Josh Allen (OL)

Cardinals Cut Brice Butler, Others

The Cardinals have moved their roster to 53 players by making the following transactions:

Cut:

Placed on injured reserve:

Waived from injured reserve:

Additionally, the Cardinals activated both tight end Jermaine Gresham and linebacker Marcus Golden off the physically unable to perform list.

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

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • WR Jake Kumerow
  • WR Colby Pearson
  • TE Robert Tonyan
  • LS Zach Triner
  • WR DeAngelo Yancey

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Wyoming Coach Expects Allen To Enter NFL

It’s been long expected that star Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen was going to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. Following the team’s game on Nov. 18, head coach Craig Bohl all but confirmed the speculation. Josh Allen (vertical)

While meeting with reporters following the 13-7 loss to Fresno State, Bohl was asked if Allen would return to the team in 2018. “I would say no,” Bohl told reporters, including the Casper Star-Tribune’s Brandon Foster. “He and I have had some talks, and I think he’s going to plan on moving forward (to the NFL).”

The coach’s comments weren’t the only indicator about Allen’s future. The junior quarterback was also the first player honored during the team’s senior-day ceremonies. Bohl played that off by saying, “Well, Josh is set to graduate and (is) a senior,” alluding to the fact Allen is an academic senior.

So far in his junior campaign, Allen hasn’t put up the eye-popping stats many expect from a first-round quarterbacks, amassing 1,658 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing just 56.2 percent of his passes. Scouts, however, rave about the signal-caller’s tools. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds with a cannon for an arm, Allen is seen by many as the most physically talented passer in an impressive class of quarterbacks that includes USC’s Sam Darnold, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson and UCLA’s Josh Rosen.

Teams who could be a possible destination for the Wyoming product include the Giants, Browns and Jets.

Buccaneers Trim Roster To 53

The Buccaneers have moved their roster to 53 players by making the following transactions:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

Released:

Placed on IR:

Placed on Reserve/Suspended List:

Miller’s Latest: Prospects, Rams, Chargers, Bears

Per usual, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller had several notable opinions and hot takes in his weekly column, led by a debate on whether Ezekiel Elliott is the best running back in the NFL (the writer ultimately surmises that the title belongs to Le’Veon Bell).

Of course, Miller touched on a number of other important subjects. While the entire article is worth reading, we’ve picked out some of the notable tidbits below…

  • Penn State running back Saquon Barkley‘s draft stock continues to climb, as Miller claims that the offensive weapon could end up being a Le’Veon Belltype player. Meanwhile, the writer declares that Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen is the top signal-caller in the 2018 draft.
  • Speaking of draft prospects, Miller is rather enthusiastic about the talent on Clemson’s football team. The writer believes that defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and defensive end Clelin Ferrell all have potential to be top-1o picks, although it’s worth noting that Lawrence won’t be available until the 2019 draft.
  • While Aaron Donald showed up to Rams mandatory minicamp, the defensive lineman is still seeking a brand-new contract. Miller believes the former first-rounder will ultimately become one of the highest-paid players in the NFL once he signs an extension. Miller also notes how Texans offensive lineman Duane Brown and Panthers tight end Greg Olsen are also seeking a new deal.
  • The four-year deal for Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram is “news you should take note of,” said Miller. The organization now has the former first-rounder and Joey Bosa locked up for several years, creating quite the formidable (and youthful) defensive front.
  • Bob Stoops suddenly announced his retirement as the head coach of the University of Oklahoma, shocking the NCAA. Miller notes that the 56-year-old could be in line to replace John Fox if the Bears decide to look for another coach next offseason, although the writer notes that Jeff Fisher could be another candidate.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/2/17

Here are today’s reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2017 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters.

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

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Minor NFL Transactions: 12/22/16

The latest minor moves from around the NFL:

