HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Bears To Trade DE Robert Quinn To Eagles

October 26th, 2022 at 2:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

After holding onto Robert Quinn during the initial months of their rebuild, the Bears have found a taker for his contract. The Eagles are acquiring Quinn, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com report (on Twitter).

Quinn, 32, is in the third season of his five-year, $70MM deal. The Eagles lost Derek Barnett early this season and have now replaced him with a three-time Pro Bowler. No stranger to in-season trades under GM Howie Roseman, the Eagles are adding a 12th-year veteran coming off an 18.5-sack season.

The Bears will pick up a fourth-round pick for Quinn, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This mid-round choice will change sides because of the Bears’ willingness to pick up much of Quinn’s $12.8MM salary. Chicago will be on the hook for most of Quinn’s remaining money (less than $9MM), Garafolo adds (on Twitter).

This move is similar to the Broncos’ decision to pay most of Von Miller‘s salary last year. That financial call led to second- and third-round compensation from the Rams. The Eagles will not be responsible for much of Quinn’s 2022 money; he has nonguaranteed salaries ($13.9MM, $12.9MM) in 2023 and ’24. If Quinn fares well during his first games in Philly, it would not surprise to see the Eagles restructure that contract. They have gone to this well numerous times in recent years.

This trade comes seven months after the Bears acquired second- and sixth-round choices for Khalil Mack, who went to the Chargers. Chicago shed several contracts from its veteran front seven this offseason, also moving on from Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Danny Trevathan. Quinn did not seem to fit, and the Bears began shopping him again earlier this month. Roquan Smith, who requested a trade this summer, will be the last one left from that talented front seven.

Philadelphia used trades to bolster its 2017 roster, bringing in Ronald Darby shortly before the season and Jay Ajayi during the year. D-linemen Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham remain from that Super Bowl-winning squad, and the Eagles have continued to add pieces to that front in the years since. Quinn will join a line also housing veterans Javon Hargrave, Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, along with first-rounder Jordan Davis.

Philly now rosters one of the deepest defensive end crews in recent memory. The 6-0 team will be able to throw a Reddick-Sweat-Graham-Quinn wave at teams. The Eagles entered the week ranked fourth in both total defense and points allowed. They are well off the Cowboys’ sack pace, however, sitting on 17. Dallas leads the NFL with 29.

The Bears probably could have gotten more for Quinn had they moved him this offseason, when he was coming off that 18.5-sack season. Quinn excelled as a Cowboys one-and-done in 2019, leading to the Bears contract, but registered only two sacks in 2020. Mack went down with a foot injury midway through last season, and Quinn proceeded to break Richard Dent‘s Bears single-season sack record. That certainly put him back on the map. Despite Quinn skipping minicamp and being linked to wanting a new team, he reported to training camp and said he did not want to be traded for a third time. With the Bears pivoting to a rebuild, however, the move became logical.

Quinn will head to Philly sitting on just one sack and three quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus has not been impressed by his 2022 work, ranking him near the bottom (124th) among edge defenders. The Eagles are obviously betting that is not indicative of what the former Rams first-rounder has left.

It will be interesting to see how the Eagles use Quinn, but he has thrived after trades in the past. Although Quinn’s Rams-to-Dolphins move (2018) did not lead to major production, he totaled 11 sacks with the Cowboys after being dealt during the 2019 offseason. This marks Quinn’s first in-season trade.

49ers Activate CB Jason Verrett From PUP List, Bring Back RB Tevin Coleman

October 26th, 2022 at 2:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Wednesday marked the final day the 49ers could keep Jason Verrett in designated-for-return limbo. As a result, the cornerback is back on San Francisco’s 53-man roster.

The 49ers activated the ninth-year vet from their reserve/PUP list, using the third of their injury activations to do so. Although Verrett is probably the NFL’s most injury-prone active player, he has been effective when available. Verrett’s 2020 season in San Francisco enticed the team to give the former first-rounder two additional one-year contracts. He is currently attached to a one-year deal worth just more than $1MM.

Verrett is in the final stages of recovering from his September 2021 ACL tear. Verrett’s activation seemed somewhat in doubt last week, when knee soreness, per the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch, held him out of multiple practices. Kyle Shanahan said the soreness was not related to a problem with Verrett’s fall 2021 surgery.

