DeAngelo Hall May Start Season On PUP List
Veteran Redskins safety DeAngelo Hall may begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, head coach Jay Gruden told reporters, including John Keim of ESPN.com.
Hall, 33, appeared in only three games last season before suffering a torn ACL. Scheduled to earn $4.25MM in non-guaranteed base salary in 2017, Hall could conceivably be viewed as a candidate for release. But Washington has no plans to cut Hall at the moment, per Keim, as the club wants to give him a shot at recovery before deciding to part ways.
If Hall does have to miss time at the start of the 2017 campaign, the Redskins should be well-prepared to account for his absence. Washington signed D.J. Swearinger to a three-year, $13.5MM contract in March, and plans to use 2016 second-round pick Su’a Cravens at safety full-time. Other safeties on the Redskins’ roster include Will Blackmon, Montae Nicholson, Deshazor Everett, and Josh Harvey-Clemons.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/16/17
Today’s draft pick signings:
- The Titans have signed third-round tight end Jonnu Smith, the club announced today. Tennessee has now signed five of its nine-man draft class. Heading into the draft, Smith was often compared to the tight end he’ll now be playing behind with the Titans, veteran Delanie Walker. Smith, who should earn roughly $3.1MM over the life of his four-year rookie deal, has a clear path to playing time in Tennessee, as the only other tight ends on the roster aside from Walker are Jace Amaro and Phillip Supernaw.
- The Jets announced that they’ve signed fourth-round wide receiver Chad Hansen. A Cal product, Hansen is now the fourth Jets rookie to ink a contract. After posting more than 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns during his junior campaign, Hansen joins a wide open Gang Green depth chart at wideout. With Eric Decker coming off injury and still a release candidate, and Robby Anderson facing legal trouble, Hansen could contribute early in his rookie season.
- The Jaguars have agreed to terms with fifth-round linebacker Blair Brown, the club announced today. While Jacksonville already boasts three starting linebackers in Myles Jack, Paul Posluszny, and Telvin Smith, the latter two are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next spring. Brown, then, gives the Jaguars insurance at the position, and will likely serve as a high-end reserve in 2017. Heading into the draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com praised Brown’s “short area burst” and ability to “drop into space.”
- The Dolphins announced that they’ve signed fifth-round defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. Miami was known to be searching for a rotational tackle to play behind Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips, and Goxchaux now figures to play that role. Godchaux, an LSU product, is the sixth member of the Dolphins’ draft class to get under contract — only first-rounder Charles Harris remains unsigned.
- The Seahawks have signed sixth-round defensive back Mike Tyson, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Tyson, a Cincinnati product, is expected to be used as a cornerback in Seattle after playing safety at the collegiate level.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen Cleared For OTAs
Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen has been cleared for organized team activities as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. Allen, who suffered his knee injury during the first game of the 2016 season, is now ahead of schedule, but Los Angeles is still using a “cautious approach,” per Williams.
“It was good to see [Allen] back,” head coach Anthony Lynn said. “He’s been released by the doctors, so he’s full go. We’re just working him in a little bit at a time.”
While Allen has been a force when on the field, he’s appeared in only nine games over the past two seasons due to injury. In 2015, Allen had already managed 67 receptions, 725 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in eight contests before going down with a lacerated kidney. Still only 25 years old, Allen is signed through the 2020 season after inking a four-year, $45MM extension last summer.
While the Chargers may not have another receiver of Allen’s caliber on the roster in the event that he is forced to miss time, Los Angeles has acquired an enviable amount of depth at the wideout position. The Chargers used the seventh overall pick on Clemson pass-catcher Mike Williams, who will team with Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman, and Travis Benjamin as the Bolts’ wide receivers.
Patriots Had Interest In CB Jason McCourty
The Patriots had interest in cornerback Jason McCourty before he signed with the Browns, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link).
New England was often listed as a speculative landing spot for McCourty — Mike Reiss of ESPN.com called McCourty an “ideal fit” for the Patriots — but it was never clear if the club had expressed definitive interest in the veteran corner. McCourty’s twin brother, All Pro safety Devin McCourty, plays for New England, and had hoped for his sibling to join him on the Patriots roster.
The Patriots’ need for an additional cornerback, of course, was greatly reduced after the team failed to trade restricted free agent Malcolm Butler to the Saints (or another club). Butler now figures to pair with signee Stephon Gilmore in one of the league’s best secondaries, where they’ll be backed up by Eric Rowe, Justin Coleman, and Cyrus Jones.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/16/17
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Desean Smith
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Darnell Leslie, TE T.J. McFarland
- Waived: C Michael Coe, LB Jeremiah George, T Levon Myers
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Mitchell Paige
- Waived: LB Carlos Fields
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed off waivers: C Austin Blythe (Link via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com), DB Dominique Hatfield
- Waived: LB Folarin Orimolade
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: DL B.J. Dubose
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Matt Galambos, QB Bart Houston (Twitter link via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- Waived: CB Devonte Johnson, TE Ryan Malleck
Washington Redskins
- Signed: LB Nico Marley (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com)
Chiefs Claim LB Reshard Cliett Off Waivers
The Chiefs have claimed linebacker Reshard Cliett off waivers, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. The former University of South Florida standout was dropped by the Titans on Monday. 
At USF, Cliett totaled 89 tackles, five sacks, and 12.5 tackles for a loss in his final two seasons. He was drafted by the Texans in the sixth round of the 2015 draft but missed his would-be rookie season with a knee injury. In 2016, he missed Houston’s final cut and went on to have practice squad stints with the Jets, Broncos, and Cardinals.
In other Chiefs news, the team shook up the front office this week by parting ways with execs Trip MacCracken and Will Lewis. Kansas City also added one of the best offensive linemen left on the market by signing Andrew Tiller.
Browns To Sign CB Jason McCourty
Jason McCourty has found a new home. The Browns are signing the cornerback, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a two-year, $6MM deal with $2MM guaranteed, according to Courtney Fallon of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Browns Rookie CB Howard Wilson Fractures Kneecap]
McCourty met with the Browns on Tuesday and that was his first known visit since being released by the Titans more than one month ago. It didn’t take long for the two sides to agree to terms. McCourty could’ve waited for a camp injury somewhere, but his familiarity with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams helped to quickly facilitate a contract, Rapoport tweets.
The veteran may have lost a step in recent years thanks in part to injuries, but he’ll have an opportunity to redeem himself in Cleveland. It’s likely that he’ll start opposite of Joe Haden, another big-name cornerback who is looking to prove the doubters wrong. There’s also a chance that he could see some time at free safety, allowing him to directly mentor Jabrill Peppers if the rookie wins the top strong safety job.
The Titans cut McCourty to avoid paying him a $7MM base salary in 2017. Terms of his new deal are not yet known, but it’s a safe bet that he’ll be making a lot less in Cleveland.
Length of agreement first reported by Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Gerald Hodges Visits Colts; Pats, Jags Next
The Gerald Hodges free agency tour continues. After meeting with the Jets last week, Hodges visited the Colts on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Next up is a visit with the Patriots on Wednesday and the Jaguars on Thursday. 
Hodges spent 2016 with the 49ers and quietly had a strong season. The 26-year-old amassed 80 total tackles, three sacks, and two picks in 15 games (12 starts) with San Francisco. He also ranked 21st among Pro Football Focus’ 87 qualified linebackers.
The Colts have already gone to great lengths this offseason to revamp the defense. At linebacker alone, the Colts have made seven major additions, including free agents John Simon, Sean Spence, Jabaal Sheard, Barkevious Mingo, and Jonathan Bostic. The team also added two ‘backers in the draft in third rounder Tarell Basham and fifth round pick Anthony Walker Jr.
In addition to the aforementioned Jets visit, Hodges met with the Chiefs and Seahawks in March. He left both meetings without a deal, however, and we haven’t heard any buzz about a deal with KC or Seattle.
Texans Sign OT Breno Giacomini
The Texans signed offensive tackle Breno Giacomini, according to a team announcement. In related news, Houston also added three undrafted free agents: Akron cornerback Bryce Jones, Wisconsin running back Dare Ogunbowale, and Florida wide receiver Chris Thompson. To make room, tackle Dimitric Camiel, running back Kenny Hilliard, wide receiver Tevin Jones, and safety T.J. Mutcherson were cut loose. 
[RELATED: Bills Hire Brian Gaine Away From Texans]
Giacomini, 32 in September, figures to fill in for right tackle Derek Newton who has been ruled out for the year with torn patellar tendons in both knees. The Texans added Julien Davenport in the fourth round of this year’s draft and they have Chris Clark as a right tackle option, but Giacomini has both players beat in terms of experience. Last year, Clark graded out as one of the six worst tackles in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Jets released Giacomini in a long-expected cap clearing move this offseason. He was slated to count for $5.1MM against the cap, but the Jets saved lopped $4.5MM off of that obligation by cutting him. Last year, injuries limited the veteran to just 266 total snaps. He did not see enough action to qualify for ranking, but his 44.3 overall score from PFF would have placed him among the 15 worst tackles in the NFL and roughly in the same boat as Clark.
Russell Wilson Would Be OK With Kaepernick Signing
The Seahawks have some interest in signing Colin Kaepernick and starter Russell Wilson will not stand in the way of a potential deal. Even though the two quarterbacks are former divisional rivals, Wilson would not have any sort of problem with the signing, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links) hears. 
Kaepernick and Wilson squared off a number of times in intra-divisional games, including the Seahawks’ victory over the Niners in the 2013 NFC Championship. If there was ever any real bad blood between the two QBs, however, it is water under the bridge now.
Signing Kaepernick could be somewhat polarizing for fans, but the Seahawks believe that he is the best backup option available, according to Rapoport. The Seahawks also looked into fellow former Niners QBs Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder, but they still see No. 7 as the No. 1 choice.
In regular season tilts against the Seahawks, Kaepernick went 2-6 in eight games. He completed just 55.61% of his passes and threw for only three TDs against seven interceptions.