Browns’ Josh Gordon Did Not Fail Drug Test
Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon did not fail a drug test this offseason, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports. There were previous rumblings that Gordon did not directly violate the league’s substance abuse policy, but this is the first confirmation that we have heard. 
Because Gordon didn’t fail a test, no suspension is anticipated once he returns. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be in uniform for Week 1. Gordon is still in Florida as he works on his mental and physical health, Cabot writes, so he’ll need the go-ahead from his NFL-sanctioned medical team before getting back to football.
Still, the Browns remain optimistic about Gordon’s future and they plan to stick with him as he works towards a full recovery. The club is keeping in contact with Gordon, but at the same time, they’re considering Dez Bryant as insurance.
Over the course of his up-and-down career, Gordon has appeared in 40 games and recorded 179 receptions for 3,089 yards and 15 touchdowns. In 2013, he led the league with 1,646 receiving yards.
Poll: Should The Browns Sign Dez Bryant?
The Browns and Dez Bryant are meeting today, but each side has reservations about a potential union. Bryant ducked the Browns’ phone calls for a while and only got in touch with the Browns after GM John Dorsey disclosed that to the public. The Browns, meanwhile, aren’t completely sold on Bryant being a good fit for them. 
The Browns’ internal conflict is understandable as Bryant’s star has faded considerably in recent years. After averaging 91 catches for 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns between 2012 and 2014, his averages plummeted to 50 catches for 678 yards and 6 TDs over the last three years. He also missed ten games due to injury between 2015 and 2016, and some say he wasn’t giving 100% towards the end of his run in Dallas.
Will Bryant be motivated by his release from the Cowboys? It stands to reason that he will, but one can’t help but wonder how Bryant would react to a sharp decrease in targets. Bryant would be in line for plenty of looks if Josh Gordon misses time, but the Browns are hopeful that the troubled star will be ready to go in Week 1. It’s not hard to imagine a scenario in which Bryant is relegated to being the third wide receiver behind Landry and Gordon, and there’s also a group of talented young receivers to consider, including rookie Antonio Callaway.
With reservations and interest on both sides, we want to know what you think. Should the Browns sign Bryant? Click below to cast your vote.
Poll: Should The Browns Sign Dez Bryant?
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Yes 51% (943)
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No 49% (897)
Total votes: 1,840
Raiders Place Ahtyba Rubin On IR
The Raiders have placed defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin on injured reserve. Rubin suffered a torn biceps during last week’s joint practice with the Lions, as Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. 
Rubin was set to enter the final year of a three-year, $12MM deal with the Seahawks in 2017. Instead, he was cut in early September. The Broncos signed him later on that month, but he was cut loose after dressing for two games. In October, he hooked on with the Falcons and went on to appear in ten games as a reserve. In June, the Raiders inked him to a one-year deal.
In his first Seahawks season (2015), Rubin amassed 36 tackles, two sacks, and finished fourth among the team’s defensive linemen in snaps. In 2016, he once again had a perfect attendance record in the regular season as he racked up 39 tackles, one sack, and three forced fumbles. However, he wasn’t quite living up to the standards of his deal in Seattle. Then, in his ten games for the Falcons last year, Rubin amassed 15 total tackles and zero sacks.
The Raiders claimed defensive lineman Gabe Wright off waivers from the Dolphins this week, so he’ll now compete for a spot behind Justin Ellis, Eddie Vanderdoes, and others.
Texans Waive QB Stephen Morris
The Texans have waived quarterback Stephen Morris, according to a team announcement. The move will make room for the signing of Nick Rose. 
Morris, who turns 27 in less than two weeks, became the fourth quarterback on Houston’s roster when he was signed in May. He was hoping to make a case for being the team’s No. 3 QB, but he has lost out to backups Brandon Weeden and Joe Webb for a place behind starter Deshaun Watson.
Initially, it seemed as though Morris had a chance at making the team since Weeden’s one-year deal has just $230K in guaranteed cash while Webb’s only guarantee is his $90K signing bonus. However, it didn’t work out that way.
Morris has been with six different teams – the Jaguars, Eagles, Colts, Redskins, Seahawks, and Texans – since entering the league as a UDFA in 2014. While his jersey collection is extensive, he has yet to throw an NFL pass.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/18
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Harlan Miller
- Waived/Injured: CB Lou Young
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: FB Sam Rogers
- Waived/Injured: FB Zach Olstad
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DE Kiante Anderson
- Waived: DE Karter Schult
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Dres Anderson
- Released: DE Joby Saint Fleur
Seahawks Sign LB Erik Walden
The Seahawks have signed linebacker Erik Walden, according to an announcement from his agents. Walden, who is pehaps best known for his time with the Colts, spent last season with the Titans. 
