NFL Workout Updates: 10/19/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Buffalo Bills
- S Trey Caldwell; CBs Brian Dixon, Deji Olatoye, Trovon Reed (link)
Detroit Lions
- DBs Robert Blanton, Ed Reynolds (link)
New York Giants
- LSs Andrew East, Derek Hart, Colin Holba (link)
New York Jets
- TE Jason Croom; WR Patrick Owusu (link)
Philadelphia Eagles
- CB Marqueston Huff; S Robenson Therezie (link)
Washington Redskins
Redskins’ Jonathan Allen To Return This Year?
This week, it was reported that Jonathan Allen‘s Lisfranc injury would be a season-ender. Turns out that might not be the case. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears that the defensive lineman will go on injured reserve with a “designation to return.” 
Schefter’s phrasing is a bit puzzling since teams are no longer obligated to designate players for return from IR at the time of injury. But, it sounds as though there is at least some possibility for a mid-season return for the rookie. If that’s the case, then the rules dictate that Allen could rejoin the roster in as little as eight weeks, allowing him to rejoin the squad for the end of the regular season and – if the Redskins qualify – the postseason.
Allen’s injury typically requires 6-8 weeks of rest followed by rehab, as John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link) notes, so Allen will have to be a fast healer in order to get back on the field this year. To his credit, the first-round pick has battled through some tough injuries in the past, including arthritis in both shoulders.
In five games this year, Allen registered ten total tackles and one sack.
Redskins’ Jonathan Allen Done For Season
Jonathan Allen‘s rookie season is already over. The defensive lineman’s Lisfranc injury will rule him out the rest of the way, John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears. The Redskins will place Allen on injured reserve this week. 
Initially, the Redskins believed that Allen’s foot issue would keep him out for only 3-4 weeks. However, further testing revealed that the injury was more serious.
It’s a frustrating setback for Allen, particularly given his history of injuries in college. In his five games this year, Allen showed lots of promise and graded out as a higher-end interior defender, per the metrics at Pro Football Focus. He had ten total tackles and one sack in his abbreviated campaign.
If not for his health issues, Allen might have been a top five pick in the 2017 draft. But, because of concerns about his shoulders, the Redskins were able to scoop him up at No. 17 overall. His future is bright, but Allen will have to put everything on hold until the offseason.
With Allen sidelined, the Redskins will lean a bit more on reserve defensive end Matthew Ioannidis and nose tackle Stacy McGee. As detailed by PFF, Ioannidis looked sharp against San Francisco on Sunday, ending the day with two sacks, one hit, and three additional QB hurries. Ioannidis has 20 total pressures this season off of just 121 pass-rushing snaps.
While the Redskins have options to plug from within, they’ll add a defensive lineman for depth, at the very least. They may also explore some veteran options.
The Redskins are 3-2 after topping the 49ers. Next up is a Monday night game against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/17/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Buffalo Bills
- QB Matt Simms; DE Noble Nwachukwu; LB Boseko Lokombo (Twitter links via Adam Caplan)
Chicago Bears
- QB Alek Torgersen; WRs Jordan Payton, Kevin Snead (link)
Cincinnati Bengals
- TEs Brian Parker, Josiah Price, Steven Scheu; DBs Robert Blanton, K.J. Dillon, Harold Jones-Quartey, Robenson Therezie (Twitter links)
Denver Broncos
- WRs Devin Lucien, Tim Patrick, Domonique Young (link via Caplan)
Detroit Lions
- DE Jacquies Smith; Ks Dan Carpenter, Travis Coons (link via Caplan)
Houston Texans
- QB Taylor Heinicke (link via Caplan)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- CBs Alex Carter, Deji Olatoye, D’Joun Smith (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- G Oni Omoile; T Nick Becton; DT Josh Augusta; LB Johnathan Calvin (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- DB Justin Currie (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press)
- DBs Robert Blanton, Antone Exum, Ed Reynolds, Ahmad Thomas (link via Caplan)
New Orleans Saints
- RBs Matt Asiata, Ka’Deem Carey, Dexter McCluster; WR Paul Turner; LB Bryan Braman (Twitter links via Caplan)
New York Jets
- DE Owa Odighizuwa; S Harold Jones-Quartey (link via Caplan)
San Francisco 49ers
- DE Devin Taylor (link via Caplan)
Washington Redskins
- RBs Troymaine Pope, Stanley Williams, Joseph Yearby; WRs Rashad Ross, Kendal Thompson; Gs Willie Beavers, Zach Voytek; T Storm Norton; ; LB Jayrone Elliott; CB Damian Swann; DBs Ed Reynolds, Orion Stewart, Mykkele Thompson (all Twitter links)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: QB Garrett Grayson, DT Joey Ivie
- Released: K Mike Meyer
- Placed on injured list: QB Trevor Knight
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: L.J. McCray
- Released: DT Marquavius Lewis, G Jordan Mudge
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Zack Sanchez, RB Jalen Simmons, S Dezmen Southward
- Released: LB Zeek Bigger
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR River Cracraft
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Jerod Evans
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Josh Ferguson
- Released: WR Cyril Richardson
Washington Redskins
- Released: QB Joel Stave
Redskins To Sign K Nick Rose
The Redskins have agreed to terms with free agent kicker Nick Rose, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Rose will replace fellow kicker Dustin Hopkins, whom Washington placed on injured reserve earlier today. Hopkins, who is dealing with a strained rotator muscle in his right hip, is potentially a candidate to return later this season. However, NFL rules require Hopkins to miss at least eight weeks, meaning he wouldn’t be allowed to return until Week 15.
Rose, meanwhile, has yet to appear in an NFL game since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2016. He has spent time on the offseason rosters of both the Falcons and 49ers, however. Rose, 23, worked out for the Redskins today alongside Mike Nugent, Andrew Franks, and Marshall Koehn.
Redskins K Dustin Hopkins Placed On IR
Redskins kicker Dustin Hopkins is being placed on injured reserve with a strained rotator muscle in his right hip, a source tells JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington (on Twitter). 
With Hopkins out, the Redskins are auditioning replacements. Andrew Franks, Marshall Koehn, Mike Nugent, and Nick Rose all showed their stuff in D.C. on Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link) reports. Franks, Koehn, and Nugent are well acquainted after they all participated in the Buccaneers’ workout last week.
Hopkins connected on 9 of 11 field goal attempts this season. In Sunday’s game against the Niners, he connected on tries from 21 and 48 yards, though he missed one extra point try.
Dustin Hopkins Battling Hip Injury
- The Redskins will likely work out free agent kickers this week as incumbent Dustin Hopkins battles a hip injury, head coach Jay Gruden told reporters, including Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post (Twitter link). Hopkins — who is dealing with a partially torn hip and will miss Week 7, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com — converted both of his field goal attempts on Sunday, but missed an extra point that nearly proved crucial in a tight victory over the 49ers. On the season, Hopkins has been successful on 81.8% of field goals, and both of his misses were on 50+ yard attempts.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/16/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Peli Anau
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Brian Hill
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Nelson Spruce
- Released: LB Jason Thompson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: TE Scott Orndoff
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DB Charlie Miller
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: LeShun Daniels
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Jalin Marshall
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Jordan Dangerfield
- Released: S Jacob Hagen
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Josh Forrest
Washington Redskins
- Signed: OL Andreas Knappe
- Released: OL Jerry Ugokwe
Redskins’ Jonathan Allen Out 3-4 Weeks
Redskins rookie Jonathan Allen has a Lisfranc sprain will be out for three or four weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Allen, a first-round pick, has been starting on the defensive line, moving between end and nose tackle. 
Allen, an Alabama product, was regarded by many as a top five talent in this year’s class. However, on draft night, he slipped all the way to Washington at No. 17 thanks to his medical history. The foot injury, however, appears to be a new one. In college, Allen was plagued by arthritic shoulder pain.
Through five games this year, Allen has ten tackles and one sack. Pro Football Focus has him categorized as an interior defender and he ranked No. 32 in that group of 122 qualified players.
As a senior in 2016, Allen had 69 tackles, including 16 tackles for a loss. He also had 10.5 sacks, nearly matching his 12 sack total from 2015.