Niko Lalos - Pro Football Rumors

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC South

August 30th, 2023 at 4:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints moves are noted below.

Atlanta Falcons

Signed:

T Isaiah Prince

Claimed:

Waived:

OL Josh Miles

Signed to practice squad:

DB Micah Abernathy, DB Natrone Brooks, DL Timmy Horne, RB Godwin Igwebuike, DL LaCale London, OL Justin Shaffer, WR Matthew Sexton, OL Tyler Vrabel, OL Barry Wesley, LB Andre Smith, TE Parker Hesse, TE Tucker Fisk, WR Xavier Malone, DL Kemoko Turay

Carolina Panthers

Claimed:

LB Claudin Cherelus, DB D’Shawn Jamison, T Calvin Throckmorton

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

OL Deonte Brown, RB Spencer Brown, OL J.D. DiRenzo, OL Justin McCray, OLB Eku Leota, CB Mark Milton, DB Eric Rowe, T David Sharpe, DT Taylor Stallworth, OLB Jordan Thomas, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, DT Raequan Williams

New Orleans Saints

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

S Jonathan Abram, WR Lynne Bowden, LB Ryan Connelly, WR Shaquan Davis, OL Mark Evans, DT Jack Heflin, CB Anthony Johnson, WR Jontre Kirklin, G Tommy Kraemer, DE Niko Lalos, RB Ellis Marriweather, T Storm Norton, LB Anfernee Orji, DE Kyle Phillips, LB Jaylon Smith (story), LB Ty Summers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, DL C.J. Brewer, OL Silas Dzansi, OL Luke Haggard, CB Keenan Isaac, WR Cephus Johnson, S Richard LeCounte, WR Ryan Miller, WR David Moore, T Raiqwon O’Neal, OLB Jose Ramirez, LB J.J. Russell, TE Tanner Taula, QB John Wolford

Saints Officially Set 53-Man Roster

August 29th, 2023 at 7:48pm CST by Ely Allen

The Saints welcomed back some old faces and said goodbye to others on their way towards setting their initial 53-man roster. Here are the moves the team made in their efforts to select the team they will open the season with:

Released:

LB Ryan Connelly
TE J.P. Holtz
TE Jesse James
T Storm Norton
CB Bradley Roby
LB Jaylon Smith
LB Ty Summers
RB Darrel Williams

Waived:

S Johnathan Abram
LB Nick Anderson
WR Kawaan Baker
FB Jake Bargas
WR Lynn Bowden
DL Jerron Cage
WR Shaq Davis
DT Prince Emili
OL Mark Evans II
G Chuck Filiaga
DB Adrian Frye
P Blake Gillikin
DT Jack Heflin
DB Anthony Johnson
OL Lewis Kidd
WR Jontrae Kirklin
G Tommy Kraemer
TE Lucas Krull
DE Niko Lalos
RB Ellis Merriweather
S Smoke Monday
LB Anfernee Orji
DE Kyle Phillips
OL Alex Pihlstrom
DB Troy Pride
OL Calvin Throckmorton

The veteran tight end James will have to continue his recent tour of the NFL. He, Holtz, and Krull fell victim to the reunion of New Orleans and former All-Pro Jimmy Graham.

On defense, Smith failed to make the roster after starting 11 games for the Giants last year. Roby is another player who was initially expected to contribute, but will have to pack up his locker.

With the emergence of rookie third-round pick Kendre Miller and the eventual return of Alvin Kamara, keeping Williams in the running backs room just wasn’t worth the roster spot.

