NFL Workout Updates: 9/27/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account:
Arizona Cardinals
- TE Alex Ellis; DE Jonathan Woodard (link)
Atlanta Falcons
- CB Alex Carter (link)
Baltimore Ravens
- LB Steven Johnson (link)
Buffalo Bills
- OLs Josh James and G Nate Theaker; WRs Amba Etta-Tawo and Tavarres King; S Justin Currie (link)
Detroit Lions
- OLs Willie Beavers, John Greco, and Kraig Urbik; DE Sterling Bailey (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- WRs Kolby Listenbee and Jordan Williams; LBs Richie Brown, Austin Calitro, and Jayrone Elliott (Twitter links)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB LeShun Daniels; LBs Frank Beltre and Cassanova McKinzy (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- WR Michael Rector; LB Jonathan Freeny (Twitter links)
Los Angeles Rams
- WR Jordan Payton (link)
New York Jets
- WR Rashad Ross; TE Greg Scruggs; DE Jhaustin Thomas; LBs Gabe Martin and Brandon Watts; CB Makinton Dorleant; S Ironhead Gallon (all Twitter links)
Philadelphia Eagles
- C Anthony Fabiano; T Givens Price; CBs D.J. Killings and Damian Swann (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LBs Carl Bradford and Austin Calitro; CB Taurean Nixon (link)
Tennessee Titans
- LSs Andrew East and Anthony Kukwa (link)
Washington Redskins
- LB Otha Peters; DBs Antone Exum Jr., James Sample, and B.J. Sanders (link)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/27/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Ryan Malleck
- Released: LB Boseko Lokombo
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Kennan Gilchrist
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Jhurell Pressley
- Placed on injured list: RB Tim Cook
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Fred Brown
- Released: TE Travis Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR K.J. Brent
Washington Redskins
- Signed: WR Shakeir Ryan
NFL Workout Updates: 9/26/17
Tuesday’s workout updates (links via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle or ESPN’s Adam Caplan):
Atlanta Falcons
- CB D’Joun Smith, S Chris Prosinski
Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
- LB Kennan Gilchrist, LB Trevor Bates, LB Andrew Gachkar, RB/LB Connor Harris
Indianapolis Colts
- TE Evan Baylis
Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Josh Mauga
Los Angeles Rams
Minnesota Vikings
- TE Evan Baylis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tennessee Titans
NFL Waiver Priority Now Based On 2017 Record
We’re coming up on Week 4 of the NFL season and that means that waiver claim priority will be based on the current league standings instead of last year’s. Of course, waiver priority is based on the inverted NFL standings, which have built in tiebreakers to sort out the many logjams that naturally occur.
Throughout the offseason and the first three weeks of the regular season, the Browns enjoyed top priority thanks to their 1-15 finish last year. Now, we have a brand new pecking order. Here is a full rundown of the current waiver claim priority, which will change from week to week (Twitter links via Field Yates of ESPN.com):
T-1. Bengals
T-1. Browns
T-1. 49ers
4. Giants
5. Chargers
6. Colts
T-7. Texans
T-7. Seahawks
9. Cardinals
10. Jets
11. Saints
12. Bears
13. Dolphins
14. Buccaneers
15. Ravens
T-16. Panthers
T-16. Cowboys
T-16. Rams
T-16. Steelers
T-20. Broncos
T-20. Lions
T-20. Packers
23. Vikings
T-24. Bills
T-24. Jaguars
T-24. Patriots
T-24. Raiders
T-24. Eagles
T-24. Titans
30. Redskins
31. Chiefs
32. Falcons
Rams’ Ethan Westbrooks Arrested
Rams defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks was arrested for possession of a stolen handgun over the weekend, ESPN.com’s Alden Gonzalez tweets. The news was first reported by the Southern California News Group. 
Westbrooks was pulled over for speeding on Friday night when an officer found a handgun loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. Later, cops ran the serial number of the firearm and found that it was stolen eight years earlier. Westbrooks is now facing five felony charges related to the weapon and has an arraignment scheduled for Oct. 5.
The Rams agreed to a one-year extension with Westbrooks earlier this year, an agreement that took him from a $1.797MM salary this year to $1.25MM. In exchange for that, Westbrooks received a $1.75MM salary for the 2018 season. However, a felony conviction would put that pact in jeopardy. Even without a conviction, Westbrooks will likely be in for a suspension at the very minimum, though that may not come until the legal process has finished.
Westbrooks’ role with the Rams has slowly grown over the years ever since joining them as a UDFA in 2014. Last year, he finished out 2016 with 24 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. This year, he notched a sack in the season opener and played in 66 snaps (38 running, 28 passing) through three games.
Snow Stopped Rams' Shanahan Interview
In January, the Rams had planned to interview Kyle Shanahan for their coaching vacancy, but a snowstorm on the East Coast put the powwow on hold, as Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com writes. Days later, the team 86’d the meeting altogether as they pivoted eventual hire Sean McVay.
On Thursday night, the Rams will get a glimpse at what might have been when they take on San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium. Of course, the Rams are very high on McVay – who is the league’s youngest coach – so they have no cause for regret at this time.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: TE Jim Dray
Buffalo Bills
- Released: LB Jelani Jenkins
- Waived: S Trae Elston
Chicago Bears
- Promoted to active roster: DB DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Waived: WR Tanner Gentry
Houston Texans
- Waived: TE Evan Baylis
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: DT Michael Bennett
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from suspension: CB Troy Hill
- Waived: CB Kevin Peterson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted to active roster: DT Garrison Smith
- Waived: DE David Bass
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/18/17
Today’s minor moves:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR: DB Doran Grant
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted to active roster: CB Kevin Peterson
- Waived: OL Aaron Neary
New England Patriots
- Released from IR: DB D.J. Killings
New York Giants
- Promoted to active roster: LB Curtis Grant
- Waived: WR Tavarres King
NFL Workout Updates: 9/15/17
The latest workouts from around the NFL (all links go to Twitter):
Cleveland Browns
- DEs Ian Seau, Jhaustin Thomas; CBs De’Chavon Hayes, Marcus Sayles, JaCorey Shepherd; LB Garrett Sickels (links via Adam Caplan of ESPN)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- WRs Montay Crockett, Tim Patrick; Ps Matt Darr, Jordan Gay, Richie Leone, Austin Rehkow; QB Jerod Evans, Joel Stave; PKs Andrew Franks, Josh Lambo, Mike Meyer; LS Colin Holba (link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union)
Los Angeles Rams
Rams To Start Aaron Donald Vs. Redskins
The perceived Aaron Donald-acclimation period will not keep him out of any more Rams games. Sean McVay said Friday the two-time All-Pro will start Sunday against the Redskins after reporting to the team six days ago.
While McVay didn’t provide clarity on Donald’s role as a full- or part-time player in his first game back — and first in a new defense — the Rams will have their top player suited up and ready to help the team push for its first 2-0 start since its 2001 Super Bowl season.
Donald remains without an extension but has procured an insurance policy. He’s making less than $2MM in base salary in this his fourth season.
Reports out of Los Angeles indicated Donald may sit for at least one game in order to shake off rust and feel comfortable in Wade Phillips‘ defense, but it looks like he’ll be doing that while playing. Donald’s landed on the top All-Pro team in each of his past two seasons, and while he’s going to be playing in a 3-4 base set for the first time, the three technique stands to provide a significant talent boost for the Los Angeles defense.