Workout Notes: Bills, Boykin, Little
Here are Wednesday’s workouts from around the NFL. All links go to the Twitter feed of The Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, unless noted otherwise:
- The Bills worked out wide receivers Jarrett Boykin and Greg Little (link).
- The Jets worked out tackle Cameron Bradfield, tackle Jesse Davis, tackle Sean Donnelly, guard Matthew Masifilo, defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy, and guard Craig Watts, Wilson tweets.
- The Falcons worked out linebacker Cameron Gordon, defensive back Chris Greenwood, guard Michael Huey, and defensive back Brandon McGee (link).
- The Eagles worked out defensive lineman Freddie Bishop, wide receiver Issac Blakeney, wide receiver Jeff Fuller, linebacker Cameron Gordon, offensive lineman Colin Kelly, wide receiver Eric Rogers, and defensive back Jordan Sullen (link).
- The Titans worked out defensive tackle Davon Walls (link).
- The Falcons tried out linebacker Mike Mohamed, linebacker James-Michael Johnson, and guard Shelley Smith (link).
- The Vikings worked out wide receivers Terrell Sinkfield and Eric Rogers (link).
- The Broncos tried out cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, linebacker Thomas Keiser, and linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi, Wilson tweets.
- The Browns worked out guard Jared Smith (link).
- The Browns worked out kickers Carey Spear and Zach Hocker (link).
- The Bears worked out punter Brock Miller (link).
- The Cardinals worked out defensive backs Dexter McCoil and Joel Wilkinson (link).
Cardinals Place Tyrann Mathieu On IR
TUESDAY, 12:50pm: The Cardinals have placed Mathieu on the injured reserve list, officially ending his season. As expected, the club has added a safety to the 53-man roster to provide some depth, re-signing veteran free agent Chris Clemons, who was cut by Arizona from IR earlier this season (Twitter link link via Urban).
MONDAY, 1:26pm: The Cardinals clinched the NFC West with their victory Sunday night over the Eagles, but that win came at a cost. Head coach Bruce Arians announced today that standout defensive back Tyrann Mathieu will miss the rest of the 2015 season – and postseason – after suffering a torn ACL (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com).
Mathieu, 23, started all 14 games for the Cardinals this season, spending time at both cornerback and safety. Having already established new career highs in tackles (89), interceptions (5), and passes defended (16), the former third-round pick was one of the key players on defense for Arizona, so his loss will be a crushing one for the team.
Pro Football Focus had Mathieu ranked as the top cornerback in the NFL this season, grading him as the best in the league both in coverage and against the run. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher recently told Albert Breer of the NFL Network that he believed Mathieu should receive consideration for the league’s defensive player of the year award.
The Cardinals were also without Rashad Johnson during Sunday’s win over Philadelphia, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the club add another safety to the 53-man roster this week — Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger could see increased roles, with Mathieu headed to IR.
Workout Notes: 12/17/15
Thursday’s workouts from around the NFL:
- CFL receiver Eric Rogers is in high demand, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter, as he worked out with the Chargers and will meet with the Eagles on Friday, giving him 14 visits in all.
- In addition to Rogers, the Chargers worked out two more CFL players – punter Swayze Waters and receiver Terrell Sinkfield – according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
- The Saints also tried out three CFLers – linebacker Dexter McCoil, defensive back Emanuel Davis and D-lineman Cleyon Laing – as well as running back Isaiah Pead and receiver Damarr Aultman, per Wilson (Twitter link).
- The Dolphins worked out quarterbacks Zac Dysert and Dustin Vaughan, running backs Dominique Brown and Jerome Smith, and defensive linemen Joe Vellano and Julius Warmsley, Wilson reports (Twitter link).
- The Bengals gave quarterback Phillip Sims a tryout (Wilson via Twitter).
- Defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo visited the Cardinals. The team also worked out CFLers Willie Jefferson (linebacker), Aaron Grymes (defensive back) and Mitchell White (cornerback). Twitter links via Wilson.
Workout Notes: 12/16/15
It’s been a busy last couple of days around the NFL, with teams still looking to fill up their squads for the rest of the season. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweeted a whole bunch of workout notes this afternoon, which we’ve compiled for you below…
Arizona Cardinals
- CB Mitchell White (link)
Atlanta Falcons
- OT Cody Booth (link)
- DE Xzavier Dickson (link)
- OG Cole Manhart (link)
Buffalo Bills
- TE Andrew Gleichert (link)
- LB James-Michael Johnson (link)
- TE Jacob Maxwell (link)
Carolina Panthers
- OG Al Bond (link)
- DT Eric Crume (link)
- CB Travell Dixon (link)
- QB Zac Dysert (link)
- TE Joseph Fauria (link)
- NT Ishmaa’ily Kitchen (link)
- C Tyler Larsen (link)
- OG Matthew Masifilo (link)
- OG Shelley Smith (link)
- S Usama Young (link)
Workout Notes: Broncos, Moore, Thomas
Earlier today, we learned that former first-round pick Phil Taylor is auditioning for the Vikings. However, he’s not the only notable player to show his stuff for an NFL team this week. Here’s the full rundown:
- The Broncos auditioned wide receivers DeVier Posey, Greg Little, and Denarius Moore plus running back Daniel Thomas, according to PFT (on Twitter). Moore didn’t have a single reception during his time with the Bills this year and he was cut loose in late November. He worked out for the Packers on December 1st, but nothing came of that tryout.
- The Broncos also worked out tight end/fullback Manasseh Garner today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Tight end Nick Kasa and quarterback Ryan Lindley also showed their stuff for the Broncos, as Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Panthers worked out former Chiefs first-round pick wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Panthers also auditioned wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Baldwin, the 26th overall pick of the 2011 draft, has 44 career receptions for 607 yards, mostly with the Chiefs.
- The Cardinals will work out Edmonton Eskimos corner Aaron Grymes today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Grymes was a CFL All-Star this past season, intercepting four passes and even returned one for a touchdown. In three seasons with the Eskimos, Grymes has eight interceptions total.
More Minor NFL Transactions: 12/8/15
Updates from earlier today can be found here. The latest…
- The Lions released defensive tackle Andre Fluellen from injured reserve, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Fluellen has had several stints with the Lions, among other teams, since they used a third-round pick on him in 2008. He has appeared in 81 career games and totaled 69 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Fluellen played four games for the Lions this year and made four tackles.
- The Seahawks waived veteran tight end Chase Coffman, reports Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (Twitter link). Coffman, who has 14 career catches, joined the Seahawks last week but didn’t appear in their 38-7 win over the Vikings.
- The Cardinals placed guard Earl Watford on injured reserve with a hand injury and promoted safety D.J. Swearinger from their practice squad, per Darren Urban of their website (Twitter link). Watford appeared in seven games and made two starts this year. Swearinger appeared in seven games for Tampa Bay earlier this season, but he garnered more extensive experience (32 games, 22 starts) in Houston from 2013-14.
- The Patriots released cornerback Rashaan Melvin, per Wilson (Twitter link). Melvin has spent time with both New England and Baltimore since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Illinois last year. He appeared in eight games and made six tackles for the Pats this season.
- The Chiefs cut offensive lineman Daniel Munyer, according to Wilson (Twitter link). The undrafted rookie from Colorado made one appearance for the Chiefs this season.
NFC Notes: Cardinals, Browner, Coughlin
Before signing a three-year extension with the Cardinals yesterday, cornerback Justin Bethel was set to hit free agency following the season. The special teams ace could have made more than $9MM guaranteed on the open market, but he told Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com that he wanted to stay in Arizona.
“You never know,” Bethel said. “You want to stay with the team that brought you in. You talk with your agents, you talk with your family, you want to do what’s best for you and your career. Not everybody plays the game for a long time. I didn’t want to go and be greedy if they gave me a really good deal, which they did. I’m thankful.”
Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC…
- Brandon Browner‘s brutal first season with the Saints got even worse in today’s loss to the Panthers. The cornerback was called for three penalties, was beat by Devin Funchess for a touchdown, and was a part of the failed coverage that led to another score by Ted Ginn. The veteran was also caught arguing with teammate Jairus Byrd and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. This led to Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe tweeting that Browner should be released, citing the distraction that accompanies the defensive back.
- On the flip side, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com notes (via Twitter) that the Saints are too depleted to let go of Browner, noting that both Delvin Breaux and Damian Swann are currently banged up.
- Leading by 10 with less than nine minutes to go, Giants coach Tom Coughlin opted to go for the touchdown instead of a field goal. Eli Manning‘s pass ended up being picked off, setting the way for the Jets’ comeback victory. The New York Post’s Steve Serby believes that play could signal “the beginning of the end” for the long-time Giants coach.
Justin Bethel Signs Extension With Cardinals
5:05pm: The deal is official, via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
“With the guys we’ve got here, especially in our secondary, Pat (Peterson), Ty (Mathieu), Rashad (Johnson), Jerraud, Deone (Bucannon), Tony (Jefferson), all those guys, I think we have a really, really close group,” Bethel told Urban. “It shows on the field. Being able to get my deal done, and hopefully get some other guys done, is a really big deal to me.
“I’m just thankful I could stay with the team that drafted me.”
SUNDAY, 11:13am: Former NFL agent Joel Corry passes along (via Twitter) a couple of details on the impact of this extension on the Cardinals’ salary cap. As Corry notes, Bethel’s cap numbers will be $3.25MM in 2016, $5.25MM in 2017, and $5.75MM in 2018.
SATURDAY, 9:47am: Cardinals Pro Bowl defensive back Justin Bethel has signed a three-year, $15MM extension, agents Damarius Bilbo and Fletcher Smith told NFL Network’s Rand Getlin (via Twitter). The deal will contain $9MM in guaranteed money and $1.8MM in incentives and escalators (Twitter link). NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport was the first to report that a deal was close.
Bethel, the Cardinals’ sixth-round pick in 2012, was set to become a free agent following this season. The cornerback has yet to miss a game in his career, although he only recently earned his first career start. In 2015, the 25-year-old has compiled 18 tackles, five passes defended, and an interception (which was brought back for a score). While he’s only played 201 snaps on defense this season, his 247 special teams snaps are tops on the team.
The Presbyterian College alumni was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2013, and he made the Pro Bowl in both 2013 and 2014. The team will presumably now switch their focus to fellow defensive backs Jerraud Powers and Rashad Johnson, who are set to hit free agency following the season.
NFC West Notes: Fangio, CJ2K, Osweiler
Here’s a look at the NFC West:
- Vic Fangio was the first of nine known candidates to interview for the 49ers’ head-coaching vacancy, but he quickly faded out of the process. For his part, Fangio says there are no hard feelings, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. “That’s their decision and their choice,” Fangio, the Bears’ defensive coordinator, said. “I have nothing to do with that.” When asked if it was hard to accept, Fangio answered, “No, I’ve just always accepted it’s their decision, their team. They do what they want with it.”
- Losing Chris Johnson doesn’t spell doom for the Cardinals, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic writes. With 814 rushing yards, CJ was fourth in the NFL and his 4.2 yards per carry average is the highest of any Arizona lead back since 2011. However, Johnson’s longest gain in the past three weeks was nine yards and Somers believes that he was starting to fade.
- Brock Osweiler has a tremendous opportunity to cash in with the Broncos, Jason Fitzgerald of The Sporting News writes. Not long ago, it was a given that they would use their franchise tag on Von Miller to maintain negotiating leverage, while allowing Osweiler to hit free agency. Now, they probably see Osweiler as deserving of a contract similar to Nick Foles’ $12.2MM per year extension with the Rams.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/2/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Abou Toure (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
- Cut: TE Brandon Bostick
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Chuck Jacobs, RB Terrence Magee (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Dan France (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal)
- Cut: OL Ronald Patrick
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Ben Malena, CB Terrance Mitchell, DE Efe Obada (Twitter link via Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Dan Light (link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post)
- Cut: TE Arthur Lynch
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: OT Reid Fragel (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Chris Harper (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald), DT Kelcy Quarles (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DB Dewey McDonald (Twitter link via Scott Bair CSNBayArea.com)
- Cut: S Chris Hackett
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: WR Shane Wynn (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com)
- Cut: WR Donte Foster
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Deshon Foxx, DT Justin Hamilton, C Drew Nowak (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: WR Douglas McNeil