Weak Trade Interest In Browns OT Joe Thomas?
Despite denials from the Browns, multiple reports have indicated that tackle Joe Thomas could be traded if the right offer is made. Right now, however, it doesn’t sound like there are a lot of offers coming in. There is limited trade interest in Thomas, Mike Florio of PFT hears. 
A source with knowledge of the situation says that only two teams have been exploring the potential move. That’s surprising given the long list of contending teams that could use a left tackle upgrade. In the last week, the Patriots, Cardinals, Giants, Seahawks, and Vikings have been linked to Thomas. Now it sounds like at least three of those teams have not called Cleveland to arrange a deal.
Thomas, a lifelong member of the Browns, has never been to the postseason. Still, he does not want to be traded. First-year coach Hue Jackson addressed reporters earlier this week and said that Thomas would not be dealt between now and the deadline. Despite that, rival GMs believe that top exec Sashi Brown could pull the trigger on a deal, especially since the team is going nowhere in 2016.
Pigskin Links: Osweiler, Titans, Draft
Here at Pro Football Rumors, we deliver up-to-the-minute news on NFL transactions and high-quality original analysis. Each week, we also feature some of the best blog articles from around the web in our regular feature, Pigskin Links.
We’re looking for interesting reads on all things football from blogs of all sizes. While PFR is dedicated to player movement, Pigskin Links is open to pieces on all areas of the game. If you would like to suggest your blog post (or someone else’s) for Pigskin Links, send us an email with the link and a brief synopsis at PigskinLinks@gmail.com.
Here’s this week’s look around the football blogosphere:
- Wayniac Nation examined the Brock Osweiler situation in Houston.
- Titans247 says last night’s win was huge for the Titans.
- NFL Draft Report put the spotlight on Michigan’s Mason Cole.
- Cup Of Joe In The D turned in their college football Top 25.
- Sports Central made Week 8 predictions.
Got a great football blog post that you want to see featured in next week’s Pigskin Links? Email it to Zach or tweet it to him: @ZachLinks.
Bills’ LeSean McCoy Unlikely To Play Sunday
Last week, LeSean McCoy tweaked his hamstring in practice. The initial word was that the Bills would play it safe with their star running back and rest him on Sunday. Instead, the Bills allowed Shady to play against the Dolphins where he re-aggravated his injury. This week, Buffalo has listed McCoy as doubtful for their upcoming game. The tailback did not practice today and coach Rex Ryan all but confirmed that he won’t be able to go against the Patriots. 
“Obviously he never practiced this week, so you guys can figure that one out,” Ryan told reporters.
Of course, given the tricky nature of hamstring injuries, it’s fair to wonder if McCoy could also be hampered in the longer term. Last year, McCoy missed time with hamstring issues and was out of action for one-quarter of the regular season.
If the Bills don’t throw everyone a curveball again this week, backup Mike Gillislee is expected to get the start. In his limited work this season, the soon-to-be 26-year-old has been impressive, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. With only 75 carries in parts of three seasons, the Bills are eager to see what he can do as the lead back for an entire game.
The Bills don’t necessarily have to add a running back as they already have Gillislee, Reggie Bush, and Jonathan Williams on the 53-man roster. They don’t have any running backs on their 10-man practice squad.
Jarius Wright Hopes To Stay With Vikings
Earlier this year, Jarius Wright was the subject of trade rumors. As this year’s trade deadline approaches, however, the Vikings wide receiver says that he has not caught wind of any trade possibility, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweets. Furthermore, he says that he hopes to remain in Minnesota. 
As it stands, Wright is slated to be with the Vikings for a long time thanks to the extension he signed about 13 months ago. Initially slated to finish out his rookie deal after the 2015 season, the four-year extension worth $14.8MM ($7MM guaranteed) should keep him in place through 2019.
Last season, Wright caught 34 passes for 442 yards. However, he’s been mostly relegated to the bench this season with Stefon Diggs, Charles Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Cordarrelle Patterson ahead of him. Wright has only seen the field in two games this season and did not get his opportunity until injuries carved a path for him.
“The only reason I was frustrated was I just know that I could help this team,’’ said Wright earlier this month (via Tomasson). “But I also have been in the league long enough to understand it’s a long season. But who would I replace? All the receivers have been making plays. … Sometimes it takes an injury to get a chance.’’
Wright, 27 in November, could get more of an opportunity elsewhere. But, as far as he knows, he’s not being shopped and wants it to stay that way.
Jets’ Darrelle Revis Not Thinking Retirement
Anyone who has watched Darrelle Revis since his return to New York knows that the sequel to Revis Island hasn’t been anywhere near as good as the original. The Jets cornerback admits that he is a shell of the player that he once was, but he also says that he’s not considering retirement, as Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday writes. 
[RELATED: Rival GMs Doubt Jets Would Get Much For Brandon Marshall]
“My body’s breaking down,” Revis said. “Yeah, I am. I mean, not in a bad way. I can still play…It’s just, I’m breaking down. I’m 31. How many corners are 31 right now in the league? The league’s getting younger. I know [Vikings cornerback Terence] Newman’s still playing [at 38], which is impressive. But I don’t know how he’s doing it.”
Revis went on to say, “I’m not thinking about retirement at this moment.” That doesn’t come as a huge surprise given the salary that Revis is pulling in. Revis has the second highest average annual value in the league at $14MM+ per season with only Josh Norman ahead of him. He’s paid more per season than Patrick Peterson, Richard Sherman, Trumaine Johnson, Joe Haden, Janoris Jenkins, Darius Slay, and every other big name cornerback out there.
