Seahawks Dropped Earl Thomas Asking Price Prior To Injury
After a drama-filled offseason, Earl Thomas’ 2018 campaign was cut short due to a broken leg suffered in the Seahawks’ win over the Cardinals this past Sunday. Now, more details are pouring in about Thomas’ status with the team, and a potential trade that was in the works. 
Prior to Thomas’ season-ending injury, the Seahawks dropped their asking price from two second-round picks to one second-round pick for the All-Pro, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. It was reported earlier this morning that the Chiefs were actively engaged in trade talks for Thomas and things got serious enough to where the Chiefs were looking into ways to free up the necessary cap room to take on Thomas’ contract, presumably because of the Seahawks’ reduction in asking price.
It’s a moot point now, but we can glean two things from this bit of news: 1. The Chiefs are very high on Thomas and may profile as suitors for him this offseason and 2. Chiefs GM Brett Veach may be willing to part with considerable draft capital between now and the trade deadline to improve his team. The Chiefs are clearly in win-now mode, and are looking to make a Super Bowl run. Their strong interest in Thomas also shows the team is likely very concerned about the status of All-Pro safety Eric Berry. Berry has yet to play this season as he continues to work his way back from an Achilles injury, and it doesn’t sound like he’ll be suiting up any time soon.
While Thomas was so close to seeing his goal of being traded become a reality, there is some good news for the 29-year-old. Rapoport also reports that the injury is “not expected to effect his free agency negatively.” Thomas’ injury is serious, but is expected to heal fully and not have any lingering impact. Still in his prime, he should still be in for a massive payday next spring.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/1/18
Today’s tryouts:
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Chicago Bears
- OL Willie Beavers, Will Holden, Marcus Oliver, Menelik Watson
Green Bay Packers
- DEs Joey Mbu, Kendall Reyes
Houston Texans
New York Jets
- DEs Jared Crick, Anthony Lanier; G Jamil Douglas; FB Jalston Fowler; CB Sterling Moore; WRs Brandon Reilly, DeAngelo Yancey
Philadelphia Eagles
- S Robert Golden, Charlie Miller; LBs Dewey McDonald, Hayes Pullard
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/1/18
Here are today’s minor moves:
New York Jets
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Bronson Kaufusi
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
- Signed: DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
- Released: DT Jerel Worthy
Leonard Fournette Out Indefinitely
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette just can’t seem to shake the injury bug. The talented runner is seemingly never fully healthy, and now appears to be looking at another multi-week absence after aggravating his hamstring injury in the team’s win over the Jets this past Sunday according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link).
Ever since his college days, Fournette has struggled with leg injuries, both to his ankle and hamstring. Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said he didn’t know how long Fournette would miss this time, but Schefter writes it “figures to be at least” two games. It’ll be a tough blow to the Jaguars’ offense as they prepare for a tough game against the Chiefs this Sunday.
Fournette injured his hamstring in the team’s opener against the Giants, then missed the next two weeks. It appears the team rushed him back too early, and will likely be very cautious with him moving forward. Before his set-back, Fournette carried the ball 11 times for 30 yards against New York, and was mostly bottled up.
While it’s still unclear exactly how much time he’ll miss, hamstrings can often linger for a while. The Jaguars have gotten out to a hot start and will likely hold him out as long as possible as long as they can continue winning games without him. For now they’ll move forward with T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant as the lead backs.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/1/18
Here are the latest practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: FS Darian Thompson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Lorenzo Doss
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Cyril Grayson
- Placed on practice squad injured-reserve: WR Jester Weah
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DL Jonathan Wynn
- Cut: LB Garret Dooley
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Harvey Langi
Le’Veon Bell To Report To Steelers During Week 7 Bye
6:09 pm: Although Bell has now made it known he plans on reporting to the Steelers, the team is still “expected to be interested in listening to trade offers” for the running back, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Schefter notes that Bell’s announcement will “not dissuade” the Steelers from making a deal if the terms are favorable. It remains unclear what kind of trade market Bell would have for a one-year rental, but it’s possible they could get something. It was reported yesterday that the Eagles and 49ers had some interest.
5:46pm: The question everyone in the football world has been asking finally has an answer. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell plans to report to the team during Pittsburgh’s bye week in Week 7, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN (Twitter link).
It’s a great day to be a Steelers fan, as Fowler adds “Bell definitely plans to play football for the Steelers this season.” Bell’s future with the team seemed to be in serious doubt as recently as earlier this week, when it was reported that the Steelers were actively shopping him. It’s possible the threat of an imminent trade caused Bell to re-consider his stance and leak the news of his impending return.
The news means the Steelers will only have to go two more games without Bell, Week 5 and 6 matchups against the Falcons and Bengals respectively. The news couldn’t come at a better time for the Steelers, as the team is currently in disarray. Fresh off a 12 point home loss on Sunday Night Football to the Ravens, the Steelers currently find themselves at 1-2-1, tied with the Browns for last place in the AFC North.
While James Conner has filled in admirably, it will be a huge boost to the Steelers’ offense. Teams simply don’t have to gameplan to stop Conner in the way that they do Bell. Assuming Bell does return during the bye, his first game will be back at home in Pittsburgh for a game against Cleveland. It’s unclear how this bizarre and relatively unprecedented situation will impact Bell’s longterm future in Pittsburgh or his 2019 free agency, but we should have a lot more clarity soon.
Bell will sign his franchise tender, and assuming the Steelers don’t agree to any 2018 pay-raise, he’ll earn just a tick under $10MM as his $14.94MM franchise tag salary would be prorated over the 11 weeks he’ll spend with the team.
Seahawks Work Out Paxton Lynch, Others
Seattle was the latest stop on Paxton Lynch‘s post-Broncos workout tour, with the team bringing him and two others in for an audition according to Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter link).
Yates reports that the Seahawks brought in the former first round quarterback as well as former Jets wide receiver Chad Hansen and former Browns defensive lineman Jamie Meder. It’s been a busy month of flying for Lynch after he was let go by the Broncos at final cuts. He worked out for the Jaguars last week, and the Redskins the week before that. He’s also worked out for the Eagles, the Lions , and the Bills during his time on the open market.
The 26th overall pick of the 2016 draft might not be able to find a home on an active roster this season, and may need to wait til the end of the season to sign a reserve/futures contract for the offseason. Most teams’ quarterback depth charts are set, and the clubs that will be looking for signal callers due to injuries will likely be looking to add veterans and not developmental projects at this point in the season.
Hansen was a fourth round pick of the Jets back in 2017, but didn’t survive final cuts this year. He was claimed by the Patriots, but lasted only a week on New England’s roster. Meder spent the past three seasons with the Browns, and made the team’s initial 53 this year, but was cut soon after to make room for incoming Cleveland waiver claims. The Seahawks have Brett Hundley backing up Russell Wilson, and Alex McGough on the practice squad, so it would be surprising if they brought in Lynch this season.
Extra Points: Garrett, Browns, Cardinals, Bradford, Packers, Allison, Colts, Hilton
Myles Garrett, last year’s number one overall pick, has gotten off to a great start in 2018. He has 4.5 sacks through four games, and has established himself as one of the best pass-rushers in the league at the age of 22. He’s been a genuine force, and has been a large part of Cleveland’s defensive resurgence. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com even thinks Garrett will be in the “conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year as long as he stays healthy.” Garrett had an injury plagued rookie season, but it looks like Sashi Brown and the old Browns front office clearly made the right choice by taking him first overall in 2017.
Kay Cabot also thinks the Browns would be wise to attempt to trade quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Taylor has been sent to the bench due to the strong play of Baker Mayfield, and the Browns no longer need him in the final year of his contract. It’s unclear if Taylor and his hefty contract have any actual trade value, but Kay Cabot thinks Cleveland should be calling up quarterback needy teams like the 49ers.
Here’s more from around the league:
- After promoting Josh Rosen to be the team’s starter, the Cardinals made an interesting decision to demote Sam Bradford to third string and make Mike Glennon the backup. Many assumed the decision was because Bradford would no longer earn his per game roster bonuses of over $300K as an inactive third-stringer, but Arizona coach Steve Wilks denied that after the game today. Wilks said the decision was all his and not forced on him by the front office, and that it was just about “making the best decision for the team” according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN (Twitter link).
- Packers receiver Geronimo Allison sustained a concussion in the team’s win over the Bills today, according to Jason Wilde of ESPN (Twitter link). Allison has started to emerge as a viable number two receiver this year, and him missing any amount of time would be a big blow to a receiving corp that’s already dealing with an injury to Randall Cobb.
- Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton had to leave the team’s loss to the Texans with a hamstring injury, and coach Frank Reich told reporters Hilton probably won’t be able to play in the team’s Week 5 game against the Patriots, according to Adam Schefter (Twitter link). The Colts will be playing on a short week on Thursday Night Football, and will be tasked with beating New England on the road without their best offensive playmaker.
La Canfora’s Latest: Bryant, Kaepernick, Roughing
Dez Bryant could be nearing a return to the football field. The biggest-name free agent left has been purposefully coy about when he will sign with a team, but sources close to Bryant are indicating he’ll sign sometime in October according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. One source told La Canfora “will really be in position to talk seriously with any interested clubs in two weeks”
If so, Bryant would probably end up playing a little over half a season for his new team. It’s likely that Bryant will look for a contender to sign with. La Canfora reports that the deal Bryant turned down from the Ravens earlier this year included over $13MM guaranteed, and that the offer he turned down from the Browns was worth around $5MM for one year. Interestingly, La Canfora notes that Bryant is getting help improving his mental health, including depression and panic attacks.
Here’s more from La Canfora:
- Eric Reid may have signed with the Panthers recently, but that isn’t changing anything for Colin Kaepernick‘s lawsuit against the league La Canfora reports. Reid is sharing a lawyer with Kaepernick as he also sued the league for collusion. La Canfora writes that Kaepernick’s agent has continued to reach out to teams about potential interest but there “have been no overtures toward Kaepernick.” Although Reid is off the board, it still doesn’t sound like Kaepernick will be anytime soon.
- In response to backlash to the sudden increase in roughing the passer penalties, the league’s competition committee is instructing officials only to look for certain specific things from now on, according to La Canfora. While the NFL has maintained not much will change, league sources told La Canfora that the “body weight” rule will now only be enforced if it is absolutely indisputable that the defensive player sought to put his full weight on top of the quarterback. Previously, if it was even questionable, officials were still supposed to call it a penalty.
Seahawks TE Will Dissly Tears Patella, Out For Season
The Seahawks just can’t catch a break. Shortly after it was announced that Earl Thomas would be placed on injured reserve due to a broken leg suffered in today’s game, Seattle was hit with more devastating injury news.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that tight end Will Dissly will miss the rest of the season due to a torn patella (Twitter link). As Rapoport notes, Dissly had emerged as a favorite target for Russell Wilson in his rookie season. Dissly’s emergence came out of nowhere, as almost nobody was expecting the fourth round rookie to have a large role right away before the season.
The Seahawks escaped with a win due to Sebastian Janikowski‘s last-second field goal, but will be significantly shorthanded moving forward. While Dissly isn’t as big of a loss as Thomas, it’s a big blow to the Seahawks’ offense. In his Week 1 debut against Denver, Dissly had 105 yards and a touchdown.
Tyler Lockett has taken a step forward this season. and the team will move forward with Lockett, Doug Baldwin, and Brandon Marshall as the lead pass-catchers. Tight end is now a major weakness for Seattle, as they were already quite thin at the position. It’s possible they look to add a veteran in the coming days.