Tag: Ja’Wuan James

Sep 11, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (71) is driven off the field after an injury during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens look for LT help with top two out

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens left tackle Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles in Sunday’s win over the New York Jets, and there is no backup plan at the ready.

James, who moved from right tackle for Week 1 with starter Ronnie Stanley not considered game-ready for conditioning reasons, is a former first-round pick who previously tore his Achilles on the same leg.

“James has a torn Achilles; it’s the same one. It’s a little bit of a different tear; it’s off the bone,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s not the one that is mid-tendon. So, he’s determined, and he says he’s in a way better place than he was last time, and he’s determined to come back in time.”

Patrick Mekari, in his fourth NFL season out of Cal, is typically an interior lineman but moved to the blindside of quarterback Lamar Jackson following James’ injury.

Stanley played only in Week 1 last season before opting for another ankle surgery that ended his season. He worked out with the team in a limited capacity three times last week before being downgraded to doubtful on Friday.

Harbaugh indicated getting Stanley into peak condition would be a priority before he takes the field.

The Ravens face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Jun 4, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) looks on during mini camp drills at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Ja’Wuan James to sign with Ravens

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Baltimore Ravens are signing former former Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James to a two-year deal worth up to $9 million, according to ESPN.

The report comes on the same day that James reportedly filed a grievance against the Broncos seeking to recoup his 2021 pay, according to Profootballtalk.com.

James, 29, sustained a season-ending torn Achilles injury while working away from team facilities in early May. The Broncos released James in May with a non-football injury designation, clearing the way for the team to void his salary for 2021.

James was set to earn $10 million in base salary in 2021. But shortly after the injury, the NFL cited James in a memo informing teams that injuries incurred in such conditions could be given the non-football injury (NFI) designation, letting teams off the hook from paying the player for missed time.

James’ deal with the Ravens is dependent on his ability to pass a physical, though his current injury would not be considered as part of that, ESPN reported.

James opted out of the 2020 season. He played in only three games since the Broncos signed him to a four-year, $51 million contract before the 2019 season. He dealt with a knee injury that season and played only 63 snaps for the Broncos.

James was the Miami Dolphins’ first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2014. Injuries cost him 18 games during his five seasons with the Dolphins before he became a free agent after the 2018 season.

–Field Level Media

Jun 4, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) looks on during mini camp drills at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Ja’Wuan James files grievance against Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James has filed a grievance against the team seeking to recoup his 2021 pay, according to Profootballtalk.com.

James, 29, sustained a season-ending torn Achilles injury while working away from team facilities in early May.

The Broncos released James in May with a non-football injury designation, clearing the way for the team to void his salary for 2021.

James was set to earn $10 million in base salary in 2021. But shortly after the injury, the NFL cited James in a memo informing teams that injuries incurred in such conditions could be given the non-football injury (NFI) designation, letting teams off the hook from paying the player for missed time.

The NFL Players Association viewed that stance as a mechanism to force players to join teams’ involuntary workouts.

In an email to players, the union wrote of the league’s stance on James: “It was gutless to use a player’s serious injury as a scare tactic to get you to come running back to these workouts.

“This memo is another sign of what they think of you and also affirms that they simply want to control you year-round in any and every way that they can.”

According to the report, James contends he was working out with teammates in a manner “specifically authorized” by the team. The grievance also claims it believes the Broncos’ facilities were not compliant with Colorado’s COVID-19 guidelines.

He is reportedly seeking the $10 million he had guaranteed on his contract for 2021 and $5 million that was guaranteed for 2022.

The Broncos and the NFL reportedly declined to comment on the grievance, which will be heard by a panel of arbitrators.

James opted out of the 2020 season. He played in only three games since the Broncos signed him to a four-year, $51 million contract before the 2019 season. He dealt with a knee injury that season and played only 63 snaps for the Broncos.

James was the Miami Dolphins’ first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2014. Injuries cost him 18 games during his five seasons with the Dolphins before he became a free agent after the 2018 season.

–Field Level Media

Jun 4, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) looks on during mini camp drills at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Ja’Wuan James considers grievance vs. Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James is considering filing a grievance against the team through the NFL Players Association to recoup his 2021 pay, according to ESPN.

The Broncos released James on Friday with a non-football injury designation, which could allow the team to void his salary for 2021.

James, 28, sustained a season-ending torn Achilles injury while working away from team facilities in early May.

James was set to earn $10 million in base salary in 2021. But according to NFL Network, since he was injured while working out away from the team facility, he is at risk of losing a portion or potentially even all of his salary.

Shortly after the injury, the NFL cited James in a memo informing teams that injuries incurred in such conditions could be given the non-football iInjury (NFI) designation, getting teams off the hook from paying the player for missed time.

The NFLPA viewed that stance as a mechanism to force players to join teams’ involuntary workouts.

In an email to players, the union wrote of the league’s stance on James: “It was gutless to use a player’s serious injury as a scare tactic to get you to come running back to these workouts.

“This memo is another sign of what they think of you and also affirms that they simply want to control you year-round in any and every way that they can.”

James opted out of the 2020 season. He played in only three games since the Broncos signed him to a four-year, $51 million contract before the 2019 season. He dealt with a knee injury that season and played only 63 snaps for the Broncos.

James was the Miami Dolphins’ first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2014. Injuries cost him 18 games during his five seasons with the Dolphins before he became a free agent after the 2018 season.

In a similar situation, Denver wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton sustained a torn ACL while training away from the team facility, multiple media outlets reported on Friday. The Broncos reportedly were on the verge of trading him, but the trade has fallen through.

–Field Level Media

Nov 22, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (17) before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos’ DaeSean Hamilton tears ACL, Ja’Wuan James cut

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton sustained a torn ACL while training away from the team facility, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.

The news comes one day after NFL Network reported the Broncos planned to release Hamilton following a failure to find a trade partner for the wide receiver.

Per the NFL Network, the Broncos released Ja’Wuan James on the heels of the starting right tackle sustaining a torn Achilles earlier this month while working out away from the team facility. The Broncos initially placed James on the reserve/non-football injury list.

James, who had opted out of the 2020 season, played in only three games for the Broncos after they signed him to a four-year, $51 million contract before the 2019 campaign. He dealt with a knee injury that season and played only 63 snaps for the Broncos.

James, 28, was set to earn $13 million (nearly $10 million in base salary and $3 million in signing bonus) this season.

James was the Miami Dolphins’ first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2014. Injuries cost him 18 games during his five seasons with the Dolphins before he became a free agent after the 2018 season.

Hamilton, 26, was scheduled to make $2.183 million this season in a crowded depth chart.

Hamilton finished fifth on the team in receiving yards (293) in 2020. With Courtland Sutton (ACL) scheduled to return this season, Hamilton would be battling Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler for playing time as well.

Hamilton had 81 career receptions for 833 yards and five touchdowns in 46 games (nine starts) for the Broncos, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jun 4, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) looks on during mini camp drills at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

NFLPA terms league’s workout stance ‘gutless’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The chasm between the NFL and the NFL Players Association grew deeper Thursday when the union blasted the league’s response to the recent injury sustained by Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James.

James will miss the 2021 season after tearing an Achilles tendon in a workout that wasn’t at the team facility. The NFL subsequently informed teams that injuries incurred in such conditions could be given the “Non-Football Injury” (NFI) designation, getting teams off the hook from paying the player for missed time, according to multiple media reports.

The NFLPA viewed that stance as a mechanism to force players to join teams’ involuntary workouts.

In an email to players that was seen Thursday by NFL.com and ESPN, the union wrote of the league’s stance on James, “It was gutless to use a player’s serious injury as a scare tactic to get you to come running back to these workouts.

“This memo is another sign of what they think of you and also affirms that they simply want to control you year-round in any and every way that they can.

“We have been in touch with Ja’Wuan James. Despite an open threat of an ‘NFI’ designation, Ja’Wuan was working out to stay in shape under a program recommended to him by his coach.”

James, 28, played five seasons with the Miami Dolphins before joining Denver in March 2019 on a four-year, $51 million contract. He played just three games in 2019 due to knee injuries, then opted out of the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

He is guaranteed $10 million for 2021, with the club holding an $11 million option for 2022, per Spotrac.com.

–Field Level Media

Jun 4, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) looks on during mini camp drills at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Broncos RT Ja’Wuan James tears Achilles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James sustained a torn Achilles while working out and could be lost for the season, according to multiple reports.

James will undergo surgery this week, according to NFL Network, when the severity of the injury will be ascertained.

James had opted out of the 2020 season and did not play, so even if he is physically able to perform at some point late in the 2021 season, he will have missed nearly two years of team workouts and competition.

He has played in only three games since the Broncos signed him to a four-year, $51 million contract before the 2019 season. He dealt with a knee injury that season and played only 63 snaps for the Broncos.

James is set to earn $10 million in base salary in 2021. But according to the NFL Network, since he was injured while working out away from the team facility, he is at risk of losing a portion or potentially even all of his salary.

He was the Miami Dolphins’ first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2014. Injuries cost him 18 games during his five seasons with the Dolphins before he became a free agent after the 2018 season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2018; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos OT James opts out of 2020 season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James announced his decision to opt out of the 2020 season on Monday.

“After continuous conversation with my family over the past couple weeks about the NFL figuring out a plan for the 2020 season, I’ve decided to opt out,” James wrote in a letter that he posted on Twitter. “It is tough, but the right decision. There’s just too much unknown about this virus & about plans handling it going forward.”

James, 28, also referenced his wife and newborn son as his top priorities.

The window for NFL players to opt out ends Tuesday.

Players considered high risk for COVID-19 can earn a $350,000 stipend and an accrued NFL season if they decide to opt out. Players without risk can receive $150,000, according to the agreement approved last week by the league and the NFL Players Association, although the voluntary opt-out stipend is solely an advance toward future salary. The stipend is not available to undrafted rookies.

James started three games for the Broncos in 2019 while playing in the first season of a four-year, $51 million deal.

He has started 65 games over six seasons with the Dolphins (2014-18) and Broncos since being selected by Miami with the 19th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media