Minor Moves: Friday
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here, with the latest transactions added to the top of the page throughout the day:
- Confirming the signing of cornerback Jamell Fleming, the Chiefs announced that they’ve placed offensive lineman Jeff Allen on injured reserve in a corresponding roster move (Twitter link). It’s the latest blow to a line that already took several hits this year via free agency and a suspension.
- The Colts have tweaked their practice squad, re-adding running back Zurlon Tipton, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Offensive tackle Reid Fragel will be the odd man out, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter).
- Raiders head coach Dennis Allen confirmed earlier today that special teams ace Taiwan Jones is headed to the IR list (Twitter link via Fallon Smith of CSN Bay Area), and Bill Williamson of ESPN.com says (via Twitter) that it’ll mark the end of the season for Jones, who won’t be given the designation to return.
Earlier updates:
- The Raiders are promoting Bojay Filimoeatu from practice squad to active roster, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Oakland signed the linebacker to their practice squad in late August, one day after releasing him to get down to the 53-man roster. The 6-1, 258-pound linebacker suffered a torn patellar tendon after his senior season and went undrafted in 2013.
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.
Colts Sign Dion Lewis
The Colts have signed running back Dion Lewis, a league source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Lewis, who last played for the Browns, gets a two-year deal with Indianapolis (link). The Colts have the powerful Trent Richardson at the top of their running back depth chart with veteran Ahmad Bradshaw in support and Lewis adds a little bit more talent and depth to the backfield.
Meanwhile, the Colts also picked up outside linebacker Chris Carter, who has played in 29 games and made four starts for the Steelers, according to Mike Chappell of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In related moves, running back Zurlon Tipton has been waived and quarterback Jeff Matthews has been dropped from the practice squad (Twitter links). Meanwhile, quarterback Dominique Davis will join the Colts’ taxi squad and linebacker Cam Johnson will head to the IR with a triceps injury.
South Notes: Colts, Saints, Newton, Titans
With Robert Mathis now sidelined for the season with a torn Achilles, the Colts will have to turn to other players to jump-start their pass rush, and head coach Chuck Pagano says the team will consider all its options. However, as Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star writes, the Colts are in a tough spot when it comes to adding outside help. The free agent list is very thin when it comes to pass rushers, and Indianapolis would prefer not to give up future draft picks to acquire a player via trade. In Holder’s view, the club may have to rely on its in-house options to attempt to fill Mathis’ shoes.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two South divisions:
- ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett passes along a report from colleague Field Yates, who says the Saints auditioned a handful of players on Monday, including running backs Michael Ford, Edwin Baker, and Tauren Poole, and tight ends Michael Egnew and David Paulson (Twitter link).
- There wasn’t necessarily any urgency for the Panthers to restructure Charles Johnson‘s contract, but the team did so anyway, clearing more than $5MM from its 2014 cap. David Newton of ESPN.com wonders if the move might be a precursor to locking up Cam Newton to a contract extension sooner rather than later.
- Tight end Michael Flacco, whose brother Joe Flacco quarterbacks the Ravens, is working out for the Titans today, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
Robert Mathis Tears Achilles, Out For Year
The Colts were already planning on being without edge rusher Robert Mathis for the first four games of the season, and now they’ll have to get used to being without him for longer than that. Multiple league sources tell Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Mathis suffered a torn Achilles tendon while working out in Atlanta last week, and will be sidelined for the entire 2014 season.
The NFL’s sack leader in 2013, Mathis has been a key part of the Colts’ defense for the last decade, averaging more than 10 sacks per season and earning spots in five Pro Bowls since emerging as a regular in 2004. However, following the suspension and the Achilles injury, his time in Indianapolis may be approaching an end.
The team could decide to place Mathis on the non-football injury list this season, since he didn’t suffer the injury in a team workout. That would mean the club could withhold his salary for this season, and then would have to decide whether to keep him around for next year, when he has a cap hit of $10.75MM for his age-34 season. Indianapolis could save $7MM in cap room by releasing him before the 2015 season.
For now, the Colts will have to find a way to get pressure on quarterbacks this season without their best pass rusher in the fold.
AFC Notes: Gordon, Leshoure, Brown, Reed
Amid reports that Josh Gordon‘s suspension could possibly be reduced pending a new drug policy agreement, the Browns receiver has found new employment that has nothing to do with the NFL. According to Josina Anderson of ESPN (via TwitLonger), Gordon has accepted a position with the Sarchione Auto Group in northeast Ohio. He’ll act as both an on-floor salesman and as head of the group’s local outreach projects. While it’s nice to hear that the troubled 23-year-old has found some form of structure, I’m sure Gordon is hoping he can return to the field before 2015. Let’s look at some more news from the AFC.
- The Lions released 2011 second-rounder Mikel Leshoure over the weekend, but the 24-year-old running back could soon find a new team, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press reports (on Twitter) that Leshoure has scheduled a visit with the Colts. Given Trent Richardson‘s 2013 struggles and Ahmad Bradshaw‘s injury history, Indianapolis would do well to add a player with Leshoure’s pedigree.
- After the league announced Andre Brown‘s eight-game suspension today, our Luke Adams wondered if the Texans had known the ban was coming, and if that knowledge precipitated the running back’s release earlier this month. According to Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Houston was aware of Brown’s impending suspension — in fact, the Texans thought he might be suspended for even longer than a half-season.
- Texans linebacker Brooks Reed, entering the final year of his contract, worked out with teammate J.J. Watt during the offseason, and he’s hoping the extra effort will lead to a new deal with the club, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. “Yeah, I better get 20 sacks,” said Reed, laughing. “It’s my last year, and I expect — as do my coaches — to improve on the years I’ve had here. I put a lot into the offseason. I trained very hard. Hopefully, it’ll work out for the best.”
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap breaks down the full details of Alex Smith‘s contract extension with the Chiefs.
- The Raiders have reached a $1.25MM settlement with 90 cheerleaders who argued that the team violated labor laws by refusing to pay minimum wage and failing to pay for business expenses, according to Robin Abcarian of the Los Angeles Times.
AFC South Notes: Watt, Colts, Jaguars, Titans
The Texans held all the cards but did the right thing in extending superstar defensive end J.J. Watt, writes Andrew Brandt of The MMQB. Watt’s contributions, he argues, go far beyond what he does on the field individually. As a team without a franchise quarterback, Watt is the locker room leader and beloved in Houston. Here’s more from the AFC South..
- Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap gives his initial thoughts on Watt’s $100MM deal. The contract now sets the market for the young pass rusher in the NFL and it’s good news for Robert Quinn, Muhammad Wilkerson, Greg Hardy and others who were watching Watt’s situation with great interest.
- In an interview on 1070 The Fan, Colts GM Ryan Grigson made it sound as though an offensive line signing is on the way, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. He also intimated that the addition will happen at offensive tackle where Xavier Nixon and Joe Reitz are hurt.
- The Jaguars worked out wide receivers Jace Davis and Chris Harper, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Jacksonville also got a look at defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo before he signed with the Chiefs’ practice squad and linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat before he hooked on with the Redskins’ taxi squad. The Jags added Tony Washington to their practice squad a few days ago, so it’s not clear if Davis or Harper could fit in.
- The Titans brought in defensive back Crezdon Butler for a visit today, a league source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Butler last played for the Chargers.
Colts Sign Jamon Meredith
The Colts have made a series of roster moves this evening, including signing offensive lineman Jamon Meredith, as Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun notes (Twitter links). Indianapolis cut Tyler Hoover from practice squad and Deji Karim was removed from injured reserve with an injury settlement. Meanwhile, the Colts have added tackle Reid Fragel to the practice squad while placing Xavier Nixon on injured reserve-designated to return.
Meredith signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers for $2.7MM, with $350K in guaranteed money and up to $750K available in playing time incentives. However, Tampa Bay made the decision to let him go late last week as a part of their effort to get down to a 53-man roster. It was somewhat surprising given Meredith’s contract and his role in practice. The tackle/guard had been seeing some reps with the first-team offense, which intimated to outsiders that he could be a big part of the Bucs’ O-Line. That was not meant to be, but he’ll now try and make a mark with the Colts.
Jim Irsay Suspended Six Games, Fined $500K
Mere hours after he pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended for six games by the NFL, and fined $500K, according to a press release from the league. Irsay won’t be permitted to be at the club’s facility or its games during the suspension, and also “may not conduct media interviews or engage in social media regarding any team or league matters.”
Because the incident for which Irsay is being disciplined didn’t have any competitive consequences, the Colts won’t be forced to forfeit draft picks. The $500K fine is the maximum penalty allowed under the NFL’s conduct policy. As for the suspension, it will take effect beginning at 4:00pm central time on Wednesday.
Irsay, who reportedly had oxycodone and hydrocodone in his system when he was arrested on two misdemeanor charges back in March, received one year of probation, during which he’ll be subjected to drug tests. As part of the suspension, the league notes that the Colts owner will be “subject to ongoing treatment, counseling, and testing as determined by medical professionals and the Indiana court.”
Sunday Transactions: AFC South
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC South teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Houston Texans:
- Acquired via trade: Ryan Mallett, QB (link)
- Signed: Danieal Manning, S (link)
- Claimed off waivers: Jeff Adams, T (via Mike Garafolo on Twitter), Damaris Johnson, WR (via Les Bowen on Twitter); Darryl Morris, CB (via Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
- Cut (officially announced): Chris Clemons, S (link); Case Keenum, QB (via Tania Ganguli on Twitter); Anthony McClung, WR (released with injury settlement, via Aaron Wilson on Twitter); Mike Thomas, WR (via Rapoport on Twitter); Josh Victorian, CB (via Wilson on Twitter)
- Placed on injured reserve: Will Yeatman (via James Palmer on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad: Travis Labhart, WR (via David Nuno on Twitter); Keith Browner, DE; Max Bullough, ILB; Anthony Denham, TE; Matt Feiler, OT; James Ferentz, C; Alex Kupper OG; EZ Nwachukwu, WR; Toben Opurum, FB; Marcus Williams, CB.
Indianapolis Colts:
- Claimed off waivers: A.Q. Shipley, C (via Adam Caplan on Twitter)
- Cut: Thomas Austin, C (via Caplan on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Tyler Hoover, T; Andrew Jackson, ILB; Ryan Lankford, WR; Josh Lenz, WR; Jeff Mathews, QB; Dewey McDonald, S; Nnamdi Obukwelu, DT; Sheldon Price, CB; Erik Swoope, TE; Josh Walker, G
Jacksonville Jaguars:
- Claimed off waivers: Mickey Shuler, TE (via Ryan O’Halloran on Twitter)
- Cut: Marcel Jensen, TE (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Cody Booth, T; DeAndre Coleman, DT; Henry Josey, RB (via Adam Caplan on Twitter); Craig Loston, S; Stephen Morris, QB; Kerry Taylor, WR; Tony Washington, WR; Marcus Whitfield, LB. The team has also added cornerback Peyton Thompson, reports Michael DiRocco (via Twitter), although the team has not officially announced the signing.
Tennessee Titans:
- Claimed off waivers: Kris Durham, WR (via team release); T.J. Graham, WR (via Adam Caplan on Twitter); Brandon Harris, CB (via team release)
- Cut: Michael Preston, WR (via Jim Wyatt on Twitter); Steve Vallos, C (via team release); Khalid Wooten, DB (via team release); Patrick Bailey, LB (via Jim Wyatt on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Antonio Andrews, RB (via John Glennon on Twitter); Chigbo Anunoby, DL (via team release); Brandon Copeland, LB (via Wyatt on Twitter); Justin McCray, OL (via team release); Will Poehls, T (via Wyatt on Twitter); Rico Richardson, WR (via Wyatt on Twitter); Ri’Shard Anderson, CB (via Wyatt on Twitter); Dontay Moch, LB; Orson Charles, TE (via Wyatt on Twitter).