Tag: injured reserve

Saints shuffle roster posts, lose Austin Carr to injured reserve

The New Orleans Saints sent WR Austin Carr to injured reserve and called up practice squad TE Jason Vander Laan, adding RB Ricky Ortiz.

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The New Orleans Saints shuffled the bottom of their depth chart on Friday in a series of roster moves. Third-year wide receiver Austin Carr was sent to the injured reserve list after missing practice with an ankle injury; in his place, the Saints called up practice squad tight end Jason Vander Laan. The open spot on the practice squad was filled by Ricky Ortiz, who the official NFL transactions wire listed as a running back.

Ortiz’s (6-foot-0, 233 pounds) exact position is a little unclear, though it doesn’t mean much in the bigger picture (teammate Taquan Mizzell, also on the practice squad, is listed as a wide receiver but wears No. 44, a number restricted to running backs and fullbacks). Oritz’s previous NFL experience came as a fullback with the Atlanta Falcons, where he was listed as a fullback and appeared in a dozen games last season, totaling 139 snaps on offense and 89 snaps on special teams.

Vander Laan (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) has been on the Saints practice squad since Oct. 23. His NFL experience has been limited to appearances with the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, and New England Patriots practice squads. Before that, he played quarterback at Ferris State, where he set the NCAA all-division record for rushing yards (5,953).

With starting fullback Zach Line sidelined by a knee injury and backup tight end Josh Hill returning from a mild concussion, opportunities are there for fresh faces like Vander Laan and Ortiz to make an impression right away. Carr’s loss on offense is minimal; he’s proven to be a capable blocker out of the slot, but struggles to get open or catch the ball when it’s thrown to him. The Saints are working with second-year wideout Keith Kirkwood in his return from injured reserve in the next few weeks. Hopefully he’ll be able to create a spark where Carr couldn’t once he’s back.

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Report: Redskins to move TE Vernon Davis to the Injured Reserve

The Redskins are reportedly sending veteran tight end Vernon Davis to the injured reserve after missing several weeks with a concussion.

According to JP Finlay at NBC Sports Washington, the Redskins are putting veteran tight end Vernon Davis on the Injured Reserve, ending his season.

Davis, who suffered a concussion in Week 4 of this season, will be turning 36 in a couple of months, so the subsequent move to the IR puts his future in doubt, as he has struggled to return from the concussion protocol for weeks now.

The move is not a surprising one, but it leaves the Redskins with major questions going forward, and it further underlines the poor luck that the franchise has suffered over the past couple of years. Earlier this spring, linebacker Reuben Foster went down with a season-ending leg injury; tight end Jordan Reed was lost for the year in the preseason with a concussion, and second-year running back Derrius Guice tore his meniscus in the first game of the season. Now there is this injury to Davis, which could see his days as a Redskin come to an end.

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Seahawks place TE Ed Dickson on IR, promote Tyrone Swoopes

The Seattle Seahawks placed TE Ed Dickson back on the injured reserve, promoting Tyrone Swoopes from the practice squad to take his place.

Ed Dickson’s second season with the Seattle Seahawks was over nearly as soon as it began. The veteran was placed back on the injured reserve just two days after he was activated, meaning he will not play a single snap in the 2019 season.

The Seahawks recalled tight end Tyrone Swoopes from the practice squad to take his place on the active roster. Swoopes will likely serve as the backup tight end behind Jacob Hollister, with Luke Willson (hamstring) not expected to suit up on Sunday against the Eagles.

Dickson missed the first six games of the 2018 season on the injured reserve before coming back and hauling in three touchdowns down the stretch. Seattle no doubt hoped for more of the same from the veteran in 2019, but a lingering knee injury never managed to resolve itself, ending his season and putting the 32-year-old’s career in jeopardy.

Swoopes originally joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2017, converting from quarterback to tight end. He has appeared in two games over the past two seasons, hauling in one reception.

