HEADLINES

Year: 2024

Titans Eyeing Derrick Henry January Return?

November 18th, 2021 at 12:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

A few Derrick Henry timelines have been tossed around since the two-time reigning rushing champion went down. The latest suggests the Titans have not given up on their impact running back returning this season.

The Titans are optimistic Henry can return in early January, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com reports (video link). Henry is rehabbing a Jones fracture, an injury that an initial report indicated would knock him out for the season. But the AFC-leading team has a Henry return on its back burner.

Henry suffered the foot fracture on Halloween, and the Titans’ ground game has declined considerably. Adrian Peterson has averaged 2.3 yards per carry in two games since joining the team, and Jeremy McNichols is in the Titans’ concussion protocol. D’Onta Foreman has perhaps looked the best of Tennessee’s backs, but the workout circuit regular-turned-emergency fill-in is at 3.7 yards per tote. The Titans have continued to win without Henry, but their Julio Jones-less offense did not have an easy day in a narrow win over the Saints.

Tennessee is 1.5 games up in the race for the AFC’s bye and has wins over Buffalo and Kansas City. A bye would certainly boost Henry’s chances of returning this season. With the NFL adding a week to its schedule, the divisional round does not begin until Jan. 22. Even if the Titans fall out of the bye position, it appears they are not ruling out Henry returning for a mid-January wild-card game. Deebo Samuel beat the three-month mark in his recovery from a Jones fracture last year. The 49ers wide receiver suffered a Jones fracture in mid-June of last year and returned for the team’s Week 4 game on Oct. 4.

The Titans have Henry signed to a four-year, $50MM extension, which runs through 2023. Despite going down in Week 8, Henry still leads the NFL with 937 rushing yards. The organization will surely weigh Henry’s long-term health into a return equation, but it appears the sixth-year vet’s rehab is going well. The Titans also may have one of their better chances to reach a Super Bowl. The franchise has not earned a playoff bye since 2008 and has ventured to one Super Bowl in its history. Henry obviously would change the team’s playoff outlook.

AFC Rumors: Bates, Sutton, Dolphins, Texans

November 18th, 2021 at 11:23am CST by Sam Robinson

The Bengals and Jessie Bates did not agree on an extension ahead of his contract year, and the veteran defender expressed frustration a deal did not commence. Bates previously hoped he would land a contract that kept him in Cincinnati long-term. With his future up in the air, the former second-round pick admitted he let his contract talks cloud his on-field performance to start the season.

“So caught on to proving the wrong people right and the main thing I should be focusing on is proving the right people right as far as my coaches, my teammates, my family and not worry about all of the other stuff,” Bates said, via Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “I know that’s going to work out; I know what type of player I am; that stuff’s going to work out regardless.”

Pro Football Focus ranked Bates as its No. 1 safety in 2020; through nine games this season, the Wake Forest product slots in at No. 75 at the position. He has allowed a 79% completion rate when targeted — well north of the 54% mark of last season. While Bates should still be expected to generate considerable interest in free agency, should no extension agreement or franchise tag come to pass before that point, this season’s second half suddenly becomes pivotal for his long-term prospects.

Here is the latest from the AFC:

  • Courtland Sutton joined Bates as a 2018 second-rounder, and the ex-SMU standout also joins him in being uncertain about his long-term status with his NFL team. Sutton has played in all 10 Broncos games this season, after tearing an ACL last September. The 6-foot-4 target is on pace for his second 1,000-yard season, but his production has been somewhat inconsistent — particularly in games when Jerry Jeudy has been active. The Broncos also have Tim Patrick going through a quality contract year, creating a decision. The franchise tag may be in play for Sutton in March, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post writes. This year’s tag figure came in at nearly $16MM for wideouts, during the pandemic-affected offseason. New GM George Paton called Sutton one of the team’s core players this offseason. The Broncos have used the tag frequently and have a long track record in extending those players — though, Justin Simmons played on the tag in 2020 before his re-up earlier this year.
  • After trying Lonnie Johnson at safety over the past two seasons, the Texans are changing the young defender’s position again. They are moving Johnson back to cornerback, David Culley said (via Sports Talk 790’s Aaron Wilson). Houston drafted Johnson in the 2019 second round as a corner but tried him at safety over the past two seasons. The pivot resulted in Johnson being benched at that spot. The Texans also shopped Johnson ahead of the deadline. The team has vets Desmond King and Terrance Mitchell stationed as its outside starters, but in a rebuilding year, Johnson — who entered the draft with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash time despite a 213-pound frame — figures to see an opportunity to rebound at the position.
  • The Dolphins have shuffled their offensive line on a few occasions this year, tinkering with just about every starter’s role. The highest-profile move came recently, when the team moved 2020 first-round pick Austin Jackson from left tackle to left guard. While that could be a temporary fix, Brian Flores said (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) the team likes the USC product at guard. Second-round rookie Liam Eichenberg is currently Miami’s left tackle.

