Tavon Young Suffers Torn ACL
Ravens cornerback Tavon Young suffered a torn ACL in practice on Thursday, costing the team a notable defender well before the start of the season, reports Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.
A fourth-round pick last year, Young became a key part of the Ravens as a rookie, appearing in all 16 of their games (11 starts) and finishing fifth among their defenders in snaps (832). The former Temple Owl hardly looked out of place during those snaps, either, ranking an impressive 26th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 111 qualified corners. Young also racked up 50 tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defensed.
The loss of Young is the latest significant change to the Ravens’ secondary in advance of the upcoming season. The team added name-brand newcomers in fellow cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Marlon Humphrey, a first-round pick, as well as big-money safety Tony Jefferson. Those three figured to join Young, among others, as integral pieces of the Ravens’ defensive backfield in 2017, but Young now looks likely to miss most or all of the season. His role as Baltimore’s nickel corner will go to either Lardarius Webb or Maurice Canady, according to Hensley.
Colts To Sign RB Christine Michael
The Colts have signed running back Christine Michael, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. To make room, running back Brandon Radcliff has been cut.
The Colts’ running back depth chart is currently headlined by a 34-year-old Frank Gore. Robert Turbin, fourth-round rookie Marlon Mack, and Josh Ferguson are also on the roster. Michael will be competing for one of the spots behind Gore and he could apply some pressure to Ferguson, a 2016 UDFA who didn’t do much after garnering buzz last summer.
Michael was released by the Packers earlier this offseason as a part of the club’s effort to make room for the three running backs selected in the draft.
The Texas A&M product was once viewed as a high-upside player, but it’s not clear what C-Mike can bring to the table at this stage of his career. The running back averaged 5.1 yards per carry in a limited sample for the Seahawks in 2014, but he has not been able to replicate that success in the last two seasons.
This now marks Michael’s fifth NFL team after time spent with the Seahawks, Cowboys, Redskins, and Packers.
Latest On Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott
The NFL’s investigation into Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott could be winding down. The NFL Players Association recently turned over phone records and other documents that league investigators have been seeking in their probe of domestic violence allegations against the running back, Tom Pelissero of USA Today writes. 
The NFL was asking for Elliott’s phone records for a while, but the running back’s camp was reluctant to turn those over and the union was also putting up a battle for fear of setting a bad precedent. As Pelissero notes, phone records also became an issue in the Tom Brady Deflategate case. Ultimately, Brady’s unwillingness to fully cooperate with the investigation led to him being served with a controversial four-game suspension.
Last year, a woman accused Elliott of abusing her on two separate occasions in 2016. However, the 21-year-old was never arrested nor charged for either supposed incident. In one case, a key witness says Elliott’s accuser told her to lie to police about a separate incident. From a legal standpoint, there’s little evidence to pin Elliott for wrongdoing, but the NFL requires much less proof to dole out a suspension or fine. The league is also feeling increased pressure to come down hard on domestic violence cases in the wake of the Ray Rice fiasco.
The NFL opened its investigation in July, meaning that we are nearing its one-year mark.
Jets Trade Safety Calvin Pryor To Browns
The Jets are trading former first-round pick Calvin Pryor to the Browns, sources tell Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). In return, the Jets are getting linebacker Demario Davis, a player who spent multiple seasons as a starter in New York before leaving for Cleveland in free agency. The Browns have since confirmed the trade via press release.
“Calvin is a young, experienced safety that has upside,” said Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown. “We are pleased to be able to add him to our defensive back room and just like every player we acquire, we expect him to come in with a hard-working mindset ready to compete. DeMario is a guy that we developed the utmost respect for in his time with our team, not only as a professional but also as a person. We appreciate all he did for our organization in his time in Cleveland.”
Nicknamed the “Louisville Slugger,” Pryor was drafted by the old regime with the hope that his hard-hitting style would elevate the team’s secondary. Unfortunately, he has not been able to produce in his three NFL seasons and the new regime didn’t have much use for him after drafting LSU’s Jamal Adams No. 6 overall and Florida’s Marcus Maye in the second round. The Jets couldn’t find a trade partner for Pryor prior to the 2017 draft, but they have struck a deal today with Cleveland.
