Vikings Place OLB Marcus Davenport On IR, Activate KR Kene Nwangwu
Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter–Marcus Davenport edge-rushing partnership hit a snag with a Davenport injury. That will lead to a paused season for the free agency pickup.
The Vikings placed Davenport on IR on Wednesday, shelving the former Saints first-rounder until at least Week 11. Davenport is battling a high ankle sprain. In addition to the Davenport transaction, the Vikings activated running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu from IR and designated wide receiver Jalen Nailor for return from IR.
While Nwangwu represents Minnesota’s first IR activation this season, Davenport will be on track to join him later. The Vikings gave Davenport a one-year, $13MM deal this offseason, bringing him in to replace Za’Darius Smith. This move led to uncertainty at Minnesota’s edge positions, with Smith remaining on the roster for several weeks ahead of a trade to Cleveland. While Smith is now part of a top-tier Browns defense, the Pro Bowler has yet to record a sack. Davenport, who notched a half-sack despite playing 15 games last season, has two through six Vikes contests.
Davenport, 27, and Hunter are together for now, but the Vikings’ edge situation is not settled from a long-term standpoint. Neither starter is signed beyond 2023, and Hunter profiles as one of this season’s top trade candidates. The ninth-year Viking has eight sacks thus far, pacing the NFL. Davenport’s injury weakens the Vikings’ pass rush and likely prevents them from dealing the 2018 first-rounder. The Vikes did make a seller’s trade involving an edge rusher three years ago, trading Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens. But Davenport’s injury probably squashes his market, with the trade deadline Oct. 31.
The team considered Hunter trades this offseason, and with Kevin O’Connell‘s squad starting 2-4, it will be interesting to see if the defending NFC North champions consider moving on. But Hunter may still be in Minnesota’s long-term plans. For Davenport, this injury hurts his chances of putting quality production on film for a potential 2024 free agency push. It also hurts Davenport’s hopes of showing he can provide consistency. His up-and-down New Orleans tenure led to a “prove it” deal in March.
Nwangwu returned to practice Oct. 11. The Vikings have not used the third-year back much in the backfield, but the Iowa State alum has been one of the NFL’s best kick returners during his career. Nwangwu is the only NFLer to have tallied three kick-return touchdowns since the start of the 2021 season. Nyheim Hines is the only other player with even two kick-return scores. Nwangwu, 25, will stand to give the Vikings a boost on special teams.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/23
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S Andrew Adams
Chicago Bears
- Signed: QB Trace McSorley
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Mohamed Ibrahim
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Anthony Johnson
- Released: CB Kiondre Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Tyrod Cleveland, RB Zavier Scott
- Released: WR Racey McMath, WR Anthony Miller, G Dakoda Shepley
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Isaiah Moore
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: OT Jalen McKenzie
- Released: WR Malik Flowers
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Quinton Bell
New England Patriots
- Signed: OT Conor McDermott
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/23
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: S Jaylinn Hawkins
Carolina Panthers
- Signed off Giants practice squad: S Alex Cook
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: G Michael Dunn
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: WR Juwann Winfree
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released from reserve/retired: LB Blake Martinez
Miami Dolphins
- Released from IR: DE Chase Winovich
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: WR Trishton Jackson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed off Steelers practice squad: CB Josiah Scott
- Waived: CB Mario Goodrich
Patriots Designate CB Jack Jones For Return
The Patriots defense has been hit hard by injuries, but the team will soon be getting some reinforcement. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, New England has designated cornerback Jack Jones for return from IR.
The 2022 fourth-round pick showed flashes as a rookie, compiling 30 tackles and two interceptions (including a pick-six on Aaron Rodgers). Jones landed on injured reserve late during his rookie campaign thanks to a knee injury, and he was later suspended by the Patriots for undisclosed reasons.
Jones suffered a hamstring injury prior to Week 1 that ultimately required him to be placed on injured reserve. It took more than the minimum four weeks for the cornerback to return to the practice field, and the Patriots will now have 21 days to activate Jones from IR.
Considering New England’s current struggles at the position, the team will likely make that activation sooner than later. Rookie first-round pick Christian Gonzalez is out for the season after suffering a torn labrum, and promising sophomore Marcus Jones is also on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Making matters worse, veteran Jonathan Jones missed a handful of games and has played through an ankle injury over the past few weeks.
Considering the losses the Patriots have faced at the position, the front office went out and acquired old friend J.C. Jackson from the Chargers. After debuting with the Patriots in Week 5, Jackson played in 96 percent of New England’s defensive snaps in Week 6.
