Broncos Claim RB Justin Forsett Off Waivers
The Broncos have claimed running back Justin Forsett off waivers, according to a source who spoke with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move once again reunited Forsett with coach Gary Kubiak.
The Broncos were in the market for a running back after losing Kapri Bibbs to injury. Now, Forsett will provide veteran help behind Devontae Booker and Juwan Thompson. Bibbs suffered a high ankle sprain this weekend and the Forsett deal is probably an indication that he’s facing a multi-game absence.
Forsett, 31, was dropped by Detroit over the weekend. Forsett had not played in a game since October and has just 136 rushing yards (on 3.1 per carry) this season. A journeyman for most of his career, Forsett broke out in 2014 with 1,266 yards, eight rushing touchdowns, and 44 receptions (all career highs) in 2014. Unfortunately, he has been unable to replicate those numbers ever since.
Needless to say, expectations have been scaled down for Forsett. If he can be a solid change-of-pace back for the Broncos down the stretch and help guide the team’s younger tailbacks, the Broncos will be happy with the acquisition.
Bucs’ Cecil Shorts Done For Season
Ouch. Buccaneers wide receiver Cecil Shorts says that he has suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL along with a dislocated knee (Twitter link via Britt McHenry of ESPN.com). Despite the grueling rehab that surely awaits him, Shorts says that he intends to return to football once he is healthy. He will be placed on IR. 
Of course, that could be easier said than done. Shorts, 29 later this month, has already been held back by injuries over the course of his NFL career. Since entering the league as a fourth-round pick of the Jaguars in 2011, Shorts has missed 19 regular season games. He has battled back from hamstring issues, but this latest injury could prove to be insurmountable.
Shorts accepted a pay cut from the Texans in June, a move which many expected would save his job. However, he was dropped in early September as Houston trimmed down to a 53-man roster. His history with coach Dirk Koetter led him to Tampa Bay over several other teams who had interest. Shorts joined Houston on a two-year, $6MM deal before the 2015 season, but his Bucs deal was for one year and just $1.05MM.
The Shorts/Koetter reunion didn’t exactly set the world on fire. Shorts’ season ends with eleven catches for 152 yards.
Raiders’ Aldon Smith Pushing For Return
Aldon Smith is pushing to return this season and he’s taking the first step towards getting back on the field. The Raiders linebacker is setting up a meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell or another high-ranking official to state his case for reinstatement, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
The 60-day decision for Roger Goodell to make a decision on Smith has passed, but a decision is expected soon. Despite his missteps, Smith and his reps believe that they can make a compelling case for him to play this year. Goodell has a reputation for ruling with an iron fist, but he has shown a willingness to give second or third chances in the past. This year, he opened the door for Josh Gordon to return to the Browns early on in the year, though Gordon did not make good on his end of the bargain.
Smith was handed a one-year suspension November of last year. In the offseason, he inked a two-year, $11.5MM deal with Oakland that did not include any guaranteed money. The Raiders have been hopeful about getting him in uniform this year, but they have been doing pretty well without him. After their 38-24 win against the Bills, the Raiders are 10-2.
Titans Place Kevin Dodd On IR
The Titans announced they are placing linebacker Kevin Dodd on injured reserve. To fill his spot, linebacker Justin Staples will be promoted from the practice squad. 
Addressing reporters today, coach Mike Mularkey acknowledged that Dodd never regained his confidence after undergoing foot surgery in the spring. It’s a common phenomenon for players to show trepidation post surgery and it often leads to a dip in performance and even greater liability for further injury. Dodd, who has been inactive for the last few weeks, may have to have another procedure on his foot.
Staples did not make the Titans 53-man cut and he has been biding his time on the practice squad ever since. In 2014 and 2015, the linebacker appeared in 18 games for Tennessee and amassed three total tackles. Staples, who turns 27 on Saturday, will hope to see a larger role in this stint.
LSU’s Leonard Fournette To Enter Draft
To no one’s surprise, LSU running back Leonard Fournette has announced that he will enter the 2017 NFL Draft. Fournette is widely projected to be among the top picks this spring. 
“I will be declaring for the 2017 NFL draft after our bowl game,” Fournette declared on Twitter. “I make this announcement now so that there will not be speculation and distractions while we prepare. I want everyone to know that I will forever treasure my experience as a Tiger.”
Some have called for Fournette to stay out of the Citrus Bowl, but the Tigers star says that he will not walk out on his team. So far this year, the talented tailback has missed four games due to various injuries including ankle sprains. In his injury-shortened season, Fournette has still managed to run for 843 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2015, Fournette was largely healthy and ran for 1,953 rushing yards, good for an average of 162.8 yards per game.
This year’s crop of running backs is expected to be a strong one with Leonard Fournette of LSU, Dalvin Cook of Florida State, D’Onta Foreman of Arizona, and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford at the top of the heap. Late last month, Foreman announced that he is going pro.
Bills QB E.J. Manuel Hires New Agent
On the cusp of free agency, E.J. Manuel has changed agents, as Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets. Manuel will now be repped by CAA with Todd France as his primary agent. 
[RELATED: Bills Paying Logan Thomas Significant Bonus]
France is now the third agent to represent Manuel in his NFL career. He’ll try to drum up a market for Manuel at a strange time in his career. Once the top QB in Buffalo, Manuel has been moved down the depth chart to make way for Tyrod Taylor. The Bills have their own tough decision to make on Taylor, but it’s hard to see a scenario where they move on from him and install Manuel as the starter again.
A return to the Bills as a backup may be a possibility, but it’s probably not what Manuel has in mind. France will now have the challenge of marketing Manuel after a season in which he has thrown just five passes. Before that – from 2013-2015 – Manuel was just 6-10 as a starter. The Florida State product will turn 27 in March and teams will evaluate him on what he can do today versus his future upside.
Saints TE Josh Hill Done For Year?
Saints tight end Josh Hill has a broken fibula, according to a source who spoke with Nick Underhill of The Advocate (Twitter links). Hill also has an ankle injury, though it is thought to be a high sprain and not a fracture. There is no word yet on Hill’s timetable for recovery, but it stands to reason that he will be placed on IR and shut down for the year. 
Hill is technically listed as the No. 2 tight end on the Saints’ depth chart behind Coby Fleener, but he is a vital part of the team. This offseason, the Bears tried to swoop in on the restricted free agent by offering him a three-year, $7.5MM deal with $3.25MM in guaranteed money. Within to the week, the Saints matched the offer sheet and retained him.
In his four years with the Saints, Hill has averaged just 13 receptions per season. He may not move the needle in the passing game, but the Saints lean on him for his blocking ability.
The Saints are 5-7, behind the Falcons and Buccaneers (both 7-5) in the NFC South.
Latest On Dolphins’ Mike Pouncey
Dolphins center Mike Pouncey has been out for the last three weeks and he’s not sure whether he’ll be able to suit up over the next four. When asked whether he’ll be able to play again this season, Pouncey said, “I don’t know. We’ll see how it goes,” (link via Adam H. Beasley of The Miami Herald). 
Conflicting reports have emerged lately regarding the severity of Pouncey’s hip condition. Some sources have indicated that Miami is worried about Pouncey’s long-term health status. Meanwhile, other reports have said the hip issue is not a career-threatening injury. Either way, it sounds like this injury could potentially end Pouncey’s season. It’s not clear whether he would be available for the playoffs, either, should the Dolphins qualify.
Pouncey, 27, has made the Pro Bowl as both a guard and center in the past. The sixth-year pro graded as the league’s No. 11 center last year, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics. This year, he is just the No. 31 ranked center, putting him 18 spots behind his brother, Maurkice Pouncey.
The Dolphins, 7-5 on the year, are now 3-4 without Pouncey. Anthony Steen again started in his place Sunday as Miami lost 38-6.
Mike Zimmer To Resume Coaching Vikings
Mike Zimmer has returned to his coaching duties and is expected to travel with the team to Jacksonville for this weekend’s game, the Vikings announced. Zimmer will address the media later on today. 
It’s not immediately clear how Zimmer will be traveling to Jacksonville because it could be hazardous to fly after his most recent eye surgery. If he cannot board a plane, the Vikings have a plan in place to drive Zimmer in Florida, according to reports from last week.
Last week, Zimmer was forced to stay home while the Vikings faced the Cowboys. As he listened on the radio to help rest his eyes, Minnesota fell 17-15 under the guidance of special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. If Zimmer was forced to missed this upcoming game, Priefer presumably would have been in the interim role once again.
After the Dallas loss, the Vikings are 6-6 and second place in the NFC North. They’ll need to turn it on the final month to have a chance of catching the 8-4 Lions.
Patriots WR Danny Amendola Suffers Injury
Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola suffered a high-ankle sprain yesterday against the Rams, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The plan now is to make sure he’s ready for the playoffs, Rapoport writes, so it sounds like he could be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. 
Once a focal part of the Pats’ offense, Amendola has been downgraded to more of a supporting role this season. In 12 games, the veteran has just 23 catches for 243 yards, though he does have a career high of four receiving touchdowns. That’s a step down from last year’s 65 grabs for 648 yards or his 2012 season in which he had 54 catches for 633 yards in a 12-game season.
Amendola’s injury is unfortunate, particularly after losing star tight end Rob Gronkowski. However, the Pats do have an impactful receiver in rookie Malcolm Mitchell. Yesterday, the fourth-round pick caught eight of ten targets for 82 yards. His targets and production have been ramping up in recent weeks and it is expected that he will continue to draw looks going forward.
It also helps that the Pats more or less have the AFC East sewn up. Over the next month, the Pats are pretty much playing for the top seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.