Tyquan Lewis

Contract Details: Johnson, Penny, White, Okoronkwo, Lewis

Here are some more contract details on deal recently reached around the NFL:

  • Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE (Browns): Three years, $19MM. The deal, according to Wilson, includes a guaranteed amount of $12.49MM, $10.83MM of which is guaranteed at signing. That $10.83MM consists of a $5.5MM signing bonus, Okoronkwo’s 2023 base salary of $1.08MM, and his 2024 option bonus of $4.25MM. The remaining $1.66MM of guaranteed money is Okoronkwo’s 2024 base salary, which becomes fully guaranteed on the third league day of the 2024 league year. He also can receive a 2025 option bonus of $3.23MM. The deal includes a $3MM sack incentive and an All-Pro base salary escalator. The team built a potential out into the deal that allows them to release Okoronkwo after 2024 with $6.7MM of dead money but $17.45MM of cap savings over the following five years, four of which are void years in the contract.
  • Mike White, QB (Dolphins): Two years, $8MM. The contract, according to Doug Kyed of AtoZ Sports, includes a guaranteed amount of $4.5MM consisting of a $3.42MM signing bonus and White’s first year base salary of $1.08MM. His second year base salary is worth $3.5MM. The deal includes up to $4MM apiece in playing time and team achievement incentives that up the contract’s maximum value to $16MM.
  • Danny Johnson, CB (Commanders): Two years, $5MM. The contract, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, includes a guaranteed amount of $2.75MM consisting of a $1.75MM signing bonus and $1MM of Johnson’s first year base salary (worth $1.25MM total). His second year base salary is worth $1.49MM. The deal includes a $1MM annual playing time incentive and a per game active roster bonus of $15,000 for a potential season total of $255,000.
  • Tyquan Lewis, DE (Colts): One year, $2.1MM. The deal, according to Wilson, includes a guaranteed amount of $500,000 from the base salary worth a total of $1.08MM. The contract includes incentives worth up to $1.25MM for sacks, playing time, and playoffs, as well as a per game active roster bonus of $60,000 for a potential season total of $1.02MM.
  • Rashaad Penny, RB (Eagles): One year, $1.35MM. The deal, according to Wilson, has a guaranteed amount of $600,000 composed of a $100,000 signing bonus and $500,000 of the base salary (worth $1.08MM total). The deal includes a rushing yards incentive worth up to $750,000 and a per game active roster bonus of $10,000 for a potential season total of $170,000.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/23

Today’s minor moves in the NFL, one day before the legal tampering period begins:

Indianapolis Colts

Washington Commanders

Lewis, 28, has played all five seasons of his career with the Colts, and his tenure there will continue in 2023. The former second-rounder is signing a one-year deal worth $2.1MM (Twitter link via Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star). Lewis had logged a career-high snap share of 62% in 2022 before suffering a season-ending injury in October, and could be in line for a significant workload again this coming season.

Hudson was set to become an RFA, but has also inked a one-year deal, per a team announcement. The 25-year-old joined Washington as a fifth-round pick in 2020, and has been a mainstay on special teams in all three of his NFL seasons to date. His role in the third phase is likely to continue in 2023, as he looks to play his way into more regular defensive duties.

Colts DE Tyquan Lewis Done For Season

Tyquan Lewis is done for the season. The Colts defensive end ruptured his patellar tendon and will miss the rest of the campaign, per Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star (on Twitter). The Colts placed Lewis on injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter).

Lewis was carted off the field during the fourth quarter of yesterday’s loss to the Commanders. The injury came nearly one year after Lewis suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his other knee, ending his 2021 season prematurely.

“Our hearts go out to Tyquan,” said head coach Frank Reich (via the team’s website). “He was having a great year. … We’ll support him every step of the way.”

Lewis came off the bench to begin the season, but he started each of Indy’s last four games. In seven appearances this year, the 27-year-old defensive lineman collected 14 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus ranked him 93rd among 116 qualifying edge defenders in 2022, but the site graded him much more favorably in 2021 (31 of 110). Lewis inked a one-year deal to stay with the Colts this past offseason and will hit free agency following the season.

To fill the open roster spot, the Colts activated safety Trevor Denbow from injured reserve, per Wilson. The undrafted rookie made the roster out of preseason, and there’s hope that he can develop into one of Indy’s key special team gunners. He landed on IR right before Week 1 and was designated to return last week.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor To Miss Week 5

OCTOBER 5: Taylor’s ankle injury will cause him to miss his first NFL game due to injury. The Colts have ruled out their star running back for Week 5. The reigning rushing champion, who also went through his Wisconsin career without missing a game due to injury, was wearing a walking boot at Indianapolis’ Tuesday practice, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com notes. Prior to suffering the ankle malady, Taylor was dealing with a turf toe bout. Taylor’s only previous NFL absence came in 2020 due to landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

OCTOBER 3: The Colts fell to 1-2-1 on the season Sunday, and saw their most notable player on both sides of the ball suffer injuries. Running back Jonathan Taylor picked up an ankle injury during the game, leaving his Week 5 availability in question (video link via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network). 

