NFC North Notes: Bears, Fuller, Vikes, Peterson
The Bears announced last week that defensive back Kyle Fuller would be their IR/return player, and Fuller is practicing today for the first time since he was placed on injured reserve in late September. This opens the 21-day window for the team to evaluate the former first-round pick. Chicago head coach John Fox said last week he would be “surprised” if Fuller wasn’t participating in workouts soon, and that level of optimism could be an indication that Fuller could return to game action quickly.
Here’s more out of Chicago:
- The Bears tried out tight ends Kivon Cartwright and J.P. Holtz, defensive back Justin Currie, and linebacker John Lotulelei this week, according to Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com (Twitter link). Chicago also auditioned linebacker Wynton McManis, who has since joined San Francisco’s practice squad. The Bears have been hit with injuries at nearly every level of their offense and defense, and could be aiming for additional depth as the year comes to a close.
- Adrian Peterson is “way ahead” of schedule, according to fellow Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon, who keeps in touch with Peterson, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. Peterson is currently going through the rehab process with an eye on a December return, and a report yesterday indicated that he had engaged in some light running during practice sessions.
- Earlier this week, the Bears placed veteran linebacker Danny Trevathan on injured reserve after he ruptured his patella tendon, and used the open roster spot to promote rookie wide receiver Daniel Braverman from the practice squad.
- The Packers and Bears are among the NFL clubs that are expressing interest in a pair of Australian Rugby League players.
Dolphins To Promote WR Rashawn Scott
The Dolphins will promote wide receiver Rashawn Scott from the practice squad, a source tells Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (Twitter link). Miami already has an open roster spot given that it waived defensive tackle Leon Orr earlier today.
[RELATED: Miami Dolphins Roster Resource]
Starting wide receiver DeVante Parker suffered a back injury during the second half of Sunday’s win against the 49ers, and though he’s listed as day-to-day, he didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. Parker has struggled with injuries in the past, and Scott’s promotion — coupled with the fact that the Dolphins worked out a quarter of pass-catchers yesterday — could indicate that Parker’s availability for Week 13 is in question. If Parker misses this weekend’s contest the Ravens, Miami will rely on Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, Leonte Carroo, and Jakeem Grant.
Scott, 24, was a 2016 undrafted free agent out of the University of Miami. He was waived during the Dolphins’ final cutdowns in September, and has spent the entirety of this year on Miami’s practice squad.
Broncos Offered Malik Jackson Five-Year Deal
The Broncos let defensive end Malik Jackson walk in free agency, but they didn’t do so without putting up a fight. Speaking today to reporters, including Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post (Twitter link), Jackson said he declined a five-year, $53MM contract offer from Denver before the start of free agency. Jackson went on to sign with the Jaguars for six years and $85.5MM.
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Jackson, 26, admitted that had the Broncos offered the same contract prior to the 2015 season, he likely would have accepted, but acknowledged that “things changed” as the campaign progressed. For one, Denver extended fellow defensive end Derek Wolfe on a four-year, $36.7MM deal, and Jackson “thought [he] would demand a few more dollars than [Wolfe],” tweets Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. Second, Jackson played extremely well, grading as the league’s No. 16 interior defender per Pro Football Focus, and skyrocketed to the No. 2 overall position on PFR’s Top 2016 Free Agents.
Of course, while it’s difficult to compare the specifics of Denver’s offer to Jacksonville’s offer without knowing the exact nature and structure of the Broncos’ proposal, it’s safe to say that Jackson made the right decision in heading to the free agent market. He scored $31.5MM guaranteed from the Jaguars, and he’ll earn $44.5MM in the first three years of the deal — both figures would have been extremely difficult for Denver to match given their spate of 2016 free agents.
Jackson, for his part, has held up his end of the deal thus far, ranking as PFF’s 24th-best interior defender on the season. However, the Broncos are getting along without him, as they’ve posted a 7-4 record while fielding the NFL’s No. 2 defense by DVOA. The Jaguars, on the other hand, are last in the AFC South with a 2-9 mark, and despite Jackson’s contributions, their defense ranks only 16th in DVOA.
49ers’ Chip Kelly Rules Out Return To Oregon
The University of Oregon fired head football coach Mark Helfrich yesterday, but former Ducks — and current 49ers — head coach Chip Kelly won’t be returning to Eugene anytime soon. “Yep,” said Kelly, when asked by reporters, including Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, whether he would remain with San Francisco. “So we’re done with that, I hope. The only person I’ve talked to is [Helfrich]. So we can talk about the Bears. I have not talked to anybody at Oregon expect Mark Helfrich.” 
[RELATED: 49ers Place LB Shayne Skov On IR]
Kelly has already been forced to deny rumors that he would leave the NFL and return to the collegiate ranks, as he told reporters last month that he isn’t “going anywhere.” However, as the 49ers continued to struggle this season, NCAA clubs have reached out — privately and indirectly — and been informed that Kelly has no interest in becoming a college coach. Kelly signed a four-year, $24MM contract prior to the 2016 season, but San Francisco has played uninspired football during the first year of his tenure, posting only a single win so far.
Kelly, of course, did experience success during his four seasons with Oregon, managing a 46-7 record while appearing in one National Championship game, a loss to Auburn. Since joining the NFL as the Eagles’ coach in 2013, Kelly has registered a 27-31 overall record, earning one playoff appearance during that stretch.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: G Isame Faciane
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Brandon Chubb
New York Giants
- Signed: S Christian Bryant
New York Jets
- Signed: T Donald Hawkins
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Kelvin Taylor
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Trevon Coley
NFC Notes: Packers, Redskins, Vikings, Giants
When asked by reporters today whether Clay Matthews Jr.’s shoulder injury is more concerning that Aaron Rodgers‘ hamstring ailment, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy responded with a simple answer: “Yes.” According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, McCarthy said the club will wait for further results on Matthews’ issue before speculating as to his status for Sunday’s game against the Texans, but Green Bay can ill afford to lose any more linebackers. Starters Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez, plus reserve Kyler Fackrell, were all inactive last night, meaning the Packers are heavily leaning on Matthews’ ability play inside and outside ‘backer.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- Kirk Cousins could be playing himself into the $24MM per year range as he continues to rack up yards and touchdowns for the Redskins, said former agent Joel Corry on 106.7 The Fan today (Twitter link via Grant Paulsen). Cousins, who topped the inaugural edition of PFR’s 2017 Free Agent Power Rankings, is reportedly asking for $23.94MM — the amount he’d get under the ’17 franchise tag — annually. Conflicting reports have emerged as to whether Washington would be willing to franchise Cousins again next season.
- Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was spotted doing some light running today, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (Twitter link). It was reported last week that Peterson was likely to run around this time. This could be a good sign for Peterson, who is pushing to return from IR in December.
- 2015 first-round pick D.J. Humphries played well in his first attempt at left tackle on Sunday, and his solid showing gives the Cardinals options going forward, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Not only could Humphries continue to play on the blindside in 2016, with Jared Veldheer moving to right tackle, but he could allow Arizona to move on from Veldheer in years to come if the club needs to create cap space.
- The Giants need to extend defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul before he hits free agency, argues Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Now more than a year removed from a fireworks accident, JPP has returned to his old form and could look to score on the open market next spring. New York, of course, has already invested heavily in its front four by handing large contracts to Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison, and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is also headed for free agency.
- The Eagles announced that right guard Brandon Brooks has been released from the hospital. Brooks was placed in the hospital before last night’s game against the Packers and ended up missing the contest with a mystery ailment. As such, his availability for Week 13 against Cincinnati is unclear.
NFL Workout Notes: Bucs, Jags, Colts, Chargers
Before signing defensive back Major Wright earlier today, the Buccaneers also worked out fellow safeties Jeron Johnson and Duke Williams, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Johnson, a career special-teamer, signed a two-year deal to become a starter for the Redskins prior to the 2015 campaign, but flamed out after only one season. He signed on with the Chiefs but was cut this summer, and has been on the workout circuit ever since. Williams, meanwhile, had started 10 games over the past four years for Buffalo, but was waived to make room for Percy Harvin earlier this month.
Here’s more on today’s NFL auditions:
- The Jaguars tried out three wide receivers on Monday, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union tweets. DeAndre Carter (Sacramento State), Cayleb Jones (Arizona), and Mekale McKay (Cincinnati) all auditioned for Jacksonville. Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and didn’t return, so Jacksonville could be looking to add a bit of depth in the meantime.
- Linebacker Beniquez Brown, cornerback Trae Elston, tight end Gabe Hughes, and quarterback Keith Wenning worked out for the Colts today, reports Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com (Twitter link). Indianapolis has been hit with injuries all over its roster, and Wenning, in particular, could be a safety net in case Andrew Luck suffers a setback in his recovery from a concussion.
- The Chargers auditioned defensive backs Randall Evans and Solomon Means, tweets Balzer. San Diego is currently missing cornerback Brandon Flowers (concussion), while safety Jahleel Addae just returned on Sunday after recovering from a broken collarbone.
- The Packers tried out offensive tackle Ryker Matthews today, per Balzer (Twitter link).
Robert Griffin III Cleared For Contact
The Browns could soon turn to quarterback Robert Griffin III, as the embattled signal-caller is now fully cleared for contact, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. Per Werder, Cleveland will let RG3, Josh McCown, and Cody Kessler compete for the starting quarterback job, but Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (video link) that once Griffin takes hold of the No. 1 job, he’s likely to hang onto it for the remainder of the season.
[RELATED: Browns Place John Greco On IR]
That the Browns are eager to see what Griffin can offer as the 2016 campaign concludes comes as no surprise, especially given that the winless club is squarely focused on the future. Griffin is signed through the 2017 season, during which he’s set to earn a base salary of $7MM, and Browns exec Sashi Brown said earlier this year (notably, before RG3 suffered a shoulder injury) that Cleveland doesn’t view Griffin as simply a short-term investment.
“To be fair to Robert, he’s young in his career in terms of his development as a quarterback,” Brown said in September. “We will develop him over time. He’s under contract here two years, but we don’t look at it as certainly just a two-year venture or a week-to-week venture. This is something we’re going to have to stick by him, put the right pieces around him and help him learn how to play that position as well. So it’s not a short-term kind of look at him.”
Griffin is still only 26 years old, and though injuries have slowed his once-promising career, the Browns likely feel that enough upside remains that it makes sense to take another look at RG3 before making their decision on his 2017 fate. Still, that probably won’t stop Cleveland from investing more resources at the quarterback position next year, and the club has already been rumored to have shown interest in UNC QB Mitch Trubisky.
AFC East Notes: Pats, Cannon, Revis, Dolphins
Under the terms of his extension with the Patriots, right tackle Marcus Cannon will earn $19.8MM in cash over the first three years of the deal, which, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes (Twitter link), is often a key metric in contract analysis. So while Cannon’s new pact won’t approach that of Lane Johnson, who remains the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL, Cannon is still earning a top-tier RT contract through the three-year cash lens. Recent right tackles that have signed comparable deals include Mitchell Schwartz ($19.56MM in the first three years), Bryan Bulaga ($18.96MM), and Joe Barksdale ($16.5MM).
Here’s more from the AFC East, including another look at the Cannon extension:
- Negotiations between the Patriots and Cannon could have been greased by the recent agreement between the Falcons and fellow right tackle Ryan Schraeder, tweets Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap. Schraeder reached a five-year, $31.5MM deal with Atlanta last week that included $7.5MM in full guarantees. Cannon, meanwhile, scored $1MM more in total value, and while initial reports peg his guarantee at $14.5MM, that figure almost certainly refers to injury-only guarantees. As Fitzgerald notes (Twitter link), the Schraeder/Cannon extensions could place a cap on the right tackle market, and it will likely be up to a free agent to break through that barrier. Upcoming free agent right tackles include Riley Reiff, Ricky Wagner, and Sebastion Vollmer.
- The Jets have mismanaged the late-career struggles of cornerback Darrelle Revis, argues Fitzgerald in a full article for OTC. Because Revis’ 2017 guarantee is in the form of base salary (not prorated signing bonus), New York can’t cut him before the first day of free agency without the dead money accelerating onto the 2016 cap. As such, the club has little option than to carry his full cap charge until the 2017 league year begins, and then release him in order to save cap space.
- The Patriots‘ recent move to claim defensive tackle Darius Kilgo off waivers could indicate that the verdict of Alan Branch’s appeal of his four-game suspension is coming soon, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com writes. Kilgo is a run stopper in the middle, which is Branch’s strong suit, so New England could be bracing for the impending loss of Branch.
- Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron is uncertain about his football future, as he tells Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post that his status is “up in the air right now.” Cameron, 28, was ruled out for the year after suffering the fourth reported concussion of his career. Those repeated brain injuries could force Cameron to hang up his cleats after a six-year career.
- The Dolphins worked out wide receivers Da’Ron Brown, Marcus Johnson, Jay Lee, and Corey Washington today, according to Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com (Twitter link). Miami pass-catcher DeVante Parker is day-to-day with a back injury, so the club is likely just looking for depth.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/29/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The Buccaneers have waived wide receiver Louis Murphy from the Reserve/PUP list, the club announced today. Murphy is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in October 2015, and wasn’t going to get on the field for Tampa Bay after being kept on PUP. However, the fact that he’s been released likely indicates that the two sides have agreed to some sort of settlement, allowing Murphy to hit the open market. He had been scheduled to earn a $2MM base salary in 2017.
- The Redskins announced that they have promoted defensive tackle A.J. Francis from the practice squad. To create a roster spot, long snapper Rick Lovato was waived, likely signalling that fellow LS Nick Sundberg is once again healthy.