Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Commanders, Cowboys, Eagles and Giants moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Dallas Cowboys
Signed to practice squad:
- G Isaac Alarcon, T Aviante Collins, S Tyler Coyle, RB Malik Davis, WR Dontario Drummond, QB Will Grier, LB Malik Jefferson, C Alec Lindstrom, K Brett Maher, TE Sean McKeon, QB Cooper Rush, WR Brandon Smith, DE Mika Tafua, S Juanyeh Thomas, DT Carlos Watkins
New York Giants
Signed:
- LB Austin Calitro, TE Tanner Hudson, DL Nick Williams
Released:
- OL Max Garcia
Claimed:
- G Jack Anderson (from Eagles), CB Justin Layne (from Steelers), DB Nick McCloud (from Bills), S Jason Pinnock (from Jets)
Placed on IR:
- G Shane Lemieux, LB Elerson Smith, CB Rodarius Williams
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Ryder Anderson, TE Austin Allen, WR C.J. Board, RB Jashaun Corbin, CB Darren Evans, OL Max Garcia, CB Zyon Gilbert, CB Harrison Hand, T Will Holden, T Roy Mbaeteka, OL Garrett McGhin, S Nate Meadors, WR Jaylon Moore, OLB Quincy Roche, S Trenton Thompson, QB Davis Webb, LB Chuck Wiley
Philadelphia Eagles
Claimed:
- QB Ian Book (from Saints)
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Devon Allen, G/T Kayode Awosika, RB Kennedy Brooks, WR Deon Cain, S Andre Chachere, T Le’Raven Clark, WR Britain Covey, LB Christian Elliss, CB Mario Goodrich, S Anthony Harris, QB Reid Sinnett, TE Noah Togliai, OL Cameron Tom, DT Marvin Wilson
Washington Commanders
Released:
- LB De’Jon Harris, LB David Mayo
Claimed:
- DB Tariq Castro-Fields (from 49ers), DB Rachad Wildgoose (from Jets)
Waived:
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- T Alex Akingbulu, CB Troy Apke, DT David Bada, DE William Bradley-King, CB Corn Elder, WR Alex Erickson, S Ferrod Gardner, LB Khaleke Hudson, CB Danny Johnson, G Nolan Laufenberg, WR Kyric McGowan, WR Marken Michel, T Aaron Monteiro, RB Jaret Patterson, C Jon Toth
Cowboys Set 53-Man Roster
The Cowboys got their roster down to 53 players today, and to get there, they cut all their backup QB options, their kicker, and their long snapper:
Released:
- CB C.J. Goodwin
- LB Malik Jefferson
- K Brett Maher
- LS Jake McQuaide
- QB Cooper Rush (story)
- DT Carlos Watkins
Waived:
- G Isaac Alarcon
- DT Josiah Bronson
- DE Markaviest Bryant
- T Aviante Collins
- S Tyler Coyle
- RB Malik Davis
- QB Ben DiNucci (story)
- WR Dontario Drummond
- C James Empey
- QB Will Grier (story)
- LB Storey Jackson
- G Braylon Jones
- C Alec Lindstrom
- TE Sean McKeon
- T Amon Simon
- WR Brandon Smith
- DE Mika Tafua
- S Juanyeh Thomas
- WR T.J. Vasher
Waived/injured:
- RB Aaron Shampklin
- CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart
Placed on reserve/NFI:
- LB Damone Clark
The Cowboys are currently rolling without a second QB behind Dak Prescott after the team moved on from Cooper Rush, Will Grier, and Ben DiNucci. Rush has the most experience of the group, appearing in 10 career games, including five appearances (one start) with Dallas in 2021. The 28-year-old finished last season having completed 30 of his 47 pass attempts for 422 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The Cowboys also aren’t rostering a kicker or long snapper at the moment, something that will certainly change over the next few days.
Special teams ace C.J. Goodwin could also land back on the active roster once the dust settles. Goodwin has spent the past four seasons in Dallas, and he hasn’t missed a game over the past three years. The 32-year-old finished last season with a career-high 10 tackles.
Cowboys Sign LB Malik Jefferson
Malik Jefferson is heading back home. The former Longhorns linebacker is signing with the Cowboys, reports Jori Epstein of USA Today (via Twitter). To make room on the roster, Dallas has waived running back JaQuan Hardy, per ESPN’s Todd Archer (on Twitter).
Jefferson was a standout during his time at Texas, including a 2017 campaign where he earned Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors. Despite warnings from the College Advisory Board that he should stay in college, Jefferson decided to forego his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft. While he was originally expected to be a second-round pick, he ended up sliding to the Bengals in the third round (No. 78).
