HEADLINES

Author: Dallas Robinson

NFL Players Returning From IR/PUP

October 16th, 2019 at 8:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Now that we’re approaching the midway point of the regular season, players on various injury lists are now able to begin to return to practice and, eventually, return to game action. Here’s the list of players coming back to practice this week while on injured reserve or physically unable to perform list, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets:

Players on the PUP list are only required to miss six weeks of the regular season, so every player listed above with the exception of Sternberger could technically be activated this weekend. Sternberger has officially been designated as one of Green Bay’s IR/return players, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Because he was originally placed on IR, Sternberger — a third-round rookie — will be absent for at least two more weeks.

Texans Sign OT Chris Clark

October 16th, 2019 at 7:27pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Texans have signed offensive tackle Chris Clark and placed fellow offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson on the non-football injury list, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Houston also waived quarterback Alex McGough.

Clark should be familiar with Houston, as he played from the Texans from 2015-17, starting 37 games during that time. Last season, the now-34-year-old Clark didn’t land a contact until the regular season was already underway, but ended up starting 15 games for the Panthers.

It’s unclear if Clark will be immediately called upon to start for Houston this time around. Incumbent right tackle Tytus Howard went down with a knee injury in Week 6 and will miss time, but he’s expected to return at some point this year. Clark, fellow new signee Dan Skipper, and Roderick Johnson all represent options to play on the right side of the Texans’ offensive line.

Henderson, 27, re-signed with Houston this offseason on a one-year, $1.5MM deal. He began the 2019 campaign as the Texans’ starting right tackle, but was benched after Week 1. Henderson is now dealing with a back injury, tweets Wilson, one that likely occurred away from the football field given that he was placed on NFI.

Dolphins Interested In Extending Kenyan Drake

October 16th, 2019 at 6:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Dolphins are interested in extending running back Kenyan Drake and have engaged his agent in negotiations, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. However, Miami may also consider trading Drake before the NFL’s October 29 trade deadline.

Within the Dolphins’ front office, a “sentiment” exists about not handing out large contracts at the running back position. That’s consistent with a league-wide devaluation of running backs, and Miami would likely only be interested in a new deal for Drake if it comes a team-friendly rate.

Per Jackson, at least one source is “under the belief” Drake could be made available over the next two weeks. However, Miami is also “under the impression” it won’t receive much in return if it does attempt to trade Drake. As Jackson notes, the Dolphins intend to be aggressive in the 2020 free agent market, meaning they likely wouldn’t recoup a compensatory draft pick in exchange for losing Drake next spring, so a trade may make sense.

A third-round pick in the 2016 draft, Drake has never been the focal point of the Dolphins’ rushing attack. 2019 marks the first season in which he’s lead the club in carries, having ceded touches to Jay Ajayi and Frank Gore in previous years. However, Drake has been an effective pass-catcher, totaling 85 catches and 716 yards between 2017-18. Last season, Football Outsiders ranked Drake as one of the NFL’s more efficient receiving backs, although he’s struggled in that regard this year.

NFL Workout Updates: 10/16/19

October 16th, 2019 at 5:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s NFL workout updates, all courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle:

Baltimore Ravens

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins

Raiders Work Out LeGarrette Blount

October 16th, 2019 at 5:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders worked out running backs LeGarrette Blount and Bo Scarbrough today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Blount hasn’t been heard from this offseason, as he hasn’t take any known visits or workouts with NFL clubs. That’s perhaps to be expected after the veteran back struggled through a 2018 campaign with the Lions in which he managed an anemic 2.7 yard per carry on 154 rush attempts. Now 32 years old, Blount has nearly 1,500 carries on his ledger through nine pro seasons.

It’s unclear if Oakland is seriously considering a Blount addition or merely updating its emergency free agent list. First-round pick Josh Jacobs has shined in his rookie year, and the Raiders also have Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington in reserve.

Scarbrough, a seventh-round pick of the Cowboys in 2018, has also spent time with the Jaguars and Seahawks. He’s yet to post an NFL carry.

NFC North Notes: Vikings, Diggs, Bears

October 3rd, 2019 at 9:42pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Stefon Diggs and the Vikings are at odds, and while Minnesota reportedly doesn’t have any plans to trade the star wideout, Diggs added a bit of fuel to the fire today when speaking to reporters, including Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I feel like there’s truth to all rumors no matter how dress you it up,” Diggs said. “I won’t be saying nothing on it. I won’t be speaking on it at all. But there is truth to all rumors, I guess.” Diggs want to play against the Giants on Sunday, but head coach Mike Zimmer said “we’ll have to see” when asked about Diggs’ availability for Week 5, as Chad Graff of The Athletic tweets.

Meanwhile, Minnesota is still hoping the situation “blows over” in due time, reports Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Per Fowler, this is not the first time Diggs has been upset with the Vikings’ “team dynamics,” although it’s not clear — at least publicly — what exactly Diggs is frustrated by at the moment.

