Justin Trattou

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/17

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Signed: LS Taybor Pepper

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed: LB Akeem Dent
  • Waived from IR: CB Ezra Robinson

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

New England Patriots

  • Signed: DL Michael Bart, LB Christian Kuntz, LB Nick Usher

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers Sign Justin Trattou

The Buccaneers have signed defensive end Justin Trattou and waived/injured fellow DE Evan Panfil, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.

NFL: Preseason-Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys

The 28-year-old Trattou joins the Bucs after spending the first six seasons of his career with the Giants and Vikings. Since going undrafted out of Florida in 2011, Trattou has totaled 37 appearances but hasn’t yet started a game. His most productive campaign came with Minnesota in 2015, when he improbably logged more interceptions than tackles (two to one) across five games. He then posted his first 16-game season in 2016, but only 10 of his 280 snaps came on defense. Trattou was third on the Vikings in special teams snaps (270) and is now moving from an ST unit that finished ninth in DVOA last year to one that placed 21st.

Panfil, formerly with Purdue, signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in May.

Contract Details: Dunbar, Bell, Trattou

Here are the contract details on some notable deals which were agreed upon or signed within the last week:

  • Byron Bell, OL (Titans): One-year, $2.25MM deal. $400K signing bonus, $650K guaranteed, $250K of $1.75MM salary guaranteed, plus $1M playing time incentive (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle).
  • Justin Trattou, DE (Vikings): One-year, $810K deal. $760K salary plus $25K 53-man any-game roster bonus. $30K playing time incentive plus $428K full split. (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Lance Dunbar, RB (Cowboys): One-year, $1.25MM deal. $100K signing bonus. $800K salary. ~$22K per-game active bonus. $500K stats incentive. $40K workout de-escalator. (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Nathan Stupar, LB (Saints): Three-year, $5MM deal. Additional $900K possible through incentives. $1.2MM signing bonus. $675K base salary in 2016. $1.075MM cap number in 2016. (Twitter link via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com).

Vikings Re-Sign DE Justin Trattou

MARCH 18, 12:47pm: The Vikings have officially re-signed Trattou, the team confirmed in a press release.

MARCH 12, 5:24pm: The Vikings have reached an agreement to re-sign defensive end Justin Trattou, as Trattou himself announced on Instagram. Speaking to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Trattou confirmed it’s a one-year deal.Justin Trattou (Vertical)

“Couldn’t be more excited to be part of the best young team in the NFL,” Trattou said. “There is no ceiling on what we can accomplish and I’m excited to be part of it. Can’t wait to get back to work.”

The 27-year old Trattou only managed to play in five games last season as he dealt with a foot injury, but despite seeing just 22 defensive snaps on the year, he somewhat miraculously posted two interceptions. After spending a week unemployed after the Vikings waived him in December, Trattou admitted that he received an offer to join another club, but declined the overture, saying he wanted to remain Minnesota. Trattou, who also plays a bit on special teams, will stay with the Vikings for a fourth season after spending the first two-and-a-half years of his career with the Giants.

Trattou made the veteran’s minimum in 2015, and I’d expect that he’ll be paid the same during the upcoming season, especially given how little he played last year.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Notes: Michael, Jeffery, Trattou, Cousins

The Seahawks inked running back Christine Michael to a contract earlier today, his second stint with the organization. The former second-rounder was traded prior to the season, and with all of the injuries in Seattle’s backfield, he’s hoping his second chance ends better than his first.

“I’m just here to work and give you guys all I have,” he told reporters, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “That’s all I can do. All I want to do. And I told them just like that.’’

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFC…

  • Alshon Jeffery ranked number two in the first installment of our 2016 free agent power rankings, but he’s not the only important Bears player on an expiring deal. Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com takes a look at four more to go along with Jeffery.
  • After re-signing with the Vikings, defensive end Justin Trattou admitted that he got an offer from another team during his brief time as a free agent, but turned it down because he wanted to remain in Minnesota. I really didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Trattou said, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I’m happy where I’m at.”
  • While Panthers cornerback Josh Norman is considered one of the top free-agents-to-be at any position for 2016, there are plenty of other corners who should be in line for nice deals, including Sean Smith of the Chiefs and Janoris Jenkins of the Rams. Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap takes a closer look at the cornerback market.
  • Former sports agent (and current writer for CBSSports.com) Joel Corry examined what Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins‘ next contract will look like. Corry wonders if Cousins could receive a deal similar to the two-year, $24.5MM (worth up to $38MM) extension between the Rams and Nick Foles.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/15

Today’s minor moves around the NFL:

  • The Buccaneers will sign free agent defensive tackle Da’Quan Bowers on Tuesday and waive D-lineman Josh Shirley, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter). Bowers spent 2011-14 in Tampa and totaled seven sacks after it used a second-round pick on him. Shirley, a rookie, joined the Bucs in October. He subsequently appeared in five games.
  • The Dolphins signed defensive tackle Deandre Coleman and placed tight end Brandon Williams on injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Coleman, undrafted out of Cal in 2014, appeared in one game as a rookie. Williams suited up four times for the Dolphins this year before breaking his left foot.
  • The Vikings signed defensive end Justin Trattou and waived safety Shaun Prater, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Trattou has had multiple stints with the Vikings since entering the league in 2011. He appeared in two games with them earlier this season and intercepted a pass. Prater, who had been with the Vikings since 2013, garnered one appearance this year.
  • The Browns cut center Gabe Ikard, per Wilson (on Twitter). Ikard, a 25-year-old snapper, joined the Browns earlier this month.
  • The Chiefs removed safety Sanders Commings from injured reserve and reached a settlement with him, Wilson tweets. Commings’ last appearance with the Chiefs was in 2013.
  • The Chargers waived quarterback Brad Sorensen, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN (Twitter link). Sorensen, whom the Chargers chose in the seventh round of the 2013 draft, has never attempted a regular-season pass.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/8/15

We’ll track all of Tuesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL in this space, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

  • The Dolphins have re-signed tight end Brandon Williams to their active roster, waiving safety Jordan Kovacs in a corresponding move, the team announced today (Twitter links). Miami also opened up another roster spot by placing defensive tackle Robert Thomas on the injured reserve list.
  • Jets defensive end Mike Catapano has landed on IR due to a foot injury, with safety Ronald Martin getting the promotion from the practice squad to take his spot on the roster, the Jets announced today (via Twitter).
  • The Chiefs are signing offensive lineman Jarrod Pughsley from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. The corresponding move to make room for Pughsley isn’t yet known.
  • The Falcons have released defensive tackle Ricky Havili-Heimuli from their injured reserve list, the team announced today (via Twitter). He’ll become a free agent if he clears waivers.

Earlier updates:

  • In the wake of Nick Boyle‘s suspension, and with Crockett Gillmore and Maxx Williams both battling injuries, the Ravens have added two tight ends to their roster. According to a press release, the club has promoted Konrad Reuland from its practice squad and signed veteran free agent Richard Gordon. Boyle was moved to the reserve/suspended list and cornerback Cassius Vaughn was cut to create space on the roster.
  • The Bills have also made a change at the tight end position, promoting Nick O’Leary from the practice squad and cutting veteran Matthew Mulligan, the team announced today. Mulligan had played a role this season for the Bills as a blocker and special-teamer, making the move a little surprising. Joe Buscaglia of WKBW wonders (via Twitter) if another team – perhaps the Ravens? – showed interest in O’Leary, prompting Buffalo to protect him.
  • The Eagles have signed outside linebacker Steven Means from the Texans‘ practice squad, the club announced today (via Twitter). Means will take over the roster spot vacated by Miles Austin, who was released on Monday.
  • With a Thursday night showdown against Arizona around the corner, the Vikings have made a handful of roster moves, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed safety Shaun Prater and elevated safety Anthony Harris from the practice squad. To make room for the incoming defensive backs, Minnesota placed safety Antone Exum on injured reserve and waived defensive end Justin Trattou.
  • The Colts are adding some depth at the linebacker spot by promoting linebacker Amarlo Herrera to their active roster, a source tells Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star (Twitter link). Jerrell Freeman and Nate Irving are banged up for Indianapolis.
  • The Browns have re-signed offensive lineman Darrian Miller to their 53-man roster just three days after cutting him, placing fullback Malcolm Johnson on injured reserve in a corresponding move, per a team release.

Vikings Place Jerick McKinnon On IR

The Vikings have placed running back Jerick McKinnon on IR, ending his breakout rookie season with the team, reports Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (via Twitter).

In 11 games this season, McKinnon amassed 538 yards at a clip of 4.8 yards per carry. A third-round pick out of Georgia Southern, he performed well in place of Adrian Peterson.

McKinnon will have a back procedure, with an eight-week recovery time, writes Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). He should be back in time for offseason workouts.

The team promoted defensive end Justin Trattou from the practice squad to the active roster. The Vikings added safety Ahmad Dixon to the practice squad, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter).

The void left by McKinnon could open up playing time for Ben Tate, who was claimed off waivers earlier this season, reports Albert Breer of NFL.com (via Twitter).

 

Sunday/Monday Transactions: NFC North

Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC North teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.

Additionally, as of 11:00am CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.

Here are Sunday’s NFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:

Chicago Bears:

Detroit Lions:

Green Bay Packers:

Minnesota Vikings:

Vikings Cut Fred Evans, Others

7:05pm: The Vikings roster is officially down to 53 players, as the team formally announced their transactions in a press release. The following players have been cut by Minnesota:

Released:

Placed on Injured Reserve:

  • Antonio Richardson, OT

2:24pm: The Vikings have released veteran defensive lineman Fred Evans on their way down to 53 players, according to Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). The longtime Viking has 94 games under his belt for the team since arriving in Minnesota in 2007, but it seems he won’t have a spot on the club’s regular-season roster this time around. Here are all of the Vikings’ Saturday roster cuts: