NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/8/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Xavier Coleman, WR Cam Phillips
- Released: WR Hunter Sharp
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: RB Roc Thomas
- Released: G Landon Turner
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Cole Croston
- Released: RB David Jones
New York Giants
- Released: RB Jhurell Pressley
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Tarvarus McFadden
Poll: Will Le’Veon Bell Play This Season?
The Le’Veon Bell watch continues. For months, it was expected that the Steelers star running back would report for work by Nov. 13, the deadline for him to sign his franchise tag and play in 2018. However, Bell’s camp only recently confirmed that the running back does not have to show up for work by Tuesday in order to solidify his status as a free agent for next season, which means that Bell could theoretically stay home for the entire season. 
Originally, it was believed the Steelers would have the right to franchise tag Bell again for the same rate as this season if he did not ink his tender by the deadline on Tuesday. As it turns out, the price of the third tag would actually jump to the quarterback level, which would cost upwards of $25MM. The transition tag would technically be in play, but the Steelers are very unlikely to match any offer and such a move would saddle the team with an unnecessary cap hold.
All of this means that Bell can stay at home and preserve his health for free agency, though it would mean losing out on approximately $6MM in salary after already having forfeited $7.7M in game checks. Some say that Bell should get back on the field to prove his commitment to football and reassert himself as one of the game’s best running backs, but the 26-year-old firmly believes that he’ll find a strong market for his services no matter what.
Do you expect Bell to show up by Tuesday to face the Jaguars on Nov. 18? Or do you think Bell will extend his holdout through the end of the season? Click below to cast your vote (link for app users) and back up your choice in the comment section.
Will Le'Veon Bell Report By Tuesday?
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No 74% (1,402)
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Yes 26% (502)
Total votes: 1,904
Dorsey To Run Browns’ Coaching Search
When the Browns were in the market for a head coach in 2016, ownership enlisted the help of search firm of Korn Ferry, which ultimately led to the hiring of Hue Jackson. This time around, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam will allow GM John Dorsey to have full authority over the search, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com hears. 
It’s probably the smart move, given Dorsey’s wealth of NFL experience and thick rolodex of contacts within the league. The Haslams will have input in the collaborative process, but Cabot hears that Dorsey will ultimately lead the charge and make the hire.
The Browns’ hierarchy has been jumbled in the past, but this could be a sign that the next head coach will report directly to Dorsey rather than to ownership. No decision has been made on that front just yet, however.
Mired in yet another losing season, the Browns may be a tough sell for this year’s top coaching candidates. However, Dorsey’s reputation and Baker Mayfield‘s potential could put them in the mix for some intriguing names.
Details On Dez Bryant’s Deal With Saints
Dez Bryant’s one-year contract with the Saints is technically worth $1.25MM and will pay him $600K in base salary for rest of season, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, the wide receiver has the ability to add another $500K in incentives, meaning that he could theoretically earn $1.1MM for the remainder of the season. 
It’s a big step down from what Bryant could have earned had he signed in the offseason. The Ravens offered him a three-year deal worth roughly $21MM, but Bryant held out in hopes of finding a lucrative one-year deal that would allow him to reach the open market in the spring. Bryant will be able to test free agency in 2019 under the terms of his Saints deal, but he lost out on more than $6MM for 2018.
On the plus side, Bryant is joining up with one of the league’s most dynamic offenses and has a real chance to showcase his skills. With Cameron Meredith headed to IR, Bryant ranks as one of the team’s top three wide receivers alongside star Michael Thomas and rookie Tre’Quan Smith.
Bryant’s production trailed off in 2017, but he’s not far removed from a 2016 season in which he averaged a career-high 15.9 yards per catch. Soon, we’ll find out whether Bryant can still stretch the field.
Saints’ Cameron Meredith Done For Year
Saints wide receiver Cameron Meredith will be placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The injury helps to explain the club’s signing of Dez Bryant, which will be formally completed on Thursday. 
Meredith is no stranger to the IR list after tearing his ACL and MCL before the 2017 season. This time around, the knee injury is not believed to be as serious, but it’s enough to rule him out for the year.
Meredith has not been involved in the Saints’ offense outside of Weeks 3-5, though he’s dressed for the last few weeks. When he was on the field, Meredith had nine catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.
The 26-year-old’s injury opened the door for rookie Tre’Quan Smith, who has flashed some serious potential. Smith figures to play a big role on Sunday behind Michael Thomas since Bryant is not a lock to suit up against the Bengals, but the power balance may shift towards the veteran later in the year.
The Saints are left with four healthy wide receivers after losing Meredith and adding Bryant, so another signing is possible.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/7/18
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Montay Crockett
- Released: OL Kyle Friend
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DB Arrion Springs
- Released: OL Jake Eldrenkamp
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Andy Jones
- Released: TE Hakeem Valles
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DE Anthony Lanier, LB Kyle Wilson
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Josh Ferguson
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Quadree Henderson
New York Jets
- Signed: RB De’Angelo Henderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Emmanuel Ellerbee
Browns Claim CB Phillip Gaines, S Jermaine Whitehead Off Waivers
The Browns claimed cornerback Phillip Gaines (from the Bills) and safety Jermaine Whitehead (Packers) off waivers, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). If placed on the active roster, both players will be available for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.
Cleveland’s been short on secondary personnel recently. Damarious Randall missed Week 9 because of groin and ankle injuries, and E.J. Gaines (concussion) is now on IR.
Both Cleveland-bound players have connections to the front office. John Dorsey drafted Gaines in the third round while serving as the Chiefs’ GM in 2014, and Whitehead caught on with the Packers in 2016, when Browns execs Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith were in Green Bay.
Phillip Gaines signed a league-minimum deal with the Bills after four seasons of up-and-down work with the Chiefs. He started in six Buffalo games this season — the most of his career — and made 54 tackles.
Whitehead started in two Packers contests and was expected to be a bigger part of Green Bay’s secondary following the Ha Ha Clinton-Dix trade. The former UDFA, however, was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Patriots, further weakening an already-thin safety contingent. He played 221 snaps this season, registered 37 stops and recorded a sack.
Vikings Claim RB Ameer Abdullah
The Vikings claimed former Lions running back Ameer Abdullah off waivers, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move gives the former second-round pick a shot at a fresh start and even an opportunity for revenge when the Vikings face the Lions in Week 16. 
Abdullah entered the league with tons of hype in 2015, but injuries prevented him from doing much of anything after his rookie season. With the Lions this year, Abdullah was mostly inactive behind rookie star Kerryon Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, and pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick.
Technically speaking, Abdullah ranks no higher than third on the Vikings’ depth chart behind Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray, but Cook’s hamstring issues could reappear at any time. Cook looked strong in Week 9 as he rattled off a 70-yard run, but one wrong step could jeopardize his season. The Vikings also have UDFAs Michael Boone and Roc Thomas on the 53-man roster, but one of those players will probably be forced out to make room for the Nebraska product.
The Vikings own the 12th best record in the NFL, meaning more than half of the league passed on the opportunity to add Abdullah. Still, it’s a low-risk move for Minnesota since Abdullah’s contract will expire at the end of the season.
Saints Adjust Terron Armstead’s Contract
The Saints are expected to restructure offensive tackle Terron Armstead’s 2018 salary, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The revised deal will turn the rest of Armstead’s $10.2MM base salary into a signing bonus and create room for the addition of Dez Bryant. 
[RELATED: Saints Sign WR Dez Bryant]
Armstead, 27, is under contract through 2021 thanks to the five-year, $65MM extension he inked back in 2016. He counts for a $13.5MM cap charge this year, a $15MM charge in 2019 and 2020, and a $12.75MM figure in ’21.
Armstead in the midst of another brilliant season and ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 ranked tackle in the NFL. If he keeps it up through the second half of the year, he may finally secure the first Pro Bowl nod of his career.
The Saints, with Bryant in the fold, will look to extend their seven-game winning streak when they face the Bengals on Sunday.
Jets QB Sam Darnold To Miss Time
Jets quarterback Sam Darnold has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Bills with a significant sprain on his right foot, as Manish Mehta of the Daily News tweets. The team will monitor his injury, but he is presently considered week-to-week, according to ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini (Twitter link). 
Darnold suffered the injury during an all-around trying game against the Dolphins. Frankly, Darnold could use the respite. The rookie showed some flashes of brilliance early on this season, but his performance has sagged along with the rest of the Jets’ offense in recent weeks.
The Jets hope that Darnold will be back after the team’s Week 11 bye to face the Patriots, but Mehta hears they’re not overly optimistic at this point. At 3-6, the Jets are unlikely to make the playoffs, so they have little reason to push Darnold back out on to the field if he is anything less than 100% healthy.
Without Darnold, who has thrown a league-high 14 interceptions through nine weeks, the Jets will use Josh McCown as their starter for the time being. Former Giants draft pick Davis Webb, who is on the team’s practice squad, would be a logical choice for the job.