HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

49ers Waive CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun

December 14th, 2020 at 6:35pm CST by Ben Levine

The 49ers moved on from a pair of defenders today. The team announced that they’ve waived cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun and defensive lineman Alex Barrett.

It was less than a week ago that Boddy-Calhoun joined the organization. He signed with the 49ers practice squad last week, and he was subsequently promoted to the active roster. He ended up getting on the field for San Francisco’s loss to Washington, collecting 16 special teams snaps.

The former undrafted free agent out of Minnesota had a solid rookie campaign for the Browns, compiling 43 tackles, 11 passes defended, and three interceptions (including one pick-six). He got into 29 games for Cleveland over the following two seasons before joining the Texans in 2019. His stint in Houston didn’t last long; he was released towards the end of the campaign and had a late-season cameo with the Colts. He remained a free agent for much of the 2020 season.

Barrett, a 2017 undrafted free agent out of San Diego State, has had previous stints with the Lions, Raiders, and the San Diego Fleet of the defunct Alliance of American Football. He saw time in five games for the 49ers this season, and he played a season-high 35 percent of his team’s defensive snaps during San Francisco’s Week 7 win over the Patriots.

Jets Claim K Chase McLaughlin, DL Trevon Coley

December 14th, 2020 at 4:53pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets have made a pair of waiver claims. Brian Costello of the New York Post reports (via Twitter) that the team has claimed kicker Chase McLaughlin off waivers from the Jaguars and defensive lineman Trevon Coley off waivers from the Cardinals.

The McLaughlin move probably means incumbent kicker Sergio Castillo has lost his job…which isn’t overly surprising considering he missed three field goals during the Jets’ loss to the Seahawks yesterday. Plus, starting kicker Sam Ficken is set to return to practice this week after missing several weeks due to a groin injury.

McLaughlin will replace Castillo as Ficken’s temporary replacement. This will be the eighth team for McLaughlin since he went undrafted during the 2019 draft. The 24-year-old has appeared in 14 career games, connecting on 22 of his 28 field goals and 29 of his 30 extra point tries. He appeared in three games for Jacksonville this season, making four of his five field goal attempts.

Coley, 26, was waived by the Cardinals last week. The defensive lineman saw time in six games (two starts) for Arizona this season, collecting 14 tackles and one sack. Coley appeared in 31 games for the Browns during his first two seasons in the league, compiling 80 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Vikings Waive WR Tajae Sharpe

December 14th, 2020 at 4:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Tajae Sharpe‘s brief stint with the Vikings has come to an end. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Minnesota has waived the wide receiver. The team also announced that tight end Hale Hentges has been activated from the exempt list.

Sharpe joined the Vikings on a one-year, $1MM pact this past offseason. There was some optimism that the 25-year-old could establish himself as one of Kirk Cousins‘ top targets, especially following the Stefon Diggs trade. Instead, Sharpe was active for only four games, and he didn’t haul in any of his three targets. He played 28 offensive snaps, and he never appeared in more than 17 percent of his team’s offensive snaps during any of his four games.

Still, Sharpe could generate some interest on the waiver wire. The 2016 fifth-round pick out of UMass spent the first four years of his career with the Titans, including a rookie campaign where he hauled in 41 receptions for 522 yards. A foot injury sidelined Sharpe for the entire 2017 campaign, and he’s compiled 51 receptions for 645 receiving yards and six touchdowns since that time.

Hentges, 24, was signed off the Colts practice squad last week, and his required quarantine earned him a spot on the exempt list. The Alabama product saw time in 11 games (four starts) last season for Washington, hauling in eight receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/14/20

December 14th, 2020 at 3:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest practice squad moves from around the NFL:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: TE Issac Nauta

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed: TE Bug Howard, LB Aaron Patrick

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: P Lachlan Edwards
  • Released: WR Manasseh Bailey

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

  • Signed: RB Khalfani Muhammad

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/20

December 14th, 2020 at 3:15pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of the latest minor moves here:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Cowboys: We’re Keeping Mike McCarthy

December 14th, 2020 at 3:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Despite speculation about his job security, Cowboys VP Stephen Jones says Mike McCarthy will “absolutely” be the head coach in 2021. In an interview with 105.3 The Fan, Jones placed more of the onus on injuries than McCarthy’s coaching. 

“There will be absolutely no change with coach McCarthy, and I am surprised that someone would question Mike, these unprecedented situations that everyone’s been in on top of that,” Jones said. “No one is making excuses, but we have had some real challenges in the injury category. If you look at his track record and his pedigree, he’s consistently won year in and year out. We have the utmost confidence that this ship is going to be righted quickly, and Mike is going to be the leader of this group. He’s certainly a great head coach and I think we’re going to see that going forward. He’s a great head coach in this league, he’s accomplished a lot, and he’s going to accomplish a lot more before it’s all said and done.”

