Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor was informed today that he will not be charged in connection with a June rape claim, a source told Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Though the Philadelphia district attorney’s office declined comment, Bowen hears that an announcement could soon be made that clears Agholor. But as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, there’s a chance Agholor could still face discipline from the league.
Here’s more from around the league on the eve of franchise tag deadline day:
- Although Justin Tucker and his agent claimed earlier today that he would not re-sign with the Ravens in 2017 if forced to play under the franchise tag this season, Florio argues that continually accepting the franchise tender isn’t much of a risk for kickers. If Tucker is franchised again next season, he’ll earn a fully guaranteed $9.9MM over the next two years, a larger total that he would secure in guaranteed money on a long-term deal. And because kickers don’t have the injury risk that comes with playing other positions, there’s effectively no downside for Tucker. Meanwhile, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com examines whether Tucker should earn more than Patriots’ Stephen Gostkowksi, whose contract Tucker is reportedly looking to top.
- Given how negotiations played out between the Redskins and quarterback Kirk Cousins, there could be some question as to who holds final authority in Washington, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (link via CSNMidAtlantic.com). General manager Scot McCloughan may have wanted to sign Cousins to an extension at some point during the season, but unnamed others — presumably owner Dan Snyder — didn’t feel the same way.
- Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin are among the NFL assistants who could be candidates for head coaching jobs next offseason, Mike Sando of ESPN.com writes (Insider subscription required). Both play-callers have been interviewed for a number of gigs in the past, but despite both having success at various stops, neither has ever been hired for a head job. Other options who could expect phone calls next year are the Colts‘ Rob Chudzinski, the Buccaneers‘ Mike Smith, and the Vikings‘ George Edwards, per Sando.
- D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution examines five players who might be considered longshots to make the Falcons‘ roster, and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds is among the group. The 25-year-old will be entering his fourth NFL season, and despite appearing in 43 career games, Reynolds has never earned a real shot at playing time, performing mostly on special teams.