Tag: Sean McKeon

Tight End Shuffle: Cowboys put Hendershot on IR, move McKeon to active roster

From @ToddBrock24f7: An ankle injury suffered in practice late last month has already sidelined Hendershot for 2 games; now it will cost him at least four more.

Peyton Hendershot injured an ankle in practice back on Sept. 29. It’s already sidelined the second-year tight end for two games; now it’s going to cost him at least four more.

The Cowboys placed Hendershot on injured reserve Thursday. The soonest he can return to action is Nov. 19’s away game versus Carolina.

To take his place on the 53-man active roster, the club signed fourth-year veteran Sean McKeon from the practice squad.

McKeon had been elevated from the practice squad in both Weeks 4 and 5 to provide depth in Hendershot’s absence. Though he has not recorded any receptions or gotten any targets in the passing game, the former Michigan Wolverine did make a key play in the team’s 38-3 romp over New England.

After blocking on a fourth-quarter KaVontae Turpin run, McKeon hustled behind the speedster and was in perfect position to fall on the ball after Turpin fumbled it 50 yards downfield.

After a promising rookie season by Hendershot, the undrafted free agent out of Indiana has failed to make much of a statistical impact thus far in 2023. He dropped a surefire touchdown on his only target of the season opener, his lone touch in Week 2 was an ill-advised goal-line run that was snuffed out, and he caught one pass for three yards versus Arizona.

Now he’ll have at least four more weeks to mend an ankle injury that “has not progressed as hoped,” per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

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McKeon’s signing to the active roster opened up a slot on the practice squad, one that was filled with newly-acquired free agent linebacker Rashaan Evans.

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7 recently cut or waived players Raiders should consider adding

Still some talent out there to be had from roster cuts. Here are 7 of them the Raiders should consider adding.

There are always a few players that teams cut who instantly stun a lot of people. Many of those players are talented enough or fit another team’s need so well, that they are scooped up quickly or claimed off waivers. But not all of them.

Some players still slip through and either remain unsigned or join a team’s practice squad.

Either way, what many refer to as the “final 53-man roster” is anything but final. A better term is “initial 53” because more moves inevitably occur afterward.

Sometimes those moves are a team seeing a player or players become available that they like better than those they kept initially. Other moves include injured players who the team expects to have back in short order, but in order to be added to the IR Designated for Return list, those players must be on the roster after the initial cuts are made.

Now that the dust has settled from the cuts, signings, and claims, I have compiled a list of those players still out there who the Raiders should consider adding this week as they prepare for the season opener.

Is there any fantasy football value among Cowboys tight ends?

What will life after Dalton Schultz look like among Dallas’ tight ends?

On the heels of a 78-808-8 effort in 2021, the Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Dalton Schultz, who looked to be emerging as a top-tier, pass-catching tight end. Schultz reportedly spurned a three-year extension and played out the tag, hauling in 57 passes for 577 yards and five TDs over 15 appearances last season. He then ended up settling for a one-year deal with the Houston Texans in March.

Schultz’s departure creates a camp battle between a pair of returning options in Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot, and rookie Luke Schoonmaker. Let’s look at all three players to see which one(s), if any, deserve fantasy consideration.

Cowboys tight ends fear monetary fine for Whac-A-Mole stunt, Dak Prescott promises help

The Cowboys’ tight ends came up with a TD celebration that could draw a fine; Dak Prescott told them they would get help if it happens. | From @ToddBrock24f7

After a sloppy first half that looked like an awkward Thanksgiving get-together, the Cowboys tight ends took over after intermission, playing the role of the fun uncles who assume control of game night and make sure everyone leaves with a smile.

Dalton Schultz and Peyton Hendershot scored all three of the Cowboys’ second-half touchdowns, while Schultz and Jake Ferguson combined to catch all seven of their total targets from quarterback Dak Prescott and contribute 88 receiving yards in the 28-20 win over the New York Giants.

By the end of the evening, it felt like the tight ends- along with fourth-stringer Sean McKeon- were simply toying with the Giants. So it was perhaps fitting that the foursome ganged up for a group celebration after Hendershot’s two-yard rushing score that kicked it old school all the way back to the Chuck E. Cheese days.

