Tag: Dion Lewis

Should the Dolphins explore signing recently cut RB Dion Lewis?

Should the Dolphins explore signing recently cut RB Dion Lewis?

With the NFL’s open of the 2020 calendar still looming on the horizon next week, each of the NFL’s 32 franchises is trying as best as they can to pivot their process and take the necessary precautions regarding the current coronavirus outbreak. It would seem that if any players are going to get signed in the immediate future (before the legal tampering period on Monday), there would need to be a preexisting relationship between the two parties.

And the latest running back to hit the open market definitely has his fair share of connections to the Dolphins. The Tennessee Titans announced yesterday that they were cutting veteran running back Dion Lewis — a decision that seems to indicate the team will be looking to bring back free agent RB Derrick Henry this offseason.

For Lewis, it is probably for the best. Henry commanded many of the touches out of the backfield, so finding a team that will implement more of a rotation would let him have a greater impact on the game.

Lewis has never played snaps in Miami before, but he’s got his fair share of connections to the Dolphins regardless. Lewis’ best pro season came in 2017 as a member of the New England Patriots — he logged over 1100 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns that season before signing with the Titans in 2018.

Could Miami’s connections to Lewis through the Patriots to be enough to warrant consideration to help bolster Miami’s running back stable? Remember — Miami has already been connected to the likes of Joe Thuney, Ted Karras, another former Patriot/Titan in CB Logan Ryan and others with a pipeline that runs through Foxborough.

Given Lewis’ status as a rotational back and his age, he projects well to Miami’s spending philosophies, to boot. We’ll see if the Dolphins make a move; but because Lewis was cut, he is eligible to be signed at any time. The ball is in their court if the team wants to make a play.

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Report: Tennessee Titans to release Dion Lewis

The Tennessee Titans have reportedly informed running back Dion Lewis that he’ll be released, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Tennessee Titans have reportedly informed running back Dion Lewis that he’ll be released, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. After signing a four-year deal with the Titans in 2018, Lewis has failed to live up to expectations, even as a pass-catching back, which was supposed to be his specialty.

Lewis was set to make $5.1 million in 2020, but cutting him will save the Titans $4 million towards their 2020 salary cap.

The 29-year-old had his best season with the Titans in 2018, when he finished with 517 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards and two total touchdowns.

However, Lewis saw his workload scaled back significantly in 2019, as the Titans finally moved to give Derrick Henry a workhorse role — and did that ever pay off.

Henry went on to lead the league in rushing and carry the Titans to the AFC Championship Game, which ultimately rendered Lewis non-existent in the team’s offense.

5 players Tennessee Titans can cut to create more cap space

These five Titans could be on the chopping block in 2020.

If the Tennessee Titans want to clear up more cap space for what should be a busy 2020 offseason, cutting players is one way to do it.

After signing tight end Anthony Firkser and wide receiver Cameron Batson, the Titans have 20 of their own free agents remaining, but also have to look to outside the organization to bring in help via free agency.

If general manager Jon Robinson wants more wiggle room than the roughly $50 million he has to spend now, he could look to cut some or all of the following players.

All contract figures are courtesy of Over the Cap.

Dion Lewis | RB

2020 savings: $4 million

Since the Titans signed him to a four-year, $19.8 million deal in 2018, Lewis has been nothing short of a disappointment. With Derrick Henry running wild in 2019, Lewis failed to be effective in his limited reps.

The Titans could part ways with the veteran and bring in a younger, cheaper option that can be an asset on third downs. That will most likely happen through the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Giants could be potential suitors for Dion Lewis if cut

If the Tennessee Titans cut CB Dion Lewis, the New York Giants are reportedly expected to be among the teams in pursuit.

Derrick Henry has undeniably established himself as running back No. 1 for the Tennessee Titans, which is expected to lead to the release of fellow running back Dion Lewis prior to the start of free agency in March.

Lewis signed a four-year, $19.8 million contract in 2018 and it’s possible that the Titans seek to restructure that deal, but if the two sides can not come to an agreement and Lewis is ultimately released, the New York Giants are expected to have interest.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports reports:

The Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants, meanwhile, are expected to make a play for Lewis in the event he hits the open market, per a league source. All three figure to be in the market for veteran depth at RB.

Although far from the Giants’ primary need, they do need to find a quality backup for Saquon Barkley after two years of coming up empty.

Wayne Gallman was expected to serve as the No. 2 behind Barkley, but he was quietly benched last season and it appears as if his time in New York may be coming to an end. Meanwhile, Javorius Allen and Jon Hilliman each had high-water moments during the 2019 season, but don’t seem to be in serious play to back up Barkley moving forward.

A fifth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 NFL Draft, Lewis had also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots before joining Tennessee in 2018. In 86 career games (27 starts), the Albany, New York native has gained 2.310 yards and 11 touchdowns on 538 carries (4.3 ypc), adding 1,281 yards and seven touchdowns on 172 receptions.

There are several running backs out there who are viewed as ideal backups to Barkley, and Lewis could become one of those. A dual-purpose back who has long filled the role of backup, Lewis would be an immediate fit in East Rutherford.

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How to Watch Saints vs. Titans, NFL Week 16 Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Saints vs. Titans Live Online.

In a battle between the AFC South vs. NFC South, the Tennessee Titans host the New Orleans Saints. With the Titans (8-6)  in the mix for a playoff spot and the Saints (11-3) looking to optimize their seeding heading into the postseason, both teams come into this contest with something to play for.

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Saints vs. Titans

When: Sunday, December 22

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

TV: FOX

Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

It was a record setting night for the Saints in their last game, as Drew Brees once again etched his name into the history books in the team’s 34-7 win over the Colts on Monday Night Football. Brees eclipsed Peyton Manning as the NFL’s all-time leading touchdown passer, by throwing four touchdown passes in the game. He also completed 29 of 30 pass attempts, helping the Saints rack up 424 yards compared to 205 for the overmatched Indianapolis offense.

Tennessee saw its four-game winning streak snapped in its last game, as the Titans fell 24-21 to the Houston Texans. In an evenly matched game that saw Ryan Tannehill outperform Deshaun Watson and the Titans win the turnover battle, Tennessee had a field goal blocked and turned the ball over on downs. Those crucial mistakes gave the Texans a slight edge that they used to not just win the game but pull ahead of the Titans in the AFC South race as well.

Heading into Week 16, the Titans find themselves on the outside looking in for a playoff, as they currently hold the seventh position in the AFC. Meanwhile, New Orleans sits in third place in the NFC despite being in a four-way tie for the best record in the conference.

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Titans downgrade Derrick Henry to questionable vs. Saints

The Tennessee Titans downgraded Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry as questionable to play in Week 16’s game with the New Orleans Saints.

The New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans are preparing for a game that could be a matchup of strength-on-strength, with one of the league’s most consistent run defenses set to square up against a runner as physically-imposing as any in the NFL. New Orleans has gone 39 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher, while Titans running back Derrick Henry has averaged 94.9 yards on the ground this year.

But there’s a chance we don’t see that heavyweight fight. Per a report from ESPN’s Field Yates, on Saturday the Titans downgraded Henry to questionable for Sunday’s game, and promoted running back Dalyn Dawkins from their practice squad in case he isn’t able to suit up while managing a hamstring injury. Henry slowed down in recent weeks with that issue and missed some time during Titans practice while receiving treatment.

The Titans ruled out two players for Week 16 against the Saints already, including cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and slot receiver Adam Humphries. If Henry joins them on the sidelines, Tennessee will have to platoon Dawkins with backup running back Dion Lewis. And that’s concerning — Henry has accounted for 271 of the Titans’ 380 rushing attempts (71.3%) as a team this season. Lewis has taken just 38 handoffs to pick up 134 yards, a rate of 3.5 yards per carry.

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Titans add RB Dion Lewis to Thursday injury report

Here’s a complete look at the injury report for both teams.

Another name was added to the injury report as the Tennessee Titans took the practice field on Thursday ahead of this week’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

Wide receiver Adam Humphries (ankle), running back Derrick Henry (hamstring) and cornerback Adoree Jackson (foot) all did not practice.

Wide receiver Corey Davis (ankle) and running back Dion Lewis (ankle) – who was not listed on the report yesterday – were both limited participants.

Linebacker Daren Bates (shoulder) and Wesley Woodyard (knee), as well as wideout Kalif Raymond (knee) practiced in full capacity.

Here’s a complete look at the injury report for both teams.

The Titans and Saints are set to kick off at 12 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.