Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East
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 Commanders, Cowboys, Eagles and Giants moves are noted below.
Dallas Cowboys
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- T Josh Ball, CB Josh Butler, WR Jalen Cropper, RB Malik Davis, DT Denzel Daxon, TE Princeton Fant, CB Kemon Hall, WR Kelvin Harmon, LB Darius Harris, S Emany Johnson, DE Carl Lawson, LB Brock Mogensen, OL Dakoda Shepley, LB Nick Vigil
New York Giants
Signed:
Claimed:
Waived:
Waived/injured:
- DT Ryder Anderson, CB Mario Goodrich, EDGE Ovie Oghoufo
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Miles Boykin, CB Art Green, WR Isaiah Hodgins, FB Jakob Johnson, C Jimmy Morrisey, LB Ty Summers
Philadelphia Eagles
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Nick Gates
Washington Commanders
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Kazmeir Allen, CB Chigozie Anusiem, G Julian Good-Jones, QB Sam Hartman, DE Andre Jones Jr., DT Haggai Ndubuisi, RB Chris Rodriguez, OL Max Scharping, WR Mitchell Tinsley, WR Brycen Tremayne, TE Cole Turner, DE Carlos Watkins, RB Michael Wiley
Giants Place Isaiah McKenzie On IR, Move Roster To 53
Here is how the Giants moved down to the 53-man limit today:
Released:
- WR Miles Boykin
- TE Lawrence Cager
- CB Tre Herndon (story)
- WR Isaiah Hodgins
- DB Darnay Holmes (story)
- FB Jakob Johnson
- CB David Long
- T Joshua Miles
- WR Allen Robinson (story)
Waived:
- LB Darrian Beavers
- LB K.J. Cloyd
- LB Tomon Fox
- DB Alex Johnson
- T Marcellus Johnson
- DB Raheem Layne
- K Jude McAtamney
- RB Dante Miller
- RB Jimmy Morrissey
- DT Casey Rogers
- TE Jack Stoll
Waived/injured:
- DB Mario Goodrich
- G Jalen Mayfield
- DE Ovie Oghoufo
Placed on season-ending IR:
Placed on IR/return:
Just as the NFL greenlit a full-on kickoff revamp, McKenzie is out of the picture in New York. Signing with the Giants this year and completing a reunion with ex-Bills staffers Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, McKenzie has been a return man and slot receiver for seven seasons. This transaction, unlike the Adams designation, will knock the 5-foot-7 cog out for the year. McKenzie only received $75K guaranteed.
McKenzie joins Hodgins among the players not currently in the mix for the team. The Giants received good value from the former waiver claim, who was a Bills teammate of McKenzie’s under Daboll earlier his career. They brought him back after non-tendering him as an RFA in March, and he and Robinson were battling for back-end receiver jobs. The Giants kept Bryce Ford-Wheaton, a 2023 UDFA, over Hodgins. Considering Hodgins’ past with Daboll, it would not surprise to see New York circle back with a potential practice squad invite. Though, the fifth-year veteran might have other options.
Beavers was viewed as a potential inside linebacker starter in 2023, but Micah McFadden ended up beating out the former sixth-round pick. Beavers played in only two games last season. Cager also was considered a contender to be one of the Giants’ receiving tight ends, but the converted wideout fell short. Daniel Bellinger and fourth-round rookie Theo Johnson are leading the way post-Darren Waller.
Giants Sign FB Jakob Johnson
Brian Daboll added former Raiders and Patriots offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to the same position this offseason. The veteran assistant will soon see one of his former charges in the mix, though not necessarily as a blocker up front.
The Giants are bringing in fullback Jakob Johnson, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Johnson overlapped with Bricillo during the past two seasons (in Las Vegas) and was in New England during each of Bricillo’s three seasons there. The team waived tight end Tyree Jackson with an injury designation to clear a roster spot.
Johnson, 29, signed two one-year Raiders contracts; he initially arrived in Vegas after the Patriots non-tendered him as an RFA in 2022. He started 14 games with the Raiders and 20 as a Patriot. Johnson has certainly proven he is a viable NFL role player, though the Giants adding a fullback this close to the season is an interesting development.
The team already added a blocking tight end this offseason, signing Chris Manhertz shortly after his Broncos release. Johnson was one of only 10 fullbacks — as this position has been declining in relevance for a while — to see more than 180 offensive snaps last season. He logged 186 with the Raiders in 2023 but topped 300 each season from 2020-22.
