2016 September - Pro Football Rumors

Texans Expected To Place J.J. Watt On IR

September 28th, 2016 at 10:04am CST by Dallas Robinson

Texans star rusher J.J. Watt has re-injured his back and is expected to miss a significant amount of time, and could potentially be done for the year, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Texans officially placed Watt on IR Wednesday morning. Houston hopes he will return this season, but a source told Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link) that the odds are not good.

[RELATED: Brian Cushing Tears ACL]

Losing one of the best — if not the best — player in the NFL for any amount of time will be devastating to Houston’s chances this season, and that may be an understatement. Watt underwent back surgery over the summer, and though he hasn’t missed any action, he hasn’t been his usual dominant self, as he’s ranked just 72nd among interior defenders in 2016, per Pro Football Focus.

Watt, 27, has never missed a regular season game in his five-year career. In each of the last four seasons, Watt has earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro selections, solidifying himself as one of the most terrifying defensive players in the league.

Over his firsrt five seasons in the league, Watt has averaged 74 tackles, 15 sacks, and nine pass defended per season. In 2015, he finished with 76 tackles, 17.5 sacks, eight passes defended, and three forced fumbles. As Roster Resource shows, the Texans’ defensive end group outside of Watt includes Jadeveon Clowney, Joel Heath, Devon Still, Christian Covington, and Brandon Dunn. If Watt misses significant time, they may want to pick up a DE.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Chargers Sign LB Korey Toomer

September 28th, 2016 at 9:40am CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers signed linebacker Korey Toomer off of the Raiders’ practice squad. Today, Toomer took to Twitter to announce the news.

“Thanking god for all my opportunities that I’ve had this journey has been a wild one thank you Raiders and #Raidernation hello @Chargers,” Toomer tweeted.

Recently, the Chargers lost Manti Te’o for the season when he tore his Achilles. The Bolts immediately started looking for outside help at linebacker and they found some depth in Toomer. The inside linebacker will have a chance to show his former team what he can do when the Chargers play the Raiders in Week 5.

Toomer, 28 in December, appeared in ten games for the Raiders last season. In 2014, he saw his first NFL action with the Cowboys (one game) and the Rams (seven games).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bills Sign Michael Ola From Giants’ Practice Squad

September 28th, 2016 at 9:09am CST by Zachary Links

The Bills have signed offensive lineman Michael Ola, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets. Ola was plucked from the Giants’ practice squad to fill their vacant 53-man roster spot.

Ola, 28, was among the Lions’ final cuts this preseason. He hooked on with the Seahawks’ taxi squad soon after being released, but he didn’t last long there. The lineman agreed to join the Giants’ p-squad on September 21st and one week later, he’s off to a new city.

Ola has 24 games to his credit between the Bears, Lions, and Chargers over the last two years. In his time with Chicago, Ola made 12 starts and saw time at every offensive line position except for center. The Bills view Ola as a solid depth pickup and someone that can offer help across the line, if needed.

The Bills now have ten offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, as Rodak notes (Twitter link). Buffalo also has two linemen on the taxi squad and Seantrel Henderson will return from suspension next week. The Bills could get a one-week roster exemption for Henderson that would allow them to have him practice without counting against the roster.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Browns Were Eyeing Titans QB Alex Tanney

September 27th, 2016 at 10:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Titans recently raised the weekly salary of practice squad quarterback Alex Tanney to nearly $31K because the Browns were expressing interest in signing him to their active roster, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Tanney is now earning the same salary he’d be netting if he were on a 53-man roster. For reference, most practice squad players make the PS minimum of $6,900 per week.

Tanney, 28, has spent time with seven clubs during his career, and has prior experience with the Browns, having been on their roster during the 2013 season. His only game experience came last year with Tennessee, when he completed 10-of-14 passes for 99 yards and one touchdown in Week 16. Tanney was waived off the Titans’ active roster two weeks ago, and has been part of their taxi squad since.

There’s no timeline to reference in regards to when exactly Tennessee raised Tanney’s salary, but it would make sense that the Browns were approaching Tanney in the last week or so. After Josh McCown went down with injury, Cleveland was looking for another quarterback to pair with rookie Cody Kessler. The club ultimately agreed to sign veteran Charlie Whitehurst, presumably after whiffing on Tanney.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bengals Notes: A. Jones, Burfict, Coyle

September 27th, 2016 at 9:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The latest out of Cincinnati, where the Bengals have started 1-2 on the season:

Bengals cornerback Adam Jones says he was “somewhat” close to signing with the Dolphins in the offseason, as Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets. Miami was rumored to have interest in Jones, and the connection made sense given that former Cincinnati secondary coach Vance Joseph is now the defensive coordinator in South Beach. However, the Bengals prioritized Jones in free agency, re-signing him to a three-year deal that contains $6MM guaranteed.
Speaking of Bengals defensive backs, some in the club’s secondary room aren’t happy with the coaching techniques of new DBs coach Kevin Coyle, the former Miami DC who essentially swapped roles with Joseph, writes Beasley in a full article. One player, according to Beasley, believes Coyle is “coaching [the Bengals] not to lose instead of coaching them to win.” Cincinnati was lit up by the Broncos and Trevor Siemian on Sunday, and ranks 19th in defensive passing DVOA.
The Bengals have a roster exemption for linebacker Vontaze Burfict which will expire on Thursday, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Burfict is coming off a three-game suspension for repeated violations of the NFL’s safety protocols. Head coach Marvin Lewis says Cincinnati will make a roster move on either Wednesday or Thursday, but wasn’t sure whether Burfict would play against the Dolphins on Thursday, tweets Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Jets Work Out CB D’Joun Smith

September 27th, 2016 at 9:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Cornerback D’Joun Smith worked out for the Jets today, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Smith has also auditioned for the Saints and Lions this year.

