HEADLINES

Month: August 2023

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/17/23

August 17th, 2023 at 7:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OT Trevor Reid

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: WR Tyler Adams

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Released from IR: WR D.J. Turner

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Players placed on injured reserve during training camp or the preseason can’t be activated during the 2023 campaign. However, if they’re released from IR (often via an injury settlement), they’re free to sign and play elsewhere. For instance, Anthony Averett will surely be a player who can catch on with a new squad. The cornerback has seen time in 51 games (27 starts), collecting 114 tackles, three interceptions, and 23 passes defended. He had a career season in 2021 with the Ravens, starting all 14 of his appearances while chipping in 54 tackles, 11 passes defended, and three picks. He spent the 2022 season with the Raiders, starting six of his seven appearances while dealing with a pair of IR stints. He caught on with the 49ers earlier this month.

Among today’s signings, Davion Taylor is an intriguing addition to the Bears linebackers room. The former third-round pick spent the first two seasons of his career with the Eagles, including a 2021 campaign where he started six of his nine appearances while compiling 41 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. A knee injury ended that breakout campaign early, and he spent most of the 2022 season on the Eagles’ practice squad.

Details On Dalvin Cook’s Contract With Jets

August 17th, 2023 at 6:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Dalvin Cook‘s contract with the Jets was reported as a $7MM pact with $8.6MM upside. We’ve now got specific details on the contract from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, and if Cook is hoping to cash in, he’ll need to stay active and productive.

[RELATED: Jets To Sign RB Dalvin Cook]

As Florio details, $5.92MM of Cook’s contract is tied to him not being on the reserve/suspended list, protecting the organization in case the running back faces NFL punishment stemming from a domestic violence lawsuit. As Florio plainly explains it, the Jets can save more than $400K for each game that Cook misses due to suspension.

Specifically, the $8.6MM upside includes $1.2MM in per-game bonuses (~$70K per game) and $4.72MM in 53-man roster bonuses (~$277K per week). That latter total is paid out as long as Cook is on the 53-man roster (regardless of whether he’s active or inactive), injured reserve, or the physical unable to perform list. That $4.72MM amount is also guaranteed if Cook is released by the organization, although the hypothetical guaranteed money would be void if the running back is suspended.

For what it’s worth, head coach Robert Saleh didn’t sound all that worried about a suspension for his new running back.

“No, we’re not concerned,” Saleh said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini on Twitter). “We will see how all of that stuff goes, but at this moment we are not concerned.”

Cook doesn’t only have to remain on the roster in order to earn his maximum contract, as $1.6MM is tied to incentives. The RB can earn $400K for topping 1,250 yards from scrimmage and another $400K for eclipsing 1,500 yards from scrimmage. If Cook hits that 1,250-yard mark, he can earn an additional $205K for each playoff win. Total that all up (the $5.92MM in roster bonuses coupled with Cook’s guaranteed $1.08MM base salary), and that results in Cook’s $8.6MM deal.

CB Bryce Callahan Visits Dolphins

August 17th, 2023 at 4:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bryce Callahan has played for Vic Fangio in two cities. The veteran slot cornerback may have a chance to add a third chapter to this off-and-on partnership.

The Dolphins brought in Callahan for a visit Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Callahan, who played with the Chargers last season, has played under Fangio in seven of his eight NFL seasons. And he is coming off a season spent with Fangio disciple Brandon Staley in Los Angeles.

The Chargers signed Callahan shortly after the draft last year, and despite an injury-plagued Broncos tenure, the veteran cover man mostly held up in L.A. After missing 28 games in three Broncos seasons, Callahan was on the field for 15 contests as a Charger. The Bolts have moved on this offseason, being set to plug Asante Samuel Jr. into the slot role Callahan, 31, played last year. But the now-Fangio-run Dolphins defense features more questions.

