Minor NFL Transactions: 11/3/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR A.J. Green, TE Demetrius Harris
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: TE Sean McKeon
Houston Texans
- Promoted: LB Hardy Nickerson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR JJ Koski, LB Christian Rozeboom
- Designated for Return: DB Darious Williams
Minnesota Vikings
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): DE Jonah Williams
New York Giants
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Saquon Barkley, S Xavier McKinney
San Francisco 49ers
- Designated for return: K Robbie Gould, TE George Kittle
Panthers Designate Christian McCaffrey For Return
The Panthers have designated Christian McCaffrey for return from the injured reserve list, per a club announcement. This opens up a 21-day window for the running back to retake the field. 
[RELATED: Panthers Did Not Offer CMC In Watson Talks]
McCaffrey suffered the injury in Week 3 and landed on IR in Week 6. Now, he could return as soon as this week to face the Patriots. McCaffrey, 25, turned in a stellar 2019 season with 2,392 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns. After that, the Panthers made him the highest-paid running back in the NFL with a heavily-guaranteed four-year, $64MM deal.
Unfortunately, he was limited to just three games in 2020. So far this year, he’s played in just two games and change with 364 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown. Without CMC, the Panthers have shifted to fourth-round rookie Chuba Hubbard with support from Royce Freeman.
Along with CMC, punter Joseph Charlton has also been designated to return from IR. If he’s not able to play, practice squad punter Lachlan Edwards will likely get the call.
Aaron Rodgers Ruled Out After Positive COVID Test
Aaron Rodgers will miss Sunday’s game against the Chiefs after testing positive for COVID-19 (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). With Rodgers sidelined, Jordan Love is now set to start under center. 
The Packers have been rolling ever since their brutal season opener against the Saints. They’re riding a seven-game winning streak, thanks in large part to the reigning MVP. Rodgers has completed 67.1% of his passes thus far for 1,894 yards and 17 touchdowns with only three interceptions. While the Packers are standing tall at 7-1, the Chiefs are treading water at 4-4. A Rodgers-less matchup could very well provide a boost to Patrick Mahomes & Co.
This will mark Love’s first start as a pro and his first significant NFL action. Love didn’t play as a rookie and he’s attempted just seven throws in total, completing five of them for 68 yards.
Rodgers, 38 in December, led the league in completion percentage (70.7%) and passing touchdowns (48) last year. Father Time didn’t slow him down, nor did his offseason of drama with Packers management. He will, however, miss at least one game as he goes through the league’s COVID-19 protocols.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/3/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Treyvon Hester
- Released: OL Aaron Monteiro
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Cassius Marsh
- Released: RB Chris Thompson
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Bradlee Anae
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Caleb Wilson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DL Auzoyah Alufohai, RB Ryquell Armstead
Houston Texans
- Signed: DL Chris Smith
Los Angeles Rams.
- Signed: WR Warren Jackson
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Pharoh Cooper
Dolphins GM On Deshaun Watson Talks
After months of speculation, the Dolphins did not complete a trade for Deshaun Watson before the deadline. Multiple reports suggested that the two sides were closing in on a deal last week, but Miami GM Chris Grier tells a different story. 
[RELATED: Dolphins Back Out Of Watson Talks]
“We were doing background work and investigating everything,” Grier said (Twitter link via David Furones of the Miami Herald). “Just because we do that, doesn’t mean we’re going to do a deal.”
The Dolphins ultimately backed out due to concerns over Watson’s ongoing legal situation. Owner Stephen Ross wanted to bring Watson to South Beach, but only if his 20+ suits were settled. With that in mind, one reporter asked Grier if the Dolphins were involved in trying to get Watson’s accusers to sign non-disclosure agreements.
“I think any suggestion that this organization would be dealing behind the scenes and trying to influence decisions is absolutely ridiculous and categorically false,” Grier said. “So to say that we would be involved in that is just flat wrong. And it pisses me off, I’m sorry.”
Grier also added that the Dolphins’ interest in Watson is not a reflection on their current quarterback. He says the team still believes in Tua Tagovailoa, though that won’t do much to curb speculation in the spring.
At last check, the Texans were seeking three first-round picks and and two second-round picks for the embattled quarterback. That asking price could come down after the season if Watson’s off-the-field matters are settled.
Saints’ Michael Thomas Done For Year
Michael Thomas‘ season is over. On Wednesday, the Saints star announced that he will not be able to return from his multiple ankle injuries in 2021. 
“I’ve always been a man of faith and these past few months my faith has truly been tested,” Thomas tweeted. “As many of you know, early last season I injured my ankle and worked extremely hard over the next few months to get back in time to finish the season. Unfortunately, the rehab didn’t go as planned and earlier this offseason it was apparent I would need to have a procedure to repair the injury.
“Since then, the team and I have worked diligently, day and night to rehab and get me back on the field. Unfortunately, there has been another small setback which we will have to address. To my displeasure, I will not be able to make it back in time for this season but will do everything in my power to get back to the player I have always been.”
Thomas fought through ankle trouble last year but still only managed to suit up for seven games. The Saints then urged him to undergo surgery ASAP, but he waited until the summer to go under the knife. That course of action didn’t pay off — Thomas will have to spend the remainder of the year rehabbing with an eye on 2022.
The wide receiver likely knew his season was over sometime before today. Ditto for the Saints, who worked diligently to trade for a wide receiver before Tuesday’s deadline. Had the rest of the league known Thomas’ status, the asking price would have been significantly higher. Turns out, the market was already too rich for the Saints’ blood — they tried to deal for Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and others, but couldn’t make a deal before the buzzer.
Entering 2020, Thomas had missed just two career games. Then, in Week 1 of last year, Thomas’ high ankle sprain — coupled with a mid-season hamstring injury — changed everything. The last couple of years have been tumultuous to say the least. Health aside, the Saints also had to bench Thomas after he struck a teammate in practice.
Thomas capped his 2020 with just 40 catches for 438 yards, plus five receptions for 73 yards and one score in the Saints’ playoff win over the Bears. This year, he’ll close with a 0/0/0 line. Thanks to his five-year, $100MM deal, he remains under club control through 2024.
Saints’ Michael Thomas Dealing With New Ankle Injury
Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is dealing with a new ankle malady, according to sources who spoke with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). That would help to explain why the Saints explored trades for wide receivers on Tuesday, including Browns star Odell Beckham Jr. 
[RELATED: Saints Tried To Trade For OBJ]
Thomas recently became eligible to return off of the PUP list, but it’s not clear when he’ll actually be able to suit up. Even with Tre’Quan Smith back in action, the Saints’ offense clearly misses Thomas. Marquez Callaway currently stands as the Saints’ top receiver with 284 yards, ahead of Smith, Deonte Harris, Ty Montgomery, Kenny Stills, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (currently on the COVID list).
Thomas’ original ankle injury limited him to seven games last year, a disappointing follow-up to consecutive first-team All-Pro seasons, including 2019 when he set the all-time single-season reception record with 149 grabs.
Meanwhile, the Saints will also be without quarterback Jameis Winston for the rest of the season. That’ll leave either Trevor Siemian or Taysom Hill under center — not old foe Cam Newton or the retired Drew Brees.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/21
We’ll keep track of today’s taxi squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Matt Dickerson, LB Tahir Whitehead
- Released: OL Koda Martin, TE Ross Travis
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Marvin Hall
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Jake Fromm, WR Tanner Gentry
- Signed: OL Jacob Capra, WR Austin Proehl
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB Josh Love
- Released: WR Devin Smith
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL LaCale London
- Released: G Dareuan Parker
Denver Broncos
- Released: CB Rojesterman Farris
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Kurt Benkert
- Signed: DL Abdullah Anderson
- Released: LB Aaron Adeoye
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: LB Paddy Fisher
New York Jets
- Signed: S Natrell Jamerson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: K Josh Lambo, DT Khalil Davis
- Released: DL Chris Slayton
Washington Football Team
- Signed: G Zack Bailey, RB Wendell Smallwood
- Released: RB Jonathan Williams
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/2/21
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: LB Daren Bates, LB James Vaughters
- Waived: LB Dorian Etheridge
Baltimore Ravens
- Released via injury settlement: T Andre Smith
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: FB Johnny Stanton
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: LB Jabril Cox (story)
- Waived: DE Bradlee Anae
Detroit Lions
- Designated for return: T Taylor Decker, DL Devin Strong
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: LS Steven Wirtel
- Waived: LS Hunter Bradley
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: LB Christian Rozeboom
- Placed on IR: WR Tutu Atwell (story), LB Travin Howard
- Waived: LB Jonah Williams
New York Jets
- Designated to return: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Promoted: S Jarrod Wilson
- Waived: LB Noah Dawkins
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Taco Charlton
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: LB Tyrell Adams, K Joey Slye
Washington Football Team
- Designated for return: TE Logan Thomas
- Waived: TE Jace Sternberger
Rams To Cut WR DeSean Jackson
The Rams will release DeSean Jackson this week (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). This was the expected move after the Rams were unable to find a trade for the veteran wide receiver. As a post-deadline drop, Jackson will be subject to the waiver wire for 24 hours after his release. If no one claims him, he’ll be free to sign with any club.
While Jackson drew interest on the market, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore (on Twitter), teams were anticipating a release and did not want to surrender any assets. That is somewhat interesting given Jackson’s post-deadline departure, which will not allow him to control his destination — at least, not initially. 
Jackson joined the Rams on a one-year, $4.5MM deal this year with the expectation that he’d be a focal point of the offense. Instead, he’s only been on the field for about one-third of L.A.’s snaps. That didn’t sit well with Jackson, who requested a change of scenery earlier this month.
If DJax goes unclaimed, the Rams will be left with the balance of Jackson’s $2.75MM base salary on the books. Either way, they’ll be without one of the game’s most prolific deep threats. Even at the age of 34, Jackson has torched the opposition for 27.6 yards per catch. Granted, the sample size is limited with just eight receptions, but there’s no question that DJax still has top-end speed.
Jackson has yet to top 25 snaps in any of his games this year. His playtime only dwindled from there, with four snaps against the Lions in Week 7. After that, the Rams held him out of action against the Texans to avoid a trade-scuttling injury.
For his career, Jackson has 620 catches for 10,877 yards and 57 touchdowns. Now, after parting ways with his fourth pro team, he’ll look to add to those totals elsewhere.