HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Richard Sherman Reunion Remains On Seahawks’ Radar

September 22nd, 2021 at 9:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

After several weeks off the grid, Richard Sherman has now been connected to three teams since his July arrest. The former All-Pro cornerback has spoken with the Buccaneers and 49ers, and Albert Breer of SI.com notes a Seahawks reunion remains on the table.

The Seahawks and Sherman had discussions this offseason, and the 10-year veteran was open to returning to the team. But nothing materialized. Sherman’s subsequent arrest, which produced five misdemeanor charges, paused his free agency bid. Although two of the five charges he is facing were said to include a “domestic violence element,” police say that Sherman never physically assaulted anyone. Momentum continues to build for Sherman to latch on with a team and play an 11th season.

Sherman, 33, is aiming toward playing this season, per Breer, who adds the Seahawks recently reached out to him. This creates an interesting in-season pursuit, with the 49ers and Sherman also engaging in dialogue recently.

While no deal is imminent between Sherman and the Bucs, the defending Super Bowl champions have done well to stock their roster with high-end veteran starters since acquiring Tom Brady. Should Sherman sign with Tampa Bay, he would make five All-Decade performers — along with Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown and Ndamukong Suh — to join the team in the past 18 months.

As for the Seahawks, they have been in need at corner for a while. After letting Shaquill Griffin walk in free agency, the Seahawks traded UFA addition Ahkello Witherspoon to the Steelers. Interestingly, Sherman helped steer Witherspoon, his former 49ers teammate, to Seattle. The Seahawks are using fellow ex-49er D.J. Reed and Tre Flowers as their boundary starters. The 49ers may possess a greater need, with Jason Verrett out for the year. This could set up an unusual early-season bidding war.

Seattle made Sherman a cap casualty in 2018, leading him to San Francisco. After an unremarkable 2018, Sherman re-emerged and earned second-team All-Pro acclaim while helping the 49ers to a Super Bowl. A calf injury kept Sherman out of 11 games last season, but the accomplished cover man is believed to have slimmed down to his Seahawks-years playing weight of around 195 pounds. A suspension may come down this season, or possibly be tabled until 2022, but Sherman could well be on his way to playing a key role in a loaded NFC West race.

Giants G Shane Lemieux Out For Season

September 22nd, 2021 at 7:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Days after losing Nick Gates for the year, the Giants have received word one of their other starting interior O-linemen is done for 2021 as well. Shane Lemieux underwent knee surgery Wednesday, and the procedure is expected to knock him out for the season.

The Giants announced the second-year blocker had left patellar tendon surgery. Patellar tendon issues represent one of the toughest injury obstacles to overcome, so this puts a stop sign on Lemieux’s early ascent as a pro.

A fifth-round pick last year, Lemieux moved into the Giants’ starting lineup midway through his rookie season. While Pro Football Focus did not view his rookie-year work positively, Lemieux was ticketed to join Will Hernandez as a starting guard this year and did suit up for Big Blue’s Week 1 game. But the knee injury Lemieux suffered early in training camp did not allow him to finish the team’s opener. The Giants then placed Lemieux on IR last week.

With Lemieux and Gates out, the Giants used recent trade acquisitions Billy Price and Ben Bredeson alongside Hernandez on the interior. The unit delivered mixed results in a Week 2 loss in Washington. The Giants are now trying third-round pick Matt Peart, who lost this year’s right tackle competition to Nate Solder, at guard, Darryl Slater of NJ.com notes. Bredeson is still set to start at left guard Sunday, however.

Given New York’s years-long troubles on its front, even when it was at full strength, the Gates and Lemieux setbacks represent a crisis point for the franchise. The Giants are 0-2 for a fifth straight season, and multiple O-linemen who were elsewhere a month ago — Price in Cincinnati, Bredeson in Baltimore — will be given emergency responsibilities.

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer On Hot Seat?

September 22nd, 2021 at 6:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

A hard-luck 0-2, the Vikings are set to battle uphill in an effort to extend their odd-year playoff streak to four. Mike Zimmer may need to accomplish that and more in order to keep his job.

Those within the Vikings organization realize this is a critical year for job security, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports notes, adding that ownership has mentioned to associates a playoff berth will be necessary in order to prevent changes. Vikings ownership was prepared to make changes at a better point for the franchise as well.

The Wilfs, per La Canfora, considered firing Zimmer even after the 2019 season, in which the Vikings went 10-6 and upset the Saints in the first round. Zimmer, who is now in his eighth season as Vikings HC, persisted and ended up receiving a contract extension in the summer of 2020. The Vikings limped through the worst season in Zimmer’s tenure in the months that followed, however, ratcheting up the pressure on the current regime to rebound in 2021.

Zimmer, 65, is 64-49-1 as Vikings HC and has steered the team through some difficult quarterback stretches. Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford‘s injuries altered Minnesota’s blueprint, and the team went 13-3 behind bargain-bin signing Case Keenum in 2017. The Kirk Cousins era introduced QB stability for Zimmer, but the Vikings’ inability to make the playoffs in two of the high-priced passer’s three seasons certainly has not helped the veteran coach.

Zimmer is Minnesota’s longest-tenured head coach since Dennis Green, who lasted nine seasons in the Twin Cities. With the exception of an injury-riddled 2020, Zimmer’s defenses have been upper-echelon units. But ownership’s patience appears to be wearing thin, applying some pressure on the hard-edged HC going into a three-game homestand.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/22/21

September 22nd, 2021 at 5:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Keeping tabs on today’s taxi squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Dallas Cowboys 

Denver Broncos 

New England Patriots

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Seahawks Add TE Jace Sternberger To PS

September 22nd, 2021 at 5:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Unclaimed on waivers, Jace Sternberger will nevertheless receive another opportunity shortly after his Packers exit. The Seahawks are signing the young tight end to a practice squad deal, according to his agency (on Twitter).

The Packers cut the 2019 third-round pick Tuesday. He will be the second recent mid-round pick to catch on with the Seahawks’ practice squad, following ex-Raiders fourth-round linebacker Tanner Muse.

Sternberger received a two-game suspension to start the season, and Green Bay opted not to activate him ahead of Week 3. The Packers did save one of their two IR-return spots for Sternberger in 2019, when teams had just two such transactions at their disposals, but not much has materialized statistically for the Texas A&M product. Sternberger has just 12 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown — all in 2020 — in his career.

The 6-foot-4 tight end posted a strong college season to land on the draft radar, catching 48 passes for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns in his lone season with the Aggies. Prior to transferring to College Station and earning All-America acclaim, Sternberger played at Kansas and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. He will relocate again in hopes of igniting a stalled NFL career.

The Seahawks have three tight ends — Gerald Everett, Will Dissly and second-year UDFA Tyler Mabry — on their active roster, and Colby Parkinson resides on IR rehabbing his second significant foot injury. The team tried multiple ex-college basketball players as P-squad tight ends this offseason, but neither lasted long. Sternberger does have basketball experience, perhaps appealing to the Seahawks, but none of it came in college.

Lions Shopping LB Jamie Collins

September 22nd, 2021 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The new Lions regime is looking to trade Jamie Collins. The team has taken calls on the veteran linebacker, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), and intends to use younger players on its defensive second level the rest of the way.

Signed during the Lions’ Bob Quinn–Matt Patricia regime, Collins is attached to just a $3.8MM base salary this season and is under contract through 2022. The Lions gave Collins a three-year, $30MM deal in 2020 and restructured it in March. This reworking figures to make Collins a bit more appealing on the market.

The Lions held Collins out of practice today, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, providing a potential indication a move could happen soon. They would take in more than $11MM in dead money by trading Collins.

Collins, 32 in October, is familiar with the trade block. The Patriots dealt him to the Browns ahead of the 2016 deadline. Collins played in Cleveland through the 2018 season before re-signing with the Pats during the ’19 offseason. His bounce-back season with New England led to another big-ticket contract.

Detroit has used Collins as a starter in each of its first two games, but the team has begun a rebuild and would stand to benefit from giving younger talents more time. After his strong 2019 season, Collins notched his fourth 100-plus-tackle slate in 2020 by registering 101. He also forced three fumbles last year.

The Lions shifted to a 3-4 look this year, moving Collins to an inside role. They also signed Alex Anzalone, who joined new DC Aaron Glenn in coming north from New Orleans, and drafted Derrick Barnes in the fourth round. A Collins trade would open the door for more Barnes playing time. Through two games, Pro Football Focus slots Collins 24th among off-ball linebackers. A contender in need at the position could certainly do worse. This year’s trade deadline is Nov. 2.

Broncos’ Bradley Chubb To Undergo Surgery

September 22nd, 2021 at 4:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

WEDNESDAY: While indicating Chubb’s surgery was successful, Vic Fangio confirmed the six- to eight-week timetable. The Broncos’ bye does not come until Week 11. Chubb’s recovery going well would position him to come back before that point, and Fangio confirmed this scenario will be in play. The team exercising caution with its standout pass rusher could also lead to a return in Week 12 on Nov. 28. Chubb is now on Denver’s IR.

TUESDAY: Bradley Chubb left the Broncos’ Week 2 game early and will be back on the shelf for a bit. The Pro Bowl pass rusher will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his left ankle Wednesday, according to the team.

The fourth-year linebacker has battled multiple ankle issues this year and endured a setback in Jacksonville. Chubb missed the Broncos’ Week 1 game but returned Sunday. He will miss more time going forward, and Mike Klis of 9News notes the Broncos are expected to use an IR transaction here (Twitter link). A six- to eight-week timetable should be expected here, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

Chubb’s ankle surgery will mark his second ankle operation this year. He underwent a procedure on his right ankle this spring. He then encountered a left ankle problem ahead of Week 1. The Broncos picked up Chubb’s fifth-year option in May, and new GM George Paton identified the former top-five pick as a cornerstone player. Chubb made the Pro Bowl last season and made a run at Jevon Kearse‘s rookie sack record in 2018, recording 12 that season.

“I tried to turn the corner, and I felt it wasn’t all the way there,” Chubb said, via the Broncos’ website. “I’ve been dealing with this bone spur I’ve got in my ankle and sometimes when I try to turn the corner it gets a little annoying and I feel like a stab-type pain.”

This obviously represents a blow for the 2-0 Broncos, who have seen Von Miller return to strong form after missing the entire 2020 season. Miller and Chubb have famously not been on the field together much. Chubb missed most of the 2019 season after tearing an ACL in Week 4. Denver turned to rotational rusher Malik Reed as Miller’s primary sidekick following Chubb’s exit Sunday. Reed registered eight sacks last season. The Broncos also used a seventh-round pick on Jonathan Cooper this year; the Ohio State product would be in line to work as Denver’s third edge rusher while Chubb recovers.

Despite the Broncos’ unbeaten record, they have endured some early-season injury issues. Chubb would stand to join Jerry Jeudy and Ronald Darby on IR. Denver also placed starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell on IR on Tuesday. Jewell suffered a torn pec against the Jaguars and is out for the year.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/22/21

September 22nd, 2021 at 3:59pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Dallas Cowboys

  • Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Keanu Neal; as a high-risk close contact, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota (on Twitter), Neal can return after a five-day isolation period

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

Tennessee Titans

Jets LB B.J. Goodson To Retire

September 22nd, 2021 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

B.J. Goodson‘s Jets stay will end up being brief. The team announced Wednesday the veteran linebacker intends to retire. Goodson signed with the Jets last week.

The former Giants, Packers and Browns starter made his debut for the Jets in Week 2, seeing action on seven special teams plays in the team’s loss to the Patriots. But Goodson no longer intends to continue his sixth NFL season. The Jets placed the 28-year-old off-ball linebacker on their reserve/retired list.

A fourth-round pick out of Clemson in 2016, Goodson became a starter for the Giants in his second season. He made 20 starts with the team but was traded to the Packers before the 2019 season. Green Bay used Goodson as a first-stringer frequently during his lone season with the team, deploying him as a nine-game starter during a 13-3 campaign.

The Browns signed Goodson last year and plugged him into their starting lineup immediately. He made a career-high 91 tackles and intercepted two passes, helping Cleveland snap its lengthy playoff drought. Goodson did miss two games after contracting COVID-19 late last season, however. He returned to start in both Browns playoff games, making 16 tackles.

Pro Football Focus graded Goodson as an upper-echelon coverage linebacker in 2020, and the Jets signed him to a deal worth up to $2.1MM. Goodson made 251 tackles and intercepted four passes in his five-plus-year career.

Texans To Promote QB Jeff Driskel From Practice Squad

September 22nd, 2021 at 3:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jeff Driskel will return to a backup role for the Texans’ Week 3 game. Houston intends to promote the veteran quarterback from its practice squad ahead of Thursday’s Panthers matchup, Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790 notes.

One of a few quarterbacks the Texans acquired this offseason, Driskel has climbed into position to be Davis Mills‘ backup. The Texans placed Tyrod Taylor on IR Tuesday, sidelining their starter for at least three games. David Culley confirmed Mills will make his first start in Week 3.

As of Wednesday, Mills and Deshaun Watson are the only quarterbacks on the Texans’ active roster. Culley confirmed Watson will not be an option for the team this week. The Texans made the three-time Pro Bowler a healthy scratch in each of their first two games. Embroiled in criminal and civil cases stemming from sexual assault and sexual misconduct allegations, Watson has not worked with the Texans’ new staff.

During an offseason in which the Texans added Taylor and Mills, Driskel signed a one-year deal worth $2.5MM. The Texans guaranteed Driskel $500K but released him ahead of roster cutdown day. Houston retained Driskel via a practice squad deal, keeping him as a de facto third-stringer — with Watson not factoring into the team’s current QB hierarchy — to start the season.

A former sixth-round 49ers pick, Driskel has been with three teams — the Bengals, Lions and Broncos — during the past three seasons. The 28-year-old passer made one start with Denver last season and has nine as a pro.

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