Titans QB Marcus Mariota To Start In Week 6
The Titans will see the return of quarterback Marcus Mariota on Monday night, as he’s expected to start against the Colts after recovering from a strained hamstring, according to veteran NFL reporter Paul Kuharsky (Twitter link).
With Mariota sidelined for Week 5, Tennessee turned to veteran backup Matt Cassel, who couldn’t move the offense in a 16-10 loss to the Dolphins. Cassel completed 21 of 32 attempts for only 141 yards and one touchdown while taking six sacks. Brandon Weeden, signed following Mariota’s injury, served as Cassel’s No. 2, but it’s unclear whether he’ll remain on the roster now that Mariota is available.
The Titans, Texans, and Colts all sit at 2-3, one game behind the AFC South leading Jaguars. Football Outsiders currently gives Tennessee a 24.2% chance of making the playoffs, and those odds should only be buoyed by Mariota’s return. Through four starts, Mariota has completed 60% of his passes for three touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 116 yards and three more scores on the ground.
Teams Targeting Peyton Manning As GM?
Despite making frequent public appearances, including Sunday for a jersey-retirement ceremony in Indianapolis, Peyton Manning has not been involved in football since retiring from the Broncos in March 2016. However, the future Hall of Fame quarterback plans to change that soon.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports Manning “will be back in the NFL next year as a GM,” mentioning the Rams, Browns and Titans as possible landing spots (via Mike Jurecki of Arizonasports.com, on Twitter).
This is indeed strong language regarding Manning accepting a GM job when none are as of now available, but the 41-year-old recent retiree has been connected to both the Titans and Browns as a possible executive and would certainly be a coveted commodity among teams for a front office position.
However, the rumblings connecting Manning to the Titans and Browns were at their strongest in 2015 — when neither Tennessee’s nor Cleveland’s current power structures were in place. Jon Robinson took over as Titans GM in 2016, and Sashi Brown began a polarizing tenure as Browns executive VP that year as well. The Browns’ job could well be available if the team continues to crater like this, but it’s also debatable if Manning would consider the position given the franchise’s lack of success since rebooting.
The Rams were once listed as a possible Manning suitor if he were to have continued playing in 2016 rather than retiring. Los Angeles has Les Snead operating in his sixth season as GM, and while Snead’s tenure hasn’t been especially successful, the franchise kept him around to make a second coaching hire this offseason.
An arrangement like the one the Jaguars now have with Tom Coughlin presiding over GM Dave Caldwell could seemingly be a consideration, and Jurecki notes one of these teams could offer Manning an ownership stake as well. Manning was also connected to the Colts’ GM role before Jim Irsay confirmed that wasn’t a path considered this offseason. A high-level Indianapolis exec job would be waiting for Manning, should he want it, however.
Colin Kaepernick Reached Out To Titans
Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his representatives contacted the Titans following an injury to signal-caller Marcus Mariota, but Tennessee expressed no interest in meeting with Kaepernick or working him out, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
Mariota is sidelined for today’s contest against the Dolphins, and could potentially miss more time as he deals with a hamstring issue. The Titans, however, are rolling with Matt Cassel as their starting quarterback for the time being, and signed veteran Brandon Weeden to serve as Cassel’s backup.
Kaepernick, meanwhile, has continued to work out and has been “diligent” about getting in touch with clubs who have witnessed quarterback injuries. However, no team has entered into contract negotiations or even been willing to meet with Kaepernick aside from the Seahawks, who visited with Kaepernick earlier this year.
While Kaepernick is clearly the best quarterback available on the open market, his social activism is thought to be responsible for his lack of work. But the former 49ers passer is apparently willing to audition for any team at any time, as La Canfora tweets.
Marcus Mariota To Miss Week 5
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is not expected to suit up for today’s matchup against the Dolphins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Backup Matt Cassel will start in Mariota’s stead.
An MRI earlier this week revealed that Mariota suffered a strained hamstring in last Sunday’s blowout loss to the Texans. Mariota returned to the game following the initial hit that led to injury, and he warmed up before the second half as if he planned to re-enter the game. But following discussions with the Titans’ staff, Mariota went to the locker room and didn’t re-appear on Tennessee’s sideline until the fourth quarter. With the Titans already down 30-14 at halftime, the team decided not to risk further injury to its star QB.
