2019 September - Pro Football Rumors

Melvin Gordon Still Wants To Play For Chargers

September 13th, 2019 at 9:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Melvin Gordon will continue to “protect himself” with his holdout, but he “still wants to be a Charger,” a source tells ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). This won’t be a “Le’Veon Bell situation,” the source added, so we can still expect to see Gordon back on the field at some point in 2019.

At this stage, a mid-season or early November return is looking likely, Fowler hears. In the interim, Gordon figures to play on the $5.6MM fifth-year option of his deal, though he’ll be docked 1/17th for each week he misses. So far, he’s down about $660K for Weeks 1 and 2.

Gordon surely wants to play football, but he has other reasons for wanting to get back on the gridiron. Namely – he must report before Week 10 in order to qualify for free agency next season.

Earlier this month, the Eagles expressed interest in Gordon and gave the Bolts a lowball offer for the ages. In theory, the Chargers could still trade the touchdown machine, but for now, they seem willing to wait things out. Here’s what we do know – the Chargers are unwilling to give Gordon an extension in 2019.

For now, Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson will share backfield duties in L.A.

NFC East Rumors: Long, Redskins, Cowboys

September 13th, 2019 at 4:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Let’s look at the latest from the NFC East, starting with how the Eagles attempt to fill the void Malik Jackson‘s injury created.

Jackson going down wounded one of the NFL’s top defensive lines, and it prompted Doug Pederson to address whether or not the Eagles and Chris Long had been in contact. The defensive end retired, in part because there would not be as much playing time to go around this season. But even with Jackson’s injury, Pederson said the Eagles were focused on adding a defensive tackle, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. “We’re pretty deep at D-end right now so just the D-tackle spot,” Pederson said. The Eagles signed former Dolphins starter Akeem Spence to help on their interior. Jackson has worked as a 4-3 end, 4-3 tackle and 3-4 end but was a tackle in Philadelphia’s scheme.
The Redskins have declared Jonathan Allen out for their Week 2 game. He suffered an MCL sprain Sunday and is considered week-to-week, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). There is a chance Allen returns for Week 3 or Week 4, with ESPN.com’s John Keim classifying this as a grade 1 sprain (Twitter link). The third-year defensive end missed 11 games as a rookie but re-emerged with a 16-game 2018 season.
Moving to a third NFC East team’s defensive front, Taco Charlton has yet to reward the Cowboys for their first-round investment in him two years ago. Despite Robert Quinn being suspended, the Cowboys made Charlton a healthy scratch against the Giants. A trade would not surprise Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams, with the veteran Cowboys reporter noting the team may still be looking for a safety. The Cowboys are the only known team to contact the Dolphins on now-available Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Washington placed Derrius Guice on IR earlier Friday but will not make that move with Colt McCoy. The backup quarterback is progressing to the point a return in advance of Week 4 is realistic, Keim tweets. Dwayne Haskins served as Case Keenum‘s backup Sunday; a McCoy return may shift Washington’s first-round passer to a more developmental role. McCoy also figures to work as a mentor-type figure for the young quarterback.
Sterling Shepard remains in the Giants‘ concussion protocol and will miss Sunday’s game against the Bills. The Giants also have Cody Latimer listed as questionable. New York brought back T.J. Jones this week and is set to deploy its lowest-profile receiving corps since the midseason games Shepard and Odell Beckham Jr. missed in 2017.

Redskins To Sign CB Aaron Colvin

September 13th, 2019 at 3:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Days after the Texans released Aaron Colvin, the veteran cornerback will land in Washington. The Redskins and Colvin agreed to terms, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.

Best known for being the slot corner on the dominant 2017 Jaguars’ defense, Colvin struggled in Houston. The Texans benched him last season and cut him after Monday night’s loss, doing so despite his $7MM-plus salary being guaranteed for this season.

The Texans opted to play off coverage on a play that ended up getting the Saints into lengthy field goal range, with Colvin giving up a pivotal Drew Brees-to-Ted Ginn completion. Wil Lutz made a 58-yard field goal to down the Texans, who terminated Colvin’s four-year, $34MM contract the next day.

Colvin, who will turn 28 next month, has started 28 games in his five-plus-year career. The Redskins have Josh Norman in the fourth year of his mammoth contract, along with Quinton Dunbar and slot corner Fabian Moreau. Both Dunbar and Moreau are dealing with injuries going into Week 2. Moreau is doubtful to face the Cowboys, helping to explain Washington’s quick move to add an experienced slot cover man.

