AFC Staff Updates: Dolphins, Chargers, Chiefs
The Dolphins made a move on their offensive staff this week, promoting senior offensive assistant Chandler Henley to run game specialist, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
A Yale graduate like his head coach, Henley initially worked in sales for IBM and Google. On the side, though, he worked as a part-time researcher for NBC’s Football Night in America. He first got into coaching at Vanderbilt, stating as an offensive/recruiting graduate assistant before getting promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach. He left for the tight ends coaching job at his alma mater, leaving again three years later for an opportunity in the NFL.
Henley joined the Titans in 2018 as a quality control coach working primarily with the offensive line. In 2021, he was hired as assistant offensive line coach of the Falcons, before joining the Dolphins the following year as assistant quarterbacks coach. He was promoted to his most recent position just last year and will serve under his third title in Miami for the 2025 season.
Here are a few other staff updates from around the AFC:
- ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported yesterday that the Chargers have hired Chuka Ndulue as their new assistant defensive line coach. Ndulue spent the 2024 season as assistant coach and defensive line coach at Colorado State. A standout defensive lineman at Oklahoma, Ndulue signed as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos in 2015. His two years in the NFL as a player also saw him with the Chargers, but he never saw game time with either team. He returned to his alma mater in 2017 to volunteer as an assistant for the defensive line. The next year, he joined Nebraska as a graduate assistant for the defensive line and got his first full defensive line coaching job with FCS Southern Illinois in 2019. After three years with the Salukis, Ndulue coached the same position group at New Mexico State for two years before landing in Fort Collins. Now, he’ll head to Los Angeles to once again make the jump from collegiate football to the NFL, this time as a coach.
- Finally, shifting from coaching staffs to front office, the Chiefs announced some new hires as the head into camp. In analytics, Sarah Pollack was named as a football data science fellow. In the scounting department, Curtis McGhee, Brayden Nagy, and Ryan O’Connor were named player personnel interns. Nagy is the son of the team’s offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy.
Chargers Place CB Brandon Flowers On IR
The season is over for Brandon Flowers. The Chargers announced that the cornerback has been placed on injured reserve. Flowers is now the 18th member of the Bolts to be placed on IR this season. 
Flowers appeared in six games this season, totaling 28 tackles, six tackles for loss, five passes defensed and one interception which he returned for a touchdown against the Titans. Unfortunately, he suffered a pretty serious concussion in the Week 10 game against the Dolphins. This was not the first concussion of Flowers’ career and not even the first of the season. Given his history of head trauma, the Chargers are choosing to play it safe with the veteran.
Flowers’ season ends with him ranked as the No. 48 cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, albeit in a six-game season. His 76.6 overall grade is a big improvement over the dreadful 35.8 score he earned last year.
In related moves, the Chargers signed defensive tackle Kaleb Eulls to the active roster and added defensive tackle Chuka Ndulue to the practice squad.
Chargers Cut 10 Players
The Chargers have cut 10 players in advance of Saturday’s 53-man roster deadline, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Click here for the Twitter links):
- OG Vi Teofilo
- OL Marcel Jones
- WR DeAndre Reaves
- TE Matt Weiser
- TE Tim Semisch
- DL Kamal Johnson
- DL Chuka Ndulue
- LB James Ross
- CB Richard Crawford
- DB Larry Scott
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/4/16
Now that the 2015 regular season is in the books, teams can begin signing players to reserve/futures contracts, adding those players to their 90-man offseason rosters. Generally, these players finished the season on a team’s practice squad, though some were free agents at season’s end.
