WR Notes: Bills, Titans, Gordon, Jeffery
Residing atop the “In the Hunt” section of AFC playoff picture graphics, the Bills will have a tougher time rebounding from their rough road trip to Los Angeles. Kelvin Benjamin isn’t traveling to Kansas City with the team, per the Bills, due to a knee injury. This could be the start of a multi-game absence for the former Panthers wideout, who avoided an ACL tear but did not get off free of lingering knee pain when injured against the Chargers. Benjamin has only played in two of the four Buffalo games since the Bills acquired him at the trade deadline. He has four receptions for 62 yards as a Bill.
Here’s the latest on some wide receiver situations around the league.
- Speaking of playoff-contending teams, the Titans may be without Rishard Matthews because of a hamstring injury. Matthews did not practice on Friday. Categorizing Matthews as a game-time decision for Sunday’s Colts tilt, Mike Mularkey said the team’s top wide receiver was given a day off for rest. Players who miss Friday workouts generally do not play on Sundays. Tennessee’s leading receiver at 626 yards, Matthews has not missed a game since joining the Titans last year. The Titans activated Harry Douglas from their PUP list on Saturday, adding an additional veteran to the mix.
- Josh Gordon is at his playing weight of 225 and recently blazed to a 4.35-second 40-yard dash while training at N.U.M.A. Speed this offseason, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. Given his condition and Hue Jackson‘s glowing praise, it should be assumed he’s going to play in the Browns‘ Week 13 game against the Chargers. The 26-year-old pass-catcher said learning Jackson’s offense last year helped considerably in this readjustment period. Gordon can still be drug-tested up to 10 times per month.
- Doug Pederson was quoted as saying the Eagles would love to retain Alshon Jeffery. But the second-year Philadelphia HC stopped short of saying Jeffery was certain to return. “Alshon’s a guy that you’d love to have continue to work with Carson (Wentz) and have around, and I think it’s a good dynamic to have, and have that stability,” Pederson said, via the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley. “If things work out and we can retain him, it would be great for the chemistry of the offense, and, obviously, those two guys working together in the future.” As of now, Jeffery and Jarvis Landry look to be the top receivers on the 2018 market.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/25/17
Here are today’s minor moves.
Denver Broncos
- Signed: NT Kyle Peko
Detroit Lions
- Waived: DE Jeremiah Valoaga
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Jason Vander
- Waived: G Isaiah Williams
49ers Activate DL Tank Carradine
The 49ers have now used both of their IR-return slots this season. Both roster decisions involved defensive linemen.
San Francisco brought Tank Carradine off IR, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He will take the place of the recently waived Ray-Ray Armstrong on the 49ers’ 53-man roster.
Ronald Blair already came off IR for the 49ers, and Carradine will now resume his work on the 1-9 team’s defensive front. A 2013 second-round pick, Carradine has a significant six-week stretch in front of him. The career backup is in a contract year and could be auditioning for another team at this juncture, considering new management is in place.
The Trent Baalke draft choice played in three 49ers games this season before going down with a high ankle sprain. This also ends Arik Armstead‘s season. Armstead broke his hand in October.
While Kyle Shanahan confirmed the team made the choice to prioritize a Carradine return due to Carradine going on IR before Armstead, and thus having more time to contribute upon returning, this ensures Armstead’s third season will include only six games. The former top-10 pick played in just eight last season. John Lynch offered praise for Armstead as a future piece recently. The 49ers have a fifth-year option decision on Armstead due in early May.
Criticism Nearly Caused Eli Apple Walkout
From a cornerback turbulence standpoint, the 2017 Giants are having one of the worst seasons in memory. Now, a third player appears to have been involved in an internal dust-up.
Following the one-game suspensions of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins earlier this season, Eli Apple was at odds with the Giants for a short period.
Apple, who has not been active for the past two Giants games, considered walking out of the team’s facility recently after pointed criticism came his way from coaches and teammates, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports.
A film session of Big Blue’s embarrassing loss in San Francisco led to harsh critiques coming Apple’s way, mostly regarding his effort level, per Schwartz. And the 2016 first-round pick “did not handle it well at all.” Schwartz reports Apple was so dismayed by this he twice said he was ready to walk out of the facility. A source informed Schwartz Apple endured harsher critiques than any other player in that meeting.
While a discussion with Ben McAdoo led to the second-year corner not creating a scene by leaving the building, Schwartz reports Apple’s recent actions played a part in the Giants deactivating him the past two weeks.
Apple did not report to the team facility for the next two days, but he was excused because his mother was undergoing brain surgery, Schwartz reports. McAdoo said the practice absences were the reason he wasn’t on the field against the Chiefs. The coach also said a lack of game-speed readiness, due to light practices on a short week, led to Apple being a healthy scratch against the Redskins.
Earlier this season, the Giants benched Apple for multiple series during a loss to the Chargers. After the game, the Ohio State product made comments about being the scapegoat for a Giants culture that needed repairing. Schwartz reports that comment did not register well with teammates or coaches.
