Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/16
Earlier today, the Steelers made a notable practice squad move when they signed running back Karlos Williams. Here’s the rest of today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Zac Dysert
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Lou Young
- Cut: S Marcus Ball
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Anthony Fabiano
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Jay Lee
- Cut: DB Charles Washington
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Senorise Perry
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Shaq Evans
- Cut: FB Glenn Gronkowski
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Eric Pinkins
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: TE Cooper Helfet
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL A.J. Francis
Ravens Claim OL Billy Turner Off Waivers
The Ravens have claimed offensive lineman Billy Turner off of waivers, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Turner was cut loose by the Dolphins on Tuesday. To make room, linebacker Chris Carter has been released.
Turner started 12 games for the Dolphins last year. This year, the team shifted him to the bench and he still did not produce to their liking in his reduced role. In five games (two starts), Pro Football Focus rated him as the 75th best tackle out of 76 qualified players this season. He earned a poor overall grade of 31.8 in 63 pass block snaps and 34 run block snaps.
Now, the Ravens are hoping that a change of scenery will breed better results. A former third-round pick, Turner played tackle collegiately but he moved to the interior for Miami. The Ravens recently added guard Vlad Ducasse, so it will be interesting to see what their O-Line looks like by the end of the week.
Dolphins DT Earl Mitchell On Pace To Return
Help could be on the way for the Dolphins’ woeful pass rush. Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, who was placed on IR earlier this year, says that he is on track to return after his eight-week shelving period ends (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald). 
So far, the D-Line led by high-priced tackle Ndamukong Suh has underperformed. The return of Mitchell could give the Dolphins a boost, though he won’t be eligible to return until Week 9 at the earliest.
Mitchell left the Texans in free agency to sign with the Dolphins prior to the 2014 season. The defensive tackle received a four-year, $19MM deal with $8MM guaranteed. In his first year as a Dolphin, Mitchell was a highly-valued sub as he notched 33 total tackles and 2.0 sacks. Last year, he had 22 total tackles and no sacks in 12 games (all starts).
Earlier today, Miami promoted Leon Orr from the practice squad to aid their DT group.
Dolphins Promote DT Leon Orr
The Dolphins have promoted defensive tackle Leon Orr from their practice squad, as Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets. 
Orr appeared in three games for the Raiders last season. This year, he spent training camp with Oakland but was let go prior to the 75-man deadline. He was then out of work for a few weeks, but he ultimately hooked on with Miami’s taxi squad on Sept. 20. Now, he’s back on the varsity squad.
The 2015 UDFA out of Florida joins a defensive tackle group headlined by Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips. He’ll play in a support role along with Chris Jones and Julius Warmsley.
The Dolphins are currently dead last in the NFL when it comes to run defense. Miami is hoping that a deeper defensive tackle rotation can help fix that.
Lions Only Have Three 2013 Draftees Left
- With Dallas Thomas cut today, only three members of the Dolphins‘ nine-man 2013 draft class left are Dion Jordan, Jelani Jenkins, and Dion Sims, as Alex Marvez of The Sporting News tweets. Clearly, none of that trio has made a significant thus far in their Miami careers.
Dolphins Audition Four
- The Dolphins worked out cornerbacks Darrin Walls and Blidi Wreh-Wilson before signing Chimdi Chekwa, tweets Caplan, who adds that Miami also auditioned offensive tackle David Foucault. The Dolphins also worked out linebacker Trevor Reilly, according to Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Davis Tull
- Cut: P Michael Palardy
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: K Marshall Morgan (Twitter link via Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Brian Mihalik
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: C Jake Brendel, T Terry Poole (Twitter link via Howard Balzer)
- Cut: G Jamil Douglas (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com)
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Ian Silberman (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- Signed: QB Logan Thomas (Twitter link via James Kratch of NJ.com)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Don Cherry, CB Duke Thomas
- Cut: FB Andrew Bonnet, G Darrell Greene
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: FB Julian Howsare
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: LB Josh Keyes
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Joey Mbu
- Cut: CB Robertson Daniel, LB Jason Fanaika
Dolphins Sign CB Chimdi Chekwa
Out with the old, in with the new. The Dolphins are making serious roster changes this week, and that includes changes to their secondary. Today, the Dolphins announced that they have signed cornerback Chimdi Chekwa. 
[RELATED: Dolphins Claim Bene Benwikere Off Waivers]
The addition of Chekwa comes one day after the team claimed Bene Benwikere off waivers from the Panthers. Benwikere had an awful day against Julio Jones on Oct. 2, but Miami sees that as more of an aberration than anything.
As for Chekwa, the Dolphins are pretty familiar with him after he spent the bulk of the offseason in Miami. Chekwa just missed the 53-man cut and after searching for employment over the last five weeks, he has come back to South Beach. At one point in time, the Dolphins were eyeing the 28-year-old as a potential starter.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins To Cut RB Isaiah Pead
They’re cleaning house in Miami today. The Dolphins are releasing running back Isaiah Pead, according to Alex Marvez of the Sporting News (on Twitter). 
Pead reportedly missed a meeting in advance of Miami’s Week 2 matchup against New England, which led him and fellow meeting-skipper Damien Williams to be inactive for that game. That incident didn’t endear him to coaches and his play this season hasn’t done him any favors either. In three games, Pead has eight carries for 22 yards plus one catch for six yards. After his so-so work in an extremely limited sample, Miami is shaking up the RB depth chart.
Earlier today, the Dolphins also cut offensive linemen Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Dolphins Cut OLs Thomas, Turner
The Dolphins have informed offensive lineman Billy Turner that he’s going to be released, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Dallas Thomas also getting released, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Miami is signing tackle Sam Young.
Turner started 12 games for the Dolphins last year and the team shifted him to the bench this year. In his five games (two starts), Pro Football Focus rated him as the 75th best tackle out of 76 qualified players this season. He earned a poor overall grade of 31.8 in 63 pass block snaps and 34 run block snaps.
A fourth-year Fins guard, Thomas started every game last season. This year, he was bumped to a reserve role and he made his first appearance of the year last week. For one reason or another, the team decided to part ways with the former third-rounder.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.