Chiefs Place DT Chris Jones On Reserve/Did Not Report List, Set 53-Man Roster
The Chiefs’ 53-man roster does not include Chris Jones, who continues to stage a rare 2020s holdout. Here is how the defending Super Bowl champions moved down to 53:
Released:
- TE Kendall Blanton
- DB Deon Bush
- C Austin Reiter
- DT Danny Shelton
Waived:
- DB Dicaprio Bootle
- DB Ekow Boye-Doe
- QB Shane Buchele
- TE Matt Bushman
- LB Cole Christiansen
- DB Anthony Cook
- RB Jerrion Ealy
- WR Ty Fryfogle
- WR Izaiah Gathings
- T Godrick Chukwuebuka
- WR Juwan Green
- T Sebastian Gutierrez
- DB Kahlef Hailassie
- T Anderson Hardy
- DT Phil Hoskins
- DB Lamar Jackson
- DE Truman Jones
- DE Joshua Kaindoh
- T Darian Kinnard
- DB Duron Lowe
- DB Isaiah Norman
- QB Chris Oladokun
- RB La’Mical Perine
- WR Cornell Powell
- RB Deneric Prince
- WR Ty Scott
- DB Reese Taylor
- DT Chris Williams
- DE Daniel Wise
Waived/injured:
- G Jerome Carvin
- LB Olakunle Fatukasi
- WR Nikko Remigio
Reserve/did not report:
- DT Chris Jones
Seeking a contract in the Aaron Donald range, Jones has seen the Chiefs push for a deal more in line with the recently established second tier of the defensive tackle market. Daron Payne, Dexter Lawrence, Jeffery Simmons and Quinnen Williams all signed for between $22.5MM and $24MM per year, but Jones has been resolute as he stays away. The Chiefs are unable to waive the $50K-per-day fines Jones has incurred, separating this from Nick Bosa‘s holdout. On a rookie contract, Bosa’s fines can be waived. Jones has lost more than $1.5MM already but has hinted at a holdout extending into the regular season.
The Chiefs have parted ways with a number of defensive regulars in recent years, moving on from the likes of Marcus Peters, Justin Houston, Tyrann Mathieu and Frank Clark. The team has prioritized Jones in the past, franchise-tagging him and reaching an extension in 2020. Jones, 28, will count on the Chiefs folding, as their pass rush will obviously take a hit without him. But as we move close to the regular season, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the sides are not close on terms.
It still seems difficult to envision Jones missing out on game checks, but this process has already gone on far longer than expected. The Chiefs have, however, come out against trading the All-Pro D-tackle. Regarding another well-known Chief, Reiter is considered likely to end up on the team’s practice squad, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 2/15/23
Here are Wednesday’s reserve/futures contracts:
Kansas City Chiefs
- TE Kendall Blanton, CB Dicaprio Bootle, TE Matt Bushman, G Mike Caliendo, LB Cole Christiansen, RB Jerrion Ealy, QB Chris Oladokun, RB La’Mical Perine, WR Cornell Powell, C Austin Reiter, DT Danny Shelton, WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Philadelphia Eagles
- WR Devon Allen, WR Tyrie Cleveland, CB Mario Goodrich, DE Tarron Jackson, G Fred Johnson, T Roderick Johnson, DE Matt Leo, G Sua Opeta, LB Davion Taylor
The Chiefs will likely enter into extension talks with Creed Humphrey when the Pro Bowler becomes eligible in 2024, but they are also retaining their Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LV center starter. Reiter, 31, played for the Dolphins in 2021 but did not see any action for the Chiefs this season. The Chiefs cut Shelton after training camp but kept the veteran defensive tackle around on their practice squad. Shelton, 29, played in one game for the Super Bowl champions this season and will be set to collect a second Super Bowl ring; his first came in 2018 with the Patriots.
Allen, 28, put his track and field career on pause to attempt a football comeback, and the two-time Olympic 110-meter hurdle finalist resided on the Eagles’ practice squad all season. While the Paris Games are not until 2024, Allen ran 2022’s top 110 hurdle time (12.84 seconds) — which doubled as the third-fastest time in history — and will be on the radar to claim his first world championship in the event. This year’s World Track and Field Championships are slated for Aug. 19-27 in Budapest, so it will be interesting to see if Allen puts track aside for the time being or if the Eagles greenlight dual participation. The Bears did so for long jumper/wide receiver Marquise Goodwin in 2021, but that was for an Olympic Trials competition that did not conflict with training camp.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/23/22
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Pharoh Cooper, S JuJu Hughes
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: T Isaiah Prince
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Trevor Denbow
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Kendall Blanton
- Placed on IR: TE Jordan Franks
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: QB Case Cookus
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Master Teague, WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
- Released: DL Renell Wren
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/10/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Herb Miller
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: OT Jordan Steckler
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Jake Funk
- Released: RB Phillip Lindsay
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Kendall Blanton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OT Derrick Kelly, LB Kenny Young
New York Giants
- Signed: DB Terrell Burgess
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/22
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: TE Charlie Kolar
Carolina Panthers
- Designated for return: S Jeremy Chinn
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Herb Miller
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: TE Kendall Blanton, DB Terrell Burgess
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: G Wyatt Davis
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: S Andre Chachere
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: LB Ryan Anderson
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the Rams shopped Terrell Burgess prior to the trade deadline. The former third-round pick has struggled to carve out a role in the NFL, although he did get into 16 games last year (plus another four games (two starts)) en route to a Super Bowl championship. This season, Burgess has collected 11 tackles in seven games.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/22/22
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed off Browns’ practice squad: CB Shaun Jolly
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: TE Kendall Blanton
- Waived: LB Keir Thomas
- Waived via injury settlement: RB Trey Ragas
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: OLB Delontae Scott
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: OL Jamarco Jones
- Promoted: TE Kevin Rader
The Rams eyed Jolly as a UDFA target this year, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic tweets. The Appalachian State product instead landed with the Browns. This move comes after the Rams placed Troy Hill on IR. The team also is uncertain to have Decobie Durant this week; Durant sustained a hamstring injury in Week 3.
A Kansas City-area native, Blanton will leave his home town again but rejoin a Rams team that carried him on its active roster or practice squad from 2019-21. Rams tight end Brycen Hopkins ran into a three-game suspension this week.
Jones vied for the Titans’ starting left guard job, which Rodger Saffold‘s cap-casualty cut vacated in March. Despite signing Jones to a two-year, $4.8MM deal in free agency, the Titans gave the gig to former UDFA Aaron Brewer. Although Jones has not played this season, he must miss four more games because of this transaction.
Commanders Move Down To 53, Keep RB Brian Robinson On Active Roster
Teams have until 3pm CT to trim their rosters to the regular-season 53-man limit. The Commanders have done so but did it without moving Brian Robinson off the roster.
Shot twice in the lower body Sunday, Robinson underwent surgery. Ron Rivera also expressed optimism the third-round rookie could play this season. Washington is following through on these hopes, keeping the rookie running back on its active roster. Here are the moves the Commanders made to reach the 53-man max Tuesday:
Released:
- CB Corn Elder
- WR Alex Erickson
Waived:
- T Alex Akingbulu
- DT David Bada
- TE Kendall Blanton
- RB Reggie Bonnafon
- DE William Bradley-King
- DT Tyler Clark
- WR Matt Cole
- S Ferrod Gardner
- DT Justin Hamilton
- TE Jake Hausmann
- LB Khaleke Hudson
- CB Danny Johnson
- G Nolan Laufenberg
- G Wes Martin
- WR Kyric McGowan
- WR Marken Michel
- T Aaron Monteiro
- CB DeJuan Neal
- DE Jacub Panasiuk
- S Steven Parker
- RB Jaret Patterson
- C Jon Toth
- LB Tre Walker
Placed on IR:
By keeping Robinson on their active roster, the Commanders opened the door to him not only playing in 2022. The team needed to carry the Alabama product through to its 53-man roster today in order to place him on short-term IR. An IR placement today would have ended Robinson’s season.
One of the gunshot wounds Robinson sustained hit his knee, but the bullet did not seriously damage ligaments, tendons or bone, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports (video link). It is not a lock Robinson returns this season, per Garafolo, but the team is keeping its options open.
Robinson playing as a rookie would be obviously be a remarkable development. Prior to being shot, the Day 2 draftee had made a serious charge at the Commanders’ starting running back role. The team’s primary starter over the past two seasons, Antonio Gibson, remains on the roster, as do J.D. McKissic and Jonathan Williams. Robinson being moved to IR later this week will sideline him for at least four games — likely much longer, in this case — but allow him to return later this season, should he be cleared to do so.
