FORMER RAVENS RB JK DOBBINS LOOKS “OUTSTANDING” COMING OFF TORN ACHILLES
Free agent running back JK Dobbins has been cleared for football activities just six months after he tore his right Achilles tendon last September, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Dobbins was hurt in the Ravens’ season opener against the Houston Texans in what was another setback in the young running back’s pro career. The 25-year-old opted not to take the speed bridge repair surgery, famously associated with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, performed by Los Angeles specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
He, however, is set to be back way ahead of schedule and apparently looks “outstanding” according to a letter Dr. ElAttrache wrote to NFL teams on Tuesday. The former Ohio State Buckeye averaged 5.8 yards per carry throughout his career and could land on a team that’s in the market for a no.1 running back.
While a return to Baltimore is still in the realm of possibilities, it’s unlikely the Ravens will bring Dobbins back considering their $20 million investment into former Titans running back Derrick Henry. Dobbins would require a long-term contract, which according to the Ravens’ recent history, isn’t something they tend to offer this close to the draft.
Lamar Jackson’s deal from last year, a five-year, $260 million contract, was the only anomaly in the organization’s recent contract history. Baltimore finished Jackson’s deal during draft week, announcing it on the morning of the NFL Draft.
RAMS SIGN FORMER BILLS ALL-PRO CORNERBACK TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE ON ONE-YEAR DEAL
Former Buffalo Bills All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White is signing with the Los Angeles Rams, as first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
White, who is recovering from a torn Achilles injury, is set to sign a one-year, $8.5 million deal with a maximum value of up to $10 million. The deal was negotiated by his agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown of Universal Sports & Entertainment Management.
The 28-year-old tore his Achilles in excruciating fashion in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins but is apparently moving quite well in rehab. White’s Achilles surgery was also performed by specialist doctor Neal ElAttrache and the two have reportedly been spending time together after the surgery as White works his way back to full fitness.
The 2017 first-round selection was released by the Bills on March 13th, designated as a post-June 1st cut. However, he was allowed to sign with any team since the new league year had already begun. After a few weeks, White now lands in sunny Los Angeles and should provide some much needed veteran help to the Rams’ secondary once he returns to full health. The expectation is that the two-time Pro Bowler will be ready for Week 1.
STEELERS SIGN FOUR-TIME ALL-PRO KR CORDARRELLE PATTERSON ON TWO-YEAR DEAL
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Atlanta Falcons running back, kick and punt returner Cordarrelle Patterson, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
On a day in which the NFL owners approved of the new hybrid kickoff format, the Steelers landed the most prolific kick return touchdown artist in league history. No player has more kick return scores since the league’s inception than Patterson with 9. At 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Patterson is an all-round weapon on offense and on special teams, signifying a bold move by Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan. The All-Pro just turned 33.
Per Rapoport, Patterson’s contract with Pittsburgh is a two-year deal worth up to $6 million. The move reunites the former Falcons’ no.1 running back with his former head coach, Arthur Smith, who will now be calling the offensive plays in Pittsburgh.
NO EXTENSION IN SIGHT FOR COWBOYS QB DAK PRESCOTT
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott appears headed to free agency in 2025 as it seems as though both Prescott and the team are not discussing terms on a new long-term deal.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that both sides have a mutual understanding of where Prescott’s contract situation is and it’s expected that Prescott will play out the final year of his quarterback contract. As it stands, there will be no further adjustment to Prescott’s contract heading into the 2024 season, a notion that would be detrimental to Dallas considering the 30-year-old’s significant salary cap figure this year.
It was largely assumed that the Cowboys would need to work out an extension but it now appears as though both sides are willing to play out the contract year and figure things out on the other side of the season.
“We are where we are [with the contract situation],” said Dallas Cowboys owner and General Manager Jerry Jones on Tuesday. “We have our contract. We’re locked and loaded for this year, and we can see as we move along how we are thinking.”
Dallas quietly reworked Prescott’s contract earlier this month, converting a $5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus, which shaved $4 million off Prescott’s $55.445 million salary cap figure. The club also added two additional void years through 2028. The Cowboys would, however, still need to work out a deal with Prescott at season’s end with his 2025 count on the salary cap being a massive $40.46 million hit.
Prescott signed a four-year, $160 million deal in 2021, which included a no-trade clause and a no-tag clause.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.