Jeff Okudah

Texans Designate DE Jerry Hughes, CB Jeff Okudah For Return

November 4th, 2024 at 2:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Defensive reinforcements could be on the way soon for the Texans. Defensive end Jerry Hughes and cornerback Jeff Okudah returned to practice on Monday, per a team announcement.

As a result, both players have had their 21-day activation windows opened. They must be moved to the active roster within that span or else they will revert to season-ending injured reserve. Provided both are indeed activated in the near future, Houston will have three such moves available for the rest of the campaign.

Hughes was moved to IR one month ago. That guaranteed at least a four-game absence, one which has in fact stretched to five. The team has extra time at the moment by virtue of playing on Thursday night in Week 9, though, so it would come as no surprise if Hughes were to be activated in time for Week 10. If that were to take place, the 36-year-old would reprise his rotational role behind Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter along the edge.

Okudah played in Houston’s season opener but found himself on injured reserve shortly thereafter. Injuries have been a major problem for the 2020 draft’s third overall pick, and he has made double-digit appearances only twice to date in his career. The Texans represent another opportunity for the former Lion and Falcon to establish his value, although a starting gig on defense should be expected upon return. Instead, Okudah will offer depth at the perimeter corner spot in addition to chipping in on special teams.

Sitting at 6-3 on the year, the Texans are atop the AFC South. Given the Colts’ loss last night, Houston resides as the only team in the division with a winning record. A home playoff game remains a strong possibility as a result, although the team’s offense has significant room for improvement and its defense ranks only 14th in points allowed per game (22.2). The latter unit could see a pair of contributors back in action as early as Week 10.

Texans Place CB Jeff Okudah On IR, Sign DE Rashad Weaver

September 11th, 2024 at 9:55am CST by Sam Robinson

One of Houston’s defensive free agency additions, Jeff Okudah will not be part of the team’s game plans for the foreseeable future. The former No. 3 overall pick is now on IR.

The Texans shifted the former Lions and Falcons cornerback to their IR list due to a hip injury. Okudah worked as a backup in the team’s season opener, playing behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter.

Filling Okudah’s roster spot, Rashad Weaver will come up from the practice squad. The Texans signed the former Titans edge rusher to their 53-man roster. This will mark a quick rebound opportunity for Weaver, a three-season Tennessee contributor who did not make the Titans’ 53-man unit last month.

Houston signed two former top-10 cornerback picks this offseason. While ex-Jaguars and Panthers CB C.J. Henderson did not make the team, Okudah did. The one-year, $4.75MM contract made it a good bet the Texans would hold a roster spot for the former Ohio State standout. Kris Boyd resides as an active-roster backup on the perimeter. The Texans also have slot corner Myles Bryant on their active roster. The team added Desmond King and Troy Pride to its practice squad Tuesday.

This certainly qualifies as disappointing for both parties, as Okudah has battled injuries throughout his career. The ex-Detroit draftee, who had started 24 games from 2022-23, lasted just five snaps before going down against Indianapolis. Okudah missed 29 games during his first four NFL seasons; this transaction will add at least four more absences. The Texans have six injury activations remaining, having used their allotted two upon cutting their roster to 53 last month.

Weaver initially caught on with DeMeco Ryans‘ team shortly after the Titans waived him. Weaver cleared waivers and landed on Houston’s P-squad earlier this month. The Titans had used Weaver as one of their top Harold Landry replacements in 2022, when the former fourth-round pick registered 5.5 sacks. Weaver, however, did not tally a sack during the 2021 or 2023 seasons. With a new regime running the show in Tennessee, Weaver did not make the team. Arden Key skirting a rumored six-game suspension helped lead Weaver off the roster.

The 26-year-old edge rusher joins Jerry Hughes and Derek Barnett as the Texans’ reserve options behind starters Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.. King represents insurance at corner for the defending AFC South champions, playing with the team for the past three seasons.

Texans, CB Jeff Okudah Agree To Deal; Team To Add CB Mike Ford

March 11th, 2024 at 2:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Jeff Okudah has a deal in place with the Texans. The former first-round corner is set to join Houston, as first reported by Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. The one-year deal is worth $4.75MM with $2.5MM guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 adds.

Veteran corner Mike Ford is also on his way to Houston. Ford will receive $4.5MM on a two-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The third-overall pick in the 2020 draft, Okudah struggled during his time in Detroit. He started six of his nine appearances as a rookie before a ruptured Achilles tendon limited him to only one game in 2021. He managed to get into 15 games for the Lions in 2022, finishing with 73 tackles and one interception.