Ravens Cut RB Kenyan Drake From Practice Squad
Kenyan Drake‘s stint with the Ravens has come to an end. Baltimore has released the veteran running back from the practice squad, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Drake got into 12 games (five starts) for the Ravens in 2022, mostly out of necessity following injuries throughout their backfield. Following a brief stint in Indy, Drake landed back in Baltimore in late-September following J.K. Dobbins‘ season-ending injury.
The running back earned a pair of promotions during his second stint with the Ravens. He had three touches for 31 yards in Week 3, but a crucial fumble led to limited snaps when he next appeared in Week 5.
Undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell is now healthy and on the active roster. With Gus Edwards and Justice Hill leading the depth chart, Drake would have been hard pressed to earn a promotion in the coming weeks. The Ravens also still have veteran Melvin Gordon and rookie Owen Wright on the practice squad, so Drake wasn’t even the first option if Baltimore does suffer another injury at the position.
There’s a chance the 29-year-old running back finds a new home before the season is done. Drake isn’t all that far removed from a 2020 campaign where he topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 10 touchdowns, and he still averaged 4.5 yards on his 126 touches in 2022.
Cardinals Waive OLB Myjai Sanders
Steve Keim’s final draft as Cardinals GM featured a third-round pick spent on Myjai Sanders. The edge rusher will not end up playing under the Monti Ossenfort–Jonathan Gannon regime.
The Cardinals waived Sanders on Tuesday. This move comes after the team tried to find a trade partner, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The Cardinals recently designated Sanders to return from IR, though they have not activated him. His Day 2 contract is now free to be claimed.
Sanders was productive during his rookie season, collecting 23 tackles and three sacks in 13 games (four starts). He saw time in about 30 percent of his team’s defensive snaps during the 2022 season, and there was some hope he’d take a step forward during his sophomore campaign.
Instead, the linebacker found himself falling down the depth chart, and a hand injury ultimately kept him on the shelf for the start of the 2023 season. It sounds like Sanders is just about ready to return to the field, but there wasn’t a spot for him in a deep Cardinals OLBs room that features Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje, Cameron Thomas, Jesse Luketa, and BJ Ojulari.
The Cardinals have been quick to move on from Keim’s 2022 draft class. Sanders is now the third 2022 third-round pick to get cut by the team, with the linebacker joining cornerback Christian Matthew and offensive lineman Lecitus Smith.
Rams Reunite With Darrell Henderson, Add Myles Gaskin Off Vikings’ Practice Squad
4:05pm: Henderson’s path back to the Rams’ 53-man roster is no longer as smooth as it looked. In addition to moving Freeman up on a full-time basis, the Rams are signing Myles Gaskin off the Vikings’ practice squad, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. A four-year Miami contributor, Gaskin caught on with the Vikings after an August Dolphins release. Gaskin, who led the Dolphins in rushing in 2019 and ’20, has played in one Vikings game this season.
2:35pm: Stung by running back injuries, the Rams will complete a reunion to help the cause. With Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers injured, Darrell Henderson is coming back to the Rams.
The Rams are adding Henderson to their practice squad. The former third-round pick, who played for the team from 2019-22, has not been on a roster since last season. In addition to bringing back Henderson, the Rams are signing Royce Freeman to their 53-man roster. Freeman had played in three Rams games this season, doing so as a practice squad elevation. Sean McVay said Monday both Williams and Rivers would miss time; Rivers is an IR candidate after suffering a PCL sprain.
Henderson worked as the Rams’ starter for much of their 2021 Super Bowl-winning season, but injuries and a COVID-19 contraction slowed his momentum and led to Sony Michel and then Cam Akers taking over the starting role. Henderson suffered a thigh injury late in the 2021 season, and after the COVID bout, he sustained an MCL sprain. While the Rams activated Henderson for Super Bowl LVI, he has not recaptured the momentum from the ’21 regular season.
With Akers and the Rams at odds early during the 2022 season, Henderson filled in as a seven-game starter. But the Rams encountered a number of offensive line injuries and were eventually playing without Matthew Stafford. Henderson finished his abbreviated 2022 with 283 rushing yards (4.0 per carry); the Rams waived him in late November. While the Jaguars stepped in with a claim, they moved on without using Henderson in a regular-season game. Summer workouts for the Patriots and Colts did not lead to a signing.
Henderson, 26, produced back-to-back 600-yard rushing seasons from 2020-21. Akers became the Rams’ go-to back down the stretch in 2020, but after he suffered an Achilles tear in July 2021, the eventual championship team rolled with a Henderson-Michel duo. Zach Evans came into Tuesday as the only healthy back on Los Angeles’ 53-man roster. Freeman will now join him, though Henderson certainly is familiar with McVay’s system and would make sense as a roster elevation for Week 7.
