C.J. Anderson - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Jets, Snacks, Anderson

October 20th, 2020 at 8:48pm CST by Ben Levine

Linebacker Blair Brown had domestic battery charges dropped in July and has since been informed that he’ll face no discipline from the NFL, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (via Twitter). The 26-year-old was cut by the Jaguars following his arrest in May of 2019.

The Ohio University product was selected in the fifth round of the 2017 draft by Jacksonville. He proceeded to appear in 28 games through two seasons with the team, compiling 17 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one fumble recovered. He also appeared in three postseason games during the Jaguars run in 2017, collecting six tackles.

Last week, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle had reported that the linebacker worked out for the Texans. Brown ultimately left Houston without a contract.

Let’s check out some more notes from around the NFL…

Adam Gase may still be employed, but ESPN’s Rich Cimini is skeptical that the Jets head coach will keep his job for the entire season. The reporter describes the head coach’s firing as “inevitable,” and he writes that it wouldn’t be a surprise if CEO Christopher Johnson “pulls the plug now.” Following their shutout loss to the Dolphins this past weekend, the Jets have dropped to 7-15 during Gase’s tenure with the organization.
The Buccaneers weren’t the only team to express interest in Snacks. Pelissero tweets that the Dolphins recently made a run at defensive tackle Damon Harrison. However, just like he did with Tampa Bay, the veteran rejected Miami in order to stick with Seattle’s practice squad. Fortunately, it sounds like his opportunity with the Seahawks is coming, as the reporter adds that Harrison is “ramping up towards joining Seattle’s active roster.” Snacks, 31, has operated as a nose tackle starter since his second season (2013), playing that role for the Jets, Giants and Lions.
Former NFL running back C.J. Anderson is currently serving as a volunteer offensive coach at Cal, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The 31-year-old was a standout during his time with the Golden Bears, and despite going undrafted in 2013, Anderson managed to put together a seven-year NFL career. Following a 2019 campaign that saw him appear in a pair of games for the Lions, Anderson announced his retirement back in September.

C.J. Anderson Announces Retirement

September 18th, 2020 at 1:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Veteran running back C.J. Anderson will retire after seven NFL seasons, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Best known for his five-year run with the Broncos, the 29-year-old back played for three other teams — the Rams, Panthers and Lions — and was briefly a Raider. He last worked out for the Seahawks in December.

A former Cal-Berkeley contributor, Anderson did not rush for more than 800 yards in his two seasons at the Pac-12 school. But he fared better as a pro, becoming a key cog with the Broncos after catching on as a 2013 UDFA. Anderson operated as Denver’s starter for the better part of four seasons and rushed for 3,051 yards — ninth in Broncos history — and 24 touchdowns during his time with the team.

The Broncos initially turned to Anderson as a starter late in the 2014 season, after injuries to Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball, and the 5-foot-8 back ended that campaign as a Pro Bowler. A year later, his walk-off overtime run against the Patriots ended up securing the Broncos home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs. Anderson shined that postseason, rushing for 234 yards and two TDs in three playoff games to help the Broncos to their third championship.

Former Broncos OC Adam Gase attempted to bring Anderson to the Dolphins in 2016, but the Broncos matched a four-year, $18MM offer sheet. Anderson finished the 2017 season with his only 1,000-yard showing, but Denver cut him in 2018. This move, however, preceded Anderson helping the Rams to Super Bowl LIII. Playing at a slightly heavier weight, Anderson filled in for an injured Todd Gurley before working in tandem with the All-Pro back in the playoffs. The former cleared 100 yards three times in five games with Los Angeles, doing so despite being cut by the Panthers and Raiders that year.

Anderson plans to move into the coaching ranks, with an eye on one day being a head coach, and is eyeing a potential gig at a Power 5 conference, via Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter links).

Seahawks To Sign RB Robert Turbin

December 23rd, 2019 at 6:57pm CST by Ben Levine

The Seahawks have added one of their former running backs…but it’s not Marshawn Lynch (at least not yet). NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that Seattle is expected to sign running back Robert Turbin.

Those hoping for a Beast Mode reunion shouldn’t fear, however. Garafolo notes that the team is “still working through” Lynch’s meeting and physical. We heard earlier today that both the organization and the former Pro Bowler were “optimistic” that a deal would ultimately get done.

As for Turbin, he was among the running backs that worked out for the Seahawks earlier today. That grouping also included C.J. Anderson, who told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he won’t be signing with the organization (Twitter link).

Turbin spent the first three seasons of his career in Seattle, including the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning campaign. The 30-year-old’s last NFL gig was with the Colts, who he played for between 2016 and 2018. Turbin ran for seven touchdowns during his first season in Indy, but he was limited to only eight games during his final two years with the team.

Following injuries to Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise, and Rashaad Penny, the Seahawks are in desperate need of backfield help. The organization is clearly valuing familiarity when it comes to adding reinforcement at the position.

Seahawks Meet With C.J. Anderson

December 23rd, 2019 at 3:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

A third name has surfaced in Seattle’s 11th-hour running back search. C.J. Anderson also worked out for the Seahawks on Monday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Mentioned as a fill-in candidate in the wake of Seattle’s rough Week 16, Anderson joined Robert Turbin in auditioning for the suddenly desperate playoff-bound squad. Marshawn Lynch is perhaps set to help fill the void left by the injuries to Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise. But the Seahawks are planning to sign two running backs, per the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta (on Twitter). Anderson brings considerable experience and has a history of key postseason contributions.

Anderson has played in three Super Bowls, the first being Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seahawks. A Pro Bowler in 2014 and 1,000-yard rusher with the Broncos in 2017, Anderson started in Super Bowl 50 and led all players with 100 scrimmage yards that night. He was a struggling Denver offense’s most reliable option in the 2015 playoffs.

He joined the Rams at around this juncture in 2018 and helped reignite a ground game following Todd Gurley‘s injury. Both he and Gurley surpassed 100 yards in Los Angeles’ divisional-round win over Dallas earlier this year. Anderson went 3-for-5 in 100-yard games as a Ram.

The Lions signed Anderson but released him early this season. The Broncos, Panthers and Raiders cut him last year, but Anderson revived his stock with the Rams. The seven-season veteran has not caught on anywhere since departing Detroit, but this profiles as another late-season opportunity for the 28-year-old free agent.

Seahawks Lose Trio Of Players

December 22nd, 2019 at 7:35pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Seahawks lost a tough one at home to the Cardinals on Sunday, and the news got much worse after the game. Running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise will likely miss the rest of the season with hip and arm injuries respectively, head coach Pete Carroll announced to the media. Caroll also revealed that starting left tackle Duane Brown would undergo surgery on his knee and that while he could make it back for the playoffs, he won’t play next week.

That’s all very unfortunate, since Seattle has a crucial Week 17 game against the 49ers that will determine who wins the NFC West and in turn gets a home playoff game. The Seahawks were already playing without key defensive pieces in Jadeveon Clowney and Shaquill Griffin, and it’s unclear if either of them will make it back for next week. Either way, the Seahawks will now be very shorthanded for their showdown with San Francisco.

Rashaad Penny recently landed on injured reserve with an ACL injury, so Seattle has virtually no running backs left after today. They’ll certainly be making a move or two this week, and Carroll acknowledged as much by saying “John’s gotta get working” in reference to GM John Schneider, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. Carson had been having a very solid year before going down, and will finish the season with 1,190 yards on the ground and nine total touchdowns.

Depending on who they add to the roster this week, rookie sixth-round pick Travis Homer currently profiles as the team’s starter at running back for Week 17. The Miami product now has eight carries in his career after handling five on Sunday. Brown is the anchor of the offensive line, and his absence will be sorely felt. 2018 fifth-round pick Jamarco Jones started two games when Brown was hurt earlier this year.

As for who Seattle will pick up, there are plenty of serviceable veteran options available. They worked out Robert Turbin and Alfred Blue last week after Penny went down, so perhaps one of those guys will get a call. Additionally, C.J. Anderson is a player the team might have interest in, Condotta hears (Twitter link). Anderson joined the Rams late in the season last year and ended up playing a huge role in their Super Bowl run, so he’s no stranger to this type of situation. Even more interestingly, Condotta tweets that he doesn’t “think it can be ruled out” that they might sign Marshawn Lynch. Lynch retired back in April, but left the door open for a return to the Raiders in May, so he might not be 100 percent finished. That would certainly be entertaining.

Raiders Work Out C.J. Anderson

October 21st, 2019 at 4:31pm CST by Marc Delucchi

Running back C.J. Anderson worked out for the Raiders today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com. The Raiders appear to be looking at bringing in additional depth behind starter Josh Jacobs.

Jacobs has been fantastic for the Raiders and is a prime candidate to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. However, after sharing running back duties in college at Alabama, Oakland has given him the lion’s share of carries. Last week the team auditioned a pair of backs and continues to monitor the market. While he is not expected to miss any time, Jacobs did leave their game against the Packers for some time, giving the team another reason to bring in an additional back.

Anderson, currently in his seventh NFL season, has amassed nearly 3,500 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns over his career. He served as one of the primary backs for the Broncos from 2014-17, but has yet to find a long-term home since.

He has appeared in games for the Panthers, Rams, and Lions over the past two seasons. In between his stints in Carolina and Los Angeles, Anderson actually signed with the Raiders last season before being released less than a week later.

No one believes the Raiders need an additional running back. However, a veteran like Anderson would seem well equipped to allow them to give their rookie more rest and hopefully, keep him healthy moving forward.

Giants Audition C.J. Anderson, Buck Allen

October 11th, 2019 at 4:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants are on the hunt for backfield depth. In addition to auditioning Akeem Hunt, the Giants used a Friday workout to look at C.J. Anderson and Buck Allen, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Thursday night’s 35-14 loss to the Patriots occurred without Saquon Barkley or Wayne Gallman. While Barkley is expected to return soon from his high ankle sprain, Gallman has a concussion and a less certain timetable. Big Blue has used UDFA Jon Hilliman as its third-stringer thus far. He got the start against New England.

Anderson, 28, has been a well-traveled back since his five-season Broncos stay ended after the 2017 slate. Super Bowl 50’s top rusher, Anderson also thrived with the Rams when summoned late last season and played a key role in Super Bowl LIII. The Lions released the former Pro Bowler in September.

Allen’s rookie contract expired after the ’18 season. He surpassed 500 yards rushing in 2015 and ’17. The Saints signed Allen this offseason but parted ways with him via injury settlement. This is his first known workout since that transaction.

The Giants cut Paul Perkins and jettisoned Rod Smith via injury settlement, so if Gallman cannot return soon, the team may be set to add a veteran as insurance.

Texans Work Out C.J. Anderson

September 24th, 2019 at 1:34pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans will audition running back C.J. Anderson on Tuesday, a source tells NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Anderson was displaced last week when the Lions claimed Paul Perkins off waivers from the Giants.

The Texans’ running back situation was thrown into disarray in the offseason when Lamar Miller suffered a torn ACL. They went out and traded for Duke Johnson, and later added Carlos Hyde to the mix in a deal with the Chiefs, but they’re still investigating supporting cast members.

Anderson joined the Lions on a one-year, $1.5MM deal this year, but he rushed for just 43 yards in 16 attempts in his two games with the club. Given his success with the Panthers, Raiders, and Rams last year, it stands to reason that he can still be an effective back, unless age and injury have caught up with him.

Lions Cut C.J. Anderson, Claim Paul Perkins

September 17th, 2019 at 4:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions will have a rearranged backfield come Week 3. They released offseason addition C.J. Anderson and claimed Paul Perkins off waivers from the Giants.

Anderson signed a one-year, $1.5MM contract to join the Lions, his fourth team in the past year. The former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl starter rushed for 43 yards on 16 carries over Detroit’s first two games.

Perkins will join sixth-round rookie Ty Johnson and fellow waiver claim J.D. McKissic behind starter Kerryon Johnson. As a result of Anderson’s departure, the Lions will boast a much less experienced backfield. Perkins will arrive after having not played in a regular-season game since 2017. The former Jerry Reese-era Giants pick was buried on this season’s New York depth chart, prompting the now-Dave Gettleman-led club to waive him last week.

The 24-year-old UCLA alum averaged just 2.2 yards per carry in 2017 but posted a more respectable 4.1 per-tote mark as a rookie. He has yet to score a touchdown. This move will send the 28-year-old Anderson back to free agency. He caught on with the Panthers, Raiders and Rams last season and enjoyed great success for the NFC champions. But Los Angeles moved in a different direction, leading Anderson to Detroit.

North Notes: Bears, Anderson, Steelers

April 6th, 2019 at 4:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Anthony Miller showed promise for the Bears as a rookie, hauling in seven touchdown receptions and being a key player from the outset of the team’s NFC North championship season. The Memphis product dealt with a shoulder injury, however, for much of the season. Miller said he dislocated his shoulder at least five times during his rookie campaign, with Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune noting the first such dislocation came in September and the last had him a shell of his optimal version. By season’s end, Miller had faded, finishing his first regular season with a four-catch, 25-yard December. Miller underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in January and expects to be limited throughout the Bears’ offseason program, per Kane, but understandably anticipates a production increase as an NFL sophomore — should he sufficiently recover from this ailment.

Here is the latest from the North divisions:

Details are in on C.J. Anderson‘s Lions deal, courtesy of Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The veteran running back’s one-year agreement is worth nearly $1.5MM and can max out at $3MM (Twitter links). Anderson received $200K to sign. Anderson signed for one year and nearly $1.7MM with the Panthers last year. Both of these agreements represent steep pay reductions when compared to Anderson’s previous four-year, $18MM Broncos pact. But the 27-year-old back stands to play a key part in Detroit’s backfield this season, perhaps setting him up for another contract in 2020.
Despite the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger having been engaged in extension discussions for more than a month, no impasse between the parties exists, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes. While the Steelers have spoken with Big Ben’s agent, Ryan Tollner, little dialogue has transpired between the Steelers and their 16th-year quarterback, Dulac adds. One year and $23.2MM remain on Roethlisberger’s current deal. Despite entering his age-37 season, Roethlisberger stands to take on even greater importance this coming year — considering the caliber of players the Steelers recently lost.
The Steelers are doing some research on higher-end cornerbacks in this year’s draft, hosting Rock Ya-Sin and Justin Layne on pre-draft visits Friday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Post-Gazette notes. A former Division I-FCS transfer who played just one season at Temple, the 6-foot Ya-Sin nevertheless rates as the No. 29 overall prospect on NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s board. A converted wide receiver, the 6-2 Layne started two seasons as a corner at Michigan State.
After a three-arrest offseason, running back Mark Walton received his walking papers from the Bengals.