HEADLINES

Year: 2023

Jets Considering Alijah Vera-Tucker Long-Term RT Stay

October 6th, 2023 at 3:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Considerable scrutiny followed the Jets’ offensive line this offseason, and the team’s shaky tackle foundation crumbled early. After spending several months rehabbing his previous injury, Duane Brown has a new one and is on IR. That forced a shakeup that may have a long-term impact.

Tackle injuries last year prompted the Jets to slide Alijah Vera-Tucker from guard to right tackle. Vera-Tucker soon suffered a season-ending triceps tear, and the Jets moved him back to guard this offseason. Back at right tackle after Brown’s latest injury, Vera-Tucker has started two games there. The Jets are now looking into the USC product remaining there in the long term.

Robert Saleh said he has spoken to the third-year blocker about moving to right tackle on a full-time basis, SNY’s Connor Hughes notes. Indicating Vera-Tucker looks “natural” at right tackle, the Jets are contemplating a big move. Citing Vera-Tucker’s potential as an All-Pro guard, the Jets had wanted to keep the 2021 first-rounder at the position he was drafted to play. But AVT’s early performance at right tackle looks to be changing the organization’s thinking.

Brown’s injury led the Jets to shift Mekhi Becton from right to left tackle, returning the 2020 first-round pick to the position he had been eager to play again. While Becton is one of the NFL’s biggest injury risks, the slimmed-down tackle has been available for each game this season. The Jets then inserted second-round rookie Joe Tippmann into the lineup at right guard alongside center Connor McGovern. Laken Tomlinson remains at left guard.

Vera-Tucker played left tackle during his final USC season, the COVID-19-truncated 2020 slate, but worked as a Trojans starting guard in 2019. Brown sustained a hip injury in September and is out until at least Week 7. Vera-Tucker remaining at tackle could keep the veteran blocker on the bench, unless the Jets want to demote Becton, who worked extensively with the second team before winning the right tackle gig to start the season.

The team does not have Becton, Brown or Billy Turner signed beyond 2023. Vera-Tucker would represent some tackle certainty for a club that largely lacks it. McGovern is also on a one-year deal, and Tippmann has been viewed as the team’s long-term center. The Jets will have major O-line decisions to make coming out of this season, but Vera-Tucker moving outside permanently would make guard a need in 2024. Vera-Tucker excelling at right tackle would also improve his earning potential. While two guard $20MM-per-year salaries exist (Quenton Nelson, Chris Lindstrom), right tackle features eight players at $17MM AAV compared to just two at guard.

Edge Notes: Judon, Sweat, Van Noy, Bears

October 6th, 2023 at 12:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots’ defense has been hit hard by injuries lately, including the torn bicep suffered by pass rusher Matt Judon. The four-time Pro Bowler is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery, and it is doubtful he will be able to return this season.

Judon is likely facing a six-month recovery timeline, as noted by ESPN’s Dan Graziano. That would, of course, shut him down for the remainder of the season – something which would also carry financial implications for him given the nature of his restructured contract. The 31-year-old has expressed a desire to play again this year, though, and Graziano adds he and the Patriots are exploring a recovery path similar to that of Steelers star T.J. Watt.

The latter suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 of last year, an injury which usually shuts players down for the season. The former Defensive Player of the Year managed to recover in time to play in Week 9, however, which helped spark a late-season playoff push in Pittsburgh. Judon will attempt to emulate that, but for now it appears unlikely he will be able to do so.

Here are some other edge-related notes from around the league:

  • Chase Young and Montez Sweat form the foundation of the pass rush contingent for the Commanders, but one has played to their potential far more than the other. Despite being a former No. 2 pick, Young is in line to reach free agency in March since his fifth-year option was declined amidst major injury concerns and an inability to follow up on an encouraging rookie season. Sweat is likewise in need of a new deal, as he is playing on his $11.5MM option in 2023. Of the two, SI’s Albert Breer expects the latter to be targeted for a long-term second contract over Young. Breer explains that Sweat – who already has 4.5 sacks in 2023, bringing him halfway to matching his single-season high – will likely be easier to extend than Young. With big-money commitments to defensive linemen Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen already in place, Washington would be hard pressed to retain both Sweat and Young on multi-year pacts.
  • Facing a number of injury concerns amongst their outside linebackers, the Ravens recently signed Kyle Van Noy to serve in a depth capacity. The veteran has proven to be an effective hybrid defender, and his playing time should increase given the fact 2022 second-rounder David Ojabo could miss the rest of the campaign. Van Noy’s arrival in Baltimore could have come much sooner, though. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes that the Ravens tried to sign 32-year-old this offseason, but the sides couldn’t agree on compensation. That opened the door to the team’s Jadeveon Clowney acquisition, but the pair are now in place together. Each will have a role to play as the Ravens look to maintain a top-10 sack total (13 through four games) through the remainder of the year.
  • The Bears ended their 14-game losing streak last night, but the team’s defensive struggles were deserving of much of the blame for the skid reaching that length. The unit has been hampered in recent years by a lack of established edge rushing options, which made Chicago’s Yannick Ngakoue August signing an unsurprising one. The 28-year-old’s one-year, $10MM pact has led to a pair of sacks so far, but as a team Chicago has registered only seven to date. As a result, defensive end will be a priority in the 2024 offseason, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The 1-4 Bears will have chances in free agency and the draft to add much-needed contributors on the edge, regardless of if Ngakoue is retained.

Dolphins Place LT Terron Armstead On IR

October 6th, 2023 at 11:10am CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 6: Armstead will indeed be shut down for an extended stretch. The Dolphins have placed him on injured reserve, per Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The move will guarantee at least a four-week absence, though Pelissero notes this new knee injury will likely not be season-ending. Lamm will be in place as the team’s blindside blocker for the foreseeable future as the Dolphins aim to continue their strong start to the season.

OCTOBER 3: Terron Armstead is facing another injury-induced absence. The Dolphins left tackle suffered a knee injury which will cause him to miss “weeks, not days,” as head coach Mike McDaniel indicated.

McDaniel confirmed, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, that Armstead will miss Miami’s Week 5 contest against the Giants. The latter exited Sunday’s loss against the Bills in the second quarter, and he was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches. Notably, McDaniel said after the game this latest ailment “wasn’t a re-aggravation” of an existing one but rather a new injury altogether (h/t Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley).

Armstead has a long track record of missed time or games where he has played at less than 100% in both New Orleans and Miami. He was limited to 13 games in 2022, his debut Dolphins campaign, and his first appearance this year was delayed due to his rehab from offseason surgery. The 32-year-old had been confident he would be able to suit up for the regular season opener, but between his two most recent ailments he has logged only 78 snaps through four weeks.

Signed to a five-year, $75MM deal last offseason, Armstead came to South Beach with considerable expectations. His first Dolphins campaign earned him a fourth career Pro Bowl nod, and his pass blocking in particular remained a strength with only one sack allowed. His consistent level of play appears to have continued into 2023 with a PFF grade of 78.4, which ranks 10th amongst qualifying tackles.

McDaniel added that Kendall Lamm, who took over for Armstead after his exit, will retain the starting job on the blindside in Week 5. Lamm has already seen significantly more snaps this season (190) than he did in 2022 (32), his first year in Miami. The former UDFA has 55 appearances and 24 starts to his name. His time as a first-teamer at the LT spot is not expected to last through the remainder of the campaign, however.

“We have to kind of see how everything settles down, and then we’ll be able to make a better prognosis for that timeline here in a couple days, by the end of the week or so,” McDaniel said of Armstead. “I can say that he won’t be playing in the next game, but he will be playing again this season.”

Bears Trade WR Chase Claypool To Dolphins

October 6th, 2023 at 9:48am CST by Adam La Rose

The Chase Claypool situation has come to a resolution. The Bears are trading the contract-year wideout to the Dolphins, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports Chicago will send Claypool and a 2025 seventh-round pick to Miami for a sixth-rounder in the same year. The deal is now official.

Claypool was a healthy scratch in Week 4, having been told to remain away from the team while a trade could be sought out. That approach continued through last night’s game against the Commanders, which saw the Bears snap their 14-game losing streak. Having repeatedly sat the former second-rounder, it was clear the Bears would move on in some fashion, though many around the league expected Claypool to be waived. Instead, he will now head to South Beach with the Bears clearing the remaining $2.2MM he is due this year from their books.

Chicago sent a 2023 second-rounder to Pittsburgh less than one year ago in the hopes of boosting their passing attack and giving Claypool a fresh start. The 25-year-old Canadian had underwhelmed in his third Steelers campaign after posting 1,733 yards and 11 touchdowns over his first two. Things did not go according to plan in the Windy City, however, with Claypool amassing a statline of 18-191-1 in 10 games with the Bears. The pick sent to Pittsburgh (No. 32 overall) was ultimately used on corner Joey Porter Jr.

