HEADLINES

JaCorey Shepherd

Practice Squad Updates: 9/21/16

September 21st, 2016 at 7:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OT Carter Bykowski, LB Davis Tull
  • Cut: DE Nordly Capi, CB Devonte Johnson

Chicago Bears

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: CB JaCorey Shepherd (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN)
  • Cut: G Darrell Greene

San Francisco 49ers

  • Signed: LB Curtis Grant (Twitter link via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle)

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins

  • Signed: OL Ronald Patrick (Twitter link via Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post)

NFL Workout Updates: 9/6/16

September 6th, 2016 at 8:46pm CST by Zachary Links

A couple NFC South teams held large tryout sessions today, and the Saints ended up signing a player — veteran corner Sterling Moore — after he auditioned for them earlier today. Let’s take a look at some more news from the workout front:

  • Facing a kicker crisis, the Giants worked out placekickers Cody Parkey, Shayne Graham, and Aldrick Rosas today, reports Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com, though New York is unlikely to sign anyone from the group, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY (Twitter link). Per Raanan, the Giants also worked out a large group of offensive lineman that included Vlad Ducasse, Mackenzy Bernadeau.
  • The Patriots worked out the following defensive backs today (via Doug Kyed of NESN on Twitter): Mike Hilton, Trae Elston, Stefan McClure, JaCorey Shepherd, Kevin Short. New England was trying out players for the final spot on its practice squad, and Hilton ultimately earned the job.
  • The Jaguars worked out former Houston inside linebacker Reshard Cliett today, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The fast former South Florida standout was let go by Houston prior to the 53-man cut. Jacksonville also worked out linebacker Luke Rhodes today, but they didn’t offer him a deal right away, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets.
  • Former Cincinnati receiver Mekale McKay was part of a Buccaneers’ workout earlier today, and he’ll next try out for the Patriots on Wednesday, according to Auman (Twitter link).
  • The Packers auditioned defensive tackle Rodney Coe today, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Coe participated in training camp with the Cowboys.

Eagles’ Roster At 53

September 3rd, 2016 at 3:57pm CST by Rory Parks

The Eagles have cut the following four players in advance of today’s deadline:

Philadelphia just signed Metz, a former Arena League standout, several days ago. Bethel-Thompson, meanwhile, will seek to continue what has been a nomadic professional career.

As Shorr-Parks observes, Gause’s release indicates that the club is prepared to open the season with only five linebackers, unless a trade is in the works.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Eagles Down To 75-Man Roster

September 1st, 2015 at 2:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles made a trio of roster moves to get down to 75, as Alex Smith of PhiladelphiaEagles.com writes. Running back Kevin Monangai was waived, linebacker Emmanuel Acho was formally waived/injured (thumb), and cornerback JaCorey Shepherd was placed on injured reserve.

Monangai, a rookie free-agent signing out of Villanova, was unable to stick in Philly due to a deep depth chart at running back. Acho provided the Eagles with solid depth at inside linebacker for parts of the last two seasons and he saw time in 14 games and made two starts in 2014. The release of Acho was reported in August, but it apparently did not become official until today. Acho received an injury settlement in the deal, so he is now a free agent, Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.

After Brandon Boykin was traded to Pittsburgh, it appeared that Shepherd was on track take over the nickel position. Unfortunately, however, he suffered a torn ACL soon after the deal.

Eagles’ JaCorey Shepherd Tears ACL

August 10th, 2015 at 10:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles announced that cornerback JaCorey Shepherd has suffered a torn ACL, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. The diagnosis is fairly devastating for the Eagles, who just traded away slot cornerback Brandon Boykin. Shepherd was considered the frontrunner to take over for Boykin’s former patrol.

With Shepherd done for the year, Jaylen Watkins, E.J. Biggers, and Denzel Rice are left as the remaining options at slot cornerback. The Eagles also could turn to cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Nolan Carroll or safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Walter Thurmond as options at nickel, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Still, those moves would be far from ideal for Philly. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Chip Kelly and the Eagles explore outside options between now and the start of the season.

NFC Notes: JPP, Eagles, Saints

August 9th, 2015 at 5:46pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Giants coach Tom Coughlin revealed Saturday that he got in touch with injured defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and the two had a “good conversation.” Co-owner Steve Tisch hasn’t been able to get in contact with Pierre-Paul, however, and is irked that the 26-year-old hasn’t responded to his overtures.

“It’s been very frustrating,” Tisch told the team’s website, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I’ve reached out to Jason. I’ve not heard back from Jason. I’m not going to hold that against him. I understand his situation is difficult, complicated, and I’m sure very confusing to him personally.’’

Pierre-Paul, who led the Giants with 12.5 sacks last year, injured his hand in a fireworks accident in July and still hasn’t signed his $14.8MM franchise tender for 2015.

“My message to him is get better, we cheer for you,” said Tisch. “[Senior vice president of medical services] Ronnie [Barnes] and our doctors have access to the best doctors, if not in New York City and the country, possibly in the world. He should take advantage of that.

“Let us see you sooner than later. You’re not going to be judged, you’re going to be helped.”

Here’s more from the NFC:

  • Eagles cornerback JaCorey Shepherd hurt his right knee Sunday and there’s concern it could be an ACL injury, reports Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. Shepherd, a sixth-round rookie who has been getting first-team nickel corner reps during training camp, will have an MRI on Monday.
  • Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told SiriusXM NFL Radio that the team focused on adding talent and, more importantly, leadership during the offseason. He noted that the defense was especially lacking in leadership. The defense lost talent but arguably improved in the leadership department last month when it released pass-rushing linebacker Junior Galette, whose on-field success (22 sacks from 2013-14) was overshadowed by poor behavior off the field.
  • In other Saints news, offensive lineman Andrus Peat, the 13th pick in this year’s draft, has impressed head coach Sean Payton with his ability to play both tackle and guard. “I do see him as a tackle and yet he’s athletic enough to play inside,” said Payton, Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com tweeted. “We’ll keep moving him around,” Payton added (Twitter link).

Draft Signings: Browns, Bucs, Titans

May 12th, 2015 at 3:01pm CST by Luke Adams

With less room for negotiations on rookie contracts under the new CBA, draft picks are coming to terms with their teams quicker than ever, and a few more have struck deals already today. Here are the latest updates on mid-to-late rounders reaching agreements with their respective clubs, with contract information provided by Over The Cap….

  • The Browns have officially brought a pair of draftees into the fold, announcing today in a press release that they’ve formally signed third-round defensive lineman Xavier Cooper and sixth-round fullback Malcolm Johnson. Their signing bonuses will be worth about $592K and $119K respectively.
  • Sixth-round wideout Kaelin Clay has signed his rookie deal with the Buccaneers, as Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com tweets. Clay, the second Tampa Bay pick to sign his deal, after Jameis Winston, will get a $130K+ signing bonus.
  • The Titans have started to lock up their draft picks, agreeing to terms today with sixth-round outside linebacker Deiontrez Mount, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. Mount’s four-year contract will have a total value of $2.428MM, including a signing bonus of about $148K, and a 2015 cap hit of approximately $472K.
  • Saints third-round draft pick P.J. Williams signed his rookie contract on Tuesday, according to a post on his Instagram account. New Orleans has now inked all of its picks with the exception of Stephone Anthony and Andrus Peat.
  • The Eagles and sixth round draft pick JaCorey Shepherd have agreed to terms on a four-year contract, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com tweets.

Zach Links contributed to this post.