Alshon Jeffery Unlikely To Play Vs. Colts
Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery returned to practice on a limited basis this week, but it’s still unlikely that he plays against the Colts in Week 3, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94 WIP.
“Yeah,” head coach Doug Pederson said when asked if Jeffery was progressing. “I mean, he’s a lot like Carson (Wentz) was a couple weeks ago being able to get back into the mix and do some 11-on-11 stuff. This will be a big week in that regard.”
Jeffery, who is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, participated in individual drives this week, per Parks. He still hasn’t taken part in 11-on-11 work, which could mean he’s yet to be cleared for contact. For reference, Philadelphia wanted Wentz to take part in at least one week of full contact drills before being re-inserted into the starting lineup, so the club could conceivably be taking a similar approach with Jeffery.
Jeffery, 28, originally signed a one-year, $9.5MM deal with the Eagles in the spring of 2017, but Philadelphia was impressed enough with his production to extend him on a four-year, $52MM pact in December. While Jeffery post a somewhat disappointing 57 receptions and 789 yards last year, he did manage to get into the end zone nine times (second-most of his career).
The Eagles’ wide receiver corps could desperately use Jeffery, especially after the club placed Mike Wallace on injured reserve this week. On Tuesday, Philadelphia signed Jordan Matthews to play alongside Nelson Agholor, Kamar Aiken, and Shelton Gibson.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/20/18
Today’s practice squad updates:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Jamil Demby
- Released: WR Keon Hatcher
New England Patriots
- Released: RB Kenneth Farrow
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: TE Billy Brown, WR DeAndre Carter
- Released: WR Reggie Davis
East Rumors: Patriots, Cowboys, Bills
Reports of discord within the Patriots‘ organization are nothing new, but a new book by ESPN’s Ian O’Connor has shed even more light on the dynamic between head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. In “Belichick: The Making of the Greatest Football Coach of All Time,” O’Connor reports that Brady would “divorce” Belichick if he could, but feared alienating New England fans after the Patriots traded backup (and possible successor) Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers last season. “If you’re married 18 years to a grouchy person who gets under your skin and never compliments you, after a while you want to divorce him,” a source told O’Connor. Brady will return for yet another season with the Belichick and the Patriots after agreeing to a revised contract that includes multiple performance-based incentives.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- The Cowboys, perhaps unsurprisingly, don’t have any interest in re-signing veteran wide receiver Dez Bryant, as executive Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan (Twitter link via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News). “Don’t necessarily see that at this moment, but we’re always looking for ways to improve,” Jones said. “Obviously we’re focused on the guys that are on our team at the moment.” Dallas is currently fielding arguably the league’s worst receiving corps, as complementary options such as Cole Beasley, Tavon Austin, Deonte Thompson, and Allen Hurns top the club’s depth chart. Bryant, though, wouldn’t be a clear improvement after a disappointing 2017 campaign. Now 29 years old, Bryant has been linked to multiple clubs this offseason, but only came close to a contact with the Browns, who could still opt to sign him.
- Speaking of Bryant, the veteran receiver was a factor in Brice Butler re-signing with the Cowboys this week, per Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram, who notes Bryant told Butler to head back to Dallas if the opportunity presented itself. As Hill tweets, the Cowboys called Butler after a Week 1 loss to the Panthers, so his addition was in the works for awhile. Butler, who had spent his entire career in Dallas before signing with the Cardinals this spring, signed a two-year deal, per Calvin Watkins of The Athletic (Twitter link). He’ll earn the veteran minimum of $790K in 2018.
- Before signing with the Vikings earlier this week, defensive tackle Tom Johnson drew interest from the Bills and Browns, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Johnson, whose release from the Seahawks precipitated his free agency, was in fact close to signing with Buffalo before Vikings defensive line coach Andre Patterson — who led Johnson in Minnesota from 2014-17 — reached out. Seattle also expressed interest in re-signing Johnson, but his number of suitors allowed to him to a land a one-year, $1MM deal from the Vikings, one that includes $500K in incentives.
49ers Activate LB Reuben Foster
The 49ers have activated linebacker Reuben Foster from the suspended list and released offensive tackle Matt Tobin, the club announced today.
Foster never actually suffered any legal consequences as the result of several off-field incidents during the offseason, but the NFL still suspended him two games for violating the league’s conduct and substance abuse policies. The 31st overall pick in the 2017 draft, Foster was outstanding in his 10-game rookie season, posting 59 tackles in total. He should slide back in as San Francisco’s weak side linebacker while veteran Malcolm Smith moves to the strong side.
