Chiefs Release DL Cam Thomas
Despite signing with the Chiefs this offseason, it looks like veteran Cam Thomas won’t even make it to the regular season. According to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter), the team has released the nose tackle.
The 30-year-old has bounced around the league since being selected in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. The North Carolina product has served mostly as a reserve nose tackle during his career, as he’s started only 27 games in seven NFL seasons. Last year, he appeared in 16 games (two starts) with the Rams, compiling 15 tackles and one sack. Thomas has also spent time with the Chargers and Steelers.
Bennie Logan figures to be the Chiefs starting nose tackle, but Thomas was expected to serve as a capable backup. However, the team’s signing of Roy Miller back in August presumably hurt the veteran’s chances. The team is also rostering Rakeem Nunez-Roches, making Thomas expendable.
Redskins To Cut Matt Jones
The drawn-out Redskins/Matt Jones saga appears to have ended. The franchise informed the running back he’ll be waived today, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
Jones fell out of favor with the team early during his second season and found himself on the trade block, having fallen behind Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine on Washington’s depth chart. He’ll venture onto waivers after the Redskins were evidently unwilling to find a trade partner, one they were reportedly searching for as far back as the 2016 trade deadline.
The former Florida running back’s former agent lobbied for a release in June, and Jones then switched representation to Drew Rosenhaus. Being a former third-round pick whose yards-per-carry average spiked by more than a yard to 4.6 per tote last season, Jones figures to draw interest on the waiver wire.
Washington benched Jones midseason, however, after using him as a starter in seven games. He nearly outdid his 2015 production (490 yards) despite playing in six fewer contests. But the team clearly soured on the former well-regarded investment. Jones’ improved per-carry numbers notwithstanding, he’s fumbled eight times over the past two seasons.
Extra Points: Steelers, Bell, Bears
Here’s a quick look around the NFL:
- Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell passed his physical yesterday after showing up at the team’s facility, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He did not sign his franchise tag yet, but he will, Rapoport adds. Bell’s Steelers open up the season in Cleveland on Sept. 10.
- The Bears were the only team to put in a waiver claim on kicker Roberto Aguayo after the Bucs cut him earlier this month, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. They’re now likely going to be stuck paying his $428K guarantee after releasing him on Saturday.
- The Redskins are still trying to trade Derek Carrier and two teams are currently in on him, Mike Jones of The Washington Post (on Twitter) hears. It’s still unclear how likely a deal is, however. Carrier has been traded before – he came to Washington via a swap with San Francisco in 2015.
- The Cardinals will pursue punter Andy Lee now that he is a free agent, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic tweets. This makes sense considering that the Cardinals considered trading for him this week prior to his release.
- The Packers are looking for help at offensive guard, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle hears (Twitter link). Green Bay will start Lane Taylor and Jahri Evans at the two guard spots.
Texans Release Nick Novak
Despite reaching an agreement to re-sign Nick Novak in March, the Texans will move on from the veteran kicker. Houston released Novak on Saturday, Mark Berman of Fox 26 tweets.
Novak kicked for the Texans for both of their past two AFC South-winning teams, but it appears the franchise will opt for second-year specialist Ka’imi Fairbairn. The Texans signed Fairbairn as a UDFA out of UCLA in 2016, but Novak won last summer’s kicking competition. A year later, the 23-year-old Fairbairn looks to have prevailed in the rematch after spending a season on IR.
The 36-year-old Novak signed a one-year, $1.15MM deal with a $250K signing bonus. The former longtime Chargers kicker hit 85.4 percent of his attempts last season, a tick above his career average.
Novak figures to receive interest in free agency after being a regular kicker for the past six seasons.
Raiders Release LB Jelani Jenkins
The Raiders have apparently parted ways with their lone defensive free agent signing. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins tweeted that he’s been released by the organization.
The 25-year-old inked a one-year deal with the Raiders back in March, and many expected him to serve as a top reserve for starting outside linebackers Bruce Irvin and Shilique Calhoun. Now, the team might be eyeing Tyrell Adams or James Cowser for that top backup role, or they could also turn to their trio of undrafted rookies (LaTroy Lewis, Brady Sheldon, and Nicholas Morrow).
Prior to his brief Raiders tenure, Jenkins spent four seasons in Miami. Selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, the linebacker had a breakout campaign in 2014, compiling 110 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Jenkins started another 13 games in 2015, but his role was reduced in 2016. The linebacker ultimately appeared in nine games (seven starts), compiling only 29 tackles.
Giants To Waive TE Will Tye
The Giants will waive tight end Will Tye, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Tye, 27, had started 17 games for New York over the past two seasons. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2015, Tye has averaged 45 receptions, 430 yards, and two touchdowns per year. Because he’s not a vested veteran, he’ll go on waivers and can be claimed by any club.
The Giants used a first-round pick on tight end Evan Engram earlier this year, a move which spelled Tye’s departure. Other tight ends on New York’s roster include free agent acquisition Rhett Ellison and 2016 sixth-rounder Jerell Adams.
Texans Release QB Brandon Weeden
The Texans have cut veteran backup Brandon Weeden, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The Texans were expected to carry three QBs on the roster, so this comes as a bit of a surprise. 
Tom Savage will serve as the Texans’ starter while first-round pick Deshaun Watson will be his understudy. Of course, the pecking order could change quickly if Savage struggles.
Weeden was set to enter the second year of the two-year, $4MM deal he inked in April 2016. The 6’4″ signal caller has not seen the field since 2015 when he appeared in four games for the Cowboys and two for the Texans. The 33-year-old (34 in October) has a career 6-19 record.
Lions Release LB Antwione Williams
Antwione Williams is now seeking a new gig, as ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that the Lions have released the linebacker.
The 2016 fifth-round pick was plenty productive during his rookie campaign. Williams ultimately appeared in 14 games (three starts) last season, compiling 27 tackles. Prior to that, Williams was a standout at Georgia Southern, where he finished his collegiate career with seven sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.
ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein notes (via Twitter) that Williams was originally expected to slot in as one of the team’s starting linebackers. However, his lackluster preseason (10 tackles, one pass defended in four games) likely lead to his demise. Roster Resource listed Williams as a projected starter alongside Jarrad Davis and Tahir Whitehead. Now, the team will presumably eye one of their many reserve options, including Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Paul Worrilow, Thurston Armbrister, Steve Longa and Nick Bellore.
Giants To Release QB Josh Johnson
The Giants are releasing quarterback Josh Johnson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This ostensibly means that Geno Smith has won the backup job.
The news comes as a bit of a surprise since the word this summer was that Johnson would likely prevail over Smith. Johnson, 31, is out after re-signing with the Giants on a two-year deal in March, but this is familiar territory for him. After spending the first three years of his career with the Bucs, Johnson has had stints with the Ravens, Browns, Bengals, 49ers, Colts, Bills, Jets, and Giants – all since 2012. The last time he took the field was in 2013 with Cincinnati.
Smith, a former second-round pick of the Jets, has had a bizarre career to date with little to cheer about. The 26-year-old (27 in October) has a career 57.9% completion percentage and a touchdown-to-interception ration of 28:36. The Giants are hoping that he can be a suitable emergency option in the event of an Eli Manning injury, however.
Third-round pick Davis Webb is slated to open the season as the Giants’ third-string quarterback.
49ers Release Quinton Dial
Following four seasons with the team, Quinton Dial‘s tenure with the 49ers has come to an end. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (via Twitter), the team has released the veteran defensive end.
The 2013 fifth-round pick had been a consistent presence on San Francisco’s defensive line over the past few seasons, starting 26 games between 2015 and 2016. Following a 2015 campaign when he established career-highs in tackles (59) and sacks (2.5), Dial seemingly took a step back in 2016, finishing with 36 tackles and no sacks. The 27-year-old had signed a three-year extension with the organization prior to last season.
Dial’s versatility was certainly appreciated by the 49ers, but the team is seemingly content moving forward with other reserve pieces. Roster Resource lists Aaron Lynch, Ronald Blair, and Tank Carradine as the team’s backup defensive ends, while Chris Jones and D.J. Jones are the team’s lone reserve defensive tackles.