HEADLINES

Year: 2024

Jim Harbaugh On NFL Coaching Radar?

November 23rd, 2023 at 2:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

NOVEMBER 23: In an update on how Harbaugh is viewed in NFL circles, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports notes teams initially had doubts before further details emerged on the sign-stealing scheme. Now, however, the scandal is not likely to stop interested teams from proceeding with inquiries into Harbaugh (video link). With the path to an NFL return clear, it will be worth watching closely how many teams make a push to interview him and how committed he is to remaining at Michigan if firm offers do not emerge.

NOVEMBER 16: For the second time this season, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh finds himself in the midst of a three-game suspension. His latest disciplinary troubles have led many to believe he would not be under consideration for another NFL gig, but that does not appear to be the case.

The Athletic’s Mike Jones reports Harbaugh could be interested in a return to the pro game, adding that such interest is expected to lead to interview consideration this coming offseason (subscription required). Jones names the Bears and Raiders as teams which could be worth watching on that front, noting the connection Harbaugh has to each franchise.

The 59-year-old – who was suspended by Michigan at the beginning of the season due to alleged recruiting violations and was recently sidelined for the remainder of the regular season by the Big Ten due to the school’s sign-stealing scandal – was a first-round pick of the Bears in 1987. He spent seven of his 14 years in the Windy City as a player, and has a relationship with new Bears president Kevin Warren. Prior to his current posting, the latter served as commissioner of the Big Ten. Chicago has Matt Eberflus at the helm right now, and though he has received support from the organization recently, his job security has been called into question in Year 2.

Harbaugh worked as the Raiders’ QB coach from 2002-03 in what was his first coaching position in the NFL. He has since maintained a relationship with owner Mark Davis, who will be on the lookout for a Josh McDaniels replacement this offseason (unless interim HC Antonio Pierce does enough in the coming weeks to earn the job on a full-time basis). A recent report named the Raiders as a logical landing spot for Harbaugh in the event Davis followed through on his interest in interviewing him, with the caveat that any longstanding punishment handed down by the Big Ten or NCAA may still apply in the NFL.

The most recent NFL looks Harbaugh has received have come in 2022 (from the Vikings) and this past offseason (when he was the first candidate to interview with the Broncos). Not long after the latter meeting, he made the commitment to remain at Michigan and publicly expressed an aversion to future NFL interest. Having taken the 49ers to the Super Bowl during his long head coaching stint at the pro level, though, speculation has frequently tied him to leaving the Wolverines in pursuit of unfinished business.

Harbaugh (who signed a five-year deal with Michigan last winter) would no doubt command a large share of personnel decisions in the event he were to take on an NFL gig. As the 2024 coaching carousel takes shape in the coming months, it will be interesting to see how often his name comes up with respect to interview requests and the degree to which he reciprocates.

Jets Activate T Duane Brown

November 23rd, 2023 at 12:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today marked the final day of Duane Brown‘s 21-day practice window after he was designated for return from injured reserve. The Jets have elected to use an IR activation on the veteran offensive tackle.

New York activated Brown from injured reserve on Thursday, per a team announcement. If the team had allowed his three-week practice period to expire, he would have reverted to season-ending IR. Instead, Brown will be eligible to return to a Jets offensive line which has been ravaged by injuries during the year. New York will have six IR activations remaining moving forward.

The 38-year-old started the year as New York’s starting left tackle, the role he held for 12 games last season. Brown entered the year facing questions about not only his age, but also his ability to remain healthy for a full campaign; that question took on added significance with 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers in place as the projected starting quarterback for 2023. Like the latter, though, Brown has run into injury troubles.

A hip injury caused Brown to be placed on IR after only two games at the start of the year. That move guaranteed a four-week absence, but that has stretched deep into November given the length of time he spent on injured reserve after retuning to practice. Brown’s absence has led to shuffling along New York’s offensive front, with Mekhi Becton shifting over to the blindside. The former first-rounder suffered an injury of his own in Week 11, though, leaving his availability for tomorrow’s contest in doubt.

Brown’s return would thus be a welcomed development for a Jets O-line which will be without right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker for the rest of the season due to an Achilles tear. Xavier Newman-Johnson has been signed to the active roster, a sign that he will get the start at RG tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chris Glaser – who got the nod in Week 11 – has been waived. While the team’s upcoming Black Friday matchup will feature yet another new combination up front for the Jets, Brown will be a familiar option on the blindside.

Panthers Designate OLB Yetur Gross-Matos For Return

November 23rd, 2023 at 10:28am CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers may be nearing the return of another important defender. Edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos was designated for return from injured reserve on Thursday, per a team announcement.

[RELATED: Panthers Open Jeremy Chinn’s Practice Window]

Gross-Matos, like safety Jeremy Chinn, was placed on IR last month. That move required an absence of at least four weeks, a timeframe which has now transpired. The former now has up to 21 days to resume practicing before being activated. His return will give Carolina’s pass rush a welcomed boost.

The Panthers have been led off the edge by two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, to no surprise. He has posted five sacks in nine games in his contract year, but Gross-Matos has chipped in while serving in a rotational capacity. The 25-year-old recorded 2.5 sacks, six pressures and five quarterback hits in six games before going down with a hamstring injury. With fellow edge rusher Justin Houston also on IR, Gross-Matos should be in line to reclaim a starting spot upon his return to the lineup.

The latter logged a career-high snap share of 73% last season, and he responded with a personal best in tackles (54) among other categories. Gross-Matos has failed to surpass 3.5 sacks in a season, however, and he faced questions about how well he would fit in new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero‘s 3-4 scheme. Setting a new benchmark in sacks – as he will likely be able to do if he can remain healthy for the rest of the year – will help the Penn State alum in advance of his first foray into free agency.

Gross-Matos is set to see his rookie contract expire this offseason, so a strong showing over the next few games would boost his market either on a new Panthers deal or one with an outside team. Carolina has six IR activations at the moment, but bringing Gross-Matos (along with Chinn and cornerback Jaycee Horn) back into the lineup will leave the team with three in the near future.

Cowboys, Eagles Expected To Show Interest In Shaquille Leonard

November 22nd, 2023 at 10:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both the Eagles and Cowboys looked into linebackers before the trade deadline. While Shaquille Leonard was not mentioned in trade rumors, the former Colts standout is now available. After clearing waivers Wednesday afternoon, Leonard can seek out a free agency fit.

The two NFC East powers, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, are expected to circle back to their linebacker need. Now that a player of Leonard’s caliber is unattached, that certainly makes sense. Each is believed to have some interest here. Both teams have endured injuries at the position and obviously profile as contenders.

Dallas and Philadelphia use 4-3 looks. Leonard enjoyed one of the most prolific runs by a 4-3 linebacker in modern NFL history, dominating in Matt Eberflus‘ scheme from 2018-21 and being named to four All-Pro teams. The Colts did not view Leonard as the same caliber of player this season, keeping his snaps well down from his peak usage. Leonard is coming off a year in which he underwent two back surgeries, the second of which requiring rehab into this offseason. But he rehabbed in time to be ready for Week 1 and has played nine games this year.

Leonard, 28, is not expected to sign immediately, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating this process might take a few days. This is how the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes played out in 2021, and given Leonard’s medical issues, it would not surprise to see this market dragging for a bit. But the former second-round pick should be on track to land elsewhere and contribute this season.

Although the Cowboys drafted Micah Parsons as a linebacker, the 2021 first-rounder quickly graduated to pass-rushing duty. The Cowboys have refused to label Parsons as a pure defensive end, but he sees much of his reps at that marquee spot. At linebacker, Dallas has lost both Leighton Vander Esch and third-round rookie DeMarvion Overshown for the season. Overshown suffered an ACL tear during training camp, while Vander Esch’s neck trouble has resurfaced to the point his career may be in jeopardy. The Cowboys re-signed Vander Esch to a two-year, $8MM deal this offseason. The Cowboys have used second-year players Damone Clark and Markquese Bell, a converted safety, as their primary linebackers as of late.

