Lions Sign Kellen Davis
With their top three tight ends all dealing with injuries to some degree, the Lions have added another one to their roster, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who reports (via Twitter) that the club has signed Kellen Davis. Per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (Twitter link), safety Jerome Couplin has been waived to make room for Davis, while the Lions have also signed wideout Ifeanyi Momah to their practice squad.
Davis, who turned 29 earlier this month, has grabbed 50 balls for 561 yards and 12 touchdowns during his six-year NFL career. Although he won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks last year, most of Davis’ career has been spent in Chicago, with a Bears team that drafted him in the fifth round in 2008.
Eric Ebron and Joseph Fauria were both inactive for Detroit’s Week 7 game against the Saints, forcing Brandon Pettigrew into a larger role and prompting the team to promote Jordan Thompson from the practice squad. The signing of Davis gives the Lions five tight ends on their active roster for now.
North Notes: Hoyer, Rice, Lions, Packers
No team in the league has gotten more production out of less talent than this year’s Browns, writes Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Starting quarterback Brian Hoyer, who continues to delay the full-time arrival of Johnny Manziel, was an undrafted free agent. Backup running back Isaiah Corwell was also a UDFA and the same goes for the team’s three top wide receivers Andrew Hawkins, Miles Austin, and Taylor Gabriel. The Browns will look to go to 4-2 when they take on the Jaguars on Sunday. More from the North divisions..
- A source tells Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press that a neutral arbiter is expected to make a decision early next week on whether Roger Goodell should testify in the Ray Rice case. The NFLPA, of course, is going to bat for the former Ravens running back on his indefinite suspension.
- The Lions tried out tight ends Kellen Davis and Richard Gordon today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter, via Michael Rothstein). Detroit worked out a number of players on Tuesday, but none at the tight end position.
- The Packers had former Mississippi State safety Nickoe Whitley in for a visit, but he didn’t work out for them, tweets Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Whitley signed with the Browns this year after going undrafted. The Packers were among the teams who scoped out Whitley at his school’s pro day, so they have some level of familiarity with him.
NFC South Notes: Saints, Newton, Bucs
After missing two meetings and subsequently being waived, former Saints linebacker Khairi Fortt is going to be evaluated for the sleep problems that he suspects he has, according to Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Advocate (via Twitter). Is it too late for Geno Smith to change excuses? Here’s tonight’s look at the NFC South..
- Panthers coach Ron Rivera isn’t sweating a new contract for quarterback Cam Newton, saying everything will come in due time, tweets Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer. Rivera also referred to Newton as the team’s “franchise quarterback.”
- The Panthers worked out Harvey Unga, Doug Worthington, Michael Brooks, Richard Clebert, Justice Cunningham, and Maurice Hagens, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
- Safeties Anderson Russell and Bacarri Rambo worked out for the Buccaneers, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Rambo has been busy lately, working out for the Colts, Giants, Bears, and other teams.
- The Saints worked out Edgar Jones, Lawrence Sidbury, Kellen Davis, Moise Fokou, and Paul Hazel this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Tight end Tom Crabtree also auditioned for New Orleans and was quickly signed.
Saints Sign Tom Crabtree
Two days after Jimmy Graham left New Orleans’ Sunday game against the Buccaneers, the Saints have signed free agent tight end Tom Crabtree to a contract, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). No corresponding move should be necessary, since the team recently opened up a roster spot by placing safety Jairus Byrd on injured reserve.
The signing of Crabtree isn’t necessarily a bad omen for Graham’s status. The star tight end’s shoulder injury isn’t considered serious, and the Saints are on a bye week, so Graham will have seven extra days to recover. Still, the fact that New Orleans signed a veteran tight end suggests that Graham may not be available for the club’s next practices, and Crabtree will give the team an extra body at the position.
Crabtree, who has spent most of his career with the Packers, has accumulated 22 receptions for 323 yards and five touchdowns during his four NFL seasons. A year ago, he played seven games – starting five – for the Buccaneers.
The Saints also worked out tight end Kellen Davis earlier today, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
Workout Notes: Beauharnais, Brown, Lewis
With injuries piling up and rosters changing, a number of players have had workouts with various teams in anticipation of week four action.
Here are some of the players who have had workouts with teams recently:
- Free agent linebacker Steve Beauharnais worked out for the Chargers today, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The linebacker has worked out for six clubs since being waived by the Patriots, including an audition for the Bucs yesterday.
- The Ravens worked out cornerback Jalil Brown, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Brown has formerly played for the Dolphins and the Chiefs. They also worked out two former Bears’ tight ends, Kellen Davis and Matthew Mulligan, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
- The Seahawks worked out M.D. Jennings, Tommie Campbell, R.J. Stanford and Jerome Murphy, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- The Panthers worked out Marcus Davis, LaDon Hudson, and Willie Snead, reports Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Vikings worked out running back Dion Lewis, tight ends Jake Stoneburner and Ryan Otten, and quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
AFC Notes: Ravens, Jets, Pats, Chargers
A year ago, the Patriots began the 2013 season by winning their first four games, the Broncos came out of the gates by winning six consecutive contests, and the Chiefs started 9-0 before being dealt their first loss. In 2014, however, we’re through just three weeks and only one AFC team remains unbeaten.
The 3-0 Bengals have the conference’s best point differential by far at +47, and with a bye week coming up, their loss column will remain unblemished for at least one more week. Starting in Week 5 though, the Bengals will play games against the Patriots, Panthers, Colts, and Ravens, meaning there’s a good chance their winning streak will be halted well before they have the opportunity to match last year’s Chiefs’ start.
As we look forward to seeing how long the Bengals can continue their winning ways, let’s round up a few items from around the AFC….
- With Dennis Pitta having been ruled out for the season after undergoing hip sugery, the Ravens are eyeing potential replacements at tight end. Per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the team is working out free agents Emmanuel Ogbuehi, Jake Murphy, Matthew Mulligan, and Kellen Davis today.
- Former Bills cornerback Brandon Smith is trying out for the Jets today, following the club’s Monday Night loss to the Bears, reports Wilson at the National Football Post. According to Wilson, Smith, who has recovered from a broken fibula suffered in training camp, is receiving some interest from multiple NFL clubs.
- The Patriots worked out running back Rajion Neal, wide receiver Kevin Cone, defensive end Steven Means, and linebacker D.J. Smith, tweets Wilson.
- Wide receiver and return man Marcus Thigpen agreed to join the Dolphins’ practice squad yesterday, but also recently worked out for the Colts, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
- With the help of his colleague Adam Caplan, ESPN.com’s Eric D. Williams explores some possible free agent options at running back for the Chargers in the wake of injuries to Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead.
Player Auditions: Tuesday
The Chiefs had inside linebackers Desmond Bishop, Marvin Mitchell, and Nick Barnett in for workouts, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Here’s the latest news on player workouts from around the NFL..
- The Redskins worked out former Patriots wide receiver Mark Harrison today, according to Wilson (on Twitter).
- The Patriots tried out former Falcons linebacker Yawin Smallwood today, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter).
- Former Rams safety Matt Daniels visited the Dolphins yesterday, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch (on Twitter).
- In the wake of an injury that starting tight end Jordan Cameron suffered in the season opener, the Browns brought in tight end Kellen Davis for a workout on Tuesday, a league source told Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports. Last season, Davis played in 15 games for the Seahawks in a No. 3 tight end role. He finished with three receptions for 32 yards and, most importantly, a Super Bowl ring.
- The Browns also worked out tight end Chase Coffman today, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer (on Twitter).
- The Jets worked out several players, including guards Doug Legursky and Jeff Baca, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter). They also worked out some punters and a long snapper.
