HEADLINES

Chris Thompson (RB)

Redskins Re-Sign Chris Thompson

April 22nd, 2017 at 8:56am CST by Ben Levine

Chris Thompson will be returning to the Redskins next season. The team announced that the restricted free agent running back has signed a new contract, although terms of the deal were not reported.

Chris ThompsonThis isn’t particularly surprising, as the deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets with rival clubs was yesterday. Therefore, Thompson essentially had no other choice but to sign Washington’s tender. The Redskins applied a second-round tender to Thompson back in March, which was estimated to be worth $2.74MM.

The 2013 fifth-round pick has spent his entire four-year career with the Redskins. 2016 was arguably his most productive campaign, as he collected career-highs in attempts (68), rushing yards (356), and rushing touchdowns (three). The versatile weapons has also shown to be a threat in the passing game, as he hauled in 49 catches for 349 yards and two scores last season. Thompson ultimately finished the year with 489 offensive snaps, the most among Redskins running backs.

Besides being a threat in the running and receiving game, the Redskins have also used Thompson as a return man. The 26-year-old has returned 33 career punts and 28 career kickoffs.

Thompson will be re-joining a Redskins running back corps that features Rob Kelley, Keith Marshall, Matt Jones, and Mack Brown.

Redskins Apply Second-Round Tender To Chris Thompson

March 8th, 2017 at 1:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Redskins don’t want to chance letting another team pounce on their passing-down running back, placing a second-round RFA tender on Chris Thompson, John Keim of ESPN.com reports. Thompson will make $2.74MM as part of this transaction.

Thompson is a restricted free agent despite being drafted in 2013 because of service-time issues. His fifth year will become a contract year instead of the customary fourth season for most players selected in the second through seventh rounds of their respective drafts. Thompson teamed with Robert Kelley to form the Redskins’ backfield duo down the stretch.

A former Florida State ball-carrier, the 26-year-old Thompson established a new yards from scrimmage career high in 2016, gaining 705 yards. He scored five touchdowns — three on the ground, two receiving — and was a key performer on third downs. With Washington’s backfield corps still unsettled as far as the run-downs player, Thompson can be expected to reprise his role in 2017. The team extending this protective tender only reinforces his value to the team.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/17/16

March 17th, 2016 at 7:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves:

  • Linebacker Terence Garvin took to Twitter to announce that he has signed with Washington. Up until this point, Garvin had spent his entire career with the Steelers. The former UDFA out of West Virginia has appeared in 43 regular-season games (one start) and amassed 21 special teams tackles since breaking into the league in 2012. Garvin also drew interest from the Titans after he was non-tendered by Pittsburgh. Washington has since confirmed the signing.
  • Washington announced that running back Chris Thompson has been re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent, Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic (on Twitter). Thompson, a running back known for his catching ability, appeared in 13 games last season, totaling 240 yards off of 35 receptions with two touchdowns. He also ran the ball 35 times for 216 yards, good for a 6.2 yards-per-carry average.
  • Falcons safety Ricardo Allen signed his exclusive rights tender, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Allen will now earn a $525K salary in 2016.

ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/4/16

March 4th, 2016 at 6:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we rounded up the latest decisions on restricted free agent tenders. Now, we’ll shift our focus to the day’s exclusive-rights free agent tenders, for players with fewer than three years of NFL experience. here’s the latest:

NFC Notes: Bucs, Brown, Washington

April 18th, 2015 at 6:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Linked heavily to Jameis Winston since locking up the No. 1 pick and recently reported to be undeterred by the quarterback’s latest legal issues, the Buccaneers may be backing off that stance slightly. There now could be two draft slots available for teams desperate for signal-calling help, reports Bob Glauber of Newsday.

Although the Bucs, who haven’t held the No. 1 draft choice since taking Vinny Testaverde at that position in 1987, are expected to take either Winston or Marcus Mariota, they are willing to listen to offers for the selection, sources told Glauber. The possibility of stockpiling picks and either selecting a second-tier quarterback later or further determining Mike Glennon‘s legitimacy are contingency plans.

The Browns and Chargers are the most likely teams to pull the trigger on a trade, reports Glauber, with the Jets and Eagles now backing off their pursuits due to Gang Green only possessing six selections and the Eagles unwilling to pay what it would cost to vault from No. 20 to a top-two slot. Glauber notes the Eagles are prepared to go into the season with Sam Bradford as their starter.