Fangio initially coached Callahan with the Bears, and despite suffering a season-ending foot injury in 2018, the former UDFA scored a three-year, $21MM deal from the Broncos in 2019. The Denver contract proved a slight misread, with Callahan suffering a setback that led to him missing all of the 2019 season. But for system knowhow, it is difficult to find an active defender more qualified to operate in Fangio’s scheme.

Jalen Ramsey‘s knee injury will change Fangio’s plans on defense. Staley and Raheem Morris used the All-Pro in the slot at points, and Fangio was planning to follow suit. Ramsey undergoing surgery that will sideline him for much of the regular season brought some familiar territory for Fangio, who frequently saw his top defenders go down in Denver. The Dolphins are still looking for some reinforcements.

Pro Football Focus viewed Callahan as a top-flight slot defender in 2018 and 2020, ranking him in the top 10 in each Fangio-coached season. Last season with the Bolts, PFF ranked Callahan 70th at the position. After allowing sub-50% completion rates in 2020 and ’21, Callahan saw that number rise north of 64% last year. QBs’ collective rating when targeting Callahan did go down from 2021, settling at 80.0.

The Dolphins still have boundary corner Xavien Howard leading this group, and second-year UDFA Kader Kohou offers an interesting slot option. The team used a second-round pick on South Carolina’s Cam Smith and still has former first-rounder Noah Igbinoghene as a slot option as well.

Giants Meet With LB Anthony Barr

August 17th, 2023 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 17: Schoen’s previous comments notwithstanding, the Giants indeed circled back to a Barr visit. The nine-year veteran met with the Giants on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. No deal is imminent, but as the Giants hold a competition to see who will start alongside Okereke, they are still looking into veteran help. As of now, however, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes McFadden remains on track start (Twitter link).

AUGUST 9: This meeting does not look like it will happen — at least, not right now. The Giants will not bring in Barr for a visit, GM Joe Schoen said (via NJ.com’s Darryl Slater).

AUGUST 8: Anthony Barr left his Saints visit without a deal in place, and a report indicated other teams are on the radar. One of those suitors emerged hours later. The Giants look to be interested in the veteran linebacker.

The Giants and Barr are arranging a visit, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (on Twitter). The Giants have two young linebackers attempting to fill in alongside Bobby Okereke, but Barr would certainly bring an experience edge for a team that lost Jarrad Davis to a season-ending injury.

A Giants-Barr connection exists through defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who was in Minnesota throughout Barr’s time with the team (as a part of Mike Zimmer‘s staff). Having fired Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman, the Vikings did not bring Barr back last year. He spent the 2022 season with the Cowboys.

Despite signing with Dallas near the start of last year’s training camp, Barr moved into a regular role with the Cowboys. The 2014 first-rounder started 10 games and added two more postseason starts, playing at least 65% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps in each postseason contest. For the season, Barr finished with 58 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a sack. The veteran off-ball linebacker’s best years obviously came in Minnesota, but the UCLA alum is still generating interest as a role player.

Okereke signed a four-year, $40MM contract with the Giants in March, joining a team desperate for ILB help. Okereke’s deal trailed only Tremaine Edmunds for linebacker value this offseason, being well north of the other non-rush backers on this year’s market. The Giants did not spend to upgrade at the other ILB starting spot, going with Davis on a league-minimum pact. But Davis suffered a major knee injury during offseason workouts. The Giants have 2022 fifth-round pick Micah McFadden (seven starts) and 2022 sixth-rounder Darrian Beavers, who is coming off an ACL tear that wiped out his rookie year. Beavers is believed to have a leg up on McFadden for the starting job, but the Giants checking in on Barr points to the team exploring a veteran upgrade.

Barr, 31, passed his Saints physical, per Anderson, but wants to explore this late-summer market. A four-time Pro Bowler with the Vikings, Barr transitioned from college edge rusher to NFL off-ball presence. Zimmer deployed Barr as a 4-3 outside linebacker, but he has spent time as a sporadic rusher as well. Barr has 18.5 sacks and 48 QB hits over the course of his nine-year career.

