Panthers Sign RB Kenjon Barner
Free agent running back Kenjon Barner is signing with the Panthers, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Barner also visited the Bills before agreeing to terms with Carolina. 
The Panthers added C.J. Anderson earlier this week, but they found themselves in the running back market again after losing Fozzy Whittaker to a season-ending ACL tear. Barner ranks no higher than third at his position thanks to the presence of Christian McCaffrey and Anderson, but he can provide valuable depth as well as some support in the return game.
Barner, a 2013 sixth-round pick by the Panthers, spent the last three seasons with the Eagles. In 2015 and 2016, he was productive despite limited snaps, compiling 253 rushing yards on only 55 carries (4.6 yards per attempt). Last offseason, he signed a one-year free agent deal with the Chargers but returned to Philly after he missed the Bolts’ final 53-man cut. He saw less time at running back than ever in 2017, but he did average a respectable 8.9 yards per punt return.
Bills Meet With RB Kenjon Barner
Former Eagles running back Kenjon Barner will visit with the Bills on Tuesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Barner could be a fit for Buffalo as a depth piece on the running back depth chart who can also offer help in the return game.
Barner, a 2013 sixth-round pick by the Panthers, spent the last three seasons with the Eagles. In 2015 and 2016, he was productive despite limited snaps, compiling 253 rushing yards on only 55 carries (4.6 yards per attempt). Last offseason, he signed a one-year free agent deal with the Chargers but returned to Philly after he missed the Bolts’ final 53-man cut. He saw less time at running back than ever in 2017, but he did average a respectable 8.9 yards per punt return. That could make him a candidate to replace Brandon Tate as the Bills’ primary returner.
The Bills already have Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet, Taiwan Jones, Marcus Murphy, and Aaron Green at running back to support starter LeSean McCoy, but Barner would have a real chance at making the roster if signed. A deal would reunite Barner and McCoy, who played together in Philly in 2014.
Eagles Sign RB Kenjon Barner
Following Darren Sproles‘ season-ending injury, we heard that the Eagles were in the market for a running back. Well, it sounds like the team has targeted a familiar face. According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter), the Eagles are expected to sign running back Kenjon Barner. ESPN’s Field Yates reported (via Twitter) earlier today that Barner was auditioning for the team. It’s a one-year contract for Barner, according to Philly.com’s Jeff McLane (via Twitter).
Barner, a 2013 sixth-round pick by the Panthers, spent two seasons in Philly, appearing in 23 total games between 2015 and 2016. The running back was productive despite limited snaps, compiling 253 rushing yards on only 55 carries (4.6 yards per attempt) during his Eagles tenure. Following a season-ending injury last season, Barner signed a one-year deal with the Chargers this past offseason, but he was ultimately cut by the team in early September.
During his brief career, Barner had also proved to be useful in the passing game, which could be especially important to the Eagles during Sproles’ absence. Including his time in Carolina, the 27-year-old has hauled in 16 career receptions for 71 yards. The Oregon product also has experience on special teams, having returned 12 kicks (with a 25.3-yard average) and three punts.
After Sproles collected 15 carries and seven receptions through two-plus games, Wendell Smallwood and LeGarrette Blount picked up the slack for their injured teammate during Sunday’s win over the Giants. The duo combined for 24 carries, with Smallwood hauling in one of his two targets. Even if the Eagles are content with the duo, it was assumed that they’d be in the market for some reinforcement. Besides Blount, Smallwood, and (presumably) Barner, undrafted rookie Corey Clement is the only other healthy running back on the roster.
NFL Workout Updates: 9/8/17
Today’s NFL workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter unless otherwise noted:
Atlanta Falcons
- QBs Garrett Grayson and Mitch Leidner (link)
Carolina Panthers
- T Korren Kirven (link)
Detroit Lions
- QB Joel Stave; WR Malachi Dupre; OTs Landon Lechler and Givens Price; DT Taylor Harris; S James Sample (Twitter links)
Green Bay Packers
- G Darrell Greene; OTs Cornelius Lucas and Jeremiah Poutasi; DE Jhaustin Thomas (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Kenjon Barner (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- DB Akeem King (link)
New England Patriots
- WR Gabe Marks; TE Ryan O’Malley (Twitter links via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Jets
- RB Cyrus Gray; TE Nick Truesdell; C Erik Austell; G Brandon Thomas; WRs K.J. Brent, Bug Howard, and Domonique Young; TE Robert Tonyan; DE Tyrone Holmes; DT Caraun Reid; LB Vontarrius Dora; CBs Elie Bouka, Jarnor Jones, Damian Swann, and Robert Nelson; S Trey Caldwell and K.J. Dillon (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Philadelphia Eagles
- DBs De’Vante Bausby, Elie Bouka, Trey Caldwell, and Jarnor Jones (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DE Jonathan Woodard; CBs Chris Humes and Sammy Seamster (link)
Tennessee Titans
- DB JaCorey Shepherd (link)
Chargers Reach 53-Man Limit
The Chargers announced 37 player moves on Saturday, bringing them down to the 53-man limit. Here’s the full breakdown.
