Dwayne Allen

2015 Proven Performance Escalator Raises

According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time in said snaps for the duration of his first three years in the league. If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s restricted free agent qualifying offer — that figure was $1.431MM last year, and will inflate commensurate with the salary cap increase. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.

Here are the players who will see their 2015 salary rise due to the PPE, courtesy of Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap.

Bengals: George Iloka, S; Mohamed Sanu, WR

Bills: Nigel Bradham, LB

Broncos: Malik Jackson, DL; Danny Trevathan, LB;

Browns: Billy Winn, DL

Cardinals: Bobby Massie, T

Chargers: Johnnie Troutman, G

Colts: Dwayne Allen, TE; T.Y. Hilton, WR

Dolphins: Lamar Miller, RB; Olivier Vernon, DE

Eagles: Brandon Boykin, CB; Nick Foles; QB

Falcons: Lamar Holmes, T

Jets: Demario Davis, LB; Antonio Allen, DB

Packers: Mike Daniels, DL

Panthers: Josh Norman, CB

Patriots: Alfonzo Dennard, CB

Raiders: Miles Burris, LB

Rams: Chris Givens, WR; Trumaine Johnson, CB

Ravens: Gino Gradkowski, C

Saints: Akiem Hicks, DT; Corey White, CB

Seahawks: J.R. Sweezy, G; Russell Wilson, QB

Steelers: Kelvin Beachum, T

Texans: Brandon Brooks, G; Jared Crick, DL; Ben Jones, G

Titans: Coty Sensabaugh, CB

Vikings: Robert Blanton, S: Rhett Ellison, TE; Josh Robinson, CB; Jarius Wright, WR

Washington: Alfred Morris, RB

Colts Fear Ahmad Bradshaw Fractured Ankle

Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw left last night’s game against the Patriots early after hurting his ankle, and it appears the injury could sideline Bradshaw for a significant time. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the veteran running back is undergoing tests today to determine the severity of the injury and whether surgery is needed, but early indications are that it’s a fractured ankle for Bradshaw.

While Trent Richardson has tallied more carries this season than Bradshaw, the ex-Giant has been Indianapolis’ most effective running back, leading the team with 425 yards on the ground and 4.7 yards per carry. Bradshaw has also been extremely effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield, grabbing 38 receptions and scoring six touchdowns through the air.

With Bradshaw potentially sidelined for the rest of the 2014 season, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) wonders if Ray Rice, who could be reinstated soon, would be an option for the Colts, given his relationship with head coach Chuck Pagano. Even if Rice becomes eligible to return to the field though, it’s extremely unlikely that any club would take a shot on him this year, in my opinion. Indianapolis figures to lean more heavily on Richardson and Dan Herron, and perhaps add another less notorious back for depth purposes.

Bradshaw’s injury wasn’t the only notable one suffered by the Colts in yesterday’s loss to New England. Per Schefter (via Twitter), the team believes tight end Dwayne Allen suffered a high ankle sprain. If that diagnosis is confirmed, Allen will likely be out for a few weeks, though Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears it’s a low ankle sprain, which would allow for a quicker recovery.

Injury Updates: Sunday

There were a number of notable injuries today, and PFR’s Dallas Robinson already updated us on some ailing NFC players (Max Unger, Trent Williams and Rafael Bush). Let’s check out the latest on others who were hurt today, as well as a notable NCAA player whose season ended yesterday…

  • Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has bruised ribs with possible cartilage damage, tweets NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. However, the writer notes that there is no fracture or lung injury.
  • Chargers nose tackle Ryan Carrethers dislocated his elbow on Sunday, tweets Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego. He is expected to play through the injury and shouldn’t miss a game.
  • Colts tight end Dwayne Allen left Sunday’s game with the assistance of a cart, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Allen injured his right ankle and will miss the rest of the game, writes Mike Wells of ESPN.com.
  • Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw left Sunday night’s game in the fourth quarter, and Mike Chappell of RTV6 tweets that the running back will be taken for x-rays on his left ankle.

Earlier updates:

  • Georgia running back Todd Gurley suffered a torn ACL in his first game back from suspension, according to Seth Emerson of Macon.com, and the writer notes that Gurley’s college career is likely finished. Regardless, Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole tweets that “NFL folks” still believe the running back will be a first-round pick.
  • Broncos tight end Julius Thomas suffered a sprained ankle in today’s game, according to NFL.com’ Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). He is set to have an MRI on Monday.
  • Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will undergo an MRI on Monday to check out the seriousness of his right MCL injury, writes ESPN’s Ed Werder.

Colts Add Rob Chudzinski To Staff

The Colts have hired Rob Chudzinski as special assistant to head coach Chuck Pagano (link). Chudzinski, who was canned after one season leading the Browns, has eight years experience working with Pagano, primarily at the University of Miami (Fla.).

The addition could boost the potency of the offense. Chudzinski has a history of maximizing tight end talent, and the Colts have two young, talented tight ends in Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, who went down in Week One with a season-ending hip injury.