Tag: Zeke Turner

49ers officially sign veteran defensive lineman, release linebacker

The #49ers added a 10-year veteran on the defensive line.

The San Francisco 49ers announced a pair of roster moves ahead of Wednesday’s practice.

Veteran defensive lineman Nick Williams was officially signed. The team released linebacker Zeke Turner in a corresponding move.

Williams is a 10-year veteran who has played in 97 games with 48 starts. He was with the Chargers last season where 49ers assistant head coach Brandon Staley was the head coach.

His insertion into the DL room alleviates some of the pressure created by Kalia Davis’s knee injury that will keep him out the first half of the season.

Typically players added this late in camp are just there to help the team get through camp and the preseason, but Williams should have a legitimate shot at making the 53-man roster. The 49ers don’t have a ton of surefire rotational players at defensive tackle, and Williams’s experience gives him an opportunity to hit the ground running in the lead up to the second preseason game.

Turner’s release comes as a mild surprise. He was a special teams ace for the Cardinals before joining the 49ers this offseason as a free agent. San Francisco’s kick coverage units could use some help and Turner appeared ready to provide that. However, the 49ers are deep at linebacker and the opportunities for Turner to land on the roster were dwindling.

Now he’ll get a chance to catch on elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

47 days till the Cardinals’ season opener against the Bills

Linebacker Zeke Turner Wore No. 47 for six years and was probably the Cardinals’ best special teams player during that time.

Today is reporting day for the Arizona Cardinals, as they open training camp. But it is still several weeks away from the regular season. The Cardinals will open the season on the road against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 on September 8.

That is in 47 days from today.

Undrafted rookie long snapper Joe Shimko currently wears No. 47 but he has yet to make an impact.

However, we don’t have to go far to find the last Cardinals player to make an impact while wearing No. 47.

The last guy to wear it, linebacker Zeke Turner, made a big impact on special teams for years.

Turner wore No. 47 for six seasons. He was an undrafted rookie out of Washington who played safety in college. He transitioned to linebacker and made the final roster and became perhaps the Cardinals’ best special teams player over the next six years. He had 22 special teams tackles as a rookie. He blocked punts, ran fake punts, caught a fake punt pass.

He left in free agency to sign with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, but he is probably the second-best player to wear No. 47 for the Cardinals (cornerback Cedric Mack being the best one).

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1394]

LB Zeke Turner headed to 49ers

After six seasons with the Cardinals as a special teams ace, Turner will now join the rival 49ers.

The Arizona Cardinals are losing another of their own free agents. After six seasons in Arizona, linebacker and special teams ace Zeke Turner is signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Aaron Wilson.

Turner has been with the Cardinals since he was signed as a rookie free agent in 2018 out of Washington. He played safety in college but transitioned to linebacker.

But almost all his playing time for six years has been as an ace special teamer.

He played over 300 special teams snaps in four of six seasons and would have the other two if he had not missed time with injuries.

He led the team with 12 special teams tackles in 2023. He played 50 defensive snaps all season and actually started a game. he had 10 tackles on defense.

He is expected to compete for playing time at linebacker. He could fill the third linebacker role that Oren Burks previously played.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

POLL: Grade the re-signing of LB Zeke Turner

Turner, a special teams ace and reserve linebacker, comes back for a sixth season on a one-year, $2 million deal.

The Arizona Cardinals brought back linebacker and special teams ace Zeke Turner for another season. Originally an undrafted rookie safety out of Washington, he made the team and changed to linebacker, becoming an impact special teams player.

He is back for a sixth season on a one-year, $2  million contract that actually only counts less than $1.3 million against the salary cap.

Has had 51 special teams tackles, two blocked punts and caught a pass on a fake punt in five seasons.

He returns as one of the team’s core special teams players.

How much do you like his return?

Grade the re-signing and contract of Turner in the poll and give your thoughts in the comment section below the article.

[polldaddy poll=11965711]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw7fa4ahbvdd03 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

LB Zeke Turner’s contract gives Cardinals cap relief

LB Zeke Turner’s contract is one year for $2 million but the contract will count less than $1.3 million against the salary cap,

The Arizona Cardinals re-signed linebacker and special teams ace Zeke Turner to a one-year contract. It will be his sixth season with the team after making it in 2018 as an undrafted rookie out of Washington.

His one-year deal is structured to give the Cardinals some minor salary cap relief.

His contract is for one year and worth $2 million.

However, his cap hit in 2023 is only $1.23 million, according to Over the Cap.

Here is how it breaks down.

Turner’s salary in 2023 will be almost $1.85 million. He receives a signing bonus of $152,500, bringing the total value to $2,000,000.

$500,000 of his salary is fully guaranteed, suggesting a high likelihood he will make the final roster (his play on special teams and his role over the last five seasons and the return of Jeff Rodgers on the coaching staff also suggest this).

His contract apparently qualifies for veteran salary cap relief, a move the NFL does that helps encourage teams to continue to employ veteran players who make more money.

With the structure, the Cardinals get more than $767,000 in cap relief on his contract.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw7fa4ahbvdd03 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Cardinals re-sign LB Zeke Turner for one more season

Turner, who made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2018, returns for a sixth season as a stud special teams player.

The Arizona Cardinals have made another move in free agency, bringing back a player who has been with the team several seasons.

The team announced the return of linebacker and special teams ace Zeke Turner. The Cardinals re-signed him to a one-year contract.

Turner entered the league in 2018 as an undrafted rookie and has stood out on special teams ever since.

Since joining the Cardinals, he has 51 career special teams tackles, two blocked punts and caught a pass on a fake punt.

He also played a little on defense last season.

His return makes sense with the return of special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Jeff Rodgers.

He gives Arizona depth at linebacker and a core special teamer.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw7fa4ahbvdd03 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

47 days till the Cardinals’ 2022 season opener vs. Chiefs

CB Cedric Mack is probably the best Cardinals player to wear No. 47. Zeke Turner has worn it since 2018.

The Arizona Cardinals will officially open training camp today on this fine Tuesday. In 47 days, there will be football games that count for them.

In 47 days, they will take the field at State Farm Stadium in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs for their regular-season opener.

No. 47 has not been a widely used number over the years. Linebacker and special teams ace Zeke Turner has worn it since he entered the league in 2018.

He and the few others to wear it over the years are below.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

LB Zeke Turner salary, contract details, salary cap implications

The special teams ace and backup linebacker gets a one-year, $1.5 million deal to return to the Cardinals for his fifth season.

One of the many players the Arizona Cardinals re-signed was linebacker and special teams ace Zeke Turner. He re-signed with the team on a one-year contract.

He will be back with the team for his fifth NFL season. He made the Cardinals as an undrafted rookie in 2018 out of Washington, where he played safety.

He converted to linebacker and became a stud special teams player immediately. He led the Cardinals with 22 special teams tackles, including 16 solo tackles. He tied for the team lead with 15 special teams tackles in 2020. He also has blocked two punts in his career and has caught a pass on a fake punt.

He was only able to play in five games this past season because of a shoulder injury.

In addition to his special teams play, he also, because of his background as a defensive back, is a solid option as a backup to Isaiah Simmons, as he can do some of the same things as Simmons can in coverage.

While the deal was agreed upon over a week ago, it took a while for the details of his contract, his salary and how it affects the salary cap this season to come out, but we now have the information below, per Over the Cap.

Zeke Turner salary, contract details

Turner gets a one-year, $1.5 million total deal. He gets $152,500 as a signing bonus. $347,500 of his salary is fully guaranteed.

His 2022 salary is nearly $1.35 million.

There are no other apparent roster bonuses of any kind.

Salary cap implications

Turner’s deal apparently qualifies for the veteran benefit for the salary cap.

Although he is being paid a total of $1.5 million, his cap hit is less.

Instead of a cap hit of $1.5 million, as there are no void years on the back end of the contract to reduce the cap hit this year, his cap hit will simply be nearly $1.19 million.

It is a solid deal for a solid special teams contributor.

[listicle id=466773]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

LB Zeke Turner returns to the Cardinals on one-year deal

Turner returns for his fifth season with the team as a score special teams player.

The Arizona Cardinals continue with their trend of bringing back their own free agents. The latest is linebacker and special teams ace Zeke Turner.

The team announced Friday Turner agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

Turner entered the league as an undrafted rookie in 2018 and made a name for himself on special teams. He also transitioned from safety, the position he played in college at Washington, to linebacker.

He was limited by injuries last season, spending much of the season on injured reserve. Turner had two special teams tackles last season in five games. However, he led the team with 22 special teams tackles in 2018 as a rookie and tied for the team lead with 15 in 2020. He was tied for second on the team in 2019 with seven.

He has blocked two punts in his career and has had a reception on a fake punt.

Because of his background as a defensive back, he gives the Cardinals a backup to Isaiah Simmons who can do some of the same things.

He becomes the ninth of their own free agents the Cardinals have retained.

He will certainly maintain his role as a core special teamer and backup linebacker.

[listicle id=466919]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

P Andy Lee activated from COVID list; Tanner Vallejo, Zeke Turner designated to return from IR

Lee returns after missing one game, while Zeke Turner and Tanner Vallejo return to practice from injured reserve.

The Arizona Cardinals announced some roster moves on Wednesday. The first is fantastic news.

Punter Andy Lee, who missed the game against the Indianapolis Colts when he tested positive for COVID-19, was activated from the list and reinstated to the active roster. Punter Ryan Winslow, signed to the practice squad last week and elevated to play  in the game, was released.

Lee’s return will be huge for the kicking game. Kicker Matt Prater missed two field goals and an extra point on Saturday, partly because of issues with the hold.

Prater has missed seven field goals and two extra points all season. Four of the missed field goals and both missed extra points were when he was missing either long snapper Aaron Brewer or Lee as the holder.

The Cardinals also designated linebackers Tanner Vallejo and Zeke Turner from injured reserve.

Turner has been out since Week 5 with a shoulder injury. He is an ace on special teams.

Vallejo has been out since Week 10 with a knee injury. He had replaced rookie Zaven Collins in the starting lineup before he got hurt.

They now can return to practice and must be activated from IR within 21 days or revert to IR for the rest of the season.

[listicle id=463401]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and