Browns Designate S Juan Thornhill For Return
Juan Thornhill could soon provide a spark to the Browns defense. The team announced that they’ve designated the safety for return from injured reserve. The Browns now have 21 days to activate Thornhill to the active roster.
The defensive back started Cleveland’s Week 1 loss, collecting nine tackles while getting into 60 defensive snaps. However, he suffered a calf injury in that game that ultimately landed him on the shelf. Thornhill was first eligible to return from IR this past weekend.
Thornhill inked a three-year deal with the Browns during the 2023 offseason. A calf injury forced him to miss six games during his debut season in Cleveland, but he otherwise managed to start all 11 of his appearances while contributing 54 tackles. The former second-round pick started his career in Kansas City, where he hauled in eight interceptions in 65 games (52 starts). He appeared in nine additional postseason contests, winning two Super Bowl rings along the way (although he was inactive during the team’s 2019 run).
The Browns have been forced to deal with an inconsistent safeties corps in 2024. Rodney McLeod Jr. and Ronnie Hickman both stepped up alongside Grant Delpit during Thornhill’s absence. However, both Delpit and Hickman were inactive for Week 6, forcing the team to turn to D’Anthony Bell.
Chargers WR DJ Chark Returns To Practice
The Chargers could soon add some veteran talent to the WR depth chart. Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports that DJ Chark returned to practice today, meaning the team opened the wideout’s 21-day activation window.
Chark caught on with the Chargers this offseason and was expected to help soak up the snaps left by Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. However, the veteran suffered a hip injury prior to Week 1 that ultimately landed him on injured reserve. Chark required more than a minimum stay on IR, but it sounds like he’s now zeroing in on a return to the field.
The former second-round pick had a breakout sophomore campaign with the Jaguars, hauling in 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was unable to stay completely healthy in his two follow-up seasons, including a 2021 campaign where he was limited to four games thanks to an ankle injury.
Chark has bounced around the NFL in recent seasons. He spent the 2022 season with the Lions, where he collected 502 receiving yards in 11 games. He managed to get into 15 games with the Panthers in 2023, but he was limited to only 35 receiving yards per game, his lowest average since his rookie year.
In Los Angeles, Chark was initially expected to start alongside Josh Palmer in Jim Harbaugh‘s new-look offense. With the veteran out of the lineup, rookie second-round pick Ladd McConkey and 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston have stepped up, with the young duo leading the Chargers in targets. Chark may have an uphill battle to break the starting lineup, but he could slide in ahead of the likes of Derius Davis, Simi Fehoko, and rookie Brenden Rice.
Seahawks Place S Rayshawn Jenkins On IR
The Seahawks have lost a key defender for at least the next four games. The team announced that they’ve placed safety Rayshawn Jenkins on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the Seahawks signed practice-squad safety Ty Okada to the active roster.
As ESPN’s Brady Henderson notes, Jenkins was a mainstay on the injury report over the past two weeks with a hand injury. The safety also played the past two games with a cast over his left hand. The injury will now force him off the field for at least the next four games. Jenkins will be eligible to return in Week 12.
The Seahawks have been especially reliant on their offseason acquisition, as Jenkins hasn’t missed a defensive snap through the first six weeks. The veteran has collected 38 tackles, and he returned a fumble for a touchdown in Week 5. Pro Football Focus only ranks Jenkins 56th among 84 qualifying safeties, although the site is high on his coverage ability.
The former fourth-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chargers, evolving from a special teamer into a starting defender. He inked a four-year, $35MM deal with the Jaguars in 2021, but he was handed his walking papers back in March after starting all 48 of his appearances in three seasons with the organization.
Julian Love will continue to sit atop the depth chart, and K’Von Wallace will likely slide into the starting lineup during Jenkins’ absence. The team could also turn to versatile defensive back Coby Bryant, and they’ve now added Okada to the grouping. The former UDFA has appeared in six games for the Seahawks over the past two seasons.
Falcons To Activate LB Nate Landman
The Falcons will be welcoming back a key defender for tomorrow’s game against the Panthers. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the team is activating linebacker Nate Landman off injured reserve.
After dealing with a quad injury throughout the preseason, Landman suffered a calf injury during his team’s Week 1 loss. That injury ended up putting the linebacker on the shelf, but fortunately, it sounds like he’s ready to go after a minimum stay on injured reserve.
A former UDFA, Landman saw a limited role as a rookie before breaking out in 2023. The linebacker was inserted into the starting lineup following Troy Andersen‘s season-ending injury, and the fill-in proceeded to start 14 of his 16 appearances last season. The Colorado product ultimately finished the campaign with 110 tackles, two sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Kaden Elliss has continued to lead the depth chart during Landman’s absence, with the veteran not missing a single defensive snap this season. Andersen has mostly soaked up Landman’s leftover snaps, although the LB missed Week 5 (and has already been ruled out for Week 6) while nursing a knee injury. That opened the door for JD Bertrand to get into a season-high 38 snaps in Week 5, but with Landman back on the roster, the Falcons can pivot to their intended linebacker pairing on Sunday.
Browns Activate DL Mike Hall Jr.
Mike Hall Jr. is set to make his NFL debut. The Browns announced a series of roster moves this morning, including activating their rookie defensive tackle from the commissioner’s exempt list.
[RELATED: Browns’ James Hudson Undergoes Shoulder Surgery]
The 54th-overall pick in this year’s draft, Hall was hit with a suspension to begin his NFL career following his arrest on domestic violence charges. The player ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct and was subsequently handed a one-game suspension that was tacked on to the four games he already missed. The Ohio State product may have a tough time carving out a role, with Shelby Harris, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Quinton Jefferson dominating the snaps at defensive tackle this season.
The Browns will also be adding another defensive tackle to the mix in Maurice Hurst II, who has been activated from injured reserve. Hurst suffered an ankle injury during the season opener that required a stint on IR. The DT mixed in with his three aforementioned healthy position mates during Week 1, and there’s a chance the Browns go back to a similar arrangement tomorrow against the Eagles.
The Browns weren’t done adding to their defense, as the team also activated outside linebacker Mohamoud Diabate from IR. Diabate was knocked out of the season opener with a hip injury that required him to miss the next four games. The Browns have been mixing and matching their edge depth behind Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith, and Diabate may have to temporarily settle for a special teams role before returning to the defense.
The team made a handful of additional moves this morning, placing offensive tackle James Hudson III on injured reserve, releasing wideout James Proche II, and promoting safety Christopher Edmonds and wide receiver Jaelon Darden from the practice squad. Hudson underwent shoulder surgery this week that could knock him out for the rest of the season. Proche earned his walking papers after serving as the team’s primary punt returner for the first chunk of the season.
Giants To Sign P Matt Haack
Giants punter Jamie Gillan is questionable for Week 6, so the team has added a veteran punter to their roster. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants are signing punter Matt Haack.
Haack brings 99 games of regular-season experience to New York. The former UDFA out of Arizona State started his career in Miami, where he served as the Dolphins full-time punter between 2017 and 2020. Since then, the veteran has bounced around the NFL, spending time with four different squads (including a pair of stints with the Bills).
After getting into 17 games with the Colts in 2022, Haack struggled to hold a job in 2023. He ended up making a single appearance with the Browns, averaging 51.7 yards on his three punts. He caught on with the Bills late during the 2023 campaign and spent most of the offseason with Buffalo before earning his walking papers in May.
Now, he’ll have a chance to revive his career with the Giants. Gillan is dealing with a hamstring injury, putting his availability for tomorrow night’s game in doubt. To prepare for their starter’s potential absence, the Giants worked out five punters yesterday. In addition to Haack, the organization also considered the likes of Nolan Cooney, Pressley Harvin, Lou Hedley, and Ty Zentner.
Steelers Place DL DeMarvin Leal On IR
It sounds like DeMarvin Leal‘s season has come to an end. The Steelers announced that they’ve placed the defensive lineman on injured reserve.
Leal suffered a neck injury last Sunday that limited him to only 12 snaps. Per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the defender is expected to miss the rest of the 2024 campaign.
The former third-round pick has spent most of this season serving as a linebacker while helping to fill in for the injured Alex Highsmith. Leal mostly played defensive end through his first two seasons in the NFL, starting six of his 23 appearances. In total, the third-year player has collected 33 tackles, one sack, and three QB hits.
In corresponding moves, the Steelers signed linebacker Ade Ogundeji to the 53-man roster and promoted linebacker Eku Leota and running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad. Ogundeji caught on with Pittsburgh’s practice squad at the end of August and is set to make his season debut. The former fifth-round pick started his career in Atlanta, collecting 75 tackles in 27 starts. He missed the entire 2023 campaign with a foot/ankle injury.
There was also some good news on the injury front this morning. The Steelers removed Jaylen Warren from the injury report, meaning the running back should be back on the field for Week 6. Warren missed Week 4 and Week 5 while nursing a knee injury, and he’ll now rejoin a depth chart that’s co-led by Najee Harris.
Teams Eyeing Panthers WR Diontae Johnson?
Diontae Johnson has already been traded once in the past seven months. If the Panthers continue to head the wrong way in the standings, teams believe the veteran wideout could once again be on the move.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, rival teams are on “high alert” in anticipation of the Panthers being sellers at the trade deadline. While Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams will be the main prize for WR-needy squads, there’s a belief that Johnson could be a worthy backup plan.
The Panthers sent the Steelers Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick for the receiver back in March, with Carolina hoping that the acquisition could provide Bryce Young with a steady veteran pass catcher. Things have obviously changed since the season began, as the former first-overall pick has been temporarily benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton.
The Panthers won their first game with Dalton at the helm but lost last Sunday, dropping the team’s record to 1-3. While the veteran QB may provide a temporary offensive improvement, it still might not be enough to elevate the Panthers out of the NFL’s cellar. If the team continues to collect losses, it’d only be natural for the front office to pawn off some of their impending free agents.
Johnson would undeniably be a popular rental piece. The former third-round pick had three-straight 80-plus-catch seasons between 2020 and 2022, including a 2021 campaign where he earned a Pro Bowl nod after hauling in 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight scores. Thanks in part to injuries and inconsistent QB play, Johnson had one of his least productive campaigns in 2023, finishing with a career-low 51 receptions.
Despite Carolina’s quarterback issues, Johnson has rebounded in 2024, with his 59.8 yards-per-game mark representing his highest average since his 2021 campaign. As Fowler notes, Johnson could easily slide in as a team’s WR1 or WR2, which should make him a popular target for any squad that needs receiving help.
Trading Johnson could also benefit the Panthers as they look to evaluate their younger pieces. While 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo and 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette aren’t necessarily buried on the depth chart, they’re not getting a full workload thanks to the presence of Johnson. The team is also rostering UDFA Jalen Coker, while the likes of David Moore and Adam Thielen (who is currently on IR) could provide the veteran option the Panthers clearly desire.
Dolphins Activate WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. is set to make his Dolphins debut. The Dolphins have activated the wide receiver from the PUP list, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. OBJ is expected to play in Miami’s Week 5 matchup against the Patriots.
[RELATED: Dolphins Open Odell Beckham Jr.’s Practice Window]
The 31-year-old inked a one-year deal with the Dolphins back in May. The veteran was subsequently sidelined with an undisclosed injury and landed on PUP to begin the 2024 season. Following his return to practice this week, we got clarity that OBJ was dealing with a knee injury, a hint that he likely had a knee operation this past offseason.
Considering Beckham’s experience with torn ACLs, it made sense that the Dolphins took it slow with their offseason investment. Fortunately, it sounds like the wideout is past his rehab and finally ready to hit the field. While the organization will happily welcome the former star to their receivers room, he can’t be counted on to turn around a struggling offense that’s still navigating Tua Tagovailoa‘s latest concussion.
Still, Beckham provides some experienced depth behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. After sitting out the 2022 campaign, OBJ spent the 2023 season in Baltimore and proved he still has something left in the tank. In 14 games (six starts) with the Ravens, Beckham hauled in 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns.
While the Dolphins are seeking an offensive spark, they still might take it slow as Beckham works his way back into game shape. The team has mostly relied on Braxton Berrios as their third receiver in 2024, with the likes of Grant DuBose, Robbie Chosen, Dee Eskridge, Malik Washington, and Erik Ezukanma all getting looks behind the top-three WRs.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson Suffers Oblique, Abdominal Strains, Uncertain To Play In Week 5
OCTOBER 5: After practicing on a limited basis during the week, Richardson was initially listed as questionable. He was downgraded to doubtful on Saturday, however, suggesting Flacco will be in line to make his first start since signing with Indianapolis.
SEPTEMBER 30: Anthony Richardson was forced out of yesterday’s game with a hip injury, but there’s a chance the Colts quarterback doesn’t even miss Week 5. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Richardson was diagnosed with oblique and abdominal strains, and the QB has “a shot to play” on Sunday against the Jaguars.
[RELATED: Colts’ Anthony Richardson Leaves Game With Injury]
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport echoes this report, noting that Richardson’s injury isn’t believed to be serious. In fact, Rapoport says the quarterback likely would have returned to the game had it been the playoffs or a crucial, late-season contest. We heard something similar yesterday, as Richardson told reporters that he attempted to return to the contest again but was overruled by head coach Shane Steichen.
Richardson suffered his injury during the second drive of yesterday’s game. The former fourth-overall pick was only sidelined for a pair of plays before returning to the contest. The quarterback took another shot on the subsequent snap, knocking him out of the contest for good.
Despite Richardson’s inconsistent play to begin the 2024 campaign, Colts fans have surely been holding their breath over the past 24 hours. Richardson was limited to only four games as a rookie. He first missed a game due to a concussion, and he later suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Richardson was dynamic in his return to the field in Week 1 of this season, tossing a pair of touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. However, between Week 2 and Week 3, he completed only 50 percent of his passes while tossing five interceptions.
Fortunately for the Colts, the team has one of the top contingency plans in veteran Joe Flacco. The 39-year-old made his season debut in relief of Richardson yesterday, completing 16 of his 26 pass attempts for 168 yards and two touchdowns in a Colts victory.