Buccaneers Set 53-Man Roster
The Buccaneers surprised a bit in 2023 without Tom Brady in the lineup. With Baker Mayfield leading the way, the team managed to win their division and return to the postseason for the fourth-straight season. Before the team can look to make it five consecutive trips to the playoffs, the organization had to make some difficult roster decisions today. The team announced the following moves as they set their 53-man roster:
Released:
- WR Sterling Shepard (story)
- WR Cody Thompson
- LS Zach Triner
- TE David Wells
- QB John Wolford
Waived:
- S Marcus Banks
- DL C.J. Brewer
- TE Sal Cannella
- P Nolan Cooney
- DL Judge Culpepper
- G Xavier Delgado
- DL Mike Greene
- LB Antonio Grier
- OLB Daniel Grzesiak
- T Luke Haggard
- CB Andrew Hayes
- CB Keenan Isaac
- RB Ramon Jefferson
- WR Cephus Johnson
- G Ryan Johnson
- C Avery Jones
- WR Latreal Jones
- LB Vi Jones
- WR Tanner Knue
- DL Brandon Matterson
- CB Chris McDonald
- T Lorenz Metz
- WR Ryan Miller
- OLB Jay Person
- TE Tanner Taula
- WR Raleigh Webb
- RB D.J. Williams
- S Rashad Wisdom
Waived/injured:
- LB Kalen DeLoach
- OLB Shaun Peterson
- DL Lwal Uguak
Placed on IR:
- RB Chase Edmonds (story)
- WR Rakim Jarrett (designated to return)
The Buccaneers have continued their trend of building around draft picks. As Greg Auman of FOX Sports points out, 44 of Tampa Bay’s 53 players were either drafted by the organization or joined as an undrafted free agent. Among starters, the only players who didn’t join the organization as rooks are QB Baker Mayfield and guard Ben Bredeson.
The team will temporarily roll with only a pair of quarterbacks in Mayfield and backup Kyle Trask. John Wolford could have brought some starting experience to the QB room, as the former Ram started four games during his time in Los Angeles. The veteran also started the 2023 campaign on Tampa Bay’s p-squad before earning a promotion, so there’s a chance he follows a similar path this year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/24
With roster cutdowns beginning around the league, Sunday saw a number of moves take place:
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: WR Josh Ali, CB William Hooper, LB Storey Jackson, LB Donavan Mutin, QB John Paddock, TE Austin Stogner, CB Trey Vaval
- Released: OLB Bradlee Anae, OL Zack Bailey, S Lukas Denis, OL Jaryd Jones-Smith, OL John Leglue, TE Jordan Thomas
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: S Terrell Burgess, S Dee Delaney
- Waived: DE Rondell Bothroyd, OL Kevin Jarvis, LB Shayne Simon,
- Released: QB Anthony Brown, CB Kyron Brown, WR Damiere Byrd, LB Deion Jones
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: CB Clay Fields III, K Spencer Shrader, QB Kedon Slovis, WR Derek Slywka, LB Mike Smith Jr.
- Released: WR Tyrie Cleveland, DE Derek Rivers, WR Greg Ward
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: DE Raymond Johnson, DT Jonathan Marshall, LB Andrew Parker Jr., WR Joseph Scates, WR Seth Williams
- Released: CB Tevaughn Campbell, TE Chris Myarick, DE Breeland Speaks, OL Keaton Sutherland
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: WR J.J. Laap, OL Blake Larson, OL Alec Lindstrom, LB Ochaun Mathis, DB Cameron McCutcheon, OL Grant Miller, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, RB SaRodorick Thompson, QB Dresser Winn
- Released: OL Matt Kaskey, DE Carlos Watkins
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: WR Anthony Schwartz
New York Giants
- Waived (injury designation): DT Timmy Horne, DB Jonathan Sutherland
- Waived: WR Ayir Asante, DL Kyler Baugh, CB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, OL Marcus McKethan
- Released: CB Breon Borders, RB Joshua Kelley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: WR T.J. Luther
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: P Nolan Cooney, DL Judge Culpepper, OL Xavier Delgado, LB Kalen DeLoach, CB Andrew Hayes, RB Ramon Jefferson, WR Cephus Johnson, OL Ryan Johnson, WR Latreal Jones, WR Tanner Knue, DL Brandon Matterson, OLB Jay Person, OLB Shaun Peterson, DL Lwal Uguak, WR Raleigh Webb, TE David Wells
- Released: TE Sal Cannella, LS Zach Triner
Buffalo’s decision to cut Jones marks a blow to his efforts in finding a roster spot on a new team. Considering the latest report on his status, however, it does not come as a surprise. The Bills dealt with a number of injuries at the linebacker spot last season and Matt Milano will miss extended time in 2024 due to a biceps tear. In spite of that, the team will look elsewhere for depth options unless Jones is retained via the practice squad later this week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/19/24
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: QB Anthony Brown
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Willie Drew, CB Quandre Mosely, WR Sam Pinckney, RB Jaden Shirden, CB Chris Wilcox
- Placed on IR: CB Anthony Brown, QB Jake Luton
- Waived: RB Dillon Johnson
- Waived/injured: CB Lamar Jackson, WR Tayvion Robinson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: RB Chris Evans, T D’Ante Smith
- Waived: DT Devonnsha Maxwell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, T Chim Okorafor
- Placed on IR: T Hakeem Adeniji
- Waived: WR Matt Landers
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: T Earl Bostick
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Mike Panasiuk, LB Mike Smith Jr.
- Placed on IR: C Ryan Coll
- Waived/injured: G Josh Sills
- Released via injury settlement: RB Trent Pennix
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LS Randen Plattner
- Waived: OL McKade Mettauer
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Justin Hall
- Waived: WR Ty James, P Seth Vernon
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Kyler Baugh, LB Trey Kiser
- Waived/injured: DL Ryder Anderson
- Placed on IR: OL Yodny Cajuste
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Waived: TE Neal Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Kyahva Tezino
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Michael Ezeike, TE Devon Garrison
- Waived: LB Devin Richardson, CB Willie Roberts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Brandon Matterson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DE Justin Hollins
- Cut via injury settlement: LB Bo Bauer
Smith sustained a torn patellar tendon during a Bengals joint practice with the Bears, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports. He joins Evans in sustaining a season-ending injury during that workout. A 2021 fourth-round pick, Smith was believed to have earned the Bengals’ swing tackle role early last year. But he did not see any game action in Year 3. Having played in just three career games, Smith has seen his career hit a crossroads after this injury. His rookie contract expires after the season. This further depletes a Bengals O-line that will be without first-rounder Amarius Mims for a bit due to a strained pec.
A former Bengals starter, Adeniji joined the Browns in March. A knee injury sidelined Adeniji recently, and while Kevin Stefanski said the veteran O-lineman will miss “a little bit of time,” this transaction will likely lead to an injury settlement that sends him back to free agency for a stretch. The Bengals used Adeniji as a starter in each of their four 2021 playoff games, before spending to upgrade their O-line the following year. Adeniji, a 2020 sixth-rounder, played in one Vikings game last season.
Brown and Lamar Jackson sustained injuries during the Panthers’ most recent preseason game, adding to Carolina’s issues — headlined by Dane Jackson‘s significant hamstring setback — at corner. Formerly a Cowboys regular, Brown has struggled to stick with a team as of late. He spent 2023 with three teams — the Steelers, 49ers and Jets — and played in just two games. This came after Brown was with Dallas for six seasons, starting 69 games.
A five-game starter for the 2021 Super Bowl champion Rams, Hollins played for three teams last season. The former Broncos draftee was with the Packers, Giants and Chargers. He has 10.5 career sacks, one coming last season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/24
Today’s minor transactions as we head into the weekend:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Ro Torrence
- Waived: LS Cameron Lyons
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Corey Crooms
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Hunter Kampmoyer
- Waived: DT Brandon Matterson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Geor’quarius Spivey
- Waived: WR Izaiah Gathings
New England Patriots
- Signed: T Kellen Diesch, S A.J. Thomas
- Waived: RB DeShaun Fenwick, T Tyrone Wheatley
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Mason Fairchild, TE Kevin Rader
- Reverted to IR: TE Tommy Hudson
- Waived: TE Jesper Horstead
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Brandon Smith, CB Tre Swilling, WR Isaiah Winstead
- Waived: TE Kevin Foelsch, WR Marcus Riley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Reverted to IR: LB David Perales
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: OLB Jay Person
- Placed on IR: G Sua Opeta (story)
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from active/PUP list: T Nicholas Petit-Frere
Petit-Frere has been rehabbing back from a medical procedure he underwent on his knee. The third-year lineman will now get an opportunity to enter the team’s position battle at right tackle.
Broncos Sign 13 UDFAs
With rookie minicamps underway, the final batch of UDFA hauls are coming into focus. Here is the Broncos’ 13-man group:
- Cam Allen, S (Purdue)
- Jaylon Allen, OLB (Memphis)
- Levelle Bailey, ILB (Fresno State)
- Omar Brown, S (Nebraska)
- Nik Constantinou, P (Texas A&M)
- Frank Crum, T (Wyoming)
- Dylan Leonard, TE (Georgia Tech)
- Brandon Matterson, DT (Texas-San Antonio)
- Jordan Miller, DT (SMU)
- Alec Mock, LB (Air Force)
- Lincoln Victor, WR (Washington State)
- Blake Watson, RB (Memphis)
- Thomas Yassmin, TE (Utah)
The Broncos were believed to be targeting tight ends this offseason, but the team did not draft any or add an outside veteran free agent. This stands to place importance once again on 2022 third-rounder Greg Dulcich shaking off his chronic hamstring trouble. Neither of the tight ends in this UDFA class profile as players who would help on the receiving front immediately. A blocking tight end, Leonard did not eclipse 175 receiving yards in any of his five Yellowjackets seasons. Yassmin came to Utah after being noticed at a rugby camp; the ex-Dalton Kincaid Utes teammate showed some promise in 2022, catching 13 passes for 301 yards. He trudged through an injury-shortened 2023 season.
Constantinou will challenge veteran Riley Dixon for the Broncos’ punting job; Denver reacquired Dixon last year, giving him a $3.5MM deal. No guarantees remain on the eight-year veteran’s contract. An Australia native, Constantinou was a first-team All-SEC honoree in 2021 and second-team punter in 2022.
Watson received a $250K salary guarantee and a $25K bonus, 9News’ Mike Klis notes. An Old Dominion transfer, Watson impressed as an outlet option in his one season at Memphis. He totaled 480 receiving yards to go with 1,152 on the ground in 2023. He will join a suddenly crowded Denver backfield, which houses Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin and fifth-round pick Audric Estime. Brown and Crum each received $250K in total guarantees, according to Klis, coming in just south of Watson’s mark. Brown transferred from Northern Iowa to Nebraska, while Crum made 49 starts (36 at right tackle, 13 at left tackle) for Wyoming. Crum’s 2023 season at LT earned him first-team All-Mountain West Conference acclaim.
Not listed here, Nebraska cornerback Quinton Newsome is set to sign for $100K in total guarantees, Klis adds. The Broncos will need to cut one more player to make room on their 90-man roster, according to the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Newsome was a three-year Cornhuskers starter who saw his draft stock hurt by a December shoulder surgery.