Workout Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Raiders, Bucs
With 53-man rosters set, teams around the NFL will start to frequently bring in players for workouts and auditions, keeping up-to-date on which free agents are out there, in case injury replacements or practice squad fill-ins are required.
Here are a few of the latest updates on teams working out players, or bringing them in for visits:
- The Bills, who are exploring other possible options at kicker after an underwhelming preseason from Dan Carpenter, worked out Alex Henery, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Henery’s last game in the NFL, the one that cost him his job, came last October, when he missed three field goals for the Lions against Buffalo.
- Before they signed linebacker Adrian Hubbard, the Dolphins worked out Hubbard and several other players, according to Wilson (Twitter link). The players who earned an audition with Miami included former Raiders safety Jonathan Dowling, ex-Cardinals linebacker Glenn Carson, former Bengals linebacker Nico Johnson, ex-Cowboys cornerback Robert Steeples, and former Eagles safety Chris Prosinski.
- The Raiders brought in a number of players for workouts, with a focus on wide receivers, quarterbacks, and defensive backs. According to Wilson (Twitter links), wideouts Phil Bates, John Harris, DeAndre Carter, and T.J. Graham, quarterbacks Jeff Tuel and Phillip Sims, and defensive backs Tommie Campbell, Phillip Thomas, B.W. Webb, and Ty Zimmerman auditioned for the club. Offensive lineman Dillon Farrell also had a tryout with Oakland.
- Offensive lineman Austin Reiter, a 2015 seventh-rounder waived by Washington over the weekend, is working out for the Buccaneers this morning, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
- After being waived by the Chargers last week, wide receiver Titus Davis paid a visit to the Lions, tweets Wilson.
Players On IR With Designation To Return
As of 3:00pm central time this past Sunday, NFL teams could begin adding players to injured reserve lists with the designation to return. Unlike the usual IR list, which keeps a player inactive all season or until he reaches an injury settlement with his team, this shorter-term IR list allows a player to begin practicing after six weeks and to begin playing in games after eight weeks.
Of course, whereas the standard injured reserve list can accommodate several players at once, NFL teams can only use the designation to return on one player, so teams must be cautious about how to fire that single bullet. Given the eight-week time frame for the IR-DTR slot, most clubs will use it during the season’s first few weeks if they need to use it at all.
So far, a handful of clubs have taken advantage of the opportunity to use the IR-DTR spot — we’ll list all those players right here. If other clubs decide to use their openings at any point, we’ll note that below as well. This post can be found anytime on our right-hand sidebar under the PFR Features menu.
Here’s the full list so far:
AFC East:
- Buffalo Bills: Used on S Aaron Williams (neck) after Week 5
- Miami Dolphins: Used on RB Jay Ajayi (rib)
- New England Patriots: Used on C Bryan Stork (concussion)
- New York Jets: Used on CB Dee Milliner (wrist)
AFC North:
- Baltimore Ravens: Used on DE Brent Urban (biceps)
- Cincinnati Bengals: Unused
- Cleveland Browns: Used on CB Charles Gaines (hamstring)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Used on C Maurkice Pouncey (fibula)
AFC South:
- Houston Texans: Used on TE Ryan Griffin (MCL) after Week 1
- Indianapolis Colts: Used on CB D’Joun Smith (knee) after Week 1
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Used on WR/KR Rashad Greene (thumb) after Week 2
- Tennessee Titans: Used on RB David Cobb (calf)
AFC West:
- Denver Broncos: Unused
- Kansas City Chiefs: Unused
- Oakland Raiders: Used on S Nate Allen (MCL) after Week 1
- San Diego Chargers: Used on DT Darius Philon (hip/thigh) after Week 5
NFC East:
- Dallas Cowboys: Used on QB Tony Romo (clavicle) after Week 2
- New York Giants: Used on DE Owa Odighizuwa (hamstring) after Week 8
- Philadelphia Eagles: Unused
- Washington: Used on on C Kory Lichtensteiger (neck) after Week 9
NFC North:
- Chicago Bears: Unused
- Detroit Lions: Used on CB Alex Carter (ankle)
- Green Bay Packers: Used on TE Andrew Quarless (MCL) after Week 3
- Minnesota Vikings: Used on C John Sullivan (back)
NFC South:
- Atlanta Falcons: Used on WR/KR Devin Hester (toe) after Week 4
- Carolina Panthers: Used on DE Charles Johnson (hamstring) after Week 2
- New Orleans Saints: Unused
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Used on T Demar Dotson (MCL)
NFC West:
- Arizona Cardinals: Used on RB Chris Johnson (tibia) after Week 12
- San Francisco 49ers: Used on RB Mike Davis (hand) after Week 8
- Seattle Seahawks: Used on LB Brock Coyle (knee) after Week 6
- St. Louis Rams: Used on LB Alec Ogletree (ankle) after Week 7
NFC Practice Squad Updates: 9/7/15
While many teams filled up their 10-man practice squads on Sunday, plenty of teams didn’t confirm their moves right away, or kept a few spots open on those units. On top of that, at least one club that signed 10 players to its taxi squad on Sunday has already made several changes, bringing in new players and jettisoning players who didn’t even spend 24 hours on the squad.
We’ll have updates on Monday’s NFC practice squad signings and cuts in this space, with teams listed in alphabetical order. When new moves occur, we’ll bump this post back to the top of the page. Here’s a round-up of today’s moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed (link via Josh Weinfuss):
- CB Cariel Brooks
- T Rob Crisp
- LB Gabe Martin
- G Antoine McClain
- WR Jaxon Shipley
- RB Kerwynn Williams
- CB Leon McFadden
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed (press release):
- LB Derek Akunne
- T Pierce Burton
- CB Akeem King
- QB Matt Simms
- LB Tyler Starr
Chicago Bears
- Signed (Twitter links):
- LB Lamin Barrow
- T Nick Becton
- DL Brandon Dunn
- CB Jacoby Glenn
- WR Jalen Saunders
Dallas Cowboys
Signed (Twitter link via Todd Archer):- OT John Wetzel
- S Tim Scott
- LB Dakorey Johnson
- To be signed:
- WR Vince Mayle (Twitter link via Dane Brugler)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed (press release):
- RB John Crockett
- CB Robertson Daniel
- DT Christian Ringo
New Orleans Saints
- Signed (via Evan Woodbery on Twitter):
- TE Blake Annen
- CB Don Jones
New York Giants
- Signed:
- DL Montori Hughes (Twitter link via Zach Braziller)
- TE Will Tye (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed:
- T Tanner Hawkinson (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed:
- DE Robert Thomas (Twitter link via Gregg Bell)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed (press release):
- T Edawn Coughman
- T Terren Jones
- WR Rannell Hall
- TE Cameron Brate
Washington:
- Signed:
- OLB Ryan Delaire (Twitter link via Zac Boyer)
AFC Practice Squad Updates: 9/7/15
While many teams filled up their 10-man practice squads on Sunday, plenty of teams didn’t confirm their moves right away, or kept a few spots open on those units. On top of that, at least one club that signed 10 players to its taxi squad on Sunday has already made several changes, bringing in new players and jettisoning players who didn’t even spend 24 hours on the squad.
