NFC Rumors: Forte, Jeffery, Hardy, Avril
Matt Forte‘s free agency bid’s played a role in the Bears running back’s recovery timetable, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The soon-to-be 30-year-old dual-threat back suffered a sprained MCL two weeks ago and, similar to a pitcher in the last days of his contract with a non-playoff-bound team, Forte won’t rush back.
“That’s [a factor], if not the most important factor — the future,” Forte told reporters, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. “Because if you go out there for one game and then ruin the rest of your season and maybe your career, then that’s a big factor. There’s a lot of football left to be played. So you don’t want to chance it for one game.”
Forte’s in the fourth and final year of a $30.4MM pact, his second with the Bears, and as of now looks to be the top option in the 2016 running back class, along with Chris Ivory.
Florio does speculate Forte would be more inclined to return to the field sooner if the Bears decided to offer him a third contract.
Here’s some more news coming out of the NFC locales.
- If the Bears were observing a healthy contract year from Alshon Jeffery, the decision to re-sign the fourth-year wideout to a lucrative, long-term extension wouldn’t be difficult, Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes. Jeffery’s been on and off the injury report this season, missing four games, and this week’s served as a microcosm, with the ex-second-rounder dominating Monday night only to miss practice time this week with his third leg-muscle injury this season. Campbell offers that the Bears could place some escalators in Jeffery’s possible extension revolving around playing time. “You have to bet on the player that he’s going to get healthy,” former GM Mark Domenik said. “When you start to bet that your guy is going to be hurt, if you think that, then you probably shouldn’t sign him. Move on and do it with a clear conscience.”
- The release of the domestic violence photos in association with the Greg Hardy case a day after the Cowboys defensive end saw this incident expunged from his record illustrates how the NFL likely wanted that information out there, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. The Mecklenburg (N.C.) County District Attorney’s office and the Charlotte Police Department informed the Globe they did not release the photos, and the NFL, due to its independent investigation, was the only other entity with access to the photos and transcript, Volin writes.
- Rumors connected Rod Marinelli to a potential return to Tampa Bay prior to signing a three-year extension with the Cowboys in January, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. Marinelli has connections to both the Bucs, who employed him as their defensive line coach from 1996-2005, and Lovie Smith, whom Marinelli worked for from 2009-12 with the Bears.
- Prior to his father’s death, Cliff Avril told him he would only play in the NFL for 10 years due to health reasons, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes. The 29-year-old Seahawks defensive end’s in his eighth season. “And I plan on it,” he says. “Unless something crazy happens and they’re offering me some ridiculous amount of money.” Avril said. “Then he’d probably tell me to keep playing.”
Bears’ Ego Ferguson Suspended Four Games
The Bears announced that defensive lineman Ego Ferguson was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, as Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. Ferguson is now the second Chicago lineman to be suspended in three days after tackle Tayo Fabuluje was slapped for taking an appetite suppressant.
Ferguson is presently on IR, but he will begin serving his suspension immediately. The second-year defensive lineman from LSU was ruled out for the season when he suffered a knee injury in mid-October.
The 2014 second-round pick was trying to battle through the knee injury for a month before he was ultimately shut down for the year. The former LSU standout appeared in 16 games during his rookie campaign, compiling 23 tackles and a pair of sacks. He had appeared in four games this season, including his first NFL start, but he only compiled four tackles in limited snaps.
Extra Points: Mexico City, Randle, Saunders
A group of league officials will be in Mexico City through Wednesday to determine if Azteca Stadium is prepared to host an NFL game in 2016, tweets Albert Breer of NFL.com. Back in 2005, the Cardinals and 49ers faced off at Azteca in front of a crowd of 100K+, so the league knows that the interest is there.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL:
- One team that had been interested in free agent running back Joseph Randle is no longer pursuing him now that he has received a four-game suspension, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com.
- Bears practice squad wide receiver Jalen Saunders has been suspended four games for violating an undisclosed league policy, according to a source that spoke with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Saunders, a fourth-round pick in 2014, was one of several draft choices for the Jets under former GM John Idzik that did not pan out.
- Another wideout, Clyde Gates, has also been suspended four games by the NFL, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Gates, currently a free agent, is also a former Jets receiver, though he started his career with the Dolphins after being selected in the fourth round of the 2011 draft.
- Despite his stellar season so far, TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin will likely transition to the wide receiver position for the NFL draft, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) reports.
- In a piece for CBSSports.com, former agent Joel Corry take a look at players in contract years who are helping or hurting their respective values as they approach free agency.
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap also looks forward to free agency, examining a few quarterbacks who could hit the open market this winter, and identifying some potential trade candidates at the position.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/10/15
Here are Tuesday’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL:
- The Saints have signed linebacker James Anderson, as Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune tweets. The Saints have been thin at linebacker recently, with injuries to strongside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha (ankle), weakside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hip/groin), and backup Ramon Humber, so Anderson will provide additional depth for New Orleans. To make room for Anderson, the Saints have cut fellow linebacker Mike Mohamed, as Mike Triplett of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Vikings announced that they have signed linebacker Jason Trusnik while placing fellow linebacker Audie Cole on IR. Trusnik, a former Division-III standout, was cut by the Panthers before the final trim down to a 53-man roster. He first broke into the league as a UDFA with the Jets in 2007. The Ohio native has played in 109 career games with 24 starts, tallying 146 total tackles, 4 PDs, 4 FRs and 1 FF in his first eight NFL seasons. Cole wasn’t a factor on the Vikings’ defense, but he was playing more than half of the club’s special teams snaps before fracturing his ankle.
- The Giants announced that they have added defensive tackle Montori Hughes to the active roster while placing defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins on IR. Hankins suffered a torn pectoral muscle over the weekend, ending his 2015 season prematurely. Hughes, who stands at 6’4″ and weighs 350 pounds, played in 16 games for the Colts between 2013 and 2014.
- The Browns announced that they have activated defensive back Charles Gaines and running back Glenn Winston. Both players were previously sidelined with injuries.
- The Buccaneers announced that they have signed safety Kimario McFadden, who played with them in the preseason. To make room for McFadden on the 53-man roster, the Buccaneers waived defensive end Lawrence Sidbury.
- The Chargers announced that they have signed tight end Sean McGrath while waiving guard Craig Watts. McGrath briefly retired following his second season in 2013, a season in which he caught 26 balls for 302 yards and two touchdowns.
- The Chiefs will promote safety Saalim Hakim from the practice squad, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Bears will promote wide receiver Deonte Thompson to the 53-man roster from the taxi squad, Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune tweets.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/10/15
Earlier today, we learned that the Ravens had signed running back Terrance West to their practice squad, cutting defensive end Nordly Capi to make room. That’s one of a handful of practice squad changes around the league today, so let’s round up the rest….
Chicago Bears
- To be signed: G/T Martin Wallace (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Detroit Lions
- To be signed: T Tyrus Thompson (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press)
- Cut: RB Marion Grice (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DT Eric Crume (press release via team)
- Cut: DT Justin Hamilton
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Dezmen Southward, QB Alex Tanney (press release via team)
- Cut: QB Matt Blanchard, G Kitt O’Brien
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Keavon Milton, OL Torrian Wilson (press release via team)
- Cut: WR Austin Hill, DB Floyd Raven
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Rashaun Allen (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune)
- Cut: LB Henry Coley
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Nico Johnson, DT Louis Nix (press release via team)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: LB Matthew Wells (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Akeem Davis, DE Martin Ifedi (press release via team)
- Cut: WR Andre Davis
- Placed on PS-IR: DE Ronald Powell
Bears’ Tayo Fabuluje Suspended Four Games
The NFL has handed out its second four-game suspension of the day, with the Bears announcing (via Twitter) that rookie tackle Tayo Fabuluje has been banned for the next four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. We heard earlier this afternoon that free agent running back Joseph Randle has also been suspended four games.
Fabuluje, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, has been active for the Bears’ last several games. While he hasn’t earned a spot in the starting lineup, the 24-year-old has played on the field goal unit and in goal-line and short-yardage situations, as Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
In a text message to Peggy Kusinski of NBC Chicago, Fabuluje acknowledges that he “took [an] appetite suppressant back in training camp” that resulted in a failed drug test.
The Bears may look to add an offensive lineman via free agency or from their practice squad later this week, to fortify their depth at the position. With Fabuluje sidelined for the next four weeks, the rookie will miss Chicago’s games against the Rams, Broncos, Packers, and 49ers.
Sunday Roundup: Hardy, L. McCown, Welker
As this week’s games get underway in full force, let’s take a look at some notes from around the league:
- Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times, citing ESPN’s Adam Schefter, reports that the Buccaneers put together a contract structure for Greg Hardy that the Cowboys ultimately mirrored, but Tampa Bay’s contract was contingent on the club meeting with Hardy for evaluation. Once it became clear that such a meeting was not possible, the Bucs pulled the offer (Twitter links).
- Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune writes that Saints backup quarterback Luke McCown will get a second opinion on his back injury this week, but Terrell’s source indicates that McCown will likely require season ending surgery. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, the news is fairly significant, as New Orleans has never had to rely on a rookie to back up Drew Brees.
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes that free agent wide receiver Wes Welker is still waiting for his phone to ring, and that he has passed both physicals he has taken this year. He wants to play for a contender, and he has instructed his agent to reach out again to the teams on his list to see if there is a fit.
- ESPN’s Jane McManus tweets that the NFL’s investigation into Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel‘s recent encounter with police is expected to conclude this week. McManus notes that the police report and various witness testimony have complicated the investigation.
- Although there was more league-wide effort to make a deal prior to this year’s trade deadline than in seasons past, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes that only one trade was made because the demand from sellers was too great. The Browns and 49ers in particular asked for compensation that rival executives believed was unreasonable.
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes a detailed look at the 2016 wide receiver free agent class and the types of contracts some of the bigger names in the class can expect to land. Fitzgerald says the best player on that list, Alshon Jeffery, is better equipped to handle a franchise tag should the Bears go that route because he is so young and the tag will not impact the way teams view his future as long as he remains healthy.
- ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets that the Jaguars are likely to part ways with Toby Gerhart at season’s end.
- Likewise, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com believes Jon Beason has played his last game for the Giants (Twitter link).
NFC Notes: Bears, Gase, 49ers, Knighton
In his latest notes column for the Chicago Tribune, David Haugh points to left tackle — not quarterback, cornerback, or pass-rusher, as some might suggest — as the Bears‘ biggest need come draft time. Kyle Long is still an option to move to the blind side at some point, but Haugh suggests the club could target players like Laremy Tunsil of Ole Miss or Ronnie Staley of Notre Dame next spring. Such a move would likely follow the release of veteran Jermon Bushrod, who has played in only three games this season (he first dealt with concussion issues but was then benched).
Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFC:
- Continuing the Bears theme, John Mullin of CSNChicago.com notes that offensive coordinator Adam Gase should be a hot name on the head coaching circuit next year. The 37-year-old Gase interviewed for nearly every head coaching vacancy following last season, bu ultimately reunited with John Fox in Chicago, where he has helped quarterback Jay Cutler turn around his career. In the piece above, Haugh suggests that Gase will also be a popular candidate for many NCAA openings.
- It’s unlikely that quarterback Colin Kaepernick will return to the 49ers next season, opines Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, noting that the club will likely release Kaerpenick before his 2016 $11.9MM base salary becomes guaranteed on April 1. Elsewhere in San Francisco, Maiocco writes that GM Trent Baalke clearly believes he will remain the club’s decision-maker going forwar, as he wouldn’t have traded Vernon Davis for future draft pick compensation if he believed this season was his last with the team.
- Terrance Knighton will miss Sunday’s game with severe headaches, John Keim of ESPN.com reports. The Washington defensive tackle has reportedly visited around 30 doctors for this condition, which is said to be worse than migraines, albeit in shorter duration.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Stafford, Cardinals
With the work week winding down, let’s round up some Friday news items and notes from around the NFC….
- Appearing on 105.3 FM in Dallas this morning, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that Tony Romo has offered to help identify his own eventual replacement, adding that Romo has put in time studying what he’d look for in a college quarterback. Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has the story, with the quotes from Jones.
- Examining Matthew Stafford‘s future in Detroit, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press makes the case that the only way it makes sense for the Lions to part with their quarterback after the 2015 season is if they end up with the first – or perhaps second – overall pick, to give a new coach and GM a chance to groom a new QB. A Thursday report suggested that Stafford’s future beyond 2015 with the Lions is uncertain, with GM Martin Mayhew out of the picture and head coach Jim Caldwell a good bet to follow him out the door.
- In addition to the kickers and punters we heard about yesterday, the Cardinals also worked out several other players, including defensive backs Shaun Prater and Cassius Vaughn and long snappers Brandon Hartson and Andrew East, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link).
- The Bears also brought in a few players for tryouts today, auditioning offensive linemen Aaron Adams, James Brewer, and Martin Wallace, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Within his latest NFL.com column, Albert Breer of the NFL Network touches on several topics of notes, exploring the Lions‘ organizational changes, Geep Chryst‘s job status with the 49ers, and the Rams‘ decision to draft Todd Gurley with the 10th overall pick in the spring.
NFC North Notes: Patterson, Bennett, Lions
With Stefon Diggs emerging as the Vikings‘ top explosive young receiver, a role that Cordarrelle Patterson had previously been expected to occupy, Patterson tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he’s not worried about his future in Minnesota.
“I don’t need to worry about my future,” Patterson said. “I’m here. I’m here for a reason. If they wanted to let me go, they would have let me go when the trade [deadline] was here. I’m not worried about anything.”
Although Patterson isn’t sure why he’s barely seen the field this year, he says he just wants “to control what I can control,” and is trying to make the most of his limited snaps. Here’s more from around the NFC North:
- Bears tight end Martellus Bennett doesn’t sound thrilled by his role in the Bears’ offense, but tells Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times he’s not going to complain about not getting more looks. “That’s a bad employee,” Bennett said. “I just kinda keep my head down and go to work. Because when you say something, you become the a–hole, even if it’s a valid point. So I just avoid drama.”
- Bears GM Ryan Pace has scouted Cal’s Jared Goff and Michigan State’s Connor Cook in person this season, and will constantly be on the lookout for the type of elite franchise quarterback he had in New Orleans with Drew Brees. Still, as Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes, Jay Cutler has shown positive signs under new offensive coordinator Adam Gase, and the guaranteed salary left on his contract suggests he’s likely to be Chicago’s quarterback again in 2016.
- While Sheldon White is taking over for Martin Mayhew as the Lions‘ general manager on an interim basis, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com identifies five potential candidate for the permanent GM job in Detroit.