2019 December - Pro Football Rumors

Saints Audition Maurice Harris

December 27th, 2019 at 1:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Antonio Brown wasn’t the only wide receiver showing his stuff for the Saints on Friday. Brown and Maurice Harris were among six WRs auditioning for the team, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Head coach Sean Payton is aiming to update his WR list for the playoffs, in case any receivers are lost to injury, Schefter hears. That may or may not be an indicator for Brown’s chances of landing a deal. Granted, even if Brown is signed, the league office may step in and keep him off the field by placing him on the Commissioner’s List.

Harris, 27, doesn’t offer the same kind of upside as Brown, but he would come without any of the aforementioned complications. The former UDFA had his first productive pro season in 2018, though he hasn’t had a gig since getting cut by the Patriots back in August. Last year, with the Redskins, Harris caught 28 passes for 304 yards across 12 games.

It stands to reason that the Saints will sign at least one receiver in the coming days. Just this week, the club was forced to place Krishawn Hogan on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.

Redskins, Tress Way Agree To Extension

December 27th, 2019 at 11:59am CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins and punter Tress Way have agreed to terms on a four-year extension worth more than $15MM, sources tell NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The new deal, which will be formally inked on Monday, will keep the Pro Bowler under club control through the 2024 season.

Way signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma in 2013. After losing out on punting competitions in back-to-back offseasons, he found his home with the Redskins in 2014 when he took over for Robert Malone.

Since then, Way has averaged 46.6 yards per punt. This year, he’s been averaging a career-high 49.2 yards per try, thanks in part to a 79-yard bomb against the Panthers in Week 13. Way was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his work against Carolina and he received his Pro Bowl nod soon after.

Fans of the 3-12 Redskins haven’t had much to cheer for this year, but they do have one of the league’s better punters in Way. On Sunday, Way & Co. will have a chance to spoil the Cowboys’ season in their finale.

Falcons To Keep Dan Quinn, Thomas Dimitroff

December 27th, 2019 at 8:30am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons will be making lots of changes this offseason, but they won’t be in the hunt for a new head coach or general manager. On Friday, the Falcons announced that they’ll retain both Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff in 2020.

However, they have made one significant change – secondary coach and assistant head coach Raheem Morris has been named as the Falcons’ new defensive coordinator. The move will go into effect immediately after the Falcons’ season finale.

Quinn and Dimitroff will return next year, though they’ll both report directly to Falcons CEO Rich McKay, who will continue to report to owner Arthur Blank. Blank, per the press release, “will retain oversight of the football operation.”

The decision to keep the duo doesn’t come as a huge surprise, given their late season success. The Falcons were disappointing on the whole, but they are riding a three-game winning streak heading into their season finale against the Buccaneers.

Quinn’s seat starting heating up back in November, when the Falcons got off to an atrocious 1-7 start. At the time, Quinn’s defense ranked near the bottom of the league in just about every defensive category, with nearly 400 yards of total offense allowed per game. Things have turned around recently – the Falcons held the Saints to nine points in a Week 10 win and capped the Niners at just 22 points en route to a December upset.

In the 2016 season, Quinn led the Falcons to the Super Bowl, though their painful collapse cost them their first Lombardi Trophy. His club followed up with a 10-6 mark in the following season, but they’ve been on a downhill slide ever since. In 2020, Quinn will return for a sixth season at the helm, giving him an opportunity to right the ship.

Dimitroff has served as the Falcons’ GM since the 2008 season with mixed results, though he is responsible for drafting team pillars including Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, with the latter coming to Atlanta via a king’s ransom of picks. He’ll stay for a 12th season as Falcons GM, though more changes could be coming to the front office:

“Every year we evaluate all our football operations and this year I have asked Rich to work closely with Thomas and Dan over the next couple of weeks to conduct a top-to-bottom review, inclusive of structure, processes, resourcing and personnel to identify whatever changes are necessary to enable us to compete consistently at the highest level,” Blank said in a statement. “In my time as owner, and particularly since 2008, we have been one of the winningest teams in the NFC ranking fourth in wins and across the NFL, tied for seventh in wins, and that remains the only acceptable result for us now and in the future.”