On special teams, the third-year punter Gillikin lost the punting battle with undrafted rookie signee out of Miami (FL) Lou Hedley. The viral, jacked, tatted-up, Australian, 30-year-old rookie punter makes his first NFL roster as part of the Saints’ new-look special teams group.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/15/23

May 15th, 2023 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The first of this year’s spring leagues to debut, the XFL’s third effort, finished its season Saturday. XFL players are now free to sign NFL contracts, and several agreed to terms Monday. Here are those agreements, along with the other transactions from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Waived: DL Manny Jones, LB Blake Lynch

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: DB Natrone Brooks, S Lukas Denis, DL LaCale London, T Barry Wesley
Waived: LB David Anenih, CB Javelin Guidry, DB Matt Hankins, WR Ra’Saun Henry, DB Dylan Mabin, TE/FB John Raine
Waived/injured: RB B.J. Baylor

Carolina Panthers

Signed: T BJ Wilson

Cleveland Browns

Waived: LB Storey Jackson, DT Roderick Perry

Denver Broncos

Signed: RB Tyreik McAllister, RB Jacques Patrick
Waived: WR Dallas Daniels, DB Darrious Gaines, TE Kris Leach, RB Emanuel Wilson

Detroit Lions

Signed: WR Dylan Drummond

Green Bay Packers

Waived: S James Wiggins

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: DB Latavious Brini, WR Jacob Harris
Waived: DL Jayson Ademilola

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: CB Ekow Boye-Doe
Waived: WR Ty Scott

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Waived: WR Tyler Johnson

Los Angeles Rams

Signed: DB Timarcus Davis, DL Taron Vincent
Waived: WR Tyler Hudson, LB Matthew Jester, DB Jaiden Woodbey

Miami Dolphins

Signed: DB Bryce Thompson

New Orleans Saints

Signed: DB Adrian Frye, DL Jack Heflin, DE Niko Lalos, RB Ellis Merriweather
Waived: WR Sy Barnett, DB Vincent Gray

New York Jets

Signed: TE Izaiah Gathings

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: CB Luq Barcoo, RB Alfonzo Graham

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: DL Austin Faoliu, NT Forrest Merrill
Waived: LB Michael Ayers, DE Jacob Sykes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: DL C.J. Brewer, S Kedrick Whitehead
Waived: T Dylan Cook, OLB Nelson Mbanasor

Tennessee Titans

Signed: C James Empey, CB Eric Garror, WR Gavin Holmes, WR Kearis Jackson, CB Armani Marsh

Washington Commanders

Signed: T Jaryd Jones-Smith
Placed on active/PUP list: LB Drew White

After seeing the pandemic nix its second effort in 2020, the XFL concluded its season Saturday. The Broncos signed the league’s second-leading rusher, in Patrick, while the Browns and Cowboys offered Barqoo contracts, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Barqoo, who played for the Jaguars in 2020 and XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas this year, opted for the Steelers’ offer. Patrick, whom the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson notes passed a Broncos physical Monday, finished with 443 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He joins XFL passing leader Ben DiNucci as a Broncos May addition.

Seeing time for the St. Louis BattleHawks, Jones-Smith played in three games apiece with Raiders and Ravens, respectively, from 2020-21. Thompson will join the Dolphins after a spring tour of duty with the Seattle Sea Dragons, while fellow XFL alum Brewer played in two games for the Bills last year. Heflin played five games for the Packers in 2021; the new Saint spent the XFL season with the Houston Roughnecks.

The Raiders gave Johnson a reserve/futures deal in January. The young wideout collected a ring with the 2020 Buccaneers and totaled 360 receiving yards for Tampa Bay’s 2021 iteration. While the Texans claimed him on waivers ahead of last season, he played in just two games with the team.

Jackson suited up for national championship-winning Georgia last season. The new Titans wideout finished with 514 receiving yards in 2020 and totaled 320 for last season’s Bulldogs edition. A Division II Quincy alum, Wilson received an East-West Shrine Bowl invite but tore an Achilles tendon late last season.

Saints Cut Roster Down To 53

August 30th, 2022 at 6:59pm CST by Ely Allen

New Orleans got a head start on the deadline for roster cuts this weekend with several moves, but the team found its way to the 53-man limit today. Here are the moves the Saints made today to get there:

Released:

OL Josh Andrews
LB Jonathan Bostic
DE Taco Charlton
TE J.P. Holtz
C Nick Martin
LB Eric Wilson

Waived:

QB Ian Book
WR Dai’Jean Dixon
DB DaMarcus Fields
DB Vincent Gray
LB Chase Hansen
DT Jordan Jackson
TE Lucas Krull
DE Niko Lalos
WR Kirk Merritt
OL Derek Schweiger
LB Nephi Sewell
WR Rashid Shaheed

Placed on reserve/injured:

DT Albert Huggins

Placed on reserve/suspended by commissioner:

WR Kawaan Baker

The big story of the day for New Orleans was the trade this morning that sent defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to Philadelphia. The defensive back had pushed for an extension, staging a hold-in effort early in camp, but ultimately found himself on his way to Pennsylvania, paving the way for the Saints to hold onto six safeties. Safety Daniel Sorensen is on the roster for his special teams contributions, but Justin Evans will really be given a chance to contribute at safety in the absence of Gardner-Johnson.

Despite seeing fellow defensive tackle Huggins head to injured reserve, rookie sixth-round pick Jackson was unable to hold onto a roster spot, being the only member of the Saints’ rookie draft class who failed to do so. The offseason addition of Kentavius Street was likely the determining factor that left Jackson off the 53-man roster.

The team did see an undrafted free agent make the final roster as offensive lineman Lewis Kidd worked his way out of Montana State to make the Saints’ initial 53. He’ll serve as a depth piece on an offensive line with quite a few injury questions.

A position group that definitely looks improved on paper is the receiving corps who gets back Michael Thomas and added first-round pick Chris Olave and veteran Jarvis Landry in the offseason. These new targets will combine with the tight ends group, that includes swiss-army man Taysom Hill, as weapons for quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton.

Besides all the above, the team will look fairly similar in composition to last year’s. The running backs, special teams, defensive ends, and cornerbacks will look largely the same as the team heads into the 2022 NFL season. Where things could end up looking different is on the practice squad. After clearing waivers, many of the players above will have the opportunity to rejoin the Saints’ 16-man squad.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/22

August 15th, 2022 at 5:39pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Released: RB Corey Clement
Waived: CB Robert Jackson

Carolina Panthers

Placed on IR: LB Kamal Martin
Waived (injury settlement): CB Devin Jones

Chicago Bears

Waived: DE Carson Taylor

Cincinnati Bengals

Placed on IR: C Ben Brown

Cleveland Browns

Waived: WR Derrick Dillon

Dallas Cowboys

Waived: DT Austin Faoliu
Waived (injury designation): TE Ian Bunting, FB Ryan Nall, WR Ty Fryfogle, CB Kyron Brown

Denver Broncos

Waived (injury designation): OL Ben Braden

Detroit Lions

Released: TE Garrett Griffin
Waived: TE Nolan Givan, C Ryan McCollum

Green Bay Packers

Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): TE Nate Becker
Waived: LB Randy Ramsey, C Cole Schneider, CB Donte Vaughn

Houston Texans

Waived: LS Harrison Elliott, RB B.J. Emmons
Released: WR Chad Beebe

Indianapolis Colts

Activated from PUP list: WR Mike Strachan

Jacksonville Jaguars

Waived (injury designation): K Elliott Fry
Waived: RB Matt Colburn, QB Jake Luton, WR Ryan McDaniel, DE Wyatt Ray

Los Angeles Chargers

Waived (injury designation): DT Forrest Merrill, OC Isaac Weaver
Waived: WR Maurice Ffrench, QB Brandon Peters, S Skyler Thomas

Miami Dolphins

Signed: NT Niles Scott
Placed on IR: CB Trill Williams (story)

New Orleans Saints

Signed: DE Niko Lalos, DT Jaleel Johnson
Placed on IR: OT Ethan Greenidge
Waived (injury settlement): DB Bryce Thompson
Waived (injury designation): DB Jordan Brown, S Isaiah Pryor
Waived: DE T.J. Carter, S Jack Koerner, DE Scott Patchan, K John Parker Romo, WR Easop Winston

New York Giants

Claimed off waivers (from Bills): CB Olaijah Griffin

New York Jets

Waived: WR Keshunn Abram

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: LB James Vaughters
Waived (injury designation): LB Tuzar Skipper

San Francisco 49ers

Waived: DT Tomasi Laulile, WR KeeSean Johnson, RB Josh Hokit

Seattle Seahawks

Activated from active/PUP list: OT Liam Ryan
Placed on IR: WR Cody Thompson
Waived: CB Josh Valentine-Turner, DT Antonio Valentino, OL Eric Wilson, WR Deontez Alexander

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: RB Patrick Laird
Placed on IR: RB Kenjon Barner
Waived: TE Ben Beise

Washington Commanders

Activated from active/PUP list: OT Cornelius Lucas

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/22

August 5th, 2022 at 7:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Here’s today’s minor transactions from around the league:

Chicago Bears

Signed: DL Trevon Coley
Waived: DT Auzoyah Alufohai, S Jon Alexander

Cleveland Browns

Signed: CB Lavert Hill
Waived: CB Reggie Robinson (with injury designation)

Dallas Cowboys

Placed on active/PUP list: LB Anthony Barr

Detroit Lions

Activated from active/PUP list: S C.J. Moore

Kansas City Chiefs

Waived: DL Cortez Broughton (with injury settlement)

Miami Dolphins

Signed: P Sterling Hofrichter
Waived: P Tommy Heatherly

New Orleans Saints

Placed on IR: S Smoke Monday

New York Giants

Signed: OT Will Holden
Waived: DE Niko Lalos, CB Jarren Williams

Philadelphia Eagles

Placed on IR: TE Jaeden Graham

San Francisco 49ers

Waived: WR Taysir Mack

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: LB Joel Dublanko
Released: TE Jake Hausmann

Washington Commanders

Placed on reserve/retired list: LB Tre Walker

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/10/22

January 10th, 2022 at 5:58pm CST by Ben Levine

A bunch of teams had their seasons come to an end yesterday, and these front offices are now starting to prepare for the offseason. Today, a number of players were inked to reserve/futures contracts, which allows organizations to retain (mostly) young, practice squad players throughout the offseason. We’ve compiled today’s reserve/futures contracts below:

Baltimore Ravens

DB Robert Jackson, OT Jaryd Jones-Smith, G/DT Kahlil McKenzie, WR Jaylon Moore, C James Murray, TE Tony Poljan, DB Kevin Toliver, WR Binjimen Victor

Carolina Panthers

RB Spencer Brown, CB Madre Harper, DL Frank Herron, OL Mike Horton, OL Aaron Monteiro, WR Aaron Parker, FB Giovanni Ricci, WR C.J. Saunders, TE Colin Thompson, QB P.J. Walker

Cleveland Browns

TE Miller Forristall, G Hjalte Froholdt, TE Nick Guggemos, CB Nate Meadors, G David Moore, FB Johnny Stanton, OT Alex Taylor, DE Curtis Weaver

Denver Broncos

TE Shaun Beyer, RB Damarea Crockett, WR Travis Fulgham, OT Drew Himmelman, G Zack Johnson, LB Barrington Wade

Detroit Lions

DE Eric Banks, LB Tavante Beckett, DE Bruce Hector, WR Javon McKinley, QB Steven Montez, CB Parnell Motley, OT Dan Skipper, CB Saivion Smith, TE Shane Zylstra

Houston Texans

RB Darius Anderson, WR Jalen Camp, G Sam Cooper, DT Michael Dwumfour, OL Jake Eldrenkamp, DB T.J. Green, DE Demone Harris, WR Damon Hazelton, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc, FB Paul Quessenberry, OL Jordan Steckler, LB Connor Strachan, LB Josh Watson

Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Jeff Cotton, RB Nathan Cottrell, OL Coy Cronk, WR Josh Hammond, OL Jared Hocker, WR Tim Jones, DL Jeremiah Ledbetter, OL Badara Traore

Minnesota Vikings

LB Tuf Borland, S Myles Dorn, WR Trishton Jackson, WR Myron Mitchell, CB Parry Nickerson, T Timon Parris, RB A.J. Rose, DT T.J. Smith

New Orleans Saints

WR Kawaan Baker, LB Sharif Finch, OT Jerald Hawkins, DT Braxton Hoyett, DB Dylan Mabin, DB Jordan Miller, DB KeiVarae Russell, WR Easop Winston

New York Giants

LB Omari Cobb, OT Devery Hamilton, LB Trent Harris, TE Jake Hausmann, DE Niko Lalos, QB Brian Lewerke, DT David Moamat, WR Travis Toivonen

New York Jets

K Matt Ammendola, WR Tarik Black, TE Brandon Dillon, OL Grant Hermanns, WR D.J. Montgomery, OL Ross Pierschbacher, DL Hamilcar Rashed, OL Dru Samia, DL Tanzel Smart, OL Isaiah Williams

Seattle Seahawks

DT Myles Adams, WR Matt Cole, LB Aaron Donkor, T Greg Eiland, WR Aaron Fuller, DT Jarrod Hewitt, CB Michael Jackson, WR Cade Johnson, G Pier-Olivier Lestage, DT Niles Scott, WR Cody Thompson, LB Lakiem Williams

Washington Football Team

G Zack Bailey, C/G Beau Benzschawel, G Deion Calhoun, DT Tyler Clark, WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR Kelvin Harmon, G Nolan Laufenberg, WR Marken Michel

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East

September 1st, 2021 at 6:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Washington moves are noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Dallas Cowboys

Signed to practice squad:

OL Isaac Alarcón, DB Kyron Brown, CB Deante Burton, S Tyler Coyle, QB Ben DiNucci, DE Austin Faoliu, DT Justin Hamilton, RB JaQuan Hardy, C Braylon Jones, WR Osirus Mitchell, FB Nick Ralston, WR Brandon Smith, DE Breeland Speaks, TE Jeremy Sprinkle, S Darian Thompson

New York Giants

Placed on IR:

WR John Ross, LB Elerson Smith

Signed:

WR C.J. Board (Board was cut (below) before getting re-signed), LS Casey Kreiter

Claimed:

LB Justin Hilliard (from 49ers), WR Collin Johnson (from Jaguars), LB Quincy Roche (from Steelers)

Waived:

WR C.J. Board, LB Trent Harris, WR Dante Pettis

Signed to practice squad:

OL Jackson Barton, OL Jake Burton, WR Matt Cole, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE Jake Hausmann, OL Brett Heggie, DL Willie Henry, LB Niko Lalos, DL David Moa, S Jordyn Peters, RB Sandro Platzgummer, WR David Sills, OL Kenny Wiggins, WR Damion Willis

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed to practice squad:

S Grayland Arnold, OL Kayode Awosika, OT Le’Raven Clark, WR Travis Fulgham, WR John Hightower, RB Jordan Howard, RB Jason Huntley, CB Michael Jacquet, CB Craig James, WR KeeSean Johnson, DE Matt Leo, G Sua Opeta, OL Ross Pierschbacher, S Elijah Riley, LB JaCoby Stevens, DT Raequan Williams

Washington Football Team

Placed on IR:

S Darrick Forrest

Signed:

LB David Mayo

Signed to practice squad:

RB Peyton Barber, OL Beau Benzschawel, DE William Bradley-King, WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, C Keith Ismael, CB Danny Johnson, LB Jordan Kunaszyk, G Wes Martin, LB Jared Norris, S Jeremy Reaves, DE Bunmi Rotimi, OT David Steinmetz, C Jon Toth, DT Daniel Wise, DT Gabe Wright