[RELATED: Colts LB Leonard Suffers Concussion In Week 4 Return]

Rapoport notes that the injury isn’t expected to be particularly serious, and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adds the reigning rushing champion has a chance to play against the Broncos on Thursday (Twitter link). However, the fact that the Colts are on a short week could leave Taylor sidelined for that contest. He underwent testing immediately following Sunday’s game, the results of which will go a long way in determining if the Colts have their top offensive weapon available.

The 2021 Offensive Player of the Year was limited to just 42 yards on 20 carries yesterday, the latest in a string of underwhelming performances for he and the Colts. On the season, Taylor has amassed 328 rushing yards on an average of 4.0 yards per carry – a far cry from the 5.5 he posted last season en route to becoming the league’s top rusher – and a single touchdown.

Should the Wisconsin product miss Thursday’s game, Nyheim Hines would take on the starter’s role. He has received just eight carries so far, resulting in 11 yards. As usual, though, he has been more effective in the passing game, posting 17 catches for 113 yards. Former UDFA Deon Jackson — who has seen just two offensive snaps this season — is next on the depth chart, though ex-Bronco Phillip Lindsay is another option on the practice squad.

The Colts’ offense has struggled throughout the campaign, and the loss of Taylor would put even more pressure on the unit. Key defenders Shaquille Leonard and Tyquan Lewis have already been ruled out for Thursday’s game, as noted by Zak Keefer of The Athletic (Twitter link). Whether or not Taylor can suit up will be a situation worth watching over the coming days.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/22

Today’s minor NFL transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: OL Keenan Forbes, G Eric Wilson

Colts Place LB Darius Leonard On PUP List

The Colts have placed linebacker Darius Leonard on the PUP list, as Stephen Holder of ESPN.com writes. This was the expected move after Leonard underwent back surgery in June.

It seems that a nerve issue in Leonard’s back caused the ankle pain that ailed him throughout the 2021 season and continued to give him trouble this spring (despite the fact that he had the ankle operated on in June 2021). Per Holder, the team has not indicated when Leonard will return to the field, but the most recent reporting on the matter suggested that he would be available near the start of training camp, which opens this week.

Despite the injury concerns, Leonard performed at his usual stellar level in 2021, earning his third First Team All-Pro bid in his fourth professional season. Pro Football Focus assigned him a 79.0 overall grade, which was the sixth-highest mark among all qualified LBs and Leonard’s best showing since 2018, when he led the league with 163 total tackles and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

The centerpiece of Indianapolis’ defense, Leonard offers considerable playmaking ability along with his tackling acumen. He has accrued 11 interceptions and 17 forced fumbles in his career, including four picks and an NFL-best eight FFs last season. His efforts landed him a five-year, $99.25MM extension last August, which made him the highest-paid off-ball ‘backer in league history in terms of AAV. Obviously, his health will be one of the Colts’ primary concerns heading into the 2022 season.

Joining Leonard on the PUP list are defensive end Tyquan Lewis, safety Rodney McLeod, and wideout Mike Strachan. DT Eric Johnson, a fifth-round rookie, is on the NFI list.

Colts To Re-Sign DL Tyquan Lewis

One of the Colts’ four second-round picks in the 2018 draft, Tyquan Lewis will stay with Indianapolis beyond his rookie contract. The Colts are re-signing the veteran defensive lineman, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

Lewis agreed to stay on a one-year deal worth $3MM. This contract certainly suggests the Colts plan to keep Lewis in a rotational role.

The Ohio State product is one of a few Colts defensive ends who entered the tampering period unattached. Fellow 2018 second-rounder Kemoko Turay, veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad and Isaac Rochell are unsigned. The Colts used first- and second-round picks on defensive ends last year, in Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo.

Lewis, 27, has started 12 games over his four-year Colts career. While he has not been able to establish himself as a consistent first-string presence, Lewis has recorded 6.5 sacks over the past two seasons. The 2.5 he accumulated last year came before a patellar tendon tear sustained on Halloween. This represents one of the toughest injuries to surmount, but the Colts would like to see Lewis continue his career with them.

Colts’ Tyquan Lewis Done For Year

Colts defensive tackle Tyquan Lewis will miss the rest of the year with a patellar tendon injury. Lewis will be placed on injured reserve later today, opening up a spot on the 53-man roster.

Really unfortunate, he was really playing well yesterday,” head coach Frank Reich said (Twitter link via Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star).

Lewis suffered the injury on Sunday as the Colts fell to the Titans in overtime. The 6’4″ Ohio State product will finish his year with 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss across eight games (two starts). It’s a frustrating setback for Lewis, who finally found his footing in the Colts’ rotation last year. In 2020, Lewis registered 24 stops, four sacks, and two passes defensed while appearing in all 16 of the Colts’ games.

Meanwhile, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (concussion) will be held out of this week’s game against the Jets. Hilton, who has missed much of the season, has six catches for 96 yards in two games this year.

AFC Rumors: Gordon, Jets, Steelers, Colts

Tuesday marked a significant day for the Jets, with their new front office power players forming. A day later, more clarity has emerged on how Joe Douglas‘ first staff will look. While the respective roles for Rex Hogan (assistant GM) and Chad Alexander (director of player personnel) became known Tuesday, the Jets announced Phil Savage‘s a day later. The former Browns GM and Ravens player personnel director will serve as a senior football advisor. Savage has not worked on an NFL staff since the 2012 season.

Additionally, the Jets filled some front office positions by promoting holdovers brought in by previous regimes. Eleventh-year Jets staffer Greg Nemjeh will become the team’s new director of pro personnel, and 13th-year Jets staffer Dan Zbojovsky the team’s new director of personnel operations. Kevin Murphy, a Jets pro scout the past two years, will rise to the position of pro scouting director. The team also added Chris Nolan as a college scout. Nolan was an Eagles staffer during Douglas’ Philadelphia stay. Nolan will serve as an area scout, per veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter).

Here is what’s going on outside the Big Apple in the AFC Wednesday:

  • A video featuring Tom Brady throwing passes to suspended Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon surfaced Wednesday (Instagram link via Brady), but there is still no telling when or if this duo will be able to do this in a more organized setting again. An NFL spokesman informed The Athletic’s Jeff Howe there has been no movement on Gordon’s status, nor does a timeline exist for a final answer here (Twitter link). Multiple violations of the substance abuse policy have the long-embattled wideout suspended. Gordon, 28, signed his RFA tender — worth $2.025MM — so he would stand to be a Patriot if reinstated.
  • With Justin Houston joining the Colts, Tyquan Lewis looks like he will be changing positions. The Colts have used Lewis at defensive tackle this offseason, Tyler Kraft of the Indianapolis Star notes. The 2018 second-round pick played defensive end as a rookie and at Ohio State. Lewis, who spent much of his rookie season on IR, is at bit small for an inside defender. He’s listed at 6-foot-3, 269 pounds, a similar build to 2018 free agent addition Denico Autry (6-5, 270). The recently re-signed Margus Hunt, however, brings more size at nearly 300 pounds. Houston and Jabaal Sheard stand to reside as the team’s top defensive ends. The Colts also drafted defensive end Kemoko Turay in the 2018 second round.
  • Two years after Alejandro Villanueva‘s situation, the Steelers have another ERFA who has been a regular contributor. Slot cornerback Mike Hilton has been vocal about wanting a long-term deal. He does not have much leverage, but his situation is different from Villanueva’s. The left tackle was late entering the NFL and was 29 when he lobbied for a new contract — what turned out to be a three-year, $24MM deal. Hilton is 25 and could bet on himself by playing for $645K. While he is voicing displeasure now, it doesn’t sound like the former UDFA is too upset with the Steelers. “I want to show the team I want to be here and want to be a part of this organization,” Hilton said, via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. “… As players, you feel like of course you want to earn more. Hopefully things work out in the long run, but if not, I’ll do my best to go out there and help this team win.”

Colts’ Ryan Grant, Tyquan Lewis Out Vs. Chiefs

Snow might be on the field when the Colts take on the Chiefs in Kansas City on Saturday. Indianapolis’ Ryan Grant and Tyquan Lewis, however, will not. The two players have been ruled out for the AFC Divisional Round matchup, Andrew Walker of the team’s website writes

Both players missed the Colts’ Wild Card matchup with Houston, during which Indy cruised to a 21-7 victory. Grant has been sidelined with a nagging toe injury, and Lewis suffered a knee injury in the team’s Week 17 contest vs. Tennessee.

An offseason signing from Washington, Grant is a solid slot receiver who surely would’ve seen plenty of action in an expected high-scoring affair vs. Kansas City. In 14 games with Indy in 2018, Grant has tallied 35 receptions.

A second-round selection out of Ohio State, Lewis has carved out a sizable role on the Colts defensive line down the stretch. Making his debut in Week 10, the defensive end made six starts in the team’s final eight games and delivered two sacks.

Needing to put up points against the high-flying Chiefs and get pressure on Patrick Mahomes, the pair of injuries could play a big role in the Saturday tilt.