Colts Place Christine Michael On IR
Christine Michael‘s stay on the Colts’ active roster was short, as the veteran running back has been placed on injured reserve, the club announced today. Indianapolis has signed fellow running back Troymaine Pope to fill its empty roster spot.
It’s unclear exactly what type of injury forced Michael onto IR, but Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star tweets that Michael went down hard in practice yesterday following a collision. Depending on the severity of Michael’s health issue, he could conceivably be released with an injury settlement, allowing him to once again the free agent market after he recovers.
Michael, 26, had just signed on earlier this month to serve as a reserve for the Colts behind starting running back Frank Gore. After averaging 3.9 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns with the Seahawks and Packers a year ago, Michael had been set to compete for playing time alongside fellow backups Robert Turbin and rookie Marlon Mack.
Now, that opportunity will go to Pope, who like Michael is a former member of the Seahawks. The 23-year-old Pope appeared in three games for Seattle in 2016, rushing 11 times for 43 yards.
Browns Interested In Eric Decker?
The Browns appear to have some level of interest in wide receiver Eric Decker, as the club has “done some work” on the free agent pass-catcher, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com.
Cleveland already made one addition to its receiving corps this offseason, inking former Rams wideout Kenny Britt to a four-year deal, but as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com recently noted, the Browns have made inquiries on nearly every free agent receiver that has hit the market in the past several months. The club’s interest in now-Raven Jeremy Maclin is indicative of that strategy, although Cleveland never set up a visit with Maclin before he signed with Baltimore.
At present, Britt and 2016 first-round pick Corey Coleman are the Browns’ starting wideouts, and while the team has a number of intriguing options further down its depth chart, Cleveland’s pass-catching group is short on experience. Like Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, and Jordan Payton all entered the league in 2016, while Mario Alford, James Wright and Rannell Hall all have limited NFL exposure.
Decker, then, would offer the Browns another veteran receiver to play alongside Britt. The 30-year-old Decker has been linked to a number of clubs this offseason, including the Titans, with whom he met yesterday. The Broncos, however, are not interested in a reunion with Decker, while the Ravens are unlikely to sign another wideout after landing Maclin.
Seahawks Wrap Up Draft Class
The Seahawks have locked up the entirety of their 2017 draft class by signing third-round defensive backs Shaquill Griffin and Delano Hill, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).
Griffin and Hill were selected within with five picks of each other, as Griffin — a UCF product — came off the board with the 90th overall selection while Hill, a Michigan alum, went at No. 95. Griffin, specifically, could see action early in his rookie campaign as incumbent corner DeShawn Shead recovers from a torn ACL. Hill, meanwhile, could act as insurance if Earl Thomas‘ rehab from a broken leg takes longer than expected.
Here’s an overview of Seattle’s entire 2017 rookie crop:
- 2-35: Malik McDowell, DT (Michigan State)
- 2-58: Ethan Pocic, OL (LSU)
- 3-90: Shaquill Griffin, CB (UCF)
- 3-95: Delano Hill, S (Michigan)
- 3-102: Nazair Jones, DL (North Carolina)
- 3-106: Amara Darboh, WR (Michigan)
- 4-111: Tedric Thompson, S (Colorado)
- 6-187: Mike Tyson, S (Cincinnati)
- 6-210: Justin Senior, T (Mississippi State)
- 7-226: David Moore, WR (East Central Oklahoma)
- 7-249: Chris Carson, RB (Oklahoma)
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/15/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Marquis Lucas
- Waived: LB Christian Tago
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Harvey Binford, WR Fred Brown, LB Jeremiah George
- Waived: WR Marcus Leak, WR Al-Damion Riles, DT Kristjan Sokoli
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed off waivers: CB Taurean Nixon (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Trevon Hartfield, T Donald Hawkins
- Waived: OL Corin Brooks, CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: QB Dylan Thompson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LS Thomas Gafford (Twitter link via Joel Erickson of the Advocate)
- Waived: OL Cameron Lee (Twitter link via Erickson), LS Jesse Schmitt (Twitter link via Herbie Teope of NOLA.com)
- Waived/injured: WR Dan Arnold
Saints Working Out LB Mike Morgan, DT Tony McDaniel
The Saints are are auditioning linebacker Mike Morgan and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel during their minicamp, according to Herbie Teope of NOLA.com and Joel Erickson of the Advocate (Twitter link).
Morgan, 29, was nominally the Seahawks’ starting strongside linebacker in 2016, but because Seattle spent so much time in nickel, Morgan’s defensive snaps were limited. Morgan’s contributions were further restricted by injury last year, as he spent eight weeks on injured reserve while dealing with a sports hernia. All told, Morgan played only 138 defensive snaps and posted just 10 tackles. His only other known interest this offseason came from the Jaguars, for whom he auditioned last month.
New Orleans has already augmented its linebacking corps this offseason, as the club signed free agents Manti Te’o and A.J. Klein while using a third-round pick on Florida’s Alex Anzalone. Those three ‘backers will add to an already crowded unit that also includes Craig Robertson, Dannell Ellerbe, Stephone Anthony, and Nathan Stupar.
Like Morgan, McDaniel also spent the 2016 campaign with Seattle, and has in fact played for the Seahawks in three of the past four years. The 32-year-old McDaniel played on 45% of Seattle’s defensive snaps a season ago, racking up 43 tackles and grading as the league’s No. 52 interior defender in the process, per Pro Football Focus. McDaniel could have a path to playing time in New Orleans alongside Sheldon Rankins, especially if Nick Fairley‘s heart condition restricts his ability.
