NFL Preseason Rumors: Workout, Injuries

The Texans released defensive end Jordan Jenkins this week and there will likely be plenty of interest in the six-year veteran as rosters start to come together. The first bite on the line came rather quickly as Jenkins went to Las Vegas to work out with the Raiders today, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.

Jenkins was a five-year starter for the Jets after being selected in the third-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. It took some time for Jenkins to find his footing, but he exploded onto the scene over the 2018 & 2019 seasons. After only recording 5.5 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits in his first two seasons, Jenkins broke out with 15.0 sacks, 15.0 tackles for loss, and 28 quarterback hits over the next two years. Jenkins also has a tendency for causing turnovers over his career with seven forced fumbles and five recoveries to date.

The Raiders are strong atop the depth chart with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones starting and Clelin Ferrell coming off the bench. The depth behind those three, though, could be significantly improved if they can add the best version of Jenkins. Jenkins didn’t start any games for the Texans last year and struggled with injuries during his final year in New York. But if he can bounce back to his 2018-19 form, Jenkins and the Raiders might be a perfect match.

Here are a couple of updates surrounding some injuries from around the NFL this preseason:

• Panthers center Bradley Bozeman suffered an ankle injury in practice yesterday and may lose out on the starting job because of it. After starting the last three years on Baltimore’s offensive line (the first two at left guard and the third at center), Bozeman was brought in to compete with Pat Elflein for the starting center job in Carolina. It seems he’ll lose some ground in that battle as head coach Matt Rhule announced that Bozeman will likely be out two to three weeks because of the injury, according to Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus.
• Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas is out indefinitely after suffering a pulled quadriceps muscle, according to a tweet from Wilson. Thomas started eight games last year for the Texans after coming over from Cleveland. The former special teams ace has begun to carve out a role in the secondary during his time in Houston. When given the opportunity last year, Thomas recorded his first two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and four passes defensed.
• A promising rookie season for Colts’ sixth-round pick Andrew Ogletree ended today before it could even begin after the tight end tore his ACL at practice, according to the Indy Star’s Joel A. Erickson. The 24-year-old out of Youngstown State impressed in camp this summer and was hoping to compete for the backup tight end job behind Mo Alie-Cox.