Chiefs OL Austin Blythe Underwent Hernia Surgery
Austin Blythe recently went under the knife, but the Chiefs center should be good to go for the start of the regular season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the offensive lineman recently had hernia surgery. Blythe is expected to be sidelined for three weeks, which means he should be healthy for Week 1.
Considering the Chiefs invested a second-round pick in Creed Humphrey, Blythe’s injury all but guarantees that the rookie will be starting in Week 1. However, that doesn’t mean Blythe will see a reduced role in 2021. The 29-year-old started 47 games for the Rams over the past three years at both guard and center, so his versatility should find him a spot in the lineup (even if he’s temporarily a backup).
After grading as PFF’s ninth-ranked center last season, Blythe ended up joining the Chiefs on a one-year deal this offseason. After starting his career with the Colts, the veteran had spent each of the past four seasons in Los Angeles.
There’s some more promising injury news for the Chiefs. Despite aggravating his hamstring during practice earlier this week, defensive end Frank Clark is only expected to miss three weeks. Pelissero notes that there’s optimism that the veteran will be ready to play Week 1. Clark has had two productive seasons in Kansas City, collecting 14 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, and 29 QB hits in 29 games (26 starts).
QB Jameis Winston To Start Saints’ Second Preseason Game
After Taysom Hill started the Saints preseason opener, the team is making a change to their starting lineup. Jameis Winston will start Monday night’s game against the Jaguars, according to head coach Sean Payton (and via ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter).
Payton has said throughout the preseason that the team will continue to rotate between Hill and Winston. In other words, we shouldn’t look too much into Winston’s start on Monday. More interesting will be how the team handles both quarterbacks throughout the exhibition; if one of the two players plays primarily with the starters, it could give us a clue into who will be starting Week 1.
As the Saints usher in the post-Drew Brees era, Hill and Winston are the two candidates to take the starting gig. Hill completed eight of his 12 passes for 81 yards and an interception during his start against the Ravens, while Winston completed seven of his 12 attempts for 96 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The team is also rostering Ian Book, who also tossed an interception during the preseason opener.
The Saints still refuse to show their hand at the quarterback position. When asked if any of the players had the lead for the starting job, Payton refused to give any information.
“I’m not going to have weekly or daily updates,” Payton said (via Michael Davis Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). “These guys are both working hard.”
Patriots WR N’Keal Harry Avoids Serious Injury
It sounds like N’Keal Harry avoided serious injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots wideout didn’t suffer any structural damage to his shoulder. The third-year player will just need rest is considered week-to-week.
Harry exited the Patriots’ preseason game on Thursday night after landing hard on his shoulder while diving for a catch. Harry didn’t return and was seen wearing a sling following the contest. The receiver has dealt with a number of injuries during his brief career, so this is a positive development for the 23-year-old.
Of course, it’s still uncertain if the 2019 first-round pick will be on the Patriots roster come Week 1. The Arizona State product surprised many when he requested a trade earlier this offseason, but Harry still attended training camp and has reportedly held talks with Bill Belichick and co. regarding the request. Considering Harry’s lack of production through two NFL seasons, the Patriots probably haven’t traded him thanks to underwhelming offers. We’ve heard teams like Washington were interested in Harry, but suitors were likely offering fifth- or sixth-round picks. The Patriots may just prefer to keep Harry around instead of dumping him for a late-round selection.
Harry has disappointed since being selected with the No. 32 pick in the 2019 draft. Through two seasons, he’s hauled in 45 receptions for 414 yards and four scores. Harry had a chance to prove himself in 2020 with a depleted depth chart, but he’ll have a tougher time getting looks in 2021 following the additions of Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor (plus tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith).
DE Noah Spence Works Out For Bengals
Noah Spence is already starting to generate some interest around the NFL. After getting cut by the Saints earlier this week, the defensive end worked out for the Bengals today, reports Aaron Wilson (via Twitter).
An Ohio State cog who transferred to Eastern Kentucky, Spence flashed as a Bucs rookie by registering 5.5 sacks. However, the defensive end has only collected a pair of sacks since that 2016 campaign. His Tampa tenure ended following a 2018 season where he had only three tackles in 12 games, and despite getting into seven games for Washington in 2019, he finished with only three tackles and one sack.
He joined the Saints in late 2019, but a torn ACL forced him out for the entire 2020 season. Spence re-signed with New Orleans earlier this offseason, but he was cut by the organization on Sunday.
The former second-round pick would be hard pressed to earn a roster spot in Cincinnati, but if he does sign, he’ll have at least a temporary opportunity to show his stuff. Both Khalid Kareem and Joseph Ossai are currently sidelined with injuries, and while the duo isn’t expected to miss any regular season time, their absences will open up reps during the preseason.
Texans To Release DT Brandon Dunn
Brandon Dunn‘s stint in Houston has come to an end. The Texans are releasing the veteran defensive tackle, according to Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk790 in Houston (via Twitter).
The former undrafted free agent caught on with the Texans in 2015, and he’s remained in Houston for the past six years. The veteran inked a three-year, $12MM deal with the organization last February, and he proceeded to have one of his best NFL seasons. In 13 games (13 starts), Dunn collected 26 tackles and three QB hits. His season ended on IR after he suffered a fractured hip, but Wilson notes that the 28-year-old has made a full recovery.
“Yeah, surprised,” Dunn responded when asked for his reaction to the move (via Mark Berman on Twitter). “Like anybody, it always surprising to get released, but it’s a business and I understand.”
Dunn ultimately saw time in 72 games (37 starts) for Houston, collecting 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, nine QB hits, and one sack. He also played in four postseason games for the Texans, including a 2019 start where he picked off Andrew Luck.
Even with Dunn out of the picture, the Texans have a muddled depth chart at defensive tackle. Any of Maliek Collins, Vincent Taylor, Ross Blacklock, Auzoyah Alufohai, DeMarcus Walker, Roy Lopez, or Jaleel Johnson could jump the depth chart by the start of the regular season.
Latest On Steelers WR James Washington
There were reports earlier this month that Steelers wideout James Washington had requested a trade, a report that head coach Mike Tomlin later denied. Washington addressed the rumors today, and while he didn’t specifically acknowledge the trade request, he also didn’t deny the report.
“That’s a private conversation,” Washington said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “As far as me being happy in Pittsburgh, I love it here. Who wouldn’t be happy playing football as their job? I come to work every day with a smile on my face. I’m eager to be here with my guys — joking around, laughing, playing a sport I love.”
Washington was willing to acknowledge that he’s talked about his reduced offensive role with the coaching staff.
“It’s been talked about,” Washington said. “But I’m just trying to do what I can. I just want to show people I can be available and make the plays they want me to make. Just do what I need to do.”
Washington, a 2018 second-round pick, saw a jump from 38 targets as a rookie to 80 looks in 2019. During that 2019 campaign, caught 44 passes for 735 yards and three touchdowns. However, his targets dropped to 56 in 2020, with the receiver finishing his third NFL season with 30 grabs for 392 yards and five scores. His yards per catch average also dropped, going from 16.7 to 13.1.
This summer, Washington still found himself buried on the depth chart during the early parts of training camp, leading to rumblings that he was seeking a trade.
Ben Roethlisberger has never been shy about spreading the ball around, so there could definitely be a role for Washington in Pittsburgh in 2021. However, the 25-year-old currently has to compete with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, and Diontae Johnson for targets, limiting his upside.
WR Josh Doctson Worked Out For Cardinals
We’ve got a Josh Doctson sighting. The wideout auditioned for the Cardinals yesterday, per Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). Doctson apparently left Arizona without a deal, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t be an option down the road.
Doctson has struggled to live up to his first-round draft status, but he’s still managed to stick around the NFL. He got a contract from the Jets last offseason, but he ultimately decided to sit out for the 2020 campaign. He stayed on the Jets offseason roster for a few months before getting cut by the organization in May.
While the receiver obviously put up disappointing numbers during his stint in Washington, there was some hope that he could stick around the NFL following 2017 and 2018 seasons where he averaged 39.5 receptions, 517 receiving yards, and four touchdowns per season. However, Doctson has only seen the field for one regular season game since 2019, putting his NFL future in doubt.
The Cardinals have a deep grouping of wideouts, but the team could temporarily use some help at the position. Veterans DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green are dealing with minor ailments, while Andy Isabella is currently on the COVID-19 list.
DE Everson Griffen To Work Out For Vikings
Everson Griffen‘s hope of rejoining the Vikings could come true. The veteran defensive end is set to work out for the Vikings tomorrow, reports Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota (via Twitter).
We heard last month that the longtime Vikings pass rusher wanted to return to Minnesota, with Griffen acknowledging that he “never should have left the Vikings” in the first place. That report indicated that the veteran also had the support of some former teammates regarding a reunion, but the signing wasn’t expected to come to fruition. Now, Griffen has a chance of landing back in Minny.
Following a 10-year stint with the Vikings that saw him make four Pro Bowl appearances, the 33-year-old split the 2020 season between the Cowboys and Lions. Despite playing for two teams and missing two games due to contracting COVID-19, Griffen finished with six sacks last season. No Viking rusher compiled more than five. Yannick Ngakoue reached five before the Vikings traded him in October; no one still with the team tallied more than three sacks in 2020. The Vikings finished with just 23 sacks last season, which ranked 28th in the NFL.
Minnesota’s D-line situation looks better going into the 2021 season. Danielle Hunter is on track to return after missing all of last season due to a neck injury. The team has three veteran D-tackle starters — Michael Pierce, Dalvin Tomlinson and Sheldon Richardson — set to join Hunter. The Vikings also used third- and fourth-round picks on ends — Patrick Jones II (Pittsburgh) and Janarius Robinson (Florida State) — in April. That said, Griffen could profile as a veteran stopgap opposite Hunter. He has three double-digit sack seasons on his resume and was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2019.
Latest On Giants GM Dave Gettleman’s Job Status
The Giants have gone 15-33 since Dave Gettleman took over as general manager, but president and co-owner John Mara wouldn’t go as far as to say the executive was on the hot seat.
“We’re all on the hot seat with our fans in particular, we’ve given them too many losing seasons…it’s time to start winning,” Mara told reporters today when he was asked about Gettleman’s spot on the hot seat (via SNY on Twitter). “But, no I wouldn’t say that’s an accurate statement.”
The owner didn’t reveal any specific mandate to make the playoffs, and he hinted that incremental improvements could be enough for everyone (including the head coach and quarterback) to keep their gigs in 2022. However, Mara also acknowledged that the organization can’t take a step back in 2021.
“I gave the same answer last year, I think, but when I walk off the field after the last game, whenever that is, I want to feel like ‘Does this group give us a chance to win the Super Bowl? Are we moving in that direction?’” Mara said (via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv). “If the answer to that is yes, then we’re not going to consider making big changes. If I feel like we’re going backwards, that’s another discussion.”
“I’ll look at that at the end of the season and see whether I think we’re continuing to make progress and moving in the right direction, but I’m not issuing a playoff mandate,” Mara added. “I don’t think those ever do any good. I don’t think I need to say or do anything to motivate the people in this building any more than they’re already motivated. They all want to win.”
The Giants’ six wins in 2020 was their best showing in three years. While seven wins probably wouldn’t be tolerable among Giants fans, it just might be enough for Gettleman and co. to keep their jobs.
Titans Sign S Bradley McDougald
While most teams were subtracting from their rosters today, the Titans were adding to theirs. The team signed three players today, including linebacker Nick Dzubnar (re-signed) and safeties Bradley McDougald and Clayton Geathers.
McDougald, a former undrafted free agent, started 70 games for the Buccaneers and Seahawks between 2015 and 2019. The veteran has seen time in 105 career games (82 starts), collecting 487 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 43 passes defended. He got into seven games for the Jets in 2020, finishing with 36 tackles, his lowest total since his rookie season. His 2020 campaign was cut short thanks to a shoulder injury.
Geathers had previously spent his entire career with the Colts, seeing time in 56 games. He started 22 games for Indy between 2018 and 2019, collecting 101 tackles and four passes defended. He sat out the 2020 campaign, and he found himself unsigned through most of this offseason.
Dzubnar spent the 2020 season in Tennessee, where he emerged as one of the team’s top special teams players, leading the Titans with 13 special teams tackles. He spent the first six years of his career with the Chargers, where he appeared in 65 games.