NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/10/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: C Derrick Nelson, DT Kapron Lewis-Moore
- Released: TE Ryan Malleck, S Ronald Martin
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Ryan O’Malley, C Adam Redmond
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Matt Lengel
- Released: TE J.P. Holtz
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Cole Toner
- Released: QB Taylor Heinicke, G Jason King
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Woodrow Hamilton, LB Shayne Skov
- Released: CB Bradley Sylve
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Ethan Cooper, WR Kalif Raymond
- Released: OL Anthony Fabiano
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Jahad Thomas
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Deontae Skinner
- Released: LB Boseko Lokombo
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DE Alex McCalister
- Released: WR Rashard Davis
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: DE Noble Nwachukwu
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Larry Webster
- Released: FB Austin Johnson
Jets Working Out DE Jacquies Smith
The Jets worked out free agent defensive end Jacquies Smith today, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link).
Smith, 27, had established himself as a serviceable edge rusher for the Buccaneers (13.5 sacks from 2014-15) before a torn ACL ended his 2016 campaign after only one game. After working his way back to full health, Smith had played in his first contest of the year during Week 4, but saw action on only seven snaps. Tampa Bay apparently didn’t like what it saw in that game, as it released Smith prior to its Thursday night contest against the Patriots.
Given that New York plays a 3-4 front under head coach Todd Bowles, Smith — who stands 6’2″, 250 pounds — would presumably play stand-up linebacker in the club’s base package. Smith could move to a two-point stance as a situational edge rusher, however, and that’s likely the role he’d play if signed. Kony Ealy, acquired off waivers from the Patriots earlier this year, has been used in that capacity for the Jets this season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LS Justin Drescher
- Placed on injured reserve: LS Aaron Brewer
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted to active roster: DT Taniela Tupou
Cleveland Browns
- Released from IR: T Matt McCants
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers: CB Marcus Williams
- Released: CB Johnthan Banks, T Jah Reid
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR: CB Josh Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: LB Gabe Martin
New York Giants
- Promoted to active roster: WR Ed Eagan
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: CB Demetrius McCray
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: CB Asa Jackson
Ravens Meet With TE Will Tye
The Ravens met with free agent tight end Will Tye this week, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Ravens Re-Sign Bobby Rainey]
Tye, 25, was a serviceable tight end for the Giants from 2015-16, as he averaged 45 receptions, 430 yards, and two touchdowns per year during that span. Big Blue waived him during final roster cutdowns, however, and he went crosstown to the Jets. Tye didn’t last long with Gang Green, though, as the Jets cut him last week. Although he’s only been a free agent for one week, Tye has already drawn interest, as he met with the Chiefs on Friday.
Baltimore currently has four tight ends on its roster: Ben Watson, Nick Boyle, Maxx Williams, and wide receiver convert Vince Mayle. Watson and Boyle have played the majority of the offensive snaps for the Ravens, while Watson has been the club’s primary receiving threat with 18 receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown.
Both Watson and Williams have been affected by injury issues lately, which could explain Tye’s visit to Baltimore. The 36-year-old Watson didn’t practice early last week while he dealt with a calf ailment, but ultimately played in the Ravens’ contest against the Raiders. Williams, meanwhile, has been sidelined for Baltimore’s past two games with a ankle injury.
49ers To Sign CB Leon Hall
Cornerback Leon Hall has signed with the 49ers, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). There’s no word on the terms of the deal yet, but it’s likely a one-year pact for a prorated portion of the minimum salary. 
Hall, 32, worked out for the Niners a few times this year. After watching the secondary struggle for more than a month, they’ve finally called on Hall for some veteran help.
After nine seasons with the Bengals, Hall joined up with the Giants last year. The corner appeared in 12 games (two starts), totaling 20 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. He’s no longer a higher-end starter, but Hall can be a regular contributor, particularly for a team like the Niners.
San Francisco saw three cornerbacks — Ahkello Witherspoon, Asa Jackson, Rashard Robinson — leave Sunday’s game with injury at various points, so secondary depth is certainly an issue. Hall, with his ability to play both safety and corner, will pad the club’s roster for the time being.
Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.
AFC Notes: Pats, Gronk, Brady, Dolphins
The Patriots‘ decision to deactivate Rob Gronkowski for Thursday night’s game could cost him major money at the end of the season, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss points out. Gronkowski has played in 70.5% of the team’s snaps this season, which puts him on pace for the lowest possible incentives tier of $6.75MM. He can still reach the first ($10.75MM) and second tiers ($8.75MM) based on receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns, or All-Pro selection, but those markers will also be hard to reach without a certain volume of snaps.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered what is thought to be an AC joint sprain in his left, non-throwing shoulder, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He says he’ll play on Sunday against the Jets.
- The Dolphins are expected to bring back assistant Dave DeGuglielmo to take over as the team’s new offensive line coach, Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link).
- Despite some recent optimism, it’s premature to say that Chargers first-round pick Mike Williams will be ready to make his NFL debut next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
- Cody Latimer, one of the Broncos‘ top special teamers, underwent a blood injection procedure in his right knee and could be out for the next game or so, Mike Klis of 9 News writes. Latimer has excelled as a kick returner so far this year with an average of 28.4 per attempt. He’s also a gunner on punt and kickoff coverage.
- Former NFL safety Taylor Mays has signed with the CFL’s Roughriders, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The former second-round pick was most recently with the Bengals.
NFC Notes: Lions, Stafford, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford suffered a hamstring injury and a sprained ankle in Detroit’s 27-24 loss to Carolina, a source tells ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. Stafford’s status is currently up in the air and his week of practice will determine whether he plays Sunday against New Orleans. The good news is that if Stafford does miss time, it sounds like it won’t be a lengthy absence.
Here’s a look at the NFC:
- Eagles coach Doug Pederson admitted to reporters that it’s going to be tough to get lineman Lane Johnson through the league’s concussion protocol in time for Thursday night’s game (Twitter link via Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com).
- Seahawks running back Chris Carson lost a good chunk of money thanks to his injury and the split in his contract, as Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) points out. His weekly salary is now based off $348K while on IR rather than $465K.
- Bears linebacker John Timu, who was carted off the field on Sunday with a scary-looking injury, only suffered a high-ankle sprain (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). He’ll be out 2-4 weeks, which is a much better prognosis than many expected at first.
Giants To Meet With Branden Albert
The Giants will meet with offensive tackle Branden Albert later this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Albert worked out for the Seahawks on Monday, but he left Seattle without a deal. 
Albert was upset about his contract this summer and unsure about whether he wanted to play at all in 2017. It was said that he had “no desire” to play in late August, but he apparently had a change of heart this fall.
The 32-year-old (33 in November) was once among the league’s better tackles, but it’s fair to wonder what he has left in the tank at this stage. The Seahawks are in dire need of tackle help, so it’s perhaps telling that he did not sign with them after his audition. Then again, given his contractual demands over the summer, it’s possible that the two sides were just too far apart on Monday.
The jinxed Giants – who are without both Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall for the remainder of the season – head to Denver on Sunday in search of their first win.
AFC South Notes: Colts, Luck, Texans, Watt
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been ruled out for next Monday night’s game against Tennessee, coach Chuck Pagano tells reporters. The Colts are still waiting for Luck to make his 2017 debut but publicly they have been insistent that he will play at some point. Over the weekend we learned that Luck is at least a month away from playing.
Here’s more from the AFC South:
- Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt is facing a lengthy recovery for his tibial plateau fracture, but the good news is that he did not suffer ligament damage, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears (on Twitter). The Houston star will miss the remainder of the 2017 season, meaning that he will have missed 24 games over the past two regular seasons. Before that, Watt earned Pro Bowl trips and first-team All-Pro honors in every campaign from 2012-2015.
- Colts wide receiver Krishawn Hogan confirmed that an ACL tear is the reason behind his being placed on IR (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of CBS4). “‘I kind of knew it when it happened,” Hogan said of the injury. The UDFA out of Marian University was elevated from the Colts’ practice squad in late September and appeared in two games. He had practice buzz, so the Colts can be expected to circle back to him in the offseason.
- Colin Kaepernick‘s representatives reached out to the Titans after Marcus Mariota went down with a hamstring issue.
Texans Work Out Tyson Jackson
Former No. 3 overall pick Tyson Jackson is visiting the Texans and will work out for them, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears (on Twitter). The Texans are in desperate need of defensive line help after losing J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus to season-ending injuries, so Jackson could be a natural fit. 
Jackson was cut loose by the Falcons at the outset of free agency. With $8.5MM and two years to go on his deal, it was an easy choice for Atlanta given his disappointing performance in 2016.
Last year, Jackson had just 13 total tackles and two pass deflections in 16 games (seven starts). The advanced statistics at Pro Football Focus rated him as just the No. 67 interior defender in the NFL out of 127 qualified players. His grades for run defense, pass rush, and coverage were all atrocious in his 389 total snaps.
Furthermore, Jackson failed to record a sack in any of his three seasons with the Falcons, but he was an effective player while with the Chiefs. He may not be the world-class player NFL scouts thought he might be in 2009, but he could help to fill a major need in Houston.