AFC South Notes: Colts, Texans, QBs
There has been plenty of quarterback shuffling going on in the AFC South recently, with the return of a healthy Marcus Mariota prompting the Titans to release Charlie Whitehurst, who was claimed off waivers by the Colts, who are without Andrew Luck for a few weeks. Meanwhile, the Texans, having cut Ryan Mallett earlier this year, grabbed Brandon Weeden off waivers from the Cowboys this week.
Today’s round-up of AFC South notes, in advance of tonight’s Titans/Jaguars game, focuses on those moves, so let’s dive right in…
- One AFC South executive expressed “displeasure and dismay” that the Titans would cut Whitehurst at the exact moment that the Colts were looking for a backup for Matt Hasselbeck, says Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. As Schefter explains, Whitehurst hasn’t exactly been a world-beater when he’s gotten a chance to play, but one AFC South source suggested he’d rather see the Colts have to rely on a less experienced backup.
- The Texans‘ motive for claiming Weeden? They’ll likely need a veteran backup of their own this weekend, since Brian Hoyer is expected to miss Week 11 due to a concussion, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. With T.J. Yates lined up for the start, practice squad signal-caller Zac Dysert would have been the next man up as the No. 2 if Houston hadn’t made a move.
- Zac Jackson of Pro Football Talk wonders if the Texans were also motivated to claim Weeden so the Colts couldn’t. Both teams have the same record, but Houston has faced a slightly weaker schedule, giving them waiver priority over Indianapolis. Considering Weeden used to play for current Indy offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, the Colts may preferred him over Whitehurst as Hasselbeck’s backup.
Workout Notes: Seahawks, Colts, Bears
The Kendall Hunter tour continues. On Tuesday, the Seahawks tried out the running back, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Hunter, who has seen his NFL career derailed by injuries in recent years, was removed from Sam Francisco’s injured reserve list in September with a settlement, making him a free agent. Last week, he tried out for the Jaguars, but that audition did not immediately lead to a deal.
Here’s a roundup of Tuesday’s notable workouts from around the NFL:
- The Colts tried out nose tackle Barry Cofield, according to Yates (on Twitter). He adds that tight end Joseph Fauria worked out for the Chiefs and Patriots while running back Dri Archer auditioned for the Jets.
- The Bears hosted a few players for workouts, per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com (on Twitter), linebacker Xzavier Dickson, defensive end Tyre Glasper, linebacker Danny Mason, and linebacker Mike McAdoo.
- Wide receiver Tandon Doss was among players Jets tried out today, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- The Falcons worked out cornerbacks Marc Anthony and Keon Lyn, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Raiders worked out center Adam Gettis, Wilson tweets.
- The 49ers worked out former Texas offensive tackle Donald Hawkins, Wilson tweets.
- The Titans tried out Damarr Aultman, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Alan Bonner, Antwan Goodley, Colin Lockett, Dustin Vaughan, Wilson tweets.
- The Eagles auditioned eight players on Monday, including wide receiver Corey Washington, safety Brandian Ross, defensive end Brian Mihalik, linebacker Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo, linebacker Brandon Hepburn, defensive tackle Toby Johnson, cornerback Trovon Reed, and cornerback Robert Steeples, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
- The Saints worked out running back Bronson Hill and defensive end Phillip Hunt, Wilson tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/17/15
Here are Tuesday’s minor transactions from across the NFL:
- The Dolphins waived center Sam Brenner, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets.
- The Browns waived tight end Rob Housler (hamstring) from injured reserve today, Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal tweets.
- The Patriots waived offensive lineman Chris Barker while promoting wide receiver Chris Harper from the practice squad, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.
Earlier Updates:
- The Seahawks have waived wide receiver Chris Matthews, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Matthews had just four receptions during his 12 regular-season games with Seattle, matching the four balls he caught in last season’s Super Bowl against the Pats. Per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter), the Seahawks are promoting wide receiver Kevin Smith to the active roster to replace Matthews.
- The Dolphins will sign linebacker James-Michael Johnson, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Johnson was just released by the Lions on Saturday, so he didn’t last long on the open market.
- Speaking of the Lions, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that, as expected, the club will place cornerback Josh Wilson on injured reserve due to what Jim Caldwell called a “significant” knee injury. Detroit is expected to sign a new cornerback shortly to help solidify a position that has been hit hard by injuries.
- The Titans have added two players to their 53-man roster, signing wide receiver Tre McBride from their own practice squad, along with wide receiver Andrew Turzilli from the 49ers‘ practice squad (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). The two wideouts will take the roster spots vacated by WR Justin Hunter and CB Jason McCourty, who were formally placed on injured reserve today.
- The Bears have made a change at cornerback, waiving Terrance Mitchell and promoting Jacoby Glenn from their practice squad to fill the newly-opened roster spot, the team announced today (Twitter link).
- The Chiefs have placed tight end James O’Shaughnessy on injured reserve due to a foot injury, creating an opening for defensive tackle David King, whom Kansas City claimed off waivers from the Seahawks, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- The Giants have waived linebacker James Morris, according to a team release. Morris, who was elevated from the practice squad at the end of October, played on special teams during his brief stint on New York’s 53-man roster.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/17/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Corey Washington (Twitter link via Art Stapleton of The Record), LB Khaseem Greene (Twitter link via Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DE B.J. McBryde (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
- Cut: DT Eric Crume
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Ross Travis (Twitter link via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
- Cut: DT Hebron Fangupo
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: T/G Chris Martin (Twitter link via agent Brett Tessler)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Dominique Jones (Twitter link via Ben Goessling of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- Cut: WR Julian Talley (via press release)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: RB George Atkinson, OL Adam Gettis (Twitter link via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com)
- Cut: RB Rajion Neal
San Diego Chargers
- Cut: S Matt Daniels (Twitter link via Matt Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Justin Hamilton, DB Trovon Reed (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: OL David Arkin (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)
- Cut: DE Gerald Rivers (Twitter link via Howard Balzer of USA Today)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: S Akeem Davis, LB Quayshawn Nealy (press release)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OLB Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil, CB Shaquille Richardson
- Cut: OLB Markus Pierce-Brewster (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of Titans Online)
Injury Updates: Bradford, L. Jones, Jaguars
While Peyton Manning‘s torn plantar fascia was probably the biggest injury news of the day, since it’ll lead to a Brock Osweiler start for the Broncos in Week 11, it’s hardly the only notable Monday injury update. Here are a few more:
- Based on initial tests, Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford, who sustained a concussion and a left shoulder injury, is expected to miss at least one game, and potentially two, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Philadelphia is scheduled to play on Thanksgiving afternoon in Week 12, so Bradford won’t have a full second week to recover if he aims to play in that game.
- Rapoport also provides another QB injury update, tweeting that Steelers signal-caller Landry Jones has a “pretty severe” low ankle sprain. Pittsburgh has a bye this week, but Michael Vick looks likely to back up Ben Roethlisberger for the team’s next game.
- Lions head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters today that cornerback Josh Wilson suffered a “significant” knee injury, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (Twitter link). Detroit has yet to make a roster move involving Wilson, but it sounds like his season might be over.
- Jaguars defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks has been diagnosed with a torn triceps, per Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter links). That’s typically a season-ending injury, though O’Halloran notes that Marks is getting a second opinion before Jacksonville makes any definitive decisions.
- O’Halloran adds (via Twitter) that surgery for a sports hernia may be in play for Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns, who would be sidelined for four to six weeks if he underwent that procedure. Hurns is visiting a specialist this week to assess the extent of his abdominal injury.
- Titans defensive tackle Al Woods has a high ankle sprain, and will be out for a few weeks, according to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com (Twitter link).
Titans Placing Jason McCourty On IR
In addition to placing wide receiver Justin Hunter on injured reserve this week, the Titans will be sending a key defender to IR, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com, who tweets that cornerback Jason McCourty will undergo groin surgery, ending his season.
McCourty, 28, was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 draft by the Titans, and is one of Tennessee’s more effective defenders when healthy. After racking up 85 tackles to go along with three interceptions a year ago, McCourty missed the first month or so of the season with a groin injury. The former sixth-round pick was able to return for four games, but will now see his season ended prematurely by a second procedure on that troublesome groin.
Around the trade deadline, there were rumblings that the Patriots had interest in McCourty, and spoke to the Titans about a possible deal that would pair him with twin brother Devin McCourty. Even if the Titans had been inclined to move their standout cornerback, however, it’s not clear if he would have passed a physical — he played his last game of the season prior to the trade deadline.
With Hunter and McCourty heading to IR, the Titans will open up two spots on their 53-man roster. According to Kuharsky (via Twitter), Tennessee will use one of those openings on a wide receiver, while the other one may or may not be filled by a cornerback.
Justin Hunter Fractures Ankle, Out For Season
MONDAY, 1:29pm: Mularkey confirmed today that Hunter is undergoing surgery on his broken ankle, and will be placed on injured reserve (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). Practice squad wideout Tre McBride will be a candidate to be promoted to the active roster as the team determines how to replace Hunter, tweets McCormick.
SUNDAY, 6:01pm: After Titans receiver Justin Hunter had to be carted off the field with an injury during his team’s 27-10 loss to Carolina on Sunday, head coach Mike Mularkey referred to the ailment as “not good.” Mularkey was correct, as Hunter fractured his right ankle, according to Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). As a result, Hunter will miss the rest of the season, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider reports (via Twitter).
Hunter, 24, caught four passes Sunday, giving him 22 for the season. Prior to his injury, the third-year man was on track to easily eclipse the career-high 28 receptions he amassed in 2014.
AFC Notes: Hunter, Manziel, Pettine, Luck
Congratulations are in order for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who, with a four-yard pass to running back Ronnie Hillman, leaped Brett Favre and took hold of the NFL’s passing yardage record with 71,840 yards (and counting). It’s been a trying season at times for Manning — in fact, he threw an interception to begin today’s contest — but the future Hall of Famer earned some deserved recognition from the crowd following today’s accomplishment.
Let’s take a look at some more notes from the AFC:
- Titans receiver Justin Hunter had to be carted off the field during today’s game against the Panthers, and head coach Mike Mularkey said the injury is “not good,” per Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com (Twitter link), who adds that Hunter has a cast on his right leg and is using crutches (link). Dr. David Chao of SiriusXM tweeted that the injury looks like a leg/ankle fracture, and postulated that Hunter will likely miss the remainder of the season.
- Due to an injury to Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel started at quarterback for the Browns today, completing 33 of 45 attempts for 372 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 30-9 loss to the Steelers. However, head coach Mike Pettine‘s refusal to commit to Manziel full-time could be Pettine’s undoing, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writes. Per La Canfora, there is “sweeping support” for Manziel throughout the organization, from ownership to the front office to the coaching staff. By continuing to stick with McCown, says La Canfora, Pettine is putting his job at risk. Meanwhile, owner Jimmy Haslam told Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link) that there will not be any coaching changes during Cleveland’s upcoming bye.
- The NFL is still conducting its investigation into the Colts failure to report Andrew Luck‘s rib ailment on their injury report, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Indianapolis is expected to argue that it wasn’t necessary to include Luck’s rib injury given that it was actually a shoulder problem that kept him out of game action.
NFL Mailbags: Jets, Sankey, Titans, Cowboys
It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some of the notable whispers, including a cameo from Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com…
- The Jets defensive line is the only group that’s set up well for the future, and Rich Cimini says the team doesn’t have enough “rising, young talent” on their roster. However, despite nine starters being older than 30 years old, the writer doesn’t believe the team needs a complete rebuild to become a contender.
- The Titans activated rookie running back David Cobb yesterday, but Wyatt can’t envision the team parting ways with Bishop Sankey.
- With Delanie Walker and Anthony Fasano set to become free agents following next season, Wyatt wonders if the Titans could pursue a tight end either through free agency or the draft this offseason.
- Todd Archer believes the Cowboys should let the market develop before they hand out a multi-year contract to Greg Hardy. The writer is skeptical that the organization would actually hand out a big money contract to the embattled defensive end.
- In no particular order, Archer says defensive line, cornerback, wide receiver, running back, quarterback, and offensive line are the Cowboys‘ biggest needs heading into next year’s draft.
Colts Claim Charlie Whitehurst Off Waivers
SATURDAY, 9:50am: The team has officially announced the move.
THURSDAY, 3:31pm: Finally, the Colts have found themselves a backup quarterback in support of Matt Hasselbeck. The Colts have been awarded signal caller Charlie Whitehurst off waivers from the Titans, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
Whitehurst, a 10-year NFL veteran, served as Zach Mettenberger‘s backup when Marcus Mariota was sidelined, but with Mariota healthy and back in the No. 1 role, Whitehurst was third on the depth chart, rendering him non-essential for Tennessee. Now, he joins the Colts where he’ll hold the clipboard for Hasselbeck until Andrew Luck is able to return.
Whitehurst came to the Titans as a free agent prior to the 2014 season. At that time, he had just finished season No. 2 as Philip Rivers‘ backup in San Diego. He saw just 12 snaps in two games during the 2013 season and didn’t attempt a pass, but he does have notable experience from his time in Seattle, when he started some games during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.