Tag: cole holcomb

Steelers to sign former Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb

Cole Holcomb is set to leave Washington after four seasons.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to sign former Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. It’s a reported three-year deal for Holcomb. The deal is pending Holcomb passing a physical. He underwent foot surgery in November.

Holcomb was a fifth-round pick out of North Carolina in 2019 and essentially became a starter on day one.

In 2019, Holcomb played in all 16 games, making 15 starts, and recorded 105 tackles, including six for loss under former head coach Jay Gruden and then interim coach Bill Callahan.

In 2020, Holcomb was an immediate starter under new head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. He played 11 games, making 10 starts due to injury, and finished the year with 72 tackles. In 2021, Holcomb started 16 games and never came off the field. His only missed start came when the team was hit hard by COVID-19. He finished the year with a career-high 142 tackles.

Heading into 2022, the Commanders didn’t upgrade the mike linebacker position, instead moving Holcomb there. Holcomb played seven games before his foot injury and was lost for the season. He played well before his injury.

Washington agreed to terms with former Seattle third-round pick Cody Barton on Wednesday but still wanted to retain Holcomb. However, the two sides couldn’t agree on financial terms.

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1 pending free agent the Eagles could target from each NFC team

With the legal tampering period and NFL league year fast approaching, we’re looking at 1 pending free agent the Eagles should target from each NFC team

The Eagles won’t be major players in the free-agent market, but it’s always fun to take a hypothetical look at one potential target from every team.

Philadelphia agreed to a deal with Brandon Graham on Friday but is expected to lose Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, James Bradberry, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson — among others — to lucrative deals.

It was also announced that Darius Slay was granted permission to seek a trade, further clouding up a transition period for one of the NFL’s top defenses in 2022.

With the new league year fast approaching, here’s one pending free agent from each NFC team that the Birds should target.

Giants likely to prioritize ILB in free agency

The New York Giants are expected to prioritize inside linebacker in free agency and could target someone like T.J. Edwards.

The NFL’s legal tampering window opens on Monday at 12:00 p.m. ET with the new league year beginning on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.

That means things are about to heat up for the New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen, who will have much more money to work with this year.

But the Giants also have several roster holes they need to fill ahead of the 2023 NFL draft and while many expect them to focus on wide receiver, that may not be the case. Rather, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan believes they will prioritize inside linebacker — a position we at Giants Wire have harped on for the past two months.

“The position I heard most (about) the Giants shopping near the top was inside linebacker, middle linebacker,” Raanon said on Breaking Big Blue.

Although Schoen and the Giants are likely to prioritize inside linebacker and have more money to work with, Raanan doesn’t expect them to go after someone like Bobby Wagner. Rather, they will aim for younger, slightly less expensive players who will be around for years to come.

“(Tremaine Edmunds) is going to be a little too rich for their blood. He’s going to get close to $15 million per year,” Raanan said. “The other name that I’ve heard most prominently was T.J. Edwards from the Eagles. 26 years old. If that price doesn’t get crazy, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Giants very heavily in on Edwards.

“A younger player they can build around. But him in the middle of that defense for the next three, four years.”

Edwards wasn’t the only inside linebacker Raanan heard the Giants were potentially interested in.

“Some other names I heard that I think they’ll keep an eye on is Germaine Pratt from the Bengals, a really good player,” Raanan said. “Cole Holcomb from Washington is another name in that range. Leighton Vander Esch. Drue Tranquill if they have to go down a little bit on level if the price of the other guys gets too high.”

Raanan believes the Giants will focus on the $6 million to $8 million range for inside linebackers but may go up to $10 million if the market value doesn’t explode and they have a shot at landing a higher-tier player.

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Commanders 2023 free agency preview: What happens with LB Cole Holcomb?

Will the Commanders re-sign Cole Holcomb? We make our prediction.

The Washington Commanders head into the offseason with a big hole at linebacker. The Commanders have Jamin Davis, but Cole Holcomb is set to become a free agent next week.

The four-year starter has played in 50 career games for Washington, making 49 starts. A fifth-round pick out of North Carolina in 2019, Holcomb quickly found his way into the starting lineup due to Washington’s lack of linebacker depth.

Holcomb enters free agency at the wrong time for him. A foot injury in Week 7 ended Holcomb’s season, and he finished the year on injured reserve. Washington would like Holcomb to return as it felt he’d made strides as the inside linebacker last season.

Will the Commanders re-sign Holcomb or look elsewhere?

Stay or go: Predicting the fates of Commanders free agents in 2023

We look at Washington’s free agents and predict which ones will stay — or go.

The upcoming offseason is a big one for Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera. In his first three seasons as Washington’s head coach, Rivera has recorded seven, seven and eight wins. And, despite Martin Mayhew holding the general manager title, Rivera is the head of all football operations.

Adding to the pressure for Rivera is the team’s current ownership situation. The Commanders are for sale, but not much is known about whether the Snyder family plans to sell part or all of the franchise. The expectation is the entire team is up for sale, and things could be wrapped up by the owner’s meetings next month.

What happens with Washington’s free agents in the meantime?

Free agency begins in just over a month. You can begin applying franchise tags to players later this month. As of now, the Commanders have $8.4 million in cap space for 2023. Once Washington releases quarterback Carson Wentz, it will add over $26 million. There are other moves the Commanders can make to create additional room.

We predict whether these Commanders free agents will be back with the team or departing in free agency

Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley had a big week at the Senior Bowl

Daiyan Henley is a potential linebacker target for the Commanders.

It’s no secret the Washington Commanders could use some help at linebacker. Drafting a linebacker in the first round is not an option for Washington, having spent a first-rounder on Jamin Davis in 2021.

With Cole Holcomb coming off an injury and heading into free agency, the Commanders could look to the 2023 NFL draft to find his replacement — or eventual replacement if Washington re-signs him.

The Reese’s Senior Bowl is a good place for NFL coaches to find talented players who have not been on the radar before their week in Mobile, Alabama.

Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley is one of those players who made himself some money this week.

The 6-foot-0, 230-pounder spent his first five collegiate seasons at Nevada, where he was a teammate of current Washington tight end Cole Turner. However, Henley transferred to Washington State for his final season, and it paid off.

Henley finished his 2022 season with 106 tackles, including 12 for loss, four sacks and one interception. At this week’s Senior Bowl, Henley stood apart from other linebackers, winning every matchup and separating himself with his coverage skills.

Watch Henley in coverage here:

Here he is again:

Henley was mostly considered a day-three pick entering this week’s Senior Bowl festivities. However, after his performance throughout practice all week, Henley should firmly be in the mix on day two.

Here’s what Eric Edholm and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said about Henley’s week.

Henley has already forced a grade change from yours truly with his play in the first two days of practice, and NFL scouts might be making similar adjustments. He moves around the field with an alpha demeanor, but his ability to match up with running backs in coverage really stood out. The wideout-turned-linebacker showed off his lateral twitch and ball skills to hound the route and squeeze the catch point. The ability to play well on all three downs is a huge advantage for linebackers on draft day, and Henley showed off that ability on Wednesday.

Henley is the type of linebacker Washington needs. Pair him with Davis, and no one could question the team’s speed at linebacker in 2023. The Commanders have had trouble covering running backs and tight ends in recent years. Henley could be exactly what Jack Del Rio’s defense needs to take the next step.

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Cole Holcomb wants to return to Commanders in 2023

Cole Holcomb is a free agent this offseason.

Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb was a bit of an ironman over the past two seasons. In 2021, Holcomb played 99% of Washington’s defensive snaps, setting a new career high with 142 tackles.

Holcomb was poised for an even larger role in 2022. Instead of spending another high draft choice on a linebacker, or spending big in free agency, head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio were counting on Holcomb to take over inside and Jamin Davis to make a big leap.

After a rough first two games, Washington’s defense began to round into shape in Week 3. Unfortunately for Holcomb, his season ended after a Week 7 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Holcomb suffered a foot injury that kept him out of practice for weeks. At one point, it seemed like Holcomb would return, but in late November, Washington shut him down for the season. Holcomb finished the 2022 season by playing in seven games and recording 69 tackles.

Holcomb underwent foot surgery in early December.

The former fifth-round draft pick out of North Carolina becomes an unrestricted free agent in March.

Washington has other notable free agents, too, including defensive tackle Daron Payne and quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Payne is the top priority, and it would not be a surprise if Washington applies the franchise tag next month.

As for Holcomb, the coaches have always spoken glowingly of his play. And while Del Rio compensated for his loss at times by using the three safeties on the field, the Commanders missed Holcomb late in the season. The duo of Holcomb and Davis had taken a step forward in 2022, and Holcomb has made it clear where he wants to be in 2023 and beyond.

“I love this organization,” Holcomb told reporters last week via John Keim of ESPN. “I love the guys in the locker room. I’d love to get something done. But I also understand the business side of this league. Whatever happens, I’ll deal with what I got to deal with.”

It’s not clear where Washington views Holcomb among its offseason priorities. Coming off an injury, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Holcomb and the Commanders agree to a one-year deal, which would allow him to re-enter free agency in 2024, coming off a healthy campaign.

If Washington doesn’t retain Holcomb, add linebacker to the list of offseason needs.

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Commanders LB Cole Holcomb underwent foot surgery, is done for the season

Holcomb is out for the remainder of the season and will be a free agent in March.

Washington Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb underwent foot surgery Monday and is out for the season, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

Holcomb last played in the Week 7 win over the Green Bay Packers and was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 25.

Holcomb, who is in the final season of his rookie contract, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March. He should be fully recovered by the time free agency begins.

Before his injury, Holcomb almost never left the field for Washington. He was leading the Commanders in tackles at the time of his injury and among the NFL leaders.

In recent weeks, second-year linebacker Jamin Davis has been handling the calls from the sideline, something Holcomb did before his injury.

It’s unclear if Washington engaged in contract talks with Holcomb or if it will allow him to test the market.

Through four years in Washington, Holcomb has played in 50 games, making 48 starts, and recorded 388 tackles, including 15 for loss, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions and one touchdown.

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Commanders’ final injury report for Week 12 vs. Falcons

The Commanders will be without cornerback Benjamin St-Juste for Sunday’s game vs. Atlanta.

The Washington Commanders released their final injury report Friday ahead of Sunday’s Week 12 game against Atlanta Falcons. In the first bit of news, linebacker Cole Holcomb was placed on injured reserve Friday, freeing up a roster spot. Holcomb hasn’t played since Washington’s Week 7 win over Green Bay with a foot injury.

Also out for Washington on Sunday is cornerback Benjamin St-Juste [ankle], and punt returner/wide receiver Dax Milne [foot]. St-Juste was injured in alst week’s win over Houston while making an outstanding play on a deep ball in the fourth quarter. St-Juste said he was fine after the game, but clearly the Commanders want St-Juste healthy for the stretch run beginning with back-to-back games with the Giants beginning in Week 13.

Milne plays some snaps at wideout but is Washington’s primary punt returner. The Commanders have options there in cornerback Danny Johnson and wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Alex Erickson. Milne beat Erickson for the job in training camp, but Washington can elevate him from the practice squad before Sunday’s game. Erickson is an experienced returner.

Tight end Logan Thomas [rib/illness] and defensive end Chase Young [knee] are questionable. Thomas had his best game of the season last week, while Young was just activated from the reserve/PUP list this week. Young is expected to play but on a limited snap count.

Here is the full injury report, including Atlanta’s final injury report.

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Commanders Wednesday injury report vs. Falcons

Cole Holcomb and Benjamin St-Juste did not practice while Chase Young was limited.

The Washington Commanders were back on the practice field Wednesday in preparation for their Week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Defensive end Chase Young [knee] is back but was limited on Wednesday. This is a part of Washington’s process of easing Young back into action.

Quarterback Carson Wentz was also activated Wednesday.

As for the official practice report, three Commanders did not practice. Linebacker Cole Holcomb continues to remain out with a foot injury. Holcomb has missed four consecutive games, and at some point, Washington should consider putting Holcomb on injured reserve.

Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste missed practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. St-Juste injured his ankle in Sunday’s win at Houston. St-Juste said after the game he was fine, but his situation is certainly one to keep an eye on over the next few days.

Defensive end James Smith-Williams missed Wednesday with an illness.

Five players were limited Wednesday:

  • C Tyler Larsen [shoulder]
  • TE Logan Thomas [rib]
  • WR Dax Milne [foot]
  • LB David Mayo [hamstring]
  • DE Chase Young [knee]

Here is a look at the Falcons’ injury report.