NFC Rumors: Manning, Smith, Capers, 49ers
This week has been among the more grim Giants stretches in many years. Anonymous players came forward to criticize Ben McAdoo, and the statuses of the head coach and GM Jerry Reese aren’t exactly entrenched going into 2018. And the Giants are ready to look at the 2018 quarterback crop for a possible high first-round selection. Eli Manning, though, still looms as the team’s franchise passer with two full seasons remaining on his contract. While it doesn’t make much sense for a 36-year-old quarterback to be around for the kind of rebuild the Giants may want to embark upon, Manning would prefer to finish his career with one team, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes.
While Graziano mentions the Jaguars and Broncos as teams that would make sense as possible Manning suitors via trade, he writes the possibility of landing back on a contender — with these teams missing a quarterback to complement top-flight defenses — wouldn’t necessarily override Manning’s desire to play his entire career with New York. Manning having a no-trade clause makes his desires rather significant as the Giants begin plans for their future.
Here’s the latest from the NFC going into Week 10 Sunday.
- While Ezekiel Elliott will be the most notable absence in Sunday’s Cowboys-Falcons game, Dallas will be without its cornerstone left tackle as well. Tyron Smith will miss Week 10 with back and groin injuries. The All-Pro blocker will not make the trip to Atlanta, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports (on Twitter). Chaz Green will start in Smith’s place. The seventh-year veteran had made all eight starts for the Cowboys this season.
- 49ers defensive end Tank Carradine returned to practice this week, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports. The team planned to bring the injured defender back from IR, and it looks like that’s still the plan. Carradine can return as soon as Week 12 — a November 26 game against the Seahawks. Both Carradine and Arik Armstead are on IR, and it looks like the latter’s third NFL season will be over. “It’s a tough decision, but we feel Tank has got a good chance to at least be back for these last six games where we know Arik would have been only the last two,” Kyle Shanahan said. “We had to make a decision (Wednesday), so we’re going to go with Tank right now.” Fellow defensive lineman Ronald Blair took San Francisco’s first IR-return spot last week.
- If this Packers slide results in the team’s eight-season playoff streak ending, there could be changes in Green Bay. Pete Dougherty of PackersNews.com notes Dom Capers‘ job looks to be in the most danger. The Packers have invested 10 first- or second-round picks in their defense since 2012 and are trotting out a sub-average unit. Green Bay ranks 21st in defensive DVOA and 19th in points allowed. Dougherty writes the advancing ages of Aaron Rodgers (34 in December), Mike McCarthy (54, but in season No. 12) and Ted Thompson (64, in season 13) could force the organization to make a high-profile change in hopes of capitalizing on this era’s Rodgers-opened window. The 67-year-old Capers is in his ninth season leading Green Bay’s defense and been leading defenses for more than 25 seasons.
- The Seahawks‘ post-Richard Sherman plan will likely feature the nearly traded Jeremy Lane moving into the starting lineup alongside rookie Shaquill Griffin, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes. Condotta predicted the Seahawks would bring in former starter Byron Maxwell for a visit, which they plan to, but no agreement is yet imminent. DeShawn Shead remains on the PUP list after suffering a serious knee injury in the divisional round last season, but thanks to an NFL rule change, the Seahawks don’t have to make an activation decision by Week 11. They can wait longer if they want to activate Shead, but he would likely require multiple weeks of practice to return to a game-ready status. Time’s running out on those prospects, if Seattle wants to use Shead during the regular season.
South Notes: Koetter, Colts, Jaguars
Preseason playoff projection darlings, the Buccaneers are floundering and reside alone in last place in the NFC South. They are likely going to miss postseason play for the 10th straight year, and second-year coach Dirk Koetter could be on the hot seat. The team’s former OC made an interesting comment about one of the components that could be behind the Bucs’ five-game losing streak.
“What happens when a team loses is sometimes (the players) are not confident in the coach, or the scheme, or the other side of the ball or their teammates,’’ Koetter said, via Roy Cummings of Florida Football Insiders. “That’s human nature. That happens in every aspect of life. Do I think there is possibly some of that going on (here)? Yeah, there probably is. The easiest way to fix it is (to) play good team football and get a win.’’
