2016 October - Pro Football Rumors

Colts’ Donte Moncrief Returning To Practice

October 25th, 2016 at 9:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief is returning to practice this week after missing the past six games, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Moncrief fractured his scapula in late September and has been sidelined ever since.

It’s unclear if Moncrief will be able to return to game action immediately, but the mere fact that he’s returning to the practice field means he should be available to play in due time. Without Moncrief in the lineup, the Colts have ranked near the middle of the pack on offense — Football Outsiders places Indianapolis 10th in rushing DVOA, 16th in passing DVOA, and 14th in total offensive DVOA.

T.Y. Hilton has maintained his status as Indy’s No. 1 wide receiver, but Phillip Dorsett missed Week 7 with foot and hamstring injuries. As such, Chester Rogers, Devin Street, and Tevaun Smith make up the rest of the Colts’ wide receiver depth chart. Another pass-catcher, tight end Dwayne Allen, is week-to-week as he deals with a sprained ankle.

Moncrief, 23, caught 64 passes for 733 yards and six touchdowns last season. In two games (really, one game and change) this year, Moncrief had seven receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Jets Work Out Nate Irving

October 25th, 2016 at 9:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets auditioned a pair of linebackers today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who reports New York took a look at Nate Irving and Taiwan Jones.

Gang Green recently lost Erin Henderson for at least eight games, as the veteran ‘backer was placed on the NFI list. Additionally, rookie-first rounder Darron Lee missed Sunday’s game ankle injury, while David Harris is dealing with a nagging hamstring injury. Lorenzo Mauldin, Bruce Carter, Julian Stanford, and Mike Catapano all saw increased snaps against the Ravens in Week 7.

Irving, 28, was released by the Colts at final cutdowns despite being in the midst of a multi-year contract. Injuries limited him to eight games (two starts) in 2015, and Irving managed only 11 tackles. Prior to joining Indianapolis, Irving spent four years with the Broncos, but wasn’t a starter until his final season in Denver.

Jones, not to be confused with the running back of the same name, was cut by the Jets prior to the season’s start.

49ers Not Shopping Players

October 25th, 2016 at 9:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The 49ers are not shopping Torrey Smith and a trade is not anticipated, a league source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Of course, just because the Niners aren’t shopping Smith, that doesn’t mean that they would not be open to a trade. At this point, multiple outlets have reported trade talks between San Francisco and Philadelphia.

49ers players could have asked the club — likely through their agents — for permission to seek a trade, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, but that doesn’t mean San Francisco is openly exploring trades. Additionally, rival clubs are calling the Niners to check in on the cost of acquiring certain players, but again, that doesn’t indicate that SF is necessarily willing to move anyone, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

In addition to Smith, left tackle Joe Staley‘s name has also come up in trade rumors, but head coach Chip Kelly yesterday denied that the 49ers were interested in moving the veteran offensive lineman, saying that “no one” had had discussions with him about dealing Staley. “I understand how it comes up because we’re 1-6 and Joe is a veteran player, but it doesn’t matter where you are that’s going to be speculation no matter what team you are and where you are, who are your older players,” Kelly said. “It’s kind of the nature of the sport we play.”

NFL Discussing Change To IR/Return Rule

October 25th, 2016 at 8:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

NFL officials today discussed the idea of tweaking the designated to return from injured reserve rule, former executive and current ESPN commentator Bill Polian told SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today). According to Polian, the league is considering expanding the number of players who can return from IR later in the season. Currently, a club can only designate one player to come off IR.

Prior to 2016, a team was required to specify whether a player was receiving the designated-to-return tag at the time that player was placed on injured reserve. The designation allowed the player to return to practice after six weeks and to return to game action after eight weeks, rather than having to spend the entire season on IR.

Based on a new rule proposed by the Bills and approved by the NFL’s owners, teams no longer have to specifically designate that a player will be occupying that IR-DTR spot when he’s placed on injured reserve. For instance, if a team places five players on injured reserve before Week 1, that club could decide at a later date to bring back any one of those players off IR.

The six-week waiting period will still applies, and teams still only be able to use the IR-DTR designation on a single player per year — so in the previous example, the other four players will have to stay on IR all season, or until they work out an injury settlement with the club. Still, the option to postpone the decision on which player gets the designation gives teams more freedom and roster flexibility, allowing clubs to maximize the use of that IR-DTR spot.

Patriots Work Out LB Jasper Brinkley

October 25th, 2016 at 8:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Patriots worked out a trio of linebackers today, auditioning Jasper Brinkley, Randell Johnson, and Trevor Bates, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

None of the linebackers agreed to a contract with New England, and that’s likely because the Patriots filled their linebacker vacancy by acquiring former second-rounder Kyle Van Noy from the Lions. The Pats are looking for help along the front seven given that Jamie Collins (hip) and Shea McClellin (concussion) are coming off injury, though both played on Sunday.

Brinkley, 31, re-signed with the Giants this offseason after having spent the 2015 season in New York. The veteran had another solid campaign last year, compiling 67 tackles and one sack. The linebacker has only missed a pair of games since the start of 2012.

