Contract Statuses for Recently Injured Players

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertSeptember 19, 2016
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Quarterbacks

Tony Romo, Cowboys
Romo suffered a compression fracture in his back in the third preseason game, and is hopeful to return to the Cowboys Week 8. The strong play of rookie Dak Prescott could allow Dallas to bring him back more slowly. Contractually Romo has $54M left to be earned through 2019, $14M of which comes next season and none of which is currently guaranteed. However he'll enter 2017 with $19.6M in dead cap, $5M of which comes from his signing bonus, $14.6M from contract restructures in 2014 & 2015.


Robert Griffin III, Browns
The Browns seemed pleased with the potential upside RG3 was bringing to their offense before he fractured a bone in his left shoulder during a Week 1 loss to the Eagles. He signed an incentive-laden 2 year $15M contract this offseason, including per-game bonuses of $46,875 (which won't be paid out while on the injured list). Next year Griffin holds a $6M base salary and a $750,000 roster bonus due on the third league day of 2017. If the Browns decide to move on before that bonus is paid they'll incur a $1.75M dead cap to their 2017 salary cap.


Josh McCown, Browns
The news continues to get worse in Cleveland, as backup QB Josh McCown suffered what is believed to be a serious shoulder injury in Week 2. The 37-year-old's $4.375M salary in 2016 is already guaranteed, and he's slated to make the same in 2017, including a $750,000 roster bonus in early March. Cleveland can move on from McCown next offseason with a dead cap hit of $666,667. 


Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings
Bridgewater and the Vikings were on many experts "must-watch list" heading into the season before he suffered a horrific knee injury in practice last month. With the acquisition and nice start from Sam Bradford, Bridgewater's long-term status may be in question. He'll comeback in 2017 on a fully guaranteed $2.1M cap figure, and a 5th year option available in 2018 should Minnesota exercise it. 


Jimmy Garoppolo, Patriots
Garoppolo sprained his shoulder against the Dolphins in Week 2, and his status for the upcoming week is in doubt. The Patriots second round pick in 2014 is signed through the 2017 season with a cap figure of $1.1M.

 

Running Backs

Adrian Peterson, Vikings
The Vikings took another huge blow to their roster Sunday night when Peterson hobbled off the field with a ligament-damaged right knee. The 31-year-old running back and his $12M cap figure appears headed for another year on the sideline. Should he recover, Peterson is slated to earn $18M in 2017, including a $6M roster bonus due on the 3rd league day of 2017. He's at best a candidate for a restructured contract, and at worst possibly a cap casualty heading into next year. 


Doug Martin, Buccaneers
Off to a slow start in 2016, Martin pulled up with a lame hamstring in the second quarter during a blowout loss to Arizona Sunday. While he was able to return on a limited basis, it remains unclear how significant the injury is heading into Week 3. Martin signed a 5 year $35.75M extension this offseason, including $15M guaranteed. His $7M salary for 2017 is already guaranteed, but is also the only dead cap left on the remainder of the contract, leaving Tampa Bay with the option to restructure the deal with very little reprocussions going forward. 


Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
Like Martin, Stewart exited Week 2 early with a hamstring issue and his status is unclear going forward. The 29-year-old is earning $5.75M in 2016 and is slated to reel in $6.25M in 2017, the final year of his 5 year $36.5M extension. Should Carolina look to move on from him after 2016, Stewart will leave behind a manageable $3.5M in dead cap.


Arian Foster, Dolphins
Foster appeared to be back in form after a nice first week with the Dolphins, but he exited week 2 early with a groin issue and his status is unclear from here out. The 30 year old long-time Texans back signed a 1 year $1.5M contract this offseason that included a $400,000 signing bonus and per game bonuses of $13,437 that wouldn't be paid out if he's not active. He'll likely hit the open market after 2016.


Danny Woodhead, Chargers
With Keenan Allen (ACL) already out Chargers fans certainly didn't need to see Danny Woodheaded carted off the field this weekend, but an apparent knee injury led to just that. The 31-year old underrated weapon is in a contract year with San Diego, earning a modest $2M salary. He'll be an interesting free agent should he be allowed to hit the market next March.


Ameer Abdullah, Lions
The versatile back left the Lions' week 2 game with an apparent foot injury and is now in a walking boot. The 2015 second round pick  is in year two of his rookie contract and carries cap figures of $1.1M and $1.3M through 2018. 

 

Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen, Chargers
Allen's 2016 campaign ended just as it started after he tore his right ACL in week 1. He's now had major injuries to both knees, leaving his health a major concern heading into 2017. The Chargers signed Allen to a 4 year, $45M extension this offseason that included  $20.6M in full guarantees. His $1M base salary and $5.5M roster bonus for 2017 are already guaranteed, leaving his roster spot in San Diego very secure for at least one more year.


Donte Moncrief, Colts
Quickly becoming Indianapolis' best wideout, Moncrief suffered head, neck, and shoulder injuries in their week 2 matchup against the Broncos, leaving his status going forward unclear. The 2014 third round pick is in year three of his rookie deal, and is a prime extension candidate this coming offseason.


Stevie Johnson, Chargers
The Chargers first blow this season came to Stevie Johnson, who had meniscus surgery this August and will miss all of 2016. He's earning $2.9M this year and is slated to reel in $3.5M in 2017, the final year of his contract. The Chargers carry a $1M dead cap hit should they move on next offseason.

 

 

Tight Ends

Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
Pettigrew injured his ACL back in December of 2015 and has yet to fully recover. He's currently earning $3.65M in 2016, and is set to make $4.35M in 2017, the final year of his contract. The Lions can (and likely will) move on from him incurring a dead cap hit of $1M next offseason.


Benjamin Watson, Ravens
The Ravens continue to find bad luck at the tight end position, with last year's serious injury to Dennis Pitta, and now a season-ending torn ACL for Ben Watson. Watson signed a 2 year $7M free agent contract in Baltimore this past offseason, including $4M guaranteed all in 2016. He's set to make $3M in 2017, with a cap figure of $4M, and can be released with a dead cap hit of $1M. 

 

Defensive Players

Ezekiel Ansah, Lions
The #5 overall selection back in 2013 left the Lions' week 2 game with an apparent ankle injury. He's currently in year four of his rookie deal, with a $12.734M exercised fifth-year option for 2017. A healthy productive finish to 2016 makes him a prime extension candidate this offseason 


Earl Mitchell, Dolphins
An essentially brand new Dolphins front line took a hit in week 1 when Earl Mitchell was lost with a calf injury. While it's still possible he's designated to return after Week 8, he carries a $3.5M cap figure in 2016 and a $4.5M hit in 2017, the final year of his contract. Mitchell holds a modest $500,000 dead cap hit in 2017 should the Dolphins look to move on.


DeAndre Levy, Lions
Levy was inactive for the Lions' week 2 matchup and has now missed 16 out of their last 18 games with a hip injury. While his short-term status going foward is unknown, he's clearly not holding up to the 4 year $33M extension he was awareded last offseason in Detroit. His $5.25M salary for 2016 is fully guaranteed, and $1.75M of his $5.75M 2017 salary guarantees on the 3rd league day next March. The Lions can move on from him prior to that with a not-so-nice $7.2M dead cap hit.


Matt Elam, Ravens
The former 1st round pick back in 2013 has been a veritable bust for the Ravens, now finding himself on the injured reserve list for the second consecutive year, this time with a salary cap figure of $2.1M. Baltimore already declined his $5.6M option for 2017, meaning Elam will most certainly hit the open market next March. 

 

Related: Track Resrve/Injured players by team, position, or ailment here


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