Patriots Activate LB Sione Takitaki
The Patriots will be getting some much-needed reinforcement to the team’s linebacking corps this weekend. According to Patriots staff writer Evan Lazar, New England has officially activated linebacker Sione Takitaki. In addition, the team has promoted long snapper Tucker Addington and running back Terrell Jennings as standard gameday practice squad elevations. 
Takitaki was signed by New England early into free agency after a five-year stint in Cleveland. A former third-round pick for the Browns in 2019, Takitaki was always a strong contributor while struggling to carve out a consistent role as a full-time starter. When signing with the Patriots, the veteran linebacker was reunited with former Browns staffers Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith.
Takitaki was signed to bolster a linebacking corps that was short on returning talent. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old defender has yet to contribute after being placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list before the start of the season. His contributions can’t come soon enough as starting Patriots linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan currently rank 73rd and 79th, respectively, out of 79 graded linebackers in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Addington is being called up a day after signing to the practice squad as regular long snapper Joe Cardona heads into this week’s game with a questionable injury designation due to a calf issue. Rhamondre Stevenson has been ruled out for this weekend, so Jennings will join Antonio Gibson and JaMycal Hasty as options out of the offensive backfield.
Broncos Assistant Coach Zack Grossi Diagnosed With Cancer
The Broncos will have a little extra motivation during the 2024 NFL season. During the NFL’s Crucial Catch month emphasizing the importance of early cancer screenings and raising cancer awareness, Broncos passing game specialist Zack Grossi will begin treatment for a recent cancer diagnosis, per Broncos lead writer Aric DiLalla.
In a message lauding the organization for their support, Grossi explained that he “felt a little bit off” and had “trouble breathing.” The team’s medical staff examined him, and after bloodwork and a scan, a tumor was discovered in Grossi’s chest cavity. The official diagnosis was “a Yolk Sac Tumor,” according to Grossi’s statement.
Grossi first joined the Broncos back in 2022, during Nathaniel Hackett‘s short tenure as head coach, coming on as an offensive quality control coach. It wasn’t his first experience in the NFL; the 35-year-old spent five seasons with the Buccaneers after his first football job as an offensive graduate assistant for Concord University. He started in Tampa Bay as a scouting assistant in 2014, getting promoted to pro scout the following year. In 2016, Grossi was named assistant to the head coach under Dirk Koetter. He spent his final two years in Tampa Bay as an offensive quality control coach.
Following his five-year stint in the NFL, Grossi went back to the college ranks. He spent a year at Hampton University as the quarterbacks coach and then two years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Southern University and A&M College. He made his return to the NFL under Hackett and was retained whenever head coach Sean Payton came on board. Not only did Grossi retain his job after a coaching change, but he also earned a promotion to his current position after a year under Payton’s tutelage.
It’s unfortunate timing for rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who has just begun to blossom as the leader of the offense under the current staff, but the team and staff have professed “unwavering support” of Grossi and his family “as he takes some time away to focus on his health.” Grossi’s treatment will consist of a few months of chemotherapy, which he began this week, until doctors are able to surgically remove the remainder of the tumor.
We at Pro Football Rumors wish Zack and his family only the best in the months to come as we hope for an efficient recovery and a speedy return.
No Team Coming Close To Raiders’ Davante Adams Asking Price
There appeared to be significant movement on the trade front for Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams earlier this week. Trade news was expected as the current teams of both of Adams’ former quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers‘ Jets and Derek Carr‘s Saints) were trending in the right direction to land the services of the star receiver.
That momentum came to a halt with the firing of Jets head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday, and now, the Raiders are having trouble finding anyone to reach their asking price. 
After making the determination that they would attempt to seek a trade partner for Adams, Las Vegas set its asking price at a second-round draft pick. Initially, the Raiders also realized that Adams’ current contract would serve as an impediment to making a deal happen, so they were reportedly open to covering part of it, but more recently, they have been adamant about not paying a significant portion of the contract. According to veteran NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, who appeared on the VSiN Morning Line this morning, no team has come remotely close to covering either of those demands from the Raiders.
While the firing of Saleh in New York and the strict demands from Las Vegas have placed some severe speed bumps on the road to a trade, the general consensus is that it’s still more likely to happen than not. In a Q&A hosted this afternoon, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore spoke on the likelihood of Adams and the Raiders mending their relationship. While he pointed out that one “can never say never in these situations,” and he laid out some pathways that would lead to Adams ultimately staying put, Bonsignore’s overall opinion was that it would “be a surprise if Adams is not traded.”
