Commanders To Sign TE Kaden Smith
The Commanders are signing tight end Kaden Smith, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Smith signed with the Colts in May but was waived earlier this month.
As ESPN’s John Keim tweets, Washington’s TE1, Logan Thomas, is currently nursing a calf injury. As such, Smith will at least give the club an extra body at the position for the time being, and given his past experience with the divison-rival Giants, he may have a legitimate shot to stick on the roster.
A sixth-round pick of the 49ers in 2019, Smith was waived by San Francisco one week into his rookie season and was claimed by the Giants. From 2019-21, the Stanford product was a regular presence in New York’s offensive lineup, appearing in 33 games (22 starts) as the blocking complement to receiving tight end Evan Engram. Smith also showed some receiving abilities of his own, catching 31 balls for 268 yards and three TDs during Engram’s injury-related absence in the second half of the 2019 campaign.
Unfortunately, a knee injury suffered in November 2021 derailed Smith’s career, and there was concern that he would not be able to play again. After missing all of 2022, the 26-year-old is healthy enough, though he could not carve out a spot in a crowded TE room in Indianapolis. He will hope for better luck with the Commanders, who are rostering two recent mid-round draft choices in John Bates and Cole Turner in addition to Thomas.
Like Smith, Bates is known more for his blocking prowess. While Bates did flash some promise as a pass catcher in his rookie season in 2021 (20 receptions for 249 yards and a score), Turner, a 2022 fifth-rounder, is the more exciting receiving prospect. Thomas, meanwhile, played in just six games in 2021 due to injury and was unable to recapture his pre-injury form last year, so the fact that he is now battling a calf ailment is certainly cause for concern.
In the TE-friendly scheme of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, there is perhaps room for all four of Thomas, Bates, Turner, and Smith, especially in light of Thomas’ health concerns and the fact that Bates and Turner are largely unproven commodities.
The Commanders cut punter Colby Wadman in a corresponding transaction, as Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/23
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: K Matthew Wright
- Waived: OL B.J. Wilson
- Waived/failed physical: DE Jalen Redmond
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Lachlan Pitts, LB Barrington Wade
- Waived: K Andre Szmyt
- Waived/injured: TE Jake Tonges
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: WR Jesse Matthews
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from active/PUP list: DE Tyquan Lewis
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: T Matt Kaskey
New England Patriots
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Trey Flowers
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: TE J.P. Holtz
New York Jets
- Claimed (from Buccaneers): T Grant Hermanns
- Signed: DE Pita Taumoepenu
- Released: DT Isaiah Mack
- Waived/injured: T Yodny Cajuste
- Reverted to IR: QB Chris Streveler
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Johnny King
- Waived: T Chim Okorafor
- Activated from active/PUP list: WR Devon Allen
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Jalen Elliott
- Waived/injured: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Jeremy McNichols
- Waived: RB Ronald Awatt
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived/injured: CB Andrew Whitaker
Washington Commanders
- Signed: P Colby Wadman
- Placed on IR: DT Curtis Brooks
Flowers, who agreed to terms with the Patriots earlier today after a workout, suffered a foot injury in October of last season. That setback cut short a Dolphins run after four games. Flowers, who will turn 30 next week, last played for the Patriots in 2018.
McNichols joined Duke Johnson, Brian Hill and Jason Huntley at a recent 49ers workout. The 49ers are without Elijah Mitchell for what is expected to be a short stretch. A five-year veteran, McNichols most recently saw action for the Titans in 2021, helping the team as a pass-catching back (28 grabs for 240 yards) while Derrick Henry missed time with a foot fracture.
Allen suffered an injury while competing in the opening rounds of the 110-meter hurdles competition at the USA Track and Field Championships in July. The two-time Olympian owns the sixth-fastest hurdle time this year (13.04 seconds) but missed a key chunk of Eagles camp. This marks his second bid to make Philadelphia’s 53-man roster. Allen, 28, spent last season on the Eagles’ practice squad and stayed with the team via a reserve/futures contract in February.
The Panthers’ regular kicker, Eddy Pineiro, is battling a groin injury. Carolina gave Pineiro, their 2022 kicker, $2.25MM guaranteed earlier this offseason. The Jaguars’ primary kicker in 2021, Wright kicked in four Steelers games and two Chiefs contests last season.
A rookie UDFA, Whittaker suffered a torn patellar tendon in a recent Seahawks practice, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Matthews also sustained a season-ending injury — a torn ACL — during a Texans workout, Wilson adds (on Twitter).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/5/22
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DB Bashaud Breeland
- Released: DB Isaiah Johnson
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB Jacques Patrick
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: RB Antonio Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Jalen Julius
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DB Stanford Samuels
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: K Elliott Fry
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: TE Mason Schreck
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Artavis Pierce
Denver Broncos
- Released: LB Pita Taumoepenu
Houston Texans
- Released: K Dominik Eberle, RB Darius Jackson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: RB B.J. Emmons
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Matt Bushman
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Warren Jackson
- Released: K Ryan Santoso, LS Carson Tinker
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DB Bryan Mills, G Cole Banwart
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Braxton Hoyett
New York Giants
- Released: T Isaiah Wilson
New York Jets
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: TE Daniel Brown
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: P Cameron Nizialek, K Sam Sloman
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DB Darqueze Dennard, RB Brian Hill
- Resleased: P Colby Wadman
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Ryan Izzo, DE Da’Shawn Hand
- Released: DB Shyheim Carter, DB Rodney Clemons, WR Golden Tate
Washington Football Team
- Signed: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
- Released: QB Kyle Shurmur, P Ryan Winslow
49ers Add CB Darqueze Dennard To Practice Squad
The 49ers have added a former first-round pick to their practice squad. The team announced that they’ve signed veteran cornerback Darqueze Dennard to the taxi squad. The team also added veteran running back Brian Hill and released punter Colby Wadman.
Dennard was a first-round pick by the Bengals back in 2014. While he ended up spending six seasons in Cincinnati, he only started 24 of his 77 games. He caught on with the Falcons in 2020, finishing with 36 tackles in eight games (six starts). He’s had stints with the Cardinals, Colts, and Giants in 2021, with his only playing time coming in Week 16 with New York. 49ers defensive backs Jimmie Ward and Dontae Johnson recently landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so there’s a chance Dennard sees some playing time during San Francisco’s regular season finale.
Hill had a career-high 664 yards from scrimmage with the Falcons in 2020, but he’s been unable to hold a gig in 2021. The 26-year-old has spent time with the Titans, Browns, and 49ers, but he didn’t take the field for any of those squads. RB Raheem Mostert was recently placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting his availability for Sunday in doubt.
Waldman joined the 49ers in late December. Regular punter Mitch Wishnowsky has since cleared reserve/COVID-19 lists, leading to Waldman’s release.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/29/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Nate Brooks, CB Isaiah Johnson, RB Tavien Feaster
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DE Jordan Brailford
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: K Blake Haubeil
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: K Chris Blewitt
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Devante Bond
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Aaron Adeoye, OT Adrian Ealy, CB Jayson Stanley, RB Kerrith Whyte
Houston Texans
- Signed: OG Sam Cooper
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Asmar Bilal
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Kyle Markway
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Omari Cobb
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Joshua Perkins, TE Brandon Dillon
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Tyler Vaunghns
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: QB Tyler Bray, LB Mark Nzeocha, P Colby Wadman
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: RB Adrian Peterson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Caleb Scott
- Released: T Cedric Ogbuehi
Broncos Waive Colby Wadman, Trevor Daniel
There will not be a punting competition in Denver. A month after agreeing to terms with Sam Martin, the Broncos are waiving incumbent Colby Wadman and former Texans punter Trevor Daniel, Mike Klis of 9News tweets.
The Broncos promoted Wadman from their practice squad in October 2018, after their Marquette King signing did not work out to their liking. Wadman, however, largely struggled after taking the job.
Despite the advantages of kicking in Denver’s thin air, Wadman averaged 44.4 yards per punt last season — 26th in the league. The former UDFA did, however, rank ninth in punts inside the 20-yard line (29). The Broncos signed Martin, a longtime Lions punter, to take over in March.
Denver added Daniel via reserve/futures deal after the season but will move on with just Martin at punter. Daniel punted in 18 games for the Texans from 2018-19, but Houston opted to go with Bryan Anger over him early last season.
Broncos Place P Marquette King On IR
It sounds like Marquette King‘s tenure in Denver has come to an end. Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post reports (via Twitter) that the punter will be placed on the injured reserve. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver tweets that the organization plans to release the punter when he’s healthy in a couple of weeks. Punter Colby Wadman has been promoted from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.
The well-known punter was suddenly released by the Raiders back in April, with reports indicating that head coach Jon Gruden wasn’t a fan of King’s outspoken personality. The 29-year-old received interest from the Vikings and Giants, but he ended up inking a three-year deal with the Broncos later that month. The deal was worth $2MM, and King could have made up to $7MM had he hit incentives.
King’s 20 punts have traveled an average of 44.1 yards this season, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. However, he has managed to place seven punts inside the 20-yard line, placing him just outside of the top-10. The punter apparently suffered a right thigh injury during Monday’s game against the Chiefs, and he was later listed as doubtful for this weekend’s contest. After Monday’s game, Vance Joseph called out King for his lackluster performance (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com), and the head coach didn’t attribute the ineffectiveness to the injury. King finished that game with three punts for 123 yards (41.0-yard average), including one 51-yarder and one punt placed inside the 20.
The 2012 undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State led all punters in Pro Bowl fan voting last year. He was the NFL’s punting yards leader in 2014, and he earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2016. Last year, King’s 47.4 yards per punt average was good for sixth in the NFL, and his net average of 42.7 yards was third.
Wadman, a 2017 undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, spent some time with the Raiders before joining the Broncos practice squad in September. During his final collegiate season in 2017, Wadman averaged 43.2 yards per punt.