Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/24
With roster cutdowns beginning around the league, Sunday saw a number of moves take place:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: WR Josh Ali, CB William Hooper, LB Storey Jackson, LB Donavan Mutin, QB John Paddock, TE Austin Stogner, CB Trey Vaval
- Released: OLB Bradlee Anae, OL Zack Bailey, S Lukas Denis, OL Jaryd Jones-Smith, OL John Leglue, TE Jordan Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: S Terrell Burgess, S Dee Delaney
- Waived: DE Rondell Bothroyd, OL Kevin Jarvis, LB Shayne Simon,
- Released: QB Anthony Brown, CB Kyron Brown, WR Damiere Byrd, LB Deion Jones
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: CB Clay Fields III, K Spencer Shrader, QB Kedon Slovis, WR Derek Slywka, LB Mike Smith Jr.
- Released: WR Tyrie Cleveland, DE Derek Rivers, WR Greg Ward
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: DE Raymond Johnson, DT Jonathan Marshall, LB Andrew Parker Jr., WR Joseph Scates, WR Seth Williams
- Released: CB Tevaughn Campbell, TE Chris Myarick, DE Breeland Speaks, OL Keaton Sutherland
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: WR J.J. Laap, OL Blake Larson, OL Alec Lindstrom, LB Ochaun Mathis, DB Cameron McCutcheon, OL Grant Miller, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, RB SaRodorick Thompson, QB Dresser Winn
- Released: OL Matt Kaskey, DE Carlos Watkins
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: WR Anthony Schwartz
New York Giants
- Waived (injury designation): DT Timmy Horne, DB Jonathan Sutherland
- Waived: WR Ayir Asante, DL Kyler Baugh, CB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, OL Marcus McKethan
- Released: CB Breon Borders, RB Joshua Kelley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: WR T.J. Luther
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: P Nolan Cooney, DL Judge Culpepper, OL Xavier Delgado, LB Kalen DeLoach, CB Andrew Hayes, RB Ramon Jefferson, WR Cephus Johnson, OL Ryan Johnson, WR Latreal Jones, WR Tanner Knue, DL Brandon Matterson, OLB Jay Person, OLB Shaun Peterson, DL Lwal Uguak, WR Raleigh Webb, TE David Wells
- Released: TE Sal Cannella, LS Zach Triner
Buffalo’s decision to cut Jones marks a blow to his efforts in finding a roster spot on a new team. Considering the latest report on his status, however, it does not come as a surprise. The Bills dealt with a number of injuries at the linebacker spot last season and Matt Milano will miss extended time in 2024 due to a biceps tear. In spite of that, the team will look elsewhere for depth options unless Jones is retained via the practice squad later this week.
Latest On Eagles’ Secondary
Avoiding a repeat of last year’s defensive collapse was a top priority for the Eagles this offseason. Efforts on that front included several moves affecting the secondary, a unit which will look much different in 2024 than it did in 2023. 
Each of Philadelphia’s top two draft picks were used on cornerbacks. The first of those – Quinyon Mitchell – has impressed during his first NFL training camp. The Toledo alum was one of the top prospects at his position this year, and he has long been expected to serve as an immediate starter with the Eagles.
Mitchell has seen time on the outside this summer, but as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes, he has also been used in the slot in other packages. The 23-year-old is thus in line for a workload keeping him on the field for all three downs during his rookie campaign, a sign of confidence the team has in him but also of the lack of proven options Philadelphia has at nickel. Avonte Maddox was released and later brought back this offseason, but The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena writes he has transitioned to safety in 2024 (subscription required).
Mitchell being used on the inside could lead to considerable playing time for Cooper DeJean, the Eagles’ second-round selection. Upon returning to health from the fractured fibula which ended his decorated college career, the Iowa alum has represented another contributor at multiple secondary spots. DeJean played corner as well as safety during his time with the Hawkeyes, but defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed (via Kubena) he was selected with the intention of being used at cornerback.
DeJean’s workload at the start of the season could be limited considering the practice time he missed before being activated from the NFI list earlier this month. Still, having him as an option on the perimeter opposite Darius Slay will provide the Eagles with valuable flexibility in the secondary once he is up to speed. The Slay-Mitchell-DeJean trio is set to serve as the nucleus of Philadelphia’s CB room for at least the next few years.
James Bradberry operated as a corner during each of his two Eagles campaigns, but this offseason saw him begin working at safety – a move he suggested. That transition likely had his roster security in mind, but Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes Bradberry could still be a trade chip while roster-cutting season takes place. The 31-year-old struggled mightily in coverage last season, and he is on the books for two more years. The first void year of his pact also calls for a cap hit just under $21MM, so it would come as a surprise if Bradberry were to draw major interest on the trade market.
In any case, Philadelphia’s secondary – which of course also includes C.J. Gardner-Johnson at safety once again – will face high expectations for the 2024 campaign. The team’s ability to succeed under Fangio will dictate much of their overall performance this year, and the play of the revamped cornerback room in particular will be worth watching closely.
5 Key Stories: 8/18/24 – 8/25/24
As the preseason winds down around the NFL, key roster decisions loom. The past seven days have seen several key developments with numerous players landing contracts, extensions or clarity pertaining to where they will start the campaign on their respective teams’ depth chart. In case you missed any of the top stories from this week, here is a quick recap:
- Humphrey Agrees To Historic Chiefs Extension: Kansas City’s efforts to get extensions done with a few members of the team’s young core resulted in Creed Humphrey agreeing to a long-term deal. His four-year, $72MM pact represents by far the most lucrative commitment for a center in league history. The previous benchmark in terms of AAV was $13.5MM, so Humphrey’s $18MM figure will no doubt move the position’s market upward in the future. The 25-year-old will collect $50MM in guarantees on his new contract, which has him tied to the Chiefs through 2028. A Pro Bowler in each of the past two seasons, Humphrey has lived up to expectations so far and cemented himself as one of the top centers in the league; he will remain an anchor of the Chiefs’ offensive line for the foreseeable future.
- Falcons Extend Terrell: After making a pair of notable defensive additions last week, the Falcons checked an in-house piece of business off their to-do list. Atlanta inked cornerback A.J. Terrell to a four-year, $81MM extension which took the place of his fifth-year option. The 2021 second-team All-Pro secured $42.34MM fully guaranteed, and he will remain an staple of Atlanta’s secondary through 2028. Terrell, 25, now sits second in the league in terms of annual average compensation for corners ($20.25MM), and his deal is the largest one worked out this offseason at the position. Questions remain regarding the long-term future of the Falcons’ other CB spots, but the top of the depth chart is secure for years to come.
- Minshew Wins Raiders’ QB Competition: One of 2024’s true quarterback competitions saw Gardner Minshew vying for the Raiders’ starting gig against Aidan O’Connell. After evaluating both in training camp and the preseason, it was the veteran who got the nod for Week 1. Minshew landed $25MM on a two-year deal in free agency, but he had ground to make up on O’Connell upon arrival in Vegas. He has far more experience (37 career starts), though, and superior mobility helped him land atop the depth chart. Minshew mainly handled backup duties following his two seasons with the Jaguars, but in 2023 he took over as the Colts’ starter after Anthony Richardson was injured early in the season. That spell did not include high-end efficiency, but it kept Indianapolis in contention for a playoff spot. A repeat from the 28-year-old could produce similar results for the Raiders.
- Gilmore Joins Vikings: Another of the league’s top free agents came off the market when Stephon Gilmore took a one-year deal with the Vikings. The former Defensive Player of the Year received $7MM guaranteed, and he has the potential to earn $10MM in Minnesota. Gilmore, 33, received an offer from the Panthers but elected to head to the NFC North on his latest deal. Cornerback has been a position marked with questions for the Vikings stemming in large part from Khyree Jackson’s death and Mekhi Blackmon’s ACL tear. Gilmore will offer plenty of experience in the secondary, and his play with the Cowboys last season demonstrated his ability to remain a full-time starter. Minnesota represents his fifth different team in as many seasons, and Gilmore’s market will again be dictated by his play on a short-term accord.
- Broncos’ Nix Becomes Latest Rookie Starter: It came as no surprise when Caleb Williams (Bears) and Jayden Daniels (Commanders) were named as their teams’ Week 1 starters under center. Bo Nix faced a different path to the QB1 spot, but strong showings in training camp and the preseason earned him the gig. A veteran of a record-breaking 61 college starts, the Auburn and Oregon product was seen as being more pro-ready than many (if not all) of his draft classmates. Head coach Sean Payton was high on Nix during the pre-draft process, and Denver’s decision to select him at No. 12 confirmed he would take over as starter at some point relatively soon. Attention will now turn to how the Broncos proceed with returnee Jarrett Stidham and spring trade acquisition Zach Wilson at the other quarterback spots.
Falcons’ Mike Hughes Lands Starting CB Spot
A.J. Terrell is in place as the Falcons’ top corner for 2024 and beyond, but the question of who would line up as the team’s other perimeter corner was an unanswered question until the close of the preseason. Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed Mike Hughes will open the campaign handling first-team duties. 
The veteran is set to take part in his second Falcons season, and he made 15 appearances last year. That included four starts and an uptick in playing time later in the campaign as Jeff Okudah saw his usage decline. Okudah is no longer in the fold, and Hughes spent the offseason competing for the CB2 spot with Clark Phillips III.
“That’s probably a Mike Hughes question, because I can only answer for what I’ve seen and what he’s done since I’ve been here,” Morris said when speaking about Hughes’ struggles in landing a permanent home in the NFL (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). “I know as a former first-rounder that’s been in a lot of places that had a lot of high hopes for and love for throughout the draft process, and then getting a chance to come here and work with him.
“So, I can’t tell you what’s held him back, but I can tell you what he’s doing now – showing up in ball productivity, being around the ball and being in the right position… He’s done a nice job of doing a lot of things here.”
Hughes, 27, spent his first three seasons with the Vikings before being traded to Kansas City. His time with the Chiefs included a healthy campaign but it was not enough to land him an extended stay with the team. After a one-year spell with the Lions, the UCF product inked a $7MM Falcons pact in 2023. Hughes saw less playing time on defense than Phillips last season, but he will get the nod to begin the coming campaign.
Of course, Hughes has experience in the slot, and Morris confirmed he is an option to see extended time on the inside in 2024. That alignment would allow Phillips, a 2023 fourth-rounder, to be used on the perimeter. The presence of Dee Alford should keep Hughes primarily on the outside, though, and his performance this year will inform his value on a new Falcons pact or one sending him to another new team in the spring.
Lions Activate DT D.J. Reader
The Lions have received a boost on the health front in advance of roster cutdowns. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader was activated from the PUP list on Sunday, the team announced. 
Reader had been rehabbing the torn quad which ended his 2023 campaign prematurely. That injury brought his Bengals tenure to a close, and it had an effect on his free agent market. The 30-year-old signed a two-year pact with Detroit which carries a maximum value of $27.25MM. Only $7.4MM is fully guaranteed, however, so Reader’s ability to return to his previous form will go a long way in determining how the team proceeds after the coming campaign.
While playing on a four-year Bengals pact, the former fifth-rounder served as a full-time starter along the team’s defensive interior. Reader generally remained healthy during his time in Cincinnati aside from a quad tear suffered in 2020. He totaled only three sacks between 2020-23, but in that span Reader notched 123 total stops and 20 quarterback hits.
Similar production will be expected in the Motor City. The Lions’ defensive efforts this offseason were mainly focused on improving in the secondary, but the team’s front seven was also upgraded with Reader’s arrival. The Clemson alum, as expected, began training camp on the active/PUP list and remaining on it throughout camp forced him to miss the preseason as well. Today’s move clears the way for him to return to practice during a brief ramp-up period in advance of Week 1, though.
Detroit – like all other teams – will have a number of key decisions to make in the coming days with rosters being reduced to 53 by Tuesday afternoon. With Reader’s status now clear, however, any consideration for a reserve/PUP designation (something which would have required a four-week absence) or for him missing the season opener amidst an uncertain health situation has now been avoided.
Colts Release S Ronnie Harrison
As early roster cuts continue around the league, Ronnie Harrison is among the players being let to by the Colts. The veteran safety was released on Sunday, per a team announcement.
[RELATED: Recapping Colts’ Offseason]
Harrison spent the 2023 campaign with Indianapolis, making seven appearances and three starts. The 27-year-old notched a pair of interceptions while logging a 51% snap share on defense. He was also a contributor on special teams, something which helped him land a new Colts deal in March.
That pact was for the veteran’s minimum and did not include any guaranteed money. As a result, this move will not create any dead cap charges for the Colts as they move forward with questions looming in the secondary. Julian Blackmon – who re-signed in Indianapolis after a lengthy free agent spell – is a lock for one starting role on the backend. Who joins him as the other safety remains to be seen, and Harrison had seen time with the first-team defense during training camp.
Others in that regard included Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas, and attention will now turn to their respective places in the safety pecking order. The former entered the league with high expectations as a third-rounder in 2022, but he has only made four starts to date. The latter, by contrast, has started 25 contests over his two seasons in the league. Thomas logged a defensive snap share of 82% in 2023, and even if Harrison is brought back via the practice squad he is likely to once again play a large role this year.
Harrison is a vested veteran, so he will not need to clear waivers upon being let go. The former Jaguar and Brown will therefore be able to sign with any interested team immediately; failing that, he could re-join the Colts via their taxi squad later this week. The team did not show interest in Justin Simmons, and an outside safety addition is not expected at this point. With or without Harrison in the fold, the Blackmon-Thomas-Cross trio will be used heavily in 2024.
Rams To Release RB Boston Scott
One of the players who will not be making the Rams’ initial roster will be Boston Scott. The veteran running back is set to be cut, insider Jordan Schultz reports. 
[RELATED: Ernest Jones Given Permission To Seek Trade]
As Schultz notes, Los Angeles plans to keep three backs in the fold once roster cutdowns take place. The presence of starter Kyren Williams, third-round rookie Blake Corum and former UDFA Ronnie Rivers have made Scott expendable. The latter has made 75 regular season appearances and eight starts in his career, each of them coming with the Eagles.
Scott’s best season in terms of overall production came in 2020 when he amassed 586 scrimmage yards. The following year, he scored a career-high seven touchdowns, all on the ground. Philadelphia’s backfield has been deep enough to prevent the 29-year-old from taking on a prominent offensive role, however, so Scott’s main contributions in recent years in particular have come on special teams.
Rivers is set to handle a heavy third phase workload with the Rams, so today’s news strongly points to him making the team. Of course, the bulk of offensive duties will rest on Williams after he led the NFL with 95.3 rushing yards per game last season. The 2022 fifth-rounder earned a Pro Bowl invitation and a second-team All-Pro nod as a result of his production, and expectations are high for a follow-up in 2024. Corum, added in the third round of this year’s draft, will operate as Williams’ backup.
Like any veterans let go ahead of the cutdown deadline (August 27), Scott will immediately become a free agent once his release is made official. That will leave him available to any interested teams, although several depth options are set to be let go over the coming days, meaning he may need to wait until the first wave of roster shuffling takes place to find his next opportunity (which could be a spot on the Rams’ practice squad).
Steelers To Delay Starting QB Decision
The Steelers’ preseason slate is in the books with the team having played on Saturday. Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback spot is still in the air, but no immediate announcement will be made regarding whether Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will start the season atop the depth chart. 
Instead, the Steelers will go through their upcoming practices before an official announcement is made at the end of the week. Wilson has been in the lead throughout the offseason, with head coach Mike Tomlin and other Steelers personnel repeating that he has been in pole position ahead of Fields. The latter appears to have moved closer to the QB1 gig this summer, but Tomlin’s post-game press conference did not offer an evaluation of where things stand.
“We’ve got three days of Steelers versus Steelers work and why not do it then?” Tomlin said (via NFL.com). “It kind of minimizes the Steelers versus Steelers work when we start making decisions prior to the completion of that. We’ve got ample time to prepare for [Week 1 against] Atlanta and make whatever decisions or announcements regarding divisional labor or pecking orders and so forth. And so, we will do it at the end of the work week.”
While Wilson has not officially won the job, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor notes it would come as a surprise if the former Super Bowl winner was not tapped for the first-team role. Wilson joined the Steelers on a veteran minimum deal in free agency after being released by the Broncos (the team on the hook for a record-breaking $85MM in dead cap charges stemming from the remaining guarantees on his deal). The 35-year-old’s two-year Denver tenure did not go as planned, and a return to his previous form is not expected based on his limited preseason performances.
Fields’ work during Pittsburgh’s exhibition games, just like Wilson’s, did not include any touchdown passes or interceptions. The former Bears first-rounder – added via trade – offers a much different skillset based on his age (25) and rushing ability (2,220 rushing yards in three years). He and Wilson are both only under contract through the 2024 season, so their respective futures will be directly tied to how the coming season plays out.
New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith recently noted (via Pryor) his input will be taken into account regarding the decision on a starting quarterback. The final call will also include evaluations from Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and owner Art Rooney II. Regardless of if a winner of the competition is already known, the decision will not be made public for several more days.
Raiders Looking Into CB Addition
It has long been clear Jack Jones will occupy a starting spot as a perimeter corner for the Raiders this season. Likewise, Nate Hobbs is positioned to serve in a first-team role in the slot. Second-year cover man Jakorian Bennett will begin the campaign as a starter opposite Jones, but the team’s depth beyond those three is an area of concern. 
[RELATED: Recapping Raiders’ Offseason]
This week will offer the opportunity to add players let go during roster cutdowns, a period which always sees plenty of movement with teams taking a flier at positions of need in advance of Week 1. For Las Vegas, that could lead to a rotational contributor being added in the secondary. Based on head coach Antonio Pierce‘s comments, experience will be a key factor targeted in any potential addition.
“I’m not a believer of throwing young cornerbacks out there early if they’re not quite ready,” Pierce said (via Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal). “If we can get better, we need to get better.”
Brandon Facyson missed considerable time during training camp due to an undisclosed injury, Bonsignore adds. That kept the 29-year-old out of the preseason altogether, limiting the Raiders’ ability to evaluate him. Facyson was added on a two-year deal last offseason, and his play when healthy could shape the overall performance of the cornerback room. Facyson was limited to just three games last year, though, so his injury status will be worth watching closely.
Rookies Decamerion Richardson and M.J. Devonshire have seen an increased workload during the summer in the wake of Facyson’s absence, but relying on them in the regular season is a situation the Raiders will be looking to avoid by making a move in the coming days. A number of cornerbacks will be available on the waiver wire next week, and some veterans may be let go before cutdown day (August 27) as teams allow them a head start on finding a new opportunity.
Vegas was previously linked to avoiding any big-ticket free agent moves, and that will remain the case even if a flier is taken in the near future on a depth cornerback. With nearly $35MM in cap space, the team will have plenty of flexibility while exploring options on the market ahead of Week 1.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/24
Saturday’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: WR Nsimba Webster, RB Ian Wheeler
- Waived (injury designation): S Douglas Coleman, DL Keith Randolph
- Released: TE Tommy Sweeney
Miami Dolphins
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Willie Snead