2017 - Pro Football Rumors

Poll: Who Will Win AFC South?

By Sam Robinson | at October 27, 2017 3:54 pm

The AFC’s top three seeds from the 2016 playoffs are each 5-2 and viewed as central threats to represent the conference in Super Bowl LII, but there are a few intriguing teams vying for the AFC’s fourth mandated home game.

With the Patriots, Steelers and Chiefs looking like solid favorites to repeat as division champions, the AFC South profiles as the conference’s most competitive race. And with two of the teams vying for the title on bye, this looks like a good time to assess midseason stock.

Three teams enter Week 8 with three losses, and one of those has yet to claim this division’s title since the NFL reorganized its divisions in 2002.

Often involved in free agent pursuits in recent years with little on-field results to show for the investments, the Jaguars are 4-3 and may have the best AFC South unit. A blend of highly paid UFAs and blossoming homegrown talents on defense have the Jags as a legitimate contender despite annual struggles piecing together a competent passing game. The Jags won the A.J. Bouye and Calais Campbell sweepstakes, and these acquisitions are paying off for the now-Tom Coughlin-run franchise.

Campbell’s midway through a career year, leading the NFL with a career-high 10 sacks in seven games, despite being 31 and joining a 4-3 scheme after years in a 3-4 look. Pro Football Focus ranks Bouye ninth among cornerbacks, with Jalen Ramsey sitting third in what’s been the best-graded tandem in football. These talents, along with No. 4 overall pick Leonard Fournette, are buoying a still-anemic passing attack.

Can the Jags’ defense and No. 1-ranked (by far) run game spearhead this surprise season if Blake Bortles continues to operate at this level? If so, it would be the franchise’s first division title since winning the AFC Central in 1999.

The two teams picked by most to vie for this division’s home playoff game, the Texans and Titans each have three losses near the midway point. Neither has the eye-popping numbers Jacksonville’s pass rush or ground game has generated, but both Deshaun Watson and Marcus Mariota have offered superior work to Bortles. And in a league where successful teams can be correlated with quarterback play, that obviously matters most.

Thus far, Watson is bailing out the Texans after their reckless Brock Osweiler contract and rewarding the franchise’s bold Round 1 trade. The Clemson-honed dynamo’s recent run has enhanced the two-time reigning AFC South champs’ offense, and the Texans largely stood pat otherwise this offseason after devoting plenty of resources to augmenting their offense in 2016. Houston, though, losing J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus — after Bouye departed — could pose a problem at some point. The Texans rank 11th in total defense after leading the league last season.

Houston also looks to have the toughest closing schedule with road dates against both fellow AFC South contenders, along with this weekend’s trip to Seattle and a Christmas Day game against the Steelers.

Tennessee’s been the least consistent of this contending trio, beating the Seahawks and routing the Jags before giving up 57 points in Houston and needing overtime to beat the Browns. The Titans’ loss to the Dolphins could be blamed on Mariota’s hamstring injury, but it doesn’t look like the trendy preseason pick will be able to stay on its current wayward pace and lock up a playoff berth.

New Titans corners Logan Ryan and Adoree’ Jackson haven’t shown upper–echelon work just yet, and Corey Davis has seen action in just one game. The Titans look to redeploy their top draft choice in Week 9, and this should benefit a passing game that’s largely depended on holdover Rishard Matthews rather than the flashy new additions of Davis and Eric Decker. Tennessee still possesses a dangerous run game, and Derrick Henry‘s receiving more work, and probably has the best offensive line of the contending trio.

With Andrew Luck possibly set to redshirt this season after enduring a setback, the 2-5 Colts do not appear likely to factor into this race. They’ve lost four of its five games by at least two touchdowns, and it’s looking like the end of the line for Ryan Grigson hire Chuck Pagano.

So, who wins this division? Can Watson complete a push for offensive rookie of the year by leading the Texans to a third straight division title? Or is the Jaguars’ resurgence built to last? Can the Titans overcome their inconsistency and ride Mariota to their first playoff berth in nine years? Is there a Colts miracle in the works? Vote in PFR’s latest poll.

Who will win the AFC South?

