Chargers Place LB Junior Colson On IR; Taylor Heinicke Among Team’s Cuts
The Chargers placed a key defender on season-ending IR and made a quarterback decision. Here are the Bolts’ moves to reach the 53-man roster limit:
Released:
- CB Harrison Hand
- QB Taylor Heinicke
- S Tony Jefferson
- LB Kana’i Mauga
- RB Nyheim Miller-Hines
- LB Del’Shawn Phillips
- WR Jalen Reagor
- T David Sharpe
Waived:
- G Karsen Barnhart
- DB Trikweze Bridges
- WR Dalevon Campbell
- DL TeRah Edwards
- WR Luke Grimm
- OLB Kylan Guidry
- DL Christopher Hinton
- WR JaQuae Jackson
- LB Emany Johnson
- G Nash Jones
- C Josh Kaltenberger
- TE Stevo Klotz
- OLB Tre’Mon Morris-Brash
- T Ryan Nelson
- CB Myles Purchase
- OLB Garmon Randolph
- WR Brenden Rice
- RB Raheim Sanders
- CB Nehemiah Shelton
- DL Nesta Jade Silvera
- T Corey Stewart
- G Branson Taylor
- QB DJ Uiagalelei
- RB Kimani Vidal
- TE Thomas Yassmin
Waived/injured:
- WR Jaylen Johnson
- S Jaylen Jones
- RB Jaret Patterson
Placed on IR:
Placed on IR (return designation):
- LS Josh Harris
- DB Deane Leonard
It is not known what injury Colson suffered — teams do not have to disclose injuries until Week 1 — but this is a significant setback for the former Jim Harbaugh Michigan pupil. Colson entered training camp with a chance to earn the starting linebacker job alongside Daiyan Henley; instead, he will miss the season. Harris and Leonard will be eligible to return from IR after four games; their IR-return placements drop the Bolts’ injury activation count from eight to six.
It is possible the Chargers circle back to Heinicke, who is a vested veteran. A practice squad stashing could make sense, but Trey Lance is also a vested veteran now. The Bolts are keeping the former No. 3 overall pick on their 53-man roster, while Heinicke’s status is uncertain. The Chargers re-signed Heinicke to a one-year, $2.5MM deal. They are positioned to eat $2MM in dead money due to the guarantees given to their 2024 backup.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/13/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: RB Marcus Major
Chicago Bears
- Reverted to IR: S Major Burns
Cleveland Browns
- Waived from IR: WR Luke Floriea
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Raiders): WR Kawaan Baker
- Reverted to IR: CB Isaiah Dunn, RB Jalen White
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Tre’ McKitty
- Placed on IR: TE Dalton Keene
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Marcus Haynes
- Placed on IR: WR D.J. Montgomery
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Keni-H Lovely
- Released from IR (injury settlement): CB Levi Wallace
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Waived/injured: CB Jordan Oladokun
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Cam Gill, LB Max Tooley
- Reverted to IR: C Zeke Correll
New England Patriots
- Reverted to IR: RB Deneric Prince
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: WR Bub Means, TE Mason Pline
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Malik Turner
- Placed on IR: DE Bradlee Anae, DE Demone Harris, LB William Bradley-King
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Reverted to reserve/PUP: QB Michael Pratt
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Vikings): LB Brian Asamoah II
- Waived: LB Otis Reese
- Reverted to IR: LB Anfernee Orji
The Titans swapped linebackers today, replacing Otis Reese with Brian Asamoah II. The latter was waived by the Vikings yesterday, but he’ll quickly land on his feet in Tennessee. The former third-round pick spent three years in Minnesota, collecting 30 tackles in 46 games. 802 of his 990 snaps came on special teams. He’ll be taking the spot formerly held by Reese, who started five games for the Titans over the previous two seasons.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/19/24
Saturday’s practice squad moves:
Denver Broncos
- Released: C Dieter Eiselen
Green Bay Packers
- Released (via injury settlement): WR T.J. Luther
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Austin Ajiake
- Released: WR Ethan Fernea
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: S Tony Jefferson
- Released: CB Nehemiah Shelton
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LS Matt Overton
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Brenden Bates
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/9/24
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: T Austen Pleasants
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Tommy Sweeney
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Trey Dean, DE Marcus Haynes
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Jared Wayne
- Released: DT Marcus Harris
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T Jack Wilson
- Released: K Spencer Shrader
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Released: LB Shaquille Quarterman
New York Jets
- Signed: C Alec Lindstrom, S Jaylen Key
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: T John Ojukwu
Wilson is a former collegiate basketball player who played for two years apiece at Idaho and Oregon State. He transitioned to football, transferring to Washington State for three years, appearing in 12 games in 2022 at right and left tackle. He then played in 13 basketball games for the Cougars before transferring to Minnesota and transitioning back to basketball for his final year of collegiate eligibility.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/24/24
Here are Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: LB Joe Evans
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Alex Cook, Justin Hardee
- Released: OLB Eku Leota
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Teagan Quitoriano
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DB Morice Norris
Green Bay Packers
- Released: TE Johnny Lumpkin
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Josiah Bronson, DE Derek Rivers
- Placed on IR: QB Jason Bean
- Released: CB Kelvin Joseph
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: TE Luke Benson, CB Nehemiah Shelton
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR John Jiles
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Joel Wilson
- Placed on IR: TE Lawrence Cager
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Brandon Smith
- Released: S Jaylen Key
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR John Ross
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Marcus Haynes
- Released: TE Matt Sokol
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: S Tracy Walker
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Ty Hall, DT Matt Gotel
- Placed on IR: RB George Holani
- Released: S Marquise Blair
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: P Trenton Gill, CB Keenan Isaac
- Released: P Seth Vernon
This year’s ‘Mr. Irrelevant,’ Key did not make the Jets’ initial 53-man roster. The 24-year-old was retained via the practice squad, but he did not see any regular season action. Now a free agent, Key will look to latch on with another organization.
