Quinton Dunbar Has Nerve Issue
- Redskins cornerback Quinton Dunbar is dealing with a nerve issue in his shin after taking a recent hit, as Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk writes. “That’s something that’s going to take a little bit of time,” said Washington head coach Jay Gruden. “He’s going to try to run [Thursday], see [how] his leg feels and see if it can hold up or not. We’ll make a decision hopefully by Friday.” Dunbar, 26, is a full-time starter for the first time in his career, and he’s played more than 90% of the Redskins’ defensive snaps while grading as the NFL’s No. 32 corner among 112 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. If Dunbar can’t go against the Giants on Sunday, Greg Stroman would likely see more action against in the Redskins’ nickel package alongside Josh Norman and Fabian Moreau.
Patriots’ Duke Dawson Returns To Practice
A host of players began practice after being designated on IR or another off-roster list by their respective teams. The Chiefs could soon see Daniel Sorensen back in action, and the AFC’s other top contender through seven games may have the services of a secondary cog as well.
Duke Dawson returned to Patriots practice on Wednesday, veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer tweets. The Patriots selected Dawson in the second round this year but placed him on IR due to a hamstring injury that appears to be healed to the point the former Florida Gator can practice.
The rookie was in the mix to become New England’s slot cornerback early in camp but now may be back as depth for the Pats’ defensive third level. Jonathan Jones has served as the Pats’ slot defender this season. Five corners — including rookie seventh-rounder Keion Crossen and rookie UDFA J.C. Jackson — and now-hybrid performer Jason McCourty reside on New England’s active roster.
One of the Colts’ second-round picks this year, defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis, returned to practice as well, Balzer adds. A foot injury sent Lewis to IR. He was one of four second-round picks the Colts made in April.
Also back at practice are Jets safety Rontez Miles, who was on the team’s PUP list, and Redskins cornerback Joshua Holsey, whom the team previously placed on its NFI list.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/22/18
Today’s practice squad updates:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Dan Vitale
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Josh Keyes
- Waived/Injured: LB Tyrell Adams
New York Jets
- Signed: WR J.J. Jones, C Jon Toth
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB James Cowser
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB Jeremy Reaves
Colts, Redskins Interested In Amari Cooper
The Cowboys are not the only team interested in acquiring Raiders receiver Amari Cooper, as the Colts and Redskins have also reached out regarding the pass-catcher’s availability, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
Oakland head coach Jon Gruden is seemingly willing to trade any player on the club’s current roster, so it’s not surprising that Cooper — the fourth overall selection in the 2015 draft — is reportedly available. The Raiders are seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Cooper, but there’s no indication they’ll be able to garner such a selection, especially given the 24-year-old’s disappointing 2018 campaign. Through six games, Cooper has managed only 22 receptions for 280 yards and a single score.
The Colts don’t have much depth behind T.Y. Hilton, as Chester Rogers, Ryan Grant, Zach Pascal, and the recently-signed Dontrelle Inman represent Indianapolis’ wideout depth chart. The Redskins, too, are in dire straits at wider receiver despite currently carrying seven pass-catchers on their roster. Jamison Crowder and Paul Richardson are not expected to play today against the Cowboys, leaving Washington with Josh Doctson, Maurice Harris, Brian Quick, Jehu Chesson, and Michael Floyd.
Any club that acquires Cooper will take on the remainder of his 2018 base salary, which, depending on when he is hypothetically traded, would amount to roughly $2MM. Thanks to his fifth-year option, Cooper is also under contract for 2019 at a rate $13.924MM, but that total is guaranteed for injury only.
Injury Updates: Patriots, Colts, Lions, Redskins
The final injury reports for Week 7 came out earlier today, and there was a lot of news. Lots of key players will be missing their team’s games, while others will be returning after extended absence. One notable rule-out was the Patriots declaring that starting right tackle Marcus Cannon would miss their game against the Bears. It’s a big loss for New England, especially in a week where they have to go up against Khalil Mack. Mack will now be lining up across from a backup tackle, and could end up making life miserable for Tom Brady.
Here are more injury updates from around the league:
- The Colts have been the most injured team in recent memory the past few weeks, but are finally getting some good news. Star receiver T.Y. Hilton has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, but is ready to make his return this week. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, they’ll still be without tight end Jack Doyle and receiver Ryan Grant as well as several key contributors on defense like safety Clayton Geathers and defensive tackle Denico Autry.
- The Lions will be without running back Theo Riddick, who went down during the team’s win over the Packers. Riddick has been operating as the Lions’ third down back, and rookie Kerryon Johnson should get more run with him out of the way. On the bright side, the team looks like it could be getting back pass-rusher Ezekiel Ansah, who hasn’t played since Detroit’s Week 1 loss. Ansah is listed as questionable but practiced all three days this week.
- The Redskins will be thin on pass-catchers, as Jamison Crowder has been ruled out for the team’s game against the Cowboys while Paul Richardson is listed as doubtful. Washington promoted Jehu Chesson from the practice squad yesterday, signaling they weren’t expecting Richardson to play. Tight end Jordan Reed should see a ton of looks as the Redskins’ receiving corp is completely depleted.
For a rundown of every team’s injury situation, you can view all 32 injury reports over at ProFootballTalk.com.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/18/18
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Cam Phillips
- Waived: RB Robert Foster
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: CB KeiVarae Russell
- Waived: WR Auden Tate
Washington Redskins
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Jehu Chesson
Junior Galette Turned Down Raiders, Redskins?
Junior Galette is still on the free agent market, but he hasn’t gone without opportunities to sign this year. The veteran says that he rejected offers from the Raiders and Redskins in the offseason (Twitter link). 
Galette, for his part, seems to regret passing on those chances. The edge rusher pointed out that he was “advised to turn down” the Redskins and Raiders for better deals that never came.
Galette, 30, was an absolute terror during his best seasons with the Saints. Off-field issues and injuries took him out of the game in 2015 and 2016, but he appeared in all 16 games for Washington last year. Galette finished out with three sacks, 20 total tackles, a forced fumble, and and 15 QB hits. With a total of 25 pressures, he graded out as the league’s No. 30 edge defender among 106 qualifiers, according to Pro Football Focus. From a football perspective, his ongoing unemployment is perplexing, to say the least.
In addition to speaking with the Raiders and Redskins, Galette also flirted with the Rams and Seahawks in the offseason. This week, he auditioned for the Colts, but it’s not clear whether they currently have interest in signing him.
Redskins’ McGee, Lions’ Jones Return To Practice From PUP
Redskins defensive lineman Stacy McGee and Lions wide receiver Andy Jones, both of whom are currently on the physically unable to perform list, returned to practice on Wednesday, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
NFL players on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list must miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season, so McGee and Jones have already fulfilled that requirement. Now that they’ve returned to practice, Washington and Detroit both have a three-week window during which it can decide to either activate McGee and Jones to its respective 53-man rosters, or keep them on the PUP list for the rest of 2018 campaign.
McGee joined the Redskins on a five-year, $25MM contract last spring and appeared in all 16 games (10 starts) for the club in 2017, managing 44 tackles in the process. He underwent surgery on his thigh in June, and had been fully expected to miss time as he recovers. When he does see the field, McGee will join a Washington defensive line depth chart that also includes Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, Tim Settle, and Caleb Brantley.
Jones, 24, went undrafted out of Jacksonville University in 2016, and originally latched on with the Cowboys. He spent the entirety of his rookie season on Dallas’ practice squad before being cut in advance of the 2017 season. He was claimed off waivers by the Texans, but appeared in just one game before being waived yet again. Jones was on the Lions’ practice squad from September onward, until getting promoted to the active roster for three games in December.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/17/18
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account:
Cleveland Browns
- WRs John Diarse, Shay Fields, Tavarres King; FB Dimitri Flowers; C Luke Bowanko; T Gerhard de Beer (link)
Green Bay Packers
- FB Dan Vitale; TE Clive Walford; DT Vincent Valentine; Ss Ibraheim Campbell, Eddie Pleasant (link)
Houston Texans
- RB Ralph Webb; LB Marquis Flowers; CB Horace Richardson (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Devante Mays; WR Tre McBride; G Zack Golditch; DE Anthony Lanier; LB Gimel President; S J.J. Wilcox (link)
New England Patriots
- DE Tank Carradine; LBs Corey Nelson, Tegray Scales; S A.J. Howard (link)
New York Giants
- QB Joe Callahan; WR Austin Proehl; DE Myles Humphrey (link)
Washington Redskins
- CBs Donatello Brown, Tony Lippett; Raysean Pringle, Henre’ Toliver, Marquez White (link)
NFL Workout Updates: 10/16/18
Here’s the latest from the workout circuit. Links to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account, unless otherwise noted.
Chicago Bears
- CB Quinten Rollins (link)
Cleveland Browns
- C Jake Eldrenkamp (visit), WR Chad Hansen, WR Blake Jackson, WR Korey Robertson, WR Damore’ea Stringfellow (link)
Detroit Lions
- T Cole Gardner, G/T Austin Pasztor (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- WR K.J. Brent, WR Krishawn Hogan (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- TE Khari Lee, G Brandon Thomas (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- WR Deontez Alexander, G Jeff Allen, WR J.J. Jones, WR Austin Proehl (link)
Miami Dolphins
- DE Will Clarke, DT Winston Craig, T Antonio Garcia, DE Alec James, T Dieugot Joseph, DT Lewis Neal, T Corey Robinson, DT DeShawn Williams (link)
New York Jets
- WR J.J. Jones, S Charlie Miller, RB Donnel Pumphrey, C Jon Toth, T Toby Weathersby, RB Ralph Webb (link)
Philadelphia Eagles
- LB B.J. Bello, S Ibraheim Campbell, DT Winston Craig (visit), CB Dexter McDougle, CB Quinten Rollins (Twitter links via Balzer and Sirius XM Radio’s Adam Caplan)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LB Devante Bond (link)
Washington Redskins
- G Oday Aboushi, G J.J. Dielman, G John Jerry (link)