Injury Updates: Monday
With just two weeks left in the NFL regular season, injuries that may not have been long-term problems earlier in the year could now end a player’s season. We’ll keep tabs right here on the latest updates on the ailments that could prompt roster moves or significantly alter a team’s plans:
- While several players will be placed on injured reserve lists this week, ending their seasons, one player will come off IR — Bills running back C.J. Spiller is expected to be activated from IR-DTR, though it’s not clear how much of a role he’ll have for Buffalo in Week 16, or if he’ll even play (Twitter link).
- A source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) that Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall suffered a mid-foot sprain, and Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes that Marshall is expected to miss a week or two with the injury. While Marshall should return this season, fellow Denver linebacker Danny Trevathan won’t, according to Klis, who says Trevathan dislocated his left kneecap and will have to undergo surgery.
- Lions right tackle LaAdrian Waddle partially tore his ACL yesterday and will miss the rest of the season, says Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- Eagles outside linebacker Trent Cole has a broken hand, and his status for the rest of the season is uncertain, a source tells Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
- Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said today on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that running back DeMarco Murray will have surgery on a broken bone in his hand (Twitter link via SiriusXM NFL Radio). Providing specifics on the injury, Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com notes (via Twitter) that Emmitt Smith once missed a game after undergoing a similar surgery. It sounds as if Murray will be questionable for Week 16, but shouldn’t miss much – if any – time.
- Key 49ers special teamer Kassim Osgood also broke a bone in his hand and likely won’t play in the club’s final two games, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
- Chargers linebacker Donald Butler dislocated his left elbow and is a candidate for IR, according to head coach Mike McCoy, who says the club is exploring its options (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune).
Bucs To Place Gerald McCoy, Others On IR
Adding injury to insult, the league-worst Buccaneers will place a handful of players on their injured reserve list today, according to head coach Lovie Smith. Smith told reporters, including Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (Twitter link), that defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (knee), wide receiver Louis Murphy (ankle), and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (back) will all move to IR.
McCoy, the former third overall pick who signed a massive extension with the Bucs earlier this year, is the biggest loss for the team. However, according to Smith (via Twitter), the defensive tackle’s injured knee won’t require surgery, which is good news for Tampa Bay. Despite battling injuries this season, McCoy was his usual dominant self, posting 8.5 sacks and grading as the league’s second-best defensive tackle through 15 weeks, per Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required).
Meanwhile, Seferian-Jenkins’ back injury isn’t expected to sideline him for too long — the decision to move him to injured reserve comes as a result of there being just two games left in the season, says Smith (Twitter link).
When the series of moves becomes official, the Bucs will have three open roster spots available with which to sign free agents or promote practice squad players.
Latest On Joe Philbin, Dolphins
Alex Marvez of FOX Sports notes in his latest column that as of a few weeks ago, Dolphins owners Stephen Ross “wasn’t itching to make a coaching change,” and had spoken highly of Joe Philbin. However, since then, the Dolphins barely squeaked out a win against the Jets and then lost two key games against AFC contenders, all but eliminating their playoff chances. If Miami wins its final two games, Philbin could survive to coach the club in 2015, but if the team loses one or both, “all bets are off,” writes Marvez.
Although Marvez suggests there’s still some hope for Philbin in Miami, beat writer Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald paints a much bleaker picture, writing that the head coach’s “days are numbered,” and adding that it’s hard to imagine Philbin getting a pat on the back for winning two meaningless games to finish the season. For his part, Philbin says he’s focused on those two games, rather than his future, though he acknowledged that both he and Ross were disappointed after the team’s showing in New England yesterday (Twitter links via James Walker of ESPN.com).
As Philbin’s future in Miami hangs in the balance, it’s also worth keeping an eye on which members of the organization will have a say in the head coach’s fate, writes Salguero. According to the Miami Herald scribe, Dan Marino – a special advisor to Ross – and Mike Tannenbaum – a front office consultant – were both seen talking to the team’s owner after this weekend’s loss to the Patriots.
Pointing out that Tannenbaum still acts as an agent and has several potential head coaching candidates on his roster of clients, including Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, Salguero writes that Tannenbaum and Marino will “obviously have say” in what happens with the head coaching situation. As such, general manager Dennis Hickey finds himself in an interesting situation — Hickey was hired in January of this year, meaning he inherited Philbin, and it’s not clear how much input he’d have in the hiring of a new head coach. Typically, a team’s GM plays a significant role in that process, but with so many voices seemingly involved in the Dolphins’ decision-making, there’s no guarantee of that for Hickey.
NFC Notes: Cardinals, Garrett, Buccaneers
The NFL playoff picture cleared up in some ways in Week 15, with teams like the 49ers and Vikings officially falling out of contention. But with just two games left on the schedule for each team after tonight, several clubs remain in the hunt for the conference’s No. 1 seed and homefield advantage. Intra-divisional showdowns will be key over the next two weeks, with the Cardinals preparing to host the Seahawks in Week 16, and the Lions and Packers gearing up for a Week 17 game at Lambeau Field.
While we wait to see how the NFC standings shake out, and which contender is left out of the postseason, let’s check in on a few items from around the conference….
- Appearing on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM today, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim indicated that his team will add a quarterback to its practice squad “for emergency purposes” (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com). The club intends to stick with Ryan Lindley and Logan Thomas on its active roster, while Drew Stanton recovers from his knee injury.
- While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stopped short of publicly announcing that Jason Garrett would return for next season, an extension for the head coach seems like something of a formality at this point, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “It’s very obvious that he is doing very well and his hard work is paying off,” Jones said of Garrett.
- The Buccaneers are in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall pick for the 2015 draft, which would give them the opportunity to select a quarterback like Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston. However, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk suggests that Tampa Bay should focus on building a roster with a great defense and a strong running game rather than continuing to search for a franchise quarterback. Smith argues that allocating money and resources to areas that other teams aren’t necessarily prioritizing, rather than playing catch-up at QB, could give the club a competitive edge.
- With six sacks and 13 solo tackles in his last three games, Giants defender Jason Pierre-Paul is finishing strong as he approaches potential free agency, writes Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Pierre-Paul and Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant top Fitzgerald’s list of players in contract years who improved their stocks this week.
Giants Leaning Toward Retaining Coughlin
Two weeks ago, the Giants were coming off their seventh straight loss, and it looked likely that the team would be moving on from head coach Tom Coughlin at season’s end. Since then, the team has recorded dominated victories over Tennessee and Washington, and while those aren’t exactly the most impressive opponents, Coughlin’s future in New York suddenly looks a little more stable.
According to Steve Serby of the New York Post, the odds of Coughlin returning to coach the Giants for 2015 have “skyrocketed dramatically,” with one source telling Serby that there’s a 99.9% chance that Coughlin will be back. Serby lays out a number of reasons why Giants ownership may be inclined to keep Coughlin in charge of the club — the 2014 team has been ravaged by injuries, stability is a priority for the franchise, and Coughlin is still Eli Manning‘s preferred head coach.
Meanwhile, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News agrees that “there’s at least a decent chance” Coughlin will keep his job, and rookie wideout Odell Beckham Jr. is a big reason for that. While that may be oversimplifying things, Beckham’s play in recent weeks has shown that if he’s paired with a healthy Victor Cruz and the team restocks its offensive line, the offense appears to have a very bright future.
That Giants’ offense struggled to get points on the board at times earlier in the year, but Manning, Coughlin, and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo all seem to be getting comfortable with McAdoo’s West Coast scheme, which was implemented this year. The organization reportedly views McAdoo as Coughlin’s eventual successor, but the OC likely won’t be ready to take over in ’15, so it makes sense that New York would lean on Coughlin for at least one more season.
Giants ownership is expected to make a formal decision on Coughlin after the end of the regular season.
NFLPA Files Lawsuit On Behalf Of Peterson
9:25am: The NFLPA has publicly posted its 75-page petition on behalf of Peterson, in PDF form.
8:48am: The NFL Players Association has formally filed a lawsuit challenging arbitrator Harold Henderson‘s ruling on Adrian Peterson‘s suspension in the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, reports Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The suit from the union had been expected since the moment Henderson issued his ruling upholding Peterson’s suspension on Friday.
Under the terms of Peterson’s suspension, the Vikings running back will be forced to miss the rest of the 2014 season, and won’t be considered for reinstatement until at least April 15. Since NFL free agency begins in March, being reinstated in April or later would significantly affect Peterson’s ability to find work, if the Vikings decide to part ways with him. Of course, there’s no guarantee that he’ll hit the open market, but Minnesota will likely only bring back the former MVP if the two sides can work out a new contract that reduces Peterson’s cap hit.
The lawsuit filed on Peterson’s behalf by the NFLPA is expected to contend that Henderson was not truly a neutral arbitrator, having previously worked for the league. A recording – obtained by ABC News – of NFL executive Troy Vincent allegedly assuring Peterson that he’ll only be suspended for two games will also likely play a part in the suit.
Following Henderson’s announcement on Friday, we learned that Peterson had considered the possibility of retiring, but given his apparent willingness to engage in a legal battle to overturn his suspension, it doesn’t appear he’s leaning that way at the moment.
Gerod Holliman To Enter NFL Draft
On the heels of winning the Jim Thorpe Award as college football’s best defensive back, Louisville safety Gerod Holliman has elected to forgo his remaining NCAA career and enter the 2015 NFL draft, reports Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link).
Holliman racked up 14 interceptions as a redshirt sophomore this year for Louisville. In Miller’s view, the 20-year-old has a chance to be one of the first defensive backs off the board in 2015, in what looks like a weak secondary market. Still, although Holliman’s playmaking ability as a ballhawk at free safety are exceptional, scouts – along with Holliman himself – feel as if he needs to improve his tackling skills in order to become a productive player at the next level, writes Mike Huguenin of NFL.com.
According to our list of early entrants for 2015, Holliman becomes the seventh underclassman to announce his intent to enter the draft.
Arbitrator Denies Adrian Peterson’s Appeal
4:37pm: The NFLPA has released the following statement in response to the Peterson decision:
“The NFLPA expected this outcome, given the hearing officer’s relationship and financial ties to the NFL. The decision itself ignores the facts, the evidence and the collective bargaining agreement. This decision also represents the NFL’s repeated failure to adhere to due process and confirms its inconsistent treatment of players. Our union is considering immediate legal remedies.”
4:16pm: Arbitrator Harold Henderson has denied the appeal of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, according to league spokesman Greg Aiello (via Twitter). As such, Peterson will have to serve his original suspension, meaning he won’t be back on an NFL field until at least 2015, and he will forfeit six 2014 game checks.
“I conclude that the player has not demonstrated that the process and procedures surrounding his discipline were not fair and consistent,” Henderson said in a statement, per Aiello (Twitter links). “He was afforded all the protections and rights to which he is entitled, and I find no basis to vacate or reduce the discipline.”
Peterson, who was indicted in a child abuse case earlier this year and ultimately accepted a no-contest plea, was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list while his legal proceedings played out. When his plea deal was agreed upon, the league kept Peterson on that exempt list for a little extra time before eventually announcing that the running back had been suspended for the remainder of the 2014 season, and wouldn’t be considered for reinstatement until at least April 15.
The affirmation of the NFL’s penalty for Peterson doesn’t come as a surprise, considering Henderson is considered a strict arbitrator — earlier in the year, he upheld Josh Gordon‘s season-long suspension, though a modified drug policy eventually reduced that ban to 10 games. Still, Henderson’s decision doesn’t mean the case can be put to rest. As Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets, Peterson and the NFL Players Association are now expected to pursue a lawsuit in federal court. There’s virtually no chance Peterson plays again this season, but the NFLPA’s goal will be to push for potential reinstatement for the Pro Bowler prior to April 15, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Peterson’s argument in his appeal hinged in part on an assertion that NFL executive Troy Vincent told him he would be credited for “time served” for his paid leave on the exempt list. However, given the lack of precedent for the case, and the open-ended nature of the league’s personal conduct policy – which allows commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend players for longer than six games for domestic violence incidents if there are “aggravating circumstances” – it was a tricky argument for Peterson and the union to make. Henderson ultimately determined that Peterson’s time on the exempt list didn’t constitute “discipline,” tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Regardless of how the upcoming lawsuit plays out, it’s reasonably fair to assume that Peterson’s suspension will be lifted in time for the 2015 season. In fact, a source tells Rapoport (Twitter link) that if the running back “does what he’s supposed to do” between now and April 15, he’ll be on the field for the start of 2015. Still, it’s not clear if Peterson will be back in a Vikings uniform.
A report yesterday indicated that the Vikings would welcome back the 29-year-old, though the team would almost certainly want to rework his contract to reduce an exorbitant 2015 cap hit. If the two sides can’t work something out, Peterson could find himself on the free agent market, well after most teams have made their major free agent expenditures for the year. So Peterson’s reinstatement will be an interesting case to keep an eye on over the next several months.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
AFC North Notes: McPhee, Ravens, Browns
With Ravens outside linebacker Pernell McPhee approaching the end of his rookie contract, he’ll be a hot item if he hits the open market this winter. However, as he tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the pass rusher would like to work out a long-term deal that keeps him in Baltimore.
“I would love to be here,” McPhee said. “It’s a business. I hope they’ll want me back. I hope so, man. I don’t know if they’re talking, but I hope so. This is where I was born in the NFL, and I wouldn’t mind continuing to live here and keep it going.”
Here’s more on the Ravens and one of their AFC North rivals:
- Ravens wide receiver Aldrick Robinson is being paid an upgraded practice squad salary of $10K per week, above the usual rate of $6,300 per week, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
- Wilson (via Twitter) also has the goods on the Ravens‘ deal with defensive back Antoine Cason. The deal is worth the veteran’s minimum of $730K and he’ll earn the prorated portion of that for the last three games (~$129K). Cason, a former first-round pick, signed with Baltimore earlier this week to help provide depth in a secondary that has been hit hard by injuries.
- There was some speculation earlier in the week, particularly after the club worked out multiple kickers, that the Browns would replace kicker Billy Cundiff, who has been inconsistent this season. While Cleveland initially elected not to sign another kicker due to Cundiff’s performance, the team may have to do so anyway, with the veteran listed as questionable on this week’s injury report due to a knee injury, writes Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. The Browns took a look at Garrett Hartley, Zach Hocker, and Nate Freese this week.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Early Entrants For 2015 NFL Draft
A year ago, a record 102 NCAA underclassmen gained eligibility for the 2014 NFL draft. 98 players were able to declare their intent to enter the draft because they were three years removed from graduating high school, while four others – including quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – were eligible because they graduated a year early.
The number of early entrants in the NFL draft has been on the rise for the last several years, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that number break the three-digit mark again for 2015. And with the college football season already over for many schools, players have begun to announce their decisions to forgo their senior seasons and pursue an NFL career.
We’ll use this post, which can be found anytime on our right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features,” to track those underclassmen who have confirmed their intent to enter 2015’s draft. Here’s the current list of early entrants for the draft, which will continue to be updated for the next several weeks. Players are listed in alphabetical order:
- Nelson Agholor, WR (USC)
- Jay Ajayi, RB (Boise State)
- Kwon Alexander, LB (LSU)
- Javorius Allen, RB (USC)
- Arik Armstead, DL (Oregon)
- Deion Barnes, DE (Penn State)
- Malcom Brown, DT (Texas)
- Alex Carter, CB (Stanford)
- Sammie Coates, WR (Auburn)
- Tevin Coleman, RB (Indiana)
- Jalen Collins, CB (LSU)
- Landon Collins, S (Alabama)
- Amari Cooper, WR (Alabama)
- Xavier Cooper, DE (Washington State)
- Christian Covington, DT (Rice)
- Ronald Darby, CB (Florida State)
- Mike Davis, RB (South Carolina)
- Stefon Diggs, WR (Maryland)
- Lorenzo Doss, CB (Tulane)
- Lemar Durant, WR (Simon Fraser)
- Mario Edwards, DE (Florida State)
- Durell Eskridge, S (Syracuse)
- George Farmer, WR (USC)
- Ereck Flowers, T (Miami)
- Dante Fowler, DE (Florida)
- Devin Funchess, WR (Michigan)
- Jacoby Glenn, CB (UCF)
- Eddie Goldman, DT (Florida State)
- Melvin Gordon, RB (Wisconsin)
- Dorial Green-Beckham, WR (Oklahoma)
- Deontay Greenberry, WR (Houston)
- Randy Gregory, DE (Nebraska)
- Todd Gurley, RB (Georgia)
- Chris Hackett, S (TCU)
- Eli Harold, DE (Virginia)
- Chris Harper, WR (California)
- Dee Hart, RB (Colorado State)
- Braylon Heard, RB (Kentucky)
- Gerod Holliman, S (Louisville)
- D.J. Humphries, T (Florida)
- Brett Hundley, QB (UCLA)
- Danielle Hunter, DE (LSU)
- Jesse James, TE (Notre Dame)
- Duke Johnson, RB (Miami)
- Nigel King, WR (Kansas)
- Tyler Kroft, TE (Rutgers)
- Marcus Mariota, QB (Oregon)
- Ellis McCarthy, DL (UCLA)
- Benardrick McKinney, LB (Mississippi State)
- Patrick Miller, T (Auburn)
- Tyler Moore, G (Florida)
- Andrus Peat, T (Stanford)
- Breshad Perriman, WR (UCF)
- Marcus Peters, CB (Washington)
- Jordan Phillips, DT (Oklahoma)
- Darius Philon, DT (Arkansas)
- Bradley Pinion, P (Clemson)
- Jeremiah Poutasi, T (Utah)
- Shane Ray, DE (Missouri)
- Josh Robinson, RB (Mississippi State)
- Shaq Roland, WR (South Carolina)
- James Sample, S (Louisville)
- Jean Sifrin, TE (UMass)
- Donovan Smith, T (Penn State)
- Jaelen Strong, WR (Arizona State)
- Shaq Thompson, LB (Washington)
- Max Valles, LB (Virginia)
- Trae Waynes, CB (Michigan State)
- Leonard Williams, DE (USC)
- Maxx Williams, TE (Minnesota)
- P.J. Williams, CB (Florida State)
- Trey Williams, RB (Texas A&M)
- Jameis Winston, QB (Florida State)
- T.J. Yeldon, RB (Alabama)