HEADLINES

Month: August 2023

NFC East Notes: Eagles, Pinnock, Cowboys

August 9th, 2023 at 11:58am CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles both signed five-year starter Terrell Edmunds and used a third-round pick on Sydney Brown. Both safeties factor into the team’s plans, but they are not outflanking Reed Blankenship thus far through training camp. Blankenship has been a first-team mainstay, per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, who adds Edmunds and Brown have rotated at the other safety spot. Indeed, The Athletic’s Zach Berman notes Blankenship — a 2022 UDFA out of Middle Tennessee State — has been the Eagles’ top safety in camp (subscription required).

This reminds of Marcus Epps‘ rise last year. Despite the Eagles re-signing Anthony Harris and adding Jaquiski Tartt in 2022, Epps earned a starting job — one that eventually led to a two-year, $12MM Raiders payday. The Eagles brought in C.J. Gardner-Johnson via trade just before last season. That transaction could signal none of Philly’s safeties should be too comfortable, but Blankenship — Gardner-Johnson’s injury sub last year who played 291 defensive snaps — looks like the best bet to start among the in-house group.

Here is the latest from the NFC East:

  • Staying on the subject of safeties in this division, the Giants may be moving toward giving Jason Pinnock the starting job alongside Xavier McKinney. A Jets fifth-round pick in 2021, Pinnock started five games for the Giants last year, operating as McKinney’s injury fill-in. He has received consistent first-team work in camp, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan notes. Pinnock has distanced himself from Dane Belton and veteran Bobby McCain, having been Big Blue’s first-teamer since the fourth training camp practice. The Giants, who lost Julian Love in free agency, claimed Pinnock shortly after the Jets waived the converted cornerback on cutdown day last year. Two seasons remain on Pinnock’s rookie contract.
  • Malik Hooker‘s 2023 Cowboys cap hit climbed from $4.32MM to $4.57MM as a result of his recent extension, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. The incentives in the three-year, $21MM contract include $500K bumps involving playing time and INT production. Five picks and the Cowboys making the playoffs would result in a $500K increase, Archer adds, noting the other incentive requires Hooker to play 85% of Dallas’ defensive snaps and the team to make the postseason (Twitter link).
  • The Cowboys, who turned Micah Parsons from an off-ball linebacker to a fearsome edge rusher, are giving Leighton Vander Esch some reps on the edge, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News notes. While the sixth-year linebacker received sparse edge work in games last season, Gehlken adds this is the first time he has received extensive instruction in a defensive end role. Rostering Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler and Sam Williams, the Cowboys are much deeper on the edge than at linebacker. It would stand to reason LVE’s role will likely remain mostly as an off-ball defender.
  • The Giants recently added longtime safety Mike Adams to their coaching staff, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan tweets. A 16-year veteran, Adams will replace Anthony Blevins as the Giants’ assistant defensive backs coach, the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard adds (on Twitter). Adams, 42, hung up his cleats after the 2019 season. Blevins left the Giants during the summer to accept an XFL HC position.
  • While Devon Allen did not see any game action for the Eagles last season, Berman writes the two-time Olympian hurdler is in play to make the team as a backup this year. Allen, 28, has not played in a game since working as an Oregon slot receiver in 2016. Shifting to track full-time proved beneficial for Allen, who is one of the best 110-meter hurdlers in U.S. history. But he opted to give football another try last year. He suffered an injury at the U.S. Championships last month, exiting the 110 hurdles competition before the finals in order to preserve his body for his second Eagles camp. The Eagles activated Allen from the PUP list Tuesday.
  • Given a reserve/futures deal along with Allen in February, Matt Leo landed on the Eagles’ reserve/retired list last month. The team hired the former practice squad defensive end a defensive and football operations assistant.

Cardinals’ Isaiah Simmons Requested Shift From LB Role

August 9th, 2023 at 9:39am CST by Sam Robinson

When the Cardinals did not exercise Isaiah Simmons‘ fifth-year option in May, the 2020 draftee was classified as a linebacker. That meant a $12.7MM option call for Arizona’s new regime. Passing on that guaranteed salary moved the hybrid defender into a contract year.

The Cardinals still have Simmons squarely in their plans, but they have not insisted on a position for the versatile player. Jonathan Gannon‘s staff gave the Clemson alum a choice on where to play. He has been operating as a DB for several weeks. This has come during an offseason in which fellow first-round ILB investment Zaven Collins has been given time as an edge defender.

“I told them I didn’t want to play linebacker,” Simmons said, via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban. “I felt more comfortable getting back to things I had done in the past. If they came here and said, ‘You’re going to be a Mike linebacker,’ I would’ve done it to the best of my ability. I think they understood that maybe the designed position I was supposed to be at, and I’m happy they let me come in and lock in on one position.”

Simmons has been working at safety during training camp, with Urban adding the former No. 8 overall pick has most often been stationed as a deep defender — rather than in the slot. Last season, Simmons roved around the formation but spent the most time in the slot (45% of his snaps). The fourth-year defender’s 4.39-second 40-yard dash speed has helped him hold his own in the secondary. This will still be a transition for Simmons, who has not played a deep safety role regularly since high school.

Pro Football Focus rated Simmons as a top-40 cornerback last season. This marked a step up from the unique talent’s 2021 assessment, when linebacker was his primary role. In addition to 409 slot snaps, Simmons also played 297 snaps in the box, 110 on the defensive line and saw a bit of work as a boundary corner and as a safety last season. With Budda Baker back in the fold and Jalen Thompson also signed long term, the Cardinals are preparing three-safety looks under Gannon and DC Nick Rallis. With both Simmons and Collins at new positions, the Cardinals have UFA additions Kyzir White and Krys Barnes as the early starters at inside linebacker.

This year’s free agency classes at safety and linebacker largely struggled to cash in, save for top-market players like Tremaine Edmunds and Jessie Bates. Steep value drop-offs took place as those respective markets sorted out. Simmons, 25, will have a chance to create a market for himself. Considering the Cardinals’ safety allocations — Baker at $14.1MM per year, Thompson at $12MM AAV — Simmons sticking at safety may lead him out of Arizona. Then again, Baker made a trade request this offseason and does not have any guaranteed money on his deal for 2024.

While the three-safety alignment gives the Cardinals options in the slot, they are looking for a second cornerback opposite Marco Wilson. Rallis said (via Urban) the team is “not close” to determining its No. 2 cornerback. The Cardinals let Byron Murphy walk in free agency; he followed Patrick Peterson‘s path by joining the Vikings. A former fourth-round pick who has made 26 starts in two seasons, Wilson is a lock to be one of Arizona’s starting corners.

Arizona re-signed Antonio Hamilton, who made five starts last season, and added Rashad Fenton in free agency. Fenton’s guarantee ($1.5MM) tops Hamilton’s ($76K). Sixth-round pick Kei’Trel Clark has received first-team reps during camp, per Urban. Third-rounder Garrett Williams remains on the Cards’ active/NFI list after suffering an ACL tear during his final season at Syracuse.

Vikings Sign WR N’Keal Harry

August 9th, 2023 at 8:43am CST by Ely Allen

AUGUST 9: Although Harry visited the Bills and Eagles, he will only receive the veteran minimum from the Vikings. Harry agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.1MM, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets.

AUGUST 6: Former first-round pick N’Keal Harry has landed at his third NFL home in five years, signing as a free agent with the Vikings, according to Vikings senior editor Craig Peters. The former Patriots and Bears wide receiver will attempt to stick in a wide receivers room that currently houses three other former first round picks.

Harry’s first few years in the league have been anything but smooth. Ankle and hip injuries limited the Arizona State star to only seven games as a rookie. In his sophomore season, Harry was finally able to get on the field, resulting in career-highs in receptions (33), receiving yards (309), and touchdowns (2). After that season, Harry’s career experienced a bit of turbulence as he requested a trade from New England before the start of the 2021 season. Another testing injury, along with a likely marred relationship with the team, led to a year of regression that ultimately resulted in the young wide out being shipped to Chicago in return for a 2024 seventh-round pick.

Unfortunately for Harry, before he could even really get settled in Illinois, injuries were nagging at him yet again. An apparently severe ankle injury that would require surgery forced the Bears to start their new wide receiver out on injured reserve. Harry would log a catch in all but one appearance in a Bears uniform, but unfortunately, he would only suit up for seven games and make seven catches. The Patriots had declined his fifth-year option as a first-round pick, so following his fourth NFL season, the Bears allowed him to walk as a free agent.

