NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/22/16
Here are today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Reshard Cliett
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Tyler Patmon
- Cut: DT Bruce Gaston
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB De’Vante Bausby, WR Dres Anderson
- Cut: Darius Jennings
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LS Tyler Ott
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Derrick Mathews
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE E.J. Bibbs
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Randell Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: S Marcus Ball
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Zac Brooks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: OL Mike Liedtke, CB Cody Riggs, WR Myles White
- Cut: RB Russell Hansbrough
Eric Reid Out For Season With Biceps Tear
TUESDAY, 6:40pm: The 49ers have placed Reid on the injured reserve, according to Maiocco (via Twitter).
MONDAY, 4:49pm: The 49ers confirmed Reid is out for the year after an MRI revealed the fourth-year safety sustained a torn biceps, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). He will require surgery, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com tweets.
MONDAY, 4:29pm: Reid announced (on Twitter) he won’t be taking the field with the 49ers the rest of the season. While the team hasn’t placed him on IR yet, that move is probably coming soon.
SUNDAY, 8:15pm: Barreling toward one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the 49ers may well be without Eric Reid the rest of the way. Initial tests conducted on the fourth-year safety revealed a torn biceps, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The former first-round pick left Sunday’s Patriots-49ers game during the second half, and looks set to miss what would be the first extensive action of his career. Despite the 49ers being closer to preparing for the 2017 draft than competing for a playoff spot, this uncertainty comes at a tough time for Reid, who is set to play on the fifth-year option in ’17.
San Francisco GM Trent Baalke said he’d be interested in signing Reid to an extension in April, but nothing transpired on that front and the fifth-year option became Reid’s immediate future. How long Baalke remains part of that is up for debate, with the franchise having lost eight straight games.
The former No. 18 overall pick and fourth-year starter is set to make $5.676MM in 2017 as a result of the Niners picking up his option season, and having a significant injury now could delay any such talks for a long-term deal. Reid’s option season is guaranteed for injury only, so the safety not being able to pass a physical by the time the new league year begins would ensure the attached salary goes to him.
Reid’s made 62 tackles this season, including a team-high seven against the Patriots, and intercepted the eighth pass of his career during this campaign as well. The soon-to-be 25-year-old back-line player also has forced a fumble to go along with six pass deflections. Reid’s played and started in at least 15 games in each of the past three seasons, with his fourth looking likely to end that run.
Reid would likely join starters NaVorro Bowman and Arik Armstead on IR, should the diagnosis confirm the team’s fears.
49ers' Kelly: Haven't Talked Future With Team
After losing 30-17 to New England, the Niners are now 1-9 and their nine-game losing streak ties a 38-year-old franchise worst. Still, Kelly is in his first year with the team and he did not inherit a great roster. It would be a bit surprising if Kelly was jettisoned so soon, but then again, coaches are often on a short leash in the NFL.
In the midst of a dreadful season, 49ers coach Chip Kelly says he hasn’t discussed his future with team brass.
“No,” Kelly said, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “We haven’t had any conversations about that at all. About anybody’s job security.”
Torrey Smith's Consecutive Games Streak Likely To End
- 49ers wideout Torrey Smith is unlikely to play today, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). If Smith does not suit up, his streak of 89 consecutive regular season games played, which dates back to the first game of his rookie year in Baltimore, would come to an end.
NFL Execs On Tony Romo’s Trade Value
The Cowboys insist that Tony Romo is still a part of their plans going forward, but that hasn’t stopped speculation on whether Romo could be traded this offseason and what his price tag could be. Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports checked in with a handful of NFL executives to gauge Romo’s trade value and got a wide range of answers. 
[RELATED: Cowboys Organization Torn On Romo, Prescott]
One GM feels the Cowboys could get as much as a second-round pick, provided that the Romo could pass a physical. Another executive predicted the Cowboys could ask for a second or third. Another said a third was the absolute max Dallas could get. Other responses ranged from a sixth-round choice to a conditional late-round pick.
“Imagine me going to [the owner] and saying, ‘Listen, I’m going to make a trade for a 36-year-old that’s got back issues that’s a backup,’ ” one anonymous GM said. “He’d be like, ‘You’re crazy.’ ”
Of course, it’s hard to peg Romo’s value without having a good handle on his health or the quarterback landscape in the offseason. Romo’s market would vary depending on which teams needed a quarterback and exactly how desperate they are. As I have noted before, this year’s draft class is pretty thin at QB, and that could help the Cowboys’ case if they choose to deal their one-time franchise star.
The executives mentioned the Jets, Broncos, Cardinals (if they were to dump Carson Palmer) and Bears as possible suitors. The 49ers need a QB, but as Pelissero notes, Romo isn’t a great fit for Chip Kelly‘s offense.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Cyril Richardson, QB Josh Woodrum
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Kenny Hilliard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Arturo Uzdavinis
New England Patriots
- Cut: TE Kennard Backman
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: OL Fahn Cooper
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Kourtnei Brown, RB Russell Hansbrough, OL Kyler Kerbyson
- Cut: S Trae Elston
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Jeremiah McKinnon
- Cut: Cody Riggs
Washington Redskins
- Signed: CB Dashaun Phillips
- Cut: LB Carlos Fields
49ers IR Arik Armstead, Claim Chris Jones
The 49ers have placed defensive tackle Arik Armstead on injured reserve and claimed fellow D-tackle Chris Jones off waivers from the Dolphins, per Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter links).
Armstead has suited up for all eight of the 49ers’ games this season and garnered four starts, but a shoulder injury has bothered the ex-Oregon Duck since training camp. As a result, he only took the field for four plays in the 49ers’ 41-23 loss to the Saints last Sunday. The 2015 first-round pick has amassed decent counting stats this year – 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble – but Pro Football Focus ranks his overall performance a below-average 85th among 119 qualified interior D-linemen.
A third-year man, Jones totaled 24 appearances and 22 starts over his first two NFL seasons as a member of the Patriots, who cut him in April. He went on to appear in seven of the Dolphins’ games this year and participate in 19 percent of their defensive snaps before they waived him Monday.
49ers Won’t Activate CB Will Redmond
49ers defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil announced that the team will not be bringing cornerback Will Redmond back from injured reserve this year. A few weeks ago, the team designated Redmond as its short-term IR player for the season, but he apparently is not healthy enough to take the field. 
Redmond, a third-round pick out of Mississippi State, tore his ACL last October. The defensive back showed plenty of talent while in college, but the 49ers still weren’t convinced that he was fully healthy. The cornerback was late to sign his contract and did not put pen to paper with SF until June.
The 22-year-old (23 in December) saw action in three seasons for the Bulldogs, playing in 27 games and making seven starts — all of which coming during the 2015 season. He made 25 tackles and two interceptions for Mississippi State last season, and despite the lack of experience as a starter, left school early.
49ers Cut WR Keshawn Martin
The 49ers announced that they have waived wide receiver Keshawn Martin. Taking his place will be fellow wideout Chris Harper, who was promoted from the practice squad. 
Martin missed the cut as the Patriots dropped down to a 53-man roster this year. A few weeks later, he hooked on with San Francisco on a two-year contract. It’s not clear whether there was guaranteed money in the deal, but we’re guessing that the Niners aren’t going to be on the hook for much, if anything.
Last year, Martin averaged 11.2 yards per reception with New England, though that came on a limited sample size of 24 receptions. Prior to the 2015 season, Martin spent his first three seasons with the Texans and saw the field in every regular season contest from 2012-2014. For his career, Martin has averaged 25.2 yards per kick return.
Harper was promoted to the 49ers’ varsity squad for the season opener but was dropped immediately after, leading him back to the SF practice squad. The 22-year-old (23 in December), bounced on-and-off the Patriots’ 53-man roster during his rookie campaign in 2015, and ultimately appeared in five games with the club.
49ers Audition Two WRs
- The 49ers worked out wide receivers Antwan Goodley (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com) and Mose Frazier (Twitter link).