Minor NFL Transactions: 8/26/23
Saturday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: CB Blessuan Austin, OL Jalen Mayfield, DL Delontae Scott, DT Justin Ellis
Detroit Lions
- Released: DT Christian Covington, TE Daniel Helm
- Released from IR via injury settlement: RB Ibrahim Mohamed
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from PUP list: TE Hunter Long
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: T Roderick Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DE Taco Charlton
Mayfield missed all of last season due to injury, but he started each the 16 games in his rookie campaign the year prior. The former 23-year-old struggled at guard, which prompted a change in plans for the Falcons on the interior. They tried Mayfield at tackle this offseason, but that has clearly not gone according to plan given today’s move. It will be interesting to see if Atlanta tries to keep him in the fold via the practice squad if that option presents itself next week.
Covington, 29, could have provided experienced depth along the defensive interior for the Lions had he made the 53-man roster. The former sixth-rounder has 102 games to his name, including 20 with the Chargers over the past two years. Covington has also spent time with the Texans, Cowboys and Bengals, collecting 196 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He will now have a slight head start on many other players with respect to finding a new home as teams sort through their final roster decisions.
Trey Lance Fallout: Trade Request, Other Suitors, Cowboys
The Trey Lance era in San Francisco proved to be short lived, as the 49ers traded the former third-overall pick to the Cowboys last night. While the quarterback went from franchise cornerstone to QB3 in only two years, general manager John Lynch still had high praise for Lance following the deal.
[RELATED: 49ers Trade QB Trey Lance to Cowboys]
“Really hard day, such a wonderful young man,” Lynch said last night (via NFL.com’s Coral Smith). “We took a shot and it didn’t work out. We own that. We take accountability for it. But I think, as I think you guys do, his story is still very much unwritten. I’m excited for Trey. Dallas stepped up and really wanted him and they came after him. And I think it’s going to be a great landing spot for him. I can tell everybody, it wasn’t for lack of effort on Trey’s part or on our part, that it didn’t work. Circumstances took hold and he struggled through injuries and this team’s ready to win. We like our quarterback room. We like Brock Purdy a lot, we like Sam Darnold and we like Brandon Allen. So we wish Trey all the best in Dallas. We’ll always care about that young man and admire his work ethic and the person that he is.”
As ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted this morning, Lance actually requested to be traded earlier this week after learning he’d be the third quarterback behind Purdy and Darnold. The young QB wasn’t necessarily looking for a chance to start elsewhere; according to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, Lance was happy with being the top backup in a different situation.
“He told us that he would like another opportunity to go somewhere where he had a chance to be the No. 2,” Shanahan said (via NFL.com). “We thought we got some good deals for him; there was a number of teams involved. To end up getting the fourth was a little better than we anticipated and clears up a lot of money and allows a better situation for him, too.”
Unsurprisingly, the Cowboys weren’t the only suitor for Lance’s services. Dianna Russini tweets that the Bills, Ravens, and Lions were among the teams that showed interest in the young signal caller. Russini adds that the 49ers intended to trade Lance to the AFC, but the organization pivoted to an NFC foe when they only received offers of conditional fifth-round picks (that were more likely to be sixth-round picks). Schefter notes that the 49ers began fielding offers for Lance on Thursday, and the Cowboys separated themselves from the pack on Friday.
Lynch and Shanahan weren’t the only members of the 49ers to speak kindly of Lance. Purdy mentioned how his former teammate helped him during his improbable run late last season.
“Going in last year and then him just being by my side from the get-go — sideline, meetings, in the locker room, wherever we are at — man, he’s been a real one,” Purdy said (via Cam Inman of the Mercury News). “…Lance helped me come into the league and welcome me with open arms and showed me the ropes to this whole thing. So can’t tell you how grateful I am for him and to have him in my life and to be here with him. So, forever grateful for Trey.”
Attention will now shift to Dallas, where Lance will serve as the backup to Dak Prescott. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys had a second-round grade on the quarterback during the 2021 draft. That’s obviously a far cry from the third-overall pick, but it still goes to show that the organization believed the prospect could at least be a worthy NFL quarterback.
NFC Rumors: Bucs, Lions, Panthers, Packers
The Buccaneers may be considered as a rebuilding squad, but that doesn’t matter much to the players fighting for roster spots in the late preseason. As the regular season inches nearer and nearer, two starting positions are starting to come into focus, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
On offense, center Ryan Jensen has not returned to practice as he continues to recover from three knee ligament tears that he opted not to have surgery on. In his absence, Robert Hainsey and Nick Leverett have been competing for the starting job. Hainsey likely has a bit of an edge after playing the position in college and starting all 17 games last season for Tampa Bay, but Leverett has meshed well in new offensive coordinator Dave Canales‘ new zone-blocking scheme. Even if Hainsey can’t hold onto the job, Leverett may keep the position competitive.
On defense, Dee Delaney has really stepped up at nickelback after the team opted to move Antoine Winfield Jr. back to free safety full-time. Delaney, who spent four years at The Citadel before transferring to Miami (FL) and going undrafted, has stuck in Tampa Bay, playing 32 games over the past two seasons while starting three of them. Delaney has had a great camp as reflected in a stellar performance in last week’s preseason game against the Jets. Undrafted rookie Christian Izien has also impressed with physical play throughout the preseason, while rookie sixth-round pick Josh Hayes has fallen a bit behind in the position battle.
Here are a few more roster battles to watch heading into the final weekend of preseason games this season:
- Nate Sudfeld was viewed as a solid backup option at quarterback for the Lions last season. Coming into 2023, though, he may be struggling to retain a roster spot, according to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News. Obviously, Jared Goff has the starting job locked up, but recently signed veteran Teddy Bridgewater has made a strong case for the QB2 role behind him. Sudfeld still has value to the team, but head coach Dan Campbell made it clear that his roster status depends on if he adds more value to the team than depth at other positions on the roster. If CB5 or CB6 end up adding more value than Sudfeld as QB3, he may find himself missing out on the initial 53-man roster.
- As starting guard Austin Corbett waits to be cleared following ACL surgery, the Panthers‘ situation at guard is feeling a bit precarious. A tweet from Joseph Person of The Athletic tells that a decision on the starting right guard job in Corbett’s absence has been delayed until the returns from injury of rookie fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala and undrafted rookie Nash Jensen. Head coach Frank Reich wanted both rookies to have a chance for the spot before making the decision. Zavala was recently activated from the physically unable to perform list and hasn’t seen much action. Jensen was impressing early in the offseason before a back injury slowed his progress. They’ll compete with Cade Mays and Justin McCray for the position, but Person believes that Carolina may pursue some added competition at roster cutdowns.
- Last week, the Packers‘ seventh-round pick from last year, Rasheed Walker, got the starting call at left tackle ahead of usual backup Yosh Nijman, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Nijman has been the usual go-to at tackle when starter David Bakhtiari isn’t available, but Schneidman thinks that Walker may have worked his way past Nijman on the depth chart as of late.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/23
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Waived from IR via injury settlement: WR Denzel Mims
Green Bay Packers
- Waived from IR via injury settlement: OL Jake Hanson
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL Keaton Sutherland
- Placed on IR: OL Kilian Zierer
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived from IR via injury settlement: T Brandon Parker
New York Giants
- Waived from IR via injury settlement: OL Devery Hamilton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Re-signed: T Fred Johnson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Anthony Montalvo
The Lions made a minor trade for Mims earlier this month, ending the former second-round pick’s unremarkable Jets tenure. But Mims struggled to catch on in Detroit as well. The Baylor alum is now headed toward free agency, should no one claim him. The Lions waived Mims with an injury designation, due to the fourth-year wideout encountering multiple ailments.
Parker landed on IR earlier this month. The Raiders will cut their former third-round pick loose. Depending on the terms of the settlement, Parker could return to the Raiders later this year. The sixth-year veteran could also land elsewhere, as this transaction will move him off Las Vegas’ IR. But the 32-game Raiders starter missed all of last season due to injury and moved out of the right tackle competition via injury once again this year.
The Eagles have circled back to Johnson quickly. After cutting the fifth-year veteran Wednesday, the defending NFC champions have him back in the fold on a two-year contract. The 26-year-old lineman had recently been promoted to second-team left tackle. Johnson started eight games for the Bengals from 2019-21.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/23/23
Today’s minor NFL transactions from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Reverted to IR: OL Lachavious Simmons
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Chris Westry
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DT Tomasi Laulile
- Activated from NFI: NT Mike Purcell
- Waived: LS Jack Landherr IV
Detroit Lions
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Saivion Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR: OL Jake Hanson
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Darius Joiner
- Waived/injured: S Tyree Gillespie
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Doug Costin, LB Isaac Darkangelo
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Kemon Hall
New England Patriots
- Reverted to IR: WR Tre Nixon
- Waived with failed physical: DT Marquan McCall
New York Giants
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: LB Troy Brown
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Freddie Swain
- Released: G Fred Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Jordan Ferguson
- Waived: RB Bryant Koback
Washington Commanders
- Released: P Michael Palardy
Free Agents
- Suspended three games: WR Travis Jonsen, CB Mazzi Wilkins
The Broncos get an important piece back today in Purcell. The veteran defensive tackle found a strong role last year on in the Denver rotation. After passing his physical today, Purcell may be able to get his sea legs back in the team’s last preseason game, but they may choose to rest him following his return from a minor knee injury.
It’s bit of a surprise to see Johnson get cut loose in Philadelphia. The 26-year-old lineman had recently been promoted to second-team left tackle. With the Eagles’ preseason finale tomorrow, he was likely set to get a strong share of snaps. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer believes the team could bring back soon, only cutting him temporarily to fix something to do with his paperwork.
Offseason In Review: Detroit Lions
Finishing last season with rare momentum, the Lions are in a stranger position coming into Dan Campbell‘s third year. The Campbell-Brad Holmes rebuild has progressed to the point Detroit comes into a season as the favorite to win the NFC North. Since the NFL redid its divisions after the Texans entered the league in 2002, the Lions have never won this division. Although they made the playoffs three times during the 2010s, their last divisional conquest came in 1993 as part of the NFC Central — in Barry Sanders‘ fifth season.
Making the second first-round pick brought from the Matthew Stafford trade and making a number of moves to improve a porous defense, the Lions operated intently this offseason. The rebuild that covered the past two seasons is over. It will now be deemed a failed season if the Lions do not qualify for the playoffs.
Free agency additions:
- Cameron Sutton, CB: Three years, $33MM ($21MM guaranteed)
- David Montgomery, RB: Three years, $18MM ($8.75MM guaranteed)
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB: One year, $6.5MM ($6.5MM guaranteed)
- Marvin Jones, WR: One year, $3MM ($3MM guaranteed)
- Teddy Bridgewater, QB: One year, $3MM ($2.55MM guaranteed)
- Graham Glasgow, OL: One year, $2.75MM ($2.5MM guaranteed)
- Emmanuel Moseley, CB: One year, $6MM ($2MM guaranteed)
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB: One year, $1.75MM ($500K guaranteed)
- Christian Covington, DL: One year, $1.17MM
- Bobby Hart, T: One year, $1.17MM
- Germain Ifedi, T: One year, $1.17MM
- Benny Snell, RB: One year, $1.1MM
- Saivion Smith, CB: One year, $940K
The Lions went 8-3 in their final 11 games and made defensive strides; Aaron Glenn‘s unit still finished last in yards allowed, 28th in DVOA and 30th against the pass. Holmes and Co. aggressively targeted the secondary in free agency and the draft. The aftermath brought considerable depth, giving Glenn options in his third season as Detroit’s DC.
This effort started with Sutton, who had been on the Steelers’ radar to retain. Sutton, 28, had already signed two Pittsburgh contracts; his performance over the past two years turned the two-year, $9MM pact from 2021 into a team-friendly deal. The Steelers were not prepared to go where the Lions did for the former third-round pick, and a contract agreement emerged within hours of the legal tampering period’s opening. Sutton’s arrival illustrated a Lions versatility lean this offseason.
Each of their top three acquisitions in the secondary supplies experience in multiple roles, with Sutton joining Gardner-Johnson and second-rounder Brian Branch as having extensive slot seasoning. But the Steelers had shifted Sutton, an early-career slot corner, to the outside. That is where the Lions are expected to use the seventh-year vet, but Sutton’s history as an inside defender will help his new team. The 5-foot-11 cover man finished in the top five in passer rating allowed as the closest defender last season (among corners), per Next Gen Stats, and ended the year with a career-high 15 passes defensed. He will take over for Jeff Okudah as the Lions’ top corner investment, though Sutton has proven far more than the recently jettisoned top-five pick.
Ideally, Sutton would join Moseley as the Lions’ outside corners. But the ex-49er remains on the Lions’ active/PUP list due to a late-summer knee surgery. A stay on the reserve/PUP list — a designation mandating a four-game absence — is firmly in play. Moseley, 27, suffered an ACL tear midway through last season. That brought the sixth-year corner’s price down to a level that proved palatable for the Lions, per Holmes. Moseley made his way into a regular 49ers role in 2019, replacing Ahkello Witherspoon opposite Richard Sherman on the outside for the Super Bowl LIV-bound team. Pro Football Focus has graded Moseley as a top-35 corner in three of the past four seasons. His last full season (2021) featured substantial improvements in passer rating against (65.6) and yards per target (5.8) compared to his prior work.
Moseley recapturing that form for the Lions would set him up for a big free agency payday in 2024 or a nice Lions extension. But his extended layoff will be something to keep monitoring as the season nears.
Gardner-Johnson, who has enjoyed quality seasons at safety and as a slot corner, may have misread the market en route to Detroit. The Eagles offered their 2022 trade acquisition a multiyear deal early in free agency. Seeking a higher payout, Gardner-Johnson turned it down. This led to the Eagles pivoting and re-signing James Bradberry to and giving ex-Lion Darius Slay another extension. Rather than extend CJGJ — a pre-free agency goal — Philly reinvested at corner and went with low-cost safeties. Beyond Jessie Bates, none of this year’s free agent safeties secured more than $7.5MM per year. Gardner-Johnson, 25, will attempt to use this season to solidify his value.
Known as much for his trash talking as his coverage acumen, Gardner-Johnson has both served as a full-time slot corner — with the Saints during Sean Payton‘s final seasons — and a regular safety. As a safety last year, Gardner-Johnson tied for the INT lead (six) despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney. Rumors about Glenn, who coached New Orleans’ DBs during CJGJ’s first two seasons, returning the brash defender to a slot role emerged. But the Lions have been trotting him out at safety alongside 2022 third-rounder Kerby Joseph during camp.
A Joseph-CJGJ safety pairing has led to Tracy Walker, who re-signed on a three-year deal worth $25MM in 2022, dropping to a backup role. Branch played a hybrid role at Alabama, and he has been given steady time in the slot during camp. This has led to converted safety Will Harris (again, the Lions ooze DB versatility) working as a second-string corner behind Sutton and third-year UDFA Jerry Jacobs. PFF rated Harris much higher than Jacobs last season, so it would be interesting to see the sixth-year veteran demoted. But Moseley’s re-emergence would stand to lead to Jacobs losing his starting gig, too. On the verge of including four new starters, the Lions’ secondary is poised to present a much higher ceiling.
On offense, the Lions pried the Bears’ four-year starting running back to replace last season’s rushing touchdowns leader. After Jamaal Williams turned down a similar offer, Montgomery swooped in and will step in as Detroit’s between-the-tackles runner. It is worth wondering if the Lions overpaid here, given what happened to the running back market this offseason.
Montgomery finished with the NFL’s sixth-worst rushing yards over expected figure (minus-53), per Next Gen Stats, though Williams was not too much better (minus-11). Montgomery, however, finished with the eighth-worst RYOE mark in 2021 (minus-80). That said, Montgomery is two years younger, at 26, and has been better in the passing game (617 yards from 2020-21) than Williams (230 in that span). Still, Williams, who regrouped and signed a $4MM-AAV deal with the the Saints, led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (17) and totaled his first 1,000-yard season.
Offseason developments involving Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s top sidekicks moved the Lions to bring back Jones, who played out a five-year contract with the team in 2020. Working alongside Golden Tate to help the Lions pick up the pieces after Calvin Johnson‘s earlier-than-expected retirement, Jones offered high-end WR2 work during most of his first stint (three 900-plus-yard seasons). The ex-Bengals deep threat led the NFL with 18.0 yards per reception in 2017. Jones, 33, is far removed from that point and now profiles as a possession receiver. With DJ Chark departing and Jameson Williams continuing to encounter obstacles, Jones — whose second Jaguars year ended with his worst full-season yardage total (529) — will likely be needed for regular work.
It did not seem realistic the Lions would trudge into a second season with Nate Sudfeld as their backup quarterback. Even after Campbell expressed satisfaction with his QB room during the Lions’ offseason program, the team kept tabs on Bridgewater. Detroit had made the ex-Minnesota first-rounder an offer in April. After it cost the Dolphins $6.5MM to sign Bridgewater last year, the Lions landed him for less than half that.
Bridgewater left multiple 2022 games due to injuries, causing major issues for a Dolphins team that hit a crisis point with starter Tua Tagovailoa‘s availability. This tanked Bridgewater’s market. But the journeyman will reunite with Campbell, who was in New Orleans during both the QB’s years there, and provide Jared Goff with a much more accomplished backup.
Goff did not miss any time due to injury last season, but the Lions went 0-3 without their starter in 2021. Bridgewater, 30, had the Broncos at 7-7 before a second concussion ended his 2021 season. This looks like a clear stopgap situation, with Hendon Hooker positioned as the likely Lions backup in 2024. With the Tennessee product on the NFI list as he winds down ACL rehab, the Lions needed a better option than Sudfeld — he of 37 passes in seven seasons.
Re-signings:
- Alex Anzalone, LB: Three years, $18.75MM ($9MM guaranteed)
- John Cominsky, DL: Two years, $8.5MM ($4MM guaranteed)
- Will Harris, DB: One year, $2.52MM ($2.52MM guaranteed)
- Isaiah Buggs, DL: Two years, $4.5MM ($2.1MM guaranteed)
- Nate Sudfeld, QB: One year, $1.6MM ($1MM guaranteed)
- Craig Reynolds, RB: One year, $1.1MM
As the third tier of the 2023 inside linebacker market formed, the Lions found common ground with Anzalone, who will continue his career under Glenn. Anzalone’s four New Orleans seasons featured Glennon staff as well, though the veteran linebacker found more playing time in Detroit. After never clearing a 50% defensive snap barrier during a full season as a Saint, Anzalone has been a three-down presence with the Lions. The former third-round pick played a career-high 1,080 defensive snaps last season, totaling 125 tackles — far and away a career high — and notching seven stops behind the line.
One of 11 linebackers to score a deal with an AAV between $5MM and $7.25MM this offseason, Anzalone — after two low-cost, one-year deals — did well to secure a midlevel Lions pact. Although first-rounder Jack Campbell should vie for this status soon, Anzalone remains entrenched as Detroit’s lead linebacker going into his third season with the team.
The Lions’ waiver priority became valuable re: Cominsky, who saw a staggering eight teams attempt to claim him when the Falcons cut bait in May 2022. Following the Lions’ flier, Cominsky put together his best season. The Lions turned to the D-lineman as a regular, giving him eight starts and using him on a career-high 556 defensive snaps. That came after the Falcons made Cominsky a healthy scratch often in 2021. The Division II alum totaled four sacks, 12 QB hits and three pass deflections. Throwing most of their defensive investments at its secondary this offseason, the Lions look set to once again turn to Cominsky often.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Stevie Scott
- Released: P Matt Haack
- Waived/injured: OL Lachavious Simmons
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived/injured: WR Frank Darby
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: G Garrett McGhin
- Placed on IR: OT Tommy Doyle (story), DE Shane Ray
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: DT Marquan McCall
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: S Adrian Colbert
- Waived/injured: TE Jared Pinkney
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from PUP: TE Mitchell Wilcox
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Josh Hammond
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to IR: RB Mohamed Ibrahim
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Marvin Pierre
- Placed on IR: TE Tyler Davis
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Juwan Green
- Waived/injured: WR Kekoa Crawford
- Released from IR: DB Anthony Witherstone
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: QB James Blackman
- Waived/injured: CB Tino Ellis
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: LB Curtis Weaver
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR: OL Scott Lashley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Aron Cruickshank, LB Kuony Deng
- Waived/injured: WR Hakeem Butler, WR Cody White
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Brian Hill
- Waived: DL Tomasi Laulile
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Sal Cannella
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Richard LeCounte
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DL Trevon Coley
Brian Hill comes to San Francisco with 48 career games under his belt. He had a career year for the Falcons back in 2020, compiling 664 yards from scrimmage in 16 games. The RB has bounced around the NFL a bit since, spending time with the Titans, Browns, and 49ers (two stints). Following stints in the CFL and XFL, the 27-year-old will now add some depth to a San Francisco running backs room that already includes Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price, and Jeremy McNichols.
Trevon Coley started 29 games for the Browns through his first two seasons in the NFL, but he’s struggled to stay on the field since. The defensive lineman got into seven games for the Colts in 2019 and (most recently) six games for the Cardinals in 2020. In total, the 29-year-old has 100 career tackles and 3.5 sacks on his resume.
Adrian Colbert won’t play for the Bears in 2023 after being placed on IR, although there’s a chance he’s cut loose and allowed to play for another squad. The veteran safety has played in 41 career games, starting 22. He’s been limited to only 14 games since the 2020 campaign, including a two-game stint with the Bears in 2022.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/23
Here are today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Jordan Swann
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Scott Nelson
- Waived/injured: RB Mohamed Ibrahim
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LS Tucker Addington
- Released: LS Carson Tinker
Philadelphia Eagles
- Reverted to IR: WR Tyrie Cleveland, DT Noah Elliss, CB Zech McPhearson
- Placed on reserve/retired list: LB Myles Jack (story)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE DaMarcus Mitchell
- Waived: DE Jordan Ferguson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): CB Rodarius Williams
- Placed on IR: WR Russell Gage (story)
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: S A.J. Moore
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Isaiah Mack, P Michael Palardy
- Released: K Michael Badgley (story)
- Waived: WR Jalen Sample
It appears that, like Colby Wadman before him, Palardy is just a camp body. Incumbent punter Tress Way is dealing with a back ailment, and he will only work as the holder in the Commanders’ preseason contest against the Ravens tomorrow night (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post). So Palardy, who has appeared in 80 games in his career (including eight with the Patriots in 2022), will have a chance to audition for other clubs that may be on the lookout for a punter at some point.
Washington is also in need of another player to rotate in on the defensive line, as Jonathan Allen (plantar fasciitis) and Phidarian Mathis are both banged up (Twitter link via ESPN’s John Keim). Mack, who has 25 appearances in his pro career, will at least help the team get through camp and the rest of the preseason slate.
Latest On Lions’ RG Competition
The Lions’ offensive line was a key to their suprising success in 2022, and the club will return four-fifths of its starting front from last season. The only OL spot up for grabs is at right guard, and the battle between Graham Glasgow and Halapoulivaati Vaitai for that job is a close one.
Per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, Vaitai entered training camp as the betting favorite for the post, which he manned from 2020-21 after signing a lucrative free agent contract with the Lions in March 2020. He struggled a bit in his first season in the Motor City, a campaign that was tainted to some degree by injury, but he rebounded with a strong 15-game performance in 2021. Unfortunately, he was forced to undergo back surgery last September, which caused him to miss the entire 2022 slate and to even consider retirement.
While Vaitai elected to resume his playing career, he did have to take a pay cut to remain on the roster. Meanwhile, Detroit reunited with Glasgow and allowed Evan Brown, who served as Vaitai’s primary replacement last year, to depart in free agency. Glasgow, a former third-round pick of the Lions, spent the last three seasons with the Broncos, and he will provide experienced insurance at both guard positions and at center in the event he does not win the right guard gig.
As Rogers notes, Vaitai was absent for a brief time in this year’s camp due to injury, and since then, he and Glasgow have largely split first-team reps at RG. Glasgow’s efforts in this positional battle have been compromised a bit by the fact that he has to step in for starting pivot Frank Ragnow whenever Ragnow needs time off, but he believes he has acquitted himself well just the same.
“I was saying earlier, I think if you can play center, you can play guard,” he said. “I would like to get more guard reps, but at the end of the day, it’s just the price of doing business.”
Both players have plenty of financial motivation. After being released by Denver three years into a four-year, $44MM contract, Glasgow is due just $1.5MM in base pay on his one-year pact this season (though he can earn up to $4.5MM). And Vaitai, as part of the above-referenced pay cut, agreed to remove the 2024 season from his contract, which means he, like Glasgow, will be eligible for free agency next year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/19/23
Saturday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Reverted to IR: CB Jordan Swann
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to IR: WR Denzel Mims (story)
New York Giants
- Released: CB Rodarius Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL La’Darius Hamilton, DL Tomasi Laulile
- Waived: RB Khalan Lanorn
- Placed on IR: DE Taco Charlton
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Wayne Taulapapa
Charlton signed with the 49ers earlier this month, but he will not see time with them this season. Being placed on IR means he will be sidelined until 2024, which could lead to yet another new opportunity being needed for the former first-rounder to continue his career. Charlton has played 60 games (with 13 starts) during his time in the NFL, including five appearances with the Bears last year. San Francisco will likely now look elsewhere for depth options on the edge.