Week In Review News & Rumors

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• Jim Harbaugh is expected to accept the head coaching position at the University of Michigan.
• The Dolphins will retain head coach Joe Philbin for the 2015 season.
• The Browns suspended receiver Josh Gordon for the final game of the season.
• Following an infection, Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton could be out for the rest of the year.
• Vikings fullback Jerome Felton will opt out of his contract.
• Peyton Manning expects to play next season.

Extended:

• Bears – C Roberto Garza (one year, $1.5MM)
• Buccaneers – WR Louis Murphy (three years)
• Patriots – executive Nick Caserio (through 2020)

Restructured:

• Buccaneers – TE Brandon Myers (link)

Signed:

• Browns – QB Tyler Thigpen (link)

Released:

• Bills – WR Mike Williams (link)
• Vikings – RB Ben Tate (link)

Placed On Injured Reserve:

• 49ers – G Alex Boone (link)
• Bears – DE Willie Young (link)
• Browns – QB Johnny Manziel (link)
• Chargers – P Mike Scifres (link) and OL Johnnie Troutman (link)
• Ravens – T Ricky Wagner (link)
• Saints – DE Akiem Hicks and RB Pierre Thomas (link)
• Vikings – LB Anthony Barr (link)
• Washington – DE Jason Hatcher (link) and LB Trent Murphy (link)

Early Draft Entrants:

• Todd Gurley, RB – Georgia (link)
• Duke Johnson, RB – Miami (link)
• Jaelen Strong, WR – Arizona State (link)
• Maxx Williams, TE – Minnesota (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• The NFL will not relocate a team to Los Angeles for the 2015 season.
• The 49ers released defensive end Ray McDonald after he was accused of sexual assault.
• The University of Michigan offered 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh a six-year, $48MM contract.
• The Bears opted to bench quarterback Jay Cutler, starting Jimmy Clausen in his place.
• The NFLPA formally filed a lawsuit on behalf on Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, challenging arbitrator Harold Henderson’s decision to deny Peterson’s appeal of his suspension.

Extended:

• Jaguars – DT Roy Miller (four years, ~$16MM)
• Seahawks – DE Cliff Avril (four years, $28.5MM) and LB K.J. Wright (four years, $27M)

Signed:

• 49ers – LB Desmond Bishop (link) and RB Phillip Tanner (link)
• Texans – QB Case Keenum (link)

Major Injuries:

• Broncos – LB Danny Trevathan (link)
• Browns – S Tashaun Gipson (link)
• Buccaneers – DT Gerald McCoy (link)
• Chargers – LB Donald Butler (link)
• Raiders – LB Sio Moore (link)
• Texans – QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (link)
• Titans – QB Jake Locker (link)
• Washington – QB Colt McCoy (link)

Draft Early Entrants:

• Sammie Coates, WR – Auburn (link)
• Gerod Holliman, S – Louisville (link)

Coaching News:

• Giants leaning towards retaining Tom Coughlin (link)
• Washington to retain Jay Gruden (link)
• Jon Gruden signed an extension with ESPN (link)
• Bears likely to fire Marc Trestman (link)
• Falcons to dismiss Mike Smith after season (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• An arbitrator denied Vikings running back Adrian Peterson‘s appeal, meaning he will remain suspended for the remainder of the season. Since the announcement, Peterson expressed that he has considered retirement.
• The Broncos signed cornerback Chris Harris to a five-year, $42.5MM extension, with initial reports citing a $24MM guarantee.
• Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton is expected to miss four weeks while dealing with knee injuries, meaning he could return at some point during the playoffs.
• The 2015 salary cap is expected to be in the neighborhood of $138.6MM.
• Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was involved in a car accident, and suffered two transverse process fractures in his back. He isn’t playing against the Buccaneers today, and his timeline for return is unclear.
• NFL owners unanimously approved a new personal conduct policy.

Extended:

• Patriots – OL Marcus Cannon (two years, $9MM)

Signed:

• Cardinals – S Chris Clemons (link)
• Chargers – P Mat McBriar (link)

Major Injuries:

• 49ers – LB NaVorro Bowman and DL Glenn Dorsey (link)
• Broncos – RB Montee Ball (link)
• Cardinals – RB Andre Ellington (link)
• Dolphins – S Louis Delmas (link)
• Jaguars – RB Denard Robinson (link)
• Titans – T Michael Oher (link)

Draft Early Entrants:

• Devin Funchess, WR – Michigan (link)
• Melvin Gordon, RB – Wisconsin (link)
• Brett Hundley, QB – UCLA (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was suspended for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• The Rams signed punter Johnny Hekker to a six-year, $18MM extension.
• The Buccaneers and offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford parted ways.
• The Bills terminated their involvement in the Toronto series.

Signed:

• Bears – K Jay Feely (link)
• Bengals – Eric Winston (link)
• Browns – RB Shaun Draughn (link)

Waived:

• Cardinals – LB Desmond Bishop (link) and RB Michael Bush (link)
• Panthers – CB Antoine Cason (link)
• Titans – CB Brandon Ghee (link)

Major Injuries:

• Bears – WR Brandon Marshall (link)
• Browns – WR Miles Austin (link)
• Giants – DE Mathias Kiwanuka, OL Geoff Schwartz, and OL Adam Snyder (link)
• Patriots – WR Aaron Dobson (link)
• Steelers – DE Brett Keisel (link)
• Texans – LB Jadeveon Clowney (link)
• Titans – WR Justin Hunter (link)
• Vikings – RB Jerick McKinnon (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• Former Ravens running back Ray Rice won his appeal for reinstatement, and is eligible to sign with a team immediately. As of this morning, four teams have expressed interest in the controversial RB.
• The Patriots extended special teams ace Matt Slater through 2016 with a deal that includes $3MM in guarantees.
• Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch could be mulling retirement.

Signed:

• Broncos – K Connor Barth (link)
• Cardinals – RB Michael Bush (link)
• Texans – QB Thad Lewis (link)

Claimed Off Waivers:

• Colts – claimed LB Shaun Phillips from the Titans (link)
• Seahawks – claimed DB Loucheiz Purifoy from the Colts (link)

Waived:

• Broncos K Brandon McManus (link)
• Lions – TE Kellen Davis (link)

Major Injuries:

• Bears – LB Lance Briggs (link)
• Bengals – T Andre Smith (link)
• Chiefs – S Eric Berry (link)
• Raiders – CB Carlos Rogers (link)
• Saints – DT Brodrick Bunkley (link)
• Texans – QB Ryan Mallett (link)
• Vikings – T Phil Loadholt (link)

The headlines from the past week the PFR:

Key News:

• The NFL suspended Vikings running back Adrian Peterson for the remainder of the 2014 season; Peterson subsequently appealed the ban. Additionally, arbitrator Shyam Das ruled that the league is allowed to keep Peterson on the commissioner’s exempt list.
• The Vikings claimed running back Ben Tate off waivers from the Browns.
• The Patriots signed running back LeGarrette Blount after he was cut by the Steelers.
• After being released by the Panthers, veteran receiver Jason Avant was signed by the Chiefs.

Signed:

• Bills – S Bacarri Rambo (link)
• Browns – LB Zac Diles (link)
• Colts – WR/KR Josh Cribbs (link)
• Falcons – LB James Anderson (link)
• Saints – WR Jalen Saunders (link)

Waived:

• Giants – T Charles Brown (link)

Major Injuries:

• 49ers – DT Ian Williams (link)
• Colts – RB Ahmad Bradshaw (link)
• Panthers – T Nate Chandler (link)
• Saints – WR Brandin Cooks (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• The NFLPA filed a grievance asking for an immediate hearing on Adrian Peterson‘s reinstatement. The hearing will be held on Monday.
• The Chiefs and defensive lineman Allen Bailey agreed to a four-year, $25MM extension.
• The Raiders signed tackle Khalif Barnes to a one-year extension that can be worth up to $2MM.
• A decision in Ray Rice‘s appeal hearing is expected by Thanksgiving.

Signed:

• 49ers – RB Alfonso Smith (link)
• Cowboys – LB Dekoda Watson (link)
• Saints -RB Brian Leonard (link) and S Jamarca Sanford (link)

Waived:

• Bears – WR Santonio Holmes (link)
• Cowboys – LB Tim Dobbins (link)

Claimed Off Waivers:

• Jaguars – WR Teddy Williams from the Bears (link)

Major Injuries:

• 49ers – S Jimmie Ward (link) and LB Patrick Willis (link)
• Bills – CB Leodis McKelvin (link)
• Browns – DT Phil Taylor (link)
• Cardinals – QB Carson Palmer (link)
• Chargers – CB Jason Verrett (link)
• Dolphins – T Branden Albert (link)
• Giants – RB Peyton Hillis (link)
• Jaguars – WR Allen Robinson (link)
• Seahawks – DT Brandon Mebane (link) and TE Zach Miller (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• The Cardinals signed quarterback Carson Palmer to a three-year, $50MM extension, which contains $20.5MM in guarantees.
• Vikings running back Adrian Peterson accepted a no-contest plea in his child abuse case, and the NFL continues to review his case. Meanwhile, the NFLPA has demanded that Peterson be immediately reinstated.
• Ex-Raven Ray Rice‘s reinstatement hearing has concluded.
• NFL announces three London games for 2015

Extended:

• 49ers – RB Kendall Hunter: one year, max value of $1.75MM
• Chiefs – FB Anthony Sherman: three years, max value of $7MM
• Packers – head coach Mike McCarthy: through 2018

Waived/Released:

• Packers – T Derek Sherrod (link)
• Ravens – CBs Chykie Brown (link) and Dominique Franks (link)

Retired:

• RB Marcus Lattimore (link)

Major Injuries:

• Bears – DL Lamarr Houston (placed on IR)
• Eagles – QB Nick Foles (out 6-8 weeks), and OL Todd Herremans (placed on IR), LB DeMeco Ryans (placed on IR)
• Giants – CB Prince Amukamara (placed on IR)
• Jaguars – CB Will Blackmon (placed on IR)
• Ravens – CB Jimmy Smith (placed on IR)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• The Rams acquired safety Mark Barron, the seventh overall pick in the 2012 draft, from the Buccaneers in exchange for 2015 fourth- and sixth-round picks.
• The Patriots acquired linebacker Jonathan Casillas, along with a 2015 sixth-round pick, from the Buccaneers in exchange for a 2015 fifth-round pick.
• Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy will remain on the commissioner’s exempt list until his case is adjudicated in January, meaning he likely won’t play again in 2014.

Extended:

• Cowboys – DT Josh Brent, one year

Signed:

• Cowboys – LB Tim Dobbins (link)
• Falcons – S Charles Godfrey (link)
• Jaguars – CB Tommie Campbell (link)
• Patriots – DL Alan Branch (link)
• Raiders – DB Larry Asante (link)

Waived/Released:

• Buccaneers – KR Trindon Holliday (link)
• Chargers – CB Richard Marshall (link)

Major Injuries:

• Bears – DL – Lamarr Houston (link) and G Matt Slauson (link)
• Browns – DL John Hughes, placed on IR-DTR
• Cowboys – LB Justin Durant (link)
• Giants – LB Jon Beason (link)
• Panthers – RB Darrin Reaves (link)
• Rams – T Jake Long (link) and WR Brian Quick (link)

Retired:

• CB Champ Bailey (link)

Other:

• Chiefs unlikely to extend Justin Houston (link)
• Cam Newton not interested in Colin Kaepernick-style extension (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• The Buccaneers and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy agreed to a seven-year extension worth $98MM, ~$51MM of which is effectively guaranteed.
• The Jets signed receiver Jeremy Kerley to a four-year, $16MM extension, which contains $5.4MM in guarantees.
• The Patriots acquired linebacker Akeem Ayers, the 39th overall pick in 2011, and a seventh-round pick from the Titans in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
• The NFL will play five games in London in 2015.

Signed:

• Bills – RB Phillip Tanner (link)
• Buccaneers – KR Trindon Holliday (link)
• Falcons – OL Jonathan Scott (link)
• Lions – TE Kellen Davis (link)
• Patriots – DL Alan Branch (link)

Waived/Released:

• Panthers – S Charles Godfrey (link)
• Rams – WR Austin Pettis (link)

Injuries:

• 49ers – C Daniel Kilgore; placed on IR
• Bills – RB C.J. Spiller; placed on IR-DTR
• Falcons – C Peter Konz; placed on IR
• Jaguars – LB Paul Posluszny; placed on IR
• Raiders – LB LaMarr Woodley and S Usama Young; both placed on IR
• Seahawks – FB Derrick Coleman; placed on IR
• Washington – LB Brian Orakpo; placed on IR