HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Bengals’ Joe Mixon Tests Positive For COVID-19

January 5th, 2022 at 10:47am CST by Zachary Links

Bengals running back Joe Mixon has tested positive today for COVID-19 (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Even under the league’s revised COVID-19 guidelines, Mixon will not be able to play on Sunday against the Browns. 

The Bengals have already clinched their playoff berth along with the AFC North, so Sunday’s game won’t carry too much weight. For what it’s worth, they still technically have a chance at securing a first-round bye, though that’ll require a win and losses from the Titans, Chiefs, and Patriots. Per the stats at FiveThirtyEight, the Bengals have a 3% chance of pulling it off.

Mixon, 25, has a career-high 1,205 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns through 16 games. He’s also added 42 grabs for 314 yards and three receiving touchdowns for good measure. Those are the kind of numbers the Bengals were hoping for when they inked him to a four-year, $48MM deal back in 2020, even if it’s less efficient than his 4.9 ypc in 2018.

On top of Mixon, the Bengals will be short-staffed on both sides of the ball this week. On Tuesday, the club placed safety Vonn Bell, linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, defensive end Trey Hendrickson, center Trey Hopkins, and guard Quinton Spain on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Latest On Titans’ Derrick Henry

January 5th, 2022 at 9:05am CST by Zachary Links

Derrick Henry is expected to practice with the Titans on Wednesday (Twitter link via Dianna Russini of ESPN.com). This marks yet another step forward for the star running back who is expected to be a full go for the playoffs.

[RELATED: Titans Cut Golden Tate]

There’s even a chance that Henry could play against the Texans in the season finale, Russini hears, though that’s thought to be something of a long shot. The Titans, of course, will be heavily favored with or without Henry, but they can clinch the AFC’s only first-round bye with a win.

Henry has been out since October after undergoing foot surgery. At the time of his injury in Week 8, he led the league in rushing yards (937) and rushing touchdowns (10). Extrapolated for a full season, that would have given Henry 2,027 rushing yards — enough to put him in Eric Dickerson territory, albeit with an extra game — and 17 touchdowns.

If Henry doesn’t play on Sunday, the Titans will continue to use D’Onta Foreman as their lead rusher. Foreman alone could be enough to give Houston fits, as shown by his 132-yard performance against the Dolphins last week.

This Date In Transactions History: Tom Coughlin, Giants Part Ways

January 4th, 2022 at 9:26pm CST by Ben Levine

Six years ago today, the Tom Coughlin era in New York came to an end. On January 4th, 2016, we learned that the Giants and their Super Bowl-winning head coach were parting ways.

Following a relatively successful stint as the Jaguars head coach, Coughlin joined the Giants in 2004. During his first five season at the helm, the Giants won 47 regular season games, made four postseason appearances, and won a Super Bowl. After dropping to 8-8 in 2009, they rebounded with 10 wins in 2010 before earning another ring in 2011. At that point of time, it seemed inconceivable that the organization would let go of their head coach.

However, after falling to 9-7 in 2012, the Giants failed to finish above .500 between 2013 and 2015, averaging 6.33 wins per season during that three-year span. Following a 6-10 2015 campaign that featured a handful of miserable losses, the writing was clearly on the wall. There were whispers that the Giants were prepared to move on from Coughlin, but naturally, the organization allowed the successful coach to save face. So, on this date six years ago, Coughlin announced that he was stepping down from his position after the two sides decided to part ways.

“I met with John Mara and Steve Tisch this afternoon, and I informed them that it is in the best interest of the organization that I step down as head coach,” Coughlin said in a statement. “I strongly believe the time is right for me and my family, and as I said, the Giants organization.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as head coach of the New York Football Giants. This is a not a sad occasion for me. I have spent 15 years with this organization as an assistant and head coach and was fortunate to be part of three Super Bowl winning teams. A Lombardi Trophy every five years is an achievement in which we all take great pride.”

And like that, the then-third-longest-tenured head coach in the NFL was out in New York. While Coughlin seemed to hint at wanting time away from the game, he was immediately connected to a number of coaching gigs. At different points, Coughlin was connected to HC jobs with the Eagles (a job that he reportedly could have had), 49ers, and the Jaguars. Jacksonville quickly pivoted their focus and pursued Coughlin as a top executive … a position he eventually accepted. In 2017, Coughlin was hired as the Jaguars new Executive Vice President of Football Operations, a role that required him to oversee the front office (including GM Dave Caldwell). While the former coach didn’t technically have any executive experience, he essentially acted as the Jaguars’ general manager during his first stint with the organization.

