East Notes: Amukamara, Williams, Dolphins
Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara has a partial tear in his pectoral area, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link). Amukamara shouldn’t miss a huge chunk of time, but he may be sidelined for at least three or four weeks, so we’ll see if the Giants make any roster moves to add depth to the secondary. For what it’s worth, New York still has its IR-DTR slot available, but it doesn’t sounds as if Amukamara will be a candidate for it.
Here’s more from out of the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams was considered the most talented player in this year’s draft class, so it came as a bit of a surprise when Washington passed on him with the fifth overall pick. However, as Brian Costello of the New York Post writes, Williams and Jets coach Todd Bowles are happy the rookie defender didn’t end up in Washington. “I think this was the best place I could have landed out of all the top teams,” Williams said. “I’m just fortunate to be here. I’m glad they picked me even though they had a stout D-line. It paid off just because I could learn from all these guys.”
- For all the hype and coverage the Dolphins‘ free agent signing of Ndamukong Suh received last March, there have been no real winners in that saga, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. As Rothstein observes, with the Dolphins and Lions having combined for a single victory through five weeks, the only real winner of the blockbuster move so far is Suh’s bank account.
- Speaking of the Dolphins, only one team – New Orleans – has more dead money on its 2015 salary cap than Miami, as Joel Corry of CBSSports.com outlines. Corry points out that the teams with the most sunk costs on their caps this year are, for the most part, among the league’s worst this season — the seven clubs with the most 2015 dead money have a combined 9-25 record.
Extra Points: Dolphins, Wright, Saffold
Dolphins interim head coach Dan Campbell told reporters, including ESPN.com’s James Walker (on Twitter), that he’s talked to Bill Parcells since taking over the job and that he has been a good “resource.” Parcells is said to still have a lot of sway in Miami’s operations, which has led some to speculate that Sean Payton could be a fit for Miami since he once served as his assistant in Dallas.
Here’s more from around the NFL..
- Earlier this week, Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith heard that Shareece Wright was leaning toward signing with the Seahawks. Smith, not wanting Seattle to beat Baltimore to the punch, put in recruiting call to Wright, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun tweets. Smith joked that he’s the reason the ex-49ers/Chargers corner signed with the Ravens, but it’s possible that he moved the needle. Wright rode the bench in SF and he’s looking to get playing time with his new squad.
- Former Baylor wide receiver Antwan Goodley worked out for the Giants today, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
- Rams right guard Rodger Saffold is not expected to return to the playing field soon, if at all this season, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
- Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe has a high ankle sprain and will likely be out for a few weeks, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com tweets.
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.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Durell Eskridge (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: QB David Fales (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune)
Houston Texans
- Cut: WR Alan Bonner (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Joe Banyard (Twitter link)
- Cut: S Craig Loston
Miami Dolphins
- Cut: WR Damarr Aultman (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald)
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Wes Saxton (press release)
- Cut: WR Titus Davis
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: S Adrian Phillips (Twitter link via U-T San Diego’s Michael Gehlken)
- Cut: WR Donatella Luckett
Ravens To Place Lorenzo Taliaferro On IR
The Ravens have placed running back Lorenzo Taliaferro on IR, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Taliaferro, 23, sustained a foot injury that initially had him listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest against the 49ers. However, it turns out the injury was severe enough to end his season prematurely.
In 2015, Taliaferro has only logged 13 carries for 47 yards and one score. He also caught all five of his targets for total of 29 yards. Last season, Taliaferro was used more frequently as a complimentary piece to veteran tailback Justin Forsett. Prior to the season, some speculated that he could eventually position himself as the top back in Baltimore, but that will not be the case – at least in 2015.
With Taliaferro off the 53-man roster and Forsett nursing an ankle injury, rookie Buck Allen could be in for a major workload against San Francisco. The Ravens also added running back reinforcements by claiming Raheem Mostert off waivers from the Dolphins, as Caplan tweets. Mostert led the entire NFL in yardage this preseason while with the Eagles and the Dolphins were hoping to add him to their taxi squad.
AFC East Notes: Bills, Landry, Dolphins
Using his player-values metric, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap writes that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has provided the most 2015 value through the season’s first five weeks, among QBs. While Tyrod Taylor of the Bills ranks just 10th for overall value, he has a cap hit below $1MM, making him even more valuable — no signal-caller has a wider gap so far between his cap charge and his actual value than the ex-Raven, according to Fitzgerald.
Here are a few more items from out of the AFC East:
- There has been some speculation that, with Taylor hurting, the Bills may regret having traded Matt Cassel. However, head coach Rex Ryan said today that the decision to send the veteran quarterback to Dallas reflected the confidence Buffalo has in Taylor and EJ Manuel. For what it’s worth, Ryan added that there’s no official word yet on Taylor’s availability for Week 6 (Twitter links via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).
- General manager Doug Whaley has supported Manuel throughout his time with the Bills, and the GM also signed off on the Cassel trade, prompting Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) to wonder if Whaley could be the “fall guy” if Manuel is forced into action and struggles.
- The Dolphins are somewhat concerned with Jarvis Landry‘s repeated conduct issues this year, according to Cole (video link). New head coach Dan Campbell will be tasked with improving Landry’s focus, after the wideout got into a fight during practice with ex-Dolphin LaMichael James and was fined $23K+ for berating an official.
- Appearing on 790 The Ticket on Tuesday, Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum denied that he wanted to fire Joe Philbin and hire Dan Quinn after he was hired last winter, as Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald details. “I knew Coach Philbin was on the precipice of being announced with a long-term extension,” Tannenbaum said. “I knew about it and supported it at the time. I was offered the job with one set of circumstances, which was to work with [GM] Dennis Hickey and Joe Philbin.”
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/13/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Cut from PS-IR: TE Joseph Fauria (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Daniel Brown, RB Akeem Hunt, TE Konrad Reuland (Twitter link)
Chicago Bears
- To be signed: WR Nathan Palmer (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times), DT D’Anthony Smith (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
- Released: C Ryan Seymour (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Houston Texans
- To be signed: WR Chandler Worthy (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX 26)
- Cut: T Edawn Coughman (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Jayson DiManche, CB Saalim Hakim, OL Mike Liedtke, RB Darrin Reaves (Twitter link)
- Cut: LB Tyrell Adams, CB Jeremy Harris, OL Daniel Munyer
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Robert Herron (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Andrew Turzilli, C Brian Folkerts (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: RB Trey Watts (Twitter link via USA Today’s Howard Balzer)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: CB Isaiah Frey (Twitter link)
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.
Extra Points: Freeney, Dolphins, Harbaugh
The Cardinals had interest in Dwight Freeney since late July, a source tells Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic (on Twitter). However, Freeney was looking for too much money. Needless to say, the price has come down. Arizona reportedly has agreed to sign Freeney, though head coach Bruce Arians claimed that there is no deal yet, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets.
Here’s more from around the league..
- The Dolphins won’t make another run at coach Jim Harbaugh, according to Peter King of The MMQB.com (via PFT). Harbaugh, now the head coach at Michigan, was a target for the Dolphins years ago, but the club apparently isn’t interested in circling back. There’s a connection between the ex-49ers coach and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross because Ross is a Michigan alum and has been a major booster for the school. However, for that exact reason, Ross might be hesitant to take the coach away from Ann Arbor.
- Saints wide receiver Marques Colston suffered a separated shoulder on Sunday at the least, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). There could also be some structural damage for the veteran receiver.
- By trading Gerald Hodges to the 49ers, the Vikings changed everything for their linebackers, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes.