Terrance Williams

NFL Workout Updates: 9/10/19

We’ve got another busy day of workouts, with many teams across the league hosting players.

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Redskins

Cards, Michael Crabtree Far Apart On Terms

Despite an impressive workout for the Cardinals, Michael Crabtree remains a free agent. The report of his deal turned out to be premature, and we now know why the 31-year-old wide receiver is not a member of the Cards a day later.

At the conclusion of Crabtree’s Monday workout, the Cardinals made what the veteran wideout appears to have deemed a stunning offer. The Cards proposed a one-year, $2.5MM contract to Crabtree, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. While that deal could have escalated to $4.5MM based on performance, Crabtree was “taken aback” when he received the offer, per Florio.

Crabtree expected an offer along the lines of the ones the Cowboys and Lions, respectively, made Randall Cobb (one year, $5MM) and Danny Amendola (one year, $4.25MM), Florio adds, given that those veteran pass catchers produced less than he did in 2018. The parties did not discuss a deal prior to Crabtree’s workout.

The Ravens’ Joe Flacco-to-Lamar Jackson switch restrained Crabtree (607 receiving yards last season) and John Brown, with the former averaging only 19.2 receiving yards per game with Jackson at the controls. But Brown signed for three years and $27MM, with $11.6MM in guarantees. At this juncture of the NFL calendar, free agents are often forced to settle on price. Crabtree’s most recent contract — a three-year, $21MM Ravens pact with the Ravens — occurred last March.

Kliff Kingsbury remains receptive to a Crabtree partnership, telling AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban “anything can happen” (Twitter link). That doesn’t sound particularly promising regarding a Crabtree-to-Arizona path, especially considering the Cardinals drafted three wide receivers to join a team already housing Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk. But the Crabtree workout marked the first news about the former 49ers, Raiders and Ravens wideout since his Baltimore release.

Additionally, former Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams took part in the same workout Crabtree did, per Florio. So did Akron alum Kwadarrius Smith.

Cowboys Decline Terrance Williams’ Option

The Cowboys have declined the option on Terrance Williams’ contract for 2019, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Williams will hit free agency in March and the Cowboys will save $2.25MM in cap space in the upcoming year. 

The move does not come as a surprise – Williams caught just two passes for 18 yards last season and spent the bulk of the year on injured reserve. He also served a three-game suspension in connection with a May car crash.

Had the Cowboys exercised Williams’ option, they would been on the hook for $4MM in 2019. Given his lack of production and the presence of Amari Cooper atop the WR depth chart, this was pretty much a no-brainer for Dallas.

Williams, 30 in September, will have a market for his services, but he’ll probably fetch offers below that $4MM figure. Before his ill-fated ’18 campaign, he was averaging 46 catches for 672 yards and four TDs per season with the Cowboys.

Cowboys WR Terrance Williams Suspended

The NFL has suspended Cowboys receiver Terrance Williams for three games, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Williams is currently on injured reserve, but he can serve the ban while on IR.

Williams was arrested in May after allegedly crashing his vehicle into a light pole, but he was never charged with driving under the influence. Instead, Williams faced a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication, a violation which was dismissed after Williams completed an alcohol awareness course and paid for damages, but the NFL still holds the right to issue its own response.

While Williams won’t have to miss any time as a result of his suspension given that he’s already out for the season, he will miss out on cash. He’ll be forced to sacrifice 3/17 of his base salary, which amounts to about $618K. All Cowboys players have contract language that voids their guarantees in the event of a suspension, but Williams doesn’t have any more guaranteed money on his deal after 2018.

In other Cowboys news, Dallas isn’t currently involved in the wide receiver trade market, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN.com. Several pass-catchers, notably including Raiders wideout Amari Cooper, are reportedly on the trade block, but the Cowboys are comfortable with their current depth chart of Cole Beasley, Michael Gallup, Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson, and Tavon Austin.

East Notes: Cowboys, Manning, Wake, Jets

Terrance Williams landed on IR after not being listed on the Cowboys‘ injury report going into Week 4. The veteran wide receiver appeared on Dallas’ Week 5 injury list, however, after a personal issue kept him out of the Cowboys-Lions game. Now, both he and Travis Frederick — also placed on IR Saturday — are out until at least the Dec. 9 game against the Eagles. As for Williams’ status with the Cowboys, it’s possible he’s played his last game with the team considering his diminished role (39 snaps in three games). For now, the team is sticking by the embattled receiver, who may face a suspension for his offseason car accident. Williams is under contract through the 2020 season. It would cost the Cowboys ($2.5MM in dead money) more to cut him than it would save them by shedding that contract in 2019, however.

With him, there’s a suspension looming out there that might or might not happen,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Friday during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan (via Pro Football Talk). “He does have some things after coming off that foot injury, which happens. When you have a foot injury, sometimes you rush it back, and you’re not quite there. And then just personal and general, some things that maybe are holding him back right now. I just think it’s a work in progress with him. We think a lot of him. He’s a fighter and competitor, we just got to get him right.”

Here’s the latest from the East divisions, shifting to a Dallas rival:

  • Eli Manning‘s play has apparently drawn scrutiny from Giants decision-makers. The 15th-year starter has not had much success down the field this season, frequently checking the ball down. “Growing frustration” has emerged with Manning’s issues in this area, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News notes. Odell Beckham Jr., during a recent interview with ESPN’s Josina Anderson (via Leonard), also questioned why Manning isn’t making more downfield throws. “How come we can’t throw the ball for more than 20 yards?” Beckham asked Anderson, rhetorically. “How come we don’t attempt or try to throw the ball for more than 20 yards? Those are questions that we have to figure out.” Manning’s only completed nine 20-plus-yard passes this season, and just six of those traveled 20-plus yards through the air. Manning is completing 74 percent of his passes.
  • Josh Doctson suffered a heel injury during practice earlier in the week and is questionable for the Redskins‘ game against the Saints, per ESPN.com’s John Keim (on Twitter). He did not practice Saturday, which doesn’t bode well for the third-year wideout’s status for Monday night. Maurice Harris will start in Doctson’s place if he’s unable to go, Jay Gruden said.
  • Trumaine Johnson managed a limited practice on Thursday but did not participate Friday because of a quadriceps injury. The Jets‘ top cornerback is out for their Week 5 tilt against the Broncos. Johnson was available and in the starting lineup for each of Gang Green’s first four games, so this will be an adjustment for the 1-3 Jets.
  • The Dolphins will be without Cameron Wake on Sunday. Wake’s knee-related absence will bring second-year defensive end Charles Harris into the lineup opposite Robert Quinn, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes. Miami entered the season quite deep at end but will be without Wake, William Hayes (IR) and Andre Branch this week. Wake did not travel with the team to Cincinnati.

Cowboys Place WR Terrance Williams On IR

Terrance Williams is heading to the IR. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Cowboys are placing the wideout on the injured reserve.

We heard earlier this week that the wideout was limited in practice. He sat out last weekend’s game due to personal issues, but it was a left foot injury that may have led to his placement on the injured reserve (via Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Dallas Star-Telegram). Williams had previously fractured the same foot, and offseason surgery forced him to sit out the entire offseason program and mini camp. While he was never listed on the injury report, Hill says the foot issue had been limiting the wideout through the early part of the season.

Before the foot injury came to light, the biggest issue plaguing Williams was a pending suspension for crashing his car into a pole. Williams wasn’t charged with a DUI, but it’s believed that he was intoxicated at the time of the accident. A looming suspension may have influenced the Cowboys’ decision to place the wideout on the IR.

Before missing last weekend’s game, Williams had appeared in 83 straight games. The 29-year-old had averaged 46 receptions and 672 yards during his first five seasons in the NFL, including a 2015 campaign where he compiled 840 receiving yards. However, through three games this season, Williams had only hauled in two catches for 18 yards. Williams is currently in the second year of a four-year, $17MM deal. As our own Zach Links pointed out, the Cowboys could save $2.25MM by releasing him in the offseason, though they would be left with $2.5MM in dead money.

The Cowboys placed center Travis Frederick on the injured reserve earlier today. The team activated David Irving to take the open roster spot.

Latest On Cowboys’ Terrance Williams

Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams was with the Cowboys as they practiced on Thursday morning, but his participation was limited to work on the sidelines with strength coaches, as Clarence E. Hill of the Star Telegram writes. Williams missed the Cowboys’ game over the weekend as well as Wednesday’s practice because of off-the-field issues, but an ailing left foot is currently holding him back. 

Williams isn’t accustomed to missing time. Before missing Sunday’s win over the Lions, Williams had a playing streak of 83 consecutive games dating back to his rookie campaign. And, despite averaging 46 catches and 672 yards in each of his previous seasons, Williams had just two grabs for 18 yards in his three games this season.

Before the foot injury came to light, the biggest issue plaguing Williams was a pending suspension for crashing his car into a pole. Although Williams was not charged with a DUI, it is believed that he was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Now, Williams could be on the verge of being placed on injured reserve, so the suspension would be something of a moot point.

Williams is in the second year of a four-year, $17MM deal and stands as the Cowboys’ priciest receiver. The Cowboys, in theory, can save $2.25MM by releasing him in the offseason, though they would be left with $2.5MM in dead money.

NFC Notes: Thomas, Bradford, Eagles, Reid

The Seahawks have indeed fined safety Earl Thomas, who missed practice for non-injury reasons for the second consecutive week. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the Seahawks — who were considering imposing a substantial fine on Thomas last Sunday — fined the star defender for missing practice and for “other things.” Rapoport adds that “communication should increase going forward,” but it is presently unclear as to whether he is referring to communication between Thomas and Seattle or between Seattle and other clubs who may want to trade for Thomas. We heard earlier today that the Steelers were interested in Thomas, but there has been no communication between Seattle and Pittsburgh at this point.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that the Seahawks are still asking for a second-round pick for Thomas, and that the Chiefs remain interested (though Kansas City does not want to give up a second-rounder). The Cowboys, of course, offered a second-round pick to Seattle earlier this year, but the Seahawks wanted more from Dallas at the time since the two teams were set to play each other last week. Now that the Cowboys-Seahawks matchup has taken place, perhaps the Seahawks will be more willing to consider the Cowboys’ offer, but Rapoport indicates (video link) that the Seahawks want two second round picks in exchange for Thomas, which seems like an especially lofty asking price.

Now for more from the NFC:

  • Sam Bradford is now the Cardinals‘ No. 3 quarterback, per Schefter, who says that going forward, rookie Josh Rosen will be the starter and will be backed up by Mike Glennon (Twitter link). That means that Bradford will generally be inactive on game days and will miss out on his active roster bonuses of $312,500 per game, a situation we explored in more detail last week.
  • Another tough blow for Rams outside linebacker Dominique Easley. Per the team’s official website, Easley, who has suffered three torn ACLs since 2011, may be heading for his fourth surgery in the last seven years. Head coach Sean McVay said that Easley, who converted to outside linebacker during training camp, is suffering complications from his previous injuries.
  • Prior to signing him a few days ago, the Panthers did not ask new safety Eric Reid about his anthem protests or his collusion case against the league, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. GM Marty Hurney said team ownership was not involved in the signing, and that it was a purely football move.
  • Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery will make his 2018 debut today, per ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (via Twitter). Rapoport (video link) reports that Jeffery’s status for this week was up in the air because of a virus that made him seriously ill, but that his shoulder is good to go.
  • As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer observes, the Eagles have four prominent starters playing out the final year of their respective contracts: Jordan Hicks, Ronald Darby, Jay Ajayi, and Brandon Graham. Even if the Eagles wait until after the 2019 season to give quarterback Carson Wentz what will surely be a massive extension, Philadelphia has to plan for that contract now, which means the club will have some difficult decisions to make with respect to its impending free agents. McLane posits that Hicks is the most likely of the above-named players to be retained, and he examines the futures of all four players in detail.
  • Jane Slater of the NFL Network reports that Cowboys WR Terrance Williams will be inactive today, and that the recently re-signed Brice Butler will be leaned upon more heavily as a result (Twitter link). Williams, the most expensive receiver on Dallas’ roster, may be facing a suspension stemming from his May arrest and recently missed practice, though that absence was reportedly an excused one and was unrelated to the possible suspension. Williams, though, has just two catches for 18 yards this season, and the team wants to give someone else a shot.

Extra Points: Dolphins, Wake, Patriots, Simon, Cowboys, Williams

Cameron Wake is 36-years-old, and as such the Dolphins were hoping to conserve him early on this season to preserve his body for later in the year. Wake, the five-time Pro Bowler from Penn State, was being used in an even rotation early on this year, but now may be forced to take on a bigger role. The Dolphins’ plan for Wake “might have lasted all of three games” according to Adam Beasley of The Miami Herald, due to injuries on Miami’s defensive line.

William Hayes tore his ACL on a controversial play where he was trying to avoid a roughing the passer penalty, and fellow defensive lineman Andre Branch also went down. The Dolphins now have only three healthy defensive ends, and Wake will now likely be forced to play nearly the entire game. It’s a big ask for a player of Wake’s age, and the Dolphins can’t afford anymore injuries to their defensive front.

Here’s more from around the league:

  • The Patriots recently signed pass-rusher John Simon, and now the details are in on his contract. He’ll receive a base salary of $800K, with another $412K available in incentives and roster bonuses according to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (Twitter link). The Patriots have been unable to generate any pressure through three games, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Simon ends up playing a large role.
  • Terrance Williams recently missed practice, and rumors began circulating online that the Cowboys wideout was facing a suspension, but those rumors are untrue according to Calvin Watkins of The Athletic (Twitter link). Watkins reports that Williams, who has been lightly used this year despite recently signing an extension, was given an excused absence from practice.
  • In case you missed it, another weak area for the Patriots has been their receiving corp, and they continued to look for help by working out former first round pick Breshad Perriman.

Terrance Williams Facing Suspension

The Cowboys expect wide receiver Terrance Williams to receive a two-to-four game suspension stemming from his May arrest in the near future, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.

Williams won’t be handed a ban before Dallas’ Sunday tilt against Seattle, as the NFL doesn’t feel allowing a player to practice all week only to be suspended on a Friday is in the competitive interests of the game. But the feeling inside the Cowboys’ organization is that Williams will likely be notified of his impending punishment early next week, per Moore.

Williams was arrested in May after allegedly crashing his vehicle into a light pole, but he was never charged with driving under the influence. Instead, Williams faced a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication, a violation which was dismissed after Williams completed an alcohol awareness course and paid for damages, but the NFL still holds the right to issue its own response.

The Cowboys knew a Williams suspension was coming when they re-signed fellow wideout Brice Butler earlier this week, reports Moore. Butler joins a Dallas receiver depth chart that also includes Cole Beasley, Tavon Austin, Deonte Thompson, Michael Gallup, and Allen Hurns.