NFL Workout Updates: 12/19/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Chicago Bears
- WRs Corey Brown, Aaron Dobson, DeVier Posey (link via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM)
Cleveland Browns
- RB Devine Redding; WRs C.J. Board, Devin Lucien; TE Henry Krieger-Coble; CBs T.J. Lee, Jonathon Mincy; S Kenny Ladler (Twitter links)
Detroit Lions
- WRs James Wright, Brandon Zylstra (Twitter links)
Green Bay Packers
- QBs Garrett Fugate, Matt McGloin; WR Jake Kumerow; C Lucas Crowley; LB Jacob Lindsey; CB Manny Asprilla (link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
Indianapolis Colts
- TE Zach Conque; CB Dwayne Thomas (link)
Los Angeles Rams
- CBs Dexter McDougle, Taurean Nixon; S Trey Caldwell (link)
Philadelphia Eagles
- RB Ka’Deem Carey; DE Kasim Edebali; LB Ja’Gared Davis; DBs Lorenzo Jerome, Kenny Ladler, Stefan McClure (link)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Vontarrius Dora, WR Rashad Ross
- Waived: LB Kevin Snyder
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: OL Javarius Leamon, OL Oni Omoile
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DB Trevon Hartfield
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Adairius Barnes
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: QB Jerod Evans
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Zach Conque
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Arthur Miley
- Waived: DT Jeremy Liggins
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB James Onwualu
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Bernard Reedy
- Waived: DL Marcus Hardison
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Amba Etta-Tawo
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: S Stefan McClure
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Alex Carter, DE Noble Nwachukwu
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DE Johnny Maxey
- Waived: TE Jerome Cunningham
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DE Tavaris Barnes
Jeff Fisher Eyeing Browns, Colts, Bears?
Are you ready for the return of Jeff Fisher? The former Titans and Rams head coach is looking to get back in the NFL and it sounds like he has his eye on a trio of potential openings. Fisher sees himself as a fit for the Browns, Colts, and Bears, should those jobs become available, according to Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Jeff Fisher Has Begun Contacting Coaching Staff Candidates]
Despite 22 years of head coaching experience, Fisher would not be a particularly sexy hire for any NFL team. He’s had five 8-8 seasons and four 7-9 seasons (plus one 7-8-1 campaign) as head coach, a stat that seemingly overshadows his successful playoff teams in Tennessee.
Fisher’s second act with the Rams did not go as planned, but he remains extremely well connected in league circles and it would not be surprising to see him at least land an interview or two. Depending on how things go from there, Fisher could be running things on the sidelines once again.
In his nearly five year run with the Rams, Fisher went 31-45-1 with no playoff appearances. He had better success with the Titans, though they reached the Super Bowl just once in his 17 years at the helm. Overall, Fisher owns a career 173-165-1 regular season record.
No one would be surprised if the Colts and Bears part ways with Chuck Pagano and John Fox, respectively. The Browns have pledged to bring Hue Jackson back for another season, but new GM John Dorsey has sidestepped questions about Jackson’s job security.
Colts Claim G Mark Glowinski Off Waivers
Mark Glowinski held claim to a Seahawks starting spot entering the past two seasons before being benched early in this one. That led to Seattle waiving the offensive lineman over the weekend.
But the Colts offered the guard a chance to further his development elsewhere, submitting a successful waiver claim for him. The former fourth-round pick has one season remaining on his rookie contract.
Glowinski struggled this season in 199 snaps, and the Seahawks installed rookie second-rounder Ethan Pocic in his place at right guard. Last season, though, Glowinski started all 16 games at left guard and opened two playoff contests with the starters. He’s made 19 regular-season starts in total.
The 25-year-old West Virginia product will attempt to develop in Indianapolis, which figures to see some coaching staff turnover this offseason. The Colts are currently shorthanded up front, now having both Ryan Kelly and Jack Mewhort on IR.
Colts Place C Ryan Kelly, LB Jon Bostic On IR
The Colts have placed two starters on injured reserve. Linebacker Jon Bostic and center Ryan Kelly will both be shut down in advance of Saturday’s penultimate game against the Ravens. In a related move, the team has signed free agent defensive tackle Caraun Reid. 
Kelly has played only seven games this season thanks to injuries. The center missed the start of the year due to foot surgery. Unfortunately, a concussion in Week 12 has kept him out of action for the last three games. It’s hardly the encore that the No. 18 overall pick in the 2016 draft was hoping for.
Bostic spent all of 2016 on IR but managed to start in 14 games in 2017. His season ends with a career-high 97 tackles along with one sack, one fumble recovery, and three passes defended. He also graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 40 linebacker in the NFL, a career best. He’s eligible for free agency this offseason but it seems likely that the Colts will discuss an extension with him before he can reach the open market.
Will Andrew Luck Require More Surgery?
Even though he has been on IR since November 2, we continue to get regular reports on Andrew Luck‘s status. We learned last week that the Colts’ star QB is “doing fine” with the medical treatments that he is receiving in Europe, and today, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com offers more insight into Luck’s future.
Per Mortensen (Twitter links), Luck will return from Europe soon, and when he does, he will resume a throwing regimen that will ultimately determine whether he needs surgery on his biceps tendon. Mortensen explains that, if Luck feels pain when he starts throwing again, a procedure known as tenodesis will become an option. Medical experts say that tenodesis patients face a three-t0-six month recovery, so the team is hoping to make a decision in that regard by mid-January at the latest.
Luck is optimistic that he will be able to avoid such a procedure, and that his European treatments will resolve the shoulder problems that have been ailing him for some time. But despite similar optimism this year, he was never able to get back on the field, which is obviously cause for concern. After all, not only does Luck represent the team’s best chance to capture a championship in the near future, his massive contract would be pretty difficult to absorb if he cannot get back to full strength.
In addition to the uncertainty surrounding Luck, the Colts are also expected to fire head coach Chuck Pagano after the season. Although the Indianapolis gig is widely regarded as a desirable one, the Luck situation could make top-tier head coaching candidates have second thoughts.
Jerome Felton To Retire
Unable to land an NFL contract this year, former Pro Bowler Jerome Felton spent the 2017 season out of the game. Unless something changes in the next few weeks, he says he’s walking away from football. 
“I guess if I were to get a call over the next few weeks I would answer, but this will be my last year regardless,” the nine-year veteran told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “I had a good run. I’m happy with how my career has went. I played a long time, but times are changing for fullbacks. I’m not going to just hang around waiting for a call. That’s not my mentality.”
Felton did not receive any offers as a free agent, though he says he did draw some interest from the Jets. The 31-year-old spent the last two years with the Bills, but the new regime was not interested in a reunion. The lack of opportunities, he says, stems from a growing number of teams who are not utilizing a fullback.
“A lot has to do with the quarterbacks coming out of college; they run that scheme,” Felton said. “And sometimes offensive coordinators want to be the latest, greatest in new inventions, and they think they have to do a bunch of crazy stuff to operate on offense.”
Felton played nine seasons in the NFL with the Lions, Colts, Panthers, Vikings, and Bills.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/13/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Carlton Agudosi
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: S Robenson Therezie
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Laurence Gibson, OL Ian Silberman
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Colby Pearson
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Ibraheim Campbell
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Kolby Listenbee
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: CB Marcus Sayles
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Joby Saint Fleur
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Jason Thompson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Jerome Cunningham
Colts Notes: Vinatieri, Youth Movement
Sunday’s snow game in Buffalo may end up costing Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri a significant amount of money, as Mike Wells of ESPN.com writes. Vinatieri has a clause in his contract that calls for him to earn a $500K bonus for converting 90% of his field goal attempts this season. After missing two field goals in a near blizzard against the Bills, Vinatieri’s field goal percentage now sits at just 88%, down from 95.6% entering Week 15. As Wells details, Vinatieri will need to hit at least five-of-five attempts during Indianapolis’ remaining three games in order to hit 90% again and reach his incentive threshold. Vinatieri, 44, is earning $2.75MM in base salary this year, and will become a free agent next spring.
- The Colts should use their three remaining games to assess their young talent, argues Wells in a separate column. Now sitting with a 3-10 record, Indianapolis clearly isn’t in the playoff hunt, so the club can begin to see what kind of talent resides on the back end of its roster. One player who could conceivably see more time down the stretch is running back Marlon Mack, especially given that 34-year-old Frank Gore is coming off a 36-carry effort in Buffalo (and will now play on a short week).
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/13/17
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Lavar Edwards
- Signed off Colts‘ practice squad: WR Matt Hazel
- Waived: DL T.Y. McGill
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers: DT Rodney Coe
- Waived: DE Kasim Edebali
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted to active roster: DB Isaiah Johnson
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted to active roster: DL Darius Latham
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Cory James
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Victor Bolden
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted to active roster: LB Paul Dawson