Bills To Sign RB Leonard Fournette
After a seven-plus-month stay in free agency, Leonard Fournette has found a new home. The former top-five pick agreed to terms with the Bills on Monday, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz tweets.
Fournette will join a Bills team that recently placed Damien Harris on IR. While this will be a practice squad deal for the former Jaguars and Buccaneers back, it would certainly not surprise if Fournette suited up soon. Teams continually use the P-squad as a bridge to bring veterans onto active rosters, and Schultz indicates that will be the plan here.
This agreement comes after an interesting news cycle, one that featured a report indicating the Bills planned to meet with Fournette and another confirming no such visit took place. Nevertheless, the Bills had the seventh-year back on their radar. Fournette will join a backfield housing James Cook and Latavius Murray.
He of two 1,000-yard seasons in Jacksonville and a key role in Tampa, Fournette profiles as an interesting piece for the Buffalo offense. The Bills had added Harris on a one-year, $1.77MM accord in March. But the neck injury he sustained in Week 6 changed the team’s plans. Harris had worked as a Cook complementary piece, taking handoffs near the goal line at points. Murray has been a between-the-tackles supporting-caster as well, and the Bills have rolled with a Cook-Murray tandem since the Harris injury. It is unclear if Harris will return this season, but the Bills have insurance going forward.
When the Bucs released Fournette in February, it was described as a mutual separation. But Fournette languished in free agency for much of the year and did not land a deal until midseason. The LSU product worked out for the Patriots and was on the Colts’ radar during their period with both Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss out of the picture. No deals commenced; both teams brought in other backs. Fournette, 28, should at least be fresh after taking half the season off. He also has not topped 200 carries in a season since his final Jaguars slate (2019).
Choosing Fournette over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in 2017, the Jaguars did benefit from the power runner in the late 2010s. Fournette drove a Jags offense down Allen Robinson to the AFC championship game, but a falling out transpired that led to a summer 2020 release. The Bucs used Fournette primarily as a backup during the 2020 regular season, but the “Playoff Lenny” moniker soon took hold, with the free agency pickup totaling 448 scrimmage yards in four Bucs postseason efforts that year. Fournette supplanted Jones as the Bucs’ starter and held that job for two more seasons.
After a productive 2021, the Bucs gave Fournette a three-year, $21MM deal in March 2022. This mirrored the contract the Cardinals handed James Conner. While the latter remains attached to those terms, Fournette had to settle for a P-squad pact that will turn into veteran-minimum money if/once he lands on Buffalo’s active roster. The Bucs guaranteed Fournette $9MM at signing, and he earned $27MM fully guaranteed on his Jags rookie deal. Hitting free agency during a brutal time for the RB position, Fournette will now attempt to re-establish his value as a Bills role player.
Latest On Browns’ Deshaun Watson
OCTOBER 29: Watson is still expected to avoid an IR stint, per Schefter and Dianna Russini of The Athletic. A source tells Schefter that Watson is unlikely to be sidelined for more than two weeks, while Russini hears that Watson is “day-to-day.”
OCTOBER 25: The Browns will push back Watson’s second comeback attempt, with Kevin Stefanski ruling him out for Sunday’s Seahawks matchup. Walker, whom the Browns signed to their active roster today, will make another start. Stefanski confirmed (via NFL.com’s Andrew Siciliano) Watson has residual swelling after leaving Week 7 early but reiterated the latest MRI showed no additional structural damage.
Also, in addition to the practice squad acquisition of Jordan Wilkins yesterday, Cleveland enlisted further reinforcements at running back today, signing Nate McCrary to the practice squad, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. With Chubb on IR and Ford doubtful for Sunday, McCrary will compete with Wilkins for a potential opportunity to be elevated and play behind Hunt and Strong in Seattle this weekend.
OCTOBER 24: Deshaun Watson‘s return to action did not last long. The high-priced quarterback left the Browns’ Week 7 game after 12 snaps. While Watson is cleared to play, he continues to experience shoulder pain.
A Tuesday MRI did not reveal any additional injuries coming out of Cleveland’s high-scoring win in Indianapolis, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Watson confirmed he is dealing with a strained rotator cuff last week, and cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot adds the seventh-year QB battling is an injury in the subscapularis muscle, the largest in the rotator cuff.
Watson continues to deal with movement limitations, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds this particular injury can shelve pitchers for between four and six weeks. Doctors have informed Watson this is typically a four- to six-week injury. Watson sustained the injury against the Titans in Week 3 and missed Week 4 after a Saturday MRI revealed the extent of the malady. After Cleveland’s bye week, Watson rested again. Despite returning to practice last week, Watson remains far from 100%.
Sunday’s Seahawks matchup will mark five weeks from the initial injury, though it is unclear how much Watson set his recovery back by returning to face the Colts. The Browns have not decided on a course of action with their $230MM quarterback.
Watson, of course, enjoys unrivaled security due to his fully guaranteed contract. Rushing back would make little sense through that lens. A collision with Colts defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo led Watson out of the Browns’ Week 7 matchup, with Cabot adding the QB’s velocity was down due to this injury affecting his shoulder rotation. The 2022 trade acquisition entering concussion protocol came about because of the independent neurologist; he was cleared of a head injury soon after. But this shoulder problem persists.
If Watson cannot go, the Browns would again turn to P.J. Walker, whom they bumped ahead of Week 1 backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson earlier this month. It is fairly clear this issue will linger for the foreseeable future, which could lead to more Watson absences for the 4-2 team. For Walker to play in Week 8, the Browns must sign him to the 53-man roster. The ex-Panthers backup has made the rare transition from gameday elevation to to QB1, but the team has used up his three allotted elevations this season.
Additionally, the Browns are expected to be without running back Jerome Ford for a bit. The initial Nick Chubb replacement suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday, per Schefter, who classifies this as a “low grade” sprain that is likely to sideline the second-year back a week or two. The Browns signed Kareem Hunt in the wake of Chubb’s knee injury, and they acquired Pierre Strong from the Patriots before the season. Hunt logged 10 carries (for 31 yards) last week; Strong totaled eight (for 25).
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/23
Here are the gameday elevations and other minor moves made around the league in advance of Week 8:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
- Placed on IR: G Elijah Wilkinson
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille, RB Damien Williams,
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: LB Andre Smith
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: WR Tylan Wallace
- Elevated: S DeAndre Houston-Carson, RB Owen Wright
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: S Matthias Farley, OLB Eku Leota
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: DE Khalid Kareem
- Released: T Aviante Collins
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: OT Ty Nsekhe, RB Jordan Wilkins
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: LB Rashaan Evans, TE Eric Saubert
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: WR Tre’Quan Smith
- Placed on IR: WR Brandon Johnson
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DT Hassan Ridgeway
- Released: LB Cory Littleton
- Elevated: CB D’Angelo Ross
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: DT McTelvin Agim, CB Chris Lammons
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: CB Tevaughn Campbell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: S Deon Bush
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Bolton (story)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Alex Erickson
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Darrell Henderson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: WR Trishton Jackson
- Elevated: LB Nick Vigil
New England Patriots
- Elevated: OL Conor McDermott
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: WR Gunner Olszewski (story)
- Elevated: QB Tommy DeVito, OLB Oshane Ximines
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Malik Taylor, OL Xavier Newman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: WR Julio Jones
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield, WR Willie Snead
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from suspension: WR Dee Eskridge
- Released: C Joey Hunt
- Elevated: OL Jason Peters
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Eric Garror, DL Jaleel Johnson
- Waived: LB Chance Campbell, CB Shyheim Carter
- Elevated: LB Joe Jones, RB Jonathan Ward
Washington Commanders
- Signed to active roster: FB Alex Armah
- Elevated: CB Tariq Castro-Fields, LB Jabril Cox
Wilkinson’s loss will be notable for the Cardinals, given his status as an entrenched starter at the left guard spot. The 28-year-old joined Arizona on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in free agency after stints in Denver, Chicago and Atlanta. Trystan Colon replaced him in the starting lineup in Week 7, and that will likely continue for the time being. Wilkinson will be out for at least four weeks as a result of the IR move.
Ridgeway has been out since Week 1, his Texans debut. The former 49er joined the Texans in a move which allowed him to continue working under head coach DeMeco Ryans. Ridgeway ended last season on IR, so he will be looking for an extended run of availability in his new home. A veteran of 78 games (and 19 starts), he will aim to carve out a rotational role up front.
Peters was brought in by the Seahawks while they were dealing with injury problems at both tackle spots. Blindside blocker Charles Cross has since returned, so Peters’ most familiar spot will not be available if he is to make his Seattle debut on Sunday. The fact the latter is healthy and in game shape does mean, however, that he will be eligible to play in a 19th NFL season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/28/23
Saturday’s taxi squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: P Pat O’Donnell
- Released: LB Donavan Mutin
Chicago Bears
- Released: S A.J. Thomas
Falcons punter Bradley Pinion was added to the team’s injury report on Saturday, leaving his availability for Week 8 in questions. O’Donnell has been made one of Atlanta’s gameday elevations, so the team will be covered in the event Pinion is unable to suit up tomorrow. Such a scenario would give O’Donnell, 32, his first NFL action since he was released by the Packers this summer.
Jags Activate DT DaVon Hamilton
OCTOBER 28: Hamilton was activated from IR on Saturday, per a team announcement. The move comes in time for him to make his season debut in Week 8, and with less than one week remaining in his activation window. Even if the 26-year-old is unable to suit up on Sunday, his return will be welcomed by a Jacksonville defensive front which has remained stout against the run in his absence. This move will use up the Jaguars’ first IR activation of the season.
OCTOBER 12: Prior to placing DaVon Hamilton on IR, the Jaguars labeled his back injury a non-football-related medical issue. Doug Pederson revealed no return timetable existed. But the recently extended defensive lineman is now on his way back.
Hamilton returned to Jaguars practice Thursday, starting his 21-day activation clock. Players generally receive return designations earlier in the week. While Hamilton returning on a Thursday does not bode too well for his Week 6 availability, the Jags have until Nov. 2 to pull the trigger on his activation. The Jaguars have not used an IR activation this season.
Jacksonville handed Hamilton a three-year, $34.5MM extension this offseason, displaying confidence in the former third-round pick as a central defensive line cog. The fourth-year D-tackle has been out of action since late in the Jags’ training camp, but he looks to be close to putting this back issue behind him.
Hamilton’s return would strengthen a Jags run defense that already ranks fifth. The team is coming off holding the Bills to 29 yards on the ground. Pro Football Focus graded Hamilton as a top-30 interior D-lineman last season, touting his inside pass-rushing ability while still tabbing him as above average against the run. After working as a spot starter during his first two campaigns, Hamilton moved into the lineup on a full-time basis in 2022, starting 14 contests.
The Ohio State product established new career-high marks in tackles (56) and TFLs (five) in 2022, and he passed on playing out a contract year en route to free agency. To entice him to do so, the Jaguars presented a $20MM guarantee at signing.
The Jags extended both Hamilton and Roy Robertson-Harris up front this offseason, and they have D-tackle Folorunso Fatukasi signed long term as well. The team has made major investments in its front seven, having three cogs signed to veteran deals and three first-rounders (Josh Allen, Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd) in the fold as well. The Jags are on a two-game win streak, having rebounded in London. They are gunning for their first repeat division title since winning the AFC Central from 1998-99.
Dolphins Activate CB Jalen Ramsey
As expected, Jalen Ramsey is on track to make his Dolphins debut tomorrow. The All-Pro corner was officially activated from injured reserve on Saturday. 
Ramsey has been out through the start of the 2023 season, his first in Miami. He was originally not expected to recover from his meniscus repair until next month, but optimism for a quicker timeline has since been put in place. A report from earlier this week pointed to Week 8 as the point at which Ramsey could be activated, and the team has now taken the expected step of activating him in time for Sunday’s game.
The Dolphins traded for the six-time Pro Bowler in March, leading to expectations for a dramatic improvement in their secondary. Under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Miami has put up middling performances against the pass so far while recording just three interceptions. Ramsey will be a welcomed addition to a CB room which just saw Nik Needham activated from the PUP list.
Ramsey, 29, has recovered well ahead of schedule with recent indications suggesting an earlier-than-expected return to the field. Plenty of attention will no doubt be on him with respect to his mobility coming off a major knee injury, but also his ability to live up to expectations with the Dolphins, who guaranteed his 2024 salary as part of the trade agreement with the Rams (which saw a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long sent Los Angeles’ way). The Florida State alum’s pact runs through 2025, so his performance will be a key talking point given his new team’s commitment to him.
The Dolphins have Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou in place as starters, and Ramsey will take his place opposite the former on the perimeter when he suits up. Eli Apple has managed to carve out a rotational role so far, but Ramsey’s activation should relegate him to a lesser workload moving forward (as has been the case to date for second-round rookie Cam Smith). It will be interesting to see how the team’s CB arrangement with respect to Needham and Kohou in particular shakes out with Ramsey back in the fold.
Clearing the latter to suit up will leave Miami with five IR activations for the rest of the season. To make room for Ramsey on the active roster, depth corner Parry Nickerson was released.
