2018 September - Pro Football Rumors

Bills Waive DL Adolphus Washington

September 10th, 2018 at 6:05pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bills are moving on from Adolphus Washington. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Bills are waiving the defensive lineman.

The organization had high hopes for the Ohio State product after taking him in the third round of the 2016 draft. Washington ultimately appeared in 15 games (11 starts) as a rookie, compiling 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks. However, the defensive tackle was arrested prior to his sophomore campaign, and the Bills subsequently shopped him for a fifth-round pick.

Sean McDermott still gave Washington a shot last season, and he played 40-percent of the team’s snaps this past weekend. However, the team had apparently seen enough from the defensive tackle, with Joe Buscaglia of WKBW tweeting that the lineman “underperformed with every opportunity.”

The move leaves the Bills with only three defensive tackles in Kyle Williams, Star Lotulelei, and Harrison Phillips.

Bears Audition S Mike Mitchell

September 10th, 2018 at 5:47pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s been a quiet offseason for safety Mike Mitchell, but it sounds like the safety got a workout on Monday. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Michell auditioned for the Bears today. The reporter adds that the work out “sounded like it went pretty well.”

After being released by the Steelers in early March, the 31-year-old only had a pair of reported workouts during the offseason and preseason. Michell met with the Cardinals back in July, and the Titans gave him a look before signing Kenny Vaccaro.

Mitchell, 31, had spent the past four seasons in Pittsburgh, where he started each of his 61 games. In 13 games last season, Michell finished with 53 tackles and two passes defended. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked him 62nd among 87 safety candidates.

With DeAndre Houston-Carson dealing with an arm injury, the Bears are only rostering three healthy safeties in Eddie Jackson, Adrian Amos, and Deon Bush. At the very least, Mitchell could help provide some experience to a relatively inexperienced bunch.

Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin Suffered Partial MCL Tear

September 10th, 2018 at 4:42pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Doug Baldwin‘s knee injury is worse than originally feared. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Seahawks top receiver suffered a Grade 2 partial MCL tear during the team’s season-opening loss to the Broncos yesterday. While the team is still figuring out how much time Baldwin is set to miss, the wideout will presumably sit out at least several games.

Following yesterday’s loss, it was reported that Baldwin had “only” suffered a MCL sprain, leading some to assume that he’d only be forced to miss a single game (if that). Unfortunately, it sounds like the wide receiver will be forced out of the lineup for a bit longer, as partial MCL tears generally take at least a month to heal.

If there’s any good news, the partial MCL tear occurred in Baldwin’s right knee, which isn’t the same knee that forced the veteran to sit out the entire preseason. The 29-year-old returned to practice in late August, and he acknowledged that he’d have to deal with pain in his left knee throughout the season. It’s not good news for Baldwin or the Seahawks that the receiver will now be dealing with injuries to both knees.

Baldwin was only targeted once before exiting today’s game, although there’s no denying his importance to Seattle’s offense. The 29-year-old finished last season with 75 receptions for 991 yards and eight touchdowns. The team could be eyeing some reinforcement at receiver, as the team is currently rostering only four healthy wideouts in Tyler Lockett, Jaron Brown, Brandon Marshall, and David Moore.

Redskins Not Interested In Dez Bryant?

September 10th, 2018 at 3:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Twenty-eight NFL teams are now heading into Week 2. Dez Bryant remains unemployed. However, the wide receiver’s made sure to keep social media followers informed on his thoughts about potential fits this offseason and continued to do so Sunday.

One of the teams Bryant name-dropped, however, doesn’t appear to have him on its radar. The Redskins are not interested in bringing in Bryant, despite having multiple depth receivers suffer recent injuries, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington tweets.

This is not the first time Washington’s surfaced as a confirmed non-Bryant suitor, but that hasn’t changed since the offseason. Washington’s dealing with injuries to backups Trey Quinn, Cam Sims and Maurice Harris, per Finlay, who instead foresees a possible reunion with Brian Quick rather than anything transpiring on the Bryant front.

