T.J. Yates - Pro Football Rumors

NFL Workout Updates: 12/6/2016

December 6th, 2016 at 8:22pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Broncos worked out a dozen players today, including quarterbacks Sean Renfree and T.J. Yates, running backs Bernard Pierce and Zac Brooks, and wide receivers Keshawn Martin and Corey Washington, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Yates, 29, has only started seven games during his regular season career, but has somewhat miraculously managed two playoff starts, both for Houston. Each of the tryouts conducted by Denver today were for futures contract consideration, tweets Mike Klis of 9NEWS.

Here’s more from the workout front:

Searching for emergency interior line options, the Patriots tried out OL James Stone and Chris Watt today, reports Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter links), who adds that New England also took a look at wide receiver Dez Stewart. As Reiss wrote earlier today, the Pats could be forced to make a move at WR following an injury to Danny Amendola, and Stewart could potentially fill that void.
The Chiefs, dealing with injuries to Dontari Poe and Jaye Howard (placed on IR), auditioned veteran defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis and Montori Hughes, per Caplan (Twitter link). Kansas City also worked out inside linebackers James Burgess and Darnell Sankey on Saturday, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets.
The Packers tried out tight end Kennard Backman, quarterback Mike Bercovici, wide receiver Mitch Mathews, and running back Daryl Virgies, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Backman is familiar with Green Bay, as the Packers chose him in the sixth round of the 2015 draft.
Defensive back Dezmen Southward, defensive end Josh Boyd, and linebacker Ron Thompson all worked out for the Raiders today, per Caplan (Twitter link). Southward was a third-round pick by the Falcons in 2014.
The Buccaneers are working out 6’4″, 220-pound wide receiver Joe Hills, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He was the 2016 Arena League offensive Player of the Year for the Jacksonville Sharks.
Defensive lineman Frank Beltre and defensive back Tony Burnett were among the players that tried out for the Vikings today, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter link).
The Jets worked out long snappers Zac Triner, Rick Lovato, Daniel Dillon, and Kameron Canaday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link) and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. New York’s current long snapper is veteran Tanner Purdum.

Latest On Patriots’ QB Situation

September 26th, 2016 at 9:45am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots have not made plans to bring in T.J. Yates, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport calls Yates the Pats’ “free agent quarterback of choice” and by not signing him, it’s an indication that they are confident in the health of Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett.

Brissett looked great as he made his NFL debut and first ever start against the Texans on Thursday night. During the course of the Pats’ 27-0 victory, however, the rookie suffered a thumb sprain. Meanwhile, Garoppolo is still dealing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing arm. Tom Brady returns soon, but the Patriots still have to get through their October 2nd contest against the Bills before welcoming him back on October 9th to face the Browns.

In the first two games of the seasons, Garoppolo completed 42-of-60 passes for 498 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in wins over the Cardinals and Dolphins. The Pats are hoping to see the youngster do more of that against Buffalo, but if he can’t, it sounds like Brissett should be ready.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

T.J. Yates, Sean Renfree Visited Patriots

September 20th, 2016 at 5:16pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Patriots worked out free agent quarterbacks T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree on Tuesday, but they declined to sign either, report Adam Kaufman of CBS Sports Radio and ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter links). New England is content to enter its Thursday game against the Texans with third-round rookie Jacoby Brissett and the banged-up Jimmy Garoppolo as its signal-callers, adds Kaufman.

Since Garoppolo had to exit the Patriots’ 31-24 win over the Dolphins with an injured shoulder Sunday, there have been questions as to whether the Pats would add another QB on a short week. Schefter reported Monday that they wouldn’t, and that now appears to be the case after the team passed on Yates and Renfree. As a result, New England could have Garoppolo back up Brissett in his first career start.

Had it signed Yates, New England would have landed a passer with 18 games of regular-season experience and seven starts under his belt. The 29-year-old divided his first five seasons between Houston and Atlanta. He made four appearances and two starts for the Texans last season, completing 28 of 57 passes for 370 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. In all, he has connected on 58.1 percent of 227 career attempts and racked up six scores against eight picks.

Yates, who started both of the Texans’ playoff games in January 2012, went on injured reserve last December with a torn ACL. He received a clean bill of health in August, which could pave the way for him to sign somewhere this year.

Renfree is also a former Falcon, having gone to Atlanta in the seventh round of the 2013 draft. The ex-Duke passer saw his only pro action last year, but he totaled a mere seven attempts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

T.J. Yates Cleared To Return From ACL Injury

August 30th, 2016 at 2:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent quarterback T.J. Yates has fully recovered from the ACL injury he suffered last season, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Yates is now available to sign with a new club.

After beginning his career in Houston, Yates was traded to Atlanta by the Texans in June of 2014. The former fifth-round pick spent the year playing behind Matt Ryan for the Falcons, and was re-signed by Atlanta in March. However, the team cut him prior to the 2015 season, opting for Sean Renfree as Ryan’s backup.

Yates, 29, re-signed with the Texans in midseason, and started two games for the club, completing 49% of his passes, 370 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception before tearing his ACL in a December contest.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Notes: S. Smith, Grimes, Yates, Chiefs

December 25th, 2015 at 10:26am CST by Luke Adams

A report last weekend suggested that Ravens receiver Steve Smith is expected to put off retirement plans for one more year and return to the field in 2016. However, Smith himself remains noncommittal on the issue.

As Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun details, Smith said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week that he’s “been on the fence” for a while about his plans for next year. The veteran wideout isn’t letting his Achilles injury determine his decision one way or the other, adding that the main factor will be what his family thinks.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

While there has been some speculation about Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes taking a pay cut for 2016, Grimes said he hasn’t paid any attention to that conversation, but didn’t entirely rule out the possibility, notes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
Texans quarterback T.J. Yates, who was placed on injured reserve this week after tearing his ACL, will undergo surgery on Monday to repair that ACL, writes Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “I’m excited to get things going. I’m more annoyed than anything. I know I’ll come back. I know I’ll be fine, but it’s terrible timing for everything. I’m ready to get the process started,” Yates said, adding that he hopes to be ready to go for training camp next year.
Veteran defensive tackle Ziggy Hood was among the free agents to work out for the Chiefs this week, per Wilson (Twitter link). Kansas City also took a look at quarterback Dominique Davis and defensive end Glenn Foster.

Texans Place T.J. Yates On IR

December 21st, 2015 at 5:28pm CST by Dallas Robinson

MONDAY, 5:28pm: The team officially placed Yates on IR and signed quarterback B.J. Daniels off the Seahawks’ practice squad to fill Yates’ roster spot, the Texans website reports. The 26-year-old Daniels has bounced between positions, and between the active roster and practice squad, in Seattle, playing both quarterback and wide receiver. A former seventh-round 49ers draft pick in 2013, Daniels caught two passes for the Seahawks this season.

MONDAY, 12:47pm: Today’s tests confirmed that Yates tore his ACL, ending his season, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Houston figures to place him on the injured reserve list this week.

SUNDAY, 2:40pm: The Texans believe that quarterback T.J. Yates suffered a torn ACL during today’s game against the Colts, reports Mark Berman of FOX 26 (Twitter link). If confirmed, Yates would obviously be lost for the remainder of the season.

Yates was starting today in the absence of Brian Hoyer, who suffered a concussion near the end of last week’s game against the Patriots and was inactive today. Houston has now turned to the only other quarterback on its roster, Brandon Weeden, whom the club recently claimed off waivers from the Cowboys. With Hoyer’s status for next week still uncertain, it’s likely that the Texans will look to add a quarterback in the next week.

It’s almost inconceivable given their turnover at quarterback this season (Hoyer, Yates, Weeden, and Ryan Mallett have all seen time this year), but the Texans are still very much in the running for a postseason berth. If they beat the Colts today, Houston will take over first place in the AFC South with just two games to play. Depending on the nature and severity of Hoyer’s concussion, it’s entirely possible we’ll witness a sight few would have predicted at any point in recent history — Weeden starting a playoff game.

Entering today’s contest, Yates had played in three games in relief of Hoyer since being signed in late October — his only start (against the Jets in Week 13) resulted in a 24-17 Houston victory. The 28-year-old Yates, who also spent 2011-12 with the Texans, is a free agent at season’s end. Given his projected recovery timetable, he might find it difficult to land a job next summer.

Texans To Sign T.J. Yates

October 27th, 2015 at 12:10pm CST by Luke Adams

After releasing Ryan Mallett, the Texans will bring back free agent quarterback T.J. Yates to back up starter Brian Hoyer, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston. ESPN’s Tania Ganguli first reported that the team was pursuing Yates, while Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle first broke word of the agreement.

Yates, 28, hasn’t started a regular season NFL game since 2011, though Texans fans will remember that 2011 stint — Yates, a rookie at the time, was the club’s starter down the stretch, and helped lead Houston to a playoff victory in the first round.

After he spent another two seasons in Houston, Yates was traded to Atlanta by the Texans in June of 2014. The former fifth-round pick spent the year playing behind Matt Ryan for the Falcons, and was re-signed by Atlanta in March. However, the team cut him prior to the 2015 season, opting for Sean Renfree as Ryan’s backup this year.

With Tom Savage on injured reserve, Yates will join Hoyer as the only quarterbacks on the Texans’ active roster, meaning there’s a reasonable chance he’ll see the field at some point in the second half. Houston is expected to open up another roster spot when Arian Foster officially lands on IR, so it’ll be interesting to see whether the club signs an emergency QB or uses the opening to add depth to another area of the roster.

Texans Release Ryan Mallett

October 27th, 2015 at 11:22am CST by Luke Adams

Just days after he missed the team’s charter plane to Miami, quarterback Ryan Mallett has been released by the Texans, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link). A Monday report indicated that head coach Bill O’Brien wanted to cut Mallett but was overruled by GM Rick Smith, so it appears Smith has come around on the decision.

Mallett, who also missed a training camp practice this year, claims that he missed last week’s flight because his cell phone died and his alarm didn’t go off. Whether or not that story is true, the missed flight was the last straw for the Texans, who will now have to find a backup for Brian Hoyer, since Mallett was the only other signal-caller on the roster. Tom Savage, the team’s third quarterback, would typically slide into that role, but he was placed on season-ending IR in September.

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported earlier today (via Twitter) that the Texans had not yet reached out to veteran free agents like Jason Campbell and Rex Grossman. Still, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the team will indeed add a veteran to be the No. 2 behind Hoyer, with ESPN’s Tania Ganguli reporting (via Twitter) that the club is working to bring back T.J. Yates, who was cut by the Falcons prior to the regular season.

Mallett, who initially joined the Texans prior to the 2014 season, started six games over the last two years for the team, totaling 1,170 passing yards, five touchdowns, and six interceptions during his time in Houston. Having signed a new two-year, $7MM contract with the Texans earlier this year, Mallett still has a little guaranteed money coming his way this year. However, Houston won’t have to carry any dead money on its cap in 2016, since the 27-year-old’s deal didn’t include a signing bonus.

Because Mallett has more than four years of NFL experience, he’ll become a free agent immediately without having to pass through waivers. His stock isn’t particularly high at the moment, but Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (Twitter link) wonders if the Bills – who have lost two games with EJ Manuel as their starter – might circle back on Mallett after showing interest last offseason.

Falcons Release Rex Grossman, T.J. Yates

September 4th, 2015 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

3:27pm: The Falcons have cut Yates as well, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter). That leaves Ryan and Renfree as the only quarterbacks on the roster at the moment.

3:23pm: A little over a week after signing him to a contract, the Falcons have released quarterback Rex Grossman, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Because he’s a vested veteran, Grossman won’t have to pass through waivers before becoming a free agent.

Grossman, who turned 35 last month, hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass since 2011 in Washington, and we heard earlier in August that he was still recovering from an injury he sustained while training. However, the veteran QB has a history with Kyle Shanahan, so it was no surprise when the new Falcons and their new offensive coordinator brought in Grossman.

It’s a little surprising that Grossman only lasted about a week and a half on the roster, but it could be a case of the team intending to re-sign him after Week 1, when veteran salaries are no longer guaranteed for the season. For now, T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree remain on Atlanta’s roster as Matt Ryan‘s backups.

NFC Notes: Barkley, Mays, Seahawks, Falcons

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:43pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A look at the latest from the NFC:

Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley is available “for the right deal,” a source told ESPN’s Dianna Marie Russini (Twitter link). Barkley, a fourth-round pick out of USC in 2013, could be the odd man out in Philly with Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow also on the team’s QB depth chart.
The Seahawks may have a hole at safety with Kam Chancellor holding out, but don’t expect them to sign free agent Taylor Mays, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweeted. Mays, whom Detroit officially released earlier today, played for Seahawks coach Pete Carroll while the two were at USC. Mays’ successful college career hasn’t translated to the pros, though, as he’s already been a member of four organizations since San Francisco chose him in the second round of the 2010 draft.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has started 87 straight games, the fifth-longest streak among NFL passers, and that’s especially fortunate for Atlanta, writes Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Falcons might have the worst No. 2 QB in the league in T.J. Yates, per Cunningham, who bolsters his opinion with some help from PredictionMachine.com. According to the website, the Falcons’ playoff chances would decrease by a league-high 85.3 percent if they played with Yates instead of Ryan for a full 16-game season.
Vikings receivers coach George Stewart offered effusive praise for veteran wideout Mike Wallace, whom the team acquired from Miami during the offseason. Wallace is the fastest receiver Stewart has coached during his 27-year career, he told Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Stewart also expressed excitement over the impact Wallace will make as a blocker. “Excellent toughness,” Stewart said. “He’s not afraid of contact. He’s going to block (cornerbacks) corners, he’s going to block safeties. You have some receivers who are kind of shy when it comes down to that moment of truth hitting the defensive back. He’s not shy.