Giants Not Planning To Cut Golden Tate?
A Giants-Golden Tate divorce is starting to appear imminent, though it might not happen this season. The team announced Saturday it will face Washington without the veteran wide receiver, indicating Tate will not make the trip. Issues with effort and performance are behind the Giants deactivating Tate, Kim Jones and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report (on Twitter).
Tate will be given the chance to return to New York’s lineup next week, Jones adds, and an in-season release does not currently appear to be on the table, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Tate is still on track to collect more than $4MM in base salary this season. Were he to be cut this season, he would head to the waiver wire since the trade deadline has passed.
The Giants did shop him ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline but found no takers. They will not carry his $8.5MM salary on their 2021 books, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY notes. The Giants could save $6.1MM by releasing Tate in 2021.
A 2019 free agent signing, Tate began his Giants career with a four-game PED suspension that voided future guarantees. Although he caught a crucial touchdown pass late in Monday night’s loss to the Buccaneers, he voiced frustrations about his lack of targets during the game. This preceded an Instagram post from Tate’s wife regarding her husband’s role in New York’s offense and Tate liking another Instagram post indicating he should be cut and given a chance with another team. Tate saw time on New York’s scout team in practice this week, Raanan adds.
Through seven games this season, Tate has 22 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns. While both those scores came over the past two games, Tate has only been targeted five times in those contests. He has worked as the Giants’ clear No. 3 wide receiver since Sterling Shepard‘s return from IR. Tate has three 1,000-yard seasons on his resume (all with Detroit) and made the Pro Bowl in 2014.
Titans DE Jadeveon Clowney Considering Surgery
Jadeveon Clowney is questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Bears, but there’s a chance he’ll be sidelined for longer than that. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that the Titans defensive end is currently dealing with a meniscus issue in his knee.
All options are on the table for the 27-year-old, including surgery. As Garafolo notes, Clowney has tried to battle through the injury, and there’s a chance he continues playing at less than 100 percent.
Clowney missed most of his rookie campaign as he recovered from a torn meniscus, but he’s otherwise stayed healthy throughout his career. The former first-overall pick has only missed four regular season games since the start of the 2017 campaign.
Following a one-year stint with the Seahawks, Clowney inked a one-year, $12MM deal with the Titans back in September. He’s been a bit underwhelming in Tennessee; in seven games, he’s compiled 15 tackles and zero sacks. Clowney played at least 80-percent of his team’s defensive snaps through the first three weeks of the season, but that number dropped all the way to 62 percent during last weekend’s loss to the Bengals. Of course, both his production and decline in playing time could be attributed to the injury he’s currently dealing with.
This Date In Transactions History: Saints Sign WR Dez Bryant
Two years ago today, Dez Bryant’s brief stint with the Saints began. On November 7th, 2018, the embattled wideout inked a one-year deal with New Orleans.
The one-year, $1.25MM pact was a bit modest considering the three Pro Bowls on Bryant’s resume. However, at that point of his career, the former first-rounder was coming off three straight underwhelming seasons, and his plummeting production played a role in the Cowboys releasing him in April of 2018.
It’s also worth noting that Bryant reportedly favored the one-year deal over longer commitments; the veteran was hoping to rehabilitate his value prior to the upcoming offseason. In fact, he reportedly turned down a three-year, $21MM offer from the Ravens, and he subsequently languished in free agency for half of the 2018 campaign.
In New Orleans, Bryant was expected to provide Drew Brees with another talented weapon behind Michael Thomas, Cameron Meredith, and Tre’Quan Smith. The organization had also worked out wideouts Brandon Marshall and Kamar Aiken, but they seemingly believed in Bryant’s upside. We’ll never really know if New Orleans’ inkling was correct; only two days after signing his contract, Bryant tore his Achilles tendon during practice. That ended his season before it even began.
Bryant hit free agency in 2019, and he didn’t retire as he continued to rehab from his injury. He ultimately sat out the entire season, but he finally got a second chance last month. The 32-year-old signed with the Ravens practice squad, and there’s an expectation that he’ll be on the active roster sooner than later.
When it comes to Bryant’s career, there are clearly plenty of “what ifs.” However, we do know one thing: this obviously wasn’t the expected outcome when Bryant inked his deal with the Saints two years ago today.
Titans Sign P Ryan Allen
As Brett Kern deals with a wrist injury, the Titans have turned to one of the top punters on the market. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Tennessee has signed Ryan Allen.
Allen made a name for himself by spending the first six seasons of his career with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowl rings. The Louisiana Tech product was a standout during Super Bowl LIII, with three of his five punts pinning the Rams inside the 20-yard line.
He inked a one-year extension with the Patriots the following offseason, but he ultimately lost his job to rookie Jake Bailey ahead of the 2019 campaign. Allen subsequently signed with the Falcons, and he proceeded to appear in eight games for them during the 2019 campaign. The 30-year-old was cut by Atlanta back in August, and he’s been sitting in free agency ever since.
In Tennessee, Allen will be reuniting with former Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, although you’ve got to assume that Allen’s stay with the Titans will be short. After all, Kern is a three-time Pro Bowler, and while his wrist injury will sideline him this weekend against the Bears, he should probably be back before the season ends.
Ravens To Work Out S Antoine Bethea
Antoine Bethea will have a chance to play a 15th NFL season. The veteran safety is working out for the Ravens, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
The Ravens currently have starting safety DeShon Elliott on their reserve/COVID-19 list, and defensive back Jimmy Smith did not practice this week because of a back injury. This could open the door for Bethea, who has logged more starts at safety than almost anyone in NFL history.
Bethea wrapped up a one-year Giants contract in 2019, starting 16 games in his age-35 season. This came after he started 16 games for the Cardinals in 2018. Overall, Bethea has started 200 games since being a sixth-round Colts draftee in 2006. Bethea was a Pro Bowler during Jim Harbaugh‘s final season with the 49ers (2014). He will soon become acquainted with John Harbaugh.
COVID-19 protocols would prevent Bethea from practicing as a Raven until next week. But the 14-year veteran could begin taking coronavirus tests with the team Friday in order to begin work late next week. The Ravens released Earl Thomas during training camp and have used younger safeties this season. Bethea would be a step in a different direction, should the team agree to bring him aboard.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/20
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Germain Ifedi
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: C Cody Whitehair (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Fred Johnson, CB Trae Waynes; Waynes remains on IR
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Chris Jones
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Lynn Bowden
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: LB Hercules Mata’afa
- Placed on IR: CB Mark Fields
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: WR Justin Hardee, DT Sheldon Rankins (story)
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: DB Ryan Lewis
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Brandon Aiyuk, WR Kendrick Bourne, WR Deebo Samuel, T Trent Williams (story)
Packers Place Jordan Love, Krys Barnes On Reserve/COVID-19 List
The Packers have run into more trouble with the coronavirus, joining several teams in that regard this week. After seeing COVID-19 deplete their backfield, the Packers learned one of their starting defenders played Thursday night before testing positive Friday morning, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Linebacker Krys Barnes landed on Green Bay’s reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. The Packers also placed rookie quarterback Jordan Love on the list. Barnes tested positive for the coronavirus, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It is not known if Love has tested positive. He may well be a close contact. Players do not have to test positive to be placed on a team’s reserve/COVID list.
Considering the timeline here, this is obviously a key situation for the Packers. A UDFA out of UCLA, Barnes started and played 25 snaps for the Packers. He left the game with a calf injury. Barnes has started all but one Packers game this season.
The Packers were already without running backs A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams; Dillon tested positive earlier this week.
NFC South Notes: Bucs, Thomas, McCaffrey
Not that much doubt existed as to why Antonio Brown is in Tampa, but the Buccaneers indeed reversed course on the volatile wide receiver because Tom Brady pushed for the signing, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora notes. Brown is living with Brady, who insisted to Buccaneers brass he would work with the former All-Pro daily to ensure he does not become a problem for the organization.