NFL Workout Updates: 10/26/16

October 25th, 2016 at 8:08pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Tuesday is workout day in the NFL, and today was no different. Due to the sheer volume of today’s auditions, we’ll split up the reports by conference:

AFC

Defensive back Brandian Ross was part of the safety cadre worked out by the Dolphins today before the club signed Bacarri Rambo, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
The Texans auditioned linebacker Dezman Moses, who has appeared in 45 games over the past four seasons, per Caplan (Twitter link).
Quarterback Sean Renfree and wide receiver R.J. Harris each tried out for the Bills today, tweets Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
The Jaguars worked out offensive tackles Aaron Epps and Keavon Milton and running back Jhurell Pressley on Monday, according to Balzer (Twitter link).
Cornerbacks Greg Ducre and Shakiel Randolph, as well as linebackers Khairi Fortt and John Lotulelei, tried out for the Colts today, reports Balzer (Twitter link).
The Chargers auditioned linebackers Beniquez Brown and James Burgess and cornerback Trovon Reed, tweets Balzer.
Cornerback Jeremiah McKinnon, guard Blake Muir, and LB James Vaughters all worked out for the Chiefs, per Balzer (Twitter link).

NFC

Before inking Stevan Ridley today, the Falcons also took a look at running back Storm Johnson, reports Caplan (Twitter link).
The Seahawks auditioned defensive end Wallace Gilberry, per Caplan (Twitter link). Gilberry was released off the Lions’ injured reserve earlier in October.
The Lions worked out offensive guards Jake Bernstein and Isame Faciane before signing fellow OG Matt Rotheram to their practice squad, tweets Balzer. Faciane was cut by the Vikings following a DUI arrest earlier this month.
Defensive backs Kevin Peterson and Jeremiah McKinnon, as well as running back Brandon Burks, worked out for the Packers today, according to Rob Demovksy of ESPN.com.
Wide receiver Bralon Addison tried out for the Bears today, according to Balzer (Twitter link).

WR Stephen Hill Suspended Two Games

October 25th, 2016 at 7:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The NFL has suspended free agent receiver Stephen Hill for two games, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Hill’s talent led the Jets to take him in the second round of the 2012 draft, but he was never able to come close to what was expected of him. After two disappointing seasons, the Jets cut Hill prior to the 2014 season. Soon after, the Panthers added him to their taxi squad. In July of last year, Hill was issued a citation for a drug paraphernalia charge during a traffic stop in Concord, North Carolina, which is presumably the reason for the two-game ban.

Hill is still only 25 years old, but he hasn’t garnered any known interest on the free agent market since being cut loose by Carolina prior to the start of the season.

Buccaneers Audition Nate Washington

October 25th, 2016 at 7:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

After losing wide receiver Vincent Jackson to a torn ACL last week, the Buccaneers are working out another veteran pass-catcher. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Tampa Bay took a look at WR Nate Washington today.

The 33-year-old Washington has been a member of three teams since going undrafted from Division III Tiffin University in 2005. He spent a productive 2015 as a member of the Texans, with whom he hauled in 47 passes for 658 yards and four touchdowns. Washington, who has also played three years in Pittsburgh and six seasons in Tennessee, has 458 receptions and 44 touchdowns to his name. In his most prolific campaign, 2011, the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder recorded career highs in catches (74), targets (121), yards (1,023) and scores (seven) with the Titans.

The Bucs can still rely on No. 1 wide receiver Mike Evans, who is second in the league with 75 targets, but are quite thin behind their top option. Cecil Shorts, coming off a hamstring injury, is joined by Adam Humphries, Freddie Martino, and Russell Shepard — who caught five passes for 77 yards and a score on Sunday — in the wide receiver corps. Tampa also re-signed WR Donteea Dye to its practice squad today.

In addition to Washington, the Buccaneers also worked out running backs Austin Johnson and Will Ratelle, reports Howard Balzer (Twitter link).

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/16

October 25th, 2016 at 6:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

The Dolphins officially placed running back Arian Foster on the reserve/retired list, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Foster announced yesterday that he was hanging up his cleats.
After acquiring tight end A.J. Derby earlier today, the Broncos have cleared a roster spot by releasing safety Shiloh Keo, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
The Jaguars announced that they’ve officially placed defensive tackle Roy Miller on injured reserve and promoted fellow DT Richard Ash from the practice squad.
The Bills have promoted wide receiver Ed Eagan to the active roster. In a corresponding move, offensive lineman Michael Ola has been waived. Buffalo was in dire need of pass-catching help as both Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin are dealing with injuries.
The Chargers have placed defensive lineman Caraun Reid on injured reserve and re-signed cornerback Pierre Desir, the club announced. As Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets, Reid is the 16th player San Diego has placed on IR, tops in the league.
The Bears announced that they have promoted defensive back Demontre Hurst to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. To make room, cornerback Jacoby Glenn has been waived.
The Seahawks have placed defensive end Quinton Jefferson on injured reserve and signed fellow DE Malliciah Goodman, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).

Cardinals Place Jaron Brown On IR

October 25th, 2016 at 6:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals have officially placed wide receiver Jaron Brown on injured reserve with a torn ACL, the club announced today. Arizona has not yet announced a corresponding roster move.

Brown was thrust into a more prominent role yesterday as teammate John Brown was sidelined with symptoms stemming from sickle-cell trait. Serving as the team’s No. 3 wide receiver, Jaron Brown was forced to exit in the first half. If both Browns are out, then the team is left only with Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and J.J. Nelson at receiver. The Cardinals could promote receivers Marquis Bundy and/or Brittan Golden from the practice squad, but they could also look out-of-house for options.

Prior to suffering the injury, Jaron Brown had been a more prominent part of the Cardinals’ offense this season compared to previous years. Brown had already tied his 16-game reception total from last season (11) and amassed 22 targets – one fewer than his 2015 amount. He also averaged an impressive 17.0 yards per catch and added a touchdown over the Cardinals’ first seven games.

Now in need of a receiver, Arizona worked out free agents Aaron Dobson and Jonathan Krause today, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Dobson, 25, has seen two stints with Detroit this year but has yet to suit up for a game. The Cardinals also auditioned quarterback Mike Bercovici and linebacker Zaviar Gooden, per Florio.