Cowboys Rework Dak Prescott’s Deal
The Cowboys have converted $6.25M of Dak Prescott‘s base salary into a signing bonus, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). With help from their star quarterback, the Cowboys have carved out an additional $5M in cap space for the current year. 
[RELATED: Cowboys’ Prescott On Track For Week 1]
Injuries limited Prescott to just five games last year, but he posted at least 450 yards between Weeks 2-4. The Cowboys are banking on another hot start from their franchise QB and a season similar to 2019 when he threw for 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Prescott agreed to a four-year, $160MM extension in March, keeping him in place for years to come while avoiding the prospect of astronomical franchise tags. The deal made him the NFL’s second $40MM-per-year player, alongside Patrick Mahomes. Since then, Josh Allen has sandwiched himself in between at $43MM/year.
Prescott will make his return on Thursday night when the Cowboys face the Buccaneers.
Titans Restructure Julio Jones’ Contract
The Titans have restructured Julio Jones‘ contract, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The new deal will convert $14MM of his salary into a signing bonus, creating $11.2MM in cap room. To make it all work, Jones’ contract will also have two additional void years. 
In June, the Titans shipped a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick to the Falcons for Jones and a 2023 sixth-round pick. It was a far cry from the Falcons’ initial ask of a first-round pick, but that was the best they could do given Jones’ age (32) and contract. For the Titans, it was a monumental upgrade to bring one of the game’s most accomplished wide receivers to Nashville.
Unlike other suitors — like the Chiefs — the Titans were able to absorb his $15.3MM base salary for 2021. Still, they needed some extra space to make mid-season upgrades and Jones has obliged. For all intents and purposes, everything remains the same on Jones’ end.
Jones, one of the greatest receivers of his generation, holds Falcons franchise records in receptions (848) and receiving yards (12,896). On top of that, his 60 receiving TDs trail only Roddy White‘s 63. Now, he’ll look to add to his lofty totals with the Titans.
Jaguars Sign Duke Johnson To Practice Squad
The Jaguars have added running back Duke Johnson to the practice squad. He’ll take the place of fellow RB Nathan Cottrell, who has been released from the 16-man squad.
Johnson made a name for himself with the Browns, where he averaged 4.3 yards per carry and, more importantly, did some serious damage as a receiver. Playing behind Browns starter Nick Chubb in 2018, Johnson managed only 40 carries, but did post 47 catches and was one of the NFL’s most efficient receiving backs, per Football Outsiders. From 2015 through 2018, Johnson led all running backs with 2,170 receiving yards.
He enjoyed a solid 2019 with the Texans, but wasn’t quite as efficient in the rushing game in 2020. His yards-per-tote average of 3.1 yards per carry didn’t move the needle much and he was hampered by injuries, including an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, new addition David Johnson managed 4.7 yards per run, plus 33 grabs for 314 yards. The Texans dropped him in February and he went unsigned until linking up with Urban Meyer & Co.
Saints To Sign Desmond Trufant
The Saints are expected to sign cornerback Desmond Trufant, (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The veteran impressed in his Monday workout and will join the club just in time for Week 1. 
Trufant missed the Bears’ final cut but also missed the last couple weeks of training camp due to a family situation. A first-round pick of the Falcons back in 2013, the Washington product became a quality starter in Atlanta. He was a full-time first-stringer for all seven of his Falcons seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2015. He received a massive payday when the Falcons gave him a five-year, $68.5MM extension in April of 2017.
The terms of Trufant’s new deal are unknown, but he’s still going to collect $3.5MM from the Lions for this season. Meanwhile, the soon-to-be 31-year-old will look to fortify the Saints’ banged up secondary.
Ravens Work Out Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman
The Ravens’ running back search is underway. After losing Justice Hill to a torn Achilles, the Ravens auditioned running backs Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Elijah Holyfield, per the league’s official list. 
[RELATED: Ravens’ Hill Done For Year]
Bell is undoubtedly eager to prove that he still has upper-echelon ability. He did not record a 20-yard run as a Jet or as a Chief. Bell’s most recent 100-yard rushing game came in 2017, during his Steelers heyday. In Pittsburgh, Bell posted 1,800-plus scrimmage yards three times en route to the 2014 and ’17 All-Pro teams. He added three 75-catch seasons in that span, so he could provide Lamar Jackson with an intriguing short-range option.
Freeman is also out to prove that he’s more than just a name at this stage of his career. The former Pro Bowler ended up with the Giants last year and averaged just 3.2 yards per carry on 54 totes. The Saints picked him up towards the end of July, but his New Orleans run ended after just one month.
Defensive tackle Reginald McKenzie and quarterback Kenji Bahar also worked out for the Ravens on Monday. And, in other Ravens news, they’ve locked up standout tight end Mark Andrews on a four-year, $56MM deal.
Ravens’ Justice Hill Done For Year
Ravens running back Justice Hill tore his Achilles at a recent practice (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Hill is out for the year, leaving the Ravens with only two healthy RBs. 
[RELATED: Ravens Sign Mark Andrews To $56MM Extension]
It’s been a rough stretch for the Ravens, who just lost starter J.K. Dobbins for the year. With Dobbins out, Hill was slated to serve as the No. 2 RB behind starter Gus Edwards. Now, they’re left with Edwards, UDFA Ty’Son Williams, and no other options currently on the practice squad.
Hill, 24 in November, ran for 225 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie. Last year, he saw just 12 carries for 60 yards in the Ravens’ crowded backfield — 5.0 ypc in an admittedly small sample size. Unfortunately, he’ll have to wait until next year to retake the field.
Hill’s injury would help to explain the Ravens’ recent interest in Royce Freeman. The Panthers beat them out on the waiver wire, but it stands to reason that the Ravens will add another experienced tailback soon.
Ravens Sign Mark Andrews To $56MM Extension
The Ravens have signed Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews to a four-year, $56MM deal (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). With a new money average of $14MM, Andrews now stands as one of the NFL’s highest-paid TEs. 
“Mark Andrews, in my opinion, is one of the best TEs in the NFL. We’d be foolish to not try and keep him,” GM Eric DeCosta said back in January. “Those discussions will start up at some point.”
It took a little while, but he got his payday. Andrews, who turned 26 today, enjoyed a solid encore to his 2019 Pro Bowl season. In 2020, he reeled in 58 grabs for 701 yards and seven touchdowns. Over the course of three pro years, he’s got 156 catches, 2,105 yards, and 20 TDs to his credit.
As one of the Ravens’ 2018 third-round picks, Andrews was extension eligible for the first time this offseason. Fellow ’18 third-rounder Orlando Brown is no longer in the picture, but a new deal for quarterback Lamar Jackson could be just around the corner.
On a per year basis, 49ers star George Kittle ($15MM/year) remains the league’s highest-paid TE, followed by Travis Kelce of the Chiefs ($14.3MM). Andrews, at $14MM per annum, has leapfrogged new Patriots TEs Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith for third.
Texans To Start Tyrod Taylor
As expected, the Texans will roll with Tyrod Taylor as their starting quarterback. Head coach David Culley made the announcement on Monday, which means Taylor will be backstopped by rookie Davis Mills as embattled star Deshaun Watson remains in limbo. 
Taylor, entering his age-32 season, has started just four games since 2018. Prior to that, however, the dual-threat QB did operate as Buffalo’s starter for three seasons and overlapped with Culley in ’17. While the risk-averse passer did well to limit turnovers, he has yet to show the kind of big play upside that Watson has brought to the table.
It’s an opportunity for Taylor to reassert himself in the NFL. He’ll also have a chance to more than double his base salary. Taylor is slated to make $5.5MM, but he can also reach up to $12MM via incentives. That includes $4MM if he serves as the QB1 for the whole year — he’ll get $1MM for each playtime marker of 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%.
In addition to Taylor and Davis, the Texans will also have veteran Jeff Driskel nearby on the practice squad.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/6/21
Today’s practice squad moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-Signed: DT Mike Daniels
Giants, Josh Jackson Rework Deal
Giants cornerback Josh Jackson has agreed to revise the final year of his rookie contract (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). Now, he’ll earn a base salary of $920K, down from his previously scheduled $1.33M. 
The Giants were nearing the cap limit, so Jackson’s revamped pact will give them some much needed breathing room. It’s also possible that Jackson would have been released if he didn’t agree to the new terms.
Jackson, 25, was widely projected to be a mid-to-late first rounder in 2018. Instead, the Big Ten defensive back of the year slipped to the middle of the second round, where the Packers pounced on him at No. 45. He’s yet to break out as a pro, however. The Packers shipped him to the Giants in mid-August, taking on cornerback Isaac Yiadom instead.
Jackson started in more than half of his games as a rookie, but he was first-string for only five contests between 2019 and 2020. Now, in his walk year, he’ll fight for time behind starters James Bradberry and Adoree Jackson.