Things went great during Coughlin’s first season back in Jacksonville, as the Jaguars reached the AFC Championship for the first time since Coughlin was head coach. After Jacksonville won 10 regular season games during that 2017 run, they only managed to win 11 games over the next two seasons. Off the field, matters were worse. Players were fined hundreds of thousands of dollars during offseasons (leading to the NFLPA winning a grievance against the organization), and the old-school leader was the driving force behind Jalen Ramsey‘s decision to request a trade. Further, Coughlin was criticized for his handling of the quarterback position; while he wasn’t with the organization when the Jaguars selected Blake Bortles, he authorized the QB’s three-year, $54MM extension. Further, among Coughlin’s 21 draft picks, only two made Pro Bowls, and he also selected RB Leonard Fournette with his first draft selection (No. 4 in 2017, ahead of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, no less).

Coughlin was ultimately canned by the Jaguars at the end of that 2019 campaign. When he was fired, ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen said “there is plenty of football left in Tom Coughlin.” We haven’t heard much from the 75-year-old since that time, and it remains to be seen whether his name will be tossed around for any HC vacancies this offseason. Speaking of, in the six seasons since Coughlin left New York, the Giants have shuffled through three head coaches, with Joe Judge currently on the hot seat. Interesting…

49ers Add CB Darqueze Dennard To Practice Squad

January 4th, 2022 at 6:27pm CST by Ben Levine

The 49ers have added a former first-round pick to their practice squad. The team announced that they’ve signed veteran cornerback Darqueze Dennard to the taxi squad. The team also added veteran running back Brian Hill and released punter Colby Wadman.

Dennard was a first-round pick by the Bengals back in 2014. While he ended up spending six seasons in Cincinnati, he only started 24 of his 77 games. He caught on with the Falcons in 2020, finishing with 36 tackles in eight games (six starts). He’s had stints with the Cardinals, Colts, and Giants in 2021, with his only playing time coming in Week 16 with New York. 49ers defensive backs Jimmie Ward and Dontae Johnson recently landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so there’s a chance Dennard sees some playing time during San Francisco’s regular season finale.

Hill had a career-high 664 yards from scrimmage with the Falcons in 2020, but he’s been unable to hold a gig in 2021. The 26-year-old has spent time with the Titans, Browns, and 49ers, but he didn’t take the field for any of those squads. RB Raheem Mostert was recently placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting his availability for Sunday in doubt.

Waldman joined the 49ers in late December. Regular punter Mitch Wishnowsky has since cleared reserve/COVID-19 lists, leading to Waldman’s release.

Buccaneers Still Haven’t Cut WR Antonio Brown

January 4th, 2022 at 5:00pm CST by Ben Levine

As of this moment, Antonio Brown is still on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For the second day in a row, the wideout didn’t make an appearance on the NFL’s transaction report, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

[RELATED: Buccaneers To Cut Antonio Brown]

On Sunday, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians indicated that Brown’s stint with the organization had come to an end, but the actual transaction has yet to take place. Per Mark Maske of The Washington Post (via Twitter), the Buccaneers are still talking with the NFL about how they should proceed. The organization is specifically concerned with “procedural issues and which designation” they should use on the wideout, and the Buccaneers’ inquiry has made its way to the NFL Players Association.

Meanwhile, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times confirms (on Twitter) what most have suspected: the Buccaneers don’t want Brown to be claimed by another squad. The reporter opines that the organization could ultimately turn to the personal conduct policy’s “Conduct Detrimental clause” as a way to avoid any guaranteed money.

To review: Brown and Arians reportedly had a spat on the sideline during Sunday’s win over the Jets, with Brown refusing to enter the game due to his injured ankle. Brown proceeded to emphatically exit the game, and Arians later indicated that Brown was no longer a member of the organization. Fast forward 48 hours, and Brown still hasn’t earned his walking papers. Brown’s camp is now claiming that the receiver was truly concerned about his ankle, and if Brown decides to stick to that story, that could be another explanation for the lack of a transaction.

Giants Cut Isaiah Wilson

January 4th, 2022 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants have released offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson from the practice squad, per a club announcement. The former Titans first-round pick is now free to sign with any of the league’s other 31 teams. 

Wilson auditioned for the Giants in September and showed enough to earn a spot on the 16-man taxi squad. That’s where he’s been ever since, but he’s yet to see live action in 2021. Of course, the NFL had higher hopes for him last year when the Titans made him the No. 29 overall pick in the draft.

To date, Wilson has just one pro appearance (with four snaps) to his credit. After his rookie year, the Titans effectively gave him to the Dolphins in a swap of seventh-round picks. Sometime after that, he was arrested for a high-speed chase, leading the Dolphins to cut bait as well.

It’s hard to imagine any playoff-bound team adding Wilson to the 53-man roster, but it’s possible that another club could audition him with an eye on 2022. The rest of Giants, meanwhile, will close out the season against Washington on Sunday.

Titans Cut Golden Tate

January 4th, 2022 at 3:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Titans announced a number of roster moves today, including the release of Golden Tate from the practice squad. Meanwhile, defensive back Chris Jones and linebacker Joe Jones have been jettisoned from the 53-man roster. 

[RELATED: Titans’ Dupree Charged With Misdemeanor]

Tate, once one of the league’s best wide receivers, has yet to see live action in 2021. After spending much of the year out of football, he inked a taxi squad deal with the Titans.

For one reason or another, the Hendersonville, Tennessee native wasn’t able to earn a promotion. From 2014-17 Tate had at least 1,000 yards in three of four seasons. His Giants tenure was less noteworthy, but he still managed 84 catches for 1,064 yards and eight touchdowns between 2019 and 2020. Now, at the age of 33 (34 in August), it’s possible that Tate has reached the end of the line.

In related moves, the Titans have also dropped defensive back Rodney Clemons and defensive back Shyheim Carter from the 16-man practice squad.

Cardinals Add Bashaud Breeland To Practice Squad

January 4th, 2022 at 3:14pm CST by Zachary Links

It took a little longer than expected, but the Cardinals have signed Bashaud Breeland. On Tuesday, the cornerback agreed to join Arizona’s practice squad, per a club announcement. 

Breeland verbally agreed to join the Cardinals’ 53-man roster last week, but a positive COVID-19 test put those plans on hold. Now, after the Cards’ 25-22 victory over the Cowboys, he may be called up for the season finale against the Seahawks. The Cardinals have already clinched their playoff spot, but they can take the NFC West with a win, plus a Rams loss.

The Cardinals have been on the lookout for cornerback depth ever since Robert Alford‘s season-ending injury. On top of that, Marco Wilson‘s status is still in flux thanks to his ailing shoulder.

Breeland, 29, offers plenty of big-game experience to offset his iffy 2021 with Minnesota. The veteran notched 63 tackles and two interceptions across 13 games for the Vikings this season, up until their messy divorce in December. For what it’s worth, PFF has ranked as one of the NFL’s worst qualified corners this year.

Jim Harbaugh Mulling NFL Return?

January 4th, 2022 at 2:44pm CST by Zachary Links

In recent weeks, we’ve heard that NFL teams could be eyeing Jim Harbaugh as a head coaching candidate. Now, according to sources who spoke with The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, it appears that the interest is mutual. 

“I think it’s real,” said one source in the know, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

This isn’t the first time that Harbaugh has been connected to a potential NFL return. In late 2020, Harbaugh was said to be thinking about bailing on Ann Arbor, up he publicly vowed to stay with the Wolverines.

“Yeah, that question does come up and I tell ’em, my plan is, committed to Michigan,” Harbaugh said, referring conversations with recruits. “Have been, am and will remain. As far as the (contract), [athletic director Warde Manuel] and I will talk at the end of the season on the current contract. That’s the truth. That’s where it stands.”

Feldman speculates that Harbaugh’s ties to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and owner Mark Davis could make him a natural fit. Then again, interim head coach Rich Bisaccia has them riding a three-game winning streak heading into the regular season finale. Even if that job doesn’t become available, Feldman notes that the Bears could be a solid fit for the 58-year-old.

Harbaugh established himself as a top-tier coach with the 49ers, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance plus two NFC title games. His Niners went just 8-8 in his final season (2014) but, overall, he owns a career 44-19-1 regular season record.

Jaguars, Jim Caldwell To Meet On Tuesday

January 4th, 2022 at 2:33pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are meeting with Jim Caldwell today to discuss their head coaching vacancy, according to Eugene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link). Caldwell is the second candidate to interview with Jacksonville, following last week’s chat with ex-Eagles HC Doug Pederson.

[RELATED: Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order]

There will be plenty more interviews to come as the Jaguars have already requested sit-downs with at least eight candidates:

Caldwell, 66, served as the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach in 2019 before health issues forced him to step aside. Fortunately, he’s said to be back to full health now. Between his time with the Colts and Lions, Caldwell owns a career 62-50 record as a head coach with four playoff berths and one Super Bowl appearance.

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