2017 December - Pro Football Rumors

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/27/17

December 27th, 2017 at 7:58pm CST by Micah Powell

Here are today’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: CB Jonathan Moxey

Buffalo Bills

Signed: OT Josh James

Chicago Bears

Signed: OL D.J. Tialavea

Dallas Cowboys

Signed: WR K.D. Cannon

Denver Broncos

Signed: WR Jordan Leslie

Detroit Lions

Signed: QB Alex Torgersen

Houston Texans

Released: OL Dorian Johnson
Signed: OL Erik Austell

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: RB Jalen Simmons
Released: OL Andrew Wylie

New York Giants

Placed on IR: LB B.J. Goodson
Signed: DL Kristjan Sokoli
Signed: WR Canaan Severin

New York Jets

Signed: DL Francis Kallon

Oakland Raiders

Signed: CB Darius Hillary

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: WR Rashard Davis
Released: C Jon Toth

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: WR Jake Lampman

Accident Linked To DeSean Jackson

December 27th, 2017 at 7:11pm CST by Micah Powell

Tampa, Fla. police are investigating a crash on Christmas Eve that involved a vehicle registered to Buccaneers receiver DeSean Jackson, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports.

The vehicle, a Chevy Silverado, was found unattended after it appeared to leave the road and struck a tree Sunday evening. Police discovered 6.3 grams of marijuana and also found two .38 caliber hollow-point bullets in the vehicle. In the state of Florida, the bullets are legal and any marijuana less than 20 grams is considered a misdemeanor offense. The police report indicated officers made contact with Jackson, who responded to the scene.

Per Garofolo’s source, “Jackson initially declined to cooperate, then gave officers the name of the alleged driver but declined to assist officers in getting the driver back to the scene.”

A representative of Jackson, Denise White, said “It was a friend of DeSean’s who borrowed his car while he was out of town. None of what was in the car was his obviously. He’s dealing with the person that was using it without his knowledge privately. The incident is being handled.”

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht responded to the reports in a statement:

“We are aware of a one-car accident involving a vehicle registered to DeSean Jackson on the night of Dec. 24. Our understanding is that DeSean has been in contact with authorities and is cooperating with the investigation.”

Jackson, who was inactive and did not travel to the team’s Week 16 matchup with Carolina, has tallied 50 receptions for 668 yards in his first season with the team. No arrests have been made and the case remains open.

Frank Gore Intends To Play In 2018

December 27th, 2017 at 6:42pm CST by Micah Powell

Colts running back Frank Gore reiterated on Wednesday that he expects to return in 2018 for his 14th NFL season and that quarterback and offensive line will factor into his decision, ESPN’s Mike Wells writes.

“Quarterback, O-line, have to be my type of style of team,” he said. “Nasty, physical, punch you in the mouth. I don’t want to finish like this. I know I can still play. I want to help a team.”

Gore, an impending free agent, would be 35 years old at the start of the 2018 campaign and hasn’t averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry since 2014, his final season in San Francisco. Still, if a team needs an experienced back to groom a a first- or second-year ball carrier or a physical, goal-line back, it’s hard to bet against the veteran.

Gore has cracked 1,000 yards nine times in his career and enters Week 17 just 139 yards away from his 10th such campaign. If he were to reach the mark, Gore would join Emmitt Smith, Walter Peyton, Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis as players to achieve the feat 10 times.

Though he is among the league’s elder statesmen, Gore is sure to impress some general manager with his passion for the game. That’s what happened with Colts first-year GM Chris Ballard, who planned on cutting the back before the start of the season, MMQB’s Peter King writes.

“Frank picks up the phone in the middle of a party he was attending, and I could feel his passion and love for football,” Ballard told King. “He went on for 10 minutes about how much he wanted to win. So the next day I went to the office and watched all of his carries from 2016 and came to the conclusion that there was absolutely no way I was letting him out of the building.”

Gore is determined to go out on a high note and there’s no reason to think he won’t have the opportunity in 2018.

Dez Bryant Won’t Take Pay Cut

December 27th, 2017 at 5:53pm CST by Micah Powell

Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant said he would not accept a reduction in pay going forward, the pass catcher told reporters including ESPN’s Todd Archer on Wednesday.

“I haven’t heard no talk about that but if it comes, I don’t know, probably not,” Bryant said. “Hell naw, man. I believe in me.”

Archer notes the three-time Pro Bowl receiver is set to make $12.5 MM while counting $16.5 MM toward the team’s salary cap in 2018. If the Cowboys release him, the team can free up $8.5 million or $12 million if he is cut after June 1.

Between 2012-14, Bryant was among the game’s best wideouts, posting at least 85 catches, 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in each season. This season has been one to forget, however, with No. 88 amassing just 66 grabs for 815 yards and six touchdowns through Week 16. While the team focuses more on the run now than it did in years past, Bryant has still been inconsistent with frustrating drops and an inability to get open. The receiver placed most of the blame on the scheme rather than his chemistry with second-year quarterback Dak Prescott, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports (Twitter link).

Bryant said he plans on sitting down with owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett to discuss his fit in the team’s scheme. This will be a situation to keep tabs on in the offseason.

Draft Rumors: Darnold, Browns, Nelson, Jackson, Allen

December 27th, 2017 at 4:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Josh Rosen made headlines with his comments about a preference to land with a better team that held a lower pick rather than a bad one holding a high draft choice, Sam Darnold took the more diplomatic route. The USC quarterback — who has not yet made a decision about forgoing his final two years of eligibility to enter the 2018 draft — said Wednesday (via ESPN) he’d be “honored to play for any team.” This could be key regarding the top of the draft, where both Darnold and Rosen are expected to come off the board if they declare. A report that emerged Sunday revealed Rosen is higher on the Giants than the Browns, who will hold the No. 1 pick, and may reconsider staying in school if the Browns are to pick him. Of course, a similar report surfaced about Darnold last month. Darnold denied that rumor today, however. This interesting leverage game remains in a holding pattern with both passers having yet to announce they’re going to enter the draft.

Here’s more 2018 draft buzz.

Lamar Jackson is not expected to threaten Rosen or Darnold’s spots atop the draft, and the former Heisman Trophy winner may be put through an interesting process by some interested teams if/when he declares. Various scouts told ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper Jr. they believe some teams will ask the Louisville phenom to work out as both a quarterback and wide receiver, with the goal being to see if Jackson could transition if he didn’t work as a passer. This is not the first time this has come up regarding Jackson, who has rushed for a staggering 3,974 yards and 49 touchdowns in three Cardinals seasons, nor is it the first time a run-heavy quarterback has been mentioned as a wideout at the next level.
Quenton Nelson‘s stock appears to be rising, and SI.com’s Albert Breer spoke with an NFL exec who said the Notre Dame guard is a better prospect than Zack Martin was when he came out of South Bend three years ago. Breer tabs Nelson as a top-three overall prospect. Martin went 16th to the Cowboys in 2014 and became the first rookie offensive lineman to land on the top All-Pro team in 57 years. No pure guard has gone in the top 10 since Jonathan Cooper in 2013, but the Redskins moved 2015’s No. 5 overall pick (Brandon Scherff) to guard immediately.
The sense in the scouting community is Josh Allen will fall toward the middle of the first round while the two Pac-12 passers go off the board at the draft’s outset, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes. Allen remains viewed as a less pro-ready prospect than the other two despite possessing possibly greater physical upside. However, smaller-program passers have done well for themselves in recent drafts. Carson Wentz rocketed up the 2016 board to No. 2, and Blake Bortles (Central Florida) went No. 3 in 2014. The Jets have done extensive homework on Allen, and the Broncos are getting to work on the Wyoming talent as well.

Jets Place G Brian Winters On IR

December 27th, 2017 at 4:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brian Winters will miss the Jets’ Week 17 game against the Patriots because of abdominal injury that induced an IR trip, Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets. The Jets ended their starting right guard’s season with this move.

The Jets promoted defensive lineman Deon Simon from the practice squad to take Winters’ roster spot. Winters missed the Jets’ Week 16 game because of injury and will have additional time to recover from it.

Winters is now the longest-tenured Jets offensive line starter. During an offseason that featured rampant cuts, the Jets took care of their fifth-year guard, re-signing him through 2020 for $29MM. He started 13 games up front for New York this season, just as he did last year. Only this year, he operated as the O-line’s centerpiece after Nick Mangold‘s offseason release.

The 26-year-old interior blocker’s first season on this second contract did not go especially well, per Pro Football Focus, which graded the former third-round pick as a bottom-10 guard among full-time qualifiers.

Giants Suspend Eli Apple For Week 17

December 27th, 2017 at 3:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

A historically tumultuous season for Giants cornerbacks will end with a third being suspended for a game. The Giants suspended Eli Apple for Week 17, the team announced.

This comes a day after Landon Collins publicly referred to the second-year corner as “a cancer.” Steve Spagnuolo met with Collins and Apple today in what was called a “really productive” summit, one that included a Collins apology. But the Giants banned Apple nonetheless. He received the news in a meeting with Spagnuolo and interim GM Kevin Abrams.

“We have suspended Eli for a pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team,” Abrams said.

This pattern of behavior looks to have produced a final-straw moment Wednesday. ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan and Dan Graziano report Apple argued with coaches, including cornerbacks coach Tim Walton, at practice. That argument looks to have been catalyzed by Apple’s refusal to take the field with the Giants’ scout team, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report (Twitter link). Apple was already arguing unspecified matters with coaches prior to refusing the scout-team assignment, Garofolo tweets. This wasn’t the first argument between Apple and Walton, per Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv (on Twitter).

Apple played only on special teams in Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, ceding his spot to less-heralded cogs — and first-year Giants — Brandon Dixon and Ross Cockrell. The Ohio State product started in seven games this season after opening with the first unit 11 times as a rookie. He finished with exactly the same amount of tackles as last season (49) and recovered two fumbles as well. Pro Football Focus slotted Apple as its No. 73 full-time corner this season, putting him fourth among Giants.

The Giants surprised many by taking Apple No. 10 overall in 2016, with Big Blue eschewing an offensive line need to take a corner in spite of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins‘ statuses. Now, Apple follows in their footsteps by incurring a one-game suspension. Ben McAdoo suspended the starting duo at different junctures this season before being fired.

Apple and Collins would not have shared the field this weekend because Collins is now out for the year due to injury. The defensive backs’ beef goes back to at least to a point earlier this month, when Collins had to be restrained from going after Apple inside the team facility. A report in November also indicated Apple nearly left the Giants’ facility because of a film-room session featuring harsh critiques from teammates and coaches. Apple’s mother also underwent brain surgery this fall, and the second-year defender was given time off because of it.

“(Landon and I) had a quick conversation this morning and then I had a quick conversation with Eli,” Spagnuolo said about the aforementioned summit involving himself and the two at-odds defensive backs. “And then all three of us had a really good conversation and it was very productive and I’ll just leave it at that. It’s between them and they were really great.”

One of several Ohio State corners to be first-round picks in recent years, Apple is under contract through 2019.

Saints To Bring John Kuhn Off IR

December 27th, 2017 at 1:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

John Kuhn‘s complicated Saints season looks like it will have another key chapter. The team plans to use its second IR-return slot on the veteran fullback, Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com reports.

This will finish the Saints’ IR-boomerang itinerary this season. The team already brought Delvin Breaux off IR but did not end up activating him. The team had hoped Zach Strief would be ready to return, but the tackle already underwent surgery that will prevent that from happening.

Kuhn has not played since September. A biceps injury sent him to IR. Once he returns to practice, Kuhn could return to game action for the Saints at any time. The Saints’ employment of fellow fullback Zach Line may make the 35-year-old Kuhn a superfluous addition, but Katzenstein notes (on Twitter) this made the most sense for a second IR-return choice.

