Lions To Place Tyrunn Walker On IR
Lions defensive lineman Tyrunn Walker suffered a broken fibula in last night’s game against the Seahawks, and will undergo surgery that will end his season, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). According to Rapoport, the Lions will place Walker on the injured reserve list, but he’s expected to eventually make a full recovery.
Walker, 25, took on a part-time role in New Orleans last season and played well, recording 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks. However, New Orleans elected not to make him a restricted free agent tender offer in the offseason, perhaps due to to cap constraints, and the Lions landed him as an unrestricted free agent.
In the early going this season, Walker had played more defensive snaps than any other player on the Lions’ defensive line, so losing him will big a blow to a club that had already been trying to deal with the offseason departures of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Making matters worse, Haloti Ngata suffered a calf injury against Seattle and is getting an MRI today, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Caraun Reid, Gabe Wright, and Jermelle Cudjo are currently the only healthy defensive tackles on Detroit’s roster, so the team figures to eye depth at the position this week.
Dolphins Rumors: Coyle, Lazor, Tannehill
While former Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin is now out of a job, it doesn’t appear a decision has been finalized on equally embattled defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter), new interim head coach Dan Campbell is expected to make a call today on Coyle, since Mike Tannenbaum empowered Campbell to make staff decisions.
As we wait to see what Campbell decides, let’s round up a few more Dolphins items….
- According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Coyle is “as disliked by his players as any coach we’ve encountered here.” Jackson has heard from multiple sources that the benefits of Campbell replacing Philbin may only be marginal if Coyle or offensive coordinator Bill Lazor isn’t replaced as well.
- If Campbell decides to make a change at defensive coordinator, linebackers coach Mark Duffner would be a candidate for the role, since he’s “well liked” within the organization, writes Jackson.
- Jackson and Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (all Twitter links) are among those corroborating and confirming most of Aaron Wilson’s report from yesterday on an altercation involving Ryan Tannehill and Dolphins practice squad players.
- Although no reporters have confirmed Wilson’s account that Tannehill told a player to “enjoy [his] practice squad pay check,” Jackson and Marvez both provided additional details on the practice incident, and Marvez says Campbell intends to conduct practices differently in the wake of that incident.
- Jackson also noted that – as Wilson reported – Tannehill “said something to the effect that he would prepare a scout team trophy case” for linebacker Chris McCain following a turnover in practice.
- Dolphins owner Stephen Ross admitted to Jackson that there’s a possibility he overestimated the talent on the club’s roster. “We knew where our weaknesses were and we thought we could overcome those weaknesses and develop players that could play at that level,” Ross said. “No team has all stars, but they work together as a team and they make up for the deficiencies that other players have. I didn’t see that development happening.”
- Ross on whether he should have fired Philbin after the 2014 season: “That’s an easy thing to say now. In retrospect, sure. I didn’t believe it then. … I may be accused of having maybe too much loyalty, but I felt that we had the right people in place…. I don’t think anybody out there wants to win more than I do…. I put my money where my mouth is, and we’re doing everything we can to win.”
Bills Working Out Trent Richardson, Other RBs
Appearing on WGR 550 in Buffalo this morning, Bills general manager Doug Whaley confirmed that running back Karlos Williams sustained a concussion this weekend, raising uncertainty about his status in Week 5 (Twitter links via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com). With LeSean McCoy also sidelined by a hamstring injury, Whaley acknowledged that the team will bring in some free agents for a workout, and will consider adding outside help.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links) has now identified a couple participants in that audition, reporting that former third overall pick Trent Richardson will work out for the Bills. Ex-Colt Boom Herron, who tried out for the Patriots this week, will also be among the backs in attendance at the Buffalo workout, according to Rapoport, while John Wawrow of The Associated Press tweets that Alfonso Smith will be there as well.
As Rodak notes, recently released running back Bryce Brown could also be an option for the Bills, who will be significantly short-handed at running back if McCoy and Williams are both ruled out for this weekend’s game. Currently, Boobie Dixon and Cierre Wood, who was recently promoted from the team’s practice squad, are the only healthy backs on the 53-man roster.
Buccaneers Re-Sign Connor Barth
9:23am: The Buccaneers have now announced Barth’s signing in a press release, making it official.
9:08am: A day after waiving Kyle Brindza, the Buccaneers have found a new kicker — their old kicker. Tampa Bay is re-signing Connor Barth, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). We heard yesterday that Barth, Kai Forbath, Randy Bullock, and Billy Cundiff were working out for the Bucs.
Barth, 29, was the Bucs’ full-time kicker from 2009 to 2012, converting on 84.3% of his field goal attempts during that stretch, including 12 of 18 from beyond 50 yards. After being sidelined for the entire 2013 season, Barth signed with the Broncos last season and made 15 of 16 field goals for Denver. However, he was cut by both the Broncos and the Bucs prior to the 2015 season.
Brindza initially beat out Barth – and Patrick Murray – for the Buccaneers’ kicking job this season, but the rookie missed seven kicks (five field goals and two extra points) in Tampa Bay’s last two games, forcing the club to make a change. Yesterday, Bucs head coach Lovie Smith indicated that the team’s top priority in a new career was accuracy, so the fact that Barth isn’t known for his booming kickoffs is a secondary concern for Tampa Bay.
It’ll be a two-year deal for Barth, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter).
Bears To Sign Sherrod Martin
A month after releasing him from their roster, the Bears are set to re-sign free agent defensive back Sherrod Martin, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The corresponding move for Martin’s signing isn’t yet known, but center Will Montgomery will likely be heading to the injured reserve list after breaking his leg this weekend.
Martin, who turns 31 next Monday, spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Panthers, starting 36 games during that stretch, including all but one in 2010 and 2011. The former second-round pick hasn’t played a significant role for an NFL defense since then, though he did earn a couple starts in 2014 for Jacksonville, as well as contributing for the Jaguars on special teams.
Martin survived Chicago’s initial cutdown to 53 players last month, but was one of two players let go on the Sunday after teams’ initital rosters were set, as the Bears claimed a pair of players off waivers. The Troy product will return to the team with safety Antrel Rolle‘s availability in doubt for Week 5. Rolle suffered a right foot injury against the Raiders on Sunday, leaving Adrian Amos, Harold Jones-Quartey, and Chris Prosinski as the only healthy safeties on Chicago’s roster.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/15
Here are Monday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Ronald Patrick (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal)
- Cut: OL Andrew McDonald
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Earl Okine (press release)
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Kenbrell Thompkins (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post)
- Cut: WR Walter Powell
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: DT Doug Worthington (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Washington:
- Signed: WR Issac Blakeney, LB Lynden Trail (press release)
- Cut: LB Sage Harold
Dolphins Rumors: Coyle, Tannehill, Campbell
While multiple reporters, including Jason Cole of Bleacher Report and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links), suggested earlier today that Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle was likely to be shown the door along with Joe Philbin, Albert Breer of the NFL Network tweets that Coyle remains employed and is going about his job. Breer adds that Dan Campbell “has a call to make” on Coyle, suggesting the new interim head coach will make the decision on the DC’s status.
As we wait to see whether Coyle will continue to run the Dolphins’ defense, let’s round up several more items of interest out of Miami….
- Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post provided an interesting report on the situation in Miami today, writing that Ryan Tannehill has been making negative comments toward practice squad players, who have been forcing him to turn the ball over in practice sessions. According to Wilson’s sources, the quarterback told players to “enjoy [their] practice squad pay check [and] practice squad trophy.”
- If Wilson’s report is accurate, it’s a sign of a potentially dysfunctional locker room, but Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter links) received a text message from a Dolphins player saying he was unaware of any rift between Tannehill and the club’s practice squad players. Of course, if the incident Wilson describe did happen, it’s unlikely that every Dolphin player would be eager to confirm it.
- It was only a matter of months ago that the Dolphins signed Tannehill to a long-term extension, but that deal doesn’t really guarantee him a job beyond the 2016 season, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk observes. It may be a little early to say Tannehill’s long-term future in Miami is in jeopardy, but as Florio notes, new coaching staffs often aren’t tied to specific players on a team’s roster — even quarterbacks.
- Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said today that Campbell will certainly be a candidate for the Dolphins’ permanent head coaching job in 2016, tweets James Walker of ESPN.com. For what it’s worth, agent Brent Tessler tweeted today that his clients on the Dolphins said the locker room “loves” Campbell and is feeling good about the move.
- Ross was loyal to Philbin to a fault, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who says it would have made sense for the Dolphins to part ways with Philbin after the 2014 season. La Canfora also explores possibilities for Miami’s permanent coaching job, mentioning names like Eric Mangini, Sean Payton, and Jon Gruden, though their odds range from unlikely to very unlikely.
- Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today identifies six potential head coaching candidates the Dolphins could consider in the coming weeks or months.
Jaguars Place Brandon Linder On IR
4:01pm: The Jaguars officially confirmed (via Twitter) that Linder has been placed on injured reserve. The team has signed linebacker James-Michael Johnson to fill the open spot on the roster.
1:06pm: The Jaguars’ offensive line has taken a major hit, as starting right guard Brandon Linder is expected to be undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum, writes John Oehser of Jaguars.com. Linder figures to land on injured reserve, prematurely ending his 2015 season.
Linder, selected in the third round of the 2014 draft by the Jaguars, started 15 games for the club last year, and was locked into the right guard position once again this season, before tearing his labrum. In his absence, rookie guard A.J. Cann, a third-round pick earlier this year, figures to take over at right guard.
According to Oehser, Linder will become the first starting player to land on season-ending injured reserve for the Jaguars this season, though the club has seen several key contributors battling injuries during the season’s first month. Once the move becomes official, it’ll open up a spot on the 53-man roster.
Meanwhile, Jags head coach Gus Bradley said today that the club will be sticking with rookie kicker Jason Myers, despite his struggles on Sunday, tweets Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Myers missed potential game-winning kicks from 53 and 48 yards out, his second and third field goal misses of the season. The youngster also failed to convert an extra point in Week 1, but Jacksonville doesn’t appear interested in replacing him.
Bills Notes: Enemkpali, Taylor, Gray, McCoy
Earlier today, we identified several notable players returning from four-game suspensions who could be active for their respective teams in Week 5. One player we didn’t mention? Bills edge defender IK Enemkpali, who may qualify more as “notorious” than “notable.”
Enemkpali, who was picked up by the Bills after the Jets cut him for punching Geno Smith, was briefly moved to Buffalo’s 53-man roster so that the team could store him on its reserve/suspended list while he served his four-game ban. Now that he’s eligible to return, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Bills put him on the 53-man roster or cut him and try to get him back on their practice squad, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com details.
For now, the Bills will have a roster exemption for Enemkpali, and won’t have to make an immediate decision. As the team decides what to do with the young defensive end, let’s check in on some other Bills-related items….
- While Tyrod Taylor‘s base salary for this season is just $750K, he could earn up to another $3MM in playing-time and performance incentives if the Bills make the postseason, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. According to Rapoport, Taylor chose the Bills’ offer over one from the Broncos during the offseason, and was hoping he’d get one from the Eagles, but Philadelphia chose not to pursue him.
- Bills head coach Rex Ryan said today that tight end MarQueis Gray may have a broken bone in his forearm, which would sideline him for a while, tweets Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News. We’ll see what Buffalo decides to do with Gray, if anything, after the club gets an official diagnosis.
- Speaking of injuries, a weekend report indicated that running back LeSean McCoy would miss three to four weeks due to his hamstring issue. However, a source tells Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter link) that McCoy’s recovery timetable isn’t set in stone: “[Hamstrings] are tricky. Could be less, could be more.”
Barth Among Kickers Working Out For Bucs
Just over a month after they released him, the Buccaneers will be working out Connor Barth this week as they search for a new kicker, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Barth, who lost the starting job to Kyle Brindza prior to the season, will be one of a handful of veteran kickers trying out for Tampa Bay.
Along with Barth, Randy Bullock, Kai Forbath, and Billy Cundiff will also be auditioning for the Buccaneers, says Garafolo.
Bullock recent lost the job in Houston, missing a 43-yard field goal and a pair of extra points through the Texans’ first three games. Forbath nearly replaced Bullock in Houston, having been the team’s second choice, as he was in Philadelphia when he auditioned for the Eagles. Cundiff was also part of that tryout with the Eagles, but hasn’t seen regular season action since he was with the Browns last season.
The most interesting name of the bunch is Barth, however — Brindza beat him out for the Bucs’ kicking job this season, but the rookie missed seven kicks (five field goals and two extra points) in Tampa Bay’s last two games, forcing the team to make a change. The veteran Barth was the Bucs’ kicker from 2009 to 2012, and looked poised to regain the job this year before Brindza surpassed him in the preseason.
The Bucs figure to decide on a new kicker and get him locked up within the next couple days.