Ravens Claim Jimmy Clausen Off Waivers
As expected, the Ravens have nabbed a backup quarterback off waivers, claiming Jimmy Clausen from the Bears, the team announced today (via Twitter). In a corresponding move, the Ravens have placed Joe Flacco on injured reserve due to his torn ACL (Twitter link).
Clausen, 28, served primarily as the Bears’ backup signal-caller last year, getting a start in Week 17 when Marc Trestman wanted to see someone besides Jay Cutler lead the offense. Clausen re-signed with Chicago on a one-year deal back in March, and was forced into action again early in the season, when Jay Cutler went down with an injury. In two games (one start) for the Bears, Clausen completed 23 of 40 passes for 184 yards and an interception.
Given the connection to Trestman, who is now the Ravens’ offensive coordinator, there seemed to be a natural fit for Clausen in Baltimore, with the team needing a backup for Matt Schaub. The Ravens also had a fairly high waiver priority, given their 3-7 record, allowing the team to avoid being blocked from claiming Clausen.
When the Bears cut Clausen, they also promoted David Fales to their 53-man roster, with head coach John Fox explaining that the young QB had received interest from other teams. According to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link), those teams were the 49ers and the Ravens. So Baltimore tried to sign one signal-caller with a connection to Trestman, then ultimately settled for another.
Extra Points: K. White, Panthers, Elliott
The Bears‘ decision on rookie receiver Kevin White was due today, and the team is opening up his 21-day practice window, a league source tells Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune. The Bears have since officially confirmed that move, which ensures that White remains on the PUP list rather than going on season-ending IR.
Chicago will now have 21 days to decide whether to activate the young wideout. If the team isn’t ready to move him to the 53-man roster at that point, White will be shut down for the year, moving to IR after Week 14.
As we look forward to seeing whether this year’s seventh overall pick will make his NFL debut in 2015, let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the league…
- The Panthers may go with 52 players for Thursday’s game, leaving a spot open on their active roster, head coach Ron Rivera said today (link via David Newton of ESPN.com). As Rivera explains, there’s no need for Carolina to promote a practice squad player to replace suspended defensive end Wes Horton if that player isn’t going to see any action.
- After Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott expressed frustration with the Buckeyes’ coaching staff and play-calling following a weekend loss to Michigan State, Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com surveyed a trio of NFL scouts to see how Elliott’s draft stock might be affected. The consensus? It won’t be. One scout said he’s more worried about Elliott’s leg infection from last week, while another said his team would “gladly” draft the junior, adding that “he’s better than the Wisconsin kid [Melvin Gordon] last year.”
- People around the NFL believe that the gap between the lure of an NFL head coaching job and a college head coaching job has closed, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter links). According to Breer, many coaches dislike recruiting, which tips the scales toward those NFL positions, but the money is “closer than ever,” and college coaches have more control and stronger job security. It’ll be something to keep an eye on as those positions become available this winter.
- In a secret NFLPA meeting earlier this month, at least 15 NFL agents argued against cutting the maximum agent fee from 3% to 2%, writes Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal.
- As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk details, passing along a pair of reports from SportsBusiness Daily and the Hollywood Reporter, the NFL could sell a portion of the NFL Network to another TV network as part of its next Thursday Night Football deal.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/23/15
Here are Monday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Chris Matthews (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Ras-I Dowling (Twitter link via team)
- Cut: G Reese Dismukes
Chicago Bears
- Cut: CB Terrance Mitchell (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DE Quanterus Smith (Twitter link via Tad Dickman of Jaguars)
New York Jets
- Signed: S Ronald Martin (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: TE Sean McGrath (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com)
San Francisco 49ers
- To be signed: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
Washington
- Signed: LB Derrick Mathews, LB Lynden Trail (press release via team)
- Cut: CB Deveron Carr
Bears Waive Jimmy Clausen
The Bears have made a change at the quarterback position, cutting backup signal-caller Jimmy Clausen and elevating David Fales from their practice squad to the 53-man roster, the team announced today (Twitter link). Clausen will become a free agent if he passes through waivers unclaimed.
Clausen, 28, served primarily as the Bears’ backup signal-caller last year, getting a start in Week 17 when Marc Trestman wanted to see someone besides Jay Cutler lead the offense. Clausen re-signed with the club on a one-year deal back in March, and was forced into action again early in the season, when Cutler went down with an injury. In two games (one start), Clausen completed 23 of 40 passes for 184 yards and an interception.
According to Bears head coach John Fox, the club wanted to promote Fales to the active roster because he was receiving interest from at least one other team (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune). By moving him from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, the Bears protect the young quarterback, avoiding the risk of losing him to another club.
It’s fair to wonder if the Ravens, who lost Joe Flacco for the season on Sunday, and employ Trestman as an offensive coordinator, were the team – or one of the teams – expressing interest in Fales. Now that Clausen is on waivers, it’s possible that the Trestman connection could come into play again, since Baltimore has a high waiver priority and is in the market for a backup to Matt Schaub.
NFC North Notes: Lions, Forte, Ringo
Earlier today, we rounded up several Lions-related items, which focused on the hiring of new team president Rod Wood. Many of the reactions to that move have been been skeptical, calling into question Wood’s lack of football-related experience and his close relationship with the Ford family. However, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com argues that while Wood’s hiring may not be a popular decision among Lions fans, that doesn’t mean it’ll be a bad move.
Here’s more from around the NFC North:
- Bears running back Jeremy Langford has looked good in an increased role with Matt Forte injured in recent weeks, raising more questions about Forte’s future in Chicago beyond 2015, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes. While Forte says he’s willing to share the load in the Bears’ backfield, he acknowledges that there’s no guarantee he’ll still be with the team in 2016. “Chicago is kind of like that: ‘Well, see ya later, Matt,'” Forte said, referring to some narratives from the local media. “I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve been here going on eight years, y’all just going to throw me to the side like that?’ But that’s the nature of the NFL. And I don’t mind. I will play wherever I end up.”
- Packers defensive lineman Christian Ringo is on the team’s practice squad, but as of last week, he’s earning active-roster money, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. According to Yates, Ringo is one of several practice squad players around the NFL who is earning $25,588 per week, which is equivalent to the minimum salary for a rookie on the 53-man roster.
- Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has no interest in revisiting his time in Denver as Chicago prepares to host the Broncos this week, per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com. “It’s so far removed,” Cutler said. “Coaching staff has changed. The only player I can really think of that was on the team is maybe Ryan Clady. I don’t know if there’s anybody else on that team at this point.”
Extra Points: Ravens, Cutler, Gase
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome was among NFL execs who were targeting Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin in the 2013 draft, as Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun writes.
“They definitely brought me in on a visit,” Austin said. “I met with the GM, a great guy. He had a plan for me, that they were going to draft me. They had a plan for me, for my whereabouts when I was in Baltimore and things like that. He’s a great guy, but coach ‘Fish’ pulled the trigger on me. That’s the guy I’m rolling with now.”
The Ravens never got the opportunity to take the explosive wide receiver, who was drafted No. 8 overall by St. Louis. Drafting at No. 32, the Ravens would go on to select Florida safety Matt Elam instead.
More from around the NFL:
- Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is playing quite well as of late. In fact, he’s playing so well that it might just cost him his offensive coordinator, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes. Bears OC Adam Gase was a hot name last offseason and his work with Cutler figures to keep his stock high again this time around. After starting the season 0-3, Cutler has led Chicago to a 4-2 record over the past six games.
- Now that the league is going to allow teams to deal compensatory picks, Nick Korte of Over The Cap wonders what kind of impact that could have going forward. Korte runs down a handful of ways that teams have been gaming the system in order to acquire more compensatory picks and wonders if the league will crack down on that now that those assets hold even more value.
- Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa told reporters, including Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, that he is turning over a new leaf following his four-game suspension. Enunwa was suspended earlier this year for his role in a domestic violence situation.
North Notes: Bengals, Lions, Mathis
Four years after the Bengals traded Carson Palmer, the veteran quarterback is thriving as the Cardinals’ starter. That might be a surprise to some, but not Bengals owner Mike Brown.
“I have an odd feeling for Carson Palmer,” Brown told Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. “I like Carson Palmer personally. I did when he was here. I regret it broke apart the way it did. I don’t want him to beat us any more than he wants us to beat him. I’m sure that will be in the back of his mind. But other than that, I wish him well. I think he is a great passer. He really is. He’s a special passer, very accurate. I look at him play and I see the player that we had when he was here. When he’s on and playing the way he can play, he is a big-time winning quarterback.”
Here’s more out of the North divisions:
- Marvez also asked Brown about offensive coordinator Hue Jackson‘s candidacy as a head coach for next season. It sounds like Bengals owner is expecting the former Raiders head coach to field some interest. “Hue is a very qualified coach. We think the world of Hue…We’ve had (Jay) Gruden and (Mike) Zimmer leave, and I’m sure after this year Hue will be a candidate. It is a compliment to Marvin and maybe some others here as well. I like to see it when they achieve. It’s flattering when that happens. It works against our best interest because we have to regroup and reestablish ourselves but it’s also heartwarming to see your people achieve their ambitions,” Brown said.
- After suffering what is at least the second concussion of his NFL career, Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis admitted to reporters today that he’ll take the injury into consideration when deciding whether to continue playing in 2016. “When something like this happens, as a professional, I’d be naïve not to think about those types of things,” Mathis said, per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. “Like I said, there’s life after football and you have to think about those things. When that time comes a decision will be made.”
