It sounds like Corey “Philly”Brown is headed to Denver. The wide receiver is set for a physical examination with the Broncos tomorrow, reports Mike Klis of 9News.com. Assuming everything goes well, it’s expected that the wideout will be on the squad when the team hits the field for its first training camp practice this weekend.
The former Ohio State star had three solid seasons with the Panthers despite going undrafted in the 2014 draft. He had his best season in 2015, hauling in 31 receptions for 447 yards and four scores. After appearing in a career-high 16 games during the 2016 campaign, he signed a one-year deal with the Bills last offseason. However, he didn’t end up seeing the field for Buffalo before being released in October. While he had workouts with several teams, he ended up sitting out the entire 2017 season.
November 15th, 2017 at 8:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson
Although rookie wideout Curtis Samuel is done for the season after suffering an ankle injury, the Panthers have not made contact with old friend Corey Brown, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (Twitter link). Brown has enjoyed two separate stints with the Bills this season, but he’s yet to actually see the field. The 25-year-old spent the 2014-16 campaigns in Carolina, averaging 26 receptions, 340 yards, and two touchdowns during that time. However, Person suggested on Monday that the Panthers will fill their wide receiver vacancy from within.
Here’s more from the NFC:
Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Peters has a high ankle sprain and will be sidelined for “awhile,” head coach Bruce Arians told reporters, including Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link). High ankle sprains are typically four-to-six weeks injuries, which means Peters will be a candidate for injured reserve, especially since Arizona isn’t in the playoff hunt. Peters, 29, has played the second-most snaps among Cardinals defensive lineman this season, so his absence will certainly be felt. Backups Robert Nkemdiche, Rodney Gunter, Olsen Pierre, and Xavier Williams could now be line for more action.
The Lions are now paying practice squad tight end Hakeem Valles at the active roster rate ($32K per week), reports Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). That’s because the Cardinals recently attempted to poach Valles when they lost fellow tight end Ifeanyi Momah for the remainder of the season, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Valles, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Monmouth in 2016, spent the 2016 campaign with Arizona, appearing in 11 games (one start) for the club). Detroit, meanwhile, currently has three tight ends on its 53-man roster: Eric Ebron, Darren Fells, and Michael Roberts.
Before he decided to sign with the Saints, running back Jonathan Williams was also offered a contract by the Falcons, New Orleans head coach Sean Payton told reporters, including Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link). Williams had been earning $30K weekly (nearly an active roster rate) while on the Broncos’ practice squad, but he jumped at the chance to be placed on the Saints’ 53-man squad. Atlanta needed another running back while Devonta Freemandeals with a concussion, and it ultimately signedTerrence Magee of the Browns’ taxi squad.
New Saintsspecial teams assistantMike Westhoff wasn’t looking to get back into coaching, but New Orleans presented him with an appealing opportunity. “I don’t want to regret something I didn’t try,” he told Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). Westhoff added his new role isn’t a long-term gig, and he’ll only coach for this season. The Saints have struggled on special teams for the past two-plus years, a track record that forced the club to hire a new ST coach (Brad Banta) this offseason. However, New Orleans ranks 27th in special teams DVOA through 10 weeks.
With E.J. Gaines questionable for this weekend’s game with a groin injury, the Bills have added a defensive back to their roster. ESPN’s Mike Rodak reports (via Twitter) that the team has promoted cornerback Greg Mabin from the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the Bills have released wide receiver Philly Brown.
Gaines, who has started each of his team’s first four games, suffered the injury during the second half of last weekend’s win over the Falcons. So far this season, the 25-year-old has compiled 19 tackles and two forced fumbles, and Pro Football Focus rates him 18th among 109 eligible cornerbacks. If Gaines does miss time, Mabin surely won’t be replacing him in the lineup. The undrafted rookie out of Iowa certainly had a productive collegiate career, but he’s bounced around the league over the past few months. In the event that Gaines misses the contest, it’s more likely the team turns to Leonard JohnsonorShareece Wrightto take his starting spot.
Brown, a former standout at Ohio State, joined the Bills this offseason following three seasons with the Panthers. His best season came in 2015, when he hauled in 31 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdowns. He also has experience running the ball, as he’s collected 16 career carries. He’s yet to get into a regular season game in 2017. With Brown released and Jordan Matthews set to miss several weeks, the Bills are now only rostering four healthy wideouts in Zay Jones, Andre Holmes, Kaelin Clay, and Brandon Tate.