Broncos Pare Roster Down To 53
After trading Malik Reed to the Steelers, the Broncos finished off their moves to reach the NFL’s 53-man roster max Tuesday. Here is how the team reached that number:
Released:
- QB Josh Johnson (story)
- DT Mike Purcell
- TE Eric Tomlinson
Waived:
- DL McTelvin Agim
- T Quinn Bailey
- DL Jonathan Harris
- CB Faion Hicks
- WR Kendall Hinton
- G Zack Johnson
- OLB Jonathan Kongbo
- ILB Kana’i Mauga
- CB Ja’Quan McMillian
- G Netane Muti
- G Michael Niese
- RB Devine Ozigbo
- TE Dylan Parham
- S J.R. Reed
- WR Darrius Shepherd
- WR Seth Williams
Placed on IR:
Some John Elway-era defensive lineman have been swapped out for George Paton acquisitions. Purcell, a three-season Broncos starter whom the team extended in 2020, is the most notable. But former third-round pick Agim joins the former Alliance of American Football success story in being moved off Denver’s roster. Agim heads to waivers; Purcell is a vested veteran.
After helping Denver stabilize its run defense upon arrival in 2019, Purcell missed half the 2020 season due to injury and missed time in 2021 as well. The Broncos added D.J. Jones in free agency and drafted two D-linemen — Eyioma Uwazurike (Round 4) and Matt Henningsen (Round 6) — this year.
Muti was seeing first-string action this offseason but was the underdog to beat out Quinn Meinerz at right guard. The former Fresno State-developed sixth-rounder also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery recently. Hinton, whom the Broncos turned to upon losing all their QBs to the reserve/COVID-19 list against the Saints in 2020, contributed as a receiver last season. The Broncos kept rookie UDFA wideout Jalen Virgil over Hinton. He could be back in Denver via the practice squad. The Broncos signed Tomlinson this offseason but also brought back Eric Saubert. The team drafted Greg Dulcich in the third round as well. Those two join Albert Okwuegbunam and Andrew Beck on the team’s 53-man roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/22
Teams have until 3pm CT Tuesday to cut their rosters from 85 to 80 players. Many franchises have started doing that early. Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: RB T.J. Pledger
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: WR Jaylon Moore
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: T Austen Pleasants, LB Khalan Tolson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: WR Jaivon Heiligh, WR Jack Sorenson, TE Scotty Washington
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: P Joseph Charlton, S Luther Kirk IV, T Wyatt Miller, CB Parnell Motley, TE Marcus Santos-Silva
Denver Broncos
- Claimed (from Saints): RB Devine Ozigbo
- Waived/injured: DE Marquiss Spencer
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Dominique Dafney
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: WR D.J. Montgomery, DT Caeveon Patton
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: WR Marvin Hall
- Waived: OL Beau Benzschawel, CB Shabari Davis, TE Grayson Gunter, OLB Wyatt Ray, WR Lujuan Winningham
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DT Jeremiah Ledbetter
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: CB Brandin Dandridge, DB Nasir Greer, OL David Steinmetz
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Tae Davis
- Placed on IR: DE Jordan Jenkins (story)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: G Cameron Hunt, K James McCourt
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR via injury settlement: CB Jordan Brown
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived/injured: WR Lance Lenoir
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: T Adrian Ealy
- Waived: T Jordan Tucker
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived/injured: WR Austin Mack
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: LB Cam Gill, G Aaron Stinnie (story)
Tennessee Titans
- Released: OLB Justin Lawler
- Waived: WR Terry Godwin
- Waived/injured: CB Shakur Brown, DB Shyheim Carter
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/22
We will keep track of today’s minor moves right here:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: FB Jake Bargas
- Placed on IR: WR David Moore
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: OL Ty Clary, LB Chauncey Manac
Houston Texans
- Released: LB Tae Davis
Los Angeles Rams
- Reverted to IR: WR J.J. Koski
New England Patriots
- Waived: TE Dalton Keene
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: QB K.J. Costello, RB Devine Ozigbo, K John Parker Romo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: WR Vyncint Smith
- Waived: S Troy Warner
Washington Commanders
- Claimed (from Rams): Kendall Blanton
- Placed on IR: DE Bunmi Rotimi
Moore’s placement on IR indicates that his season is over, and as James Palmer of the NFL Network tweets, a leg injury is the culprit. Moore, who signed with the Bears in April, was a useful complementary receiver in Seattle from 2018-20, and he may have had a shot to carve out a rotational role with Chicago. He was arrested on drug and weapons charges in July and could face league discipline as a result.
