HEADLINES

Dan Herron

Patriots Work Out Boom Herron

October 5th, 2015 at 7:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots worked out former Colts running back Boom Herron on Monday, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss (on Twitter). The Patriots may have been taking a look at Herron in an effort to keep their emergency lists fresh, as Reiss insinuates, but his previous body of work could have New England interested in a deal. Of course, the Pats are also facing the Colts in two weeks and, as teams often do, the Patriots could be looking at Herron as a source of useful information.

Herron, who suffered a sprained AC joint in the Colts’ final preseason game, was waived by the Colts in September. The 26-year-old, who was competing for a role as one of Frank Gore‘s backups, was a sixth-round pick of the Bengals in 2012 and spent the last two years with the Colts. He played in all 16 of the Colts’ regular-season contests in 2014 and rushed for 351 yards and a touchdown, adding 21 catches.

 

Colts Acquire Billy Winn, Cut Boom Herron

September 11th, 2015 at 3:30pm CST by Luke Adams

3:30pm: It’s a seventh-round pick headed from the Colts to the Browns in the deal, tweets Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com.

3:15pm: The Colts have made multiple changes to their roster, announcing today in a press release that they’ve acquired defensive lineman Billy Winn from the Browns in exchange for a conditional late-round 2017 pick. In order to clear room on the roster for Winn, Indianapolis has waived guard Robert Myers.

Additionally, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Colts have reached an injury settlement with running back Boom Herron, who was waived/injured during the club’s cutdown to 53 players. The move means that Herron will pass through waivers again, and if he goes unclaimed, he’ll become a free agent, able to sign with any team.

Herron, who suffered a sprained AC joint in the Colts’ final preseason game, isn’t expected to be shelved for a significant amount of time due to the injury, so he could be claimed on waivers, like Robert Turbin was yesterday. However, I’d be a little surprised if a club wanted to carry Herron on its 53-man roster quite yet.

As for Winn, he has played 40 games for the Browns since entering the league as a sixth-round pick in 2012, earning 18 starts during that span. He’ll provide depth on the Colts’ defensive line, but likely won’t take on a significant role unless Indianapolis has injury problems up front.

For the Browns, trading Winn opens up a roster spot for the team to promote Shaun Draughn from the practice squad. Cleveland hasn’t made that move official yet, but with Turbin out and Duke Johnson recovering from a concussion, Draughn figures to join the team’s backfield for at least Week 1 to complement Isaiah Crowell.

Free Agent Notes: Gray, Coxson, Workouts

September 7th, 2015 at 12:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Patriots running back Jonas Gray was one of the more notable offensive players to hit the waiver wire this weekend, as his time in New England came to an end. Now that he’s a free agent, Gray is drawing interest from several teams, as we heard yesterday, and he’ll pay a visit to one of those teams on Tuesday.

Gray’s agent, Sean Stellato, tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that his client has a workout scheduled for tomorrow with the Titans. Tennessee also acquired Terrance West from the Browns in a weekend trade, so the club is clearly looking for other options to complement Bishop Sankey, after having placed David Cobb on injured reserve with the designation to return.

Here are a few more notes on free agents, or players who figure to become available soon:

  • Wide receiver Adrian Coxson, who signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent in May and was let go by the team in August, is retiring from the NFL due to ongoing concussion symptoms, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. “It’s been recommended to me by two neurologists and two doctors to retire from football,” Coxson told Wilson. “The next hit to my head could possibly kill me or be life damaging.”
  • The Dolphins are trying out former Falcons linebacker Marquis Spruill today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
  • Linebacker Nick Moody, cut by the 49ers yesterday, is headed to New York for a workout with the Giants, a source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link).
  • Agent Brett Tessler says (via Twitter) that his client, guard Mike Liedtke, formerly of the Dolphins, is visiting the Jets today. Caplan notes (via Twitter) that the Jets also worked out wide receiver Shane Wynn, who will audition for the Titans this week as well.
  • Veteran offensive lineman Ben Garland, who has spent time with the Broncos in some capacity – either on the team’s roster or practice squad – for the last four seasons, was cut during Denver’s cutdown to 53 players this week. However, he’s drawing around interest around the league, according to Mike Klis of 9 News (Twitter link).
  • Running back Daniel “Boom” Herron was waived/injured by the Colts on the weekend, and isn’t a free agent quite yet. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Herron suffered a sprained AC joint, which isn’t considered a serious injury. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, Herron will work out an injury settlement with the Colts and become a free agent.

Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC South

September 6th, 2015 at 4:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC South 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 for the Texans, Colts, Jaguars, and Titans are noted below.

Additionally, as of 11:00am 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 AFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

  • Claimed off waivers:
  • Cut:
  • Signed to practice squad (via press release)

    • OLB Daniel Adongo
    • G David Arkin
    • WR Quan Bray
    • WR Duron Carter
    • T Ulrick John
    • S Dewey McDonald
    • ILB Josh McNary
    • CB Eric Patterson
    • DT Jeris Pendleton
    • TE Erik Swoope

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed to practice squad (via press release):

    • DL Richard Ash
    • TE Ben Koyack
    • S Craig Loston
    • OL Chris Reed
    • WR Neal Sterling
    • LB Todd Thomas
    • DB Peyton Thompson
    • WR Tony Washington

Tennessee Titans

  • Claimed off waivers:
  • Acquired via trade:
    • RB Terrance West, from Browns (link)
  • Cut:
    • TE Chase Coffman (link)
    • LB Jonathan Massaquoi (link)
    • LB Justin Staples (link)
  • Signed to practice squad (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt):

    • S Josh Aubrey
    • RB David Fluellen
    • G Josue Matias
    • WR Tre McBride
    • G Will Poehls
    • WR Rico Richardson
    • TE Tevin Westbrook

Colts Waive/Injured Dan Herron

September 6th, 2015 at 2:06pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Colts have waived/injured running back Dan Herron, reports Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter link).

Herron, who was competing for a role as one of Frank Gore‘s backups, injured his shoulder during Indy’s preseason finale against Cincinnati on Thursday, though the severity of the ailment isn’t currently known. The 26-year-old was a sixth-round pick of the Bengals in 2012 and spent the last two years with the Colts, appearing in 22 games. He played in all 16 of the Colts’ regular-season contests in 2014 and rushed for 351 yards and a touchdown, adding 21 catches.

With Herron gone, it’s expected Josh Robinson will be Gore’s primary backup.

AFC Links: Mettenberger, Manziel, Cyprien, Broncos

August 15th, 2015 at 12:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

After an impressive showing Friday night behind already-anointed starter Marcus Mariota, Zach Mettenberger should be a Bills or Jets trade target, offers Louis Riddick of ESPN.com.

But the value the Titans would extract in such an exchange wouldn’t equal what they’ll receive with the second-year quarterback serving as key depth behind the No. 2 overall pick, writes Riddick’s ESPN cohort, Paul Kuharsky.

The ESPN Titans reporter notes Mettenberger’s value will go up in time and trading him for what could amount to merely a conditional draft pick now won’t outweigh having a potentially talented backup in case Mariota struggles or experiences health concerns.

Let’s look at some more news from around the AFC.

  • Joining Julius Thomas as an injury-induced preseason spectator will be Jaguars starting safety Jonathan Cyprien, who will miss August with a broken finger in his right hand sustained Friday night, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter). The 2013 second-rounder’s Week 1 status is uncertain, but Cyprien did play through the injury Friday night and won’t require surgery. Jags coach Gus Bradley is optimistic both will be available, however, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
  • Mike Pettine admitted in an interview with Sports Illustrated he fired quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains due to Johnny Manziel not being held accountable for a disastrous rookie season, notes Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “What we did not do a good enough job here [last year], not nearly a good enough job, is holding [Manziel] accountable, even when he wasn’t the guy,” Pettine told Sports Illustrated. “That’s the main reason why I made the switch at the QB coach position.” The Browns now have 30-year-old Kevin O’Connell in charge of Manziel’s development.
  • The Browns’ coach has been publicly challenging players all week, noting his disagreement with Justin Gilbert‘s “flawless” assessment of his play Thursday night, per Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald.
  • The Broncos‘ hopes at attaining a third Super Bowl title hinge on their defense making good on expectations, unlike last year, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post. They bring back most of the starting unit, with Terrance Knighton‘s nose tackle spot being the most noticeable void.
  • Dan Herron shouldn’t expect to serve in any type of committee with Frank Gore this season, and the fourth-year runner may not have a claim to the third-down back role he occupied at the end of last season, writes Kevin Bowen of Colts.com. Herron did catch 21 passes last season despite starting just three games, while Gore snagged 11 throughout the season.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

