Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/19
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: QB Danny Etling, CB D.J. White
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR via injury settlement: RB Alfred Blue
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed: CB Xavier Crawford (from Texans)
New England Patriots
- Re-signed: QB Cody Kessler
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: DT Bruce Hector
Jaguars Won’t Trade Nick Foles
The Jaguars plan to stick with Nick Foles, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Despite the emergence of Gardner Minshew, the Jaguars intend to keep the one-time Super Bowl winner on the roster. 
The Jaguars spent significant dollars to sign Foles in the offseason, only to watch him suffer a broken collarbone in the season opener. Since then, Minshew has had some impressive moments, but the Jaguars are not getting carried away with Minshew Mania.
With that, Foles will stay on the roster, barring a drastic change in thinking between now and Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Jags reportedly plan to activate Foles for Week 11, after he’s had a few weeks of practice. In the meantime, Minshew will work to keep things up and try to keep a hold on the starting job. His latest resume booster came on Sunday, when he dissected the Jets for three touchdowns en route to an easy win.
The Jaguars, with Minshew under center, will take on the Texans in London on Sunday.
Robby Anderson Likely To Be Traded
We heard earlier this week that the Jets would consider trading wide receiver Robby Anderson for the right price, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports goes one step further, reporting that Anderson is almost certain to be dealt.
Plenty of teams have expressed interest in upgrading their receiving corps in advance of this Tuesday’s trade deadline, and big names like Emmanuel Sanders and Mohamed Sanu have already been moved. But clubs like the Saints, Eagles, and Jaguars continue to be on the lookout for a receiver, and with A.J. Green unlikely to be traded, Anderson may be the best receiver on the block.
Anderson will be a free agent after the 2019 season, and it’s common knowledge that the current Jets regime does not have much interest in re-signing him, so it’s unclear what kind of return Gang Green can expect. But Anderson is young, cheap, and explosive, so it makes sense that there is plenty of interest in his services.
The 3-4 Jaguars are perhaps the most surprising of Anderson’s potential suitors, especially since Anderson is essentially a two-month rental, but La Canfora says Jacksonville has let other teams know it intends to be a buyer, not a seller (the recent Jalen Ramsey blockbuster notwithstanding). With QB Nick Foles on the mend, the Jags seem to be eyeing a run at a wildcard berth.
Anderson has 17 catches for 266 yards and a score this year, though the Jets have been without starting QB Sam Darnold for most of the season. The Temple product does boast a very good 14.8 yards-per-reception mark in his career.
Jaguars Send Marcell Dareus To IR, Sign Akeem Spence
Marcell Dareus underwent core-muscle surgery earlier this week and he was expected to miss four-to-six weeks as a result. Now, it’s clear that the defensive tackle will be out longer, as the team has placed him on injured reserve.
Dareus will be eligible to return in eight weeks, which brings a probable return date of Week 15. However, if Jacksonville is out of the playoff picture by then, there may not be an incentive to active the veteran.
The Jaguars have signed Akeem Spence to take the roster spot vacated by Dareus. Spence was recently waived by the Eagles.
AFC Notes: Dareus, Broncos, Green, Chiefs, Darnold
Marcell Dareus will undergo surgery today to repair a core muscle injury, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The defensive lineman is expected to miss 4-6 weeks for Jaguars.
Here’s more around the AFC:
- Broncos coach Vic Fangio said it was “possible” that CB Bryce Callahan will miss the rest of the season, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic tweets. Callaham underwent stem cell treatment on his foot last month and the original projection was 4-to-6 weeks.
- A.J. Green did not practice today for the Bengals and isn’t expected to play against the Rams in London, Ben Baby of ESPN.com tweets. LT Cordy Glenn will also not play in the contest.
- DE Frank Clark (neck), DT Chris Jones (groin), LB Darron Lee (illness) and CB Kendall Fuller (thumb) all missed practice for the Chiefs today, Herbie Teope of Kansas City.com tweets. Patrick Mahomes is practicing again for the second-straight day.
- Sam Darnold was limited in practice today, Brian Costello of the New York Post relays (Twitter link). Darnold was a non-participant for the Jets on Wednesday because of a toe ailment.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/23/19
Today’s workout updates:
Detroit Lions
- T Casey Tucker; Ss Kentrell Brice, Marcus Gilchrist, David Jones (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Indianapolis Colts
- DE Tashawn Bower; DTs Justin Ellis, Christian Ringo (link via Wilson)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- DE Jonathan Bonner; DTs P.J. Johnson, Ray Smith (Twitter link via Howard Balzer)
Miami Dolphins
- OTs Dino Boyd, Pace Murphy, Tyler Roemer; DTs Daryle Banfield, Jalen Dalton, Eddie Vanderdoes (link via Wilson)
New Orleans Saints
- FB Ricky Ortiz; WRs Jonathan Duhart, Jake Lampman, Charone Peake; CB Captain Munnerlyn; S Briean Boddy-Calhoun (link via Balzer)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/2019
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Devin Gray
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Kelvin McKnight
- Released: OL Tyler Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DT Brian Price
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Jalen Guyton
- Released: OT Tyree St. Louis
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Aaron Monteiro
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Trae Elston, TE Jason Vander Laan
AFC South Notes: Hooker, Funchess, Lee
Colts safety Malik Hooker will be back in the lineup for the first time since Week 3, according to Mike Chappell of Fox 59. Hooker was close to returning last week against the Texans, but instead was held out to allow for a completely recovery. Now, per the report, Hooker is “a full go.”
Hooker had damaged his meniscus in Week 3 against the Falcons and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks, right in line with a return this week. Coming off an impressive victory over Houston, the Colts are in the driver’s seat in the AFC South at 4-2 and will be happy to get a starter back in their secondary.
Here is some more news from around the AFC South:
- Colts head coach Frank Reich told reporters that wide receiver Devin Funchess should return to practice next week, according to Mike Wells of ESPN.com. Funchess was placed on injured reserve after suffering a clavicle injury in the team’s season opener. The Colts signed Funchess to a one-year, $10MM contract this offseason, but have yet to reap much on-field production for their signing. Prior to the injury, Funchess had three receptions for 32 yards.
- The Jaguars expect a wide receiver of their own, Marqise Lee, to be back next week according to head coach Doug Marrone, via John Oesher of Jaguars.com. Lee missed all of 2018 with a torn-ACL, but had a strong track-record of success from 2017-2018, where he accumulated 119 receptions for 1,553 receiving yards. In his return this season, Lee was beginning to work his way into the rotation when he came down with an ankle injury that has had him out since Week 6.
Jaguars QB Nick Foles Returns To Practice
The Jaguars will have quarterback Nick Foles back at practice today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While Rapoport mentions that the team does not intend to activate him until Week 11, it’s an important progression in his return.
Foles, of course, has been out since he broke his collarbone in the team’s first game of the season against the Chiefs. Rookie signalcaller Gardner Minshew has been impressive since filling in, but the team has given no indication that Foles will not return to starting upon his return.
Foles has had a roller-coaster career. After beginning his career with the Eagles, where his superb play in Chip Kelly’s system earned him a pro bowl appearance in 2013. A disappointing 2014 season led Philadelphia to trade Foles to the Rams with some draft pick capital for Sam Bradford. Foles’ Rams tenure was incredibly disappointing and many around the league seemed to agree that Foles wasn’t cutout to be a starter.
Then, in 2017, Foles was serving as the backup quarterback for the Eagles when starter Carson Wentz went down with a season-ending injury. Foles stepped in and led the Eagles on a remarkable Super Bowl run. His success continued into 2018, where the Eagles went 4-1 in his five starts.
On the heels of back to back strong seasons, the Jaguars signed Foles to a four-year, $88MM contract to be the last piece to build a title contender. While Minshew has done well filling in, it’s hard to see Jacksonville relegating their $22MM a year man to the bench.
Jaguars Could Lose DT Marcell Dareus For 4-6 Weeks
Marcell Dareus is currently on his way to Philadelphia to visit Dr. William Meyers to receive a second opinion on a core muscle injury that could cause the defensive tackle to miss 4-6 weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Dareus has been a key cog in the Jacksonville defensive line, but has struggled with injuries throughout the year.
Dareus missed the Jaguars first game of the season with an elbow injury and the defense was scorched for 40 points, albeit by the high-flying Chiefs offense. Since returning to action in week two, Dareus seemed to provide a stabilizing presence for Jacksonville’s unit, having fared noticeably better, especially against the run.
The Jaguars originally reported that Dareus had to leave Sunday’s game against the Bengals with an abdomen injury. However, he later returned to action, quelling fear of something substantial. It seems that upon further review, the training staff has found more reason for concern.
Originally selected with the third overall pick by the Bills in the 2011 draft out of Alabama, Dareus has been a productive defensive lineman over the past eight seasons. In Buffalo, Dareus earned all-pro honors in 2014 and was selected to two pro bowls. His sustained success earned a six-year, $108m contract extension four years ago.
Buffalo, eventually felt they could utilize their salary cap better elsewhere and traded Dareus to the Jaguars in 2017 for a sixth round pick. Since joining Jacksonville, Dareus has appeared in nearly every game and started all but two games over the past two seasons. Depending on the outcome of his visit with Dr. Meyers, the organization may need to prepare to replace him for an extended period of time.