Chargers Place Eric Weddle, Others On IR
1:50pm: The Chargers have confirmed that Weddle has officially been placed on IR, one of six moves today affecting the club’s 53-man roster. Here’s the full list:
Placed on IR:
- TE Ladarius Green (ankle)
- DT Sean Lissemore (shoulder)
- S Darrell Stuckey (knee)
- S Eric Weddle (groin)
Signed to 53-man roster:
- S Matt Daniels (from practice squad)
- TE Sean McGrath (from practice squad)
12:59pm: Veteran safety Eric Weddle may have played his last game with the Chargers. After injuring his groin in the team’s Week 16 contest against the Raiders, Weddle is being placed on injured reserve by San Diego, ending his season, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Weddle, who will turn 31 next Monday, has been with the Chargers since being selected by the club in the second ronud of the 2007 draft. In his nine seasons with San Diego, he has appeared in 137 total regular season games (122 starts), earning three Pro Bowl berths and two All-Pro nods. The 2015 campaign was his first year without an interception — he has racked up 19 over the course of his career.
With Weddle’s contract set to expire, the Utah product appears likely to continue his NFL career with a team besides the Chargers. While he had some interest in engaging in extension discussions with San Diego earlier in the year, the team didn’t reciprocate that interest, prompting agent David Canter to suggest that his client would look forward to hitting free agency in the offseason. Unless the Chargers decide to use their franchise tag on Weddle, he looks like a good bet to reach the open market.
The Chargers will make a corresponding move to fill Weddle’s spot on the roster, but that transactions hasn’t been reported or announced yet.
HGH Allegation Notes: 12/28/15
Speaking over the phone to Peter King of TheMMQB.com on Sunday, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning once again strongly denied allegations connecting him to HGH, which surfaced in an Al Jazeera documentary.
“I can promise you this is a total fabrication,” Manning said. “I simply do not understand how somebody makes up something like this and it becomes a story. And then the guy (Charles Sly) admits he made it up and it’s still a story. How exactly does that work?”
As King and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk both detail, one primary point of contention between Al Jazeera and Manning’s camp is the timeline for when Sly was employed at Indianapolis’s Guyer Institute, which allegedly sent HGH to Manning’s wife. Founder Dale Guyer insists that Sly was never an employee, and only served as an intern in 2013, well after Manning was treated at the facility. However, reporter Deborah Davies is adamant that a transcript of a phone conversation she had with the clinic reveals that Sly began working there in October 2011.
The uncertainty surrounding Sly’s time at the Guyer Institute isn’t the only item related to the report that’s worth passing along today. Here are a few more:
- As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, the NFL had no real jurisdiction over players during the four-month lockout in 2011, and didn’t even didn’t test for HGH until September 2014. As such, even if Manning or other players did use certain PEDs, they may not have violated any league policies.
- In a separate piece at Pro Football Talk, Florio wonders if Manning shouldn’t have simply gone the “no comment” route when these allegations surfaced, rather than extending the news cycle with his repeated, forceful denials. Florio also points out that Manning may not want to sue over the Al Jazeera report – as the quarterback suggested on Sunday that he might – since that process would mean making his private life public. For his part, Steelers linebacker James Harrison – who was also named in the report – said he looked into pursuing legal action, but decided it wouldn’t be worth it monetarily, tweets Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter links) points out that Manning made his visits to the Guyer Institute accompanied by Colts medical people, making it unlikely that the alternative treatment he received there violated any laws or NFL policies.
- According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), the NFL is getting pressured to take these allegations seriously and devote resources to investigating them. After all, the NFL dedicated significant time and energy to the Deflategate allegations, treating them with at least as much weight as PED allegations, so the league will face scrutiny if it doesn’t do the necessary legwork to look into the latest accusations.
Josh Freeman Working Out For Colts
The Colts are bringing in former Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman for a workout, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Indianapolis may be in the market for a free agent QB, with most of the team’s in-house options battling some sort of injury.
The Colts’ still have an outside chance at earning a playoff berth, but several things would have to go right for the team, and that includes winning its Week 17 game against the Titans. With Andrew Luck having been on the shelf for a good chunk of the season, the club’s backup options are dwindling — Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Matt Hasselbeck has sustained a sprained AC joint, while Charlie Whitehurst suffered a hamstring injury. Despite having four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, the Colts may only have one (Stephen Morris) who is healthy enough to play, and he has been with the team for just four days.
Freeman, who turns 28 next month, was Tampa Bay’s full-time starting quarterback from 2009 to 2012, but saw the wheels come off in 2013 and was cut by the Buccaneers. In his first four seasons, the former 17th overall pick completed 58.8% of his passes and tossed 78 touchdowns to go with 63 interceptions, as well as throwing for more than 4,000 yards in 2012.
Since a brief 2013 stint in Minnesota, however, Freeman has bounced around from team to team, unable to find a permanent NFL home. Most recently, he spent some time with the Dolphins this summer and then played for the FXFL’s Brooklyn Bolts in the fall.
Considering how long it has been since Freeman played in an NFL game, the Colts are unlikely to sign him with an eye toward having him play on Sunday. But if he impresses in his audition, perhaps Freeman could be added to the club’s roster as an emergency backup for Week 17 and a potential option for 2016.
Latest On Browns’ Ray Farmer, Mike Pettine
Earlier this month, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com suggested that it’s not realistic to expect Browns general manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine to both return to Cleveland next year. According to Rapoport’s report, the deteriorating relationship between the coaching staff and the front office made it “unfathomable” that the Browns would want to have Farmer and Pettine continue working together in 2016.
Today, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) explores that same line of thinking. Citing sources within the Browns organization, Cole reports that Farmer’s seat appears hotter than Pettine’s, with the head coach considered the more likely candidate to keep his job. Cole’s sources indicate that Farmer’s draft selections and roster decisions are more to blame for Cleveland’s struggles this season than the job Pettine has done with the talent – or lack thereof – he has been given.
While Cole doesn’t go so far as to say that the Browns will fire Farmer in January, it sounds like that’s a realistic possibility. If owner Jimmy Haslam does decide to replace Farmer, Cole expects Chris Ballard (Chiefs), George Paton (Vikings), and Duke Tobin (Bengals) to receive consideration for the job, since those executives are viewed by the NFL as some of the top general manager candidates around the league.
With one week until the NFL’s Black Monday, I’d imagine there are several scenarios still in play in Cleveland, but it sounds like any outcome that involves both Pettine and Farmer staying in their current roles is extremely unlikely.
NFC Notes: Forte, Lions, Lynch, Bonuses
With Matt Forte‘s contract set to expire, Bears tackle Kyle Long hopes to continue playing with his veteran teammate, but knows there’s a chance next week’s game could be their last together, as Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com writes.
“I’d love to play with Matt forever, but it’s a business,” Long said. “I understand that. If he is around, I’ll be as psyched as anybody. And it will be one of the hardest things ever to see him in another jersey if that’s the case. But we have one more game with him, sure. We’re going to run the workhorse until the wheels fall off.”
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has turned around his 2015 season since Jim Bob Cooter took over as the team’s offensive coordinator, so it’s no surprise that Stafford would like to see Cooter keep the job in 2016, as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com details.
- Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch hasn’t progressed as quickly as expected in his recovery from a sports hernia ailment, but he was seen training on Christmas Day at a San Francisco facility. The 29-year-old is expected to be back in Seattle this week, with an eye on potentially returning to practice, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. A determination on Lynch’s ability to play in his fifth postseason with the Seahawks remains elusive, however.
- In advance of the Seahawks‘ rematch with the Rams on Sunday, GM John Schneider said offensive rookie of the year contender Todd Gurley rated as the No. 1 player on Seattle’s draft board, the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta reports (on Twitter).
- Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (Twitter links) identifies a couple players with major money on the line in Week 17, noting that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson‘s 2016 roster bonus will be reduced by $1MM if he doesn’t rush for 132 yards against the Packers, while Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee will miss out on a $2MM salary increase if his playing time for the season dips below 80% (he’s currently at 82.1%).
- One player who has cashed in on bonus money recently is Cardinals edge defender Dwight Freeney, who earned an extra $300K on Sunday after racking up three more sacks. Per Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter links), Cardinals president Michael Bidwell says he hopes to write Freeney a year-end bonus check worth more than the $500K the veteran pass rusher has already earned.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Updated Projections For 2016 Draft Order
Last week, we examined what the NFL’s projected draft order for the top 10 picks of 2016 would look like, with the Titans in the lead for the number one overall pick. Tennessee’s blowout loss to the Texans on Sunday kept the Titans firmly in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick, and the club could clinch that top selection with a loss next weekend against the Colts.
While the outlook at the top of the projected 2016 draft order remains the same, with the Browns right behind the Titans for that first overall pick, there were a few other changes to the top 10 based on this weekend’s results. The Ravens’ win over Pittsburgh dropped Baltimore from No. 3 to No. 8, while victories by the Saints and Bears removed those teams from the top 10 for now, with the Buccaneers and Giants taking over their spots.
Here’s the current projected order for the top 10 picks of the 2016 NFL draft, with just one week left in the regular season. Teams are sorted by worst record, with strength of schedule serving as the tiebreaker — the weaker a team’s schedule, the higher its draft pick.
- Tennessee Titans: 3-12 (.493)
- Cleveland Browns: 3-12 (.532)
- San Diego Chargers: 4-11 (.511)
- Dallas Cowboys: 4-11 (.529)
- San Francisco 49ers: 4-11 (.558)
- Miami Dolphins: 5-10 (.453)
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-10 (.467)
- Baltimore Ravens: 5-10 (.489)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-9 (.453)
- New York Giants: 6-9 (.498)
While a loss by the Titans would lock them into the first overall pick, the door remains open for the Browns, and given all the ties on this list, it’s possible the top 10 could shuffle around significantly by next Monday, so stay tuned.
East Notes: Coughlin, Grimes, Eagles, Pats
Asked after Sunday night’s embarrassing loss to the Vikings about his job security, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin insisted that he’s not worried about it, and that it’ll “take care of itself,” according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.
While Coughlin claims he’s not concerned about his future with the Giants, he probably should be, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, who adds that the “walls are closing in” on the team’s longtime head coach. Graziano adds that there was a strange vibe in New York’s locker room after Sunday’s game, suggesting that players seem somewhat resigned to Coughlin’s potential fate, despite the fact that most of those players still strongly support and respect the coach.
As we wait to see what the next couple weeks hold for the Giants and Coughlin, let’s check in on some other notes out of the NFL’s East divisions….
- As Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes, members of the Dolphins‘ front office, including Mike Tannenbaum, aren’t thrilled with the attention that Brent Grimes‘ wife, Miko Grimes, brings to the organization. After being arrested before a game earlier this season, she has recently been critical of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, as well as certain local media members. Although her outspoken nature may not significantly impact Grimes’ future in Miami, it’s fair to wonder if it’ll be taken into consideration if the club explores the possibility of cutting the cornerback or asking him to take a pay cut.
- After Jason Peters removed himself from Saturday’s game against Washington, reports surfaced that the Eagles’ veteran tackle didn’t want to risk further injury for a team that wasn’t headed to the playoffs. Confirming that story, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News explores what it might mean for Peters and Chip Kelly in 2016.
- The Patriots took another injury hit on Sunday when starting tackle Sebastian Vollmer went down with a sprained ankle, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Vollmer has an MRI scheduled for Monday.
- The fact that the usually-effusive Jerry Jones wasn’t even willing to talk to reporters following the Cowboys‘ latest loss is a reflection of how bad things have gotten in Dallas this season, says Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk. It’ll be interesting to see whether the frustrating year results in major offseason changes, or if the Joneses will simply count on Tony Romo‘s return to reverse the team’s fortunes in 2016.
Patriots Sign Steven Jackson
SATURDAY, 1:59pm: Jackson’s deal does not include a signing bonus or any guaranteed money, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports, and the 12th-year veteran will make just more than $114K for two regular-season games with the Patriots. Additional compensation will come Jackson’s way if he remains on New England’s playoff roster.
Jackson’s contract falls under the Minimum Salary Benefit guidelines, Howe notes, meaning the ex-Ram and Falcon runner will occupy just more than $68K of the Pats’ salary cap.
TUESDAY, 11:48am: The Patriots have made the move official, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed Jackson. To make room on the roster, New England cut defensive tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, less than a week after signing him.
MONDAY, 10:07am: After featuring a three-headed rushing attack on Sunday that included Brandon Bolden, James White, and Joey Iosefa, the Patriots will add a veteran to the mix, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the club will sign free agent running back Steven Jackson.
While Jackson had an excellent run in St. Louis, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons and earning three Pro Bowl nods, he appeared to have lost a step during his two years with the Falcons. In 27 games with Atlanta, Jackson ran for 1,250 yards on 347 carries, an average of 3.6 yards per attempt. He was cut by the Falcons in February and there had been no reports of him working out for NFL teams since then, until he met with the Patriots last week.
With LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis lost for the year, the Patriots have been playing shorthanded in the backfield — White has played well, but is generally a pass-catching back, leaving Bolden and Iosefa to handle most of the carries. Iosefa hadn’t appeared in an NFL game prior to yesterday’s contest against the Titans, and Bolden is more of a special-teamer than a feature back, so Jackson will add some veteran depth to the roster.
According to Anderson (via Twitter), Jackson will be signing a one-year deal with the Pats, so he’s simply being viewed as a short-term option. The move may not bode well for Montee Ball‘s chances of reaching the active roster in the coming weeks — Ball remains on New England’s practice squad for now.
Community Tailgate: NFL’s Best Offenses
As the NFL regular season nears its end, there are plenty of topics and storylines to discuss, and PFR’s Community Tailgate is designed to address those stories. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. We’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.
Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.
The 14-0 Panthers have been the NFL’s best and most consistent team this season, and you could make the case that their offense has also been the league’s best. No team has scored more than Carolina’s 449 points (32.1 points per game) and 53 touchdowns, and quarterback Cam Newton looks like a shoo-in for the MVP award.
The Panthers’ offense is hardly the league’s clear-cut top unit though. The Cardinals lead the NFL with 422.9 yards per game, and Arizona is right behind Carolina in terms of points (445) and touchdowns (52).
Of course, when it comes to DVOA, neither the Panthers nor the Cardinals rank in the top two. Football Outsiders places the Steelers and the Seahawks first and second in DVOA, respectively, and those are the only two teams who rank in the top five in DVOA in terms of both passing offense and rushing offense. Certainly, in recent weeks, Pittsburgh’s and Seattle’s offenses have looked virtually unstoppable — the Seahawks have five victories in a row, while the Steelers have won five of six.
Finally, no list of the NFL’s best offenses this season would be complete without mentioning the Patriots, who currently rank fourth in DVOA and yards per game, and third in total points (435) and touchdowns (49).
What do you think? If you were heading into a must-win game with any team’s offense at your disposal, which one would you want? Which offense is the NFL’s best? Weigh in below in the comments section with your thoughts!
Cowboys Place Tony Romo On IR
FRIDAY, 3:14pm: The Cowboys have officially placed Romo on IR, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. To fill the open roster spot, Dallas promoted quarterback Jameill Showers from the practice squad.
MONDAY, 11:14am: Following the Cowboys’ Saturday loss to the Jets, the club was officially eliminated from the postseason, prompting owner Jerry Jones to indicate that he expected quarterback Tony Romo to head to injured reserve. Citing a source, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News confirms that will indeed be the case, with Romo set to land on IR within the next few days.
Romo, who re-injured his collarbone in a Thanksgiving loss to the Panthers, had remained on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster over the last few weeks, as the team held out hope that its starting quarterback could return to action in the playoffs. Dallas hung around a little longer than expected in the weak NFC East, but with three teams ahead of them in the standings, the Cowboys never seemed like a real threat to win the division once Romo went down for a second time.
Romo, 35, will officially finish the 2015 season with 884 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions in four games. Despite Romo’s somewhat pedestrian numbers, the club won three of his four starts, and has gone 1-9 in games started by Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel. Kellen Moore will become the fourth quarterback to get a start for the Cowboys this season, with head coach Jason Garrett announcing this morning that Moore will get the nod in Week 16 against the Bills.