The Saints, though, released Kuhn twice this season only to re-sign him shortly after each of those transactions processed. He’s played in 15 postseason games as a member of the Packers.

East Notes: Giants, Collins, Cutler, Jets

December 27th, 2017 at 1:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

A day after referring to Eli Apple as “a cancer,” Landon Collins has attempted to walk that back. While that might be difficult, the All-Pro Giants safety issued an apology (on Twitter) today and confirmed he did so in person in a meeting with Apple and Steve Spagnuolo. The interim HC confirmed the meeting, via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (on Twitter).

“I met with Coach Spags and Eli this morning and I apologized for the things I said yesterday,” Collins said. “I never stop supporting my brother/teammate Eli and the rest of my teammates as we move forward. Just want him to know I’m always here for him.”

On Tuesday during a radio interview, Collins said Apple “needs to grow up.” Wednesday’s apology marks the latest chapter in a weeks-long saga involving the two defensive backs. Earlier this month, Collins said he’d talked to Apple — who has taken a step back this season — and told media the cornerback’s issues were mental and that he was dealing with “significant” personal struggles. Apple then denied Collins spoke with him, and the third-year safety — according to NJ.com — had to be restrained by teammates as he attempted to confront the second-year corner. Apple has not been suspended like Janoris Jenkins or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie were, but he’s been benched and reportedly nearly left the Giants’ facility because of a harsh film-room session earlier this season.

Here’s the latest out of the Eastern divisions.

Josh McDaniels remains linked to Patriots exec Nick Caserio regarding GM/HC arrangements, but Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports the New England OC could also be interested in pairing up with Louis Riddick as a GM. Riddick interviewed for the Giants’ GM job last week, although Dave Gettleman is viewed as the favorite. McDaniels and Caserio were a sought-after tandem last year, with the 49ers having shown interest in bringing them to the Bay Area.
Adam Gase said Wednesday he has not spoken to Jay Cutler about him returning to the Dolphins in 2018, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. Jackson adds the Dolphins remain committed to having Ryan Tannehill return as their starter next season, but he reported last week the Fins would be open to Cutler coming back as the backup. Cutler will start this weekend’s regular-season finale against the Bills.
Davis Webb will rise to the Giants‘ No. 2 quarterback role and take Geno Smith‘s place as Eli Manning‘s backup, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It will be the first time Webb suits up as an NFLer. Smith will be inactive Sunday, and Webb could see time off the bench in the game under the format Ben McAdoo broached with Manning upon benching him earlier this year. Spagnuolo, however, said (via Schwartz, on Twitter) there are “no guarantees” the third-round rookie makes his NFL debut against the Redskins.
The Jets are likely to land a pick in the lower part of the top 10, and Brian Costello of the New York Post ranked the most- to least-likely scenarios involving offseason quarterback plans. Most likely is a setup where the Jets draft Josh Allen with their first pick and re-sign Josh McCown to continue his better-than-expected stopgap work. Costello notes the Jets’ top competition for the Wyoming passer could be the Broncos. John Elway trekked to the Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho, last week to observe Allen in person. The Jets, though, have put in the most work on Allen to this point. Gang Green’s No. 2 scenario? Kirk Cousins, whom Costello recalls the team showing interest in after Smith was sucker-punched in 2015.

Malcolm Mitchell Returns To Practice

December 27th, 2017 at 12:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Malcolm Mitchell returned to practice on Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter), and could be in line to provide an additional weapon for the Patriots in the playoffs.

The second-year wide receiver represents the Pats’ second IR-return designation this season. He’s missed the entire season because of a knee injury.

Mitchell’s return surprises somewhat since earlier this month reports out of New England weren’t optimistic about the wideout playing this season. He caught 32 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns last season and made six receptions for 70 yards in Super Bowl LI.

The current Pats are likely headed toward their second straight No. 1 seed but don’t have the wide receiver depth they had last season. Julian Edelman‘s out for the year, and Chris Hogan has missed most of the Patriots’ second half of the regular season.