Minor NFL Transactions: 8/17/24
Saturday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Deven Thompkins
Cleveland Browns
- Reverted to IR: S Brady Breeze
Las Vegas Raiders
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): LB Jackson Mitchell
New York Giants
- Reverted to IR: TE Tyree Jackson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: T Gottlieb Ayedze
- Waived (injury designation): DB Mekhi Garner
- Placed on IR: CB Tyler Hall
NFC East Notes: Belichick, Giants, CBs, Phillips, Cowboys, Commanders
Bill Belichick‘s media blitz will cover the 2024 season; the legendary coach has deals in place with the Manningcast, Inside the NFL and Underdog Fantasy Sports. Come 2025, however, the goal remains to land a third HC gig. The Cowboys and Eagles continue to be mentioned as possible landing spots, due to their strong rosters being closer to Super Bowl-level status, but the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard believes the Giants — should they fire Brian Daboll — will make Belichick their first call. Leonard, during an appearance on The Carton Show, said GM Joe Schoen joins Daboll on the hot seat but added the GM having a past with Bill Parcells — Belichick’s boss with the Giants, Jets and Patriots (1996 only) — could leave the door open to working with Belichick. Schoen and Parcells debuted with the Dolphins, the former as a national scout, in 2008 and overlapped as coworkers for three years.
The Giants, who employed Belichick from 1979-90 and won their first two Super Bowls during his time as DC, came up as a team that would interest Belichick back in April. New York’s quarterback uncertainty may be an issue for a coach who will be 73 by the time he would land another opportunity, but it is not like the six-time Super Bowl-winning HC was in demand during this year’s cycle. A return to the Giants could be of interest if Belichick’s market is again limited.
Here is the latest from the NFC East:
- The Giants recently traded free agent pickup Jordan Phillips to the Cowboys, marking a rare deal between the teams. The trade involved a pick swap of 2026 sixth- and seventh-rounders changing sides, but NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo adds the selections will not change hands if Phillips fails to land on Dallas’ gameday roster for two 2024 games. This would not mean the veteran DT would need to make the Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster, but the longtime Bills lineman would need to be part of the active squad twice.
- Having a past with Schoen and Daboll in Buffalo, Nick McCloud is pushing Cor’Dale Flott for the Giants‘ boundary cornerback job opposite Deonte Banks. McCloud is also in the mix for the Giants’ slot position, per the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy. Fellow versatile defender Isaiah Simmons and rookie third-rounder Dru Phillips are also vying for the Big Blue slot post. Additionally, Tre Hawkins — a 2023 sixth-rounder who had won the Giants’ CB2 job last year only to be benched early in the season — is also battling Flott and McCloud for the perimeter gig, the Post’s Paul Schwartz adds.
- Jason Wright‘s eventual Commanders presidential successor will not oversee Adam Peters, according to ESPN.com’s John Keim. Washington’s next team president will be in charge of the business side only, with Peters only reporting to Josh Harris, who hired the ex-49ers exec to oversee his football operations in January. Wright, who interviewed for the Packers’ president job, is leaving after the season.
- The Commanders released Brandon McManus not long after the free agent signing was accused of sexual assault in a civil suit. With Washington cutting the kicker days before the second half of his $1.5MM signing bonus was due, a question loomed as to whether the team would pay it out. The team has since sent the kicker the other $750K, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
- The Cowboys are bringing in NBA analytics staffer Kathy Evans in as a consultant, per ESPN.com’s Seth Walder and Kevin Pelton. Evans has worked with the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors and is set for an interesting work schedule; Walton and Pelton note she is currently consulting for the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Giants Sign FB Jakob Johnson
Brian Daboll added former Raiders and Patriots offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to the same position this offseason. The veteran assistant will soon see one of his former charges in the mix, though not necessarily as a blocker up front.
The Giants are bringing in fullback Jakob Johnson, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Johnson overlapped with Bricillo during the past two seasons (in Las Vegas) and was in New England during each of Bricillo’s three seasons there. The team waived tight end Tyree Jackson with an injury designation to clear a roster spot.
Johnson, 29, signed two one-year Raiders contracts; he initially arrived in Vegas after the Patriots non-tendered him as an RFA in 2022. He started 14 games with the Raiders and 20 as a Patriot. Johnson has certainly proven he is a viable NFL role player, though the Giants adding a fullback this close to the season is an interesting development.
The team already added a blocking tight end this offseason, signing Chris Manhertz shortly after his Broncos release. Johnson was one of only 10 fullbacks — as this position has been declining in relevance for a while — to see more than 180 offensive snaps last season. He logged 186 with the Raiders in 2023 but topped 300 each season from 2020-22.
Following Josh McDaniels‘ firing, Johnson yo-yoed between the Raiders’ practice squad and active roster. It is possible the Giants will view the sixth-year vet as an option for their 16-man P-squad this season. The team is fairly thin at tight end, having lost Darren Waller to retirement, and saw backup running back Tyrone Tracy suffer an ankle injury earlier this week. Tracy, however, only suffered a low ankle sprain, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, and is week-to-week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/24
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Claimed off waivers (from Commanders): G Mason Brooks
- Waived-injured: G Nash Jensen
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived from IR (with injury settlement): CB Gregory Junior
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: S Jalyn Phillips
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Joshua Kelley, S Jonathan Sutherland
- Placed on IR: S Elijah Riley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: DB Grayland Arnold
- Released from IR (with injury settlement): NT Breiden Fehoko
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived from IR (with injury settlement): DE Austin Bryant, WR Terique Owens
Washington Commanders
- Signed: QB Trace McSorley
Joshua Kelley will land in New York after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Chargers. The running back is coming off a 2023 campaign where he started a career-high three games while compiling 437 yards from scrimmage. In a post Saquon Barkley-era, Kelley will be joining an uncertain depth chart that features the likes of Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, and rookie fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr..
Grayland Arnold won’t have an opportunity to contribute to the Steelers in 2023 after landing on IR. The defensive back was battling it out for Pittsburgh’s starting slot corner spot, with ESPN’s Brooke Pryor noting that Arnold’s injury means UDFA Beanie Bishop likely won the job. Arnold spent the past three seasons with the Texans, collecting 22 tackles in 20 games.
Trace McSorley‘s career journey brings him to Washington, per Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan in Washington. As Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes, the veteran should soak up some snaps on Saturday with both Marcus Mariota (groin) and Sam Hartman (shoulder) sidelined. McSorley was a 2019 sixth-round pick by the Ravens, and he’s now had stints with six different squads throughout his career.
Giants To Release DB Jalen Mills
Jalen Mills was placed on the non-football injury list in July, preventing him from taking part in the Giants’ training camp. The veteran defensive back is no longer in the team’s plans, but he could find a deal in advance of the regular season. 
Mills is being released from the NFI list, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He adds the 30-year-old has now recovered from the calf strain he was dealing with, and as a result he could draw attention as a free agent. Once his release becomes official, Mills will be eligible to sign with an interested team (rather than having to clear waivers).
Beginning his career as a corner with the Eagles, the former seventh-rounder has also seen time at safety. Mills spent the past three seasons with New England, serving as a regular on defense. He saw his playing time drop considerably from 2021 to ’22 and then again last year, though. Mills quickly agreed to terms on a one-year Giants pact aimed at helping to fill the void created by Xavier McKinney‘s departure.
That contract only contained $468K in guarantees, so releasing Mills will not carry major financial implications for the Giants. The team’s attention will remain focused on finding a safety partner for Jason Pinnock in the starting lineup, an ongoing competition between Dane Belton and second-round rookie Tyler Nubin. Belton appears to have the have the inside track on a first-team gig, although plenty can change over the coming weeks.
