2017 December - Pro Football Rumors

Cowboys Release LB Justin Durant

December 26th, 2017 at 2:48pm CST by GregGoldstein

Now that the Cowboys are no longer in contention for a playoff spot, the team has decided to cut veteran linebacker Justin Durant, reports David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). The Cowboys have promoted linebacker Tre’Von Johnson from the practice squad to replace Durant on the active roster.

Durant, 32, was in his fourth year as a member of the Cowboys. He signed with Dallas prior to last season and was also on the team in 2013 and 2014. The veteran linebacker played in just seven games this season due to injury, collecting a combined 13 tackles while on the field.

This was a notable step down from what he’s done in the past as he appeared in double-digit games all but once since he entered the league as a second round pick by the Jaguars in 2007.

Durant was clearly behind fellow middle linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Jaylon Smith on the depth chart, so without anything to play for in Week 17, the coaching staff probably felt that they should get some younger players more exposure to regular season game action.

The Cowboys will face the Eagles in Week 17 in an attempt to finish above-.500 for the second year in a row.

Latest On Bruce Arians

December 26th, 2017 at 2:17pm CST by GregGoldstein

Two seasons after leading the Cardinals to their second ever NFC Championship game, head coach Bruce Arians‘ future appears to be up in the air entering the final week of the regular season. In response to speculation that the he could be moving on in 2018, the veteran coach stated that, “Nothing’s changed in the last month and a half.” (via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).

Arians made clear to Weinfuss and a pool of reporters after Tuesday’s practice that he would decide on his coaching future between “Monday and February”.

The longtime head coach and offensive coordinator has had health problems in recent years, so it’s fair to ask whether he plans on hanging up his clipboard after the 2017 season is over. However, it appears that the decision to return or leave would solely be up to Arians, according to Mike Jurecki of ArizonaSports.com (Twitter link).

Jurecki heard from sources that “The Cardinals would like to have Arians back next year.” So if this is indeed the case, the front office will plan on giving their coach as much time as he needs to figure out whether he still has the desire to lead the team in 2018.

During his five-year tenure with the Cardinals, Arians has accumulated a record of 39-27, taking the team to the playoffs in both 2014 and 2015. Although, under his guise, Arizona has failed to reach the postseason in each of the last two years thanks in large part to uncertainty at the quarterback position.

Antoine Bethea Tears Pectoral Muscle

December 26th, 2017 at 1:50pm CST by GregGoldstein

The Cardinals are just a win away from ending the 2017 season at .500, but the team will have to beat the playoff contending Seahawks without one of their starting safeties. Head coach Bruce Arians revealed that veteran defensive back Antoine Bethea tore his pectoral muscle against the Giants in Week 16 and will be out for their regular season finale this Sunday, reports Kent Somers of AZCentral Sports (Twitter link). Somers adds that Bethea might need surgery because of the injury, but it wasn’t a definite at this point. The team has promoted linebacker Edmond Robinson in a corresponding move.

At 33 years old, Beathea was having an excellent 2017 campaign, leading the team with a career-high five interceptions in his 12th year in the league. He also was rated highly by the metrics at Pro Football Focus, coming in as the 12th best safety in football through 16 weeks, according to the website.

It would be tough to walk away from the game in the offseason given his recent play, but it’s something that you would think the defensive back would likely consider because of his age, in addition to the recovery process that comes with an injury as serious as this one.

Arizona will likely turn to rookie Budda Baker to replace Bethea on Sunday. Baker has been spectacular on special teams this season. The team’s 2017 second round pick was voted into the Pro Bowl as the number one special teams player in the NFC.

Patriots Sign LB James Harrison

December 26th, 2017 at 1:25pm CST by GregGoldstein

James Harrison went unclaimed on waivers since being released by the Steelers a few days ago, but has since quickly found a new team. The veteran linebacker has signed with the Patriots, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The contract will only last through the remainder of this season, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrtaed (Twitter link).

The team has also released linebacker Trevor Reilly to make room on the 53-man roster, reports Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Harrison, 39, has had an amazing career since latching on with the Steelers after going undrafted as a rookie. He was currently in his second stint with the team after a quick stop with the Bengals in 2013. However, the veteran saw his role with the Steelers diminish greatly this season, appearing in just five games in Pittsburgh.

While Harrison may not be the player he once was, he may be able to bring some leadership and ample postseason experience to a youthful New England defense team next month.

The Patriots could use some more depth at the linebacker position with likes of Elandon Roberts, David Harris, Marquis Flowers getting much of the playing time. In addition, starter Kyle Van Noy was forced to sit out in Week 16 because of a calf injury.

The signing also adds further fuel to the rivalry between the Patriots and the Steelers as both groups look to be in strong position once again to meet in the AFC Championship for a second year in a row. Both teams earned first round byes with wins in Week 16.

Field Yates of ESPN.com had previously reported that Harrison was visiting the Patriots today. (Twitter link).

Ziggy Hood Fractures Elbow, Out For Week 17

December 26th, 2017 at 12:35pm CST by GregGoldstein

The Redskins will be without their starting nose tackle for the team’s final game of the 2017 season. Defensive lineman Evander Hood fractured his right elbow in the team’s victory over the Broncos and will be unable to play in Week 17, according to John Keim of ESPN.com. On the positive side, Hood will not need surgery because of the injury.

This is the first game that “Ziggy” Hood has missed since he signed with Washington prior to the 2016-17 season. As the team’s primary nose tackle, Hood has gotten little in the ways of sacks and tackles. Even though he still ranks as just the 124th best interior defender this season, according to the metrics at Pro Football Focus.

The Redskins play the Giants this weekend, so there is little on the line in this game besides draft position. The team has two veterans to replace Hood in Terrell McClain and A.J. Francis, so Washington doesn’t need to bring in another nose tackle to help offset Hood’s absence.

Broncos Plan To Start Paxton Lynch On Sunday

December 26th, 2017 at 11:29am CST by GregGoldstein

The Broncos have suffered through another down season in 2017. However, the team will get one final look at second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch in their final regular season game, according to Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link).

Head coach Vance Joseph confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that he plans to start Lynch this weekend. Klis passes along, that Joseph thinks Lynch’s injured ankle will be healed enough for him receive a fair evaluation on the field.

The 2016 first round pick has started just one game this season, which came in a loss to the Raiders in Week 12. Lynch injured his ankle in that contest, but didn’t look good when he was healthy, completing 9 of 14 passes for just 41 yards, along with with no touchdowns and one interception.

The 23-year-old has been a major disappointment to a Broncos organization that wanted him to be the successor to Peyton Manning coming off their Super Bowl victory almost two years ago. That plan has clearly not come to fruition as Lynch has only appeared in four games since that time because of injuries and poor play.

Nevertheless, with neither Trevor Siemian or Brock Osweiler separating themselves this year, the Broncos would like one last look at their young quarterback before the they embark on the offseason. While Lynch is still on his rookie contract for 2018, I would still expect Broncos executive John Elway to be on the hunt for a starting caliber QB in the coming months.

Ravens CB Jaylen Hill Tears ACL and MCL

December 26th, 2017 at 10:35am CST by GregGoldstein

The Ravens will go into a critical Week 17 matchup against the Bengals without one of their cornerbacks. Head coach John Harbaugh revealed that undrafted rookie defensive back Jaylen Hill has torn both his ACL and MCL and will be out for the remainder of the season, reports Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.

Hill, 23, made the Ravens roster coming out of training camp, but had been dealing with injuries for a majority of the season. However, he had been active the last three weeks as he was becoming a key special teams player for the team.

Without Hill, Baltimore will bring an extra corner to either the 53 man roster or the practice squad, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Harbaugh told Zrebiec that practice squad cornerback Robertson Daniel is “ready to play”, so he seems like a potential option to be promoted for this Sunday’s game.

The Ravens have already lost corners Jimmy Smith, Tavon Young and Brandon Boykin to injury at different points this year. The team has been relying on veteran Brandon Carr and rookie first-round pick Marlon Humphrey to start on the outside since Smith went down with an achilles injury in Week 13. The Ravens have the likes of Maurice Canady, Lardarius Webb and Anthony Levine to take snaps at the extra cornerback positions as well.

With a win this weekend, Baltimore will clinch their first playoff appearance since the 2014-15 season.