Considering Verrett’s past, the 49ers had planned to slow-play it with him this year. The former Chargers Pro Bowler has missed 88 games since coming into the league. This included a late-2010s span in which he played two games in three seasons. Verrett has suffered two ACL tears — one in each knee — and a torn Achilles since entering the NFL. But he made the Pro Bowl during a 14-game 2015 and excelled for the 49ers as a 13-game starter in 2020.

Emmanuel Moseley‘s season-ending ACL tear opens the door for Verrett to return to the 49ers’ lineup. That scenario is believed to be in play, despite the TCU product’s injury-marred career. It certainly cannot be assumed Verrett will stay healthy, but the 49ers’ defense has run into injury trouble at every position. Any boost the 31-year-old cover man can provide would be a bonus.

San Francisco also brought back Tevin Coleman, who was released Tuesday. Coleman is rejoining the 49ers on a practice squad deal. The 49ers changed their backfield situation last week, trading for Christian McCaffrey, but the team still has Elijah Mitchell on IR and has seen third-round rookie Tyrion Davis-Price miss time with an ankle injury.

Seahawks Sign LB Alexander Johnson, Activate DE L.J. Collier From IR

October 26th, 2022 at 2:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

A three-year starter with the Broncos, Alexander Johnson did not generate much free agency interest this offseason. Despite past production, the veteran defender lingered on the market for seven-plus months. The Seahawks will provide another opportunity.

Seattle is adding Johnson to its practice squad, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. The team also activated L.J. Collier from injured reserve. Wednesday marked the final day Collier could hold an IR-return designation. The former first-rounder remaining on IR after today would have meant his season was over. The Seahawks also signed wide receiver Kevin Kassis to their P-squad.

Only a four-year veteran, Johnson is nearing his 31st birthday. An off-field issue delayed the off-ball linebacker’s NFL entrance, but he produced once bumped into Denver’s starting lineup early in Vic Fangio‘s tenure. Pro Football Focus consistently graded Johnson as one of the league’s top off-ball ‘backers. The Tennessee alum posted 124 tackles in his most recent full season (2020), helping Fangio’s defense particularly against the run. Johnson joined offseason Seahawk trade acquisition Shelby Harris as key Fangio-era starters in Denver.

An injury also affected Johnson’s market. After placing a second-round RFA tender on Johnson last year, the Broncos moved on following the linebacker’s torn pec. Denver lost both its primary off-ball starters last season, but its new regime re-signed Josey Jewell over Johnson. With Seattle DC Clint Hurtt being a Fangio disciple, Johnson could prove a fit.

The Seahawks moved on from Bobby Wagner this offseason, giving Cody Barton a starting job alongside Jordyn Brooks. While Brooks continues to work as an every-down player, Barton has seen his role diminish somewhat in recent weeks. Tanner Muse, Nick Bellore and Cullen Gillaspia reside as the backup linebackers on Seattle’s 53-man roster.

Seattle also designated cornerback Tre Brown and running back Travis Homer to return from IR, Condotta adds (via Twitter). Each is back at practice Wednesday.

Brown has been out since November 2021 due to a knee injury. The 2021 fourth-round pick started three games as a rookie, but the Seahawks have made some changes at the position since Brown last played. They have used two 2022 draftees — Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant — as regulars. Homer, who has been with the Seahawks since 2019, suffered a rib injury against the Falcons in Week 3. Kenneth Walker has taken over as Seattle’s lead back, but Homer has been a backup presence and special teams regular since 2019.

Jaguars Place CB Shaquill Griffin On IR

October 26th, 2022 at 1:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Shaquill Griffin has missed two games this season; the Jaguars’ highest-paid cornerback will miss at least four more. The Jags moved Griffin to injured reserve Wednesday.

A back injury will stall Griffin’s season. He missed the Jags’ Week 7 loss to the Giants and their Week 3 win over the Chargers. The previous absence involved a hip injury, however.

The former Seahawks draftee is in the second season of a three-year, $40MM contract. One of three secondary starters to arrive during Urban Mayer‘s abbreviated tenure, Griffin, 27, has extended his run of NFL starts t0 72 since coming to Jacksonville. Pro Football Focus graded Griffin as a top-20 corner last season; he sits a bit off that pace (62nd) in a limited sample size this year.

This season will feature Griffin’s lowest participation rate as a pro. Guaranteed to miss at least six games, Griffin came into this season having maxed out with just four absences (2020 in Seattle). The Central Florida alum’s contract, which features $11.5MM in base salary this year and next, does not include any guarantees beyond 2022

Jacksonville also has Meyer-tabbed investments at corner (2021 second-rounder Tyson Campbell) and safety (2021 third-rounder Andre Cisco). The team signed former Rams starter Darious Williams this offseason. Tre Herndon, who was acquired during Tom Coughlin‘s short run back with the franchise, filled in for Griffin against the Giants. In his fifth season with the team, Herndon has been Griffin’s replacement this season. He did not play a defensive snap from Weeks 4-6, when Griffin was healthy, but logged 51 during both the games Griffin missed.

Mike Williams Suffers High Ankle Sprain

October 26th, 2022 at 1:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 26: The injury-riddled Bolts are expecting Williams to miss at least four games, Daniel Popper of The Athletic tweets. This could lead to an IR stay, though the team may go week-to-week while determining if Williams could beat that timetable.

OCTOBER 25: On the day the Chargers saw their highly regarded receiver tandem reunited, another injury took a toll at the position. Mike Williams suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link).

Williams is expected to miss “some time” as a result of the injury, which will once again leave the Chargers shorthanded in the passing game. Keenan Allen suffered a hamstring injury in the season opener, and was only able to return to game action in Week 7. That led to optimism for the team’s offense, given the production both he and Williams have accounted for during their respective careers.

The latter had put up solid numbers in Allen’s absence this season, eclipsing the 100-yard mark three times so far. Overall, the 28-year-old has amassed 495 yards and three touchdowns, averaging the second-highest yards per game average of his career (70.7). That figure only ranks below that of 2021, his best season to date.

After eclipsing the 1,000-yard plateau for the second time, Williams signed a three-year, $60MM deal this offseason. That ended the possibility of him playing out the season on the franchise tag, and lines up his free agency with that of Allen. The Chargers are the only NFL team with two wideouts averaging $20MM per season, a fact which could become troublesome soon with a Justin Herbert extension potentially on the horizon.

This injury is likely to keep Williams sidelined for the longest stretch since his rookie campaign. A herniated disc threatened his availability in 2017, but the Clemson alum was ultimately able to suit up for 10 games. In the four years since then, Williams has missed a total of three games. Allen will assume a larger role in the team’s passing game, with Josh Palmer (who missed Sunday’s game) the next highest option on the depth chart.

Overall, Williams going down represents yet another blow to the Chargers on the injury front. The team is already without left tackle Rashawn Slater and edge rusher Joey Bosa for the foreseeable future, and lost high-priced cornerback J.C. Jackson for the season on Sunday. The team’s bye week will, on the other hand, give Williams the opportunity to minimize the number of contests he misses.

Bears To Place OL Lucas Patrick On IR, Designate WR Byron Pringle For Return

October 26th, 2022 at 1:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another injury will sideline Lucas Patrick during his first Bears season. After undergoing surgery to repair a hand injury, Patrick sustained a toe malady that required him to be carted off the field Monday night.

The Bears plan to place Patrick on IR on Wednesday, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets. While this will be Patrick’s second extended injury hiatus, it will be his first time on IR this season. His previous absence covered most of training camp. Patrick, a two-year Packers starter, returned to action in Week 1.

Signed to a two-year, $8MM deal, Patrick followed new Bears OC Luke Getsy from Green Bay. Brought in to play center, Patrick has lined up at both center and guard this season. The hand injury affected his status at center, leading to guard work upon returning. But the Bears had Patrick at center against the Patriots. Chicago is already playing without longtime left guard Cody Whitehair, who remains on IR. Whitehair, who suffered a knee injury in Week 4, is eligible return to practice next week.

This injury, which will cost Patrick at least four games, will lead Sam Mustipher back into Chicago’s lineup at the position. After Pro Football Focus graded Mustipher as one of the NFL’s worst centers in 2021, the advanced metrics site has him slotted 14th at the position near this season’s halfway point. Mustipher, whom the Bears benched ahead of Week 7, re-emerged to play a key role in the team rushing for 243 yards in their upset win over the Patriots on Monday. Sans Whitehair, the Bears are likely to stick with the Mustipher-Michael Schofield–Teven Jenkins interior setup that finished out Week 7.

Additionally, Chicago will start Byron Pringle‘s IR-return window, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. Pringle is returning to practice Wednesday. This represents good news for the Bears, with today being the first day Pringle was eligible to practice. The free agency pickup suffered a calf injury earlier this season. The Bears have used only one of their eight allotted injury activations this season.

A former Patrick Mahomes auxiliary target, Pringle signed a one-year, $4.13MM deal with the Bears this offseason. Chicago brought in a host of cogs to work alongside Darnell Mooney this year. Three of those — Pringle, N’Keal Harry and Velus Jones — have missed a chunk of time due to injury. The Bears used their first IR activation on Harry earlier this month. Pringle caught 42 passes for a career-high 568 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. In a low-volume Bears passing attack, the former UDFA was sitting on two catches (for 33 yards) when he went down earlier this season.

Broncos’ Jerry Jeudy Viewed As Available; KJ Hamler, Melvin Gordon Drawing Interest

October 26th, 2022 at 12:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

The latest London game will feature two 2-5 teams — one of them set to debut a rather odd uniform combination — and lacks the appeal the Giants-Packers matchup brought. But Sunday’s Broncos-Jaguars meeting figures to have a major impact on next week’s trade deadline.

As the interest in Jerry Jeudy persists, the third-year Broncos wide receiver is now viewed as available, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. An initial report indicated the Broncos were not planning to trade the former first-round pick, but interest may be developing to the point the franchise is prepared to follow through.

KJ Hamler and Melvin Gordon are two other Broncos who have also drawn some interest, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Bradley Chubb joins them. Chubb and Jeudy would bring back the most in returns, but Gordon and Hamler have each been three-year contributors in Denver. The Broncos’ disastrous start has piqued teams’ interest re: trades, with Fowler adding teams believe Denver GM George Paton is willing to deal multiple players.

Chubb and Jeudy might carry similar value; Day 2 draft capital is likely required to pry either from the freefalling Broncos. But the latter is believed to be close with Russell Wilson and would stand to be a considerable asset in Wilson’s second Broncos season. Jeudy, 23, is three years younger than Chubb and would profile as a cheaper complement to Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, who each signed extensions during the 2021 season.

Providing slot ability Sutton and Patrick lack, Jeudy has flashed at points during his Broncos tenure. Injuries have, however, limited the Alabama alum, who arrived in Denver before Paton. John Elway‘s final first-round pick as GM, Jeudy has also seen the Broncos’ struggles at quarterback limit him. A team eyeing the 6-foot-1 pass catcher would stand to believe it can unlock more from a player who can be controlled on his rookie deal (via the fifth-year option) through 2024. Jeudy’s contract enhances his value, even if his production has come in below draft-class peers Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and Tee Higgins.

The Broncos chose Hamler in the 2020 second round, but injuries and inconsistency have defined his career. An ACL tear and hip injury in Week 3 of the 2021 season kept Hamler out to the point the Broncos sat him in an early-season game this year. But the Penn State-developed deep threat has played in six games this season. Jeudy’s 386 receiving yards are second on the team; Hamler is only at 113 (on five catches). The latter’s trade value will be considerably lower.

Gordon, 29, has not seen eye-to-eye, usage-wise, with embattled HC Nathaniel Hackett. Whereas Hackett has run into trouble on most fronts, Gordon’s fumbling problem has led to his reduced standing. Since Gordon signed a two-year, $16MM Broncos deal in 2020, he has fumbled 11 times. No other running back in that span has put the ball on the ground more than nine times. Javonte Williams‘ injury did not lead to a full-time Gordon role, with Latavius Murray — signed off the Saints’ practice squad — soon taking over as Denver’s primary back. This has led to frustration from Gordon, who has still started the past three Broncos games. He is averaging 3.5 yards per carry this season. The two-time Pro Bowler did combine for 20 touchdowns during his first two Broncos slates.

The former Chargers first-rounder re-signed on a one-year, $2.5MM deal that includes a $2.15MM base salary. Gordon joins Cam Akers and Kareem Hunt as prominent backs who could be moved before the Nov. 1 deadline. Gordon might be dealt regardless of the Broncos’ result against the Jaguars, joining Albert Okwuegbunam in that regard. But Denver’s outing against Jacksonville might determine where high-profile cogs like Jeudy and Chubb finish the season.

A regular deadline seller in recent years, Denver has traded Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Von Miller since 2018. The Wilson trade also stripped Denver of its first- and second-round picks in 2023. Will the team make a move to recoup Day 2 value?

Chiefs, Packers, Rams Looking Into Texans’ Brandin Cooks

October 26th, 2022 at 11:20am CST by Sam Robinson

As another trade deadline approaches, this era’s trade kingpin is naturally being mentioned in potential deals. Teams are looking into Brandin Cooks ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline, amid another season in which the Texans are not expected to challenge for a playoff spot.

The Chiefs, Packers and Rams have discussed Cooks with the Texans, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. While a trade would put Cooks alongside the likes of Eric Dickerson, Earl Morrall, Norm Snead and Co., the thrice-dealt wide receiver has said previously he did not want to be moved again. Cooks nevertheless remains a viable trade chip in his ninth season and is now winding down his 20s with a rebuilding team. No deal appears close, Wilson adds, but Cooks appears back on the market.

Cooks, 29, signed an extension to stay with the Texans in April, cutting off his previous batch of trade rumors. Signed to a two-year, $39MM deal, Cooks is nevertheless tied to a $1.17MM base salary. The veteran’s salaries spike after this season — to $18MM (guaranteed) and $13MM in 2023 and ’24, respectively — but thanks partially to a September restructure, Cooks’ 2022 money would not be particularly imposing for a team to add.

Each of these teams has been connected to wide receiver pursuits. The Packers have been mentioned as a team looking for wideout help. That report emerged before a rough outing from Green Bay’s passing attack, one that preceded Aaron Rodgers suggesting players who are making too many mistakes should see their playing time reduced. Randall Cobb is on IR, and second-round pick Christian Watson has missed the past two weeks due to a hamstring injury. Allen Lazard is also battling a shoulder ailment he sustained in Washington; Green Bay’s top wideout was outfitted with an arm sling Monday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic notes.

While calls for the Packers to augment their post-Davante Adams receiver situation came in this offseason, the team resisted. It is now 3-4, increasing the urgency ahead of Rodgers’ 39th birthday. Cooks fetched first-round picks in his initial two trades (from the Saints to the Patriots in 2017 and from the Pats to the Rams in 2018) and a second-rounder (from Los Angeles to Houston in 2020), prices that will test the Packers’ resolve.

It probably will not cost a second-rounder this time around, though the Texans were seeking such a return this spring. Cooks’ 2023 guarantee will affect his trade market this time around. The Packers are also being connected to the Cardinals’ A.J. Green via trade, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes. With Green now 34 and seeing minimal Arizona playing time, the Packers would not need to pay much. Cooks would also provide a bigger boost for Green Bay’s passing attack. The Packers’ pass-catcher search also includes tight ends, per Graziano.

Kansas City has been linked as an Odell Beckham Jr. suitor, joining Los Angeles on this front as well, but the team has seen its free agency additions — JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling — make leaps in recent weeks. Both topped 100 receiving yards against the 49ers, a game in which the Chiefs surpassed 500 yards. Cooks would become the most experienced player in the Chiefs’ receiving corps, and with second-rounder Skyy Moore not making much of an impact yet, the six-time 1,000-yard receiver could buy the rookie some time.

The Rams rostered Cooks for two seasons, having traded their 2018 first-round pick for him, and gave him a lucrative second contract. The team used Cooks as a starter alongside Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, and while the former Saints first-round pick posted a career-high 1,204 yards in the Rams’ Super Bowl LIII-qualifying season, concussions limited him in 2019. This year’s Rams edition is struggling on offense — partially due to UFA addition Allen Robinson‘s minimal impact — and the team has not shied away from splashy moves.

A Cooks trade would seemingly cut off an OBJ path. The Rams have been the clubhouse leaders for Beckham for months, but with their offense ranking 29th in scoring and OBJ not expected to be ready until December, the team may be facing a timeline question. Van Jefferson is on track to return from IR soon, but the team initially added Beckham despite rostering Kupp, Woods and Jefferson last year. The Chiefs appear better positioned to wait for Beckham compared to the 3-4 Rams.

This season, Cooks (28 receptions, 281 yards, one touchdown) is not on 1,000-yard pace. While the Texans could retain the 5-foot-10 target for the purposes of Davis Mills development, stockpiling future draft capital should certainly be considered given where the franchise resides on its rebuild timeline. Cooks may end up serving as a consolation prize for one of the three teams involved in the latest Beckham sweepstakes.

