HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Dolphins Place Julius Thomas On IR

December 20th, 2017 at 11:26am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have placed tight end Julius Thomas and offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod on injured reserve. In related moves, they promoted tight end Thomas Duarte and activated offensive tackle Eric Smith off of injured reserve. Julius Thomas (vertical)

The move means that Thomas and Bushrod will not be able to suit up for the team’s final two games against the Chiefs and Bills. This could also mean that the two players have played their final snaps for the Dolphins. Thomas is under contract with a $6.6MM cap number next year, but the team can get out of the entire obligation by releasing him. Bushrod, meanwhile, is eligible for unrestricted free agency in March.

This year, Thomas had 41 catches for 388 yards and three touchdowns. It has been widely assumed that he’ll be released outright, but Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald recently suggested that Thomas could instead return at a reduced salary. Recent comments by coach Adam Gase also indicate that Thomas could have a future with the team.

“I see it different than it seems everyone else does,” Gase said. “He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do. I wish there’s been situations we’ve called plays for him and haven’t been able to get the ball to him either by coverage or the ball didn’t go there for whatever reason. When we’ve asked him to do things in the running game he’s given me max effort. He’s been there every day for us in practice and at games.”

Mutual Interest Between Jets, Sheldon Richardson

December 20th, 2017 at 10:56am CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this year, the Jets shipped Sheldon Richardson to the Seahawks in a trade that netted them a second-round pick. With Richardson set to reach the open market in March, the Jets are hoping to bring him back, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News hears. The interest is mutual as Richardson would also like to return to New York. Sheldon Richardson (vertical)

The Jets are expected to part ways with Muhammad Wilkerson this offseason and reconnecting with Richardson would give them an instant replacement. The Jets bet heavy on Wilkerson with his expensive five-year extension, but he has been tardy to meetings all season long and his production has sagged dramatically. The Jets figured that Wilkerson was the more stable of the two defensive linemen given Richardson’s off-the-field problems, but it sounds like they’re hoping to turn back the clock and reverse their decision.

Richardson hasn’t set the world on fire in Seattle either, but he has still done more on the field than Wilkerson this year. He has 37 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one pass break-up, and one interception – numbers that show he still has a pulse, but nothing earth-shattering. That means the Jets could sign him to a relatively team-friendly deal with the hope that he can get back to his 2013/2014 form.

Bears Place Pernell McPhee On IR

December 20th, 2017 at 10:40am CST by Zachary Links

The Bears placed Pernell McPhee on injured reserve on Wednesday. It’s possible that he has played his last game for Chicago. Pernell McPhee (vertical)

McPhee signed a five-year deal, $38.8MM deal with the Bears in 2015, meaning that he has two more years under contract. However, the Bears can cut him this offseason and save $7.075MM while eating just $1MM in dead money. That would be the logical move given McPhee’s injury troubles in recent years.

Earlier this year, when asked if McPhee will ever be the player he was when the Bears originally signed him in 2015, Chicago defensive Vic Fangio gave a simple answer: “Probably not.” Thanks to injuries to both knees and his recent shoulder injury, McPhee has missed 12 games over the last three years.

McPhee could still have a football future elsewhere, but not at the salary he was earning in Chicago. The advanced metrics show that despite the injury, he has still been quietly effective. He currently rates as the league’s No. 40 ranked edge defender, per Pro Football Focus, with an overall score of 79.9.

In related moves, the Bears signed linebacker Jonathan Anderson to the active roster and signed receiver Mekale McKay to the practice squad.

Notable 2018 Pro Bowl Incentives/Escalators

December 19th, 2017 at 9:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL announced the 2018 Pro Bowl rosters earlier tonight, and aside from determining which players will spend a week in Orlando early next year, the rosters also dictate several important bonuses and/or contract escalators for individual players. Former NFL agent and current CBSSports.com contributor Joel Corry has rounded up the notable incentives earned tonight, and we’ll pass those along below. As Corry notes (Twitter link), only first ballot Pro Bowlers who actually participate in the game (unless injured or playing in the Super Bowl) are in bonuses, which are typically paid out by the end of March.

