49ers Release Ray McDonald
With Ray McDonald being investigated following accusations of sexual assault, the 49ers have elected to release the veteran defensive lineman, general manager Trent Baalke told reporters today (Twitter link via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). According to Baalke, McDonald – who was investigated earlier in the year for an alleged domestic violence incident – is being cut without due process this time because of a “pattern of poor decision-making” (Twitter link).
A search warrant for McDonald’s home was served on Tuesday, the same day that San Jose police received a call from a hospital to report a possible sexual assault victim, writes Robert Salonga of the San Jose Mercury News. The woman told police investigators that she had been assaulted on Monday, and a police spokeswoman confirmed that McDonald is the suspect in the investigation.
The Santa Clara district attorney’s office decided last month not to file charges against McDonald in a domestic violence case due to insufficient evidence, and the defensive lineman has yet to be charged in this instance either. However, the police investigation is ongoing, and the NFL figures to perform its own investigation into the incident, under the terms of the new personal conduct policy. If McDonald is charged, or if the league determines that he has violated the conduct policy, he could be placed on paid leave and/or suspended.
The 49ers allowed McDonald to continue to play during the earlier domestic violence incident, citing due process, and the 30-year-old played well — according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), McDonald has been the league’s 11th-best 3-4 defensive end this season, grading well both against the run and as a pass-rusher. Despite the former third-round pick’s strong play on the field though, the team appears to have tired of his off-field run-ins, which drew negative attention to the franchise.
McDonald had been on the 49ers’ books for a cap number of about $6.476MM in 2015. The team will create a little cap room by cutting him, but will still carry a little over $4.6MM in dead money for next year. As for McDonald, if he clears waivers, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any team. However, it’s hard to imagine a contending club trying to sign him for the playoffs while the sexual assault investigation is ongoing.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
49ers Sign Phillip Tanner; Celek To IR
The 49ers have made a change to their 53-man roster, signing running back Phillip Tanner and placing tight end Garrett Celek on the injured reserve list to make room for Tanner, the team announced today in a press release.
Tanner recorded 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries during three years with the Cowboys, along with 93 receiving yards on nine catches. The Middle Tennessee State product, who also contributed on special teams in 2013, spent time with the Colts and Cowboys this summer, but was ultimately waived by Dallas during roster cutdowns at the end of the preseason.
Tanner caught on with the Bills for about a month when Buffalo’s backfield was decimated by injuries, but didn’t get any touches during his stint with the club. In San Francisco, the 26-year-old will provide depth in the backfield, with Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde both ailing, and could get an opportunity to play on special teams as well, with Kassim Osgood done for the year.
Celek, who spent most of the year on San Francisco’s PUP list, appeared in three games, and caught two balls for 53 yards. He’ll be eligible for restricted free agency this offseason.
West Notes: 49ers, Harbaugh, Allen, Borland
Even though the 49ers have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, GM Trent Baalke said on 95.7 The Game that a decision on the status of Jim Harbaugh won’t be made until the team has finished its 2014 schedule. “When the season ends, decisions are going to be made,” Baalke said, via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “And that’s when that conversation is going to take place. Jim and I sat here this morning and we basically talked about just that, and we talked about what we needed to do from a roster standpoint to get ready to play Saturday.”
- While there are rumors linking Harbaugh to Michigan, Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News (on Twitter) firmly believes that the 49ers coach wants to stay in the NFL.
- Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered a broken collarbone along with an ankle injury in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, as Ricky Henne of Chargers.com writes. Allen won’t suit up on Saturday, but he also won’t be heading to the IR, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter). There’s no surgery planned for Allen’s broken collarbone at this time.
- 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio today said “it would be a stretch” if Chris Borland, who injured his ankle Sunday in Seattle, were able to play again this season, writes Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. It’s disappointing news for Borland, who leads SF in tackles and was a legitimate candidate for rookie defensive player of the year.
