Texans Make Cuts, Close To 53
No one can accuse the Texans of procrastinating. Today, Houston dropped a number of players from the roster in advance of Saturday’s 53-man deadline. Here’s the full list of reported moves thus far: 
- CB Terrance Mitchell (Twitter link via Berman)
- G Karim Barton (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX 26)
- WR Wendall Williams
- WR Quenton Bundrage
- TE Anthony Denham (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- OLB Tony Washington (Twitter link via Wilson)
- TE Eric Tomlinson (Twitter link via Wilson)
- DE Ufomba Kamalu (Twitter link via Berman)
- G Chad Slade (Twitter link via Berman)
- C Dalton Freeman
- OL Andrew McDonald (Twitter link via Wilson)
- OT Jeff Adams (Twitter link via Berman)
- CB Robert Nelson (Twitter link via Berman)
- RB Kenny Hilliard (Twitter link via Wilson)
- ILB Shakeel Rashad (Twitter link via Berman)
- LB Reshard Cliett (Twitter link via Wilson)
- S Antonio Allen (Twitter link via Berman)
- DE Dan Pettinato (Twitter link via Berman)
Mitchell, a former member of the Cowboys, hooked on with the Texans after he was waived in June. Jason Garrett spoke highly of Mitchell in the spring, but Dallas bounced him in the summer.
Allen, 27, is a former Jet, having spent the past three seasons in New York, where he appeared in 38 games and started 18. He signed a one-year deal that included $80K guaranteed this spring.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/4/16
The 12 NFL teams still alive in the postseason can continue to make changes to their 53-man rosters this week, and a couple of them have already done so today, so let’s round up Monday’s minor moves….
- The Bengals have placed linebacker and special-teamer Emmanuel Lamur on injured reserve, promoting linebacker Trevor Roach from their practice squad in a corresponding move, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). Cincinnati’s IR has been fairly sparsely populated this year, with Lamur joining Darqueze Dennard, Marquis Flowers, and James Wright on the list.
- Per agent Brett Tessler (Twitter link), the Texans are signing offensive tackle Andrew McDonald to their 53-man roster in advance of their playoff game against the Chiefs. When Houston makes the move official, the team figures to place injured tackle Duane Brown on IR to make room on the roster, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. McDonald finished the regular season on the Chargers’ practice squad.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/21/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from across the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Carrington Byndom, DT Olsen Pierre (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: S Demontre Hurst (Twitter link via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com)
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Kapri Bibbs (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Sean McGrath (press release), LB Amarlo Herrera (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Jordan Leslie, QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link via John Oehser of Jaguars.com)
- Cut: S Craig Loston
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Jonathan Dowling (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald)
- Cut: RB Bronson Hill
New England Patriots
- Signed: FB Joey Iosefa (Twitter link via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald); OL Brennan Williams (Twitter link via team)
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Adam Gettis (press release)
- Cut: T Xavier Proctor
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: G Michael Huey, T Andrew McDonald (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com)
- Cut: QB Brad Sorensen
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OLB Markus Pierce-Brewster (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com)
Workout Notes: Titans, Brown, Johnson, Dixon
Just over seven months after he announced his retirement from the NFL, cornerback Cortland Finnegan had a workout today with the Patriots. Finnegan, 31, was one of the league’s worst cornerbacks in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. PFF ranked Finnegan 109th out of 110 qualified corners, with a grade of -19.7 in just seven games. As such, it came as a bit of a surprise when Miami inked the former Ram to a two-year, $11MM deal in 2014. He might not be worthy of that kind of pay, but he could make for an intriguing depth option for the Pats or another team.
Here’s a rundown of today’s other workouts from around the NFL, with all links going to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post on Twitter, unless noted otherwise..
- The Titans worked out running backs Bryce Brown, Storm Johnson, George Arkinson and quarterback Michael German (link).
- Safety Ahmad Dixon worked out for the Bengals today, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Falcons worked out linebackers Emmanuel Acho, Carlos Fields, Khaseem Greene, and Ronald Powell (link).
- The Panthers tried out Nate Askew, Chykie Brown, Bradley Fletcher, Connor Hamlett, Douglas McNeil, Bear Pascoe, and cornerback Cassius Vaughn (Twitter links).
- The Bears worked out defensive backs Ri’Shard Anderson, Robert McClain, Brandian Ross, and Pierre Warren (link).
- The Broncos worked out Harold Spears, Paul Browning, DaVaris Daniels, Sage Harold, John Lowdermilk, Andrew McDonald, and Ryan Murphy (Twitter links).
- The Lions worked out Desmond Martin and Corey Washington (link).
- The Colts worked out Carrington Byndom and Jeromy Miles (link).
- The Dolphins worked out defensive backs Garry Peters and Kevin White (link).
- The Jaguars worked out wide receivers Jordan Leslie, Uzoma Nwachukwu, and L’Damian Washington (link).
- The Vikings worked out defensive lineman Chigbo Anunoby (link).
- The Patriots worked out center Jared Smith (link).
- The Jets worked out Greg Scruggs and Marcus Lucas (link).
- The Seahawks worked out Darius Eubanks, Danny Gorrer, Damaris Johnson, Nick Kasa, Horace Miller, Dontay Moch, Tyler Slavin, Matthew Wells (link). They also hosted Harold Spears and Dax Swanson (link).
- Washington worked out Tommy Streeter, Nick Harwell, Anthony Johnson, Toby Johnson, Ronald Powell, Kelcy Quarles, and Julius Warmsley (link).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/15
Here are Monday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Ronald Patrick (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal)
- Cut: OL Andrew McDonald
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Earl Okine (press release)
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Kenbrell Thompkins (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post)
- Cut: WR Walter Powell
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: DT Doug Worthington (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Washington:
- Signed: WR Issac Blakeney, LB Lynden Trail (press release)
- Cut: LB Sage Harold
Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC North
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC North teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Ravens, Bengals, Browns, and Steelers are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to practice squad:
- OLB Brennen Beyer (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec)
- WR Jeremy Butler (press release)
- OL Kaleb Johnson (press release)
- S Nick Perry (Twitter link via Zrebiec)
- QB Bryn Renner (Twitter link via Zrebiec)
- TE Konrad Reuland (press release)
- OL De’Ondre Wesley (press release)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Removed from IR list:
- WR Onterio McCalebb
- Signed to practice squad:
- T Dan France
- CB Troy Hill
- G Trey Hopkins
- WR Jake Kumerow
- TE Matt Lengel
- LB Trevor Roach
- RB Terrell Watson
- QB Keith Wenning
- RB James Wilder Jr.
- DT DeShawn Williams
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers:
- OL Austin Pasztor (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- Signed to practice squad:
- RB Shaun Draughn (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot)
- DB Kendall James (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot)
- WR Darius Jennings (Twitter link via Tony Pauline)
- OL Erle Ladson (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot)
- OL Andrew McDonald (Twitter link via Brett Tessler)
- OL Darian Miller (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot)
- LB Hayes Pullard III (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot)
- DB De’Ante Saunders (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed:
- RB Jordan Todman
- Claimed off waivers:
- DT Caushaud Lyons
- Cut:
- LB Anthony Chickillo
- CB Doran Grant
- Signed to practice squad:
- RB Dominique Brown
- DB Jordan Dangerfield
- OL Reese Dismukes
- LB L.J. Fort
- LB Shayon Green
- DE Ethan Hemer
- OL Antonio Johnson
- WR Shakim Phillips
- TE Harold Spears
- WR Jarrod West
- OL Matt Feiler (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
Browns Keep West, Pryor On 53-Man Roster
The Browns have announced their roster moves for the day, and two offensive players who were viewed as potential release – or trade – candidates have made the cut — running back Terrance West and quarterback-turned-wide-receiver Terrelle Pryor are still members of the Browns.
Cleveland has also confirmed that quarterbacks Thad Lewis and Pat Devlin have been cut, meaning Johnny Manziel looks poised to enter the year healthy enough to be Josh McCown‘s backup.
Here’s the Browns’ full list of moves, via a team release:
Waived:
- OL Karim Barton
- RB Shaun Draughn
- DB Landon Feichter
- RB Tim Flanders
- DB Kendall James
- WR Darius Jennings
- OL Erle Ladson
- WR Josh Lenz
- WR Vince Mayle
- DL Jacobbi McDaniel
- OL Andrew McDonald
- OL Darrian Miller
- DB Robert Nelson
- OL Vinston Painter
- LB Hayes Pullard III
- DB Joe Rankin
- LB Mike Reilly
- DB De’Ante Saunders
- DL Dylan Wynn
Released:
- OL Eric Olsen
Minor Moves: Tuesday
With contending teams vying for playoff spots and fighting for higher seeds, and non-contenders perhaps taking a longer look at younger players down the stretch, we can expect teams to make plenty of minor tweaks to their 53-man rosters this week. Here are Tuesday’s minor transactions, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- According to the league transaction wire, quarterback Chandler Harnish has been released by the Vikings, tweets Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. Harnish was under an injured designation with a foot injury.
- The Browns have made room for the addition of Andrew McDonald (noted below) by waiving linebacker Zac Diles, the club announced today (Twitter link).
- The Buccaneers have released cornerback Crezdon Butler, and will likely announce more moves on Wednesday, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (Twitter link). One possible replacement for Butler could be former safety Mistral Raymond — a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) that the former Viking worked out for Tampa Bay today.
- The Raiders have plucked a player from across the bay, signing cornerback Chance Casey from off the 49ers’ practice squad, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link).
Earlier updates:
- A day after being cut by the Colts, offensive tackle Andrew McDonald has been claimed off waivers by the Browns, according to agent Brett Tessler (Twitter link). It’s not clear yet who is coming off Cleveland’s roster to make room for the new addition.
- Cornerback Josh Thomas, who apparently lost his playbook recently, won’t be needing it back now — he was released by the Jets today, according to the team (Twitter link). New York called up safety Rontez Miles from the practice squad to take Thomas’ place on the roster.
- Offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb has been cut by the Vikings, the team announced today (Twitter link). Webb’s release comes on the heels of his missed block that led to a blocked field goal during Sunday’s loss to the Lions.
- Having already made multiple roster moves today, the Ravens completed a couple more, placing running back Lorenzo Taliaferro on the injured reserve list and signed former defensive tackle Casey Walker off the Patriots’ practice squad, the club announced in a press release. Baltimore still has an open spot on its 53-man roster.
- The Titans have swapped tight ends on their active roster, signing Matthew Mulligan and placing Brett Brackett on injured reserve, says Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (Twitter links). Brackett’s season comes to a premature end due to a knee issue.
- The Cardinals have placed defensive tackle Ed Stinson on injured reserve, ending his season, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter). Taking Stinson’s place on the roster is wide receiver Brittan Golden, promoted from Arizona’s practice squad.
- The Falcons cleared a roster spot by placing cornerback Robert Alford on injured reserve yesterday with a wrist issue, and will fill that spot today by promoting cornerback Ricardo Allen from their practice squad, a source tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The team has since confirmed the move (via Twitter).
- Agent Mike McCartney indicated today (via Twitter) that his client, offensive lineman Ryan Jensen, has received a promotion from the Ravens‘ practice squad to the team’s 53-man roster. It’s not clear yet whose spot Jensen is taking, but defensive backs Asa Jackson and Terrence Brooks are both expected to be placed on IR this week.
Minor Moves: Monday
Here are Monday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, including practice squad signings and cuts, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- Washington cut Chase Minnifield from injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Minnifield had been on IR ever since suffering a concussion in November.
- Tight end Gerell Robinson has received a promotion in Miami, as the Dolphins added him to their 53-man roster from the practice squad (Twitter link). To accommodate the move, tight end Gator Hoskins has been cut.
- The Rams have filled one of their two practice squad openings by signing defensive lineman Doug Worthington, per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link).
- The Colts have promoted cornerback Sheldon Price from their practice squad to their active roster, the team announced today in a press release. To make room for Price, the club waived tackle Andrew McDonald.
Earlier updates:
- Although it appeared last month that cornerback Robert Alford would return this season after suffering a broken wrist, Falcons head coach Mike Smith confirmed today that Alford will have surgery on that wrist and is being placed on the team’s injured reserve list, tweets D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
- The Panthers have made a change on their defensive line, parting ways with defensive tackle Micanor Regis and signing fellow defensive tackle Kyle Love to take his place on their 53-man roster, according to the team (Twitter link). Carolina also re-added defensive end Frank Alexander to its roster following his suspension — the club receives a week-long roster exemption for Alexander, so nobody needs to be cut to accommodate him quite yet (Twitter link).
- As expected, in the wake of Drew Stanton‘s knee injury, the Cardinals have added a quarterback to their practice squad for emergency purposes. According to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter), the team has added former Cornell signal-caller Jeff Mathews to its taxi squad, cutting linebacker Kion Wilson to create space.
Minor Moves: Tuesday
Here are today’s minor 53-man roster moves from around the NFL, with the latest transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- The Chiefs have replaced one tight end with another, signing Richard Gordon to their roster and waiving Phillip Supernaw to accommodate the move, per a team release. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun first tweeted the news that Supernaw was being released.
- The Colts have agreed to terms with free agent offensive tackle Andrew McDonald, cutting tight end Weslye Saunders in the corresponding move, tweets Kevin Bowen of Colts.com. The release of Saunders suggests that tight end Dwayne Allen, out with an ankle injury, should be ready to go next week against the Browns.
- Defensive tackle Kwame Geathers, who had been on the Chargers‘ injured reserve list since the preseason, has been deemed healthy and was cut from IR, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
