NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/8/24
Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Matthew Cindric
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Damarion Williams
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Micah Abraham
Cleveland Browns
- Released: LB Michael Barrett, RB Royce Freeman, T Ricky Lee
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Seth Williams, DE Luiji Vilain
Denver Broncos
- Signed: T Cameron Fleming, C Dieter Eiselen, WR Kaden Davis, WR A.T. Perry
- Placed on IR: G William Sherman
- Released: RB Salvon Ahmed, CB Quinton Newsome
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Trent Pennix
New England Patriots
- Signed: C Sincere Haynesworth
- Released: G Jerome Carvin, WR Matt Landers
New York Jets
- Released: LB Anthony Hines
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Ezekiel Turner
- Released: LB Devin Richardson
Washington Commanders
- Released: DE Justin Hollins
Fleming saw time with Denver across each of the past three seasons. The 32-year-old alternated between right and left tackle during that span, and he remained on the team’s radar given his workout in September. Now Fleming, a veteran of 117 games and 62 starts, will be an option to handle a depth role along the O-line once he is elevated to the Broncos’ active roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/8/24
Tuesday’s minor moves around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: OL Charlie Heck
- Placed on IR: G Will Hernandez (story)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed (off Giants’ practice squad): OL Cade Mays
- Promoted: OLB Thomas Incoom, DE DeShawn Williams
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: CB Dax Hill (story), OL Jaxson Kirkland
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: G Javion Cohen, DT Sam Kamara, TE Blake Whiteheart
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: DE Carl Lawson
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Designated for return from reserve/PUP list: OL Christian Mahogany
Houston Texans
- Signed (off Ravens’ practice squad): CB Ka’dar Hollman
- Placed on IR: RB British Brooks
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: CB David Long
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: RB Myles Gaskin
- Released: TE Robert Tonyan
New England Patriots
- Released: DE Jamree Kromah
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: OL John Ojukwu
Kirkland is out for the season due to a biceps tear, head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday. That injury resulted in the addition of Andrew Stueber off Atlanta’s practice squad, a move which became official today. Kirkland, a former UDFA, made a pair of appearances this season, seeing sparse usage on offense and special teams.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/24
Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: OL Charlie Heck, K Chad Ryland
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: RB Chris Collier, OLB Yannick Ngakoue
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: WR Tyrell Shavers, DT Branson Deen
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: LB Thomas Incoom, DT T.J. Smith
- Placed on IR: LB Shaq Thompson (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: CB Jalen Davis
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: LB Nick Vigil
- Elevated: DE Carl Lawson, CB Amani Oruwariye
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
- Signed to active roster: CB Robert Rochell
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck
Houston Texans
- Elevated: RB J.J. Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: RB Evan Hull, CB David Long
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: LB Tanner Muse, S Matthew Jackson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: DE K’Lavon Chaisson
- Placed on IR: LB Luke Masterson
- Elevated: RB Sincere McCormick, WR Alex Bachman
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: WR Xavier Smith, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: CB Nik Needham
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: RB Myles Gaskin, S Bobby McCain
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: DT Jaquelin Roy
- Elevated: OL Bryan Hudson, LB Ochaun Mathis
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Matt Adams
- Waived: LB Benton Whitley
- Elevated: WR Isaiah Hodgins, RB Dante Miller
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: OLB Jeremiah Moon
- Elevated: WR Brandon Johnson, RB Jonathan Ward
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: DT Kalia Davis
- Elevated: DL T.Y. McGill, WR Trent Taylor
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: QB Marcus Mariota
- Elevated: CB Kevon Seymour, WR Brycen Tremayne
Mariota returned to practice on Wednesday, which was the earliest point at which he could be designated for return. As a result, it comes as little surprise he has been brought back onto Washington’s active roster. The 30-year-old is in his first season with the Commanders, and today’s move paves the way for him to handle backup duties moving forward.
Ngakoue remained on the free agent market into the start of the regular season. He was not connected to a Ravens reunion, but one took place last week. The journeyman sack artist had a brief spell with Baltimore in 2020, and he posted three sacks in 11 games. Ngakoue, 29, had one-and done campaigns in Vegas, Indianapolis and Chicago before taking a Ravens practice squad deal. He will make his debut tomorrow and aim to provide depth along the edge.
Broncos’ Tyler Badie Has Full Movement In Arms, Legs; RB Placed On IR
OCTOBER 5: To little surprise, 9News’ Mike Klis reports Badie has been placed on injured reserve. He will miss at least the next four games as a result, but a return later in the year is still possible. Estime is eligible to be activated from IR as early as next week, and his return would help compensate for Badie’s absence.
