2017 September - Pro Football Rumors

Brian Cushing Gets 10-Game Suspension

September 13th, 2017 at 4:28pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The NFL announced Wednesday that it has suspended Texans linebacker Brian Cushing 10 games without pay for violating its policy on performance-enhancing drugs (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX 26). Cushing will be eligible to return to the Texans’ active roster Nov. 28. In the meantime, he’ll lose $4MM in salary and the Texans could attempt to recoup some of his signing bonus, per Field Yates of ESPN (on Twitter).

This is the second PED-related suspension for Cushing, a ninth-year man who served a four-game ban in 2010. Another such suspension would force Cushing to sit for at least two years, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (on Twitter). The 30-year-old is now in line for his shortest season since 2012, when injuries limited him to five games. Aside from that season and 2013, when he only suited up seven times, Cushing entered this year having played in no fewer than 12 games in any individual campaign. He has also started in all 100 career appearances.

While the former USC star has been a staple in Houston since it drafted him 15th overall in 2009, this suspension could give the team another reason to cut ties with him after the season. The Texans used a second-round pick this past offseason on a potential replacement, Zach Cunningham, as Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com tweets. Further, releasing Cushing would save the Texans $8.5MM and leave them with only $1.2MM in dead money in 2018.

While Houston will have an interesting decision to make on Cushing in the offseason, it has nearly a full slate to play before then. Already off to an 0-1 start after taking a beating from AFC South rival Jacksonville last week, the Texans will now have to go the next couple months without a key defensive starter (albeit one who has had a rather inconsistent career, according to Pro Football Focus). Along with Cunningham, possible in-house fill-ins include Brian Peters and Dylan Cole – two players who lack NFL track records as defenders.

Panthers Claim CB Ladarius Gunter

September 13th, 2017 at 3:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Packers cornerback Ladarius Gunter was claimed off waivers by the Panthers, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In a corresponding move, the Panthers are releasing kicker Harrison Butker.

Gunter had the most defensive snaps of any Packers cornerback in 2016. He was productive early on, but he slowed down towards the end of the season and slipped down the depth chart over the summer. He was on the field for only two snaps in Green Bay’s season opener.

The release of Butker means that Graham Gano will be sticking with the team. Earlier this month, the Panthers were receiving calls of trade interest in Gano, leading to speculation that they could move him for a draft pick and stick with Butker. That won’t be the case as the Georgia Tech product is now subject to waivers.

Raiders, Donald Penn Nearing Extension

September 13th, 2017 at 3:26pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders and left tackle Donald Penn are closing in on a two-year extension, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The deal should be completed by this week, he adds.

Penn held out from the Raiders for nearly a month before reporting towards the end of August. Penn was pushing for an increase over his $5.8MM base salary for 2017 and it appears that he’ll either get a bump for this year or a nice chunk of change starting in 2018.

Raiders brass told Penn that they would discuss an extension if he suited up for team activities. It seems the organization has kept its word.

“We don’t talk contracts unless a guy is here,” said GM Reggie McKenzie over the summer.

Penn is 34, but he stands as one of the game’s best offensive tackles. He has been seeking top ten money and the new contract should at least put him close to that. His previous deal’s average annual value had him outside of the top 20 tackles in the NFL.

Over the last ten years, Penn has not missed a single regular season contest. Last year, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 tackle in the NFL.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/13/17

September 13th, 2017 at 2:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Cleveland Browns

Released from IR: RB Brandon Wilds

Green Bay Packers

Promoted to active roster: OL Adam Pankey

Houston Texans

Promoted to active roster: TE Evan Baylis
Waived: WR Andy Jones

Minnesota Vikings

Released from IR: TE Bucky Hodges

San Francisco 49ers

Waived: T John Theus

Tennessee Titans

Released from IR: RB Joe Bacci, DL Jimmy Staten

Dolphins Had Interest In Richard Sherman

September 13th, 2017 at 12:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks were known to have discussed cornerback Richard Sherman with the Patriots this offseason, but apparently New England wasn’t the only AFC East club to have inquired on the All Pro defensive back. The Dolphins also asked about Sherman’s availability, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, and while receiver Jarvis Landry was “raised” in talks, there’s no indication Landry was ever formally offered in negotiations.

Miami is no stranger to acquiring former Seattle cornerbacks, as the club picked up Byron Maxwell (after a one-year layover in Philadelphia) last season. But the Dolphins are still weak in the secondary, as second-year pro Xavien Howard and Alterraun Verner are the team’s top options behind Maxwell (Tony Lippett is out for the season, but his injury occurred after any presumptive Sherman talks). Recently, Miami went hard after free agent corner Joe Haden before he signed with the Steelers.

Sherman, who is due base salaries north of $11MM in each of the next two seasons, reportedly requested a trade out of Seattle, and the Seahawks attempted to honor his ask, but discussions seemingly never got serious with any other club. The Patriots were in the Sherman market but ultimately bowed out, possibly because of Seattle’s high asking price (a 2017 first-round pick plus a conditional mid-round choice in 2018).

Landry, meanwhile, has also been mentioned in trade rumors, although the Dolphins have refuted those reports. Scheduled to become a free agent next spring, Landry still hasn’t been offered an extension by Miami, which may prefer fellow wideout DeVante Parker. The franchise tag probably isn’t an option for the 24-year-old Landry, as the $16MM+ tender figure is likely untenable for a receiver who primarily plays in the slot.

Lions Audition Jaye Howard, Garrett Grayson

September 13th, 2017 at 11:40am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions have hosted workouts for defensive lineman Jaye Howard and quarterback Garrett Grayson, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (all Twitter links).

