Giants Waive RB James Robinson
Like many teams around the league, the Giants have already made a number of cuts ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for 53-man rosters to be finalized. Per a team announcement, running back James Robinson is among the players who have been let go. 
Robinson’s career started far differently than it has gone in recent years. The former UDFA recorded 1,414 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie in 2020. The Jaguars eventually saw former first-rounder Travis Etienne assume the role of lead back, however, which made Robinson a luxury in the backfield. The latter was dealt to the Jets midseason in 2022.
With Breece Hall having suffered an ACL tear, the door appeared to be open for Robinson to take on a somewhat notable role. Instead, he received only 29 carries, and his 2.9 yards per attempt average made it an easy decision for New York not to retain him. Robinson briefly found a home in free agency by signing a two-year deal with the Patriots, but his tenure there proved to be very short lived.
The 25-year-old was released after he was unable to remain healthy through the spring. That left him on the open market once again until the onset of training camp, where he landed a deal with the Giants. The absence of Saquon Barkley at the time, which was sparked by his contract situation, gave Robinson an opportunity to win at least the third RB spot. Barkley is back in the fold, though, along with Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell and Eric Gray.
In addition to Robinson, the Giants have waived defensive tackle Kevin Atkins, defensive back Darren Evans, defensive tackle Donovan Jeter and wideout Collin Johnson. Defensive linemen Tashawn Bower and Brandin Bryant, along with offensive tackles Korey Cunningham and Julien Davenport and receiver Jaydon Mickens were released. Lastly, wideout Bryce Ford-Wheaton was placed on injured reserve, meaning he will be sidelined for the 2023 season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/23
In a very busy day for the NFL in transactions, here are some of the minor moves that may have slipped through the cracks:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Davion Davis
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LS Tyler Ott
- Placed on PUP: WR Rashod Bateman
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: RB Darrynton Evans, TE Jace Sternberger
Chicago Bears
- Activated from PUP: WR Chase Claypool
- Signed: WR Isaiah Ford, LB Buddy Johnson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on PUP: TE Mitchell Wilcox (after being re-signed)
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Eric Tomlinson
- Waived: LB Ian Swenson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DE Isaac Rochell
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Bobby Evans, G Jack Snyder, TE Colin Thompson
- Placed on NFI: G Chris Reed
- Placed on PUP: OLB Andre Carter II
- Waived from NFI: WR Malik Knowles
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Diego Fagot, WR Jalen Hurd
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Brandin Bryant
- Waived: WR Dre Miller, WR Makai Polk
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Jeremy Banks
The Ravens signed Ott after working out a trio of long snappers that also included Ryan Langan and Shane Griffin. The former Pro Bowler for the Seahawks won the tryout and is expected to be the replacement for Baltimore’s usual long snapper Nick Moore, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon during his offseason training, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Also, the breath of relief for Bateman is short-lived as, a day after being activated from the reserve/did not report list, Baltimore has placed the young receiver on the PUP list.
On a more positive note, a day after the Bears placed Claypool on the PUP list, he has been removed from it. He’ll now be eligible to participate in training camp starting this Wednesday. Tomlinson returns to Houston after being released back in May. He’ll get another chance to work in the tight ends room that includes Dalton Schultz, Teagan Quitoriano, and Brevin Jordan.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/1/23
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Released: DT Brandin Bryant
- Waived: WR Braydon Johnson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Darrius Shepherd
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Montreal Braswell, CB Benjie Franklin
- Waived: RB Chris Smith, NT LaTrell Bumphus
Shepherd has not played in an NFL game since 2020, when he finished a two-season stint with the Packers. Shepherd did go to training camp with the Broncos last year, and he spent time on Denver’s practice squad. This year, the North Dakota State product finished as a top-five receiver in the XFL. Playing for the St. Louis BattleHawks, Shepherd hauled in 48 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Both the BattleHawks’ top two wideouts — Shepherd and Hakeem Butler — have received NFL opportunities. Only Butler’s eight receiving TDs topped Shepherd’s total. The Steelers added Butler last month.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/23/23
Today’s reserve/futures deals, mostly featuring teams recently eliminated from the postseason:
Buffalo Bills
- OL Alec Anderson, DT Eli Ankou, QB Matt Barkley, DT Cortez Broughton, DT Brandin Bryant, TE Zach Davidson, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, WR KeeSean Johnson, DE Kingsley Jonathan, OL Greg Mancz, CB Kyler McMichael, WR Dezmon Patmon, OL Ryan Van Demark
Dallas Cowboys
- WR Dontario Drummond, C Brock Hoffman, C Alec Lindstrom, DB Sheldrick Redwine, S Juanyeh Thomas
Jacksonville Jaguars
- WR Kevin Austin, OT Coy Cronk, K James McCourt, WR Jaylon Moore, C James Murray, DB Ayo Oyelola, QB E.J. Perry, TE Gerrit Prince, RB Mekhi Sargent, DE Nick Thurman, C Darryl Williams, WR Seth Williams
New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Dan Chisena
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tennessee Titans
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/21/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Brandin Bryant
- Released: DT Kendal Vickers
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Tyree Gillespie
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DL Aaron Crawford, WR Jason Moore
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Tae Crowder
Bills Activate G Ike Boettger From PUP List
Ike Boettger is moving closer to making his return from the Achilles tear he sustained in December of last year. The Bills activated the veteran guard from their reserve/PUP list Monday.
Monday represented the last day Buffalo could keep Boettger off its active roster, with the team having designated him for return three weeks ago. The Bills brought Tre’Davious White off the PUP list earlier this season but did not play him for a few weeks after that. It will be interesting to see when the team redeploys Boettger, who was working as a starter before going down with the Achilles injury.
Boettger, 28, suffered the injury during the Bills’ Week 16 game last year. If he returns Saturday, it will mark a year out of game action for the former UDFA. White missed one year as well, going down during a Thanksgiving Day game in 2021 and not returning until the Bills-Lions Thanksgiving tilt.
An Iowa product, Boettger started 17 games for the Bills from 2020-21. The team made some additions up front this offseason, adding Rodger Saffold and Greg Van Roten at guard. The team matched a Bears RFA offer sheet for Ryan Bates as well. Bates and Saffold have worked as the AFC East champions’ starting guards for most of this season, but Bates missed the Bills’ Week 15 game because of an ankle injury. Boettger would be ticketed for a depth role at least. Buffalo having he and Van Roten (53 career starts, including three this season) as backup options up front would represent strong depth ahead of the postseason.
Boettger will not have much time to show he has returned to form ahead of a free agency bid, however. The Bills re-signed the fifth-year blocker on a one-year deal this offseason. He joins Saffold and Van Roten in being eligible for free agency in March. By virtue of matching Chicago’s Bates offer sheet, Buffalo has him under contract through 2025.
To make room on the 53-man roster, the Bills waived defensive tackle Brandin Bryant. The Florida Atlantic product has played in four Bills games this season and seen defensive action in each. He logged 10 defensive snaps against the Dolphins on Saturday. Bryant, who has been with Buffalo since 2020, could return to the team on a practice squad deal if he clears waivers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/13/22
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Brandin Bryant
- Waived: DT C.J. Brewer
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: DL Daviyon Nixon
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: RB Mike Boone
- Signed off Dolphins’ practice squad: WR Freddie Swain
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: QB Jeff Driskel
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed off practice squad: TE Nikola Kalinic
- Waived: WR Keke Coutee
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed off Broncos’ practice squad: G Netane Muti
- Placed on IR: LB Jayon Brown
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: P Arryn Siposs (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed off Jets’ practice squad: DT Jonathan Marshall
- Signed: LB Olasunkanmi Adeniyi
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Olakunle Fatukasi
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/12/22
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Javelin Guidry
Houston Texans
- Released: DL Brandin Bryant
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: G Jordan Meredith
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Michael Dwumfour
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/7/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: P Nolan Cooney
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Emeka Emezie, CB Gavin Heslop, DE Kobe Jones
- Released: S Marquise Blair, QB Jacob Eason
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: C Jordan Meredith
- Released: C Brock Hoffman
Houston Texans
- Signed: DL Brandin Bryant
- Released: DE Derick Roberson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed WR Tajae Sharpe
- Released: TE Troy Fumagalli
Sharpe has bounced in recent years, and the 49ers will be his second team in 2022. The 27-year-old initially signed with the Bears in May, but did not see the field in Chicago. He will provide depth for a San Francisco team which has had fellow veteran Willie Snead see time on and off the taxi squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/1/22
A handful of minor moves on a busy deadline day:
Buffalo Bills
- Released: DT Brandin Bryant, WR Isaiah Hodgins
Chicago Bears
- Waived: WR Isaiah Coulter
Denver Broncos
- Waived: RB Devine Ozigbo
Green Bay Packers
- Released: RB Patrick Taylor
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from IR: CB Trent McDuffie
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: TE Irv Smith Jr.
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: DT Akeem Spence
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: OL Fred Johnson
Free Agency
- Suspended: DT Israel Antwine (six weeks)