SEPTEMBER 30: A scary scene transpired Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Broncos running back Tyler Badie suffered a back injury that seemed to worsen after he limped to the sideline following a first-half fumble. Badie needed to be stretchered off the field.
Good news has emerged a day later. The third-year back did suffer a significant back injury, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport relays he has full movement in his arms and legs. Badie had flown back to Denver on a commercial flight Sunday night, KOA’s Brandon Krisztal tweets.
Badie is an IR candidate, per Rapoport, but he is not certain to miss the rest of the season. Signed from the practice squad after a promising outing against the Buccaneers, the Missouri alum is likely out of the mix for the time being. His return later this season would stand to depend on his readiness and the Broncos’ IR situation.
Denver turned to Badie in what became a three-man rotation with Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin. The former Denver practice squad back, however, fumbled on his third touch of the game — a short reception. Badie was able to walk off the field but did so with a limp. Minutes later, he was motionless on the Broncos sideline. This led to the game stopping as the former sixth-round pick was transported out of the stadium for more medical attention.
Badie had led the Broncos in rushing in their Week 3 win over the Bucs, totaling 70 yards on nine carries. With the team cutting Samaje Perine and placing rookie Audric Estime on IR, Badie assumed the RB3 role behind the team’s regulars. With Williams struggling over the team’s first three games, a role appeared to be opening up for a player who did not see any action in 2023. But Badie’s unfortunate setback Sunday will leave the Broncos shorthanded once again.
While Williams showed improvement against the Jets, the Broncos will be in need of another back to work behind he and McLaughlin. The most obvious candidate will be rookie UDFA Blake Watson, a dual-threat player out of Memphis and Old Dominion. Watson made the Broncos’ 53-man roster, most likely as the team feared he would not clear waivers, but has not been active for a game yet.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/1/24
Today’s practice squad updates around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: T Austen Pleasants
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: S Dane Cruikshank
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB William Kwenkeu
- Released: RB John Kelly
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Jackson Mitchell
- Released: CB Azizi Hearn
Chicago Bears
- Released (with injury settlement): DT Sam Roberts
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Salvon Ahmed
- Released: WR Kaden Davis
Houston Texans
- Released: LB Zeke Turner
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Trent Pennix
- Released: K Spencer Shrader
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Jake Funk, CB Tyler Hall
- Released: RB Jalen Jackson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: TE Cole Fotheringham
- Released: S Phalen Sanford
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: S Tony Jefferson
- Released: T Braeden Daniels
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: K Tanner Brown
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Jermaine Jackson
- Released: WR John Jiles
New Orleans Saints
- Released: RB Jacob Kibodi
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Kearis Jackson, CB Greg Stroman
- Released (with injury settlement): TE Lawrence Cager
- Released: CB Alex Johnson, TE Joel Wilson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Eku Leota, RB La’Mical Perine
- Released: RB Jack Colletto, LB Marcus Haynes
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: DT Shakel Brown
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: DT Matt Gotel
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Kalen DeLoach
Washington Commanders
- Signed: G Marquis Hayes, S Sheldrick Redwine
The Broncos are bringing in the veteran running back Ahmed after he spent four years in Miami. Ahmed’s biggest role came in four starts as an undrafted rookie back in 2020 in which he rushed for 319 yards and three touchdowns over six games. He served as a reliable backup for the Dolphins for the past few years.
The Chargers released Jefferson yesterday, but they’ll keep him around on the practice squad with today’s signing. The veteran adds some quality depth to the roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/28/24
Minor transactions and practice squad callups for the Week 4 weekend:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: DT Angelo Blackson, T Charlie Heck
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: G Matt Hennessy
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: RB Chris Collier
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: OLB Thomas Incoom, DE DeShawn Williams
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DT Byron Cowart, S Tarvarius Moore
- Placed on IR: TE Stephen Carlson (story)
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: CB Tony Brown, TE Geoff Swaim
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Levelle Bailey, S Tanner McCalister
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Kamal Hadden, CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Elevated: RB J.J. Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: DT Adam Gotsis, CB David Long
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: TE Josiah Deguara
- Elevated: CB Christian Braswell, LB Tanner Muse
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: TE John Samuel Shenker
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, OLB K’Lavon Chaisson
- Waived: WR Ramel Keyton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: LB Blake Lynch, C Sam Mustipher
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: WR Xavier Smith, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: OLB Bo Richter, TE Robert Tonyan
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: CB Isaiah Bolden
- Elevated: DT Trysten Hill, TE Mitchell Wilcox
- Placed on IR: CB Alex Austin
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: G Kyle Hergel
New York Jets
- Elevated: DT Bruce Hector, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: WR Parris Campbell, WR John Ross
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB Thomas Graham Jr., RB Aaron Shampklin
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: DE Sam Okuayinonu
- Elevated: DT Evan Anderson, S Jaylen Mahoney
- Placed on IR: DT Javon Hargrave (story), LB Curtis Robinson (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: P Trenton Gill, WR Sterling Shepard
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DE Andre Jones Jr., RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Broncos’ Alex Singleton Suffers ACL Tear
The Broncos’ sudden interest in experienced linebackers comes as a result of a significant blow. Denver will not have Alex Singleton at its disposal for the season’s remainder.
Sean Payton said Wednesday that the team’s top tackler suffered an ACL tear during the Week 3 win in Tampa. Singleton is out for the year and will undergo surgery in two weeks, via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Denver has since added both Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham to its practice squad; both veterans may soon be moving to the active roster.
This is an unfortunate development for all parties, as Singleton anchors Denver’s ILB group post-Josey Jewell and is set to turn 31 at season’s end. The Broncos re-signed the former UDFA in 2023 and have seen him author a prolific stretch — one that helped them rebound after a rough defensive start last season. Singleton has strung together back-to-back 160-plus-tackle seasons, not missing a game during that span in Denver.
Payton said Singleton played two thirds of Sunday’s game with the tear, but knowing the injury’s severity obviously changes the team’s plans. Cunningham and Alexander join a thin linebacking corps, which lost Jewell after the six-year contributor reunited with Ejiro Evero in Charlotte. The Broncos also lost Jonas Griffith to another season-ending injury and are without hybrid linebacker Drew Sanders due to an offseason Achilles tear. Sanders may well be back before season’s end, but the team still does not have much behind import Cody Barton. Special-teamer Justin Strnad and former UDFA Kristian Welch are in place on Denver’s 53-man roster.
The Broncos have Singleton on a three-year, $18MM contract. Initially acquired to play in Evero’s defense in 2022, Singleton signed a low-end contract after the Eagles non-tendered him as an RFA. Despite Philly seeing the Montana State alum rack up 137 tackles in his second season as a regular on its defense, Singleton was not deemed a priority for a team that has not spent much at that position in recent years. The Broncos paid Singleton in 2023, doing so despite having already given Jewell a midlevel deal. After Singleton’s 177-tackle season — complete with two 20-plus-tackle games — he ended up taking Jewell’s place as the team’s highest-paid off-ball ‘backer.
Singleton, who totaled two sacks last season and has registered six tackles for loss in two straight years, does not have any guaranteed money left on his deal post-2024. Originally a 2015 UDFA, he ended up debuting in the NFL late after a three-year stay with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders. As Singleton has made up for lost NFL time, he has encountered a high hurdle. The Broncos, who rank sixth in scoring defense and third in yardage, will also face significant questions as they are set for 14 games without their 2022 find.
Broncos To Sign LB Zach Cunningham, Move RB Tyler Badie To Active Roster
Although the Broncos prevailed in Tampa and have displayed far superior defensive form compared to the early weeks in Vance Joseph‘s DC tenure, they continue to add veteran linebacker pieces. After signing Kwon Alexander, Denver is bringing in Zach Cunningham.
There are no Saints ties with Cunningham, whom 9News’ Mike Klis notes is joining the Broncos’ practice squad, but he also carries extensive experience as a second-level defensive piece. Cunningham, 29, spent last season with the Eagles after a career in the AFC South (Texans, Titans).
[RELATED: LB Alex Singleton Suffers ACL Tear]
This turned out to be an emergency hire, as the team will be tasked with playing without its top tackler (Singleton) after the $6MM-per-year player suffered a season-ending injury. Cunningham and Alexander, 30, will be vying for time — potentially soon — for a Broncos team that lost Josey Jewell in free agency. As a result, depth is thin for this group. Cody Barton is the only proven ILB left on Denver’s active roster; that may change soon.
A full-time starter for the Texans, Cunningham signed a lucrative extension in 2019. He fell out of favor during the Texans’ early-2020s dark ages, despite leading the NFL in tackles in 2020 (with 164), becoming a healthy scratch during David Culley‘s season in charge. The Titans claimed Cunningham and turned to him as a starter during a season that ended with Tennessee securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The former second-round pick battled injuries in Tennessee, starting four games to close out the 2021 season but going on IR twice in 2022. As GM Ran Carthon took over in 2023, he made Cunningham one of his many cap-casualty moves.
Last season, the Eagles used Cunningham as a 10-game starter after signing him midway through training camp. He played in 13 contests and logged every defensive snap in the team’s wild-card game, one that punctuated a season that featured a collapse. Despite the Eagles cratering, Pro Football Focus viewed Cunningham as an above-average player and graded him well in coverage. The Eagles did not bring back Cunningham, and the eight-year vet — he of 85 tackles and four pass breakups in 2023 — did not attend a training camp. As such, it would not surprise to see the Broncos hold off on an immediate promotion.
Denver is also making an interesting move at running back. After Tyler Badie showed some promise to help a struggling rushing attack against the Buccaneers, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson adds the team is signing the young RB to its 53-man roster. Badie joins Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie UDFA Blake Watson on Denver’s active roster.
A Missouri alum the Ravens chose in the 2022 sixth round, Badie has been with the Broncos since late in the at ’22 season. He did not play last season, being stationed behind Williams, McLaughlin and Samaje Perine, but delivered his best NFL work last week. Badie, who followed Montee Ball in informing the masses of a pronunciation change as he transitioned to a Broncos RB role, gained 70 yards on nine carries and helped the Broncos close out the Buccaneers. With Williams struggling, Badie now looms as a direct threat to the contract-year starter’s playing time.
Broncos To Add LB Kwon Alexander
Familiarity with Sean Payton continues to land certain players gigs in Denver, as a handful of ex-Saints assistants are also on the second-year HC’s staff. Add Kwon Alexander to the Saints-to-Broncos pipeline.
The veteran linebacker worked out for the team, per 9News’ Mike Klis, and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes the club is making a practice squad addition. Alexander will join the Broncos at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, where they are practicing in preparation for their Week 4 game against the Jets.
Coming back from the second Achilles tear of his NFL career, Alexander had previously auditioned for the Falcons and Vikings. The Broncos saw enough to greenlight this reunion. Alexander will join a Broncos team that already houses seven ex-Saints — Adam Trautman, Wil Lutz, Malcolm Roach, Calvin Throckmorton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Lucas Krull and Jordan Jackson — on its active roster.
Alexander spent 2022 with the Jets and 2023 with the Steelers but was dealt from the 49ers to the Saints in 2020 and played all of the 2021 season — Payton’s New Orleans finale — with the NFC South team. Alexander, 30, started 15 games with the Saints under Payton. He aided a division champion in 2020 and recorded 3.5 sacks, despite operating primarily as an off-ball LB, in 2021
While the Broncos’ ILBs coach (Greg Manusky) was not in New Orleans during that time, ex-ILB Michael Wilhoite — Denver’s OLBs coach — was on Payton’s staff during Alexander’s tenure. Alexander also recovered a fumble against the Broncos during a 2020 matchup best remembered for the AFC West team having no active QBs due to COVID-19.
Formerly a standout Buccaneers ‘backer who earned a lucrative 49ers free agency deal in 2019 despite coming off an ACL tear, Alexander saw his first Saints season end due to an Achilles tear and sustained the same injury — albeit to his other Achilles — in November of last year. The Saints still re-signed the talented defender in August 2021. Alexander has played effectively in spurts. He started 12 games for a top-five Jets defense in 2022. Last season, Pro Football Focus graded the nine-year vet as a plus coverage ILB. Though, the Broncos will surely want to see how he looks in practices given the extensive injury history here.
Denver signed Cody Barton to start alongside Alex Singleton this offseason, letting Josey Jewell defect to the Panthers. Jonas Griffith had competed with Barton for that gig but did not make the team, suffering another major injury. Justin Strnad and Kristian Welch are in place as Denver’s second-string ILBs. Alexander will surely have a chance to move up to the 53-man roster soon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/24/24
Tuesday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Stephen Carlson
Detroit Lions
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Tim Patrick
- Placed on IR: DE Marcus Davenport (story)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Sam Webb
- Placed on IR: S Marcus Epps (story)
New York Giants
- Released: FB Jakob Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jack Stoll
- Placed on IR: WR Britain Covey
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted from practice squad: CB James Pierre
- Placed on IR: DB Cory Trice Jr.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: LS Zach Triner
- Placed on IR: LS Evan Deckers
Patrick was among the Broncos’ final roster cuts but he quickly landed a deal with the Lions on their practice squad. Healthy after back-to-back years featuring major injuries, the 30-year-old has twice been a gameday elevation so far this year and logged a 44% offensive snap share. He will aim to remain in a depth role while now permanently on the active roster.
Covey will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks given today’s move. His injury is particularly notable given the fact A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are both injured at the moment, thinning out the team’s receiver room. Covey, 27, received seven targets across the past two games and Philadelphia will need to turn to other options for a complementary role at wideout (along with the return game).