Browns DE Myles Garrett Nearing Return?
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has made “huge progress” in his recovery from a high ankle sprain and is “close” to returning to the field, head coach Hue Jackson told reporters, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link). However, Jackson wouldn’t commit to Garrett being available for Sunday’s Week 3 contest against the Colts.
[RELATED: Browns Place Corey Coleman On IR]
Without Garrett in tow, the Browns rank just 25th in defensive DVOA and 22nd in scoring. Clearly, Garrett alone won’t cure Cleveland’s defensive woes, but he should be able to improve the club’s adjusted sack rate of 4.4%, which ranks 25th in the NFL. Emmanuel Ogbah, Carl Nassib, and Nate Orchard have played as the Browns’ edge defenders, but all three have earned below average grades from Pro Football Focus.
Garrett, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2017 draft, also dealt with a foot injury this summer and had a history of foot issues during his time at Texas A&M.
No Timetable For Jason Verrett Return
The Chargers don’t have a return date for cornerback Jason Verrett, who is dealing with soreness in his knee as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that ended his 2016 campaign, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com.
“There’s really not a timetable on Jason right now,” head coach Anthony Lynn said. “We’re still evaluating him and we just want him to get right before he’s back on the football field.
“It was never right in my opinion, just watching him in practice,” Lynn said of Verrett’s knee. “He’s such a competitor. … But he wasn’t able to play to his standard. So we just want him to get healthy.”
Verrett, 26, played nearly every snap for Los Angeles in the club’s Week 1 loss to the Broncos, but sat out for the Chargers’ game against the Dolphins on Sunday. The fourth-year defensive back was placed on injured reserve last October after playing with a torn ligament for at least two weeks. A former first-round pick, Verrett is signed through the 2018 season thanks to his fifth-year option.
With Verrett sidelined, the Chargers turned to 2016 undrafted free agent Trevor Williams to play every defensive snap at corner opposite Casey Hayward. Williams played well, as he allowed just three receptions and 41 yards on five total targets.
NFL Workout Updates: 9/19/17
Today’s workout updates:
Carolina Panthers
- T Laurence Gibson; CB Tevin Homer (Twitter link via Howard Balzer)
Chicago Bears
- QBs Garrett Grayson and Bart Houston; WRs Marlon Brown, Bug Howard, Kyle Prater, Tevaun Smith, Daniel Williams, and James Wright; TE D.J. Tialavea; C Mark Spelman; T Givens Price; LBs Carl Bradford and Shayne Skov; DTs Stefan Charles, Mike Purcell, and Nick Williams (Link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Dallas Cowboys
- OLs Michael Dunn, Jake Eldrenkamp, Kaleb Johnson, and Jarron Jones; LB Tre’Von Johnson; DT Caraun Reid, CBs Chris Lewis-Harris, JaCorey Shepherd, D’Joun Smith, and Ian Wells (Twitter link via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News)
Green Bay Packers
- QB Jerod Evans; RB Algeron Brown; WRs C.J. Board, Alonzo Moore, and Jordan Williams; TE Ryan O’Malley; DTs Jeremy Faulk and Joey Ivie (Link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- DTs Ryan Carrethers, John Hughes, and Cam Thomas (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union)
Kansas City Chiefs
- LB Garrett Sickels; CBs Makinton Dorleant and Ezra Robinson (Twitter link via Adam Caplan)
Miami Dolphins
- LB Zaviar Gooden (Twitter link via Caplan)
New York Jets
- WRs Corey Brown, Josh Huff and Paul Turner; G Robert Myers; DL Stefan Charles, Datone Jones, Alex McCalister, and Joby Saint Fleur; CBs Malik Foreman and D.J. Killings; S Jordan Moore. (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, Caplan, Balzer (1, 2) and Wilson)
San Francisco 49ers
- OL Willie Beavers, Wil Freeman, Laurence Gibson, and Max Rich (Twitter link via Caplan and Balzer)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- CB Randall Evans (Twitter link via Caplan)
Saints Work Out Will Beatty, Jaye Howard
The Saints auditioned edge rusher Lamarr Houston earlier today, but he wasn’t the only notable NFL veteran to work out for New Orleans today. Here’s who the Saints looked at on Tuesday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (all Twitter links), Adam Caplan (Twitter links), and Howard Balzer (all Twitter links):
- TE Darion Griswold
- TE Tim Wright
- T Will Beatty
- T Michael Ola
- LB Jacob Lindsey
- DL Leger Douzable
- DL Malliciah Goodman
- DL Jaye Howard
- DL Ricky Jean-Francois
- DL George Johnson
- DL Kendall Langford
- DL C.J. Wilson
- CB Demontre Hurst
- CB Trovon Reed
Beatty is perhaps the most high-profile name of the bunch, as the veteran offensive tackle 63 career starts under his belt (all for the Giants). Having served as a backup last season, Beatty would presumably play right tackle for the Saints, who are down to Senio Kelemete on the right side following starter Zach Strief‘s MCL sprain. Ola, too, would give New Orleans depth along their front five, although he doesn’t offer nearly the experience that does Beatty (only 19 starts).
As Caplan noted, the Saints essentially worked out the majority of the top free agents on the defensive side of the ball, and that comes as no surprise. Despite throwing free agent funds and draft picks at its defense, New Orleans ranks dead last in yards, 31st in scoring, and 31st in DVOA through two weeks.
Douzable, Howard, Jean-Francois, Johnson, and Langford have all served as quality starters in the very recent future, and Douzable (49ers), Howard (Bears), and Jean-Francois (Packers) have each signed contracts earlier this offseason only to be released later. Wilson, meanwhile, repeatedly bounced on-and-off the Bears’ roster a year ago, and also has a previous stint in New Orleans.
