NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/21/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Andre Baccellia, WR Stanley Berryhill, WR C.J. Board, CB Nate Hairston
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Brandon Copeland
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Tanner Gentry
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Frank Herron
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: C Matt Skura
New England Patriots
- Signed: K Tristan Vizcaino
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Adam Pankey
- Released: OL Chris Glaser
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Khalil Davis
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Christian DiLauro
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Donovan Jeter
- Placed on IR: OL Nolan Laufenberg
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/21/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed off Bills practice squad: RB Raheem Blackshear
- Signed to active roster: LB Arron Mosby
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: LB Jordan Kunaszyk, DE Isaac Rochell
Houston Texans
- Promoted: OL Jimmy Morrissey
- Placed on IR: LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
- Placed on NFI: OL Justin Britt (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed off Rams practice squad: DE Benton Whitley
Los Angeles Rams
- Suspended: TE Brycen Hopkins
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Suspended: S Damontae Kazee
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: DT Deadrin Senat
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: RB Trenton Cannon, DB Chris Jackson
Kazee was suspended three games for violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse. After signing with the Steelers this offseason, he landed on injured reserve after the preseason. Per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor (on Twitter), Kazee will be allowed to serve his suspension while he’s on IR.
Hopkins was also suspended three games for violating the NFL’s policy on substances of abuse.
Browns Place DE Chase Winovich, TE Jesse James On IR
The Browns placed two players on IR today. Tight end Jesse James and defensive end Chase Winovich landed on injured reserve, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). This will knock the duo out for at least the next four games.
It sounds like both players suffered injuries during Cleveland’s loss to the Jets on Sunday. According to Kevin Stefanski, Winovich suffered a hamstring injury and James suffered a biceps injury.
Winovich was acquired from the Patriots this offseason for linebacker Mack Brown. The former third-round pick barely made the roster out of the preseason, and he didn’t see the field for any defensive snaps during Week 1. He got more run this past weekend, appearing in 37 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. He finished that game with a tackle and two QB hits.
James made a name for himself in Pittsburgh, hauling in 120 receptions in 56 games. He had a two-year stint in Detroit before spending the 2021 campaign with the Bears. He started nine of his 14 games last season, hauling in seven receptions. The Browns signed the veteran before the start of the regular season, and he saw a handful of snaps through the first two weeks while serving as the third tight end behind David Njoku and Harrison Bryant. One of Miller Forristall or Zaire Mitchell-Paden could be promoted from the practice squad to replace James.
Panthers Place DT Bravvion Roy On IR
Bravvion Roy will miss at least the next four games. The Panthers placed the defensive tackle on injured reserve today, according to Darin Gantt of the team’s website.
Roy suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday’s loss to the Giants. The defensive lineman was seen limping off the field before being carted to the locker room. Matt Rhule later told reporters that the injury “looked pretty severe.”
The 2020 sixth-round pick appeared in 32 games for Carolina through his first two seasons in the NFL. He appeared in both of the Panthers’ first two games in 2022, collecting two tackles and one QB hit.
The Panthers have been starting Derrick Brown and Matt Ioannidis at defensive tackle, with Roy serving as the third DT on the depth chart. With the third-year player sidelined, Carolina will likely turn to 2021 seventh-round pick Phil Hoskins or undrafted rookie Marquan McCall to soak up some of the defensive snaps.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/20/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: G Lachavious Simmons
- Released: CB Corey Ballentine, WR Jeff Cotton, DB Steven Parker
- Released from PS IR: WR Victor Bolden Jr.
