Odell Beckham Jr. Has Fractured Ankle
Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr. suffered a fractured ankle in today’s loss to the Chargers, the club announced today. Beckham will require surgery, which will take place later this week, and his 2017 campaign is over. Video of the injury can be viewed here, but it’s not easy to watch.
Beckham, of course, missed New York’s season opener after spraining his ankle during the preseason. But he’s been mostly healthy since entering the league in 2014 — after a four-game absence to begin his NFL career, Beckham played in 31 of a possible 32 games from 2015-16. His production speaks for itself, as he’s topped 1,300 yards receiving and managed at least 10 touchdowns in each of the past three seasons.
Even if Beckham can return later this season following surgery, the Giants may choose to hold him out for the remainder of the year. Big Blue is now 0-5 after losing a nail-biter to Los Angeles, and most projection models gave New York fewer than a 1% chance to earn a postseason berth even before today’s defeat. Given that reality, the Giants might not want to rush their best player back in a lost campaign.
Beckham’s injury will almost assuredly affect contract negotiations between he and the Giants, as the uncertainty regarding his health will have to give general manager Jerry Reese pause. OBJ had reportedly been open to an in-season extension, but a new contract is unlikely to be hammered out while Beckham is sidelined. He’s under team control through 2018 thanks to his $8.459MM fifth-year option.
Buccaneers To Meet With K Cairo Santos
The Buccaneers plan to meet with free agent kicker Cairo Santos and give him a physical, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Santos, whom the Chiefs waived with an injury designation at the end of last month, is roughly two weeks away from full health, per Schefter.
Tampa Bay is unsurprisingly auditioned kickers following incumbent Nick Folk‘s dreadful performance against the Patriots on Thursday night. Folk missed three field goals in a game the Buccaneers ultimately lost by five points, so Tampa Bay will take a look at Andrew Franks, Josh Lambo, and Mike Nugent on Monday.
Santos, 25, is arguably a better kicker than any of those three options, as he holds the highest career conversion rate at 84.8%. Last season, Santos posted the best season of his three-plus year NFL tenure, as he made 88.6% of his field goals, including two from 50+ yards. He did miss three extra point attempts, however.
It’s not out of the question that the Buccaneers stick with Folk for the time being, and that could be especially true if they’re specifically eyeing Santos. Tampa Bay could wait for Santos to get healthy, and then reevaluate Folk’s performance and its kicking situation as a whole.
PFR Originals: 10/1/17 – 10/8/17
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- While it’s only Week 5, we wanted to look back at the offseason and determine which free agent signings have worked out the best in both the AFC and NFC. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who has been outstanding for the Jaguars after inking a four-year deal, took the top spot in the AFC according to PFR readers. Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, meanwhile, earned that honor in the NFC given that he’s been a massive improvement on former blindside protector Greg Robinson.
- The Patriots discussed trading restricted free agent cornerback Malcolm Butler earlier this year, and Ben Levine asked PFR readers if a deal involving Butler still makes sense. The NFL’s trade deadline is October 41, so New England has roughly three weeks to decide on Butler’s fate. The poll voting was tight, as about 58% of respondents believe the Pats will move Butler before month’s end.
Colin Kaepernick Reached Out To Titans
Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his representatives contacted the Titans following an injury to signal-caller Marcus Mariota, but Tennessee expressed no interest in meeting with Kaepernick or working him out, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Mariota is sidelined for today’s contest against the Dolphins, and could potentially miss more time as he deals with a hamstring issue. The Titans, however, are rolling with Matt Cassel as their starting quarterback for the time being, and signed veteran Brandon Weeden to serve as Cassel’s backup.
Kaepernick, meanwhile, has continued to work out and has been “diligent” about getting in touch with clubs who have witnessed quarterback injuries. However, no team has entered into contract negotiations or even been willing to meet with Kaepernick aside from the Seahawks, who visited with Kaepernick earlier this year.
While Kaepernick is clearly the best quarterback available on the open market, his social activism is thought to be responsible for his lack of work. But the former 49ers passer is apparently willing to audition for any team at any time, as La Canfora tweets.
Extra Points: 49ers, Patriots, Jaguars, Lions
While Brian Hoyer has certainly struggled four games into the 2017 season, it’s “difficult to imagine” the 49ers making a change at quarterback in the near future, writes Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Hoyer ranks 30th in the NFL in both quarterback rating and adjusted net yards per attempt, but he’s extremely familiar with head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s offense. Given that San Francisco is not expected to seriously compete this season, Shanahan would rather have a signal-caller who effectively runs the gameplan than turn to third-round rookie C.J. Beathard, reasons Maiocco.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Despite signing a two-year, $5MM contract prior earlier this year, linebacker David Harris is still establishing his role with the Patriots, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com details. Originally thought to be in consideration for a starting role, Harris has played all of seven snaps through four weeks. As Reiss opines, Harris is essentially being retained for his locker room leadership, as he doesn’t have a regular spot on defense or special teams. How long New England is willing to keep Harris on the active roster is an open question if his playing time doesn’t increase in the coming weeks.
- The Jaguars will be without starting center Brandon Linder when they face the Steelers on Sunday, as the club officially downgraded to out as he deals with an illness. Linder has lost a “significant” amount of weight because of said illness, tweets Hays Carlyon of 1010 XL, which could bode negatively for his return in the coming weeks. Without Linder available, Jacksonville will turn to Tyler Shatley, who started four games a season ago, at the pivot.
- Although Eric Ebron has only managed 11 receptions for 87 yards so far this season, the Lions aren’t likely to place him on the trade block in 2017, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn has shown a willingness to deal in past, but Ebron isn’t expected to be moved, and that’s partly due to his perceived upside. The Lions hold a $8.25MM option on Ebron in 2018, but the club could release instead of paying that tota.
Lions Won’t Activate DE Armonty Bryant This Week
The Lions will not activate defensive end Armonty Bryant from suspension before Sunday’s Week 5 contest against the Giants, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Detroit holds a roster exemption on Bryant that expires on Monday, meaning it must either add him to the 53-man roster or release him by that time.
Detroit ranks sixth in defensive DVOA, but that’s largely because of the club’s secondary, as the Lions’ defensive line is just 17th in adjusted sack rate and 28th in adjusted line yards, per Football Outsiders. Anthony Zettel, a 2016 sixth-round pick, has given the Lions incredible production (four sacks) and currently ranks as the league’s No. 9 edge defender, per Pro Football Focus. Ezekiel Ansah and free agent addition Cornelius Washington have been serviceable, as well, meaning Detroit has more depth than originally thought.
That’s not to say a Bryant return wouldn’t be welcomed, however. Kerry Hyder, who had been penciled in as a Detroit starter, is done for the year after tearing his Achilles in the preseason, while defensive tackle Khyri Thornton won’t come back from suspension until Week 7.
Bryant, who was banned for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, has been suspended three times in the past year. The Lions claimed Bryant off waivers from the Browns last October, and while he appeared in just five games in 2016, he did tally an impressive three sacks during his short campaign. In the best season of his four-year career, 2015, Bryant totaled 14 appearances and 5.5 sacks.
Poll: Best NFC Free Agent Addition?
A quarter of the NFL season is now in the books, which means we can accurately grade each and every free agent signing, right? Right?
Even if that’s not the case, it’s still possible to get a sense of how free agents are playing and whether they’re living up to their contacts through four games. After taking a look at the AFC on Friday, today we examined the best free agent signing on each NFC club before asking you to vote on the top overall NFC addition.
One note: we only looked at newcomers, so free agents that re-signed with their original clubs (Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short or Cardinals edge rusher Chandler Jones, for example) aren’t included. On to the list!
Arizona Cardinals
- Antoine Bethea, S: General manager Steve Keim & Co. have made a habit of adding aging veterans — especially on the defensive side of the ball — with success, and the Cardinals have seemingly done so again in the form of Bethea. Playing alongside Tyrann Mathieu and another age-30+ defensive back in Tyvon Branch, Bethea has managed one interception and three pass breakups while helping Arizona to the No. 12 ranking in defensive DVOA. And his three, $12.75MM deal can be easily escaped if he does begin to show signs of wearing down later on in 2017.
Atlanta Falcons
- Dontari Poe, DT: After narrowly missing out on a Super Bowl title earlier this year, the Falcons decided to run it back, returning in 2017 with much of the same roster. Poe was Atlanta’s major addition on defense, as the club waited until the athletic defensive tackle’s market fell enough to allow it to ink him to a one-year, $8MM pact. Poe, who was regularly playing more than 1,000 defensive snaps with the Chiefs, is on pace to play on roughly 750 defensive snaps this season, and limiting his action could be helping his overall performance. Through four games, the Falcons are 13th in pressure rate, up from 20th in 2016.
Carolina Panthers
- Julius Peppers, DE: Peppers, now in his second stint with the Panthers, was hardly Carolina’s most high-priced free agent signing this spring. That honor goes to $55MM man Matt Kalil, who has been — perhaps unsurprisingly — underwhelming at left tackle. The Panthers are playing Peppers on a reduced snap count, and the 37-year-old has already put up 4.5 sacks through a quarter of the season. He’s an absolute freak of nature who can still bend the edge with ease.
Chicago Bears
- N/A: The signing of free agent Mike Glennon clearly hasn’t worked out, as the veteran signal-caller was benched after four games. The rest of Chicago’s additions, a list that includes cornerbacks Marcus Cooper and Prince Amukamara and wideouts Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright, have also been sub-par. Quintin Demps could have been the choice here, but he’s now on injured reserve after breaking his arm.
Dallas Cowboys
- N/A: The Cowboys allowed most of their secondary to walk out the door during free agency, and veteran Nolan Carroll was their only real external addition. He’s been one of the worst defensive backs in the league in 2017.
Detroit Lions
- Ricky Wagner, T: Detroit upgraded at both right guard and right tackle this offseason, swapping out Larry Warford and Riley Reiff for T.J. Lang and Wagner. Although both new Lions linemen have been efficient thus far, the nod goes slightly to Wagner. Both Lang and Wagner are earning the same $9.5MM annual salary, but Wagner is three years younger and under team control for a longer period. Additionally, the Lions average more yards (4.41 to 3.04) when running around the right end than through the center/guard.
Green Bay Packers
- Jahri Evans, G: In a sequence that is completely out of character, the Packers actually signed a number of outside free agents over the past several months, including cornerback Davon House (a former Packer) and front seven defenders Ahmad Brooks, Quinton Dial, and Ricky Jean-Francois. But the best newcomer is on the offensive side ball, as Jahri Evans has played every snap for Green Bay. A lifelong Saint until 2017, Evans has helped the Packers’ offensive line to a No. 3 ranking in adjusted line yards at a cost of only $2.25MM.
Los Angeles Rams
- Andrew Whitworth, T: Perhaps no other club made a larger upgrade at one position than the Rams did in going from draft bust Greg Robinson to Whitworth at left tackle. The entire Rams’ offense, including quarterback Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, has gone from looking completely incompetent to leading the league in points scored. Even at the age of 35, Whitworth leads all tackles in pass rush productivity and has allowed only one pressure, per Pro Football Focus.
Minnesota Vikings
- Mike Remmers, T: The Vikings overpaid for both Remmers and left tackle Riley Reiff, but both deals have allowed Minnesota to return to average along the offensive line, a massive step-up from their 2016 front five. Remmers is earning nearly half of what Reiff is making but ranks slightly ahead of the former Lion in PFF’s offensive tackle rankings. Additionally, Remmers hasn’t allowed a sack this season, and the Vikings have been much better at running right than left.
New Orleans Saints
- Larry Warford, G: Warford replaced another player on this list (Jahri Evans) and has continued to perform as a solid NFL guard. On an offensive line that’s seen some reshuffling due to injuries to Terron Armstead and Zach Strief, the Saints’ interior — which also includes left guard Andrus Peat and center Max Unger — has remained stable. New Orleans has been excellent at running up the middle, as the club ranks sixth with 4.62 yards per carry behind its center or guards. The Saints control the 26-year-old Warford through the 2020 campaign.
New York Giants
- N/A: Brandon Marshall has yet to top 70 yards receiving in a game, and managed only two receptions in Weeks 1-2. And the signing of fullback/tight end Rhett Ellison never made sense given how much 11 personnel (one back, one tight end) the Giants run. He’s earning $4.5MM annually and has five total receptions.
Philadelphia Eagles
- LeGarrette Blount, RB: Although he’s not going match his NFL-leading 18 rushing touchdowns from 2016, Blount has already shown that he’s worth the one-year, $1.25MM deal he inked with the Eagles earlier this year. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry thus far, and he figures to be even more involved in Philadelphia’s offense following injuries to Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood. Tough as ever, Blount managed 127 of his 136 Week 4 yards after contact.
San Francisco 49ers
- Brandon Fusco, G: The 49ers and new general manager John Lynch spent a good deal of money this offseason, handing $10MM+ in guarantees to veterans such as wide receiver Pierre Garcon (who’s been average at best) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (who suffered a season-ending injury in August). The most astute signing, however, may have been guard Brandon Fusco, who signed for just $1.4MM total. He’s played every offensive snap for San Francisco and graded as the NFL’s No. 18 guard, per PFF, making him a remarkable value.
Seattle Seahawks
- Luke Joeckel, G: Joeckel’s one-year, $8MM contract with the Seahawks never made much sense, as the former draft bust hasn’t performed in the NFL and probably didn’t have much of a free agent market. He’s not even playing tackle, which makes the salary all the more confusing. But PFF grades Joeckel as the No. 26 guard in the league, meaning he’s been a starting-caliber offensive lineman through four contests. Plus, it’s hard to fault nearly any single-season pact, no matter the cost.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DeSean Jackson, WR: Jackson hasn’t been the perfect complemenet to Mike Evans that many projected — while he’s still averaging a robust 17.8 yards per catch, his catch rate is at a career-low 48.3%. Jackson led the league in yards gained off defensive pass interference a season ago, but he’s garnered only one DPI for 15 yards in 2017. Always only play away from a long-distance score, Jackson can still live up to his contract if Tampa Bay’s offense starts clicking.
Washington Redskins
- D.J. Swearinger, S: In a defensive backfield that’s without Su’a Cravens (left squad list) and DeAngelo Hall (PUP list), Swearinger — who left the Cardinals for a three-year deal in the nation’s capital — has helped stabilize the Redskins’ secondary. Through a quarter of the season, Washington ranks sixth in defensive DVOA under new coordinator Greg Manusky, a 19-spot leap from 2016.
So, what do you think? Which of the free agents has been the best signing through a quarter of the 2017 season? Vote below, and leave your thoughts in the comments section:
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/7/17
Extra Points: Titans, Lions, Colts, Giants
As had been expected, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will be a gametime decision in Week 5, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Mariota is day-to-day with a strained hamstring, and backup Matt Cassel will start against the Dolphins if Mariota is unable to play. Tennessee signed veteran signal-caller Brandon Weeden earlier this week, passing over other free agent options such as Colin Kaepernick.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Lions haven’t decided whether they’ll activate defensive Armonty Bryant — who is returning from a four-game suspension — before Sunday’s contest against the Panthers, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Detroit has a roster exemption for Bryant, and it must either add him to the 53-man roster or release by Monday. Given how thin they are along the defensive line (Kerry Hyder is out for the year, Khyri Thornton is still banned), Bryant seems likely to claim a roster spot by next week at the latest.
- Before signing with the Bears’ practice squad on Friday, defensive end Howard Jones worked out for the Colts, tweets veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. Jones, 27, had drawn a good deal of interest since being non-tendered by the Buccaneers earlier this year, as he’d also met with the Titans and Jets. Still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November of 2016, Jones wasn’t a major contributor in eight games last season before going down, but he did manage five sacks in a rotational role for Tampa Bay in 2015.
- Speaking of workouts, the Giants auditioned a large group of free agents today, reports Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. New York focused on front five as it worked out the following players: offensive linemen Kareem Are, Willie Beavers, Ethan Cooper, Kaleb Johnson, Cameron Jefferson, Storm Norton, Jeremiah Poutasi, Cyril Richardson, Kristjan Sokoli, and Zach Voytek, plus defensive tackle Greg Milhouse.
- The Buccaneers will be without defensive end for two-to-four weeks Ryan Russell after he suffered a shoulder injury against the Patriots, per Rapoport (Twitter link). Russell, 25, has managed four tackles on 110 defensive snaps as a rotational end this season. If Tampa Bay is looking for depth, the club could potentially promote Channing Ward from its practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/6/17
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted to active roster: S Dezmen Southward
- Placed on injured reserve: DE Daeshon Hall