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Giants Work Out Four Kickers, To Add Greg Joseph Off Lions’ Practice Squad

September 17th, 2024 at 2:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Graham Gano‘s injury changed the Giants’ gameday procedure, costing them dearly in a narrow loss to the Commanders. After not attempting any extra points once Gano went down, the Giants will make their expected addition.

With Gano set to miss at least four games, New York worked out four kickers. The team, however, will take another course. The Giants are signing Greg Joseph off the Lions’ practice squad, per his agency. The team must keep Joseph on its 53-man roster for at least three weeks due to poaching him off another team’s P-squad. Gano is now on IR, per a Giants announcement.

The Giants initially attempted a free agency path here, with NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo indicating the team worked out Zane Gonzalez, Randy Bullock, Riley Patterson and Tanner Brown. Instead, it will be Joseph, who will head to team No. 3 this year. Joseph signed with the Packers early this offseason but did not make their 53-man roster, joining the Lions’ practice squad as Jake Bates insurance. But an immediate opportunity will come his way in New York.

Joseph, 30, spent the past three seasons as the Vikings’ kicker. He drilled a 61-yard game-winning field goal to beat the Giants in Week 16 of the 2022 season. Like Gano, who made a 63-yarder to beat the Giants as a Panther in 2018, Joseph will make his way to the NFC’s New York franchise.

Joseph made 86.8% of his field goals in 2021 but did not clear the 80% barrier in either of the past two seasons. He made 80% of his tries last season, missing three from between 40 and 49 yards, and saw the Vikings take a different route this year.

As for Gano, this is the second time he has landed on IR in as many seasons. Gano has suffered two injuries since the Giants gave him a three-year, $16.5MM extension ($11.34MM guaranteed) in September 2023. Gano, 37, missed nine games last season. The Giants will hope to have their regular specialist back from his hamstring injury this season, but they will need to use an IR activation to make that happen.

Bullock served as the Giants’ Gano replacement in six games last season, while Patterson could not secure a spot as the Commanders’ kicker in the preseason. (Gonzalez has not kicked since the 2021 season.) The Commanders, who settled on Austin Seibert as their latest kicker, became the first NFL team to win a game despite scoring zero touchdowns to their opponent’s three.

Injured Reserve Return Tracker

September 17th, 2024 at 1:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

No players are yet eligible to be activated from IR, but this offseason brought a change in how teams could construct their 53-man rosters while retaining flexibility with injured players. Clubs were permitted to attach return designations to two players (in total) placed on IR or an NFI list before setting their initial rosters.

In prior years, anyone placed on IR before a team set its initial 53-man roster could not be activated in-season. All August IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. This will introduce more strategy for teams, who will be tasked with determining which players injured in-season will factor into activation puzzles as the year progresses.

All players designated for return in August are eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5. The same holds true for players moved to IR before Week 1, though any player placed on IR after a team set its initial 53 has not been designated for return and therefore does not yet count toward a club’s eight-activation limit. Players who receive return designations beginning in Week 5 will be added to this list.

Here are the players teams already protected via summer return designations:

Arizona Cardinals

Designated for return from IR: 

Activations remaining: 6

Atlanta Falcons

Designated for return from IR: 

Activations remaining: 7

Baltimore Ravens

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Buffalo Bills

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Carolina Panthers

Designated for return from IR: 

Activations remaining: 6

Chicago Bears

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Cincinnati Bengals

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Cleveland Browns

Designated for return from reserve/non-football illness list:

Designated for return from reserve/non-football injury list:

Activations remaining: 6

Dallas Cowboys

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Denver Broncos

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Detroit Lions

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Green Bay Packers

Designated for return from IR:

  • DL Jonathan Ford

Activations remaining: 7

Houston Texans

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Indianapolis Colts

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Jacksonville Jaguars

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Kansas City Chiefs

Activations remaining: 8

Las Vegas Raiders

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Los Angeles Chargers

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Los Angeles Rams

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Miami Dolphins

Designated for return from IR:

Minnesota Vikings

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

New England Patriots

Designated for return from IR:

Designated for return from reserve/non-football illness list:

Activations remaining: 6

New Orleans Saints

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

New York Giants

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

New York Jets

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Philadelphia Eagles

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

Pittsburgh Steelers

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 6

San Francisco 49ers

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Seattle Seahawks

Activations remaining: 8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Tennessee Titans

Activations remaining: 8

Washington Commanders

Designated for return from IR:

Activations remaining: 7

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/14/24

September 14th, 2024 at 8:06pm CST by Ely Allen

Saturday’s minor transactions and gameday practice squad callups:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Patrick was among the Broncos’ final roster cuts after a Saints trade was discussed. The 30-year-old missed the 2022 and ’23 campaigns due to ACL and Achilles tears, respectively. Patrick did not need to wait long to find a new opportunity, though, quickly landing a practice squad deal with the Lions. He is now positioned make his season debut tomorrow as a complementary option in Detroit’s passing attack.

Olszewski is dealing with a groin injury and he was known to be facing a long-term absence. Today’s move thus comes as no surprise, but it ensures at least a four-week absence. The former All-Pro scored a punt return touchdown with Pittsburgh early last season and added another during his 10-game Giants stretch to close out the year. The team will need to rely on other options in the return game for the time being.

Lions DT D.J. Reader To Play In Week 2

September 13th, 2024 at 3:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

D.J. Reader is set to make his Lions debut during Week 2. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed on Friday that the veteran defensive tackle will be available on Sunday.

