Browns Claim James Houston, Cam Thomas
Less than a month after the Browns traded Za’Darius Smith to the Lions, the AFC North team will pick up a player Detroit discarded following that swap.
Waived Tuesday, James Houston is heading to Cleveland. The Browns submitted a successful waiver claim for the third-year edge rusher, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Houston is controllable through 2025 via restricted free agency.
Busy today on the wire, the Browns made another claim for a pass rusher. Cleveland added defensive end Cameron Thomas after Kansas City cut him (to make room for D.J. Humphries), cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot adds. The Browns waived defensive end Elerson Smith to clear a roster spot for Thomas.
Neither Houston nor Thomas has produced much of consequence over the past two seasons. Houston has tallied one sack in that span; Thomas has not recorded any. This will be Thomas’ third team this year, as the Chiefs acquired the former third-round pick from the Cardinals in a trade just before the season. With Alex Wright on IR, this duo will join Ogbo Okoronkwo among the Browns’ pack of supplementary edge rushers.
Most notably on this action-packed afternoon for potential Myles Garrett sidekicks, Houston has a prolific stretch on his NFL resume. The former Lions sixth-round pick did not debut until Thanksgiving Day during his rookie year. From that week on, he racked up eight sacks to show considerable promise. Houston notched two sacks against the Bills and three against the Bears during that torrid run, but he has been unable to sustain it — or really anything close — in the time since.
Houston only saw action in two games last season, going down in Week 2 of last season and not returning to action until the NFC championship game. The Jackson State product suffered a broken fibula that blunted his momentum, and while he did play a rotational role in the NFC decider, he played only 116 snaps this season. Houston does have a sack this year, but he has only two QB hits. The Lions now have Smith in place of Aidan Hutchinson leading their pass rush, with Josh Paschal also back from a midseason absence. Despite Marcus Davenport also being down for the season due to injury, the Lions did not have room to keep Houston around.
The Chiefs had been without Charles Omenihu all season, but the veteran edge player is coming back from an ACL tear this week. Thomas, who also saw the defending champs trade for Josh Uche at the deadline, played all of six defensive snaps this season. The former Steve Keim third-round pick notched three sacks as a rookie but fell out of favor in Jonthan Gannon‘s scheme, being traded despite the Cardinals losing BJ Ojulari for the season in August. Thomas remains attached to his third-round rookie deal, however; that contract runs through 2025.
Cowboys Activate WR Brandin Cooks From IR
After a week back at practice, Brandin Cooks is ready to go. The Cowboys will have the veteran wide receiver for their Thanksgiving Day game.
The team activated Cooks from IR on Wednesday. Cooks will certainly return to a team with a different outlook, as he has been out since Week 4. The Cowboys are now 4-7 and teetering on the brink of falling out of even fringe contention this season.
This is the second year of Cooks’ reworked Cowboys deal; he is due for free agency in 2025. Traded an NFL-record-tying four times, Cooks has never hit the market. The Saints (2017), Patriots (2018), Rams (2020) and Texans (2023) have traded him, with the returns lowering as the 2014 first-round pick has moved into the latter part of his career. Cooks, 31, can attempt to create a decent market for himself with a nice finish.
The 11th-year pass catcher will not be working with Dak Prescott, as he had in every other game in his Cowboys career. Cooper Rush is currently taking the snaps, with Trey Lance set for situational work. Prescott is out for the season after undergoing hamstring surgery.
Following Brandon Marshall in tallying 1,000-yard seasons for four different teams, Cooks did not run that number to five last season. He did serve as the Cowboys’ No. 2 wideout, accumulating 657 yards and eight touchdowns — his most since 2016 — in 16 games last season. Dallas has seen third-year player Jalen Tolbert (37 receptions, 410 yards, four TDs) become a regularly used contributor since Cooks’ injury, but a sizable gulf still exists between CeeDee Lamb and everyone else in Dallas’ passing attack.
The Cowboys also announced they placed tackle Asim Richards and cornerback Caelen Carson on IR. Carson, a rookie fifth-round pick, played a regular role for a stretch this season, seeing 252 defensive snaps in five games. A 2023 fifth-rounder, Richards played 128 snaps on offense this season. He made one start. Both players could return after four missed games, but the Cowboys have four injury activations remaining. One may still go to DeMarcus Lawrence, who joins Cooks in being out since the Cowboys’ first Giants matchup.
Seahawks Place G Anthony Bradford On IR, Designate T Stone Forsythe For Return
The Seahawks have officially designated Uchenna Nwosu for return from IR, as Mike Macdonald indicated would happen. They have also designated tackle Stone Forsythe for return from IR, The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar tweets.
With the Seahawks missing Abraham Lucas and George Fant for most of the season’s first half, Forsythe logged five starts before going down with a hand injury. Lucas has since return after a long rehab effort, which would make Forsythe a backup once he is activated. Fant is amid a second IR stint.
While the Seahawks could soon have some tackle depth back, they will be down a starting guard. Anthony Bradford sustained an ankle injury during Seattle’s win over Arizona and is heading to IR. Playing opposite free agency addition Laken Tomlinson, Bradford has started every game for the Seahawks this season. Week 13 will be the first game either of Seattle’s starting guards misses. Bradford suffered a “pretty severe” high ankle sprain, Macdonald said (via Dugar). The Seahawks hope he can come back after the required four-week absence period.
Bradford won the right guard job out of training camp, keeping a place in the starting lineup after the Seahawks moved on from both their 2023 guard starters (Damien Lewis, Phil Haynes). Bradford spent much of last season filling in for Haynes, who has not resurfaced since his Seahawks contract expired, while Lewis manned the LG job. Lewis defected to the Panthers on an eight-figure-per-year deal, and the Seahawks kept cost low by signing Tomlinson to a veteran-minimum deal. Bradford remains tied to a rookie contract.
A 2023 fourth-round pick, Bradford has struggled in moving to full-time duty this year. Pro Football Focus rates the LSU alum as the NFL’s fourth-worst guard among regulars in 2024. ESPN’s run block win rate metric ranks the Seahawks in the bottom five. Another Haynes, third-rounder Christian, is set to replace Bradford, who appeared on the Seattle sideline in a walking boot and using crutches. Despite not starting any games, Christian Haynes has logged 164 offensive snaps.
Nwosu and Forsythe being activated would leave the Seahawks with three such moves remaining during the regular season. The team also moved linebacker Patrick O’Connell to the active roster.
Lions To Place WR Kalif Raymond On IR
The Lions will be without their primary punt returner for an extended stretch as a result of a Week 12 injury. They are placing Kalif Raymond on IR, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes.
Sustaining a foot injury, Raymond is not expected to miss the rest of the season. The Lions, who have five injury activations remaining, will likely hold one open for their top return man/auxiliary wide receiver moving forward. Raymond is in play to return before the regular season ends, per Rapoport; he would be eligible to come back in Week 17.
A journeyman before coming to Detroit, Raymond was in on the ground floor of Dan Campbell‘s rebuild. The Lions have rostered Raymond since Campbell and GM Brad Holmes arrived in 2021. The veteran wideout has signed three contracts with the team, the most recent a two-year deal worth $10.5MM. That pact runs through the 2025 season.
While Raymond has been one of the NFL’s better punt returners for a while, he has also helped an explosive Lions offense. He has 16 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns this season. That came after the 5-foot-8 weapon totaled 489 yards in 2023 and a career-high 616 in 2022. The Lions have turned to Jameson Williams as a regular this season, limiting the opportunities for their tertiary wideouts. Tim Patrick has become a regular in Ben Johnson‘s offense as well.
Raymond, 30, leads the NFL with 390 punt-return yards; this includes a 90-yard TD against the Titans last month. Raymond initially came over from Tennessee in 2021 and has been the Lions’ top punt-return option since arriving. Amon-Ra St. Brown (two) has the only two non-Raymond punt returns for Detroit this season. Both came after Raymond went down. It will be interesting to see if the Lions continue using their No. 1 receiver in that niche role in a non-emergency circumstance this week.
The 10-1 team already has two players — defensive lineman John Cominsky and linebacker Derrick Barnes — out with injuries that may allow for late-season returns. Both are on IR, though the team may need to reassess down the stretch in an effort to avoid burning through all of its activations. A playoff team that uses all eight of its regular-season activations, however, will receive two more in the postseason. That 2024 rule change will allow the Lions more flexibility.
Lions Waive LB James Houston
James Houston‘s stint in Detroit has come to an end. The Lions announced that they waived the pass rusher today.
A 2022 sixth-round pick, Houston made his NFL debut late in his rookie campaign. The Florida/Jackson State product ended up being a standout down the stretch of that season, compiling eight sacks in seven appearances. The Lions were hoping for even more in 2023, but Houston was limited to only a pair of games thanks to a fibula injury.
Houston has seen an inconsistent role in 2024. He was pushed out of the lineup towards the beginning of the season by Marcus Davenport, but he started seeing more snaps once Aidan Hutchinson went down. Houston has seen time in each of the past six games for Detroit, but the team has also given extended looks to Al-Quadin Muhammad, Za’Darius Smith, Isaac Ukwu, and Isaiah Thomas opposite Josh Paschal. Ultimately, Houston was the odd man out.
“It just never quite worked out,” coach Dan Campbell said today (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “And look, wish him the best of luck, and sometimes you just need a fresh start and this could be great for him, so wish him the best.”
Based on Campbell’s comments, it sounds like Houston won’t resurface on Detroit’s practice squad. Instead, the third-year player will look to revive his career elsewhere.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/26/24
Today’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: CB Ka’dar Hollman (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on IR: TE Peyton Hendershot
- Waived: DE Cameron Thomas
New England Patriots
- Claimed off waivers (from Dolphins): G Lester Cotton
- Waived: G Michael Jordan
New Orleans Saints
- Designated for return: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
Seattle Seahawks
- Claimed off waivers (from Chargers): S A.J. Finley
- Waived: DT Myles Adams
The Patriots moved on from one of their OL starters today. Michael Jordan started all 11 games for New England this season, although that was mostly due to necessity. The veteran lineman ranks 73rd among 77 qualifying guards on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings. A former fourth-round pick, Jordan also has starting experience with the Bengals and Panthers.
New England will be replacing Jordan with Lester Cotton, who has spent the past few seasons in Miami. The lineman started a career-high eight games for the Dolphins in 2023, but he basically split his 100ish snaps between offense and special teams in 2024. The former UDFA could have a chance at more OL opportunities with his new squad.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/26/24
Today’s practice squad moves:
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Russ Yeast
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Tyler Shatley
- Released: OL Dieter Eiselen
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: K Matthew Wright
- Activated from IR: TE Baylor Cupp
- Released: DE Truman Jones, OT Lucas Niang
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE McCallan Castles
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Zonovan Knight, WR Easop Winston Jr.
- Released: OL Zack Bailey
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DE KJ Henry
- Released: DT Siaki Ika, WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Julius Welschof
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Ryan Cooper, WR Cornell Powell
- Released: RB Brittain Brown, CB Faion Hicks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Antonio Grier
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Stanley Morgan
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Viliami Fehoko Jr.
- Released: G Marquis Hayes
The Chiefs are set to roll with their third kicker of the season. With Harrison Butker on IR and Spencer Shrader sidelined with a hamstring injury, Kansas City had to add yet another leg to the roster. The team opted for Matthew Wright, who already has experience kicking with the franchise. Wright filled in for Butker twice in 2022, connecting on three field goals and eight extra points.
Wright has only got one extended look as a starter (when he got into 14 games with the Jaguars in 2021), but he’s still managed to get into at least one game per season over the past few years. Wright has already made an appearance in 2024, when he was responsible for 12 points in the 49ers win over the Seahawks last month.
Vikings Sign LB Jamin Davis, Place LB Ivan Pace On IR
The Vikings made a handful of changes to their linebackers corps today. The team’s newest addition is Jamin Davis, who was signed to the 53-man roster from the Packers practice squad. The team also activated linebacker Gabe Murphy off injured reserve and placed linebacker Ivan Pace on IR.
A former first-round pick by the Commanders, Davis was let go by Washington last month. The linebacker showed flashes through his first three seasons in the NFL, including 2022 and 2023 campaigns where he started 28 games while compiling 193 total tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles. With a new staff in Washington, Davis found himself on the outside looking in with his squad. After having his fifth-year option declined, the fourth-year player only saw time on 86 defensive snaps in five games this year.
Davis was quickly scooped up by the Packers, who stashed the new addition on the practice squad. After spending almost one month on Green Bay’s taxi squad, Davis will return to an active roster in Minnesota.
The newest addition will likely be taking the spot held by Pace, who has started all nine of his appearances in 2024. The former UDFA has settled into an important role as a sophomore, collecting 59 tackles and three sacks. Pace suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday that limited him to only five defensive snaps. He’ll now have to miss at least the next four games, with his earliest return marked for December 29 against the Packers.
Blake Cashman will continue to lead the linebackers depth chart, with Kamu Grugier-Hill and Brian Asamoah mixing in with Davis for the leftover snaps. The team clearly likes Murphy, a UDFA out of UCLA, but the rookie will likely be eyeing a special teams role for the stretch run of the season. Murphy landed on IR before the season with a knee injury.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee To Return To Practice This Week
Tyler Higbee is set to practice for the first time since suffering a torn ACL and MCL last January. Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters that he’s expecting his tight end to return to practice this week (per ESPN’s Sarah Barshop). Higbee isn’t expected to play on Sunday, and the team could use most of his 21-day activation window before adding the veteran to the active roster.
Higbee tore his ACL during the Rams’ playoff loss to the Lions last January. The tight end landed on the reserve/PUP list to begin the season and has missed each of his team’s first 11 games of the 2024 campaign. Fortunately, the 31-year-old should have an opportunity to add to his resume before the season is through.
“He has made amazing progress, I think we want to get him out on the practice field,” McVay said (via Adam Grosbard of the Orange County Register). “He provides such a great leadership, such a great spark for us in a variety of ways. I don’t know that this week would be the week that he would return, but for him to even be back on the practice field and starting his clock, it’s a real credit to him, to our medical staff and just the overall resolve and resilience of that individual who I have a lot of love and respect for.”
The former fourth-round pick has spent his entire career in Los Angeles, with this ACL tear representing his first prolonged absence in nine seasons. He’s been especially productively over his last five healthy campaigns, averaging 59 receptions per season. Higbee has also come up big in the playoffs, hauling in 19 catches in 10 games.
Los Angeles added Colby Parkinson in free agency on a two-year, $22.5MM deal, and the former Seahawk has earned the bulk of the snaps at the position in 2024. With Higbee back, the Rams will have the opportunity to evaluate their TE grouping ahead of the 2025 season. Higbee is on the books for one more season, with $2MM of the tight end’s 2025 roster bonus already guaranteed.
The Rams are set to receive some additional reinforcement on the offensive line, as McVay said Rob Havenstein is “trending” towards returning to the field this week (via Stu Jackson of the team’s website). The veteran lineman has missed the past three games while nursing an ankle injury. The 32-year-old has started all seven of his appearances in 2024.
Broncos Activate LB Drew Sanders
The Broncos have lost both Baron Browning and Alex Singleton, trading the former and seeing the latter land on IR early. A hybrid player ahead of a third-round NFL entrance, Drew Sanders is on track to help an upper-crust defense soon.
Denver is activating Sanders from the reserve/PUP list, 9News’ Mike Klis notes. Sanders has been down since April, having suffered an Achilles tear during the early days of the team’s offseason program. The Broncos waived Greg Dulcich to make room on their roster and have since seen the former third-rounder land with the Giants via waiver claim.
With Sanders coming back, the Broncos needed to clear a spot. As Josh Reynolds moves toward coming off IR, the 7-5 team will need to make another move if it wishes to activate the free agency pickup. The Broncos only have three activations remaining. Fortunately for the team, the Sanders transaction will not count against that total due to the LB being on the PUP list.
Sanders delivered an interesting final college season, displaying versatility by pairing 9.5 sacks with 103 tackles. The Broncos, who had previously moved Browning from an off-ball linebacker role to the edge years ago, have an interesting option in Sanders. They used Sanders as a spot starter last season; the ex-Arkansas and Alabama cog made four starts and played in all 17 games, making 24 tackles and recovering a fumble.
Sanders’ experience both on and off the ball stands to give Vance Joseph options. The team’s latest third-round pick, Jonah Elliss, has settled in as the team’s top rusher off the bench. Elliss has four of Denver’s NFL-high 44 sacks this season, working behind Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto. Sanders’ blitzing experience stands to help there, while Joseph could also opt to use him at ILB due to Singleton’s injury. Justin Strnad has worked as the primary fill-in alongside Cody Barton, though veterans Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham remain in the mix at that position as well.
This marks a fairly quick recovery from an Achilles tear, with Sanders following the likes of Cam Akers, Michael Crabtree and Terrell Suggs in coming back after an offseason tear. The Broncos certainly could look to keep Sanders’ workload light due to barely seven months passing since his injury.
Denver waived offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton as well, pointing to Reynolds’ activation from IR taking place this week. One of a few Saints on Sean Payton‘s second Broncos roster, Throckmorton worked exclusively as a backup this season. A career 27-game starter, Throckmorton played only three offensive snaps this season.