49ers C Weston Richburg To Miss Several More Weeks?
Weston Richburg is not expected to be ready to return when first eligible to come off the 49ers’ PUP list next week. San Francisco’s starting center will need more time to recover from the torn patellar tendon he suffered late last season.
Kyle Shanahan said Friday that neither Richburg nor defensive lineman Ronald Blair will be ready to return when eligible after Week 6, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Both suffered injuries last season; Blair went down in November, Richburg in December.
Both are likelier to return between Weeks 10 and 12, per Shanahan. The 49ers’ bye week is currently slated for Week 11. Richburg said in February a training camp return was realistic. The former Giants center did not come particularly close to hitting that goal, and a Week 12 return would make for almost a year out of action. A 2018 free agent signing, Richburg suffered one of the toughest injuries to surmount. The 49ers have started Ben Garland at center in their past four games.
Shanahan said the ACL surgery Blair underwent was not successful. A setback ensued, requiring a follow-up procedure. Blair, who the team hoped would be ready for Week 1, has served as a depth piece for the past four 49er teams. Much has changed since Blair last appeared in a game for the 49ers. DeForest Buckner and Sheldon Day are now Colts, and Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Solomon Thomas are on IR.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/16/20
Here are Friday’s practice squad decisions:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Daniel McCullers
Washington Football Team
- Signed: DE Gerri Green
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/16/20
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Tyler Larsen
- Placed on IR: DE Yetur Gross-Matos
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: DL John Jenkins
- Released: DL Daniel McCullers
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: TE Hunter Bryant
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB David Mayo
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Matt Pryor; Pryor did not test positive for the coronavirus, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets
NFC East Notes: Haskins, Cowboys, Eagles
Dwayne Haskins‘ standing in the Washington organization has plummeted tremendously since the previous regime drafted him 15th overall last year. He is now the team’s third-string quarterback, with both Kyle Allen and Alex Smith leapfrogging him on the depth chart, and trade rumors have emerged. Haskins has clearly not impressed Washington’s coaching staff, and John Keim of ESPN.com notes last year’s staff took issue with the one-year Ohio State sensation as well. Both staffs have communicated concerns about Haskins’ work ethic to the quarterback. This concern surfaced early during Haskins’ rookie season, one that ended with the young passer ranking last in QBR by a considerable margin. Haskins has not made a trade request, and Washington has yet to field any trade calls on him, Keim adds. Although Ron Rivera has publicly backed Haskins, Keim notes both sides appear prepared to move on after one of the quicker auditions for a first-round quarterback in recent history.
Here is the latest from the NFC East:
- Leighton Vander Esch is progressing closer to beating his recovery timetable. The Cowboys linebacker saw his first post-injury work in pads Friday, and NFL.com’s Jane Slater tweets the third-year defender could well be activated ahead of Monday’s game against the Cardinals. The Cowboys placed Vander Esch on IR after Week 1 because of a broken collarbone. Given a six- to eight-week timetable, Vander Esch returning Monday would mean a mere four-game absence. That would obviously be encouraging for a player who has seen injuries stall his promising career.
- The Eagles‘ offensive line resides as one of the NFL’s most decimated position groups. Jason Peters, Brandon Brooks and Isaac Seumalo are on IR. The team declared Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson out for Week 6 with an ankle injury. While Johnson’s injury is not expected to require surgery, per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane (on Twitter), he will rest it this week against the Ravens. Although Johnson not needing surgery represents good news, the Eagles are down to one original starter — center Jason Kelce — in their lineup against a top-tier Ravens defense.
- One of the Eagles’ defensive depth pieces returned to practice this week. The Eagles opened Will Parks‘ 21-day activation window. The fifth-year safety has yet to debut for his hometown team. The Eagles placed Parks on IR before Week 1 because of a hamstring injury and have until 4pm CT Saturday to activate him for Week 6.
- The Cowboys worked out defensive tackle Gabe Wright on Friday. Wright has not played in a regular-season game since the 2018 season. The former fourth-round pick has spent each of his four seasons with a different team — the Lions, Browns, Dolphins and Raiders. The team only has two defensive linemen on its practice squad.
NFL Conditionally Reinstates DL David Irving
Former Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving may receive another chance soon. The NFL granted the veteran defender conditional reinstatement Friday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
Suspended under the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, Irving applied for reinstatement in July. The oft-banned defensive lineman may well have the opportunity to redeem himself under a CBA more lenient (at least, suspension-wise) regarding substance abuse.
The league handed Irving an indefinite ban in March 2019. Unlike Randy Gregory, Irving is no longer under contract with the Cowboys. He is a free agent. It is not certain when Irving will be fully eligible to play, however, so the former UDFA may wait a bit longer before he receives a path back to the field.
Irving, however, may work out for teams under the terms of the conditional reinstatement. It has been a long time since he last played, though. The Iowa State alum has not suited up for a game since October 2018, when an injury and a subsequent personal issue ended his fourth Cowboys season.
Irving, 27, has gone from being prepared to quit football (March 2019) to applying for reinstatement. He has been suspended four times, including once for performance-enhancing substances, but has taken steps to resume his career.
When on the field, the edge and interior pass rusher has shown productivity. Irving recorded seven sacks in eight games in 2017. The Cowboys used him as a starter throughout his abbreviated ’17 season but did not plan to re-sign him after his contract expired following the ’18 campaign.
Washington Activates Brandon Scherff
Washington will have its top offensive lineman available Sunday against the Giants. The team activated Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff, moving him from its IR list to the 53-man roster.
An MCL sprain paused Scherff’s season, but it appears he will only have to miss the three mandated games that come with a 2020 IR placement. While there are obviously other factors at play, Washington is 1-0 with Scherff playing a full game this season and 0-4 without him. Scherff’s absence certainly hurt Washington last week, when Aaron Donald beat both of Washington’s starting guards en route to a career-high four sacks.
Although Washington is not expected to contend for a playoff spot, even out of this year’s woeful NFC East, Scherff has some key games ahead. He has missed 16 games over the past three seasons, after only missing two from 2015-17. Washington slapped its franchise tag on Scherff this year, becoming the first team since the Patriots in 2011 to tag a guard. Scherff staying healthy the rest of the way would put him in position for a massive extension.
In his sixth season, Scherff will turn 29 this December. While the Iowa product has been one of the game’s best guards when healthy since being drafted fifth overall, his next contract will likely cover the remainder of his prime. That will make staying healthy paramount for Scherff to maximize his value — either with Washington or in free agency.
Patriots Place C James Ferentz On Reserve/COVID-19 List
Despite the Patriots canceling their Friday practice, their game against the Broncos remains on schedule for noon CT on Sunday. New England, however, will not have its current starting center for that contest.
The Patriots are placing James Ferentz on their reserve/COVID-19 list, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The Pats canceled their Friday workout after another positive test. It is not certain if Ferentz tested positive, with players not having to do so to be placed on the COVID list, but this is another setback for the team and a concern for the league.
Ferentz started New England’s Week 4 game in Kansas City for David Andrews, who resides on the Pats’ IR list. While the Patriots are slated to have Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore back in Week 6, the former will play behind a reconfigured line. Ferentz, a former Bronco in his fourth season with the Patriots, has played in 18 games with his current team and started three.
The Pats placed Andrews on IR in late September; Andrews missed all of last season due to a blood clot issue. New England could use guard Joe Thuney at center and play versatile rookie Michael Onwenu at left guard. Onwenu has already seen action at both guard spots and right tackle, despite being a sixth-round pick. Right guard Shaq Mason got in two limited practices this week. Mason missed Week 4 with a calf injury.
Both the Patriots and Broncos have been informed the game is still on for Sunday, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes no contingency plan currently exists (Twitter link). Were the NFL to delay this game again, no bye week-related fix can be made. The league already postponed this game one week. This obviously remains a situation to monitor over the next two days.
Patriots Cancel Practice Due To COVID-19 Positives
The Patriots canceled Friday’s practice after another player tested positive for COVID-19, a source tells NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). They’ve also received another positive on the team, though that test is being rechecked to confirm.
The Pats are going ahead with virtual meetings today, but Sunday’s game against the Broncos is now in flux. That game, of course, was already delayed one week due to previous Patriots positives. Both teams have already burned their bye weeks, so it would be difficult to reschedule the games to be played any later than Monday or Tuesday. Unfortunately, playing the game early next week won’t be an option if the Patriots are not quickly cleared from coronavirus protocols.
Meanwhile, the Colts announced that their previously reported four positives have come back negative after being re-tested. Their game against the Bengals will go on as planned. The Patriots will keep their fingers crossed for a similar outcome. Meanwhile, the league has launched an investigation into their recurring testing issues, which have brought back a number of false positives throughout 2020.
No Multi-Year Offers For Le’Veon Bell?
On Thursday night, Le’Veon Bell agreed to join the Chiefs on a one-year deal. There were other suitors, but none of those teams offered Bell a multi-year pact, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Previously, the Dolphins were believed to have offered a two-year deal to lure Bell to Miami. Apparently, that’s not the case. The Bills were also in the hunt, but Buffalo didn’t offer up a deal to extend into the 2021 season, either.
Ultimately, Bell got what he wanted – an opportunity to reassert himself with a bonafide Super Bowl contender. At minimum, Bell figures to serve as rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s top supporting cast member, slotting him ahead of Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson.
Bell’s production and constant clashing with Adam Gase made his $13.25MM-per-year price untenable for the Jets. The former Steelers dynamo lumbered for a career-low 3.2 yards per carry in 2019 and suited up for just two games in 2020. But, upon return in Week 5, Bell did average 4.62 yards per tote. And, considering his overall track record and reduced price, it was a no-brainer move fr the Chiefs.
With Bell, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Mitchell Schwartz, and Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs’ offense now features five former first-team All-Pros on the active roster. As a Steeler, Bell posted 1,800-plus scrimmage yards three times en route to the 2014 and ’17 All-Pro teams. He added three 75-catch seasons in that span, making him one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons.
COVID-19 Tests Close Colts’ Facility
The Colts announced that they have closed their facility in the wake of positive COVID-19 tests. For now, they’ll work remotely as the tests are re-checked for accuracy.
“This morning, we were informed that several individuals within our organization have tested posted for COVID-19,” the team said in a statement. “The team is currently in the process of confirming those tests. In the meantime, the practice facility will be closed and the team will work remotely while following NFL protocols. We are in communication with the NFL and will have more information when available.”
The Colts are currently slated to play the Bengals in Indy on Sunday. Rescheduling the game – as we’ve seen throughout the season – could prove to be tricky. The Colts’ bye is in Week 7; the Bengals’ bye is in Week 9.
Meanwhile, the Falcons’ latest round of testing did not yield any new positives, giving them the greenlight to resume in-person activities. With that, the game between the Falcons and the Vikings is set to go on as scheduled. Ditto for Colts-Bengals, though that could change between now and the end of the business day.