NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: T Givens Price
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: K Mike Meyer, DL Jonathan Woodard
- Placed on injured list: TE Joshua Perkins
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Mike Purcell
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Carl Bradford, WR Darreus Rogers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Amba Etta-Tawo
- Released: LB Marcus Rush
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Jeremy Liggins
- Released: DL Noble Nwachukwu
NFC Notes: Lions, Stafford, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a hamstring injury and a sprained ankle in Detroit’s 27-24 loss to Carolina, a source tells ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. Stafford’s status is currently up in the air and his week of practice will determine whether he plays Sunday against New Orleans. The good news is that if Stafford does miss time, it sounds like it won’t be a lengthy absence.
Here’s a look at the NFC:
- Eagles coach Doug Pederson admitted to reporters that it’s going to be tough to get lineman Lane Johnson through the league’s concussion protocol in time for Thursday night’s game (Twitter link via Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com).
- Seahawks running back Chris Carson lost a good chunk of money thanks to his injury and the split in his contract, as Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) points out. His weekly salary is now based off $348K while on IR rather than $465K.
- Bears linebacker John Timu, who was carted off the field on Sunday with a scary-looking injury, only suffered a high-ankle sprain (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). He’ll be out 2-4 weeks, which is a much better prognosis than many expected at first.
Bears Place Willie Young On IR
The Bears have officially placed outside linebacker Willie Young on injured reserve. This was the expected move after Young suffered a torn triceps muscle. 
Young, 32, has been a key cog of the Bears’ defense since joining the team in 2014. He has made 50 appearances for Chicago and has been an absolute sack machine with 26 in total.
Without him, the Bears will be extra reliant on Pernell McPhee, Leonard Floyd, and Sam Acho for edge pressure. They may also look to the free agent market for reinforcements. Although he is strictly a situational pass rusher at this point, someone like Dwight Freeney could be of interest to Chicago.
Young inked a lucrative extension with the Bears last year and is under contract with the team through the 2018 season. His recovery will not be fun, but he has been here before. Young tore one of his Achilles’ tendons late in the 2014 season and bounced back to play a complete and successful campaign in 2015. In that 2015 season, Young had 6.5 sacks and 30 tackles.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/9/17
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Promoted to active roster: LB Isaiah Irving
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR: FB Marquez Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted to active roster: LB Darnell Sankey
- Placed on IR: WR Krishawn Hogan
New York Giants
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (story), WR Dwayne Harris (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Claimed off waivers: S Dexter McCoil
- Waived: DB Lorenzo Jerome
Poll: Best NFC Free Agent Addition?
A quarter of the NFL season is now in the books, which means we can accurately grade each and every free agent signing, right? Right?
Even if that’s not the case, it’s still possible to get a sense of how free agents are playing and whether they’re living up to their contacts through four games. After taking a look at the AFC on Friday, today we examined the best free agent signing on each NFC club before asking you to vote on the top overall NFC addition.
One note: we only looked at newcomers, so free agents that re-signed with their original clubs (Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short or Cardinals edge rusher Chandler Jones, for example) aren’t included. On to the list!
Arizona Cardinals
- Antoine Bethea, S: General manager Steve Keim & Co. have made a habit of adding aging veterans — especially on the defensive side of the ball — with success, and the Cardinals have seemingly done so again in the form of Bethea. Playing alongside Tyrann Mathieu and another age-30+ defensive back in Tyvon Branch, Bethea has managed one interception and three pass breakups while helping Arizona to the No. 12 ranking in defensive DVOA. And his three, $12.75MM deal can be easily escaped if he does begin to show signs of wearing down later on in 2017.
Atlanta Falcons
- Dontari Poe, DT: After narrowly missing out on a Super Bowl title earlier this year, the Falcons decided to run it back, returning in 2017 with much of the same roster. Poe was Atlanta’s major addition on defense, as the club waited until the athletic defensive tackle’s market fell enough to allow it to ink him to a one-year, $8MM pact. Poe, who was regularly playing more than 1,000 defensive snaps with the Chiefs, is on pace to play on roughly 750 defensive snaps this season, and limiting his action could be helping his overall performance. Through four games, the Falcons are 13th in pressure rate, up from 20th in 2016.
Carolina Panthers
- Julius Peppers, DE: Peppers, now in his second stint with the Panthers, was hardly Carolina’s most high-priced free agent signing this spring. That honor goes to $55MM man Matt Kalil, who has been — perhaps unsurprisingly — underwhelming at left tackle. The Panthers are playing Peppers on a reduced snap count, and the 37-year-old has already put up 4.5 sacks through a quarter of the season. He’s an absolute freak of nature who can still bend the edge with ease.
