Giants Waive RB James Robinson
Like many teams around the league, the Giants have already made a number of cuts ahead of Tuesday’s deadline for 53-man rosters to be finalized. Per a team announcement, running back James Robinson is among the players who have been let go. 
Robinson’s career started far differently than it has gone in recent years. The former UDFA recorded 1,414 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie in 2020. The Jaguars eventually saw former first-rounder Travis Etienne assume the role of lead back, however, which made Robinson a luxury in the backfield. The latter was dealt to the Jets midseason in 2022.
With Breece Hall having suffered an ACL tear, the door appeared to be open for Robinson to take on a somewhat notable role. Instead, he received only 29 carries, and his 2.9 yards per attempt average made it an easy decision for New York not to retain him. Robinson briefly found a home in free agency by signing a two-year deal with the Patriots, but his tenure there proved to be very short lived.
The 25-year-old was released after he was unable to remain healthy through the spring. That left him on the open market once again until the onset of training camp, where he landed a deal with the Giants. The absence of Saquon Barkley at the time, which was sparked by his contract situation, gave Robinson an opportunity to win at least the third RB spot. Barkley is back in the fold, though, along with Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell and Eric Gray.
In addition to Robinson, the Giants have waived defensive tackle Kevin Atkins, defensive back Darren Evans, defensive tackle Donovan Jeter and wideout Collin Johnson. Defensive linemen Tashawn Bower and Brandin Bryant, along with offensive tackles Korey Cunningham and Julien Davenport and receiver Jaydon Mickens were released. Lastly, wideout Bryce Ford-Wheaton was placed on injured reserve, meaning he will be sidelined for the 2023 season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/23
Here are today’s minor moves as we head into the weekend:
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on IR: WR Chris Blair, DL Ikenna Enechukwu, QB Feleipe Franks
Baltimore Ravens
- Reverted to reserve/NFI: CB Trayvon Mullen
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Mac McCain
- Waived: CB Colby Richardson
Chicago Bears
- Released: DE Jalyn Holmes
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Cam Bright, TE Miller Forristall, WR Jalen Wayne
- Waived/injured: WR Daylen Baldwin, CB Thomas Graham Jr.
- Waived: P Joseph Charlton, RB Nate McCrary, T Hunter Thedford
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: LB Jonas Griffith (story)
Detroit Lions
- Waived/injured: CB Jarren Williams
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL DJ Scaife
- Placed on IR: C Scott Quessenberry (story)
- Waived from IR: OL Dylan Deatherage
Miami Dolphins
- Waived/injured: FB John Lovett
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: RB Abram Smith
- Waived: FB Zach Ojile
New England Patriots
- Reverted to IR: LB Terez Hall
New York Giants
- Signed: NT Donovan Jeter
- Waived/injured: WR Jeff Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Removed from commissioner’s exempt list: OL Josh Sills
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Daelin Hayes
- Placed on IR: DE Darryl Johnson
Sills was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list back in February when a grand jury indicted him on counts of rape and kidnapping. The charges stem from an event that allegedly took place back in December 2019. Today it was announced that Sills was acquitted of both charges, according to sources at The Athletic. The Eagles released a statement that, with his adjudication, he will return to the team’s active roster.
The 49ers announced that Johnson has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. They didn’t disclose the injury that will sideline the young edge they signed two months ago.
The Vikings are adding the XFL’s 2023 leading rusher in Smith. Smith had 791 rushing yards in 10 games last year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/23
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DL Nick Thurman
- Waived: LB Arron Mosby
- Waived/failed physical: DL John Penisini
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DT Donovan Jeter
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Nick Williams
Detroit Lions
- Waived/injured: TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Andre Miller, OL Cole Schneider
- Waived: OL Chuck Filiaga, TE Camren McDonald
Houston Texans
- Signed: K Jake Bates
- Placed on IR: FB Troy Hairston
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Toriano Clinton, TE La’Michael Pettway, T Dan Skipper
- Waived: T Jordan Murray, TE Kaden Smith, DT Jamal Woods
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Darius Harris
- Waived: LB Kana’i Mauga, T Justin Murray
New England Patriots
- Claimed (from Bears): WR Thyrick Pitts
- Placed on reserve/retired list: WR Jalen Hurd
New York Giants
- Signed: C Sean Harlow
- Placed on IR: C J.C. Hassenauer
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Greg Bell, RB John Lovett
- Waived: RB Jason Huntley
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Robert Cooper, OL Liam Ryan
- Waived: DL Roderick Perry
Chosen in the third round by the 49ers back in 2019, Hurd never ended up seeing regular-season action. A converted running back who played in front of Alvin Kamara at points while at Tennessee, Hurd transferred to Baylor and became a wide receiver. Two season-ending injuries — a back malady in 2019 and an ACL tear in 2020 — derailed Hurd’s 49ers tenure. The team cut him during the 2021 season. Barely a week after the Patriots signed Hurd, it appears he is throwing in the towel on an injury-plagued career.
Penisini had unretired this offseason, joining the Panthers. The former Lions sixth-rounder played two seasons on his rookie contract but called it quits in June 2022. His unretirement will precede a Panthers exit. The Lions are moving Zylstra off their 90-man roster due to a severe knee injury. If unclaimed, Zylstra would revert to Detroit’s IR list. Zylstra has seen action in 17 games for the Lions over the past two seasons.
Hassenauer will require surgery to repair a triceps injury, and this transaction will shut him down — as far as the Giants are concerned. The only way Hassenauer can play in 2023 would be if the Giants removed him from IR via an injury settlement. Hairston suffered a herniated disk during practice, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/10/23
Many teams started signing players to reserve/futures contracts yesterday, allowing the organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players throughout the offseason. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:
Arizona Cardinals
Carolina Panthers
- CB Herb Miller
Chicago Bears
- WR Daurice Fountain, DT Donovan Jeter
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
- TE Austin Allen, WR Jeff Cotton, T Jean Delance, QB Danny Etling, CB Tyrell Ford, CB Benjie Franklin, RB Tyler Goodson, TE Nick Guggemos, LB La’Darius Hamilton, DL Chris Slayton, CB Kiondre Thomas, K Parker White, S James Wiggins
Houston Texans
- WR Alex Bachman, RB Gerrid Doaks, WR Drew Estrada, WR Johnny Johnson III, DL Adedayo Odeleye, DB D’Angelo Ross, TE Mason Schreck
Indianapolis Colts
New England Patriots
- LB Terez Hall, DB Brad Hawkins, OL Hayden Howerton, DB Quandre Mosely, LB Calvin Munson, WR Tre Nixon, DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr., DL LaBryan Ray, TE Matt Sokol, RB J.J. Taylor, TE Scotty Washington
New York Jets
- DT Tanzel Smart
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DB Duke Dawson, G William Dunkle, LB Emeke Egbule, RB Jason Huntley, C Ryan McCollum, DB Scott Nelson, RB Master Teague, WR Cody White, TE Rodney Williams
Tennessee Titans
- DT Curtis Brooks, CB Shyheim Carter, OL Zack Johnson, WR Mason Kinsey, OLB Zach McCloud, TE Thomas Odukoya, OLB Sam Okuayinonu, DL Jayden Peevy, WR Reggie Roberson, OL Andrew Rupcich, K Caleb Shudak
Washington Commanders
- FB Alex Armah
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/18/22
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad additions and subtractions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Blake Lynch
- Released: WR Stanley Berryhill
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: DT Kobe Smith
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Brandon Copeland, LB Julian Stanford
- Released: LB Jeremiah Attaochu, WR Slade Bolden
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: RB Spencer Brown, DE Delontae Scott, DT Raequan Williams
- Released: TE Josh Babicz, DE Austin Larkin, TE John Lovett
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Sammis Reyes
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Brandon Johnson
- Released: TE Dalton Keene
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: S Innis Gaines
- Released: CB Benjie Franklin, LB Ray Wilborn
Houston Texans
- Signed: S C.J. Moore
- Released: CB BoPete Keyes
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR DeMichael Harris
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Deionte Thompson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: LS Kyle Nelson
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB La’Mical Perine
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Myles Dorn
- Released: S Mike Brown
New England Patriots
- Released: K Tristan Vizcaino
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB Jake Luton, DE Jabari Zuniga
- Released: DT Christian Ringo
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Conor McDermott
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Jason Huntley, WR Josh Malone
- Released: S Scott Nelson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: QB Kurt Benkert, CB Ka’dar Hollman
- Released: LB Buddy Johnson, K Sam Sloman
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: WR Kevin Kassis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: OL Justin Skule
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Kyron Brown, DB Steven Parker
- Released: DB Nate Brooks
Washington Commanders
- Released: DT Donovan Jeter
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/21/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Andre Baccellia, WR Stanley Berryhill, WR C.J. Board, CB Nate Hairston
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Brandon Copeland
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Tanner Gentry
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Frank Herron
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: C Matt Skura
New England Patriots
- Signed: K Tristan Vizcaino
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Adam Pankey
- Released: OL Chris Glaser
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Khalil Davis
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Christian DiLauro
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Donovan Jeter
- Placed on IR: OL Nolan Laufenberg
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/22
Today’s minor moves, including some standard practice squad elevations for the two Monday Night Football games:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted to 53-man roster: DL Abdullah Anderson
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on IR: LB Josh Ross
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted from practice squad: DT C.J. Brewer, DT Brandin Bryant
Green Bay Packers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: WR Osirus Mitchell
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Duke Shelley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Britain Covey, TE Noah Togiai
Washington Commanders
- Claimed off waivers (from Cowboys): DT John Ridgeway
- Waived: DT Donovan Jeter
Brewer has completed a pretty unlikely path to an NFL game. Coming out of Coastal Carolina, the defensive lineman had to have surgery following an injury suffered in the Chanticleers’ bowl game. With no college all-star game and no NFL Combine, Brewer had only his Pro Day to show his ability. After going undrafted and unsigned as a college free agent, he earned a rookie mini camp tryout and got to stay for training camp as the lowest player on the depth chart. Brewer played more than any other defensive player in training camp and stayed healthy. He got cut, signed with the practice squad, and is now getting an opportunity to appear in his first NFL game.
The Cowboys had hoped to re-sign Ridgeway after waiving him. It doesn’t appear that Washington was the only team to keep him from returning to Dallas, as multiple teams reportedly submitted claims for the former fifth-round pick.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/12/22
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Promoted to active roster: DT Mike Pennel
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted to active roster: LS Cal Adomitis
- Placed on IR: LS Clark Harris
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Herb Miller
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted to active roster: DL Christian Covington
- Waived: DL Breiden Fehoko
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on IR: OLB Alton Robinson
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Tanner Muse, LS Carson Tinker
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted to active roster: RB Trenton Cannon, LB Joe Jones
Washington Commanders
- Signed: NT Donovan Jeter
- Placed on IR: DT Phidarian Mathis
Robinson has been mostly a rotational defensive end with the Seahawks, but the Syracuse product has five sacks in his two seasons. Robinson suffered a knee injury in Seattle’s preseason finale. He can return after four games, though teams only have eight IR-return slots — way up from the pre-COVID NFL but down from the 2020 and ’21 unlimited IR-return setup — this season.
The Seahawks will be without their primary long snapper, Tyler Ott, on Monday night. Ott is out with a shoulder injury. Tinker has been an NFL snapper since 2013, and the veteran specialist has experience with Seahawks kicker Jason Myers. The duo played together in Jacksonville during the mid-2010s.
Steelers Trim Roster To 53
The Steelers had a number of difficult decisions to make leading up to the 53-man roster deadline, including the status of Mason Rudolph. The team ended up holding on to the quarterback, but the front office still had to cut a number of players to get to the roster limit:
Released:
- LB Marcus Allen
- OL Chaz Green
- OL Joe Haeg
- CB Justin Layne
- RB Anthony McFarland
- OL Trent Scott
Waived:
- RB Max Borghi
- LB Ron’Dell Carter
- DT Carlos Davis
- DL Khalil Davis
- OL William Dunkle
- OL Adrian Ealy
- DL Donovan Jeter
- LB Buddy Johnson
- OL John Leglue
- OL Ryan McCollum
- DL Henry Mondeaux
- TE Kevin Rader
- LB Hamilcar Rashed
- DB Elijah Riley
- LB Delontae Scott
- WR Tyler Snead
- DB Chris Steele
- DB Linden Stephens
- TE Jace Sternberger
- WR Tyler Vaughns
- LB James Vaughters
- WR Cody White
Waived/injured:
Marcus Allen, a 2018 fifth-round pick, appeared in 33 games for Pittsburgh over the past four seasons. Justin Layne was a 2019 third-round pick by the Steelers, with the majority of his 43 appearances coming on special teams. Anthony McFarland was also a former Steelers draft pick, while Trent Scott was brought in this offseason to compete for an OL spot. Joe Haeg started two of his 12 appearances for the Steelers in 2021.
Henry Mondeaux spent the past two seasons in Pittsburgh, getting into 26 total games (two starts). After mostly seeing a special teams role during his rookie campaign, the defensive tackle saw more opportunities on defense in 2021, finishing with 16 tackles and two sacks. Buddy Johnson was a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft. The linebacker got into four games as a rookie, collecting two tackles. Carlos Davis was a seventh-round pick by the Steelers in 2020. The defensive tackle collected 11 tackles in 11 games.
Steelers Sign 14 Undrafted Free Agents
The Steelers have added 14 undrafted rookies to their roster:
- OT Jake Dixon, Duquesne
- RB Mataeo Durant, Duke
- DL Donovan Jeter, Michigan
- LB Tyree Johnson, Texas A&M
- DL Trevon Mason, Arizona
- LB T.D. Moultry, Auburn
- G Chris Owens, Alabama
- CB Carlins Platel, South Carolina
- K Nick Sciba, Wake Forest
- WR Tyler Snead, East Carolina
- CB Chris Steele, Southern California
- OT Jordan Tucker, North Carolina
- RB Jaylen Warren, Oklahoma State
- CB Bryce Watts, UMass
Tucker is an intriguing prospect. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 338 pounds, the North Carolina product undoubtedly has the size to compete at the NFL level. During his senior season, Tucker started all 13 games for the Tar Heels, helping guide an offense that averaged 468 yards per game. Owens also provides some intrigue with his ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line.
Steele and Watts could find themselves competing for a spot at the end of the depth chart. Steele finished his career at South Carolina with 95 tackles and three interceptions, while Watts had a 2021 campaign that saw him compiled 43 tackles and one pick.