Devon Still - Pro Football Rumors

Devon Still Retires From The NFL

December 24th, 2017 at 6:49pm CST by GregGoldstein

Defensive tackle Devon Still is calling it quits from professional football. In a video posted to TMZ Sports, the 28-year-old stated that it was time to move onto the “next phase of his life” after five years in the NFL.

“I never wanted to be somebody who gives up on their dreams, but I don’t want to be somebody who chases their dream too long and misses other opportunities,” he explained in the video.

Still was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft and played three seasons in Cincy. Still last played for the Texans during the 2016-17 season, appearing in just three games after being forced to the IR. Still’s career numbers are rather pedestrian, with the defensive lineman’s best year coming in 2014, when he played in 12 games, but only managed 11 total tackles. He signed with the Jets this past offseason, but was cut during training camp and was unable to catch onto another roster.

However, Still may be best known for his daughter’s well documented story battling cancer. Still frequently made mention of his daughter’s inspirational fight, appearing with her on shows like “Ellen” to promote donating to cancer research.

With his playing days now officially behind him, Still will be able to more primarily focus on serving his organization, the Still Strong Foundation, whose goal is to provide aid to families with children battling cancer.

Extra Points: Vikings, Zeke, Williams, Lynch

October 29th, 2017 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sam Bradford does not have a return timetable after making a brief cameo in Chicago earlier this month. The Vikings quarterback is still experiencing knee pain, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link). However, Minnesota may be set to finally have some quarterback depth again after its Week 9 bye. Teddy Bridgewater is expected to come off the PUP list after the bye, and Rapoport expects him to immediately compete with Case Keenum for the Vikes’ starting job. A mostly Keenum-led team this season, the Vikings lead the NFC North after their win over the Browns on Sunday. Bridgewater reclaiming his job might be a bit tricky considering where the team is in the standings and how long it’s been since the fourth-year passer was at the controls. But a Bridgewater return gives the Vikings options they don’t currently have with Bradford still on the mend.

Here’s the latest from around the league.

Ezekiel Elliott did not travel with the Cowboys back to Dallas on Sunday night, instead trekking to New York for his seminal court date, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). Elliott did not attend his previous hearing with New York’s Fifth Circuit Court in New Orleans earlier this month. The Cowboys star back rushed for more than 100 yards for a second straight week and has five touchdowns over the past two games but could see his suspension go into effect as early as next week if Monday goes poorly for his side.
Trent Williams is hoping the Redskins‘ bye week gives him time to heal his knee injury, but the Washington tackle isn’t certain that will do the trick, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Williams said earlier this month he’s hoping to put off surgery until after the season but revealed Sunday (via Keim) some doctors have told him that’s a six- to nine-month rehab process. Calling this a deep bone bruise, Williams added other medical personnel have said he can go the rest-and-recover route. So this bye week will be critical for the status of Washington’s injury-ravaged offensive line.
Speaking of left tackle injuries, Joe Staley suffered an orbital bone fracture Sunday. But the 11th-year 49ers edge blocker received a bit of good news, with Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reporting (via Twitter) no surgery will be required. Still, this could end any Staley trade speculation and keep him in San Francisco for another full season.
Paxton Lynch is no longer on the Broncos‘ injury report, and the second-year quarterback could be in uniform Monday night for the first time this season, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. The Broncos have not received much help from their offense the past three games and have fallen to 3-3. The team obviously would be interested in getting its 2016 first-rounder on the field at some point, but Trevor Siemian won the job in the preseason. However, if the Broncos slink out of the playoff race as a result of a brutal upcoming schedule — the Chiefs, Eagles and Patriots represent Denver’s ensuing three games — Lynch could be summoned for a full-on audition.
Devon Still is considering retirement. The former Bengals rotational defensive lineman told TMZ he plans to decide in a couple of weeks if he will pursue a shot at another opportunity or not. The 28-year-old interior defender is currently a free agent, having last played with 2016 Texans. The Jets cut Still in August.
T.Y. Hilton is rumored to be on the trade block. Florio hears from multiple sources the NFL’s reigning receiving-yardage leader is available. Florio opines a future Hilton-type talent could come out of a mid-round draft pick, allowing the Colts — now run by a decision-maker in Chris Ballard who did not draft the sixth-year wide receiver — to offload Hilton’s $13MM-AAV contract and improve the roster with the savings.

Jets Cut Devon Still

August 28th, 2017 at 10:30am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have released defensive lineman Devon Still. To take his place on the roster, the team has signed safety Armageddon Draughn.

Still, who hasn’t made a start in his four-year NFL career since being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, became a fan favorite in Cincinnati and around the league as his young daughter, Leah Still, battled cancer. Leah went into remission from neuroblastoma in March of 2016 and Still announced earlier this year that she was cancer-free.

The 28-year-old barely played for the Texans last year after a Lisfranc injury forced him to undergo surgery. His last significant action came in 2014 when he saw a career-high 237 defensive snaps as a part-time player for the Bengals.

Jets Sign Devon Still

August 4th, 2017 at 11:56am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have signed Devon Still, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The defensive lineman will join the Jets’ 90-man roster with an eye on making the final 53-man cut in September.

Still, 28, barely played for the Texans last year a Lisfranc injury sent him into surgery. A former second-round pick, the defensive tackle has never lived up to his draft billing, as he’s never started a game during his career due to health issues and lack of effectiveness. Of course, Still has dealt with plenty in his off-field life, as his daughter Leah battled cancer until announcing in 2015 she was cancer-free.

Still’s so-so production last year left him on the market for longer than he would have liked, but his versatility helped him land a job with the Jets’ 3-4 scheme after the 4-3 Bills passed on signing him last month. Still will now fight to back-up the likes of Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Leonard Williams, and Steve McLendon. It won’t be easy to crack the Jets’ deepest unit, but he’ll at least be doing in full health.

Bills Meet With Devon Still, Others

July 24th, 2017 at 2:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bills didn’t just meet with Anquan Boldin on Monday. The Bills also spent the day looking at defensive linemen Roy Miller, Leger Douzable, and Devon Still, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Still, 28, only played 25 defensive snaps for the Texans in 2016 before going down with a Lisfranc injury which required surgery. A former second-round pick, the defensive tackle has never lived up to his draft billing, as he’s never started a game during his career due to health issues and lack of effectiveness. Of course, Still has dealt with plenty in his off-field life, as his daughter Leah battled cancer until announcing in 2015 she was cancer-free.

Miller recently worked out for the rival Dolphins, but left Miami without a deal. Like Still, he also was slowed by injuries in 2016 and he’s also looking to prove to teams that he’s back to 100% health. In 2015, he had 4.0 sacks and 40 total tackles for the Jaguars. From 2013 through 2016, he appeared in 50 games at defensive tackle for Jacksonville. He started in all but one of those games.

Douzable’s biggest champion, Rex Ryan, is no longer in Buffalo, but the new regime still wants to see what he has to offer. The 31-year-old defensive lineman appeared in every game for the Bills last season and made five starts. He had 43 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Free Agent Devon Still Nearing Full Health

May 31st, 2017 at 12:13pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent defensive lineman Devon Still is nearing full health as he recovers from an October Lisfranc operation, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who suggests Still “will have options” once he’s medically cleared.

Still, 27, only played 25 defensive snaps for the Texans in 2016 before going down with injury. A former second-round pick, Still has never lived up to his draft billing, as he’s never started a game during his career due to health issues and lack of effectiveness. Of course, Still has dealt with plenty in his off-field life, as his daughter Leah battled cancer until announcing in 2015 she was cancer-free.

Capable of playing in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, Still is part of a free agent defensive interior group that also includes Sen’Derrick Marks, Jared Odrick, Dan Williams, Arthur Jones, and Vance Walker, among others.

Texans Place Devon Still On IR

October 5th, 2016 at 11:31am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans announced that they have placed defensive end Devon Still on injured reserve. In his place, the team has promoted defensive end Brandon Dunn to the active roster. The team also signed defensive end Dan Pettinato to the practice squad.

Still’s shutdown marks the second season-ending injury to the Texans’ defensive line in the last week. Of course, the J.J. Watt injury was much more significant, but Still was a contributor on the D-Line and a valuable rotational piece.

Still, who hasn’t made a start in his four-year NFL career since being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, became a fan favorite in Cincinnati and around the league as his young daughter, Leah Still, battled cancer. Leah went into remission from neuroblastoma in March, and Still announced earlier this year that she was cancer-free.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Texans Sign Devon Still

January 6th, 2016 at 3:07pm CST by Luke Adams

The Texans have signed former Bengals defensive lineman Devon Still to a reserve/futures contract, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Because the Texans’ season isn’t over yet, the team can’t sign its practice squad players to futures deals yet, but it can lock up a player like Still, who wasn’t on any club’s roster or practice squad when the season ended.

Still, who hasn’t made a start in his three-year NFL career since being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, nonetheless became a fan favorite in Cincinnati and around the league as his young daughter, Leah Still, battled cancer. Leah went into remission from neuroblastoma in March, and Still announced just over a month ago that she was cancer-free.

Still has yo-yo’d between the Bengals 53-man roster and practice squad in the past, but was no longer eligible to join any team’s practice squad after Cincinnati cut him loose in September, so he has been a free agent since then. On the field, Still saw a career-high 237 defensive snaps as a part-time player for Cincinnati in 2014, recording 19 tackles and a pair of quarterback hurries.

Having worked out for several teams throughout the season, including the Texans just last week, Still had been expected to land a futures contract once the regular season came to an end. The contract will go into effect on the first day of the 2016 league year.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Workout Notes: 12/30/15

December 30th, 2015 at 9:58pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Here are Wednesday’s workouts from around the NFL:

The Jets worked out defensive lineman Devon Still, receivers Marcus Thigpen and Eric Rogers, linebacker Willie Jefferson and defensive end/LB Tristan Okpalaugo (Twitter links via ESPN’s Rich Cimini).
The Cardinals tried out center Taylor Boggs, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
The Bills worked out defensive end/linebacker Xzavier Dickson, Wilson tweeted. Dickson ended up joining Atlanta’s practice squad.
The Bengals worked out quarterback Mike Kafka and tight end John Peters, per Wilson (on Twitter).
The Browns tried out quarterback Dustin Vaughan, running back Timothy Flanders, receivers Eric Rogers, Ricky Collins and Levi Norwood, and safety Jordan Kovacs (Twitter link via Wilson).
Quarterback Ryan Lindley, defensive linemen Warren Herring and Eze Obiora, and linebacker Ryan Mueller worked out for the Colts, according to Wilson (Twitter link). They signed Lindley afterward.
The Giants worked out linebackers Cole Farrand and Glenn Carson – the latter of whom they signed to their practice squad – quarterback Pete Thomas, safety Ty Zimmerman, punter Spencer Roth and kicker Quinn Sharp (Twitter link via Wilson).
The Steelers tried out two safeties, Ray Vinopal and Jake Hagen, and linebacker Marquis Spruill (via Wilson on Twitter).
The Chargers worked out receiver Jeff Fuller, defensive end DeAngelo Tyson and linebacker Dexter McCoil, Wilson tweeted.
The Titans worked out receiver Kenny Stafford, defensive end Freddie Bishop, defensive backs Aaron Grymes, Steven Clarke and Emanuel Davis, long snapper Dax Dellenbach and kicker Swayze Waters (Twitter link via Wilson).

Workout Notes: Texans, 49ers, Giants

December 29th, 2015 at 8:55pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans tried out Canadian Football League wide receiver Eric Rogers, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. Rogers, who is in the process of auditioning for a reported 14 NFL teams, is not eligible to sign with an NFL club until January when he can ink a reserve/futures contract. The 6’3″, 210-pound former Division III standout at California Lutheran caught 87 passes for 1,448 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Here are more of today’s workout notes from around the NFL:

In addition to working out Rogers, the Texans also took a look at former Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still, per Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Wilson adds a couple more defensive linemen to the list of players auditioned by Houston, tweeting that Glenn Foster and Josh Watson were brought in by the club as well. No one from the group was signed to a contract for now.
The 49ers tried out offensive lineman Colin Kelly, tweets Wilson.
Tight end Mike McFarland is among the players who worked out for the Giants on Tuesday, a source tells Wilson (Twitter link). Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (Twitter link) hears that former Washington wide receiver Aldrick Robinson was part of that workout group as well.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.