Minor NFL Transactions: 11/3/15
Here are Tuesday’s minor signings, cuts, and other non-trade transactions from around the NFL:
- The Raiders cut wide receiver/kick returner Walter Powell, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets.
- The Saints signed wide receiver T.J. Graham while cutting fullback Austin Johnson and safety Akeem Davis, according to Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune (Twitter links).
Earlier Updates:
- The Chargers, once again dealing with a banged-up offensive line, are re-signing veteran center J.D. Walton, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Chris Watt, who had seen some time at center, was among San Diego’s offensive linemen who left Sunday’s game against the Ravens due to an injury.
- With Keenan Allen headed to the injured reserve list, the Chargers will also be signing wide receiver Javontee Herndon, who had been on the club’s practice squad, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link). Herndon certainly won’t be counted on to emulate Allen’s production, but he’ll provide some depth for San Diego’s receiving corps.
- The Texans are signing former Chiefs sixth-round pick Eric Kush to their 53-man roster, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). The 26-year-old interior offensive lineman will join the Houston roster in the wake of a knee injury to C/G Greg Mancz, who has been placed on IR, Wilson observes (via Twitter).
- Former Jaguars linebacker James-Michael Johnson is signing with the Lions, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While Johnson didn’t see much action for either the Jags or Bucs this season, he earned 18 starts for the Browns and Chiefs from 2012 to 2014.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/3/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves from across the league:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR C.J. Goodwin (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)
- Cut: WR LaRon Byrd (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post)
Baltimore Ravens
- To be signed: Chuck Jacobs (via The Baltimore Sun)
Buffalo Bills
- Cut: RB Miguel Maysonet (Twitter link via team)
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S Ryan Murphy (link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post)
- Cut: DT Deandre Coleman
Houston Texans
- Cut: RB Daryl Richardson (via Wilson)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Ben Heenan (Twitter link via team)
- Cut: G David Arkin
New Orleans Saints
- Cut: DB Sammy Seamster (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune)
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Matt LaCosse (Twitter link via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post), S Cooper Taylor (Twitter link via Dan Graziano of ESPN.com)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Shelby Harris (Twitter link via Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: RB Dreamius Smith (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune), OLB Ryan Mueller (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: CB Chris Davis (press release via team)
- Removed: DL Kaleb Ramsey (suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances)
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: TE Rashaun Allen (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: LB Julian Stanford (press release via team)
Saints To Re-Sign Tim Hightower
With Khiry Robinson sidelined for the remainder of the 2015 season, the Saints are filling his spot on the roster by bringing back free agent running back Tim Hightower, according to Evan Woodbery of the New Orleans Times-Picayune (via Twitter).
Hightower, 29, hasn’t appeared in an NFL regular season game since the 2011 season, when he started five games for Washington. The former fifth-round pick, who had some productive seasons with the Cardinals early in his NFL career, was attempting a comeback this year, and had a solid preseason with the Saints. However, we was cut by the team in September before seeing any regular-season snaps.
The Saints reportedly brought in multiple running backs for workouts today before deciding on Hightower. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that former third overall pick Trent Richardson was among the backs who earned a look from New Orleans, while Nick Underhill of The Advocate tweets that ex-Saint Travaris Cadet also met with the club.
Hightower will join a Saints backfield that also features Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller, and undrafted rookie Marcus Murphy, who contributes primarily in a return role.
Saints’ Khiry Robinson Out For Season
The Saints clawed their way back to .500 with a wild 52-49 win over the Giants on Sunday, but the team’s third straight victory came at a cost. Head coach Sean Payton confirmed today that running back Khiry Robinson underwent surgery on a broken leg, and will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2015 season (Twitter link via Andrew Siciliano of the NFL Network).
Robinson, 25, had complemented Mark Ingram in the running game this year, serving as an effective receiver out of the backfield as well. In his eight games, Robinson established a new career high with 17 receptions, adding 180 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 56 carries.
With Robinson sidelined, the Saints could turn to C.J. Spiller and rookie Marcus Murphy to shoulder heavier loads. Signing a fourth running back will also be a possibility, with Robinson certainly headed to the injured reserve list in the coming days.
Robinson’s contract with the Saints expires at season’s end, so there’s a chance he has played his last game for the team. Still, he’ll be eligible for restricted free agency this winter, so New Orleans will have an opportunity to extend him a qualifying offer.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/15
Here are the day’s minor moves:
- In what is becoming a familiar transaction, the Saints have waived receiver T.J. Graham, head coach Sean Payton confirmed to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com (Twitter link). After being cut from Jets camp at the end of the summer, Graham joined New Orleans on October 20, was waived a week later, re-added to the roster, and has now been cut again. Ross Ventrone and Josh Johnson send their regards.
NFC Notes: Niners, Kaepernick, Saints
When asked about a report that he got into an altercation with left tackle Joe Staley, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis offered up a denial, as Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle writes.
“I don’t recall that,” Davis said “I don’t know where that’s coming from. It’s funny to me. He’s been like a brother to me… We’ve had arguments in the past. My first year, I remember, I came here and we got into it. We got into right then and seconds later we were hanging out, laughing and drinking sodas together.”
While Davis claims the incident didn’t happen, several reporters have suggested that a skirmish between Staley and Davis arose after the tight end called out quarterback Colin Kaepernick in a players-only meeting. Here’s more on the Niners, along with a few other NFC teams:
- 49ers CEO Jed York and GM Trent Baalke should step up right now and squash the rumblings about Kaepernick’s future with the organization, Tim Kawakami of The Mercury News writes. Kawakami feels that the front office can put the QB’s mind at ease by saying that the Niners still plan on building around him, but the team yet to do so. The franchise also allowed speculation to run rampant over ex-coach Jim Harbaugh, whom some might say was San Francisco’s best coach in decades.
- In his latest piece for TheMMQB.com, former Packers executive Andrew Brandt examines a pair of NFC East defensive ends, writing that the Cowboys will be negotiating against themselves if they try to extend Greg Hardy, and suggesting that Jason Pierre-Paul‘s fireworks accident will likely end up costing him about $7-10MM in salary this season.
- When the Saints traded defensive lineman Akiem Hicks to New England for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui earlier this season, many pundits didn’t like the deal for New Orleans. However, as Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes, Hoomanawanui has seen more playing time than Hicks on his new team, and has allowed the Saints to bring a new wrinkle to their offense, with multiple three-tight-end sets.
- The Saints tried out defensive back Brandon Dixon on Thursday, according to a source who spoke with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Saints To Sign Jo-Lonn Dunbar
The Saints are set to sign linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, according to a league source who spoke with Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune. Dunbar played for New Orleans from 2008 to 2011.
Dunbar, 30, was released by the Rams on Tuesday. He originally signed with the Saints as a UDFA in 2008 and he went on to play in 53 games for them with 27 starts. This time around, Dunbar is expected to provide the Saints with some much needed depth at linebacker. New Orleans linebackers David Hawthorne and Dannell Ellerbe have both missed practice this week with injuries and their status for Sunday’s game against the Giants is in doubt. Dunbar has played both inside and outside linebacker over the course of his career, but his role right now with the Saints might involve more special teams work.
Dunbar signed a two-year, $3.5MM deal with the Rams prior to the 2014 season that saw him reprise a similar role from 2013. Coming off the field on most passing downs while James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree played three-down roles, Dunbar was the Rams’ worst-rated starting linebacker, per Pro Football Focus, in both 2013 and 2014 for St. Louis. In 2012, however, PFF tabbed Dunbar as the Rams’ best linebacker. Dunbar played both strong- and weak-side positions with the Rams.
Workout Notes: Saints, Seahawks, Jaguars
Today’s workouts from around the NFL..
- The Jets worked out defensive end Lawrence Okoye, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com tweets. Okoye, a former University of Kentucky discus hurler, had previous stops with the 49ers and Cardinals.
Earlier updates:
- The Saints tried out John Conner and Henry Hynoski, a league source tells Mike Florio of PFT. New Orleans already has a fullback on the roster in Austin Johnson, but he was a surprise scratch on Sunday and he may have fallen out of favor with coaches. Conner, nicknamed the Terminator, was a favorite of Rex Ryan while with the Jets. Conner followed Ryan to Buffalo in 2015, but he was let go before the start of the season. Hynoski, a four-year veteran, spent his full career with the Giants and appeared in every game last year.
- The Seahawks had ten players in for tryouts on Monday, including running back Isaiah Pead and defensive end Lawrence Okoye, a source tells Florio. Linebacker John Lotulelei, tackle Jesse Davis, guard Taylor Boggs, defensive end Keith Browner, guard Kadeem Edwards, defensive end Efe Obada, and defensive end DeAngelo Tyson were also showing their stuff for Seattle.
- The Jaguars brought in kickers Zach Hocker and Randy Bullock for a workout on Wednesday, but Josh Scobee was not among those in attendance, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
- In addition to their previously reported look at Jeff Demps, the Jets tried out running back Akeem Hunt on Tuesday, a league source tells Florio. Wide receiver Larry Pinkard also got a look from Gang Green. Chris Ivory is dealing with tightness in his quad, so the Jets might opt to add a running back if he needs to sit out for a while.
- The Browns recently worked out cornerbacks Bill Bentley, Chase Casey, Al Louis-Jean, and Robert Steeples, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Cardinals worked out Emmanuel Acho, James Anderson and Ja’Gared Davis, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Falcons worked out Mike Gillislee and Devin Wylie, Wilson tweets.
- The Panthers worked out Andrew Miller, Wilson tweets.
- The Jets worked out wide receiver Larry Pinkard, Wilson tweets.
- The Steelers worked out Dwight Bentley and Montell Garner, Wilson tweets.
- The Raiders worked out Dyshawn Davis, Wilson tweets.
- The Saints worked out Jeff Luc, Patrick Scales, Jason Williams, and Christian Yount, Wilson tweets.
- The Packers worked out Justin Anderson, Curtis Grant, and Ronald Powell, Wilson tweets.
- The Colts worked out Sean Baker, Matt Daniels, outside linebacker Mike McAdoo, and Dreamius Smith, Wilson tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/15
With Week 8’s slate of games around the corner, NFL teams are getting their rosters ready for their upcoming contests. Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions from around the league:
- The Texans cut Mike McFarland from injured reserve with an injury settlement, Wilson tweets.
- A day after being cut by the Colts, safety and special-teamer Dewey McDonald has been claimed off waivers by the Patriots, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, adding that New England will need to open a roster spot to make it official.
Earlier updates:
- The Ravens have placed rookie receiver Darren Waller on injured reserve, ending his season, per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). Offensive tackle De’Ondre Wesley has been promoted to the active roster to give the team some depth, as Eugene Monroe battles a shoulder injury.
- The Jets have also made a move to provide insurance for a banged-up offensive lineman, elevating Wesley Johnson to their active roster, according to the team (Twitter link). Veteran center Nick Mangold suffered a neck injury against the Patriots, though he may not have to miss much – if any – time.
- As expected, the Buccaneers – who will be without Louis Murphy for the rest of the season and Vincent Jackson in the short term – have promoted wide receiver Adam Humphries from their practice squad, tweets Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
- The Jaguars have signed linebacker Hayes Pullard from off the Browns’ practice squad, waiving linebacker James-Michael Johnson to clear a space on their roster, according to John Oehser of Jaguars.com (Twitter link).
- Having been cut from the 53-man roster on Saturday, wide receiver T.J. Graham re-signed with the Saints today, per Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune. Graham takes the roster spot that opened up when New Orleans waived cornerback Sammy Seamster.
Practice Squad Updates: 10/27/15
Today’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Gus Johnson (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle), WR Devon Wylie (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)
- Cut: RB Juhwan Edwards, LB Derek Akunne (link)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: G Reese Dismukes (Twitter link via Panthers)
- Cut: C Eric Kush
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: FB Blake Renaud (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle), LB Terrance Plummer (Twitter link via Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN)
- Cut: WR Donte Foster (link)
New Orleans Saints
- To be signed: CB Sammy Seamster (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune)
- Signed: LB Henry Coley (via Woodbery)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Korey Toomer, DB Tevin McDonald (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Isaiah Frey (Twitter link via Steelers PR spokesman Burt Lauten)
St. Louis Rams
- Signed: DE Gerald Rivers, LB/DE Zach Hodges (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Andre Davis (Twitter link via Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune)
- Cut: CB Keon Lyn, CB Dax Swanson, T Martin Wallace (press release)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Rico Richardson (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of Titans Online)