Tag: David Long Jr.

Titans waive David Long, add kicker Matthew Wright to practice squad

The Tennessee Titans waived linebacker David Long and signed kicker Matthew Wright to the practice squad ahead of Week 17 action. 

The Tennessee Titans made a few roster moves prior to hitting the practice field on Thursday in preparation for their Week 17 battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

A day after claiming linebacker David Long Jr. off waivers from the Detroit Lions, the Titans said goodbye to their former team captain. The veteran linebacker failed his physical and was waived with a failed physical designation. This move adds more questions to an already thin unit. 

The Titans also announced that they signed kicker Matthew Wright to the practice squad and released offensive lineman Kellen Diesch. Wright is a journeyman kicker who has seen action with nine different NFL teams since entering the league in 2019. 

Most recently with the Kansas City Chiefs, Wright does not possess a huge leg, but he is accurate. Currently, the Titans have two kickers on their 53-man roster in Nick Folk and Brayden Narveson. However, Folk is battling an abdominal injury and Narveson has proven to be inconsistent. So, this move could signal more changes are on the horizon. 

The Titans will be back on the field on Sunday when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in AFC South action.

[lawrence-related id=155423,155411,155393]

Titans bring back a familiar face ahead of Week 17

The Tennessee Titans placed starting inside linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. on injured reserve and claimed linebacker David Long Jr. off waivers.

A day after the Tennessee Titans added linebacker Raekwon McMillan to the practice squad, the team was busy adding to the position again. 

While the rest of the team was enjoying the holiday with a day off on Wednesday, word broke that the Titans were reuniting with linebacker David Long Jr. The team claimed him off waivers from the Detroit Lions. 

The move became a necessity when the Titans announced starting inside linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. was being placed on injured reserve due to a wrist injury. While this was not mentioned by Brian Callahan at his weekly press conference, reports surfaced Tuesday that Murray was spotted in a cast before the teams’ walkthrough on Tuesday. 

Originally a sixth-round pick of the Titans in the 2019 NFL draft, Long played 50 games for the team before moving on as an unrestricted free agent to the Miami Dolphins in 2023. He played in 25 games for Miami and moved onto the Detroit Lions after being waived in November.

In his career, Long has 388 tackles, a sack, four interceptions, 15 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery with the Titans, Dolphins and Lions. 

Long should join the team when they return to practice on Thursday and continue preparations for their Week 17 battle with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

[lawrence-related id=155411,155408,155364]

Mike McDaniel on benched veterans: ‘You’re entitled to nothing’

“The best players have to play and that’s my job to follow through with that.”

The Miami Dolphins haven’t been shy about mixing up their lineup amid a rough start to the 2024 season.

Running back Raheem Mostert has just three carries in the last two weeks, tight end Durham Smythe is averaging one target per game after finishing third on the team in targets last year, and David Long Jr. was waived just two months after he was named a defensive team captain.

“I think it’s been the same pattern each and every season,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday afternoon. “One thing that I’m very upfront with with the players, the second they get in the building, the second we start talking projected lineups or positions within a position group, I think it’s important people know you’re entitled to nothing in this world.

“Playing time is solved by players on the field and the best players have to play and that’s my job to follow through with that. I don’t look at someone lost something, I look at who earned the opportunities.”

Among the beneficiaries of that philosophy are De’Von Achane, who already has 168 touches this season after finishing his rookie year with 130. and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., who has stepped into the starting lineup in the last three weeks.

“It’s something that I think is important to players, in general, is — not only for themselves — but teammates want the teammate next to them that best deserves that situation,” McDaniel said. “Quite frankly, everyone that roots for the Dolphins is counting on me to make the hard decisions, regardless of what the ifs, ands, or buts, you have to do what’s the best for the team.”

More recently, the Dolphins turned to undrafted rookie Storm Duck to play extensively against the Las Vegas Raiders with Kendall Fuller out of action rather than relying on 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith.

“Tomorrow if Cam Smith completely outplays Storm Duck and we feel comfortable with what we’re doing, he’ll absolutely play over Storm Duck,” McDaniel said. “Everybody’s very aware of that. I think it’s very important to get the most out of people that they realize that it’s about what they’re doing in unison with what they’ve done. They get to dictate the terms at the present and moving forward.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver explains decision to waive a team captain

Anthony Weaver says the Dolphins moving on from their 2023 tackles leader was the “best move for all parties involved.”

Just two months after he was voted a team captain, linebacker David Long Jr. is no longer a member of the Miami Dolphins.

The team’s 2023 tackles leader was waived Wednesday, two weeks after he was replaced by Anthony Walker Jr. in the Dolphins’ starting lineup. On Tuesday, the team claimed former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who effectively took Long’s spot on the roster.

“That was just a team decision,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said of the move to part with Long. “Obviously we have a tremendous amount of love and respect for ‘Dave.’ He is a starting-caliber NFL backer and at this particular time we know we chose to go with [Walker] so it was probably the best move for just all parties involved.

“It gives him a chance to continue his NFL career and go flourish elsewhere but incredibly grateful for his time here for sure.”

Long, 28, began his career with the Tennessee Titans and developed into one of the NFL’s premier run defending linebackers. It earned him a two-year, $10 million deal from the Dolphins and he lived up to the billing in his first season in Miami.

However, the sixth-year linebacker struggled to fit into Weaver’s defense and proved to be a liability in coverage. Pro Football Focus credited Long with 14 missed tackles in six games and opposing quarterbacks had a 125.7 passer rating targeting players covered by the linebacker.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Dolphins waive team captain, 2023 tackles leader

A couple weeks after benching him, the Dolphins parted ways with their 2023 tackles leader Wednesday.

The Miami Dolphins waived linebacker and defensive team captain David Long Jr., the team announced Wednesday.

Long, 28, signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Dolphins in 2023 and lived up to the contract in his first season with the team. The former Tennessee Titans linebacker was Miami’s leading tackler in 2023 with 113, along with a forced fumble, a sack, and nine tackles for loss.

His 92.6 run defense grade on Pro Football Focus ranked second among all starting players in the NFL, behind only Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby’s 92.7.

But Long’s play dropped off this season as a poor fit in Anthony Weaver’s defense. He was a liability in coverage and eventually got benched in favor of 2024 acquisition Anthony Walker Jr.

Long, who was voted a team captain before the season, counted $6.71 million against the Dolphins’ salary cap. If he’s claimed on waivers, another team will take the remainder of the deal. If he goes unclaimed, Miami will eat $3.21 million in dead salary cap space for the rest of the 2024 season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Dolphins sticking with LB Anthony Walker Jr. in starting lineup

The Dolphins benched David Long Jr. last week and they plan on keeping him on the sideline in Week 10 too.

The Miami Dolphins benched linebacker David Long Jr., one of their four defensive team captains, in Week 9 and he won’t be getting his job back in Week 10.

“I thought [Anthony Walker Jr.] went out there and did a good job of both executing not only his assignment but communicating to the defense overall and trying to help guys out,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver told reporters Friday.

“That’ll be a decision based week-to-week. Love [Long]. He’s a captain. He’s an outstanding teammate. At this particular time, we just think ‘Walk’ gives us the best chance to go out there and execute from a defensive standpoint.”

Not only was Long yanked from the starting lineup against the Buffalo Bills, he didn’t play a single snap in the Dolphins’ 30-27 loss.

Long, 28, received a grade below 42 from Pro Football Focus in each of his last four games and was credited with missing 12 tackles during that stretch. Walker received a 54.8 grade against the Bills.

“It was less about David Long not doing something and more about we felt like ‘Walk’ needed and deserved the opportunity and has skills of his own in his own right that were the best man for the job,” McDaniel explained earlier in the week.

“It’s not necessarily fun, but the whole team and organization are depending on you to try to do what you see as very best. And I think David respects that and regards that. I’m sure he disagrees, but it’s about understanding intent and I think the whole team loves David. That’s why they voted him captain, but also you have to – I think it was the football team was excited for ‘Walk’s’ opportunity which he made the most of, for sure.”

Walker, 29, joined the Dolphins in March after spending the last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Dolphins list 4 starters as inactive vs. Titans in Week 4

The Dolphins will be missing a few starters, but rookie Malik Washington is set to make his NFL debut Monday.

The Miami Dolphins ruled out four starters on the team’s list of inactives for a Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans.

On Saturday, the team announced that left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller would not play due to concussions suffered a week ago. They’re joined on the group of inactives by running back Raheem Mostert, who was listed as questionable, and linebacker David Long Jr., who was doubtful.

The notable omission from the list is rookie wide receiver Malik Washington, who missed the first three weeks of the season due to hamstring issue. While he was listed as questionable to play against the Titans, the sixth-round pick is now set to make his NFL debut Monday night.

Among the players out of action for the Titans is two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.

Tennessee defensive backs L’Jarius Sneed and Amani Hooker were both questionable to play Monday, but both are active and will be in the lineup against the Dolphins.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

 

Raheem Mostert, David Long Jr. questionable vs. Titans in Week 4

Raheem Mostert could make his return in Week 4 after sitting out the last two weeks.

The Miami Dolphins will be without two starters and possibly more when they play the Tennessee Titans on Monday night.

On Saturday, the team ruled out left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller due to concussions suffered in Week 3. The Dolphins also listed linebacker David Long Jr. as doubtful, and three players — running back Raheem Mostert, wide receiver Malik Washington, and quarterback Skylar Thompson — as questionable.

https://www.twitter.com/WingfieldNFL/status/1840115206367916443

If Long is out of action, the Dolphins will likely turn to Anthony Walker Jr. to take over at linebacker.

“If he’s out there it’s because he did something remarkable during the course of the week,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said of Long on Saturday. “If he’s not, it’s because there is no way it could be possible. He absolutely wants to play in this game.”

The Dolphins have been without Mostert in each of the last two weeks due to a chest injury.

“I did some stuff yesterday and it felt good, but it’s all about the game speed and the game reps,” Mostert told reporters Friday. “That’s what really matters most.”

For the Titans, the significant injury is two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who is doubtful with an elbow issue.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

6 Dolphins limited in Friday practice, 3 sit out

The Dolphins were again without Terron Armstead, Kendall Fuller, and David Long Jr. at practice.

The Miami Dolphins were still without offensive tackle Terron Armstead, cornerback Kendall Fuller, and linebacker David Long Jr. when the team practiced Friday ahead of a Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Armstead and Fuller both suffered concussions in the team’s 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. Long exited with a hamstring injury.

Elsewhere on the Friday report, cornerback and special teamer Siran Neal returned to practice on a limited basis after sitting Thursday with a hamstring issue. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was added to the report as a limited participant, but only for rest.

Armstead would presumably be replaced at left tackle by Kendall Lamm and Fuller’s absence would mean more snaps for nickel cornerback Kader Kohou and undrafted rookie Storm Duck. If Long is unavailable, Anthony Walker Jr. would likely take over.

Tennessee was again without Jeffery Simmons who is dealing with an elbow injury. On Friday, Titans head coach Brian Callahan told reporters that Simmons is day to day with his injury and left his availability for Monday night up in the air.

5 Dolphins sit out Thursday, 5 limited ahead of Week 4 game vs. Titans

Starters Terron Armstead, Kendall Fuller, and David Long Jr. all sat out practice Thursday.

Five Miami Dolphins sat out practice Thursday and another five were limited ahead of a Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans.

While one of the missing players was Calais Campbell, who was given the day off for rest, starters Terron Armstead and Kendall Fuller both sat out due to concussions suffered in Week 3. Starting linebacker David Long Jr. was also missing with a hamstring issue.

Quarterback Skylar Thompson, who exited last week with a rib injury, was limited.

https://twitter.com/B_Shousejr/status/1839400758724395145

“Armstead, talking to him, he’s feeling better,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Thursday. “He’s in the protocol, and I make sure anyone that enters into that, same with Fuller, is that they know on the front end from me, is that I’m not projecting or worried about the timeline.”

“[Long] is doing absolutely everything he can for this opportunity,” McDaniel added. “He’ll either be out there or it will be impossible because he’s going to do everything he can. Him and we are rooting for his body, but will let his body work through it.”

For the Titans, the biggest concern is Jeffery Simmons, who sat out Thursday with an elbow injury. On Wednesday, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman told reporters he likes the Titans defensive line’s chances at beating Dolphins center Aaron Brewer.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]