Bengals Cut G Xavier Su’a-Filo
Xavier Su’a-Filo began the season as a Bengals starting guard but spent most of the year on IR. A day after activating him from their injured list, the Bengals cut the veteran offensive lineman.
Though the Bengals could end up bringing Su’a-Filo back, perhaps via a practice squad agreement, the former second-round pick is off the roster after being signed in 2020 to start.
The former Texans second-round pick signed a two-year, $9MM deal with the Bengals. Injuries, however, have plagued the UCLA alum. Su’a-Filo missed the Bengals’ final 15 regular-season games due to a knee injury, one that also kept him out of the team’s wild-card game. In 2020, Su’a-Filo missed 10 games after opening the year as a starter. A career 41-game starter, the 31-year-old lineman has started seven games over the past two seasons in Cincy.
The Bengals have moved to 2020 sixth-round pick Hakeem Adeniji as their guard starter opposite Quinton Spain. Adeniji has started over second-round rookie Jackson Carman, who was given the first crack at replacing Su’a-Filo this season.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/18/22
Here are Tuesday’s reserve/futures deals:
Baltimore Ravens
- RB Nate McCrary
Detroit Lions
Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers
- WR Joe Reed
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
Philadelphia Eagles
- G/T Kayode Awosika, WR Deon Cain, LB Christian Elliss, CB Craig James, DE Matt Leo, DE Cameron Malveaux, S Jared Mayden, CB Mac McCain, LB JaCoby Stevens, TE Noah Togiai, DT Marvin Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- DE Daniel Archibong, WR Rico Bussey, DT Khalil Davis, G Nathan Gilliam, G Malcolm Pridgeon, LB Deiontae Scott, K Sam Sloman, DB Linden Stephens, TE Jace Sternberger, S Donovan Stiner, LS Rex Sunahara, WR Tyler Vaughns
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/18/22
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DT Doug Costin
- Released: P Drue Chrisman, LS Colin Holba
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: DE Shilique Calhoun, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, CB Josh Jackson, LB Elijah Sullivan
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Warren Jackson, TE Kyle Markway
- Released: K Ryan Santoso, LS Carson Tinker
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: CB Luq Barcoo, P Ryan Winslow
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Justin Watson
- Released: P Sterling Hofrichter, DB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/17/22
Here are today’s reserve/futures deals:
Dallas Cowboys
- OT Isaac Alarcon, LB Devante Bond, DB Kyron Brown, TE Ian Bunting, OT Aviante Collins, DB Tyler Coyle, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Robert Foster, RB JaQuan Hardy, C Braylon Jones, RB Nick Ralston, WR Brandon Smith, RB Ito Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- S Jordan Brown, G Lester Cotton, DB Kavon Frazier, OL Hroniss Grasu, DE Gerri Green, C Brett Heggie, DL P.J. Johnson, LB Justin March-Lillard, OL Jeremiah Poutasi, RB Trey Ragas, WR Dillon Stoner, WR DJ Turner
New England Patriots
- WR Tre Nixon, K Quinn Nordin, WR Malcolm Perry, RB Devine Ozigbo, G William Sherman, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/17/22
Today’s minor transactions around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated: DE J.J. Watt (story)
- Activated: LB Ezekiel Turner
- Elevated from the Practice Squad: DL Zach Kerr and CB Kevin Peterson
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Kevon Seymour
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: DT Larry Ogunjobi (story)
- Activated from IR: OL Xavier Su’a-Filo
Denver Broncos
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): P Corliss Waitman
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated from the Practice Squad: S Eric Weddle (story) and DB Blake Countess
Tennessee Titans
- Designated to return from IR: FB Tory Carter
Bengals Place DT Larry Ogunjobi On IR
After ending a decades-long playoff drought, the Bengals learned they will be without a key piece to their defense as they prepare for their Divisional Round matchup. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi has been placed on Injured Reserve with a right foot injury, ending his season (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
The news is a big blow to the Bengals, as Ogunjobi was having a very productive first season in Cincinnati. In 16 games, he recorded 49 total tackles and seven sacks. After four seasons with the Browns, the 27-year-old signed a one year, $6.2MM deal in March as part of a major defensive overhaul in the Queen City. The investment in Ogunjobi – along with the likes of Trey Hendrickson and Chidobe Awuzie – certainly paid off, as the Bengals won the AFC North for the first time since 2015.
The Bengals will be hard-pressed to replace Ogunjobi’s 68% snap share on defense. Look for D.J. Reader and B.J. Hill to take on an even bigger role; Josh Tupou could be an option to take on more snaps as well. Regardless of who plays on the interior of the d-line for the Bengals, they will be facing a stiff challenge on Saturday. Their opponent, the top-seeded Titans, are expected to have superstar running back Derrick Henry back for the game. The Bengals’ ability to contain Henry will be a huge factor in deciding if they can move on to their first AFC title game since 1988 – something that became much harder, given today’s news.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/16/22
Here are today’s practice squad moves:
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: K Ryan Santoso, LS Carson Tinker
- Released: WR Warren Jackson, TE Kyle Markway
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/16/22
Cardinals Open Roster Spot For J.J. Watt
The Cardinals have released cornerback Breon Borders, per a club announcement. This will enable the Cardinals to activate star defensive lineman J.J. Watt in time for Monday night’s game against the Rams. 
[RELATED: Cardinals’ Hopkins Ruled Out]
Once again, Watt has beaten his recovery timetable to return for the postseason. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year was once thought to be done for the year, thanks to labrum, bicep, and rotator cuff tears. But, somehow, he’s good to go for tomorrow night as the Cardinals look to improve from 38 points allowed against the Seahawks in Week 18.
There’s no doubt that the Cardinals — 7-0 with Watt in the lineup and 4-6 without him — are a better team with the future Hall of Famer playing opposite of Chandler Jones. And, in his limited sample, Pro Football Focus had Watt rated as a top-10 interior defensive lineman this season.
Watt, 32, registered five tackles for loss and ten QB hits in his seven regular season games this year. More of the same will go a long way towards breaking the Cardinals’ playoff win drought, though, on the other side of the ball, they’ll be without star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/15/22
Here are Saturday’s COVID-19 updates from the NFL:
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Marlon Tuipulotu