Vincent Brown - Pro Football Rumors

Saints To Cut Vincent Brown With Injury Settlement

July 27th, 2016 at 7:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

WEDNESDAY: The Saints will indeed release Brown with an injury settlement, per Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com.

TUESDAY: The season is over before it began for Vincent Brown, as the Saints have placed the veteran wide receiver on injured reserve, according to Joel Erickson of the Advocate (Twitter link). Brown signed a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract with New Orleans a little over two months ago.

As Roster Resource indicates, the loss of Brown doesn’t do much to deplete a relatively deep Saints receiver corps, which is fronted by starters Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead. Former Ohio State pass-catcher Michael Thomas, chosen in the second round of the 2016 draft, is expected to man the slot during his rookie year, while New Orleans is still holding out hope that Brandon Coleman can contribute in some fashion. The club also boasts Reggie Bell and Kyle Prater further down the depth chart.

As well-stocked as the Saints are at receiver, they don’t necessarily need to add a free agent to make up for the loss of Brown, but there are certainly options available on the open market even after veteran Anquan Boldin — probably the best receiver who was still unsigned — agreed to a deal with the Lions earlier today. Three names that stand out are Hakeem Nicks, Denarius Moore, and Nathan Palmer, each of whom attended a May workout in New Orleans with Brown.

Brown, for his part, has been limited by injuries for much of his career, and he hasn’t posted a full season since 2013, when he caught 41 balls for the Chargers. If his current ailment isn’t serious, he could negotiate an injury settlement with the Saints, allowing him to be removed from the IR and reach free agency.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Saints To Sign Vincent Brown

May 23rd, 2016 at 9:50am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are signing wide receiver Vincent Brown, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Brown participated in a tryout for New Orleans last week along with a handful of other veteran wide receivers. Brown, ostensibly, was the best of the bunch.

The New Orleans tryouts also included former Giants standout Hakeem Nicks and ex-Raiders speedster Denarius Moore. Brown, 27, first came into the league as a third-round pick of the Chargers in 2011. In 2013, he enjoyed a breakout season as he hauled in 41 catches (70 targets) for 472 yards and one touchdown. After his blip of fantasy football relevance, Brown wound up joining the rival Raiders in 2014 before returning to the Chargers for a one-game cameo in 2015.

As of this writing, the Saints have eleven wide receivers under contract, so it stands to reason that someone from that group could be receiving their release today. The Saints’ group of WRs is headlined by Brandin Cooks and second-round pick Michael Thomas along with Brandon Coleman and Willie Snead.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Saints Working Out Hakeem Nicks, Other WRs

May 18th, 2016 at 2:49pm CST by Zachary Links

2:49pm: Nathan Palmer is also amongst the wide receivers working out for New Orleans, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Palmer was waived by Chicago on Monday.

1:02pm: Along with Nicks, the Saints are also working out wide receivers Denarius Moore and Vincent Brown, Schefter tweets.

12:35pm: The Saints are working out a group of wide receivers today, including Hakeem Nicks, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

This isn’t the first time that the Saints have looked at the veteran. New Orleans auditioned Nicks last September, just after he was released by Titans. However, he went on to sign with the Giants in an effort to recapture the glory of his salad days. In his second stint with Big Blue, Nicks didn’t exactly return to stardom as he caught seven passes for 54 yards across six games.

Nicks, still only 28, spent the first five years of his career in New York with the Giants, enjoying the most productive stint of his career with the team. Posting consecutive seasons of 75+ receptions and 1,000+ receiving yards in 2010 and 2011, Nicks totaled 311 catches, 4,622 yards, and 27 TDs from 2009 to 2013.

However, prior to the 2014 season, the former first-round pick signed a one-year deal with the Colts, and struggled to get much going with Andrew Luck and company, establishing new career-lows in receptions (38) and yards (405).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

More Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/15

December 29th, 2015 at 5:19pm CST by Luke Adams

Tuesdays are generally the busiest day of the week during the NFL regular season for transactions, and on the last Tuesday of the 2015 campaign, that’s especially true. After rounding up several minor moves from around the league earlier today, we’ve got plenty more to pass along now. Here’s the latest:

AFC:

After re-signing him three weeks ago, the Chargers confirmed today that they have released wide receiver Vincent Brown. The 26-year-old was active for just one game and caught only one pass, for 22 yards.
The Ravens have placed wide receiver Marlon Brown on season-ending injured reserve due to a back injury, replacing him on the roster with defensive back Sheldon Price, the team announced today (via Twitter). Brown, the 20th player Baltimore has placed on IR this year, is eligible for restricted free agency, and he may not be tendered a contract this winter, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
The Broncos have cut safety Shaun Prater, who was inactive on Monday, the team announced in a press release. Prater was signed as insurance after David Bruton was placed on IR, but with T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart back in action, his services weren’t required.
The Patriots have filled their roster by signing linebacker and special-teamer Dekoda Watson, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter link). It’s the third contract signed with New England this year by Watson, who has been off and on the Pats’ roster.
The Texans have officially confirmed the previously-reported transaction that sent cornerback Charles James to IR, elevating safety Corey Moore to the active roster from the practice squad to replace James, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
The Raiders have signed safety Dewey McDonald from off their practice squad, according to the team. McDonald has also spent time with the Colts and Patriots this season.

NFC:

The Buccaneers are ending Major Wright‘s season, placing the safety on injured reserve prior to Week 17, tweets Rand Getlin of NFL Network. In a corresponding move, Tampa Bay is elevating tight end Tevin Westbrook from its practice squad to the 53-man roster, according to agent Brett Tessler (Twitter link).
Washington has made a change at the back of its 53-man roster, announcing that tight end Je’Ron Hamm has been waived to make room for cornerback Jeremy Harris, who received a promotion from the practice squad.
The Lions have once again waived cornerback Bill Bentley, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Bentley, a third-round pick by Detroit in 2012, was cut by the team in the summer before re-signing last month.
The Saints are promoting tight end Rashaun Allen to their 53-man roster from the practice squad, tweets Aaron Wilson. As Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link) observes, a corresponding move will be required to make the signing official, which could mean moving tight end Josh Hill to IR.
Wilson also passes along details on a couple players who have been cut from their respective teams’ injured reserve lists, reporting (via Twitter) that the Cardinals have cut defensive back Cariel Brooks with an injury settlement, while the Packers have released defensive end Jermauria Rasco from their IR.

Chargers Sign Vincent Brown

December 9th, 2015 at 12:54pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 12:54pm: The Chargers have officially signed Brown, cutting safety Adrian Phillips to make room on their 53-man roster, the team announced today in a press release.

TUESDAY, 2:38pm: In need of a healthy wide receiver, the Chargers are signing a familiar face, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, who reports (via Twitter) that Vincent Brown is rejoining the club.

Brown, who turns 27 next month, was part of a group of a wideouts that worked out for the Chargers today, after Dontrelle Inman and Steve Johnson left Sunday’s loss with injuries. Austin Pettis, another former Charger, was among the other free agents involved in the audition, according to Gehlken.

Having been selected by the Chargers in the third round of the 2011 draft out of nearby San Diego State, Brown was never able to deliver on the promise he once had. In his three years with the Chargers, he caught 60 balls in 30 games, with his best run coming in 2013. Brown played for the Raiders last season, and spent time with the Colts this summer before being released during preseason cutdowns. He earned a look from the Rams last month, but ultimately didn’t get another shot until now.

Brown will join a depleted receiving corps that also lost Keenan Allen earlier this season, and currently features Malcom Floyd, Javontee Herndon, and Tyrell Williams.

Rams Working Out Wes Welker, Other WRs

November 9th, 2015 at 11:46am CST by Luke Adams

The Rams are bringing in a few veteran free agent receivers today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the club is taking a look at Wes Welker, Hakeem Nicks, and Vincent Brown.

While all three wideouts have enjoyed some NFL success, Welker’s résumé is the most extensive — the former Patriot and Bronco has racked up 890 career receptions to go along with 9,822 receiving yards. However, health concerns – including an extensive concussion history – have made teams shy away from Welker following his two-year stint in Denver, despite the fact that he wants to continue his career.

As for Nicks and Brown, both players performed well below their career benchmarks in 2014, and so far neither receiver has gotten an extended look in 2015, despite the fact that age shouldn’t be a concern, like it may be with Welker. Nicks and Brown are 27 and 26, respectively, as opposed to Welker’s 34.

While the Rams won’t necessarily sign any of the receivers they’re auditioning, the team may be contemplating adding some veteran depth at the position for Nick Foles‘ benefit. Outside of Tavon Austin, who has caught 28 balls and four touchdowns this season, no St. Louis wide receiver has more than 15 receptions or a single TD so far in 2015.

Colts Cut Duron Carter, Finalize Roster

September 5th, 2015 at 3:31pm CST by Luke Adams

The Colts have reached the mandated 53-man roster today, making a handful of interesting moves along the way. One notable bubble player, running back Vick Ballard, remains on the roster, but plenty of other notable players have been let go, including wide receiver Duron Carter.

Here’s the full list of transactions out of Indianapolis, per a team release:

Released:

G David Arkin
WR Vincent Brown

Waived:

OLB Daniel Adongo
QB Bryan Bennett
WR Quan Bray
WR Duron Carter
CB Chance Casey
NT Josh Chapman
ILB Carlos Fields
DT Montori Hughes
T Ulrick John
OLB Cam Johnson
S Dewey McDonald
TE Sean McGrath
ILB Henoc Muamba
G Kitt O’Brien
CB Eric Patterson
DT Kelcy Quarles
TE Erik Swoope
CB Raymon Taylor
RB Zurlon Tipton

Placed on injured reserve:

DT Arthur Jones
ILB Junior Sylvestre

The Colts required 23 roster moves to get from 75 to 53 in order to accommodate one addition — linebacker Sio Moore, who was acquired in a Friday trade with the Raiders.

Hakeem Nicks, James Jones Drawing Interest

August 24th, 2015 at 6:42pm CST by Zachary Links

According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), Hakeem Nicks, James Jones, Deonte Thompson, and Vincent Brown are among the wide receivers drawing interest around the NFL as potential release candidates, in that order. He adds that the Panthers, Ravens, Packers are a few of the teams considering adding wideouts as the season draws near.

The Panthers, of course, are in the market for a reliable target after Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season-ending injury. The Ravens could also use a receiver with promising rookie Breshad Perriman currently sidelined. And the Packers are undoubtedly scouring the market for options now that Jordy Nelson is confirmed to be done for the 2015 season. While sources tell Cole that Nicks will generally get the most attention of this quartet, the Packers are more interested in Jones that the rest of the bunch, due in part to their familiarity with him.

Nicks, 27, first reached unrestricted free agency in March 2014, and signed a modest one-year contract with the Colts after spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Giants. While fellow 2009 first-round wideout Jeremy Maclin parlayed a one-year, prove-it deal in 2014 into a huge, long-term contract, Nicks was unable to do the same in Indianapolis. Currently, Nicks is on a one-year deal with the Titans that holds a modest guarantee and he could be days away from hitting the open market again.

Jones had 73 catches for 666 yards and six touchdowns last season with the Raiders in 2014. This offseason, the veteran hooked on with the Giants and it has been widely speculated that he could be released before the final rosters are set. His best individual output came in 2013, when he hauled in 64 passes for 784 yards and a career-best 14 TDs for the Packers.

Colts Sign Vincent Brown

March 31st, 2015 at 2:56pm CST by Luke Adams

2:56pm: It’s a minimum salary deal for Brown, tweets Mike Chappell of RTV6.

2:38pm: The Colts have added another potential weapon to Andrew Luck‘s arsenal, announcing today in a press release that they’ve signed wide receiver Vincent Brown to a new contract. Brown will get a one-year deal from the team, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).

Brown, 26, spent three seasons in San Diego after being selected in the third round of the 2014 draft, and had a nice season in 2013. The San Diego State product set career-highs in receptions (41) and receiving yards (472), but lost his grip on a roster spot during the preseason in 2014, ultimately receiving an injury settlement from the Chargers. Brown signed with the Raiders in September, but played sparingly for Oakland in ’14, catching 12 balls for 118 yards in seven contests.

If Brown still has some upside, Indianapolis could be a good spot for him to realize that potential, with Luck throwing him the ball. The Colts signed Andre Johnson earlier this month, and the veteran will see plenty of targets in 2015, but with Reggie Wayne not expected to return to the club, there should still be a number of balls to go around.

Financial terms of Brown’s agreement aren’t yet known, but I’d expect a minimum salary benefit contract.

Raiders Sign Vincent Brown

September 17th, 2014 at 8:17am CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 8:17am: According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Brown’s one-year pact with the Raiders features an $850K base salary, a $25K signing bonus, and an additional $125K is the wideout hauls in 42 passes, which would be a new career high.

MONDAY, 4:37pm: A little over two weeks after being cut by one AFC West team, wide receiver Vincent Brown has signed with another. Per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the former Chargers wideout has agreed to a one-year deal with the Raiders. Brown had worked out for Oakland earlier today, says Caplan (Twitter link).

Brown, 25, spent three seasons in San Diego after being selected in the third round of the 2014 draft, and had a nice season in 2013. The San Diego State product set career-highs in receptions (41) and receiving yards (472), but lost his grip on a roster spot during the preseason this year, ultimately receiving an injury settlement from the Chargers. Brown drew interest from multiple teams last week, and according to Caplan, the Chiefs and Jets were among a group of teams that wanted to work out the receiver this week.

In a related move, according to Caplan (via Twitter), Oakland has waived linebacker Bojay Filimoeatu, who had been added to the roster in advance of this weekend’s game against the Texans. The Raiders had been carrying the maximum 53 players, so a corresponding roster move was necessary to open up a spot for Brown.