HEADLINES

Month: October 2024

Broncos LB Jonas Griffith Dislocates Elbow

August 25th, 2022 at 11:00am CST by Rory Parks

AUGUST 25: In a surprising yet encouraging update, head coach Nathaniel Hackett stated (via the team’s website) that the injury is not nearly as significant as originally thought. “Yeah, we’re definitely hoping for Jonas to be [ready for] Week 1, that’s kind of our aiming point ,” Hackett said. “We very much dodged a bullet on that one.” Griffith being ready in time to start the regular season (or at least miss less time than initially feared) would be a significant boost to the Broncos’ defense.

AUGUST 14: Broncos linebacker Jonas Griffith sustained a dislocated elbow during the team’s preseason victory over the Cowboys on Saturday, as Mike Klis of 9News.com tweets. Griffith is expected to miss the next four to six weeks, so his availability for the first several games of the regular season is in doubt.

The 25-year-old ‘backer entered the league as a UDFA with the 49ers and joined the Broncos via minor trade last August. He saw his first professional defensive snap in Week 14 of the 2021 season and performed quite well down the stretch, compiling 45 tackles — including four for loss and 5.5 run “stuffs” — in the final five games of the year.

He carried that momentum into spring work in 2022, taking first-team reps during OTAs and training camp. He and Josey Jewell have been viewed as the starting ILB tandem for months.

GM George Paton did not do much to address his team’s inside linebacker position this offseason, aside from re-signing Jewell and signing former Eagles LB Alex Singleton to a modest contract. He did not draft an ILB, and he did not retain players like Alexander Johnson, Kenny Young, and Micah Kiser (perhaps due to his confidence in Griffith).

Singleton, however, was Philadelphia’s leading tackler over the past two seasons, and he is the most likely Griffith replacement. While Singleton’s work in coverage is generally poor, he should be effective in Denver’s base packages, which is where Griffith is expected to see most of his action anyway.

Klis also names 2020 fifth-rounder Justin Strnad, who started fives games last year, as a candidate to see more snaps in Griffith’s absence, and he suggests that the Broncos could explore a reunion with Johnson (Twitter link). Singleton, whose contract includes a playtime incentive, may now have a better chance to cash in on that incentive.

L.J. Collier On Seahawks’ Roster Bubble?

August 25th, 2022 at 10:08am CST by Adam La Rose

Things haven’t gone according to plan for the Seahawks with respect to former first-rounder L.J. Collier. The defensive lineman has one year remaining on his rookie contract, but might not spend it in Seattle. 

As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes, Collier’s hold on a roster spot is “more uncertain than ever.” The team’s top pick in 2019, he made just three tackles in 11 games as a rookie. Things changed the following season, however, when he started all 16 contests, registering 22 tackles and three sacks. That led to optimism he had turned a corner, but the 2021 campaign was a different story.

The TCU product came off the bench in 10 games last season, an underwhelming point in his brief NFL tenure. As a result, he found himself in trade talks in the weeks leading up to the deadline. Seattle held on to him, but, to no surprise, they declined his fifth-year option this offseason. Training camp has been disappointing and marked by injury, leaving little in the way of optimism amongst the team’s coaches.

“Right now, I mean, it’s difficult,” defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt said when asked about seeing a fit for Collier in the team’s new 3-4 scheme. “He was doing a nice job while he was out there on the field and he was healthy. But it’s a tough deal — I tell guys all the time, ‘It’s hard to make the club when you are in the tub.’ You’ve got to be out there and ready to go. When he’s out there practicing he gives great effort. But it’s tough.”

The Seahawks could rotate the 26-year-old at end and tackle with the new alignment, but Collier would have a number of players ahead of him on the depth chart at each spot. The team’s preseason finale could represent a final opportunity to earn a 53-man roster spot, but head coach Pete Carroll indicated that it remains unclear if the elbow injury he suffered earlier this month will be healed in time for him to play.

Especially is he doesn’t suit up, Collier could become the first Seahawks first-rounder in the Carroll/John Schneider era to fail to see out his rookie deal with the team. Seattle would save $986K by releasing him, but doing so would leave them with a dead cap charge of over $2.4MM. Collier’s name will be one to watch closely when final roster cuts are made next week.

Cowboys LT Tyron Smith Tears Hamstring

August 25th, 2022 at 9:15am CST by Sam Robinson

9:15am: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Smith’s injury is an avulsion fracture of the knee, similar to the one which ended Jets tackle Mekhi Becton‘s year. The required surgery will keep him out until at least December, though it remains in doubt if Smith plays at all in 2022.

1:03am: The Cowboys will be without their All-Pro left tackle for a lengthy stretch. Tyron Smith suffered a torn hamstring during the team’s Wednesday practice, Todd Archer and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com report.

Smith’s latest injury could sideline him for months. This will mark the second severe Smith injury in three seasons; he missed 14 games in 2020 due to a neck injury. This latest Smith health-related development is a massive blow to the Cowboys’ offense, which was already set to begin the season without key personnel. More tests are on tap Thursday.

Going into his 12th season as Dallas’ left tackle, Smith is on the back nine of what could well be a Hall of Fame career. The former first-round pick landed on the 2010s’ All-Decade team and has eight Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro nods on his resume. Following the 2020 neck injury, Smith returned to the Pro Bowl last season. But injuries have steadily dogged the veteran blocker. He has missed 32 games over the past six seasons, including six last year.

Dallas has Smith tied to the same contract he signed way back in 2014 — the oldest active NFL deal — but began preparing for the future this year. The team drafted Tulsa tackle Tyler Smith in Round 1. The younger Smith was expected to line up alongside the 31-year-old vet, competing for left guard duty. But a future move to left tackle — his college position — is in the cards. That future could begin early. Two seasons remain on Tyron Smith‘s 10-year deal.

Tyler Smith was not a lock to beat out veteran guard Connor McGovern for the left guard job, with Mike McCarthy indicating Wednesday that McGovern would win that job if the season started today. But Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News notes the rookie made a strong case for the gig during Dallas’ second preseason game. Tyler Smith has also missed recent practice time with an ankle malady.

Eric Fisher resides as a tackle who could generate interest as a stopgap, if the Cowboys do not want to turn to their first-round rookie just yet. Fisher is a nine-year starter who spent 2021 as the Colts’ first-stringer. Jason Peters and Nate Solder are also unsigned. The former, despite turning 40 this year, said during the offseason he hoped to play this season.

The Cowboys are turning to 2020 starter Terence Steele at right tackle, where he will replace longtime starter La’el Collins. The team used a fifth-round pick on tackle Matt Waletzko and has second-year tackle Josh Ball in the picture as well. They also will begin the season without wideouts Michael Gallup and James Washington.

J.C. Tretter Retires

August 25th, 2022 at 8:13am CST by Adam La Rose

After his release from the Browns earlier this offseason, J.C. Tretter represented one of the top centers on the open market. Having failed to land on a roster, the veteran is retiring, reports Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network (on Twitter). 

In his official announcement, Tretter reflected on his commitment to converting to offensive line to land in the NFL, saying that “I am proud of what I’ve accomplished… I feel like if my 31-year-old self could talk to my 20-year-old self, I could earnestly tell him that we did it. We did everything we said we’d do and more” (Twitter link).

Tretter was a fourth-round pick of the Packers in 2013. Over that time, he grew into a starting role, leading him to Cleveland in free agency. For the past five seasons, he had been a model of consistency in the middle of the team’s offensive line, missing just one game over that span and logging over 1,000 snaps every year.

In a cost-cutting move at the start of free agency, though, the Browns released the Cornell alum, freeing up more than $8MM in cap space. He was expected to generate a relatively significant market for himself given the lack of more established options in free agency, along with injuries suffered by the likes of Ryan Jensen. Instead, not much traction was gained from outside teams, and the Browns were prepared to give the starting role to Nick Harris. 

Even after Harris suffered a season-ending injury, a reunion with Cleveland was deemed unlikely. Tretter’s status as president of the NFLPA reportedly caused tension between himself and the organization, and was thought to be chief among the reasons he was unable to land on a roster throughout the summer. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones tweets that Tretter will stay on as president of the union.

With Tretter off the table as a fill-in for Harris, the Browns will move forward with veteran Ethan Pocic at the pivot. Other veterans still available include Matt Paradis, Trey Hopkins and Billy Price; they could start to see offers (from Cleveland or elsewhere) given Tretter’s decision to join fellow veteran center Alex Mack in retirement.

Tretter will end his career with more than $44.5MM in total earnings, an impressive sum for a player who never made a Pro Bowl appearance. His attention can now turn exclusively to working with the NFLPA, which he has headed since 2020.

Bolts’ J.C. Jackson Undergoes Ankle Surgery

August 24th, 2022 at 10:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 24: Providing further context on the matter, head coach Brandon Staley explained that the procedure was not undertaken to heal an injury. “It’s more of a comfort level when he will decelerate at times. It’s just more about his peace of mind moving forward, to do it now… He tried the rehab part of it and an injection and he just felt like if we can get this thing done that he’s going to be full speed and there’s no turning back. And again, I can’t state it enough, there’s not an injury with his ankle” (Twitter links via The Athletic’s Daniel Popper).

AUGUST 23: The Chargers may be without their well-paid cornerback acquisition to start the season. J.C. Jackson underwent ankle surgery Tuesday in New York.

The former Patriots corner faces a two- to four-week recovery timetable, making him iffy for the Bolts’ regular-season opener. No roster move involving Jackson will be made until the team sets its 53-man squad, though it is unlikely — barring a setback — Jackson will need to be placed on IR to start the season. This procedure can be categorized as a scope, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Jackson left New England for Los Angeles after the Bolts authorized a five-year, $82.5MM deal. That pact came with $40MM fully guaranteed and $28MM in Year 1. The former UDFA has intercepted 17 passes over the past two seasons; his 23 passes defensed led the league in 2021. Jackson also closed his Patriots career having not missed a game over the past three seasons.

This year’s Bolts season starts off with key games. The Chargers open the season against the Raiders and then travel to Kansas City for a Thursday-night game in Week 2. Not having Jackson against a reloaded Raiders offense or against perennial MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes would certainly test the Chargers, though L.A. does have some returning starters at the position.

Michael Davis is the frontrunner to be the team’s outside corner starter opposite Jackson, having moved ahead of former second-round pick Asante Samuel Jr. for that gig. Jackson’s injury opens the door to a configuration of Davis, Samuel and slot Bryce Callahan. The latter’s rampant injury troubles also make Samuel a candidate to see slot duty.

NFL Workouts: Seahawks, Jets, Commanders, Texans

August 24th, 2022 at 9:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Seahawks may be close to bringing Kenny Young back to the NFC West. Seattle hosted the veteran linebacker on a visit over the weekend, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter).

The 27-year-old began his career with the Ravens in 2018. By the midway point of his second season, however, he had been traded to the Rams, with whom he made 13 starts in 32 appearances. This past October, the UCLA product found himself being traded again, this time to the Broncos.

Young’s tenure in Denver – only six games in length, but one which saw him play the second-highest snap share of his career – landed him a contract with the Raiders in May. He was released last week, however, leaving him in need of a new landing spot. The Seahawks are projected to start Jordyn Brooks and Cody Barton at linebacker this season, but they could use depth at the second level after parting ways with Bobby Wagner and electing not to reunite with K.J. Wright this offseason.

Here’s a quick round-up of some other recent workouts around the NFL:

  • A pair of defensive tackles also held visits. Per Yates, the Jets hosted Sheldon Day this past weekend (Twitter link). A fourth-round pick of the Jaguars in 2016, the 28-year-old lasted less than two years in Duval County; he is best known for his time spent with the 49ers. After two-plus seasons in San Francisco, the journeyman has most recently played with the Colts and Browns.
  • The Commanders likewise met with former first-rounder Malcom Brown. A consistent contributor with the Patriots to start his career (totaling 186 tackles and 8.5 sacks), the Texas alum has since spent time with the Saints and Jaguars, starting every game he appeared in along the way. His career-high 57 tackles last season point to a continued ability against the run, though Washington boasts a deep defensive line which would likely leave Brown with a diminished role.
  • Lastly, the Texans could have a new kicker in the near future. Ka’imi Fairbairn has suffered a minor injury which will cause him to at least miss the team’s preseason finale tomorrow (Twitter link via Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson). In need of a short-term replacement, Houston worked out Matt Ammendola today. The 25-year-old made 11 appearances with the Jets as a rookie last year, converting 13 of 19 field goals (68.4%). He also visited the Packers earlier this week, as they remain unsure if Mason Crosby will be able to suit up for Week 1. With the Texans now in a similar situation, Ammendola could have multiple suitors.

Texans Release CB Fabian Moreau

August 24th, 2022 at 8:49pm CST by Adam La Rose

Fabian Moreau was in line to be a complimentary member of the Texans’ CB room this season, but that will not happen. The team announced on Wednesday that they have released the veteran. 

Moreau signed with Houston at the end of May, his second consecutive one-year free agent deal. The former third-rounder had registered 18 starts in his four seasons in Washington, racking up six interceptions and 14 pass breakups. That led him to the Falcons last offseason.