Quinn, a rookie seventh-rounder, and Sims each suffered high ankle sprains during the Redskins’ win over the Cardinals and are out for the foreseeable future. A concussion left Harris inactive Sunday. These three comprise the Redskins’ backup contingent behind Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson. So, Washington will certainly have to make a move at receiver this week.

Bryant expressed interest in joining an NFC East team in order to exact revenge on the Cowboys, whose post-Bryant receiving passing game did not debut well on Sunday, but he’s also turned down two contracts — from the Ravens and Browns. The 29-year-old pass-catcher continues to wait, while at the same time expressing interest in certain situations.

Corey Coleman To Audition For Pats, Eagles

September 10th, 2018 at 2:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Unattached despite being the first wide receiver taken in the 2016 draft, Corey Coleman‘s generating interest from some successful teams after both the Browns and Bills severed ties with him this summer.

Coleman’s working out for the Patriots on Monday and has a visit scheduled with the Eagles for Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

The former Baylor standout already worked out for the Cardinals prior to Week 1. After seeing two injury-plagued years, the Browns traded Coleman to the Bills for a conditional 2020 draft choice. The Bills didn’t see enough from Coleman to give him a spot on their 53-man roster.

New England is thin at wide receiver but received a quality performance from scrutinized 2015 first-round wideout Phillip Dorsett on Sunday. Philadelphia is without Alshon Jeffery and Mack Hollins, with the latter residing on IR. The Eagles also worked out Kamar Aiken and Breshad Perriman on Monday, per Rapoport (on Twitter). Aiken was with Philly during camp but did not make the team.

Patriots Lose RB Jeremy Hill For Season

September 10th, 2018 at 2:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jeremy Hill‘s hopes at rebounding and establishing himself with the Patriots this season endured a crushing blow in Week 1.

The fifth-year running back suffered a torn ACL during New England’s win over Houston, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Hill will miss the rest of the season.

A sequence involving Hill trying to make a tackle after a Rob Gronkowski fumble resulted in the injury that will end the former second-round pick’s season. Hill was down for several minutes after the play. Prior to that sequence, however, Hill played well. He gained 25 rushing yards on four carries and caught a pass. His highlight of his ultimately brief 2018 season was blocking a punt in the Pats’ 27-20 win.

Hill signed with the Patriots after his stock trended down as his Bengals run concluded. He received just 37 carries last season and played in just seven games, an injury bringing an early end to his Cincinnati game work. The former 1,100-yard rusher was a full-time player during his previous three seasons with the Bengals.

He signed a one-year deal with the Patriots and will end up collecting his $1MM salary, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, who adds that Hill had $281K tied up in additional per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link).

The Patriots’ running back corps has seen some eventful happenings in 2018. Dion Lewis, Mike Gillislee and Brandon Bolden are no longer part of the equation, and Sony Michel suffered an injury that wiped out most of his training camp. The Patriots released Gillislee after Hill had beaten him out for the team’s big-back role during the preseason, leading Gillislee to the Saints. James White and Rex Burkhead remain healthy, however, and will continue to be counted on as reliable cogs in this evolving committee.

Dolphins To Bring Back C Travis Swanson

September 10th, 2018 at 2:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Travis Swanson enjoyed a one-day stint as a Dolphin last week. He’ll try to exceed that south Florida stay length a week later.

The Dolphins are re-signing the former Lions starting center on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

Swanson joined the Dolphins on Sept. 3 but was released on Sept. 4 to make room for running back Brandon Bolden, so it’s hard to say this particular deal will lead to a relevant run in Miami. The Dolphins have Ted Larsen stationed as a swing backup behind center starter Daniel Kilgore.

Swanson, however, did serve as a three-season starter in Detroit. The former third-round pick ended his Lions run starting 42 games from 2014-17. He could not make the Jets’ 53-man roster this year but will have another chance to make an impression with the Dolphins.

