NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/30/19
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR A.J. Richardson
- Placed on PS-IR: WR Johnnie Dixon
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DE Jonathan Wynn
- Released: DT Ray Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB B.J. Bello
- Released: LB Brady Sheldon
Houston Texans
- Signed: DB Jonathan Owens
- Released: S Austin Exford
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB D.J. White
49ers Sign CB Teez Tabor
The 49ers have signed former Lions cornerback Teez Tabor to the practice squad, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). To make room, they’ve released tackle Ryan Pope. 
Tabor, a second-round pick in 2017, lasted just two seasons in Detroit. He showed great promise coming out of Florida and earned All-SEC accolades in back-to-back years, but the 23-year-old logged just five total starts, 39 total tackles, and no interceptions before being released by the Lions in late August.
Tabor won’t turn 24 until December and is said to have strong zone coverage skills. With the Niners, he could be a backstop for Ahkello Witherspoon and Jason Verrett, who are both dealing with injuries. On a related note – the Niners were also said to be considering their old friend Dontae Johnson, former Raider David Amerson, and eight-year NFL veteran Coty Sensabaugh this week, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic.
Colts Cut Jalen Collins
The Colts have released former Falcons second-round pick Jalen Collins from the practice squad, per a team announcement. To fill his spot, they’ve signed cornerback Shakial Taylor. 
Collins joined the Colts’ practice squad on September 1 after he missed the 53-man cut in late August. In the previous year, he moved between the Colts’ p-squad and active roster, but did not see live action. For his career, he has played in 24 games (all for the Falcons) with 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, ten passes defensed, and with a pair of ten-game bans for PEDs.
Taylor, a 5’11” corner, first joined the Colts as a UDFA in May of 2019. While at Kansas for his final two collegiate seasons, he tallied 55 tackles, one tackle for a loss, and three picks, including one returned for a touchdown.
The Colts presently carry two corners on their practice squad between Taylor and Deante Burton.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/19
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DE Abdullah Anderson
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: S Kavon Frazier
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers: DE Chris Peace (from Chargers)
Eagles Trade Johnathan Cyprien To Falcons
The Eagles have traded safety Johnathan Cyprien and a seventh-round pick to the Falcons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In exchange, Atlanta will send linebacker Duke Riley and a sixth-round choice to Philadelphia. 
It’s a not-so-minor deal that addresses areas of need for two different contenders. The Eagles are now a bit better off in the front seven while the Falcons’ secondary has been somewhat fortified, with a small step down late in the draft for the Eagles.
Riley does his best work at weakside linebacker, where he makes an impact despite his less-than-ideal size. With Philly, he’ll fill the shoes of L.J. Fort, who has moved on to the Ravens. Meanwhile, Cyprien will help round out a Falcons safety group that is now without standout Keanu Neal.
Cyprien visited the Eagles in June, but did not join the club until August. This year, he’s been itching to show what he can do after missing the 2018 season with a torn ACL, but hasn’t been given much of an opportunity. A four-year starter with the Jaguars, and a ten-game starter with the Titans in 2017, Cyprien is still only 29 and capable of delivering big hits in the middle of the field.
Riley, 25, has also dealt with the injury bug. His 2017 rookie season was halted in October by a torn meniscus, though he has been on the field for every possible regular season game since then. Last year, Riley started ten times and amassed 60 total tackles.
The Eagles (2-2) and Falcons (1-3) already played their one matchup of the year on September 15, so Riley and Cyprien won’t cross paths until at least the playoffs, if the two teams happen to qualify and match up. By then, Cyprien could be in new threads – he’ll be out of contract in March. Riley, meanwhile, will be under Eagles control through 2020 on the final year of his rookie deal.
Baylor, Matt Rhule Agree To Extension
Baylor head coach Matt Rhule has drawn significant interest from NFL teams in recent years. But, after agreeing to a new contract extension with the Bears, he might not consider a jump to the pros for a while. 
Per an announcement from the school, Rhule has a new deal that will tie him up through the 2027 season. The new pact includes performance bonuses, retention incentives, and a bump in base salary.
Like records, college football coaching contracts are meant to be broken. But, the new deal probably includes a seven-figure buyout clause for an NFL team to buy him out, and that could be a barrier for any team looking to hire Rhule.
