HEADLINES

Month: August 2023

Colts Sign Two Free Agents; RB Kareem Hunt Leaves Without Deal

August 9th, 2023 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

The Colts made a few transactions today including the signings of running back Jason Huntley and tight end Ricky Seals-Jones, according to the team’s Twitter account. While the added depth is surely appreciated, it is likely a bit disappointing for Colts fans following the free agency activity surrounding running back Kareem Hunt.

Shortly after leaving New Orleans without a new contract, Indianapolis becomes the second straight visit that doesn’t result in a deal for the veteran rusher, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Hunt reportedly had a “great” visit with the Saints before making his way up to Indiana. The two locations he’s visited recently have situations that could allow for some early playing time. The Saints will be down a running back as Alvin Kamara serves a three-game suspension to start the year due to his role in a violent altercation a year and a half ago. New Orleans does still have a strong rusher at the top of the depth chart after signing Jamaal Williams this offseason, but the depth behind Williams is fairly inexperienced.

The Colts, on the other hand, may be getting a little desperate. Jonathan Taylor took his holdout to another level yesterday, leaving camp to rehabilitate his ankle injury. As backups Zack Moss and Deon Jackson are dealing with their own injuries, the Colts are currently relying only on recent signee Kenyan Drake and a trio of inexperienced options.

Hunt reportedly fielded offers from both teams with guaranteed money proving to be the main difference. While offering around the same amount that the Colts are expected to pay, the Saints’ deal includes more incentives that will make Hunt earn the money without guarantees.

Huntley and Seals-Jones appear to be depth signings to help Indianapolis make it through the preseason healthy. Huntley has only appeared in six games over his first three NFL seasons after getting drafted in the fifth round by the Eagles. He only has 18 rushes for 70 yards in his young career.

Seals-Jones likely has a better chance to push for a roster spot in 2023. Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods are both dealing with injuries heading into the preseason, and Seals-Jones has some solid experience. Appearing in games for four teams over his five years in the league, Seals-Jones has seen spurts of success throughout his career. The converted college wide receiver saw career-highs in 2018 in receptions (34) and receiving yards (343) and caught four touchdowns the following year. Only two seasons ago, he started six games in Washington. He missed all of last season while dealing with a toe injury but could bring some quality starting experience for the Colts if healthy.

In order to make room on the roster for Huntley and Seals-Jones, the Colts waived/injured tight end La’Michael Pettway and safety Michael Tutsie.

NFL Injury Updates: McGlinchey, Browns, Shaheed, Byrd

August 9th, 2023 at 9:51pm CST by Ely Allen

The Broncos endured a scare yesterday when new offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey was rolled up on in camp. According to Mike Klis of 9NEWS, it sounds like they avoided disaster as their starting right tackle only suffered a sprained knee.

Denver brought on McGlinchey, who was one of this offseason’s most prized free agents, at the open of free agency, shortly after also signing former Ravens guard Ben Powers. It showed how serious the team was about bulking up their offensive line to protect a veteran quarterback in Russell Wilson, who struggled last year in a new system.

Luckily, it sounds like McGlinchey avoided serious injury. This shouldn’t end up anything like the torn quadriceps injury that cut his 2021 season short. Klis claims that McGlinchey should only miss two to three weeks. He’ll have to take it easy for the entire preseason, but he should be ready to make his Broncos debut in the team’s season opener against the Raiders.

In the team’s first released depth chart of the season, veteran swing tackle Cameron Fleming is listed as McGlinchey’s primary backup. He should get a good run over the next few weeks in case McGlinchey’s recovery leaks into the regular season.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the league:

  • The Browns also experienced a couple of minor scares when two second-year defensive ends went down with “significant knee injuries,” according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. Both Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas suffered injuries this week that had head coach Kevin Stefanski thinking they would each “miss an extended period of time.” Luckily, ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided an update today that, after undergoing arthroscopic surgery, both players are expected to return “early in the season.” Although Wright started five games last year, both players are considered rotational backups. The position’s depth takes a hit, but the stars are still there.
  • Cleveland is down another second-year player in running back Jerome Ford, who is reportedly “week-to-week” with a hip injury, according to Browns staff writer Anthony Polsal. Although Ford’s main contribution as a rookie came returning kickoffs, he’s been expected to take the next step at running back this year with the departure of Kareem Hunt. He had been “receiving a considerable amount of reps” in camp before limping off the practice field on Monday. The team will turn to Demetric Felton, John Kelly, and undrafted rookie Hassan Hall in Ford’s absence, but they believe there’s a chance Ford could be back by Week 1.
  • Saints second-year wide receiver Rashid Shaheed missed another practice today, according to NOF Network. The surprise rookie contributor from last year has been missing a bit of time through camp with a groin injury. The report claims that, while Shaheed is expected to miss a few weeks, he should be ready to go for the team’s regular season opener.
  • The Panthers depth at wide receiver took a hit yesterday as veteran Damiere Byrd suffered “a significant hamstring injury,” according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. New head coach Frank Reich says that Byrd could need surgery. If so, it’s expected that the wideout would “miss at least eight weeks.” The new-look top-end remains the same with free agent additions Adam Thielen and DJ Chark and second-round rookie Jonathan Mingo. Behind them, Carolina still sports a strong backup group including Terrace Marshall, Laviska Shenault, Shi Smith, and others.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/9/23

August 9th, 2023 at 8:19pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the minor transactions from around the league as we wrap up training camp and officially head into the preseason:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Signed: RB Stevie Scott

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Waived/injured: T Nicolas Melsop

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Browns, DT Shelby Harris Agree To Deal

August 9th, 2023 at 5:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

A free agent visit between Shelby Harris and the Browns has yielded an agreement. The veteran defensive tackle is headed to Cleveland on a deal worth up to $5.25MM, reports Jordan Schultz of the Score (Twitter links).

Harris had been on the open market since being released by the Seahawks in March, but it took plenty of time for him to receive tangible interest. He explored the possibility of returning to the Broncos by visiting Denver, but that did not produce a deal. The 31-year-old then met with the Browns, though at that point he was not believed to be acting with much urgency to make a firm commitment.

Now, Harris has a new home for the fourth time in his career. The former seventh-rounder was included in the package Denver sent to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade last offseason. He remained a full-time starter in the Emerald City, though his production dropped compared to his days with the Broncos. Harris recorded two sacks and eight QB pressures in 2022, after posting six and 18, respectively, the year prior.

Harris should still be able to carve out at least a rotational role in Cleveland, a team which has set about re-tooling its defensive front this offseason. Their most signficant endeavor in that regard was the deal given to Dalvin Tomlinson (four-years, $57MM). The latter will be an anchor of the Browns’ defensive interior for the foreseeable future, and 2020 third-rounder Jordan Elliott graduated to a starting role in 2022. Perrion Winfrey was waived last month, though, leaving a vacancy at the DT spot.

Cleveland invested a third-round pick in this year’s draft to add further depth on the D-line by selecting Siaki Ika. Harris, who has 98 appearances and 64 starts to his name, will no doubt be counted on more than the Baylor product in 2023. As is the case with the Seahawks, the Browns are aiming to take a needed step forward with their defensive front compared to last year. Harris should aid in their ability to progress under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

A return to the Seahawks was thought to be on the table for much of the offseason in Harris’ case. As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets, however, the signing of Mario Edwards (which in turn came after the addition of Dre’Mont Jones) likely took a Harris deal off the table. Seattle will move forward with its new DT contingent, while Harris will look to put together a strong season in Cleveland ahead of another trip to free agency.

Ravens Meet With Jadeveon Clowney

August 9th, 2023 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 9: The Ravens have submitted an offer to Clowney, per Josina Anderson of CBS Sports (Twitter link). The former No. 1 pick will mull his options, but the Ravens certainly have an opening amongst veteran edge defenders. Baltimore currently sits at $9.5MM in cap space, which should allow them to field a competitive offer (especially on a one-year pact, which Clowney is likely in line for this late in the offseason) relative to other suitors. It will be worth watching how team and player proceed in the coming days with the pass-rush market having thinned out recently.

AUGUST 8: After both Justin Houston and Yannick Ngakoue reached agreements to further move the edge rusher market along, Jadeveon Clowney looms as the biggest name available. The former No. 1 overall pick is making visits.

