HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Chargers’ Melvin Gordon To End Holdout?

September 25th, 2019 at 8:55am CST by Zachary Links

Melvin Gordon could be on the verge of suiting up for the Chargers once again. His holdout may end soon, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears, though he has yet to decide on when he’ll report. 

Gordon is considering ending his holdout on Thursday, according to Branson Wright of The Plain Dealer (Twitter link) which may allow him to return to action on Oct. 6 against the Broncos. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) is hearing similar word, though nothing has been firmed up just yet on Gordon’s end. Furthermore, head coach Anthony Lynn said he has not heard from Gordon, as Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com tweets.

Previously, Gordon planned to return at some point in October. Apparently, Gordon’s itch to get back on the field has advanced his timeline. There’s no word yet on whether his return will come with a new contract from the Chargers, though GM Tom Telesco says that he will not give the running back a new contract during the 2019 season.

Gordon has aimed to protect his football future with his holdout, though a source close to Gordon recently said that this would not evolve into a “Le’Veon Bell situation.” The touchdown machine is hoping to stay with the Bolts for the long run, so it only makes sense for this holdout to end differently than Bell’s in Pittsburgh.

The Chargers have been open to trading the Gordon, but they have not received any known offers worth considering. Recently, the Eagles offered up Jordan Howard and a swap mid-round picks, but the Chargers, understandably, were not interested.

Without Gordon, the Chargers have dropped two in a row to the Lions and Texans.

Cardinals To Sign Chris Banjo

September 25th, 2019 at 8:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have agreed to sign special teams ace Chris Banjo, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Banjo visited Arizona on Tuesday and, less than 24 hours later, he has a deal.

Banjo spent roughly two-and-a-half years with New Orleans and appeared in every game for the club between 2017 and 2018. The 29-year-old is known for his aggressiveness, which is something the Cardinals could use as they look to steer out of a two-game losing skid.

Like many special teamers, Banjo’s traditional stats do not jump off of the page. He has 41 career tackles to his credit, but he’s a well-respected punt coverage gunner who can also provide depth at safety.

On the depth chart, he’ll sit behind starters D.J. Swearinger and Budda Baker. For now, the plan is to keep Baker at free safety, with D.J. Swearinger playing strong safety, but the club might have to consider moving Baker up front to help stop opposing tight ends. Through three weeks, they’ve allowed a combined 318 yards to T.J. Hockensen, Mark Andrews, and Greg Olsen.

Seahawks To Sign Luke Willson

September 25th, 2019 at 8:39am CST by Zachary Links

Luke Willson is heading back to Seattle. The Seahawks have agreed to reunite with their former tight end, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 

[RELATED: Seahawks Trade Vannett To Steelers]

Willson spent the first five years of his career with the Seahawks before moving on to the Lions in 2018. in Detorit, he saw time in 14 games and notched 13 catches for 87 yards. Then, in March, he hooked on with the Raiders, but was unable to make their final cut to a 53-man roster. After working out for the Saints and Cardinals this month, Willson is going back to where it all started.

Willson takes the place of tight end Nick Vannett, who was traded to the Steelers on Tuesday night in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round choice. With Willson back in the fold, the Seahawks now a second tight end on the active roster to support starter Will Dissly.

The Seahawks will look to advance to 3-1 in Week 4 as they take on the Cardinals in Arizona.

Jalen Ramsey Unlikely To Play This Week

September 25th, 2019 at 8:31am CST by Zachary Links

The saga continues. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is expected to report to the Jaguars’ facility on Wednesday, but he says he’s not quite at 100%, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Ramsey has been receiving treatment for hamstring and lower back ailments and it doesn’t sound as though he’ll be suiting up to face the Broncos on Sunday afternoon. 

[RELATED: Cardinals’ GM: “We’re Not Trading Patrick Peterson”]

Earlier this week, Ramsey called in sick with the flu, just days after a reported blowup with coach Doug Marrone that might have soured their relationship for good. Jags owner Shad Khan reportedly is willing to make Ramsey the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, but that might not be enough to slow the trade discussions.

By the time Ramsey turns 25 on Oct. 24, it seems likely that he’ll be elsewhere. Nearly every team in the league has some level of interest in Ramsey, though the Jaguars’ asking price could be prohibitive for many. Reportedly, the Jaguars are seeking two first-round picks in exchange for the Pro Bowler. At least a couple of clubs have offered one first-round choice, but two is a big ask, particularly since Ramsey’s new club would have to give him a top-of-the-market extension.

Of course, deadlines – and desperation – tend to spur action in the NFL. Would be-contenders that are 1-2, or even 0-3, could be willing to break the bank and cough up serious draft capital to acquire one of the game’s best defensive talents between now and the late October trade deadline.

Bucs, JPP Agree To New Contract

September 25th, 2019 at 8:20am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul have agreed to a revised deal that will make him a free agent after the 2019 season, rather than 2020, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The revision will clear $4.4MM in cap space for Tampa Bay and JPP will receive upwards of $10MM in exchange.

An unfortunate car accident in the spring landed JPP on the league’s NFI list, meaning that he cannot play for the first six weeks of his season. His outlook beyond that for 2019 remains murky, though he did begin rehab in late August.

While on the NFI list, teams are not obligated to pay a player’s salary. However, JPP’s deal still called for a $7.5MM injury guarantee for 2019 with a total cap figure of $14.9MM.

Under the terms of the new deal, JPP will have an opportunity to make up to $10.5MM, with a base salary of $5MM. And, he’ll have a path to the open market in March, where he could land a decent-sized deal based on his past performance. In 2018, Pierre-Paul amassed 12.5 sacks on the Bucs’ defensive front, matching the second-highest showing of his career.

After losing to JPP’s former club in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday, the Bucs will turn their attention to the Rams this weekend.

Steelers To Acquire TE Nick Vannett From Seahawks

September 24th, 2019 at 9:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Vance McDonald‘s injury has prompted the Steelers to act quickly. Pittsburgh has agreed to acquire tight end Nick Vannett from Seattle, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Steelers will send a 2020 fifth-round pick to the Seahawks for Vannett, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. That pick came from Jacksonville in this month’s Joshua Dobbs trade, as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets, so the Steelers effectively traded Dobbs for Vannett.

This marks the second straight week the Steelers have made a trade, this lower-profile move coming after Pittsburgh sent its 2020 first-round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

A former third-round pick out of Ohio State, Vannett is in a contract year. He caught 29 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns with Seattle in 2018, which was by far his most productive statistical year. Vannett, 26, has four catches for 38 yards this season. He will join a Steelers roster that houses McDonald, blocking tight end Xavier Grimble and rookie fifth-round pick Zach Gentry.

McDonald is battling a sprained shoulder, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He was spotted with the shoulder in a sling Tuesday, though RapSheet adds this is not expected to sideline Pittsburgh’s starter for long. But it’s clear the Steelers are serious about having an experienced tight end to pair with Grimble, and thus adding more help for Mason Rudolph, while McDonald is out.

Interestingly, this leaves the Seahawks with one tight end on their active roster, Will Dissly. While the second-year player has flashed in limited work, he missed 12 games as a rookie due to a severe knee injury. Seattle will certainly address this new roster need in the coming days.

The Steelers have now dealt their 2020 first-, third- and fifth-round picks, while the Seahawks have extra ’20 selections in the second and fifth rounds.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/24/19

September 24th, 2019 at 9:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad decisions:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed: T Matt Kaskey
  • Released: G Rishard Cook

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: WR Trinity Benson

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: WR Ishmael Hyman

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/24/19

September 24th, 2019 at 9:08pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

  • Waived: G Kofi Amichia
  • Released from IR via injury settlement: DT Destiny Vaeao

Denver Broncos

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Promoted from practice squad: DL Patrick O’Connor

Washington Redskins

NFL Workout Updates: 9/24/19

September 24th, 2019 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is the latest from the workout circuit:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New York Jets

Oakland Raiders

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

AFC North Notes: Browns, Bengals, Steelers

September 24th, 2019 at 7:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

David Njoku currently resides on the Browns‘ IR list, but for the time being, the third-year tight end has a chance to return in 2019. Njoku has opted not to have surgery on his broken wrist, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. The earliest Njoku could return would be for the Browns’ Week 12 game against the Dolphins. Cleveland has 2019 additions Demetrius Harris and Ricky Seals-Jones in place atop its tight end depth chart. The Browns must decide on Njoku’s fifth-year option by May of 2020.

Here is the latest out of Cleveland, along with other AFC North cities:

  • The Browns’ defense is facing more pressing matters. Both Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams pulled hamstrings during practice Thursday, per Cabot. They missed the Rams game. Interestingly, reserve safety Sheldrick Redwine pulled a hamstring that day as well. The Browns played without their four secondary starters — Ward, Williams, Damarious Randall (concussion) and Morgan Burnett (quadriceps). However, Cabot adds that Randall is out of concussion protocol. Burnett was questionable last week. Hamstring injuries are obviously tricky for skill players and those charged with covering them, but Cleveland’s safeties seem in line to return for Week 4 against the Ravens.
  • While no one obviously expected Shaquil Barrett‘s virtuoso start, only two teams even submitted contract offers this offseason. In addition to the Bucs’ one-year, $4MM deal, the Bengals also offered Barrett a contract, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com notes. Barrett visited the Bengals but did not meet with the Bucs before his agreement. A four-year backup in Denver, Barrett sought a starting role in free agency. He’s found one, and his eight sacks through three games match an NFL record. It’s early, but the former UDFA who began his career at a now-defunct Division II program is putting himself in position for a major payday — either via Bucs extension or as a 2020 free agent.
  • The Bengals worked out some defensive backs on Tuesday. Cornerbacks Greg Mabin, Picasso Nelson and Deatrick Nichols joined corner/safety Briean Boddy-Calhoun in auditioning for the team, per the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).
  • The Steelers auditioned tight end Alize Mack, according to Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com (on Twitter). Vance McDonald was present Tuesday with his arm in a sling, pointing to Pittsburgh suddenly needing help at this position.
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