NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/4/19
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad decisions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Drew Anderson, WR Saeed Blacknall, DL Lyndon Johnson.
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: G Will Holden
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Bug Howard
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Cole Herdman
- Released: LB Anthony Pittman
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DT P.J. Johnson, WR Tyron Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Nate Wozniak
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: CB Jordan Brown, WR De’Mornay Pierson-El, TE Cole Wick
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Tremon Smith
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/3/19
We’ll keep track of today’s minor NFL moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: LB Pete Robertson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Justin Zimmer
- Released: DE Chris Smith
Denver Broncos
- Claimed: C Patrick Morris (from Steelers)
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: LB Jason Cabinda
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: CB Parry Nickerson
- Released: CB Breon Borders
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: WR Gehrig Dieter
Los Angeles Rams
- Promote TE Kendall Blanton
- Placed on IR: WR JoJo Natson
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed: WR Trevor Davis (from Raiders), RB Zach Zenner (from Cardinals)
- Placed on IR: RB Kalen Ballage
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: G Sua Opeta
- Released: WR Mack Hollins
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: K Chase McLaughlin
Raiders Waive WR Trevor Davis
The Raiders have waived wide receiver Trevor Davis, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Davis joined the Raiders via trade from the Packers earlier this season, but he won’t finish out the year in Oakland. 
Davis returned 13 punts for 111 yards this year, averaging 8.5 yards per try. He also returned 19 kickoffs of 411 yards, good for a 21.6 yards per return average. The Raiders, ultimately, gave up a 2020 sixth-round pick and a low-end salary for the rental.
By releasing Davis, the Raiders will make way for the the return of linebacker Marquel Lee. Lee appeared in three games for the Raiders earlier this year before an ankle injury put him on IR. The 2017 fifth-round pick has 87 tackles and three passes defensed across 32 career appearances for the Raiders.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/30/19
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted from practice squad: G Parker Ehinger
- Waived: C Jake Brendel
Chicago Bears
- Signed off Broncos’ practice squad: OL Corey Levin
- Signed off Raiders’ practice squad: TE Eric Saubert
- Placed on IR: DB Sherrick McManis, TE Adam Shaheen
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: S Montre Hartage
- Waived: CB Xavier Crawford
New York Giants
- Promoted from practice squad: LS Colin Holba
- Placed on IR: LS Zak DeOssie
Washington Redskins
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Chris Odom
- Waived: LB Carroll Phillips
Guenther's Job Not In Jeopardy
- Oakland’s defense has struggled mightily at times this season, and it was terrible last year, but don’t expect Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s job to be in jeopardy anytime soon. Guenther’s seat is “ice cold” writes Vic Tafur of the Athletic, who notes that head coach Jon Gruden “loves him.” Gruden himself has been given a seemingly endless leash from owner Mark Davis, and that apparently extends to his assistants as well. Interestingly, Tafur writes that “everything has always been directed toward Las Vegas with this staff” and that nobodies jobs will be in danger “until they are all sitting in a meeting room in the desert.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/27/19
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Carson Meier
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: C Jake Brendel
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Chris Lacy
- Placed on IR: WR Marvin Hall
New York Giants
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Da’Mari Scott
- Waived: WR Bennie Fowler
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Rico Gafford
- Waived: OL Erik Magnuson
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: DL Damontre Moore
- Promoted from practice squad: DL Jeremiah Valoaga
Washington
- Signed: OLB Nate Orchard
Raiders Promote Rico Gafford, Release Eric Magnuson
The Raiders promoted wide receiver Rico Gafford to the active roster and released offensive lineman Erik Magnuson to clear the spot on the 53-man roster, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. Oakland, of course, recently will be missing slot receiver Hunter Renfrow while he recovers from a rib injury and decided to add Gafford to help supplement their receiving corp.
Before joining the Raiders, Gafford was a defensive back. He bounced between two junior colleges before landing at Wyoming prior to going pro last year. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Titans, but was released at the end of training camp. The Raiders signed him a couple days later to their practice squad and soon announced a position change to wide receiver. Last season, Gafford was briefly promoted to Oakland’s 53-man roster and appeared in one game on special teams. This season, Gafford once again failed to make a roster at the end of the preseason, but was resigned to the Raiders practice squad.
With Renfrow out, the Raiders have limited experience in the rest of their wide receivers. Gafford will likely start at the bottom of the depth chart, primarily playing on special teams, but he may have an opportunity to earn his way into the rotation.
Magnuson was signed as an undrafted free agent by the 49ers in 2017. He made the team’s active roster and appeared in 8 games (3 starts) from 2017-2018. San Francisco waived Magnuson early this preseason, but was eventually signed to the Bills practice squad, where the Raiders signed him from on October 30th. With experience at center, guard, and tackle, Magnuson should receive other opportunities to provide depth along a team’s front.
Hunter Renfrow Out For Season?
Hunter Renfrow suffered a scary injury Sunday and may not return this season. The rookie slot target suffered a puncture lung and a broken rib in the loss to the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, and Jon Gruden is not sure if the Clemson product will return in 2019.
Gruden acknowledged Renfrow may be done for the season (Twitter link). More tests are scheduled, but that would obviously be a blow to a resurgent Raiders team with designs on a playoff berth. The Raiders will travel to Kansas City in Week 13.
The fifth-round rookie took hard hits from Jet defenders Bless Austin and Henry Anderson and left the game. Renfrow still led all Raider receivers with three receptions for 31 yards in the 34-3 rout.
In the wake of Antonio Brown‘s bizarre Raiders stretch, Renfrow helped the team’s passing game recover. He has 36 receptions for 396 yards and two touchdowns. Only Tyrell Williams has more receiving yards than Renfrow among Raiders this season. The team will need to turn to trade acquisitions Zay Jones and Trevor Davis, along with potentially rookie Keelan Doss, more after this news.
QB Notes: Wentz, Rudolph, Darnold, Carr
Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz struggled once again in Philadelphia’s 17-9 loss to the Seahawks. Wentz received a x-ray on his right hand during the second half of the game, but would not blame his poor play on the injury, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. In his postgame press conference, when asked if the injury affected his play, he said, “I don’t think it did.” Eagles head coach Doug Pederson clarified that the x-rays were negative, but Wentz would go through further tests.
Whether the injury played a role or not, Philadelphia needs to find an answer for their offensive woes. Wentz made a number of poor decisions, but two passes to open receivers in the flat that sailed well out of reach were especially emblematic of his problems. The Eagles are now 5-6 on the season, but have a vital stretch of their schedule against Miami, New York, and Washington. It will be crucial for their playoff chances to come out victorious against three of the weakest teams in the league.
Check out some other notes on quarterbacks around the league:
- After being benched in the Steelers 16-10 win over the Bengals, quarterback Mason Rudolph addressed allegations from Browns defensive end Myles Garrett that Rudolph used a racial slur last week on Thursday Night Football. Rudolph adamantly denied the claims with reporters after the game, writes Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t believe that he would go that route after the fact. But it is what it is and I think I’ve moved on. One day it was tough, but moved on. We’re good to go now.” Rudolph reiterated the claims were “totally untrue” and when asked if he said anything that could have been construed in a racist way he said, ““Absolutely not.’’
- Young quarterback Sam Darnold was criticized a few weeks ago for talking about the playoffs with half the season remaining, but the young Jets gunslinger is showing progress dealing with the media, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Darnold mentioned that the playoffs were in the back of his mind after 34-3 blowout win against the Raiders, but quickly made clear that he is taking the season one game at a time. This season has definitely been a roller coaster for Darnold who is still looking to string a few strong games together after missing the start of the season dealing with mononucleosis.
- Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was benched amidst a blowout loss to the Jets by head coach Jon Gruden. The move is not meant to create any controversy at the position, however. Carr was removed alongside other important players in Oakland’s rotation to protect them from injury down 31 in the third quarter. Still, Gruden acknowledged the difficulty decision talking with reporters after the game, according to Jerry McDonald of The Mercury News. “I didn’t want to take him out, but doing what I think is right and I’m sure I’ll be second-guessed for that but I think I’m doing what’s right for our football team.”
Raiders, Richie Incognito Eyeing Extension
Richie Incognito‘s return from a second full season away from football has gone well. The veteran guard has helped revitalize the Raiders’ offensive line, despite being a mid-offseason pickup.
Although Incognito is the NFL’s oldest active guard at 36, the Raiders do not want this to be a one-year partnership. The team would like to extend Incognito for the 2020 season, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports (subscription required). Incognito would prefer that as well.
The sides have discussed the parameters of a deal, per Tafur, but since Incognito signed a one-year deal for the veteran minimum in late May, NFL rules stipulate he cannot re-sign with the Raiders until 2020. A re-up would surely result in a raise for the veteran blocker, considering he’s making barely $1MM this season.
Incognito missed the Raiders’ first two games due to a suspension but has thrived since. The former Rams, Dolphins and Bills blocker grades as Pro Football Focus’ No. 8 overall guard. Taking over Kelechi Osemele‘s former post, Incognito has helped Josh Jacobs (923 yards, 4.8 per carry) become perhaps the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year favorite and keep Derek Carr clean. Football Outsiders’ chief run-blocking metric, adjusted line yards, rates the Raiders fourth; Oakland’s 15 sacks allowed ranks second in the league.
Should Incognito make the Pro Bowl, it would make him the oldest guard to be honored as such since Bruce Matthews and Ray Brown 18 years ago. While Incognito’s polarizing past and suspension history makes him far from a sure bet, Tafur adds the Raiders have been pleased with him as a locker room leader during this 6-4 start. Jon Gruden called the player most associated with the 2013 Bullygate scandal a “steadying force” for the team.