HEADLINES

Year: 2023

Tarik Cohen Expected To Sign With Panthers Practice Squad

September 12th, 2023 at 9:12pm CST by Ben Levine

Tarik Cohen is on the comeback trail. The veteran running back intends to sign with the Panthers practice squad, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Jordan Schultz was first with the news. Joe Person of The Athletic notes that Cohen will sign assuming he passes his physical tomorrow.

Cohen hasn’t seen the field for an NFL game since the 2020 campaign, when he tore his ACL and MCL and fractured his tibial plateau during Week 3. He spent the subsequent 2021 season on PUP before hitting free agency in 2022. While training last May, Cohen ruptured his Achilles tendon, delaying his comeback another year. Last month, the RB indicated that he was ready to continue his NFL career, and the Panthers are the team to give him the shot.

It didn’t take long for the former fourth-round pick to emerge as a productive offensive weapon. Following a rookie season where he collected more than 700 yards from scrimmage, Cohen earned an All-Pro nod with the Bears in 2018 after finishing with 1,169 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. Cohen was also a standout on special teams that season, leading the NFL with 411 punt return yards.

His yards-per-touch dropped to 4.7 during the 2019 campaign, but Cohen still managed to produce 669 yards from scrimmage. The Bears ended up rewarding him for his three productive years, signing the RB to a three-year, $17.25MM deal prior to the 2020 campaign. Cohen boosted that aforementioned yards-per-touch number to 5.8 in the first two-plus games of the 2020 campaign before suffering his career-altering injury.

In Carolina, he’ll be joining a backfield that’s still finding itself in a post-Christian McCaffrey era. The Panthers handed out one of free agency’s largest RB contracts when they inked Miles Sanders to a four-year, $25.4MM deal. The team also still has Chuba Hubbard as their top backup, but they lack experienced depth behind their top duo. Former UDFA Raheem Blackshear is on the active roster, while Spencer Brown and Jashaun Corbin are stashed on the practice squad.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/12/23

September 12th, 2023 at 8:44pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: LB Ty Shelby
  • Released: OT Austen Pleasants

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/12/23

September 12th, 2023 at 8:15pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Waived from IR: DL Tautala Pesefea Jr.

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Dogbe has found his next gig after getting waived by the Jaguars during final cuts. The former seventh-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Cardinals, appearing in 40 games. He took on a bigger role over the past two years, compiling 55 tackles in 29 appearances. He joined Jacksonville this offseason before earning his walking papers.

Myles Gaskin is back on an active roster following an unceremonious end to his Miami tenure. The running back had 1,818 yards from scrimmage across the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but he saw a limited role with the Dolphins in 2022. He joined the Vikings practice squad at the end of the preseason and was elevated to the active roster for their season opener.

Ravens Sign DB Daryl Worley To Active Roster, S Duron Harmon To Practice Squad

September 12th, 2023 at 6:39pm CST by Ben Levine

With Marcus Williams suffering a pectoral injury during the Ravens’ season opener, the team has added some reinforcement to their secondary. The Ravens announced that they signed defensive back Daryl Worley to the active roster and safety Duron Harmon to the practice squad.

Worley has been with the Ravens since the end of the 2021 campaign. After getting into eight games with Baltimore in 2022, the veteran re-signed with the organization this offseason. He was cut prior to roster deadline day but quickly caught on with Baltimore’s practice squad. Worley was promoted to the active roster for Sunday’s season opener.

The former third-round pick has seen time in 79 games (55 starts). He started 15 games with the Raiders as recently as 2019. His ability to play both cornerback and safety made him a natural choice for the 53-man roster.

Harmon won three Super Bowls during his seven-year stint with the Patriots. He’s bounced around a bit since leaving New England, spending time with the Lions, Falcons, and Raiders over the past three seasons. He served as a full-time starter at each of those stops, including a 2022 campaign where he started 16 games for the Raiders.

He finished last season with a career-high 86 tackles to go along with five passes defended and two interceptions. Pro Football Focus graded him as an above-average safety (especially in coverage), but the veteran remained unsigned up to this point.

Williams is set to be out for “a while,” according to John Harbaugh (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). The coach also said that the safety could go under the knife, although that route is still to be determined by team doctors.

Colts Place RB Evan Hull On IR, Add G Ike Boettger; Team Worked Out RB Darrell Henderson

September 12th, 2023 at 4:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts’ changes at running back continued Tuesday. Rookie Evan Hull is now on IR, and Jake Funk will replace him on the 53-man roster. Hull went down with a knee injury in Week 1.

In addition to the running back switch, the Colts added veteran guard Ike Boettger to their practice squad. The team worked out the ex-Bills blocker recently. Boettger spent the past five seasons in Buffalo.

