Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/24
Wednesday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Storey Jackson
- Waived: P Ryan Sanborn
Buffalo Bills
- Reverted to IR: WR Bryan Thompson
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: S Clayton Isbell
- Released (with injury settlement): OLB Kemoko Turay
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/retired list: DE Jeff Gunter
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: C Cohl Cabral
- Waived (with injury designation): DE Shaka Toney
Denver Broncos
- Waived (with injury settlement): OLB Jaylon Allen
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Javelin Guidry
- Reverted to IR: LB DaRon Gilbert
- Waived (with injury designation): S Morice Norris Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Nate McCrary
- Waived: LS Peter Bowden, S Tyler Coyle
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Derek Rivers, WR Greg Ward
- Waived: S Kendell Brooks, WR Ethan Fernea
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from active/PUP list: G Jackson Powers-Johnson
- Released (with injury settlement): WR Keelan Doss
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Tucker Fisk
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DT Carlos Watkins
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Robert Cooper
Minnesota Vikings
- Reverted to IR: LB Jabril Cox
New England Patriots
- Waived (with injury settlement): DE John Morgan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Mason Fairchild
- Waived: DT Kyler Baugh
New York Giants
- Signed: S Raheem Layne, S Jonathan Sutherland
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Zyon Gilbert, WR T.J. Luther
- Reverted to IR: WR Tarik Black
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DT Nick Williams
- Released: LB Zeke Turner
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Easton Gibbs
- Waived (with injury designation): DT Nathan Pickering
Washington Commanders
- Waived (with injury settlement): T Alex Akingbulu
- Waived: G Mason Brooks
Cabral joins the Cowboys after UFL stints in Birmingham and Michigan. He adds more depth to the team’s offensive line after the team lost Chuma Edoga in their first preseason game and saw Earl Bostick helped off the field today. Toney suffered a groin injury, leading to this injury waiver, but could return to the team should he clear waivers.
Powers-Johnson was on some concerning ground with how much time he had missed with a concussion, but the Raiders saw him return to practice today.
The 49ers are adding some significant depth on the defensive line in Williams, who has vast starting experience in the NFL. Cutting Turner could mean that the return of Dre Greenlaw may on a better timeline than expected.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/24
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB William Hooper, S Josh Thompson
- Waived: WR Austin Mack
- Waived/failed physical: RB Robert Burns
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from active/PUP list: CB T.J. Tampa
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from active/PUP: DT Devonnsha Maxwell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, S Chase Williams
- Released: RB John Kelly
- Waived: DE Marcus Haynes
- Waived/injured: CB Vincent Gray
Denver Broncos
- Claimed (from Giants): DB Kaleb Hayes
- Waived: ILB Alec Mock
Detroit Lions
- Signed: QB Jake Fromm, LB Ty Summers
- Waived: G Ike Boettger
- Waived/injured: WR Antoine Green
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Pheldarius Payne
- Waived: WR Jadon Janke
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed (from Bears): RB Demetric Felton
- Waived/injured: RB Trent Pennix
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Shaquille Quarterman, WR Isaiah Wooden
- Waived: QB Casey Bauman, WR Praise Olatoke
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB David Anenih, LB Wyatt Ray
- Placed on IR: Cam Brown, Grayson Murphy
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Deshaun Fenwick
- Waived: DE John Morgan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Shaq Davis
- Waived: WR Marquez Callaway
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Lorenzo Lingard
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Anthony Hines, TE Neal Johnson
- Waived: LB Jimmy Ciarlo, CB Myles Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed (from Ravens): OL Tykeem Doss
- Waived/injured: DB Kalon Barnes
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived/injured: WR Frank Darby
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: P Nolan Cooney
- Waived from NFI list: QB Zack Annexstad
Hernia surgery forced Tampa to the Ravens’ active/PUP list, but the fourth-round pick is ready to return. Needing a double hernia operation after minicamp (per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec), Tampa is unlikely to be ready for practice until at least next week. By avoiding a move to the reserve/PUP list, Tampa is no longer at risk of missing Baltimore’s first four games.
A rookie UDFA, Murphy went down with an MCL injury, per NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. The Dolphins signed Brown, a four-year Giants special-teamer and backup presence, in April. While the Dolphins continue to deal with linebacker injuries, they did bring Jaelan Phillips off the PUP list today.
Fromm spent most of the past two seasons with the Commanders, but the team — as it transitions to a new regime — cut the former Georgia passer in May. He joins a Lions team that still rosters Nate Sudfeld along with Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker.
QB Nick Foles Announces Retirement
Nick Foles did not play last season, and the former Super Bowl MVP will not attempt to return to the league in 2024. The veteran quarterback announced his retirement after 11 seasons Thursday.
Turning 35 this offseason, Foles spent his most recent NFL campaign with the Colts. That 2022 season was far from his best work, and Indianapolis released him along with Matt Ryan in 2023. Foles will certainly be better remembered for his other stints, most notably his work in Philadelphia.
The virtuoso display the then-Carson Wentz backup offered in the 2017 NFC championship game and then Super Bowl LII led to the Eagles winning their only Super Bowl title and claiming an NFL crown for the first time since 1960. Foles did not have as much luck as a team’s preferred starter, but he also submitted a quality late-season relief effort to extend Philly’s title-defense season into the divisional round. Foles walks away having played for the Eagles, Rams, Chiefs, Jaguars, Bears and Colts.
Foles’ Eagles run began when the then-Andy Reid-run team used a third-round pick on the Arizona alum. The Eagles had traded would-be Donovan McNabb heir apparent Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals in 2011, and as injuries continued to hound free agency pickup/extension recipient Michael Vick, Foles stepped in. Foles’ first Philly stint included 24 starts, including a 2013 outing in Oakland that featured the 6-foot-6 passer tie the NFL record with seven touchdown passes, and a playoff berth. Foles was at the controls during Chip Kelly‘s 2013 debut, which produced an NFC East title and a narrow wild-card loss. Kelly’s one year in charge of personnel, however, resulted in Foles’ exit.
Kelly shipped Foles to St. Louis for Sam Bradford, whom the Eagles — after Howie Roseman regained the GM reins once Kelly was fired — traded after one season. Foles said he considered retirement following a rough Rams stint, which involved a benching and then a release. He resurfaced in Kansas City, backing up Alex Smith, and fetched a two-year, $11MM deal to back up Wentz. That turned out to be one of the most important QB2 acquisitions in NFL history.
Wentz’s ACL and MCL tears sidetracked what looked like an MVP season, and Foles struggled early in replacing the ascending starter. This led to the Eagles memorably being an underdog No. 1 seed in the divisional round. Foles silenced doubters by dominating to close out the Eagles’ banner postseason. Submitting 352- and 373-yard showings against the Vikings and Patriots, Foles threw six TD passes — and memorably caught another — to seal the Eagles’ championship. A statue now exists in Philadelphia because of Foles’ “Philly Special” offering.
Following another successful finish replacing Wentz, Foles saw his starter run end quickly. The Jaguars regretted the four-year, $88MM deal they authorized in 2019, benching him for Gardner Minshew before a 2020 trade with the Bears. Foles replaced Mitchell Trubisky early that season but was back on the bench during the stretch run. The Bears, who reworked Foles’ contract upon acquiring him, released the QB — who had become the team’s third-stringer following the Justin Fields draft choice — in 2022.
Thanks largely to the Jaguars contract, Foles earned more than $87MM in his career — a journey that included 58 starts, two trades and three releases. Although consistency eluded Foles, his Eagles accomplishments will certainly be remembered fondly.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/24
Wednesday’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DE Andre Carter, DE Joshua Pryor
- Placed on IR: DE Cameron Sample (story)
- Waived: P Austin McNamara, WR Tre Mosley
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DE Brevin Allen, K Alex Hale
- Waived (with injury designation): CB Don Callis, WR Rory Starkey
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Ryan Coll
- Placed on IR: C Wesley French
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Mike Harley Jr.
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Mark Evans II
- Waived: TE Mason Fairchild
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Deon Jackson
- Waived: WR Hamze El-Zayat
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed off waivers (from Commanders): TE Armani Rogers
- Waived: WR Shaq Davis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Easton Gibbs
- Waived (with injury designation): LB Tyler Murray
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Jontre Kirklin, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Terique Owens
- Released: S Erik Harris
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Kyon Barrs
- Reverted to IR: LB Josh Onujiogu
- Waived (with an injury designation): WR Marcus Simms
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Alex Taylor-Prioleau
The Packers apparently felt it necessary to add another competitor to their position battle at kicker today, signing Hale out of Oklahoma State. The former walk-on from Australia hit on 43 of his 54 field goal attempts as a Cowboy in Stillwater.
Following the retirement of Tarik Cohen, the Jets opted to sign Jackson. The former Colts rusher had some big moments in 2022 while filling in for an injured Jonathan Taylor. He and Vaughn were both participants in a recent workout with the Texans, but Cam Akers walked away from that day with the job.
Lastly, Owens’, son of NFL legend Terrell Owens, time with one of his father’s former teams has come to an end. His pedigree may have assisted in landing an opportunity as an undrafted free agent in San Francisco, but he was unable to stay rostered throughout camp.
Colts WR Josh Downs Suffers High Ankle Sprain
The Colts’ receiver room may be shorthanded at the start of the season. Josh Downs is dealing with a high ankle sprain, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
Such injuries typically carry a four-to-six week recovery timeline, but in this instance the worst-case scenario may have been avoided. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds Indianapolis is hoping Downs can return to action on the short end of that timeframe. As a result, he could be back in the fold in time for Week 1.
Plenty of attention will be paid to the 2023 third-rounder’s progress in recovery over the coming weeks. Downs had a strong rookie season, recording 771 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 68 receptions. He received at least five targets in a game 10 times, demonstrating his potential to serve as an effective complementary option behind Michael Pittman Jr. on the WR depth chart.
The latter received the franchise tag this offseason before agreeing to a three-year, $68MM extension. Pittman will therefore remain the focal point of Indianapolis’ passing attack for the foreseeable future, but the team will rely on recent draftees at the receiver positions as well. The Colts added Alec Pierce in the second round in 2022 before making another Day 2 investment the following year in the form of Downs. The North Carolina product showed promise in the slot, and he should be expected to handle that role when healthy in 2024.
Indianapolis added further youth at the receiver spot this spring by selecting Adonai Mitchell in the second round. The Texas product is competing with Pierce for the other starting outside spot, and that process will continue through the remainder of training camp and the preseason. Downs will be sidelined for the time being, something which could open up further opportunities for Mitchell and Pierce in the short term. As things stand, though, the Colts should be back to full strength relatively soon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/24
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on IR: LB BJ Ojulari (story)
Buffalo Bills
- Reverted to IR: DL David Ugwoegbu
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Jesper Horsted
- Waived: WR Tayvion Robinson
- Waived-injured: WR Devin Carter
Cleveland Browns
- Released from IR: LB Charlie Thomas
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from PUP: TE Tucker Kraft
- Released: QB Jacob Eason
Houston Texans
- Reverted to IR: OT Jaylon Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from PUP: CB Chris Lammons
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Reverted to IR: TE Josh Pederson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from PUP: WR Jalen Guyton
New England Patriots
- Signed: LS Tucker Addington
- Placed on IR: OL Jake Andrews
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Mike Rose
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Commanders): CB Christian Holmes
- Waived-injured: RB Jashaun Corbin
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: OL Jason Poe
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Blake Lynch
- Waived: C Mike Novitsky
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/31/24
Wednesday’s minor transactions to close out the month:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived (with injury settlement): DT Rayshad Nichols
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: S Terrell Burgess
- Waived: P Jack Browning
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: RB Dillon Johnson
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Daewood Davis
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: G Lewis Kidd
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from active/PUP list: CB Jaylen Watson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: LB Darien Butler
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Willie Snead
- Waived: DT Mario Kendricks
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: LB Abraham Beauplan
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): CB Mario Goodrich
- Released (with non-football injury designation): CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Tarik Black
- Waived: DL Jonathan Marshall
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Rodney Mathews, RB Kairee Robinson
- Waived: LB Easton Gibbs
- Waived (with injury settlement): RB Ricky Person
Snead is the latest veteran wideout to join the Dolphins receiving corps. He hasn’t really contributed much to the NFL since his 2020 campaign with the Ravens, but he’ll get another chance this summer in South Beach.
Carolina brings in Johnson just a day after watching veteran Rashaad Penny hang up his cleats. In order to make room for Johnson, the Panthers let good of Davis, the team’s recent signee from the UFL.
Butler was waived after a failed physical two days ago. After going unclaimed, he’ll get to stay in Vegas by taking a place on the reserve/PUP list.
Colts, Jets Sent Giants Offers For No. 6 Overall Pick
This Giants offseason has received extensive attention due to HBO’s Hard Knocks effort, and parts of other teams’ processes have come into focus as well. Components of two other teams’ draft chapters emerged, with the Giants receiving what turned out to be significant interest in their No. 6 overall pick.
Going into the draft, Joe Schoen said he would be comfortable with Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers at No. 6 — after efforts to trade up with the Patriots (at No. 3) failed. But the Colts and Jets gauged Schoen’s interest in adding draft capital to slide down the board. Both teams made offers for No. 6.
Chris Ballard said he made big offers to move up, with a skill-position player rumored to be the target. As it turns out, the Colts offered the Giants their second-round pick (No. 46) and their 2025 second-rounder to climb from No. 15 to No. 6. Schoen deemed dropping from 6 to 15 as too far, leading Indianapolis to make other attempts. The Colts ultimately failed and chose Laiatu Latu at 15. With Samson Ebukam sustaining a torn Achilles early in training camp, Latu is poised to play a bigger role as a rookie.
The Colts circled back to their skill spots in Round 2, trading down and drafting Texas’ Adonai Mitchell, but pre-draft reports had them linked to Brock Bowers and this draft’s high-end wide receiver prospects. Harrison was off the board by this point, but Nabers and Rome Odunze were available. Chosen 45 spots before Mitchell, Nabers carried significant appeal after a dominant LSU junior season. The Colts have not used a first-round pick on a skill player since then-GM Ryan Grigson chose Phillip Dorsett in 2015.
The Jets have been connected to Odunze for months, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini speculates the team targeted the Washington wideout with its trade-up attempt. After Odunze went off the board at No. 9, the Jets traded down (via the Vikings) to 11 and drafted Olu Fashanu. Gang Green addressed the receiver position atop Round 3, selecting Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley. Odunze, however, would have represented a big-ticket addition alongside Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams. He instead joined a similarly structured Bears offense, which houses D.J. Moore and ex-Williams teammate Keenan Allen.
Additionally, the Giants saw their Brian Burns trade wound their ability to land one of their preferred cornerbacks. The team targeted Kool-Aid McKinstry and Kamari Lassiter in Round 2. The Giants traded No. 39 to the Panthers in the Burns deal but still held No. 47. Schoen, however, did not want to include a fourth-round selection to move up due to the team having just six picks in the draft. The Hard Knocks: Offseason finale corroborates a report from the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy, who recently indicated the Giants sought McKinstry or Lassiter. The Alabama and Georgia prospects ended up going to the Saints and Texans at Nos. 41 and 42.
The Giants had identified corner as a key need, and while the team did draft Kentucky’s Andru Phillips in Round 3, it is counting on 2022 third-round pick Cor’Dale Flott to make a successful transition from slot defender to outside corner post-Adoree’ Jackson. Flott joins Deonte Banks as the team’s expected outside CB starters. Had McKinstry or Lassiter been on the board at No. 47, it is worth wondering if Flott would remain Big Blue’s preferred slot defender. Eventual Giants second-round safety Tyler Nubin was identified as the team’s backup plan if Lassiter and McKinstry were gone.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/30/24
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: WR Isaiah Wooden
- Placed on reserve/retired list: OT Tyler Vrabel
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Quincy Roche
- Placed on IR: DE Malik Hamm
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: LB Shayne Simon
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Tayvion Robinson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LS Peter Bowden, CB Don Callis, CB LJ Davis
- Waived: CB Zyon Gilbert, FB Henry Pearson, K James Turner
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Levi Bell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DE Raymond Johnson, LB Tanner Muse
- Waived: DE Andre Carter, LB Trey Kiser
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DB Kyler McMichael, TE Matt Sokol
- Released: WR Marquez Callaway, DB Josiah Scott
Marquez Callaway will once again hit free agency after having bounced around the NFL last season. The wideout spent time with the Broncos, Raiders, Saints (second stint) during the 2023 campaign. He caught on with the Steelers via a reserve/futures contract in January but ultimately lasted only a few days into training camp.
The former UDFA had a breakout campaign as a sophomore in New Orleans, finishing the 2021 season with 46 catches for 698 yards and six touchdowns. He saw a reduced role in 2022 before hitting the free agency carousel in 2023.
Colts DE Samson Ebukam Suffers Torn Achilles
Samson Ebukam was sidelined in practice yesterday with what has proven to be a season-ending injury. The Colts defensive end suffered an Achilles tear, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
Ebukam joined the Colts on a three-year deal last March, leading to high expectations in Indianapolis. The 29-year-old certainly delivered, setting a new career high with 9.5 sacks. That figure more than doubled his previous personal watermark, and he was positioned to remain a key figure along the edge in 2024. Now, his attention will turn to rehabbing ahead of 2025.
Indianapolis also has former first-rounder Kwity Paye in the fold for at least two more campaigns after electing to pick up his fifth-year option this spring. Paye has taken a step forward in terms of production during each of his three seasons to date, and Ebukam’s absence will add further to the expectations of a breakout in 2024. The Colts also return Tyquan Lewis and Dayo Odeyingbo at the defensive end spot.
Those players will be joined by first-round rookie Laiatu Latu this season. The latter was the first defender selected in the draft, going at No. 15 overall. The Colts’ depth ahead of him limited expectations for his debut campaign, but losing a full-time starter in Ebukam will no doubt lead to an increased workload for Latu. Injuries were a concern for the UCLA alum coming out of college, but he will now be counted on to remain healthy this year and serve in at least a rotational capacity.
Indianapolis finished fifth in the league in sacks last season with 51. The team’s remaining depth on the edge – along with the continued presence of DeForest Buckner along the interior – should allow for another strong campaign in that respect in 2024. Losing Ebukam for the campaign will deal a blow to the starting lineup, however. He will now prepare for a lengthy recovery period ahead of a potential walk year in 2025.