Per Pelissero, the Saints’ Week 4 contest in London is a factor in the club working out such a long list of players right now. Given that New Orleans won’t have much time to audition veterans in the coming weeks, the team will likely update its emergency list now before heading across the pond.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/19/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL Taniela Tupou
- Released: RB Jhurell Pressley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Keyarris Garrett
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Mike Purcell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DL Tyrone Holmes, WR Jordan Leslie, DL Jhaustin Thomas
- Released: DB Najee Murray, DB Channing Stribling
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: S Jameill Showers
- Released: G Nate Theaker
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Cyril Grayson Jr.
- Released: WR Fred Brown
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Jaydon Mickens
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: RB George Atkinson, CB Keith Reaser, DT Daniel Ross
- Released: DL Rickey Hatley, CB Taurean Nixon
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Geremy Davis
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Bradley Sylve
New York Jets
- Signed: DL Claude Pelon
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Tyvis Powell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB David Rivers
- Released: CB Jonathan Moxey
NFLPA Re-Elects DeMaurice Smith
The NFLPA has re-elected DeMaurice Smith as executive director by a 14-0 vote, according to Jim Trotter of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Smith’s new term runs thorough 2021 and is concurrent with the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement.
Civil rights lawyer Cyrus Mehri had been expected to contend for the top union job, but Smith easily won re-election with an uncontested vote. As such, Smith will lead negotiations as the NFL and the NFLPA attempt to hammer out a new agreement when the current CBA expires in three-plus years.
Smith’s re-election doesn’t necessarily mean labor peace is on the horizon, however. Indeed, reports have indicated the union is preparing for some sort of work stoppage (either via a lockout or strike), while Smith himself has indicated that he’s not willing to extend the CBA.
“I don’t know what [Roger Goodell is] thinking when he says extension,” said Smith. “But there’s not gonna be an extension of the CBA. If the owners are interested in talking about issues that are currently covered by the CBA or issues that aren’t currently covered by the CBA and they want to have a renegotiation on some of those issues, we’ll have a renegotiation of those issues. But there’s not going to be a 2025 [or] 2027 addendum to the CBA that says, ‘We’re good with this.’”
Smith, who was also a unanimous selection in 2009, reportedly benefited from a revamped selection process that prevented a multitude of candidates from joining the race.
Latest On Packers WR Jordy Nelson
Wide receiver Jordy Nelson is “50-50” to play in the Packers’ Week 3 game against the Bengals as he deals with a quad strain, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). As Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reported Monday, Green Bay doesn’t believe Nelson’s injury is serious, but the veteran pass-catcher could still be sidelined for at least one week.
Fellow wideout pass-catcher Randall Cobb is expected to be available on Sunday after suffering a minor shoulder injury last week, but the Packers may still need to find another receiving option if Nelson can’t go. In Week 2, that receiver was Geronimo Allison, who played 80% of Green Bay’s offensive snaps and posted three receptions for 24 yards in Nelson’s absence. Trevor Davis also saw an increase in playtime (22% of snaps) and managed one catch for nine yards.
The Packers currently have six receivers on their roster, so even if Nelson is out for Week 3, the club probably won’t need to add another pass-catcher (although practice squaders Michael Clark and DeAngelo Yancey could be candidates for promotion). Cobb, Davante Adams, Allison, Davis, and Jeff Janis will likely comprise Aaron Rodgers‘ weapons on Sunday if Nelson cannot play.
Titans Working Out DE Howard Jones
The Titans worked out free agent defensive end Howard Jones on Tuesday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Jones, 27, hasn’t drawn much interest since being non-tendered by the Buccaneers earlier this year, although the Jets have auditioned him twice, including once last week. That’s perhaps unsurprising given that Jones is 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.
Given that both the Titans and Jets run 3-4 schemes, Jones may be viewed primarily as a outside linebacker around the NFL. Tennessee currently boasts two excellent starting edge rushers in Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan, while Erik Walden and Aaron Wallace are the club’s top reserves. Former second-round pick Kevin Dodd and rookie Josh Carraway are also on the Titans’ roster, but both have been inactive for Tennessee’s first two games.
In addition to Jones, the Titans also auditioned linebackers worked out for Titans today along with Frank Beltre, Ken Ekanem, Tony Washington, and defensive end Praise Martin-Oguike, tweets Wilson.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: TE Jim Dray
Buffalo Bills
- Released: LB Jelani Jenkins
- Waived: S Trae Elston
Chicago Bears
- Promoted to active roster: DB DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Waived: WR Tanner Gentry
Houston Texans
- Waived: TE Evan Baylis
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: DT Michael Bennett
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from suspension: CB Troy Hill
- Waived: CB Kevin Peterson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted to active roster: DT Garrison Smith
- Waived: DE David Bass
Texans To Sign CB Johnthan Banks
The Texans are expected to sign free agent cornerback Johnthan Banks, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Banks was one of several corners worked out by Houston today, a list that also included Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Josh Thornton, Corey White, and B.W. Webb. The Texans are increasingly thin at defensive back following an MCL sprain to Kevin Johnson that will keep him sidelined for four-to-six weeks. While Houston recently signed Marcus Burley to serve as depth behind starters Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson, the club was still looking for quality options.
It’s not clear that Banks will be able to offer much beyond backup reps, but he does come with the draft pedigree of a former second-round pick. However, Banks — who turns 28 years old in a few weeks — has never lived up to that billing, and he’s acted as a reserve over the past two seasons after starting 30 games for the Buccaneers from 2013-14. Last season, Banks ended up playing for three clubs (Tampa Bay, Detroit, and Chicago), but never saw regular action.