Cowboys Interested In Minkah Fitzpatrick?

September 13th, 2019 at 3:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys may be exploring high-profile defensive back additions again. With the Dolphins giving Minkah Fitzpatrick permission to seek a trade, the Cowboys have engaged in discussions, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald notes.

Other suitors loom, with Salguero adding the Dolphins have talked to “several” teams. But the Cowboys are the first to be connected to the second-year defensive back. Stephen Jones confirmed during a 105.3 The Fan interview the Cowboys have engaged in talks with the Dolphins in the past 24 hours but declined to specify the nature of those discussions, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota (on Twitter). Throwing a bit of cold water on the prospect of Fitzpatrick in Dallas, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News notes (via Twitter) the Cowboys have merely kicked the tires here.

After being connected to Earl Thomas for most of 2018, the Cowboys offered a second-round pick. That did not satisfy the Seahawks, and the sides moved on. Dallas retained its starting combination of Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath for this season. The Dolphins are said to want a first-round pick for Fitzpatrick, the 2018 No. 11 overall selection.

It’s also unclear at what position the Cowboys or another team would prefer Fitzpatrick play. The Alabama product has played both cornerback and safety, with the Dolphins also having him work in the slot and at linebacker this season. The endless roving has frustrated Fitzpatrick, who represents one of the Dolphins’ few remaining assets that would fetch a high price in a trade. Miami has already unloaded Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, Robert Quinn and Ryan Tannehill in 2019 deals. GMs have been contacting Chris Grier about Dolphin assets since the Tunsil trade.

Fitzpatrick could be under a new team’s control through the 2022 season. A fifth-year option decision will not be due until May 2021. None of his base salaries exceed $2.5MM on his rookie deal.

South Notes: White, Newton, Julio, Jags

September 13th, 2019 at 2:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Devin White left Thursday night’s game before the lightning delay hit, but the rookie Buccaneers linebacker appears to have dodged a long-term injury. Bruce Arians said (via ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine) the No. 5 overall pick suffered a grade 1 MCL sprain. While it would seem White is in danger of at least missing the Bucs’ Week 3 game against the Giants, Arians would not rule out an immediate return.

Here is the latest from the South divisions, moving first to the Bucs’ Week 2 opponent:

Ron Rivera denied Cam Newton is experiencing issues with the foot he injured during preseason play or his surgically repaired shoulder. The Panthers have now lost two home games, and Newton has not played especially well in either. He completed 48% of his passes on Thursday and did not fare well against Bucs blitzes. Prior to Newton’s shoulder injury last season, he had the Panthers on track for another playoff berth and was on a better statistical run than his 2016 or ’17 slates. Now 0-2, the team will have an uphill battle to make it back to the postseason. The 30-year-old passer is signed through the 2020 season.
Nick Martin‘s three-year, $33MM Texans extension features fully guaranteed salaries ($6.1MM and $7.25MM) for the 2019 and ’20 seasons and a $5MM signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. The Texans center’s 2021 and ’22 base salaries of $7.25MM and $7.75MM are non-guaranteed.
Julio Jones‘ three-year, $66MM Falcons extension came with $64MM in guarantees, which outpaces every other wide receiver’s deal by a staggering margin. Jones’ pact also could bump up to $72MM, with Joel Corry of CBS Sports tweeting the 30-year-old wideout’s deal has annual escalators. It’s not yet known what benchmarks Jones would have to hit to trigger those, however.
Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson has received clearance to make his season debut, but Doug Marrone said (via ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco, on Twitter) the third-year blocker will be held out against the Texans. It would appear Robinson, who is dealing with a different knee problem than to the ACL tear he suffered last season, will be on track to return to his post in Week 3. He has not played since September 2018. Due to a hamstring malady, Yannick Ngakoue is also out for the Jags this week.
The Texans worked out cornerbacks Jeremy Clark, Rodney Randle and D.J. White, per veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter). Houston made a cornerback roster swap this week, releasing Aaron Colvin and signing Phillip Gaines.

Redskins To Move Derrius Guice To IR

September 13th, 2019 at 1:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

For a second straight season, Derrius Guice will land on IR. The Redskins will go in this direction again with their starting running back, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets.

Guice underwent knee surgery earlier this week, J.P. Finlay of NBC Sports Washington notes. The Redskins plan on using one of their IR-return slots on Guice, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adding this injury was expected to shelve the 2018 second-rounder for 4-6 weeks (Twitter links).

