NFL Workout Updates: 10/3/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Arizona Cardinals
- OTs Javarius Leamon and Storm Norton; LB Carl Bradford (link)
Baltimore Ravens
- QB Stephen Morris (link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com); TEs Evan Baylis and Henry Krieger-Coble; CBs Dante Blackmon (link); DB Bennett Jackson (link via Dan Duggan of NJ.com)
Buffalo Bills
- RBs Jalen Simmons and Brandon Wilds (link)
Cleveland Browns
- RBs Josh Rounds and Kelvin Taylor; TEs Evan Baylis, Alex Ellis, Anthony Firkser, and Henry Krieger-Coble (link)
Houston Texans
- RBs Kapri Bibbs and Troymaine Pope; LBs Josh Forrest and Michael Mauti; DBs Charlie Miller, Ed Reynolds, and Andrew Williamson (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- TE Gabe Holmes; OL Anthony Fabiano, Gino Gradkowski, G Cole Toner (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- QB Sefo Liufau; WRs Dres Anderson and Nelson Spruce; DT Woodrow Hamilton (link)
Los Angeles Rams
- P Brock Miller (link)
Miami Dolphins
- WRs Jordan Payton and Jordan Williams; OLs Willie Beavers and Jake Rodgers (link)
New Orleans Saints
- TEs Jim Dray, Gavin Escobar, and Brian Parker; OL Andrew Gardner; DT John Hughes (link)
New York Jets
- WR Tavarres King; DT Ed Stinson; S Mykkele Thompson (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- TE Cooper Helfet (link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DBs Jordan Dangerfield and Harold Jones-Quartey (link)
Tennessee Titans
- WRs Chris Harper, Anthony Nash, Tim Patrick, and Keenan Reynolds (link)
Washington Redskins
- QB Garrett Grayson (link via Pelissero); WRs Amba Etta-Tawo, Kalif Raymond, and Nelson Spruce; OTs Reid Fragel, Javarius Leamon, and Victor Salako (link)
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/3/17
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: S Trae Elston, S Shamarko Thomas
- Placed on injured reserve: S Colt Anderson
- Released: S Robert Blanton
- Waived: DE Eric Lee
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: WR Damiere Byrd
- Released from IR: LB Jeremy Cash
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted to active roster: LB Deon King
- Signed off Eagles‘ practice squad: WR Bryce Treggs
- Placed on IR: LB Dominique Alexander
Houston Texans
- Signed: DB Marcus Cromartie
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed off Redskins‘ practice squad: G Kyle Kalis
- Signed: C Mike Person
- Placed on IR: C Deyshawn Bond
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted to active roster: DB Jordan Lucas
- Placed on IR: T Eric Smith
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: FB Zach Line, LB Gabe Martin
- Released: DL Kendall Langford
- Waived: LB Ben Heeney
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: LB Josh Carraway
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/3/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Connor Harris, OL Vinston Painter
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Gabe Holmes, CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
- Cut: CB Josh Thornton
- Placed on IR: FB Ricky Ortiz
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Zeek Bigger
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Rannell Hall
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Brandon Thomas
- Cut: WR Noel Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Evan Baylis
- Placed on injured list: TE Marcus Lucas
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Kolby Listenbee
New York Jets
- Cut: RB Marcus Murphy
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB D.J. Killings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: TE/FB Alan Cross
- Cut: RB Russell Hansbrough
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR C.J. Board
- Cut: CB Kenneth Durden
Washington Redskins
- Signed: QB Joel Stave, OL Jerry Ugokwe
- Released: QB Alek Torgersen
Hip Injury Could Cut Pouncey's Career Short
Mike Pouncey has played in each of the Dolphins‘ three games this season after missing 11 2016 contests. But he gave a sobering glimpse into his future in the NFL, with the hip injury he suffered last season looking like a seminal setback. The perennial Pro Bowl blocker said the length of his career will be determined by how his hip holds up, adding that he will need hip-replacement surgery in the next “five to 10 years.””
Dolphins Demote Byron Maxwell
One year ago, almost to the day, the Dolphins demoted starting cornerback Byron Maxwell. Today, after starting Miami’s first two games of the 2017 regular season, Maxwell has again been relegated to the bench, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. In fact, Maxwell has been deactivated for the team’s London matchup against New Orleans, though that’s because he tweaked his hamstring in warmups. Schefter says that Maxwell would have been active today but for the hamstring issue (Twitter links).
Maxwell has disappointed since leaving Seattle as a free agent after the 2014 season and signing a six-year, $63MM contract with Philadelphia. After the 6-foot-1, 203-pounder didn’t live up to his deal with the Eagles in 2015, they elected last offseason to send him, linebacker Kiko Alonso, and the 13th pick in the 2016 draft to Miami for the eighth overall selection in that draft.
Despite his 2016 demotion, Maxwell did end up starting 13 games for the Fins last year, and he posted a pair of interceptions for the third consecutive season. In fact, he played pretty well after his demotion, so perhaps the Dolphins are hoping for the same sort of spark this year. Maxwell currently grades out as Pro Football Focus’ 13th-worst corner out of 109 eligible players.
Rookie Cordrea Tankersley will get the start in Maxwell’s place. Tankersley, whom the Dolphins selected in the third round of this year’s draft, was inactive for the club’s first two games this season, but Miami is hoping he can become a fixture in its defensive backfield sooner rather than later. The Dolphins can release Maxwell after the season without absorbing any dead money, and they almost certainly will not bring him back on his current deal.
Brandon Fields Retires
- Punter Brandon Fields has announced his retirement from the NFL following a nine-year career, his agent announced on Twitter. Fields, 33, last played for the Saints in 2015, but is most well-known for his eight-season run with the Dolphins from 2007-14. The former seventh-round pick appeared in 130 career games and maintained a yards per punt average of 46.7.
Lawrence Timmons Addresses Status
The Dolphins made Lawrence Timmons‘ suspension shortlived, reinstating the linebacker earlier this week. Timmons addressed his status, albeit vaguely. Adam Gase also said there’s a possibility Timmons could make his Dolphins debut Sunday against the Saints in London.
“To all the fans of the Miami Dolphins and to everyone, I’m just happy to be back here,” Timmons said, via James Walker of ESPN.com. “Sorry to the organization. I’m just happy to be a Miami Dolphin. I just want to play football and be the best I can.”
Timmons declined to say why he went AWOL from the team before Week 2. Gase said he and Timmons “worked through a couple of things,” adding he feels confident the linebacker will be able to contribute to the team. The former Steelers linebacker was said to have visited his old team’s facility during the Dolphins’ Hurricane Irma-induced bye in Week 1. Timmons would be a welcome addition to a Dolphins team that remains thin at linebacker, even after the Stephone Anthony acquisition.
Dolphins’ Jarvis Landry Won’t Face Charges
After being accused of battery in early August, it sounds like Dolphins wideout Jarvis Landry won’t face charges. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport passes along (via Twitter) that the Florida State attorney will not file charges of domestic violence.
“I am very thankful that this matter is over and my family and I can put this behind us now,” Landry said in a statement (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). “I greatly respect and appreciate the Broward County State Attorney’s Office for their hard work and thorough investigation into this matter and I am thankful that they were able to come to a conclusion that reaffirms the true facts that no crime was committed. My daughter’s mother and I will continue to co-parent to raise our child in a happy and healthy environment. I would like to thank my family and friends for their continued support throughout this process.”
=While Landry won’t be charged with a crime, he may still face discipline from the NFL, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). Meanwhile, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets that the case still “remains under conduct policy review.” The initial incident took place earlier this year and involved the mother of Landry’s child. The player has maintained his innocence, according to Beasley.
In the unlikely event that Landry was suspended, it’s be quite the blow to the Dolphins offense. Through two games, the receiver has already hauled in 19 receptions for 126 yards. The 2014 second-rounder has been a standout in Miami over the past two seasons, averaging 102 receptions, 1146 yards, and four touchdowns over that span. Landry has recently been pursuing a contract extension, although the team has yet to make him an offer. Coach Adam Gase was previously adamant that the ongoing legal issue had no impact on negotiations.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/26/17
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Released: DT Deandre Coleman
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Tim Lelito
- Placed on IR: OG Joe Dahl
Houston Texans
- Released: WR Andy Jones
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted to active roster: WR Krishawn Hogan
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: LB Justin March-Lillard
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR: WR B.J. Johnson
Dolphins Reinstate LB Lawrence Timmons
Dolphins linebacker Lawrence Timmons has been reinstated by the team, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) has learned. With his suspension lifted, he will play on Sunday versus the Saints. 
Timmons went AWOL prior to Miami’s Week 2 contest and was suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team. At the time of the ban, the Dolphins gave little indication as to whether Timmons would ever be able to rejoin the squad. We later learned that Timmons left the team in L.A. to visit the mother of his child in Pennsylvania. He did not notify the team of his plans beforehand.
Timmons reportedly visited the Steelers (his former team) during Miami’s Week 1 bye and watched the club practice. We don’t know exactly what is going on with the veteran, but it sounds like homesickness is at least part of it.
The Dolphins managed to beat the Chargers without Timmons in Week 2, but they lost to the Jets on Sunday. Miami will look to get back on the right track this weekend against the Saints in London, England.
Miami signed Timmons to a two-year, $12MM deal in the offseason. In 2016, he racked up 114 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions for the Steelers. When he went AWOL in Week 2, he missed his first game since 2009.