9 potential cuts around the NFL the Ravens could be interested in

The Baltimore Ravens love a bargain in free agency and could look to other teams’ salary cap casualties this offseason to fill needs cheaply

NFL free agency comes in a few waves every year. Though all the attention is focused on the big-name players who have expiring contracts, the salary-cap casualties are often the free agents the Baltimore Ravens are most interested in. Around the NFL’s Gregg Rosenthal looked at a bunch of players who could get cut this offseason.

Though they have more salary-cap space expected than in previous years, I’d suspect that will once again be their strategy this offseason as they look to fill their needs with value additions.

In addition to typically being cheaper options, cut players don’t count against the compensatory pick formula. The Ravens love to play against that formula to get something in return for departing players they couldn’t afford. With outside linebacker Matthew Judon among the 21 pending free agents potentially on the way out, being savvy with who they sign would be wise for Baltimore to once again game that system this year.

Here are the 9 potential cuts that would be intriguing for the Ravens this offseason.

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

EDGE Trent Murphy, Buffalo Bills

Though Murphy never quite lived up to his second-round status for the Washington Redskins, he’s still been a productive member of the Bills since being drafted. Over the last three years, Murphy has 18 sacks and started 26 of the 45 games he’s been active for.

He’s not the star player many fans would want but he’s an impact contributor who could likely be signed for a steal when compared to the top pass rushers that will hit free agency. If the Ravens are trying to completely restock their outside linebacker depth chart this offseason, Murphy would likely find a good role given Baltimore only had one player (Matthew Judon) with more sacks in 2019.

3 Broncos who may become cap casualties

The Denver Broncos could save nearly $18 million against the salary cap by moving on from these three players.

The Denver Broncos could potentially save some money against the salary cap this offseason by releasing three veteran players.

Of course, there is still the contract of Joe Flacco on the books and the decision on what to do with him remains to be seen. Will the team be able to talk him into sticking around as a veteran backup to Drew Lock, or will the Broncos cut ties and choose to eat over $13 million in dead money?

Though that sounds like a lose-lose situation to many, there are some moves the team can make to get some money back.

Recently, I have talked about pending free agents the team should move on from as well as free agents the team should re-sign. But in order to fully evaluate the roster, the team must also consider players that are not scheduled to become free agents.

The three players below are all guys that the Broncos could and probably should move on from due to a combination of lack of production as well as a way to get back some cap space.

All figures were taken from Over the Cap

1. Ron Leary, guard

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Dead money: $875,000

Cap savings: $8.5 million

Leary has a club option for the 2019 season and the Broncos choosing not to pick that up is a no-brainer.

The signing of the veteran offensive lineman seemed like a great move when it was made, but he has been a disappointment for the team.

Leary has yet to play in a full 16-game season for the Broncos and out of a possible 48 games, he has played in just 29 as various injuries have forced him to end multiple seasons on injured reserve.

Broncos injuries: 2 offensive linemen ruled out for Week 16

View the final injury report for Sunday’s game between the Broncos and Lions.

The Denver Broncos have ruled out two starting offensive linemen for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Guard Ron Leary (concussion) and offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) won’t suit up in Week 16.

Defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee) will be placed on injured reserve.

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, nose tackle Kyle Peko (illness), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle), linebacker Joe Jones (back), defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (ankle), guard Dalton Risner (illness) and tight end Noah Fant (shoulder) are listed as questionable.

Center Patrick Morris (back) has been cleared to play.

The Lions’ injury report will be added to this post once available.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. David Blough is expected to start against the Broncos in Week 16 with Kyle Sloter serving as his backup.

Sunday’s game will air on CBS at 2:05 p.m. MT (view the TV map here).

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Broncos injuries: Adam Gotsis will be placed on injured reserve

Click here to view the Broncos vs. Lions injury report from Thursday.

The Broncos will place defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee) on injured reserve, coach Vic Fangio announced Thursday. Gotsis recently underwent season-ending surgery on his ACL and meniscus. Denver will make a corresponding roster move after placing Gotsis on IR.

Meanwhile, guard Ron Leary (concussion), offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) and nose tackle Kyle Peko (illness) were held out of practice Thursday. Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, center Patrick Morris (back), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle), linebacker Joe Jones (back), defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (ankle), guard Dalton Risner (illness) and tight end Noah Fant (shoulder) were listed as limited.

For the Lions, defensive tackle Damon Harrison (knee/calf/non-injury related), linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring) and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (shoulder) were held out of practice. Linebacker Christian Jones (shoulder), running back Bo Scarbrough (ribs) and offensive tackle Rick Wagner (knee) were limited.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. David Blough is expected to start against the Broncos in Week 16 with Kyle Sloter serving as his backup.

Sunday’s game will air on CBS at 2:05 p.m. MT (view the TV map here).

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Broncos injuries: 5 players did not practice Wednesday

The Broncos held out five injured players from practice Wednesday.

Five Broncos players — guard Ron Leary (concussion), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle), offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee) and guard Dalton Risner (illness) — were held out of practice Wednesday.

Leary and James were both inactive last week and coach Vic Fangio indicated before practice Wednesday that they might be held out again on Sunday.

“Ron is still having difficulties with his concussion, so I don’t think it looks good right now,” Fangio said. “Ja’Wuan probably won’t play either.”

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, linebacker Joe Jones (back), defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (ankle) and tight end Noah Fant (shoulder) were listed as limited.

For the Lions, linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring) and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (shoulder) were held out of practice. Linebacker Christian Jones (shoulder), running back Bo Scarbrough (ribs) and offensive tackle Rick Wagner (knee) were limited.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. David Blough is expected to start against the Broncos in Week 16 with Kyle Sloter serving as his backup.

Sunday’s game will begin at 2:05 p.m. MT and will air on CBS.

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Broncos announce 7 inactive players for Week 15

The Broncos and Chiefs have announced their inactive players for Week 14.

The Denver Broncos (5-8) will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) in Week 15 of the 2019 NFL season on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 11:00 a.m. MT. The game will air on CBS and in-market fans can stream the contest using FuboTV (try it free).

Denver announced that the following seven players will be inactive:

  1. OL Ron Leary (concussion)
  2. RT Ja’Wuan James (knee)
  3. DL DeMarcus Walker (ankle)
  4. DL Adam Gotsis (knee)
  5. DL Dre’Mont Jones (ankle)
  6. CB Shakial Taylor
  7. OL Calvin Anderson

Kansas City’s inactives list can be seen below:

 

The Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West but the Broncos are within reach of the playoffs. Denver will have a chance to claim the AFC’s sixth seed by finishing the year 3-0 and getting some help from other teams.

To finish the year 3-0, the Broncos will have to start by beating Kansas City, something they haven’t done in eight games. Denver is considered a 9.5-point underdog on the road.

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Broncos injuries: 2 starting offensive linemen ruled out

The Broncos and Chiefs have revealed their final injury reports for Week 15 of the NFL season.

Denver Broncos guard Ron Leary (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, coach Vic Fangio announced Friday. Right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) has also been ruled out, leaving Denver thin on the offensive line.

With Leary and James out, Austin Schlottmann (guard) and Elijah Wilkinson (tackle) will likely serve as fill-in offensive linemen this week.

In addition to Leary and James, wide receiver Juwann Winfree (hamstring), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle) and defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee) have also been ruled out.

Elsewhere on the Broncos’ injury report, defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones (ankle), inside linebacker Joe Jones (back) and tight end Noah Fant (hip/foot) are listed as questionable.

Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (foot), inside linebacker Alexander Johnson (knee), outside linebacker Von Miller (knee), nose tackle Mike Purcell (shoulder/knee), and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (shoulder) have been cleared to play.

For the Chiefs, cornerback Morris Claiborne (shoulder) and cornerback Rashad Fenton (hamstring) have been ruled out. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (hand) fully practiced all week and will play on Sunday.

Sunday’s game will air on CBS at 11:00 a.m. MT (view the TV map here).

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Broncos injuries: Noah Fant returns to practice

Broncos tight end Noah Fant practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

After sitting out practice Wednesday, Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (hip/foot) was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday. The Broncos remain hopeful that Fant will be able to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Fant returned Thurday but right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones (ankle), guard Ron Leary (concussion), wide receiver Juwann Winfree (hamstring), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle) and inside linebacker Joe Jones (back) were held out of practice.

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee), outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (foot), inside linebacker Alexander Johnson (knee), outside linebacker Von Miller (knee), nose tackle Mike Purcell (shoulder/knee), and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (shoulder) are listed as limited.

For the Chiefs, cornerback Morris Claiborne (shoulder), defensive end Frank Clark (illness/shoulder) and cornerback Rashad Fenton (hamstring) were held out of practice. Running back Damien Williams (rib) and guard Andrew Wylie (shoulder) were limited. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (hand) fully practiced Wednesday.

Sunday’s game will air on CBS at 11:00 a.m. MT (view the TV map here).

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Broncos injuries: Von Miller limited at practice Thursday

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (knee) was limited at practice Thursday.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was limited at practice again Thursday after also being limited Wednesday. The team remains hopeful that Miller will be able to play against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, guard Ron Leary was listed as “did not participate” as he is still in the league’s concussion protocol. Safety Will Parks (hand), outside linebacker Malik Reed (ankle/shoulder), inside linebacker Alexander Johnson (knee) and center Connor McGovern (knee) were listed as limited.

For the Texans, running back Taiwan Jones (hamstring) was held out of practice. Cornerback Gareon Conley (hip), wide receiver Will Fuller (hamstring), cornerback Bradley Roby (hamstring/toe), linebacker Brennan Scarlett (shoulder) tight end Jordan Akins (knee) and defensive end Carlos Watkins (hamstring) were limited Thursday.

Both teams will practice again Friday and then release a final injury report for Week 14. Sunday’s game will begin at 11:00 a.m. MT and will air on CBS.

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Broncos injuries: Von Miller limited at practice Wednesday

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday.

After sitting out Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a lingering knee injury, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was limited at practice Wednesday. That seems like a good sign after Miller was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Monday that he is hopeful that Miller will be able to play against the Houston Texans in Week 14. Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, guard Ron Leary was listed as “did not participate” Wednesday as he is still in the league’s concussion protocol.

Safety Will Parks (hand) and outside linebacker Malik Reed (ankle/shoulder) were also held out of practice. Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (lower leg), running back Royce Freeman (ribs), inside linebacker Alexander Johnson (knee) and center Connor McGovern (knee) were limited.

For the Texans, running back Taiwan Jones (hamstring) was held out of practice. Cornerback Gareon Conley (hip), wide receiver Will Fuller (hamstring), cornerback Bradley Roby (hamstring/toe), linebacker Brennan Scarlett (shoulder) and defensive end Carlos Watkins (hamstring) were limited.

Sunday’s game will begin at 11:00 a.m. MT and will air on CBS.

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