Rams DT Aaron Donald Has Insurance Policy
Although he’s reported to the Rams and intends to play this season, defensive tackle Aaron Donald is still without a long-term contract. However, Donald has “more than ample insurance” that will protect him in the event of an injury, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Los Angeles is aware that any Donald contract will need to set a new standard for defenders, and Donald’s insurance policy could make him even more inclined to reject any offer he deems unworthy. Of course, the Rams also hold leverage over Donald, as he’s under team control through 2018 at a total cost of roughly $10MM thanks to the fifth-year option. Los Angeles could then deploy the franchise tag in 2019.
Donald, 26, has been absolutely dominant since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2014. A two-time All-Pro, Donald has managed 28 sacks during his three years in the NFL, an astonishing total for a defensive tackle. Donald, who played 828 snaps a season ago, graded as the league’s No. 1 interior defender, according to Pro Football Focus, which awarded him a 99.0 mark for his pass-rushing prowess.
Jaguars WR Allen Robinson Has ACL Injury
Jaguars wideout Allen Robinson suffered a “significant” knee injury during today’s game against the Texans, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link), and Jacksonville fears Robinson has a torn ACL, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The Jaguars have now officially confirmed that Robinson has an ACL injury to his left knee, and head coach Doug Marrone will provide a further update on Monday.
While details are slim as of yet, Robinson went down early with a non-contact injury, struggled to make it to the sideline, and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of today’s contest. While further test results will surely leak out, an ACL injury appeared to be the most obvious diagnosis.
Jacksonville already lost one wideout prior to the season, as the club placed rookie pass-catcher Dede Westbrook on injured reserve with a “core” injury. But the absence of Robinson — clearly Jacksonville’s most talented wide receiver — would represent a much more serious loss. Even in a down 2016, Robinson posted 73 receptions and six scores, while he managed 80 catches, 1,400 yards, and a league-leading 14 touchdown receptions the year prior.
Without Robinson, the Jaguars would turn to Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns as their top two wide receivers, with Arrelious Benn and Keelan Cole available behind that duo. Amba Etta-Tawo, currently on Jacksonville’s practice squad, could be promoted, while the Jags could also consider a free agent. Players such as Victor Cruz (whom the Jaguars hosted earlier this year), Vincent Jackson, Stevie Johnson, and Marquess Wilson are among the options available on the open market.
Alternatively, Jacksonville could lean even more heavily on the running game, something they did in today’s victory over the Texans. Rookie running back Leonard Fournette handled 26 carries on Sunday, while backup Chris Ivory rushed nine times. Quarterback Blake Bortles attempted only 21 passes, but the Jaguars had the benefit of leading early versus Houston.
Robinson’s injury could also have an unfortunate impact on any potential extension negotiations. The 24-year-old Robinson is scheduled to become a free agent next spring, and while he’s discussed a long-term deal with the Jaguars, nothing has been signed. If he’s out for the rest of the year, Robinson will hit the open market with an uncertain medical history, possibly forcing him into accepting a short-term pact.
Cardinals’ David Johnson Has Sprained Wrist
Superstar running back David Johnson suffered a sprained wrist in the Cardinals’ loss to the Lions today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Johnson will undergo an MRI on Monday which will determine whether he’ll be sidelined for a few weeks or “half the season or more”, a source tells Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (Twitter link). However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that it’s not yet definite that Johnson will miss any time.
Losing Johnson for several games would represent a massive detriment to the Arizona offense, while an absence of “half the season” could be a death knell for the Cardinals. Arguably the NFL’s best offensive player in 2016, Johnson led the league in yards from scrimmage and scored 20 total touchdowns.
Without Johnson, the Cardinals would turn to a running back corps that includes Kerwynn Williams — who posted a touchdown on five carries today — Andre Ellington, and Elijhaa Penny. James Summers, currently on Arizona’s practice squad, is a candidate for promotion, while the Cardinals could also look at veteran Chris Johnson, whom they released during final cutdowns.
Johnson wasn’t the only Arizona offensive player to go down on Sunday, as left tackle D.J. Humphries suffered a knee sprain and is out for several weeks.
Cards’ D.J. Humphries Out A “Few” Weeks
Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries is believed to sprained his right knee during today’s contest against the Panthers, and will likely be sidelined for a “few” weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Arizona moved Humphries, a former first-round pick, from right tackle to left tackle heading into the 2017 season, shifting veteran Jared Veldheer from the blindside to right tackle in the process. As such, the Cardinals could potentially place Veldheer back at left tackle while Humphries is out, but that’s not what the club did today.
John Wetzel, who started eight games for Arizona a season ago, replaced Humphries against Carolina on Sunday. In 67 offensive snaps, Wetzel earned a sub-par 35.4 graded from Pro Football Focus, which ranked Wetzel as the third-worst tackle among 39 Sunday participants.
Over the next four weeks, the Cardinals face the Colts, Cowboys, 49ers, and Eagles.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/10/17
Today’s minor moves:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to practice squad: CB Taurean Nixon, LB Marcus Rush
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released from IR: DE Alex McCalister, S Tre Sullivan
Bears’ Kevin White To Have Surgery?
The Bears fear wide receiver Kevin White has a broken bone in his shoulder and will require season-ending surgery, reports Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. 
If confirmed, White’s latest injury will be simply another health-related setback for the former No. 7 overall pick. White, who missed the entirety of his rookie campaign, has appeared in only five games through two-plus NFL seasons. In 2016, White started four games and managed 19 receptions for 187 yards.
White, 25, is signed through 2018, and will fully guaranteed salaries of $1.9MM and $2.7MM over the next two years. The Bears hold a 2019 fifth-year option on White, but it will almost assuredly be declined. Not only has White not been available to post the kind of production that would make the option worthwhile, but his injury history could easily result in the option becoming fully guaranteed, an untenable outcome from the team’s perspective.
Chicago had already lost one wideout earlier this year, as Cameron Meredith went down with a torn ACL during the preseason. Markus Wheaton, Kendall Wright, Josh Bellamy, Deonte Thompson, and Tre McBride now comprise the remaining Bears’ receivers. Tanner Gentry, currently on Chicago’s practice squad, is conceivably a candidate to be promoted to the active roster.
Latest On Bills DT Marcell Dareus
Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is facing a “make-or-break” 2017 season with the Bills, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
When he’s on top of his game, Dareus is one of the league’s better interior defenders, especially against the run. But he’s been arrested, suspended multiple times, failed to condition properly, and — just last month — was sent home following Buffalo’s third preseason game following a violation of a team rule. When asked recently if Dareus was part of the Bills’ future, general manager Brandon Beane was non-committal.
“I don’t know,” said Beane. “Time will tell. It was disappointing, as I said, after that game. He was contrite yesterday and said the right things. Actions speak louder than words. Time will tell. Hopefully, he is. We hope he’ll play to his potential. We know what kind of player he can be. We hope to see that on the field.”
Dareus’ six-year, $95.1MM contract extension — arranged by Buffalo’s prior regime — is arguably the most player-friendly deal in the NFL, making it extremely difficult for the Bills to trade or release Dareus. Because he’s due $7.35MM in guaranteed 2018 salary, Dareus isn’t going to be an attractive trade candidate. And Buffalo could only clear cap space next season by designating Dareus a post-June 1 cut — even then, the club would take on nearly $14MM in dead money while clearing just ~$2.5MM.
The Bills, lead by Beane and fellow new decision-maker Sean McDermott, haven’t been afraid to deal players that were selected by the team’s former front office. Thus far, they’ve trade wide receiver Sammy Watkins and cornerback Ronald Darby, acquiring draft picks in addition to veterans E.J. Gaines and Jordan Matthews.
PFR Originals: 9/3/17 – 9/10/17
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- PFR wrapped up its Offseason in Review series, in which we assessed the major signings, departures, trades, and other notable events for each of the 32 NFL clubs. You can read the entire series here. Here are the final five reviews:
- PFR writers also offered up their predictions for the 2017 season, projecting playoff participants, playoff results, and major individual awards.
Sebastian Janikowski Could Return This Year
Although the Raiders placed kicker Sebastian Janikowski on injured reserve on Saturday, he won’t require surgery for the disc issue in his back, meaning he could return later this season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
However, roster management problems could certainly prevent Janikowski from coming back this year. Although the NFL now allows two players to return from injured reserve following an eight-week absence, Oakland is already planning to use one of its slots on second-round safety Obi Melifonwu. With only one IR/designated to return spot remaining, the Raiders may not want to waste that space on a specialist such as Janikowski.
Janikowski, who agreed to a ~$1MM pay reduction last week, has been the Raiders’ kicker since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2000. The 39-year-old boasts a career field goal percentage of 80.4, and performed a notch above that level in 2016, nailing 82.9% of his kicks. Oakland gained 5.3 points of field position on field goals last season, good for fifth in the league, per Football Outsiders.
Janikowski’s replacement, Giorgio Tavecchio, has converted all four of his field goal attempts today — he’s been good from 20, 43, and (twice) 52 yards.
Two Teams Inquired On Jets QB Bryce Petty
Two unidentified teams inquired on Jets quarterback Bryce Petty‘s availability this summer, but were told New York has no interest in dealing the third-year signal-caller, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Petty, a fourth-round pick in the 2015 draft, started four games for Gang Green a season ago, completing 56.4% of his passes for 809 yards, three touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 26-year-old finished dead last in DVOA among quarterbacks with fewer than 200 pass attempts, and ranked second-to-last in total quarterback rating among passers with at least four starts.
Still, Petty could conceivably be part of the Jets’ long-term plans, as he’s signed for two more seasons at cheap rates. His starts in 2016 represented the first action of his NFL career, so his poor results could be chalked up to growing pains. And Petty wasn’t blessed with the most talented of offensive weapons, and was playing behind an offensive line that ranked just 20th in adjusted sack rate.
Jets starting quarterback Josh McCown is notoriously prone to injuries, and given that New York hasn’t shown any inclination to put 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg on the field, Petty could see starts again this year. He’s inactive today against the Bills, however, as he’s presumably still recovering from a Grade 1 MCL sprain sustained during the preseason.