The linebacker struggled to see the field during his rookie season; while he got into 12 games, he primarily played on special teams. Jefferson was let go by Cincinnati the following preseason, and he’s since bounced around the NFL, spending time with the Browns, Chargers (two stints), Titans, and Colts. After getting into a career-high 13 games with Los Angeles during the 2020 season, the 25-year-old was limited to only one game with Indy in 2021.
Hardy went undrafted out of Tiffin University in 2021. He caught on with the Cowboys last offseason and spent much of the season on the practice squad. He ended up getting into three games for Dallas, collecting 29 rushing yards and one touchdown on four carries.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/10/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Chicago Bears
- Reverted to IR: LB Ledarius Mack
Detroit Lions
- Waived: LB Tavante Beckett, OLB Rashod Berry, CB Parnell Motley, TE Jared Pinkney (injury settlement), TE Matt Sokol
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: T Shon Coleman, LB Malik Jefferson
- Waived: TE Farrod Green, TE Eli Wolf
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: QB Anthony Gordon, RB Brenden Knox, OT Gene Pryor, DT Darius Stills
New York Giants
- Waived: LB Omari Cobb, TE Jake Hausmann, TE Rysen John, OL Wes Martin
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived: LB Tegray Scales, LS Rex Sunahara
- Waived-injured: CB Isaiah Johnson
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/4/22
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: RB Antonio Williams
- Waived: WR Austin Proehl
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: QB Kyle Lauletta, OT Alex Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: LB Malik Jefferson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Designated for return: CB Chris Lammons, DT Khalen Saunders
New York Giants
- Waived: TE Chris Myarick
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: LT George Fant, DE Bryce Huff
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DE Cameron Malveaux, LB JaCoby Stevens
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: RB Josh Johnson
- Placed on IR: RB Alex Collins
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/3/22
Here are Monday’s activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Sam Tecklenburg, DE Darryl Johnson, C Matt Paradis
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Jesper Horsted, LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Darius Phillips (remains on IR), WR Auden Tate (remains on IR)
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Jordan Evans
Denver Broncos
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Brandon McManus, P Sam Martin
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Michael Brockers, WR Josh Reynolds, OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai, TE Brock Wright
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Austin Bryant, T Taylor Decker, T Penei Sewell
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: RB Rodney Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chauncey Rivers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jaire Alexander, OT Dennis Kelly, DB Darnell Savage, WR David Moore
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Justin Reid
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Malik Jefferson
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB James Morgan, TE Eli Wolf
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Mike Remmers (remains on IR)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Will Compton, LB Patrick Onwuasor
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: OG Lester Cotton, OG Jeremiah Poutasi
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Andrew Brown, LB Kenneth Murray
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raymond Calais (remains on IR)
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: NT John Jenkins, WR Preston Williams
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: C Spencer Pulley, DT Durval Queiroz Neto
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Patrick Jones II
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Camryn Bynum, G Ezra Cleveland, T Christian Darrisaw, LB Eric Kendricks, T Brian O’Neill
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Myles Bryant
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: T William Sherman
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: K Wil Lutz, OL Landon Young
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Jalen Dalton (from IR)
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Kyle Phillips
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Andre Chachere
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Genard Avery, DT Fletcher Cox, DB Marcus Epps, G Nate Herbig, RB Jordan Howard, C Jason Kelce, DB Avonte Maddox, DB Rodney McLeod, RB Boston Scott, LB Alex Singleton, TE Jack Stoll
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Damion Willis
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raheem Mostert (from IR), CB K’Waun Williams, DB Jimmie Ward
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Alton Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Julio Jones, LB Jayon Brown, OT Kendall Lamm
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: OT Paul Adams
Washington Football Team
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Samuel Cosmi, CB Darryl Roberts
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: G Beau Benzschawel
Colts Reached Out To Philip Rivers
The NFL revising its COVID-19 protocols yet again may allow the Colts to dodge a bullet. Carson Wentz is unvaccinated and tested positive Tuesday, but Frank Reich said he would start Sunday if he is asymptomatic, Stephen Holder of The Athletic tweets. Current Colts backup Sam Ehlinger would start if Wentz is experiencing symptoms at that point.
Reich has also remained in contact with the Colts’ 2020 starter, Philip Rivers. The two discussed the current Colts QB bind, Zak Keefer of The Athletic tweets. However, it does not seem like Rivers will come out of retirement to replace Wentz. Reich said nothing is developing on that front.
Rivers, 40, retired after spending last season with the Colts, but the current high school coach has said he would consider a return to join a contender. He was open to joining the Saints once Jameis Winston went down earlier this season. In his one Colts season, Rivers completed 68% of his passes and finished with a 24-to-11 TD-INT ratio. The Colts traded for Wentz not long after Rivers’ retirement.
Had the NFL not revised its protocols for a second time this month, Wentz would be shut down for Week 17 due to his positive test. Previously, unvaccinated players who tested positive were forced into 10-day quarantines. The NFL has reduced that to five, opening the door for Wentz to play Sunday. A sixth-round rookie, Ehlinger took first-team reps for a stretch after Wentz went down with a foot injury during training camp.
The Colts received more good news regarding their COVID-19 situation Wednesday. They activated offensive line starters Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski, along with cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and defensive end Kemoko Turay. However, right tackle Braden Smith is now on Indianapolis’ virus list. Smith could rejoin his teammates Sunday, however, regardless of vaccination status. Like Wentz, if Smith is not displaying symptoms, he could return Sunday against the Raiders. Smith was the Colts’ lone O-line starter available by the end of Week 16, but the team will have more of its starters on hand against Las Vegas.
Marlon Mack, cornerback T.J. Carrie, safety Jahleel Addae and linebacker Malik Jefferson join Smith as players now on Indy’s virus list.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/21
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Andy Dalton and CB Duke Shelly
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Elijah Wilkinson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: QB Kyle Lauletta, QB Jake Dolegala (story)
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Cedrick Wilson
Detroit Lions
- Placed on Injured Reserve: TE T.J. Hockenson
Houston Texans
- Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Justin McCray
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: LB Malik Jefferson
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list: G Jamil Demby, DB Grant Haley, TE Tyler Higbee, LB Justin Lawler
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 List: RB Mark Ingram
New York Giants
- Promoted: DT David Moa
Washington Football Team
- Signed: QB Garrett Gilbert (story)
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Daniel Wise
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/15/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return: TE David Wells
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB A.J. Klein
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
- Claimed: DT Josiah Bronson (from Saints)
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: CB Deante Burton
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Jordan Love
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: DT Malik Jefferson
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed: LB Calvin Munson (from Patriots)
- Designated for return: RB Malcolm Brown
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Yasir Durant
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR/RB Ty Montgomery
- Designated for return: TE Adam Trautman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return: G Jack Anderson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: OL B.J. Finney
- Promoted: OT Joe Haeg
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Tanner Muse
- Placed on IR: CB Gavin Heslop
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC South
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Colts, Jaguars, Texans and Titans moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s AFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Houston Texans
Signed to practice squad:
- TE Antony Auclair, DB Shyheim Carter, QB Jeff Driskel, OL Hjalte Froholdt, OL Carson Green, CB Isaiah Johnson, OL Ryan McCollum, WR Chris Moore, LB Hardy Nickerson, S Jonathan Owens, CB Antonio Phillips, TE Paul Quessenberry, DE Derek Rivers, OL Lane Taylor, WR Jordan Veasy
Indianapolis Colts
Claimed:
- DB Thakarius Keyes (from Chiefs), DB Chris Wilcox (from Buccaneers)
Waived:
- S Andre Chachere, CB Marvell Tell
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Tarik Black, LB Curtis Bolton, DT Andrew Brown, CB Anthony Chesley, DE Kameron Cline, WR Keke Coutee, S Sean Davis, S Shawn Davis, TE Farrod Green, WR DeMichael Harris, QB Brett Hundley, C Joey Hunt, RB Deon Jackson, LB Malik Jefferson, OT Carter O’Donnell, WR Tyler Vaughns
Jacksonville Jaguars
Claimed:
- WR Tyron Johnson (from Chargers; story)
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Lorenzo Burns, DT Doug Costin, WR Jeff Cotton Jr., RB Nathan Cottrell, WR Phillip Dorsett, WR Josh Hammond, OL K.C. McDermott, RB Devine Ozigbo, DB Brandon Rusnak, WR Devin Smith, Badara Traore, WR Laquon Treadwell, OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
Tennessee Titans
Claimed:
- OL Corey Levin (from Jets)
Released:
- QB Matt Barkley
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, S Jamal Carter, FB Tory Carter, OL Christian DiLauro, WR Dez Fitzpatrick, TE Miller Forristall, OL Derwin Gray, DL Woodrow Hamilton, LB Jan Johnson, WR Mason Kinsey, DL Naquan Jones, OL Jordan Roos
Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: