K’Waun Williams - Pro Football Rumors

AFC East Notes: Jets, Williams, Clady

February 13th, 2017 at 3:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the AFC East:

K’Waun Williams‘ visit to the Jets will take place on Wednesday, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY tweets. The former Cleveland corner will arrive in town on Tuesday night, following his visit to Detroit.
The Jets’ anticipated roster purge could start with Ryan Clady, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes. Clady, who finished the year on IR with rotator cuff surgery, is due a $1MM roster bonus by Wednesday. With a total cap charge of $10.5MM, it seems likely that he’ll be cut loose. However, it’s also possible that the Jets could renegotiate his deal. Clady didn’t set the world on fire last year, but there aren’t a ton of quality options out there in the draft or on the open market. Cimini estimates that a $6MM salary – in line with what he made last year – could work for both sides. The Jets will still need a backup plan for Clady given his injury history, so Cimini also suggests a new deal for Ben Ijalana.
After Dont’a Hightower, Malcolm Butler, and Martellus Bennett, Alan Branch ranks as the Patriots‘ highest priority free agent, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss writes. Branch, 32, was the team’s most consistent defensive tackle by Bill Belichick’s measure in 2016. Reiss estimates that a two-year, $11MM deal (similar to what Vince Wilfork signed in Houston two years ago) could get the job done. Others listed include cornerback Logan Ryan and wide receiver Michael Floyd.

AFC Notes: Jaguars, Talib, Browns, Bengals

November 4th, 2016 at 7:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Could the Jaguars hire Tom Coughlin as their next coach? No conversations have taken place between the two parties, but Adam Schefter of ESPN.com wonders if the Jags could be interested in Coughlin, who was their very first coach as an expansion franchise. Coughlin – who coached the Jags from 1995-2002 – still has a home in Jacksonville, his charity is based there, and he has made it clear that he wants to coach. One source close to the situation told Schefter that “it’s not the craziest idea in the world.” One obstacle, however, could be Coughlin’s age (71 next August), as well as the fact that he enjoys his current role with the league, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.

More regarding Jacksonville and three other AFC teams:

Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib will not play on Sunday night against Oakland due to his back injury, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets.
The grievance for cornerback K’Waun Williams against the Browns is expected to be heard around February, his agent tells Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (on Twitter). Williams just had ankle surgery on Monday and 12-week recovery period is expected.
The Bengals tried out kicker Travis Coons, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN (Twitter link). The club also auditioned Zach Hocker, Kai Forbath, and Randy Bullock this week, but Mike Nugent remains in place as its lone option at kicker. The 34-year-old Nugent is on notice, though, having connected on just 14 of 19 field goals. In the Bengals’ 27-27 tie with the Redskins last week, Nugent missed a field goal and an extra point.
The Browns are considering switching second-year man Cameron Erving from center to right tackle, head coach Hue Jackson said Friday (via Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com). The 2015 first-round pick struggled at guard as a rookie, starting in just four of 16 appearances, and has performed poorly at center this season while battling injuries. Erving, who has appeared in five of the Browns’ eight games, is currently Pro Football Focus’ worst-ranked center.
The Jaguars worked out punter Brock Miller, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Miller is the second punter to audition for Jacksonville this week, joining Cody Webster.

North Notes: Williams, Browns, Ansah, Bears

September 22nd, 2016 at 7:53pm CST by Zachary Links

Cornerback K’Waun Williams has filed a grievance through the NFLPA asking the Browns to pay for his ankle surgery plus his full $600K salary for ’16, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes. During the offseason, Williams and the Browns were locked in a heated battle as he refused to play through painful bone spurs in his ankle. The Browns suspended the corner for two weeks and later waived him. He was claimed by Chicago, but later released when he failed the physical.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two North divisions:

Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah is getting a second opinion on his high ankle sprain, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Typically, that’s not a great sign. Lions running back Ameer Abdullah got a second opinion on his sprained foot earlier this week and wound up being ruled out for at least two months. With fellow defenders Devin Taylor and DeAndre Levy also nursing injuries, Detroit can’t afford to lose its star playmaker in Ansah.
The Browns are bringing former BYU wide receiver Mitch Mathews in for a visit/workout on Friday, agent Brett Tessler tweets. Mathews spent this preseason with Kansas City. He auditioned for New England in early September but left without a deal.
The Bears worked out free agent punter Cody Webster, according to Caplan (Twitter link). Per Caplan, Webster is the latest in a line of punters that has auditioned for Chicago. That could indicate that the club isn’t happy with incumbent specialist Pat O’Donnell, who ranks 26th in the league in net punt average.