After entering the game, Cassel went just 4-10 for 21 yards and two interceptions, and given his recent track record, it might be asking too much for him to keep the team afloat if Mariota were to miss a significant amount of time. The same is true of Brandon Weeden, whom the Titans recently signed in the wake of Mariota’s injury. At 2-2, Tennessee is in a three-way tie in the wide open AFC South, and it needs Mariota back on the field as soon as possible.
As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports, even though Mariota was considered day-to-day this week and had a chance of suiting up today, his recovery time from the date of the injury was two to four weeks, so he may not be ready for next week’s game against the Colts.
Marcus Mariota A Gametime Decision
As had been expected, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will be a gametime decision in Week 5, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Mariota is day-to-day with a strained hamstring, and backup Matt Cassel will start against the Dolphins if Mariota is unable to play. Tennessee signed veteran signal-caller Brandon Weeden earlier this week, passing over other free agent options such as Colin Kaepernick.
- Before signing with the Bears’ practice squad on Friday, defensive end Howard Jones worked out for the Colts, tweets veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. Jones, 27, had drawn a good deal of interest since being non-tendered by the Buccaneers earlier this year, as he’d also met with the Titans and Jets. Still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November of 2016, Jones wasn’t a major contributor in eight games last season before going down, but he did manage five sacks in a rotational role for Tampa Bay in 2015.
Poll: Best AFC Free Agent Addition?
A quarter of the NFL season is now in the books, which means we can accurately grade each and every free agent signing, right? Right?
Even if that’s not the case, it’s still possible to get a sense of how free agents are playing and whether they’re living up to their contacts through four games. With that in mind, we examined the best free agent signing on each AFC club before asking you to vote on the top overall AFC addition.
One note: we only looked at newcomers, so free agents that re-signed with their original clubs (Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams or Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, for example) aren’t included. On to the list!
Baltimore Ravens
- Austin Howard, T: No NFL team has been hit harder by injuries in 2017 than the Ravens, and the club’s offensive line hasn’t been immune to health questions. Alex Lewis and Nico Siragusa — both counted on as starters at various points — are done for the season, while All World guard Marshal Yanda is also lost for the year after fracturing his leg in Week 2. Enter Howard, whom Baltimore signed after he was released by the Raiders. The 30-year-old has stepped in at right tackle, playing every offensive snap for the Ravens. While Baltimore’s offensive line still isn’t great (14th in adjusted sack rate, 19th in adjusted line yards), it’s not the disaster that it could have been, and that’s partially thanks to Howard.
Buffalo Bills
- Jordan Poyer, S: Poyer had never been a full-time starter when the Bills inked him to a four-year, $13MM deal this offseason, but he’s been excellent through four games with Buffalo. Although he signed for roughly half of fellow free agent addition Micah Hyde‘s contract, Poyer actually tops Hyde in Pro Football Focus‘ safety rankings (No. 8 vs. No. 32). His performance is all the more impressive given that his 2016 campaign ended with a lacerated kidney. Poyer has racked up 15 tackles, two sacks, one interception, and five passes defensed in Sean McDermott‘s defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Andre Smith, T: Cincinnati originally forged a reunion with Smith with the intent of shifting him to guard, but he’s instead rotated at both left and right tackle behind starters Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher. A collegiate blindside protector, Smith hadn’t played left tackle in the NFL until now, but he’s been surprisingly efficient. While he’s only played about half the snaps of Ogbuehi and Fisher, that could change if those former early-round draft picks don’t step up their game going forward.
Cleveland Browns
- Jason McCourty, CB: Although the Browns dropped a combined $50MM guaranteed on Kevin Zeitler, Kenny Britt, and J.C. Tretter, it’s McCourty — whom Cleveland landed on two-year, $6MM deal — that’s performed the best through four contests. Though he had struggled in recent seasons, the now 30-year-old McCourty has returned to his 2010-13 level of play, as he’s graded as the No. 6 cornerback in the league, per PFF. There’s probably some regression coming, but McCourty has been worth every penny.
