James Morris

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/29/16

Many clubs are announcing their roster moves in bulk during cutdowns, but we’ll round up the stragglers here:

  • The Eagles announced that they have signed running back Cedric O’Neal, who was previously released by the team on August 21. Additionally, Philadelphia has released cornerback Aaron Grymes with an injury settlement, Geoff Mosher of 97.5 The Fanatic tweets.
  • The Falcons reached an injury settlement with running back Cyrus Gray, who has been dealing a hamstring injury, the team announced.
  • The Redskins announced that they’ve claimed offensive lineman Vinston Painter off waivers from the Dolphins. 
  • The Jets have waived/injured running back Romar Morris, who is going to have shoulder surgery next week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
  • The Cowboys have placed defensive lineman Shaneil Jenkins (knee), linebacker James Morris (shoulder) and cornerback Jeremiah McKinnon on waived/injured list, the club announced. Cornerback Josh Thomas (thumb) was placed on injured reserve.
  • The Vikings have made several roster moves today, cutting quarterback Brad Sorensen, wide receiver Marken Michel, defensive lineman Claudell Louis, and offensive tackle Austin Shepherd (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3 via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press); and tight end Brian Leonhardt (Twitter link via Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN).
  • Chiefs guard/center Garrick Mayweather has been waived, the team announced.
  • The Seahawks have waived OL/DL Kristjan Sokoli, who was selected in the sixth round last year, per his agent Brett Tessler (Twitter link).

Cowboys To Sign LB James Morris

The Cowboys announced that they have signed linebacker James Morris. Morris was one of three players to work out for the team on Tuesday morning. Dallas also auditioned former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho and Georgia Tech product Quayshawn Nealy, but it is Morris who came away with the job. Dallas Cowboys Helmet (Featured)

[RELATED: Latest On Rolando McClain]

Morris, 24, spent the 2015 season with the Giants and appeared in six regular season games. In May, the Giants cut him loose as they shuffled the roster. Even though 2015 marked Morris’ first year with NFL burn, he also spent time with the Patriots taxi squad in 2014 and won a Super Bowl ring for his efforts.

Cowboys VP Stephen Jones says the club will likely use Wednesday’s day off to evaluate more players at other positions, according to a team press release. Jones indicated that the team will bring in some defensive tackles, safeties, and offensive linemen tomorrow. The team could particularly use reinforcements at DT as Tyrone Crawford sits out with a back injury.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cowboys Auditioning LB Emmanuel Acho

The Cowboys are working out former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho, according to a source who spoke with Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News. James Morris of Iowa and Quayshawn Nealy of Georgia Tech will also get a look from the Cowboys. Dallas has an open roster spot at linebacker after releasing Darius Eubanks over the weekend. Emmanuel Acho (vertical)

[RELATED: Cowboys Not Interested In Nick Foles]

Of course, the Cowboys are also putting a greater emphasis on finding linebacker help given their situation with Rolando McClain. McClain is facing a ten-game suspension for his latest violation of the league’s substance abuse policy and, earlier today, it was reported that he is now struggling with codeine abuse, putting his NFL future in question. Two weeks ago, the Cowboys added depth at linebacker with the signing of Justin Durant, but they’re still on the hunt for players that can help.

Acho, a sixth-round draft pick of the Browns in 2012, played his high school football in Dallas and made a name for himself as a member of the Texas Longhorns. Acho appeared in 14 games for the Eagles in 2014 but was cut loose during the 2015 season without having appeared in a game. He did not hook on with another team, though he did audition for the Raiders in December.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Giants Sign B.J. Daniels, Three Others

The Giants announced the signing of a quartet of players, including quarterback/wide receiver B.J. Daniels. In addition to the versatile Daniels, the Giants confirmed the addition of wide receivers Kadron Boone and Donte Foster as well as defensive end Ishaq Williams (previously reported). To make room, wide receiver Ben Edwards was waived/injured while linebacker James Morris, quarterback Josh Woodrum, and tight end Cedrick Lang were waived. B.J. Daniels (vertical)

Daniels has been with the 49ers, Texans, and Seahawks in the last three years. A former seventh-round draft pick of the Niners, Daniels did not appear in a game until last season, when he played in six for the Seahawks and two for the Texans. His final stat line for the year was one completion off of two passes, six rushing attempts for six yards, two receptions for 18 yards, and five punt returns for 25 yards.

Williams has not seen live football action since 2013 when he was punished at Notre Dame for alleged academic fraud. In his three seasons for the Fighting Irish, Williams played in 35 games and totaled 45 tackles, six tackles for losses, one sack and one forced fumble.

Boone, an LSU product, played in college with Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and punter Brad Wing.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/25/15

Christmas isn’t the most exciting day for big roster decisions, but here are the transactions that filtered through today, with updates added to the top as the night progresses:

  • The Patriots have claimed defensive back Troy Hill off waivers from the Bengals, reports Field Yates of ESPN (via Twitter). The team waived tight end Asante Cleveland to make room for Hill.
  • The Giants have placed two players on season-ending IR today, in defensive tackle Markus Kuhn and linebacker James Morris, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (via Twitter). They then signed tight end Matt LaCosse and defensive end Brad Bars off the practice squad to take their spots (via Twitter).

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/5/15

Here are Saturday’s minor transactions from around the NFL, including practice squad moves:

  • The Falcons have released an injury settlement with tackle Lamar Holmes, releasing him from the reserve/PUP list, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Holmes’ four-year rookie deal had been set to expire at season’s end, but since he was on track to spend all year on the PUP list due to a foot injury, his contract would’ve tolled, keeping him on Atlanta’s roster. Instead, he’ll reach the open market a little early.
  • To fill the roster spot formerly held by Trent Robinson, whose release was noted below, Washington promoted linebacker Carlos Fields from its practice squad, Tarik El-Bashir of CSNMidAtlantic.com reports. The 25-year-old Fields should serve as depth for a depleted Washington linebacking corps Monday night, with Mason Foster and Will Compton expected to start. Perry Riley remains out, and Keenan Robinson is questionable, so Fields figures to see extensive special teams time.

Earlier updates:

  • Darius Jennings joins the Browns‘ active roster after the team promoted the wide receiver from their practice squad. Cleveland cut linebacker Darrian Miller to make room, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). A former Virginia wideout, Jennings caught on with the Browns after a minicamp tryout this May. Miller played in two games as a backup after spending nine weeks on the team’s practice squad prior to his promotion.
  • The Dolphins signed defensive end Jordan Williams from their practice squad and cut tight end Brandon Williams to make room, James Walker of ESPN.com tweets. Initially signing with the Jets as a rookie UDFA this offseason, Jordan Williams signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad in October.
  • The Giants waived cornerback Leon McFadden and signed linebacker James Morris to take his spot on the 53-man roster, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). A 24-year-old inside backer, Morris played in three games with the Giants this season after spending time with the Patriots in 2014.
  • Washington waived/injured safety Trent Robinson, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post (via Twitter). Robinson was backing up Dashon Goldson and Kyshoen Jarrett previously. If Robinson clears waivers, he’ll land on Washington’s IR, per Jay Gruden (via Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com, on Twitter).
  • The Bills have promoted running back Michael Gillislee to the active roster, reports Joe Buscaglia of WKBW in Buffalo (via Twitter). The former fifth-round pick hasn’t played in the NFL since a three-game stint with the Dolphins in 2013. To make room on the roster, the team has waived offensive lineman Gabe Ikard. The Oklahoma product has only made three appearances this season, although Buscaglia believes his absence will lead to Ryan Groy being active for the first time.
  • With the Bengals dealing with a banged up secondary, the team has promoted cornerback Troy Hill from the practice squad, reports ESPN’s Coley Harvey (via Twitter). To make room on the roster, the team waived cornerback Chris Lewis-Harris, who was injured during last week’s victory over the Rams.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/19/15

Earlier today, Washington made an attention-grabbing move when they signed ex-Cowboys running back Christine Michael to the taxi squad.

Michael, who turned 25 last Monday, was acquired by the Cowboys from the Seahawks in a trade earlier this year, and had been expected to get an increased workload after Joseph Randle was demoted and then released. However, it was the veteran, Darren McFadden, who ended up taking many of those carries, prompting Dallas to waive Michael and take a flier on Robert Turbin this week. In five games with the Cowboys, Michael ran for just 51 yards on 15 attempts, adding a single reception for two yards.

Here are the rest of Thursday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:

Baltimore Ravens

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Oakland Raiders

Washington

  • Cut: RB Mack Brown (Twitter link via Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com)

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/17/15

Here are Tuesday’s minor transactions from across the NFL:

  • The Dolphins waived center Sam Brenner, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets.
  • The Browns waived tight end Rob Housler (hamstring) from injured reserve today, Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal tweets.
  • The Patriots waived offensive lineman Chris Barker while promoting wide receiver Chris Harper from the practice squad, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets.

Earlier Updates:

  • The Seahawks have waived wide receiver Chris Matthews, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Matthews had just four receptions during his 12 regular-season games with Seattle, matching the four balls he caught in last season’s Super Bowl against the Pats. Per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter), the Seahawks are promoting wide receiver Kevin Smith to the active roster to replace Matthews.
  • The Dolphins will sign linebacker James-Michael Johnson, tweets Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Johnson was just released by the Lions on Saturday, so he didn’t last long on the open market.
  • Speaking of the Lions, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets that, as expected, the club will place cornerback Josh Wilson on injured reserve due to what Jim Caldwell called a “significant” knee injury. Detroit is expected to sign a new cornerback shortly to help solidify a position that has been hit hard by injuries.
  • The Titans have added two players to their 53-man roster, signing wide receiver Tre McBride from their own practice squad, along with wide receiver Andrew Turzilli from the 49ers‘ practice squad (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). The two wideouts will take the roster spots vacated by WR Justin Hunter and CB Jason McCourty, who were formally placed on injured reserve today.
  • The Bears have made a change at cornerback, waiving Terrance Mitchell and promoting Jacoby Glenn from their practice squad to fill the newly-opened roster spot, the team announced today (Twitter link).
  • The Chiefs have placed tight end James O’Shaughnessy on injured reserve due to a foot injury, creating an opening for defensive tackle David King, whom Kansas City claimed off waivers from the Seahawks, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
  • The Giants have waived linebacker James Morris, according to a team release. Morris, who was elevated from the practice squad at the end of October, played on special teams during his brief stint on New York’s 53-man roster.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/31/15

Here are today’s minor moves:

  • The Dolphins placed Cameron Wake on season-ending injured reserve after the star pass-rusher tore his Achilles’ tendon against the Patriots on Thursday night, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets. The four-time Pro Bowler will be 34 next season.
  • In addition, the Dolphins pilfered one of their AFC rivals’ practice squad players in signing tackle Ulrick John from the Colts‘ 10-man taxi unit, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (on Twitter). A seventh-round pick of Indianapolis’ last year, John’s been with the Colts since last season but hasn’t received any game action. Miami’s now dealing with the loss of starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James for several weeks, creating the need for an extra man at the position.
  • The Raiders promoted linebacker Korey Toomer to their 53-man roster and cut defensive end Shelby Harris, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). A fifth-round pick of the Seahawks’ in 2012, Toomer played in eight games with the Rams and Cowboys last season. Per the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow (via Twitter), Toomer has 139 career special teams snaps and no defensive plays on his resume.
  • With J.T. Thomas out for Sunday’s Week 8 game and Jon Beason questionable, the Giants signed linebacker James Morris off their practice squad and cut cornerback Brandon McGee, Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports (on Twitter). The 24-year-old Morris spent time with the Patriots last year prior to landing on the Giants’ practice squad. He’s yet to suit up in a game.
  • The Titans made a repeat transaction in signing wide receiver Rico Richardson from their practice squad and cutting tight end Chase Coffman to make room, Jim Wyatt of Titans Online tweets. Cut earlier this week in favor of Coffman, Richardson will be needed for depth purposes for a second straight Sunday, with Harry Douglas out again with a rib injury, Wyatt reports (on Twitter).

East Notes: JPP, Giants, DeflateGate

Here’s a look at the latest out of the East Divisions..