Giants RB Shane Vereen Re-Injures Triceps
Giants running back Shane Vereen has re-injured his triceps and is now likely done for the remainder of the 2016 season, tweets Art Stapleton of the Record. Head coach Ben McAdoo has since confirmed the report at a press conference today.
[RELATED: New York Giants Depth Chart]
Vereen missed nine games earlier this season after originally suffering the triceps injury, and had just come off injured reserve in time for New York’s Week 14 contest against the Cowboys. The Giants had been slowly working Vereen back into the offense, and he had only contributed two rush attempts and three receptions during the club’s two most recent games. Vereen, 27, is signed through the 2017 campaign, and is scheduled to count nearly $5MM on New York’s salary cap next year.
Given that Vereen was sidelined for the majority of the Giants’ season, Big Blue shouldn’t have any trouble finishing out its season — which is extremely likely to end with a postseason appearance — without him. Rashad Jennings will continue to act as the team’s lead back, while Paul Perkins and Bobby Rainey chip in on part-time duty. Russell Hansbrough, currently on the Giants’ practice squad, is a candidate for promotion once Vereen is officially placed on injured reserve.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed WR B.J. Daniels
- Cut: WR J.D. McKissic
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed LB Lavar Edwards
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Jerome Couplin, LB Cassanova McKinz, LB Reggie Northrup, DB Kevin Short (link via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Brandon Chubb
Titans To Place DT Karl Klug On IR
The Titans will place defensive tackle Karl Klug on season-ending injured reserve following a torn Achilles, head coach Mike Mularkey told reporters today.
[RELATED: Tennessee Titans Roster Resource]
Klug, 28, was in the midst of an extremely successful campaign in his sixth season with the Titans, as he’d racked up 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed while grading as the league’s No. 22 interior defender, according to Pro Football Focus. Klug has never been a full-time starter with Tennessee, but he’s acted as a valuable depth option behind Jurrell Casey and DaQuan Jones. In 2016, he’d played on roughly 44% of the club’s defensive snaps. Klug is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.
With Klug sidelined, the Titans will look farther down their depth chart for help, and defensive tackles Angelo Blackson and Austin Johnson could be in line for larger roles, as Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com writes. Additionally, defensive lineman Antwaun Woods, currently on Tennessee’s practice squad, could be a candidate for promotion.
49ers Extend LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
The 49ers announced that they’ve signed linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong to a two-year extension, locking him up through the 2018 campaign. Armstrong hasn’t played since late September after suffering a pectoral injury.
[RELATED: 49ers Place Nick Bellore On IR]
“Ray-Ray had a strong offseason and was off to a good start in 2016 prior to being sidelined for the season due to injury,” said general manager Trent Baalke. “He has continued to work hard in his rehab and is a young player with a bright future in front of him. We look forward to his continued development and contributions, both on and off the field.”
San Francisco claimed Armstrong off waivers from the Raiders in 2015, and the 25-year-old went on to play five games with the Niners last year. He was re-signed in March 2016, and had posted seven tackles, two passes defense, and one interception through two games this season before succumbing to injury. Originally a Rams undrafted free agent in 2013, Armstrong figures to return as a key special teamer and depth option in 2017.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The 49ers announced that they’ve claimed linebacker Carl Bradford off waivers from the Packers. San Francisco placed LB Nick Bellore on injured reserve earlier today, so Bradford, who’s appeared in four games for Green Bay this season, will add depth in the Bay Area as the Niners close out the 2016 campaign. San Francisco also announced that it has signed veteran tight end Jim Dray, who began the season with Buffalo.
- The Jets have signed linebacker Randell Johnson from the Rams‘ practice squad to their 53-man roster, clearing a roster spot by waiving fellow LB Arthur Brown, the club announced today. Brown, a former second-round pick, has now been cut for the third time this calendar year.
- The Cardinals announced that they’ve promoted 2016 sixth-round cornerback Harlan Miller. In a related move, Arizona waived CB Tharold Simon. Simon had been claimed off waivers earlier this year, but managed only 76 snaps with the Cards.
