2016 October - Pro Football Rumors

Ravens Sign G Vladimir Ducasse

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

The Ravens announced that they are placing cornerback Sheldon Price on injured reserve. To fill his spot on the roster, the Ravens re-signed guard Vlad Ducasse.

Price’s season is likely over thanks to a severe thigh injury. The cornerback started for Baltimore on Sunday as Shareece Wright was sidelined, but he was forced to exit in the first quarter. The Redskins went on to win 16-10.

Ducasse, 28, made 78 appearances and 22 starts with three teams from 2010-15. Ducasse, whom the Jets chose in the second round of the 2010 draft, started a career-high 11 games as a member of the Bears last season. The Jets drafted Ducasse based on his raw potential, but he was never able to put it all together in New York. After being cut by the Ravens late in the offseason, Ducasse auditioned for the Lions, but didn’t get a call back. Now, he’s circling back to Baltimore.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Greg Hardy Transitioning To MMA

October 11th, 2016 at 10:07am CST by Zachary Links

Could Greg Hardy go from the gridiron to the octagon? The controversial defensive end says that he’s changing sports and shifting his focus to mixed martial arts.

“I’m very focused and excited to start my MMA career,” Hardy said in a statement provided to Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com. “I’m going to do this the right way, I can assure you of that.”

Hardy, once a top defensive player in the NFL, was suspended for the bulk of the 2014 season and part of the 2015 season for a domestic violence incident. The Cowboys gave Hardy a second chance, but he was reportedly a thorn in the side of coaches. This offseason, teams were unwilling to take on all of the headaches that would come with signing Hardy and it now sounds like he is moving on from football altogether.

Hardy does not have a real MMA background to speak of, but his reps claim that several promotions have already expressed interest in signing him. Hardy’s team says that he currently weighs around 285 pounds and plans to fight as a heavyweight when he debuts, most likely in 2017. Under the unified rules of MMA, heavyweights weigh-in between 206 and 265 pounds.

It’s not immediately clear whether the UFC would consider signing Hardy, but the company has shown a willingness to sign non-traditional celebrity fighters in the past. In 2010, the UFC signed boxer James Toney for a one-off fight against ex-champ Randy Couture. Last month, former WWE superstar C.M. Punk made his octagon debut when he fought Mickey Gall in a welterweight bout. The UFC may not want to put on another “freak show” fight so close to Punk’s unsuccessful debut, but another major promotion such as Bellator would likely have serious interest in the former defensive end.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lane Johnson’s Suspension Upheld

October 11th, 2016 at 9:56am CST by Zachary Links

Lane Johnson‘s 10-game suspension has been upheld by the NFL, attorney Steve Zashin tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Johnson’s ban initially came down over the summer, but he has been fighting the decision. Now, the fight is over and Johnson will be out of action until Philly’s Week 16 game against the Giants.

Johnson tested positive for PEDs in August but he claimed that he unknowingly took a tainted amino acid. His previous positive test for PEDs probably hurt his credibility on the matter. Johnson had $25MM in remaining guarantees on his contract, but that money is no longer secured thanks to the suspension.

Without Johnson, the Eagles will be missing a key part of their O-Line for the bulk of the season. Johnson, the fourth overall pick in 2013, has been a starter for the Eagles since the team drafted him out of Oklahoma, playing primarily at right tackle before spending some time at left tackle in 2015.

Now that Johnson’s ban has been upheld, Philadelphia will reportedly start Halapoulivaati Vaitai at right tackle in order to leave Allen Barbre at left guard.

This past season, Pro Football Focus ranked Johnson 24th among 81 qualified offensive tackles.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Vikings To Sign Jake Long

October 11th, 2016 at 8:21am CST by Zachary Links

Former No. 1 overall pick Jake Long has a new home. The Vikings are expected to sign the offensive tackle today, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Long auditioned for Minnesota on Monday after the team was forced to place Andre Smith on IR. While Smith deals with his bothersome elbow, Long is expected to provide veteran depth for the Vikings’ O-Line. He likely won’t be penciled in as a starter, but we should know more about his role when coach Mike Zimmer addresses reporters today.

Long appeared to have a deal with the Ravens this summer, but his physical raised red flags for the team and the tackle declined to sign an injury waiver. When that deal went bust, Long remained on the open market and there was little news about him until yesterday’s Vikings audition. After two torn ACLs, it will be interesting to see what Long is capable of doing this season.

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Extra Points: Garoppolo, Cards, Packers

October 10th, 2016 at 10:00pm CST by Zachary Links

What would it take for the Patriots to trade Jimmy Garoppolo? ESPN.com’s Mike Sando (Insider sub. req’d) asked around the NFL to try and figure out where the QB’s market might be. “You get a first and a second in a heartbeat, but you ask for two firsts,” one executive said. “That is where the divide is. And the middle ground might be a first and two seconds. San Francisco got two seconds for Alex Smith, but he had already failed.” A better question might be: Would the Patriots trade Garoppolo?Given his strong play to start the season and Tom Brady‘s age, it’s possible that the Patriots would not entertain offers at all.

Here’s more from around the league:

Cardinals GM Steve Keim told 98.7 FM in Arizona (Twitter link) that guard Evan Mathis could potentially return from IR this year. Of course, Mathis could only return after eight weeks on IR and the team can only activate one player from IR this year. That means that even if Mathis is healthy enough, the Cardinals might opt to promote a healthy Chris Johnson or Tyvon Branch instead. Mathis sustained a bad ankle injury against San Francisco on Thursday, prompting the team to put him on the shelf. Over the weekend, Mathis hinted that he is planning on retiring after the 2016 season, so it is possible that he has played his last down of football.
The Packers have been granted one-week roster exemptions for defensive tackle Mike Pennel and defensive back Demetri Goodson, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Pennel (substance abuse) and Goodson (PED) are both coming off four-games suspensions. The exemptions expire on Monday, so if Green Bay wants either of the two to play on Sunday, the club will have to make a transaction.
After promoting quarterbacks coach Marty Mornhinweg to replace fired offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, the Ravens don’t plan to hire a new QBs coach, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters, including Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Instead, longtime coach Craig Ver Steeg — listed as a senior offensive assistant in the club’s media guide — will assist in quarterback meetings.
A botched hold cost the Chargers a chance at overtime on Sunday, and San Diego will “explore options” at holder, according to head coach Mike McCoy (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com). Drew Kasar, the man who mishandled the snap in question, will remain the club’s punter, however.

Latest On Colin Kaepernick

October 10th, 2016 at 9:20pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The 49ers’ offer of a contract restructure to quarterback Colin Kaepernick is “awaiting his signature,” reports Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter links). Kaepernick, like all other San Francisco players, has been out of town since the club’s Thursday night game, and won’t return until tomorrow. It’s unclear if Kaepernick is planning to sign off on the new deal at the time.

The new deal should alleviate concerns regarding the quarterback’s injury guarantees. Meanwhile, it will also give Kaepernick an opportunity to void his deal after this season should he outperform his contract. The deal effectively does away with No. 7’s guarantees in 2017 and could cut off the final three years of the pact. It will also allow the 49ers to receive a compensatory pick if Kaepernick voids the contract and signs elsewhere during the offseason.

One new detail of the proposed restructuring is that the 49ers would guarantee Kaepernick’s remaining weekly gameday active bonuses, which would total $1.375MM, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). The new contract could signal that San Francisco is willing to bench Blaine Gabbert and start Kaepernick in Week 6. Head coach Chip Kelly left that possibility open, but the club hasn’t made an official decision.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Browns’ Cody Kessler Aiming To Play Week 6

October 10th, 2016 at 9:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Browns rookie quarterback Cody Kessler has “a chance” to start in Week 6 against the Titans, head coach Hue Jackson told reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. If Kessler is unable to play, Cleveland could turn to veteran Josh McCown who might be ready to return to action just a month after breaking his collarbone.

McCown will return to practice on Wednesday, the same day that Jackson says he’ll know more about Kessler’s condition. Kessler underwent tests on his chest and ribs area today, and while “nothing is broken,” pain tolerance could be an issue for the third-round pick. According to Cabot, Kessler had difficulty breathing after Sunday’s contest and appeared to be in a great deal of pain today.

In the first three starts of his career, Kessler has completed roughly two-thirds of his passes for more than 500 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. McCown, meanwhile, made it through only one games, but he threw for 260 yards and two scores. Neither quarterback, of course, has led the Browns to a victory.

Third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst, the fifth quarterback Cleveland has employed this season, is day-to-day, per Cabot.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Dolphins Place Koa Misi On IR

October 10th, 2016 at 8:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

8:36pm: Misi might require spinal fusion surgery, the same operation that Peyton Manning famously underwent, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, Misi will first see if rehab is able to stave off surgery.

6:01pm: The Dolphins have placed linebacker Koa Misi on injured reserve, the club announced today. Misi is dealing with a neck injury, and one source told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald that the issue could threaten Misi’s career.

Misi, 29, has seen one specialist thus far and is expected to seek multiple opinions, according to Salguero, who calls the transaction “shocking” given that Miami had given no indication that Misi’s injury could lead to the end of his season or his career. Misi appeared in the first three games of the this season, but was forced leave in Week 3 when he suffered the original injury.

Though Misi would be eligible to come off IR in Week 13, that scenario seems wholly unlikely for multiple reasons. First, if Misi’s injury is possibly career-ending, there would likely be a danger in returning too quickly even if the ailment is not deemed as serious as perceived. Second, the Dolphins are more likely to bring back defensive tackle Earl Mitchell off IR, who can return in Week 8, per Salguero.

Misi is signed through the 2017 campaign. Earlier this year, he agreed to a paycut, lowering his 2016 cap charge from roughly $4.88MM to ~$3.6MM.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL Workout Updates: 10/10/16

October 10th, 2016 at 8:19pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Well, this is a new one: The Steelers worked out Spanish rugby sevens player Inaki Villanueva, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds that Villanueva will attempt to make the NFL as a tight end. Villanueva, 25 this week, was part of the Spanish rugby team that competed at the 2016 Summer Olmypics.

Here’s more on today’s tryouts and visits:

The Patriots worked out wide receiver Donteea Dye, fullback Austin Johnson, and tight end Gannon Sinclair today, a source tells Doug Kyed of NESN. Per Kyed, the trio was likely auditioning for a spot on New England’s practice squad, which currently only has nine members.
Jake Long wasn’t the only offensive lineman to audition for the Vikings today, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) reports that Minnesota also took a look at Garrett Reynolds and Reid Fragel.
The Redskins worked out defensive tackles Jermelle Cudjo, A.J. Francis, and Joey Mbu today, per Caplan (Twitter link). Washington met with fellow DTs Terrance Knighton (link) and Phil Taylor (link) today as well, but won’t be signing either one at this time, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter link).
Although the Cowboys tried out defensive backs Rashaad Reynolds, Leon McFadden, and Richard Crawford today, the club won’t be signing any of them, tweets Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
The Cardinals auditioned linebackers Dwayne Norman and Jayson DiManche, as well as safeties Keenan Lambert and Dezmen Southward on Monday, reports Caplan (Twitter link).
The Eagles worked out linebackers Eric Pinkins, Lamar Louis, and James Burgess, Caplan tweets.

Giants Work Out Bryan Stork, Other OL

October 10th, 2016 at 7:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Giants worked out several free agent offensive lineman today, as the club took at look at Bryan Stork, Josh LeRibeus, Khaled Holmes, and Daniel Munyer according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter links).

In late August, Stork was supposedly on the verge of being released by the Patriots. However, the Redskins got word that Stork was about to be cut and worked out a trade with the Patriots. Hours later, it was learned that Stork was thinking about retirement. The Redskins convinced Stork to continue playing football, but he wound up failing the physical. Ultimately, the trade was rescinded, the Redskins lost the backup center (or maybe even starting center) they desperately needed, and the Patriots lost out on getting a conditional seventh-round pick.

LeRibeus, 26, was selected by Washington in the third round (71st overall) in the 2012 draft. The SMU product played in just 12 games, including one start, during his first three years in the NFL, but was thrust into action last season when starting center Kory Lichtensteiger missed a good chunk of the year due to a neck injury. Despite accruing that experience, LeRibeus was released at final cutdowns.

A fourth-round Colts pick in 2013, Holmes started seven games with Indianapolis last season. But the Colts cut Holmes in May after the first-round selection of Ryan Kelly. Holmes played in 17 games during his three-year stay with the team, starting nine. He signed on with the Bears during the summer, but didn’t make it through to Chicago’s 53-man roster.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.