Minor NFL Transactions: 10/21/24
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: LB Markus Bailey, DL Ben Stille
Atlanta Falcons
- Released from IR: LB Milo Eifler
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: RB Chris Collier
- Promoted: LB Kristian Welch
Green Bay Packers
- Activated off IR: DL Jonathan Ford
- Released: LS Matt Orzech
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: DT Zach Carter
- Waived: DT Nesta Jade Silvera
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: CB Dicaprio Bootle, CB Shaun Wade
- Promoted: C Sam Mustipher, WR Jalen Reagor
- Placed on IR: DB Deane Leonard
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: LB Elias Neal
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: DT Armon Watts
New York Jets
- Reinstated from reserve/Did Not Report: LB Haason Reddick (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: P Trenton Gill
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, today’s moves were purely procedural. After returning to practice earlier this month, Jonathan Ford was nearing the end of his activation window. To avoid the defensive lineman landing on season-ending injured reserve, the Packers activated the former seventh-round pick to the active roster. That meant the Packers needed to carve out a spot, and long snapper Matt Orzech was the temporary casualty. However, Silverstein says Orzech will land back on the roster later this week following more roster machinations.
Meanwhile, the Giants added Armon Watts to the active roster following the lineman’s stint on the team’s practice squad. It sounds like rival teams may have forced the Giants hand. As ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes, other teams expressed interest in the former Bears starter, forcing the Giants to secure Watts services now (vs. continuing to stash him on the taxi squad).
Elsewhere in New York, Haason Reddick was officially activated from the Did Not Report list today. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the Jets now have a two-game roster exemption to officially add the pass-rusher to the 53-man roster.
Falcons Place OLB Lorenzo Carter On IR
The Falcons made a surprising roster move today. It’s been a fast-moving situation for outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter, who has played in every game so far this season. The sequence of events has led to Carter being placed on injured reserve, per Falcons digital team reporter Terrin Waack. 
The situation began on Wednesday of this week, when it was reported that Carter was in the NFL’s concussion protocol. He had originally been placed on the team’s injury report under the designation of “illness” after not practicing, but Atlanta updated the designation to “concussion” by the end of the day. Carter missed the next two practices before ultimately being ruled out for tomorrow’s game.
What makes this sequence of events so surprising is that concussions rarely warrant a stint on IR. At a minimum, we’ve seen players navigate the league’s concussion protocol in days. To see Carter being ruled out for the next four weeks because of the head injury adds some concern and intrigue to the situation.
Carter had been the starter across from Matt Judon for every game this season, except for one in which the team only started one outside linebacker. In his extended absence, Arnold Ebiketie and James Smith-Williams will likely be fighting for the available snaps across from Judon.
To fill the newly open spot on the 53-man roster, Atlanta signed veteran cornerback Kevin King from the practice squad. King has appeared in all six games this season between time on the active roster and practice squad, mostly contributing on special teams.
Additionally, the Falcons announced that cornerback Natrone Brooks and defensive end Demone Harris will function as their standard gameday practice squad elevations in Week 7.
Falcons Eyeing Edge Rush Addition
The Falcons made a pair of veteran defensive additions not long before the start of the season. One of those was the trade acquisition of Matt Judon, but another move along the edge could be coming. 
Atlanta is “very open” to bringing in more help in the pass-rush department, Sports Illustrated’s Albert notes. Judon racked up 1.5 sacks during his first two Falcons games, but he has been held without one in four weeks since then. Overall, the team has posted only five sacks, the fewest in the league this season.
Improving in that department has long been an organizational need, so it would come as little surprise if a depth move were to be made before the November 5 deadline. Atlanta currently sits 20th in the league in terms of cap space with $8.9MM in available funds. That could make a low-cost addition (especially for a rental) a feasible option if the 4-2 outfit adopts a buyer’s stance over the coming weeks.
Someone like Maxx Crosby – who offered a less-than-conclusive stance on his Raiders future – would represent a blockbuster target for the Falcons or any number of other teams aiming to take a major step forward in production along the edge. Far more realistic targets, as Breer notes, are players like Za’Darius Smith (Browns), Jadeveon Clowney (Panthers) and, if the 2-5 Saints were to try and add draft capital midway through what may well be a lost season, Chase Young. Only the latter is a pending free agent, whereas Smith and Clowney are under contract through the 2025 season.
While Atlanta will continue to rely on Grady Jarrett as a key pass-rushing presence along the defensive interior, the team will also be looking to the likes of Judon, Lorenzo Carter and Arnold Ebiketie along the edge. Third-round rookie Bralen Trice would have been positioned to handle a rotational role this year, but he tore his ACL in the preseason, meaning his Falcons debut will be delayed until 2025. Before that point, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot could be in the market for a stop-gap addition.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/15/24
Today’s minor moves in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: K Chad Ryland
- Placed on IR: DT Bilal Nichols, K Matt Prater
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: G Matt Hennessy
- Placed on IR: S Micah Abernathy
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: G Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
Carolina Panthers
- Signed (off Steelers’ practice squad): OLB Jacoby Windmon
- Waived: OLB Tarron Jackson
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: C Nick Harris
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived with injury settlement: DE Durrell Johnson
Denver Broncos
- Waived: DB Tanner McCalister
Detroit Lions
- Signed (off Bengals’ practice squad): DE Isaiah Thomas
- Placed on IR: DE Aidan Hutchinson (story), DT Kyle Peko (story)
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DT Kurt Hinish
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived with injury settlement: WR Jacob Harris
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on IR: CB Artie Burns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Marquez Callaway
- Signed to active roster: CB Keenan Isaac
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Tre Avery
Nichols is reportedly out for the season, per the Cardinals, but Prater could still return after an additional four-game absence. He’s already missed two games so far with a left knee issue. The 40-year-old was a perfect six-for-six on field goal attempts this year while 10-for-10 on extra points.
The Browns lose an important depth lineman in Harris. Harris started games at left tackle and center as an injury replacement this year, but he’ll be out for at least the next four games with an ankle injury.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris reported that Abernathy will be out for a “significant time,” per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/15/24
Today’s NFL practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OLB Ronnie Perkins
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Dane Cruikshank, T Coy Cronk
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: CB Damarion Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Dan Chisena, LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Released: WR Deon Cain
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DE Jamree Kromah, LS Jake McQuaide
- Released: DT Travis Bell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR James Proche, C Cameron Tom
- Released: RB Gary Brightwell, DT Siaki Ika
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: DT Phil Hoskins
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: T Spencer Rolland
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DE Jalen Redmond
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Dante Pettis
- Released: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Armon Watts
- Released: CB Duke Shelley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Parry Nickerson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: S Adrian Amos
- Released: WR Terrace Marshall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Dallis Flowers
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: RB Joshua Kelley
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Carl Davis
Amos is far-removed from his days as a full-time starter in the NFC North. With Talanoa Hufanga on injured reserve, though, and only three safeties on the active roster, Amos could have an opportunity to make an impact in the Bay Area.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/24
Monday’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL Junior Aho
- Released: DL Kenny Oginni
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Quinton Newsome
- Released: WR Kaden Davis
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on injured list: WR T.J. Luther
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Gregory Junior
- Released: TE Chris Myarick
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: K Spencer Shrader
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Lance McCutcheon
- Released: WR Jaray Jenkins
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL McClendon Curtis
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/12/24
Today’s minor transactions, including practice squad callups for Week 6:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: K Chad Ryland
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: G Matt Hennessy, CB Kevin King
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: RB Rasheen Ali
- Elevated: OLB Yannick Ngakoue
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: TE Ian Thomas
- Placed on IR: C Austin Corbett (story)
- Elevated: OLB Marquis Haynes
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: S Tarvarius Moore, CB Ameer Speed
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: CB Jalen Davis, C Trey Hill
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: LB Darius Harris, CB Amani Oruwariye
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: DB Tanner McCalister
- Elevated: T Cameron Fleming, G Calvin Throckmorton
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: DE Isaac Ukwu
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: RB Evan Hull
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: LB Tanner Muse
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Trey Taylor
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: S Tony Jefferson
- Elevated: CB Dicaprio Bootle
New York Giants
- Elevated: WR Isaiah Hodgins, RB Dante Miller
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: WR Parris Campbell
- Elevated: OL Jack Driscoll
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: WR Ryan Miller, RB D.J. Williams
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: DT Abdullah Anderson, CB Tre Avery
Washington Commanders
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DE Efe Obada
- Elevated: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., CB Kevon Seymour
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/24
Saturday’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Kevin King
- Released: LB Rashaan Evans
King made a long-awaited return to the NFL this season. After sitting out of the 2022 NFL season for personal reasons and tearing his Achilles tendon in the ramp up to the 2023 season, King hadn’t been seen in the NFL in over two years. The former second-round pick out of Washington has always had talent, but injury issues have kept him consistently off the field. In 2019, the only year in which King missed fewer than five games, the talented defensive back recorded five interceptions.
Despite a standout performance on defense in Atlanta this offseason, King saw very few snaps on defense in the regular season before being released this week. King was praised for his defensive versatility throughout camp and the preseason, but thus far, the Falcons had mostly utilized the veteran on special teams. He returns to the roster via the practice squad.
Falcons To Activate LB Nate Landman
The Falcons will be welcoming back a key defender for tomorrow’s game against the Panthers. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the team is activating linebacker Nate Landman off injured reserve.
After dealing with a quad injury throughout the preseason, Landman suffered a calf injury during his team’s Week 1 loss. That injury ended up putting the linebacker on the shelf, but fortunately, it sounds like he’s ready to go after a minimum stay on injured reserve.
A former UDFA, Landman saw a limited role as a rookie before breaking out in 2023. The linebacker was inserted into the starting lineup following Troy Andersen‘s season-ending injury, and the fill-in proceeded to start 14 of his 16 appearances last season. The Colorado product ultimately finished the campaign with 110 tackles, two sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Kaden Elliss has continued to lead the depth chart during Landman’s absence, with the veteran not missing a single defensive snap this season. Andersen has mostly soaked up Landman’s leftover snaps, although the LB missed Week 5 (and has already been ruled out for Week 6) while nursing a knee injury. That opened the door for JD Bertrand to get into a season-high 38 snaps in Week 5, but with Landman back on the roster, the Falcons can pivot to their intended linebacker pairing on Sunday.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/11/24
The NFL’s minor moves to close out the week:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: CB Kevin King
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: TE Luke Musgrave (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: DE Jalen Redmond
King made a long-awaited return to the NFL this season. After sitting out of the 2022 NFL season for personal reasons and tearing his Achilles tendon in the ramp up to the 2023 season, King hadn’t been seen in the NFL in over two years. The former second-round pick out of Washington has always had talent, but injury issues have kept him consistently off the field. In 2019, the only year in which King missed fewer than five games, the talented defensive back recorded five interceptions.
Despite a standout performance on defense in Atlanta this offseason, King has seen very few snaps on defense in the regular season. King was praised for his defensive versatility throughout camp and the preseason, but thus far, the Falcons had mostly utilized the veteran on special teams.