He was shipped to the Falcons last offseason for a fifth-round pick, and Okudah once again struggled to carve out a consistent role. He started nine of his 13 appearances in Atlanta, finishing with 44 tackles.

Ford also got his start in Detroit and was teammates with Okudah in 2020. The former UDFA has bounced around the NFL in recent years, spending time with the Broncos, Falcons, and Browns over the past three years. He started only one of his 16 appearances in Cleveland this past season, finishing with 28 tackles.

NFL Injury Updates: Armstead, Andrews, Waller, Okudah, Moss

September 9th, 2023 at 9:36pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Dolphins are expected to be productive on offense with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa under center, but protection for him up front will be critical to his success. Miami will be shorthanded up front to begin the campaign.

Left tackle Terron Armstead is out for the Dolphins’ opener against the Chargers, as noted by NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. The four-time Pro Bowler is dealing with back, knee and ankle injuries and has not practiced since August 16. He was carted off the field that day, which represented a setback from his ongoing recovery from offseason knee surgery.

Armstead, 32, expressed optimism that he would be healthy in time for Week 1 before suffering the new injuries last month. His absence will be sorely missed given his importance to the team as a high-end blocker when available, and the five-year, $75MM pact he signed with the Dolphins last offseason. Wolfe notes that veteran Kendall Lamm is expected to get the nod in place of Armstead.

Here are some other injury updates in advance of Sunday’s action:

The focal point of the Ravens‘ new-look passing game will likely not be in action tomorrow. Tight end Mark Andrews was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report, but he is not expected to play against the Texans, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The three-time Pro Bowler has been dealing with a quad injury recently, but he practiced on a limited basis each day this week. If he does indeed miss the contest, Baltimore will turn to 2022 draftees Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar at the TE spot, while leaning on a revamped receiver room which added Odell Beckham Jr. and first-round rookie Zay Flowers in the offseason.
Darren Waller‘s Giants debut may be delayed. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the 30-year-old is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his availability for Monday night against the Cowboys is in question. Waller is no stranger to hamstring issues, and they caused signficant missed time during his Raiders tenure. Upon being traded to New York, he received an opportunity to serve as the team’s top pass-catcher, so any absence would deal a blow to the Giants’ offense. 2022 fourth-rounder Daniel Bellinger would take on an increased role at the TE spot if Waller were unable to play.
Cornerback Jeff Okudah has been ruled out by the Falcons, Wolfe notes. The former No. 3 pick had a disappointing run in Detroit which included a number of significant injuries, one of which was a 2021 Achilles tear. Plenty is at stake for him in Atlanta, as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Okudah, 24, suffered a leg injury last month and his recovery was not expected to last deep into the start of the regular season. Free agent signing Tre Flowers could step into a starting role opposite A.J. Terrell against the Panthers on Sunday.
Colts running back Zack Moss was downgraded to doubtful by a team announcement on Saturday. He is recovering from a broken arm, and it was always in the air whether or not he would recover in time to play Week 1. Of course, the absence of the former Bills draftee will compound the fact that Jonathan Taylor is on the PUP list to begin the season, meaning he will be sidelined for at least four weeks. Plenty of rushing responsibility will likely fall to former UDFA Deon Jackson and 2021 Rams seventh-rounder Jake Funk in quarterback Anthony Richardson‘s NFL debut.

Latest On Falcons CB Jeff Okudah’s Leg Injury

August 5th, 2023 at 11:10am CST by Ben Levine

After being carted off the practice field yesterday with an ankle injury, Jeff Okudah received some good news on his MRI. Falcons coach Arthur Smith told reporters that the cornerback has a chance to return from his leg injury early in the season (via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Twitter). Smith wouldn’t reveal what exact injury Okudah suffered, but it sounds like it should only take about a month to recover.

“Very positive news with Jeff,” Smith said today (via the team’s website). “We have think he has a great chance to be back in the early part of the season. We feel really good for Jeff, all things considered.”

The third-overall pick in the 2020 draft has dealt with his fair share of injuries during his brief career. Okudah got into nine games (six starts) as a rookie before undergoing surgery to resolve a core muscle injury. He returned in time for the 2021 season opener, but he ruptured his Achilles during that contest and didn’t see the field again during his sophomore campaign.

The cornerback stayed mostly healthy during his third season in the NFL. Okudah started all 15 of his appearances last season, finishing with 73 tackles, seven passes defended, and one pick-six. He finished the season ranked 77th among 118 qualifying cornerbacks, per Pro Football Focus, although the site did give him one of the best grades at his position for his rush defense.

With Okudah sidelined, Tre Flowers filled in opposite A.J. Terrell during today’s practice. The team has some additional depth at cornerback, including Dee Alford, Mike Hughes and rookie fourth-round pick Clark Phillips III.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Smith revealed that Calais Campbell is “trending in the right direction” as he looks to return to the practice field (per ESPN’s Michael Rothstein on Twitter). The offseason acquisition is currently sitting on the non-football injury list.

2020 Draft Class Sets Record For Fewest Fifth-Year Options Exercised

May 2nd, 2023 at 9:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tuesday marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options. The NFL’s annual round of choices regarding rookie-contract bumps moved a large number of players into contract years.

A few players were not eligible to see their options picked up, due to teams already cutting ties. The Raiders waived both their 2020 first-rounders — Henry Ruggs and Damon Arnette — following off-field events. The Titans bailed on tackle Isaiah Wilson after one season and four career snaps. Former Vikings draftee Jeff Gladney tragically died in a car accident last year, weeks after the Cardinals had signed him. Because the Falcons restructured Jeff Okudah‘s contract, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) the former No. 3 overall pick is ineligible for the fifth-year option.

The 2020 first round housed Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, along with standout receivers Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb. A few left tackle anchors came off the board as well. In addition to the likes of Roger Goodell‘s recliner and Bill Belichick‘s dog, the 2020 first round will be remembered for misfires. Only 12 fifth-year options ended up being exercised. Seventeen (the class of 2016) marked the previous low, Albert Breer of SI.com notes (on Twitter). Twenty-three (2014) remains the record for most options picked up.

A few factors contribute to this low total. While the 2020 Scouting Combine took place, the COVID-19 pandemic nixed most pre-draft visits and shut down in-person workouts and meetings. The virtual draft led to some missteps, particularly in the second half of Round 1. But the CBA agreed to weeks earlier in 2020 changed the option structure. Fifth-year options — guaranteed for injury only as part of the 2011 CBA — became fully guaranteed in 2020. This helped prevent teams from picking up a player’s option, thus delaying agency, and cutting him a year later if he passed a physical. This change introduces more risk with option calls.

Still, the 2018 first-round contingent — the first to see their options come with full guarantees — produced 21 exercised options and one option-negating extension (the Raiders’ Kolton Miller). The 2019 class produced 19. The Packers reached an extension agreement with Jordan Love earlier today, though it is not a traditional re-up like Miller’s. Love’s fully guaranteed money ($13.5MM) compared to what it would have cost the team to pick up the option ($20.27MM).

Via PFR’s fifth-year option tracker, here is how teams proceeded with 2020 first-rounders’ 2024 options:

QB Joe Burrow, Bengals ($29.5MM): Exercised
DE Chase Young, Commanders ($17.45MM): Declined
CB Jeff Okudah, Falcons* ($11.51MM): N/A
T Andrew Thomas, Giants ($14.18MM): Exercised
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($23.2MM): Exercised
QB Justin Herbert, Chargers ($29.5MM): Exercised
DT Derrick Brown, Panthers ($11.67MM): Exercised
LB Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals ($12.72MM): Declined
CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars** ($11.51MM): Declined
T Jedrick Wills, Browns ($14.18MM): Exercised
T Mekhi Becton, Jets ($12.57MM): Declined
WR Henry Ruggs, Raiders: N/A
T Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers ($18.24MM): Exercised
DT Javon Kinlaw, 49ers ($10.46MM): Declined
WR Jerry Jeudy, Broncos ($14.12MM): Exercised
CB AJ Terrell, Falcons ($12.34MM): Exercised
WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($17.99MM): Exercised
OL Austin Jackson, Dolphins ($14.18MM): Declined
CB Damon Arnette, Raiders: N/A
DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars ($12.14MM): Declined
WR Jalen Reagor, Vikings*** ($12.99MM): Declined
WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($19.74MM): Exercised
LB Kenneth Murray, Chargers ($11.73MM): Declined
G Cesar Ruiz, Saints ($14.18MM): Declined
WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($14.12MM): Exercised
QB Jordan Love, Packers ($20.27MM): Extended through 2024
LB Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks ($12.72MM): Declined
LB Patrick Queen, Ravens ($12.72MM): Declined
T Isaiah Wilson, Titans: N/A
CB Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins ($11.51MM): Declined
CB Jeff Gladney, Vikings: N/A
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs ($5.46MM): Declined

* = Lions traded Okudah on April 11, 2023
** = Jaguars traded Henderson on Sept. 27, 2021
*** = Eagles traded Reagor on August 31, 2022

2024 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

May 1st, 2023 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2020 first-rounders who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternate Pro Bowlers) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag.
One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag.
Players who achieve any of the following will get the average of the third-20th highest salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position.

