Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/24
Today’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Waived: DB Keidron Smith
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: TE Tanner Conner
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: TE Jack Stoll
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): OL Logan Bruss
Bruss was waived by the Rams yesterday to make room for returning linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson. A former third-round pick, Bruss didn’t make an appearance through his first two seasons in the NFL but started three of his eight appearances in 2024.
Raiders TE Michael Mayer Returns To Practice
Michael Mayer will soon resume his sophomore campaign. The Raiders announced that the second-year tight end returned to practice today. With Mayer having been designated for return, the team will now have 21 days to activate the player to the active roster.
Mayer landed on the non-football injury list in early October due to personal reasons and has missed the Raiders’ last six games. Assuming the tight end doesn’t require an extended ramp-up period, he should be back for Sunday’s matchup with the Dolphins.
The 2023 second-round pick showed flashes as a rookie. In 14 games (12 starts), the Notre Dame product hauled in 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns. With Austin Hooper hitting free agency this past offseason, Mayer had an opportunity to solidify himself as the team’s long-term answer at the position. Unfortunately for the player, the Raiders used a first-round pick on Brock Bowers, meaning Mayer will be locked in as a backup for the foreseeable future.
Still, that doesn’t mean Mayer will go unused in Las Vegas. Before landing on NFI, the tight end was getting into more than 50 percent of his team’s offense snaps, and although Bowers has seen his snap count increase throughout the season, there’s a good chance the Raiders go back to a similar arrangement for the stretch run of the season. With Mayer out of the lineup, the Raiders have turned to the likes of Harrison Bryant and John Samuel Shenker to soak up leftover snaps at the position.
Ravens Trade For Calais Campbell Fell Short
The Ravens were especially aggressive at the trade deadline as they looked to improve their defense. The team made an aggressive bid for Marshon Lattimore before landing Tre’Davious White from the Rams. If the front office had their way, they also would have reunited with an old friend.
[RELATED: Ravens Acquire CB Tre’Davious White From Rams]
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Ravens were close to completing a trade with the Dolphins for defensive tackle Calais Campbell. However, the deal ultimately fell apart at the last minute.
The veteran defensive lineman had a three-year stint in Baltimore between 2020 and 2022, starting 40 of his 41 appearances. Over that span, he collected 11 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 36 QB hits, and he got into another three playoff games for the organization. Campbell was cut by the team at the end of the 2022 campaign and caught on with the Falcons, where he spent one season.
The 38-year-old joined the Dolphins this past offseason and has started all eight of his appearances for his new squad, collecting 28 tackles and two sacks. Despite getting up there in age, Campbell still ranks fourth on Pro Football Focus’ rankings of interior defensive lineman, an improvement from his 23rd-place showing in 2023. The Ravens could have used some DL depth with Michael Pierce sitting on injured reserve and Brent Urban dealing with a concussion.
As for the trade they did make, Breer notes that White agreed to remove all playing-time incentives to help facilitate a trade to Baltimore.
Saints WR Chris Olave Expected To Land On IR, May Be Done For Season
Chris Olave may have already played his last snap of the 2024 campaign. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Saints wide receiver is expected to land on injured reserve today. Olave suffered a concussion in Week 9 and was already ruled out for tomorrow’s game against the Falcons. Olave will now be out for at least the next four games.
[RELATED: Saints’ Chris Olave Visiting Concussion Specialists]
As we learned earlier this week, Olave is set to visit specialists as he determines his future in the NFL. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football says the “expectation” is that Olave won’t play again during the 2024 campaign. Rapoport echos that sentiment, citing the nature of the injury, Olave’s impending visits with specialists, and the Saints’ unlikely chances of making the postseason.
This latest concussion marks the second time this season that Olave has dealt with a brain injury, continuing a troubling trend for the wideout. The 2022 first-round pick also dealt with concussions in each of his first two seasons, and this latest occurrence prompted meetings with specialists. When Olave returned to the field in Week 8 following a one-game absence, he was sporting a new helmet, although the player opted against wearing a Guardian Cap.
As Olave navigates his latest concussion, it sounds like the Saints are opting to play it safe with their young star. Following a 2-0 start, the Saints are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, leading to Dennis Allen‘s firing earlier this week. With fellow wideout Rashid Shaheed having already been lost for the season, the Saints receivers room will be down to the likes of veterans Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, plus UDFAs Mason Tipton and Jermaine Jackson.
Steelers Cut S Terrell Edmunds
Terrell Edmunds‘ second stint with the Steelers has come to an end. The team announced today that they’ve released the veteran safety. Edmunds will now be subject to waivers before officially hitting free agency.
Edmunds was snagged off the Jaguars practice squad in early September and proceeded to get into five games with Pittsburgh. He was splitting time between defense and special teams in 2024, getting into each of the Steelers five games before their bye. This past week, the veteran missed a handful of practices with an illness designation.
The former first-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, starting 75 of his 84 appearances while compiling 417 tackles, five sacks, and five interceptions. He joined the Eagles ahead of the 2023 campaign but was dealt to the Titans midway through that season. He spent this past preseason with the Jaguars before landing on Jacksonville’s taxi squad to begin the campaign.
The Steelers weren’t done making moves today, as both linebacker Tyler Matakevich and wideout Ben Skowronek were activated from IR. Matakevich (hamstring) and Skowronek (shoulder) both suffered injuries in Week 2 that ultimately landed them on IR. The duo will likely make their main contributions on special teams for the stretch run of the season.
To make more room on the roster, the team also cut running back Jonathan Ward. The veteran journeyman got into four games with Pittsburgh this season, collecting 22 yards from scrimmage on five touches.
Bears’ Darnell Wright Suffers MCL Sprain
The Bears are now down two starting offensive tackles, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. After being knocked out of yesterday’s game with a knee injury, right tackle Darnell Wright has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The lineman was set to undergo an MRI today to determine the severity, but it sounds like he avoided a season-ending injury.
Wright left yesterday’s loss during the second half and was replaced by practice squad call-up Jake Curhan. Even a mild sprain will likely force Wright to sit out a few games, meaning the 2023 first-round pick would be set to miss his first career game. Pro Football Focus wasn’t especially fond of the lineman’s performance as a rookie, but they’ve ranked Wright 26th this season among 77 eligible OTs.
Wright’s injury came at an especially unfortunate time for the Bears, who were already operating without starting left tackle Braxton Jones. The lineman was knocked out of Chicago’s Week 8 contest with a knee injury, and he was ultimately inactive for Week 9. However, Jones might only miss one more game, as Rapoport reports that the lineman is considered week-to-week. PFF has ranked Jones 30th this season at his position.
The Bears will have to get a bit creative with OL configuration assuming both Jones and Wright miss Week 10. Kiran Amegadjie is also currently sidelined, so the Bears had to dig into their depth yesterday. Larry Borom was activated off IR and immediately inserted into the starting lineup, and Curhan made his season debut while filling in for Wright. If necessary, the team could consider moving guard Matt Pryor, who has experience playing OT.
Lions WR Jameson Williams Reinstated From Suspension
Jameson Williams is back on Detroit’s 53-man roster. The Lions wideout was reinstated from his two-game suspension today, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Williams was suspended last month for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
[RELATED: Lions’ Jameson Williams Facing Gun Charge]
However, the receiver isn’t completely out of the woods when it comes to impending league punishment. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted yesterday that the NFL continues to monitor developments surrounding Williams’ gun issue. In an early-October incident, Williams was placed in handcuffs and nearly booked on a gun charge before ultimately being released from custody.
While the player initially avoided an arrest warrant and police report, an internal affairs investigation was later launched. That investigation ultimately led to an official charge for Williams. Pelissero notes that this legal process will surely take time to play out, and Williams will once again be subject to punishment when everything is resolved. A suspension under the personal conduct policy would mark Williams’ third career ban. Prior to his recent PED suspension, the Alabama alum was hit with a ban last season after violating the league’s gambling policy.
For the time being, Williams will return to the high-powered Lions offense. Dan Campbell told reporters that Williams will be “ready to roll” for Week 10, and the coach revealed that the player has been working out and training throughout his suspension (per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard). Williams was in the midst of a career season before being hit with his two-game suspension. In six games (four starts), Williams has already established career-highs in receiving yards (361) and touchdowns (three).
The Lions were 2-0 with Williams out of the lineup, with the likes of Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond seeing an uptick in snaps during that span. Still, the Lions will surely welcome back the receiver for the second half of the season.
Packers QB Jordan Love Avoids Serious Injury, On Track To Play Week 9
NOVEMBER 3: Love suffered no setbacks in practice this past week, and while he carries a “questionable” designation due to his groin injury, he is expected to play in Week 9, per Pelissero. Given that Green Bay (6-2) is hosting the Lions (6-1) with the NFC North lead on the line, this is especially good news for the Packers.
OCTOBER 28: Jordan Love may have avoided a serious injury during yesterday’s win over the Jaguars, but the Packers QB isn’t in the clear for Week 9. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero passes along that Love likely “avoided a long-term injury” in yesterday’s contest. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky notes that today’s tests didn’t show any significant damage, and Love has officially been diagnosed with a strain.
Love tweaked his groin and was seen hobbling throughout the first half of yesterday’s contest. He eventually left the game, with backup Malik Willis playing the majority of the second half. An MCL sprain forced the starter to miss both Week 2 and Week 3, but despite the growing list of ailments, the Packers aren’t intending to slowly nurse Love back to full health.
“Yeah, if he can go, he’ll go,” coach Matt LaFleur said of Love’s status for this weekend (via Demovsky). “So, we’ll see where he’s at by the end of the week. But if we feel like he can’t protect himself, then we certainly wouldn’t put him in that position.”
As LaFleur noted, the Packers will take the week to evaluate Love’s progress before making a final call on their QB situation for Sunday’s showdown with the Lions. If Love is forced to miss the game, Demovsky writes that it would likely only be a one-game absence for the quarterback.
After finally being elevated to the QB1 role in 2023, Love had a breakout campaign, tossing 32 touchdowns before helping guide his squad to the Divisional Round. The QB inked a four-year, $220MM extension this offseason, and Love has started the 2024 campaign with a 4-2 record and a league-leading 7.5 percent passing TD %. Despite missing two-plus games, Love has also tossed a league-leading nine interceptions.
Latest On Mike Williams’ Trade Market
Despite weeks of trade speculation, Mike Williams might end up sticking in New York. League sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that the Jets could end up hanging on to the veteran wide receiver through the trade deadline. Fowler’s ESPN colleague, Rich Cimini, says that Williams is likely to stay put.
The Jets have been linked to a Williams trade for nearly a month, and the speculation naturally ramped up after the organization acquired All-Pro receiver Davante Adams. Williams was limited to only 19 snaps during Adams’ team debut in Week 7, and it was clear the offseason acquisition was on the outside looking in.
However, things changed quickly. Allen Lazard‘s injury has landed him on IR, leading to Williams garnering the third-most snaps at the position (behind Adams and Garrett Wilson) over the past two games. That uptick in playing time hasn’t led to an increase in production, as Williams has been limited to only a single catch over those two contests, but the Jets are clearly still comfortable throwing him out there.
As Fowler notes, Williams’ fate could be tied to the progress of the team’s other wideouts. Xavier Gipson has seen an inconsistent role during his sophomore campaign, and Malachi Corley made headlines the other night for his dropped-touchdown debacle. The organization could also turn to practice squad WR Jason Brownlee, who made a name for himself during the 2023 training camp.
Of course, Williams’ roster status will also be dependent on trade suitors. The 30-year-old has generated interest from the Steelers, Saints and Chargers, and while the Jets face an uphill battle to make the playoffs, they’re not going to give the veteran away for free. With only $2.3MM remaining on his contract, Williams doesn’t break the bank, so the Jets could ultimately decide to just stick with the veteran despite the underwhelming output.
Texans Not Expected To Add WR
The Texans recently lost wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a season-ending ACL tear. Despite the veteran representing one of the organization’s biggest offseason acquisitions (as well as signifying the organization’s desire to truly contend), the Texans won’t make any reactionary moves to replace the injured star.
[RELATED: Texans’ Stefon Diggs Suffers Torn ACL]
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Texans aren’t expected to make a “big splash” at wide receiver ahead of the trade deadline. Russini’s careful wording seemingly keeps the door open to some kind of WR transaction, but it seems unlikely that the front office will bring in any of the big names that remain available.
This approach could partly be due to the reinforcement the team will soon be receiving in wideout Nico Collins. The Texans are confident the wide receiver will return for the team’s Week 10 showdown with the Lions. If there was any time to add reinforcement, it would have been on Thursday night when the Texans were down to only one top wideout in Tank Dell. That game resulted in a loss, but the Texans can rest easy knowing they’ve already overcome their one-game stint with a decimated depth chart.
When the Texans had all three of their top WRs available, the team was already struggling to give the trio a full workload. Through the first three weeks of the season, Dell never got into more than 70 percent of his team’s offensive snaps; Dell topped that total in all but two of his healthy games in 2023. While the Texans may bring Collins along slowly following his return from a hamstring injury, the team can eventually turn to their duo for a full workload during the stretch run of the season.
Still, the Texans will have to look to the rest of their receivers room to step up with Diggs out of the lineup. Xavier Hutchinson has likely established himself as the team’s third WR, and the Texans also have steady veterans in Robert Woods and John Metchie. Assuming the Texans don’t make an addition to the receivers room, one of those aforementioned wideouts will still be called on to step up.