Deron Washington

Extra Points: Packers, Collins, Broncos

The Packers selected Washington State offensive guard Cole Madison in the fifth round of this past year’s draft. However, the rookie has sat on the did not report list and hasn’t attended training camp. While his absence isn’t encouraging, general manager Brian Gutekunst is confident that he’ll be able to contribute eventually.

“We’re fully supportive of what’s going on,” Gutekunst told ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. “He’s dealing with a [personal] issue, when that issue is resolved we’ll get back to the football part of it.”

Gutekunst added that he believes Madison wants to continue playing, and he even hinted that the rookie could end up returning to the team at some point during the preseason.

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFL…

  • The Cowboys received some good news today. Howard Balzer tweets that Maliek Collins has passed his physical and been activated from the physically unable to perform list. The 23-year-old has undergone a pair of surgeries over the past four months to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot. With several weeks to go before the end of the preseason, the Cowboys are confident Collins can return for the start of the regular season. “He’s just progressing,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said earlier this week (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com). “He’s done a really good job with his rehab, and we’re taking him day-by-day, we’ll see if he’s available at some point to come practice here in the next week or so.” Collins finished last season with 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
  • The Broncos signed Alexander Johnson earlier today, and it sounds like the organization has high hopes for the embattled linebacker. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe tweets that the organization is giving the rookie $50K in guaranteed money, more than they gave to any of their other undrafted rookies. The former Tennessee star, who has dealt with his share of off-field issues, hasn’t played organized football in more than four years.
  • Denver wasn’t the only suitor for Johnson. Volin tweets that the Dolphins (along with a “couple other teams”) had expressed interest in the rookie linebacker before he joined the Broncos.
  • The Cowboys worked out a number of players today (via Jon Machota of the Dallas News on Twitter): receiver Darren Carrington, offensive linemen Jacob Alsadek and Daronte Bouldin, and safeties Dominick Sanders, Ryan Murphy, and Deron Washington. The team ended up signing Alsadek and Carrington later in the day.
  • Former Southern Miss wide receiver Allenzae Staggers worked out for the Redskins today, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Following a breakout 2016 campaign where he hauled in 63 receptions for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns, the wideout took a step back in 2017, finishing with 44 catches for 471 yards.

NFL Workout Updates: 1/18/18

Here are today’s workout updates, courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer.

Baltimore Ravens

Jacksonville Jaguars

Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL Workout Updates: 11/5/17

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars

San Francisco 49ers

 

 

49ers Work Out Datone Jones, Jayrone Elliott

Datone Jones‘ workout tour continued this week when the former Packers cog auditioned for the 49ers, Howard Balzer of SportsOnEarth reports (on Twitter).

The fifth-year defensive lineman has also worked out for the Bears, Lions, Patriots and Jets since the Vikings cut him from their IR list in September.

Interestingly, the 49ers also worked out ex-Packer edge defender Jayrone Elliott, per Balzer. Jones left the Packers in free agency, but Elliott became expendable after the Packers agreed to a deal with 49ers castoff Ahmad Brooks. Green Bay’s also using ex-San Francisco defensive lineman Quinton Dial as a rotational piece this season.

Elliott was Jones’ teammate for three seasons with the Packers, but he couldn’t stick as a second-unit pass rusher before being traded to the Cowboys. Dallas subsequently waived the fourth-year player later last month, and Elliott worked out for the Saints, Seahawks and Jets before voyaging to the Bay Area for his latest audition.

The 49ers also worked out tight ends Cole Wick and Standish Dobard, along with cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olumu. Additionally, Balzer reports (on Twitter) safeties Antone Exum, Chris Prosinski and Deron Washington worked out for the Niners.

Workout Notes: Patriots, Jets, Bills

The Patriots auditioned some players of note this week, including linebacker Akeem Ayers, quarterback Thad Lewis, and wide receiver Jeremy Ross (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com).

Ayers has some history with New England after playing on their 2014 Super Bowl championship team. Last year, Ayers appeared in all 16 games for Indianapolis and recorded two sacks.

Linebackers Nicholas Grigsby and Antwione Williams also showed their stuff for the Pats.

Here’s a look at Wednesday’s other workouts from around the NFL:

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/30/17

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: RB Brandon Brown-Dukes

Houston Texans

  • Waived from IR: WR Devin Street

Los Angeles Rams

  • Signed: K Travis Coons

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Claimed off waivers: DE Jake Metz

Tennessee Titans

Falcons Add 21 UDFAs

The Falcons have announced deals with 21 undrafted free agents. Here they are:

  • Travis Averill, C (Boise State)
  • Marcelis Branch, S (Robert Morris)
  • Daniel Brunskill, OL (San Diego State)
  • Deante Burton, WR (Kansas State)
  • Reginald Davis III, WR (Texas Tech)
  • Darius English, LB (South Carolina)
  • Wil Freeman, OT (Southern Mississippi)
  • Jarnor Jones, CB (Iowa State)
  • J’terius Jones, DE (Miami of Ohio)
  • Cam Keizur, C (Portland State)
  • Andreas Knappe, OT (UConn)
  • Robert Leff, OG (Auburn)
  • Josh Magee, WR (South Alabama)
  • Quincy Mauger, S (Georgia)
  • Jordan Moore, S (University of Texas at San Antonio)
  • Chris Odom, DE (Arkansas State)
  • Tyler Renew, FB (Citadel)
  • Taylor Reynolds, CB (James Madison)
  • Christian Tago, LB (San Jose State)
  • Alek Torgerson, QB (Penn)
  • Deron Washington, S (Pittsburg State)