Jacksonville Jaguars 45% (451)
Houston Texans 29% (290)
Tennessee Titans 22% (216)
Indianapolis Colts 4% (40)

Total votes: 997

2 comments Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars PFR Originals PFR Polls Tennessee Titans

Panthers Rumors: Davis, Olsen, Kuechly

By Sam Robinson | at October 27, 2017 1:10 pm

Thomas Davis provided some clarification about his health this week, making a slight correction to his wife’s assessment of an injury with which he’s dealing. During a TV interview, Kelly Davis said her husband was broken “completely broken ribs” for several weeks. The longest-tenured Panthers player said (via David Newton of ESPN.com) his wife didn’t lie and he is dealing with a broken bone in that area, but only one rib is affected. The 13th-year linebacker added the injury has healed to the point he doesn’t have to treat it any further. The Panthers called Kelly Davis’ comments “heartfelt” but “overstated,” noting Thomas Davis did appear on the team’s injury report for multiple weeks due to a rib ailment. Having started each of Carolina’s seven games this season, the linebacker is not in danger of missing Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers.

Here’s the latest out of Charlotte.

Greg Olsen says he’ll test his surgically repaired foot on the field next week, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer writes. That’s when Olsen will first become eligible to resume practicing after going on IR in Week 3. If he’s healthy enough, Olsen could suit up again in mid-November. League rules dictate that players can return from IR after spending eight weeks on the list.
Ryan Kalil has played in just two of Carolina’s seven games this season and is unlikely to see action Sunday, although Ron Rivera said the longtime center could play in an emergency situation. Kalil’s dealing with a neck injury, one he aggravated in Week 7 after returning to the lineup. Rivera said (via Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer, on Twitter) the Panthers are not ready to discuss an IR move for the 11th-year snapper. Tyler Larsen has started in Kalil’s place.
Luke Kuechly is in the final stage of concussion protocol, needing to be cleared by an independent doctor in order to play this week. The All-Pro middle linebacker practiced fully all week, per Newton, and is just more than two weeks removed from the latest concussion he suffered. Signs point to Kuechly playing against the Bucs. Should Kuechly return after missing just one game, it will mark his shortest concussion-induced absence as an NFLer. He missed three games in 2015 and six last season because of head injuries.
Rivera added the Panthers will get Kurt Coleman back after three missed games. The safety missed time because of a knee injury.

Zach Links contributed to this report.

Redskins To Place Mason Foster On IR

By Sam Robinson | at October 27, 2017 12:46 pm

Mason Foster has encountered a shoulder injury serious enough the Redskins plan to place him on IR, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

The seventh-year veteran linebacker is dealing with a torn labrum, per Schefter. He will undergo surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds (on Twitter).

Foster missed Washington’s Week 3 game with the shoulder malady but returned for the team’s subsequent two contests, including Monday night’s game in Philadelphia. Jay Gruden said Foster’s been playing through this malady, one that’s apparently become too severe for Foster to continue to do so.

The veteran inside linebacker’s made 22 starts for the Redskins over the past three seasons. He’s playing in the second season of a two-year contract and stands to become a free agent after this season, one that will not send him to the market on a high note.

Washington has three other inside ‘backers on its active roster, and Zach Brown will need a new running mate. Will Compton lined up alongside Brown when Foster missed Week 3 with the shoulder injury, so he would seemingly be in line to get the first crack at the starting gig. Compton was a full-time starter last season for the Redskins and has opened 30 games with the first unit in his five-season Washington career.

0 comments Washington Commanders Mason Foster

Cowboys Sign Kellen Moore To P-Squad

By Sam Robinson | at October 27, 2017 11:31 am

Kellen Moore‘s time in Dallas will continue despite the Cowboys releasing him on Thursday. The Cowboys are signing the sixth-year quarterback to their practice squad, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

This represents the same path the 29-year-old passer took earlier this year when Dallas released him post-training camp. The Cowboys brought Moore back soon after his September release via their practice squad and promoted him to their active roster soon after.

It’s possible Moore could return to the Cowboys’ active roster soon enough, and this latest set of transactions shows the team values the left-handed signal-caller as an in-case-of-emergency option. The Cowboys run the risk of another team poaching the Boise State product, but Moore was free to sign with anyone on multiple occasions this year — including in March when the Cowboys retained him on a one-year deal — and he ended up staying in Texas.

The Cowboys cut Moore on Thursday in order to promote Blake Jarwin, thus preventing the Eagles from signing rookie tight end to their active roster.

Dak Prescott and rookie UDFA Cooper Rush, who received his first game action against the 49ers, are ahead of Moore on Dallas’ depth chart.

2 comments Dallas Cowboys Transactions Kellen Moore

Patriots Notes: Hightower, Hicks, Amendola

By Zachary Links | at October 27, 2017 10:34 am

Here’s a look at the Pats:

The Patriots will probably consider trading for an inside linebacker in the wake of Dont’a Hightower‘s injury, but they also have to think carefully about further mortgaging their future, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. Already, the Eagles are on track to send a fourth-round pick to the Eagles for the Eric Rowe deal plus 2018 fifth- and seventh-round picks to the Seahawks to acquire Cassius Marsh and a 2019 sixth-round pick in a deal with the Lions for cornerback Johnson Bademosi.
Hightower isn’t their only injury concern. Wide receiver Danny Amendola is dealing with a hyperextended knee, as Jeff Howe of The Boston Herald writes. Amendola’s injury, which is nowhere near as serious as Hightower’s, happened during a punt return against the Falcons. Amendola missed practice on Wednesday, but managed to return Thursday, so he could theoretically gut it out on Sunday against the Chargers. Alternatively, they may look to rest the 31-year-old for a bit with the bye week on the horizon. The Amendola injury could impact the Pats’ course of action in filling Hightower’s shoes. They might need a 53-man roster spot to add a wide receiver, or even a defensive tackle in the wake of Malcom Brown‘s ankle injury.
Coach Bill Belichick called defensive lineman Akiem Hicks at the last minute in 2016 to try and sign him in free agency, Patrick Finley of the Sun-Times writes. Ultimately, the reunion didn’t happen and Chicago is grateful for that. In 2015, Hicks totaled three sacks in 13 regular-season games for New England and was ranked by Pro Football Focus as its 14th-best defensive tackle. In 2016, Hicks finished out with a career-high 54 tackles and seven sacks, setting himself up for a four-year, $48MM extension with the Bears this September. Through seven games this year, he already has six sacks and 24 tackles. Within the article, Hicks also blamed his so-so performance in New Orleans on being miscast as an edge rusher.

3 comments New England Patriots Akiem Hicks Danny Amendola

NFC West Notes: 49ers, Staley, Seahawks

By Zachary Links | at October 27, 2017 10:05 am

There’s trade talk surrounding Joe Staley as the deadline approaches, but the left tackle says that he wants to stay put with the 49ers.

“I’ve always wanted to play for the Niners, and the facts don’t change now,” Staley said (via Curtis Pashelka of the Bay Area News Group). “I’m just here to be better at my job. That’s where my focus is.”

The Eagles became a speculative suitor for Staley after after Jason Peters suffered a season-ending knee injury, particularly since Staley carries a reasonable salary all the way through 2019. The Niners say it would “take a whole lot” to part ways with him, but that just might happen with so many teams looking to strengthen the offensive line.

Staley, meanwhile, says he hasn’t gone to general manager John Lynch or coach Kyle Shanahan for clarification on his status.

“They know I want to be here,” Staley said. “What I’m concerned with is coming off a game where we didn’t do a good job in pass protection. We’ve got a hell of a challenge this week against the Eagles.”

Here’s more from the NFC West:

We have details on Dwight Freeney‘s deal with the Seahawks, courtesy of ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The veteran will earn $1MM in base salary, plus $8K for each game he is on the 53-man roster. All in all, the deal carries a maximum value of $1.08MM. Freeney, 37, is expected to suit up on Sunday when the Seahawks host Houston.
Don’t expect Seahawks teammate Michael Bennett to play as long as Freeney. When asked if he sees himself on the field at the age of 37, Bennett replied, “Hell no,” (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times). Bennett turns 32 in November, so that doesn’t mean retirement is necessarily coming anytime soon. The defensive end is under contract through the 2020 season, his age-35 campaign, so that could be the cutoff he has in mind.
The Cardinals formally placed Carson Palmer on IR, ruling him out for the next two months.
The 49ers are changing Eric Reid‘s position in the midst of his contract year.

0 comments San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Dwight Freeney Michael Bennett (Texas A&M)

Joe Flacco In Concussion Protocol

By Sam Robinson | at October 26, 2017 9:19 pm

Joe Flacco has entered concussion protocol, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). This comes less than 15 minutes after Kiko Alonso delivered a controversial hit to the Ravens quarterback’s head on a Flacco slide attempt.

The Ravens ruled Flacco out for the remainder of the game with a concussion.

This comes as little surprise to those watching Thursday night’s Dolphins-Ravens game, given the impact of Alonso’s penalized hit, and Ryan Mallett has taken over for Flacco. The Ravens are up 20-0, with Mallett having thrown a touchdown pass after being summoned in the red zone, but the team’s chances obviously take a hit without their starter.

Although Flacco has struggled this year, he’s been mostly durable during his 10-year career. He missed time earlier this year due to a back injury, but it didn’t cost him any regular-season time. A severe knee injury shelved him for six games in 2015, but Flacco has started every other regular-season contest since the Ravens picked him in the 2008 first round.

3 comments Baltimore Ravens Joe Flacco