Bears Cut DE Jaye Howard
The Bears have told defensive end Jaye Howard that he is being released, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. Howard has been dealing with a hip issue, though Biggs notes that he has been feeling better as of late. 
In May, the Bears inked Howard to a one-year deal that included a $775K base with up to $4MM in incentives. With an eye on cashing in next year, he switched representation to David Canter in July. The 28-year-old is now going to have to find somewhere else to showcase his skills for the next year.
Howard only suited up eight times for the Chiefs last year before his hip shut him down in November. During his limited action in 2016, Howard recorded 23 tackles and a sack. He ranked 55th in performance among Pro Football Focus‘ 127 qualified interior defensive linemen.
Jaguars, Ravens Complete Trade
The Jaguars have traded center Luke Bowanko to the Ravens, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s not immediately known what the Jaguars are getting in the swap, but it’s likely a late round draft pick.
Bowanko has an opportunity to get playing time right off the bat given the injuries on the Ravens’ offensive line. Baltimore brought Jeremy Zuttah back into the fold in August to fill the gap at center, but he was released on Friday along with a host of other notable veterans.
Bowanko, a sixth round pick in the 2016 draft, has spent time on the Jaguars’ 53-man roster and practice squad over the last three years. In December, he was called back up to the 53-man roster when Julius Thomas and Jared Odrick were placed on injured reserve.
Bowanko is the second offensive lineman to come to the Ravens via trade this week. On Friday, Baltimore acquired veteran interior lineman Tony Bergstrom from the Cardinals.
Patriots, Colts Swap QB Jacoby Brissett, WR Phillip Dorsett
The Patriots and Colts have completed an unexpected swap. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the Patriots are dealing quarterback Jacoby Brissett to Indy for wideout Phillip Dorsett.
There were whispers that Brissett might not make the Patriots 53-man roster, despite the fact they used a third-round pick on the Florida/North Carolina State product in 2016. The 24-year-old got an opportunity to play during his rookie campaign, starting a pair of games for the depleted Patriots. He ultimately completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 400 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also added 83 rushing yards and one score on 16 attempts.
Brissett’s season ended early after he underwent thumb surgery, and he was subsequently placed on injured reserve. However, the second-year player looked fully recovered this preseason, and he threw for 341 yards and four scores during the team’s finale. While Bill Belichick has carried three quarterbacks in past seasons, he traditionally likes to carry a single backup behind starter Tom Brady. With Jimmy Garoppolo healthy and ready to go, the Patriots clearly wanted to carry an extra player elsewhere.
Now, Brissett could find himself thrust into a starting role with the Colts. With Andrew Luck‘s status up in the air for the team’s season opener, Indianapolis might view Brissett as a better starting option than Scott Tolzien and Stephen Morris.
Dorsett had spent his entire two-year career in Indy after being selected in the first round of the 2015 draft. He didn’t live up to his draft position during his rookie campaign, but the 24-year-old showed signs of improvement during his second year in the league. Dorsett ultimately appeared in 15 games (seven starts) last season, hauling in 33 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns.
With Julian Edelman out for the season, Dorsett will provide the Patriots with an experienced replacement. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old’s status with the Colts was up in the air. Roster Resource listed Dorsett as the team’s fourth wideout behind T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, and Chester Rogers. The team is also rostering receivers Kamar Aiken, JoJo Natson, and Quan Bray.
Eagles Extend Chance Warmack
The Eagles signed Chance Warmack in March but have seen enough from the veteran lineman to extend the arrangement past 2017.
Warmack signed a one-year extension through 2018 on Saturday, the team announced. The fifth-year player figures to join Stefen Wisniewski as experienced depth on Philly’s front.
A former Titans first-round pick, Warmack signed a one-year, $1.51MM deal with the Eagles at free agency’s outset. He did so after suffering a hand injury that shelved him for all but two games in 2016. The former well-regarded Alabama prospect’s Eagles agreement profiled as a value-re-establishing pact, but it looks like both sides have enjoyed the arrangement they’ll see fit to continue it.
Although Isaac Seumalo may well open the season as the Eagles’ starting left guard, Warmack profiles as quality insurance and an option in case the second-year player falters. Warmack has started in each of the 48 games he’s played.
Redskins Trade TE Derek Carrier To Rams
We heard earlier this morning that the Redskins could consider cutting tight end Derek Carrier. Now, it sounds like the player is actually getting traded, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Carrier has been traded to the Rams. Washington will receive a 2018 seventh-rounder (via the team’s Twitter account).
The tight end struggled to stay healthy during his two seasons in Washington, appearing in only 20 games after tearing his ACL towards the end of the 2015 campaign. During his two years with the Redskins, Carrier hauled in only 19 catches for 151 yards and one touchdown. With Washington currently rostering four tight ends in Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Niles Paul, and rookie Jeremy Sprinkle, Carrier was clearly expendable. The Redskins initially acquired the tight end after sending a conditional fifth-rounder to the 49ers before the 2015 season. Carrier has also had brief stints with the Raiders and Eagles.
The trade means that the tight end will be reuniting with his former offensive coordinator, Sean McVay, who is now the head coach in Los Angeles. Carrier could have an opportunity to contribute, although it’s likely that the team rolls with second-rounder Gerald Everett as their starter. Therefore, the recently-acquired tight end will presumably compete with Tyler Higbee and Cory Harkey for a reserve role.
Dolphins, T.J. McDonald Agree To Extension
The Dolphins and safety T.J. McDonald have agreed to a four-year, $24MM extension, as James Walker of ESPN.com tweets. The deal includes $10MM in guaranteed money. 
The Dolphins won’t get to see McDonald in live action for a while thanks to his eight-game suspension, but they have been floored by his performance thus far in the summer. He originally came to Miami on a low-risk, one-year deal, but the Fins have seen enough to warrant giving him a multi-year deal at a starter’s salary.
McDonald was a longtime starter for the Rams, but L.A. showed little interest in retaining him. His suspension didn’t come down until the end of March, but it seems that the Rams had some sense of the punishment that was coming his way for the DUI arrest and drug charges.
In 2016, McDonald had 62 total tackles, two interceptions, one sack, and six passes defensed. He graded out as as Pro Football Focus’ 58th best safety in the NFL last season. The Fins clearly disagree with the advanced metrics and see him as a much stronger player.
When McDonald is in uniform, the Dolphins will have a strong safety combo between him and Reshad Jones. In the interim, Jones will be paired with Nate Allen.
Titans Move Roster To 53
The Titans have announced their final 53-man roster, moving from the 90-man limit down to the regular-season standard on Saturday. Here’s who Tennessee cut to get down to 53 (via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com).
Cut:
- CB Manny Abad
- TE Jace Amaro
- DL Angelo Blackson
- NT DeAngelo Brown
- TE Jerome Cunningham
- QB Tyler Ferguson
- CB Demontre Hurst
- WR Darius Jennings
- S Denzel Johnson
- WR Jonathan Krause
- WR KeVonn Mabon
- OL Tyler Marz
- OL Josue Matias
- WR Tre McBride
- T Steven Moore
- RB Khalfani Muhammad
- WR Giovanni Pascascio
- T Jonah Pirsig
- RB Brandon Radcliff
- DE Cameron Robbins
- T Brad Seaton
- TE Tim Semisch
- G Jake Simonich
- CB Darrius Sims
- CB D’Joun Smith
- C Mark Spelman
- LB Justin Staples
- WR Eric Weems
- NT Antwaun Woods
- QB Alex Tanney
Waived/injured:
- FB Joe Bacci
- LS Ryan DiSalvo
- RB Akeem Judd
- DL Jimmy Staten
Placed on IR:
- WR Tajae Sharpe (story)
Panthers Reduce Roster To 53
The Panthers trimmed their roster to 77 players yesterday, and it appears that they’ve reached the 53-man limit today (via Max Henson of Panthers.com):
Waived:
- LB Ben Boulware
- LB Zeek Bigger
- OT Blaine Clausell
- DE Bryan Cox Jr.
- DT Eric Crume
- WR Austin Duke
- WR Mose Frazier
- WR Keyarris Garrett
- QB Garrett Gilbert (story)
- DT Toby Johnson
- DE Zach Moore
- S Damian Parms
- CB Jeff Richards
- RB Jalen Simmons
- S Dezmen Southward
- TE Eric Wallace
- DE Larry Webster
Released outright (vested veterans who are not subject to waivers):
- P Andy Lee (story)
- QB Joe Webb (story)
- FB Darrel Young
Placed on IR:
Lions Cut Brad Kaaya
The Lions informed rookie quarterback Brad Kaaya he did not make their 53-man roster, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Detroit drafted Kaaya in the sixth round out of Miami, bringing him in to develop behind Matthew Stafford and Jake Rudock. But Kaaya’s Lions progression might end early. The former Hurricanes standout will be placed on waivers and could be a Lions practice squad option if he makes it through, but that’s not a given.
Kaaya loomed as a possible Day 2 or early-Day 3 pick during the pre-draft process, but he fell to the sixth round. This cut comes shortly after reports circulated Rudock was generating trade interest, but it appears the Lions will stick with the second-year backup — a 2016 sixth-round pick.
Broncos Waive OL Michael Schofield
The Broncos parted ways with another of their recent offensive line investments. A day after trading Ty Sambrailo to the Falcons, the Broncos cut Michael Schofield, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post tweets.
Jhabvala adds (via Twitter) the fourth-year offensive lineman asked to be traded after it became clear there wasn’t a spot for him on the roster. The Broncos shopped Schofield, per Jhabvala, but evidently couldn’t find a willing suitor like they did for Sambrailo.
Schofield started at two positions with Denver the past two years — right tackle in 2015 and right guard last season — but the Broncos have again made significant changes in hopes of improving an offensive line that’s been shaky during this span.
The 2014 third-round pick will venture onto waivers and has enough experience to generate interest, despite being graded as a below-average blocker by Pro Football Focus since becoming a regular up front.
Schofield essentially redshirted his rookie year, but following injuries to Ryan Clady and Sambrailo in 2015, was summoned to play right tackle. He started 13 games for the Super Bowl champion Broncos iteration and moved inside to guard with Denver’s first unit for all 16 last season.
Denver, though, acquired Ronald Leary, Allen Barbre and Menelik Watson this offseason to make Schofield’s place on the roster uncertain. Max Garcia looms as guard depth, and Donald Stephenson — after twice reworking his contract — looks to be safe as a result of this move and the Falcons’ trade for Sambrailo.