Steelers Release OLB John Simon
A two-year starter for the Patriots and a nine-year NFL veteran, John Simon saw another team hand him walking papers Monday. A few months after the Titans cut the veteran edge defender, the Steelers did the same.
Pittsburgh had signed Simon to a reserve/futures deal in late January, after he played in one game with the team last season. The Steelers have questions behind their T.J. Watt–Alex Highsmith starting outside linebacker duo, but for the time being, younger players are positioned to answer them.
Simon, 31, has started 52 career games, played for six teams — the Ravens, Texans, Colts, Patriots, Titans and Steelers — and won a Super Bowl as a role player with the 2018 Pats. After the Colts bailed on Simon’s three-year, $14MM deal in 2018, the former Ravens fourth-rounder began that season unemployed. But he caught on with the Pats and became a full-time contributor by 2019. From 2019-20, Simon started 28 games with New England. The Titans signed the Ohio State product just ahead of training camp last year. He will look to catch on with yet another team before this year’s training camps open.
The Steelers have Genard Avery and ex-Broncos seventh-rounder Derrek Tuszka as potential backup edge options, and the team drafted Mark Robinson in the seventh round out of Ole Miss. It would still make sense if Pittsburgh looked into other edges this offseason, should its lower-profile lot of backups not impress.
Pittsburgh also waived wideout Rico Bussey and kicker Sam Sloman and waived rookie cornerback Bryce Watts with an injury designation. Sloman kicked in eight games for the Rams and Titans in 2020 but did not see action last year.
Steelers Sign John Simon To Reserve/Futures Contract
The Steelers have added a veteran to their offseason roster. The team announced that they’ve inked linebaker John Simon to a reserve/futures contract.
Simon was a fourth-round pick by the Ravens back in 2013, and he’s had stints with six different organizations throughout his career. This included 2019 and 2020 campaigns with the Patriots where he started 30 games, 114 tackles, and eight sacks.
Simon joined the Titans way back in July, replacing fellow pass rusher Tuzar Skipper on the offseason roster. He ended up getting into two games with Tennessee before earning his walking papers. He later caught on with the Steelers practice squad, earning a promotion for one game.
In total, the 31-year-old has 283 tackles and 21 sacks in 100 games (52 starts). There’s a good chance the veteran will stick around through at least training camp.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/25-12/26/21
Here are the NFL moves from Christmas and today:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: DE Josh Mauro, DB Kevin Peterson, P Ryan Winslow, WR Greg Dortch
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: LB Daren Bates
- Promoted: WR Marvin Hall
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: LB Daelin Hayes
- Promoted: QB Kenji Bahar, DB Robert Jackson, DB Tony Jefferson, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, NT Isaiah Mack, G/DT Reginald McKenzie, TE Tony Poljan, DB Jordan Richards, LB Joe Thomas, DB Daryl Worley
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: DT Eli Ankou
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: QB Sam Darnold
- Promoted: RB Reggie Bonnafon, DB Madre Harper, DT Frank Herron, G Mike Horton, TE Stephen Sullivan
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: DB Duke Shelley
- Promoted: DE Ledarius Mack, WR Dazz Newsome, DB Dee Virgin, WR Nsimba Webster, QB Ryan Willis
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, DT Mike Daniels, DE Noah Spence, WR Trent Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: DB Maurice Canady, DB Donovan Wilson
- Promoted: DB Kyron Brown, DB Darian Thompson
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: T Quinn Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: LB Tavante Beckett, LB Curtis Bolton, TE Shane Zylstra
