Raiders To Trade DT Johnathan Hankins To Cowboys
Johnathan Hankins is heading back to the NFC East. The Raiders are sending their longtime defensive tackle to the Cowboys, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).
The former Giants starter has seen his Raiders role diminish under new DC Patrick Graham this season, but the veteran interior D-lineman has extensive starting experience. Hankins stands to add a seasoned depth piece to Dallas’ high-end D-line.
This is a pick-swap trade. Dallas will send a 2023 sixth-round pick to Las Vegas for the 10th-year defender, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets, adding that a 2024 seventh will go back to the Cowboys (Twitter links). It will mark Hankins’ third career team change.
After a mid-career stopover with the Colts, Hankins enjoyed a lengthy Raiders run. The former Giants second-round pick started 61 games with the Raiders. Only one of those came this season, which has seen Hankins’ defensive snap rate drop from 58% to 37%. Hankins, 30, had played at least 58% of the Raiders’ defensive snaps in each of his previous four seasons with the team.
While the Raiders had a regular role carved out for the 340-pound defender, big money did not follow. The Colts gave Hankins a three-year, $27MM deal in 2017, but they cut bait a year later. Since, Hankins has signed a host of short-term, lower-cost agreements. This latest deal will not hit the Cowboys’ cap too hard. Hankins signed a one-year, $1.33MM accord this offseason, being one of many midlevel defensive linemen to sign with the Raiders during Josh McDaniels‘ first months at the helm.
At his best, Hankins was known as a plus run-stopping presence. The Cowboys are in greater need in that area than they are for pass-rushing help, and the Dallas Morning News’ David Moore notes the team indeed discussed adding Hankins on Monday to help shore up its run defense (Twitter link). So much for Jerry Jones‘ “I don’t see a trade” forecast. Dallas leads the NFL in sacks (29) but ranks just 20th against the run.
Although Hankins took a backseat to new Raiders starters Andrew Billings and Bilal Nichols this season, he will be added to the Cowboys’ interior rotation. Hankins has spent most of his career as a 4-3 D-tackle. He will join the likes of Osa Odighizuwa, Quinton Bohanna, Trysten Hill and Neville Gallimore in Dallas. Gallimore was inactive for the Cowboys’ Week 7 game. Progression of Raiders rookie D-tackles Neil Farrell and Matthew Butler helped lead to this trade, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur tweets.
Titans To Sign WR Chris Conley
Chris Conley is marking his 30th birthday by joining his third different team this season. The veteran wideout is signing with the Titans on their active roster, having previously been on the Chiefs’ practice squad (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). 
[RELATED: Tannehill Dealing With Ankle Injury]
Conley spent the first four years of his career with the Chiefs, registering 530 yards in 2016 and scoring five touchdowns two years later. His potential as a high-end complimentary pass catcher led him to Jacksonville as a free agent in 2019. Across two seasons in Duval County, he totaled 87 catches, 1,246 yards and seven scores.
That led the former third-rounder to Houston last season, where he made 10 starts and put up a 22-323-2 statline. He was among the team’s final round of roster cuts this season, but immediately re-signed with them in September. In 2022, he has bounced on and off of the Texans’ practice squad, making two appearances so far.
Earlier this month, Conley re-joined the Chiefs on a taxi squad deal. Unable to find playing time in Kansas City after the plethora of moves the team made in the wake of trading away Tyreek Hill, however, he will now look to do so with the Titans. The team’s passing game has been underwhelming so far, averaging less than 184 yards per game through the air.
A step back in that category was expected, after the Titans’ draft-day A.J. Brown trade. His replacement, first-round rookie Treylon Burks, is currently on IR after suffering a turf toe injury in Week 4. Conley could see snaps right away, but will likely be limited to a rotational role behind starters Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Jaguars To Trade RB James Robinson To Jets
Hours after learning Breece Hall will be lost for the season, the Jets are making a move to replace him. They are trading for Jaguars running back James Robinson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
The Jaguars’ rushing leader in 2020 and 2021, Robinson has seen his role reduced due to the rise of 2021 first-rounder Travis Etienne. Robinson will be set to team with 2021 draftee Michael Carter for a 5-2 Jets team. The Jags will acquire a conditional sixth-rounder from the Jets, with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adding (via Twitter) the pick could become a fifth.
If Robinson rushes for 260 more yards this season, the pick bumps to a fifth, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. The Jags will receive the higher of the Jets’ two 2023 sixth-rounders. New York obtained a 2023 sixth from Houston for linebacker Blake Cashman in March. That deal could lead to draft compensation for the Texans’ AFC South rivals.
This news comes after Doug Pederson said Robinson was dealing with knee soreness. The Jets will bet on the UDFA success story, despite the Division I-FCS product being less than a year removed from an Achilles tear. Robinson, however, has bounced back from that severe injury. He has amassed 340 rushing yards on 81 carries this season, scoring three touchdowns.
In Robinson, the Jets are acquiring a player who set an NFL record for the most rookie-year scrimmage yards (1,414) accumulated by a UDFA. Robinson did that in just 14 games two seasons ago, being shut down for Jacksonville’s final two contests. After Etienne went down with a Lisfranc injury during the 2021 preseason, Robinson rushed for 767 yards and eight touchdowns. While the December Achilles tear ended Robinson’s second season on a sour note, he still saw his yards-per-carry figure increase from his rookie year (4.5 to 4.7). He is at 4.2 this season.
As a former UDFA, Robinson can be extended at any point. But he can also be kept in 2023 on an RFA tender. This gives the Jets options. For now, however, he stands to join Carter in the team’s post-Hall backfield.
A 2021 fourth-round pick, Carter is averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Carter began the year with a bigger role, but as Hall progressed in Mike LaFleur‘s offense, the North Carolina product became a clear backup option. It will be interesting to see how the Jets deploy Robinson and Carter, but the former has proven far more as an NFLer to this point.
Jacksonville is now committed to Etienne. The Jags played Robinson on just 12 snaps in Week 7, signaling a changing of the guard. The team took Etienne during Urban Meyer‘s one year running the show, doing so after Meyer surprisingly lamented Kadarius Toney being picked just before Etienne became the team’s choice. Etienne is signed through 2024 but can be controlled through 2025 via the fifth-year option. Trevor Lawrence‘s versatile Clemson teammate, Etienne has progressed in his first NFL games. He has totaled 566 scrimmage yards in seven games, scoring his first touchdown as a pro Sunday.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/23/22
Here are today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: CB Daryl Worley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed off Dolphins practice squad: T Larnel Coleman
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: LS Mitch Fraboni
- Placed on IR: RB Mike Boone
Detroit Lions
- Waived: WR Maurice Alexander
New England Patriots
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Bill Murray
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/22
Here are today’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: DE Jordan Brailford
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Daryl Worley
Denver Broncos
- Signed: T Christian DiLauro
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Albert Wilson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Greg Ward
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: T Eric Smith
- Released: OLB Gerri Green
Patriots To Promote LB Jamie Collins; QB Mac Jones Expected To Start In Week 7
When the Patriots host the Bears tonight, they will have a familiar face available on defense. New England is elevating linebacker Jamie Collins from the practice squad, as noted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). 
The 33-year-old signed with the Patriots earlier this month, beginning his fourth stint with the team. That was a taxi squad deal, but it was expected he would find himself on the 53-man roster sooner than later. The nine-year veteran’s lone Pro Bowl came with New England in 2015. More recently, he finished the 2021 campaign with the Patriots, where he played a backup and special teams role.
Collins will join a linebacking corps which saw plenty of turnover in the offseason. The departures of Kyle Van Noy and Dont’a Hightower left plenty of snaps available to the likes of Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai. How Collins slots in at the position’s rotation with those two, along with Raekwon McMillan and Mack Wilson, will be worth watching and could dictate whether he is signed to the active roster on a full-time basis.
Pelissero also reports, meanwhile, that Mac Jones is expected to start tonight. Doing so would mark a return to the field after he missed the past three contests. It would also be in line with the timetable the 2021 first-rounder stated last week that he would follow.
Jones’ high ankle sprain is not believed to have healed in full, as indicated by his continued limited practices. Still, Jones took at least 90% of the Pats’ practice reps leading up to this interconference matchup, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets. It would seem he is closer to full strength than the consistent “limited” designations would suggest.
