Redskins Activate Trey Quinn
The Redskins activated wide receiver Trey Quinn off injured reserve on Wednesday, per a club announcement. The club has now used both of it’s IR-DTR opportunities after designating running back Byron Marshall for return earlier this year.
Quinn suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 after being selected in the seventh round of this year’s draft. The Redskins’ WR unit has been banged up this year, including the unfortunate loss of Paul Richardson, so Quinn could wind up seeing some snaps in the second half of the year.
Quinn had two catches for 12 yards before he was forced out of the Redskins’ season-opener against the Cardinals. After he caught 114 passes for 1,236 yards and 13 touchdowns at SMU in 2017, the Redskins are extremely eager to see what he can do.
Quinn’s first action since September could come on Sunday against the Texans. With a win, the Redskins can maintain or improve their divisional lead over the Cowboys and Eagles.
Panthers Claim RB Kenjon Barner
The Panthers claimed former Patriot Kenjon Barner off waivers, according to a team announcement. To make room, the club waived cornerback Josh Hawkins.
This marks Barner’s third career stint with the Panthers. He’ll provide depth behind star running back Christian McCaffrey, filling a spot vacated by the recent release of veteran C.J. Anderson.
Barner came into the league as a sixth-round pick of the Panthers in 2013 and played eight games for them as a rookie. The Panthers traded him to the Eagles in 2014, but he circled back to Carolina in the offseason. When he failed to make the Panthers’ first cut, Barner hooked on with the Patriots where he cycled through the roster for a couple of months.
Barner, 28, has 19 carries for 71 yards on the season. His best offensive seasons came in 2015 and 2016 with the Eagles when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in a limited sample of 55 total attempts.
Barner figures to serve as the fourth running back on the depth chart behind CMC, Cameron Artis-Payne, and Travaris Cadet.
Dolphins Sign WR Brice Butler
The Dolphins signed Brice Butler to fill their open roster spot, according to a team announcement. At minimum, the wide receiver should help to replenish a group that has been dinged by injuries. 
[RELATED: Dolphins Promote OL Isaac Asiata]
With DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant sidelined, Butler may be one of four healthy receivers heading into Nov. 25th’s game against the Colts. On the plus side, the Dolphins can use their bye week to heal up.
Butler rejoined the Cowboys this year after his signing with the Cardinals did not work out. He talked a big game in free agency, but he’s appeared in just one game through ten weeks of the season.
To his credit, the well-traveled pass-catcher averaged 21.1 yards per catch last season with Dallas. That season also marked a new career high in yards (317) and matched his previous watermark for touchdowns (3).
Lions’ T.J. Lang Done For Year
Lions guard T.J. Lang has been placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury, according to a team announcement. The move will end Lang’s season and may mark the end of his time in Detroit. 
[RELATED: Vikings Claim Former Lions RB Ameer Abdullah]
Lang, 31, left the Packers in 2017 to sign with their divisional rival. At the time, the Packers were widely slammed for allowing Lang to get away, but they may have made the smart move in hindsight. Thanks to injuries, Lang missed three games last season and appeared in just six games this year.
This offseason, the Lions can release Lang to save $9MM against the cap. The move would leave them with just $2.6MM in dead money and it’s something of a no-brainer, despite the two-time Pro Bowler’s past accomplishments.
In a related move, the Lions promoted cornerback Mike Ford off the practice squad. Even after swapping Lang for Ford, the Lions have one more vacant spot to fill on their 53-man roster.
Bills Bring Back WR Deonte Thompson
The Bills signed wide receiver Deonte Thompson to a one-year contract, according to a team announcement. The deal marks Thompson’s third stint in Buffalo. 
Before Robert Foster went off for 105 yards against the Jets on Sunday, Thompson was the Bills’ most recent 100-yard receiver. Foster’s performance snapped a 19-game streak without a 100-yard performance dating back to when Thompson pulled it off on Oct. 22, 2017.
Thompson was cut by the Cowboys last week and became a free agent after clearing waivers. The Bills made a play to keep Thompson in the offseason, so they’re undoubtedly happy to have him back in the fold.
Thompson spent time with the Bills and Bears last year. Between the two clubs, he turned in the best season of his career with 38 grabs for 555 yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos also expressed interest in him in the offseason before he hooked on with Jerry Jones & Co.
Chargers’ Joey Bosa Returns To Practice
Joey Bosa could be nearing a return to the field. The star linebacker joined the Chargers for practice on Wednesday, albeit in a limited capacity. Bosa still may need time time to get in football shape, but it’s a positive development. 
[RELATED: Chargers’ Denzel Perryman Done For Year]
Bosa, 23, has been sidelined with a bone bruise all year long. Initially, doctors were hopeful that he would be able to suit up for Week 9, but the injury took longer than expected to heal.
The Chargers ranked third against the pass last season thanks in large part to Bosa, but they’ve somehow managed to stay afloat without him. The Bolts are 7-2 with their only losses coming against the Rams and Chiefs, two of the very best teams in the NFL.
In his first two NFL seasons, Bosa racked up a combined 23 sacks and 111 tackles. The Bolts have the former No. 3 overall pick under contract through 2019 and will control him through at least 2020 via the fifth year option.
Jackson Won’t Have Role In Bengals’ Offense
The Bengals hired Hue Jackson this week to serve as a “special assistant” under head coach Marvin Lewis. It was presumed that Jackson would be involved in the team’s offense, given his previous role as the team’s OC, but Lewis says that will not be the case (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell). 
[RELATED: Bengals’ Harris Designated For Return]
This likely means that Jackson will be covering some of Lewis’ day-to-day responsibilities as head coach. In turn, that will allow Lewis to focus more on the defense, where he is effectively serving as the team’s DC after the firing of Teryl Austin. Meanwhile, Bill Lazor will continue in his command of the offense.
Jackson’s first game back on the Bengals’ sideline will come on Sunday against the Ravens. After that, Jackson has the first of two potential revenge matchups against the Browns on Nov. 25.
Bengals’ Harris Designated For Return
Bengals cornerback Davontae Harris returned to practice on Wednesday, paving the way for him to return from IR. The move starts a three-week window for him to practice with the team. For now, he does not count against the 53-man roster, but he must be activated in the next 21 days in order for him to play this season. 
[RELATED: Bengals Hire Hue Jackson]
Harris, a fifth-round rookie, suffered a knee injury against the Cowboys in the preseason and has been sidelined for the last few months. The Illinois State product made some noise at the combine with a 4.43-second 40-yard-dash and a 4.4-second 20-yard shuttle, so the Bengals are curious to see what he can do.
The Bengals are starting Dre Kirkpatrick and William Jackson at the outside corner spots with Darqueze Dennard in the slot and Tony McRae, Darius Phillips, and KeiVarae Russell in support. One of those reserve corners may have to go if Harris is activated this year.
Colts’ Joe Haeg Designated For Return
The Colts’ offensive line is about to get even stronger. Tackle/guard Joe Haeg has been designated as the team’s second and final player to return from IR this year, per a team announcement. 
The third-year pro was placed on IR Sept. 28 after suffering an ankle injury in the Colts’ Week 3 loss to the Eagles. Prior to that, Haeg had started Indy’s first three games of the season at right tackle.
Even without Haeg, the Colts’ offensive line has been dominant as of late. Quarterback Andrew Luck has not been sacked in four straight games, and the Colts racked up 200 rushing yards in consecutive games against the Bills and Raiders.
Haeg’s skill set and versatility should only help to further bolster the Colts’ front five. The former fifth-round pick will probably spend the bulk of his time on the outside, but he can also move around a bit. As a rookie, he started games at left guard, right guard, and right tackle.
NFL Reinstates Jalen Collins, Darius Latham
The NFL has reinstated former Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins and former Raiders defensive tackle Darius Latham, the league announced. Both of their suspensions wrapped up on Tuesday, clearing the free agents to sign with an NFL team. 
Collins, a former second-round pick, flashed potential in his time with Atlanta. Unfortunately, multiple suspensions have derailed his career, including his most recent 10-game ban. Collins started eight games for the Falcons and played in 24. He also started all three of Atlanta’s games in the 2016 playoffs, including Super Bowl LI.
If not for his red flags, the 25-year-old likely would have been a first-round choice in 2015. He also might be a starting cornerback in Atlanta today.
Latham made a bigger impression for the 2016 Raiders, playing in 14 games and starting two, than he did last season. Thanks in part to his four-game suspension, Latham ended up playing in just three contests last year. He made 17 tackles as a rookie and has yet to record a sack. This year, the Raiders cut him just before Day 1 of the draft.