Browns Unsure About Dez Bryant’s Fit
The Browns finally got their date with Dez Bryant. However, they’re not necessarily certain about signing him. There is internal discussion about whether Bryant is the right fit for the Browns at this time, sources tell Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland. 
When Josh Gordon experienced a setback in his recovery earlier this summer, the Browns were concerned about their group at wide receiver. However, they’re not feeling quite as desperate after seeing their group of young receivers improve in recent weeks. Beyond Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins, they’ve also gotten positive results out of C.J. Board, UDFA Da’Mari Scott, and sixth-round pick Damion Ratley.
It has been said that Bryant is focused on finding the right fit, but the same goes for the Browns in this instance. When the two sides meet – likely on Thursday – the Browns will also be careful to gauge Bryant’s temperament as they consider the effect he may have on the team.
Bryant, 29, hasn’t topped 1,000 yards receiving since 2014 and his 12.1 yards per reception in 2017 was the lowest average of his career. But he can still post up opposing defensive backs near the end zone and he’s motivated to silence his critics in 2018.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/10/18
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Tim Scott
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: OT Austin Fleer, RB Ray Lawry
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived/injured: CB Ashton Lampkin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Amari Coleman, CB Aaron Davis, TE Colin Jeter
- Waived: DE Kiante Anderson, TE Jason Reese
- Waived/injured: TE Donnie Ernsberger
Tennessee Titans
- Waived/Injured: LB Gimel President, DL Johnny Maxey
Seahawks Work Out QB Josh Johnson
The Seahawks will work out quarterback Josh Johnson on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Johnson was most recently with the Raiders, though his stint in Oakland lasted only a couple of months. 
Johnson has not thrown a pass in a game since 2011, but he’s remained on rosters as a backup. Last year, the Texans added him after Deshaun Watson‘s season-ending injury. He’s traveled all over since 2009 and has taken snaps for the Bucs, Browns, Bengals, and 49ers.
The Seahawks’ QB depth chart currently consists of star Russell Wilson, backup Austin Davis, and seventh-round pick Alex McGough. The Seahawks obviously like McGough after selecting him just a few months ago, but they may feel that they can sign a veteran such as Johnson, sneak McGough through waivers, and then sign the rookie to the practice squad.
Redskins RB Derrius Guice Tears ACL
Redskins rookie running back Derrius Guice tore his ACL, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). An ACL tear is an automatic season-ender, so the Redskins will be placing Guice on injured reserve in the coming days. Same goes for tight end Manasseh Garner, who also suffered an ACL tear in Thursday night’s exhibition game against the Patriots. 
It was initially believed that Guice had suffered an MCL sprain, but further tests revealed a much more serious issue. It’s a crushing injury for Guice, who was in line to be the club’s top rusher this year. Considered by some the second-best back in this year’s draft, the LSU product fell largely because of character concerns. However, Guice averaged 7.6 yards per carry in 2016 on nearly 200 attempts and the Redskins were thrilled to land him late in the second round.
The good news here – if there is any – is that the Redskins boast a deep group at running back. Pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson figures to be an integral part of the offense, and the Redskins can draw from a group of more traditional runners including Rob Kelley, Byron Marshall, Kapri Bibbs, and Samaje Perine. Perine was believed to be a trade candidate, but the Oklahoma product may have better odds of making the roster in the wake of Guice’s injury.
If the Redskins feel the need to look for outside help, they could turn to a free agent market that still includes the likes of Orleans Darkwa, Alfred Morris, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Eddie Lacy, Branden Oliver, and Andre Ellington. DeMarco Murray may also be an option, if the Redskins can lure him out of his recent retirement.
Buccaneers Audition Three Kickers
The Buccaneers brought Nick Rose in for a workout, but he’s not the only kicker on their radar. The Bucs are also auditioning Joey Slye and Drew Brown on Friday, according to Greg Auman and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter links).
[RELATED: Buccaneers Work Out Nick Rose]
The good news for Chandler Catanzaro is that the workouts are not tied to his two missed field goals on Thursday night, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears. The Bucs actually scheduled the workouts earlier this week, after the team waived No. 2 kicker Trevor Moore. In theory, one kicker from this trio may have a shot at the job, but it sounds like they would be brought in as camp competition more than anything.
Slye, a Virginia Tech product, was invited to join the Bucs for their rookie minicamp this year, but opted to go to attend other minicamps instead. Brown, who played at Nebraska, is the younger brother of former NFL kicker Kris Brown, who had a 12-year career with the Steelers, Texans and Chargers.
Catanzaro’s three-year deal includes $3.75MM in guarantees, so it would take a heck of a performance from another kicker plus a serious cold streak from Catanzaro for the Bucs to make a change.
Bucs To Work Out Nick Rose
The Buccaneers will work out kicker Nick Rose on Friday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Rose could be competition for Chandler Catanzaro, who had an iffy night on Thursday. 
In the Bucs’ preseason opener against the Dolphins, Catanzaro missed an extra point attempt and a 53-yard field goal try. That may have been cause for concern for the Bucs after they signed him to a three-year, $9.75MM deal this offseason.
Rose sank 10-of-11 field goals and 18-of-20 extra points in eight games for the Redskins last year before he was dropped for the returning Dustin Hopkins. Later, Rose hooked on with the Chargers, where he went 1-for-3 on field goal tries and made 5-of-6 extra points in two games. In total, Rose made 78.6% of his field goal attempts. Catanzaro, meanwhile, converted 25-of-30 field goal tries (83.3%) and converted on all of his XPs for the Jets.
The decision to try out Rose after one so-so preseason game from Catanzaro may seem like an overreaction, but the Bucs are paying special attention to the place kicker position because of their history. Over the last two years, Roberto Aguayo, Nick Folk, and Patrick Murray all struggled to hold down the role. Football Outsiders ranked the Bucs 30th in the NFL last year with -13.2 points created on field goals and extra points.
Browns To Meet With Dez Bryant
The Browns are expecting a visit from free agent wide receiver Dez Bryant during the middle of next week, likely Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport notes that Bryant has been waiting for the right fit, so Bryant’s sense of how well he meshes with the personnel in Cleveland could be as important as whatever contract offer they make. 
On Thursday, GM John Dorsey told reporters that Bryant would not return his phone calls. The unorthodox decision to make that news public appears to have paid off. On Thursday night, Bryant tweeted that he would in fact be meeting with the Browns.
Bryant’s willingness to play for Cleveland had been in doubt, but it sounds like he’s at least open to the possibility. And, without a clear group of suitors here in August, Bryant may not have a ton of options left. That’s not to say that landing with the Browns would be a bad outcome for Bryant – this year’s Browns are clearly a more talented bunch than last year’s, and he will have extra opportunities to shine if star Josh Gordon misses regular season games. Even if Gordon is good to go, there should be plenty of deep ball opportunities for him, and he can take advantage of softer coverage as teams focus Gordon and slot star Jarvis Landry.
Titans To Sign S Steven Terrell
The Titans are adding another safety. On Friday, the Titans agreed to sign Stephen Terrell, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Terrell was one of several safeties to audition for the Titans late last week. He now joins the club following the signing of Kenny Vaccaro. Vaccaro will likely start in place of the injured Johnathan Cyprien, but Terrell may find a role as a backup.
Terrell spent the first three seasons of his career with the Seahawks and enjoyed a bit of a breakout season in 2016. After having appeared in 16 games between 2014 and 2015, the safety appeared in 16 games (five starts) in 2016, finishing with a career-high in tackles (27). Last year, he hooked on with the Chiefs and appeared in ten contests.
Latest On Raiders’ Khalil Mack
There’s no end in sight for Khalil Mack‘s holdout. The defensive end won’t report to camp in advance of the Raiders’ preseason game on Friday night, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). By staying away, Mack will be fined $814K, per the terms of the CBA. 
While fellow elite defender Aaron Donald has been in active negotiations with the Rams, the Raiders yet to present Mack with an offer. As important as Mack is to the Raiders’ front seven, the team has not given any indication that a new deal is on the horizon.
The Raiders are taking a hardline stance with Mack, but the motivation for that isn’t exactly clear. Perhaps Jon Gruden, who is taking an old-school approach to the on-field product, has similar views when it comes to the business side. Their reluctance to give Mack an extension has also opened up speculation about the team’s finances and their ability to give the three-time Pro Bowler the heavily-guaranteed deal he deserves.
The Raiders, in theory, can control Mack via the franchise tag in 2019 and again in 2020, but it’s a costly proposition that would put them at odds with the defensive end. The club’s preference is to negotiate after the 2018 season, but that’s not what Mack wants, and he may be willing to miss regular season games to express his dissatisfaction.
Dez Bryant Won’t Return Phone Calls From Browns
The Browns’ interest in Dez Bryant has been well-documented over the past couple of weeks. Apparently, that interest is not being reciprocated. On Thursday, GM John Dorsey told reporters that he would meet with Bryant next week, “if he returns a phone call. He won’t return any phone calls,” (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). 
With Bryant apparently disinterested in joining Cleveland, Dorsey says the team will meet with other receivers in the coming days – ones that hopefully do have interest in suiting up for the Browns. That list may include Brandon LaFell, who is reportedly on the team’s radar following his release from the Bengals.
Earlier this week, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com reported Cleveland was under the impression that Bryant is “not seriously interested” in joining the Browns, and Dorsey’s comments jibe with that sentiment. The Browns traded wideout Corey Coleman to the Bills on Sunday, so they’re currently relying on Jarvis Landry and rookie Antonio Callaway as their starters, at least until Josh Gordon returns to the club.
While a number of teams have been tangentially linked to Bryant since he was released by the Cowboys, no clubs aside from the Ravens and Browns have been directly interested in the former first-round pick. In fact, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com has reported many teams are unwilling to consider Bryant even at the minimum salary. Bryant had been expected to land a new deal inJuly, so the clock is now ticking on the veteran wideout.