Falcons To Sign LB Corey Nelson

September 10th, 2018 at 1:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Deion Jones battling a foot injury, the Falcons are bringing in some experience as potential insurance.

Corey Nelson worked out for the Falcons on Monday morning, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets the team saw enough to sign the former Broncos and Eagles linebacker. The Eagles cut Nelson prior to the season after signing him in March. He’ll join the Falcons in hopes of continuing his career.

Nelson spent four seasons with the Broncos, rising from seventh-round pick to six-game starter in a two-year span. Nelson served as a special-teamer and backup linebacker in each of the Super Bowl champion Broncos’ 19 games in 2015. He made 61 tackles in 2016, when he spent time as an injury replacement for Brandon Marshall.

Jones did not practice on Monday, and the Falcons are not deep at linebacker. Only five resided on their roster prior to the Nelson addition, and one of those is converted safety Kemal Ishmael.

Titans Place Delanie Walker On IR

September 10th, 2018 at 1:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Titans confirmed on Monday they will not have Delanie Walker for the rest of this season. They placed their most consistent pass-catcher on IR, and he won’t be returning in 2018, Terry McCormick of TitansOnline.com tweets.

Walker suffered extensive leg damage in Tennessee’s loss Sunday, being carted off the field because of a dislocated ankle. The injuries are even worse, it turns out, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting Monday (via Twitter) Walker suffered a broken ankle and has ligament damage.

Tennessee will promote tight end MyCole Pruitt from its practice squad to replace Walker on the active roster.

This is a brutal blow to a Titans team that’s counted on Walker for years. Despite Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce‘s brilliance, no NFL tight end’s caught more than Walker’s 360 passes since he signed with the Titans in 2013 (h/t Field Yates of ESPN.com, on Twitter). The former Central Missouri standout’s exceeded 800 yards in each of the past four seasons. He was expected to play a key role again for a Titans team transitioning to a new offense and one that doesn’t have a wide receiver as dependable as its tight end.

Walker signed a two-year, $17MM extension in July, but this injury may affect his status as a top-tier tight end. Walker will turn 35 before next season, which would be his 14th in the league. He authored a unique breakout during his age-29 season in 2013 and didn’t begin that 800-plus-yard receiving streak until he was 30. Walker had previously played at least 15 games in each of his five Titans seasons.

In the meantime, Jonnu Smith now steps into the Titans’ top tight end role. A 2017 third-rounder out of Florida International, Smith caught 18 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. More will be expected of the 23-year-old target now.

Concussion To Sideline Texans’ Kevin Johnson For Several Weeks

September 10th, 2018 at 12:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kevin Johnson suffered his second concussion in the past month and may not be returning to the field anytime soon.

The Texans cornerback will be out “a while” because of this development, Bill O’Brien said (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, on Twitter), and may be an IR candidate. The former first-round pick is expected to miss at least four weeks because of this head injury, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reporting a six-week absence may be in the cards (Twitter link).

This is obviously a scary development for the fourth-year corner, and O’Brien called the matter “concerning” for one of his key defenders. Johnson suffered his previous concussion August 18 and was only cleared for a return to action on Friday. The fourth-year player sustained a concussion in 2017 as well. This latest one came when Johnson tried to make a tackle in the fourth quarter of a 27-20 loss to the Patriots.

Johnson missed four games last season and 10 in 2016 because of injuries. The Texans also have a recent history of a starter’s career ending prematurely because of concussions. C.J. Fiedorowicz‘s trouble with head injuries (three concussions in 2017) caused him to retire this offseason, and the Texans will exercise caution with Johnson.

Houston’s cornerback depth will be tested. The Texans moved Kareem Jackson to safety this year, and Johnathan Joseph is now in his age-34 season. Aaron Colvin mans the slot. Recent addition Kayvon Webster also missed Week 1 because of an injury. Veteran special-teamer Johnson Bademosi and recent waiver claim A.J. Moore also reside on the roster.

Johnson’s concussion would appear to make the Texans a candidate to explore outside solutions at the position.