Panthers Sign Roberto Aguayo To P-Squad
Roberto Aguayo is back in the NFL. Sort of. The Panthers announced that they have signed the former Buccaneers and Bears kicker to the practice squad. 
Aguayo will give the Panthers insurance this week while they figure out what is going on with Graham Gano. Gano has a knee injury and it’s not clear if he will be able to go this weekend. Following the game against the Bears on Sunday, Gano was seen icing down his knee in the locker room.
The Buccaneers surprised everyone in 2016 when they used a second-round pick (and traded up for that pick) to select the local kicker. Their confidence in Aguayo’s leg was not rewarded. As a rookie, he made only 22-of-31 field goal attempts (71%) and missed two extra points. When he was unable to turn things around in training camp and the preseason, Tampa Bay waived him.
Luckily for the Bucs, the Bears were intrigued enough by Aguayo to claim him off of waivers. The Bears cut him before the start of the season, leaving them on the hook for upwards of $400K.
Lions To Sign Matt Prater To Extension
The Lions and kicker Matt Prater have agreed to terms on a new deal. It’s a three-year deal worth $11.4MM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Factoring in the bonuses, Prater’s deal can reach a maximum value of $12.15MM. The deal, which could keep Prater in Detroit through the 2020 season, also includes a $3.6MM signing bonus. 
Prater was cut by the Broncos in 2014 right after he served a four-game ban for violating the substance abuse policy. The Lions were happy to give Prater a second chance at that point since neither Nate Freese nor Alex Henery could hit the broad side of a barn that year. It proved to be a worthwhile gamble for Detroit as Prater has avoided trouble and sank 85.7% of his field goal tries.
Prater has made a name for himself with long distance kicks and, as Kyle Meinke of MLive.com notes, he is responsible for the four longest field goals in Lions franchise history, with the top one coming from 59 yards out. He’s also tied for the fifth-longest FG in Detroit with a 56-yarder (Jason Hanson, the previous record-holder with the Lions, has connected from that distance twice). All in all, Prater has made field goals from 50 yards or more 19 times since joining the Lions.
The 33-year-old kicker will celebrate his 36th birthday before the final year of his new contract. Prater has shown no real signs of slowing down, so he could still be booming those long-range kicks for the Lions at that point.
Randy Gregory Reinstatement Unlikely Until 2018
Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory is unlikely to seek reinstatement from his one-year substance abuse suspension until 2018, sources tell Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. Earlier today, Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports reported the NFL wasn’t expected to reinstate Gregory in November, which is when he’d first be eligible to apply for reinstatement.
Gregory could theoretically apply for re-entry to the NFL 60 days before his ban ends on January 6, but the former second-round pick is still working through personal issues, per Robinson. While at least one report indicated Gregory had failed a drug test in April, he attended a rehab facility over the summer and passed substance tests as late as September of this year. The Cowboys and their security team have been keeping an eye on Gregory, who’s been working out in the Dallas area, according to Robinson.
Given the NFL’s apparent disinterest in clearing Gregory in November, the Cowboys edge defender could take further action in order to convince the league he’s ready to play again. Waiting until 2018 to seek reinstatement could be one such step, while Gregory has also considered undergoing more counseling or serving another stay at rehab, per Robinson.
Gregory, 24, exhibited a variety of off-field question marks heading into the 2015 draft, but the Cowboys selected him in the second round anyway. It’s clear why Dallas overlooked Gregory’s issues, as the Nebraska product managed 16.5 sacks over two collegiate seasons and ranked as a top-10 athlete among edge rushing prospects. But he’s appeared in just 14 games in the NFL (zero starts), and has posted only one professional sack.
Seahawks To Sign DE Dwight Freeney
The Seahawks have signed veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney, as Freeney himself first indicated on his own Twitter account. Unsurprisingly, it’s a one-year deal for Freeney, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
Freeney, now 37 years old, spent the 2015 campaign in Arizona and managed eight sacks down the stretch after signing with the club midseason. Last year, Freeney didn’t have to wait quite as long to land a contract, and put up three sacks and 26.5 pressures for the Falcons while playing roughly a third of Atlanta’s defensive snaps.
Despite that performance, Freeney had yet to draw any interest on the free agent market until meeting with the Seahawks earlier today. He’d always planned to continue his career, however, and there’s an argument to be made that waiting until midseason to sign a deal could actually help a pass rusher of Freeney’s age by limiting his overall usage.
Freeney won’t be asked to play a starter’s complement of snaps in Seattle, as the club already boasts two excellent edge defenders in Michael Bennett and Frank Clark. Bennett, though, is dealing with plantar fasciitis, while fellow defensive end Cliff Avril is out for the rest of the season (and could be contemplating retirement). Given the Seahawks’ depth up front, Freeney will serve as a rotational option alongside other reserves such as Marcus Smith and Branden Jackson.
While there’s no word on the financials in Freeney’s contract, it’s possible (and even likely, based on past precedent) that his deal with Seattle will include some type of performance-based pay. Last season, Freeney inked a one-year, $1MM pact with Atlanta that contained up to $2MM in sack incentives.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/24/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Buffalo Bills
- WR Rod Streater; TE Jason Croom (link)
Carolina Panthers
- Ks Roberto Aguayo, Mike Meyer, Younghoe Koo (link via Mike Garafolo of NFL.com)
Dallas Cowboys
- LS Trent Gow (link)
Detroit Lions
- WR Jake Kumerow (link)
Green Bay Packers
- FB Joe Kerridge; DL Paul Boyette, Casey Sayles; CBs Jeremy Boykins, Jarnor Jones; S Orion Stewart (Twitter links)
Houston Texans
- DEs Sterling Bailey, Patrick Gamble; DT Mike Purcell; LBs Akeem Ayers, Jelani Jenkins (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- WRs Anthony Nash, Francis Owusu, Domonique Young; DE Armonty Bryant; CB Jeremy Boykins (link)
New Orleans Saints
- RBs Malcolm Johnson, Marquez Williams; OL Jake Eldrenkamp, Storm Norton, Nate Theaker (link)
Oakland Raiders
- QB Joel Stave; WRs Devin Lucien, Jordan Payton; TEs Brandon Barnes, Eric Wallace; LBs Jeremy Cash, Jayson DiManche, Jason Thompson; CB Jarnor Jones; DBs Jordan Moore, James Sample, Orion Stewart (Twitter links)
Falcons LB Duke Riley To Undergo Surgery
Falcons linebacker Duke Riley will require surgery after suffering a torn meniscus, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. While Atlanta hasn’t announced a timetable for Riley’s return, meniscus injuries typically require a four-week absence, per McClure.
Riley, whom the Falcons selected in the third round of the 2017 draft, has appeared in every game for Atlanta during his rookie campaign. He’s only been a base package player, though, garnering time on roughly 45% of the Falcons’ defensive snaps while playing on a quarter of the club’s special teams plays. Pro Football Focus hasn’t been a fan of Riley’s output, grading the LSU product as a bottom-15 linebacker.
Still, replacing a player who is essentially a starter is never easy, but the Falcons already started on that task earlier today. Atlanta agreed to bring back linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who spent 2010-15 with the Falcons. It’s unclear if Atlanta expects Weatherspoon to step directly into Riley’s role, or whether they’ll lean on other players — such as Jordan Tripp or (per McClure) converted safety Kemal Ishmael — to replace Riley. The Falcons are also set to bring linebacker LaRoy Reynolds off injured reserve in the next few weeks.
Chiefs To Bring CB Steven Nelson Off IR
The Chiefs intend to bring cornerback Steven Nelson off injured reserve, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link), who reports Nelson’s status has been changed to reserve/injured with a designation to return.
Nelson suffered a core muscle injury during the summer, but the Chiefs placed him on their initial 53-man roster instead of putting him on IR before final cutdowns. That maneuver now allows them to bring Nelson back, and that’s been the plan all along. Nelson, 24, was full-time starter during the 2016 campaign, as he played 90% of Kansas City’s defensive snaps opposite Marcus Peters.
Nelson’s return should buoy a Chiefs defense that ranks just 21st in DVOA and 17th in passing defense DVOA. Terrance Mitchell has filled in as a starting corner for Kansas City, but he’s struggled (No. 81 CB per Pro Football Focus), so it shouldn’t be surprising is Nelson immediately slides back into his old role. Mitchell and Phillip Gaines should be used more sparingly once Nelson returns.
NFL rules now allow clubs to bring two players back from IR, but the Chiefs don’t have any other options at present to designate as return players. Safety Eric Berry, running back Spencer Ware, wide receiver Chris Conley, and defensive back Ashton Lampkin all suffered season-ending injuries that won’t allow them to return in 2017.
Eagles LB Jordan Hicks Done For Season
Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks will miss the remainder of the 2017 season after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Monday night’s victory over the Redskins, head coach Doug Pederson announced today. Zach Berman and Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer first reported last night that Hicks had injured his Achilles.
[RELATED: Eagles OT Jason Peters Tears ACL]
Hicks, 25, has been a full-time starter for most of his time in Philadelphia, but he’s only played 70% of the club’s defensive snaps this season. That’s largely because the former third-round pick has left two previous games with injury, allowing fellow linebacker Mychal Kendricks to see more time. After offering excellent production from 2015-16, Hicks has thus far graded as only the No. 54 linebacker among 81 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus, but it’s fair to assume Hicks’ health questions have affected his performance.
Even after Hicks is placed on injured reserve, the Eagles will still have six linebackers available on their defensive depth chart. Kendricks and Nigel Bradham figure to continue leading the unit in snaps, but Najee Goode, Joe Walker, Nathan Gerry, and Kamu Grugier-Hill could all more candidates to see more playing time. Kendricks, notably, was inactive on Monday with an injury of his own, and the rest of Philadelphia’s ‘backers have played mostly on special teams.
The Eagles don’t have a linebacker on their practice squad to promote, but they could scour the free agent market in search of a Hicks replacement. Just last week, Philadelphia auditioned veteran defenders Sean Spence, Donald Butler, and Jelani Jenkins, any of whom could become a reinforcement for the Eagles No. 14-DVOA-ranked defense. Other free agent linebackers include Perry Riley, Erin Henderson, Audie Cole, and Philip Wheeler.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/24/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: DL Joe Vellano
Carolina Panthers
- Claimed off waivers: WR Kaelin Clay
- Placed on injured reserve: S Demetrious Cox
Denver Broncos
- Waived: C Dillon Day
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR: OL Don Barclay
Houston Texans
- Released: CB Marcus Burley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Michael Ola
- Placed on injured reserve: OL Matt Slauson (story)
New York Jets
- Promoted to active roster: CB Robert Nelson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: S Isaiah Johnson
- Released from IR: WR Jhajuan Seales
Buccaneers To Sign DE Darryl Tapp
The Buccaneers have agreed to sign free agent defensive end Darryl Tapp, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link).
Tampa Bay is dealing with several injuries along its defensive line, the most severe of which may be to edge rusher Noah Spence, who left Sunday’s contest with a shoulder injury and will likely miss an extended period of time. Ryan Russell is also coming back from a shoulder issue, while veteran Robert Ayers is managing a knee injury (and was able to play in Week 7).
Tapp, 33, has already had multiple stints with the division rival Saints in 2017, but hasn’t actually played a down for New Orleans since last season. He’s been more or less a rotational defensive end since 2009 (with his best and most productive years coming as a starter for the Seahawks in 2007-08), and that’s likely the role he’ll play for the Buccaneers. Tapp, who has 162 career appearances under his belt, will play behind Ayers, William Gholston, and Will Clarke in Tampa.
This isn’t the first time the Bucs have sought to add help on the edge of their defensive line. Free agent pass rusher Lamarr Houston worked out for Tampa Bay earlier this month before signing with the Texans, while the Buccaneers auditioned defensive ends Wallace Gilberry and Owa Odighizuwa alongside Tapp on Tuesday, per veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link). Tampa also looked at cornerbacks Josh Johnson, Deji Olatoye, and Raysean Pringle, plus defensive tackle Marquavius Lewis.