Minor NFL Transactions: 10/24/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: DL Joe Vellano
Carolina Panthers
- Claimed off waivers: WR Kaelin Clay
- Placed on injured reserve: S Demetrious Cox
Denver Broncos
- Waived: C Dillon Day
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR: OL Don Barclay
Houston Texans
- Released: CB Marcus Burley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Michael Ola
- Placed on injured reserve: OL Matt Slauson (story)
New York Jets
- Promoted to active roster: CB Robert Nelson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: S Isaiah Johnson
- Released from IR: WR Jhajuan Seales
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/24/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: T Givens Price
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL Taniela Tupou
- Released: DL Jonathan Woodard
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Kenny Bell
- Released: TE Gabe Holmes
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DL Kyle Peko, LB Kevin Snyder
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Max McCaffrey
Houston Texans
- Signed: DT Jarrod Clements
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR K.J. Brent, S Ronald Martin
- Released: RB Marcus Murphy
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Brandon Thomas
- Released: OL Norman Price
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: T Nick Becton
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Jeremy Cash, RB Akeem Judd
- Released: S Harold Jones-Quartey
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: CB Tevin Mitchel
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: DE Alex McCalister
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: S Tyvis Powell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: DE Larry Webster
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DL Julius Warmsley
- Released: QB Tyler Ferguson
Falcons Sign LB Sean Weatherspoon
The Falcons are reuniting with linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Weatherspoon will help fill in at linebacker now that rookie Duke Riley is set to undergo knee surgery. 
Weatherspoon, 29, was a first-round pick of the Falcons in 2010. Unfortunately, his career has been marred by injuries in recent years. In the last four years, he has made only 25 appearances – he missed the bulk of last season, rouhgly half of 2013, and the entire 2014 campaign.
In 2011, his only full season, he showed what he is capable of as he racked up 125 tackles and four sacks. If his knee and foot problems are behind him, he could perhaps be a quality contributor once again. The Falcons probably aren’t expecting that kind of stat line, but he could perhaps help the Falcons pivot out of their current three-game rut.
Assuming he dresses, Weatherspoon’s first game of 2017 will be a road contest against the scrappy Jets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/19/17
Today’s minor moves:
- Waived: DL Taniela Tupou
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Deon Lacey
- Waived/injured: LB Tyrell Adams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Logan Paulsen
Falcons To Sign DL Ahtyba Rubin
The Falcons have signed defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rubin became a free agent on Tuesday when he was released by Denver. 
Rubin was set to enter the final year of a three-year, $12MM deal with the Seahawks this year. Instead, he was cut in early September. The Broncos signed him later on that month, but he was cut loose after dressing just twice.
In his first Seahawks season (2015), Rubin amassed 36 tackles, two sacks, and finished fourth among the team’s defensive linemen in snaps. Last year, he once again had a perfect attendance record in the regular season as he racked up 39 tackles, one sack, and three forced fumbles. However, he wasn’t quite living up to the standards of his deal in Seattle.
With the Falcons, Rubin will help provide depth in the wake of injuries to starting defensive end Courtney Upshaw and reserve defensive tackle Jack Crawford. Upshaw did return to practice this week, so there is hope for him to play on Sunday against the Patriots. Crawford, however, is on IR.
LB LaRoy Reynolds Returns To Practice
Patriots LB Shea McClellin headlines the list of IR-DTD players who started practicing this week, which comes courtesy of Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (Twitter Link). McClellin has been recovering from an undisclosed injury he suffered during training camp. It’s an encouraging development for Bill Belichick as the Pats are heavily in need of capable pass rushers. The three other players who returned to practice were Chargers LB Denzel Perryman, Ravens CB Maurice Canady and Falcons LB LaRoy Reynolds.
- In other league news, Roger Goodell‘s new contract, which was reportedly hung up over his prospective severance package, is now back on track to being completed sooner than later, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Rapoport relays a quote from Falcons owner Arthur Blank that states: “Making good progress. Shouldn’t be too long.” We don’t know exactly why the talks are in a better place, but with this news, it seems that the major hurdles are now in the rearview mirror.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/18/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter:
Atlanta Falcons
- DE Ricky Ali’ifua; TE Anthony Firkser; DT Nigel Williams, FB Malcolm Johnson; LB Kevin Snyder (link)
Detroit Lions
- LSs Andrew East, Nolan Frese, Jeff Overbaugh; DT Toby Johnson; DE Joby Saint Fleur (link)
Green Bay Packers
- CB Josh Thornton; RB Marquez Williams (link)
Houston Texans
- WRs Demarcus Ayers, Montay Crockett, Tevaun Smith; TEs Jason Croom, Ryan Malleck, Cole Wick (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- G Willie Beavers; T Rich Max; TE Jason Vander Laan (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- S Malik Smith (link)
New Orleans Saints
- RB Chase Reynolds; TE Jason Croom, LB Brandon Watts; WRs Devin Lucien, Francis Owusu, Rodney Smith (link) (link)
New York Jets
- T Storm Norton (link)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: QB Garrett Grayson, DT Joey Ivie
- Released: K Mike Meyer
- Placed on injured list: QB Trevor Knight
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: L.J. McCray
- Released: DT Marquavius Lewis, G Jordan Mudge
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Zack Sanchez, RB Jalen Simmons, S Dezmen Southward
- Released: LB Zeek Bigger
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR River Cracraft
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Jerod Evans
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Josh Ferguson
- Released: WR Cyril Richardson
Washington Redskins
- Released: QB Joel Stave
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/16/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Peli Anau
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Brian Hill
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Nelson Spruce
- Released: LB Jason Thompson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: TE Scott Orndoff
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DB Charlie Miller
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: LeShun Daniels
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Jalin Marshall
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Jordan Dangerfield
- Released: S Jacob Hagen
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Josh Forrest
Washington Redskins
- Signed: OL Andreas Knappe
- Released: OL Jerry Ugokwe
Falcons Waive RB Brian Hill
With receiver Mohamed Sanu set to miss tomorrow’s matchup against the Dolphins, the Falcons have made a roster change. ESPN’s Vaughn McClure reports that the team has promoted wideout Marvin Hall from the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the team notably waived running back Brian Hill, who was a fifth-round pick in this past year’s draft.
Hill had a standout career during his time at Wyoming, especially during the 2016 campaign. He ultimately compiled 1,860 yards and 22 touchdowns on 349 carries, earning him a spot on the All-Mountain West’s first team. The running back garnered interest from multiple teams during the draft process, and he was ultimately selected in the fifth round by the Falcons. It was initially thought that the rookie could serve as a “power back” alternative to Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
However, the 21-year-old struggled during the preseason, compiling only 41 rushing yards on 26 carries (1.6-yard average). He made a brief appearance during his team’s Week 4 loss to the Bills, but he’s yet to compile a single carry. Following his release, former undrafted rookie Terron Ward will presumably slide up to the team’s third running back spot.
Hall, 24, has bounced around the league since going undrafted out of Washington in 2016. Besides the Falcons, he’s had brief stints with the Raiders and Cardinals, but he’s yet to see the field for a regular season game. He’ll presumably slide beneath Andre Roberts and Nick Williams on the team’s wide receiver depth chart.