Panthers WR Damiere Byrd Placed On IR

December 26th, 2017 at 10:12am CST by GregGoldstein

The Panthers have clinched a playoff spot after their comeback victory over the Buccaneers in Week 16. However, the team’s receiving corps has taken another hit as Damiere Byrd has been placed on injured reserve due to a lower leg injury, according to Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com (Twitter link). The team will likely activate defensive end Charles Johnson from suspension in a corresponding move, reports Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link).

Byrd, 24, was just starting to cement himself as the Panthers clear number two wide receiver before suffering the injury. In his second season in the NFL, Byrd had caught nine passes in Weeks 14 and 15, including two touchdowns. He had also solidified himself as the team’s primary kickoff return threat, having already returned one kick for a touchdown this season.

Without Byrd, head coach Ron Rivera will likely have to use running back Christian McCaffrey even more in the return game. On the offensive side of the ball, Rivera told Strickland that “it’s tough, but Kaelin Clay has stepped up.” The team also has wideouts Brenton Bersin and Mose Frazier to pick up more snaps in Byrd’s absence. In addition, the team will also get Russell Shepard from a shoulder injury next week.

Person further tweets that the Panthers will not be signing a free agent wideout to replace Byrd, instead opting to go with what the team has now going into the postseason.

The news certainly puts more pressure on the likes of Devin Funchess and Greg Olsen, who will likely see most of the targets when Cam Newton opts to throw the ball down the field. The Panthers have a chance to take the NFC South with a win and a Saints loss in Week 17.

Melvin Gordon Uncertain To Play In Week 17

December 26th, 2017 at 8:39am CST by GregGoldstein

The Chargers kept their playoffs hopes alive after defeating the Jets in Week 16. However, the team may have lost one of their biggest offensive weapons in the process. Running back Melvin Gordon is reportedly in a walking boot after suffering an ankle injury late in last week’s game, and now may be a “game-time decision”, according to Eric Williams of ESPN.com.

“He’s seeing the doctors on Tuesday, and we’ll know more about Melvin as we get going here,” head coach Anthony Lynn said. “Ankles can be kind of tricky. We can keep him out all week, and he’s had enough reps where he can go out and play. He knows what he’s doing, and that’s something that we’ll look at. But he’s another guy that’s probably going to come down to the end of the week.”

In his third-year in the NFL, Gordon has continued to establish himself as a better than average running back. While he may not be putting up elite numbers , the 24-year-old has remained consistent having just surpassed the 1,000 yard mark last Sunday. He’s averaging 3.8 yards per carry and has found the end zone on eight different occasions in 2017.

However, the former first round pick has now sustained injuries in each of his first three years in the league, which does not bode well for his long-term value when comparing him to other top backs. Losing Gordon would represent a major blow for a Chargers team that needs to win next week in order to even have a chance of sneaking into the playoffs. Los Angeles only had Austin Ekeler playing on special teams vs. the Jets and shouldn’t be thought of as a major factor out of the backfield as he continues to deal with a broken hand he suffered two weeks ago. Fellow backs Andre Williams and Kenneth Farrow are currently on the injured reserve as well. With that being the case, Branden Oliver would be the lone remaining running back on the roster if Gordon were to be unavailable. The Chargers would likely sign another free agent to help supplement the running game if Gordon’s injury keeps him from playing in Week 17.

Extra Points: Titans, Lions, Pats, Vikings

December 25th, 2017 at 8:22pm CST by Zachary Links

A very special Christmas edition of Extra Points:

It has been an open subject of debate in league circles whether the Titans will shell out substantial money to land a big name head coach this offseason, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writes. Mike Mularkey is still employed as the team’s head coach, but some anticipate that the Titans will shake things up in the offseason if they miss the playoffs. The 8-7 Titans can make the postseason with a win over the Jaguars in Week 17 or losses from the Chargers and Bills.
Lions Vice President of Player Personnel Kyle O’Brien is emerging as potential GM candidate for other teams in the NFL, Alex Marvez of The Sporting News (Twitter link) has learned. Meanwhile, there’s some speculation about the job security of head coach Jim Caldwell.
The talk of the league is that the Patriots, Vikings, and Eagles coaching staffs will be very popular the league’s head coaches jobs start to open up next week, Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM tweets. Recently, members of each staff were recommended for head coaching gigs by the NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel.