NFC Notes: Seahawks, McCoy, Lions, Bears
Recent reports indicated that the Seahawks are falling apart and possibly planning to part ways with running back Marshawn Lynch after this season, but Seattle silenced that speculation this week with a big team effort against the Panthers, writes Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. “[The reports were] not a distraction at all,” coach Pete Carroll said. “Our guys don’t care about what’s being said. We’ve been prepared all year that there would be stuff like this, that there would be controversy and story lines that would try to get in between us. We’re fine.” More from the NFC..
- The Falcons are 2-6 and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (video link) says that both coach Mike Smith and GM Thomas Dimitroff could be on the hot seat this offseason. Owner Arthur Blank can be expected to “evaluate everyone” after the season.
- There isn’t any offset language with the $51.5M of guarantees in Gerald McCoy‘s contract with the Bucs, according to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
- With Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush sidelined, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is extra glad that his club added Golden Tate over the offseason. “He’s just a competitive son of a gun,” Stafford said of Tate, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. “And you just trust him, you want to throw him the ball, you feel good about it when you throw it to him. And I’m proud of him, happy for him. I know he’s going to be excited when Calvin comes back to be that duo that they want to be.”
- Bears GM Phil Emery doesn’t sound like a man who wants to make a coaching change. “The solutions to win games are with the people in this building,” said the GM, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
Bears Lose Matt Slauson For Year
In addition to losing a key defensive lineman, the Bears have lost a starter on the offensive line as well. Guard Matt Slauson tore his pectoral and is out for the year, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
It’s more bad news for the Bears, who also lost defensive end Lamarr Houston in yesterday’s blowout loss to the Pats. Slauson came to the Bears on a one-year deal in March of 2013. Over the winter, the former Jets guard inked a new four-year deal to stay in Chicago for the long-term. Slauson’s deal gave him a yearly salary of $3.2MM per year with $3.9MM essentially guaranteed at signing. If the Bears decide to release Slauson this winter, they’d save roughly $2MM in cap room for 2015.
Slauson started 16 games in each of his previous seasons, three with the Jets and one with the Bears.
Bears’ Lamarr Houston Done For Year
Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston is done for the year with a torn ACL, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Houston suffered the injury while celebrating a sack in the midst of the Bears’ blowout loss at the hands of the Patriots.
The Bears were trailing 48-23 when Houston brought down Pats backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Houston leaped in the air to celebrate and came down awkwardly on his leg, causing the injury that will keep him sidelined until training camp in 2015.
Houston is earning $9MM this season and his base salary of $5.95MM is guaranteed for 2015. The Bears brought the 27-year-old aboard as a replacement for veteran Julius Peppers, who was released on the same day. In total, Houston’s deal is for five years with a total value that can be as high as $35MM.
NFC Notes: Jake Long, Bucs, Bears, Lions
The Rams fear that left tackle Jake Long has torn his ACL, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Long, the first overall pick in 2008, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Dolphins before signing a four-year, $34MM contract with St. Louis prior to last season. If the diagnosis is correct, Long would be the second notable Rams player, along with quarterback Sam Bradford, to have his season cut short by an ACL injury. Long also missed the final game of last season after tearing his ACL. Greg Robinson, the second overall pick in the 2014 draft, will presumably take over at left tackle. He had been playing left guard, and given that Rodger Saffold also suffered an injury today, the Rams will have to do some maneuvering along their offensive line. Veteran guard Davin Joseph is a candidate to be re-inserted into the starting lineup.
- We’ve heard rumors that the Buccaneers could look to move Vincent Jackson and/or Doug Martin, and following today’s overtime loss to the Vikings, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com opines (Twitter links) that Tampa Bay should look to deal the two, in addition to safety Dashon Goldson, at all costs. The Bucs generally don’t offer signing bonuses, so no money would accelerate onto their cap if Goldson was dealt. The acquiring team would be responsible for 9/17 of Goldon’s 2014 base salary, plus all of his 2015 guarantee — in total, about $7.18MM. Given that he rates 74th out of 82 qualified safeties per Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), I’d wager that no team would be interested in taking on his salary, and even less inclined to give up a draft pick.
- On the subject of Buccaneers trade rumors, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap examines what a Jackson deal would look like, noting that because an acquiring team would need at least $5.1MM in cap space in order to take on his contract, the pool of suitors is limited. Fitzgerald lists the Browns, Eagles, and Patriots among the clubs that have both the requisite cap space and the motivation to trade for a receiver upgrade.
- Bears defensive lineman Lamarr Houston will undergo an MRI tomorrow, but the club fears the worst, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). Mike Garafolo adds (via Twitter) Chicago believes Houston, a key free agent addition over the offeseason, suffered a season-ending knee injury.
- Another NFC North lineman, the Lions’ Nick Fairley, suffered a knee injury today, and head coach Jim Caldwell isn’t optimistic about Fairley’s status. “I’m not quite certain where he is right now,” Caldwell told reporters, including Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. “But obviously, when you’re carried off the field, it’s not the greatest news. We’ll see what the doctors say about him.”
Injury Updates: Sunday
We will keep you informed of any major injuries that arise throughout the course of today’s games.
- In addition to suffering an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Patriots, the Bears may have lost one key contributor on each side of the all. Guard Matt Slauson left the game with a pectoral injury (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune), and as we saw with Brian Orakpo, a torn pectoral will likely force a player to miss the remainder of the season. Campbell’s Tribune colleague, Brad Biggs, tweets that defensive lineman Lamarr Houston had to be carted off the field after suffering an injury while celebrating a sack of Tom Brady.
- Rams receiver Brian Quick suffered an arm injury in today’s game against the Chiefs, and had to be carted off the field, per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Dispatch (Twitter link).
Earlier updates:
- Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets that Ravens CB Jimmy Smith has been carted off the field with a left leg injury.
- Lions DT Nick Fairley suffered a right knee injury and has already been declared out for the rest of today’s game in London, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- Texans rookie Jadeveon Clowney is expected to suit up for the first time since Week 1, tweets NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Clowney is expected to contribute primarily in obvious passing situations.
- Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that Bengals WR A.J. Green, who was listed as doubtful for today’s divisional tilt against Baltimore, will not play. He hopes to return next week, but how he feels on Wednesday will be a major part of that decision.
- NFL.com’s Kevin Patra confirms that Lions star wideout Calvin Johnson will not play in today’s game against the Falcons in London.
AFC East Notes: Jets, Harvin, Marshall
Some are skeptical about how the newly-extended Jeremy Kerley will fit in after the Jets‘ acquisition of Percy Harvin, but Kerley isn’t concerned, as Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com writes. Meanwhile, Kerley says that he’s glad to have the extension finalized after a good deal of back and forth between the two sides. As the Jets figure out the best way to utilize their newest toy, let’s check out more from the AFC East..
- Brandon Marshall was mic’d up for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins and he shared some thoughts on the trade that sent him from Miami to Chicago, as Ben Volin of The Boston Globe tweets. “Man, they didn’t trade me. That was a cut,” the wide receiver said. We wouldn’t go that far, but Marshall has certainly been worth more than a pair of third-round picks to the Bears.
- Jets quarterback Geno Smith is being cautiously optimistic about Harvin’s arrival, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. “This isn’t video games,” Smith said.
- Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News joined Jonas Schwartz and Marc Malusis of SNY (video link) to discuss Kerley’s new deal and GM John Idzik‘s recently spending.
- Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon has signed with DEC Management, according to Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal (on Twitter). He’ll be represented by agent David Canter. Vernon, 24, is under contract through 2015.
Extra Points: Bears, Rice, Sam, Rivers
Worried about potential unrest in Chicago? Brandon Marshall isn’t. “We’re great,” Marshall said of his relationship with quarterback Jay Cutler in an appearance on Showtime’s Inside The NFL (video link). Still, one has to wonder if the Bears offense can get back on the same page this season and make a run for the NFC North crown. More from around the NFL..
- As expected, Ray Rice has filed a grievance against the Ravens, challenging the team’s decision to terminate his contract, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. If Rice is successful in his grievances against both the Ravens and the NFL, he would be eligible to receive $3.52MM from Baltimore.
- Michael Sam figures to find another NFL opportunity thanks to his motor, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The linebacker was released from the Cowboys‘ taxi squad earlier today.
- Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is on his way to joining the $20MM quarterback club, writes Joel Corry of CBSSports.com. Since the start of the 2013 season, Rivers has enjoyed a career revival and has arguably been the league’s second-best quarterback behind Peyton Manning.
- A source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that RB Alex Green had a “good workout” with the Giants today, but the team isn’t signing him at this time. Big Blue won’t be inking Felix Jones to a contract either, but he’ll be on the team’s “short list” if and when a tailback is needed (link).
- Former Giants center Jim Cordle worked out for the Titans recently, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Cordle suffered a partially torn patella but Caplan says he’s been healthy for a while.
- With Derrick Coleman hurt, the Seahawks worked out veteran fullbacks Tony Fiammetta, Greg Jones, and Will Tukuafu, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
- The Titans got something for nothing when they sent Akeem Ayers and a seventh-round choice to the Patriots earlier today for a sixth-round pick, opines Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Ayers is in his contract year and wasn’t contributing much to the Titans. Of course, the Titans wish things worked out differently with their former second-round pick.
- The NFL could wind up installing two personal conduct policies: one for players and one for all other NFL employees, including owners, writes Peter King of The MMQB. The policy for non-players could be hammered out by Thanksgiving and the players policy should be completed after that.
Injury Updates: Sunday
Several big names who have been contending with injuries are expected to suit up for their Week 7 matchups today. Be sure to check back here when the games begin to keep an eye on any significant injuries that may arise over the course of today’s action:
- Falcons‘ offensive lineman Peter Konz will have an MRI tomorrow, but a source has said that the injury is considered to be severe and will cost him the trip to London if not more, reports Vaughn McClure of ESPN (via Twitter).
- Bills‘ running back Fred Jackson‘s injury is thought to keep him out of the lineup for a maximum of four weeks, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). He notes that four weeks is the worst-case scenario.
Earlier Updates:
- Fred Jackson suffered a groin injury during today’s game, and he will miss at least two weeks, per La Canfora (on Twitter). The Bills have a bye during Week 9, so it’s possible the veteran running back could return for Week 10.
- Bears first-round cornerback Kyle Fuller has suffered a broken hand in addition to a hip pointer, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). There’s no word on how long the rookie will be sidelined, but as La Canfora notes, “it’s hard to play corner [with one] hand.”
- In an unfortunate turn of events, Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman broke his foot during warmups, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters, including Terry Blount of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
- Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict had already been dealing with concussion issues during recent weeks, and now head coach Marvin Lewis tells reporters, including Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link), that Burfict has a “cervical neck strain.”
- Having recovered from a minor groin injury, Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers was forced from today’s game against the Chiefs with a concussion, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- Ravens long-snapper Morgan Cox tore his ACL, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters, including Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Harbaugh confirms the team will immediately begin looking for a new LS.
- Saints center Jonathan Goodwin had to be helped off the field during Sunday’s loss to the Lions, according to Marc Sessler of NFL.com. Tim Lelito is Goodwin’s direct backup.
- Also per Sessler, Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo suffered a pectoral injury today, and will undergo an MRI tomorrow. A significant injury to Orakpo could mean more playing time for rookie Trent Murphy.
- ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that Bengals WR A.J. Green will not play against the Colts.
- Saints TE Jimmy Graham is expected to take the field against the Lions today, but he wants to test his shoulder prior to the game before officially declaring himself ready, tweets ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter adds (via Twitter) that even if Graham does play, he is not expected to start, and NFL Network’s Albert Breer tweets that he expects the Saints to use Graham in red-zone packages as they have done when he has been banged up in the past.
- NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin, who has been dealing with a concussion, has been cleared to play against the Packers this afternoon.
NFC Notes: Bears, Bucs, Lions, Kuechly
We’re witnessing a good afternoon game in the NFC, as the Giants and Cowboys are tied 14-14 early in the third quarter. Let’s take a look at some notes from around the NFC:
- Unhappy with his team’s effort today against the Dolphins, Brandon Marshall called out several of his Bears teammates in the locker room following the contest, a source tells Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Quarterback Jay Cutler and kicker Robbie Gould were reportedly the targets of Marshall’s criticism. “We lost, there should be a lot of frustration,” Marshall told reporters. “You should hear frustration. We’re 3-4. Yeah, this means everything to a lot of guys in this locker room. This means a lot.”
- The Buccaneers were among the most active teams during free agency, but as of yet, the team hasn’t gotten much production from its investments, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Tampa brought in Michael Johnson, Josh McCown, and Anthony Collins, among others, and the poor performance of those acquisitions have contributed to the team’s 1-5 record.
- Second-year linebacker Jonathan Bostic might be auditioning to take over the weak side for the Bears in 2015, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Bostic has mostly played in the middle and on the strong side, but with Lance Briggs‘ contract expiring after this season, Bostic might be a better fit at the “Will” spot. For his part, Briggs is still out of action with a rib injury.
- Sunday’s win over Saints was a personal victory for Lions general manager Martin Mayhew, opines Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News (Twitter link). Mayhew’s top two free agent acquisitions over the past two offseasons, Glover Quin and Golden Tate, each had a big impact against New Orleans. Quin registered five tackles and an interception, while Tate caught 10 balls for 154 yards and one touchdown.
- Luke Kuechly was ejected from the Panthers‘ game against the Packers for making contact with an official, and although he’s likely to be fined, he won’t be suspended, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
Minor Moves: Thursday
We’ll keep tabs on today’s minor transactions right here, including practice squad signings and cuts, and moves at the back end of 53-man rosters. Here’s the latest:
- The Bears announced that they have waived center/guard Taylor Boggs off of injured reserve with an injury settlement, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports.
- The Patriots are promoting running back Jonas Gray from their practice squad to their 53-man roster today to replace Stevan Ridley, who is heading to injured reserve, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald adds that offensive lineman Chris Barker will also be promoted to the roster to replace injured linebacker Jerod Mayo. New England had been expected to make a move or two this afternoon, in advance of tonight’s game against the Jets.
Earlier updates:
- After waiving him earlier this week, the Bengals have re-signed linebacker Khairi Fortt to their practice squad, the team announced today (Twitter link). Fortt, a 2014 fourth-rounder, was placed on injured reserve with the designation to return by the Saints, but was cut before he was eligible to begin practicing again. In order to clear room for him on their taxi squad, Cincinnati has cut guard Jeff Baca.