Panthers Place OLB Marquis Haynes On IR; Latest On Brian Burns
The Panthers’ edge rushing contingent will be shorthanded to start the season. The team announced on Monday that Marquis Haynes has been placed on IR. He will be sidelined for at least four weeks as a result. 
Haynes has served in a backup role throughout his his five-year tenure in Carolina. The 29-year-old saw an uptick in usage last season, though, logging a 41% snap share. He translated that increased workload into career highs in sacks (five), pressures (16) and QB hits (13). His absence will thus be felt by a Panthers team looking to improve on the edge in 2023.
Carolina was long connected to additions to its pass-rushing contingent, and it thus came as no surprise that veteran Justin Houston was signed in August. The four-time Pro Bowler inked a one-year deal including $6MM guaranteed, giving the Panthers a complimentary option opposite Brian Burns. Houston led the Ravens with 9.5 sacks last season, and production anywhere near that level would make his addition a worthwhile one. Haynes’ absence will likely lead to a larger-than-expected workload for the 34-year-old early in the campaign.
With that said, Haynes had been dealing with a lingering back injury through the summer. Head coach Frank Reich said the team had been expecting the former former fourth-rounder to miss Week 1, so today’s news comes as little surprise. It is signficant, however, given the uncertainty surrounding Burns’ availability for the team’s regular season opener.
The latter has been with the team throughout training camp as talks continue on a multi-year extension. Burns remains hopeful that something will be worked out in the near future, but Reich confirmed on Monday that the 25-year-old did not take part in practice due to a personal matter. With his financial future beyond 2023 uncertain, questions have been raised about whether or not Burns will suit up for Week 1.
On that point, Reich said (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) that he is unsure if Burns is willing to start the campaign without a deal in hand. Especially if he misses time to try and leverage an extension, the loss of Haynes early in the campaign will be acutely felt by the Panthers’ defense.
Giants Restructure QB Daniel Jones’ Contract
In need of financial wiggle room to start the season, the Giants have created some by re-working their franchise quarterback’s pact. Daniel Jones has agreed to a restructure which sees $8.42MM of his 2023 salary converted into a signing bonus, per ESPN’s Field Yates. 
[RELATED: Reviewing Giants’ Offseason]
As a result of the move, Jones’ cap hit for this season has dropped from $21.8MM to $15.4MM. That will give the Giants some much-needed breathing room, as they entered Monday 29th in the league in cap space. On the other hand, it increases the burden of the 26-year-old’s deal in future years, with his cap hits for the next three years ballooning to $47.1MM, $41.6MM and $58.6MM.
New York made a massive investment in Jones just before the deadline to apply franchise tags, inking him to a four-year, $160MM deal. That paved the way for a Saquon Barkley franchise tag, and gave the team cost certainty under center for the foreseeable future. With up to $22MM available in cap savings available next year via another restructure, though, Dan Duggan of the Athletic notes that further adjustments to the Duke alum’s contract down the road should be expected.
Jones faces substantial expectations going into 2023, his second season under reigning Coach of the Year Brian Daboll. The former No. 6 pick put up new career highs in a number of categories last year, and with a new pass-catching corps led by Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller in place, further progression would help justify his contract. It would also make subsequent restructures easier to authorize in light of the other financial priorities the Giants have to address in the near future.
Barkley, along with defensive tackle Leonard Williams, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and safety Xavier McKinney are among the players set to hit free agency at the end of the 2023 campaign, and important decisions will need to made with respect to the price point the team is willing to set to retain each of them. Jones will be in the fold for years to come, though, especially given the financial downside the Giants would face if they were attempt to move on from him in the near future.
Texans Place G Kenyon Green On IR
SEPTEMBER 3: Kenyon Green and the Texans knew as early as May that Green may need surgery, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. It seems as if Houston wanted to see if its young blocker could play through the pain, and as Brandon Scott of Chron.com observes, Green was operating with the first team during the first two games of the preseason despite having his reps carefully managed in OTAs and training camp. Unfortunately, he aggravated the shoulder injury during the preseason finale, and it became clear he would need to be shut down.
“To his credit, he worked through it and I’d say did the best he could with the situation that he was given,” Caserio said. “In the end, we just felt for the betterment of the team and the player, that [surgery] was the best decision.”
AUGUST 29: Kenyon Green‘s injury will lead the Texans to take a drastic step. They placed the 2022 first-round pick on IR. This move will sideline the young guard for the season.
The Texans traded for Steelers interior O-lineman Kendrick Green earlier today, and they have center Juice Scruggs facing the possibility of a trip to in-season IR. That move would only knock out Scruggs for four games. By putting Kenyon Green on IR now, the Texans will lose him for the year.
This represents a tough blow to Kenyon Green‘s career and to the Texans’ O-line. A shoulder injury is one of multiple issues plaguing the Texas A&M product, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets, adding that the second-year lineman will undergo shoulder surgery. Green has already undergone two knee surgeries since joining the Texans.
Although injury trouble hampered Green during his first training camp, the 22-year-old blocker still played in 15 games (14 starts) as a rookie. But the ex-Aggie’s season did not go well. Pro Football Focus graded Green as the worst full-time guard in 2022. This year would have been an opportunity for a quick bounce back for last year’s first guard selected, but Green will have to wait until 2024 to turn his career around.
Chosen 15th overall last year, Green earned consensus All-American honors for his work in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The Texans made major investments in their offensive front over the past two offseasons. Following their Green pick, they extended Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard and traded for Shaq Mason. The ex-Patriots and Buccaneers guard — acquired by New England during Nick Caserio‘s time with the team — also signed an extension this offseason.
The Texans then used a second-round pick on Scruggs, but it will be a while before Houston can deploy its preferred O-line. Scruggs’ hamstring strain is expected to keep him out two to four weeks. The Texans have acquired both Kendrick Green and Josh Jones via trade in the past week. Both could be put to work early.
It may be a bit before the team unveils an O-line configuration featuring even three of its starting five. Rehabbing a hand injury, Howard is not viewed as a lock to start the season on time. This run of setbacks comes as the Texans prepare to begin No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud‘s starter run.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/2/23
Saturday’s saw just one team make additions to its taxi squad:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Qadree Ollison, RB Zander Horvath, S Tariq Carpenter
Dolphins To Extend FB Alec Ingold
SEPTEMBER 2: Taking away incentives, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques notes the deal is believed to be worth $12.2MM. This would average $4.1MM per season. This bumps Ingold ahead of the Ravens’ Patrick Ricard as the league’s second-highest-paid fullback. As expected when this pact was announced, Juszczyk remains the NFL’s highest-paid player at the position.
AUGUST 31: Dolphins running back rumors have circulated for most of the year, but no splash transaction has occurred. However, the team will make a notable payment to its fullback. Alec Ingold is now locked down through the 2026 season.
Miami is extending Ingold on a three-year deal worth up to $17.2MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. This makes Ingold the league’s second-highest-paid fullback — behind only San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk. Mike McDaniel having coached both Juszczyk and Ingold represents the relevant tie here, with this offensive scheme valuing the long-downward-trending position.
This represents a nice turnaround for Ingold, whom the Raiders nontendered as a restricted free agent last year. In McDaniel’s first months on the job, the Dolphins scooped up the Wisconsin alum on a two-year, $6.5MM deal. The fifth-year fullback is no longer going into a contract year.
Ingold is now making more money than every Dolphins running back. Neither Raheem Mostert nor Jeff Wilson signed for more than $3MM per year this offseason. Illustrating the state of the running back, Ingold was already making more than the recently re-signed Miami backs. But the system Mike McDaniel uses has continued to use fullbacks regularly.
The Dolphins had already illustrated their commitment to this position last year; Ingold was previously the league’s third-highest-paid fullback. It should be expected Juszczyk’s $5.4MM-per-year deal will remain the NFL standard, with incentives likely part of Ingold’s pact. But the 26-year-old will be tied to top-end fullback money for the foreseeable future.
Debuting in McDaniel’s offense, Ingold caught a career-high 15 passes last season. He has scored a receiving touchdown in each of his four seasons. As the Raiders shifted to Josh McDaniels’ offense, they went in another direction — ex-McDaniels Patriots charge Jakob Johnson — at the position. The Dolphins used Ingold on 418 snaps last season, a mark that nearly doubled his previous career high. After authorizing this contract, it is safe to assume Ingold will be a regular part of McDaniel’s offense in the long run.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/1/23
Teams continue to tinker with their taxi squads in the aftermath of roster cutdowns. Here are Friday’s updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Daniel Arias, G Marquis Hayes, S Jovante Moffatt, DL Ben Stille, TE Blake Whiteheart
- Released: CB Quavian White
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: T David Sharpe, RB Jashaun Corbin, LB Chandler Wooten, WR Derek Wright
Chicago Bears
- Signed: S A.J. Thomas
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB A.J. Green
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Ben Niemann
- Released: WR Michael Bandy
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Darrell Daniels
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DL Jonathan Ford
- Released: C James Empey
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Gerrit Prince
- Released: DT Chris Williams
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Chris Wilcox
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR T.J. Luther
- Released: WR Thyrick Pitts
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Jaylon Thomas
- Released: OL Tyre Phillips
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Robert Rochell, LB Jon Rhattigan
- Released: QB Holton Ahlers, OL Greg Eiland
Tennessee Titans
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/1/23
Friday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Released from reserve/PUP list: WR Marquez Stevenson
Houston Texans
- Released from IR via injury settlement: S Tyree Gillespie
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Olakunle Fatukasi
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Darrius Shepherd
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: OLB Ochaun Mathis
Washington Commanders
- Released from IR via injury settlement: RB Jonathan Williams
Bills Release QB Matt Barkley
During their roster cutdowns earlier this week, the Bills placed quarterback Matt Barkley on IR. That move initially meant that he would not be able to play in Buffalo during the 2023 season, but the veteran now finds himself on the open market. 
Buffalo released Barkley via an injury settlement, as noted by ESPN’s Field Yates. As a result, the 32-year-old is now a free agent and can sign with any team’s active roster or practice squad. A deal will likely not take place until he has returned to full health, but today’s move opens the door to him finding playing time this season in a new environment.
Barkley was one of two signal-callers competing for the QB2 job in Buffalo. His IR designation paved the way for Kyle Allen to win the backup spot, although the Bills have been named as a team to watch with respect to making an addition under center before the regular season kicks off. Barkley’s last eight appearances – spread across the 2018, ’19 and ’20 seasons – have each come in Buffalo.
The USC alum bounced around to a number of teams since his last game action with the Bills, but his relationship with Buffalo has garnered him multiple looks, including time on the practice squad following last year’s roster cutdowns. Barkley had the opportunity to replace Case Keenum as the Bills’ backup this season, but his time with the team will need to continue via the taxi squad again once he is healthy.
Alternatively, a spot on an active roster could become available as the season progresses. As a result, Barkley may elect to remain unsigned and weigh his options into the fall. While another Bills reunion could be possible, IR settlements require players remain away from their previous team for a specific amount of time before being eligible to re-sign.
Rams Sign CB Duke Shelley
Not long after being let go by the Raiders, Duke Shelley has found a new home. The Rams made him a depth addition to their secondary, per a team announcement on Friday. 
Shelley was one of several new corners brought in by the Raiders this offseason after their pass defense struggled in 2022. The 26-year-old did not have an impressive training camp, however, and he found himself out of contention for a starting role as final roster cuts loomed.
It thus came as little surprise that Shelley was among the vested veterans released by Vegas on Tuesday as they set their initial 53-man roster. Unlike players with less than four years of service time, Shelley was not subject to waivers and therefore eligible to sign on the Raiders’ practice squad or another team’s active roster at any time. He has not needed to wait long to find a new opportunity.
The former Bears sixth-rounder spent three years in Chicago, seeing a considerable jump in playing time with each passing season. He remained in the NFC North last year with the Vikings, during which time he started five of 11 contests and recorded his first career interception. Shelley also took a step forward in terms his coverage statistics, allowing a passer rating of 55.2 when targeted. He was nevertheless a member of a Minnesota secondary which understandably saw a number of changes made to it this offseason.
After failing to secure a full-time spot in Vegas, Shelley will attempt to do so with the Rams. As is the case at a number of positions, Los Angeles does not have any big-money commitments at the CB spot with Jalen Ramsey no longer in the picture. Shelley will be competing for playing time amongst the likes of Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, Ahkello Witherspoon, Shaun Jolly and sixth-round rookie Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.
Patriots Claim QB Matt Corral
The Panthers had expressed interest in bringing Matt Corral back via a practice squad invite, but they took a risk by waiving the former third-round pick. The Patriots will prevent a quick Carolina-Corral reunion from taking place.
New England put in a successful waiver claim for Corral on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Corral will join an interestingly constructed quarterback room. The Pats now have two QBs on their active roster — Corral and Mac Jones — and two more on their practice squad (Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham).
Although the Pats had been connected to wanting a veteran — perhaps Colt McCoy — to be Jones’ backup, Corral is now in that position. Considering Corral missed all of his rookie season and was viewed as a developmental player after last year’s draft, the Ole Miss product might not be New England’s true QB2 in Week 1. But the Pats thought enough of him to use a roster spot via this claim.
Corral spent all of last season on Carolina’s IR, suffering a Lisfranc injury during the preseason. He underwent surgery, but upon recovering, the Panthers had revamped their QB room. Carolina gave up plenty of assets to move from No. 9 to No. 1, via the Bears, for Bryce Young. The team gave Andy Dalton a two-year deal, featuring the largest QB2 guarantee this offseason ($8MM), to mentor the young prospect. Frank Reich spoke highly of Corral’s development, as he aimed to keep him on the taxi squad, but the second-year passer will pack his bags for Foxborough.
The Patriots were the team that allowed the Panthers to move up for Corral in last year’s third round, collecting an additional third-rounder (in 2023) to give up 2022’s No. 94 overall pick. The Carolina selection became No. 76 this year, and the Patriots took promising defender Marte Mapu. Corral also suffered his foot injury during a preseason game at Gillette Stadium last August.
Corral was the last of the third-round QBs chosen last year. He, Desmond Ridder and Malik Willis generated buzz about going much higher than they did, but the draft hit a signal-caller lull after Kenny Pickett went off the board at No. 20. Corral was developing behind Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold when he went down. With P.J. Walker also on the Browns’ practice squad, all four of the Panthers’ QBs from last season are now elsewhere.
New England now has two QBs from the 2022 draft in the mix, though Zappe’s stock has fallen a bit since he generated buzz about competing with Jones. While Corral’s 2021 stats did not measure up to Zappe’s record-setting Western Kentucky numbers, he excelled in the SEC. He averaged 10.2 yards per attempt in 2020, targeting the likes of Elijah Moore and Jonathan Mingo, and posted a 20-5 TD-INT ratio in 2021. Three years remain on the 24-year-old passer’s rookie contract; he is due an $870K base salary this season.