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NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/13/15

NFL News
November 13, 2015

Here are Friday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: RB Josh Robinson (press release via team)

Minnesota Vikings

  • Cut: S Brock Vereen (Twitter link via Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN)

New England Patriots

  • To be signed: S Dewey McDonald (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald)

New York Jets

  • Signed: DL T.J. Barnes, OL Lawrence Okoye (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post)
  • Cut: CB Jeremy Harris

AFC South Notes: LeBeau, Jaguars, Griffin

NFL News
November 13, 2015

With Ken Whisenhunt now out of the picture in Tennessee, it’s not clear whether the Titans will retain defensive assistant Dick LeBeau beyond this season, writes Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Titans interim CEO and president Steve Underwood said last week that he’d like to see the team target a “great offensive mind” in its search for a permanent head coach, suggesting that the defense would be in fine shape with LeBeau at the helm.

However, LeBeau initially joined the Titans in large part due to his relationship with Whisenhunt, and his contract expires at the end of the 2015 season. As the 78-year-old himself observes, there’s no guarantee that a new head coach wouldn’t want to bring in his own assistants.

While we wait to see whether LeBeau is one-and-done in Tennessee, let’s check in on some other items from out of the AFC South….

  • The Jaguars had former 49ers running back Kendall Hunter in for a tryout this week, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Hunter, who has seen his NFL career derailed by injuries in recent years, was removed from Sam Francisco’s injured reserve list in September with a settlement, making him a free agent.
  • Texans tight end Ryan Griffin, who was placed on injured reserve with the designation to return after Week 1, should be able to play Monday against the Bengals, head coach Bill O’Brien told reporters today (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle). Griffin, who is returning from an MCL injury, would need to be activated to the 53-man roster by Monday afternoon to play this week.
  • Per Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com (Twitter link), Titans cornerback Jason McCourty is weighing the possibility of undergoing another procedure on his troublesome groin. Another surgery may be a season-ender for McCourty, who could also attempt to rehab the injury.

Breer’s Latest: P. Manning, Browns, L.A.

NFL News
November 13, 2015

There’s a widely-held assumption in NFL circles that Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will call it a career after the 2015 season and will subsequently find work as an NFL executive, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network in his latest column. According to Breer, Cleveland and Tennessee are frequently mentioned as potential landing spots for the future Hall-of-Famer, with Indianapolis and New Orleans “not to be completely discounted” either.

It’s not clear whether or not Manning would be immediately effective if he were to transition into a decision-making role in a team’s front office so soon after his playing career ended. Still, as Breer observes, “it’s easy to figure someone with Manning’s football acumen would be able to figure things out on the fly, so long as the right structure existed around him.”

Here are a few more items of interest from Breer’s column:

  • While the Browns made clear to other teams that they were open for business prior to the deadline, some of their potential trade chips – such as Joe Thomas and Paul Kruger – drew interest, while others – like Barkevious Mingo – didn’t. According to Breer, some potential trade partners had trouble determining “who was carrying the hammer” in Cleveland, since GM Ray Farmer said he’d have to check with other members of the organization before engaging in serious discussions.
  • Continuing to address the Browns, Breer notes that, internally, the team doesn’t see chain of command as having been an issue this year, including at the deadline. Other clubs viewed Cleveland as being indecisive “when the heat was turned up” though.
  • There continues to be steady progress on getting the NFL back to Los Angeles, according to Breer, who provides an update from this week’s relocation committee meetings. As Breer details, some owners are concerned about allowing a team to bend relocation guidelines in order to move, so that club must provide a strong case that its existing market has failed.
  • While there’s no guarantee the Seahawks make a second-half run – as they did last season – the team is confident it still has an impressive core in place. “The guys here feel like once they play for each other the way they know they can, there’s something really strong here,” one Seahawks source tells Breer.

<div>Raiders' Murray and Cooper probable for Sunday</div>

Fantasy Football, NFL News
November 13, 2015
InjuryBoth expect to suit up for tilt with Vikings

Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray and wide receiver Amari Cooper are listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Murray was forced from last week’s game with a concussion, while Cooper emerged with a quad issue. (The Score)

Nerdy Football Analysis: These appear to be nothing more than minor injuries. Cooper is a must-start this week while Murray is shaping up to be a low-end RB2.

Bridgewater listed as questionable this week

Fantasy Football, NFL News
November 13, 2015
InjuryQB still hasn’t passed concussion protocol

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater still hasn’t been cleared through the concussion protocol. But officially, he’s a 50-50 chance to play. Via Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Bridgewater is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. But before the report was announced, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he was confident Bridgewater would be cleared in time to play. (NBC Sports)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Bridgewater gets a fantastic matchup in the Oakland Raiders this week, who are allowing a league-worst 314.6 passing yards per game this season. But his current status creates a risk for fantasy owners because the Vikes play at 4:05 EST, meaning a wait-and-see approach could leave fantasy owners with no other options.