Ross signed with the Eagles in May as part of his bid to return to the NFL. The former Combine 40-yard dash record holder was released during roster cutdowns, however, after he was unable to carve out a depth role on offense. Ross will rejoin the team in a bid to provide Philadelphia with a complementary receiving option as the team deals with a number of injuries at the WR spot.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/9/24
Tonight’s practice squad moves:
Houston Texans
- Signed: G Arlington Hambright
- Released: TE Cole Fotheringham
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Released: CB Matt Hankins
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Curtis Bolton
- Placed on IR: LB Carter Coughlin
Jets Set 53-Man Roster
The 2023 campaign obviously didn’t go as planned for the Jets, but the organization is hoping for much more success with a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center in 2024. Of course, before they can take the field, the team had to set their 53-man roster. The Jets announced the following roster moves today:
Released:
- LB Sam Eguavoen
- TE Anthony Firkser
- OL Jake Hanson
- DL Jalyn Holmes
- K Austin Seibert
- CB Kendall Sheffield
- DL Tanzel Smart
Waived:
- CB Shemar Bartholomew
- S Al Blades Jr.
- OL Austin Deculus
- OL Obinna Eze
- OL Chris Glaser
- WR Tyler Harrell
- DL Bruce Hector
- LB Anthony Hines
- RB Deon Jackson
- S Jaylen Key
- TE Zack Kuntz
- S Jarius Monroe
- OL Brady Latham
- OL Kohl Levao
- QB Adrian Martinez
- LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
- WR Lance McCutcheon
- QB Andrew Peasley
- TE Lincoln Sefcik
- CB Nehemiah Shelton
- LB Jackson Sirmon
- WR Brandon Smith
- DB Tre Swilling
- DL Jaylen Twyman
- OL Willie Tyler III
- RB Xazavian Valladay
- WR Isaiah Winstead
Placed on reserve/NFI list:
- DL Leki Fotu
- QB Jordan Travis
- TE Kenny Yeboah
Following today’s moves, the Jets are temporarily rostering only a pair of tight ends in Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert. Anthony Firkser isn’t an especially surprising cut, but the veteran could have provided some experience to the position grouping. After topping 30 receptions with the Titans in 2020 and 2021, Firkser was limited to nine catches in 2022 before appearing in only a pair of games with the Lions in 2023. The Jets also moved on from 2023 seventh-round pick Zack Kuntz, although there’s a chance the six-foot-eight tight end lands back on the team’s practice squad.
The Jets also moved on from a notable rookie in Jaylen Key, who had the distinction of being this year’s Mr. Irrelevant. The safety had a strong one-season stint at Alabama, where he collected 60 tackles and one interception.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/19/24
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: QB Anthony Brown
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Willie Drew, CB Quandre Mosely, WR Sam Pinckney, RB Jaden Shirden, CB Chris Wilcox
- Placed on IR: CB Anthony Brown, QB Jake Luton
- Waived: RB Dillon Johnson
- Waived/injured: CB Lamar Jackson, WR Tayvion Robinson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: RB Chris Evans, T D’Ante Smith
- Waived: DT Devonnsha Maxwell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, T Chim Okorafor
- Placed on IR: T Hakeem Adeniji
- Waived: WR Matt Landers
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: T Earl Bostick
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Mike Panasiuk, LB Mike Smith Jr.
- Placed on IR: C Ryan Coll
- Waived/injured: G Josh Sills
- Released via injury settlement: RB Trent Pennix
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LS Randen Plattner
- Waived: OL McKade Mettauer
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Justin Hall
- Waived: WR Ty James, P Seth Vernon
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Kyler Baugh, LB Trey Kiser
- Waived/injured: DL Ryder Anderson
- Placed on IR: OL Yodny Cajuste
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Waived: TE Neal Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Kyahva Tezino
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Michael Ezeike, TE Devon Garrison
- Waived: LB Devin Richardson, CB Willie Roberts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Brandon Matterson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DE Justin Hollins
- Cut via injury settlement: LB Bo Bauer
Smith sustained a torn patellar tendon during a Bengals joint practice with the Bears, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports. He joins Evans in sustaining a season-ending injury during that workout. A 2021 fourth-round pick, Smith was believed to have earned the Bengals’ swing tackle role early last year. But he did not see any game action in Year 3. Having played in just three career games, Smith has seen his career hit a crossroads after this injury. His rookie contract expires after the season. This further depletes a Bengals O-line that will be without first-rounder Amarius Mims for a bit due to a strained pec.
A former Bengals starter, Adeniji joined the Browns in March. A knee injury sidelined Adeniji recently, and while Kevin Stefanski said the veteran O-lineman will miss “a little bit of time,” this transaction will likely lead to an injury settlement that sends him back to free agency for a stretch. The Bengals used Adeniji as a starter in each of their four 2021 playoff games, before spending to upgrade their O-line the following year. Adeniji, a 2020 sixth-rounder, played in one Vikings game last season.
Brown and Lamar Jackson sustained injuries during the Panthers’ most recent preseason game, adding to Carolina’s issues — headlined by Dane Jackson‘s significant hamstring setback — at corner. Formerly a Cowboys regular, Brown has struggled to stick with a team as of late. He spent 2023 with three teams — the Steelers, 49ers and Jets — and played in just two games. This came after Brown was with Dallas for six seasons, starting 69 games.
A five-game starter for the 2021 Super Bowl champion Rams, Hollins played for three teams last season. The former Broncos draftee was with the Packers, Giants and Chargers. He has 10.5 career sacks, one coming last season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/24
Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: G Zack Johnson
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Deontay Burnett, WR Kelvin Harmon
Denver Broncos
- Activated from active/PUP list: S Caden Sterns
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Malik Jefferson
- Placed on IR: Michael Badgley (story)
- Placed on active/NFI list: OL Christian Mahogany
- Waived with injury settlement: OL Matt Farniok
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Curtis Bolton
- Waived: QB Gavin Hardison
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Chandler Brewer
- Waived: G Nouri Nouili
New York Jets
- Signed: QB Adrian Martinez, CB Kendall Sheffield
- Waived: Ben Bryant, CB Nehemiah Shelton
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Frank Darby
- Waived: CB Kemon Hall
Martinez had a productive dual-threat career in college, scoring 96 total touchdowns during his time with Nebraska and Kansas State. He joined the Lions as a UDFA last spring, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. Martinez did not see any NFL game action, but he recently boosted his stock in the UFL. The 24-year-old earned league MVP honors while leading the Birmingham Stallions to the championship. Martinez compiled a combined 17:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and led the league with 588 rushing yards.
The top of New York’s depth chart is set with Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, but rookie Jordan Travis opened training camp on the NFI list as he continues to recover from the leg injury which ended his Florida State career. Martinez’s arrival (and the corresponding departure of Bryant) will allow him to see limited reps for at least a brief period. He could be a practice squad candidate if Travis returns to health in time for the fall, but a strong showing in training camp and/or the preseason could make him an attractive option for other teams.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/24
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived (with injury settlement): OL Carter O’Donnell
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OT Julién Davenport
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from PUP: WR Jalen Coker, Chau Smith-Wade
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on NFI: OT Trent Brown
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: QB Jacob Eason
- Waived: LS Peter Bowden
Houston Texans
- Reverted to IR: WR Jared Wayne
- Released from IR: WR Jaxon Janke
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on PUP: LB Darien Butler, OL Jacob Johanning, OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, WR Jalen Guyton, T Kolton Miller
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on PUP: TE Tyler Higbee
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Kyric McGowan
- Placed on PUP: WR Odell Beckham, LB David Long
- Placed on IR: WR Tahj Washington
- Activated off NFI: RB Salvon Ahmed, S Mark Perry
New England Patriots
- Placed on PUP: C Jake Andrews, WR Kendrick Bourne, G Cole Strange, LB Sione Takitaki
- Placed on NFI: RB Antonio Gibson
New York Giants
- Placed on PUP: T Evan Neal▪️, CB Aaron Robinson
- Placed on NFI: DB Jalen Mills, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Activated from PUP: WR Tyler Harrell, DT Leonard Taylor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on NFI: DB Cooper DeJean
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on PUP: LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga
- Placed on NFI: WR Ricky Pearsall
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Marcus Simms, OT Jalen Sundell
- Activated from PUP: LB Jerome Baker, CB Lance Boykin, LB Tyrel Dodson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on NFI: QB Zack Annexstad, TE Tanner Taula
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on PUP: WR Colton Dowell, OT Nicholas Petit-Frere