Texans Cut RB Phillip Lindsay
The Texans are cutting running back Phillip Lindsay (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). As a post-trade-deadline cut, Lindsay will be subject to the waiver wire. 
[RELATED: Texans’ Jenkins To Miss Time]
The Texans shopped Lindsay before the trade deadline, but they didn’t find any deals to their liking. Through ten games, Lindsay has 50 carries for 130 yards and one rushing touchdown, plus three grabs for 37 yards and one receiving TD. Far less efficient than usual, he’s been used far less than expected in Houston.
Of course, this hasn’t been a banner year for anyone on the Texans, so it’s hard to say whether this is indicative of a sharp decline for Lindsay. Before joining up with Houston, Lindsay averaged 4.8 yards per tote across three Broncos seasons. And, between 2018 and 2019, he showcased his receiving ability by reeling in 70 catches for 437 yards.
Still only 27, Lindsay could be a difference-maker for a contender. Any team claiming Lindsay would be responsible for the balance of his one-year contract and the prorated portion of his $2.25MM base salary.
The league’s other 31 teams will have 24 hours to submit claims for Lindsay. If he’s not claimed between now and 4pm ET/3pm CT Wednesday, he’ll be eligible to sign with any club of his choosing.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/23/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: K Brian Johnson
Denver Broncos
- Activated from COVID-19 list: OLB Pita Taumoepenu
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Jon Dietzen
New England Patriots
- Signed: P Corliss Waltman
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Malcolm Perry
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: TE Jace Sternberger
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Austin Mack, RB Rodney Smith, DE Kevin Strong
- Released: WR Chris Rowland, DT Niles Scott
Washington Football Team
- Signed: C Tyler Gauthier
- Released: LB Anthony Hines, WR Damion Willis
Latest On Packers’ David Bakhtiari
Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero). That means Bakhtiari won’t be able to practice or play this week, but the procedure should enable him to return sometime before the season is through. 
[RELATED: Packers’ Jenkins Done For Year]
Bakhtiari tore his ACL at the tail end of December 2020, forcing him to undergo reconstructive surgery in January. He was clearly missed in the playoffs, as the Buccaneers’ front seven rushed the Packers’ backfield with ease. Now, in the wake of Elgton Jenkins‘ own ACL tear, the Packers need him more than ever.
The All-Pro left tackle was activated from the PUP list earlier this month, making him eligible for his 2021 debut. He’s still a few weeks away from seeing the field, but the clean-up surgery is expected to put him on the right track.
Before the injury, Bakhtiari had never missed more than four games in one season. One of the game’s best protectors when healthy, Bakhtiari has earned four Pro Bowl selections and and two First-Team All-Pro nods.
For now, the Packers will be leaning heavily on Yosuah Nijman, Dennis Kelly, and other would-be reserves to hold down the fort. They’ll be short-staffed on Sunday when they host the Rams this week, but Bakhtiari may be ready to face the Bears on Dec. 12, after the Packers’ Week 13 bye.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/23/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: QB Chris Streveler
Buffalo Bills
- Designated for return: WR Marquez Stevenson
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DL Margus Hunt
- Placed on IR: DB Duke Shelley
Denver Broncos
- Waived: CB Mac McCain
Houston Texans
- Released: RB Phillip Lindsay (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Dalvin Tomlinson
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Joe Flacco, QB Mike White
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Ray-Ray McCloud
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LS Carson Tinker
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: RB Dontrell Hilliard, DB Buster Skrine, LB John Simon
- Placed on IR: CB Chris Jackson
- Designated for return: FB Khari Blasingame
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/22/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: OL Joe Sculthorpe
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Brian Poole
- Released: CB Thakarius Keyes
Jets’ Michael Carter To Miss Time
Jets rookie running back Michael Carter has been diagnosed with a low-grade high ankle sprain (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Carter is expected to miss 2-3 weeks, but there’s no word yet on whether the Jets will move him to the injured reserve list.
Carter — not to be confused with the Jets’ rookie fifth-round defensive back of the same name — was a fourth-round selection in this year’s draft. This Carter split time with Broncos second-round pick Javonte Williams at UNC and registered back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2019 and 2020. His senior year was particularly efficient — the 5-foot-7, 201-pounder averaged 8.0 yards per tote en route to 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns.
So far this year, he’s got 430 yards off of 111 carries (3.9 ypc average). In an all-around flat Jets offense, he’s emerged as the top option ahead of veteran Tevin Coleman and the rest of the bunch.
Without Carter, the Jets will lean more on Coleman, Ty Johnson, La’mical Perine, and Nick Bawden when they take on the Texans this week.
Saints, Taysom Hill Agree To Extension
Quarterback Taysom Hill has agreed to a “unique four-year, hybrid…contract extension” with the Saints (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). The deal could pay anywhere between $40MM and $95MM, depending on the position he plays over that span. But, regardless of how he’s used, the deal will furnish him with $22.5MM in guaranteed cash. 
Hill will earn $40MM in base salary if he continues in his gadget role. But, if he becomes the Saints’ starting quarterback for the next four years, he could net an additional $55MM, according to Schefter.
The deal is yet another stroke of cap wizardry from Saints GM Mickey Loomis, who already agreed to an entirely voidable four-year, $140MM re-up with Hill in March. We’re still awaiting word on how this latest deal impacts the previous one, but the new deal likely supersedes/replaces the last one. In short, Hill did not receive a true $140MM re-up this spring. Instead, his actual contract for this year includes a $9.7MM signing bonus, a $1.4MM guaranteed roster bonus, and $1.03MM in guaranteed base salary, plus incentives. All together, that’s a shade over $12MM for 2021.
Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap (Twitter link) suggests that the unique structure could be the result of lucrative incentives. For example, the deal could furnish Hill with a $500K bonus for every game he plays with upwards of 50% snaps at QB, plus another $500K bonus for every win. Still, the exact breakdown remains unclear.
Hill completed 72.7% of his passes last year for 928 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. He went 3-1 while starting in Drew Brees‘ stead, showing a glimpse of his potential. Outside of the traditional QB stats, he finished 2020 with 555 yards from scrimmage and nine rushing and receiving touchdowns.
Through seven games this year, Hill has 20 carries for 104 yards and three rushing touchdowns, plus four grabs for 52 yards. As a QB, he’s completed 7-of-8 throws for 56 yards and one interception.
Broncos’ Bradley Chubb Returns To Practice
Broncos pass rusher Bradley Chubb has been designated for return from injured reserve, according to head coach Vic Fangio (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Chubb, who has missed all but one game this year, will be eligible to return inside of the next 21 days. 
[RELATED: Broncos, Courtland Sutton Agree To Extension]
The fourth-year linebacker has battled multiple ankle issues in recent years. His latest setback emerged in Week 2, prompting arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur. At long last, his left ankle is back to normal — or at least closer to it.
Injuries have hampered Chubb throughout his career; his medical chart includes trouble with his other ankle and a 2019 ACL tear that limited him to just four games. Still, the Broncos picked up Chubb’s fifth-year option in May, and new GM George Paton cited the former top-five pick as a cornerstone talent.
Chubb has proven to be an impact player when healthy. In 2018, his 12 sacks threatened Jevon Kearse‘s all-time rookie sack record. And, just last year, he earned a Pro Bowl nod while notching 7.5 sacks.
Much has changed since Chubb’s last time out on the field. Now at the .500 mark in the sardine-packed AFC West, the Broncos are just clinging to Wild Card chances. Meanwhile, his longtime partner Von Miller is out in Los Angeles.
If all goes well for Chubb, he could re-debut as soon as Sunday when the Broncos host the Chargers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/22/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed (off Ravens practice squad: QB Trace McSorley
- Waived: LS Beau Brinkley, RB Tavien Feaster
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: G/DT Kahlil McKenzie
Cleveland Browns
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: C Nick Harris
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Robert Foster, WR T.J. Vasher
Green Bay Packers
- Waived from IR: S Will Redmond
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: P Dustin Colquitt
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jordan Brown
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Linval Joseph
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, LB Trent Harris, TE Chris Myarick, DB Steven Parker
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Breshad Perriman
Texans’ Jordan Jenkins To Miss Time
Texans edge rusher Jordan Jenkins will be out for at least a little while (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790). Jenkins has been diagnosed with a torn PCL, per head coach David Culley, which will rule him out for a minimum of two weeks. Surgery is also a possibility, and that would likely rule him out for the year. 
Jenkins, a former 2016 third-round pick of the Jets, joined up with the Texans in March. His two-year, $6MM deal will keep him under club control for 2022, though the Texans could cut him to save $3MM with just $500K in dead money.
Jenkins compiled 22.5 sacks in his previous five seasons with the Jets, including 15 sacks between the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He was also healthy for the most part, missing just eight games in that stretch. While he took a step back in 2020 with career-lows in tackles (32) and sacks (2), the Texans saw him as a cost-effective addition to their overhauled defense.
To date, Jenkins has logged eight games with the Texans as a reserve. All together, he’s recorded 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss with Culley & Co.
While they’ve lost Jenkins for a bit, the Texans did manage to beat the Titans 22-13 on Sunday. Now stationed at 2-8, they’ll try for their first winning streak of the year against the Jets on Sunday.