Workout Updates: 10/16/15
We’ve passed along a few of the more notable updates from the last few days on workouts and free agent visits, including the Giants trying out wide receivers like Terrelle Pryor and the Cowboys bringing in running back LaMike James. However, there are plenty more tryout updates from this week to round up, and we’ve got them all below. All links point to the Twitter account of Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, unless otherwise indicated.
Arizona Cardinals
- Sean Baker, S (link)
Dallas Cowboys
- Kenrick Ellis, DT (link)
- Darius Eubanks, LB
- Zaviar Gooden, LB
- Chuka Ndulue, DT
- Isaiah Pead, RB
- Casey Walker, DL
- Jerel Worthy, DL (link)
Detroit Lions
- David Arkin, OL (link)
- Connor Hamlett, TE
- Eric Herman, G
- Eric Hipolito
- Rich Ohrnberger, C
Indianapolis Colts
- Michael Palardy, P (Twitter link via Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star)
- Byron Stingily, T (link)
- Colton Underwood, LB
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Marion Grice, RB (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- George Atkinson III, RB (link)
- Bryce Brown, RB
- Bronson Hill, RB
- Brandon McGee, DB
- Steven Means, LB (link)
- Isaiah Pead, RB
- Greg Scruggs, DE
- Quanterus Smith, DE
Miami Dolphins
- Devin Gardner, WR (link)
- Josh Harper, WR
New England Patriots
- Bill Bentley, DB (link)
- Matt Daniels, DB
New Orleans Saints
- Vaughn Martin, DT (link)
- Matt Shaughnessy, OLB
- Quanterus Smith, DE
- Kevin Vickerson, DT
New York Giants
- Devin Gardner, WR (link)
- Bryn Renner, QB
- Mike Williams, WR (link)
New York Jets
- Jordan Dewalt-Ondijo, LB (link)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Steven Means, DE (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- Martin Wallace, T (link)
Tennessee Titans
- Josh Keyes, LB (link)
- Michael McAdoo, OLB (link)
- Markus Pierce-Brewster, LB
- Mike Reilly, LB
- Julian Stanford, LB
- Jeff Tarpinian, LB
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/15/15
Thursday’s practice squad signings and cuts are listed below. You can check out the full 10-man practice squads for all 32 teams right here.
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Vince Mayle (Twitter link via Rob Phillips of DallasCowboys.com)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Bronson Hill (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Brandon McGee, OL Xavier Proctor (press release)
- Cut: OL Adam Gettis, TE Dominique Jones
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams, LB Eric Pinkins (press release)
NFC East Notes: Kelly, Giants, USC, Cowboys
The Eagles are 2-3 and Southern Cal just fired coach Steve Sarksian. Naturally, people have started connecting Chip Kelly, who was a successful coach with Oregon, to the Trojans. At a Thursday morning press conference, Kelly did his best to quiet down that talk. Kelly said that no one from USC, or any college, has contacted him about its head coaching opening, as Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Kelly went on to say that he hopes to reach a level of success like Giants coach Tom Coughlin so that he doesn’t have to answer questions about returning to college football.
Here’s more out of the NFC East..
- Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara will be out for 2-4 weeks with a partial pectoral tear, Coughlin told reporters (via the Giants on Twitter).
- Former Colts/Dolphins/Raiders linebacker Philip Wheeler was among those working out for the Giants on Wednesday, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Over the course of his seven-year career, he has played in 108 games (60 starts). Overall, he has registered 455 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2013 with the Dolphins, he led the team with a career-high 118 tackles. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Wheeler as the 18th best outside linebacker in a 3-4 set last season, giving him an overall grade of 2.6.
- The Giants also worked out defensive backs Brandon McGee, Garry Peters, Greg Reid, and Dax Swanson this week, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (on Twitter) adds wide receiver A.J. Jenkins of Illinois to that list.
- Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia could have interest in the South Carolina job recently vacated by Steve Spurrier, as Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram writes.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/14/15
Today’s minor NFL signings, cuts, and other moves..
- The Cowboys claimed running back Rod Smith off waivers from the Seahawks, according to Bryan Broaddus of 105.3 The Fan (on Twitter). After previously trading for Christine Michael, it appears that the Cowboys are fans of Seattle running backs.
- The Broncos announced that they have signed tight end Richard Gordon while waiving fellow tight end Mitchell Henry. This will be Gordon’s third AFC West team, after stints with the Chiefs and Raiders, who selected Gordon in the sixth round (No. 181 overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft from the University of Miami.
- The Browns have been awarded defensive back Don Jones off waivers from the Saints, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. In a related move, outside linebacker Scott Solomon was placed on injured reserve with a sprained knee. Solomon’s injury certainly won’t help the Browns’ poor results against the run.
- Mike Chappell of FOX59 (on Twitter) reports that the Colts have placed Tyler Varga on IR following his concussion. That move will help make room for the newly-signed Ahmad Bradshaw.
- The Dolphins signed safety Jonathan Dowling off the team’s practice squad, as Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald tweets. Dowling was a 2014 seventh-round pick of the Raiders.
- The Buccaneers cut Josh Martin from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Wilson tweets.
- The Seahawks signed linebacker Nick Moody to their active roster, Wilson tweets.
- The Bears announced (on Twitter) that they have promoted linebacker Jonathan Anderson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
- The Packers announced that they have signed tight end Justin Perillo to the active roster while placing safety Sean Richardson on IR. Coach Mike McCarthy wouldn’t comment on Richardson’s future when asked about it on Monday, but his playing career could be in jeopardy, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes. The Packers brought back Richardson this year as an restricted free agent when they matched the one-year, $2.55MM offer sheet he signed with the Raiders.
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Pryor, Cards
The Cowboys are making a quarterback change for Week 7, giving the nod to Matt Cassel, and that’s not the only starting lineup move they’re considering on offense. As Ed Werder of ESPN.com reported this morning (via Twitter), Dallas may also start recently acquired running back Christine Michael over Joseph Randle, and rookie guard La’el Collins over Ronald Leary.
Head coach Jason Garrett has since confirmed that Collins will indeed start at left guard in place of Leary, though it’s not clear yet what the team’s running back rotation will look like. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears from a Cowboys source that the team definitely plans on using Michael more, though Randle may still get the start.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Giants are the latest team to work out at Terrelle Pryor as a wide receiver, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). While several clubs that have auditioned Pryor are likely just seeing what the former quarterback looks like in his new position, New York might require some additional depth at WR, with Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle banged up, and Victor Cruz‘s availability going forward still up in the air. The Giants also tried out wideouts T.J. Graham and A.J. Jenkins, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Former Buccaneers defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers is among the players working out for the Cowboys this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
- Free agent cornerback Robert McClain has been busy over the last month and a half, working out for a handful of teams — Wilson tweets that McClain auditioned for the Cardinals this week, the veteran’s fifth tryout since the start of September.
- In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (SoundCloud link), Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians explained his team’s decision to sign veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, suggesting that the club had been in touch with Freeney multiple times since June.
NFC Notes: Cassel, 49ers, Davis, Bears
Quarterback Brandon Weeden has been informed by Cowboys coaches that the team will start Matt Cassel in Week 7, following the bye, reports Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Of course, with Tony Romo still on track to return this season, it’s not as if either Weeden or Cassel will become a long-term starter in Dallas, but if he plays well, Cassel could become the favorite to return as Romo’s backup next year.
Here’s more from the NFC..
- Having lost more than a dozen veterans who started games last season, the 49ers needed to make their free agent signings count this offseason. However, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com details, GM Trent Baalke‘s free agent class has mostly been a bust so far.
- The 49ers would be open to trading tight end Vernon Davis, but he’ll be a tough sell given his contact, play, and age, Maiocco tweets.
- The Bears brought in linebackers Lawrence Sidbury and Trevardo Williams for a tryout today along with defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, according to an NFL source who spoke with Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
- The Packers worked out safety Tim Scott today, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets. Green Bay might need a safety when Sean Richardson is placed on IR.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/13/15
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL..
- The Dolphins released RB/KR Raheem Mostert off their roster, according to agent Brett Tessler (Twitter links). Mostert led the entire NFL in yardage this preseason while with the Eagles. If he passes through waivers, Tessler adds that he’ll be added to Miami’s taxi squad.
- The Texans signed defensive tackle Brandon Dunn to active roster off the Bears‘ practice squad, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). In a related move, the Texans cut wide receiver Chandler Worthy from active roster (Twitter links). If Worthy clears waivers, Houston would like to sign him to the taxi squad.
- The Saints re-signed wide receiver Joe Morgan, as Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune tweets. To make room, the defensive backs waived defensive back Don Jones (link).
- The Eagles (via Twitter) announced that they signed offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson off the 49ers‘ practice squad and released center/guard Julian Vandervelde.
- The Chiefs signed running back Darrin Reaves to their practice squad, as Adam Teicher of ESPN.com writes. The former Panthers tailback was in camp with Kansas City this past offseason.
- The Steelers released kicker Garrett Hartley off of IR, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Lions released cornerback Chris Owens off of the IR, Caplan tweets.
- The Cowboys waived wide receiver Vince Mayle, Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. The Washington State product was moved from the practice squad to the active roster last week to give Dallas additional depth at the position.
- The Bears waived quarterback David Fales, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
- The Cardinals placed defensive back Chris Clemons on injured reserve, Wilson tweets.
- The Dolphins cut Damarr Aultman, Wilson tweets.
- The Colts cut Jalil Brown from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Wilson tweets.
- The Seahawks waived UDFA running back Rod Smith and quarterback B.J. Daniels, Caplan tweets.
- The Lions waived linebacker Kevin Snyder from the IR, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets.
East Notes: Bills, Taylor, Fells, Jets, Dolphins
The Bills signed quarterback Josh Johnson earlier today for depth purposes, but before they did, they looked into re-signing Matt Simms, who was with the team in camp, says Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter links). Simms, who knows the Bills’ playbook, would’ve been Buffalo’s preferred option, but he’s currently on the Falcons’ practice squad and thinks he has a better future in Atlanta, so he turned down the opportunity, says Carucci.
Why did the Bills need another quarterback in the first place? Carucci (Twitter link) hears that Tyrod Taylor is “hurt pretty bad,” noting that the team considered the passport status of potential QB additions, in advance of a Week 7 trip to London. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), Taylor could miss multiple games due to a sprained MCL, which figures to open the door for EJ Manuel to start.
As the Bills wonder whether they should have kept Matt Cassel, let’s check in on several other items from out of the NFL’s East divisions….
- Doctors treating Giants tight end Daniel Fells for his MRSA infection are increasinly more optimistic that Fells won’t lose his foot, sources tell Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Fells remains hospitalized, and multiple reports have indicated that his NFL career is likely over, but it sounds as if a combination of surgical procedures and antibiotics have improved his outlook over the last few days.
- The Jets almost certainly won’t be able to extend both Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, and “every indication” is that the team would prefer to lock up Richardson if he stays out of further trouble, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
- Multiple people around the NFL that have spoken to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) suspect the Dolphins will pursue a high-profile head coach for the permanent job after the season. Cole identifies Mike Shanahan as one notable potential target for Miami.
- Former 49ers and Dolphins running back LaMichael James – who now goes by LaMike James – is working out on Wednesday for the Cowboys, tweets Ross Jones of FOX Sports.
Cole’s Latest: Payton, Fells, Lions, Cowboys
Saints head coach Sean Payton is “intrigued” by the idea that teams like the Dolphins and Colts could pursue him after the 2015 season, a source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
That doesn’t mean Payton would leave New Orleans, or that he’d be able to get out of his contract even if he wanted to. However, Cole notes that there are some questions surrounding the ownership situation in New Orleans – presumably a reference to the Benson family’s legal drama – and Payton also may not be able to rebuild the Saints around Drew Brees quickly enough to compete again before Brees reaches the end of his career.
Payton’s situation will be one worth keeping an eye on over the next few weeks and months, as we wait to see how the season plays out in New Orleans, Miami, Indianapolis, and elsewhere. In the meantime, Cole has published several more video reports on noteworthy topics, so let’s dive in and round up the highlights…
- A weekend report indicated that Giants tight end Daniel Fells was at risk of losing his foot due to an MRSA infection, and Cole suggests that the issue has been even more serious than that, calling it “life-threatening.” While Fells is in good shape for the time being, he has undergone several procedures and had parts of his foot removed already, according to Cole, who says the tight end’s playing career is over.
- After a blowout home loss to the Cardinals, several Lions players expressed concern about the relationship between the team and head coach Jim Caldwell, says Cole. Per Cole, some Lions players were dissatisfied with the way Caldwell handled the aftermath of last Monday night’s loss to the Seahawks, when he didn’t appear to fight hard over the fumble call that cost the team the game. For what it’s worth, Caldwell said today that the club isn’t making changes to its coaching staff this week (Twitter link via Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com).
- Citing two sources, Cole reports that Matt Cassel is “highly likely” to be the Cowboys‘ starting quarterback in Week 7, following the team’s bye.
- The Chiefs are split on whether Knile Davis or Charcandrick West will be Jamaal Charles‘ primary replacement going forward, assuming the star running back is indeed out for the season. According to Cole, head coach Andy Reid prefers West, since his running style is similar to Charles’, but Davis has plenty of support within the organization from those who believe he’s a better overall back than West. We heard this morning that Kansas City is also bringing in veteran back Ben Tate for a workout tomorrow.
QB Notes: Stafford, Cowboys, McCown
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell benched longtime starting quarterback Matthew Stafford during the team’s 42-17 loss to Arizona on Sunday after Stafford threw three interceptions and averaged just 5.5 yards per attempt on 32 passes. Backup Dan Orlovsky came in for Stafford and wasn’t much better, completing just over 55 percent of his 38 passes for 5.0 yards per attempt, a touchdown and an interception. Afterward, Caldwell said Stafford is still the 0-5 Lions starter going forward, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link).
More on Stafford and some other QBs from around the NFL:
- Stafford was probably the least surprised about his benching, as Caldwell informed the 27-year-old at halftime that he’d sit if he threw a third pick, per NFL Network’s Albert Breer (via Twitter). Stafford did, so Caldwell stuck to his word and pulled him.
- Unlike Caldwell, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is considering a quarterback change and will evaluate the position during his team’s bye week, Clarence Hill of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (Twitter link). Brandon Weeden fared well statistically in his two starts prior to this week, but the club lost both outings and fell to 0-3 with him under center Sunday in a 30-6 loss to New England. Weeden had his worst game of the year, going 26 of 39 for 188 yards and an interception. That could open the door in Week 7 for veteran Matt Cassel, whom the 2-3 Cowboys acquired in a trade with Buffalo last month.
- Surprisingly, one QB who has been playing great lately is Browns journeyman Josh McCown. The 36-year-old threw for a franchise-record 457 yards in Cleveland’s 33-30 win over Baltimore on Sunday. That gives him an eye-popping 1,154 yards over the last three weeks. Further, McCown has thrown six touchdowns against only one interception during that span, and Bud Shaw of Northeast Ohio Media Group writes that he’s the biggest reason the 2-3 Browns have to believe in themselves. Their defense – which was supposed to be a strength – has underachieved, and McCown’s stellar play of late has silenced calls for big-name backup Johnny Manziel.