Christian Powell

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/16

Here are today’s minor moves:

  • With the Teddy Bridgewater sidelined by a minor shoulder issue, Shaun Hill taking a “veteran’s day” off practice, and Taylor Heinecke out for the time being with a foot injury, the Vikings were in need of another camp arm, and they’ve added one today. The club agreed to terms with Brad Sorensen, who was waived by the Chargers earlier this year, and cut running back Kevin Monangai, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.
  • The Falcons announced that they’ve waived kicker Nick Rose, clearing a roster spot after signing veterans Shayne Graham and Sergio Brown earlier today.

Earlier updates:

  • The Browns signed running back Jahwan Edwards, Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com reports. A second-year UDFA out of Ball State, Edwards spent time on the Dolphins, Falcons and Jaguars’ practice squads last season. Miami waived him just after the 2016 draft.
  • Down Bruce Gradkowski to injury, the Steelers signed Bryn Renner, the team announced. The Steelers also added guard Antoine Everett, cut Christian Powell and waived/injured center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke. Renner spent two months with the Chargers earlier this year, but the Bolts’ claim of Zach Mettenberger resulted in the former North Carolina UDFA being jettisoned. The 26-year-old Renner spent much of 2015 with the Ravens, spending the offseason in Baltimore and, after being cut, catching on with the team’s practice squad in December.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/16

Today’s minor moves:

  • In addition to their transactions below, the Browns have also waived/injured defensive lineman Dylan Wynn, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link). Wynn will revert to Cleveland’s injured reserve list if and when he clears waivers.
  • Similarly, wide receiver Tyler Slavin has cleared waivers and is now on the Seahawks‘ injured reserve list, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.

Earlier updates:

  • The Titans have claimed cornerback Tyler Patmon, off waivers from the Dolphins, as Jim Wyatt of Titans Online tweets.
  • The Browns announced that they have signed linebacker Jason Neill and offensive lineman Cory Tucker. To make room, offensive lineman Conor Boffeli and linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat were waived.
  • The Lions have signed former University of Miami linebacker Raphael Kirby to a three-year deal, according to his reps at Universal Sports Management (Twitter link). Kirby, who was the Hurricanes’ team captain, is said to finally be healthy after suffering a torn ACL in college. To make room, linebacker Dominique Tovell has been waived, per a team announcement.
  • The Saints announced that they have re-signed tackle Tony Hills and waived/injured UDFA tackle Ryker Mathews.
  • Colts safety Andrew Williamson was waived/injured thanks to his knee issue, Mike Chappell of the Indy Star tweets.
  • The Steelers added running back Christian Powell and free agent center Valerian Ume-Ezeoke, Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweets. To make room, running back Brandon Johnson and center Quinton Schooley were cut.
  • The Vikings signed linebacker Terrance Plummer, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweets.
  • The Bills released kicker Marshall Morgan and wide receiver Davonte Allen, as Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News tweets. The team also added wide receiver Kain Colter.

Steelers Sign Four Players, Cut Four

Following their rookie minicamp, the Steelers have announced a handful of changes to their 90-man roster, signing four tryout players from the minicamp and cutting four veterans. According to the team, running backs Brandon Brown-Dukes and Cameron Stingily, wide receiver Marcus Tucker, and cornerback Donald Washington have been signed.

To open up roster spots for the incoming players, the Steelers parted ways with running backs Christian Powell and Rajion Neal, wide receiver Tobais Palmer, and cornerback Isaiah Frey. Of those players, Frey is the most notable name — although he hasn’t actually seen any action for Pittsburgh, he has appeared in 27 career NFL games, making seven starts, during parts of three seasons with the Bears and Buccaneers.

Out of the four newly-signed players, Washington has the most interesting story, and took the longest path to get to the Steelers. The former Ohio State Buckeye was drafted in the fourth round by the Chiefs in 2009, and appeared in 32 games for Kansas City over the next three seasons. However, he hasn’t appeared in an NFL contest since the 2011 campaign. Washington, who is now 29 years old, spoke to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about his comeback attempt.

“I am going to leave it out there and see what they do,” Washington said, before he earned a spot on the Steelers’ 90-man roster. “I am having the time of my life, man. The main key is to have fun and run around and have a good attitude and a good effort. Any chance I can get to play football, I want it, no matter where it is at. I just love the game and love being around the guys. No matter how the opportunity comes, I am taking it.”

Steelers Sign 10 UDFAs

The Steelers announced that they’ve agreed to terms with 10 undrafted rookie free agents. One UDFA — tight end Jay Rome — was also announced as part of the Chargers’ UDFA class, so there’s obviously been some confusion on the part of either Pittsburgh or San Diego. We’ll include Rome here for now, but he might end up wearing blue and gold.