Chiefs Place Jamaal Charles On IR
The Chiefs have officially ended Jamaal Charles‘ season, placing their star running back on injured reserve due to a torn ACL, the team announced today (via Twitter). To replace Charles on the roster, running back Spencer Ware has been elevated from Kansas City’s practice squad.
With Charles out, Knile Davis and Charcandrick West are expected to vie for carries in Kansas City. However, once Charles landed on IR, Davis and West were the only running backs on the roster, so it made sense that the Chiefs would want to add a third back for depth purposes.
Initially, it appeared that the Chiefs might opt for a free agent, as the team brought in notable veterans like Ben Tate and Pierre Thomas for workouts. Head coach Andy Reid indicated yesterday though that the club would look in-house first, and that’s what led to the promotion of Ware from the practice squad.
Ware, who turns 24 next month, was originally selected in the sixth round of the 2013 draft by the Seahawks. The LSU product started his NFL career as a fullback, but attempted to transition to tailback before he was cut by Seattle in 2014. To date, Ware has only totaled 10 yards on three carries in his NFL career.
Chiefs Have Not Called On Ray Rice
The Chiefs might look into adding some running back reinforcements now that Jamaal Charles is done for the season, but it doesn’t appear that they’re considering the most notable name out there. Former Ravens running back Ray Rice hasn’t been invited to try out or visit NFL teams at this time, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
Rice has met all of his legal obligations with New Jersey authorities following his incident, but NFL owners have not signed off on bringing the disgraced running back in for a look. Rice, of course, comes with tons of baggage and it doesn’t help his case that the last time he saw the field, in 2013, he looked pretty bad. The Rutgers product had a miserable season in Baltimore, averaging just 3.1 yard per rush on 214 carries, and 5.5 yards per reception on 58 catches.
The former second-round pick was one of the more dynamic playmakers in the league in the early stages of his career, piling up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage in 2009 and 2011 and scoring 43 total touchdowns in a Ravens uniform. Outside of his rookie campaign, in which he was the third option in a three-man backfield, he never caught fewer than 58 passes in a season, and he holds a career 4.3 yards per carry average.
Jamaal Charles Has Torn ACL
The Chiefs’ worst fears have been confirmed. An MRI revealed that star running back Jamaal Charles has torn his ACL, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Losing Charles is obviously a huge blow to a Chiefs club that, after Sunday’s close loss to Chicago, sits at 1-4. In an AFC West the features the undefeated Broncos, the .500 Chargers, and the upstart Raiders, a serious injury to Charles could be a death knell for Kansas City. The 28-year-old Charles was his usual self early on in the 2015 campaign, averaging more than five yards per carry and scoring five times.
If Charles is out for the year, the Chiefs will turn to a combination of second-year pro Charcandrick West and third-year man Knile Davis. Davis had been the primary backup to Charles since the former’s rookie year, but Kansas City’s backfield has seen something of a changing of the guard in recent weeks, with West seeing the majority of the snaps behind Charles. A timeshare would probably make the most sense if the Chiefs are forced to play with Charles.
Charles missed most of the 2011 season with an ACL injury, though it was his left knee that was damaged four years ago.
Chiefs Working Out Ben Tate, Pierre Thomas
1:53pm: Former Saints running back Pierre Thomas is also auditioning for the Chiefs, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Although Kansas City is taking a look at some veteran backs, head coach Andy Reid said today that the Chiefs intend to look in-house first before addressing the running back position via free agency.
11:03am: With Jamaal Charles potentially lost for the year with an ACL injury, the Chiefs are bringing in another veteran running back, Ben Tate, for a workout on Tuesday, reports Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the team also takes a look at a few more free agent backs during Tuesday’s session, though Tate is the only name we know for now.
Tate, 27, was viewed as a possible breakout candidate heading into the 2014 season, as he finally stepped out from Arian Foster‘s shadow after spending four years as the backup in Houston. However, after signing with the Browns, Tate underwhelmed, and was eclipsed on Cleveland’s depth charts by rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West.
The Browns opted to part ways with Tate last November, at which point three teams put in claims for the running back, with the Vikings landing him. Tate wasn’t any more impressive for Minnesota though, and was cut by the club before Week 17.
The former Auburn standout received one more opportunity in the postseason, signing with the Steelers and seeing five carries in Pittsburgh’s Wild Card loss to the Ravens. Since his contract with Pittsburgh expired, Tate has worked out for the Cowboys and Lions, but hasn’t found a new NFL home.
With Charles out, Knile Davis and Charcandrick West are expected to vie for carries in Kansas City. Still, it makes sense that the Chiefs would want to add at least one more back to the mix, especially with Charles likely headed to the injured reserve list, opening up a roster spot.
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.
Chiefs Fear Jamaal Charles Has Torn ACL
3:55pm: Speaking to reporters, including Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link), Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that initial tests have diagnosed Charles with a torn ACL.
