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NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/17

December 19th, 2017 at 8:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad updates:

Arizona Cardinals

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Signed: OL Javarius Leamon, OL Oni Omoile

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Signed: TE Zach Conque

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Oakland Raiders

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Redskins

Chargers Place TE Hunter Henry On IR

December 19th, 2017 at 4:52pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers announced that they have placed tight end Hunter Henry on injured reserve due to a small laceration on his kidney. In related moves, the Bolts promoted guard Brett Boyko to the active roster and signed tackle Andrew Wylie to the practice squad. Hunter Henry (vertical)

Henry suffered the painful injury during Saturday night’s game against the Chiefs. It’s a tough loss for the Chargers as they try and fight their way into the playoffs. The Chargers face long odds of winning the AFC West, but they have a slightly better chance of securing the final Wild Card spot in the AFC. In order to have any chance at the postseason, the Chargers will have to beat the Jekyll-and-Hyde Jets this weekend.

Henry’s year ends with 45 catches for 611 yards and four touchdowns. As of this writing, he is tied for second with Melvin Gordon in team receiving TDs, and third in catches and yards. The advanced metrics were also a huge fan of his work. Henry placed third amongst all tight ends in performance this year, according to Pro Football Focus.

Chargers Make Kicker Change

December 18th, 2017 at 3:42pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers are making a kicker change. Kicker Nick Rose has been claimed off waivers from the Redskins. Meanwhile, kicker Travis Coons has been waived. Nick Rose (vertical)

Rose filled in for the Redskins while Dustin Hopkins was sidelined with a hip injury. Rose did well in Hopkins’ absence, connecting 10 of 11 field goal attempts and 18 of 20 extra point tries. On Saturday, Hopkins returned to action, displacing Rose.

The Redskins have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but the 7-7 Chargers still have a chance to make the postseason. In that sense, it’s an upgrade for Rose.

The Bolts have a 6% chance of overtaking the Chiefs in the AFC West and slightly better odds of securing a Wild Card spot, per the New York Times’ playoff calculator. In order to have any chance at the playoffs, the Chargers must beat the Jets on Christmas Eve.

In other Chargers news, tight end Hunter Henry has suffered a lacerated kidney (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). His status going forward is uncertain.

Corey Liuget Suffers PCL Injury

December 17th, 2017 at 6:20pm CST by GregGoldstein

On the same day the Chargers learned that running back Austin Ekeler would be out for the season, the team now has to deal with another injury on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive lineman Corey Liuget is now considered to be out with a “week-to-week” injury after suffering a grade 2 PCL sprain in last night’s game vs. the Chiefs, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Corey Liuget (Vertical)

Rapoport explains that while Liuget’s injury is just a short-term setback, it remains up in the air whether he will return to the field with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

Liuget, 27, has been with the Chargers since the franchise drafted him back in the first round in 2011. His best season came in 2012 when the defensive tackle recorded seven sacks and 51 total tackles. Liuget hasn’t been as much of a force in terms of getting to the quarterback in recent years, but he’s still graded out as the 31st best interior defender in the NFL by Pro Football Focus through 14 weeks.

Without Liuget, Los Angeles will have to turn to backups Darius Philon and Damion Square to fill out the team’s starting defensive line, which features Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Brandon Mebane. However, if the Chargers can sneak into the postseason, it’s seems fairly likely that Liuget could return to the front seven.

Austin Ekeler Out For The Year

December 17th, 2017 at 5:30pm CST by GregGoldstein

The Chargers offense has many weapons, but perhaps the most surprising of the team’s playmakers will not be active for another game this season. Running back Austin Ekeler broke his hand in last night’s AFC West affair against the Chiefs and will be out for the year, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).

Austin Ekeler (Vertical)

The undrafted rookie out of Western State had gone from unknown to a key part of the Chargers offense in a short period of time. Ekeler carved out a nice role as the team’s passing back when starter Melvin Gordon was off the field. The 22-year-old lined up all over for head coach Anthony Lynn, affecting the game both on the ground and through the air.

Ekeler averaged 5.5 yards per carry, rushing for two touchdowns. The scat back also caught 27 balls for 279 yards, which included three scores. Through 14 weeks, Ekeler ranked as the 16th best passing back in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.

Losing their surprise rookie performer is a rather big blow for a Chargers team that has been streaking over the past month with the hopes of securing a playoff spot. Expect Gordon to become even more involved in the Chargers offensive gameplan with Ekeler no longer available. Although, running back Branden Oliver seems like a sure bet to somewhat step in for Ekeler during the final two weeks of the season. Los Angeles is certainly not lacking weapons, but this injury puts another damper on the team’s postseason chances coming off a big loss on Saturday night.

Denzel Perryman Has Hamstring Tendon Strain

December 17th, 2017 at 10:29am CST by Rory Parks

It is believed that Chargers LB Denzel Perryman suffered a hamstring tendon strain in last night’s loss to Kansas City, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Perryman will undergo an MRI today, but the remainder of his season is very much in doubt.

Denzel Perryman (Vertical)

Perryman was carted to the locker room shortly before halftime last night, and losing him would be a significant blow to Los Angeles, whose playoff hopes already took a major hit with the defeat. Perryman was activated from injured reserve just last month after undergoing ankle surgery following the team’s first preseason game.

His return was critical to the Chargers’ recent surge, as his run-stuffing ability and leadership helped to stabilize the Bolts’ defense. The team will need Jatavis Brown to step up in a big way to help fill the void.

In his six games this season, Perryman had posted 34 total tackles and a fumble recovery. The former second-round pick out of Miami will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2018.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/12/17

December 12th, 2017 at 8:42pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad updates:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

  • Waived: OL Korren Kirven

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/12/17

December 12th, 2017 at 6:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Designated to return from injured reserve: QB Jeff Driskel

Cleveland Browns

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

  • Signed off Chiefs‘ practice squad: OL Damien Mama

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Promoted to active roster: LB Riley Bullough
  • Waived: CB Deji Olatoye

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/17

December 11th, 2017 at 9:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Denver Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Promoted from practice squad: S Leon McQuay
  • Placed on injured reserve: S Steven Terrell on IR

New York Giants

Los Angeles Chargers

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