49ers Extend CB K’Waun Williams
The 49ers have signed cornerback K’Waun Williams to a three-year extension that will keep him in San Francisco through 2020, the club announced today. The new deal is worth $10MM, contains $5MM guaranteed, and has incentives attached, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
“Since joining us this offseason, K’Waun has displayed every trait and characteristic we want to see from our players,” said 49ers general manager John Lynch. “He is a tremendous competitor on the field and a true professional in our building. K’Waun has continued to get better and better every day and we wanted to ensure he would be a part of what we are building moving forward. I am really excited for both him and our team.”
Williams, 26, has only spent three games with the 49ers, as he signed with the team on a one-year, $765K deal this offseason. Serving as San Francisco’s nickel corner, Williams has played on 57.5% of the club’s defensive snaps, racking up 14 tackles and two passes defensed in the process. While he hasn’t graded well in Pro Football Focus‘ rankings — just the No. 94 cornerback among 110 qualifiers — the 49ers have apparently been pleased with Williams’ production thus far.
An undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh, Williams appeared in 26 games for the Browns from 2014-15 before being suspended in 2016 following an “ongoing dispute” over an ankle injury. After eventually reaching the free agent market, Williams drew interest but didn’t land a contract until the season had concluded. Williams received offers from at least four clubs — including the Jets — before landing with the 49ers.
Latest On Packers RB Jamaal Williams
Although he went down on Thursday night, Packers running back Jamaal Williams did not suffer any ligament damage in his knee, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Williams “could” miss Green Bay’s next game — which doesn’t occur until October 8 — but is unlikely to be sidelined for any additional action.
Williams, a fourth-round rookie out of BYU, took over the Packers’ starting running back job last night after Ty Montgomery suffered broken ribs. However, Williams was dealt his own injury blow after playing only 12 offensive snaps. In that time, the 22-year-old rushed four times for 11 yards and caught his only target for two yards. On the season, Williams has posted nine carries for 32 yards.
While there hasn’t been a medical update on Montgomery, he seems likely to miss time, so rookie Aaron Jones could handle the lion’s share of carries in Green Bay’s next contest. Devante Mays — the third running back drafted by the Packers in 2017 — will likely be active when the Packers face the Cowboys in Week 5, while fullback Aaron Ripkowski will also ply a large role. A free agent addition can’t be ruled out, although the need for an external option may be reduced given William’s optimistic timeline.
NFL Not Discussing Ezekiel Elliott Settlement
The NFL has not discussed a possible settlement with Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott‘s attorneys, according to Tom Pelisserio of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Elliott, who is facing a six-game suspension stemming from domestic violence allegations, will be uniform when Dallas faces the Rams on Sunday, as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will begin deliberations the following Monday. A three-judge panel — one that holds a pro-business view that could favor the NFL, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk — will decide whether Elliot’s injunction against the league was filed within the correct jurisdiction.
The NFL will essentially argue that Elliott’s case was the “wrong suit in the wrong court at the wrong time,” tweets David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. If the court rules from the bench (something a source tells Florio to expect) and dismisses the injunction, the case will be sent to New York federal court, where the league already filed a lawsuit.
Elliott, for his part, is reportedly not willing to accept any settlement that would involve accepting any blame. The NFL, meanwhile, won’t absolve him, so there is apparently no middle ground where an agreement could be struck.
NFC North Notes: Packers, Adams, Bears
Packers wideout Davante Adams was taken to the hospital on Thursday night following a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, but “everything is progressing well” for Adams, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. “He’s already giving them a hard time at the hospital to get out of there so that’s a great sign,” McCarthy said, per Curtis Crabrtee of Pro Football Talk. Adams suffered a concussion but his MRI is “clean,” per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Trevathan, meanwhile, earned a 15-yard personal foul for the hit but wasn’t ejected from last night’s game. The play is under review by the NFL, however, and Trevathan could be subject to a suspension, tweets Rapoport.
Here’s more from the NFC North, with a focus on Thursday Night Football:
- Starting running back Ty Montgomery left last night’s contest early after suffering broken ribs, and the Packers are also down their No. 2 runner in Jamaal Williams, who is believed to have sprained his knee on Thursday, per Rapoport (Twitter link). Williams will likely miss time, meaning Green Bay will now lean on rookies Aaron Jones and Devante Mays in the backfield. While the Packers could conceivably get by with Jones, Mays, and fullback Aaron Ripkowski, the club will almost certainly add another back. Green Bay doesn’t have a running back on its practice squad, so it could look to a free agent market that includes DeAngelo Williams, Rashad Jennings, C.J. Spiller, and Ryan Mathews.
- Bears quarterback Mike Glennon struggled on Thursday, tossing one touchdown against two interceptions while losing two fumbles, but head coach John Fox didn’t immediately commit to making a change under center, as Crabtree writes in a separate piece. “We need to make a lot of changes,” Fox said. “We’ll evaluate everything. We’ve got a lot of work to do before we line up against Minnesota Monday night and we’re going to look at everything.” Chicago, of course, signed Glennon to a three-year, $45MM contract this offseason that contains $18.5MM guaranteed, but also moved up to the No. 2 overall pick to select UNC’s Mitch Trubisky. The Bears have an extended break before facing the Vikings on October 9.
- After being benched at the start of the second half of last night’s contest, Packers cornerback Damarious Randall wasn’t on the sideline for the rest of the game and also wasn’t present in the post-game locker room, report Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Although McCarthy called the issue an “internal matter,” Demovsky speculates Randall could potentially be suspended or even waived. A second-round pick in 2015, Randall has thus far graded as a bottom-15 NFL cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus.
- Former Packers long snapper Brett Goode received a four-week injury settlement, while fullback Joe Kerridge got three weeks, according to veteran NFL reporter Bob McGinn (Twitter links). Both players must wait three weeks plus the length of their respective settlements before they’re eligible to re-sign with Green Bay.
Former NFL WR Jacoby Jones To Retire
Former NFL wide receiver/return man Jacoby Jones will officially announce his retirement later today, according to press release from the Ravens.
Jones, 33, enjoyed a nine-year NFL tenure, but he’s perhaps best known for his efforts in the 2012-13 playoffs as a member of the Ravens. With fewer than 50 seconds remaining in Baltimore’s AFC divisional round matchup against Denver, Jones got behind Broncos safety Rahim Moore to haul in a 70-yard touchdown to tie the game. Following what became known as the “Mile High Miracle,” the Ravens defeated Denver in overtime, beat New England in the AFC Championship Game, and eventually won the Super Bowl over San Francisco.
A third-round pick in 2007, Jones spent five seasons with the Texans before joining the Ravens from 2012-14. The Lane product finished up his career in 2015 by playing in five games with the Chargers and four contests with the Steelers. All told, Jones posted 203 receptions for 2,733 yards and 14 touchdowns, and added nine more scores in the return game. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2012 as a returner.
PFR extends its best wishes to Jones in retirement.
Jets Rumors: Marrone, Peake, Forte
Doug Marrone will head to East Rutherford on Sunday as the Jaguars’ head coach, but he could have just as easily been leading the Jets this weekend, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com and Brian Costello of the New York Post detail. After Marrone opted out of his Bills contract following the 2014 campaign, Marrone was considered the favorite for the Gang Green job, especially given that former NFL general manager and Jets consultant Charley Casserly had strong ties to Marrone. New York ultimately chose Todd Bowles, however, and Marrone was hired as Jacksonville’s offense line coach before being promoted to head coach midway through the 2016 season.
Here’s more from New York:
- After placing him on injured reserve Wednesday, the Jets could potentially bring wide receiver Charone Peake off IR later this year, as Costello tweets. Peake is dealing with a high ankle sprain, which is typically a four-to-six week injury. The NFL’s IR/return rules stipulate an eight-week minimum absence, so that timeline should give Peake enough time to recover. Peake, a seventh-round pick in 2016 who managed 19 receptions during his rookie campaign, will be eligible to return to the field in Week 12 when the Jets take on the Panthers.
- Veteran running back Matt Forte has “no idea” if he’ll be available for the Jets in Week 4 as he works through a turf toe injury, as Cimini writes in a separate piece. Bowles was also murky as to Forte’s status for this weekend, indicating that the 31-year-old back could be require a week of recovery time. If Forte can’t go, New York will lean on Bilal Powell — who has played only nine fewer offensive snaps that Forte in 2017 — rookie Elijah McGuire, and the newly-signed Travaris Cadet to handle the running game.
- In case you missed it, free agent linebacker Erin Henderson is suing the Jets for “wrongful termination and disability discrimination” and seeking $3.3MM in compensatory damages.
Eagles DT Fletcher Cox Likely To Miss Time
Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks as he deals with a calf injury, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Although Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson labeled Cox “day-to-day,” a source tells Bowen a two-to-three week absence is more likely.
[RELATED: Eagles Sign RB Kenjon Barner]
One of the more dominant defensive tackles in the league, Cox has thus far graded as the NFL’s No. 23 interior defender while playing roughly 56% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Cox, who agreed to a six-year, $102.6MM extension prior to the 2016 campaign, has posted two sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown this season.
Cox will certainly be missed, but Philadelphia has enough defensive line depth to account for his unavailability. Beau Allen will likely see more snaps opposite starting defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, while backups Elijah Qualls and Destiny Vaeao could also see increased action. Alternatively, the Eagles could use Vinny Curry on the inside, allowing Derek Barnett and Chris Long to contribute on the edge.
49ers Likely To IR/Return DE Tank Carradine
The 49ers are expected to designate defensive ends Tank Carradine and Ronald Blair as their players to return from injured reserve, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link).
San Francisco placed Carradine on IR Monday, so he’ll be able to return in Week 12 following an eight-week absence. A former second-round pick, Carradine had started two games and played 80 defensive snaps in 2017. In that limited sample size, the 28-year-old Carradine had posted one sack, 2.5 pressures, and graded as the league’s No. 27 edge defender, per Pro Football Focus.
Blair, meanwhile, was shifted to IR during the final cutdown process, so he’s eligible to come back before Carradine. An eight-week layoff means Blair can return in Week 9, when the 49ers face the division rival Cardinals. Blair, whom San Francisco selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, didn’t start any games for the Niners during his rookie campaign, but still played on roughly a quarter of the club’s defensive snaps. He also chipped in on ~15% of the 49ers’ special teams plays.
If San Francisco does indeed to return Carradine and Blair from injured reserve, the league’s two-man IR/return limit means the team won’t be able to bring guard Joshua Garnett back in 2017.
Injury Notes: Luck, Bradford, Garrett, Hawks
Despite reports that suggested the contrary, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will not begin practicing this week, head coach Chuck Pagano announced. Pagano gave a somewhat vague answer on Luck earlier this week, suggesting that while the signal-caller was “progressing well,” his return to practice was not guaranteed. Today, Pagano admitted that Luck is “at least” a week away from embarking on a throwing program. Luck, who is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, was not placed on the physically unable to perform list at the season’s outset, so there are no timetable restrictions on his return.
Here’s more from around the NFL, with a focus on injury situations:
- Sam Bradford has missed each of the Vikings‘ past two contests as he deals with a knee issue, and while he didn’t practice today, Minnesota is “doing everything it can” to allow Bradford to play against the Lions on Sunday, according to head coach Mike Zimmer. Because Bradford isn’t dealing with any structural damage, pain management is the only barrier to him suiting up. If Bradford can’t go, the Vikings will once again turn to backup Case Keenum, who 25 of 43 pass attempts for a career-high 369 yards and three touchdowns against the Buccaneers in Week 3.
- After hinting last week that defensive end Myles Garrett was “close” to a return, Browns head coach Hue Jackson once again reiterated that the 2017 No. 1 overall pick could attend practice this week, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal writes. “If he is able to play, we might not play him the whole game,” said Jackson. “So we’ll see how that unfolds if he’s able to go. We’ll find out more as we go through the week.” Garrett has been sidelined for the start of his rookie campaign after suffering an ankle injury during the preseason.
- The Seahawks are expected to be without running back C.J. Prosise on Sunday as he deals with an ankle ailment, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Prosise hasn’t been a major contributor to Seattle’s offense thus far, as he’s managed only eight rushes and six receptions, but he has played on nearly a third of the club’s offensive snaps. The Seahawks will continue to lean on rookie Chris Carson — with dashes of Eddie Lacy and/or Thomas Rawls — when they face the Colts and their 11th-ranked (by DVOA) rush defense.
NFL Workout Updates: 9/27/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account:
Arizona Cardinals
- TE Alex Ellis; DE Jonathan Woodard (link)
Atlanta Falcons
- CB Alex Carter (link)
Baltimore Ravens
- LB Steven Johnson (link)
Buffalo Bills
- OLs Josh James and G Nate Theaker; WRs Amba Etta-Tawo and Tavarres King; S Justin Currie (link)
Detroit Lions
- OLs Willie Beavers, John Greco, and Kraig Urbik; DE Sterling Bailey (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- WRs Kolby Listenbee and Jordan Williams; LBs Richie Brown, Austin Calitro, and Jayrone Elliott (Twitter links)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB LeShun Daniels; LBs Frank Beltre and Cassanova McKinzy (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- WR Michael Rector; LB Jonathan Freeny (Twitter links)
Los Angeles Rams
- WR Jordan Payton (link)
New York Jets
- WR Rashad Ross; TE Greg Scruggs; DE Jhaustin Thomas; LBs Gabe Martin and Brandon Watts; CB Makinton Dorleant; S Ironhead Gallon (all Twitter links)
Philadelphia Eagles
- C Anthony Fabiano; T Givens Price; CBs D.J. Killings and Damian Swann (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LBs Carl Bradford and Austin Calitro; CB Taurean Nixon (link)
Tennessee Titans
- LSs Andrew East and Anthony Kukwa (link)
Washington Redskins
- LB Otha Peters; DBs Antone Exum Jr., James Sample, and B.J. Sanders (link)