Seahawks To Place CB Dontae Johnson On IR
The day before their season opener, the Seahawks have lost a key defensive back. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the team will place cornerback Dontae Johnson on the injured reserve. The team will promote cornerback Akeem King from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.
Johnson was added to the injury report earlier this week. The injury was initially described as a hip issue, but coach Pete Carroll later described it as a groin strain. The organization wasn’t treating the injury like it was all that serious, although the cornerback was considered doubtful for tomorrow’s game in Denver.
After spending the first four seasons of his career with the 49ers, Johnson joined the Seahawks this offseason. The 26-year-old started all 16 games last season, finishing with career-highs in tackles (77) and passes defended (seven). Pro Football Focus wasn’t all that fond of his performance, ranking him 118th among 121 eligible cornerbacks.
Johnson was expected to start at cornerback alongside Shaquill Griffin and Justin Coleman. The team will likely turn to either veteran Neiko Thorpe or rookie Tre Flowers to fill in, although King could end up getting a look. The 2015 seventh-round joined the Seahawks organization last season, and he caught on with the team’s practice squad following this year’s preseason.
Seahawks Paying McGough $28K A Week
Seahawks seventh round quarterback Alex McGough didn’t make the team after Seattle traded for Brett Hundley, but he’ll be making $28K a week according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). Although the Broncos wanted De’Angelo Henderson back on their practice squad after cutting him, the Jets offered him $30K a week to steal him away according to Mike Klis of 9News. Lastly, the Vikings paid offered $20K per week to poach tight end Cole Hikutini from the 49ers according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.
Seahawks Locker Room Rift Caused Departure Of Seahawks Veterans?
A growing rift in the Seahawks’ locker room over the team’s treatment of Russell Wilson was the catalyst for the trade or release of many Seahawks veterans this offseason, according to an explosive report from Robert Klemko of SI.com. The story, which is well worth a read, details how Richard Sherman and other Seahawks defenders objected to coach Pete Carrol’s alleged preferential treatment of Wilson.
The story also describes how many former Seahawks players think the rift was responsible for the team getting rid of veterans like Sherman, Michael Bennett, Jeremy Lane etc., and rebuilding the team around Wilson. It’s an unwelcome distraction for Seattle just days before their season opener, and it will be very interesting to see how Carrol and Wilson respond.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/7/18
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Tevaun Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived from injured reserve: OL Josh Andrews, RB Mack Brown, DB Craig James
New England Patriots
- Waived from injured reserve: TE Will Tye
New York Giants
- Waived from injured reserve: S Darian Thompson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: S Tre Sullivan
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: CB Simeon Thomas
- Waived from injured reserve: CB Byron Maxwell, LB Erik Walden, QB Austin Davis
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/5/18
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Trevor Bates, C Leo Koloamatangi
- Cut: S Rolan Milligan, LB Darnell Sankey, T Dan Skipper
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Maurice Smith
- Cut: RB Jeremy Langford
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Jalen Myrick
- Placed on injured list: DB Jack Tocho
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Trey Edmunds
- Cut: RB Jarvion Franklin
Seattle Seahawks
- Cut: LB Antwione Williams
Washington Redskins
- Signed: WR Jehu Chesson, TE J.P. Holtz
- Cut: QB Nic Shimonek
Shaquem Griffin To Start Week 1
- Shaquem Griffin will make a Week 1 start. The inspirational Seahawks fifth-round rookie will start in place of K.J. Wright against the Broncos this week, Pete Carroll said. Wright underwent recent knee surgery and has a best-case scenario of being ready by Week 2.
Cowboys View Second-Rounder As Max Earl Thomas Offer
By offering the Seahawks a second-round pick, Cowboys tried again recently to land one of this era’s best safeties. Again, they were rebuffed.
The Cowboys are not planning to increase their Earl Thomas offer beyond a second-rounder, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports. However, Moore adds that the Cowboys’ interest in Thomas “remains strong.”
But that interest only goes so far. Moore notes the Cowboys are comfortable enough with their current situation at safety to cap their Thomas offer at a second-round pick. Judging by the offer increase, it seems they’re not that comfortable with what they have on their back line.
Dallas has Jeff Heath and Xavier Woods in place as first-stringers under optimal circumstances, but Woods remains out due to injury. The team claimed Ibraheim Campbell off waivers from the Texans over the weekend as well, but Kavon Frazier is expected to start alongside Heath in Week 1.
Thomas intends to report to the Seahawks, but he’s also unhappy with the team. This situation appears headed for a divorce, and the Cowboys are willing to wait, presumably to see if the Seahawks’ price drops as the trade deadline nears. The Cowboys upped their offer to a second-round pick last week, after their max proposal was a third-rounder in April.
So, Thomas-to-Dallas remains a possibility, just one that’s on the back-burner right now.
Earl Thomas To Report To Seahawks
Earl Thomas looks to be budging in his offseason-long holdout. The three-time first-team All-Pro safety intends to report to the Seahawks on Wednesday, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
This marks a big morning for Thomas news, with the Cowboys having reportedly upped their offer for the 29-year-old defender. They’re now willing to part with a second-round pick after refusing to do so on draft weekend, but the Seahawks refused to make a deal. It also appears the Cowboys have bowed out of the talks after making that offer, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting (via Twitter) this prompted Thomas to report.
Seattle still wants a first-round pick for Thomas, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). Considering the Cowboys wouldn’t part with their 2018 second-rounder, it’s understandable they would balk at this price.
The Seahawks are also planning to wipe out the extensive fines (up to $1.6MM) Thomas has incurred during his holdout, Rapoport reports (on Twitter). That’s a notable step in building a bridge for a reunion between the parties, but for a player who formed an extension-or-trade stance, all’s not well between the top Legion of Boom cog and the Seahawks.
Thomas explained as much on an Instagram post.
“I worked my whole life for this….. I’ve never let me teammates, city or fans down as long as I’ve lived and don’t plan on starting this weekend,” Thomas wrote in his latest IG post. “With that being said, the disrespect has been well noted and will not be forgotten. Father Time may have an undefeated record but best believe I plan on taking him into triple overtime when it comes to my career.”
For now, Thomas plans to play on the final year of his 2014-constructed contract. It calls for an $8.5MM base salary. No new agreement is in place, ESPN’s Dan Graziano tweets.
This represents big news for a Seahawks team that lost so much of its defensive core this offseason and stands to be without K.J. Wright in its opener against the Broncos. Thomas will slide in back at his free safety spot, likely kicking Bradley McDougald back to the strong safety role he assumed from Kam Chancellor. Thomas has not worked with his teammates since Week 17 of last season.
While the Seahawks as of now are getting back a brooding Thomas, who may well not factor into the team’s post-2018 future, they are undoubtedly much better because of his return. Thomas returned after breaking his leg in 2016 to play in 14 Seattle games last season. He made the Pro Bowl, his sixth, and finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 safety.
Cowboys Increased Offer For Earl Thomas
It was reported recently that the Cowboys were offering only a third round pick for All-Pro safety Earl Thomas and weren’t budging. Now the Cowboys have apparently upped their offer a second round pick, but the Seahawks still want more according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link).
Thomas, one of the last remaining pieces of the Seahawks’ once legendary defense, has held out all offseason in search of a new contract. Seattle has made it clear they have no intentions of giving him one, leading to the current stalemate with no end in sight.
A second round pick is a hefty offer for a player heading into the final year of his deal, so it’s somewhat surprising the Seahawks turned it down, especially considering a second round pick had previously been said to be their asking price. It’s not clear what Seattle’s endgame is here, since Thomas has no plans of reporting to the team anytime soon and appears certain to miss regular season games.
The Cowboys have the potential to have the best defense the team has fielded in years, but could use some help in the secondary. Acquiring Thomas would go a long way toward solidifying their defense as a top unit, so it makes sense why they’re being aggressive here. With the season just days away, this situation could develop further at any moment. Stay tuned.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/4/18
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves.
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Josh Hawkins
- Placed on injured list: DE Kiante Anderson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Brad Seaton
- Cut: OL Christian DiLauro
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DB Treston Decoud, DT Aziz Shittu, G Cody Wichmann
- Cut: DE Charles Tapper
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE MyCole Pruitt
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Lenzy Pipkins
- Cut: CB D.J. White
Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Justin Jackson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: OL Evan Boehm
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Josh Banks
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Joe Walker
- Cut: LB Asantay Brown
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Branden Jackson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Damore’ea Stringfellow
- Cut: WR Austin Proehl