HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Bucs’ Akiem Hicks Facing Extended Absence

September 20th, 2022 at 4:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Akiem Hicks could be looking at an IR stint. The Buccaneers defensive lineman suffered a torn plantar fascia, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) he will miss at least a month.

The Bucs still have most of their Super Bowl LV starters on defense, but Hicks joined as a free agent this offseason. He and Logan Ryan represent two experienced veterans now part of Tampa Bay’s talented defense. But the longtime Bears defender will be out of the mix for a while.

The foot injury forced Hicks out of action against the Saints on Sunday; he played 19 defensive snaps. This will mark a third time in four seasons in which an injury will sideline Hicks for an extended period. Groin and ankle maladies shelved the former Pro Bowler last season — a nine-game campaign — while an elbow injury limited Hicks to just five games in 2019.

Tampa Bay has second-round rookie Logan Hall as its likely top Hicks replacement. The team brought back veteran William Gholston and has nose tackle Vita Vea healthy. Hall is not a one-for-one Hicks replacement, however, with the latter weighing north of 330 pounds. In Vea and Hicks, the Bucs had a mammoth interior tandem in place. It will be an adjustment for Todd Bowles‘ defense, though Vea’s presence makes a Hicks absence easier to withstand.

Having allowed just 13 points, the Bucs lead the NFL in scoring defense. They had Hicks ticketed to fill the void created by Ndamukong Suh‘s departure. Suh had been a Bucs starter for three seasons, never missing a game. The team opted to let the All-Decade defensive tackle walk in free agency. Although Suh said he had spoken with Bucs coaches about re-signing, the team pivoted to Hicks on a one-year, $8MM deal ($6.5MM guaranteed). Suh, 34, remains unsigned.

Rams Place CB Troy Hill On IR, Promote G Oday Aboushi

September 20th, 2022 at 3:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams will not have their primary slot cornerback available for a while. Troy Hill sustained a groin injury during the team’s Week 2 win over the Falcons; the veteran defender is now on IR.

Hill and Week 2’s right guard option — Tremayne Anchrum — are now on the four-week injury list. Veteran guard Oday Aboushi, who joined the Rams’ practice squad last week, is now on the defending champions’ 53-man roster.

Reacquired via trade on Day 3 of the draft, Hill re-emerged in his old gig in Los Angeles to start the season. Hill, 31, played 95% of the Rams’ defensive snaps in Week 1 but left their Week 2 game early. Cobie Durant replaced Hill, but Sean McVay said a hamstring injury could keep him out against the Cardinals as well. Robert Rochell and sixth-round rookie Derion Kendrick represent the team’s top other options here, should Durant not be able to go.

Anchrum became the latest Rams offensive lineman to go down; McVay confirmed the third-year blocker is out for the season. Anchrum, a 2020 seventh-round pick, suffered a fractured fibula Sunday. The Rams had Anchrum, third-round rookie Logan Bruss and veteran Coleman Shelton competing for the right guard job this summer. None of the three are available for that gig presently. Bruss (ACL, MCL tears) is out for the season; Shelton slid to center to replace Brian Allen, who suffered an injury in Week 1. Allen is not on IR, however. His return would shift Shelton back to right guard.

Second-year UDFA Alaric Jackson stepped in at right guard against the Falcons, but Aboushi is far more experienced. A starter for six teams during a nine-year career, Aboushi has 47 career first-string appearances. The 31-year-old blocker could join an ultra-exclusive club by starting for a seventh team. Considering the Rams’ situation, that may happen soon. Aboushi started five games for the Chargers last season, opening the year as their top right guard. An ACL tear ended that run. It will be interesting to see if the Rams move the veteran into their starting lineup this week, assuming Allen is not ready to return.

Mike Evans Issued One-Game Suspension; Bucs WR Will Appeal

September 20th, 2022 at 2:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 20: Evans is appealing the suspension, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The appeal will be heard Tuesday. Evans’ 2017 appeal did not lead to an overturned suspension. Considering the similarities between the 2017 incident that prompted a ban and Sunday’s Lattimore shove, Evans seeing this suspension vacated would surprise.

SEPTEMBER 19: The fallout from yesterday’s brawl in the Buccaneers-Saints game has begun. Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans has been given a one-game suspension for his role in the altercation, the NFL announced on Monday. 

The ban was handed down by VP of football operations Jon Runyan; in a letter to Evans, he wrote in part, “Your aggressive conduct could have caused serious injury to your opponent and clearly does not reflect the high standards of sportsmanship expected of a professional.”

