NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/24/18
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: G Sean Harlow
- Released: C J.C. Hassenauer
Denver Broncos
- Signed: QB Garrett Grayson, T Andreas Knappe
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Joel Bouagnon
- Released: TE Jerome Cunningham
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: QB Phillip Walker
- Released: G Will House
New York Giants
- Signed: S A.J. Howard
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DB Mark Myers
Falcons To Sign OT Austin Pasztor
The Falcons agreed to sign offensive tackle Austin Pasztor to a one-year deal, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Pasztor, 28 next month, was with the Falcons last year, so he’s already familiar with the club’s blocking schemes.
Last year, the veteran didn’t land a free agent contract until August, and went on to appear in only seven games as a reserve for the Falcons. This year, he was with Atlanta through the offseason, but missed the team’s final cut.
Pasztor’s career has taken him through a few different cities and multiple positions. In 2016, he turned in an excellent year as the Browns’ right tackle, but garnered little interest as a starter in the offseason. Prior to that season, he moved between left guard and right tackle for the Browns and Jags.
The Falcons are banking on Pasztor and others to fortify their starting line in the wake of multiple injuries to the front five. On Tuesday, right guard Brandon Fusco joined left guard Andy Levitre on IR, prompting the Falcons to pluck Rees Odhiambo from the Colts’ taxi squad. For now, Ben Garland seems likely to start at RG with Wes Schweitzer continuing on the left side.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/23/18
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Rees Odhiambo (from Colts’ practice squad)
- Released: OG Zac Kerin
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OG Oday Aboushi
- Released: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on IR: DT Willie Henry
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jordan Franks
- Placed on IR: TE Mason Schreck
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Pharaoh Brown
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: DT Jay Bromley
New York Giants
- Released from IR: LB Ray Ray Armstrong
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: S Doug Middleton
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Marcell Ateman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB De’Vante Harris
- Waived: CB Javien Elliott
Tennessee Titans
- Released from IR: WR Michael Campanaro
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Deatrick Nichols
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OG Sean Harlow
- Cut: C J.C. Hassenauer
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Brandon Bell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Devante Mays
Denver Broncos
- Cut: OG Avery Gennesy
Houston Texans
- Signed: OLB Daeshon Hall
- Cut: RB Josh Ferguson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Rolan Milligan
- Cut: QB Phillip Walker
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Raymond Davison, T Pace Murphy
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Austin Proehl
- Cut: WR Steven Mitchell
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Jalen Myrick, OT Adam Bisnowaty
- Cut: DT Curtis Cothran
- Placed on injured list: DE Jonathan Wynn
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: RB Donnel Pumphrey
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Aaron Burbridge
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DB Justin Currie, OG J.J. Dielman
- Cut: RB Lavon Coleman, LB Azeem Victor
Falcons’ Brandon Fusco Done For Year
Falcons right guard Brandon Fusco will miss the remainder of the year after suffering a serious ankle injury on Monday night, coach Dan Quinn announced. Fusco, who joined the Falcons as a free agent in the offseason, started in every game for Atlanta this season. 
Fusco now becomes the team’s second starting guard to suffer a season-ending injury. Left guard Andy Levitre suffered a triceps injury in Atlanta’s win against the Panthers in Week 2, so the team’s interior line has taken a big hit in the last couple of months.
Ben Garland entered the game after Fusco’s early exit, and he figures to be the team’s new starter at right guard. Garland has been a dependable backup lineman for Atlanta since 2016, so he’ll likely keep the top job, even if another guard is signed for depth.
Grady Jarrett To Return For Falcons
- The Falcons will have the services of Grady Jarrett on Monday night against the Giants, Dan Quinn said. The team’s top interior defender missed the past two games because of an ankle injury. This will be key for the Falcons, who have lost several defenders thus far this season, and Jarrett, with the 2015 fifth-round pick being in a contract year.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/18/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Kyle Friend
- Released: OL Will House
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Jermaine Grace
- Released: LB Richie Brown
Houston Texans
- Released: DB Robert Jackson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Zack Golditch
- Released: G Sean Harlow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Brandon Thomas
- Released: OL Michael Dunn
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LB Travin Howard
- Released: DB Linden Stephens
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DL DeShawn Williams
New York Giants
- Released: WR Kalif Raymond
New York Jets
- Signed: RB De’Angelo Henderson
- Placed on injured list: LB Harvey Langi
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: LB Kyle Wilson
Devonta Freeman To Have Surgery Thursday
- Falcons running back Devonta Freeman will undergo surgery on Thursday to repair his groin injury, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Freeman’s recovery timeline isn’t yet clear, but reports yesterday did indicate that Freeman — who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday — could return later this season. Because he’s now on IR, Freeman must miss at least eight games before coming back. Various health issues have limited Freeman to just two games this season, during which he averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 14 touches. With Freeman unavailable, Atlanta will turn to a tandem of Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith in its backfield.
Falcons To Place Devonta Freeman On IR
The Falcons will place Devonta Freeman on injured reserve, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (on Twitter). It’s a crushing blow for the Falcons, who were hoping to get him back on the field sooner rather than later. 
The Falcons’ starting running back has dealt with knee and foot trouble this year, but a groin injury has become his most pressing issue. Atlanta has been using Tevin Coleman and newcomer Ito Smith in the backfield, and they’ll continue to lean on that duo during Freeman’s extended absence.
Freeman will be a candidate to return from IR later this year after undergoing groin surgery, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Per league rules, he’ll have to miss a minimum of eight weeks, meaning that he cannot play until Week 14 against the Packers, at the earliest.
Freeman rarely battled injury issues through the early part of his career, as he played in 47-of-48 games between 2014 and 2016. He missed a pair of games last season with a concussion, and he’s only played in a pair of games this season. In those two games, the 26-year-old has compiled only 68 rushing yards. He’s under contract through 2022 after inking a five-year, $41.25MM extension last August.
The Falcons improved to 2-4 on the year after topping the rival Buccaneers on Sunday. Strangely enough, they’re 0-2 with Freeman in the lineup and 2-2 without him. Of course, they might have fared better against the Eagles and Steelers if they had Freeman at full strength. Between those two games in Week 1 and Week 5, Freeman drew just 14 totes and seven targets.
Falcons To Sign Giorgio Tavecchio
The Falcons have agreed to sign kicker Giorgio Tavecchio to a two-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Tavecchio, who was with the club in camp, will hold down the fort while starter Matt Bryant recovers from a hamstring injury.
Tavecchio, 28, was released by the Raiders earlier this year, despite a decent 2017 season in which he made 16 of 21 field goal attempts, including three from 50-plus yards. He also made 33 of his 34 extra point attempts last year. He was signed in August to compete for the top job, but that was a longshot given Bryant’s track record. While Tavecchio missed the final cut, the Falcons kept his number handy.
Through six games, the ageless Bryant has nailed all nine of his field goal attempts, including three tries from 50 yards or more. For at least a game or two, Tavecchio will try to uphold the high standard Bryant has set.