Howard, 28, was released by the Bears during final cutdowns after having a signed a one-year pact in May. A longtime Chief, Howard only suited up eight times and made five starts last year, as a hip injury ended his season in November. During his limited action in 2016, Howard added 23 tackles and a sack, and ranked 55th in performance among Pro Football Focus‘ 127 qualified interior defensive linemen.

Detroit needs all the help it can get in the front seven, as the club’s defensive line has been decimated by injuries and suspensions. Kerry Hyder and Jordan Hill have both been placed on injured reserve, while Armonty Bryant and Khyri Thornton won’t return until Weeks 4 and 6, respectively, after being hit with league-imposed bans.

Quarterback is a less-pressing need for the Lions, as Matthew Stafford and Jake Rudock comprise the team’s top two options under center. Seventh-round pick Brad Kaaya was lost via waivers earlier this month, and Detroit doesn’t currently have a signal-caller on its practice squad. Grayson, a former third-round selection of the Saints, has never attempted an NFL pass.

Howard and Grayson weren’t the only free agents on display in the Motor City. Per Balzer, the Lions also took a look at quarterback Mitch Leidner; wide receivers C.J. Board, Montay Crockett, Anthony Dable, Cyril Grayson, Bug Howard, and Jordan Payton; defensive tackles Jeremy Faulk, Marcus Hardison, and Louis Trinca-Pasat; defensive end Patrick Gamble; LB Nicholas Grigsby; and S Jack Tocho.

49ers Sign LB Elijah Lee Off Vikings’ PS

September 13th, 2017 at 11:13am CST by Dallas Robinson

The 49ers have signed linebacker Elijah Lee off the Vikings’ practice squad, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (Twitter links).

San Francisco had interest in signing Lee to its practice squad following final cutdowns, but the Vikings increased his salary above the $7,200 per week minimum in order to convince to stick in Minnesota. Lee, whom the Vikings selected in the seventh round of the 2017 draft, spent three seasons at Kansas State. Last year, he appeared in 13 games and managed 110 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two interceptions.

The 49ers are searching for linebacker depth following the news that rookie Reuben Foster is expected to be sidelined for at least one month with a high-ankle sprain. While San Francisco worked out veterans Sean Spence and Donald Butler earlier this week, the club has decided to go with a less experienced option in Lee.

Latest On Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott

September 13th, 2017 at 10:37am CST by Dallas Robinson

The judge involved in Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott‘s legal case has requested the NFLPA and the NFL offer filings by 5pm Wednesday and Friday, respectively, according to Tom Peliserro of USA Today (Twitter link), which means it’s a “virtual certainty” Elliott plays against the Broncos on Sunday. As was the case in Week 1, the NFL has taken the position that a delay in a ruling means Elliott will be available for the week in which a decision is handed down.

Here’s more on the Elliott saga:

The “expedited” appeals process in the Elliott case will be similar to that of the Tom Brady/Deflategate timeline, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), meaning arguments will be held in September, followed by a hearing in January and a decision in April. That is, of course, a court grants a stay in the case, something the NFL is requesting. League spokesman Joe Lockhart indicated Elliott won’t be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, tweets Rapoport.
Elliott and the NFL aren’t likely to reach a settlement that would absolve the second-year back of domestic violence responsibility, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Given that Elliott has been unwilling to accept any blame, there is “no middle ground” on which the two parties can land. Instead, Elliott is expected to be either banned for six games or zero games.
The NFL did not ask Elliott’s accuser, Tiffany Thompson, to testify under oath, as Florio writes in a separate piece. While the league doesn’t hold subpoena power, Thompson did agree to be interviewed by the NFL on six occasions, meaning she may have been willing to offer testimony. However, the league reportedly is wary of placing domestic violence victims in “awkward and uncomfortable” situations, per Florio.

Bills Work Out John Greco

September 13th, 2017 at 9:35am CST by Zachary Links

The Bills worked out a handful of notable names as they gear up for Week 2. Their audition included guards John Greco and Tim Lelito, cornerback B.W. Webb, and wide receivers James Wright and Stephen Hill, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links).

Greco’s six-year tenure with the Browns came to an end prior to this year’s 53-man deadline. After entering the league as a third-round pick of the Rams in 2008, he became a regular for Cleveland in 2011. He started in 66 of 85 appearances with the Browns and finished out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 18 ranked guard last year. Unfortunately, he was not on the field for the Browns’ sole win of 2016 – he was shut down in November due to injury.

Lelito graded out as the No. 49 guard in the league last season for his work with the Saints, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF gave him a solid mark for his pass blocking with a less impressive score on running plays. He hooked on with the Titans in March, but he was let go after a disappointing preseason.

Hill, 26, was a bust for the Jets after being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft. He has not seen live action since the 2013 season.

Chiefs Work Out S Aaron Williams

September 13th, 2017 at 9:13am CST by Zachary Links

With star Eric Berry done for the season, the Chiefs are looking into some reinforcements at safety. With that in mind, Kansas City auditioned former Buffalo safety Aaron Williams on Tuesday, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears.

Williams was cut loose by the Bills around the start of free agency following a season in which he suffered a painful neck injury. He met with the Jaguars in May and the Texans in June, but things have been quiet for him over the last few months. The good news is that Williams was said to be fully healthy when auditioning for Houston three months ago.

Williams, 27, has been a starter for the majority of his NFL career, posting seven interceptions and 183 tackles through 59 total games. His health limited him to only ten games from 2015-16, however.

For now, it looks like Daniel Sorensen could be in line to start with Berry out for the year.