HEADLINES

Demarcus Robinson

Chiefs’ Demarcus Robinson Cleared To Practice

February 5th, 2021 at 10:13am CST by Zachary Links

Demarcus Robinson is on track to play in the Super Bowl. The wide receiver was cleared to practice on Friday, ending his stint on the Reserve/COVID-19 list (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). 

[RELATED: Mutual Interest Between Sammy Watkins, Chiefs On New Contract]

Robinson came in close contact with a barber who tested positive for the coronavirus. The timing was unfortunate but, thankfully, Robinson has tested negative every day since then. Barring any changes, he’ll be eligible to take the field in Super Bowl LV.

The Chiefs are still awaiting the final go-ahead for reserve center Daniel Kilgore, who also received a haircut from the same barber. Kilgore got his trim one day after Robinson, so he’ll need an extra day of zero positives before rejoining the team. If Kilgore’s final test comes back negative, he’ll be able to regroup with the Chiefs on Saturday — just in time for the big game.

Robinson, who splits WR3 duties with Mecole Hardman, finished the regular season with 45 grabs for 466 yards and three touchdowns. Kilgore, meanwhile, hasn’t seen as much time on the field, but the Chiefs will be counting on him for depth in the wake of several offensive line injuries.

Latest On Chiefs’ Demarcus Robinson, Daniel Kilgore

February 4th, 2021 at 11:19am CST by Zachary Links

Good news for the Chiefs. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and center Daniel Kilgore have tested negative every day since their close contact situation last week, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Barring any changes, Robinson will be able to rejoin the team on Friday. Kilgore, who needs an extra day to clear, is on track to reunite with his teammates on Saturday. 

[RELATED: Mutual Interest Between Sammy Watkins, Chiefs On New Contract]

Both players received haircuts last weekend from a barber who tested positive, putting their Super Bowl status in jeopardy. Losing Robinson would have been especially tough for the Chiefs. This year, he ranked third in receptions behind only Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. In total, he turned in a 45/466/3 stat line, marking the best season of his career to date. He should be set to share No. 3 WR duties with Mecole Hardman, giving the Bucs’ secondary yet another headache to manage.

Kilgore, 33, suited up in seven games for the Chiefs this year and started only four times. But, with right tackle Mitchell Schwartz on the shelf, the offensive line is being reshuffled, so the Chiefs need him more than ever. By the skin of his teeth, Kilgore is expected to get the green light for Sunday.

No New COVID Cases For Chiefs, Bucs

February 3rd, 2021 at 10:16am CST by Zachary Links

The latest round of testing revealed no new COVID-19 positives for players on the Chiefs or Buccaneers, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Barring any hitches, both teams should be set for Super Bowl LV on Sunday.

[RELATED: Chiefs’ Mitchell Schwartz Out For Super Bowl?]

The Chiefs were forced to place two players — center Daniel Kilgore and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson — on the COVID-19/reserve list earlier this week. Fortunately, neither player has tested positive, though they were in close contact with a barber who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Close-contact situations require only a five-day clearance, so both players should be able to suit up if they continue to test negative. Kilgore has mostly been a reserve for Kansas City this season, but he’s a valuable backup, having started 13 games for the Dolphins last year. Also, the Chiefs will likely be without the services of right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, so they’ll want Kilgore at the ready. Robinson plays a large role, so the Chiefs don’t want to lose him either. Robinson appeared in all 16 regular season games this year, racking up 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns.

Chiefs Place Daniel Kilgore, Demarcus Robinson On Reserve/COVID-19 List

February 1st, 2021 at 3:44pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

It’s far from a worst-case scenario, but COVID-19 issues are beginning to creep into the Super Bowl. The Chiefs have placed center Daniel Kilgore and receiver Demarcus Robinson on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

The good news is that Schefter reports both are going on the list due to close contacts, and not positive tests. There’s only a five-day clearance period needed for close contacts, so if both players continue to test negative they’ll be able to rejoin the team this weekend before the game and suit up for Super Bowl LV. Kilgore started 13 games for the Dolphins last year, but he’s mostly been a reserve for Kansas City this season.

He’s appeared in seven games with four starts, although he hasn’t been counted on to start in the playoffs yet. Robinson plays a pretty large role, so the Chiefs certainly don’t want to lose him. He finished the regular season appearing in all 16 games with nine starts, racking up 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns.

He only has three targets through Kansas City’s first two playoff games, but he played at least 65 percent of the offensive snaps in both of those games. We’ve got a long week left to go, but hopefully these are the only COVID-related issues that arise before the big game (knock on wood).

Chiefs To Re-Sign WR Demarcus Robinson

March 28th, 2020 at 1:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs are making a move to keep their deep receiving corps intact. They are bringing back Demarcus Robinson on a one-year deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

A four-year veteran, Robinson hit the market as a UFA. But the majority of the wideouts who entered free agency did not find significant demand for their services, with the upcoming draft class playing into this team-friendly marketplace.

Robinson’s deal is worth a fully guaranteed $2.297MM but, due to the new CBA’s veteran salary benefit, will count only $1MM against the Chiefs’ cap, Pelissero adds (via Twitter). Teams can sign two vested veterans via this method each year.

After a report linked the Eagles to being in the mix for the longtime Chiefs auxiliary wideout, not much known interest came Robinson’s way during free agency. He now will return to Kansas City, rejoining a Chiefs receiving corps that still includes Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Sammy Watkins. The latter has been a long-rumored cap casualty but remains on the team.

Robinson, 25, turned in his best season during the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl campaign in 50 years. He established career-high marks in catches (32) and receiving yards (449), hauling in four touchdowns. Since Patrick Mahomes took over as Kansas City’s starter, Robinson has totaled eight TD receptions. In Week 2 of last season, Robinson torched the Raiders for 172 yards and two scores.

The Chiefs entered Saturday with the NFL’s least cap space, so this Robinson pact will almost certainly be a low-cost agreement. It stands to allow the former fourth-round pick to return to one of the friendliest receiver environments in recent memory and potentially elevate his stock for a 2021 free agency run.

The ex-Florida Gator coming back also provides insurance in case the Chiefs do part ways with Watkins, who is the NFL’s 11th-highest-paid wideout but at best the third option on his own team. Watkins is set to make a non-guaranteed $13.75MM base salary next season and count a seemingly untenable $21MM against Kansas City’s cap.

Eagles Eyeing Demarcus Robinson

February 8th, 2020 at 2:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

After letting some of their regulars walk in free agency last year, the Chiefs have more auxiliary performers set to hit the market in March. A historic payment to Patrick Mahomes and a possible Chris Jones franchise tag will force the Super Bowl champions to prioritize come free agency.

Kendall Fuller, Emmanuel Ogbah, Bashaud Breeland and Demarcus Robinson are among Kansas City’s notable non-Jones UFAs. Robinson appears to have a suitor with a greater receiver need than the Chiefs, who still have Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman under contract.

The Eagles are interested in the four-year veteran wideout, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes. They brought Robinson in for one of their 2016 pre-draft visits, but the Florida prospect went to the Chiefs in that year’s fourth round. Considering the Chiefs’ front-burner issues, Robinson’s second contract looks likely to come from another team.

During Hill’s injury-related absence early in the season, Robinson became a key Mahomes target. Although the 25-year-old receiver caught 32 passes for a career-high 449 yards, he delivered his most notable audition during a six-reception, 172-yard, two-touchdown day in Oakland. During Mahomes’ two years as the Chiefs’ starter, Robinson totaled 54 catches and eight touchdowns.

After injuries to DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor, the Eagles deployed a skeleton-crew receiving corps during the season’s stretch run. Both Jackson and Jeffery are likely to return, thanks to big 2020 guarantees. Agholor will probably depart, per McLane. The Eagles figure to be targeting wideouts in the draft as well, but it appears they will consider Robinson on a mid-level pact. Doug Pederson was already in Philadelphia by the time Robinson arrived in Kansas City, but bringing in a longtime Andy Reid weapon would be a logical fit for the ex-Chiefs OC.

2019 Proven Performance Escalators

January 13th, 2019 at 1:42pm CST by Dallas Robinson

According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.

If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure should be around $2MM in 2019. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.

Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2019 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:

Bears: RB Jordan Howard, LB Nick Kwiatkoski

Bengals: LB Nick Vigil

Broncos: G Connor McGovern, S Will Parks, S Justin Simmons

Browns: S Derrick Kindred, LB Joe Schobert

Buccaneers: G Caleb Benenoch, DE Carl Nassib, CB Ryan Smith

Chargers: LB Jatavis Brown

Chiefs: CB Kendall Fuller, WR Tyreek Hill, S Eric Murray, WR Demarcus Robinson

Colts: QB Jacoby Brissett, T Joe Haeg

Cowboys: CB Anthony Brown, DT Maliek Collins, QB Dak Prescott

Dolphins: RB Kenyan Drake

Eagles: CB Jalen Mills, T Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Falcons: LB De’Vondre Campbell, TE Austin Hooper, G Wes Schweitzer

Jaguars: DE Yannick Ngakoue

Jets: LB Jordan Jenkins, CB Rashard Robinson, T Brandon Shell

Lions: C Graham Glasgow

Packers: LB Kyler Fackrell, DE Dean Lowry, LB Blake Martinez, LB Antonio Morrison

Patriots: G Joe Thuney, LB Elandon Roberts

Rams: G Austin Blythe, TE Tyler Higbee

Ravens: DE Matt Judon, OL Alex Lewis, CB Tavon Young

Saints: DT David Onyemata

Steelers: DT Javon Hargrave

Texans: DT D.J. Reader

Titans: S Kevin Byard, WR Tajae Sharpe

OverTheCap.com was essential in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images. 

AFC Rumors: Maclin, Ravens, Chiefs, Jets

June 7th, 2017 at 5:15pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin just wrapped up a two-day trip to Buffalo, and his visit with the Ravens is also likely to span a pair of days, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). The Ravens “want” Maclin, notes Zrebiec, and Josina Anderson of ESPN adds (via Twitter) that they’re “very interested.” But Zrebiec cautions that the Ravens aren’t the only team vying for Maclin, suggesting they’ll face competition from Buffalo and others if they enter negotiations with the 29-year-old.

More from Baltimore and two other AFC cities:

  • Even though the Ravens have lost two of their top pass catchers from last season in retired receiver Steve Smith and just-released tight end Dennis Pitta, they’ll “significantly” improve their aerial attack by adding Maclin or soon-to-be former Jet Eric Decker, opines Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. It’s “critical” the Ravens pick up one of the two, argues Hensley, given that they lost out on the likes of Brandon Marshall and Pierre Garcon earlier this offseason. Now, with the extra cap space they’ve gotten this week by releasing Pitta and cornerback Kyle Arrington, they could be in position to give a much-needed boost to their receiving corps.
  • The Jets have spent the offseason throwing veterans overboard, with Decker and linebacker David Harris being the latest to go, and have seemingly put themselves in position to land the first overall pick in next year’s draft. One league executive seems to believe they’re a shoo-in to finish 32nd this year, telling Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, “I think the Jets might have the worst roster I’ve seen in a decade” (Twitter link).
  • Maclin’s release could leave a void in the Chiefs’ receiving corps, but head coach Andy Reid seems content with the team’s current options, writes Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. “I’ve got a ton of trust in the young guys that they’ll step up and do a good job for us,” Reid said. “We’ve got enough talent here to do whatever we need to do. I don’t worry about that.” One beneficiary of Maclin’s exit could be second-year man Demarcus Robinson, a fourth-round pick in 2016 who only played five offensive snaps as a rookie. Despite his lack of experience, Robinson has impressed Reid this offseason. “He’s the young one that’s come up here a little bit and had a pretty good offseason,” Reid commented. “We’ll see how he does once we get going in the preseason.

Chiefs Sign Six Draft Picks, Seven UDFAs

May 6th, 2016 at 5:39pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Chiefs have officially locked up the majority of their nine-player draft class, having signed six selections to contracts, the team announced. Along with the previously reported Chris Jones (second-round pick), the Chiefs inked the followers players to deals:

The Chiefs traded out of the first round this year, making third-round defensive back Keivarae Russell their most significant unsigned draft pick as of now. The team also officially signed seven undrafted free agents, including three cornerbacks:

Additionally, Kansas City waived Lithuanian-born linebacker Tautvydas Kieras, per a team announcement (Twitter link).

West Rumors: Rams, Kaepernick, Broncos

April 27th, 2016 at 3:55pm CST by Luke Adams

The Rams know who they’ll be selecting to kick off the 2016 NFL draft on Thursday night, but they won’t let that player know until it’s time to submit the card at No. 1, as Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk writes.

“We’ll get in touch with the player just before putting the card in,” said Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, whose team will pick either Cal quarterback Jared Goff or North Dakota State signal-caller Carson Wentz. “There’s only a few things better in life than this phone call, these phone calls that are going to take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It’s a great opportunity and we don’t want to deny our pick the opportunity to experience that.”

As we wait for the team to confirm which quarterback will become the new face of the franchise in Los Angeles, let’s round up some other Tuesday updates from out of the West divisions…

  • 49ers general manager Trent Baalke continues to leave the door open for a possible Colin Kaepernick trade, but Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link) hears the Broncos are unlikely to make a move for Kaepernick before or during the draft. While it’s not out of the question, there have been “zero talks” recently, according to Klis.
  • For the second consecutive year, pre-draft trade rumors are swirling around Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd, who says he’s not worried about that talk at all. “I go into work, put my work in, watch film with my teammates and go about my day,” Floyd said of the trade speculation, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
  • Former Alabama edge defender Xzavier Dickson is working out today for the Seahawks, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Dickson was selected in the seventh round of the 2015 draft by the Patriots, but didn’t earn a spot on the team’s regular-season roster.
  • Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) adds the Chiefs to the list of teams that hosted Florida wide receiver Demarcus Robinson for a pre-draft visit.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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