Jon Bon Jovi Interested In Titans Ownership
Signer Jon Bon Jovi is watching the Titans ownership situation and continues to express interest in purchasing an NFL club, sources tell Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
[RELATED: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart]
A group involving Bon Jovi reportedly bid more than $1 billion for the Bills back in 2014, but that clan was ultimately outbid by Terry Pegula for the rights to own the Buffalo franchise. However, that experience has “not dampened [Bon Jovi’s] enthusiasm” for purchasing an NFL club, and while he would have competition for the Titans if the organization hit the market, Bon Jovi would certainly be “in the mix,” per La Canfora.
The Titans are still non-complaint with the league’s single owner mandate, and while they’ve already faced NFL discipline, more fines could be forthcoming. Amy Adams Strunk maintains that she will not sell the club, but the team still has “significant hurdles” to overcome to comply with the league’s structure requirements.
Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, per La Canfora, also has interest in someday owning a part of the Titans franchise.
Packers RB James Starks Undergoes Surgery
Packers running back James Starks underwent knee surgery this morning and will miss several weeks of action, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Starks had already been announced as out for today’s game against the Cowboys.
[RELATED: Packers Activate Mike Pennel]
Starks, 30, re-signed with Green Bay on a two-year deal this spring. Through four games, he had managed 24 carries in relief of starter Eddie Lacy, posting a paltry 1.8 yards per carry and no touchdowns. During his seven-year career, Starks has rushed for more 2,400 yards and scored nine times, all with the Packers.
Lacy is dealing with an injury of his own (ankle) but will be able to start today, and the Packers opted not to add another running back to their roster in advance of today’s contest. As Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reported yesterday, Green Bay will rely on receivers Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery to backup Lacy, given that fullback Aaron Ripkowski is the only other ball-carrier on the 53.
Raiders To Sign Cooper Helfet
The Raiders have agreed to sign free agent tight end Cooper Helfet, according to his agent Doug Hendrickson (Twitter link). Helfet has been on the open market since being waived by the Seahawks in August.
[RELATED: Oakland Raiders Depth Chart]
A former UDFA out of Duke, Helfet had played with the Seahawks since 2012, but didn’t make an impact until 2014. The 27-year-old appeared in 23 games over the past two seasons (starting four), posting 25 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns — both of which came in 2015.
The Raiders recently placed veteran tight end Lee Smith on season-ending injured reserve, and fellow TE Clive Walford didn’t play in Week 5 while battling a knee injury. Farther down the club’s depth chart, Oakland boasts Mychal Rivera and recent signee Ryan O’Malley.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Carson Palmer Cleared To Play Monday Night
Carson Palmer has cleared the league’s concussion protocol and will start on Sunday against the Jets, the Cardinals announced today.
[RELATED: Cardinals Re-Sign Kerwynn Williams]
Palmer, of course, missed Arizona’s Thursday night contest — a victory over the 49ers — after suffering a concussion during the team’s Week 3 game against the Rams. The Cardinals will face the Jets on Monday night, followed by five of six games against potential NFC contenders. From October 23 to December 4, Arizona’s opponents include the Seahawks, Panthers, Vikings, Falcons and Redskins.
Through four games this year, Palmer has lobbed five interceptions against six touchdowns as the Cardinals have crawled to a 2-3 record on the season. Quarterback Zac Dysert, who was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster to serve as Drew Stanton‘s backup with Palmer sidelined, was cut earlier today.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Raiders’ Mario Edwards To Return Week 9?
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio expects defensive lineman Mario Edwards to return from injured reserve in Week 9, the earliest date that Edwards can get back to game action, according to Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com. Edwards, who suffered a hip injury during the preseason, can start practicing again on Monday after Oakland faces the Chiefs.
[RELATED: Raiders Sign Perry Riley]
Injuries have been a common theme in the brief NFL career of Edwards, whom the Raiders chose in the second round of last year’s draft. The ex-Florida State Seminole suffered a mysterious neck injury that prematurely ended his rookie season, and he didn’t receive medical clearance to return until May.
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 figured to complement superstar Khalil Mack and new acquisition Bruce Irvin in an improved Raiders pass rush this year, but the club will have to wait until at least November to see the trio in action at the same time.
Oakland could certainly use the return of Edwards, as the club’s defense has ranked as one of the league’s worst through five games. The Raiders rank 29th in defensive DVOA, including a No. 29 rank against the pass and a No. 21 rank against the run.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Saints Safety Erik Harris Done For Season
Saints safety and special teams maven Erik Harris underwent ACL surgery today and will be out for the remainder of the year, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Devastatingly, Harris suffered the torn ACL — and meniscus — while intercepting Drew Brees in practice on Monday.
[RELATED: Saints Work Out Bjoern Werner]
Harris, 26, was in the midst of his first NFL season, as he spent 2013-2015 in the CFL playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The California University (Pa.) alum signed a futures deal with New Orleans earlier this year, and ended up making the club’s initial roster. Through four games, Harris had only played two defensive snaps, but managed to see action on 82.5% of the Saints’ special teams snaps.
With Harris sidelined, Rapoport tossed out fellow safety Alden Darby, who was with the Saints during training camp, as a possible option to be signed in the coming days. Darby was waived/injured by New Orleans in August, and went on to spend a few days on the Colts’ roster.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/11/16
We’ll keep track of the day’s auditions here:
- The Buccaneers will work out defensive end Chris McCain on Wednesday, reports Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). McCain, who was traded from Miami to New Orleans during the offseason before ultimately being waived, has appeared in 19 games over the past two seasons.
- After being released by the Redskins last week, veteran defensive end Kendall Reyes landed a workout with the Texans, who are still trying to replace J.J. Watt, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Houston also tried out defensive lineman Lars Koht, per Kaplan.
- The Dolphins worked out cornerbacks Darrin Walls and Blidi Wreh-Wilson before signing Chimdi Chekwa, tweets Caplan, who adds that Miami also auditioned offensive tackle David Foucault. The Dolphins also worked out linebacker Trevor Reilly, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
- Former Buffalo outside linebacker Randell Johnson is visiting the Jets today, as Alex Marvez of the Sporting News tweets. New York also worked out tight end Mitchell Henry, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).
- The Seahawks worked out defensive end Malliciah Goodman on Monday, reports Rand Getlin (on Twitter). Goodman played for Atlanta in his first three NFL seasons. Seattle also took a look at tight end Alex Bayer, defensive end Josh Boyd, cornerback Trae Elston, safety Jordan Lomax, and visited with safety Elijah Shumate, per Balzer (Twitter link).
- The Panthers auditioned offensive tackles Michael Bowie and Pearce Slater, as well as cornerbacks Randall Evans, Tyler Patmon, and Kevin Short, tweets Balzer. Cleveland placed Bowie on the retired list earlier this year, but he’s apparently had a change of heart.
- Offensive tackle Pierce Burton worked out for the Colts today, according to Balzer (Twitter link).
Saints Work Out Handful Of LB/DEs
The Saints auditioned a crop of front seven players today, including one — former first-round pick Bjoern Werner — that was already reported earlier today. The full list is below, all courtesy of Mike Triplett and Field Yates of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted:
- Derek Akunne, LB
- Wes Horton, DE
- Royce LaFrance, DE
- Danny Lansanah, LB
- John Lotulelei, LB
- Dezman Moses, LB
- Andy Mulumba, DE/LB (Twitter link via Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune)
- Shaquille Riddick, LB
- Greg Townsend Jr., DE (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The Advocate)
Lansanah, 31, had spent the last two seasons and change with Tampa Bay before spending a week with the Dolphins in August. Over the last two years, Lansanah appeared in every regular season game for the Bucs, making 22 total starts. In 2014, Lansanah recorded three interceptions, eight pass breakups, 1.5 sacks, and 81 total tackles. His production tailed off last season, though he still notched 47 tackles, one sack, and four pass breakups.
Horton, Lotulelei, Moses, and Mulamba also have prior NFL experience, and Moses leads the pack, as he’s appeared in 45 games with the Packers and Chiefs (mostly on special teams duty). Horton, meanwhile, started 15 games for the Panthers as recently as 2014.
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Minor NFL Transactions: 10/11/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The Lions waived linebacker Steve Longa and released defensive end Wallace Gilberry from the reserve/injured list, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets. Gilberry, 32 in December, has posted 31.5 career sacks.
- The Giants have promoted linebacker Deontae Skinner from their practice squad, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). To open a roster spot, New York waived defensive tackle Montori Hughes.
- In need of a roster opening after claiming cornerback Dwayne Gratz, the Rams have waived defensive lineman Morgan Cox, per Gary Myers of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link).
Lions Work Out O’Brien Schofield
The Lions worked out edge rusher O’Brien Schofield today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Detroit also took at look at defensive tackle Markus Kuhn and running back Terrence Magee.
[RELATED: Lions Sign Justin Forsett]
With Ezekiel Ansah and DeAndre Levy both nursing multi-week injuries, the Lions are on the hunt for bodies along the front seven. Schofield, 29, would fit that mold, and he’s back on the free agent market after being released by the Falcons last week. Schofield followed Dan Quinn from the Seattle to Atlanta in 2015, and proceeded to post 28 tackles, four tackles for losses, two sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.
Magee, meanwhile, probably isn’t going to be signed now that Detroit has inked veteran Justin Forsett. The 23-year-old spent a bit of time with the Seahawks this season, but only managed three carries. Kuhn, 30, has 39 career games under his belt, all coming with the Giants from 2011-15.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.