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D.J. Daniel

Patriots Work Out Four Running Backs

September 28th, 2021 at 8:52pm CST by Ben Levine

With James White sidelined indefinitely, the Patriots are eyeing some free agent running backs. The team worked out Ito Smith, Ryquell Armstead, Dontrell Hilliard, and Artavis Pierce today, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).

[RELATED: Patriots’ James White Out Indefinitely]

Smith has the most experience among the four, seeing time in 35 games in three seasons with the Falcons. This included a 2020 campaign where he finished with 343 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown. The 26-year-old caught on with the Vikings this offseason but was let go before the regular season.

Armstead got into 16 games as a rookie with the Jaguars in 2019, finishing with 252 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. He sat out the 2020 season while dealing with issues from COVID-19, and after getting claimed by the Giants in May, he was waived by his new team in June. Pierce, a 2020 undrafted free agent out of Oregon State, saw time in five games with the Bears last season, rushing for 34 yards and one touchdown on six carries. Hilliard, 26, saw time in 30 games for the Browns in two-plus seasons with the organization.

White suffered a hip injury during Sunday’s loss to the Saints, and the veteran will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. The team is already rostering four other RBs in Damien Harris, J.J. Taylor, rookie Rhamondre Stevenson, and special teamer Brandon Bolden.

The Patriots didn’t only audition running backs today. The team also took a look at defensive backs D.J. Daniel and Stephen Denmark and wideout Anthony Johnson.

Jaguars Cut Tim Tebow

August 17th, 2021 at 8:44am CST by Zachary Links

Tim Tebow‘s time with the Jaguars has come to an end. On Tuesday morning, the Jaguars released the former UF superstar as they work their way down to an 85-man roster.

“Thankful for the highs and even the lows, the opportunities, and the setbacks,” said Tebow on Twitter. “I’ve never wanted to make decisions out of fear of failure and I’m grateful for the chance to have pursued a dream. Thank you to the Jaguars organization and everyone who has supported me in this journey.”

Head coach Urban Meyer previously said that Tebow did a “decent job” in practice . Over the summer, 46% of PFR readers said Tebow would make Jacksonville’s 53-man roster, while another 25% said the ex-Broncos QB1 and Mets farmhand would land on the practice squad. The practice squad remains a possibility, but Tebow won’t be on the Jaguars’ varsity squad to start the year.

Tebow bulked up to 255 pounds — up ~20 from his quarterback days — to move to TE. Washington tight end Logan Thomas proved that the transition could be done, but it took him several years to find his footing. Of course, the ex-Virginia Tech quarterback made the move in his mid-20s; Tebow was trying it at the age of 33.

Due to his NFL service time, Tebow will be a full-fledged free agent by the end of the business day. However, it’s not clear if Tebow will receive — or pursue — an opportunity elsewhere.

In addition to Tebow, the Jaguars have also made the following moves to reach the 85-man max:

  • CB D.J. Daniel (waived)
  • WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (waived/injured)
  • WR Tim Jones (waived/injured)
  • DT Daniel Ross (IR)

Jaguars Sign 5 UDFAs

May 8th, 2021 at 3:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars signed the highest-profile undrafted free agent, agreeing to terms with former Alabama standout Dylan Moses. The team announced the rest of its initial UDFA haul. Here is the rest of Jacksonville’s group:

The two wide receivers follow a Jags draft that included one wideout — Georgia Tech’s Jalen Camp in Round 6. The team authorized a sizable guarantee to Jones, whom veteran NFL reporter Aaron Wilson tweets will collect $180K. Jacksonville guaranteed $165K of Jones’ base salary and will add a $15K signing bonus. Jones operated as a key Southern Miss target from 2018-20, posting his best season — a 73-catch, 902-yard campaign — as a junior in 2019.

Additionally, the Jaguars are guaranteeing Randall $120K, Wilson adds (on Twitter). Once a Temple commit, Randall played three seasons with Division II Charleston (W.V.). Randall, who joins seventh-round Colts wideout Mike Strachan as Charleston players to land with AFC South squads this year, registered 32.5 tackles for loss in three college seasons. He opted out of his senior season, which the pandemic moved to the spring.