Freeman, 27, joined the Rams just after this year’s training camp. The former Broncos third-round pick, whom Phillip Lindsay displaced as a starter during each’s rookie year (2018), spent last season with the Texans. Houston re-signed Freeman, a 2021 waiver claim, but did not use him much on offense. Freeman has not eclipsed 200 rushing yards in a season since 2019. The Rams cut Freeman after this preseason slate but kept him on their practice squad, rolling with first- or second-year backs on their active roster following the September Akers trade. Evans has taken four handoffs this season; all of Freeman’s 2023 snaps have come on special teams.
Colts DT Grover Stewart Incurs PED Ban
Part of a long-running defensive tackle duo alongside DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart will see his season pause. The NFL handed the veteran Colts nose tackle a six-game PED suspension Tuesday, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson.
A fourth-round pick in 2017, Stewart is the longest-tenured Colts defender. The team gave him an extension during his 2020 contract year, and this ban will prove costly. Stewart, who will turn 30 on Friday, will lose $3.1MM as a result of this suspension. The longtime starter said he unknowingly took a banned substance.
“I am responsible for what I put in my body, and I should have taken the proper steps to educate myself,” Stewart said. “I will learn from this moving forward, and I will take the appropriate measures to ensure this never happens again.”
This will be a big loss for the Colts. Stewart has started 70 career games, and Pro Football Focus slots him 18th among interior defensive linemen through six games. Lauding his run defense, PFF graded Stewart as a top-35 inside D-lineman from 2021-22 as well. Stewart posted career-high numbers in sacks (four) and tackles for loss (nine) last season. Through six games this year, he is on pace to establish a new career-best mark in QB hits, having five already.
The Colts have taken a step back defensively in Gus Bradley‘s second season, ranking outside the top 20 in both points and yards allowed, but the franchise has been able to bank on its Buckner-Stewart duo since forming it via the blockbuster Buckner trade in 2020. Part of Chris Ballard‘s first draft as GM, Stewart signed a three-year, $30.75MM extension in November 2020. That contract expiring after this season represents a tough blow to Stewart, who is attempting to use this season as a platform to a lucrative third contract — via another Colts extension or a free agency payday.
Tuesday’s development also brings new territory for the Colts, who have seen Stewart suit up for every game over the past four seasons. The Albany State (Ga.) alum has not missed a game since September 2018 and has only missed two over the course of his career. Indianapolis has enjoyed the luxury of its DT staples remaining healthy; Buckner has only missed one game as a Colt.
The team picked up former Jaguars first-round D-tackle Taven Bryan this offseason, but 2022 fifth-round pick Eric Johnson profiles as the more likely replacement, residing as the only other nose tackle on Indy’s roster. Johnson has played 22% of the Colts’ defensive snaps this season. PFF slots Johnson outside the top 110 among DTs.
Packers To Sign RB James Robinson
After working out James Robinson earlier this month, the Packers will end the young running back’s stay in free agency. The former Jaguars starter is signing with the Pack, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.
Green Bay will be Robinson’s third destination this year. The former UDFA success story signed with the Patriots and Giants this offseason, but neither stay led to any regular-season playing time. Robinson has not played since a stint with the Jets last season. This is a practice squad deal, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman.
The December 2021 Achilles tear Robinson sustained sidetracked his career. Although Robinson made it back in time for the start of last season, the Jaguars quickly determined Travis Etienne was their preferred back. the Jags traded Robinson to the Jets in October 2022, and the two-year Jacksonville starter did not see much run in New York. After starting five games for the Jags last season, Robinson only accumulated 29 carries for a Jets team that had lost Breece Hall for the season. The Jets waived Robinson this offseason.
The Patriots took out three injury waivers on Robinson upon signing him this year, with the protection surrounding the surgically repaired left Achilles and both knees. The Pats waived Robinson in June. He then spent training camp with the Giants, who kept Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell and Eric Gray as their Saquon Barkley backups. Robinson’s workouts with the Colts and Ravens did not lead to a signing, but his Packers audition belatedly has.
Robinson’s 1,414 scrimmage yards in 2020 remain an NFL record for a rookie UDFA. The Illinois State alum reached that total despite missing the Jags’ final two games. During the Urban Meyer-run Jags season the following year, Robinson finished with 989 scrimmage yards in 14 games. He joins a Packers backfield that has rarely been at full strength this year. Aaron Jones has missed three games, being a late scratch with a hamstring injury in Week 5.
The Packers have used practice squad elevation Patrick Taylor as AJ Dillon‘s backup in those games. Taylor has taken 11 handoffs this season; rookie UDFA Emanuel Wilson has logged five carries. The Packers waived Taylor last week; Wilson remains on their 53-man roster. Prior to signing Robinson, the Pack also hosted Darrell Henderson, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds. The four-year veteran re-signed with the Rams — on a practice squad deal — on Tuesday.
Colts Place QB Anthony Richardson On IR; Season-Ending Surgery In Play
OCTOBER 16: The newest update to Richardson’s situation comes from the team’s notoriously vocal owner Jim Irsay. According to Stephen Holder of ESPN, the team’s owner informed the media that Richardson could undergo shoulder surgery in the next week or so and is “probably” going to miss the remainder of the season.
“The most likelihood is he’s probably going to be gone for the year,” Irsay said this evening. “I mean, it’s not definite but (he) probably misses this year and we’re going to have to contend with that factor.”
Unless the Colts owner is misinformed, it’s looking like this will be Minshew’s team from here on out. Indianapolis is 3-1 in games in which Minshew takes a significant number of snaps after losing in his return to Jacksonville this past week.
OCTOBER 15: While the labrum in Richardson’s right shoulder is not torn, there is a “strong belief” that surgery is the best option for the rookie, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes. Rapoport ominously notes that “some reality likely has set in” for player and team, and that Richardson is giving serious consideration to a surgical procedure. As noted below, going that route would bring an end to Richardson’s 2023 season.
OCTOBER 11: After seeing Anthony Richardson suffer a third injury this season, the Colts are proceeding with caution. They placed their prized prospect on IR on Wednesday morning.
The No. 4 overall pick suffered what is believed to be an AC joint sprain against the Titans in Week 5. This transaction will sideline Richardson until Week 10, when the Colts head to Germany for a Patriots matchup. The Colts’ bye comes in Week 11, opening the door to the prospect of the team holding its starter out for a bit longer than the minimum waiting period. Judging by the latest prognosis, it sounds like the Colts will be without their starter until at least late November.
Richardson is now expected to miss between four and eight weeks, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes. Surgery is in play. Richardson is believed to be seeking at least three opinions on how to proceed with this injury. A consensus could produce a surgery route, which would put the talented dual threat’s season in jeopardy.
Although Richardson has flashed considerable promise, the Florida product has run into injury problems to start his career. He battled knee trouble in his NFL debut and left the Colts’ Week 2 game due to a concussion, missing Week 3. While Richardson made it through Indy’s Week 4 game unscathed, the shoulder trouble he sustained will cut into his developmental arc.
Gardner Minshew, who signed a one-year deal worth $3.5MM this offseason, will take over. This marks a second straight year Minshew will need to fill in for a quarterback who sustained a shoulder injury. Jalen Hurts‘ SC joint issue led to his breakthrough season stalling down the stretch; the Eagles standout did not require an IR stint. The Colts have Sam Ehlinger in place as their backup again, and the team signed Kellen Mond to its practice squad after a Tuesday workout.
Richardson beat out Minshew for the Colts’ starting job, despite coming to Indiana as a relatively inexperienced prospect. Minshew piloted the Colts to a Week 3 upset win over the Ravens and kept the car on the road to help the team topple the Titans on Sunday. The fifth-year veteran boasts a far better completion percentage (68.7%) compared to Richardson (59.5) and carries a similar yards-per-attempt number (6.7 to Richardson’s 6.9). The 6-foot-4 talent had already amassed 136 rushing yards, however, offering a new dimension to a Colts team that had relied on immobile veterans for years following Andrew Luck‘s surprise late-summer retirement.
Given Richardson’s raw profile, it was expected he would have early-career accuracy issues. This hiatus, however, deals a blow to a Colts franchise eyeing this season as a crucial growth window for the rookie. But they look to be in steady hands with Minshew, who has been in Shane Steichen‘s system for three seasons now. The Jaguars trading Minshew to the Eagles before the 2021 season united him with Steichen initially, and while the Trevor Lawrence pick and the subsequent trade ended Minshew’s run as a regular starter, this promises to be another opportunity to fill such a role.
The Washington State alum has made 25 career starts. He is 9-16 as a first-stringer, though most of those chances came with overmatched Jaguars teams. Minshew is a career 63.3% passer who boasts an impressive 46-to-15 TD-to-INT ratio. The Indy backup’s one-year deal came with playing-time incentives, which could boost the value to $5.5MM. Richardson’s course of action will likely impact Minshew’s earnings. Minshew would receive a $500K boost for hitting the 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% snap shares on offense, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman tweets.
After four seasons of stopgaps post-Luck, the Colts are suddenly back in familiar territory. But the Steichen-Minshew history does offer some stability to a team that spent 2022 adrift, leading to a 4-12-1 season and the Richardson investment. Indy is 3-2 now and looks to have a legitimate chance at beginning at turnaround this season.