NFL Workout Updates: 10/12/18
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Chicago Bears
- P Brock Miller (link)
Houston Texans
- OT Dieugot Joseph (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- OT Corey Robinson; RB Thomas Rawls (link)
New England Patriots
- DE Will Clarke; QB Connor Cook; LB Kasim Edebali; WR Devin Ross; TE Shane Wimann (link)
Tennessee Titans
- LS’s Andrew East, Taybor Pepper (link)
Overall, nothing too noteworthy. The Patriots interestingly continue to work out quarterbacks, bringing in former Raiders third-rounder Connor Cook for a tryout. New England has Bryan Hoyer firmly entrenched behind Tom Brady, but also recently worked out Landry Jones.
Meanwhile, the Titans seem set to bring in a new long snapper, as the team also worked out veteran Jon Condo today.
Extra Points: NFLPA, Rodgers, Jets, Tannehill, Dolphins, Patriots, Gillislee
NFLPA boss DeMaurice Smith traveled to Houston to meet with the Texans about a potential upcoming labor battle according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Wilson writes that Smith’s message to the team was “that it’s time to get prepared with a labor battle looming on the horizon.” The current collective bargaining agreement expires in 2021, and a “potential work stoppage is a strong potential scenario” Wilson writes.
Many players have voiced their displeasure with the CBA in recent years, and it sounds like another lockout is a strong possibility. Some players have even referred to a lockout as an inevitability due to how far apart players and owners are on several key issues. The league infamously had a lockout in 2011, and it’s now widely agreed that the owners won those negotiations. The players will likely drive much harder bargains this time around, and demand greater guarantees in contracts. It will be a fascinating situation to watch develop as we get closer and closer to the expiration of the CBA.
Here’s more from around the league:
- It was reported earlier this week that Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers was dealing with a “serious” health injury, and now Mike Garafolo of NFL Network has new details (Twitter link). Garafolo writes that it “sounds like it could be an extended absence as he focuses on his health.” Rodgers missed the Jets’ win over the Broncos today, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be back anytime soon.
- Ryan Tannehill has had a rough couple of weeks, and his performance today was so bad that it prompted reporters to ask Dolphins coach Adam Gase after the game if Tannehill would be benched moving forward. Gase responded that Tannehill wouldn’t be benched yet according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (Twitter link), but it’s still surprising that it’s reached that point. The Dolphins have only Brock Osweiler and David Fales behind him on the depth chart.
- It was reported earlier that the Patriots were planning on doing something to address the fact that they had just two running backs on the roster, and now we might have an idea what. New England has “been in contact” with ex-Patriot Mike Gillislee a source told Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter link). Gillislee was recently cut by the Saints, and it sounds like we could see a reunion soon.
Latest on Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
When Odell Beckham Jr. finally signed his mega-extension with the Giants it seemed like the drama surrounding his antics was finally over. That apparently wasn’t the case, as Beckham caused quite a stir this week with comments he made that were critical of the team. 
First Beckham griped about his role in the offense and how there wasn’t enough downfield action in coach Pat Shurmur’s system, then he wondered aloud if Eli Manning was the problem with the offense, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN. He also refused to say whether or not he was happy being in New York, despite very recently signing the five-year $95MM extension.
Shurmur originally downplayed Beckham’s comments and suggested he was taken out of context, but he apparently had a change of heart, according to Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com. Dunleavy writes that Shurmur became “livid” and demanded Beckham apologize to the team. Beckham apparently obliged, and told teammates it was the “wrong message” and wouldn’t happen again.
Separately, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk broke down the situation, and speculated about Beckham’s motives. Florio thinks the public airing of grievances might be “part of Beckham’s strategy, with the goal of getting paid by the Giants and then forcing a trade elsewhere.” If that turns out to be the case, it would be a shocking turn of events after everything had seemingly been smoothed over between Beckham and the team’s front office earlier this summer. The Giants lost another heartbreaker today, dropping them to 1-4, and it will be interesting to see what Beckham has to say moving forward.
Patriots Notes: Running backs, Allen, Bentley
The Patriots currently have a unique situation. The team is currently carrying just two running backs after they released Kenjon Barner to make room for Julian Edelman on the 53-man roster. The team cut Mike Gillislee and Brandon Bolden right before the season, and Jeremy Hill went down with a season ending knee injury early on. Then Rex Burkhead got placed on injured reserve with a neck injury, leaving them extremely thin in the backfield.
They’re down to only receiving specialist James White and rookie Sony Michel, and they will likely add outside help soon according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Reiss writes “the team can’t expect to get by with just two running backs” and that it’s possible either Barner or Gillislee are brought back in the coming days. Undrafted rookie Ralph Webb is also on the team’s practice squad and could be called up.
Here’s more from New England:
- There’s been a lot of media speculation about Dwayne Allen‘s roster spot the past couple of years, but Allen isn’t going anywhere Reiss writes. Reiss notes that Belichick “places a high value on his blocking and team-first approach” and that his roster spot is safe. Allen makes a lot of money for a blocking specialist, with an average salary of over $5MM, but it sounds like he’s in the Patriots’ longterm plans.
- Reiss has details on the injury that landed rookie linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley on injured reserve. It’s a torn biceps according to Reiss, and Bentley has already undergone surgery and is rehabbing with the team. The fifth round pick had shown a lot of promise before going down a couple of weeks ago.
- In case you missed it, yesterday the Patriots waived their 2016 second round pick cornerback Cyrus Jones.
Jaguars RB Corey Grant Out For Season
Jaguars running back Corey Grant suffered a “Lisfranc injury that is likely to end his season” during the team’s loss to the Chiefs sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link).
It’s a big blow for Jacksonville’s offense, as they’ve already dealt with multiple injuries to their backfield. Normal starter Leonard Fournette has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, while current starter T.J. Yeldon has been banged up with various ailments.
Grant signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent back in 2015, and has been able to carve out a significant role for himself both as a situational back and a return man. Last year he carried the ball 30 times for 248 yards and two touchdowns, and returned 19 kickoffs for 473 yards.
As Schefter notes, the Jags now need running back help and will almost certainly bring in some outside help. Fournette tried returning from his hamstring injury last week but quickly aggravated it and is likely out for at least another week or two. Expect to see Jacksonville bring in some backs for workouts this week. The team auditioned Orleans Darkwa, one of the biggest names left on the market, last week but didn’t sign him.
Extra Points: Garoppolo, 49ers, Bryant, Irving, Cowboys, Johnson, Eagles
There were high hopes for the 49ers in 2018, hopes that were mostly dashed when Jimmy Garoppolo was lost for the season with a torn ACL. The team has insisted they have confidence in backup C.J. Beathard, but the new-look 49ers will almost certainly have to wait until next year to make a serious run at a playoff spot. The good news is that Garoppolo recently underwent surgery, and everything seems to have gone very well.
San Francisco’s GM John Lynch said he spoke to the doctor who performed Garoppolo’s surgery, and that he got a “great report” from the surgeon according to Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle. Lynch added that doctors are “very optimistic about the prognosis for his future.” Separately, Branch notes that coach Kyle Shanahan said the team is hoping Garoppolo will be able to participate in OTAs in some capacity. It sounds like Garoppolo is expected to make a quick recovery and be 100% well before the start of the 2019 season, which is music to the ears of 49ers fans.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Earlier today, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made clear the team wouldn’t be bringing back Dez Bryant despite the receiver’s eagerness to return to Dallas. Now his son Stephen Jones, the team’s player personnel boss, has elaborated on why. The younger Jones said it has a lot to do with quarterback Dak Prescott, saying “the last thing unfortunately that Dak needs right now is to continue to change a lot of things up again.” The Cowboys’ receiving corp has been much maligned, but it sounds like it will be staying as is.
- Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving is coming back from suspension this week. It’s a huge boost to Dallas’ defense, but to make room for him on the roster they’ll have to make a tough decision. It’s getting close to game day and they still haven’t made the call, so David Moore of Dallas News broke down all their potential options. Jones has said Irving will play, so something will need to be done in the next 36 hours or so.
- “A federal judge has denied Eagles OT Lane Johnson’s motion to vacate an NFL arbitration award for his 10-game suspension in 2016″ according to Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal (Twitter link). Johnson filed the suit last year, alleging his suspension for PEDs was unwarranted, and that there was bias by the judge in the appeals process.
Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
New York Jets:
- Released: WR ArDarius Stewart
Texans Work Out Pair Of Offensive Linemen
Deshaun Watson has been running for his life almost the entire season, so it makes sense why the Texans are looking for help on the offensive line. The team brought in two tackles for workouts today according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link), auditioning Tyreek Burwell and Rick Leonard.
Burwell signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent back in 2015, and ended up sticking on the roster for a couple of years. The Cincinnati product appeared in 16 games for the Chargers across two seasons as a reserve tackle, but never started a game.
Leonard was a fourth round pick of the Saints in this year’s draft, but failed to make their initial 53-man roster. He was released from their practice squad a few days ago. Due to his draft status, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Texans took a flier on the former Florida State lineman.
The Texans traded away Duane Brown to the Seahawks last season, and have had a hole at tackle ever since. Watson has mostly returned to form following his ACL tear, but has been under constant pressure this season. Whether it’s one of these two linemen or someone else, expect Houston to add outside help soon if the line play doesn’t improve dramatically.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/18
Here are today’s minor moves:
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: QB Luke Falk
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Nick O’Leary
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: G Bryan Witzmann
New York Jets
- Waived: DE Bronson Kaufusi
Raiders Release DE Tank Carradine
The Raiders are releasing veteran defensive end Tank Carradine, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (Twitter link).
According to Gehlken, Carradine requested his release from the team and Oakland obliged. Gehlken notes that Carradine will “hit free agency in search of larger role” and that he was dissatisfied with his role with the Riders. Through four games, Carradine had played just 24 defensive snaps. Carradine got some run against the Broncos in Week 2, but has been inactive for the team’s other three games.
Carradine, a Florida State alum, was taken in the second round by the 49ers back in 2013. Despite his high draft status, he never really panned out in San Francisco. Last year he appeared in eight games, starting seven. He notched just 1.5 sacks and 19 tackles. For his career, Carradine has 77 tackles and 5.5 sacks. His best year came in 2014 when he had three sacks in just nine games in a situational role.
Carradine has always struggled with injuries, but has been solid against the run throughout his career and able to generate pressure despite his low sack numbers. It was reported back in February that the 49ers were interested in re-signing him, but the Raiders ended up signing him to a one-year deal in March. With several teams across the league looking for pass-rush help, Carradine should be able to latch on with someone before the end of the season.