A team hasn’t traded a No. 1 pick during the draft since the Eli Manning–Philip Rivers exchange 11 years ago, and the Falcons trading up in 2001 representing the last time a franchise that didn’t finish with the worst record the previous season made the No. 1 overall selection.

Some other notes from around the NFC.

  • The Mariota-to-Philadelphia rumor has indeed lost steam, according to Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, with the prospect of the Eagles adding picks by trading down gaining it. The Eagles own seven picks as of now and traded out of their first-round window last year.
  • Despite being one of several teams in the late derby to add Stevie Brown, the Giants are still considered “one of the favorites” to re-sign him, reports Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com. The Giants’ offer, however, may not top the market that includes the Cowboys, Falcons, Titans and Raiders. But the 27-year-old former seventh-round pick would be a crucial land for Big Blue, as they are in need of two starting safeties. Little-known commodities Nat Berhe and Cooper Taylor are their incumbents at strong safety, increasing the likelihood of a high draft choice coming to help the Giants on the back end. Although converted corners Chykie Brown, Bennett Jackson and Josh Gordy may provide competition at the free safety position, Brown would immediately surge to the top spot there if he re-signs, reports Ranaan.
  • Roy Helu‘s exit to Oakland leaves Washington without a proven backup to Alfred Morris. More importantly, Helu (47 receptions, 477 yards last season) was the team’s only proven third-down back. Chris Thompson is now the favorite to assume that role despite seeing backfield action in just two games in 2014, report Tarik El-Bashir and Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com. Tandler, however, adds that Washington’s coaching staff grew impatient with the 2013 fifth-rounder out of Florida State due to injury struggles and expects this position to be addressed in the draft. Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon, Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah and Missouri’s Marcus Murphy are among those who would fit here, reports El-Bashir, with Pierre Thomas and his 327 career catches still sitting in free agency.

Minor Moves: Thursday

December 11th, 2014 at 6:40pm CST by Luke Adams

As NFL teams around the league make minor tweaks to their 53-man rosters and practice squads, we’ll round up those transactions in this post, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

  • The Chargers signed cornerback Greg Ducre to the practice squad, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (via Twitter). Ducre, who gained a lot of fans within the Bolts organization during his time in camp, was waived by Washington just a few days ago. To make room, the Chargers waived former San Diego State University offensive lineman Bryce Quigley.
  • The Saints have filled the two openings on their practice squad, signing fullback Toben Opurum and wide receiver Willie Snead, per Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
  • After placing Morgan Moses on IR, as noted below, Washington promoted running back Chris Thompson to the active roster, then signed tackle Edawn Coughman to the practice squad (Twitter link). According to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (via Twitter), the club had been telling Thompson for weeks that he’d be promoted by the end of the season.

Earlier updates:

  • The Bengals used the open spot on their practice squad to add another Geathers to the mix — defensive tackle Kwame Geathers joins the organization that also employs his brother Robert Geathers, the team announced today (Twitter link).
  • Washington head coach Jay Gruden told reporters today that rookie offensive lineman Morgan Moses is being placed on injured reserve due to a Lisfranc injury suffered in practice (Twitter link). So far, the club hasn’t added a player to its 53-man roster to take Moses’ spot.
  • The Seahawks have now officially signed defensive lineman David King, in a move reported yesterday, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Condotta adds that the corresponding move sees the team release linebacker Allen Bradford.
  • The Saints have filled the lone opening on their 53-man roster by promoting receiver Seantavius Jones from their practice squad, a source told Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Advocate today. Adding a wideout to the roster makes sense, considering the open spot was created by the release of Joe Morgan.

Sunday/Monday Transactions: NFC East

September 1st, 2014 at 10:20am CST by Dallas Robinson

Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC East teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.

Additionally, as of 11:00am CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.

Here are Sunday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:

Dallas Cowboys:

New York Giants:

Philadelphia Eagles:

Washington Redskins:

Redskins Trim Roster To 53

August 30th, 2014 at 4:54pm CST by Ben Levine

4:54pm: The Redskins have finalized their roster, announcing the following moves via press release:

Waived:

Placed on injured reserve:

Placed on reserve/physically unable to perform list:

8:41am: We learned yesterday that the Redskins let go of eight players, and the team has continued to make cuts this morning. While none of the moves have been announced officially, here is a running list of the team’s reported cuts: