2017 December - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Aaron Rodgers’ Potential Return

December 12th, 2017 at 6:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although Aaron Rodgers is eligible to return to action this weekend, there’s no guarantee the longtime Packers quarterback will be on the field when Green Bay faces Carolina in Week 15, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.

Rodgers, who returned to practice this week and underwent a CT scan on Monday, is pushing to return Sunday after recovering from a broken collarbone. The Packers are still in the playoff hunt thanks to two consecutive victories, and Rodgers has now been sidelined for the eight weeks mandated by the NFL’s injured reserve rules. But while everything is in motion for a Rodgers return, Green Bay could still opt not to clear the All Pro signal-caller for Week 15.

Rodgers’ collarbone isn’t fully healed, and while many players are able to function at 80%, the Packers are “notoriously conservative” when it comes to playing injured players, per Rapoport. That cautious nature is enhanced ten-fold when the discussion turns to Rodgers, a franchise icon who is arguably the best player in the NFL. As such, Green Bay’s medical staff is facing a “risk/reward” decision on whether to activate Rodgers for the next three regular season weeks.

For the record, reports of Rodgers’ progress have been nothing but positive. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Rogers had been “slinging it around and throwing with great velocity” while linebacker Clay Matthews indicated Green Bay made a mistake by placing Rodgers on injured reserve in the first place. Rapoport, too, hears that Rodgers has been “seriously impressing” during practice sessions.

Given the strength of the NFC, the Packers could be hard-pressed to earn a postseason berth even if they win out to finish with a 10-6 record. If Rodgers is able to return, he’ll lead Green Bay against the Panthers, Vikings, and Lions over the next three weeks.

Eagles Not Interested In Colin Kaepernick

December 12th, 2017 at 5:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Despite losing starting quarterback Carson Wentz to a torn ACL, the Eagles are not interested in signing free agent Colin Kaepernick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).

Scheme fit, salary, and other on-field factors don’t seem to play much of role in Philadelphia’s stance, per Rapoport, who indicates that it’s Kaepernick’s collusion lawsuit against the NFL that is dissuading the Eagles (and likely other clubs) from inking Kaepernick. The lawsuit, which alleges that the league’s owners have conspired to keep Kaepernick out of the NFL, was reportedly filed with the hope that it would lead to the termination of the current collective bargaining agreement. If the Eagles were to sign Kaepernick, he would withdraw the suit, his agent confirms to Rapoport.

Kaepernick, of course, originated kneeling during the national anthem as a form of silent protest during the 2016 season, and has since been unable to land an NFL contract. While Kaepernick certainly doesn’t fit every offense in the league, it’s difficult to argue that his social activism hasn’t played at least some role in his failure to earn a roster spot.

With Wentz soon heading to injured reserve, the Eagle will have only two quarterbacks on their roster: Nick Foles, who will become the club’s new starter, and Nate Sudfeld, who has never attempted a pass in the NFL. Philadelphia does not currently have a quarterback on its practice squad.

Saints To Sign DE George Johnson

December 12th, 2017 at 4:48pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are signing defensive end George Johnson, who recently worked out for them, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). To make room, offensive tackle Bryce Harris has been released.

Johnson will help fill the void after rookie defensive end Trey Hendrickson went down with an ankle injury. He’s probably not in line for a ton of playing time, but he’ll be an option to relieve defensive linemen Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata, and Hau’oli Kikaha.

The 30-year-old Johnson put himself on the NFL map with a six-sack season for the Lions in 2014. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, he wasn’t quite as sharp in 2015 when he came on board. He then lost the following season to a hip fracture. He reunited with Detroit this year, but he totaled just two tackles in four appearances.

Eagles Place Carson Wentz On IR

December 12th, 2017 at 4:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles have officially placed quarterback Carson Wentz on injured reserve. This was the expected outcome after the Eagles learned that Wentz suffered a torn ACL.

For now, Nick Foles will take over at quarterback with Nate Sudfeld as his backup. Despite some calls for the Eagles to consider the likes of Colin Kaepernick and Tony Romo, it doesn’t appear that they’ll make a splashy signing. In fact, they might not add anyone to the QB depth chart. In the 48 hours that have passed since Wentz’s injury, the team has not scheduled a signal caller for a workout.

The Eagles are a mortal lock for a first-round bye and have a high probability of claiming the top seed in the NFC, but they no longer seem quite as fearsome without the former No. 2 overall pick under center. We’ll get a better idea of what Foles is capable of when the Eagles face the Giants on Sunday.

Panthers Cut K Roberto Aguayo

December 12th, 2017 at 3:39pm CST by Zachary Links

Roberto Aguayo‘s NFL journey will continue elsewhere. The Panthers have released the former second-round kicker from the practice squad, as Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweets. In related practice squad moves, the team has also cut running back Jalen Simmons while signing tight end Kent Taylor and wide receiver Rasheed Bailey.

The Buccaneers gave up on their investment in Aguayo after a dreadful rookie season. When the Bucs cut him in the summer, the Bears (for some reason) claimed him off waivers and assumed his contract. In September, the Bears threw in the towel on the FSU product and put themselves on the hook for upwards of $400K in guaranteed salary.