- Placed on IR: DB Amani Oruwariye
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: S Innis Gaines
Houston Texans
- Extended: DE Ron’Dell Carter
- Activated from IR: WR Danny Amendola, DE DeMarcus Walker
- Promoted: WR Jalen Camp, DT Michael Dwumfour, K Dominik Eberle, G Jake Eldrenkamp, T Carson Green, DE Demone Harris, TE Paul Quessenberry, RB Jaylen Samuels, T Jordan Steckler, LB Connor Strachan, LB Josh Watson, S T.J. Green
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: DB Anthony Chesley, WR Keke Coutee, G Carter O’Donnell, DB Brian Poole, DB Will Redmond, DT Chris Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: RB Nathan Cottrell, WR Josh Hammond, DB Brandon Rusnak
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DB Dicaprio Bootle, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, DB Josh Jackson, P Johnny Townsend
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: DB Tyree Gillespie
- Promoted: G Lester Cotton, DB Kavon Frazier, WR Tyron Johnson, NT Damion Square, QB Nathan Peterman, WR Dillon Stoner
- Placed on IR: DB Johnathan Abram
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: WR Michael Bandy, RB Darius Bradwell, NT Andrew Brown, DB Ben Deluca, LB Emeke Egbule, WR Maurice Ffrench, DT Forrest Merrill, WR Jason Moore
- Placed on IR: TE Donald Parham
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from reserve/NFI: RB Cam Akers
- Activated from IR: RB Buddy Howell
- Promoted: DB Grant Haley, WR Brandon Powell
- Released: LB Jamir Jones, RB Mekhi Sargent
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: LB Josh Uche
- Promoted: DT Daniel Ekuale, DB D’Angelo Ross, WR Kristian Wilkerson
New York Giants
- Promoted: DB Darqueze Dennard, DL David Moa, CB Aaron Robinson, WR David Sill V, OL Isaiah Wilson
New York Jets
- Promoted: OL Isaiah Williams, TE Dan Brown, WR D.J. Montgomery, LB LaRoy Reynolds, DL Ronald Blair, S Elijah Benton, DL Freedom Akinmoladun
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Jared Mayden
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: P Corliss Waitman
- Activated from IR: C J.C. Hassenauer
- Promoted: P Cameron Nizialek, OL Rashaad Coward, RB Trey Edmunds, LB John Simon
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: DT Myles Adams, S Josh Jones, TE Tyler Mabry, OLB Edmond Robinson, WR Cody Thompson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: RB Kenjon Barner, WR Cyril Grayson, P Sterling Hofrichter, DL Benning Potoa’e
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: CB D.J. Hayden, RB Wendell Smallwood, LB De’Jon Harris, DB Jeremy Reaves
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/13/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on COVID-19 list: WR Binjimen Victor
Denver Broncos
- Placed on COVID-19 list: WR Seth Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Released: QB Danny Etling
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on COVID-19 list: G Kyle Hinton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Mac McCain
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed DE John Simon
- Released: K Sam Sloman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: LS Garrison Sanborn
Titans Cut John Simon
Julio Jones is on his way back. To help make room for him — as well as wide receiver Racey McMath and safety Dane Cruikshank — the Titans have released linebacker John Simon.
[RELATED: Titans Designate J. Jones For Return]
Simon joined the Titans in July, replacing fellow pass rusher Tuzar Skipper on the offseason roster. Before that, he spent three years with the Patriots. In 2020, he started in all 16 games and registered 53 stops with two sacks. This year, he’s been on-and-off of the Titans’ roster, resulting in two appearances with four total tackles.
All in all, he’s got 99 appearances and 52 career starts to his credit for the Ravens, Texans, Colts, Patriots, and Titans. Now, he could be en route to yet another NFL club, though the Titans have made a habit of bringing him back to Nashville.
The Titans dropped their last two games before the bye, but they’re still 8-4 and atop the AFC South. On Sunday, they’ll look to get back in the win column when they host the Jaguars.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/6/21
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: P Dustin Colquitt
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Trent Scott
Cleveland Browns
- Designated for return: LB Jacob Phillips
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Jalen Richard
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Keenan Allen
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Blake Cashman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: LS Zach Triner
Tennessee Titans
- Released: LB John Simon (story)
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/23/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: QB Chris Streveler
Buffalo Bills
- Designated for return: WR Marquez Stevenson
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DL Margus Hunt
- Placed on IR: DB Duke Shelley
Denver Broncos
- Waived: CB Mac McCain
Houston Texans
- Released: RB Phillip Lindsay (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Dalvin Tomlinson
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Joe Flacco, QB Mike White
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Ray-Ray McCloud
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LS Carson Tinker
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: RB Dontrell Hilliard, DB Buster Skrine, LB John Simon
- Placed on IR: CB Chris Jackson
- Designated for return: FB Khari Blasingame
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/21
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: WR Greg Dortch, DL Josh Mauro, CB Kevin Peterson, LB Joe Walker, TE David Wells
- Placed on IR: DL Rashard Lawrence
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: RB Qadree Ollison, DL Anthony Rush
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: P Lachlan Edwards, S Myles Hartsfield, WR Willie Snead
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: CB Mike Ford
- Promoted: DL Jonathan Harris, G Austin Schlottmann, LB Barrington Wade
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from IR: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Promoted: QB Blake Bortles
Houston Texans
- Promoted: S Jonathan Owens
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: WR Laquon Treadwell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: WR Marcell Ateman
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: WR Maurice Ffrench, CB Kiondre Thomas
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: LB Vince Biegel, WR Kirk Merritt
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DE Kenny Willekes
New England Patriots
- Promoted: WR Kristian Wilkerson
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: QB Jameis Winston (story)
- Promoted: DT Josiah Bronson, WR Kevin White
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, OLB Trent Harris
- Activated from IR: OLB Elerson Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: WR John Hightower, RB Jordan Howard
- Activated from IR: TE Tyree Jackson
Tennessee Titans
- Released: OLB John Simon
- Activated from IR: OL Aaron Brewer, LB Jayon Brown
- Promoted: RB D’Onta Foreman, DB Chris Jones
- Placed on IR: FB Khari Blasingame
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/9/21
Here is Week 5 Saturday’s minor move spree:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: OL Danny Isidora, TE Ross Travis, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Promoted: WR Juwan Green, CB Chris Williamson
- Waived: TE Parker Hesse
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: G Tyre Phillips
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: S Kenny Robinson, RB Rodney Smith
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: LB Anthony Walker
- Promoted: DE Joe Jackson, DB Jovante Moffatt
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: FB Nick Ralston, TE Jeremy Sprinkle
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: WR Tyrie Cleveland
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: TE Shane Zylstra
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: OL Marcus Cannon
- Promoted: QB Jeff Driskel, WR Chris Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: QB Brett Hundley
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: K Matthew Wright
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from IR: LB Willie Gay
- Promoted: DE Demone Harris
- Waived: LB Darius Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: CB Ryan Smith
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: DT Raekwon Davis
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Ford, DE Jabaal Sheard
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: G Dakota Dozier, CB Parry Nickerson, CB Tye Smith
- Waived: WR Dan Chisena
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DB Myles Bryant, OL James Ferentz, OL Alex Redmond, G William Sherman
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: OL Jordan Mills, WR Kenny Stills
- Released: DT Christian Ringo
New York Giants
- Promoted: T Korey Cunningham
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: LB Blake Cashman
- Promoted: S Jarrod Wilson, TE Kenny Yeboah
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: T Le’Raven Clark
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: S Karl Joseph, WR Cody White
- Released: G Rashaad Coward
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: WR Travis Benjamin, TE Tanner Hudson, QB Nate Sudfeld
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: OLB Cam Gill
- Promoted: TE Codey McElroy, DB Rashard Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: WR Marcus Johnson
- Promoted: S Jamal Carter, DL Caraun Reid, LB John Simon
- Waived: LB Sharif Finch
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
Titans Add John Simon, Caraun Reid To P-Squad
The Titans have signed outside linebacker John Simon and defensive tackle Caraun Reid to the practice squad. Both veterans are now one injury away from making their 2021 debuts.
Simon first joined the Titans in July, replacing fellow pass rusher Tuzar Skipper on the offseason roster. Before that, he spent three years with the Patriots. In 2020, he started in all 16 games and registered 53 stops with two sacks. All in all, he’s got 97 appearances and 52 career starts to his credit for the Ravens, Texans, Colts, and Patriots.
Reid, meanwhile, has played for seven NFL teams since coming into the league in 2014. The veteran now has a chance to accomplish a rare NFL feat — should he make the Titans, he’ll have played for six teams in the past six years. The 29-year-old (30 in November) bounced on and off the Jaguars’ active roster in 2020. He saw time in seven games with Jacksonville last season — all as a reserve. Overall, the Princeton alum has 54 appearances to his credit, including 16 starts.