NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/13/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: T Givens Price, LB Scooby Wright
- Released: CB Ryan Lewis, RB James Summers
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Greg Mabin
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Josh Rounds
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Brian Brown
- Released: S Jameill Showers
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OT Storm Norton
- Cut: DE Pat O’Connor
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Darrell Greene
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T Tyreek Burwell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Larry Pinkard
- Released: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Jeff Richards
- Released: DE Isaac Rochell
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: C Jake Eldrenkamp
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: Antwione Williams
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Ryan Lewis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB L.J. Fort
- Released: LB Matt Galambos
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Gabe Holmes, CB Akeem King
Cardinals To Sign RB D.J. Foster
The Cardinals need a running back and an ASU alum is on his way to help. Arizona has signed D.J. Foster off of the Patriots’ practice squad, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
On Monday morning, the Cardinals learned that star David Johnson has suffered a dislocated wrist. Right now, the Cards are operating under the assumption that he’ll be out of action for approximately 12 weeks, meaning that he won’t be back on the field until December in a best-case scenario.
Foster missed the Patriots’ initial 53-man cut this year which wasn’t a huge surprise given their depth at the position. He signed on with the practice squad that same weekend, but it didn’t take long for another club to pry him loose.
Foster appeared in three games for New England last year. He totaled 24 yards off of seven attempts and also added one reception for two yards. His pass-catching ability may be his best quality – he had 59 receptions for 584 yards as a senior at ASU.
49ers Were Very Close To Hiring Josh McDaniels, Nick Caserio
This does not sound much different than what we heard back in January, when McDaniels and Caserio were considered the runaway favorites to become the 49ers’ head coach and GM, respectively, and it was reported that McDaniels only withdrew his name from consideration when Caserio declined to interview with San Francisco. Both men have been very discerning when considering their next landing spot, and for good reason, considering their success and relative job security in New England. It is unclear as to why Caserio opted not to interview with the 49ers, but according to La Canfora, the possibility of a McDaniels/Caserio tandem in the Bay Area was even more real than it originally appeared. They remain a potential package deal, and they could leave the Pats in 2018 if the right opportunity arises.
Although things could change very quickly, the 49ers are pleased with what they have seen from rookie head coach/GM tandem Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch during their brief tenures with the club. However, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that San Francisco “intently pursued” Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and player personnel director Nick Caserio this offseason and came very close to hiring both.
Patriots’ Dion Lewis Drawing Trade Interest
Patriots running back Dion Lewis is generating trade interest around the NFL, reports Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (via Twitter). The writer says “multiple squads” reached out to New England during the offseason, including “as recently as the past week.” So far, the Patriots have been unwilling to discuss the back, although Howe believes that could change by the late-October trade deadline. The writer also notes that New England isn’t shopping Lewis… they’ve simply received multiple calls about the running back.
After brief stops with the Eagles, Browns and Colts, Lewis had a breakout campaign during his first season in New England in 2015. The former fifth-rounder proved to be a threat in the passing game, hauling in 36 receptions for 388 yards and two touchdowns. He also added another 234 rushing yards and a pair of scores. However, his season ended early after he suffered a torn ACL. The 26-year-old returned midway through the 2016 season, finishing with a career-high 283 rushing yards.
However, coming into this season, Lewis’s role on the squad was unclear. Fellow pass-catching back James White had a noteworthy season in 2016, hauling in 60 receptions for 551 yards. White seemed to be the favored back during the Patriots’ season-opening loss on Thursday, collecting 10 carries and three receptions. On the flip side, Lewis only had a pair of carries for nine yards. With Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead also on the roster, Lewis would appear to be the most expendable of the bunch.
NFL Workout Updates: 9/8/17
Today’s NFL workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter unless otherwise noted:
Atlanta Falcons
- QBs Garrett Grayson and Mitch Leidner (link)
Carolina Panthers
- T Korren Kirven (link)
Detroit Lions
- QB Joel Stave; WR Malachi Dupre; OTs Landon Lechler and Givens Price; DT Taylor Harris; S James Sample (Twitter links)
Green Bay Packers
- G Darrell Greene; OTs Cornelius Lucas and Jeremiah Poutasi; DE Jhaustin Thomas (link)
Indianapolis Colts
- RB Kenjon Barner (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- DB Akeem King (link)
New England Patriots
- WR Gabe Marks; TE Ryan O’Malley (Twitter links via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Jets
- RB Cyrus Gray; TE Nick Truesdell; C Erik Austell; G Brandon Thomas; WRs K.J. Brent, Bug Howard, and Domonique Young; TE Robert Tonyan; DE Tyrone Holmes; DT Caraun Reid; LB Vontarrius Dora; CBs Elie Bouka, Jarnor Jones, Damian Swann, and Robert Nelson; S Trey Caldwell and K.J. Dillon (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Philadelphia Eagles
- DBs De’Vante Bausby, Elie Bouka, Trey Caldwell, and Jarnor Jones (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DE Jonathan Woodard; CBs Chris Humes and Sammy Seamster (link)
Tennessee Titans
- DB JaCorey Shepherd (link)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/8/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: T Zach Sterup
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Hakeem Valles, WR Noel Thomas
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Dee Virgin
- Released: DE Daniel Ross
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Nick Dzubnar
New England Patriots
- Signed: DB Jomal Wiltz
New Orleans Saints
- Released: DL Kristjan Sokoli
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: K Giorgio Tavecchio
- Released: LB Max Valles
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Kenny Lawler
- Released: WR Cyril Grayson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: T Justin Murray
- Placed on IR: T Marquis Lucas
Patriots Notes: Hightower, Grisson
- After leaving last night’s game against the Chiefs with a knee injury, Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower has escaped with only a minor MCL sprain, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. New England gets a 10-day break before playing again, so it’s possible Hightower will be able to suit up when the Pats face the Saints in Week 2. If Hightower can’t go, New England will likely turn to fellow ‘backers David Harris and Elandon Roberts to take on more snaps.
- After leaving last night’s game against the Chiefs with a knee injury, Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower has escaped with only a minor MCL sprain, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. New England gets a 10-day break before playing again, so it’s possible Hightower will be able to suit up when the Pats face the Saints in Week 2. If Hightower can’t go, New England will likely turn to fellow ‘backers David Harris and Elandon Roberts to take on more snaps.
- Patriots defensive end Geneo Grissom is the NFL’s highest-paid practice squad player at $36,716 per week, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. That’s an active roster salary for a player of Grissom’s experience (two accrued seasons), a clear indication New England wants to keep the former third-round pick around. For reference, the minimum salary for a practice squad player is $7,200 per week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/8/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: LB Scooby Wright
- Released: LB Philip Wheeler
Chicago Bears
- Released from IR: RB Ka’Deem Carey, QB Connor Shaw
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: LB B.J. Bello, DB Kai Nacua
Detroit Lions
- Released from IR: WR Dez Stewart
Houston Texans
- Released from IR: TE Rashaun Allen, S Lonnie Ballentine, CB Denzel Rice, DB Malik Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Josh Walker
New England Patriots
- Released from IR: DT Josh Augusta, WR Devin Lucien
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: T Bryce Harris
- Waived: RB Daniel Lasco
- Released from IR: TE John Phillips
Seattle Seahawks
- Released from IR: DT Rodney Coe
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released from IR: QB Sefo Liufau
Washington Redskins
- Released from IR: TE E.J. Bibbs, LB Ron Thompson Jr., LB Lynden Trail
Patriots Audition QB Matt Barkley
The Patriots worked out quarterbacks Matt Barkley, Matt McGloin, and David Fales on Friday, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
New England only has two quarterbacks on its roster after trading third-stringer Jacoby Brissett for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett last week, so the club is likely searching for depth. Of course, the Patriots’ top two signal-callers are Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo, so while they don’t need an immediate arm, the team is simply keeping its options open.
All three of Barkley (49ers), McGloin (Eagles), and Fales (Dolphins) were released by their respective clubs during final cutdowns. Barkley and McGloin are far more experienced than Fales, as both have started at least six career games and attempted at least 250 passes. Fales, on the other hand, has tossed only five passes in his career, all of which came in 2016 with the Bears.
Quarterback wasn’t the only position New England addressed in today’s workouts — the Patriots also took a look at former Browns receiver Jordan Payton, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com doesn’t expect the club to add an outside pass-catcher, even given the injuries to Julian Edelman, Malcolm Mitchell, and Danny Amendola.
Malcolm Butler, Pats Likely To Part In 2018
The Patriots aren’t expected to re-sign cornerback Malcolm Butler after the 2017 season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Butler, of course, was reportedly dangled in trade talks all offseason, and also had a restricted free agent dalliance with the Saints that ultimately led nowhere. Now that he’s in New England for one more year, Butler is teaming with free agent acquisition Stephon Gilmore to give the Patriots one of the more fearsome cornerback duos in the league. But it’s that hefty investment in Gilmore (five years, $65MM) that will likely lead to Butler going elsewhere.
New England has made Butler a “slew of offers” over the past few seasons, but none recently, per Rapoport, and the club is “done” negotiating with Butler. Additionally, the Patriots have no plans to use the franchise tag on Butler, as that would come with a price tag north of $15MM. Instead, New England hopes that Butler lands an expensive contract on the open market, which would in turn entitle the Pats to a 2019 compensatory selection.
A deal that makes Butler one of the NFL’s highest-paid corners isn’t out the question, as he’s started all 32 games over the past two seasons and ranked as the league’s No. 7 CB in 2016, per Pro Football Focus. Etched into the history books thanks to his game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX, Butler should surpass the $15MM per year barrier on the open market.