Colts To Host S Tony Jefferson On Visit
Tony Jefferson will have a chance to show he is ready to return to NFL action. The veteran safety is headed to Indianapolis for a Colts visit, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets.
The former Cardinals and Ravens defender suffered a torn ACL nearly a year ago. Although he was not ready to pass a physical during training camp, it appears he is close to being ready for workouts. Should Jefferson be healthy, he should not have trouble landing a gig soon. No Colts workout is scheduled, however, per Anderson, who adds (via Twitter) Jefferson’s visit is set for Friday.
Jefferson, 28, was a full-time starter during his Cardinals contract year and in each of his three Ravens seasons. The Ravens released him earlier this year but continue to hold him in high regard.
The Colts have run into injury trouble at Jefferson’s position. Fourth-year starter Malik Hooker‘s season-ending injury thinned out Indianapolis’ safety corps, though the team drafted Julian Blackmon in Round 3 this year. The Colts have 2019 fourth-round pick Khari Willis as a starter and signed fifth-year safety Tavon Wilson in August. Blackmon and Willis started the Colts’ Week 3 game on Sunday.
West Notes: Cards, Hawks, Raiders, Lindsay
The Cardinals‘ defensive resurgence will be tested this week. Budda Baker is dealing with a torn thumb UCL, and Kliff Kingsbury expects the high-priced safety to undergo surgery soon, Howard Balzer of SI.com notes. Baker is expected to miss at least Sunday’s game against the Panthers, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, but given that this injury sidelined Drew Brees five weeks and will shelve Jalen Reagor longer, a multiweek absence would not be surprising. Baker confirmed surgery is in the cards (Twitter link). The fourth-year safety, however, played all but one of the Cards’ defensive snaps against the Lions — despite having sustained this injury previously.
An interesting name has surfaced as a possible replacement. The Cardinals brought in T.J. Ward for a workout, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Ward interestingly played three seasons with the Broncos, serving as one of the anchors for Denver’s No Fly Zone Super Bowl-winning secondary, but did not make their 53-man roster in Vance Joseph‘s first year as the team’s head coach. The then-Joseph-led Broncos cut the veteran safety in 2017, leading Ward to the Buccaneers. Joseph is now the Cardinals’ DC. Ward, 33, has not played since the 2017 season.
Here is the latest from the West divisions:
- Pete Carroll said during a radio interview Chris Carson has a Grade 1 knee sprain, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes (on Twitter) the Seahawks‘ starting running back is in line to miss one or two games. A questionable tackle from Cowboys defensive lineman Trysten Hill, which included a post-play twist of Carson’s leg, led to the injury. Carson has dealt with injuries during his time as Seattle’s starter — including a broken leg in 2017 and a season-ending hip malady last year — but has only missed three games over the past two seasons. The Seahawks have Rashaad Penny on their PUP list, leaving free agent addition Carlos Hyde as the next man up.
- Seahawks first-round rookie Jordyn Brooks suffered a knee injury as well, but he did not suffer ACL damage and should return this season. Brooks is recovering from an MCL sprain, per Rapoport (on Twitter). The first-year linebacker will likely miss a game or two.
- Raiders first-round cornerback Damon Arnette is visiting a thumb specialist Tuesday, and Rapoport notes he could miss up to six weeks (Twitter link). This was an aggravation of a previous injury, with Arnette having broken his thumb prior to the regular season’s outset. Arnette fell awkwardly on the injured thumb during Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
- Second-year Raiders safety Johnathan Abram played through an AC joint sprain Sunday, but questions about the injury persist. Abram collided with a TV cart during the Raiders’ Week 2 win over the Saints, and the NFL has engaged in discussions with ESPN about where the network’s carts can be during games, per Pelissero and Rapoport. The cart was closer to the field because of the COVID-19 pandemic restricting cheerleaders, photographers and other personnel from the sideline. Abram missed almost all of last season following an injury during the Raiders’ Week 1 game on a Monday night.
- The Broncos are now down five of their six Pro Bowlers, after Jurrell Casey‘s season-ending biceps tear. But that number of injured standouts could be reduced to four soon. Phillip Lindsay returned to practice last week and may be on track to face the Jets on Thursday, Mike Klis of 9News notes. Lindsay has been battling turf toe since suffering the injury during Denver’s opener.
- The stomach pains that caused Chiefs guard Andrew Wylie to be transported to the hospital prior to Monday night’s Chiefs-Ravens game are believed to have stemmed from appendicitis and not a COVID-related concern, Pelissero tweets.
Chargers’ Chris Harris To Miss 4-6 Weeks
3:12pm: The Bolts have indeed placed Harris on IR. They replaced him on their active roster with safety Jahleel Addae. The latter resurfaced with the team as a practice squad cog but played against the Panthers in Week 3 as a special-teamer.
9:28am: Chargers cornerback Chris Harris suffered a foot injury against the Panthers that will keep him out for 4-6 weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a tough blow for the Bolts, particularly in light of their other injuries in the secondary.
[RELATED: Chargers’ Derwin James Out For Year]
The Chargers already opened the year by placing star safety Derwin James on injured reserve, so they were banking on Harris to help keep opposing quarterbacks honest. Through three games, the longtime Broncos standout registered 15 stops and one pass defended. Now, he’s gone ’til November. On the plus side, Harris will not need surgery to correct the injuries suffered to his third and fourth metatarsals.
Harris joined the Chargers on a two-year deal this offseason after spending the previous nine seasons of his career with the rival Broncos. All in all, the 31-year-old has four Pro Bowls and 20 interceptions to his credit.
The Chargers – down yet another key player – will head to Tampa Bay this week to face Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Harris, meanwhile, could be on track to return just in time for a key Week 10 matchup against his old friends in Denver. In all likelihood, the Chargers will place Harris on injured reserve to free up a roster spot in the interim. After a minimum of three weeks, the veteran will be eligible to return to the active roster.
Texans’ Earl Thomas Visit On Hold
TUESDAY: Perhaps this process has hit a snag. Thomas’ Texans visit is on hold, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets. It was scheduled for Tuesday. Should Thomas join the Texans, he would have to go through COVID-19 protocols. Delays would obviously stall the 10-year veteran’s 2020 debut. The Cowboys remain a non-factor regarding Thomas, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telgram tweets.
The Texans sent Thomas home prior to the workout, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The team planned to work out five safeties; none of those auditions have transpired, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. While Thomas has taken an offsite physical, he continues to wait on a team to green-light his 11th season.
MONDAY: The Texans are giving Earl Thomas a look. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the veteran safety has a Houston workout scheduled. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that “his signing this week is more likely than not.”
Following a physical altercation with teammate Chuck Clark at practice, Thomas was released by the Ravens back in August. The three-time first-team All-Pro hasn’t seen much of a market over the past month. While the Cowboys had consistently been connected to the veteran, the team still hasn’t brought him in for an audition. The Falcons were considered a destination because of Thomas’s connection to head coach Dan Quinn, but they’ve already been ruled out.
The Texans were connected to Thomas shortly after his release from the Ravens, and he subsequently picked up an endorsement from quarterback Deshaun Watson on Instagram. However, following the safety’s release from the Ravens, reports indicated that Houston wouldn’t make a run at the veteran. Things have changed a bit, though, as the Texans could use some depth after placing A.J. Moore on the injured reserve (per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter). They’re currently rostering only three safeties in Justin Reid, Eric Murray, and Michael Thomas.
It was only a year ago that Thomas inked a four-year, $55MM deal with the Ravens. While he received some criticism for missing team and position meetings, he was still productive on the field. While he struggled a bit to start the 2019 campaign, he improved enough throughout the season to earn his seventh career Pro Bowl appearance. The 31-year-old ultimately finished the campaign having compiled 49 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
Eagles Place Dallas Goedert On IR
The ankle injury Dallas Goedert suffered will require an IR stint. The Eagles placed the third-year tight end on IR Tuesday, sidelining him for at least three weeks.
Goedert suffered what looked like a high ankle sprain against the Bengals, leaving the tie game early. However, the former second-round pick also suffered a small fracture in his ankle, Tim McManus of ESPN.com notes. While the Eagles have Zach Ertz healthy, he is about the only one of the team’s first-string targets to enjoy that status presently. Goedert has 13 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown through two-plus games.
Philadelphia has again seen its pass-catching corps riddled with injuries. Alshon Jeffery has yet to play this season; Jalen Reagor is expected to be out until November; DeSean Jackson has run into more hamstring trouble. This came after Marquise Goodwin‘s opt-out call.
To fill Goedert’s roster spot, the Eagles signed Hakeem Butler from the Panthers’ practice squad. Interestingly, the Eagles are listing the 2019 fourth-round pick as a tight end. The Cardinals drafted Butler as a wide receiver. He has yet to play in a regular-season game.
Falcons Place CB Darqueze Dennard On IR
Already down first-round cornerback A.J. Terrell, the Falcons will be without another key cover man Monday night against the Packers. They placed Darqueze Dennard on IR on Tuesday.
Dennard is battling a hamstring injury. The Falcons signed the former Bengals first-round pick late in the offseason and used him as a full-time player over the first three weeks. Dennard, a six-year Bengals contributor, has played 86% of Atlanta’s defensive snaps.
The Falcons still have Terrell on the reserve/COVID-19 list, from which he can be activated ahead of the Packers game. But for now, a Falcons defense that continues to struggle against the pass is down two key performers. The team has yet to see 2019 fourth-round pick Kendall Sheffield play this season because of a foot injury, but Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets the second-year corner is out of a walking boot.
The Falcons followed up their Cowboys collapse by allowing the Bears to erase a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit, adding obvious importance to their game in Green Bay.
Broncos To Start Brett Rypien Vs. Jets
In what will seemingly become an increasingly difficult sell as a nationally televised game, Thursday’s Broncos-Jets clash will include another different Denver quarterback. The matchup between the winless teams will feature Brett Rypien calling signals for the Broncos, Vic Fangio confirmed Tuesday.
Rypien, who replaced Jeff Driskel in the Broncos’ Week 3 loss to the Buccaneers, will become Denver’s ninth starting quarterback since Peyton Manning‘s retirement. Fangio said Driskel may see time against the Jets, per Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter), but the Broncos are trying one of their other backups while Drew Lock continues his rehab effort.
Since Manning’s retirement, the Broncos have used Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, Lock and Driskel as starters — the most in the NFL since 2016. Rypien, a second-year UDFA out of Boise State and nephew of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, went 8-for-8 in garbage time against the Bucs. He started four seasons for the Mountain West’s Broncos outfit, throwing 90 career TD passes at Boise State.
The injury-plagued Broncos signed Blake Bortles last week but were unlikely to use him for a short-week game. Should Lock need the estimated five- or six-week timetable to recover from his rotator cuff strain, it represents a decent bet Bortles will see time — given his experience edge on Rypien and Driskel. Rypien, at least, will play behind a more experienced right tackle than Driskel did. Longtime Bucs starter Demar Dotson will take over for the injured Elijah Wilkinson, Fangio said.
Jermaine Kearse Retires From NFL
Jermaine Kearse is calling it a career. On Wednesday, the longtime NFL wide receiver and former Seahawks standout announced his retirement via Instagram. 
“Seattle, as a hometown kid it was a complete honor to represent you guys out there on the field,” Kearse wrote. “Thank you so much for your endless support throughout my football career. It was an honor to put on that ‘Hawks uniform and I’m so grateful I was able to help bring our first Super Bowl home!”
Kearse entered the league in 2012 as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Washington. He was used sparingly in his first Seahawks season, but he found his way into the mix by Year Two. Across five seasons, Kearse notched 2,109 receiving yards for Seattle and, most notably, a Super Bowl ring for the 2013 season. In 2017, the Seahawks sent him off to the Jets in a trade for defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. Kearse kept up the good work with Gang Green, including his best production ever in 2017 — 65 catches, 810 yards, and five touchdowns.
In 2019, a serious leg/ankle injury wiped out his would-be season with the Lions. We haven’t heard the 30-year-old’s name mentioned lately, so his retirement doesn’t come as a huge surprise. We here at PFR wish Kearse the best in retirement.
Seahawks To Meet With Damarious Randall
The Seahawks will host safety Damarious Randall on a visit this week, sources tell NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter). Randall could help to fill the void in Seattle’s secondary as they deal with multiple injuries. 
Randall was dropped by the Raiders just prior to their season opener, even though they’re still on the hook for his $1.5MM in guaranteed base salary. That sum will be offset by any deal Randall signs this year, so the veteran could be willing to settle for the minimum.
Randall, 28, spent the first three years of his career with the Packers before moving on to the Browns in 2018. Last year, he was limited to just eleven games, though he still managed 2.5 sacks, 61 total stops, and six passes defensed. All in all, he’s got 56 career starts and 14 interceptions to his credit across five NFL seasons.
The Seahawks were among the clubs to express interest in Randall back in March. Now, they’re interested once again as their secondary has failed to keep a lid on things through three games. In fact, they’ve set a record — the Seahawks have allowed a combined 1,292 passing yards to the Falcons, Patriots, and Cowboys, an all-time high for any NFL club through the first three weeks of the season.
Fortunately for them, the offense has been able to keep up. The Seahawks are 0-3 heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Dolphins.
Broncos Place Elijah Wilkinson On IR
The Broncos will be without their starting right tackle for a while. On Tuesday, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio announced that Elijah Wilkinson will be placed on injured reserve with a leg injury. 
[RELATED: Broncos’ Jurrell Casey Likely Done For Year]
Wilkinson is just the latest Bronco bit by the injury bug, joining linebacker Justin Strnad, cornerback A.J. Bouye, linebacker Mark Barron, and defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones on injured reserve. Wilkinson will play again this year, though edge rusher Von Miller and star wide receiver Courtland Sutton will not return from IR. And, of course, the Broncos are without Drew Lock for at least another couple weeks as he nurses a shoulder injury.
Wilkinson, who previously played on the interior, performed well after he was moved to right tackle last year. Demar Dotson is the most likely fill-in candidate for him, especially given his eleven years of starting experience.
Next up for the badly bruised Broncos — a Thursday night clash with the Jets, who are also 0-3 to start the year.