49ers DTs Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw To Miss Time
The 49ers presently boast the best defense in the league in terms of yards per game, but their DL depth is about to be tested in a big way. As Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required) writes, starting defensive tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw are expected to miss at least the next two games.
Armstead, who is dealing with a foot injury, could be placed on injured reserve, which would require that he miss at least four contests. The 2015 first-rounder had been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot and now has a left ankle ailment as well. He missed the club’s Week 3 loss to the Broncos, and while he started the Niners’ Week 4 victory over the Rams, he was forced to leave that game in the fourth quarter.
Until this season, Armstead had been a highly durable player. From 2018-21, he did not miss a single regular season contest and consistently received high marks from Pro Football Focus. If PFF’s grades are any indication, however, Armstead’s foot problems are having an impact on his play. He has struggled to a 52.9 overall grade in an admittedly small sample size this season after posting marks of at least 74.2 since 2018.
Kinlaw, meanwhile, has battled intermittent knee trouble since his college days. A 2020 first-round choice, Kinlaw appeared in 14 games (12 starts) in his rookie campaign, but he played in just four contests in 2021 before undergoing season-ending knee surgery (which was later reported to be an ACL reconstruction). Unlike Armstead, Kinlaw did play in the Denver contest, though he has been on the field for just one practice since then due to a fluid buildup in his surgically-repaired knee.
Given the nature of the surgery, neither Kinlaw nor head coach Kyle Shanahan were surprised by this setback, and Kinlaw acknowledged he would be dealing with some ups and downs throughout the year. Still, this is unwelcome news for a team that invests significant resources into its defensive front and that has been relying heavily on its defense through the first quarter of the season.
In the absence of Armstead and Kinlaw, Kevin Givens and Hassan Ridgeway will serve as the starting DTs.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/8/22
Here are the roster moves for today, leading into gameday tomorrow. Reminder that gameday elevations will revert to the practice squad after this weekend’s games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: CB Antonio Hamilton
- Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
- Promoted from practice squad: K Matt Ammendola, S Chris Banjo
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Vigil
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: TE MyCole Pruitt
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: CB Daryl Worley
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Brandon Copeland
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: WR Jamison Crowder
- Signed to active roster: WR Isaiah Hodgins, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Tanner Gentry, LB Joe Giles-Harris
- Waived: DT Brandin Bryant
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Marquise Blair, WR Derek Wright
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: CB Cam Taylor-Britt
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Tyler Shelvin
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Dakota Allen, WR Chester Rogers
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Carlos Watkins, LS Matt Overton
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: WR Maurice Alexander, CB AJ Parker
- Promoted from practice squad: K Michael Badgley, CB Saivion Smith
- Placed on IR: WR Quintez Cephus
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jordan Akins, TE Mason Schreck
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Corey Peters
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Michael Bandy, K Taylor Bertolet
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: S Jordan Fuller, OL Coleman Shelton
- Signed to active roster: RB Malcolm Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jacob Harris, C Matt Skura
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: T Brandon Shell
- Activated from IR: S Clayton Fejedelem
- Placed on IR: TE Cethan Carter
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: S Myles Dorn
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Dan Chisena, TE Nick Muse
- Placed on IR: TE Ben Ellefson
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: WR Tyquan Thornton
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Garrett Gilbert, TE Matt Sokol
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: CB Bryce Thompson
- Promoted from practice squad: S Chris Harris, WR Keith Kirkwood
- Placed on IR: CB P.J. Williams
- Waived: RB Tony Jones Jr.
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: S Tony Jefferson
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Marcus Johnson, QB Davis Webb
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: T Duane Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Placed on IR: OL Max Mitchell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Andre Chachere, K Cameron Dicker
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: OLB Ryan Anderson
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Josh Jackson, S Elijah Riley
- Waived: DE David Anenih
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: S Jimmie Ward
- Signed to active roster: LB Akeem Spence
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Malik Turner, RB Tevin Coleman
- Placed on IR: OL Colton McKivitz
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Cullen Gillaspia, LB Christian Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Kaylon Geiger, WR Deven Thompkins
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: OL Tyler Larsen
- Placed on IR: LB Milo Eifler
49ers S Jimmie Ward, CB Jason Verrett Return To Practice
The 49ers will soon get some reinforcement in their secondary. Safety Jimmie Ward and cornerback Jason Verrett returned to practice today, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic (on Twitter). ESPN’s Nick Wagoner tweeted yesterday that the duo was expected to return to practice. The team later announced that the duo has been designated to return.
Verrett suffered a torn ACL during Week 1 of the 2021 campaign. He landed on PUP to start the 2022 regular season, and he’ll now have three weeks to show he’s ready to return. The 31-year-old has only had one relatively healthy campaign in three-plus years with the 49ers, as he was limited to only one game in 2019 thanks to an ankle injury. He started 13 games for San Francisco in 2020, finishing with 60 tackles and a pair of interceptions.
Cornerbacks Charvarius Ward, Emmanuel Moseley, and slot Deommodore Lenoir played 100 percent of San Francisco’s defensive snaps on Monday. Verrett probably won’t knock any of them out of the starting lineup, but he’ll help provide some experienced depth at the position.
Ward suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason, landing him on injured reserve. The 2014 first-round pick struggled with injuries early in his career but has been pretty healthy recently, missing only six games for the 49ers between 2019 and 2021. Last year, he started a career-high 16 games and finished with 77 tackles and two interceptions.
Both Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson have filled in nicely for the veteran safety to start the 2022 campaign. Hufanga, a 2021 fifth-round pick, would likely be knocked to a backup role with Ward back in the lineup, although he’s ranked as PFF’s second-best safety in the NFL this year (among 82 qualifying players).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: G Koda Martin
- Placed on IR: OL Lachavious Simmons
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Jaleel Johnson
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Bailey Gaither
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Richard LeCounte III
Detroit Lions
- Signed: K Michael Badgley
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Davion Davis, TE Nick Eubanks
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Dezmon Patmon
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Keelan Doss
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Mike Brown
New England Patriots
- Signed: OT Sebastian Gutierrez
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Bryce Thompson, WR Kevin White
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Solomon Kindley
- Released: RB Antonio Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Willie Snead
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: C Joey Hunt
- Released: CB Quandre Mosely
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Christian DiLauro
- Released: CB Troy Apke
NFC West Rumors: 49ers, Wilson, Rams
The 49ers were without Trent Williams on Monday, and while they won a fairly one-sided game over the Rams, it came with another tackle injury. Colton McKivitz became the latest 49er to sustain an MCL sprain. Like Elijah Mitchell and Azeez Al-Shaair, Kyle Shanahan expects his swing tackle to miss approximately eight weeks. Rookie Jaylon Moore, who replaced Williams against the Broncos while McKivitz was not at 100%, will be the next man up at left tackle.
That said, the 49ers demoted two-year right guard starter Daniel Brunskill because partly because they viewed him as an ideal swing backup. Shanahan said Brunskill will be considered for blindside fill-in duty, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News notes (via Twitter). Brunskill, who is in his fourth 49ers season, debuted Monday after missing the first three games due to injury. The former UDFA would inject some potentially necessary experience into the mix for a 49ers team still using a mostly unseasoned group of interior O-linemen this season.
Here is the latest from the NFC West:
- Contract issues and a steady relationship deterioration drove the Seahawks to trade Russell Wilson, but the likely Hall of Fame-bound quarterback’s willingness to run also played a role in the team deciding to move on. The Seahawks believed Wilson’s willingness to use his legs would decrease as he aged, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes. Wilson, 33, averaged 5.5 carries and 30 yards per game as a Seahawk and has been one of the best running QBs in NFL history. Wilson’s 4,740 career rushing yards are fourth all time among QBs — behind only Michael Vick, Cam Newton and Randall Cunningham. Wilson rushed for 849 yards in 2014 and topped 500 four more times — most recently in 2020. But in 2021, Seattle’s starter — albeit during a season in which he missed three games due to a finger injury — only rushed for 183 yards. Although the 11th-year veteran has been effective when scrambling as a Bronco, he has been reluctant to do so. Wilson, who has expressed a desire to extend his career into his 40s, has totaled 13 carries for 51 yards this season.
- Williams does not expect to miss too much time. Given a four- to six-week timetable, the All-Pro left tackle told CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson he is “80% sure” he will beat that four-week mark (Twitter link). Williams, 34, suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3. Beating the timetable would mean a possible return for the 49ers’ Week 7 game against the Chiefs. San Francisco could certainly use its star blocker in that game, but judging by how the team is playing it with its batch of players rehabbing MCL sprains, it would not surprise if the team exercised caution with its valuable O-line asset.
- 49ers running backs coach Bobby Turner is back with the team after being away for several months, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets. The 73-year-old assistant had been away from the team since undergoing two surgeries early this offseason. Turner has been an integral assistant for both Kyle and Mike Shanahan, being the Broncos’ running backs coach throughout the latter’s 14-year Denver stay. Turner has been with the 49ers since they hired Kyle Shanahan in 2017.
- The Rams not only lost another interior offensive line starter Monday, when Coleman Shelton suffered a high ankle sprain, but they left San Francisco with starting safety Jordan Fuller out. The young defender is facing a two- to four-week absence to a hamstring strain, Sean McVay said.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/22
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: RB Jerome Ford
Green Bay Packers
- Signed off Saints’ practice squad: LB Eric Wilson
Houston Texans
- Designated for return from IR: OLB Mario Addison
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: K Chase McLaughlin
- Waived: WR Dezmon Patmon
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed off Falcons’ practice squad: NT Khyiris Tonga
- Placed on IR: S Lewis Cine (story)
- Activated from reserve/PUP list: LB Ryan Connelly
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Designated for return from IR: WR Calvin Austin
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: WR Willie Snead
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: DL Sam Okuayinonu
- Waived: OLB Wyatt Ray
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Tommy Hudson
Cine has now undergone two surgeries in London to repair his leg fracture. The first-round pick underwent a preparatory procedure before his Tuesday operation to repair the compound fracture he sustained. The Georgia product will stay in England for the time being, with Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press noting (via Twitter) doctors want to ensure no infections develop. Cine could travel back to Minnesota as soon as this weekend.
Following Latavius Murray off the Saints’ practice squad this week, Wilson did not see any action for the team this season. The former multiyear Vikings starter signed a one-year, $2.75MM Eagles deal in 2021, but Philadelphia bailed on that contract during the season. Wilson, 28, finished last season with the Texans. In his lone full season as a Vikings starter (2020), Wilson made 122 tackles, registered three sacks and intercepted three passes.
Addison signed with the Texans shortly after the draft, joining fellow ex-Bills edge rusher Jerry Hughes in joining the rebuilding team on a two-year deal. The Texans placed Addison on IR with a groin injury; he is eligible to be activated to the 53-man roster this week. Teams can make eight activations from their injured lists — be it IR, PUP or NFI — this season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/3/22
Here’s today’s minor moves from around the league, including a couple practice squad elevations for tonight’s NFC West matchup:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: RB Caleb Huntley
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: TE Drew Sample
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (from Lions): G Drew Forbes
- Waived: S Richard LeCounte III
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted from practice squad: T Chandler Brewer, RB Malcolm Brown
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: WR Willie Snead
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Tevin Coleman, WR Malik Turner
- Placed on IR: LB Azeez Al-Shaair
NFC West Notes: Cards, 49ers, Van, Hawks
Following the Chiefs’ lead, the Cardinals used a position player as their emergency kicker Sunday. Backup running back Eno Benjamin logged a kickoff for the Cardinals against the Panthers on Sunday. That arrangement, similar to the Chiefs’ usage of safety Justin Reid against the Cards in Week 1, will not persist past Week 4. With Matt Prater battling a right hip injury, the Cardinals worked out multiple kickers Monday.