Pryor would probably like to start at strong safety for the Browns, but that job might already belong to first round pick Jabrill Peppers. Still, there’s no reason why he can’t find work as a key reserve. Although he doesn’t fit the Jets plans, the advanced metrics are higher on him than you might think. In his first two NFL seasons, Pro Football Focus had Pryor ranked as a top-50 safety in the NFL. Last year, he took a slight step back, but he still earned a better score than Derrick Kindred and Ibraheim Campbell, two safeties who are hoping to stick on the Browns’ 53-man roster.
Davis saw part-time action in his rookie season after being selected in the third round of the 2012 draft by the Jets, but started every game for the team from 2012-2015. In 2015, his final year with the Jets, he totaled 89 tackles to go along with a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery. Davis inked a two-year, $8MM deal with the Browns in March 2016 and he’s now headed back to New York to complete the final year of that pact. He’ll make a $3.7MM salary this year, though it is completely non-guaranteed.
NFL Clubs Think Tony Romo Will Play Again?
Most NFL teams are under the impression retired quarterback Tony Romo will play again, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report, who indicates clubs think Romo’s return to the league could happen “sooner” rather “than later.”
Romo, of course, announced his retirement last month and subsequently signed on to become CBS’ lead football commentator, replacing Phil Simms alongside Jim Nantz. Any comeback attempt, then, would likely be precipitated by a club — probably a contender — suffering an injury at the quarterback position. Indeed, several decision-makers tell Freeman that if their signal-caller goes down in the near future, Romo will be “will be one their first phone calls.”
Although he did retire, the 37-year-old Romo didn’t officially rule out an eventual return to the NFL, instead opting to say he was “99%” retired and cautioning observers to “never say never” to the possibility of a comeback. More importantly, the Cowboys chose to release Romo following his retirement announcement, meaning Dallas no longer holds Romo’s rights. If he does decide to re-enter the league, Romo will be free to choose his next team unfettered.
It’s not difficult to see why NFL teams will try to lure Romo out of retirement if the need for a quarterback strikes, as the only free agent passers with any sort of starting experience are Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III. Romo, clearly, boasts a more successful track record than either of those options or the rest of the available quarterback class, which includes the likes of Shaun Hill, Zach Mettenberger, and Dan Orlovsky.
Melvin Ingram, Le’Veon Bell Likely To Stay Away From Workouts
The final two franchise-tagged players yet to sign their tenders or reach a long-term deal with their respective teams, Le’Veon Bell and Melvin Ingram, aren’t expected to show at team facilities any time soon, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.
It would be a surprise if the Steelers running back and Chargers edge defender participated in OTAs or minicamp, per Rapoport, who adds Ingram is more likely to stage a holdout come training camp if he and the Bolts are unable to come to a long-term agreement by July 15.
Bell, conversely, remains in talks with the Steelers on a long-term pact, and Rapoport notes neither Bell (attached to a $12.1MM tag) nor Pittsburgh management is worried about the running back’s status.
Rapoport adds that no firm decisions are in place yet for these two talents, but they are the last two of their ilk during an offseason that hasn’t seen quite the tag drama as in years past. Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul and Kawann Short have already come to agreements on lucrative extensions, and Kirk Cousins and Trumaine Johnson are working out with their respective teams after signing their tenders.
Ingram’s situation could resemble Eric Berry‘s if the sides can’t agree by the deadline. The safety did not receive a long-term commitment from his team and did not rejoin the Chiefs until late August of last year. Rapoport points out the Chargers’ struggles striking deals with tagged performers Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles as examples of why Ingram’s path to an extension may be more complicated than Bell’s.
Since the Chargers tagged Ingram in February, no updates have emerged about progress in talks on an extension. The Chargers have changed significantly since Ingram was last on the field, moving from San Diego to Los Angeles and changing from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3 alignment. Ingram spent his entire five-year career in a 3-4 look, so the career outside linebacker’s fit under Gus Bradley isn’t as certain as it was under John Pagano. But the Bolts using the $14.6MM tag on Ingram provides a good illustration of their view of the defender.
However, more Ingram deal parameters emerged after Pierre-Paul and Jones inked their extensions. Bell is expected to become the league’s highest-paid running back, so the Steelers won’t have other contracts to work off of like the Chargers do this summer.
Browns Sign Christian Kirksey To Extension
The Browns announced they signed linebacker Christian Kirksey to a four-year contract extension. It’s a four-year, $38MM deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Will Mitch Trubisky Be The Highest-Impact Rookie Quarterback?]
The new deal makes Kirksey the fifth-highest paid player in Cleveland. After Kirksey led the team with 140 tackles – putting him nearly 50 tackles ahead of the next-highest producer – it was no surprise to hear that the Browns were working to extend him this spring. He also graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 22nd best LB last season, putting him ahead of notables such as Brian Cushing, Mark Barron, Ryan Shazier, and Danny Trevathan.
First round picks in the 2014 draft will have to wait one more year before signing extensions with their respective teams, but Kirksey was able to get himself some security this offseason as a former third rounder. His selection proved to be one of the best things to happen to the team under the watch of former GM Mike Lombardi.
This year, the Browns will move Kirksey from inside linebacker to the weak side in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams‘ 4-3 scheme. According to Over The Cap, if the deal were to kick in today, it would make Kirksey the third highest-paid 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL.
Nolan Carroll Arrested For DWI
Cowboys cornerback Nolan Carroll was arrested for driving while intoxicated early Monday morning, according David Moore of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link).
Dallas police arrested the 30-year-old Carroll, who posted bond at 2:45 p.m. Monday and was released from custody. Moore points out the Cowboys offer free Uber rides for players who feel they’re unfit to drive. Police pulled Carroll over for a traffic violation around 2:20 a.m., leading to the arrest, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
The Cowboys signed Carroll in March, and the veteran defender is expected to start for the team after doing so with the Eagles. Dallas signed Carroll during an offseason that saw both Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr defect in free agency. Carroll signed a three-year, $10MM deal to join Dallas after playing three seasons as a starter in Philadelphia.
A former Dolphins draft pick, Carroll is expected to start for the Cowboys this season. Now, he might face a suspension. Already having embattled defenders Randy Gregory and Rolando McClain no closer to returning, the Cowboys received notice last week David Irving failed a drug test and faces a four-game suspension. A Carroll ban would further deplete a defense that also lost Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox.
The Cowboys added corners Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis on Day 2 of the draft, and if Carroll incurs a suspension from this, they could be pressed into duty alongside Orlando Scandrick. Second-year man Anthony Brown factors into this equation as well.
Cowboys Not Interested In Darrelle Revis
The Cowboys are not interested in free agent cornerback Darrelle Revis, team sources tell Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
[RELATED: 8 Fits For Darrelle Revis]
Dallas’ secondary depth was depleted during the free agent period, as cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr, plus safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox, all signed with other clubs. However, the Cowboys took steps to bolster their defensive backfield both in free agency — where they signed veteran Nolan Carroll — and the draft, where they selected Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and Marquez White.
In addition to those four corners, Dallas will also return Anthony Brown and Orlando Scandrick, each of whom graded as top-50 CBs in 2016, per Pro Football Focus. Brown, a sixth-round pick last year, has proven to be a draft steal, while Scandrick figures to stick on the roster after the Cowboys denied they were shopping him.
Revis, meanwhile, had reportedly drawn the interest of two unidentified clubs earlier this month, but he still hasn’t landed a contract after being released by the Jets in March. Already earning $6MM from New York, the 31-year-old Revis will likely be forced to accept a cheap one-year pact if he wants to play in 2017. Last week, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reported some NFL executives simply don’t see a healthy market for the former All Pro.
Top 8 Fits For Free Agent CB Darrelle Revis
Darrelle Revis is in the clear from the NFL’s point of view, as the league doesn’t intend to punish him as a result of his alleged role in a dustup earlier this year (one that ended with no charges being filed). While two teams reportedly recently checked in on Revis, some club executives simply don’t see a healthy market for the former All Pro.
Revis, 31, ranks as PFR’s No. 1 free agent corner at the moment, and while he’s certainly not the shutdown corner he was in days gone by, Revis is still a viable starting option. He graded out as the league’s No. 64 corner in 2016, per Pro Football Focus, which would place him right at the tail end of acceptable play. However, one general manager recently told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News he wouldn’t go after the veteran cornerback even if he agreed to play “for free.”
Here’s a look at the top eight teams that could be interested in Revis:
Arizona Cardinals
Heading into the offseason, the Cardinals’ top need was arguably at cornerback, as the club doesn’t have a plethora of options to play opposite All Pro Patrick Peterson. Instead of targeting the position in either free agency or the draft, Arizona opted to stand pat, and will now enter the 2017 campaign with only Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller, and Eli Bouka behind Peterson. Bethel is a career special-teamer, Williams struggled in his brief time as a starter, and Miler and Bouke have limited — or in Bouka’s case, zero — experience. Revis would allow the Cardinals to bump Bethel back into a reserve role while giving Williams, who was selected in the third round only a year ago, time to develop.
Dallas Cowboys
The free agent period took a massive toll on the Cowboys’ secondary, as cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, plus safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox, all signed elsewhere. Unlike the Cardinals, Dallas did take steps to make up for its losses, signing veteran Nolan Carroll to a cheap deal while drafting Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie and Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis on Day 2. Along with 2016 sixth-round steal Anthony Brown and stalwart Orlando Scandrick, the Cowboys probably have enough secondary depth to get by. But team owner Jerry Jones has shown a proclivity for adding high-profile names in the past, and Revis would certainly fit that bill (and the Cowboys could even give him a look at safety).
Detroit Lions
The Lions finished dead last in DVOA against the pass in 2016, despite the fact that their top two corners — Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson — ranked a respectable 17th and 37th among 111 qualified corners, per Pro Football Focus. Detroit’s lack of quality depth is a concern, however. Quandre Diggs is a slot option at best and didn’t play well last season, and while the Lions spent a second-round pick on Teez Tabor, the Florida product’s slow 40-yard dash times could make it difficult for him to succeed at the next level. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn worked in New England during Revis’ lone season with the Patriots, so he has familiarity with the veteran corner.
Indianapolis Colts
Like the Lions, the Colts ranked as a bottom-five DVOA club against the pass last year. Vontae Davis dealt with nagging injuries all season, and his health concerns likely contributed to his poor play (No. 98 CB per PFF). Quincy Wilson (Florida) was Indianapolis’ second-round pick, and will likely have to immediately step into the starting lineup, as the Colts simply don’t have any other contributors on the roster. Darius Butler is a slot corner who will likely play safety in big nickel sets, while Rashaan Melvin, Darryl Morris, and Chris Milton aren’t exactly inspiring. Revis would likely see a good deal of playing time if Indy inked him to a deal.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have seemingly been looking for quality corners since trading Davis to the Colts in 2012. Byron Maxwell, a trade acquisition himself, finally lived up to his $10MM+ salary, and Tony Lippett also played well as he continues his conversion from collegiate wideout to cornerback. Xavien Howard, a second-round selection a year ago, didn’t seen many snaps during his rookie campaign, but could certainly be counted on for a larger role in 2017, and Miami also used a third-round pick on Cordrea Tankersley this year. Revis would give the Fins another body at cornerback, and like the Cowboys, Miami would be another team that could give Revis a try at safety.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ starting corners are currently projected to be Jalen Mills and Patrick Robinson, which is a clear indicator Philadelphia needs to bring in another defensive back. Yes, the Eagles used second- and third-round picks on cornerbacks Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas, but Jones isn’t a lock to play this season following an Achilles tear, while Douglas could be need time to develop, according to PFF’s scouting report. Philadelphia uses a zone-based scheme, which is not Revis’ strength, but he’s an improvement over the likes of fellow veteran Ron Brooks.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Revis, a Pennsylvania native, told reporters earlier this year that playing for the Steelers would be a “dream come true”, and the club still has a need at corner even after using early-round picks on the secondary in recent years. Former second-round pick Senquez Golson hasn’t even seen the field thanks to injuries, while 32-year-old veteran William Gay could be possibly be converted to safety or even released. A homecoming for Revis and the Steelers would likely see him playing behind Ross Cockrell and Artie Burns.
Washington Redskins
Josh Norman, clearly, gives the Redskins a legitimate No. 1 corner, but the club doesn’t have many options after that. After a solid 2015 campaign, Bashaud Breelan struggled last year, while rookie Kendall Fuller also didn’t show much. Washington used a third-round pick on UCLA’s Fabian Moreau last month, but he’s recovering from a torn pectoral and might not see action for awhile. Revis could start immediately in the nation’s capital.