HEADLINES

Month: August 2023

Dolphins To Trade OL Dan Feeney To Bears

August 28th, 2023 at 10:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dan Feeney is on the move again. The former third-round pick, who signed with the Dolphins this offseason, will not be part of their 53-man roster. Instead, the Bears will acquire him via trade.

The Dolphins and Bears agreed on the deal Monday night, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. Dolphins Wire’s Jason Sarney initially reported Biggs was Windy City-bound. This will be Feeney’s fourth NFL team. He played out his rookie deal with the Chargers and spent the past two seasons with the Jets.

Despite the Dolphins guaranteeing Feeney $3.13MM this offseason, they will use him to acquire an asset. Miami will pick up a sixth-rounder from Chicago in this swap, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Miami has Robert Hunt, Liam Eichenberg and Isaiah Wynn stationed at guard and Connor Williams at center. Although the team lost Michael Deiter in free agency and dealt with rampant injury trouble along its O-line last season, Feeney will still be shipped out. Feeney had not made a serious push for a starting job, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson tweets.

In Chicago, Feeney will have a better opportunity for playing time. Left guard Teven Jenkins is set to miss early-season time due to a leg injury. At full strength, the Bears have Jenkins set to team with Cody Whitehair and Nate Davis. Whitehair is moving back to center this season, with the Bears having signed Davis. While Lucas Patrick looms as a possible Jenkins replacement, Lieser notes the Bears have slid Whitehair back to guard to fill in for Jenkins. Feeney, 29, brings considerable experience at guard as well, and Patrick and Davis have each missed some time recently due to injury.

The Chargers used Feeney as a guard starter for most of his Los Angeles run. The Indiana alum displayed durability with the Bolts, starting 16 games in each season from 2018-20. The Chargers moved on in 2021, signing Matt Feiler. The Jets did not use Feeney as a regular starter. While Feeney continued his run of good health in New York, missing only one game, he only started seven. Still, Feeney will bring plenty of experience to a Bears team that has seen its revamped O-line take an early hit.

This will be a homecoming for Feeney, who is a Chicago-area native. The Bears came into Monday night with just more than $12MM in cap space. After showing potential as a guard last season, Jenkins will not be able to mount an immediate follow-up. The injury he sustained could sideline him for around six weeks. Chicago cut Alex Leatherwood, after claiming him just after cutdown day last year, but still rosters 2022 seventh-round pick Ja’Tyre Carter as a backup option inside.

Chargers To Trade K Dustin Hopkins To Browns; Cade York Waived

August 28th, 2023 at 10:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

One day after kicker Cade York received his least-glowing endorsement yet from the Browns, Cleveland is adding a veteran kicker. Dustin Hopkins has been acquired from the Chargers via trade, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that Los Angeles will acquire a 2025 seventh-round pick as part of the deal. In a corresponding move, York has been cut, as first reported by the Score’s Jordan Schultz.

[RELATED: Browns Acquire RB Pierre Strong From Patriots]

The news means Cameron Dicker has won the Chargers’ kicking competition, making Hopkins expendable. The latter will now head to Cleveland where he will provide a much more experienced option at the position compared to York. The Browns’ fourth-rounder from one year ago has struggled throughout the preseason, leading to speculation a move of some kind would need to be made.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski had publicly exuded confidence in York for much of this offseason, but the latter declined to confirm he would be the team’s Week 1 kicker yesterday. Now, his fate has been learned as a rough summer will result in him needing to find a fresh start to continue his NFL career, something which will be complicated by the flurry of moves made around the league this week.

York, 22, converted on 75% of his field goal tries and all but two of his extra points during his rookie season. His training camp and preseason performances represented a step back from those figures, though, and the team has decided to move on. Hopkins, by contrast, will have an immediate opportunity to hold down the kicking gig in a new home despite losing the Chargers’ competition.

The 32-year-old spent six-plus years in Washington before surprisingly being released. That led him to the Chargers, with whom he made 16 total appearances across two seasons. Hopkins – who missed time last year while dealing with a hamstring injury – went 27-for-30 on field goals and 42-for-44 on extra points during his time in Los Angeles. If he can duplicate that success in Cleveland, he will represent an upgrade over York, whose future with the Browns or another team will be worth watching.

Jets OL Trystan Colon Drawing Trade Interest

August 28th, 2023 at 10:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Jets’ tackle situation has generated scrutiny for months, teams have recognized the increasingly relevant team’s stronger interior offensive line setup. On that note, one of Gang Green’s options inside has drawn trade interest.

Teams have called the Jets on backup offensive lineman Trystan Colon, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets, noting several clubs have reached out to the team on the veteran reserve. The Jets have Connor McGovern, Wes Schweitzer and Joe Tippmann as center options, with Schweitzer having worked at guard during training camp as well.

The Jets may be able to pick up a late-round pick for Colon, who spent his first three NFL seasons with the Ravens. Baltimore nontendered Colon as a restricted free agent in March. Shortly after that move, the Jets added the fourth-year vet on a one-year, $1.41MM deal that came with $250K guaranteed.

A Mizzou alum like McGovern, Colon-Castillo started four games for the Ravens during his first three seasons. The 25-year-old blocker has mostly worked as a reserve during his short NFL career. Teams are often scanning for O-lineman, especially at this point in the year. A team with a low waiver position would stand to be more willing to send over a late-round pick or complete a pick-swap deal with the Jets.

McGovern, whose second Jets contract (one year, $1.92MM) barely eclipses Colon’s, is expected to retain his role as the Jets’ starting center. Schweitzer has extensive guard experience and profiles as a solid swingman. Tippmann remains the heir apparent here, with McGovern signed for just one season. But the veteran is expected to begin the Aaron Rodgers era as the all-time great’s snapper.

Vikings To Waive DL Ross Blacklock

August 28th, 2023 at 9:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

A year after making a trade for Ross Blacklock, the Vikings will not carry the former second-round pick through to their 53-man roster. The Vikings will waive the contract-year defensive lineman, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

Blacklock played sparingly for the Vikings last season. He will follow a few other defenders shipped out after one-and-done DC Ed Donatell‘s firing. The Vikings also released veteran D-lineman Sheldon Day on Monday night.

Chosen 40th overall in 2020, Blacklock may be more famous for his draft slot compared to his NFL on-field work to date. The Texans chose Blacklock with the pick they obtained for DeAndre Hopkins during Bill O’Brien‘s short stint working as the team’s de facto GM. Blacklock, however, has been unable to put it together as a pro. He has made three career starts; each of those came with Houston.

The Vikings used Blacklock on 139 defensive plays across 11 games last season. The rotational defensive lineman totaled one sack and two tackles for loss. The Texans sent Blacklock to the Vikes in a pick-swap deal last August. Minnesota signed Day to its practice squad in December of last year and gave him a reserve/futures deal in January. Day, who started for the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, has not played in a regular-season game since doing so with the Browns in 2021.

One year remains on Blacklock’s second-round contract. He was due to make $1MM in base salary. Although players from this year’s second round secured fourth-year guarantees, none remain on Blacklock’s deal. The Vikings will save $1MM in cap space by making this move.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/23

August 28th, 2023 at 8:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

We are less than 24 hours from the deadline for NFL teams to trim their rosters to 53 players. Here are the latest moves teams have made as they pare their squads down toward the in-season limit:

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: DB Tino Ellis

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Texans To Release LB Christian Kirksey, CB Desmond King, TE Nick Vannett

August 28th, 2023 at 7:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

7:50pm: Nick Vannett joined King and Kirksey in not making the Texans’ 53-man roster, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The Texans signed the veteran in early August. Teams frequently release veterans on the bubble to protect younger players from reaching the waiver wire. Vested vets’ contracts becoming guaranteed just before Week 1 also factors into cuts at this time of the year, but as of now, Houston will be without this experienced trio.

3:45pm: Wilson reports that another notable veteran has received his walking papers from Houston in the form of cornerback Desmond King. The 28-year-old, like Kirksey, spent the past two years with the Texans. King started 25 games with the team, collecting five interceptions and 14 pass deflections, making him a name to watch with respect to potential interest from other teams in need of secondary depth. His release will yield $3MM in cap savings.

2:52pm: Another veteran has found themselves on the outside of roster-building decisions. The Texans are releasing linebacker Christian Kirksey, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

The soon-to-be 31-year-old had been in Houston over the past two years. Kirksey signed a one-year deal to join the Texans in 2021, then a two-year pact the following offseason. He was due to carry a cap hit of $6.25MM this year, but by parting ways with him the Texans will save all but $1MM of that amount.

Kirksey proved himself to be a capable starter during his time with the Browns and Packers before heading to Houston. He played 789 snaps in 2021, then a career-high 1,141 last season while collecting over 100 tackles for the third time in his NFL tenure. The former third-rounder operated as one of the team’s captains as one of the few veterans entrenched within an otherwise young roster. It will be interesting to see how willing the Texans are to bring him back at a reduced rate, or if they will proceed with their other LB options.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes that free agent addition Denzel Perryman eclipsed Kirksey (who had been dealing with a hamstring injury for much of the offseason) on the depth chart, making today’s move an easier one to go through with given its financial benefits. Houston also has Cory Littleton in place as a veteran, and the team has drafted an Alabama ‘backer (Christian Harris and Henry To’oTo’o) in each of the past two years. That new corps at the second level will aim to deliver an improvement on defense this season under new head coach DeMeco Ryans.

In addition to Kirksey, offensive lineman Rashaad Coward is among the Texans’ Monday cuts, Wilson adds. Coward has logged 18 starts across 38 regular season games with the Bears, Steelers and Cardinals. He signed in Houston earlier this month amidst the team’s injury concerns up front, especially at right tackle. The Texans swung a deal with Arizona for Josh Jones last week, though. Coward will now head to another new home via waivers if claimed, or he can remain with Houston if the team elects to place him on the practice squad.

Chargers WR Jalen Guyton To Start Season On PUP List

August 28th, 2023 at 7:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

The ACL tear Jalen Guyton suffered in Week 3 will lead to him missing more than a year. The Chargers wide receiver will be moved from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

This shift will lead to Guyton missing at least four games, though the deep threat can begin practicing ahead of Week 3. Guyton went down against the Jaguars on Sept. 25, 2022. He will not be eligible to play until the Chargers’ Week 6 game against the Cowboys — Los Angeles’ bye comes in Week 5 — on Oct. 16.

Guyton showed promising ability in 2020 and 2021, combining for 959 receiving yards and six touchdowns in that span. A rather memorable 59-yard TD pass from Justin Herbert, against the Giants in 2021, headlines Guyton’s highlight reel. The Chargers missed the former UDFA last season. They now have a deeper receiving corps and a new offensive coordinator, with Kellen Moore replacing Joe Lombardi.

The Chargers used their first-round pick on TCU’s Quentin Johnston and crowded their receiver room by drafting Johnston Horned Frogs teammate Derius Davis, who is in place as the Bolts’ return man. Josh Palmer, who logged extensive time replacing Keenan Allen and then Mike Williams as a starter last season, resides as a regular in the Allen- and Williams-led group as well. While ex-Eagle John Hightower showed early promise, a mid-training camp injury halted his momentum. Whomever the sixth receiver on the Chargers’ depth chart ends up being, Guyton looms as a potential in-season addition.

While the Bolts have a better receiver situation compared to their 2022 unit, they still re-signed Guyton. That move occurred just before the draft, however. The 26-year-old pass catcher’s $1.23MM deal only includes $76K guaranteed, introducing questions about the Bolts’ plans once Guyton recovers.

Colts, Dolphins Continue Jonathan Taylor Trade Talks

August 28th, 2023 at 7:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

7:09pm: Although this reported deadline looms in less than 24 hours, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson notes this should be considered a loose deadline. The actual trade deadline is Oct. 31. It would certainly be interesting to see how the Colts play this if they do not unload Taylor by Tuesday afternoon, but Jackson and ESPN’s Adam Schefter note the AFC South team is operating methodically here. The Colts are not believed to be close to a trade.

12:10pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com said on the Pat McAfee Show that he expects a Taylor trade to be consummated (video link). He echoes Holder’s report that there is at least one other team in the mix, though he cannot say for sure what team it is. Meanwhile, Outkick’s Armando Salguero reports (via Jackson) that no team has of yet been willing to offer a first-round pick for Taylor.

10:06am: Plenty of attention is aimed at roster cuts during this time of year, but the Jonathan Taylor situation remains a key talking point as well. The former rushing champion’s status as a member of the Colts is still in doubt ahead of the team-imposed deadline for a trade to be worked out.

Indianapolis granted Taylor permission to seek out a trade partner one week ago, marking the latest point in his fractured relationship with the team which drafted him in 2020. Taylor has long been seeking a fresh start, but the Colts will understandably demand a high price to seriously consider a deal. They are believed to be seeking either a first-round pick or a package similar to what the 49ers paid for Christian McCaffrey last year.

The team most closely connected to a Taylor deal so far has been the Dolphins. Miami and Indianapolis have already engaged in trade talks, and ESPN’s Stephen Holder notes that they continue to do so at this point. This situation could, as he adds, come right down to tomorrow afternoon’s deadline for 53-man rosters to be finalized. The Dolphins are not alone in their pursuit of the 24-year-old, however.

Holder notes that a second team is in trade talks on Taylor, which could certainly boost the Colts’ chances of seeing their asking price met. Multiple teams have long been thought to be willing to at least entertain trade negotiations, including the Bears and Broncos. It remains to be seen if those clubs have submitted an offer, but it comes as little surprise that the Dolphins appear to be a serious suitor.

Miami has been connected to numerous high-profile backs this offseason, including, most notably, Dalvin Cook. The Dolphins were close to working out a trade which would have sent the ex-Viking to his hometown team, but he instead wound up signing with the Jets. Like Cook, Taylor would comfortably move to the top of the team’s RB depth chart if acquired; they currently roster returnees Jeff Wilson, Raheem Mostert, Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed, along with third-round rookie Devon Achane.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins have already proposed multiple trade packages with the Colts on a potential Taylor deal. None of them have produced an agreement as of yet, perhaps due to the upside on Indianapolis’ part of stoking a bidding war between multiple interested parties. In any event, this storyline will remain one to watch closely over at least the next several hours.

Cardinals Place OL Pat Elflein On IR

August 28th, 2023 at 6:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Injuries have dogged Pat Elflein since his Minnesota days. The veteran interior offensive lineman is back on IR as of Monday. This designation takes Elflein out of the Cardinals’ mix.

Elflein, who signed with the Cardinals just before training camp, will not be carried over to the team’s 53-man roster. While Elflein has made a few trips to IR during his career, being placed on the injury list before the season — thus, exempting him from an in-season activation — is new territory for the former Vikings, Jets and Panthers starter.

Signing Elflein to a one-year, $1.15MM contract, the Cardinals guaranteed him just $25K. The seventh-year veteran will likely receive an injury settlement and be jettisoned from Arizona’s IR list. Injury waivers existed in this contract for hip and ankle issues, which have led to past Elflein absences. Elflein, 29, missed practice time ahead of Arizona’s third preseason game. Both Jonathan Gannon and OC Drew Petzing were in Minnesota during part of Elflein’s Vikings career.

Formerly the Vikings’ starting center, Elflein hit Minnesota’s IR in September 2020. After the Vikes cut him later that year, Elflein scored a three-year, $13.5MM Panthers pact. He was back on IR in September 2021 and again in October 2022. The center/guard missed 11 games last season, going down with a hip injury in October. A Cards settlement would allow Elflein to resurface elsewhere when he heals up, but it is safe to say the 64-game starter’s career is at a crossroads.

The Cardinals are now without two notable veterans on their O-line; they dealt Josh Jones to the Texans during their three-trade Thursday. Jones worked as D.J. Humphries‘ primary fill-in last season. With Humphries back, the Cardinals have gone Humphries-Elijah Wilkinson–Hjalte Froholdt–Will Hernandez-Paris Johnson up front since training camp started.

Arizona also released defensive backs Nate Hairston and Sean Chandler. Teams have until 3pm CT on Tuesday to cut their rosters to 53 players. Hairston, who has 18 career starts at cornerback, played in two Cards games last season. A sixth-year safety who has seen action with the Giants and Panthers, Chandler has seven career starts on his resume.

Dolphins Begin Roster Trimming, Cut 14

August 28th, 2023 at 5:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

Monday saw the Dolphins take a signficant step toward reaching 53 players on the active roster in time for tomorrow’s deadline. Here are the team’s latest round of cuts, including three players who were released and 11 who were waived:

Coutee attempted to land a depth spot with the Saints this offseason, but his release put an end to that endeavor. He was quickly signed by the Dolphins, but he will remain with the team only via the practice squad ahead of Week 1. Johnson, like Woods, was signed very recently in depth moves which gave each player an opportunity to earn a roster spot at the conclusion of the preseason. In both of their cases, that has not happened.

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