Commanders Place QB Carson Wentz On IR
Carson Wentz‘s broken finger will force him to miss at least the next four weeks. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Commanders have placed their starting quarterback on injured reserve.
[RELATED: Commanders Name Taylor Heinicke Week 7 Starting QB]
Rapoport notes that there’s hope Wentz can return to the lineup when first eligible. The veteran QB will be allowed to return from IR in Week 11 against the Texans, meaning he’ll miss the Week 10 MNF matchup against his former team, the Eagles.
Wentz suffered a fractured finger in his throwing hand last Thursday, an injury that ultimately required surgery. The veteran was initially given a return timeline of four to six weeks, but Wentz expressed interest in playing through the injury. That clearly didn’t end up being the case; the QB was already ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Packers, and the Commanders are now putting him on the shelf for the three following games, as well.
Wentz has been inconsistent during his first season in Washington. The 29-year-old has completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,489 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions, although seven of those scores came in the first two weeks. Wentz and the Commanders offense struggled again in Week 6, with the QB only completing 12 of his 22 pass attempts for 99 yards. Coach Ron Rivera made headlines prior to that Week 6 victory when he attributed the team’s place in the NFC East standings to the “quarterback” position, although he later walked back those comments and defended his role in the team’s decision to acquire the QB from Indy.
As our own Adam La Rose previously pointed out, Wentz’s absence could end up impacting the draft picks that the Commanders sent to the Colts. The 2023 third-rounder sent to Indy will convert to a second-rounder if Wentz plays in 70% or more of the Commanders’ snaps this season. Wentz can still hit that mark if he misses four games, but the Commanders would barely have more than a game’s worth of wiggle room remaining.
Taylor Heinicke, who is in his third season with the organization, will take over under center. He dressed for only one regular season contest in 2020, but he made a name for himself in the playoffs in a one-score loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions. That landed him a two-year extension laden with playing-time incentives. He started all but one regular season contest he appeared in last year, going 7-8 and completing 65% of his passes. Washington is also rostering fifth-round rookie Sam Howell.
Texans Place DE Jonathan Greenard On IR
The Texans will be without one of their top pass rushers for the next month-plus. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Houston is placing defensive end Jonathan Greenard on the injured reserve.
The defensive end injured his calf this week during practice. The injury is expected to sideline Greenard for four to six weeks. The pass rusher missed Week 5 with an ankle injury but was expected to be back on the field after Houston’s bye week. Instead, while preparing for Week 7, Greenard suffered an injury that will keep him off the field for at least the next four games.
The 2020 third-round pick made a name for himself in 2021. In 12 starts for Houston, Greenard finished with 33 tackles, eight sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. Through four games this season, he collected 1.5 sacks and five tackles for loss, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 78th among 116 qualifying edge rushers. The 25-year-old graded out much better in the past, ranking 11th in 2021.
When Greenard was out of the lineup in Week 5, Mario Addison made his season debut and ended up playing 64 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. Rasheem Green has also seen his role grow, culminating in him seeing a season-high in defensive snaps in Week 5. The duo will likely fill in for Greenard at defensive end opposite Jerry Hughes, with Demone Harris and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo also there to soak up some snaps.
Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne “Available For The Right Price”
Kendrick Bourne has seen a reduced role in New England this season, and it sounds like the Patriots wideout may be on the trade block. According to Armando Salguero of OutKick.com, Bourne is “available for the right price.”
Following the offseason acquisition DeVante Parker (and, to a lesser extent, the second-round selection of Tyquan Thornton), the Patriots were eyeing a crowded receivers room heading into the 2022 campaign, and the team’s depth at the position meant someone was going to lose out on snaps. Through the first six weeks of the season, that’s been Bourne. The 27-year-old is firmly behind Parker and Jakobi Meyers when it comes to snaps, and he’s now competing with Thornton and veteran Nelson Agholor for any leftover reps.
The receiver only saw a pair of offensive snaps in Week 1. He’s seen an increased role in recent weeks, including a Week 5 outing where he got into 57 percent of his team’s offensive snaps (thanks in part to the absence of Meyers). However, that was followed up by a Week 6 contest where he was limited to only six percent of New England’s offensive snaps. Through six games (one start), Bourne has hauled in 11 receptions for 156 yards.
This is a significant drop from last season, where Bourne emerged as one of Mac Jones‘ favorite targets. After joining the Patriots in the offseason, the wideout proceeded to have a career season, finishing with 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns. While the team’s crowded WR room has certainly played a role in Bourne’s reduced role, Salguero writes that the wideout’s inconsistency at practice has “gotten him into some trouble” with coaches, particularly offensive play-caller Matt Patricia. It’s usually tough to get out of Bill Belichick’s doghouse, so a trade may ultimately be best for both sides.
Lions Sign P Jack Fox To Extension
The Lions have extended one of their key special teamers. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Detroit has signed Jack Fox to a three-year extension.
The deal is worth $3.775MM annually, making him the highest-paid punter in the NFL. Seahawks punter Michael Dickson previously paced the position with a $3.67MM AAV. Fox will also get $7MM guaranteed, which only trails Dickson ($7.5MM) among punters.
Per Rapoport, the organization used their Week 6 bye to negotiate a new contract with Fox. The 26-year-old was set to hit restricted free agency following the season.
The 2019 undrafted free agent out of Rice originally joined the Chiefs out of college before catching on with the Lions. After sitting on the practice squad for much of his rookie year, he got into 16 games in 2020, earning himself a second-team All-Pro spot and a Pro Bowl nod. He got into 17 games for Detroit last season, averaging 48.8 yards per punt. He re-signed with the Lions after the 2021 campaign.
In five games this year, Fox’s 16 punts have traveled a distance of 48.8 yards, good for ninth in the NFL. While Pro Football Focus only ranks him 23rd among 32 punters at the moment, Fox graded much more favorably through his first two years in the league (including a #1 ranking in 2020).
Latest On Former Texans Executive Jack Easterby
Jack Easterby‘s stint with the Texans ended earlier this week, with the organization parting ways with their executive vice president of football operations. It sounds like Easterby’s inability to mesh with two of the team’s top decision makers ultimately led to his ousting. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Texans head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Nick Caserio “had frozen Easterby out” of decision-making ever since the offseason.
[RELATED: Texans Part Ways With EVP Jack Easterby]
Easterby has seen a number of regime changes since joining the Texans in 2019, with the executive eventually being responsible for some personnel decisions. He ultimately played a major role in recruiting Caserio to Houston, with the two having previously worked together in New England. The GM has naturally taken control of personnel decisions, and it sounds like a reduced role for Easterby ultimately made him superfluous in the front office.
“My short time I worked with Jack was all good,” Smith said (via Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com). “He did a great job for us. Sometimes, divorce is a good thing. I’ve said that before, too.”
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, there were some hints that Easterby’s stint in Houston was coming to an end. According to Florio, there was a “perception” that Easterby was “tapping into old relationships” as he prepared his inevitable job search, with the reporter adding that the executive specifically reached out to people from former gigs “for no apparent reason.”
One team that could end up being a suitor for Easterby is the Panthers, although Florio notes that owner David Tepper may not be willing to tolerate the executive’s baggage. The 39-year-old began his NFL career as a character coach with the Chiefs and Patriots, and it remains to be seen if either organization would welcome him back.
Trade Notes: Gesicki, Hawks, Commanders
Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki recently emerged as a potential trade candidate. The tight end doesn’t seem overly focused on the latest rumblings, telling reporters that he hasn’t asked the front office for clarity about the report.
“No,” Gesicki responded when asked if he’s reached out to the Dolphins (h/t Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post). “I mean, I think I just kind of like I said, I just kind of go about my business. Whatever happens, happens. And I’ve been here for five years now. I love it here. I’m happy to be here. And if I stay here, which I mean, I would assume, I would. I’m excited to continue to be here, make plays and you know, help the team win and move forward and all that kind of stuff for the rest of season.”
Gesicki is coming off his best game of the season, with the tight end hauling in six catches for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Vikings. However, the 27-year-old has been limited to only 101 yards in his other five appearances, with receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle commanding the bulk of the targets. Despite his inconsistent offensive role, Gesicki made it clear that he hasn’t asked for a trade.
“Nah,” Gesicki said when asked if he’s requested a trade.” I mean, I think these coaches also understand what I’m capable of. And I think, you know, Sunday was a good, you know, showing of that just, you know, a couple of opportunities to go out there and make plays. And that was my thing. I don’t know when the opportunity is gonna come, but I gotta keep preparing as if they’re gonna come.”
More trade notes from around the NFL…
- The Seahawks have made cornerback Sidney Jones available, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. While the organization would prefer to keep the veteran, they’re willing to listen to offers with Jones buried on the depth chart. Michael Jackson and Tariq Woolen are holding down the fort as the outside cornerbacks, and Tre Brown will eventually work his way back into the lineup. Jones is playing on a one-year deal following a career season in 2021. In 16 games (11 starts) for Seattle, the cornerback compiled 66 tackles and 10 passes defended.
- Speaking of Seattle, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times can’t envision the Seahawks making a significant move at the trade deadline. While Seattle has made deadline moves in the past, the team currently seems focused on building their core from within. The team also has little cap space to work with, making a big splash unlikely.
- Following his benching in Week 5, it was reported that Commanders cornerback William Jackson could be looking for a fresh start elsewhere. However, the defensive back denied reports that he wants to be traded (per ESPN’s John Keim on Twitter). Jackson was ruled out for Week 6 with a back injury, and it sounds like he’s unlikely to play in Week 7. Jackson is attached to a three-year, $40.5MM deal, but teams have expressed interest ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline.
- The Panthers were planning to cut Robbie Anderson before they found a taker in the Cardinals, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). Considering the prospect of just eating his salary, the Panthers made out well in the deal, securing a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick from Arizona.
Latest On 49ers, Rams Interest In Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey
The Christian McCaffrey market is starting to heat up. Less than a week after we learned that the Panthers were fielding calls on their star running back, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets that trade talks are “advancing,” and several sources believe a trade could ultimately come to fruition. Wilson adds that “multiple” teams remain interested in McCaffrey and “are actively exploring trade scenarios.”
[RELATED: Bills Remain Interested In Christian McCaffrey]
A number of teams have been connected to the running back, with the 49ers presumed to be a suitor. Tim Kawakami of The Athletic believes Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are “intrigued” by adding the two-time All-Pro, and he opines that the player is likely interested in joining forces, as well. The fit is obvious; McCaffrey could join Deebo Samuel as the focal point of an innovative offense, and he could help add a spark to a unit that’s struggled a move the chains through the first six weeks of the season. Plus, as Kawakami points out, the team isn’t afraid to make a splash a big deadline splash; the team acquired Emmanuel Sanders in 2019 after sending out a third- and fourth-round pick.
Of course, that doesn’t mean there won’t be difficulties. While Kawakami is skeptical that the Panthers would be able to garner two first-round picks for McCaffrey, there’s still a good chance the 49ers can’t outbid other suitors. The team is currently rolling without a 2023 first-round pick, which could be a factor that automatically removes San Francisco from the conversation. There’s also the matter of McCaffrey’s salary. The RB has a base number of $11.8MM in both 2023 and 2024, and considering the organization’s penchant for not overpaying at the position, there’s little chance the front office would want the RB at that number.
Still, Kawakami could see a world where the 49ers prevail. There’s a chance McCaffrey would be willing to reduce his cap number, which would eliminate any financial concerns. Further, the Panthers may not be able to fetch even a single first-round pick for their star player, in which case the 49ers would be better suited to compete with draft compensation.
Meanwhile, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic confirms (on Twitter) that the Rams are in the mix for McCaffrey, and the reporter is also skeptical that the Panthers will be able to get multiple first-round picks in a trade. Rodrigue believes that the Rams won’t be willing to get into a bidding war for the running back, especially with Carolina coming out of the gate “with such high asking terms.” However, if the Panthers are willing to lower their asking price, then the Rams could emerge as a serious threat to acquire the RB.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/20/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Dicaprio Bootle
Bootle joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska in 2021. He got into three games as a rookie and has seen time in three games this year, totaling 10 tackles in his six games. Bootle was waived at the end of the preseason before landing back on Kansas City’s practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/20/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Dallas Cowboys
- Designated to return: DE Tarell Basham
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Designated to return: S Damontae Kazee
Basham suffered a quad injury in Week 1 that landed him on injured reserve. The defensive lineman joined the Cowboys last season, finishing with 39 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 17 games (six starts). The 28-year-old saw time in 18 defensive snaps in Week 1 before suffering his injury.
Kazee landed on IR after the preseason, and he now has a three-week window to return to the roster. The defensive back joined Pittsburgh this offseason after spending the 2021 campaign in Dallas, where he had 52 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 17 games (15 starts).
Saints Activate CB Alontae Taylor From IR
The Saints are adding some reinforcement to their secondary. The team announced that cornerback Alontae Taylor has been activated from injured reserve. In preparation for tonight’s game, the team has also promoted cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and wide receiver Kevin White from the practice squad. Wideout Keith Kirkwood was cut from the active roster to make space.
Taylor suffered a sprained MCL prior to Week 3, landing him on injured reserve. The rookie second-round pick ended up spending the minimum amount of time on IR before being designated to return earlier this week. The Tennessee product exclusively played on special teams during his NFL debut, but he got more run on defense in Week 2.
His return couldn’t come at a better time for a depleted Saints cornerbacks corps. Marshon Lattimore is sidelined and Paulson Adebo is questionable for tonight’s game, leaving the team thin at CB. The rookie probably won’t help relieve a secondary that’s allowing 189 yards per game to receivers, but he should at least provide some additional depth at the position.
Harris should also help in that regard, with the veteran cornerback now earning his third promotion since joining the Saints practice squad earlier this month. Harris got the start for the Saints in Week 6, finishing with eight tackles.
Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry are both out for the Saints, leaving rookie Chris Olave as the team’s top wideout. White could get some reps at the position, with the former first-round pick having seen time in seven games for New Orleans over the past two seasons (albeit with only one catch). Kirkwood got into two games for the Saints this season, hauling in a pair of catches.