Broncos Release WR Phillip Dorsett, DL Rashard Lawrence
The Broncos’ UDFA contingent became official Friday, and the 13-man haul left the team the task of moving two players off its roster to reach the 90-man offseason limit. The team has complied, cutting two experienced veterans.
Denver informed wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence of their respective releases, according to the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel and 9News’ Mike Klis.
Dorsett joined the Broncos on a practice squad deal just after teams finalized their initial 53-man rosters last August. The former first-round pick, who failed to make the Raiders’ 53-man roster in training camp, played in two games and caught one pass in 2023. The Broncos were Dorsett’s seventh NFL team. The nine-year veteran turned 31 earlier this offseason.
Dorsett’s best NFL showings came in Indianapolis and New England. The 2015 first-rounder was memorably included in a summer 2017 trade that sent Jacoby Brissett to the Patriots; that deal came after Dorsett totaled a career-high 528 receiving yards. He has not come within 100 yards of that total since. With Houston in 2022, the Miami alum caught 20 passes for 257 yards.
Lawrence, 25, has been with five teams since August 2023. The former Cardinals fourth-round pick, who started 13 games with his original team from 2020-22, did not make Arizona’s first Jonathan Gannon-run roster last year and caught on with the Dolphins’ practice squad. He then bounced to the Panthers and Texans’ taxi squads. The Broncos gave Lawrence and Dorsett reserve/futures contracts in January.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/23
Here are today’s minor transactions and callups for the remainder of the Week 17 matchups:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: CB Bobby Price
- Elevated: WR Dan Chisena
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: OL John Leglue
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Elevated: S Andrew Adams, OLB Jeremiah Moon
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: G J.D. DiRenzo, CB AJ Parker
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: WR Collin Johnson
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: DT Carl Davis, LB Buddy Johnson
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: WR Michael Bandy
- Elevated: WR Phillip Dorsett, OLB Ronnie Perkins
- Placed on reserve/non-football illness list: RB Dwayne Washington
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: TE Anthony Firkser
- Elevated: DL Tyson Alualu, DE Bruce Irvin
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: LB Liam Anderson, WR Ethan Fernea
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: RB Keaontay Ingram, NT Mike Pennel
- Waived: DT Matt Dickerson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: DT Matthew Butler, TE Cole Fotheringham
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: WR Keelan Doss
- Elevated: DT Christopher Hinton, OL Austen Pleasants
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: OLB Melvin Ingram
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: DL T.J. Smith, LB Nick Vigil
- Elevated: WR Lucky Jackson, CB Jaylin Williams
- Placed on IR: LB Troy Dye
New England Patriots
- Elevated: TE Matt Sokol, OL Andrew Stueber
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: LB Darrian Beavers
- Elevated: K Mason Crosby, WR Dennis Houston
- Placed on IR: TE Lawrence Cager
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LB Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: LB Myles Jack, S Eric Rowe
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: S Erik Harris, WR Tay Martin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: CB Derrek Pitts, TE David Wells
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: DT Ross Blacklock
- Elevated: LB Tae Crowder, CB Kendall Sheffield
- Placed on IR: TE Josh Whyle
Alualu is set to make his Lions debut after signing earlier this month. Given the injury issues Detroit has faced up front, the 36-year-old has the chance to see playing time through the close of the regular season and into the playoffs. Alualu expressed a desire to continue playing with the Steelers this offseason, but he remained a free agent deep into the year. His tenure in the Motor City could help boost his free agent stock if he wishes to remain in the league in 2024, though.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/9/23
We have our first flood of pregame transactions of the season today as teams across the league with games tomorrow utilize their two permitted practice squad elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: T Jackson Barton, S Andre Chachere
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: RB Godwin Igwebuike
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Natrone Brooks, TE Parker Hesse
- Waived: DL Joe Gaziano
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted from practice squad: C Sam Mustipher, CB Daryl Worley
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Stephen Carlson, OLB DeMarquis Gates
- Released: LB Dylan Cole
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: CB C.J. Goodwin, C Brock Hoffman
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Phillip Dorsett, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Innis Gaines, RB Patrick Taylor
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: G Michael Deiter, P Ty Zentner
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Jake Funk, WR Juwann Winfree
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Ross Blacklock
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Isaac Rochell
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Brevin Allen
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed to active roster: LB Troy Reeder
- Promoted from practice squad: K Brett Maher, QB Brett Rypien
- Placed on IR: TE Hunter Long
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: S DeAndre Square
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Cameron Goode
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Myles Gaskin, OLB Benton Whitley
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Ryan Connelly, RB Tony Jones Jr.
- Placed on IR: WR Tre’Quan Smith
New York Giants
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Taiwan Jones
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Britain Covey, P Arryn Siposs
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Austin Bryant, LB Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Artie Burns, LB Jon Rhattigan
- Placed on IR: RB Kenny McIntosh
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: T Justin Murray, DT Kyle Peko
Washington Commanders
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Jamison Crowder
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West
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 Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.
Denver Broncos
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Tyler Badie, WR Michael Bandy, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Phillip Dorsett (story), CB Art Green, OLB Marcus Haynes, T Demontrey Jacobs, S Devon Key, DL PJ Mustipher, DT Haggai Chisom Ndubusi, G William Sherman, WR David Sills
Kansas City Chiefs
Claimed:
- DB Darius Rush
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Ekow Boye-Doe, S Deon Bush, TE Matt Bushman, LB Cole Christiansen, DT Matt Dickerson, T Chukwuebuka Godrick, DE Truman Jones, T Darrian Kinnard, QB Chris Oladokun, RB La’Mical Perine, WR Cornell Powell, RB Deneric Prince, C Austin Reiter, DT Danny Shelton, CB Reese Taylor, DT Chris Williams
Las Vegas Raiders
Placed on IR:
- WR Chris Lacy
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- DE David Agoha, DL Matthew Butler, G McClendon Curtis, TE Cole Fotheringham, S Jaydon Grant, CB Tyler Hall, LB Kana’i Mauga, RB Sincere McCormick, G Netane Muti, DE Isaac Rochell, WR Devin Ross, TE John Samuel Shenker, CB Sam Webb, WR Antoine Wesley
Los Angeles Chargers
Claimed:
- LB Tanner Muse
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- OLB Brevin Allen, T Zack Bailey, WR Terrell Bynum, DL Jerrod Clark, DL Christian Covington, WR Keelan Doss, QB Max Duggan, OLB Andrew Farmer, CB Matt Hankins, TE Hunter Kampmoyer, DL C.J. Okoye, OL Austen Pleasants
Reverted to IR:
- WR Darrius Shepherd, CB Amechi Uzodinma, LB Blake Lynch, WR Milton Wright
Released from IR via injury settlement:
Broncos Plan To Sign WR Phillip Dorsett
11:06am: This will instead be a practice squad agreement, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. Waivers processed at 11am CT; teams can now begin assembling their taxi squads.
10:08am: The Broncos will again enter a season without their optimal receiving corps available. Tim Patrick will miss a second straight season, while KJ Hamler is off the roster. Denver’s top target, Jerry Jeudy, is likely to miss early-season time due to a hamstring injury.
While the team does not plan to move Jeudy to IR on Wednesday, it will reinforce its receiving corps with a depth piece. The Broncos intend to sign Phillip Dorsett, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Dorsett did not make the Raiders’ 53-man roster, being released Tuesday.
This Denver receiving nucleus has struggled to stay healthy since its inception in 2020. While Jeudy could return as early as September, Courtland Sutton represents the Broncos’ top receiver. The team will likely need to give substantial playing time to rookie Marvin Mims, who began training camp as a likely backup behind a Jeudy-Sutton-Patrick trio. The Broncos had been expected to re-sign Lil’Jordan Humphrey after cutting him Tuesday. It is unclear if the team plans to add both he and Dorsett.
