Forrest Merrill - Pro Football Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/15/23

May 15th, 2023 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The first of this year’s spring leagues to debut, the XFL’s third effort, finished its season Saturday. XFL players are now free to sign NFL contracts, and several agreed to terms Monday. Here are those agreements, along with the other transactions from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Waived: DL Manny Jones, LB Blake Lynch

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: DB Natrone Brooks, S Lukas Denis, DL LaCale London, T Barry Wesley
Waived: LB David Anenih, CB Javelin Guidry, DB Matt Hankins, WR Ra’Saun Henry, DB Dylan Mabin, TE/FB John Raine
Waived/injured: RB B.J. Baylor

Carolina Panthers

Signed: T BJ Wilson

Cleveland Browns

Waived: LB Storey Jackson, DT Roderick Perry

Denver Broncos

Signed: RB Tyreik McAllister, RB Jacques Patrick
Waived: WR Dallas Daniels, DB Darrious Gaines, TE Kris Leach, RB Emanuel Wilson

Detroit Lions

Signed: WR Dylan Drummond

Green Bay Packers

Waived: S James Wiggins

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: DB Latavious Brini, WR Jacob Harris
Waived: DL Jayson Ademilola

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: CB Ekow Boye-Doe
Waived: WR Ty Scott

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: WR Kristian Wilkerson
Waived: WR Tyler Johnson

Los Angeles Rams

Signed: DB Timarcus Davis, DL Taron Vincent
Waived: WR Tyler Hudson, LB Matthew Jester, DB Jaiden Woodbey

Miami Dolphins

Signed: DB Bryce Thompson

New Orleans Saints

Signed: DB Adrian Frye, DL Jack Heflin, DE Niko Lalos, RB Ellis Merriweather
Waived: WR Sy Barnett, DB Vincent Gray

New York Jets

Signed: TE Izaiah Gathings

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: CB Luq Barcoo, RB Alfonzo Graham

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: DL Austin Faoliu, NT Forrest Merrill
Waived: LB Michael Ayers, DE Jacob Sykes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: DL C.J. Brewer, S Kedrick Whitehead
Waived: T Dylan Cook, OLB Nelson Mbanasor

Tennessee Titans

Signed: C James Empey, CB Eric Garror, WR Gavin Holmes, WR Kearis Jackson, CB Armani Marsh

Washington Commanders

Signed: T Jaryd Jones-Smith
Placed on active/PUP list: LB Drew White

After seeing the pandemic nix its second effort in 2020, the XFL concluded its season Saturday. The Broncos signed the league’s second-leading rusher, in Patrick, while the Browns and Cowboys offered Barqoo contracts, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Barqoo, who played for the Jaguars in 2020 and XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas this year, opted for the Steelers’ offer. Patrick, whom the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson notes passed a Broncos physical Monday, finished with 443 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He joins XFL passing leader Ben DiNucci as a Broncos May addition.

Seeing time for the St. Louis BattleHawks, Jones-Smith played in three games apiece with Raiders and Ravens, respectively, from 2020-21. Thompson will join the Dolphins after a spring tour of duty with the Seattle Sea Dragons, while fellow XFL alum Brewer played in two games for the Bills last year. Heflin played five games for the Packers in 2021; the new Saint spent the XFL season with the Houston Roughnecks.

The Raiders gave Johnson a reserve/futures deal in January. The young wideout collected a ring with the 2020 Buccaneers and totaled 360 receiving yards for Tampa Bay’s 2021 iteration. While the Texans claimed him on waivers ahead of last season, he played in just two games with the team.

Jackson suited up for national championship-winning Georgia last season. The new Titans wideout finished with 514 receiving yards in 2020 and totaled 320 for last season’s Bulldogs edition. A Division II Quincy alum, Wilson received an East-West Shrine Bowl invite but tore an Achilles tendon late last season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/22

August 15th, 2022 at 5:39pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Released: RB Corey Clement
Waived: CB Robert Jackson

Carolina Panthers

Placed on IR: LB Kamal Martin
Waived (injury settlement): CB Devin Jones

Chicago Bears

Waived: DE Carson Taylor

Cincinnati Bengals

Placed on IR: C Ben Brown

Cleveland Browns

Waived: WR Derrick Dillon

Dallas Cowboys

Waived: DT Austin Faoliu
Waived (injury designation): TE Ian Bunting, FB Ryan Nall, WR Ty Fryfogle, CB Kyron Brown

Denver Broncos

Waived (injury designation): OL Ben Braden

Detroit Lions

Released: TE Garrett Griffin
Waived: TE Nolan Givan, C Ryan McCollum

Green Bay Packers

Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): TE Nate Becker
Waived: LB Randy Ramsey, C Cole Schneider, CB Donte Vaughn

Houston Texans

Waived: LS Harrison Elliott, RB B.J. Emmons
Released: WR Chad Beebe

Indianapolis Colts

Activated from PUP list: WR Mike Strachan

Jacksonville Jaguars

Waived (injury designation): K Elliott Fry
Waived: RB Matt Colburn, QB Jake Luton, WR Ryan McDaniel, DE Wyatt Ray

Los Angeles Chargers

Waived (injury designation): DT Forrest Merrill, OC Isaac Weaver
Waived: WR Maurice Ffrench, QB Brandon Peters, S Skyler Thomas

Miami Dolphins

Signed: NT Niles Scott
Placed on IR: CB Trill Williams (story)

New Orleans Saints

Signed: DE Niko Lalos, DT Jaleel Johnson
Placed on IR: OT Ethan Greenidge
Waived (injury settlement): DB Bryce Thompson
Waived (injury designation): DB Jordan Brown, S Isaiah Pryor
Waived: DE T.J. Carter, S Jack Koerner, DE Scott Patchan, K John Parker Romo, WR Easop Winston

New York Giants

Claimed off waivers (from Bills): CB Olaijah Griffin

New York Jets

Waived: WR Keshunn Abram

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: LB James Vaughters
Waived (injury designation): LB Tuzar Skipper

San Francisco 49ers

Waived: DT Tomasi Laulile, WR KeeSean Johnson, RB Josh Hokit

Seattle Seahawks

Activated from active/PUP list: OT Liam Ryan
Placed on IR: WR Cody Thompson
Waived: CB Josh Valentine-Turner, DT Antonio Valentino, OL Eric Wilson, WR Deontez Alexander

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: RB Patrick Laird
Placed on IR: RB Kenjon Barner
Waived: TE Ben Beise

Washington Commanders

Activated from active/PUP list: OT Cornelius Lucas

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/11/22

January 11th, 2022 at 9:50pm CST by Ben Levine

A number of players continue to sign reserve/futures contracts, which allows organizations to retain (mostly) young, practice squad players throughout the offseason. We’ve compiled today’s reserve/futures contracts below:

Carolina Panthers

DE Austin Larkin, OL Austen Pleasants

Denver Broncos

DE Marquiss Spencer

Kansas City Chiefs

WR Omar Bayless, TE Jordan Franks, WR Gary Jennings, RB Brenden Knox, FB Lorenzo Neal, WR/PR Matthew Sexton, DT Darius Stills

Los Angeles Chargers

WR Michael Bandy, DL Andrew Brown, LB Cole Christiansen, DB Ben DeLuca, LB Emeke Egbule, WR Maurice Ffrench, G Ryan Hunter, TE Hunter Kampmoyer, DL Forrest Merrill, WR Jason Moore, OT Foster Sarell

Los Angeles Rams

Signed: C Drake Jackson

New England Patriots

WR Malcolm Perry

New Orleans Saints

QB Blake Bortles, C Cohl Cabral, DT Malcolm Roach, CB Bryce Thompson, WR Kevin White, TE Ethan Wolf

New York Giants

WR Alex Bachman

Tennessee Titans

LB Kobe Jones, DB Chris Williamson

Washington Football Team

FB Alex Armah, RB Reggie Bonnafon

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/25-12/26/21

December 26th, 2021 at 11:02pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the NFL moves from Christmas and today:

Arizona Cardinals

Promoted: DE Josh Mauro, DB Kevin Peterson, P Ryan Winslow, WR Greg Dortch

Atlanta Falcons

Activated from IR: LB Daren Bates
Promoted: WR Marvin Hall

Baltimore Ravens

Activated from IR: LB Daelin Hayes
Promoted: QB Kenji Bahar, DB Robert Jackson, DB Tony Jefferson, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, NT Isaiah Mack, G/DT Reginald McKenzie, TE Tony Poljan, DB Jordan Richards, LB Joe Thomas, DB Daryl Worley

Buffalo Bills

Promoted: DT Eli Ankou

Carolina Panthers

Activated from IR: QB Sam Darnold
Promoted: RB Reggie Bonnafon, DB Madre Harper, DT Frank Herron, G Mike Horton, TE Stephen Sullivan

Chicago Bears

Activated from IR: DB Duke Shelley
Promoted: DE Ledarius Mack, WR Dazz Newsome, DB Dee Virgin, WR Nsimba Webster, QB Ryan Willis

Cincinnati Bengals

Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, DT Mike Daniels, DE Noah Spence, WR Trent Taylor

Dallas Cowboys

Activated from IR: DB Maurice Canady, DB Donovan Wilson
Promoted: DB Kyron Brown, DB Darian Thompson

Denver Broncos

Promoted: T Quinn Bailey

Detroit Lions

Promoted: LB Tavante Beckett, LB Curtis Bolton, TE Shane Zylstra
Placed on IR: DB Amani Oruwariye

Green Bay Packers

Promoted: S Innis Gaines

Houston Texans

Extended: DE Ron’Dell Carter
Activated from IR: WR Danny Amendola, DE DeMarcus Walker
Promoted: WR Jalen Camp, DT Michael Dwumfour, K Dominik Eberle, G Jake Eldrenkamp, T Carson Green, DE Demone Harris, TE Paul Quessenberry, RB Jaylen Samuels, T Jordan Steckler, LB Connor Strachan, LB Josh Watson, S T.J. Green

Indianapolis Colts

Promoted: DB Anthony Chesley, WR Keke Coutee, G Carter O’Donnell, DB Brian Poole, DB Will Redmond, DT Chris Williams

Jacksonville Jaguars

Promoted: RB Nathan Cottrell, WR Josh Hammond, DB Brandon Rusnak

Kansas City Chiefs

Promoted: DB Dicaprio Bootle, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, DB Josh Jackson, P Johnny Townsend

Las Vegas Raiders

Activated from IR: DB Tyree Gillespie
Promoted: G Lester Cotton, DB Kavon Frazier, WR Tyron Johnson, NT Damion Square, QB Nathan Peterman, WR Dillon Stoner
Placed on IR: DB Johnathan Abram

Los Angeles Chargers

Promoted: WR Michael Bandy, RB Darius Bradwell, NT Andrew Brown, DB Ben Deluca, LB Emeke Egbule, WR Maurice Ffrench, DT Forrest Merrill, WR Jason Moore
Placed on IR: TE Donald Parham

Los Angeles Rams

Activated from reserve/NFI: RB Cam Akers
Activated from IR: RB Buddy Howell
Promoted: DB Grant Haley, WR Brandon Powell
Released: LB Jamir Jones, RB Mekhi Sargent

New England Patriots

Activated from IR: LB Josh Uche
Promoted: DT Daniel Ekuale, DB D’Angelo Ross, WR Kristian Wilkerson

New York Giants

Promoted: DB Darqueze Dennard, DL David Moa, CB Aaron Robinson, WR David Sill V, OL Isaiah Wilson

New York Jets

Promoted: OL Isaiah Williams, TE Dan Brown, WR D.J. Montgomery, LB LaRoy Reynolds, DL Ronald Blair, S Elijah Benton, DL Freedom Akinmoladun

