Bennett Okotcha

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/16

Today’s minor moves:

  • The Buccaneers have agreed to terms with offensive lineman Caylin Hauptmann, agent Sean Stellato tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who notes that Hauptmann is the only player in NFL history with two Super Bowl rings despite never having played in a game. To create a roster spot for Hauptmann, Tampa waived quarterback Dan LeFevour, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link).
  • The Rams have signed a pair of former University of Arizona receivers, agreeing to deals with Austin Hill and David Richards, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News speculates (via Twitter) that the two additions could be in response to an injury suffered last week by rookie receiver Pharoh Cooper.
  • The Colts signed former Houston safety Lee Hightower, an undrafted free agent, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Hightower participated in the Texans’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis earlier this year.
  • The Titans announced that they have waived/injured cornerback Bennett Okotcha, who will revert to Tennessee’s injured reserve list if he clears waivers.
  • The Packers have reached their 90-man roster limit by signing linebacker Derrick Mathews, who spent time on the Redskins’ practice squad last season, reports Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  • The Broncos have signed defensive lineman Lars Koht, a 2016 undrafted free agent who was cut by the Seahawks earlier this year, and waived linebacker Shaneil Jenkins, tweets Troy Renck of Denver7.
  • The Lions re-signed receiver Damian Copeland and waived fellow pass-catcher Ryan Spadola, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com.

Titans Waive Zach Mettenberger

The Titans have waived quarterback Zach Mettenberger, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online (via Twitter). Zach Mettenberger (vertical)

Mettenberger was once viewed as the team’s potential signal caller of the future, but that was before Marcus Mariota came into the picture. When the Titans used the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft to tab the Oregon standout, Mettenberger’s future in Tennessee became murky. Now, he’s free to pursue a starting job elsewhere.

Mettenberger, 24, was a sixth-round pick of the Titans in the 2014 draft. In his rookie season, Mettenberger saw time in seven games (six starts) and threw for eight touchdowns with seven interceptions. Not long ago, Mettenberger probably would have fetched a lower-round draft pick in a trade. However, the Titans likely shopped the QB around in recent days without finding a taker.

With Mettenberger out of the picture, the Titans now have quarterbacks Matt Cassel and Alex Tanney behind Mariota.

In addition to Mettenberger, the Titans have waived defensive end Iosia Iosia, tight end Kevin Greene, and wide receiver Rashon Ceaser (link). The Titans have signed four rookies from their tryouts (link): fullback Sam Bergen, wide receiver Ben Roberts, defensive end Mike Smith, and cornerback Bennett Okotcha.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.