A former Florida Atlantic defensive back, Smith was placed on IR-DTR by the Colts in his rookie season and wound up seeing time in only four games before being cut. He was in camp with Indianapolis again this offseason but he was waived with an injury designation prior to the 53-man deadline. Still only 23, the Saints are hoping he can help their ailing secondary. In 44 career games at Florida Atlantic, Smith totaled 120 tackles (78 solo), nine interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 1.0 sack and 29 passes defensed.

The Jets are healthy at corner, as Darryl Roberts is their only defensive back listed on the injury report (and he was a full practice participant). As such, it’s possible that New York is just updating its emergency list or looking for depth. The Jets’ defensive backfield currently consists of Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, Marcus Williams, Juston Burris, and Roberts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Texans To Sign Antonio Smith

September 27th, 2016 at 8:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Texans plan to sign defensive end Antonio Smith on Wednesday after placing J.J. Watt on injured reserve, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). It will be a one-year deal, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Smith played for Houston 2009-13.

Smith, 35 next month, is an 12-year NFL veteran with more 170 appearances and 130 starts under his belt. In 2015, he played in all 16 games for the Super Bowl champion Broncos, posting 2.5 sacks in the process. During the course of his career, Smith has spent time with the Cardinals, Texans, Raiders, and most recently, Denver. He’ll factor into a Houston defensive end crew that contains Jadeveon Clowney, Joel Heath, Devon Still, Christian Covington, and Brandon Dunn.

Watt, meanwhile, will visit a specialist to learn if his back injury will require surgery or if it can heal on its own, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26. Either way, Watt will be forced to miss a minimum of eight weeks before he can return from IR.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL Workout Updates: 9/27/16

September 27th, 2016 at 8:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Tuesday is workout day in the NFL, and while we’ve dedicated full posts to the more notable tryouts, we’ll round up the stragglers here:

The Jaguars worked out offensive tackle Jeff Adams, wide receivers Kenny Bell and Mario Alford, guard Chase Farris, and linebacker Micah Awe, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
The Eagles worked out tight ends Gannon Sinclair, Rory Anderson, and Marcel Jensen; quarterback Logan Thomas; cornerback Duke Thomas; and safety Rolan Milligan, according to Caplan (Twitter link)
Defensive tackle Sealver Siliga worked out for the Bears, Doug Kyed of NESN tweets. The Bears also auditioned tackle Clay DeBord, guard Austin Shepherd, and offensive tackle Arturo Uzdavinis, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).
The Bills worked out quarterback Josh Woodrum, tight end Paul Lang, wide receiver Corey Washington, tackle Clay DeBord, guard Chase Farris, and guard Donovan Williams, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets.
The Redskins worked out guard Mackenzy Bernadeau and safeties Josh Evans and Jerome Couplin, Caplan tweets. Cornerback Tay Glover-Wright was also on hand for a workout, per Howard Balzer (Twitter link). Washington is on the hunt for secondary help after losing DeAngelo Hall for the season.
Like the Eagles, the Buccaneers also worked out tight end Rory Anderson, according to Caplan (Twitter link).
The Panthers auditioned former Falcons third-round pick Dezmen Southward, tweets Caplan. After signing fellow safety Michael Griffin, however, Carolina will presumably pass on Southward.
The Chiefs took a look at offensive tackle Jesse Davis, reports Balzer (Twitter link).

Lions Audition Bjoern Werner, Two Tight Ends

September 27th, 2016 at 8:06pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions are apparently spending their Tuesday taking a look at failed first-round picks. After working out former Jets draft pick Quinton Coples earlier today, Detroit auditioned ex-Colt/Jaguar Bjoern Werner, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Werner, 26 appeared in 38 games over the last three years for the Colts, including 16 starts. In that time, the Florida State alum registered 77 tackles (61 solo), 6.5 sacks, five passes defensed, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. However, the majority of Werner’s production came in his first two years in the league — in 2015, he appeared in 10 games and picked up just 11 total tackles and one fumble recovery. Following the 2015 campaign, he was waived by Indianapolis.

Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah is expected to be out for Sunday’s game — and perhaps longer — as he deals with a high ankle sprain. Detroit, then, is presumably searching for some low-cost depth options as they brace for Ansah’s loss.

Werner and Coples weren’t the only players auditioning in Motown today, as the Lions also looked at free agent tight ends Justice Cunningham and Adrien Robinson, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals Sign LS Aaron Brewer

September 27th, 2016 at 7:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals have signed veteran long snapper Aaron Brewer, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Rookie snapper Kameron Canaday struggled during the first three games of the season, and was waived earlier today. Brewer, 26, is a four-year NFL veteran, having spent the past several seasons with the Broncos.

Brewer was just one of several specialists that Arizona worked out today. Fellow long snapper Tyler Ott was also on hand, as were punters Michael Palardy, Ryan Quigley, and Tim Masthay, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The Cardinals will need a new punter for at least a few games, as incumbent Drew Butler will be sidelined for awhile with an ankle/Achilles injury.

Arizona completed a busy day by auditioning a trifecta of linebackers, as they took a look at Nate Irving, James-Michael Johnson, and Joplo Bartu, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Irving, 28, has 62 career appearances to his name, but was released by the Colts at final cutdowns despite being in the midst of a multi-year contract.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.