HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Jameis Winston May Not Immediately Start Upon Return

September 16th, 2018 at 9:19am CST by Rory Parks

While this may seem like overreaction to one strong performance against a suspect defensive unit, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Ryan Fitzpatrick may remain the Buccaneers’ starting quarterback even when Jameis Winston returns from suspension after the team’s Week 3 matchup against the Steelers.

But that may have more to do with logistics than anything else. The Week 3 game is a Monday night contest, so Rapoport suggests that the Bucs could simply keep Fitzpatrick as the starter for Week 4 rather than have Winston make his 2018 debut on a short week.

However, Rapoport does say that Fitzpatrick’s run as the Bucs’ starting signal-caller could last for as long as he is playing well, and if he continues to perform as he did in his season-opening mastery of the Saints — which resulted in NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors — that would give Tampa Bay time to ease Winston into the flow of the season.

It is important to note that the Bucs continue to view Winston as their long-term quarterback. Obviously, the veteran journeyman Fitzpatrick is no threat to dethrone Winston on a permanent basis, and Tampa Bay is excited to see what Winston can do when he does return to the field with a talented set of receivers and new play-caller Todd Monken.

Rapoport also writes that Winston’s $20.9MM fifth-year option for 2019, guaranteed for injury only, will not have any bearing on when he returns. The Bucs will not keep their former No. 1 overall pick on the shelf to avoid triggering that guarantee, and they fully intend to reinsert Winston into the starting lineup as soon as they feel it is in their best interest to do so (which may still be in Week 4).

Several Teams Have Inquired On Josh Gordon

September 16th, 2018 at 8:54am CST by Rory Parks

Shortly after the Browns announced their plan to release Josh Gordon yesterday evening, we heard that rival clubs were already calling Cleveland to inquire about trading for the troubled wideout before he hits the open market. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk lends further credence to those reports, writing that a few teams have indeed discussed a trade with the Browns.

It is not surprising that teams would be interested in the tremendously-talented Gordon from a pure football perspective, but it would be surprising if a club surrendered draft capital to acquire him if there were truth to the speculation that Gordon had suffered a relapse in his battle with substance abuse. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that the Browns’ decision to part ways with Gordon is not drug-related, though he did injure his hamstring during a team photo shoot. Given Gordon’s history, of course, it is fair to be skeptical of the circumstances surrounding his impending departure, and one league executive said, “if [the Browns] are letting him go, something is up” (Twitter link via ESPN’s Josina Anderson).

But assuming that Gordon has not run afoul of the league’s substance abuse policy, we could see the Browns strike a deal to send him elsewhere, though there are no concrete reports as to which teams have expressed interest. Florio speculates that the 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, and Cowboys could be in the running, but Calvin Watkins of The Athletic tweets that he does not expect Dallas to make a play for Gordon.

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, citing the 49ers’ previous interest in Gordon, says he would not be surprised if San Francisco were one of the clubs willing to trade for him, though he suggests that any trade would include only conditional compensation (Twitter link). Any team that does trade for him would take on the balance of Gordon’s $790K contract this year — a bargain if he can stay on the field — and would have the right to keep him under club control with a a restricted free agency tender in 2019.

Rapoport tweets that Gordon himself is most interested in the Cowboys and 49ers, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Browns intend to trade Gordon to an NFC club (Twitter link).

Reactions, Notes On Josh Gordon Situation

September 15th, 2018 at 9:38pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Josh Gordon news continues to come flying in in the wake of the Browns‘ stunning announcement earlier today. There have been plenty of developments, including reports of a possible relapse and that the Browns will look to trade Gordon rather than release him.

The Browns would clearly prefer to get assets back rather than cut him for nothing, and it appears they may get their wish. “As many as five teams are researching possibly trading for Gordon” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link) who notes that “Cleveland has a market.” It’s unclear what any potential compensation would be, but it likely won’t be anything too valuable. A later round pick, perhaps even a conditional one, seems more likely at this point despite all of Gordon’s talent.