Meanwhile, his performance has slipped to the point where he is actually among the worst corners with regular playing time in the NFL. Pro Football Focus has Revis ranked 83rd out of 116 qualified cornerbacks with poor scores in every major category. In 2014, the year before he returned to the Jets, PFF ranked Revis as the fourth-best corner in the league behind only Chris Harris Jr., Vontae Davis, and Sherman.
Panthers Place CB Teddy Williams On IR
The Panthers announced that cornerback Teddy Williams has been placed on injured reserve. In a related move, fellow corner Leonard Johnson has been officially activated from the reserve/non-football injury list. 
The specifics of Williams’ injury are not yet known, but we do know that he left practice with a trainer on Thursday after hurting his left knee. Williams spent last season with the Jaguars and even though he was a restricted free agent, the team declined to extend him a tender. This offseason, Carolina scooped him up on a two-year deal worth up to $2.3MM. Williams ends his season after appearing in three games for the Panthers this year. His highlight came a couple of weeks ago against the Saints when he logged his first career interception.
Johnson, meanwhile, has been working his way back from Achilles surgery.
“I think Leonard can bring a little energy to what we’re trying to do,” Rivera said in a press release. “He’s a guy that excels at playing the nickel position. That’s why we brought him here. It was just a matter of time before we had a chance to see who he is on the football field. We as coaches like what we saw. We were willing to take the chance on having this guy around on (NFI), and hopefully he can develop, as he gets more and more opportunities in our scheme.”
Johnson played in four games with three starts at nickel back for the New England in 2015.
Redskins Promote RB Mack Brown
The Redskins signed running back Mack Brown to their active roster off of their practice squad, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The move is another indication that the team will be without Matt Jones on Sunday. To make room, Washington waived safety Josh Evans.
The fumble-prone Jones has been dealing with a knee injury and was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Now, Jones will be on the sidelines as Chris Thompson and Rob Kelley handle the Redskins’ ground attack. Brown, meanwhile, will back both of them up as Washington takes on the Bengals in London.
Brown missed the Redskins’ 53-man cut in each of the last two years. After being yo-yo’d on and off the practice squad last year, Brown landed there again this year. Now, he might actually get his first taste of real NFL action.
Brown led the NFL with 227 rushing yards in the 2016 preseason.
AFC Notes: Browns, McCown, Dolphins, Texans
Browns head coach Hue Jackson said at his press conference today that “all signs are pointing to” quarterback Josh McCown starting on Sunday against the Jets, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rookie signal-caller Cody Kessler, then, is presumably unlikely to clear the league’s concussion protocol in time for the Week 8 contest. McCown, 37, went 1-7 as a starter for the Browns last season. In his one game under center for Cleveland this year, the veteran completed 20 of his 33 passes and threw two touchdowns with two interceptions.
Let’s take a look at a few more notes from the AFC:
- After Arian Foster‘s surprising retirement, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald suggests the Dolphins should pursue Karlos Williams. The troubled tailback recently hooked on with Pittsburgh’s practice squad and while he has issues, he can be a very effective tailback as evidenced by his 517 yards and seven touchdowns off of 93 carries last year. Miami scheduled a visit with Williams earlier this month but that trip was cancelled once he signed elsewhere.
- The Texans worked out guard/tackle Andrew Gardner on Wednesday, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Houston also auditioned guard Josh Walker, who ended up signing on with the club’s practice squad. The Texans are looking to add a bit of offensive line depth after losing starting right tackle Derek Newton for the remainder of the season, and they’ve already signed tackle Jeff Adams to the active roster this week. Gardner, 30, spent 2011-13 with Houston, and played for Philadelphia during the past two seasons.
- Defensive back Justin Currie will work out for the Browns on Friday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Currie, 23, was an undrafted free agent in 2015, and spent last summer as part of the Giants’ offseason roster.
NFL Interviews Ezekiel Elliott
The NFL recently interviewed Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott about the domestic violence allegations raised against him earlier this year, a source tells USA Today’s Tom Pelissero. Elliott did not face criminal charges for any of the five alleged incidents raised by his ex-girlfriend, but the league is still investigating what happened. 
Of course, the NFL is under extra scrutiny with regards to domestic violence cases in the wake of the Josh Brown issue. If the league finds that the allegations against Elliott hold some water, it’s not difficult to imagine him being hit with a suspension.
In addition to the DV allegations, the Cowboys were reportedly disappointed by Elliott’s off-the-field behavior in the summer. Elliott was spotted at a Seattle marijuana shop in August and in texts with his aforementioned ex, he seemed to imply that he was working to circumvent a drug test.
Since the start of the season, Elliott has been doing nothing but making Cowboys officials smile. Through six games, the Ohio State product has 703 yards off of 137 carries with five touchdowns. That averages out to a 5.1 yards per carry average and 117.2 yards per contest. Elliott also has 11 catches for 98 yards.
Bears Coach John Fox “Done With” Jay Cutler?
It has long been rumored that the Bears will be moving on from quarterback Jay Cutler after the 2016 season. According to one report, coach John Fox has been vocal about that behind the scenes. Fox told friends he was done with Cutler earlier this year, two different league sources tell Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Tribune. 
[RELATED: Bears Sign RB David Cobb To Practice Squad]
Of course, the Bears didn’t have the luxury of swearing off Cutler when Brian Hoyer went down with a broken left arm. Now, Cutler is back in the driver’s seat, even though the belief is still that he won’t be back next year. For what it’s worth, Fox vehemently denied Mulligan’s report when talking to reporters today, saying that it is “absolutely not true.”
In 2014, Cutler completed a career high 66% of his passes and threw 28 touchdowns (also a career high) against 18 interceptions. Last year, however, his performance fell off as the Bears had another down year.