NFC Notes: Elliott, Reed, Saints
As we get prepared for the first slate of Sunday games in 2017, let’s take a quick swing around the NFC:
- Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott was granted a temporary restraining order against the NFL, thereby putting his six-game suspension on hold and allowing him to be available for the remainder of the season while his case is sorted out. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the NFL is considering appealing that restraining order and is still discussing the matter with its attorneys.
- The toe injury that has been ailing Redskins TE Jordan Reed is actually a fracture in his big toe that impacts the way he runs, and he will be battling that injury for at least the early part of the season, as Rapoport writes. Reed is one of the most talented tight ends in the league, but he has yet to play a full 16-game season.
- The Eagles have returned the 2019 seventh-round selection they received from the Saints in the Jon Dorenbos trade in light of Dorenbos’ need for heart surgery and his release from New Orleans via injury settlement, as Howard Eskin of 94 WIP reports (via Twitter).
- Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro is eligible for unrestricted free agency next offseason, but Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune does not expect the two sides to agree to an extension during the season. He still believes they will reach a long-term deal at some point next year, but as Vaccaro’s value is up for debate, the team may prefer to see how he performs in 2017 before making a big commitment to him.
- Rams head coach Sean McVay was a key figure in getting star DT Aaron Donald to end his holdout, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Rather than traveling with the team to Green Bay for the Rams’ final preseason game, McVay went to Atlanta with Rams executives to meet with Donald’s representatives, and his presence underscored how important Donald was to McVay and to Los Angeles. It also helped to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
- Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com believes the Lions will wait to see if any of their young talent along the defensive line breaks out before going after an established veteran. Detroit’s pass rush is currently suspect at best, but the team could be hesitant to make a move until next week because if a veteran signs before the first game, his salary is guaranteed for the year. Plus, it’s not as though the free agent market is currently brimming with DL talent, as former Lions Wallace Gilberry and Darryl Tapp are among the best players available.
Latest On Aaron Donald’s Rams Status
Aaron Donald will miss Sunday’s Colts game after reporting to the Rams on Saturday, and it’s not a lock the All-Pro defender returns for Week 2 against the Redskins. The Rams won’t automatically redeploy Donald until he’s ready, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reports. Although it would be borderline shocking if Donald missed three games, he does have barely a week to integrate into Wade Phillips‘ 3-4 system if he wants to suit up for Week 2.
Smith notes the Rams are prepared to sit Donald in Weeks 2 and 3 if it comes to that, whatever amount of time he needs to get up to speed. Regardless if he plays or not, the Rams will be paying him his $106K-plus game checks, per Smith, who adds that stipulation was a key factor in Donald reporting. The Rams travel to face the 49ers for a Thursday-night game in Week 3, and Smith writes it’s not out of the question it takes until Week 4 — a road trip to Dallas — before Rams fans see Donald back in uniform.
However, the 26-year-old dynamo stayed in shape while working out in Pittsburgh, per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com, who does not expect Donald’s acclimation process to Phillips’ scheme to take long. He expects the fourth-year star on the field in Week 2.
Here’s the latest coming out of Los Angeles on the Donald front.
- The Rams asked the NFL for a roster exemption to add Donald today and not to have to cut anyone in doing so, thus having a 54-man team — per Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register, on Twitter. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets the Rams received the exemption, and Donald is on board as the team’s 54th player. Los Angeles will need to make a roster move after Week 1 to trim the active unit down to 53.
- Still holding the leverage, the Rams did not relent in the Donald impasse. Gonzalez noted earlier this week the team understands a Donald extension will need to make him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player, but Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News notes (on Twitter) the team has a limit to how far it will go. Making Donald the league’s richest defender will mean the Rams will have to approach or surpass the $20MM-AAV barrier.
- A Donald deal occurring soon should make him the league’s first defender to secure a $20MM-per-year pact with $50MM fully guaranteed at signing, Joel Corry of CBS Sports tweets. Von Miller and Ndamukong Suh are the league’s only $19MM-AAV defenders, and Donald being two years younger than Miller would stand to raise the ceiling. And Corry doesn’t believe the regular season starting closes the window (Twitter link). The Rams signed both Robert Quinn and Michael Brockers shortly after their respective 2014 and 2016 seasons began. Both Quinn and Brockers signed their extensions between Weeks 1-2. The 2017 Rams, though, hold the least amount of cap space in football.
- The Rams agreeing to waive Donald’s fines — which would have approached $1.5MM, or nearly his entire 2017 base salary — represents a win for the all-world interior defender, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. While both Odell Beckham and Khalil Mack attended their teams’ training camps as top-tier members of the 2014 first round, each suffered an injury. And Beckham is questionable to play for the Giants on Sunday night. Florio expects Donald, barring a 2017 extension, to consider taking the same approach next year as a result of his team’s actions. Florio also anticipates members of the 2015 first round who don’t receive extensions prior to their fourth training camps to consider following Donald’s lead.
Aaron Donald Reports To Rams
Aaron Donald reported to the Rams on Saturday and passed a physical, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter).
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets the All-Pro defensive lineman will not play on Sunday against the Colts, and Florio adds (via Twitter) Donald may not be ready to play in Week 2.
The Rams waived all fines (up to $1.48MM) that could have been levied against Donald for missing more than a month’s worth of practices throughout the preseason, Florio tweets, adding that he’ll now be paid for Week 1 as well. Donald reporting Saturday also prevented missing out on a forfeiture of a signing bonus payment of $711K, Florio notes.
This progress display from both sides does not mean an extension agreement’s occurred. Schefter notes (on Twitter) no such accord’s been reached, but the Rams and Donald will keep trying as he enters his fourth season — and first of extension eligibility. Essentially, Donald lost no significant money for missing out on six-plus weeks’ worth of work and in training independently incurred less risk of an injury that would have potentially damaged his value.
The 26-year-old Donald is under Rams contract for two more seasons but will only make $1.8MM in base salary this year. The incredibly team-friendly agreement induced the holdout, but Donald will now no longer risk losing $106K weekly by being absent from the team. He spent this week on the east coast after speaking with Rams management about an extension in Atlanta last week. After said meeting, a Donald deal — which the Rams understand will need to set a new standard for a defensive player — was “not close.”
Sunday’s game against the Colts in Los Angeles will feature much less star power than it would have under optimal circumstances, with Andrew Luck out as well.
Donald will now begin work in Wade Phillips‘ new 3-4 scheme, which calls for the 6-foot-1 superstar to play defensive end when the Rams deploy base sets. He’s lined up at three technique since emerging as a force his rookie season, and while he still stands to play at that spot frequently, there’s likely some systemic intel to absorb before he makes his 2017 debut in either Week 2 (against the Redskins) or Week 3 (against the 49ers).
West Notes: Raiders, Mahomes, Donald, Bolts
The Raiders decided to place second-round pick Obi Melifonwu on IR earlier this week, but the team is not counting on the safety missing his entire rookie season. Melifonwu is expected to return after eight weeks and be one of Oakland’s two IR-DTR players, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The UConn product is recovering from knee surgery and will use the season’s first two months to rehab. The Raiders have seen their top two draft picks struggle to see the field due to injuries thus far; Gareon Conley missed most of Oakland’s preseason work due to a shin malady. Both are eyed as contributors in a secondary that struggled throughout 2016.
Here’s the latest coming out of the West divisions before the defending AFC West champion Chiefs debut against the Super Bowl champion Patriots.
- For now, new Cardinals guard Alex Boone will serve as a backup. “He’s just learning,” coach Bruce Arians told reporters (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com). “We’ll see. Right now, it’d probably have to be an injury or someone really fail badly. … We’ll see. Right now, it’d probably have to be an injury or someone really fail badly.” Boone started for five straight seasons, lining up as a first-teamer for the 49ers and Vikings.