Rhule, who turns 45 in January, interviewed for the Colts job in 2017. Then, in January, he nearly became the Jets’ new head coach before the club ultimately landed on Adam Gase. Reportedly, Rhule was offered the gig, but turned it down when the Jets tried to influence his staffing hires.
No IR For Lions’ T.J. Hockenson
Lions rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson won’t be forced to go on injured reserve, despite a scary scene on Sunday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter hears. Still, Hockenson will need some time to recuperate.
Hockenson took a hard hit in the Lions’ loss to the Chiefs, resulting in an injury to his right shoulder and a concussion. The No. 8 overall pick will rest up for a bit with an eye on picking up where he left off later this year. Against the Chiefs, he notched three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown, giving him an 11/166/2 line through four games (three starts).
His production will be missed, but the Lions will be able to turn to veterans Jesse James and Logan Thomas in the interim. If the Lions move to add another tight end to the mix, they’ll have to create roster room elsewhere.
After their bye week, the Lions will resume action against the Packers on Monday, October 14.
Cowboys’ Tyron Smith Suffers Ankle Sprain
The Cowboys could be without Tyron Smith for a little while. The left tackle suffered a high-ankle sprain, according to owner Jerry Jones, and those sprains often rule players out for multiple games. 
Smith, pictured here with biceps that would make the Incredible Hulk turn even greener with envy, made five straight Pro Bowls from 2014 through 2018 and was named as a first- or second-team All-Pro in four of those campaigns.
Unfortunately, injuries have been a roadblock in recent years. In 2017, he finished the year on IR due to a mix of knee, back, groin, and hip injuries. Last year, he was once again limited to just 13 regular season games.
Though not as celebrated as stars Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, or Amari Cooper, the Cowboys’ stellar offensive line is at the heart of the unit’s success. Smith has been a major part of that, without him, they won’t be quite as strong. The Cowboys can insert Cameron Fleming into their starting front five, but another O-Line pickup might make sense.
Smith, 29 in December, is under club control through 2023 thanks to the eight-year, $97.6MM extension he inked with the club in 2014.
Eagles’ Avonte Maddox Considered Week-To-Week
It’s the best news Avonte Maddox and the Eagles could have hoped for. Doctors have diagnosed the cornerback with a neck sprain, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). 
Maddox is now considered week-to-week and likely to miss a few games. Given the scary scene that unfolded on Thursday night, it’s a huge relief. Maddox was carted off of the field after colliding with teammate Andrew Sendejo, and, initially, this appeared to be something much worse.
In addition to the neck sprain, Maddox was believed to have suffered a concussion. Given the serious nature of both injuries, the Eagles are expected to play it safe with the 23-year-old and not rush him back out on to the field.
So far in 2019, Maddox has tallied 16 tackles across four games (three starts). Last year, he notched 35 stops, plus four passes defensed, one tackle for a loss, and one forced fumble.
The Eagles’ CB group has been thinned out by injuries to Maddox and Ronald Darby, who figures to miss roughly a month with a hamstring ailment. One has to imagine that the Eagles are seriously interested in acquiring Jaguars star Jalen Ramsey to fill the void, though the asking price has climbed to new heights.
Giants’ Ryan Connelly Done For Year
It’s official. Doctors have confirmed that Giants linebacker Ryan Connelly is done for the year after suffering a torn ACL. 
The Giants will place Connelly on injured reserve, which will formally end his 2019 campaign and open up another spot on the 53-man roster. It’s a bad blow for the G-Men, who also have fellow ‘backers Alec Ogletree and Tae Davis dealing with injuries.
Connelly, a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, notched his first career interception against the Bucs in the club’s Week 3 victory and doubled up with another pick against the Redskins on Sunday. He seemed ticketed for more big moments in the final 12 games of the season – instead, his rookie campaign will end after four games, 20 total tackles, two tackles for a loss, and one sack.
The Giants are riding high behind the play of rookie Daniel Jones, who has taken over for Eli Manning and has the club at 2-2. However, their two-game winning streak is now in jeopardy thanks to injuries to Connelly and other key defenders. They’ll try their luck against the Vikings at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.