Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: OL Marcus Henry
- Signed: DT Zach Kerr
- Promoted: G Danny Isidora, LB Joe Walker
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: P Cam Nizialek, LB Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
- Signed to active roster: CB Chris Williamson
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Jake Kumerow
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: QB Josh Love
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): LB Clay Johnston
- Placed on IR: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, S Brandon Wilson
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Nick Chubb, RB Demetric Felton
- Signed to active roster: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DT Sheldon Day
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Greg Zuerlein
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: G Austin Schlottmann
- Placed on IR: G Graham Glasgow
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Netane Muti
- Waived: WR David Moore, TE Caleb Wilson
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Michael Ojemudia, LB Justin Strnad
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: S Jalen Elliott
- Designated for return: QB Tim Boyle
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): RB Royce Freeman
- Placed on IR: RB Scottie Phillips
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return: CB T.J. Carrie
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
- Designated for return: OL Kyle Long
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: WR Jacob Harris
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DE Kenny Willekes
New England Patriots
- Activated off PUP: QB Jarrett Stidham
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: LB Chase Hansen
New York Giants
- Waived: CB Sam Beal
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: TE Tyler Kroft, S Marcus Maye (story)
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Denzel Mims
- Signed (off Eagles practice squad): S Elijah Riley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: DB Mac McCain
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: CB Breon Borders, CB Nate Brooks
Washington Football Team
- Signed: K Joey Slye
- Waived: K Chris Blewitt
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Saahdiq Charles
Cardinals, Cowboys Pursued Von Miller
The Rams weren’t the only team in pursuit. The Cardinals and Cowboys also chased Von Miller before the trade deadline, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. 
[RELATED: Rams Talking Extension With Von Miller’s Camp]
Miller is on track for free agency this spring, so the Cowboys and Cardinals could get another shot at him soon. However, the Rams are working diligently to make sure that can’t happen — they’re already discussing a new deal for the 11th-year pro.
“We’re actually looking at this from a standpoint of how soon can he help us, can he help us if we’re fortunate enough to continue going and make the 2021 tournament, how can he help us there,” Rams GM Les Snead said last week. “And then there’s a long-term vision for Von as well.”
The Cardinals surely could have used the future Hall of Famer after losing defensive end J.J. Watt to injury. Now, they’ll have to see him on the other side of the ball, with their first meeting in Week 14. The Cowboys, who don’t have the Rams on the regular season docket, clearly lacked pressure against the Miller-less Broncos today.
Miller, 32, has 110.5 sacks to his credit, more than any other active player in the NFL. He’s only notched 4.5 sacks so far this year, and he won’t dress for tonight’s game against Tennessee, but he can start adding to that total next week against SF.
Cowboys Place TE Blake Jarwin On IR
The Cowboys will be shorthanded at tight end during their next stretch of games. They moved Blake Jarwin to IR on Saturday, sidelining the veteran for at least three games.
Jarwin is battling a hip injury and did not practice this week. The Cowboys have used Jarwin as a steady presence at the position, teaming him with Dalton Schultz and giving the resurgent squad one of the NFL’s better tight end tandems.
Although Dallas re-signed Jarwin to a four-year, $22MM deal at the outset of the 2020 free agency period, the ACL tear he sustained in September of last year set him back. Schultz, whose contract expires at season’s end, has taken over as Dallas’ top receiving tight end. Jarwin has still played 50% of the Cowboys’ offensive snaps and has 10 receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns this season. Jarwin’s latest injury is not expected to end his season, per the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken (on Twitter).
Both Schultz and Jarwin rank among the better run-blocking tight ends, per Pro Football Focus, this season. The team also has ex-Washington cog Jeremy Sprinkle and second-year UDFA Sean McKeon at the position.
In addition, the NFC East leaders went another week without activating Michael Gallup from IR. The Cowboys have until Nov. 15 to activate Gallup, having opened his return window nearly two weeks ago. Gallup has been out since going down with a calf injury in Week 1. The Cowboys also promoted defensive tackle Justin Hamilton and activated linebacker Francis Bernard from IR.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/3/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR A.J. Green, TE Demetrius Harris
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: TE Sean McKeon
Houston Texans
- Promoted: LB Hardy Nickerson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR JJ Koski, LB Christian Rozeboom
- Designated for Return: DB Darious Williams
Minnesota Vikings
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): DE Jonah Williams
New York Giants
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Saquon Barkley, S Xavier McKinney
San Francisco 49ers
- Designated for return: K Robbie Gould, TE George Kittle
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/3/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Treyvon Hester
- Released: OL Aaron Monteiro
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Cassius Marsh
- Released: RB Chris Thompson
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Bradlee Anae
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Caleb Wilson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DL Auzoyah Alufohai, RB Ryquell Armstead
Houston Texans
- Signed: DL Chris Smith
Los Angeles Rams.
- Signed: WR Warren Jackson
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Pharoh Cooper
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/2/21
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: LB Daren Bates, LB James Vaughters
- Waived: LB Dorian Etheridge
Baltimore Ravens
- Released via injury settlement: T Andre Smith
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: FB Johnny Stanton
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: LB Jabril Cox (story)
- Waived: DE Bradlee Anae
Detroit Lions
- Designated for return: T Taylor Decker, DL Devin Strong
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: LS Steven Wirtel
- Waived: LS Hunter Bradley
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: LB Christian Rozeboom
- Placed on IR: WR Tutu Atwell (story), LB Travin Howard
- Waived: LB Jonah Williams
New York Jets
- Designated to return: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Promoted: S Jarrod Wilson
- Waived: LB Noah Dawkins
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Taco Charlton
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: LB Tyrell Adams, K Joey Slye
Washington Football Team
- Designated for return: TE Logan Thomas
- Waived: TE Jace Sternberger
Torn ACL For Cowboys’ Jabril Cox
The season is over for Cowboys linebacker Jabril Cox. The rookie will miss the rest of the year with a torn ACL, as Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets.
[RELATED: Cowboys Activate Joseph From IR]
Cox, a fourth-round pick, began his collegiate career North Dakota State before transferring, choosing LSU over Alabama and other top-tier programs. In his lone year with the Tigers, Cox notched 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
He’s mostly played as a special teamer through the first half of his rookie campaign, but he also offers quality coverage ability for an outside linebacker. In time, his athleticism could translate to consistent pressure off of the edge. But, in the near-term, he’ll have to focus on his rehab program with an eye on 2022.
The Cowboys are 6-1 following yesterday’s win over the Vikings. Next up, a Sunday afternoon showdown with the Broncos.
Cowboys Activate CB Kelvin Joseph From IR
One of the Cowboys’ top 2021 draft picks is set to be in uniform for the first time Sunday night. Dallas activated second-round rookie Kelvin Joseph on Saturday.
Joseph had spent the first seven weeks on IR, having suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason. Chosen in Round 2 a year after the Cowboys took Trevon Diggs in the second round, Joseph represents a key long-term investment for the Cowboys’ secondary.
Although he became the 44th overall pick this year, Joseph played just 15 college games and is still 20 years old. The high-end prospect transferred from LSU to Kentucky, playing for the Tigers in 2018 and the Wildcats in 2020. He intercepted four passes with Kentucky last year and landed on the Day 2 draft radar.
The Cowboys have used Diggs and Anthony Brown as their starting corners this season. Pro Football Focus grades Brown 10th overall among corners, well above Diggs despite the latter’s NFL-leading seven interceptions. Adding Joseph to the mix stands to help the NFC East-leading squad.
Dallas also elevated defensive tackle Justin Hamilton from its practice squad but did not activate Michael Gallup from IR. Gallup has returned to practice, but the team’s talented No. 3 receiver will be sidelined for at least one more week. Gallup suffered a calf injury in Week 1.
NFC East Notes: Giants, Gregory, Fitzpatrick
Jabrill Peppers‘ torn ACL will keep him sidelined for the rest of the 2021 campaign, and considering his expiring contract, there’s a chance his stint with the Giants has effectively come to an end. However, head coach Joe Judge kept the door open when speaking with reporters on Wednesday.
“Look, this guy is in a contract year, it’s something I’ve talked to him about directly,” Judge said (h/t to Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com). “He’s a guy that I value a lot in this program. I’d love to have this guy going forward, I’ve told him that directly. He’s been a very good leader for us. You can talk about him being local, that the Giants mean something to him. I think that’s very important. He’s a guy that loves football, he loves this organization, he loves this area. Those are things we talk about building as cornerstones and pillars of this program and he’s a very important part of our program.”
The safety started five of his six games this season, compiling 29 tackles and one sack. Considering Peppers’ contract status, his reduced playing time, and continued trade rumblings, there was a chance the veteran would be traded prior to his injury. The ACL injury certainly changed things, and Peppers could pursue a comeback with his current team.
More notes out of the NFC East…
- With the Giants sitting at 2-5, it wouldn’t be a surprise if several Giants veterans end up hitting the trade block. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv explored which players could be on the move, with tight end Evan Engram, cornerback James Bradberry, guard Will Hernandez, tight end Kyle Rudolph, and offensive tackle Nate Solder earning spots on the list. Vacchiano even goes as far as to list running back Saquon Barkley as a potential trade candidate, but he can’t envision the Giants receiving a haul that would convince them to bail on the former second-overall pick.
- Randy Gregory has dealt with his fair share of suspensions, but the former Cowboys second-round pick followed an impressive 2020 campaign with an even better start to the 2021 season. In five games (four starts), Gregory has collected four sacks. The 28-year-old will hit free agency following the 2021 season, but David Moore, Calvin Watkins, and Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News all believe that the defensive end will be back next season. Moore notes that the team wouldn’t have held on to Gregory for all these years if they didn’t plan on a long-term pact, while Watkins cautions that the franchise tag could prove to be a risky move considering Gregory’s limited track record.
- There was once some hope that Ryan Fitzpatrick would be back by now, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport writes that Washington Football Team will have to wait a bit longer. The 38-year-old is still weeks away from returning, with Week 10 being the earliest possible return for the starting quarterback. Fitzpatrick suffered a hip subluxation back in September, forcing Taylor Heinicke into the lineup.
La’el Collins To Play Reserve Role Coming Off Suspension
La’el Collins‘ five-game PED suspension has elapsed, and the high-end right tackle returned to practice this week. But the Cowboys are not giving Collins his starting job back — at least not yet.
Terence Steele will remain Dallas’ starting right tackle this week, Mike McCarthy said Thursday. A former UDFA, Steele served as Collins’ primary right tackle fill-in last season — which Collins missed due to hip surgery — and returned to that role after Collins’ PED ban became official this year.
McCarthy said Collins will play a swing role to start out post-suspension, playing behind Steele and working as a reserve left guard, via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. While Collins began his pro career at left guard, he has been Dallas’ top right tackle since the 2017 season. Collins, 28, is signed to a $10MM-per-year extension that runs through 2024.
“Obviously, LC has position flexibility,” McCarthy said, adding that he needs to see Collins go through practices before reinstalling him as a starter. “We are going to start the week with Terence at right tackle. So LC gives us some great competition in there. We are going to try to work him as much as possible.”
Pro Football Focus graded Collins as one of the NFL’s best right tackles in 2019, but he has missed 21 of the Cowboys’ past 22 games. After rating Steele as one of the league’s worst starting O-linemen last season, PFF slots the Texas Tech product 27th among tackles this year. Whichever way the Cowboys end up going at right tackle, the player that ends up as the reserve stands to create some plus depth for the NFC East leaders.