2020 NFL Opt Out Tracker
Per an agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, players with COVID-19 health concerns can opt out of the 2020 season. Initially, the deadline was believed to be Tuesday, August 4. Talks between the league and the union have pushed it to August 6.
Chiefs guard and medical school graduate Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was the first player to officially opt out. Scores of players followed.
Here’s the rundown, so far:
Baltimore Ravens
- OT Andre Smith (story)
- WR De’Anthony Thomas (story)
Buffalo Bills
- CB E.J. Gaines (story)
- DT Star Lotulelei (story)
Carolina Panthers
- LB Jordan Mack
- LB Christian Miller
Chicago Bears
- DT Eddie Goldman (story)
- S Jordan Lucas
Cincinnati Bengals
- T Isaiah Prince (story)
- DT Josh Tupou (story)
Cleveland Browns
- DT Andrew Billings
- T Drake Dorbeck
- G Colby Gossett
- G Drew Forbes
- G Malcolm Pridgedon
Dallas Cowboys
- CB Maurice Canady (story)
- WR Stephen Guidry
- FB Jamize Olawale
Denver Broncos
- DT Joel Heath
- DT Kyle Peko
Detroit Lions
- WR Geronimo Allison (story)
- DT John Atkins
- C Russell Bodine (story)
Green Bay Packers
- WR Devin Funchess (story)
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
- DB Rolan Milligan
- LB Skai Moore
- DB Marvell Tell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- DE Lerentee McCray
- CB Rashaan Melvin (story)
- DT Al Woods (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (story)
- T Lucas Niang (story)
- RB Damien Williams (story)
Las Vegas Raiders
- LB Ukeme Eligwe
- CB D.J. Killings
- DE Jeremiah Valoaga
Los Angeles Rams
Miami Dolphins
- WR Allen Hurns (story)
- WR Albert Wilson (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- NT Michael Pierce (story)
New England Patriots
- RB Brandon Bolden (story)
- T Marcus Cannon (story)
- S Patrick Chung (story)
- LB Dont’a Hightower (story)
- WR Marqise Lee (story)
- OL Najee Toran
- FB Danny Vitale (story)
New Orleans Saints
- TE Jason Vander Laan
- TE Cole Wick
New York Giants
- CB Sam Beal
- WR Da’Mari Scott
- T Nate Solder (story)
- CB Shakial Taylor
New York Jets
- WR Josh Doctson
- OL Leo Koloamatangi
- LB C.J. Mosley (story)
Philadelphia Eagles
San Francisco 49ers
- WR Travis Benjamin (story)
- OL Jake Brendel
- T Shon Coleman
Seattle Seahawks
- G Chance Warmack (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- T Brad Seaton
Tennessee Titans
- OL Anthony McKinney
Washington Football Team
Free agents
- G Larry Warford (story)
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/20
Here are today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: CB Rojesterman Farris, DE Austin Larkin, DE Bryson Young
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived/injured: TE Jacob Breeland
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: LB Mike Bell
Carolina Panthers
- Claimed off waivers: RB Trenton Cannon (Jets)
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: CB Cordrea Tankersley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed off waivers: TE Caleb Wilson (Washington)
- Placed on active/PUP: G Brandon Brooks
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/20
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here. For the running list of opt out decisions, check out PFR’s 2020 Opt Out Tracker.
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: OL Jake Benzinger, S Reggie Floyd, WR Rashad Medaris
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Jerell Adams
Cincinnati Bengals
- Released: WR Moritz Bohringer, RB Devwah Whaley
Cleveland Browns
- Released: RB Brian Herrien
Detroit Lions
- Claimed: DT Daylon Mack (from Ravens)
- Signed: DT Jashon Cornell
Green Bay Packers
- Released: QB Jalen Morton, FB Elijah Wellman
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: DB Jordan Brown, TE Paul Butler, K Dominik Eberle, LB Marquel Lee, C Erik Magnuson, LB Liam McCullough, WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): CB Picasso Nelson
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: WR Davion Davis, DB Kemon Hall
New Orleans Saints
- Released: WR Tommylee Lewis, DE Gus Cumberlander, S Chris Johnson, OG Adrian Magee, RB Taquan Mizzell, WR Maurice Harris, DT Taylor Stallworth
New York Jets
- Waived: OL Ben Braden, RB Trenton Cannon, OLB Wyatt Ray
San Francisco 49ers
- Re-Signed: DE Alex Barrett
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-Signed: DE Branden Jackson
- Waived: DL Josh Avery
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: G Zac Kerin
Washington Football Team
- Released: DE Cameron Malveaux, DB Maurice Smith, TE Caleb Wilson, RB Josh Ferguson
Ravens, Patriots Interested In Delanie Walker
One of the best tight ends left on the market is ready to go. Delanie Walker is 100% healthy and ready to play, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Walker sees the Ravens as a fit, per JLC, and the Patriots also have him on their radar, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter link). 