Denver Broncos
- Ronald Leary, G: In sharp contrast to fellow free agent offensive line signing Menelik Watson (who allowed an astounding six sacks through the first two weeks of the season), Leary has stabilized the right guard position in Denver. The Broncos rank third in the league in rushing (both in yards and yards per carry) and eighth in rushing DVOA, and that’s due in no small part to Leary’s presence. Leary is all the more important given that Denver is currently splitting left guard snaps between Allen Barbre and Max Garcia.
Houston Texans
- Marcus Gilchrist, S: The Texans didn’t bring in many free agents this offseason, and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini is the only other addition besides Gilchrist who’s seen significant playing time in 2017. Gilchrist, 28, has always been a solid defensive back, and he’s playing well in Houston’s secondary after a patellar tendon injury shortened his 2016 campaign. He’s only been on the field for 99 defensive snaps so far this season, but his playing time figures to increase as the year progresses.
Indianapolis Colts
- Jabaal Sheard, DE: Do you think the Patriots, who have struggled to generate any sort of pass rush, would like to have Sheard back? Although he’s managed only one sack, Sheard has created a ton of pressure, and ranks as the No. 17 edge rusher in the NFL, per PFF. But he’s been even better against the run (No. 3, according to PFF), and he’s been one of the few bright spots on a poor Indianapolis defense. Signed through 2019 at $8.5MM annually, Sheard has been a bargain for the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Calais Campbell, DE: As they have in past offseasons, the Jaguars ponied up for marquee free agents earlier this year, signing defensive backs A.J. Bouye and Barry Church in addition to Campbell. Through a quarter of the season, Campbell has lived up to his four-year, $60MM contract, as he’s already put up 5.5 sacks and 11.5 pressures, and has played like one of the league’s best pass-rushers. Jacksonville leads the league in adjusted sack rate, and Campbell’s presence has surely assisted second-year pro Yannick Ngakoue‘s in his four-sack campaign.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Bennie Logan, DT: The only undefeated team in the NFL, the Chiefs are 4-0 without the help of many external additions. Logan inked a one-year, $8MM pact with Kansas City that was almost fully guaranteed after rejecting a “sizable” extension offer from the Eagles during the 2016 campaign. Logan, 27, has played 155 defensive through four games and served as a run-stuffer, but it’s too early to say whether he made a mistake in turning down a new deal from Philadelphia.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Russell Okung, T: Okung’s four-year contract — which made him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman — looked like an overpay from the minute it was signed, but there’s no arguing that Okung has played well since leaving the division rival Broncos for the Chargers. Los Angeles’ offensive line still isn’t good, but that’s not the fault of Okung. The Chargers average 6.03 yards when running around the left end (per Football Outsiders), a figure that ranks fifth in the league.
Miami Dolphins
- N/A: Jay Cutler has been indifferent, timid, and inaccurate. Lawrence Timmons went AWOL and was suspended. Ted Larsen is sidelined through midseason at the earliest. Miami swung and missed in free agency.
New England Patriots
- Mike Gillislee, RB: The Patriots surprisingly signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a five-year, $65MM deal this spring, but the former Bill has looked lost in coverage through four games in New England. Defensive lineman Lawrence Guy has been serviceable but not a difference-maker, leaving Gillislee as the Pats’ best free agent addition thus far. To be clear, Gillislee hasn’t been all that effective (especially after leading the league in yards per carry a season ago), but he’s managed to fall into the end zone four times. Not bad for a two-year, $6.4MM contract.
New York Jets
- Morris Claiborne, CB: Similar to the Patriots and Jabaal Sheard, the Cowboys would probably like to have Claiborne back on their roster. While he’s not a shutdown cornerback, Claiborne offers competent play when healthy, and he’s played nearly every defensive snap for the Jets this year. Gang Green got Claiborne for only $5MM over one year, a discount largely due to Claiborne’s injury history. New York ranks 14th in passing defense DVOA.
Oakland Raiders
- Jared Cook, TE: The Raiders needed to add another offensive weapon to supplement wideouts Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, and there are signs that Cook can be that third option. And in a season in which Crabtree has already dealt with injury, and Cooper has seemingly forgotten how to catch, Cook could be play an even larger role going forward. He could be especially critical as a safety blanket for EJ Manuel, who is now filling in at quarterback for the injury Derek Carr.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- N/A: The only Steelers free agent addition that’s garnered any significant playing time is former Jaguars defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, and he’s been incredibly unproductive on 178 defensive snaps. Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who received $425K guaranteed on a two-year pact, has barely played.
