LB Brandon Copeland Retires
After one decade in the NFL, Brandon Copeland is bringing his playing career to an end. The linebacker confirmed his retirement on Monday, via ESPN’s Mike Rothstein. 
Copeland began his career by signing with his hometown Ravens as a UDFA in 2013. It was not until two years later that he made his first regular season appearances, though. He played two campaigns in Detroit before the two-year Jets stint during which he logged 13 of his 21 career starts.
The 32-year-old was used on the edge in 2018, and he found success in that role. Copeland totaled five sacks and 14 quarterback hits, though he was unable to parlay that into a long-term deal from New York or any other team. He bounced around the league after the end of his Jets tenure, including stops in New England, Atlanta and a return to Baltimore this past season. The Penn alum played three games early in the year while being elevated from the Ravens’ practice squad.
“It’s time,” Copeland said when asked about his decision to hang up his cleats. “One of the pieces of advice I got from my granddad, going into my rookie year in the NFL, we sat down and did an interview and somebody said – because he was a Baltimore Colt and I was a Baltimore Raven – they asked what advice would you give to your grandson as he enters the NFL?
“And he said, ‘If I could tell him anything, if I could do anything different, it would be don’t play as long.'”
As was also the case for Copeland’s grandfather, Roy Hinton, he managed to remain in the NFL for 10 years, although his games played total (85) is much lower in large part due to the fact he missed the entire 2017 campaign. Copeland dealt with a number of injuries over the course of his career, and underwent three knee surgeries. Rather than trying to find a roster or practice squad opportunity at the start of another new season, he will turn his attention to his post-playing days.
As Rothstein notes, Copeland has already been busy in off-the-field matters even during his career. That includes teaching a financial literacy course at Penn each year since 2019. He will depart the NFL with just over $6.7MM in career earnings.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/18/22
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad additions and subtractions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Blake Lynch
- Released: WR Stanley Berryhill
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: DT Kobe Smith
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Brandon Copeland, LB Julian Stanford
- Released: LB Jeremiah Attaochu, WR Slade Bolden
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: RB Spencer Brown, DE Delontae Scott, DT Raequan Williams
- Released: TE Josh Babicz, DE Austin Larkin, TE John Lovett
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Sammis Reyes
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Brandon Johnson
- Released: TE Dalton Keene
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: S Innis Gaines
- Released: CB Benjie Franklin, LB Ray Wilborn
Houston Texans
- Signed: S C.J. Moore
- Released: CB BoPete Keyes
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR DeMichael Harris
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Deionte Thompson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LS Kyle Nelson
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB La’Mical Perine
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Myles Dorn
- Released: S Mike Brown
New England Patriots
- Released: K Tristan Vizcaino
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB Jake Luton, DE Jabari Zuniga
- Released: DT Christian Ringo
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Conor McDermott
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Jason Huntley, WR Josh Malone
- Released: S Scott Nelson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: QB Kurt Benkert, CB Ka’dar Hollman
- Released: LB Buddy Johnson, K Sam Sloman
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: WR Kevin Kassis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: OL Justin Skule
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Kyron Brown, DB Steven Parker
- Released: DB Nate Brooks
Washington Commanders
- Released: DT Donovan Jeter
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/8/22
Here are the roster moves for today, leading into gameday tomorrow. Reminder that gameday elevations will revert to the practice squad after this weekend’s games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: CB Antonio Hamilton
- Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
- Promoted from practice squad: K Matt Ammendola, S Chris Banjo
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Vigil
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: TE MyCole Pruitt
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: CB Daryl Worley
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Brandon Copeland
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: WR Jamison Crowder
- Signed to active roster: WR Isaiah Hodgins, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Tanner Gentry, LB Joe Giles-Harris
- Waived: DT Brandin Bryant
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Marquise Blair, WR Derek Wright
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: CB Cam Taylor-Britt
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Tyler Shelvin
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Dakota Allen, WR Chester Rogers
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Carlos Watkins, LS Matt Overton
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: WR Maurice Alexander, CB AJ Parker
- Promoted from practice squad: K Michael Badgley, CB Saivion Smith
- Placed on IR: WR Quintez Cephus
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jordan Akins, TE Mason Schreck
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Corey Peters
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Michael Bandy, K Taylor Bertolet
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: S Jordan Fuller, OL Coleman Shelton
- Signed to active roster: RB Malcolm Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jacob Harris, C Matt Skura
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: T Brandon Shell
- Activated from IR: S Clayton Fejedelem
- Placed on IR: TE Cethan Carter
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: S Myles Dorn
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Dan Chisena, TE Nick Muse
- Placed on IR: TE Ben Ellefson
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: WR Tyquan Thornton
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Garrett Gilbert, TE Matt Sokol
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: CB Bryce Thompson
- Promoted from practice squad: S Chris Harris, WR Keith Kirkwood
- Placed on IR: CB P.J. Williams
- Waived: RB Tony Jones Jr.
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: S Tony Jefferson
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Marcus Johnson, QB Davis Webb
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: T Duane Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Placed on IR: OL Max Mitchell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Andre Chachere, K Cameron Dicker
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: OLB Ryan Anderson
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Josh Jackson, S Elijah Riley
- Waived: DE David Anenih
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: S Jimmie Ward
- Signed to active roster: LB Akeem Spence
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Malik Turner, RB Tevin Coleman
- Placed on IR: OL Colton McKivitz
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Cullen Gillaspia, LB Christian Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Kaylon Geiger, WR Deven Thompkins
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: OL Tyler Larsen
- Placed on IR: LB Milo Eifler
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/1/22
Today’s minor moves around the league, including practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s action:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: S Chris Banjo, WR Andre Baccellia
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: RB Caleb Huntley
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: CB Kevon Seymour
- Promoted: LB Brandon Copeland, T David Sharpe
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: DT Prince Emili
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: S Marquise Blair
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: K Michael Badgley, RB Darrynton Evans (story)
- Released from IR: CB Michael Joseph
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: TE Miller Forristall
- Promoted: DL Roderick Perry, DE Curtis Weaver
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: QB Will Grier
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: WR Kendall Hinton, G Netane Muti
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: T Dan Skipper, K Dominik Eberle
- Promoted: WRs Tom Kennedy, Maurice Alexander
- Waived: TE Shane Zylstra, G Drew Forbes
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: CB Kiondre Thomas
- Placed on NFI list: T Caleb Jones
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: S Grayland Arnold
- Promoted: TEs Jordan Akins, Mason Schreck
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: K Chase McLaughlin, DT Chris Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: OL Darryl Williams, LB Ty Summers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: LB Elijah Lee, K Matthew Wright (story)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: G Alex Bars
- Promoted: CBs Nickell Robey-Coleman, Javelin Guidry
- Waived: T Jackson Barton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: WR Michael Bandy
New England Patriots
- Promoted: T Marcus Cannon
- Placed on IR: T Yodny Cajuste
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: QB Jake Luton
- Promoted: RB Latavius Murray, TE J.P. Holtz
- Waived: FB Adam Prentice
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: LB Jaylon Smith
- Promoted: WR Marcus Johnson, DT Henry Mondeaux
New York Jets
- Promoted: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen, OL Grant Hermanns
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: WR Britain Covey
- Promoted: S Andre Chachere
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: LB Ryan Anderson, CB Josh Jackson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Cullen Gillaspia
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Cole Beasley
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: OL Jordan Roos
- Promoted: LB Joe Schobert, DB Theo Jackson
- Waived: RB Julius Chestnut
Washington Commanders
- Promoted: OL Wes Martin
- Placed on IR: OL Wes Schweitzer (story)
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/24/22
Lots of moves leading into gameday. Remember that players promoted from the practice squad for games will revert back to the practice squad after:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Andre Baccellia, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Frank Darby
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Brandon Copeland, WR Raleigh Webb
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Daviyon Nixon
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Joe Thomas
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Keandre Jones
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: DL Jonathan Harris, WR Kendall Hinton
Detroit Lions
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Anthony Pittman, T Dan Skipper
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jordan Akins, CB Grayland Arnold
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: K Chase McLaughlin
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Dicaprio Bootle, K Matt Ammendola
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Richard Rodgers
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: WR River Cracraft, T Larnel Coleman
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: S Myles Dorn, CB Duke Shelley
New England Patriots
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Harvey Langi
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: DB DaMarcus Fields
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Britain Covey
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Akeem Spence
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Xavier Crawford, LB Christian Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: OLB Wyatt Ray
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Josh Gordon, G Jordan Roos
Washington Commanders
- Promoted from practice squad: DE William Bradley-King, DE Benning Potoa’e
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/21/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Andre Baccellia, WR Stanley Berryhill, WR C.J. Board, CB Nate Hairston
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Brandon Copeland
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Tanner Gentry
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Frank Herron
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: C Matt Skura
New England Patriots
- Signed: K Tristan Vizcaino
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Adam Pankey
- Released: OL Chris Glaser
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Khalil Davis
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Christian DiLauro
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Donovan Jeter
- Placed on IR: OL Nolan Laufenberg
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/1/22
Here are the New Year’s Day activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Brandon Copeland, QB Feleipe Franks, S Richie Grant
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: DB Mazzi Wilkins
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Brian Burns, DE Marquis Haynes, LB Shaq Thompson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Brandon Allen, LB Germaine Pratt
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Scotty Washington
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Simi Fehoko
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: T Aviante Collins
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OLB Andre Mintze
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DE Jonathan Harris
Detroit Lions
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB Steven Montez
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Corey Bojorquez, G Ben Braden, LB Oren Burks, TE Tyler Davis, TE Marcedes Lewis, LB Ty Summers (remains on IR)
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DL R.J. McIntosh
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Carson Wentz, CB T.J. Carrie, T Braden Smith
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Chris Wilcox
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Malcom Brown, DT DaVon Hamilton, TE Chris Manhertz, OL Andrew Norwell, DL Jihad Ward
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Dawuane Smoot
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Denzel Perryman, CB Casey Hayward, LB Cory Littleton, DT Darius Philon
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Nasir Adderly, S Alohi Gilman, CB Chris Harris Jr., CB Davontae Harris, K Dustin Hopkins, T Storm Norton, LS Matt Overton, T Trey Pipkins III
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Adam Butler, S Brandon Jones
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Noah Igbinoghene, S Sheldrick Redwine
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Oli Udoh
New England Patriots
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Matt Judon, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, LB Brandon King, QB Brian Hoyer, DE Josh Uche
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Marcus Williams, C Erik McCoy
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DT Malcolm Roach
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Nick Vannett
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Julian Love
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Dante Pettis
New York Jets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Bryce Hall
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Derek Barnett
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR KeeSean Johnson, CB Craig James
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Isaiah Buggs
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: S Karl Joseph
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Mitch Wishnowsky
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Sidney Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jamel Dean, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OLB Bud Dupree, DL Denico Autry, CB Buster Skrine
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Cody Hollister
Falcons Re-Sign Brandon Copeland
Brandon Copeland‘s free agency didn’t last long. Just a couple days after being released by the Falcons the veteran linebacker has re-signed with Atlanta, the team announced Monday.
It seems his release on Saturday was just a procedural move to ensure his salary didn’t become guaranteed. Vested veterans have their contracts guaranteed for the year when they’re on a Week 1 roster. Originally an UDFA out of Penn back in 2013, it took Copeland a few years to find his footing in the league. He eventually broke out in 2018 with the Jets.
He started 10 games for New York that year, racking up five sacks and 14 QB hits while operating as an outside linebacker. The Ivy League grad again played a sizable role with the Jets in 2019, then signed with the Patriots last year. A torn pec limited him to six games, but he started four of them for New England.
He then landed with the Falcons back in March. Atlanta got drubbed by the Eagles in their season opener on Sunday, so they could use all the help they can get.
Falcons Release LB Brandon Copeland
The Falcons made an interesting Week 1 decision. They are releasing veteran linebacker Brandon Copeland, per Sports Talk 790’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).
A former Jets and Patriots starter, Copeland signed with the Falcons during the first week of free agency. The Falcons filled Copeland’s roster spot by promoting linebacker James Vaughters from their practice squad.
Atlanta added Copeland, 30, on a league-minimum deal. This cut will prevent Copeland’s $990K base salary from becoming guaranteed. Vested veterans on Week 1 rosters have their 2021 salaries guaranteed. While Copeland could end up back with the Falcons on a team-friendlier pact or on a practice squad deal, he is in free agency for the time being.
The ex-UDFA recorded five sacks and 14 QB hits for the Jets in 2018, working as an edge player for a team long weakened at that skill, but saw an injury stall his career. A torn pec ended Copeland’s Patriots run in October 2020. The Pats used Copeland as a four-game starter last season. Copeland appeared on Atlanta’s injury report this week with a hamstring ailment but got in a full practice Friday.
Falcons To Sign Brandon Copeland
The Falcons have agreed to a one-year deal with Brandon Copeland (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). The former Patriots linebacker missed much of last season with a torn pec, but he’s closing in on a complete recovery.
[RELATED: Falcons To Sign Harris]
Copeland, an ex-Jets and Lions contributor, also drew interest from the Giants. It’s not clear whether the incumbent Pats tried to bring him back or not. Before the injury, Copeland was ticketed for a major role as Dont’a Hightower’s fill-in. He wound up playing in just six games with four starts, but Pro Football Focus gave him strong grades in that limited sample.
His 2018 Jets season marked his only year as a starter. In 16 games, he notched five sacks and 14 quarterback hits. So far, that’s his only season with more than two sacks.
Terms of the deal are not yet known, but this could prove to be a strong value signing for Atlanta. At least, that’s the hope, given how quiet the Falcons’ week has been.