Latest On Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill
The Dolphins got a scare on Thursday morning when Ryan Tannehill exited practice after a non-contact injury. We’re still waiting on the full diagnosis, but the early word this afternoon is positive. There is no structural damage in Tannehill’s knee, a source tells Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Dolphins Considering Colin Kaepernick]
The lack of structural damage indicates that Tannehill can probably avoid surgery, which should cut down on recovery time. Tannehill missed the last three games of the 2016 season and the team’s wild-card loss in the playoffs and they’re hoping to avoid a similar fate with the latest knee ailment.
Last year, Tannehill graded out as the league’s 16th best quarterback, per the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus. His 80.9 score was a career-low and a step back from his peak years in 2013 and 2014.
Eagles Sign S Corey Graham
The Eagles have agreed to terms with safety Corey Graham on a one-year contract, the team announced. 
Graham has been on the market since being released by the Bills back in March. He initially joined the team on a four-year, $16MM deal in 2014 and even though he restructured his pact in 2015, he wasn’t allowed to finish out the deal.
Graham didn’t fit into the Bills’ plans, but he has shown that he is still productive. The veteran didn’t miss a game during his three years in Buffalo, and he started 16 games in each of the past two seasons. Last year, he turned in another solid campaign, compiling 62 tackles, one sack, and nine passes defended.
Graham won’t start in Philly, but he can offer veteran support for starters Rodney McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins. He can also be expected to contribute on special teams.
The veteran has history with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz thanks to their time together in 2014.
Dolphins Considering Colin Kaepernick
Doctors are still looking into the extent of Ryan Tannehill‘s knee injury, but the Dolphins are already weighing some outside options. Colin Kaepernick‘s name was raised within the Dolphins’ front office as potential insurance, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears. 
Of course, Kaepernick’s name has probably been internally “raised” by a number of teams this offseason, but that alone doesn’t mean much considering that he has gotten only one workout all offseason long. What Kaepernick does have going for him, however, is that owner Stephen Ross has vocalized his support for him in the past.
“I would sure hope not,” Ross said recently when asked whether Kaepernick is being blackballed from the league. “I know a lot’s been written about it, but you know owners and coaches—they’ll do anything it takes to win. If they think he can help them win, I’m sure—I would hope they would sign him.”
Last year, Kaepernick’s 49ers put up a solid effort against the Dolphins in a late November game in Miami. The QB completed 29 of 46 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns and one interception, but the Dolphins ultimately won by a score of 31-24.
After Tannehill, the Dolphins’ top backups are Matt Moore and David Fales.
Dolphins Fear Worst For Ryan Tannehill
On Thursday morning, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill left the practice field after a non-contact injury, sparking speculation everywhere that he might have suffered a serious ligament tear. We’re still waiting on an update, but right now the Dolphins are “fearing the worst,” according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (on Twitter).
At minimum, Tannehill is dealing with a hyperextended left knee, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald hears. Beyond that, it’s possible that Tannehill has suffered anything from a PCL sprain (two to eight weeks recovery) to an ACL tear (a season ender).
The Dolphins abstained from making major QB additions this offseason, potentially out of respect for Tannehill. If Tannehill is injured, it seems likely that the team will look for outside help. As of this writing, the next two QBs on the roster are 33-year-old Matt Moore and 26-year-old David Fales.
Colin Kaepernick is the biggest name left on the free agent board and there has been a great deal of focus on former Redskins standout Robert Griffin III as well.
In theory, Tony Romo and Jay Cutler are also available, but they both say that they are likely done playing.
“There is zero doubt in my mind that there is going to be some regret,” Cutler, a new member of FOX’s NFL broadcast team, said earlier this year. “I have no doubt in my mind come the middle of August, September there is going to be that itch to play. There is going to be part of me that I know I can still do it. But that’s not how the cards played out, and that’s not where we are at. I just don’t feel comfortable with a situation in August or September of jumping back into it, even if that situation arises, which I don’t think it’s going to.”
Tannehill also injured his knee in Week 14 of last season, but he was able to avoid surgery for his partially torn ACL and Grade 2 MCL sprain.
Seahawks Place Malik McDowell On NFI List
As expected, the Seahawks have placed rookie Malik McDowell on the non-football injury list. It was the team’s only real recourse after the defensive tackle suffered injuries in an ATV crash earlier this summer. 
McDowell’s injuries are not career- or life-threatening, but his status for the 2017 remains murky. The youngster is dealing with a number of head injuries that could keep him from seeing the field for a while.
The 6’6″ lineman was the Seahawks’ first selection in the draft and the No. 35 overall pick. Originally holding the No. 25 selection, the Seahawks moved down three times — adding lots of extra draft capital in the process — before selecting McDowell at the top of the second round.
The Seahawks were use McDowell as a feature player on the defensive line, potentially having him start next to Jarran Reed at defensive tackle. If he’s out for an extended period, the team will have to turn to the likes of Jarran Reed and Ahtyba Rubin for support. The Seahawks may also be inclined to take a look at available options.
49ers To Cut WR Bruce Ellington
The 49ers plan to release wide receiver Bruce Ellington on Thursday, a league source tells Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (on Twitter).
Ellington, 26 later this month, was a regular for the 49ers in 2014 and 2015. Unfortunately, the former fourth-round pick missed the entire 2016 season when he sustained a severe hamstring injury just prior to the 75-man cutdown.
This year, Ellington was facing something of an uphill battle with Pierre Garcon, Jeremy Kerley, Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson, and Louis Murphy in the top five receiver spots. With Ellington out of the way, fifth-round pick Trent Taylor and others will have a better chance of making the 53-man roster.
In 2015, Ellington’s last season on the field, he had 19 grabs for 137 yards. He did most of his work on special teams with 26 kick returns for 665 yards, good for an average of 25.6 yards.
Jets’ Richardson: Two Teams Wanted Pay Cut
The Jets have been looking to move Sheldon Richardson for some time, but they have been unable to find a suitable trade for the last year. Apparently, teams have been able to agree on trade compensation with Gang Green, but they also asked that the defensive lineman accept a pay cut. Richardson says the Seahawks and Redskins both wanted to acquire him, but they requested a pay slash that he was not willing to take. 
“It’s a business, bro,” Richardson told Manish Mehta of the Daily News. “There was one team that asked me to take a pay cut … and it was Seattle. And Washington too. There were a lot of offers. A lot of good offers. You’d be surprised.”
This year, Richardson is owed a fully-guaranteed $8.1MM salary, a price that’s a bit too rich for a player who has experienced off-the-field trouble and slipping production in recent years. Still, he’s immensely talented and, at his best, he’s among the best front seven players in the league. Seeing the potential in Richardson, the Seahawks and Redskins were probably willing to give up something decent in the way of draft compensation, but they wanted him at a more affordable rate.
Richardson had 62 total tackles and 1.5 sacks in 15 games last year. Richardson finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ No. 19 ranked edge defender, putting him in a three-way tie with Nick Perry of the Packers and Frank Clark of the Seahawks. His 81.6 overall score was a career low, weighed down by his weak 63.0 mark as a pass rusher.
Tyrunn Walker Cleared By Grand Jury
Former Rams defensive lineman Tyrunn Walker has been cleared of all wrongdoing by a Los Angeles grand jury, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Walker and another man were accused of sexual assault stemming from an incident back in February. 
The Rams released Walker in June when the allegations came to light. Now that the L.A. grand jury has returned “a no true bill,” he may be able to find another NFL job.
The Rams were Walker’s third NFL stop and he’s now be in search of team No. 4. Walker spent the first three seasons of his career with the Saints and the last two with the Lions. All in all, he has totaled 42 appearances with the majority of his 13 career starts (eight) coming in 2016.
The lineman tallied 26 tackles and played in 34.1% of the Lions’ defensive snaps in 2016. He ranked just 77th among Pro Football Focus’ 127 qualified interior defensive linemen.
Although he is in the clear from a legal perspective, the 27-year-old could still conceivably face punishment from the NFL if the league office feels that he violated the personal conduct policy.
Extra Points: Redskins, Reed, Gruden, Texans, Fuller
The latest from around the NFL:
- Redskins coach Jay Gruden says “nothing earth-shattering” came from Jordan Reed‘s visit to see a specialist on his toe (Twitter link via Mike Jones of The Washington Post). The team is not publicly discussing Reed’s timetable for a return, but if the comment is to be taken at face value, then that could be an overall good sign for the tight end.
- Jon Gruden is looking to slow down talk of a return to coaching. “I don’t foresee myself coaching again anytime soon,” the former Super Bowl-winning coach and current color commentator said (Twitter link via Roy Cummings of FanRag Sports). Comments by Gruden back in July seemed to hint at different plans.
- Texans wide receiver Will Fuller broke his collarbone during practice on Wednesday, sources tell Adam Schefter and Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com (on Twitter). At this time, there is no timetable for Fuller’s recovery. Fuller, the team’s 2016 first round pick, is expected to reprise his role as a deep threat to take defensive pressure off of DeAndre Hopkins. If he misses significant time, it could be a major setback for the Houston offense. Braxton Miller and Jaelen Strong can be expected to see increased roles if Fuller is out, but the Texans could also look into adding additional depth.
- Dolphins seventh round wide receiver Isaiah Ford has suffered a setback that may end up costing him a spot on the 53-man roster. Ford has meniscus damage that will require surgery, Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald writes, and depending on the extent of the tear, he’ll either miss the remainder of training camp or potentially the entire season. Lately, Ford has been gaining traction as a backup possibility in the slot.
- Alejandro Villanueva‘s new four-year, $24MM deal with the Steelers has base salaries of $1.5MM, $3MM, $5MM, and $5MM, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. The remaining $9.5MM in the deal comes in the form of signing and roster bonuses.
Chiefs Sign DT Roy Miller
Roy Miller has found an NFL home. The former Jaguars defensive tackle has inked a deal with the Chiefs, agent Mike McCartney tweets. 
[RELATED: Chiefs Complete Trade With Seahawks]
Miller recently worked out for the Dolphins and the Bills, but left both auditions without a deal. After his season was cut short in Week 6 by an ACL tear, Miller is eager to prove that he can once again be healthy and productive. He was a starter for Jacksonville from 2013 up until the time of his injury, so he’s a good bet for the 53-man roster if he has made a full recovery.
Miller will push T.J. Barnes for the job as Bennie Logan‘s top backup at nose tackle. Kansas City is hoping that Logan and his reinforcements will help offset the loss of Dontari Poe to free agency.