Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis made it clear this off-season he wanted an extension in order to remain with the team past this season. Tuesday, the Panthers and their star linebacker made it happen. Davis signed a one-year extension that will keep him under contract through the 2018 season with $6.75 million. Davis has $1 million in guaranteed money coming next year.
.@ThomasDavisSDTM has signed an extension and is now under contract through 2018! https://t.co/DWJ1k59hlh
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 15, 2017
Though the contract might not seem that significant, it is for Davis. There’s every chance the 34 year-old outside linebacker is playing his final two years. And if he isn’t, he’ll likely be on a year to year contract if he does. This gives Davis some security and is a smart move for the Panthers with one of the best players in the history of their franchise.
“I’m extremely excited. Everybody knows how I feel about being a Carolina Panther,” Davis said in a statement. “This extension solidifies me being here for the rest of my career, and I’m excited about that. Now it’s totally focused on winning a Super Bowl.”
Davis will be entering his 12th year in the league and hasn’t missed any significant time since 2011. Last year he recorded 106 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble two fumble recoveries, four passes defended, three picks and one defensive touchdown.
“Thomas is still playing fast and at a high level, and the intensity and passion that he brings to the game is unmatched,” Panthers linebackers coach Al Holcomb said. “He is the ultimate leader, and to continue to have a player and a man of his magnitude on our team is extremely important. I’m excited for Thomas, his family and our organization.”
For #Panthers leader, Thomas Davis gets $3M in total guarantees, including $1M next year when he'll be 35. Incredible longevity given 3 ACLs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 15, 2017
Locking up Davis gets one potential free agent loss off the block for Carolina. They’ll have some decisions to make before the off-season on defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and back up quarterback Derek Anderson.
Eagles cut Ryan Matthews
The Philadelphia Eagles cleared up their running back depth chart Tuesday when they cut Ryan Matthews pretty much the minute he passed his physical with the team. By waiting until Matthews was healthy, they could save some money on an injury settlement.
#Eagles have informed RB Ryan Matthews of his release
— Eagles Nation (6-0) (@PHLEaglesNation) August 15, 2017
Cutting Matthews opens up $4 million in cap space for Philadelphia. It’s money they’ll need this year if they want to go ahead and lock up Alshon Jeffery, Darren Sproles or LeGarrette Blount before their current contracts expire. Defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and kicker Caleb Stugis are also slated to be free agents at the end of the season.
Matthews shouldn’t have any trouble landing on a NFL roster. For the Eagles over the last two seasons he’s been solid, and mostly healthy. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season on 155 rushes for 661 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught 13 passes for 115 yards and a score. If I had to guess where he might end up, the New England Patriots make a ton of sense, especially after letting Blount go. The Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens, the Indianapolis Colts would all work in the AFC.
Jordan Matthews with the #Eagles: missed only two games in three seasons
Jordan Matthews with the #Bills: pic.twitter.com/zCiK3nkSZN
— Ryan Mura (@RyanMura) August 14, 2017
In the NFC, I’m looking at the New York Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers are good fits.
Jay Cutler to make his Dolphins debut Thursday
Miami Dolphins fans won’t have to wait long to see their new starting quarterback in action. Head coach Adam Gase told reporters that Jay Cutler looks like he’s ready to start the team’s second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Jay Cutler set to play Thursday for the @MiamiDolphins: https://t.co/tSPF0QqNxx #BALvsMIA pic.twitter.com/xZRZAz1bAn
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2017
Last weekend the Dolphins announced that former starter Ryan Tannehill would undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL. Gase says there’s no chance Tannehill won’t be ready for the 2018 season. Tannehill has three years left on the four-year, $77 million contract extension he signed in 2015. This was the last cap-killer year for that contract. If the Dolphins decide to move on at the position after this season, they would have $4.5 million in dead cap. I don’t think they will.
Last year Tannehill started 13 games before injuring his knee, completing a career high 67.1 percent of his passes for 2,995 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Cutler, of course, played under Gase as his offensive coordinate with the Chicago Bears back in 2015. Cutler went 6-9 as a starter that season, but completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 3.659 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 picks.
With Cutler the last line of defense for any real playoff run for the Dolphins, if he does play in Thursday’s game, I wouldn’t expect it to be more than a series. Two at the most.
#Dolphins coach Adam Gase says he's "trending toward yes" on whether new QB Jay Cutler will play in their preseason game this week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 14, 2017
The Dolphins got some particularly good news Tuesday about running back Jay Ajayi. The star running back has finally been cleared of the concussion protocol and can resume practice. I doubt very much he’ll play in Thursday’s game and, in fact, he might not play at all this preseason just to be safe.
Last year Ajayi started just 12 games, but played in 15. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 260 rushes for 1,272 yards and eight touchdowns. He caught 27 passes for 151 yards.
Other NFL News
Speaking of the Ravens, we’ll finally get to see rookie cornerback Marlon Humphrey in action Thursday night (maybe). Humphrey has been cleared to play after recovering from an undisclosed injury. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman probably won’t suit up. He has a pulled hamstring. Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley has missed practice time with an undisclosed injury of his own.
The Washington Redskins will be without the services of safety Su’a Cravens for the rest of the preseason after he had a meniscus trim. He’s expected to return to action by Week One of the regular season.
Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe injured his ankle in the team’s preseason opener and will also be held out the rest of the way. Head coach Vance Joseph said he expects him to be ready by Week One.
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perrimen will miss eight to 10 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ankle ligament suffered in the team’s preseason game Sunday night.
Lucky Whitehead continues his streak of horrible luck. The New York Jets announced Whitehead had broken his foot and will miss a while. He might even need surgery.
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