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Caleb Benenoch

Cowboys Promote LB Chris Covington

December 14th, 2019 at 12:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Chris Covington is getting another chance on the Cowboys active roster. Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports (via Twitter) that the linebacker has been promoted from the practice squad. Offensive tackle Caleb Benenoch was waived in a corresponding roster move.

The 2018 sixth-round pick has spent his entire career with the Cowboys organization. He appeared in five games as a rookie, compiling one tackle. Otherwise, he was inactive for Dallas’s other 11 contests.

Covington had a standout game in the Cowboys’ preseason opener, finishing with six tackles. However, he was waived by the Cowboys at the end of August, and he subsequently caught on with their practice squad. He had a brief stint on the active roster back in September.

As Gehlken notes, Sean Lee is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Rams. The linebacker missed an entire week of practice as he recovers from a thigh and pectoral issue. If Lee is forced out of the lineup, then Gehlken opines that undrafted rookie Luke Gifford would earn the majority of snaps at Sam linebacker. Covington would most likely be on the roster for emergency depth.

Connor Williams Suffers ACL Tear

December 1st, 2019 at 11:32am CST by Sam Robinson

DEC. 1: The Cowboys will place Williams on IR and will sign free agent OL Caleb Benenoch, as Todd Archer of ESPN.com writes.

NOV. 29: The Cowboys will need a new left guard for the rest of this season. The injury Connor Williams suffered during Dallas’ Thanksgiving game is a torn ACL, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. Jason Garrett subsequently confirmed the injury.

A 2018 second-round pick, Williams serves as the lone rookie-contract blocker on Dallas’ veteran-laden offensive line. He has started 11 games opposite right guard Zack Martin this season, grading as Pro Football Focus’ No. 37 overall guard.

Dallas subbed in Xavier Su’a-Filo after Williams’ injury. Although the veteran had his hands full with Bills first-rounder Ed Oliver on Thursday, Su’a-Filo has 50 games’ worth of starting experience. The former Texans second-round pick signed with the Cowboys in 2018 and started eight games last season and one this year. Su’a-Filo becomes the likely rest-of-season starter. Rookie Connor McGovern is not expected to play this season after being placed on IR in early September, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets.

The Cowboys refused to deal their 2018 second-round pick to the Seahawks for Earl Thomas, who likely wanted that pick and then some. The No. 50 overall selection became Williams. He is certainly the lowest-profile Cowboys O-line starter, given that the unit houses three of this decade’s top blockers, but has started 21 games in his career.

NFL Workout Updates: 11/19/19

November 19th, 2019 at 8:19pm CST by Rory Parks

Today’s updates from the workout circuit:

Buffalo Bills 

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Washington Redskins

Panthers Place WR Chris Hogan On IR, Claim OL Caleb Benenoch

October 2nd, 2019 at 8:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Panthers have placed wide receiver Chris Hogan on injured reserve and claimed offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch off waivers from the Patriots, Carolina announced today.

Hogan, 31, landed with the Panthers during the offseason after spending the previous three seasons with the Patriots. A deep-ball threat who led the NFL in yards per reception in 2016, Hogan wasn’t a large part of Carolina’s offense through four games, as he’d received only five targets while working behind D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Jarius Wright. Per the Panthers, Hogan — who is dealing with a knee injury — has a chance to return later this year.

Benenoch will join his third team of 2019 after previously being waived by the Buccaneers and Patriots. He’ll give Carolina offensive line depth while Greg Little is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Benenoch started all 16 games at right guard for Tampa Bay in 2018.

Patriots To Waive OL Caleb Benenoch

October 1st, 2019 at 2:39pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots are waiving offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Garafolo notes that Benenoch worked out for three clubs before signing with the Pats, so he might not be out of work for long. 

[RELATED: Antonio Brown Likely To Win Grievance Against Patriots?]

Reportedly, there were nine NFL teams requesting workouts with Benenoch before he hooked on with the Patriots in mid-September. Plenty of teams need offensive line help, but they might have to get in line – and sweeten the pot – to bring the longtime Bucs lineman into the kitchen.

Benenoch started every game of the 2018 season at right guard for the Bucs and also offers experience at tackle. And, he’s not necessarily a world-beater, but he does have 35 appearances to his credit (22 starts) with decent size at 6’5″ and 305 pounds.

In other New England news, former Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown is set to file up to nine appeals relating to contractual matters. That’s one grievance for every team that Benenoch drew interest from earlier this year.

Patriots Sign Caleb Benenoch

September 17th, 2019 at 7:11am CST by Zachary Links

Former Bucs offensive tackle Caleb Benenoch will sign with the Patriots on Tuesday, a source tells NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Nine NFL teams requested workouts with Benenoch, but Rapoport hears the veteran ultimately wanted to play for Pats offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia. 

The Patriots could really use the help. They were without right tackle Marcus Cannon for Sunday’s win over the Dolphins and, during the game, Isaiah Wynn exited with a toe injury. They’re still awaiting word on the status of both linemen, but they’re unlikely to be at full strength up front for Week 3 against the Jets. (Then again, do they need to be anywhere near full strength to face the Jets?)

Benenoch started every game of the 2018 season at right guard for the Bucs last season but also boasts experience on the outside. There apparently wasn’t a place for him on the Bucs, but the Pats are happy to bring him on board for reinforcement.

NFL Workout Updates: 9/16/19

September 16th, 2019 at 8:21pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ve got another batch of workout updates from the past few days, all via veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer on Twitter (unless otherwise noted):

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

Oakland Raiders

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AFC Notes: Jaguars, Patriots, Randall

September 14th, 2019 at 9:56pm CST by cwcrouse

The Jaguars will be without several players on Sunday against the Texans, Michael DiRocco of ESPN recaps on Twitter. S Ronnie Harrison is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. CB A.J. Bouye, WR Marqise Lee, DE Yannick Ngakoue and LT Cam Robinson have all already been ruled out of the contest.

Last week, Jacksonville lost starting QB Nick Foles, who suffered a broken left clavicle in Week 1 and has been placed on injured reserve. The franchise’s collective health has put a damper on what should have been a bounceback year for the Jags. As the team carries on in Houston, let’s take a look around the AFC:

  • The Patriots worked out several players ahead of their game against the Dolphins, a source tells Nick Underhill of The Athletic (Twitter link). OT Caleb Benenoch, NT Carl Davis, DT Willie Henry, DB Josh Jones and DB Adarius Pickett worked out for New England.
  • Browns S Damarious Randall has been ruled out of Monday’s game, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Randall showed up to Cleveland’s facility with a concussion and was placed in the concussion protocol.
  • A.J. Green, who injured his ankle during the Bengals‘ training camp, is out of his walking boot and feels like is he ahead of schedule in his recovery, as Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer relays. “I’m only six weeks out and I’m already walking,” Green said. “You never know what the next two weeks or three weeks are going to bring to where I can start back putting on shoes and actually running and doing some on the field stuff. You never know.”

Patriots Meet With OL Caleb Benenoch

September 12th, 2019 at 3:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots have made several transactions on their offensive line over the past two weeks, and they continue to explore help on this front. They visited with recently waived guard Caleb Benenoch on Thursday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Benenoch was a 16-game Buccaneers starter at right guard last season, and he played in Tampa Bay’s Week 1 game. But the Bucs waived him Monday, and no one submitted a claim. The Bucs drafted Benenoch in the 2016 fifth round.

New England traded for Russell Bodine, Jermaine Eluemunor and Korey Cunningham recently, though the defending Super Bowl champions cut Bodine. The Pats also agreed to terms with veteran tackle Marshall Newhouse on Wednesday.

Buccaneers To Waive OL Caleb Benenoch

September 9th, 2019 at 5:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

A 16-game starter for the Buccaneers last season, Caleb Benenoch did not open with Tampa Bay’s first unit on Sunday. He will not be with the team in Week 2, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting (via Twitter) the fourth-year blocker will be waived.

Benenoch joined the Bucs as a fifth-round pick three years ago but struggled in his first full-season audition. He allowed 10 sacks and finished with one of Pro Football Focus’ lowest guard grades. The Bucs intend to sign former Jaguars lineman Josh Wells.

One year remains on Benenoch’s contract. With linemen consistently generating interest (and, as Rapoport notes, various former Benenoch Tampa Bay coaches residing with other teams), the Nigerian may have a new team by Tuesday.

Second-year guard Alex Cappa started at right guard Sunday, while Benenoch saw action on special teams. The Bucs also added Earl Watford, a former Bruce Arians charge with the Cardinals, in free agency and brought in Zack Bailey as a rookie UDFA.

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