Bears Sign Antone Smith, Place Jacquizz Rodgers On IR
A pair of former Falcons running backs were involved in two Bears transactions today. According to the team (Twitter links), Chicago has placed Jacquizz Rodgers on injured reserve due to a broken arm, with veteran free agent Antone Smith joining the Bears’ roster to fill the open spot.
After spending his first four NFL seasons in Atlanta, generally serving as the team’s No. 2 running back, Rodgers signed with the Bears this offseason. However, he got off to a slow start, averaging a career-low 2.9 yards per carry in the early going, and now will be sidelined for the rest of the year with his arm injury.
To replace Rodgers, the Bears added another former Atlanta running back — Smith was a big-play specialist for the Falcons over the last two seasons, racking up an incredible 289 rushing yards on just 28 carries (10.3 yards per attempt), adding another 232 yards through the air on 15 receptions. Smith found paydirt seven times on his 43 touches.
Smith and the Falcons worked out an injury settlement in September after he was cut by the club, allowing him to reach free agency and sign elsewhere.
Extra Points: 49ers, Chargers, Washington
With a busy slate of Sunday games around the corner, let’s round up a few Saturday evening odds and ends from around the NFL….
- The 49ers‘ decision to cut Shareece Wright today is bad news for San Diego, according to Nick Korte of Over the Cap. Korte tweets that, based on his compensatory pick formula, the move should result in an extra 2016 sixth-round pick for the 49ers, and a lost compensatory pick for the Chargers.
- Two new offensive coordinators – Adam Gase of the Bears and Geep Chryst of the 49ers – are struggling to turn around their respective units early this season. Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune examines how Gase is dealing with the Bears’ injury woes, while Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle looks at the adjustments Chryst is making to try to help Colin Kaepernick get going.
- With Jim Harbaugh no longer in the picture in San Francisco, Kaepernick is being set up as the fall guy for the 49ers, opines Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Washington will be bringing in former Titans defensive back Ri’Shard Anderson on Monday, according to agent Brett Tessler (via Twitter). Based on Tessler’s tweet, it’s not clear if Jay Gruden and company will be signing Anderson, or simply working him out — I’d assume the latter, since the team’s roster needs could change depending on how tomorrow’s game goes.
- This weekend’s game could be a turning point for Mike Pettine‘s career in Cleveland, writes Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. After tomorrow’s contest against the Ravens, the Browns don’t face a team with a losing record until Week 12 (Baltimore again), so they’d face a significant uphill battle to salvage their season if they fall to 1-4.
NFC North Notes: Zenner, Ford, Palardy, Richardson
Lions running back Zach Zenner had two huge carries on Monday night against the Seahawks, and has made a compelling case to take some of Joique Bell‘s playing time, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Bell has missed time with knee and ankle injuries, and but was only averaging 1.1 yards per carry on 20 attempts so far this season. Zenner only has four carries on the season, but could see an increased workload going forward.
- The Ford family has owned the Lions for years, and Bill has served as the team’s vice chairman for over 20 years. However, he admitted that it is actually his mother Martha who has been running the organization since William Clay Ford passed away in March, according to Aaron McMann of MLive.com. “She’s in charge. She absolutely is,” Bill said. “Since my father passed away over a year ago, my mother is in charge and she makes all the decisions.”
- The Bears worked out punter Michael Palardy today at Halas Hall, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). The rookie was previously with the Rams.
- Packers safety Sean Richardson will miss the rest of the season with a neck injury, which could be career threatening according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC Notes: Saints, 49ers, Barth, Eagles
The Saints won’t displace Zach Hocker right now, even after auditioning several kickers, as Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. Hocker missed a potential game-winning field goal on Sunday night against the Cowboys before New Orleans won in overtime, and missed a field goal and an extra point in the team’s Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay. However, he’ll get at least one more opportunity to hang onto the job going forward.
In yesterday’s workout for the Saints, Randy Bullock hit all of his field goal attempts, while Kai Forbath missed a 53-yarder but made up for it with a 55-yard make, per Garafolo. Kyle Brindza, recently released by the Bucs, also got a look from the Saints, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Head coach Jim Tomsula disputed the notion that the 49ers added inside linebacker Gerald Hodges because they’re unhappy with the way starter Michael Wilhoite has played. “There’s nothing there,” Tomsula said, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Tomsula went on to explain that the 49ers have liked Hodges since he came out in the 2013 draft. On Tuesday, San Francisco sent center Nick Easton and a sixth-round draft choice to the Vikings for Hodges.
- Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth is happy to return to Tampa Bay, telling Fred Goodall of The Associated Press that the winding road he took back to the Bucs isn’t unusual for someone who plays his position. “You’ve got to look at as a business, and you’re kind of a consultant,” Barth said. “There are 32 jobs. It’s just a blessing to play and be one of 32 guys.” Barth was the club’s full-time kicker from 2009 to 2012.
- According to Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, Drew Brees was a key point of reference when Philadelphia decided this offseason to acquire Sam Bradford, an oft-injured quarterback with significant potential. Brees had been considered an injury risk due to a shoulder issue when the Saints first acquired him. Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the details on Kelly’s Bradford/Brees comparison, along with the quotes from the head coach.
- After signing a five-year deal worth nearly $39MM in the offseason, Bears pass rusher Pernell McPhee is off to a hot start, and joked that he wants J.J. Watt money now, as Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com writes.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Workout Notes: Bears, Broncos, Packers
Here’s a roundup of today’s auditions from around the NFL. All links go to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle on Twitter), unless noted otherwise..
- The Lions worked out nose tackle Kenrick Ellis, nose tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, and defensive end Jerel Worthy, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes.
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The Seahawks worked out cornerbacks Crezdon Butler and Chimdi Chekwa, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.
