Minor NFL Transactions: 8/31/24
Saturday’s lone minor move:
New York Giants
- Released: FB Jakob Johnson
New York’s reunion with cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is official, so a roster spot needed to be opened up. Johnson will be free to sign with another team, but he is a candidate to remain with the Giants via a practice squad deal. Just like last season, teams are allowed to elevate two practice squad players each week to dress for games on the active roster. Johnson and many other veterans will no doubt spend time on and off the taxi squad as a result.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/31/24
Saturday’s practice squad moves:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: RB Emani Bailey
- Released: DT Matt Dickerson, DT Neil Farrell
Bills Not Seeking K Addition
Tyler Bass has served as the Bills’ kicker for the past four years. His missed field goal attempt late in the divisional round of the playoffs contributed to Buffalo’s elimination, and the subsequent months have not produced a rebound in terms of accuracy. 
Bass has struggled with consistency during training camp and the preseason. A missed 51-yard field goal during Buffalo’s preseason finale drew public criticism from head coach Sean McDermott and led to increased questions about another kicker being added in advance of the season. The initial wave or roster cuts has come and gone, though, and no such move has been made.
“Not at this point,” general manager Brandon Beane said, via The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, when asked if the team is considering adding competition for Bass (subscription required). “I get the question, I do. I understand. If he had a short history here, [we] probably would have. I think we’ve just got to relax and give him a chance and remain confident in him.”
Bass connected on 28 of 34 field goal attempts during his rookie season. That accuracy rate jumped to over 87% during the next two seasons, cementing his status as a player the Bills were interested in keeping on a second contract. The 27-year-old inked a four-year, $20.4MM extension last spring. As a result, he is under contract through 2027.
The former sixth-rounder regressed to an extent in terms of accuracy last year, going 24-for-29 (82.8%) on field goals. During the postseason, Bass’ struggles were highlighted; he connected on only two of five field goals, and all three of his misses came from within 50 yards. A less-than-convincing showing during the summer will lead to expectations for a return to his previous form in 2024, the final year with guaranteed salary on his pact.
In addition to the financial commitment Buffalo has already made in Bass, the fact he has only missed eight extra points (regular and postseason combined) in his career is a factor working in his favor. Still, speculation about other kicking options being brought in will no doubt intensify if the start of the year does not go smoothly. Brandon McManus, Greg Joseph and Randy Bullock are among the veterans on the market at the moment.
LB Jonas Griffith Suffers ACL Tear
Jonas Griffith missed all of last season due to an ACL tear, and he is now set to miss a second straight campaign for the same reason. The former Broncos linebacker announced he has surgery lined up for another ACL repair. 
Griffith noted the most recent tear affects the same knee which was injured last August. He faces another lengthy rehab process as a result, and the news of his new injury helps explain why the Broncos cut him earlier this week. That move saw him waived without an injury designation, and ended his bid to land a starting gig.
The 27-year-old spent much of the offseason competing with Cody Barton for a first-team role next to Alex Singleton. Once Griffith was let go, it became clear Barton – added on a one-year free agent deal worth $2.5MM fully guaranteed – would win out. Griffith went unclaimed on Wednesday, making him a free agent. Given his latest injury setback, though, he is likely to remain on the open market until he returns to full health.
The former UDFA made 22 appearances, including 12 starts, between the 2021 and ’22 campaigns with the Broncos. He logged a part-time defensive role during that span while also seeing a notable workload on special teams. Despite missing all of last season (after being sidelined for the end of the 2022 slate), Griffith signed a one-year extension this winter. That $985K pact did not include any guaranteed money.
Singleton and Barton are joined by Drew Sanders and Justin Strnad at the linebacker spot as things currently stand for the Broncos. Denver could add further depth at the position in the wake of Griffith’s injury, but in any case he will once again turn his attention to recovery instead of preparation for the season.
Lions, DT Alim McNeill Begin Extension Talks
The 2024 offseason has been defined by the Lions’ willingness to extend several in-house players. Each of the team’s major new deals worked out over the past few months have come on the offensive side of the ball, and attention has now turned to one of Detroit’s ascending defenders. 
Lions general manager Brad Holmes confirmed defensive tackle Alim McNeill is firmly on the team’s extension radar. That has been known throughout the summer, but Detroit has had other priorities to deal with. Now that the bulk of the roster is set in advance of Week 1, negotiations on a second contract with the 24-year-old are set to begin.
“We haven’t had anything intense going on from a dialogue standpoint, but his camp knows that we want to get something done,” Holmes said (via Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press). “But, it’s very [much] in the infancy stage right now.”
