HEADLINES

Month: October 2024

Jets Cut Quincy Enunwa

August 3rd, 2020 at 4:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have released Quincy Enunwa with a failed physical designation, per the league’s transactions wire. The Jets previously ruled out for the 2020 season, but he intends on returning to the field at some point. 

After signing a four-year, $36MM extension with the Jets in late 2018, Enunwa was expected to be a primary target for quarterback Sam Darnold. Sadly, those plans came to a halt when Enunwa suffered the second neck injury of his career in the 2019 season opener against the Bills. Later on, the Jets restructured his deal, keeping him in the fold as he works his way back. Thankfully, Enunwa’s extension gave him financial security, including $10MM in fully guaranteed money.

Injuries have plagued Enunwa throughout his career, but he showed serious promise when he was healthy. In 2016, he played in all 16 games and tallied 58 catches for 857 yards. After missing the ’17 campaign, he looked like his old self in ’18. Hopefully, he’ll be able to resume his career sometime soon with another club.

“If I’m capable of playing, then that’s what I’ll do,” Enunwa said recently. “If it comes down to the fact that the doctors say I can’t, there’s not much I can do. There’s really nothing I can do there, but if I have the ability to [play], the passion will always be there, the want-to will always be there.”

Vikings Extend GM Rick Spielman

August 3rd, 2020 at 3:11pm CST by Zachary Links

Vikings GM Rick Spielman has a new deal to match head coach Mike Zimmer. On Monday, the Vikings officially announced a brand new deal for their top football exec to take him through the 2023 season. 

“Rick has been outstanding in his role as Vikings general manager,” Vikings owner Mark Wilf said in a statement. “We are excited and honored to have him continue to lead our efforts to build a championship roster and first-class organization. With Rick’s and Coach Zimmer’s leadership in place, we are in a great position to continue to compete for a Super Bowl.”

Spielman has been with the Vikings since 2006 and has served as their GM since 2012. Since his big promotion, the Vikings have made the playoffs four times including an appearance in the NFC Championship Game (2017). And, with Zimmer as his head coach, the club has posted a record of 57-38-1.

Spielman was set to enter his walk year. Now, he has some extra security heading into his 15th season with the organization.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/20

August 3rd, 2020 at 3:04pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here. For the running list of opt out decisions, check out PFR’s 2020 Opt Out Tracker.

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Released: QB Jalen Morton, FB Elijah Wellman

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

  • Claimed off waivers (from Colts): CB Picasso Nelson

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

49ers To Sign Jordan Reed

August 3rd, 2020 at 2:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have agreed to sign Jordan Reed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal will reunite the talented tight end with former Washington staffer and current SF head coach Kyle Shanahan. 

[RELATED: Ravens, Patriots Interested In Delanie Walker]

Reed had been connected to the Ravens and other teams in need of tight end help. The Niners – who boast the game’s best tight end in George Kittle – certainly did not need Reed, but they’ve landed him anyway. If Reed is healthy, the 49ers will boast the league’s scariest 1-2 combo at the position.

Reed has been adamant about wanting to return to the field, despite his troubling history with head trauma. Over the last three seasons, he’s played in just a baker’s dozen of games. And, since the start of his college career, he’s suffered at least seven concussions. His last concussion took him out for the entire 2019 season. In February, the Washington Football Team released from the two seasons left on his five-year, $47MM contract.

But, when he’s been healthy and on the field, Reed has performed as one of the league’s top tight ends. Between 2013 and 2018, Reed racked up 329 catches for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns for Washington.

In March, we heard that the Seahawks had some interest in signing Reed. The Ravens had him on their short list as well, but they’ll likely pivot to Delanie Walker, who is reportedly 100% healthy and interested in coming to Baltimore.

Ravens, Patriots Interested In Delanie Walker

August 3rd, 2020 at 1:01pm CST by Zachary Links

One of the best tight ends left on the market is ready to go. Delanie Walker is 100% healthy and ready to play, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Walker sees the Ravens as a fit, per JLC, and the Patriots also have him on their radar, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter link). 

Walker – who turns 36 on Aug. 12 – has battled injuries over the past two seasons, but he still profiles as a useful weapon in the passing game and an adept blocker. The Colts, Packers, and Redskins were rumored to have interest in him earlier this year, but the Ravens may be among his top choices at this stage.

The Ravens’ offense relies heavily on tight ends and they could use some reinforcements after trading Hayden Hurst to the Falcons. They’re evaluating Walker, Jordan Reed, and other options as the season draws near, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears.

The Patriots, meanwhile, could use another TE following Matt LaCosse‘s decision to opt out. Currently, their group is headlined by third-round rookies Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, plus the relatively inexperienced Ryan Izzo. Both Walker and Reed would profile as low-risk, potentially high-reward signings to add veteran savvy.

Walker posted four straight 800-yard seasons from 2014-2017, but the 14-year veteran has played in just eight games since. The ankle injury he suffered in September 2018 held him back last season as well. In 2019, Walker finished out with 21 grabs for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

Broncos RT Ja’Wuan James Opts Out

August 3rd, 2020 at 12:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James announced that he will opt out of the 2020 season. In a message to his fans (Twitter link), James explained that he made the decision to protect the health of his wife and newborn son. 

James joined the Broncos on a four-year, $51MM deal last year and lost the bulk of the season to injury. Now, he’ll pass on the 2020 season and have his $10MM base salary toll into 2021.

Upwards of 40 players have opted out of the 2020 season, as shown in PFR’s tracker. As expected, a number of lineman who could be classified as higher-risk have made the decision to stay home. The deadline for opt out decisions still remains TBD – the NFL wants to schedule Wednesday as the cut-off date, but the window could remain open longer.

James’ last full season came in 2018, with the Dolphins. In that year, Pro Football Focus measured the former first-round pick as a top-35 tackle last season. He’s been a starter since entering the league, but injuries have kept him out of action for extended periods – James missed eight games in 2017 and nine in 2015.

Washington Football Team To Sign Dontrelle Inman

August 3rd, 2020 at 9:35am CST by Zachary Links

Dontrelle Inman is expected to sign with the Washington Football Team after he completes a physical on Monday, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The wide receiver will provide depth for a team that lost Kelvin Harmon to an ACL tear earlier this summer. 

[RELATED: Kelvin Harmon Tears ACL]

Harmon was set to feature as one of the Redskins’ top receivers, alongside Terry McLaurin and Trey Quinn. With Harmon no longer in the picture for 2020, Inman figures to slot somewhere alongside Cam Sims, Steven Sims Jr., and fourth-round pick Antonio Gandy-Golden on the depth chart. The status of Cody Latimer – who facing multiple charges following his May arrest – remains murky.

Inman made his name with the Chargers in 2016, catching 58 passes for 810 yards and four touchdowns in a breakout season. In recent years, he’s bounced around a bit. The Bolts traded Inman to the Bears midway through 2017, but he wasn’t able to regain his old form. In 2018, he inked a one-year deal with the Colts and went on to catch 28 passes for 304 yards and three scores in nine games. Last year, he signed deals with the Patriots and Chargers before circling back to the Colts. All in all, he finished 2019 with 12 grabs for 181 yards.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson To Buy XFL

August 3rd, 2020 at 9:26am CST by Zachary Links

Finally, the XFL has come back to the news cycle. On Monday, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced that he has purchased the XFL. Johnson’s group – with backing from Redbird Capital Partners – will acquire the league from Vince McMahon for $15MM, as Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com tweets. 

[RELATED: Former XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck Sues Vince McMahon]

“The acquisition of the XFL with my talented partners, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, is an investment for me that’s rooted deeply in two things – my passion for the game and my desire to always take care of the fans,” said The Rock. “With pride and gratitude for all that I’ve built with my own two hands, I plan to apply these callouses to the XFL, and look forward to creating something special for the players, fans, and everyone involved for the love of football.”

The XFL’s relaunch ended midway through its (re)inaugural season, prompting McMahon to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. McMahon put the league up for sale in May and reportedly attracted “dozens” of potential bidders. Ultimately, McMahon’s longtime WWE superstar presented the top offer. McMahon, meanwhile, still has some loose ends to tie up. Commissioner Oliver Luck sued McMahon in April and other executives have filed claims to collect their pay.

The XFL 3.0, presumably, will target a 2021 relaunch. In the meantime, a number of XFL players are pushing for NFL roster spots in training camp.

Raiders Cut 2018 Second-Round Pick P.J. Hall

August 3rd, 2020 at 8:02am CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders will release defensive tackle P.J. Hall, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Raiders used a second-round pick on Hall just two years ago. 

[RELATED: Raiders To Sign Jeremy Hill]

Hall, a Sam Houston State product, cracked the starting lineup in 2019. However, the Raiders went in a different direction this offseason, signing former Cowboys DT Maliek Collins to start alongside Maurice Hurst. Collins, 25, came on a fairly reasonable one-year, $6MM deal. Ultimately, they preferred his experience and 55 career starts to Hall’s raw talent.

Hall started in 12 of his 16 games last year, finishing out with 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks from the interior. Head coach Jon Gruden ran the 2018 draft for the Raiders, but he didn’t feel that Hall was worth keeping two years later. Cutting Hall won’t save the Raiders a whole lot of cash – they’ll carry $750K in dead money with just $532K coming off of the books. However, Hall’s release will clear a roster spot for the Raiders as they work their way down to an 80-man roster and welcome running back Jeremy Hill.

Eagles’ Doug Pederson Tests Positive For COVID-19

August 3rd, 2020 at 7:49am CST by Zachary Links

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson will spend some time away from the team after testing positive for COVID-19 (Twitter link via Tim McManus of ESPN.com). In the interim, assistant head coach Duce Staley will assume HC duties at the team’s complex, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. 

[RELATED: 2020 NFL Opt Out Tracker]

Pederson, 52, has not experienced any symptoms, but he’ll quarantine to avoid spreading the virus, per the protocols. The league’s guidelines mandate multiple tests for Pederson before he can get back to work.

Person is the second head coach known to have contracted the coronavirus, following Sean Payton‘s positive test earlier this year. Payton’s recovery was relatively quick – he tested positive on March 16 and he was cleared before the end of the month.

“You fatigue real easy,” Payton said of his experience with the virus. “I’d be up moving around, doing something, then you’d want to lay down again. That lasted three or four days. By the time I got the test results back I had begun feeling better. I had my appetite back.”

Pederson is set to enter his fifth year as the Eagles’ head coach. Staley, a longtime Eagles running back, joined the team as an assistant in 2011 and worked his way up to AHC in 2018.

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