NFC North Notes: Packers, Lions, Smith
The competition between Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan had been tilted toward the incumbent, with GM Brian Gutekunst noting it would take quite the effort from the 2024 first-round pick for the Packers to make a change. It is becoming possible a change does happen, however. Walker has missed time due to a groin injury, and Morgan has benefited from increased LT work. Morgan, who missed 11 games last season, had recovered from shoulder surgery by the offseason program and has worked at left tackle — his college position — after being used primarily at guard (in a “best five” scenario) last year. Sean Rhyan has claimed Green Bay’s RG gig, leaving either Walker or Morgan set to ride the bench to open the year.
Gutekunst said (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman) Morgan has enjoyed “a good camp.” He has not allowed a QB pressure in 38 preseason snaps, per Pro Football Focus. It would be a significant setback for Walker to be demoted; the former seventh-round pick is in a contract year. (On the other hand, a first-round pick being unable to win a second-year job could sound alarm bells.) Green Bay’s Zach Tom extension, however, laid a path for Walker to leave as a free agent — and Morgan to replace him — in 2026. It is now possible the Packers start the transition early and go into the season with a 32-game starter on the bench.
Here is the latest from the NFC North:
- The Packers may see one of their draft choices start the season sidelined. Fourth-round defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell suffered an MCL sprain, via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, but does not expect to miss more than a few weeks. This timetable could convince the Packers to keep him on their 53-man roster, leaving their two IR-return spots for others. If Sorrell lands on Green Bay’s IR before next week’s roster-setting deadline, he must miss at least four games and would count against the team’s injury activation total immediately.
- A player to potentially keep in mind regarding an IR-return spot, MarShawn Lloyd is dealing with another injury. Seeing his first game action since Week 2 of last season, Lloyd left the Packers’ second preseason contest with hamstring trouble, Schneidman adds. Matt LaFleur confirmed Lloyd — a 2024 third-round pick — will miss time. Hip and hamstring issues, primarily the latter, led the way in sidelining Lloyd for 16 games last season. He also navigated appendicitis during a lost rookie year. A groin injury also surfaced earlier during this year’s training camp. The Pack could stash Lloyd on IR to open the season, but at this point, concerns about the RB’s NFL dependability are probably warranted. Lloyd going on IR would allow the Packers to keep both Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks on their active roster, but his return (per Schneidman) would likely leave room for just one of them.
- Staying on the injury subject, the Bears have lost third-year cornerback Terell Smith for the season. The 2023 fifth-rounder suffered a patellar tendon tear in Chicago’s second preseason game, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reports. Smith (six career starts) joined Josh Blackwell as a possible second-string Bears CB. Following the upcoming IR move, the Bears have some other options — in veterans Tre Flowers, Nick McCloud and Nahshon Wright. Two seasons remain on Smith’s rookie contract.
- Sixth-round Lions rookie Ahmed Hassanein will miss extended time due to a pectoral injury, Dan Campbell said (via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett). The defensive end said on Instragram he would not need surgery, but this long of an absence could create a roster issue for the Lions. At best, Hassanein appears an IR stash.
- Given safety reps, Ya-Sin could also save the Lions a roster spot due to his extensive CB past. The second-rounder-turned-nomad is a roster lock, Birkett adds. Ya-Sin started a preseason game at safety, with The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy indeed listing the seventh-year vet on a projected 53-man roster.
Packers Place Rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd On IR
Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been extremely impactful on his new team so far this season, despite not having reached the end zone yet. 104 total yards in Week 1 followed by a 151-yard rushing performance this weekend show that Green Bay seems to have hit on the free agent market at running back. Jacobs can’t rush 32 times a game like he did last week, though, making depth at running back crucial. That depth took a hit today when rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd was placed on injured reserve, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. 
Lloyd sat out of the team’s season opener, appearing on the injury report as questionable with a hamstring issue. After a week of limited practice, Lloyd made his NFL debut this past weekend, despite still appearing on the injury report. In his lone game appearance, Lloyd ran as the RB2 behind Jacobs. He played three fewer snaps than second-year back Emanuel Wilson but earned one more carry and a target in the passing game.
With Lloyd now joining A.J. Dillon on injured reserve, Wilson will be stepping into a much bigger role as RB2 behind Jacobs. Jacobs can shoulder most of the work, but Wilson will likely need to contribute more than the 14 carries for 85 yards that he had as an undrafted rookie last year.
Joining Wilson on the depth chart will be Chris Brooks, who was signed from the practice squad to take Lloyd’s place on the active roster. Also an undrafted rookie in 2023, Brooks spent last year with an explosive Dolphins’ running backs crew, rushing for 106 yards on just 19 carries.
Brooks and Wilson will try to help make sure that Jacobs’ yoke isn’t too heavy as a workhorse. With Lloyd out for at least four weeks and Dillon perhaps not in the Packers’ long-term plans for the season, it will be important to keep Jacobs fresh however they can.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/3/24
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Chris Brooks
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Eric Scott
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DE Derrick McClendon
New England Patriots
- Signed: T Caleb Jones
- Released: DE Brevin Allen
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OL Jack Driscoll, WR Kyle Philips
- Released: TE Kevin Foelsch, S Caden Sterns
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB DaShaun White
- Released: WR Tay Martin
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: DL Kyon Barrs, OL Max Pircher
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: T Raiqwon O’Neal
- Released: C Avery Jones
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/2/24
Here are Labor Day’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: TE Sage Surratt
Buffalo Bills
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: CB Dee Delaney
Carolina Panthers
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: LB Tae Davis, OL Badara Traore
Dallas Cowboys
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: WR David Durden
Las Vegas Raiders
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: OL Corey Luciano
Miami Dolphins
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: RB Chris Brooks
Minnesota Vikings
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: TE Trey Knox
New Orleans Saints
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: TE Kevin Rader
San Francisco 49ers
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: DB Tayler Hawkins
Washington Commanders
- Removed from IR via injury settlement: C Ricky Stromberg
Stromberg sustained a knee injury that will require surgery. The 2023 third-round pick, one of five 2023 draftees that did not make Washington’s 53-man roster last week, will only need an arthroscopic procedure, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Stromberg is aiming to catch on somewhere else around the midseason point. He only played 26 rookie-year snaps on offense. The Arkansas product would technically have a chance to land back with the Commanders, depending on the terms of the settlement, but the team moving on so early may well point to the Adam Peters regime deeming the Ron Rivera– and Martin Mayhew-overseen move a mistake.
Davis figures to land elsewhere and play this season. The 28-year-old linebacker sustained a foot sprain and will be out for a few weeks, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Davis played in 16 games, split evenly between the Saints and Panthers, last season.
Dolphins Reduce Roster To 53 Players
After two-straight Wild Card Round losses, the Dolphins are hoping to take another step forward in 2024. The team started prepping for a crucial campaign today, as they set their 53-man roster by making the following moves:
Released:
- LB Curtis Bolton
- LS Blake Ferguson
- DT Neville Gallimore
- DT Jonathan Harris
- DT Isaiah Mack
- RB Anthony McFarland Jr.
- CB Nik Needham
Waived:
- LB David Anenih
- WR Je’Quan Burton
- S Jordan Colbert
- DT Robert Cooper
- WR Erik Ezukanma
- WR Mike Harley Jr.
- OL Chasen Hines
- RB Zander Horvath
- LB Dequan Jackson
- WR Jadon Janke
- CB Isaiah Johnson
- OL Matthew Jones
- CB Jason Maitre
- OT Bayron Matos
- WR Kyric McGowan
- DT Leonard Payne
- S Mark Perry
- TE Hayden Rucci
Waived/injured:
- RB Chris Brooks
- OT Ryan Hayes
- WR Braylon Sanders
Placed on IR:
- WR River Cracraft (designated for return)
- LB Wyatt Ray
- CB Cam Smith (designated for return)
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
- WR Odell Beckham Jr. (story)
- LB Bradley Chubb (story)
- LB Cameron Goode
- OL Isaiah Wynn (story)
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the expectation is that long snapper Blake Ferguson will end up re-upping with the Dolphins, with his release solely being for roster machinations. The former sixth-round pick has spent his entire career in Miami, with the special teamer appearing in 67 games.
Nik Needham‘s stay in Miami has come to an end after five seasons. The former UDFA started 27 of his 61 appearances with the organization, although the majority of his production came in his first three seasons with the Dolphins. Between 2019 and 2021, the defensive back hauled in six interceptions, but after returning from a 2022 season-ending injury, he only got into 71 defensive snaps in 2023.
There was some hope that Neville Gallimore could provide the Dolphins with some defensive line depth when he caught on with the organization. The former third-round pick never clicked in Dallas, but he still got into 52 games in his four years with the organization. He collected four sacks and nine QB hits over the span, and he twice managed to top 400 defensive snaps in a campaign.
Dolphins Waive OLB Jason Pierre-Paul, Activate RB Chris Brooks From IR
Jason Pierre-Paul‘s stay with his hometown team may end up being short-lived. Not long after signing Pierre-Paul off the Saints’ practice squad, the Dolphins waived him.
