2019 September - Pro Football Rumors

Chargers Activate Melvin Gordon

September 28th, 2019 at 3:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Melvin Gordon looking likelier to make his debut earlier than expected, the Chargers took the official step by activating him in advance of their Week 4 game against the Dolphins.

The team announced the activation, along with the promotion of wide receiver Andre Patton from their practice squad. The Bolts waived cornerback Dontae Johnson and defensive end Chris Peace to make room on the 53-man roster.

Los Angeles’ initial Gordon plan was for a Week 5 debut, but with Justin Jackson out with a calf injury, Gordon is expected to play in a limited capacity. This is indeed the plan, per USA Today’s Mike Jones (on Twitter). The Bolts pulled a contract offer off the table and said they would not negotiate with Gordon until after the season, which stands to push the two-time Pro Bowler to free agency. But for now, the fifth-year running back will be positioned to help his team move to .500 and re-route its season.

Gordon will team with Austin Ekeler against the woeful Dolphins, who are 14.5-point home underdogs. This duo combined for more than 2,300 scrimmage yards last season. Anthony Lynn confirmed Gordon will return to his starting role soon, but on Sunday, the Chargers will likely keep Ekeler in the lead role.

Latest On Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey

September 28th, 2019 at 1:01pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Jalen Ramsey‘s may appear in another game for the Jaguars. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the cornerback is on the team plane to Denver for tomorrow’s contest against the Broncos. Benjamin Allbright of KOA 850 in Denver was the first to report (via Twitter) that Ramsey was rejoining the Jaguars.

Pelissero doesn’t say that the cornerback will definitively play; Ramsey is still questionable with a back injury. Of course, many rolled their eyes when the young star called out sick from practice with a mix of maladies, including back soreness, hamstring issues, and the flu. However, his latest excuse from work was legitimate – Ramsey flew home to welcome his daughter into the world.

Despite the noise, Ramsey suited up to face the Titans last Thursday, and he’s compiled solid numbers (17 tackles, one forced fumble) through his first three games. If the cornerback indeed suits up for tomorrow’s matchup in Denver, it’s only going to benefit the Jags.

Ramsey reiterated his trade demand earlier this week. The Jaguars have been unwilling to engage in serious talks with the cornerback, and owner Shad Khan‘s recent efforts to reignite discussions haven’t moved the needle.

Ravens Place LB Otaro Alaka On IR

September 28th, 2019 at 12:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Otaro Alaka‘s injury will keep him off the field for at least several months. NFL Network’s James Palmer reports (via Twitter) that the Ravens have placed the rookie linebacker on the injured reserve.

Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic tweets that Alaka suffered a hamstring injury on Wednesday, and that ailment forced him to miss the rest of the week’s practices. Unfortunately, the injury happened at a bad time for the rookie, who had been inactive for the first three weeks of the season. The Ravens are only rostering three inside linebackers in Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young, and Chris Board, so Alaka could have seen the field if a teammate was injured. Plus, starting defensive tackle Brandon Williams was added to the injury report today, perhaps forcing some other players to play out of position.

The 23-year-old Alaka had a standout career at Texas A&M before going undrafted in this past year’s draft. He’ll be eligible to return to the team in eight weeks. The Ravens have until this afternoon to fill his roster spot.

Texans Auditioned OL Ulrick John

September 28th, 2019 at 11:10am CST by Ben Levine

Ulrick John is looking for his next gig. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle writes that the veteran offensive lineman worked out for the Texans on Friday.

The Georgia State product has bounced around the league since being selected in the seventh-round of the 2014 draft. John has had stints with the Colts, Dolphins, Cardinals, Packers, Patriots, and Saints, appearing in a total of 10 games (three starts). The 27-year-old spent the preseason with New Orleans, but he was released with an injury settlement after suffering a high-ankle sprain.

The Texans are in need of some offensive line depth after they placed Senio Kelemete on the injured reserve earlier this week. Seantrel Henderson also missed practices this week as he dealt with an illness.

John wasn’t the only play to audition for the Texans yesterday. Wilson relays that the team also worked out a handful of defensive backs, including Mike Adams, Marcus Gilchrist, Jonathan Owens and Jordan Richards. The Texans ultimately opted to sign nobody.

