Panthers Cut K Roberto Aguayo
Roberto Aguayo‘s NFL journey will continue elsewhere. The Panthers have released the former second-round kicker from the practice squad, as Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweets. In related practice squad moves, the team has also cut running back Jalen Simmons while signing tight end Kent Taylor and wide receiver Rasheed Bailey. 
The Buccaneers gave up on their investment in Aguayo after a dreadful rookie season. When the Bucs cut him in the summer, the Bears (for some reason) claimed him off waivers and assumed his contract. In September, the Bears threw in the towel on the FSU product and put themselves on the hook for upwards of $400K in guaranteed salary.
In 2016, Aguayo, made only 22-of-31 field goal attempts (71%) and missed two extra points. It was a huge disappointment for the Bucs, particularly since they traded up to draft him.
Cardinals Sign OT Khalif Barnes
The Cardinals have reinforced the offensive line in the wake of Jared Veldheer‘s season-ending injury. The team announced the signing of Khalif Barnes on Tuesday. 
Barnes, 35, was signed and released multiple times by the Saints over the course of the 2016 season, but he never appeared in a game for them. This offseason, he was among the team’s final cuts in early September. Now in Arizona, the 35-year-old will hope to see his first regular season action since January 3, 2016.
The former second-round pick is well past his prime, but he does offer experience at both tackle positions as well as guard. That versatility could come in handy as interior lineman Earl Watford is also on IR. Barnes has 117 career starts to his credit, but how, where, and when the Cardinals use him remains to be seen.
Redskins Place TE Jordan Reed On IR
The Redskins placed tight end Jordan Reed on injured reserve, according to a team announcement. Running back Byron Marshall and linebacker Chris Carter are also headed to IR. 
[RELATED: Redskins’ Su’a Cravens To Return]
Reed has long been considered one of the league’s top talents at the tight end position. Unfortunately, he has been plagued by nagging injuries and concussion issues. Since entering the league in 2013, Reed has appeared in only 52 regular season games out of a possible 80.
Reed’s true break out season came in 2015 when he had 87 catches for 952 yards and 11 scores (all career highs) in 14 games. In the following offseason, the Redskins rewarded him with a five-year extension worth $46.5MM. In order for Reed to make that deal worthwhile for Washington, he’ll have to find a way to stay on the field. He’s slated to return in 2018 with a cap number of $10.3MM. In theory, the Redskins can save $4.9MM by releasing him, but that would be a surprising move on their part.
As we learned over the weekend, Carter will undergo surgery to repair a broken fibula in his right leg. Marshall, meanwhile, has been dealing with a hamstring issue.
In related moves, the Redskins promoted linebackers Otha Peters and Pete Robertson as well as running back Kapri Bibbs from the practice squad. To replenish the taxi squad, they signed running back Dare Ogunbowale, linebacker Alex McCalister, and safety Orion Stewart.
49ers Sign WR Max McCaffrey
The 49ers are signing wide receiver Max McCaffrey off of the Packers’ practice squad, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The move allows Max to join one of his father’s former teams and, more importantly, give him a chance to see live NFL action once again. 
[RELATED: Jimmy Garropolo Extension Not Expected Until Offseason]
McCaffrey has bounced around a bit in his young NFL career. He has dressed for only five contests so far, all of which came with the Jaguars earlier this year.
The 23-year-old is no longer waiting in the wings for a potential playoff team, but he’ll have an opportunity to show the 49ers and the rest of the league that he is worthy of a 53-man roster spot next fall.
In his final year at Duke, McCaffrey caught 52 passes for 643 yards and five touchdowns, all collegiate career highs.
RG3 Claims He Nearly Signed With Ravens
Robert Griffin III wasn’t able to land an NFL contract this year, but he says he was close. In an appearance on ESPN, RG3 said that he almost wound up playing for the Ravens (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). The quarterback added that he has had “interesting offers” from other teams as well. 
It’s not clear exactly how close the Ravens were to signing Griffin, despite his claims. In July, it was reported that the Ravens considered bringing Griffin in for a workout, but those plans were said to be 86’d. At that stage of the offseason, there was some uncertainty about Joe Flacco’s health. Fortunately for Baltimore, Flacco has started all 13 games so far and Ryan Mallett – who was shaky in training camp – has remained on the bench.
Given the lack of overall interest in Griffin this past year, we’re not expecting a booming market for his services in 2018. However, a few teams will probably be willing to kick the tires on him if he can demonstrate that he is healthy.
If the NFL market lags, he could always consider a CFL stint. North of the border, his rights are owned by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Bucs’ Brent Grimes Pondering Retirement
Brent Grimes is still playing football at a high level, but he’s not sure if he’ll continue in 2018. The Buccaneers cornerback says he’ll consider retirement in the offseason. 
“I haven’t thought about it. When the season’s over, I will,” said Grimes (via ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine). “I’m playing right now. I’m thinking about the Falcons and then who we’ve got after that — the Panthers, I think, I’ll be thinking about them. And then [the Saints]. When it’s over, I’ll be thinking about stuff like that.”
Grimes has been slowed by a shoulder injury this year, but he has still managed three interceptions and a top-60 ranking from Pro Football Focus among qualified cornerbacks. Last year, he led the league with 17 pass breakups. The 34-year-old might not be a No. 1 CB type anymore, but he’s still starting caliber.
After eleven years in the league, Grimes won’t be hurting for money if he walks away. Then again, the allure of winning his first ever Super Bowl ring could bring him back to the field.
Grimes’ two-year deal expires at the end of the year, meaning that he is scheduled to reach free agency in March.
Wisconsin LB Jack Cichy To Enter NFL Draft
Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy was eligible for a medical redshirt in 2018. Instead, he’s going pro. 
“At the end of the day, whatever comes next for me, I mainly just want to make Wisconsin proud,” Cichy wrote in a piece for The Players’ Tribune. “I want to be the next guy people point to as someone who came to Madison as an unknown, worked his tail off and then became a mainstay in the NFL. I want to be like Jim Leonhard and J.J. and so many other guys who came here with a far-fetched dream and then achieved greatness. I want to uphold that legacy. But mainly, I just want to make all of Wisconsin proud. I’m a Badger for life.”
Cichy suffered an ACL tear in the summer that prevented him from seeing the field. That was tough news for Wisconsin fans to swallow but also a disappointment for the many NFL scouts who had him on the radar. Before the injury, Cichy was viewed as a first-round prospect. If he can demonstrate that he has fully recovered from the tear, he’ll likely garner top-32 consideration once again.
The 6’2″, 223-pound athlete began his collegiate career as a walk-on. The undersized scrapper turned out to be a star for the Badgers and eventually became a team captain. In 2016, he had 60 tackles and seven tackles for a loss before a torn pectoral muscle cost him the second half of the season. Thanks to injuries, Cichy has not seen the field since Oct. 22, 2016.
Steelers Formally Place Ryan Shazier On IR
The Steelers announced that they have placed Ryan Shazier on the reserve/injured list. This was the expected move after Shazier suffered a serious spinal injury earlier this month. 
Shazier recently underwent spinal stabilization surgery. He’s currently focused on his overall recovery and it will be a while before we get a read on his football future.
“Unfortunately Ryan will not be able to contribute on the field during the remainder of this season,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “However, even off the field Ryan will continue to be one of our team leaders. We know his spirit and positive outlook will help him to continue in his recovery, as well as serve as an inspiration to our team.”
Shazier, 25, has been a staple of the Steelers’ defense since being drafted as a first-round pick in 2014. Last year, the linebacker earned his first ever Pro Bowl nod. This year (prior to his injury) he set a new career high with 89 tackles.
We here at PFR wish Shazier the best in his recovery.
Devin Hester Announces Retirement
We had a feeling that Devin Hester was done with football, but we didn’t have official confirmation – until now. The legendary return man took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce that his playing days are over. 
Hester leaves the game with an unparalleled highlight reel and several records that may never be broken. Hester’s 20 combined kick return touchdowns are an NFL record, as are his 14 punt return TDs. He also holds the single-season record for most return touchdowns with six.
Hester immediately made a mark on the league when he was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. As a rookie, Hester returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. He also returned the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI 92 yards for a TD, a game that the Bears would go on to lose. When hinting at retirement in January, Hester indicated that he was disappointed to be leaving the sport without a ring.
Late last year, Hester hooked on with the Seahawks to take one more shot at Super Bowl glory. Seattle came up short in the divisional round, but Hester left on a personal high note as he returned five kickoffs for 194 yards with a long of 78 yards. He also had an impressive punt return negated by a safety.
Hester might not have the championship he was after, but he leaves the game with four Pro Bowl nods and three first-team All-Pro selections. He’s also likely to become the first player enshrined in the Hall of Fame solely as a return man.
Redskins’ Su’a Cravens To Return
Redskins safety Su’a Cravens is coming back. On Tuesday morning, the safety’s agent released a statement announcing that Cravens will return to football in 2018. 
“My client suffered from Post Concussion Syndrome and, under the care of Dr. Michael Collins as the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Su’a has undergone targeted treatment and rehabilitation. He is now asymptomatic and cleared to return back to all things football. Su’a is excited and looking forward to the 2018 NFL season and the many years to follow,” agent Fadde Mikhail wrote.
Noticeably absent from Mikhail’s statement is any mention of the Redskins. Right now, it’s unclear whether the Redskins want Cravens back. The team had high hopes for Cravens this year, but he decided to retire days before the season opener. He later reversed that decision, but the Redskins held him out for the entire season by placing him on the reserve/left squad list.
Cravens, a second round pick in the 2016 draft, played as something of a hybrid linebacker in 2016. He wound up playing on 36.5% of Washington’s defensive snaps while playing primarily in coverage. Through ten games (three starts), Cravens recorded 22 tackles, one sack, one interception, and five passes defensed, all while grading as the league’s No. 27 linebacker, per Pro Football Focus. This year, he was set to focus more on the secondary.