NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/17/15
Here are Thursday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Josh Shirley (Twitter links via Scott Bair of CSNCalifornia.com)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
- Signed: QB B.J. Daniels (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB DuJuan Harris (Twitter link via team)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Tyler Patmon, DE Julius Warmsley, RB Trey Williams (Twitter links via Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/15
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
- The Buccaneers will sign free agent defensive tackle Da’Quan Bowers on Tuesday and waive D-lineman Josh Shirley, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter). Bowers spent 2011-14 in Tampa and totaled seven sacks after it used a second-round pick on him. Shirley, a rookie, joined the Bucs in October. He subsequently appeared in five games.
- The Dolphins signed defensive tackle Deandre Coleman and placed tight end Brandon Williams on injured reserve, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Coleman, undrafted out of Cal in 2014, appeared in one game as a rookie. Williams suited up four times for the Dolphins this year before breaking his left foot.
- The Vikings signed defensive end Justin Trattou and waived safety Shaun Prater, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Trattou has had multiple stints with the Vikings since entering the league in 2011. He appeared in two games with them earlier this season and intercepted a pass. Prater, who had been with the Vikings since 2013, garnered one appearance this year.
- The Browns cut center Gabe Ikard, per Wilson (on Twitter). Ikard, a 25-year-old snapper, joined the Browns earlier this month.
- The Chiefs removed safety Sanders Commings from injured reserve and reached a settlement with him, Wilson tweets. Commings’ last appearance with the Chiefs was in 2013.
- The Chargers waived quarterback Brad Sorensen, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN (Twitter link). Sorensen, whom the Chargers chose in the seventh round of the 2013 draft, has never attempted a regular-season pass.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/6/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Walter Powell (press release)
Chicago Bears
- Signed: C Barrett Jones, DL Brandon Dunn (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
- Cut: NT Terry Williams
- PS-IR: WR Jalen Saunders (link)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DL Ray Drew, S Ty Zimmerman (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal)
- Cut: OL Garth Gerhart, DL Dylan Wynn
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DE Jordan Williams (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- Cut: G Mike Liedtke (Twitter link via agent Brett Tessler)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DE Bruce Gaston (Twitter link via Jason Wilde of ESPN.com)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: G/T Michael Ola (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
- Cut: G/C Michael Huey
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: T Reid Fragel, DE Josh Shirley (press release)
- Cut: T Martin Wallace
Workout Notes: 9/23/15
Teams around the NFL are bringing in players for workouts, surveying the free agent landscape for possible practice squad additions or 53-man roster players, either for the near future or down the road. Here are a few of the latest auditions from across the league, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (all links go to Twitter):
AFC:
- Former Broncos cornerback Tony Carter had a workout with the Ravens, who have liked him for a while. Of course, up until very recently, Carter was under contract with Denver.
- In addition to Matt Huffer, whose workout was reported yesterday, offensive linemen Kevin Graf, Antonio Johnson, and Travis Bond, along with defensive ends Matt Conrath and Xzavier Dickson, were among the players who auditioned for the Broncos this week.
- We already heard that the Jets brought in multiple receivers this week for workouts, and we can add a few more names to that list: DaVaris Daniels, Titus Davis, and Josh Lenz got a look from New York.
- It was a linebacker-heavy workout group this week in Jacksonville, as the Jaguars auditioned Jeff Luc, Alex Singleton, and Jordan Tripp, in addition to Jayson DiManche, whose workout was previously reported.
- We can add tight end Nick Kasa, guard Joe Looney, wide receiver Marcus Lucas, ex-Niners tackle Sean Hooey, and former Titans tackle Byron Stingily to the list of players who tried out for the Dolphins this week. We learned yesterday that tight end Adrien Robinson also visited the team.
- The lengthy roster of players who auditioned this week for the Titans: cornerbacks Robert McClain, Robert Steeples, Shaun Prater, and Carrington Byndom; safeties Jean Fanor and Robert Lester; and wide receiver Nick Toon.
NFC:
- The Panthers brought in several defensive backs for tryouts, taking a look at Richard Crawford, Ras-I Dowling, and Tajh Hasson.
- Wide receiver Deonte Thompson turned an audition with the Bears into a practice squad spot this week, but he wasn’t the only player to work out for the team. The club also brought in wide receiver DeVier Posey, quarterback Alex Tanney, and QB Justin Worley.
