Richie Incognito Visits, Works Out For Broncos
6:29pm: A source described the Broncos’ workout/meeting with Incognito as “exploratory” to Ed Werder of ESPN (on Twitter). As Klis and Glazer said, there’s nothing imminent between the two sides.
3:40pm: The Broncos haven’t closed the door on Incognito, but won’t be signing him for now, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter link) suggests the club may revisit the possibility after its games against the Rams and Dolphins.
11:00am: Seeking a potential upgrade on the offensive line, the Broncos brought in free agent guard Richie Incognito for a workout and visit recently, reports Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (via Twitter). According to Glazer (via Twitter), the Broncos are “doing their full diligence” on Incognito, though multiple coaches already know him from coaching him at the Pro Bowl.
Incognito, of course, has been on the open market since last season, following his involvement of the Dolphins’ bullying scandal that resulted in Jonathan Martin leaving the team. While Incognito’s play on the field has remained solid, questions about his character, locker room presence, and potential off-field issues have prevented him from finding a new home.
If there’s any locker room in the league that could handle bringing in a player like Incognito, the Broncos would seem to fit the bill. With a handful of strong veteran leaders in place, including Peyton Manning and DeMarcus Ware, it’s hard to imagine Incognito falling back on the same sort of behavior that got him into trouble in Miami.
While Manning is having another superb season in Denver, the team hasn’t been happy with its running game. The Broncos currently rank 27th in the league in rushing yards, and offensive coordinator Adam Gase expressed frustration with the club’s ground attack before Sunday’s game against the Raiders. The team shuffled around its offensive line a little for that contest, moving right guard Louis Vasquez to right tackle and having backup Manuel Ramirez play at right guard. If the Broncos were to seriously consider signing Incognito, presumably they’d have that right guard spot in mind for him.
Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday
In addition to tweaking their 53-man rosters in preparation for Week 11’s games, teams around the NFL are also making changes to their practice squads. Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts:
- The Browns signed defensive lineman Jamie Meder to their taxi squad, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal (on Twitter). Meder, an Ohio native, was recently cut from the Ravens’ practice squad.
- Brian McIntyre (on Twitter) has the goods on the Seahawks‘ latest taxi squad moves. Seattle has signed defensive end Ryan Robinson and running back Cierre Wood while placing running back Demitrius Bronson and defensive tackle Julius Warmsley on the IR. Linebacker L.J. Fort, who was being looked at as a possible fullback option, has been released.
- The Giants released safety Kyle Sebetic from the practice squad, tweets Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger.
- The Packers have re-signed wideout Alex Gillett to their taxi squad, releasing Jordan McCray in a corresponding move, a source tells Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- Confirming a Monday report, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets that center Darren Keyton has formally been added to the Lions‘ practice squad, replacing linebacker Jerrell Harris.
Earlier updates:
- After placing linebacker Patrick Willis on injured reserve today, the 49ers signed another linebacker, Shayne Skov, to their practice squad, the team announced (via Twitter). Skov, who spent the summer with the Niners, was cut from the Buccaneers’ taxi squad last month.
- Looking to add depth at the tight end position, the Chiefs not only added Phillip Supernaw to their active roster today, but also signed tight end Adam Schiltz to their practice squad, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Schiltz takes the spot vacated by running back Charcandrick West, who was promoted to the 53-man roster today.
- The Browns have released defensive lineman Jacobbi McDaniel from their practice squad, leaving an opening on the unit, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link).
- Linebacker Denicos Allen has been cut from the Buccaneers‘ practice squad, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (Twitter link).
- Amidst a flurry of other roster moves, the Jaguars released cornerback Lou Young from their practice squad today, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
New York Notes: Workouts, Coughlin, Harvin
Cornerback Derek Cox was among the free agents to work out for the Giants today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), but Cox was far from the only veteran in for an audition. Per Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, the Giants looked at 13 players in total. Here’s the full list, along with a few other notes on the NFL’s two New York teams:
- The full list of players who tried out for the Giants today, in addition to Cox, via Raanan: Defensive backs Jalil Brown, Kanorris Davis, Thomas Gordon, Robert Steeples, Brandon Taylor, and Josh Victorian; quarterback Dominique Davis; wideouts Lee Doss and Chris Matthews; defensive tackle Clifton Geathers; linebacker Uani Unga, and tight end Evan Wilson.
- As the Giants stumble toward the finish line in another disappointing season, head coach Tom Coughlin should make this his last year, announcing his retirement at season’s end before the team has a chance to ask him to “retire,” argues Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. Of course, we’ve seen Coughlin’s Giants squads make surprising late-season runs before, but it’s unlikely that this year’s team gets back into playoff contention.
- Many players wouldn’t be happy making the move from the defending champions to a 2-8 club, but wideout Percy Harvin is “at peace” with the Jets, as he tells Danny Knobler of ESPNNewYork.com.
- After watching Mark Sanchez light up the Panthers in Philadelphia last night, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post writes that the only way the Sanchez saga could get stranger is if he somehow made his way back to the Jets. Of course, as Hubbuch points out, the Jets figure to be in the market for a quarterback this offseason, and Sanchez will be eligible for free agency. A reunion seems awfully unlikely, but stranger things have happened.
- George Willis of the New York Post outlines a handful of reasons why the Jets shouldn’t tank in the hopes of landing the No. 1 pick and quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Tuesday is typically the busiest day of the week during the NFL season for transactions, so we’ll round up several of the day’s less notable 53-man roster changes in this space, adding the latest moves to the top of the list throughout the day:
- After placing defensive tackle Brandon Mebane on injured reserve, ending his season, the Seahawks signed tight end Rashaun Allen to take his spot on the 53-man roster, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Allen had been on the Vikings’ practice squad.
- The Saints have reinstated wide receiver Joe Morgan from his suspension and have a roster exemption for him that expires tomorrow, tweets Howard Balzer of The SportsXchange.
Earlier updates:
- A week after claiming him off waivers, the Bills have let go of safety Jerome Couplin, the team announced today in a press release. As Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets, the team could replace Couplin with a defensive end, since Jarius Wynn wasn’t able to practice today.
- Linebacker Zac Diles has been cut by the Texans, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Diles had been signed when Houston was dealing with several injuries at the linebacker position, and it seems he’s no longer needed now that the club is getting a little healthier.
- The Buccaneers have placed rookie guard Kadeem Edwards on their injured reserve list due to a season-ending foot injury, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (via Twitter). The team has yet to announce an addition to the roster, so for now there’s an open spot on the squad.
- The Chiefs have signed tight end Phillip Supernaw to their active roster from the Ravens’ practice squad, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Demetrius Harris broke his foot during the team’s Sunday win over Buffalo, and Anthony Fasano was banged up as well, so more depth at the tight end position was necessary.
- In addition to signing Supernaw, the Chiefs also announced several more roster moves, promoting running back Charcandrick West from their practice squad and placing Harris and running back Cyrus Gray on injured reserve.
- The Browns have reversed a roster move they made a few weeks ago, re-signing fullback Ray Agnew to their active roster and waiving fullback Kiero Small (Twitter link). The team had previously promoted Small to replace Agnew, who was the starting fullback earlier this season.
Saints Sign Jamarca Sanford
4:40pm: New Orleans has waived offensive lineman Eric Olsen to make room for Sanford, tweets Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, passing along a report from colleague Field Yates.
2:49pm: The Saints have signed safety Jamarca Sanford to their 53-man roster, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. New Orleans doesn’t currently have an open spot on its roster, so a corresponding move will be required before the signing can be officially announced.
Sanford, 29, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Vikings after being chosen in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. The Mississippi product started 44 games during his time in Minnesota, averaging 34 tackles per season during that span. However, he was one of the players let go by the Vikes were rosters were cut down to 53 players in August, initially being placed on injured reserve and then released with a settlement. After signing with Washington in late September, Sanford played in three games, solely on special teams, before being released.
Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis was injured during Sunday’s loss to the 49ers, but has indicated he intends to play in Week 11, and New Orleans’ starting safeties – Rafael Bush and Kenny Vaccaro – are healthy, so I wouldn’t expect Sanford to see much action if he’s active this weekend.
Brandon Mebane, Patrick Willis Out For Year
4:38pm: Both Mebane and Willis have now officially been placed on IR by their respective teams.
12:19pm: Two key defensive players on NFC West contenders will be sidelined for the rest of the season with injuries, according to multiple reports. Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane has suffered a torn hamstring that will end his season, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports, , who also reported (via Twitter) that 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis was likely to undergo season-ending surgery. A source confirms to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link) that the Niners are placing Willis, who has a toe injury, on season-ending injured reserve.
