NFL Workout Updates: 9/29/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to Twitter unless otherwise noted:
Carolina Panthers
- QB Marcus McDade; WRs C.J. Board and Germone Hopper (link via Howard Balzer)
Cleveland Browns
- P Brock Miller (link via Howard Balzer)
Dallas Cowboys
- LBs Richie Brown and Kenneth Olugbode (story via Todd Archer of ESPN.com)
Kansas City Chiefs
- WR Marcus Lucas (link via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
New England Patriots
- C Anthony Fabiano; OTs Jake Rodgers and Victor Salako; LBs Austin Calitro and Cam Johnson (link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- RBs William Stanback and James Summers (link via Art Stapleton of the Record)
New York Jets
- LB Jayrone Elliott (link via Howard Balzer)
Seattle Seahawks
- LB Bryan Braman (original story) (link via Balzer)
Washington Redskins
- WR Rashard Davis (link via Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post)
C.J. Prosise Won't Play Week 4
- The Seahawks are expected to be without running back C.J. Prosise on Sunday as he deals with an ankle ailment, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Prosise hasn’t been a major contributor to Seattle’s offense thus far, as he’s managed only eight rushes and six receptions, but he has played on nearly a third of the club’s offensive snaps. The Seahawks will continue to lean on rookie Chris Carson — with dashes of Eddie Lacy and/or Thomas Rawls — when they face the Colts and their 11th-ranked (by DVOA) rush defense.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/27/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Ryan Malleck
- Released: LB Boseko Lokombo
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Kennan Gilchrist
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Jhurell Pressley
- Placed on injured list: RB Tim Cook
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Fred Brown
- Released: TE Travis Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR K.J. Brent
Washington Redskins
- Signed: WR Shakeir Ryan
Seahawks Considering LB/ST Bryan Braman
After losing ace special teamer Dewey McDonald to a torn ACL, the Seahawks are considering signing linebacker Bryan Braman, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Seahawks Audition Akeem Ayers]
Braman, 30, has appeared in 94 career games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M in 2011, but has never started a contest. His core responsibilities have come on special teams with both the Texans (2011-14) and the Eagles (2014-16). Last year, for example, Braman played only three defensive snaps for Philadelphia, but saw action on 82.3% of the club’s special teams plays.
Through three games, Seattle ranks just 22nd in special teams DVOA. Specifically, the Seahawks are below-average in every area of special teams aside from kick returns. On punts, the club has sacrificed 1.4 points of field position.
Braman has already landed one NFL contract this year, as he enjoyed a week-plus stint with the Saints before being released at final cutdowns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/27/17
Today’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Promoted to active roster: WR Chris Thompson
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted to active roster: LB Ben Heeney
- Placed on IR: DT David Parry
Seattle Seahawks
- Claimed off waivers: LB Justin March-Lillard
WR Doug Baldwin Currently Day-to-Day
- Seahawks wideout Doug Baldwin is currently day-to-day with a groin injury, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The reporter notes that there’s optimism that the Pro Bowler could even play this weekend. The 29-year-old had his best game of the season this past weekend, and he’s already hauled in 20 catches for 212 yards and one touchdown this season.
[SOURCE LINK]
Seahawks Work Out Trio Of Defenders
The Seahawks were reportedly busy today, working out a trio of defenders. According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter), the team auditioned linebackers Akeem Ayers and Jayrone Elliott and defensive end Branden Jackson.
Ayers is the most notable of the defenders, as the former second-round pick has started 57 games since 2011. The 28-year-old spent the 2016 season with the Colts, compiling 21 tackles, two sacks, and one interception in 16 games. He was ultimately cut by Indy in early September. Ayers has also had stints with the Titans, Patriots, and Rams.
Elliott, a former undrafted free agent out of Toledo, spent the first three seasons of his career in Green Bay, where he collected 48 tackles and four sacks in 38 games. He was traded to the Cowboys in early September, but the team ended up waiving him last week. Meanwhile, Jackson spent his entire rookie campaign with the Raiders in 2016, collecting a single tackle in three games.
The Seahawks could use some reinforcement at defensive end, especially with Dion Jordan and Malik McDowell sitting on the NFI list. Their need for a linebacker is a bit more questionable, as the team is currently rostering four backups in Marcus Smith, Dewey McDonald, D.J. Alexander, and Michael Wilhoite.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/26/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Anthony Denham, LB Earl Okine
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Reggie Davis
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Jamaal Jones
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Tre McBride, CB Doran Grant
- Cut: OL D.J. Tialavea
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Bug Howard
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Tre’von Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Marcus Lucas, G Ian Silberman
- Cut: OLB Johnathan Calvin, TE Henry Krieger-Coble, T Andrew Wylie
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Arthur Maulet
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Robert Nelson
- Cut: WR Kalif Raymond
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Branden Jackson
- Cut: DB Tyvis Powell, TE Gabe Holmes
NFL Waiver Priority Now Based On 2017 Record
We’re coming up on Week 4 of the NFL season and that means that waiver claim priority will be based on the current league standings instead of last year’s. Of course, waiver priority is based on the inverted NFL standings, which have built in tiebreakers to sort out the many logjams that naturally occur.
Throughout the offseason and the first three weeks of the regular season, the Browns enjoyed top priority thanks to their 1-15 finish last year. Now, we have a brand new pecking order. Here is a full rundown of the current waiver claim priority, which will change from week to week (Twitter links via Field Yates of ESPN.com):
T-1. Bengals
T-1. Browns
T-1. 49ers
4. Giants
5. Chargers
6. Colts
T-7. Texans
T-7. Seahawks
9. Cardinals
10. Jets
11. Saints
12. Bears
13. Dolphins
14. Buccaneers
15. Ravens
T-16. Panthers
T-16. Cowboys
T-16. Rams
T-16. Steelers
T-20. Broncos
T-20. Lions
T-20. Packers
23. Vikings
T-24. Bills
T-24. Jaguars
T-24. Patriots
T-24. Raiders
T-24. Eagles
T-24. Titans
30. Redskins
31. Chiefs
32. Falcons
NFC Notes: Panthers, Benjamin, Vikings
Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin gave fans a scare on Sunday when he re-injured his surgically repaired left knee. Fortunately, the early word on the ailment is positive and it appears he did not suffer a major injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. One source added that he is “fine.”
It sounds like Benjamin, who missed the 2015 season with a torn ACL, will not be out of action for long, if at all. That’s good news for Carolina, particularly since the injury bug already has them without center Ryan Kalil and tight end Greg Olsen.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- The Vikings still don’t know whether they’ll have Sam Bradford in action on Sunday when they face Detroit, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. “It’s day to day, and we’ll go from there,’’ coach Mike Zimmer said. The good news for the Vikings is that Case Keenum looked great against Tampa Bay this weekend, completing 25 of 33 passes for a career-high 369 yards and three touchdowns. He could get the call again in Week 4 if Bradford’s knee is not in good shape.
- Should the Seahawks trade for offensive line help? That’s what one reader asked Brady Henderson of ESPN.com, but the beat writer says that’s harder than it sounds. First of all, the NFL has an overall shortage of quality offensive linemen, meaning that the Seahawks are far from the only team with needs up front. Yes, the Seahawks have made two trades for offensive linemen in the past five weeks, but Matt Tobin and Isaiah Battle are both backup types. To acquire a starter, they’d have to part with much more than a fifth or seventh round pick. The Seahawks’ best chance to boost the offensive line was in March or April. Now, the 1-2 Seahawks pretty much have to get by with what they have.