49ers Extend Kendall Hunter Through 2015
WEDNESDAY, 12:16pm: Hunter’s deal includes $200K in up-front guaranteed money, and has a max value of $1.75MM for next season, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com.
MONDAY, 4:34pm: As one of their injured running backs contemplates whether or not to continue his NFL career, the 49ers have locked up another injured back to a contract extension. The Niners announced today that they’ve signed Kendall Hunter, who is currently on injured reserve, to a one-year extension that will keep him under team control for the 2015 season.
Hunter, who had been entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2014, tore his ACL during training camp, wiping out his season. However, he had played well as Frank Gore‘s backup during his first three years in San Francisco, totaling 1,202 rushing yards on just 262 carries, good for an average of 4.6 yards per carry. He also added seven touchdowns, reaching the end zone multiple times in each of his three seasons.
Having drafted Carlos Hyde this past spring, the Niners will have Hyde and Hunter under contract for 2015 at the very least. Gore’s future with the team is up in the air, as he’s eligible for unrestricted free agency at season’s end, and 2013 draftee Marcus Lattimore is reportedly leaning toward ending his comeback attempt and retiring, though he has yet to officially announce a decision.
Bucs, Texans Name New Starting QBs
The Buccaneers and Texans have tabbed new starting quarterbacks heading into Week 10, according to multiple reports. Bucs signal-caller Mike Glennon announced yesterday that he has been informed Josh McCown will re-assume the starting job in Tampa Bay (Twitter link), while Houston head coach Bill O’Brien announced today that Ryan Mallett will replace Ryan Fitzpatrick as the Texans’ starter.
While PFR typically doesn’t focus too heavily on lineup changes, these two moves could have long-lasting roster implications, depending on how the new starters fare on the field. In Tampa Bay, new head coach Lovie Smith referred to Glennon earlier this year as the team’s quarterback of the future, despite the fact that the club signed McCown this past offseason expecting the ex-Bear to start. When McCown struggled early on, and then went down with a hand injury, it looked as if Glennon might take the reins for the rest of the season, in what has become a rebuilding year for the Bucs. Now it appears that won’t be the case.
As for the Texans, while Fitzpatrick was tabbed the starter coming into the season, the team also acquired Mallett via trade prior earlier this year, and selected Tom Savage in the draft. Mallett was viewed as a candidate to get a shot at some point, and if he has a strong second half, it could have a huge impact on his future earnings — the former Patriot is eligible for free agency at season’s end, so it’s possible he parlays a strong finish into a more lucrative contract than he would have otherwise received. Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, signed a two-year pact with Houston, but the Texans could get out of that deal next season with just $625K on their 2015 cap, rather than committing to a $3.25MM base salary.
While it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Glennon get another shot for the Bucs before the end of the season, the Texans seem committed to seeing what Mallett can do down the stretch, once the club returns from its Week 10 bye.
Freeman’s Latest: Giants, Welker, Sam
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report tackles a number of issues and topics around the NFL in his latest 10-Point Stance column, opening with a look at red-hot Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and also discussing Rob Gronkowski and Andrew Luck, among others. Here are a few of the more interesting tidbits from Freeman’s piece:
- Expect “heads to roll” if the Giants don’t make the playoffs this year, according to Freeman. Across the NFL, there’s speculation that New York’s front office could undergo changes if the team misses out on the postseason, and head coach Tom Coughlin‘s job would likely be in jeopardy as well. There are only six teams in the NFC currently above .500, so the 3-5 Giants aren’t totally out of the hunt yet, but they’re slipping out of contention, and personnel men around the league are bracing for the club to make “fairly substantial changes” in the offseason.
- Several former Patriots teammates of Wes Welker asked about the Broncos wideout after Sunday’s game, and were concerned about his health. According to Freeman, there are “a lot of people close to Welker” who would like to see him walk away from football soon for the sake of his long-term health.
- Passing along data compiled by Cyd Zeigler of Outsports.com, Freeman suggests that Michael Sam‘s sexuality seems to be playing a part in his inability to land even a spot on a practice squad. Sam doesn’t appear to be drawing serious interest from any NFL teams at this point, and while no personnel execs will say the defensive end’s sexuality is a factor, the fact that he can’t find a job is virtually unprecedented for a player with his college resumé.
- Following up on reports by ESPN’s Britt McHenry and the Washington Post’s Jason Reid, Freeman indicates that Washington “is a mess,” as much as the club may try to deny it. The Bleacher Report scribe points to a leadership vacuum that needs to be addressed.
Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday
We’ll round up the latest practice squad signings and cuts from around the league right here, with the most recent moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- The Seahawks continue to shuffle through the members of their practice squad, as Condotta reports (Twitter link) that the club has cut tight end Brett Brackett.
- Safety Adrian Phillips has cleared waivers and rejoined the Chargers‘ practice squad, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter).
- The Saints have filled their practice squad by signing running back Tauren Poole and officially confirming the addition of fullback Michael Zordich, tweets Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
- According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Seahawks have signed safety Dion Bailey to their taxi squad, while Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets that the club dropped receiver Chris Matthews to make room for Bailey.
Earlier updates:
- Wideout Jalen Saunders, who was drafted in the fourth round this year by the Jets and has also spent time with the Cardinals, has signed to the Seahawks‘ practice squad, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- The Bills have cut wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt from their taxi squad, replacing him with cornerback Rod Sweeting, the club confirmed in a press release. Sweeting was just released from the division-rival Dolphins’ practice squad a week ago.
- After losing safety Jordan Kovacs to Miami, the Eagles have signed running back Kenjon Barner to fill the final spot on their practice squad, the team announced today (Twitter link). Philadelphia traded for Barner this summer, but cut him when reducing the active roster from 75 players to 53.
- Cornerback Chance Casey has been added to the 49ers‘ practice squad, filling the 10th and final open spot, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group (via Twitter).
- Washington has released tackle Terren Jones from its practice squad, leaving three openings on the unit, the team announced today (Twitter link).
Minor Moves: Tuesday
We’re already tracking today’s practice squad signings and cuts in one post, and we’ll use the space below to keep tabs on Tuesday’s minor 53-man roster transactions. Here’s the latest:
- Wide receiver Bryan Walters, who was cut over the weekend by the Seahawks, is celebrating his 27th birthday by re-signing with the team, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Seattle also made a few other roster moves, signing tight end Tony Moeaki and cutting linebacker L.J. Fort and defensive back Terrance Parks, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, adding in a second tweet that Parks received an injury settlement.
- As expected, Washington activated wideout Leonard Hankerson off the PUP list today, cutting cornerback Chase Minnifield in order to accommodate the addition (Twitter link). Earlier today, John Keim of ESPN.com had pointed to cornerback as a position where the club had a surplus and could cut a player to make room for Hankerson.
- The Saints have signed tackle Nick Becton off the Giants’ practice squad, placing fullback Austin Johnson on injured reserve with a knee injury to create an opening on their 53-man roster, says Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune (Twitter links).
- De’Andre Presley was activated from the reserve/PUP list just yesterday, but the Panthers have waived the receiver today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Ravens Waive Franks, Claim Danny Gorrer
4:47pm: The Ravens have claimed cornerback Danny Gorrer off waivers from the Lions to replace Franks, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
4:45pm: The Ravens continue to shake up a secondary that allowed six passing touchdowns to Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers on Sunday night. After announcing earlier today that they’ve cut cornerback Chykie Brown, the Ravens have now parted ways with a second veteran cornerback, Dominique Franks, per a team release.
Franks, who turned 27 last month, spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Falcons, contributing on defense, in kick and punt coverage, and occasionally returning punts as well. In four games with the Ravens this year, Franks logged 203 defensive snaps, and performed reasonably well until Sunday night, when he was scorched by Roethlisberger along with the rest of the Baltimore secondary.
The move leaves the Ravens with an open spot on their 53-man roster. That opening figures to be filled by a cornerback, since, as Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com observes (via Twitter), Lardarius Webb is now the one healthy corner with NFL experience on the roster.
AFC Notes: Jaguars, Bills, Pats, Texans
Through nine weeks, there aren’t many teams in the AFC that can truly be considered out of the postseason hunt. Besides the Titans, Jaguars, Jets, and Raiders, none of whom have more than two wins, no AFC club is more than two games out of first place in its division. That group also includes an impressive 11 teams over .500, which should make for a pretty interesting second half as contenders jockey for position.
Here are a few Tuesday items from across the AFC:
- With the Jaguars prepared to play the Cowboys in England this weekend, Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union takes a look at the team’s relationship to London and how it will affect the franchise going forward. “Some people view London as a threat to the Jaguars,” said Jaguars president Mark Lamping. “I view it the exact opposite. London is going to be one of the things that protects Jacksonville as an NFL market. It stabilizes a franchise that was unstable a few years ago.”
- Cornerback Brandon Smith, who has fully recovered from the broken leg he suffered earlier this year, worked out for the Bills this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Smith has previously spent time with both the Bills and Jets.
- Long snapper Tyler Ott, who was with the Patriots in training camp, was among the specialists to try out for New England today, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- As first reported by Jayson Braddock (via Twitter), Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson suffered a sprained MCL and is expected to be sidelined for three or four weeks. If Houston looks to promote a player from the practice squad for depth purposes, cornerback Charles James looks like the top candidate.
- Browns general manager Ray Farmer spoke to reporters today, but the GM’s comments about Brian Hoyer‘s and Johnny Manziel‘s futures in Cleveland weren’t too revealing. Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com has a few details and quotes from Farmer.
North Notes: Peterson, Little, Browns
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has officially accepted a no-contest plea, meaning he’ll be placed on probation, will pay a $4K fine, and will be subject to 80 hours of community service. It also means that the legal process for his case has concluded, so the Vikings and the NFL will have to decide on the next step for the embattled running back.
The NFL doesn’t seem to be rushing a decision, with spokesman Greg Aiello telling Pro Football Talk today that the league will review the court documents and can’t speculate on a timetable for a ruling. Still, that decision should come by next week, when the Vikings return from their Week 10 bye. As ESPN’s Ed Werder observes, the NFLPA “expects that the league will punish Peterson as it would any other player determined to be guilty of a misdemeanor,” which suggests the Vikings star could be back on the field sooner rather than later.
As we wait to see how the Peterson situation plays out, let’s check in on a few more items out of the league’s two North divisions….
- For their part, Peterson’s Vikings teammates sound ready to welcome him back with open arms, as Ben Goessling of ESPN.com details.
- Wide receiver Greg Little, who was cut by the Browns earlier this year after an up-and-down three years with the team, is looking forward to facing his old team as a member of the Bengals this week, as he tells Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I was coming in to a new coaching staff I was growing towards and they were looking at me to come in and play well,” said the former second-round pick, discussing the end of his time in Cleveland. “I had a great relationship with them and the front office decided to go in another direction. Hopefully I’ll make them pay.”
- Asked today by reporters about the possibility of re-signing Josh Cribbs as a return man, Browns GM Ray Farmer didn’t express any interest in the idea, suggesting the team didn’t want to cut anyone on the current roster for a player whose value is exclusively linked to kick and punt returns (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer).
- Maggie Hendricks of USA Today identifies the Bears and Lions as a couple clubs that should have some interest in rookie defensive end Michael Sam, who has been a free agent since being dropped from Dallas’ practice squad.
49ers Waive Demarcus Dobbs
The 49ers have released defensive end Demarcus Dobbs, a league source tells Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). Because the trade deadline has passed, all players are subject to waivers, so Dobbs will have to go unclaimed before he’s free to sign with any team.
Dobbs, who received a $1.431MM RFA tender from the Niners in the offseason, doesn’t see a ton of action for the team on defense, but has played 79 defensive snaps this year, and also contributes on special teams. His release is a little surprising, considering he’s not a minimum salary player.
The move leaves San Francisco with an open roster spot for now, which could suggest that defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey is prepared to come off the injured reserve list. Dorsey was placed on IR with the designation to return prior to Week 1, so he’s eligible to be activated, and has been practicing with the club.
Outside linebacker Aldon Smith is also due back for the Niners soon, with just one game left on his nine-game suspension. There were whispers that Smith’s ban could be reduced by a week or two, but with no announcement on that front yet, it appears that he’ll have to serve the entire penalty.
Colts Activate Landry, Nixon; Cut Three
The Colts have announced a series of roster moves today, making changes to both their 53-man roster and practice squad. Per a team release, here are Tuesday’s transactions out of Indianapolis:
Activated:
- S LaRon Landry (returning from PED suspension)
- T Xavier Nixon (off IR-DTR)
Cut:
- CB Jalil Brown
- T Jamon Meredith
- FB Stanley Havili (from PUP; failed physical)
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Eric Thomas
Cut from practice squad:
- WR Chandler Jones
Landry, who served a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, opened the season as a starter in the Colts’ secondary, but Sergio Brown has played well in his absence, so it will be interesting to see how the team divides the playing time with Landry back on the active roster. It’s worth noting that the team could have activated Landry for Week 9’s contest, but chose to take full advantage of a roster exemption, delaying the decision until it absolutely had to be made.
As for Nixon, he was placed on IR with the designation to return prior to Week 1 due to a knee injury. He figures to take over the swing tackle role held by Meredith, and shouldn’t see frequent action unless someone in front of him gets hurt.