This move will send the veteran edge rusher to the waiver wire. While Pierre-Paul would be eligible to land on Miami’s practice squad if he clears waivers, the Dolphins brought back Melvin Ingram last week. JPP’s two-game stay included just five defensive snaps; he logged 17 during his one game as a Saint.
Pierre-Paul’s exit clears a roster spot for running back Chris Brooks, whom the Dolphins activated from IR on Tuesday. A rookie UDFA, Brooks has worked as a backup this season. He has logged 15 carries while playing on special teams. The Dolphins now only have one IR activation remaining. Brooks’ return may lead to Salvon Ahmed ending the season on IR, as the Dolphins recently placed starting linebacker Jerome Baker on IR with an MCL injury.
Because the Dolphins signed JPP off the Saints’ P-squad, they needed to keep him on their active roster for three weeks. Tuesday marks the three-week point. Considering Miami cut bait when first permitted to do so does not exactly point to the accomplished veteran being in the team’s plans, but we will see how the AFC East leaders proceed if he clears waivers.
Pierre-Paul, 34, angled to sign with a contender. It took the two-time Super Bowl starter until November to score a deal, with the Saints extending an opportunity. Pierre-Paul now joins ex-Ravens teammate Justin Houston on the waiver wire. While Houston fared better last season by leading Baltimore with 9.5 sacks, Pierre-Paul started over him. Despite signing the former first-rounder in-season, the Ravens used him as a 13-game starter. JPP only totaled three sacks in 2022, however, and has not eclipsed that number since the Buccaneers’ 2020 Super Bowl-winning campaign.
The Dolphins have been active in pursuing help at this position in recent weeks. The Jaelan Phillips Achilles tear provided a costly setback for a team that has seen extensive injuries impact its offensive and defensive lines. Miami, however, still has Bradley Chubb, Andrew Van Ginkel, Emmanuel Ogbah and second-year player Cameron Goode on its 53-man roster. It would seem Ingram’s return to Miami’s active roster is imminent. The former Pro Bowler tallied six sacks as a Dolphins rotational rusher last season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/29/23
Wednesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return from IR: G Elijah Wilkinson
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: G Chandler Zavala (story)
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return from IR: WR Brandon Johnson
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: CB Desmond King
- Placed on IR: T Tytus Howard (story)
Miami Dolphins
- Designated for return from IR: RB Chris Brooks
New York Jets
- Designated for return from IR: CB Justin Hardee, G Wes Schweitzer
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT Jaleel Johnson
After missing the Cardinals’ last six games on injured reserve, Wilkinson is now on track to return to his starting left guard post this season. Arizona has used a mixture of Trystan Colon and Carter O’Donnell to fill the spot in the interim.
King found his way to the Texans’ practice squad after being waived by the Steelers and was elevated to game action last week. After starting 25 games for Houston in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, King will be a welcome addition back to the active roster.
Hardee has missed six games with a hamstring injury. The Pro Bowl special teamer returned to practice today alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Schweitzer. Schweitzer was one of several offensive linemen in New York who sustained injuries earlier this year, but after missing the four games required of an IR stint, Schweitzer is working to return, as well.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/20/23
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- Released: CB JoeJuan Williams
Denver Broncos
- Claimed off waivers (from Chiefs): DT Keondre Coburn
- Released: WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed off waivers (from Patriots): CB Ameer Speed
- Waived: WR Amari Rodgers
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: RB Chris Brooks
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: G Tommy Kraemer
AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Thornton
The 2019 draft produced several long-running partnerships between defensive tackles and the teams that chose them in the first round. Four of the six DTs selected in Round 1 that year signed extensions this offseason. Quinnen Williams, Ed Oliver, Dexter Lawrence and Jeffery Simmons have new deals in hand. Jerry Tillery did not work out for the Chargers, but he was the only first-round DT from the ’19 class not to negotiate an extension this offseason. Christian Wilkins spent months discussing a deal with the Dolphins, but the sides have tabled matters to 2024, when the former No. 13 overall pick will be on the cusp of free agency.
Guarantees represented a sticking point for Wilkins, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald offers that the Dolphins appeared to be skittish about authorizing a Williams-level deal for a player without much in the way of sack production. Wilkins’ camp undoubtedly pushed for terms in the Williams-Lawrence-Simmons-Daron Payne neighborhood ($22.5-$24MM per year), as the Clemson alum led all DTs with 98 tackles last season. Wilkins, who produced 89 tackles in 2021, has never topped 4.5 sacks in a season. He has also eclipsed seven QB hits in just one of his four NFL slates (13 in 2021). Wilkins has not requested a trade, per Jackson, and the Dolphins — despite trade interest emerging — are not interested in moving him.
