Minor Moves: Wednesday
We’re already tracking today’s practice squad signings and cuts in one post, but we’ll dedicate this space to following Wednesday’s minor moves relating to 53-man roster around the NFL. Here’s the latest:
- After working him out earlier this week, the Raiders have signed linebacker Jamar Chaney, the team announced today in a press release. To make room on the roster for the incoming linebacker, Oakland placed linebacker Nick Roach on the injured reserve list. Roach suffered a concussion during the preseason and hasn’t been able to return to the field in the seven weeks since the injury.
- As expected, the Seahawks have added some depth at center to provide some insurance for Max Unger, who sustained a foot injury on Monday. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets that offensive lineman Patrick Lewis is the newest addition to the roster, replacing cornerback Josh Thomas, who has been cut.
Earlier updates:
- The Bears have filled the opening on their active roster by signing rookie safety Shamiel Gary to a one-year contract, the team announced today (via Twitter). Gary, who signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent and spent camp and the preseason with the team, worked out for Chicago multiple times in September.
- As part of a series of roster moves, the Redskins signed cornerback Greg Ducre to their 53-man roster from off the Chargers’ practice squad, according to the club (via Twitter). The other moves announced by the team today were previously reported.
Bears Waive Isaiah Frey
3:30pm: In addition to confirming they’ve cut Frey, the Bears announced several more roster moves today (Twitter links). The team has promoted cornerback Al Louis-Jean from its practice squad to the 53-man roster, and has also cut defensive end David Bass from the roster. Additionally, linebackers DeDe Lattimore and Terrell Manning have joined the practice squad, while defensive tackle Roy Philon and wideout and returner Rashad Ross have been dropped from the unit.
12:56pm: The Bears have parted ways with their nickel back, placing Isaiah Frey on waivers today, reports Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The move will leave Chicago with an open spot on its 53-man roster.
Frey, 24, has been with the Bears since being selected as a sixth-round pick in 2012’s draft, shuttling between the team’s active roster and practice squad at times. After starting this year on the taxi squad, Frey received a promotion during the season’s third week, when Charles Tillman went down with a season-ending injury. Since then, he has acted as the nickel back in Chicago, appearing in 95 defensive snaps over the last three weeks.
While Frey held his own as the Bears’ regular nickel back last season, he has struggled so far this year, allowing a quarterback rating of 133.3 on passes thrown in his direction, along with a pair of touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). I’d expect the Bears to try to bring back Frey on their practice squad, but it will be interesting to see which direction the team goes in at the nickel spot now — Sherrick McManis looks like the logical in-house candidate, assuming he’s getting close to 100% healthy.
NFC North Notes: Peterson, Bears, Lions
It was a good weekend for the Packers, who blew out the Vikings last Thursday, then got to watch the division-rival Lions and Bears lose their respective games on Sunday. After a sluggish start to the season, the Packers now sit in a tie for first place atop the NFC North, with a chance to extend their winning streak this weekend in Miami. Here are a few Tuesday updates from around the division:
- Adrian Peterson will be arraigned tomorrow, and a spokesperson for the Vikings running back says he’ll plead not guilty to child abuse, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. That means a trial is likely, and the process could “take a while,” says Cole.
- Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com also doesn’t expect Peterson’s case to be resolved anytime soon, as he hears from the DA’s office in Montgomery County, Texas that they don’t anticipate a trial date being set tomorrow (Twitter link). Assistant DA Phil Grant has expressed to La Canfora multiple times that it could be at least six months before Peterson’s case goes to trial, which would rule out the possibility of a return to the field in 2014 (Twitter link).
- We heard earlier today that kick returner Trindon Holliday isn’t drawing any interest from the Panthers, but at least one NFC North team is taking a look at him. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports (via Twitter) that Holliday worked out for the Bears today — Chicago has had trouble finding a consistent and reliable option in the return game so far this season.
- Wilson also provides another tidbit from out of the NFC North, tweeting that Dominique Franks was scheduled to work out for the Lions before he agreed to re-sign with the Ravens. Detroit is also taking a look at cornerbacks like Ellis Lankster and Curtis Marsh today, as we noted earlier.
NFC North Notes: Watkins, Lions, Peterson
Bears teammates Willie Young, Ego Ferguson, and Jeremiah Ratliff are all products of Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. It was an experience that helped mold them for the NFL, writes Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “You can’t explain to anybody else what Hargrave was unless you’ve been through it,” Ferguson, the Bears rookie defensive tackle, said. “People don’t understand unless you’ve been there and understood the struggle and the grind it took to make it.” Today’s look at the NFC North..
- Back on draft day, when the Bills sent their 2015 first-rounder to Cleveland in order to select Sammy Watkins, there was speculation that the Lions had also been considering such a move as well. But head coach Jim Caldwell said today that the Lions weren’t close to trading up for Watkins, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I think it was more driven outside of this building than inside,” Caldwell said. “Folks caught onto it and I think that was probably more so than anything else.”
- The next significant step in the Adrian Peterson case comes on October 8th when he’ll be arraigned on a charge of injury to a child, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (video link). There have been no plea negotiations and the Vikings running back does not want to plea even if that would get him back on the field sooner. Peterson believes he is innocent and wants to clear his name. It’s up to the judge when Peterson goes to trial and prosecutors have said that it could take 9-12 months to get on the docket. If that’s the case, Peterson will not only miss the whole 2014 season, but could miss part of 2015 as well.
- Because of the injury to Joseph Fauria, rookie tight end Eric Ebron figures to see more time for the Lions, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. “We see that foundation of it is being built,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “We can see the reaction to different situations that he’s confronted with on the practice field and during the course of the games that we think he’s making good progress.”
Minor Moves: Thursday
Here are the latest minor transactions – including practice squad signings and cuts – from around the NFL, with any additional moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- The Bears re-signed wide receiver Rashad Ross to their practice squad, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). To make room, Chicago has released cornerback Jordan Sullen.
- The Vikings have promoted quarterback Chandler Harnish, formerly of the Colts, from the practice squad to their 53-man roster in advance of tonight’s game in Green Bay, the team announced today. Wide receiver Rodney Smith has been cut to clear room for Harnish. The move may not bode well for the odds of Teddy Bridgewater playing against the Packers, though Minnesota has yet to rule him out.
- The Packers are also signing a player to their roster from their practice squad before tonight’s contest, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that defensive lineman Luther Robinson is being elevated. The club had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move will be necessary.
- The NFC North is a busy division today, as the Bears are expected to finalize a move this afternoon as well. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets that the team is set to fill the 10th and final spot on its practice squad by signing guard Conor Boffeli, who was in camp with the Texans in August.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Bears
All four Thursday Night Football games so far this season have been one-sided affairs, with the winning team outscoring their opponents by a total margin of 163-50. The underdog Vikings will look to keep tonight’s game against the rejuvenated Packers close, but they may have to do so without their starting quarterback. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported earlier today that signs were pointing to Teddy Bridgewater being unavailable tonight, while Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Minnesota will make a decision on its QB 90 minutes before kickoff tonight.
If Bridgewater can’t go, the Vikings will turn to Christian Ponder, who was third on the depth chart and was being frequently mentioned as a trade candidate just a few weeks ago.
As we wait to see which signal-caller gets the nod for the Vikes tonight, here’s more from around the NFC:
- Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has made it clear to his players that they won’t be allowed to play in games if they’re involved in a domestic violence incident, even before the legal process is finalized, writes Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. “If you’re dealing with anything off the field and we can help with, we’re here for you,” Garrett said. “Having said that, there are standards that we have about all off-the-field behavior and certainly domestic violence applies to that. We’re just very clear with how we’re going to handle things.”
- Pointing out that Cowboys special-teamer C.J. Spillman continues to practice and play for the team despite being under investigation for sexual assault, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News says he expects Garrett makes a distinction between an allegation and an actual charge. So far, police say Spillman “is involved in a sexual assault investigation,” but no charges have been filed and no arrests have been made.
- Conor Orr of NJ.com points to the Giants‘ under-the-radar signing of cornerback Zackary Bowman as one key move that has helped shape the team’s defense off the field.
- Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker has taken a lot of heat this season, but Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times says that GM Phil Emery hasn’t provided him with enough talent. Morrissey notes that defensive end Lamarr Houston, one of Emery’s big offseason signings, has struggled so far and has yet to register a sack through four games.
- Saints wide receiver Marques Colston purchased a piece of the Arena League’s Philadelphia Soul and is now part owner of team, Ron Jaworski tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
NFC North Notes: Olsen, Bears, Suh, Lewis
Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings knows there’s a good chance he’ll get booed when he plays at Lambeau Field tomorrow night, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. “I can’t concern myself with that,” Jennings said. “I was on that side when Brett [Favre] came back, so I understand the reaction he got. So I don’t expect it to be anything better than that. I mean, it is what it is. I’m the opposition. I’m an opponent. I want to win.” Here’s more from the NFC North..
- Greg Olsen was Jay Cutler‘s favorite target when the two were teamed up on the Bears, but he was ultimately dealt to the Panthers after the 2010 season for a third round pick. Even though that pick wound up being turned into Brandon Marshall via another trade, then GM Jerry Angelo admitted earlier today that trading Olsen was a mistake. “He’s met [expectations],” Angelo said on the “Kap and Haugh Show” Wednesday, as CSNChicago.com’s Tony Adracki writes. “It was a mistake to trade him. I understand he wasn’t the ideal fit in the scheme, but we let our best receiver go. Obviously, it was Cutler’s favorite receiver at the time, and we let him out the door.”
- Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is refusing to talk about his 2015 plans and teammates say that the speculation hasn’t seeped into the locker room, writes Justin Rogers of MLive.com.
- It’s hard to picture Ray Lewis as anything but a Raven, but he was nearly drafted by the Packers in 1996, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Lewis was on the phone with the Green Bay front office at the time the Ravens were selecting, one spot ahead of the Packers. The Packers had scouted Lewis, a University of Miami product, heavily, but Ozzie Newsome swooped in and got him first.
- In a speech at Marquette Law School, Packers president Mark Murphy admitted that the NFL has taken “a real hit in terms of credibility,” writes Bob Wolfley of the Journal Sentinel.
Minor Moves: Wednesday
Here are the latest practice squad signings and cuts from around the league, as well as minor 53-man roster transactions, with any additional moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- The Texans signed cornerbacks Charles James, a Charleston Southern product, and Kendall James, a Maine product, to their practice squad, according to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Chargers pulled a reverse of Monday’s move, re-signing defensive tackle Chas Alecxih to the practice squad and releasing safety Adrian Phillips, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter).
- The Bears have signed kick returner Teddy Williams off the Cardinals’ practice squad, the team announced today (via Twitter). Williams had been listed as a cornerback for Arizona, but the Bears call him a receiver — teams have tried him at both positions, but the 26-year-old’s primary asset is his speed. To make room for Williams, the Bears have cut linebacker Terrell Manning.
- Meanwhile, the Cardinals replaced Williams on their practice squad with former fourth-round wideout Jalen Saunders, who was waived by the Jets this week, tweets Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com.
Earlier updates:
- Running back Lache Seastrunk, who was drafted by the Redskins and spent time on the Panthers’ practice squad, has signed with the Titans‘ practice squad, the club announced today (Twitter link). Seastrunk will fill the 10th and final opening on the unit.
- Wideout Kevin Cone and tight end Taylor Sloat have replaced linebacker Carlos Fields and tight end Ian Thompson on the Buccaneers‘ practice squad, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com (Twitter link). With Mike Evans expected to be sidelined for at least a couple weeks, Cone could be considered for the 53-man roster at some point, particularly if any other Tampa Bay wideouts are injured this weekend.
- As part of their practice squad shuffling, the Dolphins removed defensive end Gerald Rivers from the squad, tweets Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Workout Notes: Jennings, Clemons, Winston
Earlier today, we learned that the Titans brought in cornerbacks Derek Cox, Brandon Ghee, and Curtis Marsh for auditions. Here’s a look at the latest workouts from around the NFL..
- The Falcons worked out free agent safeties M.D. Jennings and Chris Clemons, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter). McClure reported last night that the Falcons were looking into veteran safeties in the wake of William Moore‘s injury. Unfortunately for Jennings, who is only 26, the Falcons informed him that they wanted to go a little younger (link). One has to assume that doesn’t bode well for Clemons either.
- NFLPA president Eric Winston was among the offensive linemen working out for the Falcons today, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Atlanta inked guard Harland Gunn and tackle Cameron Bradfield earlier today, so he probably isn’t a fit right now.
- The Dolphins checked out linebacker Desmond Bishop, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Meanwhile, the Lions hosted running backs Alex Green and Tashard Choice and wide receivers Ramses Barden and Damian Williams.
- Free agent defensive linemen Nate Collins and Jermelle Cudjo worked out for the Bears this week, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (on Twitter).
Minor Moves: Tuesday
In addition to making changes to their practice squads, teams around the NFL are also tweaking the backs of their 53-man rosters today. We’ll round up the day’s minor transactions involving active rosters right here:
- To make room for Winn, the Lions have placed running back Montell Owens on injured reserve, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Owens’ contract expires after this season.
- After he tore ruptured Achilles last week, running back Joe McKnight has been placed on the Chiefs’ injured reserve list, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Offensive lineman Donald Stephenson‘s four-game suspension is up, so he takes McKnight’s roster spot, per Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
- The Bears have waived linebacker Terrell Manning, reports Brian McIntyre (Twitter link). Chicago had promoted Manning from its practice squad just over a week ago.
- Patriots Brandon Browner and Brian Tyms four-game bans are over, and both have received a roster exemption that lasts until October 6, says Balzer (on Twitter).
- Cornerback Deion Belue was waived from the Jaguars’ injured reserve with a failure to disclose physical condition designation, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Earlier updates:
- The Lions are promoting running back George Winn from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link). As Garafolo notes, the move could suggest that the team expects Joique Bell to miss this weekend’s game, but Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press points out that Bell isn’t Detroit’s only ailing running back, tweeting that Montell Owens is expected to miss several weeks due to his latest hamstring injury.
- Linebacker Victor Butler has been dropped by the Cardinals, says Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter). Butler had been added to the roster when John Abraham was sidelined, but didn’t play a snap for the team.
- The Bears‘ practice squad/53-man roster shuffle continues this week, with the team promoting wideout Chris Williams to take the place of fellow receiver Rashad Ross (Twitter link). Two weeks ago, it was Ross being promoted and Williams being cut.
- The Steelers have terminated the contract of punter Adam Podlesh, who had been on the team’s reserve/did not report list, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.