Here’s more surrounding the situation:

  • In the aftermath of the Gordon news, many immediately began suspecting the Browns would reach back out to Dez Bryant, who they had brought in for a visit and reportedly made an offer to. But Bryant’s name “hasn’t come up around the building lately” and the Browns are “not certain he wants to play football” according to Josina Anderson of ESPN (Twitter link).
  • One team that was quickly brought up in connection to Gordon was the Cowboys. But despite their dire need for a number one receiver, don’t expect Dallas to be a player for Gordon writes Calvin Watkins of The Athletic (Twitter link,) who says “I just don’t see the Cowboys investing in” the troubled young wideout.
  • It was initially reported that Gordon would go on waivers, and any team could claim his contract if Gordon was let go, but that’s not true. Gordon would become a free agent if the Browns aren’t able to work out a trade as former NFL agent and current CBS Sports analyst Joel Corry explains (Twitter link). Gordon spent at least three games on a roster for a total of four seasons, barely meeting the threshold to avoid waivers.

Browns Will Look To Trade Josh Gordon

September 15th, 2018 at 7:33pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

New details are pouring in on the shocking release of Josh Gordon. It was reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that Gordon “wasn’t himself” at the team facility earlier today and that the team suspected he had relapsed.

Now it’s being reported that the Browns will attempt to trade Gordon before releasing him by Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Schefter writes there are”teams already calling the Browns” and that sources think the Browns are “far more likely to trade Josh Gordon than release him.” It also makes sense for the Browns to try and get assets back for him rather than dumping him for nothing. The Browns’ initial statement where they said they would be releasing Gordon “on Monday” and not right away always seemed curious and this helps explain why.

Since Gordon has spent time on a roster during at least four seasons, he won’t be subjected to waivers if he were released. He would be free to sign with any team and potentially spark a bidding war. As such, it makes sense that teams would try to swing a trade for him to get him at his current relatively cheap contract.

There was also mystery surrounding Gordon’s hamstring. It was initially reported Gordon would miss the Browns’ Week 2 game against the Saints with a hamstring injury. Gordon “hurt his hamstring at a promotional shoot, not at practice” according to Schefter (Twitter link). Gordon suffering the injury likely contributed to what people are describing as “trust issues” between Gordon and Cleveland. Be sure to keep checking back, as this story will almost surely develop further.

Browns To Release Josh Gordon

September 15th, 2018 at 6:28pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

UPDATE: Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has details via Twitter on the release, reporting that Gordon was late to the team’s facility today and that it was an “overall trust issue for a player already on thin ice.” Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports Gordon was “not himself” when he showed up to the facility and “there was concern that perhaps he had relapsed and was struggling with his substance use again.”

The Browns will release receiver Josh Gordon on Monday the team announced today (Twitter link).

It’s an absolutely stunning move and one that will send shockwaves across the league as the team has previously stuck with Gordon through everything. He’s battled a hamstring injury since he returned to the team earlier this summer, but had a touchdown catch in their Week 1 opener. The Browns’ statement, from GM John Dorsey, reads as follows:

“For the past six years, the Browns have fully supported and invested in Josh, both personally and professionally and wanted the best for him, but unfortunately we’ve reached a point where we feel it’s best to part ways and move forward. We wish Josh well.”

It was announced earlier today that the Gordon would miss the Browns’ Week 2 game against the Saints with a hamstring injury, although that now appears to have been made up. It always seemed fishy since he had practiced fully each day this week.

Kay Cabot’s reporting indicates the Browns thought he had relapsed and showed up to the facility under the influence. Whatever it was, they’ve kept him on the roster through multiple suspensions and substance abuse related absences before so it must’ve been deemed pretty serious.

Gordon will finish his career in Cleveland with 180 catches for 3106 yards and 16 touchdowns. Overall, it’s a sad day as it seemed Gordon had finally gotten his life back on track and was in a good place with the Browns.

Devonta Freeman To Miss Multiple Weeks With Knee Injury

September 15th, 2018 at 6:19pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman’s knee injury was originally thought to not be serious. Then came the revelation that he would miss this week’s game against the Panthers.

Now there’s even more bad news for Freeman as he will miss between 2-4 weeks according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Schefter said a Falcons official said it would be 2-3 weeks, but followed up in another tweet saying a different source said 3-4 weeks.

It’s another big blow to a Falcons team that has had brutal injury luck so far this season. Star safety Keanu Neal will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL suffered in Week 1 while every-down linebacker Deion Jones will miss at least the next eight weeks with a foot injury.

