Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/15
With Week 8’s slate of games around the corner, NFL teams are getting their rosters ready for their upcoming contests. Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions from around the league:
- The Texans cut Mike McFarland from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Wilson tweets.
- A day after being cut by the Colts, safety and special-teamer Dewey McDonald has been claimed off waivers by the Patriots, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, adding that New England will need to open a roster spot to make it official.
Earlier updates:
- The Ravens have placed rookie receiver Darren Waller on injured reserve, ending his season, per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). Offensive tackle De’Ondre Wesley has been promoted to the active roster to give the team some depth, as Eugene Monroe battles a shoulder injury.
- The Jets have also made a move to provide insurance for a banged-up offensive lineman, elevating Wesley Johnson to their active roster, according to the team (Twitter link). Veteran center Nick Mangold suffered a neck injury against the Patriots, though he may not have to miss much – if any – time.
- As expected, the Buccaneers – who will be without Louis Murphy for the rest of the season and Vincent Jackson in the short term – have promoted wide receiver Adam Humphries from their practice squad, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
- The Jaguars have signed linebacker Hayes Pullard from off the Browns’ practice squad, waiving linebacker James-Michael Johnson to clear a space on their roster, according to John Oehser of Jaguars.com (Twitter link).
- Having been cut from the 53-man roster on Saturday, wide receiver T.J. Graham re-signed with the Saints today, per Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune. Graham takes the roster spot that opened up when New Orleans waived cornerback Sammy Seamster.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/28/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB Terrence Magee, T Marcel Jones (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Chance Casey (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com)
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Daryl Richardson (link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
New England Patriots
- Signed: S Ross Ventrone (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Quanterus Smith (Twitter link via team)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: G Ryan Groy (link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times); DT Derrick Lott, LB Julian Stanford (Twitter link via Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune)
NFC South Notes: Panthers, S. Smith, Martin
Here’s tonight’s look at the NFC South:
North Notes: Lions, Lombardi, S. Smith
Lions coach Jim Caldwell told reporters, including Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter), that he did not consider take over play calling duties after deciding to let go of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. While the offense won’t be revamped in a couple of days, he says that he does anticipate some schematic change taking place (link).
Caldwell also explained that he wasn’t told to make any of these coaching decisions and that team leadership council is not consulted in these types of situations, per Justin Rogers of MLive.com (on Twitter). Considering the head coach said earlier in the day on Monday that no coaching changes were coming, he either had an abrupt about-face, or wasn’t telling the whole truth either then or now.
Here’s more from the North divisions..
- No one should be surprised if Steve Smith plays next season, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com writes. Hensley theorizes that if the Ravens believed that Smith is retiring then they would entertain trade offers for him in the midst of this lost season. By holding on to him, the Ravens may have a chance to persuade him to return. Even at the age of 36, Smith has 18 more catches than anyone else on the Ravens, and his 510 yards receiving are nearly two times as much as any teammate.
- Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun also believes that the Ravens are hanging on to Smith in an effort to talk him out of retirement and he endorses that plan, particularly with the team’s dearth of quality options at wide receiver. Beyond that, Zrebiec believes that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti is aware of Smith’s popularity and that he doesn’t want to see the team’s attendance suffer for the rest of the year for the sake of acquiring a late-round draft pick.
- Bears coach John Fox says that the release of Jay Ratliff was “in the best interest of the team,” as ESPN.com’s Jeff Dickerson writes. Fox didn’t elaborate on the incident that led to Ratliff’s release, but he did indicate that it was on the precipice of becoming a major issue. “That’s why you have security,” Fox said. “That’s why things are in place. Sometimes if you think you need that, that’s what you do for the safety of your building.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/15
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves..
- The Ravens promoted wide receiver Jeremy Butler from the taxi squad and waived running back Terrence Magee, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (via Twitter). Butler, 24, played college football at the University of Tennessee Martin and went undrafted in 2014.
- The Chargers have waived cornerback Chris Davis off IR, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter).
- The Titans will re-sign tight end Chase Coffman and release wide receiver Rico Richardson, as Jim Wyatt of Titans Online tweets. Richardson will be brought to the practice squad, as Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com tweets. Over the weekend, Richardson was promoted from the taxi squad and Coffman was cut to make room.
- Jaiquawn Jarrett cleared waivers and was added to the Jets’ IR, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- The Saints cut cornerback Sammy Seamster, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
Ravens Don’t Plan On Trading Steve Smith
FRIDAY, 12:22pm: Ravens head coach John Harbaugh confirmed today that the team has no plans to trade Smith, telling reporters, “There is no chance of that. I wouldn’t part with him” (Twitter link). According to Smith, he would retire immediately if the Ravens traded him: “I like to finish what I started” (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun).
THURSDAY, 5:08pm: Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. said earlier this week that he’s “still on schedule” to retire at season’s end and that has led some to speculate that the 1-5 Ravens might move him to a contender for his final campaign. However, a source told Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports that such a deal is unlikely to happen. In fact, Baltimore is more likely to try and convince him to change his mind about retiring and return for the 2016 season.
Smith has already talked things over with GM Ozzie Newsome, according to the report, and Newsome informed Smith that he won’t be going anywhere between now and the trade deadline on November 3rd. Smith, 36, has 36 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns through five ames. The 510 yards put him 12th in the NFL despite him missing a full game with four broken bones in his back, and his 102 receiving yards per game place him fourth in the league among qualified receivers.
With Smith likely off the trade market, that eliminates one receiver possibility for the 6-0 Packers, who are without Jordy Nelson for the 2015 season. The 5-0 Panthers are another team that could use help at the position, but it was hard to imagine a reunion there anyway given the frosty relationship between Smith and GM Dave Gettleman.
Smith signed a three-year contract with the Ravens prior to the 2014 season and remains under contract for 2016. Interestingly, Edholm hears from a source that Newsome is believed to have told Smith that the team has no intentions of trying to recoup any of his prorated signing bonus – $3.5MM – for not fulfilling the final year of his deal.
“[Smith] trusts them,” the source told Yahoo Sports. “I don’t think he’d be happy if they did suddenly trade him out of the blue, but he believes they have no plans of that anyway.”
The question now is – can the Ravens convince Smith to play out that 2016 season? While Smith seems comfortable in his decision, another season playing at a high level could further strengthen his chances of going to the Hall of Fame. Smith seems likely to bypass several notable names to place ninth in all-time receiving yards, but he may need more games to leapfrog the likes of Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison.
AFC Notes: S. Smith, McClain, Revis, Manziel
There has been speculation the Ravens might try to talk wide receiver Steve Smith out of his plan to retire after the season or that Smith will change his mind. However, the veteran says that nothing has changed. “I’m on schedule for what I discussed earlier in the year,” the wide receiver said, according to Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com.
Here’s more from the AFC..
- If Smith is still retiring, the Ravens should trade him to a contender, Mike Florio of PFT opines. The Ravens are at 1-5 and, for all intents and purposes, they’re probably done in 2015. Florio suggests that the Packers would be a great fit for a savvy veteran like Smith.
- Free agent cornerback Robert McClain has worked out or visited eight teams since being cut on September 5th, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The veteran’s latest visit was to the Steelers on Wednesday, per Yates. McClain’s recent visits have also included the Bears and Saints.
- Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis told reporters, including Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter), that he never expected to return to the Patriots this past offseason. “No, the number was too high,” the corner said.
- Johnny Manziel should be on paid leave from the Browns for his recent altercation with his girlfriend, Christine Brennan of USA Today Sports writes. Manziel’s girlfriend declined to press charges over the matter and the all of the facts are still unknown, but Brennan feels that the former Texas A&M star should be sidelined until everything comes to light.
- On the Quick Slants podcast, CSNNE’s Tom E. Curran, Phil Perry, and Adam Hart discussed the Patriots secondary and the possibility of making an addition via trade.
North Notes: Finley, Levy, Robinson, Pitta
In an interview with Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, former Packers tight end Jermichael Finley discussed his decision to retire, explaining that some time away from the game helped him put things in perspective.
“Just watching games, the game is getting violent,” Finley said. “Every week you see something. In high school, you see a kid dying in a football game. I see someone in the NFL getting another neck injury or an ACL. Outside looking in, it’s not all that it’s made it to be. We’re so locked in as football player, it started to become our reality in life.”
While Finley wouldn’t confirm whether he was able to collect the $10MM insurance policy he took out before suffering his 2013 neck injury, he said he’s in a good place financially.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s North divisions:
- Lions head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters today that linebacker DeAndre Levy underwent surgery on his hip and is doing fine. However, the team has yet to make a decision on whether or not Levy will go on IR, ending his season (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
- Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson, who opened the season on the physically unable to perform list, is returning to practice this week, which means the club will have a three-week window in which to activate him, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
- Another player who opened the year on the PUP list, Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta, returned to practice today, as Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun tweets. Baltimore now has a three-week window to either activate Pitta and shut him down for the year, so the tight end – who admits that some people have urged him not to play again – will see how his hip feels and consult with family and doctors before making a decision (Twitter links via Zrebiec).
AFC Notes: Broncos, Mariota, Yanda
In case you were too busy watching playoff baseball, here are a few AFC stories you might have missed this Tuesday:
- The Broncos are being held back by more than quarterback Peyton Manning, and people around the league tell Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) that they believe Denver should trade for a tight end. Cole has heard the name of Rams tight end Jared Cook mentioned as someone who would be a good fit, but it’s unknown whether St. Louis would entertain trade offers. 49ers tight end Vernon Davis could be another player that would make sense for Denver.
- The Titans are willing to give quarterback Marcus Mariota extra time to heal up, since they feel comfortable with using Zach Mettenberger as a fill-in, according to Cole (video link). Not only do the Titans feel that Mettenberger can be a capable quarterback in the short-term, but they are also eager to get him out there so that he can show his stuff to other teams in need of a quarterback. If Mettenberger looks good under center, he’ll increase his trade value and Tennessee could get something of worth in return for him.
- Marshal Yanda‘s contract extension is a win-win for the Ravens and the Pro Bowl guard, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun writes. Yanda inked a four-year, $37.4MM extension late last week, giving him $17.8MM in guaranteed cash. The deal doesn’t make him the highest-paid guard in the league, but it did give him additional financial security. As for the Ravens, they were able to lock up a four-time Pro Bowl selection and prevent him from hitting the open market. Yanda was due to become a free agent following the season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/20/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Cut: DE Lawrence Okoye (Twitter link via Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DE Nordly Capi, CB Sheldon Price (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
- Cut: RB Akeem Hunt
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Titus Davis (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: Brian Leonhardt (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post)
- Cut: Ty Zimmerman
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Darius Eubanks, NT Casey Walker (Twitter links via Wilson)
- Cut: RB Gus Johnson (Twitter link via Wilson)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Marion Grice, WR Ryan Spadola (Twitter links via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: QB Matt Blanchard (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of IndySportsCentral.com
- Cut: QB Alex Tanney (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB/DE Steven Means (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: RB Daryl Richardson (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Craig Loston, WR Rasheed Bailey (Twitter link via John Oehser of Jacksonville.com)
- Cut: QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link via Oehser)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Josh Keyes, WR Fred Williams (Twitter links via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: WR Kenny Cook
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Trovon Reed (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Ryan Seymour (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate)
- Moved to PS-IR: OL Cyril Lemon (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune)
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Jerome Cunningham (Twitter link via his Howard Shatsky)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: DL Chuka Ndulue (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Keon Lyn, CB Dax Swanson, T Martin Wallace (press release)
- Cut: DT Derrick Lott
Washington
- Signed: RB Mack Brown (Twitter link via Mike Jones of the Washington Post)
- Cut: LB Nico Johnson (Twitter link via Jones)