Browns Notes: Jackson, Williams, Hawkins

September 1st, 2016 at 7:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Prior to the draft shakeup that ended with the Rams and Eagles moving up to the Nos. 1-2 spots to take Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, Hue Jackson became enamored with the Cal quarterback, viewing him as the only passer the Browns would take at No. 2, Michael Silver of NFL.com reports.

During a meeting with Goff’s parents the night before his pro day, Jackson assured them the Browns would not start him until they had an offensive line Jackson deemed able to protect the rookie. This mid-March meeting came a few days after Cleveland lost Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz in free agency.

However, Jackson viewed Robert Griffin III as an insurance policy in case something were to happen at No. 1 and Goff became out of reach. The first-year Browns coach pointed to Carson Palmer‘s 2003 pro day as the only quarterback workout he could recall that was better than Griffin’s Browns audition. The Browns did not make an attempt to trade up with the Titans to secure the No. 1 pick and Goff, Silver reports.

Here’s more coming out of Cleveland as the rebuilding team wraps up its preseason.

Jackson began to sour on Marvin Lewis‘ proposed coach-in-waiting idea which would have given Jackson the Bengals’ reins after the 2017 season. Mike Brown also reportedly wasn’t fully on board with this, but while open to remaining in Cincinnati, the eventual Cleveland coach did not want to be part of what could have been an awkward transition, per Silver.
Waived earlier this week after an acrimonious dispute with the team, K’Waun Williams has asked the Browns to pay for his ankle surgery, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. Despite an injury hovering at the center of Williams’ departure from northeast Ohio, the Browns waived the third-year cornerback instead of doing so with an injury designation. The latter course of action would have forced the Browns to either place their previous nickel corner on IR or reach an injury settlement with him. He’s now a free agent after failing his Bears physical due to bone spurs residing in his ankle. As it stands now, Williams isn’t set to receive any money from the Browns for a surgery two independent doctors told him he needs, Cabot reports. Williams, who scratched himself from the Browns’ preseason opener against the Packers to lead to a fine and suspension, was injured while practicing with the Browns. Sources told the writer, however, Williams didn’t mention the ankle injury until the following day. A Browns refusal to pay for this procedure would likely lead to Williams’ agent filing a grievance through the NFLPA. A former UDFA, Williams served as the Browns’ nickel back for two seasons and started 10 games during that span.
Andrew Hawkins could be the latest Browns veteran to be cut, with Taylor Gabriel having a standout preseason, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal writes. Ulrich views Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, Terrelle Pryor and fifth-rounder Rashard Higgins as having sewn up spots among the team’s likely six-receiver contingent. Fourth- and fifth-rounders Ricardo Louis and Jordan Payton are on the bubble despite having come off the board in rounds that usually correlate with 53-man roster access. Hawkins, who also played under Jackson in Cincinnati, and is entering his age-30 season. An injury in 2015 limited the diminutive target to eight games, but Hawkins recorded 824 receiving yards in 2014 during his first season with the Browns. Although Hawkins is only set to make $1MM this season, Gabriel is 25 and would earn $500K.

K’Waun Williams Fails Bears Physical

August 31st, 2016 at 3:20pm CST by Zachary Links

K’Waun Williams won’t be joining the Bears after all. Claimed off waivers from the Browns just yesterday, Williams failed his physical today with Chicago.

Williams is in limbo once again and it’s just the latest turn in the cornerback’s strange offseason. The 25-year-old held himself out of the Browns’ preseason opener after injuring his ankle. The Browns believed that his ankle was fine and insisted that he play. When he did not comply, the team slapped him with a fine and suspension. Then, before the 75-man deadline, the Browns decided to drop him from the roster.

If Williams was healthy, he could have been a quality option for Chicago in the slot. Now, the Bears will continue to look for cornerback health. Meanwhile, today’s failed physical may give additional credence to Williams’ claim that he was too hurt to play in Cleveland.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bears Claim K’Waun Williams Off Waivers

August 30th, 2016 at 3:30pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears have been awarded former Browns defensive back K’Waun Williams off waivers, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). If Williams can get healthy, the Bears could have a valuable slot cornerback for the coming year.

Williams made headlines this offseason as he was wrapped up in a high-profile spat with the Browns. Williams complained of bone spurs in his ankle and removed himself from practice. The Browns did not believe that his ankle issue was serious enough to warrant an absence from training camp and subsequently suspended and fined him for conduct detrimental to the team.

There were some rumblings that the third-year pro could retire, but all indications are that he intends to play.

