Donald Butler - Pro Football Rumors

Chargers Place Donald Butler On IR

December 15th, 2014 at 5:52pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers announced that they have placed Donald Butler on the injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. With the inside linebacker out for the year, the Bolts promoted cornerback Greg Ducre off the practice squad to the active roster and signed quarterback Brad Sorensen to the practice squad.

Butler, 26, re-signed with the Chargers in March rather than hitting the open market. While we don’t know what other clubs might have offered him, Butler was paid hansomely to forego free agency. Butler’s deal covers seven years with a total potential value of $51.8MM with $11.15MM guaranteed at signing. It’s yet another season dragged down by injuries for Butler, who ranked 45th among 55 qualified inside linebackers in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required). This season, he ranks an abysmal 59th out of 60 qualified inside linebackers.

Ducre was signed to San Diego’s taxi squad last week just days after being let go by Washington. The 22-year-old (23 in January) was a superstar in camp with the Chargers this past season, so it’s not a huge surprise to see him get the promotion.

Sorensen, 26, was drafted 221st overall in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Chargers. The Southern Utah product was cut loose this past August but the Bolts have obviously kept his number handy. Sorensen spent some time on the Titans’ taxi squad this season and auditioned for the Texans, Panthers, Seahawks, Vikings, Bills, and Patriots once he was let go in late September.

Injury Updates: Monday

December 15th, 2014 at 2:51pm CST by Luke Adams

With just two weeks left in the NFL regular season, injuries that may not have been long-term problems earlier in the year could now end a player’s season. We’ll keep tabs right here on the latest updates on the ailments that could prompt roster moves or significantly alter a team’s plans:

While several players will be placed on injured reserve lists this week, ending their seasons, one player will come off IR — Bills running back C.J. Spiller is expected to be activated from IR-DTR, though it’s not clear how much of a role he’ll have for Buffalo in Week 16, or if he’ll even play (Twitter link).
A source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) that Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall suffered a mid-foot sprain, and Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes that Marshall is expected to miss a week or two with the injury. While Marshall should return this season, fellow Denver linebacker Danny Trevathan won’t, according to Klis, who says Trevathan dislocated his left kneecap and will have to undergo surgery.
Lions right tackle LaAdrian Waddle partially tore his ACL yesterday and will miss the rest of the season, says Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Eagles outside linebacker Trent Cole has a broken hand, and his status for the rest of the season is uncertain, a source tells Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said today on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that running back DeMarco Murray will have surgery on a broken bone in his hand (Twitter link via SiriusXM NFL Radio). Providing specifics on the injury, Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com notes (via Twitter) that Emmitt Smith once missed a game after undergoing a similar surgery. It sounds as if Murray will be questionable for Week 16, but shouldn’t miss much – if any – time.
Key 49ers special teamer Kassim Osgood also broke a bone in his hand and likely won’t play in the club’s final two games, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
Chargers linebacker Donald Butler dislocated his left elbow and is a candidate for IR, according to head coach Mike McCoy, who says the club is exploring its options (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune).

Chargers Re-Sign Donald Butler

March 5th, 2014 at 8:23pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 8:23pm: Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the full breakdown of Butler’s deal. Per a league source, Butler’s deal covers seven years with a total potential value of $51.8MM with only $11.15MM guaranteed at signing. After three seasons, the Chargers hold a $12MM option bonus.

If the Chargers don’t trigger that bonus, they can cut bait after paying $15.15MM over two years between the $750K base salary for 2014 and a non-guaranteed base salary of $3.25MM for 2015. Alternatively, they can pay another $4.65MM in 2016 and extend it to a three-year, $19.8MM contract. If the option bonus is paid, the final four years kick in, at base salaries of $4MM in 2017, $4.65MM in 2018, $5.35MM in 2019, and $6MM in 2020.

Florio writes that the cap numbers are as follows: $2.98MM in 2014, $5.48MM in 2015, $9.28MM in 2016, $8.63MM in 2017, $9.28MM in 2018, and $7.75MM in 2020.

MONDAY, 9:55am: Butler’s contract with the Chargers is a multi-tiered deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, the first three years of the pact are worth just under $20MM, and then the team will have an option to keep the linebacker for four additional years at between $8MM and $9.5MM per year. The first segment of the deal is currently guaranteed for about $12MM, while the second segment would be guaranteed for about $15MM if the team exercises its option, Rapoport adds in a second tweet.

FRIDAY, 1:51pm: Prospective free agent Donald Butler will stay with the Chargers rather than hitting the open market, and it was Butler himself who broke the story. The San Diego linebacker has announced the new agreement on Twitter: “Feeling blessed! Y’all heard it here first! Deal is done!! SD I aint going no where!! Too excited!!” The Chargers have since confirmed that the two sides have agreed to terms (Twitter link).

Butler, who is coming off the final year of his rookie contract, ranked as one of the top inside linebackers expected to hit free agency this offseason, though that was based more on his age (25) and previous performance than his 2013 showing. Plagued by injuries and inconsistent play, Butler ranked 45th among 55 qualified inside linebackers in ’13, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), recording negative grades as a pass-rusher, as a run-stopper, and in coverage.

Still, given his age and potential, Butler was a top priority for the Chargers heading into free agency, with the franchise tag considered an outside possibility. Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but Butler figures to be in line for a nice raise on the $1.323MM base salary he earned in 2013, and I’d expect the contract to be for at least three or four years.

With Butler off the board, teams in search of an inside linebacker this offseason could turn to alternatives like Karlos Dansby, Brandon Spikes, and Daryl Smith, if they hit the open market. Another intriguing option, D’Qwell Jackson, has already become an unrestricted free agent, and is drawing interest from several teams, including the Titans, Broncos, Vikings, Redskins, and Cardinals.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC West Notes: Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs

February 17th, 2014 at 10:25am CST by Rob DiRe

The play of the Seahawks’ secondary during their Super Bowl run has the NFL trending toward bigger defensive backs, and the Chargers are one team targeting tall corners in the draft, writes ESPN Insider Kevin Weidl (subscription required). He mentions that there are quite a few corners standing at six feet or taller, and picks out Clemson’s Bashaud Breeland as a possible target. Here are some other notes from around the AFC West:

The Chargers will make re-signing Donald Butler a priority this offseason, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. The team would like to come to an agreement on a long term contract before the start of free agency. Williams writes that the Chargers could consider using the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, which although it carries more than $10MM in salary, it will give them a chance to continue to work on a multi-year contract.
The Raiders also have to consider whether or not to use the franchise tag this offseason, according to Chris McClain of Silver and Black Report. The most likely candidate would be left tackle Jared Veldheer, but top passrusher Lamarr Houston is a possibility as well.
The Chiefs would like to clear some extra cap space in order to further improve their roster, but there aren’t many veterans who would be logical cap casualties, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. He writes that the biggest savings would come from Tamba Hali, Brandon Flowers, and Eric Berry, but notes that those players are too productive to let go. Dwayne Bowe and Sean Smith would make more sense on the field, but financially are not options for release.

NFC East Notes: Joseph, Austin, Maclin

February 15th, 2014 at 5:51pm CST by Rob DiRe

Giants’ defensive tackle Linval Joseph took to Twitter on Friday to express his feelings on his impending free agency, writes Dan Benton of SportsMedia101.com. “I want to be back with the Giants next year,” said Joseph. “This where it all started; just want to take care of my family and put on that blue every Sunday.” This announcement was in response to the Redskins saying they would pursue him one free agency begins on March 11. While he is looking to command a very large contract, he would like to get that deal agreed upon with the Giants before he hits free agency. Here are some other rumors from across the NFC East:

The Giants‘ biggest need in free agency needs to be the offensive line, writes Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. The team is likely to cut Chris Snee and David Bass, and could let Kevin Boothe walk in free agency. They will also need to replace David Diehl, who retired this offseason, and despite not being the stalwart left tackle he once was, still provided value in his versatility. Graziano believes with all of these changes, the team will not be able to wait until the draft to retool, and therefore must be active in free agency to replace these players.
Miles Austin and Kyle Orton are likely cap casualties for the Cowboys, writes Todd Archer of ESPN.com. While the team may be able to restructure Orton’s deal if he still wants to remain with the team, Archer believes the writing has been on the wall for a while regarding Austin’s departure.
While earlier today our own Matt Feminis wrote about Jeremy Maclin‘s intentions to return to the Eagles in 2014, Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com was less than convinced. He writes that Riley Cooper is much more likely to return to the team as a cheaper option, and that the team will look to draft a receiver as well. Sheridan sees Maclin securing a long-term deal elsewhere, possibly with Chiefs or Jets, where he has more familiarity with the coaching staff.
With the likely retirement of London Fletcher and Perry Riley‘s free agency, the Redskins need to look outside the organization to replace their inside linebackers, writes Tarik El Bashir of CSNWashington.com. Bashir lists Karlos Dansby as the best available at the position, but believes the younger Donald Butler would be the best fit. Other notable options could be Brandon Spikes and Jon Beason, among others.

AFC Notes: Texans, Butler, Chargers, Ravens

February 13th, 2014 at 12:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Texans receiver Andre Johnson likely won’t have any input on how his team uses its first overall pick, but he says if it were up to him, he’s “probably trade it,” according to David Nuno of ABC13 in Houston (hat tip to Pro Football Talk). Johnson’s comments are a little interesting, since many experts believe the Texans will draft a quarterback with that pick. Of course, the veteran receiver also had high praise for Johnny Manziel, one of the candidates for that No. 1 pick, calling him a “great player” and pointing out that there’s a reason he earned the nickname Johnny Football (link via Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle).

Here’s more from across the AFC:

Chargers GM Tom Telesco spoke to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com about the team’s approach to free agency, which he says will definitely be a “piece of the puzzle” for the club this offseason. According to Williams, the Chargers and linebacker Donald Butler have resumed discussions on a new deal in the hopes of working out an agreement prior to free agency.
Although they’ve filled their holes at wide receiver primarily with late draft picks or small free agent expenditures in recent seasons, the Ravens may make the position a priority this year, and they should have plenty of options, says Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald expresses plenty of skepticism about the idea that Jonathan Martin could return to the Dolphins for the 2014 season, which was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport last night. In Salguero’s view, the Dolphins may be selling that idea to try to improve Martin’s trade value.
With new San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer expected to be sworn in on March 3, the Chargers are eager to resume their push for a new stadium, says Bernie Wilson of The Associated Press.

AFC Notes: Johnson, McFadden, Butler

February 1st, 2014 at 11:06am CST by Matt Feminis

The Bengals used the franchise tag on defensive end Michael Johnson a year ago, but the 27-year-old repaid the team with just 3.5 sacks in 2013, making a second tag unlikely. Consequently, he’s expected to hit the open market, but the presence of Carlos Dunlap and Wallace Gilberry could soften the blow, according to ESPN.com’s Cole Harvey.

Other AFC news and notes:

Harvey also mentions Raiders free agent running back Darren McFadden as a realistic acquisition given Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson’s not-so-secret appreciation for the 26-year-old, 2008 first-rounder.
Chargers inside linebacker Donald Butler, whose rookie deal is expiring, has missed 23 of 66 career games, but the Bolts value what he brings when healthy, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Tom Krasovic. In fact, the team drafted Manti Te’o with the intention of pairing him with Butler inside defensive coordinator John Pagano’s 3-4 front. Butler and the team discussed a contract extension last summer, and all indications suggest both sides are interested in a new deal.
The Ravens are expected to be awarded the league-maximum four compensatory picks, according to ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley.