Saints LT Terron Armstead Suffers Injury
Bad news for the Saints. Left tackle Terron Armstead has suffered a torn labrum and will require surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The timetable to return is 4-6 months. 
The Saints can be expected to explore out-of-house options now that their starting left tackle will be out for at least the early portion of the season. Ryan Clady is perhaps the best free agent tackle left in free agency. Will Beatty and the versatile Austin Pasztor are also available.
Alternatively, the Saints could promote from within and move first round pick Ryan Ramczyk from the right side to the left. Zach Strief, who was supposed to be the main backup to Armstead and Ramczyk, could slide into the starting role at right tackle. However, in a year where the Saints are hoping to get back into the championship picture with Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson, it stands to reason that they will want some better protection on the O-Line.
Armstead, 27 in August, missed nine games due to injury in 2016. However, he still graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 21 tackle on the year. In 2015, Armstead played in 13 of 16 possible regular season games and earned one of the highest scores of any tackle in the NFL.
Vikings’ Michael Floyd Fails Alcohol Test
This could spell trouble for Michael Floyd. The Vikings wide receiver tested positive for alcohol during his house arrest this week, according to TMZ Sports. The violation of house arrest rules could result in jail time. 
Floyd’s alcohol monitoring system flagged five events during June 11th and 12th. At least three of those events were characterized by a rep for the Scottsdale City Court as “high alcohol tests.” Per the terms of his deal, Floyd was forbidden from drinking any alcohol while confined to his home. Meanwhile, the wide receiver claims that the positive tests were caused by drinking Kombucha, a fermented tea with a very low percentage of alcohol.
Floyd petitioned the court to remove his alcohol-testing ankle bracelet because he said it would hinder him while training. The court obliged, but required that Floyd instead undergo random breath tests. Those breath tests unearthed his alleged alcohol consumption and, on top of that, Floyd apparently skipped one of the scheduled tests.
In 2016, Floyd was cuffed in Arizona for a “super extreme DUI,” leading to his release from the Cardinals. The receiver was quickly claimed by the Patriots, but New England made little effort to retain him. Despite all the baggage surrounding him, the Vikings signed him in May.
Floyd‘s one-year deal with the Vikings doesn’t contain any guaranteed money, meaning that Minnesota can part ways with the troubled receiver without any financial penalty.
Anquan Boldin Looking To Play In Florida?
Anquan Boldin says that he wants to continue playing in 2017, but he won’t necessarily accept any gig that comes his way. The wide receiver would like to play near his home in Florida, people close to him tell Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. 
Unfortunately for Boldin, all three Florida teams seem pretty well set at wide receiver. The Dolphins have their big three of Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, and DeVante Parker with 2016 third round pick Leonte Carroo and Jakeem Grant in support. The Bucs have Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Adam Humphries, Chris Godwin, and Josh Huff with talented receivers like Freddie Martino and Donteea Dye on the fringe. In Jacksonville, standouts Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, and Allen Hurns are joined by rookie Dede Westbrook and former Buc Arrelious Benn. That’s not to say that Boldin couldn’t crack the roster with those teams, but there is not a clear path to significant playing time.
Meanwhile, it doesn’t sound like the Lions are looking for a reunion. Even though Boldin all Lions WRs in touchdown catches (eight) and finished second in receptions (61) in 2016, coach Jim Caldwell says that he’s content with his current group.
“You never say never,” Caldwell said. “Obviously, he contributed quite a bit for us, just not certain at this point in time. I think we’re in good shape where we are right now. I think we have a really good core.”
Boldin, 37 in October, averaged a career-worst 8.7 yards per grab last year. Even though he still has solid route running skills and soft hands, he’s not quite as fleet-footed as he used to be.
NFC South Notes: Freeman, Panthers, Oher
Devonta Freeman is staying patient with regards to his contract talks with the Falcons, as ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure writes. Freeman has already made a major mark on the franchise after becoming the first Falcons running back since Michael Turner (2010-11) to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The Falcons obviously want to keep him in the fold beyond the final year of his rookie contract, but it may take some time for the two sides to come to terms. Freeman’s agent famously said that he wants him to be paid like an “elite” running back, but Atlanta would like to avoid going into Le’Veon Bell/LeSean McCoy territory with a new deal.
Here’s more out of the NFC South:
- When asked about tackle Michael Oher, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he’s preparing for camp with the 90 guys who will be on the roster, adding that the front office is “taking care of it,” (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer). Reading between the lines, it sounds like Rivera is not banking on having Oher with the team in 2017. Oher reported to Carolina’s minicamp this week, but he did not practice on the field with the rest of the team. As Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) notes, nobody has ever been in the concussion protocol as long as Oher and returned to play in the NFL.
- Wide receiver Willie Snead remains optimistic and hopeful that he’ll sign a long-term deal with the Saints before the season starts, Joel Erickson of The Advocate writes. “I think the guys upstairs are working on it,” Snead said. “I’m hopeful, and I just have to keep worrying about myself and staying healthy and doing all the right things. I know it’s going to be a handled, it’s going to take time, but I feel like we’ll get it done sooner or later.” Snead was retained for this year via the $615K exclusive rights free agent tender.
- The Panthers named Bryan Porter as the team’s new director of football operations. Porter has been with the team since 2001 and has gradually moved his way up the ladder.
- The Saints intend to sign linebacker/defensive end Royce LaFrance before the start of training camp, Nick Underhill of The Advocate hears (on Twitter).
AFC East Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Patriots
With free agent signee T.J. Yates the favorite to act as the Bills‘ backup quarterback behind Tyrod Taylor, and fifth-round pick Nathan Peterman now in tow, Cardale Jones — a fourth-round selection just a year ago — is not a lock to make the Buffalo roster, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. The Bills are unlikely to keep four signal-callers in 2017, meaning Jones could be the odd man out. “You kind of sit around all day, try to go in there. You wait on your opportunity all day,” Jones said. “Your number is called, and you kind of didn’t take advantage of it.” Jones, 24, appeared in only one game in 2016 (the season finale), during which he completed six of 11 attempts for 96 yards and one interception. For what it’s worth, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said Thursday that Jones is “absolutely in the mix” for a roster spot, tweets Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News.
Here’s more from the AFC East:
- Searching for versatility in their defensive backfield, the Dolphins haven’t yet decided whether Walt Aikens will play cornerback or safety, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald details. “[Aikens] is a big athlete,” said defensive coordinator Matt Burke. “He’s obviously a huge asset to us on (special) teams. We like having a versatile player in that role on the roster, so Walt has done a good job. Again, we’re trying to put him maybe in a spot that he’s not as comfortable and see how he responds, and he’s done a good job working for us so far.” No matter where the 25-year-old Aikens lands position-wise, he’s likely to act as a reserve, as he saw only 15 defensive snaps in 2016. But as Burke suggested, Aikens is a key special teams player, as he played on nearly 80% of the Dolphins’ ST snaps last year.
- The Patriots auditioned a number of special teams players last week, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, who reports punters Spencer Lanning and Drew Butler, kicker Adam Griffith, and long snapper Cole Mazza recently worked out for New England. Lanning hasn’t seen an NFL field since 2015, but does offer experience, as he was the Browns’ regular punter from 2013-14. He worked out for the Saints last summer. Butler, meanwhile, appeared in 54 games over four seasons with the Cardinals, but was waived on two separate occasions last year.
- Former Dolphins executive Dawn Aponte has been hired as the NFL’s chief administrator of football operations, reports Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter link). Aponte, who had also spent time with the Browns and Jets, left Miami’s front office in September to work for Dolphins owner Stephen Ross‘ Drone Racing League. Per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Aponte will now report to vice president of football operations Troy Vincent in the league office.
Bears Auditioning OL Tre’ Jackson
The Bears are working out free agent offensive lineman Tre’ Jackson during their minicamp, tweets Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times.
Jackson, 24, was a fourth-round pick in 2015, and played a significant amount of snaps during his rookie campaign as he started nine games for New England. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson was roughly average in 2015, grading as the NFL’s No. 47 guard. Knee injuries knocked Jackson out at the end of that season, however, and forced him to spend the entire 2016 campaign on the PUP list.
Jackson has already had a busy offseason, as he was waived by the Patriots in April. Claimed off waivers the following day by the Rams, Jackson never got a chance in Los Angeles after failing his physical. The Rams placed him back on the free agent market, and Jackson hasn’t drawn any known interest since.
If he signs with the Bears, Jackson would join the roster as a clear backup. Chicago already boasts one of the league’s best guard pairings in Kyle Long and Josh Sitton, while center Cody Whitehair was also excellent during his rookie season in 2016. Jackson would conceivably compete with Eric Kush, Hroniss Grasu, and rookie Jordan Morgan for a reserve role.
David Harris Not Planning To Retire
Veteran linebacker David Harris is not planning to retire after being released by the Jets last week, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.
Harris, 33, was cut loose by New York as Gang Green continues its rebuilding effort, but as Harris’ agent suggested last week, Harris has already drawn interest from other clubs. As far as speculative fits for Harris, Cimini lists the Browns (who recently traded Demario Davis back to the Jets) and the Chargers, led by former New York staffer Anthony Lynn, as potential destinations. The Chiefs, Raiders, Giants, and Packers also stand out as possible landing spots, though that’s simply my own speculation.
In his 10th season with the Jets, Harris appeared in 15 games and played on 86.8% of the club’s defensive snaps. In that time, Harris managed 94 tackles, two passes defensed, and a half-sack, while grading as the league’s No. 35 linebacker, per Pro Football Focus. He had been scheduled to earn a base salary of $6.5MM in 2017.
Colts Place Christine Michael On IR
Christine Michael‘s stay on the Colts’ active roster was short, as the veteran running back has been placed on injured reserve, the club announced today. Indianapolis has signed fellow running back Troymaine Pope to fill its empty roster spot.
It’s unclear exactly what type of injury forced Michael onto IR, but Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star tweets that Michael went down hard in practice yesterday following a collision. Depending on the severity of Michael’s health issue, he could conceivably be released with an injury settlement, allowing him to once again the free agent market after he recovers.
Michael, 26, had just signed on earlier this month to serve as a reserve for the Colts behind starting running back Frank Gore. After averaging 3.9 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns with the Seahawks and Packers a year ago, Michael had been set to compete for playing time alongside fellow backups Robert Turbin and rookie Marlon Mack.
Now, that opportunity will go to Pope, who like Michael is a former member of the Seahawks. The 23-year-old Pope appeared in three games for Seattle in 2016, rushing 11 times for 43 yards.
Browns Interested In Eric Decker?
The Browns appear to have some level of interest in wide receiver Eric Decker, as the club has “done some work” on the free agent pass-catcher, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com.
Cleveland already made one addition to its receiving corps this offseason, inking former Rams wideout Kenny Britt to a four-year deal, but as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com recently noted, the Browns have made inquiries on nearly every free agent receiver that has hit the market in the past several months. The club’s interest in now-Raven Jeremy Maclin is indicative of that strategy, although Cleveland never set up a visit with Maclin before he signed with Baltimore.
At present, Britt and 2016 first-round pick Corey Coleman are the Browns’ starting wideouts, and while the team has a number of intriguing options further down its depth chart, Cleveland’s pass-catching group is short on experience. Like Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, and Jordan Payton all entered the league in 2016, while Mario Alford, James Wright and Rannell Hall all have limited NFL exposure.
Decker, then, would offer the Browns another veteran receiver to play alongside Britt. The 30-year-old Decker has been linked to a number of clubs this offseason, including the Titans, with whom he met yesterday. The Broncos, however, are not interested in a reunion with Decker, while the Ravens are unlikely to sign another wideout after landing Maclin.
Seahawks Wrap Up Draft Class
The Seahawks have locked up the entirety of their 2017 draft class by signing third-round defensive backs Shaquill Griffin and Delano Hill, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).
Griffin and Hill were selected within with five picks of each other, as Griffin — a UCF product — came off the board with the 90th overall selection while Hill, a Michigan alum, went at No. 95. Griffin, specifically, could see action early in his rookie campaign as incumbent corner DeShawn Shead recovers from a torn ACL. Hill, meanwhile, could act as insurance if Earl Thomas‘ rehab from a broken leg takes longer than expected.
Here’s an overview of Seattle’s entire 2017 rookie crop:
- 2-35: Malik McDowell, DT (Michigan State)
- 2-58: Ethan Pocic, OL (LSU)
- 3-90: Shaquill Griffin, CB (UCF)
- 3-95: Delano Hill, S (Michigan)
- 3-102: Nazair Jones, DL (North Carolina)
- 3-106: Amara Darboh, WR (Michigan)
- 4-111: Tedric Thompson, S (Colorado)
- 6-187: Mike Tyson, S (Cincinnati)
- 6-210: Justin Senior, T (Mississippi State)
- 7-226: David Moore, WR (East Central Oklahoma)
- 7-249: Chris Carson, RB (Oklahoma)