Latest On Colin Kaepernick Workout
Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed one of the most unique workouts in NFL history this afternoon. The NFL offered to stage a workout for the quarterback earlier this week. However, Kaepernick’s team became weary of the league’s intentions when his representatives were refused in their requests to open the event to the public. In a last minute decision, Kaepernick’s representation moved the event from the Falcons facility to a public location on their own.
Here’s the latest on the workout and its aftermath:
- When the venue was changed, the NFL released a public statement on NFL.com that expressed they were “disappointed” with Kaepernick’s choice not to participate in the workout they had organized. They claimed “Twenty-five (25) clubs were present for the workout, and all 32 clubs, their head coaches, general managers, and other personnel executives would have received video footage of the interview and workout.” The league also felt the need to note they “made considerable effort to work cooperatively with Colin’s representatives,” among a list of other points that attempted to counter some narratives that the league had been purposely opaque in their negotiations.
- The league also tweeted out from the league’s official account a thread reiterating some main points from the press release. One key point from the league’s perspective, “Colin moved his workout to a facility an hour from Atlanta Falcons Flowery Branch facility. No one got a heads up until NFL saw the Twitter statement.”
- Former Raiders and Browns head coach Hue Jackson was scheduled to run the workout orchestrated by the NFL. However, while Kaepernick’s team invited Jackson to run the workout at the new venue, Jackson returned to the airport, according to Michael Silver of NFL.com.
- WR Bruce Ellington, WR Brice Butler, WR Jordan Veasy, TE/WR Ari Werts, and Panthers S Eric Reid were on the field with Kaepernick for the workout, according to Kaylee Harung of ABC News. The free-agent receivers were likely hoping to catch the eyes of scouts present to view Kaepernick, while Reid has been one of the most consistent advocated for Kaepernick in the league.
- One claim in the announcement made by Kaepernick’s representatives was that the league required he sign an agreement that included language to limit his ability to bring claims against the league. Of course, given Kaepernick’s previous collusion lawsuit against the league, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk argues the workout was a ploy by the league to put Kaepernick “in legal checkmate.”
- In the end, there were not nearly as many teams present at Kaepernick’s workout as the NFL claimed would have been present for the workout they had planned. The Washington football team, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs, Jets, Titans, and Lions were the teams present for his workout, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
- The 2-hour workout was streamed on YouTube and consistently maintained roughly 45,000 viewers. On the field, one NFL executive described Kaepernick’s arm talent as “elite” and on the same level as “when he came out of college,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
- Teams that had personnel present for the workout noted that the workout consisted of 60 throws and “Basically showed he’s the same guy he was,” according to Albert Breer of MMQB. After the workout, Kaepernick did not hold any formal interviews, but in his closing remarks said he would hold an interview with any team. He also thanked his fans for their support and reiterated, “I’ve been ready. I’m staying ready. And I’ll continue to be ready….The ball’s in their court. We’re ready to go.”
Breida, Staley To Miss Time
Despite suffering a leg contusion against the 49ers on Monday night, Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett is expected to be available when Seattle returns from its bye in Week 12, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Lockett spent time at the hospital after injuring his leg (in what was called a “pretty severe situation” by head coach Pete Carroll), but he’s since flown back to Seattle. In the midst of a second consecutive excellent campaign, the 27-year-old Lockett has posted 62 receptions for 793 yards and six touchdowns through 10 games.
- While Lockett doesn’t figure to miss any time, 49ers running back Matt Breida isn’t so lucky. Breida aggravated a low ankle sprain against Seattle and will likely miss a week or two, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Breida is getting a second opinion on his injury, so the timeline could certainly change, but at this point it doesn’t appear he’ll be sidelined for too long. While he’s often banged up, Breida is typically able to produce at a high level when on the field. 2019 has been no different, as he’s managed five yards per carry on 109 attempts. San Francisco will now deploy Raheem Mostert alongside Tevin Coleman in Breida’s absence.
- Breida’s loss won’t the only hit to the 49ers‘ running game — left tackle Joe Staley will also miss a few weeks after undergoing surgery on a dislocated/fractured finger, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link). Staley, of course, broke his fibula in Week 2 and had been sidelined until Week 9. San Francisco has been able to succeed on the ground even without Staley around, and the club will now turn back to Justin Skule — who’s played 451 offensive snaps this year — at left tackle.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/19
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Miles Brown
- Placed on injured reserve: DE Zach Allen
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Bryan Cox Jr.
- Waived: LB Malik Jefferson
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (Texans): T Dan Skipper
- Placed on injured reserve: DT Kevin Strong
Houston Texans
- Waived: DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted from practice squad: T Chandler Brewer, DB Donte Deayon
New York Jets
- Placed on injured reserve: TE Chris Herndon, G Brian Winters (story)
- Signed: LB B.J. Bello, CB Kyron Brown
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Damontre Moore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Mazzi Wilkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed off Vikings’ practice squad: FB Khari Blasingame
Injury Updates: Sanders, Breida
- We’ve got some updates on key 49ers skill players. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes (on Twitter) that wideout Emmanuel Sanders‘s s-rays for a rib injury were inconclusive. The veteran was set to undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the “damage.” Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweets that running back Matt Breida will get a second opinion on his sprained ankle. While the injury isn’t thought to be serious, Breida may still be sidelined for several games.
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49ers’ Joe Staley Suffers Injury
More injury trouble for the 49ers. On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan disclosed that left tackle Joe Staley has a finger fracture/dislocation. The injury could require surgery, which would rule him out for a couple of weeks. 
[RELATED: 49ers’ Blair Done For Year]
Its already been a trying year for Staley, was out for a while due to broken fibula. Staley returned on Monday night, only to hit the trainer’s room yet again.
Even without the services of Staley, and right tackle Mike McGlinchey, the 49ers’ run game was among the best in the NFL in the first half of the season. There’s reason to believe the 49ers’ line can continue to hold up, but it’s obviously not great news for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
After their first loss of 2019 – an overtime defeat at the hands of the rival Seahawks – the Niners will aim to get back in the win column on Sunday against Arizona.
49ers’ Ronald Blair Done For Year
49ers defensive end Ronald Blair tore his ACL during Monday night’s loss to the Seahawks, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Blair is done for the season and the Niners will make it official soon by placing him on injured reserve.
Blair, 26, was in the midst of another productive year for the 49ers. As a reserve, he had three sacks across nine games, putting him on pace to match or top his career-high 5.5 sacks last season. Instead, he’ll have to try and build off of that in 2020 and the Niners will have to find edge support elsewhere.
Blair was a 2016 fifth-round pick, meaning that he’ll be out of contract after the season. Clearly, the injury comes at a very inopportune time, but he should still find a decent market in March, plus some reunion interest from the 49ers.
The 49ers, without Blair, will look to rebound from the loss on Sunday against the Cardinals.
Bay Area Notes: Witherspoon, Lee, Verrett, Joyner
49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was expected to be active for Monday Night’s contest against the Seahawks for the first time since Week 3. However, Witherspoon remained on the team’s inactive list. According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, Witherspoon feels 100%, but he did not get to participate in a full practice this week. Thus, the team plans to give him a full week of practice before rejoining the starting lineup next week against the Cardinals.
Rookie undrafted free agent Emmanuel Mosley has been fantastic in place of Witherspoon and surely made the decision to play it safe with Witherspoon easier. At 8-0, San Francisco has a fantastic opportunity to put themselves in the driver’s seat for the number one seed in the NFC with a win tonight.
Here’s more from around the Bay Area:
- Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee has rejoined the team’s practices, according to Howard Balzer. Lee was placed on injured reserve in September with an ankle injury, however, the team designated him for a possible return. Balzer’s report signals the beginning of a 21-day practice period for Lee to practice with the team before Oakland must decide to reactivate him or leave him on IR for the rest of the season.
- Cornerback Jason Verrett was among the 49ers on the field for warm-ups on Monday Night before their matchup with Seattle, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. While normally a player warming up before a game wouldn’t be newsworthy, Verrett is currently on the injured reserve with a designation to potentially return later in the season. Per Barrows, he has not been on the field since his injury two months ago. Since Verrett is not eligible to return until December 1, it is a very good sign for the team to see him making progress.
- Jon Gruden told reporters that Raiders slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner is questionable with a hamstring injury, according to Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area. Gruden went on to say that Nevin Lawson will get the first opportunity to replace Joyner. Rookie fourth round pick Isaiah Johnson, recently activated from the injured reserve, will get an opportunity to receive snaps at the outside cornerback position and possibly move veteran Daryl Worley inside to the slot as well, per Bair.
49ers To Activate TE Garrett Celek
With George Kittle doubtful to face the Seahawks, the 49ers will add a reinforcement. They are activating veteran Garrett Celek from the PUP list, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets.
Celek has spent months recovering from a back injury and returned to practice last week. While the 49ers’ previous stance was to give Celek multiple weeks of practice before activating him, they are evidently satisfied by his progress.
This points to Kittle missing tonight’s game. To make room for Celek’s return, the 49ers waived cornerback Dontae Johnson. Celek joins Kittle, Levine Toilolo and Ross Dwelley as San Francisco’s active-roster tight ends. Kittle is battling ankle and knee injuries.
The 49ers’ longest-tenured skill-position player, Celek underwent back surgery in June. He has been with the team since 2012 and is still tethered to an extension he signed in 2016. The 31-year-old tight end only caught five passes last season, that limited work coming after his 2016-17 slates produced a combined 50 receptions for 686 yards and seven touchdowns.
George Kittle Doubtful For Week 10
The 49ers (and certain fantasy owners) may well have to make other plans at tight end this week. George Kittle drew a doubtful designation for San Francisco’s pivotal Week 10 game against Seattle. The All-Pro candidate is battling knee and ankle injuries, and although he played eight games with torn rib cartilage last season, Kittle is likelier than not to miss the nationally televised game. Levine Toilolo and second-year UDFA Ross Dwelley reside as the other tight ends on the 49ers’ roster.
Veteran Garrett Celek could be activated from the PUP list, however. Celek has been dealing with a back injury for months but returned to practice this week, per ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner (on Twitter). While the 49ers are not against activating Celek for Monday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes (subscription required) the team would prefer he go through multiple practice weeks before debuting this season. Dwelley and Toilolo have combined to catch nine passes for 38 yards this season.
- In more promising 49ers injury news, the 49ers may get both of their tackles back this week. With Joe Staley expected to return this week, Mike McGlinchey may join him. The second-year right tackle worked in three limited practices this week. He has been out since Week 5 due to arthroscopic knee surgery. Staley also participated in three limited practices this week. Despite both of San Francisco’s tackles being out for much of the season, the 49ers’ run game ranks second in the NFL.
- The team’s Chase McLaughlin acquisition will likely lead to game work. Robbie Gould joins Kittle in being given a doubtful status. Gould, who has not missed a game since his 49ers tenure began in 2017, is dealing with a quad injury.
- Josh Gordon‘s Seahawks debut is likely set for Monday night. Despite being on the Patriots’ IR list to start last week, Gordon was not listed on the Seahawks’ injury report. Pete Carroll said there’s a “good chance” the recent waiver pickup plays against the 49ers, per Brady Henderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The former All-Pro played in six Patriots games, catching 20 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown.
Trent Taylor Not Expected To Return From IR
Trent Taylor no longer profiles as a player the 49ers plan to bring off IR. The third-year wide receiver underwent a second foot surgery, and Kyle Shanahan said (via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, on Twitter) he does not expect him to play this season.
The 49ers placed Taylor on IR in September, and he had surgery for a Jones fracture then. Shanahan said complications from it resulted in a Taylor return likely being tabled until 2020. Taylor has since undergone another procedure. An infection delayed Taylor’s rehab, per Maiocco.
Both Taylor and rookie Jalen Hurd reside on IR, and Shanahan views the latter as a possibility to return. While Taylor would have been able to come back for the 49ers’ Week 13 game, Hurd cannot return until Week 14. Hurd suffered a stress reaction in his back; the third-round rookie can return to practice next week.
San Francisco added Hurd and Deebo Samuel to its receiver mix this offseason and has seen trade acquisition Emmanuel Sanders produce immediately. Sanders is a free agent at season’s end. Taylor would stand to be back in the 49ers’ picture next season, with the former fifth-round pick having caught 69 passes for 645 yards from 2017-18.