Here’s more from the NFC North:

  • Bears linebacker Roquan Smith said earlier today that he’ll play against the Raiders in Week 6, and Smith has indeed traveled to London with his team, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Tribune and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Smith has been dealing with an unspecified personal issue and reportedly hadn’t been “acting like himself ,” per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com. It’s unclear exactly what is or was going on with Smith, but the Bears have been tight-lipped about the situation. Nevertheless, the 2018 first-round pick appears ready to suit up against Oakland on the other side of the pond.
  • While Smith figures to be available on Sunday, wide receiver Taylor Gabriel and backup offensive lineman Ted Larsen are both dealing with injuries and did not make the trip to London, the Bears announced. Gabriel 75 yards and three touchdowns for Chicago in Week 3, but missed last Sunday’s game with a concussion. Larsen filled in for Kyle Long at right guard last week, but Long is expected to start in Week 5 after recovering from a hip injury.
  • In case you missed it, the Packers claimed ex-Ravens edge rusher Tim Williams off waivers.

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Redskins, Giants

October 3rd, 2019 at 8:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cowboys will face a tough test against the Packers on Sunday when they square off against one of the NFL’s best defenses, but a key piece of their offense will be returning just in time. Wide receiver Michael Gallup, who missed Dallas’ previous two games with a knee injury, is expected to play against Green Bay, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). A second-year pass-catcher out of Colorado State, Gallup got off to a hot start in 2019, catching 13 passes for 226 yards in the Cowboys’ first two games of the year.

Here’s more from the NFC East:

  • Gallup isn’t the only offensive contributor that will make it onto the field for the Cowboys: right tackle La’el Collins, currently battling a back injury, will play against the Packers, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. While Collins hasn’t missed any game action, he has been absent from practice this week. Left tackle Tyron Smith is expected to miss Dallas’ contest against Green Bay with an ankle issue, so Collins’ presence becomes all the more critical. Veteran backup Cameron Fleming will take over for Smith on the blindside.
  • Injured reserve is not in consideration for Redskins tight end Jordan Reed, head coach Jay Gruden told reporters, including Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post (Twitter link). Reed has suffered a number of concussions throughout his career and is currently dealing with yet another brain injury. Earlier this year, reports indicated that his career could even be in jeopardy given his repeated brain trauma. Reed is not expected to play in Week 5 and there’s no timetable for his return, but Washington apparently isn’t willing to give up his season just yet.
  • A domestic violence complaint and a restraining order against former Giants safety Kamrin Moore were both vacated earlier this year after a judge determined allegations against Moore could not be substantiated, but charges against the now-free agent defender have not yet been dropped, as Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com writes. Moore is adamant he was falsely accused and now believes the Union County prosecutor’s office is delaying the dropping of his charges out of “embarrassment.”

Chiefs Activate CB Morris Claiborne

October 3rd, 2019 at 7:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chiefs have activated cornerback Morris Claiborne after the completion of his four-game suspension, the club announced today. In a corresponding move, guard Jeff Allen has been released.

Kansas City inked Claiborne to a one-year, $2MM deal in August with the knowledge that he was facing a four-game ban after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. At present, it’s unclear if Claiborne will immediately factor into the Chiefs’ plans on defense. Kansas City currently ranks ninth in pass defense DVOA, and each of the club’s top three corners — Bashaud Breeland, Charvarius Ward, and Kendall Fuller — have graded among Pro Football Focus‘ top-64 CBs, so Claiborne might not be needed right off the bat.

Claiborne, 29, has a concerning injury history, as he played in only 47 of a possible 80 games during the first five years of his career. But he managed to stay healthy during his past two years on the Jets roster, appearing in 30 games and playing nearly 2,000 defensive snaps since 2017. Last season, Claiborne posted two interceptions and ranked as a top-25 corner in Football Outsiders’ success rate.

Allen, meanwhile, was in the midst of his second stint with the Chiefs, with whom he’s spent six of his eight NFL campaigns. This year, Allen hadn’t played at all on the offensive side of the ball, and had seen only a handful of special teams snaps.

Giants Targeting Week 6 Return For Saquon?

October 3rd, 2019 at 6:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although the Giants haven’t officially ruled out Saquon Barkley for Week 5, the club’s “real target” return date for the star running back is Week 6 against the Patriots, a source tells Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.

Barkley, of course, suffered an ankle sprain in Week 3 and was given an initial recovery timeline of four-to-six weeks. However, nearly every report on Barkley’s progress has been glowing, and he now looks poised to easily outperform that schedule. He’s already been running and cutting on the sidelines during practice, and the Giants are “amazed, but not completely surprised” by Barkley’s recovery. If it were Barkley’s choice, per Vacchiano, he’d be on the field for Sunday’s matchup against the Vikings.

“I’m a competitor and definitely want to be out there for my team,” Barkley said. “But when you say team, it’s not just only in this building or on the football field. I have to trust my team in there.”

If Barkley can return for Week 6, he’d be a boon to a Giants that’s now helmed by rookie quarterback Daniel Jones and will see the return of suspended wide receiver Golden Tate this Sunday. For now, Wayne Gallman — who scored two touchdowns in relief of Barkley in Week 4 — will continue to hold down the fort at running back.

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