HEADLINES

Will Richardson

NFL Suspends T Will Richardson

July 12th, 2023 at 7:07pm CST by Ely Allen

Coming out of free agency will be a bit more difficult now for former Jaguars offensive tackle Will Richardson. For an as of yet undisclosed reason, the NFL has issued Richardson a three-game suspension, forbidding him to participate in the first three weeks of 2023, according to Field Yates of ESPN.

Richardson was a fourth-round draft pick for Jacksonville back in 2018 after a rocky career at NC State. As a redshirt freshman with the Wolfpack, Richardson was suspended for a violation of team rules that was later determined to be a DWI. He was not enrolled at NC State the following spring but ended up back on the team for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He then received a two-game suspension to start his redshirt junior year because of a marijuana-related incident.

The off-the-field incidents tanked the NC State star tackle’s draft stock. Despite being the team’s best offensive lineman and finishing the year on the All-ACC second team, Richardson slid back to Day 3 of the draft before the Jaguars finally took a chance on him. It was the second year in a row that the team had risked a fourth-round pick on a player with prior off-the-field issues after drafting Dede Westbrook the previous year.

Ultimately, Richardson kept his nose clean during his time with the Jaguars. After not appearing in any games during his rookie season due to injury, Richardson played in 44 of a possible 49 games for the rest of his rookie deal. He made five spot starts over that time, as well, filling in for Ben Bartch to start the 2021 season after the starter entered the year on COVID-19 protocols.

When his four-year rookie deal expired, Jacksonville re-signed Richardson to a new one-year, $2MM contract. Despite the new deal, he failed to make a regular season appearance last season after he was released from the team the day after making the initial 53-man roster to make room for two waiver claims.

It’s unclear if this new suspension has anything to do with substance abuse like his college incidents. Perhaps if he can land with a new team in 2023, despite the suspension, he can avoid any further off-the-field trouble. A three-game suspension following a year away from the league, though, will make returning to the NFL an uphill battle.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC South

August 31st, 2022 at 4:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Colts, Jaguars, Texans and Titans moves are noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s AFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Houston Texans

Claimed:

Released:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Indianapolis Colts

Signed:

Claimed:

Waived:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Jacksonville Jaguars

Claimed:

Released:

Signed to practice squad:

  • QB E.J. Perry

Tennessee Titans

Signed:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Jaguars Claim K Riley Patterson, RB JaMycal Hasty

August 31st, 2022 at 12:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars were one of the busiest teams to start the post-training camp waiver period, making four claims Wednesday. One of the moves will lead to another kicker switch.

Jacksonville, which has been rather active at this position this offseason, claimed Riley Patterson off waivers from the Lions. The team also added former 49ers running back JaMycal Hasty via waivers. The Jags’ other Wednesday claims: safety Tyree Gillespie, wide receiver Kendric Pryor (Bengals) and linebacker Ty Summers (Packers).

Patterson’s arrival will lead two kickers off Jacksonville’s roster. The team waived James McCourt and waived Jake Verity with an injury designation. This positions Patterson to be the Jags’ kicker, but given the events at this particular job this offseason, that cannot be considered a lock just yet.

The Jags waived 2021 kicker Matthew Wright and went with Ryan Santoso and UDFA Andrew Mevis for a stretch. Some Mevis practice struggles led him off the team, prompting the Jags to sign Elliott Fry to join Santoso. McCourt came later, with each of the transactions transpiring during camp. Fry, Santoso and McCourt are off the roster.

Patterson, 22, is the only kicker on the Jags’ 53-man team right now. Memphis’ kicker from 2017-20, Patterson kicked in seven Lions games as a rookie. The former UDFA made 13 of 14 field goal tries and was 16-for-16 on PATs.

Hasty played sparingly for the 49ers during his two years in San Francisco, being summoned from the practice squad due to the team’s injury troubles at the position in each year. The 49ers used him primarily as a pass-catching back last season, after they added Elijah Mitchell as their starter. This marks the second summer relocation for Gillespie, whom the Raiders traded to the Titans during camp. Summers spent three years with the Packers, working mostly as a backup. He played 17% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in 2020, however. Pryor impressed at Bengals training camp but could not make their roster. The rookie UDFA spent five seasons at Wisconsin.

The Jags made room for these additions by cutting veteran offensive lineman Will Richardson, who signed a $2MM deal with the team this offseason. A 2018 fourth-round Jaguars pick, Richardson started five games for the team during his rookie contract. Jacksonville also waived outside linebacker Jamir Jones and safety Josh Thompson.

OL Notes: Fins, Steele, Colts, Jets, Seahawks

March 26th, 2022 at 3:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

After the Dolphins drafted him to be Laremy Tunsil‘s left tackle successor, Austin Jackson finished his second NFL season at guard. Pro Football Focus graded Jackson as the Dolphins’ worst regular starter last season and tabbed Miami’s unit as the league’s worst. The team has since made changes, signing Terron Armstead to a big-ticket deal and adding guard Connor Williams. With Robert Hunt at right guard, the Dolphins are looking to try Jackson at a third position soon. They are planning to see how the USC product fares at right tackle, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweets. The Dolphins also figure to try 2021 second-rounder Liam Eichenberg on the right side, with Armstead having replaced him at left tackle. Hunt, whom PFF graded as the team’s top O-line regular last season, began his career at right tackle. But the Dolphins would prefer he stay at right guard, Jackson adds. This figures to pit Jackson and Eichenberg in a position battle. Eichenberg, who replaced Jackson on the left side last year, made 16 starts as a rookie.

Here is the latest from the O-line ranks:

  • The Cowboys made La’el Collins a cap casualty, but the team is confident in the player poised to replace him. Dallas views Terence Steele as a potential “decade-long” option at right tackle, Todd Archer of ESPN.com notes. A UDFA out of Texas Tech, Steele has made 27 starts over his first two seasons, subbing for both Collins and Tyron Smith. The Cowboys turned to Steele during Collins’ five-game PED suspension last year and used him as their primary right tackle starter in 2020, when Collins missed the entire season. This has given Dallas a notable evaluation period on the oft-used backup. Steele is not eligible for unrestricted free agency until 2024, giving Dallas more time to determine his future.
  • Matt Ryan will join a Colts team that houses some of the league’s best O-linemen, and Quenton Nelson is on track to join center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Braden Smith in being extended. But the team has a hole at left tackle again. With Eric Fisher unlikely to return, the Colts may not be ready to spend on a replacement. Swingman Matt Pryor stands to be given the first look at replacing Fisher, Mike Wells of ESPN.com notes. Pryor made guard starts for the Eagles in 2020 and started at three positions for the Colts last season, a five-start year in which he replaced Fisher, Smith and Nelson at various points. The ex-sixth-round pick is signed through the 2022 season.
  • The Jets reunited Mike LaFleur and Laken Tomlinson, giving the ex-49ers guard a three-year, $40MM deal during the legal tampering period. Tomlinson will receive $13.9MM fully guaranteed, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets, adding that Tomlinson’s 2022 cap charge comes in at just $5.4MM. Tomlinson’s 2023 base salary ($12.7MM) shifts from an injury-only guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2023 league year. Tomlinson’s cap number spikes to $17.4MM in 2023.
  • The one-year, $4MM deal the Seahawks gave Austin Blythe comes with a $2.5MM signing bonus and a $1.5MM base salary, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Blythe can earn up to $500K in playing-time incentives. With Ethan Pocic unsigned, Blythe has a clear path to becoming a starting center again. The ex-Rams guard and center starter backed up Creed Humphrey throughout last season with the Chiefs.
  • Will Richardson‘s one-year Jaguars deal is worth $2MM, Wilson adds (on Twitter). Jacksonville is guaranteeing the veteran backup $975K.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/16/22

March 16th, 2022 at 8:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/6/22

January 6th, 2022 at 9:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the Thursday additions and subtractions from teams’ reserve/COVID-19 lists:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/30/21

December 30th, 2021 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s reserve/COVID-19 list updates:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

  • Activated from virus list: OL Cody Ford, CB Cam Lewis
  • Activated from practice squad virus list: TE Quintin Morris

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Placed on practice squad virus list: LB Omari Cobb

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

AFC Notes: Stidham, Jags, Browns, Bolts

August 10th, 2019 at 4:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Tom Brady continuing to play at a high level into his early 40s has allowed the Patriots to table their need to identify a long-term successor for many years, their recent extension/2019 pay raise brings this issue back to the forefront. The Pats, however, are pleased with their latest quarterback draft pick. Fourth-round rookie Jarrett Stidham has “blown away expectations” this offseason, Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes (subscription required), adding that he is ahead of where Jimmy Garoppolo was at this point during his first NFL summer. Stidham has taken first-team reps in camp and moved the Patriots to move Danny Etling to wide receiver. He finished 14-for-24 for 179 yards and a touchdown in New England’s preseason opener Thursday. While the Auburn alum does not profile as a classic Brady successor type, the Patriots certainly appear encouraged by their developmental prospect.