- The Lions were eyeing veteran defensive backs this week, with ex-Giants safety Stevie Brown, longtime Panthers safety Charles Godfrey, and former Raiders DB Brandian Ross all coming in for auditions. The club also worked out tight end Mickey Shuler.
- Defensive tackle Deandre Coleman, cut from the Dolphins’ practice squad last week, and former Broncos defensive end Quanterus Smith both worked out for the Seahawks this week.
- After being removed from the Patriots’ injured reserve list last week, wide receiver Jonathan Krause tried out for the Eagles.
- Washington auditioned two linebackers who hit the open market within the last few weeks, bringing in ex-Bengal Nico Johnson and former Seahawk Alex Singleton. It’s been a busy week for Singleton, who also worked out for the Jaguars, as noted above.
- The Packers took a look this week at tight end Blake Annen, defensive tackle Justin Hamilton, CFL linebacker Henoc Muamba, and linebacker Josh Shirley.
South Notes: Colts, Brees, Falcons
Joel Corry of CBSSports.com wonders if the potential for a Colts title run has been squandered. GM Ryan Grigson hit a home run with the 2012 rookie class, but he whiffed pretty badly in 2013. Making matters worse, Grigson also traded his 2014 first-round choice to the Browns for Trent Richardson in 2013, a deal that turned out to be a complete disaster. The 2013 free agent class was also pretty iffy. Overall, Corry concludes that the Colts will have to capitalize in the draft like they did in 2012 if they intend to make a run at the championship.
Here’s more from the South divisions as the Colts take on the Jets..
- If Drew Brees is to miss extensive time, it should push the Saints towards the rebuilding effort they have avoided the last few years, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap opines. If Brees’ injury does cost him several weeks of play, Fitzgerald wonders if this could even be the last we’ll see of the veteran in black and gold. New Orleans already has $14MM in dead money committed to 2016 despite a league high in $30MM this season. With a $27.4MM salary cap hit, one has to wonder if Brees will fit into the team’s plans.
- The Saints tried out defensive ends Gerald Rivers and Josh Shirley and linebacker Trevardo Williams, Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune tweets.
- With or without Drew Brees, Saints need to ground their offense, Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune writes.
- Falcons coach Dan Quinn may be saying a lot of the same things as his predecessor, but he has given the team a new voice, Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/16/15
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR LaRon Byrd (Twitter link via D. Orlando Ledbetter)
- Cut: T Pierce Burton
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: T Tony Hills (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter)
- Cut: QB Bryn Renner
Dallas Cowboys
- To be signed: C/G Ronald Patrick , T Darrion Weems (via Josina Anderson on Twitter + Wilson on Twitter)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: T Jordan Mills (press release)
Houston Texans
- To be signed: T Joe Treadwell (via Wilson on Twitter)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Jonas Gray, C Sam Brenner, QB Logan Thomas, DE Emmanuel Dieke (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter + Twitter link via James Walker)
- Cut: DT DeAndre Coleman, WR Uzoma Nwachukwu (Twitter link via Adam Beasley)
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Eric Martin (via Mike Reiss on Twitter)
- Cut: LB Alex Singleton and DL Jimmy Staten
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Cameron Brate, S Alden Darby, WR Seantavius Jones, FB Toben Opurum, T Bryan Witzmann (via Mike Triplett on Twitter)
New York Giants
- To be signed: LB James Morris, G Vinston Painter (via James Kratch on Twitter)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: WR DeAndre Carter (via Vic Tafur on Twitter)
- Cut: LB Josh Shirley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: TE Connor Hamlett (via press release)
- Cut: DE Brian Mihalik
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Isaiah Frey, DT Derrick Lott (via Greg Auman on Twitter)
Washington
- Signed: LB Houston Bates (via John Keim on Twitter)
AFC Practice Squad Updates: 9/7/15
While many teams filled up their 10-man practice squads on Sunday, plenty of teams didn’t confirm their moves right away, or kept a few spots open on those units. On top of that, at least one club that signed 10 players to its taxi squad on Sunday has already made several changes, bringing in new players and jettisoning players who didn’t even spend 24 hours on the squad.
