Tag: Jeremy Sprinkle

What has happened since the Commanders opened on the road?

A lot has happened since the last time Washington opened a season on the road.

The Commanders will open their 2024 season at Tampa on September 8.

How long has it been since the NFL Washington team opened an NFL season on the road?

Well, put it this way: Jay Gruden was the head coach, and Case Keenum was the starting quarterback. Keenum’s backups were Colt McCoy and Dwayne Haskins.

Terry McLaurin was playing in his first NFL regular season game, and the two running backs who had carries for Washington that day were Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson.

McLaurin made a huge splash debut into the NFL that day, catching five passes on seven targets for 125 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown from Keenum. The other receivers catching passes that day other than McLaurin were Vernon Davis, Paul Richardson, Trey Quinn, Kelvin Harmon and Jeremy Sprinkle.

Washington had traveled to Philadelphia to open the 2019 season and started magnificently. Keenum connected with Davis on a 48-yard touchdown and McLaurin on a 69-yard touchdown. Plus, Dustin Hopkins’ 41-yard field goal was sandwiched between, and the Redskins were beating the Eagles at Lincoln Field 17-0.

When Hopkins booted a 48-yarder on the closing play of the first half, the Redskins led the Eagles 20-7. However, Carson Wentz led the Eagles to 25 consecutive second-half points for a 32-20 fourth-quarter lead. The final was Eagles 32-27 over the Redskins.

A great first half had launched the season with great hope and excitement. However, the second half would be a microcosm of the season, as the Redskins began 0-5, and Gruden was fired.

Things were so bad in 2019 when the Dolphins were unsuccessful on a game-ending two-point conversion attempt; it actually saved the Redskins from starting the season 0-10.

The dreadful season saw Haskins celebrating with fans and thus missing the final possession for the victory formation snap against the Lions. The silly act was a sign of Haskins’s future actions with Washington, which resulted in his not lasting two seasons before being released.

In a bizarre twist, the following Sunday, the Redskins went down to Charlotte, defeated the Panthers 29-21, resulting in Ron Rivera being fired by Carolina’s new owner David Tepper.

Washington owner Daniel Snyder hired Rivera as the team’s next head coach one month later. Snyder strangely kicked off the press conference with a mysterious “Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody.”

Next summer, Federal Express owner and Redskins minority owner Fred Smith challenged Snyder that the team needed to change its name from the historic “Redskins.” Nike and Pepsi soon hopped on that bandwagon, pressing Snyder to cave, and the “Redskins” were history.

Rivera then coached the Washington Football Team/Washington Commanders to four consecutive losing seasons and was subsequently fired by new majority owner Josh Harris.

Harris then hired Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach, who hired his coaching staff. Sam Howell was traded to Seattle, and Peters blew up the roster, signed many free agents, and drafted nine new college players, including LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy.

Isn’t that a tremendous amount of water under the bridge since the last time Washington opened an NFL season on the road?

 

When they last met: Commanders and Jets

These teams last met in 2019 and it was ugly.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

NY Jets 34, Washington 17 – Week 11, November 17, 2019

Sam Darnold passed for four touchdown passes as the Jets easily defeated the Redskins 34-17 at FedEx Field.

This was one of the more embarrassing games of 2019 as the Jets actually led at one point 34-3 before two late Washington touchdowns made the final score closer than the actual game.

The game was so lopsided that the Jets actually outgained Washington 400-225 in total offensive yards. Darnold completed 19 of his 30 passing attempts for 293 yards, four touchdown passes and one interception. His day computed to a passer’s rating of 121.2.

On the other hand, Dwayne Haskins also completed 19 passes in his 35 passing attempts for 214 yards, two late touchdowns and one interception for a 79.9 passer rating.

The Jets rushing attack was led by Le’Veon Bell as he gained 59 yards in 18 carries and Bilal Powell rushed for 42 yards on 7 carries. The Washington running game was very anemic all day as Adrian Peterson could only generate 25 yards in his 9 carries, and likewise, Derrius Guice only accumulated 24 yards in his 7 carries.

