Tag: Dontrell Hilliard

5 veteran running backs the Rams could sign following Sony Michel’s retirement

Sony Michel announced his retirement and the Rams could look to sign one of these veterans to provide depth at RB.

The Los Angeles Rams aren’t far into training camp and they’ll be in the market for at least one veteran running back. Sony Michel had a conversation with Sean McVay ahead of the team’s training camp practice on Saturday to share that he’s retiring from the NFL.

Michel was brought in to give the Rams depth and experience at the running back position before announcing his retirement. Cam Akers, Kyren Williams, Zach Evans, and Ronnie Rivers are the remaining running backs on the current roster.

With McVay revealing that the Rams are looking to bring at least one more running back upon Michel’s departure, here are five veterans they could look to sign.

Free agent running backs that could make sense for Cardinals

The Cardinals could use an established veteran to back up James Conner. Here are a few players who are a good fit.

The Arizona Cardinals are set at starting running back with James Conner but the depth behind him is uncertain at best. They have veteran Corey Clement, known mostly for his special teams play, second-year pro Keaontay Ingram, Ty’Son Williams and undrafted rookie Emari Demercado.

It would be a surprise if they didn’t add another veteran back at some point this offseason and there are a few players who make sense.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

Report: Jets expressing interest in ex-Titans RB Dontrell Hilliard

The Jets are reportedly interested in Titans free-agent RB Dontrell Hilliard.

Tennessee Titans free-agent running back Dontrell Hilliard remains unsigned and available on the open market — and he is reportedly drawing interest from at least one team: the New York Jets.

According to The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, the Jets have expressed interest in the free-agent back, but they are also waiting for the veteran to receive clearance from a neck injury sustained in 2022.

Hilliard fits the bill. I’ve heard the Jets have expressed interest in Hilliard, but teams are waiting for the 28-year-old to receive medical clearance after he suffered a neck injury late last season. Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing coached Hilliard with the Titans. He’s an above-average pass catcher with 4.42 speed (in the 40-yard dash) and he averaged 6.3 yards per carry in Tennessee the last two years.

Hilliard was originally brought in by the Titans in 2021 in the wake of the injury to Derrick Henry, making up an impressive 1-2 punch with fellow running back, D’Onta Foreman.

The 28-year-old was brought back in 2022 and once again played well, albeit in a much smaller role with Henry healthy. He managed to lead the team in touchdown receptions and once again proved to be both an asset as a pass-catcher and blocker.

As Rosenblatt points out, Hilliard already has a connection with the Jets, as his former offensive coordinator, Todd Downing, is the passing-game coordinator there.

I’ve been a proponent of bringing Hilliard back to once again play the role as Henry’s backup, but there has been no indication the Titans are interested. It’s possible the team will roll with 2022 fourth-round pick Hassan Haskins in that role.

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Titans offseason preview at RB: Will Derrick Henry get extended?

Derrick Henry carries a big cap hit in 2023, but the Titans have a few options to lower it.

With all the areas the Tennessee Titans need to address this offseason via the 2023 NFL draft and free agency, especially on the offensive side of the ball, one position that doesn’t need an upgrade is at running back.

That’s because Tennessee still sports one of the best in the business at the position in running back Derrick Henry, who is coming off another impressive season.

Despite many writing his obituary following an injury-shortened 2021, Henry still managed to finish second in rushing yards, scores, and he posted career-best numbers as a pass-catcher.

Making The King’s season more impressive was the fact that he posted those stats despite having a putrid line in front of him, and with little help around him in general.

Just imagine what he could’ve done if that wasn’t the case, but I digress…

While Henry is entrenched as the starter for the final year of his contract, there has been some thought that Tennessee might extend him to free up some cap space for this offseason.

The risk there is that Henry is turning 30 next January, and that’s typically the age when running backs start to break down. We’ll take a closer look at that and more in our offseason preview for the running back position.

Titans’ 2022 receiving TDs leader another example of how bad offense was

The Titans’ 2022 receiving touchdowns leader was a backup running back who missed five games.

Just how bad was the Tennessee Titans’ offense and, more specifically, its group of pass-catchers in 2022? Well, there are many avenues to go to spell that out other than what we simply watched with our eyes.

One of those avenues is looking at the team’s receiving touchdowns. Normal teams will have a wide receiver or a tight end as their top scorer through the air because, well, that’s their primary job — but not the 2022 Titans.

The player who scored the most receiving touchdowns for Tennessee in 2022 was a running back in Dontrell Hilliard, whose four paced the team. Making that worse, Hilliard missed five games and played just 28 percent of snaps.

Now, this is not to say that Hilliard is a bad player. In fact, I think he’s someone the Titans should definitely consider bringing back because he’s shown he’s capable of making an impact, especially as a pass-catcher.

But the guy who plays behind Derrick Henry, who gobbles up the vast majority of running back touches and snaps throughout the course of a season, should not be No. 1 in that category.

Looking ahead to 2023, the Titans have some really good foundational pieces in their group of pass-catchers with Chig Okonkwo and Treylon Burks, but new GM Ran Carthon has plenty of work to do to improve this unit.

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Titans’ Dontrell Hilliard already ruled out for Week 15

Titans RB Dontrell Hilliard has already been ruled out for Week 15.

Tennessee Titans running back Dontrell Hilliard was forced to leave the Week 14 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a neck injury, and Hilliard will be forced to miss Week 15 because of it, also.

On Monday, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that Hilliard has already been ruled out for the game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Thankfully, he also did note that Hilliard is feeling much better.

Hilliard got injured while playing on punt coverage in what was a scary moment. After laying on the field for a bit, he was able to sit up but was carted off the field and into the locker room.

Hilliard isn’t the only injury at running back the Titans are dealing with, as rookie Hassan Haskins has missed each of the last two games with a hip issue. He was questionable last week before being ruled out.

Hilliard has been a good addition overall for the Titans since they brought him aboard in 2021 in the wake of Derrick Henry’s injury, although he’s been mostly lost in the sauce of the disastrous 2022 Titans offense.

The Titans no longer have a fullback, so Julius Chestnut, who is on the practice squad, is the only other back behind Henry. If Haskins doesn’t come back this week, the Titans will have to add one.

We’ll get a better idea of where Haskins stands on Wednesday when the Titans release their first injury report of the week ahead of Sunday’s road matchup against the Chargers.

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Eagles’ PFF grades: Best and worst performers from 35-10 win over Titans

Here are the Best and worst PFF grades from the Philadelphia Eagles’ 35-10 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 13

The Eagles moved to 11-1 on the season after dominating the usually dominant Tennessee Titans on Sunday, 35-10 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Jalen Hurts threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns, while A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both amassed over 100 yards and scores on the day.

Philadelphia’s defense sacked Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill six times while holding running back Derrick Henry to under 40 yards and no touchdowns.

With the team preparing for a matchup against the Giants in Week 14, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday per PFF.

Studs and duds from Eagles 35-10 win over the Titans in Week 13

Studs and duds from the Philadelphia Eagle 35-10 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 13

The Eagles are 11-1 and primed for a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Giants after dominating the Titans at Lincoln Financial Field.

Jalen Hurts accounted for four total touchdowns and A.J. Brown scored two big touchdowns against his former team, as Philadelphia bullied Tennessee en route to a 35-10 win.

The Eagles remain the top team in the division and the entire NFC.

Here are your studs and duds from Week 13.

National reactions: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has best game of career in win over Titans

Here’s what the national media is saying about the Philadelphia Eagles after their 35-10 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 13

Jalen Hurts passed for three touchdowns, rushed for one, and the Eagles dominated the Titans on Sunday, earning a 35-10 win at Lincoln Financial Field.

Philadelphia contained Derrick Henry — who had 11 carries for 30 yards — and harassed Ryan Tannehill who was sacked six times. The Titans (7-5) lost their second straight but still have a 2.5-game lead in the AFC South.

The Eagles will now hit the road for three straight road games starting Sunday at the New York Giants. They follow by visiting Chicago and Dallas.

Here’s what the national media is saying after a dominant win.

Eagles snap count vs. Titans: Breakdown, observations from Week 13

Here’s a look at the snap count and playing time usage from the Philadelphia Eagles’ 35-10 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Eagles are 11-1 on the season after a dominant 35-10 win over the Titans at Lincoln Financial Field in an emotional reunion for wide receiver A.J. Brown.

Facing his former team for the first time since a draft night trade, Brown went off on Tennessee, catching eight passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns on ten targets.

Philadelphia’s defense sacked Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill six times on the day and held star running back Derrick Henry to 30 yards on 11 carries.

Here’s a look at the snap count, and playing time usage for the Week 13 win.