Rams TE Tyler Higbee To Return To Practice This Week
Tyler Higbee is set to practice for the first time since suffering a torn ACL and MCL last January. Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that he’s expecting his tight end to return to practice this week (per ESPN’s Sarah Barshop). Higbee isn’t expected to play on Sunday, and the team could use most of his 21-day activation window before adding the veteran to the active roster.
Higbee tore his ACL during the Rams’ playoff loss to the Lions last January. The tight end landed on the reserve/PUP list to begin the season and has missed each of his team’s first 11 games of the 2024 campaign. Fortunately, the 31-year-old should have an opportunity to add to his resume before the season is through.
“He has made amazing progress, I think we want to get him out on the practice field,” McVay said (via Adam Grosbard of the Orange County Register). “He provides such a great leadership, such a great spark for us in a variety of ways. I don’t know that this week would be the week that he would return, but for him to even be back on the practice field and starting his clock, it’s a real credit to him, to our medical staff and just the overall resolve and resilience of that individual who I have a lot of love and respect for.”
The former fourth-round pick has spent his entire career in Los Angeles, with this ACL tear representing his first prolonged absence in nine seasons. He’s been especially productively over his last five healthy campaigns, averaging 59 receptions per season. Higbee has also come up big in the playoffs, hauling in 19 catches in 10 games.
Los Angeles added Colby Parkinson in free agency on a two-year, $22.5MM deal, and the former Seahawk has earned the bulk of the snaps at the position in 2024. With Higbee back, the Rams will have the opportunity to evaluate their TE grouping ahead of the 2025 season. Higbee is on the books for one more season, with $2MM of the tight end’s 2025 roster bonus already guaranteed.
The Rams are set to receive some additional reinforcement on the offensive line, as McVay said Rob Havenstein is “trending” towards returning to the field this week (via Stu Jackson of the team’s website). The veteran lineman has missed the past three games while nursing an ankle injury. The 32-year-old has started all seven of his appearances in 2024.
Rams WR Demarcus Robinson Arrested
Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of DUI, according to a California Highway Patrol press release obtained by NFL Media (via Grant Gordon of NFL.com). TMZ Sports was first with the news.
According to the report, officers observed a white sedan traveling at speeds of 100 miles per hour on US-101 northbound around 5 a.m. this morning. After stopping the vehicle, officers identified the driver as Robinson, with the report noting that there were “observed signs of alcohol impairment.”
Robinson refused to perform a sobriety check and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI. The 30-year-old was cited before being released to a “responsible party.”
The arrest came only hours after the Rams loss to the Eagles on SNF. The receiver finished the game with two catches, including a two-yard touchdown reception. In his second season with the Rams, Robinson has hauled in 26 catches for 384 yards and six touchdowns. Thanks to absences for both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the veteran leads the WRs room in snaps this season. The long-time Chiefs wideout is attached to a one-year, $5MM deal he signed this past offseason.
Robinson could eventually face punishment from the league via the NFL’s personal conduct policy. There’s not a whole lot of time for the process to play out this season, but if Robinson does miss games, it’d provide more opportunities for the likes of Tutu Atwell and Tyler Johnson.
Panthers Waive LB Charles Harris
The Panthers have moved on from their co-leader in sacks. The team announced that they’ve waived linebacker Charles Harris. The move was made to accommodate cornerback Akayleb Evans, who was claimed off waivers from the Vikings.
The Panthers added Harris ahead of Week 2, and the veteran linebacker came in and immediately played a role for his new squad. After coming off the bench in his debut, the 29-year-old proceeded to start the next six games for Carolina. But with D.J. Wonnum recently returning to the lineup, Harris found himself quickly falling down the depth chart.
Harris was suddenly inactive for Week 10 when Wonnum returned to the lineup. Following the team’s bye week, Harris returned to the field and played 33 snaps yesterday. However, his Week 12 appearance coincided with D.J. Johnson‘s absence with a concussion. The Panthers now have their full edge rusher grouping, and Joe Person of The Athletic notes that the team wants to give young players like Cam Gill and Kenny Dyson more reps. That meant there was no spot left for a temporary veteran like Harris.
The linebacker’s Panthers tenure will end with him having compiled three sacks, 21 tackles, and seven QB hits. Harris hinted at some top-end pass-rush ability when he collected 7.5 sacks with the Lions in 2021, but his three-sack cameo with Carolina represents his highest total in three years. Harris should find another gig elsewhere, but he may be hard pressed to earn significant playing time with a new squad.
A 2022 fourth-round pick by the Vikings, Evans started all 15 of his appearances as a sophomore, finishing with 65 tackles, seven passes defended, one interception, and three forced fumbles. Minnesota brought in Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin this offseason, and Evans found himself buried on the depth chart. After getting into only three defensive snaps (along with 83 ST snaps) in seven games, the defensive back was waived by the Vikings this past weekend.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/25/24
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Tre Flowers, DE Durell Nchami
- Released: OT Sebastian Gutierrez, DE Derek Rivers
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LS Zach Triner
- Waived: LS Tucker Addington
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Tomon Fox
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DE K.J. Henry
With Blake Ferguson still injured and the Dolphins having used Tucker Addington‘s three promotions, the Dolphins are turning to a new long snapper. In comes Zach Triner, who is coming off a long stint in Tampa Bay. Triner ultimately spent five-plus seasons with the Buccaneers, getting into 81 games. He was cut by the team earlier this month after his replacement, Evan Deckers, returned from injury.
The Eagles are set to add K.J. Henry to their practice squad, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The 2023 fifth-round pick has already bounced around the league in his short career, spending time with the Commanders, Bengals, and Cowboys. He cleared waivers today after getting cut by the Cowboys this past weekend. The defensive end got into a pair of games for Dallas this season, and he’s collected three sacks in 17 career games.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/25/24
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: NT Josh Tupou
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: TE Nick Muse
The Vikings reduced their tight end depth today by moving on from Nick Muse. The 2022 seventh-round pick has spent the past three seasons in Minnesota, appearing in 15 games. He was limited to only nine offensive snaps in 2024, and he has a single catch on his career resume. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Muse will land back on Minnesota’s practice squad if he clears waivers.
Chargers Place TE Hayden Hurst On IR
Ahead of tonight’s Harbaugh Bowl, the Chargers made a handful of changes to their roster. Most notably, the team announced that they’ve placed tight end Hayden Hurst on injured reserve.
After not being listed earlier in the week, Hurst popped up on the injury report this past Friday with a hip injury. That issue ended up being severe enough to sideline the player for at least the next four games. Hurst will be first eligible to return in Week 16.
After getting cut by the Panthers this offseason, Hurst quickly caught on with the Chargers. The veteran led the Chargers TE grouping in snaps through the first four weeks, but he’s since been passed by both Will Dissly and Eric Tomlinson on the depth chart. In seven appearances this year, Hurst has hauled in seven catches. The tight end topped 50 catches in both 2020 and 2022.
The Chargers made additional moves today, including activating Deane Leonard from IR. The cornerback has missed the past five games while nursing a hamstring injury. After garnering three starts last season, Leonard reverted back to primarily a special teams role in 2024.
The team added more defensive depth ahead of tonight’s game. The Chargers signed cornerback Eli Apple to the active roster while promoting safety Tony Jefferson and outside linebacker Caleb Murphy from the practice squad. To open extra roster space, the team waived safety AJ Finley.
Jabrill Peppers Removed From Commissioner’s Exempt List
Following his October arrest for an alleged domestic violence incident, Jabrill Peppers was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. The Patriots safety missed the following seven games, but he’ll now have a chance to play for the stretch run of the season. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Peppers was removed from the commissioner’s list today.
[RELATED: NFL Places Patriots S Jabrill Peppers On Commissioner’s Exempt List]
Peppers is accused of choking a woman and shoving her head against a wall outside his Braintree, Mass., apartment in early October. He was hit with charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation and the possession of a class B substance; Peppers pleaded not guilty to each of those charges.
As the league prepared their investigation, Peppers sat in limbo on the commissioner’s list. In addition to being barred from games, Peppers’ placement on the list meant he couldn’t even attend games nor practice with the team. In a statement (via Christopher Price of the Boston Globe), the NFL said their “review will remain ongoing and is not affected by this change in Peppers’ roster status.” The NFL will likely wait for the legal process to play out before handing out any unpaid suspensions.
Source told Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald that Peppers’ stay on the list played a role in his sudden activation. The “baseline suspension” for a similar violation of the personal conduct policy is six games. Since Peppers has already sat out seven contests, the NFL decided to remove the player from the list.
The Patriots also released a statement, acknowledging Peppers’ removal from the list while not addressing the player’s future with the team. Patriots owner Robert Kraft previously stated that Peppers will be released if the accusations he faces are proven true. The safety inked a three years, $24MM extension with the team this past offseason, and his 2025 salary is connected to some guaranteed money. With Peppers now eligible to play, it’s uncertain if the team will allow the player back on the field. Peppers has a court date set for January.
Aaron Rodgers Benching Or IR Stint ‘Appears Increasingly Likely’
The Jets are expected to move on from Aaron Rodgers ahead of the 2025 campaign. However, there’s a chance the quarterback doesn’t even stick on the active roster through the end of the 2024 season.
[RELATED: Jets Likely To Move On From Aaron Rodgers In 2025]
Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes that the team is considering multiple options regarding Rodgers’ roster status. While no decision has been made, Russini says it “appears increasingly likely” that the quarterback could be benched for the stretch run of the season. The Jets could also help Rodgers save face by placing the veteran on injured reserve. After suffering his season-ending Achilles tear in 2023, the 40-year-old has dealt with hamstring, knee, and ankle injuries this season, so an IR stint wouldn’t be completely unfounded.
There are even some around the NFL who wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets simply cut Rodgers before the end of the 2024 season. The financial implications of such a move would make this route unlikely. In addition to his untenable (albeit prorated) $66MM dead cap hit for 2024, the Jets would also be hit with a $25.5MM charge for the 2025 campaign. If the Jets were to designate Rodgers as a post-June 1 cut, then the front office could actually realize some savings (around $9.5MM of cap relief). While a divorce seems inevitable, there’s really no benefit to the Jets being hasty and moving on now.
The Jets’ disappointing 2024 campaign has naturally led to both sides seeking fresh starts. It also sounds like the broken relationship between Rodgers and owner Woody Johnson may also be playing a role. We heard earlier this week that Johnson suggested benching the franchise star earlier this season, and Russini says the owner has “lost confidence” in Rodgers’ ability to guide the franchise to the postseason. On the other side, Rodgers’ relationship with Johnson has been “strained for months,” and while the quarterback intends to play in 2025, he isn’t enthusiastic about returning to the Jets.
If the Jets do bench Rodgers for the final chunk of games in 2024, then Tyrod Taylor would be the logical fill-in for the organization. What isn’t so clear is who would replace Rodgers in 2025. Russini points to Russell Wilson or a reunion with Sam Darnold, although the reporter is skeptical that either QB will leave their current situation. Russini also notes that Justin Fields, Daniel Jones, and previous target Derek Carr will likely be available, but none of those options provide much hope for contention.
Colts Activate DE Tyquan Lewis
The Colts will soon get some reinforcement on the defensive line. The team announced today that they’ve activated defensive end Tyquan Lewis off the injured reserve. Lewis is still questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Lions.
Lewis dealt with a long list of injuries to begin the season, with the defensive end suffering wrist, calf, and elbow issues. He landed on injured reserve in early October and has been on the shelf for the past month-plus. He returned to practice earlier this week, and the Colts didn’t take long to add him to the active roster.
The 2018 second-round pick has spent his entire career in Indy. He hasn’t necessarily lived up to his draft billing, as Lewis has only started 20 of his 69 appearances. He’s also spent much of his Colts tenure dealing with injuries, as the Ohio State product has missed 41 games in six-plus seasons with the team.
Still, he’s proven to be a useful rotational pass rusher. The defensive end has collected 15 career sacks, including a career-high four sacks (along with a career-high 13 QB hits) in 2023. That performance earned him a two-year extension from the Colts, and Lewis proceeded to start each of the team’s first four games of the 2024 campaign. 2021 second-rounder Dayo Odeyingbo and 2024 first-rounder Laiatu Latu have both garnered more opportunities with Lewis out of the lineup. With 2021 first-round pick Kwity Paye also sticking around, it’s uncertain if Lewis will continue to start once he’s ready to take the field.
The Colts made a handful of additional moves in anticipation of Week 12. The team announced that they’ve waived defensive end Genard Avery and elevated guard Atonio Mafi from the practice squad.
Vikings Waive CB Akayleb Evans
The Vikings are moving on from a former defensive starter. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Vikings have waived cornerback Akayleb Evans.
A 2022 fourth-round pick, Evans had occasional defensive cameos as a rookie before taking on a significantly larger role as a sophomore. The cornerback started all 15 of his appearances in 2023, finishing with 65 tackles, seven passes defended, one interception, and three forced fumbles. The added responsibility didn’t necessarily lead to a bump in effectiveness, as Pro Football Focus only ranked Evans 99th among 127 qualifying CBs last season.
The Vikings reworked their CB depth chart this past offseason, bringing in both Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin to pair with Byron Murphy. As a result, Evans has been limited to only three defensive snaps in 2024, with the third-year player even falling behinds the likes of Jay Ward and Theo Jackson on the depth chart. While Evans seemingly fell out of favor, Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune points out that he was one of the few CBs signed beyond the 2024 campaign, meaning the organization may be eyeing yet another positional makeover this offseason.
As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes, there’s a chance that Evans still lands back on Minnesota’s practice squad. Of course, that would require the player to pass through waivers unclaimed, so the Vikings can’t necessarily count on the roster machination.