Sunday will likely be his first game on the active roster in 2019, and he could see regular action for Seattle at least until Willson is healthy.

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Are the Broncos going to play QB Drew Lock at all in 2019?

Are the Broncos ever going to play rookie quarterback Drew Lock this season?

Two weeks ago, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis reported that rookie quarterback Drew Lock is expected to start the Broncos’ final two games of the season. Denver will likely have a high selection in next year’s draft so taking a look at Lock this year would make sense.

Broncos general manager John Elway will want to know if he needs to draft another QB in 2020, which makes it important for Lock to see the field this season. Or is it important? Denver coach Vic Fangio doesn’t seem to have any sense or urgency.

“I don’t think it’s vitally important,” Fangio said Wednesday.

The coach then went on to talk about a former Saints quarterback who had a remarkable three-game run in the 1980s before going on to have a forgettable career. Fangio’s point was that the team’s front office can’t determine what the future holds for Lock based on just a handful of games.

“I think with a young guy in limited reps it can [look] good,” Fangio said. “You can get a false positive. You can get a false negative. You need a whole body of work to — and that body of work includes offseason and training camp buildup. I’m not putting any limits on him if he does get in there, but I would be reluctant to make final conclusions.”

Sitting and learning for a few more weeks might be good for Lock. Sitting for three years seemed to work out for current starter Brandon Allen.

“The amount of football I learned in the four years I was out and being able to sit back and watch how guys prepare and how a lot of defenses do certain things versus different quarterbacks — I think it definitely helped to be able to learn more before just getting thrown in there early on,” Allen said.

Will the rookie sit out the entire 2019 season? That’s still to be determined.

Lock has recovered from his thumb injury but he is not expected to be activated to the 53-man roster this week. Perhaps next week.

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Report: Seahawks tight end Ed Dickson headed back to injured reserve

In an unexpected turn of events, Seahawks TE Ed Dickson – who was just activated this week – could be headed back to the injured reserve.

Just days after the Seattle Seahawks activated tight end Ed Dickson back to the 53-man roster, he might be headed back to the injured reserve.

A report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicates that’s exactly what is likely to happen.

“Seahawks expected to place TE Ed Dickson back on IR, according to sources,” Fowler tweeted early Thursday evening. “Dickson was activated this week but there’s concern over his recovery from injury.”

This report contradicts what coach Pete Carroll had said earlier in the week – that Dickson would actually be able to carry a full workload Sunday against the Eagles.

“He’s going to play a regular load if the week works out fine,” Carroll said Wednesday. “He’s been conditioning for a long time. He’s been practicing with us for quite a while. He should be ready to go. Weight’s in a good spot. He looks like he’s in good shape. He won’t play the whole game because we’ll be moving guys in and out. We expect him to play a regular role.”

If the Seahawks do place Dickson back on the injured reserve, they will undoubtedly have to active Tyrone Swoopes up from the practice squad.

This story is continuing to develop.

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Tight end Ed Dickson expected to see regular workload in Philadelphia

Activated back to the roster from the injured reserve, Seahawks tight end Ed Dickson is expected to see a full workload against the Eagles.

The Seattle Seahawks will be getting some extra help at the tight end position now that Ed Dickson has been officially activated back to the 53-man roster from the injured reserve.

The timing is critical for Seattle with fellow tight end Luke Willson battling a hamstring issue.

“It was a great time for him to be available to us,” coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday. “He wanted to get back a couple weeks ago. We couldn’t fit it in. Luke is kind of opening the door for him. I know you guys are probably wondering to ask about – because he has a hamstring, we can ask about that. Luke has been such an extraordinary healer over the years that I know there’s no category for it, but we’re going to call him probable. Even though it doesn’t exist, you never know.

“Ed coming back is great. He’s really excited to contribute and help out.”

Dickson has yet to see a game this season, but he looks to figure immediately into the plan this week in Philadelphia.

