HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

49ers Release LB Terence Garvin

September 22nd, 2018 at 3:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Terence Garvin‘s 49ers stay may end up being brief. Signed during Reuben Foster‘s suspension, Garvin received notice Saturday he’s being cut.

The 49ers announced they’ve released Garvin and promoted defensive back Tyvis Powell from the practice squad. Foster is set to make his season debut Sunday against the Chiefs.

This marks the second time Garvin’s been released in a month. He signed with the Dolphins as a free agent this offseason but did not make Miami’s 53-man roster. The 49ers added him as insurance shortly after Week 1 and deployed him as a backup against the Lions last week.

Since Garvin is a sixth-year veteran, he does not have to pass through waivers at this point on the NFL calendar. Garvin’s played for the Steelers, Redskins, Seahawks and 49ers, spending three years in Pittsburgh and starting three games in Seattle last season.

Powell played in three games for the 49ers last season. He spent time with the Seahawks in 2016. San Francisco starting safety Jaquiski Tartt is questionable for Sunday’s game, perhaps prompting the team to add depth in its secondary. Both Richard Sherman and Akhello Witherspoon were limited this week in practice, although both upgraded to full work by Friday.

Cardinals Notes: Rosen, Golden, LBs, Smith

September 22nd, 2018 at 3:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Cardinals‘ prospects for a playoff berth looking as bleak as they have in a September since before Carson Palmer arrived, noise around the team beginning the Josh Rosen era has obviously increased. Arizona’s Sam Bradford-led attack did not cross midfield until the fourth quarter against the Rams, and the Cards have just six points this season — the fewest of any team through two games since the 2006 Buccaneers. However, don’t count on a Rosen in-game promotion if Arizona’s struggles continue against the Bears on Sunday. While Steve Keim said (via Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic) the first-round pick “has got to be ready,” he would prefer Steve Wilks give him a full week of first-string reps rather than throw him into the fire. As for Wilks, he does see the UCLA product making strides. Rosen was billed as the most pro-ready quarterback in this draft yet will be the last to see action of his first-round peers.

“Number one, I think the guy is progressing,” Wilks said during an interview with Sirius XM’s Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan. “He does a great job each and every week trying to prepare himself. He does get some reps with the ones each and every week, so from that standpoint, it’s good. And then he does an excellent job just as far as running the show team as well, so his operation each week is with the ones as well as on the show team. Prep has been good.

“When the time is right, we’ll definitely get him in there.”

Here’s the latest out of the desert:

  • Markus Golden and Jermaine Gresham appear on track to make their 2018 debuts. Both players progressed to full practices this week for the first time this year, per McManaman. Golden’s been out since Week 4 of last season because of an ACL tear. Gresham hasn’t played since Week 17, when the tight end ruptured an Achilles’ tendon. Both began camp on the PUP list. This will be Gresham’s age-30 season, and it’s even more critical for Golden. The edge rusher is set to begin a contract year, so showing he’s recovered from the severe knee injury will be paramount for his stock. Golden finished with 12.5 sacks in 2016. Both players are listed as questionable for Sunday.
  • The Cardinals’ new 4-3 defense has looked more like a 4-2-5 look thus far, and that’s resulted in Haason Reddick seeing sparse action in his second season. The 2017 first-rounder’s played only 17 snaps thus far. The Cards’ 2014 first-rounder, Deone Bucannon, was benched against the Rams, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic notes. Bucannon’s been a full-time starter at either safety or linebacker since his rookie year. Bucannon is also in a contract year. Josh Bynes leads Cardinals linebackers with 141 snaps, and Pro Football Focus tabbed him as the No. 10 overall ‘backer through two games. Bucannon sits 70th on that list, mostly due to Week 1 struggles. Nomad defender Gerald Hodges replaced Bucannon in Week 2.
  • Andre Smith remains out for Arizona because of an elbow injury, meaning John Wetzel will start again for the Cards in Week 3, McManaman notes. Considering Khalil Mack frequently lines up opposite right tackles, this poses another problem for a Cards team that’s experienced many thus far this season.