Now, Harry will take on his third chance, hoping to catch passes from Kirk Cousins in Minnesota. He’ll have to climb a depth chart that is a bit top-heavy. Two of the team’s top-three receivers last year, Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn, will return in 2024 to lead the group. The absence formed by Adam Thielen‘s departure for Carolina will be mitigated by the addition of rookie first-round pick Jordan Addison out of USC.

Past those three, one would assume jobs are fairly wide open. Another first-round pick who has struggled to find his role in the NFL, Jalen Reagor returns for a second year with the Vikings. He’s joined backing up the starters by former Rams wide receiver Brandon Powell, sixth-round rookie Jalen Nailor, and others.

Harry hasn’t done much with his career thus far, but he still has the physical tools that helped him excel as a Sun Devil. If he can gain a rapport with Cousins and provide some tools that the others on the team can’t, Harry has a chance to compete with Reagor, Powell, and Nailor for snaps behind Jefferson, Osborn, and Addison.

Panthers, Brian Burns Not Close On Deal

August 8th, 2023 at 9:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Extension-eligible since January 2022, Brian Burns is approaching the point of playing into a contract year. Two weeks into training camp, the two sides have some work to do.

The Panthers and Burns are not believed to be close on terms, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes. This extension has been on the Panthers’ radar for a while, initially coming up in April 2022, and the Panthers have made an offer. But Burns remains tied to his rookie contract.

Carolina has changed head coaches and defensive coordinators, with Ejiro Evero calling the shots for Frank Reich‘s team on defense. Scott Fitterer was not in place as GM when the Panthers drafted Burns, but that has not stopped the team from planning this extension. This has brought a drawn-out process, however, and Fowler adds Burns does not sound like he is leery of beginning his fifth-year option season without an extension in place. Thanks to the Fitterer-Matt Rhule tandem picking up that option, Burns is tied to a $16MM guaranteed salary for 2023.

Trade talks also stand to embolden Burns, whose next contract will likely place him in the top five among edge rusher AAV. The Panthers turned down a two-first-rounder offer from the Rams for Burns before the 2022 trade deadline. If that were not enough, Burns’ camp can point to Fitterer and Co. refusing to deal him to the Bears in March’s exchange for the No. 1 pick — a swap that required the Panthers to send D.J. Moore to Chicago.

The top domino on the edge market has yet to fall, which also could be impacting Burns’ talks with the Panthers. The 49ers and Nick Bosa remain in negotiations, as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year stages a holdout. Bosa has long been on the radar to eclipse Aaron Donald‘s $31.7MM-per-year salary, which leads the pack among defenders. Burns is not a candidate to compete with Bosa, but a new salary ceiling would stand to benefit the fellow 2019 first-rounder.

Burns, 25, has missed all of two games as a pro. He is coming off a career-high 12.5 sacks (to go with 22 QB hits), getting there despite the Panthers having let Haason Reddick walk in free agency. Carolina did not acquire a comparable Reddick successor last year, but the team did bring in Justin Houston — with a $6MM guarantee — over the weekend. Houston’s presence figures to help Burns, but with the former going into his age-34 season, no issue exists regarding who is the Panthers’ centerpiece pass rusher.

As of now, the $23.5MM-per-year mark represents the fifth spot in the edge defender salary pecking order. It should be expected Burns is aiming to pass the Bradley Chubb–Maxx Crosby point, with the salary cap on track to make another big jump in 2024. The next level would be the Joey Bosa–Myles Garrett tier. The Browns All-Pro is tied to $25MM per year, while the injury-prone Chargers ace is at $27MM AAV. That will be tougher territory to enter, but the Panthers’ recent trade talks and their cap sheet — one now featuring Bryce Young‘s rookie contract — all represent positive developments for the ascending sack artist.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/23

August 8th, 2023 at 8:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: WR Johnny King
  • Waived: T Chim Okorafor
  • Activated from active/PUP list: WR Devon Allen

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Waived/injured: CB Andrew Whitaker

Washington Commanders

Flowers, who agreed to terms with the Patriots earlier today after a workout, suffered a foot injury in October of last season. That setback cut short a Dolphins run after four games. Flowers, who will turn 30 next week, last played for the Patriots in 2018.

McNichols joined Duke Johnson, Brian Hill and Jason Huntley at a recent 49ers workout. The 49ers are without Elijah Mitchell for what is expected to be a short stretch. A five-year veteran, McNichols most recently saw action for the Titans in 2021, helping the team as a pass-catching back (28 grabs for 240 yards) while Derrick Henry missed time with a foot fracture.

