PFR Originals: 9/9/18-9/16/18
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- Our Ben Levine took a look back at the Patriots’ decision to trade Laurence Maroney as part of our ‘This Date In Transactions History’ series. Maroney, a first round pick of New England back in 2006, was shipped out to Denver as part of the deal.
Injury Notes: Fournette, Ansah, Michel, Burkhead, Barron
Inactive lists for the late slate of games are starting to roll in, and are providing answers to some key injury questions. Perhaps the biggest mystery of the week was the status of Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette. We finally have clarity, as Fournette will officially miss Jacksonville’s Week 2 game against the Patriots with his hamstring injury according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link).
It’s a big blow for the Jaguars who like to establish the running game and make things easy for Blake Bortles. They did get some good news however as Calais Campbell, who was a very late add to the injury report, will play. Here are more injury notes from around the league:
- The Lions’ already weak defense will be without their best player, as Ezekiel Ansah will be sidelined with a shoulder injury per Michael Rothstein of ESPN (Twitter link). Ian Rapoport had previously tweeted Ansah was expected to play, so this is a bit of a surprise.
- The Patriots’ backfield got some good news as both Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead will suit up per Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (Twitter link). Burkhead was cleared from the concussion protocol while Michel will make his NFL debut after missing most of the offseason with a knee injury.
- The Rams will be without starting linebacker Mark Barron for a second straight week per ProFootballTalk (Twitter link). It’s bad news for Los Angeles as their linebackers were shredded over the middle last week by tight end Jared Cook for 180 yards.
Reactions, Notes On Josh Gordon Situation
Josh Gordon news continues to come flying in in the wake of the Browns‘ stunning announcement earlier today. There have been plenty of developments, including reports of a possible relapse and that the Browns will look to trade Gordon rather than release him.
The Browns would clearly prefer to get assets back rather than cut him for nothing, and it appears they may get their wish. “As many as five teams are researching possibly trading for Gordon” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link) who notes that “Cleveland has a market.” It’s unclear what any potential compensation would be, but it likely won’t be anything too valuable. A later round pick, perhaps even a conditional one, seems more likely at this point despite all of Gordon’s talent.
Here’s more surrounding the situation:
- In the aftermath of the Gordon news, many immediately began suspecting the Browns would reach back out to Dez Bryant, who they had brought in for a visit and reportedly made an offer to. But Bryant’s name “hasn’t come up around the building lately” and the Browns are “not certain he wants to play football” according to Josina Anderson of ESPN (Twitter link).
- One team that was quickly brought up in connection to Gordon was the Cowboys. But despite their dire need for a number one receiver, don’t expect Dallas to be a player for Gordon writes Calvin Watkins of The Athletic (Twitter link,) who says “I just don’t see the Cowboys investing in” the troubled young wideout.
- It was initially reported that Gordon would go on waivers, and any team could claim his contract if Gordon was let go, but that’s not true. Gordon would become a free agent if the Browns aren’t able to work out a trade as former NFL agent and current CBS Sports analyst Joel Corry explains (Twitter link). Gordon spent at least three games on a roster for a total of four seasons, barely meeting the threshold to avoid waivers.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/15/18
Today’s pair of practice squad moves:
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Riley McCarron
Baltimore Ravens:
- Signed: S Kai Nacua
Browns Will Look To Trade Josh Gordon
New details are pouring in on the shocking release of Josh Gordon. It was reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that Gordon “wasn’t himself” at the team facility earlier today and that the team suspected he had relapsed.
Now it’s being reported that the Browns will attempt to trade Gordon before releasing him by Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Schefter writes there are”teams already calling the Browns” and that sources think the Browns are “far more likely to trade Josh Gordon than release him.” It also makes sense for the Browns to try and get assets back for him rather than dumping him for nothing. The Browns’ initial statement where they said they would be releasing Gordon “on Monday” and not right away always seemed curious and this helps explain why.
Since Gordon has spent time on a roster during at least four seasons, he won’t be subjected to waivers if he were released. He would be free to sign with any team and potentially spark a bidding war. As such, it makes sense that teams would try to swing a trade for him to get him at his current relatively cheap contract.
There was also mystery surrounding Gordon’s hamstring. It was initially reported Gordon would miss the Browns’ Week 2 game against the Saints with a hamstring injury. Gordon “hurt his hamstring at a promotional shoot, not at practice” according to Schefter (Twitter link). Gordon suffering the injury likely contributed to what people are describing as “trust issues” between Gordon and Cleveland. Be sure to keep checking back, as this story will almost surely develop further.
Browns To Release Josh Gordon
UPDATE: Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has details via Twitter on the release, reporting that Gordon was late to the team’s facility today and that it was an “overall trust issue for a player already on thin ice.” Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports Gordon was “not himself” when he showed up to the facility and “there was concern that perhaps he had relapsed and was struggling with his substance use again.”
The Browns will release receiver Josh Gordon on Monday the team announced today (Twitter link).
It’s an absolutely stunning move and one that will send shockwaves across the league as the team has previously stuck with Gordon through everything. He’s battled a hamstring injury since he returned to the team earlier this summer, but had a touchdown catch in their Week 1 opener. The Browns’ statement, from GM John Dorsey, reads as follows:
“For the past six years, the Browns have fully supported and invested in Josh, both personally and professionally and wanted the best for him, but unfortunately we’ve reached a point where we feel it’s best to part ways and move forward. We wish Josh well.”
It was announced earlier today that the Gordon would miss the Browns’ Week 2 game against the Saints with a hamstring injury, although that now appears to have been made up. It always seemed fishy since he had practiced fully each day this week.
Kay Cabot’s reporting indicates the Browns thought he had relapsed and showed up to the facility under the influence. Whatever it was, they’ve kept him on the roster through multiple suspensions and substance abuse related absences before so it must’ve been deemed pretty serious.
Gordon will finish his career in Cleveland with 180 catches for 3106 yards and 16 touchdowns. Overall, it’s a sad day as it seemed Gordon had finally gotten his life back on track and was in a good place with the Browns.
Devonta Freeman To Miss Multiple Weeks With Knee Injury
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman’s knee injury was originally thought to not be serious. Then came the revelation that he would miss this week’s game against the Panthers.
Now there’s even more bad news for Freeman as he will miss between 2-4 weeks according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Schefter said a Falcons official said it would be 2-3 weeks, but followed up in another tweet saying a different source said 3-4 weeks.
It’s another big blow to a Falcons team that has had brutal injury luck so far this season. Star safety Keanu Neal will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL suffered in Week 1 while every-down linebacker Deion Jones will miss at least the next eight weeks with a foot injury.
It’s the latest in a troubling string of injuries for Freeman, who has a history of knee injuries. Schefter reports the injury is a “contusion”, and Freeman has previously suffered PCL and MCL injuries to the same knee. Freeman signed a contract extension before the 2017 season that at the time made him the second highest paid running back in the league. Tevin Coleman should see a significantly increased workload in Freeman’s absence.
AFC Notes: Jets, Johnson, Patriots, Michel, Cannon Raiders, Hankins
When Jets owner Woody Johnson accepted the role as ambassador to the U.K., he left the team under the leadership of his brother Christopher. Given the relative success and cultural improvements the organization has seen under Christopher’s watch, there’s been a lot of speculation about what will happen when Woody returns from his political appointment.
Christopher himself is being quite open about the fact that he wants to stay on with the Jets, saying “no question, I’m hoping to have a larger role” even after his brother returns according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). He added that he thinks Woody will be receptive to it, saying “I think he’d welcome that. I know that he would. I think that I have a new perspective at this point that would be valuable for the franchise.” Whatever happens, it’ll be interesting to watch it unfold as Christopher is reportedly well liked by the players.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- It looks like Sony Michel could be making his NFL debut this week. The first round pick of the Patriots missed most of the offseason and Week 1 due to a knee ailment, but has “made a lot of progress this week” and “the progress has been encouraging” for his Week 1 prospects according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- Speaking of Patriots injuries, starting left tackle Marcus Cannon is looking unlikely to play and the team has “prepared LaAdrian Waddle this week to start” according to Howe (Twitter link). It’d be a big blow to the Patriots’ offensive line against Jacksonville’s dominant defensive front.
- The details are in for the Raiders’ two recent defensive tackle signings. Johnathan Hankins will get $2MM for the season and Clinton McDonald will get $1.75MM according to Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). Pelissero notes that almost every other recent veteran signing has been for the veterans minimum.
Jets Work Out DL Adolphus Washington
Adolphus Washington may not be out of a job too long as the defensive lineman worked out for the Jets today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). 
The former Ohio State star was taken by the Bills in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2016 draft. He was cut just a few days ago to make room for Nate Orchard on Buffalo’s roster. The Bills reportedly tried trading him last season, but found no takers.
Despite his high draft status, he never panned out in Buffalo. He had no ties to the new Bills front office regime, and quickly found himself on the chopping block. He was arrested last summer on weapons charges, although he was never disciplined by the league for it.
The defensive tackle started 21 games for the Bills in his two-plus years with the team. He racked up 56 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three passes defended while being used primarily as a run-stuffer. It’s unclear how interested the Jets are in signing their former division rival, but due to his draft status and starting experience, Washington should latch on somewhere relatively quickly.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/14/18
Today’s pair of minor moves:
Seattle Seahawks:
- Waived/Injured: LB Jermaine Grace
- Reverted To Injured Reserve: WR Amara Darboh