NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Collins, Eagles
The Cowboys are leaning toward activating left guard La’el Collins from injured reserve instead of rookie defensive end Charles Tapper, Brandon George of the Dallas News writes. No final decision has been made, however. Collins was meant to be the Cowboys’ starting left guard this year, but he has been out since Week 3 with a toe injury and was forced to undergo surgery. Fortunately, Dallas has been able to lean on Ronald Leary in his absence.
Here’s more from the NFC East:
- The Eagles announced that running back Darren Sproles will be out on Sunday versus the Ravens in the wake of his concussion. As of this writing, the Eagles have three healthy options on the running back depth chart – Ryan Mathews, Kenjon Barner, and Byron Marshall. Barner is expected to serve as the punt returner.
- The Eagles could have used Michael Floyd, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com argues, and he listed several reasons why the former Arizona receiver would have been a good fit for Philly. He argues that unlike others already in-house, Floyd is a proven performer and if you overlook his rookie season and his current so-so campaign, he has at least 800 yards, 47 catches, and five touchdowns in his other three campaigns. He’s also a down-the-field threat, something that the Eagles arguably haven’t had since parting ways with DeSean Jackson. This year, Floyd is averaging just 13.5 yards per catch, but he had an average of 16.0, 17.9, and 16.3 yards per grab in his previous three seasons. By comparison, Jackson averaged 16.2 yards per catch in his final Philly season. Yesterday, the Patriots grabbed Floyd off of waivers while the rest of the league – including Philly – passed on him.
- Recently, we listed Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay as one of ten potential candidates for the Rams’ head coaching job.
LSU’s Leonard Fournette To Skip Bowl Game
As one of the top talents in this year’s draft class, Leonard Fournette is taking no chances. The LSU running back announced today that he will skip his team’s bowl game in order to rest his injured ankle. 
“This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, not playing in the bowl, but it’s best for me and my future,” Fournette said, “It was hard telling the guys. I love them dearly. You grow so close together through this. I’ll forever thank them and support them.”
Fournette estimated that his ankle is at about “85-90%,” which implies that it won’t be an issue when the workout circuit begins. Barring something unforeseen, Fournette appears to be a shoe-in for the first round and a likely Top 10 pick.
Despite the ankle holding him back this year, Fournette has still managed to run for 843 yards and eight touchdowns. Last year, Fournette was largely healthy and ran for 1,953 rushing yards, good for an average of 162.8 yards per game. NFL teams are already licking their chops about what a healthy Fournette is capable of. Two high-level talent evaluators recently said that Fournette is even better than Todd Gurley, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2015 draft.
Steelers Expected To Franchise Le’Veon Bell
No surprise here, but sources “around the league” expect the Steelers to use the $12.377MM franchise tag on running back Le’Veon Bell, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. From there, the Steelers will try and hammer out a long-term extension with him. 
[RELATED: Adam Schefter On Bills GM Doug Whaley’s Job Security]
Despite Bell’s off-the-field missteps, he is one of the very best running backs in the NFL and the Steelers do not want to let him get away. Despite playing in only ten games so far this year, Bell is fourth in total rushing yards with 1,053 and that’s not factoring in the damage he has done as a receiver. He has averaged 105.3 yards per game this year, making him a close second behind Ezekiel Elliott. No other running back is averaging more than 88 yards per contest this year.
Schefter says a long-term deal is “likely” and that pact should put him among the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. Currently, Adrian Peterson has the most lucrative deal of any RB with a six-year, $85.28MM deal signed in 2011. Bell may not top Peterson’s $14MM/year average, but I would wager that he’d net five figures per year on a multi-year contract. LeSean McCoy of the Bills is currently second in AAV with $8MM+/year and Bell should easily surpass that.
Bills GM Doug Whaley Not On Hot Seat?
There has been rampant speculation about the job security of Bills head coach Rex Ryan. While the boisterous coach could be ousted at the end of the season (or, perhaps, just before the end of the season), the man who built the roster is apparently safe. Bills sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com that general manager Doug Whaley is not in jeopardy of losing his job. 
The Bills are 6-7 and have only a 2% chance of making the playoffs, according to Five Thirty Eight’s projections. In all likelihood, the Bills’ postseason drought will extend to 17 seasons and Whaley has been in charge of operations for the last four. Apparently, the Pegulas are comfortable with the way things are going in the front office.
Of course, things might be different in Buffalo if not for the rash of injuries that has plagued the team all year. The Bills were highly-praised for their draft haul this year when they landed defensive end Shaq Lawson and linebacker Reggie Ragland in the first two rounds. Whaley anticipated having both in the starting lineup from the get-go, but both suffered serious injuries and Ragland never even made it to the field this season. When you then factor in the time missed by Sammy Watkins, LeSean McCoy‘s troublesome hamstring, and the string of defensive backs that have gone down with various maladies, it’s almost hard to believe that the Bills are near the .500 mark.
One could argue that Ryan also deserves some slack given the team’s awful luck this year, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be given another chance. If Ryan is canned, the Bills will be moving on to their sixth head coach since 2009.
NFL To Bring Back Veteran Combine
The NFL is bringing back the veteran combine, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). The combine debuted in 2015 but was shelved for 2016. The 2017 combine will take place in Phoenix, Arizona in March.
This year, however, the rules are a little different. This iteration will be only for players who signed their first deals from 2014-16, not for aging vets (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).
At the first combine, upwards of 2,000 players applied to audition and 105 of them were approved to work out. Of that group, only two players landed on rosters to start the season: linebacker Brandon Copeland (Lions) and tight end Ifeanyi Momah (Cardinals). There are a few more players from that workout who currently have 53-man roster deals, including center Ben Gottschalk (Buccaneers), defensive end Brandon Copeland (Lions),
Notables to show their stuff for teams included former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, ex-Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, and former Arkansas running back Felix Jones. Former Rams and Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker impressed on the bench press, but more attention was given to the disappointing performances by vets like running backs Mikel Leshoure and Michael Bush. Bush made headlines when he ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.91 seconds, a time that we have seen bested by offensive line prospects.
Broncos Audition Toby Gerhart
Remember Toby Gerhart? He hasn’t played in an NFL game since November of 2015, but he re-emerged today when he worked out for the Broncos (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). 
Gerhart battled injuries in his two years with the Jaguars and never lived up to his sizable free agent contract. In March, Jacksonville dropped Gerhart, prematurely terminating his three-year deal, $10.5MM pact. We haven’t heard his name much in the last nine months and this is the first reported NFL tryout for him all year.
In 21 total games with Jacksonville, Gerhart ran for 370 yards and two scores. In 2015, he carried the ball 20 times for 44 yards. Gerhart has dealt with an injured foot, bruised ribs, and a tender core in recent seasons and his audition today could be a sign that he is finally healthy.
The Broncos currently have three running backs on the roster: Devontae Booker, Justin Forsett, and Juwan Thompson. Booker, the starter at RB, has been struggling as of late.
Patriots Claim Michael Floyd Off Waivers
Michael Floyd has a new home. One day after being cut by the Cardinals, the wide receiver has been claimed off waivers by the Patriots. 
[RELATED: Patriots Audition Devin Hester]
Floyd was considered a promising not too long ago and the Patriots are hoping that they can get something out of him late in the season. The Cardinals are on the hook for Floyd’s Week 15 salary, so the Pats are responsible for just two weeks of his pay. Floyd gets $430K per week on his $7.32MM salary, so claiming him costs them $861K. If he does well in the final weeks of the season and in the playoffs, he could find a role with the team next year. Alternatively, Floyd could net the Pats a compensatory draft pick if he were to sign elsewhere this offseason as a free agent.
So far this year, Floyd has 33 catches for 446 yards and four touchdowns. Once regarded as the heir apparent to Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, Floyd has slipped down the depth chart and his DUI was apparently the last straw for coach Bruce Arians & Co.
The 11-2 Patriots are tied for the best record in the NFL with the Cowboys. Since New England had winning successful claim, that means just about every other team in the league passed on adding Floyd for the home stretch of the season.
Lions Claim LB Corey Lemonier
The Lions have claimed linebacker Corey Lemonier off waivers. Lemonier was let go by the Browns on Wednesday. 
Cleveland claimed Lemonier, a former Niner, off waivers leading up to Week 1. The 2013 third-round pick went on to tally eight tackles and two sacks in eight appearances (one start) prior to his release.
Lemonier first broke into the league as a third-round pick of the Niners. Unfortunately, that pick didn’t really pan out for Trent Baalke. The Auburn product was mainly a special teamer for San Francisco from 2013-2015. He didn’t really turn over a new leaf with Cleveland this year, but he’ll try and get something going in Detroit.
Patriots Audition Devin Hester
The Patriots brought in return specialist Devin Hester today for a tryout, a source tells Courtney Fallon of NFL Network (on Twitter). It’s not immediately clear whether they will sign him, however. 
[RELATED: Tom Brady Wants To Play Until He’s 45]
Hester, one of the greatest kick returners of all-time, was dropped by the Ravens on Tuesday. Despite his impressive resume, he had a few bad hiccups this year and his decision to not field a punt on Monday night resulted in a safety.
Hester may not be the player that he once was and he can no longer cover up his suspect decision-making with Olympic-level speed. However, the Patriots may still see him as an upgrade over their current options. Some time after Hester’s misstep, Matt Slater fumbled on a kick return and gave the Ravens the ball deep in the Pats’ territory. That quickly led to a Baltimore TD.
Hester was cut loose by Atlanta this offseason and hooked on with Baltimore after healing up from toe surgery. In 2014, he showed that he could still get the job done on the other side of 30. He earned his fourth career Pro Bowl nod as he returned 45 kicks for 1,128 yards and 18 punts for 240 yards.
Rams Place Robert Quinn On IR
The Rams have placed running back Benny Cunningham and defensive end Robert Quinn on injured reserve, the team announced today. In related news, the team has promoted offensive lineman David Arkin and defensive end Morgan Fox to the 53-man roster. 
[RELATED: 10 Coaching Candidates For The Rams]
Quinn has missed the last two games with a concussion and he’ll have to wait before he can take the field in the post-Jeff Fisher era. After missing time with other injuries this year, Quinn’s 2016 season ends with an efficient four sacks in just nine games. After missing half of the 2015 season, Quinn hopes to come back strong and healthy in the New Year. When he’s on the field and playing at 100%, Quinn is one of the most intimidating young edge defenders in the league.
Quinn showed his true potential in 2013 when he earned First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors as he tallied 19 sacks. He also received a tremendous 98.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. He came back down to earth a bit in 2014, but he still racked up 10.5 sacks on his way to yet another Pro Bowl selection.
Without Cunningham, the Rams are left with three running backs on the roster: Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, and Chase Reynolds.