Released:
- RB Kenjon Barner
- QB Kellen Clemens
- TE Jeff Cumberland
- S Dwight Lowery (story)
Waived:
- P Toby Baker
- QB Mike Bercovici
- G Brett Boyko
- WR Da’Ron Brown
- NT Ryan Carrethers
- LB Kyle Coleman
- CB Michael Davis
- TE Mike Estes
- CB Randall Evans
- C/G Barrett Gouger
- WR Jamaal Jones
- K Josh Lambo
- WR Mitchell Paige
- WR Andre Patton
- WR Cameron Posey
- CB Trovon Reed
- DT Caraun Reid
- WR Artavis Scott
- CB Brandon Stewart
- CB Brad Watson
- TE Matt Weiser
- RB Andre Williams
Waived/Injured:
- WR Isaiah Burse
- T Tyreek Burwell
- G Donavon Clark
- DT Kaleb Eulls
- RB Kenneth Farrow
- LB Joshua Perry
Reserve/Suspended:
- DT Tenny Palepoi
- C Max Tuerk
Reserve/Injured:
Barner seemed to have a decent chance of cracking the roster as a pass-catching back, particularly after the loss of Danny Woodhead. On 27 carries last season, Barner averaged a career-best 4.8 yards per attempt.
Clemens, 33, was slated to return for a fourth season as Philip Rivers‘ backup. Instead, that job will go to Cardale Jones, who was acquired in a trade with Buffalo earlier this offseason.
AFC Notes: Jets, Chargers, Ivory, Maclin
A video emerged on Twitter this weekend allegedly showing Jets linebacker Darron Lee in an apparent altercation with a woman at the Governors Ball Music Festival on Randall’s Island. The video shows a man shouting at a woman, and the Twitter user claimed the individual proceeded to “manhandle her’’ and “call her names.’’
Jets defensive end Leonard Williams can also be seen in the video physically restraining his teammate, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. Williams’ Instagram account showed that quarterback Bryce Petty was also at the festival.
“We are aware of the reports,” a Jets spokesman said (via Schwartz). “We are taking them seriously, and we are looking into the specifics of the situation. We will have no further comment at this time.”
Lee, a 2016 first-round pick, appeared in 13 games (nine starts) with the Jets last season, compiling 73 tackles and one sack.
Let’s take a look at other notes from around the AFC…
- Danny Woodhead signed with the Ravens this offseason, so ESPN.com’s Eric D. Williams took a look at current Chargers who could replace the departed running back’s production. The writer points to Branden Oliver and Kenjon Barner as players who could serve as the pass-catching back behind starter Melvin Gordon.
- We learned yesterday that running back LeSean McCoy was recruiting former teammate Jeremy Maclin to join the Bills. Now it looks like quarterback Tyrod Taylor is also looking to touch base with the free agent receiver. “Today was the first day I seen Shady,” Taylor told Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. “We texted about it, but [I] want to get Maclin’s number and try to reach out to him. Just to see what his thoughts, what is he thinking moving forward and try to get him here.”
- After a season that saw him compile only 439 rushing yards, Jaguars running back Chris Ivory wants to prove that he’s still capable of starting in the NFL. Unfortunately, despite his experience, the veteran has fourth-overall pick Leonard Fournette breathing down his neck. While the odds seem to be against the 29-year-old, he’s still confident that his 2016 woes are a thing of the past. “One thing about it, people and everybody are going to have their opinions,’’ Ivory told John Reid of the Florida Times-Union. “Mainly, the people that know nothing about football. They don’t know the things we go through to get to this point. What we actually face before we come out for those games…Most of the stuff the people on the outside see are the mistakes and the bad things you do. It’s not always going to go the way you want. I think a lot of people that like to see guys get a 1,000 yards each year, but it just don’t work that way.’’
Chargers To Sign Kenjon Barner
The Eagles did not elect to tender an RFA contract to Kenjon Barner, allowing the running back to explore other options. He appears to have found one. The Chargers agreed to terms to add Barner, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal for Barner, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Barner will be entering his fifth NFL season but was just eligible for restricted free agency this year due to service-time issues, but the Eagles non-tendering the ball-carrier moved him to the UFA market a year early. He will join a Chargers backfield that was decimated by injuries in 2016 and one that just lost Danny Woodhead in free agency. Barner adds depth to a Bolts backfield stable housing Melvin Gordon, who has failed to finish each of his first two NFL seasons, and Kenneth Farrow.
The Eagles used Barner sparingly, with the likes of Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles and DeMarco Murray blocking his path to playing time.
On 27 carries last season, Barner averaged a career-best 4.8 yards per carry. Philadelphia initially acquired Barner via trade from the Panthers, so the Chargers will be the former Oregon running back’s third NFL team. The soon-to-be 28-year-old running back gained 129 yards last season and scored two touchdowns. He has just 61 career carries.
Top 2017 Free Agents By Position 3.0: Offense
The initial wave of NFL free agency is now complete, and while many of the league’s top available players are now off the board, there are still plenty of quality options still on the open market.
Listed below are our rankings for the top 15 free agents at each offensive position. These rankings aren’t necessarily determined by the value of the contracts – or the amount of guaranteed money – that each player is expected to land in free agency. These are simply the players we like the most at each position, with both short- and long-term value taken into account.
Restricted and exclusive-rights free agents, as well as players who received the franchise tag, aren’t listed here, since the roadblocks in place to hinder another team from actually acquiring most of those players prevent them from being true free agents.
We’ll almost certainly be higher or lower on some free agents than you are, so feel free to weigh in below in our comments section to let us know which players we’ve got wrong.
Here’s our breakdown of the current top 15 free agents by offensive position for 2017:
Quarterback:
Jay CutlerChase DanielRyan Fitzpatrick- Colin Kaepernick
Josh McCown- Robert Griffin III
Case KeenumMatt McGloinMark Sanchez- Christian Ponder
Blaine GabbertRyan Nassib- Shaun Hill
Kellen MooreAustin Davis
Tony Romo is not a free agent…at least not yet. If the Cowboys do not find a suitable trade and release him, you’ll find him at the top of this list.
Laugh if you must, but Cutler is far and away the best quarterback available on the open market. While most of this year’s QB-needy teams are done with their free agent shopping, the Jets are still searching for their 2017 starter and no one would make more sense for them than Cutler. He’s not all that far removed from playing solid football and he’s a logical transitional option for the Jets until they can isolate a better, younger option for 2018. 
Kaepernick’s reps wisely told the press that he will be standing for the National Anthem this year. Still, Kaepernick is an outspoken guy who wants to use his platform to discuss hot button issues, so there’s no guarantee that the media circus around him will cease. Jets owner Woody Johnson loves seeing his team on the back pages of the New York tabloids, but even he has to have more sense than to entertain Kaepernick. McCown, who has been contact with the team, would be an okay choice if they can’t get something done with Cutler. Chase Daniel could be an option too, but there isn’t much game film on him.
Needless to say, the No. 3 ranked player on this list isn’t an option in New York.
Running back:
Adrian PetersonLeGarrette BlountJamaal Charles- Rashad Jennings
Tim Hightower- DeAngelo Williams
- Chris Johnson
Christine MichaelBenny Cunningham- Bobby Rainey
Brandon Bolden- Denard Robinson
- James Starks
Matt AsiataKenjon Barner
Honorable mention: DuJuan Harris, Antonio Andrews, Khiry Robinson
The Vikings have moved on and Peterson will not be back in Minnesota. Where he goes from here is anyone’s guess. When Peterson’s option was declined by the Vikings earlier this month, there were tons of stories (likely sourced by Peterson’s camp) about interest from a litany of contenders. Since then, each team – through anonymous sources – has denied being in the mix for the veteran. It would be easy to doubt Peterson at this juncture, but he has come back from serious injuries multiple times in his career and he is only one year removed from his stellar 2015 campaign. He gets the top spot over the bruising Blount as well as Charles, who hasn’t been healthy in a long while.
Jennings was brought to New York with the idea that he would be the team’s workhorse. Unfortunately, two of his three seasons with the G-Men were marred by injury. Jennings is currently putting his agility to good use on Dancing With The Stars and it remains to be seen how committed he is to football. After that, we have a trio of vets (Hightower, Williams, CJ2K) who could still advance the ball in limited spurts.
In case you’re wondering – Mike Gillislee is not listed here because he is a restricted free agent.
Eagles Will Not Tender Kenjon Barner
The Eagles will not place an RFA tender on running back Kenjon Barner, tweets Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Barner, 28 next month, has spent the past two seasons with the Eagles, racking up more than 55 carries during that time. While he’s managed 4.6 yards per carry in that span, he was never able to garner a larger workload. A low tender offer would have cost nearly $2MM, so it’s possible Philadelphia will non-tender Barner now before re-signing him on a cheaper deal.
For now, the Eagles’ backfield is comprised of Ryan Mathews, Wendell Smallwood, Darren Sproles, Byron Marshall, and Terrell Watson, though Mathews is thought to be a candidate for release.
Eagles Activate Lane Johnson
The Eagles announced that Lane Johnson has been formally activated for this week. To clear a spot, running back Kenjon Barner was placed on the injured reserve list. 
Johnson, of course, was hit with a 10-game suspension earlier this year and his appeal was unsuccessful. The tackle maintained that he was not given proper information from the NFL or NFLPA regarding banned substances and he took action against both. Ultimately, he would up serving a lengthy suspension as a repeat PED offender. He’ll be back in action for the final two games of the year, but these, unfortunately, are largely meaningless games for Philly. Next up for the Eagles is an opportunity to block the Giants from potentially taking the division.
Barner, meanwhile, is being shut down after suffering a hamstring injury.