Patriots Work Out Three TEs

September 28th, 2019 at 10:01am CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like the Patriots are still searching for a solution at tight end. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the team worked out three tight ends yesterday: Gabe Holmes, Ben Koyack and Eric Tomlinson.

Koyack, a former seventh-rounder out of Notre Dame, spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jaguars, where he appeared in 37 total games. The tight end hauled in 24 receptions for 199 yards and one touchdown during his stint in Jacksonville. He was released by the Jags at the end of the preseason. Tomlinson also has NFL experience, compiling 16 career receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown in 39 career games. Back in September, the Giants claimed the 27-year-old off waivers from the Jets, but he was waived after going catchless in three games with his new squad.

Holmes, a 2015 undrafted free agent out of Purdue, has appeared in 10 games (four starts) without hauling in a catch.

The Patriots have gone through a number of tight ends as they’ve looked to replace Rob Gronkowski‘s spot in the lineup. Ben Watson is set to return in Week 5, and both Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo are currently dealing with injuries. The Patriots could be looking to add some necessary depth for tomorrow’s matchup against the Bills.

Cam Newton Discusses Foot Injury

September 28th, 2019 at 8:54am CST by Ben Levine

In a video blog released on YouTube, Cam Newton provided some clarity on his foot ailment. The Panthers quarterback acknowledged that he’s recovering from a Lisfranc injury that he originally suffered during his team’s preseason loss to the Patriots. He later aggravated the injury during Carolina’s Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers. Newton said he should have been more transparent about his left foot following the season opener.

“This is when I got in my own way,” Newton said (via ESPN’s David Newton). “Because, automatically, I thought, ‘I’ve got to play Week 1. I can’t let my fans down. I’ve got to be there for my team.'”

The quarterback also acknowledged that he’s going to take as long as he needs to get back to full strength.

“I’ve decided I will take time away from the game,” Newton said. “This is me being the bigger person and being real with myself and saying, ‘Look, what’s the ultimate goal you’re trying to accomplish? Win the Super Bowl. OK, if you want to win the Super Bowl, this is the step you’ve got to take.’

“It could very well be a week. Or two weeks. It could be three weeks, it could be four weeks, it could be six weeks. But I have to understand and know if it takes that time, I trust in this team that they will — we will — still be in a great situation by the time I get back.”

In two games this season, the 30-year-old completed only 56.2-percent of his passes for 572 yards and one interception. Kyle Allen will continue to start in Newton’s place.

Colts Promote WR Ashton Dulin

September 27th, 2019 at 7:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts have elevated wide receiver Ashton Dulin from the practice squad, per a club announcement. The move comes after a week full of missed practices for T.Y. Hilton.

Hilton continues to rebound from a quad injury that may keep him from facing the Raiders on Sunday. Enter Dulin, who will provide depth behind Zach Pascal, Deon Cain, Chester Rogers, and Parris Campbell.

Dulin, a Malone University product, gives the Colts five Division-II products on their roster. To make room for him, the Colts have waived cornerback Ryan Lewis.

Lions Work Out Running Backs

September 27th, 2019 at 6:53pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions are on the lookout for help in the backfield. On Friday, they auditioned running backs Roc Thomas and Wes Hills, as Howard Balzer tweets.

Thomas just became eligible to return to the NFL. On Tuesday, the league reinstated him for a substance abuse violation stemming from his arrest earlier this year.

Last year, the Jacksonville State product was on and off of the Vikings’ roster. In his five games, he tallied ten carries for 51 yards.

Hills, meanwhile, was dropped by the Cardinals with an injury settlement in late August. If either back joins the Lions, they’ll join an RB group that includes Kerryon Johnson, Ty Johnson, J.D. McKissic, and recent arrival Paul Perkins.

Antonio Brown Moving Toward Grievance Against Raiders?

