By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

For much of the last decade and a half in Cincinnati, three things have been constant: the sun rising and setting, winter coming and going, and Marvin Lewis remaining entrenched as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.

That’s quietly been questioned in recent years, especially after yet another first-round exit from the playoffs at the end of the 2015 season, and a regression year in 2016 following the departure of several key free agents. The ceiling in the Lewis era seems to be Wild Card playoff berth and prompt end to the campaign.

That isn’t stopping the coach from seeking more security, though. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Ryan Tannehill did a whole lot to solidify his standing as the franchise quarterback in Miami in 2016, but the way his season ended leaves room for uncertainty.

Tannehill saw a campaign heading toward the playoffs with promise screech to a halt thanks to a knee injury on Dec. 11. First believed to be a torn ACL, Tannehill’s injury turned out to be the less-severe ACL and MCL sprains, so less that he even returned to practice before Miami’s Wild Card contest against Pittsburgh. He wasn’t healthy enough to go in that game, though, leaving Miami with Matt Moore in what ended up being a blowout loss.

With the offseason in full swing for the Dolphins, the question now is what to do next with Tannehill? Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

The ageless wonder and terrorizing linebacker with the dark-tinted visor isn’t riding off into the sunset just yet.

More than two years after Harrison retired as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and then was convinced to come out of retirement to rejoin the franchise, the 38-year-old linebacker didn’t leave anyone hanging concerning his future in the moments after falling to New England 36-17 in the AFC title game. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

And then there were two.

Packers executive Brian Gutekunst elimnated himself from the race for the 49ers‘ general manager job by signing a new deal to stay in Green Bay, leaving just Vikings executive George Paton and Cardinals executive Terry McDonough in the running for the position, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday.

Paton is expected to meet with the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan — San Francisco’s expected new head coach — next week, Rapoport reported on NFL Total Access. If the two sides find themselves to be a good fit, it’s expected the Niners will offer Paton the job, Rapoport said. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Two Buffalo Bills underwent surgeries in the weeks following the conclusion of the regular season.

Defensive end Shaq Lawson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after the season, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins had a second surgery on his injured foot late last week, the team announced Friday. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

The Patriots will have one of their unheralded but reliable wideouts back for the AFC Championship Game.

Chris Hogan (thigh) is good to go in the conference title contest, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, per a source informed. He was limited in Wednesday’s practice. Hogan left late in New England’s win over Houston with the thigh injury, but could have returned if he was needed, Rapoport said. With the Patriots owning a multiple-score lead, the receiver instead spent the rest of the game on the sideline.

Hogan made his name in the NFL as a third or fourth receiving option in Buffalo, catching 36-plus passes and tallying at least 426 yards in each of his final two seasons with the Bills before joining New England, where he’s found his best fit. Anyone who watched Hogan’s final two seasons in Buffalo and knows how otherwise marginal receivers thrive in the Patriots‘ system could have seen Hogan’s career year — 38 catches, 680 yards, four touchdowns — coming down the pike.

Hogan’s status is welcome for a Patriots offense that has been forced to look elsewhere after losing Rob Gronkowski but is comfortable with spreading the ball around. Five targets caught 30 or more passes in the regular season. Hogan is another cog in a Patriots machine that is looking to make yet another Super Bowl appearance. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Ryan Tannehill has a chance to play on his injured knee, but he has to practice first.

That’s been coach Adam Gase’s stance on the matter. On Wednesday, though, Tannehill did not practice. Hours later, Gase told reporters that “unless something changes drastically,” veteran backup Matt Moore will start in the Dolphins‘ Wild Card game against the Steelers on Sunday. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

It appears Jonathan Cooper is getting another chance in the NFL.

The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with the free agent offensive lineman, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source involved. The team later confirmed the signing. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

A day after Adam Jones was arrested and charged with multiple misdemeanors and a felony, the Bengals cornerback spoke in his defense.

“I’ll let everything play out in court,” Jones told reporters after being released on bond Wednesday moring. “Obviously, without getting into it, none of this makes sense.”

Jones, 33, was arrested in on suspicion misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct charges early Tuesday morning in Cincinnati, a spokeswoman with the Hamilton County (Ohio) Justice Center confirmed to NFL.com. Jones later was charged with felony harassment for allegedly spitting on a nurse at the justice center following his arrest, according to court documents. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

With Rex Ryan having been served his walking papers and the playoffs no longer possible, the Bills had one game to complete before putting the 2016 season in the books. They might have bigger issues to worry about heading into the new year, though.

Running back LeSean McCoy was carted off to the locker room after limping off the field with an ankle injury in Buffalo’s season finale against the New York Jets. McCoy has dealt with a number of injury issues this season, but in the final week of a now-meaningless season, the hope is that the injury isn’t a significant one that could have been avoided.

The Bills said after an X-ray, McCoy was possible to return. He didn’t return in Buffalo’s 30-10 loss, and interim coach Anthony Lynn said after the game that McCoy suffered a high ankle sprain.

In other Bills-related news, Cardale Jones replaced an ineffective EJ Manuel in the second half. Continue reading →