NFL Workout Updates: 10/10/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:
Arizona Cardinals
- DT Mike Purcell; CBs Trevin Wade, B.W. Webb (link)
Buffalo Bills
- DBs Lonnie Ballentine, Antone Exum (link via Adam Caplan)
Detroit Lions
- DT Will Sutton (link via Caplan)
Green Bay Packers
- WR Tevaun Smith; G Cameron Hunt; DL Sean Daniels; DBs Charlie Miller, Ahmad Thomas (link via Rob Demovksy of ESPN.com)
Houston Texans
- QB Connor Shaw; WRs Rivers Cracraft, Paul Turner; T Steven Moore; DBs J.R. Nelson, Marcus Sayles (link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB Lamar Atkins; FB Glenn Gronkowski; C Taylor Boggs; DBs Anthony Cioffi, K.J. Dillon (link)
Oakland Raiders
- DEs Sterling Bailey, Patrick Gamble, Jaye Howard; DT Toby Johnson (link)
Seattle Seahawks
- T Andrew Lauderdale; LB Josh Forrest (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- LBs Johnathan Calvin, Jayrone Elliott; DE Cashaud Lyons (link)
Patriots Reach 53-Man Max
The Patriots made a massive amount of cuts on Saturday to reach the 53-man limit. Most of the cuts were expected, but there were a few surprises in the bunch.
Released:
- OL Jamil Douglas
- OL James Ferentz
- RB D.J. Foster
- LB Jonathan Freeny
- DL Geneo Grissom
- DL Woodrow Hamilton
- OL Ted Karras
- DL Darius Kilgo
- TE James O’Shaughnessy
- WR Tony Washington
Waived:
- LB Trevor Bates
- FB Glenn Gronkowski
- WR Devin Lucien
- WR K.J. Maye
- DL Josh Augusta
- DL Michael Bart
- WR Austin Carr
- TE Sam Cotton
- RB LeShun Daniels
- LB Brooks Ellis
- WR Cody Hollister
- DB David Jones
- DB D.J. Killings
- OL Jason King
- DB Will Likely
- OL Conor McDermott
- DB Kenny Moore II
- OL Max Rich
- DB Jason Thompson
- DB Damarius Travis
- LB Nick Usher
Karras was widely projected to be the team’s top backup on the interior line, so his release comes as a surprise. The 24-year-old was drafted by the Pats in the sixth round of the 2016 draft and played in all 16 regular season games last year. He also appeared in all three playoff games as a reserve.
O’Shaughnessy, acquired via trade in April, was competing for the third tight end spot. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder has played in 23 NFL games with six starts.
Patriots Sign Baby Gronk To Futures Deal
Glenn Gronkowski is back in the building. The Patriots announced that they have signed the fullback to a futures deal.
The 6-foot-3, 234-pounder was signed by the Bills as a UDFA and was even on the 53-man roster for Week 1. He was cut soon after, however, and he went on to have four different stints on the Patriots’ practice squad. Gronkowski, 22, was thought to be in limbo earlier this month when the Pats signed nine others to futures deals. It took an extra week, but Baby Gronk is back in the fold with New England.
Here is the full list of all ten players now signed to futures deals with the Pats:
- OL Chris Barker
- OL Jamil Douglas
- OL Chase Farris
- RB Tyler Gaffney
- WR Devin Lucien
- LB Trevor Bates
- DT Darius Kilgo
- DT Woodrow Hamilton
- FB Glenn Gronkowski
Patriots Sign Nine To Reserve/Futures Contracts
Patriots coach Bill Belichick started a “no days off!” chant during today’s victory parade, and that sentiment was confirmed hours later when the team announced that they had signed the majority of their practice squad to reserve/futures contracts (via Patriots.com):
- OL Chris Barker
- OL Jamil Douglas
- OL Chase Farris
- RB Tyler Gaffney
- WR Devin Lucien
- LB Trevor Bates
- DT Darius Kilgo
- DT Woodrow Hamilton
The team also inked tight end Rob Housler to a contract. The team didn’t sign fullback Glenn Gronkowski or wideout DeAndrew White, although that could change in the coming days or weeks.
Housler is probably the most notable name on the list, as the tight end has five NFL seasons under his belt. The former third-round pick was actually a staple in the Cardinals lineup from 2011 through 2014, averaging nearly 14 games a season. The tight end was especially productive in 2012 and 2013, combining for 84 receptions, 871 yards, and one touchdown in 28 games. Since then, the tight end bounced between the Bears and Browns before sitting out the entire 2016 campaign.
Otherwise, Kilgo has the most experience having played in 18 games for the Broncos between 2015 and 2016. Douglas (16 games, six starts), Barker (five games), Hamilton (three games), and Bates (one game) have also seen the field for at least one NFL game. Both Gaffney and Lucien proved to be intriguing prospects for the Patriots during this past preseason.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/2/16
Friday’s practice squad changes:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Joe Callahan
- Cut: WR Dez Stewart
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: QB Stephen Morris
- Cut: DT Kelcy Quarles
New England Patriots
- Signed: FB Glenn Gronkowski
- Cut: TE Kennard Backman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Marcus Johnson
- Cut: TE Anthony Denham
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/16/16
Wednesday’s practice squad changes:
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Marcus Leak (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of FOX59)
- Cut: G Adam Redmond
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DL David King
- Cut: DL Earl Okine
New England Patriots
- Signed: FB Glenn Gronkowski
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Kenny Lawler (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/7/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Michael Campanaro, TE Mitchell Henry
- Cut: WR Dobson Collins
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE RaShaun Allen
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Trevor Bates
- Cut: Glenn Gronkowski
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: T Tyreek Burwell (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune)
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DB Charles Washington
- Cut: WR Jay Lee
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DT Brian Price (Twitter link via Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com)
New England Patriots
- Signed: FB Glenn Gronkowski (Twitter link via Doug Kyed of NESN.com), RB Tyler Gaffney
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Donteea Dye, WR Freddie Martino, S Trae Elston, TE Tevin Westbrook
Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/16
Earlier today, the Steelers made a notable practice squad move when they signed running back Karlos Williams. Here’s the rest of today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Zac Dysert
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Lou Young
- Cut: S Marcus Ball
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Anthony Fabiano
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Jay Lee
- Cut: DB Charles Washington
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Senorise Perry
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Shaq Evans
- Cut: FB Glenn Gronkowski
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Eric Pinkins
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: TE Cooper Helfet
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL A.J. Francis
Patriots Sign Glenn Gronkowski To Taxi Squad
The Patriots have added another member of the Gronkowski family to their organization, as they’ve agreed to sign fullback Glenn Gronkowski to their practice squad, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Glenn, of course, is the younger brother of New England tight end Rob Gronkowski.
[RELATED: Patriots Sign Greg Scruggs, Cut John Hughes]
The younger Gronkowski signed with the AFC East rival Bills this year as an undrafted free agent from Kansas State and cracked their Week 1 roster, but the team cut him after its opening loss to the Ravens. Gronkowski auditioned for the Patriots in mid-September, and the club has now decided to add him to their taxi squad.
In order to create a practice squad roster spot for Gronkowski, the Patriots have cut wide receiver Da’Ron Brown, according to Doug Kyed of NESN (Twitter link). New England had just signed Brown earlier this week.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.