NFL Workout Updates: 10/16/19
Here is the latest from the workout circuit:
Chicago Bears
- DL Daryle Banfield, DL Fadol Brown, C Anthony Fabiano, DL P.J. Johnson, T Kyle Murphy, C Keegan Render, DL Jay-Tee Tiuli (per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, on Twitter)
Cincinnati Bengals
- DE Nate Orchard, DT Anthony Zettel (via the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, on Twitter)
Cleveland Browns
- LB Marquis Flowers (per Wilson, on Twitter)
Green Bay Packers
- S Chris Johnson, RB David Williams (per Wilson, on Twitter)
Houston Texans
- T Chris Clark, T Kyle Murphy (per Howard Balzer of BalzerFootball.com, on Twitter)
Indianapolis Colts
- DB Trae Elston, S Mike Tyson, DB Isaiah Wharton (via Wilson, on Twitter)
Kansas City Chiefs
- DT Justin Ellis, DL Mike Pennel (per Wilson, on Twitter)
New England Patriots
- K Nick Folk, K Greg Joseph, K Austin MacGinnis, K/P Austin Rehkow, K Giorgio Tavecchio (per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, on Twitter)
New Orleans Saints
- RB Travaris Cadet (via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, on Twitter)
New York Jets
- C Ryan Crozier, DL Corbin Kaufusi, C James Murray (per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News and Wilson, Twitter links)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- RB Tony Brooks-James, RB Darrin Hall (via Wilson, on Twitter)
Seattle Seahawks
- LB Andrew Dowell (visit), LB Brady Sheldon, LB Sutton Smith, LB Pita Taumoepenu (via Balzer, Twitter links)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LB Keishawn Bierria, DB Jordan Brown, C Anthony Fabiano, LB Robert McCray, WR Eli Rogers, RB Aca’Cedric Ware, LB Kyle Wilson (per Jenna Laine and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, on Twitter)
Tennessee Titans
- LB Nigel Harris (per Wilson, on Twitter)
Washington Redskins
- FB Tommy Bohanon, FB Michael Burton, FB Derrick Coleman, RB Josh Ferguson, FB Tre Madden, FB Elijah Wellman (according to Wilson and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Twitter links)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/15/19
A look at the latest NFL practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Carson Meier
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Denzel Rice
- Released: S A.J. Howard
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Jordan Veasy
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Fadol Brown
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Gehrig Dieter
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Stephen Anderson, C Cole Toner
- Placed on practice squad IR: RB Detrez Newsome
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Nsimba Webster
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Davion Davis
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Tyler Gauthier, WR Devin Ross
- Released: K Younghoe Koo, TE Jason Vander Laan
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Jon Hilliman
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: RB James Butler, WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams
- Released: RB Damarea Crockett, DE Quinton Bell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: RB De’Angelo Henderson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Tony Brooks-James, T Christian DiLauro
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Deontay Burnett
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Brian Allen, S Adrian Colbert, TE Tyrone Swoopes, T Chad Wheeler
- Released: LB Malik Carney, CB Parry Nickerson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: LB Demone Harris, RB Darius Jackson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Nigel Harris
- Released: LB Ukeme Eligwe
Washington Redskins
- Signed: TE Wes Saxton, DB Maurice Smith
- Released: TE Drew Belcher, T Victor Salako
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/15/19
Here’s a rundown of early-week minor NFL moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL John Wetzel
- Waived/Injured: P Matt Wile
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S Bennett Jackson (from Jets’ practice squad)
- Placed on IR: S DeShon Elliott
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: WR Ray-Ray McCloud
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Alex Bars
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed: OL Fred Johnson (from Steelers)
- Placed on IR: DE Kerry Wynn
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: DT John Atkins
- Waived: WR Tom Kennedy
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: TE Evan Baylis
- Released: CB Tremon Smith
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Dan Skipper (from Patriots’ practice squad)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Carl Davis
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed: CB Ryan Lewis (from Eagles)
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: DE Tashawn Bower
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Eric Tomlinson
- Placed on IR: FB Jakob Johnson
- Waived: QB Cody Kessler
New York Jets
- Signed: S Blake Countess
- Waived: CB Arthur Maulet
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: CB Ryan Lewis
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Alex Ellis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DE L.T. Walton
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Devante Bond, WR Bobo Wilson
Washington Redskins
- Signed: FB Michael Burton
- Placed on IR: TE Jerome Cunningham
Patriots Suspend DE Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett has not seen the kind of role most expected when the Patriots acquired him from the Eagles, and he will miss the next Patriots game because of a suspension.
The Patriots gave Bennett a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. The veteran defensive end played just 11 of the Pats’ 50 defensive snaps in their Week 6 win over the Giants.
“On Friday, I had a philosophical disagreement with my position coach that has led to my suspension,” Bennett said, via ESPN.com’s Jordan Schultz (on Twitter). “I apologize to my teammates for any distraction this may have caused.”
Bennett and Patriots defensive line coach Bret Bielema‘s argument came in front of other players, per Reiss. The team watched film with coaches Friday before receiving the weekend off, but Bennett was not at Patriots practice Tuesday.
A longtime starter who played key roles with the Seahawks and Eagles, Bennett has seen fewer than 20 defensive snaps three times this season. He did not see time until the second quarter against the Giants last week. The Patriots sent a fifth-round pick to the Eagles to acquire him this year.
Patriots Designate N’Keal Harry For Return
N’Keal Harry is on course to return for the Patriots. Or, more accurately, he’s slated for his debut. 
On Tuesday, Harry took the practice field for the Pats, which is the first step towards returning from IR. Per league rules, he’ll be able to practice for the next two weeks before becoming eligible to play.
Harry has been sidelined since suffering an injury in the preseason opener. It was an unfortunate setback for the Arizona State product, who was taken with the No. 32 overall pick to become Bill Belichick‘s highest-selected wide receiver ever.
His pending return comes at a good time as Julian Edelman (chest), Josh Gordon (knee), and Phillip Dorsett (hamstring) are all banged up. The Pats also have Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski on the WR depth chart for support, but Harry offers higher upside than both.
Patriots To Re-Sign Ben Watson
The Patriots are set to bring back tight end Ben Watson, a source tells ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Watson was cut just last week, but he’ll return in the wake of injuries to tight end Matt LaCosse and fullback Jakob Johnson. 
Watson, 38, is still looking to make his 2019 season debut. He flirted with retirement before he signed with the Pats – then, he was slapped with a suspension for the first month of the year. Then, he got cut just before he was eligible to play.
Watson started his career in 2004 as a first-round pick of the Patriots. He been a key player in many offenses throughout his career, but he took on more of a backup role in 2018 with the Saints. Even as a secondary type in New Orleans, he still finished with 35 receptions for 400 yards and two touchdowns.
Patriots Eyeing Wide Receiver Help
While the Patriots are sitting pretty at 6-0, it sounds like the organization is feeling a bit uneasy about their receiver depth. As Jeff Howe of The Athletic writes, the front office would like to add a wideout prior to the October 29th trade deadline. It’s uncertain if New England is currently engaged in trade talks, but Howe says it’s easy to assume that Bill Belichick and Nick Caserio have reached out to rival executives.
Julian Edelman (ribs), Josh Gordon (knee), and Phillip Dorsett (hammy) are currently dealing with injuries, and Tom Brady hasn’t looked comfortable throwing to anyone beyond that trio and running back James White. While rookie first-rounder N’Keal Harry could start practicing next week, Howe writes that the Patriots would prefer a receiver who could “instantly command a defense’s respect, alleviate Edelman’s burden and help Brady.”
So who is the team eyeing? Howe says there’s hope within the Patriots organization that they could pry wideout Stefon Diggs away from the Vikings. It’s uncertain if Minnesota would consider trading the star receiver (the front office has said they won’t), and a deal would likely require a first-rounder. If another team engages in Diggs trade talks, then New England may be required to give up even more draft capital.
Assuming the Pats don’t end up with Diggs, Howe suggests a number of names that could be of interest to the defending champs. The organization had previously shown interest in Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders and Falcons wideout Mohamed Sanu, and Howe also points to former Pro Bowlers A.J. Green and Larry Fitzgerald (although their availability seems unlikely). The rest of the writer’s potential targets include Nelson Agholor (Eagles), Randall Cobb (Cowboys), Allen Hurns (Dolphins), and even Demaryius Thomas, who the Patriots traded to the Jets back in September.
Complicating the Patriots’ pursuit of a receiver is their limited cap space; the team is currently sitting with $3MM. The team could clear up some room by extending Brady, Devin McCourty, or Dont’a Hightower. Considering the team’s front-seven depth, the Patriots could also consider trading defensive end Michael Bennett.
Extra Points: Gronk, Patriots, WRs, Draft
Rob Gronkowski debuted as a FOX analyst Thursday night, but his former job continues to come up. Robert Kraft has yet to give up hope on the future Hall of Fame tight end returning to the Patriots.
“We all love Gronk, and I think the bottom line is he hasn’t put his retirement papers in,” Kraft said during an NFL Network appearance (Twitter link). “We can always pray and hope …. That’s a good academic argument that there is hope for us still with Gronk.”
The 30-year-old New England icon has continually denied he wants to come out of retirement but refuses to completely slam the door on a possible 10th season. Gronkowski said during his intro FOX broadcast he will “always keep the door open” for a Pats return. He said in August he was healthy enough to play. The team lost Josh Gordon in the first half of tonight’s game, and although it does not seem like the injury is serious — Gordon is questionable to return — the Pats’ offense is not as well-rounded as it was when Gronk created constant mismatches.
Here is the latest from around the league and the 2020 draft:
- The Patriots’ high-profile attempt at bringing in a Gronk-level talent ended with Antonio Brown‘s release after 11 days. Brown remains accused of sexual misconduct by two women. The first, Britney Taylor, refiled her civil suit against the unemployed wide receiver in Florida state court, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter). Taylor’s attorneys categorize this as a strategic move and indicated new counsel has joined the case. A league investigation is ongoing as well. No team has been closely connected to the 31-year-old superstar since the Patriots cut him last month.
- As for elite wideouts still in the league, evaluators shared some interesting views in a piece by The Athletic similar to its quarterback-tiers arrangement. Odell Beckham Jr. and Tyreek Hill join Julio Jones on the top tier here, with NFL personnel viewing DeAndre Hopkins and Michael Thomas as high-second-tier talents (subscription required). Hopkins’ penchant for contested catches prompted one OC to indicate the fear factor surrounding the Texans wideout is not the same as it is when game-planning for Jones or Beckham.
- Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses is set to miss all of his junior season because of a knee injury, but the might-have-been first-round talent still has NFL supporters should he declare for the 2020 draft. A group of NFL evaluators view Moses as being a second- or third-round prospect in 2020, Mike Rodak of al.com notes. Moses would be one of many Crimson Tide draftees in the 2020 draft, should he declare, with ESPN.com’s Todd McShay ranking six Alabama standouts in his top 30.
Patriots Considered Terry McLaurin In R3
Add the Patriots to the list of teams who were high on promising Redskins wideout Terry McLaurin. In addition to the Raiders, the Patriots were intrigued by the Ohio State alum, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes. The Pats considered McLaurin with the No. 73 pick but instead dealt the selection to the Bears in exchange for a 2020 fourth-round choice and drafted Damien Harris at No. 87. Washington nabbed McLaurin at No. 76, and he’s become the team’s top wideout. Part of the reason the Patriots sought the ex-Buckeye was his potential for special teams work, responsibilities he might not become too familiar with due to his high-value role in Washington.
- Stephen Gostkowski is under contract through the 2020 season, but with his salary rising from $1.1MM to $3.5MM, Reiss adds that the Patriots will examine that figure and determine if it’s worth it to bring the veteran back. The team also stands to look at other options in the draft. The Pats have not drafted a kicker since taking Gostkowski in the 2006 fourth round. New England made a change at punter this year, moving from longtime incumbent Ryan Allen to fifth-round rookie Jake Bailey. Gostkowski will be recovering from hip surgery but would surely generate interest elsewhere if the Patriots jettison him.
Antonio Brown To Patriots: Let Me Play
Antonio Brown took to Instagram on Wednesday to address the Patriots. His message: “Tell them to call me. They still gotta pay me, so might as well let me earn it.” (video via Michael Hurley of WBZ). 
Given the circumstances surrounding Brown and the Patriots’ undefeated record without Brown, a reunion seems incredibly unlikely. At this point, it’s unclear as to whether any other NFL team would consider signing the wide receiver.
While Brown petitions the Patriots to put him back on the field, he’s fighting a series of financial battles against the Raiders and Patriots. In total, Brown is seeking roughly $40MM in unpaid salary and bonuses. His grievances are unlikely to be heard until the spring. Reportedly, AB has a good chance of recouping his $9MM signing bonus from the Pats, but the rest is pretty iffy.
In recent weeks, Brown has threatened retirement and has wavered about his desire to continue playing. For what it’s worth, agent Drew Rosenhaus insists that Brown wants to play and that teams are interested, pending the league’s investigation into the assault allegations.