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NFC West Notes: Bucannon, 49ers, Seahawks

August 3rd, 2018 at 8:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Deone Bucannon spent his 2017 offseason rehabbing from an injury, and the Cardinals became concerned the fifth-year linebacker suffered a serious setback at practice Thursday. But a day later, the team is relieved after an MRI revealed Bucannon did not damage any knee ligaments, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Bucannon did suffer a hyperextended knee and bruised a kneecap, per Rapoport, and the Cards aren’t going to rush him back as a result. Ankle injuries limited Bucannon to 12 games last season, and 2018 will be critical for him. He will play this season on a fifth-year option and is due for 2019 free agency. The Cards’ shift to a 4-3 look will result in their 2014 first-round pick lining up at outside linebacker. Initially a safety, Bucannon moved to an inside ‘backer slot and played there full-time over the past two seasons.

The 49ers saw a former first-round pick go down during camp as well. Here’s the latest from the NFC West:

  • Arik Armstead missed much of the past two seasons because of an injury, and the 49ers‘ 2015 first-rounder’s now dealing with another one. A hamstring malady is expected to sideline Armstead for multiple weeks, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes. Armstead went on IR with a shoulder injury in 2016, and a broken hand ended his 2017 campaign. He also underwent foot surgery this offseason. The 49ers picked up Armstead’s $9MM 2019 option in May. He’s expected to remain a defensive end starter this season.
  • The Seahawks drafted Alex McGough in the seventh round, but ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson notes he hasn’t provided Austin Davis with much competition. It appears certain Davis will reprise his role as Russell Wilson‘s top backup this season. “Austin has been really solid,” Pete Carroll said. “I think it’s been really hard for Alex to get going. He’s been struggling. It’s been hard for him. We are a very high-tech offense, there’s a lot going on and he hasn’t been able to get back to even where he was in the offseason.”
  • Kyle Shanahan admitted he’s had doubts he made the right decision to convince John Lynch to trade up to select Joe Williams in the 2017 fourth round, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes. A Utah product who stepped away from football in college due to off-field issues, Williams did not impress the 49ers’ staff during 2017 training camp and has yet to play in a game. While Shanahan’s seen a stronger commitment from the second-year back this summer, Williams isn’t a roster lock. He’s competing with Raheem Mostert for the 49ers’ third-string running back job, behind Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida, Branch adds.
  • Before the 49ers made an offer to McKinnon, Kyle Juszczyk helped recruit him. The NFL’s highest-paid fullback began texting with the former Vikings backup running back during the winter, and once informed the 49ers were going after him, the team told Juszczyk to keep pushing with his recruitment, Juszczyk said (via Maiocco). McKinnon surprised many by fetching a four-year, $30MM contract, including his new fullback. “I don’t know if I knew he was going to be the top-paid running back in the market that year,” Juszczyk said. “But I figured he’d be a guy that we’d be interested in.”

Browns Rumors: Gordon, Corbett, Robinson

August 3rd, 2018 at 6:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Josh Gordon remains away from the Browns as they enter the second week of training camp, but the team remains confident its oft-unavailable wideout will show up in Berea, Ohio, at some point during camp. John Dorsey reaffirmed during a radio interview Friday that the 27-year-old pass-catcher will be at camp. But no timetable has been announced. Browns camp runs until August 15, though it’s unclear if Dorsey meant Gordon will return by camp’s conclusion or merely before the regular season begins.

“I told you he’d be here, and he will be here,” the Cleveland GM said during an interview with 92.3 The Fan (via the Lorain Morning Journal). “… I haven’t talked to Josh Gordon; I’m going to respect his privacy. I admire what he’s doing here because he’s taking care of the long-term interest of his person.”

Gordon is believed to be at a rehab center in Gainesville, Fla., and his return status may not be entirely up to him. Roger Goodell could well have a say, complicating matters for a player who’s endured one of the more complicated careers in modern NFL history.

Here’s the latest out of Cleveland:

  • The Browns moving to their “Plan Z” so fast — sliding Joel Bitonio to left tackle — will prompt them to move second-round pick Austin Corbett into Bitonio’s old spot. Corbett is now working as the team’s starting left guard, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. The left side of the Browns’ line is now comprised of former Nevada starting tackles, with Corbett taking over as the Wolf Pack’s left tackle for Bitonio in 2014 after he was a Cleveland draft choice. Corbett did not see time at guard in college but was considered a prospect who could make the transition inside in the pros.
  • Given the first chance to succeed Joe Thomas, Shon Coleman was not progressing like the Browns hoped, per Cabot. Cleveland’s right tackle starter last season, Coleman seems likely to now become a swing backup. But Hue Jackson suggested Greg Robinson, who’s been out for most of camp due to a concussion, may get a chance to potentially move Bitonio back to guard. Though, this move doesn’t look to be an experiment. “It’s full speed ahead with Joel,” Jackson said. “But Greg will factor into that. He hasn’t practiced enough. I don’t know enough about him yet to say if he can or he can’t.”
  • Duke Johnson would prefer to be a full-time slot receiver, rather than serving as a running back/receiver, per Dan Labbe of cleveland.com. With Jarvis Landry around, it doesn’t seem like the recently extended passing-down running back’s role will be changing anytime soon. Johnson took 82 handoffs last season but caught a career-high 74 passes.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/18

August 3rd, 2018 at 4:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

  • Signed: WR Dom Williams
  • Waived/Injured: WR Deontez Alexander

New York Giants

  • Waived: CB Kenneth Durden

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: DT Lord Hyeamang

Tennessee Titans

  • Signed: T Laurence Gibson
  • Placed on IR: S Johnathan Cyprien
  • Waived/injured: DL Connor Flagel

Jets To Add Kendall Reyes

August 3rd, 2018 at 4:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kendall Reyes has not seen any NFL action since being released during the 2016 season, but the veteran defensive lineman will resurface with the Jets.

The Jets made the decision to sign Reyes on Friday, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). To make room on their 90-man roster, the Jets waived defensive end Shaneil Jenkins with an injury designation, per ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini (via Twitter).

Jenkins sat out Friday’s practice, which will lead to another Reyes opportunity. New York added Jenkins last week.

A former second-round Chargers pick in 2012, the 28-year-old Reyes last played for the Redskins in 2016. However, his last notable work came with 10 games for the 2016 Chiefs, with whom Reyes suited up for 10 games that season. He started three seasons for the Bolts from 2013-15 but hasn’t been able to parlay his years as a San Diego first-unit player into being much of a factor elsewhere.

Giants To Sign CB Leonard Johnson

August 3rd, 2018 at 3:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are signing cornerback Leonard Johnson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The move comes hours after the team auditioned fellow corners Alterraun Verner and Zack Sanchez. 

Johnson played for the Panthers during GM Dave Gettleman’s time in Carolina, which might explain the move. Johnson didn’t fill up the stat sheet in that 2016 season, but he did appear in ten games. Last year, he recorded 51 tackles and seven passes defensed with the Bills. He appeared in 15 games in 2017 and started in seven of those contests. Johnson graded out as just the 99th best corner in the NFL out of Pro Football Focus’ 120+ qualified players, but that likely doesn’t faze Gettleman, who isn’t big on analytics.

Johnson doesn’t profile as a starter, but he could sneak in as a reserve behind starters Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins and bench corners William Gay and Teddy Williams.

Titans Work Out S Steven Terrell

August 3rd, 2018 at 2:17pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans are casting a wide net in their search for safety help. Former Seahawks and Chiefs safety Steven Terrell took part in the team’s tryouts on Friday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).

The Titans were dealt a tough blow this week when they lost strong safety Johnathan Cyprien for the year with an ACL tear. Shortly after the diagnosis, the Titans scheduled Friday workouts with the following players, in addition to Terrell:

Terrell spent the first three seasons of his career with the Seahawks and enjoyed a bit of a breakout season in 2016. After having appeared in 16 games between 2014 and 2015, the safety appeared in 16 games (five starts) in 2016, finishing with a career-high in tackles (27). Last year, he hooked on with the Chiefs and appeared in ten contests.

Giants Work Out Alterraun Verner

August 3rd, 2018 at 1:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are looking into some cornerback help. On Friday, the Giants auditioned Alterraun Verner and Zack Sanchez, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets. 

Verner, 29, was once regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. However, much has changed since he inked a four-year, $25.5MM deal with the Bucs in 2014. Last year, the Dolphins signed Verner to serve as a slot option, but he didn’t do much in that area as Bobby McCain enjoyed a breakout season.

Sanchez, you may recall, was one of three cornerbacks drafted by the Panthers in 2016 as they attempted to replace Josh Norman on the cheap. That experiment did not work out, and Sanchez has not seen live action since.

The Giants recently lost supplemental draft pick Sam Beal, so they could use some reinforcements at cornerback. Veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie continues to float in limbo, but we wouldn’t bank on a reunion.

Jaguars Sign DL Sealver Siliga

August 3rd, 2018 at 1:04pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars have signed defensive tackle Sealver Siliga, according to agent David Canter (Twitter link). Details of the deal are not known, but it’s likely a one-year pact with little or no guaranteed money involved. 

After re-signing with the Bucs on a one-year deal worth up to $1.5MM, Siliga appeared in eight games as a reserve with eight total tackles. He had a workout with Lions last month, but it has been a quiet offseason for him otherwise.

Although he hasn’t done a whole lot in the past two years with Tampa Bay, Siliga has seen significant playing time in the past. Between 2014 and 2015, Siliga started nine games (in 20 appearances) for the Patriots, collecting 60 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

With the Jaguars, Siliga will fight for a roster spot behind starting defensive tackles Marcell Dareus and Malik Jackson. First-round pick Taven Bryan projects to be the first defensive tackle off of the bench and Abry Jones should be in line for playing time, but the competition is fairly open after that.

Patriots Work Out Cobi Hamilton

August 3rd, 2018 at 12:55pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots have signed Eric Decker, but they’re not necessarily done signing wide receivers. On Friday, the Patriots auditioned Cobi Hamilton, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 

[RELATED: Patriots Sign WR Eric Decker]

It’s not immediately clear how serious the Pats are about Hamilton following the addition of Decker. Despite the release of Jordan Matthews, the likely forthcoming release of Malcolm Mitchell, and Julian Edelman‘s four-game ban, the Patriots are fairly deep at receiver.

Hamilton flashed at times during the 2016 season with the Steelers, but hasn’t done much since then. Last year, he spent some time with the Texans and finished out with just one catch in three games. This offseason, he was picked up by the Cardinals but was let go in June. Since entering the league as a sixth-round choice in 2013, Hamilton has spent time with seven different teams.

Vikings Won’t Trade Anthony Barr

August 3rd, 2018 at 12:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Apparently, there were rumors of the Vikings shopping linebacker Anthony Barr. It’s not a rumor that I’ve heard, but it did make its way back to Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. On Friday morning, Zimmer shot down such speculation, saying that Barr is “unequivocally not being traded,” (Twitter link via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune). 

It’s possible that speculation was fueled by Barr’s absence from practice earlier this week. Zimmer explained that Barr was sidelined because of a “tweak” and added that he should be out on the field on Friday.

Through some savvy cap maneuvering, the Vikings have locked up the overwhelming majority of their core players. After inking wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a monster extension this week, Barr stands as the last key player to go.

In theory, the Vikings could retain Barr for 2019 by using the franchise tag, but on- and off-ball ‘backers are classified together, so a Barr tag would cost the Vikings more than $16MM. That’s an exorbitant amount of money to pay for an LB who had just one sack last year, so the Vikings will either have to work out a new contract with him or allow him to leave via free agency.

“We’re trying to get him signed. Hopefully, we can. But that’s between upstairs and his people,” Zimmer said (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press). “So we’d love to have him here. … I want him to get the best deal he can possibly get but in a selfish way I want him to be here too.’’

Despite all of their spending, the Vikings believe they have enough left in the coffers to lock up Barr. And, as a result, they will not trade him.

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