We’ll have updates on Monday’s AFC practice squad signings and cuts in this space, with teams listed in alphabetical order. When new moves occur, we’ll bump this post back to the top of the page. Here’s a round-up of today’s moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed (press release):
- WR Daniel Brown
- TE Dominique Jones
- WR Jeremy Ross
Buffalo Bills
- Signed (press release):
- OLB IK Enemkpali
- T Chris Martin
- DE Cedric Reed
- QB Alex Tanney
Cleveland Browns
- Signed (press release):
- OL Garth Gerhart
- DL Dylan Wynn
Denver Broncos
- Signed (press release):
- RB Kapri Bibbs
- TE Arthur Lynch
- T Kyle Roberts
- DE George Uko
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed:
- DL Toby Johnson (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed (press release):
- DT Hebron Fangupo
- T Laurence Gibson
- CB Jeremy Harris
- DL David Irving
- TE Ross Travis
- FB Spencer Ware
Miami Dolphins
- Signed (Twitter link):
- RB Rajion Neal
- WR Uzoma Nwachukwu
New England Patriots
- Signed (Twitter links):
- OL Chris Barker
- T Blaine Clausell
- OL Cameron Fleming (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
- LB Darius Fleming
- LB Brandon King
- WR Nathan Palmer
- DB Daxton Swanson
- DT Jimmy Staten
- Signed and subsequently released:
- LB Xzavier Dickson (Twitter link via Jeff Howe)
New York Jets
- To be signed:
- S Rontez Miles (Twitter link via Brian Costello)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed:
- George Atkinson III, RB
- Mitch Bell, G
- SaQwan Edwards, CB
- Shelby Harris, DE
- Dan Kistler, T
- Tevin McDonald, S
- Josh Shirley, LB
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed (Twitter link via Burt Lauten + team transactions page):
- WR Isaiah Burse
- LB Anthony Chickillo
- T Matt Feiler
- CB Doran Grant
- TE Xavier Grimble
- OL Barrett Jones
- RB Fitzgerald Toussaint
- Released:
- RB Dominique Brown
- OL Reese Dismukes
- LB Shayon Green
- DE Ethan Hemer
- OL Antonio Johnson
- TE Harold Spears
- WR Jarrod West
San Diego Chargers
- Signed:
- OL Michael Ola (link via Michael Gehlken)
Tennessee Titans
- Signed:
- LB Justin Staples (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
Raiders’ Roster Takes Shape
Despite surpassing Trent Richardson on the depth chart, Michael Dyer couldn’t complete his ascent into regular-season action with the Raiders.
Instead, Oakland rejiggered its depth chart by bringing Taiwan Jones, a former running back, back to his original spot from corner, where he played previously. Jones now occupies the third-string spot behind Latavius Murray and Roy Helu, as the Raiders announced the waiving of Dyer and others in order to dice their roster down to 53.
In addition to severing ties with Christian Ponder, Oakland released Kris Durham and defensive lineman C.J. Wilson.
Here are the rest of Oakland’s cut-day casualties:
- George Atkinson III, RB
- Mitch Bell, G
- Spencer Hadley, LB
- Shelby Harris, DE
- Dan Kistler, T
- Brian Leonhardt, TE
- Ricky Lumpkin, DT
- Tevin McDonald, CB
- Anthony Morris, T (Waived/injured)
- Leon Orr, DT
- Brandian Ross, S (IR)
- Josh Shirley, LB
- Georgio Tavecchio, K
- Max Valles, DE
- Gary Wilkins, DE
- Devon Wylie, WR
Raiders Sign 14 Undrafted FAs
The Raiders have signed 14 undrafted free agents to their roster, adding them in time for rookie minicamp, the team announced today in a press release. Here’s the complete list, via the team:
- Rob Daniel, CB, BYU
- Quinterrius Eatmon, OL, South Florida
- Cody Fajardo, QB, Nevada
- Jacoby Hale, LB, Utah
- Jimmy Hall, S, Northwestern
- Josh Harper, WR, Fresno State
- Gabe Holmes, TE, Purdue
- Gus Johnson, RB, Stephen F. Austin
- Tevin McDonald, S, Eastern Washington
- Braylon Mitchell, LB, Arkansas
- Leon Orr, DT, Florida
- Terrell Pinson, S, Louisiana Tech
- Josh Shirley, LB, UNLV ($5K bonus, per Aaron Wilson)
- Milton Williams, WR, Delaware State