- The Bills worked out former Cumberlands running back Terrance Cobb, who was among their 29 pre-draft visits this spring, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In total, the Bills worked out 14 players (link).
- The Redskins auditioned quarterbacks Pat Devlin, B.J. Coleman, and Ricky Stanzi, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (on Twitter). They also auditioned four tight ends in total.
- Tight end Chase Harper worked out for the Titans today, Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean tweets.
- The Buccaneers worked out long snapper Brandon Hartson today, a source tells Wilson (on Twitter).
Giants Bring Roster To 53
After making several moves earlier today, the Giants have finalized their roster by cutting the following players, according to a press release:
Waived-injured:
- Rogers Gaines (OT)
Contract terminated:
- Kellen Davis (TE)
Waived:
- OT Mark Asper
- RB Michael Cox
- DB Chandler Fenner
- LB Dan Fox
- RB Kendall Gaskins
- DB Thomas Gordon
- OT Adam Gress
- DB Bennett Jackson
- G Jamaal Johnson-Webb
- LB Terrell Manning
- DT Kelcie Quarles
- DE Jordan Stanton
- WR Julian Talley
NFC Notes: Giants, Durant, Washington, Floyd
“It seems everyone in the free world with an interest in football wants to know why the Giants didn’t draft a tight end and what they’re going to do to shore up the position,” writes Giants.com Senior Writer/Editor Michael Eisen. However, Eisen says GM Jerry Reese likes his two young, developmental tight ends (Adrien Robinson and Larry Donnell) and wants to see what the team has in veterans Kellen Davis and Daniel Fells and rookie free agent Xavier Grimble before addressing the position.
In other NFC news and notes…
- The 49ers waived offensive tackle Luke Marquardt, a 2013 undrafted free agent out of Azusa Pacific who has been sidelined with foot problems, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
- In a “Buy or Sell” piece for the Cowboys’ website, former NFL executive Bryan Broaddus says the days of linebacker Justin Durant being useful have passed, and DeVonte Holloman and Kyle Wilber possess the athleticism and three-down utility to compete for the Sam linebacker job.
- Bears 2013 sixth-round defensive lineman Cornelius Washington could be a roster casualty if his raw ability doesn’t manifest more consistently, believes ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
- Panthers receivers coach Ricky Proehl‘s “ability to teach and develop talent is almost as valuable as having extra draft picks,” asserts ESPN’s David Newton.
- Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd, a first-round pick in 2012, is showing signs that he’s ready to take his game to another level, writes Darren Urban on azcardinals.com. Quarterback Carson Palmer praised Floyd, and receivers coach Darryl Drake said, “The only person that can keep [Floyd] from being good is him.”
- The Cardinals brought in 17 tryout players for rookie minicamp, and ESPN’s John Weinfuss has the list.
NFC Links: Harbaugh, Buccaneers, Eagles
After Pete Carroll signed his recent extension with the Seahawks, it was assumed that the deal would at least have some influence on a new Jim Harbaugh contract. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com thinks a deal is now less likely for the 49ers head coach. Maiocco cites team CEO Jed York‘s opinion that Harbaugh should not be paid like a championship coach until he actually wins a championship. With that thought it mind, Maiocco thinks Harbaugh will pass up a smaller extension and gamble on trying to win a Super Bowl this upcoming season.
More news from around the NFC…
- After having traded Mike Williams, the Buccaneers need to draft a wide receiver in the draft, opines to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com. The team lacks any real depth behind Vincent Jackson, and the draft would be the most likely place to find a number-two receiver. Yasinskas suggests Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans.
- The Buccaneers waived linebacker Marvin Booker, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. The 24-year-old spent 2013 on the team’s injured reserve list.
- Receiver Kelvin Benjamin, cornerback Aaron Colvin and linebacker Jordan Tripp visited the Eagles today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. The Eagles have the 22nd pick in this year’s first-round.
- Kellen Davis‘ new contract with the Giants is worth $795K, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. The deal only counts for $570K against the cap.