Jones’ vote of confidence comes on the heels of a morale-boosting 30-7 win over the Bengals. The competition had something to do with it, but the Dallas D gave McCarthy their best performance of the year. That definitely helps the coach’s case, but it probably won’t save defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. In his first DC role since 2014, the Cowboys D has been a total flop in 2020. The Cowboys — in the NFL’s cellar for points allowed – are expected to make some serious changes this spring, even though McCarthy will be spared.

Sam Darnold Wants To Stay With Jets

December 14th, 2020 at 2:58pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s not easy being green. Apparently, Sam Darnold doesn’t want to take the easy way out. On Monday, the Jets quarterback said that he wants to stay put. 

“I love it here…I love living here,” Darnold said (Twitter link via Connor Hughes of The Athletic) “I’ve always said I want to be a Jet for life, but that decision isn’t up to me. I believe in myself as a quarterback and a player in this league.”

Darnold would remain in New Jersey if he had his druthers, but, as he mentioned, he does not. The Jets lead the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes by a wide margin and it would be a surprise to see them draft anyone besides the Clemson star with the No. 1 overall pick.

Darnold — hardly grizzled at the age of 23 — has gone 11-24 as the Jets’ starting QB with 41 touchdowns and a near-equal 37 interceptions. He hasn’t been handed the best of situations, given the team’s constant chaos, coaching changes, and penny pinching, but the Jets may be done with him all the same.

Even though Darnold is saying the right things today, it’s hard to imagine the former No. 3 overall pick holding the clipboard for a younger, fresher face.

Jim Harbaugh: I’m ” 100% Committed” To Michigan

December 14th, 2020 at 2:52pm CST by Zachary Links

Rumblings about Jim Harbaugh and the University of Michigan parting ways have put the coach back on the NFL radar. For what it’s worth, Harbaugh says he remains “100% committed” to the Wolverines and his incoming class. 

“Yeah, that question does come up and I tell ’em, my plan is, committed to Michigan,” Harbaugh said, referring to his conversations with recruits. “Have been, am and will remain. As far as the (contract), [athletic director Warde Manuel] and I will talk at the end of the season on the current contract. That’s the truth. That’s where it stands.”

Harbaugh is under contract through the end of the 2021 season, the final year of his lucrative seven-year pact. The former Niners head coach has reportedly explored a return to the pros, and a number of clubs are already doing their homework on him.

NFL teams are already well aware of Harbaugh’s name and history. The energetic coach led the 49ers to three straight NFC championship games in his first three years as their head coach. And, since moving to Michigan, he’s rebuffed multiple offers from NFL teams.

Jaguars To Start Gardner Minshew

December 14th, 2020 at 12:48pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s the return of Minshew Mania in Jacksonville. On Monday, Doug Marrone named Gardner Minshew as his starting quarterback moving forward. 

Marrone gave Mike Glennon the hook in the third quarter of their loss to the Titans. It was too-little-too-late, as the Jags went on to lose 31-10, but Minshew made an early statement with a touchdown on his first drive and 178 passing yards to close out the game. Still, Marrone was hesitant to anoint Minshew as the No. 1 QB in the immediate aftermath.

“As far as moving forward, I haven’t spoken to both guys so just out of respect for them, obviously I have in my mind what I want to do but I’m actually going to make sure I speak to them first, before I do something through the media,” Marrone said (via ESPN.com). “[Glennon] threw some good balls and we left some plays out there and he had some drops. I think it’s not on one person. I mean, I think everyone can see that. ”

Minshew — who is now fully or mostly recovered from his injured thumb — will be fighting for his future. The Jaguars may look to draft a passer in the first round, though they’re also second in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes.

Eagles’ Rodney McLeod Done For Year

December 14th, 2020 at 12:39pm CST by Zachary Links

Eagles safety Rodney McLeod is done for the season. On Monday, the Birds announced that McLeod has been diagnosed with a torn ACL.

[RELATED: Eagles To Stick With Hurts]

McLeod exited early from the Eagles’ win over the Saints, capping his season just as the Eagles playoff hopes were renewed. Unfortunately, this marks the second ACL tear of his pro career. His 2020 will end with starts in all 13 games, 66 stops, one interception, and two fumble recoveries — including the one he took to the house against the Cowboys in November.

McLeod remains under contract for 2021 thanks to the two-year, $12MM deal he signed last offseason. He won’t have to stress over security as he rehabs, since his $3.75MM base salary is guaranteed.

The good news is that McLeod already knows the ropes after bouncing back from his previous ACL tear. Upon returning last year, the safety started in all 16 regular season games and notched two interceptions, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one sack, and 76 total stops.

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