C.J. Wilson (CB)

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/25/16

Today’s minor moves:

  • The Buccaneers have signed undrafted free agent Javien Elliott, formerly of Florida State, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Elliott accrued 37 tackles, a sack and an interception for the Seminoles last season.
  • Offensive lineman Darius Johnson, whom the Lions cut on Tuesday, has cleared waivers, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Johnson signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee State earlier this month.
  • The Buccaneers have waived cornerback C.J. Wilson, according to Auman (Twitter link). Wilson missed all of last season after losing two fingers in a July 4 fireworks accident. Prior to that horrific accident, he appeared in a total of four games from 2013-14 – his first two seasons in the league. Wilson will continue his career in a vastly different climate, per Auman, who reports that he has signed with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
  • Wide receiver Andre Debose, whom the Raiders waived/injured Tuesday, cleared waivers and has reverted to injured reserve, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
  • The Titans have been awarded tight end Jerome Cunningham off waivers, reports Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. Cunningham, whom the Jets waived Tuesday, appeared in nine games last season and caught eight passes for 59 yards.
  • The Broncos have an agreement with second-round defensive lineman Adam Gotsis, Mike Klis of 9NEWS tweets. As per his slot, Gotsis’ deal comes with a signing bonus of just over $1MM. Gotsis, a Georgia Tech product, is currently sidelined due to the torn ACL he suffered last year.
  • The Bengals signed fourth-round defensive tackle Andrew Billings, as Wilson tweets. In related news, the team signed fullback Andrew Bonnet and waived-injured kicker Jonathan Brown.
  • The Bears announced that they have signed linebacker Jarrett Grace, an undrafted rookie from Notre Dame. To make room, fellow linebacker Danny Mason has been placed on waivers.
  • The Falcons announced that they have waived offensive lineman Cody Elenz. Elenz was signed as a college free agent following the draft. Even after cutting Elenz, Atlanta has 15 offensive linemen on their 88-man roster.
  • The Packers released guard/tackle Vince Kowalski, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets.

Bucs’ C.J. Wilson To Step Away From NFL

12:50pm: Wilson will be placed on the Bucs’ reserve-retired list, which leaves the door open for him to unretire later on, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

12:23pm: While Jason Pierre-Paul attempts to make his way back to the Giants, another player involved in a Fourth of July fireworks accident may not see the field in 2015. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter), Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson has decided to “step away from the NFL for now,” per agents Joel and Justin Turner.

Wilson, not to be confused with the defensive tackle who goes by the same name, hadn’t been expected to play a major role for Tampa Bay in 2015, but he did appear in two games for the team at the end of last season, logging some snaps on both defense and special teams.

However, on the same weekend of JPP’s much-publicized fireworks accident, Wilson lost two fingers in a fireworks accident of his own. A report last week indicated that the young defensive back was out of the hospital, doing well, and was “in very good spirits.” But while Wilson may be optimistic about his long-term health, it looks like he’ll be retiring from the NFL, at least temporarily.

Wilson’s decision to “step away” from the NFL is reminiscent of the language offensive tackle Anthony Davis used when he announced his decision to leave the 49ers in early June. It leaves the door open for Wilson to potentially return to the game down the road, if his health allows it.

Wilson, who had been in the final year of a two-year pact with the Bucs, will likely be placed on the non-football injury list or the reserve-retired list by Tampa Bay, unless the team decides to simply cut him.

Extra Points: JPP, Luck, Bucs, Cardinals

At some point, the Giants and Jason Pierre-Paul are going to have to talk money, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com writes. The Giants want JPP in camp learning the new defense, so Graziano figures that the most likely outcome is that the two sides negotiate to a lower franchise figure and he signs it in exchange for a written promise from the team to pay him the entire amount. Under that scenario, the Giants could theoretically have Pierre-Paul in camp and help administer his rehab and Pierre-Paul would not have to worry about rushing back to the field in order to get paid. Here’s more from around the NFL..

  • Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com gave his thoughts on at how an extension might look for Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck could be looking at a five-year, ~$125MM pact in exchange for tearing up his currently contracted 2016 season (~$16.15MM), but Seifert suggests he could instead push the Colts to give him a $100MM deal with $90MM fully guaranteed. Such a deal wouldn’t just benefit Luck, it would allow the Colts to spend more on the roster around their star quarterback.
  • Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson, who lost two fingers in a fireworks accident, was released from a hospital on Friday, and he is doing well and is “in very good spirits,” sources tell ESPN’s Adam Caplan. Wilson is in the final season of his two-year deal that carries a non-guaranteed base salary of $585K for the 2015 season. Wilson, not to be confused with the defensive tackle who goes by the same name, hadn’t been expected to play a major role for Tampa Bay in 2015, but he did appear in two games for the team at the end of last season, logging some snaps on both defense and special teams. Now, his chances of seeing the field at all this season are up in the air.
  • Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson says that he has long planned to be a coach when his playing career is through, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com writes. Somewhat surprisingly, Johnson doesn’t dream of being a head coach, but instead wants to be a defensive coordinator. “It’s something that makes me who I am,” Johnson said. “It makes me that special player that’s vital even if he’s not a Patrick Peterson-type of athlete. Vital because he can help the defense as a whole because he knows the plays. He can help everyone play faster.” Johnson, who is entering the final year of his deal, has been mentioned as an extension candidate this summer.

C.J. Wilson’s Career In Jeopardy

Jason Pierre-Paul‘s fireworks accident has dominated NFL headlines in recent days, but another player who also sustained an injury due to a fireworks mishap appears to be in worse shape than JPP. Earlier today, we learned that Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson also sustained on hand injury over the Fourth of July weekend, with reports calling the injury “severe” and “significant.”

Now, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that Wilson’s career is in jeopardy, reiterating that the hand injury is “very serious.” While Rapoport doesn’t offer specifics on the defensive back’s situation, Ryan Herman of the Lincoln Times-News cites sources close to Wilson’s family in writing that the 25-year-old lost two fingers in the accident. That report has yet to be confirmed publicly by the Buccaneers or by Wilson’s camp.

Wilson, not to be confused with the defensive tackle who goes by the same name, hadn’t been expected to play a major role for Tampa Bay in 2015, but he did appear in two games for the team at the end of last season, logging some snaps on both defense and special teams. Now, his chances of seeing the field at all this season are up in the air.

In a statement released earlier this afternoon, the Bucs indicated that their primary concern for now is Wilson’s long-term health, and that’s a sentiment we’ll echo as we wait for official word on his health.

Extra Points: C.J. Wilson, Washington, Battle

Jason Pierre-Paul wasn’t the only NFL player to be involved in a fireworks mishap over the Fourth of July weekend. According to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link), Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson also suffered a severe hand injury due to an fireworks accident, while a team source tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that the injury is “significant.”

In a statement, the Bucs indicated they’ve been in contact with Wilson and will continue to monitor the situation, with their primary concern at the moment being the defensive back’s long-term health (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports).

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • A federal judge in Northern Virginia on Wednesday ordered the cancellation of the Washington Redskins‘ trademark registrations, upholding an earlier ruling by the federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Ian Shapira of the Washington Post has the details on the decision, which isn’t necessarily a significant event on its own, since the team can continue to fight for the Redskins trademark registrations through the appeals process. However, it represents another win for the Native American activities fighting against the moniker.
  • Following Isaiah Battle‘s pro day workout at Clemson this week, Gil Brandt of NFL.com writes that the offensive lineman could be selected in the fourth round of tomorrow’s supplemental draft. According to Brandt, a team expecting to contend in 2015 – and pick late in next year’s draft – might even be inclined to use a third-rounder on the Clemson tackle.
  • With the supplemental draft around the corner, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk looks back at the history of the event, noting that there have been more misses than hits among the players selected since the supplemental draft began in 1977.
  • According to the results of a study released on Tuesday, a new riverfront NFL stadium in St. Louis could expect to draw about $200MM in the sale of personal seat licenses, writes David Hunn of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. That figure exceeds initial estimates, which could bode well for the city, though the study – commissioned by the league – cited several potential concerns as well, including “low ticket prices, low ticket sales and the lack of a ‘robust regional area’ from which to draw new fan and corporate support.”

Minor Moves: Saturday

We will keep track of all of Saturday’s minor transactions here. As usual, newest moves will be added to the top as they come in:

  • The Seahawks have made a change to their 53-man roster, placing tight end Rashaun Allen on waivers and promoting offensive lineman Keavon Milton from their taxi squad, tweets Brian McIntyre. Milton will provide some depth on Seattle’s offensive line as the team prepares to be without Russell Okung and Max Unger this weekend in Arizona.

Earlier updates:

  • Earlier today, the Raiders placed Tarell Brown on injured reserve. The team has signed linebacker Spencer Hadley off of its practice squad to fill Brown’s roster spot, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter).
  • The 49ers have placed rookie inside linebacker Chris Borland on the injured reserve, reports Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). The team has promoted outside linebacker Chase Thomas from its practice squad.
  • The Buccaneers have placed safety Major Wright on injured reserve, reports Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (via Twitter). The team has promoted cornerback C.J. Wilson from the practice squad to the active roster to fill his spot.
  • The Dolphins have signed wide receiver Matt Hazel off of the practice squad to the active roster, reports James Walker of ESPN (via Twitter). The team has released linebacker Jake Knott to make room for Hazel.

Minor Moves: Saturday

Here are today’s minor moves, with the most recent transactions added to the top of the list:

Earlier updates:

  • The Patriots have promoted linebacker Darius Fleming off their practice squad, reports Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston (via Twitter).
  • The Bears signed veteran safety Anthony Walters to the active roster, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). The team also brought defensive end Jamil Merrell onto its practice squad (via Twitter).
  • The Chargers have promoted offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles to their active roster, reports Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego. Sirles has spent most of the season on the team’s practice squad. The Chargers have announced that safety Adrian Phillips was released in a corresponding move that would open up space on the roster for the utility lineman.
  • For the second time this month, the Panthers have waived running back Chris Ogbonnaya, the team announced (via Twitter). Defensive tackle Micanor Regis has been promoted from the practice squad to take the open roster spot. Ogbonnaya was waived in early November, but he rejoined the squad only two days later. The 28-year-old has compiled 50 yards on 14 carries this season, but he hasn’t played since the team’s loss to the Saints in late October.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

As teams make minor adjustments to the backs of their 53-man rosters, we’ll keep tabs on today’s minor moves right here, with the latest transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:

  • The Texans have maxed out their active roster at 53 players once again, promoting linebacker Max Bullough from their practice squad to fill their final opening, tweets Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. Bullough represents a replacement for veteran linebacker Zac Diles, who was cut by the team yesterday.

Earlier updates:

  • On the heels of waiving safety Jerome Couplin yesterday, the Bills have made a corresponding roster move, announcing in a press release that they’ve promoted defensive end Bryan Johnson from their practice squad to their active roster. The addition of Johnson may signal that injured defensive end Jarius Wynn won’t be able to play in tomorrow night’s game against the Dolphins.
  • The Buccaneers have filled their open roster spot by promoting cornerback C.J. Wilson from the practice squad, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (Twitter link). The team created that opening yesterday by sending rookie guard Kadeem Edwards to the injured reserve list.

Bucs Re-Sign Larry English, Cut Steven Means

The Buccaneers have done a little Tuesday roster shuffling, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, who tweets that the team has re-signed defensive end Larry English, waiving defensive end Steven Means to open up a roster spot. According to Smith (via Twitter), the club also filled one of the two openings on its practice squad by adding cornerback C.J. Wilson.

English, a former first-rounder who was drafted with the 16th overall pick in 2009, appeared in 52 games for the Chargers during his five years with the team, struggling with injuries in recent years and never establishing himself as a consistent performer. He started five of nine games for San Diego in 2013, recording 2.5 sacks, before a pectoral injury sidelined him for the season. After signing with Tampa Bay in mid-August, English was cut just a couple weeks later as the club reduced its roster to 53 players.

A fifth-round pick in 2013, Means played a limited role for the Bucs in his rookie season, and saw the field for just four defensive snaps during the team’s Week 1 lost to Carolina, despite receiving some offseason praise from new head coach Lovie Smith. Since Means received a signing bonus of only about $192K on his rookie contract, Tampa Bay will carry a small amount of dead money on its cap this year and next, after cutting him.

South Notes: Titans, Watt, Jags, Bucs

Let’s round up a few Wednesday items from out of the NFL’s two South divisions….