NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/3/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT Phil Hoskins
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Frank Darby
- Placed on IR: TE Parker Hesse
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DB DeAndre Houston-Carson, CB Tre Swilling, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Released: WRDontay Demus Jr.
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Herb Miller
- Released: WR Marcell Ateman
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Christian Matthew
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR Kendric Pryor
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Mikel Jones
Denver Broncos
- Released: WR Michael Bandy
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: S Christian Young
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB Darren Hall
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Mark Milton, WR Freddie Swain
New York Giants
- Released: RB Taiwan Jones
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Kalon Barnes, CB Tae Hayes, DB Craig James
- Released: OL Chris Glaser, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, CB Nehemiah Shelton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: LB Kyron Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OT Obinna Eze
- Released: RB Greg Bell, WR Jalen Camp
Taiwan Jones will now look to catch on elsewhere after getting let go by the Giants. The veteran joined New York’s practice squad back in August and was elevated for the first two games of the season, with Jones returning one kick and one punt. It’s been a bit since Jones last contributed on offense, but the veteran was a reliable special teams player for the Bills for half a decade (two stints).
Bears To Sign S Duron Harmon Off Ravens’ Practice Squad
Duron Harmon joined the Ravens’ practice squad in a bid to find playing time in 2023. Rather than doing so in Baltimore, however, he is set to see the field in Chicago. 
The Bears are expected to sign Harmon to their active roster, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The team had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move will be required. Harmon will give Chicago a needed depth option in the secondary, a unit which has been hit hard by injuries early in the season.
Safety Eddie Jackson was among the many defensive backs who missed the Bears’ Week 4 loss, and his availability for the team’s upcoming Thursday night game is in question. The same is true for cornerback Jaylon Johnson, whose absence on Sunday compounded that of Kyler Gordon and Josh Blackwell, both of whom are on injured reserve. The Bears signed former Viking Joejuan Williams last week to help their thin CB room.
Harmon could have seen time on the Ravens’ active roster (at least as a gameday elevation for a limited time) given Baltimore’s own injury troubles on the back end. Starting safety Marcus Williams suffered a pectoral injury in Week 1, and he has not seen the field since then. The 2022 free agent addition has elected to forego surgery, though, meaning he avoided an IR stint and is on track to return at some point in the campaign.
In Williams’ absence, special teamer Daryl Worley – who has seen time on and off Baltimore’s practice squad – was added to the Ravens’ active roster last month. The former Raiders starter suffered an injury in Week 4, however, which could leave Baltimore without much in the way of depth behind Kyle Hamilton and Geno Stone for the time being. It will be interesting to see if they make a taxi squad addition in Harmon’s absence.
The latter is best known for his tenure with the Patriots, a seven-year stretch which saw him win three Super Bowls. He has since had one-year stints with the Lions, Falcons and Raiders, logging over 1,000 snaps in each season. Harmon will likely have a path to immediate playing time in Chicago if he is able to suit up in time for the Bears’ next attempt to secure their first win of the campaign.
Ravens OLB David Ojabo Could Miss Remainder Of Season
The Ravens are already without David Ojabo for the next month, but his absence could be quite lengthy. The second-year edge rusher is in danger of missing the remainder of the season, head coach John Harbaugh indicated on Monday (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec). 
Ojabo is already on injured reserve, a move which ensured he will be sidelined for at least one month. Ankle and knee injuries are the cause of his absence, which began midway through Week 3. Harbaugh said the former second-rounder “has some decisions to make” regarding the direction of his recovery.
An Achilles tear suffered during Michigan’s Pro Day hurt Ojabo’s draft stock and forced him to miss most of his rookie season. He was limited to a pair of regular season games at the end of the year, as well as Baltimore’s wild-card postseason loss. The 23-year-old posted one sack and added a forced fumble in limited action in 2022.
Expectations were high for his follow-up campaign, given his production in his only full season with the Wolverines. Ojabo totaled 11 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles while playing opposite eventual No. 2 pick Aidan Hutchinson on the edge. Translating that production to the pro game has proven to be challenging for Ojabo, though he has had limited opportunities to do so.
In two-plus contests this year, he recorded one sack and a pair of QB pressures while logging a 38% snap share. Ojabo’s PFF grade (which sat at an impressive 81.5 in limited action last season) dropped to 59, a notable step down and a reflection of his second year jump not taking place as anticipated to start the year. If he returns this season, Ojabo’s ability to make a larger statistical impact will be a key story to follow.
In the meantime, Baltimore will lean on an edge rushing unit which contains veterans added on one-year deals (Jadeveon Clowney and, more recently, Kyle Van Noy) as well as fourth-round rookie Tavius Robinson and former UDFA Jeremiah Moon. Tyus Bowser – who is currently on the NFI list, but is now eligible to be designated for return at any point – will certainly be welcomed upon return.
If Ojabo does indeed miss the remainder of the season, he will have been limited to just six games across two years while failing to establish a full-time starting role. The potential he has flashed in his brief action will keep expectations high when he next takes the field, but it will be interesting to see how many insurance-type moves the Ravens make along the edge by the time that takes place.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/23
Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves ahead of tomorrow’s slate of Week 4 games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: RB Corey Clement, DL Eric Banks
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: DL Timmy Horne
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: RB Melvin Gordon, WR Laquon Treadwell
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: CB Dicaprio Bootle, S Matthias Farley
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DB A.J. Thomas
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: TE Tanner Hudson
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, QB P.J. Walker
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: C Brock Hoffman
- Elevated: LB Malik Jefferson, TE Sean McKeon
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Ben Niemann, RB Dwayne Washington
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: DT Khalil Davis, T Austin Deculus
- Released: S DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Elevated: T Geron Christian, OL Jimmy Morrissey
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: G Ike Boettger, WR Amari Rodgers
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Jacob Harris
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: LB Kana’i Mauga
- Placed on IR: LB Curtis Bolton
- Elevated: CB Tyler Hall, OLB Malik Reed
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: S Dean Marlowe, S A.J. Finley
- Placed on NFI list: C Corey Linsley (story), S JT Woods
- Elevated: WR Keelan Doss, DE Andrew Former
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Royce Freeman, WR Austin Trammell
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: WR Robbie Chosen, LB Cameron Goode
- Elevated: DE Chase Winovich
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR N’Keal Harry
New England Patriots
- Elevated: DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: S Johnathan Abram, CB Cameron Dantzler
New York Jets
- Elevated: OL Chris Glaser
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Tristin McCollum, P Braden Mann
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: P Brad Wing
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield, WR Willie Snead
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: CB Keenan Isaac, LB J.J. Russell
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: CB Shyheim Carter, TE Kevin Rader
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: RB Derrick Gore
Walker’s elevation comes amidst a degree of uncertainty regarding Deshaun Watson‘s Sunday availability. The latter is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he has expressed confidence he will be able to suit up. In the event he is unable to play, though, Walker will provide insurance under center. NFL Network’s James Palmer reports Watson will be a game-time decision.
Chosen, formerly Robbie Anderson, made his Dolphins debut in Week 3, scoring a 68-yard touchdown on his only catch. His performance – along with other depth wideouts currently being sidelined for Miami – will give the 30-year-old a longer look with his new team.
Gore’s elevation will give him the chance to see regular season game action for the first time since 2021. The former UDFA recorded 361 scrimmage yards with the Chiefs that season, but a subsequent IR stint marked the end of his time in Kansas City. Gore has since spent time on the Saints’, and now Commanders’, taxi squads. Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes that fellow depth back Chris Rodriguez has bee ruled out with an illness, opening the door to Gore seeing limited snaps.
Ravens Place OLB David Ojabo On IR
In a move which further explains the Kyle Van Noy addition, the Ravens announced on Saturday that edge rusher David Ojabo has been placed on injured reserve. The latter will be sidelined for at least four weeks as a result.
Ojabo picked up what the team has listed as a knee/ankle injury during their Week 3 loss, leaving his short-term availability in question. Today’s news means the ailment will require a multi-week recovery period, adding further to the 23-year-old’s injury history at the NFL level. Ojabo missed all but two regular season games and one playoff contest in his rookie season due to an Achilles tear suffered at Michigan’s 2022 Pro Day.
That injury led to Ojabo’s slide to the second round of the draft, but he flashed potential with a sack and a forced fumble in his limited action last year. The free agent departure of Justin Houston, coupled with Tyus Bowser‘s NFI designation to start the year, left the door open to signficant playing time in 2023. Ojabo had logged only a 38% snap share so far this season, but his absence will be acutely felt given the other injuries on the edge Baltimore is currently dealing with.
2021 first-rounder Odafe Oweh missed Week 3 with an ankle injury and it remains to be seen if he will be able to suit up tomorrow. With Bowser still sidelined for at least one more game, the Ravens will lean heavily on free agent addition Jadeveon Clowney, fourth-round rookie Tavius Robinson and former UDFA Jeremiah Moon for the time being. That will especially hold true now that Ojabo will be shut down until at least November.
Van Noy originally signed with the Ravens via their practice squad, but he has quickly been added to the active roster. With Ojabo sidelined, Van Noy will be in line for immediate playing time to begin his Baltimore tenure. The 32-year-old has been a consistent depth producer with three different AFC teams (Patriots, Dolphins, Chargers) recently, recording at least five sacks in five of the last six seasons. The Ravens will be hoping for a similar performance in 2023 as they remain thin on the edge for the time being.
Latest On Ravens’ Backfield Injuries
The Ravens are dealing with injuries throughout their offense, with wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman having already been ruled out for tomorrow’s game against the Browns (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). While Baltimore’s receiving corps may be in doubt, the team did get some good news regarding their running back depth.
Justice Hill is expected to play on Sunday against Cleveland, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. A toe injury kept Hill off the field for last weekend’s loss to the Colts.
The Ravens were really forced to dig into their running back depth against Indy. J.K. Dobbins, of course, has been ruled out for the season, and with Hill missing the contest, the Ravens were expected to lean heavily on Gus Edwards. However, the veteran suffered a concussion during that contest, and the Ravens ended up giving Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake a combined 40 snaps.
While Fowler notes that Gordon is still expected to be called up from the practice squad for Baltimore’s Week 4 game, it sounds like the team should be able to roll with their top-two options at the position. Edwards returned to practice this week, an indication that he’s cleared concussion protocol and should be good to go for this weekend.
With Hill also expected back, it will be interesting to see how the Ravens divvy up the RB snaps. Hill outsnapped Edwards when the two played alongside each other in Week 2 (43 to 32), and Hill also got more snaps when Dobbins went down during Week 1.
Ravens Sign Kyle Van Noy To Active Roster
After joining Baltimore’s practice squad earlier this week, Kyle Van Noy has already made his way to the active roster. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Ravens have signed the veteran linebacker to the active roster, a move that “positions him to be on the roster for the remainder of the season.”
Despite adding Jadeveon Clowney to the mix, the Ravens were still in need of some reinforcement on the edge. After sitting out Week 3, 2021 first-rounder Odafe Oweh is questionable for Week 4 with an ankle injury. Further, 2022 second-rounder David Ojabo suffered an ankle/knee injury in Week 3 that landed him on this week’s injury report. With Tyus Bowser still sitting on the NFI list, the Ravens were down a whole rotation-worth of players, leading to the Van Noy addition.
The acquisition certainly provides some veteran know-how to the Ravens pass-rushing corps, with the 32-year-old collecting 33.5 sacks in 126 career games. After flaming out in Detroit, the former second-round pick found a home in New England. Across two stints with the organization, Van Noy collected 27 regular-season and postseason sacks for the Patriots. After earning a pair of Super Bowl rings during his time with New England, Van Noy was named to the Patriots’ All-2010s Team.
After returning to the Patriots for the 2021 campaign, Van Noy spent the 2022 season with the Chargers. He ended up getting into all 17 games for his new squad, compiling 46 tackles and five sacks.
Considering Baltimore’s injury issues on the edge, Van Noy should play a role for the Ravens as soon as this weekend. However, considering his lack of special teams snaps in recent years, it’s uncertain how the veteran will fill in once the Ravens return to full health.
Colts’ Jonathan Taylor Still Aiming To Be Traded; Ravens Not Interested?
The Colts are coming close to the point when they will need to make a call on Jonathan Taylor. The former rushing champion can be activated from the reserve/PUP list next week, and he already could return to practice for the team.
While Taylor has shared a video of himself training at the Colts’ facility, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes the fourth-year running back has not changed his stance on playing for the team again. Taylor has sought a trade since July, and although the Colts halted talks before the deadline to set their initial 53-man roster, they have until Oct. 31 to unload him this year.
Just as Taylor wants a deal that leads him out of Indianapolis, Graziano adds the Colts have not adjusted their stance on an extension. Indy is not budging on that front, either. The Colts, who have the option of franchise-tagging Taylor in 2024, have not offered him a deal.
Zack Moss has fared well since returning from a broken arm, playing 98% of the team’s RB snaps in Week 2 and totaling 122 yards (on a career-high 30 carries) in the overtime win over the Ravens. While Taylor is undeniably better than Moss, this has not helped his cause or dispelled the notion that RBs can largely be easily replaced.
When the Colts engaged in trade talks in late August, doubt emerged about their desire to complete a deal. Jaylen Waddle surfacing in talks with the Dolphins sent up a red flag about the Colts’ true interest in moving on, and a Taylor path to Miami may be closing. The Dolphins just rushed for 350 yards in a historic decimation of the Broncos, and Mike McDaniel‘s team has received quality play from Raheem Mostert. De’Von Achane‘s first crack at regular work also produced a monster outing — 203 rushing yards, four touchdowns. Miami also has Jeff Wilson eligible to come off the PUP list next week, though it is uncertain if the ex-49er will be ready to do so. Summer’s top Taylor suitor does not seem to feature a need, having three backs tied to low-cost contracts.
The Ravens and Browns have lost their starters for the season. Cleveland also recently reunited with Kareem Hunt, potentially applying some heat on Baltimore to improve its situation. Barring a dramatic shift in their approach, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson notes the Ravens should not be considered an interested party. Injuries have forced Baltimore to add numerous veterans over the past few seasons — that list now includes Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake — but the team does not appear prepared to hand over a high draft choice and/or a lucrative extension for a running back. It no longer looks like the Colts are asking for a first-rounder to move Taylor, but there do not look to be many suitors.
Time may be running out for Taylor to continue his crusade. While the 2021 All-Pro has lobbied against playing for the Colts again, his options are limited. The Colts do not have to activate him from their PUP list next week, however, and the parties may continue to use the list as a way to keep trade talks alive. Taylor returning to a Colts team that has shown signs of life — after an abysmal 2022 — would be an important AFC South development, and an answer about his availability should be days away.
NFL Injury Updates: Carr, Kupp, Beckham
After taking a big shot to his throwing shoulder in a Week 3 loss to the Packers, Saints quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly unlikely to appear when New Orleans plays host to the Buccaneers this Sunday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Backup quarterback Jameis Winston is set to start in his place.
Carr wasn’t necessarily struggling in his debut season playing for any team other than the Raiders, but he wasn’t striving either. After winning the first two games of the season, Carr was only averaging 266.5 passing yards per game with one touchdown and two interceptions. Protection had been a bit of an issue as he had been sacked four times in each of his first two starts with the Saints. This past weekend, that questionable protection led to the shoulder injury that’s expected to hold him out of this week’s game.
Winston will now, once again, take the reins of the Saints’ offense. Over four years with the team, Winston has appeared in 15 games: five coming off the bench and 10 as a starter. In his first season as a full-time starter in New Orleans, Winston started the season 5-2 while throwing 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions before a torn ACL would end his 2021 season early. Last year, Winston started three games despite reports of fractures in his back and went 1-2 with four touchdowns and five interceptions before spending the rest of the season as QB2 behind Andy Dalton.
Winston will get his chance to prove he can still be an effective starter in the NFL this weekend while Carr recovers. According to Nick Underhill of neworleans.football, no consideration has taken place in respect to moving hybrid tight end Taysom Hill to quarterback this week.
Here are some other injury updates from around the league:
- ESPN’s Sarah Barshop provided an update today on the recovery timeline of Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. She reported that head coach Sean McVay told the media that it is “the hope” that Kupp will be able to come off of injured reserve as soon as he is eligible to in Week 5. Kupp has missed the first three games of the season due to a hamstring injury and will have to miss this weekend, too, due to his stint on IR. McVay was hesitant to make any promises that might pigeonhole his All-Pro wideout, but the update is surely encouraging news for the Rams’ offense.
- The injury woes will continue a little longer for Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. as ESPN’s Dan Graziano tells us that Beckham is likely to miss “another game or two” with the ankle injury that’s dogged him since the offseason. While Baltimore’s offense will have to do without Beckham, Graziano reports that running back Justice Hill has a chance to return this week from the toe injury that held him out of last week’s loss.
Ravens Sign LB Kyle Van Noy
SEPTEMBER 27: The Ravens finalized this agreement Wednesday. Van Noy is officially part of Baltimore’s 16-man practice squad. This will be the veteran defender’s fifth NFL destination, coming after stays with the Lions, Patriots, Dolphins and Chargers.
SEPTEMBER 26, 1:24pm: This visit will produce a quick agreement. Van Noy is signing a practice squad deal with the Ravens, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets. A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, Van Noy has excelled in a hybrid capacity for most of his career. The off-ball linebacker/pass rusher has notched at least five sacks in five of the past six seasons.
This P-squad agreement seems likely to precede Van Noy moving up to Baltimore’s active roster. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds the deal is not quite done but notes mutual interest exists.
11:49am: For the second time this year, Kyle Van Noy is set to head to Baltimore ahead of a potential deal. The veteran edge rusher is visiting the Ravens today, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. 
Van Not met with the Ravens in July, signaling that a contract could be on the horizon. That would have come as little surprise, given the team’s lack of experience in the pass-rushing department. Even with Jadeveon Clowney now in the picture, though, the team is in need of depth along the edge.
Tyus Bowser remains on the NFI list, leaving Baltimore without a full-time starter. His absence has since been compounded by injuries picked up by 2021 first-rounder Odafe Oweh, who missed Week 3, and 2022 second-rounder David Ojabo, who exited that contest due to an ankle ailment. Given the team’s lack of healthy bodies at the moment, Van Noy would likely be able to see notable playing time right away if he were to sign.
The 32-year-old remained a consistent producer during his stint with the Chargers last season. Van Noy posted five sacks, adding 14 pressures, eight tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Having logged a 70% snap share, he proved a continued ability to handle a large defensive workload split between inside and outside linebacker. The Ravens’ ILB tandem of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen is intact, however, so any Van Noy addition would see the latter used strictly in a pass-rushing capacity.
Pending the status of Oweh and Ojabo, the Ravens’ list of healthy edge rushers currently consists of Clowney, fourth-round rookie Tavius Robinson and former UDFA Jeremiah Moon. Van Noy, who has yet to take a known visit since his last Baltimore trek, would add considerable experience to that group while providing at least a depth presence when the team is at full health. With roughly $7.8MM in cap space, the Ravens should be able to afford a deal with the veteran on what would no doubt be a low-cost flier for the remainder of the campaign.