HEADLINES

Year: 2024

Jets’ Michael Carter To Miss Time

November 22nd, 2021 at 3:27pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets rookie running back Michael Carter has been diagnosed with a low-grade high ankle sprain (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Carter is expected to miss 2-3 weeks, but there’s no word yet on whether the Jets will move him to the injured reserve list.

Carter — not to be confused with the Jets’ rookie fifth-round defensive back of the same name — was a fourth-round selection in this year’s draft. This Carter split time with Broncos second-round pick Javonte Williams at UNC and registered back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2019 and 2020. His senior year was particularly efficient — the 5-foot-7, 201-pounder averaged 8.0 yards per tote en route to 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns.

So far this year, he’s got 430 yards off of 111 carries (3.9 ypc average). In an all-around flat Jets offense, he’s emerged as the top option ahead of veteran Tevin Coleman and the rest of the bunch.

Without Carter, the Jets will lean more on Coleman, Ty Johnson, La’mical Perine, and Nick Bawden when they take on the Texans this week.

Saints, Taysom Hill Agree To Extension

November 22nd, 2021 at 2:52pm CST by Zachary Links

Quarterback Taysom Hill has agreed to a “unique four-year, hybrid…contract extension” with the Saints (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). The deal could pay anywhere between $40MM and $95MM, depending on the position he plays over that span. But, regardless of how he’s used, the deal will furnish him with $22.5MM in guaranteed cash.

Hill will earn $40MM in base salary if he continues in his gadget role. But, if he becomes the Saints’ starting quarterback for the next four years, he could net an additional $55MM, according to Schefter.

The deal is yet another stroke of cap wizardry from Saints GM Mickey Loomis, who already agreed to an entirely voidable four-year, $140MM re-up with Hill in March. We’re still awaiting word on how this latest deal impacts the previous one, but the new deal likely supersedes/replaces the last one. In short, Hill did not receive a true $140MM re-up this spring. Instead, his actual contract for this year includes a $9.7MM signing bonus, a $1.4MM guaranteed roster bonus, and $1.03MM in guaranteed base salary, plus incentives. All together, that’s a shade over $12MM for 2021.

Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap (Twitter link) suggests that the unique structure could be the result of lucrative incentives. For example, the deal could furnish Hill with a $500K bonus for every game he plays with upwards of 50% snaps at QB, plus another $500K bonus for every win. Still, the exact breakdown remains unclear.

Hill completed 72.7% of his passes last year for 928 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. He went 3-1 while starting in Drew Brees‘ stead, showing a glimpse of his potential. Outside of the traditional QB stats, he finished 2020 with 555 yards from scrimmage and nine rushing and receiving touchdowns.

Through seven games this year, Hill has 20 carries for 104 yards and three rushing touchdowns, plus four grabs for 52 yards. As a QB, he’s completed 7-of-8 throws for 56 yards and one interception.

Broncos’ Bradley Chubb Returns To Practice

November 22nd, 2021 at 1:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Broncos pass rusher Bradley Chubb has been designated for return from injured reserve, according to head coach Vic Fangio (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Chubb, who has missed all but one game this year, will be eligible to return inside of the next 21 days. 

[RELATED: Broncos, Courtland Sutton Agree To Extension]

The fourth-year linebacker has battled multiple ankle issues in recent years. His latest setback emerged in Week 2, prompting arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur. At long last, his left ankle is back to normal — or at least closer to it.

Injuries have hampered Chubb throughout his career; his medical chart includes trouble with his other ankle and a 2019 ACL tear that limited him to just four games. Still, the Broncos picked up Chubb’s fifth-year option in May, and new GM George Paton cited the former top-five pick as a cornerstone talent.

Chubb has proven to be an impact player when healthy. In 2018, his 12 sacks threatened Jevon Kearse‘s all-time rookie sack record. And, just last year, he earned a Pro Bowl nod while notching 7.5 sacks.

Much has changed since Chubb’s last time out on the field. Now at the .500 mark in the sardine-packed AFC West, the Broncos are just clinging to Wild Card chances. Meanwhile, his longtime partner Von Miller is out in Los Angeles.

If all goes well for Chubb, he could re-debut as soon as Sunday when the Broncos host the Chargers.

Minor NFL Transactions:  11/22/21

November 22nd, 2021 at 1:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jordan Brown

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Texans’ Jordan Jenkins To Miss Time

November 22nd, 2021 at 12:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Texans edge rusher Jordan Jenkins will be out for at least a little while (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790). Jenkins has been diagnosed with a torn PCL, per head coach David Culley, which will rule him out for a minimum of two weeks. Surgery is also a possibility, and that would likely rule him out for the year. 

Jenkins, a former 2016 third-round pick of the Jets, joined up with the Texans in March. His two-year, $6MM deal will keep him under club control for 2022, though the Texans could cut him to save $3MM with just $500K in dead money.

Jenkins compiled 22.5 sacks in his previous five seasons with the Jets, including 15 sacks between the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He was also healthy for the most part, missing just eight games in that stretch. While he took a step back in 2020 with career-lows in tackles (32) and sacks (2), the Texans saw him as a cost-effective addition to their overhauled defense.

To date, Jenkins has logged eight games with the Texans as a reserve. All together, he’s recorded 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss with Culley & Co.

While they’ve lost Jenkins for a bit, the Texans did manage to beat the Titans 22-13 on Sunday. Now stationed at 2-8, they’ll try for their first winning streak of the year against the Jets on Sunday.

Jaguars Place Jamal Agnew On IR

November 22nd, 2021 at 12:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars have placed wide receiver Jamal Agnew on the injured reserve list, per a club announcement. There’s no official word yet, but his hip injury will likely rule him out for the rest of the year. 

Agnew suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of yesterday’s loss to the Niners. It looked to be serious right off the bat — Agnew’s leg twisted as he was tackled following the three-yard catch. It’s a bad blow to the Jaguars, since Agnew has been one of their most impactful playmakers this season.

Agnew has registered seven return touchdowns since 2017, more than any other player in the NFL. Two of those have come this year — he housed a 102-yard kickoff in Week 2 and returned a botched field goal try for a record 109-yard TD in Week 3. He’s also played a significant role on offense. Just last week, he scored a 66-yard rushing touchdown against the Colts. Meanwhile, as a receiver, he has a 24/229/1 line for the year.

The Jaguars will replace Agnew on the 53-man roster this week, but they’ll be hard-pressed to replace his production. Head coach Urban Meyer may need other reinforcements too, since left tackle Cam Robinson and cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tyson Campbell were also banged up on Sunday.

WFT’s Logan Thomas To Return From IR

November 22nd, 2021 at 11:44am CST by Zachary Links

Logan Thomas is just about ready to retake the field. The Washington Football Team plans to designate Thomas for return this week by opening his 21-day practice window, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). 

[RELATED: WFT’s Young Done For Year]

Thomas has been on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury since October 6. While it’s not yet official, his doctors are expected to clear him for football activities in the coming days. In theory, Thomas could be activated for Monday night, when WFT hosts the Seahawks in D.C. However, they’ll want to monitor his progress for a bit, so a December return seems more likely.

The former quarterback enjoyed a career year in 2020 with 72 receptions for 670 yards and six touchdowns. His catch total was good for third among all tight ends in the NFL while his yardage slotted him seventh at the position. Through his four games this year, he tallied 12 catches for 117 yards and two scores.

In his stead, Washington has turned to veteran Ricky Seals-Jones with support from Sammis Reyes, fourth-round pick John Bates, and practice squad call-up Temarrick Hemingway. Seals-Jones has gotten the bulk of Washington’s TE targets, tallying 23 grabs for 230 yards and two scores across nine games.

In other WFT news, standout defensive end Chase Young has been formally placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

Eagles Extend LB T.J. Edwards

November 22nd, 2021 at 10:05am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles have signed linebacker T.J. Edwards to a one-year extension, per a club announcement. The new deal includes $2.15MM fully guaranteed and could pay as much as $3.2MM, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). 

[RELATED: Eagles Sign Goedert To Four-Year Extension]

Before the deal, Edwards was on course for restricted free agency in the offseason. However, the Eagles felt compelled to reward him given the way he’s stepped up recently. In the last four games alone, Edwards has notched 44 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception, and three passes defensed. All in all, through his eleven games this year, Edwards has 76 stops, one sack, and four tackles for loss. The Eagles like what they’ve seen and the advanced metrics back it all up — Pro Football Focus has Edwards ranked as the 19th best off-ball linebacker in the NFL, ahead of established veterans like Eric Kendricks and K.J. Wright.

Not too shabby for a former UDFA who opened the year towards the bottom of the LB depth chart.

“I think people look at my 40-time three years ago and say ‘no way he’s gotten faster’ so you probably can’t cover can’t play the pass, can’t tackle in space,” the Wisconsin product said recently (via Sports Illustrated). “So I mean, I love all that stuff…I don’t think there’s anything I can’t do at the MIKE linebacker spot.”

Edwards and the Eagles improved to 5-6 on the year with Sunday’s win over the Saints. They’ll aim for the .500 mark this week when meet the Giants in Northern New Jersey.

Broncos, Courtland Sutton Agree To Extension

November 22nd, 2021 at 9:38am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos have agreed to a brand new deal with wide receiver Courtland Sutton (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero). Sutton will receive a four-year re-up worth $60.8MM in total, including $34.9MM guaranteed. 

This comes on the heels of a similar extension for fellow WR Tim Patrick. Between those deals and the presence of Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler, the Broncos now have their receiver group locked up for the long haul.

[RELATED: Broncos, Tim Patrick Agree To Extension]

Sutton, a 2018 second round pick under the Broncos’ old regime, is still held in high regard by new GM George Paton. Even after his 2020 ACL tear, Paton prioritized and completed a new deal for the 26-year-old midway through the year.

The Broncos could have deployed the franchise tag for 2022, but that could have cost them upwards of $17MM. Instead, they’ve hashed out a longer arrangement at just over $15MM per year.

Sutton broke out in 2019 with 72 catches and 1,112 receiving yards, capturing his first ever Pro Bowl nod in the process. Although his encore was wiped out by a serious knee injury, he’s bounced back this year to lead the team with 43 catches and 617 yards.

The 6-foot-4 target is now locked up through 2025 while Patrick is under club control through 2024. Jeudy and Hamler, meanwhile, are tied to rookie deals through the 2023 season, though Jeudy’s first-round status means he can be kept through 2024 via the fifth-year option.

It’s been an expensive couple of days for the Broncos, but they had the cap room to make it all work. Before Patrick’s extension, the Broncos were in the league’s top five for projected 2022 space. Even after these deals, the Broncos still have enough capital to pursue trades for top-end quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson.

Packers’ Elgton Jenkins Done For Year

November 22nd, 2021 at 9:33am CST by Zachary Links

Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins has been formally diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). This was the expected outcome following Jenkins’ non-contact injury on Sunday against the Vikings. 

Jenkins, a 6’5″, 311-pound lineman, made his name on the interior and earned a Pro Bowl nod last year as a guard. This year, with All-Pro David Bakhtiari still recovering from his own ACL tear, he was shifted to left tackle. Left without their top two options, the Packers deployed backup Yosh Nijman at LT yesterday. They went on to lose 34-31, dropping them to 8-3 on the season.

“Oooof,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said after yesterday’s game (via Packers News). “He’s been so versatile for us. He can play every position on the line, I think he’s played at least four of them, so definitely hate to see that happen. Not sure what his official status is coming out of the game, but with Dave [Bakhtiari’s] status unknown we’re going to have to rely on probably Yosh [Nijman], he’s played some good football for us.”

The Packers can also turn to backup lineman Dennis Kelly for support, but they’ll be short-handed in any scenario. Meanwhile, the injury is doubly frustrating for Jenkins, who will be eligible for an extension this winter. For now, he remains under club control through 2022, per the terms of his rookie deal. The former second-rounder will earn $1.4MM in his walk year.

Load More Posts