NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Kenny Bell
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Rory Anderson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE E.J. Bibbs (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Luke Rhodes (Twitter link via Mich Chappell of CBS4)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Brian Leonhardt
- Cut: CB Tre Roberson (Twitter link via Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune)
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Chase Farris (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss)
- Cut: LB Quentin Gause
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams, LB Darnell Sankey (via Jimmy Durkin of the San Jose Mercury News)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Josh Keyes
Eagles Originally Wanted Second-Rounder For Sam Bradford
The Eagles surpassed even their own expectations when they dealt quarterback Sam Bradford to the Vikings earlier this year. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, Philadelphia had originally hoped to acquire a second-round pick in exchange for Bradford. But once Minnesota lost Teddy Bridgewater for the year, the Eagles were able to exert enough leverage to extract a first-round pick, as well as a conditional fourth-rounder.
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Philadelphia and general manager Howie Roseman structured Bradford’s deal with an eye towards potentially trading him during the 2017 offseason, per La Canfora. The Eagles absorbed Bradford’s $11MM signing bonus when they traded him, but the Vikings took on his guaranteed base salaries of $7MM and $4MM in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Of course, if the Eagles had some inkling that they might trade Bradford during the 2017 offseason, they must have given at least some thought to trading up to acquire a franchise quarterback like Carson Wentz. Bradford was re-signed in early March, and Philadelphia didn’t make the deal to move up to No. 2 overall until late April.
As noted, the Eagles were able to secure a 2017 first-round pick and a conditional 2018 fourth-round pick for Bradford. The fourth-rounder becomes a third-round pick if the Vikings advance to the NFC Championship Game, and a second-round pick if Minnesota wins the Super Bowl.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Vikings Promote OL Willie Beavers
The Vikings are set to promote offensive lineman Willie Beavers from the practice squad to the active roster, according to a team press release. In related moves, wide receiver Isaac Fruechte and guard Sean Hickey were added to the practice squad. Defensive back Julian Wilson was cut from the p-squad to make room. 
Beavers, a guard out of Western Michigan, was selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft. However, he did not make the Vikings’ cutdown to 53. Upon clearing waivers, he was signed to a practice squad deal. Now, he may be on the active roster this weekend if Alex Boone‘s hip keeps him from playing.
Beavers played left tackle in college, but the Vikings would like to use him at multiple spots. With Boone hurting, Beavers’ first shot could come on the interior line.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Waiver Priority Now Based On 2016 Record
We’re coming up on Week 4 of the NFL season and that means that waiver claim priority will be based on the current league standings instead of last year’s. Of course, waiver priority is based on the inverted NFL standings, which have built in tiebreakers to sort out the many logjams that naturally occur.
Throughout the offseason and the first three weeks of the regular season, the Titans enjoyed top priority thanks to their 3-13 finish last year. Now, we have a brand new pecking order. Here is a full rundown of the current waiver claim priority, which will change from week to week:
1. Jaguars
2. Saints
3. Bears
4. Browns
5. Chargers
6. Lions
7. Jets
8. Cardinals
9. Bills
10. Colts
11. Dolphins
12. 49ers
13. Buccaneers
14. Bengals
15. Titans
16. Redskins
17. Panthers
18. Falcons
19. Cowboys
20. Giants
21. Raiders
22. Packers
23. Chiefs
24. Rams
25. Seahawks
26. Texans
27. Steelers
28. Ravens
29. Eagles
30. Broncos
31. Vikings
32. Patriots
Vikings Won't Trade For Left Tackle
- With Matt Kalil on IR, many have wondered if the Vikings–who demonstrated they were “all in” on the 2016 season with the Sam Bradford trade–could deal for a replacement left tackle, like Cleveland’s Joe Thomas. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Minnesota will not make such a trade.
- Earlier today, we learned there is a good chance that Adrian Peterson could return to the Vikings next year, despite much speculation to the contrary.
Good Chance Adrian Peterson Returns To Vikings In 2017
Adrian Peterson indicated just yesterday that he believes he will return from IR this season, although his prognosis is certainly premature and perhaps overly optimistic, as doctors will have to wait at least one month before determining if the veteran back has any shot at playing again this year.
And, since his potential return to the field in 2016 is very much in doubt, there has already been a great deal of speculation regarding Peterson’s future in Minnesota. As the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote several days ago, Peterson never looked like a great bet to return to Minnesota in 2017 barring some sort of contract adjustment, as he’s set to count for an untenable $18MM on next year’s cap (which is comprised of a $6MM roster bonus on the third day of the 2017 league year, along with $12MM more in base salary and workout bonuses). All of that total can be cleared out by releasing him, and given that Peterson isn’t a perfect fit for offensive coordinator Norv Turner‘s scheme–not to mention the fact that the Vikings are transitioning into more of a throwing team under Turner–it is logical to think that he’ll be playing for a new club next season.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports added his support to that viewpoint his morning, writing that even if Peterson had enjoyed a typical Peterson year in 2016, it was highly unlikely that he would have returned to the Vikings under his current deal. As such, his future with the Vikings will hinge on their ability to renegotiate his contract prior to his $6MM roster bonus coming due in March.
