Delvin Breaux - Pro Football Rumors

Saints Place Delvin Breaux On IR

September 4th, 2017 at 5:02pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have placed cornerback Delvin Breaux on injured reserve, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move has been expected for some time.

Breaux fractured his fibula in mid-August, but the hope is that he will be able to heal up by the middle of the season, allowing him to return from IR. If the Saints use one of their two IR-DTR slots on him, he’ll be eligible to return for Week 9. Players who return from IR must spend eight weeks on the list, but they can practice for the final two.

Last year, the former CFL standout had a dismal 39.1 score from Pro Football Focus and played in a full slate of games . In 2016, however, he had an 85 overall score which cast him as a top-15 type of cornerback.

The Saints were said to be shopping him because they were frustrated with how long it was taking him to recover from a minor injury. When it was discovered that he was misdiagnosed and actually had a broken fibula, the team promptly took him off the block and fired two team orthopedists.

NFC Notes: Donald, Brees, Elliott

August 29th, 2017 at 7:45pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

It’s “probably a safe assumption” the Rams will play their Sept. 10 season opener without defensive tackle Aaron Donald if he doesn’t end his holdout this week, general manager Les Snead told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com and other reporters Tuesday (Twitter links here). The executive added that the Rams have tried to “come up with creative scenarios” regarding Donald’s contract in their negotiations with the back-to-back first-team All-Pro. Snead otherwise didn’t have much to offer regarding Donald, admitting that he doesn’t know if the 26-year-old will report without having received a new deal. As of now, it appears the Rams will at least go without Donald when they take on the Colts in Week 1.

The latest on a couple other NFC franchises:

Saints quarterback Drew Brees said Tuesday that he texted “Wow” to agent Tom Condon after Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford signed a five-year, $135MM extension Monday (via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com). Stafford’s deal will pay him $27MM per year – a figure the highly accomplished Brees could rival when he signs a new pact in the next eight months or so. Of course, the 38-year-old Brees’ age will prevent him from approaching Stafford’s pact in length or total value. Brees, who’s on the one-year, $24.25MM extension he signed last summer, has indicated that he won’t worry about his next contract until after the season.
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott‘s appeal hearing with the NFL regarding his six-game suspension will last through Thursday, Adam Schefter reports (Twitter links). Final briefs are due Friday, notes the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, who adds that a ruling probably won’t come until next week.
Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux is likely to begin the season on injured reserve and come off IR later in the year, Herbie Teope of NOLA.com writes. Breaux, who fractured his fibula in mid-August, won’t be eligible to return until Week 9 if he does head to IR. Teams are allowed to designate two players to return from IR during the season. Meanwhile, it’s possible left tackle Terron Armstead will avoid spending the first six weeks of the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list because he “might be ready earlier” than that time frame, head coach Sean Payton said Tuesday. Armstead went down with a torn labrum in mid-June and is currently on the active/PUP list.

South Notes: Jaguars, Breaux, Buccaneers

August 18th, 2017 at 6:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Formerly a Dolphins second-rounder given the chance to start for multiple seasons with two teams, Chad Henne is in position to reclaim the Jaguars‘ starting job after Doug Marrone‘s postgame announcement. By opening the competition, Marrone is giving it to Henne, Ryan O’Halloran of jacksonville.com notes. Regarding Henne’s competitor in this renewed competition, O’Halloran notes the Jags should be ready to cut Blake Bortles soon rather than risk an injury in a game or practice that could potentially put them on the hook for the $19MM fifth-year option come 2018. Bortles’ 2017 money ($6.571MM) is guaranteed at this point, so the Jags would carry that amount on their cap regardless of the fourth-year quarterback’s employment, but the team could afford it in carrying more than $44MM in cap space currently. This would be an even more aggressive move than the 2015 Redskins used with Robert Griffin III. Washington benched Griffin for the season and cut him after an injury-free campaign of practices.

Here’s more from Jacksonville and some other southern-headquartered franchises.

While O’Halloran categorizes the Jags’ decision to pick up Bortles’ option as careless, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com argues the team should have drafted or signed competition to join Bortles and Henne. O’Halloran suggests the Jags should have drafted a quarterback, while DiRocco points to players like Brian Hoyer, Jay Cutler or Nick Foles as UFA options that could have pushed Bortles.
The handling of Bortles and Branden Albert have not looked good for Tom Coughlin, Gene Frenette of jacksonville.com writes. Cutting Bortles now and bringing in a third passer would put that quarterback too far behind, and Frenette looks at the decision not to add an outside arm to learn Nathaniel Hackett‘s offense looks bad now that Bortles could be on the way to a demotion or out of Jacksonville.
Delvin Breaux underwent successful surgery to repair a broken fibula that was initially misdiagnosed, Joel Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate reports. The Saints cornerback went to Green Bay for the surgery — one that removed the old plate in the his leg and replaced it with a longer one. Sean Payton tentatively put the timetable at six weeks, which Erickson estimates will shelve the third-year corner for four games and place him on course to return after New Orleans’ Week 5 bye. “He’ll be back in New Orleans, and when we get back, we’ll have a chance to sit down,” Payton said. “I don’t want to call him up over the phone; I know it went well.”
Demar Dotson will undergo an MRI on his injured groin Saturday, and Dirk Koetter said (via Jenna Laine of ESPN.com) Caleb Benenoch and Kevin Pamphile would be the next men up. Both are fifth-round picks, Pamphile in 2014, Benenoch in ’16. Koetter added he’s more content with the Bucs’ guard depth than he is at tackle presently.

Saints’ Delvin Breaux To Undergo Surgery

August 16th, 2017 at 9:20am CST by Zachary Links

So much for being trade bait. The Saints have learned that cornerback Delvin Breaux will require surgery for a fractured fibula, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It will take a bit for him to recover and he will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks, meaning that he’ll miss the start of the 2017 season.

Breaux’s fracture was first diagnosed as a contusion and the slow pace of his recovery led to the Saints putting him on the trading block. Now that the Saints know that it was really a misdiagnosed fractured fibula, the Saints are probably a bit more understanding. Already, the team has fired two team orthopedists over the issue.

The Saints could look into out-of-house cornerback options while Breaux heals up, but they could also stand pat with P.J. Williams, Ken Crowley, Sterling Moore, and first-round pick Marshon Lattimore at cornerback. Recently, we heard that Williams and Crowley profile as the starters.

Saints Shopping Delvin Breaux

August 14th, 2017 at 9:36am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are shopping cornerback Delvin Breaux, according to Nick Underhill of The Advocate (on Twitter). Underhill hears that New Orleans is frustrated with Breaux’s recent injury history.

Last year, Breaux missed the start of the season with a broken fibula and had his season shut down in December with a shoulder injury. The Saints are apparently troubled by his fragility here in mid-August, which makes one wonder whether Breaux has re-aggravated one of his injuries in camp. If that’s the case, it’s hard to see teams champing at the bit to acquire him.

Last year, the former CFL standout had a dismal 39.1 score from Pro Football Focus and played in a full slate of games . In 2016, however, he had an 85 overall score which cast him as a top-15 type of cornerback. If Breaux is healthy, real interest from at least a handful of teams can be expected.

The Saints can afford to part with Breaux in the right deal since he is not projected to start in 2017. According to Underhill, P.J. Williams and Ken Crowley look like the clubhouse leaders here in August while Sterling Moore and first-round pick Marshon Lattimore are also expected to see playing time.

Saints Move Delvin Breaux To IR

December 23rd, 2016 at 5:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

An injury-marred season will end early for Delvin Breaux, whom the Saints placed on IR in advance of their Week 16 game against the Buccaneers, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.

The Saints claimed safety Robenson Therezie off waivers from the Falcons to take Breaux’s roster spot.

Lost to a broken fibula in Week 1, Breaux returned to play in five more games for New Orleans this season, serving as their top cornerback. However, the former CFL standout suffered a shoulder injury earlier this month and hasn’t played since Week 14. Breaux finished the season with 21 tackles and a pass deflection.

This season proved to be a step back for the ascending corner who proved he could be a quality stopper in the NFL in 2015. Breaux is under contract for one more season in New Orleans at $619K. The Saints have started B.W. Webb in his place and figure to do so again against the Bucs on Saturday.

Therezie broke into the NFL as a UDFA in Atlanta in 2015 and has played in 25 games thus far through two years, making two starts in that span. The former Auburn performer played in 12 games for the Falcons this season before being sent to waivers, being used mostly on special teams.

Saints’ Delvin Breaux Out Six Weeks

September 12th, 2016 at 12:09pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints’ worst fears were confirmed today with regards to cornerback Delvin Breaux. The 26-year-old suffered a broken fibula and will be sidelined for six weeks, as Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune tweets.

Breaux was carted off the field during the second quarter of Sunday’s contest against the Raiders. The Saints had to go the rest of the game without their best cornerback and they could have more high-scoring affairs in their future if he is sidelined. Without Breaux, the Saints are left with P.J. Williams, Sterling Moore, and a pair of UDFAs. It stands to reason that the Saints will explore their options at cornerback in the coming days.

Breaux, a New Orleans native and CFL import, started 15 games for New Orleans last season and had 19 pass deflections with three interceptions.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Saints Fear Delvin Breaux Broke Fibula

September 11th, 2016 at 5:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints could be without their best cornerback for some time, if their worries are proved justified. The team fears Delvin Breaux suffered a broken fibula during Sunday’s 35-34 loss to the Raiders, Nick Underhill of The Advocate reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) confirms Underhill’s report and notes the 26-year-old corner will miss significant time.

Breaux suffered an injury during the second quarter, requiring the standout coverage man to be carted off the field. His loss would leave a gaping hole in the secondary of a defense that’s attempting to shake off an ignominious 2015 performance. The Saints yielded an NFL-record 45 touchdown passes, besting the league’s second-worst mark by nine in 2015.

New Orleans cut former stalwart Keenan Lewis this offseason and parted ways with two-year contributor Brian Dixon. P.J. Williams, a 2015 third-rounder, Sterling Moore and two UDFAs — Ken Crawley and De’Vante Harris — comprise the remainder of the Saints’ cornerback contingent.

A former CFL talent, Breaux broke out in the United States last season and became the Saints’ most reliable corner. He started 15 games, deflected 19 passes and intercepted three.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Notes: 49ers, Breaux, Seahawks, Packers

December 18th, 2015 at 7:39pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Rookie 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula is at the helm of a 4-9 team and certainly not a lock to return for a second season, but two of the club’s respected veterans spoke out Friday in support of the 47-year-old, according to Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle.

“Yeah, I love Tomsula,” linebacker NaVorro Bowman said. “I’ve been with him for a long time. He knows me. I know him. It’s always been a good relationship.”

Tomsula has been with the 49ers since taking over as their defensive line coach in 2007, so he and Bowman – drafted in 2010 – are well-acquainted.

Receiver Torrey Smith, on the other hand, signed with the 49ers last offseason and obviously hasn’t spent nearly the amount of time with Tomsula that Bowman has. That didn’t stop Smith from endorsing Tomsula.

“He’s been one of my favorite coaches I’ve ever had,” Smith said. “I think he’s a great man. It sucks that we haven’t had the results that we need, but I think he’s a great guy. So I want the best for him.”

More on the Niners and a few of their NFC counterparts:

The Lions missed a golden opportunity last offseason to sign standout cornerback Delvin Breaux, who was unable to pass a team physical, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Breaux, formerly of the CFL, went on to sign with the Saints and has been a bright spot on a porous defense. The 26-year-old has 38 tackles and two interceptions in 13 games, and currently ranks as Pro Football Focus’ 13th-best corner (subscription required).
Running back Christine Michael‘s recently signed deal with the Seahawks expires at the end of the season, but he’ll be still be under team control as a restricted free agent, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). With fellow RBs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson potentially out of Seahawks uniforms in 2016, Michael could stick around as Thomas Rawls‘ backup. He’ll have a chance to impress the organization in the coming weeks with both Lynch and Rawls injured.
49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne is encouraged by his progress and plans to return to the NFL next season, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes. “To come this far in seven months, give me 12, 14 (and) it’s going to be completely different. And I think anyone who’s seen my growth will tell you how much I’ve changed and developed,” the 27-year-old said. The native of Australia and former professional rugby player signed with the Niners as a running back/return specialist last offseason. He appeared in six games for the team this year before it cut him and brought him back as a member of its practice squad last month.
The Packers spent Friday looking at free agent special teamers, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reports. The Pack worked out two punters – Will Johnson and Kasey Redfern – a pair of long snappers in Rick Lovato and Sam Rodgers, and kicker Andy Wilder.

Sunday Roundup: Borland, Saints, Mariota

July 5th, 2015 at 12:43pm CST by Rory Parks

Chris Borland surprised the football world when he announced his retirement in March on the heels of a promising rookie campaign. Perhaps even more surprising was that he agreed to return three-quarters of his signing bonus to the 49ers, a sum of over $460,000. Speaking at the 2015 Legends of Wisconsin Golf Classic last week, Borland was asked about his decisions and emphasized that his choice to retire was motivated by health concerns. As Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes, Borland said he decided to walk away based on “a combination of my own experience, along with a lot of data that is out there regarding long-term health effects of head injuries. And I play a position and a style of play where I was susceptible to the worst of it. I played a physical brand of football and played through some things where it makes sense for me.”

When asked about why he returned a large portion of the signing bonus, Borland said simply, “I signed a contract. I was living by the contract.” As for his future plans, Borland said a trip to Europe is next on his agenda, but otherwise, “I’ve got a few pretty decent options. I’m not going to hurry up and start a career. I’m going to take my time.”

Now for a few more links from around the league:

We cited this mailbag from ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett yesterday to provide a surprising stat on Drew Brees, but it also made sense to pass along Triplett’s thoughts on the Saints‘ cornerback situation. Triplett writes that the top four spots are probably reserved for Keenan Lewis, Brandon Browner, P.J. Williams, and Damian Swann. After that, he sees Delvin Breaux and Stanley Jean-Baptiste as the frontrunners for what may be the final two cornerback openings on the roster, leaving veterans Kyle Wilson, Terrence Frederick, and Brian Dixon on the outside.
Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com thinks Marcus Mariota is determined to be present at Titans training camp, though it is possible his agents could convince him to stay away. The holdup in the team’s contract negotiations with its potential quarterback of the future is offset language, and Kuharsky writes that GM Ruston Webster simply needs to get Mariota to camp, either by convincing him the Titans are not going to move off their offset philosophy or by coming off their offset philosophy.
Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer believes the Browns are pretty pleased with their current tight end situation, and she does not foresee the team adding to its TE corps. She also says Cleveland is hopeful that one of its talented young running backs will ultimately separate himself from the pack, but that the Browns will distribute the rushing duties fairly evenly to open the season.
Mike Klis of 9News.com examines the impact newly-acquired safety Darian Stewart will have on the Broncos and whether the former Ram and Raven will represent an upgrade over Rahim Moore, who departed in free agency.