Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/16
Earlier today, the Steelers made a notable practice squad move when they signed running back Karlos Williams. Here’s the rest of today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Zac Dysert
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Lou Young
- Cut: S Marcus Ball
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Anthony Fabiano
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Jay Lee
- Cut: DB Charles Washington
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Senorise Perry
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Shaq Evans
- Cut: FB Glenn Gronkowski
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Eric Pinkins
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: TE Cooper Helfet
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL A.J. Francis
Browns OL Joel Bitonio To Miss Time
Browns guard Joel Bitonio has a mid-foot injury and will be out for an extended period of time, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com tweets. Bitonio has been playing through the injury for some time, but that has only exacerbated the issue. 
Last year, Bitonio was placed on IR in December when an ankle injury forced him out of action. He was rated as the No. 33 guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus when he was shut down last year. This year, through five games, PFF has him rated as the ninth-best guard in the league. He has earned an overall grade of 83.3 with roughly even scores for his pass blocking and run blocking.
The Browns have had terrible luck with injuries so far this season and Bitonio is just the latest starter to go down. It remains to be seen how long the 25-year-old will be sidelined for.
Browns Cut QB Charlie Whitehurst
The Browns announced that they have promoted quarterback Kevin Hogan and defensive lineman Gabe Wright off of the practice squad. To make room, the team reached an injury settlement with quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, dropping him from the roster. Wide receiver Mitch Mathews was also signed to the practice squad. 
After losing Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown to shoulder injuries during their first two games, the Browns signed Whitehurst to give them additional depth. Cody Kessler got the start in Weeks 3-5, but a big hit left him with serious bruises in his chest and ribs. Whitehurst entered the game on Sunday, but he suffered a knee injury of his own. Now, he’s been jettisoned from the roster in favor of Hogan, a fifth-round pick of the Chiefs in this year’s draft.
Kessler is aiming to suit up for the Browns on Sunday against the Titans. Cleveland is still in search of their first win this year.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Browns’ Cody Kessler Aiming To Play Week 6
Browns rookie quarterback Cody Kessler has “a chance” to start in Week 6 against the Titans, head coach Hue Jackson told reporters, including Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. If Kessler is unable to play, Cleveland could turn to veteran Josh McCown who might be ready to return to action just a month after breaking his collarbone.
[RELATED: Browns Claim OL Jonathan Cooper]
McCown will return to practice on Wednesday, the same day that Jackson says he’ll know more about Kessler’s condition. Kessler underwent tests on his chest and ribs area today, and while “nothing is broken,” pain tolerance could be an issue for the third-round pick. According to Cabot, Kessler had difficulty breathing after Sunday’s contest and appeared to be in a great deal of pain today.
In the first three starts of his career, Kessler has completed roughly two-thirds of his passes for more than 500 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. McCown, meanwhile, made it through only one games, but he threw for 260 yards and two scores. Neither quarterback, of course, has led the Browns to a victory.
Third-stringer Charlie Whitehurst, the fifth quarterback Cleveland has employed this season, is day-to-day, per Cabot.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/10/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Marcel Jensen, WR Darius Jennings
- Placed on practice squad injured list: TE Rory Anderson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Mitch Matthews (Twitter link via agent Brett Tessler)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: CB Brian Dixon (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The Advocate)
Browns Waive Anthony Fabiano
- The Browns waived offensive lineman Anthony Fabiano and officially placed center Austin Reiter on injured reserve, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
Browns Claim OL Jonathan Cooper
The Browns have added a former first-round pick to the roster. Cleveland claimed offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper off waivers from the Patriots, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Cooper, the seventh-overall pick in the 2013 draft, was part of the deal that sent Chandler Jones to the Cardinals this offseason. After having started 11 of his 24 career games in Arizona, the 26-year-old was expected to slide in as the Patriots’ starting right guard. However, the guard suffered a foot injury early in camp and did not take the field for the Patriots this season.
It’s unlikely that Cooper will fulfill his first-round potential, but he could be a useful piece for the Browns if he is able to get healthy.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Browns Will Not Trade Terrelle Pryor
- We learned last week that the Patriots tried to trade for Terrelle Pryor prior to the 2015 season, but it does not appear that anyone other than the Browns will get to reap the rewards of Pryor’s success anytime soon. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Pryor is one of the only players that Cleveland will not consider trading as it continues to build for the future. Pryor is apparently pretty comfortable with the Browns, too, as he recently expressed his desire for a contract extension.
Cabot: RGIII Could Play This Year If Healthy
- Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes that, if Robert Griffin III is able to play again this season, the Browns will give him a chance, regardless of how Cody Kessler is performing at that point (unless, of course, Kessler is playing at an Aaron Rodgers level). However, it is unlikely that RGIII will be healthy enough to return this year, so Cleveland will probably not have to make that decision.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/6/16
Thursday’s practice squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DE Larry Webster (Twitter link via Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DL Gabe Wright
- Cut: WR Darius Jennings