HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Wisconsin LB Jack Cichy To Enter NFL Draft

December 12th, 2017 at 11:46am CST by Zachary Links

Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy was eligible for a medical redshirt in 2018. Instead, he’s going pro. Jack Cichy (vertical)

“At the end of the day, whatever comes next for me, I mainly just want to make Wisconsin proud,” Cichy wrote in a piece for The Players’ Tribune. “I want to be the next guy people point to as someone who came to Madison as an unknown, worked his tail off and then became a mainstay in the NFL. I want to be like Jim Leonhard and J.J. and so many other guys who came here with a far-fetched dream and then achieved greatness. I want to uphold that legacy. But mainly, I just want to make all of Wisconsin proud. I’m a Badger for life.”

Cichy suffered an ACL tear in the summer that prevented him from seeing the field. That was tough news for Wisconsin fans to swallow but also a disappointment for the many NFL scouts who had him on the radar. Before the injury, Cichy was viewed as a first-round prospect. If he can demonstrate that he has fully recovered from the tear, he’ll likely garner top-32 consideration once again.

The 6’2″, 223-pound athlete began his collegiate career as a walk-on. The undersized scrapper turned out to be a star for the Badgers and eventually became a team captain. In 2016, he had 60 tackles and seven tackles for a loss before a torn pectoral muscle cost him the second half of the season. Thanks to injuries, Cichy has not seen the field since Oct. 22, 2016.

Steelers Formally Place Ryan Shazier On IR

December 12th, 2017 at 11:11am CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers announced that they have placed Ryan Shazier on the reserve/injured list. This was the expected move after Shazier suffered a serious spinal injury earlier this month. Ryan Shazier (Vertical)

Shazier recently underwent spinal stabilization surgery. He’s currently focused on his overall recovery and it will be a while before we get a read on his football future.

“Unfortunately Ryan will not be able to contribute on the field during the remainder of this season,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “However, even off the field Ryan will continue to be one of our team leaders. We know his spirit and positive outlook will help him to continue in his recovery, as well as serve as an inspiration to our team.”

Shazier, 25, has been a staple of the Steelers’ defense since being drafted as a first-round pick in 2014. Last year, the linebacker earned his first ever Pro Bowl nod. This year (prior to his injury) he set a new career high with 89 tackles.

We here at PFR wish Shazier the best in his recovery.

Devin Hester Announces Retirement

December 12th, 2017 at 10:19am CST by Zachary Links

We had a feeling that Devin Hester was done with football, but we didn’t have official confirmation – until now. The legendary return man took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce that his playing days are over. Devin Hester (vertical)

Hester leaves the game with an unparalleled highlight reel and several records that may never be broken. Hester’s 20 combined kick return touchdowns are an NFL record, as are his 14 punt return TDs. He also holds the single-season record for most return touchdowns with six.

Hester immediately made a mark on the league when he was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. As a rookie, Hester returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. He also returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI 92 yards for a TD, a game that the Bears would go on to lose. When hinting at retirement in January, Hester indicated that he was disappointed to be leaving the sport without a ring.

Late last year, Hester hooked on with the Seahawks to take one more shot at Super Bowl glory. Seattle came up short in the divisional round, but Hester left on a personal high note as he returned five kickoffs for 194 yards with a long of 78 yards. He also had an impressive punt return negated by a safety.

Hester might not have the championship he was after, but he leaves the game with four Pro Bowl nods and three first-team All-Pro selections. He’s also likely to become the first player enshrined in the Hall of Fame solely as a return man.

Redskins’ Su’a Cravens To Return

December 12th, 2017 at 9:49am CST by Zachary Links

Redskins safety Su’a Cravens is coming back. On Tuesday morning, the safety’s agent released a statement announcing that Cravens will return to football in 2018. Su'a Cravens (vertical)

“My client suffered from Post Concussion Syndrome and, under the care of Dr. Michael Collins as the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Su’a has undergone targeted treatment and rehabilitation. He is now asymptomatic and cleared to return back to all things football. Su’a is excited and looking forward to the 2018 NFL season and the many years to follow,” agent Fadde Mikhail wrote.

Noticeably absent from Mikhail’s statement is any mention of the Redskins. Right now, it’s unclear whether the Redskins want Cravens back. The team had high hopes for Cravens this year, but he decided to retire days before the season opener. He later reversed that decision, but the Redskins held him out for the entire season by placing him on the reserve/left squad list.

