2017 September - Pro Football Rumors

Mike Williams To Come Off PUP List

September 2nd, 2017 at 1:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers will take Mike Williams off the PUP list in advance of the regular season, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

A lingering back injury had the first-round pick’s rookie season in doubt, but this move signals the Chargers believe he will be ready to contribute early in the season. Williams remaining on the PUP list would have shelved him for the first six weeks of the Bolts’ season.

The most recent news on the former Clemson star indicated a possible October return was in the cards, and Rapoport hears (Twitter link) that’s still the tentative plan. The herniated disc Williams suffered is still not believed to require surgery; he’s been rehabbing it for several weeks now.

Williams missed Los Angeles’ training camp and did not play during the preseason. The No. 7 overall pick returning would strengthen a Chargers offense that’s also getting Keenan Allen back. Allen, Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin would quietly form one of the league’s most intriguing wideout contingents — one that could be the deepest of Philip Rivers‘ career.

Giants To Place Mark Herzlich On IR

September 2nd, 2017 at 1:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are planning to place linebacker Mark Herzlich on injured reserve, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets.

Herzlich has been a reserve linebacker and special teamer for the G-Men for the past six seasons. This year, he changed his jersey number from 94 to 44 so that can appear eligible on offensive plays, but we won’t get to see him line up as a fullback/tight end this year.

The exact nature of his injury is presently unclear. Herzlich has been sidelined as of late with what was initially diagnosed as a stinger in his neck. Apparently, it’s something more serious.

Herzlich celebrated his 30th birthday on Friday.

Seahawks To Release DT Ahtyba Rubin

September 2nd, 2017 at 1:38pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks are releasing veteran defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Seattle had planned to shop Rubin after acquiring Sheldon Richardson from the Jets on Friday, but apparently weren’t able to find a taker. Even without Rubin in the picture, the Seahawks have enviable depth along the defensive interior, with options such as Jarran Reed and third-round rookie Nazair Jones available. Second-round pick Malik McDowell could also potentially return later in the season, although he’s currently recovering from an ATV accident.

In his first Seahawks season (2015), Rubin amassed 36 tackles, two sacks, and finished fourth among the team’s defensive linemen in snaps. Last year, he once again had a perfect attendance record in the regular season as he racked up 39 tackles, one sack, and three forced fumbles.

Rubin, 31, signed a three-year, $12MM deal with Seattle last offseason that contained $5.5MM in guaranteed money. By releasing him, the Seahawks will incur $1.5MM in dead money in each of the next two seasons.

49ers To Release Jeremy Kerley

September 2nd, 2017 at 1:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having signed a 49ers contract set to run through the 2019 season, Jeremy Kerley won’t make into Year 1 of that agreement. The team will release the veteran wide receiver, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports (on Twitter).

San Francisco signed Kerley to a three-year, $10.5MM deal, which included a $1.7MM signing bonus, in March. The seventh-year pass-catcher led the 49ers with 667 receiving yards last season.

The 49ers will absorb a $3.5MM dead-money hit for this transaction. But the team is not exactly hurting for cap space, entering Saturday holding a league most $69.3MM.

The rebuilding franchise followed up the Kerley re-up with signings of Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin, adding talent to the receiving corps. The 49ers also drafted Trent Taylor in the fifth round.

This release will send Kerley back into free agency, where he resided when the Lions signed him in 2016. The former Jet’s bounce-back season in San Francisco figures to put him on the free agency radar. He won’t turn 29 until November.

Bears Cut DE Jaye Howard

September 2nd, 2017 at 1:24pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bears have told defensive end Jaye Howard that he is being released, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. Howard has been dealing with a hip issue, though Biggs notes that he has been feeling better as of late.

In May, the Bears inked Howard to a one-year deal that included a $775K base with up to $4MM in incentives. With an eye on cashing in next year, he switched representation to David Canter in July. The 28-year-old is now going to have to find somewhere else to showcase his skills for the next year.

Howard only suited up eight times for the Chiefs last year before his hip shut him down in November. During his limited action in 2016, Howard recorded 23 tackles and a sack. He ranked 55th in performance among Pro Football Focus‘ 127 qualified interior defensive linemen.

Jaguars, Ravens Complete Trade

September 2nd, 2017 at 12:56pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars have traded center Luke Bowanko to the Ravens, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s not immediately known what the Jaguars are getting in the swap, but it’s likely a late round draft pick.

Bowanko has an opportunity to get playing time right off the bat given the injuries on the Ravens’ offensive line. Baltimore brought Jeremy Zuttah back into the fold in August to fill the gap at center, but he was released on Friday along with a host of other notable veterans.

Bowanko, a sixth round pick in the 2016 draft, has spent time on the Jaguars’ 53-man roster and practice squad over the last three years. In December, he was called back up to the 53-man roster when Julius Thomas and Jared Odrick were placed on injured reserve.

Bowanko is the second offensive lineman to come to the Ravens via trade this week. On Friday, Baltimore acquired veteran interior lineman Tony Bergstrom from the Cardinals.

Patriots, Colts Swap QB Jacoby Brissett, WR Phillip Dorsett

September 2nd, 2017 at 12:55pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots and Colts have completed an unexpected swap. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the Patriots are dealing quarterback Jacoby Brissett to Indy for wideout Phillip Dorsett.

There were whispers that Brissett might not make the Patriots 53-man roster, despite the fact they used a third-round pick on the Florida/North Carolina State product in 2016. The 24-year-old got an opportunity to play during his rookie campaign, starting a pair of games for the depleted Patriots. He ultimately completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 400 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also added 83 rushing yards and one score on 16 attempts.

Brissett’s season ended early after he underwent thumb surgery, and he was subsequently placed on injured reserve. However, the second-year player looked fully recovered this preseason, and he threw for 341 yards and four scores during the team’s finale. While Bill Belichick has carried three quarterbacks in past seasons, he traditionally likes to carry a single backup behind starter Tom Brady. With Jimmy Garoppolo healthy and ready to go, the Patriots clearly wanted to carry an extra player elsewhere.

Now, Brissett could find himself thrust into a starting role with the Colts. With Andrew Luck‘s status up in the air for the team’s season opener, Indianapolis might view Brissett as a better starting option than Scott Tolzien and Stephen Morris.

Dorsett had spent his entire two-year career in Indy after being selected in the first round of the 2015 draft. He didn’t live up to his draft position during his rookie campaign, but the 24-year-old showed signs of improvement during his second year in the league. Dorsett ultimately appeared in 15 games (seven starts) last season, hauling in 33 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns.

With Julian Edelman out for the season, Dorsett will provide the Patriots with an experienced replacement. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old’s status with the Colts was up in the air. Roster Resource listed Dorsett as the team’s fourth wideout behind T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, and Chester Rogers. The team is also rostering receivers Kamar Aiken, JoJo Natson, and Quan Bray.

Eagles Extend Chance Warmack

September 2nd, 2017 at 12:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles signed Chance Warmack in March but have seen enough from the veteran lineman to extend the arrangement past 2017.

Warmack signed a one-year extension through 2018 on Saturday, the team announced. The fifth-year player figures to join Stefen Wisniewski as experienced depth on Philly’s front.

A former Titans first-round pick, Warmack signed a one-year, $1.51MM deal with the Eagles at free agency’s outset. He did so after suffering a hand injury that shelved him for all but two games in 2016. The former well-regarded Alabama prospect’s Eagles agreement profiled as a value-re-establishing pact, but it looks like both sides have enjoyed the arrangement they’ll see fit to continue it.

Although Isaac Seumalo may well open the season as the Eagles’ starting left guard, Warmack profiles as quality insurance and an option in case the second-year player falters. Warmack has started in each of the 48 games he’s played.

Redskins Trade TE Derek Carrier To Rams

September 2nd, 2017 at 12:50pm CST by Ben Levine

We heard earlier this morning that the Redskins could consider cutting tight end Derek Carrier. Now, it sounds like the player is actually getting traded, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Carrier has been traded to the Rams. Washington will receive a 2018 seventh-rounder (via the team’s Twitter account).

The tight end struggled to stay healthy during his two seasons in Washington, appearing in only 20 games after tearing his ACL towards the end of the 2015 campaign. During his two years with the Redskins, Carrier hauled in only 19 catches for 151 yards and one touchdown. With Washington currently rostering four tight ends in Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Niles Paul, and rookie Jeremy Sprinkle, Carrier was clearly expendable. The Redskins initially acquired the tight end after sending a conditional fifth-rounder to the 49ers before the 2015 season. Carrier has also had brief stints with the Raiders and Eagles.

The trade means that the tight end will be reuniting with his former offensive coordinator, Sean McVay, who is now the head coach in Los Angeles. Carrier could have an opportunity to contribute, although it’s likely that the team rolls with second-rounder Gerald Everett as their starter. Therefore, the recently-acquired tight end will presumably compete with Tyler Higbee and Cory Harkey for a reserve role.

Dolphins, T.J. McDonald Agree To Extension

September 2nd, 2017 at 12:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins and safety T.J. McDonald have agreed to a four-year, $24MM extension, as James Walker of ESPN.com tweets. The deal includes $10MM in guaranteed money.

The Dolphins won’t get to see McDonald in live action for a while thanks to his eight-game suspension, but they have been floored by his performance thus far in the summer. He originally came to Miami on a low-risk, one-year deal, but the Fins have seen enough to warrant giving him a multi-year deal at a starter’s salary.

McDonald was a longtime starter for the Rams, but L.A. showed little interest in retaining him. His suspension didn’t come down until the end of March, but it seems that the Rams had some sense of the punishment that was coming his way for the DUI arrest and drug charges.

In 2016, McDonald had 62 total tackles, two interceptions, one sack, and six passes defensed. He graded out as as Pro Football Focus’ 58th best safety in the NFL last season. The Fins clearly disagree with the advanced metrics and see him as a much stronger player.

When McDonald is in uniform, the Dolphins will have a strong safety combo between him and Reshad Jones. In the interim, Jones will be paired with Nate Allen.