Colts Cut Austin Howard, Reach 53-Man Roster
The Colts are at the 53-man roster max after making a bundle of transactions, including the release of offensive tackle Austin Howard.
[RELATED: Colts Cut John Simon]
The Colts invested $1.3MM guaranteed in Howard, but he was medically cleared until late July and struggled in camp and during the preseason. The Colts dangled him in trade talks this week, but there were no takers for him.
Despite his issues this summer, Howard had a solid 2017 with the Ravens and graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 36 offensive tackle. If healthy, he could draw interest from other teams.
The Colts also placed defensive end Chris McCain, linebacker Jeremiah George, defensive end Anthony Johnson, and tight end Ross Travis on injured reserve.
Here’s a look at the rest of the Colts’ moves:
Waived:
- TE Mo Alie-Cox
- K Mike Badgley
- CB Juante Baldwin
- DT Brandon Banks
- C Deyshawn Bond
- G Nick Callender
- LB Brandon Chubb
- CB Lashard Durr
- WR Reece Fountain
- WR Cobi Hamilton
- WR Steve Ishmael
- WR Seantavius Jones
- DT Tomasi Laulile
- DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
- CB Henre’ Toliver
- G Jeremy Vujnovich
- QB Phillip Walker
- CB D.J. White
- WR Kasen Williams
Last year, Bond ascended to the starting center job when Ryan Kelly broke his foot late in training camp. Unfortunately, a torn quad landed him on IR in October. This year, he’ll be looking for work elsewhere.
Alie-Cox was a former basketball player looking to transition to tight end. Although Antonio Gates and others have successfully made the jump, Alie-Cox has yet to find similar success.
In addition to the aforementioned moves, the Colts also waived the following players with an injury designation. If they clear waivers, then they revert to the Colts’ Injured Reserve list:
- LB Tyrell Adams
- WR K.J. Brent
- T Tyreek Burwell
- S Chris Cooper
- S T.J. Green
- WR Krishawn Hogan
- CB Robert Jackson
- S Ronald Martin
- S Robenson Therezie
- WR James Wright
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/23/18
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Released: DT Tenny Palepoi
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived/Injured: CB Sojourn Shelton
Detroit Lions
- Waived: DL JoJo Wicker
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Brandon Banks
- Waived/Injured: WR Matt Hazel
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/14/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Browns‘ practice squad: RB Terrence Magee
- Waived: LB Jermaine Grace
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Deandre Coleman
- Waived: DT Jerel Worthy
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed off Falcons‘ practice squad: RB Brian Hill
- Waived: LB Hardy Nickerson
Denver Broncos
- Waived: LB Kasim Edebali
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Jace Billingsley, DE George Johnson
- Waived: WR Jared Abbrederis, DE Jacquies Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LS Brett Goode
- Waived: LS Derek Hart
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LS Colin Holba
- Placed on injured reserve: LS Matt Overton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: T Taylor Hart
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Caraun Reid, LB Zach Vigil
- Waived: DL Brandon Banks
Redskins Place Arthur Jones On IR
After joining the Redskins several weeks ago, Arthur Jones‘ season is over. According to ESPN.com’s John Keim (via Twitter), the team has placed the veteran defensive lineman on the injured reserve. The team has also promoted wideout Maurice Harris and defensive lineman Brandon Banks to the active roster.
Jones, 31, was released by the Colts earlier this year following several uninspiring seasons with the organization. Between 2014 and 2016, the former fifth-rounder ultimately saw the field for only 17 games (11 starts) with Indy, compiling 53 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Jones has previously battled nagging injuries (he underwent hernia surgery earlier this year), and he’s also been suspended for PED use. Pro Football Focus ultimately rated him as a bottom-10 interior defender in 2016, a far cry from his 4.5 sack campaign with the Ravens in 2012. After joining the Redskins in late October, Jones went on to make a single appearance with the team.
Banks, 23, will presumably inherit Jones’ spot on the depth chart behind Ziggy Hood and Terrell McClain. The 23-year-old joined the organization as an undrafted free agent out of Charlotte earlier this year. Harris, a 2016 undrafted free agent, has spent the past two seasons with the Redskins. He appeared in 10 games as a rookie, hauling in eight receptions for 66 yards. He also contributed on special teams, returning three kicks for 47 yards.
Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC East
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC East teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, and Redskins are noted below.
Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Dallas Cowboys
- Acquired:
- LB Jayrone Elliott (story)
- Claimed:
- DT Brian Price
- Cut:
- LB Mark Nzeocha
- DL Cedric Thornton (story)
- Signed to practice squad:
- G Nate Theaker
- T Dan Skipper
- DT Lewis Neal
- DT Richard Ash
- WR Lance Lenoir
- WR Brian Brown
- TE Blake Jarwin
- T Kadeem Edwards
- S Jameill Showers
- CB Marquez White
New York Giants
- Signed to practice squad:
- T Adam Bisnowaty
- DE Jordan Williams
- WR Marquis Bundy
- OL Jon Halapio
- LB Curtis Grant
- CB Donte Deayon
- CB Tim Scott
- S Ryan Murphy
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to practice squad:
- C Josh Andrews
- TE Billy Brown
- LB Nate Gerry
- T Dillon Gordon
- DT Justin Hamilton
- RB Byron Marshall
- CB C.J. Smith
- QB Nate Sudfeld
- WR Bryce Treggs
- WR Greg Ward
Washington Redskins
- Claimed:
- OL T.J. Clemmings (story)
- Placed on exempt/left squad list:
- S Su’a Cravens (story)
- Signed to practice squad:
- DL Brandon Banks
- WR Robert Davis
- TE Manasseh Garner
- WR Maurice Harris
- G Kyle Kalis
- LB Pete Robertson
- S Fish Smithson
Redskins Reach 53-Man Max
The Redskins are now at the 53-man roster maximum. Here’s how they trimmed down:
Released:
- S Will Blackmon (story)
- DL A.J. Francis
Waived:
- DL Brandon Banks
- TE E.J. Bibbs (designated as injured)
- C Lucas Crowley
- WR Robert Davis
- TE Manasseh Garner
- WR Maurice Harris
- WR Matt Hazel
- RB Kenny Hilliard
- CB Tevin Homer
- WR Levern Jacobs (designated as injured)
- RB Matt Jones (story)
- G Kyle Kalis
- T John Kling
- G Arie Kouandjio
- LB Nico Marley
- DL Joey Mbu
- CB Jeremiah McKinnon
- OL Kendall Pace
- T Vinston Painter
- WR Zach Pascal
- C Ronald Patrick (designated as injured)
- DL Ondre Pipkins
- WR James Quick
- LB Pete Robertson
- S Fish Smithson
- WR Jamari Staples
- QB Nate Sudfeld
- LB Ron Thompson Jr. (designated as injured)
- LB Lynden Trail (designated as injured)
- LB Zach Vigil
- OL Isaiah Williams
Redskins Sign Eight Undrafted Free Agents
The Redskins have announced the signing of the following eight undrafted college free agents:
- Brandon Banks, DL (Charlotte)
- Tyler Catalina, OL (Georgia)
- Levern Jacobs, WR (Maryland)
- Kyle Kalis, G (Michigan)
- Zach Pascal, WR (Old Dominion)
- Ondre Pipkins, DL (Texas Tech)
- James Quick, WR (Louisville)
- Fish Smithson, S (Kansas)