Despite all of that, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Minnesota wants Peterson to retire as a member of the Vikings, and two sources with direct knowledge of the situation indicated that it would not be a surprise to see Peterson back with the club in 2017. After all, the massive $96MM deal that he signed in 2011 was always set to expire at the end of 2017, so it’s not as if player and team haven’t prepared for this moment. Furthermore, the restructure of that deal that Peterson and the Vikings agreed to in July of last year suggests that the two sides can come together to make a tough situation work, just as they did when Peterson was suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy in 2014.
Rapoport goes on to say that the Vikings have consistently demonstrated loyalty to Peterson since he was drafted in 2007, and they expect that to continue (they may also expect Peterson to pay them back in kind by agreeing to modify his contract). As Albert Breer of TheMMQB tweets, this situation is similar to the one that the Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald found themselves in several years ago, which ultimately resulted in a satisfactory compromise that kept one of the best players in franchise history with the only club he has ever known. And according to Rapoport, there is a good chance that Peterson and the Vikings will enjoy the same outcome.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Adrian Peterson Thinks He’ll Return From IR
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson believes he will be ready to play when he’s eligible to return off injured reserve in eight weeks, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Peterson was placed on IR yesterday, but thanks to the NFL’s new injured reserve rules, he’s able to come back in two months if healthy.
[RELATED: Vikings Sign Ronnie Hillman]
However, according to those in the Vikings organization, Peterson’s optimism is somewhat unwarranted, and there is still doubt as to whether Peterson can return to the field in 2016, per Pelissero. Doctors will have to wait at least one month before determining if the veteran back has any shot at playing again this year.
A pair of surgeons told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press earlier this week that had Peterson opted to have the injured portion of his meniscus removed rather than repaired, he could have returned to the field in weeks, not months. But doing so could have presented problems for Peterson later in his career and during his post-football life, as such a procedure can lead to arthritis in the knee.
That decision by Peterson has reportedly led some Vikings to express “private” frustrations, as some teammates believe that Peterson could have played thorough the injury. But the “top” of the franchise — presumably the front office and/or ownership — are accepting of Peterson’s decision, and are hoping the veteran back returns in 2017.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ronnie Hillman's Broncos Deal Included Offsets
- Newly signed running back Ronnie Hillman‘s deal with the Vikings is a one-year pact worth the prorated league minimum of $760K, and contains no guaranteed money, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). The Broncos owed Hillman $400K in guaranteed salary when they cut him three weeks ago, but his contract with them had offset language, per Mike Klis of 9News. That means the Broncos won’t have to pick up the tab if Hillman’s on the Vikings’ active roster for nine weeks.
Latest On Adrian Peterson, Vikings
Some in the Vikings organization are “privately upset” that running back Adrian Peterson opted to undergo surgery on his torn meniscus rather than play through the injury, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Per Cole’s sources, a few of Peterson’s teammates believe he could have continued performing in spite of the tear, but the “top” of the franchise — presumably the front office and/or ownership — are accepting of Peterson’s decision, and are hoping the veteran back returns in 2017.
[RELATED: Vikings Place Adrian Peterson On IR]
While management may want Peterson back next season, Cole did make it clear the the club wants him back “under a new contract,” which makes sense given that he’s set to count for an untenable $18MM on the salary cap. The Vikings could clear out that entire total by releasing Peterson, as he has no prorated signing bonus or guaranteed base salary remaining. A new deal that lowers his cap charge is probably the only avenue by which Peterson could return.
Peterson’s teammates may believe that he could have played through his tear, but there’s been no indication that that is the case. Instead, a pair of surgeons yesterday told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that had Peterson opted to have the injured portion of his meniscus removed rather than repaired, he could have returned to the field in weeks, not months. But doing so could have presented problems for Peterson later in his career and during his post-football life, as such a procedure can lead to arthritis in the knee.
Peterson, 31, missed the majority of the 2014 season but bounced back last year to run for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 30 receptions for 222 yards.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Vikings Place Adrian Peterson On IR
The Vikings have placed running back Adrian Peterson on injured reserve, per a team announcement. Peterson underwent surgery Thursday to repair the torn meniscus he suffered in the Vikings’ 17-14 win over the Packers last Sunday.
Minnesota put left tackle Matt Kalil on IR with a hip injury earlier Friday, meaning only one of him or Peterson will be able to return this year. The likelier of the two to come back is Peterson, who the Vikings hope will take the field again by December, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (Twitter link).
Peterson has long been the Vikings’ best player, having gone to seven Pro Bowls and racked up an MVP since they chose him seventh overall in the 2007 draft. The former Oklahoma Sooner wasn’t nearly as effective prior to succumbing to injury this year, though, as Peterson accumulated a meager 50 yards on 31 carries – good for an unsightly average of 1.6. However, the 31-year-old was a premier option as recently as last season, when he scored 11 touchdowns while leading the NFL in both carries (327, 39 ahead of second place) and yards (1,485).
Despite long-term injuries to Peterson, Kalil, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, the 2-0 Vikings will try to win their second straight NFC North title this year. The recently acquired Sam Bradford filled in well for Bridgewater in his debut Sunday, while the team’s hope is that its current in-house options will pick up Peterson’s slack.
Running backs Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon combined for a mere 13 carries over the season’s first two weeks, but their workloads are sure to increase in Peterson’s absence. Minnesota also signed fellow rusher Ronnie Hillman on Wednesday. Hillman logged 207 carries, 863 yards and seven touchdowns as a member of the Super Bowl-winning Broncos last season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.