Texans Place Devon Still On IR
The Texans announced that they have placed defensive end Devon Still on injured reserve. In his place, the team has promoted defensive end Brandon Dunn to the active roster. The team also signed defensive end Dan Pettinato to the practice squad. 
Still’s shutdown marks the second season-ending injury to the Texans’ defensive line in the last week. Of course, the J.J. Watt injury was much more significant, but Still was a contributor on the D-Line and a valuable rotational piece.
Still, who hasn’t made a start in his four-year NFL career since being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, became a fan favorite in Cincinnati and around the league as his young daughter, Leah Still, battled cancer. Leah went into remission from neuroblastoma in March, and Still announced earlier this year that she was cancer-free.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Chargers CB Verrett Has Torn Knee Ligament?
Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett fears that he has been playing with a torn knee ligament through the last two games, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. He is meeting with doctors today to determine the extent of the injury and whether or not he can play through it. If he does in fact have a torn ligament, that could mean a lengthy absence for one of San Diego’s top corners. 
The Chargers haven’t had the best luck with injuries so far in this young season. Before Week 1, the team saw running back Branden Oliver go down with an Achilles tear. Then, in the first couple of weeks of the season, San Diego lost both Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead to season-ending injuries. Losing Verrett would be another major blow for the 1-3 Chargers as they get ready to face the rival Raiders on Sunday.
Through four games, Verrett has 13 tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception. While that sounds like a solid stat line, the advanced numbers at Pro Football Focus seem to indicate that Verrett’s knee is slowing him down. He is currently ranked 71st out of 114 qualified corners in the NFL.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Bears WR Kevin White
Bad news for the Bears. Wide receiver Kevin White will be out for an extended period of time with his ankle injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
After missing his entire rookie season with a shin injury, losing White for multiple games would sting extra hard. This was supposed to be White’s breakout campaign and the Bears were eager to see what the No. 7 overall pick in the 2015 draft could do this year.
White, 24, caught 19 passes for 187 yards in four games this year. Things were ramping up for White in the last two weeks as he caught passes from Brian Hoyer. Between the games against the Cowboys and Lions, the second-year receiver saw a total of 23 targets.
The Bears already have six wide receivers on the depth chart, so they don’t necessarily have to add anyone to fill in for White. Alshon Jeffery leads that WR group with Eddie Royal, Deonte Thompson, Joshua Bellamy, and Cameron Meredith in support.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Redskins Cut DE Kendall Reyes
The Redskins have cut defensive lineman Kendall Reyes, a person familiar with the situation tells Mike Jones of The Washington Post (on Twitter). Reyes joined the Redskins as a free agent this offseason but the team was not happy with his play in the offseason or in the first month of the regular season. Reyes’ one-year, $2.5MM deal included $1MM fully guaranteed, so the Redskins will be on the hook for a good chunk of money.
Reyes was dealing with a groin injury through the first month of the season and missed Week 2 against the Cowboys and Week 3 against the Giants as a result. He returned to action on Sunday against the Browns, but coaches weren’t thrilled with how he looked. With Reyes gone, the Redskins are left with Chris Baker, Ziggy Hood, Ricky Jean-Francois, Cullen Jenkins, Matt Ioannidis, and Anthony Lanier on the defensive line.
Reyes, a second-round pick in 2012, was a starter on San Diego’s defensive line from 2013-2015. The 27-year-old racked up 10.5 sacks during his first two years in the league, but his numbers have been more modest in recent seasons. In 2015, Reyes picked up a pair of sacks to go along with 32 tackles and his first career interception.
While the Chargers leaned on Reyes heavily during his four years with the club, Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance last season. PFF ranked the Connecticut product 120th out of 123 qualified interior defenders, assigning him the third-worst grade as a run defender among those players.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Rob Gronkowski’s Hamstring Still “Not Right”
Rob Gronkowski hasn’t gotten off to a fast start in 2015, and it’s clear that he’s still affected by injury as the Patriots reach the quarter mark of the season. A source told Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (video link) that Gronkowski’s hamstring is “not right,” and also expressed concern that the star tight end’s injury “has not come along like they thought it would.”
[RELATED: Patriots Release TE Clay Harbor]
Gronkowski missed the first two games of the season, but was activated in advance of New England’s Week 3 contest against the Texans. However, as Garafolo notes, Gronk has been mostly used a blocker (a task at which he excels) rather than as a receiver. He’s only been targeted three times, and he’s managed just one catch for 11 yards.
Those numbers are a far cry for Gronkowski’s usual All Pro production level, but the Patriots have also been dealing with a fluctuating quarterback position, starting Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett while Tom Brady has been suspended. Brady, of course, will return this week against the Browns, perhaps enabling Gronk to return to his usual form.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/4/16
We’re a quarter of the way through the regular season, and clubs are constantly updating their emergency lists of players. Let’s take a look at the latest reported auditions and visits, which we’ve divided by conference due to today’s sheer volume:
AFC
- The Raiders took a look at linebackers Danny Lansanah and Tyrell Adams, according to Caplan (Twitter link). Oakland eventually settled on Perry Riley as its new linebacker.
- Before he signed with the Browns’ practice squad, offensive lineman Mike Liedtke worked out for the Ravens and was scheduled to audition for the Jaguars, according to his agent Brett Tessler (Twitter link). Baltimore also tried out veteran safety Shamiel Gary today, per Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Gary has also been linked to the Giants in recent days.
- The Ravens didn’t stop there, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter link): Baltimore also worked out defensive backs Jeron Johnson and Ryan Murphy, linebackers Jamari Lattimore and Andy Mulumba, and guard Ian Silberman.
- Former Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum, former Tampa Bay wide receiver Kenny Bell, and long snapper Jon Akemon all worked out with the Chiefs today, according to NFL Draft Diamonds (on Twitter).
- The Titans auditioned defenseive tackle Trevon Coley, wide receivers Donteea Dye and Wendall Williams, and defensive end Farrington Huguenin, tweets Balzer.
NFC
- The Falcons auditioned linebacker Jayson DiManche, kicker Mike Meyer, and punter Michael Palardy, reports Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Palardy, for his part, ended up signing with Atlanta’s practice squad, which could be an indication that active roster punter Matt Bosher is banged up.
- Perhaps bracing for a Lane Johnson suspension, the Eagles today worked out former Washington offensive lineman Josh LeRibeus, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. LeRibeus started 11 games for the Redskins in 2015, but still couldn’t make it past final cutdowns. Philadelphia also looked at guard Matt Rotheram and tackle Pearce Slater, per Balzer (Twitter link).
- The Lions worked out offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds and DL/T Brian Mihalik today, per Caplan (Twitter link).
- Former Denver defensive lineman David Moala worked out for the Panthers today, a source told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Carolina also auditioned DT Bruce Gaston and DE Chris McCain, per Balzer (Twitter link).
- Safety Trae Elston and Shakiel Randolph tried out for the Buccaneers today, as Nick Underhill of The Advocate tweets.
- Tight ends Rory Anderson, Joel Ruiz, and De’Runnya Wilson all worked out for the Bears today, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- In addition to defensive end Sterling Bailey, whom the Seahawks signed to their practice squad, Seattle tried out defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan, linebacker Deion Barnes, and defensive tackle Greg Milhouse, reports Balzer (Twitter link).
- The Cardinals met with free agent tight end Brian Leonhardt, according to Balzer (Twitter link).
Packers Work Out TE Rob Housler
The Packers are in need of tight end depth as Jared Cook continues to deal with a high ankle sprain, so the club worked out veteran Rob Housler today, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Cook left Green Bay’s Week 3 contest against Lions, and is expected to be sidelined through at least Week 5.
[RELATED: Green Bay Packers Depth Chart]
With Cook out, the Packers are down to Richard Rodgers and Justin Perillo at tight end. While that duo can probably get the job done, Housler would add a bit more to the back end of the roster. Housler, 28, is a former third-round pick who averaged 42 receptions per year for the Cardinals from 2012-13. Thing have gone downhill since then, however, as Housler saw only seven combined targets in 2015 with the Browns and Bears.
In addition to Housler, Green Bay also auditioned rookie tight end J.P. Holtz and linebacker Christian French, reports Demovsky.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dallas Police Conclude Aqib Talib Shot Himself
The Dallas Police Department has closed its investigation into Aqib Talib, and has concluded that the Broncos cornerback did in fact shoot himself, as Rebecca Lopez of WFAA tweets. A self-inflicted wound had been the prevailing theory ever since Talib was involved in a firearm incident in June. Talib will not face charges.
[RELATED: Latest On Trevor Siemian]
While one recent report indicated that Talib would not face league discipline for his involvement in the matter, Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post reports (Twitter link) that the NFL is still reviewing the shooting. In June, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported that league punishment is coming for the cornerback. Commissioner Roger Goodell is not a fan of firearms, and the fact that Talib was apparently intoxicated — and has a history with weapons – could factor into any disciplinary decision.
On the night of the incident, Talib reportedly told police he was at a park when he was shot, but the police were investigating the evening in full. “Everything was a blur and I was too intoxicated to remember what happened,” said Talib at the time. Authorities never recovered the weapon used in the shooting, and few (if any) witnesses were talking about what happened.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Eagles OT Lane Johnson
Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson‘s appeal of his 10-game PED suspension has concluded, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links). As expected, no decision has yet to be announced, but Johnson’s attorney Steve Zashin did release a statement.
[RELATED: LB Nigel Bradham Arrested]
“There are a number of issues related to Lane’s appeal,” said Zashin. “Many of those issues strike at the heart of substantive player protections. We await the decision of the arbitrator. In the meantime Lane will prepare and play as scheduled.”
f the Eagles are without Johnson for more than half the season, it would be a crushing blow to their O-Line and offense as a whole. 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.
In his three years with the Eagles, he has only missed four games due to his first PED suspension. This past season, Pro Football Focus ranked Johnson 24th among offensive tackles, out of 81 qualified players at the position.
The Eagles expect Johnson to be available for Sunday’s game against the Lions, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. But if Johnson’s ban is upheld, Philadelphia is considering employing Halapoulivaati Vaitai as a starter at right tackle in order to leave Allen Barbre at left guard, Ed Werder of ESPN.com tweets.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Broncos QB Trevor Siemian
Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian has an AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder, a source with knowledge of the situation tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. An MRI today should reveal more about the injury. Right now, the belief is that Siemian could miss a game or two as he recovers, but nothing is certain.
[RELATED: Denver Broncos Depth Chart]
In an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, head coach Gary Kubiak said that the team will play the situation by ear. “It’s going to be a day-to-day thing,” Kubiak said. “He’s very sore (Monday) and, obviously, it’s not going to affect his ability to throw the ball. But what happens, all the mechanics of your body and the movement, the torque, that’s what he’s going to have to work through.
So we’ll take it day-by-day and keep repping them all like we always do, but hopefully Trevor will be able to answer the bell this Sunday. He’s very capable of playing without practice time. He’s a very bright young man, so we’ll just take it day-to-day.”
Siemian, 23, has performed better than many expected in his first action as a starter, completing two-thirds of his passes for more than 800 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions while helping the Broncos to an undefeated start. If Denver determines Siemian can play against the Falcons on Sunday while protecting his shoulder, he will be the starter, tweets Troy Renck of Denver7. In other words, there won’t be a quarterback controversy involving Siemian and first-round pick Paxton Lynch.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.