Clowney trekked to Baltimore for a Ravens meeting Tuesday, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec tweets. In not re-signing Houston, the Ravens have a potential need on the edge. After multiple agreements with the Browns that occurred earlier in the offseason, Clowney is back in need of a team late in the summer.

Now 30, Clowney has never been able to secure a multiyear contract since his Texans rookie deal expired. The Texans franchise-tagged the former top draftee, leading to a trade with the Seahawks. That preceded one-year pacts with the Titans (2020) and two with the Browns (2021, ’22).

Clowney’s Cleveland tenure started well (nine sacks in 2021) but ended sourly. Clashes with the Browns’ coaching staff led the team to look elsewhere for Myles Garrett complementary options this year. The Browns have since signed Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and traded for Za’Darius Smith.

Letting Houston walk (to the Panthers), the Ravens will be counting on 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh, who has yet to justify the team’s investment. Oweh totaled three sacks in 17 games last season. (Houston led the team with 9.5.) The Ravens will have 2022 second-rounder David Ojabo back after an injury-marred rookie year. Tyus Bowser, who also missed time to start last season because of injury, remains with the team. An injury has once again impacted Bowser, however. The seventh-year veteran resides on Baltimore’s active/NFI list. A flareup in Bowser’s knee led to the designation.

A former Texans Pro Bowler, Clowney has offered teams versatility as a pass rusher. He has offered inside-rushing capabilities along with edge work. Despite Clowney’s issues with the Browns’ defensive staff and limited sack production (two), Pro Football Focus rated him as a top-30 defensive end last season. Against the run, PFF slotted Clowney as a top-20 option among edge defenders.

Clowney has undoubtedly heard from multiple teams this offseason, and the deals given to the likes of Houston ($6MM guaranteed), Ngakoue ($10MM locked in), Leonard Floyd ($7MM) and Frank Clark ($5MM) will impact teams’ pursuits of a player who has been patient in past free agency tours. Clowney signed a one-year, $8MM deal with the Browns in 2021 and collected $10MM from the team last year.

Colts To Meet With RB Kareem Hunt

August 9th, 2023 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 9: Adding further to Russini’s report, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com tweets that guaranteed money represented the difference in New Orleans’ and Indianapolis’ offers. The Saints backloaded their proposal with incentives, while keeping the total amount roughly on par with what the Colts are prepared to pay. With more money (and, potentially, playing time) available up front, it comes as little surprise that Hunt will at least consider a deal in Indianapolis.

AUGUST 8: Kareem Hunt‘s late-summer free agency tour will include a stop in Indianapolis. The Colts are set to meet with the former rushing champion Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Although Hunt enjoyed a “great” Saints visit, he will make a trip to meet with a team that features a greater running back need. The Colts remain without Jonathan Taylor, have lost backup Zack Moss to a broken arm, and fellow reserve Deon Jackson is also dealing with an unspecified injury.

Just ahead of Hunt’s Saints workout, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter), the Colts contacted him with what is believed to be a better offer. It is unclear what Indianapolis is proposing, but the six-year veteran will meet with the team to determine a fit.

Indianapolis has already signed Kenyan Drake. Hunt would represent another veteran option for the suddenly RB-deficient outfit. While Hunt arrived as a Chiefs draft pick months after Chris Ballard had joined the Colts as GM, the latter was with Kansas City in the months leading up to the 2017 offseason.

Hunt, who turned 28 on Sunday, played out a two-year, $12MM Browns deal. The former Pro Bowler did not miss any games last season but did not enjoy a particularly productive campaign. This and the running back market’s myriad obstacles have impacted Hunt’s 2023 value. After teams expressed trade interest in the former third-round pick before last year’s deadline, Hunt now looms as an emergency depth option midway through training camp.

Operating again as Nick Chubb‘s backup, Hunt totaled just 678 scrimmage yards. He averaged a career-low 3.8 per carry. This came after the Cleveland-area native finished with a 4.9-yard average in 2021. Teams are determining how much tread Hunt has left on his tires. He has only logged 1,106 career touches — far less than fellow UFAs Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook — but he was less productive than either ex-NFCer in 2022.

The Colts have seen Jonathan Taylor request a trade and now leave camp for rehab purposes on a slow-healing ankle. Rumored to be using this ankle recovery as a hold-in excuse, Taylor has since left Colts camp to go through additional rehab more than six months after undergoing what was thought to be a minor surgery. The Colts will be without Moss until at least Week 1. While a Taylor trade is not expected, the Colts are digging into an insurance option.

A backfield housing Taylor, Hunt, Drake and Moss would seemingly be untenable for Indianapolis, which may factor into Hunt’s free agency decision — assuming he is weighing more than one offer. For now, however, the Colts are in need. At full strength, the Saints are also sporting a crowded RB corps. Alvin Kamara will be eligible to return in October, and the team signed Jamaal Williams and drafted Kendre Miller in Round 3.

Cardinals RB Marlon Mack Out For Season

August 9th, 2023 at 2:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Days after the Cardinals brought in Marlon Mack, they will lose the veteran running back. Another Achilles injury is set to sideline Mack, with Jonathan Gannon indicating (via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban) the recent free agent pickup is out for the season. The Cardinals have placed Mack on IR.

This brings another major blow for Mack, whose career was once altered by an Achilles tear. Mack’s potential for a decent free agency payday slipped away after he suffered the tear in September 2020. The former 1,000-yard rusher has struggled to carve out roles since.

That 2020 injury opened the door for Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis and abruptly ended Mack’s prime. While the ex-fourth-round pick has signed several one-year contracts since, he has not been used in a similar capacity since the initial Achilles setback. Mack, 27, spent last season with the Broncos and 49ers.

After gaining 1,091 rushing yards in 2019, Mack saw the Colts use a second-round pick on Taylor the following April. The Colts still re-signed Mack in 2021 but did so on a one-year, $2MM agreement. Mack signed another one-year, $2MM pact — with the Texans — in 2022, but Houston cut him prior to setting its 53-man roster. Mack has only gained 185 rushing yards since going down early in his Colts contract year.

Mack was set to vie for a backup job behind James Conner. The Cardinals have 2022 sixth-rounder Keaontay Ingram, Corey Clement and Ty’Son Williams as options. They also worked out Damien Williams recently. With Mack down, Arizona may be on the lookout for another veteran.

CB Rumors: Jackson, Lions, Jaguars, Apple

August 9th, 2023 at 2:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Adoree’ Jackson served as the Giants‘ No. 1 cornerback last season, his second with the team. Despite coming off injury, Jackson fared well against Justin Jefferson in the Giants’ wild-card win. But the team is experimenting on a potential shift in the veteran’s role during training camp. Jackson has seen extensive time in the slot in camp, and Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News notes the prospect of Jackson in the slot and Deonte Banks and Tre Hawkins outside is viable.

The Titans used Jackson as an outside corner during his Tennessee tenure, and the Giants stationed Darnay Holmes in the slot last year. They also drafted Cor’Dale Flott as a slot option in last year’s third round. But Holmes has struggled during camp, per Leonard. Hawkins, chosen in the sixth round out of Old Dominion, does not have slot experience. Jackson’s willingness as a tackler would benefit the Giants if they followed through on this, though the move is not set in stone. Holmes still operated as the team’s lead slot defender in a joint practice against the Lions on Wednesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic tweets. Hawkins being in consideration for a regular role would be notable for a Giants team that struggled for CB depth last year.

Here is the latest from NFL secondaries:

