Latest On Panthers’ COVID-19 Situation
Dec. 11: Good news for Carolina, as Samuel, Thompson, and Brown have all been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and were back at practice today. They will all be available for the club’s tilt with the Broncos on Sunday.
Dec. 8: The Panthers are now a team to monitor regarding COVID-19. They placed eight players on their reserve/COVID-19 list this week, after two tested positive, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Carolina moved several big names — D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, Shaq Thompson, Derrick Brown and Greg Little — along with punter Michael Palardy, defensive tackle Zach Kerr and wide receiver Ishmael Hyman to their coronavirus list this week. At least two of these players will miss Sunday’s game against the Broncos, and the rest of the lot will at least miss some practice time this week. It is not yet certain which Panthers tested positive.
While this is certainly an issue, the Panthers do not appear to have the makings of an outbreak. They reported no new positive COVID-19 tests Tuesday, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The Panthers closed their facility after the positive tests but are scheduled to reopen it Wednesday.
Carolina will host Denver on Sunday. The Broncos saw their bye rescheduled at the 11th hour earlier this season, when the Patriots encountered positive tests. With no teams having more byes, after the Panthers and Buccaneers concluded theirs in Week 13, the NFL’s options would be limited. However, as the recent Ravens outbreak showed, the league will pull out all the stops to ensure games are now played in their scheduled week.
Contract Details: Davis, Roberts, Haeg
Let’s take a closer look at the details of a few recently-signed free agent contracts:
AFC
- MyCole Pruitt, TE (Titans): One year, $2.5MM. $2.35MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).
- Shilique Calhoun, DE (Patriots): One year, $1.5MM. $250K signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Dan Vitale, FB (Patriots): One year, $1.3MM. $100K signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
NFC
- Sean Davis, S (Redskins): One year, $4MM. $2MM guaranteed (Twitter link via John Keim of ESPN.com).
- Seth Roberts, WR (Panthers): One year, $3.75MM (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of ESPN.com).
- Zach Kerr, DT (Panthers): Two years, $3MM. Unknown incentives available (Twitter link via Garafolo).
- B.J. Goodson, LB (Browns): One year, $2.4MM. $2.25MM guaraneed. $1.25MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
- Joe Haeg, T (Buccaneers): One year, $2.3MM. $1.5MM guaranteed. Up to $1MM available via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Cedric Ogbuehi, T (Seahawks): One year, $2.3MM. $500K guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com).
- Will Parks, S (Eagles): One year, $1.5MM. $1.375MM guaranteed. $375K signing bonus. Up to $125K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Tajae Sharpe, WR (Vikings): One year, $1MM. $675K guaranteed. $175K signing bonus. Max value of $1.5MM (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Sharrod Neasman, S (Falcons): One year, $950K. $40K signing bonus. Veteran salary benefit (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Joe Walker, LB (49ers): One year, $900K. Max of $75K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link via Wilson).
Panthers Sign DT Zach Kerr, WR DeAndrew White
The Panthers bid adieu to defensive linemen Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe this offseason, and now they’ve added a reinforcement. Carolina has signed former Colts, Broncos, and Cardinals DT Zach Kerr, as ESPN’s Field Yates tweets.
Kerr entered the league as a UDFA in 2014, and he showed enough in camp and preseason that year to make Indianapolis’ 53-man roster. He stuck around for three seasons as a rotational player and was signed by the Broncos after the Colts decided against giving him an RFA tender. He played for two years in Denver and actually signed another two-year deal with the team last March, but he did not survive final cutdowns.
He caught on with the Cardinals in October and ended up playing 12 games (three starts) for Arizona. He finished the season with solid marks from Pro Football Focus, which considered him about as effective as notables like Brandon Williams and Leonard Williams (though he saw significantly fewer snaps). He is currently slated to team up with Kawann Short on the Panthers’ defensive front, but it would not be surprising to see the club use an early draft pick on a DT.
Per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, the Panthers are also bringing back WR DeAndrew White on a one-year deal (Twitter link). White opened the 2019 season on Carolina’s practice squad and earned a promotion to the 53-man roster in October. He caught four passes for 51 yards and returned 10 kickoffs.
Cardinals Sign DT Zach Kerr
The Cardinals are making another move. Arizona has been shuffling its roster the past week, and now they’re bringing in veteran defensive tackle Zach Kerr, the team announced.
The Cards had an open roster spot, so no corresponding roster move is coming. Kerr worked out for them yesterday along with a handful of other defensive linemen, and they apparently liked what they saw. He originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware, and signed with the Colts. He started eight games his last two years in Indy, then signed with the Broncos.
He played a role as a run-stuffer, and got a two-year extension from Denver in March. However, they cut him at the end of the preseason. He worked out for the Lions a couple weeks back, but hasn’t drawn too much other known interest. He was able to pocket a $600K signing bonus that the Broncos gave him before cutting him. For his career, he has 116 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 63 games.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/1/19
Here’s a look at the latest workouts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- DL Joel Heath
- DL Zach Kerr
- DL Mike Pennel
- DL Caraun Reid
- DL Anthony Zettel
Atlanta Falcons
- LB Andrew Dowell
- LB Ahmad Thomas (signed with ATL p-squad)
Baltimore Ravens
- LB Josh Bynes
- LB Mason Foster
- DL Jeremiah Ledbetter
- DL Domata Peko
- LB Vincent Rey
- LB Dekoda Watson
Buffalo Bills
- WR Deontay Burnett
- DT Willie Henry
- DT T.Y. McGill
- WR Kermit Whitfield
Cleveland Browns
- TE C.J. Conrad
- OT Cody Conway
- DL Frank Herron
- DL Jeremiah Ledbetter
- C Daniel Munyer
NFL Workout Updates: 9/24/19
Here is the latest from the workout circuit:
Arizona Cardinals
- S Chris Banjo (Twitter link via the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson)
Atlanta Falcons
- DE Jonathan Bonner, DE Hunter Dimick (Twitter link via Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com)
Buffalo Bills
- WR Quincy Adeboyejo, WR Reggie Davis, WR J.J. Jones, WR Darvin Kidsy, WR J’Mon Moore (Twitter link via Wilson)
Detroit Lions
- C Russell Bodine, OL Tyler Gauthier, DL Joel Heath, DL Frank Herron, DL Zach Kerr, DL Mike Pennel (Twitter link via Wilson)
Indianapolis Colts
- S Kentrell Brice, S Deiondre’ Hall, S A.J. Hendy, S Shalom Luani, DB Lafayette Pitts (per Wilson, on Twitter)
Miami Dolphins
- WR Emanuel Hall, WR Andy Jones, WR Damoun Patterson, WR DeAndre Thompkins (per Balzer, on Twitter)
New York Jets
- DB Blake Countess (per Wilson, on Twitter)
Oakland Raiders
- LB Reshard Cliett, LB Quentin Poling, LB Tegray Scales (Twitter link via Wilson)
Seattle Seahawks
- OL Brandon Hitner (via Wilson, on Twitter)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- QB Taryn Christion, RB Quinton Flowers, DB John Franklin, WR Ishmael Hyman, WR Marcus Johnson, WR Codey McElroy, WR Jaydon Mickens, QB Phillip Walker (via Balzer, on Twitter)
Tennessee Titans
- LB Davin Bellamy, LB Tre’ Crawford, DT Lyndon Johnson, LB Ahmad Thomas, DE Kevin Wilkins, LB Trevon Young (per Balzer, on Twitter)
Broncos To Release Zach Kerr
The Broncos have released defensive lineman Zach Kerr, as Mike Klis of 9News tweets. It’s yet another indication that the Broncos are expecting big things from DeMarcus Walker in 2019.
Following three seasons with the Colts, Kerr joined Denver on a two-year deal prior to the 2017 season. The defensive lineman appeared in 27 games for the Broncos over the past two seasons, including a 16-game campaign in 2018.
Despite not starting a single game last season, the 334-pound lineman still finished with 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one pass defended. While Pro Football Focus gave him a solid score, he still only ranked 73rd among 112 eligible interior defenders.
The release is not ideal for Kerr, but on the plus side, it’s preferable to get cut earlier in the week rather than later. He’ll keep the $600K signing bonus he secured in March, though the rest of his two-year, $5MM deal contained no guarantees.
Contract Details: Vaccaro, Callahan, Okafor
Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently-signed NFL contracts, with all links going to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle’s Twitter account:
- Kenny Vaccaro, S (Titans): Four years, $24MM. $11.5MM guaranteed. $6MM signing bonus. $500K annual playtime, playoffs incentives (link).
- Bryce Callahan, CB (Broncos): Three years, $21MM. $10MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus (link).
- Alex Okafor, DE (Chiefs): Three years, $18MM. $8.805MM guaranteed. $6MM signing bonus. $2MM annual sack, playtime incentives (link).
- John Miller, G (Bengals): Four years, $16.5MM. $6.5MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus (link).
- K.J. Wright, LB (Seahawks): Two years, $14MM. $6.5MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. $1.5MM playtime escalator in 2020 (link).
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB (Dolphins): Two years, $11MM. $7MM guaranteed. Up to $5MM via 2020 escalator (link).
- Darius Philon, DT (Cardinals): Two years, $10MM. $5MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus. $700K available annually via playtime and sack incentives. $600K playtime escalator in 2020 (link).
- Geoff Swaim, TE (Jaguars): Two years, $6.6MM. $1.25MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. $500K playtime, catches, yards, incentive in 2019 (link).
- Ronald Darby, CB (Eagles): One year, $6.5MM. $4.5MM guaranteed. $3.5MM signing bonus. $2MM available via playtime, playoff, and Pro Bowl incentive. Contract contains four void years from 2020-2023 (link).
- Luke Stocker, TE (Falcons): Two years, $5.5MM. $1.5MM signing bonus. Pro Bowl escalator in 2020 (link).
- Zach Kerr, DT (Broncos): Two years, $5MM. $600K signing bonus. $500K annual playtime incentive (link).
- Mike Pennel, DT (Patriots): Two years, $5MM. $500K signing bonus. $1.5MM annual playtime incentive (link).
- Mario Edwards, DL (Saints): Two years, $4.7MM. $950K signing bonus. $816K sack incentive in 2019. $816K salary escalator in 2020 (link).
- John Simon, DE (Patriots): Two years, $4.15MM. $1.65MM guaranteed. $700K signing bonus. $1.5MM annual playtime incentive (link).
- Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S (Bears): One year, $3MM. $500K signing bonus. $500K playtime, Pro Bowl incentive (link).
- Chandler Catanzaro, K (Jets): One year, $2.3MM. $600K guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. $500K field goal percentage incentive (link).
- Adrian Phillips, S (Chargers): One year, $2MM. $1.25MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. $500K playtime, Pro Bowl incentive (link).
- Bashaud Breeland, CB (Chiefs): One year, $2MM. $1.15MM signing bonus. $3MM playtime, Pro Bowl incentive (link).
- Trevor Siemian, QB (Jets): One year, $2MM. $1MM guaranteed. $750K signing bonus. $1MM available via playtime and team performance incentives (link).
- LaAdrian Waddle, T (Bills): One year, $2MM. $400K signing bonus. $500K playtime incentive (link).
- Max Garcia, G (Cardinals): One year, $2MM. $400K signing bonus. $1MM playtime incentive (link).
- Ryan Allen, P (Patriots): One year, $1.5MM. $100K signing bonus. $50K Pro Bowl incentive (link).
Broncos To Re-Sign DL Zach Kerr
The Broncos are re-signing defensive lineman Zach Kerr, reports Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post (on Twitter). It’s a two-year deal, according to the team.
Following three seasons with the Colts, Kerr joined Denver on a two-year deal prior to the 2017 season. The defensive lineman has appeared in 27 games over the past two seasons, including a 16-game campaign in 2018.
Despite not starting a single game last season, the 334-pound lineman still finished with 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one pass defended. While Pro Football Focus gave him a solid score, he still only ranked 73rd among 112 eligible interior defenders.
Assuming Kerr is indeed returning, the Broncos will presumably continue to hunt for defensive tackles. The team is only rostering one player at the position in Caushaud Lyons.
Broncos Notes: Gotsis, Kerr, Ray, Kelly
Broncos defensive end Adam Gotsis is setting himself up for a solid payday. The former second-rounder is eligible to sign an extension this offseason, and the new contract has certainly been on the 26-year-old’s mind.
“It’s exciting knowing that (could) come in the future,” Gotsis told Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post. “I feel like if I take care of what I have to on the field, the extension is going to be there when the time comes. Saying this or saying that won’t get it done for me. It’s just going out there and making plays.”
Gotsis has been productive this season, compiling 35 tackles and a pair of sacks, and Pro Football Focus currently ranks him 51st among 116 interior defenders. As O’Halloran writes, the defensive end has really turned in on over the past six games, as he’s collected 11.5 “stuffs,” two hits, and both of his sacks.
O’Halloran points to the extension signed by teammate Derek Wolfe as a potential basis for Gotsis’ new deal. Wolfe inked a four-year, $36.7MM back in 2016. O’Halloran also opines that inking Gotsis to a new deal with be a priority for John Elway and Denver’s front office.
Let’s take a look at some more notes out of Denver…
- O’Halloran also previewed the Broncos players who are set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. The writer doesn’t see a reason why the team wouldn’t bring back defensive lineman Zach Kerr, but he has the opposite sentiment for linebacker Shane Ray. The writer also explores the chances of bringing back cornerbacks Tramaine Brock and Bradley Roby, linebacker Shaquil Barrett, offensive guard Max Garcia, tight end Jeff Heuerman, center Matt Paradis, nose tackle Domata Peko, offensive lineman Billy Turner, and offensive tackle Jared Veldheer.
- Former Broncos quarterback Chad Kelly appeared in court last week to be arraigned on a felony charge of first-degree trespassing (via Caitlin Hendee and Katie Wilcox of 9News.com). The charge stems from an Oct. 23 incident when the backup signal-caller allegedly walked into a family’s house after departing Von Miller‘s Halloween party. Denver released the former seventh-rounder following the arrest. The arraignment was continued to January 28th.
- We previously heard the Broncos head coach Vance Joseph is expected to be fired at the end of the season, and it sounds like he’ll then become one of the top candidates for the Bengals’ defensive coordinator gig. We also heard today that Denver is still hopeful of interviewing Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, despite Baltimore’s recent announcement that Harbaugh will be back in 2019