Aldrick Robinson

Panthers Set 53-Man Roster

The Panthers have officially set their 53-man roster, and there are few major surprises on the list. One of the most notable names is running back Cameron Artis-Payne, who spent the past four years in Carolina. The team also moved on from fellow offensive veteran Aldrick Robinson, who finished last season with five touchdown receptions for the Vikings.

Otherwise, the other notable names include recent draft picks, like 2018 seventh-round wideout Terry Godwin and 2017 fifth-round cornerback Corn Elder.

The rest of the Panthers’ roster moves are below:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/Injured:

Placed on IR:

Panthers Sign WR Aldrick Robinson

The Panthers signed wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, according to a team announcement. Robinson, 31 in September, believes that he can provide Carolina with a reliable deep threat. 

They want to stretch the field. They want me to add to that. They like my speed and my ability to open things up,” Robinson said. “I can create separation and get by defenders.”

Robinson ran a 4.43 at the NFL combine in 2011, leading the Redskins to draft him in the sixth round. The speedster has bounced around since then and spent the 2015 season out of football, but he managed to score five touchdowns with the Vikings in 2018. For his career, Robinson boasts a 16.9 yards per catch average, showing that he can open things up when given an opportunity.

With D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, Jarius Wright, Torrey Smith, and Chris Hogan also on hand, it’s not a given that Robinson will make the 53-man cut.

George Iloka Unlikely To Return To Vikings

George Iloka has been relatively busy as a free agent, but it sounds like he won’t be returning to Minnesota. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota reports (via Twitter) that while the two sides met at the combine, it’s unlikely the safety returns to the Vikings.

Iloka has met with the Cowboys and Raiders this offseason, with his ability to play both free and strong safety making him a commodity. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News writes that the 28-year-old ultimately left Dallas without a deal, and we can assume the same about his previous visit with Oakland.

Iloka was a starter for the bulk of his career with the Bengals, but played mostly in a reserve role for the Vikings last year. In 16 games (three starts), the defensive back compiled 16 tackles and one forced fumble. However, he’s only one year removed from an 80-tackle campaign.

Wolfson also notes that the Vikings have not extended an offer to free agent wideout Aldrick Robinson, and the team is looking for other options at receiver. Robinson finished last season with 17 receptions for 231 yards and five scores.

NFC North Notes: Rodgers, Vikings, Lions

The Vikings were not the first team that sought Dan Bailey‘s services this season. Although he’s in Minnesota now, other franchises wanted to sign the second-most accurate kicker in NFL history. Bailey agreed to terms with the Vikings on a one-year, $2MM deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). However, the 30-year-old specialist also turned down offers worth double that on multiyear deals, Rapoport adds. The Jets brought in Bailey to work out just after the Cowboys cut him, but nothing came to fruition. Gang Green may have been one of the teams that presented a better offer, but that’s not known. Nevertheless, Bailey will replace Daniel Carlson, whom Mike Zimmer said it was not difficult to cut after his performance in Minnesota’s Week 2 tie in Green Bay.

Here’s the latest out of the NFC North:

  • Aaron Rodgers did not exit the Packers‘ Week 2 game with any new discomfort on his injured left knee, Mike McCarthy said (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com). Rodgers is “obviously sore,” and McCarthy does not have a read on whether his quarterback’s condition is better or worse than at this point last week. But it’s encouraging for the Packers that Rodgers didn’t sustain any additional damage while clearly playing hurt.
  • Carlson’s cut will save the Vikings $200K, though the Bailey addition will negate those savings. Only Carlson’s signing bonus ($248K), plus his base salary through two games, will count against Minnesota’s cap, per Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (on Twitter). The Vikings are up against the cap but managed to add Bailey, Aldrick Robinson and Tom Johnson in the past two days.
  • Robinson will only make the league minimum, and no guarantees exist in the soon-to-be 30-year-old wide receiver’s Vikings pact, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. The former Redskins, Falcons and 49ers pass-catcher now comprises part of the Vikes’ receiving corps. Minnesota currently has five receivers on its roster, the same amount it did prior to the Robinson signing. Stacy Coley, a 2017 seventh-rounder, was cut to make room.
  • On a busy day for workouts, the Lions brought in two veteran edge rushers who would slot in as defensive ends in their 4-3 scheme. John Simon and David Bass trekked to Detroit for Tuesday workouts, Adam Caplan of Sirius XM reports (on Twitter). A recent Colts cut, Simon already met with the 49ers and Jets since being released. A six-year veteran, Bass led Jets edge rushers in sacks last season with 3.5. Former Packers fullback Aaron Ripkowski also worked out for the Lions today, NFL reporter Howard Balzer tweets. Also among the workout contingent: linebacker Tyrone Holmes, fullbacks Jalston Fowler and Jay Prosch, and tight end Donnie Ernsberger, per Balzer. Wide receiver Keon Hatcher visited with the Lions.
  • Former Jets wideout Chad Hansen was among those who auditioned for the Packers today, with Balzer tweeting Shay Fields, Korey Robertson, Taj Williams and quarterback Brogan Roback — of Hard Knocks fame — joined him.

Vikings To Add WR Aldrick Robinson

Aldrick Robinson couldn’t quite make the 49ers’ 53-man roster out of camp but will have another opportunity.

The Vikings are signing the eighth-year veteran wide receiver, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report (on Twitter). He’ll join a receiving corps that carried five players going into Monday afternoon.

Although the Vikings were the only known team to work out Robinson, the Patriots and Bills also explored adding him as well, Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News tweets.

Set to turn 30 next week, Robinson will be the oldest Vikings wideout. Minnesota rosters third-year man Laquon Treadwell, second-season cog Stacy Coley and rookie Brandon Zylstra behind its starters. If the Vikings aren’t keen on carrying six wideouts, one of the latter duo could be on the chopping block.

Robinson worked out for the Vikings prior to Week 1, and it apparently went well enough the team had him in its wait-and-see queue. The former sixth-round Redskins pick has twice averaged more than 20 yards per catch, with the 2012 and ’13 Redskins, and has followed Kyle Shanahan to three cities — trekking to Atlanta and then San Francisco. With the 2017 49ers, Robinson caught 19 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns.

Treadwell’s four receptions represent the only passes a Vikings receiver not named Stefon Diggs or Adam Thielen has caught this season.

Extra Points: Practice Squad Salaries, Anthem, Vikings, Browns

The standard practice squad salary is $7,600 a week, but players in high demand around the league often get much more than that, sometimes approaching what their salary would’ve been if they had made the 53-man roster.

Seahawks seventh round quarterback Alex McGough didn’t make the team after Seattle traded for Brett Hundley, but he’ll be making $28K a week according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). Although the Broncos wanted De’Angelo Henderson back on their practice squad after cutting him, the Jets offered him $30K a week to steal him away according to Mike Klis of 9News. Lastly, the Vikings paid offered $20K per week to poach tight end Cole Hikutini from the 49ers according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

Here’s more from around the league:

  • “Moderate NFL owners are interested in a potential agreement” to waive discipline for players who protest the anthem if the players union will officially endorse standing for the anthem according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post. It’s unclear how close any such agreement might be, but it’s an interesting development.
  • Speaking of the Vikings, the team worked out a slew of players today, with wide receivers Breshad Perriman, Aldrick Robinson and Teo Redding, and offensive linemen Hroniss Grasu, Wesley Johnson, and Bryan Witzmann all coming in for workouts according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN (Twitter link). Minnesota has dealt with a ton of offensive line injuries, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them add one of these guys.
  • The Browns finally ended the mystery of who would replace Joe Thomas at left tackle today when they announced it would be undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison protecting Tyrod Taylor’s blindside per Nate Ulrich of the Akron-Beacon Journal (Twitter link). Harrison was always a talented player, but went undrafted because of off-the-field concerns.

49ers Announce Roster Cuts

The 49ers acquired offensive tackle Shon Coleman earlier this evening, but that wasn’t the only transaction for the club. San Francisco has also begun trimming its roster in advance of Saturday’s roster deadline.

The following players have been cut by the 49ers:

Williams was a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, but he’s being pushed off the roster by veterans such as Alfred Morris and Raheem Mostert. Locke lost out in his camp battle with fourth-year punter Bradley Pinion. Robinson has followed 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to each of his three stops.

49ers To Release WR Aldrick Robinson

A player who’s been with Kyle Shanahan in three cities will not be making the 49ers’ 53-man roster.

The 49ers will release Aldrick Robinson on Friday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports (on Twitter). Robinson played for Shanahan in Washington and Atlanta before trekking to San Francisco last year.

Two rookie wideouts headed to San Francisco after 2018 draft picks, with the arrivals of second-rounder Dante Pettis and seventh-rounder Richie James potentially having an impact on the 29-year-old Robinson’s roster status. The 49ers didn’t add any veteran UFAs this year but return their top three in Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor.

Robinson caught 19 passes for 260 yards last season. He’s served mostly as a backup in his seven-year career, which began as a 2011 Redskins sixth-round selection.

49ers, Aldrick Robinson Agree To Deal

The 49ers have agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $6MM with free agent wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Aldrick Robinson

Like fellow Niners newcomer and receiver Pierre Garcon, Robinson is already familiar with the team’s rookie head coach, Kyle Shanahan. In fact, the 28-year-old Robinson has played a significant portion of his career under Shanahan’s tutelage since entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the Redskins in 2011. Shanahan was their offensive coordinator through the 2013 campaign, and the two reunited when Shanahan led Atlanta’s ‘O’ last year.

While Robinson is clearly a Shanahan favorite, the 5-foot-10, 184-pounder won’t bring a track record of high-end production to San Francisco. Robinson, who has also spent time with the Ravens, has totaled just 50 catches in 54 games. He has made those receptions count, though, with an excellent career yards-per-catch average of 18.6. Robinson averaged 16.2 yards per grab last season, when he logged a personal-best 20 receptions and added two touchdowns on 32 targets.

Robinson is the fourth receiver the 49ers have agreed to a deal with this week. In addition to Robinson and Garcon, the Niners have re-signed Jeremy Kerley and picked up Marquise Goodwin.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/16

Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves:

  • The Rams have re-signed tight end Cory Harkey, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Harkey, whose primarily used as a blocker, saw time in all 16 regular season games in 2015. He did see some passes thrown his way, however, catching five balls for 26 yards.
  • Former Washington offensive lineman Tom Compton will be signing with the Falcons, according to Rand Getlin of NFL Network (on Twitter). It’s a new team for Compton, but he’ll have some familiar faces in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and offensive line coach Chris Morgan.
  • The Falcons announced that they have signed safety Damian Parms, wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, and cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke. Robinson, a 5’10” receiver, played in 36 games for Washington over the years and recorded 30 receptions for 608 yards and five touchdowns in total. Robinson has also spent time on the Ravens’ taxi squad.