Starting opposite A.J. Terrell, the 28-year-old logged more than 1,000 snaps for the first time in his career, setting a new personal mark with 11 PBUs as well. However, he struggled in coverage, allowing an opposing passer rating of 115 and surrendering eight touchdowns. That hindered his free agent market, leading to just a $2MM contract with the Texans.

Houston had also signed Steven Nelson as a starting-caliber veteran to pair with No. 3 pick Derek Stingley Jr. This moves cements their status at the top of the depth chart; the Texans will also lean on Desmond King in the slot, along with Tavierre Thomas as an experienced rotational player.

Stingley comes with injury concerns dating back to his last two years in college, of course, but he has the upside to help accelerate the Texans’ rebuild if sufficiently insulated by the team’s remaining veterans. With final roster cuts just days away, meanwhile, Moreau will now look to find a new NFL home.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/22

August 24th, 2022 at 7:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s minor moves around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos 

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The biggest storyline of the day for the Giants was the injury to Johnson, but they have been busy at other positions as well. Hand was a fifth-round pick of the Vikings in 2020, making 23 appearances during his time there. He primarily played on special teams, but registered an interception and three pass breakups as a rookie. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News tweets that Minnesota was interested in re-signing him had he cleared waivers.

The release of Akins is somewhat surprising, given the Giants’ question marks at the tight end position. The former Texans third-rounder signed just before the draft, where New York added Daniel Bellinger in the fourth round. The latter had a brief stint on the PUP list at the start of training camp, but, if healthy, could be the favorite to take on Evan Engram‘s vacated starting spot.

Falcons’ Deion Jones Returns To Practice

August 24th, 2022 at 6:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons had a familiar face back at practice on Wednesday. The team activated linebacker Deion Jones from the PUP list, per James Palmer of NFL Network (Twitter link). 

Jones had been sidelined throughout training camp as a result of offseason shoulder surgery. The procedure was deemed a relatively minor one, but it marked another chapter in the veteran’s uneasy relationship with the team. His contract – which has two years remaining on it, and carries a team-leading $20MM cap charge this season – represents the largest impediment to the team being able to trade him.

The former Pro Bowler is facing competition at the position in the form of Rashaan Evans and Mykal Walker to regain his starting role. Jones has started all but two of his 85 career games in Atlanta, but downplayed the significance of returning farther down the depth chart than he has ever been.

“Every year, I come in and compete for my spot,” he said, via D. Orlando Lebetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Every year, we come in and we compete for our spots. So, I’m good with it. It is what it is.”

When asked about the persistent trade speculation which has surrounded him this offseason, Jones added, “I had no question about me being back here. I figured I was going to be back here. I was just getting my mindset ready and my body ready to come back… I’m not on social media during the offseason. But, yeah, if I would have known something, it was something serious, [head coach Arthur] Smith would have called me.”

The rebuilding Falcons also have second-round rookie Troy Anderson and free agent signing Nick Kwiatkoski rounding out the LB depth chart. Where Jones fits in amongst his teammates – and any developments on the trade front now that he is healthy – will be worth watching in the build-up to the season.

Giants WR Collin Johnson Suffers Torn Achilles

August 24th, 2022 at 4:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

The injuries continue to pile up for the Giants. Per a team announcement, wide receiver Collin Johnson has suffered a torn Achilles. As a result, he will miss the entire 2022 campaign. 

[RELATED: Giants WR Shepard To Resume Practicing]

A 2020 fifth-round pick out of Texas, Johnson put up relatively modest numbers in college (with the exception of his junior season). Still, he carried significant intrigue due to his size; at six-foot-six and more than 220 pounds, he had the potential to operate as at least a contested-catch specialist in the NFL.

As a rookie with the Jaguars, Johnson made 18 catches for 272 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He finished the year on IR, however, and found himself on waivers the following September. With the Giants last season, he made just 11 scoreless catches in 12 games. Nevertheless, his performances in training camp and the preseason had him on track to retain a roster spot behind the likes of Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard and rookie Wan’Dale Robinson.

Johnson will become the sixth Giant to land on IR already, but the team has quickly taken steps to replace him. New York is claiming wideouts Bailey Gaither and Jaylon Moore off waivers from the Ravens, per ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link). The pair have combined to make just seven regular season appearances, but could latch onto the end of the roster with Johnson’s injury.

Per Yates, the Giants also placed receiver Marcus Kemp on IR. The 27-year-old has made all but one of his regular season appearances with the Chiefs to date, playing almost exclusively on special teams. The Giants will head towards final roster cuts looking to avoid any further lengthy absences, while trying to fill out the backend of their WR depth chart.

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