Here are the notable Pro Bowl bonuses and escalators that were preliminarily netted this evening (all links to Corry’s Twitter):

Bonuses

  • Ravens S Eric Weddle, $1MM; requires Baltimore in playoffs (link): Still playing like one of the league’s best coverage safeties at the age of 32, Weddle needs the Ravens to land one of the AFC Wild Card slots in order to earn his incentive. Baltimore appears to on course to do just that, as FiveThirtyEight gives the club an 87% of earning a postseason berth. That playoff appearance will be largely due to the Ravens’ defense, which ranks second only to Jacksonville in DVOA.
  • Bills S Micah Hyde, $400K (link): Sean McDermott can coach defensive backs. After spending years finding gems at safety for the Eagles and Panthers, the Bills head coach has helped Hyde transform into a top-notch DB. Hyde, who inked a five-year, $30.5MM contract with Buffalo in the spring, ranked a respectable 53rd in Pro Football Focus‘ safety grades a year ago. This season? He’s ninth.
  • Raiders G Kelechi Osemele, $300K (link): Under general manager Reggie McKenzie, the Raiders have employed what is often referred to as an “all cash” salary cap management system, wherein prorated signing bonuses are rarely used while base salary guarantees, roster bonuses, and — as evidenced by the number of Oakland players on this list — incentive clauses are heavily employed. Osemele, the league’s highest-paid interior offensive lineman, is signed through 2020 with cap charges north of $10MM in each season.
  • Rams K Greg Zuerlein, $250K (link): While the Los Angeles offense garners the most headlines, the club’s special teams unit has maintained its dominance under coordinator John Fassel, who briefly took over as the Rams’ interim head coach in 2016. Fassel, Zuerlein, & Co. have managed a No. 2 ranking in special teams DVOA, while Zuerlein himself has been worth 15.1 points of field position (second in the NFL).
  • Raiders T Donald Penn, $200K (link): Penn’s summer holdout lead to extra guarantees in the future, but didn’t end with a change to his 2017 salary, meaning this bonus part of his original deal. The 34-year-old Penn is currently on injured reserve, and will miss his first game since 2007 on Sunday. Still, his renegotiated contract now contains a $3MM guarantee for 2018, meaning he’s likely part of the Raiders’ plans.
  • Patriots ST Matthew Slater, $150K (link): Slater has now earned a Pro Bowl berth in every season since 2011. At some point, it’s fair to wonder if Slater is skating by on reputation, as he played only a quarter of the Patriots’ special teams snaps this year. Slater missed more special teams tackles than he made prior to his 2016 berth, tweets Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus.
  • Raiders C Rodney Hudson, $100K (link): For all of Oakland’s problems this season, the Raiders have continued to boast some of the NFL’s best pass-blocking offensive lineman. Hudson is the best pass-blocking center in the league by a wide margin, meaning he’s eminently affordable at $8.9MM annually.

Escalators

  • Lions CB Darius Slay, $550K base salary increase in 2018 (link): As Corry reports, Slay had three ways to earn this heft escalator — post five or more interceptions (he sits at seven), play on 80% or more of Detroit’s defensive snaps (he’s at 97.6%), or earn a Pro Bowl berth. Slay managed all three in what has become the best season of an increasingly impressive five-year career.
  • Eagles T Lane Johnson, $250K base salary increase each season from 2018-21 (link): Depending on Jason Peters‘ health and the Eagles’ plans, Johnson could very well be playing left tackle as soon as 2018. Even with his base salary set to increase, Johnson won’t have a cap charge north of $13.5MM over the life of his contract.
  • Eagles G Brandon Brooks, $250K base salary increase each season from 2018-20 (link): General manager Howie Roseman zeroed in on Brooks at the outset of the 2016 free agent period, and the 28-year-old has quickly proved to be one of the best free agent signings in recent memory. Brooks will earn an $8.5MM base salary — the largest during his five-year deal — in 2018.
  • Eagles TE Zach Ertz, $250K base salary increase from 2019-21 (link): Per Corry, Ertz also picked up a $100K bonus for 2017. Ertz has already set a career-high in touchdowns (eight) and has a shot to set new marks in receptions and yards even though he missed two games with injury. A former second-round pick, Ertz ranks among the top-five tight ends in catches, yards, and scores.

NFL Workout Updates: 12/19/17

December 19th, 2017 at 9:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • QBs Garrett Fugate, Matt McGloin; WR Jake Kumerow; C Lucas Crowley; LB Jacob Lindsey; CB Manny Asprilla (link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Rams

Philadelphia Eagles

Latest On John Dorsey, Hue Jackson

December 19th, 2017 at 8:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While Browns ownership has already stated head coach Hue Jackson will return in 2018, new general manager John Dorsey recently sidestepped a question on Jackson’s future, and his response engendered more questions about Jackson’s fate. However, when asked directly today if Jackson will stay on as Cleveland’s head coach, Dorsey was more definitive, telling 92.3 FM “I think ownership has already spoken on that,” per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.Hue Jackson (Vertical)

[RELATED: Browns Work Out Roberto Aguayo]

“Hue and I have a really good relationship,” Dorsey said. “First off, I think ownership has said that Hue would be back. With that, I’m excited to work with him here. I’ve been really impressed with how Hue messages to the players. I’ve always thought that head coaches should be leader of men, and when I watch Hue talk to the team and how hard guys play for him, that’s exciting.”

Despite repeated statements from Browns ownership, there was a “persistent sense” in league circles that Dorsey would attempt to hire his own head coach. Most general managers are able to choose a new head coach, and few would blame Dorsey for firing Jackson, who has posted a 1-29 record in Cleveland. But both owner Jimmy Haslam and Dorsey now appear to be on the same page regarding Jackson’s 2018 status with the Browns.

Despite his lackluster record, Jackson is reportedly in demand in at least one other AFC North city, as the Bengals may have interest in hiring Jackson to replace Marvin Lewis. Jackson, however, said today that he will not pursue the Cincinnati job if/when Lewis is fired.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/17

December 19th, 2017 at 8:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad updates:

Arizona Cardinals

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Signed: OL Javarius Leamon, OL Oni Omoile

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Signed: TE Zach Conque

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Oakland Raiders

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Redskins

Texans Activate OL David Quessenberry

December 19th, 2017 at 7:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

In one of the more inspiring stories of the NFL season, the Texans have promoted offensive tackle and cancer survivor David Quessenberry from their practice squad to their active roster. In a series of other moves, Houston also promoted safety Ibraheim Campbell and defensive tackle Jarrod Clements while placing center Nick Martin, tight end MyCole Pruitt, and defensive tackle D.J. Reader on injured reserve.David Quessenberry (Vertical)

Quessenberry, 27, spent more than three years on the Texans’ non-football injury list after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in June 2014. After an amazing battle that was recently well-documented by Robert Klemko of TheMMQB.com, Quessenberry completed his treatment earlier this year. He’s spent the entirety of the 2017 campaign on Houston’s practice squad.

Although he has yet to appear in an NFL game, Quessenberry could potentially see action for the Texans during the final two games of the regular season. Houston currently has just two offensive tackles on its roster, and neither Kendall Lamm nor Breno Giacomini has been impressive. Theoretically, the Texans could give Quessenberry — a 2013 sixth-round pick out of San Jose State — a two-game audition to close the year.

Martin, meanwhile, will close his second NFL campaign after suffering a “serious” ankle injury, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. A second-round pick in 2016, Martin also missed his entire rookie season after breaking his ankle. This year, Martin played nearly 1,000 offensive snaps in the middle of the Texans’ line but graded as a bottom-10 center, per Pro Football Focus.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/17

December 19th, 2017 at 7:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed off Broncos‘ practice squad: OL Dillon Day
  • Waived: FB Joe Kerridge

New York Giants

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins

  • Promoted to active roster: S Fish Smithson
  • Placed on injured reserve: S Montae Nicholson

NFL Reduces LB Thomas Davis’ Suspension

December 19th, 2017 at 5:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL has officially reduced Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis‘ suspension from two games to one, the league announced today.Thomas Davis

Davis was originally banned two games after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams on Sunday. The NFL has seemingly developed a pattern for these type of offenses: an original two-game suspension, followed by a reduction to one game. It’s the same formula the league used for Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, who coincidentally was also suspended following a hit on Adams.

Now that his ban has been lessened, Davis will miss the Panthers’ next game against the Buccaneers but will now be available for Carolina’s regular season finale against the Falcons. The Panthers, for what it’s worth, are nearly a lock to earn a postseason berth, but have just a 17% chance at winning the NFC South, per FiveThirtyEight.

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