With the deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

QB Joe Burrow, Bengals ($29.5MM): Exercised
DE Chase Young, Commanders ($17.45MM): Declined
CB Jeff Okudah, Falcons* ($11.51MM): N/A
T Andrew Thomas, Giants ($14.18MM): Exercised
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($23.2MM): Exercised
QB Justin Herbert, Chargers ($29.5MM): Exercised
DT Derrick Brown, Panthers ($11.67MM): Exercised
LB Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals ($12.72MM): Declined
CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars** ($11.51MM): Declined
T Jedrick Wills, Browns ($14.18MM): Exercised
T Mekhi Becton, Jets ($12.57MM): Declined
WR Henry Ruggs, Raiders: N/A
T Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers ($18.24MM): Exercised
DT Javon Kinlaw, 49ers ($10.46MM): Declined
WR Jerry Jeudy, Broncos ($14.12MM): Exercised
CB AJ Terrell, Falcons ($12.34MM): Exercised
WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($17.99MM): Exercised
OL Austin Jackson, Dolphins ($14.18MM): Declined
CB Damon Arnette, Raiders: N/A
DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars ($12.14MM): Declined
WR Jalen Reagor, Vikings*** ($12.99MM): To decline
WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($19.74MM): Exercised
LB Kenneth Murray, Chargers ($11.73MM): Declined
G Cesar Ruiz, Saints ($14.18MM): Declined
WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($14.12MM): Exercised
QB Jordan Love, Packers ($20.27MM): Extended through 2024
LB Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks ($12.72MM): Declined
LB Patrick Queen, Ravens ($12.72MM): Declined
T Isaiah Wilson, Titans: N/A
CB Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins ($11.51MM): Declined
CB Jeff Gladney, Vikings: N/A
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs ($5.46MM): To decline

* = Lions traded Okudah on April 11, 2023
** = Jaguars traded Henderson on Sept. 27, 2021
*** = Eagles traded Reagor on August 31, 2022

Falcons To Acquire CB Jeff Okudah From Lions

April 11th, 2023 at 11:11am CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons have been busy on the defensive side of the ball so far this offseason, and Tuesday has seen another significant move made in that regard. Atlanta is acquiring cornerback Jeff Okudah from the Lions, per ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link). Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets that Detroit will receive a fifth-round pick in return.

Okudah entered the league in 2020 with sky-high expectations as the third overall pick following a standpoint career at Ohio State. Things haven’t gone according to plan for him, however, with injuries becoming a mainstay of his pro tenure. Pelissero notes that the Lions will clear all of the $5.1MM remaining in guaranteed money on Okudah’s deal in 2023, the final season of his rookie contract (Twitter link).

While that financial benefit is tangible, this deal still represents a hugely underwhelming return on investment for the Lions considering Okudah’s draft stock. The 24-year-old has been limited to just 22 games in his first three seasons due to multiple ailments – including an Achilles tear – earlier in his career. He did, however, manage to suit up for 15 contests in 2022, a season in which he recorded 73 tackles, one interception and seven pass deflections.

In coverage, Okudah flashed some of the potential he showed in college. He allowed a completion percentage of 59.7% and a passer rating of 87.6, figures which comfortably outpace those which he had produced in limited action during his first two seasons. He will now look to build off that success in Atlanta in advance of reaching free agency for the first time.

The Falcons have made a number of big splashes on defense in 2023, including a four-year, $64MM deal with safety Jessie Bates. Okudah will join a new-look secondary which has also seen the arrival of fellow former Lion Mike Hughes at the cornerback spot. They will join former first-rounder A.J. Terrell at the position, as the Falcons look to take a significant step forward at all three levels of their defense this year.