Allen suffered an injury while competing in the opening rounds of the 110-meter hurdles competition at the USA Track and Field Championships in July. The two-time Olympian owns the sixth-fastest hurdle time this year (13.04 seconds) but missed a key chunk of Eagles camp. This marks his second bid to make Philadelphia’s 53-man roster. Allen, 28, spent last season on the Eagles’ practice squad and stayed with the team via a reserve/futures contract in February.

The Panthers’ regular kicker, Eddy Pineiro, is battling a groin injury. Carolina gave Pineiro, their 2022 kicker, $2.25MM guaranteed earlier this offseason. The Jaguars’ primary kicker in 2021, Wright kicked in four Steelers games and two Chiefs contests last season.

A rookie UDFA, Whittaker suffered a torn patellar tendon in a recent Seahawks practice, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Matthews also sustained a season-ending injury — a torn ACL — during a Texans workout, Wilson adds (on Twitter).

Bears Pursued G Isaac Seumalo

August 8th, 2023 at 6:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Bears entered free agency with the NFL’s most cap space, they ventured into a few offensive line markets. Most notably, Chicago helped set Mike McGlinchey‘s price point, bowing of a sweepstakes that ended with Denver giving the ex-San Francisco blocker a top-five right tackle contract.

Although the Bears came away with four-year Titans starting guard Nate Davis, they also made a pursuit of another veteran guard. Chicago was in on the Isaac Seumalo market, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan notes.

Seumalo waited a few days to make his commitment. The Steelers signed the longtime Eagles guard to a three-year, $24MM pact — an accord in line with last year’s James Daniels agreement. It does not seem the Bears were willing to give Seumalo much of a guarantee, with the Steelers giving the veteran starter just $6.95MM locked in at signing. Even though assistant GM Ian Cunningham was in Philadelphia when the team extended Seumalo in 2019, the Bears looked to clearly prefer Davis.

Intent on improving Russell Wilson‘s O-line, the Broncos gave Ben Powers $27MM guaranteed. But Davis collected the second-highest guard guarantee during free agency, scoring $17.5MM (on a three-year, $30MM deal) from the Bears on Day 1 of the legal tampering period. Heading into his age-27 season, Davis is three years younger than Seumalo. The Bears are set to pair Davis with converted tackle Teven Jenkins, who is shifting from right to left guard to accommodate the incoming talent. Chicago, which circled back to its right tackle need by taking Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall, has moved Cody Whitehair back to center as well.

Seumalo’s low guarantee likely stems from his struggles staying on the field in the 2020s. While he returned as a full-time player in 2022, the former third-round pick missed 21 games over the 2020 and ’21 seasons. Knee and Lisfranc issues, respectively, sidelined Seumalo during those seasons. But he re-established his market, to some degree, this year. Pro Football Focus was slightly more bullish on Seumalo than Davis, slotting the former 10th overall among guards last season. Davis, however, drew a No. 17 placement.

The Steelers have plugged Seumalo in at left guard, while the Eagles are moving toward using 2022 second-rounder Cam Jurgens as his replacement.

Giants Holding Competitions At All Three Interior O-Line Spots

August 8th, 2023 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Making two top-10 picks at tackle over the past four years, the Giants have no questions at those positions. They also used a second-round choice on center John Michael Schmitz, and while the Minnesota product is a decent bet to begin his career as a starter, the Giants are not ensuring that route will open up just yet.

More notably, 2022 free agency addition Mark Glowinski does not appear a lock to keep his job, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post tweets. Swingman Ben Bredeson, who is also in contention for left guard, has mixed in regularly with the first team on the right side, with The Athletic’s Dan Duggan and Charlotte Carroll most recently noting Bredeson’s first-team RG usage (subscription required).

A 2021 trade acquisition from the Ravens, Bredeson has mixed in at all three spots along the Giants’ interior during training camp. He appears the top Schmitz competitor at center, while having begun recent practices (via Duggan) as the first-string left guard. Bredeson mixed in with Glowinski at right guard and 2022 third-round pick Joshua Ezeudu on the left side Tuesday. The former fourth-round pick is going into a contract year.

Bredeson being used at all three spots suggests the Giants have a potential swing role in mind, with Ezeudu also seeing steady first-unit time at left guard. Seeing the Joe Schoen-era Day 2 draftee seize the LG job alongside fellow Schoen pickups Schmitz and Glowinski would probably be the scenario the Giants prefer. Bredeson started eight games last season, playing a career-high 541 offensive snaps. The Giants lost center Jon Feliciano and guard/center Nick Gates in free agency; Bredeson would supply experience and represent insurance alongside Ezeudu (290 rookie-year snaps) and Schmitz.

Glowinski, 31, signed a three-year, $18.3MM deal that came with $11.4MM guaranteed. The longtime Colts starter gave the Giants 16 starts at right guard last season, as a rotation formed at the other guard post. Pro Football Focus graded Glowinski as last year’s No. 29 overall guard. It would be rather odd to see Glowinski benched, but the Giants are going through several options up front. Tyre Phillips, a 2022 waiver claim from the Ravens, has also taken first-team reps at left guard, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets.

This batch of blockers looks to have relegated Shane Lemieux to the roster bubble, Duggan adds. The fourth-year lineman has not been among the competitors for the Giants’ LG job. Lemieux has battled significant injury problems over the past two years, seeing a September 2021 patellar tendon tear keep him off the field until November 2022. A toe injury then limited Lemieux to one game all season. With the Giants activating former fifth-rounder Marcus McKethan from the active/PUP list Monday — after an August 2022 ACL tear — Lemieux will need to fight for a job during this year’s preseason. While Lemieux has mixed in as a backup center as well, Jack Anderson is also on the radar for that post.

The Giants chose Schmitz at No. 56 overall, viewing him as the better option compared to consideration Jalin Hyatt, whom they circled back to in Round 3. Just before the Schmitz pick, Brian Daboll said the All-Big Ten blocker could start in Week 1. Schmitz received every first-team center rep Tuesday, per Duggan and Carroll. It would surprise if he were not Big Blue’s starting pivot to open the season.

No Saints Deals In Place For RB Kareem Hunt, LB Anthony Barr

August 8th, 2023 at 2:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

2:59pm: Not so fast. Both players departed their New Orleans visits without deals in place. The Saints remain interested in the nine-year vet, but Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets other teams have emerged as potential options as well. It is unclear which teams are in on Barr, who could still end up with the Saints. For now, however, no agreement has been reached. Ditto Hunt, who is set for a Colts visit Wednesday.

11:17am: One day after news of their workouts was learned, both Kareem Hunt and Anthony Barr are set to head to New Orleans. The Saints are expected to sign both veterans pending a physical, reports ESPN’s Dianna Russini (Twitter link).

Barr met with the Saints yesterday, while Hunt’s visit was scheduled for today. To little surprise, the interest shown by the team has quickly resulted in agreements being reached. Neither player had generated much of a market for their services during the offseason, but they will now have plenty of time to acclimate to their new team.

Especially to begin the year, New Orleans will be shorthanded in the backfield. Alvin Kamara was issued a three-game suspension for his involvement in a violent altercation in February 2022, which will leave the Saints without the five-time Pro Bowler. Eno Benjamin, meanwhile, will not be available at any point this campaign after he suffered an Achilles tear.

Hunt will look to serve in a similar capacity to his Browns tenure during his Saints stint. The 28-year-old operated as a consistent pass-catching back while Nick Chubb handled much of the team’s carries. Hunt still logged 442 carries in his 49 games in Cleveland, though, averaging 4.2 yards per rush in the process. If needed, he could handle a notable workload in his new home.

The Browns looked likely to move Hunt at the trade deadline, but he instead needed to wait until August to join a new team. In addition to Kamara, though, New Orleans boasts free agent signing Jamaal Williams and third-round rookie Kendre Miller in its new-look backfield. It will be interesting to watch how Hunt fits in during Kamara’s absence and how much of a role he is able to carve out upon the latter’s return.

Barr, meanwhile, is set to be on the move for the second time in as many years. His eight-year Vikings tenure ended last offseason, and the former first-rounder played in Dallas in 2022. Barr saw his playing time cut significantly compared to most of his Minnesota campaigns, and his lowered production helped keep him on the market deep into the summer.

The Saints have a number of options at the linebacker spot as is, with Demario Davis in place as an anchor of the team’s defense. 2021 second-rounder Pete Werner saw a sizeable jump in playing time last season, and he can be expected to remain a full-time starter moving forward. Recent draftees Zack Baun and D’Marco Jackson (the latter of whom missed his entire rookie season due to injury) are also in the mix for significant snaps. Barr will look to prove himself to be at least a quality rotational member of the unit.

The Saints entered today with just under $13MM in cap space, which should be enough to comfortably afford Hunt and Barr on what will no doubt be short-term, low-cost deals. Both players will add considerable experience to what is already one of the most veteran-laden teams in the league as the they aim to rebuild their free agent stock in a new setting.

Chiefs Expect Kadarius Toney To Return For Week 1

August 8th, 2023 at 2:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Leaning into a low-cost setup at their non-Travis Kelce skill-position spots since trading Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs are currently without Kadarius Toney. The 2022 trade acquisition suffered his latest injury came minutes into training camp.

Toney sustained a torn meniscus and has undergone surgery. The defending Super Bowl champions expect the third-year wide receiver to be ready for the regular season, GM Brett Veach said (via ESPN’s Adam Teicher).

[RELATED: Isiah Pacheco Expects To Return For Week 1]

Toney’s recovery should generate attention, as he doubles as an injury-prone player whom the Chiefs want to install as their top wide receiver. The Giants bailed on Toney’s rookie contract after numerous health setbacks over his first two seasons. Ankle, quad, oblique and knee trouble has plagued Toney, with an onslaught of hamstring issues – which at one point saw the talented youngster sidelined because of injuries to both legs – impeding his 2022 efforts. The 2021 first-round pick has missed 15 career games and left a few others early.

The Chiefs attempted to re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster but were unwilling to match the Patriots’ offer. They also let Mecole Hardman walk in free agency. Kansas City negotiated with Arizona on a DeAndre Hopkins trade but did not appear to come too close to matching Tennessee’s offer for the former All-Pro in free agency. The team used a second-round pick on Rashee Rice this year but had high hopes for Toney moving into the top wideout spot after a full offseason in Missouri.

As the Chiefs will be without the shifty performer for the next several weeks, they have the likes of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and second-year UDFA Justyn Ross in place as options. Ross, who resided as a high-end prospect early during his Clemson career, missed both the 2020 and ’22 seasons due to major injuries. A neck injury threw his NFL aspirations off track in 2020, and he missed all of last season because of a foot injury.

Jonathan Taylor Leaves Colts Camp To Rehab Ankle Injury

August 8th, 2023 at 2:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The latest development in this enduring Colts-Jonathan Taylor drama involves the running back’s attendance. Taylor was not with the Colts at their Tuesday practice, and ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder notes it was by design.

Residing on the Colts’ active/PUP list, Taylor has left the team facility to rehab his ankle at an unspecified offsite location. The team has been informed of Taylor’s plans to rehab offsite, and Holder adds the absence is expected to last several days. Taylor has not practiced with the Colts since last season and has expressed frustration about his contract to the point a trade request emerged.

Taylor’s trade request still stands, and while rumors about this PUP stay doubling as a hold-in effort have swirled during this turbulent period, it is interesting the fourth-year running back is still in need of rehab after undergoing surgery in January. The procedure on Taylor’s injured ankle was believed to be minimally invasive in nature. The Colts have cited Taylor’s 2022 injury, which caused him to miss six games, as a reason for tabling extension talks. Jim Irsay pronounced Taylor ready to go just before camp, but that has proven to be far from the case.

Rumblings about Taylor complaining of back and hamstring pain at camp led to a rumor the team was considering shifting him to the active/NFI list. Taylor has denied making such a complaint. A move from PUP to NFI would affect Taylor’s $4.3MM 2023 base salary (and potentially destroy this fractured relationship). As of last week, the Colts were not likely to make that designation switch. And Taylor needing ankle treatment would not allow for such a move, since this rehab effort pertains to an injury he suffered while playing in 2022.

Although rumors have circulated regarding trade interest in Taylor, this ankle issue would stand to diminish any market that may or may not be forming. The running back position has sustained steady blows this year, and even while residing as one of the position’s young aces, Taylor not being ready six-plus months after a minor surgery likely will keep him in Indianapolis. Irsay has already indicated no trade is coming, and the ankle problem will make it unlikely a worthwhile offer comes Indy’s way.

Already down backup Zack Moss due to a broken arm and Deon Jackson due to an unspecified injury, the Colts signed Kenyan Drake late last week. Drake, who worked out for the team, is going into his age-29 season. Drake signed a one-year deal worth $1.17MM, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who adds the pact comes with $153K guaranteed.

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