Tag: physically unable to perform

Saints add veteran tight end Miller Forristall to training camp PUP list

The New Orleans Saints added veteran tight end Miller Forristall to the PUP list before training camp, meaning six players are sidelined by injuries to open camp:

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There’s no need to panic — this happens every summer. But it’s still discouraging to see a New Orleans Saints team that’s been plagued by injuries in recent years opening training camp with at least six players sidelined.

On Thursday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire, the Saints announced that veteran tight end Miller Forristall will open camp on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) due to an undisclosed injury. Like the other players on the list he can be activated at any time; last year, Michael Thomas started camp on the PUP list and was a full participant at practice the next day.

Forristall, a former starter at Alabama in college, was signed on a reserve/future contract earlier this year after starting his NFL career with stops on the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns. He’s known more for his blocking ability than his receiving skills, but the tight end-friendly Saints offense should offer him opportunities to compete for a roster spot once healthy.

Here are all of the players currently on the PUP list:

  • OL Nick Saldiveri (rookie from Old Dominion)
  • CB Anthony Johnson (rookie from Virginia)
  • TE Miller Forristall

And these three players on the non-football injury list, which works the same way in practicality but carries some minor contractual differences for bookkeeping purposes. Hopefully they all return to good health soon:

  • RB Kendre Miller (rookie from TCU)
  • WR A.T. Perry (rookie from Wake Forest)
  • WR Shaquan Davis (rookie from South Carolina State)

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Rashaad Penny, Quinton Dunbar officially return to Seahawks practice

Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny and cornerback Quinton Dunbar have officially been designated to return to practice in Week 14.

The Seattle Seahawks began their workweek preparing to face the New York Jets on Wednesday with two familiar faces back on the field – running back Rashaad Penny and cornerback Quinton Dunbar. Both players have been officially designated to return to practice as expected.

Penny has spent the entire season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, recovering from the ACL tear he suffered one year ago against the Rams.

“We’re really excited to get him back on the field with us,” coach Pete Carroll had said Monday. “It’s just been a long haul. It’s very meaningful for him to get back out there. You really want to see him bang his breaks and really get down and hit it and give good tempo in practice.

“I’ve said it the whole time, the last thing we’re going to do is rush the timing of this.”

Dunbar is now eligible to return from injured reserve after his placement due to a nagging knee injury.

Penny and Dunbar don’t count against the 53-man roster until they are officially activated.

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Sunday’s performance could open up big role for Phil Haynes in 2020

Seattle Seahawks guard Phil Haynes impressed on Sunday against the Packers, in what amounted to an audition for a bigger role in 2020.

For most of the second half in Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Seattle Seahawks employed rookie Phil Haynes at left guard in place of Jamarco Jones.

It was the first game action for Haynes, save for a single snap on special teams in the wild card game against Philadelphia.

Haynes battled a sports hernia during training camp and was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for the first six weeks of the season. He was activated on November 5, but spent the rest of the year as a reserve, just trying to get caught up after missing so much time.

Haynes evidently did enough to earn playing time on Sunday, and he took advantage of the opportunity, impressing coach Pete Carroll in what amounted to an audition for a job in 2020.

“Phil did a good job,” Carroll said on Monday afternoon. “What we’ve seen in Phillip is that he’s really strong and he plays real square. He did it in that game, he did very well. Was really pleased to see him, he’s had such little play time since he’s been here, so it was great to see him do well.”

Starting left guard Mike Iupati is a free agent, and right guard D.J. Fluker could opt out of his contract and test free agency as well, so there’s definitely an opportunity for Haynes to step into a starting role in 2020.

Time will tell if he gets that chance, but having a strong performance under his belt, in a playoff game no less, certainly helps his odds.

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