Dolphins Add Duke Johnson To Practice Squad
The Dolphins are signing running back Duke Johnson to the practice squad (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Johnson has yet to play in 2021 and this marks his first deal since the start of the season.
Johnson, 28, auditioned for the 49ers, Panthers, and Saints this fall but did not sign with any of those clubs. The Saints workout went down about three weeks ago when he showed his stuff alongside Lamar Miller, Duke Johnson, Brian Hill, Ito Smith, and Ryquell Armstead.
Johnson has excelled as a passing-down back, eclipsing 400 receiving yards in each of his first five NFL seasons. He was once a focal point of the Browns offense and even signed an extension in 2018, but the addition of Kareem Hunt pushed him down the pecking order. He went on to enjoy a productive 2019 with the Texans, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and totaling 820 scrimmage yards. Last year, however, he was limited to just eleven games, 235 rushing yards, and 28 catches for 249 yards.
After losing Malcolm Brown to a quad injury, the Dolphins’ RB group currently consists of Myles Gaskin, Malcolm Brown, and Salvon Ahmed. Johnson will serve as extra insurance until Brown is able to return.
Dolphins To Place Jason McCourty, Malcolm Brown On IR
The Dolphins are placing two of their offseason additions on IR. Head coach Brian Flores told reporters that defensive back Jason McCourty and running back Malcolm Brown are heading to injured reserve.
Both players were injured during yesterday’s loss to the Falcons. McCourty suffered a foot injury that could require surgery, meaning he could be out longer than three weeks. Brown suffered a quad injury that forced him to exit the game.
After spending three seasons with the Patriots, McCourty joined the Dolphins this offseason. He started the first four games for Miami, but he’s seen a reduced role in recent weeks, appearing in only 69 defensive snaps between Week 5 and Week 7 (for comparison’s sake, he saw time in 70 defensive snaps in Week 4). Through seven games, the 34-year-old has collected 21 tackles and two passes defended. The Dolphins somewhat started planning for McCourty’s absence when they signed safety Sheldrick Redwine off the Panthers’ practice squad today.
Brown joined the Dolphins this offseason after spending the first six seasons of his career with the Rams. The 28-year-old got into the first seven games for Miami (including three starts), collecting 135 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 36 touches. The Dolphins will continue rolling with Myles Gaskin atop the depth chart, but Salvon Ahmed could see a larger role while Brown is sidelined.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/25/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Zach Allen, LB Chandler Jones (story)
Denver Broncos
- Waived: LB Barrington Wade
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: OL Logan Stenberg
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: TE Daniel Helm
Los Angeles Chargers
- Designated for return: DE Justin Jones
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Sheldrick Redwine (from Panthers’ practice squad)
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: DT Josiah Bronson
New York Jets
- Released from IR: OT Teton Saltes
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed off waivers: QB Reid Sinnett (from Dolphins)
- Waived: LS Rick Lovato
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from reserve/suspended list: DL Jordan Willis
Panthers, Dolphins Favorites To Land Deshaun Watson?
The Deshaun Watson sweepstakes could be down to two teams. In addition to the Dolphins, the Panthers have also presented the Texans with a strong offer, according to PFT. 
The Texans would likely accept the Panthers’ latest proposal, according to PFT’s source, but Watson’s the one who really holds the cards. Thanks to his no-trade clause, he can veto any destination he doesn’t like. Fortunately for the Panthers, they’re on his short list of preferred teams, unlike the Eagles. Denver has also been said to be in the mix, but it’s shaping up to be a two-horse race and the Broncos aren’t in it at the moment.
We’ve had conflicting word on the Panthers’ level of interest all month long. Just last week, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports heard the Dolphins have effectively been bidding against themselves. Still, Watson won’t be parked on the commissioner’s exempt list if he’s traded, so it stands to reason that other teams could try and outbid the Dolphins.
And, just hours ago, head coach Matt Rhule benched Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter. After the game — a 25-3 loss to the Giants —Rhule told reporters that Darnold will “be our quarterback next week.” It remains to be seen whether he’ll be their QB come November 3rd.
Deshaun Watson Would Not Be Placed On Exempt List If Traded
Multiple teams are still interested in trading for Texans QB Deshaun Watson, as Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports (video link). Critically, Rapoport says Watson would not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list if he were to be dealt.
Of course, Watson has no interest in playing for the Texans, and the Texans have no interest in trying to force their best trade asset to suit up. So he has effectively been on paid leave all season, but we have heard all along that if another club were to trade for the three-time Pro Bowler, the league could step in and park him on the exempt list until his legal situation is resolved, thereby making a trade difficult to consummate.
Rapoport, citing the provision of the NFL’s personal conduct policy that states that a player can be placed on the exempt list if he has been charged with a felony or violent crime, says Watson — who has not been criminally charged at this point — should be eligible to play for any team that acquires him. And, RapSheet hears that a deal is expected to be completed prior to the November 2 deadline.
A recent report indicated that the Panthers and Eagles were no longer involved in the Watson sweepstakes and that the Dolphins were the only team left standing. However, Rapoport says the Dolphins are not alone in their pursuit, and that in addition to Carolina, Philadelphia, and the Broncos, there are other clubs sniffing around.
That report could have been leaked by the Texans in an effort to get Miami to increase its offer. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes that no team has been as motivated as the Dolphins to get a deal done, and Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that the Texans have told another club that they have to beat Miami’s offer (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald on Twitter). Plus, it’s unclear if Watson will waive his no-trade clause for any team other than the Dolphins.
In addition to Watson, there are other Texans players that could be on the move in the next week or so. La Canfora hears that LT Laremy Tunsil could have been a trade candidate if he had not suffered a serious thumb injury earlier this month, and other players that GM Nick Caserio might seek to trade include QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Phillip Lindsay, LB Christian Kirksey, and CB Desmond King.
Dolphins HC Brian Flores On Hot Seat
The Dolphins are mired in a five-game losing streak, and their disappointing defeat at the hands of the Jaguars in London last week has led to plenty of speculation about head coach Brian Flores‘ future in Miami. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Flores is indeed on the hot seat.
A 10-win effort in 2020 seemed to indicate that better days were ahead for the Fins, but Flores’ club has taken a major step back this year. Even last season, many players did not like Flores’ handling of then-rookie QB Tua Tagovailoa, who was yanked out of several games early in favor of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. Of course, winning can ease a lot of tension, and while Tagovailoa has not been benched in favor of backup Jacoby Brissett this season — either in-game or otherwise — the 1-5 start to the 2021 campaign has intensified other issues in the Dolphins’ locker room.
For instance, Flores reportedly has a difficult time connecting with his players, and the constant overhaul of his coaching staff has also led to consternation. Said one source with direct knowledge of the situation, “[t]here is a really negative vibe down there right now. A lot of players do not trust (Flores). Flo thinks he is a player’s coach, with an open-door policy, but I know a number of players who would tell you they don’t really think he is approachable enough, or flexible.”
Many coaches who come from the Bill Belichick coaching tree unsuccessfully attempt to replicate Belichick’s business-like approach with the Patriots, and Flores — who coached under Belichick in New England for 11 years — is apparently no exception. La Canfora’s source added, “[t]here is still too much of that New England (stuff) going on. It just doesn’t work. There is a psychology to handling players and building a team, and you have to be able to connect and motivate. That’s not the vibe there. It’s pretty bad.”
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is concerned about the direction of his team, and he and Flores are rumored to be at odds over the potential acquisition of embattled passer Deshaun Watson. Obviously, Tagovailoa’s fate would be greatly impacted by a Watson deal, and while Flores has publicly endorsed Tagovailoa on several occasions, La Canfora says the third-year head coach and his staff have never really embraced the young southpaw.
If Miami is able to consummate a Watson trade, it does not sound like Tagovailoa would be part of the package heading back to Houston. La Canfora reports that clubs who have been connected to Tagovailoa in the past — a group that presumably includes the Texans — are not interested in acquiring him at this time.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/23/21
Here is the run of Week 7 Saturday minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: OL Danny Isidora, DL Josh Mauro, TE Ross Travis, LB Joe Walker; Chandler Jones remains on team’s reserve/COVID-19 list
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: LB Daren Bates, LB James Vaughters, CB Chris Williamson
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: T David Sharpe
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: WR Keith Kirkwood, WR Aaron Parker
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Damien Williams
- Promoted: G Dieter Eiselen, DL Margus Hunt
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: LB Joe Bachie
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: S Jalen Elliott, TE Brock Wright
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
- Promoted: OL Cole Toner
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: LB Darius Harris, LB Christian Rozeboom
- Placed on IR: TE Jody Fortson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: TE Matt Bushman, LB Marquel Lee
- Placed on IR: TE Nick Bowers
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: TE Kendall Blanton
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Ford, C Cameron Tom
- Waived: QB Reid Sinnett
New York Giants
- Promoted: DT David Moa, WR David Sills
New York Jets
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: RB JaMycal Hasty
- Promoted: LB Tyrell Adams, TE Tanner Hudson, QB Nate Sudfeld
- Released: LB Mychal Kendricks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Cyril Grayson, TE Deon Yelder
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: RB Darrynton Evans, DL Larrell Murchison
- Promoted: DB Chris Jones, WR Mason Kinsey
- Waived: RB Mekhi Sargent
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, C Keith Ismael, DE Bunmi Rotimi
Eagles, Panthers Not Serious Deshaun Watson Suitors
If the Texans are serious about unloading Deshaun Watson before this year’s trade deadline, they may be down to one interested suitor. The Dolphins appear to be bidding against themselves for the embattled quarterback, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports notes.
In addition to Watson’s off-field trouble, his no-trade clause limits the Texans. Watson is not believed to be interested in being dealt to Philadelphia, Jones adds, while Carolina’s interest cooled months ago. Indeed, the Texans’ conversations with the Panthers did not get far, Joe Person of The Athletic notes (subscription required).
[RELATED: Dolphins, Texans Talking Watson Trade]
The Panthers were perhaps the most interested Watson suitor before his off-field issues surfaced. Once the 22 accusations of sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct became tied to his future, the Dolphins have been the only team connected. Despite Brian Flores continuing to indicate confidence in Tua Tagovailoa, owner Stephen Ross‘ interest in Watson has complicated Miami’s quarterback situation. If Watson is to be dealt before this year’s Nov. 2 deadline, the Ross component would seemingly be what drives such a transaction.
The Carolina and Philadelphia conversations getting out this week may be a last-ditch Houston effort to push Miami to up its offer. The Texans set a historically high asking price for their talented quarterback — three first-rounders and two seconds. But with the Dolphins being the lone team expressing true interest, that stands to drive down the price. That is, unless the Texans are willing to table a trade until 2022.
It would seem that is Houston’s best chance at receiving full value for Watson, whose off-field troubles obviously have a better chance of being resolved by next season. The Texans have deactivated Watson for six games. Doing so for 11 more, thus erasing the QB’s age-26 season, and regrouping for a 2022 sweepstakes — when more teams figure to be in the mix — would make sense. The Texans having that card to play could induce the Dolphins to increase their offer now.
If the Dolphins are to acquire Watson now, the NFL may be forced to act regarding the commissioner’s exempt list. While the 81-year-old Ross is believed to be in win-now mode, the Dolphins — at 1-5 — are unlikely to contend this season. A move before Nov. 2 may be about landing Watson for 2022 and beyond, Jones offers, though a suspension next season likely looms.
Brian Flores: ‘Tua Is Our Quarterback’
The latest run of Deshaun Watson-to-Miami rumors has prompted Brian Flores to once again throw his support behind incumbent Tua Tagovailoa. Friday, the third-year Dolphins coach offered the latest such endorsement.
“Tua is our quarterback. I’m happy with our quarterback,” Flores said, adding that the second-year passer still has a chance to become a great NFL QB (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, on Twitter). “I don’t really get into rumors. We’re happy with our quarterback situation, and I’ll leave it at that.”
Linked to the Dolphins before the civil and criminal matters encircled him this offseason, Watson is believed to be on board with a trade to Miami — should one materialize. And the three-time Pro Bowler once again became a Dolphins talking point after a preseason report of Stephen Ross being willing to roll the dice on the embattled Texans passer surfaced. This week, word emerged the Texans and Dolphins are once again discussing a deal. Naturally, Tagovailoa’s status has come up again.
Coming into the NFL after a severe hip injury, Tagovailoa suffered broken ribs early this season but returned last week. The second-year southpaw missed the minimum three games while on IR and threw for 329 yards while completing 70% of his passes in Miami’s loss to Jacksonville in London. But the Watson rumors continue to overshadow his career. Some in the Dolphins organization are expressing doubt about Tagovailoa, leading to stronger connections to Watson.
Of course, the decision to trade for Watson would be above Flores’ paygrade. Ross would ultimately give the green light in this case, and while such a move would be somewhat controversial and obviously risky given Watson’s status, the Dolphins would upgrade considerably at quarterback. This would result in the team bailing on Tagovailoa quickly, however, and giving up considerable draft capital to do so.
A trade would also prove interesting for the Dolphins, given their 1-5 record. But a Watson deal would be a play for the Dolphins’ future, which is suddenly looking cloudy after the team’s 10-6 showing in 2020. Unless Watson is dealt to another team, rumors about Tua’s status will continue until the Nov. 2 trade deadline.
Latest On Dolphins, Deshaun Watson
The Dolphins are operating in “win now” mode, according to sources who spoke with Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork. Meanwhile, some in the front office are doubtful that Tua Tagovailoa is the answer at quarterback, further fueling their push for Texans QB Deshaun Watson. 
Dolphins execs can’t help but compare Tagovailoa’s performance to that of Justin Herbert, who has his Chargers off to a 4-2 start. Head coach Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier have reportedly tried to pump the breaks on Watson discussions, but owner Stephen Ross wants results and both men find themselves on the hot seat.
The reported asking price — three first-rounders and two second-round picks — is undoubtedly steep, especially since Watson could be suspended by the commissioner’s office as soon as he’s traded. Still, Ross’ win-now directive means that the team is not all that concerned about its future draft capital. Ross seems ready to do whatever it takes, even if that means an enormous gamble on Watson.
The Eagles and Panthers have also chatted with the Texans, though the timing of those talks is unclear. For what it’s worth, Darnold has cooled significantly, throwing six interceptions across three-straight Panthers losses. Meanwhile, the Birds are 2-4 with Jalen Hurts throwing for eight TDs against four INTs.
The Dolphins may or may not have competition, but the clock is ticking either way. If they can’t get a deal done by November 2nd, they’ll have to wait until next year for a shot at Watson.