Jerry Jones made it known his team was not planning to be aggressive at the deadline, displaying confidence in the team already in place. But the Cowboys did go after some linebacking help. With the Vander Esch update coming after the trade deadline, it makes sense Dallas poked around. The Eagles joined their rivals in eyeing second-level help, and they have seen their LB centerpiece — Nakobe Dean — land on IR twice this season.

Philly let starters T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White walk this offseason, devoting funds to other areas. A 2022 third-rounder, Dean became the defending NFC champs’ centerpiece player here heading into the season. The Eagles added Nicholas Morrow on a veteran-minimum deal to supplement Dean, but the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year was viewed as the anchor. Two foot injuries have stalled Dean, however, making Morrow and late-summer addition Zach Cunningham as the team’s lead LBs. Nick Sirianni was in place as Colts OC during Leonard’s first three seasons.

After voicing frustration at the Colts keeping his snaps at the 70% level, the four-time All-Pro should have his chance to craft a bounce-back arc. Pro Football Focus ranks Leonard’s 2023 work outside the top 60 among linebackers, though he did not prove a fit in Gus Bradley‘s defense. In his previous healthy season, Leonard combined to force 12 turnovers — eight forced fumbles, four INTs — despite dealing with a back problem that required surgery. Because no team claimed Leonard, the Colts are now on the hook for the remaining $6.11MM of his 2023 base salary.

NFL Injury Rumors: Seahawks, Woods, Ward

November 22nd, 2023 at 9:50pm CST by Ely Allen

The Seahawks already face a tall task tomorrow night as they host the 49ers in the last of the three Thanksgiving Day matchups. That challenge is only made more difficult by the fact that Seattle is dealing with multiple injuries to key players as quarterback Geno Smith and running back Kenneth Walker both head into tomorrow with injury designations.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier today that Smith hadn’t been able to test his bruised elbow much at all yet in the short week. Smith spent today’s practice determining just how much he could throw in order to set expectations on his availability for tomorrow. Later on in the afternoon, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo relayed that “all indications have (Smith) tracking to play” against the rival 49ers Thursday night.

In the case of Walker, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Walker suffered an “oblique strain that was legit,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It sounds, based on Carroll’s press talks, that Walker is in danger of missing some time, but Schefter went on to report that the team doesn’t consider him to be an injured reserve candidate. Walker likely would’ve missed a week on regular rest, but with a short week, it would be extremely unlikely for Walker to make an appearance tomorrow, hence his doubtful game status.

In addition to Smith and Walker, the Seahawks will also be without rookie safety and special teams standout Jerrick Reed II, who reportedly tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season, according to Schefter. The sixth-round New Mexico product hasn’t been asked to do much on defense this year but is currently third on the team in special teams tackles.

Here are a few more injury rumors from around the league:

  • The Colts placed second-year tight end Jelani Woods on IR with a hamstring injury just prior to the start of the season in order to open up a roster spot for wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie. It became a given, at that point, that Woods would miss at least the team’s first four games, but to date, he has yet to make his 2023 debut. He’s eligible for activation from IR, but according to Joel A. Erickson of FOX59/CBS4, Woods experienced a setback in his rehabilitation with his opposite hamstring that will keep him from returning for now. Head coach Shane Steichen stated that he “does not know” if it will be a season-ending setback.
  • The Browns may sport one of the league’s best defenses this year, but their secondary is limping into Week 12 as all four starters hold questionable game statuses as of Wednesday. Safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill and cornerback Greg Newsome II all hold a decent chance of playing on Sunday, but cornerback Denzel Ward is dealing with a shoulder injury that may not only hold him out of this weekend’s game but perhaps beyond that, as well, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. The team isn’t quite ready to rule Ward out yet, but they are bracing themselves for the idea that they will be without him for multiple games.
  • We have seen high ankle sprains claim the playing time of multiple players this season. Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown sought out a second opinion on his ankle injury yesterday, per Mike Reiss of ESPN, and was diagnosed with both high- and low-ankle sprains, as well as an MCL sprain. Players have missed time with less, but Brown reportedly plans to play through the ankle and knee injuries.

Panthers Designate S Jeremy Chinn For Return

November 22nd, 2023 at 8:03pm CST by Ely Allen

Although not much else seems to be going right for Carolina this year, the struggling Panthers are set to return a major defensive starter after designating safety Jeremy Chinn to return from injured reserve, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. After missing the required four games, Chinn has returned to practice and will have 21 days to get activated before he is forced to return to season-ending IR.

The 2023 NFL season is an important one for Chinn, who is playing in a contract year this season. A strong rookie year set the tone for Chinn’s career after he finished second to Chase Young in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2020. He displayed a nose for the football over his first two seasons. In addition to surpassing 100 tackles in each of those two years, Chinn totaled three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries (two for a touchdown), two interceptions, and 10 passes defensed.

A Week 4 hamstring injury landed Chinn on IR last year, causing him to miss most or all of seven straight contests. Despite the extended absence, Chinn still finished fourth on the team with 70 total tackles and was tied for third on the team for passes defensed with six.

This year, the Panthers had shifted Chinn into a bit of a reduced role. While free agent signing Vonn Bell took over a full-time starting job next to Xavier Woods, Chinn found himself averaging less than 98 percent of the team’s defensive snaps for the first time since him rookie season, sometimes playing in less than half of Carolina’s defensive sets.

As Chinn’s role in the Panthers’ defense has changed and Carolina has found a suitable starting duo in Bell and Woods, the team began listening to offers on their former second-round pick. Before the Eagles brought in All-Pro Kevin Byard from Tennessee, Philadelphia reportedly held serious interest in taking Chinn out of Carolina.

In the end, though, Chinn remains with the Panthers. Despite the reduced role he’ll likely continue to see throughout the remainder of the season, Chinn needs to use this opportunity as an audition for the eventual free agency he is sure to face. That opportunity will begin once the Panthers complete the chain of transactions necessary to bring him off of IR.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/22/23

November 22nd, 2023 at 7:01pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions and gameday callups heading into Week 12 of the NFL season:

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Smith’s tenure on the Raiders lasted about three weeks after he was signed off of the Saints’ practice squad. The Raiders immediately plugged him in hoping that he would improve a unit struggling to defend the run. After his initial game in Vegas, though, Smith was inactive for the next two games. Whether due to injuries or ineffectiveness, Smith no longer warranted a roster spot with the Raiders.

The Jets signed Kelly in the midst of a litany of offensive line injuries. Kelly is an established veteran with a good amount of starting experience, but even with all the opportunities provided due to injury, Kelly couldn’t quite crack the rotation and now finds himself without a roster spot.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/22/23

November 22nd, 2023 at 5:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Although the Rams look to be expecting Kyren Williams to be activated for Week 12, they will keep Henderson around as insurance. The Rams turned to their former third-round pick immediately after injuries moved Williams and Ronnie Rivers off the roster. Despite waiving Henderson in November 2022, the Rams plugged him back in. While Royce Freeman‘s per-carry numbers (4.3) outshine Henderson’s (2.4), the latter scored two touchdowns during his latest run in Sean McVay‘s system. While the Rams waived Henderson again Tuesday, Freeman remains on Los Angeles’ active roster.

Harmon will join team No. 3 this season. The former Patriots Super Bowl winner, a Raider in 2022, began the season with the Ravens. The Bears signed Harmon off Baltimore’s practice squad last month. Harmon, 32, would represent a veteran safety presence for a Browns team that just lost Rodney McLeod for the season.

Cardinals, WR Marquise Brown Discussing Extension

November 22nd, 2023 at 3:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The negotiating period involving the standout wide receivers from the 2019 draft class primarily occurred during the spring and summer of last year. This crop brought eventful developments — from the A.J. Brown trade to the Deebo Samuel trade request to the Steelers deviating from their primary one-contract receiver pattern to extend Diontae Johnson — leading up to Week 1.

Brown, Samuel, Johnson, Terry McLaurin and D.K. Metcalf signed extensions — two-, three- and four-year deals among the group — between April and August of last year. This all transpired as Marquise Brown requested and received a trade, going from Baltimore to Arizona. Considerable changes have taken place in the time since that trade, leading Brown into some uncertain territory.

Kyler Murray struggled in 2022, a season that ended with the Pro Bowl passer suffering an ACL tear. The Cardinals then booted Kliff Kingsbury and GM Steve Keim, who had signed off on bringing Brown to the desert in a trade package involving a first-round pick. After the Cardinals pivoted to a rebuild, Brown loomed as a logical trade candidate. But Arizona was uninterested in dealing its top wideout. Brown had sought a long-term extension during the 2022 offseason. And, despite a new regime in power, Brown looks to remain in the Cardinals’ plans.

The fifth-year wideout confirmed (via the Arizona Republic’s Bob McManamon) his agent and the Cardinals have begun negotiations on an extension. Brown, 26, is playing out his fifth-year option season. Keim signed off on picking up the ex-Ravens first-rounder’s option upon trading for him last year, but Brown has played in out in an unexpected environment — one that featured eight Joshua Dobbs starts after the team cut Colt McCoy just before the season. Still, Brown wants to remain with the Cardinals beyond his rookie contract.

“I want to be in Arizona,” Brown said, adding (via McManamon) he “100%” expects to sign a new Cardinals contract. “The feel from it is they want me here, too. I leave that to my agent and I just do what I’ve got to do on the field.”

Brown’s option represents the only notable money tied up in the Cardinals’ receiving corps. Rookie-deal players Rondale Moore and Michael Wilson are among Brown’s sidekicks, and Jonathan Gannon brought Zach Pascal with him — on a low-cost deal — from Philadelphia. Brown sought a trade out of Baltimore due to both the Ravens’ run-based style and the presence of Murray, whom Brown helped to a Heisman Trophy in 2018. Brown did not match even his second-best Ravens season in his first Cardinals slate, totaling 709 receiving yards. This year, his yards-per-game number is down from 2022 — 59.1 to 44.2 — though the 5-foot-9 target has already topped his TD total from last season, scoring four.

Murray being back stands to aid Brown as well, potentially boosting his value down the stretch in this contract year. The 2019 draft’s WR muscle came from Rounds 2 and 3, and the teams involved in those negotiations had those players in contract years in 2022. With a fifth-year option in Brown’s contract, the Cardinals had more time. GM Monti Ossenfort has exclusive negotiating rights with Brown until the March legal tampering period.

Brown would be an interesting commodity on the 2024 market. As of now, Mike Evans and Tee Higgins are en route to headline the 2024 class. But both could conceivably end up staying with their respective teams — via another extension (in Evans’ case) or the franchise tag (in Higgins’) — and create another buyer’s market rivaling this year’s wideout landscape. Brown has a 1,000-yard season on his resume (2021) and would command a nice contract, but a strong finish to this season would better his chances of a lucrative second deal. It would be unlikely if Brown approached the McLaurin-Metcalf-Samuel tier ($23.2-$24MM per year), but aiming for the kind of pact Johnson fetched (two years, $36MM) would seemingly be reasonable for the Oklahoma-developed speedster.

Colts Waive LB Shaquille Leonard

November 22nd, 2023 at 3:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

NOVEMBER 22: As expected, Leonard cleared waivers today, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. Detached from his lucrative Colts contract, the standout linebacker is now a free agent.

NOVEMBER 21: After steady complaints about his diminished role, Shaquille Leonard will be changing teams. The perennial All-Pro linebacker will shockingly become available; Leonard announced Tuesday the Colts are cutting him. Indianapolis has announced the separation.

This comes barely two years after the Colts authorized a record-setting extension for the former second-round success story, but Leonard has not been a fit in Gus Bradley‘s defensive system. After an injury-plagued 2022, Leonard has not returned to a full-time workload this season. Although Leonard bristled about his usage, Fox59’s Mike Chappell notes he did not ask the Colts to cut him.

A force in Matt Eberflus‘ defense, Leonard signed a five-year, $98.5MM extension before the 2021 season. The Colts owe Leonard $6.11MM in remaining base salary this season — should no team claim him — and the AFC South club is on the hook for an additional $8MM in dead money due to prorated signing bonus. This cut’s full cost to the Colts will not be determined until waivers process.

Certain teams do have the cap space to pick up the remainder of Leonard’s 2023 base salary, a move that would help the Colts on the financial front. But ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes Leonard is expected to clear waivers. No fully guaranteed money is attached to this contract beyond 2023. This will set up one of the more interesting in-season free agency derbies in recent years.

“Shaq is the ultimate competitor and has been a fan favorite since he arrived as a rookie in 2018,” Colts GM Chris Ballard said. “We are incredibly grateful for his contributions to the team and the city of Indianapolis over the last six seasons. … He will always be a valued member of the Horseshoe.”

Leonard, 28, earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2018, 2020 and ’21 and was a second-team choice in 2019. The Division I-FCS product became a turnover-forcing machine during Eberflus’ four-year run as Indy’s DC. In 2021 alone, Leonard caused an astounding 12 turnovers — four INTs, an NFL-most eight forced fumbles — to help the Colts to the playoff precipice. Over the course of his career, Leonard has forced 17 fumbles and intercepted 12 passes.

The 49ers, Browns, Cardinals and Bengals each hold more than $10MM in cap space, while a handful of other teams carry more than $7MM. It would be interesting to see if a team submits a claim in an effort to secure Leonard’s rights beyond 2023; his current contract runs through 2025. The Bears come to mind as a team that could be interested, as they have made buyer’s trades despite holding one of the league’s worst records in back-to-back years. Eberflus also coached Leonard throughout his Indianapolis tenure, though Chicago did spend top-five ILB money on Tremaine Edmunds this offseason. T.J. Edwards signed a midlevel Bears deal as well, potentially cutting Chicago off early here. The Cowboys and Eagles pursued linebackers at the deadline as well — Nick Sirianni was on Frank Reich‘s Colts staff for three years — while the Steelers have lost two regulars for the season.

Leonard is also coming off a year in which he underwent two back surgeries. After a summer 2022 procedure did not clear up the issue, Leonard was eventually shut down in November of last year. He ended up playing three games in the Reich-Jeff Saturday season, also suffering a concussion and a broken nose, but was ready to go for Week 1 of this year. Bradley, however, refused to use Leonard as his play-calling predecessor did. Leonard (454 defensive snaps) logged a 70% snap rate this season. His snap shares from 2018-21: 98%, 98%, 93%, 98%.

In addition to Leonard being unhappy with his role under Bradley, Pro Football Focus ranks the once-dominant defender outside the top 60 among off-ball linebackers this season. Leonard has made 65 tackles in nine games, but just two of those were for losses; the sixth-year ‘backer also does not have a fumble forced, fumble recovered or an INT this season.

The Colts have used Zaire Franklin on more defensive plays (634), and the recently re-signed E.J. Speed has logged 357 defensive snaps. This duo will represent a lower-cost pair compared to Leonard, whom the Colts did not believe was living up to his lucrative contract. The Colts could have hung on and saved some money by cutting Leonard in 2024; that move would have created $12MM in cap savings for the retooled team. But the now-Shane Steichen-led squad will attempt to make a playoff push without one of the most productive defenders in franchise history.

It will obviously be interesting to see where Leonard lands and if he can prove Bradley and Co. wrong. Claims for Leonard must be submitted by 3pm CT Wednesday. Beyond that, Leonard figures to have a few suitors in free agency.

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