Walker – who turns 36 on Aug. 12 – has battled injuries over the past two seasons, but he still profiles as a useful weapon in the passing game and an adept blocker. The Colts, Packers, and Redskins were rumored to have interest in him earlier this year, but the Ravens may be among his top choices at this stage.
The Ravens’ offense relies heavily on tight ends and they could use some reinforcements after trading Hayden Hurst to the Falcons. They’re evaluating Walker, Jordan Reed, and other options as the season draws near, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears.
The Patriots, meanwhile, could use another TE following Matt LaCosse‘s decision to opt out. Currently, their group is headlined by third-round rookies Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, plus the relatively inexperienced Ryan Izzo. Both Walker and Reed would profile as low-risk, potentially high-reward signings to add veteran savvy.
Walker posted four straight 800-yard seasons from 2014-2017, but the 14-year veteran has played in just eight games since. The ankle injury he suffered in September 2018 held him back last season as well. In 2019, Walker finished out with 21 grabs for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/20
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: P Ryan Allen, C Austin Capps, OT Scottie Dill, TE Caleb Repp, LB Jordan Williams
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: DT Daylon Mack, P Dom Maggio
New York Giants
- Released: RB Jon Hilliman, LB Chris Peace, S Rashaan Gaulden and CB Shakial Taylor, QB Case Cookus, FB George Aston, LB Oluwole Betiku, LB Dana Levine
New Orleans Saints
- Released: WR Krishawn Hogan, CB Deatrick Nichols, RB Ricky Ortiz
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: QB J.T. Barrett, RB Ralph Webb, WR Quadree Henderson, OL Christian Montano, LB Christian Kuntz, LB Dewayne Hendrix, S Tyree Kinnel, DE Josiah Coatney
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/20
Teams continue to move their rosters toward 80 players, which will be the maximum by the time full practices begin. Here are the latest minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the afternoon:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: DT Daylon Mack, P Dom Maggio
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: LS Joe Fortunato
- Waived/injured: LB Azur Kamara
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: DT P.J. Johnson, T Koda Martin, WR Andre Patton, TE Jared Rice, S Roderic Teamer, TE Andrew Vollert
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: LB Daniel Bituli, RB James Gilbert, DE Greg Reaves, DT Sam Renner
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LS Rex Sunahara
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): WR Tony Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Nasir Player, WR Spencer Schnell
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/31/20
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: DB Jeff Hector
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed: K/P Tristan Vizcaino
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: WR Tony Brown, LB Jermaine Grace, DE George Obinna, DT Justin Zimmer
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: FB Jordan Jones, OL Cole Madson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: WR Aleva Hifo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: WR Jaydon Mickens
Tavon Young Back To Full Strength
- The Ravens will use Jimmy Smith in a matchup-based capacity. They are trying their longtime starting cornerback at safety and in the slot, John Harbaugh said. As of now, there is no plan to permanently move the veteran corner to safety. The Ravens are deep at cornerback, with Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey and slot man Tavon Young back in the fold. Young, however, has missed two of the past three full seasons. Harbaugh said the fifth-year corner is back to 100% after a neck injury last summer.
- Ravens rookie UDFA tight end Jacob Breeland will miss the 2020 season, Harbaugh confirmed. The Oregon product was one of the top contenders for Baltimore’s No. 3 tight end spot, per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec (subscription required).
Ravens Won’t Rule Out Antonio Brown
Maybe Lamar Jackson will get his wish after all. When asked about the possibility of signing Antonio Brown, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that he’s willing to “look at any and every player” and Brown is “no exception,” (Twitter link via Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network). Then, in reference to Brown’s murky status with the league office, Harbaugh addressed the obvious.
[RELATED: Ravens’ Jackson Still Pushing For Antonio Brown]
“I don’t think he’s available right now,” said the coach.
Jackson and Marquise Brown (AB’s cousin) would love to welcome Brown to Baltimore. Ditto for Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson. The NFL, it seems, is less than interested in bringing the controversial wide receiver back to the game. Brown’s investigation has dragged on for months and the league office has yet to provide his camp with meaningful status updates.
Brown, of course, has given the NFL a whole lot to sift through. Between the ugly allegations, legal entanglements, social media outbursts, retirements, and un-retirements, it’s hard to make sense of his situation.
The 32-year-old has tallied 841 receptions for 11,253 yards over the course of his career, which includes seven Pro Bowl appearances. At this moment, he’s aiming for a return in 2020, despite previous concerns about the health “risk [being] greater than the reward.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/29/20
Teams continue to make moves as players report to training camps, with many opting to pare their rosters from 90 to 80 players well before the mid-August deadline. Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-signed: G Parker Ehinger
Chicago Bears
- Waived/injured: CB Tre Roberson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived/injured: DT Ryan Glasgow
Cleveland Browns
- Waived/injured: DE Trevon Young
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed off waivers (from Bills) OL Garrett McGhin
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: OL Jovahn Fair, DT Braxton Hoyett, DB Jalen Julius, FB/TE John Lovett, P Tyler Newsome, LB Bryan Wright
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): DT Ray Smith
- Waived: CB Ryan Lewis
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/retired list: RB Jalin Moore