Antonio Brown To Work Out For Saints

December 27th, 2019 at 8:24am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are set to audition Antonio Brown. Brown leaked the news via his personal Instagram on Friday and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) has confirmed the workout.

Although Brown is a free agent, it remains to be seen whether the NFL will allow him to actually suit up for a club in 2019. Currently, the star wide receiver is in limbo. The league office started investigating Brown after he was accused of sexual abuse in a lawsuit in September. The NFL has since interviewed Brown, but there’s still no word on his status.

Teams have reportedly been interested in Brown, one of the most dominant offensive players in the modern era. But, up until today, no one has moved to bring the controversial star in for a workout.

If Brown is signed and cleared to play, the Saints would arguably boast the most lethal 1-2 WR combination in the league with Brown lining up opposite of Michael Thomas. Brown would have to get ready and learn the playbook in short order, but he could have an extra week to gear up if the Saints are able to secure a first-round bye. A combination of a Saints win over the Panthers and losses by the Packers or 49ers would give the NFC South champs an automatic pass to the divisional round.

The workout is not believed to be related to Thomas’ hand injury, which has limited him in practice this week, as Mike Triplett of ESPN.com tweets. Even though Thomas is on track to play, the Saints are thin at receiver on the whole. The Saints just placed Krishawn Hogan on IR and, besides Thomas, no Saints WR has more than 29 catches on the season.

At minimum, if Brown is signed, it could help to jumpstart the NFL disciplinary process. Many expect the league office to place Brown on the Commissioner’s Exempt list once he puts pen to paper, keeping him away from the field until his investigation is complete.

West Notes: Miller, Broncos, Gruden

December 26th, 2019 at 9:59pm CST by Ben Levine

A few weeks ago, Broncos star linebacker Von Miller expressed disappointment and frustration at his team’s lack of success this season. However, the veteran was quick to clarify that he wants to stick around Denver for the foreseeable future.

“I said before the week, I’m tied to the Denver Broncos,” Miller told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic (Twitter link). “It’s pro sports and we all know things can change here and there. But for me and my mindset, it’s a marriage and I’m not looking forward to divorcing anytime soon.”

Miller backed up those claims tonight, as the linebacker expressed optimism in the 2020 iteration of the Denver Broncos (via Jhabvala on Twitter).

Let’s check out some more notes out of the western divisions:

While the Raiders will soon be able to lure free agents to Las Vegas, the front office will have to do a better job of evaluating players if they hope to become a contender, writes Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Jon Gruden‘s acquisitions have generally been hit or miss, with Tafur pointing out disappointing deals for linebacker Tahir Whitehead and safety Marcus Gilchrist in 2018 and wideout Tyrell Williams and offensive lineman Trent Brown in 2019. On the flip side, Tafur did recognize the organization for snagging tight end Darren Waller and lineman Richie Incognito.
The trial date for the Klemmer-Wallace lawsuit vs Pat Bowlen trustees has been set for September 1st, tweets Mike Klis of 9News in Denver. Broncos owner Pat Bowlen passed away in June, and he ceded control of the club to three trustees during his battle with Alzheimer’s. These trustees were vested with the power to transfer the team to one of Pat Bowlen’s seven children, and Brittany Bowlen became the favorite to ultimately take the reins. But not long after her status as the frontrunner became clear, Beth Bowlen Wallace went public with her desire to own the Broncos. Bill Bowlen, Pat Bowlen’s brother, then filed his suit to remove the trustees.
We learned earlier tonight that Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is confident that he’ll play this weekend against the 49ers.

49ers DT Jullian Taylor Suffers Knee Injury

December 26th, 2019 at 9:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Just as Jullian Taylor was set to return to the lineup, the 49ers defensive lineman has gone down with another injury. The Athletic’s Matt Barrows tweets that Taylor suffered a knee injury during today’s practice.

