Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/19
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Steve Longa
- Released: S Marcus Gilchrist
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Waived: CB Xavier Crawford
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Krishawn Hogan
- Waived: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Saints To Start Drew Brees In Week 8
Drew Brees will return to action Sunday. Although Sean Payton was not planning to announce a starter until Sunday, Ed Werder of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) Brees will be tabbed to return.
The Saints have a Week 9 bye, but Brees got in three limited practices this week. Brees has been sidelined since Week 2 with a thumb injury but will step back into the lineup for a Saints team that went 5-0 with backup Teddy Bridgewater.
This marked the longest injury-related absence of Brees’ 19-year career, but he progressed ahead of schedule and will return to lead a 6-1 Saints team. Brees underwent surgery to repair a ligament in this throwing thumb but will be entrusted to keep the Saints’ win streak going.
The 12-time Pro Bowler led the team to the NFC title game last season, doing so after shattering his own completion percentage record (74.4%). The NFL’s all-time leading passer, Brees threw 32 touchdown passes for the Saints last season. The Saints are gunning for their third straight NFC South title, and Brees obviously stands to make New Orleans a more prohibitive favorite. The team is on the lookout for an additional Brees receiving target in advance of the trade deadline.
Drew Brees Week 8 Return Possible
Sean Payton did not name his Week 8 starting quarterback, indicating a decision on Drew Brees‘ Week 8 status will not come until at least Saturday. The Saints‘ starting quarterback has lobbied to play Sunday against the Cardinals and worked in three limited practices this week. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has fared well in his workout sessions available to the media this week, per The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell, who would be surprised if Brees didn’t start this week (Twitter link). Brees has missed the past five Saints games with a thumb injury; Teddy Bridgewater has piloted the team to five wins in that span. New Orleans has a bye next week, so it still wouldn’t be too shocking if Brees was held out until Week 10.
- Alvin Kamara worked in a limited capacity twice this week. Listed as questionable, the Saints running back may also see the team’s upcoming bye week affect his status. Kamara is battling an ankle injury, which sidelined him last week.
NFL Workout Updates: 10/23/19
Today’s workout updates:
Detroit Lions
- T Casey Tucker; Ss Kentrell Brice, Marcus Gilchrist, David Jones (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Indianapolis Colts
- DE Tashawn Bower; DTs Justin Ellis, Christian Ringo (link via Wilson)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- DE Jonathan Bonner; DTs P.J. Johnson, Ray Smith (Twitter link via Howard Balzer)
Miami Dolphins
- OTs Dino Boyd, Pace Murphy, Tyler Roemer; DTs Daryle Banfield, Jalen Dalton, Eddie Vanderdoes (link via Wilson)
New Orleans Saints
- FB Ricky Ortiz; WRs Jonathan Duhart, Jake Lampman, Charone Peake; CB Captain Munnerlyn; S Briean Boddy-Calhoun (link via Balzer)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/2019
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Devin Gray
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Kelvin McKnight
- Released: OL Tyler Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DT Brian Price
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Jalen Guyton
- Released: OT Tyree St. Louis
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Aaron Monteiro
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Trae Elston, TE Jason Vander Laan
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/23/19
Here are today’s minor transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Released: WR Damion Willis
Denver Broncos
- Claimed: DL Jonathan Harris (from Bears)
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: RB Paul Perkins
Houston Texas
- Promoted: WR Steven Mitchell Jr.
New England Patriots
- Signed: DB Justin Bethel
- Released: DB Jordan Richard, TE Eric Tomlinson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Stephone Anthony, CB Johnson Bademosi
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: DT Hassan Ridgeway
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: G Jordan Roos
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/22/19
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: LB Ramik Wilson.
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR DeAndrew White
- Placed on IR: CB Natrell Jamerson
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DE Jonathan Harris
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Jaguars’ practice squad: DT Eli Ankou
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Steven Mitchell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Donald Payne
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Joe Giles-Harris
- Placed on IR: LB D.J. Alexander, TE Geoff Swaim
- Waived: CB Parry Nickerson
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: CB Marcus Sherels
New England Patriots
- Waived: S Jordan Richards
New Orleans Saints
- Released: LB Ray-Ray Armstrong, RB Zach Zenner
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Devante Downs
- Waived: TE Garrett Dickerson, LB Tuzar Skipper
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Kasim Edebali
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: LS Garrison Sanborn
Saints Eyeing Pass-Catching Help
The Patriots and 49ers strengthened their aerial groups Tuesday, and the Saints are exploring the idea of doing the same. New Orleans is pursuing pass catchers, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (on Twitter). The Saints made a late-season addition of Dez Bryant last year but saw the longtime Cowboy go down before playing in a 2018 game. This Saints iteration has surprised many by going 5-0 with Teddy Bridgewater at the controls, firmly placing the team in the contention picture. This offense has long funneled through Michael Thomas, with a steep drop existing between New Orleans’ No. 1 target and its other receiving targets. A.J. Green could be available, but the Bengals wideout may not be healthy by the deadline. Robby Anderson could also be a trade candidate, as could Demaryius Thomas (again).
2019 NFL Cap Space, By Team
With eight days to go before the 2019 trade deadline, here’s a look at the cap space possessed by each team, via ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter):
1. Colts: $43.5M
2. Browns: $32.9M
3. Dolphins: $28M
4. Bills: $24.7M
5. Cowboys: $24M
6. Titans: $23.7
7. Chiefs: $23.1M
8. Raiders: $22.4M
9. Eagles: $22.2M
10. Texans: $21.6M
11. Lions: $18.9M
12. Bears: $17M
13. 49ers: $14.4M
14. Panthers: $14.2M
15. Bengals: $13.6M
16. Redskins: $13.5M
17. Jaguars: $10.3M
18. Broncos: $10M
19. Packers: $9.5M
20. Seahawks: $7.8M
21. Buccaneers: $6.5M
22. Jets: $6.1M
23. Rams: $4.6M
24. Cardinals: $4.1M
25. Chargers: $4.1M
26. Steelers: $3.4M
27. Patriots: $2.5M
28. Giants: $2.2M
29. Ravens: $2.1M
30. Saints: $1.9M
31. Falcons: $1.7M
32. Vikings: $623K
Saints Work Out Kayvon Webster
Saints cornerback Eli Apple left their game on Sunday against the Bears with an injury. While original reports suggested Apple hyperextended his knee, the organization has yet to reveal how much time they expect him to miss. However, the team has begun looking at replenishing their secondary depth, holding a workout with free-agent corner Kayvon Webster according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Webster began his career with the Broncos, who selected him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of South Florida. He served as a primary backup for four seasons in Denver before signing with the Rams in 2017 to be one of the team’s top corners. He started eleven games before suffering a season ending injury.
Since then, Webster has appeared in just two games – both with the Texans in 2018. A combination of injuries and roster shuffling has left him on the outskirts of NFL rosters.
The Saints originally signed Webster in June of this year, but released him prior to the start of the regular season. Since his release, Webster has worked out for the Jets, but his familiarity with New Orleans would make him a good fit, if they do want to supplement their secondary while Apple recovers.