The New England Patriots’ once-muddled linebacking situ...

Aug 16, 2010

The New England Patriots’ once-muddled linebacking situation is starting to clear.

Linebacker Derrick Burgess was reinstated Friday to the active roster from the reserve-did not report list after being missing since the start of training camp. After passing a physical and conditioning test, he practiced for the first time with the team Sunday.

Burgess a veteran of nine NFL seasons, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract in May, attributed his absence to personal reasons. There had been speculation he might retire, but Burgess didn’t mention that.

"I had to take care of my family business before I could report," he said.

Burgess said he had kept Patriots officials updated about what he was doing and that his absence had nothing to do with any issue with the team itself.

"I’m happy to be here," Burgess said after reiterating the reason for his absence was family related.

Burgess said he was "a little rusty" in his first practice back, but that he felt good.

He said he wasn’t sure how long it would take him to get back and see game action. "I’ll work hard at it and take it day by day."

Burgess is being counted on heavily to provide a pass rush from the outside along with fellow outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, but said his overall influence on the Patriots’ fortunes is limited.

"It’s a team sport," he said. "All I can do is help the team."

Burgess said his absence had nothing to do with the grind of the two-a-day practices of an NFL training camp.

"It wasn’t like I was just missing camp," he said. "I had too much on my mind and things to take care of. It was a relief when I was done with it and was able to come to camp."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Friday the circumstances behind Burgess’ decision to report were "personal conversations" between him and the player and that things changed when he reported Friday morning and passed his physical and conditioning test.

Belichick, when asked if he was convinced Burgess is committed to playing football for the entire season, said "Well, I’m glad he’s here."

Fantasy Impact:

yesterday

Raiders sign RB Sincere McCormick to roster; WR D.J. Turner to IR

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 7:50 PM EST

The Raiders used up their temporary practice squad elevations for running back Sincere McCormick, so they made a more lasting roster move on Tuesday.

McCormick has been signed to the 53-man roster in Las Vegas. Wide receiver D.J. Turner was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah

Fantasy Impact:

McCormick played in the last two games for the Raiders as they were missing Mattison and White due to injuries. McCormick ran 12 times for 64 yards in last Friday’s loss to the Chiefs and he had five carries for 33 yards against the Broncos in Week 12, the story said. McCormick led the way for the Raiders against the Chiefs with 12 carries to Abdullah's 10. McCormick may be worth a pickup and stash at this point, as the Raiders are trying to figure out their roster for 2025. Mattison, White and Abdullah don't necessarily offer much future upside at the position, so it's possible the team will see what they have with McCormick going forward. However, keep an eye on the injury statuses of Mattison and White. The Raiders are at Tampa Bay in Week 14.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) week to week

Ben Standing on X

yesterday · 7:21 PM EST

Austin Ekeler's response when asked whether he could return this season:

"It's week to week. I want to continue to learn more. It's my second concussion (this season). Am I more susceptible to a third now that I've had two and the severity of mine? It's a learning process for me because I've never had anything this bad and twice in the same season. ... The best thing about is the team has my back ... I really appreciate DQ (Dan Quinn) and Adam Peters for being there."

Related players: Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

Fantasy Impact:

It doesn't seem like Ekeler has a timetable and the week to week tag indicates it could be some time. Ekeler is clearly concerned about this long-term well-being. From a fantasy angle, Robinson should continue to lead the way with McNichols seeing the passing down work. Rodriguez may be a guy to pick up in deeper leagues as a stash, especially if Ekeler ends up missing significant time. Rodriguez got some mop-up time and ended up carrying the ball 13 times for 94 yards, adding a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Titans.

49ers sign RB Israel Abanikanda; RB Christian McCaffrey to IR

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 6:09 PM EST

The 49ers were down to one healthy running back on their active roster, so they added another one off the waiver wire on Tuesday.

The NFL’s daily transaction report shows that they have claimed Israel Abanikanda off of waivers from the Jets. Abanikanda was let go on Monday when the Jets signed running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu to the 53-man roster.

Christian McCaffrey was officially moved to injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, Ke'Shawn Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Guerendo is expected to take over the team's RB1 role with Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason both heading to IR. Abanikanda should be a familiar name to those in dynasty circles. He was a 2023 fifth-round pick but at the time was buried on the depth chart with the Jets, and he never earned much of a role on offense and didn’t play in the regular season this year, the story said. He appeared in six games as a rookie and ran 22 times for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards, the story added. The team also signed Vaughn to their practice squad.