Following Josh McDaniels‘ firing, Johnson yo-yoed between the Raiders’ practice squad and active roster. It is possible the Giants will view the sixth-year vet as an option for their 16-man P-squad this season. The team is fairly thin at tight end, having lost Darren Waller to retirement, and saw backup running back Tyrone Tracy suffer an ankle injury earlier this week. Tracy, however, only suffered a low ankle sprain, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, and is week-to-week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/23
Friday’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claimed off waivers (from Lions): LB Trevor Nowaske
- Placed on IR: DE Jonathan Ledbetter (story)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: G Gabe Jackson
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: DE Sam Kamara
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: K Michael Badgley
- Waived: FB Jason Cabinda
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: FB Jakob Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to the active roster: LB Anthony Barr
Badgley has officially been tabbed as the leg to depend on for the remainder of the season as well as for the Lions’ first playoff run since 2016. Detroit waived Riley Patterson two weeks ago, allowing Badgley to stake his claim on the job once again.
The Cabinda departure is a little surprising, considering the Lions just utilized one of their injured reserve activations on the former linebacker yesterday. Because of that investment, it would make sense to see Cabinda return to Detroit on a practice squad deal here in the next few days.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/24/23
Sunday’s minor moves around the league:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: DT Mike Pennel, WR Montrell Washington
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: CB Brandon Facyson
- Elevated: TE Cole Fotheringham, FB Jakob Johnson
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: T Evan Neal
- Activated from IR: T Matt Peart
- Elevated: K Mason Crosby (story), LB Tomon Fox
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: DB Tristin McCollum, KB Brandon Smith
Facyson has not played all season, but the Raiders opened his practice window on Dec. 6, making him eligible to return to the field. The 29-year-old played for the Colts last season, but he spent the previous year with the Raiders, starting nine of his 12 games. Facyson is under contract through 2024, but none of his $2.27MM salary is guaranteed. Logging some game action down the stretch could thus be beneficial to his roster security.
Neal has missed the past five games due to an ankle injury, and today’s move means he will be shut down for the remainder of the season. The 2022 first-rounder underwhelmed when on the field, to the point where a switch to guard was suggested. No such move has been given consideration, but Neal will nevertheless face considerable expectations to rebound in 2024. Peart will have the chance to see playing time late in the year after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 5.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/23
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Waived: OLB Ronnie Perkins
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: OL Hroniss Grasu, FB Jakob Johnson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: TE Stephen Anderson, DL Christopher Hinton
The Broncos, who traded Randy Gregory and cut Frank Clark earlier this season, will be without starting outside linebacker Nik Bonitto in Week 15. The 2022 second-round pick sustained an ankle injury against the Chargers last week. Although Denver is shorthanded at the position, the team is cutting Perkins. A 2021 third-round Patriots pick, Perkins has seen action in five games for the Broncos this season. Thomas Incoom and hybrid player Drew Sanders represent the Broncos’ depth behind OLB regulars Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/9/23
Today’s minor moves and callups heading into the Week 14 slate of Sunday games:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: LB Milo Eifler, OL Tyler Vrabel
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: LB Josh Ross
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: G Gabe Jackson, DE Chris Wormley
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: WR Collin Johnson
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: TE Princeton Fant
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: RB Tyler Badie, TE Lucas Krull
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: T Michael Niese
Houston Texans
- Elevated: K Matt Ammendola, S Brandon Hill
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from exempt/commissioner permission list: DT Grover Stewart
- Elevated: RB Tyler Goodson, WR D.J. Montgomery
- Waived: WR Juwann Winfree
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: QB Nathan Rourke
- Elevated: CB Tevaughn Campbell, TE Josh Pederson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: LB Kana’i Mauga
- Elevated: FB Jakob Johnson, T Brandon Parker
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: TE Stephen Anderson
- Placed on IR: OL Zack Bailey
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: K Mason Crosby
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: FB Adam Prentice
- Elevated: WR Marquez Callaway, DT Jack Heflin
- Placed on IR: G Nick Saldiveri
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: OL Jake Hanson
- Elevated: G Chris Glaser, DE Jalyn Holmes
- Placed on IR: G Wes Schweitzer
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: QB Sean Mannion, LB Patrick O’Connell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: WR David Moore, DT Deadrin Senat
There was some thought that Ammendola’s stint with the Texans had come to an end after four appearances. However, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes that regular starting kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn still isn’t ready to return from his strained quadriceps, requiring the practice squad kicker to step in for at least another week. Ammendola has connected on six of his nine field goal attempts and all 10 of his XP tries this season.