Miami already boasts a hugely effective WR tandem in the form of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but the team has been in search of depth. Both Erik Ezukanma and River Cracraft recently suffered injuries which will sideline them for an extended stretch, so Claypool will join Robbie Chosen as players the Dolphins will take a flier on in the hopes of providing career stability. The latter signed to Miami’s active roster last week to help fill the vacancy created by Ezukanma and Cracraft’s absence.

CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson notes that one other team expressed interest in trading for Claypool, who is set to hit free agency in March. The Bears used this past weekend to decide on a final course of action with the Notre Dame alum, which has produced an underwhelming trade return to no surprise. Claypool’s value has suffered given his lack of production, issues related to attitude and effort and his status as a rental for the remainder of the campaign. It will be interesting to see what role he is able to carve out for himself in Miami.

The Claypool gamble has proven to be a disappointment, something Bears general manager Ryan Poles admitted when speaking publicly about the situation. Confirming that a separation was imminent, he took to ESPN 1000’s pregame radio show last night to express regret for the way things played out.

“You’re always disappointed in this situation, and it’s definitely something I take ownership of,” Poles said, via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “The right thought process was there, and I feel comfortable with that. Unfortunately it didn’t work out and we were hoping for him to be a little bit more productive and be someone that could help us take it to the next level… I think Chase is going to learn from this situation, we all will, and I wish him luck moving forward throughout his career.”

Browns GM Andrew Berry Addresses Josh Dobbs Trade

October 6th, 2023 at 9:28am CST by Adam La Rose

Week 4 marked the first regular season action for Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, as the rookie saw the start in place of the injured Deshaun Watson. The former’s performance led to questions about Cleveland’s decision to trade away veteran passer Josh Dobbs, one the organization is satisfied with.

The Cardinals traded for Dobbs in late August, putting him in position to serve as their starting signal-caller until the return of Kyler Murray. While the move reunited Dobbs with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing (who previously served as the Browns’ QBs coach), Arizona’s offer came as a surprise to Cleveland. The sides were quickly able to work out a deal, though, leaving the latter team short on experience under center.

Thompson-Robinson went 19-of-36 for 121 scoreless yards in a Week 4 loss to the Ravens, throwing three interceptions and taking four sacks. The fifth-rounder’s struggles were understandable in his debut, but they notably contrasted with his encouraging performances in training camp and the preseason. They also stood out when compared to Dobbs, who has posted a 4:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 99.4 passer rating in Arizona.

“In terms of trading Josh, obviously we had a high opinion of Josh,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said of the trade, via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I’ve often talked up here about the general manager’s role having a foot in the present and a foot in the future. That consideration, in that transaction, has elements of that… We’re really excited to work with Dorian and see him progress and develop. But thought it was the right move for the organization, both short and long term.”

Indeed, many pointed to Thompson-Robinson as the Browns’ eventual QB2 despite Dobbs’ presence, so moving on from the more experienced option helped accelerate his move up the depth chart. Berry confirmed his confidence in Thompson-Robinson as the team’s long-term Watson understudy, adding that he discussed the proposed Dobbs trade with head coach Kevin Stefanski before authorizing it. While much of Cleveland’s success in 2023 and beyond will be tied to Watson’s level of play when healthy, the team remains comfortable with its backup options (which currently includes P.J. Walker) behind him.

Latest On Rams’ Receiving Corps

October 6th, 2023 at 8:40am CST by Ben Levine

OCTOBER 6: Unsurprisingly, given his practice participation so far this week, Kupp is poised to take the field in Week 5. Dianna Russini of the Athletic reports Kupp is expected to play on Sunday in the absence of any setbacks taking place in the next two days. The All-Pro is currently on a snap count at practice, though, as the team remains cautious with the return process. Presuming his workload sees an incremental increase in the immediate future, Kupp will be in line to make his 2023 debut.

OCTOBER 5: Cooper Kupp took a major step towards his return to the field. Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Rams star wideout was upgraded to a full participant at practice today.

While it’s still uncertain if Kupp will see the field for Week 5, it’s undoubtedly a good sign that he put in a full day’s work on Thursday. The receiver was designated for return by the Rams yesterday, and he was later listed as a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice. The Rams technically have 21 days to activate Kupp from injured reserve, but his participation at practice points to him being activated way before that October 25 deadline.

