NFL Workout Updates: 1/3/19
Today’s workout updates, all courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter):
Chicago Bears
- T Dakoda Shepley; G Ethan Cooper; LB Sam Eguavoen; K Ty Long
Detroit Lions
- DEs Avery Ellis, Tony Nelson; LB Sam Eguavoen
Green Bay Packers
- WR Devin Smith
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
- QBs Jon Jennings, Bo Levi Mitchell; WRs Sammie Coates, Greg Ward, Taj Williams; T Dakoda Shepley; LBs Sam Eguavoen, Jameer Thurman
Kansas City Chiefs
- DTs Henry Mondeaux, Cavon Walker; CB DeAndre Elliott
Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Alex Singleton; LS Tanner Carew; K Ty Long; P Shane Tripucka
New England Patriots
- WR Jordan Williams-Lambert
New Orleans Saints
- DE Geneo Grissom; LB Lorenzo Mauldin
New York Jets
- WR Stacy Coley; DE Charles Tapper
Pittsburgh Steelers
- RBs Terry Swanson, Malik Williams; WR Diontae Spencer
Seattle Seahawks
49ers LS Kyle Nelson Suspended 10 Games
Kyle Nelson‘s season is over. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers long snapper has been suspended 10 games. The team announced that Nelson was suspended for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 10-game van would seemingly indicate that this is the veteran’s second violation.
“I have been made aware by the NFL that I tested positive for a banned substance, and as a result will be suspended,” Nelson said in a statement. “I have been taking the same supplements for my entire time with the 49ers, while undergoing often simultaneous testing by the NFL with no issues. I do not deviate from my nutrition routine, and I would never knowingly take a banned substance. I am currently having the supplements tested, and I hope to uncover the cause of the positive test. When the product is identified I fully intend to seek legal action against the manufacturer to protect against this happening to other players in the future.”
The 32-year-old has spent the past four-plus seasons in San Francisco, appearing in every single game for the organization. The suspension could actually spell the end of the veteran’s tenure with the 49ers, as Nelson is set to become a free agent this offseason.
Since he’ll be forced to sit out the first six games of the 2019 campaign, it’s unlikely the 49ers will carry two players at the position for more than a month. In fact, it’s unlikely Nelson will be able to snag a new gig with any team before the start of the regular season. However, the long snapper will be eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices/games.
Considering Nelson’s reliability, it was a bit odd to see the 49ers audition a number of long snappers last week. That grouping was headlined by veteran Jon Condo, and it also included Tanner Carew, Lucas Gravelle, Colin Holba, and Taybor Pepper (via Matt Maiocco NBC Sports Bay Area on Twitter). The workouts now make a lot more sense, as the team will need to add a long snapper for the final stretch of the season.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/27/18
Here’s the latest from the workout circuit, all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer, unless otherwise specified.