Philadelphia Eagles

Promoted: S Jared Mayden

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: P Corliss Waitman
Activated from IR: C J.C. Hassenauer
Promoted: P Cameron Nizialek, OL Rashaad Coward, RB Trey Edmunds, LB John Simon

Seattle Seahawks

Promoted: DT Myles Adams, S Josh Jones, TE Tyler Mabry, OLB Edmond Robinson, WR Cody Thompson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Promoted: RB Kenjon Barner, WR Cyril Grayson, P Sterling Hofrichter, DL Benning Potoa’e

Washington Football Team

Promoted: CB D.J. Hayden, RB Wendell Smallwood, LB De’Jon Harris, DB Jeremy Reaves

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/20/21

November 20th, 2021 at 3:49pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ll keep track of today’s stream of minor moves right here:

Arizona Cardinals

Placed on IR: LB Tanner Vallejo
Promoted: LS Beau Brinkley, RB Tavien Feaster, LB Joe Walker, LB Tahir Whitehead

Baltimore Ravens

Placed on IR: OLB Pernell McPhee
Activated from IR: G Ben Cleveland
Promoted: G/DT Khalil McKenzie, QB Trace McSorley, LB Joe Thomas

Carolina Panthers

Promoted: G John Miller
Placed on IR: CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver

Chicago Bears

Activated from IR: S Deon Bush
Promoted: WR Isaiah Coulter, OLB Ledarius Mack

Cincinnati Bengals

Promoted: TE Mason Schreck

Cleveland Browns

Promoted: WR Lawrence Cager, DE Porter Gustin, CB Herb Miller
Waived: RB John Kelly

Dallas Cowboys

Promoted: CB Kyron Brown, CB Deante Burton

Denver Broncos

Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Drew Lock
Activated from IR: CB Michael Ojemudia, LB Justin Strnad

Detroit Lions

Promoted: WR Tom Kennedy, OL Tommy Kraemer, K Aldrick Rosas
Waived: DL Kevin Strong

Green Bay Packers

Promoted: La’Darius Hamilton, WR Juwann Winfree

Houston Texans

Activated from IR: DB Terrence Brooks
Placed on IR: LB Hardy Nickerson
Promoted: DL Derek Rivers

Indianapolis Colts

Promoted: S Jahleel Addae
Waived: CB Anthony Chesley

Jacksonville Jaguars

Promoted: WR John Brown

Kansas City Chiefs

Waived: TE Daniel Brown
Promoted: WR Daurice Fountain

Las Vegas Raiders

Activated from IR: S Roderic Teamer
Placed on IR: FB Alec Ingold (story)
Promoted: FB Sutton Smith

Los Angeles Chargers

Promoted: DL Andrew Brown, DL Forrest Merrill, CB Kiondre Thomas

Miami Dolphins

Promoted: RB Duke Johnson

Minnesota Vikings

Promoted: DB Myles Dorn

New Orleans Saints

Activated from IR: RB Tony Jones
Waived: CB Ken Crawley, WR Kevin White
Promoted: T Caleb Benenoch, DT Josiah Bronson, OL Will Clapp, CB KeiVarae Russell
Placed on IR: DT Malcolm Roach

New York Jets

Promoted: FB Nick Bawden, DE Ronald Blair

Philadelphia Eagles

Placed on IR: OL Jack Anderson

Pittsburgh Steelers

Promoted: DL Daniel Archibong, LB Delontae Scott

Seattle Seahawks

Promoted: CB Gavin Heslop

Tennessee Titans

Activated from IR: TE Tommy Hudson

Chargers Activate DL Justin Jones From IR

October 30th, 2021 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers will have one of their starting defensive linemen back for their Week 8 matchup against the Patriots. They moved Justin Jones from their IR list to the active roster Saturday. To make roster space, the team waived defensive lineman Forrest Merrill.

A two-year starter at defensive tackle, Jones has played in just one game this season. The interior D-lineman stands to provide a boost for a Bolts team that is aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

A calf injury sidelined Jones in September, though the Chargers appeared to expect him back sooner. They did not place the fourth-year defender on IR until early October. The additional rest, however, proved beneficial. The Chargers will now have their combo of Jones, Linval Joseph and former first-rounder Jerry Tillery healthy as they attempt to shake off a blowout loss to the Ravens.

Pro Football Focus graded Jones as a top-40 interior D-lineman last season. The former third-round pick is in a contract year. Although the Bolts have Kenneth Murray on IR, only four players appear on their Week 8 injury report. That is certainly a good sign at this point in the season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/21

October 4th, 2021 at 11:20am CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Arizona Cardinals

Promoted: S Chris Banjo
Waived: OL Koda Martin

Atlanta Falcons

Promoted: P Dustin Colquitt

Carolina Panthers

Promoted: LB Kamal Martin
Waived: G Michael Jordan

Indianapolis Colts

Claimed off waivers (from Buccaneers): DT Khalil Davis

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: DL Forrest Merrill
Promoted: DL Breiden Fehoko
Placed on IR: DL Justin Jones, LB Kenneth Murray Jr.

Minnesota Vikings

Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Cameron Dantzler

Seattle Seahawks

Designed for return: DB Tre Brown

Washington Football Team

Placed on IR: CB Torry McTyer

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West

September 1st, 2021 at 4:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves will be noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s AFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Denver Broncos

Signed:

OT Cameron Fleming, DL Shamar Stephen

Waived:

DL Jonathan Harris

Placed on IR:

RB Mike Boone, CB Michael Ojemudia

Signed to practice squad:

OT Quinn Bailey, TE Shaun Beyer, WR Tyrie Cleveland, RB Damarea Crockett, CB Nate Hairston, OT Drew Himmelman, WR Kendall Hinton, CB Mac McCain III, LB Curtis Robinson, QB Brett Rypien, OL Austin Schlottmann, DL Marquiss Spencer, LB Barrington Wade, WR Seth Williams

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed:

WR Marcus Kemp

Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list:

S Tyrann Mathieu; Mathieu tested positive for COVID-19

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Claimed:

DL Eric Banks (from Rams), DB Trey Marshall (from Broncos)

Waived:

CB Brandon Facyson, DL Forrest Merrill

Signed to practice squad:

WR Michael Bandy, RB Darius Bradwell, LB Cole Christiansen, DB Ben DeLuca, OLB Emeke Egbule, DL Breiden Fehoko, DL Joe Gaziano, G Nate Gilliam, G Ryan Hunter, TE Hunter Kampmoyer, WR Jason Moore Jr., WR Joe Reed

Chargers Announce 10 UDFA Signings

May 2nd, 2021 at 12:52pm CST by Rory Parks

This year’s crop of draftable prospects was said to be on the thin side, so the 2021 class of UDFAs is expected to have even fewer players make the cut than usual. But you never know, and teams still have 90 roster spots they can fill throughout the spring and summer. The Chargers were among the first to announce their UDFA signings:

Ben DeLuca, DB (Charlotte)
Jared Goldwire, DL (Louisville)
Darius Harper, OT (Cincinnati)
Hunter Kampmoyer, TE (Oregon)
Alex Kessman, K (Pittsburgh)
Ryan Langan, LS (Georgia Southern)
Forrest Merrill, DL (Arkansas State)
Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB (Oklahoma State)
Kyle Spalding, OT (San Diego State)
Elijah Stove, WR (Auburn)

As with most UDFA classes, this one included several notable guarantees. Goldwire received $50K in guaranteed money, while Ogbongbemiga got a $30K guarantee (Twitter links via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle). Goldwire earned All-ACC Second Team honors after recording 35 tackles, five TFLs, and two sacks from his nose tackle position, while Ogbongbemiga piled up 180 tackles over the past two seasons and possesses excellent speed.

Stove struggled with injuries in his collegiate career but is quick and has good hands. He caught 44 passes for 359 yards and three scores in his final season at Auburn.