Ainias Smith

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/24

Here are the minor moves made around the NFL on Monday:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Received one-game roster exemption: WR Zay Jones

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

  • Received one-game roster exemption: DT Mike Hall

Green Bay Packers

Philadelphia Eagles

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Both Jones and Hall were issued suspensions under the personal conduct policy leaving them sidelined for the first five weeks of the season. Their roster exemptions will allow them to make their debuts in Week 6, but after that point a corresponding move will be needed for them to be permanently activated to their respective 53-man rosters.

Lemieux served as New Orleans’ starting center in Week 4 after being promoted from the practice squad. He stepped into a first-team role in place of Erik McCoy, who is dealing with a groin injury. Losing Lemieux for at least the next four games will deal another blow to the Saints’ O-line. Connor McGovern was added to the mix recently, but Lucas Patrick has received the nod at center to begin the team’s Week 5 matchup.

Eagles Cut Down Roster To 53 Players

The Eagles are hoping to rebound from a disappointing end to their 2023 campaign. Before they can do that, the team had to make some tough roster decisions as they got down to 53 players. The team announced the following moves:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

Placed on IR (designated for return):

Placed on reserve/PUP:

After carrying only four wideouts on their initial 53-man roster in 2023, the team is carrying five WRs heading into 2024. Still, some notable names earned their walking papers today. Parris Campbell is only two years removed from a 63-catch season with the Colts, but the wideout was limited to only 20 receptions with the Giants in 2023. John Ross continues to get opportunities by virtue of his first-round billing, but the former ninth-overall pick hasn’t seen the field since a 10-game showing with the Giants in 2021.

Oren Burks missed a chunk of the summer with an injury, but his release is still a bit of a surprise. The former third-round pick spent the past two seasons with the 49ers, where he started eight of his 32 appearances. The veteran has also made a name for himself on special teams, where he’s averaged more than 277 snaps per season.

Titans Inquired On Eagles’ James Bradberry; Philly To Place Albert Okwuegbunam, Ainias Smith On IR

Residing as a veteran uncertain to land on the Eagles’ 53-man roster, James Bradberry is moving toward being part of a third Philly squad. But the Eagles indeed discussed the veteran DB in trades.

Bradberry surfaced as a trade candidate recently, and the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes the Titans inquired about the converted cornerback. Transitioning to safety, Bradberry has a history with new Titans DC Dennard Wilson. The new Tennessee play-caller coached Bradberry with the 2022 Eagles.

Indeed, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini confirms Bradberry is on Philly’s 53-man roster. The Eagles are creating some space by using two early IR-return designations. They will place Albert Okwuegbunam and fourth-round rookie wide receiver Ainias Smith on IR. Smith sustained an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out up to six weeks, AllPHLY.com’s Zach Berman tweets. A core muscle surgery will sideline Okwuegbunam, McLane adds.

Both Smith and Okwuegbunam will count toward Philly’s IR-activation total, which will drop from eight to six following today’s roster decisions. This will open space for Bradberry, who has seen the Eagles move aggressively to upgrade their secondary this year. Bradberry’s transition to safety has not progressed swiftly, McLane adds, creating some uncertainty regarding his 2024 role in Philly.

The Eagles re-signed Bradberry to a three-year, $38MM deal in 2023. He was not able to match his 2022 form, as the Eagles’ pass rush regressed after a historic ’22 outing. The former Panthers and Giants starter would have cost the Eagles $15MM-plus to release (with no cap savings coming), helping explain why he will survive today’s cutdown.

Philly reunited with C.J. Gardner-Johnson and used first- and second-round picks (Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean) on DBs. The Eagles want DeJean at corner, crowding a position group that also includes stalwart Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox and 2023 additions Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/13/24

Front offices around the NFL continue to chip away at their draft pick signings. That was no exception today, as a number of teams inked players to rookie contracts:

Cincinnati Bengals

Indianapolis Colts

  • OT Matt Goncalves (third round, Pittsburgh)
  • C Tanor Bortolini (fourth round, Wisconsin)

Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • EDGE Jalyx Hunt (third round, Houston Christian)
  • RB Will Shipley (fourth round, Clemson)
  • WR Ainias Smith (fourth round, Texas A&M)

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers