Patriots Sign Reggie Wayne
11:38am: According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Wayne’s one-year deal can be worth up to about $3MM with incentives, and the veteran wideout gets nearly $500K up front.
TUESDAY, 11:21am: The Patriots have officially signed Wayne, the team announced today in a press release.
MONDAY, 12:12pm: Following a weekend visit to New England, veteran wideout Reggie Wayne has agreed to a one-year contract with the Patriots, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). A report earlier this morning had indicated the Packers would inquire on Wayne if they confirm Jordy Nelson‘s ACL is torn, but the Pats beat them to the punch, locking up the free agent receiver for the 2015 season.
Wayne, who spent 14 years in Indianapolis after being drafted by the Colts in the first round way back in 2001, is no longer the sort of impact player he was during his prime. However, he was still a reliable target for Andrew Luck last season, compiling 779 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 64 catches. A report last month suggested that Wayne’s ideal scenario would be to play for one more season and then retire.
It may be painful for some Colts fans to see Wayne suit up for the Patriots this season, but Indianapolis’ front office made the decision to move on from the longtime Colt when his contract expired earlier this year. GM Ryan Grigson and company signed Andre Johnson and drafted Phillip Dorsett to help solidify Luck’s receiving corps in the wake of Wayne’s departure.
For Wayne, who has spent most of his career catching passes from Peyton Manning and Luck, moving to a team led by Tom Brady will mean working with another future Hall-of-Famer. Of course, if Brady’s suspension is upheld in court, it will be Jimmy Garoppolo, rather than Brady, who opens the season as the Patriots’ starting quarterback.
Whichever quarterback starts Week 1 for New England will be working with a talented group of pass-catchers that includes Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola, and now Wayne. Edelman and LaFell are among the Patriots wideouts who have been slowed by injuries this summer, but neither player’s Week 1 availability is believed to be in jeopardy at this point. Adding Wayne gives the Pats a little more veteran depth as those players recover.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Steelers Sign Doug Legursky, Place David Nelson On IR
With Maurkice Pouncey set to be sidelined for at least the first few weeks of the regular season, the Steelers are dealing with the loss of their starting center by adding one of their former starting linemen. According to Burt Lauten (Twitter link), the club has signed veteran free agent Doug Legursky. In a corresponding roster move, Pittsburgh placed wide receiver David Nelson on injured reserve.
Legursky, 29, spent parts of four seasons with the Steelers from 2009 to 2012, starting 17 games for the club during that stretch. In his first stint with Pittsburgh, Legursky saw significant action at guard, but he was the starting center for the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, and was signed by the Chargers last season as a replacement at center. Legursky lasted only two games in San Diego before a knee injury landed him on injured reserve for the rest of the 2014 campaign.
With Pouncey sidelined, Cody Wallace appears poised to step into the starting center role for the Steelers, but Legursky could push for playing time at the position.
Nelson, meanwhile, just joined the Steelers less than two weeks ago. However, he didn’t appear in a preseason game with the team as he dealt with a shoulder injury. If that shoulder issue isn’t season-ending, he figures to be removed from Pittsburgh’s IR at some point, perhaps with an injury settlement.
Michael Vick To Visit Steelers
Months after hitting the open market, veteran quarterback Michael Vick is making his first free agent visit, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Vick is on his way to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers.
Vick, 35, has indicated this offseason that he would like to play in the NFL for three more years, but he hasn’t drawn a ton of interest since his contract with the Jets expired in March. Last year in New York, Vick completed just 52.9% of his passes, throwing for 604 yards and adding another 153 yards on the ground in limited action, including three starts.
The Steelers may be in the market for a new backup for Ben Roethlisberger after Bruce Gradkowski left this weekend’s preseason game with a hand injury. According to Schefter (via Twitter), Gradkowski dislocated a finger on his left hand and is having surgery today. Since it’s not an injury to his throwing hand, Gradkowski shouldn’t be sidelined for too long, but Pittsburgh appears to be considering some veteran insurance nonetheless.
Besides Roethlisberger and Gradkowski, the Steelers are also currently carrying former fourth-round pick Landry Jones and undrafted free agent Tyler Murphy at the quarterback position. While Jones could be a candidate for the No. 2 job, Murphy isn’t expected to make the roster.
Rex Grossman Visiting Falcons
Free agent quarterback Rex Grossman is currently in Atlanta, where he’s geting a physical with the Falcons, reports Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter links). According to McClure, Grossman is also expected to work out with the team this afternoon, following his physical.
It’s not clear yet which quarterback will back up Matt Ryan in Atlanta this season, with T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree vying for the No. 2 job. Yates entered camp as the presumed favorite, but he has completed just 52.8% of his passes in the preseason so far, and has thrown the team’s only two interceptions.
Grossman, who turned 35 on Sunday, hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass since 2011 in Washington, and we heard earlier this month that he was still recovering from an injury he sustained while training. However, the veteran signal-caller has a history with new Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, so Shanahan may feel more comfortable with Grossman than he currently does with Yates or Renfree.
The Falcons figure to make a decision on whether or not to sign Grossman following today’s physical and workout.
Chris Myers Announces Retirement
Former Texans center Chris Myers announced today that he has decided to retire from the NFL, according to John P. Lopez (Twitter link), who passes along comments Myers made on Sports Radio 610 in Houston. Myers himself has since confirmed the decision on his Twitter account, thanking the Texans, the Broncos, his family, and the fans.
Myers, who turns 34 next month, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2005, going 200th overall to the Broncos. The former Miami Hurricanes lineman became Denver’s full-time center in 2007, then joined the Texans in 2008, starting every game for the team over the course of the next seven seasons.
For his career, Myers appeared in 153 games, starting 128 of them. The veteran center also earned Pro Bowl nods in 2011 and 2012, excelling in Gary Kubiak‘s zone-blocking scheme for most of his time in Houston. There had been some speculation that Kubiak would attempt to bring Myers with him back to Denver this offseason, but there was never any indication that the Broncos seriously pursued the free agent lineman.
In Houston, former left guard Ben Jones appears poised to take over at center this season for Myers, marking the first time since 2007 that anyone else has started at the position for the Texans.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/15
Here are Monday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL:
- The Patriots waived Brian Tyms, who will revert to their IR (foot injury) if he goes unclaimed, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.
Earlier Updates:
- The Lions waived/injured linebacker Kevin Snyder, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Bears made a change on their offensive line today, signing former Raiders guard Lucas Nix to a one-year contract and waiving offensive lineman Jason Weaver with an injury designation (Twitter link). Nix, who started 10 games for Oakland in 2013, worked out for Chicago earlier in the month.
- The Dolphins have waived wide receiver Michael Preston, the team announced today (via Twitter). Preston himself broke word of the move yesterday, with a tweet thanking the club for the opportunity.
- The Eagles have added one safety to their roster and removed another, signing Brandan Bishop and reaching an injury settlement with Earl Wolff (Twitter links via agent David Canter and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer). Wolff, a 2013 fifth-round pick, will become a free agent as he recovers from his knee surgery. The Eagles also waived/injured defensive tackle Wade Keliikipi, who suffered a Lisfranc foot injury this weekend, replacing him with defensive tackle Jeremy Towns (Twitter links).
- The Falcons have parted ways with 2014 fifth-rounder Marquis Spruill, placing him on waivers today, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Spruill, whose rookie season was wiped out by a torn ACL, never played a regular-season down for Atlanta.
- The Giants formally announced several moves today, including the signing of veteran linebacker Ashlee Palmer, who started 15 games over the last two seasons in Detroit. The club also signed rookie defensive back C.J. Conway, and waived/injured safety Justin Currie (ankle) and linebacker Tony Johnson (knee).
- The Jaguars announced a series of moves today (via Twitter and press release), adding wide receiver Erik Lora, linebacker Mister Alexander, and offensive lineman Will Corbin to their roster. The outgoing players are receiver Damian Copeland (waived/injured), offensive lineman Brennan Williams (waived/injured), and wideout Arrelious Benn (placed on IR).
- The Panthers have waived/injured defensive end Frank Alexander, signing tight end Dallas Walker to replace him on the roster, the team announced today (Twitter link). Alexander, who sustained a torn Achilles, is in the final year of his contract, so Carolina isn’t worried about another team claiming him.
- The Saints‘ tight end carousel continues, as the club is cutting Michael Egnew just a week after signing him, per Kristian Garic of WWL 870AM (Twitter link).
- The Seahawks have cut defensive back Jeremy Crayton, using the newly-created roster spot to re-sign wide receiver DeShon Foxx, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
- The Jets signed tight end Matt LaCosse and waived/injured defensive lineman Davon Walls, Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
Patriots Place Brandon Gibson On IR
Hours after word broke that the Patriots agreed to terms with one veteran wide receiver, reaching a one-year deal with Reggie Wayne, the team has ended the season of another veteran wideout. According to a press release, the Pats have placed Brandon Gibson on injured reserve.
A former Ram, Gibson joined the Dolphins prior to the 2013 season, and put up nearly identical numbers in his two seasons with the club. Of course, in 2013, when he grabbed 30 balls for 326 yards and three touchdowns, he did so in just seven games. In 2014, Gibson totaled 29 receptions for 295 yards and a TD in 14 contests.
Gibson, 28, signed a one-year, minimum-salary benefit contract with the Patriots in March, getting a $40K bonus to join the club. He had looked good in the preseason and was poised to earn a roster spot in New England before he suffered a knee injury over the weekend. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), it’s a torn ACL for Gibson.
With the roster spot created by placing Gibson on IR, the Patriots have re-signed rookie linebacker D.J. Lynch, according to the team. Mike Reiss of ESPN.com also reported earlier today (via Twitter) that fullback Eric Kettani was informed of his release by the team, though there’s no word of that move in the Pats’ official announcement today.
King’s Latest: Broncos, Rams, Walsh, Dareus
As a former quarterback himself, Broncos general manager John Elway admits that it wasn’t easy asking Peyton Manning to take a $4MM pay cut this offseason, money which Manning could make up in incentives. Elway tells Peter King of TheMMQB.com that it was a “really hard” conversation to have.
“A lot of times, as much as you like to say you want those things to stay business, they always end up being a little personal,” Elway said. “That’s the hard part, because I have a great deal of respect for Peyton. I think, hopefully, Peyton will be able to look back in a few years, especially if we have a really good year, and see that, ultimately, the decision was made to give us the best chance to go out and win a Super Bowl this year. That, ultimately, is the best thing for Peyton Manning—even though, of course, it was $4MM.”
Here are a few more items of note from King’s latest Monday Morning Quarterback feature:
- With three starters on the offensive line who have never played a regular season snap, the Broncos will likely move a late-round pick for an offensive lineman, or claim a player – likely a guard – off waivers in the near future, says King.
- One team owner who spoke to King believes that Stan Kroenke‘s plan for a new NFL Network facility and multi-purpose theater in Inglewood could be a big factor in the league’s decision on the Los Angeles market. King adds that he views the Inglewood stadium plan, along with the Rams, as the NFL’s preferred route to L.A., though that’s far from a sure thing at this point.
- While the Vikings are “trying not to show their concern” with recently extended kicker Blair Walsh, the situation is worth keeping an eye on after Walsh missed five kicks in the team’s two preseason games, writes King. When I examined Walsh as an extension candidate back in May, I suggested the team may want to see how he responds to the longer extra point this year before extending him, but Minnesota locked him up to a new deal last month.
- Responding to reports that Marcell Dareus didn’t accept an alleged six-year, $90MM extension offer, King suggests that the Bills defensive tackle is “misreading the market.” In King’s view, Dareus has a case for a rich contract, but not one that exceeds J.J. Watt‘s deal.
North Notes: Pouncey, Flacco, Guion, Lions
Injured Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey is undergoing surgery on his fractured ankle today, tweets Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), the exact timetable for Pouncey’s recovery still isn’t known, but the injury is unlikely to be season-ending. Based on what we’ve heard so far regarding the veteran center, he would appear to be a viable candidate for Pittsburgh’s IR-DTR slot this season.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:
- As Ashley Fox of ESPN details, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been keeping an eye on the megadeals signed by his fellow signal-callers, recognizing that Baltimore will almost certainly have to rework his contract in 2016, when his cap hit is set to jump to $28.55MM. Both Flacco and the team would like to see the former Super Bowl MVP become a “Raven for life.”
- The appeal hearing for Letroy Guion‘s three-game suspension concluded on Monday, but there has been no ruling yet on whether that penalty will be reduced for the Packers defensive lineman, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
- Demovsky also provided an update on former Packers receiver Kevin Dorsey, tweeting that the ex-Maryland wideout has retired. Green Bay used a seventh-round pick in the 2013 draft to nab Dorsey, but he only played in three games with the club.
- After losing Ndamukong Suh in free agency this offseason, the Lions were happy to acquire Haloti Ngata to fill the newly-created void on their defensive line. However, the club still isn’t sure when Ngata will return from the hamstring injury that has plagued him throughout training camp, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Samson Satele Expected To Visit Seahawks
After hosting Evan Mathis over the weekend, the Seahawks are expected to bring in another veteran offensive lineman looking for work. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), free agent center Samson Satele is expected to visit the Seahawks today.
Satele, 30, spent the 2014 season with the Dolphins, starting all 16 games for the team. The eight-year veteran, who has also spent time with the Raiders and the Colts, has started 114 of his 118 career regular season contests, and we heard back in March that he was looking for a team that would give him an opportunity to compete for a starting center job.
There haven’t been many rumors surrounding Satele since that March report, but it’s not surprising that the Seahawks would want to kick the tires on him. Having traded away Max Unger in an offseason deal, Seattle doesn’t have a clear-cut starter at center, where Drew Nowak is believed to have the lead over Lemuel Jeanpierre. Nowak has never started an NFL game, while Jeanpierre has 11 starts to his name, so adding some veteran depth could make sense.