Patriots RB Damien Harris Clears Concussion Protocol

November 17th, 2021 at 10:46pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots offense will get some reinforcement for tomorrow’s game against the Falcons. Running back Damien Harris returned to practice today, an indication he’s cleared concussion protocol and should be good to go for TNF.

The former third-round pick has been having a career season in 2021, collecting 610 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns. Before suffering a concussion in Week 9, Harris had collected at least 80 rushing yards in three straight games. The 24-year-old should find himself back atop the depth chart on Thursday evening.

With Harris out of the lineup, rookie Rhamondre Stevenson ran wild last weekend, collecting 114 total yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots are also rostering running backs Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor, while veteran pass-catcher James White is out for the season.

Gunner Olszewski also overcame concussion protocol and should play tomorrow against the Falcons. The 24-year-old was forced to miss Sunday’s win over the Browns, but he otherwise appeared in all nine previous games in 2021. Olszewski has mostly appeared on special teams, having returned 10 kicks for 242 yards and 18 punts for 248 yards.

Titans RB Jeremy McNichols In Concussion Protocol

November 17th, 2021 at 9:16pm CST by Ben Levine

The Titans have already lost Derrick Henry for the foreseeable future, and they could be down another RB this weekend. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), Titans running back Jeremy McNichols is in concussion protocol and didn’t practice today. As a result, there’s a chance McNichols could end up missing this weekend’s contest.

When all is said and done, McNichols will end up collecting career highs across the board in 2021. The former fifth-round pick has compiled 284 yards and one touchdown on 43 touches through the first chunk of the season. Since Henry went done with an injury, McNichols has gotten 11 carries, surpassing the seven carries he got through the first eight games. The 25-year-old has also been a threat in the passing game, hauling in 25 receptions this year.

The Titans have already been scrambling to fill their depth chart. The team got an encouraging performance from D’Onta Foreman last weekend, and there’s a good chance he’ll see a significant role on Sunday. The team is also rostering Adrian Peterson, who’s garnered the bulk of the team’s red zone carries over the past two weeks.

If McNichols is forced to miss this weekend, the Titans could choose to promote running back Dontrell Hilliard from the practice squad.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/17/21

November 17th, 2021 at 6:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Cleveland Browns

  • Released: DB Bryan Mills

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/17/21

November 17th, 2021 at 4:44pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Buccaneers Place Richard Sherman On IR

November 17th, 2021 at 3:28pm CST by Ben Levine

WEDNESDAY: Sherman is now on Tampa Bay’s IR list. Given his timetable, this is not a surprising transaction. Although Sherman missed time earlier this year, the Bucs did not place him on IR. This will, then, be Sherman’s 2021 IR stay. The All-Decade cornerback will miss at least three weeks.

TUESDAY: The Buccaneers will be without Richard Sherman for at least a few weeks. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the veteran cornerback suffered a grade 2 calf sprain.

According to Greg Auman of The Athletic (on Twitter), Sherman suffered the injury during pregame warmups prior to Sunday’s game against WFT. The injury should sideline Sherman for at least a few weeks, and an IR stint would presumably be a possibility.

Sherman joined the Buccaneers in late September, and he made his debut for Tampa Bay in Week 4. He started each of his three games for Tampa Bay, collecting 11 tackles and one fumble recovery. The 33-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during Week 6, and he was expected to return to the field for this past Sunday’s game against Washington.

The Buccaneers have dealt with their fair share of cornerbacks injuries this season. Starters Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis have been sidelined for weeks, and even Dee Delaney, who filled in for Sherman on Sunday, had to exit the game due to a concussion. Fortunately, it sounds like Murphy-Bunting and Davis should be back with the team in the next few weeks.

Patriots Place LB Josh Uche On IR, Activate LB Chase Winovich

November 17th, 2021 at 3:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the Patriots’ rotational pass rushers will be out for at least three weeks. The Pats are moving Josh Uche to IR ahead of their Thursday game against the Falcons.