As we wind down preseason Week 1, here is the latest from the AFC:

  • A.J. Cann has served as the Jaguars‘ starting right guard since his rookie season in 2015. He is not a lock to reprise his role in 2019. Cann is battling converted tackle Will Richardson for the spot, with Doug Marrone indicating (via Hays Carlyon of 1010 XL, on Twitter) Brandon Thomas is also in the mix here. A 2018 fourth-rounder, Richardson looks like the favorite to win this job thus far, Carlyon adds (via Twitter). Richardson has yet to play an NFL down; he hit IR in October of his rookie year. Thomas has hung around for six NFL summers, with the 2014 third-round 49ers pick having never played in a regular-season game. He’s bounced on and off the Jaguars’ roster and practice squad since 2017. Cann has three years remaining on a contract he signed in 2018.
  • With Cam Robinson potentially set to have a delayed start to the season, Marrone said the Jaguars are considering free agent additions Cedric Ogbuehi and Leonard Wester at left tackle. Longtime Jags backup Josh Wells is vying for that temp job as well. Second-round rookie Jawaan Taylor is set to start at right tackle.
  • Had Antonio Callaway not received a four-game suspension, the second-year Browns wideout might not have been able to go in Week 1 anyway. Callaway suffered a high ankle sprain in Cleveland’s preseason opener, per Freddie Kitchens (via ohio.com’s Nate Ulrich, on Twitter). The Browns will now be without two of their 2018 pass catchers, with Duke Johnson having been traded and Callaway out until at least October. Fortunately, they acquired Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason.
  • Chargers tight end Andrew Vollert suffered ACL damage in the team’s preseason opener, and Anthony Lynn said (via ESPN.com’s Eric Williams, on Twitter) the second-year UDFA will miss the season. The Bolts signed Vollert in May.

Jaguars Place OT Will Richardson On IR

October 20th, 2018 at 10:24am CST by Ben Levine

Another day, another Jaguars offensive tackle heading to injured reserve. Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets that Jacksonville is placing rookie lineman Will Richardson on the IR. The move was made to make room for running back Carlos Hyde, who passed his physical and is now officially on the Jaguars’ 53-man roster.

The Jaguars have struggled with injuries up and down their roster, and Richardson will now join fellow offensive tackles Josh Wells and Cam Robinson on the injured reserve. The injuries have forced the team to rely on Josh Walker and Jermey Parnell as their starters, and the duo have underwhelmed so far this season. The move will also leave the Jaguars with only a pair of reserve offensive lineman in Ereck Flowers and Chris Reed.

Following a standout career at NC State, the Jaguars selected Richardson in the fourth round (#129) of this past year’s draft. While the rookie was active for last weekend’s game, he didn’t see the field for a regular season contest. Richardson had been dealing with a knee injury for much of the season, and the ailment has now landed him on the IR.

With Leonard Fournette continuing to deal with a hamstring injury, the Jaguars acquired Hyde from the Browns yesterday.

Draft Pick Signings: 5/10/18

May 10th, 2018 at 9:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the rest of Thursday’s draft pick accords:

  • The Buccaneers signed one of their three second-round picks in cornerback M.J. Stewart (No. 53 overall), Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. They also agreed to terms with their final three picks — Kansas State safety Jordan Whitehead (Round 4, pick 117), Penn wide receiver Justin Watson (Round 5, pick 144) and Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy (Round 6, pick 202).
  • Five-sixths of this Falcons draft class is now signed. Atlanta agreed to a deal with third-round defensive tackle Deadrin Senat (No. 90 overall out of South Florida). After already signing four other selections, only first-rounder Calvin Ridley remains unsigned.
  • The Steelers signed one of the safeties they drafted last month in agreeing to terms with Penn State product Marcus Allen (Round 5, pick 148). Pittsburgh also signed Alabama defensive tackle Joshua Frazier (Round 7, pick 246).
  • The Jaguars came to terms with four of their seven draftees — the final four Jacksonville selected in this year’s draft. N.C. State tackle Will Richardson (Round 4, pick 129), Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee (Round 6, pick 203), Wisconsin linebacker Leon Jacobs (Round 7, pick 230) and Mississippi State punter Logan Cooke (Round 7, pick 247) all signed their first Jags contracts Thursday. Cooke has a clear path toward the Jags’ punter job since the team released Brad Nortman two days after the draft.
  • Beginning their signings, the Titans agreed to deals with half of their four-man draft class. Tennessee signed Arizona cornerback Dane Cruikshank (Round 5, pick 152) and Washington State quarterback Luke Falk (Round 6, pick 199). The latter will attempt to develop behind Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert.
  • Following suit in bringing aboard the back half of their draft, the Bills agreed to deals with four rookies. Jacksonville State safety Siran Neal, Virginia Tech guard Wyatt Teller (Round 5, pick 166), Clemson wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (Round 6, pick 187) and North Carolina wideout Austin Proehl (Round 7, pick 255) signed their initial Buffalo deals.
  • Second-round Panthers pick Donte Jackson (No. 55 overall) signed his rookie contract. Indiana tight end Ian Thomas (Round 4, pick 101), Ole Miss defensive end Marquis Haynes (Round 4, pick 136), Maryland linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. (Round 5, pick 161) and Miami defensive tackle Kendrick Norton (Round 7, pick 242) followed suit.