Panthers Cut White, Boykin; Benjamin To IR
12:03pm: The Panthers have confirmed in a press release that they’ve cut Boykin and Lester, and that they’ve waived White with an injury designation. The club also announced the five other moves it has made to get its roster down to 75 players. Here are those transactions:
Placed on injured reserve:
- WR Kelvin Benjamin
Waived:
- DT Kenny Horsley
- WR De’Andre Presley
- DT Micanor Regis (waived with injury settlement)
- T Davonte Wallace (waived/injured)
9:58am: The Panthers have yet to announce their final set of roster moves that will get the team down to 75 players, but a pair of notable Tuesday cuts have already been reported. Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer passes along a tweet from Melvin White, indicating the cornerback has been waived, while Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer reports (via Twitter) that wide receiver Jarrett Boykin has also been let go.
White, 25, has spent the last two years in Carolina after joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana-Lafayette. He claimed a larger role than expected, starting 17 regular season games for the club and recording 89 tackles to go along with three interceptions over the past two seasons. With Charles Tillman penciled in as a starter this year, White had slipped down the depth chart at cornerback, and was the odd man out.
As for Boykin, his release is somewhat surprising, given the Panthers’ lack of wide receiving talent. Boykin, who totaled 49 of his 57 career receptions in 2013 with the Packers, may have become expendable when Carolina acquired wideout Kevin Norwood from the Seahawks in a trade on Monday. According to Jones, Boykin was cut early in the process to allow him to latch on with another team.
In addition to cutting White and Boykin, the Panthers also waived safety Robert Lester, tweets Person. Person’s role was reduced last season after he started four games for the club in his rookie campaign in 2013.
By my count, the Panthers’ latest moves leave them with 80 players on their roster, so the team will have to announce a few more transactions before 3:00pm central time today.
Extra Points: Bucs, F. Jackson, Brady, Ridley
The Buccaneers had a slew of problems on their offensive line last year, and even after addressing the position multiple times in the draft, the club isn’t totally satisfied with its line play. According to Jenna Laine of SportsTalkFlorida.com (via Twitter), the Bucs are looking for interior offensive line help, and are shopping for possible trades. The club could also look to claim a player off waivers or sign a free agent, as more cuts are made this week.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL, as teams reduce their rosters to 75 players:
- Fred Jackson appears likely to land with the Seahawks, but the Ravens have also expressed interest in the veteran running back, says Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News (via Twitter). According to Carucci, there’s been no indication that the Patriots, Cowboys, or Browns have shown interest in Jackson.
- When Judge Richard Berman announces his decision on Tom Brady‘s case this week, he’ll either uphold or vacate the four-game suspension for the Patriots quarterback. However, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explains, Berman has a handful of different options available to him when he makes that ruling.
- All signs are pointing to Jets running back Stevan Ridley, who is returning from an ACL injury, starting the regular season on the club’s reserve/PUP list, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
- David Newton of ESPN.com conducted a Q&A with Panthers GM Dave Gettleman, who addressed the play of new left tackle Michael Oher, the team’s acquisition of wideout Kevin Norwood, and the areas of the roster that may still need an upgrade.
- Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell also discussed a Monday trade, indicating that the decision to move kicker Josh Scobee was the “toughest decision we’ve had to make.” John Oehser of Jaguars.com has the details.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap examines the cap ramifications of some of the more notable veteran cuts made over thee weekend and on Monday.
NFC South Notes: Jones, Brown, Glennon, Griffin
The Falcons went all in on Julio Jones during the 2011 draft, trading five picks to move way up in the first round to take the star receiver out of Alabama. Despite a trip to the NFC Championship game in 2013, the last two seasons have gone less than perfectly for the Falcons. Yet the team is going all in on Jones again, giving him a five-year extension with $47.5MM in guaranteed money, writes Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His injury history derailed the top-heavy roster before, and with his new deal he needs to stay on the field to give the offense a chance to score.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC South:
- Despite six dropped passes in two preseason games, Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown is still a lock to make the final roster, writes David Newton of ESPN. He notes that Brown has the confidence of head coach Ron Rivera.
- For teams who may need to scramble for a starting quarterback due to an injury in preseason or early in the regular season, the first call they should make should be to the Buccaneers concerning Mike Glennon, writes Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. A source ranked Glennon as the best trade target, ahead of other notable backups Zach Mettenberger, Kirk Cousins, and Ryan Mallett. For the record, Cousins might not be a backup any longer.
- The Saints are set at starting quarterback with Drew Brees, but the depth chart after him is in flux. Luke McCown took over after Brees during today’s preseason game, followed by rookie Garrett Grayson, writes Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com (via Twitter). That may leave Ryan Griffin on the outside looking in, in terms of a roster spot.
Panthers Cut Eight Players
The Panthers have cut the following eight players, per David Newton of ESPN.com (via Twitter):
- WR Paul Browning
- WR Avius Capers
- OT Tony Hills
- DE Steve Miller
- LB Kevin Reddick
- TE Dallas Walker
- FB Lee Ward
- P Matt Wile
NFC Notes: Griffin, Brown, Panthers
Although it’s at least distracted the NFL lexicon from the drama surrounding its quarterback situation in signing Trent Williams to a record extension, Washington‘s issues with the player Williams primarily protects remain.
According to the NFL Network’s Jeff Darlington (on Twitter), Robert Griffin III does not believe he sustained a concussion last week.
This comes after NFL independent neurologist, Robert N. Kurtzke, reversed an initial ruling deeming Griffin unfit to play and leading to Jay Gruden ruling him out of tonight’s preseason game. Thursday, Washington announced Griffin was cleared to resume work. Now, the fourth-year quarterback’s timeline has been delayed by “one to two” weeks until further re-evaluation occurs.
Darlington also notes (Twitter link) that sources dispute Washington’s depiction of when Kurtzke examined Griffin before tweeting the former Heisman Trophy winner’s camp does not believe the team is using the concussion as an excuse to bench him.
Despite the team picking up Griffin’s fifth-year option, this marriage is on the verge of careening into chaos before the signal-caller begins Year 4.
Here is some other news from the NFC.
- Washington doesn’t have many options regarding Griffin after picking up his 2016 option, writes Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap. The NFL economics expert offers that if Griffin was serious about leaving Washington he’d negotiate an Aldon Smith-type contract loaded with incentives instead of a flat $16.15MM due next year. But even in this seemingly toxic environment, would leaving $16MM+ on the table with the odds he’ll ever earn that in a season again dwindling be a prudent move? Should Griffin be open to negotiating here, Fitzgerald sees the Bills or Jets discussing a trade for the embattled quarterback, who will make $3.7MM this season.
- Contrary to what we heard earlier regarding Stevie Brown‘s potential reunion with the Giants, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com tweets the recently released safety won’t work out for any team, as he has multiple offers in hand. Conflicting reports aside, the Giants figure to be a likely landing spot for the sixth-year defensive back.
- Entering last season as the Packers’ No. 3 receiver, Jarrett Boykin may be on the verge of being cut in Carolina, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Panthers coaches seem to prefer Brenton Bersin, an undrafted free agent in 2012 who made 13 receptions for 151 yards last season in Carolina, over Boykin. The Panthers signed Boykin to a one-year deal in May.
Hakeem Nicks, James Jones Drawing Interest
According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), Hakeem Nicks, James Jones, Deonte Thompson, and Vincent Brown are among the wide receivers drawing interest around the NFL as potential release candidates, in that order. He adds that the Panthers, Ravens, Packers are a few of the teams considering adding wideouts as the season draws near.
The Panthers, of course, are in the market for a reliable target after Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season-ending injury. The Ravens could also use a receiver with promising rookie Breshad Perriman currently sidelined. And the Packers are undoubtedly scouring the market for options now that Jordy Nelson is confirmed to be done for the 2015 season. While sources tell Cole that Nicks will generally get the most attention of this quartet, the Packers are more interested in Jones that the rest of the bunch, due in part to their familiarity with him.
Nicks, 27, first reached unrestricted free agency in March 2014, and signed a modest one-year contract with the Colts after spending the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Giants. While fellow 2009 first-round wideout Jeremy Maclin parlayed a one-year, prove-it deal in 2014 into a huge, long-term contract, Nicks was unable to do the same in Indianapolis. Currently, Nicks is on a one-year deal with the Titans that holds a modest guarantee and he could be days away from hitting the open market again.
Jones had 73 catches for 666 yards and six touchdowns last season with the Raiders in 2014. This offseason, the veteran hooked on with the Giants and it has been widely speculated that he could be released before the final rosters are set. His best individual output came in 2013, when he hauled in 64 passes for 784 yards and a career-best 14 TDs for the Packers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/15
Here are Monday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL:
- The Patriots waived Brian Tyms, who will revert to their IR (foot injury) if he goes unclaimed, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.
Earlier Updates:
- The Lions waived/injured linebacker Kevin Snyder, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Bears made a change on their offensive line today, signing former Raiders guard Lucas Nix to a one-year contract and waiving offensive lineman Jason Weaver with an injury designation (Twitter link). Nix, who started 10 games for Oakland in 2013, worked out for Chicago earlier in the month.
- The Dolphins have waived wide receiver Michael Preston, the team announced today (via Twitter). Preston himself broke word of the move yesterday, with a tweet thanking the club for the opportunity.
- The Eagles have added one safety to their roster and removed another, signing Brandan Bishop and reaching an injury settlement with Earl Wolff (Twitter links via agent David Canter and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer). Wolff, a 2013 fifth-round pick, will become a free agent as he recovers from his knee surgery. The Eagles also waived/injured defensive tackle Wade Keliikipi, who suffered a Lisfranc foot injury this weekend, replacing him with defensive tackle Jeremy Towns (Twitter links).
- The Falcons have parted ways with 2014 fifth-rounder Marquis Spruill, placing him on waivers today, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Spruill, whose rookie season was wiped out by a torn ACL, never played a regular-season down for Atlanta.
- The Giants formally announced several moves today, including the signing of veteran linebacker Ashlee Palmer, who started 15 games over the last two seasons in Detroit. The club also signed rookie defensive back C.J. Conway, and waived/injured safety Justin Currie (ankle) and linebacker Tony Johnson (knee).
- The Jaguars announced a series of moves today (via Twitter and press release), adding wide receiver Erik Lora, linebacker Mister Alexander, and offensive lineman Will Corbin to their roster. The outgoing players are receiver Damian Copeland (waived/injured), offensive lineman Brennan Williams (waived/injured), and wideout Arrelious Benn (placed on IR).
- The Panthers have waived/injured defensive end Frank Alexander, signing tight end Dallas Walker to replace him on the roster, the team announced today (Twitter link). Alexander, who sustained a torn Achilles, is in the final year of his contract, so Carolina isn’t worried about another team claiming him.
- The Saints‘ tight end carousel continues, as the club is cutting Michael Egnew just a week after signing him, per Kristian Garic of WWL 870AM (Twitter link).
- The Seahawks have cut defensive back Jeremy Crayton, using the newly-created roster spot to re-sign wide receiver DeShon Foxx, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
- The Jets signed tight end Matt LaCosse and waived/injured defensive lineman Davon Walls, Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
Panthers’ Frank Alexander Tears Achilles
Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander tore his Achilles during the team’s game against Miami on Saturday, David Newton of ESPN reports (Twitter link). Alexander will miss the 2015 campaign, tweets Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, joining wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin as the second Panther to suffer a season-ending injury over the last week.
This news comes as Alexander was trying to bounce back from a 2014 season that saw him miss 15 games – 14 on account of two separate substance-abuse suspensions. Alexander’s second suspension last year was for 10 games, which suggested it was his fifth violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
With last year behind him, the Panthers were hoping Alexander – a 2012 fourth-round pick who has just 3.5 career sacks in 29 games – would earn a roster spot this summer and ultimately help make up for the departure of Greg Hardy.
“Frank’s doing a nice job,” head coach Ron Rivera said in May, Newton wrote . “He’s showing that he’s hungry. He’s got a lot to prove personally. He feels that way and [is] working that way. This is his make-or-break season.”
Alexander’s absence will create opportunities, Rivera told Newton (Twitter link). Rivera pointed to Wes Horton and Kony Ealy as possible replacements.
South Notes: Pagano, Titans, Mathis, Panthers
Expectations are high in Indianapolis this season, with Colts owner Jim Irsay suggesting that he’d like to see his team win “at least two world championships” while Andrew Luck is the quarterback. Those high expectations, combined with the fact that Chuck Pagano is entering the final year of his contract, could mean it’s a “Super Bowl or bust” season for the Colts’ head coach, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
La Canfora hears that there’s “consistent chatter” around the Colts about possible tension between Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson, who haven’t always seen eye to eye on staff decisions — per La Canfora, Grigson strongly supported Pep Hamilton as offensive coordinator, while Pagano was more inclined to go with Rob Chudzinski.
I’m skeptical that Irsay and the Colts are drawing a hard “Super Bowl or bust” line with Pagano, but it’s somewhat surprising that the two sides haven’t been able to work out a new deal yet. As we wait to see what this season brings for Pagano and his team, let’s round up a few more Friday notes from around the NFL’s two South divisions….
- The Titans are monitoring Evan Mathis‘ situation, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who suggests Tennessee’s interest in the veteran guard could intensify if the team’s offensive line play doesn’t improve in this weekend’s preseason game vs. the Rams.
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, Field Yates examines the Panthers‘ options for replacing Kelvin Benjamin, wondering if the Colts might be a logical trade partner — players like Donte Moncrief and Duron Carter may find themselves pushed far down on Indianapolis’ depth chart, with T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, and Phillip Dorsett expected to be the club’s top three wideouts. For what it’s worth, Carolina was one of the teams interested in Carter before he signed with the Colts.
- Jim Woodcock, spokesman for Jaguars owner Shad Kahn, denied an international report claiming that the Jaguars have extended their deal with London’s Wembley Stadium through the 2030 season, per Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union. However, Woodcock added that discussions for the team to continue its London series “have been frequent and promising.”
Panthers Not Pursuing Wayne, Other WRs
Despite losing their No. 1 wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, to a season-ending ACL injury, the Panthers aren’t in a hurry to sign a free agent or to acquire a wideout via trade. As David Newton of ESPN.com writes, the team isn’t currently shopping for a receiver, and isn’t looking at veteran free agent Reggie Wayne.
“We feel real good about who we have right now. We really do,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “We’ll see. We’ve got plenty of time. We’ve just got to be patient with them.”
With Benjamin, who topped 1,000 yards in his rookie season, no longer in the mix, the team will rely on a group that includes second-round rookie Devin Funchess, Corey Brown, Ted Ginn Jr., Jerricho Cotchery, and Jarrett Boykin. While there are some solid players in that group, it’s unlikely that any of them will match Benjamin’s production — it’s not even clear who would have been the team’s No. 2 receiver, prior to Benjamin’s injury.
For their part, some Panthers sources believe Funchess can step in and post numbers similar to what Benjamin did in his rookie year, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), who also says that the team isn’t in the market for a veteran free agent, at least for now. It seems unlikely that the former Michigan wideout, who is currently battling a hamstring injury, will be that effective out of the gate, but he’ll be forced into a larger role than anticipated, and the Panthers appear confident he can handle it.
“We drafted Devin for a reason,” Rivera said. “You want to have a big, quality receiver, and Devin gives us that still.”
Newton, Cole, and Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer all suggest that the Panthers like their depth at wide receiver, so if the team does pursue an outside option, it figures to happen closer to the season, if an intriguing player becomes available during roster cutdowns.