Chargers T Joe Alt Suffers High Ankle Sprain
SEPTEMBER 29: Monday’s MRI has confirmed the diagnosis of a high ankle sprain. Rapoport reports Alt is now seeking second opinions, although in any case a notable absence is in store.
SEPTEMBER 28: As if it hadn’t been through enough, things went from bad to worse for the Chargers offensive line today when offensive tackle Joe Alt was carted off the field with an ankle injury, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport followed up that report with news that X-rays on the ankle came back negative for broken bones but that a high ankle sprain was the preliminary diagnosis. Alt will undergo MRI testing tomorrow to determine the severity of the injury. 
The Chargers came into today down two starters on the offensive line already. Regular left tackle Rashawn Slater is already out for the season with a torn patellar tendon, and starting right guard Mekhi Becton was ruled out for Week 4’s game due to a concussion. They lost their third starter on the line when Alt was carted off, leaving only center Bradley Bozeman and left guard Zion Johnson as the last of the original first-team offensive line remaining.
While we know Slater isn’t coming back to the field until next year, Becton should be back as soon as he clears concussion protocol. Alt’s timetable for return will depend on the results of the upcoming MRI. A high ankle sprain usually means an absence of, at least, a couple weeks. If the injury is severe enough, it could take months for Alt to return to the line. An absence of that length would be brutal for a team that has had such a promising start to the season.
Alt was only playing left tackle for the Chargers because of Slater’s injury. With Alt vacating the right tackle spot he played in his rookie campaign, Los Angeles has been starting Trey Pipkins on the right side. When the Chargers lost their second left tackle in as many months, it was Austin Deculus who came in to fill out the first-team offensive line at left tackle.
Pipkins had had prior experience as a starting tackle for the Chargers, though his time in that role was partially the reason for the team drafting Alt. He shifted in to a starting guard spot once Alt came in, but his return to a starting tackle role was not a necessarily difficult move. Deculus, on the other hand, has only started one game in his four-year NFL career, and even including that start, he has never played more than 38 snaps in an NFL game.
Deculus’ lack of experience is only a potential concern if Alt’s MRI comes back with bad news. If it turns out that the Alt is in for an extended absence, the Chargers will have to navigate that time with two backup tackles. They should know more about what they’re dealing with tomorrow.
Texans Trade OL Austin Deculus To Chargers
The Texans’ offensive line reshuffle continues; they are trading fourth-year blocker Austin Deculus. The 2022 Houston draftee will be dealt to the Chargers, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports.
In exchange, the Texans will add a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick. Deculus will join a Bolts team dealt a tough injury blow weeks ago upon losing left tackle Rashawn Slater for the season.
Houston has already made three trades involving O-linemen this offseason. They dealt Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders, sent Kenyon Green to the Eagles and acquired Ed Ingram from the Vikings. No. 4 involves a much lower-profile player in Deculus, who has played in 13 career games with one start.
For a team that lost a Pro Bowl left tackle, the Bolts are in fairly decent shape. They kicked Joe Alt over from right tackle and are set to plug Trey Pipkins — he of considerable starting experience — at RT, marking a return after an unsuccessful guard transition. The Chargers also roster ex-Slater LT fill-in Jamaree Salyer up front.
