Cornelius Lucas

Saints Re-Sign OT Derek Newton

Derek Newton is back with the Saints. On Thursday, the Saints re-signed the offensive tackle, along with fellow OT Cornelius Lucas. To make room, the club cut defensive back Josh Robinson and defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen.

The Saints signed Newton to a two-year deal in early December, even though he had not played since October 2016, then released him a few weeks later. The Saints needed healthy bodies up front due to a recent rash of injuries last week, but they’re now able to accommodate him on the roster.

A 2011 seventh-round pick out of Arkansas State, Newton was the Texans’ starting right tackle from 2012’s first game until that career-altering night in Denver when Newton shredded both of his knees. The Texans waived Newton via failed physical designation in April, and he filed a $500K grievance. This year, Newton worked out for the Jets, Cardinals, and Saints and showed enough in New Orleans to warrant an opportunity.

The Saints kept Newton on speed dial, and he now has a chance to contribute to a contender.

Saints Release OT Derek Newton

Derek Newton‘s comeback hit another unfortunate roadblock on Thursday. The offensive tackle was released by the Saints after he was unable to come back from two torn patellar tendons. 

The Saints signed Newton to a two-year deal earlier this month, even though he has not played since October 2016. The Saints were initially willing to stay patient with the veteran, but they desperately need bodies up front due to a recent rash of injuries. To give some instant relief, the club signed Cornelius Lucas in Newton’s stead.

A 2011 seventh-round pick out of Arkansas State, Newton was the Texans’ starting right tackle from 2012’s first game until that career-altering night in Denver when Newton shredded both of his knees. The Texans waived Newton via failed physical designation in April, and he field a $500K grievance. This year, Newton worked out for the Jets, Cardinals, and Saints and showed enough in New Orleans to warrant a contract.

The Saints will likely keep Newton on speed dial, but another team could scoop him up before they get the chance to bring him back.

NFL Workout Updates: 12/19/18

Today’s practice squad updates, all courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter):

Arizona Cardinals

  • WR Bryant Mitchell; T Ryker Mathews; LBs Tobi Antigha, Sam Eguavoen, Pete Robertson, Alex Singleton, Jameer Thurman; K Ty Long

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

  • G Avery Gennesy

Cleveland Browns

  • RB Jarvion Franklin; TE Kevin Rader; G Ian Park; DT Lance McDowell; S Jack Tocho

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

  • LB Jameer Thurman; DEs Tobi Antigha, Kwaku Boateng; S Chris Edwards

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • G Chris Schleuger; T Dakoda Shepley; DB Tevaughn Campbell; Ks Jon Brown, Trevor Moore; Ps Hayden Hunt, Ryan Winslow; LS Zach Triner

Washington Redskins

NFL Workout Updates: 12/11/18

Here’s the latest from the NFL’s workout circuit, all links going to NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account (unless otherwise noted). The first day teams can sign players to reserve/futures contracts is New Year’s Eve.

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • DB Tevaughn Campbell (link)

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

  • LB Sam Eguavoen (CFL tryout) (link)

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Redskins

NFL Workout Updates: 12/2/18

Today’s workout updates, all courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter):

Arizona Cardinals

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New York Jets

  • G Will House

Seattle Seahawks

NFL Workout Updates: 10/30/18

Here’s the latest from the workout circuit. All links to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account, unless otherwise specified.

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Jets Work Out 5 Tackles

The Jets’ Tuesday workout schedule proved to be quite specific. Only one position was brought through for Jets brass in advance of the team’s Thursday-night game against the Browns.

Five tackles auditioned for Gang Green today, with Field Yates of ESPN.com tweeting Menelik Watson, Will Beatty, Cyrus Kouandjio, Cornelius Lucas and Chaz Green comprised the quintet.

New York already has Ben Ijalana on IR, and Kelvin Beachum entered the week with a foot injury. So did guard James Carpenter. However, both upgraded to full practices by Tuesday.

Watson and Kouandjio both went to camp with the Broncos. Neither former second-round pick made Denver’s 53-man roster, although Watson pocketed some additional money thanks to guarantees in his 2017 free agent contract with the team. He made seven starts with the 2017 Broncos.

Beatty is now 33 and hasn’t been an NFL regular since his run as the Giants’ left tackle ended after the 2014 season. He did play in one game for the Eagles last season and in six for the 2016 Giants, however, and is trying his hand at latching on with a team for another season.

A third-round Cowboys pick in 2015, Green started four games last season but experienced consistent trouble blocking Adrian Clayborn during the then-Falcons defensive end’s six-sack day. A four-year veteran, Lucas started one game for the Rams last season and worked out for the Texans last week.

Texans Work Out Austin Howard, Chris Clark

One of the Texans’ three offseason additions to their starting offensive line did not last through Week 1, and the team is auditioning Seantrel Henderson replacement options. This includes one familiar name in Houston.

Chris Clark trekked to the Texans facility on Tuesday for a workout, joining Austin Howard and Cornelius Lucas in doing so, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

An eight-year veteran, Clark spent the past three seasons with the Texans. He started 26 games, becoming an essential depth piece after injuries to Duane Brown and Derek Newton thrust him into the starting lineup. The Texans placed Henderson on IR on Monday because of an ankle injury.

Howard has bounced around lately but has given multiple teams quality right tackle work in recent years. After playing well in spots for the Raiders from 2014-16, Howard caught on with the Ravens and gave them 16 starts at right tackle. However, the 31-year-old blocker could not commandeer the Colts’ right-side job and was released before the regular season.

A former UDFA, Lucas has served as mostly a backup in his four-season NFL run — spent with the Lions and Rams.

Houston added Henderson, Zach Fulton and Senio Kelemete and may start third-round rookie Martinas Rankin at left tackle after moving Julie’n Davenport to the right side. Clark, 32, and Howard, 31, though, obviously bring far more experience.

Rams Cut Cornelius Lucas, Place Ryan Davis On IR

The Rams are the latest team to start the cut down to 53 players, which must be completed by Saturday afternoon. Los Angeles made the following transactions:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

Placed on injured reserve:

Lucas could have conceivably given the Rams a bit of depth at offensive tackle, as he has 35 career games under his belt (although he’s played in only six contests over the past two seasons). Davis, meanwhile, flashed during training camp and may have been an option on the edge if not for injury.