HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Bo Nix Moving Ahead Of Jarrett Stidham In Broncos’ QB Competition?

August 3rd, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos appear to have narrowed their quarterback competition to two contenders. As expected, trade acquisition Zach Wilson lost out on first-team reps during training camp this week, increasing the attention shown to incumbent Jarrett Stidham and first-round rookie Bo Nix.

[RELATED: Recapping Broncos’ Offseason]

The latter has long been expected to take the reins at some point in 2024, as Day 1 passers often see regular season action at some point in their rookie campaigns. Nix, 24, is a veteran of 61 starts in college and is better positioned than most to handle first-team duties right away. At a minimum, the Auburn and Oregon alum will not start the year occupying the No. 3 spot on the depth chart.

Nix is still a strong candidate to earn the Week 1 nod, though. The 12th overall pick “appears to have edged past” Stidham in recent practices, Mike Klis of 9News writes. Both signal-callers received first-team reps, but Klis notes the rotation has left the door wide open for Nix to continue impressing Sean Payton and the coaching staff. Indications from June pointed to him being the favorite in the long run, so this latest update comes as little surprise.

Stidham made a pair of starts to close out the 2023 season, Payton’s first as head coach in Denver. The soon-to-be 28-year-old took over once it became clear Russell Wilson‘s tenure in the Mile High City had realistically come to a close. The longtime Seahawk’s release paved the way for multiple additions, and Wilson’s arrival came shortly before the decision to select Nix – one Payton confirmed was the Broncos’ Plan A all along.

Improved play on offense will be critical for Denver in 2024, and more efficiency in the passing game is needed for the team to return to the postseason. Plenty of time remains for Nix’s potential to be realized at the NFL level, as he could be retained through 2028 via the fifth-year option. The Broncos’ evaluation period before a decision on that front could still very well begin as early as Week 1 of his rookie season.

QB Dak Prescott Addresses Cowboys Extension Talks

August 3rd, 2024 at 9:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

Dak Prescott is one member of the oft-discussed trio of Cowboys who have yet to sign an extension this offseason. Negotiations have been ongoing through the start of training camp, which the MVP runner-up has participated in.

The latest update on the matter indicated the next move belongs to Prescott’s camp as Dallas continues to try and also hammer out deals for wideout CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons. Prescott cannot receive the franchise tag, and only an extension can smooth out his projected 2024 cap hit of $55.13MM. That gives him considerable leverage, although he has repeatedly said finances are not his primary concern on a new Cowboys pact.

“You understand what a brotherhood means, not only for just this team but the fraternity of the NFL and the players,” Prescott said when asked about where things stand (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “The money is out there and the money can happen. It can be done. There’s ways to make everything work for both ways. That’s in that sense it’s always about pushing the envelope for the next man.”

Those remarks carry a similar sentiment to the one Prescott expressed earlier this week with respect to moving the top of the QB market. $55MM per year remains the benchmark after Joe Burrow landed that figure on his Bengals extension last offseason and Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) and Jordan Love (Packers) matched it in 2024. A Prescott accord could take the position to new heights, though the terms the 31-year-old is seeking are not known.

Lamb continues to hold out of training camp as he seeks an extension at or near the top of the receiver market. At least one offer has been made as negotiations continue, and Prescott noted Lamb remains hopeful a deal on his end will be struck to pave the way for a return to the team. Unlike veterans, players attached to their rookie contracts (such as Lamb) can have the fines incurred by training camp absences waived.

All Prescott and Lamb negotiations must take into account the fact that Parsons is eligible for an extension of his own. Owner Jerry Jones recently confirmed a monster Parsons contract has not been forgotten about relative to the Cowboys’ other priorities. The team’s top edge rusher is under contract through 2025, though, whereas Lamb and Prescott are pending free agents. The latter does not appear close to striking a deal, but he remains optimistic one can be worked out allowing him to meet his stated goal of remaining in Dallas.

“I’ve never truly cared about the number whether it was the first time in the franchise tag and the negotiations or now,” Prescott added. “That’s why I said I have an agent that I’m confident in and a front office that we can figure out something for both of us that makes sense.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/24

August 3rd, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Houston Texans

New Orleans Saints

  • Waived (injury designation): WR Jermaine Jackson

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Claimed off waivers (from Jets): TE Kevin Foelsch
  • Waived (injury designation): TE McCallan Castles

Brown’s workout with the Panthers obviously went well, as he now has a deal in place. The 30-year-old was unable to find a permanent home last season as he continued to rehab a torn Achilles from the year prior. Brown will spend the rest of the summer with a team seeking out depth at the CB spot, and his experience from his Cowboys days could help him secure a roster spot. Doing so could pave the way for at least a rotational role ahead of free agency in 2025.

