QB Rumors: RGIII, Glennon, Kaepernick
Major in-season NFL trades aren’t all that common, and deals involving quarterbacks are particularly rare, since it’s not easy to plug in new signal-callers to an offense halfway through the season. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few QBs around the league who are in the news today, with this afternoon’s trade deadline looming. Let’s round up the latest….
- Washington hasn’t received any trade inquiries so far on Robert Griffin III, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Any team that acquired RGIII would have to take on his $16MM+ option for 2016, which is guaranteed for injury, so it seems unlikely that any club would want to take that risk.
- The Buccaneers aren’t fielding calls from other teams wanting to acquire Mike Glennon, tweets Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. According to Stroud, Bucs GM Jason Licht isn’t willing to move Jameis Winston‘s backup for a mid-round pick. Glennon remains under contract with Tampa Bay through the 2016 season, so if the Bucs keep him through this year, they could still consider a deal in the offseason.
- Examining the Colin Kaepernick situation in San Francisco, Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report says he heard from a 49ers player on Monday who said that Kaepernick had “pretty much lost” the locker room recently. Still, Freeman places some of the blame for Kaepernick’s regression on San Francisco’s management and coaching staff, arguing that the signal-caller “could have been much better served.”
- With their top two quarterbacks injured, the Jets are exploring a possible trade or free agent signing, and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com wonders if the team might consider trading for Kaepernick. As Cimini observes, GM Mike Maccagnan isn’t afraid of high-profile moves, but there are a handful of roadblocks that would have to be overcome for such a deal to be consummated by 3:00pm CT today.
49ers To Bench Colin Kaepernick
The 49ers are benching Colin Kaepernick, according to Kyle McLorg of BayAreaSportsGuy.com. With No. 7 heading to the bench, Blaine Gabbert will be under center for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.
49ers players were split on Kaepernick and the organization stayed with him as long as it could, Rapoport tweets. Earlier today, head coach Jim Tomsula declined to give Kaepernick a vote of confidence when given the opportunity. Now, we understand why.
It has been said that each game in the 2015 season would be a referendum on Kaepernick’s status as 49ers quarterback going forward. Now that the signal caller is getting benched, it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Niners will cut him before his salary becomes guaranteed for 2016. The 49ers officially have until April 1st to make that call.
Kaepernick, who turns 28 on Tuesday, has completed just 59.3 percent of his pass attempts for 1,615 yards in eight games and he has six touchdown passes against five interceptions. With a career-low passer rating of 78.8 and two consecutive losses against division rivals, one can understand why the 49ers are making this change. Of course, it’s also fair to wonder if Gabbert is capable of playing any better than Kaepernick has been.
Gabbert, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 draft, played three seasons for the Jaguars before joining the 49ers in 2014. Over that time, he never had a completion percentage higher than 58.3 or a quarterback rating above 77.4.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC Notes: 49ers, Kaepernick, Bears, Vikings
49ers coach Jim Tomsula declined to give embattled quarterback Colin Kaepernick a vote of confidence on Monday, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. In past weeks, Tomsula has shot down speculation that there could be a QB controversy in SF. He didn’t do that this time around.
“We’re evaluating everything right now,” Tomsula said when asked about his team’s quarterback situation. “We’re in the middle of it right now and I don’t have any comments on any position on our field right now. We’re evaluating everyone.”
Kaepernick has completed just 59.3 percent of his pass attempts for 1,615 yards in eight games and he has six touchdown passes against five interceptions.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- 49ers running back Mike Davis will have surgery on Tuesday on his broken hand, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. After surgery, Davis be given an idea of how long he’ll be sidelined.
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times wonders if Bears outside linebackers Lamarr Houston and Willie Young are on their way out of Chicago after playing a combined 11 defensive snaps on Sunday. One could point to their lack of usage as a sign that they’ll be traded, but I would argue that the Bears would have been better off auditioning them to interested teams if that is their intention.
- Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press wonders if the Vikings might dangle tight end Chase Ford prior to Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Ford started five games last season and caught 23 passes for 258 yards in 11 games overall. However, he hasn’t taken a single snap this season and “some believe” that he could be worth a late-round pick, Tomasson writes. Ford is the team’s No. 4 tight end behind Kyle Rudolph, Rhett Ellison, and rookie MyCole Pruitt.
Reggie Bush Suffers Major Knee Injury
MONDAY, 8:29pm: Bush is done for the year, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Bush will undergo surgery on his torn MCL that will shut him down for the year. His ACL, however, turned out to be okay.
SUNDAY, 6:18pm: 49ers running back Reggie Bush hurt his knee against the Rams, and the team believes it could be a substantial injury, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
It is believed that he has a torn ACL, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). A torn ACL would end his season, and Bush will have an MRI Monday to confirm the diagnosis.
Bush had only eight carries for 28 yards this season, but was in line for a bigger role in the 49ers offense with starter Carlos Hyde dealing with his own injury issues. The team had waived backup running back Jarryd Hayne earlier this week, promoting Kendall Gaskins from the practice squad to the active roster.
Other than Gaskins and the injured Hyde, Mike Davis is the only other back on the 49ers’ active roster.
If Bush does miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, it would put a lot of pressure on the 30-year-old runner, who signed with the 49ers after being released from the Lions who are in need of backfield help themselves. Despite getting heavy run as the lead back in Miami and Detroit between 2011 and 2013, he more likely would only carry value as a third-down specialty back if he comes back healthy next season.
The 49ers will likely look to add another running back to the mix this week, either by trade or through free agency. They could also consider bringing Hayne back into the mix.
49ers To Sign Shaun Draughn
The 49ers have agreed to terms with running back Shaun Draughn, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Draughn will be expected to provide SF with depth as it deals with multiple injuries in the backfield.
Draughn appeared in five games this season for Cleveland with two carries for 10 yards. Last month, however, the Browns cut him loose in favor of linebacker Jayson DiManche. The 27-year-old has been on six other NFL teams since entering the league in 2011. On Sunday, the 49ers lost Reggie Bush and Mike Davis to injuries and both players could be done for the year. Carlos Hyde, meanwhile, did not play due to a stress fracture. It’s possible that Draughn will be playing a key role for the 49ers, even if it’s only in the short term.
Broncos Acquire Vernon Davis
4:12pm: The actual deal has the 49ers trading Davis and a 2016 seventh-round choice to the Broncos in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2016 and a sixth-round choice in 2017, Schefter tweets.
4:09pm: The Broncos have acquired Vernon Davis from the 49ers, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. In the last year of his deal, the Broncos will owe Davis ~$2.3MM in salary plus $225K in per-game roster bonuses.
Suddenly, Davis has gone from playing for a 2-6 team at the bottom of the NFC West to a Broncos squad that is 7-0 after polishing off the Packers last night. Strangely enough, the Peyton Manning-led Broncos are actually undefeated in spite of their offense. Many have theorized that Manning has been missing a quality safety blanket option underneath, a role that was expected to be filled by Owen Daniels. Now, Manning has one of the game’s top offensive tight ends to work with and things could turn around quickly for Denver’s offense. In short, one of the league’s scariest teams just got even scarier. 
So far in 2015, Davis has appeared in six games, hauling in a total of 18 receptions and 194 yards. In his two outings, however, Davis has caught a total of 10 passes for 85 yards, no small feat given the difficulties that the 49ers have had on offense. The two-time Pro Bowler arguably enjoyed his best season in 2009 when he caught 78 passes for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also shined in 2013 when he recorded 52 passes for 850 yards and 13 scores.
Davis has had his fair share of ups-and-downs in San Francisco, including a bit of off-the-field trouble. Most recently, Davis was said to have gotten into an altercation with teammate Joe Staley, though the tight end mostly denied that taking place.
“I don’t recall that,” Davis said of the report which alleged that the two got into fisticuffs during an argument concerning quarterback Colin Kaepernick. “I don’t know where that’s coming from. It’s funny to me. He’s been like a brother to me… We’ve had arguments in the past. My first year, I remember, I came here and we got into it. We got into right then and seconds later we were hanging out, laughing and drinking sodas together.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Trade Rumors: Mack, Weddle, Boldin
Cardinals GM Steve Keim says that while there are always talks going on, there is “nothing imminent” for his team, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com writes. When asked specifically about targeting a pass rusher, Keim noted that teams aren’t really offering up anyone that fits the bill unless they are overpaid or dealing with off-the-field issues. Even if the Cardinals aren’t on the precipice of anything, a whole lot can change between now and the deadline. Meanwhile, plenty of other teams are assessing their trade options at the midway point. Here’s the very latest:
- Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that Bears defensive end Willie Young and Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry can be had via trade. Neither player is getting much playing time so far in 2015.
- More from Cole (video link), who hears that the Browns expect Alex Mack to exercise his opt-out clause and go to the highest bidder, therefore making him a prime trade candidate heading into the deadline. The center’s deal features a no-trade clause, but he is allowed to waive it to expedite a move to a contending team.
- Cole adds that pending free agents Eric Weddle (Chargers) and Anquan Boldin (49ers) aren’t really in play since both teams are hoping to net compensatory draft picks for them in the offseason if they head elsewhere. As a result, it would take a significant haul to pry either player loose.
- When asked if a trade for a running back could happen, Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said, “I don’t see that coming,” as John McClain of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- Falcons head coach Dan Quinn says that trades are not a priority for the team right now, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
- Browns linebacker Paul Kruger isn’t surprised to hear his name in trade rumors because of “the way [he’s] been used,” Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer writes.
- Joel Corry of CBSSports.com came up with some creative hypothetical trade ideas, including one that would have the Panthers acquire Calvin Johnson from the Lions.
- Keeping up with the theme of hypothetical deals, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com would like to see Washington send Robert Griffin III to the Chiefs for fellow QB Chase Daniel. Another interesting idea would have the Bears ship Alshon Jeffery to the Falcons in exchange for a second-round choice.
Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/15
Here are Monday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Shamiel Gary, LB Terrell Manning (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: CB Trovon Reed
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Akeem Hunt (via Wilson)
San Francisco 49ers
- To be signed: RB Jarryd Hayne (via Wilson on Twitter)
49ers Working Out Ben Tate
After Reggie Bush suffered a fluke knee injury on Sunday that will likely end his season, the 49ers figure to be in the market for running back help. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), one player the team is eyeing as a potential Bush replacement is veteran free agent Ben Tate, who will work out for San Francisco tomorrow.
Tate, 27, was viewed as a potential breakout candidate heading into the 2014 season, but saw his stock drop significantly last year, as he failed to produce consistently for the Browns, Vikings, and Steelers. The poor showing has made it challenging for Tate to find work this season — he has worked out for the Cowboys, Lions, and Chiefs since becoming a free agent, but has yet to find a new home.
As for the Niners, the Bush injury is the latest in a string of them in the team’s backfield. Carlos Hyde is dealing with a foot injury, and rookie Mike Davis suffered a fractured hand in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). San Francisco waived Jarryd Hayne on Saturday, with head coach Jim Tomsula explaining that the Niners wanted a heavier runner for the game against St. Louis, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Hayne was replaced on the roster by 238-pound Kendall Gaskins.
While Bush is one possibility for the Niners, he’s hardly the only one. The club could also consider Pierre Thomas, who previously worked out for San Francisco, and re-signing Hayne is an option as well, assuming he clears waivers today.
NFC Notes: Davis, Kaepernick, Forte, Patterson
Among trade candidates on the 49ers, Vernon Davis has been outspoken about not wanting to leave San Francisco. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes that after Sunday’s loss, he came around to the idea that the team might move him. “It’s a possibility; you know there’s nothing I can do about it,” said Davis. “ … I’m a positive believer. I believe everything works its way out for the good for those who are good people. But I’m always prepared for anything. Nothing new surprises me.”
Here are some more notes from around the NFC:
- After another ugly performance by the San Francisco offense, two 49ers players texted Jason Cole of Bleacher Report saying that it was time to bench Colin Kaepernick. Cole was very clear that both players still believed Kaepernick should be in plans to lead the offense in the future, but just needs time on the bench to clear his head.
- The Bears are optimistic for their running back Matt Forte, who exited the game against the Vikings with a knee injury. The team does not think Forte suffered an ACL injury, believing he has an MCL injury, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).
- One player who was expected to be on the trade block is Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, but despite having only two catches so far this season, he isn’t going anywhere, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Considering the former first-round pick has been passed on the depth chart by a pair of relatively unknown commodities in Charles Johnson and Stefon Diggs, it is surprising that the team would not consider trading him.