Tobin, 30, boasts 57 games of pro experience with the Eagles and Seahawks, but he’d been inactive for each of the 49ers’ first two games. He signed with the Patriots this offseason but was released during final cutdowns, and signed with the 49ers two days later.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/18
Today’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from suspension: G Jamon Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: WR KhaDarel Hodge
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Mike Thomas
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Tommylee Lewis
New York Giants
- Waived: FB Shane Smith
Cardinals Work Out WR Kendall Wright
The Cardinals worked out Kendall Wright and other (as yet unidentified) free agent receivers this week, but don’t plan to sign any of the pass-catchers, head coach Steve Wilks told reporters, including Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link).
Wright inked a one-year, $1MM deal with the Vikings this spring that contained $400K guaranteed, but he was cut loose earlier this month. Scheduled to be Minnesota’s slot receiver between Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, Wright was beaten out by former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell for a starting spot. Given his lack of special teams prowess, Wright didn’t hold much appeal as a reserve for Minnesota.
Wright’s fit with the Cardinals also could have been suspect, as he’s played primarily in the slot throughout this career. In Arizona, that role is held by future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald. A former first-round pick, Wright spent five years with the Titans before landing with the Bears in 2017. The lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal passing attack, Wright posted a team-leading 59 receptions and 614 yards in his only season with Chicago.
Since being cut by the Vikings, Wright has auditioned for the Patriots, Redskins, and Jaguars.
Packers Activate RB Aaron Jones
The Packers have activated running back Aaron Jones from the suspended list and waived cornerback Deante Burton, the club announced today.
Jones, 23, was handed a two-game ban for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy after an October 2017 arrest. A fifth-round pick in last year’s draft, Jones was excellent during his rookie campaign, averaging 5.5 yards per carry on 88 attempts. Among running backs with fewer than 100 carries, Jones finished first in DYAR (a representation of his value over a replacement level player) and second in DVOA (meaning he was effective on a per-play basis), per Football Outsiders.
Jones isn’t coming back to Green Bay as a starter despite his production a season ago. After Jones missed the tail end of the 2017 campaign with an MCL injury, fellow rookie Jamaal Williams took over as the Packers’ workhorse. In total, Williams handled 153 carries an averaged 3.6 yard per carry last year, and has shouldered the load through Green Bay’s first two games this season. With Ty Montgomery also in tow, Jones will be eased back into the club’s offensive gameplan.
Burton played receiver at Kansas State but converted to cornerback upon being signed as a Falcons undrafted free agent in 2017. He played in one game for Atlanta this year before being cut.
Patriots Sign WR Corey Coleman To Practice Squad
The Patriots have signed wide receiver Corey Coleman to their practice squad, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
New England originally signed Coleman to its 53-man roster earlier this month, but he was cut when the Patriots acquired another former Brown — the mercurial Josh Gordon — via trade on Monday. Given that he’s only accrued two NFL seasons, Coleman still has practice squad eligibility, and will be given the opportunity to develop with the Patriots in practice and in meetings.
Given the Patriots’ unsettled wide receiver depth chart, Coleman could still conceivably work his way back onto their active roster this season. With Julian Edelman suspended for two more games, New England’s list of pass-catchers includes only Chris Hogan, Gordon, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson (excluding special-teamer Matthew Slater).
Coleman, the 15th overall pick in the 2016 draft, didn’t produce during his two seasons with the Browns, but that was partly due his suffering a broken hand in each campaign. Cleveland moved on Coleman earlier this year, trading him to the Bills for a 2020 seventh-round pick, but Buffalo waived him before the regular season got underway.
Cowboys To Sign WR Brice Butler
The Cowboys have reunited with wide receiver Brice Butler. Saad Yousuf of The Athletic was the first to report the news on Monday (Twitter link). 
Butler, 28, began his career with the Raiders but spent the 2014-17 seasons with the Cowboys. He was never a focal point of the club’s offense, as he averaged just 16 receptions, 269 yards, and two touchdowns during those four campaigns, but he offers familiarity with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan‘s scheme. Butler inked a two-year deal with the Cardinals this offseason but failed to make it through final cutdowns.
Dallas currently fields one of the league’s worst receiving units, as its depth chart is filled with complementary options such as Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns, Tavon Austin, Terrance Williams, Deonte Thompson, and rookie Michael Gallup. Through two games, Beasley leads the club in receptions (nine) and yards (86), while Austin is the only Cowboys receiver to catch a touchdown pass.
Texans Audition DL Anthony Lanier
The Texans are working out free agent defensive lineman Anthony Lanier on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Lanier, 25, spent the 2016-17 seasons with the Redskins after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama A&M, but was waived just before the 2018 campaign got underway. Last year, Lanier appeared in 11 games and made two starts while playing on 44% of Washington’s defensive snaps and 21% of the club’s special teams snaps. In total, Lanier racked up 11 tackles and an impressive 5.5 sacks.
Houston is in need of defensive line depth as both Jadeveon Clowney and Christian Covington are dealing with injuries. Clowney missed Sunday’s loss to the Titans with elbow and back issues, while thigh and knee questions prevented Covington from suiting up.