3:34pm: The Chiefs appear to have lost their most important offensive player for the remainder of the season, as the “initial fear” is that running back Jamaal Charles suffered a torn right ACL during today’s game against the Bears, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Charles will undergo an MRI to determine the full extent of the injury.
Losing Charles would obviously be a huge blow to a Chiefs club that, after today’s close loss to Chicago, sits a 1-4. In an AFC West the features the undefeated Broncos, the .500 Chargers, and the upstart Raiders, a serious injury to Charles could be a death knell for Kansas City. The 28-year-old Charles had been his usual self so far during the 2015 campaign, averaging more than five yards per carry an scoring five times.
If Charles is out for the year, the Chiefs will turn to a combination of second-year pro Charcandrick West and third-year man Knile Davis. Davis had been the primary backup to Charles since the former’s rookie year, but Kansas City’s backfield has seen something of a changing of the guard in recent weeks, with West seeing the majority of the snaps behind Charles. A timeshare would probably make the most sense if the Chiefs are forced to play with Charles.
Charles missed most of the 2011 season with an ACL injury, though it was his left knee that was damaged four years ago.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/1/15
Here are the practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL for the first day of October:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Erle Ladson (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal)
- Cut: QB Matt Blanchard
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Kenny Cook (Twitter link via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
- Cut: WR Fred Williams
New England Patriots
- Signed: DB Brandon Dixon, OL Sean Hickey, WR Austin Hill, LB Eric Martin (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Jets
- Signed: DL Deon Simon (Twitter link via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: CB Carrington Byndom (press release)
- Cut: QB Brad Sorensen
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Mike James (Twitter link)
- Cut: LB Orie Lemon
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/30/15
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the most active time during the NFL season for teams to make changes to their practice squads, so we should expect another busy day today. Here are the latest practice squad signings and cuts from around the league:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Blake Annen (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
- Placed on PS-IR: LB James Vaughters
Houston Texans
- Signed: QB Zac Dysert (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DL Jimmy Staten (Twitter link via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Brock Vereen (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press)
New England Patriots
- Cut: WR Kenbrell Thompkins, DT Joe Vellano, OL Chris Barker (Twitter link via Ben Volin of The Boston Globe)
New York Giants
- Signed: QB/S G.J. Kinne (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of NJ.com)
- Cut: WR Julian Talley
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: G Antoine Everett, TE Tevin Westbrook (press release)
Washington:
- Signed: OLB Sage Harold (Twitter link via Mike Jones of the Washington Post)
Chiefs To Place Phillip Gaines On IR
Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines will see his 2015 season end early, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star, who reports (via Twitter) that Gaines has suffered a torn ACL. Kansas City will place the second-year defensive back on season-ending injured reserve.
Gaines, 24, was selected with the 87th overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Chiefs, and while he didn’t have a huge role on the defense in his rookie year, he had been starting in the early going this season, as Sean Smith served a three-game suspension. Through three games, only Marcus Peters has played more than Gaines’ 169 defensive snaps, among Chiefs cornerbacks.
With Gaines headed to IR, it clears a path for Smith to return to Kansas City’s 53-man roster. The team has a roster exemption for the returning cornerback and doesn’t have to officially place him on the active roster until later this week, but it would make sense as a corresponding move for Gaines.
After this season, Gaines will still have two years left on his rookie contract, so he figures to play a role for the Chiefs going forward.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/29/15
To make room for the newly acquired Jonathan Bostic, the Patriots announced that they have released running back Travaris Cadet. Cadet, 26, was signed by the Pats as a free agent in March of this year. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder spent the last three seasons with the Saints and saw time in only one Pats game this year. Cadet has played in 42 career NFL games and has 11 rushing attempts for 37 yards, 46 receptions for 346 yards with two touchdowns, 50 kickoff returns for 1,293 yards, and two punt returns for two yards.
Here’s a rundown of Tuesday’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves around the NFL..
- The Chargers announced that they have signed veteran center J.D. Walton, as Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com writes. Walton started 16 games at center for the Giants last season and played for Mike McCoy when he served as offensive coordinator in Denver.
- The Chargers have waived tight end Kyle Miller, as Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego writes.
- The Chargers informed tackle Tyreek Burwell that he’ll be promoted from the practice squad, a source told Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. Burwell will help provide San Diego with depth in the wake of recent injuries on the O-Line.
- The Cowboys signed defensive lineman David Irving to their active roster off of the Chiefs‘ practice squad, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Colts added cornerback Shaun Prater and dropped fellow corner Eric Patterson, as Mike Florio of PFT writes. Patterson played in the first two games for the Colts but was cut last week, signed back to the practice squad, then promoted again last Friday.
- The Vikings cut wide receiver Gavin Lutman from injured reserve, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.