April 1st, 2015 at 4:53pm CST by Luke Adams

Teams around the NFL have been busy today, making minor roster additions and subtractions as they continue to survey the remaining free agent landscape and prepare for this month’s draft. Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions from across the league:

  • According to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have signed defensive end Efe Obada, who played last year with the London Warriors in England.
  • Meanwhile, a former Cowboys defender, Caesar Rayford, announced today on Facebook that he has signed a new contract with the Vikings.
  • The Jets have re-signed backup tackle Ben Ijalana, the team announced today in a press release. During his two seasons in New York, Ijalana has been inactive on game days more often than not.

Earlier updates:

  • Seahawks fullback and defensive lineman Will Tukuafu posted an Instagram photo today that showed him signing a new contract with the Seahawks, and the NFL’s official transactions wire confirms the deal, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Per Condotta (via Twitter), Seattle’s new deal with defensive lineman Jesse Williams, who was cut earlier in the offseason for procedural reasons, also showed up on the transactions wire.
  • Cornerback and special-teamer Sherrick McManis has returned to the Bears on a one-year deal, according to the club (Twitter link). Although he played just 46 defensive snaps for Chicago in 2014, McManis was a key contributor on kick and punt coverage, recording 11 special teams tackles.
  • The Steelers have re-signed defensive lineman Clifton Geathers to a one-year contract, the team announced today in a press release. Geathers, 27, joined the Steelers in December of last year after the club placed Brett Keisel on injured reserve, but didn’t see any game action.
  • Agent Mike McCartney published a tweet this afternoon congratulating his client Mike Kafka on the quarterback’s new deal with the Vikings. A participant in last month’s veterans combine, Kafka spent time in 2014 on the Buccaneers’ practice squad and active roster.
  • Running back Dan “Boom” Herron has officially signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with the Colts, ensuring that he’ll be back with the team in 2015. The move was a formality, since Herron couldn’t negotiate with other clubs.
  • The Panthers have waived guard Derek Dennis and linebacker Horace Miller, two players who signed futures contracts with the team at season’s end, the club announced today (via Twitter).

RFA Decisions: Thursday

March 5th, 2015 at 5:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Unrestricted free agency will get most of the publicity, but UFAs aren’t the only players impacted by the beginning of the new league year on March 10. By 3pm CT on that date, clubs must decide whether to tender offers to restricted free agents — players who have exactly three years of service time. We’ll round up those decisions here, with the latest updates being added to the top…

  • The Colts made several moves today, announcing they’ve tendered restricted free agent linebacker Jerrell Freeman, as well as three exclusive rights free agents: running back Dan Herron, and linebackers Daniel Adongo and Cam Johnson. Freeman and Herron are the biggest names here — despite missing four games, Freeman finished with the fifth-most snaps on Indy’s defense, while Herron took over as the club’s starting running back by the end of the season.
  • On the other hand, the Colts won’t tender an offer to RFA center A.Q. Shipley, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com. Shipley was the club’s Week 1 starter at center, and received positive marks from Pro Football Focus (subscription required), so he should find some interest on the open market.
  • Following their trade of LeSean McCoy, the Eagles don’t have much depth at running back, and while they plan to offer an RFA tender to RB Chris Polk, it will only be at the “right of first refusal” level, per Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. Therefore, Philadelphia will only commit about $1.5MM to Polk, and won’t receive any compensation if another club signs him away.
  • The Bills have decided to bring back three ERFAs, tendering offers to receivers Justin Brown and Chris Hogan, as well as defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, tweets Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Hogan, who saw the most snaps of the three, was a prominent feature of the Dolphins’ Hard Knocks season on HBO in 2012. Additionally, Buffalo did not tender an offer to ERFA kicker Jordan Gay, per Rodak (Twitter link).
  • The Giants have tendered exclusive rights free agent corner Chandler Fenner, tweets Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News. Fenner, 24, saw action in 11 games for New York last season.

AFC Mailbags: Chiefs, Raiders, Colts, Jags

February 14th, 2015 at 8:55am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start off the day with some whispers from the AFC…