AFC South Notes: Clowney, Titans, Colts

August 17th, 2023 at 3:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jadeveon Clowney has made two visits but remains a free agent. Following his Ravens meeting, the former No. 1 overall pick visited the Jaguars. Not only did the Jags let Clowney leave, Doug Pederson indicated (via NFL.com’s James Palmer) the well-traveled pass rusher left Jacksonville without a contract offer. Clowney, 30, did not exactly part ways with the Browns on good terms, clashing with the team’s coaching staff during his second season as Myles Garrett‘s top sidekick. Clowney has now played for four teams, and while a return to the AFC South would strengthen the Jags’ pass rush, no deal is imminent.

The Jags lost Arden Key, who signed with the Titans, but reunited with Dawuane Smoot, who is coming off a December Achilles tear. Key’s exit will place more pressure on last year’s No. 1 pick, Travon Walker, who finished with 3.5 sacks and 10 QB hits as a rookie. Josh Allen remains Jacksonville’s pass-rushing anchor, but more will be expected of Walker. Clowney played for $8MM in 2021 and $10MM last year. The Jaguars hold a $10MM cap-space lead on the Ravens, carrying $18.4MM to Baltimore’s $8.8MM.

Here is the latest from the AFC South:

  • Although the Titans made a promotion to fill their offensive coordinator job for the third straight occasion, Tim Kelly has made some changes. The team has pivoted to the type of offense Kelly and Bill O’Brien ran in Houston, rather than the version of the Sean McVay attack Matt LaFleur brought with him back in 2018, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. “There’s a touch more freedom in his offense,” Ryan Tannehill said of the Patriots-style attack. “Being able to make adjustments on the fly, make changes at the line of scrimmage, a little more freedom within the route trees.” The Titans dropped from 17th to 30th in total offense from 2021 to 2022, helping lead to Todd Downing‘s ouster.
  • Tennessee is once again dealing with issues staffing its right tackle position, with Nicholas Petit-Frere incurring a six-game gambling suspension. The Titans also released Jamarco Jones, who was competing for the temporary fill-in gig, early in training camp. July pickup Chris Hubbard has taken over as the frontrunner to replace Petit-Frere to start the season, The Athletic’s John Rexrode notes (subscription required). Hubbard, who spent the past five years in Cleveland, has not worked as a regular starter since 2019 and has only started one game over the past two seasons. The Titans will have four new O-line starters in Week 1, and with Aaron Brewer sliding from guard to center, the team will not have any 2022 O-line starter playing the same position to open the season.
  • As the Colts transition to another coaching staff, Mo Alie-Cox‘s Colts roster spot might not be secure. The veteran tight end is vying for a blocking role against offseason signing Pharaoh Brown, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins. The Colts have Jelani Woods as a roster lock and used a fifth-round pick on Will Mallory. While Atkins notes Alie-Cox should have the upper hand on Brown, the team has some decisions to make. Kylen Granson, a 2021 fourth-round pick, is also not assured of a job in Shane Steichen‘s offense. It would cost the Colts $2.4MM in dead money to release Alie-Cox, who has been with the team since 2017.
  • The Texans are hiring former Northwestern director of player personnel Jonny Kovach as a player personnel assistant, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. Multiple offers came Kovach’s way, per Wilson. Kovach had stayed on with the Big Ten program due to loyalty to Pat Fitzgerald. With Fitzgerald dismissed in the wake of the program’s hazing scandal, Kovach will make the jump to the pros.

Colts’ Ashton Dulin Tears ACL, Lands On IR

August 17th, 2023 at 11:43am CST by Sam Robinson

A backup wide receiver and special-teamer on the past four Colts teams, Ashton Dulin will not play this season. The veteran wideout suffered a torn ACL in practice, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets, and will be sidelined for the year.