September 27th, 2019 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Antonio Brown looks likely to be in for two grievance battles. The now-twice-released wide receiver unloaded on Patriots owner Robert Kraft last week, and a grievance is expected against that organization. However, the NFLPA is going through scenarios regarding a grievance against the Raiders, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

The Raiders were the first team to void Brown guarantees, doing so hours before releasing the mercurial superstar. Among the items being considered for a grievance against the Raiders on Brown’s behalf: his 2019 and ’20 base salaries ($14.625MM and $14.5MM, respectively), an unpaid Week 1 salary, three fines levied against him and a $1MM signing bonus, per Fowler.

The NFLPA has yet to file this grievance, and as will be the case in a battle against the Patriots, Brown’s actions while in Oakland — highlighted by missed practices over multiple issues and a confrontation with GM Mike Mayock — will make it a more challenging effort to recoup a significant amount of cash. The $1MM signing bonus may be Brown’s best chance at seeing a seven-figure payment from the Raiders. Brown racked up $215K in fines while with the Silver and Black.

There was offset language in Brown’s Raiders contract, meaning his $10MM Patriots deal would have stood to minimize the Raiders’ commitment. However, with the Pats also voiding Brown’s money, this has become quite the murky situation. The All-Pro talent received nearly $40MM in guarantees from two franchises this year; he has a chance to walk away with very little of that money.

Currently a free agent, Brown has ranged from quitting the NFL altogether to re-enrolling at Central Michigan to suddenly wanting back in the league. Drew Rosenhaus indicated teams are “very interested” in signing Brown, despite an unbelievable run of drama this year, but considering Brown faces multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, it does not appear likely he will play again anytime soon.

Injury Roundup: Hilton, Lions, Bolts, Rams

September 27th, 2019 at 4:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

It’s looking like the Colts‘ passing attack will have to operate without its top weapon Sunday. T.Y. Hilton drew a doubtful designation on Indianapolis’ Friday injury report. He did not practice all week. The eighth-year wideout left the Colts’ Week 3 win with a quadriceps injury, and although the Raiders enter Week 4 ranked 30th in pass defense DVOA, the Colts went 0-2 without Hilton last season. They are already down previous starter Devin Funchess, who sits on IR. The Colts also ruled Darius Leonard out for a second straight week. The All-Pro linebacker remains in concussion protocol.

Here is the latest from the Week 4 injury front:

Matthew Stafford popped up on the Lions‘ injury report Friday; he’s listed as questionable with a hip malady. While Stafford should be expected to play, given that he’s played through injuries in recent years and holds the league’s third-longest active start streak among QBs with 131, this is a less-than-ideal scenario going into a key inter-conference matchup with the Chiefs. Rookie UDFA David Blough has been Stafford’s backup this season, though Jeff Driskel is now on Detroit’s 53-man roster.
That matchup will not include Chiefs starting running back Damien Williams, who will miss a second straight game with a knee ailment. LeSean McCoy put together two full practices this week and will likely team up with Darrel Williams, as he did last week, in Detroit.
Good news for the Rams‘ offense. Sean McVay said both Austin Blythe and Tyler Higbee will be available against the Buccaneers on Sunday, per Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Blythe missed Los Angeles’ Week 3 game with a sprained ankle, while Higbee has been sidelined with a lung contusion.
Another Chargers game will unfold without their primary kicker option. The Bolts ruled out Michael Badgley for a fourth straight contest. Punter Ty Long‘s multipurpose afternoons will continue. Long made both of his field goal tries last week after missing two in Week 2.
Additionally for the Bolts, they will be without Mike Williams. He’s been declared out with a back injury. Travis Benjamin will head to Miami as doubtful to play, meaning Dontrelle Inman and Geremy Davis stand as the Chargers’ only two healthy auxiliary wideouts. This marks Williams’ second injury of the season. A knee problem plagued the third-year target earlier this month but did not force him to miss any time.
The Vikings‘ No. 2-ranked rushing attack will be tested in Chicago this week, and right guard starter Josh Kline will not play a part in the NFC North contest. The free agent acquisition will miss Sunday’s game with a concussion that kept him out of practice this week. This will end Kline’s 49-start streak. Veteran Dakota Dozier will start, per Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Dozier has started eight games in his six-season career, which included a Week 2 start in place of Pat Elflein.