NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/31/24
Thursday’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Deon Cain
- Released: K Lucas Havrisik
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: P Ryan Sanborn
- Released: WR Sam Wiglusz
New York Jets
- Signed: DE Takk McKinley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Ade Ogundeji
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Mason Kinsey
Broncos’ Baron Browning Does Not Wish To Be Traded; No Extension Talks Ongoing?
Sitting at 5-3 on the year, the Broncos could be in position to add ahead of the trade deadline but a few players have been mentioned as targets for other teams. Among those is outside linebacker Baron Browning. 
As a pending free agent, Browning could draw interest from teams looking to add depth in the pass-rush department for the stretch run. The 25-year-old worked as an inside linebacker during his rookie season, but since then has has been a key figure along the edge. With respect to the 2024 season in particular, Browning’s playing time has taken a dip but he did miss four games with a foot injury.
Now healthy, the Ohio State product is competing for playing time alongside the likes of Nik Bonitto and fellow 2021 draftee Jonathon Cooper. The latter could find himself as Denver’s priority in terms of an extension, and in that case Browning could be worth dealing away before a free agent departure. If the former third-rounder has his way, though, he will remain in the Mile High City beyond the coming deadline.
“I really don’t try to stress myself with stuff I can’t control,” Browning said when asked about a potential trade (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post). “Worrying about that won’t do me no good. I just try to stay in the moment and stay where my feet are. I love it here. I love my teammates. This is where I was drafted. And I hate moving.”
Near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space, the Broncos could stand to move out a signficant contract or two. The financial benefits of dealing Browning would be minimal, however, as he is on his rookie contract. Veteran receiver Courtland Sutton – who once again finds himself on another team’s trade radar – would, by contrast, yield more breathing room.
Browning also noted that he is not aware of any extension talks taking place between his representation and the Broncos. Cooper is in need of a new deal during the offseason, while Bonitto will be eligible for an extension this spring. Retaining one or both members of that pairing for the long term would come as no surprise, but Browning could very well find himself in that situation as well. With the November 5 deadline approaching, Denver will need to at least decide on whether or not he remains in the team’s 2024 plans over the coming days.
Dolphins DT Zach Sieler To Miss Time
OCTOBER 31: Sieler will not require surgery, per an update from Wolfe. McDaniel is unsure at this point if returning to the lineup in time for Week 9, but in any event significant missed time beyond Miami’s next game should not be expected given that news.
OCTOBER 25: The Dolphins’ offense is set to receive a major boost in Week 8. The team’s defense will, on the other hand, be missing a key contributor for the time being. 
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler suffered an orbital bone fracture in practice, Cameron Wolfe and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. He will be out for Week 8 at a minimum, but further evaluation will be needed to determine a firm recovery timeline. It remains to be seen if surgery and/or a stint on injured reserve will be required.
Missing Sieler for an extended period would deal a blow to Miami’s defensive front. The former seventh-rounder has emerged as a full-time starter during his time with the Dolphins, which dates back to the 2019 campaign. Sieler has logged a snap share of at least 77% each season since 2022, serving as a key member of the team’s D-line. Especially with free agent departure Christian Wilkins no longer in the picture, Sieler’s presence is crucial on a defense which ranks fourth in yards allowed per game.
The 29-year-old has been an important run-stopping presence over the past several years, and he chipped in as a secondary pass-rushing option as well before landing an extension last summer. That three-year, $30.75MM pact raised expectations, and Sieler delivered in 2023 with a career-high 10 sacks. Now that Wilkins is gone, Sieler has been counted on to a larger extent in terms of providing an interior rush presence. Being without it for a lengthy stretch would hinder a defense which already ranks 30th in the NFL in sacks.
Moving Sieler to IR would ensure at least a four-game absence. When speaking about the injury on Friday, head coach Mike McDaniel deemed the situation week to week (h/t Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald), so the outcome of further testing will be crucial in determining how long Sieler is sidelined for. The likes of Calais Campbell, Benito Jones and Brandon Pili will be counted on to handle a larger workload along the D-line in his absence.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/31/24
Thursday’s minor moves:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on commissioner’s exempt list: S Tashaun Gipson
New York Jets
- Elevated: S Jarius Monroe, CB Kendall Sheffield
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: T Dylan Cook
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Designated for return from IR: LS Evan Deckers
Gipson was issued a six-game PED suspension in July, but he has yet to be reinstated by the league. Today’s development marks a step in that direction, however, since it allows the 34-year-old to begin practicing. Once he is brought back into the fold Gipson will take on a role in the Jags’ secondary (or at least on special teams) as he plays what could be the final season of his 13-year career.
Will Levis To Remain Titans’ Starter Once Healthy
Will Levis last played in Week 6 as he continues to recover from an AC joint sprain. The second-year quarterback has not developed as hoped this season, but he should return to the top of the depth chart when healthy. 
Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz indicated on Thursday (via team reporter Jim Wyatt) Levis is expected to serve as the team’s starter once he returns to action. Veteran Mason Rudolph has handled QB1 duties with Levis on the mend, overseeing the team’s offense in blowout losses to the Bills and Lions. Tennessee sits at 1-6 on the year, so a run at the postseason during the latter stages of the campaign would be a surprise.
Especially with that in mind, getting Levis as many reps as possible once he is healthy is a logical goal for Tennessee. Selected with the No. 33 pick last spring, the 25-year-old took over from Ryan Tannehill midway through his rookie season. He did not deliver many strong outings from a statistical standpoint, but offseason changes (highlighted by Brian Callahan taking over as head coach) were aimed at giving Levis a better environment to develop in. Turnovers in particular were a major issue prior to his injury, however.
Overall, Levis’ touchdown-to-interception ratio sits at 13:11 and he has fumbled 10 times in his career. The Penn State and Kentucky product has been sacked 43 times in only 14 starts, an illustration of the Titans’ need for improvement along the offensive line but also Levis’ required development as a passer. The team’s receiving corps no longer features DeAndre Hopkins, but Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd will again provide him with plenty of experience in the pass-catching corps upon return.
Levis has been a limited participant in practice both days this week, continuing a trend dating back to when Rudolph first took over. The latter is a pending free agent, and whether or not he is offered another Titans deal will no doubt be influenced by his performances while atop the depth chart. Levis can be expected to reclaim that spot relatively soon provided he does not encounter setbacks in his recovery.
Jets Place DT Leki Fotu On IR, Activate TE Kenny Yeboah
Allen Lazard has landed on injured reserve, sideling him for at least four games. He is joined in that respect by defensive tackle Leki Fotu, per a team announcement. 
Fotu began the season on IR, and he was only activated two weeks ago. The free agent addition has therefore logged just 46 defensive snaps so far this season, and this second IR stint will further interrupt his 2024 campaign. Fotu served as a rotational member of Arizona’s D-line rotation over the past four years, and he was positioned to do the same upon arrival with the Jets.
The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $2.5MM deal to join New York. That low-risk investment has not gone as planned so far, but once healthy Fotu could be an effective contributor against the run. Fulfilling that role would be welcomed by team and player; the Jets have posted strong numbers in certain defensive categories this season, but they rank only 17th against the run. An effective showing to close out the campaign would also, of course, help Fotu’s market value.
New York also activated tight end Kenny Yeboah from injured reserve on Thursday. Like Fotu, he was listed as designated for return before the roster cutdown deadline, allowing him to see the field at some point after Week 4. Yeboah had his practice window opened last week, so it comes as no surprise he has been activated in time for tonight’s matchup against the Texans. In a corresponding move to the special teamer’s activation, fellow tight end Anthony Firkser was released.
As expected, Riley Patterson will indeed be the first kicker to get the first opportunity to take over for the injured Greg Zuerlein. Added to the practice squad (along with Spencer Shrader) yesterday, Patterson will not be a gameday elevation for Thursday’s game; rather, he has been signed to the active roster. Given Zuerlein’s struggles this season, Patterson could certainly play his way into an extended opportunity with the Jets even after the veteran is healthy.
Offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom – who has bounced on and off the Jets’ roster in recent days – has also been signed off the taxi squad to the active roster. The 26-year-old has yet to make a regular season appearance in the NFL, but he will again dress as a backup option up front for today’s game.
Ravens Acquire WR Diontae Johnson From Panthers
Diontae Johnson is indeed on the move. The veteran wideout is being dealt from the Panthers to the Ravens, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Schefter adds the teams will swap fifth-and sixth-round picks as part of the deal, one which will allow Johnson to return to the AFC North. Both selections are in this year’s draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network clarifies. As for the financial side of the deal, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports Carolina is retaining a portion of Johnson’s remaining salary.
As a result, the Ravens will only owe him roughly $625K for the rest of the season. Johnson is the latest rental receiver to be dealt, and it comes as little surprise he will be changing teams for the second time in 2024. The 28-year-old has been widely expected to be dealt, with multiple suitors believed to be in play (although the particulars of the deal point to a rather tepid market existing). As Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports notes, Johnson became “discouraged” by his situation; he will now depart a 1-7 franchise for one with a 5-3 record and aspirations of another playoff run.
Underscoring the compensation situation further, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adds teams were initially discussing a Day 2 pick in a potential Johnson trade (video link). That price fell considerably, with suitors becoming increasingly aware a parting of ways with Carolina — stemming from what Jones terms as “communication issues” — would be imminent. The Panthers have moved quickly in taking an underwhelming offer.
Receiver has been floated as potential target in Baltimore’s case in 2024 (and many other years, of course), but recent first-rounders Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have had a productive start to the season. Contributions from tight ends Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar have led to Baltimore boasting the league’s No. 1 passing attack. Free agent signing Derrick Henry has been as advertised in the backfield, forming a strong tandem with Lamar Jackson in terms of production on the ground (200 yards per game, which leads the league).
For that reason, it comes as something of a surprise Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta targeted offense in terms of a midseason acquisition. Scoring has generally not been an issue for the Ravens, but their defense has been a sore spot on more than one occasion. The team sits 26th in points allowed per game (26.1), owing in large part to the NFL’s worst pass defense. Bringing in help along the edge or in the secondary thus represented a logical course of action, but unless something further is done Baltimore’s incumbent options will be counted on to improve.
In place as GM since 2019, DeCosta has not been shy on the trade front during his tenure. He previously added Marcus Peters, Yannick Ngakoue and Roquan Smith via trade during the middle of the 2019, ’20 and ’22 seasons. Johnson becomes the latest name on that list, and he will aim to provide a notable contribution on offense while boosting his free agent stock in the process.
The former third-rounder had a productive five-year run in Pittsburgh, and he inked a two-year extension in 2022. In the lead-in to the final year of that pact, though, he asked to be dealt and the Steelers accommodated him. Carolina also took part in a pick swap in that deal, sending cornerback Donte Jackson back as well. The team’s investment has not proven to be particularly worthwhile given their struggles on offense and the decision to part ways after only eight weeks.
Johnson recorded at least 78 yards three times during his Carolina tenure, with his best showings coming during the time when Andy Dalton was in at quarterback. Bryce Young‘s development – on the field or otherwise – remains a key goal for Carolina during the second half of the campaign. That process could come about after other veterans are shipped out, but in any case Johnson’s performance on his new team will be a key storyline to follow.
Colts To Start Joe Flacco In Week 9
Not long after Colts head coach Shane Steichen left the door open to a quarterback change, the team is indeed taking that route. Joe Flacco will get the nod over Anthony Richardson in Week 9, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler. 
Flacco has already made four appearances and a pair of starts this season, but this will mark the first time in which he sees action while Richardson is healthy. The latter has struggled with accuracy issues during the 2024 season, one in which expectations were high for a notable step forward. Richardson also drew criticism for his decision to pull himself from the game in Week 8, something which was addressed by the team yesterday.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Steichen said Richardson temporarily remained atop the QB depth chart while adding an evaluation would be needed before naming a starter for the next contest. That process has now taken place, with Flacco getting the nod. The 39-year-old will take over on offense as the 4-4 Colts look to remain in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Flacco’s NFL future was very much in doubt until the midway point of last season, when he took a depth role with the Browns. In short order, he found himself in place as Cleveland’s starter and helped guide the team to the postseason. The former Super Bowl MVP preferred to remain in place, but the team looked elsewhere for depth options under center. With Gardner Minshew pricing himself out of Indy, the Colts became the only team to make Flacco an offer.
Whereas Richardson has struggled to find consistent accuracy in 2024, Flacco has managed a completion percentage of 65.7% while throwing seven touchdowns (against just one interception). Avoiding turnovers – something which was an issue with Cleveland last year – will be key moving forward as the Colts’ offense looks for stability. Of course, Flacco does not offer Richardson’s rushing upside, but the return of running back Jonathan Taylor should help compensate for that.
Selected fourth overall last year, Richardson was understood to be a long-term developmental project after a college career which did not include many starts. Injuries limited the Florida product to just six games during his rookie campaign, and an oblique ailment cost him time this year. In all, Richardson has just 10 regular season starts to his name. After committing to a trial-by-fire approach with the 22-year-old, Steichen hinted the Colts may change their philosophy moving forward. That has certainly proven to be the case, and he will now be sidelined as Flacco (a pending free agent) takes over.
Diontae Johnson Trade Remains Likely; Multiple Teams Interested In Panthers WR
Cooper Kupp was floated as a trade candidate, but the Rams expect to retain him past the November 5 deadline. With the Jaguars’ Christian Kirk suffering a broken collarbone, he too is no longer a option for teams looking to add at the receiver spot. 
That leaves Diontae Johnson as one of the names to watch over the coming days. A weekend report deemed it likely a trade would be worked out between the Panthers and a contending team looking to add him for the stretch run. Indeed, Joe Person of The Athletic notes it appears to be “a matter of when, not if” Johnson winds up being traded (subscription required). Echoing that sentiment, Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline adds Carolina is unhappy with the pending free agent (who was hurt this past week), something which could point further to a trade taking place.
The Panthers acquired Johnson from the Steelers this offseason after the 28-year-old asked to be moved. One year remains on his pact, which includes a base salary of $7MM. Absorbing the prorated portion of that figure would be feasible for a number of teams, although Johnson has expressed a desire to remain in Carolina. Without any extension talks having taken place – and with the 1-7 Panthers firmly in the seller’s category – though, it would come as no surprise if a deal were to be made.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports multiple buyers are showing interest, so Carolina could up the asking price if a sufficient market is generated. On the other hand, a mid-round pick was previously mentioned as an acceptable return, and Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post adds the Panthers are expected to “take whatever they can get” in deal involving either Johnson or fellow wideout Adam Thielen. Acquiring additional draft capital is an obvious goal for the rebuilding franchise, one which could very well have a new starting quarterback by Week 1 of next season.
The likes of edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney and running back Miles Sanders are also potential trade candidates in Carolina’s case. While one or both of those players could very well be on the move in the near future, the top name to watch remains Johnson.
Nick Sirianni Addresses Eagles’ Trade Deadline Approach
On Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke about his team’s intentions leading up to the trade deadline. While Detroit appears to be on the verge of a deal aimed at addressing the edge rush, the Eagles seem to be more content with their current roster. 
“I love the team that we have,” head coach Nick Sirianni said when asked about Philadelphia’s deadline plans (video link). “And I think this team is really coming together. With that being said, I know we’re always looking for ways to improve our team. I know [general manager] Howie Roseman is the best at that… I admire that and value that of how he goes to work there.”
Indeed, Roseman has a reputation as one of the league’s most active general managers, so Sirianni’s comments certainly do not dismiss the possibility of a move being made. The Eagles lost two of four games prior to their bye week, but since then they have reeled of three consecutive wins. Topping the NFC East is therefore a distinct possibility as things stand, especially if further injuries on the offensive side of the ball can be avoided.
Philadelphia currently sits seventh in both total and scoring defense, and the recent return of second-year safety Sydney Brown has provided additional depth in the secondary. One area which could be targeted is the team’s pass rush; the Eagles have amassed 20 sacks through seven games, which places them in the bottom half of the league. Free agent pickup Bryce Huff has only managed 1.5 sacks and five pressures so far, production short of what he was expected to deliver upon signing a deal worth just over $17MM per year.
Za’Darius Smith of the Browns looms as a trade target along the edge, although his strongest connections have been with the Lions so far. If the Pro Bowler is not an option for Philadelphia, another veteran like Jadeveon Clowney of the Panthers could be of interest. With just over $10MM in cap space, the Eagles can afford a modest midseason acquisition if one becomes feasible.