Patriots’ Cyrus Jones Likely Tore ACL
Patriots cornerback Cyrus Jones likely suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during their preseason finale against the Giants on Thursday, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Jones will undergo an MRI on Friday.
Having started in just one of 10 appearances and made seven tackles as a second-round rookie last year, the loss of Jones wouldn’t be an enormous blow to the Patriots’ defense. New England continues to boast Stephon Gilmore, Malcolm Butler, Eric Rowe and Justin Coleman as its top options at corner, leaving little room for Jones to make his mark defensively.
On the other hand, Jones’ absence would negatively affect the Pats’ special teams unit and could influence how Bill Belichick constructs their roster prior to the cutdown deadline on Saturday. Jones was in line to serve as New England’s No. 1 return man on both kicks and punts prior to Thursday, and a serious injury to him (on top of Julian Edelman‘s) would leave the club without an obvious in-house solution, Doug Kyed of NESN writes. The 23-year-old Jones combined for 19 kick and punt returns last season.
Latest On Ezekiel Elliott
The NFL handed Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott a six-game suspension stemming from domestic violence allegations earlier this month, but the league’s director of investigations, Kia Roberts, recommended no ban for the running back, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Roberts’ decision came after interviewing Tiffany Thompson, Elliott’s ex-girlfriend who accused him in June 2016 of committing physical violence against her on multiple occasions. Despite Roberts’ key role in the investigation, her suggestion didn’t make it into the NFL’s final report and its suspension letter, notes Hill. Further, Roberts wasn’t present during a commissioner Roger Goodell-led meeting that centered on potential disciplinary measures for Elliott, Hill adds.
Senior vice president of investigations Lisa Friel was among those in attendance with Goodell, and it was Friel who advised a six-game suspension to the commissioner, according to Hill. The fact that Goodell ultimately did hand down that penalty to Elliott left Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “furious,” in part because he expected Elliott to elude punishment. A top official with the NFL informed Jones that the league would not discipline Elliott, Hill relays.
Elliott appealed his suspension this week during a hearing that spanned three days and over 25 hours, and his side testified that Friel banned Roberts from the aforementioned meeting, Hill reports. Roberts, who was also on hand, testified Tuesday that she was the only league employee to interview Thompson, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Roberts also confirmed that she would not have recommended discipline for Elliott had she been part of the decision-making committee – one that Hill reports consisted of former New Jersey attorney general Peter Harvey, Pro Football Hall of Famer Ken Houston, chief executive of the Women of Color Network Inc. Tonya Lovelace and former U.S. attorney and ex-chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission Mary Jo White. Friel provided testimony on Wednesday and corroborated that of Roberts, Graziano writes.
Hill contends the hearing went well for Elliott’s camp, noting that the league lacks solid proof that he abused Thompson. Both that and the NFL’s unwillingness to listen to Roberts would not bode well for the league in federal court, Hill posits. Elliott could file a lawsuit against the league if hearing officer Harold Henderson doesn’t overturn or reduce the suspension, and Graziano suggests that the NFLPA is ready to fight in court if necessary. Henderson is reportedly “under pressure” to make a decision by Monday.
AFC Notes: Bills, Steelers, Bengals
The Bills sent big-money defensive tackle Marcell Dareus home before their preseason game against the Ravens last week after he violated a team rule, leaving general manager Brandon Beane unsure if the two-time Pro Bowler is part of the solution. Asked this week if Dareus is on board with what the team is trying to build, Beane told Joe Buscaglia of WKBW (via Mark Inabinett of AL.com): “I don’t know. Time will tell. It was disappointing, as I said, after that game. He was contrite yesterday and said the right things. Actions speak louder than words. Time will tell. Hopefully, he is. We hope he’ll play to his potential. We know what kind of player he can be. We hope to see that on the field.” Even if the Bills are fed up with Dareus, who has multiple suspensions on his resume, moving on from the cornerstone defender in the near future would be extremely difficult because of the structure of his contract. The Bills inked Dareus to a six-year, $91.5MM extension in September 2015.
More from two other AFC cities:
- The Steelers expect the NFL to fully reinstate wide receiver Martavis Bryant in advance of Week 1, GM Kevin Colbert told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette (Twitter link). The league suspended Bryant for all of last season for repeated violations of its substance abuse policy, conditionally reinstated the 25-year-old in April and gave him clearance to participate in the preseason three weeks ago. He hasn’t appeared in a meaningful game since a playoff loss to the Broncos on Jan. 17, 2016.
- Cornerback Joe Haden‘s $5.75MM signing bonus is the only guaranteed portion of the three-year, $27MM contract the Steelers gave him Wednesday, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. The pact includes base salaries of $1.25MM, $9MM and $10MM, and it comes with a $1MM roster bonus that’s due in March 2018.
- Linebacker Vontaze Burfict‘s suspensions call his future with the Bengals into question, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com observes. Burfict is set to serve a three-game ban for the second straight campaign, and he has only played 58 of a possible 80 regular-season contests in his five-year career. Cincinnati’s going to have to consider Burfict’s lack of availability when deciding whether to re-sign him by next winter, then. The same goes for tight end Tyler Eifert, whom injuries have limited to 37 of a possible 64 games during his four seasons. Both players make the Bengals better when they’re on the field, which Terrell notes will make for tough decisions in each case.
Texans Extend DeAndre Hopkins
The Texans have agreed to a five-year contract extension with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). It’s a five-year, $81MM pact, Ian Rapoport and James Palmer of NFL.com report, while Schefter adds that it includes $49MM in guarantees (Twitter links). Both the total value of the contract and the guaranteed amount place Hopkins atop the NFL at his position, moving him above Atlanta’s Julio Jones ($71.25MM and $47MM, respectively).
Thursday has been an extremely busy day for Texans general manager Rick Smith, who has agreed to extensions with Hopkins, safety Andre Hal, tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz and fullback Jay Prosch over the past few hours. The crown jewel of the quartet is undoubtedly Hopkins, a bona fide star who has provided exceptional production despite having to play with a slew of mediocre-at-best quarterbacks during his four-year career.
Most recently, Hopkins racked up 78 receptions for 954 yards and four touchdowns during a 16-start 2016. While most wideouts could only hope to post that type of output, it was actually disappointing coming from Hopkins, who didn’t benefit from now-Browns quarterback Brock Osweiler‘s presence in Houston. New starter Tom Savage earned Hopkins’ endorsement earlier this summer, and now the 25-year-old target will attempt to return to his pre-2016 form with Osweiler gone.
The 27th overall pick out of Clemson in 2013, Hopkins hasn’t missed a game and has already piled up 317 receptions, 4,487 yards (14.2 YPC) and 23 scores in his Houston tenure. During his career year, 2015, Hopkins wowed with 111 grabs, 1,521 yards and 11 TDs en route to second-team All-Pro honors and his sole Pro Bowl nod. Hopkins held out in search of a raise the ensuing summer, but his absence only lasted one day. There hadn’t been any acrimony between the sides between last July and Thursday, though. Hopkins made it clear on multiple occasions over the past year that he wanted to remain a Texan for the long haul, and both Smith and owner Bob McNair expressed similar sentiments.
Texans Sign C.J. Fiedorowicz To Extension
The Texans have agreed to a three-year contract extension with tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter). The deal, which runs through 2020, is worth $22MM and includes $10.1MM in guarantees, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Fiedorowicz now ranks 14th among tight ends in total contract value, ninth in yearly average and 17th in guarantees.
This has been an extension-happy day for the Texans, who locked up safety Andre Hal and fullback Jay Prosch to long-term pacts in the afternoon. Fiedorowicz is arguably the highest-profile player of the trio, having broken out as a third-year man in 2016 with 54 receptions, 554 yards and four touchdowns on 89 targets. The 25-year-old also started in all 15 of his appearances, building on a 14-start campaign in 2015. In all, the former Iowa Hawkeye has logged 37 starts in 46 games and hauled in 75 catches, 754 yards and six scores since going to the Texans in the third round of the 2014 draft.
Between Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin, who amassed 50 receptions last season, the Texans possess one of the most prolific pass-catching tight end tandems in the league. Griffin is under contract through 2019 on the three-year, $9MM extension he signed in March, meaning the club will have the duo around for the foreseeable future.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle first reported that the two sides were nearing a deal. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Texans Extend FB Jay Prosch
The Texans have signed fullback Jay Prosch to a three-year, $5.75MM contract extension, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The deal includes $2.7MM in guarantees.
Prosch, who was entering the last year of his contract prior to the extension, has spent his entire career in Houston since the team selected the former Auburn Tiger in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. He appeared in all but one of 48 possible regular-season games during his first three years, though he hasn’t been a significant factor on offense. Thus far, the 25-year-old Prosch has started in eight games and totaled 12 touches (10 carries, two receptions).
While Prosch hasn’t made a name for himself offensively, he has been a reliable special teamer for the Texans. Prosch’s work with that unit has increased each season, as his ST snaps went from 109 to 208 to 220 during his first three years in the league. Prosch saw the fifth-most action of any of Houston’s special teamers in 2016, though Football Outsiders ranked its ST unit as the NFL’s second worst.
Chiefs Release Jah Reid
The Chiefs have released offensive lineman Jah Reid, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link).
The 29-year-old Reid became expendable with the addition of fellow O-lineman Cameron Erving, whom the Chiefs acquired from the Browns on Wednesday. Reid, a six-year veteran who has been a Raven for the majority of his career, spent the previous two seasons with the Chiefs and started in 11 of 22 appearances while playing both tackle and guard. He came off the bench in all but one of his 12 games last season and earned a less-than-stellar performance review from Pro Football Focus.
Releasing Reid saves the Chiefs $2.78MM of his $3.56MM cap number this season. Reid was under contract through next year via the extension he signed late in 2015, so cutting him also frees up $3.2MM in 2018 (against $775K in dead money). On the field, Reid’s exit leaves Erving as the top backup to starting tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, while Isaiah Battle and Jordan Devey represent a couple of the Chiefs’ other bookend options.
AFC Notes: Brock, Ware, Bell, Raiders, Colts
The odds of the Browns releasing quarterback Brock Osweiler and eating his fully guaranteed $16MM salary have seemingly increased in recent days, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk contends. Cleveland saved $15.25MM – nearly the sum of Osweiler’s salary – by releasing defensive lineman Desmond Bryant and cornerback Joe Haden in the past week-plus, which could make it easier to part with the QB now that he won’t be its starter, Florio posits. Osweiler is unlikely to garner any trade interest, so cutting the 26-year-old would enable the Browns to recoup a bit of his salary ($775K) if he signs elsewhere for the league minimum.
More from around the AFC:
- Chiefs running back Spencer Ware did indeed suffer a torn PCL and LCL in the team’s preseason game against the Seahawks last week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms (on Twitter). Ware will undergo surgery and miss the entire season, leaving him in line for an “intense rehab,” Rapoport notes.
- Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell will end his holdout Friday specifically to avoid landing on the roster exempt list, Florio reports. If Bell were to show up after cuts occur Saturday, the Steelers would be able to place the franchise-tagged star on the list for up to two weeks and pay him a lesser salary than his $711K game check during that period. It’s unlikely Pittsburgh would’ve done that, per Florio, but Bell will remove the possibility by showing up before cutdown day.
- The Raiders may attempt to acquire a linebacker via trade or waiver claim in the coming days, according to Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. As Gehlken writes, the club didn’t invest much in the position in the offseason – it signed Jelani Jenkins for $1MM and used a fifth-round pick on Marquel Lee – and Cory James is now dealing with an undisclosed injury.
- The Colts have worked out fullback Jody Webb, Alex Marvez of Sporting News tweets. Webb went undrafted out of Youngstown State in the spring and hasn’t signed with a team since then.
Chiefs Acquire Cameron Erving
The Browns have traded offensive lineman Cameron Erving to the Chiefs for a fifth-round pick in 2018, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Cleveland placed Erving on the block after he lost the starting right tackle job to second-year man Shon Coleman.
Erving goes down as a failed first-round pick for the Browns, who selected the former Florida State standout 19th overall in 2015. He was unable to establish himself either at tackle or along the interior of the line in Cleveland, which tried Erving at both guard and center. To his credit, the 25-year-old Erving has been durable to this point, having appeared in 29 of a possible 32 regular-season games. He started in all 13 of his appearances last season, though Pro Football Focus ranked him among the game’s worst centers.
For the Chiefs, who acquired another recent high pick – 2016 second-round linebacker Reggie Ragland – in a deal with the Bills earlier this week, Erving represents a talented reclamation project. If he breaks out over the next two seasons, the Chiefs will have the ability to control Erving through 2019 by way of a fifth-year option.
In the near term, playing time looks as if it will be difficult to come by for Erving in Kansas City. The Chiefs have five set starters along the line in tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, guards Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Bryan Witzmann and center Mitch Morse, though injuries during the season should create opportunities for the team to plug in Erving.
Packers To Sign Ahmad Brooks
The Packers have agreed to a one-year, $3.5MM deal with linebacker Ahmad Brooks, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). The pact could be worth up to $5MM. Brooks visited with the Pack shortly after the 49ers released him Aug. 25.
Green Bay will be the third NFL destination for Brooks, who spent the first two years of his career in Cincinnati before joining San Francisco in 2009. He became one of the most accomplished pass rushers in 49ers history during his eight-year tenure in San Fran, where he racked up 51.5 sacks and never finished with fewer than five in an individual season. Brooks was also quite durable as a member of the 49ers, with whom he appeared in at least 13 games in each year.
Most recently, Brooks totaled six sacks during a 16-game, 15-start slate last season, indicating that the 33-year-old still has plenty to offer. While Pro Football Focus wasn’t enamored of Brooks’ work, ranking him just 87th in performance among 110 qualified edge rushers, he still figures to help a Green Bay defense that lost prolific rusher Julius Peppers to Carolina in free agency. Brooks’ presence on the outside could lead the Packers to move Clay Matthews inside, where he’d potentially be an upgrade over Jake Ryan and/or Blake Martinez in nickel packages, as PFR’s Dallas Robinson noted this week. Regardless, Brooks adds a third proven edge rusher behind the Matthews-Nick Perry duo, giving the Packers a trio that combined for 22 sacks in 2016.