Darius Joiner - Pro Football Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/22/23

May 22nd, 2023 at 7:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Waived: LB Daelin Hayes

Buffalo Bills

Signed: TE Joel Wilson

Detroit Lions

Signed: OT Max Pircher

Green Bay Packers

Signed: RB Emanuel Wilson
Waived: K Parker White

Houston Texans

Released: DB Darius Joiner

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: LB Toby Ndukwe
Released: LB Tae Crowder, LB Emeke Egbule, RB Master Teague

Seattle Seahawks

Re-signed: CB Artie Burns
Signed: NT LaTrell Bumphus
Waived: LB Chris Garrett

Max Pircher will be joining the Lions via the league’s International Pathways Program. The team originally signed Austalian tight end Patrick Murtagh, who had to back out of his deal due to a medical issue, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Pircher played football in Austria and participated on Italy’s National Team before a stint on the Rams’ practice squad in 2021.

Tae Crowder became a popular name after he compiled 130 tackles in 17 starts for the Giants in 2021. He found himself sliding down the depth chart in 2022 before ultimately getting waived. He landed back on New York’s practice squad before being signed by the Steelers, where he didn’t get into a game while sitting on their active roster.

Texans Add Nine Undrafted Free Agents

May 13th, 2023 at 9:56am CST by Ben Levine

The Texans were one of the busiest teams in the draft, and the front office is continuing to be active after the seventh rou. The team announced that they’ve signed nine undrafted free agents:

OL Tyler Beach (Wisconsin)
OT Dylan Deatherage (Western Michigan)
P Joe Doyle (Memphis)
DE Ali Gaye (LSU)
S Darius Joiner (Duke)
WR Jesse Matthews (San Diego State)
RB Xazavian Valladay (Arizona State)
WR Jared Wayne (Pittsburgh)
OT Kilian Zierer (Auburn)

Xazavian Valladay got $175K in guaranteed money from the Texans, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). The running back had three productive seasons at Wyoming before transferring to Arizona State for the 2022 campaign, where he compiled 1,481 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns. Dameon Pierce has a firm hold on the starting gig and the Texans brought in Devin Singletary as a reliable backup, but Valladay could push for a role as an RB3.

Kilian Zierer got $180K guaranteed from Houston, per Wilson (on Twitter). The offensive lineman held his own against SEC competition despite having only started playing football at the age of 16. Fortunately for the Texans, they can take the rookie along slowly with the hopes that he will eventually be a serviceable backup to Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard.

Jared Wayne got the biggest payday of the grouping, earning $210K in guaranteed money (via Wilson on Twitter). The Pittsburgh product earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2022 after finishing with 60 receptions for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns. His size put him on the NFL radar but his lack of elite speed led to him going undrafted, but with the Texans eyeing a completely revamped WR depth chart, he’ll have as good of a chance as anyone to earn a role on the team.