NFL Workout Updates: 12/21/17
Today’s workout updates, with all Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle and veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer:
Arizona Cardinals
- WRs Harvey Binford, Rashad Ross, Brandon Zylstra; DBs Jonathon Mincy, Kacy Rodgers (link)
Cincinnati Bengals
- OL Gabe Ikard, Max Rich, Austin Shepherd, Jerry Ugokwe (link)
Cleveland Browns
- RB Kelvin Taylor; DT Jimmy Staten; LB Max Bullough; CBs Makinton Dorleant, Demetrius McCray, Sheldon Price; DBs James Sample, Earl Wolff (link)
Dallas Cowboys
- WRs K.D. Cannon, Dezmin Lewis, Tevaun Smith; LBs Tyrell Adams, Arthur Miley; DBs Jeremy Boykins, Marcus Cromartie, Marqueston Huff, Ezra Robinson (link)
Denver Broncos
- TE Gavin Escobar; DTs Paul Boyette, Will Sutton; LBs Houston Bates, Jayrone Elliott, Connor Harris, Marcus Rush; DBs Rickey Jefferson, Jordan Moore, J.R. Nelson, D’Joun Smith, Malik Smith (link)
Detroit Lions
- CB Jarnor Jones (link via Balzer)
Houston Texans
- DE Kasim Edebali; DT Rickey Hatley; DB Tracy Howard (link)
Kansas City Chiefs
- TE Marcus Lucas (link)
New Orleans Saints
- WR Diontae Spencer (link)
New York Giants
- QB Brandon Burge; WR Nick Demski; OL Freddie Burden; DBs Malik Golden, Ed Reynolds (link)
New York Jets
- G Greg Pyke (link via Balzer)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- RB James Summers (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- TE Brandon Barnes; OL Erik Austell; DT Euclid Cummings; LB Chris Casher; CB Shaq Richardson (link)
Seattle Seahawks
- RBs Kalif Phillips, Jalen Simmons (link)
Bills Cut 30 Players, Reach 53-Man Limit
The Bills have reached the 53-man max in advance of the deadline. Here’s the full rundown of their moves, courtesy of the team.
Released:
- QB Keith Wenning
- RB Jordan Johnson
- WR Daikiel Shorts
- WR Brandon Reilly
- WR Dezmin Lewis
- TE Wes Saxton
- TE Rory Anderson
- OL Cameron Jefferson
- OL Jordan Mudge
- OL Greg Pyke
- OL Zach Voytek
- DE Max Vallea
- DE Ian Seau
- DT Nigel Williams
- DT Marquavius Lewis
- LB Abner Logan
- LB Jacob Lindsey
- LB Carl Bradford
- CB Bradley Sylve
- CB Marcus Sayles
- S Adrian McDonald
- S Joe Powell
- S B.T. Sanders
Released with injury settlement:
- WR Rod Streater
- S Shamiel Gary
Waived/Injured:
- WR Jeremy Butler
- OL Michael Ola
Placed on IR:
Reserve/Suspended:
Bills Notes: Henderson, Watkins, Lewis
Bills head coach Rex Ryan says he told offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson that while the club supports him, every player must abide with the rules of the NFL, tweets Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. Henderson, of course, was handed a 10-game suspension earlier this week following a second positive test for marijuana. Ryan, though, calls Henderson a “unique circumstance” given that he may have been using marijuana to treat his Crohn’s disease. Given Ryan’s supportive words and Henderson’s cheap salary for 2017, it’s a good bet that he’ll return to the team next year despite his latest setback.
Here’s more from Buffalo:
- Ryan also told the media that wide receiver Dezmin Lewis, activated from the practice squad this week, “has to poop or get off the pot,” (Twitter link via Rodak). Lewis, a seventh round pick in 2015, has shown flashes of ability but has yet to truly break out. Reading between the lines, Rodak feels that Buffalo is giving him one last shot to get it all together. If he doesn’t, he could be dropped from the Bills’ 53-man roster and left without an invitation to join their practice squad.
- Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins did not practice today because of his ailing foot, as Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News tweets. Watkins, who returned on Sunday to post three receptions for 80 yards, was expected to be limited during the workout, but him not practicing at all could be an indication that his status for this weekend is in doubt.
- Earlier today, the Bills signed offensive lineman Isame Faciame to their practice squad.
Bills Sign Logan Thomas Off Lions P-Squad
Yesterday, the Lions signed quarterback Logan Thomas with the idea that they would convert him to a tight end. Today, the Bills decided to swoop in and sign him to the 53-man roster. By rule, the Bills will be required to carry Thomas on their 53-man roster for the next three weeks. 
The Thomas deal is one of many moves for Buffalo today. The team has also promoted wide receiver Dezmin Lewis and defensive lineman Deandre Coleman to the active roster. Wide receiver Walt Powell and defensive lineman Corbin Bryant will head to injured reserve.
Thomas, a former quarterback for Virginia Tech, was a draft pick of the Cardinals in 2014. Since entering the league, he has only appeared in a couple of games as a QB. After his most recent stint with the Giants ended, Thomas decided on pitching himself as a tight end. Always known for his athleticism, Thomas aims to put his big body to use at a new position. The Bills are hoping that they have found the next Terrelle Pryor – a QB turned pass-catcher – in Thomas.
Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC East
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC East 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 Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets are noted below.
Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. 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 East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day (all links go to Twitter unless noted otherwise):
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed:
- FB Dan Vitale (Link via PFT)
- Waived:
- LB Jamari Lattimore (story)
- Signed to practice squad:
- C Gabe Ikard (Post via NFL.com)
- K Jordan Gay
- WR Dezmin Lewis
- CB Doran Grant (link via Joe Buscaglia)
- WR Matt Hazel (link via Joe Buscaglia)
- LB Max Valles (link via Joe Buscaglia)
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed:
- WR Justin Hunter (story)
- Waived:
- WR Griff Whalen (link via Armando Salguero)
- Signed to practice squad:
- OT Ulrick John (Link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- WR Rashawn Scott (link via Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel)
- S A.J. Hendy (link via Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel)
- LB James Burgess (story)
- G Jamil Douglas (story)
- TE Thomas Duarte (story)
- DE Cleyon Laing (story)
- CB Lafayette Pitts (story)
- DE Jordan Williams (story)
- OLB Brandon Watts (Link via Wilson)
New England Patriots
- Signed to practice squad:
- RB Bishop Sankey (story)
- DE Rufus Johnson (link via Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald)
- Ol Chris Barker (Link via Doug Kyed)
- WR Devin Street (Link via Mike Reiss)
- DE Geneo Grissom (Link via Reiss)
- WR Devin Lucien (Link via Reiss)
- DT Woodrow Hamilton (Link via Reiss)
- OL Clay DeBord (Link via Kyed)
New York Jets
- Claimed:
- TE Braedon Bowman (Link via PFT)
- TE Brian Parker
- RB Troymaine Pope
- DB Darryl Roberts
- Waived:
- CB Dexter McDougle
- S Ronald Martin
- RB Dominique Williams
- RB Khiry Robinson (waived/injured)
- Signed to practice squad:
- LB Freddie Bishop (link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- OL Mike Liedtke (link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- S Doug Middleton (link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- DE Claude Pelon (link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- WR Chandler Worthy (link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- CB Bryson Keeton (link via Darryl Slater)
- WR Myles White (link via Darryl Slater)
- C Craig Watts
Bills Trim Roster To 53
The Bills announced that they’ve moved their roster to 53 players by cutting 21 players. That list of cuts includes notable names like fullback Jerome Felton, linebacker Manny Lawson, versatile cornerback Sterling Moore, and linebacker Randell Johnson.
The Bills will save $2.35MM against the cap by releasing Lawson and $1.55MM by cutting Felton. By freeing up that cash, the Bills will have a little more room to work with as they negotiate a new deal with cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Felton was signed as a free agent last offseason to a four-year pact worth $9.2MM, with $4MM guaranteed. Considering how the fullback position has been phased out by many NFL teams, that was a steep price to pay for the former Viking. With Minnesota, Felton acted as the lead blocker for Adrian Peterson‘s 2012 MVP campaign, paving the way for Peterson to nearly break the all-time rushing record. Felton himself went to the Pro Bowl that season, and was named second-team All Pro. The team is saving money by dropping the 30-year-old, but his release is also a sign of their confidence in Glenn Gronkowski.
Over the last three seasons, Lawson has appeared in all but one regular season game for the Bills. In 2015, Lawson appeared in every contest and started 14 games, racking up 45 tackles, 1 sack, and 5 pass deflections. Lawson is facing a one-game ban as a result of a domestic violence incident and that was thought to be a big blow in the season opener considering that the team will also be without top rookies Reggie Ragland and Shaq Lawson plus reserve linebacker IK Enemkpali. For one reason or another, the Bills have decided that they are better off without him.
Moore, 26, came over from Tampa Bay during the offseason, and has also spent time with the Patriots, Cowboys, and Raiders. Johnson, meanwhile, has been with Buffalo for the past two seasons, starting one game during that time.
Here is the complete list of cuts:
- FB Jerome Felton
- CB Sterling Moore
- LB Manny Lawson
- LB Randell Johnson (waived/injured)
- TE Blake Annen (waived/injured)
- LB Kroy Biermann
- WR Jarrett Boykin
- CB Mario Butler
- WR Kain Colter
- DT Brandon Deaderick
- DL Lavar Edwards
- RB Boom Herron
- WR Dez Lewis
- OL Marquis Lucas (waived/injured)
- OT Chris Martin
- G Cyril Richardson
- CB Sammy Seamster
- LB Max Valles
- C Fernando Velasco
- DT Casey Walker
- RB James Wilder Jr. (waived/injured)
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC Notes: Harrison, Jets, Revis, Petty, Bills
Forget the Olympics or the first presidential debate – could the NFL’s interview with Steelers linebacker James Harrison be the must-watch event of the year? If Harrison has his way, his interview with league investigators over PED claims will be live on TV for all to see.
“If it leads to the hands of that crook, I mean Roger Goodell, he can do whatever he wants,” Harrison said (via Sports Illustrated). “Whatever evidence they might have or reasoning for questioning for me is out of my control, I don’t know. I wouldn’t have a problem with it being filmed live. I’ve been prosecuted and persecuted publicly in the media by them for something I didn’t do, so I don’t see why we couldn’t have the media there and do a live interview.”
More from the AFC:
- Cornerback Darrelle Revis returned to the Jets prior to the 2015 season because he had unfinished business, he told Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “I start getting emotional when I talk about it because I’ve been through so much with this organization,” Revis said. “It’s a part of my life. I appreciate even being drafted here in 2007. The Jets gave me a chance, moved up to draft me, took a chance on me. It’s definitely personal to me when it comes to the New York Jets. I’m a Jet for life. That’s the reason I wanted to come back. And Woody [Johnson, the Jets’ owner] gave the green light.” Of course, it didn’t hurt that the Jets were offering the best deal of anyone by far. Revis inked a five-year contract worth $70MM, including $39MM guaranteed.
- Bryce Petty has gotten a noticeable bump in reps this week and has at times worked as the Jets‘ second quarterback in team drills, per Brian Costello of the New York Post. Costello wonders if Petty could show coaches enough in the next couple of weeks to earn a roster spot and displace Geno Smith.
- Before signing with the Texans on Tuesday, veteran defensive end Alex Carrington worked out for the Colts and Browns, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
- Is Dez Lewis in danger of not making the Bills‘ 53-man roster? A couple of months ago, Lewis seemed like a lock for the club as he played well with the first-team offense. Now, however, Lewis is dropping passes, including during practice Thursday. The 23-year-old Lewis is a fast and big-bodied (6-4, 212 pounds) target, but the Bills might be thinking twice about keeping him, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW writes.
- In other AFC news, Jaguars owner Shad Khan revealed Friday that the club isn’t considering signing free agent defensive end Greg Hardy.
Bills Announce Several Roster Changes
It has been a busy day of transactions for the Bills, who are turning over four spots on their 53-man roster today. Here’s a breakdown of Tuesday’s moves by Buffalo, via a team release:
Signed:
- WR Greg Salas
Promoted from practice squad:
- WR Dezmin Lewis
- WR Walter Powell (previously reported)
- DL Jerel Worthy
Waived:
- WR/KR Marcus Thigpen
Placed on injured reserve:
- OLB Randell Johnson
- WR Robert Woods
Placed on reserve/non-football illness list:
The Bills’ receiving corps has undergone a significant overhaul, with three of the new additions to the roster coming at that position, while Woods heads to IR and Thigpen lands on waivers.
Among the most noteworthy moves today for the Bills is Henderson being placed on the reserve/NFI list — a report last week suggested that the team’s starting right tackle had been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition, though the club has yet to confirm that.
Bills Notes: Woods, McCoy, Williams, Taylor
It appears likely that Robert Woods‘ season will come to an early end. The Bills wide receiver suffered a groin injury, and head coach Rex Ryan told reporters today that it’s “safe to say” it’s a pretty severe one (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW). While the team hasn’t made anything official yet, Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link) hears that Woods will be placed on injured reserve.
With Woods out, there’s “probably a good chance” of Dezmin Lewis being promoted from the Bills’ practice squad to their active roster, according to Ryan (Twitter link via Buscaglia). As we wait for a formal announcement from the club on that roster move, let’s round up a few more items out of Buffalo….
- While Woods’ season is probably done, it sounds like LeSean McCoy may get back on the field sometime in the last two weeks. Per Getlin (Twitter link), there are no plans at this time to shut down the running back. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network adds (via Twitter) that McCoy’s MCL sprain may sideline him for Week 16, but he’s expected to be fine for Week 17.
- Bills safety Aaron Williams, who is currently on IR with the designation to return due to a neck injury, won’t return to action this season, Ryan said today (link via ESPN’s Mike Rodak). Williams will continue to practice while he remains on IR.
- Addressing a pair of reports that surfaced over the weekend, Ryan denied any sort of rift between him and general manager Doug Whaley, adding that he has a “great deal of respect” for the Bills’ GM. Ryan also dismissed the idea that anyone within the organization doubted whether Mario Williams was sick last week, suggesting that story was “made up” (all Twitter links via Buscaglia).
- Ryan was also asked about Williams’ comments from Sunday, in which the defensive end didn’t express any openness to the idea of accepting a pay cut to remain in Buffalo. While the Buffalo head coach said he’d love to have Williams – and everyone else on the team – back next season, he acknowledged that change is a part of the NFL offseason (Twitter link via Buscaglia).
- Ryan gave Tyrod Taylor another vote of confidence, telling reporters that the team is “pretty sure” of who its quarterback will be heading into 2016 (Twitter link via Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News).
- Bills outside linebacker Randell Johnson sustained a high ankle sprain, and doesn’t have a great chance to play in Week 16, tweets Buscaglia. Johnson may be a candidate for IR.
Sunday NFL Transactions: AFC East
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC East 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 Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets 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 East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Buffalo Bills
- Claimed off waivers:
- C Gabe Ikard (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- Signed to practice squad:
- WR Dezmin Lewis (Twitter link via Mike Rodak)
- S Jonathan Meeks (Twitter link via Rodak)
- G Cyril Richardson (Twitter link via Rodak)
- LB Kevin Riddick (Twitter link via Rodak)
- CB Jaylen Watkins (Twitter link via Rodak)
- RB Cierre Wood (Twitter link via Rodak)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed:
- Claimed off waivers:
- QB Logan Thomas (link)
- Signed to practice squad:
- QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Twitter link via James Walker)
- C Sam Brenner (Twitter link via David Canter)
- DT Deandre Coleman (Twitter link via Adam Beasley)
- LB Mike Hull (Twitter link via Armando Salguero)
- TE Tim Semisch (Twitter link via Salguero)
- WR Jake Stoneburner (Twitter link via Barry Jackson)
- S Cedric Thompson (Twitter link via Jackson)
- OL Audrey Walker (Twitter link via Jackson)
New England Patriots
- Claimed off waivers:
- DT Khyri Thornton (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport)
- DT Khyri Thornton (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport)
- Cut:
- T Cameron Fleming (Twitter link via Mike Reiss)
- Signed to practice squad:
- TE Asante Cleveland (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
- WR Kenbrell Thompkins (Twitter link via Rand Getlin)
New York Jets
- Signed:
- WR Chris Owusu (Twitter link via Manish Mehta)
- Claimed off waivers:
- S Ronald Martin (Twitter link via Mehta)
- Cut:
- S Rontez Miles (Twitter link via Rich Cimini)
- Signed to practice squad (press release):
- LB Deion Barnes
- FB Julian Howsare
- LB Taiwan Jones
- CB Keon Lyn
- WR Walter Powell
- TE Wes Saxton
- T Wesley Johnson (Twitter link via Adam Caplan)
- DL Jordan Williams