  • Emmanuel Moseley‘s cleanup procedure on the ACL he tore last year has led to an unexpected delay in his return. Moseley reported to camp late due to the surgery, and the Lions placed the free agent signing on the active/PUP list. While Dan Campbell said last week the team expected Moseley back soon, the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett notes no timetable exists for the ex-49er’s return, adding that he may not be a lock to start the season on time. This surgery has provided another delay for Moseley, who signed a one-year, $6MM deal that came with $2MM guaranteed. Campbell confirmed Moseley’s absence to start camp was excused.
  • Fellow UFA addition Cameron Sutton and Jerry Jacobs have worked as Detroit’s starting cornerbacks in camp, and while the return of Moseley will give the Lions another starter-level corner, rookie UDFA Starling Thomas has made enough of an impression that Birkett added he is a good bet to make the 53-man roster. He of a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at UAB’s pro day, Thomas has been running with the Lions’ second-stringers at corner alongside Will Harris.
  • Few battles for starting spots are transpiring in Jacksonville, but the Jaguars are holding one at nickel corner. Despite bringing back Tre Herndon on another one-year deal, the Jags are pitting the sixth-year veteran against several players for the slot role. Second-year players Gregory Junior (Round 6) and Montaric Brown (Round 7) join sixth- and seventh-round rookies Erick Hallett and Christian Braswell in vying for this job, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Fifth-round safety Antonio Johnson has mixed in here as well. Herndon re-signed on a fully guaranteed $2.58MM deal. Formerly surpassing 900 defensive snaps in back-to-back years, Herndon finished with just 416 last season.
  • Eli Apple‘s Dolphins deal is worth $1.6MM over one season, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes. Incentives could take the veteran corner’s contract up to $2.28MM. While the $1.6MM is not entirely guaranteed, the former top-10 pick received a $250K signing bonus.

Ravens Activate WR Rashod Bateman

August 9th, 2023 at 12:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Injuries have marred Rashod Bateman‘s NFL career, and the Ravens have made significant adjustments to their wide receiver room this offseason. But the 2021 first-round pick will begin factoring into the team’s pass-catching work Wednesday.

Bateman passed his physical and is off Baltimore’s active/PUP list, the team announced. He will join Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and first-round pick Zay Flowers in a revamped position group. Bateman has not played since sustaining a Lisfranc injury in October 2022.

While Bateman returned in time for OTAs, he received a cortisone shot in his foot in June. That injection was only supposed to sideline the Minnesota alum for a brief period, but he ended up missing two weeks of training camp. John Harbaugh alluded to Bateman’s foot surgery leading to pain in other areas. Nevertheless, the third-year receiver is back in action.

This is not new territory for Bateman, who underwent groin surgery that shelved him for part of the Ravens’ 2021 camp and the start of that season. Bateman has missed 16 games during his career thus far. After a promising start to his sophomore NFL campaign, Bateman saw the Lisfranc surgery shut him down after six games. He totaled 15 receptions for 285 yards to start last season.

The Ravens operated with intent at receiver this offseason, blowing away the competition with a $15MM guarantee for Beckham and selecting a wideout in Round 1 for the third time in five years. Flowers and OBJ have impressed at camp thus far. It will be interesting to see how Bateman looks alongside the imported duo. He will have just more than a month to return to game shape ahead of his third regular season.

WR Henry Ruggs Sentenced To 3-10 Years

August 9th, 2023 at 12:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following a guilty plea, former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs received a prison sentence that will range from 3-10 years, Caroline Bleakley of 8 News Now reports.

Handed down Wednesday, this sentence comes nearly two years after Ruggs was arrested for his role in a car accident that killed a woman and her dog in Las Vegas. Ruggs, 24, entered his guilty plea May 10. Ruggs will serve his sentence in the Nevada state prison.

Accused of reaching speeds of 156 mph while impaired in the crash that killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor, Ruggs faced a harsher prison sentence if convicted. The former first-round pick was hit with several charges — DUI resulting in death, DUI resulting in bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, and possessing a firearm while under the influence. An accepted plea deal reduced the charges to DUI resulting in death, along with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, Bleakley adds.

“I sincerely apologize for my actions the morning of Nov. 2, 2021,” a Ruggs statement read. “My actions are not a true reflection of me.”

Ruggs’ Corvette collided with Tintor’s Toyota RAV4, launching the woman’s vehicle 571 feet and setting it on fire. The accident occurred just west of The Strip. Ruggs and a female passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. Ruggs refused a field sobriety test, but blood tests approximately two hours later revealed a blood-alcohol level of .161 — more than twice the legal limit.

Not given any credit for the time he has spent on house arrest since the accident, Ruggs must serve at least three years in prison. The Raiders selected the Alabama alum 12th overall in 2020, making the deep threat the first receiver chosen that year. The team waived Ruggs hours after the crash.

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