Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC East
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC East teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, and Washington are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Dallas Cowboys
- Acquired via trade:
- RB Christine Michael, from Seahawks (link)
- Cut:
- DL Lavar Edwards (Twitter link via Charean Williams)
- Signed to practice squad:
- RB Gus Johnson (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- QB Jameill Showers (Twitter link via Brandon George)
- QB Kellen Moore (Twitter link via Chadd Cripe)
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers:
- Cut:
- DT Kenrick Ellis (link)
- CB Mike Harris (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano)
- Signed to practice squad:
- DE Brad Bars (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- OL Emmett Cleary (via press release)
- CB C.J. Conway (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan)
- LB Cole Farrand (via press release)
- OL Adam Gettis (via press release)
- WR Julian Talley (Twitter link via Raanan)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed off waivers:
- QB Stephen Morris (link)
- Signed to practice squad (via press release)
- T Brett Boyko (Twitter link via Adam Caplan)
- G Malcolm Bunche
- CB Randall Evans (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- WR Freddie Martino
- DE Brian Mihalik
- RB Raheem Mostert (Twitter link via Brett Tessler)
- TE Chris Pantale
- WR Quron Pratt
- S Ed Reynolds (Twitter link via Caplan)
- LB Deontae Skinner (Twitter link via Tony Pauline)
Washington
- Signed to practice squad:
- FB Ray Agnew (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- LB Houston Bates (via press release)
- OT Takoby Cofield (Twitter link via John Keim)
- DE Corey Crawford (via press release)
- CB Quinton Dunbar (via press release)
- TE Je’Ron Hamm (via press release)
- LB Terrance Plummer (Twitter link via Tarik El-Bashir)
- RB Trey Williams (Twitter link via Mike Jones)
Dolphins, Eagles Claim QBs Off Waivers
The Dolphins and Eagles have claimed quarterbacks off waivers today, according to reports by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Per Rapoport, the Dolphins have been awarded former Cardinals signal-caller Logan Thomas, while Schefter reports that the Eagles have landed ex-Jaguars QB Stephen Morris.
Thomas, 24, was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 draft by Arizona, but was considered fairly raw coming out of Virginia Tech and didn’t really get a chance to play for the Cards last year, despite the team’s injury woes. He was usurped on the depth chart by Matt Barkley in Arizona, and he’ll join a group in Miami that includes Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore.
As for Morris, the undrafted quarterback out of Miami spent time on the Jaguars’ practice squad in 2014. He’ll replace Tim Tebow on Philadelphia’s roster, though it’s not clear if he’ll remain on the 53-man unit, or if the Eagles will eventually try to move him over to their taxi squad.
NFC Notes: Bucs, Byrd, Brooks
After taking a peek at a few AFC notes this morning, let’s have a look at some NFC links in advance of today’s flurry of waiver claims and practice squad news:
- The Buccaneers are first in line to claim players waived by the 31 other teams in the league, and Greg Auman of The Tampa Bay Times says one position where the Bucs will likely add a player is defensive end. After placing Larry English on injured reserve and cutting backups Lawrence Sidbury and rookie Ryan Delaire, Tampa Bay currently has only three defensive ends on its roster.
- We learned yesterday that Saints safety Jairus Byrd had avoided the regular season PUP list, meaning that he is eligible to play immediately when he is medically ready. As Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune observes, it is still unclear as to exactly when Byrd will be back, but the fact that he is on the 53-man roster indicates that he could be ready to go soon.
- Ahmad Brooks will remain on the 49ers‘ 53-man roster as the league continues to monitor his criminal case, per Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle. Head coach Jim Tomsula said he expects Brooks to play next week’s season opener, and the NFL issued a statement stating that it was not appropriate to place Brooks on the Commissioner’s Exempt List at this time.
- John Keim of ESPN.com takes a closer look at some of the fallout from the Robert Griffin III drama in Washington. Keim notes that not everyone in the organization believes in Kirk Cousins, and Griffin’s biggest fan is team owner Dan Snyder. If Cousins gives Snyder a reason to believe in him, then Griffin may be traded or released. But if Cousins struggles, and there is plenty of reason to believe he will, the possible tension between ownership and the rest of Washington’s brass may be further illuminated.
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com looks at five Washington starting jobs that could change hands this season, including quarterback (obviously), left guard, and strong safety.
- If he goes unclaimed on waivers, the Eagles will definitely sign RB Raheem Mostert to their practice squad, according to Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter link).
- The Lions, meanwhile, plan to sign Andrew Peacock to their practice squad today, according to a tweet from Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press. Peacock cleared waivers last week.