Here are today’s reserve/futures deals:
Atlanta Falcons signed four players (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)
- Matt Simms, QB
- C.J. Goodwin, WR
- Gus Johnson, RB
- Collin Rahrig, G
Baltimore Ravens signed seven players (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun):
- Brennen Beyer, LB
- Leon Brown, G
- Nordly Capi, DE
- Blaine Clausell, T
- Chuck Jacobs, WR
- Nick Perry, S
- Harold Spears, TE
Buffalo Bills signed seven players (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)
- Cyril Richardson, G
- Phillip Thomas, S
- Blake Annen, TE
- Jacob Maxwell, TE
- Cedric Reed, DE
- Jonathan Dowling, S
- Ronald Patrick, C
Chicago Bears signed nine players (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune):
- De’Vante Bausby, CB
- Matt Blanchard, QB
- Cornelius Edison, C
- Paul Lasike, RB
- Marcus Lucas, WR/TE
- Danny Mason, LB
- Nathan Palmer, WR
- Gannon Sinclair, TE
- Martin Wallace, G/T
Cleveland Browns signed six players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Sean Baker, DB
- Dan France, OT
- Garth Gerhart, C
- Connor Hamlett, TE
- Tim Scott, DB
- Dylan Wynn, DE
Dallas Cowboys signed eight players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Donte Foster, WR
- Mike McAdoo, DE
- Brandon McGee, DB
- Derek Akunne, LB
- Buddy Jackson, DB
- Ben Malena, RB
- Efe Obada, DE
- Keith Smith, LB
Denver Broncos signed four players (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9NEWS)
- Cyrus Gray, RB
- Jace Davis, WR
- B.J. Lowery, DB
- DeVier Posey, WR
Detroit Lions signed five players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Khaseem Greene, LB
- Casey Pierce, TE
- Ryan Spadola, WR
- Corey Washington, WR
- Tyrus Thompson, OT
Jacksonville Jaguars signed nine players (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union):
- Rasheed Bailey, WR
- Kadeem Edwards, OL
- Shaq Evans, WRt
- Ben Koyack, TE
- Rashad Lawrence, WR
- Sean Porter, LB
- Chris Reed, G
- Rashaad Reynolds, CB
- Earl Wolff, S
Miami Dolphins signed one player (link)
- Tyler Davis, WR
New Orleans Saints signed five players (link via Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune):
- Reggie Bell, WR
- Alden Darby, S
- Brandon Dixon, CB
- Cyril Lemon, G
- Bryan Witzmann, T
New York Giants signed six players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Tavarres King, WR
- G.J. Kinne, QB
- Shane McDermott, C
- Leon McFadden, CB
- Tom Obarski, K
- Jake Rodgers, OT
Philadelphia Eagles signed seven players (Twitter link via team):
- Brett Boyko, G
- Malcolm Bunche, G
- Brandon Hepburn, LB
- Freddie Martino, WR
- Kevin Monangai, RB
- Travis Raciti, DE
- Deontae Skinner, LB
San Diego Chargers signed six players (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
- Richard Crawford, DB
- Brad Sorensen, QB
- Tim Semisch, TE
- Chuka Ndulue, DT
- Isaiah Burse, WR
- Ben Gardner, DE
Seattle Seahawks signed three players (Twitter link via Wilson)
- Andrew East, LS
- Ronnie Shields, TE
- Phillip Sims, QB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed nine players (link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times):
- Josh Allen, G
- Andre Davis, WR
- Antoine Everett, G
- Ben Gottschalk, C
- Gerod Holliman, S
- Martin Ifedi, DE
- Derrick Lott, DT
- C.J. Roberts, CB
- Joel Ross, CB
Tennessee Titans signed five players (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com):
- David Fluellen, RB
- Kevin Greene, TE
- Nick Harwell, WR
- Josue Matias, G
- Will Poehls, T
Washington signs three players (link via team):
- Christo Bilukidi, DL
- Desmond Bishop, LB
- Jerrell Powe, DL
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/20/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Cut: DE Lawrence Okoye (Twitter link via Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DE Nordly Capi, CB Sheldon Price (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun)
- Cut: RB Akeem Hunt
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Titus Davis (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: Brian Leonhardt (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post)
- Cut: Ty Zimmerman
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Darius Eubanks, NT Casey Walker (Twitter links via Wilson)
- Cut: RB Gus Johnson (Twitter link via Wilson)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Marion Grice, WR Ryan Spadola (Twitter links via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: QB Matt Blanchard (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of IndySportsCentral.com
- Cut: QB Alex Tanney (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB/DE Steven Means (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: RB Daryl Richardson (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Craig Loston, WR Rasheed Bailey (Twitter link via John Oehser of Jacksonville.com)
- Cut: QB Jeff Tuel (Twitter link via Oehser)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Josh Keyes, WR Fred Williams (Twitter links via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: WR Kenny Cook
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Trovon Reed (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Ryan Seymour (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate)
- Moved to PS-IR: OL Cyril Lemon (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune)
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Jerome Cunningham (Twitter link via his Howard Shatsky)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: DL Chuka Ndulue (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Keon Lyn, CB Dax Swanson, T Martin Wallace (press release)
- Cut: DT Derrick Lott
Washington
- Signed: RB Mack Brown (Twitter link via Mike Jones of the Washington Post)
- Cut: LB Nico Johnson (Twitter link via Jones)
Workout Updates: 10/16/15
We’ve passed along a few of the more notable updates from the last few days on workouts and free agent visits, including the Giants trying out wide receivers like Terrelle Pryor and the Cowboys bringing in running back LaMike James. However, there are plenty more tryout updates from this week to round up, and we’ve got them all below. All links point to the Twitter account of Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, unless otherwise indicated.
Arizona Cardinals
- Sean Baker, S (link)
Dallas Cowboys
- Kenrick Ellis, DT (link)
- Darius Eubanks, LB
- Zaviar Gooden, LB
- Chuka Ndulue, DT
- Isaiah Pead, RB
- Casey Walker, DL
- Jerel Worthy, DL (link)
Detroit Lions
- David Arkin, OL (link)
- Connor Hamlett, TE
- Eric Herman, G
- Eric Hipolito
- Rich Ohrnberger, C
Indianapolis Colts
- Michael Palardy, P (Twitter link via Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star)
- Byron Stingily, T (link)
- Colton Underwood, LB
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Marion Grice, RB (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- George Atkinson III, RB (link)
- Bryce Brown, RB
- Bronson Hill, RB
- Brandon McGee, DB
- Steven Means, LB (link)
- Isaiah Pead, RB
- Greg Scruggs, DE
- Quanterus Smith, DE
Miami Dolphins
- Devin Gardner, WR (link)
- Josh Harper, WR
New England Patriots
- Bill Bentley, DB (link)
- Matt Daniels, DB
New Orleans Saints
- Vaughn Martin, DT (link)
- Matt Shaughnessy, OLB
- Quanterus Smith, DE
- Kevin Vickerson, DT
New York Giants
- Devin Gardner, WR (link)
- Bryn Renner, QB
- Mike Williams, WR (link)
New York Jets
- Jordan Dewalt-Ondijo, LB (link)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Steven Means, DE (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- Martin Wallace, T (link)
Tennessee Titans
- Josh Keyes, LB (link)
- Michael McAdoo, OLB (link)
- Markus Pierce-Brewster, LB
- Mike Reilly, LB
- Julian Stanford, LB
- Jeff Tarpinian, LB
Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC West
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC West teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, and Chargers are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Denver Broncos
- Claimed off waivers:
- C James Ferentz (via press release)
- TE Mitchell Henry (via press release)
- Cut:
- Signed to practice squad:
- LB Zaire Anderson (press release)
- C Dillon Day (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- TE Arthur Lynch (Twitter link via Tony Pauline)
- LB Danny Mason (press release)
- CB Taurean Nixon (press release)
- DL Chuka Ndulue (press release)
- WR Jordan Taylor (press release)
- DT George Uko (Twitter link via Wilson)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed:
- OL Jah Reid (link)
- Claimed off waivers:
- TE Brian Parker (Twitter link via Wilson)
- Cut:
- WR Dezman Moses (Twitter link via Terez Paylor)
- Signed to practice squad:
- WR Da’Ron Brown (Twitter link via Wilson)
- OL Daniel Munyer (Twitter link via Paylor)
- T Jarrod Pughsley (link via Paylor)
- WR Fred Williams (link via Paylor)
Oakland Raiders
- Claimed off waivers:
- S Keenan Lambert (Twitter link via Vic Tafur)
- Cut:
- CB SaQwan Edwards (Twitter link via Bill Williamson)
- Signed to practice squad:
- QB Garrett Gilbert (Twitter link via Wilson)
- S Tevin McDonald (link via Scott Bair)
- DT Leon Orr (link via Bair)
- DE Max Valles (Twitter link via Bair)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed to practice squad (press release):
- TE Alex Bayer (Twitter link via Jim Thomas)
- CB Greg Ducre
- WR Javontee Herndon
- G Michael Huey
- LB Ryan Mueller
- S Adrian Phillips
- QB Brad Sorensen (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken)
- RB Dreamius Smith
- DT Damion Square
Broncos Make Cuts, Down To 53 Players
The Broncos have officially announced the series of roster moves that reduces their roster to 53 players. In addition to confirming the previously-reported cuts of tight ends Dominique Jones and Marcel Jensen, along with the release of Tony Carter, the club announced 19 other moves.
Montee Ball‘s name was not mentioned among those moves, so the young running back, who was considered to be on the roster bubble, remains a Bronco for now. Here are the players who are no longer on Denver’s active roster, per a team release:
Released:
- NT Sione Fua
Waived:
- ILB Zaire Anderson
- ILB Lamin Barrow
- RB Kapri Bibbs
- WR Isaiah Burse
- C Dillon Day
- S Josh Furman
- G Ben Garland
- ILB Steven Johnson
- WR Corbin Louks
- NT Chuka Ndulue
- CB Taurean Nixon
- OLB Gerald Rivers
- T Kyle Roberts
- T Charles Sweeton
- WR Jordan Taylor
- DE Josh Watson
Reserve/suspended:
- S T.J. Ward
- DE Derek Wolfe
Broncos Add Nine Undrafted Free Agents
The Broncos have agreed to terms with nine undrafted free agents, six of whom are linemen. Here’s the full list, courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter):
- Zaire Anderson, LB, Nebraska
- Kalon Davis, OL, Clemson
- Dillon Day, OL, Mississippi State
- Matt Miller, WR, Boise State
- Chuka Ndulue, NT, Oklahoma
- Connor Rains, OL, Wyoming
- Kyle Roberts, OL, Nevada
- Jordan Taylor, WR, Rice
- Josh Watson, DL, Clemson