Apple started 11 games for the Giants last season and seven in his second campaign.
49ers Likely To Use Franchise Tag On Jimmy Garoppolo
The 49ers are continuing their patient approach to the handling of Jimmy Garoppolo, being set to keep him on the bench again this week. And the team’s wait-and-see strategy looks set to continue through next season.
During a radio interview, Kyle Shanahan said not only would be be fine if the team used its franchise tag on the quarterback. But the first-year HC essentially deemed that scenario more likely than the sides reaching a long-term extension before next season.
“I know you have to franchise a quarterback to keep him, but quarterbacks are expensive. And that is not that big of a deal to us,” Shanahan said in a KNBR segment (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle).
“… It would be great if it could work out that way (a long-term contract), but that’s just not the situation any of us are in. So you want to play it out. That is the good thing about the franchise tag and that’s what, to me, made it an easier decision to trade for him at the time we did to where it’s – I don’t want to do anything very impulsive that could put our team at risk.”
A Garoppolo tag would cost the team more than $23MM next season. The current No. 2 Niners signal-caller is playing out the final season of his rookie deal at $821K. San Francisco can handle this substantial markup, though, in being projected to possess a league-most $60.6MM in 2018 cap space. Considering the team’s new decision-makers have discussed the acquisition of a potential franchise quarterback at just about every turn this offseason, putting a $23MM-plus salary on the 2018 books wouldn’t be too much of a setback to determine if Garoppolo is that player.
No current 49er is set to have even an eight-figure cap number next season. Pierre Garcon‘s $9.36MM tops the rebuilding team’s list. A Garoppolo tag would be the most money the 49ers have ever paid for a quarterback in one season.
Shanahan views the 49ers’ current situation — making a medium-scale bet on a possible high-ceiling passer, one that has yet to throw 100 NFL passes — as ideal for a tag.
“That’s what’s cool about having something like (the franchise tag): Hey, alright, I would love to have a guy like that, especially for only a second-round pick,” Shanahan said. “Definitely. Do we have to make a decision this fast for the future in terms of a long-term deal and everything? No, you don’t. If you do, and it works out, and you feel great about it, that’s awesome. But if not, that’s why the rules are the way they are.”
Regardless of Garoppolo’s 2017 performance, Shanahan said he won’t gauge it as much as he will 2018’s. The former second-round pick’s comfort within the confines of the 49ers’ offense will be higher by ’18, Shanahan said, helping to explain the organization’s patient stance presently.
“… It’s not something where you want to put all this pressure on him, on the organization, on the players around him where it’s like ‘Hey, we’re going to get this deal done, this long-term deal, you’ve got six games to prove it. You better go out there and do it or you won’t get what you think you’re worth,’” Shanahan said. “That’s not right to me for us. That’s not right for him.”
Titans Activate WR Harry Douglas, Waive WR Darius Jennings
Harry Douglas is set to make his season debut this weekend. Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com reports that the Titans have activated the wideout from the injured reserve. To make room on the roster, the team has waived wide receive Darius Jennings.
After suffering a knee injury, the 33-year-old was placed on the injured reserve prior to the start of the season. The veteran should be a welcome addition to a Titans passing offense that has only hauled in nine touchdowns this season. In 25 games with Tennessee between 2015 and 2016, Douglas compiled 51 receptions for 621 yards and two touchdowns. His best season came in 2013 with the Falcons, when he caught 85 passes for 1,067 yards and two scores.
“He has done well, and obviously he has been in the book,” said coach Mike Mularkey. “He is a trusted vet, and knows how to do things the right way. He came out here and didn’t miss a beat. It doesn’t look like he’s been off for 11 weeks.”
Despite the Titans lack of production, it might be tough for Douglas to see a whole lot of playing time. Even with Jennings out of the picture, the team is still rostering Rishard Matthews, Corey Davis, Eric Decker, Taywan Taylor, and Eric Weems.
Jennings, a 2015 undrafted free agent out of Virginia, has also spent time with the Browns, Bears, and Jets. He didn’t see the field for the Titans this season, although he previously caught 14 passes with Cleveland in 2015.
Steelers Promote RB Fitz Toussaint
Fitz Toussaint is back in the NFL. Mark Kaboly of TheAthletic.com reports (via Twitter) that the Steelers have promoted the 27-year-old to their active roster. To make room, they’ve released running back Terrell Watson.
Toussaint initially joined the Ravens as an undrafted rookie out of Michigan in 2014. He signed with Pittsburgh’s practice squad in 2015, and he was later promoted to the active roster. He took on a bigger role throughout the season, and he ultimately started his team’s wild card playoff game against the Bengals, hauling in four catches for 60 yards. Toussaint hung around as the Steelers’ third-string running back in 2016, rushing for 58 yards on 14 carries in 16 games. He also returned 13 kicks for 278 yards.
Toussaint ended up losing his spot to Watson during the preseason, and he was subsequently waived by the organization. However, he quickly caught on with the team’s practice squad, where he’s been all season. The running back will presumably slot in behind Le’Veon Bell and James Conner on the depth chart.
Meanwhile, Watson hadn’t done much in limited work this season. The 2015 undrafted rookie out of Azusa Pacific saw time in 10 games for the Steelers, compiling eight rushing yards on five carries. The 24-year-old has already bounced around the league during the early part of his career, spending time with the Bengals, Browns, Broncos, and Eagles.
UCLA Hires Chip Kelly As Head Coach
Chip Kelly is back in the NCAA. UCLA announced today that they have hired Kelly as their new head coach (news first reported by Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports on Twitter). It will be a five-year contract worth $23.3MM with a $9MM reciprocal buyout (financial aspects first reports byFS1’s Bruce Feldman on Twitter).
Kelly made a name for himself as the head coach of Oregon, compiling a 46-7 record between 2009 and 2012 (along with three Pac-12 Conference championships). The head coach subsequently moved on to the NFL, taking a job with the Eagles. During his three seasons in Philadelphia, Kelly amassed a respectable 26-21 record, leading the Eagles to a division championship in 2013.
After the Eagles went 6-9 through the first 16 weeks of the 2015 campaign, Kelly was fired. Less than a month later, he joined the 49ers, although things didn’t go as planned. San Francisco ultimately went 2-14, including a 13-game losing streak, and Kelly was fired following the season. As ESPN’s Darren Rovell points out (on Twitter), the 49ers organization still owed Kelly $15MM, but this will mostly be “erased” as any salary will offset the buyout.
Since then, there have been rumblings that Kelly could take another head coach or coordinator gig in the NFL. The 53-year-old had met with the Jaguars regarding their former head coach and offensive coordinator vacancies, and there were also whispers that he could take a role on either the Patriots or Falcons coaching staffs. The majority of the rumors surrounding Kelly pertained to NFL gigs, as the coach apparently wasn’t interested in taking a job at Alabama (there were also whispers that Florida was eyeing him). Ultimately, during his year off, Kelly spent time with ESPN as a studio analyst.
Last week, former Jaguars offensive coordinator Jeff Fisch was named UCLA’s interim head coach after the school fired Jim L. Mora. Fisch ultimately led the Bruins to an important 30-27 win over California, gaining his team bowl eligibility.
Packers TE Lance Kendricks Facing Charges
Packers tight end Lance Kendricks is eyeing a pair of charges stemming from a traffic stop back in September. TMZ reports that the 29-year-old is facing charges for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Kendricks was clocked going at least 10 over in a 70 mph zone when he was headed home from a Wisconsin Badgers game in early September (the player also received a warning for speeding). When officers subsequently pulled him over, they “could smell a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle.” Kendricks initially denied that he was in possession of any drugs, but he eventually admitted to having marijuana in his glove box. Cops also found a bad containing a “”green leafy substance,” 2 packs of rolling papers, and a blue grinder.” The Outagamie County District Attorney will now handle the case.
After having spent the first six seasons of his career with the Rams organization, Kendricks signed a two-year deal with the Packers this past offseason. After finishing the 2016 season with a career-high 50 receptions, Kendricks has only hauled in 10 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown this season. With Martellus Bennett now out of the picture, Kendricks sits atop the team’s tight end depth chart.
As our own Zach Links noted earlier this week, Kendricks likely won’t face any punishment from the NFL during the 2017 season, as the league office typically waits for a legal resolution. However, we could hear more about potential discipline prior to the 2018 campaign.
Kendricks isn’t the first Packers players to face charges for marijuana possession. Earlier this week, we heard that running back Aaron Jones was facing similar charges, including operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in his system (along with speeding and driving without a valid license).
Mike Williams Avoids ACL Injury
The Chargers received encouraging news about receiver Mike Williams on Friday night. Despite some concern that the talented rookie playmaker would “miss time” thanks to an injury he suffered on Thanksgiving, the team has learned that Williams did not injure his ACL, reports Dan Woike of The San Diego Union-Tribune.
“He’s still being evaluated right now, doctors and trainers. We’ll see where he goes from there,” head coach Anthony Lynn said. “…As of now, I’ve just been told ACL, that’s been ruled out, which was very good news for me. I think we can deal with the rest, and lot of it may depend on pain tolerance as well.”
The former Clemson star exited Thursday’s game against the Cowboys after just one snap as he was seen limping off the field in a great amount of pain. The injury appeared to be non-contact.
While Friday’s news is encouraging for the wideout, it’s still been sort of a lost year for the 2017 seventh overall pick. Williams missed the Chargers first five games with a back injury and was just beginning to integrate himself more in the Los Angeles offense.
However, the news could have been much worse for all involved as there’s now a better chance that the injury is less serious than first anticipated.