Tag: Lamar Miller

Here’s how Lamar Miller will impact Bears’ running back depth chart

The Chicago Bears added veteran running back Lamar Miller to their practice squad on Friday, a signing that takes advantage of the current COVID-19 exceptions being made for rosters during the most unpredictable and unstable season in league …

The Chicago Bears added veteran running back Lamar Miller to their practice squad on Friday, a signing that takes advantage of the current COVID-19 exceptions being made for rosters during the most unpredictable and unstable season in league history.

Miller’s presence on the practice squad shouldn’t be viewed like a traditional practice squad player. He can be called up at any time to the active roster and in a moment’s notice can be serving as David Montgomery’s primary backup on gameday.

In fact, it’s likely that will be the case sooner than later.

Miller, 29, is a grizzled veteran with a resume of production since 2012 for the Dolphins and Texans, including two 1,000-yard seasons and a career 4.3 yards per carry average.

Miller missed the 2019 season with a torn ACL and flirted with the Patriots during training camp, but it took an injury like the Bears suffered with Tarik Cohen for Miller to get the contract he’s been seeking.

Sure, Matt Nagy is praising Cordarrelle Patterson and the Bears promoted undrafted rookie Artavis Pierce to the active roster following his three-week stay on the practice squad. There’s also Ryan Nall, a 2019 preseason star, but none of them can be counted on as an early-down back at this point in their careers.

Miller, on the other hand, can be.

The Bears’ running back depth chart currently looks like this: Montgomery – Nall – Pierce – Patterson (although Patterson will receive more touches than any running back other than Montgomery). But if Miller proves he’s fully recovered from his ACL injury, expect the pecking order to change by Week 5.

Miller will be Chicago’s RB2 within a week or two, and that’s good news for the Bears’ offense.

Bears expected to sign RB Lamar Miller to the practice squad

The Bears are adding some depth at running back with the addition of Lamar Miller to the practice squad.

The Chicago Bears are adding some depth at running back following the loss of Tarik Cohen, who tore his ACL in last Sunday’s win against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Bears are signing veteran running back Lamar Miller to their practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Miller is coming off a torn ACL sustained last preseason. But before his injury, Miller served as the lead running back for the Houston Texans, where he totaled 2,934 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns. What Miller also brings to the table is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield, something the Bears are losing with Cohen. Miller had 92 receptions for 678 yards and five touchdowns during his time in Houston.

The Bears recently promoted undrafted rookie Artavis Pierce to the active roster following Cohen being placed on injured reserve.

There were depth concerns behind starter David Montgomery heading into the season with a running back room that consisted of him, Cohen, receiver-turned-running-back Cordarrelle Patterson and inexperienced Ryan Nall.

We’ll see how Miller factors into things for the Bears, who should certainly promote him from the practice squad sooner rather than later this season.

Bears working out a group of running backs, including Lamar Miller

With RB Tarik Cohen placed on injured reserve, the Bears explored some veteran options on the free-agent market.

The Chicago Bears lost an important offensive weapon when Tarik Cohen suffered a torn ACL during last Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, effectively ending his fourth season.

While Bears head coach Matt Nagy has expressed his faith in the current crop of running backs on the roster to step in, it certainly doesn’t hurt to turn to the free-agent market for some veteran options.

The Bears worked out a group of running backs on Wednesday, including veteran Lamar Miller, who spent the last four seasons with the Houston Texans, according to the transactions wire.

Chicago also worked out Jonathan Williams, Dalyn Dawkins and Tavien Feaster.

Miller is certainly the best option on the market, but he’s coming off a torn ACL suffered last preseason. Miller spent the three seasons before that as the lead ball for the Texans, where he tallied 2,934 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns. He’s also a weapon in the passing game, something the Bears are losing with Cohen. Miller had 92 receptions for 678 yards and five touchdowns during his time in Houston.

The Bears would do well to bring in a veteran running back behind starter David Montgomery. The rest of the current running backs room includes Cordarrelle Patterson, Ryan Nall and undrafted rookie Artavis Pierce.

Colts work out 4 players, including RB Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller was among the tryout players on Monday.

Following the news of Marlon Mack’s season-ending injury, the Indianapolis Colts worked out four players, three of which were running backs, including veteran Lamar Miller.

The other three players were running backs Benny LeMay and Darius Jackson to go along with kicker Matt Gay.

The Colts will be without Mack for the rest of the season after his torn Achilles tendon occurred on Sunday. The starter now becomes rookie Jonathan Taylor while Nyheim Hines will see work as well. Jordan Wilkins is also on the active roster.

Miller is the biggest name known on the list. He has had plenty of success in the league with the Dolphins and Texans but missed the entire 2019 season due to a torn ACL. The 29-year-old signed with the Patriots in August but was released five days later.

Jackson has spent time with the Colts over the years as a camp body.

It is interesting that the Colts worked out Gay. After undrafted free agent rookie Rodrigo Blankenship missed a field goal attempt on Sunday, the Colts are likely wanting to keep an eye on the market.

It will be interesting to see if anything comes of these workouts and they will certainly be situations to monitor.

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T.J. Yeldon’s roster spot with Bills could be in jeopardy

Former Alabama RB TJ Yeldon made the 53-man roster for the Buffalo Bills, but that could be in jeopardy if they decide to add Lamar Miller.

Former Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon has not had the easiest time in the NFL. After being a star at Alabama, and being selected No. 36 overall in 2015 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he has been forced into the role of ‘next man up.’ Now, there is a risk Yeldon could enter the 2020 season without a team.

The former Crimson Tide running back made the 53-man roster for the Buffalo Bills, and currently sits as the third-string running back in a positional group of four on the recently released depth chart.

He is listed behind the starter, Devin Singletary, entering his sophomore season with the team after a strong collegiate career under Lane Kiffin at FAU, and 2020 third-round selection Zack Moss.

The only running back below Yeldon is veteran Taiwan Jones.

While these are the current depth chart standings, changes could be made due to cuts and new additions to the team, like a late signing before the season gets under way.

ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that veteran running back Lamar Miller, who played at the University of Miami and has bounced around three different teams during his seven-year career, will be visiting and working out with the Buffalo Bills.

The report was confirmed by the Bills’ general manager, who claims the team has invited Miller to work out, but has not yet met with him.

“We have not visited with Lamar, but he is coming to town at some point. We’ll get him in here, we’ll talk to him, and if there’s a fit, we’ll see where it goes,” Beane said. “Long way to go before we know if we’ll add him to our roster.”

Miller, who missed all of 2019 with a torn ACL, is looking for a chance to revitalize his career. A veteran with plenty of experience as the lead back could be beneficial to the development of Singletary’s young career.

If the Bills like what they see, they could bring him on board, but would likely have to let go of a running back on the roster.

When looking at the contracts, Jones is owed almost $400,000 more than Yeldon in 2020. Both contracts expire at the end of this season.

Production wise, both backs haven’t seen the field much. however, Yeldon has seen more carries in recent years, but in a role that doesn’t rely on him too heavily.

At the end of the day, it would come down to who they feel would bring the most amount of value to the team on, and off the field.

Yeldon hasn’t been given too many opportunities with Buffalo in his one season with the franchise. In 2019, the 26-year old saw 17 carries and 13 receptions for a total of 187 yards from scrimmage and zero total touchdowns.

As of right now, Yeldon holds a spot on the Buffalo Bills roster, but that could all change with the work out of Lamar Miller and the way the coaching staff views the running back room.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Yeldon as he looks to begin season No. 6 in the NFL.

Lamar Miller, Jordan Devey, 4 others visit, workout with Bills

Reported Buffalo Bills free agent visit, workouts from Tuesday.

Update (9:17 a.m.): 

The Bills announced that offensive lineman Jordan Devey was signed to the team’s practice squad. Details:

Bills add OL Jordan Devey to practice squad

Previous coverage: 

On Tuesday, the Bills had interactions with a couple of players, per the NFL’s transaction wire. The most well-known player was running back Lamar Miller. The 29-year-old officially had his workout with the team, something general manager Brandon Beane said would happen earlier this week..

“We have not visited with Lamar, but he is coming to town at some point. We’ll get him in here, we’ll talk to him, and if there’s a fit, we’ll see where it goes,” Beane said. “Long way to go before we know if we’ll add him to our roster.”

Along with Miller, a few undrafted rookie free agents from the recent NFL draft worked out for the Bills as well, including wide receiver Quartney Davis, quarterback Jalen Morten and wide receiver Easop Winston. Of these three, Morten may be the most interesting, considering he’s rumors to be able to throw a football 100 yards.

The final workout the Bills held was with running back Dalyn Dawkins. He’s appeared in four games with the Titans over the past two years, carrying the ball 11 times.

Along with their five workouts, the Bills also had a free-agent visit with another veteran, offensive lineman Jordan Devey. Appearing in 43 games in his career including 21 starts, Devey has lined up at every position on the offensive line in his career.

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Takeaways from Brandon Beane, post-roster cuts

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane takeaways following 2020 roster cut-down day.

Following a few big days for the Buffalo Bills last weekend, general manager Brandon Beane spoke via video conference to breakdown all the latest team headlines. Some of those include roster cut-down day across the NFL on Saturday and then the team’s decision to sign cornerback Tre’Davious White to a four-year extension.

Here are some main takeaways from what Beane had to say on Monday:

Bills’ first-round NFL football draft pick Tre’Davious White. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

Locking up Tre

While Beane did discuss roster cut-down day, the most recent news for the Bills was a situation going in the opposite direction, Tre’Davious White’s four-year extension with the Bills. A reminder, Beane was not with the Bills when White was drafted. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott was pulling the string with former GM Doug Whaley, however, many speculate it was mostly McDermott’s doing because right after that draft, Whaley was fired and Beane was hired. Still, Beane was around pretty much since Day 1 with White and has watched him grow into and All-Pro talent.

“You want to talk about earning it? He’s done it since the day he walked in here,” Beane said.

The most interesting detail from Beane might have been the timing of the new deal. The GM was happy it got done before the 2020 season began.

“I’m glad we got it done before the season, he can take that off his shoulders. Just play free and know that he’s got financial security for his family,” Beae said. “It’s another way we can show what we’re doing here. Draft, develop, re-sign… and it’s a commitment from the Pegulas.”

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Lamar Miller has free agent visit with Bills

Buffalo Bills host free agent running back Lamar Miller on a visit.

Perhaps the Buffalo Bills are not settled with their running back situation after all.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bills will be hosting free agent rusher Lamar Miller for a visit on Monday.

Currently the Bills have Devin Singletary, rookie Zack Moss, TJ Yeldon and Taiwan Jones on their roster in terms of running backs.

Check back for updates momentarily….

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7 notable cuts from the AFC East

7 notable cuts from the AFC East

Cut-down day is the toughest day of the year for many coaches. This year was especially challenging, as teams had to make final decisions about their roster without the benefit of preseason games.

Teams reduced their rosters to 53 players Saturday. The AFC East saw several players dropped from rosters who were thought to be contributors in the regular season.

Here are seven notable cuts from the AFC East:

New England Patriots

Texans running back Lamar Miller. Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

RB Lamar Miller

Miller missed the 2019 season with an ACL injury. He signed with the Patriots on August 14. Miller was expected to provide depth for the Patriots, as starter Sony Michel is returning from foot surgery.

K Justin Rohrwasser

New England drafted Rohrwasser in the fifth round of last April’s draft. After making news off the field with a controversial tattoo, the rookie could not do enough to make the roster. It seems as if the Patriots wasted a draft pick this year. The Bills selected their starting kicker, Tyler Bass, 30 picks after Rohrwasser.

K Nick Folk

Not only did the Pats cut Rohrwasser, they currently don’t have a kicker at all. Their veteran in Folk was released on Saturday as well.

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Report: Patriots release RB Lamar Miller

Veteran running back Lamar Miller was released by the Patriots on Saturday.

As roster cut downs continue, a running back is no longer in the fold. Saturday, the New England Patriots released running back Lamar Miller.

Miller signed a one-year deal with the Patriots on August 14, totaling $1.5 million. This included $200,000 in guaranteed money, and $1.5 million worth of achievable incentives.

Miller was thought to add some additional depth into the running back room. With the Patriots carrying the likes of Sony Michel, James White, and Rex Burkhead as their veteran running backs, Miller would have certainly added an additional presence in the room.

Battling his way back from injury, Miller was officially activated off the physically unable to perform list August 31.

As roster cut downs continue, it will be interesting to see what other names will be shown the door as regular season rosters begin to shift into focus.

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