NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Pryor, Cards
The Cowboys are making a quarterback change for Week 7, giving the nod to Matt Cassel, and that’s not the only starting lineup move they’re considering on offense. As Ed Werder of ESPN.com reported this morning (via Twitter), Dallas may also start recently acquired running back Christine Michael over Joseph Randle, and rookie guard La’el Collins over Ronald Leary.
Head coach Jason Garrett has since confirmed that Collins will indeed start at left guard in place of Leary, though it’s not clear yet what the team’s running back rotation will look like. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears from a Cowboys source that the team definitely plans on using Michael more, though Randle may still get the start.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Giants are the latest team to work out at Terrelle Pryor as a wide receiver, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). While several clubs that have auditioned Pryor are likely just seeing what the former quarterback looks like in his new position, New York might require some additional depth at WR, with Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle banged up, and Victor Cruz‘s availability going forward still up in the air. The Giants also tried out wideouts T.J. Graham and A.J. Jenkins, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Former Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers is among the players working out for the Cowboys this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
- Free agent cornerback Robert McClain has been busy over the last month and a half, working out for a handful of teams — Wilson tweets that McClain auditioned for the Cardinals this week, the veteran’s fifth tryout since the start of September.
- In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (SoundCloud link), Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians explained his team’s decision to sign veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, suggesting that the club had been in touch with Freeney multiple times since June.
Cards Place Clemons On IR, Promote Brooks
The Cardinals have made a roster change on the defensive side of the ball, placing veteran safety Chris Clemons on the injured reserve list and promoting cornerback Cariel Brooks to their 53-man roster, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).
Clemons, 30, started every game in the Dolphins’ secondary during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, but hasn’t seen much action since then. After being signed by the Cardinals last December, Clemons acted as a backup safety in Arizona for the first five weeks of 2015. However, a hamstring injury resulted in his being moved to IR.
While the Cardinals were forced to place Clemons on their IR, the team got some good news on linebacker Alex Okafor, who is only expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks. That was the first recovery timeline we heard this week, though a subsequent report suggested the injury could be worse, with Okafor potentially missing about six weeks.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/13/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Cut from PS-IR: TE Joseph Fauria (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Daniel Brown, RB Akeem Hunt, TE Konrad Reuland (Twitter link)
Chicago Bears
- To be signed: WR Nathan Palmer (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times), DT D’Anthony Smith (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
- Released: C Ryan Seymour (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Houston Texans
- To be signed: WR Chandler Worthy (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX 26)
- Cut: T Edawn Coughman (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Jayson DiManche, CB Saalim Hakim, OL Mike Liedtke, RB Darrin Reaves (Twitter link)
- Cut: LB Tyrell Adams, CB Jeremy Harris, OL Daniel Munyer
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Robert Herron (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Andrew Turzilli, C Brian Folkerts (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: RB Trey Watts (Twitter link via USA Today’s Howard Balzer)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: CB Isaiah Frey (Twitter link)
Cardinals Sign Dwight Freeney
TUESDAY, 10:52am: The Cardinals have officially signed Freeney and – as expected – placed linebacker and special teamer Kenny Demens on the injured reserve list, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).
MONDAY, 1:21pm: Freeney’s deal is a minimum salary pact that includes some sack incentives, according to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Getlin adds (via Twitter) that Okafor is expected to miss two to four weeks with his calf injury, so Freeney figures to see some action right away.
1:01pm: The NFL’s highest-scoring team has made an addition on the defensive side of the ball today, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network, who reports (via Twitter) that the Cardinals are signing veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney to a one-year contract.
Freeney, 35, spent most of his NFL career in Indianapolis, but played 20 games for the Chargers in 2013 and 2014. While his sack numbers weren’t particularly impressive in San Diego – he recorded four in total – he continued to put pressure on quarterbacks.
As our Dallas Robinson noted when he examined Freeney’s free agent stock earlier this year, the Syracuse alum played on approximately 55% of San Diego’s defensive snaps last year, rushing the passer or defending the run on nearly every play (he saw just 14 coverage snaps). Freeney accrued just 3.5 sacks, but placed third among qualifying 3-4 OLBs with 40 quarterback hurries, and 14th with nine QB hits.
Playing in San Diego also provided Freeney with some more experience playing as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system, something he figures to do in Arizona as well. According to Getlin (via Twitter), Freeney will serve as a designated pass rusher for the Cardinals, who lose John Abraham in a similar role last year.
Assuming he still has something left in the tank, Freeney should help bolster a pass rush that also features Alex Okafor, LaMarr Woodley, and Calais Campbell. Freeney may also be required to take a chunk of Okafor’s snaps if a calf injury the 24-year-old suffered in yesterday’s win over the Lions sidelines him at all going forward.
NFC Notes: Cards, Payton, Giants, Lions
While initial estimates suggested Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor would miss two to four weeks, it’s now believed his calf injury will sideline him for up to six weeks, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network.
Okafor’s extended recovery timetable, along with Kenny Demens‘ season-ending ACL injury, makes Arizona’s signing of Dwight Freeney even more important. And speaking of Freeney, Ed Werder of ESPN.com provides a few more details on his contract with the Cards, tweeting that the veteran pass rusher can earn up to $1MM in sack incentives — $200K for four sacks, then another $100K for each one after that, up to 12 ($1MM).
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, Saints head coach Sean Payton addressed the annual rumors about his potential departure from New Orleans on Monday, suggesting that he has no plans to go anywhere in the near future: “I’ll say what I said before. This is where I see myself. And I’ve said that now, for however many years.” Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune noted (via Twitter) that he can’t picture the Saints firing Payton.
- After Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle got banged up in Sunday night’s game against the Niners, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin acknowledged that the team may have to look at adding a receiver this week, though he’s optimistic his players will be ready to go next week (Twitter link via Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network). Jordan Raanan of NJ.com examines some potential outside options for the team in the event that a free agent signing becomes necessary.
- Lions head coach Jim Caldwell admitted on Monday that team owner Martha Firestone Ford isn’t happy with Detroit’s play so far this season, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. For now, the Lions don’t intend to make any coaching changes, but we’ll see if that changes in the coming weeks.
- Eagles head coach Chip Kelly praised the job Caleb Sturgis did for the team on Sunday, telling reporters on Monday that Philadelphia won’t have any kicker tryouts this week (Twitter link via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News). Sturgis missed another extra point in his second game for the Eagles, but made seven other kicks, including four field goals.
- Although Sunday’s loss was a tough one for Washington, there have been signs that the team’s culture is changing, according to Tarik El-Bashir of CSNMidAtlantic.com, who identifies Terrance Knighton, Chris Culliver, and Dashon Goldson as newcomers who are helping to change the attitude in the locker room.
Extra Points: Freeney, Dolphins, Harbaugh
The Cardinals had interest in Dwight Freeney since late July, a source tells Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic (on Twitter). However, Freeney was looking for too much money. Needless to say, the price has come down. Arizona reportedly has agreed to sign Freeney, though head coach Bruce Arians claimed that there is no deal yet, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets.
Here’s more from around the league..
- The Dolphins won’t make another run at coach Jim Harbaugh, according to Peter King of The MMQB.com (via PFT). Harbaugh, now the head coach at Michigan, was a target for the Dolphins years ago, but the club apparently isn’t interested in circling back. There’s a connection between the ex-49ers coach and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross because Ross is a Michigan alum and has been a major booster for the school. However, for that exact reason, Ross might be hesitant to take the coach away from Ann Arbor.
- Saints wide receiver Marques Colston suffered a separated shoulder on Sunday at the least, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). There could also be some structural damage for the veteran receiver.
- By trading Gerald Hodges to the 49ers, the Vikings changed everything for their linebackers, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/12/15
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL..
- The Seahawks will sign cornerback Crezdon Butler on Tuesday, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). Butler will add depth to Seattle’s banged up secondary.
- The Rams released running back Trey Watts, just one week after he returned from a four-game suspension, as Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch tweets. Watts, who joined the Rams in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa, earned a spot on the club’s regular season roster last season. He didn’t see the field much, but the 24-year-old received a handful of offensive snaps, rushing seven times for 30 yards and catching three passes for 18 yards. Watts also contributed on special teams, recording seven tackles in kick and punt coverage.
- The Jets waived tight end Wes Saxton to clear a roster spot for Sheldon Richardson, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- Cardinals linebacker Kenny Demens suffered an ACL and will be put on IR, coach Bruce Arians told reporters, including Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Demens originally signed with Arizona as a UDFA in 2013.
- The Chargers waived safety Adrian Phillips to make room for the returning Antonio Gates, according to U-T San Diego’s Michael Gehlken. Phillips provided the Chargers depth and special-teams help after starting strong safety Jahleel Addae suffered a Week 1 ankle injury.
Cardinals Considering Extension For CJ2K
Cardinals GM Steve Keim says that the one-year contract under which running back Chris Johnson is now playing is “something we will look at” in terms of a potential extension, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com writes. Johnson, who sat on the shelf for much of the offseason, has enjoyed a surprising career resurgence in 2015.
Johnson, 30, is tied for the second-most rushing yards in the league with 405 yards, behind Bears star Matt Forte who has 438. What makes CJ2K ‘s play even more impressive is the fact that he did not have a training camp. Immediately after signing with Arizona in August, Johnson suffered a hamstring injury which kept him on the sidelines. Some might point to Johnson’s play through five weeks of football as a fluke, but a more optimistic observer might argue that Johnson could continue to soar as he shakes off his summer rust. Of course, the Cardinals are expected to proceed with caution given that Johnson is at a very advanced age for running backs.
Last season for the Jets, Johnson ran for just 663 yards, the first time in his career he recorded fewer than 1,000 yards in a season. However, he averaged a respectable 4.3 yards per carry for Gang Green in 2014. Meanwhile, the ground game was a weak spot in Arizona last season, as the team’s leading rusher,Andre Ellington, totaled just 660 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. No other Cardinals back had more than 250 rushing yards and Keim won’t let Johnson get away if he feels that he can be the bell cow for Arizona’s offense.
Extra Points: Lions, Mexico, Titans, Ravens
A look around the NFL as the fifth Sunday of the season draws to a close:
- The Lions dropped to 0-5 with their 42-17 loss to Arizona, but head coach Jim Caldwell said afterward that there won’t be any changes to his staff (Twitter link via Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News).
- A regular-season game in Mexico in 2016 is a strong possibility, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports. “It’s going to happen next year,” one high-ranking club official said. “We just don’t know which teams it’s going to be yet.” The Raiders are candidates to play there, per La Canfora, who writes that those in league circles believe a series of games in Mexico would be highly successful from a financial standpoint.
- Titans receiver Kendall Wright caught three passes for 29 yards in the team’s 14-13 loss to Buffalo. After the game, the fourth-year man was indignant about his role in the Titans’ offense. “I’m beyond frustrated,” Wright stated, per John Glennon of the Tennessean. “I don’t feel like I’m being able to do what I can do until late in games. I feel like I’m a good receiver and I feel like I’ve been open and I can beat the DBs or whoever is (covering) me, but I haven’t really been given the opportunity I’ve been looking for.”
- The Ravens fell to 1-4 after losing to Cleveland and Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic provided reasons as to why it’ll be too much for them to overcome. Among them: the difficulty of the AFC North and the Ravens’ lack of home-field advantage.
- Three injured Cardinals – linebackers Alex Okafor and Kenny Demens and defensive back Chris Clemons – will get MRIs during the upcoming week. Head coach Bruce Arians isn’t optimistic about their statuses. “I do not feel good,” he said, according to Darren Urban of the team’s website (via Twitter).
Extra Points: Palmer, Seahawks, Spiller, McCoy, Bengals
At the age of 35, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer isn’t committing to anything beyond this season, Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report writes. However, he is committing entirely to this season.
“I think my realization that the window is closing and my career is not going to go on for a long time, that has changed a little of my approach,” he said. “I’ve always been pretty intense, but I think everybody gets to that point where you realize, man, I only have a couple left. That definitely has changed me a little bit.”
- The Seahawks have injury issues with Marshawn Lynch ruled out for this Sunday’s game against the Bengals, but Fred Jackson is likely to play, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). They also have Rod Smith on the practice squad, and could move him to the active roster for depth (via Twitter). The team is considering moving Tharold Simon to injured reserve to make room (via Twitter).
- The Saints offense took a hit in terms of explosiveness when they traded Darren Sproles to the Eagles, but they have a new playmaker in the backfield with free agent pickup C.J. Spiller, writes Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. The team is hoping he keeps the threat of the big play alive when he is on the field.
- Although he has been trying to play each week so far, Bills running back LeSean McCoy could miss an additional three games with a hamstring injury he described as a “grade-two pull,” according to CSNPhilly.com.
- The Bengals earned a reputation as a cheap operation over the years but they have turned things around in a major way. CBSSports.com’s Joel Corry looked at the changes made in Cincinnati that have turned the franchise around, leading to their 4-0 start. The Bengals are built primarily with homegrown talent as 47 of the 58 players on the current roster. Only the Packers, another top team, have a higher percentage of homegrown talent.