Patriots To Place LeGarrette Blount On IR
WEDNESDAY, 4:15pm: The Patriots have officially placed Blount on the Injured Reserve, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
TUESDAY, 5:45pm: Awful news for the Patriots as the club will be forced to place LeGarrette Blount on IR, according to a report from WEEI. The powerful tailback suffered a hip injury on Sunday night against the Texans. Blount finishes out the season with 703 yards and six touchdowns off of 165 carries.
As it stands, the Pats have only James White and Brandon Bolden on their active roster at running back. However, Trey Williams is on the practice squad along with Montee Ball, who was signed on Tuesday, so it’s not guaranteed that they will sign an RB for the 53-man roster. At the very least, however, one would expect them to sign a tailback for the taxi squad if they promote Williams or Ball.
Of course, this hasn’t been the best day for New England. Earlier this afternoon we learned that defensive tackle Dominique Easley would be placed on IR, ending his season. Now, the team has major holes to fill on both sides of the football.
Seahawks Sign Christine Michael
A day after running back Christine Michael was cut from Washington’s practice squad, he has found a new NFL home, and it’s a familiar one. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters today that Seattle has re-signed Michael (Twitter link).
Prior to the start of the regular season, the Seahawks decided to move on from Michael, who had been one of Marshawn Lynch‘s backups in 2013 and 2014. Seattle sent the former second-round pick to the Cowboys, but Dallas cut him in November. In five games with the Cowboys, Michael ran for just 51 yards on 15 attempts, adding a single reception for two yards.
When Michael became a free agent yesterday, we speculated that a return to Seattle might be in the cards, since the Seahawks have had to deal with several injuries in their backfield. Rookie Thomas Rawls is out for the year, while Marshawn Lynch remains sidelined for now as well. The team also cut DuJuan Harris on Tuesday, leaving veteran Fred Jackson and newly-signed Bryce Brown as the only healthy halfbacks on the 53-man squad.
I’d still expect Brown and Jackson to see the majority of the backfield touches in Week 15, but if Lynch remains out of action for multiple weeks, Michael could become a more significant part of that rotation.
Latest On St. Louis Stadium, L.A. Relocation
The St. Louis Board of Alderman approved a modified plan for a new riverfront football stadium in the city this week, setting the issue up for another vote on Friday, as David Hunn and Nicholas Pistor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch outline. The latest development moves the possibility of a new St. Louis stadium slightly forward, but there are still plenty of roadblocks to overcome.
The most notable new detail of the stadium proposal includes a commitment from the NFL for an extra $100MM toward the construction of the building. However, this $100MM, which Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal notes isn’t guaranteed yet, would come at a cost. Per the Post-Dispatch report, the St. Louis stadium task force would agree to rebate city ticket taxes back to the team in this scenario, which would cost about $3MM per year.
Some St. Louis decision-makers seem apprehensive about the last-minute changes to the proposal, expressing concern about adhering to the NFL’s schedule rather than taking more time to review the plan. Alderman Scott Ogilvie asked, “Were we elected to write checks to the NFL without understanding what we are doing?”
Even if the stadium proposal is ultimately approved by St. Louis officials, it still must receive approval from the NFL as well. However, it certainly seems as if the St. Louis stadium plan is much further along than the ones in San Diego or Oakland, which may make NFL owners increasingly motivated to make things work in St. Louis.
Texans owner Bob McNair – one of six owners on the league’s Los Angeles committee – spoke to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle about St. Louis, Los Angeles, and the teams vying to relocate to L.A., and offered up a few interesting nuggets. Here are some of the highlights from that conversation:
On the support the stadium plan is receiving in St. Louis and what that could mean for an NFL vote:
“One of the teams would not be able to move if we approve two. So they’d have to stay in their home market. And one of our concerns is what level of support are they receiving in their home market? And if they’re receiving a reasonable amount of support, my personal feeling and most owners’ is we don’t think people should move.
“St. Louis, they have come up with a proposal that is getting pretty close, in my opinion, to being an attractive proposal. And if they do come up with an attractive proposal, then in my view, my personal opinion, I don’t think the Rams will receive the approval to relocate. So that would mean then you’d have two teams, San Diego and Oakland, that would be going into Carson. They have a partnership to build a stadium.”
On the possibility of a new stadium getting built in San Diego or Oakland:
“In San Diego, they’ve been trying for about 15 years. They’ve had all kinds of political problems there. At one time, half the council went to jail or something. It’s been pretty bad. It’s hard to negotiate when you’ve got to go to the jail to negotiate. So they haven’t accomplished anything. They’re saying they’re going to do something now. But in order to do it, they’d have to have a referendum and the referendum isn’t until next June. Well, we can’t have these teams in limbo. You need to have certainty and you don’t know if the referendum would pass or fail. We can’t take what they’re saying very seriously.
“Oakland is basically saying, ‘We don’t have any money. We’re going to take care of the baseball team and we’re not going to do anything for the football team.’ So that’s where they are. And those are the two worst stadiums in the league.”
On the likelihood of a team – or two teams – relocating to L.A. for 2016:
“It’s the second-largest market in the country and certainly we should be there. On the other hand, we’ve done very well not being there. So it’s not the end of the world [if no team moves there].”
QB Rumors: Luck, Hoyer, Dalton, Cousins
The race for the AFC South title will take another interesting twist this week, as the starting quarterbacks for the division’s top teams have both been ruled out for Week 15. The Texans announced today that Brian Hoyer won’t play due to a concussion, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle details, while Colts head coach Chuck Pagano told reporters that Andrew Luck won’t play, though Matt Hasselbeck should (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).
The two current leaders in the AFC South are, of course, scheduled to play each other this Sunday, so one of the two 6-7 clubs will almost certainly get back to .500. But they’ll have to attempt to do so without their starting QBs.
Here are a few more updates on quarterback situations around the NFL:
- Bengals players expect quarterback Andy Dalton to be sidelined for about four to six weeks, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. If he can heal quickly and return in four weeks, that would put Dalton on track to potentially start a game on Wild Card weekend for Cincinnati.
- With Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins nearing the end of his rookie contract, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes a look at what a contract extension for Cousins might look like. As Corry observes, a Nick Foles-type deal could work for both sides, but Cousins should be in no rush to sign an extension if he finishes the season strong, since making Washington have to consider using its franchise tag would give him plenty of leverage.
- Cousins is one of a handful of potential free agent quarterbacks that Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks discuss in a piece for NFL.com, and the duo agrees that Washington should do all it can to hang onto the fourth-year signal-caller. Jeremiah and Brooks also examine Eagles QB Sam Bradford, Blaine Gabbert of the 49ers, and Broncos QB Brock Osweiler, among others.
- Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Jay Cutler are among the players whose teams – the Saints, Broncos, and Bears respectively – will face some tough cap decisions this offseason, writes Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports. Each case is a little different, but restructured contracts, trades, or cuts could be in play, as Robinson details.
Bills Place CB Stephon Gilmore On IR
Stephon Gilmore‘s 2015 season has come to an early end, with the Bills announcing today that the team has placed the veteran cornerback on injured reserve due to a shoulder issue (Twitter links via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com). To replace Gilmore on the 53-man roster, the Bills have signed linebacker Max Valles off the Raiders’ practice squad.
Gilmore, 25, suffered a shoulder injury in the Bills’ Week 13 win over Houston, which sidelined him this past week. Shortly after Gilmore sustained the injury, head coach Rex Ryan told reporters that he didn’t expect it to be a season-ender. However, Ryan was less confident about that earlier this week, indicating on Monday that the former first-round pick may land on IR due to a dislocated shoulder (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW).
According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link), Gilmore is undergoing surgery on his troublesome shoulder in order to repair a labrum tear. Since he was a first-rounder in 2012, Gilmore still has one more year remaining on his contract with the Bills, in the form of a fifth-year option, so he should return to the team next season.
Prior to the injury, Gilmore was having perhaps his best year as a pro, having established a new career high with 18 passes defended. The South Carolina product had also grabbed three interceptions, and ranks as a top-15 cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades.
AFC East Notes: Jets, Taylor, Dolphins, Ball
The 2015 Jets are showing a lot of similarities to the 2011 Jets, and they’d better hope those similarities end soon, Manish Mehta of the Daily News writes. Four years ago, the Jets crushed the a pitiful Chiefs team to go 8-5. On Sunday, this year’s Jets team crushed the hapless Titans to improve to 8-5. In 2011, the Jets imploded in their last three games to finish 8-8, and that’s a fate that Gang Green must try and avoid.
“8-5… That’s all it is: 8-5,” linebacker David Harris said over the weekend. “We still have three games to go. So come see me January 4th.”
Here’s more from around the AFC East, including one more Jets note:
- In addition to helping make the Jets competitive this season, Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s solid year has had the added benefit of allowing the team to be patient with rookie Bryce Petty, says Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Within the piece, Mehta also makes the case for why Fitzpatrick should get a multiyear extension offer from the Jets.
- While New York beat writers are calling for Fitzpatrick to be extended, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com says the Bills don’t need to rush a new deal for quarterback Tyrod Taylor. In Rodak’s view, Taylor is well on his way to proving he can be a long-term solution at QB in Buffalo, but the Bills should be 100% sure before they invest big money in him.
- Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes it’s time for Dolphins owner Stephen Ross to either move to Miami or sell the franchise.
- Although running back Montee Ball earned a spot on the Patriots‘ practice squad, he isn’t in top shape, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN.com. According to Werder, Ball – who weighed about 205 pounds when he was drafted by the Broncos – was up to 240 when he worked out for the Packers earlier this season, and is now in the 230s.
- Earlier today, we heard that the Patriots are bringing in free agent running back Steven Jackson for a look.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Draft Updates: Fuller, Nkemdiche, Cravens
Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer (Twitter link) confirmed that Hokies cornerback Kendall Fuller has informed him of his decision to go pro and enter the 2016 draft. Fuller will now forgo his senior season in an effort to join brothers Kyle Fuller (Bears) and Corey Fuller (Lions) in the NFL. The oldest Fuller brother, Vincent Fuller, also played in the NFL.
Here are a few more draft-related notes:
- Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche was charged with possession of marijuana after he fell out of a hotel window in Atlanta this weekend, as Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk writes. However, it’s still not clear why the 6’4″, 296-pound athlete tumbled out of the building — that’s a mystery that NFL teams will try to solve between now and the 2016 draft. It is widely believed that Nkemdiche will go pro, but he has yet to announce his decision.
- USC outside linebacker Su’a Cravens is expected to declare his intent to enter the 2016 draft today, sources tell Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Cravens is a potential first-round pick, with Miller ranking him 18th on his most recent big board. CBSSports.com isn’t quite as high on the Southern California junior, ranking him 42nd overall.
- Eastern Kentucky defensive end Noah Spence is forgoing his final season of collegiate eligibility and entering the 2016 draft, as he announced in a statement last week. Spencer, who recorded 11.5 sacks this season, is viewed as a borderline first-round pick, with both Miller and CBS ranking him in the 30s on their big boards.
- ESPN’s Todd McShay (Insider-only link) has published his first 2016 mock draft, which features the Titans selecting defensive end Joey Bosa first overall, followed by the Browns snagging quarterback Paxton Lynch. Nkemdiche, Fuller, and Cravens all come off the board in the first round of McShay’s mock as well.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Extra Points: Bowe, Texans, O’Brien
Browns wide receiver Dwayne Bowe spoke to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer about the hardships he has dealt with this season and what has gone wrong for him. This past offseason, Bowe inked a two-year deal worth $12.5MM, including $9MM guaranteed. So far, he hasn’t done much to justify that contract. He surmised that he was never able to learn the new scheme installed by offensive coordinator John DeFilippo thanks to an injury during training camp.
“When I got hurt, it set me back as far as the coach getting to know what I can do and things like that,” he said. “I just got so far behind in the playbook and they added most of the main content when I was out. When I was got back, they were so far ahead, and to go back for me would’ve set the whole offense back.”
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Texans owner Bob McNair says he has no current plans to make any significant changes to team’s GM or head coach roles after this season, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle tweets. “Does he make mistakes? Sure,” McNair said of head coach Bill O’Brien (link). “But most of his mistakes haven’t been that great and he’s been able to overcome them.” When asked if the franchise must invest in a quarterback this offseason via the draft, McNair said (link), “Absolutely. Yes. The answer is yes.”
- James Harrison, William Gay, DeAngelo Williams, and Heath Miller are all on the wrong side of 30 but they’re all providing value to the Steelers, as The Associated Press writes.
- German Football League MVP Tyler Davis is trying out for the Dolphins on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Davis plays both wide receiver and defensive back, so it’s not immediately clear whether he’ll be showing his skills on offense, defense, or both in Miami.
Workout Notes: Broncos, Moore, Thomas
Earlier today, we learned that former first-round pick Phil Taylor is auditioning for the Vikings. However, he’s not the only notable player to show his stuff for an NFL team this week. Here’s the full rundown:
- The Broncos auditioned wide receivers DeVier Posey, Greg Little, and Denarius Moore plus running back Daniel Thomas, according to PFT (on Twitter). Moore didn’t have a single reception during his time with the Bills this year and he was cut loose in late November. He worked out for the Packers on December 1st, but nothing came of that tryout.
- The Broncos also worked out tight end/fullback Manasseh Garner today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Tight end Nick Kasa and quarterback Ryan Lindley also showed their stuff for the Broncos, as Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Panthers worked out former Chiefs first-round pick wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Panthers also auditioned wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Baldwin, the 26th overall pick of the 2011 draft, has 44 career receptions for 607 yards, mostly with the Chiefs.
- The Cardinals will work out Edmonton Eskimos corner Aaron Grymes today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Grymes was a CFL All-Star this past season, intercepting four passes and even returned one for a touchdown. In three seasons with the Eskimos, Grymes has eight interceptions total.
Vikings Notes: Taylor, Cummings, Newman
Here’s a look at the Vikings:
- Former Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor is trying out with for the Vikings today, according to ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling (on Twitter). Taylor, a former first-round pick, hasn’t really been heard from since he auditioned for the Ravens in November. Taylor, 27, was a starter on defense for Cleveland in 2013, but only played 555 defensive snaps, serving primarily as a run stopper. While he wasn’t a full-time player, Taylor’s performance against the run still placed him a solid 26th among 69 qualified defensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Then, Taylor played just 133 snaps in 2014 before being sidelined with a knee injury.
- The Vikings are also working out defensive lineman Euclid Cummings today, according to a source who spoke with Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN (on Twitter). Cummings most recently played in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts.
- After putting his toe in the water last week, Vikings veteran defensive back Terence Newman could be making a more permanent move to the safety position, Jason Gonzalez of the Star Tribune writes. Newman, 37, could be called upon to play safety if regular starters Harrison Smith (hamstring/knee) and Andrew Sendejo (knee) continue to miss time. At his advanced age, Newman would welcome a move to the less strenuous position. “I think [safety is] definitely easier,” Newman said comparing it to cornerback. “You don’t have to run backwards, shift your body backwards if some dude is running full speed forwards, so in that aspect it’s definitely easier.”