Lucky Whitehead’s saga took a turn for the surreal Tuesday night. A day after the Dallas Cowboys cut him because he was accused of petty larceny in Virginia, Whitehead was completely exonerated when police admitted the man they had arrested wasn’t actually the now former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver.
Whitehead was vindicated, but he was still out of work. For at least a day.
“I’m a great guy,” Whitehead told the NFL Network. “I’m hardworking guy. I’m a great athlete. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. As far as the Cowboys organization, I appreciate them, for giving me the opportunity to be where I’m at today. Hopefully I can find me a new home and start over.”
It turns out, this was exactly what Whitehead and his agent claimed when the arrest and missed court date was first announce. The Cowboys had already burned that bridge and instead of pulling Whitehead off waivers, let him walk. He wasn’t out of work long as the New York Jets claimed him immediately.
Former #Cowboys WR Lucky Whitehead has been claimed by the #Jets, source said. He finds a new home after a wild week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2017
For Whitehead, the Jets actually present a better opportunity to get involved in the offense. The former Florida Atlantic star and undrafted free agent has served primarily as the Cowboys’ kick and punt returner for the last two seasons. They also used him on some gadget plays on offense because of his speed. Over the last two seasons Whitehead caught nine passes for 65 yards. He has never scored a touchdown of any kind in his career, though he did average 7.8 yards per punt return and 23.2 yards per kick return last season.
Reportedly Whitehead had plenty of suitors once he was cleared of all charges. According to the NFL Network, at least five different teams called up Whitehead after he was cut.
Jordan Reed to open camp on PUP
The Redskins will be without their star tight end, Jordan Reed. The oft-injured tight end will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. According to ESPN, Reed is experiencing soreness in his big toe and will be getting it checked out.
Toe injuries affect a player’s ability to be explosive off the line and out of breaks, a big part of Reed’s game. Last year He had just eight starts, but played in 12 games, catching 66 passes for 686 yards and six touchdowns. The previous season, Reed started nine games and played in 14, catching 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns.
When I see Jordan Reed on the PUP list to start season for #Redskins. pic.twitter.com/FXo6FlOqgf
— Bucket (@Bucket_WFTFan) July 26, 2017
In addition to Reed, the Redskins placed cornerback DeAngelo Hall, linebacker Houston Bates and wide receiver Kendall Thompson on the PUP list. Hall and Bates are both dealing with knee issues. Thompson’s injury was not released by the team.
Dolphins get good news on Pouncey
The Miami Dolphins can expect to field their star center Mike Pouncey this season after he was cleared to return to the field after passing his team physical Wednesday. Pouncey missed most of last season with a hip injury and it appears the stem cell procedure he underwent to fix it was a success.
The news wasn’t as good for safety Reshad Jones. Jones was added to Miami’s active/non-football injury list. The team did not reveal what the injury was, but according to the Miami Herald, Jones injured himself during a personal workout.
Marcus Smith dropped from Eagles
Former first round pick Marcus Smith has seen his time with the Philadelphia Eagles come to an end. Wednesday the team released Smith, saving themselves $1.5 million in cap space.
The Eagles originally drafted Smith at No. 26 overall int he 2014 draft. In three NFL seasons and under two different coaching staffs, Smith never made a single start. Last year he appeared in 16 games and recorded a total of 12 tackles with 2.5 sacks. Both were career highs. His rookie year he did not record a stat in eight games.
https://twitter.com/TheMightyEROCK/status/890281601539735560
It’s a real surprise Smith has been such a bust since getting drafted out of Louisville and that college production, still fresh, will likely get Smith plucked from free agency and placed on another team with a chance to resuscitate his career. In his senior year with the Cardinals, Smith had 41 tackles, 19 for a loss, 16 sacks, four passes defended, two fumble recoveries and six forced fumbles. Those are some insane stats.
Smith is 6-3 and 252 so at the NFL level he might be better served to work as a rushing outside linebacker. He has the speed to do it. Back in the 2014 NFL Combine, Smith posted a 4.68 40-yard dash. He’ll likely clear waivers so a team isn’t stuck with his rookie contract, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t at least get a shot at some redemption.
Other Injury News
Sammie Coates could start training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers on the PUP list. Coates had arthroscopic surgery on his knee last week and needs a little more time to recover. Coates caught 21 passes for 435 yards and two touchdowns last season. He’s likely in a battle for playing time with second round pick JuJu Smith-Schuster, so missing time, especially early, is a real set back.
The NFC Champions will be without a few key players to open camp. Wide receiver Julio Jones, slot receiver Taylor Gabriel and rookie Takkarist McKinely are all reportedly limited to begin camp as they recover from minor injuries. Jones dealt with turf toe all last season, so this is likely a precaution for him. None of the men will be on the PUP list.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith will be on the PUP list, however. He’s having some knee issues. Smith missed all but one game last season after tearing his right knee in the season opener. In 2015, Smith made 11 starts, played in 12 games and recorded 22 tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, one pass defense and a scored a defensive touchdown.
The New Orleans Saints expect center Max Unger, who has been dealing with a foot injury, should be ready to enter the line up when the regular season begins. The prognosis was not as good for offensive tackle Terron Armstead. Head coach Sean Payton told reporters that Armstead will play in the 2017 season, but did not give any specific return dates.
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