Texans Sign Jeff Driskel To Practice Squad
The Texans will sign quarterback Jeff Driskel to the practice squad, according to Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790 (Twitter link). Driskel missed the cut on Tuesday, but he’ll stick around to provide Houston with some much-needed insurance.
[RELATED: Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross ‘Really Wants’ Watson?]
Deshaun Watson‘s status remains murky – to say the least — with days to go before the start of the season. The Texans are reportedly willing to keep Watson on the team this year, effectively paying him to do nothing. Another team could alter those plans by meeting the Texans’ asking price, but that doesn’t seem likely at the moment.
The teams that remain interested in Watson are only willing to give up draft picks if they are conditional, based on Watson’s availability for the year. New GM Nick Caserio is not willing to take that gamble, since Watson could be sidelined by the league office at any time. Meanwhile, the Dolphins — a long-rumored suitor — are downplaying their interest.
In any event, the Texans aren’t banking on Watson and they need the safety net that Driskel provides. He’ll be on call to start the year while Tyrod Taylor and Davis Mills serve as the top QBs.
Texans Cut OL Lane Taylor, Get Roster To 53
While much of the focus in Houston is on quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Texans still needed to reduce their roster today. They did just that, making the following transactions:
Released
- TE Antony Auclair
- DB Rasul Douglas
- QB Jeff Driskel
- WR Alex Erickson
- OL Danny Isidora
- DL Jaleel Johnson
- WR Chris Moore
- LB Hardy Nickerson
- DL Derek Rivers
- LB Joe Thomas
- OL Cole Toner
Waived
- DB Shyheim Carter
- WR Keke Coutee
- OL Hjalte Froholdt
- OL Carson Green
- DB Ka’dar Hollman
- RB Buddy Howell
- TE Ryan Izzo
- OL Ryan McCollum
- DB Jonathan Owens
- FB Paul Quessenberry
- OL Jordan Steckler
- WR Jordan Veasy
Released/Failed Physical
- OL Lane Taylor
Activated from PUP
Placed on Reserve/Suspended list
- DB Bradley Roby
There’s a number of notable names on this list, including wideout Keke Coutee, who has started 10 of his 23 games over the past three years for the Texans. Perhaps the most important move is the activation of Cannon, who was acquired from the Patriots earlier this offseason. The 33-year-old is expected to provide the Texans offense with a veteran presence, and his return to practice may have bumped another veteran from the roster. The team released lineman Lane Taylor, who sat on PUP for all of the preseason while recovering from a torn ACL. The veteran has only appeared in two games since the 2019 season, and his return to the NFL will now have to take place elsewhere.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/30/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here. Teams have until 3pm CT Tuesday to pare their rosters down to 53 players.
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: DB Chris Banjo, DL Josh Mauro
- Waived: WR Andre Baccellia, CB Jace Whittaker, S James Wiggins
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Terrance Smith
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Jordan Phillips
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: DT Eli Ankou, DL Zac Dawe, S Dwayne Johnson Jr., DE Kobe Jones, WR Chris Rowland, LB Tuzar Skipper
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: WR Deon Cain, WR Devin Gray, WR Siaosi Mariner
- Released: TE Eric Tomlinson
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB Tim Harris, WR Brandon Powell, RB Kerrith Whyte
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: G Mike Horton, S Jalen Julius, OL Aaron Monteiro
Cleveland Browns
- Released: WR JoJo Natson
- Waived: CB Brian Allen, TE Jordan Franks, OL Colby Gossett, DE Porter Gustin, QB Kyle Lauletta, DE Cameron Malveaux, TE Kyle Markway, S Jovante Moffatt, S Sheldrick Redwine, CB Manny Rugamba, LB Tegray Scales, DE Curtis Weaver, DT Marvin Wilson
- Placed on IR: OT Greg Senat
Chicago Bears
- Released: OL Adam Redmond
- Waived: TE Scooter Harrington
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: S Steven Parker
Denver Broncos
- Waived: TE Shaun Beyer, WR Tyrie Cleveland, TE Austin Fort, OT Drew Himmelman, WR Kendall Hinton, DE Isaiah Mack, CB Mac McCain, FB Adam Prentice, LB Curtis Robinson, QB Brett Rypien, OL Austin Schlottmann, RB Stevie Scott, CB Saivion Smith, LB Derrek Tuszka, WR Seth Williams
Detroit Lions
- Waived: WR Victor Bolden, DT Miles Brown, CB Mike Ford, OL Evan Heim, S Alijah Holder, WR Damion Ratley
Houston Texans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Laremy Tunsil
- Waived/injured: CB Cornell Armstrong, LB Tae Davis
- Waived: DB Shyheim Carter, OL Danny Isidora, TE Ryan Izzo, OL Carson Green, RB Buddy Howell
- Released: QB Jeff Driskel
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: C Ryan Kelly, WR Zach Pascal, QB Carson Wentz; the trio landed on the coronavirus list due to being high-risk close contacts, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Quenton Nelson
- Waived: CB Holton Hill, LB Isaiah Kaufusi
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: CB Corey Straughter
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Josh Allen
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: CB Zayne Anderson, WR Maurice Ffrench, RBDerrick Gore, DB Devon Key, RB Darwin Thompson, OL Darryl Williams
- Traded: OL Yasir Durant (to Patriots for 2022 seventh-round pick, per Herbie Teope of the KC Star on Twitter)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released from IR via injury settlement: LB Darron Lee
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: LB Jessie Lemonier
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: DB Brontae Harris, WR Jeremiah Haydel, G Jeremiah Kolone, G Jordan Meredith, DB Donovan Olumba, LB Troy Warner
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: S Nate Holley, WR Khalil McClain, DE Tyshun Render, TE Carl Tucker
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Robert Foster
New England Patriots
- Waived: S Adrian Colbert, DL Bill Murray, WR Tre Nixon
- Traded for: OL Yasir Durant (via Chiefs for 2022 seventh-round pick, per Herbie Teope of the KC Star on Twitter)
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: S Eric Burrell, OG Derrick Kelly, CB Natrell Jamerson, DL R.J. McIntosh, OL Christian Montano, LB Shaq Smith
New York Jets
- Waived: WR Lawrence Cager, S J.T. Hassell, CB Lamar Jackson, OL Corey Levin, Jeremiah Valoaga
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: OL Ross Pierschbacher
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: WR Rico Bussey, LS Kameron Canaday, LB Jamar Watson
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: TE Ian Bunting, WR Darece Roberson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Joseph Jones, DT Kobe Smith
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Nate Davis
- Waived/injured: OL Chandon Herring
- Released from IR via injury settlement: OL Brent Qvale (story)
Washington Football Team
- Waived: WR Tony Brown, S Cole Luke, CB Linden Stephens, WR Isaiah Wright
- Released: DT Devaroe Lawrence, LB Joe Walker
Texans Sign QB Jeff Driskel
The Texans QB room is starting to get a bit crowded. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the Texans are signing Jeff Driskel to a one-year deal worth $2.5MM.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the deal includes a $250K signing bonus and a $1MM base salary ($500K guaranteed). Driskel will also earn $30K for each game he’s active, and he has up to $750K in playing-time incentives.
The 2016 sixth-round pick didn’t even make it to the regular season with the 49ers, but he subsequently found a home in Cincinnati. He spent three-plus seasons with the Bengals organization, including a 2018 campaign where he threw six touchdowns vs. only two interceptions in nine games (five starts). He started three games filling in for Matthew Stafford in Detroit during the 2019 season, and he started one of his three games for Denver in 2020.
In total, the 28-year-old has seen time in 15 career games (nine starts), completing 58.6-percent of his passes for 2,120 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
While Driskel got a chunk of change from Houston, it’s not a foregone conclusion that he’ll even make the Texans roster. Following Deshaun Watson‘s trade request and subsequent legal issues, the organization has been busy adding to their uncertain depth chart. Free agent addition Tyrod Taylor is expected to start (assuming Watson is sidelined), and 2021 third-round pick Davis Mills will surely make the roster. This means Driskel will likely be competing with free agent addition (and former teammate) Ryan Finley for a spot on the roster.
Cowboys Host Jeff Driskel
Jeff Driskel was just cut by the Broncos a few days ago, and it didn’t take long for the backup veteran quarterback to generate some interest.
The Cowboys flew in Driskel Thursday night for a Friday visit, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets. Last night Gehlken had tweeted there was “a good chance Driskel signs” which would make him the “favorite to serve as Dak Prescott’s primary backup in 2021.” However, sources told long-time Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. on Friday afternoon that there wouldn’t be a deal at this time (Twitter link).
It sounds like the door will remain open for a signing in the future, and perhaps Driskel is seeking too much money. He was set to earn $2.5MM this year with Denver. The Broncos paid him $2.5MM for 2020, and that notable salary along with the Cowboys’ apparent immediate interest show that some around the league think relatively highly of him as a backup.
That’s despite never looking anything better than mediocre in his spot starts over the years. Driskel started five games for the Bengals in 2018, three with the Lions in 2019, and one with the Broncos last year. After Andy Dalton went to the Bears the Cowboys only have Garrett Gilbert, Ben DiNucci and Cooper Rush on the depth chart behind Prescott, so it’s not surprising they’re kicking the tires on a new veteran backup.
Broncos Release Jeff Driskel
After adding Teddy Bridgewater in a trade, the Broncos are making some space in the quarterbacks room. Denver is releasing veteran backup Jeff Driskel, Mike Klis of Denver 9 News tweets. He made $2.5MM last year and was scheduled to make the same in 2021, which the Broncos had no reason to pay.
Denver will move forward with Bridgewater, Drew Lock, and Brett Rypien as their quarterbacks. Driskel was the top quarterback recruit in the country coming out of high school, but had a bumpy college career that ended at Louisiana Tech. The 49ers drafted him in the sixth-round in 2016, but he was waived at final cuts.