The Colts have already responded with a roster move. Placing Dulin on IR, the team signed wide receiver Tyler Adams. A former Butler target, Adams initially stayed in Indianapolis as a UDFA this offseason. The Colts had waived Adams in May, but after Dulin’s injury, he will join the team in training camp.

Dulin, 26, has been with the Colts since joining the team as a UDFA in 2019. Becoming a steady NFLer out of Division II Malone College (Ohio), Dulin has made three starts over the past two seasons. Injuries to higher-profile Colts pass catchers brought in Dulin, who totaled five receptions for 79 yards in a Week 2 start against the Jaguars last year. Dulin returned to his backup role the following week and finished with 15 receptions for 207 yards and a touchdown in 2022.

A foot injury, one that sent Dulin to IR, impacted that total. Dulin also spent time on IR in 2020. Despite making a coaching change this year, the Colts re-signed Dulin on a two-year, $7.2MM deal. The 6-foot-1 wideout received $3.5MM guaranteed.

Indianapolis has made some adjustments at receiver this offseason. The now-Shane Steichen-led team signed Isaiah McKenzie and drafted fellow slot Josh Downs in the third round. The team also recently added Amari Rodgers, who asked for his Texans release, and signed Breshad Perriman earlier this offseason. Mike Strachan, Juwann Winfree and Vyncint Smith also reside as aspiring backups in Indianapolis.

Latest On Mekhi Becton, Jets’ Offensive Line

August 17th, 2023 at 11:06am CST by Sam Robinson

As the Jets’ months-long issue along the offensive line moves into the mainstream, via a brief Hard Knocks segment, the team still has not turned to Mekhi Becton as a first-stringer during training camp.

After showing promise as a rookie, Becton saw extensive injury troubles and weight issues sidetrack his career. The 2020 first-round pick has not played since Week 1 of the 2021 season, but he lost around 50 pounds this offseason. Becton criticized the Jets’ coaching staff for moving him to right tackle last year, a switch he believes led to his knee reinjury. But the talented blocker is now believed to be onboard with playing on the right side. The Jets are trying Becton at right tackle Thursday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets, marking the first time that has taken place during this year’s camp.

The Jets still have not used Becton as a first-stringer this year. Despite Duane Brown remaining on Gang Green’s active/PUP list, Becton has worked behind Billy Turner and Max Mitchell at tackle. Even as the team’s depleted front has struggled in joint practices with the Panthers and Buccaneers, Saleh is waiting on giving Becton extended run.

“The biggest thing for Mekhi is to show that he can play a game without having to be spelled out,” Robert Saleh said, via the New York Post’s Brian Costello. “It’s unfair to the team to prepare a guy to start if you are not sure he can make it through a game. He is moving in the right direction.”

While Becton brings a much higher ceiling compared to Turner and Mitchell, his injury baggage is among the most extensive in recent NFL history. Missing nearly two full seasons, Becton also missed practice time earlier in camp and asked out of the Jets’ Hall of Fame Game. He did return to play 27 snaps against the Panthers last weekend, marking a good sign. The Jets may soon have no choice but to bump Becton into their starting lineup, given the state of their line. But Saleh continues to proceed cautiously.

As injuries mounted last season, the Jets shifted emerging guard Alijah Vera-Tucker to right tackle. The 2021 first-rounder suffered a season-ending triceps injury while at that position, but the team returned him to guard this offseason. The team is again considering Vera-Tucker at tackle, Saleh said (via Costello), though the third-year HC reminded that the team loves the USC alum at guard. Vera-Tucker has also missed recent time due to injury, along with the Jets’ other guard starter — Laken Tomlinson. Neither practiced against the Bucs on Wednesday.

Should the Jets try a “best five” scenario in Week 1, Cimini offers that Wes Schweitzer — who is competing with Connor McGovern at center — could be shifted to guard as Vera-Tucker slides back to right tackle. Although Schweitzer is competing at center, the ex-Atlanta and Washington starter has extensive guard experience. He started at right guard against Carolina last weekend. The Jets also have second-round rookie Joe Tippmann in the mix, rounding out a deep O-line interior on a team that has faced tackle questions for months.

While Saleh has said Vera-Tucker has All-Pro potential at guard, urgency to place a competent line in front of Aaron Rodgers may supersede the team’s long-term plan for the third-year blocker. As for Brown, Saleh said the team’s preferred left tackle option is moving closer to a return from offseason shoulder surgery.

CB Ronald Darby Visits Titans, To Meet With Ravens

August 17th, 2023 at 10:42am CST by Sam Robinson

10:42am: The Ravens indeed added Brown to their workout, Anderson tweets. This marks Brown’s first known audition since his December Achilles tear.

9:01am: More than 10 months after he suffered an ACL tear, Ronald Darby continues to generate interest. The veteran cornerback will up his summer visit count to four Thursday.

Having already met with the Texans and Vikings this year, Darby traveled to Tennessee for a Titans visit this week. In light of the foot surgery Marlon Humphrey underwent Wednesday, the Ravens are set to meet with Darby today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (Twitter links). Darby met with the Vikings in early August and the Texans in July.

Injuries have limited Darby, 29, for much of his career. He missed six Broncos games in 2021 and went down in Week 5 of last season. Last year’s ACL tear marked familiar territory for Darby, who sustained the same injury in 2018. While the former second-round pick was able to rebound from the previous knee malady to set up another Eagles deal, a Washington pact and the three-year, $30MM Broncos accord, he is running out of time to show teams he can stay healthy.

When available, Darby has generally played well. Pro Football Focus ranked him as a top-30 corner in 2020, his only career 16-game season — one that led the Broncos to authorize that eight-figure-per-year pact. PFF also viewed the 5-foot-11 defender as having a strong start to the 2022 campaign prior to the knee setback. The Florida State product has made 88 regular-season starts and operated as a first-stringer in Super Bowl LII with the Eagles.

The Titans have made a few early-round investments at corner in recent years. They have used four first- or second-round picks on this position since 2017. While Adoree’ Jackson departed after the 2020 slate, the Titans still carry Kristian Fulton (Round 2, 2020), Caleb Farley (Round 1, 2021) and Roger McCreary (Round 2, 2022). Fulton and McCreary represent key cogs for the AFC South team, but Farley has been unable to shake his injury trouble. The Virginia Tech product, who underwent season-ending back surgery to wrap a campaign in which the Titans reduced his playing time, remains on the team’s active/PUP list. Back trouble dinged Farley’s stock coming into the NFL as well.

The Ravens are dealing with multiple injuries at the position. In addition to Humphrey’s foot procedure, second-year cover man Damarion Williams underwent ankle surgery that is expected to sideline him until at least October. Jalyn Armour-Davis and recent pickup Arthur Maulet have also missed time due to injury in training camp. John Harbaugh said Humphrey should not be expected to be shelved for an extended period, but he is on track to miss regular-season games. With this quartet down, Brandon Stephens, Kevon Seymour and Ar’Darius Washington reside as Baltimore’s top available corners.

In addition to Darby, the Ravens have former Cowboys corner Anthony Brown on their radar, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets. Brown, 29, joins Darby in coming off a season-ending injury. The six-year Cowboy cover man, however, suffered his injury — an Achilles tear — in early December. Brown served as a regular Cowboys slot corner, re-signing with the team on a three-year deal worth $15.5MM in 2020. His work on that contract ended a bit early, with the Achilles tear occurring in Week 13 of last season.

Despite catching on with Dallas as a 2017 sixth-round pick, Brown started 69 games with the team. The Cowboys have not been connected to a reunion with Brown this year, having traded for Stephon Gilmore in March. Dallas also rosters Jourdan Lewis, who is also coming off a season-ending injury. While Darby has been connected to a handful of teams this offseason, Brown has hovered off the radar since his Cowboys contract expired.

Bengals’ Joe Mixon Found Not Guilty On Aggravated Menacing Charge

August 17th, 2023 at 10:38am CST by Sam Robinson

The Bengals retained Joe Mixon this offseason, despite a run of uncertainty regarding his status with the team. The seventh-year running back also received some good news on the legal front Thursday.

A judge found Mixon not guilty on the misdemeanor aggravated menacing charge that stemmed from a January road rage incident, WKRC12’s Christian Houser tweets. Mixon, 27, had pleaded not guilty to the charge in April. This led to a four-day trial that wrapped Thursday.

The Bengals running back was accused of pointed a gun at a woman during a traffic encounter, which occurred before the team was to gather at Paycor Stadium ahead of its departure for a divisional-round game in Buffalo. While police initially dropped the charge in February, it was refiled upon further review. A conviction could have resulted in 180 days in jail, but Thursday morning’s decision will close this chapter for the veteran back.

Mixon, of course, entered the NFL with ugly baggage. A video of him punching a woman in the face led to a season-long suspension at Oklahoma, and the Bengals faced criticism for drafting him in the 2017 second round. Mixon was not suspended for that incident, since it occurred before he entered the league, and has not been suspended since he was drafted. While the NFL’s personal conduct policy does not mandate a conviction for a suspension, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones tweets Mixon should not be expected to face a league penalty in connection with the January incident.

After Samaje Perine turned down a Bengals offer to sign with the Broncos, the defending AFC North champions still circled back to a Mixon pay cut. Months of rumors on that front led to Mixon accepting a steep reduction. Formerly tied to a $12MM-per-year contract, Mixon agreed to new terms that reduced his through-2024 deal to a two-year, $11.5MM pact.

Haason Reddick To Undergo Thumb Surgery

August 17th, 2023 at 10:28am CST by Sam Robinson

Haason Reddick suffered a thumb injury recently, and the setback will require surgery. The Eagles pass rusher will undergo surgery in an effort to be ready by Week 1, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The standout linebacker suffered the injury during the Eagles’ Monday practice, and it does not appear he will be practicing again for the foreseeable future. The Eagles will prioritize Reddick’s regular-season availability. Reddick, who has enjoyed a breakthrough stretch upon being moved back to an edge role, did not miss a game during his Eagles debut season.

Reddick led the Eagles’ push for the single-season sack record last season, tallying a career-high 16. He has now recorded double-digit sacks in three straight seasons — for three different teams. After the Cardinals tried the Temple product as an off-ball linebacker early in his career, Reddick was reborn as a pass rusher following a Chandler Jones injury in 2020. The Panthers then gave him a one-year deal, and he registered 11 sacks in 2021. The former first-rounder parlayed that into a three-year, $45MM Eagles contract — one that already looks team-friendly after the season Reddick produced.

The Eagles fell two sacks shy of the 1984 Bears’ sack record, finishing with 70. That still led the league by a considerable margin, and Reddick tied for the league lead with five forced fumbles as well. The ex-Cardinals draftee helped secure the Eagles’ Super Bowl LVII berth as well, adding 3.5 playoff sacks.

While it sounds like the seventh-year veteran is expected back by Week 1, as The Athletic’s Zach Berman indicates (via Twitter), this does form an early hurdle for the ascending sack artist and the defending NFC champions’ pass rush.

If Reddick were to miss early-season time, the Eagles would obviously be impacted. But the team remains deep on the edge. Josh Sweat is signed long term, and the Eagles reupped Brandon Graham in March. While Robert Quinn is no longer on the roster, the Eagles still have Derek Barnett — who was lost with an ACL tear in Week 1 of last season — and drafted Nolan Smith in the first round. Smith received Reddick comps coming into the draft. Reddick’s thumb malady should give the Georgia product more opportunities ahead of his rookie year.

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