AFC North Notes: Bengals, Jackson III, Ravens
The Bengals haven’t yet made a decision on which player they will bring back from injured reserve, as Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com writes. Cincinnati has two options for IR/return — first-round cornerback William Jackson III and veteran running back Cedric Peerman — and both are “essentially healthy,” per Terrell, meaning the Bengals are simply biding their time before choosing between the two.
“Obviously the first-round pick is an asset, and you want to get him involved,” said head coach Marvin Lewis. “We’ve had him all year since he’s been back from Houston and since the surgery, so to keep him invested in the football team.” The Bengals’ secondary has been below-average, meaning Jackson — who will the only 2016 first-rounder who hasn’t seen the field after Jared Goff starts for the Rams tomorrow — would be a welcome option. But Cincinnati’s sub-par special teams unit is missing its ace in Peerman, making the decision between the pair all the more difficult.
Here’s more on the Bengals and the rest of the AFC North:
- Defensive tackle Brandon Thompson will return to practice next week, said Lewis, opening a three-week window during which the Bengals can choose to transfer Thompson from the PUP list to the active roster. Thompson suffered a torn ACL in the 2015 season finale after spending the year as a reserve, appearing in nine games and acting as a run-stuffer. If Cincinnati doesn’t opt to active Thompson in the next three weeks, he’ll either need to stay on PUP for the rest of season or be waived.
- Because Crockett Gillmore is dealing with an injury, the Ravens have continually added a tight end to their practice squad in recent weeks to ensure that they have enough bodies for practice sessions, as Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun notes (all Twitter links). Quarterback David Fales has been the victim in such scenarios, having been repeatedly dropped from the taxi squad to create room for a tight end. That series of transactions will likely end next week, per Zrebiec, as TE Nick Boyle will be eligible to return from a 10-game PED suspension.
- The Steelers made a number of moves earlier today, placing wide receiver Markus Wheaton and defensive end Cameron Heyward on injured reserve while activating edge rusher Bud Dupree from IR and promoting running back Daryl Richardson from the practice squad.
- Yesterday, Browns head coach Hue Jackson said it would be a “coup” if Cleveland could retain recently-acquired linebacker Jamie Collins, and also indicated that quarterback Robert Griffin III would begin practicing next week.
Robbie Gould Had Offers Before Joining Giants
Before the Giants agreed to sign Robbie Gould to replace the embattled Josh Brown, they apparently had some competition for the veteran placekicker. Speaking to reporters, including Mark Cannizaro of the New York Post, Gould said he received a “bunch of offers” before inking a deal with the Giants.
[RELATED: New York Giants Depth Chart]
“I was in a great position because I could wait for the perfect opportunity to get into a situation where I knew I could win and possibly win a Super Bowl and find a place I could stay for a little bit of time,” Gould said. “The biggest thing for me was I want to win a Super Bowl and play for a great organization and with the Giants everything fit that mold. So it was a really easy situation to say yes to.”
Gould, 34, said last month that he wouldn’t have signed with the Giants if he didn’t think he had a good chance of staying with the club for the duration of the season. Given that New York has since released Brown, Gould will likely remain the team’s kicker for the rest of the 2016 campaign, but thus far, he hasn’t gotten much work. In three games, he’s attempted just one field goal (a successful 29-yarder against the Rams), but he’s also converted each of his field goal tries. Additionally, Gould ranks eighth in the league in average kickoff distance.
On Sunday, Gould will square off against the Bears in something of a “revenge game” given that it was Chicago that released him before the season began. “If my performance wasn’t up [the Bears’] caliber, then that was their choice,” he said. “I was kicking great, had a really good camp, kicking off well, kicking field goals great. It was just was a decision that they made. I didn’t know it was coming.”
Lions Still Deciding On IR Return Player
The Lions have yet to decide which player they will reinstate off the injured reserve list, and the possibility remains that running back Ameer Abdullah could be the returnee, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Detroit is thought to be choosing between Abdullah and linebacker Jon Bostic, both of whom have been sidelined since early this season.
[RELATED: Detroit Lions Depth Chart]
Bostic, who underwent foot surgery earlier this season, technically could have come off IR as soon as Week 8, and was participating in running drills during practice sessions during the past few weeks. He’d certainly be a welcome addition to a Lions linebacking corps that has already traded away Kyle Van Noy and will likely be without starter DeAndre Levy on Sunday against the Jaguars.
Abullah, however, would also be able to help the first-place Lions — though the club is excelling on the offensive side of the ball, most of that success has been through the passing game, as Detroit’s rushing attack ranks just 27th in DVOA. Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said earlier this month that Abdullah was a candidate to return, and he’d add a stabilizing presence to a backfield that has seen Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington, Zach Zenner and Justin Forsett earn carries.
Caldwell also told reporters that Detroit’s record and/or playoff position won’t factor into the club’s decision on which player to activate, per Twentyman. “You look at the next game, see where you are, see what kind of injuries you have,” said Caldwell. “You make adjustments and then put yourself in the best position to win the next game. That’s how we look at it and I think that’s the only way you should look at it. There’s too many things that can happen along the way, every game is extremely important.”
Rams CB Troy Hill Arrested For DUI
Rams cornerback Troy Hill was arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com. Los Angeles has released a statement indicating that it is aware of the situation, and also announced that Hill will be inactive for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.
[RELATED: Rams To Start Jared Goff]
Hill, 25, entered the league as a Bengals undrafted free agent in 2015 and didn’t play much during his rookie season. But he’s established himself during his sophomore campaign, appearing in every game for the Rams thus far and starting four contests. As Los Angeles’ fourth cornerback behind Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines, and Lamarcus Joyner, Hill has played on 320 defensive snaps this year, but has earned poor coverage grades from Pro Football Focus.
With Hill set to be inactive, fellow cornerback Dwayne Gratz could see a role for this first time this season. Claimed off waivers from the Jaguars in mid-October, Gratz — who has 25 career starts under his belt — has yet to appear in a game for the Rams.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/19/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: QB David Fales
- Cut: TE Austin Traylor
New York Giants
- Signed: QB Logan Thomas
Miller’s Latest: Walker, Watson, Trubisky, Kizer
When reports surfaced earlier this week that defensive tackle Charles Walker would leave Oklahoma immediately in order to prepare for the 2017 draft, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report predicted that the move wouldn’t be well-received by NFL front offices, which already had reason to doubt Walker’s work ethic. In the days since, Miller has spoken with scouts and coaches around the league, and opinions have certainly not changed.
“We’ll put up with a lot of s–t, but not quitters,” one NFL man told Miller. “Talk to anyone [at OU] and they’ll tell you he’s not even hurt,” said another. “He doesn’t want to get hit anymore.” While Miller cautioned that some NFL staffers might have different views, every observer he talked to shared the same outlook. However, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com recently reported that other scouts/coaches might believe that Walker chose the correct path, especially given that he recently suffered the third concussion of his collegiate career.
Let’s take a look at the other highlights from Miller’s notebook, which — as always — is well worth a full read:
- A “longtime NFL GM” reached out to Miller to discuss the 2017 quarterback class, and the former executive offered some interesting observations on the top signal-callers. Clemson’s Deshaun Watson‘s size worries the ex-GM, who compared him to Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The exec also put forth concerns about UNC’s Mitch Trubisky, but was more complementary of Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, predicting he “could be the one we all fall in love with between now and April.” Meanwhile, the former GM called Miami’s Brad Kaaya — whom the Bears are already researching — the “smartest of the crop.”
- Miller posed several questions to an AFC scout, whose most insightful responses were on the topic of domestic violence. Some scouts — such as the one in question — have a hardline stance toward DV, but the staffer admitted that the risk versus reward debate takes place higher up the organizational hierarchy. A team’s owner, general manager, or head coach may be more willing to accept a player with domestic violence background if he is extremely talented, meaning such a decision is more likely to be made on a first-round prospect.
- Alabama’s defense figures to boast several first-round draft picks, but at least one NFL scout isn’t a fan of cornerback Marlon Humphrey, per Miller. “I think he’s overrated,” said the evaluator. “You guys don’t see how stiff he is or that he can’t turn and run.”
Browns Notes: Collins, RG3, Manziel
Browns head coach Hue Jackson believes it would a “coup” for his club to re-sign linebacker Jamie Collins, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal details, and cornerback Joe Haden agrees. “It’s just been so many years of letting really good talent walk out the door,” Haden said. “If you really want to have something, you’ve got to keep them on board. Letting him out of the door, that would just be like the same thing over and over again.”
As of early November, Cleveland had not engaged in contract talks with Collins, whom it acquired from the Patriots days before the trade deadline in exchange for what will likely turn out to be a conditional third-round pick. However, the Browns would like to extend either Collins or wide receiver Terrelle Pryor soon so that the franchise tag remains in play for the other when free agency rolls around. Collins has denied a report that indicated he wanted “Von Miller money,” but he is reportedly aiming to top fellow linebacker Luke Kuechly‘s $12.36MM annual average.
Here’s more on the Browns:
- Quarterback Robert Griffin III will start practicing next week, Jackson told reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link), today. However, RG3 has yet to be officially cleared for contact, so it’s an open question as to what level of exertion he’ll be able to demonstrate. Cleveland would be able to bring Griffin back from injured reserve if it chooses to do so, and the club has given every indication that it will do just that.
- Former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel settled his civil suit with ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley months ago, and though no money was involved in the agreement, Manziel was issued a two-year protective order, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. That turn of events likely helped to bring about yesterday’s tentative settlement between Manziel and prosecutors, a deal that should see the quarterback’s charges dismissed.
- While the two settlements represent good news for Manziel, not everything is rosy for the embattled quarterback. If Manziel ends up getting signed by an NFL club, he could be facing league penalties, as NFL chief disciplinary officer Todd Jones once told Jane McManus of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that Manziel would be looking at a six-game suspension.
Rob Gronkowski Won’t Play Sunday Vs. 49ers
The Patriots will be without one of the primary offensive weapons on Sunday, as tight end Rob Gronkowski wasn’t on the plane that took the Pats from New England to the Bay Area, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter link) had reported earlier in the day that Gronkowski didn’t participate in Friday’s practice and was unlikely to suit up against the 49ers.
[RELATED: Patriots Explored Martellus Bennett Extension]
Reports have differed as to what exactly will keep Gronkowski out of Sunday’s matchup — while initial reports indicated that Gronkowski suffered a punctured lung, subsequent information has revealed that the All Pro tight end may only be dealing with a chest injury. Either way, the ailment is serious enough to prevent Gronkowski from making the cross country trip, but New England will still be a heavy favorite against a San Francisco team that has only managed a single victory.
With Gronkowski out, the Patriots could instead feature their run game on Sunday, especially given that they’re facing a Niners club that ranks 31st in run defense DVOA. Veteran tight end Martellus Bennett will be the direct replacement for Gronkowski, and figures to see a few more targets than he normally would. On the season, Bennett has hauled 38 passes for 504 yards and four touchdowns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/18/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The Jaguars announced today that they’ve promoted offensive lineman Jeremiah Poutasi from the practice squad to the active roster. In a corresponding move, the club waived fellow OL Bryce Harris. Poutasi, 22, was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2015 draft, but Tennessee’s new regime cut ties with him after only a single season. Harris, meanwhile, has bounced around the league since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
- The Cardinals have placed linebacker Gabe Martin on injured reserve with a knee injury and promoted LB Zaviar Gooden from the practice squad, according to a team announcement. Martin had only played 19 defensive snaps on the season, but had been a force on special teams, where he’d played on 64% of Arizona’s plays. Like Poutasi, Gooden is a former Titans third-round pick, having been drafted in 2013.
- The Rams announced that they’ve placed rookie wide receiver Nelson Spruce on injured reserve after he suffered calf injury. To fill his roster spot, Los Angles has promoted defensive back Blake Countess from the practice squad. Additionally, the Rams signed defensive end Lenny Jones to the taxi squad, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com.
Charles Walker Leaving OU For NFL Draft Prep
2017 draft prospect Charles Walker is leaving the University of Oklahoma in order to prepare for next year’s NFL draft, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Walker informed Sooners head coach Bob Stoops of his decision today, per Rapoport.
[RELATED: Bears Scouting QB Prospect Brad Kaaya]
The reaction to Walker’s decision has been swift and unkind, both from within the team and from outsiders. “Quitting on your teammates is hard to take as a coach,” said Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops in perhaps the sternest rebuke of Walker’s move to leave school (Twitter link via Ryan Abers of the Oklahoman). Meanwhile, Walker’s work ethic had already been questioned by scouts, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link), who guesses that Walker’s decision won’t be well-received.
Walker drew praise for his 2015 campaign, during which he posted six sacks and 36 tackles in 11 games. This season, however, he’s been limited by a concussion, and has played in only four contests. Draftniks differ on his valuation, as well, as Miller ranks Walker as the No. 35 overall player, while CBSSports.com places Walker just 91st overall as the ninth-best defensive tackle.