NFL Injury Updates: Rams OL, Wingard, Jackson, Oweh

August 3rd, 2024 at 5:59pm CST by Ely Allen

Earlier this week, the Rams received unfortunate news that presumed starting left guard Jonah Jackson would miss the entire preseason with a shoulder injury. The hits keep coming as we learn that two other Rams’ starting lineman are dealing with injuries this preseason, according to Rams senior staff writer Stu Jackson.

Head coach Sean McVay listed left tackle Alaric Jackson and right tackle Rob Havenstein as “week-to-week” in a recent update. Normally, a week-to-week status wouldn’t pique much interest, but with Jonah already out, the Rams will be without three starting linemen in the coming weeks.

With the Jackson’s and Havenstein all out, Los Angeles will be fielding a “Rolodex of guys” in the meantime. While McVay claims that he isn’t too concerned about the injuries, the starters’ absences in the coming weeks will take away from the potential chemistry of the group as a whole. When incorporating a new starter in Jonah Jackson and moving last year’s left guard Steve Avila to center, that lost time could prove harmful to the group’s effectiveness early in the season.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:

  • The Jaguars lost some depth in their secondary recently, per Josh Alper of NBC Sports. Head coach Doug Pederson gave an update recently informing the media that veteran safety Andrew Wingard had suffered a knee injury. While the extent of the injury is as of yet unknown, Pederson predicted that Wingard could miss “significant time” with potential to even miss regular season games. Currently second-year safety Antonio Johnson and former Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds are competing for the starting job. Wingard’s presence provides additional starting experience that Jacksonville will go without until he can return.
  • 49ers pass rusher Drake Jackson missed the second half of last season with a knee injury and is reportedly still making his way back from the issue. After the losses of Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell, and Randy Gregory in free agency, San Francisco is likely hoping to see Jackson step into a bigger role this year. That will need to wait, though, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Jackson will miss the remainder of training camp, “at a minimum,” as he continues to work his way back from injury. Free agent signing Leonard Floyd will have to hold down the spot across from Nick Bosa, in the meantime.
  • Ravens pass rusher Odafe Oweh is having an outstanding camp out in Baltimore, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, despite the fourth-year defender reportedly having undergone a minor surgery in the offseason. Oweh didn’t specify what the procedure was or what he got repaired, but it doesn’t seem to have hindered him at all. The Ravens are desperately hoping to see his impressive ability to pressure the passer turn into sacks this year after watching Jadeveon Clowney walk in free agency.

DeAndre Hopkins To Miss Up To Six Weeks

August 3rd, 2024 at 4:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 3: Callahan provided some updates on Hopkins’ situation today. According to Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com, Hopkins knee injury will not require surgery. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that Callahan confirmed that Hopkins is out for “several weeks,” but with the absence of surgery, a return in only four weeks could be likely, though it’s not guaranteed. This encourages the optimism that Hopkins’ malady won’t keep him from any regular season appearances.

AUGUST 1: After a productive debut in Tennessee, DeAndre Hopkins looks set to see his preparation for his second season end early. The former All-Pro wide receiver is expected to miss several weeks with a knee injury.

Hopkins sustained a strained knee during practice this week, according to veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky, who indicates a four- to six-week absence is on tap. Week 1 will occur during this timeline, making Hopkins’ recovery one to monitor. ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport confirms the Titans are optimistic about Hopkins avoiding any missed games.

Although the Titans added Calvin Ridley on a big-ticket deal and signed former Brian Callahan Bengals charge Tyler Boyd, they are still counting on Hopkins to play a key role. The late-2010s first-team All-Pro staple produced his seventh 1,000-yard season with the Titans in 2023, continuing to make a solid Hall of Fame case. If this injury timetable is accurate, the accomplished wideout has a change to re-emerge just before Week 1.

This is not the first time Hopkins has run into knee trouble. An MCL tear knocked him out for an extended stretch during the Cardinals’ 2021 playoff season; Hopkins missed seven games that year and was unavailable for Arizona’s wild-card contest. He then missed the final two Cardinals games in 2022 due to a knee flareup.

Arizona, which hired a new regime headed by ex-Tennessee exec Monti Ossenfort soon after, released Hopkins months later. The former Texans star did rebound in his Titans debut, but his recent history of knee issues is suddenly relevant again. That said, Davenport adds this is a left knee injury; Hopkins sustained the MCL tear to his right knee. Hopkins continued to practice with a wrap on his left knee Wednesday, per Davenport, but it appears the Titans did not like what they saw and are shutting him down.

As the Titans’ top wideout last season, Hopkins bounced back by playing in all 17 games and totaling 1,057 yards — his first 1,000-yard year since 2020. Operating as a key part of Will Levis‘ development, Hopkins caught seven touchdown passes. The Titans paid up to add help via Ridley, and Boyd played under Callahan for five of his eight Bengals seasons. The Titans also have 2022 first-rounder Treylon Burks, who appears poised to see some run with the first unit while Hopkins recovers. This could represent a key opportunity for Burks, who has underwhelmed since Jon Robinson chose him minutes after the A.J. Brown trade.

The Titans have Hopkins on a two-year, $26MM deal; they outbid the Patriots and Chiefs for the veteran — after a much-discussed free agency derby — last summer. He earned a $4.1MM roster bonus by remaining a Titan on Day 5 of the 2024 league year.

Tennessee’s new coaching staff is heavily invested in Ridley, but Hopkins remains a key part of the franchise’s Levis development. Hopkins spoke earlier this month on an interest in signing a second Titans contract, expressing his satisfaction since joining the organization. His next step will be to return by the time the Titans are preparing to face the Bears in September.

Cardinals Extend DE Zaven Collins

August 3rd, 2024 at 1:39pm CST by Ely Allen

The Cardinals have been on a journey with 2021 first-round pick Zaven Collins, helping him transition from inside linebacker to defensive end this past season. Analytics marked the position change as a successful one, and as a result, the Cardinals have decided to extend Collins for two more years, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Collins’ new deal is set to earn him $14MM through 2025 and 2026. The contract will include $11.25MM of guarantees, as well. The team had recently declined Collins’ fifth-year option as a former first-rounder. OvertheCap.com predicts that, with his official position switch to defensive end, Collins’ fifth-year option would’ve been a fully-guaranteed $13.25MM. The Cardinals decision to handle Collins’ situation how they did essentially gave them an additional year on his contract for only $749K extra.

Collins’ NFL career got off to a slow start. After a stellar junior year at Tulsa, in which he recorded 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) in just eight games, Collins forewent his remaining eligibility and went 16th overall to Arizona. In his rookie year, Collins only made six starts. He was classified on the depth chart as a defensive back but spent most of his time in the box as a linebacker failing to make much of an impact with just 25 tackles and three passes defensed.

In 2022, Collins was made a full-time starter. He did make an impact on the defense, finishing third on the team with 100 total tackles and second on the team with 11 tackles for loss, but Pro Football Focus (subscription required) didn’t seem to respect Collins’ second-year jump as much. According to PFF, Collins graded out as the league’s 51st-best linebacker out of 81 players at the position.

This past season, Collins and the Cardinals experimented with another position shift, putting the third-year player almost exclusively on the edge. While, predictably, Collins’ pass-rushing arsenal could use some improvement, he graded out favorably, per PFF, in run defense and coverage. His efforts in a new position last year saw him grade out as the 44th best edge defender out of 112, according to PFF.

Collins’ new contract won’t put him anywhere on the radar of the top contracts at the position, and he hasn’t yet done anything to deserve such a contract. Instead, what this extension does is give Arizona ample time to figure out how Collins fits into his new role long-term. Instead of one contract year to decide his future, the Cardinals will now have an additional two years before their versatile former first-round selection tests free agency.

Panthers Notes: Workouts, Brooks, Quarterbacks

August 3rd, 2024 at 12:44pm CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers continue to be on the lookout for cornerbacks. After taking a look at Jerry Jacobs last month, the team is now hosting Anthony Brown on a workout, per ESPN’s David Newton.

The former sixth-round pick made a name for himself in Dallas, where he started 69 of his 94 appearances across seven seasons with the Cowboys. A torn Achilles tendon ended his 2022 campaign prematurely, and he bounced around the NFL in 2023. Brown had stints with the Steelers, 49ers, and Jets last season, with the cornerback ultimately making a pair of regular-season appearances (both with San Francisco).

Still, the veteran could represent an experienced option at cornerback for the Panthers. With Donte Jackson and Jeremy Chinn no longer in the picture, the team has been hunting for another CB option opposite former first-round pick Jaycee Horn. Dane Jackson is currently penciled in as Carolina’s CB2, but that hasn’t stopped the team from auditioning Jacobs and flirting with former Panthers star Stephon Gilmore.

