Minor NFL Transactions: 7/31/23
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: K Matthew Trickett
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from PUP: DB Damarion Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Nick Thurman
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Jared Pinkney
- Waived: WR Thyrick Pitts
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Lorenzo Burns
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Yasir Durant
- Waived: OT Christian DiLauro
Detroit Lions
- Activated from NFI: WR Marvin Jones
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Dalton Keene
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from PUP: TE Will Mallory
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Anthony Witherstone
- Placed on IR: LB Isaiah Moore
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Darius Harris
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from PUP: OT Warren McClendon
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: G Trai Turner (story)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OT Liam Ryan, RB SaRodorick Thompson
- Waived: LB Cam Bright, S Morrell Osling
Washington Commanders
- Signed: RB Derrick Gore
Derrick Gore is probably the most intriguing signee on the list, with the running back having seen time in 11 games for the Chiefs in 2021. He finished that season with 361 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns, but he didn’t have a chance for a followup performance in Kansas City. After landing on IR in late August last year, he was ultimately released by the Chiefs. Gore caught on with the Saints and spent the majority of the 2022 season on their practice squad.
Yasir Durant is another Chiefs product, with the lineman getting into 11 games for Kansas City in 2020. He appeared in seven games for the Patriots in 2021 before spending most of last season on the Saints practice squad. He’ll be taking the roster spot previously held by Christian DiLauro, who got into five games for the Titans and Broncos over the past two years.
Darius Harris will be joining the Raiders following a career year in Kansas City. After being limited to only 11 games through his first two seasons in the NFL, Harris got into all 17 games for the Chiefs last year, including four starts. The former UDFA finished the year with 43 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and he added another five tackles in three playoff games. One of Harris’s strongest performances of the 2022 season came against the Raiders when he had 10 tackles and a sack.
Texans Waive WR Amari Rodgers, Activate DT Sheldon Rankins From NFI List
The Texans have parted ways with a midseason addition to their receiving corps in a move which helps make room for the return of one of their top defensive free agent signings. Per a team announcement, wideout Amari Rodgers was waived while defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was activated from the active/NFI list. 
Rodgers had a disappointing spell in Green Bay to start his career, failing to carve out a significant role for himself in the team’s offense. Fumbling issues helped lead to the Packers’ decision to move on from him in November. The Texans claimed him to begin a brief audition period, one in which the former third-rounder was used exclusively on offense after seeing time as a returner in Green Bay.
Rodgers totaled 154 yards and his first career touchdown on 12 receptions while with the Texans. The team has been busy adding at the WR position this offseason, though, by signing Robert Woods and Noah Brown while also drafting Nathaniel Dell and Xavier Hutchinson. Those arrivals, coupled with incumbents Nico Collins and John Metchie, lessened Rodgers’ chances of making the 53-man roster. The 23-year-old and the team made a mutual decision to part ways, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 (Twitter link).
Rankins was one of several veterans to receive a deal from Houston this offseason, with the rebuilding outfit benefiting from signficant spending power. The former Saint and Jet inked a one-year, $9.75MM deal to join a new-look Texans defense and, potentially, boost his free agent market ahead of 2024. Rankins has started 51 games and will be counted on as a pass-rushing contributor.
The former first-rounder is four years removed from his career-best eight sacks with the Saints, but he has registered double-digit pressures each season since 2020. A continuation of that form will help the Texans’ re-tooled roster take a step forward under new head coach DeMeco Ryans, especially if he can remain healthy through training camp into the fall.
The Texans also announced that cornerback Kendall Sheffield has been activated from the PUP list. The 27-year-old signed in Houston before the start of the new league year in March after a brief spell on the Cowboys’ practice squad. Sheffield has started 20 of his 38 career games, all with the Falcons.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/29/23
Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB David Anenih
- Released: CB Dylan Mabin
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Kemoko Turay
- Released: LB Dorian Etheridge
- Placed on exempt/left squad list: DT Eddie Goldman (story)
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-assigned to NFI list: CB Trayvon Mullen
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: CB Cameron Dantzler
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from NFI: G Colby Gossett
- Waived (injury designation): CB BoPete Keyes
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: WR Tom Kennedy
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Titans): OL James Empey
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: OL Dylan Deatherage
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: CB Cole Coleman
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: DT Vernon Butler
With Butler being moved from the NFI list to injured reserve, he is out for the season. The former first-rounder signed a futures deal with New York in January, after spending the past campaign on and off the team’s practice squad. He made just one appearance for the Giants in 2022, and will be four years removed from his career-best six-sack season with the Panthers in 2019. Butler, 29, has started 19 of his 77 career regular season games.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/28/23
Here are today’s minor moves from around the league as we head into the weekend:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released with NFI designation: CB Trayvon Mullen
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Kyron Brown, WR Andy Isabella
- Waived/injured: CB Cameron Dantzler
- Waived: WR Jalen Wayne
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: RB Tiyon Evans
Denver Broncos
- Activated from PUP: WR Kendall Hinton
- Signed: WR Michael Bandy
- Waived: WR Nick Williams
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Trey Quinn
- Waived/injured: WR Tom Kennedy
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: OLB Jonathan Garvin
Houston Texans
- Waived: OL Dylan Deatherage
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived/injured: LB Sterling Weatherford
New England Patriots
- Activated from PUP: DE DaMarcus Mitchell
New York Jets
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: WR Diontae Spencer
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Wayne Taulapapa
- Waived: CB Montrae Braswell
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: OL James Empey
Mullen was placed on the NFI list two days ago. Apparently, his failure to disclose the non-football injury led to his release. Claimed off of waivers early into the offseason this year, Mullen has spent a good amount of time in Baltimore but has yet to see any game time. The Ravens hoped he might add some depth to their secondary, but with today’s transaction, the former second-round pick hits the free agent market.
Dantzler, a former third-round pick in Minnesota, also finds himself available in free agency after a short stint with the Bills. After signing with his second team of the offseason last month, Dantzler was waived with an injury designation.
Texans, T George Fant Agree To Deal
Not long after a workout in Houston, George Fant has landed a deal. The veteran offensive tackle is joining the Texans on a one-year contract worth up to $4MM, reports Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 (Twitter link). 
Wilson adds that Fant had offers in place from other teams, but elected to join Houston. A starting role is out of the question unless either member of the Texans’ first-team tandem (Laremy Tunsil and the recently-extended Tytus Howard) were to suffer an injury. Fant, 31, will provide a veteran presence and considerable experience off the bench if called into action, though.
The Titans were one of the teams to show interest in Fant, hosting him for a free agent visit last weekend. They did the same with Chris Hubbard, however, and elected to sign the latter yesterday. It comes as little surprise that Fant has reacted to that development by taking a different deal inside the AFC South. He will join a Texans team which was in need of an addition for the swing tackle role.
2020 fourth-rounder Charlie Heck (who has started 17 games during his three-year Texans tenure) is currently on the PUP list. Fant will thus have plenty of reps available during training camp, as he looks to settle into his third career team. The Western Kentucky alum spent three years each with the Seahawks and Jets prior to his 2023 free agent period.
Fant started all but one of his appearances in New York, and he was one of many O-linemen to suffer injury troubles for the Jets last season. A knee issue limited him to eight games, and after discussing an extension the offseason prior, team and club parted ways at the start of the new league year. The Jets have several options to sort through at both the left and right tackle spots, positions at which Fant has experience. While his former team works through their various combinations, Fant will provide the Texans with a capable backup swing tackle.
AFC South Notes: Titans, Colts, Ryans, Jags
The max-value figure in DeAndre Hopkins‘ Titans deal emerged when he committed to the team, but guarantee numbers had been elusive. No longer, as the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin details Tennessee’s true commitment to its new WR1. The two-year, $26MM pact contains $10.98MM guaranteed at signing (Twitter link). The Chiefs and Patriots preferred incentive-laden contracts that did not come especially close to the guarantee figure the Titans authorized.
The contract also includes three void years. The void numbers allowed the Titans to keep Hopkins’ 2023 cap number low ($3.67MM), and the team can move on — via a post-June 1 cut designation — in 2024 fairly easily. Tennessee could create $14MM in 2024 cap space by using the June 1 mechanism, as it did with Julio Jones last year, should this fit not work out. This decision will likely come in March, as OverTheCap notes Hopkins is due a $4.06MM bonus if on the Titans’ roster by Day 5 of the 2024 league year. That setup stands to prevent Hopkins from another summer free agency stay.
Here is the latest from the AFC South:
- Careful not to divulge too much about the Colts’ QB plan, Shane Steichen confirmed Gardner Minshew and Anthony Richardson would rotate with the first team during training camp. Minshew began that rotation as the first-teamer to start camp, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 notes. Although Richardson did not gain much seasoning as a Florida starter and is considered a rawer prospect than Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, his draft slot points to extensive rookie-year work. Jim Irsay confirmed as much earlier this month, indicating Richardson needs to play early. Minshew, who worked with Steichen in Philadelphia, signed a one-year, $3.5MM deal in March.
- DeMeco Ryans will not work as a CEO-type coach with the Texans, with NFL.com’s James Palmer noting he will call the team’s defensive plays this season (Twitter link). The former Houston linebacker called San Francisco’s defensive plays from 2021-22, becoming a hot HC candidate after the 49ers’ defense ranked first across the board last season. Matt Burke will serve as a non-play-calling Texans DC.
- Both Joey Porter Jr. and Will Levis were in the mix for fully guaranteed rookie contracts, but neither received such terms. Levis did fare better than last year’s No. 33 overall pick, however, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson noting the Titans QB’s four-year deal is 91.5% guaranteed. That is up from the $80.4% guarantee last year’s No. 33 choice (Buccaneers D-lineman Logan Hall) received on his rookie deal. Levis also secured training camp roster bonuses totaling $1.76MM from 2023-26. Those figures are fully guaranteed through 2025, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger tweets.
- The Titans’ first-rounder, Peter Skoronski, spent time at guard and tackle during the team’s offseason program. But Mike Vrabel provided some clarity about the No. 11 overall pick’s NFL path. The college tackle is working as a guard right now. Considering the Titans brought in tackles George Fant and Chris Hubbard on visits last week and have Nicholas Petit-Frere set to return to his right tackle post once his six-game gambling suspension ends, it makes sense the Titans would keep Skoronski at guard. Neither Fant nor Hubbard have signed with the team.
- Evan Engram‘s three-year, $41.25MM Jaguars extension includes three void years, with Wilson noting (via Twitter) the deal will void 23 days before the 2026 league year. Pro Bowl incentives — worth $250K per year — are also present in the tight end’s contract.
- Veteran tight end Luke Stocker‘s playing career wrapped after 11 seasons (2011-21), and Vrabel said during a recent appearance on Taylor Lewan and Will Compton‘s Bussin’ With the Boys podcast that he is part of the Titans’ coaching staff. Stocker, 35, was with the Titans from 2017-18, overlapping with Vrabel during the latter season. He also played with the Bucs, Falcons and Vikings.
Texans, CB Steven Nelson Have Discussed Contract
The Texans have handed out a few extensions this offseason, using considerable cash to fortify their front lines as DeMeco Ryans takes over. But the team also may be interested in another deal for one of its starting cornerbacks.
Steven Nelson and the Texans have engaged in dialogue regarding his contract, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. The ninth-year defender is going into a walk year and currently resides as the league’s 40th-highest-paid corner. The former third-round pick hired a new agent this offseason as well.
One of many Texans given modest two-year deals under GM Nick Caserio, Nelson signed his — a two-year, $9MM pact — in April 2022. Bouncing from Kansas City to Pittsburgh to Philadelphia over his first seven seasons, Nelson found a home in Houston last year. The 5-foot-10 cover man started all 15 games in which he played, intercepting one pass and registering a sack during his first Texans season.
Pro Football Focus ranked Nelson just inside the top 50 at corner last season. The advanced metrics site has viewed Nelson as a player who has given teams a reasonable floor throughout his career, not rating him outside the top 60 in any season. Nelson has 99 starts on his resume. Turning 30 this offseason, Nelson is running out of time to secure another notable contract. He played two seasons on a three-year, $25.5MM Steelers deal but has since signed lower-level pacts with the Eagles and Texans.
The Texans are transitioning to their third HC in three seasons and will use Ryans’ defensive scheme this year. Despite big changes on defense, Houston reupped defensive tackle Maliek Collins on a two-year deal this offseason. Overall, the Texans have not shied away from extensions despite dismal on-field results under Caserio. The team locked down Laremy Tunsil for a second time and on Wednesday agreed to a three-year, $56MM deal with right tackle Tytus Howard.
The team has Derek Stingley in place as its cornerback anchor, with veteran Desmond King still under contract as well. Like King, Nelson has played both inside and outside in his career. Though, Nelson has seen more work on the boundary in recent years. The addition of Shaquill Griffin, a Jaguars cap casualty, in May also gives the Texans some decisions to make on the outside.
Texans, RT Tytus Howard Agree On Extension
The Texans’ batch of 2023 offensive line extensions now includes right tackle Tytus Howard. Following Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason, Houston’s right tackle is cashing in.
Howard agreed to a three-year, $56MM extension Wednesday morning, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). This $18.67MM-per-year agreement will give the 2019 first-round pick $36.5MM guaranteed. An $18MM signing bonus comprises part of that guarantee, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds.
It is unclear if Howard that guarantee total represents Thomas’ locked-in number at signing, but after an inconsistent start to his career, the Division I-FCS product will be part of a suddenly expensive Houston offensive line. As the Texans prepare to give C.J. Stroud the reins, they are fortifying his protection corps.
Tunsil agreed to a three-year, $75MM extension, while Mason landed a three-year, $36MM contract shortly thereafter. Texans GM Nick Caserio has shown a willingness to offer short-term extensions, as he also did for defensive tackle Maliek Collins this offseason. Expensive medium-term contacts now flood his O-line. But the Texans’ front previously featured a big-ticket Tunsil contract and a host of lower-cost agreements. No more. In terms of average annual value, Tunsil and Howard double as the NFL’s highest-paid tackle tandem.
Howard, 27, had been going into his fifth-year option season. This extension will allow the Texans to reduce that $13.2MM cap hit for 2023, and they now have their right tackle signed through 2026.
Neither Tunsil nor Howard were Caserio-era pickups. Howard arrived first, joining the team as a first-round pick during a Brian Gaine-run draft. The Texans fired Gaine shortly after that 2019 draft, leading to the eventful Bill O’Brien period in charge. O’Brien signed off on the monster Tunsil trade package months later and greenlit a record-setting extension for the left tackle in 2020. Tunsil scored big again under Caserio this offseason. The Texans acquired Mason, a Patriots draftee during Caserio’s lengthy New England run, from the Buccaneers in March.
Wednesday’s deal makes Howard the league’s fourth-highest-paid right tackle, checking in just ahead of Brian O’Neill but behind the new accords given to Lane Johnson and Jawaan Taylor. The Saints’ Ryan Ramczyk deal also checks in above Howard’s. Considering Ramczyk and Johnson are All-Pros, Howard being in this neighborhood represents a substantial win. While Howard has not achieved what those two right-siders have, the Texans had begun to view him as a long-term piece recently.
Howard had spent time at guard and replaced Tunsil at left tackle down the stretch in 2021. With Tunsil healthy last year, Howard returned to his right tackle post and started all 17 games. While 2022 brought another dismal Texans performance as a whole, Howard excelled. ESPN’s pass block win rate metric placed the Alabama State alum sixth among tackles. Pro Football Focus was less bullish, slotting Howard 41st. But the Texans are rolling with the Tunsil-Howard tandem for the foreseeable future.
With Stroud’s rookie contract on the books, the Texans will be able to make big investments at other positions. The team has not acquired much talent worthy of said re-ups at other spots just yet, having gone multiple years — due to the Tunsil trade — without first- or second-round picks. But plenty will be expected of Houston’s O-line in Stroud’s first season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/25/23
With a number of teams preparing for the start of training camp, a long list of players were placed on inactive lists today. We’ve compiled all of those and today’s other minor moves below:
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on NFI: DE Calais Campbell
- Waived (failed physical designation): RB Caleb Huntley
- Waived from IR: RB B.J. Baylor
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers (from Giants): WR Makai Polk
- Placed on NFI: LS Nick Moore
- Released: WR Andy Isabella, WR Mike Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on PUP: LB Tyler Matakevich, LB Von Miller, DT Jordan Phillips
- Placed on NFI: RB Nyheim Hines
- Released TE Nick Guggemos
Chicago Bears
- Placed on NFI: WR Dante Pettis
- Waived: P Ryan Anderson, LB Sterling Weatherford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from PUP: CB Chidobe Awuzie
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: CB Josh Butler
- Placed on PUP: CB Jourdan Lewis
- Placed on NFI: TE Luke Schoonmaker
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Nick Williams
- Waived: QB Jarrett Guarantano
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Cody Chrest
- Placed on NFI: LB Tariq Carpenter, S Tarvarius Moore
Houston Texans
- Placed on PUP: OL Dylan Deatherage, OT Charlie Heck, TE Teagan Quitoriano, CB Kendall Sheffield, DE Chase Winovich
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on PUP: DE Tyquan Lewis, TE Will Mallory, RB Jonathan Taylor
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Kyle Peko
- Waived: CB Isiah Brown, QB Chase Garbers
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from NFI: CB Ethan Bonner
- Placed on PUP: OT Terron Armstead, TE Tanner Conner, OT Isaiah Wynn
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OT Bobby Evans
- Placed on NFI: WR Malik Knowles
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Jalen Hurd
- Activated from PUP: DT Justus Tavai
- Placed on NFI: OT Calvin Anderson, DL DaMarcus Mitchell
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Max Garcia
- Waived: TE Miller Forristall, G Koda Martin
New York Giants
- Signed: DE Tashawn Bower
- Placed on PUP: DT D.J. Davidson, G Marcus McKethan , CB Aaron Robinson, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, WR Sterling Shepard
- Waived: DB Trenton Thompson
- Waived/injured: LB Elerson Smith
- Released from IR (injury settlement): CB Leonard Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Deon Cain, OL Dennis Kelly
- Placed on reserve/retired: DE Matt Leo
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Terrance Mitchell
- Placed on NFI: P Mitch Wishnowsky
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Levi Bell, DT Roderick Perry, CB Andrew Whitaker
- Released: CB James Campbell, CB Isaiah Dunn, LB Alton Robinson
Washington Commanders
- Placed on IR: TE Armani Rogers
- Released: QB Tim DeMorat
Free Agents
- Suspended: OT Isaiah Wilson
Isaiah Wilson hasn’t had an NFL gig since he was released by the Giants in January of 2022. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweets that the free agent lineman was slapped with a three-game suspension, but it’s uncertain what led to the temporary ban. Wilson was a first-round pick by the Titans in 2020 but got into only one game with Tennessee before getting shipped off to Miami. He was waived by Miami after showing up late to his team physical, and his practice squad stint with New York only lasted one season.
Max Garcia is an experienced addition to the Saints OL room, with the veteran having most recently started seven of his 12 appearances with the Cardinals in 2022. The 31-year-old has 59 games of starting experience, although Pro Football Focus was iffy on his production last year (63rd among 77 qualifying offensive guards).
Following a three-year stint in Cleveland, Terrance Mitchell has spent the past two seasons bouncing around the NFL. He got into 14 games (13 starts) for the Texans in 2021, finishing with 60 tackles and 10 passes defended. He spent the 2022 season with the Titans, finishing with 39 tackles in 11 games (five starts). 49ers fifth-round pick Darrell Luter Jr. is set to miss some time with a knee injury, providing Mitchell with an opportunity during training camp.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/23
In a very busy day for the NFL in transactions, here are some of the minor moves that may have slipped through the cracks:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Davion Davis
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LS Tyler Ott
- Placed on PUP: WR Rashod Bateman
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: RB Darrynton Evans, TE Jace Sternberger
Chicago Bears
- Activated from PUP: WR Chase Claypool
- Signed: WR Isaiah Ford, LB Buddy Johnson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on PUP: TE Mitchell Wilcox (after being re-signed)
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Eric Tomlinson
- Waived: LB Ian Swenson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DE Isaac Rochell
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Bobby Evans, G Jack Snyder, TE Colin Thompson
- Placed on NFI: G Chris Reed
- Placed on PUP: OLB Andre Carter II
- Waived from NFI: WR Malik Knowles
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Diego Fagot, WR Jalen Hurd
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Brandin Bryant
- Waived: WR Dre Miller, WR Makai Polk
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Jeremy Banks
The Ravens signed Ott after working out a trio of long snappers that also included Ryan Langan and Shane Griffin. The former Pro Bowler for the Seahawks won the tryout and is expected to be the replacement for Baltimore’s usual long snapper Nick Moore, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon during his offseason training, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Also, the breath of relief for Bateman is short-lived as, a day after being activated from the reserve/did not report list, Baltimore has placed the young receiver on the PUP list.
On a more positive note, a day after the Bears placed Claypool on the PUP list, he has been removed from it. He’ll now be eligible to participate in training camp starting this Wednesday. Tomlinson returns to Houston after being released back in May. He’ll get another chance to work in the tight ends room that includes Dalton Schultz, Teagan Quitoriano, and Brevin Jordan.