Tag: Frankie Luvu

Panthers place one player on PUP, another on COVID/reserve list

The Carolina Panthers will begin 2021 training camp a couple of players short.

The Carolina Panthers will begin 2021 training camp a couple of players short.

According to a release on the team website, outside linebacker Frankie Luvu has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Like starting quarterback Sam Darnold, Luvu spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jets. In 40 games he’s posted six sacks and 16 quarterback hits in a rotational role. He signed a one-year deal with the Panthers in March.

The Panthers also announced that safety Lano Hill has been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to begin camp. Hill comes to Carolina by way of Seattle, where he was a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Hill has only started six games since, but he is one of the candidates to take over at free safety in the absence of Tre Boston.

Everyone else is expected to report tomorrow morning when the first practice begins.

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Jets choose not to tender OLB Frankie Luvu

The Jets did not tender or make a qualifying offer to OLB Frankie Luvu.

The Jets did not tender or make a qualifying offer to OLB Frankie Luvu, according to multiple reports.

That makes Luvu an unrestricted free agent. He joins LB Harvey Langi, who also did not receive a tender.

Luvu, 24, has only played for the Jets since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Washington State in 2018. Luvu has played in 40 games for New York since then, recording 59 tackles, six sacks and 16 QB hits as a rotational defender.

Luvu is coming off a two-sack 2020 in which he also notched 25 tackles and played a career-high 238 special teams snaps despite missing time on injured reserve with a groin injury.

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Jets DL Quinnen Williams done for the season

Quinnen Williams is done for the season due to a neck injury and a concussion.

Quinnen Williams’ breakout sophomore season has ended.

Adam Gase said Wednesday that Williams will be placed on injured reserve with a neck injury and a concussion. He’ll have to clear the concussion protocol before being placed on injured reserve, though. Williams suffered those injuries in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Rams.

The second-year player out of Alabama emerged as one of the NFL’s top, young interior defensive linemen this season. In 13 games, Williams registered 53 total tackles, seven sacks, three pass defenses and two forced fumbles.

Now the question with Williams will be whether he can replicate his production in 2021. If he can, that would give the Jets a true force along their defensive line.

In other injury news, CB Javelin Guidry (knee) won’t practice on Wednesday. WR Jamison Crowder, WR Denzel Mims, WR Jeff Smith, OL Josh Andrews, LB Frankie Luvu and DL John Franklin-Myers will all be limited.

Jets’ Frankie Luvu shares touching tribute for mentor Kevin Greene

Frankie Luvu took to Twitter to pay homage to his mentor and ex-Jets outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene following his death Monday.

Legendary pass-rusher and ex-Jets coach Kevin Greene died at his Alabama home Monday at the age of 58, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced.

“The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Kevin Greene,” Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker said in a statement. “I regarded him as a personal friend and a true Hall of Famer in every sense. He possessed the most incredible can-do attitude of anyone I ever met. He was a great player, but more than that, he was a great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s wife, Tara, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Kevin’s memory.”

Greene terrorized quarterbacks from 1985-1999, recording double-digit sacks in 10 of his 15 seasons. He retired in third place on the all-time sack list with 160 and accumulated five Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro nods during his career.

Greene returned to football as a coach nearly a decade after his retirement. He got his start with the Steelers as an intern before joining Mike McCarthy’s staff with the Packers as Green Bay’s outside linebackers coach in 2009. Greene took a break from coaching after the 2013 season before returning in 2017 as a member of Todd Bowles’ staff in New York.

Greene worked with New York’s outside linebackers, including Frankie Luvu. Luvu, who remains on the team, came to New York as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Greene took him under his wing, guiding Luvu on his journey to breaking camp with the team.

After news of Greene’s death broke, Luvu took to Twitter to pay homage to his former mentor.

Luvu’s best NFL season to date came under Greene’s tutelage. He recorded 22 tackles, five TFLs and three sacks in 2018. He’s now played a total of 38 games for the Jets.

Greene’s time in New York was short, but it’s clear he made a significant impact on at least one of his Jets pupils.

“Our thoughts are with the family of NFL legend Kevin Greene,” the Jets said in a statement. “A former Jets coach, Kevin made a positive impact on everyone he met. He’ll be missed.”

Jets vs. Chargers inactives: Sam Ficken returns against Los Angeles

Jets vs. Chargers inactives.

Sam Ficken will be back kicking field goals for the Jets when they take on the Chargers on Sunday afternoon.

Ficken is active after missing New York’s last three games with a groin injury. Sergio Castillo, who filled in admirably for Ficken, is inactive against Los Angeles. The Jets also welcome back Frankie Luvu from injured reserve in Week 11. Luvu injured his groin against the Dolphins in Week 6 and returned to practice on Nov. 18.

There are no surprises on the Jets’ inactives list against the Chargers, as Blake Cashman, Cameron Clark and Sam Darnold were all ruled out earlier in the week. James Morgan is a healthy inactive, as New York signed Mike White to its active roster to serve as Joe Flacco’s backup with Darnold on the shelf.

As for the Chargers, they welcome back Joey Bosa, who missed their last two games with a concussion, against the Jets.

Jets injury report: Alex Lewis dealing with ‘multiple’ shoulder issues

Alex Lewis sustained a shoulder injury on Sunday that has multiple issues with it.

The Jets’ offensive line is starting to unravel.

Adam Gase spoke to the media on Monday and said that Alex Lewis is dealing with “multiple issues with his shoulder” and is considered week-to-week. According to the Daily News’ Manish Mehta, Lewis suffered a sprained AC joint. Sam Darnold has the exact same injury and has missed the last two games.

Speaking of Darnold, he is continuing to progress in his rehab, as is Mekhi Becton (shoulder). Darnold was able to throw on a side field last week, while Becton was limited in Friday’s practice.

Denzel Mims (hamstrings) took a lot of reps with the scout team last week and there’s a chance he makes his debut this week against the Bills.

Mathias Farley injured his ankle on Sunday and Chuma Edoga suffered a calf injury. Frankie Luvu has a groin injury that could cause him to be out for a while.

Jets injury report: Mekhi Becton limited, 49ers place Richard Sherman on IR

Jets OT Mehki Becton (knee) was among the team’s limited participants in Wednesday’s practice, while the 49ers put CB Richard Sherman on IR.

Another day, another injury for Gang Green.

Jets rookie OT Mekhi Becton (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday. He injured himself in the Jets’ 27-17 loss to the Bills Sunday but didn’t miss a snap. Adam Gase said that the Jets will be careful with him going forward.

Jamison Crowder (hamstring) popped up on the injury report following Wednesday’s practice. Gase did not mention Crowder before practice, which likely means that the veteran wideout suffered an injury to his hamstring this afternoon. QB Joe Flacco (neck), LB Frankie Luvu (neck) and LB Avery Williamson (hamstring) joined Crowder as limited participants. There’s a chance Williamson makes his 2020 debut this weekend after missing Sunday’s opener.

As for the remainder of New York’s injuries, RB Kalen Ballage (hamstring), TE Daniel Brown (hamstring), OT George Fant (shoulder) and OL Alex Lewis (shoulder) were all full participants Wednesday.

Despite the injury bug hitting the Jets again, they might be catching a few breaks this weekend. The 49ers placed CB Richard Sherman on injured reserve with a leg injury, while his potential replacement, Ahkello Witherspoon, suffered a concussion and is in protocol, according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

In addition, TE George Kittle (knee sprain) won’t practice this week, but San Francisco is ‘hopeful’ he will play Sunday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

2020 New York Jets Position Preview: Outside Linebacker

Jets Wire breaks down New York’s outside linebacker room with training camp and the 2020 season approaching.

With the NFLPA player reps officially approving the NFL’s proposal and training camp just a short ways away, it’s time to take a closer look at the makeup of the Jets’ roster entering the 2020 season.

The Jets did little to address the team’s long-standing issue at the pass-rushing position. While New York was able to bring back Jordan Jenkins on a team-friendly deal after the best season of his career and Tarell Basham has shown flashes of potential, the unit lacks depth. The Jets are going to have to get creative in terms of getting after the quarterback in 2020 considering the limitations the outside linebacker room currently has.

As training camp and the beginning of the regular season inch closer, Jets Wire will provide a look at each of New York’s position groups and what could be in store for the unit in 2020. Let’s breakdown the outside linebacker room at One Jets Drive.

The Starters

Jenkins is back in the fold to lead the group. His free agent market never really took off and while it may have been a letdown for the fifth-year pass-rusher, the Jets welcomed him back with open arms.

Jenkins has been New York’s steadiest presence on the edge. He led the team with eight sacks in 2019, adding 32 tackles, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, nine tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. Entering another contract year, Jenkins could play himself into a contract extension if he is able to steadily improve his sack production again.

Depth

A handful of players will compete for the starting job opposite Jenkins.

Basham is a favorite for more playing time in 2020, if not the second starting job. In his first full season in New York, he was a versatile playmaker but contributed the most at outside linebacker, where he registered 18 tackles, two sacks, six passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery.

A pair of rookies will get a chance to take snaps away from Basham, though.

