South Notes: Fuller, Quinn, Leftwich
The Texans are hopeful that wide receiver Will Fuller will be able to retake the field next week in Baltimore against the Ravens, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. Fuller has missed the team’s previous two games after suffering a hamstring injury against the Colts.
Fuller is one of the best deep threats in football, especially when he takes the field opposite of all-pro DeAndre Hopkins. Prior to his injury, Fuller was on pace to eclipse 70 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. Those marks may be unattainable now, but at 6-3, the Texans are in the thick of the AFC playoff picture coming out of their bye. Fuller would surely aid them in their pursuit of a Super Bowl title.
Here’s more from the NFC and AFC South:
- Falcons head coach Dan Quinn has been firmly on the hot-seat for many weeks. However, after a dominating victory over the Saints on Sunday, Quinn has bought himself at least a temporary reprieve, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Just a few seasons away from a Super Bowl appearance, this year has fallen far short of expectations, especially on defense. However, New Orleans potent offense looked overwhelmed for much of the game.
- After a 30-27 victory in a shootout against the Cardinals, the Buccaneers offense continues to produce in spit of Jameis Winston‘s propensity for turnovers. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich deserves a large amount of credit as the playcaller, however, he almost never got the responsibilities in the first place. In the offseason, head coach Bruce Arians had to convince ownership that someone other than him should call plays, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times.
Arians Could Retire Again?
Despite the Bengals being 0-8 and the only winless team in the league, La Canfora doesn’t think Cincy owner Mike Brown would pull the plug on Zac Taylor given his penchant for loyalty. Brown gave Marvin Lewis nearly two decades, so that isn’t too surprising. Interestingly, La Canfora seems to float the possibility of a second Bruce Arians retirement after just one year in Tampa Bay. If the Buccaneers don’t show improvement and are forced to tear it all down, JLC wonders whether Arians would “want to endure a rebuild in 2020.” He adds that “this situation is being watched closely around the league.” La Canfora also seems to think there’s a real possibility the Jets and Browns move on from Adam Gase and Freddie Kitchens respectively, which isn’t all that shocking.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/19
Today’s minor moves:
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed off waivers (Seahawks): WR Gary Jennings
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers (Ravens): CB Maurice Canady
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Kahzin Daniels
Buccaneers Sign LB Sam Acho
The Buccaneers are adding some defensive depth. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the team signed veteran linebacker Sam Acho to a one-year deal. To make room on the roster, the Bucs placed tight end Antony Auclair on the injured reserve.
The former fourth-round pick missed the majority of last season as he recovered from a pectoral injury. Acho joined the Bills this offseason, but he was released by the team at the end of the preseason. He had a workout with the Broncos in early October, but it’s otherwise been quiet for the 31-year-old.
After recording seven sacks in his rookie campaign in Arizona in 2011, Acho hasn’t been able to replicate that success. In 2017, he started 12 games and played on 60% of the Bears’ defensive snaps, posting 27 tackles, three sacks, and one pass defensed. Last year, he had just two tackles across four games.
The Buccaneers’ pass-rush has been relatively underwhelming this season; the team’s 19 sacks ranks 24th in the NFL. Both Carl Nassib and Anthony Nelson suffered injuries this past weekend, so Acho will at least provide the team with a healthy body. The veteran also has experience with the coaching staff, having played under head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles in Arizona.
Buccaneers Audition RB Spencer Ware
The Buccaneers were busy this afternoon, as SiriusXM’s Adam Caplan reports (via Twitter) that the team worked out eight players. Among that grouping was a trio of offensive weapons: wide receiver Maurice Harris, wide receiver J.J. Nelson, and running back Spencer Ware.
The Buccaneers receiver depth chart is topped by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but the team could be looking for a veteran to fill out the squad. The coaching staff could also be hunting for a return man, as they’ve had to use punt returner T.J. Logan in double duty following the release of Bobo Wilson.
Neither Harris nor Nelson have much experience in the return game, but the two have plenty of experience on offense. Nelson, 27, was a 500-yard receiver as recently as 2017, but he’s fallen off over the past two seasons. He hauled in four catches in two games for the Raiders before getting released in early October. Harris, 26, had his first productive NFL season in 2018, but he hasn’t had a gig since getting cut by the Patriots back in August.
Similar to the Bucs’ receivers, the team’s running backs corps are pretty much set. In fact, earlier this week, coach Bruce Arians revealed that Ronald Jones had secured the starting running back gig, with Peyton Barber, T.J.Logan and Dare Ogunbowale also contributing to the running game. Ware would provide a veteran option, although the soon-to-be 28-year-old hasn’t seen the field in 2019. He had ankle surgery back in August, so it’s encouraging that he’s already working out for teams. The veteran had 470 yards on offense in 13 games for the Chiefs last season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/19
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Brandon Powell
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR De’Anthony Thomas
- Waived: CB Maurice Canady
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: LB Tim Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Marcus Sherels, RB De’Lance Turner (off Ravens’ practice squad)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Robert Spillane
- Placed on IR: LB Ulysees Gilbert III
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from PUP: G Phil Haynes
- Waived: WR Gary Jennings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: TE Antony Auclair
- Waived: WR Amara Darboh
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/5/19
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Anthony Coyle, S C.J. Reavis
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: OL Brandon Hitner
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DE Michael Onuoha
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Brady Sheldon
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: QB Kyle Shurmur
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DB Tevaughn Campbell
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Bryan Mone
- Released: WR Cody Thompson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Quinton Bell
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Rashard Davis
Ronald Jones Named Bucs' Starting RB
- Ronald Jones has secured the Buccaneers starting running back gig, coach Bruce Arians told ESPN’s Jenna Laine. The former second-rounder started the year in a timeshare with Peyton Barber, and he’s responded by rushing for 381 yards and averaging 4.1 yards per carry. “He’s been consistent (and) he’s been more explosive. It’s not that Peyton did anything wrong,” Arians said. The coach added that T.J. Logan and Dare Ogunbowale will also see reps at running back.
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Andy Dalton Eager To Be Traded In 2020
The fact that the Bengals decided to bench quarterback Andy Dalton right before last Tuesday’s trade deadline did not give Dalton’s agent enough time to find a trade partner, so the Red Rifle will remain with Cincinnati through the 2019 campaign and will serve as rookie Ryan Finley‘s clipboard holder.
Dalton expressed his disappointment with the team’s decision to demote him, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says the 32-year-old signal-caller is eager to be traded this offseason. 2020 is the last year of Dalton’s current contract — and Cincinnati can cut him without incurring any dead money penalties — but his $17.5MM salary next year is relatively palatable, and a number of QB-needy clubs could be interested in sending some draft capital to the Bengals to secure Dalton’s services.
Several GMs that La Canfora spoke with named the Buccaneers as a potential landing spot for Dalton. Indeed, Tampa Bay has plenty of talent at wide receiver and tight end and a strong enough O-line, and Dalton has proven that he can be successful with a solid grouping of talent around him. Plus, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians is not likely going to want to rebuild with a rookie QB, and trading for Dalton is looking like a better option than re-signing Jameis Winston at the moment.
The Titans and Bears may also be interested in Dalton, and depending on what Tom Brady and Philip Rivers decide to do, the Patriots and Chargers could end up as potential suitors as well. La Canfora’s sources say the Bengals should be able to net a 2020 second-round pick in exchange for their 2011 second-rounder.
More NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/30/19
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: QB Danny Etling
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: T Victor Salako
- Released: LB Nate Hall
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB James Vaughters
- Placed on injured list: LB Fadol Brown
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Casey Tucker
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Evan Baylis, WR Darrius Shepherd
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Jordan Brown
- Released: LB Sutton Smith
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: T Tyree St. Louis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Darrin Hall
- Released: TE Kevin Rader
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: TE Codey McElroy
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Kareem Orr
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DE Carroll Phillips