Kennard Backman

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/17

Thursday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Cut: S Christian Bryant

Detroit Lions

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: DE Evan Panfil (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/9/17

Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2017 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters.

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Workout Updates: 12/6/2016

The Broncos worked out a dozen players today, including quarterbacks Sean Renfree and T.J. Yates, running backs Bernard Pierce and Zac Brooks, and wide receivers Keshawn Martin and Corey Washington, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Yates, 29, has only started seven games during his regular season career, but has somewhat miraculously managed two playoff starts, both for Houston. Each of the tryouts conducted by Denver today were for futures contract consideration, tweets Mike Klis of 9NEWS.

Here’s more from the workout front:

  • Searching for emergency interior line options, the Patriots tried out OL James Stone and Chris Watt today, reports Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (Twitter links), who adds that New England also took a look at wide receiver Dez Stewart. As Reiss wrote earlier today, the Pats could be forced to make a move at WR following an injury to Danny Amendola, and Stewart could potentially fill that void.
  • The Chiefs, dealing with injuries to Dontari Poe and Jaye Howard (placed on IR), auditioned veteran defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis and Montori Hughes, per Caplan (Twitter link). Kansas City also worked out inside linebackers James Burgess and Darnell Sankey on Saturday, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets.
  • The Packers tried out tight end Kennard Backman, quarterback Mike Bercovici, wide receiver Mitch Mathews, and running back Daryl Virgies, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Backman is familiar with Green Bay, as the Packers chose him in the sixth round of the 2015 draft.
  • Defensive back Dezmen Southward, defensive end Josh Boyd, and linebacker Ron Thompson all worked out for the Raiders today, per Caplan (Twitter link). Southward was a third-round pick by the Falcons in 2014.
  • The Buccaneers are working out 6’4″, 220-pound wide receiver Joe Hills, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. He was the 2016 Arena League offensive Player of the Year for the Jacksonville Sharks.
  • Defensive lineman Frank Beltre and defensive back Tony Burnett were among the players that tried out for the Vikings today, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter link).
  • The Jets worked out long snappers Zac Triner, Rick Lovato, Daniel Dillon, and Kameron Canaday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link) and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. New York’s current long snapper is veteran Tanner Purdum.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/2/16

Friday’s practice squad changes:

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: QB Joe Callahan
  • Cut: WR Dez Stewart

Indianapolis Colts

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/29/16

Today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OL Kevin Graf

Arizona Cardinals

  • Signed: WR Chris Hubert

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed: T Jake Rodgers, T Tyrus Thompson

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Signed: CB Tony McRae

New England Patriots

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

  • Signed: LB Wynton McManis

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/16

Today’s practice squad moves:

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

  • Signed: RB Kenny Hilliard

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed: OL Arturo Uzdavinis

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Redskins

Patriots Work Out Former Jet Jarvis Jenkins

The Patriots worked out defensive end Jarvis Jenkins, tight Kennard Backman, and defensive tackle Davon Coleman, according to a source who spoke with Doug Kyed of NESN (on Twitter). Jenkins is arguably the most notable name of the group, having just been released by the Jets in year one of his two-year, $6MM deal. Jarvis Jenkins (vertical)

The Jenkins deal backfired on GM Mike Maccagnan and the rest of the Jets’ front office, but he could be a solid value for a rival team like the Patriots. Jenkins could also provide strategic help for New England in advance of their Nov. 27 matchup against Gang Green in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Jenkins had a career-best four sacks in 2015 but didn’t do much to pressure the quarterback this season. He may get a chance to have a stronger second act with the Pats.

Backman appeared in seven games with the Packers last season. After reaching an injury settlement with Green Bay in early September, he recently auditioned for the Ravens and Lions. Coleman was waived by the Giants in late August before the 75-man deadline. He has appeared in four NFL games over the course of his career, all of them coming with the Cowboys.

Workout Notes: Pack, Vikes, Chiefs, Giants

In addition to the previously reported Joique Bell, the running back-needy Packers worked out fellow rushers James Wilder Jr. and Brandon Wegher on Tuesday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Defensive end Arthur Miley and defensive back Brandon Dixon also tried out.

More of the latest workouts (courtesy of Howard Balzer, unless otherwise noted):