Other notable players working out for the Saints this week include offensive lineman Chris Watt, kicker Patrick Murray, and long snapper Thomas Gafford, per Teope.
Seahawks Haven’t Discussed Extension With Kam Chancellor
Although head coach Pete Carroll yesterday indicated the Seahawks are inclined to work out an extension with safety Kam Chancellor, Seattle has not formally reached out to Chancellor regarding a new contract, as Chancellor explained to reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).
“We would very much like to work something out,” Carroll said Tuesday. “We’re working at it. And that’s really all we’ll say. But we are working at it with every intention of taking care of business. It takes awhile. Things take awhile. His frame of mind and our frame of mind are in a really good place. And we’re going to work hard to get something done. We’ll see if we can.”
Chancellor, who notably held out until Week 3 of the 2015 campaign in the (ultimately failed) hopes of landing a new contract, is scheduled to earn a base salary of $6.8MM and count for ~$8.125MM against the cap in 2017 before becoming a free agent next spring. The 29-year-old Chancellor started 12 games a season ago, playing on roughly two-thirds of Seattle’s defensive snaps while grading as the league’s No. 3 safety, per Pro Football Focus.
Jets Working Out Bobby Rainey, Dexter McCluster
The Jets are continuing to look at free agent offensive players, as running back Bobby Rainey and RB/WR Dexter McCluster are working out for New York during the club’s minicamp session, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). Rainey and McCluster will join Denard Robinson and Kenbrell Thompkins as notable Jets tryout players this week.
Rainey, 29, spent the 2016 campaign with the Giants, managing 17 carries and 20 receptions in a reserve role. He also played a role on special teams, averaging 6.5 yards per punt return and 25.5 yards per kick return. A five-year NFL veteran, Rainey’s most notable pro seasons came with the Buccaneers in 2013 and 2014, as he rushed for more than 400 yards in each year.
McCluster, meanwhile, signed with the Chargers last September after the club lost fellow back Danny Woodhead for the season. The 27-year-old McCluster appeared in six games before he went down with his own injury, a broken arm suffered during an in-home accident. McCluster didn’t contribute much to the Chargers’ offense, but did post 17 total returns during his short time with the team.
Clearly, the Jets are attempting to upgrade their special teams unit which ranked 31st in DVOA last season. Rainey, McCluster, Robinson, Thompkins, and recent signee Jordan Todman all have experience in the return game. Jalin Marshall, one of New York’s primary return men in 2016, is suspended for the first four games of the 2017 campaign.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/14/17
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Cameron Posey
- Waived: S Brian Blechen
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Chris Lewis-Harris (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post)
- Waived: CB Taurean Nixon
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: T Robert Leff
- Waived: C Jacob Flores
- Waived off IR with injury settlement: CB David Rivers (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived off IR with injury settlement: DE Deondre Barnett (Twitter link via Howard Balzer)
Washington Redskins
- Waived: DB Shakiel Randolph
Ravens Unlikely To Sign Another WR
After signing Jeremy Maclin this week, the Ravens are focused on upgrading their offensive line rather than adding another wide receiver such as Eric Decker or Anquan Boldin, franchise owner Steve Bisciotti told reporters, including Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
“If I don’t get an offensive lineman, somebody is going to start shooting at me. If I have one bullet left in that gun, I better save it for an offensive lineman,” Bisciotti said. “I think right now, we have a lot of confidence in Chris Moore to be our fourth wideout and let the competition begin with the fifth and sixth wideout. [Michael] Campanaro, as you know, has to stay healthy and Keenan Reynolds is developing. Chris Matthews is doing some nice things in camp and did nice things last year in camp.
I’d say that I don’t think that we have room for a starter at wide receiver now and I do think there’s going to be some talent out there that could challenge for a starting position on our offensive line. I think I’m going to save that last punch for an offensive lineman.”
Baltimore currently boasts Maclin, Mike Wallace, and former first-round pick Breshad Perriman as its top three wideouts, but that group certainly comes with question marks. Before releasing him, the Chiefs were reportedly concerned Maclin, who signed a two-year deal with the Ravens, had “lost a step”, as Zrebiec writes in a separate piece. Like Maclin, Perriman has dealt with injuries in the recent past, as he missed his entire rookie campaign before posting 33 receptions a season ago.
As Bisciotti alludes to, Baltimore could use another lineman (especially on the interior), and one free agent to whom the club has been linked — former Jets center Nick Mangold — is still available. The two sides are reportedly in a holding pattern, and Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com suggested last month that Mangold may want more money than the Ravens are willing to offer.
Jets LB Demario Davis Accepts Pay Cut
Linebacker Demario Davis accepted a pay cut upon being traded to the Jets earlier this month, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reported in early June that New York was likely to reduce Davis’ salary after re-acquiring him.
Davis, 28, had been due a base salary of $3.7MM for the upcoming season, but none of that total was guaranteed. Now, Davis will earn a $100K signing bonus, a $900K base salary, and can bring in an additional $1.225MM via incentives. All told, Davis’ new salary cap charge is $2.225MM, meaning Gang Green has shaved $1.475MM off its 2017 cap.
A full-time starter for the Jets from 2013-15, Davis spent the 2016 campaign with the Browns. In 15 starts, Davis racked up 99 tackles, two sacks, and graded as the league’s No. 59 linebacker among 87 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. Dealt back to the Jets in exchange for safety Calvin Pryor, Davis figures to start next to Darron Lee now that veteran ‘backer David Harris has been released.