In 2016, Aguayo, made only 22-of-31 field goal attempts (71%) and missed two extra points. It was a huge disappointment for the Bucs, particularly since they traded up to draft him.

Cardinals Sign OT Khalif Barnes

December 12th, 2017 at 3:32pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have reinforced the offensive line in the wake of Jared Veldheer‘s season-ending injury. The team announced the signing of Khalif Barnes on Tuesday.

Barnes, 35, was signed and released multiple times by the Saints over the course of the 2016 season, but he never appeared in a game for them. This offseason, he was among the team’s final cuts in early September. Now in Arizona, the 35-year-old will hope to see his first regular season action since January 3, 2016.

The former second-round pick is well past his prime, but he does offer experience at both tackle positions as well as guard. That versatility could come in handy as interior lineman Earl Watford is also on IR. Barnes has 117 career starts to his credit, but how, where, and when the Cardinals use him remains to be seen.

Redskins Place TE Jordan Reed On IR

December 12th, 2017 at 3:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins placed tight end Jordan Reed on injured reserve, according to a team announcement. Running back Byron Marshall and linebacker Chris Carter are also headed to IR.

Reed has long been considered one of the league’s top talents at the tight end position. Unfortunately, he has been plagued by nagging injuries and concussion issues. Since entering the league in 2013, Reed has appeared in only 52 regular season games out of a possible 80.

Reed’s true break out season came in 2015 when he had 87 catches for 952 yards and 11 scores (all career highs) in 14 games. In the following offseason, the Redskins rewarded him with a five-year extension worth $46.5MM. In order for Reed to make that deal worthwhile for Washington, he’ll have to find a way to stay on the field. He’s slated to return in 2018 with a cap number of $10.3MM. In theory, the Redskins can save $4.9MM by releasing him, but that would be a surprising move on their part.

As we learned over the weekend, Carter will undergo surgery to repair a broken fibula in his right leg. Marshall, meanwhile, has been dealing with a hamstring issue.

In related moves, the Redskins promoted linebackers Otha Peters and Pete Robertson as well as running back Kapri Bibbs from the practice squad. To replenish the taxi squad, they signed running back Dare Ogunbowale, linebacker Alex McCalister, and safety Orion Stewart.

49ers Sign WR Max McCaffrey

December 12th, 2017 at 2:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers are signing wide receiver Max McCaffrey off of the Packers’ practice squad, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The move allows Max to join one of his father’s former teams and, more importantly, give him a chance to see live NFL action once again.

McCaffrey has bounced around a bit in his young NFL career. He has dressed for only five contests so far, all of which came with the Jaguars earlier this year.

The 23-year-old is no longer waiting in the wings for a potential playoff team, but he’ll have an opportunity to show the 49ers and the rest of the league that he is worthy of a 53-man roster spot next fall.

In his final year at Duke, McCaffrey caught 52 passes for 643 yards and five touchdowns, all collegiate career highs.

RG3 Claims He Nearly Signed With Ravens

December 12th, 2017 at 2:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Robert Griffin III wasn’t able to land an NFL contract this year, but he says he was close. In an appearance on ESPN, RG3 said that he almost wound up playing for the Ravens (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). The quarterback added that he has had “interesting offers” from other teams as well.

It’s not clear exactly how close the Ravens were to signing Griffin, despite his claims. In July, it was reported that the Ravens considered bringing Griffin in for a workout, but those plans were said to be 86’d. At that stage of the offseason, there was some uncertainty about Joe Flacco’s health. Fortunately for Baltimore, Flacco has started all 13 games so far and Ryan Mallett – who was shaky in training camp – has remained on the bench.

Given the lack of overall interest in Griffin this past year, we’re not expecting a booming market for his services in 2018. However, a few teams will probably be willing to kick the tires on him if he can demonstrate that he is healthy.

If the NFL market lags, he could always consider a CFL stint. North of the border, his rights are owned by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Bucs’ Brent Grimes Pondering Retirement

December 12th, 2017 at 12:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Brent Grimes is still playing football at a high level, but he’s not sure if he’ll continue in 2018. The Buccaneers cornerback says he’ll consider retirement in the offseason.

“I haven’t thought about it. When the season’s over, I will,” said Grimes (via ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine). “I’m playing right now. I’m thinking about the Falcons and then who we’ve got after that — the Panthers, I think, I’ll be thinking about them. And then [the Saints]. When it’s over, I’ll be thinking about stuff like that.”

Grimes has been slowed by a shoulder injury this year, but he has still managed three interceptions and a top-60 ranking from Pro Football Focus among qualified cornerbacks. Last year, he led the league with 17 pass breakups. The 34-year-old might not be a No. 1 CB type anymore, but he’s still starting caliber.

After eleven years in the league, Grimes won’t be hurting for money if he walks away. Then again, the allure of winning his first ever Super Bowl ring could bring him back to the field.

Grimes’ two-year deal expires at the end of the year, meaning that he is scheduled to reach free agency in March.