to end any talk of Davis hanging it up.

Davis, a career right tackle, was expected to move to guard following his reinstatement to the NFL. That doesn’t appear to be the plan any more, according to Niners Nation, which reports that Andrew Tiller will start at right guard, while Davis will serve only as the San Francisco’s backup offensive tackle. Reports yesterday indicated that Davis had some reservations about moving inside, which is a different outlook than he expressed earlier this summer.

“I can play anywhere on the line,” said Davis in August. “Like I was saying, we want the best five on the field, and Trent is not going to play guard. He’s a giant man and I knew I could adapt to guard. I feel like that would help us.”

Davis, 26, was the 49ers’ first-round pick in 2010, coming off the board No. 11 overall. Prior to his retirement, he started 71 games at right tackle for SF, playing all 16 regular season contests in his first four years before being limited to seven games in 2014. Davis dealt with hamstring and knee issues, and also battled concussion problems, which may have contributed to his decision to step away from the game temporarily in 2015.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Keenan Allen Suffers Likely Torn ACL

September 11th, 2016 at 2:07pm CST by Dallas Robinson

For the second consecutive season, Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen‘s season has been cut short by a major injury. Initial tests show that Allen has likely suffered a torn ACL, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Video of the play can be viewed here, courtesy of Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports.

Allen, who signed a four-year, $45MM extension earlier this year, has been a force since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2013, and is still only 24 years old. After topping 1,000 yards receiving and scoring eight touchdowns during his rookie campaign, Allen came back down to earth in 2014, but was on pace for the best season of his career last year. With 67 receptions and 725 yards under his belt through only eight games, Allen suffered a lacerated kidney and was forced to miss the rest of the campaign.

The Chargers had already lost another member of their pass-catching corps, as Steve Johnson is done for the year after tearing his meniscus in August. As such, San Diego’s depth chart will now see free agent signee Travis Benjamin at the top, followed by Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman, and Isaiah Burse. The club has two WRs on its practice squad in Jonathan Krause and Dom Williams that could conceivably be promoted, or the Chargers could turn to the free agent market for help.

One intriguing option for the Bolts may be James Jones, who spent time with the club this summer before being released. Seyi Ajirotutu and Vincent Brown also have a history with the Chargers, but neither is likely to make much of an impact. Veterans such as Roddy White and Nate Washington are available, but the free agent with the highest upside is probably Rueben Randle, who was released by the Eagles last month.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Packers’ Release Of Josh Sitton

September 11th, 2016 at 1:48pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Packers shocked the NFL world by releasing Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton during final cutdowns, and while there’s been some speculation as to what Green Bay was thinking with the move, confusion is still abounds regarding the club’s decision. However, Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel yesterday attempted to make some sense of the situation, and ultimately came to the conclusion that general manager Ted Thompson & Co. made a mistake by parting ways with one of its best players.

Sources tell McGinn that the Packers told Sitton is mid-August that extensions for David Bakhtiari, J.C. Tretter, T.J. Lang, and Eddie Lacy would be the priority, meaning Sitton wouldn’t be getting a long-term deal any time soon. While Sitton may have been upset at that news, he never showed, as far as McGinn could tell. And while Green Bay had mentioned a possible Sitton trade to at least one team, serious discussions didn’t occur until final cutdown weekend.

At that point, the Packers told Sitton he would be released if the club couldn’t find a trade partner. Green Bay, per McGinn, was “apoplectic” that it couldn’t locate another team willing to part with draft compensation in order to acquire Sitton. The Saints expressed some interest, but their cap problems and lack of a fifth-round pick prevented them from making a deal.

With a trade seemingly impossible, the Packers began to worry that Sitton would become a locker room distraction if he was kept on the roster, according to McGinn. If other Green Bay players began to sign extensions while Sitton remained in his contract year, the problem might only get worse, thought the club’s front office.

Still, there’s been no indication that Sitton planned to hold out or become any sort of pariah. And on the whole, McGinn seems correct — the Packers made a massive miscalculation by parting ways with Sitton. Green Bay likely would have recouped a compensatory pick by simply letting Sitton play out the season and find a new home in free agency. Now, the Packers will move forward with Lane Taylor in the starting lineup, and having received noting in return for Sitton.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Major Injury Notes: D. Thomas, Bosa, Ivory

September 11th, 2016 at 12:50pm CST by Rory Parks

Week 1 is always a time for optimism, but it invariably brings the heartache of injury as well. We will keep track of some of the more significant injuries (or, in some cases, illnesses) right here over the course of the day.

Potentially bad news for Broncos fans, courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter tweets that star wideout Demaryius Thomas, who suffered a hip injury during Thursday night’s contest against Carolina, underwent an MRI on Friday that will now be sent for a second opinion. There is no word on what the first opinion was.
Chargers rookie defensive end Joey Bosa is week-to-week with a Grade 1 strained hamstring, as Schefter tweets. Per Schefter, Bosa has still not practiced in pads, so it could be awhile before he suits up for a regular season game.
Jaguars RB Chris Ivory was admitted to the hospital for an undisclosed issue last night, which is why he was deactivated for the team’s game today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport also tweets that Ivory will be reevaluated for this issue later this week, and his Week 2 status will hinge on that evaluation. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report adds (via Twitter) that Ivory is undergoing tests and observation in the hospital.
Schefter tweets that Dolphins center Mike Pouncey has a small fracture in his hip and is scheduled to undergo a CT scan later this week. Schefter adds that Pouncey could miss another week or two.

“Growing Sense” That Ray Rice Plays In 2016

September 11th, 2016 at 12:00pm CST by Rory Parks

There is a “growing sense” that embattled running back Ray Rice, who has not appeared in a game since December 2013, will get another chance to suit up for an NFL club, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Schefter’s sources further indicate that such an opportunity could come sometime later this season.

At this point, it is unnecessary to rehash the events that precipitated Rice’s suspension, which precipitated his release from the Ravens, which precipitated his being blackballed by the league. It is fair to believe that, if Rice’s last season in the league had been up to his usual standards, his exile may have ended fairly quickly. However, in 2013, Rice was running behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league and was also battling some injury problems, and he ended up posting just a 3.1 yards per carry average, easily the lowest mark in his career.

Rice has remained patient over the course of the past several years, and he has repeatedly expressed remorse while remaining steadfast in his belief that he will get another chance to play. He has been on the speaking circuit as he attempts to keep his name on the front burner and as he attempts to reach as many young athletes as possible. He was recently asked to speak to the Rutgers football team, and he also shared his lessons with the Ravens’ 2016 rookie class. He even stated back in July that if a team is willing to take a chance on him, he will donate every game check to charities working to combat domestic violence.

Schefter added during his appearance on Sunday NFL Countdown that Rice has been staying in shape and has the league’s backing. In fact, the NFL is also considering Rice for a role in the league office once his playing career is officially over (which, if Schefter’s sources are right, may not be anytime soon).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

La Canfora’s Latest: Brees, Romo, Cam

September 11th, 2016 at 11:20am CST by Rory Parks

Let’s take a look at some of the latest news and notes from CBS Sports scribe Jason La Canfora:

Drew Brees and the Saints agreed to an extension just a few days ago, but negotiations had stalled for months earlier this year prior to both sides finally striking an accord. During that time, Brees’ representatives began exploring potential suitors for 2017, and the Cardinals were the top team on their list (this was before Arizona inked Carson Palmer to his own extension). La Canfora’s sources also indicated that the Jets would have been interested in Brees had he hit the open market in 2017.
There is good news for Cowboys fans on the Tony Romo front, as La Canfora reports that Romo is making good progress from the fractured vertebrae he suffered in his back during the team’s third preseason game, and he is on track to play in Week 7. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (article via Kevin Patra of NFL.com) suggests that even if Romo is ready to go, he may not have a job to come back to. After speaking with team sources, Rapoport reports that the door is open, albeit slightly, for rookie Dak Prescott to impress enough to pull a Lou Gehrig and take Romo’s job on a permanent basis.
The NFLPA has asked for a formal investigation into the handling of the helmet-to-helmet hit that Panthers QB Cam Newton took on Thursday night’s season opener. The investigation will be conducted jointly by the NFL and NFLPA, and if the Association’s findings conflict with the league’s findings, the Association can appeal to a neutral arbitrator, who has the authority to discipline the Panthers and others who were responsible for Newton’s well-being (potential consequences include fines and loss of draft picks). The fact that an investigation has been initiated does not mean that that the league’s concussion protocol was applied improperly, it simply reflects an obligation to ensure the health and safety of the league’s players. This marks the first time the enforcement element of the protocol has been exercised (all links go to Twitter).
Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston, who signed a massive contract extension prior to the 2015 season, is still recovering from a significant knee injury and will not be back until November at the earliest, according to a team source. That source believes Week 9 is the earliest Houston could return to the field, though the team will reevaluate during its Week 5 bye.

Larry Fitzgerald Expects To Retire After Season

September 11th, 2016 at 9:45am CST by Rory Parks

Longtime face of the Cardinals’ franchise and surefire Hall-of-Fame wideout Larry Fitzgerald is expected to retire at the end of the 2016 season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport reports that Fitzgerald has told people close to him that he believes this year will be his last.

Just last month, Fitzgerald signed an extension that keeps him under club control through the 2017 campaign, though his $11MM salary for 2017 is guaranteed for injury only, making it little more than a “free disability policy” for Fitz while helping Arizona avoid the distraction of having one of the best players in club history play out the season on an expiring contract. As such, the extension never really ensured that the 33-year-old would suit up for the Cardinals in 2017.

Since being selected by Arizona in the first round of the 2004 draft, Fitzgerald has been selected to a whopping nine Pro Bowls. The quarterback situation has been largely unsettled during Fitzgerald’s tenure with the club, and he has caught passes from top-tier signal callers, the dregs of the quarterbacking world, and everything in between.

Through it all, the former Pittsburgh Panther has done nothing but produce, catching over 1,000 passes for over 13,000 yards and 98 touchdowns, which make him a top-15 all-time receiver in each category. He has saved some of his best work for the playoffs, racking up almost 1,000 receiving yards and 10 TDs in nine playoff games, including a dazzling performance in Super Bowl XLIII that nearly lifted the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl championship.

The Cardinals, of course, enter the 2016 season on the short list of legitimate Super Bowl contenders, so he should have a real chance of adding that elusive ring to a career that has been otherwise flawless both on and off the field.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

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