At running back, this Colts operation continues to see hurdles form. Zack Moss missed most of training camp with a broken arm, and the team brought in Kenyan Drake. The seven-year veteran could not make Indianapolis’ 53-man roster. Funk played in Indy’s opener as a practice squad elevation. The former Rams UDFA is now on the Colts’ active roster.

Ex-Funk teammate Darrell Henderson also auditioned for the Colts on Tuesday, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. A multiyear Rams starter, Henderson has resided in free agency since he cleared waivers following a Jaguars cut late last season. Henderson worked out for the Patriots last month, joining Leonard Fournette in that regard, but was not signed. The Pats ended up signing Ezekiel Elliott.

Henderson, 26, worked as the Super Bowl champion Rams’ primary starter in 2021, though Sony Michel ended up replacing him down the stretch. Making 21 starts between the 2020 and ’21 seasons, Henderson cleared 600 rushing yards in each and totaled 14 touchdowns in that span. The Rams used him a bit more than expected early in 2022, when the team tried to trade Cam Akers. After Akers returned to the fold, the Rams ultimately waived Henderson, who certainly hit free agency at a bad time for running backs.

Hull must miss at least four games due to this IR designation. The Colts can activate up to eight players from IR this season. The Northwestern product logged two touches in his first game. After producing an impressive 546 receiving yards in his final season with the Big Ten program, Hull will see his NFL career pause. Funk joins Deon Jackson as healthy options in Indy’s Jonathan Taylor-less backfield, with Moss finishing up a recovery from the arm break. Taylor is on the Colts’ reserve/PUP list but resides there in part because of a push to be traded. The 2021 rushing champion is believed to be healthy, and the Colts are likely to restart trade talks soon.

The Bills made some guard upgrades this offseason and released Boettger, who had started 17 games for the team during his career. Boettger, 28, made 17 of those starts between the 2020 and ’21 seasons. An Achilles tear in January 2022 sidelined Boettger for much of last season. The Bills moved on to new options this year, adding Connor McGovern, second-rounder O’Cyrus Torrence and ex-Rams starter David Edwards at guard.

Chiefs, Chris Jones Open To Extension

September 12th, 2023 at 3:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

After viewing the Chiefs’ season-opening loss in an Arrowhead Stadium suite, Chris Jones will be on track to suit up against the Jaguars in Week 2. In an arrangement similar to the Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs agreements, Jones is back with the team with some sweeteners added to his through-2023 deal.

Jones’ contract still runs only through season’s end, and with the franchise tag prohibitive due to the Chiefs having tagged him 2020, has a decent chance to reach free agency next year. But the Chiefs have not ruled out keeping Jones on another deal, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, who adds there is no bad blood in this situation.

Both Jones and the Chiefs are open to revisiting talks on a contract that would keep the All-Pro in Kansas City beyond this year, Breer adds. Though, the Chiefs not being willing to move into Aaron Donald territory for Jones now obviously runs the risk of the dominant interior pass rusher leaving in March. The Chiefs’ exclusive negotiating rights with Jones run until the 2024 legal tampering period. Without the franchise tag as a likely deterrent, as it would run the Chiefs more than $32MM to cuff Jones in 2024, the team would enter crunch time with its top defender between season’s end and the tampering period that kicks off free agency.

This situation also reminds of the Chiefs’ failed negotiations with Orlando Brown Jr., who cited insufficient guarantees in the team’s offer before the July 2022 deadline to extend franchise-tagged players. Although the Chiefs could have re-tagged the Pro Bowl left tackle for just less than $20MM, they passed and let Brown hit the market. Brown’s overall money with the Bengals (four years, $64.1MM) did not match the Chiefs’ proposal (six years, $139MM), but the veteran blocker will collect $42.35MM over the Cincinnati pact’s first two years and be better positioned for another big-ticket deal sooner. The Chiefs proposal included $38MM guaranteed at signing.

In terms of age and accomplishments, Jones (29) would be poised to become one of the best defensive players to hit free agency in many years. It would be interesting to see what kind of market would form for the longtime Chiefs defensive centerpiece. With the salary cap expected to balloon in the $250MM range — which would mark a substantial increase from this year’s ceiling ($224.8MM) — it would seemingly be difficult for the Chiefs to finalize an agreement with Jones between season’s end and the market opening. But some time remains before that point.

Even after Week 1, a gap was believed to remain between the Chiefs and Jones on value. With Nick Bosa signing for $34MM per year, it will be difficult for teams to paint the Donald contract ($31.7MM AAV) as an outlier in terms of salary. The Chiefs were believed to have offered Jones a three-year deal that featured $24.7MM AAV. That number checked in barely above Quinnen Williams‘ figure. Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Jeffery Simmons and Daron Payne formed a second tier behind Donald. Arguing he is much closer to the Rams great than the younger lot of D-tackles, Jones pushed for Donald-level money.

With none of these players hitting the market, Jones could be months away from finding out what a top-flight D-lineman is worth when a bidding war ensues. For now, however, the eighth-year D-tackle will aim to help the Chiefs shake off an 0-1 start and attempt to defend their Super Bowl title.

Jets’ Aaron Rodgers Suffers Achilles Tear

September 12th, 2023 at 3:29pm CST by Adam La Rose

3:29pm: As expected, Rodgers is now on the Jets’ IR list. Saleh confirmed Tuesday afternoon the future Hall of Famer will require surgery. Although the Jets are in discussions with free agents — Chad Henne among them — the third-year HC made it clear Wilson is the unquestioned starter.

10:04am: The Jets’ worst fears regarding Aaron Rodgers have been confirmed. An MRI revealed on Tuesday that he has indeed suffered a torn Achilles, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes. His season is over as a result.

Rodgers exited his regular season Jets debut after just four snaps, and it was learned shortly thereafter that an Achilles tear was the expected diagnosis. With that now having been confirmed, New York is poised to move forward with Zach Wilson at the helm of an offense which was expected to take a dramatic step forward in 2023. Rodgers’ performance was set to play a major role in that improvement, but much will now depend on Wilson’s ability to rebound from his previous struggles.

SI’s Albert Breer notes that Jets decision-makers are set to meet today discuss their plans going forward at the QB position. At least a depth addition will be required with Rodgers headed to injured reserve, but head coach Robert Saleh confirmed after last night’s game that Wilson is in line to serve as the starter moving forward. The latter will be tasked with keeping the Jets (a team with Super Bowl aspirations in 2023) competitive with the help of an impressive skill-position corps and a strong defense.

Rodgers, 39, was the subject of considerable speculation regarding his future with the Packers this offseason. After giving serious thought to retirement, he ultimately went public with his intention of continuing his career with the Jets, a team which devoted much of its efforts to creating familiarity on the field and the sidelines for the four-time MVP. After the blockbuster trade sending him to New York was finalized, Rodgers and the Jets became the central storyline around the league entering the 2023 campaign.

The Jets’ package sent to Green Bay to acquire Rodgers included a conditional 2024 draft pick. That selection would have been a first-rounder had the 10-time Pro Bowler logged a snap share of at least 65%, but that will not be the case given the news of his injury. As a result, New York will send a second-rounder to the Packers as the former team contemplates its long-term future under center next spring.

Rodgers initially declined to make a commitment to playing beyond 2023, but his decision to take a $35MM pay cut over the remainder of his contract suggested he was willing to remain in place for at least a few years. He said as much in August, though he admitted that unforeseen developments could alter his thinking with respect to continuing his career. A massive injury such as this one would certainly qualify in that regard.

Attention will turn to Rodgers’ ability to rehab his Achilles, a process which could threaten his ability to return to full health given his age and the severity of the injury. Questions will be raised regarding whether or not Monday’s contest will represent the final one of his decorated career. For time being, though, the Jets will need to proceed with Wilson and Tim Boyle (who is currently on the practice squad) as the organization’s top passers. Who they target as an addition via trade or free agency will be worth watching closely.

Browns To Sign T Ty Nsekhe

September 12th, 2023 at 1:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

For a second straight year, Ty Nsekhe will join a team in-season. After his Rams signing last year, the veteran tackle will join the Browns. In the wake of Jack Conklin‘s season-ending ACL tear, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes Nsekhe will sign with Cleveland.

Nsekhe, who will turn 38 next month, has started 25 games over the course of his career. Eight of those came for the Rams last season, a campaign that featured numerous injuries on Los Angeles’ offensive line. Nsekhe was with Washington during Browns O-line coach Bill Callahan‘s time with the NFC East team.

Working as Washington’s O-line coach from 2015-19, Callahan coached Nsekhe for four seasons. Nsekhe’s longest NFL stint came in Washington, which employed him as primarily a swing tackle from 2015-18. Sixteen of Nsekhe’s career starts came in Washington. The Browns used fourth-round rookie Dawand Jones as Conklin’s replacement in Week 1. Nsekhe profiles as insurance behind the 6-foot-8, 375-pound blocker. James Hudson, a 2021 fourth-round pick, looms as another option. But Nsekhe will be part of the equation now as well.

Last year, the Rams signed Nsekhe in mid-October. The team had lost then-starting left tackle Joseph Noteboom during a season in which a number of Rams O-linemen suffered season-ending injuries. Nsekhe moved into the starting lineup in Week 9 and, with Alaric Jackson later being lost for the year, started the Rams’ final six games.

Nsekhe auditioned for the Jets in mid-August but did not sign with the team. The former UDFA played for the Bills and Cowboys, respectively, from 2019-21. Prior to his Rams stint, Nsekhe went two seasons without starting a game.

Conklin also suffered an ACL tear in 2018, a development that helped lead to his earlier-than-expected Tennessee exit. The Browns have benefited from the Titans not hanging onto their four-year right tackle starter, signing Conklin to two contracts. Cleveland gave Conklin a four-year, $60MM extension just before last season ended. Conklin’s contract contained only $12.75MM guaranteed at signing, but another $16.1MM — his 2024 base salary, a 2024 option bonus and $3.25MM of his 2025 base — became guaranteed in March. His second Browns deal runs through the 2026 season.

Eagles Place LB Nakobe Dean On IR, Promote LB Nicholas Morrow

September 12th, 2023 at 1:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 12: Dean’s absence will lead to an IR placement, the team announced. In a corresponding move, the Eagles signed Morrow to their active roster. Morrow signed with the Eagles this offseason but did not land on their 53-man roster. The former Raiders and Bears starter landed on the Eagles’ practice squad; he is now back on the active roster. Dean is not eligible to come back until Week 6.

SEPTEMBER 11: The Eagles came away with a win in Week 1, but their middle linebacking unit suffered a notable blow. Nakobe Dean is set miss multiple weeks with a foot injury, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

No surgery will be required to address the issue, but the injury is serious enough that an IR stint is a possibility, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes. An IR designation would require an absence of at least four games and the team using one of its eight in-season activations, so a decision on that front will be worth watching. Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds reports that the injury is expected to sideline Dean for four weeks.

With Dean not in the picture for the time being, an Eagles LB corps which was already thin will be without a starter. Expectations were high for the Georgia alum after he served in a rotational capacity as a rookie last year and was set up for a first-team role beginning in 2023. Christian Elliss is likely to fill in with the starting lineup for the time being, and the reigning NFC champions also have Nicholas Morrow available on the practice squad.

The team has moved quickly in finding another contributor at the position, though. Fowler’s colleague Adam Schefter reports that Rashaan Evans has been added to the practice squad. The former Titans first-rounder spent his first four seasons in Tennessee before heading to Atlanta last year. He started all 17 games for the Falcons, posting 159 tackles and a pair of sacks. That led to mutual interest in a re-up, but Evans remained on the open market throughout the offseason.

Now, the 27-year-old will join an Eagles team in need of depth at the linebacker spot and likely see time on gamedays in short order. Players can be elevated to the active roster up to three times in a season, but veterans in Evans’ situation often sign from the taxi squad to a full-time position relatively quickly. Evans would be hard-pressed to see action in the Eagles’ upcoming Thursday night contest, but he may be on the field not long after that.

Seahawks To Sign T Jason Peters

September 12th, 2023 at 12:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

12:27pm: The Peters visit has produced a deal, as noted by his agent. Rapoport’s colleague Mike Garafolo notes, to no surprise, that the two-time All-Pro will indeed start out on the practice squad. Depending on the severity of the Cross and Lucas injuries, though, Peters could find himself on the active roster before long.

9:24am: Jason Peters‘ bid to continue his NFL career may see him suiting up in Seattle soon. The veteran tackle is set to visit the Seahawks today, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The news comes as Seattle may be shorthanded on the blindside for the time being. Rapoport notes that 2022 first-rounder Charles Cross is currently week-to-week with a turf toe injury. When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Pete Carroll indicated (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson) that Cross is day-to-day, as is starting right tackle Abraham Lucas. In any case, a Peters addition would provide depth at both positions.

The 41-year-old indicated last month that he hopes to find a landing spot in 2023 and suit up for a 19th NFL season. Peters spent last year with the Cowboys as a fill-in option following the injury to Tyron Smith. He wound up seeing time at left and right tackle, as well as left guard while Dallas worked through a number of different O-line combinations. The team is heathier up front now, making it no surprise Peters remains on the open market.

The 2010s All-Decade member was recently mentioned as a potential Bills addition, with Buffalo dealing with a number of injuries up front. Peters is still unsigned as of now, though Rapoport adds a plan is in place for the Seahawks to add him to the practice squad and quickly elevate him to the active roster. Presuming today’s visit goes well, then, a deal could be finalized in short order.

Peters earned a 70.3 PFF grade in his limited Cowboys action last year, a far cry from his Eagles-era evaluations. Still, he could represent an experienced stop-gap if either Cross or Lucas were to miss time. Improved play up front will be needed for the Seahawks to rebound from their poor Week 1 showing on offense, and their pair of 2022 draftees at the tackle spots will play a large role in that effort when on the field. A Peters addition would, however, add notable depth to the team’s O-line and allow the nine-time Pro Bowler the opportunity to suit up for a fifth career team.

Load More Posts