2016 October - Pro Football Rumors

Rams Claim CB Dwayne Gratz

October 11th, 2016 at 3:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Rams have claimed cornerback Dwayne Gratz off waivers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Gratz was waived by the Jaguars earlier this week.

Jacksonville cut Gratz on Monday in order to make room for fellow cornerback Aaron Colvin who had been serving a four-game suspension for a PED violation. Gratz, a UConn product, was in his fourth year with the Jags. From 2013-2015, he appeared in 37 games with 25 starts. This year, he saw time in three contests before getting dropped.

After starting cornerback Trumaine Johnson was forced to leave Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, Gratz may be counted on to provide the team with depth.

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Giants To Sign Coty Sensabaugh

October 11th, 2016 at 3:05pm CST by Zachary Links

With injuries in the secondary, the Giants are bringing in reinforcements. Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh has agreed to a one-year deal with Big Blue, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter). To make room, the Giants will waive cornerback Michael Hunter (Twitter link via Art Stapleton of The Record).

Top Giants cornerbacks Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are both dealing with groin injuries. Apple lasted only seven plays before exiting the game early. Rodgers-Cromartie played through the injury, but he was clearly hampered by it as the Giants lost 23-17. As of this writing, it is not clear whether they will be ready to go on Sunday when the Giants take on the Ravens.

Sensabaugh joined the Rams this offseason on a three-year, $14.5MM deal. However, he was cut by Los Angeles after appearing in just three games. A fourth-round Titans pick in 2012, Sensabaugh worked his way into Tennessee’s starting lineup in 2015. He started 15 games last season and apparently showed the Rams enough to warrant a sizable free agent deal. Needless to say, Les Snead & Co. would like to have a do-over on that deal.

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Trevor Siemian To Play On Thursday

October 11th, 2016 at 2:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian told reporters that he expects to start on Thursday against the Chargers. Siemian has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, but he has healed quickly.

“The last couple of days I’ve made some strides,” the quarterback said (Twitter link via Cameron Wolfe of The Denver Post).

Siemian, a seventh-round choice in the 2015 draft, got off to a strong start this year before his Week 4 injury. In four starts (with his most recent start cut short), the QB has completed two-thirds of his passes for more than 800 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions while helping the Broncos to a 4-0 launch. Now, the sprained AC joint in his non-throwing shoulder is feeling better and he’ll take the job back from rookie Paxton Lynch.

Heading into their Week 5 matchup, the Falcons ranked 30th in both DVOA against the pass and adjusted sack rate. Still, the Lynch-led Broncos were defeated, 23-16.

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Dolphins To Cut RB Isaiah Pead

October 11th, 2016 at 2:29pm CST by Zachary Links

They’re cleaning house in Miami today. The Dolphins are releasing running back Isaiah Pead, according to Alex Marvez of the Sporting News (on Twitter).

Pead reportedly missed a meeting in advance of Miami’s Week 2 matchup against New England, which led him and fellow meeting-skipper Damien Williams to be inactive for that game. That incident didn’t endear him to coaches and his play this season hasn’t done him any favors either. In three games, Pead has eight carries for 22 yards plus one catch for six yards. After his so-so work in an extremely limited sample, Miami is shaking up the RB depth chart.

Earlier today, the Dolphins also cut offensive linemen Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas.

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Cardinals Re-Sign Kerwynn Williams

October 11th, 2016 at 2:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are re-signing running back Kerwynn Williams, as Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic tweets. The Cardinals won’t have to cut anyone since they had an open spot after waiving quarterback Zac Dysert.

Williams has been yo-yo’d on and off of the Cardinals’ roster this season, so it’s possible that this stint will be short-lived. For now, Williams will serve as Arizona’s No. 4 running back behind David Johnson, Andre Ellington, and Stepfan Taylor. Over parts of three seasons, Williams has totaled 80 rushes for 388 yards and one touchdown.

After topping the Cardinals on Thursday, the 2-3 Cardinals will face the Jets at home on Monday night.

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Dolphins Cut OLs Thomas, Turner

October 11th, 2016 at 1:59pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have informed offensive lineman Billy Turner that he’s going to be released, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Dallas Thomas also getting released, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Miami is signing tackle Sam Young.

Turner started 12 games for the Dolphins last year and the team shifted him to the bench this year. In his five games (two starts), Pro Football Focus rated him as the 75th best tackle out of 76 qualified players this season. He earned a poor overall grade of 31.8 in 63 pass block snaps and 34 run block snaps.

A fourth-year Fins guard, Thomas started every game last season. This year, he was bumped to a reserve role and he made his first appearance of the year last week. For one reason or another, the team decided to part ways with the former third-rounder.

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Lions To Sign RB Justin Forsett

October 11th, 2016 at 1:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions are signing running back Justin Forsett, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Detroit scheduled a meeting with Forsett over the weekend and the two sides reached an accord today.

Forsett struggled mightily as the Ravens’ feature back during the first three weeks of the season, managing just 98 yards on 31 carries. He lost his starting job to Terrance West in Week 4 and West enjoyed a strong outing in that game, posting 113 yards and a score on 21 carries. Between West’s emergence and the return of rookie Kenneth Dixon, Forsett became expendable.

The Lions are thin at running back with starter Ameer Abdullah on IR and rookie Dwayne Washington dealing with an ankle injury. At 31, Forsett does not appear to have much left in the tank, but he is still a strong pass protector and offers some ability as a receiver out of the backfield. He will likely be used as a secondary option to Theo Riddick, who stands as Detroit’s top RB.

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Browns Cut QB Charlie Whitehurst

October 11th, 2016 at 1:07pm CST by Zachary Links

The Browns announced that they have promoted quarterback Kevin Hogan and defensive lineman Gabe Wright off of the practice squad. To make room, the team reached an injury settlement with quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, dropping him from the roster. Wide receiver Mitch Mathews was also signed to the practice squad.

After losing Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown to shoulder injuries during their first two games, the Browns signed Whitehurst to give them additional depth. Cody Kessler got the start in Weeks 3-5, but a big hit left him with serious bruises in his chest and ribs. Whitehurst entered the game on Sunday, but he suffered a knee injury of his own. Now, he’s been jettisoned from the roster in favor of Hogan, a fifth-round pick of the Chiefs in this year’s draft.

Kessler is aiming to suit up for the Browns on Sunday against the Titans. Cleveland is still in search of their first win this year.

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Colin Kaepernick To Start For 49ers

October 11th, 2016 at 12:36pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s Colin Kaepernick time. 49ers coach Chip Kelly announced that No. 7 will get the start on Sunday against the Bills. Former starter Blaine Gabbert will now serve as Kaepernick’s primary backup.

In Week 5, Gabbert had a rough outing against the Cardinals and soon after, Kelly left the door open to a quarterback change. Kaepernick, the one-time face of the Niners, made headlines around the world this year for his protest of national anthem. Now, he has an opportunity to make headlines again for his play on the field and not his actions on the sideline.

Kaepernick signed a six-year extension with the 49ers prior to the 2014 season, a deal that had the potential to be worth $126MM. The dual threat QB led the Niners to the NFC title game in the previous season, but he has yet replicate the level of play that earned him a long-term deal. Injuries to his left knee, left shoulder, and right thumb held him back this offseason, but he has apparently healed up in recent weeks.

The 49ers and Kaepernick have been working on a restructuring of his contract and today’s news likely means that it’s a done deal. The amended contract will reportedly alleviate concerns regarding the quarterback’s injury guarantees. For what it’s worth, Kelly told reporters that he’s unsure about Kaepernick’s contract situation.

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Dez Bryant’s Status Uncertain For Sunday

October 11th, 2016 at 12:05pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys might not have Dez Bryant on the field until October 30th. The wide receiver’s status is uncertain for Sunday’s game against the Packers and owner Jerry Jones tells 105.3 The Fan (Twitter link) that the team won’t take any chances with him. The Cowboys have a Week 7 bye, so that means that Bryant wouldn’t take the field until the Week 8 game against the rival Eagles.

In three games this year, Bryant has tallied 11 receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown. Unfortunately, he has been sidelined since Sept. 25th and it’s not immediately clear when the Cowboys will get him back. Hopefully, the wide receiver can recover from the hairline fracture and bone bruise in his knee after a couple more weeks of rest. Reportedly, Bryant hasn’t always done a great job of taking care of himself and his sleep habits have been particularly poor.

Bryant has suited up for just 12 of the Cowboys’ past 20 games.

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