Seahawks Promote Austin Davis To QBs Coach
One of Russell Wilson‘s former backups will become his position coach. The Seahawks are promoting Austin Davis to quarterbacks coach, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets.
Davis joined Seattle’s staff last year, spending the 2019 season as an offensive assistant. This will mark a notable rise for the 30-year-old ex-quarterback, who is six months younger than Wilson. Davis had drawn interest from other teams, per Breer, so the Seahawks will elevate him.
The Seahawks will promote their former QBs coach, Dave Canales, to passing-game coordinator, Breer adds. So while Canales will certainly still have significant input, Davis’ influence will grow.
Canales, 38, has been with the Seahawks throughout Pete Carroll‘s tenure, coaching Seattle’s wideouts from 2010-17 and overseeing the QB group for the past two seasons.
Davis was on an NFL roster as recently as last year, when the Titans cut him. He spent over a year with the Seahawks, who signed him in 2017. His most notable NFL work came with the Rams, with whom he started eight games in 2014. But like fellow former backup quarterback Kellen Moore in Dallas, Davis’ star is on the rise as a coach.
Austin Davis Joins Seahawks Staff
The Seahawks recently announced several changes to their coaching staff, and perhaps the most notable was the addition of former NFL quarterback Austin Davis as an offensive assistant. Davis hadn’t formally announced his retirement after being cut by the Titans earlier this month, but it’s now to safe assume he’s ended his playing career.
A 2012 undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi, Davis bounced around during his seven-year career, spending time with the Rams (two stints), Dolphins, Browns, Broncos, Seahawks, and Titans. All told, Davis appeared in 16 total games, with his most significant action coming with St. Louis in 2014. That year, he started eight contests, completing 63.4% of his passes for 2,001 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Last season, Davis was on call at various points for the Titans, signing with the club when fellow quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert suffered injuries. Davis spent the 2017 campaign as Russell Wilson‘s backup in Seattle, and the Seahawks’ coaches were apparently impressed enough by his football acumen to add him to the staff.
In addition to hiring Davis, the Seahawks also promoted Steve Shimko from offensive assistant to assistant quarterbacks coach and hired assistant wide receivers coach Brad Idzik.
Titans Cut QB Austin Davis
The Titans have cut reserve quarterback Austin Davis, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Davis was signed prior to the team’s Week 17 game when Marcus Mariota was sidelined by injury.
Blaine Gabbert wound up starting, and finishing, the Titans’ final game of the season The 33-17 Colts romp vanquished the Titans’ playoff hopes, meaning that Davis never took a snap in Tennessee.
Davis, 30 in June, has 16 career games and ten starts under his belt. He’s 3-7 in those starts, with the bulk of his action coming in 2014 as a member of the Rams. Ex-Rams QBs Nick Foles and Case Keenum found success outside of the organization, but Davis is still waiting for his moment to shine.
In addition to the Rams, Davis has suited up for the Browns and Seahawks. However, he did not take a snap while in Seattle in 2017.
Marcus Mariota’s Week 17 Status Uncertain; Titans To Sign Austin Davis
Going into their do-or-die Week 17 assignment, the Titans are again unsure about the availability of their starting quarterback.
Marcus Mariota was forced out of Saturday’s win over the Redskins with an elbow injury. Although Mike Vrabel said Monday (via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com) this is a stinger and not the same injury that forced Mariota to miss time earlier this season, he did not commit to his starter being ready to face the Colts in the NFL’s 2018 regular-season finale.
The Titans did not provide much information on Mariota’s previous injury, one that did not subside quickly and forced the fourth-year passer to wear a glove on his throwing hand during the season’s first half. Vrabel did say Mariota feels better the Monday after this setback compared to his state following the Week 1 injury.
The team is taking precautions, however, with Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reporting (via Twitter) Austin Davis will sign with Tennessee. This is a similar course of action to the Mariota-related strategy the Titans took in September. Davis signed with the Titans in late September but was released two weeks later. He does not have practice squad eligibility remaining, per McCormick.
Mariota may be limited this week, but Vrabel said that would not stop him from playing. Blaine Gabbert would start if Mariota cannot go.
Titans Release QB Austin Davis, WR Nick Williams
The Titans shuffled their offensive depth chart today. The team announced that they’ve released wide receiver Nick Williams and quarterback Austin Davis. Linebacker Robert Spillane has been promoted from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.
After being released by the Titans in early September, Williams rejoined the organization later that month. The 27-year-old proceeded to appear in a pair of games for Tennessee, returning four punts for 47 yards. He got some action on offense during Sunday’s loss to the Bills, dropping a pass that likely would have resulted in a touchdown.
The former undrafted free agent out of Connecticut has managed to stick around the NFL since 2013, and he hauled in 17 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns with the Falcons in 2015. The move leaves the Titans with only four wideouts on the active roster, and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson will likely resume his role as the primary punt returner.
Davis was brought in last month after backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert was placed into the concussion protocol. The 29-year-old didn’t end up seeing the field during his brief tenure in Tennessee. Davis’ only extended run as a starting quarterback came with the Rams in 2014, when he completed 63.4-percent of his passes for 2,001 yards, 12 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The move leaves the Titans with only a pair of quarterbacks in Gabbert and starter Marcus Mariota.
Spillane, an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan, had spent the first five weeks on the Titans practice squad. He led the team with 25 tackles during the preseason.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/2/18
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Arizona Cardinals
- WR Jordan Leslie (link via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM)
Atlanta Falcons
Cleveland Browns
- LB Junior Sylvestre (link); CBs Sterling Moore, Josh Robinson; K Daniel Carlson, Miles Bergner (link via Caplan)
Denver Broncos
- P Brock Miller (link)
Detroit Lions
- RB Akeem Hunt; C Jake Eldrenkamp; Ts Antonio Garcia, De’Ondre Wesley; G Landon Turner (link)
Green Bay Packers
- LBs Josh Carraway, Aaron Wallace (link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RBs Matthew Dayes, Orleans Darkwa (link via Caplan)
Los Angeles Chargers
- LBs Jonathan Celestin, Tre’von Johnson; P Shane Tripucka; LS Taybor Pepper (link)
Los Angeles Rams
- LB Anthony Winbush; DBs Xavier Coleman, Ranthony Texada; K Kai Forbath
Miami Dolphins
- Gs Austin Davis, J.J. Dielman; Cs Dillon Day, T.J. Johnson, Jon Toth; T Gerhard de Beer; DTs Xavier Cooper, Will Sutton (link)
Minnesota Vikings
- DE Terrence Fede; LB Tyrone Holmes (link)
New England Patriots
- T Andrew Nelson (link)
New Orleans Saints
- G/T Oday Aboushi; Ts Chaz Green, Austin Howard; Gs Jordan Morgan, Isaiah Williams; CBs De’Vante Bausby, Jeremy Boykins, Byron Maxwell (link)
New York Jets
Oakland Raiders
- DEs Damontre Moore, Jacquies Smith; LBs Travis Feeney, Edmond Robinson; K Nick Novak (link via Caplan)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- CB Herb Waters (link)
Seattle Seahawks
- WR Keon Hatcher; DE Hau’oli Kikaha; LB Chris Odom; CB Kalan Reed; Ss Maurice Alexander, Eddie Pleasant, Jeremy Reaves (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- CB Josh Shaw; S A.J. Howard (link)
Tennessee Titans
- QB Garrett Gilbert; WRs Aaron Burbridge, Reggie Davis, Damoun Patterson; LB Antwione Williams (link)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/25/18
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad decisions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DE Ufomba Kamalu
- Cut: DE Alec James
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OL Jermaine Eluemunor, WR Janarion Grant
Denver Broncos
- Signed: P Colby Wadman
- Cut: DL Niles Scott
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Anthony Coyle
- Cut: C Austin Davis
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Malachi Dupre
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Vince Mayle, RB Detrez Newsome
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DL Cameron Malveaux
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Deontay Burnett
- Placed on practice squad IR: WR ArDarius Stewart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: G Josh Andrews
- Cut: C Jon Toth
Seattle Seahawks
- Cut: C Marcus Henry
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Kalif Raymond, G Ian Silberman
- Cut: DL Deon Simon, QB Logan Woodside
Titans To Sign QB Austin Davis
The Titans are signing free agent quarterback Austin Davis, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Davis will provide veteran insurance with Blaine Gabbert in the concussion protocol and Marcus Mariota nursing an elbow injury.
The expectation remains that Mariota will be ready to face the Eagles on Sunday, especially after he came in for Gabbert over the weekend. But, with Gabbert’s status up in the air, the Titans wanted another QB ready in reserve. If Mariota’s elbow trouble flares up again, it’s possible that Davis could be thrown into live action against the defending champs.
The Titans’ passing offense has been inconsistent through three games, but they’ve managed to jump out to a 2-1 record after wins against a pair of divisional rivals. The Titans hope that Mariota will regain his footing on Sunday, and they certainly hope that they won’t have to put Davis on the field.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/7/18
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Tevaun Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived from injured reserve: OL Josh Andrews, RB Mack Brown, DB Craig James
New England Patriots
- Waived from injured reserve: TE Will Tye
New York Giants
- Waived from injured reserve: S Darian Thompson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: S Tre Sullivan
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: CB Simeon Thomas
- Waived from injured reserve: CB Byron Maxwell, LB Erik Walden, QB Austin Davis
Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC North teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Bears, Lions, Packers, and Vikings are noted below.
Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s NFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Chicago Bears
Signed:
Cut:
Placed on injured reserve:
- TE Adam Shaheen
Detroit Lions
Claimed:
- OT Andrew Donnal
- DB Dee Virgin
Cut:
Practice squad:
- LB Alex Barrett
- CB Mike Ford
- WR Chris Lacy
- S Rolan Milligan
- QB Jake Rudock
- LB Darnell Sankey
- OL Dan Skipper
Green Bay Packers
Practice squad:
- RB Joel Bouagnon
- C Austin Davis
- LB Kendall Donnerson
- FB Joe Kerridge
- DL Tyler Lancaster
- DL James Looney
- LB Greer Martini
- G/T Adam Pankey
Minnesota Vikings
Claimed:
Cut:
Practice squad:
- WR Jeff Badet
- WR Chad Beebe
- LB Reshard Cliett
- DT Curtis Cothran
- LB Garret Dooley
- C Cornelius Edison
- G Colby Gossett
- T Storm Norton
- S Jack Tocho