Titans Place DL Jurrell Casey On IR
The Titans will be battling the Colts this weekend for a playoff spot, but they’ll be without the services of a key defensive lineman. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the team is placing defensive end Jurrell Casey on the injured reserve.
Casey exited yesterday’s win over the Redskins with a knee injury, and Schefter notes that veteran suffered a sprained MCL. The defensive lineman had also suffered a knee injury during the Titans previous game against the Giants, but it’s uncertain if Casey aggravated that ailment or suffered a brand-new injury. Either way, the lineman’s season has come to an end.
Losing Casey will certainly hurt, as the Titans had been relying on the 29-year-old all season. In 15 games, the eight-year veteran had compiled 62 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles, a performance that helped earn him his fifth-straight Pro Bowl nod. Pro Football Focus was bullish of his performance in 2018, ranking him 13th among 118 eligible interior defenders.
Casey would have been particularly useful against Marlon Mack and the Colts rushing game this weekend, as the lineman had graded out as one of the top run-stoppers in the league. Now, the team will have to rely on their depth to make up for Casey’s absence, although that’s easier said than done. With Casey now out of the picture, the team is only rostering a pair of healthy defensive ends in DaQuan Jones and Matt Dickerson.
Redskins Cut D.J. Swearinger
The Redskins made a surprising move this morning, releasing one of their defensive leaders. Safety D.J. Swearinger told Grant Paulsen on 106.7 The Fan that he was called into Jay Gruden‘s office this morning and informed of his release (via ESPN’s John Keim on Twitter).
The veteran has been vocal about his team’s woes this season, and that continued following Saturday’s loss to the Titans. Swearinger specifically called out defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, saying his coach’s play-calling allowed Tennessee to secure a go-ahead score. Swearinger pointed to Manusky’s decision to go man-to-man on a third down play against Titans backup Blaine Gabbert; the play ended in a holding penalty on Fabian Moreau.
“In that type of situation, you got a backup quarterback, I wouldn’t call man-to-man to make it easy for him,” Swearinger told NBC Sports Washington. “He hadn’t practiced all week. So, disguise a zone and let him throw the ball right to us. We didn’t make the plays we needed to, but when it’s crunch time, put us somewhere where we can make a play. Don’t put us in man-to-man where it’s easy for the quarterback. It’s too easy for the quarterback.”
Following a standout 2017 season, Swearinger was having another productive campaign in 2018. The 27-year-old had compiled 53 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles, and four interceptions in 15 games. Pro Football Focus was also fond of his performance this season; the site ranked Swearinger 11th among 86 eligible safeties. The safety had played all but one of Washington’s defensive snaps, and he earned a spot as a Pro Bowl alternate.
There should be some interest in Swearinger’s services, although the safety is subject to waivers. If a team places a claim, they’d be responsible for paying his $176K paycheck for Week 17. SiriusXM’s Adam Caplan points out (on Twitter) that the veteran’s $4.25MM 2019 base salary was not guaranteed. The move will provide Washington with $4.5MM in cap space and $1.33MM in dead money.
Lions Place Bruce Ellington On IR, Make Several Other Moves
It’s that time of year where there are a bunch of teams shuffling the bottom of their rosters, and the Lions made a flurry of moves today. The team is placing veteran wide receiver Bruce Ellington on injured reserve, according to Justin Rogers of the Detroit News (Twitter link).
In addition to Ellington, the team also placed safety Charles Washington on injured reserve. To fill their spots on the roster, they promoted receiver Chris Lacy and cornerback Dee Virgin from the practice squad. Ellington only signed with the Lions back in November, but immediately began playing a large role as the team’s slot receiver.
He got 30 targets in his four games with Detroit, and turned them into 23 catches for 132 yards. It’s a big loss to a Lions receiving corp that’s been depleted by the trade of Golden Tate and the injury to Marvin Jones Jr. Still only 27, Ellington should have no trouble resurfacing somewhere this offseason if he can show he can stay healthy.
Ellington was playing a big role for the Texans earlier this year but was released with an injury settlement in October after he was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The hamstring injury flared up in Detroit, and is ultimately what ended his season. Washington is a third-year UDFA who’s primarily a special teamer. Virgin is a sophomore UDFA from West Alabama while Lacy is a rookie UDFA from Oklahoma State.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/22/18
Today’s minor moves will be posted here:
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Lavon Coleman
- Placed on injured reserve: CB Will Redmond
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: S Rolan Milligan
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: OT Elijah Nkansah
- Waived: WR Malik Turner
Texans Activate CB Kayvon Webster
The Texans are in line to have additional cornerback depth for their late-December games and likely the playoffs.
They are activating Kayvon Webster from IR, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports (on Twitter). Webster returned to practice last week and may well be in uniform Sunday.
A strained quad sent Webster to IR. He has not played since Week 5, his only game as a Texan thus far. The Texans added Webster as a free agent in late August. The Rams cut ties with the former third-round pick earlier in the offseason.
Webster started 11 games for the 2017 Rams but saw a ruptured Achilles’ tendon end his season in November of last season. The quad injury Webster suffered this season may have sidelined him, but he’s further removed from the Achilles setback and may be able to help the Texans as a depth piece.
The former four-year Broncos cog signed a one-year, $2.25MM contract with the Texans this season. That is well below the value of his 2017 Rams pact, and Webster’s latest contract year has obviously not gone well. He will have a chance to make an impression for the Texans, however.
This move also means the Texans cannot bring Kevin Johnson off IR, with the team having used both of its slots already. The Texans brought back linebacker Dylan Cole from IR earlier this season. Johnson has been out since September with what has turned out to be a severe concussion. Houston has Johnathan Joseph and Shareece Wright serving as its starting cornerbacks.
Saints To Activate Ted Ginn
Ted Ginn‘s return to practice may lead to a quick re-emergence in a Saints game uniform. The Saints activated their veteran deep threat off IR, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
Just given the IR-return designation Wednesday, Ginn may well suit up to face the Steelers on Sunday. New Orleans waived tackle Cornelius Lucas to clear space on its 53-man roster, Nick Underhill of The Advocate reports.
The Saints used both of their IR-return slots on wide receivers this season, with Ginn’s activation following Tommylee Lewis‘. While Lewis is more of a special teams cog, Ginn returning to the Saints’ rotation would stabilize their fluid receiver situation. Michael Thomas has continued to carry the load for New Orleans, but the NFC-leading team has not found aerial consistency beyond its No. 1 target.
In the second season of a three-year contract, Ginn has not played since Week 4. An ankle injury sent him to IR. In the Saints’ first two games, he caught nine passes for 123 yards. Last season, Ginn served as a top option for Drew Brees, posting 787 yards and four touchdown receptions.
Tre’Quan Smith has served as New Orleans’ de facto No. 2 wideout but has not been especially reliable. Despite lacking much in the way of passing-game depth, the Saints have motored to 12-2. They are one win away from clinching home-field advantage in the NFC for the first time since 2009.
Jaguars Place OL Jermey Parnell On IR
Another Jaguars offensive lineman has been lost for the season. The team announced that they’ve placed offensive lineman Jermey Parnell on the team’s reserve/injured list. The Jaguars also officially announced that they’ve placed safety Ronnie Harrison on the IR, a move that was reported earlier this week. The Jaguars promoted cornerback Breon Borders and offensive lineman Brandon Thomas from the practice squad to take the open roster spots.
Parnell, a 2009 undrafted free agent out of Mississippi, bounced around the NFL before landing with the Cowboys in 2010. The offensive tackle established himself as one of Dallas’ key backups, and he turned that experience into a starting gig with the Jaguars. The 32-year-old has spent that past four years in Jacksonville, starting each of his 57 games. He appeared in 13 games this season, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 49th among 83 eligible offensive tackles.
The Jaguars offensive line has been destroyed by injuries in 2018. Parnell will now be the sixth lineman to be placed on the IR, joining Andrew Norwell, Cam Robinson, Will Richardson, Brandon Linder, and Josh Walker.
Borders, a 2017 undrafted free agent out of Duke, saw his lone NFL action during the Bills’ 2017 AFC Wild Card game against the Jaguars. He’s been on Jacksonville’s practice squad since late October. He’ll be joining a deep cornerback corps that already includes D.J. Hayden, Tre Herndon, Quenton Meeks, CJ Reavis, and Tyler Patmon on the bench.
Thomas, 27, has spent the majority of the season on the Jaguars practice squad. Despite being selected in the third round of the 2014 draft, the lineman still hasn’t managed to make his way into a regular season NFL game. With Parnell out of the lineup, he may have his opportunity, as the team will be eyeing any of Thomas, Chris Reed, Corey Robinson, or Josh Wells to fill in.
Lions Promote WR Chris Lacy
Chris Lacy is set to make his NFL debut. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports (via Twitter) that the wide receiver will be promoted to the Lions active roster. A corresponding roster move hasn’t been reported.
After finishing his senior season with 20 receptions for 264 yards, Lacy went undrafted out of Oklahoma State during this past year’s draft. The six-foot-three, 205-pound wideout caught on with the Patriots after the draft, but he was waived by New England less than a week later.
He was subsequently claimed by the Lions, and he proceed to have a solid preseason for Detroit. He appeared in all four games, hauling in three receptions for 17 yards and one touchdown. He was waived after the preseason and signed with the Lions practice squad, where he’s spent the entire 2018 season.
The 22-year-old could get some run this weekend against the Vikings, especially since Bruce Ellington will be sidelined with a hamstring injury. Other than Lacy, the only other healthy wideouts currently on the Lions roster are Kenny Golladay, T.J. Jones, Andy Jones, and Brandon Powell.
Cowboys To Place TE Geoff Swaim On IR
The Cowboys are still in pole position to win the NFC East, but their offense was dealt a blow today as the team will place tight end Geoff Swaim on injured reserve, according to veteran Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. (Twitter link).
Hill adds that the team will promote running back Darius Jackson from the practice squad to take his spot on the roster. Swaim underwent wrist surgery last month, but the team hoped at the time he’d be able to return for a playoff push. Although they’ve kept him on the roster all this time, they finally decided they couldn’t wait any longer.
After Jason Witten retired, Swaim was expected to step up and become the lead tight end in the offense. A fourth-year player out of Texas, Swaim was having by far the best year of his career before going down. Through nine games, he reeled in 26 receptions for 242 yards and one touchdown.
Jackson was drafted by the Cowboys in the sixth round back in 2016, and is already in his third stint with the team. He’s been waived multiple times, and spent time with the Browns and Packers. He’ll provide immediate depth behind Ezekiel Elliot, but likely won’t be too much of a factor.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/21/18
Today’s practice squad moves:
New England Patriots
- Signed: OT Tony Adams
New York Jets
- Signed: DB Charlie Miller