The Chiefs, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter), also submitted a claim for Blanton recently, when the Rams waived him. It will be interesting to see if the young tight end generates any interest this week. Martin has generated consistent interest on the wire. The Commanders, who drafted the guard during the Bruce Allen regime, have made two waiver attempts to land him. The second one, earlier this month after the Jaguars cut Martin, was successful. It would not surprise if Martin is brought back via the practice squad — as several of Tuesday’s cuts will be — but he could also bring more interest on the wire.
Commanders Activate TE Logan Thomas From PUP
Logan Thomas is back on the practice field. The Commanders announced that they’ve activated the tight end from the physically unable to perform list.
Thomas suffered a torn ACL and MCL in early December, but he was recovering quickly enough that there was hope he would avoid the PUP. The Commanders ultimately gave him some extra time, and while he was back at practice today, Thomas still isn’t participating 11-on-11 drills. It’s uncertain if the tight end will be able to take the field for Week 1.
“I’d love to be out there Week 1, but I know myself and if I’m not ready to go or don’t feel like a full version of myself we can buy another week or two weeks,” Thomas told ESPN’s John Keim.
Thomas bounced around the NFL a bit before a breakout season in Washington during the 2020 season. That year, he finished with 72 receptions for 670 yards and six touchdowns. His production was down in six games last season, although that could have been attributed to a nagging hamstring injury that forced him to miss a chunk of games early on in the year. He ultimately finished the 2021 campaign with 18 catches for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
Washington hasn’t had much luck keeping tight ends on the field this preseason. John Bates is nursing a calf injury, while rookie fifth-round pick Cole Turner has been sidelined since the beginning of the month with a hamstring issue. To that, the Commanders made a handful of additional moves today to address the position. They signed tight end Jake Hausmann and claimed tight end Kendall Blanton off waivers from the Rams. The Commanders also placed tight end Eli Wolf on IR while releasing fullback/tight end Alex Armah from injured reserve. Defensive end Bunmi Rotimi also landed on IR today.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/22
We will keep track of today’s minor moves right here:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: FB Jake Bargas
- Placed on IR: WR David Moore
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: OL Ty Clary, LB Chauncey Manac
Houston Texans
- Released: LB Tae Davis
Los Angeles Rams
- Reverted to IR: WR J.J. Koski
New England Patriots
- Waived: TE Dalton Keene
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: QB K.J. Costello, RB Devine Ozigbo, K John Parker Romo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: WR Vyncint Smith
- Waived: S Troy Warner
Washington Commanders
- Claimed (from Rams): Kendall Blanton
- Placed on IR: DE Bunmi Rotimi
Moore’s placement on IR indicates that his season is over, and as James Palmer of the NFL Network tweets, a leg injury is the culprit. Moore, who signed with the Bears in April, was a useful complementary receiver in Seattle from 2018-20, and he may have had a shot to carve out a rotational role with Chicago. He was arrested on drug and weapons charges in July and could face league discipline as a result.
The Patriots made Keene the second piece of their two-tight end third round in 2020, trading up (via the Jets) to No. 104 to nab the Virginia Tech product. But neither Keene nor the No. 91 overall pick from that draft (Devin Asiasi) have made big impacts as Patriots. Keene missed all of the 2021 season due to a knee injury. In six games in 2020, Keene caught three passes for 16 yards. In the offseason following the Pats’ Day 2 tight end dive, they signed Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry to big-ticket deals. That duo remains in place in front of Asiasi.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/22
With the deadline for more roster cutdowns looming, here are today’s minor moves around the league:
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB Shaq Thompson
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: TE Kendall Blanton, RB Raymond Calais, S Jairon McVea and RB A.J. Rose
- Waived (injury designation): WR J.J. Koski
New England Patriots
- Waived: S Jalen Elliott and CB Devin Hafford
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S Bubba Bolden, TE Cade Brewer, DL Matthew Gotel and CB Elijah Jones
- Released: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Thompson’s return will be a welcomed sight in Carolina. The 28-year-old had his third-straight 100-tackle season in 2021, adding a pair of sacks and interceptions. Offseason knee surgery cost him time in training camp, but the fact that he passed his conditioning test today means that he can resume practicing with plenty of time before the start of the regular season. Returning to full health in time for Week 1, while expected, would be a crucial development for the Panthers’ defense.