2018 October - Pro Football Rumors

Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long is out for at least the next month or two. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the veteran guard will miss the next six to eight weeks with a foot injury. Long suffered the injury during Sunday’s win over the Jets.

Rapoport warns that Long is still gathering more info on his injury, but the six-to-eight-week timespan is the “best estimate right now.” Rapoport also tweets that the Bears could designate Long to return from the IR once he’s eligible.

The 29-year-old has spent his entire career in Chicago, earning three Pro Bowl nods along the way. Long has naturally played a major role on an effective offensive line this season, as the Bears have only allowed 16 sacks. Despite the lack of production from Jordan Howard, the Bears also rank third in rushing yards per game.

Despite the solid performance from the offensive line, Pro Football Focus only ranked Long 30th among 74 eligible offensive guard candidates. The site still ranked him as elite when it comes to pass blocking, but his run blocking score was less than stellar. His 2018 score is also a far cry from his grades from previous seasons.

With Long out indefinitely, the Bears will presumably turn to second-round rookie James Daniels to take his spot in the starting lineup. The team could also rely on reserve linemen Bradley Sowell, Bryan Witzmann, and Rashaad Coward.

Dolphins Place DT Vincent Taylor On IR

October 30th, 2018 at 6:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Vincent Taylor is out for the foreseeable future. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the Dolphins have placed the defensive tackle on the injured reserve.

The 24-year-old was carted off the field with a foot injury during Thursday’s loss to the Texans, and the ailment will presumably keep him off the field for the rest of the season. The Dolphins have already designated offensive lineman Jake Brendel and linebacker Mike Hull to return from the IR, so Taylor’s only hope of playing again this season is an injury settlement (and a contract from another team).

The 2017 sixth-round pick had emerged as one of Miami’s most reliable defensive linemen this season, compiling 27 tackles and a pair of sacks in eight games off the bench. Pro Football Focus was particularly fond of his performance this season, ranking him 24th among 109 interior defenders.

The Dolphins have already added some reinforcement at the position, as they signed Ziggy Hood earlier today. The former Redskins starter should have a chance to contribute right away for Miami, as he’ll join starters Davon Godchaux and Akeem Spence as the only healthy defensive tackles on the active roster.

Patriots Place CB Eric Rowe On IR

October 30th, 2018 at 6:00pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots are down a cornerback. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that New England has placed Eric Rowe on the injured reserve. The 26-year-old has been battling a groin injury throughout the season.

It’s a tough break for the impending free agent. The 2015 second-round was seemingly coming into his own this season, as he had compiled 10 tackles and one pass defended in four games (two starts). While he didn’t play enough snaps to earn a spot on Pro Football Focus‘ cornerback rankings, his score would have placed him right in the middle of the list.

The move leaves the Patriots relatively thin at cornerback for the time being. Starters Jason McCourty and Stephon Gilmore are both healthy, but the team is rostering three inexperienced cornerbacks behind the duo: Jonathan Jones, J.C. Jackson, and Keion Crossen.

Fortunately for the Patriots, they’ll soon be receiving some reinforcement. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss points out (via Twitter), rookie Duke Dawson is eligible to come off the injured reserve next week. Assuming the 2018 second-rounder is healthy, he could soon find himself as the team’s top reserve cornerback.

Packers Trade Ha Ha Clinton-Dix To Redskins

October 30th, 2018 at 2:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has been traded to the Redskins, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). In return, Green Bay will receive a 2019 fourth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The deal represents the latest blockbuster move on deadline day and the Packers’ second trade of the afternoon.

Before the Clinton-Dix deal, the Packers traded running back Ty Montgomery to the Ravens for a future 2020 seventh-round pick. The Montgomery trade was likely tied to discord between the player and the coaching staff, but the Clinton-Dix trade has more to do with finances. The young safety is in his contract year and he recently acknowledged that he is unlikely to re-sign with the team after shopping the open market.

“Right now, I’m playing each and every game like it’s my last. I don’t think I’m going to be here next year,” Clinton-Dix said earlier this month. “That’s how I look at it. I just (have to) be honest with myself. You’ve got to play it game-by-game. Whether we’re losing by 60 points, you’ve got to go out there and perform. This is my biggest interview of my career. So I’ve got to perform, regardless of what the record says.”

The 25-year-old (26 in December) was retained for 2018 via the fifth-year option which is paying him $5.957MM. He stayed away from voluntary OTAs in hopes of getting a long-term deal from the Packers, but that never came together.

In seven games this year (all starts), Clinton-Dix has three interceptions, one forced fumble, and a sack to his credit. On an individual level, the free safety is in the midst of a career year.

Clinton-Dix will join a safety group presently headlined by D.J. Swearinger and Montae Nicholson. Rookie Troy Apke could have been on track for a larger role at some point this year, but he was recently placed on IR with a hamstring issue.

The Packers did not want to lose Clinton-Dix while only gaining some credit in the compensatory pick formula, but the deal unquestionably will cost them in the short term. At 3-3-1 in a closely contested division, it’s somewhat surprising to see the Packers in selling mode.

Jaguars Trade DE Dante Fowler To Rams

October 30th, 2018 at 2:39pm CST by Zachary Links

The rich get richer. On Tuesday, the Jaguars agreed to trade defensive end Dante Fowler to the Rams, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. In exchange, the Rams will send a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick to the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

After investing heavily in their defensive line this offseason, the Rams certainly didn’t have to make this move. However, the aggressive front office in L.A. was unwilling to sit idly by and watch a former Top 5 draft pick go elsewhere.

The Jaguars fielded several calls on Fowler leading up to the deadline and the Rams apparently came to the table with the best offer of the bunch.

Fowler will offer edge rush support for a front seven that already features the likes of Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Michael Brockers, and Ethan Westbrooks. In limited playing time this year, Fowler notched two sacks and has played better than ever before, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus.

Fowler is in the final year of his rookie contract and the Rams have little breathing room under the cap, so it will be tough for the Rams to keep him beyond the 2018 season. In light of that, the price tag of a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick may seem steep, but it’s important to note that the Rams have plenty of draft ammo thanks to previous trades and compensatory picks.

With a disappointing 3-5 record, the Jaguars clearly recognize that their playoff hopes are dwindling. The Fowler trade does not mean they’re waving the white flag, per se, but it’s a signal that they are keeping an eye on their prospects for 2019.

Packers Trade Ty Montgomery To Ravens

October 30th, 2018 at 2:19pm CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens have acquired running back Ty Montgomery from the Packers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In return, the Packers will receive a 2020 seventh-round pick.

The trade comes days after Montgomery made a puzzling football decision that cost the Packers an opportunity to beat the undefeated Rams. Montgomery was instructed to settle for a touchback off of the Rams’ kickoff, but opted to run with the ball instead. Montgomery fumbled the rock, eliminating any chance the Packers had at a late-game drive. The Rams won 29-27 and Montgomery lost his job in Green Bay as a result.

For what it’s worth, Montgomery denied disobeying his coaches.

“I’ve never been a guy to completely disobey what I’m being told. I think you can ask a lot of guys in our locker room,” Montgomery said on Monday. “That’s not what I do. That’s not the type of man I am. That’s not the kind of person I am.”

In any case, Montgomery will move on to a new team that could feature him as a leading ball-carrier. The athletic Alex Collins has yet to impress and backup Buck Allen hasn’t done a whole lot with his carries either. On the flipside, Montgomery won’t have a ton of time to assert himself. Kenneth Dixon could return in a couple of weeks and the Ravens won’t have any qualms about benching or releasing Montgomery if he is ineffective.

Through seven games, Montgomery has averaged 4.0 yards per carry off of 26 totes. He’s also recorded 15 catches for 170 yards.

Montgomery’s best season came in 2016 when he was converted from wide receiver to running back. He finished out that campaign with 457 yards off of just 77 carries and three rushing touchdowns. He also added 44 grabs for 348 receiving yards.

Bills To Sign WR Terrelle Pryor

October 30th, 2018 at 2:10pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills are set to sign wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, as Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Pryor is en route to Buffalo to sign a deal that could allow him to play as soon as soon as Sunday against the Bears.

The Bills could certainly use some size at wide receiver and not the kind that Kelvin Benjamin offers. Pryor can provide that and, if healthy, he has the potential to produce like he did in 2016 with the Browns.

Injuries prevented Pryor from doing much of anything with the Redskins in 2017 and his Jets tenure ended rather unceremoniously this year. But, before a groin injury slowed him, Pryor showed flashes for Gang Green, including a 5/57/1 showing against the Colts in Week 6.

In his career 2016 season, Pryor hauled in 77 catches for 1,007 yards and four scores.

Seahawks Release WR Brandon Marshall

October 30th, 2018 at 2:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks released Brandon Marshall on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Marshall was let go by the Giants in April, ending his time in New Jersey after just one injury-plagued season. Signed by the Giants to a two-year $12MM deal in 2017, he played in just five games during his brief time in blue. He never was able to develop any chemistry with Eli Manning and caught just 18 passes for 154 scoreless yards before an ankle injury ended his season.

After his release, he didn’t find much of a market for his services.

“I didn’t have a ton of options,” Marshall said in June. “I think the sentiment around the league is that I’m done, and I get it. Rightfully so. When you get on the other side of 30 and your production slips and you have a big injury, people just count you out. So it was an interesting process. It was a humbling process, to say the least.”

After recording just 11 catches for 136 yards and one score with Seattle, this could be the end of the line for the six-time Pro Bowler. For what it’s worth, Marshall says he wants to continue playing (Twitter link via Schefter).