2018 September - Pro Football Rumors

Patriots Cut CB Cyrus Jones

September 1st, 2018 at 12:52pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots have moved on from a former second-rounder. Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that New England has released cornerback Cyrus Jones.

The 2016 draft pick struggled to earn playing time during his two years in New England. He appeared in 10 games as a rookie, compiling seven tackles. However, he suffered a torn ACL and partially torn meniscus during the 2017 preseason, forcing him to miss the entire season.

Following a successful career at Alabama, Jones has since proven to be one of Bill Belichick‘s biggest draft misses. While the 24-year-old hasn’t looked solid on defense, he could have a role on special teams. Jones has eight career kick returns for 180 yards and 11 career punt returns for 46 yards.

Giants To Waive S Darian Thompson

September 1st, 2018 at 12:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

A starter in all 16 of the Giants’ 2017 games, Darian Thompson won’t be part of the 2018 edition. The Giants will waive the 2016 third-round pick, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv reports (on Twitter).

The Giants will waive Thompson with an injury designation, per Vacchiano, who notes the hamstring injury Thompson’s dealt with all summer affected this move. Thompson will revert to Big Blue’s IR if he clears waivers.

Thompson graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 66 full-time safety last season. he made 75 tackles and intercepted a pass last season.

Two years remain on his rookie contract. The Giants added Michael Thomas and Curtis Riley as UFAs this year.

Redskins Release WR Brian Quick

September 1st, 2018 at 12:47pm CST by Ben Levine

Brian Quick is out of a job. ESPN’s John Keim reports (via Twitter) that the Redskins have cut the veteran wideout. ESPN’s Adam Caplan adds (via Twitter) that the 29-year-old was set to earn a $30K roster bonus for being on the opening-day roster.

The 2012 second-round pick had spent the first five years of his career with the Rams before signing with Washington last offseason. During his lone season with the Redskins, Quick hauled in six receptions for 76 yards in 11 games (one start). However, he isn’t far removed from his best NFL season in 2016, when he compiled 41 receptions for 564 yards and three touchdowns.

With Quick off the roster, Trey Quinn and Maurice Harris have likely solidified their roster spots behind Josh Doctson, Jamison Crowder, and Paul Richardson.

Broncos To Keep QB Paxton Lynch

September 1st, 2018 at 12:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Maligned after another shaky training camp and a mostly unimpressive preseason, Paxton Lynch was considered a possibility to be cut prior to what would be his third season in Denver.

The Broncos, however, will not sever ties with their 2016 first-round pick just yet. Although the team will look at other quarterbacks being jettisoned this weekend, they plan to keep Lynch on their 53-man roster, Mike Klis of 9News tweets.

Lynch played well in the Broncos’ fourth preseason game, but he was quickly demoted to the No. 3 QB job this preseason. Chad Kelly remains the Broncos’ backup, and this points to the team being satisfied enough with the 2017 seventh-rounder’s play to place him as Case Keenum‘s primary backup this season.

It would have cost the Broncos more than $4MM to waive Lynch.

Lions To Cut QB Jake Rudock

September 1st, 2018 at 12:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

It appears Matt Cassel will be Matthew Stafford‘s backup. The Lions are cutting the player who previously filled that role.

Jake Rudock did not make Detroit’s 53-man roster, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. But the Lions are interested in bringing him through to their practice squad if he’s unclaimed on waivers.

The 2016 draft choice generated trade interest last year, but the Lions ultimately kept him. He was rumored to have fallen behind the 36-year-old Cassel during training camp, and the Lions will go with the well-traveled veteran behind Stafford instead of a third-year incumbent.

Rudock did pass through waivers in 2016 when waived, but there’s obviously a chance the Lions won’t get to retain him.

49ers Release OG Jonathan Cooper

September 1st, 2018 at 12:22pm CST by Ben Levine

A former first-rounder is now looking for a new gig. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers are releasing offensive guard Jonathan Cooper.

After being selected as the seventh-overall pick in the 2013 draft, Cooper spent the first three years of his career with the Cardinals. He was traded to the Patriots in the Chandler Jones deal back in 2016, but he didn’t last the entire season in New England. Since then, he’s spent time with the Browns, Cowboys, and 49ers.

After appearing in only five games during the 2016 campaign, Cooper ended up starting each of his 13 appearances in 2017 with Dallas.

Cooper’s release will boost the chances of several lineman to make the 49ers’ roster. This grouping includes Garry Gilliam, Joshua Garnett, and Erik Magnuson.

Jets Made Strong Offer For Khalil Mack

September 1st, 2018 at 12:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

The first known suitor for Khalil Mack did not step aside in this pursuit easily, but the Jets ultimately did not want to match what the Bears were offering.

The Jets, however, did make a “competitive” offer for the superstar edge defender, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv reports. Gang Green expressed serious interest in Mack, but Vacchiano adds its offer did not include two first-round picks like Chicago’s did.

Said offer emerged in the past few days, but the Jets first called the Raiders about Mack more than a week ago, Vacchiano reports, adding the Raiders at that point weren’t ready to make a deal. At that point, the Raiders were “convinced” Mack would return and play out the season on his $13MM-plus fifth-year option salary. However, other reports have indicated Mack was resolute in his stance he would not return to the Raiders unless extended.

As of Thursday, the Raiders were going to keep Mack unless they received a “crazy offer,” per Vacchiano. The Bears’ two first-rounders plus another piece of value probably qualifies as such. The Jets are projected to have around $80MM in cap space next year and do not have a quality edge-rusher situation. However, they did not want to surrender two first-rounders.

Vacchiano notes Shane Ray and Dante Fowler could be options, but the Broncos just waived Jeff Holland, seemingly ensuring Ray will be one of their four edge rushers this season.

Lions Cut C Wesley Johnson

September 1st, 2018 at 12:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Wesley Johnson is on his way out of Detroit. The veteran center has been cut by the Lions, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).

The move comes as a bit of a surprise, as the Lions were seemingly eyeing the 27-year-old for a big role. With T.J. Lang out of the lineup, Johnson had been getting reps with the starters. However, the Lions apparently decided to move in a different direction.

The 2014 fifth-round pick joined the Lions earlier this offseason after having spent the past three seasons with the Jets. The veteran ended up working his way up from being a backup to a starter during his tenure in New York, as he started 15 games for the Jets last season.

With Johnson out of the picture, the team will move forward with Graham Glasgow as their lone center.

49ers To Cut LB Korey Toomer

September 1st, 2018 at 12:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Signed during a period when Reuben Foster‘s NFL future was in jeopardy, Korey Toomer will not make a 49ers team that will have the services of its top linebacker.

The 49ers will release Toomer as they pare their roster down to 53 players, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets.

Toomer is the second notable name the 49ers have parted with recently at linebacker. San Francisco traded former starter Eli Harold to the Lions. Rookie Fred Warner has impressed 49ers brass, per Barrows, leading to the Toomer decision.

Toomer served as a part-time Chargers starter over the past two years. He’s a vested veteran, so he’ll pass through to free agency as a result of this cut.

Dolphins Waived CB Tony Lippett

September 1st, 2018 at 12:03pm CST by Ben Levine

The Dolphins are releasing a former starter. ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe reports (via Twitter) that the organization is cutting cornerback Tony Lippett.

Following a so-so rookie year, the 2015 fifth-round pick broke onto the season in 2016. Lippett established himself as a capable cornerback during that campaign, starting 13 of his 16 games with Miami. The Michigan State product finished the year with 67 tackles, 10 passes defended and four interceptions.

However, Lippett suffered a torn Achilles last year, forcing him to sit out the entire season. Wolfe notes that the cornerback still hadn’t full recovered from the injury, perhaps explaining his release.

With the 26-year-old out of the picture, Cordrea Tankersley, Cornell Armstrong, and Taveze Calhoun seemingly have a better chance of making the roster.