Washington will not be able to redeploy Guice until Week 11. His best hope for the first two years of his NFL career will be playing in eight games. The LSU product missed all of the 2018 season due to a knee injury. While this latest setback damaged his other knee, it will still cap his season at eight games.

It took Guice most of this offseason to recover from the initial knee injury. He experienced multiple setbacks in that recovery. He will be eligible to practice again after six weeks. During that span, the Redskins look likely to reform their 2018 backfield duo of Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson. Peterson was a healthy scratch in Week 1, but after eclipsing 1,000 yards in 2018, the 34-year-old back looks set to play a key role again. The Redskins also have Wendell Smallwood, whom they claimed off waivers from the Eagles earlier this month.

The Redskins will also place defensive lineman Caleb Brantley on IR, per Keim.

Dolphins To Place T Julien Davenport On IR

September 13th, 2019 at 1:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Dolphins will have to make another new plan at tackle. The injury trade acquisition Julien Davenport suffered will send him to IR, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter).

Davenport started in his first game since being acquired from the Texans. But this week in practice, Davenport suffered a hyperextended knee and small crack in his tibia. This is set to force the recent fourth-round pick to miss several weeks. He will now be unable to return until at least Week 10.

Miami used Davenport as its first-string right tackle in its 59-10 Week 1 loss, with guard-turned-tackle Jesse Davis making another position switch in moving from right to to left tackle. The Dolphins recently signed veteran J’Marcus Webb. He and rookie sixth-rounder Isaiah Prince represent Miami’s options at right tackle during Davenport’s absence.

Acquired in the Laremy Tunsil trade, Davenport had already made 19 career starts in Houston before lining up with Miami’s first-stringers Sunday. Webb has started 65 games; he’s been on five teams in the past five seasons.

Raiders Place Johnathan Abram On IR

September 13th, 2019 at 12:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders’ Thursday defensive back tryout will lead to a roster move. Former Jets cornerback Juston Burris will sign with the Raiders, Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets.

Burris will take Johnathan Abram‘s roster spot. The Raiders are placing the third of their three 2019 first-round picks on IR. Abram suffered a shoulder injury Monday night that is expected to end his season. Abram could come back after eight weeks on IR, but based on the current information, that seems unlikely.

A fourth-round Jets pick in 2016, Burris played in 34 Jets games from 2016-18. He spent time with the Browns last season. Burris may profile as Gareon Conley insurance, but the Raiders expect him to play Sunday despite the scary neck injury he suffered against the Broncos. Conley took part in limited practices Wednesday and Thursday.

Abram’s absence may bring the Raiders to move free agent addition Lamarcus Joyner back to safety. Joyner has spent his initial Raider months as their slot corner but worked as a safety with the Rams over the past two seasons.

Torrey Smith Retires From NFL

September 13th, 2019 at 11:59am CST by cwcrouse

After eight years in the league, Torrey Smith is retiring from the NFL.

“It’s the NFL circle of life and I’m prepared for what’s next,” Smith said in a video on Uninterrupted.“…I’m blessed to be able to walk away from this game with most of my health, a clear mind, and a grateful heart. I can’t wait to begin the next phase of my life where my heart is and never left: Baltimore.”

The Ravens selected Smith out of the University of Maryland in the second round of the 2011 draft and he helped bring a Super Bowl to the club during his second season in the league. In addition to Baltimore, he’s played in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Carolina. Smith finishes his career with 319 catches for 5,141 yards and 41 touchdowns.

NFL Will Not Place Antonio Brown On Exempt List Before Sunday

September 13th, 2019 at 10:34am CST by cwcrouse

Antonio Brown will play against the Dolphins on Sunday as the NFL will not place him on the commissioner’s exempt list before the contest, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

There is no criminal investigation involving Antonio Brown and his accuser, Britney Taylor. As of this writing, it remains a civil matter and with the NFL not conducting interviews with the duo until next week, the league won’t rush to judgement. However, it remains possible that Brown could be placed on the list in the future.

As we passed along earlier today, the Patriots were not aware of the civil lawsuit when they signed Brown. Neither were the Raiders. NFL players are under no obligation to disclose civil matters to teams before they sign contracts as free agents.

The Patriots have been preparing as if Brown will suit up in Miami. It’s unclear if the wide receiver will be limited in snap counts as he only joined the team last weekend.

“Long way to go, obviously. Not familiar with our offense,” Belichick said of Brown (via Schefter in a full-length piece). “The systems he’s been in have been quite different. He’s working hard to pick it up and we’re working hard to get it to him.”