McNeill has one year remaining on his rookie contract, and his play in 2023 set him up for a potential payday. The former third-rounder notched a career-high five sacks last season, adding 13 pressures and 10 quarterback hits. He again served as a full-time starter, and his production is particularly notable since he missed four games due to an MCL injury. Healthy in time for the postseason, McNeill was again a regular presence along interior for all three of Detroit’s playoffs games.
The Lions added to their D-line by signing Marcus Davenport as a veteran complement to edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit also added D.J. Reader on the open market. The former Bengals run-stuffer should take on a first-team role when healthy, and he could form an effective tandem with McNeill. Last month, it was confirmed extension talks with the NC State product would take place relatively soon.
Time still remains between now and the start of the regular season for the Lions and McNeill to work out a deal. Given the nature of Holmes’ latest comments on the subject, though, it would come as a surprise if an agreement were to be worked out in the coming days. Negotiations could carry over into the fall, or McNeill’s camp could choose to play out the coming season with the hopes of another productive season upping his trade value. It will be interesting to see how much progress is made now that formal talks are underway.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Unlikely To Be Placed On Commissioner’s Exempt List
A number of suspensions have been handed down by the NFL recently as the countdown to Week 1 continues. In the case of Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice, though, no league action is expected in the immediate future. 
“We continue to closely monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review,” a league statement regarding Rice reads (via Mark Maske of the Washington Post). “We will let the legal process play out before making any decisions.”
The NFL often takes that approach with criminal cases. Rice faces eight felony charges stemming from the hit-and-run incident he was involved in at the end of March. The 24-year-old was later accused of punching a photographer at a Dallas nightclub, but that incident is not expected to lead to charges being filed. The NFL has the option of placing Rice on the commissioner’s exempt list, but that move is generally reserved for cases of domestic violence (as most recently shown in the example of Browns rookie Mike Hall).
“We don’t anticipate that [Rice] would be placed on [the] commissioner’s exempt unless there’s a material change in the case,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed when speaking to the media (via Maske). That remark further paves the way for Rice to at least begin the 2024 campaign without issue as it pertains to a potential suspension. The league has yet to interview the SMU product as part of its disciplinary process, one which does not required criminal convictions for personal conduct violations to result in suspensions.
Rice had a strong rookie season in 2023, a year in which the Chiefs struggled to find consistent production from the receiver spot. Adding at that position was a key offseason priority for Kansas City, leading to Marquise Brown‘s free agent signing and the decision to select Xavier Worthy in the first round of the draft. Brown is unlikely to be available for Week 1, so Rice could be positioned to handle a large workload in the passing game to kick off the 2024 campaign. How long he will stay eligible to suit up will remain unknown until further developments take place in his criminal case.
Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer Addresses Vikings Exit, Future HC Plans
Mike Zimmer was out of the NFL for the past two years after his tenure as head coach of the Vikings came to an end. He is now in place as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, a return to the role he held from 2000-06. 
Head coach Mike McCarthy is believed to have preferred promoting Joe Whitt to take over from Dan Quinn, but Zimmer will assume those duties after agreeing to once again work under owner Jerry Jones. Zimmer’s time in Minnesota did not end on a high note, though he received interest from other suitors this offseason before taking the Dallas gig. Comments he recently made when reflecting on his head coaching tenure illustrate the circumstances surrounding his departure.
In an interview with Mark Craig of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Zimmer admitted to his coaching approach and personality clashing with players and staff members at times. After he was fired, a number of public criticisms were levied against the 68-year-old, who noted that he “holds a grudge.” That is not the case for linebacker Eric Kendricks, who lamented the culture Zimmer established in Minnesota but chose to sign with the Cowboys in free agency because doing so allowed him to reunite with his former head coach. Kendricks will play a key role in Dallas’ efforts to improve against the run under Zimmer.
The latter added that his relationship with Vikings ownership and ex-general manager Rick Spielman deteriorated during the end of his time in Minnesota. The 2021 draft in particular – during which Spielman attempted to move up in the first round to select Justin Fields and ultimately selected fellow quarterback Kellen Mond in the third – did not sit well with Zimmer, who wanted more emphasis to be placed on defensive additions. The longtime staffer said he and Spielman have not spoken since the 2021 campaign, their last working together.
Minnesota posted a record of 8-8 or better each year from 2015-19. That span included five total postseason contests across three years, but the Vikings were unable to proceed past the divisional round during Zimmer’s tenure. After going a combined 15-18 during their last two years in place, Zimmer and Spielman were fired once the 2021 season ended. A head coaching gig could await Zimmer depending on how he performs in Dallas, but he does not appear to be eyeing a return to that role.
“Guys with worse records than me have gotten second chances, but I don’t see it happening because of my age,” Zimmer – who sports a .562 winning percentage – said. “And now teams also want whoever can coach the quarterback. It is what it is.”
McCarthy’s inability to translate 12-win seasons into playoff success over the past three years has left him on the hot seat entering 2024. The coming campaign represents the final one of his contract, and last year’s underwhelming wild-card loss is the main reason Jones has not authorized a new deal for the former Super Bowl winner. McCarthy’s focus will remain on the Cowboys’ offense in 2024, but expectations will be high for Zimmer to help the team remain strong against the pass while overseeing improvement in the front seven. The future of bother staffers beyond this year is uncertain, but improving his stock may not lead to Zimmer pursuing a second head coaching gig.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/30/24
Many teams used Friday to make further adjustments to their practice squads. Here is the full breakdown:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: OLB Adedayo Odeleye
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB John Wolford, WR Deon Cain, OL Brandon Walton
- Released: S Alex Cook, DT Walter Palmore, OL Mason Brooks
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Levelle Bailey
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Andrew Beck, CB Kamal Hadden, RB La’Mical Perine
- Placed on IR: RB Nate McCrary
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB John Rhys Plumlee
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Nic Jones, DT Marlon Tuipulotu
- Released: RB Emani Bailey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB M.J. Devonshire
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Jaret Patterson
- Released: RB Isaiah Spiller
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DT Cory Durden
- Released: DT Tuli Letuligasenoa
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OLB William Bradley-King, T Anderson Hardy, RB Deneric Prince
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Isaiah Bolden, LB Ochaun Mathis
New York Giants
- Signed: S Gervarrius Owens
- Released: LB K.J. Cloyd
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Jason Brownlee
- Released: WR Lance McCutcheon
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S JT Woods
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OL John Leglue, OL Doug Nester, LB Devin Harper, LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji, WR Brandon Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Tyreke Smith
Wolford’s seven regular season appearances to date have all come with the Rams. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Buccaneers, though, working with then-offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Canales is now the head coach in Carolina, and Wolford has followed him in a bid to earn a 53-man roster spot at some point during the season. The Panthers already had Jack Plummer on their taxi squad, but Wolford will offer Canales and Co. a more familiar option behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton.
Randy Mueller To Re-Join Saints’ Front Office
Randy Mueller is set to return to the Saints more than two decades after his tenure in the organization came to an end. New Orleans’ former general manager is re-joining the team’s front office as a full-time advisor, NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan reports.
Mueller was with the team during the draft in an unofficial capacity, Duncan notes. He also attended training camp, so this move will formalize a working relationship which was already in place. Mueller – who is very close with current GM Mickey Loomis – will spend most of his time in his new role assisting the pro and college scouting departments.
The 63-year-old served as the Saints’ general manager for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He was at the helm during New Orleans’ first postseason win, and his debut campaign in the GM role saw him earn Executive of the Year honors. His firing after a 7-9 campaign the following year led to Loomis (whom Mueller had hired) taking over as general manager. Loomis has remained in place ever since.
Mueller landed a second NFL GM gig in 2005 when he took charge of the Dolphins. He held that title for three seasons, during which time Miami posted a record of 16-32 (with 15 of those losses coming in 2007). The end of his stint with the Dolphins was immediately followed by a spot in the Chargers’ front office. Mueller worked as senior executive of football operations with the Bolts from 2008-18.
This move will allow Mueller to return to the NFL ranks for the first time since his Chargers stint. His most recent front office gig came in the XFL, when he served as the Seattle Sea Dragons’ director of player personnel. Now, Mueller will return to New Orleans as one of three ex-GMs assisting Loomis this season. The Saints hired Dave Ziegler (who guided the Raiders from 2022 to the midway point of last season) in June, adding him to a staff already including Jeff Ireland (who replaced Mueller as Dolphins GM and remained in that role through 2018).
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/30/24
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released from IR via injury settlement: RB Tony Jones Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: CB Eric Scott Jr.
New England Patriots
- Released from IR via injury settlement: T Calvin Anderson
Players let go through injury settlements are open to return to their previous teams after an agreed-upon period of time. Jones could therefore return to the Cardinals’ backfield later on in 2024, after he played three games with the team last year. The 26-year-old has also seen time with the Saints and Seahawks, logging a rotational role while contributing on special teams.
Like Jones, Anderson (who missed time last year with malaria) will be able to sign with any interested team if he does not return to New England. The latter made five appearances with New England last season, starting twice. He was one of several players competing for a spot on the Patriots’ uncertain tackle depth chart until being placed on injured reserve during final roster cutdowns. A Broncos blocker from 2020-22, Anderson has 14 total starts to his name and could provide a depth option to his next team once healthy.