The Patriots made Keene the second piece of their two-tight end third round in 2020, trading up (via the Jets) to No. 104 to nab the Virginia Tech product. But neither Keene nor the No. 91 overall pick from that draft (Devin Asiasi) have made big impacts as Patriots. Keene missed all of the 2021 season due to a knee injury. In six games in 2020, Keene caught three passes for 16 yards. In the offseason following the Pats’ Day 2 tight end dive, they signed Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry to big-ticket deals. That duo remains in place in front of Asiasi.
Saints Sign LB Eric Wilson
The Saints continue to add veteran help post-draft. While Eric Wilson is not a New Orleans native like Tyrann Mathieu or Jarvis Landry, he represents a veteran with starter experience to join the team in recent days.
Wilson signed with the Saints on Monday, joining running back Devine Ozigbo in doing so. This will be Wilson’s fourth NFL team.
A full-time Vikings starter in 2020, Wilson broke through for a team that previously used him as a part-timer alongside Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr. With the latter suffering a season-ending injury that September, Wilson recorded 122 tackles (nine for loss) and added three sacks and three interceptions. Still, major interest did not come his way in free agency. The former UDFA out of Cincinnati signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in April 2021 but received in-season walking papers. He finished last year with the Texans.
Wilson, 27, will join a Saints off-ball linebacking corps fronted by 10th-year performer Demario Davis. Beyond Davis, the Saints did not have a full-timer at linebacker last season. They started Pete Werner and Kwon Alexander in eight games apiece. Alexander is no longer with the team. Werner is a 2021 second-round pick who should have an inside track to play alongside Davis. The Saints also roster 2020 third-rounder Zack Baun. Wilson, who also started 10 games from 2018-19, stands to represent some insurance for a Saints team that has veterans across its defense.
Ozigbo, who played in 19 games with the Jaguars from 2019-21, caught on with the Saints last year. He will rejoin a Saints backfield stable that consists of Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, Tony Jones and Dwayne Washington. To make room on their roster, the Saints waived offensive lineman Cohl Cabral, wide receiver Jalen McCleskey and linebacker Joel Dublanko.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/2/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: S Charles Washington
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: OL Willie Beavers, LB James Vaughters
- Placed on IR: LS Beau Brinkley
Cleveland Browns
- Released: K Chris Blewitt, K Chase McLaughlin
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: OL Brandon Murphy, LB Elijah Sullivan
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-signed: FB Jake Bargas
New England Patriots
- Released: RB Devine Ozigbo
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: OL Nate Herbig
Tennessee Titans
- Released: TE Austin Fort, LB Nate Hall, LB Kobe Jones, LB Tuzar Skipper
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/17/22
Here are today’s reserve/futures deals:
Dallas Cowboys
- OT Isaac Alarcon, LB Devante Bond, DB Kyron Brown, TE Ian Bunting, OT Aviante Collins, DB Tyler Coyle, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Robert Foster, RB JaQuan Hardy, C Braylon Jones, RB Nick Ralston, WR Brandon Smith, RB Ito Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- S Jordan Brown, G Lester Cotton, DB Kavon Frazier, OL Hroniss Grasu, DE Gerri Green, C Brett Heggie, DL P.J. Johnson, LB Justin March-Lillard, OL Jeremiah Poutasi, RB Trey Ragas, WR Dillon Stoner, WR DJ Turner
New England Patriots
- WR Tre Nixon, K Quinn Nordin, WR Malcolm Perry, RB Devine Ozigbo, G William Sherman, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/18/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: RB Chase Edmonds, S Charles Washington
- Placed on IR: WR DeAndre Hopkins, CB Robert Alford
- Promoted: CB Kevin Peterson, LB Joe Walker
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on IR: DB Erik Harris
- Promoted: LB Dorian Etheridge, DB Shawn Williams
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: DB Robert Jackson, S Tony Jefferson, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, C Adam Redmond, T David Sharpe
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
- Promoted: QB Reggie Bonnafon, WR Willie Snead
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: LB Ledarius Mack
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: OG D’Ante Smith, DB Trae Waynes (story)
- Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, LB Keandre Jones, WR Trent Taylor
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: LB Willie Harvey Jr., DE Porter Gustin
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: DT Justin Hamilton, RB Jaquan Hardy, DB Darian Thompson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: DB A.J. Parker
- Promoted: LB Curtis Bolton, RB Craig Reynolds, T Dan Skipper
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: S Shawn Davis, DE Abdullah Anderson, G Cole Van Lanen
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DE Jordan Jenkins
- Promoted: S Grayland Arnold, LB Connor Strachan, WR Jordan Veasy, DB T.J. Green, FB Paul Quessenberry, DL Chris Smith, OL Jordan Steckler
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on IR: DT Antwaun Woods
- Promoted: DT Chris Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: RB Nathan Cottrell
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: LB Anthony Hines, WR Brandon Powell
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: C Greg Mancz
- Promoted: WR Tommylee Lewis
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DT Daniel Ekuale, C James Ferentz, RB Devine Ozigbo
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: TE Adam Trautman
- Placed on IR: TE Garrett Griffin (story)
- Promoted: G Forrest Lamp, WR Easop Winston
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Alex Bachman, LB Jaylon Smith, DB Jarren Williams
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: RB Michael Carter, T Chuma Edoga, DE Bryce Huff, TE Tyler Kroft
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, TE Daniel Brown, WR Vyncint Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: G Rashaad Coward
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: RB Brian Hill, DB Jarrod Wilson
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: TE Tory Carter
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: LS Kyle Nelson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Joe Jackson, G Hjalte Froholdt
- Released: RB Brian Hill
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OT Adrian Ealy, RB Kerrith Whyte
- Released: LB Curtis Robinson
Detroit Lions
- Released: OL Darrin Paulo
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Darius Jackson
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Thakarius Keyes, RB Devine Ozigbo
- Released: NT Niles Scott
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Dan Brown
- Released: QB James Morgan
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on injured list: WR Devin Funchess
Tennessee Titans
- Released: WR Austin Mack
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/27/21
Here is how teams finalized their Week 12 rosters:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: LB Dorian Etheridge
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: LB Malik Harrison
- Placed on IR: S Ar’Darius Washington
- Promoted: DT Isaiah Mack, CB Kevon Seymour
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: WR Matt Cole, OL Austen Pleasants
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: TE Thaddeus Moss
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: LB La’Darius Hamilton
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: LB Jordan Jenkins
- Promoted: S Jonathan Owens, G Lane Taylor
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: C Brandon Linder, TE James O’Shaughnessy
- Promoted: WR John Brown
- Waived: RB Devine Ozigbo
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: RB Darius Bradwell, CB Kiondre Thomas
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: WR Landen Akers
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: CB Javaris Davis, S Sheldrick Redwine
- Placed on IR: DB Elijah Campbell
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: S Myles Dorn, DT T.J. Smith
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, DB Steven Parker
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: RB Michael Carter (story)
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, QB Josh Johnson, RB Austin Walter, DE Jabari Zuniga
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Jared Mayden
Jaguars Claim Devine Ozigbo Off Waivers
The Jaguars have claimed running back Devine Ozigbo off waivers from the Saints (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). Ozigbo will return to Jacksonville to potentially fill in for the injured James Robinson.
Ozigbo, a Nebraska product, first entered the league in 2019 as an undrafted free agent with the Saints. He later moved on to the Jaguars and spent two-plus years in Jacksonville. In that span, he saw time in 18 games, collecting 93 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches. The 25-year-old did most of his work on special teams and he’ll likely reprise some of those duties in the second half of the year.
Robinson is considered day-to-day with the foot injury he suffered against the Seahawks. His status for the Bills is TBD, which means that Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale could see an uptick in playing time. In that event, Ozigbo figures to slot in behind them as they aim for win No. 2 on Sunday.