2018 August - Pro Football Rumors

CB Kayvon Webster To Visit Three Teams

August 18th, 2018 at 2:48pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s been a quiet offseason for Kayvon Webster, but it sounds like the cornerback is finally lining up some suitors. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the free agent will visit with the Texans, Bills, and Lions next week.

After the Rams added some high-profile cornerbacks to their roster, the team released Webster back in April. While the 27-year-old hasn’t shown the promise that made him a third-round pick out of South Florida in 2013, he has had some productive stretches. He had one of his best NFL seasons in 2017, compiling 38 tackles, seven passes defended, and one interception in 11 games. A torn Achilles’ tendon ended his season in December, and he finished the year in the lower half of Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings.

Each of Webster’s three suitors could use some cornerback depth, especially the Lions. The team is currently rostering only three players at the position behind starters Darius Slay and Teez Tabor, so Webster could easily push for a roster spot. The same is true in Buffalo, where the team has only four backups in Phillip Gaines, Taron Johnson, Lafayette Pitts, and Breon Borders.

It might be a bit tougher for the free agent to earn a roster spot in Houston, as the Texans currently have eight cornerbacks on their roster. However, considering Webster’s productive 2017 season, he could logically push for a key reserve role, as he’d have to compete with the likes of Kevin Johnson, Johnson Bademosi, and Treston Decoud.

LB Junior Galette To Visit Rams

August 18th, 2018 at 1:52pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Junior Galette has another suitor. The free agent linebacker is set to visit with the Rams tomorrow, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

There’s been plenty of interest in the 30-year-old’s services, but he still hasn’t been able to catch on with a team. The Rams and Browns reportedly had interest in the veteran earlier this offseason, and the Raiders were considering a pursuit. We most recently heard that Galette could still return to the Redskins, where he had spent the past three seasons. There were even rumblings that the linebacker could consider retirement, but it sounds like it hasn’t gotten to that point.

Galette broke onto the scene in 2013 and 2014, compiling 22 sacks between the two seasons. A pair of torn Achilles injuries forced him to sit out the 2015 and 2016 season, and he looked a step slower in his return to football last year. He ultimately finished the 2017 season with 20 tackles, three sacks, two passes defended, and one forced fumble in 16 games off the bench. Galette also finished with 25 pressures, and he was graded as the league’s No. 30 edge defender among 106 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.

Behind the projected starters, the Rams linebacker depth chart is composed primarily of recent draft picks, including Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Ejuan Price, Trevon Young, Micah Kiser, and Bryce Hager (as well as free agent addition Ramik Wilson). The team could benefit from adding a veteran to that mix .

Bills Notes: Quarterbacks, Williams, O’Leary

August 18th, 2018 at 12:34pm CST by Ben Levine

Running back Marcus Murphy continues to improve his chances of making the Bills’ 53-man roster. The 2015 seventh-round had a brief cameo with Buffalo last season, but he had showed some intriguing flashes during his tenure with the Saints. His talents have been on display during the preseason, as he’s compiled 74 yards and one touchdown in 11 carries (he’s also hauled in four catches).

“I just want to make a play,” Murphy told Branson Wright of Cleveland.com. “Whenever an opportunity is given, I just want to make the most of it. It doesn’t matter if it’s being a running back, punt returner or kick returner. I just want to be a playmaker whenever I get the chance.”

“I appreciate the coaching staff giving me an opportunity. I want to show them that they can trust me to make a play and show that I’m able to execute whenever they need me to.”

Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News is ready to give Murphy a spot on the opening-day roster, and the writer cites the struggles of current number-three running back Travaris Cadet. Otherwise, Murphy would be competing with Taiwan Jones for a role behind LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory.

