Markus Jones

Jets Work Out Shane Ray, Nate Orchard

In their quest to bolster their pass rush, the Jets worked out a pair of recognizable edge defenders today. Per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Gang Green brought in Shane Ray and Nate Orchard for visits (Twitter link).

Interestingly, both players worked out for the Bears last Tuesday, but obviously neither signed with Chicago. Ray, a former first-round pick of the Broncos, was among the Ravens’ final cuts before the regular season got underway. After posting 12 sacks in his first two seasons, Ray missed large portions of the next two years due to injury and is looking to show that he can still be an effective QB hunter.

Orchard, meanwhile, looked as if he would make the Dolphins’ roster after a strong preseason, but Miami surprisingly cut him prior to the first game of the 2019 campaign. He also worked out for the Lions after the Dolphins sent him packing.

In addition to Ray and Orchard, the Jets took a look at defensive ends Jamal DavisKasim Edebali, and Markus Jones, as well as OLB Chuck Harris.

NFL Workout Updates: 9/10/19

We’ve got another busy day of workouts, with many teams across the league hosting players.

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Redskins

Packers Reach 53-Man Max

The Packers have released the following players to reach the 53-man limit:

G Dejon Allen
TE Evan Baylis
FB Tommy Bohanon
RB Tra Carson
G Anthony Coyle
T Gerhard de Beer
CB Kabion Ento
K Sam Ficken
LB James Folston
RB Keith Ford
S Natrell Jamerson
LB Markus Jones
CB Jocquez Kalili
WR Allen Lazard
DL James Looney
S Tray Matthews
TE Pharoah McKever
WR J’Mon Moore
T Yosh Nijman
G/T Adam Pankey
CB Jackson Porter
LB Randy Ramsey
WR Teo Redding
CB Nydair Rouse
DL Olive Sagapolu
LB Brady Sheldon
DL Deon Simon
WR Malik Taylor
QB Manny Wilkins

The Packers’ previously announced release of DeShone Kizer leaves the club with just two quarterbacks – Aaron Rodgers and Tim Boyle – on the roster. Meanwhile, they’ll carry six wide receivers on the initial 53: Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis, Jake Kumerow, and Darrius Shepherd.

Equanimeous St. Brown, meanwhile, is not on that WR list. He was initially thought to have suffered a mild ankle sprain, but now, he’ll be out for the season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/31/19

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Miami Dolphins

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Waived: WR Daniel Williams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/30/19

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived: OLB/DE Markus Jones

Buffalo Bills

  • Retired: OL Isaac Asiata

Detroit Lions

  • Signed: DT Frederick Jones
  • Waived: WR Brandon Reilly

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: WR Roger Lewis, OG Ian Silberman
  • Waived: LB Drew Lewis, OG William Poehls

New England Patriots

  • Signed: OT Martez Ivey
  • Waived/Injured: OL Cole Croston

New York Jets

  • Signed: OL Ryan Anderson, CB Dee Delaney
  • Waived: LB Jeff Allison, OL Toa Lobendahn

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Placed on IR: TE Troy Niklas

Ravens Sign Gerald Willis, 16 Other UDFAs

Stationed on ESPN’s “best available” graphic for hours on Day 3 of the draft, Gerald Willis found a home in Baltimore. The Ravens made the defensive lineman part of their UDFA contingent. Here is the rest of the team’s 17-man group:

Rated as the No. 76 overall prospect on Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board, Willis earned second-team All-American honors by finishing with 18 tackles for loss and four sacks last season. However, character issues likely led to his slide. Florida dismissed the talented defender earlier in his career, and some Miami coaches were skeptical of his NFL future.

The Ravens are continuing their rookie-heavy approach to staffing their wide receiver spots, this trio following Marquise Brown and third-round pick Miles Boykin. Smith, who had his best college season (a 60-catch, 980-yard, seven-touchdown 2017) when playing with Lamar Jackson, will rejoin the developing passer. Wesley’s 1,410 receiving yards ranked third in Division I-FBS last season.