Jets WR Quincy Enunwa Plans To Return From Neck Injury
On Twitter last week, Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa revealed that doctors told him there was only a 50-50 chance that he would be able to come back and play with his injury. Enunwa was placed on injured reserve after reinjuring his neck in Week 1 this season. Still, he remains steadfast in his plans to return to the field next season, according Zach Brazziler of the New York Post.
Last week, he was in the news for publicly declaring his frustrations with the Jets organization after he received a fine for missing a rehab appointment. In a series of tweets, the wideout revealed the severity of his injury and how committed he was to working his way back to the field.
After signing a four-year, $36MM extension with the team last December, Enunwa was expected to be a primary option for sophomore quarterback Sam Darnold. Instead, his early-season injury has left New York shuffling through other receiving options. Even though Enunwa’s recovery remains uncertain, his contract structure will likely keep the Jets from releasing him this offseason. Per Over the Cap, New York would save $2.4m in cap space by cutting the receiver this offseason, but would incur $5.4m in dead money.
While injuries have plagued Enunwa throughout his career, he flashed brillance early on. At the age of 24, during the 2016 season, Enunwa played in all 16 games and caught 58 passes for 857 yards. His development stalled after suffering a serious neck injury that cost him the entire 2017 season, but he looked back to form in 2018. Enunwa played in 11 of the Jets first 13 games and caught 38 receptions for 449 yards before signing his extension. While it’s difficult to foresee him taking the step in his development that some had thought he could, New York remains hopeful that he will return to the field as a productive receiver.
Broncos Place Andy Janovich On IR
Broncos fullback Andy Janovich is out for the season after suffering a dislocated elbow, according to Mike Klis of 9News. Janovich left Denver’s game earlier today against the Vikings. The Broncos burst out to an unexpected lead, but Minnesota eventually mounted a successful comeback, dropping Denver to 3-7 on the season.
Denver placed Janovich on IR and signed tight end Orson Charles to take his roster spot. The latter was with the Broncos in training camp but did not make the team. He was set to play for the XFL’s Washington Defenders, having been picked in the fourth round of the league’s recent draft. While those plans may not be scuttled, with XFL 2.0 not set to start until February, Charles will first receive another NFL opportunity.
A 2012 fourth-round Bengals pick, Charles has also played for the Saints, Lions, Chiefs and Browns. While he has never recorded an NFL carry, he will now be in line to take over as the Broncos’ fullback.
While the fullback position was thought to be on its last legs a few years ago, players like Janovich have led to a resurgence in the position’s value as an all-around offensive weapon. Unlike 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Janovich is not an exceptional athlete who offers substantial value catching passes out of the backfield. Instead, Janovich follows the traditional mold of players at his position as a strong blocker in both the running and passing game. While only catching four receptions on the season, Janovich consistently plays in around 30% of the team’s snaps when healthy.
Just over a month ago, Janovich agreed to a three-year, $5.7 MM contract extension with the team and remains in their long-term plans. However, with young quarterback Brandon Allen under center, the team will have to look for a short-term solution to help the team’s backfield.
East Notes: Bell, Schwartz, Garrett,
Jets running back Le’Veon Bell was part of one of the team’s most active offseason is in recent history. However, Bell may be putting on a new uniform as soon as next season, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Bell is in the midst of the worst statistical season of his career. Cimini details the various hurdles that will limit New York’s flexibility in finding a new option.
Bell’s guarantees will make it unpalatable for the Jets to simply release Bell and so Cimini suggests a trade following the Jadeveon Clowney model that allows the Jets to incur a smaller cap hit, while recouping some compensation for the 27-year old running back.
Here’s some more from around the NFC East:
- Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz may have the most power of any coordinator in the league, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Schwartz has led one of the strongest defensive units in football over his tenure, but has insisted on maintaining a low profile. But, given the strength of the team’s success, the former Lions head coach may be in line for another opportunity at the helm of a franchise this offseason.
- Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett held a meeting with the team’s players on Thursday where he took responsibility for some of the team’s recent shortcomings, according to Jane Slater of the NFL Network. Garrett has been on the hot seat for much of the season, although owner Jerry Jones has publicly remained confident in him, but has Dallas in the driver’s seat in the NFC East. According to Slater, the meeting was received well by the players and may be at least partially responsible for the team’s strong performance in their 35-27 victory in Detroit against the Lions.
Browns Notes: Johnson, Garrett Interview, Contract
Running back Duke Johnson was acquired by the Texans from the Browns earlier this year for a conditional draft pick. Johnson has met the conditions in the agreement so Cleveland will receive Houston’s third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Johnson was holding out for the duration of the offseason attempting to force his way out of Cleveland. The Browns honored his request in the first week of August after they found an amenable agreement with Houston. Since joining the Texans this season, Johnson has appeared in every game of the season for the Texans, rushing for 287 yards on 54 carries, while hauling in 22 receptions for 228 yards.
Here’s more from around the Browns notes:
- Suspended Browns defensive end Myles Garrett had agreed to an interview with Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, but Cleveland’s higher ups called the first overall pick in the 2017 Draft into their office and told him he could not do the interview, per Glazer. After Garrett’s unprecedented fight against the Steelers, which included swinging a helmet at quarterback Mason Rudolph‘s bare head, it would obviously be valuable to hear from the rusher. However, the team is also working in its best interest being cautious with Garrett’s persona given the drama surrounding his current situation.
- Garrett’s suspension will obviously cost him a substantial amount of money, but Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap details the specific ramifications for the young star. Fitzgerald notes that recent changes in rookie contract structures that have de-emphasized signing bonuses and placed more emphasis on base salaries has cost Garrett and could have ramifications for prospects in the future.
NFLPA and MLBPA Form Partnership
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) have come to an agreement with RedBird Capital Partners to form a company called OneTeam Partners LLC to manage the portrayals of players, according to Miriam Gottfried, Andrew Beaton, and Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal (subscription required).
Both unions have long negotiated the sales of players’ likeness and image to gaming, trading card, poster, and other companies independently. It appears both believe they could benefit from teaming up and investing in other opportunities with the proceeds. RedBird Capital paid $125 MM for roughly a 40% share in the company, per the report, the unions annually make roughly $120 MM from standard licensing agreements.
Players will still receive their standard annual payouts from the deals, but RedBird will use the funds to invest in other opportunities. The NFL and MLB unions are not the only ones looking at turning licensing revenue into grander investments. The WNBA, MLS, and U.S. Women’s Soccer team will all be investing in the fund and are in talks to potentially join OneTeam as well, per the report.
As revenues have exploded, especially in the three major sports leagues, teams and leagues have begun to use their revenues to diversify their investments beyond the field. It now seems players are interested in trying to do the same.
Odell Beckham Jr. Believes NFL Is Targeting Him For PED Tests
Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. believes he is being targeted by the league in the performance enhancing drug testing process, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. After Cleveland’s win on Thursday against the Steelers Beckham told reporters, “[The NFL] made me come in Monday when we had an off day. Had a drug test… Made me come in Thursday after the game. Had another drug test.”
The NFL would not respond specifically to Beckham’s accusation, per Cleveland.com, but NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy broadly denied the claims in a statement to the site. McCarthy pointed out that “Neither the union nor league are involved in the selection process.”
Beckham is not the first player to accuse the league of manipulating the PED testing process. Last season, safety Eric Reid accused the league of similar malfeasance. Reid had raised legal claims against the league alongside quarterback Colin Kaepernick in a collusion lawsuit and claimed the league was set on finding dirt on him. However, an official investigation found no wrongdoing by the league in Reid’s case.
In Beckham’s case, there is even less reason to believe the league would have any interest in wrongdoing. While Beckham has struggled this season, his first in Cleveland, he remains one of the league’s biggest celebrities and most popular players.
League Notes: Burfict, Goodell, Kearse, Rivers
In an exclusive interview with Vic Tafur of The Athletic (subscription required), controversial Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict laid into the league and did not seem to leave any thought unspoken. Burfict, who is currently serving a suspension that began after Week 4 and spans to the end of the season, was adamant that his behavior does not compare to Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who was recently suspended indefinitely after swinging a helmet at Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Burfict also detailed the suspension process, including the appeal meeting he had with league executives. The former Bengals linebacker claims the league had already decided on the suspension prior to the meeting and had no interest in hearing his side of the story. On top of some colorful language used at the expense of multiple execs, the piece offers an interesting view into Burfict’s place in the Raiders locker room.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Vikings safety Jayron Kearse may not be in Minnesota for much longer given the tone of his tweets today. This morning Kearse tweeted out that he was “excited” for his future, but when a fan replied asking if the Vikings will be a part of his future, Kearse replied “No.” Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press noted the back and fourth and added that Kearse did not answer him on Friday when Tomasson asked if he would start in tomorrow’s game against the Broncos given Anthony Harris‘ injury. Tomasson speculates that Andrew Sendejo could instead be the starting safety.
- Longtime Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers‘ contract expires at the end of this season and set to turn 38 in December, it would not be a shock for the veteran to declare this his last professional season. However, Rivers remains noncommittal on his future, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN. Rivers still has a desire to play in the Chargers new stadium when it opens in 2020, but wants to take some time after the season ends to evaluate where he is physically and mentally before making any final determination.
Latest On Colin Kaepernick Workout
Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed one of the most unique workouts in NFL history this afternoon. The NFL offered to stage a workout for the quarterback earlier this week. However, Kaepernick’s team became weary of the league’s intentions when his representatives were refused in their requests to open the event to the public. In a last minute decision, Kaepernick’s representation moved the event from the Falcons facility to a public location on their own.
Here’s the latest on the workout and its aftermath:
- When the venue was changed, the NFL released a public statement on NFL.com that expressed they were “disappointed” with Kaepernick’s choice not to participate in the workout they had organized. They claimed “Twenty-five (25) clubs were present for the workout, and all 32 clubs, their head coaches, general managers, and other personnel executives would have received video footage of the interview and workout.” The league also felt the need to note they “made considerable effort to work cooperatively with Colin’s representatives,” among a list of other points that attempted to counter some narratives that the league had been purposely opaque in their negotiations.
- The league also tweeted out from the league’s official account a thread reiterating some main points from the press release. One key point from the league’s perspective, “Colin moved his workout to a facility an hour from Atlanta Falcons Flowery Branch facility. No one got a heads up until NFL saw the Twitter statement.”
- Former Raiders and Browns head coach Hue Jackson was scheduled to run the workout orchestrated by the NFL. However, while Kaepernick’s team invited Jackson to run the workout at the new venue, Jackson returned to the airport, according to Michael Silver of NFL.com.
- WR Bruce Ellington, WR Brice Butler, WR Jordan Veasy, TE/WR Ari Werts, and Panthers S Eric Reid were on the field with Kaepernick for the workout, according to Kaylee Harung of ABC News. The free-agent receivers were likely hoping to catch the eyes of scouts present to view Kaepernick, while Reid has been one of the most consistent advocated for Kaepernick in the league.
- One claim in the announcement made by Kaepernick’s representatives was that the league required he sign an agreement that included language to limit his ability to bring claims against the league. Of course, given Kaepernick’s previous collusion lawsuit against the league, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk argues the workout was a ploy by the league to put Kaepernick “in legal checkmate.”
- In the end, there were not nearly as many teams present at Kaepernick’s workout as the NFL claimed would have been present for the workout they had planned. The Washington football team, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs, Jets, Titans, and Lions were the teams present for his workout, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
- The 2-hour workout was streamed on YouTube and consistently maintained roughly 45,000 viewers. On the field, one NFL executive described Kaepernick’s arm talent as “elite” and on the same level as “when he came out of college,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
- Teams that had personnel present for the workout noted that the workout consisted of 60 throws and “Basically showed he’s the same guy he was,” according to Albert Breer of MMQB. After the workout, Kaepernick did not hold any formal interviews, but in his closing remarks said he would hold an interview with any team. He also thanked his fans for their support and reiterated, “I’ve been ready. I’m staying ready. And I’ll continue to be ready….The ball’s in their court. We’re ready to go.”
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa Out For Season
Top NFL draft prospect (and star quarterback at Alabama) Tua Tagovailoa is out for the season with a dislocated hip with a posterior wall fracture, according Alabama beat writer Aaron Suttles of The Athletic. Tagovailoa was carted off the field earlier today in the Crimson Tide’s game against Mississippi State.
After the Tide completed their 38-7 victory, head coach Nick Saban confirmed that Tagovailoa was being taken to Birmingham for CAT scans and MRIs to AL.com’s Mike Rodak. The reports suggest those scans revealed the news many feared. A dislocated hip with a posterior wall fracture is considered one of the most painful and damaging injuries.
Tagovailoa’s draft stock no longer contains the flash that it did at its peak in the middle of last year. His health and sporadic play in last season’s College Football Playoff raised some questions, while LSU’s Joe Burrow has emerged as a legitimate rival with Tagovailoa for the best quarterback available in next year’s draft class. However, Tagovailoa remained a consensus top-five prospect and still had plenty of season to reassert himself as the best prospect.
Now, Tagovailoa’s injury could put his entire football career in jeopardy. Dr. David J. Chao (also known as Pro Football Doc) details the potential ramifications for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Dr. Chao clarifies that the injury is not identical to Bo Jackson‘s career-ending injury, but is a comparison that is sure to be made. In his previous experience as a former NFL team doctor, Chao recalls one experience with this injury. The player returned in eight weeks, but retired at the end of the season.
This injury injects new levels of uncertainty into Tagovailoa’s future. Not only is he looking at a prolonged rehab, but there now may be questions as to whether he should return to school for his senior season in an attempt to rebuild his draft stock. Granted, this injury could also allow him to fall to a more advantageous long term NFL situation. A lot remains unknown, but one thing is clear: Alabama will be without their starting quarterback for the rest of this season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/11/19
Today wasn’t an active day on the practice squad front, but here’s what went down:
Indianapolis Colts