Commanders Activate DL Efe Obada From IR
The Commanders will welcome back a key member of their defensive line for tomorrow’s game against the Falcons. The team announced that they’ve activated Efe Obada from injured reserve.
Obada spent the first five weeks of the season on IR while dealing with a patella tendon injury. He was designated to return to practice earlier this week, and after being listed as questionable heading into the weekend, he’s since been removed from the injury report.
While the Commanders will surely welcome Obada back to their defensive line corps, the team isn’t in dire need of pass-rush help. The team has collected 11.5 sacks from their starting-four on the defensive line, meaning the veteran addition will be sliding into a backup role for the time being.
Obada had a breakout season with the Panthers back in 2020, finishing with 5.5 sacks and 15 QB hits despite starting just one game. He added another 3.5 sacks to his resume in 10 games with the Bills in 2021 before he joined the Commanders for the 2022 campaign. While he served as a situational backup to Montez Sweat and Chase Young, Obada still managed to finish his first season in Washington with four sacks. The Commanders re-signed him this past offseason.
The team wasn’t done making moves this morning. The Commanders also announced that they’ve released defensive tackle Abdullah Anderson and promoted cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields from the practice squad. Anderson appeared in all five games for the Commanders this season, collecting five tackles and 0.5 sacks.
Titans Sign DT Taylor Stallworth To Active Roster, Waive OL Justin Murray
The Titans reworked the bottom of their roster in anticipation of tomorrow’s game against the Ravens. The team announced that they’ve signed defensive back Shyheim Carter and defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth to the active roster. The team also promoted safety Dane Cruikshank and defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson from the practice squad. To make room, the team waived offensive lineman Justin Murray and cornerback Kindle Vildor.
Defensive lineman Teair Tart missed Week 5 with a toe injury. While he was able to return to practice in a limited fashion on Friday, he’s still a question mark for Sunday. That necessitated the team’s need for some defensive line help. Johnson has already earned a pair of promotions this season, so a full-time contract could be coming next week. The veteran started 16 games for the Vikings back in 2020, and he’s appeared in 76 games across six-plus seasons.
Stallworth also brings experience to the table, having appeared in 57 games since entering the NFL in 2018. After collecting 16 tackles and three sacks in 16 games with the Colts in 2021, the defensive lineman split the 2022 campaign between Houston and Kansas City.
Murray brought some experience to Tennessee’s offensive line when he joined the organization in early August. He ultimately landed on the Titans’ practice squad but still saw time in four games with the big-league club, serving as a backup OL and special teamer. Murray started 19 games for the Cardinals between 2019 and 2020, but he’s bounced around the league since getting released by Arizona in 2022.
Latest On Jets WR Mecole Hardman
Earlier this week, we heard the Jets were “exploring” their options with rarely-used wideout Mecole Hardman, including potential trades. ESPN’s Rich Cimini was more definitive about Hardman’s future in New York, stating during an appearance on the Flight Deck Podcast that the receiver was “going to be gone” (h/t Paul Andrew Esden Jr.).
[RELATED: Jets WR Mecole Hardman On Trade Block?]
Cimini adds that New York will ultimately “trade him or cut him,” but the organization intends to do Hardman a “solid” by sending him to a team that could offer a clear path to playing time. The reporter also noted that the receiver is “clearly disgruntled” and has done some complaining behind the scenes, so it may be in the Jets’ best interest to resolve this in a timely manner.
Hardman recently spoke about his situation to reporters, telling them that he simply wants to play, whether for the Jets or another organization (via Cimini). The receiver also revealed that he hasn’t requested a trade. Meanwhile, Robert Saleh said the team will continue to find ways to utilize Hardman until he hears otherwise.
“He’s here, he’s working, competing, and until someone upstairs says otherwise, we we’re going to do our best to try to find ways to get him involved,” the head coach told reporters (via Cimini).
Hardman joined the Jets this offseason following a four-year stint with the Chiefs. The free agent was one of several receivers to join the new-look offense, but thanks in part to Aaron Rodgers‘ season-ending injury, Hardman has seen a lesser role than expected. The 25-year-old has hauled in a single catch and has been limited to 22 offensive snaps, and he also hasn’t been used in the return game, an area where he’s previously excelled. The Jets added Irvin Charles to the active roster earlier this week, giving the team seven wide receivers.
We haven’t heard of any definitive suitors for Hardman, but plenty of teams should have interest. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes that the Raiders, Lions, Vikings, and Browns were among the teams that expressed interest in Hardman during the offseason, and the reporter notes that a reunion with the Chiefs could also be an option.
Free Agent LB Damien Wilson Suspended Four Games
If Damien Wilson hopes to play in the NFL this season, he’ll have to wait until November to catch on with a team. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the free agent linebacker has been suspended for the next four weeks after violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Wilson was a part-time player in Dallas to begin his career, but he earned a starting role after joining the Chiefs in 2019. The linebacker ultimately spent two seasons in Kansas City, collecting 154 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 29 starts. Wilson also started all six of his playoff appearances, and he picked up 19 tackles during the team’s run to a Super Bowl LIV win.
He caught on with the Jaguars for the 2021 campaign and proceeded to have a career year, collecting 106 tackles and three sacks in 17 games. That performance earned him a two-year, $6.9MM contract from the Panthers last offseason. Wilson made headlines soon after signing with the team, getting arrested on an assault charge.
After starting five of the Panthers’ first seven games, Wilson only saw the field for four defensive snaps from Week 9 through the end of the season. The team moved on from the 30-year-old back in March, saving the organization more than $3MM in cap space. The veteran hasn’t had any reported visits during the offseason, and this suspension won’t help his chances of catching on with a team in 2023.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/23
Today’s practice squad moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Rashaan Evans (story)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Brandon Smith
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: QB Holton Ahlers
- Released: S Teez Tabor
The Seahawks are bringing Holton Ahlers back to their squad after the UDFA spent the preseason with the organization. Ahlers had a standout 2022 campaign at East Carolina, completing 67.2 percent of his passes while tossing 28 touchdowns vs. five interceptions. He’ll be taking the taxi-squad spot previously held by Teez Tabor, who already earned one promotion to the active roster in 2023.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/12/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated to return: LB Myjai Sanders
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: TE Sean McKeon
- Placed on IR: TE Peyton Hendershot
- Designated to return: CB Nahshon Wright
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, NT Tyler Lancaster
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: P Braden Mann
Peyton Hendershot will miss at least the next four games while he continues to recover from an ankle injury. The tight end already missed a pair of contests thanks to the injury, with the second-year player hauling in a single catch before that. Sean McKeon will be taking the open spot on the roster. The 25-year-old has spent the past three-plus seasons in Dallas, hauling in six catches in 38 games.
Broncos To Activate TE Greg Dulcich From IR
OCTOBER 12: Dulcich’s ramp-up period will be short. The Broncos are expected to activate the second-year tight end for tonight’s Week 6 matchup against the Chiefs, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. While a full workload should not be expected, the 2022 third-round pick represents another weapon coming back for the 1-4 squad. Dulcich’s return timetable resembles his 2022 debut, when he came off IR — after a hamstring injury — in Week 6 against the Chargers, a game in which the UCLA product scored a touchdown.
OCTOBER 10: The Broncos welcomed back a key offensive piece today. The team announced that tight end Greg Dulcich was a limited participant at Tuesday’s walkthrough. Dulcich’s return to practice means the Broncos now have 21 days to activate the player from injured reserve.
Dulcich suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 that ultimately led to his placement on IR. As Mike Klis of 9News in Denver points out, the Broncos opened Dulcich’s 21-day window for only a single practice. This could be an indication that the Broncos believe he’s ready to go for Thursday’s game against the Chiefs.
“He’s out here moving around,” coach Sean Payton said today when asked about the tight end’s status for Week 6 (via the team’s website). “… I don’t want to guess relative to this week’s game, but he’s close.”
The 2022 third-round pick had a productive rookie season, hauling in 33 catches for 411 yards and two touchdowns. There was optimism that he could take another step forward in 2022, and he hauled in a pair of catches before exiting the season opener.
Adam Trautman has received the majority of the snaps at tight end this season, hauling in nine catches for 60 yards and one touchdown (although all of that production came in two of his five games). Chris Manhertz has soaked up the rest of the snaps at the position but has mostly served as a blocker, with the 31-year-old hauling in a single catch.
Colts Add QB Kellen Mond, WR Anthony Miller To Practice Squad
With Anthony Richardson sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Colts are adding some quarterback depth. Jordan Schultz reports that the Colts have signed QB Kellen Mond to the practice squad. The signing is pending a physical, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
[RELATED: Colts QB Anthony Richardson Suffers Shoulder Injury]
Mond was one of several QBs to work out for the Colts today, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting that the team also took a look at Holton Ahlers, Trace McSorley, and Anthony Brown. Ultimately, the Colts decided to go with the former Vikings third-round pick.
Mond was selected with the 66th-overall pick in the 2021 draft, and there was hope that he could eventually replace Kirk Cousins as Minnesota’s starting QB. Instead, the Texas A&M product lasted a year with the organization before getting waived prior to the 2022 campaign. He spent all of last season with the Browns and stuck around Cleveland for the 2023 preseason.
The 24-year-old will be a temporary QB3 in Indianapolis. Gardner Minshew will be the starter with Richardson sidelined, and former sixth-round pick Sam Ehlinger will serve as the QB2.
Since being diagnosed with a Grade 3 AC joint sprain, Richardson has been seeking multiple opinions before deciding his next step. That additional testing will determine whether the rookie requires a trip to injured reserve, a move that would put Minshew in position to start for at least the next four games.
The Colts weren’t done making moves today. Schultz reports that the organization has also added wide receiver Anthony Miller to the practice squad. The former second-round pick was productive through his first three seasons in the NFL, averaging 50 catches for 570 yards per season. He’s bounced around the league a bit since getting traded during the 2021 offseason, spending time with the Texans, Steelers, and 49ers.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/10/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: WR Xavier Malone
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Collin Johnson
- Released: K John Parker Romo
Denver Broncos
- Released: WR Michael Bandy
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Anthony Averett (story), TE Anthony Firkser
- Released: CB Darius Phillips, WR Trey Quinn
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: WR Juwann Winfree
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Released: WR Marquez Callaway, CB Rejzohn Wright
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Jake Funk
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: QB Tanner Morgan
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Yodny Cajuste
- Designated to return: WR Cole Beasley
- Released: CB Amani Oruwariye, WR Cam Sims
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: FB Jack Colletto
Anthony Firkser will provide the Lions with some veteran tight end depth. Darrell Daniels has mostly transitioned to a fullback role and James Mitchell is sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright as the two healthy TEs on the roster. Firkser has seen time in 69 regular season games, hauling in 115 catches for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns. The 28-year-old tight end got into 11 games for the Falcons in 2022, finishing with nine catches for 100 yards.
Yodny Cajuste is back in New York after getting cut by the Jets back in August. The former third-round pick got into 17 games (five starts) for the Patriots between the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He was waived by New England back in May before catching on with the Jets for the preseason.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/23
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: CB Dicaprio Bootle
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Justin Hollins
- Waived: RB Patrick Taylor
The Panthers already used up their three practice-squad promotions for Dicaprio Bootle, so now the cornerback will be joining the active roster on a full-time basis. The former UDFA out of Nebraska has exclusively played on special teams this season.
Justin Hollins was waived yesterday to make room for running back Patrick Taylor on the active roster. Hollins has nine tackles in four games with Green Bay this season, with the LB splitting his time between defense and special teams. Taylor has also seen the field for four games this season, collecting 59 yards from scrimmage on 16 touches.