- The Bears worked out wide receivers Marcus Lucas and Nathan Palmer, guard Cole Manhart, and tackles Tyler Moore and Byron Stingily (link).
- The Broncos worked out punter Kasey Redfern (link).
- The Packers worked out running back Akeem Hunt, wide receiver Donatella Luckett, quarterback Phillip Sims, wide receiver Tyler Slavin, running back Dreamius Smith, linebacker Colton Underwood, and linebacker Matthew Wells (link).
- The Dolphins worked out wide receivers Isaiah Burse and Rannell Hall, defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel, guards Vinston Painter and Anthony Steen, defensive tackle Olsen Pierre, linebacker Mike Reilly, strong safety Brandian Ross, and defensive end Quanterus Smith (link + link).
- The Saints worked out punter Steven Clark, guard Travis Bond, punter Robert Malone, guard Jacques McClendon, and punter Brian Moorman (link).
- The Giants worked out defensive end Jake Bequette, tight end Cameron Clear, quarterback Cody Fajardo, and tight end Brian Leonhardt (link).
- The Jets worked out defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (link).
- The Bucs worked out linebacker Ronald Powell (link).
- The Titans worked out David Arkin, James Brewer, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Alex Kupper, Joe Looney, and Cody White (link).
- Defensive tackle Joe Vellano worked out for the Lions today (link).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/7/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the NFL:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: David Foucault OT (Twitter link)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: G/C Ryan Seymour (Twitter link), LB John Timu (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Dominique Jones, WR Julian Talley (press release)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: WR Donatella Luckett (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: CB Carrington Byndom (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Rannell Hall, WR Adam Humphries (press release)
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/15
Let’s round up Wednesday’s minor transactions from around the league:
- Will the ninth time be the charm for Andre Fluellen? As Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com details, the Lions have signed the veteran defensive lineman for his ninth different stint with the team. Given all the time he has spent in Detroit, Fluellen obviously knows the Lions’ defensive system, so he’ll help provide depth in the middle with Tyrunn Walker on IR and Haloti Ngata hurting as well.
- We heard on Monday that tight end Daniel Fells was headed to the Giants‘ injured reserve list due to a staph infection, and the team made that move official today, confirming it in a press release. New York promoted wide receiver Myles White to its active roster from the practice squad to get back up to 53 players.
- The Bears have elevated defensive back Demontre Hurst to their active roster, the team announced today (via Twitter). Hurst is the second practice squad to get a promotion this week, as the club parted ways with punter Spencer Lanning and linebacker John Timu.
- The Buccaneers have re-added linebacker Orie Lemon to their 53-man roster, according to a team release. Lemon takes the roster spot vacated by defensive end Josh Martin, who was waived/injured by Tampa Bay.
- The Texans have reached a three-week injury settlement with linebacker Mike Mohamed, removing him from their IR, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The agreement allows Mohamed to sign with another team in three weeks, though he can’t return to Houston for nine weeks.
Extra Points: Browns, Cowboys, Bears, Jags
Owners are batting around different ideas with regards to Los Angeles but they’re also considering making a major change to the preseason, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The NFL is considering a reduction in preseason games, going from four to three.
From the outside, it’s hard to imagine owners giving up money in the preseason without getting it back elsewhere. In the past, there has been speculation that the owners and the NFLPA could reach an agreement to expand the regular season beyond 16 games and I’d imagine that could be on the table in the next round of CBA talks if the preseason is reduced.
Here’s more from around the NFL..
- Browns coach Mike Pettine insists his team is making improvements and he’s not planning any major changes to his disappointing defense, Tom Withers of The Associated Press writes. The Chargers gained 438 yards against Cleveland on Sunday and the Raiders got 468 yards against them in the week prior.
- Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News believes that the Cowboys will go to the free agent market to find a replacement for injured running back Lance Dunbar.
- There’s a good chance the Bears will re-sign undrafted rookie linebacker John Timu to the practice squad, provided he clears waivers tomorrow, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter).
- Linebackers Emmanuel Acho and Philip Wheeler worked out for the Jaguars on Monday, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter).
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/6/15
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves..
- The Panthers signed defensive end Wes Horton just days after cutting him, as Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweets. To make room, offensive tackle offensive tackle David Foucault has been waived. If Foucault clears waivers, he will be signed to the practice squad, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Rams have re-signed linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar to the roster, Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch tweets.
- The Bears have promoted tackle Nick Becton from the taxi squad to the 53-man roster, as Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune tweets.
- The Buccaneers announced that they have promoted defensive end Howard Jones to the active roster from the practice squad.
- Also, Buccaneers defensive end T.J. Fatinikun has been placed on IR after suffering a knee injury in the second half of Sunday’s game against Carolina. He had just returned from a shoulder injury to appear in the Bucs’ last two games, recording one tackle and two stops on special teams. Last year, his first in the NFL, Fatinikun played in ten Buccaneer games and had eight tackles and a half-sack.
- The Saints signed veteran tackle Tony Hills, as Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/6/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Walter Powell (press release)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: C Barrett Jones, DL Brandon Dunn (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
- Cut: NT Terry Williams
- PS-IR: WR Jalen Saunders (link)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DL Ray Drew, S Ty Zimmerman (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal)
- Cut: OL Garth Gerhart, DL Dylan Wynn
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DE Jordan Williams (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: G Mike Liedtke (Twitter link via agent Brett Tessler)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DE Bruce Gaston (Twitter link via Jason Wilde of ESPN.com)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: G/T Michael Ola (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
- Cut: G/C Michael Huey
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: T Reid Fragel, DE Josh Shirley (press release)
- Cut: T Martin Wallace