Redskins Working To Extend Zach Brown
Much of the conversation in Redskins country has understandably revolved around how the team will proceed with quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, but Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets that the team is working to extend linebacker Zach Brown. Brown’s one-year pact with Washington is among the best one-year deals that was signed last offseason, as he has started all 12 of the team’s games and has been a key component of its defense. After a strong 2016 campaign in Buffalo, Brown surprisingly had to settle for a modest contract with the Redskins, but the 28-year-old should be in line for a more lucrative multi-year deal this time around.
Trent Williams Likely To Play Thursday
- One of the most notable long-running dramas in the league’s near-25-year history of free agency looks be set for a third go-round, with Kirk Cousins still not attached to a long-term deal. The Redskins will not be using the transition tag on their quarterback, but JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com writes the team should still use the non-exclusive franchise tag. This would cost Washington a staggering $34MM, but unlike the transition tag, it would force other teams to fork over two first-round picks for the right to sign Cousins, who will enter his age-30 season in 2018.
- Trent Williams will be protecting Cousins against the Cowboys tonight, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Jay Gruden told NFL.com’s Jane Slater this is a pain-tolerance issue regarding Williams’ knee, one he’s admitted he will need surgery on. With the Redskins on the outer fringe of the NFC wild-card race, an in-season Williams surgery would make sense rather than extend the rehab time — one that could be around six months, per the eighth-year tackle — farther into 2018.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/29/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Arizona Cardinals
Chicago Bears
- C Anthony Fabiano; T Justin Murray; LB Max Valles; CBs Dejuan Butler, Nick Marshall; P Jeff Locke (Twitter links)
Cleveland Browns
- P Brock Miller (link)
Detroit Lions
- S Duke Ihenacho (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- K Andrew Franks (link)
New York Giants
- CBs Taveze Calhoun, Daquan Holmes, Jeremiah McKinnon, Josh Thornton (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- OL Adam Gettis (link)
Washington Redskins
Redskins Notes: Cousins, Allen
The Redskins are reportedly no longer considering the $28.8MM transition tag for Kirk Cousins in 2018. Instead, Washington wants to evaluate the quarterback down the stretch of the season to determine whether it wants to use the $34.5MM franchise tag on him, sign him to a long-term deal, or allow him to test free agency unencumbered. That’s just fine with Cousins.
At 5-6, the Redskins have just a 6.7% chance of reaching the postseason, per Football Outsiders, but there is still plenty riding on these final games.
- Redskins coach Jay Gruden says defensive lineman Jonathan Allen remains on course for returning from injured reserve this season (link via ESPN.com’s John Keim). Allen, who has missed the bulk of the season with a Lisfranc injury, can be activated off IR for the Week 15 game against the Cardinals.
Reed Unlikely To Play In Week 13
- Redskins star tight end Jordan Reed has missed a lot of time in 2017 and looks to miss another game in Week 13, according to John Keim of ESPN.com. Keim notes that Reed didn’t practice or do any side running today as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Coach Jay Gruden confirmed that Reed would be held out for the next few days as well. “We’re going to take off that part of it here for a couple days, see where he’s at,” Gruden said. While there will still be some time for Reed to get on the field after, it’s tough to expect him to heal quick enough to be effective in game action considering his past injury problems.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/25/17
Redskins Not Considering Transition Tag For QB Kirk Cousins
The Redskins have several contractual options when it comes to quarterback Kirk Cousins‘ future with the organization. However, as NFL.com Ian Rapoport reports, they’re not considering one route. Rapoport writes that the Redskins believe the $28.8MM transition tag is “not considered a viable option.” Instead, the team will consider signing him to a $34.5MM franchise tag, signing him to a long-term contract, or letting him hit unrestricted free agency.
As our own Zach Links noted back in July, the transition tag would always be a considerable risk. Several general managers believed that rival teams could offer Cousins a giant signing bonus, making it difficult for his incumbent team to match. As Zach also noted, “any club would have to pay an exorbitant amount to steal Cousins, but a bid that the Redskins don’t match wouldn’t entitle them to any compensation for his departure.” Ultimately, there’s little incentive to this particular route.
Regardless, as Rapoport writes, the Redskins decision will ultimately depend on Cousins play down the stretch. If the quarterback is able to single-handedly lead his team to a handful of wins over the final stretch of the season, the organization could easily justify him as their franchise quarterback. However, if Cousins continues to put up pedestrian numbers, it’d be tough to justify the $34.5MM franchise tag (which will be the third straight year the Redskins have slapped him with the tag). Cousins has been heating up as of late, and he’s completed 66.7-percent of his passes this season for 2,796 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions. However, the Redskins are an underwhelming 4-6.
It’ll still be some time before we get any clarity on the situation. The two sides aren’t allowed to negotiate until the end of the season, and Cousins’ camp will surely wait to see if the organization assigns him with the franchise tag. Ultimately, as Rapoport writes, the “choice is in Cousins’ hands.”
NFC Notes: Reed, Redskins, Lions, 49ers
Just days after Terrelle Pryor was placed on season-ending injured reserve, the Redskins’ pass catchers received another blow on Wednesday. The team’s star tight end Jordan Reed was ruled out for the team’s Thanksgiving tilt with the Giants, according to Kimberly Martin of the Washington Post (Twitter link).
The oft-injured Reed, who was labeled as questionable by head coach Jay Gruden an hour before the announcement, will miss his sixth game of the year. Reed also missed four games in 2016 and two during his breakout 2015 season.
There are few better tight ends than Reed when he is on the field. Of the 11 players at his position to record 250 receptions since 2013, he is the only one to average at least five receptions per game. The team will once again turn to Vernon Davis in the division clash on Thursday night.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- Though the 49ers will start C.J. Beathard again on Sunday, team general manager John Lynch is convinced Jimmy Garoppolo is going to be the team’s future starting quarterback writes Cam Inman of The Mercury News. “We really, genuinely believe that this guy’s got the makings of a guy who could be our guy for years to come,” Lynch said. “That’s all got to come to fruition on the field.”
- Staying with San Francisco, Lynch also believes defensive end Arik Armstead has a bright future with the team despite missing 18 of 32 career games with an injury, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. “We think he’s a fit with what we are and who we are going forward,” Lynch said. Though he is a fit, Armstead will need to find a way to stay on the field to stay in the 49ers’ plans.
- Matt Prater has been the Lions’ most valuable free agent signing in the last five seasons, writes ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. Though he has stiff competition from Golden Tate and Glover Quin, the veteran kicker is without a doubt in the mix for the honor.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/21/17
Here are today’s minor moves.
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Carlton Agudosi
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Justin Currie
- Signed: DE Tyrone Holmes
- Placed on IR: DT Jamie Meder
Houston Texans
- Waived: QB Josh Johnson (according to agent Doug Hendrickson, on Twitter)
- Signed: WR Cobi Hamilton
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: TE Johnny Mundt
New England Patriots
- Signed off Bills’ practice squad: OLB Eric Lee
Washington Redskins
- Placed on IR: G Shaun Lauvao
Redskins Add Four To Roster
After a rash of injuries, the Redskins are calling for backup. The Redskins announced that they have promoted linebacker Pete Robertson, nose tackle A.J. Francis, and running back LeShun Daniels from the practice squad. The team also signed center Demetrius Rhaney while placing fellow center Spencer Long (quad) on injured reserve. 
The Redskins had several spots to fill after putting Long, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, and running back Chris Thompson on IR. Meanwhile, the Redskins have even more depth concerns. Center Chase Roullier had hand surgery on Monday and tells reporters that he will be out at least a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, linebackers Martrell Spaight and Zach Brown have both been spotted with walking boots.
Washington will have to dig deep and find a way to survive all of the injuries in order to keep its slim playoff hopes alive. At 4-6, the simulations at Football Outsiders peg the Redskins with just a 9% chance of making the postseason.