2017 September - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Packers RB Jamaal Williams

September 29th, 2017 at 1:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although he went down on Thursday night, Packers running back Jamaal Williams did not suffer any ligament damage in his knee, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Williams “could” miss Green Bay’s next game — which doesn’t occur until October 8 — but is unlikely to be sidelined for any additional action.

Williams, a fourth-round rookie out of BYU, took over the Packers’ starting running back job last night after Ty Montgomery suffered broken ribs. However, Williams was dealt his own injury blow after playing only 12 offensive snaps. In that time, the 22-year-old rushed four times for 11 yards and caught his only target for two yards. On the season, Williams has posted nine carries for 32 yards.

While there hasn’t been a medical update on Montgomery, he seems likely to miss time, so rookie Aaron Jones could handle the lion’s share of carries in Green Bay’s next contest. Devante Mays — the third running back drafted by the Packers in 2017 — will likely be active when the Packers face the Cowboys in Week 5, while fullback Aaron Ripkowski will also ply a large role. A free agent addition can’t be ruled out, although the need for an external option may be reduced given William’s optimistic timeline.

NFL Not Discussing Ezekiel Elliott Settlement

September 29th, 2017 at 12:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL has not discussed a possible settlement with Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott‘s attorneys, according to Tom Pelisserio of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Elliott, who is facing a six-game suspension stemming from domestic violence allegations, will be uniform when Dallas faces the Rams on Sunday, as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will begin deliberations the following Monday. A three-judge panel — one that holds a pro-business view that could favor the NFL, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk — will decide whether Elliot’s injunction against the league was filed within the correct jurisdiction.

The NFL will essentially argue that Elliott’s case was the “wrong suit in the wrong court at the wrong time,” tweets David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. If the court rules from the bench (something a source tells Florio to expect) and dismisses the injunction, the case will be sent to New York federal court, where the league already filed a lawsuit.

Elliott, for his part, is reportedly not willing to accept any settlement that would involve accepting any blame. The NFL, meanwhile, won’t absolve him, so there is apparently no middle ground where an agreement could be struck.

NFC North Notes: Packers, Adams, Bears

September 29th, 2017 at 10:20am CST by Dallas Robinson

Packers wideout Davante Adams was taken to the hospital on Thursday night following a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, but “everything is progressing well” for Adams, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. “He’s already giving them a hard time at the hospital to get out of there so that’s a great sign,” McCarthy said, per Curtis Crabrtee of Pro Football Talk. Adams suffered a concussion but his MRI is “clean,” per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Trevathan, meanwhile, earned a 15-yard personal foul for the hit but wasn’t ejected from last night’s game. The play is under review by the NFL, however, and Trevathan could be subject to a suspension, tweets Rapoport.

Here’s more from the NFC North, with a focus on Thursday Night Football:

Starting running back Ty Montgomery left last night’s contest early after suffering broken ribs, and the Packers are also down their No. 2 runner in Jamaal Williams, who is believed to have sprained his knee on Thursday, per Rapoport (Twitter link). Williams will likely miss time, meaning Green Bay will now lean on rookies Aaron Jones and Devante Mays in the backfield. While the Packers could conceivably get by with Jones, Mays, and fullback Aaron Ripkowski, the club will almost certainly add another back. Green Bay doesn’t have a running back on its practice squad, so it could look to a free agent market that includes DeAngelo Williams, Rashad Jennings, C.J. Spiller, and Ryan Mathews.
Bears quarterback Mike Glennon struggled on Thursday, tossing one touchdown against two interceptions while losing two fumbles, but head coach John Fox didn’t immediately commit to making a change under center, as Crabtree writes in a separate piece. “We need to make a lot of changes,” Fox said. “We’ll evaluate everything. We’ve got a lot of work to do before we line up against Minnesota Monday night and we’re going to look at everything.” Chicago, of course, signed Glennon to a three-year, $45MM contract this offseason that contains $18.5MM guaranteed, but also moved up to the No. 2 overall pick to select UNC’s Mitch Trubisky. The Bears have an extended break before facing the Vikings on October 9.
After being benched at the start of the second half of last night’s contest, Packers cornerback Damarious Randall wasn’t on the sideline for the rest of the game and also wasn’t present in the post-game locker room, report Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Although McCarthy called the issue an “internal matter,” Demovsky speculates Randall could potentially be suspended or even waived. A second-round pick in 2015, Randall has thus far graded as a bottom-15 NFL cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus.
Former Packers long snapper Brett Goode received a four-week injury settlement, while fullback Joe Kerridge got three weeks, according to veteran NFL reporter Bob McGinn (Twitter links). Both players must wait three weeks plus the length of their respective settlements before they’re eligible to re-sign with Green Bay.

Former NFL WR Jacoby Jones To Retire

September 29th, 2017 at 8:54am CST by Dallas Robinson

Former NFL wide receiver/return man Jacoby Jones will officially announce his retirement later today, according to press release from the Ravens.

Jones, 33, enjoyed a nine-year NFL tenure, but he’s perhaps best known for his efforts in the 2012-13 playoffs as a member of the Ravens. With fewer than 50 seconds remaining in Baltimore’s AFC divisional round matchup against Denver, Jones got behind Broncos safety Rahim Moore to haul in a 70-yard touchdown to tie the game. Following what became known as the “Mile High Miracle,” the Ravens defeated Denver in overtime, beat New England in the AFC Championship Game, and eventually won the Super Bowl over San Francisco.

A third-round pick in 2007, Jones spent five seasons with the Texans before joining the Ravens from 2012-14. The Lane product finished up his career in 2015 by playing in five games with the Chargers and four contests with the Steelers. All told, Jones posted 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns, and added nine more scores in the return game. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2012 as a returner.

PFR extends its best wishes to Jones in retirement.

Extra Points: Timmons, Fuller, Redskins

September 28th, 2017 at 9:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins made Lawrence Timmons‘ suspension shortlived, reinstating the linebacker earlier this week. Timmons addressed his status, albeit vaguely. Adam Gase also said there’s a possibility Timmons could make his Dolphins debut Sunday against the Saints in London.

“To all the fans of the Miami Dolphins and to everyone, I’m just happy to be back here,” Timmons said, via James Walker of ESPN.com. “Sorry to the organization. I’m just happy to be a Miami Dolphin. I just want to play football and be the best I can.”

Timmons declined to say why he went AWOL from the team before Week 2. Gase said he and Timmons “worked through a couple of things,” adding he feels confident the linebacker will be able to contribute to the team. The former Steelers linebacker was said to have visited his old team’s facility during the Dolphins’ Hurricane Irma-induced bye in Week 1. Timmons would be a welcome addition to a Dolphins team that remains thin at linebacker, even after the Stephone Anthony acquisition.

Here’s the latest from around the league.

Will Fuller looks set to return Sunday for the Texans, Bill O’Brien said (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle). The 2016 first-round pick broke his collarbone during training camp and was expected to be out up to three months. This would put the Texans‘ No. 2 wideout on the front end of that timetable. Fuller will be working with another new quarterback, with Deshaun Watson having taken the reins since the former Notre Dame speedster was last healthy.
Kelvin Benjamin also figures to be ready for his team in Week 4. After suffering a knee injury in the Panthers’ Week 3 loss, their top receiver avoided a serious setback. And Ron Rivera, via David Newton of ESPN.com, said barring a setback Benjamin will suit up against the Patriots.
Redskins backup offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe will miss three to six games with a core muscle injury that required surgery, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The 31-year-old has functioned as a part-time player in Washington since 2015, stepping in for left tackle Trent Williams during his four-game suspension last season and working as a reserve so far this year.
Linebacker Eric Pinkins worked out for the Cowboys on Thursday, Wilson tweets. Pinkins played in 11 games between 2015-16, for the Seahawks and Giants, before failing to make the Giants out of training camp. The Cowboys have two linebackers on their injury report, Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens. Neither got in a full practice Thursday.
Quarterback Nate Sudfeld may have landed on the Eagles‘ practice squad after failing to make the Redskins out of the preseason, but Philadelphia sweetened the deal for the second-year quarterback. Sudfeld’s practice squad salary is $540K, Joel Corry of CBS Sports tweets. That’s nearly $32K per week, a rather notable increase from the league minimum squad pay ($7,200 per week). He’ll earn more than some of the players on Philly’s 53-man roster. Sudfeld spent his rookie season on Washington’s active roster.

Ty Montgomery Suffers Broken Ribs

September 28th, 2017 at 9:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ty Montgomery left Thursday night’s Bears-Packers game in the first quarter, and some additional details as to why emerged after the rain delay.

The Packers running back suffered broken ribs, inducing the locker room trip, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The fractures occurred early, but the third-year performer attempted to play through the injury, Rapoport reports. He will not return to the game.

Green Bay’s carrying virtually no experience at running back behind Montgomery, himself drafted to play wide receiver. Fourth-round rookie Jamaal Williams entered the game for Montgomery in the first quarter, and the Packers also have fifth-rounder Aaron Jones and seventh-rounder Devante Mays. The latter is inactive tonight.

Despite a slow start on the ground (3.o yards per carry), Montgomery has been effective as a receiver thus far — 18 receptions for 129 yards through three games.

Latest On Ezekiel Elliott Case

September 28th, 2017 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL will have its latest opportunity to gain the upper hand in its battle with Ezekiel Elliott and the NFLPA when the sides convene Monday in New Orleans for the Fifth District Court of Appeals hearing. However, the league is attempting to take action that will send this case elsewhere.

Based on the notion Elliott filed his initial appeal of his six-game suspension before league-appointed arbiter Harold Henderson issued his ruling, the NFL asked a federal appeals court to lift the injunction — one that’s allowing the Cowboys running back to play while his case traverses the legal system, according to Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press. The league wants the case dismissed and Elliott to begin serving his suspension.