Ferguson, the rookie out of Wisconsin, says he came up with the Whac-A-Mole idea upon seeing the iconic red kettles in the end zones AT&T Stadium.

“I think we just saw the kettle and we were brainstorming in the tight end room, like, ‘What can we do? I think we can pop up and down.'” Ferguson explained. “I was like, ‘What about if all three of us are in there, we just play Whac-A-Mole?’ Because we knew Peyton had that play in for a couple of weeks, and we knew he was going to get in there and have an opportunity.”

That all four tight ends were on the field together made the moment even better. The celebration, of course, recalled a mid-December game in 2016 when running back Ezekiel Elliott leaped into the kettle after scoring on a run versus Tampa Bay. He drew a 15-yard penalty.

“I definitely have to give them their props,” Elliott said Thursday night of his teammates’ more elaborate sequel. “They topped me. They topped my kettle celebrations. I’m a little jealous they didn’t let me in on it. But I love those tight ends; we’ve got a hell of a tight end room. All four of them are playing great ball.”

In 2018, Elliott upped the ante by dropping $21 cash in the kettle after a Thanksgiving Day touchdown against Washington. Later in the same game, he picked up Prescott and deposited him in the bucket, too. He was flagged again and subsequently fined $13,369 by the league for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Thursday’s new kettle celebration wasn’t flagged on the field. And the team’s leaders told the tight ends not to worry about any monetary punishments that may be levied.

“It was great,” Prescott told reporters of the Whac-A-Mole stunt. “The guys told me about it earlier in the week. They were worried about getting fined or getting a penalty. We said, ‘Make sure you are up two touchdowns. We have a couple of guys that can help with the fines, so go for it.'”

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Dalton Schultz, and the Cowboys budding 2022 tight end dilemma

The Dallas Cowboys have a number of tough decisions to make in free agency, including what to do at tight end with Dalton Schultz. | From @AsaHenry_55

The more homegrown talent an NFL team develops, the more tough free agency decisions they eventually have make. The Dallas Cowboys are a great example of this, as they have championship aspirations entering the 2022 season, but are currently more than $20 million over the salary cap with two dozen upcoming free agents.

One of those talented players the Cowboys may be in danger of losing to the highest bidder is tight end Dalton Schultz. The former Stanford standout is coming off a career year where he established himself firmly atop the Cowboys depth chart. However, given the remaining tight ends on their roster, along with the other free agents Dallas has to deal with, the Cowboys with have a hard choice to make regarding re-signing Schultz at his market value.

WATCH: Cowboys’ Sean McKeon scores first career TD to pull close

After a rough start, Dallas matched the Raiders early touchdown with one of their own.

The start of the game is exactly what the doctor didn’t order. The Cowboys pulled out the old run-run-pass-short-of-the-sticks for a three and out on the opening possession. After a big punt return by Hunter Renfrow, Derek Carr found Desean Jackson, yes that Desean Jackson, for a 56-yard catch and run score.

But the malaise from Week 11 would go no further. Quarterback Dak Prescott led a phenomenal response drive, finding a slew of backup pass catchers to help things out. First it was Noah Brown, then it was a play where he showed elite patience until Cedrick Wilson came free. Finally, Prescott found backup tight end Sean McKeon for the score.

Dallas missed the extra point and trails 7-6 in the first quarter.

Kelvin Joseph among Cowboys back at practice, Elliott limited, Dan Quinn straps on helmet for drills

Kelvin Joseph, Donovan Wilson, and Sean McKeon were back. Trevon Diggs sat out; Elliott was limited. And Dan Quinn wore a helmet for drills. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Cowboys executive vice president said earlier in the week that none of the team’s injured reserve players would be likely to play in Week 6 versus New England. But that doesn’t mean the clock hasn’t started on the return to action for some of them.

Rookie cornerback Kelvin Joseph and tight end Sean McKeon were set to participate in the individual portion of practice on Wednesday, head coach Mike McCarthy said in the morning’s press conference. With the designation to return placed on the two players, the Cowboys can activate either within the next 21 days. It sounds, though, as if the coaching staff will take a slow and easy approach, bringing them back more fully after the Week 7 bye.

Safety Donovan Wilson also practiced once again in a limited fashion, his first action after missing four straight games with a groin injury.

In other news from Wednesday’s session, cornerback Trevon Diggs (ankle) did not practice, nor did safety Damontae Kazee (hip). Defensive end Dorance Armstrong remained sidelined as well with an ankle injury.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott was limited, still sore from the blow he took to his lower back and ribs when he landed on a sideline pylon during Sunday’s win over the Giants. He fully expects to be ready for this week’s game in Foxborough.

 

Wednesday’s practice was held inside The Star at Frisco due to inclement weather in the Dallas area.

The most unusual development from the day’s drills, though, was defensive coordinator Dan Quinn pulling on a helmet to do some one-on-one (and head-to-head) instructional work with his unit.

According to Jon Machota from The Athletic, the “Cowboys are expecting more cut blocks this week, so Quinn was putting more emphasis on that in practice.”

He added this observation from linebacker Micah Parsons: “That’s the type of hands-on coach he is. My man put a helmet on and started diving at knees.”

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CB Kelvin Joseph, DT Neville Gallimore among Cowboys moved to short-term IR

Six players now go on the Injured Reserve-Return list, meaning they can be made active after 3 weeks; five of those spots have been filled. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys continued their personnel shell game on Thursday, changing the official designation on several players as they work to finalize the active squad before Week 1.

According to the team website, six players- cornerback Kelvin Joseph, offensive tackle Josh Ball, wide receiver Malik Turner, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, tight end Sean McKeon, and linebacker Francis Bernard- have been placed on the Injured Reserve/Return list.

That classification is available only to players who were on the active roster; though hurt, all six were on the official 53-man roster when final cuts were made on Tuesday. Now they’ll make a short-term move to the IR-to-Return list, meaning each of them is eligible to come back to the active roster after three weeks.

Such strategic shuffling was all part of the Cowboys’ master plan. With those six active spots open, the Cowboys activated CeeDee Lamb, Damontae Kazee, and Carlos Watkins from the Reserve/COVID list. They also re-signed long snapper Jake McQuaide as expected, and they officially signed veteran running back Corey Clement, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles and a casualty of the New York Giants’ camp cuts this week. Cowboys punter Bryan Anger will “be coming back, probably in 48 hours,” coach Mike McCarthy said on Thursday.

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Cowboys News: Dak, Gallimore, McKeon injury updates; who are first cut candidates?

The team got encouraging news on several injuries, plus a look at Jaylon Smith’s play from Friday night that looked more 2020 than 2018. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The weekend brought some clarity to the Cowboys’ list of dinged-up players. Dak Prescott looks to be healing on schedule, as up-and-coming players Neville Gallimore and Sean McKeon will be sidelined for just a little while (instead of a long while). Randy Gregory is expected back soon, as is Dalton Schultz. Cue the annual debate about whether preseason games do much of anything but cause needless injuries.

Plenty of other roster watching to do this week as the first cut date looms. Linebacker Jaylon Smith finds himself under the microscope again for a less-than-optimal performance versus Arizona, Zack Martin is recognized by his peers, Trevon Diggs carries some extra weight in his second season, and we look at how rookie lineman Matt Farniok could play a key role (or two of even three) in the Cowboys offense. All that, plus a look inside what Dak Prescott means when he says he’s “taking a mental rep,” and why fans coming to Cowboys home games should be on the lookout for a familiar face in the seat next to them. Here’s the News and Notes to get your week started.

Cowboys TE Sean McKeon out for game after ankle injury

The Cowboys watched TE Sean McKeon impressed so far in 2021 and in the second preseason game, he went down with an ankle injury. | From @CDBurnett7

The Cowboys managed to get out of the first preseason game without any real injuries, but the second game hasn’t been so kind. After defensive tackle Neville Gallimore exited with an arm injury, tight end Sean McKeon went down with an ankle injury, needing the cart to take him to the locker room after attempting to walk on the injury.

McKeon is out for the remainder of the game but the details of the ankle injury are yet to be known. After the injury to starting tight end Blake Jarwin in 2020, McKeon earned some playing time as an undrafted rookie, mainly on special teams.

In the 2021 training camp, McKeon has impressed and was trending towards earning a roster spot and real playing time alongside Jarwin and Dalton Schultz. The Michigan product had two catches for 26 yards against the Steelers in the Hall of Fame Game and could be out for an extended time.