Jeff Demps goes from “fine” to IR in just 24 hours

Posted by Darin Gantt on August 31, 2012, 9:41 PM EDT
AP

Even though a report yesterday said Patriots running back Jeff Demps was “fine” with a minor knee injury, the team placed him on injured reserve, it was announced Friday night.

If you think that smells fishy, as if they’re trying to stash a developmental player, the line forms behind this guy (Jon Gruden thumbs).

The recently signed Olympic sprinter gave no indications of a serious injury after the preseason finale to any of the reporters who cover the team.

The Patriots also released 22 players, including the previously reported wide receiver Deion Branch and quarterback Brian Hoyer.

Also part of the final cuts were safety Sergio Brown, defensive lineman Marcus Harrison, wide receiver Jesse Holley, safety James Ihedigbo, offensive lineman Matt Kopa, center Dan Koppen, linebacker Niko Koutouvides, safety Derrick Martin, linebacker Jeff Tarpinian and safety Malcolm Williams.

They also waived fullback Eric Kettani, defensive lineman Aaron Lavarias, tight end Alex Silvestro and wide receiver Kerry Taylor, along with 2012 seventh-round wide receiver Jeremy Ebert and rookie free agent tight end Tyler Urban and offensive linemen Derek Dennis, Dustin Waldron, Jeremiah Warren and Darrion Weems.

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56 responses to “Jeff Demps goes from “fine” to IR in just 24 hours”

  5. And Demps picked them cause they were like “family ” yea like the devils rejects family

  6. Tough cuts were made best of luck to especially Branch, Hoyer and Koppen they made wonderful contributions over the years. Happy to see Justin Francis made it he worked his heart out in the preseason. As far as Jeff Demps goes I doubt he was IR worthy but happy there was a way he can stay

  10. Barring an important starter going down at some
    point with the possibility to return (which ALWAYS happens), here’s your guy the Pats will
    use with this new change to the IR rule. Wait, does he count as being on the final pre-season 53 man roster ?

  12. I have a question, how come Bill Belichick gets away with not disclosing injuries but everyone else has to follow the rules. I get that in this case, there was no injury report for an upcoming game or whatever. But he is constantly vague/non-descriptive when it comes to reporting on player injury status and everyone thinks its cute. I don’t get it.

  20. Stashing players on “injured” reserve is a bigger problem than “bounties,” IMO. And for the record, the Saints are doing the exact same thing with Nick Toon.

  25. Good ell should send an independent doctor in on situations like this to keep teams from circumventing the system.

  26. Last I checked, you don’t have to submit an MRI or X-Ray to put a guy on IR. Get over it. He is done for the season, life goes on.

  27. If it were anyone but Belichick, there might be some doubt as to whether or not this was legitimate.

  28. How is this legal if the guy isn’t even hurt? Betcha Demps isn’t very happy about his “family” decision now.

  30. What?

    The Patriots are doing something “fishy” and potentially bending the rules?

    I’m aghast at such an accusation towards this honorable franchise that always strived to win “the right way”.

  32. With the new IR rule you are going to see much more of this going on. Especially from guys who like to take things to the limits like Billichick to test the league.

  33. CHEATING,CHEATING,CHEATING!
    WAAAAAAH…Mr. Commissioner, They’re doing it again. You need to doooooo something about it.
    Well, if you won’t do anything about it than I will declare anything they win this year to be tainted, tainted, tainted, just like everything else they ever won. Oh, and by the way, I happen to know for a fact that Tom Brady is a hairoid user.

  36. It “smells fishy”, those sneaks, trying to sneak a totally healthy player onto the team via the new rule. Something has gone bad in Gotham City.

    Way to put a spin on it Darin.

    Nobody on the Pats will ever discuss injuries with the media; they never have and they never will. But you really did know that, right?

  40. Yes! that’s right that cheating bastard cleverly stashed his best kick returner on IR ensuring he won’t be used this year. What an edge! What a brilliant move!

    Seriously this site is populated by idiots.

  41. Under the new rule a player first has to be on the 53-man roster and be “designated for return”. So they are doing it to bring him back this year, but it’s doubtful that if a player that could contribute this year had the exact same injury he would be put on IR. As much as I hate the Patriots, I would bet this happens with most teams quite often, so can’t really beat Bill up too bad.

  42. Under the new rule a player first has to be on the 53-man roster and be “designated for return”. So they aren’t doing it to bring him back this year, but it’s doubtful that if a player that could contribute this year had the exact same injury he would be put on IR. As much as I hate the Patriots, I would bet this happens with most teams quite often, so can’t really beat Bill up too bad.

  43. “If i counted right the Pats have 52 players. That must mean Brian Watters is playing this yr”

    That means they think Brian Waters is playing this year.

    He has 8 days to get into football shape if he comes tomorrow.

  44. Jeff Demps gets $250,000 guaranteed this season in his contract doesn’t he? For less than 2 weeks work as he had just joined the team…I’m sure he is not complaining. The Patriots only became interested in Demps when they heard the NY Jets wanted him, they stash him to keep him away from their rivals. Isn’t that smart ? There is an old saying, “if you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying…” signed NFL team management / Major League Players in the modern era and long distance bike racers… Anything to get ahead man …anything to get ahead… Also, from what I hear Jeff Demps can now travel the country getting paid for appearances as a Silver medalist …smart, fast man…

  47. I seriously dislike the Patriots, but every team does this to some degree. Get over it. The cba lets it happen.

    I did not see a story on the Ravens “storing” Streeter on IR, but they are. And I love my ratbirds, but that’s just the way the rules are set up.

  48. Hi Haters! Go Pats everyone always tries to conspire against them but they just know that’s all they can do because unless your a giant fan your team can’t beat them haha

  49. I’m not a Pats fan, but enough with the whole “cheaters” talk; it’s absolutely ridiculous. In every facet of life there are rules & laws, & very rarely are th

  52. “Jeff Demps goes from “fine” to IR in just 24 hours”
    —–
    technically, I bet it happened in just a matter of seconds as he was “fine” until a few seconds later when the sentence that said he was now on IR was completed by whoever said it….lol…nothing against the story/writer…

  55. He gets paid, plain and simple. As for the injury, take a look a the replay. The Giants linebacker rolled himself across Demps’ entire leg on the tackle. Wouldn’t be surprised if he has some damage in both his knee and ankle. Not good for a speedster. The only thing fishy here is some questionable hatred towards the Pats organization, Mr Gantt.

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