West Notes: Cardinals, Dwyer, Raiders
Good news for the Seahawks as Marshawn Lynch and Kam Chancellor were each full participants in today’s practice after sitting out on Wednesday, writes Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. A healthy Beast Mode is always reason to smile, but on the flipside, defensive end Bruce Irvin was forced to sit out with a rib injury. Pete Carrolll & Co. have their fingers crossed for good health for Sunday when the take on the Broncos. Speaking of the AFC and NFC West colliding, here’s a look at news out of both divisions..
- Cardinals coach Bruce Arians didn’t mince words when discussing the status of running back Jonathan Dwyer, tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. “Until he’s exonerated he will not be a member of this football team. If and when he is exonerated, I will gladly take him back,” Arians told reporters.
- Arians said that Chris Rainey was released because Cardinals star running back Andre Ellington is healthy and playing, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. With Ellington playing and averaging more than 5.0 yards per carry, Rainey was no longer needed.
- The Raiders released defensive end Shelby Harris earlier today but they’re not closing the door on him, as Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com tweets. Head coach Dennis Allen told reporters that the organization likes Harris and says that he could be a practice squad candidate.
- Pressure is mounting on the 49ers to take action against Ray McDonald and earlier today, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was grilled by a CNN reporter, as Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes.
NFC West Notes: Harbaugh, Cards, Seahawks
Within his latest 10-Point Stance column for Bleacher Report, Mike Freeman includes an item on 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, writing that there’s “definitely a chill” between Harbaugh and a significant number of players on San Francisco’s roster. Freeman didn’t go so far as it say Harbaugh has lost the team or even that there’s a rift, but suggests that many players are somewhat worn out by Harbaugh’s approach.
“We listen to him, we respect him as a man, we all want to win. But he drives us crazy,” one player told Freeman. “Right now, we’re all on autopilot.”
Considering extension talks between Harbaugh and the Niners were postponed until after the season, the situation will be one worth watching, amidst increasing speculation that this will be the coach’s last year in San Francisco. Here’s more from out of the NFC West:
- With Carson Palmer‘s health steadily improving, the Cardinals aren’t currently exploring any outside options at quarterback, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
- Defensive ends Everette Brown, Israel Idonije, and Chidera Uzo-Diribe worked out for the Cardinals this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). While John Abraham is working his way back to the field, the team is likely exploring ways to bolster its pass rush.
- The Seahawks also auditioned a handful of players, according to Wilson, who tweets that tight ends Orson Charles and Weslye Saunders, as well as linebackers Todd Davis, Troy Davis, and Martez Wilson all worked out for the club.
- Former Bears cornerback Demontre Hurst tried out for the 49ers this week, tweets Wilson.
Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday
We’ll round up Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts right here, with the latest news added to the top of the list throughout the day….
- The Chiefs have signed fullback Jordan Campbell and tight end Justin Jones to the practice squad, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). To make room, they have released cornerback Robert Steeples.
- The Cowboys announced (via Twitter) that they have released cornerback Jemea Thomas from the p-squad and re-signed fullback Nikita Whitlock.
- Running back Edwin Baker has replaced cornerback Trevin Wade on the Saints‘ practice squad, tweets Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
- Defensive end James Davidson, who was in camp with the Bengals, is set to fill the 10th and final spot on the Giants‘ practice squad, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- The Rams have removed linebacker Kevin Reddick from their practice squad, says Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter).
- The Chiefs have cut tight end Adam Schiltz from their practice squad, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Earlier updates:
- Besides confirming the previously reported re-signing of linebacker Darius Fleming to their practice squad, the Patriots also announced several more moves today. Offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann and defensive lineman Kona Schwenke are now part of the club’s 10-man unit, while defensive lineman Cam Henderson and running back Marcus Thigpen have been cut.
- The Browns have signed linebacker Allen Bradford to their practice squad, cutting wideout Ifeanyi Momah, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Safety Josh Aubrey has taken the place of wide receiver Travis Labhart on the Texans‘ practice squad, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link).
- The Redskins announced today (via Twitter) they’ve signed defensive lineman Hebron Fangupo to their practice squad, cutting another defensive lineman, Dennis Hopkins, to clear an opening.
- Defensive tackle Roy Philon has re-signed with the Bears‘ practice squad, leaving the team with three openings on the taxi squad, the team confirmed (via Twitter).
- The Panthers have signed former Redskins’ sixth-round running back Lache Seastrunk to their practice squad, the team announced today (Twitter link).
- Offensive lineman Emmett Cleary has joined the Bengals‘ practice squad, replacing tight end Ryan Otten on the unit, according to the club (via Twitter).
- The Colts have swapped one guard for another on their practice squad, dropping Josh Walker and signing David Arkin, the team announced in a press release.
- After promoting tight end Marcel Jensen to their 53-man roster, the Jaguars have filled the 10th and final spot on their practice squad by adding offensive tackle Cody Booth, tweets John Oehser of Jaguars.com.
- Fullback Zach Line, waived from the 53-man roster over the weekend, has joined the Vikings‘ practice squad, per Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (Twitter link).
- The 49ers made several changes to their practice squad last night. In addition to confirming the signing of tight end Xavier Grimble, which was previously reported, the club also signed cornerback Leon McFadden, dropping linebacker Shayne Skov and defensive back Chance Casey to make room, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
Minor Moves: Monday
We’ll round up Monday’s minor transactions right here, with the latest moves added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- Two days after promoting him to their 53-man roster, the Lions have waived safety Nate Ness, says Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Ness was placed back on the practice squad this evening, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (on Twitter).
- The Bears announced that they have signed sixth-round rookie quarterback David Fales to their practice squad and re-signed fullback Tony Fiammetta to the active roster, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter).
- The 49ers are set to sign Xavier Grimble to their practice squad, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
- The Buccaneers have finalized a little roster shuffling, promoting linebacker Brandon Magee to their 53-man roster and signing linebacker Ka’Lial Glaud to take his place on the practice squad. To create an opening for Magee, the club has waived-injured cornerback Rashaan Melvin (Twitter link via Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com).
- Defensive tackle Matt Conrath has been cut by the Rams, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). No corresponding move has been reported yet, but the team could be opening up a roster spot for wideout Stedman Bailey, who appears poised to be reinstated.
- Bengals cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris, who is returning from a suspension this week, has joined the team’s roster, tweets Coley Harvey of ESPN.com. Cincinnati gets a two-day exemption for Lewis-Harris, though by our count the club had an opening on its 53-man roster anyway.
- Linebacker Darius Fleming (Patriots) and defensive end Chris Smith (Jaguars) have passed through waivers and re-signed with their respective clubs’ practice squads, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald and Caplan, respectively (Twitter links).
- The Giants have removed defensive end Jordan Stanton from their practice squad, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- The Ravens have signed cornerback Lou Young to fill the 10th and final spot on their practice squad, according to a team release.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Alex Boone Offered To Play 2014 For $1
Alex Boone and the 49ers were at an impasse this offseason over contract negotiations for the Pro Bowl guard.
A league source reports that Boone was willing to play out the season for only one dollar, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The only caveat was that he wanted it guaranteed that the team could not franchise him at season’s end.
There would be no way for the 49ers to get away with paying Boone anything less than the veteran’s minimum. Boone however offered to to donate the rest of his salary to charity for the right to enter unrestricted free agency in 2015.
The team eventually did rework Boone’s deal at a substantially higher rate than Boone was willing to play for, at two years and an increased salary of $6MM. He would be eligible for free agency in 2016, but language prevent the 49ers from franchising him at that time.
Boone will be in the starting lineup for the 49ers as they take on the Bears for Sunday Night Football, reports Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter).
49ers Will Cut Ray McDonald If He Has Been Untruthful
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on the network’s GameDay Morning program that, if 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald has not been truthful with the team in describing his version of the events that led to his arrest for suspicion of felony domestic abuse, the team will cut him (Twitter link). Rapoport indicates that the 49ers are not “hiding behind due process” and believe what McDonald has told them to this point.
That is one of the reasons that McDonald was not deactivated in advance of San Francisco’s contest against the Bears this evening. The Panthers deactivated defensive lineman Greg Hardy prior to their game against the Lions this afternoon, and California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom recently called for the 49ers to do the same with McDonald.
However, not only do the 49ers claim to believe McDonald’s side of the story, there is another significant issue that differentiates McDonald and Hardy, as Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee observes: Hardy’s case is much farther along than McDonald’s.
In July, Hardy was found guilty of assaulting and threatening his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Holder. McDonald, meanwhile, has not yet been charged. He was scheduled to make an initial appearance in court on Monday, but that hearing was postponed for two weeks as investigators continue to gather information. Ultimately, the assistant district attorney in charge of domestic abuse will review that information and determine whether charges should be filed.
If it turns out that the evidence in his case stands in contrast to what McDonald has told his team, then the next several games might be his last in a 49ers uniform.
NFC Notes: Hardy, Palmer, Abraham, Rams
The Panthers have deactivated defensive end Greg Hardy for today’s game, reports Ed Werder of ESPN (Twitter link). Hardy is embroiled in a domestic violence case, and given the response to the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson incidents, it appears as though Carolina decided to heed public sentiment and not allow Hardy to play. The move is a little surprising, as the Panthers had insisted all week that Hardy would be active. Meanwhile, it seems the 49ers will allow Ray McDonald, also accused of domestic assault, to play tonight. Here’s more from the NFC.
- As he continues to recover from a shoulder injury, Carson Palmer will not play in today’s game against the Giants, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Backup Drew Stanton for the Cardinals. Stanton, 30, has not attempted a pass in four years, but as Robert Raiola notes (Twitter link), Stanton has earned $12.225MM since 2011.
- John Abraham will not make a decision on retirement until the weekend is over, reports Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. The Cardinals currently have a roster exemption for Abraham; if he doesn’t return to the team by Tuesday, he will ineligible for the rest of the year.
- The Rams have $32.5MM tied up in players on injured reserve, tweets Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap. The Chiefs are second in that regard, at $12.7MM. In a separate piece, Fitzgerald looks at which teams have lost the most cap space to IR and dead money combined, a list that the Rams once again top.
NFC Notes: Quinn, Lattimore, Lions, Eagles
The Rams had been discussing a long-term deal with Richard Quinn throughout the spring, and because there was no hard deadline for the talks to end, St. Louis management pushed to continue negotiations even as Week 1 came and went, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. The Rams and the 24-year-old Quinn eventually agreed to a four-year extension worth more than $66MM. For his part, Quinn weighed the potential benefits of reaching free agency against the security of guaranteed money. “You have got to take everything into account,” Quinn told Wagoner in a separate piece. “Maybe I have another monstrous year, maybe I have a mediocre year so like I said I am definitely blessed and honored for the Rams to even offer that to me…” Quinn becomes the fourth 2011 first-rounder to sign an extension, joining Patrick Peterson, Tyron Smith, and J.J. Watt. Here’s more from the NFC.
- Marcus Lattimore, who is currently on the reserve/NFI list, could be the 49ers’ No. 3 running back during the second half of the season, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Following LaMichael James‘ release, rookie Bruce Ellington, who played receiver in college, is acting as San Francisco’s third RB behind Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde.
- In his latest mailbag at ESPN.com, Michael Rothstein passes along several observations, chief among them being that Richie Incognito is not an option for the Lions. Additionally, Rothstein registers his surprise that Detroit did not add secondary depth during the week, especially following the season-ending injury to slot corner Bill Bentley. The Lions have auditioned several DBs in recent weeks.
- The Eagles have added a replay specialist to their staff, reports Jason Wolf of the News Journal. Former ACC official Frank Kosman will assist Philadelphia, who won 50% of its challenges last season, in all aspects of replay. It’s a unique move by the Birds, and one I’d expect other teams to emulate.
- Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer examines the development of Eagles teammates Fletcher Cox and Mychal Kendricks, each of whom was selected in the 2012 draft. Both Cox, a defensive lineman, and Kendricks, a linebacker, have had to adjust to the 3-4 scheme that was implemented in Philadelphia last season.
Extra Points: Abraham, Hardy, Polamalu, Rams
Cardinals coach Bruce Arians told SiriusXM that reports of John Abraham suffering from memory loss was “news to him” and the issue wasn’t discussed during their recent conversation, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1 (on Twitter). Abraham, who has more career sacks than Lawrence Taylor and is ninth on the all-time sacks leaderboard, has left the Cardinals and may never play again. More from around the NFL..
- Even though his alleged actions took place before the NFL put the new domestic violence discipline policy in place, Roger Goodell says Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy will be subject to the new policy, writes Will Brinson of CBSSports.com. The same applies to 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald.
- Troy Polamalu and the Steelers have had a very productive relationship together and it almost didn’t happen, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writes. In the offseason prior to the 2003 season, the Steelers had their sights set on Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson. When the Cardinals, of all teams, got to him first, the Steelers turned their attention to the draft and plucked Polamalu with the No. 16 pick.
- While the Rams are equipped with talented backups like William Hayes and Eugene Sims, the loss of Chris Long means that they’re without their top leader, writes Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Long was placed on the injured reserve with a designation to return earlier today.
- Jets coach Rex Ryan said today that he took Calvin Pryor in this year’s draft over Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix because the Louisville product can “knock your face in.” Clinton-Dix, meanwhile, wants it to be known that he can bring the pain as well and plans to show it. “No doubt and you’re going to see it. Week in and week out, as I get my chance to come up and make those big hits, it will happen. That time will come,” the Green Bay rookie said, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky.
NFC Notes: Long, Newton, 49ers, Giants
As if the Rams‘ season wasn’t already off to a bad enough start, with the team coming off a blowout loss at home and struggling to find a healthy and competent quarterback, the club received more bad news today. Per head coach Jeff Fisher, defensive end Chris Long will have surgery this week and will miss at least “a few” games (Twitter link).
Long left Sunday’s contest against the Vikings with an ankle injury, and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link), the veteran pass rusher could miss the next eight to 10 weeks. That would seem to make him a candidate for the IR list with the designation to return, and according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams will indeed use that spot for Long (Twitter link). That would make him eligible to return to practice after six weeks and to game action after eight weeks.
As we wait to see what can go wrong next in St. Louis, let’s round up a few other Wednesday items from around the NFC….
- According to Cam Newton, the Panthers have yet to approach him about a contract extension, which isn’t his focus right now anyway, tweets Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. There was some speculation this week that the decision to restructure Charles Johnson‘s contract could mean the club would explore an extension for Newton sooner rather than later.
- After cutting LaMichael James, the 49ers don’t intend to add a third running back to their roster this week, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, passing along a comment from coach Jim Harbaugh. It looks like San Francisco will head into Sunday’s contest with the Bears with Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde as its only active halfbacks.
- Giants punter Steve Weatherford won’t require surgery, but he does have torn ligaments in his left ankle after being hit during a kick on Monday night, writes Conor Orr of NJ.com. It’s not clear if Weatherford will be forced to miss the team’s Week 2 game, but according Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), the Giants have reached out to the agents for some free agent punters to put them on “standby,” just in case.
- Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes a look at some huge contract extensions signed within the last year and determines how soon teams could reasonably get away from them, if necessary. Among the deals examined by Corry: Colin Kaepernick‘s with the 49ers, Jay Cutler‘s with the Bears, and Jimmy Graham‘s with the Saints.