Browns Sign Kasen Williams To P-Squad
Kasen Williams became one of the preseason’s success stories. The Seahawks wanted to pass the wide receiver through to their practice squad then, but the Browns swooped in and signed him to their active roster.
However, after the Browns waived Williams earlier this week, no one claimed him. He will now reside on Cleveland’s practice squad, Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com reports (on Twitter).
The 24-year-old wideout has played in seven games for the Browns this season, twice catching four passes in a game. On the year, he has nine receptions for 84 yards.
The Browns remain in search of pass-catching consistency, or general passing-game promise, but they chose to cut Williams to activate Corey Coleman. Recovering from a broken hand for a second straight season, Coleman is one of three 2016 draft picks among the Browns’ receiving corps. Kenny Britt and Sammie Coates have not excelled as first-year Browns, and the team also stands to get Josh Gordon back after what will be a three-year absence.
So, the Browns could have more depth than they did recently.
East Notes: Webb, Hackenberg, Dolphins
Mired in their worst season in 14 years, the Giants could soon be faced with a tough decision at quarterback. But for now, their plan isn’t changing. Eli Manning will continue to be their starter, and Davis Webb‘s role doesn’t look to be increasing. The Giants do not plan to play the third-round rookie in 2017, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv reports.
Webb has not been receiving additional practice reps and remains behind Manning and Geno Smith, the latter being expected to keep operating as the backup quarterback. Giants wide receivers coach Frank Cignetti said the Cal product is making “tremendous progress” and noted the team would “obviously” get a better read on Webb with game action, but the 1-8 Giants may have other plans in the works regarding their post-Manning quarterback.
Webb was “all but anointed” as Manning’s successor come 2020, Vacchiano notes, but that was before the team lost eight of its first nine games. Now, the Giants have ramped up quarterback scouting, Vacchiano confirms, because of their lost season and a possible top-five draft choice that would then be awarded. The reporter adds Big Blue will “strongly consider” taking a quarterback with that pick.
Here’s the latest from the Eastern divisions, continuing with the New York teams.
- Both the Giants and Jets have sent their GMs to Los Angeles on Saturday night for the UCLA-USC game featuring high-end quarterback prospects Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen. While Jerry Reese is heading the Giants’ contingent, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com (on Twitter), Mike Maccagnan, VP of personnel Brian Heimerdinger and a scout are representing the Jets. Cimini adds Gang Green might be leading the pack among interested teams here. That’s interesting because, as of now, the Jets won’t be in position to have the kind of draft pick it will likely take to land Darnold or Rosen, provided they declare early. While it’s uncertain how many other GMs are at the Los Angeles Coliseum for UCLA-USC, at least 20 teams have sent scouts.
- The Jets are operating their quarterback contingent in similar fashion to their stadium mates, with Vacchiano reporting the team has no immediate plans to play Christian Hackenberg. Barring a Josh McCown injury, Vacchiano writes it’s unlikely Hackenberg plays this season. Additionally, the reporter notes the Jets “aren’t sold” on the 2016 second-round pick. Vacchiano reports the Jets are “strongly eyeing” the 2018 draft class as well. The Jets are believed to be scouting Wyoming’s Josh Allen to a degree other teams aren’t just yet.
- The Dolphins‘ pass-catching corps may look quite different next season. While Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes the team will have money to re-sign Jarvis Landry, the Dolphins are of the belief they can replace the slot receiver with a Day 2 draft pick. Landry is averaging 7.7 yards per reception, and that might not be worth a $16MM franchise tag for the team. Jackson reports Landry is expected to want a contract in the range of five years and $65MM — which would make him by far the NFL’s highest-paid slot receiver. Jackson writes no decision has been made on this front yet, and how this season finishes will influence the franchise’s thinking on this front.
- Miami wants Ndamukong Suh back for what will be his age-31 season but will likely approach the Pro Bowl defensive tackle about a restructure, Jackson notes. The Dolphins could create $12MM in 2018 cap space with a base salary-to-signing bonus conversion, thus putting more money on future caps, and lower Suh’s ’18 cap hit from $26.1MM to around $14MM.
- However, Jackson notes Julius Thomas probably won’t be back next season. The tight end has another season on his Jaguars-constructed (and Dolphins-restructured) deal, but Miami can save $6.6MM in cap space. The athletic pass-catcher who will turn 30 in June is on pace to play more than he did in either Jaguars season, having suited up for all nine Dolphins games thus far, but he has not been the same since leaving Denver.
Latest On Kam Chancellor
With Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor out, the Legion of Boom will be a shell of its iconic version on Monday night. Chancellor is likely out for the season with a neck injury suffered against the Cardinals in Week 10.
Chancellor has seen multiple specialists this week, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (video link), and ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson reports (on Twitter) the Pro Bowl safety is still looking to play, but the goal as of now could well be a 2018 return.
Pete Carroll isn’t closing the door, however, on a Chancellor re-emergence this season. The eighth-year Seahawks coach isn’t conceding Chancellor’s done for the year, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. So an immediate IR move might not be in the works. However, Anderson tweets that move is probably coming. Carroll was vague when asked if Chancellor’s injury could be more serious than a season-ending malady. “We’ll wait and see,” Carroll said, via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com.
This marks the second serious neck injury a Seahawks defender has encountered this season. Cliff Avril wasn’t immediately placed on IR, but the veteran defensive end resides there now.
Chancellor signed a long-coveted Seattle extension this year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/18/17
Here are today’s minor moves.
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Joe Kerridge
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Adam Bighill
- Waived: T Bryce Harris
Owners In Favor Of NFL Punishing Jerry Jones?
The Jerry Jones–Roger Goodell feud is starting to look more like the Cowboys owner is taking on the majority of his peers.
Other NFL owners are expressing a strong sentiment toward the NFL taking disciplinary action against Jones, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports. While it’s uncertain how many owners are behind this, Maske reports some of the league’s most influential owners are in favor of Jones discipline.
Jones has threatened to sue the NFL because of, cosmetically speaking, Goodell’s contract. However, many owners are upset at the brash decision-maker for making his grievances public. And these owners, Maske reports, believe Jones’ actions are solely tied to Ezekiel Elliott‘s six-game suspension, which the running back is now serving at an inopportune time for the Cowboys.
“Roger will be extended, and Jerry will be dealt with,” a person familiar with the owners’ sentiments said, via Maske, before adding “It depends on how far (Jones) goes,” regarding what kind of discipline will be levied.
Said punishment would ultimately come from Goodell and the owners’ management council executive committee. Jones has already been removed from the compensation committee.
The owners do not support Jones being forced to sell the Cowboys and view it as unrealistic, but a fine, suspension or the Cowboys losing draft picks would be in play in this scenario, Maske notes. Some explosive dialogue on Jones’ behalf was reported to have occurred recently, with ESPN.com’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham reporting Jones threatened Goodell during a phone call.
“I’m gonna come after you with everything I have,” Jones said, via the ESPN tandem. “If you think [Patriots owner] Bob Kraft came after you hard [over Deflategate], Bob Kraft is a p—y compared to what I’m going to do.”
Jones is attempting to block a through-2024 Goodell extension, but Van Natta Jr. and Wickersham’s report indicates the owners’ actions are more about a power struggle than Jones taking issue with the commissioner’s contract.
The next set of owners’ meetings are set for Dec. 12-13 in Dallas, and Maske notes Goodell’s extension could be completed by then. Owners voted 32-0 in favor of a new Goodell deal to be authorized earlier this year. Upon the extension being completed, the league is not planning another ratification vote despite Jones’ wishes.
Packers Place Bryan Bulaga On IR, Activate Jason Spriggs
The Packers made the decision to swap out higher-profile tackles on Saturday, placing Bryan Bulaga on IR and activating Jason Spriggs from the injured list, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
Both moves were expected, although with Bulaga having torn his ACL against the Lions in Week 9, there was a bit of a delay compared to how these proceedings usually unfold.
Spriggs returned to practice earlier this month; he’s spent most of the season on IR. But he now could be in the mix for key playing time down the stretch for a Packers team with a goal to maintain a contention spot until Aaron Rodgers is eligible to return.
Spriggs will almost certainly be the final IR-boomerang player until a decision is made on Rodgers, who is eligible to return in Week 15. But this isn’t a certainty, and the Packers acknowledge they need to be competing for a playoff spot to bring their all-world quarterback back.
Bulaga has now torn ACLs in both of his knees during his career. He suffered a torn ACL in 2013 that wiped out his whole season. This one will end after five games. Green Bay’s starting right tackle has two years left on the extension he signed in 2015.
Spriggs suffered a hamstring injury in September but will return to action. The 2016 second-round pick figures to be an option at right tackle, along with Justin McCray. Bulaga joins Kyle Murphy as Pakcers tackles on IR.
Paxton Lynch To Be Active In Week 11
The Broncos have dressed the same two quarterbacks throughout the season, but on Sunday against the Bengals, the reeling team is set to change its structure.
Paxton Lynch will suit up for the first time this season, Mike Klis of 9News reports (on Twitter), adding that Trevor Siemian will be a healthy scratch for the first time since Peyton Manning retired.
Having lost five games in a row — each by double digits — the Broncos appear to be reaching the point of a rare season out of playoff contention down the stretch. This would seemingly give the team a window to give Lynch the extended audition he’s yet to have. A preseason shoulder injury shelved the former first-round pick for this season to date, but he stands to be Brock Osweiler‘s backup against Cincinnati.
Lynch made two starts last season, going 1-1, and replaced Siemian midway through an October 2016 win as well. At 3-6, the Broncos are teetering on the verge of being removed from realistic postseason contention. And Osweiler is only signed through this season. Siemian, who beat out Lynch for the starting job in consecutive seasons, is signed through 2018. Lynch can be controlled through the 2020 season.
Despite being a seventh-round pick, Siemian is 11-10 in two seasons as a starter. He earned the nod over Lynch in Week 17 of last season despite Denver being eliminated from playoff contention. Siemian guided the Broncos to a 3-1 start this season but lost his next three and was benched for Osweiler.
Dolphins Waive Rey Maualuga
The Dolphins are planning to waive veteran middle linebacker Rey Maualuga after he was arrested in Florida overnight, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. The team has since announced the move.
Multiple other media outlets are confirming the Dolphins are parting ways with Maualuga, and the arrest was for battery at a nightclub, Andy Slater of 940 WINZ reports (on Twitter). The 30-year-old is currently in jail.
This marks Maualuga’s second arrest during his career. The then-Bengals linebacker pleaded guilty on a drunken-driving charge in 2010.
The Dolphins are planning to fill Maualuga’s roster spot with running back De’Veon Smith, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter). Smith previously resided on Miami’s practice squad.
Maualuga made four starts for the Dolphins and played in six games since being signed over the summer. This continues a tumultuous year for Miami linebackers, one that included with Raekwon McMillan‘s season-ending injury and Lawrence Timmons‘ suspension to start the season.
A ninth-year vet, Maualuga made 23 tackles for the Dolphins this season. Mike Hull is the leading candidate to take over at middle linebacker, Salguero tweets. Pro Football Focus has not offered kind analyses regarding the play of Maualuga or Hull. The advanced metrics website graded both as suboptimal ‘backers this season, with Maualua playing 176 snaps and Hull taking part in 145. Hull started three games for the Fins this season; the third-year UDFA’s made 19 stops.
Bengals Waive DT Pat Sims
Pat Sims‘ tenure with the Bengals has come to an end. Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports (via Twitter) that the team has waived the injured defensive tackle. Sims had missed the past two weeks with a calf injury. To take his spot on the roster, the Bengals have promoted linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. from the practice squad.
Sims, a 2008 third-round pick, spent the first five seasons of his career in Cincinnati before a brief two-year stint with the Raiders. He rejoined the Bengals prior to the 2015 season, with the team valuing his ability to defend against the run. He signed another two-year contract with the organization prior to the 2016 season, and he proceeded to play in all 16 games that season. Sims had appeared in eight games (seven starts) for the Bengals in 2017, compiling 19 tackles. However, Pro Football Focus has been critical of his play this season, ranking him 107th among 112 interior defender candidates. With the veteran now out of the picture, the Bengals will turn to Ryan Glasgow, Andrew Billings, or Josh Tupou to start alongside Geno Atkins.
The son of former Pro Bowler Hardy Nickerson, Nickerson Jr. joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois. The 23-year-old has split the 2017 season between the active roster and the practice squad, compiling a pair of tackles in seven games. He’ll join Carl Lawson, Jordan Evans, and Vincent Rey as the team’s reserve linebackers.
Broncos Waived/Injured TE A.J. Derby
In a bit of a surprising move, the Broncos have swapped tight ends. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (via Twitter), the team has waived/injured A.J. Derby and promoted Austin Traylor from the practice squad. Derby had been struggling with a shoulder injury and wasn’t expected to play this weekend.
Derby, a 2015 sixth-round pick, was traded from the Patriots to the Broncos last season in exchange for a fifth-round pick. After a lackluster start to his tenure in Denver, the 26-year-old was beginning to come into his own in 2017. In nine games (one start), he had hauled in 19 receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns, tops among Broncos tight ends.
Traylor has yet to play in an NFL game, although the 24-year-old is listed at 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds. Klis tweets that while Derby is the superior receiver, Traylor “is more physical.” Ultimately, the reporter believes this move is another attempt by general manager John Elway to send a “strong message” to his team. For the time being, Traylor will slot in behind Virgil Green and Jeff Heuerman on the depth chart, and he should also get some reps on special teams.
“He’s done a great job,” said offensive coordinator Mike McCoy (via Jon Heath of Broncos Wire). “The role that he’s been in up to this point in time in the season, he just does what we ask him to do whether it’s in the kicking game, whether it’s scout team for the defense or whether he steps in and took plenty of reps on offense. He just does it one way. He works extremely hard, so I’m very pleased with where he’s at.”