2018 September - Pro Football Rumors

Rams’ Mark Barron, Matt Longacre Accept Pay Cuts

September 12th, 2018 at 5:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Two Rams defenders — linebacker Mark Barron and edge rusher Matt Longacre accepted pay cuts prior to the beginning of the regular season, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). In total, the dual moves saved Los Angeles more than $2MM on its salary cap.

Barron, 28, didn’t sacrifice all that much money, as he took a pay reduction of just $500,001, per Pelissero. His base salary should now come in around $6.5MM, and that total is now fully guaranteed (just $2MM had previously been guaranteed). Barron, who underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason, didn’t play in Week 1 while recovering from an ankle issue. The safety-turned-linebacker is signed through the 2020 campaign, but doesn’t have any guaranteed money left on his deal after this current year.

It’s unclear how much Longacre gave up financially, but he had been scheduled to earn a base salary of $1.907MM after signing an original round restricted free agent tender in April. In 2017, Longacre played more defensive snaps than he had in the previous two seasons combined, and came through with 5.5 sacks and 15.5 pressures.

Prior to reworking Barron and Longacre’s contracts, the Rams were dead last with just $535K in available funds, per Over the Cap. They’ll still be in the bottom-three even after picking up an extra $2MM, but the club now has a bit more financial breathing room.

Johnathan Hankins Signs With Raiders

September 12th, 2018 at 3:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

It turns out this will be a two-defensive tackle-addition day for the Raiders. Shortly after Clinton McDonald became a Raider, Johnathan Hankins has agreed to do so as well.

Oakland will add Hankins on a one-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). This ends Hankins’ oddly lengthy stay in free agency.

The 26-year-old defensive tackle spent last season with the Colts and delivered a strong season. However, the rebuilding team cut him after only one season. He then remained a free agent for six months. Hankins has been a starter for four seasons and entered the 2017 free agency market as one of the top defenders available. He entered Wednesday as a top-tier UFA, despite remaining on the market in September.

The Raiders are dealing with injuries to Justin Ellis and P.J. Hall, the former looking set to miss games because of a foot injury. Hankins and McDonald will at worst add depth, with the former likely set to push for a starting job. The former Giants second-round pick started for Big Blue from 2014-16, and after a season in Indianapolis’ 3-4 defense, he’ll return to a role as a 4-3 defensive lineman.

Hankins toured the AFC extensively this offseason, meeting with the Jets, Browns and Chargers before trekking to Oakland on Wednesday. He said he’d been talking to teams about fits during the summer; it’s possible the Raiders were one of them, even though they weren’t mentioned as a suitor. The Gruden 2.0-era Silver and Black have signed numerous free agents, and this is one of the highest-profile gets.

Rams Place WR Pharoh Cooper On IR

September 12th, 2018 at 3:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sean McVay said All-Pro return man Pharoh Cooper would be out for “some time” after a Week 1 injury, and that absence will extend into at least Novemeber.

The Rams are placing Cooper on IR, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He won’t be able to return to game action for eight weeks. An ankle injury’s resulted in this transaction, and wideout JoJo Natson will take Cooper’s place on Los Angeles’ 53-man roster, per Rapoport (via Twitter).

Considering how valuable Cooper was to the Rams’ resurgence last season, he would make sense as an IR-return candidate. However, the star-studded team’s first-half health situation will help determine if Cooper comes back this season. He could return by Week 10.

Natson now stands as a return option, perhaps the frontrunner, for the Rams, per Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com. Given his 5-foot-7, 153-pound stature, it doesn’t seem he’s much of a threat to contribute on offense. Natson came to camp with the Rams this summer and worked as a returner throughout camp but was not retained on L.A.’s active roster or practice squad at the preseason’s conclusion.

An Akron product, Natson served as the Jets’ kick returner and punt returner in seven games last season. Returning a kickoff and punt for a touchdown, Cooper glided to a Pro Bowl berth.

Raiders To Sign DT Clinton McDonald

September 12th, 2018 at 3:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Add another 30-something to Jon Gruden‘s offseason haul. Clinton McDonald will join the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

Cut by the Broncos after the preseason, McDonald appeared on the Raiders’ radar Wednesday. Despite the team visiting with 26-year-old Johnathan Hankins, one of the NFL’s top interior defenders in 2017, they’ll go with the 31-year-old McDonald for the time being.

A Hankins addition may not be off the table, but McDonald will attempt to fill the void created by Justin Ellis‘ foot injury. McDonald has served as a starter for two seasons, with the 2016 Buccaneers and NFC champion Seahawks in 2014, but has mostly been a backup contributor. He recorded five sacks for the Bucs last season, despite starting only three games. McDonald’s posted three five-plus-sack seasons, the other two coming with both recent NFC champion Seattle teams.

In addition to Ellis having strained multiple foot ligaments, rookie interior defender P.J. Hall was wearing a walking boot at Wednesday’s practice, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com (Twitter link). He suffered an injury during the first series of the Raiders’ loss to the Rams.

West Rumors: Prosise, Cards, Rams, Raiders

September 12th, 2018 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a promising flash as a rookie, C.J. Prosise has not contributed much to the Seahawks‘ cause. He’s picked up 17 touches since December 2016 and is behind Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and Mike Davis on the Seattle running back depth chart. However, the team is discussing a position change for the third-year back. Pete Carroll said (via Pro Football Talk) his coaching staff is examining a possible Prosise switch to wide receiver, citing his background at the position in college. Prosise was a wideout at Notre Dame before being switched to the backfield. He caught 29 passes for 516 yards in 2014. The Seahawks are down Doug Baldwin for perhaps multiple weeks, and they have just four healthy wide receivers.

Here’s the latest from the West divisions, shifting to a running back who is also quite adept at the receiver role.

David Johnson is now the NFL’s second-highest-paid running back, holding a substantial lead over the No. 3 player in this hierarchy, and ranks close to the top in terms of fully guaranteed money, too. Johnson’s three-year, $39MM Cardinals extension will come with $24.682MM fully guaranteed at signing, Joel Corry of CBS Sports tweets. Adding in the amount guaranteed for injury increases the deal’s guarantees to $31MM, per Corry, who adds offset language is included in this contract. Johnson’s $24MM-plus full guarantee leads all running backs on veteran contracts, surpassing Todd Gurley‘s $21.9MM in guarantees.
Martavis Bryant is indeed back with the Raiders, as Jon Gruden suggested he could be. An illness and general inconsistency during camp led to Bryant being a preseason cut, Gruden said (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, on Twitter). Gruden said the perpetual suspension risk, who may or may not be facing another ban, is more focused and may suit up for the team on Sunday in Denver.
In addition to the Raiders’ interest in signing top free agent Johnathan Hankins, Gruden said they’re also interested in adding Clinton McDonald, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Hankins is visiting the Raiders on Wednesday. The Broncos released McDonald after the preseason slate. If signed, McDonald would add yet another 30-something to Gruden’s free agency haul. He’s 31.
The Raiders are in need of help at defensive tackle because of a Justin Ellis injury. The fifth-year veteran defensive tackle strained ligaments in his foot, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He’s week-to-week, prompting Oakland to pursue outside help.
Adam Jones signed with the Broncos late in the preseason, appearing to represent an upgrade at punt returner and No. 4 cornerback. However, the 35-year-old defender appears to have usurped Tramaine Brock for the nickel job, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com notes. Brock didn’t fare poorly in the preseason and graded as an upper-echelon corner during his last season of full-time work, with the 2016 49ers, but Jones has more experience in Vance Joseph‘s defense from their time together in Cincinnati. If he’s been demoted, it would mark a second straight season the 30-year-old defender’s resided out of a nickel picture. The Vikings carried Brock as a depth piece in 2017.
The Rams are going to need a new return man. Pharoh Cooper suffered an ankle injury and will be out for “some time,” Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com notes. Backup return man Michael Thomas is out for a few weeks, Sean McVay said, to prompt Los Angeles to seek alternative options. Cooper served as the Rams’ kick- and punt-return man last season, soaring to All-Pro honors.

Latest On Aaron Rodgers’ Status

September 12th, 2018 at 2:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Aaron Rodgers remains day to day after suffering a left knee injury against the Bears. However, signs could well be pointing to the superstar quarterback playing through this in Week 2.

The Packers quarterback said calling this injury a knee sprain would be accurate, doing so without revealing specific damage, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. That probably explains why Packers doctors allowed him to return to the game after he suffered what looked to be a potentially severe injury.

Rodgers did not practice Wednesday and has been “sore” the past three days. While he said he’s improving daily, the 34-year-old passer has dealt with left knee issues for years. Rodgers added (via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, on Twitter) that he’s experienced several problems with his left knee since he was a teenager. He underwent surgery on that knee in college and after the 2015 season.

A Packers-Vikings game altered the NFC landscape last season, after Anthony Barr‘s hit on Rodgers resulted in another broken collarbone. It seems somewhat safe to expect Rodgers to play this week in a pivotal NFC North game, but that’s not yet certain.

Ravens To Place Kenneth Dixon On IR

September 12th, 2018 at 2:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kenneth Dixon‘s career has encountered another barrier. The Ravens running back who missed all of 2017 will not be eligible to play again until at least November.

Dixon will head to IR, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, adding that Baltimore will promote running back De’Lance Turner from its practice squad to fill Dixon’s roster spot.

A knee injury was already set to sideline Dixon for multiple weeks, and the Ravens will take him off the 53-man roster for the time being. The soonest Baltimore’s No. 2 running back could return would be Week 11, since the Ravens are off Week 10. In the meantime, Buck Allen will likely become Alex Collins‘ top backup.

A torn meniscus and multiple suspensions set Dixon’s career back in 2017. The 2016 fourth-round pick rushed for 382 yards (4.3 per carry) and totaled three touchdowns as a rookie in 12 games.

Allen has two 500-plus-yard rushing seasons under his belt, in 2015 and ’17, and exceeded 800 yards from scrimmage in each campaign. The Ravens continue to see Dixon run into trouble, but they’ll still have an experienced backup during the first half of the season.

AFC North Notes: Eifert, Browns, DeCastro

September 12th, 2018 at 1:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite being one of the NFL’s biggest injury risks, Tyler Eifert returned to the Bengals this offseason. The team that used a first-round pick on the former Notre Dame tight end has a plan for trying to prevent another significant setback, though. The Bengals are going to try to limit Eifert’s snaps, Marvin Lewis said (via Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer). Since Eifert’s Pro Bowl 2015 season, he’s played in only 11 games. With Eifert being most effective in the red zone (20 career touchdown receptions, 19 from inside the 20, per Dehner), that will surely be a place the Bengals try to deploy the sixth-year pass-catcher. But Lewis identifies Eifert as the team’s best blocking tight end, too. Eifert averaged 58 snaps per game during the 2015 season. Lewis doesn’t envision his starting tight end getting there again.

“Well I hope he never gets 50,” Lewis said. “It’s a plan thing. There are certain things (OC Bill Lazor) is going to plan to do with him on the field, both runs and passes. I think that and then using him as a decoy at times to help open up other things for the other guys.”

This plan may limit Eifert financially. He has $3MM tied up in performance incentives, ones that will become difficult to reach if the Bengals place heavy restrictions on his usage. He played 23 snaps against the Colts.

Here’s the latest from the AFC North:

Emmanuel Ogbah‘s run into injury trouble again. Hue Jackson didn’t believe the third-year edge defender suffered a high ankle sprain but said (via ohio.com’s Nate Ulrich) it was “something like that” and that Ogbah will miss time. Chris Smith entered the fray as Myles Garrett‘s sidekick following Ogbah’s first-quarter injury and should be expected to start Sunday against the Saints. Recent waiver claim Anthony Zettel should have a role, too, Pat McManamon of ESPN.com notes. Ogbah saw a foot injury halt his momentum last year and end his season. His development was part of the reason the Browns selected Denzel Ward over Bradley Chubb.
The Browns‘ left tackle position contributed to several NFL news cycles this offseason, due to Joe Thomas‘ retirement and the layered search for his replacement. But Jackson insists no change will commence between Week 1 and Week 2. Desmond Harrison will remain the Browns’ left tackle, per Jackson (via the Lorain Morning Journal’s Jeff Schudel, on Twitter). The rookie UDFA made the start, despite Greg Robinson and 2018 second-round pick Austin Corbett residing on the roster. Pro Football Focus graded Harrison as the second-worst full-time tackle in his debut, and Rotoworld’s Evan Silva adds (on Twitter) Harrison allowed the most hurries of any lineman last week.
Kenneth Dixon suffered a knee injury in the Ravens‘ blowout win in Buffalo, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com expects (Twitter link) it to keep him out for several weeks. Dixon scored a touchdown against the Bills after missing the entire 2017 season. Buck Allen should move into the role of Alex Collins‘ backup for the time being.
David DeCastro fractured his hand on Sunday, and Mike Tomlin said this could limit him going forward. But the veteran Steelers blocker expects to play Sunday against the Chiefs, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

49ers To Sign LB Terence Garvin

September 12th, 2018 at 11:27am CST by Sam Robinson

With the 49ers’ linebacking corps still incomplete, the team will add a depth player in Terence Garvin, Matt Maiocco NBC Sports Bay Area reports (on Twitter).

Garvin’s played regular-season games for three teams — the Steelers, Redskins and Seahawks — in a five-year career and spent this offseason with the Dolphins. He was unable to make Miami’s 53-man roster but will now attempt to carve out a role with the 49ers, though this may be a temporary addition.

Reuben Foster‘s suspension will sideline him for one more game, and Maiocco notes (via Twitter) Brock Coyle is in concussion protocol. Malcolm Smith is questionable for Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury.

Garvin’s served as a career special teams presence, starting just four of the 74 games in which he’s played. The 27-year-old defender’s played in at least 15 games in four of his five seasons, however.

Panthers Sign OT Chris Clark

September 12th, 2018 at 10:49am CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Panthers are bringing in some offensive line help, signing tackle Chris Clark according to Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link).

The move is in response to Carolina placing starting right tackle Daryl Williams on injured reserve. Williams went down in the Week 1 opener against the Cowboys, a huge blow to an already depleted offensive line. They’ll now turn to Clark for help, who has plenty of starting experience if the Panthers decide to move him into the lineup.

Clark spent the last three seasons in Houston, where he started 26 games. He worked out for the Texans yesterday as they dealt with some offensive line injuries of their own. Clark came into the league as an undrafted free agent back in 2008, but didn’t appear in a game until 2010. He was able to carve out a role with the Broncos as a reserve, and eventually became a starter in Denver.

Clark’s 2017 was ended prematurely due to an ankle injury. Overall, it won’t be great for the Panthers if Clark is starting the rest of the way. He’s already 32 and hadn’t drawn much known interest before his Texans workout yesterday. Needless to say, it would be a massive downgrade from Williams.