Broncos Plan To Fire Vance Joseph
The Broncos are planning to fire head coach Vance Joseph at the end of the season, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Joseph has been rumored to be on the hot seat since last year, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. 
[RELATED: Broncos Considered Bringing Back Mike Shanahan]
Joseph was given a reprieve last year, but GM John Elway considered ousting him after just one season. Reportedly, Elway approached team ownership with the idea of bringing back Mike Shanahan, but Elway was instructed to either conduct a head coaching search that would not include Shanahan or give Joseph another shot with a better quarterback.
The Broncos went out and upgraded the quarterback position considerably – or, at least, they thought they did. Case Keenum has thrown for just 15 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in his first season with Denver and his 62.1% completion percentage is way behind his 67.6% posting last year with the Vikings.
The Broncos are tied to Keenum through 2019 thanks to his two-year, $36MM contract, but they apparently have no qualms about cutting of Joseph’s deal, which runs through 2021. The Broncos are 6-8 heading into their final two games and changes clearly need to be made.
In other Broncos news, the team placed star cornerback Chris Harris on injured reserve this week.
Dorial Green-Beckham Arrested
Former Eagles and Titans wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham was arrested on a felony drug possession charge on Wednesday, according to TMZ Sports. Green-Beckham has not been on the NFL radar since being released by the Eagles in the summer of 2017 and this latest incident will surely be another barrier between him and the league. 
[RELATED: Patriots’ Josh Gordon Facing Indefinite Ban]
Police were called to a residence and found Green-Beckham attempting to flee through a window when they arrived. When he was captured, cops found one pound of marijuana in his backpack along with several vials of THC oil. Further inspection of the premises uncovered seven more pounds of marijuana, though authorities believe that weed belongs to someone else.
In high school, DGB was one of the country’s most sought after recruits. In the NFL, however, he washed out after two disappointing seasons. Green-Beckham’s lack of work ethic led the Titans to ship him out just one year after the organization used a second round pick on him. Then, his stint with the Eagles ended after less than one calendar year. During his lone season in Philly, the 24-year-old hauled in 36 receptions for 392 yards and two touchdowns.
Panthers Place Shaq Thompson On IR
Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson has been placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Thompson, like teammate Cam Newton, will not be on the field for the team’s final games against the Falcons and Saints. 
[RELATED: Panthers To Sit Cam Newton]
Thompson, 24, set new statistical career-highs this year with 3.5 sacks and 79 total tackles. Presently, he ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 28 ranked linebacker in the NFL.
The Panthers exercised Thompson’s 2019 option in the spring, meaning that he is under club control next year at a cost of $9.232MM. Shoulder issues have plagued him all season, so the Panthers do not want to risk his health in two games that, for all intents and purposes, are meaningless. As the New York Times playoff tree shows, Carolina would need to win out and gain the cooperation of at least five other outcomes in order to even have a chance at extending their season.
Recognizing the long odds, the Panthers also opted against activating safety Da’Norris Searcy from injured reserve.
Patriots’ Josh Gordon Banned Indefinitely
Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended indefinitely for violating terms of his reinstatement under the substance abuse policy, as first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). On Thursday afternoon, the NFL made it official via press release.
The impending ban explains why Gordon took to Twitter on Thursday morning to announce that he’s stepping away from the game to address his mental health. 
“I take my mental health very seriously. At this point, to ensure I remain able to perform at the highest level, [I am taking time away from football],” Gordon wrote on social media. “I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally. With that said, i will be stepping away from the football field for a bit to focus on my mental health. I would like to thank Coach Belichick, Mr. Kraft, as well as countless others within the Patriots organization for their continued support. I want to thank my fans for their support as well as I continue down the path getting back to 100%”
Gordon remained in Stage 3 of the substance abuse policy even after reinstatement, so this is a truly indefinite ban with no one-year minimum, as is often the case with other lengthy suspensions. There is no timeline for Gordon’s return and no guarantee that he’ll be cleared to play for the 2020 season.
The Patriots knew the risk associated with the ultra-talented Gordon when they acquired him from the Browns in September. The rest of the league knew the risks involved as well, which is why the Pats were able to land the former All-Pro for a fifth-round pick, with a seventh-round choice coming back. Gordon’s season with the Patriots – which may prove to be his last – ends with 40 catches, 720 yards, and three touchdowns across eleven games.
The Patriots are just two weeks away from the playoffs and are working to clinch a first-round bye. Losing Gordon stings, but they still have plenty of pass-catching weapons including Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, and James White. Gordon, and the every-down threat he provides, will be missed, but it’s hardly a death sentence for one of the league’s strongest teams.
“We support Josh Gordon in his continued efforts to focus on his health,” the Patriots said in a statement. “His attempt to do so is a private and personal matter, which we intend to respect.”
Gordon has a long history substance abuse issues and has been suspended multiple times by the league office. His last ban, also of the indefinite variety, was lifted under the condition that he would stay sober. It’ll be a long road back for Gordon should he try to play in the NFL again.
Gordon was hit with a ten-game suspension in 2014 and missed all of the 2015 and 2016 seasons due to substance-abuse trouble. After that, he did not suit up for the Browns again until December 2017 when he was reinstated. Gordon also missed Browns training camp this past year, reportedly checking himself into a rehab facility in fear of another substance-abuse relapse. He has also admitted to playing under the influence since high school, so his issues with drugs go back at least a decade.
Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/18
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Pete Robertson, S Fish Smithson
- Released: OL Justin Evans
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Christian Blake, OL Chris Durant
- Released: WR Julian Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Landon Turner, LB Antwione Williams
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Justin Stockton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Arrion Springs
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Toby Weathersby
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Martez Carter
- Released: QB J.T. Barrett
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Cayson Collins
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Jordan Smallwood
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Marcus Henry
- Released: WR Damore’ea Stringfellow
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Alec James
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB Alex Carter, WR Montay Crockett, DB Jack Tocho
Redskins Place Montae Nicholson On Reserve List
Redskins safety Montae Nicholson has been placed on the reserve list following his arrest for assault and battery. The move may have been prompted by the leaked footage (via TMZ) which appears to show Nicholson brutally assaulting another man and knocking him unconscious. 
Police say Nicholson and a female assaulted two people — a man and a woman. Nicholson alleged assault put the male victim in the hospital with serious injuries, though they are not believed to be life-threatening.
Nicholson, 23, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. TheMichigan State product started six games as a rookie and the Redskins’ first seven this year. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix replaced Nicholson in the Redskins’ starting lineup midseason, but the second-year player has played in each of Washington’s 14 games, making 41 tackles.
It seems likely that Nicholson will face league suspension for the incident and his future with the team may be in jeopardy.
Cardinals Claim WR Pharoh Cooper
The Cardinals claimed former Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper off of waivers, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Cooper was waived by the Rams on Tuesday to make room for running back C.J. Anderson. 
Cooper was a 2017 All-Pro as a return man, but his 2018 season in L.A. did not go as expected. A Week 1 injury sent Cooper to IR, and when he returned in November, he was relegated only to kick returns as Jojo Natson took over on punt return duty.
A 2016 fourth-round pick, Cooper averaged 12.5 yards per punt return in 2017 and returned one kick for a score. He struggled during Los Angeles’ playoff loss but was still prioritized by the NFC West champions this season. Now, the Cardinals have claimed Cooper’s contract, which runs through 2019.
The Cardinals likely see Cooper as a candidate for 2019’s roster, but he may also provide them with valuable intel in advance of their Week 16 matchup against the Rams.
Panthers To Sit Cam Newton
The Panthers are effectively out of the playoffs and they’re opting to protect their starting quarterback with two games to go. Cam Newton and his sore shoulder will head to the bench and Taylor Heinicke will take over as the starter for the rest of the year, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Technically, the Panthers have a path to the postseason, but it would require a whole lot of favorable breaks in addition to two more wins. As the New York Times playoff tree shows, Carolina would need to win out and gain the cooperation of at least five other outcomes in order to even have a chance at extending their season. With less than a 1% chance of that happening, the Panthers will not risk the health of their franchise quarterback.
Newton, 29, captured the league’s MVP trophy in 2015 and led the Panthers to a Super Bowl 50 appearance. Since then, Newton and the Panthers have not been able to find the same level of success. The 2018 season was up-and-down for Newton & Co., even though the QB will finish out with a career high 67.9% completion percentage.
The Panthers inked Newton to a five-year, $103.8MM extension in the summer of 2015, so it only makes sense for them to protect their investment. Newton is set to count for a $23.2MM cap figure next year and a $21.1MM figure in 2020. However, next year will be a pivotal year for Newton and his future in Carolina. The Panthers can escape the final year of his deal with just $2MM in dead money, so finances would not prevent them from a reboot under center.
Raiders Sign Nathan Peterman
The Raiders have signed quarterback Nathan Peterman to the practice squad, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Peterman will serve as the team’s scout team quarterback as new father A.J. McCarron welcomes his new baby boy at the hospital. 
Peterman, a 2017 fifth-round pick of the Bills, was horrendous in his two starts for Buffalo this season. Heading into that draft, some evaluators were high on the Pittsburgh product, and then-ESPN analyst Jon Gruden was one of his most ardent supporters.
So far, Peterman has done little to inspire confidence. He has a career 52.3% completion rate across eight games and advanced metrics indicate that his 2018 performance is among the worst in modern NFL history when adjusted for scale.
It doesn’t sound like Peterman will see the field in the Raiders’ final two games, but if he impresses in practice, he could be a candidate for a reserve/futures deal in the New Year.
Michigan LB Devin Bush To Enter NFL Draft
Michigan’s Devin Bush is going pro. On Wednesday, the linebacker announced that he will enter the 2019 NFL Draft. 
[RELATED: Michigan DL Rashan Gary To Enter NFL Draft]
Bush is widely projected as a late first-round or early second-round selection. His landing spot will largely hinge on his health. Bush suffered a hip injury in a November loss to Ohio State and could not get cleared in time for the upcoming Peach Bowl.
Bush finished out the 2018 season with 66 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss, and 4.5 sacks. Last year, he had 95 tackles in total, 10 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and an interception. He’s been on the NFL radar for some time, particularly since he’s the son of Falcons 1995 first-round pick Devin Bush Sr.
Presently, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has him ranked as the No. 29 overall prospect in the draft the second-best linebacker in the entire class. Teammate Rashan Gary is likely to receive more attention in the buildup to the draft, but Bush won’t be far behind if he can show that he is healthy.