Vikings, Brandon Fusco Agree To Extension
WEDNESDAY, 9:54am: Fusco’s deal includes $24.25MM in new money, $6MM in guarantees, and has a maximum value of $27MM, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
SATURDAY, 1:15pm: The Vikings have agreed with guard Brandon Fusco on a five-year extension worth $25MM, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). The deal will include $6MM in guaranteed money.
Fusco was a sixth-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft out of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He has started in 31 games over the last two seasons, and showed significant signs of improvement last year. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Fusco ranked among the bottom 10 qualified guards in the NFL during the 2012 season, but was a top-10 option last season, posting a grade of +15.7.
As a sixth-rounder, Fusco didn’t have a fifth-year option on his rookie contract, so he would’ve been eligible for free agency in March if the Vikings hadn’t locked him up.
Poll: Which Injury Will Have The Most Impact?
As the first Sunday of NFL football of the 2014 season comes to a close, coming away with a win was an important goal for every NFL team. A not-too-distant second was escaping healthy, as the Panthers confirmed by holding Cam Newton out of the opener. For as crucial as starting the season off with a victory is, the long-term health of the roster is as important for teams keying in on a playoff run.
However, the cliché is that the NFL is a war of attrition, and a few teams have already been bit by the injury bug before the first game was over. Bengals’ tight end Tyler Eifert suffered an elbow injury that knocked him our of the game and could be headed to the IR, albeit with designation for return.
The Chiefs lost two member of their starting defense today, with both linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive lineman Mike DeVito both rupturing their achilles in a 26-10 loss to the Titans. The team will likely be without each player for the remainder of the season. Injuries to pass rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston derailed the defense last season, and after only one week the defense has already taken a big hit.
Evan Mathis has been one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL since arriving in Philadelphia in 2011. A major driving force for the Eagles’ prolific ground attack, Mathis went down with a knee injury today against the Jaguars. The team rallied for a comeback victory, but losing their left guard for an extended period of time could make things difficult for the Eagles’ offense.
Possibly the biggest name to leave a game with an injury and unable to return is first-round pick Jadeveon Clowney. Much like Mathis, Clowney suffered a knee injury, and he will miss time early in the Texans’ season. The team is set up to absorb the injury, with players in place to wade the time. However, while he has not proven his worth at the NFL level, his explosiveness and big play ability will be missed. More importantly, when the Texans do need him later in the season he will be behind the learning curve, still acclimating himself to the speed of the league.
For each of these situations, it will depend on how long the players end up out of the lineup. Teams can weather the storm for a time, but an early season injury can be a huge setback for a team with playoff hopes. The Eagles and Bengals both won their divisions in 2013, but both the AFC North and NFC East were expected to be close, with contenders waiting to pounce. The Chiefs were a surprise wild card team in 2013, but primed for regression before the injuries. The Texans missed the playoffs last season, which set them up to take Clowney at the top of the draft. However they were prepared to make it a quick return to the playoffs with the AFC South up for grabs. Each team has seen their postseason hopes grow more difficult with these week one injuries.
Evan Mathis To Have MRI Monday
Eagles’ left guard Evan Mathis injured his knee when running back LeSean McCoy was tackled into him during the team’s 34-17 victory over the Jaguars. He will have an MRI on Monday morning, reports Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com.
Mathis has started 47 games for the Eagles since arriving in 2011, after coming in and out of the lineup with the Panthers and Bengals. He was named to the All Pro team in 2013, as one of the best offensive linemen in the league.
Andrew Gardner replaced Mathis until right tackle Allen Barbre had to leave the game with an injury as well. Gardner then moved to tackle while David Molk took over duties at Mathis’ spot. The team is already without last year’s first-round pick Lane Johnson, who will miss four games while serving a suspension.
The team is extremely thin along the offensive line at the moment, and with very few options available, the Eagles will hope Mathis’ injury turns out not to be very serious.
Jadeveon Clowney To Miss 4-6 Weeks
Texans’ defensive end Jadeveon Clowney exited the game during the team’s 17-6 victory over the Redskins. The first overall pick injured his knee during his NFL debut.
Albert Breer of NFL Network was first to report that the injury sustained was to Clowney’s MCL (via Twitter). The injury could sideline the pass rusher for between four and six weeks, reports Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via Twitter).
