NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/7/18
Today’s practice squad transactions:
New Orleans Saints
- Cut: QB J.T. Barrett
New York Giants
- Cut: DT Josh Banks
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Treyvon Hester
- Cut: WR Greg Ward, WR Rashard Davis and DT Winston Craig
Tennessee Titans
- Cut (left squad): WR Damore’ea Stringfellow
Extra Points: Practice Squad Salaries, Anthem, Vikings, Browns
The standard practice squad salary is $7,600 a week, but players in high demand around the league often get much more than that, sometimes approaching what their salary would’ve been if they had made the 53-man roster.
Seahawks seventh round quarterback Alex McGough didn’t make the team after Seattle traded for Brett Hundley, but he’ll be making $28K a week according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). Although the Broncos wanted De’Angelo Henderson back on their practice squad after cutting him, the Jets offered him $30K a week to steal him away according to Mike Klis of 9News. Lastly, the Vikings paid offered $20K per week to poach tight end Cole Hikutini from the 49ers according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.
Here’s more from around the league:
- “Moderate NFL owners are interested in a potential agreement” to waive discipline for players who protest the anthem if the players union will officially endorse standing for the anthem according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post. It’s unclear how close any such agreement might be, but it’s an interesting development.
- Speaking of the Vikings, the team worked out a slew of players today, with wide receivers Breshad Perriman, Aldrick Robinson and Teo Redding, and offensive linemen Hroniss Grasu, Wesley Johnson, and Bryan Witzmann all coming in for workouts according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN (Twitter link). Minnesota has dealt with a ton of offensive line injuries, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them add one of these guys.
- The Browns finally ended the mystery of who would replace Joe Thomas at left tackle today when they announced it would be undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison protecting Tyrod Taylor’s blindside per Nate Ulrich of the Akron-Beacon Journal (Twitter link). Harrison was always a talented player, but went undrafted because of off-the-field concerns.
NFC Notes: Seahawks, Cardinals, Falcons, Cowboys
A growing rift in the Seahawks’ locker room over the team’s treatment of Russell Wilson was the catalyst for the trade or release of many Seahawks veterans this offseason, according to an explosive report from Robert Klemko of SI.com. The story, which is well worth a read, details how Richard Sherman and other Seahawks defenders objected to coach Pete Carrol’s alleged preferential treatment of Wilson.
The story also describes how many former Seahawks players think the rift was responsible for the team getting rid of veterans like Sherman, Michael Bennett, Jeremy Lane etc., and rebuilding the team around Wilson. It’s an unwelcome distraction for Seattle just days before their season opener, and it will be very interesting to see how Carrol and Wilson respond.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- 2016 first round pick Corey Coleman never fit in with the Browns. Released after just two injury plagued seasons, the young speedy receiver is now looking for a new home and visited with the Cardinals today a source told Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter link). The Cardinals are a bit thin at receiver behind Larry Fitzgerald, so this could be a good landing spot for both sides.
- The Falcons lost starting safety Keanu Neal for the season during last night’s opener with a torn ACL, but his absence might not be as devastating as some had thought. Even before last night’s game, rookie fifth round safety Damontae Kazee had “emerged as the versatile swing safety type that’s incredibly valuable in today’s NFL” during training camp according to Albert Breer of SI.com. The coaching staff apparently loves Kazee, so the loss of Neal isn’t as disastrous as it might’ve seemed.
- Cowboys guard Travis Frederick hasn’t been placed on injured reserve “but he continues to have some numbness in both arms” according to Todd Archer of ESPN. It’s a situation far more important than football, and Frederick acknowledged to Archer he has no idea when he’ll be back on the field.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/7/18
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Tevaun Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived from injured reserve: OL Josh Andrews, RB Mack Brown, DB Craig James
New England Patriots
- Waived from injured reserve: TE Will Tye
New York Giants
- Waived from injured reserve: S Darian Thompson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: S Tre Sullivan
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: CB Simeon Thomas
- Waived from injured reserve: CB Byron Maxwell, LB Erik Walden, QB Austin Davis
Lions Work Out Paxton Lynch
Paxton Lynch‘s post-Broncos tour continued as he visited today with the Lions, a source told Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter link). 
Lynch, a former first round pick, quickly fell out of favor in Denver and ultimately found himself out of a job when he was outplayed by 2017 seventh-rounder Chad Kelly during the preseason. Many teams still see something interesting in Lynch’s potential, and several clubs have been rumored to be interested.
Detroit would be an interesting landing spot for Lynch, as they cut their younger developmental option Jake Rudock recently at final cuts. Although they brought Ruddock back on the practice squad, they currently only have the aging Matt Cassel behind Matthew Stafford on the roster.
Lynch could slide in behind Cassel and be developed to be Stafford’s backup of the future. Lynch recently visited the Bills and has a few other tryouts scheduled, but it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to sign with the Lions. Either way, he shouldn’t be unemployed much longer.
NFL Suspends WR Max McCaffrey
Wide receiver Max McCaffrey will miss the first four games of the season with a suspension, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
McCaffrey, the brother of Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, was cut by the 49ers last week. The suspension explains “why he’s still free” Rapoport notes. Despite being only 24-years-old, McCaffrey has already reached journeyman status, spending time with six different teams during his brief time in the league.
McCaffrey signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent after finishing his college career at Duke, but was released before the start of the 2016 season. He then was signed by the Packers, spending time on both their practice squad and active roster. In 2017, he was with the Saints, Jaguars, and Packers again before the 49ers were impressed enough with him to sign him to a two-year deal off the Packers’ practice squad.
McCaffrey’s suspension very likely played a role in his release by San Francisco, as did a foot injury he’s still recovering from. It’s unclear what the suspension is for, although it seems likely it’s due to a substance abuse policy violation. He should latch on somewhere after his suspension is completed.
Browns Still Considering Signing Dez Bryant
Dez Bryant left his visit to Cleveland a couple weeks back without a contract, but the two sides could still hammer something out eventually a source told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Cabot writes that the two sides could begin talking again after Week 1 due to the vested veterans guarantee date that’s part of the CBA. Under the rules, any veteran on a roster at the start of Week 1 has his contract guaranteed for the entire season. After Week 1, only 25% of the players contract is guaranteed if he were to be released.
It makes sense the Browns would be concerned about this due to it being a somewhat risky signing that is far from a guarantee to work out. If Bryant arrived in Cleveland and immediately began clashing in the locker room, they very well might have to end up cutting him.
Browns GM John Dorsey told Cleveland.com “it’s a week-to-week thing. Who’s to say I won’t call Dez on Tuesday and see how it’s going.” It was reported earlier that the Browns had offered Bryant a little bit under $5MM in salary for 2018, far less than Bryant was seeking. It’s possible the Browns will be willing to increase their offer once they no longer have to pay 100% of it if things don’t go smoothly. One way or another, we should no more very soon as the start of the regular season is just days away.
Dolphins Re-Sign TE Gavin Escobar
After he was released by the team at final cuts, the Dolphins are bringing back tight end Gavin Escobar according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).
To make room on the roster, the team is placing MarQueis Gray on injured reserve. Beasley posted a follow-up tweet noting that it’s “big news” as Gray “was on track to be a Week 1 starter.” It’s a big blow for Miami just days before the season gets underway.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald followed up with a tweet of his own, noting that it’s an Achilles injury for Gray. Although he’ll be eligible to return after eight weeks, if it’s an Achilles tear he’ll be done for the whole season. Escobar, a second round pick of the Cowboys back in 2013 was brought in on a one-year deal this offseason but let go as the Dolphins trimmed their roster to 53.
Escobar never lived up to his draft status, catching just 30 passes for 333 yards and eight touchdowns across his four seasons in Dallas. The injury to Gray likely means more snaps and potentially an every down role for rookie second round pick Mike Gesicki.
Rams Tried Trading For Khalil Mack
The Rams tried trading for Khalil Mack before he was ultimately dealt to the Bears, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.
Rams COO Kevin Demoff said the team “offered a pretty aggressive package” but that the Raiders ultimately turned it down because they thought the Rams were “going to pick too low.” Jon Gruden made clear earlier this week that one of the primary concerns when trading Mack was getting picks from teams they thought would be drafting in the top half of the draft.
Acquiring Mack would’ve probably made the Rams the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, and would’ve meant very low draft picks going back to Oakland. Still, it’s fun to envision a defense with Mack and Aaron Donald lining up next to each other.
With all the recent extensions the Rams have doled out, it’s unclear how they would’ve been able to make a Mack mega-deal fit into their salary cap, but apparently the team felt confident they’d be able to do it. The Rams under GM Les Snead’s leadership have been aggressive in free agency and in trades, and have seemingly been in on every big name player.
A Mack trade to the Rams would’ve made things especially interesting as the Rams play the Raiders in Week 1, on Monday Night Football.
Steelers Won’t Rescind Le’Veon Bell’s Franchise Tag
Despite his continued absence, the Steelers won’t rescind Le’Veon Bell‘s franchise tag, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
The drama reached new heights yesterday, when many of Bell’s teammates began criticizing him publicly. Several of his offensive linemen chimed in, a situation that is more or less unprecedented in today’s NFL. After yesterday’s fallout, many began to speculate that the Steelers would either rescind the tag, or look to trade Bell, but that’s not true according to Rapoport.
Despite GM Kevin Colbert’s strongly worded statement and the relentless griping from his teammates yesterday, “he’ll play for the Steelers this year. It’s just a question of when” writes Rapoport. While it was reported yesterday that Bell would almost certainly miss Week 1, it appears for now he still will be suiting up for Pittsburgh this season.
Bell missing yesterday’s crucial game-planning practice appeared to be the final straw for his teammates, and they lamented the fact that Bell hasn’t told anybody when he plans on reporting. Bell’s agent when on the radio a bit later in the day, and made clear that Bell’s primary motivation is getting through the season unscathed and entering free agency 100% healthy, even if it means giving up $855K game checks. It’s a risky move by Bell’s camp, and his antics could actually end up hurting his value in free agency.
Either way, it doesn’t sound like this situation will be resolving anytime soon.