NFL Workout Updates: 12/13/16
We’ve already passed along one batch of workout updates earlier today, but clubs with continuously taking a look at free agents as the season comes to a close — likely with an eye on futures contracts — we have a fresh listing of tryouts to share. Here’s the latest from the workout circuit:
- Before signing Shaquille Riddick to their practice squad earlier today, the Steelers also worked out fellow linebacker Davis Tull, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Tull was waived from Atlanta’s practice squad in early November.
- The Broncos auditioned the following 10 players, according to Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com (Twitter links): linebackers Khairi Fortt, Deon Lacey, and John Lotulelei; safeties Kevin Peterson, Josh Evans, Dezmen Southward; and cornerbacks Keith Baxter, Mike Hilton, Demetrius McCray, and Corey Tindal.
- Like Denver, the Saints also worked out a large group of players. The full list, per Nick Underhill of the Advocate (all links go to Twitter): quarterback Sean Renfree; running backs Will Ratelle, Darrel Young, and Soma Vainuku; wide receivers Max McCaffrey, Derel Walker, and Kevin Smith; linebackers Khalil Bass and Adam Bighill; defensive end T.J. Fatinikun; defensive tackle Drake Nevis; defensive backs Tony Burnett, Otha Foster, Anthony Gaitor, and Forest Hightower.
- The Packers worked out linebacker Frank Beltre and defensive lineman David Moala today, reports Rob Demovksy of ESPN.com. The third member of that tryout, linebacker Jordan Tripp, was ultimately signed to the active roster.
- The Buccaneers tried out cornerback Tre Jones and linebacker Raphael Kirby, per Caplan (Twitter link).
49ers Place Center Daniel Kilgore On IR
The 49ers announced today that they’ve placed starting center Daniel Kilgore on injured reserve with a knee injury and promoted offensive lineman Alex Balducci from the practice squad.
[RELATED: 49ers Place Vance McDonald On IR]
Kilgore, who turns 29 years old this week, had been in the midst of his first season as a full-time starter along the San Francisco offensive line, and though he’d played more than 90% of the club’s offensive snaps, he hadn’t been all that effective, grading as just the league’s No. 30 center, according to Pro Football Focus. Under the terms of extension signed in 2014, Kilgore is signed through the 2017 season, and is set to count for just over $1.5MM on the Niners’ cap next year.
Balducci, meanwhile, will join Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner as fellow Oregon defensive linemen (that’s right, defensive linemen) on the San Francisco roster under former Ducks head coach Chip Kelly. After playing on the defensive side of the ball during his collegiate days, who has been transitioning to offense while on the Niners’ practice squad this year, as Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee details.
Latest On Rams’ Head Coaching Vacancy
Despite recently announcing an extension for Jeff Fisher, the Rams fired their head coach on Monday, installing special teams coach John Fassel as the interim coach for the remainder of the season. The Los Angeles job should be an attractive opening for the latest round of head coaching candidates, and earlier today PFR’s Zach Links examined some of the potential contenders for the opening, listing names such as Jim Harbaugh, Jim Bob Cooter, and David Shaw, among others.
Let’s take a look at some of the fallout, reaction, and speculation regarding the league’s newest head coaching vacancy…
- Calling the circumstances surrounding Fisher’s firing an “organizational failure,” Rams COO Kevin Demoff emphasized that the Rams’ entire decision-making structure will come under scrutiny in the coming weeks, meaning general manager Les Snead could also be in danger of losing his job. “Starting today we’ll have a complete review of the entire organization. We’ll analyze [the front office],” Demoff said, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Snead, like Fisher, recently inked a contract extension, but that shouldn’t stop Los Angeles from cleaning house.
- The Rams job will be among the most coveted head coaching slots in the league, and many offensive minds are already interested in the opening, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (TwitLonger link) and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (video link). Both scribes identify several factors — a young quarterback and running back, patient ownership, a blank slate, the Los Angles market — that will likely persuade coaches to quickly hand in their résumés.
- While the club does have stars on both sides of the ball in the forms of Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald, reinforcements have been an issue during the Fisher/Snead regime, and Rams coaches had been openly voicing concerns about the lack of depth on the roster, reports Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. That problem might not be alleviated any time soon, especially given that Los Angeles sacrificed a haul of draft picks to move up and draft Jared Goff.
- While Harbaugh’s name has been tossed out as a candidate for the Rams position, the Michigan head coach doesn’t sound as if he’s ready to make the leap back to the NFL. Harbaugh told his Wolverine players that recent rumors about his leaving Ann Arbor are “lies made up by our enemies,” tweets Dan Murphy of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, a source tells Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) that Harbaugh isn’t leaving Michigan right now, and in fact may never leave the Maize and Blue.
- Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is also thought to be a possible suitor for Los Angeles, but the New England play-caller isn’t biting on any attempts to link him to the job. “My focus and my attention is gonna stay right here in the building” McDaniels told reporters, including Phil Perry of CSNNE.com (Twitter link), today.
- Whomever the Rams tap as their next head coach, he should be in place in the next month or so, as Demoff told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com that LA would “ideally” like to hire a coach by mid-January.
Texans Place Braxton Miller On IR
The Texans have placed rookie wide receiver Braxton Miller on injured reserve and promoted fellow pass-catcher Wendall Williams from the practice squad to the active roster, the club announced today.
[RELATED: Texans Place Jaelen Strong On IR]
Miller, a third-round pick out of Ohio State in the 2016 draft, didn’t make much of an impact during his first season in the NFL, and injuries certainly played a factor in his lack of contributions. Hamstring issues limited Miller earlier in the season, and now it’s a shoulder ailment that’s ending his season for good. In 10 games this season, Miller played primarily as a slot receiver, and managed 15 receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown. The 24-year-old also returned three kickoffs and one punt, and played 32 special teams snaps in total.
Williams, 26, signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Cumberlands this spring. After being waived at final cutdowns, and spending a few weeks with the Jets’ practice squad, Williams has spent most of the year on the workout circuit.
Jets Place OT Breno Giacomini On IR
The Jets announced today that that they’ve placed right tackle Breno Giacomini and safety Marcus Gilchrist (who was thought to be in danger of missing the rest of the season) on injured reserve. To fill their roster spots, New York has signed safety Ronald Martin and offensive lineman Craig Watts from its practice squad.
[RELATED: Matt Forte Likely Avoided Ligament Damage]
Giacomini, 31, started the season on the physically unable to perform list while dealing with back issues, and now that same injury is knocking him out for the rest of the 2016 campaign. The ailment will force Giacomini to undergo surgery, Jets head coach Todd Bowles told the media today. Giacomini is signed through the 2017 season at a base salary of $4.5MM, but New York can — and probably will — clear out most of that figure by releasing Giacomini in the spring.
Meanwhile, the Jets also worked out running back Bernard Pierce today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Pierce signed with Gang Green this summer, but never played a game for the club and was ultimately waived off IR. The former Baltimore draft pick has also auditioned for Seattle and Denver in recent weeks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/13/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The Seahawks have made a series of roster moves, announcing that they’ve signed running back Kelvin Taylor and cornerback Ronald Powell to their 53-man roster while placing running back Troymaine Pope and fullback Will Tukuafu on IR. Tay is the son of former NFL great Fred Taylor.
- The Bears have signed tight end MyCole Pruitt off the Vikings‘ practice squad, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispacth, while Chicago announced that it has cleared a roster spot by waiving defensive back De’Vante Bausby. Pruitt, a 2015 fifth-round pick, has played in 18 games over the past two years.
- The Packers will sign linebacker Jordan Tripp, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Tripp, primarily a special teamer, was recently waived off Seattle’s IR.
- John Hughes won’t be staying home alone any longer, as the Buccaneers announced that they’ve re-signed the veteran defensive tackle. Hughes, 28, has already played in three games for Tampa this season.
- The Ravens announced that they’ve placed running back Lorenzo Taliaferro on injured reserve and signed linebacker Lamar Louis to the active roster. Taliaferro, a 2014 fourth-round, hasn’t been able to get on the field in Baltimore, as he’s managed only 14 carries over the past two seasons. The Ravens are also promoting WR Michael Campanaro, tweets Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Rams have signed cornerback Troy Hill from the practice squad and placed tight end Cory Harkey on injured reserve, the team announced today. Hill had been waived following a DUI arrest, but has now earned a second chance on the roster.
- The Bills signed safety Shamiel Gary and offensive lineman Michael Ola to the active roster, per a club announcement. Linebacker Bryson Albright has been waived in a corresponding transaction.
- The Redskins announced that they’ve promoted linebacker Nick Moody from the practice squad to the active roster and placed defensive end Anthony Lanier on injured reserve. Lanier, 26, has 25 games of NFL experience under his belt since entering the league as a San Francisco draft pick in 2013.
- The Cardinals have swapped out punters once again, announcing that they’ve waived Drew Butler in favor of Matt Wile, who was promoted from the practice squad. Arizona also signed quarterback Zac Dysert off the taxi squad.
- The Falcons have re-signed cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson, the team announced today. BWW had just been waived last week in order to clear a spot for wide receiver depth.
- The Browns announced that they’ve promoted DL Gabe Wright from the practice squad to active roster. Wright, a former Detroit draft pick, was claimed by Cleveland earlier this year.
Colts Place CB Patrick Robinson On IR
The Colts will make their push for the playoffs without one of their better defenders, as the club announced today that they’ve placed cornerback Patrick Robinson on injured reserve. Robinson had missed the past two games while dealing with a groin injury.
[RELATED: Colts Place Jack Mewhort On IR]
Signed to a three-year, $14MM contract after a breakout 2015 campaign with San Diego, Robinson could never get fully healthy with Indianapolis, as nagging injuries — including a concussion, a knee ailment, and now the groin issue — limited him to six games on the year. When he was on the field, the 29-year-old Robinson wasn’t overly effective, as Pro Football Focus graded him as the No. 93 cornerback among 120 qualifiers. However, it’s fair to assume Robinson’s play was affected by his injury woes, and given that he’s signed at an affordable rate ($3MM base salary, $1MM guaranteed) in 2017, he will likely be brought back.
For the Colts, the loss of Robinson signifies yet another hit at an already-weak position on the roster, as Indy has cycled through defensive backs for most of the year. Vontae Davis is still available (but not playing at his usual level), but otherwise, the Colts will rely on Rashaan Melvin, Darius Butler, Darryl Morris, Chris Milton, and the recently-signed Charles James for the remainder of the year.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/13/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Reshard Cliett
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Blaine Clausell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Mario Alford
Indianpolis Colts
- Signed: T Pierce Burton
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Kyle Carter, T Marquis Lucas
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Justin Zimmer
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Adam Gettis
- Cut: OL Laurence Gibson, RB George Winn
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: TE Anthony Denham
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Shaquille Riddick
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OT Mitchell Van Dyk
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: RB David Fluellen
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL A.J. Francis, DB Shakiel Randolph
- Cut: DL Trevon Coley, DB Lee Hightower
Mike Shanahan Could Take Role With 49ers?
MONDAY, 8:18pm: A Shanahan-49ers reunion will not happen, a source informed Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who reports the former 49ers OC and Raiders, Broncos and Redskins head coach will not be overseeing the 49ers “in any capacity.” Florio’s source spoke differently of the team’s plans compared to a Monday La Canfora report made during a radio appearance, one that centered around a forthcoming 49ers decision to bounce CEO Jed York of the football-operations side of the team and bring in Shanahan or someone else to run the football side.
La Canfora reported John and Denise York would not be replacing Jed York but instead hire someone else to oversee the football ops. Florio reports a Jed York demotion will not occur.
SUNDAY, 11:33am: A report last week indicated a “growing sense” that the 49ers will fire general manager Trent Baalke at the end of the season, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com now reports that it would be a “mild surprise” if Baalke were to be retained. One candidate to fill a role with San Francisco — whether in the club’s front office or in a coaching capacity — is longtime NFL coach Mike Shanahan, according to La Canfora.
[RELATED: 49ers Extend TE Vance McDonald]
Shanahan, 64, interviewed for the 49ers’ head coaching vacancy in each of the past two seasons, and was thought to have finished second to Chip Kelly for the job earlier this year. However, with Denise and John York set to take an active role in the franchise, Shanahan’s name could once again pop up, as he’s spoken to the couple about club openings in the past. Shanahan reportedly wanted to part ways with quarterback Colin Kaepernick if he secured the San Francisco job earlier this year, and while that may have caused him to miss out on the gig at the time, a wish to release Kaepernick now presumably wouldn’t be a hindrance.
However, most reports indicate that Kelly should be safe, which could mean that Shanahan would instead be targeted for an executive role. Shanahan has never worked as a general manager, but he has exerted personnel control over his rosters as a head coach in his previous stops.
Redskins’ Su’a Cravens Likely Done For Season
The Redskins fear that rookie linebacker Su’a Cravens has a partially torn biceps, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Such an injury would presumably knock Cravens out for the remainder of the season, and Rapoport says Cravens will undergo an MRI on Monday to further determine the severity of the tear.
[RELATED: Washington Redskins Depth Chart]
Cravens, drafted in the second round out of USC, has played as something of a hybrid ‘backer this season, managing to see action on 36.5% of Washington’s defensive snaps while playing primarily in coverage. Through 10 games (three starts), Cravens has 22 tackles, one sack, one interception, and five passes defensed, all while grading as the league’s No. 27 linebacker, per Pro Football Focus. Cravens has also played 35.9% of the Redskins’ special teams snaps.
Meanwhile, fellow linebacker Will Compton will also undergo an MRI tomorrow after a knee injury, but he’s been informed that his major ligaments are intact, tweets John Keim of ESPN.com. Compton has played nearly every defensive snap for the Redskins this season, so losing him and Cravens could serve as something of a death blow to a Washington defense that already ranks in the bottom-third of DVOA.