- With two quarterbacks sidelined, Ryan Lindley is scheduled to start for the Cardinals when they face Seattle on Sunday. The Seahawks studied Lindley before drafting Russell Wilson in 2012, as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes.
Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday
We’ve already got one ongoing post designed to track today’s minor 53-man roster moves from around the league, but we’ll use this space to keep tabs on Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts. Here’s the latest:
- The Saints added guard Andrew Miller to the taxi squad while releasing offensive tackle DeMarcus Love and defensive tackle Garrison Smith, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
- The Panthers cut running back Tauren Poole from their taxi squad yet again and replaced him by re-signing Micanor Regis, according to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
- A source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) that the Chiefs have cut tight end Adam Schiltz, creating a second open spot on the Kansas City practice squad.
- The Cowboys have their practice squad back up to 10 players, signing linebacker Mister Alexander to fill the final opening, says Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com.
- Wide receiver Travis Labhart has been placed on the Texans‘ practice squad-injured list, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Having lost cornerback Chance Casey to the Raiders, the 49ers replaced him on their practice squad by signing cornerback Cameron Fuller, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
Earlier updates:
- The Ravens have filled up their practice squad by signing cornerback Quinton Pointer, the team announced today.
- Earlier today, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported (via Twitter) that the Texans were working out quarterback Seth Lobato, but the club ended up signing another quarterback to its taxi squad. Ricky Stanzi is the signal-caller that landed with the Texans, tweets Wilson.
- The Jets have signed former Marshall linebacker Mario Harvey to their practice squad, according to the team (Twitter link).
- After cutting him over the weekend, Washington has re-signed linebacker Steve Beauharnais to the club’s practice squad, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The team also added defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui to the unit, cutting linebacker Justin Jackson to accommodate the move (Twitter link).
- Having lost Zach Mettenberger and Jake Locker to injuries, the Titans added quarterback Jordan Palmer to their active roster yesterday, and have added another signal-caller to their practice squad today for emergency purposes. Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean tweets that QB Alex Tanney has signed with Tennessee’s taxi squad.
- Former Wake Forest defensive lineman Zach Thompson is signing to the Ravens‘ practice squad, taking one of the two open spots on the unit, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The 49ers have brought back a player who was part of the club’s practice squad earlier this season, announcing today in a press release that they’ve re-added tight end Xavier Grimble.
49ers Sign Desmond Bishop; Osgood To IR
11:54am: As expected, Osgood has been placed on IR as the corresponding transaction, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. The 49ers have now confirmed both moves.
10:34am: With their depth at inside linebacker thinning out due to injuries, the 49ers have signed a veteran free agent to help fortify the position, adding linebacker Desmond Bishop, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (via Twitter). Bishop, who was cut earlier in the month by the division-rival Cardinals, had tried out for the Niners last week.
The Cardinals signed Bishop to a contract back in August, released him prior to Week 1, then circled back around to him in October. The 30-year-old didn’t see much action on the field for Arizona, however, and didn’t record a tackle all season for the club.
Bishop spent the first six years of his NFL career in Green Bay, emerging as one of the team’s starting linebackers in 2010 and 2011. The former sixth-round pick racked up more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years. However, injuries have since derailed his career. Bishop suffered a ruptured hamstring in 2012 while with the Vikings, and in 2013, his season was cut short after four games thanks to an ACL tear.
The 49ers have yet to announce a corresponding move to accommodate the addition of Bishop, but special-teamer Kassim Osgood underwent surgery on his finger today and will miss the rest of the season, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The team could move Osgood to IR to open up a roster spot.
Injury Updates: Monday
With just two weeks left in the NFL regular season, injuries that may not have been long-term problems earlier in the year could now end a player’s season. We’ll keep tabs right here on the latest updates on the ailments that could prompt roster moves or significantly alter a team’s plans:
- While several players will be placed on injured reserve lists this week, ending their seasons, one player will come off IR — Bills running back C.J. Spiller is expected to be activated from IR-DTR, though it’s not clear how much of a role he’ll have for Buffalo in Week 16, or if he’ll even play (Twitter link).
- A source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) that Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall suffered a mid-foot sprain, and Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes that Marshall is expected to miss a week or two with the injury. While Marshall should return this season, fellow Denver linebacker Danny Trevathan won’t, according to Klis, who says Trevathan dislocated his left kneecap and will have to undergo surgery.
- Lions right tackle LaAdrian Waddle partially tore his ACL yesterday and will miss the rest of the season, says Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- Eagles outside linebacker Trent Cole has a broken hand, and his status for the rest of the season is uncertain, a source tells Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
- Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said today on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that running back DeMarco Murray will have surgery on a broken bone in his hand (Twitter link via SiriusXM NFL Radio). Providing specifics on the injury, Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com notes (via Twitter) that Emmitt Smith once missed a game after undergoing a similar surgery. It sounds as if Murray will be questionable for Week 16, but shouldn’t miss much – if any – time.
- Key 49ers special teamer Kassim Osgood also broke a bone in his hand and likely won’t play in the club’s final two games, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
- Chargers linebacker Donald Butler dislocated his left elbow and is a candidate for IR, according to head coach Mike McCoy, who says the club is exploring its options (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune).
Coaching Notes: Harbaugh, Coughlin, Philbin
Whether or not the 49ers‘ window is closed, head coach Jim Harbaugh’s time with the team may be in its waning moments. His relationship with CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke has deteriorated, and questions have arisen over his future with the team since before the 2014 season.
Harbaugh expects to meet with the organization about his future, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
“I’m always available to sit down with the owner and general manager, absolutely,” Harbaugh said. “Yes, at some point I expect that.”
Here are some other notes regarding coaches on the hot seat:
- Giants‘ head coach Tom Coughlin has long been rumored to be at the end of his rope as the team’s head coach, due to his advanced age and the team’s poor performance. Ian O’Connor of ESPNNewYork.com believes coach Coughlin deserves one more year. O’Connor believes that his two Super Bowl rings have earned him the benefit of the doubt, and believes the organization owes him the opportunity to coach the phenomenal rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in 2015.
- After being blown out by the Patriots, the Dolphins should consider moving on from head coach Joe Philbin at season’s end, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. With the team’s playoff hopes nearly out the window, Salguero argues that anything short of two wins and an unlikely playoff berth would cement the season as another disappointment.
- Buccaneers‘ head coach Lovie Smith has also been underwhelming, but the team would be unlikely to move on from him so soon, writes Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Smith is in the first year of a five-year deal, and it would be unusual for the organization to make a move so early into the contract.
Injury Updates: Sunday
We’ll keep track of the latest injury news here, with the newest updates added to the top of the list…
- Lions‘ right tackle LaAdrian Waddle left today’s game with a right knee injury, according to Josh Katzenstein of DetroitNews.com. Waddle’s teammates were not optimistic about the injury, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN (via Twitter).
- Seahawks‘ left tackle Russell Okung was forced out of the matchup with the 49ers before halftime with a chest injury, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).
- The 49ers were eliminated from playoff contention earlier today, and were down to their third string running back at times. We heard that Frank Gore was knocked out of the game with a head injury, which was diagnosed as a concussion, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter).
- Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy hyperextended his knee, an injury that could end his season, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. With no chance of playoffs and the 2015 top pick in their grasp, keeping McCoy on the sidelines for the final two games could be the smart long-term decision for the team.
- Washington lost two starters earlier today, with left tackle Trent Williams and quarterback Colt McCoy both leaving the game and not returning, reports Tarik-El Bashir of CSNWashington.com. Williams suffered a shoulder injury, while McCoy aggravated his neck during the game.
Earlier updates:
- After having his right ankle taped during the first half of today’s game against the Broncos, Chargers receiver Keenan Allen had to be carted off the field during the second half, tweets Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. It’s unclear whether Allen re-aggravated his ankle ailment, or suffered a new injury.
- Texans quarterback Tom Savage was limping after today’s game against the Colts, and will have an MRI tomorrow, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Savage, selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft, was filling in for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is likely lost for the year. If Savage can’t go next week, Houston would presumably turn to journeyman Thad Lewis, who was signed less than a month ago.
- 49ers running back Frank Gore is headed to the locker room after suffering an head injury while blocking in today’s game against the Seahawks, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link).
- The Ravens’ secondary has been ravaged by injuries this season, and it appears as though they’ve lost a few more key defenders. Rookie safety Terrence Brooks‘ season is over after he suffered damage to his PCL and possibly his MCL on a kickoff today, while cornberback Asa Jackson‘s status is unclear after he injured his PCL, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Another AFC North team is down several players in its defensive backfield, as Browns corners Joe Haden (shoulder) and Joe Haden (concussion) were forced from today’s game against the Bengals, according to Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- Starting in the absence of an injured Zach Mettenberger, Titans quarterback Jake Locker suffered what appears to a shoulder injury after taking a hit from the Jets’ Quinton Coples, per Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Charlie Whitehurst has taken over at QB for Tennessee.
Kaepernick: “Not A Chance” Window Is Closed
With the loss to the Seahawks today, the 49ers have officially been eliminated from playoff contention, ending a streak of three consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances earlier than most fans and pundits would have expected before the season.
At 7-7 and with nothing to play for, the focus in San Francisco will turn to the ongoing drama concerning head coach Jim Harbaugh’s future in the NFL. It seems as if the Harbaugh rumors have been a cloud over the team for the entire season, and the tension between the coach and his bosses, CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke, seem irreparable.
However, the franchise quarterback Colin Kaepernick is not ready to give up on the coach who gave him his first shot to play in the NFL, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBAyArea.com. “I think we have great confidence in coach Harbaugh and this staff and everything we’re doing to make sure this team is prepared for Sundays,” Kaepernick said before the game against the Seahawks. “Things haven’t gone as smoothly as the last three seasons, so people start panicking and criticizing.”
When asked if he thought that this team’s window was closing, the quarterback answered very simply, “Not a chance.”
Harbaugh had been a big supporter of Kaepernick, who signed a year-to-year deal that made it easy for the organization to move on from him financially. However, Kaepernick’s job is not directly linked to Harbaugh, and the 49ers would likely be excited to see how he takes to a new system on offense, especially after the regression he has experienced as a passer this season.
Extra Points: Kaepernick, Sparano, Goodell
Besides coach Jim Harbaugh, no one has been the face of this season of doom for the 49ers like quarterback Colin Kaepernick, writes Jarrett Bell of USA Today Sports. Kaepernick’s play has regressed in each season since his 2012 breakout campaign and even though San Francisco’s stumbles aren’t all on his shoulders, the pressure will be on him to perform this week. More from around the National Football League..
- In today’s mailbag, a reader asked Bill Williamson from ESPN.com if he thinks that Tony Sparano will be the Raiders‘ next permanent head coach. Williamson feels that the odds are against Sparano to be Oakland’s next head coach, but feels that he could be in the mix if they win out. The Raiders players like him, but owner Mark Davis is looking to make a splash.
- Roger Goodell’s reign as NFL commissioner has never been stronger, writes Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. Goodell is not only staying put after a rocky year at the helm of the league, but he has as much power as ever. Goodell’s ultimate authority over disciplinary matters was reinforced Wednesday with the unveiling of the league’s new player/employee conduct policy. Further reaffirmation came Friday when an arbitrator upheld Goodell’s decision to indefinitely suspend Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Goodell has survived a lot of criticism and bad publicity and after eight years in charge, Marvez doesn’t expect that he’ll be going anywhere.
- Top talent scout Scot McLoughan helped build two Super Bowl champions but he’s now exiled from the game and working on his farm. In a very comprehensive and interesting read, Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com brings us McLoughan’s story.