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Johnthan Banks

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/17

October 10th, 2017 at 6:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Promoted to active roster: WR Ed Eagan

Oakland Raiders

San Francisco 49ers

AFC Rumors: Broncos, Ray, Jets, Texans

September 30th, 2017 at 9:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Shane Ray is “right on schedule” to return to the Broncos after his eight-week stay on injured reserve, according to Troy Renck of Denver7 (Twitter link). Currently dealing with a wrist issue, Ray was placed on IR following the formation of Denver’s 53-man roster, meaning he’s eligible to return after eight weeks. Ray will miss three more divisional games — one each against the Chargers, Raiders, and Chiefs — before getting back to action in Week 9. Without Ray in tow, the Broncos rank just 22nd in adjusted sack rate.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • If Colts quarterback Andrew Luck were to somehow become available, the Jets should make a play for the signal-caller, opines Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Luck, of course, hasn’t played this season as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, but it’s still incredibly difficult to see Indy general manager Chris Ballard even considering the idea of a Luck trade. New York could secure a top-five selection in the 2018 draft, but the Colts would almost assuredly demand multiple first-round picks — and possibly more — for Luck, who is owed more than $95MM (not counting signing bonus money) through 2021.
  • Johnthan Banks‘ one-year deal with the Texans is for one year at the minimum rate, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). But because the former second-round cornerback after two weeks of the regular season had already passed, he’ll only earn about $683K in base salary. Furthermore, Houston used the minimum salary benefit on Banks, meaning the club will only incur ~$542K for signing the fifth-year pro.
  • In case you missed it, the Chiefs waived/injured veteran kicker Cairo Santos today, meaning his next kick will likely come with another club after three-plus seasons with Kansas City.

Texans To Sign CB Johnthan Banks

September 19th, 2017 at 6:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Texans are expected to sign free agent cornerback Johnthan Banks, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).Johnthan Banks (vertical)

Banks was one of several corners worked out by Houston today, a list that also included Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Josh Thornton, Corey White, and B.W. Webb. The Texans are increasingly thin at defensive back following an MCL sprain to Kevin Johnson that will keep him sidelined for four-to-six weeks. While Houston recently signed Marcus Burley to serve as depth behind starters Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson, the club was still looking for quality options.

It’s not clear that Banks will be able to offer much beyond backup reps, but he does come with the draft pedigree of a former second-round pick. However, Banks — who turns 28 years old in a few weeks — has never lived up to that billing, and he’s acted as a reserve over the past two seasons after starting 30 games for the Buccaneers from 2013-14. Last season, Banks ended up playing for three clubs (Tampa Bay, Detroit, and Chicago), but never saw regular action.

Texans Audition LB Jonathan Freeny

September 19th, 2017 at 6:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Texans worked out free agent linebacker Jonathan Freeny on Tuesday, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.Jonathan Freeny

Freeny, a five-year NFL veteran, started his career as a special teams player in Miami, but his most notable time came with the Patriots from 2015-16. During that time, Freeny appeared in 18 games and started 11 contests before going down with a shoulder injury last October.

Despite agreeing to a two-year extension prior to last season, Freeny was released during final cutdowns earlier this month. He’s generated interest around the NFL, however, as the Giants and Bears have also worked out Freeny over the past several weeks.

On the hunt for linebacker depth following Brian Cushing‘s 10-game PED suspension, the Texans also auditioned former Vikings linebacker Audie Cole today. Houston is currently starting Benardrick McKinney and second-round rookie Zach Cunningham at inside linebacker, while Brian Peters and undrafted rookie Dylan Cole are the club’s backups.

The Texans also took at look at linebacker Josh Mauga and cornerbacks Johnthan Banks, Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Josh Thornton, Corey White, and B.W. Webb, as Wilson writes in a separate piece.

Bears Make Cuts, Reach 53

September 2nd, 2017 at 5:59pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears took time to announce their 53-man roster, but they got it done before the deadline. Here’s how:

Released:

Officially Placed On IR:

Waived:

Waived/Injured:

Contract Details: Lacy, Vikings, Titans, Bears

March 16th, 2017 at 8:40pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The latest contract details from around the NFL:

  • ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link) offers further information on the weight-related incentives in Eddie Lacy‘s contract with the Seahawks: The running back can earn $55K in incentives for each month from May to December if he’s at or below the designated weight in his deal. Those weights are 255 pounds (May), 250 (June-August) and 245 (September-December). Lacy recently weighed in at 267 pounds during a free agent visit.
  • Running back Latavius Murray‘s three-year accord with the Vikings comes with a chance to earn $2.3MM in incentives for rushing yards (it’s unclear how many), escalators in 2018 ($2MM) and 2019 ($4MM) based on rushing yards, and an annual Pro Bowl incentive, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
  • Defensive end/outside linebacker Datone Jones‘ one-year deal with the Vikings features a $1.6MM signing bonus and per-game roster bonuses of $31,250 each (up to $500K), a $150K workout bonus and $1.25MM in incentives for sacks and playing time, reports ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
  • Titans linebacker Daren Bates‘ three-year contract is worth $5.6MM and includes a $500K signing bonus, per ESPN’s Paul Kuharsky.
  • Offensive tackle Tom Compton‘s agreement with the Bears is a one-year, $1.85MM deal with $850K in guarantees and $400K in incentives, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Cornerback Johnthan Banks‘ one-year pact is worth $855K and features $200K in guarantees and an $80K signing bonus.

Bears Re-Sign Johnthan Banks

March 11th, 2017 at 3:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent cornerback Johnthan Banks announced today via Twitter that he’s been re-signed by the Bears. Chicago has since confirmed the transaction, and announced that it’s a one-year deal for Banks."<strong

The 2016 season was a year of tumult for the 27-year-old Banks, as the former second-round pick spent time with three clubs. The team that originally drafted him — the Buccaneers — traded Banks to the Lions in November, but Detroit waived him just a month later. Banks stayed in the NFC North, however, as Chicago claimed him off waivers. All told, Banks — who offers good size at 6’2″ — played in nine games last season, and started two contests (both with the Bears).

Improving the secondary loomed a primary goal for the Bears heading into the offseason, and while Banks is likely being viewed as depth rather than a starting piece, Chicago has made other moves to bolster its defensive backfield this week. The club agreed to a one-year deal with cornerback Prince Amukamara, and also signed veteran safety Quintin Demps to a three-year pact. Additionally, the Bears have met with free agents Darius Butler and Marcus Cooper.

Bears Claim CB Johnthan Banks

December 5th, 2016 at 4:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears have claimed cornerback Johnthan Banks off waivers from the Lions, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. He’ll take the roster spot of Jay Cutler, who has been officially placed on injured reserve. Cutler learned late last week that he has been ruled out for the year. The Bears also waived linebacker Lamin Barrow from injured reserve.Johnthan Banks (vertical)

Banks was cut by the Lions over the weekend, a move that was overshadowed because Justin Forsett was cut at the same time. Banks, a former second round pick, was traded from the Buccaneers to the Lions in early November. The change of scenery didn’t change much for the 27-year-old, but the Bears are curious enough to take a look at him. With a 3-9 record, Chicago has nothing to lose.

In other Bears news, the team also brought in three wide receivers for tryouts: Jared Abbrederis, Bralon Addison, and Brelan Chancellor (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune). All three players have experience as returners.

Lions Cut Justin Forsett, Activate Armonty Bryant

December 3rd, 2016 at 3:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Justin Forsett‘s tenure with the Lions looks to be over after the team did not keep the veteran on its roster upon making multiple moves Saturday. The Lions cut Forsett and cornerback Johnthan Banks to make room for the activation of defensive end Armonty Bryant and wide receiver T.J. Jones, James Palmer of NFL.com reports (Twitter links).

This will send the 31-year-old Forsett to the waiver wire, where the ninth-year veteran could be viewed as a depth option for teams in need of ball-carriers. Prior to the trade deadline, Forsett’s vested-veteran status applied and he did not have to pass through waivers upon being released from the Ravens.

Forsett had not played in a game since October and has just 136 rushing yards (on 3.1 per carry) this season. This move doesn’t necessarily point to an Ameer Abdullah return, though, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter). Abdullah remains on IR, with Theo Riddick being the top backfield option.

The Lions claimed Banks on waivers from the Buccaneers last month and used the cornerback in two games. However, the former Bucs starter who saw his star fall in Tampa Bay could not make enough of a case to stay on the team. He, too, will be subject to the waiver process.

This marks Bryant’s second activation of the season — both by the Lions — with this latest transaction coming as a result of a three-game suspension the defensive end served. He served a four-game ban while a member of the Browns before Cleveland cut him, re-routing him to Detroit via waiver claim. Bryant has three sacks this season in four games as an off-the-bench cog for the first-place Lions.

T.J. Jones‘ promotion coincides with Marvin Jones‘ potential unavailability for Sunday’s game against the Saints. A thigh injury limited the Lions’ leading receiver in practice this week.

NFC Notes: Bucs, Lions, Packers, Vikings

November 17th, 2016 at 5:24pm CST by Zachary Links

After the Buccaneers used a second-round pick on him in 2013, cornerback Johnthan Banks went on to make 30 starts and intercept seven passes during his first two seasons. Banks’ playing time and impact dwindled in Tampa Bay over the past year-plus, though, leading the team to trade him to the Lions on Nov. 1. The 27-year-old attributes his precipitous decline to the Buccaneers’ coaching staff. “What was holding me back in Tampa? Coaches. That’s what was holding me back. Coaches,” he told Kyle Meinke of MLive.com on Thursday.“I mean, I can play. If you go and look at this year’s preseason, nobody in that secondary made more plays than me.” Banks added that he’s “past Tampa. I’m glad to be out here, and I wish them well.”The Bucs are

While Banks hasn’t yet debuted with the Lions, their staff – including cornerbacks coach Tony Oden – expects him to contribute soon, writes Meinke. Oden was the Buccaneers’ defensive backs coach in 2013, Banks’ three-INT rookie year. “I feel like he’s readjusted me all over again,” Banks said. “I’m a new corner again. Just changing me, getting me low, getting me into a better stance. I’ve had so many coaches, I’ve been changed so much, I feel like I was changed the wrong way. And, you know, I feel like I’m being coached right again.”

More from the NFC:

  • Can Christine Michael halt the Packers‘ running back carousel? Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com presents both sides of the argument but rightly notes that it will take a few weeks before we have a concrete answer. With only a few days to ready himself for Sunday’s game against Washington, it doesn’t seem likely that we’ll see Michael do much this weekend. But, for what it’s worth, Seattle coach Pete Carroll spoke highly of C-Mike on Wednesday and made it clear that his work ethic was not an issue. “He’s been busting his tail the whole time he’s been here,” Carroll said. “Everything we’ve said about him has been true and real, and he made a great comeback with us. He was the only guy there for a while, and we’re really grateful to the play that he gave us. He’s a good kid.”
  • As of this morning, Michael was still “en route” to the Packers, coach Mike McCarthy said (Twitter link via Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel). He added that Michael still has to go through a physical.
  • Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is “looking good in the weight room,” according to a team source who spoke with Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Peterson, who suffered a torn meniscus in Week 2, is now eligible to return from injured reserve, though he remains on the shelf. Minnesota’s Peterson-less rushing attack has been the NFL’s worst this year.
  • The Buccaneers claimed Sealver Siliga off waivers from Seattle on Wednesday, but coach Dirk Koetter told reporters the team actually almost signed Siliga weeks ago (Twitter link via Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com). Tampa Bay worked out Siliga on Oct. 12, but he signed with the Seahawks on Oct. 18.
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