“Brady told them he is going to make sure this is not a problem,” a source with knowledge of this process told La Canfora. “He guaranteed BA (Bruce Arians) that he would make sure this guy did everything he has to do, even if Brady has to drive him there himself. And (the Bucs) made it clear to Brady that Brown is on a very short leash. If he (slips up), he’s gone.”
Brown went from potential first-ballot Hall of Famer to the epicenter of numerous controversies last year, but Brady expressed disappointment the Patriots released him after one game. Arians said in March that Brown would not be a fit with the Bucs. They activated him this week; Brown will debut for a third team Sunday against the Saints.
Here is the latest from the NFC South:
- Staying on the subject of availability for the biggest game in the history of the Saints-Bucs series, Michael Thomas is finally on track to return to action. The All-Pro wide receiver, who has not played since suffering an ankle injury against the Bucs in Week 1, is on track to be back in action Sunday night, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets. Thomas has missed six games due to ankle and hamstring injuries and for striking a teammate. Emmanuel Sanders also practiced Friday, putting the veteran No. 2 wideout in line to play Sunday. Sanders missed two games after contracting the coronavirus.
- In this suddenly intergalactic matchup of receiving corps, Chris Godwin will be back as well. Arians said Friday the fourth-year target will be back after undergoing surgery on a broken finger. Godwin has missed time due to three separate issues this season, and given that doctors told him he would face a four- to six-week recovery timetable — per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter — his return will be worth monitoring. Doctors inserting pins into Godwin’s damaged index finger opened the door for him to miss just one game, Schefter adds.
- Keeping with the “return to action” theme here, Christian McCaffrey‘s six-week hiatus is expected to end. The All-Pro Panthers back will be activated ahead of Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, per Matt Rhule. McCaffrey has been sidelined since Week 2 because of a high ankle sprain.
- Calvin Ridley is battling a mid-foot sprain, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link), and is questionable to face the Broncos on Sunday. Ridley left the Falcons’ Week 8 win with the foot malady.
49ers To Sign Josh Johnson
The 49ers are set to sign quarterback Josh Johnson, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic (on Twitter). Once he clears COVID-19 protocols, Johnson will be added to the club’s practice squad. 
[RELATED: 49ers’ Bourne Tests Negative]
Johnson, 34, was last seen with the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL. Before the season even started, the veteran had an offer on the table from the Lions. However, the XFL stepped in and blocked him from that deal. Over the years, Johnson has signed deals with 13 different teams. That includes multiple stints with the 49ers in 2012 and 2014.
Now, he’ll backstop a QB room that has been without starter Jimmy Garoppolo for weeks. On that front, the Niners got some good news — doctors are not currently recommending surgery to fix his ankle injury and the hope is that he can return before the season is through. For the time being, he’ll remain on IR.
Nick Mullens served as the 49ers’ starter on Thursday against the Packers with C.J. Beathard as the QB2. After Mullens forced some bad throws, it’s possible that the depth chart could be reshuffled between now and their next game against the Saints.
49ers’ Kendrick Bourne Tests Negative
49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is now eligible to return. After his COVID-19 positive on Wednesday, Bourne has received two consecutive COVID-19 negatives (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). In addition, fellow wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have also been the greenlight, along with left tackle Trent Williams. 
Bourne was one of several 49ers players held out of Thursday night’s game due to protocols. Playing shorthanded, the Niners lost 34-17. Bourne’s latest results seem to point to a false positive on the first test, and his camp is predictably miffed.
“It’s frustrating because Kendrick has been really responsible with everything,” agent Henry Organ said. “He’s taken COVID-19 very seriously. It’s not a joke to him.”
Through eight games this year, Bourne has caught 25 passes for 352 yards and one touchdown. His last outing was his best yet — Bourne registered eight grabs for 81 yards against the Seahawks, making the most out of his ten targets.
With their roster largely restocked, Bourne and the 49ers will turn their attention to the Saints, following their bye week.