South Auditions: Bucs, Titans, Jags, Panthers
Earlier today, we passed along several updates from Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun on AFC and NFC East teams working out free agents, perhaps with an eye on signing some of them later in the season. A handful of teams in the AFC and NFC South have also auditioned players this week, and Wilson has those items as well, via Twitter. Here are the highlights:
- Special teams was an area of focus for the Buccaneers this week, with the team working out long snappers Brandon Hartson and Charley Hughlett, as well as punter Kasey Redfern. Cornerback Derek Cox and running back Lache Seastrunk also tried out for the club.
- Jacob Pedersen, Brett Brackett, and Blake Annen were among the tight ends to work out this week for the Titans, who also auditioned quarterback Alex Tanney.
- In addition to conducting the previously-reported workout for tight end David Paulson, the Jaguars also took a look at tight end Jake Murphy, along with defensive backs Tommie Campbell and Brandon Ghee.
- A pair of interior offensive linemen, Philip Blake and Evan Finkenberg, tried out for the Panthers.
- We’d previously heard about the Colts hosting free agent running back Mikel Leshoure and signing outside linebacker Chris Carter, but Wilson adds one more name to the team’s list of workouts: former Saints edge defender Chidera Uzo-Diribe.
Dolphins Bring Roster To 53
4:42pm: The Dolphins have whittled their roster down to 53 players, but the most important news to come out of Miami is that center Mike Pouncey, who is dealing with a hip injury, will be placed on the active roster rather than on the PUP or IR designated to return list. Pouncey will probably still miss some time, but he’ll be eligible to play as soon as he is healthy. The following players have been waived per a press release:
- Isaako Aaitui (DT)
- Kyle Miller (TE)
- D’Aundre Reed (DE)
- Jake Rogers (K)
- Evan Wilson (TE)
12:38pm: Following the Dolphins signing of Knowshon Moreno, it didn’t look particularly good for running back Daniel Thomas. Once it was clear that Moreno and Lamar Miller were the top backs on the roster, it looked even worse for the 26-year-old.
Well, as Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post reports (via Twitter), the Dolphins have cut ties with Thomas. It wasn’t that long ago that he compiled 165 carries as a rookie, so there’s a chance a team may take a flyer on him.
The Dolphins also let go of 13 other players. The complete list is below:
- Kevin Fogg (CB) (via Adam Beasley on Twitter)
- Daniel Thomas (RB)
- Marcus Thigpen (WR) (via Andrew Abramson on Twitter)
- David Arkin (OL) (via Barry Jackson on Twitter)
- Matt Hazel (WR) (via Barry Jackson on Twitter)
- Kevin Cone (WR) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Andrew Wilson (LB) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Seth Lobato (QB) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Jordan Kovacs (S) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Tevin Mims (DE) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Garrison Smith (DT) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Sam Brenner (OL) (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
- Evan Finkenberg (OL) (via Jackson on Twitter)
- Tony Hills (OL) (via Jackson on Twitter)
The Dolphins have also informed defensive tackle Kemal Johnson that he will be placed on injured reserve (via Jackson’s Twitter).