Seahawks Considering C.J. Prosise WR Move
After a promising flash as a rookie, C.J. Prosise has not contributed much to the Seahawks‘ cause. He’s picked up 17 touches since December 2016 and is behind Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and Mike Davis on the Seattle running back depth chart. However, the team is discussing a position change for the third-year back. Pete Carroll said (via Pro Football Talk) his coaching staff is examining a possible Prosise switch to wide receiver, citing his background at the position in college. Prosise was a wideout at Notre Dame before being switched to the backfield. He caught 29 passes for 516 yards in 2014. The Seahawks are down Doug Baldwin for perhaps multiple weeks, and they have just four healthy wide receivers.
NFL Workout Updates: 9/11/18
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Buffalo Bills
- DT Du’Vonta Lumpkin (link)
Carolina Panthers
- WRs Donteea Dye, Brandon Reilly (link)
Cleveland Browns
- RB Mark Thompson (per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com); TE Vince Mayle; G Spencer Drango; C Anthony Fabiano; LBs Richie Brown, Tegray Scales (per Caplan)
Green Bay Packers
- TEs Troy Mangen, Ethan Wolf; CBs Trevon Mathis, Linden Stephens (link)
Houston Texans
- OTs Christian DiLauro, Rees Odhiambo, David Sharpe; G Will Holden; DT Josh Banks; Ks Jon Brown, Sam Ficken, Kai Forbath; Ps Brad Nortman, Colton Schmidt, Justin Vogel; LS Zach Triner (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- FB Jalston Fowler; LBs Kennan Gilchrist, Nigel Harris, Jacob Pugh, Antwione Williams; DE Charles Tapper (link)
Los Angeles Rams
Miami Dolphins
- G Spencer Drango; C Anthony Fabiano; LBs Richie Brown, Tegray Scales; CB Herb Waters (link)
New York Jets
- LB Harvey Langi (link)
Seattle Seahawks
- LBs Tre’von Johnson, Emmanuel Smith (per Caplan)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- QBs Brogan Roback, Josh Woodrum; RBs Matthew Dayes, Akrum Wadley; WR Isaac Whitney; CBs Jeremy Boykins (link)
Washington Redskins
- QB Kyle Allen (per Wilson); WRs Jehu Chesson, Amba Etta-Tawo, Jordan Leslie, Devin Lucien, Ka’Raun White; LB Kennan Gilchrist (per Balzer)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/11/18
Today’s practice squad updates:
Buffalo Bills
- Released: OL Gerhard de Beer
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR DeAndrew White
- Released: S Dezmen Southward
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DL Niles Scott
- Released: DT Kyle Peko, DT DeShawn Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Will Redmond
- Released: S Marwin Evans
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Breon Borders, WR Malachi Dupre
- Released: DT Darius Kilgo
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Sean Harlow, CB Tarvarus McFadden
- Released: OL Jamil Douglas
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LS Lucas Gravelle
- Released: DL Cameron Mavlveaux
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: WR Johnny Holton
- Released: DB Terrell Sinkfield
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S Tre Sullivan
- Released: CB De’Vante Bausby
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Simeon Thomas, WR Mailk Turner
- Released: DT Frank Herron
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Jeff Richards
- Released: LB Azeem Victor
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL David Quessenberry
Washington Redskins
- Signed: WR Teo Redding
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/11/18
Today’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: OL Kadeem Edwards
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S Shamarko Thomas
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers: G Jamil Demby
- Waived: WR Bradley Marquez
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers: CB Deante Burton
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Trevor Davis
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Shareece Wright
Indianapolis Colts
- Released from injured reserve: WR Matt Hazel, DE Anthony Johnson, DE Chris McCain
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from suspension: DE Dante Fowler Jr.
- Waived: DT Michael Bennett
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from injured reserve: FB Malcolm Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Keenan Reynolds
- Waived: S Shalom Luani
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Marcus Williams
- Released: OL Adam Gettis
- Released from injured reserve: LB Devante Bond, LB Riley Bullough, CB De’Vante Harris
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB Kenny Ladler
- Waived: LB Josh Keyes
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Cam Sims
Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin Suffered Partial MCL Tear
It sounds like Doug Baldwin‘s knee injury is worse than originally feared. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Seahawks top receiver suffered a Grade 2 partial MCL tear during the team’s season-opening loss to the Broncos yesterday. While the team is still figuring out how much time Baldwin is set to miss, the wideout will presumably sit out at least several games.
Following yesterday’s loss, it was reported that Baldwin had “only” suffered a MCL sprain, leading some to assume that he’d only be forced to miss a single game (if that). Unfortunately, it sounds like the wide receiver will be forced out of the lineup for a bit longer, as partial MCL tears generally take at least a month to heal.
If there’s any good news, the partial MCL tear occurred in Baldwin’s right knee, which isn’t the same knee that forced the veteran to sit out the entire preseason. The 29-year-old returned to practice in late August, and he acknowledged that he’d have to deal with pain in his left knee throughout the season. It’s not good news for Baldwin or the Seahawks that the receiver will now be dealing with injuries to both knees.
Baldwin was only targeted once before exiting today’s game, although there’s no denying his importance to Seattle’s offense. The 29-year-old finished last season with 75 receptions for 991 yards and eight touchdowns. The team could be eyeing some reinforcement at receiver, as the team is currently rostering only four healthy wideouts in Tyler Lockett, Jaron Brown, Brandon Marshall, and David Moore.
Latest On Earl Thomas, Seahawks
It sounds like Earl Thomas might actually be envisioning a future in Seattle. After previously requesting a new contract or a trade, the All-Pro safety told reporters that he’d like to stay in Seattle “if they want me.”
The 29-year-old also provided some insight into why he ultimately ended his hold out (hint: it was money).
“I talked to my agent,” Thomas said (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com). “We understood that I had a lot of money on the line. I just couldn’t throw it away. So basically I decided to come back. I’m glad I did.”
A free agent at the end of the season, it’s uncertain if Thomas will last the season in Seattle. The Seahawks are seemingly rebuilding, meaning it could make more sense to get a future asset for their aging defensive back. The Cowboys have continually been connected to the safety, although the Seahawks recently rejected an offer of a second-round pick.
A full-time component of the Seahawks’ secondary from 2010-17, and the Legion of Boom’s last remaining bastion, Thomas began the final season of his four-year, $40MM contract on the right foot. Despite missing the entire preseason, Thomas ended up playing 65 snaps today, compiling five tackles, two passes defended, and an interception.
“I felt good,” Thomas said. “I felt like my training with my brother and my team back home [in Texas] has been great, has been right on it. The only thing right now is my big toe hurts. My feet hurt. That’s about it.”
Doug Baldwin Suffers Sprained MCL
There’s some relatively good news for Seahawks fans following the team’s season-opening loss to the Broncos today. Following the contest, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that wideout Doug Baldwin has a sprained right MCL (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson on Twitter). The injury didn’t occur to the same knee that forced Baldwin to miss a month of training camp.
While Carroll couldn’t give a definitive timeframe for Baldwin’s return, the “ProFootballDoc” over at the San Diego Union-Tribune doesn’t believe the injury is all that serious. Ultimately, the writer could envision the receiver missing up to a week, if anything.
While this is good news, it also means that Baldwin will now be playing through a pair of knee injuries. The 29-year-old returned to practice in late August, and he acknowledged that he’ll have to deal with pain in his left knee throughout the season in his left knee. This pain was attributed to “degenerative joint disease and chronic knee issues” (according to ProFootballDoc), and Baldwin didn’t outright deny that he was forced to go under the knife to deal with the injury.
Baldwin was only targeted once before exiting today’s game, but the Seahawks will surely be counting on him throughout the season. The 29-year-old finished last season with 75 receptions for 991 yards and eight touchdowns.
Seahawks High On Dontae Johnson's replacement
- With the Seahawks placing cornerback Dontae Johnson on injured reserve, the starting spot is likely to go to fifth round rookie Tre Flowers, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN (Twitter link). Per Henderson, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll raved about Flowers, saying he’s a “really smart player” who’s “done everything we’ve asked him to do.”
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/8/18
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Richard Jarvis
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB J.T. Barrett
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Braxton Miller
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Malik Turner
Seahawks To Activate, Start Earl Thomas
Earl Thomas‘ begrudging return to the Seahawks will mean getting his job back immediately. The Seahawks are set to activate their All-Pro safety and start him against the Broncos on Sunday, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
A full-time component of the Seahawks’ secondary from 2010-17, and the Legion of Boom’s last remaining bastion, Thomas will begin the final season of his four-year, $40MM contract. He doesn’t appear too happy about that, after waging a holdout that lasted into September, but his return greatly improves Seattle’s defense.
Despite Russell Wilson‘s presence, the Seahawks are viewed as a rebuilding team after gutting their defense this offseason. Thomas and Bobby Wagner will be all that’s left from Seattle’s Super Bowl defenses, with K.J. Wright set to miss Week 1, but that’s a good place to start for a defense.
The Seahawks have not lost to the Broncos in the Wilson era, defeating them in Super Bowl XLVIII and winning an overtime game in Seattle in September 2014. They are three-point underdogs in Denver this week. Thomas’ return obviously helps the team’s chances of exiting the Mountain Time Zone 1-0.
During Thomas’ absence, Tedric Thompson stepped in as a starter alongside Bradley McDougald. Sunday’s expected arrangement will be a Thomas-McDougald starting back line. After breaking his leg in 2016, Thomas returned last season and reclaimed his position as one of the NFL’s best safeties. He earned another Pro Bowl nod, made two interceptions, returned one of those for a touchdown and made 88 tackles.
While the 29-year-old defender could still be on the trade block, given the unlikelihood he’ll be part of the 2019 Seahawks and the Cowboys’ enhanced trade offer, he’s moving forward with his current team for the time being.