Cowboys Sign WR Tyron Johnson, Cut WR Antonio Callaway
Tyron Johnson has now found a home with a ninth NFL team. The fifth-year wide receiver received a Cowboys workout opportunity Monday, and the team announced an agreement is in place.
In a corresponding move, the Cowboys cut wideout Antonio Callaway. The former Browns draftee has joined Johnson in bouncing around the league, but his latest opportunity may be coming to an end because of an off-field matter. Callaway was arrested Saturday in Miami for driving with a suspended license, Andy Slater of Fox Sports 640 tweets.
The Cowboys had signed Callaway to a reserve/futures contract in January, doing so despite the Florida alum having not played in a regular-season NFL game since 2020. Callaway, who also spent time in the XFL during the league’s initial relaunch in 2020, emerged with a promising rookie season in Cleveland (43 catches, 586 yards, five touchdowns) but has been unable to come particularly close to replicating that.
Dallas is the fourth team to sign Callaway, who spent time in Miami and Kansas City since the Browns waived him midway through the 2019 season. Callaway received a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy — a harsher standard prior to the 2020 CBA being ratified — and has only played in five games since.
Originally a 2019 Texans UDFA, Johnson has since bounced to the Bills, Panthers, Chargers, Jaguars, Raiders, Bengals and 49ers. The Texans reacquired Johnson, who finished his college career at Oklahoma State, on multiple occasions. The 49ers waived him last month. Johnson, 27, played in four games — with the Chargers and Texans — last season. His most notable NFL work has come as a kick returner. The Cowboys have that role covered, with ex-USFLer-turned-All-Pro KaVontae Turpin going into his second season.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/25/23
Today’s reserve/futures deals:
Dallas Cowboys
- WR Antonio Callaway, S Tyler Coyle, WR Dennis Houston, OT Alex Taylor
Las Vegas Raiders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- K Jake Verity
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Michael Dogbe
- Released: OL Sage Doxtater, LB Blake Lynch
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DB Devon Key
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB T.J. Carrie
- Released: S Kenny Robinson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Isaac Rochell
- Released: WR Cyril Grayson
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Antonio Callaway, C Brock Hoffman
- Released: DE Mika Tafua
- Placed on IR: C Alec Lindstrom
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Victor Bolden Jr.
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB AJ Parker
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DE Tim Ward
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Alex Bachman, S Will Redmond
- Released: WR Michael Young
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams
- Released: TE Darrell Daniels
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: RB Malcolm Brown
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Parry Nickerson
New England Patriots
- Released: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New Orleans Saints
- Released: RB Derrick Gore, RB Jordan Howard
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Vernon Butler, OL Devery Hamilton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: WR Auden Tate
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: LB Hamilcar Rashed
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: QB Jacob Eason, WR Dazz Newsome
- Released: QB Kurt Benkert
- Placed on IR: WR Tajae Sharpe
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: WR Kevin Kassis
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Davontae Harris, K Josh Lambo, DB Greg Mabin, LB Andre Smith
- Released: DB Shyheim Carter, OL Eric Smith
NFL Workouts: Callaway, Falcons, Buggs
Here’s a look at some of the league’s recent tryout invitations:
- The Colts will host former Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway at minicamp for a tryout, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The fourth-round pick for Cleveland in 2018 made an impact during his rookie season before running into issues with the league’s substance abuse policies and Cleveland’s team rules. The Browns waived Callaway during his sophomore season. He signed with the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL, but was placed on injured reserve before ever appearing in a game. He’s had short stints since then with the Dolphins and Chiefs and now has an opportunity to stick in Indianapolis.
- Michael Rothstein of ESPN reported that the Falcons will host a trio of players for tryouts this weekend: former Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison, quarterback Anthony Gordon, and center Evan Boehm. Allison spent the first four years of his career in Green Bay, never surpassing 303 receiving yards or two touchdowns in a season. He appeared in three games last year for the Lions. Gordon has spent time rostered in Seattle, Denver, and Kansas City after going undrafted in 2020. After getting drafted in the fourth round of 2016, Boehm has bounced around to eight different NFL squads, appearing in 55 games, starting 21.
- Former Steelers nose tackle Isaiah Buggs will attend the Vikings minicamp for a tryout, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The sixth-round pick from 2019 spent three seasons in Pittsburgh earning six starts last season before getting waived at the turn of the year. Buggs briefly signed to the Raiders practice squad and will now look for a new home in Minnesota.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/18/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Justin Pugh; Pugh tested positive for the coronavirus
- Signed: LB Reggie Walker
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: K Lirim Hajrullahu
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Rashod Berry
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: CB Stanford Samuels
Kansas City Chiefs
- Reverted to IR after clearing waivers: WR Antonio Callaway
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Samuel Eguavoen; Eguavoen tested positive for the coronavirus
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Caleb Benenoch, DB Natrell Jamerson, CB Bryan Mills, OT Jordan Mills
- Waived: WR Jake Lampman, DB Lawrence Woods
- Waived/injured: S Adonis Alexander, OL Michael Brown
Philadelphia Eagles
- Reverted to IR after clearing waivers: RB Kerryon Johnson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed (from Steelers): OT Brandon Walton
- Waived/injured: S Raven Greene
Chiefs Cut WR Antonio Callaway
The Chiefs are down to the 85-man limit. On Tuesday, the club dropped five players from the roster, including wide receiver Antonio Callaway (waived/injured). In addition, they’ve waived/injured tight end Evan Baylis, waived defensive back Manny Patterson, placed running back Elijah McGuire on IR, and released wide receiver Chad Williams outright.
[RELATED: Chiefs’ Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Out 4-6 Weeks]
The Browns selected Callaway in the fourth round of the 2018 draft after a productive career at the University of Florida. He entered the league with plenty of red flags, and he was largely unable to overcome them in the pros, resulting in multiple suspensions. But he also displayed plenty of promise in his first season with Cleveland, playing in 16 games (11 starts) and recording 43 catches for 586 yards and five TDs.
Last year, Callaway dressed for five ‘Fins games, but registered only two grabs for 20 years and one touchdown. Now, the former Brown, Dolphin, and XFL Viper will look to catch on with another team as the 2021 season draws closer.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/13/21
Today’s reserve/futures deals:
Kansas City Chiefs
- WR Antonio Callaway, QB Jordan Ta’amu
New York Jets
- WR Manasseh Bailey
Philadelphia Eagles
- P Arryn Siposs, WR Khalil Tate
Seattle Seahawks
- WR John Ursua
Tennessee Titans
Washington Football Team
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/21/20
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: WR Chris Moore
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Geno Stone
- Placed on IR: CB Davontae Harris
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Kevin Hogan
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Brian Allen
Houston Texans
- Activated from commissioner’s exempt list: CB Mark Fields II, RB Dontrell Hilliard
- Waived: DT Corey Liuget
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: P Logan Cooke
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Erik Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Trey Pipkins
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: WR Antonio Callaway
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB James Bradberry
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Danny Isidora
- Waived: TE Kevin Rader
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: WR Penny Hart
Washington Football Team
- Placed on IR: LB Shaun Dion Hamilton
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/18/20
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers from Broncos: CB Davontae Harris
Chicago Bears
- Claimed off waivers from Texans: WR DeAndre Carter
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Freedom Akinmoladun
- Removed from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Trae Waynes; Waynes remains on IR
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Tyrone Crawford, QB Andy Dalton
Denver Broncos
- Waived via left-squad designation: LB Nigel Bradham
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Antonio Callaway, DT Benito Jones
New York Giants
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: P Riley Dixon, LS Casey Kreiter
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: LB Patrick Onwuasor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Marcus Epps
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Javon Kinlaw
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: OL Phil Haynes
- Placed on IR: CB Neiko Thorpe
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: RB Senorise Perry
Dolphins Promote WR Antonio Callaway
Antonio Callaway is getting another shot. In the wake of Preston Williams‘ trip to IR, the Dolphins are promoting Callaway to their active roster for today’s game against the Chargers, as Adam H. Beasley and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald write.
The ‘Fins signed Callaway to the practice squad in September, even though he still had three games of last season’s 10-game suspension to serve. Shortly thereafter, he was hit with another four-game ban, so he continued to sit on the club’s practice squad suspended list.
Miami’s WR depth was already thin to begin with after Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns opted out of the season, and Williams’ injury has further depleted the club’s cadre of pass catchers. So Callaway, who has a ton of talent but who has struggled with substance abuse issues, will have a prime opportunity to reestablish himself.
He also finds himself in the middle of a playoff race. The 5-3 Dolphins are one of this year’s biggest surprises, and Miami suddenly looks like a postseason contender. The team is hopeful that Callaway, who posted a 43/586/5 line in his rookie season with the Browns in 2018, will provide rookie signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa with a reliable option to complement DeVante Parker.
Unfortunately, Beasley and Jackson report that Williams is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury, which could lead to an extended audition for Callaway. But the Florida product and Miami native can’t get complacent, as the Dolphins are also working out Ricardo Louis and Andre Patton. Callaway, of course, has much more upside than either player if he stay out of trouble.