Falcons Release OL Austin Pasztor
The Falcons have released veteran offensive tackle Austin Pasztor, the club announced today.
Pasztor, 27, was excellent as the Browns’ right tackle in 2016, but he surprisingly hasn’t garnered any interest as a starter since that season. Last year, he didn’t land a free agent contract until August, and went on to appear in only seven games as a reserve for the Falcons.
In addition to releasing Pasztor, Atlanta reached an injury settlement with cornerback Leon McFadden and cut him from injured reserve.
Falcons Re-Sign OL Austin Pasztor, CB Leon McFadden
The Falcons have inked offensive lineman Austin Pasztor and cornerback Leon McFadden to one-year extensions through the 2018 season, the club announced today.
Pasztor, 27, was excellent as the Browns’ right tackle in 2016, but he surprisingly hasn’t garnered any interest as a starter since that season. Last year, he didn’t land a free agent contract until August, and went on to appear in only seven games as a reserve for the Falcons. Capable of playing both tackle and guard, Pasztor will likely continue as a backup in 2018, although he could compete to start at guard.
McFadden, a former third-round pick, signed with the Falcons in December but never played in a contest with the club. He’ll offer depth in the secondary, but his primary role will be on special teams if he makes the roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/4/17
Here are today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Leon McFadden
- Waived: RB Terrence Magee
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Houston Texans
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Brennan Scarlett
Oakland Raiders
-
Waived: DL Darius Latham
Washington Redskins
- Claimed: G Kyle Kalis
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Robert Davis
- Waived: DL Caraun Reid, LB Pete Robertson
NFL Workout Updates: 11/30/17
Here are the latest workout and visit updates, courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer unless otherwise noted.
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Green Bay Packers
- TE Devon Cajuste (visit), LB Ahmad Thomas (visit)
Kansas City Chiefs
- TE Anthony Firkser, Henry Krieger-Coble (link)
Miami Dolphins
- RB Russell Hansbrough, RB Kalif Phillips, RB Brandon Radcliff (link)
New Orleans Saints
- TE Alex Ellis, TE Darion Griswold, TE Henry Krieger-Coble, TE Robert Tonyan (link)
Oakland Raiders
- WR Seantavius Jones, WR Francis Owusu, WR Tevaun Smith (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- T Reid Fragel, CB Senquez Golson, K Garrett Hartley, CB Michael Hunter (visit), CB Keith Lewis, LB Boseko Lokombo, LB John Lotulelei, CB J.R. Nelson, TE Luke Papilion, RB Jhurell Pressley, RB Khiry Robinson, CB Channing Stribling RB Jahad Thomas, WR Javon Williams, TE Travis Wilson, CB Lou Young (Twitter links via Balzer)
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/29/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL A.J. Jefferson
- Waived: WR Bra’Lon Cherry
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DL Kapron Lewis-Moore, LB Alex Scearce
Cleveland Browns
- Released: LB Cam Johnson
- Waived/injured: S Ed Reynolds
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: CB Leon McFadden
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB Deiontrez Mount
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Daryl Richardson, RB De’Mard Llorens
- Waived: TE Steven Wroblewski
- Placed on IR: RB George Winn
New England Patriots
- Waived: LB Christian Kuntz
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: TE John Phillips
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: LB Keion Adams
- Waived: DE Christian Brown, TE Phazahn Odom
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: LB Sean Porter
Cowboys Promote CB Leon McFadden
The Cowboys have promoted cornerback Leon McFadden from the practice squad to the active roster in advance of Sunday’s game against the Browns, according to Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Dallas just signed McFadden to its taxi squad in late October.
[RELATED: Cowboys Made Offer For Sheldon Richardson]
Given that both cornerback Morris Claiborne and safety Barry Church are expected to miss several weeks with injuries, the Cowboys can use all the help they can get in the secondary. Specifically at corner, Orlando Scandrick — returning from his own health issue — is likely to slot in opposite Brandon Carr, with sixth-round rookie Anthony Brown playing behind them. McFadden, then, will be one of only four corners on the Dallas roster, meaning he could see action this weekend.
McFadden, 26, was chosen by the Browns in the third round of the 2013 draft, but flamed out after only a single season with Cleveland. After appearing in seven games over the next two years with the 49ers and Giants, McFadden signed a futures deal with New York this offseason and made it until final roster cuts, when he was waived. All told, McFadden has played in 25 games during his career (two starts), and while he’s never intercepted a ball, he has defensed two passes.
McFadden was seemingly chosen for promotion over fellow cornerback Sammy Seamster, who will remain on the Cowboys’ practice squad for the time being.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/24/16
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Arturo Uzdavinis (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: CB Leon McFadden (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Dez Stewart (Twitter link via Wilson)
New England Patriots
- Cut: S Vinnie Sunseri (Twitter link via Doug Kyed of NESN)
New York Jets
- Signed: DL Brandin Bryant
NFL Workout Updates: 10/10/16
Well, this is a new one: The Steelers worked out Spanish rugby sevens player Inaki Villanueva, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds that Villanueva will attempt to make the NFL as a tight end. Villanueva, 25 this week, was part of the Spanish rugby team that competed at the 2016 Summer Olmypics.
Here’s more on today’s tryouts and visits:
- The Patriots worked out wide receiver Donteea Dye, fullback Austin Johnson, and tight end Gannon Sinclair today, a source tells Doug Kyed of NESN. Per Kyed, the trio was likely auditioning for a spot on New England’s practice squad, which currently only has nine members.
- Jake Long wasn’t the only offensive lineman to audition for the Vikings today, as Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link) reports that Minnesota also took a look at Garrett Reynolds and Reid Fragel.
- The Redskins worked out defensive tackles Jermelle Cudjo, A.J. Francis, and Joey Mbu today, per Caplan (Twitter link). Washington met with fellow DTs Terrance Knighton (link) and Phil Taylor (link) today as well, but won’t be signing either one at this time, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter link).
- Although the Cowboys tried out defensive backs Rashaad Reynolds, Leon McFadden, and Richard Crawford today, the club won’t be signing any of them, tweets Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
- The Cardinals auditioned linebackers Dwayne Norman and Jayson DiManche, as well as safeties Keenan Lambert and Dezmen Southward on Monday, reports Caplan (Twitter link).
- The Eagles worked out linebackers Eric Pinkins, Lamar Louis, and James Burgess, Caplan tweets.
Giants Down To 53
The Giants started their cuts early this morning by cutting a handful of big wide receivers and went from there. French wide receiver Anthony Dable and Cal product Darius Powe are among those who have been shown the door.
Dable played professionally in Grenoble, France and also spent the last two seasons in Germany. With his German Football League team, Dable caught 145 passes for just under 2,500 yards and 32 touchdowns over the last two campaigns. Although he did not grow up in a football-heavy atmosphere, he learned the game by watching others from afar.
“I learned football by watching videos of the receivers I like on YouTube, and I like guys that are the same size as me, like Brandon Marshall,” Dable said. “I think I play like Brandon Marshall. I like how he moves after the catch, with his size.”
Powe, a 6’3″ receiver, saved his best season for last at Cal. As a senior, Powe hauled in 47 catches for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns.
We’ll keep a running list of the Giants’ moves here. All of these moves have been confirmed via team press release.
Placed on IR:
- TE Will Johnson
Cut:
- RB Andre Williams
- WR Anthony Dable (Twitter link via Dan Graziano of ESPN.com)
- WR Darius Powe (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com)
- WR Geremy Davis (Twitter link via Raanan)
- CB Donte Deayon (Twitter link via Dan Duggan of NJ.com)
- CB Michael Hunter
- S Andrew Adams (Twitter link via Duggan)
- S Justin Currie (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- LB Ishaq Williams (Twitter link via Vacchiano)
- CB Leon McFadden (Twitter link via Art Stapleton of The Record)
- DE Stansley Maponga (Twitter link via Raanan)
- LB Brad Bars (Twitter link via James Kratch of NJ.com)
- G Dillon Farrell (Twitter link via Vacchiano)
- OL Ryan Seymour (Twitter link via Raanan)
- OL Emmett Cleary (Twitter link via Kratch)
- Ol Adam Gettis (Twitter link via Raanan)
- OL Jake Rodgers (Twitter link via Kratch)
- DT Louis Nix (Twitter link via ESPN’s Josina Anderson)
- QB Logan Thomas
- DT Jermelle Cudjo (Twitter link via Raanan)
- TE Ryan Malleck (per club announcement)
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/4/16
Now that the 2015 regular season is in the books, teams can begin signing players to reserve/futures contracts, adding those players to their 90-man offseason rosters. Generally, these players finished the season on a team’s practice squad, though some were free agents at season’s end.