Walden has managed to put together ten-year NFL career despite being selected in the sixth round of the 2008 draft. After serving as a starter with the Colts for four seasons (including a 2016 campaign where he compiled 11 sacks), the 32-year-old (33 later this month) spent last season as a backup with the Titans. He finished the year with 36 tackles and four sacks in 16 games.
In 2016, Walden amassed an eye-popping 11 sacks. Despite the gaudy total, he did not find an NFL home until late July of last year. His offseason took a similar trajectory this year.
The Seahawks project to start Barkevious Mingo, Bobby Wagner, and K.J. Wright at linebacker in their 4-3 scheme. D.J. Alexander, Josh Forrest, and rookies Shaquem Griffin and Jake Martin are among the reserve LBs under contract.
Jets Place OL Ben Ijalana On IR
The Jets have placed offensive lineman Ben Ijalana on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, according to a team announcement. To take his place on the roster, the Jets signed center Gino Gradkowski. 
Ijalana appeared in eleven games in 2017 but only played 56 offensive snaps after losing out on a starting job to Brandon Shell. However, in the previous season, he started 13 games and played 83% percent of the team’s snaps.
The injury is a tough blow, particularly when considering that left tackle Kelvin Beachum is out indefinitely with a foot injury. If Beachum misses games, the Jets will have to draw from a group of uninspiring tackles, including Brent Qvale and Antonio Garcia.
Gradkowski did not play in 2017, but he has 54 games of NFL experience under his belt with 20 starts. The bulk of his first-string experience came in 2013 when he started every game for the Ravens.
Texans Work Out Kickers Tavecchio, Rose
The Texans worked out kickers Giorgio Tavecchio and Nick Rose on Wednesday, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Both players performed well, but Wilson hears that Tavecchio is the one who is under consideration to be signed. 
Tavecchio played for Texans special teams coach Brad Seely while they were both with the Raiders, so he would be a logical fit for the team. If signed, he’ll compete with incumbent kicker Kai’imi Fairbairn for the job.
Last year, Fairbairn connected on 20 of 25 field goal tries (80%) and 32 of 35 of extra point attempts (91.4%). Tavecchio, meanwhile, made 16 of his 21 field goal attempts (76%), including three-of-four tries from 50 yards or further.
Tavecchio recently auditioned for the Falcons, but left Atlanta without a deal. His next opportunity may come in Houston.
Anthony Barr Wants To Stay With Vikings
Anthony Barr continues to wait on an extension after watching several teammates sign lucrative new deals, but that hasn’t changed his view of the organization. Barr says he “absolutely” wants to stay with the Vikings long term, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. 
Barr will earn $12.3MM this season, per the terms of his fifth-year option. After that, the Vikings could theoretically retain him via the franchise tag, but the $16MM+ cost for linebackers would likely be prohibitive. Therefore, it will take a fresh deal in order for Barr to stay with the Vikings. A player in Barr’s position might wonder whether he’s being fairly valued since he doesn’t have that contract already, but the delay hasn’t caused any animosity.
The Vikings say they have no plans to trade Barr, but the status of their negotiations are unclear. The Vikings began talks with Barr this summer, but it’s anyone’s guess as to whether a deal will come together between now and the end of the season.
Barr, a 2014 first-round pick, had a career-high 75 tackles last year to go along with one sack and six passes defended.
Jets Mulling Teddy Bridgewater Trade
The Jets would be willing to trade Teddy Bridgewater for the right price, Manish Mehta of the Daily News hears. However, there are some executives in the Jets’ front office that aren’t sold on the idea of moving the backup quarterback. 
Sam Darnold figures to start in the Jets’ preseason game against the Redskins on Thursday night, a sign that they are confident in the rookie’s abilities. If he continues to impress, Darnold could wind up as the starter with Josh McCown on hand to serve as insurance. That leaves Bridgewater, who is on a one-year contract, without much of a role for Gang Green.
Still, the Jets face the Lions, Dolphins and Browns in the first eleven days of the season, and some believe that starting Darnold in that accelerated three-game set could be scarring for the rookie. In theory, Bridgewater could start instead, giving Darnold a chance to take over when the schedule resumes its normal pace. There’s also the fact that Bridgewater is well-liked in the Meadowlands – he has received rave reviews about his demeanor as well as his on-field performance.
If the Jets wind up dangling Bridgewater, they’ll have to find a way to get him on the field more in the preseason. Rival executives that spoke with Mehta say that they want to see more from the QB after he completed 7-of-8 passes in last week’s contest.