Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/23
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Waived: OLB Ronnie Perkins
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: OL Hroniss Grasu, FB Jakob Johnson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: TE Stephen Anderson, DL Christopher Hinton
The Broncos, who traded Randy Gregory and cut Frank Clark earlier this season, will be without starting outside linebacker Nik Bonitto in Week 15. The 2022 second-round pick sustained an ankle injury against the Chargers last week. Although Denver is shorthanded at the position, the team is cutting Perkins. A 2021 third-round Patriots pick, Perkins has seen action in five games for the Broncos this season. Thomas Incoom and hybrid player Drew Sanders represent the Broncos’ depth behind OLB regulars Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper.
Titans Poach Two From Practice Squads, Place Two On IR
The Titans made two pairs of roster moves today, according to NFL beat writer Paul Kuharsky, placing cornerback Kristian Fulton and defensive tackle Kyle Peko on injured reserve and signing defensive tackles Quinton Bohanna and Keondre Coburn to fill their spots on the active roster. Bohanna was signed from the Lions‘ practice squad, Coburn from the Chiefs‘. 
The loss of Fulton is difficult, as he has been a starter for Tennessee at the position since his sophomore season. At the same time, though, Fulton has been a liability in the team’s secondary, taking a huge step back in play this year. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Fulton settles in as the 112th-ranked cornerback out of 119 graded players. Absences on IR have become an annual occurrence for Fulton, who missed 10 games as a rookie in 2020, four games in 2021, and six games last year. He’s missed Monday’s win over the Dolphins and will now miss at least four more games in 2023.
Peko is unfortunately in a similar position as Fulton. He has served as a starter in Tennessee for most of the season, as well, but also grades out extremely poorly per PFF, ranking at 127th out of 131 interior defensive linemen.
At cornerback, the team will ask last year’s second-round pick Roger McCreary and undrafted rookie Eric Garror to step up in Fulton’s place. In Peko’s place, Tennessee could turn to Jaleel Johnson for more snaps, but new arrivals Bohanna and Coburn should get plenty of opportunities to step in and contribute.
Bohanna spent his first two years in Dallas, starting nine games in his sophomore season. After falling behind Johnathan Hankins and first-round rookie Mazi Smith on the depth chart, Bohanna was waived by the Cowboys and signed to the Lions’ practice squad. Detroit elevated him in three games this year, two of which he started, but couldn’t find a place for him on the active roster. The Titans, on the other hand, should give him an immediate chance to enter the rotation.
Coburn is a sixth-round rookie out of Texas. After initially making the 53-man roster in Kansas City, Coburn has bounced back and forth between the Chiefs’ and Broncos’ practice squads. His only game action has been a brief appearance in the Chiefs’ season-opening loss. In Tennessee, he’ll get a new chance to find his place on the depth chart and potentially contribute as a Titan.
NFL Lifts Ban On Former Raiders, Cowboys LB Rolando McClain
For what it’s worth, free agent linebacker Rolando McClain is officially available to sign after spending a total of almost eight years under an indefinite suspension from the NFL. Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the former No. 8 overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft had his suspension lifted by the league today. 
The former first-round pick showed a lot of promise coming out of Alabama a year early but saw his career derailed by a series of off-field incidents. These extracurricular activities, combined with an ineffectiveness on the field, led to the Raiders waiving him after the third year of his rookie deal. The Ravens signed him on a low-risk, high-reward one-year contract, but McClain would announce his retirement before the season began at the age of 23.
He was coaxed out of retirement a year later, when the Cowboys opted to obtain his rights from the Ravens in a trade, and McClain seemingly had an opportunity to revamp his career as he became a leader in Dallas. He received a four-game suspension for substance abuse issues in 2015, but overall, McClain had a productive two years on the Cowboys defense. That suspension would serve as a harbinger, though, as the NFL would levy a 10-game suspension for the same issue in the 2016 offseason.
Before McClain’s suspension could end, he failed a midseason drug test, leading the NFL to make his suspension indefinite. Reports were made that McClain’s struggles with addiction made a return to the NFL nearly impossible. Three years after the initial suspension, McClain was conditionally reinstated by the NFL, just to be released by the Cowboys and put back on indefinite suspension three months later.
That final suspension is that one that is ending now, after nearly four additional years. The transaction is largely nominal, as McClain is now 34 years old and hasn’t played football at a professional level in over eight years. His return in 2016 was nearly impossible; a return now, is even further from reality. As far as the NFL is concerned, though, McClain no longer resides on the no-fly list.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/13/23
Today’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated to return from IR: CB Bobby Price
Buffalo Bills
- Designated to return from IR: WR Justin Shorter
Dallas Cowboys
- Designated to return from IR: DL Viliami Fehoko
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Designated to return from IR: WR Jamal Agnew
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: C Connor Williams (story)
New England Patriots
- Designated to return from IR: T Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: WR David Moore
Washington Commanders
- Designated to return from IR: G Saahdiq Charles
- Signed to active roster: DE Joshua Pryor
- Placed on IR: LB Jamin Davis (story)
Agnew has missed the four games required to return from injured reserve, and though he’s not been activated yet, the Jaguars took the first step towards that outcome today in returning him to practice. It was shoulder and rib injuries that led to the return specialist’s placement on IR. During his absence the team had turned to rookie sixth-round receiver Parker Washington to return punts and veteran backup running back D’Ernest Johnson to return kickoffs. Jacksonville still has a few days to determine whether or not they’ll activate him right away for this weekend. If not, the team will have 21 days to activate him before his practice window closes and Agnew is reverted to season-ending IR.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/13/23
Wednesday’s practice squad transactions:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: T Joey Fisher
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from practice squad IR: C Billy Price
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DE Chris Smith
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: G Henry Byrd
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LS Evan Deckers
Commanders To Waive CB Danny Johnson
Danny Johnson has spent his entire career in Washington, being with the team through its two recent name changes. The sixth-year cornerback will now be available for other teams.
The Commanders informed the veteran defender he will be waived, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. This comes nine months after the team re-signed Johnson to a two-year, $5MM deal. This cut will cost Washington more than $1MM in dead money.
Washington will fill Johnson’s roster spot with another cornerback. The team claimed Kyu Blu Kelly off waivers from the Packers, Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post tweets. A fifth-round Ravens pick this year, Kelly is already on team No. 4. The Ravens, Seahawks and Packers have waived the Stanford product.
Since Johnson re-signed with the team this offseason, significant changes have occurred. Ron Rivera fired DC Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer after a Thanksgiving Day loss. Johnson has been with the team long enough he predates Rivera and Del Rio, however. Among Washington defenders, only Jonathan Allen has been with the team longer. Washington initially picked up Johnson as a UDFA in 2018.
Johnson, 28, has started eight games over the course of his career; four came last season. The 5-foot-9 defender has operated exclusively as a backup this year, though he has played 24% of Washington’s defensive snaps. Johnson’s snap count has tailed off in recent weeks; Johnson has only played more than 11 defensive snaps once since Week 8.
Kelly is six years younger and remains attached to his rookie contract. Three teams have now claimed him. The Seahawks did so in August, and the Packers followed suit in November. Kyu Blu Kelly, the son of ex-Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning cornerback Brian Kelly, has played just one defensive snap over six games this season.
Broncos TE Greg Dulcich Back At Practice
Battling chronic hamstring trouble over his first two NFL seasons, Greg Dulcich has landed on IR four times due to this particular issue. While this has happened twice in 2023, the Broncos have not given up on the pass-catching tight end contributing this season.
Dulcich is back at Broncos practice Wednesday; the team designated the second-year tight end to return from IR, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Dulcich has been out since aggravating his hamstring injury in Week 6. The UCLA product initially suffered the injury in Week 1. Teams can activate a player from IR twice in one season, but both moves go toward the team’s activation total. The Broncos have five IR activations left.