Tennessee Titans
- Eric Decker, WR: None of the Titans’ free agent signings have been great successes so far, and safety Jonathan Cyprien might have been choice here had he been able to stay healthy. Logan Ryan, too, has been acceptable, but he hasn’t been able to lift Tennessee’s passing defense out of the doldrums. Decker has only posted 12 receptions for 104 yards in 2017, but he’s been a great run-blocking wideout, which is critical in the Titans’ run-first offense. Sure, Tennessee isn’t paying Decker $4MM to block, but he’s at least contributing.
So, what do you think? Which of the free agents has been the best signing through a quarter of the 2017 season? Vote below, and leave your thoughts in the comments section:
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/17
Here are today’s practice squad transactions.
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Eric Lee
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OLB Josh Carraway
- Cut: OLB Tony Washington
Titans Did Not Consider Colin Kaepernick
With Marcus Mariota dealing with a hamstring injury, the Titans signed veteran quarterback Brandon Weeden. The move raised some eyebrows around the football world since Weeden is the latest middle-of-the-road signal caller to get an opportunity ahead of Colin Kaepernick. Apparently, Kaepernick wasn’t even considered. 
[RELATED: Raiders Have Not Considering Kaepernick Either]
Coach Mike Mularkey told reporters on Wednesday that he wasn’t aware of any conversations about signing Kaepernick (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Cameron Wolfe). The justification is in line with what we’ve heard before from other teams, both on and off the record. Kaepernick, he said, is not familiar with the Titans’ type of offense while Weeden offers familiarity with a similar system thanks to his time in Houston and Dallas.
Weeden auditioned alongside Matt Barkley, Matt McGloin, and T.J. Yates on Tuesday and turned in the best performance of the quartet. He has not appeared in a real NFL game since 2015.
The Raiders, who will be without Derek Carr for some time, also did not consider Kaepernick.
Mariota practiced for the Titans on Wednesday, but he was limited. He is considered day-to-day as the Titans prepare for their Week 5 contest against the Dolphins.
Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/17
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OLB Vontarrius Dora
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Anthony Fabiano
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Freddie Bishop
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Rashard Davis
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: RB LeShun Daniels
- Released: DE Whitney Richardson
NFL Workout Updates: 10/3/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Arizona Cardinals
- OTs Javarius Leamon and Storm Norton; LB Carl Bradford (link)
Baltimore Ravens
- QB Stephen Morris (link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com); TEs Evan Baylis and Henry Krieger-Coble; CBs Dante Blackmon (link); DB Bennett Jackson (link via Dan Duggan of NJ.com)
Buffalo Bills
- RBs Jalen Simmons and Brandon Wilds (link)
Cleveland Browns
- RBs Josh Rounds and Kelvin Taylor; TEs Evan Baylis, Alex Ellis, Anthony Firkser, and Henry Krieger-Coble (link)
Houston Texans
- RBs Kapri Bibbs and Troymaine Pope; LBs Josh Forrest and Michael Mauti; DBs Charlie Miller, Ed Reynolds, and Andrew Williamson (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- TE Gabe Holmes; OL Anthony Fabiano, Gino Gradkowski, G Cole Toner (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- QB Sefo Liufau; WRs Dres Anderson and Nelson Spruce; DT Woodrow Hamilton (link)
Los Angeles Rams
- P Brock Miller (link)
Miami Dolphins
- WRs Jordan Payton and Jordan Williams; OLs Willie Beavers and Jake Rodgers (link)
New Orleans Saints
- TEs Jim Dray, Gavin Escobar, and Brian Parker; OL Andrew Gardner; DT John Hughes (link)
New York Jets
- WR Tavarres King; DT Ed Stinson; S Mykkele Thompson (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- TE Cooper Helfet (link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DBs Jordan Dangerfield and Harold Jones-Quartey (link)
Tennessee Titans
- WRs Chris Harper, Anthony Nash, Tim Patrick, and Keenan Reynolds (link)
Washington Redskins
- QB Garrett Grayson (link via Pelissero); WRs Amba Etta-Tawo, Kalif Raymond, and Nelson Spruce; OTs Reid Fragel, Javarius Leamon, and Victor Salako (link)