More notes out of Carolina…

  • Second-round running back Jonathon Brooks won’t play this preseason, according to Dave Canales (via NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe). The Longhorns product suffered a torn ACL last November, but his 1,400-yard performance still made him the first RB off the 2024 draft board. Canales said that Week 3 or Week 4 would be a “great” target return date for the rookie, with Joe Person of The Athletic noting that the running back could spend the first part of the season on PUP.
  • Canales reiterated to reporters today that the Panthers are still in the hunt for a quarterback (via Person). With Andy Dalton sidelined with a quad injury, the Panthers head coach previously said that the team would be looking for another signal-caller alongside Bryce Young and UDFA Jack Plummer. Canales revealed that the organization will consider both veterans and younger players, with the likes of Ryan Tannehill and Trevor Siemian highlighting the current list of experienced free agent options.
  • Dan Morgan made it clear that there aren’t any expectations for this season, with the current focus being on the “long term” (per Person). After the former assistant GM was promoted to the top gig this offseason, the team added a new head coach in Canales. With a new regime in place, it’s not a surprise that the Panthers brass is playing the slow game, although everyone in the organization will surely be aiming for an improvement on the two-win 2023 campaign.
  • Person writes that the Panthers will continue to be in the market for OLB help. With both Amare Barno and D.J. Wonnum currently sidelined, the Panthers have leaned on the likes of K’Lavon Chaisson opposite Jadeveon Clowney. Fortunately, Chaisson has shown up during the early parts of training camp, with Person noting the former first-round pick’s “explosion” on the edge.

Dolphins Sign OL Sean Harlow

August 3rd, 2024 at 11:09am CST by Ben Levine

The Dolphins have added some more experience to their offensive line. The team announced that they’ve signed lineman Sean Harlow. In a corresponding move, the team has waived offensive lineman Ireland Brown.

The journeyman Harlow has seen time in 41 career games (eight starts). Since being selected in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, the Oregon State product has spent time with the Falcons (two stints), Colts, Cardinals, Giants (two stints), and Cowboys.

The 29-year-old lineman is coming off a 2023 campaign where he bounced around the NFC East. He spent the 2023 preseason with the Giants before joining the Cowboys practice squad. The Giants snagged him from Dallas and added him to their active roster, where he proceeded to play a backup role in seven games.

While Harlow has the ability to play around the OL, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald surmises that the veteran will be competing for a backup center gig. The team is currently rostering the likes of Liam Eichenberg and Andrew Meyer behind starter Aaron Brewer.

Brown was previously part of that competition but will now be looking to resume his NFL career elsewhere. The Rutgers UDFA earned a deal with the Dolphins following a successful minicamp tryout.

Cardinals OLB BJ Ojulari Suffers Torn ACL

August 3rd, 2024 at 10:19am CST by Ben Levine

BJ Ojulari‘s second season in the NFL has ended before it even began. The linebacker suffered a torn ACL during practice on Friday, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. The injury will knock the sophomore out for the entire 2024 campaign.

According to Darren Urban of the team’s website, Ojulari suffered the injury during an 11-on-11 drill. Urban notes that the linebacker didn’t need to be carted off the field, although he did require assistance from two trainers.

This is a gut punch for a squad that was counting on Ojulari on the edge. The 2023 second-round pick didn’t start a game as a rookie, but he still managed to get into all 17 games for the Cardinals. He finished the year with 40 tackles and four sacks, appearing in more than a third of Arizona’s defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked him 65th among 112 qualifying edge defenders.

The Cardinals will now have to dig into OLB depth that was already light behind Ojulari and Zaven Collins. Dennis Gardeck is coming off a six-sack season in Arizona, but the veteran fell behind Ojulari on the depth chart in the second half of the 2023 campaign. Victor Dimukeje also contributed four sacks last year and could see an increase on his career-high 386 defensive snaps from 2023.

Texans To Sign OL Cameron Erving

August 3rd, 2024 at 8:36am CST by Ben Levine

Weeks after auditioning Cameron Erving, the Texans are set to sign the veteran offensive lineman. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston reports that Erving is signing with the organization.

[RELATED: Texans Host OL Cameron Erving]

After dealing with their fair share of OL injuries last season, the Texans seemed to be doing their due diligence when they hosted Erving back in July. It didn’t take long for a need to arise. Per Wilson, offensive tackle Charlie Heck is currently nursing a flareup of plantar fasciitis, necessitating some extra depth at the position.

Erving certainly brings experience and versatility to Houston’s offensive line. The former Browns first-round pick bounced around the OL to begin his career, spending a significant amount of time at both offensive guard spots and center. He later started 22 games at left tackle for the Chiefs, Cowboys, and Panthers between 2019 and 2021 before barely seeing the field for Carolina in 2022.

It was a similar story in 2023, as Erving was buried on the practice squad with the Saints. He eventually got a chance to play when Ryan Ramczyk was placed on IR in December, with Erving starting two of his three appearances down the stretch. The 31-year-old didn’t play enough snaps to qualify for Pro Football Focus’ leader boards, although his score would have placed him towards the bottom of the OT pool (continuing a trend of below-average grades from the site).

Heck’s injury doesn’t necessarily open a role for Erving, but the veteran should be able to soak up some snaps during training camp and the regular season. Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard are slotted in as the starting OTs, and the team is also rostering rookie second-round pick Blake Fisher. Erving’s versatility provides him some additional pathways to playing time, which could be notable since the left guard spot is up for grabs during training camp and the preseason.

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