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
- Released: OT Alex Taylor
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB DQ Thomas
- Released: WR Travis Fulgham
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, G Arlington Hambright
- Released: K Lucas Havrisik, TE Jared Scott
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DE Zach VanValkenburg
- Released: LS Matt Overton
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Scotty Washington
- Released: TE Jalen Wydermyer
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Yasir Durant
- Released: G Drew Desjarlais
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Jaylon Smith (story)
- Released: OL KC McDermott
New York Jets
- Signed: WR/KR Diontae Spencer
- Released: P/K Ty Long
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Jaquarii Roberson
- Released: CB Mark Gilbert
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: DB Kary Vincent
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/20/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Devon Kennard
- Released: WR Andre Baccellia
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: WR Dennis Houston
Detroit Lions
- Released from IR: K Aldrick Rosas
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR: K Gabe Brkic
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived from IR: DB Daniel Isom
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived from IR: S Jared Mayden
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: RB Marlon Mack
Latest On 49ers TE George Kittle
SEPTEMBER 18: Kittle’s current groin ailment was initially expected to keep him on the shelf for three weeks, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported Sunday morning that the three-time Pro Bowler is not expected to play in the 49ers’ Week 2 contest against the Seahawks (Twitter link). That may be true, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeted roughly an hour later that Kittle did practice on Friday and is pushing to play.
San Francisco suffered a disappointing defeat to the Bears in their opener, while Seattle pulled off an upset over the Broncos. The Niners and second-year QB Trey Lance would obviously love to have Kittle on the field to help them avoid an 0-2 start.
SEPTEMBER 8: Following an injury on Monday, George Kittle‘s status for this weekend’s season opener was already in doubt. It’s now sounding like the 49ers tight end probably won’t take the field. According to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com, Kittle’s groin injury is considered serious and he’s unlikely to play against the Bears on Sunday.
A source described Kittle’s groin injury as “not good,” although they noted that the situation remained fluid. Considering Kittle’s past issues with injuries, that source said it may be best if the tight end sits out a week or two. Another source told Wilson that Kittle suffered a Grade 2 strain that has limited his speed. While Kittle’s toughness means he’s always a candidate to take the field, it sounds like the organization is more confident in his long-term health if he takes it slow to start the year. Kittle suffered the groin injury on Monday and was absent from practice on Wednesday.
Kittle is one of the NFL’s top tight ends when he’s on the field, but he’s missed at least two games in each of the past three seasons. He missed three games last season while nursing a calf injury, but he still managed to finish the campaign with 71 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns.
San Francisco does have some depth behind Kittle. Charlie Woerner would likely draw the start in place of Kittle, with Ross Dwelley and Tyler Kroft serving as the primary backups.
Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. Won’t Play Sunday
The Colts will have to take on the Jaguars tomorrow without their top wideout. The team announced that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been downgraded to out for tomorrow’s game.
Pittman suffered a quad injury during practice on Wednesday and sat out the rest of the week. It doesn’t sound like the injury is a long-term concern, and there’s a chance he’ll play next weekend against the Chiefs.
The 2020 second-round pick made a name for himself in 2021 after finishing with 1,082 receiving yards and six touchdowns. It didn’t take long for him to build chemistry with Matt Ryan. In Week 1, Pittman hauled in nine of his 13 targets for 121 yards and one touchdown.
The rest of the Colts wide receivers were limited to a combined eight receptions last weekend, so Indy will need someone to step up tomorrow against Jacksonville. The rest of the Colts receiving depth chart consists of Parris Campbell, Ashton Dulin, Mike Strachan, and Dezmon Patmon. Receiver Alec Pierce will also miss tomorrow’s game, so there’s a good chance Indy promotes a fifth receiver from the practice squad (a grouping that includes Ethan Fernea and Keke Coutee).
In addition to Pittman and Pierce, linebacker Shaquille Leonard has also been ruled out for tomorrow’s game.
Latest On Texans C Justin Britt
Justin Britt will miss Sunday’s game due to personal reasons. The Texans center will be away from the team through the weekend, according to Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com. Britt was absent from practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The veteran offensive lineman is “working through personal issues related to football as he contemplates his options,” per Wilson. Coach Lovie Smith refused to elaborate on the absence, but Wilson notes that Britt previously expressed disappointment in his own performance during Week 1. He got into 100 percent of his team’s snaps against the Colts, committing one false start penalty. He finished Week 1 with PFF’s second-lowest grade among centers, although he did score positively for his pass-blocking. At 31 years old and with more than 100 career games (including playoffs) under his belt, it’s not too hard to read between the lines of this report and infer that Britt may be contemplating his playing future.
After spending the first six seasons of his career with the Seahawks, Britt joined the Texans last offseason. He started each of his 11 games during his first season in Houston, missing a handful of contests thanks to a knee injury.
With Britt out of the lineup, Scott Quessenberry will step into the starting lineup against the Broncos. The team also has Jimmy Morrissey on the practice squad, and guard Justin McCray has past experience playing center.
“It’s just the next-man-up mentality,” Quessenberry said (per Wilson). “Always prepare like you’re the starter and like you’re going to play every snap of the game. Be ready for the unexpected. Just going to go out there and play hard-nosed football and try to finish every play and play hard and play to the whistle and give everything I’ve got for the four other guys out there. It feels good. I’ve played in this league before and this won’t be the last time I play in this league.”
This Date In Transactions History: Browns Trade WR Josh Gordon To Patriots
On this date in 2018, the Josh Gordon saga ended in Cleveland. Following six-plus years of controversy, the Browns shipped the embattled wideout to the Patriots for a fifth-round pick.
A second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft, Gordon quickly made a name for himself in Cleveland. Following a productive rookie campaign, the receiver exploded in 2013. Despite missing the first two games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, Gordon finished the year with 87 receptions for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns, earning him first-team All-Pro honors.
Gordon was slapped with another suspension prior to the 2014 campaign, but the ban was reduced to 10 games and the receiver proceeded to average about 61 yards per game in his five appearances. The NFL laid down the hammer the following offseason, suspending Gordon for the entire 2015 campaign. He was set to return after sitting out the first four games of the 2016 campaign, but he ended up stepping away from the NFL for the entire season.
He was finally reinstated late during the 2017 campaign, and after spending two years away from the game, Gordon finished with 335 receiving yards in five contests. There was hope that he’d emerge as a main piece in Cleveland’s offense for the 2018 campaign, but he quickly found himself in the dog house. While the organization publicly stated they were frustrated with Gordon’s hamstring injury, some in the Browns’ organization reportedly believed Gordon slipped in his recovery program, and it was his rampant off-field issues that finally prompted the Browns to cut the cord.
The Browns later indicated that they were prepared to cut the wideout, but a trade market naturally developed. Cleveland preferred to send Gordon to the NFC, with Dallas, Washington, and San Francisco emerging as potential suitors. While the Browns were seeking a sixth-round pick, New England ponied by a fifth rounder and acquired the receiver on September 17, 2018.
It was a low-risk move for a Patriots team that had previously gambled on reclamation projects, and it was assumed the wideout would have the shortest of leashes with Bill Belichick in charge. From an on-field perspective, the Patriots were in desperate need of receivers. With Julian Edelman sitting out the first four games due to a suspension, Tom Brady was eyeing Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett as his top wideouts. Gordon immediately came in and produced, finishing with 40 receptions for 720 yards and three touchdowns.
Gordon once again stepped away from the NFL towards the end of that season, with the NFL later revealing that he was facing an indefinite ban for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement. The Patriots proceeded to move on and win the Super Bowl without Gordon’s services.
The wideout returned for the 2019 season, and he started each of the Patriots first six games, collecting 20 receptions for 287 yards and one touchdown. A knee injury landed him on IR, and the Patriots ended up cutting bait with him in October. He later caught on with the Seahawks, but he hauled in only seven receptions in five games before getting hit with his fifth career suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Gordon sat out the entire 2020 campaign before reemerging with the Chiefs last year, where he got into 12 games. He signed with the Titans practice squad earlier this month.
There was hope that Gordon may be able to revive his career in New England. While the receiver showed that he could still be productive when he was on the field, he also continued to prove that he couldn’t be counted on from an off-field perspective. Four years later, the 31-year-old is currently fighting to keep his career alive.