Apple recorded 46 tackles (37 solo), 0.5 sacks and nine pass breakups, including one interception, across 10 regular-season appearances with the Dolphins in 2023.
Apple started four games for Miami due to injuries ahead of him at cornerback, filling exactly the role the team expected of him while on a one-year deal. Heading into free agency, he no longer seems like a candidate for an actual starting role in the league, but he offers tangible value as an experienced depth option. The 28-year-old may not be one of the hottest names on the free-agent market, but he should be able to resurface in at least a reserve role for the 2024 campaign.
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Dolphins' Eli Apple: Exits game Sunday
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Apple left Sunday's game against the Broncos with a concussion.
Apple will now enter the concussion protocol and will have to clear it in order to return to the game. Kelvin Joseph is now filling in for the injured 28-year-old and his status will be worth monitoring going forward.
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Bengals' Eli Apple: No interceptions in 2022
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Apple concluded the 2022 regular season with 49 tackles, eight pass breakups and no interceptions, forced fumbles or fumble recoveries across 15 appearances. He added 18 stops and one pass breakup in the Bengals' three postseason contests.
As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic notes, Apple is one of five defensive starters for the Bengals who are ticketed for free agency this offseason. After having failed to produce a turnover in 2022, Apple is unlikely to be deployed as a starter if he returns to the team in 2023, given the late-season emergence of rookie Cam Taylor-Britt along with the fact that Chidobe Awuzie (knee) should be back from ACL surgery. Even if Awuzie has a setback and isn't on track to be ready for Week 1 of the 2023 season, the team might turn elsewhere to find another starter opposite Taylor-Britt.
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Bengals' Eli Apple: Submits full session Thursday
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Apple (hamstring) was a full participant during Thursday's practice, Chris Roling of Bengals Wire reports.
After being sidelined during Monday's game versus the Browns due to a hamstring issue, Apple has since logged a limited session Wednesday and a full practice Thursday, putting him in line to play Week 9 against Carolina. The 27-year-old hasn't particularly stood out in the stat sheet thus far in 2022, as he's totaled 19 tackles and no interceptions across seven games played. Apple is in line to slot back in as the team's No. 1 cornerback when the Bengals host the Panthers on Sunday.
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Bengals' Eli Apple: Limited Wednesday
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Apple (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.
Apple was sidelined during the Bengals' Week 8 loss to the Browns due to a hamstring injury he suffered a week prior. It's encouraging to see the veteran defensive back return to practice, albeit in a limited fashion, but he'll likely have to a log at least one full session if he wants to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Panthers.
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Bengals' Eli Apple: Doubtful for Monday night
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Apple (hamstring) did not participate at practice Saturday and is listed as doubtful for Monday's game at Cleveland.
Apple seems likely to miss his first game of the season Monday with a hamstring injury. If he is indeed out for Week 8, Tre Flowers would be in line for fill-in reps on the boundary opposite Chidobe Awuzie.
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Bengals' Eli Apple: Moves past injury
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Apple (quad) was not listed on Cincinnati's injury report Wednesday.
Apple missed back-to-back practices after having fluid drained from his quad in late August, but he now appears to be available again heading into the regular season. The 27-year-old should slot in opposite Chidobe Awuzie as the Bengals' starting cornerbacks versus the Steelers on Sunday.
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Bengals' Eli Apple: Week 1 start
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Apple will start at corner in place of the injured Trae Waynes (hamstring) in Week 1 against the Vikings, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.
It's interesting to see Apple get the nod ahead of Darius Phillips and Mike Hilton, though Hilton is specifically tasked to be a slot corner.
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Eli Apple: Cut loose by Panthers
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The Panthers released Apple (hamstring) on Tuesday, Myles Simmons of the team's official site reports.
Apple hasn't been able to stay healthy, battling ankle and hamstring injuries this year. He's suited up in just two games and totaled 28 defensive snaps, and after leaving Tuesday's practice early to receive treatment on his hamstring, the Panthers decided to cut him loose. The 2016 first-round pick will now focus on getting healthy as he searches for his fourth NFL team in five years.
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Panthers' Eli Apple: Questionable for Sunday
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Apple (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game at New Orleans.
The 25-year-old practiced as a full participant all week, so it's a bit of a surprise to see him carry an injury designation into the weekend. Assuming he plays, Apple should have an increased role with Rasul Douglas on the COVID-19 list.
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Panthers' Eli Apple: Unavailable against Bears
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Apple (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Bears, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.
Apple has battled a myriad of injuries, as he'll sit out for the fifth time this season due to a hamstring issue. In the one game he did suit up, the 25-year-old cornerback played exclusively on special teams, so his absence will mainly affect the team's secondary depth.
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Panthers' Eli Apple: Practices without limitations
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Apple (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Alaina Getzenberg of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Apple couldn't suit up against Atlanta in Week 5 due to a lingering hamstring injury, but after having been limited Wednesday, it now looks as though he's back to full health. Barring any setbacks, he'll provide a boost to Carolina's secondary when the team faces the Bears on Sunday.
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Panthers' Eli Apple: Leaves with hamstring injury
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Apple won't return to Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to a hamstring injury, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.
Apple was activated off injured reserve Saturday after missing the first three games of the season with ankle/foot issues, but he went down with the hamstring injury during his season debut. Troy Pride should see increased reps at cornerback for the Panthers.
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Panthers' Eli Apple: Back at practice
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Apple (ankle) will practice Wednesday, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.
Apple's return to practice signifies the start of a 21-day window for the Panthers to add him to the active roster, or to allow him to revert to IR for the rest of the season. Once he's back to full health, Apple is expected to push for one of Carolina's starting cornerback positions.
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Panthers' Eli Apple: Finds home in Carolina
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Apple agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Panthers on Thursday.
Apple previously agreed to sign with the Raiders in March, but after having been unable to finalize a deal in Las Vegas, the veteran corner will now link up with the Panthers. The 24-year-old fills a key void on Carolina's roster, as the team didn't previously have much in the way of proven options behind Donte Jackson. As such, Apple looks primed to play a starting role at cornerback for new defensive coordinator Phil Snow. The former Saint will remain in the NFC South.
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Eli Apple: Deal with Raiders falls through
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Apple and the Raiders were unable to finalize a contract Thursday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Apple is coming off a career-best year with New Orleans, having notched 58 tackles (53 solo), four defended passes and one forced fumble across 15 contests. With Apple now set to look for an opportunity elsewhere in the league, the Raiders could be motivated to sign another veteran cornerback in free agency or address the position in the 2020 NFL Draft.
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Saints' Eli Apple: Lands on IR
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The Saints have placed Apple (ankle) on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's wild-card game against the Vikings, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reports.
Apple's postseason has come to a premature end. He sustained the injury in Week 16, and the severity is too much to overcome. Look for Janoris Jenkins and P.J. Williams to see increased roles as a result of his absence.
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Saints' Eli Apple: Missing playoff opener
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Apple (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's playoff game versus Minnesota, Chris Corso of the Vikings' official site reports.
The 24-year-old sustained the ankle injury Week 16 before sitting out the regular-season finale, and he won't be able to suit up Sunday. Janoris Jenkins and P.J. Williams are primed to see heavier workloads in Apple's absence.
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Saints' Eli Apple: Totals nine tackles
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Apple had nine tackles (eight solo) during Thursday's win over the Falcons.
The nine tackles were a season high for Apple as he tied with fellow cornerback Marshon Lattimore for the team lead Thursday. Apple has 46 tackles (43 solo), four passes defensed and one forced fumble in 12 games this season.
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Saints' Eli Apple: Diagnosed with hyperextension
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Apple is believed to have a hyperextended left knee, Nick Underhill of The Athletic reports.
That sounds less serious than it looked in real-time, as Apple's knee could be seen to giving out on the wet turf as the 24-year-old tried to make a play near the end of the game. He'll probably get more tests on Monday with a recovery timeline soon to follow. With P.J. Williams due to miss another week due to suspension, Patrick Robinson likely sees increased snaps in their absence.
