The Seattle Seahawks have placed defensive end Cliff Avril on injured reserve due to a nagging neck injury that sidelined him since Week 4, according to head coach Pete Carroll. The injury ended Avril’s season and possible his career, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider reporting that the defensive end could mull the possibility of retiring.
In his 10th season, the 31-year-old Avril sustained the injury in the first quarter of their 46-18 rout of the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 1. A third-round pick by Detroit in 2008, Avril played his first five NFL seasons with the Lions.
In 2013, he signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Seahawks and inked a four-year, $28.5 million extension, with $16 million in guaranteed money, the following season. He’s currently on the third year of the deal that gives him a $4.5 million salary this season. In his 10-year stint, Avril has tallied 299 total tackles, 74.0 sacks, 29 passes defended and one interception. This season, he has two tackles and one sack.
Redskins rookie out for season
The Washington Redskins will play the rest of the season without rookie defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, who underwent surgery to put a screw into his injured foot, according to Rapoport. Allen, a 17th overall pick by the Redskins in the 2017 NFL Draft, will be placed on injured reserve, virtually wiping out his season.
In five games, Allen tallied 10 tackles and a sack before he was injured in their Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Beckham’s injury won’t affect contract
Injured wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will remain with the New York Giants next season after the team exercised the fifth-year option in his contract worth $8 million.
Beckham is expected to negotiate a long-term deal with the Giants, but after suffering a season-ending ankle injury, his future with the team is in doubt. However, Giants co-owner John Mara said Beckham’s injury will not affect the negotiations regarding a long-term deal. Mara said there’s nothing to worry about Beckham’s status because he’s expected to make a full recovery.
Mara even hinted that the team could sign Beckham to a long-term deal even before he gets fully healthy.
A 12th overall pick by the Giants in 2014, Beckham emerged as one of the best receivers in the NFL today. In his four years with the Giants, he caught 313 passes 4,424 yards and 38 touchdowns. Before he was injured, Beckham played in four games, catching 25 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5.