The Bengals claimed him off waivers, and he spent the next few seasons in Cincy. He ended up starting five games in 2018 in place of an injured Andy Dalton. He had six touchdowns and only two interceptions, but averaged just 5.7 yards per attempt. He latched on with the Lions in 2019, and started three games for them that year.
He was once again mediocre. He achieved journeyman status by signing with the Broncos last year, and played well in relief as he nearly led them to a come from behind victory against the Steelers. He started the following week, his lone start for Denver, and collapsed against the Buccaneers. He turned 28 last month.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/16/20
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Miles Boykin, WR Marquise Brown, WR James Proche; the trio did not test positive for the coronavirus and would be eligible to return Sunday
Denver Broncos
- Signed off 49ers’ practice squad: CB Parnell Motley
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Jeff Driskel
- Placed on IR: CB Kevin Toliver
Houston Texans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB David Johnson
- Placed on IR: DT Brandon Dunn, S Justin Reid (story)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Tre Herndon
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Matt Breida
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: S Saquan Hamilton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Elijah Riley
- Placed on IR: S Rodney McLeod (story)
All Broncos QBs Ineligible For Week 12
The Broncos and the NFL have run into a significant problem. Jeff Driskel‘s positive COVID-19 test earlier this week will lead to an unprecedented situation.
None of the Broncos’ three other QBs will be eligible to play Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles have been deemed high-risk close contacts of Driskel. The NFL forced the Broncos to pull the three passers out of practice earlier today, Mike Klis of 9News tweets.
With the Broncos having no available QBs, this certainly puts the viability of Sunday’s Denver-New Orleans game in doubt. However, this game is still on schedule for Sunday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. This seems like a tenuous proposition, but as of now, the Broncos would be forced to deploy a true emergency quarterback. They cannot sign any free agent passer to play Sunday, due to COVID-19 protocols.
Driskel’s Thursday positive test coincided with his three non-infected teammates not wearing masks, Schefter adds (on Twitter). It is not known how long the trio went without masks, but it was evidently long enough for the NFL to sideline an entire team’s QB room. The Patriots saw Cam Newton sidelined because of the virus earlier this season, and COVID-positive Lamar Jackson will miss Tuesday’s Ravens-Steelers game — should it stay on as scheduled. But the Broncos’ predicament drags the NFL into new territory regarding the virus.
The Broncos have a wide receiver on their practice squad, Kendall Hinton, who played quarterback at Wake Forest for three seasons, Klis adds (on Twitter). Quality control coach Rob Calabrese worked in that role at practice Saturday, Klis tweets. Hinton attempted 251 career passes with the Demon Deacons, though most of them came in 2015. He ran for 390 yards and seven TDs that season.
Broncos To Start Brett Rypien Vs. Jets
In what will seemingly become an increasingly difficult sell as a nationally televised game, Thursday’s Broncos-Jets clash will include another different Denver quarterback. The matchup between the winless teams will feature Brett Rypien calling signals for the Broncos, Vic Fangio confirmed Tuesday.
Rypien, who replaced Jeff Driskel in the Broncos’ Week 3 loss to the Buccaneers, will become Denver’s ninth starting quarterback since Peyton Manning‘s retirement. Fangio said Driskel may see time against the Jets, per Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter), but the Broncos are trying one of their other backups while Drew Lock continues his rehab effort.
Since Manning’s retirement, the Broncos have used Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, Lock and Driskel as starters — the most in the NFL since 2016. Rypien, a second-year UDFA out of Boise State and nephew of former Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, went 8-for-8 in garbage time against the Bucs. He started four seasons for the Mountain West’s Broncos outfit, throwing 90 career TD passes at Boise State.
The injury-plagued Broncos signed Blake Bortles last week but were unlikely to use him for a short-week game. Should Lock need the estimated five- or six-week timetable to recover from his rotator cuff strain, it represents a decent bet Bortles will see time — given his experience edge on Rypien and Driskel. Rypien, at least, will play behind a more experienced right tackle than Driskel did. Longtime Bucs starter Demar Dotson will take over for the injured Elijah Wilkinson, Fangio said.
Broncos Expected To Sign QB Jeff Driskel
Jeff Driskel is expected to sign with the Broncos, reports Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (via Twitter).
The 49ers bailed on Driskel after selecting him in the sixth round of the 2016 draft, but he ended up finding a home in Cincy. He spent three-plus years as one of Andy Dalton‘s backups, and he started five of his nine appearances in 2018.
He was let go by the Bengals last September, but he ended up catching on with the Lions, where he started three games filling in for Matthew Stafford. Driskel finished the campaign having connected on 59-percent of his passes for 685 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also added 151 rushing yards and one score on 22 carries.
In Denver, he’ll be backing up starter Drew Lock. It’s uncertain how the organization will proceed with veteran Joe Flacco.