While the Broncos have turned their season around by winning six out of their past seven games, they have not received much production from their tight end position. Adam Trautman‘s precise placement on a touchdown against the Browns notwithstanding, no Denver tight end has surpassed 150 receiving yards this year. In just 10 games last year, Dulcich posted 411.
The Broncos placed Dulcich on IR twice as a rookie, stashing him on the injured list to start his career and moving him back to close the season. While Dulcich stood out on a broken offense in between, his hamstring issues followed him to Year 2. The UCLA product hit IR after Week 1, and after only 11 snaps against the Chiefs in Week 6, he needed to be shut down once again. Dulcich has already missed 17 games through two seasons.
During the Broncos’ first draft after trading a bounty for Russell Wilson, they selected Dulcich with their second pick. Last year’s No. 80 overall choice scored twice and averaged 12.5 yards per catch in 2022, but injuries have obviously marred his career. With Sean Payton having not been in Denver when the team chose Dulcich, the young pass catcher is not off to a good start with the new HC. Payton traded for ex-Saint Trautman during the draft.
Trautman is playing on an expiring contract, and Dulcich has spent much his NFL time rehabbing. These circumstances will likely lead the Broncos making a notable investment in a tight end during Payton’s second offseason in charge. But Dulcich staying healthy to close this season would help his cause. The Broncos have three weeks from today to activate the 6-foot-4 talent.
Beyond Dulcich and safety Caden Sterns, the Broncos have gone through the season healthier than in recent years. The team did lose one of its top edge rushers against the Chargers, but Payton noted Wednesday (via Denver7’s Troy Renck) Nik Bonitto is not a candidate to land on IR. The 2022 second-round pick suffered a knee injury in Week 14.
Dolphins To Sign C Jonotthan Harrison, C Matt Skura
In the wake of Connor Williams‘ ACL tear, Mike McDaniel said the Dolphins would consider outside options. The AFC East leaders will act on that, signing two experienced centers.
The Dolphins are adding Jonotthan Harrison to their active roster and signing Matt Skura to the practice squad. Harrison will take Williams’ roster spot; the Dolphins placed their two-year starting pivot on IR.
The structure of this two-center plan is a bit unusual, considering Skura started eight Rams games last season and Harrison has not played in a regular-season game since 2019. But both will head to Miami as emergency depth options. The Dolphins are preparing to slide Liam Eichenberg from guard to center, where the third-year lineman played in place of an injured Williams in Week 4.
Harrison, 32, has 42 career starts on his resume. Skura, 30, has 73. Both have bounced around over the past few seasons, but the most notable centers available either announced plans to retire recently or were linked to considering it.
Last seeing action with the Jets in 2019, Harrison has journeyed the Eastern Time Zone since. Starting 10 games for the 2019 Jets, Harrison has since joined the Bills, Giants and Falcons. After spending much of last season on Atlanta’s practice squad, Harrison went to camp with the team this summer. The Falcons cut Harrison in August; he has been out of football since. Harrison is best known for his time in Indianapolis and New York. He started 23 games for the Colts and 19 for the Jets.
Skura, who joined a battered Rams O-line during the 2022 season, would seem a more likely candidate to contribute. But he will join Miami’s P-squad. The Ravens used Skura as a four-year starter, deploying him at guard and center. A modest market awaited the former UDFA in free agency, leading him to the Giants in 2021. It took until late September of last year for Skura to land a gig. As injuries decimated the Rams’ front, Skura stepped in and started eight games. Pro Football Focus graded Skura as an adequate pass blocker last season but maligned his run-blocking performance.
The Dolphins, who let backup Michael Deiter walk in free agency, still have Lester Cotton as an interior backup option. But Skura and Harrison are now part of the contingency plan.
Browns Place S Grant Delpit On IR; DE Ogbo Okoronkwo Out For Season
Grant Delpit will become the latest Browns starter set to miss significant time due to injury. Hours after agreeing to an extension, Grant Delpit sustained a groin injury. That will lead the Browns to make a roster move.
The Browns placed Delpit on IR on Wednesday; this transaction will sideline the fourth-year safety for the rest of the regular season. Joining a host of starters out of the mix for the regular season’s remainder, Delpit has already undergone surgery, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com notes. Kevin Stefanski said Delpit will be in play to come back if the Browns make the playoffs.
Cleveland is already without its starting quarterback (Deshaun Watson), running back (Nick Chubb) and top three tackles (Jedrick Wills, Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones). Its defense has been a bit healthier this season, leading to a No. 1 ranking in yards allowed. But Delpit will be out of the mix for the time being. To replace him on their 53-man roster, the Browns signed safety Duron Harmon from the practice squad. The Browns now have 13 players on IR.
In addition to Delpit, the Browns’ defense will take a hit up front. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo suffered a pectoral injury that cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot indicates will knock him out for the rest of the season. The former Rams and Texans defensive end sustained a torn pec, per Cabot. Signed this offseason, Okoronkwo has been a key rotational rusher for the Browns. The fifth-year edge defender has registered 4.5 sacks coming off the bench behind Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith.
For Delpit, this injury makes his extension timing rather important. The LSU alum and the Browns completed a rare gameday-morning agreement Sunday, locking the fourth-year defender into a three-year, $36MM deal. Delpit will receive $14.9MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap, and $23.6MM guaranteed for injury. The latter guarantee number only comes into play if Delpit cannot pass a physical once a new league year starts, but locking in nearly $15MM at signing now proves pivotal considering Jessie Bates was the only free agent safety to score a contract worth more than $8MM per year this offseason.
Okoronkwo signed a three-year, $19MM accord in March, coming to Cleveland two months before the Browns traded for Smith. On that contract, Okoronkwo collected $10.8MM fully guaranteed. Given the void years attached, Okoronkwo is prohibitive to release in 2024. With Smith set to become a free agent once again, Okoronkwo moving into the Browns’ 2024 starting lineup alongside Garrett could be in play. But he will need to complete a rehab journey first.
Behind Garrett and Smith, the Browns also have 2022 third-round pick Alex Wright, rookie fourth-rounder Isaiah McGuire and third-year UDFA Sam Kamara. No Browns player behind Garrett has collected more than five sacks. Of the healthy DE options behind the starters, only Wright has even registered one. The Browns also lost defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr. for the season this week, completing a rough span on the injury front for the 8-5 team.
Texans To Release K Matt Ammendola; K Ka’imi Fairbairn Returns To Practice
DECEMBER 13: Fairbairn will indeed return to practice Wednesday, per Wilson. After five missed games, the seventh-year Texans kicker is on track to return to his post in Week 15.
DECEMBER 12: The Texans look to be making preparations for their standard kicker setup to be back in place. After Matt Ammendola kicked for the team for the past five games, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes Houston is releasing the young specialist from its practice squad.
This will clear the way for Ka’imi Fairbairn, whom Wilson adds is expected to be activated from IR this week. Fairbairn has missed more than the IR-mandated minimum game count due to a quad strain, but the playoff-contending team is on track to have him back in Week 15.
A third-year kicker, Ammendola worked as a fill-in option for the Chiefs and Cardinals last season. He kicked in 11 games for the Jets as a rookie in 2021. This season, the 27-year-old specialist has missed three field goals — one a 58-yard game-tying attempt at the end of a three-point Texans loss to the Jaguars — and an extra point.
Fairbairn has been Houston’s kicker since he arrived as a 2017 UDFA. The 29-year-old Hawaiian made 93.5% of his field goal tries last season — by far a career-high for a full campaign. Prior to the quad injury, Fairbairn had gotten off to a strong start this season. Through eight games, Fairbairn had made 18 of 19 field goal attempts and was 14-for-14 on extra points.
Although Fairbairn has not been officially designated for return, he should be expected to both begin practicing and return to action this week. The Texans also used an IR activation on their punter, Cameron Johnston, earlier this year.