Minor NFL Transactions: 7/17/24
Some roster movement today in minor transactions as several teams are starting to add players to early injured lists:
Chicago Bears
- Placed on active/NFI list: T Kiran Amegadjie
- Placed on active/PUP list: DT Jamree Kromah
Denver Broncos
- Placed on active/NFI list: RB Blake Watson
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on active/NFI list: S Kitan Oladapo
- Placed on active/PUP list: OL Donovan Jennings, TE Tucker Kraft, QB Alex McGough, T Zach Tom
Houston Texans
- Placed on active/NFI list: DE Dylan Horton
- Placed on active/PUP list: FB/TE Andrew Beck, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, CB D’Angelo Ross
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Jaxon Janke, DE Pheldarius Payne
- Waived (with non-football injury designation): G LaDarius Henderson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Kyle Sheets
- Placed on active/NFI list: DE BJ Thompson
- Placed on active/PUP list: DT Derrick Nnadi, DE Charles Omenihu, G Joe Thuney, CB Jaylen Watson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on active/NFI list: LB Junior Colson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Marcus Simms
There was good news on the Horton front back in May as it was announced that the Texans defender had completed his final treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. As a rookie out of TCU, Horton sat out the final seven games of the 2023 season on the non-football illness list. As he continues to work his way back to the field, it appears he’ll start the summer on the list, as well.
Thompson’s situation in Kansas City also received some good news of late. After suffering a seizure that caused him to go into cardiac arrest in early-June, the Chiefs defender continues to make progress towards a return. He’ll start the summer on the non-football injury list but will continue to work his way back as he continues with medical procedures, per Nate Taylor of The Athletic.
Bears Sign Nine UDFAs
The Bears kicked off the 2024 draft, and the team also owned the No. 9 pick. Chicago only made three other selections during the weekend, though, leaving room for a number of undrafted players to take part in rookie minicamp. Here are the Bears’ UDFA additions:
- Brenden Bates, TE (Kentucky)
- Theo Benedet, T (British Columbia)
- Carl Jones Jr., LB (UCLA)
- Jamree Kromah, DL (James Madison)
- Peter LeBlanc, WR (Louisiana)
- Keith Randolph Jr., DT (Illinois)
- Austin Reed, QB (Western Kentucky)
- Reddy Steward, DB (Troy)
- Ian Wheeler, RB (Howard)
Randolph did not enter the draft with nearly as much acclaim as fellow Illinois D-lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, but he received a notable financial commitment from the Bears. Randolph secured $200K in guaranteed salary along with a $20K signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The 6-5, 270-pounder amassed 10 sacks over the past three seasons and he will aim to provide depth along the defensive interior this year.
Chicago’s other lucrative financial investment was made in Benedet. Just like college teammate Giovanni Manu, Benedet put himself on the NFL radar during his time with the Thunderbirds. The latter received $100K in total guarantees, per Wilson. Benedet earned first-team All-Canadian honors in each of the past two seasons, and he was selected by his hometown BC Lions in this year’s CFL draft. If he does not make the Bears’ initial roster, therefore, he will have a path to playing time north of the border.
Reed began his college career at Southern Illinois, redshirting with the team in 2018. That was followed by a transfer to West Florida, with whom he won the Division II championship. Reed sat out the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign before ultimately finishing his college tenure at Western Kentucky. Over two seasons with the Hilltoppers, he amassed 8,086 passing yards while throwing 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. Reed added 12 rushing scores over that span, and he will aim to parlay that dual-threat skillset into at least a practice squad spot in 2024.