HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Falcons Still In Contact With Dwight Freeney

September 18th, 2017 at 7:28pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Falcons have remained in touch with free agent edge rusher Dwight Freeney, but the club has no intention to sign him at this time, head coach Dan Quinn told reporters, including D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.Dwight Freeney

 “Definitely somebody that we still talk to on a regular basis,” Quinn said of Freeney. “We are hopeful that he’s going to play this year. I know that he wants to, but right not there are no changes in our plan.”

Atlanta could conceivably add another pass rusher given that 2016 sack leader Vic Beasley will be sidelined for roughly a month after suffering a hamstring injury against the Packers on Sunday night. However, the Falcons will likely turn to rookie first-rounder Takkarist McKinley to play additional snaps at defensive end instead of inking a veteran such as Freeney, per Ledbetter.

Now entering his age 37-season, Freeney still had something left in the tank in 2016, when he signed a one-year deal with the Falcons in August. While playing roughly a third of Atlanta’s defensive snaps, Freeney managed three sacks and 26.5 pressures, and also added a sack in the club’s Super Bowl appearance. He’s yet to be linked to any team since free agency opened in March.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/18/17

September 18th, 2017 at 7:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

New England Patriots

New York Giants

  • Promoted to active roster: LB Curtis Grant
  • Waived: WR Tavarres King

Saints Won’t Trade/Release Adrian Peterson

September 18th, 2017 at 6:34pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Saints running back Adrian Peterson downplayed a purported sideline dispute involving head coach Sean Payton, and though he recently expressed displeasure with his limited role in the New Orleans offense, the Saints don’t have any intention of trading or releasing Peterson, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.Adrian Peterson (Vertical)

[RELATED: Brandin Cooks‘ Discontent Led To Saints Trade]

Peterson, 32, saw action on only 15% of the Saints’ offensive snaps in Week 1, and while that percentage increased to 25% in Week 2 against the Patriots, Peterson hasn’t been a major contributor for New Orleans through two games. On 14 rushing attempts, Peterson has managed only 44 yards and has received just one target in the passing game.

The Saints trailed early and often in each of their two games this season, meaning that Peterson — and his limited receiving/pass-blocking ability — wasn’t needed on the field. Positive game scripts will likely be required for Peterson to regularly see action, although his problems with running out of the shotgun formation shouldn’t come into play. Through two contests, the Saints have used shotgun on 39% of plays, 3% fewer than league average, per SharpFootballStats.com.

The Cardinals, who recently lost star running back David Johnson for the foreseeable future, have been mentioned as a hypothetical trade partner for the Saints and Peterson. However, dealing Peterson would create $2.5MM and $1.25MM in dead money for New Orleans over the next two campaigns, respectively.

Patriots, Lions Worked Out DL Datone Jones

September 18th, 2017 at 5:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Patriots auditioned free agent defensive lineman Datone Jones today, while the Lions did the same on Saturday, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link) and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link).Datone Jones (vertical)

If signed by New England, Jones would likely play a role similar to that of incumbent options Deatrich Wise or Adam Butler, tweets Doug Kyed of NESN — that is, an edge player who can slide inside on passing downs. A former first-round pick, Jones is capable of playing either in a 3-4 or 4-3 front, and his scheme versatility could prove valuable for a Patriots club that prides itself on flexibility.

While the Patriots are short on edge defenders, the Lions are arguably even less equipped along the front seven. Kerry Hyder, last season’s breakout contributor, is done for the season with a torn Achilles, while Khyri Thornton and Armonty Bryant won’t return from suspension until midseason. Detroit should have a well-formulated view of Jones after facing him as a member of the division rival Packers in each of the past four years.

Now entering his age-27 campaign, Jones has never quite lived up to his draft status, and surprisingly couldn’t make the squad in Minnesota even after inking a one-year, $3.75MM pact that included $1.6MM in guarantees. Jones logged a career-high four starts and amassed 548 snaps across 15 games last season, when he added 22 tackles, a sack and ranked 70th in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/18/17

September 18th, 2017 at 5:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad updates:

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: WR Greg Ward
  • Released: T Victor Salako

San Francisco 49ers

Redskins’ Su’a Cravens Won’t Play This Year

September 18th, 2017 at 4:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Su’a Cravens will not suit up for the Redskins this season. The versatile defender has been formally placed on the reserve/left squad list. Su'a Cravens (Vertical)

“Today the Redskins have officially placed Su’a Cravens on the Reserve/Left Squad list,” the team said in a statement. “In accordance with the NFL Constitution and Bylaws, Su’a will not be permitted to return to the club for the remainder of the 2017 NFL season, including the postseason. We sincerely hope that Su’a uses this time away from the club to reflect upon whether or not he’d like to resume his career in the National Football League in 2018.”

Cravens shocked the Redskins in early September when he informed the team that he would be retiring. Hours later, he reversed that decision. The team placed him on the NFI list to give him some time to consider his football future, but he is apparently still in deliberations.

Cravens, a second-round draft pick in 2016, appeared in 11 games and made three starts as a rookie while lining up at both defensive back and linebacker. This year, he was slated to shift to safety full-time.

The Redskins are now without two key players in the secondary in Cravens and DeAngelo Hall (knee injury). D.J. Swearinger and Deshazor Everett are the team’s starters at free safety and strong safety, respectively.

Colts’ Andrew Luck Won’t Play Sunday

September 18th, 2017 at 3:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Andrew Luck is still on the mend. The Colts quarterback won’t be ready in time for Sunday’s game against the Browns, meaning that Jacoby Brissett will draw the start yet again. Andrew Luck

There is still no timetable for Luck’s return, but coach Chuck Pagano told reporters that he has no doubt that Luck will play again this season.

Brissett, acquired in early September in a trade with the Patriots, was given the Week 2 start despite having a very limited period of time in which to learn the playbook. He fared better than Scott Tolzien did in the season opener, but Indy still lost 16-13 to the Cardinals in OT. Brissett completed 20 of his 37 passes for 216 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

After Sunday’s game against Cleveland, the Colts head to Seattle to take on the Colts in Week 4.

Texans Cut WR Jaelen Strong

September 18th, 2017 at 3:18pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans have released wide receiver Jaelen Strong, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Strong served a one-game suspension to start the year and had only just recently returned to action. To take his place, the team re-signed wide receiver Andy Jones.Jaelen Strong

Strong was one of three active Texans receivers on Thursday night, but he did not draw a single target in the win over the Bengals. As of this writing, the Texans have only three fully healthy receivers in DeAndre Hopkins, Braxton Miller, and Jones. With Bruce Ellington (concussion) and Will Fuller (broken collarbone) still dealing with their ailments, the Texans may sign another wideout soon.

Strong was a third round pick of Houston in the 2015 draft but has yet to really produce at the professional level. He caught 14 passes in each of his first two seasons and did not register a touchdown in his eight games last year.

The Texans also considered releasing Strong before the season, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Extra Points: Vikings, Bradford, Dolphins

September 18th, 2017 at 2:11pm CST by Zachary Links

Depending on how rehab on his knee goes, the Vikings believe Sam Bradford can return next week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears (on Twitter). The quarterback is believed to have a bone bruise, a source tells NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). The plan for right now is to see how his knee responds to an injection this week and then take from there.

On Sunday, the Case Keenum-led Vikings lost badly in Pittsburgh, so the team is hoping to get its best QB back on the field in time for the home contest against Tampa Bay.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • The Dolphins filed a missing persons report on linebacker Lawrence Timmons when he went AWOL on Saturday, according to TMZ. The police found Timmons at LAX on early Sunday morning as he was looking to board a flight to Pennsylvania. At that point, a team employee met him at the airport and traveled with him. TMZ hears that Timmons was going to Pennsylvania to meet with a child of his and her mother.
  • Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower’s MCL injury was diagnosed as the 2-3 week variety by two different doctors, Rapoport tweets. The key Pats defender should be back either this week or next based on that timeframe. Problems with his right knee forced Hightower to start training camp on the PUP list and he was forced out of the season opener after aggravating it. Hightower earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2016 and re-upped with the Pats this offseason on a four-year deal that could pay him as much as $43.5MM.
  • Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert is battling back and knee injuries and his status for Sunday’s game against Green Bay is uncertain, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). For now, it doesn’t seem like a long-term issue, but it’s a situation worth monitoring given Eifert’s previous health troubles.
  • Punter Matt Darr worked out for the Bills and agent Brett Tessler (on Twitter) claims that it went very well. Darr had a 46-yard career average before his release from Miami earlier this month.

Bears’ Nick Kwiatkoski Likely Done For Year

September 18th, 2017 at 1:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski is likely done for the year with a season-ending pectoral injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Once confirmed by medical testing, Kwiatkoski will be placed on injured reserve. Nick Kwiatkoski (vertical)

Kwiatkoski, a fourth-round pick in last year’s draft, was moved into the starting lineup in the wake of Jerrell Freeman‘s pectoral injury and concussion. Now, Chicago is down two ILBs and their best in-house option is former UDFA Christian Jones. Jones has started 20 games for the Bears in the past, but he is not an ideal first string player.

Kwiatkoski, 24, appeared in 14 games as a rookie, including seven starts. He finished out with 42 tackles, one sack, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble.

The Bears lost to the Bucs 29-7 on Monday, dropping them down to 0-2. They’ll look to get in the win column on Sunday when they face the Steelers at Soldier Field.

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