- Packers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, who got his first extended look on offense last Sunday and caught four balls on seven targets, will be out for “several weeks” with a rib injury, tweets Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. It’s the latest injury for a group of Green Bay receivers that has been plagued by them all year.
- The Bears will have until next Tuesday to make a decision on whether or not to activate rookie receiver Kevin White from the PUP list, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune explains. If the team determines White isn’t ready to be added to the 53-man roster, he’d have to be placed on season-ending IR.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/18/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts, with any additional moves added to the list throughout the day:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Konrad Reuland (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Terrance Mitchell (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of ESPN.com)
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DB Tim Scott, LB Keith Smith (Twitter link via David Helman of DallasCowboys.com)
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Joseph Fauria, CB Chris Greenwood, S Brock Vereen (Twitter links via Field Yates of ESPN.com and Doug Kyed of NESN.com)
- Cut: S Dewey McDonald, S Ross Ventrone (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Ben Edwards, C Shane McDermott (link via Jordan Raanan of NJ.com)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: WR Donte Foster (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post)
Seattle Seahawks
- To be signed: WR/CB Douglas McNeil (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
- Cut: DL Julius Warmsley (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: DT Doug Worthington (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: G Josh Allen, LB Josh Keyes (press release via team)
Workout Notes: Seahawks, Colts, Bears
The Kendall Hunter tour continues. On Tuesday, the Seahawks tried out the running back, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Hunter, who has seen his NFL career derailed by injuries in recent years, was removed from Sam Francisco’s injured reserve list in September with a settlement, making him a free agent. Last week, he tried out for the Jaguars, but that audition did not immediately lead to a deal.
Here’s a roundup of Tuesday’s notable workouts from around the NFL:
- The Colts tried out nose tackle Barry Cofield, according to Yates (on Twitter). He adds that tight end Joseph Fauria worked out for the Chiefs and Patriots while running back Dri Archer auditioned for the Jets.
- The Bears hosted a few players for workouts, per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com (on Twitter), linebacker Xzavier Dickson, defensive end Tyre Glasper, linebacker Danny Mason, and linebacker Mike McAdoo.
- Wide receiver Tandon Doss was among players Jets tried out today, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- The Falcons worked out cornerbacks Marc Anthony and Keon Lyn, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Raiders worked out center Adam Gettis, Wilson tweets.
- The 49ers worked out former Texas offensive tackle Donald Hawkins, Wilson tweets.
- The Titans tried out Damarr Aultman, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Alan Bonner, Antwan Goodley, Colin Lockett, Dustin Vaughan, Wilson tweets.
- The Eagles auditioned eight players on Monday, including wide receiver Corey Washington, safety Brandian Ross, defensive end Brian Mihalik, linebacker Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo, linebacker Brandon Hepburn, defensive tackle Toby Johnson, cornerback Trovon Reed, and cornerback Robert Steeples, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
- The Saints worked out running back Bronson Hill and defensive end Phillip Hunt, Wilson tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/17/15
Here are Tuesday’s minor transactions from across the NFL:
- The Dolphins waived center Sam Brenner, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets.
- The Browns waived tight end Rob Housler (hamstring) from injured reserve today, Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal tweets.
- The Patriots waived offensive lineman Chris Barker while promoting wide receiver Chris Harper from the practice squad, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.
Earlier Updates:
- The Seahawks have waived wide receiver Chris Matthews, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Matthews had just four receptions during his 12 regular-season games with Seattle, matching the four balls he caught in last season’s Super Bowl against the Pats. Per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter), the Seahawks are promoting wide receiver Kevin Smith to the active roster to replace Matthews.
- The Dolphins will sign linebacker James-Michael Johnson, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Johnson was just released by the Lions on Saturday, so he didn’t last long on the open market.
- Speaking of the Lions, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that, as expected, the club will place cornerback Josh Wilson on injured reserve due to what Jim Caldwell called a “significant” knee injury. Detroit is expected to sign a new cornerback shortly to help solidify a position that has been hit hard by injuries.
- The Titans have added two players to their 53-man roster, signing wide receiver Tre McBride from their own practice squad, along with wide receiver Andrew Turzilli from the 49ers‘ practice squad (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). The two wideouts will take the roster spots vacated by WR Justin Hunter and CB Jason McCourty, who were formally placed on injured reserve today.
- The Bears have made a change at cornerback, waiving Terrance Mitchell and promoting Jacoby Glenn from their practice squad to fill the newly-opened roster spot, the team announced today (Twitter link).
- The Chiefs have placed tight end James O’Shaughnessy on injured reserve due to a foot injury, creating an opening for defensive tackle David King, whom Kansas City claimed off waivers from the Seahawks, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- The Giants have waived linebacker James Morris, according to a team release. Morris, who was elevated from the practice squad at the end of October, played on special teams during his brief stint on New York’s 53-man roster.