  • The Falcons waived two defenders – lineman Malliciah Goodman and safety Robenson Therezie – and promoted linebacker Josh Keyes and tight end D.J. Tialavea to the active roster. With the exception of the 2014 season, in which he appeared in all 16 of the Falcons’ games and started 10, Goodman hasn’t seen much action during his four-year career. Therezie, a second-year man, has 25 appearances with the Falcons to his name, though he didn’t make much of an impact with the team before it cut him.
  • The Redskins waived wide receiver Rashad Ross, a source tells Master Tesfatsion of The Washington Post (on Twitter). To take his place, the team promoted cornerback Dashaun Phillips from the practice squad. Ross has just nine receptions in three seasons (one this year), but he did catch a touchdown and score on a kick return in 2015.
  • The Titans promoted cornerback D’Joun Smith to their active roster Tuesday. Smith played in four games as a rookie last year for the Colts, who chose him in the third round (65th overall) of the draft.
  • The Rams waived cornerback Steve Williams and placed defensive back Marqui Christian on reserve/injured Tuesday. The club also signed safety Isaiah Johnson from the practice squad. Williams, the most notable member of the trio, has moved on and off the Rams’ roster multiple times this year. He has racked up six appearances this season (five with San Diego) after playing in 14 games with the Chargers and intercepting two passes last year.
  • The 49ers signed offensive lineman Andrew Gardner and waived center Josh Allen. Gardner, whom the Dolphins selected in the sixth round of the 2009 draft, most recently took the field with the Eagles from 2014-15. During that two-year span, he started in 11 of 19 appearances.
  • The Buccaneers promoted wide receiver Bernard Reedy from the practice squad to the active roster and placed fellow wideout Donteea Dye on IR.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Buccaneers Activate Charles Sims

Charles Sims will be making his return this weekend. Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter) that the Buccaneers have activated the pass-catching running back from the injured reserve. The team has also promoted wideout Donteea Dye, and they’ve waived offensive lineman Josh Allen and defensive tackle John Hughes to make the necessary roster room.

Charles Sims (vertical)The Buccaneers’ running backs have struggled through injuries this season, as the team has relied on four different starters at the position. Despite the woes, Tampa Bay has still managed to run for a respectable 1,259 yards. The team should be optimistic heading into the final stretch of the season, as Sims, Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Peyton Barber are all finally (relatively) healthy. Of course, running back Antone Smith is currently on the injured reserve.

Sims was placed on the injured reserve in early October with a knee injury, and he returned to practice in late November. In four games this season, the 26-year-old had run for 116 yards and one touchdown on 41 carries, and he added another 14 receptions for 112 yards and a score. 2015 was a breakout campaign for Sims, as the former third-rounder finished the season with 529 rushing yards and 561 receiving yards.

With wideout Adam Humphries sitting out this weekend’s game with a concussion, the Buccaneers also promoted wideout Donteea Dye from the practice squad. As an undrafted rookie in 2015, Dye ended up playing in 10 games (five starts) for the Bucs, collecting 11 receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown.

Hughes was playing for his third team this season, as the veteran defensive end has also spent time with the Browns and Patriots. The lineman ultimately played in five games for the Buccaneers, compiling six tackles. Hughes has 58 career games under his belt, and he’s collected 115 career tackles and 5.5 career sacks.

Allen was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster in late November. The center played in three games for the Buccaneers back in 2014. Auman believes that the release of Allen is an indication that Evan Dietrich-Smith could return from his three-game absence.

Buccaneers CB Jude Adjei-Barimah Suspended Four Games

It’s been a busy day for the Buccaneers, as the team lost a player on both sides of the ball. The organization announced that cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah has been suspended four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. Meanwhile, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter) that the Buccaneers have also placed offensive lineman Ben Gottschalk on the injured reserve. Cornerback Javien Elliot and offensive lineman Josh Allen have been promoted from the practice squad to take the open roster spots.

Jude Adjei-BarimahAdjei-Barimah, an undrafted free agent in 2015, has been relatively productive during his one-plus season in the league. Following a solid rookie campaign, the cornerback has compiled 22 tackles, two sacks, and two passes defended in 10 games (one start) this season. The second-year pro released a statement regarding the suspension:

“I take a lot of pride in the hard work and dedication that I put in all year in preparation for each season and that is why this situation is so difficult for me personally. As a member of this team, it is very disappointing to have to miss the next four games and not be out there battling with my teammates as we go down the stretch. I apologize to my family, the Bucs organization, my teammates, as well as the fans for this situation. I promise to stay focused and be ready for the last two games of the regular season.”

With Adjei-Barimah out until at least December 19th, the team will likely rely on Alterraun Verner and Josh Robinson to spell starters Vernon Hargreaves and Brent Grimes.

Gottschalk, a former undrafted rookie out of SMU, made his NFL debut earlier this month. The lineman started this past weekend’s contest against the Chiefs while his fellow lineman recovered from injury. The Buccaneers should see the return of three lineman this week in Kevin Pamphile, Evan Dietrich-Smith, and Leonard Wester.

The additions of Elliot and Allen will briefly fill the holes caused by Adjei-Barimah’s suspension and Gottschalk’s injury. Allen played three games for the Buccaneers back in 2014, while Elliot is a former walk-on for the FSU football team. The duo have spent the entire season on the Buccaneers’ practice squad.

Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC South

Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC South teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are noted below.

Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.

Here are Sunday’s NFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day. All links go to Twitter unless otherwise noted:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers