Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/22
Today’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived with injury settlement: TE John Raine
Denver Broncos
- Waived with injury settlement: WR Brandon Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived with injury settlement: K Jake Verity
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived with injury settlement: CB Tyler Hall, RB Xavier Jones
Miami Dolphins
- Released with injury settlement: LB Brennan Scarlett
Minnesota Vikings
- Released with injury settlement: DT T.Y. McGill
New England Patriots
- Promoted from practice squad: C James Ferentz
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Chase Hansen
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/5/22
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Shemar Bridgers
Carolina Panthers
- Released: DT Daviyon Nixon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: CB Allan George
- Reverted to active roster: S Jessie Bates
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: OL Drew Forbes, LB Jordan Kunasyzk
Detroit Lions
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DL Eric Banks, OL Kevin Jarvis, DB C.J. Moore, DE Jashon Cornell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: DT Raequan Williams
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on IR: TE Blake Bell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: DT Tyler Lancaster
New York Giants
- Waived: RB Sandro Platzgummer
New York Jets
- Re-signed: OL Conor McDermott
- Released: RB Zonovan Knight
Washington Commanders
- Released from IR via injury settlement: OL Keith Ismael
Nixon generated significant draft buzz after his college career at Iowa. His final season with the Hawkeyes in 2020 included 5.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, though he fell to the fifth round that year. He played sparingly as a rookie, and has met injury troubles early in his pro career. Despite the move, Carolina has a number of options to call on in a rotational role behind Derrick Brown and Matt Ioannidis.
The roster cutting by the Bengals was necessary with today being the time at which Bates’ time on the Commissioner’s Exempt List expired. The franchise-tagged safety was the final holdout of the 2022 offseason, inking his tender long past the deadline for a long-term deal to be finalized. Fully back to team practices and activities, Bates’ time on the list allowed him to ramp up at his own rate following a lengthy absence throughout the spring and summer.
Lancaster was one of several additions the Raiders made on the d-line during free agency. The former UDFA spent the first four years of his career in Green Bay, registering 10 starts in 2019. Other signings such as Bilal Nichols and Andrew Billings will see plenty of playing time along the defensive interior in his absence.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/5/22
As Week 1 practices begin, here are the latest updates to teams’ 16-man practice squads:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL Khyiris Tonga
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DB Marquise Blair
- Released: WR Ra’Shaun Henry
Cincinnati Bengals
- Released: TE Thaddeus Moss
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: DE Mika Tafua
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Vyncint Smith
Detroit Lions
- Signed: QB Tim Boyle
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: K Ramiz Ahmed
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Ty Summers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: S James Wiggins
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Kyle Peko
Los Angeles Chargers:
- Signed: TE Richard Rodgers
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DTs Markaviest Bryant, Josiah Bronson, Christopher Hinton, T Kion Smith, CB Chris Steele
- Released: DT Niles Scott
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Laquon Treadwell (story)
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Fabian Moreau, WR Marcus Johnson
- Released: DB Harrison Hand
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Mac McCain
- Released: S Anthony Harris (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Josh Jackson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Buddy Johnson, OL Leroy Watson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Joshua Onujiogu, DE Jabari Zuniga
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Kenny Young
Washington Commanders
- Signed: OL Wes Martin
A former Washington starter and the primary Atlanta cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell last season, Moreau has experience playing both the slot and outside. The former third-round pick signed with the Texans earlier this offseason but did not make their 53-man roster.
The Lions attempted to keep David Blough by offering the Hard Knocks cast member a spot on their practice squad, but the three-year Detroit backup opted to head to Minnesota. He is currently on the Vikings’ 16-man taxi squad. A previous Aaron Rodgers backup, Boyle signed with the Lions last year.
Despite being a former second-round pick, Blair did not make the Seahawks’ 53-man roster this year. Knee injuries have sidelined him for most of the past two seasons. Seattle had stopped using Blair as a nickel, his primary role when on the field with the team that drafted him, during training camp.
Included as part of a 2019 trade that sent Marcus Peters to Baltimore, Young was also traded from the Rams to the Broncos last year. He started all 13 games he played in 2021 — seven as a Ram, six as a Bronco — and helped Denver fill the void created by Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell‘s season-ending injuries. Young spent most of this offseason with the Raiders but did not make their roster.
Jaguars Re-Sign DL Adam Gotsis, Add DL Mario Edwards To P-Squad
The Jaguars released DL Adam Gotsis during final cutdowns, but the veteran defender will be returning to Duval. Per a team announcement, Jacksonville is re-signing Gotsis to its active roster.
Considering how thin the club is along its defensive line, retaining Gotsis is certainly a logical move to make. A second-round pick of the Broncos in 2016, the Georgia Tech product saw 25 starts over the 2017-18 campaigns. During that time, he averaged 39.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks per season while earning solid overall grades from Pro Football Focus.
Things began to go south in 2019, as Gotsis struggled to adjust to the scheme implemented by Vic Fangio, who had been hired as Denver’s head coach earlier that year. Gotsis was also battling knee trouble at the time, trouble that ultimately necessitated surgery. He has spent each of the past two seasons with the Jaguars, and it looks as if he is in line to have another significant role on the Jags’ defense after appearing in 52% of the team’s snaps in 2020 and 43% in 2021. He will operate behind starters Roy Robertson-Harris and Folorunso Fatukasi.
In addition to bringing Gotsis back into the fold, the Jags have supplemented their practice squad with some veteran D-line help. According to the same announcement, Mario Edwards — who was released by the Bears last week — has agreed to join Jacksonville’s taxi group. The former Raiders second-round pick had settled into a rotational role in the Windy City over the past two seasons, but he joins most of Chicago’s front-seven vets of recent years in being jettisoned by a new-look front office.
Edwards, 28, recorded six sacks during his two-year Bears tenure, logging 26% and 27% defensive snap rates during that span. However, he did miss time due to injury during this year’s training camp.
WR Jaylon Moore has also been added to the p-squad. Moore signed with the Ravens as a UDFA in 2020, and he spent each of the last two years on Baltimore’s practice squad. He obviously intrigued the team enough to stick around, but he never earned a look during a regular season contest. The Ravens waived him several weeks ago, and he was claimed by the Giants. Big Blue sent him to the waiver wire again, only to add him to the practice squad before waiving him a second time.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com first reported that Edwards and the Jaguars had agreed to terms (Twitter link).
AFC Rumors: Gilmore, Pryor, Petit-Frere, Wilson, Jaguars
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore is playing with his fourth team after a short stint in Carolina. He started in Buffalo before signing with the Patriots. New England traded the two-time All-Pro midseason for only a sixth-round draft pick in return. Gilmore was injured at the time, but the compensation the Patriots received never made a ton of sense. Recently, though, Gilmore elaborated on the situation that deteriorated in New England, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN.
At the peak of his career, Gilmore suffered a torn quadriceps in the 2020 season. The injury kept him on the Patriots’ reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the 2021 season and, during that time, the relationship between Gilmore and New England “reached a point of no return.”
“I just didn’t like how they handled my situation, my injury,” Gilmore told reporters. “The situation just, I don’t know, wasn’t right for both sides.”
Here are a few more rumors from around the AFC, starting with a couple position battle victories in the AFC South:
- In a bit of a surprise decision, it appears that veteran offensive tackle Matt Pryor has won the left tackle job in Indianapolis over rookie third-round pick Bernhard Raimann, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. Pryor has only ever started one game at left tackle in the NFL and many expected the rookie out of Central Michigan to give him a strong run for the job. Erickson goes on to say that, should Pryor not perform up to expectations, there’s a strong chance that the starting job could slip out of his grasp.
- A third-round rookie who did win the starting job is just across the division in Tennessee. Titans general manager Jon Robinson made it known last weekend that Ohio State rookie Nicholas Petit-Frere will start at right tackle to open the season, according to Kayla Anderson of WKRN News 2. Last year’s rookie offensive lineman Dillon Radunz failed to earn much of a role last season but, reportedly, did everything right this offseason. Still, Petit-Frere has effectively won the starting job and Radunz will continue to come off the bench in Year 2.
- New Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson received an impressive contract extension this week reported as a five-year, $245MM deal. The new money on the contract extension was originally reported to be $49MM per year. Those original reports failed to take the league’s new 17th-week into account when calculating the new money, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports. Wilson was entitled to two more years under his previous contract and the original new money reports included the Week 17 paychecks that really should’ve been included with the original contract. So, while still an extremely impressive payday for Wilson, his average new money is more like $48.52MM per year than $49MM.
- The Jaguars are losing a member of their front office, according to Seth Walder of ESPN. Director of strategic research & development Momin Ghaffar is leaving the team for a job outside of football. In fact, the job is “outside of sports.” This isn’t a terrible surprise as the position was one of Jacksonville’s many roles that fuse business analytics with football analytics.
Jaguars Cut LB Ty Summers
Ty Summers‘ brief stint with the Jaguars has already come to an end. Jacksonville has cut the linebacker, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).
Summers was waived by the Packers last week, but he was promptly claimed by the Jaguars thanks to their top spot in the waiver order. He was expected to provide some extra depth at the linebacker position, but Summers has mostly earned his worth on special teams.
However, since claiming Summers, the Jaguars also put in a claim for linebacker Caleb Johnson. The newer addition appears to be sticking around as a fifth inside linebacker behind first-round rookie Devin Lloyd, Foyesade Oluokun, third-round rookie Chad Muma, and Shaquille Quarterman.
Summers was a seventh-round pick by the Packers in 2019. After exclusively playing on special teams as a rookie, he saw a larger role in defense in 2020, finishing with 39 tackles in 16 games (one start). However, his defensive role was reduced again in 2021, and the 26-year-old finished the 2021 campaign with nine tackles in 14 games. Summers didn’t make it very far through waivers last time around, so there’s a chance he lands on another squad before the weekend is through.
AFC Workouts: Raiders, James, Clement
Las Vegas seems to be trying to fill in a few gaps all over the roster. Over the past two days, the Raiders have kicked the tires on an offensive lineman, a pair of linebackers, and a couple of defensive backs.
On Thursday, Las Vegas took a look at former Colts’ draft pick Joe Haeg, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Haeg started 14 games for Indianapolis as a rookie after being selected in the fifth round in 2015. Haeg suffered an ankle injury in 2018 that landed him on injured reserve, and he never quite came back to his former status as a starter. He spent two separate seasons as a backup lineman for the Buccaneers and Steelers before Pittsburgh released him to make room for offensive lineman Jesse Davis, whom they acquired in a trade on cut-day. Haeg is visiting multiple teams, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, so no deal is currently imminent.
The Raiders also brought in two high former draft picks to audition for linebacker roster spots, trying out Alec Ogletree and Reggie Ragland, according to Field Yates of ESPN. Despite creeping up on 31-years-old, Ogletree has been a serviceable starter for every team he’s played on over the years, except for the Jets who released him early into the 2020 season. Since being drafted by the Chiefs in 2016, Ragland has been a spot starter for Kansas City, Detroit, and New York. He has a working relationship with Las Vegas defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who held the same position with the Giants last year.
Graham looked at another familiar face when the Raiders auditioned defensive back Jarren Williams, who spent the last two seasons with the Giants as a reserve cornerback. Las Vegas also took a look at cornerback T.J. Carrie who was a seventh-round pick for the team in 2014. Carrie looks to return to the organization after two stints as a rotational cornerback with the Browns and Colts.
Here’s a look at a couple of other workouts from around the league, starting with a tight end visiting a division rival of his former team:
- The Browns worked out tight end Jesse James yesterday, according to Yates. James spent his rookie deal as the main tight end in Pittsburgh. Since then, he’s spent time in the NFC North with the Lions and Bears. After releasing Austin Hooper back in March, Cleveland hold only David Njoku and Harrison Bryant on the 53-man roster. James holds some receiving ability, but has taken a role lately as more of a blocker, something the Browns could use more of in the tight end room.
- The day after roster cuts, the Jaguars brought in running back Corey Clement for a work out, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The team ended up claiming JaMycal Hasty off the waiver wire from the 49ers, filling their fourth running back roster spot, so Clement will have to keep searching for his next NFL job.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/2/22
Teams are still constructing their initial 16-man practice squads. Here is the latest on how those are shaping up:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Andrew Brown
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Zachary Thomas
- Released: DL Micah Dew-Treadway
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Essang Bassey
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: Micah Abernathy
- Released: CB Rico Gafford
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DB Josh Thompson, WR Seth Williams
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Larry Rountree
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Freddie Swain
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Jason Huntley, DL Renell Wren
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Josh Onujiogu, DE Jabari Zuniga
Washington Commanders
- Signed: LB De’Jon Harris
Bengals Make Three Waiver Claims
SEPTEMBER 2: To no surprise, the Bengals are indeed re-signing Allen, Thomas and Williams now that they have the open roster spots to do so, per a team announcement. Cincinnati is also placing safety Tycen Anderson and tackle Isaiah Prince on IR.
AUGUST 31: The Bengals have made some notable additions in the aftermath of yesterday’s roster cutdowns. Per the waiver wire, they have claimed tight end Devin Asiasi, guard Max Scharping and defensive tackle Jay Tufele.
[RELATED: Bengals Expected To Sign TE Howard]
Asiasi came to New England with significant expectations, given his draft status and the organization’s success at the position. The third-rounder made just 10 appearances in his first two seasons, though, recording only a pair of receptions. The Patriots made a substantial free agent investment in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith last offseason, limiting his future with the team. In Cincinnati, he will face steep competition for playing time from Hayden Hurst and, in all likelihood, O.J. Howard.
Scharping is in a similar situation to Asiasi in terms of being an underwhelming high draft choice yet to finish their rookie contract. A 2019 second-rounder, the 26-year-old started 33 of the 48 contests he appeared in with the Texans, moving from the left to right guard spot this past season. Regardless of where he lined up, the Northern Illinois alum graded out in the mid-to-high 50s with respect to PFF rating, leaving him on the roster bubble. Scharping’s vacated spot is likely to be filled by A.J. Cann; he will challenge for a backup role behind top free agent addition Alex Cappa with the Bengals.
Tufele, meanwhile, has seen the least playing time of the new trio. As a rookie last season, he made just four appearances in Jacksonville, totaling two tackles. His PFF pass rush grade of 77 indicates some upside on third downs, which dates back to his time in college. Moving on from the USC alum so soon may have come as a surprise, though the additions of Folorunso Fatukasi and Adam Gotsis along the d-line were likely to significantly lessen his chance of seeing significant playing time with the Jaguars. The Bengals lost Larry Ogunjobi in free agency, but re-upped B.J. Hill, whom Tufele will look to provide depth behind his new home.
The defending AFC champions will return many of the members of last season’s team, but these additions could prove effective at areas of relative need. Among the cuts necessary to accommodate the new arrivals is veteran quarterback Brandon Allen. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal for the third consecutive offseason to remain in Cincinnati.
For now, Allen’s departure leaves the Bengals with only Joe Burrow under center. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets, however, that Allen “will be back.” Cincinnati is also parting ways with safety Michael Thomas and running back Trayveon Williams.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/1/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Devon Kennard, S Steven Parker, S Josh Thomas, OL Badara Traore
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Anthony Firkser, TE Tucker Fisk, CB Ka’Dar Hollman
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: QB Zach Davidson, DB Kyler McMichael, OL Ryan Van Demark
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB Jacob Eason, WR C.J. Sanders
- Released: S Kenny Robinson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Kellen Diesch, LB Joe Thomas
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Qadree Ollison, C Dakoda Shepley
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G William Sherman
Detroit Lions
- Signed: K Aldrick Rosas
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: TE Shaun Beyer, CB Benjie Franklin, WR Juwann Winfree
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Arlington Hambright, LB Segun Olubi
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: K James McCourt
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Cole Christiansen
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: OL Vitaliy Gurman, DB J.R. Reed
- Released: OT Bamidele Olaseni
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Kalon Barnes, OT Larnel Coleman, WR River Cracraft, OL James Empey, LB Cameron Goode, LB Porter Gustin, S Verone McKinley III, WR Braylon Sanders, DT Niles Scott, DT Ben Stille, WR Freddie Swain, RB ZaQuandre White
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: QB David Blough, CB Tay Gowan, WR Travis Toivonen
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE JP Holtz, LB Drew Desjarlais, DL Christian Ringo
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Wyatt Davis, OL Max Garcia, DB Tony Jefferson, DE Henry Mondeaux, WR Kalil Pimpleton, LB Charles Wiley
- Released: DB Darren Evans, OT Roy Mbaeteka, OT Garrett McGhin, DB Nate Meadors
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Craig James, LB Chazz Surratt
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Davion Taylor
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Mark Gilbert
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Xavier Crawford, OL Jalen McKenzie, QB Sean Mannion
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Anthony Chesley
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Kevin Rader
- Released: WR Reggie Roberson, TE David Wells