Multiple Teams Were Interested In Adrian Peterson; Derrick Henry Done For Year?
Veteran running back Adrian Peterson signed with the Titans this week after the team placed stud RB Derrick Henry on IR. And though his audition with Tennessee was the first time we heard anything on Peterson since July, there was apparently a fair amount of interest in his services.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, the Ravens, Raiders, Bills, Falcons, and Dolphins all expressed interest in Peterson, the three-time NFL rushing leader. Peterson also says Dancing with the Stars — which has made a habit of casting current and former NFLers — made him an offer in September, an offer that he declined because he believed he would have the opportunity to sign with Baltimore.
The Ravens lost their top three RBs before the season even started, and they ended up signing veterans Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman, and Le’Veon Bell to help fill the void, so Peterson was right to think that he might get a shot in Baltimore. That obviously didn’t happen, but the future Hall-of-Famer will get a prime opportunity with Tennessee.
At 6-2, the Titans are currently at the top of the AFC standings, so Peterson will immediately get some action for a playoff contender, something he did not get to experience over the last three seasons (he spent 2018-19 with the Washington Football Team and 2020 with the Lions). Of course, losing Henry — the engine that makes Tennessee’s offense run, with all due respect to A.J. Brown and Ryan Tannehill — could seriously undermine the club’s chances at securing a first-round bye.
Speaking of Henry, Schefter passes along some bad news for Titans fans. The last report on Henry’s foot injury suggested that he might be back as soon as Week 15, or at least in time for the playoffs, but one source tells ESPN that it would be very surprising if Henry were able to return at all this season.
Without Henry, the Titans will forge ahead with Peterson, Jeremy McNichols, and D’Onta Foreman.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Dealing With Broken Finger
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with a small fracture in the middle finger of his throwing hand, and he will not start Miami’s game against the Texans today (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Jacoby Brissett will get the nod in Tagovailoa’s place.
Schefter adds in a separate tweet that the injury is not expected to keep Tagovailoa on the sidelines for very long, but because the Dolphins have a quick turnaround with a Thursday night game against the Ravens four days from now, he could end up missing two contests. Of course, he has already missed three full games this year (and most of a fourth) due to a rib injury sustained in Miami’s Week 2 loss to the Bills.
Per Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com, Tagovailoa did throw in practice this week, but he had swelling and discomfort in his finger that was still giving him trouble in pregame warmups today (Twitter link). The southpaw passer will dress for the Houston game and is technically active, but that is because the Dolphins have only him and Brissett on the active roster (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). The Eagles claimed former third-stringer Reid Sinnett off waivers at the end of October, and the ‘Fins did not promote practice squad QB Jake Dolegala.
This is yet another setback in Tagovailoa’s young career. The Alabama product has posted a disappointing 86.7 quarterback rating in his 15 professional games, and his persistent injury problems are preventing him from generating any positive momentum. Factors outside of his control — like the success of Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who was selected one pick after Tagovailoa in the 2020 draft, and the constant Deshaun Watson trade rumors — have underscored that general lack of success.
Head coach Brian Flores has publicly endorsed Tagovailoa on several occasions this year, and though the 1-7 Dolphins have taken a major step backward this year after a promising 2020 campaign, a strong second half of the season from their second-year signal-caller would brighten their 2022 outlook. Now, the chances of that happening seem even slimmer.
Ravens, Dolphins Discussed Xavien Howard Trade
Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard‘s dissatisfaction with his contract led to his requesting a trade this summer, and although player and team were able to work out a revised pact to keep Howard placated, Miami’s 1-7 record in 2021 made him an obvious trade candidate in advance of last week’s deadline. And as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes, the Ravens made a push to add Howard in an effort to bolster their secondary.
Baltimore is sitting at 5-2 and clinging to first place in the AFC North, but the club has dealt with myriad injuries to star players and other key contributors. Per Rapoport, GM Eric DeCosta was actively trying to trade for proven talent at multiple positions of need, and Howard was the most notable target. The Ravens lost playmaking CB Marcus Peters for the year just before the regular season started, and Howard — who has twice the led the league in interceptions — would have made for an excellent replacement.
Pro Football Focus has assigned Howard a below-average 56.2 coverage grade this season, a steep drop-off from his 89.6 mark one year ago. Still, having him line up across from Marlon Humphrey was doubtlessly a tantalizing proposition for DeCosta, and with Howard, Humphrey, and Peters all under club control through at least 2022, the Ravens would have been loaded at CB next season. It would have also made it easier to allow Anthony Averett, who has replaced Peters in the starting lineup, to depart in free agency.
Of course, the Dolphins were not going to let Howard go for nothing, and Rapoport says that the ‘Fins were likely looking for a first-rounder and more for their star defender. DeCosta may have been willing to pony up that type of capital, but only if Miami absorbed at least some of Howard’s remaining $13.785MM salary for 2021.
In the end, the good faith negotiations between the two clubs did not produce a deal, and the Ravens — who did not swing a trade with any team, despite DeCosta’s best efforts — will attempt to secure a playoff berth with the talent already on the roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/21
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: WR Greg Dortch, DL Josh Mauro, CB Kevin Peterson, LB Joe Walker, TE David Wells
- Placed on IR: DL Rashard Lawrence
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: RB Qadree Ollison, DL Anthony Rush
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: P Lachlan Edwards, S Myles Hartsfield, WR Willie Snead
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: CB Mike Ford
- Promoted: DL Jonathan Harris, G Austin Schlottmann, LB Barrington Wade
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from IR: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Promoted: QB Blake Bortles
Houston Texans
- Promoted: S Jonathan Owens
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: WR Laquon Treadwell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: WR Marcell Ateman
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: WR Maurice Ffrench, CB Kiondre Thomas
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: LB Vince Biegel, WR Kirk Merritt
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DE Kenny Willekes
New England Patriots
- Promoted: WR Kristian Wilkerson
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: QB Jameis Winston (story)
- Promoted: DT Josiah Bronson, WR Kevin White
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, OLB Trent Harris
- Activated from IR: OLB Elerson Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: WR John Hightower, RB Jordan Howard
- Activated from IR: TE Tyree Jackson
Tennessee Titans
- Released: OLB John Simon
- Activated from IR: OL Aaron Brewer, LB Jayon Brown
- Promoted: RB D’Onta Foreman, DB Chris Jones
- Placed on IR: FB Khari Blasingame
Dolphins To Move DeVante Parker To IR
Although DeVante Parker made his return from injury in Week 8, the Dolphins will again be without the veteran wide receiver for an extended stretch. The team will place Parker on IR, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
This will sideline Parker for at least three games. The seventh-year wideout experienced a setback with his hamstring in practice this week. Parker had missed time due to a hamstring problem earlier this year but returned last week, catching eight passes for 85 yards against the Bills. This will leave Tua Tagovailoa without a key weapon in the near future.
Will Fuller remains on Miami’s IR list. The Dolphins’ hopes of outfitting Tagovailoa with a Parker-Fuller-Jaylen Waddle receiving trio have not materialized much this season. Fuller, who is currently down with a broken finger, has played in just two games for the Dolphins. Parker has suited up for five this season. The latter has 25 receptions for 327 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins have Parker signed to an extension that runs through 2023. Fuller is signed only through season’s end.
While the Dolphins not trading for Deshaun Watson bought Tagovailoa some time, he is still on an unusual timetable for a second-year player chosen in the top five. The Dolphins being the only known team for which Watson waived his no-trade clause makes them the clear favorites for the embattled passer in 2022, when talks are expected to resume. Tua continuing to be without key weaponry stands to affect his chances of impressing during this season’s stretch run.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/21
Today’s minor moves:
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed (from Bengals): DE Darius Hodge
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Dakota Dozier
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: WR Dante Pettis
Dolphins GM Chris Grier On Deshaun Watson, Tua Tagovailoa
The Dolphins didn’t trade for Deshaun Watson, but they still made plenty of waves in the week leading up to the deadline. By all accounts, owner Stephen Ross was eager to bring the embattled Texans quarterback to Miami, but only if certain “contingencies” were met. In short, the Dolphins were only willing to trade for Watson if his legal troubles were put behind him. 
Meanwhile, GM Chris Grier was left to field questions about Watson, the future of young signal caller Tua Tagovailoa, and what it all means for the Dolphins going forward. Here’s a look at some of the highlights, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:
On the Dolphins’ level of interest in Watson:
“My job as general manager is to investigate every avenue on players that may or may not be available. I don’t think it’s any different from any player on the roster. We’ve done that from Day 1. That’s how every team operates. In terms of what discussions were had and what people asked for…We decided not to make a deal.”
On whether a deal was close:
“You go through these processes and talk through these things and we go forward with the team we have. We never got to a point of where anything would be realistic as far as happening.”
On Tagovailoa’s status moving forward:
“If there is a player considered one of the top players in the NFL, you have to look at it and try to go for it. It has nothing to do with not believing in Tua. We’re very happy with Tua.”
On the potential of renewing talks in the offseason:
“You get through the season and you keep evaluating the entire roster. Once the offseason comes, we’ll make decisions.”
Dolphins GM On Deshaun Watson Talks
After months of speculation, the Dolphins did not complete a trade for Deshaun Watson before the deadline. Multiple reports suggested that the two sides were closing in on a deal last week, but Miami GM Chris Grier tells a different story. 
[RELATED: Dolphins Back Out Of Watson Talks]
“We were doing background work and investigating everything,” Grier said (Twitter link via David Furones of the Miami Herald). “Just because we do that, doesn’t mean we’re going to do a deal.”
The Dolphins ultimately backed out due to concerns over Watson’s ongoing legal situation. Owner Stephen Ross wanted to bring Watson to South Beach, but only if his 20+ suits were settled. With that in mind, one reporter asked Grier if the Dolphins were involved in trying to get Watson’s accusers to sign non-disclosure agreements.
“I think any suggestion that this organization would be dealing behind the scenes and trying to influence decisions is absolutely ridiculous and categorically false,” Grier said. “So to say that we would be involved in that is just flat wrong. And it pisses me off, I’m sorry.”
Grier also added that the Dolphins’ interest in Watson is not a reflection on their current quarterback. He says the team still believes in Tua Tagovailoa, though that won’t do much to curb speculation in the spring.
At last check, the Texans were seeking three first-round picks and and two second-round picks for the embattled quarterback. That asking price could come down after the season if Watson’s off-the-field matters are settled.
Dolphins Will Not Trade For Texans’ Deshaun Watson
No deal. At least, not today. The Dolphins will not trade for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson before the 4pm ET/3pm CT deadline, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross spent several weeks pushing his front office to get a deal done. However, he had “contingencies that needed to be met for any deal,” according to Schefter. Those contingencies likely pertain to the draft picks that would have been involved in the deal. The Dolphins reportedly wanted conditions to be attached to the picks in case Watson was held out of action by the league office. Texans GM Nick Caserio, meanwhile, has been unwilling to cave.
With that, the Dolphins will move forward with Tua Tagovailoa under center. That doesn’t guarantee Tagovailoa’s standing beyond 2021, but the young QB says that he’s made peace with the constant speculation.
“I don’t not feel wanted,” Tagovailoa said earlier this month (via ESPN.com). “I really don’t think about it. The only time I’m really hearing about it, like I’ve said before, is if [the communications staff] is kind of telling me what’s going on within the rumors or if my agent calls me. That’s really when I hear it. Other than that, I don’t really hear it.”
The Panthers, Broncos, and Eagles have also been connected to Watson in recent months. Watson, who holds a no-trade clause, tried to steer his way towards Miami or Carolina. After all the talk, the Texans are prepared to pay out the remainder of his $10.54MM salary and reevaluate their options in the offseason.
Latest On Potential Deshaun Watson Trade
We heard last week that the Dolphins and Texans had agreed on compensation for a Deshaun Watson trade. Days later, and the move still hasn’t been made. Miami reportedly wanted a bit more clarity on the passer’s legal situation before green-lighting a trade. However, there may be another explanation for why negotiations have stalled.
Per Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the Texans have “caught wind of the growing possibility that the 22 civil lawsuits” against Watson would be settled. Since there would be no legal uncertainty, the Texans front office raised their asking price. According to Florio, “the increased demands caused the talks to crater.”
The Texans have continually been seeking at least three first-round picks for Watson, and last week’s report indicated that Miami was willing to meet that part of the deal. However, the two sides were still negotiating the other pieces in the trade; Houston reportedly is also seeking multiple second-round selections. It’s uncertain if Watson’s legal clarity forced the Texans to double down on their asking price…or perhaps request even more.
The NFL has not interviewed Watson, and his deposition in the civil suit is not slated to occur until after Super Bowl LVI. This has created a gray area, one that sets up the unusual and optically problematic prospect of Watson playing for another team this season before facing a lengthy suspension in 2022. Watson is not expected to be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, and Roger Goodell confirmed Tuesday night the NFL does not have enough information on these cases to place Watson on the list, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
We’ll have a resolution on a trade (or non-trade) by tomorrow afternoon. It sounds like both owners are in favor of a deal; Texans owner Cal McNair wants to put the matter behind him, while Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has been one of the organization’s main proponents for a Watson trade. Meanwhile, Texans GM Nick Casersio is unwilling to trade Watson for anything less than what he perceives to be maximum value, and that could end up being the factor that prevents a trade from taking place by the deadline.