The Dolphins will have the option of franchise-tagging Wilkins next year. The Commanders used the tag as a bridge to a Payne deal, but the D-tackle tag number will likely come in north of $20MM in 2024. The Dolphins are currently projected to be $27MM over the cap next year (29th in the league), though much will obviously change between now and then. Here is the latest from the AFC East:
- It would make sense if right guard Robert Hunt was in the Dolphins’ extension plans, but the contract-year blocker said (via Jackson) he is not aware of any talks transpiring. Hunt joins a few notable guards on track to become 2024 free agents. Jonah Jackson (Lions), Damien Lewis (Seahawks) and Michael Onwenu (Patriots) are also multiyear starters in the final year of their rookie deals. Only Jackson has been known to have held extension talks with his respective team.
- Carl Lawson is expected to make his 2023 debut in Week 2, Robert Saleh said (via the New York Post’s Brian Costello). The veteran defensive end missed most of training camp due to back tightness, and the Jets held him out of their Week 1 Bills matchup. Lawson, who took a pay cut this offseason, totaled seven sacks and 24 QB hits (both totals second among Jets) last season.
- The Jets also worked out a few offensive linemen this week. Cameron Erving, Dennis Kelly, D.J. Fluker and Rashaad Coward auditioned for the team, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. None have joined the squad. The Jets have Billy Turner and Max Mitchell slotted as their backup tackles. Rookie fourth-rounder Carter Warren is on short-term IR. Starters Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton, who each spent their offseason rehabbing injuries, logged limited practices Wednesday.
- Tyquan Thornton is starting a second straight season on IR, but the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed notes the Patriots do not expect the 2022 second-rounder to miss much time. A shoulder injury sent Thornton to IR. That said, Thornton was not pushing to be a starter during his second training camp. The Baylor product, who suffered a broken collarbone during his first NFL camp, was likely “significantly” behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker before his latest injury, Kyed adds.
- Mike McDaniel said (via Jackson) special teams duty led to third-round rookie Devon Achane being a healthy scratch in Week 1. Raheem Mostert, Salvon Ahmed and rookie UDFA Chris Brooks, who holds a bigger ST role than Achane, were Miami’s active backs in their Week 1 win.
- The draft choice the Patriots sent to the Vikings for O-lineman Vederian Lowe is the Raiders’ 2024 sixth-rounder, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. New England acquired that pick in exchange for O-lineman Justin Herron last summer.
Dolphins Sign 21 UDFAs
The Dolphins had to add a large number of undrafted free agents after finishing the 2023 draft with only four selections. Here are the rookies that will join the four-man draft class:
- LB Mitchell Agude (Miami)
- QB James Blackman (Arkansas State)
- CB Ethan Bonner (Stanford)
- RB Chris Brooks (BYU)
- DE Randy Charlton (Mississippi State)
- WR Chris Coleman (Cal Poly)
- WR Daewood Davis (Western Kentucky)
- TE Julian Hill (Campbell)
- OT Jarrett Horst (Michigan State)
- OL Alex Jensen (South Dakota)
- LB Aubrey Miller (Jackson State)
- DT Anthony Montalvo (UCF)
- LB Garrett Nelson (Nebraska)
- DT Brandon Pili (USC)
- OL DJ Scaife (Miami)
- S Keidron Smith (Kentucky)
- OT James Tunstall (Cincinnati)
- P Michael Turk (Oklahoma)
- OL Alama Uluave (San Diego State)
- LB Zeke Vandenburgh (Illinois State)
- S Bennett Williams (Oregon)
The Dolphins added a number of prospects who played in the South Florida area, either in college or high school. Scaife did both, starting 52 games for the Hurricanes at guard and tackle after a high school career at Miami Southridge. His teammate, Agude, only spent one season as a Hurricane after transferring over from UCLA. Charlton was a high school teammate of Scaife’s and spent time at UCF before transferring to Mississippi State.
Additionally, Blackman went to high school just south of Lake Okeechobee in South Bay before making starts at Florida State and Arkansas State. The lanky quarterback comes in as QB4 behind Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White, and Skylar Thompson. Davis went to Deerfield Beach in South Florida before transferring from Oregon to Western Kentucky. Davis brings some interesting versatility, playing cornerback for the Ducks before catching 15 touchdowns over two years as a Hilltopper receiver. Finally, Smith grew up in West Palm Beach before transferring from Ole Miss to Kentucky.
After Thomas Morstead‘s short stint as the team’s punter, Miami signed former Patriot Jake Bailey. Bailey missed some time in New England with both injury and suspension, so perhaps Turk’s signing here is a backup plan to stash on the practice squad in case Bailey misses more time next season.