“He’s going to play a regular load if the week works out fine,” Carroll confirmed. “He’s been conditioning for a long time. He’s been practicing with us for quite a while. He should be ready to go. Weight’s in a good spot. He looks like he’s in good shape. He won’t play the whole game because we’ll be moving guys in and out. We expect him to play a regular role.”

The Seahawks and Eagles are set to square off Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. PT.

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Nick Bawden placed on injured reserve

The Detroit Lions have announced that they have placed fullback Nick Bawden on injured reserve with a knee injury. This is the second season in a row where Bawden’s season has ended prematurely due to a knee injury.

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The Detroit Lions have announced that they have placed fullback Nick Bawden on injured reserve with a knee injury. This is the second season in a row where Bawden’s season has ended prematurely due to a knee injury.

Bawden’s rookie season was also cut short after he tore his ACL in mini-camp and was placed on injured reserve.

Coming out of this year’s training camp, expectations were high for Bawden as offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell found new and creative ways to use him in the game plan. As the regular season rolled around, much of those creative plays were subdued and in 10 games Bawden only had four catches for 17 yards.

Of course, he did do this:

 

The Lions backfield has been injured all season and losing their fullback will surely have implications on an already struggling run game.

On Tuesday the Lions worked out four fullbacks — Derrick Coleman, Tommy Bohannon, Tre Madden, and Aaron Ripkowski, per Adam Caplan — but did not sign any at this time.

One in-house option to replace is rookie tight end Isaac Nauta who is currently on the Lions practice squad. Nauta played some H-Back in college and even took snaps at fullback for the Lions in the offseason. It wouldn’t be overly surprising to see the Lions work with Nauta as the fullback in practice this week, then promote him to the active roster later in the week (the Lions typically make these moves on Saturday).

Lions Week 12 injury report: Matthew Stafford plus 6 others unable to practice on Wednesday

The Detroit Lions Week 12 injury report is headlined by Matthew Stafford but another six players were also unable to practice on Wednesday including Frank Ragnow, Trey Flowers, Da’Shawn Hand, Tracy Walker, Jamal Agnew, and Nick Bawden.

The Detroit Lions (3-6-1) are heading to Washington (1-9) for a Week 12 matchup of two underperforming and banged-up teams.

The Lions have been bitten by the injury bug once again, which is beginning to happen with an unforgiving regularity. In addition to the four players who were unable to play due to injury, another five were forced from last weekend’s game, including Frank Ragnow and Trey Flowers who suffered concussions, as well as Tracy Walker, Jamal Agnew, and Nick Bawden who all suffered lower-body injuries.

Unable to practice on Wednesday

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
C Frank Ragnow (concussion)
EDGE Trey Flowers (concussion)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)
RET. Jamal Agnew (ankle)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)
FB Nick Bawden (knee) — placed on injured reserve

Ahead of last week’s game, it was reported that Stafford’s injury could last up to six weeks, but he may be able to return sooner. “Sooner” doesn’t appear to be this week as Stafford is still only observing practices.

Ragnow and Flowers are currently in concussion protocol, so it’s not overly surprising that they were unable to practice today. Brain injuries are unique but we will likely learn more about their health after their practice report status on Thursday.

Hand still not being able to practice is concerning.

Walker surprising returned to the field last Sunday but only lasted 23 snaps before being injured again and leaving the field. Agnew was also forced from last week’s game with injuries and we likely won’t know much more about their availability until tomorrow.

With punter Matt Wile on the practice squad, it looks like the Lions will be giving Martin some rest days to get fully healthy. Martin has yet to miss any game action this season.

We found out after practice that not only was Bawden not at practice but he was being placed on injured reserve — his season is cut short once again.

Limited practice

RT Rick Wagner (concussion)
C.J. Moore (hamstring)

Wagner is still moving through the NFL’s concussion protocol and a return to practice today is a big step in the right direction. He still needs to have a full practice and then be cleared by an independent doctor but he is getting closer to returning to game action.

Moore didn’t leave last week’s game with an injury, so this injury must have popped up after the game sometime. Limited at this point is good news but we will know more as the week progresses.

No longer listed on the injury report

DE Romeo Okwara (groin)
WR Danny Amendola (hand)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
DT Mike Daniels (foot)
DT A’Shawn Robinson (ankle, thumb)
NT John Atkins (wrist)
CB Darius Slay (neck)
S Will Harris (quad)

Most of the players listed here being removed from the injury report isn’t overly surprising, with one glaring exception — Romeo Okwara.

Okwara was limited for most of last week but was unable to play in the game over the weekend, so not being listed here suggests either a miraculous recovery or that the team was exercising a lot of caution last Sunday.

Lions activate EDGE Austin Bryant from IR

The Detroit Lions announced they have removed EDGE rusher Austin Bryant from injured reserve and placed him on the active roster.

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The Detroit Lions announced they have removed EDGE rusher Austin Bryant from injured reserve and placed him on the active roster.

Bryant was selected in the 4th round out of Clemson, with hopes of him bringing some much-needed pass-rushing capabilities off the edge. After requiring offseason surgery, Bryant missed all of spring camp and entered training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. It wasn’t long into camp before he was removed from the PUP list and able to take the field.

A defensive end in college, Bryant was transitioning to a JACK linebacker role with the Lions, with hopes that his ability to rush from a standing position would translate. Things were going well until Bryant was once again injured and unable to practice.

Bryant would remain injured, but on the 90-man roster throughout the preseason, with the hope that he would be able to return at some point in the regular season. By waiting to place him on injured reserve until after the 53-man roster cut-downs, the Lions had the option to return him from injured reserve when he was fully healthy.

Three weeks ago, the Lions activated a 21-day evaluation period where Bryant was allowed to practice with the team while they evaluated his progress and determined his overall health. That period has come to a close, and the Lions were required to make a decision on his status — thus his addition to the active roster today.

Bryant may still be getting up to speed with the Lions scheme — as he transitions to a new role and has only practiced with the team minimally — so he may not be active on game days right away. But when he is up to speed, and healthy, he will bring another pass rushing element to the Lions front that they desperately need.

Ed Dickson likely to return in light of Luke Willson’s absence

A hamstring injury is likely to keep tight end Luke Willson out for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12 – but veteran Ed Dickson could return.

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The Seattle Seahawks are unlikely to be with veteran tight end Luke Willson on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles after he suffered a legit hamstring injury last week against the San Francisco 49ers.

“Luke’s working at it,” coach Pete Carroll reported on Monday. “It’s going to take Luke a bit. I don’t think he’ll have a chance to make it back this week. So, we’ll see what happens there.”

Losing Willson is another big blow to Seattle’s tight end group, which is already without Will Dissly who suffered a season-ending achilles injury in Week 5.

The Seahawks have also been without Ed Dickson all year, as the veteran spent the second consecutive season on the injured reserve to begin the campaign.

However, Dickson is eligible to return to the active roster, and in Willson’s absence it seems almost certain that he will take his spot next week.

“There’s a really good chance,” Carroll said of Dickson’s return. “We’ve been waiting for the opportunity to get Ed to go. We’re thinking that’s where we would go with this. Wednesday we have to declare, so we’ll take care of business by then. There’s a really good chance that’s gonna happen.”

Dickson needs to be activated by Wednesday or else he will have to miss the entire 2019 season. It sounds like his health is no longer an issue, so this should clear space for him to contribute at tight end alongside Jacob Hollister for Seattle.

Finding a spot on the active roster might be more difficult. The team could opt to place Luke Willson on the injured reserve, or they could cut receiver John Ursua who has only been active one game this season.

Regardless, don’t be surprised to see Dickson make his season debut on Sunday when the Seahawks take on the Eagles in Philadelphia.

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