Trailing 34-3 in the final quarter, Haskins connected with Guice on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Then, with only 1:11 remaining, Haskins found tight end Jeremy Sprinkle for a one-yard touchdown to conclude the scoring.

When they last met: Jacksonville and Washington

Can you guess who was Washington’s quarterback the last time the team faced the Jaguars?

“When They Last Met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Washington 16, Jacksonville 13 – Week 15, December 16, 2018

Dustin Hopkins’ 36-yard field goal on the game’s final play provided Washington a 16-13 win over the Jaguars at TIAA Stadium in Jacksonville.

Tied 13-13, Fabian Moreau’s interception of a Cody Kessler pass intended for Dede Westbrook halted a 7-play Jacksonville drive at the Washington 29. Moreau’s 16-yard return put the ball at Washington’s 45 with 2:31 remaining.

The Redskins then drove 36 yards to the Jaguars’ 19-yard line, setting up Hopkins’ opportunity to win the game with his field goal. Persistently,  Washington had gone to Adrian Peterson on six consecutive plays before quarterback Josh Johnson knelt for a 2-yard loss, setting-up Hopkins for his game-winner.

Peterson ran for 4 yards, had a 7-yard completion from Johnson, then runs of 15,7,1 and 4 yards before Johnson’s kneel-down put Hopkins where he wanted the ball snapped for his winning field goal.

Former Washington kicker Kai Forbath’s 41-yard field goal with 11:16 remaining had extended the Jacksonville lead to 13-6. But Johnson led Washington on a 68-yard drive in 10 plays, tying the score on his 6-yard pass to Jeremy Sprinkle at the right pylon.

Ryan Kerrigan and Jonathan Allen both had productive days defensively for Washington. Kerrigan collected 2 QB sacks, 5 solo tackles, 4 QB hits, one forced fumble and a tackle for a loss. Allen also earned 2 QB sacks, 4 solo tackles, three tackles for a loss and 2 QB hits.

Johnson completed 16 of 25 passing attempts for 151 yards, also rushing for 49 yards on 9 carries. Jamison Crowder led Washington receivers with 4 receptions for 46 yards. While Peterson rushed for 51 yards on 19 carries.

Westbrook enjoyed the game’s biggest play when he returned a Tress Way punt 74 yards for a touchdown with only 4 seconds remaining in the half, giving the Jaguars a 10-3 lead.

 

Cowboys put veteran TE on IR, cut four others, to make 80-man deadline

Lirim Hajrullahu, Christian Sam, Quandre Mosely, and Jaquarii Roberson were waived/released on Tuesday; Jeremy Sprinkle goes to IR.

Five more Cowboys are cleaning out their locker at The Star in Frisco.

With a 3 p.m. deadline to trim the roster to 80 players, the Cowboys have announced that linebacker Christian Sam, wide receiver Jaquarii Roberson, and cornerback Quandre Mosely have been waived. News of kicker Lirim Hajrullahu’s cut had been announced earlier in the day. Veteran tight end Jeremy Sprinkle was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles issue, ending his 2022 season.

Of that group, Sprinkle had the most experience. The 28-year-old, a former fifth-round draft pick, spent four seasons with rival Washington before joining the Cowboys in 2021. Used primarily as a blocker and on special teams, he caught just three passes last season. The team currently has four other tight ends in Dalton Schultz, Sean McKeon, fourth-round draft pick Jake Ferguson, and undrafted free agent Peyton Hendershot.

Sam was a sixth-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2018. He spent time in camp with three other NFL teams before landing with the Tampa Bay Bandits and then the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL this past spring. The native Texan signed with Dallas in July following the conclusion of the USFL season. Sam has an injury designation.

Mosely and Roberson were undrafted free agent rookies this season from Kentucky and Wake Forest, respectively.

With one more preseason game to play on Friday, the Cowboys must now cut 27 more players to get their roster to 53 by Aug. 30.

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2 tight ends, LB Jabril Cox among Cowboys ‘dinged’ during Tuesday’s practice

Cox, Jake Ferguson, and Jeremy Sprinkle were all held out of Tuesday’s work with minor injuries. None are considered serious concerns. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Monday’s padded practice was costly for the Cowboys, who lost wide receiver James Washington to a foot fracture and got a bit of a scare when safety Jayron Kearse came down wrong.

Short of cocooning players in the proverbial bubble wrap, there’s no way to eliminate injuries from football, and even practice sessions have coaches, players, trainers, and fans alike holding their breath.

Tuesday, thankfully, didn’t add any major concerns to the injury report. But as always, the minor knicks and dings are worth taking note of as training camp progresses.

Rookie tight end Jake Ferguson was pulled from the proceedings rather early after tweaking a hamstring, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. He said after conferring with the training staff that there is no reason to believe it’s serious.

The same goes for fellow tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, who aggravated an Achilles tendon and was held out.

Linebacker Jabril Cox continues to rehab an ACL tear, so even a minor knee knock to the knee can jangle nerves. The team shut him down for the day, out of an abundance of caution.

“Just being smart,” McCarthy explained. “He kind of dinged it a little bit, not of a serious nature. So just kind of shut him down.”

The team will stage a mock game on Wednesday, and Cox will reportedly resume normal practice work with the team the following day.

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Cowboys, reserve TE Jeremy Sprinkle agree on one-year deal

The Cowboys are bringing back blocking-specialist tight end Jeremy Sprinkle on a one-year deal, making him the fourth tight end in Dallas. | From @CDBurnett7

In a day that will go down as a nightmare for the Cowboys’ front office, business still has to keep moving as usual. Last week, Dallas released an injured Blake Jarwin and that signified the torch permanently being passed to Dalton Schultz and company at the tight end position.

Following a year as a reserve tight end for the Cowboys, Jeremy Sprinkle is returning to Dallas on a one-year veteran salary benefit deal.

This makes it four tight ends on roster with Schultz, Sean McKeon and Ian Bunting.

In 2021, Sprinkle played in all 17 games, but only caught three passes for 31 yards. That’s not Sprinkle’s role for the Cowboys. He made a living in jumbo packages as a blocker for certain run plays and was occasionally used in play-action offense. Dallas returns his blocking prowess with a healthy Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard for 2022.

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Cowboys waive O-lineman, sign 2 practice squad players to 53-man roster

Brandon Knight had played just 3 snaps this season; TE Jeremy Sprinkle and FB Nick Ralston have been regular special teams contributors. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys did a bit of roster business just ahead of their date with the Patriots. Two players are being signed to the 53-man roster after seeing heavy special teams action through five weeks, and the release of one depth player may signal good news for a decorated superstar regarding his availability for Week 6.

Offensive tackle Brandon Knight was informed by the club on Saturday that he will be waived. The undrafted free agent out of Indiana has been on the field for just three snaps so far this season, all in the Cowboys’ Week 3 win over Philadelphia.

But the timing of his release may indicate that left tackle Tyron Smith will, in fact, be ready to start Sunday’s contest. The seven-time Pro Bowler was given a “questionable” designation on Friday’s injury report after a neck scare left him limited late in the week. An MRI came back “favorable,” but the Cowboys have officially maintained a wait-and-see approach with his status for this week’s matchup.

According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Knight “is expected to join the practice squad Monday if he clears waivers, but [there is] no guarantee he goes unclaimed.”

Meanwhile, rookie fullback Nick Ralston and veteran tight end Jeremy Sprinkle are receiving contracts and being added to the regular roster after multiple weeks of practice squad elevations for both.

Both have contributed significantly to the third phase for Dallas this season; Ralston has logged nearly one-third of the club’s special teams snaps through Week 5 and will be signed to a two-year deal. Sprinkle has played almost half of the special teams snaps and has also been on the field for smattering of offensive plays.

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Cowboys make roster moves for Week 4 game vs Carolina

WR Malik Turner, DT Justin Hamilton, and FB Nick Ralston are among those who will be active for Sunday afternoon’s date with the Panthers. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys made several roster tweaks on Saturday, just ahead of their Week 4 meeting with the Carolina Panthers.

Wide receiver Malik Turner, fresh off injured reserve, has been officially activated for Sunday’s game. Defensive tackles Justin Hamilton and Austin Faoliu were called up from the practice squad as well, with Dorance Armstong and Carlos Watkins declared out.

Tight end Jeremy Sprinkle will be a COVID-19 replacement for the fourth week in a row; fullback Nick Ralston also gets the elevation treatment for the second straight game.

Each of the players listed have suited up for Dallas before, save for Faoliu. The Oregon rookie played saw action in three of the team’s four preseason games; Sunday will mark his NFL regular season debut.

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Cowboys elevate TE Sprinkle, DT Hamilton, FB Ralston for MNF vs Eagles

Sprinkle and Hamilton will be COVID replacements for Keanu Neal and Bradlee Anae; the undrafted rookie Ralston will make his NFL debut. | From@ToddBrock24f7

With just a few hours to go before the Cowboys’ Week 3 game at AT&T Stadium, the team has made a handful of roster additions for the home opener against Philadelphia.

Dallas has elevated tight end Jeremy Sprinkle, defensive tackle Justin Hamilton, and fullback Nick Ralston from the practice squad to the active roster for Monday night’s matchup. The winner will take an early lead in the NFC East.

Sprinkle and Hamilton are considered COVID-19 exemptions for linebacker Keanu Neal and defensive end Bradlee Anae.

Sprinkle has been elevated for each of the Cowboys’ three games thus far. He has played only sparingly on offense, but has been on the field for about half of the club’s special teams snaps.

Hamilton saw action in each of the Cowboys’ preseason games in 2021. He logged six tackles over those four games, recording a sack versus Arizona and forcing a fumble against Jacksonville. He played in 10 games for Dallas last season.

For the undrafted rookie and local product Ralston, Monday night’s game will mark his NFL debut.

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Cowboys bring 2 veterans off practice squad for opener vs Bucs

Darian Thompson and Jeremy Sprinkle are gameday elevations to the Dallas roster, and can be moved back down following Week 1. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys have made two late moves in the final lead-up to Thursday night’s season opener in Tampa. As per last year’s rules, a team may bring two players up from the practice squad for gameday only and then return them directly to the practice squad afterward. The rule was intended to offer clubs eleventh-hour substitution help as they dealt with COVID-19. That rule remains in place this season, and the Cowboys are taking full advantage of it.

Safety Darian Thompson and tight end Jeremy Sprinkle were elevated from the practice squad to the gameday roster.

Both players will bolster the Cowboys’ bench depth at key positions against the Buccaneers.

Thompson was a part-time starter at safety in 2020 and could step in if needed Thursday. Safety Donovan Wilson suffered a groin injury two weeks ago and only just returned to full participation at practice on Monday. Israel Mukuamu is a rookie and came off the Reserve/COVID list 13 days ago.

Sprinkle is a four-year veteran who would ostensibly serve as the team’s No. 3 tight end. Blake Jarwin sat out nearly all of last season with an ACL injury and was eased back into action during training camp. Dalton Schultz played very well in relief and is now entering a contract year in Dallas, but he is coming off a high ankle sprain suffered in mid-August. Promising youngster Sean McKeon is on short-term IR with a high ankle sprain and will miss at least the first three games of the season.

Both Thompson and Sprinkle would likely see time on special teams in Week 1.

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