We’ll have updates on Monday’s AFC practice squad signings and cuts in this space, with teams listed in alphabetical order. When new moves occur, we’ll bump this post back to the top of the page. Here’s a round-up of today’s moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed (press release):
- WR Daniel Brown
- TE Dominique Jones
- WR Jeremy Ross
Buffalo Bills
- Signed (press release):
- OLB IK Enemkpali
- T Chris Martin
- DE Cedric Reed
- QB Alex Tanney
Cleveland Browns
- Signed (press release):
- OL Garth Gerhart
- DL Dylan Wynn
Denver Broncos
- Signed (press release):
- RB Kapri Bibbs
- TE Arthur Lynch
- T Kyle Roberts
- DE George Uko
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed:
- DL Toby Johnson (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed (press release):
- DT Hebron Fangupo
- T Laurence Gibson
- CB Jeremy Harris
- DL David Irving
- TE Ross Travis
- FB Spencer Ware
Miami Dolphins
- Signed (Twitter link):
- RB Rajion Neal
- WR Uzoma Nwachukwu
New England Patriots
- Signed (Twitter links):
- OL Chris Barker
- T Blaine Clausell
- OL Cameron Fleming (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
- LB Darius Fleming
- LB Brandon King
- WR Nathan Palmer
- DB Daxton Swanson
- DT Jimmy Staten
- Signed and subsequently released:
- LB Xzavier Dickson (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
New York Jets
- To be signed:
- S Rontez Miles (Twitter link via Brian Costello)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed:
- George Atkinson III, RB
- Mitch Bell, G
- SaQwan Edwards, CB
- Shelby Harris, DE
- Dan Kistler, T
- Tevin McDonald, S
- Josh Shirley, LB
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed (Twitter link via Burt Lauten + team transactions page):
- WR Isaiah Burse
- LB Anthony Chickillo
- T Matt Feiler
- CB Doran Grant
- TE Xavier Grimble
- OL Barrett Jones
- RB Fitzgerald Toussaint
- Released:
- RB Dominique Brown
- OL Reese Dismukes
- LB Shayon Green
- DE Ethan Hemer
- OL Antonio Johnson
- TE Harold Spears
- WR Jarrod West
San Diego Chargers
- Signed:
- OL Michael Ola (link via Michael Gehlken)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed:
- LB Justin Staples (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
Browns Suspend Offensive Line Coach
6:40pm: Moeller is under investigation for an alleged assault of a woman at his home, Pat McManamon of ESPN.com writes.
2:47pm: According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link), Moeller’s suspension comes as a result of an investigation into a possible assault.
1:46pm: The Browns will open the season with general manager Ray Farmer serving a four-game suspension, and the club announced today that a member of the coaching staff will be suspended as well. In a statement, the Browns indicated that offensive line coach Andy Moeller has been suspended indefinitely, effective immediately (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal).
“Over the weekend, Andy was involved in an incident, involving allegations that we take very seriously,” the Browns said in their statement. “We have followed our internal protocol, determining that right now it is best for the team and for Andy to take time away from the organization to focus on his personal matters.”
While the details of the incident involving Moeller aren’t clear, he was previously suspended in 2011 when he was on the Ravens’ coaching staff, after he was found guilty of driving under the influence.
Cowboys Claim Jordan Mills Off Waivers
After re-signing veteran tackle Doug Free and adding La’el Collins as an undrafted free agent earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys fortified an offensive line that many observers believe is the NFL’s best. Now, Dallas has added another player with starting experience to that group.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the Cowboys have claimed former Bears tackle Jordan Mills off waivers. Mills himself first revealed his news team, tweeting, in part, “Dallas here I come.”
Mills, 24, had started nearly every game over the last two seasons for the Bears at right tackle, missing just three of 32 contests. However, Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required) suggested he struggled as a pass blocker last season, and he ranked just 66th out of 84 qualified tackles overall.
With new Bears head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase opting to get in a different direction, Mills will find himself on a Cowboys team that shouldn’t need him to start unless there are multiple injuries. Currently, Tyron Smith and Free are penciled in as the starters, with Collins potentially in the mix as well, if he doesn’t start at guard.
Falcons Claim Gino Gradkowski Off Waivers
In addition to expressing interest in one of the two players cut by the Broncos yesterday, the Falcons have claimed the other player off waivers. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link), center Gino Gradkowski has been awarded to Atlanta, via waiver claim.
Gradkowski, along with Montee Ball, was waived by the Broncos when Denver claimed a pair of players off waivers on Sunday. A Delaware product, Gradkowski has appeared in 40 games during the course of his three-year career, and was a full-time starter for the Ravens during the 2013 season. He wasn’t very productive that year, grading as the worst center in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Gradkowski is the second veteran interior lineman added by the Falcons this week, as Atlanta also sent a sixth-round pick and a future conditional pick to the Titans to land guard Andy Levitre. The additions suggest that Dan Quinn and the Falcons aren’t satisfied with the offensive line play to date.
Falcons Express Interest In Montee Ball
The Falcons are among the teams that have expressed interest in running back Montee Ball, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link). Ball, who was cut by the Broncos yesterday, is set to become a free agent today if he clears waivers.
A Hesiman finalist while at Wisconsin in 2011, Ball was selected by Denver in the 2013 draft, and was expected to be inserted as the starting running back in the Broncos’ high-powered offense. But over the course of two seasons, Ball was never able to secure a role as the No. 1 back, losing the job to Knowshon Moreno in ’13 and C.J. Anderson in ’14. All told, Ball saw less than 200 carries during his time with the Broncos, and totaled less than 800 yards on the ground.
Still, Ball is just 24 years old, and has some upside. Teams with unsettled running back situations, such as the Titans, Browns, or Cowboys could kick the tires on the ex-Bronco even if they don’t place waiver claims.
As for the Falcons, it looks like they could head into the season with rookies Tevin Coleman and Terron Ward as their only healthy backs, with Devonta Freeman said to be still nursing a hamstring injury.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/7/15
Here are Monday’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves that affect teams’ 53-man rosters:
- The Bills have filled the final opening on their 53-man roster by signing defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, the team announced today in a press release. Fluellen, who has been a part-time contributor for the Lions for most of his NFL career, was cut by Buffalo on Friday, so his time away from the team didn’t last long.
Earlier updates:
- A day after cutting him, the Titans have re-signed tight end Chase Coffman, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online (Twitter link). It appears Coffman’s release was procedural, so he’s back on the team now that Tennessee has officially placed running back David Cobb on the IR with the designation to return.
- Washington has also added a tight end to its active roster, signing Anthony McCoy and waiving cornerback Deshazor Everett in a corresponding move, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.
- The Texans have removed safety Terrance Parks from their injured reserve list, giving him an injury settlement, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Jason Pierre-Paul Reporting To Giants
2:02pm: Pierre-Paul is in New York for his physical, and while his hand is wrapped for protection, he has no broken bones, per Rapoport and Albert Breer (all Twitter links). The Giants plan to have Tom Coughlin, John Mara, and Jerry Reese meet with JPP when he’s ready.
Rapoport and Breer also note that Pierre-Paul and the Giants will likely rework his contract before he signs, since the team will want to reduce his salary and JPP will want to avoid being placed on the NFI list.
8:37am: Jason Pierre-Paul is set to fly in to reunite with the Giants today, and an all-important physical examination is on the schedule for the veteran defensive end, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
Pierre-Paul is still recovering from a hand injury that he sustained on the July 4th weekend in a fireworks accident. JPP, who lost a finger in the mishap, has yet to report to the Giants, so the team is unsure about how the pass rusher’s rehab has progressed. That makes today’s physical an important stepping stone for franchise-tag recipient, as he looks to get back on the field.
For now, Pierre-Paul also technically remains a free agent, having not signed his franchise tender from the Giants. Not signing that one-year deal gave the 26-year-old leeway to miss training camp and the preseason without being fined, and allows him to avoid being placed on New York’s non-football injury list for the first six weeks. When a team places a player on the NFI list, it can also elect to not pay him.
Of course, JPP also won’t get paid as long as he’s not under contract, but if he doesn’t sign his deal before the season gets underway, he’ll only forfeit salary a week at a time, rather than risking losing a six-week chunk at once.
The Giants’ defense has been somewhat banged up so far this summer, particularly in the secondary, so if Pierre-Paul is close to being able to return to the field and get some pressure on opposing passers, it would be a significant boon for that unit.