For Detroit meanwhile, this move creates a vacancy on a unit which struggled mightily in 2022. The Lions ranked 30th in the league against the pass last year, and a number of changes have been made to their cornerbacks room as a result. That includes the signing of Cameron Sutton as well as Emmanuel Moseley. Okudah joins Hughes and Amani Oruwariye as incumbents who will be playing elsewhere in 2023. Speculation could also pick up that a rookie could be in play for Detroit at the position.

The Lions own the No. 6 and No. 18 picks, which could put them in range for a few different cornerback options. The former selection would likely allow them to add the top prospect available at the position, presumably either Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez. With Okudah no longer in the picture, another long-term, starting-caliber investment on the perimeter would come as little surprise. Such a move carries risk, though, as evidenced by the way in which his time in the Motor City has played out and now come to an end.

Lions CB Jeff Okudah Changes Agents

February 19th, 2023 at 11:44am CST by Rory Parks

Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah has changed representation. As Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal reported earlier this month, Okudah, who was previously represented by Klutch Sports Group, has hired Kevin Conner of Universal Sports Management as his agent (Twitter link).

Okudah’s move is notable because, as a 2020 draft choice (No. 3 overall), he is now eligible for an extension. However, it seems unlikely that Detroit will engage in contract talks at this point, as it is not even clear if the club will exercise Okudah’s fifth-year option for 2024. That is despite the fact that the option would come with the lowest-possible salary for a 2020 first-round cornerback ($11.5MM), as Okudah has neither achieved Pro Bowl acclaim nor accrued enough playing time to put himself into a higher salary tier.

Even though the $11.5M salary would be fully-guaranteed, that figure would represent a bargain for a No. 1 corner, which the Lions’ previous Bob Quinn/Matt Patricia regime obviously hoped Okudah would be by this stage of his career. Unfortunately, he missed some time due to injury in his rookie campaign, and he played just one game in 2021 due to a torn Achilles.

The Ohio State product showed some promise in 2022, starting all 15 games in which he appeared and yielding a modest 59.7% completion percentage and 87.6 rating to opposing quarterbacks. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, though, were not particularly fond of his efforts. PFF assigned him a subpar 59.4 overall grade, with a strong run defense mark of 74.0 helping to cover up a poor 54.5 coverage mark. Plus, he was benched late in the year and missed the last game of the season due to an elbow ailment.

When asked in January about his plans for Okudah’s fifth-year option, GM Brad Holmes simply said that he would make that decision “at the appropriate time,” and that there were “some good and some not-so-good” aspects of Okudah’s 2022 performance (via Colton Pouncy of The Athletic (subscription required)). Pouncy believes that Holmes will not exercise the option and will allow Okudah to go into 2023 as a pending free agent.

Should the Lions ultimately elect to open extension discussions, though, Okudah will be represented by an agency that has had recent success in negotiating the contracts of defensive backs like Charvarius Ward, Tre’Davious White, and Jamal Adams.

Lions CB Jeff Okudah Likely Out For Week 12

November 22nd, 2022 at 8:56am CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions will in all likelihood be without their top cornerback when they take on the Bills on Thanksgiving. Jeff Okudah is dealing with a concussion, and will have little (if any) chance of being cleared in time for Thursday’s game.

Okudah exited Detroit’s win over the Giants on Sunday after a collision with teammate Will Harris and did not return. Given the short turnaround – not to mention the parameters of the league’s new concussion protocols – it would be nearly impossible for the Ohio State product to suit up in two days’ time.

Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed as much when speaking to the media about Okudah’s availability. “He’ll be out I’m pretty sure,” he said, via the team’s website. “We just talked about it; I don’t think there is any way possible he can play.”

Injuries are nothing new for the 23-year-old. He missed seven games during his rookie campaign, and essentially all of last season due to an Achilles tear. That led to serious questions about his ability to recover in full and live up to his draft stock as a former No. 3 pick. He impressed the team during the summer, though, and was assured of a starting spot on the boundary during the lead-in to the season.

Okudah had played nearly every snap this season before suffering the injury on Sunday, something which was a welcomed sight for the Lions given his importance to the team’s league-worst defense. He has racked up 53 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception (returned for a touchdown). Detroit will be hard-pressed to replace that production in his absence.

The team will turn to Jerry Jacobs, Mike Hughes and Amani Oruwariye at corner. The latter had a breakout campaign last season, but has taken a major step back in 2022, to the point of being benched for one game and finding himself on the trade market earlier this year. What would already have been a difficult task in slowing the Bills’ high-octane offense will thus be made even more challenging as the Lions look for a fourth straight win on Thursday.

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