2024 September - Pro Football Rumors

Month: December 2024

Colts LB E.J. Speed A Trade Candidate?

September 29th, 2024 at 11:48am CST by Rory Parks

The Colts’ plans to have linebacker Shaquille Leonard anchor the middle of their defense for the long haul took a sour turn when Leonard proved unable to return to form following offseason back surgery in 2022. Indianapolis ultimately waived Leonard last November, and one of the reasons the team felt comfortable in making that move was the presence of fellow ‘backer E.J. Speed.

Speed, 29, was selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2019 draft, and he operated primarily as a special-teamer over the first three years of his career. As a result of Leonard’s health issues, Speed began to see more defensive snaps in 2022, and his performance that season was enough to earn him a two-year, $8MM contract to stay in Indy.

In 2023, Speed started a career-high 11 games and appeared in two-thirds of the Colts’ defensive snaps. HIs 65.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus was solid, if unspectacular, though he scored very highly in terms of run defense and posted 102 total tackles. Through the first three games of 2024, he has become a true every-down linebacker, enjoying a 99% snap share and recording 34 total stops.

PFF is still not enamored with his work, as the site presently considers him the 46th-best LB out of 75 qualifiers in 2024. The usual small sample size caveats apply here, but the Colts’ defense as a whole has underperformed, ranking 31st in terms of total defense (though they have yielded fewer points than the raw yardage would suggest and are currently 14th in points allowed per game).

Between the early struggles of second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson and the porousness of the defense, Indianapolis has gotten off to a 1-2 start. And, as Speed is a veteran on an expiring contract, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the Tarleton State product is a “name to watch” at the trade deadline if the Colts fall out of contention (subscription required).

Any number of teams would be happy to plug a tackle machine into the second level of their defense at the deadline, even if Speed is far from the complete defender that Leonard was in his prime. Graziano specifically names the Bills, Patriots, and Raiders as possible landing spots, although New England and Las Vegas appear as if they might be deadline sellers as opposed to buyers as of the time of this writing.

As Mike Chappell of Fox 59 observes, Speed has posted at least 10 tackles in seven straight games, dating back to last year. That is the longest such streak for a Colts player since at least 1987, and the second-longest streak for any NFL player since that same year.

Browns To Open RB Nick Chubb’s Practice Window

September 29th, 2024 at 10:22am CST by Rory Parks

The struggles of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have been a key storyline in Cleveland in the early stages of the 2024 season, and as the team continues to hope for a turnaround from its high-priced passer, it appears that a key piece of the offensive puzzle will be returning fairly soon. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Browns will open the practice window for running back Nick Chubb – who is currently on the PUP list – on Wednesday.

Once that happens, the Browns will have three weeks to activate Chubb, and if they do not do so within that timeframe, the four-time Pro Bowler will be forced to miss the entire season. Although Rapoport cautions that Chubb is unlikely to return to game action in Week 5, the fact that Cleveland is getting him on the practice field obviously means that the club expects him to be ready to suit up in short order.

His presence will be most welcome. Through the first three weeks of the campaign, the Browns rank 31st in total offense and in the bottom-10 in terms of rushing yards per game. Their ground attack is presently paced by Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman, and while Ford has performed well (5.0 yards per carry on 29 totes), Foreman has struggled, and Chubb is one of the game’s best backs when healthy.

Unfortunately, a brutal knee injury sustained in Week 2 of the 2023 season threatened not only Chubb’s future in Cleveland, but his entire playing career. His injury required two operations, and he opened training camp on the PUP list. Unsurprisingly, he remained on the list through final roster cuts, which required him to miss the first four games of the season.

Player and team agreed to a reworked contract this offseason, and although Chubb accepted a pay cut as part of the restructure, he need only be on the active roster for 12 games to collect a $225K roster bonus (incentives allowing him to recoup some of the money he was originally owed are also present). Between that and the fact that Cleveland is opening Chubb’s practice window in the next couple of days, it would seem that a Week 6 return is in play.

Chubb’s reworked deal did not include additional years of club control, so he will still be a free agent at season’s end. Needless to say, a return to his previous stellar form – he boasts a career 5.3 YPC average on 1,238 carries – would represent a major boon to his future earning power and to the Browns’ 2024 fortunes.

Cowboys’ Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence Injuries Worse Than Expected; Team Not Considering Haason Reddick Trade

September 29th, 2024 at 10:02am CST by Ely Allen

The Cowboys’ second win of the season came with some losses at its heels. Injuries to edge rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence dampened an otherwise victorious Thursday night over the division-rival Giants. While the worst-case scenario was certainly avoided, both situations appear to be worse than initially expected, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.

Parsons fell victim to a high ankle sprain. After exiting the Thursday night matchup in the fourth quarter, Parsons saw negative x-rays immediately after the game. An MRI revealed the sprain, and though there was initially hope that Parsons would be able to take advantage of a 10-day break until their next game and return, the star defender will be out for two to four weeks. With Parsons being such a key player on the defense, it stands to reason that Dallas would slow-play his return, erring on the side of caution and waiting until after their Week 7 bye to bring him back.

Lawrence’s injury seemed immediately worse than Parsons’, a sentiment later confirmed by head coach Mike McCarthy. An MRI today unveiled a mid-foot sprain in Lawrence’s right foot, but the prognosis wasn’t disclosed until a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, pinning Lawrence’s recovery timeline at four weeks, at least.

According to Watkins, McCarthy made it known that both players would be seeking second opinions on their situations. If both situations hold true to their current form, though, Lawrence becomes a sure candidate for injured reserve. With plans to reevaluate Lawrence in four weeks, it makes perfect sense to place him on IR and fill his roster spot with someone who can play now.

With Sam Williams and Durrell Johnson already on IR and Tyrus Wheat dealing with injury, the Cowboys’ depth on the defensive edge is sure to be tested in the coming weeks. Adding Parsons and Lawrence to the list of unavailable players leaves only two healthy defensive ends on the roster: Chauncey Golston and Marshawn Kneeland.

A second-round rookie out of Western Michigan, Kneeland will receive a baptism by fire. He’s served mostly as a rotational rusher in the first few games of the season but will likely be tested much more moving forward. Golston is in a contract year with the Cowboys after being drafted in the third round out of Iowa in 2021. He’s also been mostly a rotational pass rusher throughout his three years with the team, logging three starts and 4.5 sacks in that time.

With a lack of bodies on the edge, the Cowboys will likely continue to look for new players to add to the defense, something the team has been doing since Williams went down in July. They hosted free agent pass rushers Carl Lawson, Shaka Toney, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Justin Hollins before the season, eventually signing Lawson to the practice squad. They may call up some familiar names in their time of need, although at least one high-profile external option is not currently on the table. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the club is not presently considering a trade for embattled Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick due to the prohibitive cost — presumably in terms of both dollars and draft capital — to acquire him.

49ers GM John Lynch Addresses Christian McCaffrey’s Achilles Rehab; Latest On RB’s Potential Return

September 29th, 2024 at 9:29am CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 29: Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link), McCaffrey’s treatment in Germany went well, and he is back in the US. The three-time Pro Bowler could begin running on hard ground this week, and the club presently expects him back no later than early November.

SEPTEMBER 27: Among many other prominent players on the team, Christian McCaffrey remains sidelined for the 49ers. He is on injured reserve while recovering from the Achilles tendonitis which has affected him since the summer.

McCaffrey went to Germany earlier this week to consult with a specialist as he and the team aim to find the best route regarding his recovery. It remains to be seen when he will be able to approach a practice schedule (and therefore become a candidate to be designated for return). A ramp-up period could begin soon, however.

“We needed to quiet it down,” 49ers GM John Lynch said when discussing McCaffrey’s Achilles during a KNBR appearance. “The plan was to give it the time to do that and then at some point in a thoughtful way to ramp him back up… What he does and where he goes, he’s got people who work on his body and have for a long time… Now he’s back here and we’ll have to hit certain markers and try the ramp up.”

Having been moved to IR ahead of Week 2, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year will not be eligible to make his 2024 debut until Week 6. Considerable progress will need to be made for that timeline to be feasible, and the team will no doubt proceed with caution in McCaffrey’s case. He is far from the only professional athlete to travel to Germany while rehabbing an Achilles injury, and the fact he went there suggests he may have received an orthobiologic treatment.

Such treatment consists of stem-cell and platelet-rich plasma injections and is specifically focused on accelerating the healing process for injuries such as Achilles tendonitis. Dr. Kenton Fibel (the Anaheim Ducks’ medical director) recently spoke about the specifics of orthobiologic treatments – which are not FDA approved but are permitted by North American professional sports leagues – and how receiving one would impact McCaffrey’s recovery timeline.

“Usually whenever you’re having some sort of a biologic procedure for a tendon, particularly an Achilles tendon, typically that’s going to require you to have enough time to rest and protect the tendon after the procedure,” Fibel said (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). “And then start to progress things forward while the tissue has a chance to biologically start to heal and restructure… With some of these more important weight-bearing tendons, it’s pretty safe to say that they’re not returning within the first four weeks of the procedure.”

If McCaffrey did indeed receive an injection while in Germany, it will be interesting to see how he and the team proceed with a gradual ramp-up period. If not, further rest could be in store before a return to action becomes realistic. While he recovers, San Francisco will continue to rely on Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo in the backfield.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel Expected To Return In Week 4

September 29th, 2024 at 7:39am CST by Ben Levine

SEPTEMBER 29: Samuel is returning sooner than expected. As first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the 28-year-old wideout expects to play in the 49ers’ Week 4 contest against the the Patriots, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter subsequently noted that the team has the same expectation.

While Jennings had a monster performance in Samuel’s absence in Week 3 — catching 11 passes for 175 yards and three scores — San Francisco still lost the game, and the club will be happy to have the former First Team All-Pro back in the fold.

SEPTEMBER 16: The 49ers are down another offensive star. Receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a calf strain yesterday that will sideline him for several weeks, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

According to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, Samuel believes he suffered his injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss. The 49ers only played a handful of additional offensive snaps before the game ended. It doesn’t sound like Samuel will require an IR stint, but Shanahan also hinted that this will be more than a one-game absence.

The 49ers were already operating without star RB Christian McCaffrey, with Samuel soaking up a handful of leftover snaps in the backfield (behind Jordan Mason). Samuel was naturally impressing in the receiving game, averaging 82 yards through his first two contests. That marked his highest average since his 1,405-yard receiving effort in 2021, and it was also a major step up from his 54.4 yards-per-game-mark between 2022 and 2023.

Attention will now turn to the team’s remaining offensive star in Brandon Aiyuk. The wideout is coming off a drama-filled training camp and preseason that included a hold-in and a trade request. That ended up culminating in the receiver earning a contract worth $30MM annually, and the fifth-year pro will now be called upon to help guide the team’s receivers. Through two games, Aiyuk has hauled in only six catches for 71 yards, and he had a notable dropped touchdown in Week 1.

With Samuel out, Jauan Jennings will likely see an uptick in playing time. The Super Bowl LVIII standout got into 38 offensive snaps yesterday, and he was the only receiver outside of Samuel and Aiyuk to see a significant role. Chris Conley and Ronnie Bell got into a combined 15 snaps, while Jacob Cowing didn’t garner an offensive snap. Rookie Ricky Pearsall will also eventually be inserted into the conversation, although there’s a good chance he’s back after Samuel.

Dolphins To Start QB Tyler Huntley In Week 4

September 28th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

The Dolphins will have a new QB under center on Monday night. Coach Mike McDaniel told reporters (including Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald) that Tyler Huntley will start at quarterback vs. the Titans.

Huntley’s promotion to QB1 seemed increasingly likely as Skylar Thompson was limited at practice all week with a rib injury. McDaniel acknowledged as much to reporters, noting that it was “supremely obvious” that Huntley “had what it takes” to guide the offense (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques).

Thompson got the first chance to fill in for Tua Tagovailoa, but the former seventh-round pick was knocked out of the team’s Week 3 loss with a rib injury. Tim Boyle ended up finishing that contest, but the veteran will revert to his standard backup role in Week 4 (per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe).

While Tagovailoa is showing positive signs in his recovery from yet another concussion, the starter doesn’t have a definitive return timeline. The team snagged Huntley off Baltimore’s practice squad following Tagovailoa’s Week 2 head injury, but with less than a week of practice time before Week 3, it seemed inevitable that Thompson would get the Week 3 nod. Following Thompson’s ugly performance last weekend, the Dolphins staff continued to give the third-year pro a vote of confidence (per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald), a sign that he could be inserted back into the starting lineup when he’s healthy.

For the time being, Huntley will have a chance to run with the job during Tagovailoa’s absence. The former UDFA spent the majority of his career in Baltimore serving as Lamar Jackson‘s backup. Huntley went 3-6 as a starter between the 2021 and 2023 campaigns. That included an infamous 2022 season where he earned a Pro Bowl nod despite starting only four games. In total, the 26-year-old has completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 1,957 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He’s also collected 509 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 115 attempts.

Huntley hit free agency this offseason and caught on with the Browns. Cleveland unsuccessfully shopped the backup before releasing him during final cuts. He was quickly added to the Ravens practice squad to serve as the third QB behind Jackson and Josh Johnson.

Steelers Monitoring WR Market?

September 28th, 2024 at 9:46pm CST by Ben Levine

The Steelers struck out in their offseason pursuit of a top-end wide receiver, and it sounds like the team continues to explore the trade market at the position. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Steelers are expected to monitor the WR market ahead of the trade deadline.

The organization subtracted from their wide receiver corps when they traded Diontae Johnson during the offseason. The team didn’t do a whole lot to replenish their depth, adding Van Jefferson and rookie third-round pick Roman Wilson to a receivers room that included the likes of George Pickens and Calvin Austin. The Steelers showed they were considering reinforcement when they were deeply involved in the Brandon Aiyuk sweepstakes, but the 49ers WR ended up rejecting the Steelers to sign an extension with San Francisco.

Pickens has averaged 57 yards per game through the first three weeks of the season, but the only other Steelers pass catchers to average more than 30 yards are Austin (36) and tight end Pat Freiermuth (33). With Justin Fields (or potentially Russell Wilson) guiding the offense, the receiving numbers will naturally be capped, but the organization’s lack of top-end depth makes them a natural suitor for a WR.

Graziano points to DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk as potential trade targets depending on how the next few weeks go. The team’s QB play will also likely determine the team’s trade-deadline strategy, but as long as the Steelers remain competitive, there’s no doubt the front office will be looking to improve any spot on the roster.

Raiders’ Davante Adams Facing Multi-Week Absence

September 28th, 2024 at 9:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

Davante Adams is dealing with a hamstring injury, and he will be out of the Raiders’ lineup for tomorrow’s contest. The All-Pro wideout is set to be sidelined for a longer period, however.

Adams’ injury occurred during Vegas’ Thursday practice, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Paul Gutierrez report he is expected to be out for multiple weeks. Hamstring injuries can often linger, and players prematurely returning to the field can lead to lengthier absences. The Raiders will no doubt proceed with caution in this case.

Since being acquired via trade in 2022, Adams as served as the team’s top wideout. The 31-year-old totaled 203 catches across his first two campaigns in Vegas, and expectations remain high for his output moving forward. His 209 yards lead the team in 2024, underscoring how impactful his absence will be in the passing game. While missed time could lower Adams’ trade value, the ESPN report reiterates such a move is not under consideration (as was the case during the offseason). Indeed, Schefter and Gutierrez note that the Raiders turned away multiple teams interested in a trade this offseason before those clubs could even make an offer.

Still, the six-time Pro Bowler was viewed in the build-up to the season as a trade candidate depending on how the campaign played out, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk openly wonders whether Adams has already played his last snaps for Las Vegas. The Raiders sit at 1-2 after a lopsided loss to the Panthers. Head coach Antonio Pierce made his displeasure clear in the aftermath of that contest, leading to speculation signficant changes could be coming. Quarterback Gardner Minshew remains atop the depth chart, however, and the veteran will now rely on other pass-catching options for the time being.

Tight end Brock Bowers has enjoyed a strong start to his rookie season, registering at least 41 yards in each game to date. Vegas’ top pick in April’s draft will be expected to take on a larger target share in Adams’ absence. At the receiver spot, veteran Jakobi Meyers is now positioned to handle an increased workload alongside fellow starter Tre Tucker. The latter posted 96 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions last week, and Vegas’ offense would welcome a repeat performance on Sunday.

Placing Adams on injured reserve would require a four-game absence. It remains to be seen if such a move becomes necessary, but his status will be worth watching closely over the near future as the Raiders (a team which will be without Maxx Crosby on Sunday) look to avoid a 1-3 start to the season.

Lions Place S Ifeatu Melifonwu On IR

September 28th, 2024 at 8:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ifeatu Melifonwu has yet to play this season, and his 2024 debut will be delayed for a notable stretch. The fourth-year safety was placed on injured reserve Saturday, per a team announcement.

Melifonwu suffered an ankle injury in practice earlier this month. It kept him sidelined through the first three weeks of the campaign, and today’s move confirms a lengthy recovery period is still needed. The 2021 third-rounder will miss at least the next four games as a result of the IR move.

Drafted as a corner, Melifonwu primarily played on the boundary during his rookie campaign. He logged a 53% snap share that year, although he was limited to only seven games. The 25-year-old transitioned to safety the following campaign, but he also played sparingly at cornerback. The 2022 season was also shortened by injury, as Melifonwu suited up for just 10 contests.

Things took a positive turn on the health front last year, with the Syracuse product managing to remain healthy for a full season. Melifonwu played all 20 of the Lions’ regular and postseason games, combining to make nine starts across that span. He collected the first two interceptions of his career and posted three sacks during the year; Melifonwu added a pair of sacks in the playoffs. That production has been missed in the secondary this season, and his absence will continue to be be acutely felt for the foreseeable future.

Detroit has Kerby Joseph in place as a full-time safety starter with Brian Branch available as a versatile contributor on the backend. With Melifonwu still on the mend, Brandon Joseph is in place to continue in a backup/special teams role. The Lions’ defense has performed well in a number of categories this year, but the unit – one which was the focus of several cornerback moves during the offseason – currently ranks just 19th against the pass. Melifonwu returning to health could help in that regard, but it remains to be seen when that will be the case.

As a pending free agent, Melifonwu’s latest injury issue has come at a particularly problematic time. His value is in danger of taking a hit as he continues to miss considerable time, something confirmed by today’s transaction.

Bills LB Terrel Bernard Expected To Avoid IR

September 28th, 2024 at 8:08pm CST by Ben Levine

SEPTEMBER 28: Bernard expressed a desire to return to action in time for Week 5 (h/t Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic). He has already been ruled out for tomorrow’s contest, but by not going on IR he is eligible to suit up at any time. Bernard’s status over the coming days will be worth monitoring.

SEPTEMBER 21: Some good news on the Terrel Bernard front. The Bills linebacker isn’t expected to land on injured reserve, according to Sean McDermott (per Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic). While the head coach admitted that he can’t say anything definitive, he felt the Bills wouldn’t have “to go in that direction.”

“Don’t know anything else right now,” McDermott said when asked about a potential IR stint for Bernard (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg). “I don’t think so, but still I can’t make that statement with 100% certainty right now. But I feel like we won’t have to go that direction.”

Bernard exited Buffalo’s Week 2 win over Miami after getting into only 14 defensive snaps. The linebacker fortunately avoided the worst-case scenario, with his pectoral injury proving to be a strain vs. a full tear. McDermott later confirmed that Bernard would miss multiple weeks. The team was afforded some extra time to determine any IR machinations considering their 11-day break between Week 2 and Week 3. Before today’s encouraging news, Bernard had already been ruled out for Monday night.

The former third-round pick had a breakout campaign in 2023, finishing with 143 tackles and 6.5 sacks. The Bills intended to be especially reliant on the third-year pro in 2024, as Matt Milano is sidelined indefinitely with a biceps tear. A four-week absence for Bernard would stress the team’s LB depth, although it sounds like they’ll only have to temporarily deal with a depleted depth chart.

Former seventh-round pick Baylon Spector stepped in for Bernard last Thursday and ended up playing a position-high 62 snaps while compiling 10 tackles. Dorian Williams will also help to soak up many of the snaps at linebacker, with the likes of Nicholas Morrow and Joe Andreessen representing the team’s depth at the position.

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