Bills Release Bacarri Rambo, Others
The Bills are getting a head start on their roster cuts in advance of the Saturday deadline. The team announced that the following six players have been waived:
- RB Cedric O’Neal
- S Bacarri Rambo
- DE Jake Metz
- G Karim Barton
- WR Rashad Ross
- CB Jumal Rolle
Rambo, 27, had his first stint with the Bills in 2014 and 2015, appearing in a combined 19 games with eight starts. Last year, he joined the Dolphins midway through the year and racked up 39 total tackles, one interceptions, and three passes defensed in nine games (five starts). He returned to the Bills this July, but he was not able to stick for long.
Metz, 26, spent the bulk of last year with the Qingdao Clipper of the China Arena Football League. He’ll presumably try to find another NFL gig, but he could also wind up getting a new stamp in his passport.
Buffalo’s roster now stands at 83 players, meaning that they still have to cut 30 guys by Saturday afternoon.
Bills Sign Sam Barrington, Baccari Rambo
The Bills have signed linebacker Sam Barrington, safety Bacarri Rambo, and offensive lineman Karim Barton, according to a team announcement. To make room, linebacker Anthony Harrell has been cut and center Patrick Lewis has been waived/injured. 
Barrington spent the first three years of his career with the Packers but was waived before last year’s 53-man cut. The Chiefs claimed him off waivers, but he did not record an official statistic in his two games there and was quickly discarded. In November, he signed with the Saints and finished out the year there. It has been a quiet offseason for Barrington. Before today, the only mention we heard of his name was a May workout for the Jaguars.
Rambo, 27, hooked on with the Dolphins midway through the 2016 season. In nine games (five starts), he recorded 39 total tackles, one interceptions, and three passes defensed.
Barton has bounced around for a few years, being signed to reserve/futures deals by the Browns (2015), Texans (’16) and Titans (’17). The 25-year-old has never played in a game.
The Bills claimed Lewis off waivers from the Seahawks in late August and, in an unorthodox move, signed him to a one-year extension less than two weeks later. Per the terms of that deal, Lewis was slated to earn $1.2MM in 2017.
Dolphins To Sign Bacarri Rambo
The Dolphins are signing safety Bacarri Rambo, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). Miami worked out a group of safeties earlier today, including veteran James Ihedigbo, Major Wright, and Sergio Brown, but Rambo will be the defensive back putting pen to paper.
[RELATED: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart]
Rambo, 26, appeared in 15 games (eight starts) for the Bills last season, but wasn’t tendered as a restricted free agent once the year concluded. A 2013 sixth-round pick, Rambo began his career with Washington, playing 13 games for the Redskins over one-plus years before signing on with Buffalo midway through the 2014 campaign. All told, Rambo has posted 77 tackles and three interceptions during his three-year career.
The Dolphins had been on the lookout for defensive back help since losing safety Reshad Jones for the season last week. Rambo will join Michael Thomas and Walt Aikens as Miami’s options to play opposite Isa Abdul-Quddus.
Extra Points: K. Williams, Rambo, Texans, Stork
The NFL announced a change to its injury reports, as the “probable” label is no longer in effect, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. As the league explains in its memo, approximately 95% of the players listed as “probable” ended up playing in that week’s games, rendering it essentially irrelevant. No replacement is in store for the “probable” tag, as teams will rely solely on “questionable,” “doubtful,” and “out.”
More from around the league:
- Safety Bacarri Rambo is back to full health and is drawing attention from several teams as a free agent, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. A sixth-round pick in 2013, Rambo has so far played with the Redskins and Bills.
- Five teams have shown interest in one of Rambo’s ex-teammates and fellow free agents, former Bills running back Karlos Williams, Sal Capaccio of WGR tweets. That list of teams includes the Jets, who hosted Williams on a visit Tuesday.
- Henry Melton‘s one-year deal with the Broncos is for $760K and doesn’t include any guaranteed money, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. His pact counts for $600K against the Broncos’ cap.
- The Texans did not have interest in former Patriots center Bryan Stork, now with the Redskins, when they thought he was about to hit free agency, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle tweets. That’s a little bit surprising given the high-ankle sprain recently suffered by rookie center Nick Martin, who was set to start. For now, Toledo product Greg Mancz is slated to take that role. Mancz spent his rookie season on IR with a knee injury that required surgery. Reviews on him have been positive, and Houston apparently prefers him to Stork, a former starter for the Pats.
- If you’d like a roundup of all the Joey Bosa news from Wednesday, you’re in luck. Links: 1, 2, 3, 4.
RFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/16
Unrestricted free agent news will obviously dominate the day, but several clubs also had to make decisions on whether to offer tenders to restricted free agents. We’ll round up those decisions here:
Tendered
- Buccaneers – Bradley McDougald, S (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
- Second-round tender (Twitter link via Auman)
- Jets – Kenbrell Thompkins, WR (Twitter link via Rand Getlin of NFL.com)
- Packers – Justin Perillo, TE (Twitter link via Wes Hodges of the Green Bay Press Gazette)
- Rams – Benny Cunningham, RB (Twitter link via Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com)
- Ravens – Chase Ford, TE (Twitter link via Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun)
- Saints – Josh Hill, TE; Tim Lelito, C (Twitter links via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com)
Non-Tendered
- 49ers – Tony Jerod-Eddie, DL (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com)
- Bears – Patrick Omameh, G; LaRoy Reynolds, LB; Deonte Thompson, WR (Twitter link via Kevin Fishbain of ChicagoFootball.com)
- Bills – Stefan Charles, DT; Ty Powell, LB; Bacarri Rambo, S (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)
- Chargers – Cordarro Law, LB; Brandian Ross, S; Damion Square, DL; Johnnie Troutman, G (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune)
- Colts – Dan Herron, RB (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of FOX 59)
- Falcons – Nathan Stupar, LB (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)
- Lions – Tim Wright, TE (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press)
- Packers – Andy Mulumba, LB (Twitter link via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Patriots – Kevin Hughes, T; Sealver Siliga, DL; Brian Tyms, WR (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
- Rams – Chase Reynolds, RB (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post Dispatch ); Daren Bates, S and Brian Folkerts, C (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com )
- Ravens – Marlon Brown, WR; Micajah Reynolds, DT; Brynden Trawick, S (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle and Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun)
- Seahawks – Alvin Bailey, OL; Derrick Coleman, FB; Ricardo Lockette, WR; Christine Michael, RB; Nick Moody, LB (Twitter links via Greg Bell of the News Tribune and Brady Henderson of 710 ESPN Seattle)
- Steelers – Terence Garvin, LB (Twitter link via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- Washington – Tom Compton, T (Twitter link via Tarik El-Bashir of CSNWashington.com)
Bills Sign Baccari Rambo, Put McKelvin On IR
12:29pm: The Bills have announced the signing of Rambo in a press release, confirming that moving McKelvin to injured reserve is the corresponding transaction.
10:43am: The Bills are adding a pair of defensive backs today, signing one to the 53-man roster and one to the practice squad. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that the team is signing safety Bacarri Rambo to its roster, while Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets that cornerback Brandon Smith is joining the practice squad.
Rambo, 24, was a regular contributor in the Washington secondary last season, starting three games and appearing in 11. For the season, he totaled 42 tackles and added a sack. Since being released by Washington about two months ago, he has worked out for several teams, including the Saints, Titans, Bucs, Colts, Giants, and Bears, but hadn’t found a new NFL home until now.
The Bills had an open spot on their taxi squad, so no one will need to be dropped to make room for Smith, but with no openings on the 53-man roster, a corresponding move will be required to make the signing of Rambo official. It appears that move will be to place injured cornerback Leodis McKelvin on injured reserve. McKelvin fractured his ankle during last Thursday’s game, and head coach Doug Marrone indicated today that the team was “finalizing” a roster move related to the cornerback (Twitter link via Rodak).
Workout Notes: Bengals, Saints, Lions, Bucs
As teams around the league assess themselves during the early part of the week, we’ll learn about the latest tryouts as clubs try to remake the back ends of their rosters. We’ll keep track of today’s audition notes here:
- The Bears worked out several players today: linebacker Jonathan Brown (link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post), running back Mikel Leshoure (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune), and safety Mistral Raymond (Biggs on Twitter). Leshoure, 22, is the biggest name here — the 2011 second-round pick rushed for almost 800 yards and nine touchdowns with the Lions in 2012.
Earlier updates:
- The Bengals worked out tight end Michael Egnew, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link). Egnew, a third-round pick in 2012, has spent time with the Dolphins, Lions, and Jaguars. Cincinnati also brought in defensive back Josh Victorian, who was dropped from the Lions’ practice squad in early October, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
- With fullback Austin Johnson nursing a knee injury, the Saints auditioned fellow FBs Michael Zordich and Ray Agnew, per Caplan (on Twitter). New Orleans also tried out ex-Washington safety Bacarri Rambo, who started three games last season, tweets Caplan. Wilson passes along a few more names (on Twitter), noting that the club brought in defensive backs Malcolm Bronson, Stan McKay, and Brandon Taylor, and running back Toben Opurum.
- The Lions worked out cornerbacks Trevin Wade and Robert Steeples, says Wilson (Twitter link). The duo worked out for the Panthers a few weeks ago.
- The Buccaneers auditioned linebacker Jeremy Grable, per Wilson (via Twitter). Grable was on Tampa Bay’s roster over the summer.
- Offensive lineman Maurice Hurt is one of 15 players whom Washington is trying out today, according to John Keim of ESPN.com (on Twitter). We should learn the names of the other participants shortly.
Audition Notes: Wednesday
The Cowboys scheduled a visit for linebacker Will Smith, a source tells Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram. However, there might not be a spot for Smith after Tim Dobbins was picked up earlier today. The Cowboys have needs at offensive guard and at linebacker with injuries to starting left guard Ron Leary and starting weakside linebacker Justin Durant. Durant is done for the year while Leary is out with a groin strain. A look at today’s auditions from around the NFL..
- The Titans worked out defensive backs Malcolm Bronson, Deveron Carr, Marcus Cromartie, Keelan Johnson, Bacarri Rambo, and Trevin Wade this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
- Former Jaguars safety Chris Prosinski is visiting the Eagles today, a league source tells Wilson (on Twitter). The Jets auditioned Prosinski last week.
- The Broncos tried out defensive backs C.J. Barnett, Kip Edwards, and Jerron McMillian, Wilson tweets.
- The Texans, who signed Zac Diles and Ben Malena, also worked out Moise Fokou, Shayne Skov, and Scott Solomon, according to Wilson (on Twitter).
- The Raiders worked out Michael Egner, tight end D.C. Jefferson, and Jacob Pedersen, Wilson tweets. Jefferson, a Rutgers product, entered the school as a well-regarded quarterback and left as a tight end.
- The Bucs worked out Marvin McNutt before signing Tavarres King to the practice squad, Wilson tweets. King ostensibly took the spot that McNutt was in the mix for.
NFC South Notes: Saints, Newton, Bucs
After missing two meetings and subsequently being waived, former Saints linebacker Khairi Fortt is going to be evaluated for the sleep problems that he suspects he has, according to Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Advocate (via Twitter). Is it too late for Geno Smith to change excuses? Here’s tonight’s look at the NFC South..
- Panthers coach Ron Rivera isn’t sweating a new contract for quarterback Cam Newton, saying everything will come in due time, tweets Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer. Rivera also referred to Newton as the team’s “franchise quarterback.”
- The Panthers worked out Harvey Unga, Doug Worthington, Michael Brooks, Richard Clebert, Justice Cunningham, and Maurice Hagens, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter).
- Safeties Anderson Russell and Bacarri Rambo worked out for the Buccaneers, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Rambo has been busy lately, working out for the Colts, Giants, Bears, and other teams.
- The Saints worked out Edgar Jones, Lawrence Sidbury, Kellen Davis, Moise Fokou, and Paul Hazel this week, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Tight end Tom Crabtree also auditioned for New Orleans and was quickly signed.
AFC Notes: Colts, Graham, Owusu, Guy
The Colts have worked out a number of safeties this week looking to improve their secondary. Among those they have considered are Chris Clemons, DeJon Gomes, M.D. Jennings, Jerron McMillian, Bacarri Rambo, Jamarca Sanford, reports Howard Balzer of LockerDome.com (via Twitter).
- The Jets have brought in a few receivers as they attempt to add depth to the group. The lackluster group stands out even more when free agent addition Eric Decker is out with injury. The team has worked out former Bill T.J. Graham, reports Balzer (via Twitter).
- The Jets also had former Charger and 49er Chris Owusu in for a visit, reports Balzer (via Twitter). However, Balzer notes that Owusu never had a tryout with the team.
- The Ravens have recently added defensive linemen Lawrence Guy to the team, but they first sought a seal of approval from their former linebacker Jarret Johnson, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The Chargers recently waived Guy, and Johnson recommended him to the Ravens, who are dealing with injuries along the defensive line.