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: 8/8/24
Thursday’s minor moves around the league:
Carolina Panthers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Stephen Sullivan
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DT Carlos Davis
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LS Rex Sunahara
- Waived: CB Faion Hicks
Dallas Cowboys
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Corey Crooms
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR: CB Don Callis, WR Rory Starkey
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DE Breeland Speaks
- Waived (injury designation): DE De’Shaan Dixon
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Tommy Hudson
New York Jets
- Reverted to IR: WR Hamze El-Zayat
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Jalen Elliott
- Waived (injury designation): S Nate Meadors
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Mario Kendricks, CB Willie Roberts
- Waived: DT Rodney Matthews
- Waived (injury designation): DT Matt Gotel
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: G Ryan Johnson
- Placed on IR: G Silas Dzansi
Dixon exited Jacksonville’s Tuesday practice early, and head coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Thursday he has suffered a torn ACL. The former UDFA started his career with the Jaguars, making three appearances as a rookie in 2022. He resided on the team’s practice squad last season, and he could remain in the organization by reverting to IR in the event he goes unclaimed.
Speaks will take Dixon’s place as he aims to translate an effective UFL campaign into a return to NFL action. The 28-year-old earned Defensive Player of the Year honors while playing for the Michigan Panthers. He collected 9.5 sacks in the spring, and that production has landed him the chance to carve out a roster spot with Jacksonville. Speaks last played with the Chiefs in 2018.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/27/23
With the preseason over for 30 of the NFL’s 32 teams, many have begun the process of working their rosters down to the eventual 53-man rosters they will open the season with:
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: WR Tyler Adams, WR Kody Case, G Emil Ekiyor, TE Nick Eubanks, K Lucas Havrisik, TE Michael Jacobson, T Matthew Vanderslice
- Released: CB Teez Tabor
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: RB Brittain Brown, TE Jacob Hollister, WR Isaiah Zuber
- Waived/injured: WR Chris Lacy
- Waived: CB Isiah Brown, CB Bryce Cosby, DT Doug Costin, LB Isaac Darkangelo, QB Chase Garbers, G Vitaliy Gurman, RB Darwin Thompson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: OLB Carlo Kemp, CB Cam Brown
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: LB Wilson Huber, T Jarrid Williams
- Released: LB Tanner Vallejo
New England Patriots
- Released: DT Carl Davis, CB Rodney Randle
- Waived: LB Diego Fagot, S Brad Hawkins, TE Johnny Lumpkin, RB C.J. Marable, CB Quandre Mosely, DT Justus Tavai, OL Micah Vanterpool, TE Scotty Washington, LB Carson Wells
New York Jets
- Released: LB Nick Vigil
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: WR Aron Cruickshank
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Nate Brooks, OLB LaDarius Hamilton, DE Breeland Speaks, LB Kyahva Tezino, DL Spencer Waege
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella, DE Jordan Ferguson, WR Malik Flowers, CB Benjie Franklin, WR Justin Marshall, CB Chris Steele, RB Wayne Taulapapa
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Don Gardner
- Waived: OLB Hamilcar Rashed
- Released: LB Ulysees Gilbert
Although never quite reaching the heights of his tenure with the Bengals, Vigil has a history as a strong contributor and potential starter at linebacker. Coming off a season that saw him only play in four games for the Cardinals before getting put on injured reserve, Vigil failed to stick in New York and will need to find his next opportunity elsewhere.
Vallejo’s tenure in Minnesota lasted a short two weeks. The special teams specialist will have to keep searching for his 2023 home.
49ers To Sign DE Breeland Speaks
10:42am: To make room on their 90-man roster, the 49ers placed Anthony Averett on IR, per the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman (on Twitter). A former Ravens and Raiders starter, Averett made two trips to IR during his season with Las Vegas. The 49ers have now placed two veteran cornerbacks — Averett and Terrance Mitchell — on IR over the past several days.
9:51am: The 49ers have taken a few fliers on ex-high draft choices at defensive end in recent years. Their latest such effort will involve a former second-round pick who generated interest as a USFL standout.
Breeland Speaks is signing with the team, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). The former Chiefs draft choice worked out for the Broncos and Texans as well, but after a 49ers audition, he will attempt to become a depth piece in San Francisco.
While Speaks’ initial NFL run did not go as the Chiefs envisioned, he re-emerged on the radar with the Michigan Panthers. Speaks led the second-year league with nine sacks this year. He will join a 49ers roster that has seen more turnover among Nick Bosa‘s batch of D-end sidekicks. The 49ers lost Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam this offseason — to the Chiefs and Colts, respectively — and are currently without Bosa due to a holdout. Bosa is expected to land a monster extension soon, and the 49ers will have some new pieces in place alongside him.
The team added former No. 4 overall pick Clelin Ferrell and ex-Cowboys first-rounder Taco Charlton this offseason. This comes after well-regarded D-line coach Kris Kocurek helped the likes of Omenihu, Ebukam, Kerry Hyder and ex-Ferrell Raiders teammate Arden Key raise their values after recent free agency accords (Hyder remains with the 49ers). A Speaks reclamation project will seemingly be a longer-odds proposition, but the 49ers will kick the tires on the recent USFL success story.
Brett Veach‘s first draft choice as Chiefs GM, Speaks has not played in an NFL game since 2018. Speaks, 27, missed all of 2019 due to injury and could not make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster in 2020. The former No. 46 overall pick ended up with the Raiders, Cowboys, Giants and Bills — on practice squad agreements — through the end of the 2021 season. Speaks finished his rookie year with 1.5 sacks, starting four Chiefs games.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/27/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: OT Adrian Ealy
Buffalo Bills
- Released: DE Breeland Speaks
Carolina Panthers
- Released: K Alex Kessman
Denver Broncos
- Released: C Javon Patterson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: P Joseph Charlton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Braxton Hoyett, LB Justin March-Lillard, OT Kyle Murphy, DT Ethan Westbrooks
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams
Washington Football Team
- Signed: DL Matt Dickerson
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/22/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: C Jimmy Murray
- Placed on COVID-19 list: OT David Sharpe
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Breeland Speaks
- Placed on COVID-19 list: TE Quintin Morris
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from COVID-19 list: WR JoJo Natson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Suspended two games: RB/KR Pooka Williams
Detroit Lions
- Placed on COVID-19 list: CB Chris Williamson
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on COVID-19 list: TE Farrod Green
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: OT Paul Adams, WR Dalton Schoen
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on COVID-19 list: RB Javian Hawkins, WR Warren Jackson
- Released: DB Damarious Randall
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DE Braxton Hoyett
- Released: LB Chase Hansen
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Darqueze Dennard, S Dwayne Johnson
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Ken Webster, WR Isaiah Zuber
Washington Football Team
- Released: DE Hercules Mata’afa
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/6/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: DE Breeland Speaks
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: QB James Morgan
New York Giants
- Signed: S Natrell Jamerson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Austin Mack, LB Curtis Robinson
- Released: WR Devin Funchess, LB Justin March
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Tuzar Skipper
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Washington moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Dallas Cowboys
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Isaac Alarcón, DB Kyron Brown, CB Deante Burton, S Tyler Coyle, QB Ben DiNucci, DE Austin Faoliu, DT Justin Hamilton, RB JaQuan Hardy, C Braylon Jones, WR Osirus Mitchell, FB Nick Ralston, WR Brandon Smith, DE Breeland Speaks, TE Jeremy Sprinkle, S Darian Thompson
New York Giants
Placed on IR:
- WR John Ross, LB Elerson Smith
Signed:
- WR C.J. Board (Board was cut (below) before getting re-signed), LS Casey Kreiter
Claimed:
- LB Justin Hilliard (from 49ers), WR Collin Johnson (from Jaguars), LB Quincy Roche (from Steelers)
Waived:
- WR C.J. Board, LB Trent Harris, WR Dante Pettis
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Jackson Barton, OL Jake Burton, WR Matt Cole, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE Jake Hausmann, OL Brett Heggie, DL Willie Henry, LB Niko Lalos, DL David Moa, S Jordyn Peters, RB Sandro Platzgummer, WR David Sills, OL Kenny Wiggins, WR Damion Willis
Philadelphia Eagles
Signed to practice squad:
- S Grayland Arnold, OL Kayode Awosika, OT Le’Raven Clark, WR Travis Fulgham, WR John Hightower, RB Jordan Howard, RB Jason Huntley, CB Michael Jacquet, CB Craig James, WR KeeSean Johnson, DE Matt Leo, G Sua Opeta, OL Ross Pierschbacher, S Elijah Riley, LB JaCoby Stevens, DT Raequan Williams
Washington Football Team
Placed on IR:
Signed:
- LB David Mayo
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Peyton Barber, OL Beau Benzschawel, DE William Bradley-King, WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, C Keith Ismael, CB Danny Johnson, LB Jordan Kunaszyk, G Wes Martin, LB Jared Norris, S Jeremy Reaves, DE Bunmi Rotimi, OT David Steinmetz, C Jon Toth, DT Daniel Wise, DT Gabe Wright
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/21
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Parker Hesse
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): C Sam Jones
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Mike Bell, OL Steven Gonzalez
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Michael Pinckney
New York Giants
- Waived: DE Breeland Speaks
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): RB Austin Walter
- Waived: RB Pete Guerriero
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Joshua Moon, DT Walter Palmore, DE Marcus Webb, S LaDarius Wiley
Giants Sign DE Breeland Speaks To Reserve/Futures Deal
A 2018 second-round pick has inked a non-guaranteed futures contract. The Giants announced today that they’ve inked defensive end Breeland Speaks to a reserve/futures deal.
Speaks was selected by the Chiefs with the 46th-overall pick in the 2018 draft. The Ole Miss product had a solid rookie campaign, appearing in all 16 games (with four starts) while collecting 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Speaks also appeared in a pair of playoff games during his rookie season, compiling a pair of tackles.
He missed the 2019 season due to a knee injury, and while sitting on IR, he was suspended four games after violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Speaks was reinstated late during the 2019 campaign and landed back on IR, and he ultimately won a ring after the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.
Speaks was waived at the end of the 2020 preseason, and he jumped around the NFL a bit during the regular season. Following a stint with the Raiders practice squad in October, the 25-year-old ended the season on the Cowboys’ taxi squad.
Speaks will sit on the Giants’ 90-man offseason roster with a non-guaranteed deal, and the pact guarantees that he won’t be scooped up by another squad. Teams are only allowed to use reserve/futures deals on players who weren’t on an active roster at the end of the 2020 regular season.