Chargers’ Melvin Gordon To End Holdout?
Melvin Gordon could be on the verge of suiting up for the Chargers once again. His holdout may end soon, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears, though he has yet to decide on when he’ll report. 
Gordon is considering ending his holdout on Thursday, according to Branson Wright of The Plain Dealer (Twitter link) which may allow him to return to action on Oct. 6 against the Broncos. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) is hearing similar word, though nothing has been firmed up just yet on Gordon’s end. Furthermore, head coach Anthony Lynn said he has not heard from Gordon, as Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com tweets.
Previously, Gordon planned to return at some point in October. Apparently, Gordon’s itch to get back on the field has advanced his timeline. There’s no word yet on whether his return will come with a new contract from the Chargers, though GM Tom Telesco says that he will not give the running back a new contract during the 2019 season.
Gordon has aimed to protect his football future with his holdout, though a source close to Gordon recently said that this would not evolve into a “Le’Veon Bell situation.” The touchdown machine is hoping to stay with the Bolts for the long run, so it only makes sense for this holdout to end differently than Bell’s in Pittsburgh.
The Chargers have been open to trading the Gordon, but they have not received any known offers worth considering. Recently, the Eagles offered up Jordan Howard and a swap mid-round picks, but the Chargers, understandably, were not interested.
Without Gordon, the Chargers have dropped two in a row to the Lions and Texans.
Cardinals To Sign Chris Banjo
The Cardinals have agreed to sign special teams ace Chris Banjo, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Banjo visited Arizona on Tuesday and, less than 24 hours later, he has a deal.
Banjo spent roughly two-and-a-half years with New Orleans and appeared in every game for the club between 2017 and 2018. The 29-year-old is known for his aggressiveness, which is something the Cardinals could use as they look to steer out of a two-game losing skid.
Like many special teamers, Banjo’s traditional stats do not jump off of the page. He has 41 career tackles to his credit, but he’s a well-respected punt coverage gunner who can also provide depth at safety.
On the depth chart, he’ll sit behind starters D.J. Swearinger and Budda Baker. For now, the plan is to keep Baker at free safety, with D.J. Swearinger playing strong safety, but the club might have to consider moving Baker up front to help stop opposing tight ends. Through three weeks, they’ve allowed a combined 318 yards to T.J. Hockensen, Mark Andrews, and Greg Olsen.
Seahawks To Sign Luke Willson
Luke Willson is heading back to Seattle. The Seahawks have agreed to reunite with their former tight end, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
[RELATED: Seahawks Trade Vannett To Steelers]
Willson spent the first five years of his career with the Seahawks before moving on to the Lions in 2018. in Detorit, he saw time in 14 games and notched 13 catches for 87 yards. Then, in March, he hooked on with the Raiders, but was unable to make their final cut to a 53-man roster. After working out for the Saints and Cardinals this month, Willson is going back to where it all started.
Willson takes the place of tight end Nick Vannett, who was traded to the Steelers on Tuesday night in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round choice. With Willson back in the fold, the Seahawks now a second tight end on the active roster to support starter Will Dissly.
The Seahawks will look to advance to 3-1 in Week 4 as they take on the Cardinals in Arizona.
Jalen Ramsey Unlikely To Play This Week
The saga continues. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is expected to report to the Jaguars’ facility on Wednesday, but he says he’s not quite at 100%, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Ramsey has been receiving treatment for hamstring and lower back ailments and it doesn’t sound as though he’ll be suiting up to face the Broncos on Sunday afternoon. 
[RELATED: Cardinals’ GM: “We’re Not Trading Patrick Peterson”]
Earlier this week, Ramsey called in sick with the flu, just days after a reported blowup with coach Doug Marrone that might have soured their relationship for good. Jags owner Shad Khan reportedly is willing to make Ramsey the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, but that might not be enough to slow the trade discussions.
By the time Ramsey turns 25 on Oct. 24, it seems likely that he’ll be elsewhere. Nearly every team in the league has some level of interest in Ramsey, though the Jaguars’ asking price could be prohibitive for many. Reportedly, the Jaguars are seeking two first-round picks in exchange for the Pro Bowler. At least a couple of clubs have offered one first-round choice, but two is a big ask, particularly since Ramsey’s new club would have to give him a top-of-the-market extension.
Of course, deadlines – and desperation – tend to spur action in the NFL. Would be-contenders that are 1-2, or even 0-3, could be willing to break the bank and cough up serious draft capital to acquire one of the game’s best defensive talents between now and the late October trade deadline.
Bucs, JPP Agree To New Contract
The Buccaneers and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul have agreed to a revised deal that will make him a free agent after the 2019 season, rather than 2020, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The revision will clear $4.4MM in cap space for Tampa Bay and JPP will receive upwards of $10MM in exchange.
An unfortunate car accident in the spring landed JPP on the league’s NFI list, meaning that he cannot play for the first six weeks of his season. His outlook beyond that for 2019 remains murky, though he did begin rehab in late August.
While on the NFI list, teams are not obligated to pay a player’s salary. However, JPP’s deal still called for a $7.5MM injury guarantee for 2019 with a total cap figure of $14.9MM.
Under the terms of the new deal, JPP will have an opportunity to make up to $10.5MM, with a base salary of $5MM. And, he’ll have a path to the open market in March, where he could land a decent-sized deal based on his past performance. In 2018, Pierre-Paul amassed 12.5 sacks on the Bucs’ defensive front, matching the second-highest showing of his career.
After losing to JPP’s former club in heartbreaking fashion on Sunday, the Bucs will turn their attention to the Rams this weekend.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/24/19
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: T John Wetzel
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Kyle Peko
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: G Kofi Amichia
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DT Destiny Vaeao
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Fred Brown
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Dadi Nicolas
- Waived: WR River Cracraft
Miami Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Marcus Sherels
- Waived: LB Devante Downs
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Nate Stupar
- Waived: TE Eric Tomlinson
Oakland Raiders
- Placed on IR: LB Marquel Lee
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Craig James
- Waived: WR Greg Ward
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LS Garrison Sanborn
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: DL Patrick O’Connor
Washington Redskins
- Released from IR via injury settlement: C Casey Dunn
- Waived: DT T.Y. McGill
NFL Waiver Priority For Week 4
Starting today, the NFL’s waiver claim order will be reflective of 2019 records, rather than 2018, as ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. As is the case with the NFL Draft, the order of priority is inverted based on win/loss record.
[RELATED: The NFL’s Waiver System, Explained]
In cases of ties – and there are many at this stage of the season – they are broken by the cumulative record of the team’s previous opponents. For example, the Redskins and Broncos’ (0-3) opponents have a combined record of 6-3, they have priority over the Jets, whose opponents are 7-2. If two teams with the same record, and same opponent record, happen to claim the same player, the dispute is settled with a coin toss (h/t to Field).
With that in mind, and with serious help from Sam Robinson, here’s the full rundown of every team’s current waiver priority as we get set for Week 4:
T-1. Broncos (0-3)
T-1. Redskins (0-3)
3. Jets (0-3)
T-4. Bengals (0-3)
T-4. Dolphins (0-3)
T-4. Steelers (0-3)
7. Cardinals (0-2-1)
8. Eagles (1-2)
T-9. Browns (1-2)
T-9. Titans (1-2)
11. Panthers (1-2)
T-12. Buccaneers (1-2)
T-12. Falcons (1-2)
T-12. Raiders (1-2)
15. Jaguars (1-2)
16. Chargers (1-2)
17. Giants (1-2)
T-18. Colts (2-1)
T-18. Bears (2-1)
20. Ravens (2-1)
21. Texans (2-1)
T-22. Seahawks (2-1)
T-22. Vikings (2-1)
24. Saints (2-1)
25. Lions (2-0-1)
26. Patriots (3-0)
T-27. 49ers (3-0)
T-27. Bills (3-0)
T-27. Cowboys (3-0)
30. Rams (3-0)
31. Chiefs (3-0)
32. Packers (3-0)
Giants Work Out RBs
Following the injury to Saquon Barkley, the Giants worked out running backs Fozzy Whittaker and Zach Zenner, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The club also took a look at Benny Cunningham, as The Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson tweets.
As Barkley rests up from a high ankle sprain, the club is preparing for anywhere between 4-8 weeks without him. In the interim, Wayne Gallman will take over as the club’s top tailback. The good news is that the team is not planning on putting Barkley on injured reserve at this time, which leaves open the possibility that he will be able to return inside of two months.
At this moment, Gallman’s only backup is Elijhaa Penny, a former UDFA who previously spent time with the Cardinals. Last year, Penny tallied eight catches for 50 yards plus seven totes for 25 yards.
Whittaker, 30, spent the last five years with the Panthers, but missed the 2018 season with a torn ACL. His biggest year came in 2016 when he registered 4.6 yards per carry off of 57 attempts.
Bucs To Place Blaine Gabbert On IR
The Bucs are placing Blaine Gabbert on the injured reserve list, per a club announcement. Gabbert has yet to see real action this year after dislocating his non-throwing shoulder in the club’s preseason contest against the Eagles. 
Initially, the Bucs did not believe that Gabbert would be ticketed for an extended stay on the sidelines. However, things appear to have changed after a closer look from team doctors.
For the moment, the Buccaneers will proceed with Jameis Winston as their starter and Ryan Griffin as his sole backup. However, Mississippi State product Nick Fitzgerald is also on their practice squad, so he could conceivably get a call up to the 53-man roster.
Next up for the Buccaneers and Winston – a Sunday tilt in Los Angeles against the Rams. After that, they’ll face the Saints, meet the Panthers in London, and take their bye week before resuming to take on the Titans in Tennessee.
Texans Work Out C.J. Anderson
The Texans will audition running back C.J. Anderson on Tuesday, a source tells NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Anderson was displaced last week when the Lions claimed Paul Perkins off waivers from the Giants. 
The Texans’ running back situation was thrown into disarray in the offseason when Lamar Miller suffered a torn ACL. They went out and traded for Duke Johnson, and later added Carlos Hyde to the mix in a deal with the Chiefs, but they’re still investigating supporting cast members.
Anderson joined the Lions on a one-year, $1.5MM deal this year, but he rushed for just 43 yards in 16 attempts in his two games with the club. Given his success with the Panthers, Raiders, and Rams last year, it stands to reason that he can still be an effective back, unless age and injury have caught up with him.