Latest On Von Miller
The Bills’ first padded practice took place on Monday, giving safety Damar Hamlin the opportunity to reach another checkpoint in his encouraging recovery process. It also marked an chance for the team to update the status of their edge rushing anchor. 
Von Miller remains on the PUP list while he continues to rehab the ACL tear which ended his debut season in Buffalo. The 34-year-old has provided optimism on the matter of his Week 1 availability on multiple occasions this offseason, indicating that he feels he will be recovered in full by the season opener. General manager Brandon Beane is also encouraged by Miller’s progress.
Beane said there is “definitely a possibility” the future Hall of Famer will be in the lineup for Week 1 when speaking to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (h/t NFL.com). He cautioned, however, that the team is “not quite there” with respect to deciding on how to proceed with Miller, who was limited to 11 games last season. The latter is on the active/PUP list, meaning he can be activated at any time during training camp.
Miller is familiar with ACL recoveries, having gone through the same process during his highly-decorated Broncos tenure. He was able to return to All-Pro form the first time, and doing so again would be crucial to the Bills’ short- and long-term success. The eight-time Pro Bowler is entering the second season of his six-year, $120MM deal signed last offseason, and he will be the key member of Buffalo’s pass-rushing unit upon return.
A cautious approach with Miller (who earlier in the offseason labeled Week 6 as the latest point at which he would make his 2023 debut) would come as little surprise given his importance, as well as the team’s depth on the edge. Buffalo signed Leonard Floyd last month in a deal which was agreed to independent of Miller’s status. The former will join Gregory Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa and Carlos Basham Jr. as pass-rushing options to compliment Miller when he is healthy. If things stay on their current course, Buffalo could have a full array of edge defenders available when the season kicks off.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/30/23
Here are the minor moves around the league to wrap up the weekend:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Godwin Igwebuike
Buffalo Bills
- Waived with injury settlement: CB Cameron Dantzler
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: T Devin Cochran
Cleveland Browns
- Reverted to IR from waived/injured: CB BoPete Keyes
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Izaiah Gathings, CB Anthony Witherstone
- Placed on IR: S Nazeeh Johnson
- Waived/injured: LB Isaiah Moore
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: RB Royce Freeman
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from PUP: T Isaiah Wynn
New York Giants
- Activated from NFI: WR Jamison Crowder
- Activated from PUP: WR Sterling Shepard
New York Jets
- Activated from PUP: WR Randall Cobb
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on reserve/retired list: FB Monte Pottebaum
- Waived: T Jarrid Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from PUP: TE Noah Fant
Igwebuike, the former safety-turned-running back, likely won’t have a role in a crowded running backs room that currently includes rookie top-ten pick Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, and Cordarrelle Patterson. He does have some experience on kick return, where he could compete with Patterson and Avery Williams for a role.
The Rams added some quality, experienced depth today in Freeman. While he’s failed to reach the success he found as a primary backup in his first two seasons, Freeman should have plenty of tread on the tires at only 27 years old with minimal usage over the past three years. Behind starter Cam Akers, Los Angeles only has second-year Kyren Williams and rookie sixth-rounder Zach Evans, so bringing in an experienced backup like Freeman should be beneficial.
The Giants add two depth pieces back to their beat-up receiving corps. Getting them back into the fold will be beneficial for training camp. Meanwhile, across the way, new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will get to work with his old teammate, Cobb, once again.
The retirement of Pottebaum comes as a bit of a shock so early into camp. The Iowa-product was a part of Pittsburgh’s small, seven-man undrafted free agent class this year. Not only that, but heading into camp, Pottebaum was also the only fullback listed on the roster. He was in attendance for the Steelers’ first week of training camp, as well, but now appears to be on his way out. This doesn’t leave Pittsburgh completely high and dry as the team was already exploring the option of utilizing tight end Connor Heyward in a role more similar to what he played in college. Heyward could earn a much larger role in his sophomore season by taking on a few more snaps at fullback.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/29/23
Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB David Anenih
- Released: CB Dylan Mabin
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Kemoko Turay
- Released: LB Dorian Etheridge
- Placed on exempt/left squad list: DT Eddie Goldman (story)
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-assigned to NFI list: CB Trayvon Mullen
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: CB Cameron Dantzler
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from NFI: G Colby Gossett
- Waived (injury designation): CB BoPete Keyes
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: WR Tom Kennedy
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Titans): OL James Empey
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: OL Dylan Deatherage
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: CB Cole Coleman
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: DT Vernon Butler
With Butler being moved from the NFI list to injured reserve, he is out for the season. The former first-rounder signed a futures deal with New York in January, after spending the past campaign on and off the team’s practice squad. He made just one appearance for the Giants in 2022, and will be four years removed from his career-best six-sack season with the Panthers in 2019. Butler, 29, has started 19 of his 77 career regular season games.
Dalvin Cook Receiving Interest From “About Five” Teams
JULY 29: Cook went on ESPN today to discuss his visit plans prior to tomorrow’s date with the Jets. According to Rich Cimini of the network, Cook confirmed tomorrow’s plans but claimed that, as of right now, no other visits are in the books. He did say that “thing are definitely heating up,” and a Patriots visit has been rumored for a couple days now, so there’s a chance he could be shipping up to Boston in the coming days, as well.
As for the Jets, Cook pointed to their roster as a factor that piqued his interest. The team, the coaching staff, and the prospect of playing in an offense with Rodgers all certainly contributed to his desire to take tomorrow’s visit. It will be interesting to see if he comes away from New York tomorrow with a new deal or not.
JULY 28: Since being released by the Vikings back in early-June, veteran running back Dalvin Cook has been a bit hush-hush about his free agency. Rumors and speculations have come from all over without any hint of how much was true, but today, during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Cook informed Patrick that “probably about five” teams have shown legitimate interest in acquiring his talents.
As soon as Cook was released, early speculation was pointed at his hometown Dolphins and the Broncos. It was established fairly soon after that Denver was unlikely to bring Cook aboard. The team apparently felt confident in a 1-2 punch of the recovering Javonte Williams and career-RB2 Samaje Perine. There seemed to be quite a bit of back and forth between Cook and Miami, but in the end, the Dolphins never gave Cook an offer worth taking.
As the weeks rolled on with no deal, two other AFC East teams entered the fold as the Jets and Patriots began to show interest. Both teams have been active in adding new talent this offseason. The Patriots added JuJu Smith-Schuster to their wide receiving corps and seemingly finished second in the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes. Adding Cook to a backfield led by Rhamondre Stevenson could be extremely attractive for new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
New York added wide receivers Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb to a corps that already rostered Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis. All these weapons were brought in to provide new quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a strong offensive cast. They do have a solid, if not unproven, group of running backs in Breece Hall, Michael Carter, and rookie Israel Abanikanda. Adding a veteran like Cook could be beneficial for the room, but it certainly isn’t a necessity. Cook is set to visit the Jets this Sunday.
So, who are the five teams? Assuming the Broncos, who ruled themselves out early, aren’t on the list, the Dolphins, Jets, and Patriots should make up three of those teams. The fourth AFC East team, the Bills, was mentioned as a possibility as Cook entertained the idea of playing with his little brother, James, according to Zach Dimmitt of Sports Illustrated.
It’s unclear who the fifth team would be. Our early speculations listed the Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Commanders as early possibilities, but no serious interest has been reported from any of these teams. Regardless of who the fifth suitor happens to be, it still seems like there is at least an 80 percent chance that Cook ends up in the AFC East.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/28/23
Here are today’s minor moves from around the league as we head into the weekend:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released with NFI designation: CB Trayvon Mullen
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Kyron Brown, WR Andy Isabella
- Waived/injured: CB Cameron Dantzler
- Waived: WR Jalen Wayne
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: RB Tiyon Evans
Denver Broncos
- Activated from PUP: WR Kendall Hinton
- Signed: WR Michael Bandy
- Waived: WR Nick Williams
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Trey Quinn
- Waived/injured: WR Tom Kennedy
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: OLB Jonathan Garvin
Houston Texans
- Waived: OL Dylan Deatherage
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived/injured: LB Sterling Weatherford
New England Patriots
- Activated from PUP: DE DaMarcus Mitchell
New York Jets
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: WR Diontae Spencer
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Wayne Taulapapa
- Waived: CB Montrae Braswell
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: OL James Empey
Mullen was placed on the NFI list two days ago. Apparently, his failure to disclose the non-football injury led to his release. Claimed off of waivers early into the offseason this year, Mullen has spent a good amount of time in Baltimore but has yet to see any game time. The Ravens hoped he might add some depth to their secondary, but with today’s transaction, the former second-round pick hits the free agent market.
Dantzler, a former third-round pick in Minnesota, also finds himself available in free agency after a short stint with the Bills. After signing with his second team of the offseason last month, Dantzler was waived with an injury designation.
Bills, Eagles Work Out WR N’Keal Harry
Although N’Keal Harry went through another injury-abbreviated season in 2022, teams are still checking in on the former first-round pick. The veteran wide receiver has spent his week back in the Eastern Time Zone, going through multiple workouts.
The Eagles and Bills brought in Harry for auditions this week, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport (Twitter links). Harry, 25, spent last season with the Bears, arriving in Chicago after a July trade. A year later, the ex-Patriots draftee is unattached.
After a Denzel Mims-esque duration in trade rumors, Harry ended up with the Bears just before their 2022 training camp. But more injury trouble followed him from Foxborough. The Arizona State product needed ankle surgery before the season and spent a few weeks on IR to begin his Chicago stay. While the Bears used one of their IR activations on Harry in October, he finished the season with just seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.
The 6-foot-4 target did not take off as a Patriot, either, suffering injuries in 2019 and 2021. Harry’s top single-season line in New England: a 33-reception, 309-yard, two-TD year during the Cam Newton Pats slate of 2020. The Patriots shopped the ex-Sun Devils standout for years. After playing out his rookie contract in Chicago, Harry is looking for another redemption place.
Philadelphia already has some notable backup types on its receiver depth chart. The team signed Philly native Olamide Zaccheaus this offseason, and 110-meter hurdle dynamo Devon Allen remains rostered — via reserve/futures deal — after spending last season on the team’s practice squad. Greg Ward, who made some key contributions for the 2019 and ’20 Eagles editions, is still on the 90-man roster as well.
The Bills did not sign DeAndre Hopkins, but they have been active in adding reserve wideouts this offseason. Trent Sherfield, Deonte Harty, KeeSean Johnson and XFLer Marcell Ateman joined the team this year. So did fifth-rounder Justin Shorter.
Harry admittedly has played in some shaky situations, missing much of Tom Brady‘s final Patriots season due to injury and then spending time with Newton and then a run-oriented Bears team. But the big-bodied pass catcher has been unable to put it together as a pro.
Stefon Diggs Addresses Issues With Bills; WR Wants To Finish Career With Team
Count Stefon Diggs as part of the “let’s move on” sect of Bills regarding a potential dustup between the Pro Bowl wide receiver and the team. Diggs said Wednesday the situation is now “water under the bridge.”
Sean McDermott reiterated Wednesday the team and Diggs are in a good place, and Josh Allen has long said this storyline was overblown. Diggs’ issues with the Bills’ play-calling and his role in the offense are believed to have been behind his June disagreement with McDermott, one that led to the wide receiver being dismissed from the team facility during minicamp. When asked about what caused McDermott to send him home last month, Diggs declined to elaborate (Twitter link via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg).
Diggs, 29, answered in the affirmative when asked if he still wanted to retire as a member of the Bills, Getzenberg tweets. Four years remain on the star wideout’s contract, a $24MM-per-year deal agreed to during the 2022 offseason. This 2023 saga was not believed to be contract-related, as Diggs remains in the top five for receiver contracts. Since being traded to the Bills in 2020, Diggs has also drawn the second-most targets (484) in the NFL. That target number nearly matches his five-year Vikings total (534), so it is interesting the ninth-year veteran could be dissatisfied with his role in the Bills’ offense.
The former fifth-round pick led the NFL with 1,535 receiving yards in 2020 and topped 1,200 yards in 2021 and ’22. At the conclusion of the Bills’ divisional-round loss to the Bengals in January, however, Diggs stormed out of the locker room before some coaches had arrived and needed to be brought back. It is not known if Diggs harbored issues with the Bills for months leading up to minicamp or if new concerns cropped up, but all parties are now attempting to move forward.
Buffalo also pursued DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, but a rumor about how the former All-Pro would fit in an offense that goes through Diggs and now includes first-round pick Dalton Kincaid — a tight end expected to see extensive slot work — surfaced soon after the Titans landed the high-profile free agent. Nevertheless, Diggs will prepare for his fourth season anchoring Buffalo’s high-octane attack.
Damar Hamlin Full Go For Training Camp
Damar Hamlin is close to completing his long-anticipated recovery from the chest injury that induced cardiac arrest. Nearly seven months after that scary scene, the Bills announced the inspirational safety will be 100% as the team starts training camp.
This has been the expectation for a while now. Hamlin did not begin OTAs on time but participated in Buffalo’s minicamp. Sean McDermott said the team will “go at his cadence” regarding the final steps on this journey back to full health. Hamlin began camp work with his teammates Wednesday.
Hamlin, 25, initially received full clearance back in April, making a major stride in his recovery from a hospitalization and breathing through a ventilator in Cincinnati to being back with his teammates in uniform. The collision with Tee Higgins induced commotio cordis, an extremely rare condition that emerges after chest trauma produces waves of electricity that can alter heart rhythm. He has made remarkable strides in the months since.
Training camp will mark another key hurdle for the third-year safety, with the Bills not ticketed to don shoulder pads until August. How Hamlin fares in contact work will be a storyline to follow during Bills camp, but considering how the Pittsburgh alum has responded thus far on his comeback trail, the expectation will be a spot on the team’s 53-man roster and a role in Week 1.
The Bills needed Hamlin to replace Micah Hyde for much of last season, but with Hyde back and Jordan Poyer re-signing in March, Hamlin returning to a backup role appears likely. The Bills also re-signed Dean Marlowe and added ex-Rams starter Taylor Rapp, giving the team one of the better safety depth charts any NFL team has featured in recent memory.
Hamlin practicing in training camp will prevent the Bills from stashing him on the reserve/PUP list to start the season. Two years remain on Hamlin’s rookie contract.
Additionally, the injury Nyheim Hines suffered this week is an ACL tear, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. The Bills placed Hines on their non-football injury list Tuesday. The 2022 trade acquisition was sitting stationary on a jet ski when another rider crashed into him. The NFI placement puts Hines’ $4.1MM base salary up in the air, since the Bills are not obligated to pay the veteran back due to the injury being sustained away from team grounds. Hines’ agent sent out a message calling for the Bills to pay his client (Twitter link).
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/25/23
With a number of teams preparing for the start of training camp, a long list of players were placed on inactive lists today. We’ve compiled all of those and today’s other minor moves below:
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on NFI: DE Calais Campbell
- Waived (failed physical designation): RB Caleb Huntley
- Waived from IR: RB B.J. Baylor
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): WR Makai Polk
- Placed on NFI: LS Nick Moore
- Released: WR Andy Isabella, WR Mike Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on PUP: LB Tyler Matakevich, LB Von Miller, DT Jordan Phillips
- Placed on NFI: RB Nyheim Hines
- Released TE Nick Guggemos
Chicago Bears
- Placed on NFI: WR Dante Pettis
- Waived: P Ryan Anderson, LB Sterling Weatherford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from PUP: CB Chidobe Awuzie
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: CB Josh Butler
- Placed on PUP: CB Jourdan Lewis
- Placed on NFI: TE Luke Schoonmaker
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Nick Williams
- Waived: QB Jarrett Guarantano
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Cody Chrest
- Placed on NFI: LB Tariq Carpenter, S Tarvarius Moore
Houston Texans
- Placed on PUP: OL Dylan Deatherage, OT Charlie Heck, TE Teagan Quitoriano, CB Kendall Sheffield, DE Chase Winovich
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on PUP: DE Tyquan Lewis, TE Will Mallory, RB Jonathan Taylor
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Kyle Peko
- Waived: CB Isiah Brown, QB Chase Garbers
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from NFI: CB Ethan Bonner
- Placed on PUP: OT Terron Armstead, TE Tanner Conner, OT Isaiah Wynn
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OT Bobby Evans
- Placed on NFI: WR Malik Knowles
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Jalen Hurd
- Activated from PUP: DT Justus Tavai
- Placed on NFI: OT Calvin Anderson, DL DaMarcus Mitchell
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Max Garcia
- Waived: TE Miller Forristall, G Koda Martin
New York Giants
- Signed: DE Tashawn Bower
- Placed on PUP: DT D.J. Davidson, G Marcus McKethan , CB Aaron Robinson, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, WR Sterling Shepard
- Waived: DB Trenton Thompson
- Waived/injured: LB Elerson Smith
- Released from IR (injury settlement): CB Leonard Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Deon Cain, OL Dennis Kelly
- Placed on reserve/retired: DE Matt Leo
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Terrance Mitchell
- Placed on NFI: P Mitch Wishnowsky
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Levi Bell, DT Roderick Perry, CB Andrew Whitaker
- Released: CB James Campbell, CB Isaiah Dunn, LB Alton Robinson
Washington Commanders
- Placed on IR: TE Armani Rogers
- Released: QB Tim DeMorat
Free Agents
- Suspended: OT Isaiah Wilson
Isaiah Wilson hasn’t had an NFL gig since he was released by the Giants in January of 2022. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweets that the free agent lineman was slapped with a three-game suspension, but it’s uncertain what led to the temporary ban. Wilson was a first-round pick by the Titans in 2020 but got into only one game with Tennessee before getting shipped off to Miami. He was waived by Miami after showing up late to his team physical, and his practice squad stint with New York only lasted one season.
Max Garcia is an experienced addition to the Saints OL room, with the veteran having most recently started seven of his 12 appearances with the Cardinals in 2022. The 31-year-old has 59 games of starting experience, although Pro Football Focus was iffy on his production last year (63rd among 77 qualifying offensive guards).
Following a three-year stint in Cleveland, Terrance Mitchell has spent the past two seasons bouncing around the NFL. He got into 14 games (13 starts) for the Texans in 2021, finishing with 60 tackles and 10 passes defended. He spent the 2022 season with the Titans, finishing with 39 tackles in 11 games (five starts). 49ers fifth-round pick Darrell Luter Jr. is set to miss some time with a knee injury, providing Mitchell with an opportunity during training camp.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/23
In a very busy day for the NFL in transactions, here are some of the minor moves that may have slipped through the cracks:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Davion Davis
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LS Tyler Ott
- Placed on PUP: WR Rashod Bateman
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: RB Darrynton Evans, TE Jace Sternberger
Chicago Bears
- Activated from PUP: WR Chase Claypool
- Signed: WR Isaiah Ford, LB Buddy Johnson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on PUP: TE Mitchell Wilcox (after being re-signed)
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Eric Tomlinson
- Waived: LB Ian Swenson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DE Isaac Rochell
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Bobby Evans, G Jack Snyder, TE Colin Thompson
- Placed on NFI: G Chris Reed
- Placed on PUP: OLB Andre Carter II
- Waived from NFI: WR Malik Knowles
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Diego Fagot, WR Jalen Hurd
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Brandin Bryant
- Waived: WR Dre Miller, WR Makai Polk
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Jeremy Banks
The Ravens signed Ott after working out a trio of long snappers that also included Ryan Langan and Shane Griffin. The former Pro Bowler for the Seahawks won the tryout and is expected to be the replacement for Baltimore’s usual long snapper Nick Moore, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon during his offseason training, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Also, the breath of relief for Bateman is short-lived as, a day after being activated from the reserve/did not report list, Baltimore has placed the young receiver on the PUP list.
On a more positive note, a day after the Bears placed Claypool on the PUP list, he has been removed from it. He’ll now be eligible to participate in training camp starting this Wednesday. Tomlinson returns to Houston after being released back in May. He’ll get another chance to work in the tight ends room that includes Dalton Schultz, Teagan Quitoriano, and Brevin Jordan.