Raiders To Sign DT Terrell McClain
The Raiders have officially signed defensive tackle Terrell McClain, per a club announcement. The deal marks yet another destination for the well-traveled veteran.
McClain spent 2018 with the Falcons and appeared in 13 games. He hooked on with the Cardinals this offseason but was cut at the end of August, leading him to an October cup of coffee with the Chiefs. Other clubs on his resume include the: Redskins, Cowboys, Texans, Patriots, and Panthers.
In related news, the Raiders dropped linebacker Dakota Allen, defensive lineman Kasim Edebali, and Corey Liuget. Liuget played on 46 defensive snaps this season, so it wasn’t exactly the return to prominence he was hoping for.
Liuget, a former Chargers notable, had a rough 2018 season that featured a suspension, pay cut, and a season-ending knee injury. Cut by the Chargers in February, Liguet met with the Giants, Seahawks, Jaguars, and Cardinals before landing with the Raiders in August.
Jaguars’ Josh Robinson Retires
Jaguars cornerback Josh Robinson has retired, per an announcement from the team. It’s a decision that came out of the blue and one that leaves Jacksonville especially thin at cornerback. 
“He had been awesome for us; no issues, no problems,” head coach Doug Marrone said. “He’s obviously put some thought into it. I have all the respect in the world for him – tough kid, practiced hard, prepared like a pro … nothing but the best for him. We’re always here for him. Appreciate him.”
Robinson, 28, spent time with the Vikings, Bucs, and Saints before joining the Jaguars before the start of camp this year. He was not a star player, but he was active in all eight games and a contributor on special teams.
Without Robinson, the Jags are left with five cornerbacks: Tre Herndon, A.J. Bouye, D.J. Hayden (starting nickel corner), Tae Hayes (newly promoted), and Breon Borders. Of course, that group is missing star Jalen Ramsey, who was shipped to the Rams in October.
The Vikings used Robinson, a former Day 2 pick, as a starter in 21 games from 2012-14. Ever since then, he spent his time in the NFL as a depth piece and a special-teamer.
We here at PFR wish Robinson the best in retirement.
Patriots’ Isaiah Wynn Returns To Practice
Patriots tackle Isaiah Wynn returned to practice on Wednesday, meaning that he is now designated for return from injured reserve. It’s big news for a team that boasts a perfect record, but also has some room for improvement up front. 
Wynn takes the second and final allotted Pats IR-DTR spot, meaning that the season is officially over for Josh Gordon and the rest of the Patriots’ players on injured reserve. The Patriots reportedly had no designs on bringing Gordon back this season, but the wide receiver insists that he’ll be healthy and ready to play before the year is through. Ultimately, this will probably result in Gordon’s release, with the chance that he could hook on with a different club in 2019. In case you missed it: The first IR-DTR slot was used to bring back wide receiver N’Keal Harry.
Wynn, a Pats 2018 first-round pick, left the team’s Week 2 shutout in Miami due to turf toe and was placed on IR soon afterwards. He’ll get nothing but hand-pounds and hugs now that he’s back on the practice field – the Pats have missed him, especially in a season being spent without center David Andrews.
In other Pats injury news – tight end Matt LaCosse (knee) was also back at practice on Wednesday.
Vikings Designate Josh Doctson For Return
On Wednesday, the Vikings designated wide receiver Josh Doctson for return. He’ll practice for the first time since suffering his hamstring injury and will be eligible to play as soon as Week 10. 
The Vikings signed Doctson towards the end of August, shortly after cutting Laquon Treadwell, who was taken one spot behind him in the 2016 draft. Treadwell has since returned to Minnesota, meaning that the two may actually take the field together.
Doctson’s next game with Minnesota will be his first in purple – at least, his first in Vikings purple. Before joining the Vikings, Doctson started 26 games across the previous two years for the Redskins, but registered just 79 total catches for 1,034 yards and eight touchdowns. Last year, he placed 96th out of 107 qualifying wideouts in yards per route run last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Those numbers aren’t great, but the potential is still there. His history with quarterback Kirk Cousins may also help matters.
Besides Doctson and Treadwell, the Vikings also currently have wide receivers Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Olabisi Johnson, and Davion Davis in the mix.
Bengals’ Andy Dalton: My Agent Tried To Explore Trades
On Tuesday, just before the trade deadline, the Bengals announced that they’re benching Andy Dalton in favor of Ryan Finley. Afterwards, Dalton’s agent tried to explore trade possibilities, the quarterback says (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.). However, the timing of the decision made that impossible. 
[RELATED: Bengals Bench Andy Dalton]
“I don’t agree with the decision but I’m going do everything I can to help the team,” Dalton said, before adding that he just wants the opportunity to play somewhere.