Dolphins S Brandon Jones Tears ACL

October 26th, 2022 at 10:58am CST by Ely Allen

OCTOBER 26: McDaniel is now ruling Jones out for the season. Miami’s first-year HC said Jones suffered an ACL tear. The former third-round pick will not return until 2023, the final year of his rookie contract.

OCTOBER 24: It’s looking like the Dolphins will be without starting safety Brandon Jones for an extended period of time as he heads to the injured reserve list, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Jones suffered a knee injury in the third quarter of the team’s win over the Steelers Sunday night, and the prognosis is not encouraging.

Jones took over the starting strong safety job last season and has been a reliable presence in the Miami secondary ever since. He provides a versatility that has become very popular for safeties in today’s game. As a starter last season, Jones was able to accumulate 5.0 sacks, 6.0 tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback hits. He’s shown more physical ability than coverage ability over his first three years in the league with only one interception but three forced fumbles so far in his career, but he showed an improvement in coverage so far this year racking up a career-high three passes defensed through only seven games.

Jones heading to IR means he’ll miss at least four games, but head coach Mike McDaniel‘s comments make it seem like the Dolphins will be without Jones for longer than that. When asked about the issue, McDaniel explained, “There is some lingering college stuff that is complicating the issue. I’m not excited about it.” McDaniel went on to say that he was “hesitant to rule (Jones) out for the year” until they were able to get more information, but the fact that a season-ending injury is on the table is a scary prospect for Miami.

Jones going down just adds to the list of injuries the Dolphins have been dealing with this season on both sides of the ball but in the secondary, particularly. Obviously, the injury to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been receiving most of the conversation this year, but the secondary in Miami has been dealing with several bumps and bruises.

While the Dolphins are happy to have Xavien Howard and Noah Igbinoghene leading the cornerback group, the team’s depth at the position has suffered. Byron Jones has been on the reserve/physically unable to perform list all year and Nik Needham is set to miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon last week. Keion Crossen and undrafted rookie Kader Kohou have also missed a couple of games lately.

In Jones’ absence last night, the Dolphins split safety snaps between backups Eric Rowe and Clayton Fejedelem and practice squad callup Verone McKinley. The team will search for a long-term solution to replace Jones this week, but, if the team isn’t impressed with what Rowe, Fejedelem, or McKinley have to offer, they may be forced to make a last-second move before the trade deadline.

Giants To Activate Nick Gates From PUP List

October 26th, 2022 at 9:16am CST by Sam Robinson

More than a year after suffering a career-threatening injury, Nick Gates will be moved into position to play again. The former Giants starting center is set to be activated from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

In order for Gates to have a shot at playing this season, the Giants needed to make this move today. They designated Gates for return three weeks ago. Not activating him would have meant a full-season absence.

Gates, 26, missed almost all of last season because of a gruesome leg fracture sustained in Week 2. As the Giants saw their O-line decimated early last season, Gates’ road back from fibula and tibia breaks led to seven surgeries. This spring, a setback occurred forcing the rod in his leg to be removed, Raanan adds.

Although the possibility existed at that point Gates would not play in 2022, the Giants displayed their confidence in his comeback by designating him for return at the earliest possible point. The former UDFA, who started 16 games at center for the 2020 Giants edition, is tied to the two-year, $6.82MM extension he signed that year. Although Big Blue has changed regimes and revamped its offensive line during Gates’ time away, the Nebraska alum should be in position to at least provide depth up front.

Jon Feliciano has worked as the Giants’ center this season, but the team has sustained multiple injuries at guard. Shane Lemieux remains out due to the severe leg injury he suffered late in the summer of 2021, while fifth-round rookie Marcus McKethan sustained an ACL tear in August. Ben Bredeson has worked as a Big Blue guard starter all season, but the former trade acquisition is battling a knee injury that will likely force him to miss time, Dan Duggan of The Athletic tweets. Third-round rookie Joshua Ezeudu replaced Bredeson against the Jaguars and could be in line to start at left guard in Week 8. Gates will work at center and guard, Brian Daboll said Wednesday (via the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz, on Twitter).

It would not surprise to see the Giants hold Gates out of their Seahawks matchup this week, considering their bye arrives in Week 9. But the former center and guard starter will be in position to contribute during this season’s second half, representing one of the league’s better comeback stories in recent years.

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