Texans’ Earl Thomas Visit On Hold
TUESDAY: Perhaps this process has hit a snag. Thomas’ Texans visit is on hold, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets. It was scheduled for Tuesday. Should Thomas join the Texans, he would have to go through COVID-19 protocols. Delays would obviously stall the 10-year veteran’s 2020 debut. The Cowboys remain a non-factor regarding Thomas, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telgram tweets.
The Texans sent Thomas home prior to the workout, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The team planned to work out five safeties; none of those auditions have transpired, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. While Thomas has taken an offsite physical, he continues to wait on a team to green-light his 11th season.
MONDAY: The Texans are giving Earl Thomas a look. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the veteran safety has a Houston workout scheduled. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that “his signing this week is more likely than not.”
Following a physical altercation with teammate Chuck Clark at practice, Thomas was released by the Ravens back in August. The three-time first-team All-Pro hasn’t seen much of a market over the past month. While the Cowboys had consistently been connected to the veteran, the team still hasn’t brought him in for an audition. The Falcons were considered a destination because of Thomas’s connection to head coach Dan Quinn, but they’ve already been ruled out.
The Texans were connected to Thomas shortly after his release from the Ravens, and he subsequently picked up an endorsement from quarterback Deshaun Watson on Instagram. However, following the safety’s release from the Ravens, reports indicated that Houston wouldn’t make a run at the veteran. Things have changed a bit, though, as the Texans could use some depth after placing A.J. Moore on the injured reserve (per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter). They’re currently rostering only three safeties in Justin Reid, Eric Murray, and Michael Thomas.
It was only a year ago that Thomas inked a four-year, $55MM deal with the Ravens. While he received some criticism for missing team and position meetings, he was still productive on the field. While he struggled a bit to start the 2019 campaign, he improved enough throughout the season to earn his seventh career Pro Bowl appearance. The 31-year-old ultimately finished the campaign having compiled 49 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
49ers Place TE Jordan Reed On IR
Another year, another trip to the IR for Jordan Reed. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers will put the veteran tight end on the short-term injured reserve.
The 30-year-old was briefly sidelined during this weekend’s win over the Giants with an ankle injury. Reed ended up returning to the field, but he subsequently sustained an MCL injury, leading to his placement on IR. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Reed will likely be back in six to eight weeks (via Maiocco on Twitter).
Reed considered retiring this past offseason after missing the 2019 campaign with a concussion (at least his seventh since the start of his collegiate career). Reed has struggled to stay on the field in recent years, but there’s no denying his talent. Between 2013 and 2018, Reed racked up 329 catches for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns for Washington, and that was despite missing 31 regular season games. The veteran caught on with the 49ers this offseason, and he hauled in 11 receptions for 85 yards and two scores through his first three games with San Francisco.
Reed joins a long list of 49ers players who have been sidelined thanks to injuries. Fortunately, there could be some good news on the way; the team is set to evaluate quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle, and running back Raheem Mostert on Wednesday (via Can Inman of the San Jose Mercury on Twitter).
Reed wasn’t the only 49ers player to land on IR today. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reports (via Twitter) that linebacker Mark Nzeocha has also been placed on injured reserve with a quad injury. The veteran has spent the past four seasons with the 49ers, and he played in each of his team’s first three contests this season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/28/20
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated off suspension list: DB Jordan Miller
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on IR: CB Tavon Young (story)
- Promoted: CB Terrell Bonds, CB Khalil Dorsey, S Jordan Richards
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: LB Montrel Meander
- Placed on IR: WR JoJo Natson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: OL Keaton Sutherland
- Waived: OL Shaq Calhoun
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: LB Austin Calitro
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: S A.J. Moore (story)
- Promoted: RB C.J. Prosise
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/28/20
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Delrick Abrams, CB Tyler Hall, LB Edmond Robinson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DT Terry Beckner
Houston Texans
- Signed: DL Ryan Glasgow, DT Corey Liuget (story)
- Cut: OL Cordel Iwuagwu
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Jared Hilbers, K Aldrick Rosas
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Robert Davis
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DB Luther Kirk
- Released DB Nate Meadors
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Michael Jackson, DT Nick Thurman, WR Zay Zuber
New Orleans Saints
- CB Ken Crawley
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed:LB Shaquem Griffin, DB Ryan Neal
49ers DE Nick Bosa Has Torn ACL, Done For Season
Sep. 27: In addition to the torn ACL, Bosa sustained further cartilage damage in his left knee, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports. The 49ers are hopeful that the extra damage will not delay Bosa’s return, and the club remains optimistic that he will be back in time for the start of the 2021 campaign. Bosa will undergo surgery this week.
Sep. 21: Nick Bosa is done for the year. The 49ers announced that their star pass rusher has indeed suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted at the injury following yesterday’s win.
The injury is obviously a massive blow to the 49ers defense, as the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year was establishing himself as one of the top rushers in the game. The former second-overall pick earned a Pro Bowl nod last season after compiling 47 tackles, nine sacks, and a forced fumble. He had another forced fumble during the 49ers’ Week 1 loss to the Cardinals.
If there’s any consolation, Bosa should be good to go for the start of next season. Plus, other than core muscle surgery during his time at Ohio State, Bosa has generally stayed healthy during his playing career.
The 49ers are dealing with injuries throughout their roster. It sounds like defensive tackle Solomon Thomas also suffered a torn ACL, while defensive end Dee Ford is sidelined with a neck injury and cornerback Richard Sherman is sitting on IR with a strained calf. The offense isn’t immune; the team has a depth-chart worth of wideouts sidelined (including Deebo Samuel), tight end George Kittle is dealing with a knee ailment, and running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman will be out this weekend against the Giants. Fortunately, it sounds like quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s high-ankle sprain isn’t too serious.
The team has already added Ziggy Ansah to their squad, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the organization signs some more depth along the defensive line.
Packers Promote DL Billy Winn
This weekend, Billy Winn could make his first NFL appearance in four years. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the Packers have promoted the veteran defensive tackle to their active roster.
The 2012 sixth-round pick spent the first three-plus seasons of his career with the Browns, compiling 54 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He was traded to the Colts during the 2015 campaign, and after collecting 14 tackles and two fumble recoveries in 12 games (three starts), he landed on the injured reserve.
The Broncos signed Winn to a one-year deal prior to the 2016 season, and he proceeded to appear in all 16 games for Denver, finishing with 19 tackles.However, the veteran hasn’t seen the field since then. He re-signed with the organization prior to the 2017 season, but a torn ACL sidelined him for the entire campaign. It was a similar situation in 2018; Winn re-signed with the team before a triceps injury landed him on IR. He was released by Indy back in March, and the Packers added him to their practice squad earlier this month.
With defensive tackle Kenny Clark questionable for this weekend’s game with a groin injury, Green Bay was looked for some reinforcement along the defensive line.
Panthers Promote RB Reggie Bonnafon
With Christian McCaffrey sidelined, the Panthers are turning to a familiar face. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports (via Twitter) that the team has promoted running back Reggie Bonnafon from the practice squad.
Bonnafon has spent his entire career with the Panthers, initially joining as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville in 2018. He got his first chance to contribute in 2019, and he proceeded to appear in all 16 games for the Panthers. Bonnafon was buried on the depth chart, but he finished the season having compiled 116 rushing yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. He also added six receptions for 57 yards, and he returned six kickoffs for 111 yards. The 24-year-old re-signed with Carolina this offseason, and he caught on with the practice squad after getting cut earlier this month.
Mike Davis is expected to be the primary replacement for McCaffrey; the veteran had eight receptions during last weekend’s loss to the Buccaneers. The team is also rostering Trenton Cannon, and wideout Curtis Samuel has also garnered five carries through two weeks.
After suffering a high-ankle sprain, McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. The Pro Bowler will be eligible to return on Oct. 18, but there’s a chance he’ll need more than three weeks to recover.
This Date In Transactions History: Titans WR Rishard Matthews Requests Release
Two years ago today, Titans wideout Rishard Matthews requested his release. The veteran receiver was hoping the impending move would lead to a bigger role elsewhere. Instead, it likely spelled the beginning of the end for his career.
The 2012 seventh-round pick out of Nevada spent the first four seasons of his career with Miami, culminating in a 2015 campaign where he compiled 662 receiving yards on 43 receptions. This performance earned him a three-year contract from the Titans, and Matthews immediately became a contributor to his new team. The wideout’s first season in Tennessee proved to be the best of his career; he finished with career highs in receptions (65), receiving yards (945), and receiving touchdowns (nine). He missed a pair of games in 2017, but he still put up similar per-game numbers (53 receptions, 795 yards, four scores). Unfortunately, the wheels fell off in 2018.
It started with a preseason contract extension that was self-negotiated by Matthews. The deal was the equivalent of a team option that would pay the receiver $7.5MM, but none of that money was guaranteed. The deal was generally panned by pundits, and while the contract has never been explicitly attributed to Matthews’ dissatisfaction with the organization, you’ve got to wonder if it played a role.
Of course, Matthews was also unhappy with his role in the passing game. Through the first three games of the 2018 season, the receiver had only hauled in three receptions for 11 yards. He played only 50% of the team’s offensive snaps through three weeks (third among Titans receivers behind Corey Davis and Tajae Sharpe), and he was ranked sixth on the team in targets. Part of that reduced production was thanks to subpar quarterback play from Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert, but Matthews also seemed to blame the coaching staff.
“I’ve been the leading receiver for two years,” Matthews said at the time. “Then all of a sudden I’m barely playing and not even starting. Using my injury as the scapegoat. Look at number of snaps and targets.”
Matthews ultimately got his wish, as he was released by the Titans the day after his public request. After hiring Drew Rosenhaus for representation, Matthews proved to be a popular free agent target, with the Browns, Cardinals, and Jets expressing interest. The receiver ultimately landed in New York, but he didn’t do much for his new team; in five games for the Jets, Matthews was limited to only two receptions for 13 yards before landing on the IR.
He caught on with the Saints during the 2019 offseason, but he was cut in August. Days later, Matthews announced his retirement. Who knows if things would have been different if Matthews ended up sticking in Tennessee. However, it’s obvious that his public release request — a move made two years ago today — certainly didn’t help his prospects of sticking around the NFL.
Jaguars LB Leon Jacobs Done For Season
Leon Jacobs‘ season is over. The Jaguars linebacker tore his ACL during Thursday’s loss to the Dolphins and will miss the rest of the 2020 campaign.
It’s a tough break for Jacobs, as the 24-year-old was establishing himself as a starter. After starting seven of his 14 games in 2019, the 2018 seventh-rounder had started two of his three appearances in 2020, compiling three tackles and one tackle for a loss. In 29 career games (12 starts), Jacobs has 66 tackles, two sacks, and one fumble recovery.
When Jacobs went down in the first quarter on Thursday, Cassius Marsh was the first choice to fill in at linebacker. The 28-year-old ended up playing 62-percent of Jacksonville’s defensive snaps, collecting three tackles.
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco passed along injury updates on some other notable Jaguars player. Wideout DJ Chark was sat out Thursday’s game with a chest/back injury, but he should return to the practice squad next week if his recent test results come back clean. Center Brandon Linder is also expected to return from a knee injury, while safety Andrew Wingard‘s core muscle injury isn’t as serious as initially thought.
Meanwhile, rookie kicker Brandon Wright suffered a groin injury during Thursday’s loss, forcing the Jaguars to start hunting around for some reinforcement. Wright was already filling in for starter Josh Lambo, who’s sitting on the IR with a hip injury. The 23-year-old Wright has connected on one of his two extra point tries this season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/21/20
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Justin Johnson, OL Rick Leonard
- Placed on PS IR: RB D.J. Foster
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Aaron Monteiro
- Released: K Kai Forbath
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DB Marqui Christian
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Dwayne Harris, RB C.J. Prosise, WR Devin Smith
- Released: WR Tyler Simmons
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Abdullah Anderson
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Nick Thurman
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Breon Borders, DB Greg Mabin, WR Chester Rogers
- Released: DL Kobe Smith, DB Maurice Smith, DB Picasso Nelson