HEADLINES

Jelani Jenkins

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/2017

October 25th, 2017 at 5:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: CB Deji Olatoye

Washington Redskins

NFL Workout Updates: 10/24/17

October 24th, 2017 at 8:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

  • LS Trent Gow (link)

Detroit Lions

  • WR Jake Kumerow (link)

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

New Orleans Saints

Oakland Raiders

NFC East Notes: Giants, Eli, Redskins, Eagles

October 16th, 2017 at 8:04pm CST by GregGoldstein

Although the Jaguars have been speculatively mentioned as a trade destination for Giants quarterback Eli Manning given the presence of executive VP Tom Coughlin, Manning has no interest in being dealt, as Bob Glauber of Newsday writes. “I’ve not heard [the Jacksonville speculation], I’ve not felt it, not thinking about it,”Manning said. “I don’t want to play anywhere else. I love this team, love this organization, and I want to be here.” New York, of course, won its first game of the season on Sunday night, while Jacksonville fell to 3-3 with a loss to the Rams. Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles‘ role in the team’s offense has been severely reduced, but general manager David Caldwell & Co. will likely finish out the campaign with Bortles under center before targeting signal-caller upgrades in the offseason, as Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com writes.

Here’s more from the NFC East:

  • On the heels of their dominant first win of the season over the Broncos on Sunday night, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY pointed out (Twitter link) that Giants coach Ben McAdoo gave play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan for the team’s Week 6 affair. McAdoo had been a subject of criticism given the Giants nightmarish start to the season, but it looked like the change may have things turned around, at least for the time being, as New York avoided many big mistakes with the offense going to a more run-oriented approach. The team rushed for a total of 148 yards on the game, with starter Orleans Darkwa accounting for 117 of those yards on 21 carries.
  • In another Giants twist, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is scheduled to report to the team’s facility tomorrow morning for a meeting/update on his status, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN.com. The 10-year cornerback was suspended indefinitely last week for a number of events, which included walking out on a team meeting as well as storming off the field after the Giants lost to the Chargers two weeks ago. Rodgers-Cromartie was one of the best nickelbacks in football last season with him being voted to a second team All-pro by Pro Football Focus and the Associated Press in 2016-17. However, New York’s defense didn’t seem to miss the veteran defensive back all too much as the team picked off Trevor Siemian twice and held the Broncos out of the endzone for much of the game last night.
  • The Redskins will likely work out free agent kickers this week as incumbent Dustin Hopkins battles a hip injury, head coach Jay Gruden told reporters, including Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post (Twitter link). Hopkins — who is dealing with a partially torn hip and will miss Week 7, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com — converted both of his field goal attempts on Sunday, but missed an extra point that nearly proved crucial in a tight victory over the 49ers. On the season, Hopkins has been successful on 81.8% of field goals, and both of his misses were on 50+ yard attempts.
  • The Eagles worked out linebackers Donald Butler, Sean Spence and Jelani Jenkins today, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. After starter Jordan Hicks suffered a foot injury this past Thursday night, it looks like Philadelphia is on the hunt for a potential replacement. Hicks, 25, does not yet have a timetable of when he’s likely to return, and with Joe Walker being the only other middle linebacker currently on the roster, if Philadelphia was to sign a free agent, the player would stand to have a legitimate chance of getting meaningful playing time.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/17

September 19th, 2017 at 6:53pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Seattle Seahawks

Bills To Sign LB Jelani Jenkins

September 12th, 2017 at 3:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jelani Jenkins will return to the AFC East after an unsuccessful foray with the Raiders this offseason. The Bills are signing the former Dolphins linebacker, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW tweets.

The Raiders released Jenkins with an injury settlement earlier this month, and it looks like Buffalo feels confident the 4-3 outside linebacker has recovered sufficiently from the groin injury that sidelined him. The Bills cut rookie cornerback Greg Mabin to make room on the roster.

A 2013 fourth-round pick, Jenkins started for three seasons with the Dolphins. Although injuries marred his 2016 campaign, Jenkins stood out as a first-year starter two years prior in making 110 tackles and registering 3.5 sacks. The Bills did not have much experience on their linebacking corps behind starters Lorenzo Alexander and Ramon Humber, carrying fifth- and sixth-round rookies Matt Milano and Tanner Vallejo as second-stringers.

The Raiders signed Jenkins to a one-year, $1MM deal to compete for a starting job on a defense without much linebacker experience. He could not secure the outside linebacker position opposite Bruce Irvin and was released.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/4/17

September 4th, 2017 at 8:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves.