Chicago Bears
- N/A: The signing of free agent Mike Glennon clearly hasn’t worked out, as the veteran signal-caller was benched after four games. The rest of Chicago’s additions, a list that includes cornerbacks Marcus Cooper and Prince Amukamara and wideouts Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright, have also been sub-par. Quintin Demps could have been the choice here, but he’s now on injured reserve after breaking his arm.
Dallas Cowboys
- N/A: The Cowboys allowed most of their secondary to walk out the door during free agency, and veteran Nolan Carroll was their only real external addition. He’s been one of the worst defensive backs in the league in 2017.
Detroit Lions
- Ricky Wagner, T: Detroit upgraded at both right guard and right tackle this offseason, swapping out Larry Warford and Riley Reiff for T.J. Lang and Wagner. Although both new Lions linemen have been efficient thus far, the nod goes slightly to Wagner. Both Lang and Wagner are earning the same $9.5MM annual salary, but Wagner is three years younger and under team control for a longer period. Additionally, the Lions average more yards (4.41 to 3.04) when running around the right end than through the center/guard.
Green Bay Packers
- Jahri Evans, G: In a sequence that is completely out of character, the Packers actually signed a number of outside free agents over the past several months, including cornerback Davon House (a former Packer) and front seven defenders Ahmad Brooks, Quinton Dial, and Ricky Jean-Francois. But the best newcomer is on the offensive side ball, as Jahri Evans has played every snap for Green Bay. A lifelong Saint until 2017, Evans has helped the Packers’ offensive line to a No. 3 ranking in adjusted line yards at a cost of only $2.25MM.
Los Angeles Rams
- Andrew Whitworth, T: Perhaps no other club made a larger upgrade at one position than the Rams did in going from draft bust Greg Robinson to Whitworth at left tackle. The entire Rams’ offense, including quarterback Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, has gone from looking completely incompetent to leading the league in points scored. Even at the age of 35, Whitworth leads all tackles in pass rush productivity and has allowed only one pressure, per Pro Football Focus.
Minnesota Vikings
- Mike Remmers, T: The Vikings overpaid for both Remmers and left tackle Riley Reiff, but both deals have allowed Minnesota to return to average along the offensive line, a massive step-up from their 2016 front five. Remmers is earning nearly half of what Reiff is making but ranks slightly ahead of the former Lion in PFF’s offensive tackle rankings. Additionally, Remmers hasn’t allowed a sack this season, and the Vikings have been much better at running right than left.
New Orleans Saints
- Larry Warford, G: Warford replaced another player on this list (Jahri Evans) and has continued to perform as a solid NFL guard. On an offensive line that’s seen some reshuffling due to injuries to Terron Armstead and Zach Strief, the Saints’ interior — which also includes left guard Andrus Peat and center Max Unger — has remained stable. New Orleans has been excellent at running up the middle, as the club ranks sixth with 4.62 yards per carry behind its center or guards. The Saints control the 26-year-old Warford through the 2020 campaign.
New York Giants
- N/A: Brandon Marshall has yet to top 70 yards receiving in a game, and managed only two receptions in Weeks 1-2. And the signing of fullback/tight end Rhett Ellison never made sense given how much 11 personnel (one back, one tight end) the Giants run. He’s earning $4.5MM annually and has five total receptions.
Philadelphia Eagles
- LeGarrette Blount, RB: Although he’s not going match his NFL-leading 18 rushing touchdowns from 2016, Blount has already shown that he’s worth the one-year, $1.25MM deal he inked with the Eagles earlier this year. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry thus far, and he figures to be even more involved in Philadelphia’s offense following injuries to Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood. Tough as ever, Blount managed 127 of his 136 Week 4 yards after contact.
San Francisco 49ers
- Brandon Fusco, G: The 49ers and new general manager John Lynch spent a good deal of money this offseason, handing $10MM+ in guarantees to veterans such as wide receiver Pierre Garcon (who’s been average at best) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (who suffered a season-ending injury in August). The most astute signing, however, may have been guard Brandon Fusco, who signed for just $1.4MM total. He’s played every offensive snap for San Francisco and graded as the NFL’s No. 18 guard, per PFF, making him a remarkable value.
Seattle Seahawks
- Luke Joeckel, G: Joeckel’s one-year, $8MM contract with the Seahawks never made much sense, as the former draft bust hasn’t performed in the NFL and probably didn’t have much of a free agent market. He’s not even playing tackle, which makes the salary all the more confusing. But PFF grades Joeckel as the No. 26 guard in the league, meaning he’s been a starting-caliber offensive lineman through four contests. Plus, it’s hard to fault nearly any single-season pact, no matter the cost.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DeSean Jackson, WR: Jackson hasn’t been the perfect complemenet to Mike Evans that many projected — while he’s still averaging a robust 17.8 yards per catch, his catch rate is at a career-low 48.3%. Jackson led the league in yards gained off defensive pass interference a season ago, but he’s garnered only one DPI for 15 yards in 2017. Always only play away from a long-distance score, Jackson can still live up to his contract if Tampa Bay’s offense starts clicking.
Washington Redskins
- D.J. Swearinger, S: In a defensive backfield that’s without Su’a Cravens (left squad list) and DeAngelo Hall (PUP list), Swearinger — who left the Cardinals for a three-year deal in the nation’s capital — has helped stabilize the Redskins’ secondary. Through a quarter of the season, Washington ranks sixth in defensive DVOA under new coordinator Greg Manusky, a 19-spot leap from 2016.
So, what do you think? Which of the free agents has been the best signing through a quarter of the 2017 season? Vote below, and leave your thoughts in the comments section:
Bears’ Willie Young Expected To Miss Rest Of Season
Already down several key players due to injury, the Bears look to have lost another. A torn triceps injury will shelve outside linebacker Willie Young for the season’s remainder, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports. The Bears have yet to announce this, currently slotting Young as doubtful for their Monday-night game against the Vikings.
This setback will require surgery, per Wiederer, and strip the Bears of another starter. They’re already down defenders Jerrell Freeman and Quintin Demps — each residing on IR — while wideouts Kevin White and Cameron Meredith were previously lost to severe injuries.
Young is in his fourth season with the Bears. The team extended him last year, with the $13.55MM pact running through next season. This will reduce the Bears’ outside linebacker rotation to Pernell McPhee — who’s also experienced extensive injury troubles since coming to Chicago — Leonard Floyd and Sam Acho. Wiederer adds the Bears will consider promoting Isaiah Irving off the practice squad; the team signed Howard Jones earlier this week.
The 32-year-old Young has two sacks and seven tackles this season. He now has 26 sacks since coming to the Windy City in 2014. Most of Young’s guaranteed money came during this season, so the Bears may have a decision to make after the season. However, Young has a history of overcoming severe maladies. He bounced back from an Achilles’ tendon tear in December 2014, played in 16 games in 2015 and earned the Chicago extension on which he’s currently playing.
Bears Likely Without Top 3 ILBs Monday
- The Bears are likely to have a full-on skeleton crew at inside linebacker Monday night. With Nick Kwiatkoski doubtful to return from a pectoral injury sustained in Week 2, per Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter), the Bears would be without their top three inside ‘backers. Danny Trevathan will serve his one-game suspension Monday night, and Jerrell Freeman (pec) is on IR. Christian Jones and a to-be-determined player will start there against the Vikings.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/6/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Cut: S Orion Stewart
Chicago Bears
- Cut: DL Mike Purcell
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Kurtis Drummond
- Cut: RB Dare Ogunbowale
Bears Sign Howard Jones To P-Squad
The Bears have signed former Bucs defensive end Howard Jones to the practice squad, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). This marks Jones’ first employment since being non-tendered by the Buccaneers in the offseason. 
The 27-year-old auditioned for the Jets twice this year and recently worked out for the Titans. However, it was his September 25th audition with Chicago that landed him a job. It’s somewhat surprising to see that Jones had to settle for a practice squad deal, but then again he is returning from a torn ACL suffered last November.
Jones wasn’t a major contributor for the Bucs in his eight games last season, but he did manage five sacks in a rotational role for Tampa Bay in 2015.
The Bears run a 3-4 scheme, so Jones is likely being viewed by them as an outside linebacker. If there’s an injury to one of Chicago’s OLBs, it might not be long before the 27-year-old gets a shot on the 53-man roster.
Bears Audition Two Kickers
The Bears could be considering a change at kicker. Today, the team brought in Roberto Aguayo and Josh Lambo for a tryout, a league source tells Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). 
Connor Barth has been the Bears’ kicker since taking over for Robbie Gould in 2016. Last year, the veteran converted on just 78.3% of his field goals. This year, the 31-year-old has missed two of his four attempts, though one of those was a 57-yard try against Green Bay last week. The other miss was a 47-yard attempt against the Steelers in Week 3. To his credit, he is a perfect 7-of-7 on extra points in 2017 and he missed only one XP last year.
If signed, this will mark Aguayo’s second stint with Chicago in 2017. The former second round pick was claimed by Chicago after he was waived by the Bucs, but he was unable to prove himself in camp and was dropped three weeks later. The Bucs took on Aguayo’s $428K salary guarantee when they picked him up on the waiver wire and they had nothing to show for it.
Lambo lost the Chargers’ kicking competition to undrafted rookie Younghoe Koo this summer. After he was cut, he worked out for the Raiders, Eagles, and Jaguars, but was unable to find a home with any of those teams.