Minor NFL Transactions: 8/30/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here. Teams have until 3pm CT Tuesday to pare their rosters down to 53 players.
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: DB Chris Banjo, DL Josh Mauro
- Waived: WR Andre Baccellia, CB Jace Whittaker, S James Wiggins
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Terrance Smith
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Jordan Phillips
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: DT Eli Ankou, DL Zac Dawe, S Dwayne Johnson Jr., DE Kobe Jones, WR Chris Rowland, LB Tuzar Skipper
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: WR Deon Cain, WR Devin Gray, WR Siaosi Mariner
- Released: TE Eric Tomlinson
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB Tim Harris, WR Brandon Powell, RB Kerrith Whyte
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: G Mike Horton, S Jalen Julius, OL Aaron Monteiro
Cleveland Browns
- Released: WR JoJo Natson
- Waived: CB Brian Allen, TE Jordan Franks, OL Colby Gossett, DE Porter Gustin, QB Kyle Lauletta, DE Cameron Malveaux, TE Kyle Markway, S Jovante Moffatt, S Sheldrick Redwine, CB Manny Rugamba, LB Tegray Scales, DE Curtis Weaver, DT Marvin Wilson
- Placed on IR: OT Greg Senat
Chicago Bears
- Released: OL Adam Redmond
- Waived: TE Scooter Harrington
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: S Steven Parker
Denver Broncos
- Waived: TE Shaun Beyer, WR Tyrie Cleveland, TE Austin Fort, OT Drew Himmelman, WR Kendall Hinton, DE Isaiah Mack, CB Mac McCain, FB Adam Prentice, LB Curtis Robinson, QB Brett Rypien, OL Austin Schlottmann, RB Stevie Scott, CB Saivion Smith, LB Derrek Tuszka, WR Seth Williams
Detroit Lions
- Waived: WR Victor Bolden, DT Miles Brown, CB Mike Ford, OL Evan Heim, S Alijah Holder, WR Damion Ratley
Houston Texans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Laremy Tunsil
- Waived/injured: CB Cornell Armstrong, LB Tae Davis
- Waived: DB Shyheim Carter, OL Danny Isidora, TE Ryan Izzo, OL Carson Green, RB Buddy Howell
- Released: QB Jeff Driskel
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: C Ryan Kelly, WR Zach Pascal, QB Carson Wentz; the trio landed on the coronavirus list due to being high-risk close contacts, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Quenton Nelson
- Waived: CB Holton Hill, LB Isaiah Kaufusi
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: CB Corey Straughter
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Josh Allen
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: CB Zayne Anderson, WR Maurice Ffrench, RBDerrick Gore, DB Devon Key, RB Darwin Thompson, OL Darryl Williams
- Traded: OL Yasir Durant (to Patriots for 2022 seventh-round pick, per Herbie Teope of the KC Star on Twitter)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Darron Lee
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: LB Jessie Lemonier
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: DB Brontae Harris, WR Jeremiah Haydel, G Jeremiah Kolone, G Jordan Meredith, DB Donovan Olumba, LB Troy Warner
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: S Nate Holley, WR Khalil McClain, DE Tyshun Render, TE Carl Tucker
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Robert Foster
New England Patriots
- Waived: S Adrian Colbert, DL Bill Murray, WR Tre Nixon
- Traded for: OL Yasir Durant (via Chiefs for 2022 seventh-round pick, per Herbie Teope of the KC Star on Twitter)
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: S Eric Burrell, OG Derrick Kelly, CB Natrell Jamerson, DL R.J. McIntosh, OL Christian Montano, LB Shaq Smith
New York Jets
- Waived: WR Lawrence Cager, S J.T. Hassell, CB Lamar Jackson, OL Corey Levin, Jeremiah Valoaga
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: OL Ross Pierschbacher
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: WR Rico Bussey, LS Kameron Canaday, LB Jamar Watson
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: TE Ian Bunting, WR Darece Roberson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Joseph Jones, DT Kobe Smith
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Nate Davis
- Waived/injured: OL Chandon Herring
- Released from IR via injury settlement: OL Brent Qvale (story)
Washington Football Team
- Waived: WR Tony Brown, S Cole Luke, CB Linden Stephens, WR Isaiah Wright
- Released: DT Devaroe Lawrence, LB Joe Walker
Titans Place Brent Qvale On IR
The Titans have placed offensive lineman Brent Qvale on injured reserve, per a club announcement. To take his spot on the roster, the club has added fellow blocker Paul Adams. 
[RELATED: Titans Sign S Bradley McDougald]
Qvale, a sixth-year veteran, worked as a part-time starter with the Texans in 2020. The 6-foot-7 blocker joined the Titans just a couple of weeks ago in the wake of Spencer Pulley‘s injury, but Qvale’s season also appears to be over.
To date, Qvale has logged 18 starts as a pro with most of those coming during his five-year tenure with the Jets. Still, he’s yet to see more than six starts in a season. The Titans were considering him for a reserve role where he’d support starters Taylor Lewan and Ty Sambrailo. At some point, second-rounder Dillon Radunz is expected to leapfrog Sambrailo for the top right tackle spot.
Titans Sign OL Brent Qvale, Place C Spencer Pulley On IR
In addition to changing course at backup quarterback Thursday, the Titans made some moves on their offensive line. They signed tackle Brent Qvale and placed center Spencer Pulley on IR.
A sixth-year veteran, Qvale worked as a part-time starter with the Texans last season. The 6-foot-7 blocker is entering his age-30 season. He has logged 18 starts as a pro, most of those coming during his five-year tenure with the Jets, but never more than six in a season.
Tennessee used two draft choices at tackle this year, adding Dillon Radunz in Round 2 and Dez Fitzpatrick in Round 4. The team also signed Kendall Lamm this offseason, reassembling a tackle group that saw 2020 first-round pick Isaiah Wilson flame out fast and replacement starter Dennis Kelly sign with the Packers.
[RELATED: Titans Sign Matt Barkley, Cut DeShone Kizer]
The Titans signed Pulley just last week. An IR designation before 53-man rosters are finalized means Pulley cannot play for the Titans this year. An injury settlement, which would allow Pulley to catch on somewhere else after he heals up, would appear likely. A former Chargers UDFA, Pulley last played for the Giants in 2019.
The team also signed former XFL tight end Donnie Ernsberger and offensive lineman Ross Reynolds, while placing cornerback Greg Mabin on IR.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/2/21
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Christian Kirk
- Promoted: DL Stacy McGee, LB Terrance Smith, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: WR Chris Rowland, WR Devin Gray, TE Jared Pinkney
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Nate Brooks, QB Tyler Huntley
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Tyler Kroft; Kroft contracted the coronavirus
- Promoted: TE Nate Becker, CB Dane Jackson, DE Mike Love, RB Antonio Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: LB Clay Johnston, T Aaron Monteiro, QB Tommy Stevens
- Placed on IR: CB Troy Pride
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DB Xavier Crawford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Mike Daniels
- Promoted: LB Keandre Jones, DT Kahlil McKenzie, CB Winston Rose
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Jets’ practice squad: G Blake Hance
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Karl Joseph
- Promoted: G Cordell Iwuagwu, LB Montrel Meander, T Alex Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: DB Steven Parker
- Promoted: DT Walter Palmore, T William Sweet
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: WR K.J. Hamler
- Promoted: LB Josh Watson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: DT Danny Shelton
- Promoted: C Evan Brown, DT Albert Huggins, S Bobby Price
- Waived: DL Frank Herron
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: David Bakhtiari (story)
- Promoted: G Ben Braden, DL Brian Price
Houston Texans
- Promoted: OL Greg Mancz, WR Steven Mitchell
- Placed on IR: OL Brent Qvale
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: S Ibraheim Campbell, T Jared Veldheer
- Activated from IR: TE Noah Togiai
- Waived: WR Marcus Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: WR Collin Johnson
- Promoted: WR Terry Godwin, OL Tre’vour Wallace-Simms
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Jeff Heath
- Promoted: LB James Onwualu, OL Erik Magnuson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: DB John Brannon
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: QB Bryce Perkins
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: S Nate Holley, WR Marcus Kemp, QB Reid Sinnett
- Waived: FB Chandler Cox
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: CB Tae Hayes, Cordrea Tankersley, DE Eddie Yarbrough
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: RB Damien Harris
- Promoted: TE/DL Rashod Berry, CB Michael Jackson, LB Cassh Maluia, OL Ross Reynolds, CB D’Angelo Ross
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: FB Michael Burton, RB Latavius Murray, S D.J. Swearinger, RB Dwayne Washington; Murray and Washington are close contacts of COVID-positive Alvin Kamara (story)
- Promoted: LB Andrew Dowell, TE Garrett Griffin, CB Grant Haley, LB Chase Hansen, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, RB Tony Jones Jr., WR Tommylee Lewis
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Kyler Fackrell, CB Madre Harper
- Promoted: P Ryan Santoso
- Placed on IR: FB Elijhaa Penny
- Waived: QB/WR Joe Webb
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: G Greg Van Roten
- Waived: K Sam Ficken
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, LB Sharif Finch, LB Brady Sheldon, DL Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Blake Countess, DE Joe Ostman, T Prince Tega Wanogho
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Eric Ebron, LB Cassius Marsh
- Promoted: WR Deon Cain, T Anthony Coyle, TE Kevin Rader, K Matthew Wright
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: G Tom Compton
- Promoted: DT Josiah Coatney, WR Jordan Matthews, K Tristan Vizcaino, OL Isaiah Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Tre Flowers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Damarious Randall, T Brandon Shell
- Promoted: G Alex Boone, RB Alex Collins, WR Penny Hart
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: CB Herb Miller, DL Benning Potoa’e
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Brett Kern
- Promoted: LB Brooks Reed, K Sam Sloman
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Dontrelle Inman
Texans Place Gareon Conley On IR
The Texans will be without Gareon Conley for at least a little while. On Monday, Houston placed the cornerback on injured reserve, which will rule him out for a minimum of three games per the league’s modified rules for 2020. 
[RELATED: Texans Sign Deshaun Watson To $177MM Extension]
Conley was activated from the PUP list in August after making strides in his recovery from arthroscopic ankle surgery. The move to IR is a frustrating setback for Conley, who was neck-and-neck with second-year pro Lonnie Johnson for a starting job. Once he’s back, Conley will push for playing time as he makes his case ahead of free agency.
The Texans declined Conley’s fifth-year option for 2021, which would have paid him $10.24MM. Still, the Texans were excited to see what he could bring to the table this year. After a rocky tenure in Oakland, Conley managed eleven pass breakups in Houston. That gave him the second-highest total on the team, just two shy of team leader Jonathan Joseph. Without Conley, the Texans will move forward with Bradley Roby, Vernon Hargreaves, Lonnie Johnson, John Reid, Keion Crossen, and Phillip Gaines as their cornerbacks.
In related moves, the Texans placed wide receiver Isaiah Coulter on IR while re-signing tacke Brent Qvale and long snapper Jon Weeks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/20
Here are Sunday’s minor moves. The players who landed on injured reserve are eligible to come off teams’ respective lists after three weeks. For 2020, teams can also activate an unlimited number of IR players — as opposed to the two-man max of 2019.
Atlanta Falcons
- Claimed (from Washington): T Timon Paris
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed (from Dolphins): G Deion Calhoun
- Signed: CB Torry McTyer
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed (from Cowboys): DE Joe Jackson
- Claimed (from Bills): DT Vincent Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: WR Ventell Bryant
- Signed: CB C.J. Goodwin, LB Justin March-Lillard
- Released: LB Joe Thomas
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: T Brent Qvale, LS Jon Weeks
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed (from Eagles): TE Noah Togiai
Las Vegas Raiders
Minnesota Vikings
- Claimed (from Giants): LB Ryan Connelly
New York Giants
- Claimed (from Chiefs): T Jackson Barton, S Adrian Colbert
- Claimed (from Browns): WR Damion Ratley
- Waived: S Sean Chandler, OL Chad Slade
- Placed on IR: LB David Mayo, S Xavier McKinney
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed (from Lions): RB Jason Huntley
- Placed on IR: S Will Parks, WR Quez Watkins
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: J.J. Nelson
Seattle Seahawks
- Claimed (from Titans): LB D’Andre Walker
- Waived: DB Linden Stephens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Re-signed: C A.Q. Shipley
AFC Notes: Patriots, QBs, Texans, Qvale, Raiders, WRs
We heard recently that the Patriots would either be selecting a quarterback in the first-round or middle rounds, and Ben Volin of the Boston Globe picked up on an interesting note from Bill Belichick that could point toward the latter. Belichick mostly deflected when asked about the quarterbacks in this draft this past week in his trademark style, but at the end of his remarks he commented that it’s a class “that has decent depth to it.” While Volin readily admits he could be reading too much into it, he thinks it could be a Belichick-equivalent of acknowledging he might strike later in the draft.
Given some of the quarterbacks the Patriots have been linked to, it would certainly make sense. We’ve heard they could be interested in FIU’s James Morgan, a late rise who has moved into the middle rounds recently. Then again there was also a recent report that New England loved Justin Herbert, so who knows. Volin highlights Georgia’s Jake Fromm, Oregon State’s Jake Luton, Iowa’s Nate Stanley, Princeton’s Kevin Davidson, and Morgan as the best middle-round fits for the Pats.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- The Texans signed Brent Qvale to be their new swing tackle about a month back, and now we have the details on his contract, courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Qvale’s one-year deal came with a base value of $1.047MM, a $137K signing bonus, and $300K in overall guaranteed money. Houston will enter 2020 with Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard as their two starting tackles. Qvale had been the Jets’ swing tackle for a while, starting 14 games over the past four seasons.
- The Raiders have been linked to the draft’s top receivers with the 12th overall pick, and even if they do draft a wideout they might not stop there. Despite the fact that they have no second-rounder, Scott Bair of NBCSports thinks they might draft two receivers in the first three-rounds. It’s certainly a position of need for Las Vegas, as Jon Gruden seeks to upgrade his offense. Gruden currently has Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow, but neither of those guys are ideal top options. The Raiders also hold the 19th pick, and we’ve heard they could even take a quarterback in the first-round if the opportunity presents itself. With the 12th pick, they should be able to scoop up at least one of Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, or Henry Ruggs III.
Texans To Sign Brent Qvale
Another offensive lineman is off the board. The Texans are signing offensive tackle Brent Qvale, a source told Mark Berman of FOX 26 (Twitter link). It’s a one-year pact Berman added in a follow-up tweet, although the finances weren’t immediately available.
The Texans don’t have a ton of cap space, and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle had tweeted yesterday that they were taking a look at swing tackles they could get on a budget. It appears they’ve now found their man. Qvale signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent back in 2014, and spent the past six seasons in New York. He was placed on injured reserve at the start of last season but was activated late in the year, appearing in three games and starting one.
He operated as the Jets’ swing tackle for a while, and started 11 games between 2016 and 2017. Houston will enter 2020 with Laremy Tunsil as their left tackle and Tytus Howard as their right tackle.
Jets Place TE Ryan Griffin On IR
Chris Herndon‘s replacement will join him on IR. The Jets moved Ryan Griffin to their injured list on Thursday and activated offensive lineman Brent Qvale to take his place on the 53-man roster.
The Jets ruled out Griffin for Thursday night’s game against the Ravens due to an ankle injury. That malady will end Griffin’s first Jets season. Thanks to the in-season extension the parties agreed to, Griffin will be back with Gang Green in 2020.
Starting all 13 Jet games due to Herndon’s suspension, then injuries, Griffin caught 34 passes for 320 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. Both players are signed through at least the 2021 season. Griffin, who will turn 30 in January, is signed through 2022 via the three-year, $9.55MM re-up the ex-Texan inked last month.
Qvale returned to Jets practice recently and is in line to see action in the team’s final three games this season. A sixth-year Jet, Qvale has started 14 career games. The former UDFA suffered a knee injury in August and has spent the entire season on the Jets’ IR list.
Jets Designate Two For Return
The Jets are getting some reinforcements in the trenches. The team is getting back a member of the offensive and defensive lines, as defensive end John Franklin-Myers and offensive tackle Brent Qvale have both been designated for return from injured reserve.
Both can now begin practicing with the team, and this starts a three-week window for them to be activated. Franklin-Myers was a fourth-round pick of the Rams in 2018, and had a solid rookie season in Los Angeles. He appeared in all 16 games as a situational pass-rusher, and notably had a strip-sack of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. Because of a numbers game on the Rams’ defensive line he was surprisingly released at final cuts, and was quickly scooped up by the Jets.
It was a nice under the radar acquisition for New York, and he should have the chance to earn some playing time assuming he’s activated. Qvale was undrafted out of Nebraska in 2014, and has been with the Jets ever since. After spending his rookie season on the practice squad he made the team in 2015, and has started multiple games in each of the past three seasons. He was carted off with a knee injury during training camp, and then placed on IR. The Jets have been banged up on the offensive line and starting right tackle Chuma Edoga was recently ruled out with a knee injury, so they could use some added depth.