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Kendall Hunter

Minor Moves: Tuesday

August 5th, 2014 at 10:43pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are the NFL’s minor transactions for Tuesday, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the afternoon and evening:

  • The Bears waived linebacker Conor O’Neill to make room for the addition of Greg Herd, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
  • The Browns reached an injury settlement with James Oboh, Wilson tweets.
  • The Broncos waived defensive end Hall Davis with a left squad designation, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Denver signed Davis to a reserve/futures contract in February.
  • The Vikings waived Lestar Jean from injured reserve, tweets Wilson. The wideout has ten career receptions for 186 yards and one touchdown.
  • Running back Kendall Hunter will spend the season on the 49ers’ injured reserve list after he cleared waivers on Tuesday, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
  • The Dolphins announced that they have signed kicker Danny Hrapmann and waived linebacker Ryan Rau, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Hrapmann was one of at least three kickers Miami auditioned recently.
  • The Bears added wide receiver Greg Herd today, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). Chicago must make a corresponding roster move for Herd, who had short stints with the Cowboys and Seahawks after entering the NFL in 2013.

Earlier updates:

  • The Colts agreed to sign former Eagles outside linebacker Phillip Hunt, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). To make room for Hunt, the Colts dropped wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson, who signed with the club just two days ago.
  • The Browns announced that they have signed tight end Martell Webb, linebacker Keith Pough, and wide receiver Tim Smith, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Originally signed by Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent in 2011, Webb has spent time on the practice squads of the Jets (2011), Bucs (2011), Colts (2012), Titans (2012), and Lions (2013).
  • The Browns waived defensive back Darwin Cook, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter).
  • The Titans will sign Lanier Coleman, a defensive lineman who has spent time with the Jets and Packers, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Tennessee has a full 90-man roster, so the team will need to cut someone to make it official.
  • The Saints have signed former second-round tight end Richard Quinn, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). In a separate tweet, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com adds a few more Saints moves courtesy of Yates: New Orleans also signed wideout Tobais Palmer, waiving receiver Steve Hull (injured designation), defensive tackle Tyrone Ezell, and linebacker Marcus Thompson.
  • As first reported by NFL Draft Diamonds, the Browns have reached a deal to sign tight end Kyle Auffray, writes Mike Wilkering of Pro Football Talk. Cleveland entered the day with four open roster spots, so there’s plenty of room for Auffray, who spent some time with the Patriots in the spring.
  • The Buccaneers completed a series of roster moves today, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed defensive ends Ryne Giddins and James Ruffin, and waived-injured linebacker Jeremy Grable and safety Mycal Swaim.
  • The Steelers are set to sign wide receiver James Shaw, who previously played for the Arena League’s Pittsburgh Power, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Pittsburgh has a full 90-man roster, so the club will need to make a corresponding roster move to make room for the latest signee.
  • Jermaine Cunningham, who tore his Achilles tendon during training camp, has been waived-injured by the Jets, who signed offensive lineman Bruce Campbell to fill Cunningham’s roster spot, per Rich Cimini of ESPN New York (Twitter link). Campbell attended the team’s minicamp back in June on a tryout basis.
  • Armed with an open spot on their 90-man roster, the Broncos have signed former Browns defensive end Brian Sanford, as Mike Klis of the Denver Post details. Sanford, who turns 27 next month, has been active for 13 career regular-season contests for Cleveland and Oakland.
  • The Seahawks have waived-injured safety Dion Bailey and signed defensive back Trey Wolfe to replace him, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

Minor Moves: Monday

August 4th, 2014 at 8:29pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll track the day’s minor transactions right here, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:

  • The Dolphins have waived receiver Stephen Williams, replacing him on the roster with tight end Brett Brackett (Twitter link).
  • The 49ers have officially waived-injured running back Kendall Hunter, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan. Other teams will have the opportunity to claim Hunter, but the back is in the final year of his contract and will be sidelined for the season, so he figures to go on San Francisco’s IR. The Niners are expected to add a running back to replace him, notes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (via Twitter).
  • Safety Brandon Hardin has been removed from the Jets‘ injured reserve list with a settlement, per Rich Cimini of ESPN New York (Twitter link).
  • The Browns have re-signed defensive back Royce Adams, who was waived by the club last month, tweets Brian McIntyre. Since the Browns cut four players today, Adams’ signing leaves the roster at 87 players.
  • Wide receiver Reese Wiggins was the roster casualty for the Lions as the club made room for new waiver claim Jonathan Baldwin, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).

Earlier updates:

  • The Buccaneers have swapped an offensive player for a defender, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed safety Mark Joyce, having waived-injured wideout David Gettis to make room on the roster.
  • The Colts have signed linebacker Shawn Loiseau, the team announced today in a press release. Loiseau, who has previously spent time on the Colts’ practice squad and offseason roster, last played for the Arena Football League’s L.A. Kiss. Because Indianapolis had an opening on its 90-man roster, no corresponding move is necessary to clear room for the new addition.
  • The Cowboys have signed guard Wayne Tribue and waived-injured guard Brian Clarke, a source tells Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Tribue has never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, though he has spent time with the Broncos, 49ers, and Saints. As for Clarke, he was one of the two dozen UDFAs signed by the Cowboys following the draft, receiving a $1.5K signing bonus from the team.

NFC Notes: 49ers, Panthers, Saints, Redskins

July 26th, 2014 at 10:28pm CST by Luke Adams

49ers GM Trent Baalke confirmed today that the team wants to extend the contracts of wide receiver Michael Crabtree and guard Mike Iupati, tweets Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Baalke added that he hasn’t decided when the time will be to stop negotiations if no deal has been reached, which suggests that discussions are ongoing. We’ve examined both Crabtree and Iupati as part of our Extension Candidate series.

Let’s round up a few more items from around the NFC….

  • The last year of Kendall Hunter‘s contract with the 49ers will be a lost one, as an ACL injury has him ticketed for injured reserve, but Baalke would like to re-sign the running back next year if possible, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
  • With running backs Jonathan Stewart and Tyler Gaffney sidelined, the Panthers intend to sign another player to join the backfield, according to head coach Ron Rivera (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer). Per ESPN.com’s David Newton (Twitter links), Gaffney suffered a torn lateral meniscus tear in his knee and will miss the season.
  • It’s a contract year for Mark Ingram and it might as well be for Pierre Thomas as well, according to Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune, who says it will be a pivotal season for the two Saints running backs.
  • New Redskins coach Jay Gruden didn’t make much use of his fullbacks during his last three seasons in Cincinnati. However, he intends to work Darrel Young into the mix in Washington this year, explaining simply, “I didn’t have Darrel Young in Cincinnati. If I had him, I would have used him” (link via Joseph White of The Associated Press).
  • Frank Gore is pulling for fellow NFC West running back Marshawn Lynch to get a new deal from the Seahawks as a result of his holdout, as he tells Tom Pelissero of USA Today.

Kendall Hunter Tears ACL

July 26th, 2014 at 11:57am CST by Matt Feminis

The 49ers have collected depth at the running back position, and that depth will be put to the test early with the news that Kendall Hunter suffered a torn right ACL, writes SFgate.com’s Eric Branch. Hunter, who missed five games in 2012 because of a torn Achilles, will now be sidelined for the final year of his rookie contract.

Healthy in 2013, Hunter averaged 4.6 yards per carry as Frank Gore‘s backup. Now, the 49ers will now turn to a group of talented, inexperienced backs, including second-rounder Carlos Hyde, “redshirt” Marcus Lattimore and third-down back/kick returner LaMichael James.

NFC West Links: Lynch, Fitzgerald, Hunter

July 25th, 2014 at 9:45pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s hard to imagine a head coach being in a good mood when their star player decides to hold out, and Pete Carroll certainly confirms that notion. The Super Bowl-winning coach was asked about Marshawn Lynch‘s decision to skip Seahawks training camp and gave an honest (albeit snarky) answer.

“It’s a contract for a reason. We made a decision and it was signed, by us and by them,” Carroll told USA Today Sports’ Tom Pelissero. “We expect them to honor their contract just as we will. We’re going to honor it and we expect them to do the same.

“We’ve had a big plan for a long time working here, and Marshawn is a huge part of that plan, and we made a huge commitment to him a couple years ago. He remains a big part of that plan – if he’ll show up. The same thing will carry over to Doug (Baldwin) and Richard (Sherman) and Earl (Thomas) and Kam (Chancellor) and all of the guys that have signed with us.

“He’s got his own mind on this. We’ve communicated quite a bit, and I know where he is on it and we just have to see what happens.”

Lynch originally signed a four-year, $30MM deal in 2012 and the contract’s average annual value is among the top-six in the league.

Now, for some more NFC West notes…

  • In a series of tweets, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen suggests that Lynch could lose a portion of his signing bonus if he misses the first six days of camp. If the Seahawks star decides to miss the first 11 games and the preseason opener, Mortensen estimates Lynch could give up more than $624K (based on CBA’s $30K daily fine and $294K penalty for missed preseason game).
  • Cardinals team president Michael Bidwell was clear that he wants franchise receiver Larry Fitzgerald to spend the rest of his career in Arizona. “Our intent all along is to have Larry retire as an Arizona Cardinal,” he said (via AZCentral.com). “He’s been a great player on the field, a great person in the community, and a great ambassador not only for the Cardinals and the National Football League but also for the state of Arizona. We’ve worked hard to keep him a Cardinal, we’re going to keep him a Cardinal, and we intend to have him retire as a Cardinal.” 
  • 49ers running back Kendall Hunter was hurt during practice today, and ESPN’s Ed Werder tweets that the organization is “concerned” about the injury. The source indicated that the seriousness of the injury wasn’t known but the team “didn’t like way it looked.” If the injury proves to be serious, LaMichael James‘ chances of making the roster will certainly improve.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

49ers Notes: Davis, Boone, Hunter

June 17th, 2014 at 1:00pm CST by Luke Adams

As anticipated, Vernon Davis and Alex Boone can now officially be classified as holdouts, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Neither player showed up to the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp today, and both men will be subject to fines of nearly $70K if they miss all three days of the camp. Both Davis and Boone are unhappy with their contracts and are looking to negotiate new deals, so it figures to be a busy summer for the Niners, who already locked up Colin Kaepernick and will likely explore extensions for Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati.

Here’s more out of San Francisco:

  • Kaepernick expressed his support for Davis and Boone, suggesting that he won’t harbor any ill will toward either player for missing the team’s practices this week. “I would love to see all of our players there, but at the same time, they have to do what’s best for them and make their own decisions,” Kaepernick said, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group.
  • Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee views Boone’s case for a new contract as stronger than Davis’, but suggests that both players could be hard-pressed to reach agreements this year, given the Niners’ current cap situation. San Francisco probably can’t afford to pay ever player who deserves a raise, so the team will have to identify its top priorities.
  • While his teammates eye new deals, running back Kendall Hunter is trying to avoid thinking about his situation as he enters a contract year, writes Inman. “You can’t think about that,” Hunter said of his impending free agency. “I just want to play football and help the team.”

Marcus Lattimore Returns To Field

May 24th, 2014 at 4:59pm CST by Peter Sowards

In what might be his first significant on-field action since suffering the second of two horrific knee injuries, 49ers running back Marcus Lattimore took the field for rookie minicamp drills yesterday, cleared to take handoffs and make basic cuts. NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling writes that Lattimore was expected to sit out minicamp with soreness in both legs, but the second-year back felt well enough to participate.

Lattimore, a fourth-round pick in 2013, spent the entirety of last season on the reserve/NFI list, and can thus participate in rookie camp.

A stacked depth chart at running back lies in front of Lattimore — incumbent starter Frank Gore, 2014 second-round pick Carlos Hyde and 2011 fourth-round pick Kendall Hunter — but long odds have never swayed Lattimore’s efforts. Many projected his career over after multiple torn knee ligaments on two separate injuries, but the 49ers saw enough promise to use a fourth-round pick on him in last year’s draft, and he’s determined to prove them right.

NFC Notes: Eagles, 49ers, Giants, Packers, Saints, Gettleman

May 10th, 2014 at 9:58am CST by Matt Feminis

Eagles GM Howie Roseman met with the media following the first-round selection of Marcus Smith 26th overall, and Philly.com’s Jeff McLane had seven follow-up thoughts. Most notably, Roseman shared his initial plan of attack. Plan A entailed the team having a list of six players likely to be gone by No. 22 (where the Eagles originally were position prior to the trade down) but worth moving up for. To the best of McLane’s knowledge, that list included Anthony Barr, Odell Beckham Jr., Kyle Fuller, Ryan Shazier, Brandin Cooks and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

When those players were gone, Roseman was prepared to move down, pick up an additional pick and choose the best player available. McLane is ” not convinced Smith was at the top of that list, but of the players there he played a premium position of need and thus was moved to the front.” McLane also spoke to other teams’ representatives whose grades on Smith ranged from second to fourth round.

Here’s several more quick-hitting, NFC news and notes:

  • The Eagles place on emphasis on college graduates, says Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter).
  • The Giants drafted Weston Richburg 43rd overall last night, and what made him attractive to the team was his ability to not only block effectively, but handle the responsibility associated with the position, says ESPN’s Dan Graziano. “[Tom] Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese both said the center’s responsibility for handling line and protection calls will increase under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Giants VP of player evaluation Marc Ross said Richburg scored an impressive 31 on the Wonderlic test and impressed the Giants in his combine interview with his intelligence.”
  • The 49ers were very active Friday night, making five trades that netted veteran receiver Stevie Johnson as well as running back Carlos Hyde (No. 57), center Marcus Martin (No. 76), linebacker Chris Borland (No. 77) and offensive lineman Brandon Thomas (No. 100). Eric Branch at sfgate.com recaps the team’s busy day here. The 49ers also have seven picks in the final four rounds.
  • The 49ers deep stable of running backs now includes Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Marcus Lattimore and Hyde. James wants more playing time and is open to a trade, but the team has no plans to move him, says ESPN’s Bill Williamson.
  • The Packers are confident Davante Adams is the next in a long line of productive receivers drafted in the second and third round, writes Bob McGinn in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
  • Redskins second-rounder Trent Murphy, whom the team expects to contribute right away as a nickel rusher, “protects the team’s long-term interests at OLB,” tweets NFL Network’s Albert Breer.
  • With the selection of big cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste 53rd overall, the Saints continue to build a “Seattle-like secondary,” writes Larry Holder of Nola.com.
  • The Panthers announced via Twitter that GM Dave Gettleman will draft remotely via Skype today so he can be present for his son’s college graduation.