Kupp has been dealing with hamstring injuries that forced him off the field for most of training camp, and his subsequent placement on injured reserve meant he’d be sidelined until at least Week 5. While the Rams will surely lean on Kupp to determine when he’s fully ready for game action, coach Sean McVay indicated that the timing of Kupp’s activation would be a collective decision.

Fortunately for the Rams, the offense hasn’t missed a beat without their All-Pro receiver. Rookie fifth-round pick Puka Nacua has been a revelation, with the wideout setting a number of records through his first four games in the NFL. Yahoo’s Jori Epstein explored how the BYU product ultimately landed in Los Angeles as the 20th wide receiver off the board.

As the writer notes, Nacua’s issues with missed games likely contributed to his late-round grade, and he also had an underwhelming 40-yard-dash performance during his pro day. Fortunately for the prospect, the Rams have never been all that interested in those pro-day performances, and the team was still intrigued with Nacua’s ability to make tough catches and his willingness to block both defensive ends and defensive backs.

The Rams seem to have hit on their late-round pick. Nacua has hauled in 31 catches through four weeks, an NFL record. When Kupp comes back, Matthew Stafford will have a number of worthy targets to throw to.

Hall Of Fame LB Dick Butkus Dies At 80

October 5th, 2023 at 11:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, who became one of the NFL’s greatest players during a nine-year career, died at age 80, the Bears announced Thursday.

The Hall of Fame defender died peacefully in his sleep at his Malibu, Calif., home, according to his family. A Chicago native, Butkus spent his entire career with the Bears and quickly emerged as a dominant presence in the game. He was the rare player to land on two All-Decade teams, being voted to both the 1960s and 1970s’ squads. Although he arrived during a down period for the Bears, never playing for a playoff-bound team, Butkus forged an unassailable legacy that left him in the conversation for greatest off-ball linebacker in NFL annals.

“Dick was the ultimate Bear, and one of the greatest players in NFL history,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement (via ESPN.com). “He was Chicago’s son. He exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidentally, what George Halas looks for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion and leadership.

“He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his teammates. … His contributions to the game he loved will live forever and we are grateful he was able to be at our home opener this year to be celebrated one last time by his many fans.”

His career spanning from 1965-73, Butkus made eight Pro Bowls and earned five first-team All-Pro honors. Knee trouble stemming from a 1970 injury plagued Chicago’s 245-pound middle linebacker during his final seasons, leading to a retirement after his age-31 season. But a combination of ferocity, instincts and athleticism placed him in rarefied air.

Tackles and and forced-fumble counts are not available from that era, but in addition to being one of the most intimidating presences in NFL history, Butkus also was among the greats at creating turnovers. He finished his career with 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries. When Butkus retired, that recovery total was tops in NFL history.

Selecting Butkus third overall in the 1965 draft, the Bears enjoyed one of the greatest rounds in NFL draft history. Chicago chose Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers fourth overall; that selection was the franchise’s own pick. The Butkus pick came courtesy of the Steelers, who made a seminal trade with the Bears during the 1964 draft. Held in November 1963, the ’64 draft involved Pittsburgh sending its 1965 first-rounder to Chicago for 1964 second- and fourth-round picks (Nos. 28 and 51 overall). That first-rounder becoming No. 3 overall gave the Bears a legendary duo. Sayers, who died in September 2020, remains the youngest player enshrined in the Hall of Fame, getting there at age 34 in 1977.

While the Bears could not effectively build around Butkus and Sayers, both became Chicago icons. Starring at the University of Illinois, Butkus carried a head start on the elusive running back en route to that status. Sayers earned Rookie of the Year acclaim in 1965, before the Associated Press handed out separate awards to offensive and defensive players, but severe knee trouble sidetracked the running back’s career. During Butkus’ first eight seasons, he only missed two games. Butkus finished in the top five in MVP voting in 1968 and 1970, despite the Bears respectively finishing 7-7 and 6-8 in those seasons. Butkus played for just two winning teams as a pro.

“Playing in an era when middle linebacker became one of the game’s glamour positions — and several of Dick’s contemporaries also would end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — his name most often was cited first as the epitome of what it took to excel at the highest level,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement.

A no-doubt inclusion on the NFL’s 100th anniversary team in 2019, Butkus ended up 10th on a 2010 NFL Network project ranking the greatest players in league history. No off-ball ‘backer checked in higher on that list. College football established the Butkus Award, which is given to Division I-FBS’ best linebacker, in 1985.

Butkus remained in the public eye for decades after his retirement, serving as an announcer, commercial pitchman and actor. He appeared in numerous television shows, including in regular roles (My Two Dads and Hang Time), and in a number of movies. Butkus, who attended the Bears’ home opener last month, is survived by wife Helen and three children.

Browns “Pleased” With Current RB Group

October 5th, 2023 at 7:58pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns have made a handful of moves to account for Nick Chubb‘s season-ending injury, but that hasn’t stopped the organization from being mentioned as a potential suitor for any RBs who have been or could be made available. When asked specifically if the Browns would consider making a move for disgruntled Colts star Jonathan Taylor, GM Andrew Berry hinted that he’s content with his current running back corps.

“Because of the tampering rules, I know I can’t touch on specific players,” Berry said yesterday (h/t Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram). “We’re always active seekers, participants in the trade market, but I would say we’re pleased with the running back room.”

Jerome Ford topped 100 yards while filling in for an injured Chubb in Week 2, but since he’s entered the starting lineup, he’s put up two lackluster performances. Between the two games, Ford has been limited to 96 yards from scrimmage on 26 touches, although he did find the end zone twice in Week 3.

The team re-signed Kareem Hunt once Chubb went down, and the veteran has garnered the second-most snaps at the position for Cleveland over the past two weeks. However, the veteran RB has also struggled with a 3.9-yards-per-touch mark. Of course, Hunt could also still be finding his groove after waiting until the regular season to sign a deal.

Third-stringer Pierre Strong has put up the best numbers of the bunch, with the second-year pro averaging 5.9 yards on his 13 touches. The former Patriots fourth-round pick has served as the clear RB3 behind Ford and Hunt, and his upside could be a reason why the Browns aren’t in any rush to add reinforcement at the position.

Besides signing Hunt, the Browns also added one of Taylor’s former teammates to the practice squad. Deon Jackson started Week 1 for the Colts but was limited to only 14 rushing yards on 13 attempts. The former UDFA looked serviceable in 2022, finishing with 445 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. For the time being, he’s sitting fourth in the pecking order in Cleveland.

As Berry indicated, the Browns wouldn’t shy away from a no-brainer trade, and plenty could change between now and the October 31 trade deadline. For the time being, it sounds like the Browns will be sticking with their current running backs grouping.

Bears Release QB Nathan Peterman

October 5th, 2023 at 6:52pm CST by Ben Levine

For the second time in two weeks, Nathan Peterman has been let go by the Bears. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Chicago released the veteran quarterback today.

Peterman spent most of the 2022 campaign as the Bears’ QB3, but he ended up starting the team’s regular-season finale with both Justin Fields and Trevor Siemian sidelined. Peterman fared okay in that contest, tossing a touchdown without an interception in an eventual loss.

The 29-year-old re-signed with the organization this past offseason, and despite being part of the Bears’ final roster cuts, he was brought back as the QB2 to start the season. Since then, the veteran has dropped down the depth chart, with UDFA Tyson Bagent being promoted to the primary backup behind Fields.

As a result, Peterman was cut from the roster in September but was quickly brought back. It will be interesting to see if the front office follows a similar path this time around. For what it’s worth, the organization is only rostering a pair of QBs in Fields and Bagent, so they’ll surely need some more depth following tonight’s game.

Peterman has emerged as a popular backup QB in recent years, having previously held the clipboard for the Bills and Raiders. In total, Peterman has seen time in 13 games (five starts), completing 53.1 percent of his passes for 712 yards, four touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

The Bears also announced that they’ve officially activated guard Teven Jenkins off injured reserve and promoted defensive back A.J. Thomas from the practice squad. The 2022 UDFA out of Western Michigan has spent his entire career in Chicago, collecting four tackles in five appearances.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/23

October 5th, 2023 at 5:50pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

  • Signed: OL Xavier Newman-Johnson
  • Released: OL Adam Pankey

This will be a bit of a homecoming for quarterback Tanner Morgan, who played college ball at the University of Minnesota. Morgan had a breakout campaign in 2019, finishing with 30 touchdowns, but he only had a combined 26 passing touchdowns between 2020 and 2022. As a result, the QB went undrafted in this year’s draft, and following a preseason stint with the Steelers, he’ll now be joining the Vikings’ quarterbacks room.

Vikings backup QB Nick Mullens is dealing with a back injury that kept him out of practice today. Morgan will temporarily slide into the QB3 role behind Kirk Cousins and fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall.

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