Here are today’s reserve/futures deals:
Atlanta Falcons signed four players (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)
- Matt Simms, QB
- C.J. Goodwin, WR
- Gus Johnson, RB
- Collin Rahrig, G
Baltimore Ravens signed seven players (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun):
- Brennen Beyer, LB
- Leon Brown, G
- Nordly Capi, DE
- Blaine Clausell, T
- Chuck Jacobs, WR
- Nick Perry, S
- Harold Spears, TE
Buffalo Bills signed seven players (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)
- Cyril Richardson, G
- Phillip Thomas, S
- Blake Annen, TE
- Jacob Maxwell, TE
- Cedric Reed, DE
- Jonathan Dowling, S
- Ronald Patrick, C
Chicago Bears signed nine players (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune):
- De’Vante Bausby, CB
- Matt Blanchard, QB
- Cornelius Edison, C
- Paul Lasike, RB
- Marcus Lucas, WR/TE
- Danny Mason, LB
- Nathan Palmer, WR
- Gannon Sinclair, TE
- Martin Wallace, G/T
Cleveland Browns signed six players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Sean Baker, DB
- Dan France, OT
- Garth Gerhart, C
- Connor Hamlett, TE
- Tim Scott, DB
- Dylan Wynn, DE
Dallas Cowboys signed eight players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Donte Foster, WR
- Mike McAdoo, DE
- Brandon McGee, DB
- Derek Akunne, LB
- Buddy Jackson, DB
- Ben Malena, RB
- Efe Obada, DE
- Keith Smith, LB
Denver Broncos signed four players (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9NEWS)
- Cyrus Gray, RB
- Jace Davis, WR
- B.J. Lowery, DB
- DeVier Posey, WR
Detroit Lions signed five players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Khaseem Greene, LB
- Casey Pierce, TE
- Ryan Spadola, WR
- Corey Washington, WR
- Tyrus Thompson, OT
Jacksonville Jaguars signed nine players (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union):
- Rasheed Bailey, WR
- Kadeem Edwards, OL
- Shaq Evans, WRt
- Ben Koyack, TE
- Rashad Lawrence, WR
- Sean Porter, LB
- Chris Reed, G
- Rashaad Reynolds, CB
- Earl Wolff, S
Miami Dolphins signed one player (link)
- Tyler Davis, WR
New Orleans Saints signed five players (link via Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune):
- Reggie Bell, WR
- Alden Darby, S
- Brandon Dixon, CB
- Cyril Lemon, G
- Bryan Witzmann, T
New York Giants signed six players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)
- Tavarres King, WR
- G.J. Kinne, QB
- Shane McDermott, C
- Leon McFadden, CB
- Tom Obarski, K
- Jake Rodgers, OT
Philadelphia Eagles signed seven players (Twitter link via team):
- Brett Boyko, G
- Malcolm Bunche, G
- Brandon Hepburn, LB
- Freddie Martino, WR
- Kevin Monangai, RB
- Travis Raciti, DE
- Deontae Skinner, LB
San Diego Chargers signed six players (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)
- Richard Crawford, DB
- Brad Sorensen, QB
- Tim Semisch, TE
- Chuka Ndulue, DT
- Isaiah Burse, WR
- Ben Gardner, DE
Seattle Seahawks signed three players (Twitter link via Wilson)
- Andrew East, LS
- Ronnie Shields, TE
- Phillip Sims, QB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed nine players (link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times):
- Josh Allen, G
- Andre Davis, WR
- Antoine Everett, G
- Ben Gottschalk, C
- Gerod Holliman, S
- Martin Ifedi, DE
- Derrick Lott, DT
- C.J. Roberts, CB
- Joel Ross, CB
Tennessee Titans signed five players (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com):
- David Fluellen, RB
- Kevin Greene, TE
- Nick Harwell, WR
- Josue Matias, G
- Will Poehls, T
Washington signs three players (link via team):
- Christo Bilukidi, DL
- Desmond Bishop, LB
- Jerrell Powe, DL