[RELATED: Lions Begin Extension Talks With Alim McNeill]

Signs pointed in that direction recently, so it comes as no surprise Reader will make his Lions debut against the Buccaneers. The 30-year-old missed considerable time during training camp while rehabbing the torn quad which ended his 2023 campaign. Reader was activated from the reserve/PUP list in late August, though, removing the need for him to miss the first month of the season with a PUP designation during roster cuts.

Reader practiced on a limited basis last week, but it came as no surprise he and the team opted for a cautious approach. The former Texan and Bengal was a full participant this week, and he is therefore in line to handle a notable workload along the defensive interior. Reader is confident he has recovered in full after a lengthy rehab process.

“Feel really good about where I’m at,” he said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “Mentally, a lot tougher than I was just going through it. It’s just, it’s one of those injuries… It can really get you down and have you fighting that wall for a while… I’ve got a good group of people around me, good spirits and just been able to really work through.”

During his time in Cincinnati, Reader remained a full-time starter and served as an effective run stopper. He is expected to translate that early-down success to the Motor City while playing on a two-year contract. That pact carries a maximum value of $27.25MM, but only $7.4MM of that figure is fully guaranteed. Much of Reader’s future with the Lions beyond 2024 will thus depend on his ability to return to his previous form over the coming months as he aims to play a key role on one of the NFC’s presumed contenders.

Hall Of Fame LB Joe Schmidt Dies At 92

September 12th, 2024 at 7:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Former Lions linebacker and head coach Joe Schmidt passed away yesterday, the team announced. The Hall of Famer was 92.

Schmidt was selected in the seventh round of the 1953 draft, and he immediately became a standout contributor. The following season saw him earn the first of 10 consecutive Pro Bowl invitations – tied for a franchise record – and Schmidt also began a string of All-Pro honors during that span. He collected a first- or second-team nod every campaign from 1954-62. A key figure in his team’s success, Schmidt helped lead the Lions to two NFL championships (1953 and ’57) and earned a place on the 1950s All-Decade team.

An inaugural member of the Lions’ ring of honor, Schmidt continued his decorated tenure in the Motor City by serving as the team’s head coach from 1967-72. During the final four years of that spell, Detroit posted a winning record before the Pitt alum ended his second football career.

In 1973, Schmidt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Regarded as the greatest defender in Lions history, he is credited as one of the pioneers for middle linebackers operating as the quarterback of the defense with his style of play.

“Joe Schmidt had the heart of a Lion, which made it appropriate that he was also the heart of our team,” a statement from owner Martha Firestone Ford reads. “Joe was a key part of our championship seasons and continued to be an important part of our organization until his passing. Joe made his home in Detroit and carried his success from the field into our community. I am saddened to hear of his passing, but I have nothing but fond memories of the person he was. I share my deepest condolences with Marilyn and his children.”

Across 159 combined regular and postseason games, Schmidt collected 27 total interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries (including a league-leading eight in 1955) during his career. His No. 56 is retired by the Lions, and he is a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time team.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/11/24

September 11th, 2024 at 8:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: WR Kaden Davis

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

  • Signed: LB Jackson Sirmon

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/11/24

September 11th, 2024 at 7:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Detroit Lions

Tennessee Titans

A former third-round pick by the Lions, Julian Okwara ultimately spent four seasons in Detroit. The linebacker saw time in 38 games (four starts) during his Lions tenure, compiling 54 tackles and nine sacks. This included a five-sack performance in 2021, although he struggled to match those counting stats over the past two years. The 26-year-old spent the preseason with the Eagles before joining Arizona’s practice squad prior to the regular season.

Lions Sign K Greg Joseph To P-Squad

September 10th, 2024 at 7:50pm CST by Ely Allen

The Lions have had their fair share of headlines concerning their kicking game already this year. First, incumbent kicker Michael Badgley was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring injury. To replace him, Detroit enlisted UFL-star Jake Bates, whose big leg gained him notoriety throughout the offseason.

Well, today, the Lions signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph to their practice squad, per Joseph’s agent Brett Tessler. The South Africa native has been in the league for the last five years, spending the last three of those in Minnesota as the Vikings’ primary kicker. As a free agent in the offseason, Joseph signed with the Packers but didn’t make the team’s 53-man roster as a result of an expansive kicking competition. Now, he joins his third-consecutive NFC North club.

The Lions had decided on Bates as their main leg after a kicker competition of their own. Throughout training camp, Bates showed an inconsistency that seemed troublesome at the time, but when it came gametime in the preseason and Week 1, Bates got back to the performances that earned him his NFL opportunity.

Still, last year, we saw Detroit actively recruit Badgley and eventually utilize him to replace Riley Patterson midseason. While Bates has a secure hold on the job for now, there’s nothing in Detroit’s recent history to suggest that they won’t continue to make Bates earn his job throughout the season. He’ll likely have to hold Joseph at bay with his own performance all season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/9/24

September 9th, 2024 at 7:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Detroit Lions

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/7/24

September 7th, 2024 at 7:42pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are all the NFL’s minor transactions for Saturday, including the gameday callups leading into the first Sunday of the 2024 season:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

With regular kicker Matt Gay listed as questionable for the season opener after hernia surgery, the Colts will call up Shrader from the practice squad as an emergency option. The 25-year-old has not made a regular season appearance in his career, but that could very well change tomorrow.

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