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49ers Get Roster Exemption For J. Simpson

By | at October 19, 2015 5:07 pm

The 49ers have been granted a one-game roster exemption for wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who is coming off of suspension, as Cam Inman of the Mercury News tweets. Simpson, who was suspended for three games to start the 2014 season, served his latest penalty as a result of a July incident in Bloomington, Minnesota.

While Simpson has had his share of off-field issues, he had productive seasons on the field in 2011 and 2013. The numbers the 29-year-old posted for the Bengals in ’11 (50 receptions, 725 yards, four touchdowns) were nearly identical to the ones he put up for Minnesota in ’13 (48 receptions, 726 yards, one TD).

Along with Torrey Smith, Simpson was one of the free agents brought in this season by Baalke and company to replace a slew of departing players, including receivers Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, and Brandon Lloyd. Some were surprised that San Francisco signed Simpson soon after their release of Ray McDonald, but the club is presumably confident that the wide receiver will stay on the straight and narrow.

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49ers Host Pierre Thomas For Tryout

By | at October 19, 2015 4:45 pm

Former Saints running back Pierre Thomas worked out for the 49ers on Monday, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Thomas was released by the Saints in early March and has been without an NFL home ever since.

When the Saints parted ways with Darren Sproles last March, the team re-committed to Thomas, signing him to a two-year, $4MM extension that spanned the 2015 and 2016 seasons. However, Thomas didn’t wind up playing out any part of that new deal. By cutting him, the Saints created $1.735MM in cap savings for 2015, carrying $800K in dead money on their books.

Thomas, 30, saw his 2014 campaign derailed by injuries and by an increasing workload for Mark Ingram, who received many of the carries that would have gone to Thomas in past years. Before he finished the season on injured reserve, Thomas ran for 222 yards on 45 attempts, both career-low totals. He did remain fairly involved in the passing game, however, grabbing 45 balls out of the backfield.

Thomas reportedly had a strong workout for the Texans back in August, though rumors of a deal there turned out to be false. Last month, it was reported that Thomas was seeking a salary around $1.3MM or $1.4MM, though I would imagine that his demands have come down since then. Thomas auditioned for the Chiefs last week in the wake of Jamaal Charles‘ injury, but there was no deal between him and KC.

The 49ers also worked out center Samson Satele, according to Mike Florio of PFT (Twitter link). Satele, 31 in November, spent the 2014 season with the Dolphins, starting all 16 games for the team. The eight-year veteran, who has also spent time with the Raiders and the Colts, has started 114 of his 118 career regular season contests, and we heard back in March that he was looking for a team that would give him an opportunity to compete for a starting center job. In August, he visited the Seahawks but he did not sign.

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PUP, NFI Players Soon Eligible To Practice

By | at October 19, 2015 10:30 am

Week 6 of the NFL season will come to an end after Monday night’s game between the Giants and Eagles, and when teams begin preparing for Week 7, many clubs could be welcoming injured players back to practice. Six weeks into the NFL season, players who were placed on the physically unable to perform list or the non-football injury list prior to Week 1’s games will be eligible to return to the practice field.

Of course, just because those players are able to return to practice doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be healthy enough to do so. Players on the PUP list have a five-week window to begin practicing. Once they return to practice, they have three weeks to be added to their respective teams’ active rosters. In other words, a player currently on the PUP list could return to the field for his team’s Week 7 game, or could return as late as for his team’s Week 15 contest.

The rules for NFI players are similar to those for PUP players. If a player on either reserve list doesn’t return to practice or game action in time, his 2015 season will officially be over.

Here are the players currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list who can begin practicing as soon as this Tuesday:

And here are the players currently on their teams’ non-football injury or illness lists, who are also eligible to begin practicing this Tuesday:

  • Arizona Cardinals: WR Damond Powell
  • Buffalo Bills: CB Leodis McKelvin
  • Cincinnati Bengals: T Cedric Ogbuehi
  • Cleveland Browns: DB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, TE Randall Telfer, RB Glenn Winston
  • Dallas Cowboys: LB Mark Nzeocha
  • Houston Texans: T David Quessenberry
  • Kansas City Chiefs: QB Tyler Bray
  • San Francisco 49ers: WR DeAndre Smelter
  • Seattle Seahawks: DT Jesse Williams

In addition to monitoring players on the PUP and NFI lists, it’s worth keeping an eye on players who have been placed on the injured reserve list with the designation to return. Teams can use this IR-DTR spot on one player per season, placing him on the injured reserve list without necessarily ruling him out for the season. As we explained in an earlier post, players given this designation can begin practicing after six weeks and can return after eight weeks.

That means that a player who was placed on IR-DTR prior to Week 1 can begin practicing on Tuesday, though he won’t be eligible to return to game action until Week 9. A player who was placed on IR-DTR after Week 1 will have to wait until next Tuesday – October 27 – to return to practice, while other IR-DTR players will have to wait until November to practice.

Here’s the list of players currently on IR-DTR who can begin practicing as soon as Tuesday:

1 comment Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Detroit Lions Houston Texans Kansas City Chiefs Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New York Giants New York Jets Newsstand PFR Originals Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans

Vernon Davis, Jared Cook Generating Trade Interest

By | at October 18, 2015 10:29 am

Although it will likely never compare to Major League Baseball’s action-packed trade deadline, the NFL’s trade deadline has the potential to generate more activity in 2015 and moving forward given that it has been pushed back to a later date. With the new deadline coming in the first week of November, teams have a better idea of where they stand and whether they have a legitimate chance at the postseason, which could prompt non-contenders to make more deals than in recent memory.

Tight end has the potential to be an especially fertile trading ground, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, who names Vernon Davis and Jared Cook as two players who could be on the move. Davis is perhaps the more likely candidate, for a number of reasons. He is in the final year of his contract, and there is little chance that he will return to San Francisco next season, given that his production has fallen off a cliff since his Pro Bowl performance in 2013. Additionally, the 49ers are in clear rebuilding mode, and it would make sense for them to at least recoup some value for Davis while they have the chance.

Of course, they will also need to weigh whether any potential compensation they receive from trading Davis would be more valuable than the compensatory pick they would receive when he signs with a different club. But as La Canfora writes, “landing a draft pick for Davis now–rather than waiting for a compensatory pick in 2017 should he leave as a free agent–would appeal to the 49ers.” Likewise, any team that trades for Davis would be in line for a compensatory pick should he sign elsewhere, thereby helping to offset the cost of trading for him right now. Davis has been battling injury, but he is nearing a return and would welcome a change of scenery. Any team dealing for him would be on the hook for roughly half of his $4.7MM salary, including weekly roster bonuses.

Cook, meanwhile, has two years and $14MM left on his contract beyond 2015, but all of his guaranteed money has been paid, so he could be released without any negative salary cap ramifications. Although his performance has been inconsistent, he does bring big-play potential to the tight end position, and given that the Rams have Lance Kendricks signed through 2018, other clubs will continue to call about Cook. The 2-3 Rams, though, are not exactly in rebuilding mode, which could make a trade for Cook less likely than a deal for Davis. But teams have expressed significant interest in both, and they could be headliners of the new trade deadline.

 

 

 

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NFC Notes: Amukamara, Bucs, Packers, Boldin

By | at October 17, 2015 4:55 pm

Let’s look at some of the news coming out of NFC locales Saturday afternoon.

  • Prince Amukamara‘s latest injury, a partially torn pectoral muscle expected to sideline the Giants cornerback for multiple games, could cost him millions in free agency, writes Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Currently playing on his fifth-year option, Amukamara profiles as one of the top corners on next year’s market, joining Sean Smith and Leon Hall in a thin class. A former first-round pick, the 26-year-old Amukamara’s played in 16 games just once (2013) and has been available for double-digit contests just twice in four seasons. Vacchiano reports the talented-yet-brittle corner’s injury history represents why Big Blue hasn’t been negotiating an extension with him.
  • Now back with the Bucs, Connor Barth generated a public apology of sorts from Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht, who expressed regret over choosing rookie Kyle Brindza over the veteran Barth. “In hindsight, I shouldn’t have let him go,” Licht told Sirius XM radio (via Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune). The Bucs cut Brindza after he endured a horrendous start that included two errant extra points and six misssed field goals, and brought back Barth, an accurate field goal specialist but one with a weaker kickoff leg. “(Barth) has always been a steady kicker, but his kickoff leg has always been inconsistent, to put it mildly,’’ Licht said. “But (after Barth hit five touchbacks in eight kickoffs in Week 5) I asked him where that came from and he said he had been working on it. I think he realized that was his best chance to stick around for a long time.”
  • After Steve Spurrier announced his retirement this week, former Packers GM Ron Wolf recalled twice trying to offer him the Packers’ head-coaching job — once in 1999 and again in 2000 — but the longtime SEC coach showed no interest in American pro sports’ smallest city, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Packers hired Ray Rhodes to succeed Mike Holmgren in 1999 then after firing him brought in Mike Sherman instead of Spurrier, who ended up coaching in Washington from 2002-03.
  • 49ers wideout Anquan Boldin acknowledged he achieved what he wanted to with the Ravens and now accepts his former team’s decision to trade him for a sixth-round pick. “I went there to win a championship, so job done,” Boldin told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “I understand the business part of it now. No team is the same the following year. It wasn’t a big surprise.”
0 comments Green Bay Packers New York Giants San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Workout Updates: 10/16/15

By | at October 16, 2015 5:02 pm

We’ve passed along a few of the more notable updates from the last few days on workouts and free agent visits, including the Giants trying out wide receivers like Terrelle Pryor and the Cowboys bringing in running back LaMike James. However, there are plenty more tryout updates from this week to round up, and we’ve got them all below. All links point to the Twitter account of Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, unless otherwise indicated.

Arizona Cardinals

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

  • Devin Gardner, WR (link)
  • Josh Harper, WR

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Jordan Dewalt-Ondijo, LB (link)

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

0 comments Arizona Cardinals Dallas Cowboys Detroit Lions Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets Philadelphia Eagles San Francisco 49ers Tennessee Titans

NFC West Notes: Coleman, Davis, Rams

By | at October 16, 2015 9:01 am

Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman was arrested this week for his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run incident, and has been suspended by Seattle as the investigation plays out. According to Coleman’s attorney, Stephen Hayne, he’s looking into whether a concussion may have played a role in why Coleman left the scene, adding that the fact that the fullback is legally deaf may have caused police to believe he was inebriated (link via Travis Pittman of KING 5 News).

“He was clearly not in his right mind after the accident, and that would probably be due to a concussion, but that’s speculation as well. We don’t know,” Hayne said. “But his walking away from the accident is absolutely out of character for who he is and how he would normally respond to a situation like that.”

As we wait to see how the investigation into the incident plays out, let’s round up a few more notes from out of the NFC West….

  • A trade involving 49ers tight end Vernon Davis isn’t currently viewed as likely, but it’s possible that will change if a contending team loses a tight end due to an injury within the next couple weeks, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. If San Francisco decides to explore a potential Davis trade, the team would have until November 3 to get something done.
  • St. Louis city comptroller Darlene Green said this week that she has concerns about the city’s new Rams stadium proposal, which could create a roadblock for the plan, according to a CBS St. Louis report. “They need my approval,” Green said. “They need my approval and my signature to move forward, and if there’s parameters that have been disregarded – like if there’s any tax increase – I can’t abide by that. That would jeopardize the city’s credit and I would have to say no.”
  • The Cardinals‘ newest pass rusher, Dwight Freeney, admits to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report that playing football “becomes really addictive,” and he decided to sign continue his career with Arizona because he couldn’t “turn off” his desire to keep playing. The former Colt and Charger added that he believes he’s in “great shape” and still has plenty left in the tank.
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NFC Notes: Cassel, 49ers, Davis, Bears

By | at October 13, 2015 10:03 pm

Quarterback Brandon Weeden has been informed by Cowboys coaches that the team will start Matt Cassel in Week 7, following the bye, reports Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Of course, with Tony Romo still on track to return this season, it’s not as if either Weeden or Cassel will become a long-term starter in Dallas, but if he plays well, Cassel could become the favorite to return as Romo’s backup next year.

Here’s more from the NFC..

  • Having lost more than a dozen veterans who started games last season, the 49ers needed to make their free agent signings count this offseason. However, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com details, GM Trent Baalke‘s free agent class has mostly been a bust so far.
  • The 49ers would be open to trading tight end Vernon Davis, but he’ll be a tough sell given his contact, play, and age, Maiocco tweets.
  • The Bears brought in linebackers Lawrence Sidbury and Trevardo Williams for a tryout today along with defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, according to an NFL source who spoke with Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
  • The Packers worked out safety Tim Scott today, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets. Green Bay might need a safety when Sean Richardson is placed on IR.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

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NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/13/15

By | at October 13, 2015 10:00 pm

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

San Francisco 49ers

St. Louis Rams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

0 comments Arizona Cardinals Baltimore Ravens Chicago Bears Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Transactions

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/13/15

By | at October 13, 2015 4:59 pm

Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL..

  • The Dolphins released RB/KR Raheem Mostert off their roster, according to agent Brett Tessler (Twitter links). Mostert led the entire NFL in yardage this preseason while with the Eagles. If he passes through waivers, Tessler adds that he’ll be added to Miami’s taxi squad.
  • The Texans signed defensive tackle Brandon Dunn to active roster off the Bears‘ practice squad, a source tells Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). In a related move, the Texans cut wide receiver Chandler Worthy from active roster (Twitter links). If Worthy clears waivers, Houston would like to sign him to the taxi squad.
  • The Saints re-signed wide receiver Joe Morgan, as Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune tweets. To make room, the defensive backs waived defensive back Don Jones (link).
  • The Eagles (via Twitter) announced that they signed offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson off the 49ers‘ practice squad and released center/guard Julian Vandervelde.
  • The Chiefs signed running back Darrin Reaves to their practice squad, as Adam Teicher of ESPN.com writes. The former Panthers tailback was in camp with Kansas City this past offseason.
  • The Steelers released kicker Garrett Hartley off of IR, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Lions released cornerback Chris Owens off of the IR, Caplan tweets.
  • The Cowboys waived wide receiver Vince Mayle, Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. The Washington State product was moved from the practice squad to the active roster last week to give Dallas additional depth at the position.
  • The Bears waived quarterback David Fales, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
  • The Cardinals placed defensive back Chris Clemons on injured reserve, Wilson tweets.
  • The Dolphins cut Damarr Aultman, Wilson tweets.
  • The Colts cut Jalil Brown from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Wilson tweets.
  • The Seahawks waived UDFA running back Rod Smith and quarterback B.J. Daniels, Caplan tweets.
  • The Lions waived linebacker Kevin Snyder from the IR, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets.
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