Unless things change between now and the end of the season, it seems like the Bengals and Dalton are headed for divorce. His six-year, $96MM extension technically runs through the end of 2020, but the Bengals can cut bait on that deal with no cap penalties after the season.
Dalton, the 35th overall pick of the 2011 draft, made three Pro Bowls with the team. He also led the Bengals to five straight playoff appearances, though he never won a postseason game.
Speaking of timing – Dalton turned 32 on Tuesday, so this probably wasn’t the birthday gift he had in mind.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/30/19
The latest NFL practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Del’Shawn Phillips
Houston Texans
- Signed: DB Anthony Chesley, DT Eddie Vanderdoes
- Cut: DT Javier Edwards
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Keishawn Bierria
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: P Jack Fox
New England Patriots
- Released: OT Aaron Monteiro
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Leo Koloamatangi
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New York Giants
- Cut: LB Jake Carlock
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Bruce Hector, TE Scott Orndorf
- Released: CB Ajene Harris
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Bryan Mone
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/19
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Cut: P Kasey Redfern
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Tremon Smith
- Cut: WR Darrius Shepherd, TE Evan Baylis
New England Patriots
- Cut: TE Eric Tomlinson
New Orleans Saints
- Cut: CB Ken Crawley
New York Jets
- Signed: LB B.J Bello, DB Arthur Maulet
- Placed on IR: LB Albert McClellan
Oakland Raiders
- Waived: LB Justin Phillips
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: G Jordan Roos
Bengals’ A.J. Green Doesn’t Want Franchise Tag
Bengals star A.J. Green says he’ll be ready to return on Nov. 9 against the Ravens (Twitter link via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic). Meanwhile, he says he’s not on board with the possibility of being franchise tagged in the offseason. 
It’s a mix of good news and not-necessarily-good news for the Bengals. Obviously, getting the star wide receiver back in time for Ryan Finley’s first start is a step in the right direction. Green believes that the Bengals would not be 0-8 if he was healthy and it’s hard to argue. The Bengals have other weaknesses, but Green’s absence has been glaring in an offense that has relied on him for years.
Green’s franchise tag concerns, however, could signal trouble in Cincinnati. Before the injury, the Bengals and Green were unable to come to terms on a long-term extension that likely would have kept him in the fold for the rest of his career. Now, Green is making it known that he wants to restart talks ASAP. For reference, this year’s franchise tag for wide receivers projects to be around the $18.5MM range.
Green’s last full season was in 2017, when he compiled 75 receptions for 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns. On the whole, he’s been one of the game’s most productive WRs since entering the league in 2011. Green earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first seven seasons and has topped 1,000 yards in six different seasons.
Falcons, Lions Discussed Devonta Freeman Trade
The Falcons and Lions discussed a Devonta Freeman trade, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Lions inquired on the running back, and the two sides spoke at length, but the Falcons ultimately decided against parting with him. 
A former fourth-round pick, Freeman became the Falcons’ starter in his second season and made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2015 and 2016. Then, in 2017, the Falcons signed him to a five-year, $41.25MM extension.
Freeman lost the bulk of 2018 due to injury and he hasn’t looked like his old self thus far in 2019. In eight games, Freeman has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. Through the air, he’s got 35 catches for 272 yards and three scores.
Then again, the entire Falcons offense seems to be sagging. The Lions are among the many Freeman believers out there, but, ultimately, they could not come to terms on a would-be blockbuster.
The Falcons are still optimistic about Freeman, but they’re also realistic about the financial constraints. The 27-year-old’s signing bonuses are on the books through 2021 and that’s a serious barrier to moving on from him.
Giants Rework Rhett Ellison’s Deal
The Giants had to do some cap adjusting before acquiring Leonard Williams from the Jets. This week, they got it done by converting $1.88MM of tight end Rhett Ellison‘s base salary into a signing bonus,, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). That bit of cap trickery
That bit of cap trickery gave the Giants an additional $938K in space, giving them just enough to accommodate the arrival of Williams. Still, their cap situation remains tight. Before bringing the defensive lineman over from New Jersey’s other team, the Giants had roughly $2MM in cap room. The Jets picked up the tab on $4MM of Williams’ $7.5MM in remaining salary, so the Giants had to make way for about $3.5MM in salary.
By tweaking Ellison’s contract and releasing linebacker Tae Davis, the Giants got the job done, but their work isn’t finished.
Ellison, 31, has 13 catches for 108 yards and one touchdown through eight games. The bulk of the tight end targets have gone to youngster Evan Engram, who has 38 grabs for 419 yards and three scores this year.