Latest On Marshawn Lynch
10:51am: La Canfora confirms (via Twitter) that Lynch underwent a procedure for his sports hernia today, adding that the Seahawks will reevaluate him in three or four weeks.
10:43am: Coming off a 200-yard rushing game, Thomas Rawls appears poised to continue carrying the load in the Seahawks’ backfield, with Marshawn Lynch‘s abdominal injury is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks. Various reports have suggested that Lynch will be out anywhere from two to five weeks, putting him on track to return in December.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com initially reported that Lynch would need “a couple weeks” to see how he does in his recovery from his abdominal injury, though subsequent reports have suggested the running back will miss more time. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Lynch will undergo sports hernia surgery today, and is expected to be out for about a month.
Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com passes along similar info to Rapoport’s, tweeting that the Seahawks will likely wait about three or four weeks to see how Lynch responds to surgery. Meanwhile, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports doesn’t specifically mention surgery, but tweets that Lynch will miss about four or five weeks.
While we may have to wait for the Seahawks to issue a statement to get the official word on Lynch, it seems clear that Rawls will be the top back on the club’s depth chart for at least the next couple games, and Lynch won’t be placed on injured reserve. At 5-5, Seattle is still very much in the Wild Card hunt in the NFC, so it sounds like Lynch would be back in time for the playoffs if the team were to earn a postseason berth.
Rawls’ performance over the next few weeks could also have an impact on Lynch’s long-term future in Seattle. The veteran is set to earn a base salary of $9MM in 2016, the highest amount in the NFL for a running back. If Rawls proves capable of being the No. 1 option in the Seahawks’ backfield, the team could conceivably consider releasing Lynch – or at least asking him to rework his contract – in the offseason.
Broncos Notes: Manning, Clausen, McDaniels
As we heard on Tuesday, Peyton Manning is expected to be sidelined for at least the next two weeks as he continues his recovery from a plantar fascia tear, and if Brock Osweiler plays well in Manning’s absence, it seems likely that the future Hall-of-Famer will get even more time to recover. As Osweiler gets set for a Week 12 showdown with the Patriots, let’s check out the latest out of Denver….
- A source close to Manning told Mike Klis of 9NEWS this week that the Broncos quarterback was “incensed” by a report claiming that he is making plans for 2016, with the Broncos or otherwise (all Twitter links). Klis notes that the 39-year-old did give some thought to retirement after last year, so historically he doesn’t consider his future plans during the season. Head coach Gary Kubiak was also dismissive of reports that Manning plans on playing in 2016, calling them “totally false.” Presumably that means the veteran quarterback simply hasn’t made a decision yet, and Kubiak’s not suggesting Manning has decided not to play in ’16.
- Before making arrangements to work out Christian Ponder, the Broncos put a waiver claim in on Jimmy Clausen, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. However, the former Bears backup was instead awarded to the Ravens. Baltimore, of course, also had a need at quarterback after Joe Flacco went down with a season-ending ACL injury.
- With a game in Denver coming up this Sunday night, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reflected back on his time as the Broncos’ head coach, indicating that he’s thankful to the club for giving him that opportunity, as Jimmy Toscano of CSNNE.com details. “[I] wish we’d have done better,” McDaniels said. “But again I’ve learned a lot of different things after that experience, looking back on it, and hopefully it’s made me a better person and a better coach at the same time.”
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Bills Put In Claim For Quinton Coples
After edge defender Quinton Coples was cut by one AFC East team – the Jets – earlier this week, another AFC team – the Dolphins – plucked him off waivers, while a third AFC East team was the only other club to submit a waiver claim for him. According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Bills also placed a claim on Coples, but had a lower waiver priority than the division-rival Dolphins due to their slightly better record.
The news doesn’t come as a real surprise. I noted when the Jets released Coples and when the Dolphins claimed him that the Bills would’ve been a logical suitor, given the connection to head coach Rex Ryan, who had the 25-year-old on his defense in New York from 2012 to 2014. However, the Dolphins had a Coples connection of their own — executive VP of football operations Mike Tannenbaum was in New York’s front office when the Jets drafted the North Carolina product in 2012.
When Coples was waived by the Jets, I questioned whether any team would be willing to absorb his contract, which includes a $7.751MM salary for 2016, since New York exercised his fifth-year option. That figure is guaranteed for injury only, so the Dolphins won’t have to pay it unless the edge defender suffers a significant injury and can’t pass a physical in March, and it seems as if Miami wasn’t the only team open to taking that risk.
By claiming Coples, the Dolphins will also take on the remaining $535K on his 2015 salary, which is fully guaranteed, so the Jets are off the hook for that amount.
AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Payton, Pats
After losing Julian Edelman for several weeks, the Patriots appear to have dodged a bullet with fellow receiver Danny Amendola. Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com writes that Amendola has a knee sprain that will limit his ability to practice this week, but he’s not expected to miss much action, and could play in Week 12 vs. the Broncos. The same can’t be said for Aaron Dobson, who is expected to miss that Denver game, and perhaps more than that, so the Pats will be hoping for a quick recovery from Amendola.
Here’s more from around the AFC East:
- There will be a wide field of worthy candidates for the Dolphins to consider when they search for a permanent head coach this winter, but “none look as attractive or experienced” as Sean Payton, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, who says Dolphins owner Stephen Ross needs to go hard after the Saints’ head coach.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick is the best option right now for a Jets organization that has been searching for a strong young quarterback for years, Manish Mehta of the Daily News writes. Fitzpatrick might be flawed, but he gives Gang Green the best chance to make the postseason. Geno Smith, he feels, is is a far inferior option.
- The Patriots opted to keep defensive tackle Chris Jones and linebacker Dane Fletcher on the PUP list rather than activating them, as Rich Garven of The Providence Journal writes. The two veterans both seem to be healthy, but the Pats just couldn’t carve out space for them.
- The Dolphins worked out defensive backs Dax Swanson, Brandon McGee, Dewey McDonald, and Jeremy Harris, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
Peyton Manning Out For At Least Two More Weeks
Peyton Manning is expected to miss at least the next two weeks as he continues his recovery from a plantar fascia tear, as Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com writes. Manning will spend at least the next week in a walking cast before beginning additional rehabilitation.
“Peyton and I had a good visit today, and we’ve got a plan in place for his recovery,” head coach Gary Kubiak said. “His foot will be in a cast for at least a week, but he’ll be able to be part of meetings and do some workouts with the rest of the team. We expect him to be unavailable for at least a couple of games. We’ll proceed from there and will continue to support him as he does everything he can to get healthy.”
Manning became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yardage in his Week 10 start, but the milestone was the lone bright spot in a dreadful performance that included four interceptions and just five completions on 20 passing attempts. Frankly, Manning hasn’t looked right for most of the 2015 season, and he has also been dealing with a rib issue. With Manning ailing, the Broncos will continue to ride with backup Brock Osweiler.
Osweiler, 25, has an opportunity to boost his stock on the open market this winter, since the former second-round pick is in a contract year. More immediately, Osweiler will be tasked with keeping the Broncos atop the AFC West. If Manning’s injury keeps him out for an extended period, he could conceivably be Denver’s playoff starter.
The Broncos are also expected to expected to work out former Vikings starter Christian Ponder on Wednesday, per the report.
Lions’ Darius Slay Wants Contract Extension
Lions cornerback Darius Slay having a heck of a year and it sounds like he wants to continue this level of play in Honolulu blue. When asked if he’d be open to signing an extension with Detroit this offseason, Slay did not hesitate.
“I mean, of course,” Slay said, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “Who wouldn’t? I’d be loving that. But I’m going to let the people upstairs handle that business and I’m just going to handle what I can control.”
NFL teams are allowed to start discussing contract extensions with 2013 draft picks this offseason and the Lions are likely anxious to get talks underway with their 2013 second-round choice out of Mississippi State. Slay has 35 tackles, nine pass breakups and one interception in ten games, and according to Pro Football Focus, has allowed just 15 yards receiving the last three weeks. All in all, he has been one of the league’s best corners in 2015.
In addition to Slay, the Lions figure to address the futures of defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (first round), guard Larry Warford (third), punter Sam Martin (fifth), and running back Theo Riddick (sixth) this offseason.
Workout Notes: Hunter, Housler, Mitchell
Running back Kendall Hunter has been a busy man as of late and his most recent audition came with the Jets on Tuesday, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets. Hunter has also worked out for the Jaguars, Seahawks, and Patriots within the last month. Hunter, who has seen his NFL career derailed by injuries in recent years, was removed from San Francisco’s injured reserve list in September with a settlement, making him a free agent.
Here’s a rundown of the rest of Tuesday’s auditions:
- Tight end Rob Housler and defensive lineman Tim Jamison also worked out for the Jets, per Costello.
- The Bills tried out defensive tackles Kelcy Quarles and Toby Johnson on Tuesday, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Packers worked out cornerback Terrance Mitchell, a source tells Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The ex-Oregon player was on the Bears’ practice squad prior to his release last week.
- The Chiefs worked out former Pats defensive back Dewey McDonald over the weekend, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Raiders worked out defensive end Glenn Foster, defensive end Gerald Rivers, defensive lineman Greg Scruggs, defensive lineman Davon Walls, and linebacker Tony Washington, Wilson tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/24/15
Tuesday’s minor signings and cuts from around the NFL:
- The Seahawks are bringing back running back Bryce Brown, a source tells Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Brown will give Seattle additional depth at the position given Marshawn Lynch‘s uncertain status. Head coach Pete Carroll indicated that Lynch was unlikely to go this week, so Brown’s return is not an indication of whether Lynch will undergo surgery.
- The Seahawks also signed wide receiver B.J. Daniels to the active roster, as Brady Henderson of ESPN Seattle tweets.
- The Raiders cut linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Armstrong got in hot water earlier this month for taunting a police dog in Pittsburgh.
- The Eagles signed wide receiver Jonathan Krause from the practice squad and released linebacker Emmanuel Acho, as Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com tweets.
- The Jets announced that they have signed outside linebacker Josh Martin off the Colts‘ practice squad to their active roster. Martin got his start as a UDFA with Kansas City in 2013 before moving on to the Bucs this season. After he was waived/injured by Tampa Bay, the Colts scooped him up soon after. For his career Martin has played in 21 games (one start) with a half-sack, a forced fumble and 28 tackles, all with the Chiefs.
- The Dolphins have waived cornerback Zackary Bowman, as Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel tweets.
- The Seahawks have waived defensive lineman A.J. Francis, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets.
LaRon Landry Suspended Indefinitely
Safety LaRon Landry has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Landry just got done serving a ten-game suspension for his second violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. There’s no official word yet on Landry’s latest infraction, but one has to imagine that it has to do with PEDs.
Landry, 31, signed a four-year deal with the Colts in 2013, which guaranteed him $11MM in his first season. However, his two seasons in Indianapolis were marred by injuries, underwhelming play, and a PED suspension which cost him four games in 2014. The former sixth overall pick has played in 103 career games with 97 starts over the course of eight seasons. In 2012 while with the Jets, Landry made his first (and, to date, only) Pro Bowl.
Due to his previous suspension, Landry has been without a team all year long. Now, it’s not clear if he’ll ever be with an NFL team again.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/24/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL, with any further moves added to the list throughout the day:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE D.J. Tialavea (press release via team)
- Cut: TE Marcel Jensen
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DL Jerel Worthy (Twitter link via Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News)
- Cut: LB Kevin Riddick
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Reese Dismukes (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer)
- Cut: T Pierce Burton (Twitter link via Person)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Danny Mason, QB Justin Worley (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times)
Houston Texans
- Signed: C Dalton Freeman, OLB Gerald Rivers (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: QB Zac Dysert
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T John Wetzel (Twitter link via Matt Conti of Colts)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Kevin Snyder (link via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Tyler Slavin (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports), RB DuJuan Harris (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com)
- Placed on PS-IR: OL Terry Poole (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times)