NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/12/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Jonathan Anderson, DL Caushaud Lyons
- Waived: DB Alex Carter
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: OL Korren Kirven
Houston Texans
- Waived: WR Devin Lucien
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Matt Hazel
- Waived: CB Taurean Nixon
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: T Dillon Gordon
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Russell Hansbrough
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Storm Norton
- Waived: S Jack Tocho
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Ryan O’Malley, DB Tim Scott
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Jahad Thomas, QB Joel Stave
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: FB Jalston Fowler
- Waived: CB Trovon Reed
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Nigel Harris
O’Brien Expects Fiedorowicz Back in 2018
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien told reporters that he expects tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz to return to the team in 2018, writes Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. 
According to league sources, however, the Texans are concerned about the veteran’s short- and long-term health after suffering three concussions in 2017. “Again, I expect it that way,” O’Brien said. “We think very highly of C.J. He just signed a contract extension here. We think he’s a really good tight end for us. So, we’d love to see him back.”
On Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Fiedorowicz could contemplate retirement, but Wilson writes that the player’s agent told the Chronicle that he still wants to play and will take time before making a decision. Like O’Brien said, the tight end signed a three-year $21.5 MM contract in the offseason and would have a home in Houston should he wish to continue his career.
After suffering three concussions, which resulted in two IR stints in 2017, Fiedorowicz is sure to strongly consider his future plans before making a decision.
Following a breakout season in 2016 in which he caught 54 passes, Fiedorowicz has been limited to just 14 grabs in 2017.
AFC Notes: Bengals, Ross, Texans, O’Brien
Before he landed on IR, the Bengals spoke with first-round pick John Ross about the possibility of moving to cornerback, Mike Florio of PFT hears. It’s not clear how serious the Bengals were about a position change or why they were thinking about it in the first place. One source speculated that it was a move to help solidify the team’s depth at cornerback and Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer hears the same thing. But, another suggested to Florio that the proposed switch had to do with Ross’ overall toughness.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- Head coach Bill O’Brien said he wants to be back with the Texans next season. “I enjoy being the head coach of the Houston Texans,” O’Brien said (Twitter link via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com). “I expect to be here, but those decisions are not made by me.” Since taking over in Houston in 2014, O’Brien’s teams have gone a combined 31-30, including three straight 9-7 seasons and two AFC South titles.
- O’Brien said he expects T.J. Yates to start for the Texans on Sunday against the Jaguars (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Tom Savage was left shaking on the field after a big hit in this weekend’s loss to the Niners. He was later brought back on to the field for a series, raising questions about the league’s concussion protocol.
- Browns head coach Hue Jackson said he doesn’t get the feeling at all that new GM John Dorsey wants to hire his own coach (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). Although the team has pledged to bring Jackson back for the 2018 season, a report over the weekend indicated that Dorsey is not sold on him.
- Head coach Sean McDermott says that Tyrod Taylor will be the Bills‘ starting quarterback this week, provided that his knee is healthy enough (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com). Meanwhile, backup Nathan Peterman is in the concussion protocol. The Bills finished out Sunday’s game with Joe Webb under center, so it will be at least a couple of days before they get some clarity on who their starting QB will be against Miami.
C.J. Fiedorowicz Could Retire
Texans TE C.J. Fiedorowicz suffered his third concussion of the season last week, which was at least the fourth time he has been concussed in the past two years. Houston placed the 26-year-old on IR earlier this week, thereby ending his season, but Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that Fiedorowicz’s unfortunate concussion history could force him to retire.
In order to continue playing, he would need to pass a team physical, and Schefter says there are no assurances that he could do so at this point. Houston selected Fiedorowicz, an Iowa product, in the third-round of the 2014 draft, and after the former Hawkeye broke out in 2016 with 54 catches for 554 yards and four touchdowns, the Texans rewarded him with a three-year, $21.5MM extension last offseason (including $10MM guaranteed).
However, as Schefter observes, Fiedorowicz’s deal did include a de-escalator that would bring down his base salary by $2.8MM if he were to be cut as a result of a pre-existing condition such as a concussion, so the team was clearly concerned about the tight end’s history.
Fiedorowicz was placed on IR in early September due to a concussion, and he returned to the Texans’ active roster in Week 10 before succumbing to his latest head injury last week. He finished what could be his final season with 14 catches for 127 yards.
NFL Workout Updates: 12/8/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Arizona Cardinals
- S Cedric Thompson (link)
Chicago Bears
- S K.J. Dillon (link)
Cincinnati Bengals
- LBs Ben Boulware, Connor Harris; Ss Lorenzo Jerome, Robenson Therezie (link)
Denver Broncos
- S K.J. Dillon (link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post)
Houston Texans
- TE Steve Donatell (link)
Minnesota Vikings
- WRs Darel Walker, Brandon Zylstra; DE Craig Roh; DBs Jonathon Mincy, Kacy Rodgers (link via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press)
New Orleans Saints
- DE Joby Saint Fleur; LB Vontarrius Dora (link)
New York Jets
- RB Roy Finch (link)
NFL Workout Updates: 12/6/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Buffalo Bills
- S Kelcie McCray (link)
Denver Broncos
- QB Wes Lunt; WRs Keyarris Garrett, Jordan Leslie, Josh Magee, Alonzo Moore; TEs Colin Jeter, Beau Sandland; G Darrell Greene (Twitter links)
Detroit Lions
- TEs Brandon Barnes, Marcus Lucas; CBs J.R. Nelson, Al-Hajj Shabazz (link)
Houston Texans
- WRs Mario Alford, C.J. Board; Ts Javarius Leamon, D.J. Tialavea (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- WR Matt Hazel; CB Sheldon Price (link)
Miami Dolphins
- DE Larry Webster; LB Cassanova McKinzy; CB Taveze Calhoun (link)
New England Patriots
- LB/DE Cam Johnson (link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Jets
- WR Brandon Zylstra; C Leo Koloamatangi (link)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/5/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Terrence Magee
- Waived: DB Jeremy Boykins
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Robertson Daniel
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: P Cory Carter, S Dean Marlowe
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Richie Brown
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Will Pericak, TE Colin Thompson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Justin Currie
- Waived: WR Rannell Hall
Detroit Lions
- Signed: C Leo Koloamatangi
- Waived: S Stefan McClure
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OL Jeremiah Poutasi
- Waived: OL Gabe Ikard
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Robert Tonyan
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Devin Lucien, CB Josh Thornton
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T Andreas Knappe
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Sammy Seamster
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Braedon Bowman
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Jason King
Oakland Raiders
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: T Isaiah Battle, WR Cyril Grayson, DT Garrison Smith
- Waived: TE Steve Donatell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Sterling Bailey
Washington Redskins
- Signed: LB Pete Robertson
- Waived: S Orion Stewart
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/5/17
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Spencer Paysinger
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Jared Norris
Chicago Bears
- Promoted to active roster: LB Howard Jones, OL Cameron Lee
Houston Texans
- Promoted to active roster: TE MyCole Pruitt, WR DeAndrew White
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted to active roster: C Anthony Fabiano
New York Giants
- Waived from injured reserve: DE Evan Schwan
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted to active roster: C Joey Hunt
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted to active roster: T Mike Liedtke
Texans Place Fiedorowicz, Ellington On IR
The Texans have placed tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (concussion) and wide receiver Bruce Ellington (hamstring) on injured reserve. Both players will be sidelined for the last four games of the regular season.
Fiedorowicz left Sunday’s game when he suffered his third concussion of the year. Thanks to head injuries, he appeared in only five games in 2017. He finishes out with 14 catches for 127 yards – not quite the encore he was hoping for after reeling in 54 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns, all career highs. He’s scheduled to be back with the team in 2018 after signing a the three-year, $21.5MM extension in the offseason.
Ellington missed all of last season with the same injury. The former fourth-round pick is scheduled to reach free agency in March.
The 4-8 Texans will round out the season with games against the 49ers, Jaguars, Steelers, and Colts. The Texans’ 2018 first round pick – which would be in the top ten if the season ended today – is owned by the Browns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/4/17
Here are today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Leon McFadden
- Waived: RB Terrence Magee
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Houston Texans
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Brennan Scarlett
Oakland Raiders
-
Waived: DL Darius Latham
Washington Redskins
- Claimed: G Kyle Kalis
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Robert Davis
- Waived: DL Caraun Reid, LB Pete Robertson