HEADLINES

Month: October 2024

Colts’ Anthony Castonzo Done For Year

December 30th, 2020 at 12:58pm CST by Zachary Links

Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo will miss the rest of the year due to an ankle injury, head coach Frank Reich announced. It’s a major blow to the offensive line as the team enters a make-or-break Week 17 tilt against the Jaguars. 

“You feel sick for AC going down like he did on a Thursday practice,” quarterback Philip Rivers said (via ESPN.com’s Mike Wells). “Maybe it was a matter of time before something happened. He’s had a heck of a year, a big part of what we do offensively, run game and pass protection. He’ll be missed.”

Castonzo is set for surgery, taking their long-tenured starter out of the lineup. When healthy, the Colts’ offensive line has been their greatest strength, thanks in large part to Castonzo. He’s anchored the blindside since his rookie year in 2011, showing consistency and durability for much of his pro career. Though Castonzo has never made the Pro Bowl, he’s started in all 144 of his games with quality performances.

In 2019, the Boston College product graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 ranked tackle in the league. And, his 81.3 overall score was even stronger than his 2017 and 2018 showings. He still has plenty of football left in the tank, though he’s got just one non-guaranteed year left on his deal, which carries a $16MM cap hit.

Right tackle Chaz Green, who has struggled on the left side in the past, could be tasked with snaps on the blindside.

Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck Drawing NFL Interest

December 30th, 2020 at 11:28am CST by Zachary Links

University of Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck is drawing interest for NFL head coaching vacancies, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). At least one club wants to interview the 40-year-old, and there could be more inquiries on the way.

[RELATED: NFL Teams Considering Urban Meyer]

Fleck has played and coached in the NFL. He first came into the league as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers back in 2004, though he didn’t see much in the way of live action. Post-playing, he served as the Bucs’ wide receivers coach in 2012. Today, he leads the Golden Gophers with a 26-19 record over the last four years.

The Lions, Falcons, and Texans are looking for a head coach; the Jets will soon join them on the vacancy list. The Chargers, Jaguars, and Vikings may also be on the lookout soon, leaving as many as six openings across the league. Any team interested in Fleck will have to weigh the buyout costs, because his Minnesota contract runs through 2026 with $4.6MM coming next year.

Adam Gase: The Jets Haven’t Fired Me Yet

December 30th, 2020 at 11:17am CST by Zachary Links

Even by Jets standards, it would be shocking to see Adam Gase in green next year. But, for what it’s worth, the embattled head coach says that he has not been clued in on his fate (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY).

[RELATED: Beating The Browns (Temporarily) Saved Gase’s Job] 

“That was news to me,” Gase said in response to a local radio report indicating that he’s already been canned. “No one has said that to me…You’re going to hate this answer, but it’s the best one I can give you: I learned when I was 22 years old, Nick Saban told me you do your job until somebody tells you different. That’s what I’m going to focus on.”

Gase’s Jets have managed two late-season wins to avoid a winless season and play their way out of the No. 1 overall pick. They’ll place no higher than No. 2 on the 2021 draft board, which means that Trevor Lawrence won’t be coming to the Meadowlands. Even if the Jets pull off a Week 17 upset over the Patriots, it’s hard to fathom Gase staying put. Still, he’s keeping his eye on the Pats, and not on his personal shortcomings.

“I don’t know if worry is really the right word,” Gase said when asked about his reputation as an offensive guru. “It pisses me off because if there’s one side of the ball I want to make sure is right, that one has not happened. And that’s on me.”

Dwayne Haskins Parts Ways With Agent

December 30th, 2020 at 10:52am CST by Zachary Links

Dwayne Haskins is looking for a new team. He’s also looking for new representation. After going unclaimed on the waiver wire, the former Washington quarterback and agent David Mulugheta mutually agreed to part ways, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 

[RELATED: Panthers Interested In Dwayne Haskins]

There is, at least, a market for the former first-round pick. Several teams are said to be interested in the strong-armed QB, including the Panthers. Haskins, who has been pegged by many as having an attitude problem, is unlikely to sign with any team before the end of the year. Playoff contenders see Haskins as too green to trust as an emergency option. And, for non-playoff teams, there’s little sense in tying up payroll by signing Haskins immediately.

