Tag: wide receivers

New England Patriots sign former Wisconsin wide receiver to practice squad

New England Patriots sign former Wisconsin wide receiver to practice squad

The New England Patriots signed former Wisconsin wide receiver Alex Erickson to its practice squad on Wednesday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The Patriots make to move to address their depth at the position. Rookie pass-catcher Javon Baker reportedly suffered a concussion and second-year wide receiver JaQuae Jackson suffered a leg injury in August. That leaves just Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas and Ja’Lynn Polk on the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart. It presents a clear opportunity for Erickson to return to an active roster.

Erickson, who played college football at Wisconsin from 2012-15, last suited up for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023. He registered 16 receptions for 232 yards and one receiving touchdown in eight games that season.

Erickson previously played five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2016-20 and one year with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. He appeared in 97 consecutive games during that stretch, reeled in 96 catches and notched 1,141 total receiving yards.

At Wisconsin, Erickson enjoyed a successful collegiate career under Gary Andersen and Paul Chryst. The Darlington, Wisconsin native appeared in 40 games over three seasons and finished his career ranked 10th in school history in receiving yards (1,877)  and sixth in receptions (141).

He will now look to see the turf alongside budding quarterback Drake Maye for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season.

Wisconsin offers promising FBS transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin offers promising FBS transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin extended an offer to Charlotte transfer wide receiver O’Mega Blake on Monday.

Since Dec. 12, Colorado State, Florida State, Arkansas, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Utah and Wisconsin have all extended offers to the experienced Division I pass-catcher.

Blake registered 32 receptions, 795 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 12 contests with Charlotte in 2024. His most impressive performance arrived on Nov. 23 against Florida Atlantic: 205 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Prior to his stint with the 49ers, Blake spent three seasons at South Carolina from 2021-23. There, he reeled in 20 catches for 251 yards and two touchdowns in 16 career appearances.

As a recruit, he was considered the No. 9 player in South Carolina, No. 108 at wide receiver, and No. 697 in the country for the class of 2021 by 247Sports.

Blake becomes the latest target to join Wisconsin’s transfer portal interest pool. He, Kansas State redshirt freshman wide receiver Tre Spivey and Cal freshman pass-catcher Nyziah Hunter are players UW has targeted to fill the program’s need at outside receiver.

UW is also reportedly planned a visit for former top-55 overall recruit and Ohio State wide receiver Jayden Ballard.

The Badgers are still looking for pass-catching weapons with several primary needs already addressed.

Steelers fans conflicted on potential reunion with Diontae Johnson

Fans are divided over whether the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider bringing Diontae Johnson back if the Ravens release him.

The grass isn’t always greener, and Diontae Johnson, along with the Baltimore Ravens, found this out the hard way. In an attempt to provide a much-needed boost to their receiver room, the Ravens took a chance on the ever-dramatic wide receiver. However, Baltimore’s greed blinded them to not only the emerging wide receiver threat already on their roster, Rashod Bateman, but also to Johnson’s tendency to self-implode.

Some fans are clamoring for the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign Johnson if he is released, but others remember his less-than-ideal attitude when he played for the Black and Gold.

One rule that came to light in 2024, due to the New York Jets’ trade for Haason Reddick, prevented the Steelers from reuniting with Johnson at the trade deadline. The rule explicitly states that teams cannot reacquire a player via trade that they previously traded away until two years have passed. However, much confusion surrounds the rule and whether the Steelers could potentially sign Johnson if he is released and clears waivers.

Here are some of the best fan reactions to the potential Black and Gold reunion with Diontae Johnson.

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Ravens excuse Diontae Johnson from team activities for Steelers game

Diontae Johnson’s struggles with the Baltimore Ravens continue as the team excuses him from activities ahead of a crucial Steelers matchup.

It appears the Baltimore Ravens are nearing a conclusion to the ‘trouble in paradise’ they have found themselves in with former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson.

Since arriving in Baltimore via trade from the Carolina Panthers, who had previously acquired Johnson in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers this past offseason, the wide receiver has done close to nothing as a Raven.

Since his arrival, Johnson has caught one pass for six yards, taken to social media to air behind-the-scenes frustrations, and was suspended for the team’s Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants.

Little has improved for Johnson, as the John Harbaugh-led Ravens announced on Monday, December 16, 2024, that the former Steelers wide receiver would be excused from team activities for the week—a week that includes the pivotal AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Is the fear of the receiver-hungry Pittsburgh Steelers reacquiring Johnson’s talents preventing the Baltimore Ravens from releasing him? Only time will tell, but a reunion with the Steel City could be on the horizon.

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Calvin Austin on the ugly truth: There’s no replacing George Pickens

Calvin Austin discusses the challenge of replacing George Pickens and emphasizes the collective effort of the receivers and coaching staff.

Calvin Austin may be an honorary member of the George Pickens fan club, or he could be the most realistic man in all of Pittsburgh.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Austin made it clear that when it comes to Pickens and his time away with a hamstring injury, there is no way to replace him with another Steelers wide receiver: “It’s hard to say anybody is similar to GP.”

Austin continued to shift the focus and pressure away from one specific player stepping up to replace Pickens, placing emphasis on the coaching staff’s ability to utilize all of the Steelers’ wide receivers’ unique strengths: “Everybody in the receiver room has different skill sets—different strengths—and the coaching staff knows that. They know how to put us in the position to be able to show that.”

Austin hit the nail right on the head—it will take all wide receivers and coaches to overcome the loss of talent that Pickens brings to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Wisconsin offers star All-MAC transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin offers star All-MAC transfer wide receiver

Wisconsin extended an offer to Miami (OH) transfer wide receiver Javon Tracy on Monday.

Tracy is one of seven players to earn a public offer from Wisconsin since the transfer portal window opened on Dec. 9. He becomes the first offensive player to pocket an offer and the second player from Miami (Ohio), alongside cornerback Raion Strader.

Louisiana Tech transfer defensive end David Blay, Elon defensive end Cazeem Moore, Richmond safety Matthew Traynor, Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger and Chattanooga linebacker Alex Mitchell also received offers from the Badgers on Monday.

In addition to Wisconsin, Tracy received offers from Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Michigan State and Minnesota after officially entering the portal.

The 6-foot, 206-pound wide receiver put together his most impressive season with the RedHawks in 2024. In 13 games, Tracy snagged 57 receptions for 818 yards and seven touchdowns en route to a First Team All-MAC honor as a redshirt sophomore. He notched a season-best 10 receptions, 119 receiving yards and one touchdown against Toledo on Oct. 5.

https://twitter.com/javon_tracy/status/1866281611374764208

Wisconsin’s need for playmakers on the outside became apparent following the departure of talented speedster Trech Kekahuna earlier this month. The Badgers’ current wide receiver room is headlined by Vinny Anthony II and Will Pauling, and is certainly in need of some juice.

Tracy’s offers will likely balloon as long as he remains in the portal. He led Miami in both catches and receptions in 2024 and enters the portal with 30 games, 79 receptions, 1,166 receiving yards and nine touchdowns under his belt.

Javon is also the younger brother of New York Giants’ running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Wisconsin top class of 2026 WR target includes Badgers in final list

Wisconsin top class of 2026 WR target includes Badgers in final list

Wisconsin top class of 2026 wide receiver target Naeem Burroughs included the Badgers in his list of final schools on Thursday.

Burroughs is yet another top class of 2026 recruit to include Wisconsin as a finalist dating back to late October. Top-ranked offensive players, including four-star interior offensive lineman Leo Delaney, four-star running back Shahn Alston, and four-star iOL Ben Nichols, accompany Burroughs on that list.

Burroughs, who included the Badgers in his final 11 in July 2024, now includes them in his top six along with Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida State, Texas and Florida.

If the last name sounds familiar to Badger fans, that’s because Naeem is the younger brother of current Wisconsin wide receiver Quincy Burroughs. Naeem is a much more talented high school recruit than his older brother.

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound wide receiver is 247Sports’ No. 59 player in the class of 2026, No. 10 WR and No. 8 player from his home state of Florida. Rivals, meanwhile, has Burroughs as the No. 44 overall prospect.

On3, 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN all consider him a four-star recruit

Burroughs has yet to receive any truly convincing forecasts for his collegiate landing spot. On3’s recruiting prediction machine considers the in-state Florida Gators a slight favorite, but it’s too early to tell.

As a junior with the Bolles School in Florida, Burroughs has reeled in 33 catches for 829 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, including a three-game stretch with 448 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

The familial connection to his older brother could certainly play a factor in what Burroughs decides to do down the line. UW’s current class of 2026 still features two commitments — three-star iOL Benjamin Novak and three-star quarterback Jarin Mock.

Fans react to former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson’s suspension

Fans hilariously react to Diontae Johnson’s suspension, reflecting on his struggles and Mike Tomlin’s ability to manage wide receivers.

2024 has not been kind to former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. From being traded off two NFL teams to becoming practically nonexistent in the Ravens’ dynamic offense, and now being suspended one game for refusing to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 matchup against the Eagles, one has to wonder: is Steelers HC Mike Tomlin not getting enough credit for his handling of dramatic wide receivers?

Fans of the Black and Gold have seen their fair share of diva-esque meltdowns and dramatic moments from wide receivers like Johnson, Antonio Brown, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and George Pickens, to name a few. However, under Tomlin’s regime, neither Johnson nor any of the other receivers were ever allowed to implode to this degree.

Johnson should view this suspension as a blessing in disguise, giving him a chance to reflect on his recent behavior and return to competing for playing time on an NFL team—rather than potentially following in the footsteps of other disgruntled receivers no longer in the league.  Here are several of the best fan reactions to Johnson’s recent suspension from the Baltimore Ravens.

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Another notable recruit decommits from Wisconsin’s class of 2025

Three-star wide receiver decommits from Wisconsin class of 2025

Three-star wide receiver Cameron Miller decommitted from Wisconsin’s class of 2025 on Tuesday.

The promising prospect committed to UW on May 15 over several other offers from programs such as Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M and Nebraska.

His decommitment follows Wisconsin’s in-season firing of offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Miller had profiled as a slot receiver in Longo’s air raid attack.

“I would like to thank Coach Fickell, Coach Guiton, and Coach Longo for believing me and giving me the opportunity to play at the next level,” Miller wrote on X. “After talking with my family I’ve decided to recommit from the University of Wisconsin.”

247Sports currently considers the three-star prospect as the No. 488 player in the class of 2025, No. 74 wide receiver and 12 recruit from his home state of New Jersey. Shortly after Miller’s announcement, 247Sports insiders Evan Flood, Nick Osen and Brian Dohn all released crystal ball predictions forecasting Miller to land with the Kentucky Wildcats

Miller is the fourth class of 2025 talent to decommit from Wisconsin’s program. He follows three-star kicker Erik Schmidt’s flip to Notre Dame, three-star LB Brenden Anes’ flip to Tennessee and three-star defensive lineman Wilnerson Telemaque’s flip to West Virginia.

Luke Fickell’s program has, however, flipped top-ranked class of 2025 defensive lineman Jaylen Williams, four-star quarterback Carter Smith and three-star cornerback Cairo Skanes over the past month.

After Miller’s decision, Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks No. 23 in the nation with 24 players committed. Three-star Eugene Hilton Jr. is the only wide receiver to commit to UW’s 2025 cohort.

Steelers WR Van Jefferson suffers quad injury in Week 12 TNF matchup

Steelers WR Van Jefferson’s Week 12 quad injury adds to the team’s concerns over continuous struggle with receiver production.

When it rains, it pours. While the weather is actually unfavorable for the Week 12 matchup, the “pouring” refers to Steelers WR Van Jefferson’s quad injury. Aside from George Pickens, who is currently enjoying a breakout season, Pittsburgh has struggled to get consistent production out of their receivers through 11 games in 2024.

Jefferson has totaled 14 receptions on 24 targets for 139 receiving yards and one touchdown. Losing Jefferson to injury would hurt a Steelers wide receiver room already dealing with depth issues.

Pittsburgh traded for WR Mike Williams to address their recent struggles at the position, and the former New York Jets receiver may see plenty of opportunities if Jefferson misses time.

The Steelers currently trail the Browns 7-3 with two minutes remaining in the second quarter. Pittsburgh could rely on several of their other receiving threats to work in tandem with QB Russell Wilson to overcome Cleveland in this tough AFC North rivalry matchup.

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