Commanders Place LB Cody Barton, G Saahdiq Charles On IR, Activate DT Phidarian Mathis
On a busy day of roster shuffling for the Commanders, a pair of starters have been shut down for an extended stretch while a notable depth defender has been cleared to return. Washington announced on Saturday that linebacker Cody Barton and left guard Saahdiq Charles have been placed on injured reserve, while defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis has been activated from IR. 
Barton suffered a high ankle sprain in the Commanders’ Week 7 loss to the Giants, and the injury will require a lengthy recovery period. The 26-year-old will miss at least the next four weeks as a result of the IR move. That will interrupt his debut season in the nation’s capital, which has come after four years in Seattle. Barton signed a one-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $3.5MM in free agency, and he has seen the largest workload of his career with the Commanders.
The former third-rounder’s defensive snap share sits at 88% this season, and he has made 61 tackles amidst the uptick in playing time. The latter figure represents the second-largest of Barton’s career, though he will be unable to match last season’s mark (136) given the time is now slated to miss. Washington has David Mayo and Khaleke Hudson in place at the LB spot, and head coach Ron Rivera has indicated a number of other players will get a look in Barton’s absence.
Losing Charles for at least one month will hinder a Commanders O-line which has drawn signficant criticism this season, as quarterback Sam Howell has taken a league-leading 40 sacks. Charles, who has previously seen time at right guard and right tackle, has played exclusively at the LG spot in 2023. The 2020 fourth-rounder has taken on full-time starting duties for the first time this year, though he has earned an underwhelming PFF grade of 59.1 so far. Between that, and the month-long absence guaranteed by today’s news, Charles’ free agent stock is set to take a hit. Chris Paul and Ricky Stromberg are the likely replacements available to Washington at left guard.
Mathis’ activation comes as little surprise, as he was designated for return earlier this week. The 2022 second-rounder was limited to just one game as a rookie due to an meniscus tear, and his return to the lineup (following a separate injury) has been long-awaited. The Alabama product will look to carve out a rotational role on the inside behind the team’s high-priced duo of Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
Bringing back Mathis will use up one of the Commanders’ IR activations, leaving them with six for the remainder of the season. Two of those will be required to bring Barton and Charles back into the lineup when healthy. In the meantime, Washington will proceed with their replacements through an important stretch on the schedule.
Bengals Place RB Chase Brown On IR
The Bengals are down a backup running back. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cincinnati has placed Chase Brown on injured reserve.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Brown injured his hamstring during Thursday’s practice. The running back will now miss at least the next four games before being eligible for activation.
Following a standout 2022 campaign where Brown earned second-team All-Big Ten honors, the Illinois product was selected in the fifth round of this year’s draft. The rookie was expected to add a spark to the Bengals backfield, but he hasn’t seen much of a role through the first month-plus.
In five games this season, Brown has collected 13 yards from scrimmage on five carries. The rookie has also seen a role on special teams, collecting a pair of tackles. He’s appeared in more than 50-perent of Cincy’s special teams snaps.
With Samaje Perine now in Denver, the Bengals will have to roll with some inexperienced depth behind Joe Mixon. Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans will move forward as the top backups, with Demetric Felton being a candidate for a promotion to the active roster.
Giants Place RB Gary Brightwell On IR
The Giants are down a key special teamer. The team has placed Gary Brightwell on injured reserve, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The third-year player will be required to miss at least the next four games.
Brightwell suffered a hamstring injury during last weekend’s win over the Commanders, and he ended up sitting out practice this week. Brightwell is the second Giants RB to land on injured reserve this week, with Eric Gray being ruled out with a calf injury.
Brightwell was a sixth-round pick by the Giants in the 2021 draft. After barely playing on offense as a rookie, the Arizona product saw a larger role in 2022, finishing with 180 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 36 touches. Through seven games this season, the 24-year-old had 66 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches.
Brightwell also had a significant role on special teams, appearing in more than 50 percent of his team’s ST snaps through his first two-plus seasons. Brightwell has 13 tackles on his resume, including one stop this season.
The Giants were busy adding to their RB room this week, signing Jashaun Corbin off the Panthers practice squad and claiming Deon Jackson off waivers from the Browns. One of those two acquisitions will slide in as the RB3 behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/27/23
Friday’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: WR Tarik Black
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB John Kelly Jr.
Houston Texans
- Released: CB Cobi Francis