Arizona Cardinals
Baltimore Ravens
- S Bennett Jackson (link)
Buffalo Bills
- LB James Burgess, P Matt Darr, LB Obum Gwacham, DE Damontre Moore, P Brad Nortman, P Jake Schum (link)
Carolina Panthers
- CB Dexter McDougle (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of Sirius XM Radio)
Green Bay Packers
- T Gerhard de Beer, DE Geneo Grissom, FB Malcolm Johnson, LB Jacob Pugh (link)
Houston Texans
- WR Deontez Alexander, CB Horace Richardson, WR Devin Smith (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Mack Brown, RB Martez Carter, RB Jarvion Franklin, RB Gerald Holmes, TE Khari Lee, RB Akrum Wadley (link)
Oakland Raiders
- DE Darius Jackson, DE Ja’Von Rolland-Jones (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- LB Tyrell Adams, LB Thurston Armbrister, LS Tanner Carew, LS Jon Condo, LS Lucas Gravelle, LS Colin Holba, WR Max McCaffrey, LS Taybor Pepper, WR Jordan Smallwood, WR Jordan Veasy, LB Michael Wilhoite (link)
Bears Trim Roster To 53
The Bears have reduced their roster to 53 players by making the following transactions:
Waived:
- T Dejon Allen
- DT Abdullah Anderson
- LB Jonathan Anderson (injured)
- WR Demarcus Ayers
- LS Tanner Carew
- DB Rashard Fant (injured)
- DB John Franklin
- WR Tanner Gentry
- DB Doran Grant
- G Brandon Greene
- LB Ro’Derrick Hoskins
- WR Garrett Johnson
- WR Malachi Jones
- DB Michael Joseph
- DB Cre’von LeBlanc
- DB Jonathon Mincy
- RB Taquan Mizzell
- G Jordan Morgan
- RB Ryan Nall
- DE Elijah Norris
- DB Nick Orr
- G Will Pericak
- TE Colin Thompson
- LB John Timu
- DT Cavon Walker
- P Ryan Winslow
- LB Josh Woods
Released:
- QB Tyler Bray
- RB Knile Davis
- LB Kasim Edebali
- WR Bennie Fowler
- DT John Jenkins
- T Matt McCants
- DE Nicholas Williams
Placed on injured reserve:
- WR Marlon Brown
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/16/18
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed: DL Albert Havili (from Chargers)
- Waived/Injured: DT Marquavius Lewis
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LS Tanner Carew
- Waived/Injured: LB Andrew Trumbetti
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DT DeQuinton Osborne
- Waived/injured: DT Paul Boyette
Seahawks Sign WR Marvin Bracy
Marvin Bracy‘s best-known work has come as a track and field athlete, with the former Florida State sprinter donning a Team USA speedsuit at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But Bracy remains in pursuit of an NFL future.
The Seahawks will give Bracy an opportunity. They signed the 5-foot-9 wide receiver hopeful on Saturday and waived long snapper Tanner Carew, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets.
A 2016 100-meter qualifier for Team USA and a member of the United States’ 4×100 relay squad in Brazil, Bracy also medaled on the world stage in the 60-meter dash in the past. However, he’s attempted to make a run as an NFL wideout. He caught on with the Colts last year. However, Indianapolis waived the speedster after the preseason. The 24-year-old Bracy worked out for the Jets in October but has hovered relatively off the radar since.
Seattle already has a crowded wideout room, having added Jaron Brown and Brandon Marshall this offseason, but Bracy’s best bet may be a practice squad opportunity.
Seahawks Add 15 UDFAs
Beginning their rookie minicamp on Friday, the Seahawks announced their undrafted rookie class. Fifteen players comprise this contingent. Here’s the full rundown:
- Emmanuel Beal, LB (Oklahoma)
- Tanner Carew, LS (Oregon)
- Poona Ford, DT (Texas)
- Marcell Frazier, DE (Missouri)
- Jason Hall, LB (Texas)
- Khalid Hill, FB (Michigan)
- Warren Long, LB (Northwestern)
- Brad Lundblade, C (Oklahoma State)
- Marcus Martin, FB (Slippery Rock)
- Skyler Phillips, G (Idaho State)
- Jake Pugh, LB (Florida State)
- Caleb Scott, WR (Vanderbilt)
- Ka’Raun White, WR (West Virginia)
- Taj Williams, WR (TCU)
- Eddy Wilson, DT (Purdue)
Interestingly, this class houses just two offensive line hopefuls. Lundblade was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last year. The Seahawks used just one of their draft choices, a sixth-rounder, on what’s been a troublesome area for the franchise for years. Seattle’s only free agency add here was D.J. Fluker, who worked mostly as a depth piece for an embattled Giants team in 2017.
Seattle brought in three wide receivers after not addressing the position in the draft. All check in at 6-foot-1 or taller. The two fullbacks bring the Seahawks’ total to four, and counting notable fifth-round pick Shaquem Griffin and sixth-rounder Jacob Martin, Seattle’s added six rookie linebackers this year.