Jets Rumors: Marrone, Peake, Forte
Doug Marrone will head to East Rutherford on Sunday as the Jaguars’ head coach, but he could have just as easily been leading the Jets this weekend, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com and Brian Costello of the New York Post detail. After Marrone opted out of his Bills contract following the 2014 campaign, Marrone was considered the favorite for the Gang Green job, especially given that former NFL general manager and Jets consultant Charley Casserly had strong ties to Marrone. New York ultimately chose Todd Bowles, however, and Marrone was hired as Jacksonville’s offense line coach before being promoted to head coach midway through the 2016 season.
Here’s more from New York:
- After placing him on injured reserve Wednesday, the Jets could potentially bring wide receiver Charone Peake off IR later this year, as Costello tweets. Peake is dealing with a high ankle sprain, which is typically a four-to-six week injury. The NFL’s IR/return rules stipulate an eight-week minimum absence, so that timeline should give Peake enough time to recover. Peake, a seventh-round pick in 2016 who managed 19 receptions during his rookie campaign, will be eligible to return to the field in Week 12 when the Jets take on the Panthers.
- Veteran running back Matt Forte has “no idea” if he’ll be available for the Jets in Week 4 as he works through a turf toe injury, as Cimini writes in a separate piece. Bowles was also murky as to Forte’s status for this weekend, indicating that the 31-year-old back could be require a week of recovery time. If Forte can’t go, New York will lean on Bilal Powell — who has played only nine fewer offensive snaps that Forte in 2017 — rookie Elijah McGuire, and the newly-signed Travaris Cadet to handle the running game.
- In case you missed it, free agent linebacker Erin Henderson is suing the Jets for “wrongful termination and disability discrimination” and seeking $3.3MM in compensatory damages.
Eagles DT Fletcher Cox Likely To Miss Time
Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks as he deals with a calf injury, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Although Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson labeled Cox “day-to-day,” a source tells Bowen a two-to-three week absence is more likely.
[RELATED: Eagles Sign RB Kenjon Barner]
One of the more dominant defensive tackles in the league, Cox has thus far graded as the NFL’s No. 23 interior defender while playing roughly 56% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Cox, who agreed to a six-year, $102.6MM extension prior to the 2016 campaign, has posted two sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown this season.
Cox will certainly be missed, but Philadelphia has enough defensive line depth to account for his unavailability. Beau Allen will likely see more snaps opposite starting defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, while backups Elijah Qualls and Destiny Vaeao could also see increased action. Alternatively, the Eagles could use Vinny Curry on the inside, allowing Derek Barnett and Chris Long to contribute on the edge.
49ers Likely To IR/Return DE Tank Carradine
The 49ers are expected to designate defensive ends Tank Carradine and Ronald Blair as their players to return from injured reserve, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link).
San Francisco placed Carradine on IR Monday, so he’ll be able to return in Week 12 following an eight-week absence. A former second-round pick, Carradine had started two games and played 80 defensive snaps in 2017. In that limited sample size, the 28-year-old Carradine had posted one sack, 2.5 pressures, and graded as the league’s No. 27 edge defender, per Pro Football Focus.
Blair, meanwhile, was shifted to IR during the final cutdown process, so he’s eligible to come back before Carradine. An eight-week layoff means Blair can return in Week 9, when the 49ers face the division rival Cardinals. Blair, whom San Francisco selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, didn’t start any games for the Niners during his rookie campaign, but still played on roughly a quarter of the club’s defensive snaps. He also chipped in on ~15% of the 49ers’ special teams plays.
If San Francisco does indeed to return Carradine and Blair from injured reserve, the league’s two-man IR/return limit means the team won’t be able to bring guard Joshua Garnett back in 2017.
Injury Notes: Luck, Bradford, Garrett, Hawks
Despite reports that suggested the contrary, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will not begin practicing this week, head coach Chuck Pagano announced. Pagano gave a somewhat vague answer on Luck earlier this week, suggesting that while the signal-caller was “progressing well,” his return to practice was not guaranteed. Today, Pagano admitted that Luck is “at least” a week away from embarking on a throwing program. Luck, who is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, was not placed on the physically unable to perform list at the season’s outset, so there are no timetable restrictions on his return.
Here’s more from around the NFL, with a focus on injury situations:
- Sam Bradford has missed each of the Vikings‘ past two contests as he deals with a knee issue, and while he didn’t practice today, Minnesota is “doing everything it can” to allow Bradford to play against the Lions on Sunday, according to head coach Mike Zimmer. Because Bradford isn’t dealing with any structural damage, pain management is the only barrier to him suiting up. If Bradford can’t go, the Vikings will once again turn to backup Case Keenum, who 25 of 43 pass attempts for a career-high 369 yards and three touchdowns against the Buccaneers in Week 3.
- After hinting last week that defensive end Myles Garrett was “close” to a return, Browns head coach Hue Jackson once again reiterated that the 2017 No. 1 overall pick could attend practice this week, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal writes. “If he is able to play, we might not play him the whole game,” said Jackson. “So we’ll see how that unfolds if he’s able to go. We’ll find out more as we go through the week.” Garrett has been sidelined for the start of his rookie campaign after suffering an ankle injury during the preseason.
- The Seahawks are expected to be without running back C.J. Prosise on Sunday as he deals with an ankle ailment, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Prosise hasn’t been a major contributor to Seattle’s offense thus far, as he’s managed only eight rushes and six receptions, but he has played on nearly a third of the club’s offensive snaps. The Seahawks will continue to lean on rookie Chris Carson — with dashes of Eddie Lacy and/or Thomas Rawls — when they face the Colts and their 11th-ranked (by DVOA) rush defense.
NFL Workout Updates: 9/27/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account:
Arizona Cardinals
- TE Alex Ellis; DE Jonathan Woodard (link)
Atlanta Falcons
- CB Alex Carter (link)
Baltimore Ravens
- LB Steven Johnson (link)
Buffalo Bills
- OLs Josh James and G Nate Theaker; WRs Amba Etta-Tawo and Tavarres King; S Justin Currie (link)
Detroit Lions
- OLs Willie Beavers, John Greco, and Kraig Urbik; DE Sterling Bailey (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- WRs Kolby Listenbee and Jordan Williams; LBs Richie Brown, Austin Calitro, and Jayrone Elliott (Twitter links)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB LeShun Daniels; LBs Frank Beltre and Cassanova McKinzy (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- WR Michael Rector; LB Jonathan Freeny (Twitter links)
Los Angeles Rams
- WR Jordan Payton (link)
New York Jets
- WR Rashad Ross; TE Greg Scruggs; DE Jhaustin Thomas; LBs Gabe Martin and Brandon Watts; CB Makinton Dorleant; S Ironhead Gallon (all Twitter links)
Philadelphia Eagles
- C Anthony Fabiano; T Givens Price; CBs D.J. Killings and Damian Swann (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LBs Carl Bradford and Austin Calitro; CB Taurean Nixon (link)
Tennessee Titans
- LSs Andrew East and Anthony Kukwa (link)
Washington Redskins
- LB Otha Peters; DBs Antone Exum Jr., James Sample, and B.J. Sanders (link)
Latest On Texans OT Duane Brown’s Holdout
The Texans have now played three games without stalwart left tackle Duane Brown, and there is “no end in sight” as the veteran offensive lineman continues his holdout in search of new contract, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Brown, 32, has been pushing for a new deal since at least May, and didn’t participate in Houston’s minicamp, training camp, or preseason. The Texans don’t seem inclined to work out a fresh pact with Brown, while Brown himself has indicated that he will in fact play at some point in 2017. As of earlier this month, general manager Rick Smith and Brown’s representatives weren’t talking, but Brown is likely to report following an eight-week absence (a timeline that would allow him to accrue a season towards free agency).
Houston has turned to Kendall Lamm (one start) and Chris Clark (two starts) in the wake of Clark’s absence, but both players have offered sub-par performances, as Clark and Lamm have ranked No. 55 and No. 58 among 72 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. While the Texans’ offensive line has played well in the run game, the unit is dead last in adjusted rack rate, according to Football Outsiders.
Brown is currently signed through the 2018 season, and is due non-guaranteed base salaries of $9.65MM and $9.75MM over the next two years.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/27/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Ryan Malleck
- Released: LB Boseko Lokombo
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Kennan Gilchrist
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Jhurell Pressley
- Placed on injured list: RB Tim Cook
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Fred Brown
- Released: TE Travis Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR K.J. Brent
Washington Redskins
- Signed: WR Shakeir Ryan
Seahawks Considering LB/ST Bryan Braman
After losing ace special teamer Dewey McDonald to a torn ACL, the Seahawks are considering signing linebacker Bryan Braman, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Seahawks Audition Akeem Ayers]
Braman, 30, has appeared in 94 career games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M in 2011, but has never started a contest. His core responsibilities have come on special teams with both the Texans (2011-14) and the Eagles (2014-16). Last year, for example, Braman played only three defensive snaps for Philadelphia, but saw action on 82.3% of the club’s special teams plays.
Through three games, Seattle ranks just 22nd in special teams DVOA. Specifically, the Seahawks are below-average in every area of special teams aside from kick returns. On punts, the club has sacrificed 1.4 points of field position.
Braman has already landed one NFL contract this year, as he enjoyed a week-plus stint with the Saints before being released at final cutdowns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/27/17
Today’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Promoted to active roster: WR Chris Thompson
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted to active roster: LB Ben Heeney
- Placed on IR: DT David Parry
Seattle Seahawks
- Claimed off waivers: LB Justin March-Lillard
Former Vikings OL Mike Harris Retires
Former Vikings and Chargers offensive lineman Mike Harris will officially file NFL retirement papers next month, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.
Harris, 28, isn’t hanging up his cleats voluntarily, however, as a congenital brain condition — brain arteriovenous malformation — forced Harris to call it a career. Harris originally noticed the symptoms in June 2016 and believed he was having a stroke. Vikings doctors, and later Mayo Clinic staff, diagnosed him, and while the issue wasn’t originally thought to be career-ending, Harris was informed this summer that he shouldn’t continue playing. However, Harris’ brain condition isn’t expected to affect his ability to lead a full, non-football-playing life.
“For a long time, I really depressed about the whole situation but I finally am in the light,’’ Harris said. “At the end of the day, I want to live to be a grown man. Football gave me a good life. I had been playing since I was 10 years old. When it first happened, I didn’t want to talk to the media and any of my teammates, but I’m in a better place now. It took a while but I know my life comes over football.’’
Originally an undrafted free agent out of UCLA, Harris spent the first two seasons of his career with the Chargers before joining the Vikings in 2014. After having served as a reserve for most of his NFL tenure, Harris started all 16 games for Minnesota in 2015 and graded as the league’s No. 23 guard, per Pro Football Focus. That performance led to a new deal, a one-year pact that locked him in with the Vikings through 2016.
Harris spent the 2016 campaign on the non-football injury list, meaning that the Vikings weren’t compelled to pay any portion of his $1.9MM base salary. But Minnesota opted to pay Harris $400K, per Tomasson, and Harris also collected another $100K via a workout bonus. The Vikings ultimately waived Harris in February.