East Notes: Wayne, Brown, Tebow
Bill Belichick and Reggie Wayne agreed to mutually part company when the Patriots officially released the wide receiver they employed for not even two weeks, according to Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com.
Another reason for Wayne’s abrupt departure amid the Patriots’ injury struggles at the position could stem from the wideout’s lack of enjoyment in the Pats’ environment, per team radio analyst, Scott Zolak (on Twitter).
A source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk the the Patriots like to bring in veterans and let them learn the system to a degree, so even in the event they are cut, they could potentially fill a need later in the season if help is needed. Florio offers that Wayne might not be willing to follow in this path.
Two months shy of 37, Wayne’s beginning to sound like he’s on the way out, with a source telling Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link) the potential Hall of Fame wideout is willing to return but only in the right situation. But then again, not many veterans this far into their careers like to join up with losing franchises, so Wayne not jumping at just any chance to play makes sense.
Here are some other notes from the Eastern divisions as cut day closes.
- Chip Kelly told Tim Tebow to hone his craft in Canada when the third-year Eagles coach cut the polarizing quarterback today, reports Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). Tebow has previously rebuffed such opportunities, but Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com notes (on Twitter) the Toronto Argonauts hold Tebow’s CFL rights, have spoken with him before and happen to be on a bye week presently.
- The Bills may not be done reshuffling their backfield. They’ve had discussions of trading Bryce Brown, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. Buffalo GM Doug Whaley surrendered a fourth-round pick for Brown last season. The backup to the recently relocated Fred Jackson and the less-recently relocated C.J. Spiller last season, Brown, 24, didn’t receive many opportunities in his debut Bills slate. Now a two-time LeSean McCoy understudy, Brown appears to have fallen out of favor in Buffalo. He still sits behind Anthony Dixon and potentially fifth-rounder Karlos Williams. Dixon accrued 105 carries to Brown’s 36 last season despite Brown’s 5.1 yards per tote eclipsing Dixon’s tally by a full yard.
Eagles Reduce Roster To 52 Players
Their decision to cut Tim Tebow will make the biggest headlines today, but the Eagles have made many more roster moves, and have not only reduced their roster to the maximum 53 — they’ve gone one further, getting down to 52 players.
As Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets, there’s a good chance that 53rd spot will be filled in the coming days with a quarterback. After having cut Tebow and traded Matt Barkley, the club is carrying just two signal-callers, and wouldn’t mind adding some insurance for the oft-injured Sam Bradford.
Here are the rest of the Eagles’ cuts, per a press release:
- WR Rasheed Bailey
- G Brett Boyko
- G Malcolm Bunche
- CB Randall Evans
- TE Andrew Gleichert
- LB Najee Goode
- WR Jeff Maehl
- WR Freddie Martino
- DE Brian Mihalik
- G John Moffitt
- RB Raheem Mostert
- WR Quron Pratt
- S Chris Prosinski
- DE Travis Raciti
- S Ed Reynolds
- LB Deontae Skinner
- P Kip Smith
- TE Eric Tomlinson
- C/G Julian Vandervelde
- LB Diaheem Watkins
- CB Jaylen Watkins
Eagles Have Interest In Christian Ponder
Within the last 24 hours, the Eagles have traded Matt Barkley to Arizona and cut Tim Tebow, but the team still appears open to the idea of carrying three quarterbacks. According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter), Philadelphia has interest in Christian Ponder, who is expected to be cut by the Raiders today if they can’t find a trade partner.
As Getlin notes, Chip Kelly and the Eagles have always maintained that they want to put together a roster of “the best 53.” Given Sam Bradford‘s injury history, it also makes sense that the club would want some insurance at the quarterback position. Currently, Mark Sanchez is the only backup on the roster for Bradford.
NFl veterans on a roster for a team’s Week 1 game will have their salaries guaranteed, so the Eagles may decide to carry just two quarterbacks into their first regular season contest before adding a third QB later. The team could also explore including a signal-caller on the practice squad.
Extra Points: Browns, Seahawks, Eagles, Bucs
Some assorted notes from around the NFL…
- The Browns are focused on adding a veteran running back via trade, waiver claim, or signing, reports Zac Jackson of ProFootballTalk.com. Besides the uncertainty surrounding the team’s current depth at the position, the team’s veterans have also told the coaching staff that an older player could be a good influence on the group.
- Browns coach Mike Pettine told Jeff Schudel of The Morning Journal that it would require a “leap of faith” for former quarterback Terrelle Pryor to stick around. Pryor, who is attempting to make the squad as a wideout, has battled hamstring tightness through most of the preseason. “It’s a project to take a guy who’s played quarterback for the vast majority of his football career (and try to change his position),” Pettine said. “Even if he had stayed completely healthy, I don’t know if we would have all the results in, if we would feel 100 percent comfortable even if he had gone the whole time and not gotten injured. So certainly it would be a leap of faith.”
- The Seahawks are exploring trades for veteran safeties, reports Conor Orr of NFL.com. Kam Chancellor is currently holding out for a new contract, and Earl Thomas is just returning from injury, so the club could use some depth at the position.
- Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com says he’d be “really surprised” if the Eagles were finished making moves (Twitter link). He passes along that they’re “open for business” when it comes to discussing trades at “numerous” positions.
- Buccaneers defensive end Larry English suffered a “significant” knee injury during the team’s preseason finale, and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says the team will be eyeing the waiver wire for defensive line reinforcement. Jacquies Smith and T.J. Fatinikun are also currently struggling with injuries.
Eagles Cut Tim Tebow
After trading Matt Barkley to the Cardinals, the Eagles have parted ways with another backup quarterback, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the team has cut Tim Tebow. Howard Eskin of FOX 29 tweeted earlier today that he was getting indications Tebow would be let go, with Chip Kelly looking for help at quarterback and possibly on the offensive line.
Assuming the Eagles have no plans to bring Tebow back to their roster in the coming weeks, this could be the last shot the former Florida Gator gets in the NFL. There was a belief that he had a decent chance to make Philadelphia’s roster this season, since Kelly and the team reportedly liked his potential to contribute on short-yardage and two-point plays.
With Tebow – and Barkley – no longer in the mix, Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez are the only quarterbacks remaining on the Eagles’ roster. While many teams carry just two signal-callers, Philadelphia will likely want to add a third QB as insurance, either to the practice squad or the active roster, given Bradford’s injury history.
Extra Points: Brady, Orton, Seahawks
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady issued a Facebook statement Friday in response to Judge Richard Berman’s decision on Thursday to overturn the four-game suspension the NFL handed him for his role in DeflateGate. Here are a couple snippets from the full statement, which can be found here (courtesy of ESPN’s Josina Anderson):
“While I am pleased to be eligible to play, I am sorry our league had to endure this. I don’t think it has been good for our sport – to a large degree, we have all lost.”
“I love the NFL. It is a privilege to be a member of the NFL community and I will always try to do my best in representing my team and the league in a way that would make all members of this community proud.”
More from around the league as Saturday’s 53-man roster deadline draws closer:
- Multiple teams – including the Jets – reached out to retired quarterback Kyle Orton this summer about a possible comeback, but he spurned their advances. Orton told Chris Trapasso of NFL.com that retirement had been on his mind for the past couple seasons, so he finally walked away from the game for good (Twitter link). Buffalo coaxed Orton out of a brief retirement last year and he proceeded to throw 18 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, giving him 101 and 69, respectively, for his career. The former fourth-round pick played for five different franchises after entering the NFL in 2005.
- With Marshawn Lynch, the newly added Fred Jackson and Robert Turbin on the Seahawks’ running back depth chart, Christine Michael could be the odd man out. The team is exploring trade options for him, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).
- The Eagles are shopping second-year cornerback Jaylen Watkins, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
- The Texans are mulling signing another quarterback after third-stringer Tom Savage suffered a severely sprained throwing shoulder Thursday, Wilson writes. “It’s a discussion that we’re having, whether to go out and possibly get a third quarterback or maybe have a quarterback on the practice squad, something like that,” head coach Bill O’Brien said. “We haven’t made a final decision on that.”
Cardinals Acquire Matt Barkley From Eagles
The Cardinals have agreed to a trade with the Eagles, acquiring quarterback Matt Barkley, in exchange for a conditional late-round pick, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link), it’s a seventh-rounder, and Philadelphia will only get the pick if Barkley remains on Arizona’s roster for at least six games.
Barkley, who turns 25 next week, was drafted 98th overall in 2013 by the Eagles, a fourth-round pick out of USC. He has mostly been stuck on the team’s bench since then, completing 30 of his 50 career attempts for 300 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions.
After the Eagles acquired Sam Bradford this offseason, Barkley was poised to enter the year as no better than the third quarterback on Philadelphia’s depth chart, behind Bradford and Mark Sanchez. With Tim Tebow gaining momentum in the preseason and poised to earn a roster spot as well, Barkley was the odd man out.
In Arizona, Barkley will join a group of quarterbacks that includes Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton, and Logan Thomas. The deal looks like bad news for Thomas, whose roster spot was already in jeopardy when Bruce Arians suggested last week that the team might just keep two quarterbacks (Twitter link).