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Asa Jackson

Giants Claim Asa Jackson, Louis Nix

September 6th, 2015 at 11:49am CST by Luke Adams

The Giants have been awarded a pair of defensive players on waivers, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the club has claimed former Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson and ex-Texans defensive tackle Louis Nix.

Jackson, 25, saw his first stretch of extended playing time on defense last season in Baltimore, when the Ravens’ secondary was decimated by injuries. Jackson started six games and allowed a quarterback rating of 106.6 on passes thrown into his coverage, per Pro Football Focus.

As for Nix, he was selected in the third round of the 2014 draft, but never saw regular season action for the team, having spent the majority of his rookie campaign on injured reserve.

The Giants will have to cut a pair of players as part of today’s transactions to accommodate the incoming additions.

Ravens Finalize 53-Man Roster

September 5th, 2015 at 3:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

After making five moves on Friday, the Ravens completed the annual process of determining a 53-man roster by cutting 15 more players, Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com reports.

Among those released is cornerback Cassius Vaughn, who started 23 games in five seasons with the Broncos and Colts. The team waived/injured defensive linemen DeAngelo Tyson and Micajah Reynolds and sent rookie outside linebacker Zach Thompson to injured reserve.

The additional cuts are as follows:

  • OLB Brennen Beyer
  • WR Jeremy Butler
  • CB Asa Jackson
  • G Kaleb Johnson
  • OL Jah Reid
  • RB Terrence Magee
  • G Robert Myers
  • S Nick Perry
  • QB Bryn Renner
  • TE Konrad Reuland
  • FB Kiero Small
  • RB Fitzgerald Toussaint

 

North Notes: A.J. Green, K. Moore, Broyles

August 30th, 2015 at 12:08pm CST by Rory Parks

Four elite wide receivers–Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Julio Jones, and A.J. Green–entered this offseason hoping to sign lucrative extensions with their respective clubs. After Jones inked a five-year extension with Atlanta yesterday, Green is the only member of that group still looking for a long-term deal that will guarantee him $40-50MM and allow him to avoid the possibility of the franchise tag next year. Green didn’t have much to say on how the Jones deal will impact him personally, but per Paul Dehner, Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Green just got one step closer to his own big payday from the Bengals.

“We will see,” Green said. “If it happens, it happens. If it don’t I’ll go out there and play. We’ll see. All the receivers are getting bank so we will see if I get there.”

Now for some more links from the league’s north divisions:

  • In a pair of tweets, Dehner openly wonders how the Bengals will resolve their defensive line situation. At the moment, Cincinnati has 14 defensive linemen on the roster, and Dehner wonders if the team will keep as many as 10–which would be an extraordinarily high number–and if someone like Margus Hunt could get cut. The Bengals could also seek to trade some of their D-line depth.
  • The Ravens entered training camp looking for someone to step up and seize the return specialist job after the team parted ways with Jacoby Jones this offseason. Asa Jackson has gotten the most opportunities to do so, but as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun writes, Jackson had an uneven game against Washington last night, returning a kickoff 103 yards to the Washington 2-yard line but also fumbling away a punt he had no business fielding. Head coach John Harbaugh said he still can’t handicap the return man competition.
  • With injuries to promising young players Breshad Perriman and Michael Campanaro keeping them out of action, Bo Smolka of CSNBaltimore.com writes that the Ravens are still looking for someone to grab the No. 2 receiver spot behind Steve Smith, Sr. Players like Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown have not been especially impressive in the preseason, which probably explains why the team was linked to veteran wideouts last week.
  • Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune writes that last night’s preseason debacle against Cleveland proves just how thin the Bears‘ roster really is. He notes that the team will be flush with salary cap room after the 2015 season but will have too many holes to fill to rely on free agency. Biggs says the Bears’ only option is to draft their way out of their current predicament, and that it will take two or three strong draft classes to do so.
  • When the Lions signed quarterback Kellen Moore to a two-year extension this offseason, they hoped he would take another step forward in his development, challenging for and potentially winning the backup quarterback job. Instead, as Justin Rogers of MLive.com writes, Moore has been outplayed by veteran Dan Orlovsky and is now in danger of being cut.
  • Kyle Meinke of MLive.com believes Ryan Broyles is one of the tough cuts the Lions will be forced to make this week.

 

Ravens Place Jackson, Brooks On IR

December 16th, 2014 at 1:40pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 1:40pm: The Ravens have officially placed Jackson on their injured reserve list, along with fellow defensive back Terrence Brooks, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The team promoted offensive lineman Ryan Jensen from their practice squad, so there should be on open spot left on the 53-man roster.

MONDAY, 3:29pm: The Ravens’ secondary took yet another hit this weekend, as head coach John Harbaugh announced today that cornerback Asa Jackson will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury (Twitter link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), Jackson suffered a PCL injury with a five-week recovery period, so Baltimore will bring in a healthy replacement as the team pushes for a playoff berth.

It’s the second major injury of the season for Jackson, who was placed on IR once already this year, with the designation to return, due to a foot issue. For the Ravens, it’s just the latest in a string of season-ending injuries for defensive backs. Jimmy Smith, Danny Gorrer, Aaron Ross, and Tramain Jacobs are among the one-time members of the team’s secondary that currently find themselves on the injured reserve list.

With Jackson heading to IR, the Ravens will be on the lookout for cornerback help, Harbaugh said today (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun). The club doesn’t currently have a defensive back on its practice squad, so signing a free agent – or poaching a corner from another team’s taxi squad – looks like the next move.

Injury Updates: Sunday

December 14th, 2014 at 9:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

We’ll keep track of the latest injury news here, with the newest updates added to the top of the list…

  • Lions‘ right tackle LaAdrian Waddle left today’s game with a right knee injury, according to Josh Katzenstein of DetroitNews.com. Waddle’s teammates were not optimistic about the injury, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN (via Twitter).
  • Seahawks‘ left tackle Russell Okung was forced out of the matchup with the 49ers before halftime with a chest injury, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).
  • The 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention earlier today, and were down to their third string running back at times. We heard that Frank Gore was knocked out of the game with a head injury, which was diagnosed as a concussion, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter).
  • Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy hyperextended his knee, an injury that could end his season, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. With no chance of playoffs and the 2015 top pick in their grasp, keeping McCoy on the sidelines for the final two games could be the smart long-term decision for the team.
  • Washington lost two starters earlier today, with left tackle Trent Williams and quarterback Colt McCoy both leaving the game and not returning, reports Tarik-El Bashir of CSNWashington.com. Williams suffered a shoulder injury, while McCoy aggravated his neck during the game.

Earlier updates:

  • After having his right ankle taped during the first half of today’s game against the Broncos, Chargers receiver Keenan Allen had to be carted off the field during the second half, tweets Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. It’s unclear whether Allen re-aggravated his ankle ailment, or suffered a new injury.
  • Texans quarterback Tom Savage was limping after today’s game against the Colts, and will have an MRI tomorrow, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Savage, selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft, was filling in for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is likely lost for the year. If Savage can’t go next week, Houston would presumably turn to journeyman Thad Lewis, who was signed less than a month ago.
  • 49ers running back Frank Gore is headed to the locker room after suffering an head injury while blocking in today’s game against the Seahawks, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link).
  • The Ravens’ secondary has been ravaged by injuries this season, and it appears as though they’ve lost a few more key defenders. Rookie safety Terrence Brooks‘ season is over after he suffered damage to his PCL and possibly his MCL on a kickoff today, while cornberback Asa Jackson‘s status is unclear after he injured his PCL, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Another AFC North team is down several players in its defensive backfield, as Browns corners Joe Haden (shoulder) and Joe Haden (concussion) were forced from today’s game against the Bengals, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
  • Starting in the absence of an injured Zach Mettenberger, Titans quarterback Jake Locker suffered what appears to a shoulder injury after taking a hit from the Jets’ Quinton Coples, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Charlie Whitehurst has taken over at QB for Tennessee.

Minor Moves: Saturday

December 6th, 2014 at 4:40pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are Saturday’s minor moves, with the most recent transactions added to the top of the list:

  • Washington has placed cornerback Chase Minnifield on injured reserve, reports Mike Jones of the Washington Post (via Twitter). The team promoted defensive back Kenny Okoro to the 53-man roster.
  • The Seahawks have promoted wide receiver Chris Matthews from their practice squad to the active roster, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).
  • The Steelers have activated outside linebacker Jarvis Jones off the injured reserve-designated to return, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The team placed cornerback Cortez Allen on injured reserve to make room for Jones.
  • The Patriots have activated defensive tackle Sealver Siliga from the injured reserve-designated to return, reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Siliga will join the active roster in time for the Sunday Night matchup against the Chargers tomorrow.

Earlier Updates

  • The Broncos‘ kicking carousel continues, as Mike Klis of the Denver Post tweets that the team has promoted kicker Brandon McManus from the practice squad. The former undrafted free agent made his NFL debut with Denver earlier this season, connecting on nine of his 13 attempts. To make room, the team waived returner Isaiah Burse.
  • The Giants have signed linebacker/defensive end Paul Hazel from their practice squad, tweets ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. The 24-year-old appeared in 13 games with the Browns last season. To make room on the roster, the team released defensive tackle Dominique Hamilton.
  • Washington has promoted linebacker Gabe Miller from their practice squad to the 53-man roster, according to agent Brett Tessler (via Twitter). A fifth-round pick in the 2011 draft, the 27-year-old finally made his NFL debut earlier this season. To make room on the roster, the team cut third-year wideout Aldrick Robinson (via ESPN’s John Keim on Twitter). Robinson signed a one-year deal with Washington following a solid 2013 campaign, but he hasn’t seen the field since Week 5.
  • The Ravens have activated cornerback Asa Jackson from the injured reserve, tweets ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. The former fifth-rounder started four games earlier this season before succumbing to a foot injury. The team also placed undrafted rookie Tramain Jacobs on the injured reserve.

AFC North Notes: Rice, Bishop, Cribbs, Ravens

December 3rd, 2014 at 7:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this week, Janay Rice told NBC that she was following a suggested script from the Ravens at her May 23 press conference alongisde Ray Rice. Tonight, the Ravens issued a statement denying the accusation, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. “At no time prior to the May 23 session did we provide talking points, a script or suggested script to Janay or speak with her about the press event. We did not recommend or suggest to Ray or Janay that she apologize in any way,” Ravens senior V.P. of public and community relations Kevin Byrne said in the release. More from the AFC North..

  • The Bengals signed linebacker Chris Carter after auditioning both Carter and fellow linebacker Desmond Bishop, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Arizona released the veteran on Monday afternoon in anticipation of Matt Shaughnessy‘s return. Bishop’s best years were with the Packers in 2010 and 2011 when he recorded more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years.
  • Colts returner Josh Cribbs said it definitely bothered him that the Browns, despite struggling so much on punt returns, would not sign him, tweets Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-journal. “It ate me up,” the veteran said.
  • Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson is hopeful that he’ll be able to return from the IR-DTR in time for Sunday’s tilt against the Dolphins, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “I’ve been working so long to get this foot back right,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, it will be good the rest of the week and I don’t have any setbacks and then it will be up to the coaches at the end of the week. Everything is directed toward Sunday. That’s what I’m working for.“

Ravens Re-Sign Dominique Franks

October 8th, 2014 at 9:25am CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 9:25am: The Ravens have formally confirmed in a press release that they’ve re-signed Franks and placed Jackson on IR with the designation to return.

TUESDAY, 1:30pm: In search of cornerback depth, the Ravens will re-sign veteran free agent Dominique Franks, a league source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). Franks was signed this summer by Baltimore, but was let go in the preseason when clubs cut their rosters down to 53 players from 75.

The Ravens had been on the lookout for help in the secondary after Asa Jackson suffered a foot injury on Sunday. Jackson is expected to formally be placed on the injured reserve list with the designation to return this week, meaning the team wouldn’t have to cut a player to make room for Franks on the 53-man roster.

Franks, who turns 27 tomorrow, spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Falcons, contributing on defense, in kick and punt coverage, and occasionally returning punts as well. I wouldn’t expect him to see significant action in Baltimore, but he’ll provide insurance at corner in the event of further injuries to the team’s regulars.

Injury Updates: Monday

October 6th, 2014 at 5:42pm CST by Luke Adams

As is typically the case on Mondays, teams around the NFL are receiving updates on injured players, and while in some instances that news is reassuring, that’s not always the case. Here are a few items related to injuries that may force clubs to make roster moves:

  • As feared, Titans safety Bernard Pollard has a ruptured Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, tweets Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com. While the team has yet to officially make a move, we can expect Pollard to hit IR at some point this week.
  • A pair of Ravens are expected to miss multiple weeks, according to Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com, who writes that cornerback Asa Jackson suffered a severly sprained toe, while defensive end Chris Canty is dealing with an infection in his wrist. Head coach John Harbaugh indicated today that the club’s current plan is to place Jackson on the injured reserve with the designation to return. The team will also look to add a cornerback in his absence, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • Broncos running back Montee Ball suffered a strained groin, and could miss up to three weeks, head coach John Fox said today (Twitter link via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com).
  • The Giants figure to be without running back Rashad Jennings for the near future, as the offseason signee confirmed today that he sustained a sprained MCL (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News). While Jennings should remain on the 53-man roster, the team could bolster the running back position by promoting Michael Cox from the practice squad, notes Vacchiano (via Twitter).
  • The Jets got a scare when linebacker David Harris injured his shoulder, but an MRI showed no structural damage and he’s considered day-to-day, tweets Brian Costello of the New York Post.

AFC North Links: McCarron, Ravens, Archer

August 9th, 2014 at 11:37am CST by Matt Feminis

With one preseason game down, Bengals website editor Geoff Hobson provides a position-by-position roster rundown. Of note, rookie quarterback’s A.J. McCarron’s 2014 prognosis is unknown because of his shoulder issue, and Hobson says “it looks like he’s not coming off PUP anytime soon and that the Bengals think he needs a long rehab.”

Keep reading for more NFC North links…

  • The Ravens’ selection of Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley 17th overall was universally praised, and the rookie is justifying the pick and the praise, writes Aaron Wilson in the Baltimore Sun.
  • Ravens 2013 fifth-rounder Rick Wagner, expected to take over the right tackle job, played well in the team’s first preseason game, according to Wilson, who quoted head coach John Harbaugh: “I think someone wrote it earlier, you don’t notice him much. That’s a good thing for a right tackle, and he seemed like he played that way. And at the end of the day, he was solid and on his targets, and footwork was good. He’s a good, solid football player.”
  • Asa Jackson has taken an early lead over Chykie Brown for the Ravens’ third cornerback job, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. Jackson, 24, is a 5-10, 182-pound third-year pro out of Cal Poly who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. Jackson has a skill set, including ball skills, to cover slot receivers, but he’s yet to play a defensive snap thanks, in large part, two a pair of Adderall-related suspensions totaling 12 games.
  • Steelers veterans are anxious to see rookie Dri Archer put his rare speed on display, writes TribLive.com’s Mark Kaboly. Says Ike Taylor: “He is going to be a matchup problem for a lot of teams. He just has it. Dri just has it. Anytime he touches the ball or anytime you know he’s getting the ball, you kind of stand up and pay attention.”
  • Everyone will be tuning into the Browns-Lions preseason contest to watch Johnny Football, but Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot provides four other things to watch, including the competition for carries between Ben Tate and rookie Terrance West.