Washington had high hopes for Haskins after selecting him in the first round of the 2019 draft. It was a move that the franchise came to regret, and Ron Rivera‘s regime had little reason to keep up appearances. Haskins didn’t inspire confidence in his second pro season and his Week 16 performance was the final straw. Starting in place of Alex Smith, Haskins completed just 50% of his throws for 154 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. He was leapfrogged by Taylor Heinicke and responded poorly — Rivera quickly handed him a pink slip.

There were rumblings that his first head coach, Jay Gruden, never wanted him. Owner Dan Snyder may have forced Haskins on Gruden, but he didn’t make the same demand of Rivera.

Panthers Interested In Dwayne Haskins

December 30th, 2020 at 10:41am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers are showing interest in Dwayne Haskins, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The former WFT quarterback went unclaimed on waivers this week, leaving him free to sign with any club. 

[RELATED: Washington Cuts Dwayne Haskins]

The Panthers aren’t the only team with intrigue, either. RapSheet hears that “several teams” are kicking the tires on the 2019 first-round pic, though he’s unlikely to sign before the end of the season.

Haskins was atrocious in Washington, but he’s still 23 with plenty of upside. It also helps that Haskins would come at a cheaper rate that his original contract. Haskins was something of a draft darling in ’19, thanks in large part to his tremendous arm strength.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is one coach who thinks that he can get the best out of the youngster. The Panthers would also provide him a strong mentor in starter Teddy Bridgewater. Currently, Bridgewater has P.J. Walker and Will Grier as his backups.

Even after moving on from Haskins, Washington will still be responsible for the balance of his contract with $1.8MM (2021) and $2.46MM (2022) base salaries on the books.

49ers To Sign Robbie Gould To Extension

December 30th, 2020 at 10:32am CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have agreed to a two-year, $7.25MM fully guaranteed extension with kicker Robbie Gould, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The new deal will tie Gould to SF through the 2022 season. 

Gould, 38, posted arguably the best season of his career in 2018, converting a league-leading 97.1% of his field goal attempts. He made both of his attempts from 50+ yards, and missed only two extra points. At one point, Gould and the 49ers seemed destined for divorce. The veteran requested a trade to bring him closer to his family, which many read as a push to return to Chicago. The 49ers, however, held firm and refused to deal him.

Gould inked a four-year, $19MM extension with the Niners in 2019, but it included an option for the 2021 season. Tomorrow was the deadline to trigger it. Instead, they’ve worked out a fresh pact that could have Gould in place through his 40th birthday.

This hasn’t been a banner year for Gould. Just last week against the Cardinals, Gould missed attempts from 41 and 37 yards out and sent an XP wide right. Still, his 82.6% rate on the year is a step up from last year’s 74.2% showing.

Thomas Davis To Retire After 2020 Season

December 29th, 2020 at 7:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Thomas Davis‘ 16th NFL season will be his last. The veteran linebacker announced (via Instagram) Washington’s Week 17 game in Philadelphia will be his final regular-season contest.

The former Panthers and Chargers defender signed with Washington in March, reuniting with Ron Rivera. He has operated as a part-time reserve in what is set to be his farewell campaign.

The 2005 first-round pick, however, was a full-time starter from 2006-19 and will be most remembered for overcoming three ACL tears early in his career to form a long-term linebacking partnership with Luke Kuechly in Carolina. Davis also played in Super Bowl 50 despite having suffered a broken arm in the 2015 NFC championship game. He made seven tackles in the Panthers’ loss to the Broncos and played all 60 of his team’s defensive snaps.

This announcement comes two-plus years after Davis’ previous retirement indication. He said the 2018 season in Carolina would be his last, but a four-game suspension that year scuttled those plans. Davis, 37, instead went on to play the 2019 season with the Chargers — starting all 16 Bolts games — and sign with Washington on a one-year, $3.5MM deal.

Davis suffered ACL tears in November 2009, June 2010 and September 2011 — a stretch including just nine games — but returned to start in all but two Carolina contests from 2012-17. During that span, the Rivera-led Panthers rebounded their operation — with Davis and Kuechly playing essential roles — and made four playoff berths. Both Davis and Kuechly were first-team All-Pros in 2015, a 15-1 Panthers season that included 5.5 Davis sacks, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Through 199 regular-season games, the Georgia alum has 1,216 tackles, 29 sacks, 18 forced fumbles and 13 INTs. While Davis has only added six tackles to that total this season, he will wrap his career as a three-time Pro Bowler — from 2015-17 — who helped the Panthers to several playoff appearances in the 2010s.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/20

December 29th, 2020 at 6:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Rams Place Cooper Kupp On Reserve/COVID-19 List, Darrell Henderson On IR

December 29th, 2020 at 5:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams continue to run into issues on offense ahead of a pivotal Week 17 game. Cooper Kupp‘s availability for the team’s regular-season-ending game against the Cardinals is now in doubt after the veteran wideout landed on the Rams’ reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

This designation does not mean Kupp is out for Sunday’s game. If the fourth-year receiver did not test positive for the coronavirus, he would be on track to return this week. If Kupp did contract the virus, he cannot play in Week 17.

Kupp’s now-murky status, however, comes at a time when the Rams are reeling on offense. They are set to be without Jared Goff due to injury for the first time, with Alliance of American Football refugee John Wolford in line to start Sunday. Darrell Henderson is now on IR, according to the team, and Cam Akers‘ status — after missing Week 16 with a high ankle sprain — may be iffy at best given his injury. The Rams, who have lost two straight to put them in danger of missing the playoffs, have also been without Andrew Whitworth for several weeks.

Kupp has not missed a game since suffering a torn ACL midway through the 2018 season. He needs 26 yards for his second career 1,000-yard season. The Rams gave Kupp and Robert Woods extensions this year, committing to the duo after trading Brandin Cooks. With the team needing a win or a Bears loss to ensure playoff qualification, Kupp’s status certainly will be a key matter for the team this week.

Henderson followed Akers in encountering ankle trouble. Unless the Rams make a run to the NFC championship game, Henderson will not be able to return until next season. Although Akers surpassed him in Los Angeles’ backfield pecking order late this season, Henderson started against the Seahawks and leads the team with 624 rushing yards.

Shelby Harris Wants To Stay With Broncos

December 29th, 2020 at 5:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the Broncos’ better acquisitions in recent years, Shelby Harris is winding down his fourth season with the team. The veteran defensive tackle would prefer to extend this run.

Harris unexpectedly re-signed with the Broncos on a one-year deal this offseason, doing so after a market did not form for the talented interior defender. While the former seventh-round pick will again seek the first notable payday of his career, he would prefer that offer came from the Broncos.

“Obviously it would mean the world,” Harris said of another (presumably more lucrative) deal to stay with the Broncos, via the team’s website. “My family loves Denver; I love Denver, and Denver’s done nothing but do right by me since I’ve been here. I love it here, but at the end of the day I understand it’s a business and so you got to be ready for everything. … I’ve had two of my kids here; this is home for them. So obviously Denver is a special place for me.”

The Broncos brought back Harris on a one-year, $3.25MM contract. Despite missing four games due to a positive COVID-19 test, the 29-year-old defender has notched a career-high 11 quarterback hits this season. One of the NFL’s top bat-down artists, Harris has added seven pass deflections to give him 16 over the past two seasons.

While the Broncos hoped to have Harris and Jurrell Casey team up on this year’s defensive line, the latter suffered a season-ending injury in September. The Broncos are projected to have nearly $20MM in 2021 cap space and can create $11MM in additional funds by releasing the longtime Titans standout. Of course, the Broncos’ 2021 payroll does not yet include a Justin Simmons deal. Considering Harris’ 2020 market, he would appear to command a midlevel deal in a year when the cap is expected to decline. Losing both Harris and Casey would make the defensive front an obvious need area for the Broncos.

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