It’s the latest in a troubling string of injuries for Freeman, who has a history of knee injuries. Schefter reports the injury is a “contusion”, and Freeman has previously suffered PCL and MCL injuries to the same knee. Freeman signed a contract extension before the 2017 season that at the time made him the second highest paid running back in the league. Tevin Coleman should see a significantly increased workload in Freeman’s absence.

AFC Notes: Jets, Johnson, Patriots, Michel, Cannon Raiders, Hankins

September 15th, 2018 at 5:41pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

When Jets owner Woody Johnson accepted the role as ambassador to the U.K., he left the team under the leadership of his brother Christopher. Given the relative success and cultural improvements the organization has seen under Christopher’s watch, there’s been a lot of speculation about what will happen when Woody returns from his political appointment.

Christopher himself is being quite open about the fact that he wants to stay on with the Jets, saying “no question, I’m hoping to have a larger role” even after his brother returns according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). He added that he thinks Woody will be receptive to it, saying “I think he’d welcome that. I know that he would. I think that I have a new perspective at this point that would be valuable for the franchise.” Whatever happens, it’ll be interesting to watch it unfold as Christopher is reportedly well liked by the players.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

  • It looks like Sony Michel could be making his NFL debut this week. The first round pick of the Patriots missed most of the offseason and Week 1 due to a knee ailment, but has “made a lot of progress this week” and “the progress has been encouraging” for his Week 1 prospects according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic (Twitter link).
  • Speaking of Patriots injuries, starting left tackle Marcus Cannon is looking unlikely to play and the team has “prepared LaAdrian Waddle this week to start” according to Howe (Twitter link). It’d be a big blow to the Patriots’ offensive line against Jacksonville’s dominant defensive front.
  • The details are in for the Raiders’ two recent defensive tackle signings. Johnathan Hankins will get $2MM for the season and Clinton McDonald will get $1.75MM according to Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). Pelissero notes that almost every other recent veteran signing has been for the veterans minimum.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/15/18

September 15th, 2018 at 4:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Saturday’s minor moves.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

Tennessee Titans

NFC Rumors: Rodgers, Hawks, Linehan, Bucs

September 15th, 2018 at 4:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Aaron Rodgers watch now includes a practice return. The Packers saw their best player resurface at Saturday’s practice after he’d missed all week of workouts. Although NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero points out Rodgers is still questionable (Twitter link) and the Packers will see how he looks Sunday morning, now that he’s gotten in a practice it’s a bit difficult to see the 34-year-old quarterback not suiting up Sunday against the Vikings. Swelling in Rodgers’ left knee remains an issue, per Pelissero (on Twitter), and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein tabs it as unlikely the Packers will give their centerpiece a green light if he’s still sore or experiencing swelling from Saturday’s workout. But the 14th-year passer has dealt with myriad left knee trouble at several points in his career. That said, the Vikings’ defense may be the toughest unit he faces all season; and Minnesota’s front seven will be facing a surely less mobile Rodgers than it ordinarily would.

Here’s what’s new out of the NFC going into Week 2 Sunday.

  • Bobby Wagner serves as the anchor for the Seahawks‘ front seven, having played in 42 straight games. That streak will end on Monday night after the Seahawks declared their top linebacker out for their Bears game. K.J. Wright also will not play. Wagner is battling a groin injury, while Wright is still recovering from a knee scope. Perhaps this explains the team’s need to make the controversial decision to sign Mychal Kendricks, who may face prison time after pleading guilty to insider trading. Barkevious Mingo is the only starting linebacker Seattle will have available in Chicago.
  • Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan saw increased latitude this offseason in the team’s effort to restructure its offense, with Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News writing the fourth-year Dallas OC was involved in the decisions to release Dez Bryant and move on from four offensive assistants. Linehan signed an extension in 2017 that calls for him to be paid approximately $2MM per season, George notes. This makes the Cowboys’ OC one of the NFL’s highest-paid assistants. George adds Linehan could well be on the chopping block if Dallas’ offense nosedives. The Panthers did not see much from Linehan’s unit in Week 1.
  • DeSean Jackson appears set to have another chance to face his original team. The Buccaneers wide receiver is expected to surmount concussion protocol and be on the field against the Eagles on Sunday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Jackson had his best game as a Buccaneer last week, hauling in five passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
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