All but one of Deculus’ NFL snaps on offense have come at left tackle. The trade gives the Bolts a second backup option alongside Salyer, who has a year of guard starter experience under his belt as well.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/24
The last minor NFL transactions of the 2024 calendar year:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: C Nick Leverett
- Placed on IR: RB Trey Benson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB John Kelly
- Placed on IR: WR Cedric Tillman
- Waived (with injury settlement): LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle
Detroit Lions
- Waived: S Morice Norris
Houston Texans
- Signed off Saints’ practice squad: T Austin Deculus
- Placed on reserve/NFI: T Zachary Thomas
New Orleans Saints
- Signed of Cowboys’ practice squad: T Josh Ball
- Placed on IR: LB Jaylan Ford
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: K Greg Zuerlein
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: LB Dre Greenlaw (story)
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/24
Saturday’s minor moves, including gameday elevations for Week 17:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: RB Michael Carter, S Andre Chachere
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on IR: S Antonio Hamilton
- Signed to active roster: LB Josh Woods
- Elevated: CB Lamar Jackson, OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Lewis Cine, WR Tyrell Shavers
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: DB Chau Smith-Wade
- Signed to active roster: RB Mike Boone, QB Jack Plummer
- Elevated: DT DeShawn Williams
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: WR CeeDee Lamb (story), CB Amani Oruwariye
- Activated from IR: T Asim Richards
- Signed to active roster: LB Darius Harris
- Elevated: CB Troy Pride Jr., OL Dakoda Shepley
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: S Omar Brown
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: C Erik McCoy, G Lucas Patrick
- Signed to active roster: OL Kyle Hergel, LB Isaiah Stalbird
- Elevated: T Austin Deculus, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: S Raheem Layne (story)
- Activated from IR: OL Austin Schlottmann, DL Armon Watts
- Elevated: OLB Carlos Basham
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: K Greg Zuerlein
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: WR Kameron Johnson, S Jordan Whitehead
- Signed to active roster: P Jack Browning
- Elevated: LB Deion Jones, QB Michael Pratt
- Waived: LB Vi Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: G Arlington Hambright, LB Raekwon McMillan, K Matthew Wright
- Elevated: T Chandler Brewer, DB Gervarrius Owens
- Released: DB Tre Avery, DB Gabe Jeudy-Lally
It was already known Lamb would be out for the remainder of the year, but the same will now be true of Oruwariye. The latter made seven appearances in 2024, his debut Cowboys season. That included four starts and a defensive snap share of 62%, making him a notable contributor on a Dallas defense which has dealt with a number of injuries. Oruwariye, 28, is a pending free agent.
McCoy and Patrick suffered injuries during the Saints’ Week 16 loss, and today’s move confirms they will both miss the remainder of the season. New Orleans’ offensive line has been dealt a number of blows in 2024, and that will continue through the final two games of the season. McCoy appeared in just seven games this year, but plenty of term remains on his pact. Patrick, by contrast, is set to hit the open market this spring.
Whitehead returned to practice earlier this week, so it comes as no surprise he will be available to the Buccaneers tomorrow. He will be expected to reprise his role as a defensive starter as Tampa Bay looks to seal the NFC South over the final two games of the campaign. Bringing back Whitehead and Johnson will leave the team with two IR activations.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/29/24
PFR’s practice squad rundown, signaling we are indeed close to games that count, begins Thursday. Here is how teams began to handle their 16-man P-squads.
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Jordan Murray, DL PJ Mustipher, OL Luke Tenuta
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Monty Rice, OL Elijah Wilkinson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Ja’Tyre Carter, WR Jalen Coker, TE Feleipe Franks, LB Thomas Incoom, DE Tarron Jackson, DT Jayden Peevy, S Demani Richardson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Chris Glaser, DL Sam Roberts
- Released: DB Quindell Johnson, DL Dashaun Mallory
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: G Tashawn Manning, RB Kendall Milton, DT Justin Rogers, DE Isaiah Thomas
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Gary Brightwell, WR Tulu Griffin, TE Cameron Latu, TE Blake Whiteheart
- Released: LS Rex Sunahara
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DT Phil Hoskins, CB Amani Oruwariye
Detroit Lions
- Released: S C.J. Moore
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Braeden Daniels, TE Cole Fotheringham, WR Xavier Johnson, S Mark Perry, QB Kedon Slovis
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT McTelvin Agim, DE Titus Leo, TE Sean McKeon, G Atonio Mafi, K Spencer Shrader
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Blake Hance, S Matthew Jackson, WR Louis Rees-Zammit
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: TE Justin Shorter
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: S Tony Jefferson, C Sam Mustipher, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Released: CB Robert Kennedy
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: RB Zach Evans
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: QB Tim Boyle
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Ricky Lee, RB Zavier Scott
- Released: WR Jeshaun Jones, RB DeWayne McBride
New England Patriots
- Signed: DE Brevin Allen, G Jerome Carvin, DT Trysten Hill, C Bryan Hudson, G Michael Jordan, WR Jalen Reagor
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: T Austin Deculus, TE Treyton Welch
- Released: TE Mason Fairchild
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Art Green, DT Elijah Garcia, CB Duke Shelley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OL Brett Toth
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Anthony Averett, FB Jack Colletto, CB Zyon Gilbert, CB Thomas Graham Jr., LB Marcus Haynes, DL Jacob Slade, RB Jonathan Ward, TE Rodney Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Terrace Marshall, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Josh Jobe, LB Tyreke Smith
- Released: T Raiqwon O’Neal
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: C Avery Jones, T Lorenz Metz, WR Ryan Miller, WR Cody Thompson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DL James Lynch
Washington Commanders
- Signed: LB Jalen Graham, CB Bobby Price
Slovis went to camp with the Colts, joining the team as a UDFA this year. Houston placed Case Keenum on IR and released Tim Boyle, who is now the Dolphins’ P-squad QB. Slovis, who played at USC, Pittsburgh and BYU in college, is now the Texans’ de facto third-stringer.
Shelley has 11 career starts — with the Bears and Vikings — on his resume. He joined the Raiders last year but ended up with the Rams, playing in 11 games as a backup. The Giants have spent time searching for a cornerback answer, having not been too satisfied with their Cor’Dale Flott–Nick McCloud CB2 competition. New York did not make any waiver claims at the position Wednesday.
Reagor, who played for the Patriots last season, is back after being released earlier this week. The former Minnesota first-rounder played in 11 New England games last season, returning a kick for a touchdown. Latu joins the Browns after being a 49ers cut. The 2023 third-round pick missed all of last season with an ACL tear. Jefferson is back with the Bolts hours after being released.
Jets Set 53-Man Roster
The 2023 campaign obviously didn’t go as planned for the Jets, but the organization is hoping for much more success with a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center in 2024. Of course, before they can take the field, the team had to set their 53-man roster. The Jets announced the following roster moves today:
Released:
- LB Sam Eguavoen
- TE Anthony Firkser
- OL Jake Hanson
- DL Jalyn Holmes
- K Austin Seibert
- CB Kendall Sheffield
- DL Tanzel Smart
Waived:
- CB Shemar Bartholomew
- S Al Blades Jr.
- OL Austin Deculus
- OL Obinna Eze
- OL Chris Glaser
- WR Tyler Harrell
- DL Bruce Hector
- LB Anthony Hines
- RB Deon Jackson
- S Jaylen Key
- TE Zack Kuntz
- S Jarius Monroe
- OL Brady Latham
- OL Kohl Levao
- QB Adrian Martinez
- LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
- WR Lance McCutcheon
- QB Andrew Peasley
- TE Lincoln Sefcik
- CB Nehemiah Shelton
- LB Jackson Sirmon
- WR Brandon Smith
- DB Tre Swilling
- DL Jaylen Twyman
- OL Willie Tyler III
- RB Xazavian Valladay
- WR Isaiah Winstead
Placed on reserve/NFI list:
- DL Leki Fotu
- QB Jordan Travis
- TE Kenny Yeboah
Following today’s moves, the Jets are temporarily rostering only a pair of tight ends in Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert. Anthony Firkser isn’t an especially surprising cut, but the veteran could have provided some experience to the position grouping. After topping 30 receptions with the Titans in 2020 and 2021, Firkser was limited to nine catches in 2022 before appearing in only a pair of games with the Lions in 2023. The Jets also moved on from 2023 seventh-round pick Zack Kuntz, although there’s a chance the six-foot-eight tight end lands back on the team’s practice squad.
The Jets also moved on from a notable rookie in Jaylen Key, who had the distinction of being this year’s Mr. Irrelevant. The safety had a strong one-season stint at Alabama, where he collected 60 tackles and one interception.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/15/24
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed: LB Joe Bachie
- Signed ERFA tender: LS Cal Adomitis
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: LB Sam Kamara
- Waived/failed physical: G Drew Forbes
Detroit Lions
- Signed ERFA tender: OL Kayode Awosika, LB James Houston, RB Craig Reynolds
Green Bay Packers
- Signed ERFA tender: P Daniel Whalen, RB Emanuel Wilson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Patrick Murtaugh
- Waived: S Ayo Oyelola
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed ERFA tender: RB Ronnie Rivers
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
New York Giants
- Signed RFA tender: CB Nick McCloud
New York Jets
- Signed ERFA tender: T Austin Deculus
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: OL Lorenz Metz
Washington Commanders
- Waived: LS Tucker Addington
Today marks the first day for teams with holdover HCs to begin offseason programs. That date frequently coincides with restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents officially coming back into the fold. McCloud’s signing and Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson inking his second-round tender leaves 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings, also given a Round 2 tender, as the lone unsigned RFA. McCloud will be tied to a nonguaranteed $2.99MM salary.
A former UDFA out of Michigan State, Bachie has been with the Bengals for the past three seasons. The young linebacker has been a regular special-teamer in that time; over the past two seasons, Bachie has been on the field for more than 60% of Cincinnati’s ST plays.
The Commanders signed Tyler Ott in free agency. The longtime Seahawks snapper spent 2023 with the Ravens; the veteran staying in the Mid-Atlantic region will lead to Addington — a three-game Washington long snapper in 2023 — being moved off the roster.
Murtaugh and Metz are coming to the NFL via the league’s International Pathway Program. Murtaugh hails from Australia and has a background in Australian Rules Football. He spent a bit of time with the Lions in 2023. A German, Metz spent time with the Bears last year but did not make their roster. He was not with a team during the season. If Murtaugh and Metz fail to make their respective team’s 53-man roster, they can be carried as a 17th practice squad player via the IPP program.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/23
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: CB Josh Norman
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: TE Lucas Krull, WR David Sills
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Seahawks): DB Kyu Blu Kelly
- Waived: S Innis Gaines
New England Patriots
- Claimed off waivers (from Jaguars): RB JaMycal Hasty
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers (from Texans): OL Austin Deculus
- Waived: DT Tanzel Smart
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: DT Breiden Fehoko
JaMycal Hasty was waived by the Jaguars this past weekend following a year-plus with the organization. The running back had 320 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns during his first season in Jacksonville but was limited to only three games and zero touches this year. He’ll be hard pressed to carve out a role in New England with Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott leading the depth chart.
Texans To Activate CB Derek Stingley Jr. From IR
1:57pm: With Fairbairn set to miss some time, the team has officially made the decision to place him on IR. He’ll be out for at least four weeks now, so even though Ammendola is only getting called up for tomorrow, a permanent roster move to cover the kicker position is likely soon.
With two new vacancies on the 53-man roster, the Texans have opted to utilize their practice squad to fill one. The team announced that it will be signing practice squad offensive guard Dieter Eiselen to the active roster.
Lastly, joining Fairbairn as a standard gameday elevation will be practice squad tight end Dalton Keene. With Brevin Jordan one of eight inactives heading into Sunday’s trip to Cincinnati, Keene will step in to back up Dalton Schultz and Eric Saubert.
9:45am: It sounds like Derek Stingley Jr. will be in the lineup when the Texans take on the Bengals tomorrow. The team is set to activate the cornerback from injured reserve, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has confirmed the news.
Stingley landed on injured reserve back in September after suffering a hamstring injury during practice. The Texans opened his 21-day activation window earlier this week when the cornerback returned to practice.
While the return to practice was obviously a positive development for Stingley, it sounded like the team was proceeding with caution with the former third-overall pick. Since Stingley had been sidelined for more than a month, the Texans were reportedly going to give the defender as much time as he needed to get into game shape. Apparently, it didn’t take all that long, as Stingley is set to be activated only days after being designated for return.
The LSU product hasn’t necessarily lived up to his third-overall-pick billing, but that’s mostly been thanks to injury. Stingley collected 43 tackles, one interception, and five passes defended to begin his rookie campaign, but a hamstring injury suffered in Week 10 ultimately forced him to miss the rest of the season. He had nine tackles in two starts to begin this season before landing on injured reserve.
To make room on the roster, the Texans have waived offensive lineman Austin Deculus. The 2022 sixth-round pick has seen time in 13 games over the past two seasons for Houston, including seven appearances (one start) this season. He was waived at the end of the preseason before landing on the practice squad, and there’s a good chance he follows a similar path this time around.
The Texans made one additional move as they prepare for Week 10. Per Wilson, the team has promoted kicker Matt Ammendola from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation. Ka’imi Fairbairn is set to miss a handful of weeks while recovering from a strained quadriceps, so Houston will temporarily roll with the journeyman kicker. Ammendola has spent time with six different organizations since going undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2020. He’s seen time in 15 career games, connecting on 18 of his 26 field goal attempts and 19 of his 22 extra point tries.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/23
Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves ahead of tomorrow’s slate of Week 4 games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: RB Corey Clement, DL Eric Banks
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: DL Timmy Horne
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: RB Melvin Gordon, WR Laquon Treadwell
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: CB Dicaprio Bootle, S Matthias Farley
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DB A.J. Thomas
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: TE Tanner Hudson
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, QB P.J. Walker
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: C Brock Hoffman
- Elevated: LB Malik Jefferson, TE Sean McKeon
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Ben Niemann, RB Dwayne Washington
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: DT Khalil Davis, T Austin Deculus
- Released: S DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Elevated: T Geron Christian, OL Jimmy Morrissey
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: G Ike Boettger, WR Amari Rodgers
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Jacob Harris
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: LB Kana’i Mauga
- Placed on IR: LB Curtis Bolton
- Elevated: CB Tyler Hall, OLB Malik Reed
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: S Dean Marlowe, S A.J. Finley
- Placed on NFI list: C Corey Linsley (story), S JT Woods
- Elevated: WR Keelan Doss, DE Andrew Former
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Royce Freeman, WR Austin Trammell
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: WR Robbie Chosen, LB Cameron Goode
- Elevated: DE Chase Winovich
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR N’Keal Harry
New England Patriots
- Elevated: DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: S Johnathan Abram, CB Cameron Dantzler
New York Jets
- Elevated: OL Chris Glaser
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Tristin McCollum, P Braden Mann
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: P Brad Wing
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield, WR Willie Snead
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: CB Keenan Isaac, LB J.J. Russell
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: CB Shyheim Carter, TE Kevin Rader
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: RB Derrick Gore
Walker’s elevation comes amidst a degree of uncertainty regarding Deshaun Watson‘s Sunday availability. The latter is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he has expressed confidence he will be able to suit up. In the event he is unable to play, though, Walker will provide insurance under center. NFL Network’s James Palmer reports Watson will be a game-time decision.
Chosen, formerly Robbie Anderson, made his Dolphins debut in Week 3, scoring a 68-yard touchdown on his only catch. His performance – along with other depth wideouts currently being sidelined for Miami – will give the 30-year-old a longer look with his new team.
Gore’s elevation will give him the chance to see regular season game action for the first time since 2021. The former UDFA recorded 361 scrimmage yards with the Chiefs that season, but a subsequent IR stint marked the end of his time in Kansas City. Gore has since spent time on the Saints’, and now Commanders’, taxi squads. Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes that fellow depth back Chris Rodriguez has bee ruled out with an illness, opening the door to Gore seeing limited snaps.