The Jets have high expectations for Jabari Zuniga, one of the team’s third-round picks in April’s draft. While the University of Florida product could play on the defensive line or at outside linebacker, there’s certainly less depth in the OLB room. Bryce Huff is the other rookie in the mix. The Jets guaranteed him the most money out of any of their undrafted free agents, a sign that he’ll get a chance to stick around. While Huff may be a bit undersized for his position, he has a nose for getting after the quarterback. Last season at Memphis, Huff ranked fourth in the nation among pass-rushers with 64 total pressures.

Among the other players competing for jobs on the outside are Harvey Langi, Frankie Luvu, Ahmad Gooden and Wyatt Ray.

Outlook

While Jenkins and Basham aren’t the most formidable tandem, they should be able to get after quarterbacks with some regularity considering how strong the Jets defensive line currently is. Another year of working under Gregg Williams and the Jets should finally see some consistency at the position.

As for the depth, the talent is there, but right now players like Langi, Luvu and Gooden are best suited as situational pass-rushers. For young edge rushers like Zuniga and Huff, there’s a real opportunity for them to push both Jenkins and Basham for playing time in 2020.

See more from Jets Wire’s Position Previews series:

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | MLB

Sam Ficken, Frankie Luvu among 4 Jets tendered

Sam Ficken, Frankie Luvu, B.J. Bello and Leo Koloamatangi were all tendered as ERFAs.

Four Jets have been tendered as exclusive rights free agents.

They would be none other than K Sam Ficken, LB Frankie Luvu, LB B.J. Bello and OL Leo Koloamatangi, according to The AP. Since these four players were tendered as ERFAs, they will receive the NFL minimum salary for the 2020 season.

This prevents any of these four players from negotiating with any other team. Had the Jets not tendered them, they would have become free agents.

Ficken is the most notable played tendered out of the four. In his first full-time gig, the kicker had his ups and downs. He was 19-27 on field goals in 2019 and 23-26 on extra points. Ficken’s struggles lied with kicking from distance. Seven of his eight missed field goals came from 40+ yards away.

At the moment, the Jets have a kicking competition on their hands heading into 2020. They signed Brett Maher a couple of months ago and he will have to compete with Ficken for the starting job come training camp.

As for Luvu, he was primarily a backup last season. He made 10 total tackles along with registering a sack. Bello was on and off the Jets’ roster all season long and recorded three tackles in eight games.

Koloamatangi was signed to the practice squad at the end of October and was promoted to the active roster in November. However, he did not see any game action.

Jets Free Agent Profile: What to do with OLB Brandon Copeland?

Jets Wire evaluates if New York should re-sign impending free agent outside linebacker Brandon Copeland this offseason.

Before Joe Douglas can focus on who he plans to target in free agency come March, he’ll have a handful of in-house decisions to make.

The Jets have 32 players set to hit the open market this offseason. Some don’t figure to factor into New York’s plans for 2020, while it’s safe to assume the Jets would like to keep others around for a while. Either way, Douglas has a lot of work to do in his first offseason on the job.

Brandon Copeland’s 2019 season got off to a fortuitous start, but he proved to be a relatively productive rotational linebacker as the year progressed. Will he be back with New York in 2020? Let’s evaluate the situation in Jets Wire’s latest free agent profile.

Pros of keeping him

After returning to the field in October following a four-game suspension to begin the season, Copeland made an instant impact by recording 28 tackles in his first five games. That might not seem like a big number, but considering the banged up state of New York’s linebacker room upon his return, Copeland’s production was much-needed.

Copeland also offers positional versatility. He is predominantly an edge rusher, but can also line up on the inside and make plays in the run game.

Cons of keeping him

Copeland didn’t contribute much following his strong five-game stretch, registering only seven tackles over New York’s final six games.

The fact that Copeland didn’t see much playing time down the stretch speaks volumes when it comes to his future with the team. Yes, teams who are not making the playoffs use the end of the season to give younger players an extended run, but the Jets didn’t have many linebackers in the mix due to injury.

Copeland couldn’t crack a thin linebacker core at the end of the season. With that in mind, it’s hard to see him having a spot when C.J. Mosley, Avery Williamson and Blake Cashman come back healthy next season. Factor in young edge rushers such as Jordan Jenkins and Frankie Luvu likely returning and Copeland’s future with the team becomes even grimmer.

The verdict

All signs point towards Copeland not returning next season. He is at the bottom of the pecking order in New York’s outside linebacker rotation and it’s hard to see him rising past any of Gang Green’s younger pass rushers.

Copeland had a fruitful stay at One Jets Drive, but odds are his time in Florham Park is up.