HEADLINES

Month: September 2017

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/5/17

September 5th, 2017 at 8:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

  • Signed: CB Tony McRae, C Matt Skura

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed: LB Eric Lee
  • Released: S B.T. Sanders, CB Marcus Sayles

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed: FB Alex Armah

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

  • Signed: LB LaTroy Lewis

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed: CB Raysean Pringle

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

  • Signed: TE Johnny Mundt, CB Kevin Peterson
  • Released: OL Michael Dunn, DL Louis Trinca-Pasat

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

  • Signed: CB Kenneth Durden

Ezekiel Elliott’s Suspension Upheld

September 5th, 2017 at 7:22pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Arbitrator Harold Henderson has upheld Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott‘s six-game suspension, per Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (Twitter link).Ezekiel Elliott (Vertical)

Elliott will still play in Week 1 against the Giants, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, as the NFL typically doesn’t implement suspensions when a decision is made after 4pm ET on a Tuesday. Instead, Elliott will begin his suspension in Week 2, and will subsequently miss games against the Broncos, Cardinals, Rams, Packers, 49ers, and Redskins.

Of course, the battle may not yet be concluded even after a yearlong investigation into domestic violence allegations against Elliott, a suspension, and a unsuccessful appeal. Elliott has vowed to take his case to court, and a judge is expected to rule on a restraining order against the NFL by 5pm ET on Friday, tweets Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. If that order is accepted, Elliott will likely be available to play out the entire season, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link).

Elliott, the fourth overall selection in the 2016 draft, has accused the NFL of a conspiracy against him, and the dispute has gotten ugly from all angles. Elliott and his camp have cast doubt on the consistency of his accuser’s claims and suggested her motives were profit-based, while the NFL has accused Elliott of victim-shaming. Nevertheless, Elliott plans to fight his ban to the “complete exhaustion of his legal options,” a source tells Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link).

On the field, Elliott is one of the league’s more dynamic talents, as he lead the NFL in rushing yards while scoring 15 times a year ago. Without him, the Cowboys will turn to a trio of Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, and Rod Smith to run behind arguably the league’s best offensive lines.

Jets Audition TE Gavin Escobar, OL Jah Reid

September 5th, 2017 at 6:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets worked out tight end Gavin Escobar, running back Juwan Thompson, and offensive lineman Jah Reid, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (Twitter link) and Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link).Gavin Escobar (vertical)

[RELATED: Jets Sign WR Jeremy Kerley]

New York has been focusing extensively on tight ends in the past few days, as the club first claimed former Giant Will Tye off waivers before working out free agent Tim Wright, formerly of the Lions. Escobar, 26, never lived up his to second-round draft status, as he managed only 30 receptions and 333 yards over four seasons with the Cowboys. He inked a minimum salary benefit contract with the Chiefs in March, but was part of the club’s final cutdowns on Saturday.

Like Escobar, Thompson was cut over the weekend, as the Broncos handed him his walking papers after three seasons. The 25-year-old Thompson has never been much of an offensive contributor, and he rushed the ball a career-low eight times in 2016. The Jets have a pair of veterans leading their running back depth chart in Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, while rookie Elijah McGuire brings up the rear.

Reid, 29, is perhaps the best fit for the Jets’ current roster, as Gang Green is fielding one of the league’s worst offensive lines. Released by the Chiefs at the tail end of August, Reid has experience at both tackle and guard and 61 career appearances (18 starts) under his belt.

Giants Work Out Dan Williams, John Greco

September 5th, 2017 at 6:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Giants worked out defensive tackle Dan Williams, offensive lineman John Greco, and linebacker Akeem Ayers on Tuesday, a source tells Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). New York also took a look at former Lions linebacker Antwione Williams, tweets Dan Duggan of NJ.com.Dan Williams

[RELATED: Giants Work Out LB Jonathan Freeny]

New York already boasts perhaps the league’s best nose tackle in Damon Harrison, so Williams — if signed — would serve as a backup, as he isn’t a three-technique. Williams hasn’t drawn a lick of interest since being released by the Raiders, and that’s probably a reflection of the declining need for 330-pound defensive tackles and Williams’ age (30). However, Pro Football Focus was a fan of Williams’ work in 2016, ranking him a solid 44th among 127 qualified interior defensive linemen.

The Giants could use help along the offensive line, but that’s mostly at tackle, as the club is presumably set at guard/center with Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, and John Jerry. Greco could perhaps unseat Jerry at right guard, but he doesn’t play offensive tackle, which is where New York is truly below-average. Released by the Browns last week, Greco has dealt with injuries in each of the past two seasons (six total missed games) but has performed well when on the field.

Ayers, 28, signed with the Colts just before the 2016 season got underway, and ultimately spent the entire season with the club. He appeared in all 16 games and posted two sacks. Williams, a 2016 fifth-round pick, played 203 defensive snaps for Detroit a season ago, and also saw plenty of special teams action (196 snaps). The 24-year-old wasn’t claimed on waivers over the weekend, and he’d be a youthful reserve option for New York.

49ers Working Out CB Leon Hall

September 5th, 2017 at 5:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The 49ers are auditioning veteran defensive back Leon Hall today, a source tells Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter link). Hall also worked out for San Francisco in May.Leon Hall

Clearly, two workout sessions in the span three months indicates the 49ers have a relatively serious level of interest in signing Hall. Waiting until September to (potentially) sign Hall means the 49ers were able to give more practice reps to their younger defensive backs during the summer, while holding off on inking Hall until after Week 1 would ensure that his 2017 salary doesn’t become fully guaranteed.

San Francisco is scheduled to field one of NFL’s most youthful secondaries, as starting cornerbacks Rashard Robinson and Dontae Johnson will be backed up by Keith Reaser, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Adrian Colbert. At age-32, Hall would easily become the oldest member of that crew, and add some much-needed experience to the 49ers’ back-end.

Hall, who’s shown the ability to play safety in addition to his natural cornerback position, spent the 2016 season with the Giants after nearly a decade in Cincinnati. In 12 appearances, Hall played on roughly a third of New York’s defensive snaps and managed 30 tackles, one interception, and two sacks.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/5/17

September 5th, 2017 at 5:13pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jets To Sign Jeremy Kerley

September 5th, 2017 at 4:17pm CST by Zachary Links

He’s back. The Jets have signed wide receiver Jeremy Kerley to a one-year deal, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Jeremy Kerley (vertical)

The Jets auditioned Kerley on Tuesday morning and it didn’t take long for a deal to come together. He’ll now return to the team with which he spent his first five seasons.

Kerley was a staple of the Jets’ offense for multiple seasons, but he fell off the radar in 2015. The next season, he landed in San Francisco where he flourished. The Niners re-signed him to a lucrative contract only to release him prior to this year’s 53-man deadline.

In 16 games last year, Kerley caught 64 of 115 targets for 667 yards and three scores. Those are solid numbers and they look a little more impressive when considering that he was playing in one of the league’s most putrid offenses. He might have a similar experience now that he’s back in New York. The good news for him is that he should have ample opportunities to showcase his skills. Kerley is arguable the most talented receiver on a Jets team that is without Quincy Enunwa this year.

Kerley can also be a contributor on special teams as a punt returner.

Packers Sign Quinton Dial

September 5th, 2017 at 3:50pm CST by Zachary Links

The Packers have signed former San Francisco defensive lineman Quinton Dial, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Quinton Dial

The Packers have now added two former Niners front seven players in the last week. At the end of August, Green Bay also inked linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Brooks wound up on the curb as a cap casualty while Dial was not a scheme fit for SF’s new look defense.

Now back in a 3-4, the Packers are hoping that Dial can produce. He started 26 games for SF over the last two years and he’s still only 27, so there’s reason for hope. He’ll likely start off the year in a reserve role but he has an opportunity to get some real playing time with the Packers..

The Packers start their season at home against the Seahawks on Sunday.

Broncos Add Jonathan Williams To P-Squad

September 5th, 2017 at 3:36pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos have signed running back Jonathan Williams to the practice squad, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He’s receiving a sizable salary that equals out to $510K over the course of the season, which indicates that there was a healthy market for him after the Bills cut him loose. The minimum practice squad salary is just over $7K per week. Jonathan Williams (vertical)

Early on this offseason, Williams seemed poised to step into Mike Gillislee‘s role as LeSean McCoy‘s top backup. He lost ground in that competition, however, and the Bills decided to cut him loose rather than pay out the full value of his contract. The Broncos and 30 other teams declined to pick him up off of waivers, thereby picking up his deal and giving him a roster spot, but multiple teams wanted him on the taxi squad. The Broncos won out over the competition.

The Broncos will roll into the season with C.J. Anderson, Devontae Booker, Jamaal Charles, and De’Angelo Henderson at running back. Booker’s status is up in the air to start the season, so there’s already a potential roster opening for Williams if that injury lingers.

Cardinals Sign G Alex Boone

September 5th, 2017 at 3:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent guard Alex Boone has agreed to terms with the Cardinals, according to his agents at Schwartz & Feinsod. Arizona announced the deal as a one-year pact.Alex Boone (Vertical)

Boone was a surprise cut by Minnesota prior to the 53-man deadline this weekend. Just last year, the Vikings inked him to a four-year, $26.8MM deal with $10MM guaranteed. After a so-so year, the Vikings decided to cut ties and save some dollars.

In Arizona, Boone could displace Evan Boehm as the team’s starting right guard. If he does, he’ll once again start opposite of Mike Iupati.

A 14-game starter for Minnesota in 2016, Boone ranked as the NFL’s No. 37 guard among 75 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus, which assigned him high marks for his pass blocking but poor scores in the run game. During his best years as a member of the Niners, Boone was regarded as an above-average starter and even earned a second-team All-Pro selection in 2012.

This week, Boone expressed interest in signing with the Dolphins and reuniting with ex-Niners offensive line coach Chris Foerster. He’s a long way from Miami, but he is still joining a team with playoff potential.

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