HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

NFL Suspends Bengals S Shawn Williams, Titans DE Teair Tart

December 7th, 2020 at 6:03pm CST by Ben Levine

The NFL has suspended Bengals safety Shawn Williams and Titans defensive end Teair Tart one game apiece “for violations of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules,” per Michael Signora, NFL Senior Vice President of Football & International Communications (via Twitter). Specifically, both Williams and Tart stepped on opponents. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that both players will appeal their suspensions.

Williams violation took place during the second quarter of the Bengals loss to the Dolphins yesterday when he stepped on Dolphins lineman Solomon Kindley. The defensive back will be sidelined for Cincy’s game against the Cowboys next weekend. The 29-year-old has spent his entire eight-year career with the Bengals, compiling 419 tackles and 12 interceptions. He’s appeared in 10 games off the bench this season, collecting 11 tackles and one pass defended.

Tart’s violation occurred during the second quarter of the Titans’ loss to the Browns yesterday. The undrafted rookie out of FIU will be forced to miss Tennessee’s game against the Jaguars this Sunday. The 23-year-old has appeared in five games this season, collecting two tackles and one pass defended.

Meanwhile, Pelissero notes (via Twitter) that there won’t be any suspensions following yesterday’s Bengals/Dolphins skirmish. However, there’s a good chance fines will be coming for several individuals.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/7/20

December 7th, 2020 at 5:27pm CST by Ben Levine

A handful of practice squad moves to pass along:

Baltimore Ravens

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: K Taylor Russolino

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

Eagles Cut OL Jamon Brown From Practice Squad

December 7th, 2020 at 5:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Jamon Brown‘s short stint with the Eagles has already come to an end. The veteran offensive lineman was released from the team’s practice squad today, with ESPN’s Tim McManus writing that the transaction was “a result of Brown violating team rules.”

According to multiple reports (including Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com), Brown was booted from the team hotel and sent home by Eagles chief security officer Dom DiSandro on Saturday evening. While specifics haven’t been reported, Brown’s banishment was due to “conduct detrimental to the team.” General Manager Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson subsequently spoke with the lineman and informed him he was no longer part of the organization.

Following a disappointing stint with the Falcons in 2019, the former third-rounder joined the Bears practice squad back in September. A few weeks later, the Eagles came in and signed the 27-year-old to their active roster, and he started their Week 6 game in place of injured right guard Matt Pryor.

Brown was cut by Philly in late October but landed on the team’s practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster soon after, but he was demoted following the Eagles Week 7 contest. In total, Brown’s stint with the Eagles ended with him having appeared in two games (one start).

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/7/20

December 7th, 2020 at 4:47pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves from around the league:

Baltimore Ravens

Las Vegas Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Browns Claim WR Marvin Hall

December 7th, 2020 at 3:53pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions dropped Marvin Hall over the weekend, but he’s caught on with a new team. The Browns have claimed the 27-year-old wide receiver, per a club announcement.

Hall, a 2016 undrafted free agent out of Washington, seemed to have found a home in Detroit. After wandering the league early in his pro career, he managed 17 catches for 290 yards and two scores with the Lions in 2020. But, in an effort to see more from their younger players, the Lions cut him loose.

Hall — who previously suited up for the Raiders, Cardinals, Falcons, and Bears — enjoyed a breakout performance in Week 8, catching four passes for 113 yards. He’ll do his best to replicate that for the Browns, who are riding a four-game winning streak and pushing to end their longstanding playoff drought. Hall will have a chance to make his debut on Monday night, when the Browns take on the Ravens in Cleveland.

Cowboys’ Zack Martin Done For Year

December 7th, 2020 at 2:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have placed guard Zack Martin on injured reserve with a calf injury. The All-Pro guard must be shelved for at least three games and this could very well mark the end of his season. 

In the dreadful NFC East, the playoffs are still possible for the 3-8 Cowboys. Their late-November loss to the Washington Football Team didn’t help matters, but they could still theoretically leapfrog the first-place Giants (5-7) and the rest of the division. They’ll have their work cut out for them on Tuesday night against the Ravens, when undrafted lineman Terence Steele is expected to start in his place.

Martin has done his best work on the interior, but Steele’s poor play forced the Cowboys to reshuffle the front five a few weeks back. Before they made the swap on Nov. 22, Steele ranked as the worst offensive tackle out of 78 qualified players this season, per Pro Football Focus’ metrics.

The Cowboys will also be without cornerback Anthony Brown and safety Donovan Wilson as they look to upset Baltimore. A loss — even in the NFC East — would almost certainly take them out of the postseason conversation.

Chargers To Evaluate Anthony Lynn After Season

December 7th, 2020 at 1:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Anthony Lynn is safe, for now. The Chargers head coach is on the hot seat, but the Bolts plan to evaluate their head coach after the season is through (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). 

Things aren’t looking great for Lynn after the Bolts were blanked 45-0 by the Patriots on Sunday. The home loss dropped them to 3-9 and, unless they finish on a much stronger note, Lynn probably won’t see a fifth season in L.A.

Out of respect for Lynn, the Chargers plan to at least let him finish out the season. He’s widely regarded in the building (and across the league) and it was just two years ago that he guided the club to a 12-4 finish. This year, the Chargers were cautiously optimistic about their prospects with Tyrod Taylor serving as the bridge to No. 6 overall pick Justin Herbert. Up until Sunday, Herbert exceeded all expectations. Unfortunately, the Chargers have blown several potential wins, thanks in part to iffy play-calling.

The Chargers haven’t canned a coach midway through the season in more than 20 years. They plan to keep it that way, even after Sunday’s debacle.

Jets Bump Frank Bush To Interim DC

December 7th, 2020 at 12:17pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have named Frank Bush as their new interim defensive coordinator, as Connor Hughes of The Athletic tweets. Bush will take over for Gregg Williams, who was given the hook on Monday morning.

[RELATED: Jets Fire Gregg Williams]

Bush has served as Adam Gase‘s assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach in New York over the last two years. Prior to that, he was Gase’s AHC/LB coach in Miami and the DC for the Texans in 2009 and 2010. He may have an opportunity to carve out a future role with the Jets, though it’s unlikely that his rabbi will be part of the plan in 2021.

The Jets are 0-12 following Sunday’s heartbreaking loss, which proved to be the final straw for Williams. Instead of properly defending against a Hail Mary, Williams sent the house. Ultimately, that left speedster Henry Ruggs wide open to score the game-winning touchdown.

Bush’s first assignment as interim DC will come this Sunday in Seattle. The Jets currently stand as +14 underdogs against the 8-4 Seahawks.

Jets Fire DC Gregg Williams

December 7th, 2020 at 10:31am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have fired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The move comes after the Jets latest loss to the Raiders, dropping them to 0-12. 

[RELATED: Jets Eyeing Eagles HC Doug Pederson?]

Fans have mostly directed their ire towards head coach Adam Gase this year, but, so far, the Jets have resisted calls for his firing. For now, Williams is the lone coach to get the heave-ho, but no one would be surprised to see additional house cleaning between now and the end of the year. It’s worth noting that the Jets also employ Williams’ son — Blake Williams — as a defensive assistant.

Williams has built a career as a defensive guru, but his Jets unit ranked 29th in the NFL this year. The last straw might have come on Sunday when he called an all-out blitz on the final play, leaving one outmatched cornerback to guard Henry Ruggs III. Ruggs burned him and scored a 46-yard touchdown, costing the Jets their first W of the season.

In Williams’ defense, this Jets team was clearly not built to win. That was clear when the Jets shipped safety Jamal Adams to the Seahawks and later sent linebacker Avery Williamson to the Steelers. They’ve also been sans C.J. Mosley, though it’s fair to wonder how much the high-priced linebacker would have helped.

Colts Le’Raven Clark Done For Year

December 7th, 2020 at 9:23am CST by Zachary Links

Colts offensive lineman Le’Raven Clark is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Once confirmed via MRI, Clark will be placed on injured reserve and ruled out for the remainder of the year.

[RELATED: Colts Sign Ryan Allen]

Clark was serving as the Colts’ starting left tackle in place of Anthony Castonzo. Now, they’re on to Plan C, likely third-string left tackle Chaz Green, who filled in after Clark was carted off. With all due respect to Clark, the Colts were already looking at a drop-off in talent when they lost Castonzo, who is making $17MM this year compared to his backup’s $910K salary.

The good news is that Green was neck-and-neck with Clark for the No. 2 LT job, though Clark edged him for his experience on the left side. The Colts still managed to get by Houston on Sunday, advancing to 8-4. Next, they’ll take on the Raiders in Las Vegas.

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