This marks the second time that the 29-year-old has been suspended. He was also banned for one game in 2017 after a similar incident involving he and Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, a pair which have a long history with one another within the broader Buccaneers-Saints rivalry. Both Lattimore and Evans were ejected from yesterday’s game, but the latter expressed confidence that he would not be facing supplemental discipline.

“That was terrible – [in] 2017 I didn’t even get ejected and that was really a cheap shot,” Evans said after the game, via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell and Jenna Laine. “This wasn’t. [Lattimore] punched my teammate in the face and I just pushed him to the ground.”

Evans has the option of appealing the suspension, and is expected to do so, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter link). If the ban is upheld, he will lose just over $62K in salary, a by-product of his 2022 base salary being reduced to the league minimum. That would also leave the Buccaneers even more shorthanded at the position, though, as fellow starters Chris Godwin and Julio Jones were sidelined due to injuries yesterday.

No other suspensions have been levied, but fines affecting players on both teams are likely to be announced later this week, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). While the league continues to sort through the aftermath of yesterday’s events, attention will turn to Evans’ status as the Buccaneers prepare to play the Packers.

Commanders To Sign C Nick Martin

September 20th, 2022 at 11:45am CST by Adam La Rose

In response to losing their staring center for the foreseeable future, the Commanders are making an addition at the position. Washington has reached agreement on a deal with veteran Nick Martin, and will add him to the 53-man roster (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network). 

[RELATED: Commanders C Roullier Facing Extended Absence]

Martin, 29, was a second-round pick of the Texans in 2016, though he was sidelined until the 2017 campaign by an ankle injury. Throughout his four-year tenure in Houston, he started all 62 games he appeared in. He received middling overall PFF grades along the way, but was rated highly in pass protection in particular.

That earned him a three-year, $33MM extension in 2019. Despite remaining a starter after signing that deal, though, the Notre Dame alum was released in 2021. On the open market for the first time in his career, Martin joined the Raiders on a much less lucrative one-year contract that same offseason. Even in the absence of Rodney Hudson, Martin was unable to win the starting job, however, and played just seven offensive snaps during the campaign.

That resulted in a lengthy stay on the open market this summer, and a brief stint with the Saints. Martin was signed to New Orleans’ practice squad after roster cutdowns, but has since been released. He will look to return to playing form with Washington, something which will likely require some time given his status as a backup last season.

Martin will look to compete for the starting role vacated for, potentially, the entire season by Chase Roullier. The team’s list of internal replacement options is topped by fellow veteran Wes Schweitzer, who was reported yesterday to be the favorite to take over first-team pivot duties. He now has experienced competition to deal with, as the Commanders look to soften the blow of losing a key member of their offensive front.

Latest On Bills CB Dane Jackson

September 20th, 2022 at 10:09am CST by Adam La Rose

Last night’s Titans-Bills game featured a frightening moment when Bills cornerback Dane Jackson collided with teammate Tremaine Edmunds and suffered a neck injury in the process. He was ultimately taken off the field by an ambulance, leading to concerns about his short- and long-term health status. Encouraging reports have since come out on that front, however. 

Last night, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted that the 25-year-old underwent a CT scan and X-Ray, adding that he experienced full movement in his lower extremities. Adding to the positive news, Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo reports that Jackson walked out of the hospital this morning, and there is a belief that a major injury has been avoided (video link).

A team update indicates that he will undergo further evaluation today to determine the length of his absence. That will become an important piece of information, given the fact the Buffalo is already without No. 1 corner Tre’Davious White. He remains on the reserve/PUP list, having been placed there last month; that move ensured that the All-Pro would be sidelined for at least the first four games of the season while he continues to recover from a torn ACL.

That made Jackson’s role even more important for a Bills secondary which faced questions at the CB spot entering the season. The former seventh-rounder logged a 97% snap share and recorded an interception in Week 1, and was in line to continue operating as a full-time starter until the injury. Especially until White returns, Buffalo will lean heavily on rookies Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford.

In other injury news, Pro Bowl safety Micah Hyde also left the game with a neck injury, as detailed by ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg. His status will be worth monitoring, as will that of Jackson, who very much appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario in his situation.

