Falcons Place LB Deion Jones On PUP
Eventually, Deion Jones will likely emerge as a trade candidate. For the time being, the linebacker will sit on PUP. The Falcons announced that they have placed the veteran on the physically unable to perform list.
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Jones underwent shoulder surgery earlier this offseason, but the procedure was reportedly a “cleanup.” It sounded like the linebacker could be back in time for training camp, but he’ll miss at least the first few days of practice thanks to today’s transactions. Jones can return to practice at any time, but that will require the Falcons to remove him from the PUP list.
A 2016 second-round pick, Jones has anchored Atlanta’s linebacking corps throughout his career. The 27-year-old had another productive season in 2021, finishing with 137 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. However, he hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2017, and with the Falcons facing a total rebuild, Jones would seem to be one of the next veterans on the block.
The problem is, moving on from Jones is easier said than done. Tied to a $20MM cap figure this year, Jones has two seasons left on his contract. Thanks to two 2021 restructures, the Falcons would be left with a whopping $18MM in dead money if they decided to release the linebacker, adding on to their $63MM in dead-money charges (much of that from the dead-money record ($40MM) on Matt Ryan‘s contract).
So, the more likely path is that Jones is moved via trade, and once the linebacker is able to show that he’s fully recovered from his shoulder surgery, there should be plenty of squads interested in adding him to their LB room. While teams might be leery of the $9.6MM (guaranteed) and $11.9MM (nonguaranteed) salaries he is due over the next two years, the LSU product is still just 27 and has missed only one game over the past three seasons.
For the time being, the likes of Rashaan Evans, Mykal Walker, Troy Andersen, and Nick Kwiatkoski should get some extra reps at inside linebacker with Jones sidelined.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/21/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OT David Sharpe
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Sal Cannella
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: Matthias Farley
- Placed on NFI list: DT Vernon Butler
- Placed on PUP: WR Dillon Stoner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DE Carlo Kemp
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Craig James
- Placed on NFI list: OT Greg Senat
Patriots Place Five Players On PUP
The Patriots placed a long list of players on the physically unable to perform list today. Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss on Twitter, New England placed center David Andrews, cornerback Jonathan Jones, linebacker Raekwon McMillan, safety Jabrill Peppers, and running back James White on PUP. The players are able to return to practice at any time, but they’ll be watching from the sideline until they’re officially activated.
Jones is still rehabbing a shoulder injury that limited him to only six games in 2021, while Andrews is recovering from his own shoulder surgery. White was limited to only three games last season thanks to a hip issue, and it sounds like the injury is lingering into this year’s training camp. Peppers and McMillan are both returning from ACL injuries.
White is one of the most veteran players on the Patriots roster, and in an ideal world, the running back would serve as a pass-catching safety blanket for Mac Jones. Between the 2016 and 2019 campaign, White averaged 68.8 catches and 950 yards from scrimmage per season. Now 30, this injury could spell the beginning of the end for White, and with Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson requiring carries (plus rookie fourth-round pick Pierre Strong Jr.), it’s hard to really see a role for White even if he’s healthy.
Andrews is also one of the longest-tenured Patriots players, having appeared in 89 games across seven seasons with the organization (including a 2019 campaign that he missed due to a pulmonary embolism). Despite the 2021 season being Andrews’ age-30 season, he still proved he was one of the best centers in the NFL, with Pro Football Focus ranking him fifth among 39 eligible centers.
McMillan joined the Patriots last offseason, but he tore his ACL in August and missed the entire season. Peppers, a former first-round pick, spent the past three seasons with the Giants. He collected 29 tackles and one sack in six games before suffering a torn ACL in October. Jones has spent his entire six-year career in New England, starting 27 games (including 21 starts between 2018 and 2020). He collected 20 tackles and three passes defended in six games last season.
Saints Place WR Michael Thomas, DE Marcus Davenport On PUP
A pair of Saints players have landed on PUP ahead of training camp. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), the Saints have placed wideout Michael Thomas and defensive end Marcus Davenport on the physically unable to perform list.
Thomas’s placement on PUP seems mostly procedural after he’s been limited to only seven games over the past two seasons. We heard last month that the wideout had progressed to running sprints, and the wideout recently posted a video that showed him running routes. The Saints have expressed optimism that Thomas will be back at some point during training camp, so it doesn’t seem like this delay will end up working its way into the preseason.
The last time the wideout was fully healthy, he was the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year after hauling in 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. The receiver’s lengthy absence stems from a high ankle sprain suffered during the Saints’ 2020 season opener. The injury continued to linger, and while the Saints wanted Thomas to immediately go under the knife once the 2020 season ended, the player decided to hold off on surgery until last summer. The subsequent rehab plus a new ankle injury derailed any chance that he’d be able to return for the 2021 campaign.
Davenport’s placement on PUP is equally unsurprising, but it’s uncertain how long the veteran defensive lineman will be sidelined. We heard recently that Davenport had a pair of surgeries on his knee and three surgeries on his left hand just this offseason. Davenport had a stint on IR last season while dealing with a shoulder ailment, so his two surgeries were likely intended to fix that injury. Meanwhile, Davenport said he’s been dealing with a pinkie injury that dates back to college, but the injury has progressively gotten worse and culminated in Davenport having part of the finger amputated.
The 2018 first-round pick has spent his entire career with New Orleans, missing 17 games in four seasons. While he was limited to only 11 games (nine starts) last season, he still finished with career-highs in tackles (39), sacks (nine), and forced fumbles (three). In total, Davenport has 21 sacks in 48 games.
Browns To Sign QB Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen is heading to Cleveland. After working out for the Browns earlier today, the quarterback will sign with the team, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It will be a one-year deal for Rosen. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland (on Twitter), the quarterback will sign his contract tomorrow.
[RELATED: Browns Work Out QBs Josh Rosen, A.J. McCarron]
With Deshaun Watson facing a potential suspension, the Browns have reportedly been on the lookout for some reinforcement at the quarterback position. Rosen auditioned for the team earlier today, with A.J. McCarron also getting a work out. Cleveland has also been lightly connected to 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, and the Browns reportedly did some research on Garrett Gilbert, who spent time with the organization in 2019. Rosen ultimately won out, and he’ll now join a depth chart that includes Watson, presumed Week 1 starter Jacoby Brissett, and free agent signing Josh Dobbs.
It’s only been four seasons since Rosen was selected by the Cardinals with the 10th-overall pick in the 2018 draft. He only got one season in Arizona before the organization pivoted to Kyler Murray, and he didn’t show a whole lot when he was on the field. In 13 starts as a rookie, Rosen guided the Cardinals to a 3-10 record while completing 55.2 percent of his passes for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
He was traded to the Dolphins in 2019, but he only got into six games (three starts) for his new squad, tossing one touchdown vs. five interceptions. He was waived prior to the 2020 campaign, and since that time, he’s had brief stints with the Buccaneers, 49ers, and Falcons. He ended up getting into four games for Atlanta last season, completing only two of his 11 pass attempts.
Temporarily, Rosen will mostly serve as depth at the position; Cabot writes that Rosen was signed to be a backup to Brissett (vs. competing with Brissett to serve as the temporary QB1). More significantly, it seems pretty clear that the Browns are preparing to be without Watson for at least a solid chunk of the upcoming campaign.
Buccaneers To Sign TE Kyle Rudolph
Tom Brady has a new tight end. The Buccaneers have signed Kyle Rudolph, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal for the veteran tight end.
[RELATED: Vikings, Buccaneers Interested In TE Kyle Rudolph]
We heard recently that the market for Rudolph was starting to heat up. The Buccaneers were listed among the known suitors, as were the Vikings, Rudolph’s former team. Rudolph was also connected to the Broncos and his former GM George Paton earlier in the offseason. Ultimately, it was the Buccaneers who managed to land the free agent, and they now have a tight end who can somewhat replace the production of Rob Gronkowski, who announced his retirement earlier this offseason.
It’s been a bit since Rudolph has come close to even matching Gronk’s 2021 numbers, but at the very least, he’ll provide Brady with another reliable option at the position. Rudolph will likely compete with Cameron Brate for offensive reps, with rookies Cade Otton and Ko Kieft now competing for the third TE spot on Tampa Bay’s roster.
The Giants inked Rudolph to a two-year, $12MM deal in March of 2021, but following a season where the tight end finished with only 26 catches for 357 yards and one touchdown, he received his walking papers. Prior to his brief stint in New York, Rudolph spent the first 10 seasons of his career in Minnesota, earning a pair of Pro Bowl nods. He ranks sixth in Vikings history in receptions (453) and receiving touchdowns (48), and he’s 10th in receiving yards (4,488). Rudolph saw reduced targets during his final seasons with the organization, but he was still relatively consistent in the yards-per-catch category (including a career-high 11.9-yards per reception in 2020).
WR John Brown Works Out For Packers
John Brown is still seeking a job for the 2022 campaign, but the veteran wideout had a chance to show what he’s got on Wednesday. Brown worked out for the Packers today, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter).
[RELATED: Packers Wrap Draft Class, Sign WR Christian Watson]
Following a two-year stint with the Bills, Brown joined the Raiders last offseason. He didn’t end up making it to the regular season with his new squad, and he proceeded to join three more organizations before the season was finished. Brown had stints with the Broncos, Jaguars, and Buccaneers between October and January. He saw time in four games without hauling in a catch.
Brown was a 1,000-yard receiver as recently as 2019, and he averaged 50.9 yards per game in 2020 (the third-highest mark of his career behind his two 1,000-yard campaigns). A high ankle sprain and stints on the COVID list limited him to only nine games in 2020, but prior to that, Brown only missed nine games through six seasons.
The Packers don’t have a clear-cut wideout following the Davante Adams trade, but they have done some work to add to their receiving corps. The team added three receivers in the draft, including Christian Watson (second round), Romeo Doubs (fourth round), and Samori Toure (seventh round). The organization also brought in veteran Sammy Watkins to pair with Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
Brown wasn’t the only player to get a tryout with the Packers. The team also hosted tight end Sal Cannella, offensive tackle Airon Servais, and defensive back Bryce Watts.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/20/22
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/did not report list: WR Devon Williams
- Placed on NFI: WR Binjimen Victor
- Placed on exempt/left squad: RB Ricky Person
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB Isiah Brown
- Released: S Dallin Leavitt
- Waived: G Jordan Meredith
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Craig James
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo “Progressing Well” From Shoulder Surgery
Jimmy Garoppolo continues to take positive steps forward as he recovers from his shoulder surgery. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the quarterback recently got a thumbs up from Dr. Neal ElAttrache during a checkup, and it seems like the veteran is “progressing well.”
[RELATED: Browns Unlikely To Pursue Jimmy Garoppolo?]
Per Rapoport, the 49ers are thrilled with where Garoppolo is from a physical standpoint. The expectation continues to be that the QB will be able to make his return to the field in mid-August, and Rapoport hints that the player’s return could quickly lead to a trade out of San Francisco.
We heard recently that Garoppolo had resumed throwing, and Rapoport provided some details on his rehab process. The QB’s focus isn’t on “making one deep” pass attempt; instead, Garoppolo is focused on “making many [passes] in a row” as he attempts to build up for actual game action. Per Rapoport, the belief is that the player’s cuff will end up stronger than it was before the injury. Garoppolo originally injured his shoulder during the team’s Divisional Round win over the Cowboys. The surgery ultimately kept him out of mandatory minicamp.
It sounds like the 49ers are not counting on Garoppolo to be ready for the start of training camp. That means 2021 third-overall pick Trey Lance won’t have to look over his shoulder as he guides the first-team offense through the early parts of camp. It sounds like Garoppolo won’t even get a legitimate look from the 49ers before he’s shipped out via trade, but at the very least, the veteran’s current status eliminates any semblance of a QB competition.
Still, a Garoppolo trade is easier said than done, especially with the majority of his potential suitors now out of the picture. The Browns and Seahawks have most recently been connected to the 30-year-old, but if those squads have legitimate interest, they’d likely wait out their chances and see if Garoppolo ends up hitting free agency. The player’s shoulder somewhat complicates a potential release, but no matter the end result, his return to practice will mark the beginning of the end for Garoppolo in San Francisco.
Latest On Texans RB Darius Anderson
Texans running back Darius Anderson was charged with burglary with intent to commit assault following an incident on Friday morning, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com. Initial reports listed a charge of burglary with intent to commit rape, but per Wilson, a police official attributed that to a coding error.
According to his attorney, the player only learned of the arrest warrant when he saw the news on television, and he went to the courthouse on Monday morning. He was later released on $20K bond. Anderson’s arraignment was rescheduled from Wednesday to September 20.
According to court records, Anderson’s ex-girlfriend claimed that the athlete forced his way into her home on Friday morning and didn’t leave until she locked herself in a bathroom and called police. Anderson allegedly tried to assault the woman once they entered the home, and the player took “some shoes” before leaving (via Miya Shay of ABC13.com). Anderson denies the allegations.
“We are aware of the report involving Darius Anderson,” the Texans said in a statement. “We are gathering information and have no further comment at this time.”
Anderson scored 18 touchdowns in four seasons at TCU. He had one of his most productive collegiate seasons as a senior in 2021, finishing with 951 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns on 173 touches. He went undrafted during the 2020 draft, and after spending his rookie season with the Cowboys and Colts, Anderson joined the Texans late during the 2021 campaign. He inked a reserve/future contract with the organization back in January. The 24-year-old was already facing an uphill battle to make the roster; at best, he was battling with Royce Freeman and Dare Ogunbowale to be the team’s fourth RB.