Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Chicago Bears
Claimed:
- WR Nsimba Webster (from 49ers)
Signed:
Waived:
- WR Rodney Adams
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Auzoyah Alufohai, C Dieter Eiselen, CB Thomas Graham Jr., OL Arlington Hambright, WR Isaiah Coulter, K Brian Johnson, WR Jon’Vea Johnson, OLB Sam Kamara, RB Ryan Nall, WR Dazz Newsome, RB Artavis Pierce, OLB Charles Snowden, DB Teez Tabor
Detroit Lions
Released/Waived:
- TE Darren Fells, S Dean Marlowe
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Tanner Beckett, LB Rashod Berry, DT Miles Brown, S Jalen Elliott, K Zane Gonzalez, DL Bruce Hector, G Tommy Kraemer, TE Alize Mack, WR Javon McKinley, RB Dedrick Mills, OT Darrin Paulo, RB Craig Reynolds, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, WR Sage Surratt, TE Brock Wright, TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Abdullah Anderson, QB Kurt Benkert, WR Chris Blair, G Ben Braden, OL Jacob Capra, CB Kabion Ento, S Innis Gaines, LB Tipa Galeai, TE Bronson Kaufusi, K J.J. Molson, DL Willington Previlon, WR Equanimeous St. Brown, RB Patrick Taylor, OL Cole Van Lanen, LB Ray Wilborn, WR Juwann Winfree
Minnesota Vikings
Signed:
Claimed:
- TE Ben Ellefson (from Jaguars)
Placed on IR:
- WR Dan Chisena, RB Kene Nwangwu, TE Irv Smith Jr. (story)
Signed to practice squad:
- OT Zack Bailey, FB Jake Bargas, LB Tuf Borland, TE Zach Davidson, S Myles Dorn, G Dakota Dozier, G Kyle Hinton, WR Myron Mitchell, CB Parry Nickerson, WR Whop Philyor, RB A.J. Rose, CB Tye Smith, DE Kenny Willekes
Jaguars Move Down To 53-Man Roster
The Jaguars are the latest team to squeeze their roster down to 53 players Tuesday. Here are the players the Urban Meyer-led regime cut to get there:
Released:
- WR Pharoh Cooper
- OL Jermaine Eluemunor
- WR Devin Smith
- WR Laquon Treadwell
- S Jarrod Wilson
Waived:
- CB Lorenzo Burns
- WR Jalen Camp
- DL Doug Costin
- WR Jeff Cotton Jr.
- RB Nathan Cottrell
- TE Tyler Davis
- TE Ben Ellefson
- WR Josh Hammond
- WR Collin Johnson
- WR Tevin Jones
- QB Jake Luton
- OL K.C. McDermott
- RB Devine Ozigbo
- OL Austen Pleasants
- DB Brandon Rusnak
- OL Badar Traore
- OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
- LB Quincy Williams
Placed on reserve/NFI list:
- LB Dylan Moses
Some big names at wideout appear on this list, and the Jags also released former first-round pick Phillip Dorsett earlier Tuesday. Cooper is a former All-Pro kick returner who has held regular return gigs since that 2017 breakout. The fifth-year role player was the Cardinals’ primary return man in 2019 and filled the same role with the Panthers last season. Like Dorsett, Treadwell arrived as a first-round pick. But the former Vikings draftee has not been able to find steady footing in the league.
Jacksonville drafted Williams in the 2019 third round — two rounds after younger brother Quinnen went to the Jets — but the young linebacker did not start a game in 2020. Luton did, but the Oregon State product did not profile as a steady backup option. The Jags are going with Meyer-era investments Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Beathard at QB. The Wilson move comes after the veteran safety operated as a Jags back-line starter for the past two seasons.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/5/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: DL Leki Fotu
- Promoted: TE Seth Devalve, RB D.J. Foster
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: WR Stanley Morgan
- Placed on IR: CB Tony Brown
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: FB/TE Andrew Beck
- Promoted: TE Troy Fumagalli, S Alijah Holder, LB Josh Watson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: CB Darryl Roberts
- Promoted: S Bobby Price
- Waived: TE Isaac Nauta
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: G Ben Braden, TE Dominique Dafney
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: RB Cullen Gillaspia
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: P Ryan Allen, C Joey Hunt
- Placed on IR: TE Noah Togiai
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: S Josh Jones, LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Promoted: TE Ben Ellefson, DT DaVon Hamilton, CB Nate Meadors, DL Caraun Reid
- Waived: RB Craig Reynolds
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: LB Asmar Bilal
- Promoted: LB Cole Christiansen, NT Breiden Fehoko
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
- Promoted: DB J.R. Reed
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: S Nate Holley
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DE Eddie Yarbrough, TE Brandon Dillon
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: TE Dalton Keene
- Promoted: TE/DL Rashod Berry, WR Donte Moncrief, DL Akeem Spence
- Waived: WR Isaiah Ford
New York Giants
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Devonta Freeman; Freeman remains on IR
- Promoted: DL Niko Lalos, QB Clayton Thorson
New York Jets
- Promoted: DB Elijah Campbell, LB Noah Dawkins
- Released from IR: WR Chris Hogan
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DT Raequan Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: T Chad Wheeler
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Bryan Mone
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: T Marshall Newhouse, LB Tuzar Skipper
Jaguars Activate K Josh Lambo From IR
The Jaguars have used five kickers this season, shuffling through four in the past four weeks after Josh Lambo‘s injury. Good news for potential Jacksonville kicker stability. Lambo is back on the team’s active roster.
A hip injury sidelined Lambo after Week 2, leading the Jags on a wild ride of specialists. They used Brandon Wright in Week 3, Aldrick Rosas in Week 4, Stephen Hauschka in Week 5 and Jonathan Brown in Week 6. Lambo will replace Brown, whom the Jags cut to make room for their full-time kicker.
Brown, the Jags’ kicker since the 2017 season, will return ahead of Sunday’s game against his former team. Brown was the Chargers’ kicker from 2015-16.
The team made a few other transactions, including releasing defensive lineman Josh Mauro. While Mauro did not play a down for the Jaguars after signing with the team this offseason, the veteran had an eventful tenure. The former Cardinals, Giants and Raiders D-lineman received a five-game PED ban and landed on the Jags’ reserve/COVID-19 list.
Jacksonville also placed nose tackle Abry Jones on IR. The longest-tenured Jaguar, Jones missed Week 6 with an ankle injury. He has been with the team since the 2013 season, when he landed in north Florida as a UDFA. Jones, 29, has made 52 starts and played in 105 games with the Jaguars.
The Jags promoted tight end Ben Ellefson from their practice squad to take Jones’ place on the 53-man roster.
Jaguars To Place 12 Practice Squad Players On Reserve/COVID-19 List
The NFL’s expanded coronavirus protocols have resulted in more players landing on teams’ respective reserve/COVID-19 lists. The Jaguars have the most crowded list, as of Saturday afternoon.
The Jags placed 12 of their 16 practice squad players on their reserve/COVID-19 list, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. This does not yet appear to be a case of a dozen positive tests. Jacksonville P-squad offensive lineman K.C. McDermott tested positive, and the league’s new contact tracing protocols have led the team to put the bulk of its practice squad on the COVID list for the time being.
Here are the players who joined McDermott on the Jags’ reserve/COVID list:
- RB Nathan Cottrell
- TE Ben Ellefson
- LB Nate Evans
- LB Joe Giles-Harris
- WR Terry Godwin
- WR Josh Hammond
- T Jared Hilbers
- DB Doug Middleton
- DB Josh Nurse
- T Austen Pleasents
- WR Trey Quinn
Suspended defensive end Josh Mauro will join McDermott and the slew of P-squad players on the COVID-19 list, Pelissero adds (on Twitter). Mauro has been suspended throughout the season for a positive PED test.
Considering players placed on this list must isolate for five days, the Jaguars will need to make some moves to fill out a practice squad following their Week 6 game. Even players who are asymptomatic after close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least five days. The Jags face the Chargers next Sunday; there will be several new P-squad players to start their next week of practice.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves. There are many, as teams take advantage of the rule change allowing 55-man rosters ahead of regular-season games. Teams can dress 48 players for games this season, up from 46.
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: TE Jordan Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: LB Deon Lacey, LB Andre Smith
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: DT Woodrow Hamilton
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: LB Devante Bond
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: G Eric Smith
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB LeVante Bellamy, LB Derrek Tuszka
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: DT Kevin Strong, DB Dee Virgin
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: TE John Lovett, DL Willington Previlon
- Placed on IR: WR Equanimeous St. Brown
Houston Texans
- Promoted: RB C.J. Prosise
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: TE Farrod Green
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: TE Ben Ellefson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DT Braxton Hoyett
- Placed on IR: DL Khalen Saunders
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: RB Darius Bradwell
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: LB Natrez Patrick
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: CB Mark Fields
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DT Nick Thurman
New York Giants
- Promoted: DB Sean Chandler, DB Ryan Lewis
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: CB Trevor Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: OL Hroniss Grasu
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: DT Anthony Rush
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Cyril Grayson, TE Tanner Hudson
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted: WR Cameron Batson, RB Jeremy McNichols, CB Mazzi Wilkins
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: LB Jared Norris, WR Cam Sims
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/12/20
Here are Saturday’s minor moves. Many of these roster decisions involve practice squad promotions. Under the new CBA, teams are permitted to promote two P-squad players without corresponding roster moves per week. Teams can carry 55 players on their rosters for game days and can have up to 48 active.
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: RB D.J. Foster
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: S Jordan Richards
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: K Cairo Santos
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: DE Amani Bledsoe, S Trayvon Henderson
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: CB Robert Jackson
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: G Kenny Wiggins, RB Jonathan Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Krys Barnes
- Promoted: LB Tipa Galeai, TE John Lovett
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: RB Nathan Cottrell, TE Ben Ellefson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: G Ryan Groy, FB Gabe Nabers
Miami Dolphins
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DB Nate Brooks
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: LB Hardy Nickerson
- Signed: DB Nate Meadors
New England Patriots
- Promoted: K Nick Folk, DT Xavier Williams
- Placed on IR: WR Gunner Olszewski
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: WR Bennie Fowler, DL Margus Hunt
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DE Anthony Lanier
New York Jets
- Signed: QB Mike White
- Promoted: RB Josh Adams, WR Josh Malone
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DT T.Y. McGill, G Sua Opeta
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: C Hroniss Grasu, CB Dontae Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: T Chad Wheeler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Cyril Grayson, DB Mazzi Wilkins
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Cam Sims
Mike Glennon Joins Jaguars’ Practice Squad
Mike Glennon missed the Jaguars’ final roster cut, but he’s found a home on Jacksonville’s practice squad, per a club announcement. The 30-year-old quarterback will be joined by former Washington wide receiver Trey Quinn, plus 14 other players to reach the max. Here’s the full list:
- RB Nathan Cottrell
- TE Ben Ellefson
- LB Nate Evans
- TE Matt Flanagan
- LB Joe Giles-Harris
- WR Terry Godwin
- WR Josh Hammond
- CB Amari Henderson
- CB Sidney Jones
- OL K.C. McDermott
- OL Austen Pleasants
- DL Caraun Reid
- OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
- P Brandon Wright
Glennon seemed like a natural choice to backup young starter Gardner Minshew, but he ultimately lost out to sixth-round pick Jake Luton. The veteran has 22 starts to his credit, but he’s been relegated to a backup at this stage of his career. Since entering the league, Glennon has thrown 36 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. Over the last two years, he’s thrown just 31 passes in total.
The Jaguars’ drop to the 53-man limit also included the release of fellow QB Joshua Dobbs, who was quickly scooped up by his old friends in Pittsburgh. Talented veteran cornerback Tramaine Brock was also pulled from the active roster thanks to a season-ending injury.
Jaguars Trim Roster To 53
In addition to the cuts of quarterbacks Mike Glennon and Joshua Dobbs, here are the players the Jaguars parted ways with in order to reduce their roster to the 53-player limit.
Waived:
- RB Nathan Cottrell
- TE Ben Ellefson
- LB Nate Evans
- TE Matthew Flanagan
- LB Joe Giles-Harris
- WR Terry Godwin
- WR Josh Hammond
- OL Blake Hance
- CB Amari Henderson
- OL K.C. McDermott
- OL Garrett McGhin
- LB Parry Nickerson
- LS Matt Orzech
- OL Austin Pleasants
- OL Ryan Pope
- S J.R. Reed
- WR Marvelle Ross
- OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
Waived/injured:
Placed on IR:
- CB Tramaine Brock (story)
- DT Carl Davis
- DE Josh Mauro (story)
Armstead is one of six players currently on a COVID-19 list around the league. He was expected to lead a Jaguars running back committee, following Leonard Fournette‘s departure. Players can be removed from the COVID list at any point. Armstead’s status will leave Devine Ozigbo and rookie UDFA James Robinson as the Jags’ running backs. This will be a team to monitor for waiver-claim adds at running back.
Nickerson, Giles-Harris and Orzich spent time on the Jaguars’ 53-man roster last season. The players jettisoned Saturday will become practice squad candidates, at least the bulk of them, on Sunday. Teams can begin signing players to their taxi squads Sunday, and after years of P-squads residing at 10 players, they will be 16-man units in this unique season.