Panthers C Pat Elflein Expected To Miss Rest Of Season
It sounds like Pat Elflein‘s season has come to an end. The Panthers center is set to undergo season-ending hip surgery, coach Steve Wilks told reporters today (via Darin Gantt of NBC Sports on Twitter).
Elflein landed on injured reserve on Saturday. The veteran had reportedly been dealing with a hip injury that forced him to miss practice time leading up to Week 7. The IR stint meant the offensive lineman would have been sidelined until at least Week 11, but the veteran will ultimately miss the rest of the season.
The center started 42 of his first 43 NFL games with the Vikings between 2017 and 2019. After splitting the 2020 campaign with the Vikings and Jets, he joined the Panthers on a three-year, $13.5MM deal. He was limited to nine starts during his first season with the Panthers thanks to a hamstring injury that knocked him out for a few months. After Pro Football Focus graded him towards the bottom of the center position in 2021, Elflein ranked 21st among 37 qualifiers in six starts this year.
Bradley Bozeman will likely take over in the starting lineup for the Panthers. The offensive lineman started 48 games for the Ravens between 2019 and 2021, but he’s been limited to a backup role during his first season in Carolina, starting only one of his seven appearances.
Patriots To Start QB Mac Jones On Sunday
Despite his curious benching on Monday night, Mac Jones will be under center for the Patriots when they take the field on Sunday. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the second-year pro will start this weekend against the Jets.
Jones took about 90 percent of the first-team reps at practice today, a solid indication that he’ll get the starting nod over starter Bailey Zappe. Earlier today, coach Bill Belichick continued to fan the flames when he refused to elaborate on the team’s quarterback position, noting that the Patriots would see “how it goes” at practice today (via Chad Graff and Jeff Howe of The Athletic). Apparently Jones showed enough to earn the starting nod on Sunday.
The 2021 first-round pick returned from a high ankle sprain to start Monday’s game, but he was benched after only one quarter in favor of his rookie teammate. Belichick has refused to attribute the benching to Jones’ performance, with the coach instead claiming it was always New England’s intent to play both QBs in their game against the Bears. Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus provides some more insight, writing that Jones’ injury factored into the decision and the QB was aware of his limited role heading into Monday night. The team intended to get Jones back in the game but the score got out of hand, allowing Zappe to finish the contest. Kyed also expresses skepticism that the Patriots would roll with a platoon at the position.
Of course, even if Belichick and the Patriots are being sincere, this won’t stop pundits from speculating about the situation. Some have suggested that the Patriots could be preparing for a future without Jones, citing the QB’s alleged attitude and ego. However, Howe rejects that notion, and in a separate article, he writes that the organization “bungled” this ordeal with their franchise quarterback.
It’s been an ugly start to the 2022 campaign for Jones. Following a rookie campaign that saw him guide New England to the playoffs and earn a Pro Bowl nod, Jones has led the Patriots to a 1-3 record in four starts this year, completing 65 percent of his passes for 799 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. For comparison’s sake, Zappe has completed 70.7 percent of his passes for 781 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions, with the Patriots going 2-0 in his two starts.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/26/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Sage Doxtater, G Danny Isidora
- Released: WR Laquon Treadwell
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Daurice Fountain
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: S Bryce Cosby, DT Kyle Peko
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: G Jeremiah Kolone
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Grant Hermanns
New England Patriots
- Signed: K Tristan Vizcaino
- Placed on IR: DL LaBryan Ray
Washington Commanders
- Signed: CB DaMarcus Fields
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: K Rodrigo Blankenship
- Placed on IR: DL Rashard Lawrence
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: G Dieter Eiselen
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: LB Jacob Phillips
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from NFI: LB Damone Clark
- Placed on IR: OL Matt Farniok, CB Jourdan Lewis
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return: OL Tom Compton
Houston Texans
- Designated for return: DB Tavierre Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return: S Trevor Denbow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed off Raiders practice squad: CB Tevaughn Campbell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: OT Jackson Barton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Jeremiah Attaochu
New England Patriots
- Designated for return: OT Yodny Cajuste
New York Giants
- Designated for return: OT Matt Peart, LB Elerson Smith, CB Rodarius Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return: TE Tyree Jackson
- Released: DE Tarron Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: S Nolan Turner
Texans LB Kamu Grugier-Hill Granted Release
Kamu Grugier-Hill has been granted his release. The Texans are cutting the veteran linebacker, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).
Per Wilson, Grugier-Hill was set to see a reduced role during the second half of the season, leading the player to ask for his release. The Texans acquiesced and have made the 28-year-old a free agent. Grugier-Hill re-signed with the Texans this past offseason and was playing on a one-year deal.
A former sixth-round pick by the Patriots, Grugier-Hill spent four seasons with the Eagles from 2016 through 2019. After a year with the Dolphins in 2020, he joined Houston for the following campaign. During his lone full season in Houston, the linebacker collected a career-high 108 tackles, three sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles in 14 games. He also set the Texans’ single-game record for tackles with 19.
Grugier-Hill has started each of the team’s first six games this season, compiling 40 tackles. However, he’s graded out as the league’s second-worst linebacker, per Pro Football Focus. As a result, the team will increase the playing time of rookie third-round pick Christian Harris, who will play alongside defensive signal-caller Christian Kirksey.
Dolphins Work Out CB Malcolm Butler
It’s been quiet on the Malcolm Butler front, but the veteran cornerback did get a look from an NFL team earlier today. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that Butler worked out for the Dolphins.
[RELATED: Patriots Release CB Malcolm Butler From IR]
The Dolphins recently lost cornerback Nik Needham for the season, and Byron Jones has yet to hit the practice field after starting the season on PUP. Kader Kohou and Keion Crossen also missed Sunday’s game with injuries, and safety Brandon Jones went down during Sunday’s win over the Steelers.
Butler would be a logical target considering he played under Dolphins DC Josh Boyer when the two were in New England. The cornerback joined the Patriots for a second stint with the organization this past offseason, but after mostly working with the backups during the preseason, he landed on IR before final roster cuts, meaning he wouldn’t see the field for New England in 2021. The Patriots ended up cutting Butler from IR, allowing him to sign with another team during the 2022 campaign.
The 32-year-old hasn’t taken the field since the 2020 season, when he had a career-high 100 tackles in 16 starts for the Titans. After earning his walking papers from Tennessee, he caught on with the Cardinals for the 2021 campaign, but right before the start of the regular season, he announced that he was retiring from the NFL for personal reasons.
The Dolphins also auditioned Jamal Perry, who was ultimately signed to the practice squad. It’s uncertain whether the addition of Perry would rule out a Butler signing. Wide receivers Alex Bachman, Calvin Jackson, and Dede Westbrook also worked out for Miami today, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter).
Cowboys Add CB Kendall Sheffield To Practice Squad
The Cowboys are adding some reinforcement to their secondary. Dallas is signing cornerback Kendall Sheffield to the practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).
[RELATED: Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery]
The team could use some extra depth at the position after cornerback Jourdan Lewis went down with a season-ending foot injury. Fifth-round rookie DaRon Bland is expected to take on the starting nickel role, but the front office still wanted to add some extra depth at the position.
Sheffield is a logical choice. While the 26-year-old will initially start on the taxi squad, he’ll likely find himself on the active roster sooner than later. He’s already familiar with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s system thanks to their time together in Atlanta, and Sheffield’s ability to play both outside and nickel should provide him with more opportunities for reps.
Sheffield was a fourth-round pick by the Falcons in 2019. He started 20 games through his first two seasons in the NFL, collecting 97 tackles and six passes defended. With Quinn out in Atlanta for the 2021 campaign, the cornerback saw a reduced role. He didn’t start any of his nine games last season while collecting only four tackles. He caught on with the Texans in May and landed on IR before the start of the 2022 season. He was cut from IR earlier this month.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/25/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Sage Doxtater
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Thakarius Keyes
- Released: LB Jordan Brailford
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Mike Brown
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S J.R. Reed
- Released: DL Bruce Hector
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Josh Babicz
- Released: TE Shaun Beyer
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: P Nolan Cooney, LB Forrest Rhyne
- Released: WR DeMichael Harris, CB Ryan Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: OT Sebastian Gutierrez
- Released: CB Javelin Guidry
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Calvin Jackson, DB Jamal Perry
- Placed on IR: WR Freddie Swain
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Andre Miller
New York Jets
- Signed: G Myron Cunningham
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: RB Godwin Igwebuike, LB Christian Jones
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on reserve/NFI: DE Henry Anderson
- Signed off Dolphins practice squad: OT Larnel Coleman
- Signed to active roster: CB Tae Hayes
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: S C.J. Moore
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: WR Tyron Johnson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: WR Daurice Fountain
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: G Jeremiah Kolone
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR: G Forrest Lamp
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: RB Zonovan Knight
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: RB Tevin Coleman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: LB K.J. Britt
Tennessee Titans
- Signed off Chiefs practice squad: WR Chris Conley
- Placed on IR: WR Kyle Philips
Washington Commanders
- Signed to activer roster: CB Danny Johnson
Browns Activate LB Deion Jones
Deion Jones is set to make his Browns debut tomorrow. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports (on Twitter), the linebacker has been activated from injured reserve. The team has also promoted linebacker Dakota Allen and cornerback Herb Miller from the practice squad, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (on Twitter).
Jones was acquired from Atlanta earlier this month despite sitting on injured reserve. He was soon designated for return, allowing him to practice with his new squad for more than a week. The linebacker underwent shoulder surgery back in May, a move that ended up temporarily halting trade talks. While his salary was apparently a concern for some suitors, Jones and Cleveland later agreed to a reworked contract that will make the veteran a free agent at the end of the season.
The linebacker spent the first six seasons of his career in Atlanta, including a 2021 campaign where he collected 137 tackles. The Browns lost veteran linebacker starter Anthony Walker for the season in Week 3, leaving a major hole on their defense. Jacob Phillips has since found himself with a starting gig, and it’ll be interesting to see if he supplants usual starter Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with Jones in the lineup.
Allen has spent the majority of the 2022 season on Cleveland’s practice squad, although he’s been active for a pair of games. The linebacker got into 14 games with the Jaguars last season, collecting nine tackles. Miller has seen time in 11 games for Cleveland over the past two years, including two this year.