While the diagnosis is unknown, the player is set to undergo an MRI. Barrows reports that the team is also calling free agent interior defensive linemen.

Taylor was thrust into the nose tackle role after D.J. Jones was placed on injured reserve, and the lineman ended up contributing nine tackles in six games. However, an elbow injury sidelined Taylor for the past three games, but there was optimism that he’d be able to play in the season finale against the Seahawks. Barring some unexpected news, it doesn’t sound like that will be the case.

The team had to activate Kentavius Street for their Week 16 win over the Rams. Barrows suggests that the team could promote rookie defensive lineman Kevin Givens from the practice squad.

Barrows also suggests that a familiar face could be an option: Earl Mitchell. The veteran spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons with San Francisco before signing with (and later getting released by) Seattle. The 32-year-old announced his retirement back in November.

Dolphins Waive/Injured DE Jonathan Woodard

December 26th, 2019 at 7:58pm CST by Ben Levine

Jonathan Woodard‘s stint with the Dolphins has come to an end. The team waived the defensive end from the injured reserve yesterday.

The 2016 seventh-round pick had brief stints with the Jaguars and Falcons before joining the Dolphins towards the end of the 2017 campaign. He ended up getting into six games for Miami last season, compiling 10 tackles and one sack.

Woodard was waived/injured by Miami during the 2019 preseason, and he subsequently landed on their injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. That’s where the 25-year-old spent the entire campaign, and today’s move could be an indication that he’s ready to return to the field.

The Dolphins have been relatively busy this week, as they added running back Samaje Perine on Tuesday night.

Injury Notes: Clowney, Ravens, Ramsey, Jacobs

December 26th, 2019 at 6:45pm CST by Ben Levine

Jadeveon Clowney hasn’t played in two weeks, but the 26-year-old is anxious to get back on the field for the Seahawks. The defensive lineman told ESPN’s Brady Henderson that “there’s no way” he’ll miss his team’s season finale against the 49ers. Clowney also acknowledged that the two missed games will help him in the postseason.

“Oh, for sure,” he said. “I’m in a way better place … I’ve been a lot better than I was the week before.”

Clowney missed Week 15 against the Panthers with the flu, and he was out for Week 16 against the Cardinals to deal with a lingering core injury. Henderson notes that Clowney was listed as limited on the Seahawks’ first injury report of the week.

Let’s check out some more injury notes from around the NFL…

Quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Mark Ingram won’t be the only Ravens player missing their team’s Week 17 game against the Steelers. Coach John Harbaugh told reporters that safety Earl Thomas, offensive lineman Marshal Yanda, and defensive end Brandon Williams also won’t play this weekend (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic on Twitter). With Baltimore already having locked up a bye, the coaching staff is clearly playing it safe and providing the veterans with an extra week of rest.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey will miss the Rams game against the Cardinals on Sunday. Coach Sean McVay told reporters that Ramsey is dealing with a strained lateral collateral ligament that was suffered during the team’s loss to the 49ers. The Rams sent a pair of first-rounders (along with a fourth-rounder) to the Jaguars for Ramsey, and the 25-year-old ended up chipping in 33 tackles, four passes defended, an interception, and one forced fumble in nine games (eight starts) for Los Angeles.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs underwent a minor operation that shouldn’t keep him out of the lineup for Week 17. “Josh Jacobs woke up with discomfort in his leg on Wednesday and he was evaluated and treated for a superficial skin infection,” the team said (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter). While Jacobs will be in the lineup to help the Raiders secure an unlikely playoff spot, he’s still be a bit banged up. We heard earlier this month that the rookie was dealing with a shoulder ailment.

NFC East Notes: Dak, Howard, Giants

December 26th, 2019 at 5:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dak Prescott bet on himself and will finish with statistical benchmarks in several categories this season — including touchdown passes (26) and passing yards (4,599). The fourth-year Cowboys quarterback has a good chance of eclipsing his previous single-season passing high by over 1,000 yards. Despite Dallas’ disappointing season, team brass remain bullish on a long-term Dak re-up. Prescott and the Cowboys have been negotiating for months.

“I’m just not surprised,” Prescott said, via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams, of the lack of a new contract. “… It’s the business. It’s my first time going through it. Not surprised by anything that comes from it — from the league, from the team, from whatever. Learning as I go.”

With March 10 being the deadline for franchise tenders to be applied, the Cowboys not reaching an extension with their quarterback opens the door to the prospect of tagging Prescott and letting Amari Cooper hit free agency. As of now, with no CBA in place, teams would be permitted to use both their franchise and transition tags come March. Just as they were throughout this past summer, the Cowboys’ negotiations will be a key component of the upcoming offseason.

One of two divisions still up for grabs, the NFC East features the Eagles and Cowboys vying for the division’s 50th championship. Here is the latest from the two contending teams, along with the Giants and Redskins.

With the Eagles cutting Jay Ajayi, the expectation was they’d have Jordan Howard back in the fold for Week 17. But that’s not necessarily the case. The fourth-year back met with doctors on Thursday, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, who adds Howard has not yet been cleared for contact (Twitter link). Howard has not played since Week 9 due to a shoulder injury. The Eagles are using Miles Sanders and Boston Scott as their primary backs, but Howard was the team’s rushing leader before going down.
The Redskins have already seen several starters’ seasons end early; they may see their breakout wide receiver miss the season finale as well. Terry McLaurin is in Washington’s concussion protocol, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. McLaurin (919 receiving yards) is just seven yards away from Gary Clark‘s 34-year-old franchise record for most by a rookie. A loss to Dallas would lock Washington in the No. 2 draft slot, which could well be Ohio State edge-rushing dynamo Chase Young.
Markus Golden‘s value-reestablishing Giants season included another positive development for the contract-year pass rusher. A stat correction turned a Golden half-sack into a full sack, giving him 10 for the season and a $1MM incentive bonus, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. The Giants gave Golden a one-year, $3.75MM deal this offseason. After two lost seasons, due largely to a 2017 ACL tear, Golden has his second 10-plus-sack campaign. He profiles as a Giants extension candidate and an intriguing UFA pass rusher, should he hit the market.

Peterson Can See Playing Until Age 40

December 26th, 2019 at 5:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Adrian Peterson has consistently said he wants to push the boundaries for his position and play into the next decade. At the conclusion of his 13th season, the 34-year-old running back set a loftier goal.

“I can see myself playing to 40,” Peterson said, via NFL.com’s Jane Slater (Twitter link). “People look at that and say, ‘oh my god; that’s crazy.’ But they’ve been doing that for the past two years and surprise, surprise I’m still able to do it at a high level.”

A three-time rushing champion and four-time first-team All-Pro, Peterson has found a home with the Redskins after a lengthy stay in free agency. The future Hall of Famer has rushed for 1,862 yards and 12 touchdowns in two Washington seasons, averaging north of 4.0 yards per carry in each. Peterson is sitting on 842 yards this year, one when the Redskins again saw top running back Derrius Guice battle injuries.

The Redskins signed Peterson to a two-year, $5.03MM deal in March. Guice’s issues may well prompt Washington to bring Peterson back for 2020.

Playing even into his late 30s will be a lofty goal. Thirty-seven has been the ceiling for true tailbacks, with Marcus Allen being the most recent to get there. Allen, though, saw his role minimized in his final Raiders seasons and was part of a committee with the Chiefs. He logged 3,022 carries in 16 seasons; Peterson is at 3,023 in Year 13. Frank Gore could well play into his age-37 season, however; he’s at 3,542 totes.

Peterson sits fifth on the league’s all-time rushing list — two spots behind Gore. He needs over 1,000 more yards to move past Barry Sanders for fourth. While getting to 40 seems highly unrealistic, Peterson looks to exit this season in better shape than he did in 2016 or ’17. A knee injury slowed him during his final Minnesota slate, and he spent 2017 in New Orleans and Arizona, finishing that season on IR before a five-month free agency stay. Peterson, however, has missed just one game in two Washington seasons.