Seahawks Promote Troymaine Pope
The Seahawks have promoted running back Troymaine Pope from the practice squad to the active roster, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link). Pope will fill the spot vacated by fellow running back Christine Michael, who was waived earlier today.
[RELATED: Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart]
If he’s active on Sunday, Pope will become the fourth running back on the Seattle roster, behind rookies C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins, and second-year player Thomas Rawls, who is set to return to the lineup this Sunday. Pope, 22, will likely serve on special teams duty when the Seahawks face the Eagles. An undrafted free agent this spring, Pope was on Seattle’s roster all summer, before joining the Jets’ practice squad in September.
Meanwhile, a few more details have rolled in related to Michael’s release, and off-the-field concerns don’t appear to have played a role in the move. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), Seattle’s decision to cut ties is simply a football transaction, and is mostly based on the fact that the Seahawks prefer Rawls. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) concurs, noting that Prosise has added a new dimension to Seattle’s offense while Michael has “regressed as a runner.”
Tony Romo On Status As Cowboys No. 2 QB
Tony Romo will be active this Sunday for the first time all season, but as Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced over the weekend, Romo will serve as rookie quarterback Dak Prescott‘s backup rather than as the club’s starter. In an extremely impressive statement, Romo today acknowledged his new role, and vowed that he would act not as a distraction, but as a mentor.
[RELATED: Cowboys Won’t Give Up On Randy Gregory]
“[F]ootball is a meritocracy,” said Romo (video link). “You aren’t handed anything. You earn everything every single day single day, over and over again. You have to prove it. That’s the way that the NFL, that’s the way that football works. A great example of this is Dak Prescott and what he’s done.
He’s earned the right to be our quarterback. As hard as that is for me to say, he’s earned that right. He’s guided our team to an 8-1 record, and that’s hard to do. If you think for a second that I don’t want to be out there, then you’ve probably never felt the pure ecstasy of competing and winning. That hasn’t left me.”
Romo, who referenced the difficulty of facing injury for two consecutive seasons, seeing a successor emerge, and hearing whispers that his career may be nearing its end, admitted that this season has been “the darkest it’s ever been” (from a personal level), and confessed that being sidelined can lead one to feel like an outsider. Additionally, Romo conceded that watching the Cowboys succeed without him is “not always easy to watch,” but made clear that he won’t force the club’s hand as they choose their quarterback going forward.
Free Agent Safety Will Hill’s Suspension Ends
Free agent safety Will Hill‘s 10-game suspension has officially ended, as Doug Kyed of NESN tweets. Hill was suspended in March for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and was subsequently released by the Ravens.
Having made 14 starts in 2015 and received a contract extension from the team, Hill was Baltimore’s best safety last year according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 17th out of 88 qualified safeties at the position. For the season, he had 64 tackles, a sack, an interception, and six passes defended, but he saw his role reduced near the end of the season, appearing in just 49 defensive snaps in the Ravens’ final two games.
Hill has violated NFL policies in the past, resulting in multiple suspensions, so it’s unclear if another club is willing to give him another chance. Typically, however, talent wins out in the NFL, so if Hill can prove that he’s clean, he’s likely to be signed at some point.
Bears Researching Miami QB Brad Kaaya
The Bears are already expressing interest in University of Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link), who adds that Chicago is doing “extensive research” on the Hurricanes signal-caller. In addition to attending multiple Miami contests, the Bears staff has been speaking with those close to Kaaya as they continue to look into acquiring a franchise quarterback.
[RELATED: Bears Activate Marquess Wilson]
Of course, selecting a quarterback during the early rounds of the 2017 draft would likely signal the official end of the Jay Cutler era in Chicago, and it’s been clear that a divorce has been coming for some time. The Bears had planned to continue starting Brian Hoyer over Cutler until Hoyer suffered a season-ending injury, and as of late October, were still planning to move on from Cutler after the season. Head coach John Fox has reportedly seen enough, as well, and is apparently “done” with Cutler, who can be released next offseason without Chicago incurring much salary cap damage.
Kaaya, a junior, has completed 61.5% of his passes for Miami this season, posting more than 2,500 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions through 10 games. He’s the fourth-ranked quarterback on both Miller and CBSSports.com‘s big boards, behind (in varying order) Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, UNC’s Mitch Trubisky, and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/15/16
The Colts worked out a cadre of players today, including veteran offensive lineman Dallas Thomas, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Thomas, 27, started 26 games during his four-year career with Miami, but was cut earlier this year. Indianapolis also auditioned cornerback Will Davis, wide receivers Antwan Goodley and Dres Anderson, and linebacker Davis Tull.
Here’s more from the workout circuit:
- With Cameron Heyward out for the year, the Steelers tried out defensive end Bobby Richardson today, tweets Nick Underhill of the Advocate. Richardson was a 11-game starter during his rookie season in 2015, but has bounced around the league during his sophomore campaign.
- Former Colts defensive back D’Joun Smith worked out for the Packers today, reports Caplan (Twitter link). Smith was a third-round pick in 2015.
- The Seahawks worked out defensive lineman Shaneil Jenkins, per Caplan (Twitter link).
- The Eagles took a look at wide receiver Kenny Lawler and fullback Chris Swain, tweets Caplan.
- Lawler has been busy this week, as Caplan reports (Twitter link) that he also worked out for the Chiefs.
- The Jaguars auditioned offensive tackle Rob Crisp, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
- The Buccaneers worked out offensive lineman Mike Liedtke, tweets Balzer.
- In search of linebacker depth, the Titans tried out free agent Reshard Cliett today, per Balzer (Twitter link).
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/15/16
- The Cardinals announced re-signed punter Drew Butler and cut Ryan Quigley. Butler was previously released with an injury settlement by Arizona on October 4 following a calf issue, but now he’s back in the fold.
- The Chargers have waived center Chris Watt with a failed physical designation, a source tells Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union Tribune (Twitter link). Injuries limited the former third-round pick to 17 games in his first two years and prevented him from taking the field so far in 2016. Watt, who had been on the PUP list, will revert to IR if he clears waivers.
- The Vikings signed offensive tackle Rashod Hill to the 53-man roster off of the Jaguars‘ practice squad, as agent Brett Tessler tweets. Hill will help provide depth in the wake of Jake Long‘s season-ending injury, which has landed him on injured reserve.
- The Bears announced that they’ve promoted offensive lineman Cornelius Edison from the practice squad. He’ll take the place of OL Kyle Long, who was officially placed on IR.
- The Cowboys are promoting wide receiver Vince Mayle from the practice squad to the active roster, according to a tweet from his agents at Reign Sports. Mayle is a former fourth-round selection of the Browns.
- The Colts announced that they have claimed linebacker Deon King off waivers from the Chargers and waived wide receiver Marcus Leak.
Bears Activate Marquess Wilson
The Bears have made a handful of roster moves today, and the transactions are headlined by the activation of wide receiver Marquess Wilson from the physically unable to perform list, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports (all Twitter links). Additionally, Chicago has placed defensive lineman Will Sutton on injured reserve and signed fellow defensive lineman C.J. Wilson to take his place on the 53-man roster.
[RELATED: Alshon Jeffery Suspended Four Games]
Marquess Wilson, 24, should add a reinforcement at wide receiver now that Alshon Jeffery is set to miss the next month after a PED suspension. Out since the summer with a broken foot, Wilson should immediately slot back into the Bears’ regular receiver rotation. 2015 marked the third NFL season for Wilson, and he turned in a career-high 464 yards off of 28 catches with a touchdown in 11 games. He’ll become a free agent after the season.
Sutton becomes the latest Bear to fall victim to injury, and is now the 12th player Chicago has placed on IR, tweets Biggs. A third-round pick under the club’s previous regime, Sutton was involved in trade rumors this offseason, but ultimately remained in the Windy City. Thus far in 2015, Sutton had appeared in eight games, starting six.
C.J. Wilson, 29, has 78 career games under his belt, with most of that time coming as a rotational option with Packers from 2010-2013. He played in 12 contests in 2015 (eight with the Lions, four with the Raiders), and picked up nine total tackles to go along with one sack. Wilson has bounced on and off Chicago’s roster this season, but hasn’t actually appeared in a game with the Bears.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Cyril Richardson, QB Josh Woodrum
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Kenny Hilliard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Arturo Uzdavinis
New England Patriots
- Cut: TE Kennard Backman
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: OL Fahn Cooper
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Kourtnei Brown, RB Russell Hansbrough, OL Kyler Kerbyson
- Cut: S Trae Elston
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Jeremiah McKinnon
- Cut: Cody Riggs
Washington Redskins
- Signed: CB Dashaun Phillips
- Cut: LB Carlos Fields
NFL Views Zeke Elliott As “Public Enemy No. 1”
The NFL is continuing its investigation into domestic violence allegations aimed at Ezekiel Elliott, and one source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com that the league now views the Cowboys running back as “public enemy No. 1.” Elliott is under scrutiny following complaints in Ohio and Florida, both from the same woman.
[RELATED: Tony Romo Could Be Active Next Week]
After the NFL botched the probes into DV claims against former Ravens running back Ray Rice and former Giants kicker Josh Brown, Schefter reports that the league is now attempting to be “as thorough as possible” as it looks into Elliott, and is determined to avoid the same type of mistakes it has made in past inquiries. Elliott’s ex-girlfriend, the victim in the investigation, is cooperating with the NFL as it examines the accusations against the first-round rookie.
Late last month, Elliott’s legal advisor released a statement calling on the NFL to close its probe, arguing that his client has already been interviewed by the league. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also seemingly wants the matter to end, or at least get some clarification as to its status, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported that Jones attempted to speak with NFL investigator Lisa Friel during recent league meetings. Friel, however, did not engage with Jones.
Vikings OT Jake Long Done For Season
Veteran Vikings offensive tackle Jake Long suffered a torn Achilles in the club’s loss to the Redskins, head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters, including Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (Twitter links). Long is likely finished for the season.
[RELATED: Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart]
Injuries have hit the Vikings hard dating back to training camp, when quarterback Teddy Bridgewater went down with a severe knee injury. Since that time, Minnesota has not only lost All Pro running back Adrian Peterson, but suffered a number of injuries along the offensive line. Both of the club’s starting tackles — Matt Kalil and Andre Smith — are already on injured reserve, while key reserve Mike Harris hasn’t played this season while dealing with an illness.
Backup options haven’t sufficed for the Vikings, as the club ranks dead last in adjusted line yards and 22nd in pass protection, according to Football Outsiders’ metrics. Second-string tackles T.J. Clemmings and Jeremiah Sirles have been among the worst blockers in the league, and will now face even more pressure to perform with Long on the sidelines.
Long, a former No. 1 overall pick, spent the 2015 season with the Falcons after signing on midway through September. The veteran was hoping to have a bounce-back season in Atlanta, but he wound up only appearing in four games and he didn’t start in any of those contests. Long, who tore his ACL during both the 2013 and 2014 campaigns, had started three games for the Vikings thus far.