Carolina Panthers cornerback A.J. Bouye was expected to return from a two-game suspension in Week 3, but he has been listed as a surprise inactive tonight versus the Houston Texans. Joining Bouye on the inactive list for this evening will be defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, wide receiver Shi Smith, linebacker Clay Johnston, defensive tackle Phil Hoskins, and offensive linemen Michael Jordan and Deonte Brown. Bouye figures to play a key role in the Panthers secondary this season, but his first shot to get back on the field will be in Week 4 versus the Dallas Cowboys.
The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms on an undisclosed deal with free-agent cornerback A.J. Bouye on Wednesday as they continue to bolster their defense this offseason. The 29-year-old gives Carolina a reliable cornerback opposite Donte Jackson after the team also signed Rashaan Melvin. Bouye will miss the first two games on a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy. The 30-year-old some good seasons with Jacksonville and was traded to the Broncos last March. He has 14 career interceptions in 69 career NFL starts and will help boost Carolina's secondary if he stays healthy.
The Denver Broncos released cornerback A.J. Bouye on Thursday. Bouye missed the last four games of the 2020 season due to a six-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 29-year-old will be suspended for the first two games of the 2021 season as well. The release frees up $11.7 million against the team's salary cap, and they'll have just under $31 million worth of space overall heading into the offseason. Denver must still decide on whether to pick up the options on linebacker Von Miller and safety Kareem Jackson. The Broncos sent a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars last March to acquire Bouye, but he was inconsistent and also missed four games with a shoulder injury and another game due to a concussion. Bouye finished with just 21 tackles and no interceptions in seven games.
Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye was officially suspended for six games on Wednesday for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. Bouye will miss the final four games of the regular season this year and the first two games of the 2021 campaign as a result. Denver's defense recently put cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) on Injured Reserve as well, so they'll be especially thin in the secondary the rest of the way, beginning in Week 14 against the Panthers. Rookie Michael Ojemudia will be forced into a starting role, while it's unknown if rookie Essang Bassey will play this weekend after suffering an injury in Week 13 against the Chiefs. The Broncos Defense surprised against KC last weekend, but they should be avoided against Carolina this Sunday.
Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye is facing a suspension for performance-enhancing drug use, according to a source. Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller V and cornerback Bradley Roby were recently suspended for six games, so Bouye would likely be out for the rest of this season and the beginning of the 2021 season if he's officially suspended by the league. An already young and inexperienced secondary can ill-afford to lose Bouye, especially after rookie cornerback Essang Bassey was injured in the Week 13 loss to the Chiefs. In his first seven games with Denver this year, Bouye has 23 combined tackles and six passes defensed. The Broncos Defense slowed Kansas City down last weekend, but they're a low-upside defensive unit in fantasy and should probably remain on the waiver wire in Week 14 against the Panthers.
Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye (shoulder) doesn't have surgery planned for his dislocated shoulder, according to a source. However, he'll likely be out a few weeks as he rehabs the injury. The Broncos will likely place him on Injured Reserve, which means he'd miss at least three weeks. It's a tough early season blow to a Denver defense that lost Chris Harris Jr. to free agency in the offseason. With a healthy Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers on the schedule for Week 2, Denver's secondary could be vulnerable with two rookies starting. The Broncos Defense looked good in the Monday night opener against the Titans, but Bouye's injury makes them much more risky as a starting unit this weekend.
Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye (shoulder) suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Monday night loss to the Titans in Week 1, according to sources. The question is how much associated damage he suffered. The hope is that the injury isn't that bad and he won't miss much time. With the Steelers and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on the docket in Week 2, Bouye's health is worth watching this week. When Bouye was forced to leave on Monday night, Denver was using two rookies -- Michael Ojemudia and Essang Bassey in the secondary -- so they could be extremely vulnerable against Big Ben and company in Week 2 if Bouye can't play.
The Denver Broncos have agreed to acquire cornerback A.J. Bouye from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this year's draft, according to league sources. The trade won't officially be processed until the new league year starts on March 18. Bouye is due to make $13 million in 2020 and count $15.5 million against the salary cap. Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr., a four-time Pro Bowler, is set to hit the free-agent market, but a Broncos source said the Bouye trade doesn't necessarily close the door on Harris. Bouye will turn 29 in August and made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro in 2017 for the Jags, but he hasn't played at a high level the last two years. If Denver replaces Harris with Bouye, it has to be seen as a downgrade.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye could be released this offseason to clear $11.4 million in salary cap space. Bouye has two interceptions the last two years, while Tre Herndon, who started opposite of Bouye when Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Rams, had three interceptions last season and will make $660,000 in 2020. Jacksonville could look to the draft in April to try and address their need for a new cornerback. Once one of the top secondaries in the NFL just several seasons ago, it has now become a weakness for the Jags.
A.J. Bouye Has Good Shot To Play For Jaguars Defense
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (hip), who is listed as questionable to play on Thursday against the Titans, has a good shot to play, according to a source. If he suits up, it's expected to be his last game starting across from Jalen Ramsey, who will likely be traded this weekend. Having both Bouye and Ramsey starting will be bad news for Tennessee's pass-catchers Corey Davis and rookie A.J. Brown. Fire up Jacksonville's defense/special teams as a low-end fantasy option Thursday night.