- Despite Patrick Mahomes‘ impressive preseason, the Chiefs‘ plan remains to shelve the rookie quarterback throughout the 2017 season, Rapoport notes (video link). Rapoport also said the possibility of Mahomes sitting to start next season remains in play, adding the team drafted the Texas Tech product knowing he’d be a one- or two-year project. Rapoport adds the Chiefs believed Mahomes was the draft’s best quarterback and they thought four teams would pull the trigger to select him had they not made the trade up to No. 10. Alex Smith‘s contract may also dictate the franchise’s decision. The Chiefs can save $17MM by moving on from their longtime starter after this season, but it’s clear they see a firm line between Smith and Mahomes’ present readiness levels.
- Chargers rookie Mike Williams is now off the PUP list but has yet to resume running routes full speed, Anthony Lynn said (via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk). Recovering from a back injury, Williams has resumed catching passes. Rapoport reported the first-round pick’s likely return date will be in October.
- If the Rams are going to sign Aaron Donald to an extension, the deal will have to make the defensive lineman the NFL’s highest-paid defender. Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com writes the team understands this. Von Miller‘s six-year, $114.6MM contract represents that standard presently, and Ndamukong Suh‘s six-year, $114MM Dolphins deal is the high-water mark for interior defenders. Los Angeles is not expected to have Donald this week as his holdout stretches into Month 3.
- Sebastian Janikowski‘s small pay cut — from $4MM to $3MM this season — induced Rapoport to suggest this adjustment would free up space for a potential Donald Penn payment (Twitter link). The Raiders left tackle recently returned to the team and is entering the final year of his contract, but it’s clear the 34-year-old blocker is not exactly a content employee.
NFC Notes: Rams, Donald, Falcons
No surprise here, but Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is expected to miss Sunday’s season opener against Indianapolis as he continues his holdout, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Donald is presently at home with his family on the east coast and the two sides are not close to an agreement.
Holdouts typically do not drag into the regular season, but Donald has less to lose by staying home than other players fighting for a better contract. Le’Veon Bell, in theory, could have tried to drum up leverage by taking his holdout into mid-September, but that would have meant forfeiting game checks on a $12.12MM salary. Donald, meanwhile, is slated to earn only a fraction of that – $3.225MM – in 2017.
While we wait to see how things shake out between Donald and the Rams, let’s take a look at more news from the NFC:
- The Falcons converted $1MM of center Alex Mack‘s $6.75MM base salary into a signing bonus, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The move creates $750K of cap space for the current season. The Falcons are near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space this year, so every bit of flexibility will help them.
- Cardinals punter Andy Lee‘s new contract calls for base salaries of $1MM per year in 2017 and 2018, Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM tweets. Arizona is hoping that Lee, 35, will help to turn around one of the league’s poorest punting units from 2016.
- The Bears auditioned eight players on Wednesday, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune: wide receivers Mario Alford, Montay Crockett, Frankie Hammond, and Darreus Rogers were joined by defensive backs Dante Blackmon, Alex Carter, Brian Dixon, and Damian Swann. While Hammond and Dixon have played in the most NFL games, Carter might the most notable name on the list. A third-round pick of Detroit only two years ago, Carter has been limited by injuries and poor play and has only appeared in one pro contest.
- The Cardinals worked out running back Darius Victor on Wednesday, according to Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link), who reports Victor has another audition on Monday for an unidentified team. Victor, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Towson, spent a month on New Orleans’ roster earlier this summer but was waived during final cutdowns. He’s likely a candidate for Arizona’s practice squad.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Latest On Aaron Donald, Rams
As of now, it looks like neither the Colts nor Rams will have their best players available to them Sunday. Andrew Luck already being ruled out may precede the Rams making a similar announcement regarding Aaron Donald‘s status.
The All-Pro defensive lineman is currently back home on the east coast, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport noting (on Twitter) both sides tried to reach an agreement but remain apart. The Rams will conduct their first game-week practice of the season Wednesday, and that workout won’t include Donald, further pointing to the dominant defender missing Week 1.
Donald and the Rams met last week but were “not close” to an extension agreement. Sean McVay did not declare a deadline for Donald reporting and being given a green light to suit up for Week 1, but the superstar interior defender would have a harder time immediately resuming game action this season compared to in years past.
Wade Phillips‘ new defensive scheme calls for the all-world three technique to play defensive end in base sets. While Donald would be a welcome addition and help Los Angeles’ cause, it wouldn’t be a seamless transition like it would have been had this scenario played out a year ago.
The Rams have Donald under team control through 2018 for roughly $10MM, and this setup has created rumors of Donald continuing his holdout well into the season — despite the prospect of missing out on game checks.
West Notes: Ward, Donald, Hawks, Schofield
John Elway spoke with T.J. Ward‘s agent earlier this summer and informed him the team did not intend to sign the veteran safety to an extension, with the GM telling media (including Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post) a Ward re-up was not in the team’s plans “at that point of time.” The Broncos made Ward one of the highest-profile cuts of the roster-slashing weekend, but Jhabvala reports the team did not come to a decision on Ward until last week. The rise of second-year safeties Justin Simmons and Will Parks, along with Ward’s injury history, played a role in the departure.
Citing a lack of clarity during the process, Ward on Monday called the Broncos “completely unprofessional” regarding the separation. The divorce came with one season remaining on the 30-year-old defender’s four-year contract. The eighth-year safety will earn up to $5MM with the Buccaneers this season. Ward missed all of Denver’s preseason games with a hamstring injury and missed six games due to injury in three Broncos campaigns — two of which producing Pro Bowls. Mike Klis of 9News described the process as Simmons — a 2016 third-round pick who served as Denver’s third safety last season — Wally Pipp’ing Ward (Twitter link). Klis notes Elway gave Ward “every chance” to make this year’s team.
Here’s the latest from the West divisions, shifting to Seattle, which just made the biggest trade in a week full of them.
- The injury to rookie Malik McDowell prompted the Seahawks to trade for Sheldon Richardson, Pete Carroll said, via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta (on Twitter). Currently on the NFI list, McDowell does not have a timetable for a return, Condotta adds (via Twitter). Carroll said the team could still look to add another defensive tackle (Twitter link, via Condotta).
- Richardson will play the three-technique position in the Seahawks’ 4-3 scheme, the fifth-year defensive lineman said Monday (via Condotta, on Twitter). He will line up inside of Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, giving the Seahawks one of the most talented defensive fronts in football. Richardson primarily played 3-4 defensive end with the Jets but also saw time at outside linebacker. He played 4-3 defensive tackle at the University of Missouri, though.
- Aaron Donald remains a holdout as the Rams begin their Week 1 preparations, but Sean McVay won’t impose a deadline on how late the All-Pro defensive lineman can report to the team and still play Sunday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. Rams reps flew to Atlanta to meet with Donald, but the sides reportedly aren’t close to a deal. Gonzalez adds McVay nonetheless remains “optimistic” about a solution.
- A two-position starter for the Broncos during the past two seasons, Michael Schofield attracted widespread interest on the waiver wire. The Chargers won out due to their position in the waiver hierarchy, but the Lions, Redskins, Vikings and Saints also put in claims on the fourth-year guard/tackle, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. A 2014 third-rounder, Schofield started for the Broncos at right tackle during their Super Bowl season and lined up at right guard throughout 2016. While Denver didn’t sport particularly effective O-lines during those seasons, Schofield clearly has believers out there.
- Speaking of waivers, the Seahawks hoped they’d have a chance to stash wide receiver Kasen Williams on their practice squad, Carroll said (via Condotta, on Twitter), but the Browns swooped in with a claim. The Seahawks will move on without Williams and Jermaine Kearse, traded to the Jets in the Richardson deal. Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett are now Seattle’s top complementary wideouts, and Lockett (per Condotta, on Twitter) is expected to play in Week 1 after breaking his fibula late last season.
Rams, Aaron Donald “Not Close” To Deal
Although Rams brass met with Aaron Donald‘s camp earlier this week, the two sides are “not close” on a new deal, sources tell Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Donald’s staged holdout has now passed the one-month mark, and there’s apparently no end in sight. With the regular season staring next week, Donald is extremely likely to miss games, something that Rams general manager Les Snead recently admitted. Los Angeles opens the season against the Colts on September 10, and then faces the Redskins, 49ers, and Cowboys.
Los Angeles had indeed discussed a new deal for Donald, but “little progress” has been made in negotiations. Asking price is surely the primary issue in talks, but the Rams’ level of team control over Donald means the club has little incentive to rush discussions. Donald is under contract through 2018 at a total cost of roughly $10MM thanks to the fifth-year option, and the Rams can then deploy the franchise tag in 2019.
That’s not to presume that Donald hasn’t outplayed his contact, a fact with which the Rams agree. Donald, 26, has been absolutely dominant since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2014. A two-time All-Pro, Donald has managed 28 sacks during his three years in the NFL, an astonishing total for a defensive tackle. Donald, who played 828 snaps a season ago, graded as the league’s No. 1 interior defender, according to Pro Football Focus, which awarded him a 99.0 mark for his pass-rushing prowess.
Rams Meet With Aaron Donald’s Camp
Aaron Donald‘s holdout is ongoing, but the Rams are working to bring it to an end. Team brass flew to Atlanta on Wednesday for an in-person meeting with Donald’s representatives, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Recently, Rams general manager Les Snead admitted that Donald is unlikely to be in uniform for the team’s opener against the Colts on Sept. 10 if he does not end his holdout this week. Snead said the team has tried to “come up with creative scenarios” regarding Donald’s contract, but refused to get into specifics on the negotiations.
Donald, 26, is slated to earn $3.225MM in 2017 and $6.892MM in 2018 through the fifth-year option. It’s not exactly chump change, but Donald is willing to miss game checks and take his holdout into the regular season, if necessary.
Donald may be looking for a deal that tops Ndamukong Suh‘s six-year, $114MM pact, making him the league’s highest paid defensive tackle. The Rams, meanwhile, want to avoid setting a bad precedent by caving into a holdout. Because Donald is such an exceptional talent, L.A. might be able to make an exception in this case without setting the wrong tone for others down the road.
NFC Notes: Donald, Brees, Elliott
It’s “probably a safe assumption” the Rams will play their Sept. 10 season opener without defensive tackle Aaron Donald if he doesn’t end his holdout this week, general manager Les Snead told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com and other reporters Tuesday (Twitter links here). The executive added that the Rams have tried to “come up with creative scenarios” regarding Donald’s contract in their negotiations with the back-to-back first-team All-Pro. Snead otherwise didn’t have much to offer regarding Donald, admitting that he doesn’t know if the 26-year-old will report without having received a new deal. As of now, it appears the Rams will at least go without Donald when they take on the Colts in Week 1.
The latest on a couple other NFC franchises:
- Saints quarterback Drew Brees said Tuesday that he texted “Wow” to agent Tom Condon after Lions signal-caller Matthew Stafford signed a five-year, $135MM extension Monday (via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com). Stafford’s deal will pay him $27MM per year – a figure the highly accomplished Brees could rival when he signs a new pact in the next eight months or so. Of course, the 38-year-old Brees’ age will prevent him from approaching Stafford’s pact in length or total value. Brees, who’s on the one-year, $24.25MM extension he signed last summer, has indicated that he won’t worry about his next contract until after the season.
- Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott‘s appeal hearing with the NFL regarding his six-game suspension will last through Thursday, Adam Schefter reports (Twitter links). Final briefs are due Friday, notes the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, who adds that a ruling probably won’t come until next week.
- Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux is likely to begin the season on injured reserve and come off IR later in the year, Herbie Teope of NOLA.com writes. Breaux, who fractured his fibula in mid-August, won’t be eligible to return until Week 9 if he does head to IR. Teams are allowed to designate two players to return from IR during the season. Meanwhile, it’s possible left tackle Terron Armstead will avoid spending the first six weeks of the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list because he “might be ready earlier” than that time frame, head coach Sean Payton said Tuesday. Armstead went down with a torn labrum in mid-June and is currently on the active/PUP list.