With Trevor Lawrence a game-time decision for Sunday’s game, the Jaguars are adding some QB depth to the active roster. Rourke is a former CFL standout, with the quarterback earning the CFL Most Outstanding Canadian award in 2022. Following that breakout, 25-touchdown campaign, Rourke got a look from a number of NFL teams and ultimately signed a three-year deal with the Jaguars this past offseason. He was waived at the end of the preseason and has spent the majority of the season on Jacksonville’s practice squad. Per ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, the rookie will be the emergency QB3 for Week 14.
Similarly, the Seahawks will call up Mannion and O’Connell as they deal with injuries to starting quarterback Geno Smith and linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Smith is questionable heading into tomorrow’s game with a groin injury.
Stewart is back on the Colts active roster after having served a six-game ban for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Through six games this season, the veteran has compiled 20 tackles, two stops for a loss, and five QB hits.
Crosby is set to make his 2023 debut and make an appearance for a team other than the Packers for the first time since the 39-year-old was drafted back in 2007.
Schweitzer head right back to injured reserve after being activated last week. The Jets signed a lineman to the active roster from the practice squad and elevated one for tomorrow’s game to add some depth at the position.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/22/23
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Dan Chisena, DB William Hooper
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Justin McCray, CB AJ Parker
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Duron Harmon
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Brandon Wilson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: OLB Elerson Smith
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: FB Zander Horvath
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: RB Darrell Henderson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Daylen Baldwin
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Deon Jackson, OL Joshua Miles
New York Jets
- Signed: DT Tanzel Smart
Although the Rams look to be expecting Kyren Williams to be activated for Week 12, they will keep Henderson around as insurance. The Rams turned to their former third-round pick immediately after injuries moved Williams and Ronnie Rivers off the roster. Despite waiving Henderson in November 2022, the Rams plugged him back in. While Royce Freeman‘s per-carry numbers (4.3) outshine Henderson’s (2.4), the latter scored two touchdowns during his latest run in Sean McVay‘s system. While the Rams waived Henderson again Tuesday, Freeman remains on Los Angeles’ active roster.
Harmon will join team No. 3 this season. The former Patriots Super Bowl winner, a Raider in 2022, began the season with the Ravens. The Bears signed Harmon off Baltimore’s practice squad last month. Harmon, 32, would represent a veteran safety presence for a Browns team that just lost Rodney McLeod for the season.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/21/23
Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Daniel Arias
- Released: WR Davion Davis
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: TE Scotty Washington
- Placed on IR: CB Kevon Seymour
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DB Adrian Colbert, DL Michael Dwumfour
- Released: QB Trace McSorley
Cleveland Browns
- Released: RB John Kelly
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Marcell Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: FB Jakob Johnson
- Released: TE Jesse James
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OLB Ty Shelby
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: DB Cameron McCutcheon
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Darrynton Evans
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OLB Austin Bryant
- Released: WR Dan Chisena
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Deon Jackson, T Joshua Miles
- Released: RB Hassan Hall
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Craig James
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DB Henry Black
- Released: LB Tyler Murray
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: T Jake Curhan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Raleigh Webb, LB Vi Jones, CB Quandre Mosely
- Released: CB Don Gardner, S Jaquan Johnson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: S Matt Jackson, RB Jonathan Ward
Raiders To Waive FB Jakob Johnson
Firing both Josh McDaniels and OC Mick Lombardi, the Raiders made sweeping changes to their offensive staff midway through the season. Those moves will lead to one of their offensive starters hitting the waiver wire.
One of the many ex-Patriots on the Raiders’ roster, Jakob Johnson no longer fits into the team’s plan, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who indicates the team is cutting the veteran fullback. Johnson confirmed the move himself. Johnson signed with Las Vegas during McDaniels’ first offseason in town and has operated as a starter at points for this year’s squad.
Johnson, 28, has signed two one-year contracts with the Raiders. He inked a deal worth $1.63MM in March. A three-game starter, Johnson has served as a package player this season. That is standard procedure for most modern fullbacks; the Raiders had used the fifth-year veteran on 115 offensive plays.
Although interim HC Antonio Pierce has made reestablishing Josh Jacobs a priority over the past two games, the Raiders will continue their effort to do so without a fullback. Some teams do not carry a player at this long-declining position, but McDaniels had worked with Johnson throughout his career. The Patriots employed Johnson from 2019-21, featuring him on at least 25% of their offensive plays from 2020-21. The Tennessee alum arrived in New England as a 2019 UDFA.
Because the trade deadline has passed, Johnson’s vested-veteran status will not keep him off waivers. Any of the 31 teams can take on his contract, which contains less than $1MM in remaining salary. Johnson initially became available in 2022, when the Patriots did not tender him as a restricted free agent.