Rodrigo Blankenship, Matt Ammendola — the Chiefs’ first post-Reid solution to fill in for Harrison Butker — Jose Borregales and Jonathan Garibay auditioned for the Cardinals, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Blankenship, whom the Colts turned to in their first full season without Adam Vinatieri, missed much of last year with an injury and was removed from his gig after struggling in Week 1 this year. Blankenship worked out for the Jaguars last week. Ammendola lasted two games as the Chiefs’ Butker fill-in, being cut after struggling in Week 3, while Garibay was part of the Cowboys’ kicking competition. The rookie UDFA did not make it out of training camp.
Ahead of Monday’s Rams-49ers matchup, here is the latest from the NFC West:
- Although the 49ers turned to Jaylon Moore to replace Trent Williams in Week 3, Colton McKivitz will start against the Rams on Monday night. An ankle injury prevented McKivitz from replacing Williams against the Broncos, who pounced after the All-Pro’s exit, but he was the team’s swing tackle throughout the summer. With Williams facing a four- to six-week recovery timetable, McKivitz may have the blindside gig for a bit. The 49ers let 2021 swing tackle Tom Compton sign with the Broncos, but McKivitz — who filled in for Williams in a do-or-die Week 18 tilt in Los Angeles — has been with the team since arriving as a 2020 firth-rounder.
- The 49ers have made a few changes at the slot cornerback spot over the past several weeks. After Darqueze Dennard entered camp with the job, rookie Samuel Womack supplanted him and led to the 49ers releasing the veteran. Deommodore Lenoir has since replaced Womack, with Kyle Shanahan indicating the 2021 fifth-rounder played ahead of the 2022 fifth-rounder due to superior practice work recently, Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Lenoir played 29% of San Francisco’s defensive snaps last season but likely does not have a firm grip on the job over Womack, who impressed during training camp, just yet.
- Staying on the subject of 49ers corners, Shanahan expressed optimism Jason Verrett would practice this week. Verrett’s practice window opens ahead of Week 5, with the 49ers carrying the injury-prone vet on their reserve/PUP list. Should Verrett prove recovered from his September 2021 ACL tear, Barrows notes a starting job should not be ruled out. Verrett played well as a 49ers starter in 2020, showing form that enticed the team to re-sign him in 2021 and this year. Emmanuel Moseley‘s past in the slot could allow for a transition, forming a Verrett-Mosley-Charvarius Ward trio, if Verrett is healthy.
- Sean McVay did not seem to expect Van Jefferson to miss a third of the season, but that will happen. The Rams placed Jefferson on IR ahead of their Week 3 game, but McVay is adamant the third-year wideout did not suffer a setback upon returning from arthroscopic knee surgery, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com tweets. Jefferson’s IR move was more about roster construction, and The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue adds (via Twitter) the Rams expect their WR3 to be back when first eligible in Week 8 (following the team’s Week 7 bye).
- Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown will not be ready to return when first eligible to come off the team’s PUP list. Pete Carroll confirmed the third-year corner remains a few weeks away, via ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson (on Twitter). Brown missed last season’s first five games and was down for their final seven, with a Nov. 21 knee injury leading to the latter hiatus. Seattle’s cornerback room has changed considerably since Brown last played; it will be interesting to see what role the 2021 fourth-rounder will play upon returning.
2022 NFL Cap Space, By Team
As we exit September, trade rumors will become a steady NFL topic. This year’s deadline falls on Nov. 1. That will return cap-space discussions to the forefront. Here is how every team stacks up financially going into October, via Over The Cap.
- Cleveland Browns: $35.94MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $10.89MM
- Denver Broncos: $10.67MM
- Carolina Panthers: $10.47MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $10.35MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $9.25MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $8.64MM
- Green Bay Packers: $8.57MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $7.97MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $7.92MM
- New York Jets: $6.97MM
- Chicago Bears: $6.84MM
- San Francisco 49ers: $6.75MM
- Miami Dolphins: $6.51MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $6.25MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $5.83MM
- New York Giants: $5.49MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $5.41MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $5.38MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $4.51MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $3.87MM
- New England Patriots: $3.5MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $3.16MM
- New Orleans Saints: $2.86MM
- Detroit Lions: $2.64MM
- Washington Commanders: $2.58MM
- Buffalo Bills: $2.44MM
- Tennessee Titans: $2.41MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $2.28MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $2.12MM
- Houston Texans: $1.64MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $1.47MM
The Eagles’ number is certainly far closer to the Vikings’ last-place figure than what the Browns have stockpiled. Cleveland would stand to have room to augment its 2022 roster, via a patient free agent or a trade. That could depend on where Jacoby Brissett has the team stationed going into the Nov. 1 deadline. But the Browns also appear to be preparing for their Deshaun Watson future. Watson’s unprecedented contract spikes from a $9.4MM cap number (2022) to a record-shattering $54.99MM numbers from 2023-26. As that reality awaits, the Browns rolling over cap space to 2023 would be prudent.
With Sterling Shepard‘s ACL tear moving the veteran wide receiver to IR, the Giants will need to both cover that cost ($6.3MM) and add a contract to fill the roster spot. Every team will go through versions of that issue this season, as injuries pile up. The Giants are prepared to eat a significant chunk of Kenny Golladay‘s 2022 base salary ($13MM) to move him, eyeing an escape from his $4.5MM 2023 guarantee. No takers have emerged, though it will be interesting to see if a market for the former Pro Bowler forms once injuries affect more teams’ receiver situations.
Since their Jimmy Garoppolo restructure, the 49ers agreed to a two-year extension with Dre Greenlaw. The team is not expected to extend Nick Bosa until 2023, however. The Texans, Falcons, Bears and Eagles all sit north of $60MM in dead money, meaning more than a quarter of their respective cap space is tied to players no longer on the roster. Watson, Matt Ryan and Khalil Mack are responsible for massive dead-money hits on the Houston, Atlanta and Chicago payrolls. Philadelphia still has Alshon Jeffery, Malik Jackson and Brandon Brooks dead money on its cap sheet.
Azeez Al-Shaair Facing Lengthy Absence
The 49ers are having some bad luck with MCL sprains. An injury that often can sideline players for a period of a few weeks may end up shutting down two San Francisco starters for two months. Azeez Al-Shaair suffered this particular injury Sunday night.
An Al-Shaair IR trip seems a certainty. Kyle Shanahan said the fourth-year linebacker sustained an MCL sprain similar to Elijah Mitchell‘s. The 49ers placed Mitchell on IR after Week 1 and expect their starting running back to be out for approximately eight weeks. Al-Shaair’s setback will remove one of the team’s starting linebackers from the equation for a similar time period.
Al-Shaair went down during the second quarter of the 49ers’ loss to the Broncos. This represents a poorly timed injury for the former UDFA. Al-Shaair, 25, is eligible for unrestricted free agency in March. Once linked to an Al-Shaair/Dre Greenlaw either/or decision regarding an extension, the 49ers have since signed Greenlaw to a two-year deal. With Fred Warner already signed to the position’s second-highest contract, Al-Shaair may need to collect his payday from another team.
Although still a starter, the Florida Atlantic alum has played behind Warner and Greenlaw this season. Al-Shaair ceded the three-down role he held last year back to Greenlaw, whose 2021 injury opened the door to a full-time gig alongside Warner. Al-Shaair started 13 games last season, made 102 tackles, registered two sacks and recovered two fumbles.
The team will turn to Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles at strongside linebacker, Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes (subscription required). A 2020 UDFA out of Arizona, Flannigan-Fowles has made three career starts. The 49ers also have ex-Packers third-rounder Oren Burks on their roster, signing him in free agency this year.