Buccaneers To Sign WR Cole Beasley To Practice Squad

September 20th, 2022 at 8:52am CST by Adam La Rose

Cole Beasley‘s desire to land on a contending team and Tampa Bay’s uncertainty at the wide receiver position have resulted in a deal. The veteran is joining the Buccaneers’ practice squad with the expectation that he will soon be elevated to the 53-man roster, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link). 

Beasley, 33, was reported to be fielding offers last week. He is coming off of the least-productive of his three seasons in Buffalo, a campaign which still saw him make 82 catches, resulting in 693 yards and one touchdown. Overall, his Bills tenure demonstrated the durability and consistency he has become known for, making it little surprise that he was the subject of free agent interest.

Likewise, it was hardly newsworthy that the former UDFA was remaining patient on the open market while eyeing a spot on a Super Bowl-caliber team. Garafolo notes that Tom Brady made a push for Tampa Bay to add another veteran, and that Beasley was a preferred target of his. Beasley could see immediate playing time, given the team’s current lack of availability at wideout.

Both Chris Godwin and Julio Jones are nursing injuries which kept them sidelined for Tampa’s Week 2 games against the Saints, leaving their status for Week 3 uncertain. The same is also true of Mike Evans, who is appealing the one-game suspension he was issued yesterday for his involvement in the latest altercation between he and Marshon Lattimore. If he were to lose the appeal, Tampa could face the Packers on Sunday without all three starters.

In the absence of Godwin in particular, Beasley could find himself seeing a notable workload in the slot. He, along with Russell Gage, Breshad Perriman and Scotty Miller would constitute the pass-catching array available to Brady in at least the short-term. The latter in particular has been thought to be on the roster bubble dating back to the end of training camp, and played only a rotational role on Sunday despite the Buccaneers’ injuries.

This deal will surely come in at a far lower figure than the $7.6MM Beasley averaged per season with the Bills. Still, it could prove to be a fruitful investment for the team, and a rewarding commitment on his part.

Saints QB Jameis Winston Playing With Fractures In Spine

September 19th, 2022 at 9:54pm CST by Ely Allen

After making the long comeback from a torn ACL that ended his 2021 season prematurely, Saints quarterback Jameis Winston continues to display his grit and determination to compete. Winston reportedly played yesterday’s game against the Buccaneers with four fractures in his back. According to Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus, although there’s no risk of further injury, Winston is playing through lots of pain and is wearing extra pads to protect the area. 

Winston suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the team’s Week 1 win over Atlanta. He was escorted to the medical tent on the sideline before returning to the bench. Winston told reporters he was in pain and when asked to specify where, he responded, “Just pain. It was pain everywhere.”

Winston was listed as questionable after being limited all week in practice. The fractures are in the lumbar region of the spine, specifically in the L1, L2, L3, and L4 vertebrae, according to Jay Glazer of NFL on FOX. The team’s medical staff had Winston try out several varieties of pads that would protect that lower back region, but it seems that any measures or precautions are just targeting pain management at this point in time.

While the staff is doing all they can to protect Winston’s health, the offensive line seems to have other ideas. The Saints have rolled with a starting five of James Hurst, Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, and Ryan Ramczyk in the first two games of the season. Despite getting sacked four times and hit eight times, Winston was able to deliver a close win in Week 1 throwing for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Winston continued to get bombarded by an even tougher Buccaneers defense this week, taking on six sacks and getting hit nine times. The result was far less positive in the loss as Winston could only throw for 236 yards with just one touchdown to three interceptions.

Winston is showing he is a tough, strong football player, but if the Saints have any hopes of keeping the injury-riddled 28-year-old on the field all year, they are going to need significant improvements up front. If the offensive line can’t wait for players like rookie first-round pick Trevor Penning or former Chargers starter Forrest Lamp to come off injured reserve, they may need to figure out a way to scheme protection for their beleaguered quarterback from other positions.

Perhaps getting targets like running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith back on the field will help Winston get the ball out of his hands quick enough to avoid so much trauma. Both practiced a bit this week but were forced to sit out the game against Tampa Bay. Getting the offense around Winston healthy may be the key to keeping the ailing quarterback off the sideline for the season.

Giants DT Leonard Williams Sprains MCL

September 19th, 2022 at 8:26pm CST by Ely Allen

After getting knocked out of yesterday’s win over the Panthers, Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams underwent an MRI and other tests to determine how much time this injury would cost him, according to Josh Alper of NBC Sports. The results indicate that Williams suffered a sprained MCL, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 

Following the game, Williams spoke with the media and informed them that “he did not think the injury was a serious one.” While he is expected to miss some time, the resounding conclusion is that the Giants and their veteran lineman avoided a serious setback. Head coach Brian Daboll told the media that it was “better than it could be.”

While New York has seen a few injuries to the top end of its defensive line, this latest ailment might not be the worst timing. The team was without recent high draft picks Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was drafted fourth-overall this year, in their first two games of the season. Fortunately for the Giants, both Ojulari and Thibodeaux have been practicing and are expected to be available this week as New York looks to improve to 3-0 in a Monday night matchup with the division-rival Cowboys.

If Ojulari and Thibodeaux aren’t able to fill in completely for Williams, the Giants will look to former-Ravens defenders Jihad Ward and Justin Ellis, veteran Nick Williams, rookie fifth-round pick D.J. Davidson, and undrafted rookie Tomon Fox to fill out the defensive line and pass rushing group.

Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy, CB Patrick Surtain II Day-To-Day After Injuries

September 19th, 2022 at 7:24pm CST by Ely Allen

SEPTEMBER 19: The Broncos have received good news on both fronts today after Jeudy and Surtain underwent tests on injuries suffered in yesterday’s win over the Texans. Both players are “considered day-to-day,” according to tweets from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Jeudy left with a chest/sternum injury after a hard fall landing on the ball. Surtain’s ailment is a shoulder injury that he sustained in the second quarter of yesterday’s game. The news that both have a chance to return in time for a Sunday Night Football matchup with the 49ers, who are dealing with some serious injuries themselves, is much welcomed news for the Broncos after a slow start to the season.

SEPTEMBER 18: In a battle with the Texans today, Denver has seen two of its starters leave the game due to shoulder injuries. According to a tweet from the team’s Twitter account, neither wide receiver Jerry Jeudy nor cornerback Patrick Surtain II are expected to return today. 

After missing seven games last year, Jeudy has been widely expected to have a breakout season with an upgrade at quarterback in Russell Wilson. The breakout year started strong with a 100-yard game to open the season last Monday in a loss to Wilson’s former team, the Seahawks. After only recording one reception today, though, Jeudy landed hard near the sideline and walked off the field showing indications of a shoulder injury.

The Broncos will be hoping that Jeudy’s absence is only short-term. Wilson can continue to rely on Courtland Sutton, but, with KJ Hamler already out dealing with knee and hip ailments and Tim Patrick on injured reserve, Denver can only field the likes of rookie fifth-round pick Montrell Washington, Tyrie Cleveland, and Kendall Hinton. Undrafted rookie receiver Jalen Virgil is also dealing with an injury after making the initial 53-man roster.

Surtain is coming off a strong rookie season that saw him start 15 games and nab four interceptions. In Year 2, Surtain is teaming up with Ronald Darby to lead a fairly top-heavy cornerbacks room. The Broncos unfortunately saw Surtain, too, leave the game today in the middle of the second quarter.

Denver will hope that it doesn’t have to deal with an extended absence from Surtain, either. With Surtain out and former-starter Michael Ojemudia on injured reserve, the Broncos have to utilize K’Waun Williams, rookie fourth-round pick Damarri Mathis, and reserves Darius Phillips and Essang Bassey. Williams served as a spot-starter during his recent tenure in San Francisco, but the other three corners lack significant starting experience in the NFL.

The Broncos can’t afford hits of this magnitude as they attempt to keep up with the Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs in the AFC West. They will hope to get Jeudy and Surtain back in time to face the 49ers next week for Sunday Night Football.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/22

September 19th, 2022 at 6:37pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves, including some standard practice squad elevations for the two Monday Night Football games:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Green Bay Packers

Minnesota Vikings

Philadelphia Eagles

Washington Commanders

 

Brewer has completed a pretty unlikely path to an NFL game. Coming out of Coastal Carolina, the defensive lineman had to have surgery following an injury suffered in the Chanticleers’ bowl game. With no college all-star game and no NFL Combine, Brewer had only his Pro Day to show his ability. After going undrafted and unsigned as a college free agent, he earned a rookie mini camp tryout and got to stay for training camp as the lowest player on the depth chart. Brewer played more than any other defensive player in training camp and stayed healthy. He got cut, signed with the practice squad, and is now getting an opportunity to appear in his first NFL game.

The Cowboys had hoped to re-sign Ridgeway after waiving him. It doesn’t appear that Washington was the only team to keep him from returning to Dallas, as multiple teams reportedly submitted claims for the former fifth-round pick.

Load More Posts