Tag: C.J. Prosise

Texans promote RB C.J. Prosise to active roster against the Ravens

The Houston Texans have promoted running back C.J. Prosise from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Week 2 versus the Baltimore Ravens.

The Houston Texans are going to lean on veteran experience in the offensive backfield as they take on the Baltimore Ravens.

The club announced Saturday that running back C.J. Prosise has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster for the Texans’ tilt with the Ravens at 3:25 p.m. Sunday in the NRG Stadium opener.

On Monday, coach Bill O’Brien said running back Duke Johnson, who sustained an ankle injury in the Week 1 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs, was a “long-shot” to play against Baltimore. Throughout the week, Johnson stacked three consecutive days of practice, but was limited each day.

The Texans have running back Buddy Howell on the active roster, but his primary role is special teams. The club could rely on undrafted rookie running back Scottie Phillips or fullback Cullen Gillaspia behind starting running back David Johnson. However, Prosise gives them the veteran presence necessary to fill in for Duke Johnson, should he not be able to go against the Ravens.

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Report: Texans work out former Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise

The Houston Texans have worked out former Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise.

The Houston Texans are doing their due diligence to evaluate the veteran free agent running back market.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Texans have brought in former Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise for a visit.

What is interesting about the fact Houston brought in a veteran running back is that they appeared to be high on undrafted free agent rookie Scottie Phillips from Ole Miss. They also have a younger running back on the roster in Karan Higdon, albeit he is an undrafted free agent from Michigan from a year ago. Houston also has Buddy Howell penciled in as their third running back, and is a capable special teamer.

David Johnson remains atop the depth chart as the feature back, and Duke Johnson figures to be a “change of pace” back, although the two backs have remarkably similar skillsets.

Prosise played 25 career games with the Seahawks over four seasons, starting in two of them. The former 2016 third-round pick from Notre Dame carried 65 times for 264 yards and two touchdowns while catching 36 passes for 393 yards.

“The idea with Prosise was that he would bring a different skill set to Seattle’s running game,” Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar said. “When healthy, Prosise is the kind of back you can more around the formation, and he’ll make plays from the slot and even outside. Sadly, the injury list has been long throughout his NFL career, but he has nascent potential as a rotational backup with some wiggle as a runner, and a few catches from different locations depending on the creativity of his offensive coordinator.”

The philosophy of the Texans on offense is to create conflict for opposing defenses. If Prosise gets into Houston’s offense, he would fit the profile of a running back that would be helpful in the passing game.

Texans senior offensive assistant Carl Smith worked with the Seahawks during the first three seasons of Prosise’s career as Seattle’s quarterbacks coach.

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A look at Seahawks running back room after Carlos Hyde signing

The Seattle Seahawks have an abundance of running backs after signing Carlos Hyde, but after last year’s injuries, they are playing it safe.

The Seattle Seahawks began the offseason with a perilous running back situation, following the season-ending injuries suffered by Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise near the end of the 2019 season.

Prosise is gone, along with Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin – who were both signed as emergency depth in December – which leaves Seattle with Carson and Penny as well as second-year back Travis Homer from last year.

Seattle shored up some depth by selecting DeeJay Dallas in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft, and they added even more depth by signing Carlos Hyde to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million for 2020.

So – now the Seahawks have five players (Carson, Penny, Hyde, Homer and Dallas) all competing for snaps at tailback, with Nick Bellore still on the roster at fullback and a pair of undrafted free agents, Patrick Carr and Anthony Jones, in the running as well.

The biggest question, which will remain unknown until training camp opens, is the health of Penny. All signs point to Carson, who had surgery on his hip in December, returning to 100 percent health by the time things open back up again.

However, there have been rumblings that Penny, who tore his ACL, will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and even some concern that could spill into the regular season if he does not get any time during the preseason to get his legs under him.

That would certainly help explain the Hyde signing, as he would be a more than capable No. 2 running back to Carson while Penny is out. How the team will handle the trio when Penny is healthy remains to be seen, and it sure looks like Homer, who filled in admirably late last season, has been relegated to special teams duties once again, this time alongside Dallas, who may have a hard time even staying on the roster once Penny is healthy.

Of course, Seattle saw firsthand what happens when a team doesn’t have enough running back depth, or when they all manage to get hurt at once, so they will do their best to have everyone ready to step up as needed this season – and they’ll almost certainly have Beast Mode on speed dial.

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Seahawks’ offer to running back Devonta Freeman was worth up to $4M

The Seattle Seahawks’ offer to running back Devonta Freeman was worth up to $4M, which he has declined per a number of reports.

Former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman turned down a recent offer from the Seattle Seahawks per numerous reports and the value of that potential contract has now come to light.

Seattle’s offer to Freeman was worth up to $4 million on a one-year deal, according to NFL.com’s Mike Silver.

It’s clear the Seahawks are in the market for a veteran running back after losing starter Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise to season-ending injuries last year.

Silver has also reported that Seattle has had conversations with free agent Carlos Hyde.

With the offseason still in a virtual format and no real clear indication on the healthy statuses of Carson, Penny and Prosise, the Seahawks are smart to test the waters on who might still be out there as possible contributors to Seattle’s backfield.

And, if Silver’s numbers are correct, the Seahawks are clearly willing to offer some decent cash for that insurance heading into the 2020 season.

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Is durability a concern for the Seahawks’ running backs?

The Seattle Seahawks finished the year with three running backs on the injured reserve, begging the question, is durability a concern?

The Seattle Seahawks suffered blow after blow to their run game last year when they lost three running backs to season-ending injuries. Seattle had to find replacements for starter Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise.

The Seahawks brought back a couple of well-known veterans, including Marshawn Lynch, who found a way to punch himself into the endzone much to the pleasure of Seattle fans everywhere.

But heading into the 2020 NFL season, the question remains, is durability still a concern for the Seahawks running backs?

With no on-field activities yet this spring, Carson, Penny and Prosise have some extra time to recuperate before returning to practice. Out of extra precaution, however, Seattle looked to the NFL draft for a little insurance at the position.

The Seahawks selected running back DeeJay Dallas out of Miami to add more depth in the backfield.

“He’s a guy with a really big attitude and personality about it and try hard and effort and all of that,” coach Pete Carroll said after the draft. “That was the mix. He’s been a wildcat guy back there in the backfield. That just adds to the makeup that he brings that makes him unique. That’s kind of the guys that we love to fall for. Hopefully, he will contribute in many ways. Versatility is a big deal with him.”

As we inch closer to training camp, we’ll have a better idea of the health statutes of the injured players will hopefully have gotten a glimpse at the rookie running back’s ball-handling skills.

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Seahawks drafted running back DeeJay Dallas for his versatility

The Seattle Seahawks boosted their running back room in the 2020 NFL Draft when they selected Miami’s DeeJay Dallas for his versatility.

The Seattle Seahawks have officially wrapped up the 2020 NFL Draft with eight new additions to the team. Among the new draftees for the Seahawks is Miami running back DeeJay Dallas.

It’s no secret the Seahawks pride themselves on being a run-first team. It has been a tenant of Pete Carroll’s offensive philosophy and an identity of the franchise as a whole throughout its history. When Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise all went down with season-ending injuries, it left a gaping hole at a valuable position.

It certainly doesn’t take a football expert to tell you loosing a first, second, and third-string running back in the same year isn’t optimal.

The Seahawks addressed this need – albeit a little later than some assumed – with DeeJay Dallas, who was a college teammate of current Seahawks running back Travis Homer.

Dallas, who is a bit of a jack of all trades of sorts, was a former high school quarterback and went to Miami as a receiver before converting to running back. It’s this kind of versatility that really got head coach Pete Carroll excited about Dallas.

“Our guys are really excited about him on special teams,” Carroll stated after the pick. “He’s a guy with a really big attitude and personality about it and try hard and effort and all of that. That was the mix. He’s been a wildcat guy back there in the backfield. That just adds to the makeup that he brings that makes him unique. That’s kind of the guys that we love to fall for. Hopefully, he will contribute in many ways. Versatility is a big deal with him.”

Of course, the Seahawks will certainly be hoping a potential duo of Dallas and Homer – who had a decent game in the regular-season finale against San Francisco – could provide a decent boost to the ground game, since Carson, Penny, and Prosise all have durability concerns.

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#OnePride Q/A: Exploring RB additions the Lions could consider

Check out and see how fans felt about the Detroit Lions RB corps. Can Devonta Freeman or Antonio Gibson help the Detroit Lions running back corps?

Throughout the week, we at Lions Wire presented the #OnePride Twitter fan base several questions, hoping to hear their voice on various topics concerning the Detroit Lions.

Through the use of Twitter polls, we were able to gauge the fan’s thoughts on a variety of topics, including what they believe the Lions are poised to do in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft.

Confidence with Lions’ RB corps?

Zack’s take: Fans were split on how confident they felt with the current Lions’ running back corps, ranging from reasonably confident to not so sure. Kerryon Johnson is the Lions’ primary weapon, but he hasn’t played a full season since he was drafted. Bo Scarbrough saw a career rejuvenation with the Lions but was it a fluke or things to come? As a sixth-round rookie, Ty Johnson saw an increase in touches when the injury bug hit Detroit but is his roster spot guaranteed?

Based on the current group of running backs on the roster, I fall under the 50-60-percent confidence range. On the surface, it has the potential to be a solid rotation of backs, but the depth and injury questions surrounding this group are hard to ignore.

Free-agent to the rescue?

Zack’s take: Devonta Freeman was unable to live up to his contract with the Atlanta Falcons and he was released after averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry last season. With his impressive receiving skills, Freeman has the potential to still be an effective back, with his biggest obstacle being the cost to sign him. With how quiet his free agency market has been, I suspect the cost to acquire him wouldn’t be too high. If the Lions’ strikeout in the draft, Freeman would offer them solid depth and a veteran presence for the young runners.

I included Prosise in this poll because he played under Bevell in Seattle and would fit in the Lions’ offensive scheme. He has terrific receiving skills but has been injury-prone, only playing in 25 games since 2016. If he can prove healthy, Prosise could be an option in a similar way J.D. McKissic was last year.

Suitable round for a running back?

Zack’s take: I agree with the fans here, feeling the most comfortable taking a running back in the third or fourth rounds. There have been plenty of mock drafts projecting the Lions to draft a running back in the second round, but I can’t see them using another second-round selection on a running back.

Don’t get me wrong, it would be fun to see either J.K Dobbins or Jonathon Taylor in Honolulu blue, but the Lions have more pressing needs early in the draft. The mid rounds feel like the perfect range for the Lions to get a complement back like A.J. Dillion or Darrynton Evans, both who have been talked about extensively as potential targets.

Speaking of potential targets.

Potential draft prospects to help?

Zack’s take: Gibson ran away with this one and it’s easy to see why. He is a versatile playmaker with his beautiful blend of speed, size, and vision that make him an effective running back even though he was primarily used as a slot receiver at Memphis. Gibson was one criterion away — burst score — from being a full QIB qualifier. However, he was close enough that he should still be in the conversation as a potential running back option on the Lions’ draft board.

Utah’s Zack Moss was not in the poll but had quite a few comments within the post. He is a player to keep your eye on, considering the Lions have had multiple meetings with Moss and could be an option for them in the third or fourth round.

Keep your eyes open for future questions. We would love to hear your thoughts. If you have any questions you’d like to see answered, send a message, or leave a comment with your question. Thank you to all Lions fans and the #OnePride nation.

Seahawks have interest in free agent running back Isaiah Crowell

With C.J. Prosise set to hit free agency, the Seattle Seahawks are eyeing a replacement running back in veteran free agent Isaiah Crowell.

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly interested in free agent running back Isaiah Crowell, according KJR’s Ian Furness – who reported a deal between the two sides may be close to complete.

However, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reported that a deal between the two sides isn’t that close, although with free agency just in its infancy, it could still happen.

Crowell, 27, did not play last season after tearing his ACL during training camp. Prior to that, however, he was a reliable ball carrier for five seasons, one with the Jets and four with the Browns.

All told, Crowell has carried the ball 880 times for 3,803 yards and 27 touchdowns in 77 games played.

The Seahawks are going into the 2020 campaign with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny once again as their No. 1 and No. 2 backs, respectively. However, both are coming off major, season-ending injuries, so it would make sense for this team to find some added depth.

C.J. Prosise, the team’s long time No. 3 back, is an unrestricted free agent and seems likely to get signed elsewhere, leaving Seattle with Carson, Penny and Travis Homer, who filled in admirably late last season as a rookie.

Crowell would give the team more experience in the backfield, and while he certainly doesn’t have a spotless injury history, this trio would be among the league’s best if all of them are able to stay on the field in 2020.

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5 backup running backs the Jets should target in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at five running backs the Jets should target in free agency this offseason.

In 2019, the Jets ranked fourth in the NFL behind the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots in terms of running back spending by cap dollars. New York allocated over $10 million to five different backs.

Now, with Le’Veon Bell’s at the top of the depth chart, New York ranks only second to Los Angeles in spending by cap dollars at the position. Gang Green will be searching for a backup to its All-Pro back, as Ty Montgomery was ineffective in limited use and Bilal Powell is getting up there in age.

Jalin Moore, an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State, Josh Adams, Trenton Cannon and Kenneth Dixon still remain on the roster, but none of them have proven they can be a legitimate option behind Bell. The Jets need experience there, and free agency is the best place to find it.

With that said, here are five backup running backs the Jets should target in free agency.

Jordan Howard

(Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

When healthy, Jordan Howard was the perfect complement to Eagles rookie Miles Sanders.

Joe Douglas was part of the Chicago Bears personnel department that took Howard in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Douglas was then with the Philadelphia front office that sent a sixth-round pick to Chicago for Howard. If nothing else, the connections to Howard are there.

Howard appeared in 10 games and recorded 525 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in 2019. He missed six games after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 9. 

Howard is by no means flashy and won’t get any premier offers to be a team’s No. 1 back, but he’s proven to be a perfect complementary piece. He would pair excellently with Le’Veon Bell. The problem the Jets face is if Howard is willing to see a decrease in snaps due to Bell’s workhorse nature. That remains to be seen, but the Jets should definitely attempt to court Howard in free agency regardless.

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2020 NFL Scouting Combine: List of running backs expected to attend

A look at the running backs expected to attend the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis at the end of the month.

The Seahawks took a number of hits to their run game last season, losing starter Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and C.J. Prosise to injuries. Rookie Travis Homer stepped up as well as veterans Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin, who were signed to the roster to assist with Seattle’s playoff run.

General manager John Schneider could be looking to add yet another new face to the ground game and will have quite a few options to eye at this year’s NFL scouting combine.

Here’s a look at the running backs expected to attend.

RUNNING BACKS
Salvon Ahmed, RB, Washington
Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
Jet Anderson, RB, TCU
LeVante Bellamy, RB, Western Michigan
Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State
Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette
DeeJay Dallas, RB, Miami
AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
JaMycal Hasty, RB, Baylor
Brian Herrien, RB, Georgia
Tony Jones, RB, Notre Dame
Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA
Javon Leake, RB, Maryland
Benny LeMay, RB, UNC-Charlotte
Anthony McFarland, RB, Maryland
Zack Moss, RB, Utah
Sewo Olonilua, RB, TCU
La’Mical Perine, RB, Florida
Scottie Phillips, RB, Mississippi
James Robinson, RB, Illinois State
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
J.J. Taylor, RB, Arizona
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Patrick Taylor, RB, Memphis
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
Mike Warren, RB, Cincinnati

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