Jones will resume a sophomore NFL campaign that has not started off particularly well. Prior to his late-September injury, the former national championship-winning passer threw three interceptions in a loss to the Ravens. Bailey Zappe‘s surprisingly productive play led some to wonder if the Patriots would slow-play their starter’s return. But Zappe will head back to the bench. With Brian Hoyer (concussion) still on IR, Zappe stands to be Jones’ backup against the Bears.
Broncos Sign RB Marlon Mack
The Broncos have once again added a veteran to their backfield. Denver has signed running back Marlon Mack to their active roster off of the 49ers’ practice squad (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
The loss of Javonte Williams due to an ACL tear left Denver without their top rusher for the remainder of the campaign. That led to an expectation that Melvin Gordon would take on No. 1 duties, but the veteran was benched after playing just nine snaps in the team’s loss to the Chargers in Week 6. Things changed yesterday, as Gordon logged a 51% snap share and started the Broncos’ loss to the Jets – something head coach Nathaniel Hackett had confirmed would happen during the week (video link via Mike Klis of 9News).
Earlier this month, Denver also looked to the Saints’ taxi squad for insurance, signing Latavius Murray to their active roster. He was joined in the backfield by Gordon and Mike Boone; the latter suffered an ankle injury yesterday, however, and was seen in a walking boot after the game, per Schefter’s colleague Jeff Legwold (Twitter link).
That accelerated Denver’s pursuit of Mack, who will now join the team as they depart today for London in preparation for their game against the Jaguars. The 26-year-old had a modest rookie season with the Colts in 2017, but emerged as the team’s lead back the following year. He eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in 2019, but his production had cratered since then.
Looking to regain his form – and a starter’s role – Mack signed with the Texans this offseason, but was released during roster cutdowns. He initially stayed put on their taxi squad, but joined San Francisco in the wake of Elijah Mitchell‘s MCL sprain. In two appearances with the 49ers, Mack played sparingly on special teams. The acquisition of Christian McCaffrey lowered his chances of seeing significant time on offense even further.
Just over two years removed from the Achilles tear which derailed his career, Mack will now look for another fresh start as the Broncos continue to search for consistency in the running game.
Former Rams, Falcons RB Todd Gurley Confirms Retirement
After six productive years in the NFL, running back Todd Gurley has confirmed that his time playing football has come to an end. In an interview with NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano (video link), Gurley answered some queries about his future in the league. 
When asked if he was “calling it quits,” Gurley told Siciliano, “I don’t think there’s any question about that one.” Siciliano made certain, asking Gurley to confirm that he wasn’t coming back to the NFL, to which Gurley replied, “Yeah, most definitely.”
Gurley joined the league for the Rams’ last year in St. Louis after getting drafted tenth overall in 2015 out of the University of Georgia. Despite having just recovered from a torn ACL in his final collegiate season, he wasted no time in becoming a household name, exploding onto the scene with a 1,106-yard rookie season that saw him score 10 touchdowns and win Offensive Rookie of the Year. The team’s first year in Los Angeles saw some growing pains that were felt by Gurley, as well, as he only racked up 885 rushing yards and six touchdowns, a bit of a sophomore slump for the young back.
Gurley’s third season saw him find his stride. He turned in back-to-back All-Pro seasons and was 2017’s Offensive Player of the Year. In 2017, Gurley rushed for 1,305 yards for 13 touchdowns and added 788 receiving yards for 6 touchdowns, earning him a four-year, $60MM extension, including $45MM guaranteed, that made him the highest-paid running back in the league. His 2018 season erased any notions of buyers’ remorse as he rushed for 1,251 yards for 17 touchdowns, adding on 580 receiving yards for four touchdowns. Gurley’s burst of success resulted in team success, as well, as Gurley led the 2017 Rams to the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2004. Although that season ended in a Wild Card loss to the Falcons, the team would persevere in 2018 with a berth in Super Bowl LIII, winning the conference but losing the season finale to the Patriots.
Gurley’s All-Pro-numbers deflated a bit in 2019 and, although he totaled 1,064 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns, the team finished only 9-7, missing the playoffs. Although he didn’t miss much game time at all, arthritis in Gurley’s left knee contributed to the decrease in production. Seeing the writing on the wall, the Rams released Gurley, not willing to take a chance on his lingering knee issues.
After leaving the Rams, Gurley signed a one-year deal with the Falcons. While sharing a backfield with Brian Hill and Ito Smith, Gurley was able to rack up 678 rushing yards for 9 touchdowns, continuing to show an effectiveness in the red zone.
The 2021 offseason came and went, and Gurley remained unsigned. Many rumors linked him to his birthplace in Baltimore, as the Ravens had seen J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill all go down with season-ending injuries before the season even began, but nothing ever materialized, and the Ravens went with a committee of other veterans. Gurley continued to wait but would end up sitting out the entire 2021 NFL Season.
Gurley becomes the latest in a long line of examples that show how playing running back in the NFL is one of the most grinding, thankless jobs in football. Get drafted high, produce at a high level, and be discarded the second you start to show any signs of wear or tear. Running backs’ careers tend to be notoriously short, and, sadly for those who enjoyed watching him, Gurley proves to be no exception. But he shined brightly during his brief yet productive stay in the NFL and was justly rewarded for it.
Ravens Activate RB Gus Edwards, Place J.K. Dobbins On IR
Immediately following the news that their lead running back will be sidelined due to knee surgery, the Ravens are set to get another key member of their backfield in action. The team announced on Saturday that Gus Edwards has been activated from the PUP list. 
The former UDFA has put up nearly identical numbers across each of his first three seasons in the league. His yardage totals have ranged between 711 and 723, while averaging no fewer than 5.0 yards per carry during each campaign. That consistency led to expectations that he could emerge as one of the league’s premier backups last year, but a preseason ACL tear cost him the entire 2021 campaign.
The injury sidelined Edwards for the first of his three-year deal signed earlier that summer. Given the degree to which the Ravens were impacted by his absence, along with that of starter J.K. Dobbins, it came as no surprise that the team has proceeded with caution in bringing both of them back.
With the latter having just suffered a new knee injury, though, the wait for both he and Edwards to be on the field together will continue. Dobbins has been placed on IR, meaning that he will miss at least the next month. He flashed plenty of potential as a rookie, but had yet to take on a workhorse role in his four games upon return this season.
While Dobbins being sidelined will open the door to a number of carries for Edwards, it remains to be seen how many touches he will receive in his first game since the 2020 postseason. Veterans Kenyan Drake – who assumed RB1 duties last week after Dobbins’ injury occurred – and Mike Davis will be options in the backfield. Justice Hill is also expected to play on Sunday, after he missed the last two games.
Following even more turnover in their RBs room, the Ravens will look to maintain their lead in the AFC North in a divisional game against the Browns.
Raiders Activate CB Anthony Averett, Waive WR Albert Wilson
The Raiders’ underwhelming pass defense has received a boost. Per a team announcement, cornerback Anthony Averett has been activated from IR. 
[RELATED: Raiders Place Nate Hobbs On IR]
It was unknown during the week if Averett would be able to return in time for Vegas’ Week 7 contest, as he was designated to return just three days ago. The 27-year-old suffered a broken thumb in the season opener, essentially delaying his debut with the team for one month.
A fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2018, Averett took on a larger workload with each passing season in Baltimore. His first year as a full-time starter was 2022, as he filled in for the injured Marcus Peters. Logging 808 snaps – by far a career-high – the Alabama alum notched 54 tackles, three interceptions and 11 passes defensed. That earned him a one-year, $4MM contract in free agency.
Especially with fellow corner Nate Hobbs being sidelined for at least one month, Averett will immediately step into a large role in the Raiders’ secondary. He is likely to start opposite Rock Ya-Sin, another notable addition from the offseason, one in which the team made several moves at the position. A continuation of his 2022 form from Averett would be a welcomed sight, as Vegas currently ranks 23rd in passing yards allowed per game (256).
Albert Wilson, meanwhile, has been waived; he signed earlier this month, but initially joined the practice squad in doing so and had yet to make an appearance for the Raiders. The veteran suffered the same fate in the offseason with the Vikings, so he will now look to find a third home in 2022 following his three-year Dolphins stint. The team also confirmed on Saturday that undrafted wideout DJ Turner has been activated from IR; he played exclusively on special teams in his debut during Week 1 and will once again add depth to the Raiders’ WR corps.