While more will be known after an MRI tomorrow, according to Ed Werder of ESPN (via Twitter), Werder’s colleague Adam Schefter reports that the team fears that Clowney has suffered a meniscus tear that will require arthroscopic surgery (via Twitter).
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms that the injury is indeed a torn meniscus, and reports that Clowney will have surgery on Monday (via Twitter).
Clowney had a tackle in the backfield in his first NFL game, but failed to make it to halftime healthy. Fortunately for the Texans, they have 2012 first-round pick Whitney Mercilus to replace Clowney in the starting lineup. Mercilus had six sacks as a rookie in 2012, and seven sacks last season during his sophomore campaign.
Tyler Eifert Could Be Placed On IR
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert suffered an elbow injury early in the 23-16 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. With the injury, Eifert is a candidate to be placed on IR with designation to return, according to Albert Breer of NFL Network (via Twitter).
Eifert, a pass catching specialist out of Notre Dame, had 39 receptions for 445 yards in 2013, and was primed for a bigger role in the offense this season. The Bengals have made use of Eifert in tandem with Jermaine Gresham in two-tight end sets in 2013, and early in their season opener today.
This leaves the team with only Gresham and journeyman Alex Smith as the two available tight ends. The 10-year veteran Smith has a large target area at 6’4″, but has not contributed much as a receiver over the last few seasons, catching only 34 passes since 2009.
Eifert would likely be designated to return if placed on IR, but in that case would have to miss at least eight weeks. The Bengals could consider bringing another tight end in the meantime if they would like to continue to utilize multiple tight ends in their offense.
Jones, Jordan Could Have Suspensions Lifted
With the league talking with the player’s union about a new drug policy, some NFL players could potentially see their recent drug suspensions reduced or eliminated. As part of the negotiations, the union is seeking to reverse the suspensions that have been handed out this offseason, and two players who could immediately return to action are Dolphins’ defensive pieces Dion Jordan and Reshad Jones, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
The second-year player Jordan was suspended for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy. Jones was also suspended four games for violating the same policy. It would depend on what substances these players tested positive for, but if a new agreement is reached, it’s possible that a first offense would no longer warrant a suspension.
Both players would still likely be enrolled in the league’s substance abuse program regardless of whether or not their suspensions are upheld.
Buccaneers Release Louis Murphy
The Buccaneers have released wide receiver Louis Murphy, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). The former University of Florida star was signed by the team earlier this offseason.
Murphy was a fourth-round pick of Oakland Raiders, where he had some success as a pass catcher. Murphy possessed top end speed coming out of college, but could never be a consistent contributor on an offense.
He also spent some time with the Giants and Panthers, before joining the Buccaneers in March.
Cardinals Release Desmond Bishop
The Cardinals have released veteran linebacker Desmond Bishop, reports Josh Weinfuss of ESPN (via Twitter).
The team signed him in mid-August, on a one-year deal with no guaranteed money involved.
Bishop spent six seasons with the Packers, but missed the entire 2012 season with an injury. He was signed by the Vikings, but played only four games before tearing his ACL. He was expected to compete for a roster spot with the Cardinals, who are without inside linebackers Karlos Dansby to the Browns and Daryl Washington to a year-long suspension.
49ers Release Kassim Osgood
The 49ers have released special teams ace Kassim Osgood, reports Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter).
They used the roster space in order to take Alex Boone off the exempt list following his holdout and return him to the active roster.
Osgood made a name for himself with the Chargers, making three Pro Bowls as a special teams player. He also spent time with the Jaguars and Lions, though he never developed into a receiving threat.
49ers, Alex Boone Rework Contract
MONDAY, 6:19pm: Boone has passed his physical and returned to the 49ers, the team announced in a press release. San Francisco has asked for a roster exemption for Boone, who must be added to the 53-man roster before he is eligible to play.
SUNDAY 11:29am: Pro Bowl guard Alex Boone is expected to report to the 49ers within the next 24 hours, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). He and the team have agreed to a reworked two-year contract in order to get him back with the team.
A key part of the deal is language that prevents the team from franchising him at the end of the two year deal, reports Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). Boone will be a true free agent at the end of the new deal, free to sign with any team.
Boone was set to make $3.7MM total over the next two years, and that number would increase to $6MM during the length of the contract, reports Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). They also note that the team has waived all fines and bonus forfeitures related to the holdout (via Twitter).