  • The Browns claimed offensive lineman Zach Banner off waivers from the Colts, who cut him despite drafting him in the fourth round this year. Cleveland made room for Banner by placing offensive lineman Rod Johnson on IR. Additionally, the Browns continued their busy offseason regarding secondary turnover by releasing former safety starter Ed Reynolds from IR.
  • The Steelers re-signed linebacker Steven Johnson and waived safety Jordan Dangerfield with an injury designation. Johnson initially saw his name appear on Pittsburgh’s cut list Saturday, but the backup will return. Pittsburgh also placed cornerback Cameron Sutton, a rookie third-rounder, on IR.
  • Jacquies Smith will move from the PUP list back to the Buccaneers‘ 53-man roster. The team reinstated the defensive end on Monday. A fourth-year player, Smith is expected to be a rotational player in Tampa Bay this season.
  • The Dolphins re-signed tackle Sam Young. Miami cut the offensive lineman on Saturday but will keep him around for now. Miami guaranteed Young’s salary, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweets, signing Young this week instead of next because an unspecified team wanted him. This will mark Young’s eighth NFL season. The Dolphins signed him to an extension in December.
  • Quarterback Jeff Driskel will land on the Bengals‘ IR list. The former 49ers sixth-rounder has yet to play in a game.
  • A starter in three games last season, linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin landed on the Jets‘ IR Monday. To replace the third-year player, Gang Green re-signed linebacker Bruce Carter. Now a seventh-year veteran, Carter played a depth role with the Jets last season.
  • Wide receiver Chris Matthews re-signed with the Ravens, who made room on their 53-man roster by placing cornerback Maurice Canady on IR.
  • The Falcons released defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman, who resides on the Commissioner’s Exempt list as a result of misdemeanor charges from 2016. While Hageman is on that list, the Falcons will not have to pay Hageman.
  • The Chargers claimed linebacker Hayes Pullard off waivers from the Jaguars. A former Browns seventh-rounder in 2015, Pullard started two games for the 2015 Jags and played in all 16 Jacksonville contests last season.
  • Jelani Jenkins was expected to start for the Raiders, but the former Dolphins linebacker found himself on the team’s cut list Saturday. The Raiders, though, reached an injury settlement with the fifth-year linebacker, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports (on Twitter). Jenkins suffered a groin injury during the preseason. Oakland also reached an injury settlement with Jaydon Mickens, per Gehlken, who adds Mickens suffered an ankle injury.
  • The Seahawks waived cornerback Demetrius McCray with an injury settlement, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets.
  • The Redskins reached an injury settlement with center Ronald Patrick, waiving the interior blocker from IR as a result.

Raiders Release LB Jelani Jenkins

September 2nd, 2017 at 11:05am CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders have apparently parted ways with their lone defensive free agent signing. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins tweeted that he’s been released by the organization.

Jelani Jenkins (vertical)The 25-year-old inked a one-year deal with the Raiders back in March, and many expected him to serve as a top reserve for starting outside linebackers Bruce Irvin and Shilique Calhoun. Now, the team might be eyeing Tyrell Adams or James Cowser for that top backup role, or they could also turn to their trio of undrafted rookies (LaTroy Lewis, Brady Sheldon, and Nicholas Morrow).

Prior to his brief Raiders tenure, Jenkins spent four seasons in Miami. Selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, the linebacker had a breakout campaign in 2014, compiling 110 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Jenkins started another 13 games in 2015, but his role was reduced in 2016. The linebacker ultimately appeared in nine games (seven starts), compiling only 29 tackles.

Extra Points: Foster, Panthers, Cowboys

March 20th, 2017 at 10:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two Alabama stalwarts are making the pre-draft visit rounds. Reuben Foster had dinner with Bears brass on Sunday night and visited the team’s facility today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (on Twitter). Chicago holds the No. 3 pick in the draft. Although, the Bears spent upper-echelon inside linebacker money on Danny Trevathan and Jurrell Freeman last offseason.

Meanwhile, former Foster teammate Cam Robinson met with the Bills and Panthers. A Jaguars stop is next for the first-round tackle prospect, Rapoport reports. The Carolina visit occurred today. Robinson, Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk and Utah’s Garrett Bolles headline the tackle class.

Here’s more from around the league.

  • Speaking of Panthers tackles, Matt Kalil‘s arrival in Charlotte will return Michael Oher to the right tackle position, should he be cleared to return to action. He and 2015 fourth-rounder Daryl Williams will compete for the right tackle job, David Newton of ESPN.com notes. Oher remains in the concussion protocol after suffering what turned out to be a severe head injury early last season. The 30-year-old Oher has two years remaining on the 2016 extension he signed. Oher started at left tackle for the Panthers beginning at the start of the 2015 season.
  • Zach Brown‘s Dolphins visit began tonight and will likely continue into Tuesday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter). Brown is arguably the best linebacker remaining on the UFA market. He worked with Fins linebackers coach Frank Bush while with the Titans.
  • Recently added Bengals linebacker Kevin Minter will begin his Cincinnati career as a middle ‘backer, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Minter played as a 3-4 inside ‘backer with the Cardinals. However, it’s possible he could see time on the strong side in the Bengals’ 4-3 set. Vontaze Burfict and Vincent Rey are the likely incumbents set to flank Minter. Karlos Dansby returned to the Cardinals, beginning the teams’ indirect swap of non-rush ‘backers and leaving a bit of a hole on Cincinnati’s second level.
  • Jelani Jenkins figures to be Malcolm Smith‘s replacement as the Raiders‘ weakside linebacker, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com notes. Smith played as the Raiders’ weakside man for two seasons and was the team’s most utilized linebacker during that span, operating as a nickel player and a 3-4 inside man when Oakland shifted into those looks.
  • Kellen Moore‘s one-year Cowboys re-up is for $775K, Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). Both Williams and the Telegram’s Clarence Hill report the Cowboys did not want to pay nearly what Josh McCown received from the Jets ($6MM fully guaranteed) to fill their impending backup quarterback vacancy. Dak Prescott will make $540K in base salary this season.
  • Damontre Moore signed a two-year, $1.66MM deal with the Cowboys, one that contains a $100K signing bonus, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
  • Ray Rice remains focused on trying to re-enter the NFL. The former Ravens Pro Bowl running back said today his absence isn’t because he no longer has the ability. “The reason why I’m not playing football, you do the dots,” the now-30-year-old Rice said from Torrey Smith‘s charity basketball game in Baltimore, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. “It ain’t because I’m a bad football player. That’s just keeping it real. I’m never giving up and never giving in.” Rice hasn’t played since the 2013 season. The video of him striking his then-fiancee, now-wife in an elevator that emerged in September of 2014 led to the Ravens cutting him. Rice’s incident figures to come up again as teams decide whether or not to take a chance on Joe Mixon, who was also seen punching a woman on camera.

Raiders Sign LB Jelani Jenkins

March 20th, 2017 at 2:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Jelani Jenkins has found a new home. The Raiders announced that they have signed the linebacker. Jenkins’ Raiders pact is for one year, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com tweets.Jelani Jenkins (vertical)

The Raiders have been in the market for support at both weakside linebacker and middle linebacker. Jenkins’ best fit may be on the weakside, but it’s possible he’ll see time at both spots.

Jenkins’ best season with the Dolphins came in 2014 when he had 110 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass defensed. We haven’t seen him replicate those numbers in the last two years, however. In 2016, Pro Football Focus gave Jenkins the worst grade of any linebacker with enough snaps to qualify for ranking. His 31.4 score was hilariously bad, but he had good showings (76.9; 73.2) in the previous two campaigns.

Raiders To Meet With LB Jelani Jenkins

March 20th, 2017 at 9:11am CST by Zachary Links

Free agent linebacker Jelani Jenkins is expected to visit the Raiders this week, sources tell Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). This marks Jenkins’ first known free agent visit of the month. Jelani Jenkins (vertical)

[RELATED: Mark Davis “Dead Set” On Las Vegas]

The Raiders are looking for help at weakside linebacker and middle linebacker. Caplan hears from teams that Jenkins profiles more as a weakside ‘backer, which is the position he primarily played with the Dolphins.

Jenkins made some noise in 2014 when he had 110 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass defensed. From there, he saw his role gradually decrease. In 2015, he had 71 total tackles and three passes defensed. Last year, Jenkins appeared in nine games and accumulated 29 tackles.

In 2016, Pro Football Focus gave Jenkins the worst grade of any linebacker with enough snaps to qualify for a ranking. His 31.4 score was exceptionally bad, but he had much better showings (76.9; 73.2) in 2014 and 2015.

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