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of Buffalo…

While Skurski is willing to hand Murphy a roster spot, he wonders if tight end Nick O’Leary is on the roster bubble. While the 25-year-old did finish last night’s preseason win over the Browns with a team-leading four catches for 70 yards and one touchdown, he didn’t end up taking the field until the second half. If the former sixth-rounder has any hopes of making the Bills, he’ll have to beat out Jason Croom, Logan Thomas and Khari Lee for backup reps behind Charles Clay. O’Leary finished last season with 22 receptions for 322 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (five starts).
Quarterback A.J. McCarron suffered a hairline fracture in his collarbone during last night’s preseason game. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the signal-caller will end up missing “several weeks,” but a definitive timetable hasn’t been set. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Mike Rodak isn’t ready to hand the starting quarterback gig to first-rounder Josh Allen. The reporter notes (on Twitter) that head coach Sean McDermott has a high opinion of backup Nathan Peterman, and McCarron’s injury shouldn’t force the coach to “stray from his “calculated” plan about Allen.” Rodak believes the two healthy quarterbacks will split reps during next weekend’s game against the Bengals, although he also wonders if the team may end up adding another quarterback to the roster.
Defensive lineman Kyle Williams went down with a knee injury during last night’s game, but Rapoport tweets that the Pro Bowler’s ACL wasn’t injured. If the MRI confirms that prognosis, the 35-year-old “could return this season.” That still sounds like a rather grim outlook for the defensive tackle, but the MRI will likely provide specific details on the severity of the injury. The five-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire 12-year career with Buffalo, and he finished last season with 41 tackles and three sacks. If he is indeed forced to miss time, the Bills will likely turn to Harrison Phillips or Adolphus Washington for a bigger role.

WR Josh Gordon Returns To Browns

August 18th, 2018 at 11:16am CST by Ben Levine

Josh Gordon is back. The wideout announced this morning (via Twitter) that he’d be returning to the Browns. Gordon had been absent from training camp and the Browns’ first two preseason games as he worked on his mental and physical health.

“…I would like to thank the NFL, NFLPA, the entire Cleveland Browns organization, the University of Florida, and my friend and business manager Michael Johnson Jr for playing such pivotal roles during this process,” Gordon said. “This has by no means been an easy road and I’m extremely grateful to have all of you in my life.”

“As I humbly return to being a member of this team with an opportunity to get back to playing this game I love, I realize in order for me to reach my full potential my primary focus must remain on my sobriety and mental well-being.”

Gordon had announced back in June that he wouldn’t be attending the early part of preseason as he focused on his treatment program. However, there wasn’t a definitive return date, and the team subsequently placed the receiver on the non-football injury. Gordon, who has had substance abuse issues throughout his career, didn’t sit out due to a failed drug test, and he isn’t expected to be suspended. The team seemed to echo that sentiment in a statement.

“First off, we are pleased for Josh. His overall health and well-being is what is most important. We commend Josh for his hard work, commitment and focus on becoming the best version of himself,” said general manager John Dorsey (via Patrick Maks of ClevelandBrowns.com).

“We are glad Josh has reached a point where he can return to our organization, be in our building and be around his teammates. As he assimilates back to our team, Josh will initially participate in meetings and conditioning and will gradually resume all football activities as deemed appropriate.”

While it may take Gordon a while to get into shape, he’ll surely slide atop the Browns’ depth chart when he’s ready to go. The 27-year-old has only played in 10 games since 2014, but he was productive following his return to the Browns last season. In five games (five starts), Gordon hauled in 18 receptions for 335 yards and one touchdown. The receiver’s best season came in 2013, when he compiled 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine scores.

After trading former first-rounder Corey Coleman earlier this month, the Browns receiver depth is questionable behind offseason addition Jarvis Landry. If Gordon ends up missing any regular season time, the Browns will have to turn to two of Antonio Callaway, Rashard Higgins, Jeff Janis, and Damion Ratley for starting gigs. Free agent wideout Dez Bryant was recently discussing a deal with the Browns, and it’s uncertain if Gordon’s return will impact negotiations.

Colts Sign S Robenson Therezie

August 18th, 2018 at 10:52am CST by Ben Levine

The Colts opened a roster spot today after releasing defensive tackle Caraun Reid. Well, it sounds like they’ve already filled that opening, as IndySportsCentral.com’s Mike Chappell reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed defensive back Robenson Therezie.

Back in 2015, it looked like the Falcons had found a diamond in the rough after signing the undrafted free agent out of Auburn. Therezie finished his rookie campaign with 33 tackles, two passes defended, and one interception in 13 games (two starts). His role was diminished in 2016, and he’s failed to make a regular season appearance over the past two years. During that span, he’s had stints with the Saints, Jets, and Bengals.

The five-foot-nine, 212-pound safety will probably have a tough time making the Colts roster, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he’ll instantly be the team’s shortest defensive back. Rather, the Colts are already rostering five other safeties in Malik Hooker, Matthias Farley, T.J. Green, Clayton Geathers, and Ronald Martin.

Colts To Release DT Caraun Reid

August 18th, 2018 at 9:04am CST by Ben Levine

Caraun Reid is going to have to find a new gig. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Colts have released the defensive tackle.

The 26-year-old had been battling a hamstring issue throughout training camp, but Rapoport relays that the lineman is now fully healthy. Considering the Colts depth at the position, the organization decided to release Reid now, allowing him to find another job before the start of the regular season. Rapoport opines that some teams will surely have interest in the defensive tackle.

The 2014 fifth-round pick out of Princeton contributed during his first two years in the league, including a 2015 campaign with the Lions where he compiled 29 tackles and two sacks in 14 games (12 starts). After playing in seven games with the Chargers in 2016, Reid tore his ACL, and he’s proceeded to play in only one game since that time.

He joined the Colts back in December, but he didn’t appear in a game for the organization. With Grover Stewart and Al Woods slotted in as the team’s starting defensive tackles, Reid was never going to play a major role for the Colts. Now, Indy will likely turn to Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Anthony Johnson as backup options.

Lions Fear LB Steve Longa Tore ACL

August 18th, 2018 at 8:48am CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like one of the Lions’ key special teamers suffered a season-ending injury on Friday night. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the organization is fearing that linebacker Steve Longa tore his ACL. The 23-year-old was seen wearing a “bulky brace” following the game, and he’s set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

Longa reportedly went down on a non-contact play during the third quarter of last night’s contest. If the defender is indeed out for the year, it’d be a tough break for a player who has seemingly moved up the depth chart. The former undrafted free agent out of Rutgers compiled 13 tackles in 15 games last season, mostly serving on special teams.

However, it sounded like the team had bigger plans for Longa in 2018. He was working as the Lions’ second-team middle linebacker behind former first-rounder Jarrad Davis, and he even earned some praise from head coach Matt Patricia.

“I really think he’s made great improvements,” Patricia said (via Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com). “He’s a very instinctual football player, which is probably what helps him on special teams. There’s a lot of feel there that goes into special teams because of the space and dynamic of the play. And then to squeeze that down into the defense, and really understand where the ball’s going, how the fits work and the scheme offensively, how that affects your defense – it’s something I think he’s improved greatly at.”

If Longa misses the entire season, Darnell Sankey would likely move up on the middle linebacker depth chart. The Lions could also give a look at Christian Jones, Jonathan Freeny, Cam Johnson, and Trevor Bates.

NFC West Notes: Avril, Seahawks, Cardinals, 49ers

August 17th, 2018 at 10:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Cliff Avril indicated earlier this offseason he wanted to resume his career, despite the severe neck injury he suffered in 2017 ending his time with the Seahawks. Three months have passed since reports of Avril interest surfaced, and the 2016 Pro Bowler appears to be moving closer to full retirement.

Avril began dabbling in radio shortly after his Seahawks release, and Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes he now has an every-day hosting gig. However, the 32-year-old former Lion and Seahawk is mentoring one of the players competing to take his old job. Condotta writes Avril has been mentoring 2016 fifth-rounder Quinton Jefferson while hosting a daytime radio show. It’s uncertain if he’s regained clearance to play again. Should that happen in the near future, Avril may have another chance. But as of now, it looks like Avril’s played his last NFL down.

Here’s the latest out of the NFC West:

Josh Rosen looking ready for potential near-future action may not mean Mike Glennon’s roster spot is in jeopardy. The Cardinals’ injuries at quarterback last season serve as a warning of what can happen, Mike Jurecki of ArizonaSports.com tweets. Plus, with Sam Bradford serving as the starter, it’s obviously critical to stockpile depth. Glennon, the Bears’ starter to begin last season, signed for two years and $8MM. It would not save the Cards any money to cut him.
Jamar Taylor is still the frontrunner to be the Cardinals’ Week 1 starter opposite Patrick Peterson, Jurecki tweets. The Browns traded the once-embattled cornerback to the Cardinals this offseason – the second time Taylor’s been shipped elsewhere by a new regime – and he’s leading a race for a job that’s been one of the NFL’s biggest trouble spots in recent years.
John Lynch said (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle) Jerick McKinnon will be out for the remainder of the preseason because of the calf strain he suffered in the 49ers’ first exhibition game. The 49ers don’t have a deep running back depth chart, and No. 2 back Matt Breida is also dealing with an injury. San Francisco signed Alfred Morris recently. He and Joe Williams figure to see more time while the top two ball carriers are on the shelf.
Mike Person’s received the bulk of the first-team work at right guard for the 49ers and is a threat to be the Week 1 starter, despite the franchise having used a first-round pick on Joshua Garnett two years ago and having added Jonathan Cooper this offseason, Branch notes. Although the 30-year-old Person would seemingly be a longshot to claim this job, the injury histories of Cooper and Garnett give him a better shot than he’d have under ordinary circumstances. Garnett spent all of last season on IR, and Cooper has struggled with a litany of maladies in his five-year career. Person was a full-time starter at center for the 2015 Falcons.

49ers Bring Back S Dexter McCoil

August 17th, 2018 at 9:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Dexter McCoil spent most of last season with the 49ers as a reserve safety, but an untimely injury induced the team to waive him this spring with an NFI designation.

McCoil was expected to need approximately a six-week recovery period after he suffered a broken foot while training independently. But the 49ers on Friday re-signed him to a one-year deal. They placed safety Terrell Williams Jr. on IR to make room on their 90-man roster.

Initially a Chargers UDFA in 2016, McCoil played in 16 games (two starts) for the Bolts as a rookie. The Chargers waived him in October of last year, and the 49ers made a successful claim. The Tulsa product then played in eight games for San Francisco.

A safety out of Houston, Williams was one of the 49ers’ 13 initial UDFA signings after the draft.

A.J. McCarron Fractures Collarbone

August 17th, 2018 at 9:33pm CST by Zachary Links

A.J. McCarron suffered an injury during his first preseason start with the Bills, and it appears likely it will affect the franchise’s quarterback plans going forward. The free agent addition suffered a hairline fracture in his collarbone, Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News reports (on Twitter).

McCarron started over Nathan Peterman on Friday night in Cleveland but may have to cede the reins to the younger passer now. Peterman started the Bills’ first preseason game, but McCarron represents the bigger investment, having signed a two-year, $8.1MM deal this offseason. He was viewed as the stopgap quarterback that will provide the bridge to Josh Allen.

Allen figures to see more time as a result of McCarron’s setback, and although the Wyoming product was not viewed as a ready-made NFL signal-caller, his NFL audition could come sooner than previously expected if McCarron misses extensive time.

McCarron’s only relevant NFL work came because of a 2015 Andy Dalton injury, and after a trade to the Browns fell through at the last minute last year, a setback in Cleveland ten months later may deny him a chance at a surefire starting role. Peterman has one game of NFL starting experience, but that start turned out to be one of the worst in NFL history. But he may be the next man up.