Minor NFL Transactions: 11/15/17
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted to active roster: LB Deon King
Denver Broncos
- Promoted to active roster: LB Deiontrez Mount
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed off waivers: LB Jermaine Grace
- Waived: LB Darnell Sankey
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived from injured reserve: T Donald Hawkins
Vikings Were “Tempted” To Start QB Teddy Bridgewater
Although the Vikings opted to start quarterback Case Keenum for at least one more week, the club was “very tempted” to turn to Teddy Bridgewater, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
While Minnesota views Bridgewater as the face of their franchise, per Glazer, it’s entirely fair to wonder what Bridgewater has to offer in the near term. He hasn’t played in nearly two years after suffering a devastating injury during the 2016 preseason, and has never performed under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. While Bridgewater should still have some chemistry with wide receiver Stefon Diggs after he caught 52 balls in 2015, Bridgewater has barely thrown to fellow wideout Adam Thielen, who was a bit player the last time Bridgewater was under center.
There’s no easy decision available for the Vikings, but given that the club is a near lock to earn a postseason berth (87%, per Football Outsiders), there’s an argument to made that Minnesota shouldn’t make a change at quarterback. Keenum, a journeyman who’d never experienced much success until this season, has performed extremely well in his seven 2017 starts, completing 65% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Advanced metrics like Keenum, as well: he ranks second in DVOA, third in total QBR, and fourth in DYAR, per FO.
The question of whether Keenum places a cap on the Vikings offense is a fair one, and Minnesota also may want to get a look at Bridgewater before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next spring. However, unless each of the Vikings’ remaining games is competitive, the club should be able to insert Bridgewater into the lineup for a few snaps down the stretch run.
Lions Claim LB Kasim Edebali
The Lions have claimed linebacker Kasim Edebali off waivers from the Broncos and waived defensive end George Johnson, the club announced today.
Edebali, 28, had appeared in nine games for Denver this season, but hadn’t made a dent on defense, as he’d seen only 55 defensive snaps on the year. His real action had come on special teams, where he’d played on more than 60% of the Broncos’ snaps. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn has shown a willingness to pay for special teams prowess in the past, and Edebali comes cheap — he’s only due about $400K for the remainder of the 2017 campaign.
Johnson, meanwhile, leaves the Lions after only 24 hours, as the club has just re-signed him on Monday. Detroit has employed Johnson at various points during his career, including his career season in 2014 when he posted six sacks. Injuries and ineffectiveness have marred Johnson’s recent output, but given his familiarity with the Lions’ defense, it wouldn’t be surprise to see him back in Detroit at some point later this season.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/14/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Chicago Bears
- QB Taylor Heinicke; WRs Demarcus Ayers, Canaan Severin, Paul Turner; G Darrell Greene (link)
Cincinnati Bengals
- T Laurence Gibson (link)
Detroit Lions
- DE Armonty Bryant; LB Max Valles; S Duke Ihenacho (link)
Houston Texans
- TEs Brandon Barnes, Gabe Holmes (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- QB Tyler Ferguson; RBs Ka’Deem Carey, Dare Ogunbowale, Juwan Thompson; WRs Dres Anderson, Isaac Fruechte, Alonzo Moore, Tim Patrick (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- LSs Ryan DiSalvo, Andrew East, Drew Ferris (link)
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
- Ks Andrew Franks, Jason Myers (link)
Philadelphia Eagles
- OL Jeremiah Poutasi (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- G Jake Eldrenkamp; C Anthony Fabiano (link)
Seattle Seahawks
- LBs Boseko Lokombo, Jason Thompson (link)
Washington Redskins
- S Lorenzo Jerome (link)
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/14/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Browns‘ practice squad: RB Terrence Magee
- Waived: LB Jermaine Grace
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Deandre Coleman
- Waived: DT Jerel Worthy
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed off Falcons‘ practice squad: RB Brian Hill
- Waived: LB Hardy Nickerson
Denver Broncos
- Waived: LB Kasim Edebali
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Jace Billingsley, DE George Johnson
- Waived: WR Jared Abbrederis, DE Jacquies Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LS Brett Goode
- Waived: LS Derek Hart
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LS Colin Holba
- Placed on injured reserve: LS Matt Overton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: T Taylor Hart
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Caraun Reid, LB Zach Vigil
- Waived: DL Brandon Banks
Chiefs Mulled Claiming TE Martellus Bennett
The Chiefs contemplated putting in a waiver claim for tight end Martellus Bennett after he was cut by the Packers last week, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
“We looked at that as a potential (move),” head coach Andy Reid said. “(But) he’s in a good place. It worked out good for him.”
Bennett, of course, was eventually claimed by the Patriots, but his presence in Kansas City would have been an interesting proposition. Like New England, the Chiefs boast one of the league’s best tight ends (Travis Kelce), so Bennett wouldn’t have been an immediate starter. More likely, he would’ve taken the role of third-stringer Ross Travis , who’s played only 70 total snaps in 2017, joining Demetrius Harris as Kelce’s backups.
Bennett’s salary wouldn’t have been a problem for the Chiefs in 2017, as any club could have absorbed the remainder of Bennett’s $900K base. But Bennett’s 2018 salary would have almost certainly led Kansas City to release Bennett before the start of next season, as the Chiefs currently project to have fewer than $2MM in 2018 cap space.
Reid didn’t elaborate on Kansas City’s decision to not place a claim on Bennett, but the club likely had reservations about Bennett’s injured shoulder. The Patriots were the only team to put a claim in on Bennett, but the NFL doesn’t plan to investigate the veteran tight end’s reunion with New England.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/14/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: QB Garrett Grayson
- Waived: K Mike Meyer
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Sojourn Shelton
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: FB Ricky Ortiz
- Waived: G Jason King
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Dres Anderson
- Waived: WR KeVonn Mabon
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DT Rickey Hatley
- Waived: T Nick Becton, WR Amba Etta-Tawo
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Jack Tocho
- Waived: G Willie Beavers
New York Giants
- Signed: T Nick Becton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S Harold Jones-Quartey
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Cameron Hunt
- Placed on injured list: OL J.P. Flynn
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Alex Carter, LB P.J. Dawson, CB Trovon Reed
- Placed on injured list: CB Akeem King
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Freddie Martino
- Waived: DE Patrick Gamble, CB David Rivers
Washington Redskins
- Waived: DE Tavaris Barnes
NFL Workout Updates: 11/13/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran Howard Balzer’s Twitter account (unless noted):
Cleveland Browns
- DBs Jacob Hagen, Ed Reynolds (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- LSs Drew Ferris, Ryan DiSalvo, Andrew East, Colin Holba (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco)
Los Angeles Rams
- TE Henry Krieger-Coble; LB Kevin Snyder (link)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- S Jack Tocho (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- P Chase Tenpenny (link)
Packers RB Aaron Jones Out 3-6 Weeks
Packers running back Aaron Jones is expected to miss three-to-six weeks after suffering an MCL injury on Sunday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Pending an update on Ty Montgomery, Green Bay is now down to only Jamaal Williams and Devante Mays at running back, meaning the club could add to its backfield in the coming days. Montgomery suffered a rib injury in Week 10, the same issue he dealt with earlier this season. Mays was inactive on Sunday, a designation that will likely change going forward, while fullback Aaron Ripkowski can also handle backfield duties.
The Packers don’t have another running back on their practice squad that can be promoted, although the club could add another fullback — Joe Kerridge — from the taxi squad. A free agent addition is also possible, and players such as Shaun Draughn, DeAngelo Williams, Ryan Mathews, and Tim Hightower could make sense. A number of former Packers, including James Starks and Knile Davis, are also available on the open market.
Jones’ timeline allows for a variety of return dates, and the chance that he could be placed on injured reserve does exist. Such a move would force Jones to miss at least eight weeks, though, meaning he’d be out until the second round of the postseason. Green Bay, of course, isn’t anything close to a lock to earn a playoff berth without quarterback Aaron Rodgers in tow, but Sunday’s victory over the Bears improved their postseason odds to 27%, per FiveThirtyEight.
Jones, a rookie fifth-round pick out of UTEP, took over as the Packers’ starting running back following Montgomery’s initial injury. From Weeks 5-7, Jones managed two 100-yard rushing games and scored two touchdowns. He’d been splitting time with Montgomery during Green Bay’s past two contests.
University Of Tennessee Interested In Jets DC Kacy Rodgers
The University of Tennessee has expressed interest in hiring Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers to replace former head coach Butch Jones, who was fired on Sunday, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Rodgers, 48, offers extensive experience at both the collegiate level and in the state of Tennessee. A Volunteer alum, Rodgers coached in the collegiate ranks from 1994-2001, serving at such locations as Tennessee-Martin and Middle Tennessee State. That familiarity with the state and program could potentially be enticing as Tennessee looks to replace Jones, who fell to 0-6 in the SEC this season with a loss to Missouri on Saturday.
Rodgers was named Todd Bowles‘ defensive coordinator prior to the 2015 campaign, and has posted mixed results during his two-plus-year run as DC. The Jets ranked fifth in defensive DVOA in 2015, but fell to 21st in 2016 and ranks there again this season. Rodgers, though, has had success guiding young players such as safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, interior defender Leonard Williams, and linebacker Darron Lee.