Tag: linebacker

Broncos sign linebacker to 53-man roster

The Broncos promoted LB Zach Cunningham from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.

After waiving offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton from the 53-man roster on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos filled his former spot on the active roster on Wednesday.

The Broncos have promoted linebacker Zach Cunningham from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, the team announced. Throckmorton, meanwhile, cleared waivers on Wednesday and he is set to re-sign with the practice squad officially on Thursday.

Throckmorton and Cunningham have essentially swapped places on the active roster and practice squad this week. Cunningham was out of practice squad elevations, as was fellow inside linebacker Kwon Alexander.

Denver’s active roster is now full, which presumably means wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) will not be activated from injured reserve this week. The Broncos have to make a decision on Reynolds before Dec. 4. If he is not activated to the 53-man roster before that deadline, Reynolds will spend the rest of the season on injured reserve.

Speaking of injuries, Denver was not required to release an injury report on Wednesday because the team plays on Monday in Week 13. Broncos coach Sean Payton declined to provide an injury update after Wednesday’s practice, so there’s no word yet on the statuses of cornerback Riley Moss and defensive lineman Zach Allen.

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Former Commanders’ first-round pick signs with Vikings

A former Commanders’ first-round pick has a new home.

Former Washington linebacker Jamin Davis has a new home. On Tuesday, the 2021 first-round draft pick signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ 53-man roster.

The Commanders released the 25-year-old Davis on Oct. 22, and he signed with the Green Bay Packers practice squad the following week. He remained on Green Bay’s practice squad until signing with Minnesota.

The Commanders moved Davis to defensive end this past offseason after he spent his first three seasons at linebacker. Once Washington signed Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, Davis’ future was in question. The Commanders moved him to defensive end, where he worked exclusively with assistant coach and Washington’s all-time sack leader, Ryan Kerrigan, on rushing the passer. Coaches praised Davis for embracing the change and working hard, but the Commanders ultimately needed the roster spot and had other defensive ends they liked better.

Davis appeared in 50 games for the Commanders with 36 starts, recording 282 tackles, seven sacks and one interception.

Broncos activate LB Drew Sanders to 53-man roster

The Broncos have activated LB Drew Sanders from the PUP list to the 53-man roster. He’s back.

The Denver Broncos have activated linebacker Drew Sanders from the physically unable perform list to the 53-man roster, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Sanders (6-4, 233 pounds) was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Arkansas. He started four games at inside linebacker out of necessity as a rookie before being moved to outside linebacker.

Sanders tore his Achilles this spring but has since recovered and he returned to practice three weeks ago. Denver had room for him on the active roster after waiving tight end Greg Dulcich on Tuesday (Dulcich was picked up by the New York Giants).

Now the Broncos will have to decide which position Sanders will play following his return.

“It’s a work in progress,” Denver general manager George Paton said when asked about Sanders’ position on Feb. 27. “We thought he finished well on the edge. We’re going sit down with Drew and the coaches, and we’ve had those meetings. I think he’ll probably end up on the edge, but he has the flexibility. He’s so talented. It’s hard. It’s kind of like Baron Browning. We interviewed a kid last night from Notre Dame who’s played inside and outside. It’s a blessing and sometimes it’s a curse because he can’t get settled in at one position. Once we left Drew at outside, he finished strong and so we feel good about Drew moving forward.”

Broncos inside linebackers Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham are both out of practice squad elevations and the team has strong depth at outside linebacker, so Sanders could help the team the most at inside linebacker.

If they believe his best fit is as an edge defender, though, it wouldn’t make sense to play Sanders out of position. We’ll see how Denver handles his position in the coming days. Sanders could make his 2024 debut as soon as Monday when the Broncos host the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.

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Broncos are giving trial runs to a pair of linebackers

Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham are expected to both use up their three practice squad elevations before the Broncos make a decision.

After losing inside linebacker Alex Singleton to a season-ending knee injury in September, the Denver Broncos signed veterans Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham to their practice squad.

It took the players a few weeks to get up to speed and Justin Strnad started in Singleton’s place from Weeks 4-6. Denver then elevated Alexander from the practice squad to the game-day roster in Week 7.

Practice squad players can be elevated to the game-day rost three times during a season. Alexander’s three elevations were used from Weeks 7-9. After that, the Broncos elevated Cunningham in Weeks 10 and 11. He will likely be elevated a third and final time in Week 12.

Denver seems to be giving the two linebackers a trial run before potentially deciding who ends up on the 53-man roster. Alexander got three games and Cunningham is on the verge of making his third appearance this weekend. After that, one of them could end up on the active roster for the final stretch of the season.

Cunningham did not play in his first game. He totaled three tackles on 11 snaps last week. Alexander recorded eight tackles on 65 snaps in his three appearances, including two starts.

Right now, Alexander seems like the favorite to eventually end up on the 53-man roster, but Cunningham will (presumably) get one more opportunity to impress in Week 12.

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Former Ravens’ LB takes shots at Patrick Queen signing with Steelers

Former Ravens linebacker Bart Scott criticizes Patrick Queen’s move to the Steelers ahead of the AFC North matchup in Week 11.

Bad blood is in the air, as former Ravens players are taking time to shed light on some of the biggest storylines heading into Week 11’s AFC North rivalry matchup between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Former All-Pro Ravens LB Bart Scott spent seven of his 11 years in the NFL with Baltimore, and he believes that while both sides respect each other, one thing he can’t tolerate is a traitor.

He is, of course, referencing the Steelers LB and former Raven Patrick Queen, who had a phenomenal outing in Week 10 against the Commanders.

Scott would continue his tirade, calling Queen a “Judas” for his decision to come to the Steel City in 2024, and that the Steelers’ LB switched over to “the dark side”.

Perhaps the “dark side” Scott is referencing would be Super Bowl aspirations, as Queen is a pivotal member of an outstanding 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers team looking to make a deep playoff run.

Queen will have the opportunity to silence doubters, including Scott, when his team takes on the Baltimore Ravens on November 17th, at 1:00 PM EST.

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Chiefs LB Nick Bolton describes his game-changing sack in Week 10: ‘I just had to make the layup’

Kansas City #Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton describes his game-changing sack in Week 10: ‘I just had to make the layup’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defense pitched a shutout in the second half of Sunday’s victory over the Denver Broncos. Nick Bolton made another impactful play in the game as he secured an impressive sack on Bo Nix that changed the pace the rookie quarterback was creating after two first-half touchdown passes.

“(Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve Spagnuolo) ‘Spags’ saw something throughout the week and waited for the right position to call it,” said Bolton. “It was something new we put in this week. The back went over to block (Justin Reid) J. Reid, and I was free; I just had to make the layup. I missed the last couple ones the last couple of games, so it felt good to get that one.”

The Broncos’ sack from Bolton cost them 16 yards, knocking them out of realistic field goal position and changing the game’s momentum. Nix and the Denver offense were moving smoothly in the first half, and the Bolton sack was a much-needed message to turn the tide back to Kansas City’s defensive dominance.

“I think he did a good job playing within the system,” said Bolton of Nix’s performance. “He had a couple of tough throws. I thought we could have done a better job mixing up our looks and make him think a little bit more pre-snap. Overall, I thought he played a pretty decent game today.”

Bolton praised the young Broncos star in his first AFC West battle with the Chiefs. Both teams will meet in Denver in the final week of the regular season.

Drew Sanders’ returns will complicate Broncos’ roster decisions

Drew Sanders is one of seven players who could soon return to the Broncos’ 53-man roster, and Denver will have to make room on the squad.

The Denver Broncos are going to have some tough roster decisions to make in the coming days.

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) returned to practice on Wednesday, starting his 21-day window to return from the physically unable to perform list. There’s no guarantee Sanders will be activated to the 53-man roster in time for Sunday’s game, but he will likely return to the active roster within the next three weeks.

Sanders is one of seven players who could soon return to the 53-man roster, which will create some tough decisions for Denver’s staff. Not everyone will return at the same time — and other players could go on IR in the coming weeks — but the roster juggling will start soon for the Broncos.

“l am [excited],” coach Sean Payton said of getting players back from injuries. “All of these guys… Reentry for a veteran player, it just depends on the injury, the player and the position, but absolutely [excited about] having these guys get healthy because it’s week-to-week.

“This upcoming Monday after the game, they’ll be a curve ball, there always is [with injuries]. Being healthier, having more depth can help you, but it’s good to have those guys back out there.”

Payton later noted creating spots for players returning from injuries is “always a challenge” and “a little bit of a puzzle.”

The puzzle pieces will likely begin falling into place this weekend. Denver linebacker Kwon Alexander is out of practice squad elevations, so he will likely be promoted to the 53-man roster. Broncos center Luke Wattenberg is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, too.

Denver has one open spot on the active roster after trading pass rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals. The Broncos will probably have to create at least one more roster spot this week. Stay tuned.

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Is T.J. Watt’s dominant start foreshadowing another D.P.O.Y award?

T.J. Watt’s 2024 campaign showcases dominance, aiming for his second D.P.O.Y. award with elite performances in his 8 games played.

T.J. Watt continues to prove week in and week out that he is a force to be reckoned with for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whether he is sacking the quarterback, forcing a fumble, or stuffing the run, one thing remains certain—Watt is inevitable.

Watt’s 2024 resume speaks for itself. Through 8 games played, his four forced fumbles are tied for first, his ten tackles for loss are tied for second, his nine QB hits are tied for fifth, and his six and a half sacks are tied for ninth.

The former 2021 D.P.O.Y. winner is looking to build on this fantastic statistical output and put together an undeniable campaign to win the illustrious award for a second time.

DraftKings currently has Watt as the odds-on favorite to win the award through nine weeks, ahead of elite defenders such as Kansas City Chiefs’ DT Chris Jones, New York Giants’ DT Dexter Lawrence, Houston Texans’ EDGE Will Anderson Jr., and Detroit Lions Safety Kerby Joseph.

Can Watt achieve his second D.P.O.Y. award in 2024, or will his efforts result in him being snubbed once again?

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Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo discusses Joshua Uche’s role: ‘I’m not sure’

Kansas City Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo discusses Joshua Uche’s role: ‘I’m not sure’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ recent trade with the New England Patriots has landed them one of the best young pass rushers in the league. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke to reporters on Friday for the first time since acquiring Joshua Uche, sharing his thoughts on his potential role on the team.

“I’m not sure what will happen this Monday – I mean, it’s quick, but (Defensive Line Coach) Joe’s (Cullen) doing – Joe and (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) Terry (Bradden) are doing the best they can to get him (Joshua Uche) up to date on the things we’re doing,” said Spagnuolo. “We just went through a walk-through there, and he got involved in it, so that’s good. We’ll see where we’re at. Hopefully, we get some edge rush out of him. I know he’s a good football player – a lot of good things about him – all the research we did. Mike Danna played with him. I remember talking to Mike about him as a teammate, and everything came back positive, so (we’ll) keep our fingers crossed and be hopeful.”

Uche has two sacks this season and will be counted on in various ways for Spagnuolo’s defense during the stretch run. The relationship with former college teammate Mike Danna should help the learning curve and possibly get Uche on the field for Monday night.

How realistic is a blockbuster LB trade between AFC North rivals?

With the rumored departure of Cleveland’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, would the team trade their star player to Pittsburgh for the right price?

There is no love lost in the bitter rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. While trades within the same division are rare, these AFC North rivals have made deals before. Notable trades occurred in 1968, 1973, 1984, 1993, and most recently in 2017, when WR Sammie Coates and a 2019 seventh-round pick were sent to Cleveland in exchange for the Browns’ 2018 sixth-round pick.

One recent and exciting revelation swirling around the trade deadline rumor mill is that the Cleveland Browns have been receiving trade calls for their star LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. While the Steelers have other pressing needs on the roster, LB Patrick Queen’s performance has been inconsistent, to say the least.

Owusu-Koramoah is currently ranked 3rd out of 154 eligible linebackers against the run, per PFF. Even if the Browns were to entertain sending their linebacker to the Steel City, how much draft capital would the Steelers send back to their rivals?

The Cleveland Browns’ linebacker would make an already great Steelers’ defense even more spectacular. This likely speaks volumes to how unlikely this trade speculation is; however, unlikely circumstances, such as Cleveland’s urgency to sell at the November 5th trade deadline, could allow certain rarities to take place.

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