AFC West Notes: Broncos, Raiders, Samuel
Although their interest in Dalvin Cook appeared to cool early in the long-running sweepstakes, the Broncos did keep tabs on the high-profile free agent. The team continued to look into Cook, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com said during a Rich Eisen Show appearance (video link). Cook has since signed a one-year, $7MM Jets deal. While Pelissero adds the Broncos may look to add another back to a group headlined by Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, the team is sorting through some options behind the veterans. Second-year back Tyler Badie, rookie UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin and ex-Sean Payton Saints charge Tony Jones Jr. are vying for Denver’s RB3 job presently.
Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- The Raiders took a few fliers at cornerback in free agency, signing Duke Shelley and David Long and reuniting with Brandon Facyson. None of the trio looks likely to start. Instead, fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett looks to have leapfrogged them. Shelley and Long have fallen out of the mix to start, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashaun Reed, who project Bennett to start alongside Marcus Peters and Nate Hobbs (subscription required). Both Long and Facyson have missed time due to injury in camp. The Raiders chose Bennett 104th overall, which would make a Week 1 starting assignment notable. But the Silver and Black, who let Rock Ya-Sin walk (to replace Peters in Baltimore), came into the offseason with major questions at corner.
- Despite a three-interception wild-card performance, third-year Chargers corner Asante Samuel Jr. faced the prospect of being a backup to start this season. Ja’Sir Taylor, a sixth-round 2022 draftee, has competed with the multiyear starter for the slot job. But Samuel looks to have surged ahead, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. If J.C. Jackson completes his recovery from a torn patellar tendon in time, the Chargers are preparing to roll out a Jackson-Samuel-Michael Davis cornerback look. If Jackson needs more time, the Bolts would likely go with a Davis-Samuel-Taylor trio.
- The Bolts are fairly set at receiver, with Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis‘ Fort Worth-to-Los Angeles treks giving the team five locks at the position. In addition to the TCU alums, Josh Palmer has made strides in his third training camp. This looked to put Jalen Guyton and John Hightower to a battle for the final spot, Popper adds. But both players are dealing with injuries. After a strong start to camp, Hightower — a 2020 Eagles draftee who has not caught a pass since his rookie year — suffered an injury and has not practiced in a week. Guyton, who suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 of last season, remains on the Bolts’ active/PUP list. Stashing the deep threat on the reserve/PUP list to start the season is looking likely, per Popper.
- K’Waun Williams is expected to be the Broncos‘ slot corner for a second season, but an ankle injury has sidelined him for over a week. The veteran slot defender sought a second opinion on the injury recently, per 9News’ Mike Klis, who notes surgery is not on the docket at this point. A rest-and-rehab operation will be utilized to have Williams ready for Week 1, though this becomes a situation to monitor for a Broncos team that remains without third-round corner Riley Moss. Essang Bassey filled in for Williams as the top nickel in Denver’s preseason opener.
- Davis Webb resides in the strange position of being a 28-year-old quarterbacks coach tasked with helping a decorated 34-year-old passer bounce back. But Russell Wilson‘s position coach has been on the coaching radar for a bit now, despite only retiring this year. After the Bills wanted him to be their QBs coach last year, Sean McDermott, Brian Daboll and Eli Manning endorsed Webb to Payton, Jori Epstein of Yahoo.com notes. Webb “blew away” Broncos brass in his interview, per GM George Paton. His final season — as a Giants third-stringer — involved scouting and coaching, Epstein adds, making this an easier transition than it would appear.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/26/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on PUP: TE Zach Ertz, QB Kyler Murray, LB BJ Ojulari
- Placed on NFI: CB Garrett Williams
- Waived: TE Chris Pierce
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on NFI: DB Trayvon Mullen
- Waived: OT Brandon Kipper
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Javon Wims
- Waived: WR Marquez Stevenson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Aviante Collins
- Waived: OL Lorenz Metz
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Cody Chrest
- Placed on NFI: OT Caleb Jones
- Waived/injured: WR Jeff Cotton
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on PUP: LB Dawuane Smoot
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on NFI: DT Neil Farrell
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from PUP: WR Pokey Wilson
- Placed on PUP: WR Jalen Guyton, DL Austin Johnson, DT Otito Ogbonnia
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed off waivers (from Bears): LB Sterling Weatherford
- Placed on PUP: TE Hunter Long, OT Warren McClendon
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Kevin Atkins
- Reverted to IR: LB Elerson Smith
New York Jets
- Activated from PUP: TE C.J. Uzomah
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Deon Cain
- Placed on NFI: WR Devon Allen
- Released: TE Dalton Keene
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Kyahva Tezino
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DB Chris Steele
- Placed on PUP: S Jamal Adams, LB Jordyn Brooks, TE Noah Fant, NT Austin Faoliu, NT Bryan Mone, CB Tariq Woolen
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB A.J. Moore
- Waived: DT Curtis Brooks
Among the additions on today’s list, defensive back A.J. Moore is the most notable. The defensive back spent four years with the Texans to begin his career, compiling 69 tackles in 55 games while primarily playing on special teams. The 27-year-old spent a chunk of last season on the Titans practice squad, and he ultimately got into one game with the big-league club.
Chargers Rumors: Safety Battle, IOL, WR
As the Chargers look to shape their roster throughout training camp, the coaches will be paying close attention to the safety position, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Obviously, Derwin James is cemented into a starting safety spot, but there is expected to be competition both for the starting job next to him and for a potential fourth safety spot on the roster.
With former starting safety Nasir Adderley retiring upon the expiration of his rookie contract, the starting safety job next to James is wide open. Alohi Gilman enters camp as the expected starter, but second-year player JT Woods will have every opportunity to take the job out from under Gilman. Gilman has nine starts over his first three seasons and has made some significant contributions to the Los Angeles defense in that time. Woods had one start in ten appearances during his rookie year but is expected to take a leap forward in his sophomore season.
Both Gilman and Woods are locks for the 53-man roster, but Popper predicts that only one other safety will join James, Gilman, and Woods in September. He’s boiled that battle down to Raheem Layne and Mark Webb. After signing as an undrafted free agent last year, Layne appeared is six games as a rookie, standing out in training camp and carving out a role on special teams. As a 2021 seventh-round pick, Webb’s rookie season was cut short by injury before he spent the whole of last year on the practice squad. Popper believes that if Webb can stay on the field during camp, he has a serious chance at pushing Layne for that final roster spot.
Here are a couple other rumors coming out of LA:
- After watching the struggles of backup offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes through his first two seasons, the Chargers appear ready to work out other options. The team seems to be high on Zack Bailey as a more reliable backup guard than Jaimes, according to Popper. Bailey appeared in his first NFL contest last year after going undrafted in 2019, but Los Angeles believes he can be a strong secondary option on the interior. Backing up starting center Corey Linsley is expected to be veteran Will Clapp. Clapp started three games in place of Linsley last season and seemingly has done enough to lock up the backup center job.
- The final roster battle to watch in camp is at wide receiver, according to Popper. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, and rookie Quentin Johnston are no brainers to make the final roster. Fellow TCU rookie Derius Davis has a really good chance to make the team due to his return abilities. Popper believes that the team could take one more wideout. Jalen Guyton‘s deep-threat ability and size could make a strong case for the job, but he’s coming back from a torn ACL, which could factor into the decision. His main competition is likely Keelan Doss. Doss got regular work this spring with the first-team offense while Williams and Palmer were absent. He made enough noise in OTAs and minicamp that he has a strong chance of pushing Guyton for a final roster spot.
Chargers Bring Back WR Jalen Guyton
Jalen Guyton‘s September ACL tear cost him most of the season, and it led to the Chargers nontendering him as a restricted free agent last month. But the deep threat remains in the Bolts’ plans.
The Chargers and Guyton reunited Monday; the fifth-year wide receiver signed a new deal with the team ahead of the Bolts beginning their offseason workouts. After a month as an unrestricted free agent, the 6-foot-1 wideout will return to work for the franchise that has employed him since 2019.
[RELATED: Chargers Re-Sign TE Donald Parham]
While Josh Palmer ascended to what has become a vital WR3 role for the Bolts last season, Guyton served as a key auxiliary Justin Herbert target in each of their two full slates working together. Guyton’s 2020 and 2021 yardage totals (511, 448) were third among Chargers wideouts in those seasons, with the latter total surpassing Palmer’s in his rookie year. Guyton and Palmer, who has two years left on his rookie contract, will attempt to fill in alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams once again.
The Chargers initially picked up Guyton, a Cowboys post-draft signee, as a practice squad addition in October 2019. He is perhaps best known for being on the receiving end of a 2021 Herbert laser that traveled more than 60 yards in the air. Guyton, 25, recovering from his ACL injury would certainly bolster the Bolts’ depth. The North Texas product caught three touchdown passes in 2020 and ’21, and the Chargers missed his deep-threat capabilities at points last season.
Thus far, the Bolts are running it back at receiver. Tom Telesco shot down the notion Allen could be traded to create cap space. The team has its Allen-Williams-Palmer-Guyton quartet back in the fold, but after both the veteran targets missed extensive time last season, an early-round wideout draft choice is on the radar. Such an addition could complicate Palmer and Guyton’s roles. For now, the two will be back as the team’s top supporting-cast wideouts.
Chargers’ Joey Bosa Likely To Miss Time
Continuing what has been a rough Monday for the Chargers, Brandon Staley confirmed Joey Bosa is battling a significant groin injury.
The second-year Bolts HC has not determined if the perennial Pro Bowl edge rusher will need to go on IR, but it looks likely he will miss time after leaving Sunday’s blowout loss early. The Bosa news follows the report of Rashawn Slater‘s biceps tear, an issue that is expected to sideline the Pro Bowl left tackle for the season.
Bosa played just 13 defensive snaps against the Jaguars. While injury trouble has not hounded Bosa every year, he has run into several maladies that have required absences over the course of his career. The four-time Pro Bowler missed four games as a rookie in 2016 (hamstring), was shut down for nine during the 2018 season (foot) and missed four more contests in 2020 (two concussions). This run of even-year injury trouble comes at a bad time for a Chargers team that reloaded on defense around Justin Herbert‘s rookie contract this offseason.
Los Angeles traded for Khalil Mack as part of that effort, letting Uchenna Nwosu defect to Seattle in free agency. The Bolts signed longtime Patriots hybrid linebacker Kyle Van Noy in free agency but used Chris Rumph as Bosa’s primary replacement Sunday. A 2021 fourth-round pick out of Duke, Rumph notched one sack in 16 games behind Bosa and Nwosu last season.
Staley confirmed the team believes Slater suffered a biceps injury and added wide receiver Jalen Guyton sustained a torn ACL. The backup wide receiver also will miss the rest of the season. The Chargers, who played without Keenan Allen for a second straight week, have Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter in place as options alongside Mike Williams. But the injuries are piling up for the oft-injury-prone team. In addition to Herbert’s rib cartilage fracture, the Bolts were without Pro Bowlers Corey Linsley and J.C. Jackson against the Jaguars.
Chargers WR Jalen Guyton, TE Donald Parham Sign ERFA Tenders
A pair of offensive skill players signed their tenders with the Chargers today. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter), wide receiver Jalen Guyton and tight end Donald Parham officially inked their exclusive rights free agent tenders.
Guyton, a 2019 undrafted free agent out of North Texas, has spent the majority of his three-year career with the Chargers. He basically redshirted his rookie campaign before turning into a serviceable target for Justin Herbert over the past two seasons. In 32 games (11 starts) between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Guyton has hauled in 59 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns.
After bouncing around the NFL and XFL to begin his professional career, Parham caught on with the Chargers in 2020. He’s seen time in 27 games (14 starts) over the past two years, hauling in 30 receptions for 349 yards and six touchdowns. His 2021 season ended on IR after he suffered a scary concussion in December.
The Chargers also officially announced the signing of linebacker Troy Reeder today. We learned that Reeder was inking a one-year deal with the team this past weekend.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/22
Here’s a look at the latest tender decisions from around the NFL:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Eagles: G Nate Herbig
- Falcons: WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- Jaguars: S Andrew Wingard
- Raiders: S Dallin Leavitt
- Rams: K Matt Gay
- Steelers: S Marcus Allen, LB Robert Spillane ($2.433MM)
- 49ers: LB Azeez Al-Shaair, OL Daniel Brunskill
Non-tendered:
- Bengals: WR Stanley Morgan
- Buccaneers: DE Pat O’Connor
- Eagles: RB Boston Scott, WR Greg Ward
- Titans: FB Khari Blasingame
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Chargers: WR Jalen Guyton, T Storm Norton
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/29/21
Several key players returned to practice Wednesday. Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Andy Lee
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OLB Devon Kennard
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Jonathan Bullard, S Jaylinn Hawkins, TE Hayden Hurst
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: OL Willie Beavers
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chris Board, LB Tyus Bowser, LB Justin Houston, S Geno Stone, LB Kristian Welch
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: OT David Sharpe, QB Christ Streveler
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Cole Beasley, WR Gabriel Davis, DE A.J. Epenesa, OL Jon Feliciano
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Dennis Daley, G Pat Elflein
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DE Austin Larkin
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Haason Reddick, QB P.J. Walker
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Mike Thomas
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Germaine Pratt
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Nick Mullens
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Trysten Hill, S Malik Hooker
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: RB JaQuan Hardy, WR Brandon Smith
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Lloyd Cushenberry
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Calvin Anderson, WR Tim Patrick, S Caden Sterns
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Tyrie Cleveland
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Trinity Benson, T Matt Nelson, WR Quintez Cephus
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Michael Brockers, G Halapoulivaati Vaitai
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Geronimo Allison
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: OT Cole Van Lanen
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Henry Black, TE Tyler Davis, DL Kingsley Keke, P Cody Bojorquez
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Jayson Stanley
Houston Texans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Maliek Collins, WR Brandin Cooks, K Ka’imi Fairbairn, LB Jonathan Greenard, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB Neville Hewitt, LB Jordan Jenkins, DL Jaleel Johnson, DL Roy Lopez, DB A.J. Moore, S Eric Murray, LB Derek Rivers, LB Eric Wilson, C Justin Britt, G Lane Taylor
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Ron’Dell Carter, WR Chris Moore
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: K Dominik Eberle
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Mark Glowinski, G Quenton Nelson, DE Kemoko Turay, DB Rock Ya-Sin, TE Farrod Green
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB James Morgan, TE Eli Wolf
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Jaydon Mickens, LB Dylan Moses, LT Cam Robinson, S Johnathan Ford
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Josh Hammond
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Travis Kelce, K Harrison Butker, CB Rashad Fenton, P Tommy Townsend, S Armani Watts
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: LB Darius Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Jermaine Eluemunor, CB Brandon Facyson, S Roderic Teamer
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Kendal Vickers, TE Darren Waller (story)
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: G Lester Cotton, G Jeremiah Poutasi
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OLB Joey Bosa, WR Jalen Guyton, CB Kemon Hall, C Corey Linsley, DB Trey Marshall, LB Cole Christiansen
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Kenneth Murray, T Storm Norton
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raymond Calais
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Cethan Carter, CB Justin Coleman, G Robert Jones, OL Greg Mancz, LB Duke Riley, WR Lynn Bowden
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: C Spencer Pulley
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Dalvin Cook
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Tye Smith
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Patrick Jones II
New England Patriots
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, OLB Harvey Langi
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, LB Matt Judon
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Demario Davis, QB Taysom Hill, QB Trevor Siemian, LB Kwon Alexander, LB Kaden Elliss, S J.T. Gray, OT Jordan Mills, OG James Carpenter, DT Christian Ringo, TE Adam Trautman, S Jeff Heath
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Marcus Williams
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Keion Crossen, DB Adoree’ Jackson, WR John Ross
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Dexter Lawrence
New York Jets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Michael Carter II, DT Folorunso Fatukasi, QB Joe Flacco, DL Jonathan Marshall, LB Hamsah Nasirildeen, TE Kenny Yeboah
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: LB Noah Dawkins, CB Lamar Jackson, DL Tanzel Smart
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Ken Webster
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Le’Raven Clark, T Andre Dillard, DE Tarron Jackson, DE Ryan Kerrigan
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Rico Bussey
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Bryan Mone, CB D.J. Reed
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Michael Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jamel Dean, WR Mike Evans, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, WR Breshad Perriman
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Taylor Lewan, DB Elijah Molden, G Rodger Saffold
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: ILB Jayon Brown, OLB Bud Dupree, WR Julio Jones, DB Buster Skrine, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Washington Football Team
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Darryl Roberts
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: OL Beau Benzschawel, T David Steinmetz
NFL COVID List Updates: 12/22/21
We’ve compiled a list of players who were placed or activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list today. In some instances (including Christian McCaffrey and Travis Etienne), players activated from the list remain on IR:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on list: P Andy Lee
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on list: LB Chris Board, DT Justin Madubuike, S Geno Stone, LB Kristian Welch
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on list: S Sam Franklin Jr., DE Azur Kamara
- Activated from list: RB Christian McCaffrey
Chicago Bears
- Placed on list: TE Jesper Horsted
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on list: CB Greg Newsome
- Activated from list: TE Austin Hooper, LB Jacob Phillips
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from list: DT Osa Odighizuwa
Denver Broncos
- Activated from list: LB Malik Reed
Detroit Lions
- Activated from list: S Jalen Elliott
Houston Texans
- Placed on list: WR Brandin Cooks (st0ry), LB Tae Davis
- Activated from list: DE DeMarcus Walker
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on list: DE Kemoko Turay, CB Rock Ya-Sin
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on list: RB Travis Etienne
- Activated from list: LB Dylan Moses
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on list: OT Mike Remmers
- Activated from list: LB Willie Gay Jr., WR Josh Gordon
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on list: CB Brandon Facyson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on list: WR Jalen Guyton
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from list: DB Terrell Burgess, G Jamil Demby, T Rob Havenstein, NT Sebastian Joseph, LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on list: G Robert Jones
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from list: RB Alexander Mattison
New England Patriots
- Activated from list: RB J.J. Taylor
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on list: TE Adam Trautman
New York Jets
- Placed on list: S Ashtyn Davis, DT Jonathan Marshall, TE Kenny Yeboah
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on list: T Le’Raven Clark
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on list: LB Marcus Allen, OT Zach Banner, LB Devin Bush
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on list: TE Will Dissly
- Activated from list: RB Alex Collins
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on list: OL Rodger Saffold
Washington Football Team
- Placed on list: LB Cole Holcomb
- Activated from list: DE William Bradley-King, T Cornelius Lucas
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/23/2019
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Devin Gray
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Kelvin McKnight
- Released: OL Tyler Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DT Brian Price
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Jalen Guyton
- Released: OT Tyree St. Louis
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Aaron Monteiro
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Trae Elston, TE Jason Vander Laan