Bears Meet With K Cairo Santos
The Bears met with Cairo Santos on Thursday and gave him a physical, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. As of this writing, the Bears have not signed Santos to a deal, but it is a sign that they are at least mulling a kicking change. 
Connor Barth is coming off of a strong performance in which he sank field goal attempts from 45, 44, and 49 yards in a rainy game against the Packers. However, he has been inconsistent overall this season. All in all, Barth has missed four of his 14 field goal tries, though three of those attempts were from 40-49 yards out and one was from further than 50 yards.
Santos has been on the market since being waived/injured by the Chiefs in late September. The Buccaneers reportedly wanted to sign him in October, but he was not healthy enough to play at that time.
Before getting cut loose, he converted 3-of-3 field goal tries and went 6-for-6 on extra points. He also had ten touchbacks on his 18 kickoffs. Last year, the 26-year-old sank 31 of 35 field goal tries, good for fifth in the league amongst kickers (88.6%).
Browns Activate Coleman, Cut Williams
The Browns are releasing wide receiver Kasen Williams in order to make room for Corey Coleman on the active roster (Twitter link via Tony Grossi of ESPN.com). Williams will be subject to waivers, meaning that the league’s 31 other teams will have a chance to add him in the next 24 hours. 
Williams, 25 in December, appeared in just three games for the Seahawks between 2015 and 2016. However, he broke out during the preseason with nine catches, 208 yards and one touchdown. That performance caught the attention of executives around the league and the Browns pounced on the chance to claim him off waivers when he missed the Week 1 cut in September. Now that he’s back on the wire, it wouldn’t be surprising to see multiple teams put in claims on him.
Waiver wire priority, of course, goes by the inverse order of the NFL standings. The Browns are the league’s worst team at 0-9, so the 1-9 49ers will have the first chance to add him to the roster. The 6-3 Seahawks may also have some interest in a reunion, but most teams are ahead of them in the queue.
In his time with Cleveland, Williams appeared in seven games and pulled down nine grabs for 84 yards.
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Jones, 49ers
Jerry Jones will not forced out as the owner of the Cowboys, the owner of one team and others familiar with the situation tell Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
“I don’t know where this is coming from about stripping him of his franchise,” the anonymous owner said. “That’s ridiculous. That’s not going to happen.”
Two others with knowledge of the NFL’s inner workings told Maske the same thing. However, the aforementioned owner did note that Jones could be subject to a fine if he files a lawsuit. He also would face the prospect of paying attorney fees for both sides. That could be in reference to a “prevailing party” clause which stipulates that the losing side picks up everyone’s bill.
Here’s a look at the NFC:
- The 49ers say there’s no rush to get newly-acquired quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on the field. “We know what we like about Jimmy Garoppolo. And that’s only been strengthened by the time that’s he’s been here,” GM John Lynch said (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area). “We’re just going to let these things play out. That’s in Kyle’s hands. People have had all these ideas about why we got Jimmy. We got Jimmy because we think he has big-time ability at the quarterback position. And we believe so much – to get where we need to get – you have to have a franchise quarterback. We think he’s got that ability. Whether that happens, when that happens, we’ll see. But we certainly like his future with the 49ers. … They’re going to work hard during this week to get him up to speed. But right now, we don’t need him. C.J. [Beathard] just played a great game and his teammates really believe in him. We think it’s nothing but a good situation.”
- To incentivize running back Jonathan Williams to sign to their active roster, the Saints gave him a $50K signing bonus, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Recently, Williams left the Broncos’ practice squad to join up with the Saints on a two-year deal. He also turned down a similar opportunity with the Falcons. It’s also worth mentioning that the second year of his deal also includes a $25K workout bonus (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The Advocate).
- This week, the Redskins were forced to place running back Rob Kelley on IR.
Latest On Packers’ Aaron Rodgers
For the first time since breaking his collarbone in mid-October, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stepped foot on the practice field, the team announced. Rodgers went through some conditioning and footwork drills and simulated his throwing motion with a towel, which is ostensibly a good sign for his progress. Still, Rodgers is looking to temper expectations. 
“It was just good being back on the practice field,” Rodgers said in a text message to Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal. “Schedule hasn’t changed. Out eight weeks. Only back if it’s completely healed.”
Although Rodgers was practicing at the team’s facility, he did not actually participate in the team’s practice. Per league rules, he won’t be able to do that for another two weeks. The earliest that Rodgers could suit up and play would be for Green Bay’s Dec. 17 game against the Panthers (in Carolina), but there has been no indication from Rodgers nor the team of that being a possibility.
At best, it sounds like Rodgers would be looking at a potential return against the Vikings in Week 16 or the Lions in Week 17. However, Rodgers has said that he’ll only return if it “makes sense” for him to do so, meaning the Packers will have to be in the playoff chase.
The Packers are currently 5-4 heading into Sunday’s game against the Ravens. They trail the 7-2 Vikings for the divisional lead while the Lions (5-4) hold the tiebreaker over them.
Latest On Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones
The NFL has issued a letter to Jerry Jones’ attorney accusing the Cowboys owner of “conduct detrimental to the league’s best interests,” as Barry Wilner of The Associated Press writes. It appears that the league is barking back in the battle over commissioner Roger Goodell’s proposed extension. 
[RELATED: Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott Drops Appeal]
“Your client’s antics, whatever their motivation, are damaging the league and reflect conduct detrimental to the league’s best interests,” the letter said.
Jones says that he has issues with Goodell’s compensation in the new contract and is also looking to limit the power of his office. Of course, this fury over Goodell’s deal has intersected with the Ezekiel Elliott‘s appeal (which was put to rest on Wednesday) as well as the anthem controversy, a matter on which Jones has been extremely outspoken.
Within the letter, the NFL confirms that Jones has been removed as a non-voting member of the compensation committee. It has been rumored that Jones gained entry to that group by essentially appointing himself a member. Jones was accused of abusing that access and spreading an outdated document from the Goodell negotiations with the rest of the league’s owners.
“Someone who is genuinely concerned ‘that the owners know the truth about the negotiations’ would not deliberately distribute such an outdated document, particularly when he has in his possession drafts that are current and accurately reflect the actual state of negotiations, or threaten to sue the league and its owners if he does not get his way,” the letter said.
The NFL doesn’t have a problem with Jones’ opposition to Goodell’s extension, Mike Florio of PFT hears, but the league does have a big problem with how he has gone about expressing his displeasure. The league’s latest warning shot towards Jones may finally lead to deescalation, particularly since the Elliott matter is in the rear-view mirror.
Extra Points: Texans, RG3, Chiefs, Patriots
The Texans haven’t tried to hit a home run after losing quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season, as they’ve re-inserted Tom Savage as the starter while signing T.J. Yates, Josh Johnson, and Matt McGloin (since released). While Colin Kaepernick stands out as one signal-caller who could potentially aid Houston, there’s another free agent quarterback who could also make sense for the Texans: former Redskins/Browns passer Robert Griffin III.
“Deshaun’s an incredible player with a really bright future,” Griffin told John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. “I feel like I could help him after my experiences with Washington and Cleveland. I feel like I could help the team. I know a lot of their guys. I think I can do a lot of things they’ve been doing offensively. Texas is home, and I’ve always got a soft spot in my heart for Texas.”
Kaepernick, who notably starred collegiately in Texas at Baylor University, has been linked to a number of clubs this offseason — including the Seahawks, Chargers, and Ravens — but has yet to land a contract. While he’s certainly struggled in recent campaigns, he could theoretically offer upside that Savage, Yates, and Johnson do not. However, the Texans haven’t shown any indication that they plan to move away from Savage in the near future.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is considered a “hot name” in NFL circles and could be a head coaching candidate in 2018, according to Michael Lombardi of the Ringer (Twitter link). Nagy doesn’t call plays in Kansas City (head coach Andy Reid handles that duty), but the 39-year-old has helped orchestrate an exotic offense that’s featured career-best performance from quarterback Alex Smith and excellent contributions from young players such as Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill. At present, the Chiefs ranks third in offensive DVOA, fifth in yards, and fifth in scoring.
- Special-teamer Matthew Slater suffered a “serious” hamstring injury in the Patriots‘ Week 10 victory over the Broncos and could now be sidelined for multiple games, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. A wide receiver in name only, Slater also missed the first four games of the season with a hamstring issue. He’s played only eight offensive snaps this year, but has seen time on a quarter of New England’s special teams plays. The Patriots are a top-five special teams unit in DVOA, as they have been in six of the past seven seasons.
- Linebacker Dadi Nicolas (Chiefs) and cornerback Demetri Goodson (Packers) have both begun practicing and now have a 21-day window during which they can be activated from the physically unable to perform list, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter links). As Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star writes, the Chiefs are dealing with a number of injuries at linebacker, meaning Nicolas — who appeared in 11 games a season ago — could provide depth. Goodson made three starts for Green Bay in 2016 before going down with a torn ACL.
- The Packers worked out running back Dare Ogunbowale on Wednesday while the Giants took a look at kicker Marshall Koehn, tweets Balzer. Green Bay is dealing with injuries to both Aaron Jones and Ty Montgomery, so the club is looking for backfield options. New York, meanwhile, has now auditioned kickers in two consecutive days, a sign the team could be frustrated with incumbent Aldrick Rosas‘ 66.7% field goal conversion rate.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Hardy Nickerson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Josh Rounds
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Brian Parker, WR Tim Patrick
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Joshua Perry
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: T Jake Rodgers
- Waived: TE Braedon Bowman
Washington Redskins
- Signed: RB LeShun Daniels, DB Orion Stewart
NFC Notes: Panthers, Cards, Lions, Falcons
Although rookie wideout Curtis Samuel is done for the season after suffering an ankle injury, the Panthers have not made contact with old friend Corey Brown, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). Brown has enjoyed two separate stints with the Bills this season, but he’s yet to actually see the field. The 25-year-old spent the 2014-16 campaigns in Carolina, averaging 26 receptions, 340 yards, and two touchdowns during that time. However, Person suggested on Monday that the Panthers will fill their wide receiver vacancy from within.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Peters has a high ankle sprain and will be sidelined for “awhile,” head coach Bruce Arians told reporters, including Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link). High ankle sprains are typically four-to-six weeks injuries, which means Peters will be a candidate for injured reserve, especially since Arizona isn’t in the playoff hunt. Peters, 29, has played the second-most snaps among Cardinals defensive lineman this season, so his absence will certainly be felt. Backups Robert Nkemdiche, Rodney Gunter, Olsen Pierre, and Xavier Williams could now be line for more action.
- The Lions are now paying practice squad tight end Hakeem Valles at the active roster rate ($32K per week), reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). That’s because the Cardinals recently attempted to poach Valles when they lost fellow tight end Ifeanyi Momah for the remainder of the season, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Valles, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Monmouth in 2016, spent the 2016 campaign with Arizona, appearing in 11 games (one start) for the club). Detroit, meanwhile, currently has three tight ends on its 53-man roster: Eric Ebron, Darren Fells, and Michael Roberts.
- Before he decided to sign with the Saints, running back Jonathan Williams was also offered a contract by the Falcons, New Orleans head coach Sean Payton told reporters, including Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link). Williams had been earning $30K weekly (nearly an active roster rate) while on the Broncos’ practice squad, but he jumped at the chance to be placed on the Saints’ 53-man squad. Atlanta needed another running back while Devonta Freeman deals with a concussion, and it ultimately signed Terrence Magee of the Browns’ taxi squad.
- New Saints special teams assistant Mike Westhoff wasn’t looking to get back into coaching, but New Orleans presented him with an appealing opportunity. “I don’t want to regret something I didn’t try,” he told Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). Westhoff added his new role isn’t a long-term gig, and he’ll only coach for this season. The Saints have struggled on special teams for the past two-plus years, a track record that forced the club to hire a new ST coach (Brad Banta) this offseason. However, New Orleans ranks 27th in special teams DVOA through 10 weeks.
Redskins Place LB Will Compton On IR
The Redskins have placed linebacker Will Compton on injured reserve, the club announced. Washington has since replaced Compton on its 53-man roster by signing fellow linebacker Zach Vigil.
Compton is now the second Redskins inside ‘backer to land on IR in the past month (joining Mason Foster), meaning Zach Brown will once again need another partner on the second level of Washington’s defense. In addition to Brown and Vigil, the Redskins have two other inside linebackers on their roster: seventh-round rookie Josh Harvey-Clemons and third-year pro Martrell Spaight, the latter of whom appears poised to take over starting duties. Spaight, 24, has played 159 defensive snaps this season while Harvey-Clemons has only seen time on special teams.
The 28-year-old Compton wasn’t a star, but he had compiled 32 starts with the Redskins since 2014, so he clearly was familiar with the club’s defensive system. In 2017, Compton had started three contests and played on roughly a quarter of Washington’s defensive snaps, managing 17 tackles, one interception, and three passes defensed in the process. However, Pro Football Focus had assigned Compton below-average marks against both the run and pass.
Compton, a Nebraska product, signed a one-year restricted free agent tender this spring, meaning he’s earning $1.797MM for the 2017 campaign. He’ll become a free agent in 2018, meaning he’ll hit the open market coming off an injury-affected season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/15/17
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted to active roster: LB Deon King
Denver Broncos
- Promoted to active roster: LB Deiontrez Mount
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed off waivers: LB Jermaine Grace
- Waived: LB Darnell Sankey
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived from injured reserve: T Donald Hawkins