The losses are significant ones for the Seahawks and 49ers, who currently rank second and third, respectively, in a competitive NFC West division. Mebane has been Seattle’s best interior defensive lineman this season, and his absence figures to mean increased playing time for Jordan Hill, Kevin Williams, and Tony McDaniel. The Seahawks may also add another defensive tackle to their roster — the team has Jimmy Staten on its practice squad, and worked out free agent Michael Brooks today, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
As for the Niners, while Willis will very much be missed, the team does have reinforcements on the way. Rookie Chris Borland has been excellent in an increased role over San Francisco’s last two games, and Aldon Smith was reinstated today following his nine-game suspension. NaVorro Bowman may also return within the next few weeks, assuming he doesn’t have any setbacks on his way back from last year’s knee injury.
Neither team has officially placed its injured player on IR yet, but an announcement should come soon in both cases.
Cowboys Activate Josh Brent, Waive Dobbins
3:38pm: The Cowboys have officially activated Brent and waived veteran linebacker Tim Dobbins, according to the club (Twitter link).
3:07pm: As they head into their bye week, the Cowboys will welcome back a player who hasn’t seen the field in a regular season game for nearly two years. According to head coach Jason Garrett (Twitter link via Tim McMahon of ESPNDallas.com), the team will activate defensive tackle Josh Brent to its 53-man roster today.
Brent, 26, has finished serving a 10-game suspension which stemmed from a car accident that resulted in the death of his teammate Jerry Brown in December of 2012 — Brent, who voluntarily took the 2013 season off as well, was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
While Garrett cautioned that Brent will need to lose weight and get into football shape, it appears as if the team has confidence that the Illinois product can contribute. Earlier this month, the Cowboys signed Brent to an extension that keeps him under control through the 2015 season.
As is the case with other players returning from suspension, the Cowboys should get a week-long exemption to carry Brent on the roster without waiving anyone, but considering this is the club’s bye week, the team will have to create a spot for the defensive tackle at some point before its next game.
Jags Claim Teddy Williams, Cut Dekoda Watson
The Jaguars have added two new players to their 53-man roster, claiming wide receiver and kick returner Teddy Williams off waivers from the Bears, and activating cornerback Aaron Colvin from the non-football injury list, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). To make room for the incoming players, the club has waived linebacker Dekoda Watson and cornerback Peyton Thompson.
Watson is perhaps the most notable name of the bunch, as the Jags signed the former Buccaneers linebacker to a three-year deal this past offseason that included $1.5MM in guaranteed money. However, he battled injuries during OTAs and training camp, and was underwhelming once he actually got onto the field.
This set of transactions doesn’t include one involving Allen Robinson, who is out for the year with a foot injury and will presumably land on injured reserve soon.
Washington Activates Cofield, Cuts Jeffcoat
Washington defensive tackle Barry Cofield has been activated from off of the team’s injured reserve list, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, who adds (via Twitter) that the club has waived linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat in order to clear an opening on its roster.
Cofield, 30, suffered a high ankle sprain during Washington’s Week 1 contest, and was placed on IR with the designation to return. Assuming the team is ready to insert him back into the starting lineup, he should supplant Chris Baker, who had assumed Cofield’s nose tackle role in his absence.
Bears Waive Santonio Holmes
The Bears haven’t made any notable coaching changes or roster moves in the wake of back-to-back embarrassing blowout losses, but it appears at least one veteran player will be looking for work this week. The team announced today that it has cut wide receiver Santonio Holmes from its active roster (Twitter link).
Holmes, 31, was brought on board by the Bears in the summer in the hopes that he could fill the No. 3 receiver role in an offense that was missing injured wideout Marquess Wilson. However, the former Steeler and Jet didn’t make much of an impact in Chicago, grabbing just eight balls for 67 yards. Assuming he passes through waivers unclaimed, he’ll be free to sign elsewhere starting tomorrow.
Though the Bears didn’t announce a corresponding addition, the release of Holmes signals that Wilson, who is currently on injured reserve with the designation to return, may be ready to return. In addition to cutting Holmes, the club also made some practice squad changes, signing wide receiver Rashad Lawrence and parting ways with linebacker Terrell Manning.