Minor NFL Transactions: 12/5/2016
Today’s minor moves:
- The Browns promoted offensive lineman Anthony Fabiano from the practice squad to the active roster, the club announced today. Cleveland’s interior offensive line has been hit extremely hard by injuries this season, and Fabiano figures to add depth as the season concludes. He’ll back up former first-round pick Jonathan Cooper, who will start at guard on Sunday, tweets Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
Robert Griffin III Could Start This Week
After being cleared for contact last week, there’s a “real chance” Robert Griffin III starts at quarterback for the Browns when they face the the Bengals this weekend, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Cleveland head coach Hue Jackson, however, says it’s “too soon” to determine if RG3 will be under center on Sunday, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
[RELATED: Cleveland Browns Depth Chart]
If Griffin is able to take hold of the Browns’ starting job, there’s a great likelihood that he’ll hold the position for the remainder of the season so that Cleveland management can get a better view of him, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reported last week. RG3 signed a two-year deal with the Browns over the offseason, but was injured in the club’s first game of the season and has been on injured reserve ever since.
But given that the Browns reportedly don’t view Griffin as simply a short-term investment (a sentiment with which RG3 concurs, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal writes), the final four games of the 2016 campaign could give the club’s brass an insight as to whether Griffin will be worth his 2017 cap charge of $9.25MM. Cleveland’s other options at quarterback include Josh McCown, who has started the Browns’ past two games, and rookie Cody Kessler, whom the club is considering shutting down following a recent concussion.
Latest On Marques Colston
Free agent receiver Marques Colston hasn’t drawn any known interest since being released by the Saints in February, and that could be by design. As Colston explains to Joel Erickson of the Advocate, he’s just about ready to hang up his cleats for good.
[RELATED: Saints Could Explore Brandin Cooks Trade]
“Nothing official, but I’m not actively looking to play right now,” Colston said. Although an August report indicated that Colston could begin looking for work after rehabbing a shoulder injury, the longtime Saints receiver tells Erickson that wasn’t his intention. “I was rehabbing the shoulder for a while,” Colston said. “I got to a point where I knew I wasn’t going to move forward, and really just having a lot of things lined up off the field made it an easy transition.”
Colston, 32, had been with the Saints since 2006, when he was selected in the seventh round of the draft, 252nd overall. The Hofstra product had been one of the most productive pass-catchers in the NFL – and the Saints’ all-time leading receiver — since then, racking up six 1,000-yard seasons and 9,759 overall receiving yards over the last decade.
Lions CB Quandre Diggs Likely Done For Year
Lions cornerback Quandre Diggs injured his pectoral in Sunday’s game against the Saints and will likely miss the remainder of the 2016 campaign, freelance reporter Rand Getlin tweets. Diggs will undergo more tests on Tuesday, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link), but Diggs’ outlook is “not looking good right now.”
[RELATED: Detroit Lions Depth Chart]
Detroit’s pass defense has been among the worst in the NFL this year, and in fact ranks dead last in passing DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. Specifically, the Lions rank 32nd against “other receivers,” per FO, which indicates that Detroit is particularly poor against pass-catchers that don’t rank among the top-two on an opponent’s roster — the exact players that Diggs had been covering as the club’s slot corner. Pro Football Focus, too, hasn’t been bullish on Diggs’ play, grading him as the league’s No. 105 CB among 122 qualifiers.
Still, Diggs has been available during his sophomore NFL season, as he’s appeared in all 12 games, posting 38 tackles, one pass defensed, and one fumble recovery while playing on 56.4% of Detroit’s defensive snaps. As Birkett writes in a full article, Diggs had been losing playing to safety Rafael Bush in recent weeks, while rookie defensive back Adairius Barnes figures to see more time going forward.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/5/2016
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Bralon Addison
- Cut: QB Josh Woodrum
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: T Zach Sterup
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Cedric Thompson
Raiders’ Mario Edwards Jr. To Return From IR
The Raiders have designated defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. as their player to return from injured reserve, tweets Scott Bair of CSNCalifornia.com, who adds that Edwards is expected to practice tomorrow. Oakland now has three weeks to place Edwards on the active roster, or he will stay on IR for the remainder of the season. The Raider expect Edwards to return to action for their December 19 game against the Chargers, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Aldon Smith Pushing For Return]
Nearly a certain lock to make the playoffs following yesterday’s win over the Bills, the Raiders are still fighting to win the AFC West and face a massive contest against the Chiefs on Thursday night. But the one area of the Oakland roster that could use a boost is the club’s defense, and Edwards will certainly provide a spark if he’s able to get back on the field. By DVOA, the Raiders’ defense ranks just 26th, and the team’s defensive line places only 28th against both the run and pass.
When healthy, Edwards served as a bright spot for the Raiders last year, racking up 42 tackles, three forced fumbles and two sacks in 14 games. He worked at both end and tackle along the way and rated as one of Pro Football Focus’ best run-stoppers among edge defenders. Edwards figures to complement superstar Khalil Mack and first-year Raider Bruce Irvin in an attempt to improve Oakland’s front four during the stretch run.
Oakland’s decision to bring Edwards off injured reserve means that tight end Lee Smith and linebacker Ben Heeney — both of whom have could have potentially returned this year — will remain on IR from the rest of the season.
Seahakws To Sign FB Marcel Reece
The Seahawks are signing fullback Marcel Reece, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Seattle auditioned Reece, who was released by the Raiders in September, last week, and have now finalized an agreement.
[RELATED: Earl Thomas Done For Season]
Reece will add depth to the Seahawks’ roster while incumbent fullback Will Tukuafu is in the concussion protocol. If Tukuafu isn’t able to get cleared by Sunday, Reece would likely be active as Seattle faces Green Bay in a critical NFC matchup. The Seahawks are likely to clear a roster spot for Reece by officially placing Earl Thomas — who is lost for the season after suffering a broken tibia last night — on injured reserve.
Reece, 31, is a multiple-time Pro Bowler thanks to his blocking ability and pass-catching acumen. In 2015, Reece caught 30 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns and also added 36 rushing yards. A versatile back who can play a variety of roles, Reece averaged 34 receptions per season from 2010-15.
In addition to the Seahawks, Reece also worked out for the Patriots and Jets after being cut by the Raiders.
Seahawks’ Earl Thomas Done For Season
Speaking to reporters today, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll confirmed that safety Earl Thomas suffered a broken tibia in last night’s game against the Panthers and will miss the rest of the season, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Thomas will not be able to return even if Seattle makes a deep postseason run.
[RELATED: Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart]
The end result is not unexpected, especially after Thomas had to be helped off the field last night and then tweeted a cryptic message that even hinted at retirement. Without Thomas — who is arguably the most important player on the Seahawks’ defense — Seattle will be forced to adjust its scheme down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs, as the club’s backups, including Steven Terrell – who will likely step in for Thomas – will be hard-pressed to replicate the perennial All-Pro’s production.
Thomas, 27, rates as Pro Football Focus’ No. 11 back-line defender this season, but he’s been one of this decade’s best defenders. Seattle’s consistently churned out ancillary secondary pieces — like Byron Maxwell, Brandon Browner, or Jeremy Lane — but don’t have much experience using backup safeties.
Signed through the 2018 campaign, Thomas is set to have cap charges of $10.4MM in each of the next two seasons.
Raiders’ Aldon Smith Unlikely To Play In 2016
8:39pm: The 60-day decision for Roger Goodell to make a decision on Smith has passed, since he applied for reinstatement Oct. 3, but a decision is expected soon, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. And despite not having played in a game since last November, the former All-Pro pass-rusher would be ready to play immediately, a source informs Florio. The 10-2 Raiders travel to face the 9-3 Chiefs on Thursday night, so a possible window for reinstatement could come in that 10-day break if Goodell deems Smith fit to return to work.
3:12pm: The Raiders are not expecting edge rusher Aldon Smith to return to the field this season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The NFL was supposed to have made a decision on Smith’s reinstatement by December 2, but Oakland has not heard back from the league as of yet. As such, the Raiders are “not counting” on Smith playing in 2016, and would consider any production from him to be a “bonus.”
[RELATED: Latest On Raiders’ Relocation Efforts]
Smith was suspended for a one calendar year in November 2015, but still agreed to a two-year, $11.5MM contract with the Raiders this spring. The deal contains no guaranteed money, and is heavily incentives through gameday active bonuses and performance raises, none of which Smith is earning while on suspension. He won’t earn any of the contract, in fact, unless he can get back on the field at some point.
Smith, 27, checked into a rehab facility this summer following a social media incident during which he may have been shown smoking marijuana. According to Rapoport, that rehab stay was extended by 60 days after Smith met with counselors and doctors. Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, meanwhile, expressed his support for Smith earlier this year.
“Aldon is doing well,” McKenzie said. “That situation is going to be totally up to the league because he’s been in the program and they’ve monitored him. It’s up to Goodell to say yah, nay or when. And he could say no to everything … that part is out of our hands. The league will take everything into consideration and Aldon will have to meet with [Roger] Goodell at some point.”
A meeting between Smith and Goodell has yet to take place, and per Rapoport, it’s unclear if it ever will.
5 Key Stories: 11/27/16 – 12/4/16
Down goes Gronk. The Patriots have lost their top offensive weapon for the remainder of the season, as All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski underwent back surgery last week to repair a herniated disc. New England officially placed Gronkowski on injured reserve, and because the Pats already used their IR/return slot on quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Gronk has no chance of playing again this year. Gronkowski’s most recent back injury isn’t career-threatening, although he may have to play through pain for the rest of his NFL tenure. Meanwhile, fellow New England tight end Martellus Bennett turned down a $7MM/year extension offer before the season, but talks are expected to continue next year.
End of an era in Chicago? Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery last week, and it’s possible — and perhaps likely — that Cutler won’t throw a pass for Chicago again. Reports all season have indicated that the Bears regime is finished with Cutler and are prepared to move on after the season, saving a chunk of cap space in the process. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com said last week that Chicago could circle back to Cutler if it isn’t able to find a better option. Matt Barkley will be under center for the reset of the season in the Windy City.
You can’t go home again. After the University of Oregon fired head football coach Mark Helfrich last Tuesday, speculation instantly arose regarding the possibility of 49ers head coach Chip Kelly returning to Eugene. Kelly, as he’s already been forced to do this season, denied the rumors, and restated his commitment to San Francisco. Previous reports had indicated that some NCAA clubs had privately reached out to Kelly’s representation in the hopes of luring him back to the college game, but it appears as though Kelly will return to the 49ers in 2017.
Latest on relocation talks. The Chargers are progressing towards a deal with the Rams to share a stadium in Inglewood, California, and although owner Dean Spanos is likely to exhaust all options before leaving San Diego, it appears as though the Chargers will be LA-bound in the near future. The Raiders, meanwhile, might face a bit more opposition to their proposed move to Las Vegas, as several owners recently voiced concerns about both Vegas’ small market size and the integrity of one particular investor.
AP to return this year? Disparate reports have emerged on the state of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson‘s health — while some sources have indicated that Peterson is targeting a return later this month, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested last week that the All Pro back could miss the remainder of the season. Peterson has been doing some light running recently (both in a pool and on a field), while fellow Minnesota RB Jerick McKinnon contends that Peterson is “way ahead” of schedule in his recovery.