HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Cowboys Activate CB C.J. Goodwin

December 29th, 2018 at 11:54am CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys are adding some reinforcement to their secondary. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Dallas has activated cornerback C.J. Goodwin from injured reserve.

The Cowboys signed Goodwin off the Bengals practice squad back in October. The 28-year-old went on to appear in two games for Dallas before breaking his forearm. Goodwin subsequently underwent surgery and was placed on injured reserve.

The cornerback has bounced around the NFL a bit since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014, spending time with the Steelers, Falcons, Cardinals, Giants, 49ers, and Bengals. He played in 28 total games between 2016 and 2017, compiling 26 tackles and two passes defended.

The Cowboys could use some extra help at cornerback, especially after Anthony Brown missed Week 16 with a back injury. That left Jourdan Lewis as the lone cornerback behind Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie, so Goodwin will provide some insurance for that trio. At the very least, Goodwin will have an opportunity to contribute on special teams.

Latest On Lions QB Matthew Stafford

December 29th, 2018 at 10:56am CST by Ben Levine

Matthew Stafford‘s underwhelming 2018 season has led some to wonder whether he’ll be sticking in Detroit long-term. Well, both Stafford and Lions head coach Matt Patricia have made it clear that the former top-overall pick is in it for the long haul.

“I think there’s something special about a guy getting a chance to play his entire career in one place,” Stafford told ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. “Not many guys get to do that these days. I would love to be one of those guys.”

Patricia seemed to echo that logic, stating that Stafford will be back under center come the start of the 2019 season.

“We’re in a situation where Matt Stafford‘s our quarterback,” the head coach said (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). “That’s what it is. I think the world of the guy.”

Of course, the pairing has more to do with money than sentiment. Prior to the 2017 season, Stafford inked a lucrative five-year, $135MM contract that includes $92MM in guaranteed money (the deal kicked in at the beginning of this season). His base salary is fully guaranteed in 2019, and his salary cap hit is at $29.5MM. The team also doesn’t have an easy out via trade; the Lions would face a $30MM cap hit if they dealt Stafford. In other words, it’s in the organization’s best financial interest to give Stafford at least another season at the helm.

Still, despite the monetary implications, that hasn’t stopped some pundits from questioning if the Lions could start hunting for a new signal-caller. Last month, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com wondered if the “culture change” in Detroit would eventually lead to the Lions seeking a new quarterback. As our own Andrew Ortenberg pointed out, it’s much more likely that the teams eyes a coaching change, potentially at offensive coordinator.

Stafford, 30, is on track to finish with his first season with fewer than 4,000 passing yards since 2011. In 15 games this season, Stafford has completed 66.3-percent of his passes for 3,511 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

Jets Notes: Enunwa, Tomlinson, Offseason

December 29th, 2018 at 10:00am CST by Ben Levine

The Jets signed receiver Quincy Enunwa to a multi-year contract extension yesterday, with the four-year pact coming in at $36MM (and about $20MM in guaranteed money). The 2014 sixth-round pick out of Nebraska has spent his entire career with the Jets, and he’s excited to stick with the organization for the foreseeable future.

“I knew when I got here that I wanted to be a Jet for a very long time,” Enunwa told the team website. “Now, I’ll get my opportunity and it feels really good.”

The 26-year-old broke onto the scene in 2016, when he hauled in 58 receptions for 857 yards and four scores. He missed the entire 2017 season with a neck injury, and he’s appeared in only 11 games this year. However, he’s clearly gaining the trust of quarterback Sam Darnold, and Enunwa is confident that the duo will continue to improve.

“I’m excited for the future and for some more big plays,” Enunwa said. “And I think there is a lot in store for us as a team.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes out of New York…

  • The Enunwa extension was the “first big contract” that was negotiated by Dave Socie, points out Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter). Socie was hired as the team’s Senior Director of Football Administration during the summer after previously serving in the role back in 2006. In this role, Socie works with general manager Mike Maccagnan on all things contracts and salary cap.
  • The Jets placed tight end Eric Tomlinson on injured reserve earlier this week, but it doesn’t sound like the 26-year-old suffered his injury on the field. Rather, Costello tweets that Tomlinson dropped a weight on his foot, leading to a pair of lacerated toes. The accident forced the tight end to undergo surgery, ending his season. Tomlinson had started 12 of his 15 games this season, serving mostly as a blocking tight end. The former Texas-El Paso standout has 16 career receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown.
  • Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.TV believes the Jets should be prioritizing experience as they search for a new head coach. The writer opines that the organization “can’t afford to be wrong with their next hire,” as they’ll be risking Darnold’s formative seasons. Fortunately, Vacchiano believes Maccagnan and CEO Christopher Johnson recognize this, as the team has already been connected to experienced coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy. The writer also believes the team should give a look at former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.
  • ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes that the Jets should use their draft picks and $100MM+ in cap space to build a formidable team around Darnold. Specifically, Cimini says the team should make a “serious run” at running back Le’Veon Bell, and he also lists offensive line, receiver, and edge rusher as positions of need. The writer also suggests shopping defensive end Leonard Williams, who is set to earn $14.2MM next season.

Packers Audition WR Devin Smith

December 29th, 2018 at 8:53am CST by Ben Levine

After being unceremoniously cut by the Jets back in July, wideout Devin Smith seems to be targeting a return to the NFL. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports that the former second-rounder auditioned for the Packers yesterday.

The 2015 second-round pick out of Ohio State spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jets, but the six-foot-one receiver struggled with injuries during his tenure in New York. Smith tore his ACL during his rookie season, and he suffered the same injury in 2017. He landed on the Jets’ injured reserve after being waived/injured in May, and he was officially cut by the team in July. The 26-year-old ultimately appeared in 14 total games with the Jets, hauling in 10 receptions for 135 yards and one touchdown.

Smith went unclaimed on waivers, and he was only able to garner a pair of workouts throughout the regular season. The receiver auditioned for the Texans back in late November, and he worked out for the Eagles earlier this week.

Of course, with the Packers set to play in their season finale tomorrow, the team is clearly eyeing Smith for a potential role in 2019. If Green Bay were to sign the wideout, they’d presumably ink him to a futures contract. The Packers could use some reinforcement at receiver, especially with Randall Cobb set to hit unrestricted free agent and Geronimo Allison facing restricted free agency.

Antonio Gates Eyeing 17th Season?

December 28th, 2018 at 9:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

It took Hunter Henry‘s injury and several weeks of back-and-forth discussions to bring Antonio Gates back to the Chargers for a 16th season. But the future Hall of Fame tight end may be hoping to delay his Canton ceremony.

Gates helped the Chargers secure their second playoff berth this decade, and he appears intent on seeing if he can squeeze in a 17th season.

“I try to evaluate myself. I can still beat a linebacker; I feel like I can still play,” Gates said, via NFL.com’s Steve Wyche. “The hard part is I set the bar at a certain level, but I’ve adjusted to my role and I just love my teammates.”

Serving as mostly a backup this season, Gates has 28 receptions for 333 yards — the latter figure a slight increase from his 2017 showing in 16 games — and has added two touchdown grabs, increasing his tight end-record total to 116. No pure tight end has played past age 38, and Ben Watson will pass on trying to do this. Gates will turn 39 next summer. He cites his college basketball career as a reason he could keep playing into uncharted territory.

“People also forget that I didn’t play college football so I haven’t taken that wear and tear,” Gates said.

The Chargers will have Henry and Virgil Green under contract in 2019, and the team issued a formal press release this past offseason to announce it was moving on from Gates after a storied 16-season run. No other team was connected to Gates prior to his Bolts reunion.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/18

December 28th, 2018 at 8:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Friday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

  • Promoted from practice squad: G Dorian Johnson
  • Placed on IR: RB Kenjon Barner

Cleveland Browns

  • Promoted from practice squad: WR Blake Jackson
  • Placed on IR: LB Tanner Vallejo

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

  • Waived: S Rolan Milligan

Jacksonville Jaguars

Washington Redskins

Saints Rumors: Okafor, Teddy, Armstead

December 28th, 2018 at 7:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

A clause in Alex Okafor‘s Saints contract will allow for the veteran edge defender to gauge his worth again. Okafor signed a two-year deal to stay with the Saints earlier this year, but by registering three sacks this season, he can opt out of his contract and become a free agent, Nick Underhill of The Advocate reports. The starter opposite Cameron Jordan all season, Okafor collected four sacks in New Orleans’ first 15 games. He has until 11am on the final day of the 2018 league year to notify the Saints if he is to opt out of the deal, Underhill adds. Okafor was a free agent in both 2017 and ’18. The Saints drafted Marcus Davenport in the 2018 first round and have Jordan signed through 2020. Okafor would count $4.85MM against the Saints’ 2019 cap.

Were he to opt out, there might be more money awaiting. Okafor has stayed healthy this season and has 8.5 sacks in his two Saints years. With the top-tier free agents-to-be likely not set to leave their current teams, Okafor and second-tier peers will be the next-best options for teams looking to the market to upgrade. Of course, he has not cleared 4.5 sacks since 2014, so expectations for the 27-year-old defender’s next deal should be tempered.

Here’s the latest out of New Orleans:

  • On the subject of Saints who could become UFAs, Teddy Bridgewater is going to make his first start since a 2015 wild-card game. The Saints announced Bridgewater will start for Drew Brees. The Saints have already secured NFC home-field advantage. This game now becomes an interesting audition for a player who could be one of the most attractive free agent quarterbacks in March. Both Mike Zimmer and Bill Parcells, who serves as a mentor to Bridgewater, recommended the passer to Sean Payton, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com notes. The Saints sent a third-round pick to the Jets for Bridgewater, so it would make sense if they tried to keep him as the Brees heir apparent. But with several teams likely in the market for younger starter-level options, the Saints may not be able to afford Bridgewater, especially if he plays well against the Panthers.
  • Against the Steelers, Terron Armstead aggravated the pectoral injury that caused him to miss five games. Unsurprisingly, the Saints’ left tackle starter is out for Sunday’s meaningless regular-season finale. It’s not clear how severe this setback was, but Armstead did not guarantee he would be back in time for New Orleans’ playoff opener in just more than two weeks. The Pro Bowl blocker hopes to return by then, Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com notes. Jermon Bushrod started for Armstead during his initial hiatus.
  • These playoffs will be it for Ben Watson. The tight end playing another season could have made him the first pure tight end to play at age 39, unless Antonio Gates returns in 2019, but Watson will retire after the season — his 15th.

Injury Notes: Brown, Wallace, Berry, Bolts

December 28th, 2018 at 5:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Steelers enter their must-win (plus-help-required) Week 17 scenario, their best player is not certain to be available. Antonio Brown missed three practices this week and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. The four-time All-Pro is undergoing tests on his injured knee, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Brown has not missed a game this season. While Pittsburgh would be favored to beat Cincinnati at home without Brown, two-time reigning AFC North champions have not exactly been bastions of consistency this season or in recent years. The Steelers can clinch their fifth straight playoff berth with a win and a Ravens home loss to the Browns.

Here’s the latest on the injury front, shifting to one of Brown’s former teammates:

  • Although the Eagles surprisingly brought Mike Wallace back onto their 53-man roster without the usual IR-return practice routine, the deep threat will not play against the Redskins on Sunday. Philadelphia declared Wallace out because of his ankle injury, making the team’s move to activate him strictly for the playoffs. To make the playoffs, Philadelphia needs to beat Washington and have Chicago stop Minnesota. Wallace is not signed past this season, so it’s now possible he will end his Eagles tenure having played in only two games.
  • The Chargers are assured of a playoff spot, making a possible Hunter Henry cameo more likely. It might occur as soon as next week. Tom Telesco did not rule out his top tight end being ready to return before a possible wild-card game, per Eric Williams of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Henry participated in seven-on-seven drills with the Bolts on Friday, Williams tweets, doing so after being confined to individual work last week. The Chargers designated Henry to return from IR on Dec. 17, so they have until the divisional round — if their season extends that far — to make a call on Henry.
  • Eric Berry cannot shake his troublesome heel ailment. The three-time All-Pro Chiefs safety continues to battle this issue, Andy Reid said, via the Kansas City Star’s Brooke Pryor (on Twitter). Berry has been on a snap count (99 in two games) since making his season debut in Week 15, and Reid did not commit to Berry playing Sunday against the Raiders.
  • Ahead of the Texans‘ pivotal Week 17 game, Lamar Miller will return. Bill O’Brien said his top running back is “good to go” against the Jaguars. Miller missed much of the past two games with a sprained ankle. The Jags are unlikely to have Leonard Fournette available, with the second-year back listed as doubtful.

Raiders To Retain Jordy Nelson For 2019

December 28th, 2018 at 3:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jordy Nelson appears to have a second Raiders season on tap. The longtime Packers wide receiver signed a two-year deal with the Raiders, but some speculation existed about the rebuilding team moving on after one season.

Jon Gruden confirmed Friday that Nelson will return next season. The Raiders also moved up a $3.6MM Nelson roster bonus to be paid today rather than in 2019, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

“If you watched Jordy play carefully the last four weeks when he’s been healthy, you see what he’s capable of doing, … I think you can even see better and better days ahead,” Gruden said, via Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter links). “So yeah, he’ll be back. … Normally when you hand out a bonus for next year’s season, there’s a pretty good chance those guys are coming back.”

That puts Tahir Whitehead, tight end Lee Smith and linebacker Kyle Wilber in line to be Raiders in their to-be-determined city next season. The Raiders paid Whitehead his $3.325MM bonus, with Smith collecting $1.1MM and Wilber $500K, Yates adds. These moves will spread out said bonuses’ cap hits across 2018 and ’19.

Nelson will be 34 when next season starts. He said earlier this week (via Bair, on Twitter) he wanted to play at least one more season. Jared Cook leads the Raiders in receiving, but Nelson has, to some degree, bounced back from a dismal 2017 with 661 receiving yards on one of the NFL’s worst offenses, bumping his yards-per-catch average from a career-low 9.1 (in the largely Aaron Rodgers-less ’17 Packers slate) to 12.2 with Derek Carr. While the latter figure is still below his prime work, Nelson is one of the NFL’s oldest wideouts.

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