NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/15
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Durell Eskridge (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: QB David Fales (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune)
Houston Texans
- Cut: WR Alan Bonner (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Joe Banyard (Twitter link)
- Cut: S Craig Loston
Miami Dolphins
- Cut: WR Damarr Aultman (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald)
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Wes Saxton (press release)
- Cut: WR Titus Davis
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: S Adrian Phillips (Twitter link via U-T San Diego’s Michael Gehlken)
- Cut: WR Donatella Luckett
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/13/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Cut from PS-IR: TE Joseph Fauria (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Daniel Brown, RB Akeem Hunt, TE Konrad Reuland (Twitter link)
Chicago Bears
- To be signed: WR Nathan Palmer (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times), DT D’Anthony Smith (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
- Released: C Ryan Seymour (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Houston Texans
- To be signed: WR Chandler Worthy (Twitter link via Mark Berman of FOX 26)
- Cut: T Edawn Coughman (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Jayson DiManche, CB Saalim Hakim, OL Mike Liedtke, RB Darrin Reaves (Twitter link)
- Cut: LB Tyrell Adams, CB Jeremy Harris, OL Daniel Munyer
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Robert Herron (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Andrew Turzilli, C Brian Folkerts (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: RB Trey Watts (Twitter link via USA Today’s Howard Balzer)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: CB Isaiah Frey (Twitter link)
AFC Notes: LaFell, Jets, Bengals, Jaguars
Despite being on the physically unable to perform list, Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell made the trip to Dallas for today’s game, and worked out on the field before the contest, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, who also says the LaFell’s recovery is “on schedule.” Per the PUP list rules, LaFell can return to game action after New England plays six games, meaning he’s on track to return on October 29 against the Dolphins.
Lets’ take a look at a few more items out of the AFC:
- In a fascinating piece for the New York Post, Brian Costello recreates the hectic free agent period that led to the complete remaking of the Jets’ roster. Speaking with several team sources, Costello reports that the Jets targeted corner Buster Skrine — and fought off four other clubs to get him — with the Patriots in mind, noting that New England is excellent out of the slot. Furthermore, New York also targeted guards Orlando Franklin and Mike Iupati before settling on James Carpenter, saving money that allowed them to pursue Antonio Cromartie.
- The Bengals pulled out an incredible win against the Seahawks earlier today, and Jason Fitzgerald of the Sporting News examines the club’s fiscally responsible ways. Identifying Cincinnati as one of the best negotiating organizations in the league, Fitzgerald points to Geno Atkins, Adam Jones, and Carlos Dunlap as a few of the team’s bargains.
- Despite the Jaguars’ uninspiring start, it’s not time for Jacksonville to fire head coach Gus Bradley, opines Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union, who notes that until today, the club hasn’t played with Julius Thomas, Dante Fowler Jr., or Sen’Derrick Marks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/15
Let’s round up Saturday’s minor moves, which we’ll keep updated throughout the day:
- A week ago, the Buccaneers cut tackle Reid Fragel from their active roster, with Sunday’s game around the corner. Today, the Bucs brought Fragel back into the mix, promoting him to replace guard Matthew Masifilo, who has been waived, according to a team release. With starting center Evan Smith not expected to play and guard Logan Mankins listed as questionable, Fragel could be forced into action if Tampa Bay’s offensive line gets hit with injuries again this weekend.
Earlier updates:
- The Jaguars signed linebacker Jordan Tripp from their practice squad and waived/injured linebacker John Lotulelei to make room, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports (on Twitter). Tripp played in 13 games for the Dolphins last year after the team drafted him in the fifth round out of Montana. Miami waived Tripp prior to the season. A third-year UDFA, Lotulelei played in 14 games as a rookie in 2013 for the Seahawks and Jaguars and four this season for Jacksonville.
- The Cowboys have promoted wideout Vince Mayle from the practice squad, tweets Todd Archer of ESPN.com. The receiver will replace pass-catching back Lance Dunbar, who was placed on injured reserve earlier today. Mayle, a former fourth-round pick out of Washington State, has yet to make an NFL appearance.
- The Seahawks have promoted running back Rod Smith from the practice squad, tweets ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Marshawn Lynch isn’t expected to play Sunday, and Fred Jackson is battling through an injured ankle. Smith, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, compiled 549 yards and eight touchdowns during his college career.
Extra Points: Browns, Cowboys, Bears, Jags
Owners are batting around different ideas with regards to Los Angeles but they’re also considering making a major change to the preseason, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The NFL is considering a reduction in preseason games, going from four to three.
From the outside, it’s hard to imagine owners giving up money in the preseason without getting it back elsewhere. In the past, there has been speculation that the owners and the NFLPA could reach an agreement to expand the regular season beyond 16 games and I’d imagine that could be on the table in the next round of CBA talks if the preseason is reduced.
Here’s more from around the NFL..
- Browns coach Mike Pettine insists his team is making improvements and he’s not planning any major changes to his disappointing defense, Tom Withers of The Associated Press writes. The Chargers gained 438 yards against Cleveland on Sunday and the Raiders got 468 yards against them in the week prior.
- Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News believes that the Cowboys will go to the free agent market to find a replacement for injured running back Lance Dunbar.
- There’s a good chance the Bears will re-sign undrafted rookie linebacker John Timu to the practice squad, provided he clears waivers tomorrow, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter).
- Linebackers Emmanuel Acho and Philip Wheeler worked out for the Jaguars on Monday, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter).
Jaguars Place Brandon Linder On IR
4:01pm: The Jaguars officially confirmed (via Twitter) that Linder has been placed on injured reserve. The team has signed linebacker James-Michael Johnson to fill the open spot on the roster.
1:06pm: The Jaguars’ offensive line has taken a major hit, as starting right guard Brandon Linder is expected to be undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum, writes John Oehser of Jaguars.com. Linder figures to land on injured reserve, prematurely ending his 2015 season.
Linder, selected in the third round of the 2014 draft by the Jaguars, started 15 games for the club last year, and was locked into the right guard position once again this season, before tearing his labrum. In his absence, rookie guard A.J. Cann, a third-round pick earlier this year, figures to take over at right guard.
According to Oehser, Linder will become the first starting player to land on season-ending injured reserve for the Jaguars this season, though the club has seen several key contributors battling injuries during the season’s first month. Once the move becomes official, it’ll open up a spot on the 53-man roster.
Meanwhile, Jags head coach Gus Bradley said today that the club will be sticking with rookie kicker Jason Myers, despite his struggles on Sunday, tweets Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Myers missed potential game-winning kicks from 53 and 48 yards out, his second and third field goal misses of the season. The youngster also failed to convert an extra point in Week 1, but Jacksonville doesn’t appear interested in replacing him.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/29/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL, with any additional moves added to the list throughout the day:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Marcus Ball (Twitter link)
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Lavar Edwards (Twitter link via Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com)
- Cut: OL Ronald Patrick
Denver Broncos
- To be signed: T Antonio Johnson (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: OLB Danny Mason (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: QB Alex Tanney (press release)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Shaq Evans (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Marcus Lucas (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- Cut: LB Terrell Manning (Twitter link via Jayson Braddock)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Donte Foster (Twitter link)
- Cut: FB Blake Renaud
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Tavarres King (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of the Daily News)
- Cut: OL Vinston Painter (Twitter link via Wilson)
New York Jets
- Signed: S Ronald Martin (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com)
- Cut: CB Keon Lyn
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: C B.J. Finney (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
- Cut: C Barrett Jones
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: G Michael Huey (via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: WR Nick Toon (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Derrick Lott (press release)
- Cut: CB Imoan Claiborne
Washington:
- Signed: C Austin Reiter (Twitter link via Zac Boyer of the Washington Times)
Sunday Roundup: Browns, Whitworth, Brees
Dwayne Bowe is a healthy scratch for the Browns in Week 3, which, given Cleveland’s dearth of talent at wide receiver, speaks volumes about Bowe’s present ability. Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com appears to believe that the team will cut ties with Bowe sooner rather than later, tweeting that the team will wait for GM Ray Farmer to return from suspension after next week’s game and then pull the plug on Bowe. Grossi’s ESPN colleagues Adam Caplan and Jeremy Fowler, however, disagree. Fowler tweets that the Browns will at least wait to see if Bowe can get himself into game shape, while Caplan tweets that, between the $9MM in guaranteed money the Browns invested in Bowe, combined with the team’s need at wideout, Bowe will have a little more time to prove himself.
Now let’s take a peek at a few more links from around the league:
- Johnny Manziel may not be playing for the Browns this week, but as Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes, he continues to impress Cleveland brass with the strides he has made both on and off the field. The team will continue to roll with veteran Josh McCown for the time being, but if the Browns should begin to slip from the playoff picture, Manziel will get the chance to prove he is the team’s long-awaited solution under center.
- Coley Harvey of ESPN.com believes the extension that the Bengals recently gave to Andrew Whitworth is a clear indication that the team does not see its window of opportunity closing, and that they will continue to be championship contenders for the foreseeable future. Although the team has not officially announced the extension, Harvey tweets that the announcement could come after today’s game against Baltimore.
- Drew Brees‘ injury clouds his future with the Saints, and as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, the team could free up $20MM in salary cap room by parting ways with Brees next year and beginning the rebuilding process. Of course, before that happens, the team would have to have a viable alternative under center; Luke McCown is not the answer, and rookie Garrett Grayson, needless to say, has a long way to go.
- If Brees should end up looking for a new home next year, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com says the Jets would likely be a strong contender for his services.
- Chuck Pagano may be coaching his last season in Indianapolis, but he is apparently unafraid to make drastic changes to jump start his struggling club. As Mike Wells of ESPN.com tweets, the Colts went with a new-look offensive line today, starting Jack Mewhort at left guard, Hugh Thornton at right guard, and Joe Reitz at right tackle. Free agent acquisition Todd Herremans, notably, moves to the bench.
- During the 2009 draft, the Jaguars traded their seventh-round pick in that draft and their second-round pick in the 2010 draft to the Patriots in exchange for New England’s third-round pick in 2009. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets, Jacksonville selected Derek Cox with that third-round pick, and the Pats parlayed their two choices into Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/26/15
Here are today’s minor moves.
- The Dolphins elevated center Sam Brenner from their practice squad to the active roster and cut guard Jacques McClendon, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald notes (on Twitter). A third-year player, Brenner made four starts with the Dolphins in 2013. McClendon’s bounced around after being selected by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2010 draft, playing for five teams and only staying in the same place in consecutive seasons once, with the Jaguars from 2013-14.
- To make room for Kam Chancellor on their 53-man roster, the Seahawks waived safety Dion Bailey, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. The second-year player started the Seahawks’ opener against the Rams, but an ill-timed stumble allowed a costly Lance Kendricks fourth-quarter touchdown en route to St. Louis’ overtime victory. Bailey joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.
- Wide receiver Tony Washington received a promotion to the Jaguars‘ 53-man roster from their practice squad, while the team waived linebacker LaRoy Reynolds to make room, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports. Washington’s promotion coincides with Marqise Lee being downgraded from probable to questionable for the Jags’ Week 3 contest against the Patriots. Washington will play behind Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and recently re-signed Bryan Walters if Lee is unable to go, notes O’Halloran. Reynolds has played in 30 games for the Jags over the past three seasons, starting in three games in 2014, and O’Halloran speculates the 24-year-old special-teamer could be brought back if he clears waivers.
Community Tailgate: AFC South Outlook
With the NFL season underway, we have a whole new series of topics to discuss, and PFR’s Community Tailgate is designed to address those topics. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.
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Two weeks into the NFL season, the AFC South standings don’t look like what we would’ve expected heading into 2015 — the division’s top two teams from last season, the Colts and Texans, are currently tied for last place, while the Titans and Jaguars are each pretty darn close to matching their respective win totals from 2014.
The Colts have been the division’s biggest surprise so far — while the defense wasn’t expected to be a juggernaut, Indianapolis was considered one of the frontrunners to win the AFC this year, with Andrew Luck heading into the season as the MVP favorite. However, Luck and the offense have struggled mightily in the first two weeks, getting handled on the road by the Bills, then losing at home to the Jets.
Of course, at 0-2, the Colts have hardly dug themselves into an insurmountable hole. With the Jags and Titans at 1-1, the rest of the division’s teams have combined for just two total wins, which means the Colts could be tied for first place by as early as Sunday.
Last year, Indianapolis began the season with two losses before reeling off five straight victories, averaging 33 points per game in those wins. Still, with head coach Chuck Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson reportedly not seeing eye-to-eye on every roster decision, and owner Jim Irsay expecting a Super Bowl appearance this season, it’s possible things could go south quickly for the Colts if the team doesn’t start winning soon.
What do you think? Is it just a matter of time until the Colts regain first place and cruise to another AFC South title? Or will another challenger emerge and give Indianapolis a run for its money? Weigh in below in the comments section with your thoughts!