- The Dolphins signed linebacker Trevor Reilly off the Patriots‘ practice squad and waived fellow LB Zach Vigil, per a club announcement. Vigil, a undrafted rookie, spent the first portion of this season on the NFI list.
- The Saints have signed wide receiver Corey Fuller off the Lions‘ practice squad, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Fuller appeared in 28 games with Detroit from 2014-15.
- The Rams are promoting defensive back Isaiah Johnson to the active roster, reports Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com. Johnson had been signed to Los Angeles’ 53-man earlier this season, as well. Johnson takes the roster spot of DB Marqui Christian, who is going to IR, per Gonzalez (link).
- The Giants will promote defensive lineman Ishaq Williams to the active roster, according to Dan Duggan of NJ.com.
Tony Romo May Request Release In 2017
Tony Romo could ask the Cowboys to release him this offseason rather than offer him in trade talks, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. A release would allow Romo the opportunity to scour the free agent market for the right fit as he concludes his career.
[RELATED: Cowboys Activate Darren McFadden]
Releasing Romo could have benefits for the Cowboys as well, especially when it comes to the salary cap. If Dallas trades Romo, the club will absorb $19.6MM in dead money in 2017 and save just $5.1MM, and would realize the same totals if it cuts Romo before June 1. But if the Cowboys designate Romo as a post-June 1 cut, they would only take on $10.7MM in dead money next season while saving $14MM on the cap. In that scenario, Dallas would then see $8.9MM in 2018 dead money, as well.
However, by trading Romo, the Cowboys could theoretically reap some sort of draft pick compensation, and ensure that Romo doesn’t land with a division rival such as the Redskins (assuming Washington doesn’t re-sign Kirk Cousins). By retaining control over his rights, Dallas could ship Romo to another division, or even better, to the AFC, and not have to worry about facing him repeatedly. As Florio notes, though, Romo enjoys a solid relationship with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, so it’s possible the two could work out a gentleman’s agreement that grants Romo his release in exchange for the veteran QB not signing with a rival.
The Broncos and Cardinals have already been mentioned potential landing spots for Romo, and he’s reportedly “keeping tabs” on other clubs, potentially including the Dolphins, per Florio. Miami could be faced with an extended Ryan Tannehill absence, and if his recovery bleeds over into 2017, the Dolphins could have interest in a veteran such as Romo.
5 Key Stories: 12/11/16 – 12/18/16
Rams fire Jeff Fisher. One day after he tied the NFL record for most losses by a head coach, Jeff Fisher was handed his walking papers by the Rams, who fired him and installed special teams coordinator John Fassel as interim head coach. Los Angeles is said to be searching for a new coach with experience on the offensive side of the ball, and PFR’s Zach Links looked at 10 of the most likely candidates for the job. Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden is thought to be willing to listen to the club’s pitch, while Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has already ruled himself out.
Brock to the bench. The Texans have finally seen enough of quarterback Brock Osweiler, and benched him today in favor of Tom Savage. Houston signed Osweiler to a four-year, $72MM contract that contained $37MM in guarantees over the offseason, but he’s responded by completing less than 60% of his passes and tossing 14 touchdowns. With Savage leading the way, the Texans pulled out a victory over the Jaguars and remain in the thick of the AFC South race.
Rex done in BUF? The Bills are “preparing to move on” from head coach Rex Ryan after the season, as Adam Scheter of ESPN.com reported this morning on the heels of last week’s report that Ryan was unlikely to return in 2017. Ryan’s relationship with general manager Doug Whaley is reportedly strained, and given that Whaley has built a relationship with the club’s ownership, Ryan looks to be on the outs. Whaley, for what it’s worth, is not thought to be on the hot seat.
Back comes AP. Adrian Peterson made a surprise announcement on Friday, telling SiriusXM NFL Radio that he would come off IR and play in the Vikings’ Week 15 contest against the Colts. Peterson had returned to practice earlier in the week, but it was unclear whether he’d be ready to go on Sunday. Despite Peterson’s appearance, Minnesota took a beating today, losing to Indianapolis 34-6 as Peterson managed only 22 yards on six carries. The Vikings’ playoff hopes are just about over, as FiveThirtyEight gives the club less than a one percent chance of making the postseason.
Michael Floyd changes teams. After being arrested for DUI, Michael Floyd was waived by the Cardinals, but landed in a better situation just one day later as he was claimed by the Patriots. New England will pay Floyd less than $1MM for his services over the rest of the regular season and the postseason, giving him something of an audition before he hits free agency next spring. Floyd is expected to be handed a suspension in 2017, however, which could limit his market.
Latest On Jon Gruden, Rams Coaching Vacancy
Though he’s been out of the NFL since 2008, Jon Gruden could “entertain” the notion of accepting the Rams’ head coaching position, some of Gruden’s former colleagues told Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
[RELATED: Rams Searching For Offensive HC]
Several factors could influence Gruden’s willingness to listen to a pitch from the Rams, not least of which is the Los Angeles market and the pocketbook of owner Stan Kroenke, who is likely open to paying Gruden whatever he demands. Additionally, the Rams have talented players on both sides of the ball in the forms of running back Todd Gurley and defensive tackle Aaron Donald, as well as a young quarterback in Jared Goff, whom Gruden has expressed fondness for in the past.
Gruden also has a relationship with Rams COO Kevin Demoff, who was hired to Tampa Bay’s front office when Gruden was the Buccaneers’ head coach, according to Tom Peliserro of USA Today. That familiarity could help lure Gruden to Los Angeles, as could the fact that the Rams don’t intend to make a decision on general manager Les Snead until a new coach is hired, per Peliserro. If Gruden wants to bring in his own personnel executive, he’d likely be allowed to do so.
Gruden, who is still only 52 years old, signed an extension with ESPN in 2014 that keeps him under contract through the 2021 season. However, that deal shouldn’t preclude from exploring NFL opportunities.
Michael Floyd Likely To Face 2017 Suspension
Wide receiver Michael Floyd, whom the Patriots claimed off waivers from the Cardinals last week, is expected to a face a league suspension in 2017 as a result of his recent DUI arrest, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The length of Floyd’s ban will likely be determined by the results of his blood alcohol contest — although Floyd refused a breathalyzer at the scene, he did later undergo blood work.
[RELATED: New England Patriots Depth Chart]
The state of Arizona has strict DUI laws, according to Schefter, leading some observers to believe that Floyd could be facing jail time in addition to league-imposed discipline. Either way, the news certainly isn’t positive for Floyd, who is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency next spring after a three-game (plus postseason) audition with New England. Floyd has had trouble with alcohol in the past, as he was also arrested for DUI during his time at Notre Dame.
Floyd, who’s posted 33 receptions for 446 yards and four touchdowns so far this season, will be inactive for New England’s game against the Broncos later today.
Texans Bench Brock Osweiler
Down 13-0 to the Jaguars in the second quarter, the Texans have benched quarterback Brock Osweiler in favor of Tom Savage. Osweiler, signed to a four-year, $72MM contract in the offseason, had completed just six of 11 passes for 48 yards and two interceptions during today’s contest.
[RELATED: Texans Activate Brennan Scarlett]
Whether or not the switch is permanent is unclear, and could depend on how Savage performs for the rest of the game against Jacksonville. Head coach Bill O’Brien will surely address the issue following the game, and speak as to whether Savage will lead the Texans for the remainder of the season. Despite Osweiler’s poor play, Houston has still posted a 7-6 record has a 45% chance of making the postseason (per Football Outsiders), so the choice of starting quarterback still has major implications for the 2016 campaign.
Osweiler, 26, has been on the worst QBs in the NFL this season, as he’s completed less than 60% of his passes while averaging 5.8 yards per attempt and tossing 14 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. Given that he received $37MM in guarantees under the terms of his deal with the Texans, Osweiler will be extremely difficult to release before 2018. Theoretically, Houston could make him a post-June 1 cut next offseason, but the club would take on $19MM in dead money and wouldn’t realize any cap savings.
Savage, meanwhile, was a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft, so he’s spent his entire career in Houston under the O’Brien regime. He played in two games during his rookie campaign, completing 10 of 19 attempts, but hasn’t seen any action since.