Both sides will have a chance to present oral arguments to the appellate court Monday afternoon. The NFL is arguing the Texas judge that granted Elliott’s injunction, Amos Mazzant, did not have jurisdiction regarding this subject matter since the appeal came before Henderson’s ruling. The NFLPA countered by saying Mazzant did, in fact, have jurisdiction because Henderson rejected a request allow testimony from Roger Goodell or accuser Tiffany Thompson during Elliott’s appeal hearing, thus prompting Elliott’s lawsuit in Texas to start the legal proceedings.

The NFL’s attempt being successful would send this case to New York federal court, where the league already filed a lawsuit. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes the NFL believes it has a much better chance of winning this case there.

Elliott remains eligible for Sunday’s Week 4 game against the Rams, but more legal jargon will be coming Monday after a critical day in his case ensues.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/28/17

September 28th, 2017 at 8:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves.

To make room on the roster for Vontaze Burfict‘s activation from a three-game suspension, the Bengals waived linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. The son of the former All-Pro linebacker, Nickerson signed with the Bengals in May as a UDFA. He made the team out of training camp and played in each of Cincinnati’s first three games this season.
The Raiders signed linebacker Boseko Lokombo to their practice squad and released defensive lineman Max Valles from that unit.

North Notes: Burfict, Bears, Packers, Decker

September 28th, 2017 at 6:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Vontaze Burfict‘s Bengals contract calls for a $2MM roster bonus if he’s on the team by March 31 of next year, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The Bengals protected themselves heavily with the Burfict extension, one that could pay out $33.234MM through 2020, since the deal comes with just $3.3MM guaranteed. Speaking publicly about the extension for the first time, Burfict didn’t elaborate much about his decision to bypass free agency for a largely non-guaranteed deal. Although, he did say he appreciates the Bengals’ support in agreeing to take him on long-term given his suspension history. “I hope so,” Burfict said (via Owczarski) of the feeling of support. “I give my blood, sweat and tears out on the field. It’s vice versa. I appreciate everything they do for me and my family and like I said, let’s go get a win on Sunday. Now we’re in for four more years, so we’re past it now. So now obviously just win some games.”

The Bengals reinstated Burfict on Thursday.

Here’s the latest from the North divisions on a night when their most storied rivalry takes center stage.

The Bears‘ Tarik Cohen pursuit began when Ryan Pace‘s top southeastern scout declared the then-North Carolina A&T running back was his favorite player to watch, over all of the SEC prospects he observed, and the Chicago GM soon became enamored as well, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link). The Bears selected several small-school talents this year, with second-round tight end Adam Shaheen being the first, but Cohen — a fourth-rounder — has played an impact role from the start.
While Cohen will receive his first chance to display the elusiveness that enticed the Bears to a national audience, the Packers will be down several key players. Both starting tackles — David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga — are out, and Mike Daniels will miss the Week 4 tilt as well. The Packers are already down would-be backup options in Don Barclay, Jason Spriggs and Kyle Murphy — each on IR — so Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets a four-guard lineup could be on tap. Justin McCray, who started at tackle for Bakhtiari in Week 2, and fellow rookie Adam Pankey join second-year player Lucas Patrick in the mix to protect Aaron Rodgers on Thursday. Each of those players entered the league as a UDFA. The Packers played without both starting tackles against the Falcons, with Murphy and McCray receiving the replacement starts.
The Bears aren’t judging Mike Glennon in their impending quarterback swap but rather are monitoring Mitch Trubisky to determine when the rookie will be ready to take over, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes. Glennon has struggled during his first three starts, and Biggs categorizes the season’s plan — once based around Trubisky redshirting as a rookie — as a week-to-week arrangement.
Ka’Deem Carey‘s Bears injury settlement was worth $273,529, Biggs reports. The Bears placed the backup running back on IR just before the season, and the settlement came shortly after.
Not known for particularly expansive pressers, Jim Caldwell succinctly assessed Taylor Decker‘s status. The fourth-year Lions coach said Decker is “progressing towards” a midseason return, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. The left tackle was given a four- to six-month timetable upon a labrum tear in June. Midseason would fall in that range. Greg Robinson currently mans the left edge for the Lions.
Tests done on Danny Shelton‘s injured calf don’t look to reveal a serious malady, Rapoport tweets. The Browns defensive tackle injured the calf in practice Wednesday. He has not missed a game in his three-year career.

Saints Activate Willie Snead, Place John Kuhn On IR

September 28th, 2017 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

John Kuhn‘s September of transactions saw the latest chapter reveal itself Thursday, and the veteran fullback’s time with the team took a bad turn.

The Saints placed Kuhn on IR because of a biceps injury Ian Rapoport of NFL.com refers to as “potentially serious” (Twitter link). Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com tweets Kuhn likely tore a biceps muscle during practice this week.

Kuhn, who re-signed with the franchise again on Monday, looks like he will be out for the season. The Saints used his roster spot to officially activate Willie Snead, who is set to return after serving a three-game suspension.

The 35-year-old Kuhn played in two Saints games this season after suiting up for all 16 in 2016. New Orleans released the blocking back twice this month but re-signed him soon after.

Snead returns after a suspension for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. The third-year wideout has been a consistent part of New Orleans’ offense since debuting in 2015.