Broncos Sign Billy Winn, Mike Purcell
Two defensive linemen who have not seen regular-season action since the 2016 season will join the Broncos, one a familiar face. The Broncos signed Billy Winn and Mike Purcell on Monday, the team announced.
Winn played in 16 games, starting two, for the 2016 Broncos. The team re-signed Winn in 2017, but prior to Vance Joseph’s first season, Winn went down with an ACL tear. He did not play last season. But Vic Fangio will give the 30-year-old lineman another chance.
Winn started 18 games with the Browns from 2012-14. With three career sacks (and none since 2014), Winn would profile as depth if he makes the Broncos’ roster. Purcell would as well.
The former UDFA, though, has a history with Fangio. Purcell entered the NFL as a 49ers UDFA when Fangio was still San Francisco’s defensive coordinator. Having attended the Broncos’ voluntary minicamp last week, Purcell would be entering his age-28 season. Purcell spent the 2018 offseason with the Chiefs but did not make their 53-man roster. He started five games for the 2016 49ers but has not played since.
Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis, Shelby Harris and Zach Kerr are almost certain to be back in the Broncos’ D-line rotation. Former second-round pick DeMarcus Walker has played sparingly but remains on the team as well. The Broncos may also address this position in the draft.
Denver also added offensive lineman Jake Rodgers, another attendee at the team’s voluntary minicamp. Rodgers, a seventh-round Falcons pick in 2015, has spent time on five teams’ practice squads.
Broncos Worked Out Ex-Packers CB Quinten Rollins
Former Packers second-round corner Quinten Rollins took part in the Broncos’ minicamp on a tryout basis, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post (Twitter link). Also in attendance were defensive linemen Mike Purcell and Marcus Hardison, offensive linemen Jake Brendel and Jake Rodgers, and cornerback Trey Johnson. Brendel and Johnson were signed following the audition.
Green Bay used the 62nd overall selection on Rollins in the 2015 draft, but the Miami (OH) product struggled over three seasons and 33 games with the club. A torn Achilles ended his 2017 campaign prematurely, and he was waived during final cutdowns the following September. Rollins hit the workout circuit and eventually latched on with the Cardinals’ practice squad, but was cut loose in December.
Rollins clearly hasn’t posted NFL-caliber performances thus far in his career. In 2016, the only year in which he saw enough snaps to qualify, Football Outsiders ranked Rollins dead last among 84 corners in success rate and second-to-last in yards allowed per pass. In Denver, Rollins would be working with an experienced defensive staff that includes Vic Fangio and Ed Donatell, but also facing an uphill climb on a cornerback depth chart that already includes Chris Harris, Kareem Jackson, and Bryce Callahan.
Before he was released by the Packers, Green Bay coaches expressed an interest in playing Rollins at safety, something he was open to even before entering the NFL. But the Broncos have depth at safety, as well, with Will Parks, Justin Simmons, and Su’a Cravens all on the club’s depth chart.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/12/18
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: T Jake Rodgers
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Kyle Carter, WR Tanner McEvoy, CB Josh Thornton
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DT Joshua Frazier, OL Jarron Jones, DE Jonathan Wynn
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Amba Etta-Tawo, LB Kennan Gilchrist, G Maurquice Shakir
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Simeon Thomas, WR Damore’ea Stringfellow
Steelers Cut QB Landry Jones, Others
The Steelers have reached the 53-man roster limit by cutting a number of players, including quarterback Landry Jones.
Jones, 29, hasn’t played much during his six-year NFL career, as he’s attempted just 169 passes in relief of Roethlisberger. In that span, Jones has been a middling option, completing 63.9% of his passes for 1,310 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
The Steelers also placed wide receiver Eli Rogers on the Reserve/PUP List, which will keep him off of the field for at least the first six weeks of the season.
Here’s the full rundown of the Steelers’ moves:
Released:
- QB Landry Jones
- S Nat Berhe
Waived:
- P Matt Wile
- RB Jarvion Franklin
- RB James Summers
- RB Fitzgerald Toussaint
- WR Trey Griffey
- WR Quadree Henderson
- WR Tevin Jones
- TE Bucky Hodges
- TE Pharoah McKever
- TE Christian Scotland-Williamson
- OL Larson Graham
- OL Patrick Morris
- OL Oni Omoile
- OL R.J. Prince
- OL Jake Rodgers
- OL Chris Schleuger
- CB Brian Allen
- CB Dashaun Phillips
- CB Malik Reaves
- CB Jamar Summers
- LB Keion Adams
- LB Matt Galambos
- LB Farrington Huguenin
- DL Parker Cothren
- DL Joshua Frazier
- DL Greg Gilmore
- DL Lavon Hooks
- DL Casey Sayles
- DL Kendal Vickers
In addition to those moves, the Steelers designated the following players waived/injured:
- WR Damoun Patterson
- WR Marcus Tucker
- OL Joseph Cheek
- S Malik Golden
- LB Keith Kelsey
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/18
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: RB John Crockett
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed: LB Jermaine Grace (from Colts)
New York Jets
- Claimed: DB C.J. Goodwin (from Cardinals)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed: OT Jake Rodgers (from Texans)
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/18
Todays minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: LS Drew Williams, CB Jarell Carter, CB C.J. Goodwin, RB Darius Victor
- Waived/injured: LB Gabe Martin
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers: DB Kai Nacua (from Browns)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OT Korren Kirven
- Waived: TE Kent Taylor
Houston Texans
- Waived : OL Jake Rodgers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: TE Anthony Firkser, CB Sheldon Price, DT Mike Purcell
Oakland Raiders
- Suspended for four games: OL Vadal Alexander (PEDs)
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers: OLB Gimel President (from Texans)
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/2/18
Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2018 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters:
Arizona Cardinals
- WR Carlton Agudosi
- DT Peli Anau
- CB Jarell Carter
- OLB Vontarrius Dora
- CB Jonathan Moxey
- WR Rashad Ross
- DT Pasoni Tasini
- RB Darius Victor
- OL Josh Allen
- LS Drew Williams
Baltimore Ravens
Chicago Bears
- OL Travis Averill
- WR Demarcus Ayers
- DB Doran Grant
- WR Mekale McKay
- OL Will Pericak
- TE Colin Thompson
Cincinnati Bengals
Dallas Cowboys
- WR Brian Brown
- WR K.D. Cannon
- T Jarron James
- S Jameill Showers
- DT Joe Vellano
- CB Marquez White
- RB Trey Williams
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
- WR Jake Kumerow
- WR Colby Pearson
- TE Robert Tonyan
- LS Zach Triner
- WR DeAngelo Yancey
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/21/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: FB Joe Kerridge
Houston Texans
- Signed: OT Jake Rodgers, DT Marcus Hardison
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DB Tracy Howard
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Shakir Soto
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Kache Palacio
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: FB Austin Johnson, OL Avery Young
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Hardy Nickerson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Josh Rounds
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Brian Parker, WR Tim Patrick
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Joshua Perry
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: T Jake Rodgers
- Waived: TE Braedon Bowman
Washington Redskins
- Signed: RB LeShun Daniels, DB Orion Stewart
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/7/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: S Derron Smith
- Cut: TE Scott Orndoff
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DT Joe Vellano
Indianapolis Colts
- Cut: CB Channing Stribling
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Cole Toner
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OL Willie Beavers
- Cut: RB Bronson Hill
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Mike Purcell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S Tre Sullivan
- Cut: LB Don Cherry
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: T Jake Rodgers
- Cut: WR Justin Thomas
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Isaiah Battle