In regard to Adams’ playing availability, the veteran has missed the past two weeks while reportedly nursing a hamstring injury. While there was initially hope that he would be ready to return this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that Adams has officially been ruled out for the team’s Week 6 matchup with the Steelers.
Texans Injury Updates: Ward, Pierce, Mixon
Veteran safety Jimmie Ward missed seven games last year in his first NFL season away from San Francisco after following DeMeco Ryans to Houston. He was able to return last weekend after missing the team’s previous game against the Jaguars while hurt, but after aggravating his injury, there is concern that Ward could miss multiple weeks, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.
In his return from injury, Ward first headed to the blue medical tent to get a shoulder stinger checked out. When he returned to the game, the 33-year-old aggravated his groin injury, causing him to leave the game. Afterwards, Ward was taken to the hospital to further examine his groin injury.
Wilson provided an update yesterday, reporting that imaging confirmed the initial diagnosis on the groin injury and that Ward would not play this weekend. The update left it unclear on whether or not Ward would be out multiple weeks, but given the veteran’s age and injury history, it certainly can’t be ruled out.
Here are a couple updates on other injuries in Houston:
- On Wednesday, Wilson reported that running back Dameon Pierce had returned to practice after a four-week absence. The third-year back exited the team’s season opener with a strained hamstring after only three carries. Hamstring injuries have a tendency to nag, and this one forced Pierce to miss four games. With starter Joe Mixon injured, as well, the Texans have been making do with a rushing attack consisting of Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale. Akers and Ogunbowale should be receiving reinforcements soon.
- In addition to Pierce, Houston welcomed Mixon back to practice yesterday, as well, according to Wilson. After falling victim to the now illegal hip-drop tackle in a Week 2 matchup against the Bears, Mixon has missed the team’s last three games. The veteran will hope to return to game action soon, but unlike Pierce, Mixon still holds a questionable injury status heading into the weekend.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/11/24
The NFL’s minor moves to close out the week:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: CB Kevin King
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: TE Luke Musgrave (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: DE Jalen Redmond
King made a long-awaited return to the NFL this season. After sitting out of the 2022 NFL season for personal reasons and tearing his Achilles tendon in the ramp up to the 2023 season, King hadn’t been seen in the NFL in over two years. The former second-round pick out of Washington has always had talent, but injury issues have kept him consistently off the field. In 2019, the only year in which King missed fewer than five games, the talented defensive back recorded five interceptions.
Despite a standout performance on defense in Atlanta this offseason, King has seen very few snaps on defense in the regular season. King was praised for his defensive versatility throughout camp and the preseason, but thus far, the Falcons had mostly utilized the veteran on special teams.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/24
Friday’s practice squad moves in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Chris Moore
- Released: WR Dan Chisena
New England Patriots
- Signed: LS Tucker Addington, DT Marcus Harris
Washington Commanders
- Signed: QB Sam Hartman
Both Moore and Hartman were released/waived from their respective 53-man rosters this week. Other teams would’ve had the opportunity to claim Hartman off of the waiver wire, but ultimately unclaimed, he returns to Washington on the practice squad.
Bears Open Practice Window For DE Jacob Martin
The Bears are set to add some veteran depth to their pass rushing attack in a couple weeks after opening the 21-day practice window for defensive end Jacob Martin, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The opening of the window will give Martin three weeks to make his return to the active roster. 
Martin opened the season on injured reserve with a toe injury. Thanks to new rules dictating NFL roster spots, teams were allowed to place two players on IR before the roster cut deadline and designate them to be able to return during the season. Before this rule change, any players placed on IR before the deadline would be lost for the season. Martin was one of Chicago’s two designations alongside offensive tackle Larry Borom.
After missing the first four games, both players were eligible to return to practice and the active roster, but it appears Borom and Martin each needed a bit more time. Borom’s window still has not been opened.
In his seventh NFL season, Martin is hoping to debut soon for the sixth team of his NFL career. Originally a sixth-round pick for the Seahawks out of Temple, Martin has also spent time with the Texans, Jets, Broncos, and Colts. His time in Seattle and Houston was the most productive of his career. Traded to the Texans after a three-sack rookie campaign, Martin collected 10.5 sacks in three years in Houston. He spent the final year of his rookie deal finally emerging as a full-time starter. Since then, he’s bounced around in minor roles.
Now that his practice window has been opened, Martin has 21 days to be activated from IR onto the active roster. If he’s unable to return to the 53-man roster after those three weeks, Martin will be relegated back to season-ending IR, unable to return in the 2024 NFL season. The Bears will hope to add him and bolster a group currently led by Montez Sweat and DeMarcus Walker.
Jaguars Place KR/PR Devin Duvernay On IR
The Jaguars watched former All-Pro and Pro Bowl return man Jamal Agnew depart in free agency this offseason after a few injury-nagged seasons with the team. They signed his replacement, former Ravens wide receiver Devin Duvernay, a couple years after All-Pro and Pro Bowl seasons of his own. Unfortunately, it seems that the signing did not solve the team’s injury issues at the position as Duvernay has now been placed on injured reserve. 
Duvernay will miss at least the next four games nursing a hamstring injury that he suffered in Jacksonville’s Week 5 win over the Colts. Duvernay has played in all five games this year for the Jaguars, only once playing double-digit snaps on offense. His use on offense has been as a gadget player. In fact, Duvernay has more rushing production (3 carries, 10 yards) than receiving (1 target, 1 reception, -1 yard).
Much like his last season in Baltimore, Duvernay’s main usage has come on special teams. As the new primary return man for the Jaguars, Duvernay has averaged 20.0 yards per kick return, up from 19.3 last year. His 11.6 yards per punt return are tied for third in the NFL with his replacement in Baltimore, Deonte Harty. This past weekend saw his most productive punt return performance. He returned a season-high three punts, including one return for 53 yards.
Replacing Duvernay as the new primary returner will likely be Parker Washington. The reserve receiver served as the injury replacement for Agnew last year, returning 12 punts and two kickoffs. Wide receiver Christian Kirk will likely be the second option on punt returns; he had two returns for Jacksonville last year and has 57 in his career. Backup running backs Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson could be put back with Washington on kickoffs. They might even be the primary pair back there as they combined to return 11 kickoffs last year.
Hamstring injuries can be nagging, so Duvernay likely won’t be rushed back. If he’s able to heal quickly, he’ll be able to return in time for a Week 10 matchup with the Vikings. If he still requires more time after becoming eligible to return, the team’s bye week comes two weeks later. A seven-week absence utilizing that bye week would set him up for a December 1 return against the division-rival Texans.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/9/24
Wednesday’s minor NFL transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: WR Chris Moore
Buffalo Bills
- Opened practice window: RB Darrynton Evans
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return from reserve/PUP list: CB DJ Ivey
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LS Rex Sunahara
- Signed to active roster: TE Geoff Swaim
- Designated to return from IR: LB Mohamoud Diabate, DT Maurice Hurst
- Placed on IR: LS Charley Hughlett
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: DE Carl Lawson
Denver Broncos
- Released (with injury settlement): G William Sherman
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: DT Christian Wilkins (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Designated to return from IR: DE Earnest Brown IV
Free Agents
- Suspended: LB Tariq Carpenter, WR Shi Smith
The Browns are set to start working Hurst and Diabate back to the active roster in practice. 17 of Hurst’s 18 starts came in his first three years in the NFL back from 2018-20, but he did line up as a starter in his lone game with the Browns this year prior to being placed on injured reserve.
Carpenter and Smith are set to miss their next six games due to the suspension levied by the NFL. Carpenter’s suspension is likely linked to the December arrest last year that saw him released from Pittsburgh’s practice squad. The purpose for Smith’s suspension isn’t as clear, but he also got arrested in 2022 on drugs and weapons charges.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/9/24
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: T Austen Pleasants
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Tommy Sweeney
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Trey Dean, DE Marcus Haynes
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Jared Wayne
- Released: DT Marcus Harris
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T Jack Wilson
- Released: K Spencer Shrader
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Released: LB Shaquille Quarterman
New York Jets
- Signed: C Alec Lindstrom, S Jaylen Key
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: T John Ojukwu
Wilson is a former collegiate basketball player who played for two years apiece at Idaho and Oregon State. He transitioned to football, transferring to Washington State for three years, appearing in 12 games in 2022 at right and left tackle. He then played in 13 basketball games for the Cougars before transferring to Minnesota and transitioning back to basketball for his final year of collegiate eligibility.