The Bucs will now be playing without Jameis Winston for multiple games and will attempt to snap their skid Sunday without Mike Evans as well.
Here’s the latest from the South divisions in advance of the Week 10 Sunday slate.
- Andrew Luck is seeking possible non-traditional medical treatments in Europe, but the Colts quarterback’s background in Germany — where he spent much of his childhood — may make him more amenable to these techniques, sports injury expert Will Carroll tweets. The Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder also doesn’t view the 28-year-old quarterback’s decision as an alarming development regarding his progress (Twitter link), assessing it as “incremental” in Luck’s rehab process. The goal regarding Luck’s overseas trip is to not only reduce the pain he’s experiencing but to address muscular function as well, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
- Clayton Geathers joined Luck in being sidelined for the Colts’ first nine games, but the third-year safety looks set to return after a scary neck injury soon. Stashed on the PUP list, Geathers has looked “tremendous,” per Chuck Pagano (via Holder, on Twitter). Indianapolis hopes to deploy Geathers coming out of its Week 11 bye. He started in nine games last season but has missed over a year of action due to the neck injury he suffered last season. Geathers underwent surgery in March.
- The Jaguars aren’t ready to activate Dede Westbrook. The rookie wideout won’t play in Jacksonville’s Week 10 game against the Chargers on Sunday, Mike Kaye of First Coast News tweets. The Jags designated Westbrook to return from IR in late October but have just more than a week to decide if he will play for them this season or spend all year on IR.
Raiders Envision 2018 Khalil Mack Extension
Khalil Mack saw two of his 2014 draft class mates sign lucrative Raiders extensions this offseason, but like other 2014 first-rounders, the reigning defensive player of the year remains attached to his rookie deal.
The Raiders, though, plan to get serious about a Mack extension after this season. Reggie McKenzie said this week he anticipates the Raiders and Mack discussing a re-up this coming offseason, with the GM adding (via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com) “I hope his agent feels the same way.”
Bair notes the Raiders want this deal to come way before a deadline nears. The nearest one would be the 2019 league year forcing a franchise tag decision. The Chiefs and Broncos saw their premier pass rushers reach that point in 2015 and ’16, respectively, en route to record payouts. And the Chargers ended up playing it this way with Melvin Ingram. Both Von Miller and Ingram played five seasons on their rookie contracts, with Justin Houston playing four due to being a third-round pick. Eyeing an extension by next year, the Raiders do not envision this scenario hitting a fourth AFC West team.
Oakland is projected to hold just $14MM in 2018 cap space, but the McKenzie regime frontloading contracts affords the franchise flexibility to cut bait free of charge on some of its other deals if it seeks to create more space. With the exception of Derek Carr, Gabe Jackson and Donald Penn, none of the Raiders’ veteran contracts will have much dead-money consequences next year.
McKenzie authorized extensions for Carr and Jackson in advance of their contract years in June before stopping short of a Mack deal, one that would almost certainly reset the market for defensive players. Mack did not hold out and has continued his top-flight play. Pro Football Focus rates the fourth-year player as its fourth-best edge defender through nine games, which have featured 4.5 Mack sacks.
Mack is signed through 2018 via $13.8MM fifth-year option. The 26-year-old edge player should have a greater argument to not only become the highest-paid defensive player but do so by a bigger margin than he would have had this deal come to pass in 2017.
Miller’s six-year, $114.6MM pact came in a year when the cap stood at $155MM. Next season’s could rise to nearly $180MM, raising the price for extensions. Mack and fellow 2014 first-rounder Aaron Donald may both become $20MM-per-year defenders, but unlike the Rams’ setup, the Raiders would then become the first team to pay two players $20MM annually since Carr is signed to a $25MM-AAV accord.
It sounds like they’re willing to make that happen.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/11/17
Here are today’s practice squad moves.
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: G Will Pericak
- Cut: CB Sammy Seamster
Green Bay Packers
- Cut: LB Derrick Mathews
New England Patriots
- Signed: DE Geneo Grissom
- Cut: OL Anthony Fabiano
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Michael Hunter
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/11/17
Here are today’s minor moves.
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Jonathan Anderson
- Waived: WR Tanner Gentry
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: DT Daniel Ross
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Johnny Mundt
- Waived: OL Andrew Donnal
New York Giants
- Signed: FB Shane Smith
- Waived: TE Matt LaCosse
New York Jets
- Signed: WR JoJo Natson
- Waived/injured: DL Ed Stinson
Washington Redskins
- Waived: G Tyler Catalina
QB Rumors: Luck, Browns, Cardinals
Now on IR, Andrew Luck ventured outside the United States for possible medical solutions for his troublesome throwing shoulder. The Colts quarterback trekked to Europe to consider treatment options, Mike Wells and Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com report. Peyton Manning was among the athletes who have traveled to Europe for non-traditional procedures, with Kobe Bryant doing so as well. Wells and Mortensen didn’t yet report any procedure has been done on Luck overseas, but this is an indication the passer may not be satisfied with his options in this country. Luck has consulted with several doctors this season and was given a cortisone shot last month prior to the Colts placing him on IR. The 28-year-old franchise cornerstone has dealt with shoulder pain since September 2015.
The Colts are working under the impression Luck will be ready for the 2018 season, but he’s not a lock to show for OTAs and Mortensen reported recently the team isn’t ignoring the 2018 rookie class of signal-callers. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com recently reported the four doctors with whom Luck has spoken have told him to not throw for two-to-three months. Luck is signed through 2021, but at 10 months removed from shoulder surgery, the former No. 1 pick is off track and without a timetable.
Here’s the latest on various quarterback situations from around the league.
- Speaking of the 2018 quarterback crop, Terry Pluto of cleveland.com reports the Browns “absolutely” intend to draft a passer in the first round next year. Cleveland could well possess two top-10 picks, but Pluto notes the caveat here is this plan is contingent on this front office being retained after what’s looking like another miserable season. A quarterback selection would be an interesting development since the Browns passed on Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson the past two years. But the team was higher on Jared Goff in 2016, and executive VP Sashi Brown admitted to some degree the team missed on Wentz — whom the franchise’s new regime infamously said was not viewed internally as a potential top-20 quarterback. A recent report indicated the Browns are high on the 2018 quarterback class and didn’t want a player like Watson to impede them in this pursuit.
- Carson Palmer is not ruling out the possibility of returning for the Cardinals‘ last two regular-season games, but like Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback would need his team to have a reason to bring him off IR. “I could potentially be available the last two weeks of the season,” Palmer said Saturday, via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. “Who knows? I don’t know where I’ll be (with rehab) at that point. I don’t know where we will be as a team at that point. I just try to be as ready as I can as quick as I can.” Palmer did not give any indication as to which way he’s leaning regarding retirement, only to say he’s focused on returning from this broken arm. He’s under contract through next season.
- On the subject of Cardinals quarterbacks, they might have to start a third this season. Drew Stanton suffered a sprained knee in Thursday’s loss to the Seahawks, Mortensen tweets. The Cards would start Blaine Gabbert in the event Stanton can’t go in Week 11 against the Texans. Mortensen adds Matt Barkley will be re-signed in this scenario. Barkley’s worked out for several teams this season since the 49ers cut him. The USC product played for the Cardinals in 2015.
Rams Activate RB Lance Dunbar
Gunning for their first playoff spot in 13 years, the Rams will soon have an additional option in their backfield. Los Angeles activated running back Lance Dunbar on Saturday, Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register reports (on Twitter).
Dunbar spent the first half of the season on the PUP list, with knee pain sidelining the former Cowboys passing-down back. Dunbar returned to practice last week, and the Rams didn’t have to make a decision on him just yet due to NFL rules, but he will join Todd Gurley in a blossoming offense beginning in Week 10.
Dunbar will effectively replace Malcolm Brown in the backfield. Brown suffered an injury recently that will shelve him for some time.
The Rams signed Dunbar to a one-year deal in March. He returned from a 2015 ACL tear last season and played in 13 games for the Cowboys. However, Ezekiel Elliott‘s arrival changed Dallas’ backfield arrangement and limited outside opportunities. Gurley could have the same effect on Dunbar in L.A. The Rams have used their starter as a three-down back. But Dunbar returning will at worst provide insurance while outfitting Sean McVay with another weapon in passing situations.
Chiefs DT Roy Miller Arrested On Domestic Battery Charge
Chiefs defensive lineman Roy Miller was arrested on a domestic battery charge in Jacksonville on Saturday, the Associated Press reports.
Miller was taken to Duval County (Fla.) jail early Saturday morning. The AP reports this alleged incident involved a minor injury. The veteran defensive tackle was scheduled to appear before a judge later today.
The Chiefs, who are on a bye week, are aware of the situation but are gathering information on it, declining comment, per the AP. Kansas City signed the 30-year-old defensive tackle over the summer. Prior to this season, Miller spent all eight of his NFL campaigns in Florida — four with the Buccaneers and the next four with the Jaguars.
A perennial starter with the Bucs and Jags from 2012-16, Miller has worked as a rotational player with the Chiefs. He’s played 77 snaps in seven games this season.
Browns Tried To Trade For Terrelle Pryor
The Browns made headlines last week for a trade they did not make, but it appears they had another deal in mind that did not come to fruition.
The team targeted a trade to bring back Terrelle Pryor prior to the deadline, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports, but the Redskins did not want to part with him. Pryor, of course, broke out as a 1,000-yard wide receiver for the Browns last season. He’s well off that pace in Washington.
Signed to a one-year deal, Pryor has not made the splash the Redskins hoped and has effectively been benched for Josh Doctson in Washington’s offense. But the Redskins either chose to hang onto Pryor in hopes he will turn it around down the stretch, or the Browns’ trade terms weren’t amenable.
Pryor’s Cleveland exit was complicated. The wideout may or may not have come back to the Browns with a chance for them to top the Redskins’ offer, which ended up being a one-year, $6MM deal. Jimmy Haslam said the team offered the then-UFA pass-catcher a long-term deal, but Pryor’s comments in September seemed to point to teams’ offers in March not being sufficient.
Cabot reports Pryor wanted between $10MM and $14MM per year and categorizes the Browns’ offer as being for around $8MM annually across four years. That’s the contract Kenny Britt ended up getting to come to northeast Ohio.
The Browns would have paid Pryor just $1.5MM in base salary had this trade gone through. The Britt investment appears to have been a major misfire. Whereas Pryor has 20 receptions for 240 yards, Britt has just 10 for 128 as he slogs through the first season of a four-year contract. He was essentially a healthy scratch for the Browns’ London game.
A Pryor reunion, as Cabot points out, would have put the Browns’ ideal version of their 2016 receiving corps — Pryor, Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman — together. Gordon looks to be on track to make a return after nearly three years away. Pryor, though, will have to show more than he has in order to command the kind of offers he covets in next year’s free agency.
Lions Activate OTs Taylor Decker, Corey Robinson
The Lions have activated a pair of lineman today, adding some much-needed reinforcement to the unit. The team announced on Twitter that they’ve activated left tackle Taylor Decker off the PUP and tackle Corey Robinson off the injured reserve. To make room on the roster, the team has waived wideout Jace Billingsley (via Tim Twentyman on Twitter).
Decker suffered a shoulder injury way back during OTAs and subsequently underwent surgery on a torn labrum. A 2016 first-round pick, the Ohio State product started all 16 games last season, with Pro Football Focus rating him as one of the top offensive tackles in the game. Decker will surely be a welcome addition to a Lions’ offensive line that has allowed 26 sacks this season. Offseason addition Greg Robinson was brought in to replace the previously-injured Decker, but the lineman struggled during his tenure in Detroit and was waived-injured earlier this week.
“When Deck’s ready, Deck’s going to play,” head coach Jim Caldwell said earlier this week (via ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein). “There’s a reason why he’s here, a reason why we picked him where we picked him. He’ll play when he’s ready.”
Robinson, a 2015 seventh-round pick, appeared in 14 games (three starts) for the Lions last season. The 25-year-old has battled through a foot injury since the end of last year, forcing him to miss the majority of the 2017 campaign. Thanks to his ability to play both tackle spots, Robinson should slide in as a top reserve behind Decker and Ricky Wagner.
Billingsley, a 2016 undrafted free agent out of Eastern Oregon State, has appeared in two career games, compiling a pair of special teams tackles.