Mills is a veteran of 106 games and 83 starts. He logged a 90% defensive snap share as recently as 2021, so he could be counted on to at least handle a rotational role in the secondary upon finding a new team. It will be interesting to see if his market takes shape right away, or if he will need to wait for roster cutdowns at the end of the month to determine his next move.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/24
Wednesday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Storey Jackson
- Waived: P Ryan Sanborn
Buffalo Bills
- Reverted to IR: WR Bryan Thompson
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: S Clayton Isbell
- Released (with injury settlement): OLB Kemoko Turay
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/retired list: DE Jeff Gunter
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: C Cohl Cabral
- Waived (with injury designation): DE Shaka Toney
Denver Broncos
- Waived (with injury settlement): OLB Jaylon Allen
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Javelin Guidry
- Reverted to IR: LB DaRon Gilbert
- Waived (with injury designation): S Morice Norris Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Nate McCrary
- Waived: LS Peter Bowden, S Tyler Coyle
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Derek Rivers, WR Greg Ward
- Waived: S Kendell Brooks, WR Ethan Fernea
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from active/PUP list: G Jackson Powers-Johnson
- Released (with injury settlement): WR Keelan Doss
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Tucker Fisk
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DT Carlos Watkins
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Robert Cooper
Minnesota Vikings
- Reverted to IR: LB Jabril Cox
New England Patriots
- Waived (with injury settlement): DE John Morgan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Mason Fairchild
- Waived: DT Kyler Baugh
New York Giants
- Signed: S Raheem Layne, S Jonathan Sutherland
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Zyon Gilbert, WR T.J. Luther
- Reverted to IR: WR Tarik Black
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DT Nick Williams
- Released: LB Zeke Turner
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Easton Gibbs
- Waived (with injury designation): DT Nathan Pickering
Washington Commanders
- Waived (with injury settlement): T Alex Akingbulu
- Waived: G Mason Brooks
Cabral joins the Cowboys after UFL stints in Birmingham and Michigan. He adds more depth to the team’s offensive line after the team lost Chuma Edoga in their first preseason game and saw Earl Bostick helped off the field today. Toney suffered a groin injury, leading to this injury waiver, but could return to the team should he clear waivers.
Powers-Johnson was on some concerning ground with how much time he had missed with a concussion, but the Raiders saw him return to practice today.
The 49ers are adding some significant depth on the defensive line in Williams, who has vast starting experience in the NFL. Cutting Turner could mean that the return of Dre Greenlaw may on a better timeline than expected.
Giants Trade DT Jordan Phillips To Cowboys
The Cowboys are acquiring a division-rival defender, per NFL Insider Josina Anderson. Amidst injury troubles along the defensive line, Dallas has made the move to acquire Giants veteran defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tells us that Phillips’ departure will be accompanied by a pick swap, with New York sending a seventh- along with Phillips in exchange for a sixth-rounder in 2026. 
A former second-round pick out of Oklahoma, Phillips has spent most of his career in the AFC East. Drafted by the Dolphins, Phillips made 26 starts in his first three years with the team before seeing his playing time start to dwindle in Year 4. An outburst of dissatisfaction eventually led to Phillips’ getting waived by Miami.
Buffalo quickly picked up their division-rival’s scraps, claiming Phillips off of waivers. He played mostly as a rotation player with the Bills as he finished out his fourth season. In 2019, Phillips rewarded Buffalo for their faith in him, accompanying his nine starts that year with 9.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits — all career-highs by a wide margin.
Phillips leveraged a career year into a three-year contract with the Cardinals. He was a full-time starter during his time in Arizona, but injuries limited him to only 18 games over two years. His limited playing time would lead the Cardinals to release him, allowing the Bills to pick him up once again. Phillips was eased back into a rotation as he continued to play through injuries in Buffalo, starting only one game in 2022. He made nine starts last season but continued to play on a rotational snap count throughout the year.
After briefly considering retirement, Phillips signed with the Giants this offseason. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan tells us that New York has really liked what they’ve seen so far from some young defensive linemen like Elijah Chatman and D.J. Davidson, while Phillips had yet to make much of an impact this summer. Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News echoed this sentiment, claiming that it wasn’t very likely that Phillips was going to make their roster, so a pick swap was a nice consolation prize for a veteran free agent signing that didn’t pan out.
In Dallas, most of the injury issues have been coming at end. Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports that regular defensive tackles Chauncey Golston and Viliami Fehoko have been moved to defensive end to cover for the absences, so it makes sense that the Cowboys were on the lookout for someone to help fill out the middle. With players like Mazi Smith, Osa Odighizuwa, and Carl Davis leading the position at the moment, Phillips provides some much-needed veteran, starting experience as a depth piece.
OL Notes: Raiders, Giants, Brewer, Nijman
The Raiders had been planning to have Thayer Munford replace Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle, but a hand injury early in camp created a competition. Third-round rookie DJ Glaze has earned more first-team reps upon Munford returning. While The Athletic’s Tashan Reed notes Munford — a 2022 seventh-rounder who competed with Eluemunor for the RT job last summer and saw action at both tackle spots during the season — still has the edge, Glaze has created a position battle (subscription required). Glaze’s chances at earning this job may also have increased Tuesday, with Reed adding Munford sustained an injury to his other hand.
Elsewhere on the Raiders’ front, second-round rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson remains on the active/PUP list. The Oregon product has been out of Raiders practice since early in OTAs, with a concussion sidelining him. Considering the timeline here, it is concerning how long the rookie has been out. Antonio Pierce did say (via Reed) he expects Powers-Johnson and LT Kolton Miller to begin practicing next week, but the former’s chances of winning the LG job — which the Raiders appeared to have earmarked for the Day 2 draftee — have taken a hit. The team does have veteran options in Cody Whitehair and Andrus Peat; the latter has been working at tackle while Miller has rehabbed.
Here is the latest from the O-line ranks around the league.
- Eluemunor changed positions in camp for his new team, shifting back to right tackle — after spending the offseason at guard — while Evan Neal rehabbed a nagging ankle injury. While Neal is off the Giants‘ PUP list, the New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard notes Eluemunor is unlikely to give up the starting RT job. The three-year Raiders starter appears “entrenched” there, establishing a likelihood Neal starts the season as a backup. Late-summer FA addition Greg Van Roten, who started next to Eluemunor in Las Vegas last year, is expected to start at right guard in New York, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan.
- Signed to replace Connor Williams in free agency, Aaron Brewer sustained a hand injury that could shake up the Dolphins‘ regular-season O-line. Brewer could miss several weeks with this ailment, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson notes, adding that Liam Eichenberg — who has made a career shuffling around Miami’s front — is back at center for the time being. A former second-rounder now in a contract year, Eichenberg was close to winning Miami’s RG gig, Jackson adds. The Dolphins are now shorthanded at two spots up front, with LG Isaiah Wynn not yet off the PUP list.
- The Panthers signed Yosh Nijman (two years, $8MM) to be their swing tackle this offseason, but the ex-Packer will not factor into Carolina’s O-line equation for a while. Nijman is a “long ways” away from returning after undergoing surgery to repair a leg issue, Dave Canales said. Nijman appears a candidate to be stashed on Carolina’s reserve/PUP list, per The Athletic’s Joe Person, who notes a waiver wire add here should not surprise at this point.
- A 2023 fourth-round pick, Anthony Bradford is moving close to becoming the Seahawks‘ RG starter, according to The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar. The former Day 3 pick looks to have a clear lead here. Bradford, who started 10 games in relief of Phil Haynes last season, is poised to retain the job opposite free agency addition Laken Tomlinson.
- Saahdiq Charles‘ retirement caught the Titans by surprise. They had been pitting the offseason addition against Dillon Radunz in a right guard competition. New O-line coach Bill Callahan said (via TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick) he attempted to reach out to the 25-year-old blocker but did not hear back. The Titans gave Charles a one-year, $1.5MM deal to come over from Washington in free agency.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/24
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB William Hooper, S Josh Thompson
- Waived: WR Austin Mack
- Waived/failed physical: RB Robert Burns
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from active/PUP list: CB T.J. Tampa
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from active/PUP: DT Devonnsha Maxwell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, S Chase Williams
- Released: RB John Kelly
- Waived: DE Marcus Haynes
- Waived/injured: CB Vincent Gray
Denver Broncos
- Claimed (from Giants): DB Kaleb Hayes
- Waived: ILB Alec Mock
Detroit Lions
- Signed: QB Jake Fromm, LB Ty Summers
- Waived: G Ike Boettger
- Waived/injured: WR Antoine Green
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Pheldarius Payne
- Waived: WR Jadon Janke
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed (from Bears): RB Demetric Felton
- Waived/injured: RB Trent Pennix
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Shaquille Quarterman, WR Isaiah Wooden
- Waived: QB Casey Bauman, WR Praise Olatoke
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB David Anenih, LB Wyatt Ray
- Placed on IR: Cam Brown, Grayson Murphy
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Deshaun Fenwick
- Waived: DE John Morgan
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Shaq Davis
- Waived: WR Marquez Callaway
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Lorenzo Lingard
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Anthony Hines, TE Neal Johnson
- Waived: LB Jimmy Ciarlo, CB Myles Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed (from Ravens): OL Tykeem Doss
- Waived/injured: DB Kalon Barnes
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived/injured: WR Frank Darby
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: P Nolan Cooney
- Waived from NFI list: QB Zack Annexstad
Hernia surgery forced Tampa to the Ravens’ active/PUP list, but the fourth-round pick is ready to return. Needing a double hernia operation after minicamp (per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec), Tampa is unlikely to be ready for practice until at least next week. By avoiding a move to the reserve/PUP list, Tampa is no longer at risk of missing Baltimore’s first four games.
A rookie UDFA, Murphy went down with an MCL injury, per NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. The Dolphins signed Brown, a four-year Giants special-teamer and backup presence, in April. While the Dolphins continue to deal with linebacker injuries, they did bring Jaelan Phillips off the PUP list today.
Fromm spent most of the past two seasons with the Commanders, but the team — as it transitions to a new regime — cut the former Georgia passer in May. He joins a Lions team that still rosters Nate Sudfeld along with Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker.
Drew Lock To Miss Time; Giants Not Considering QB Addition
AUGUST 12: Daboll’s latest comments on the QB situation (via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News) indicate New York will not, in fact, be making a move at this time. Lock is likely to remain sidelined at practice this week, but Daboll said tight end Tyree Jackson is a candidate to dress as a third QB if needed for the Giants’ second preseason game.
AUGUST 9: Drew Lock joined the Giants in part because of the rehab odyssey Daniel Jones required following his ACL tear. Jones, however, is now back and reclaimed his starting post. And Lock is now the QB in need of a rehab timetable.
The veteran backup sustained a strained oblique and suffered a hip contusion during a sequence in the Giants’ preseason opener Thursday night, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. The free agency pickup will not need surgery, but he will miss what sounds like a reasonable chunk of time — to the point the Giants may need another quarterback.
[RELATED: Assessing Giants’ 2024 Offseason]
Brian Daboll said (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy) the Giants will consider a QB addition. Jones and Tommy DeVito are now the only healthy QBs on New York’s roster. The team cut offseason addition Nathan Rourke upon Jones being fully cleared. Rourke is now with the Falcons.
Lock has a month to recovery in time for the season, but given Jones’ injury history, it is understandable the Giants are discussing an immediate move. DeVito stands to move into the backup role. While the team’s part-time 2023 starter is not a threat to Lock’s job security, his experience last season is suddenly relevant. Regardless of DeVito’s seasoning, the Giants will need another arm to get through preseason play.
Only a starter for one full season (2020), Lock began his career on the Broncos’ IR list a year earlier. The second-round pick did not debut until Week 13 of his rookie year. In 2020, Lock only finished 12 games; though, one absence came due to being a COVID-19 close contact. Lock has only worked as a Teddy Bridgewater or Geno Smith fill-in over the past three seasons, and he signed a one-year deal worth $5MM to back up Jones. Reports of Lock threatening Jones’ job security were quickly debunked, though it is worth wondering if the current Big Blue backup will make starts late in the season regardless of the starter’s health. A Jones $12MM injury guarantee enters the equation for the Giants in 2025, opening the door for Lock seeing time if Jones is parked to prevent guarantees vesting.
Ben DiNucci joins ex-Giants emergency backups Jacob Eason and Matt Barkley as available passers. Technically, Ryan Tannehill is also available, though it would be highly unlikely the ex-Dolphins and Titans starter was interested in a short-term gig. Now 38 and coming off a Raiders release, Brian Hoyer is also available. His Patriots tenure did not overlap with Daboll’s, however.
For now, the Giants have Jones ready to go once again and DeVito (six 2023 starts) a surprisingly experienced — for a second-year UDFA, at least — option behind him. Lock’s status, of course, will be worth revisiting as the season nears.