Browns To Release DB K’Waun Williams

August 29th, 2016 at 2:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are releasing defensive back K’Waun Williams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

The Browns and Williams were locked in a dispute with regards to Williams’ health. The Browns suspended Williams for one game earlier this month for conduct detrimental to the team. Essentially, Williams was holding himself out of practice with bone spurs in his ankle. The Browns believed that Williams’ ankle was fine and did not excuse him from team activities. When he continued to sit out, he was punished by the club.

It was largely expected that Williams would be cut by the Browns. With his release, the Browns are now at the 75-man limit.

Browns Suspend CB K’Waun Williams

August 17th, 2016 at 7:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

WEDNESDAY, 7:41pm: Williams’ agent, Evan Krakower, has issued a press release regarding his client. The entire statement can be found on Twitter. Part of it reads, “It is extremely puzzling that the Browns comments have ignored the significant treatment they have provided K’Waun to his ankle up to the night in question.”

Krakower continued, “In light of his previous service to the team and his injury history, we believe the Browns suspension and fine are excessive in nature at best, and totally unwarranted at worst. A punishment of this excessive nature of a player, with aprevious exemplary record on and off the field, is inappropriate. Therefore, Mr. Williams will be appealing this fine and suspension through the appropriate channels.”

6:23pm: Williams had a second opinion on his ankle at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday, and a specialist told him that he’ll have to undergo surgery to remove bone spurs, his agent told Cabot. Williams, therefore, will appeal the punishment the Browns handed him. However, University Hospitals – not the Cleveland Clinic – is the team’s hospital, tweets Cabot.

TUESDAY: The Browns are suspending cornerback K’Waun Williams for two weeks as a result of an “ongoing dispute” regarding his standing with the club, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Williams, whose suspension is for conduct detrimental to the team, will also be docked one game check.

As Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com details, Williams’ future with the Browns is now in jeopardy following an episode last week. After Williams suffered an ankle injury during an intrasquad scrimmage, he declared himself out for Cleveland’s first preseason contest, a decision which irked the club’s management. The Browns listed Williams’s absence as due to a personal reason, and the third-year pro hasn’t returned to camp since.

“We’ll talk about that at a different time,” head coach Hue Jackson said Tuesday. “I just think there are a lot of mixed messages that are going on as far as all that’s concerned. We’ll deal with it, and I’m sure we’ll all talk about it at the appropriate time.”

While some sources have told Cabot that the Browns are under the impression that Williams may retire, other sources told the Cleveland.com scribe that Williams was merely away seeking a second opinion on his ankle. Indeed, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal hears (Twitter link) that Williams will get a new opinion on his injury tomorrow. Williams, who has served as the Browns’ slot corner in each of the past two seasons, was reportedly unhappy that trade acquisition Jamar Taylor had been playing ahead of him in nickel packages, tweets Rapaport.

Williams, 25, figures to appeal any suspension or loss of pay, according to Cabot (Twitter link).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor Moves: Grant, Bucs, Panthers, Morris

May 20th, 2014 at 9:45pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at tonight’s minor moves..

Free agent linebacker Larry Grant, who started eight games for the Rams back in 2010, has signed with the Browns, according to agent David Canter (Twitter link). In recent seasons, Grant spent time with the 49ers and Bears, though he appeared in just two games last year before being cut.
The Buccaneers have agreed to sign undrafted free agent tight end Cameron Brate out of Harvard, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
The Panthers announced that they have signed fourth-round pick Tre Boston and fifth-round selection Bene’ Benwikere, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Boston, a strong safety out of North Carolina, is a converted cornerback.
The Patriots announced that they have released rookie linebacker James Morris. Morris, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, was signed by the Pats just four days ago. Morris, 22, was just the sixth player in Iowa history to record 400 career tackles after finishing with 400 tackles, 10 1/2 sacks and six interceptions as a three-year starter.
Former Iowa State safety Jacques Washington has been invited to the Dolphins‘ rookie mini-camp this weekend, according to agent Donte Robinson (on Twitter). Washington was second in the Big 12 in tackles per game (9.9) this past season and was a three-year starting free safety for the Cyclones.
The Raiders cut veteran defensive lineman David Carter, Wilson tweets. Carter, 26, signed a reserves/futures deal with Oakland back in January.
The Rams were awarded Travis Bond off waivers from the Panthers, tweets Wilson. Carolina dropped Bond yesterday while signing punter Jordan Gay.
The Raiders signed undrafted free agent defensive end Denico Autry, tweets Wilson.
The Browns signed undrafted defensive back K’Waun Williams, tweets Wilson. At Pittsburgh last season, Williams led the team with seven pass breakups and was second with two interceptions.
The Texans were awarded Conor Boffeli off waivers from the Vikings and Anthony Dima from the Browns, Wilson tweets.