A second-year player out of Michigan, Uche has played on roughly a third of New England’s defensive snaps. He has worked as an off-the-bench contributor, joining a deeper stable of linebackers than the Patriots featured last season.

Uche has registered three sacks in nine games, though none have come since Week 2. That figure remains second on the team. Matt Judon leads the Pats with 9.5 sacks, but only he and Uche have more than two this season among Patriots. Last year’s 60th overall pick has totaled four quarterback hits as well.

New England will have some additional help, with fellow edge rusher Chase Winovich coming off IR Wednesday. Uche’s ex-Wolverines teammate has missed four games this season but has shown steady flashes as a sack artist in the past. The 2019 third-round pick posted 5.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons.

Seahawks’ Chris Carson Not Progressing After Practice Return

November 17th, 2021 at 2:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks have seen their starting running back struggle with a neck injury this season. Chris Carson has missed the past five games, and his return from IR may now be in question.

Although Carson returned to practice Nov. 10, starting his 21-day activation clock, Pete Carroll said Wednesday the fifth-year veteran has not made the progress the team hoped in the time since, via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta (on Twitter). Considering Carroll’s usual injury-related optimism, his Carson assessment is certainly notable.

This report comes a few weeks after another that indicated Carson had an uncertain timetable. Given that Carson returned to practice and is now on the mend again, the prospect of a season-ending IR reversion — similar to that of the Ravens’ Derek Wolfe, whose 21-day return window closed Tuesday — is realistic.

Seattle re-signed Carson on a two-year, $10.43MM deal in March, doing so after the former seventh-round pick established himself as the team’s starting back over the previous three years. Carson, 27, cleared 1,100 rushing yards in 2018 and ’19, holding off first-round pick Rashaad Penny for the position. His two strong years notwithstanding, Carson has an extensive injury history. He suffered a broken leg as a rookie, missed the end of the 2019 season because of a hip injury and was sidelined for four games last season due to a foot sprain. This neck issue has brought another bad break for the Day 3 success story.

The Seahawks rank 22nd in rushing but do now have injury-prone Penny healthy, with the former first-round pick working alongside veteran Alex Collins.

Trent Brown Considered Retirement After 2020 IV Incident

November 17th, 2021 at 2:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trent Brown considered retirement after what he described as a near-death experience last season. An IV mishap before Raiders-Browns game last season led to the then-Las Vegas tackle being hospitalized.

The 380-pound offensive lineman was on track to play last season in Cleveland, after a bout with COVID-19 previously sidelined him. But the hospitalization, compounded with the coronavirus contraction, led to Brown experiencing issues for several months into the offseason.

“To actually fully recover, it probably took about eight months to feel normal again,” Brown said, via NFL.com. “And to actually start making steps, as far as improvement, to feel like myself again on the field after eight months.”

In his second Raiders season, Brown suffered a calf injury in Week 1 — a pattern that recurred this season — and returned on time a month later. But an October COVID-19 contraction sidelined him again. After the IV incident, when air was accidentally introduced into Brown’s bloodstream, the mammoth blocker passed out at a Cleveland hospital. He was shelved — via a second stint on the Raiders’ reserve/COVID-19 list — for another five games after missing the Browns contest on Nov. 1, 2020. Brown spent three days in the hospital before returning to Las Vegas.

“That was different. Coming off of COVID and then just expecting to play a game, and then make it all the way to the city, to the game, to the locker room,” Brown said. “And I’m going through my normal routine, getting an IV, and to just pass out and almost going into cardiac arrest was crazy.

“To kind of come back and play against the Browns [last week], I thought was pretty cool, because I almost died before we played them last year. When I was laid out on the floor, I definitely thought about my kids. I even thought about retiring, honestly. It was that scary. I was about to be done with it. Then after it kind of settled down a bit, I was fine.”

The Raiders traded Brown back to the Patriots in March, but the seventh-year tackle has played fewer than 100 snaps this season. Brown was ready to go by Week 1, but seven snaps into New England’s opener, the first-string right tackle suffered a new calf injury. He did not return until Week 10. Brown did play 69 snaps in the Pats’ win over the Browns upon returning, however.

Although Brown signed a four-year, $66MM deal with the Raiders that ran through the 2022 season, he and the Patriots agreed on a restructure that has the 6-foot-8 lineman on track for free agency in March.

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