Panthers Promote CB Josh Hawkins

September 22nd, 2018 at 12:49pm CST by Ben Levine

Josh Hawkins is back in the NFL. ESPN’s David Newton reports (via Twitter) that the Panthers have promoted the cornerback from their practice squad to the active roster. Hawkins will be taking the spot that opened up after the team placed safety Da’Norris Searcy on the injured reserve yesterday.

After going undrafted out of East Carolina during the 2016 draft, Hawkins proceeded to spend the next two seasons with the Packers. The 5-foot-10, 189-pound cornerback ended up making a name for himself in Green Bay, appearing in 26 games over his two years with the organization. That included a standout 2017 campaign where he compiled 38 tackles, six passes defended, and one forced fumble in 15 games (three starts).

Despite his breakout campaign, the Packers waived the 25-year-old prior to the regular season. The cornerback quickly caught on with the Panthers practice squad, where he’s spent the first two weeks of the season.

The Panthers’ defensive back depth has been depleted due to injury, with cornerbacks Ross Cockrell and Kevon Seymour sitting on the injured reserve (along with Searcy and safety Damian Parms). Hawkins will initially be placed on the bottom of the cornerback depth chart, but he could see playing time if any of Donte Jackson, James Bradberry, Captain Munnerlyn, Corn Elder, or Lorenzo Doss go down with injuries.

Falcons Cut LB Corey Nelson

September 22nd, 2018 at 11:49am CST by Ben Levine

Corey Nelson‘s tenure with the Falcons has come to an end. The team announced that they’ve released the linebacker with an injury settlement. The team will promote linebacker Richard “Dewey” Jarvis from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.

Nelson, 26, signed with the Eagles this offseason, but he was cut by the organization prior to the regular season. He quickly caught on with the Falcons, and he appeared in a single game with the organization. The 2014 seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma spent the first four seasons of his career with the Broncos, including a 2016 campaign where he compiled 67 tackles and five passes defended in 16 games (five starts).

At the time of his signing, several of the team’s linebackers were struggling with injuries, but the grouping now appears to be relatively healthy. Of course, the Falcons could still be seeking some reinforcement at the position, even after the promotion of Jarvis. Including the rookie, the team is still rostering only five linebackers, a grouping that includes Duke Riley, De’Vondre Campbell, Kemal Ishmael, and Foye Oluokun.

Jarvis joined the organization as an undrafted free agent out of Brown. He initially earned a spot on the team’s active roster before being waived earlier this month (he subsequently caught on with the team’s practice squad). He had a solid preseason for the Falcons, compiling seven tackles and two sacks.

Ravens Swap Return Men

September 22nd, 2018 at 11:31am CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens have swapped return men. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley reports (via Twitter) that the team has promoted returner/wideout Tim White from the practice squad and waived returner/wideout Janarion Grant. The team has also waived offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor and promoted defensive back Robertson Daniel.

Grant, an undrafted rookie out of Rutgers, made the Ravens’ initial roster as their primary kick and punt returner. However, the 24-year-old has struggled through his first two regular season games, losing a pair of fumbles. There should be some room for optimism, as his kick return average (28 yards) and punt return average (7.4 yards) are plenty impressive.

Now, White will have his chance at being the team’s primary return man. The 24-year-old joined the organization last year as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona State, and he spent the majority of his rookie season on the injured reserve. He was cut by the Ravens at the end of this year’s training camp, but he quickly caught on with the team’s practice squad.

With Anthony Averett struggling through a hamstring injury, Daniel should provide the team with some additional depth. The former undrafted free agent out of Bringham Young has bounced around the NFL, but he’s spent the past two-plus seasons with the Ravens. The 26-year-old only has a single career game under his belt, and he’ll likely slide in to the bottom of the team’s cornerback depth chart.

Eluemunor was a fifth-round pick by the Ravens in 2017, and he appeared in eight games (two starts) as a rookie, earning him an All-Rookie nod. However, the 23-year-old was buried on the depth chart heading into the 2018 campaign, and he didn’t see the field during Baltimore’s first two regular season contests. With the move, the Ravens are now only rostering seven offensive lineman: Ronnie Stanley, Alex Lewis, Matt Skura, Marshal Yanda, James Hurst, Orlando Brown, and Bradley Bozeman.

Redskins Cut WR Breshad Perriman

September 22nd, 2018 at 9:59am CST by Ben Levine

Breshad Perriman‘s stint in Washington has already come to an end. ProFootballTalk.com reports (via Twitter) that the Redskins have released the wide receiver. According to PFT, the organization “indicated it could bring him back in the future.” Meanwhile, ESPN’s John Keim tweets that the team will be promoting running back Kapri Bibbs from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.

The Ravens finally bailed on the 2015 first-rounder out of Central Florida in early September. After sitting out his entire rookie campaign due to injury, Perriman went on to have a pair of underwhelming seasons in Baltimore. He showed a bit of promise in 2016, hauling in 33 catches for 499 yards and three scores. However, he seemingly took a step back in 2017, catching only 10 passes for 77 yards.

The Redskins ended up signing the 25-year-old earlier this week, but they also added fellow wideout Michael Floyd on the same day. Following today’s move, the team has five healthy receivers on their active roster: Floyd, Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, Paul Richardson, and Brian Quick (Maurice Harris missed last week due to a concussion).

Bibbs joined the Redskins practice squad last November, and he ended up compiling 79 rushing yards on 21 carries in three games (he also added another 14 receptions for 128 yards). He was cut at the end of the preseason but once again caught on with the practice squad. With Rob Kelley joining Derrius Guice and Byron Marshall on the team’s injured reserve list, the Redskins were only rostering three running backs in Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson, and Samaje Perine. Bibbs will likely slide behind that trio on the depth chart, and he could play a role on special teams (seven career kick returns).

Colts Promote TE Erik Swoope

September 22nd, 2018 at 9:08am CST by Ben Levine

With Jack Doyle set to miss this weekend’s game against the Eagles, the Colts have added a tight end to their active roster. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the team has promoted Erik Swoope from the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the Colts waived cornerback Lenzy Pipkins.

After having spent the first four-plus seasons of his career with Indy, Swoope was released by the Colts last week. He ended up catching on with the team’s practice squad, a move that should pay off this weekend. Doyle is set to miss several weeks as he recovers from a hip ailment, leaving the Colts to roll with only Eric Ebron and Ryan Hewitt. Swoope will at least provide the Colts with some reinforcement at the position, even if he’s at the bottom of the depth chart.

The Colts were hoping they landed the next Jimmy Graham or Antonio Gates when they signed the undrafted free agent back in 2014. Up to that point, Swoope had never played organized football, but the six-foot-five forward did play 110 games for the Miami Hurricanes basketball team over four seasons. After appearing in only a single game as a rookie, Swoope proceeded to play in 16 games (four starts) in 2015, hauling in 15 catches for 297 yards and one touchdown. He sat out all of the 2017 campaign after undergoing minor knee surgery.

Pipkins was traded by the Packers to the Colts in late August for linebacker Antonio Morrison. He was waived prior to the regular season, but he caught on with the practice squad and was later promoted. In 12 games with Green Bay in 2017, the former undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State compiled 15 tackles and one pass defended.

Injury Notes: Titans, Mariota, Falcons, McKinley, Colts, Doyle, Eagles, Ajayi

September 21st, 2018 at 9:41pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Marcus Mariota‘s injury remains a mystery. It hasn’t been disclosed exactly what he’s dealing with although it has reportedly caused him to lose some feeling in his hand. Blaine Gabbert started, and won, for the Titans last week, and it’s possible he’s asked to do so again this week against the Jaguars.

Titans coach Mike Vrabel told reporters that he would make the decision between Gabbert and Mariota within the next “24 hours” and that he would let them know then according to Jim Wyatt of the Titans’ official website (Twitter link). If Mariota can’t go it would be a huge blow for Tennessee against the league’s top defense. One thing that could make their matchup a bit easier is that Jalen Ramsey was added to the injury report Friday with an ankle injury, although it’s unclear if he’s in any danger of missing the game.

Here’s more injury updates from around the league:

  • The Falcons just can’t seem to catch a break. It was already known they’d be without Devonta Freeman and several other starters, but it was announced today that they’d also be without talented pass-rusher Takkarist McKinley. McKinley is currently dealing with a groin injury.
  • The Colts will be quite shorthanded for their trip to Philadelphia as the team ruled out tight end Jack Doyle, running back Marlon Mack, defensive tackle Denico Autry, and right tackle Anthony Castonzo. Doyle’s injury is a big blow, as he formed an effective tight end duo with Eric Ebron through the first two games.
  • The Eagles will also be significantly shorthanded on offense, with their backfield being particularly banged up. Running backs Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles have been ruled out, while Corey Clement is questionable. If Clement isn’t able to go, the running back situation would be dire. Alshon Jeffery is questionable, but reporters have written that he’s very unlikely to play.

NFL Workout Updates: 9/21/18

September 21st, 2018 at 8:36pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Today’s workout updates are below. There were some notable names, including veteran cornerback David Amerson, who was released by the Chiefs at final cuts.

Buffalo Bills

Detroit Lions

New Orleans Saints

The Bills are clearly looking for help in their secondary with the recent retirement of Vontae Davis. Amerson and Lippett are both pretty big names with plenty of starting experience, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see either of them sign. Bausby was an offseason star with the Eagles, but ultimately didn’t survive final cuts.

 

Extra Points: Jets, Bowles, Seahawks, Thomas, Saints, Crawley, Raiders, Hall

September 21st, 2018 at 7:24pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Not too long ago, the Jets were riding high off their Week 1 Monday Night Football win over the Lions as they kicked off the Sam Darnold era and all was well in New York. Now things have gone south quickly, as the team has dropped two straight games to the Dolphins and Browns. And although coach Todd Bowles recently landed a contract extension that locks him up through the 2020 season, his job isn’t necessarily safe writes Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.

While Vacchiano cautions that these first couple games wont determine Bowles’ future, he writes that “the feeling around the Jets is still that the 54-year-old Bowles isn’t really that safe at all.” It’s an interesting development considering Bowles was widely praised last season for leading the team to a surprise 5-11 record. Before last season, Bowles had been thought to be on one of the hottest seats in the entire league. It will be interesting to watch play out, but it looks like Bowles might not be the coach of the future in New York.

Here’s more from around the league:

  • Earl Thomas didn’t practice for the Seahawks today, and coach Pete Carroll was extremely vague about why according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. Carroll said it wasn’t an injury and was something the team was dealing with, but wouldn’t commit to Thomas playing this Sunday. This immediately revived trade rumors that have surrounded Thomas all year, but it doesn’t seem like he’ll be on the move at this point. The team that was most-linked to Thomas this offseason, the Cowboys, aren’t pursuing him at the moment as EVP Stephen Jones said the team was “not exchanging any calls or any information at this time” according to Jon Machota of Dallas News (Twitter link). It’s a strange situation, and while it doesn’t seem like he’ll be traded, Condotta writes “no one will say” why he isn’t practicing.
  • The Saints’ defense, particularly their secondary, has struggled mightily this year. A large part of the problem has been cornerback Ken Crawley, who has now been benched ahead of the team’s Week 3 matchup with the Falcons according to Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com (Twitter link). Fourth-year player P.J. Williams will move into the lineup in his place.
  • Raiders cornerback Leon Hall was hospitalized after the team’s Week 2 game against the Broncos according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Hall has a sickle cell trait issue that can flare up at altitude. He’s expected to play for this team this Sunday in Miami.

 

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