Cravens, a second round pick in the 2016 draft, played as something of a hybrid linebacker in 2016. He wound up playing on 36.5% of Washington’s defensive snaps while playing primarily in coverage. Through ten games (three starts), Cravens recorded 22 tackles, one sack, one interception, and five passes defensed, all while grading as the league’s No. 27 linebacker, per Pro Football Focus. This year, he was set to focus more on the secondary.

 

NFC Notes: Webb, Niners, Skins, Packers

December 11th, 2017 at 10:20pm CST by Micah Powell

From benching Eli Manning for Geno Smith to the firing of head coach Ben McAdoo, there hasn’t been much stability with the Giants in recent weeks. The team does know one thing, however — rookie quarterback Davis Webb is not in the team’s plans for the foreseeable future, Newsday’s Tom Rock writes.

This should have been evident when the team didn’t tab the Cal product instead of Smith. Interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo also said there would be no change to Webb’s snaps at practice. He also added, “I’m not sure what would be gained other than if something happened to the starting quarterback that he goes in . . Is it that much more of an advantage to have him standing on the sideline as the second than there is having him standing on the sideline as a deactivated player?”

Obviously Webb is not in the plans for this season, which has led to speculation the Giants will use their rare high first-round pick next season on a quarterback like Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

  • 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan does not expect a new contract with Jimmy Garoppolo to be hammered out before the end of the season, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter link). After amassing 627 passing yards in his first two starts, Garoppolo is almost assuredly the team’s answer under center for the foreseeable future. He is sure to cash in this offseason.
  • Packers defensive back Davon House suffered a transverse process fracture in his back, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rappoport (Twitter link). He also noted that most players have come back from the injury in a week or two. House has started all 10 games he has played this season, registering an interception and a sack.
  • Redskins linebacker Chris Carter will need surgery to repair a broken fibula in his right leg, ESPN’s John Keim reports (Twitter link). Just a few weeks after a broken fibula left running back Chris Thompson on IR, the injury comes back to bite Washington with one of its top special teams performers.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/17

December 11th, 2017 at 9:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Denver Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Promoted from practice squad: S Leon McQuay
  • Placed on injured reserve: S Steven Terrell on IR

New York Giants

Los Angeles Chargers

O’Brien Expects Fiedorowicz Back in 2018

December 11th, 2017 at 7:43pm CST by Micah Powell

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien told reporters that he expects tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz to return to the team in 2018, writes Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. C.J. Fiedorowicz

According to league sources, however, the Texans are concerned about the veteran’s short- and long-term health after suffering three concussions in 2017. “Again, I expect it that way,” O’Brien said. “We think very highly of C.J. He just signed a contract extension here. We think he’s a really good tight end for us. So, we’d love to see him back.”

On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Fiedorowicz could contemplate retirement, but Wilson writes that the player’s agent told the Chronicle that he still wants to play and will take time before making a decision. Like O’Brien said, the tight end signed a three-year $21.5 MM contract in the offseason and would have a home in Houston should he wish to continue his career.

After suffering three concussions, which resulted in two IR stints in 2017, Fiedorowicz is sure to strongly consider his future plans before making a decision.

Following a breakout season in 2016 in which he caught 54 passes, Fiedorowicz has been limited to just 14 grabs in 2017.

Luck Making Progress In Europe

December 11th, 2017 at 6:45pm CST by Micah Powell

When asked about the status of quarterback Andrew Luck, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said he is “doing fine” and is receiving treatment in Europe, the teams reports. Andrew Luck (vertical)

“(He’s) communicating via e-mail and text; making progress,” Pagano said. “I think everybody knows — he’s in Europe somewhere, getting some great treatment.”

Luck has been sidelined all season following surgery to his throwing shoulder in January. The franchise quarterback was hoping to make a return to the field but was shut down and place on injured reserve on Nov. 2.

Though he will not be returning this season, Luck just making progress has to be a good sign for Colts fans who hope to be back in the thick of playoff contention in 2018. With the 2012 No. 1 pick under center, the team has won 43 of 70 games and earned three trips to the postseason.

Luck signed a five-year extension with the team in 2016 that will keep him in Indianapolis through the 2021 season.

Giants Release DT Khyri Thornton

December 11th, 2017 at 5:58pm CST by Micah Powell

The Giants released third-year defensive tackle Khyri Thornton, the team reported on Tuesday (Twitter link). Khyri Thornton (vertical)

Thornton was signed by New York on Nov. 29 after being released from the Lions but did not appear in a game with the team. The third-round selection in 2015 missed the first six games of the season while serving a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He made four tackles with Detroit before being released.

A solid run stopper at Southern Mississippi, Thornton has yet to translate that to production in the NFL. He failed to see the field for the Giants, who own one of the league’s worst rush defenses.

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