A former first-round Colts pick, Dorsett never lived up to his draft slot. After making next to no impact from 2020-21, Dorsett did resurface as part of the Texans’ receiving corps last season. He caught 20 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos are surely targeting the 30-year-old wideout as a depth piece, but with Mims a rookie and no clear No. 3 target in place while Jeudy is down, Dorsett could conceivably play a role on offense for Sean Payton‘s team.
Dorsett and Russell Wilson were teammates with the Seahawks in 2021, but the former played in just two games with Seattle and caught one pass.
Raiders Reduce Roster To 53 Players
The Raiders cut down their roster to 53 players today. However, in the process, they were forced to move on from a handful of veterans:
Released:
- G Alex Bars
- WR Keelan Cole Sr.
- WR Phillip Dorsett II
- C Hroniss Grasu
- S Jaquan Johnson
- DE Isaac Rochell
- CB Duke Shelley
- WR Cam Sims
- RB Damien Williams
- DE Jordan Willis
Waived:
- DE David Agoha
- DT Matthew Butler
- G McClendon Curtis
- TE Cole Fotheringham
- S Jaydon Grant
- CB Tyler Hall
- CB Azizi Hearn
- LB Kana’i Mauga
- RB Sincere McCormick
- G Netane Muti
- DE Adam Plant
- TE John Samuel Shenker
- DE George Tarlas
- LB Drake Thomas
- CB Sam Webb
Placed on IR:
- OT Dalton Wagner
The Raiders signed Jaquan Johnson early during free agency, and there was hope he’d provide some experienced depth to their secondary. Ultimately, the team decided to go in another direction, but that doesn’t mean the safety won’t quickly find another gig elsewhere. Johnson got into 60 games for the Bills over the past four years, including a 2022 campaign where he finished with a career-high 32 tackles and one interception.
On the other side of the ball, the organization moved on from some notable offensive weapons. Keelan Cole Sr. got into 14 games for the Raiders last season, collecting 10 receptions for 141 yards. Phillip Dorsett II joined Las Vegas this offseason after spending the 2022 campaign with the Texans, where he hauled in 20 catches. Damien Williams has close to 500 touches in the NFL, although he only got into one game for the lowly Falcons last season.
Raiders To Sign WR Phillip Dorsett
Josh McDaniels has recruited yet another former Patriots player to Las Vegas. Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports (via Twitter) that the Raiders have reached an agreement with free agent wideout Phillip Dorsett.
[RELATED: Raiders To Trade Darren Waller To Giants]
The former first-round pick was paired with McDaniels in New England for three seasons. Despite receiving passes from Tom Brady, Dorsett still wasn’t able to show his first-round pedigree during his time with the Patriots. In 45 games (eight starts) with the organization, Dorsett had 73 receptions for 881 yards and eight touchdowns.
After bouncing around the NFL during the 2021 campaign, Dorsett found a full-time gig in Houston for the 2022 campaign. The wideout got into 15 games (four starts) last year, finishing with 20 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown.
Dorsett will be joining a new-look Raiders offense in 2023. McDaniels has brought in a pair of Patriots players already, signing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and wideout Jakobi Meyers. The Raiders are also rostering running back/special teamer Brandon Bolden and fullback Jakob Johnson, both former Patriots.
Dorsett will likely find himself behind Meyers, Davante Adams, and Hunter Renfrow on the depth chart, although the Raiders did open up some targets today when they traded tight end Darren Waller.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return: LB Tanner Vallejo, LB Ezekiel Turner
- Released: P Ryan Winslow
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: QB Matt Barkley
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: CB Xavier Crawford, S Teez Tabor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Designated for return: OG Xavier Su’a-Filo
Dallas Cowboys
- Designated for return: WR Noah Brown, WR T.J. Vasher, OT Josh Ball
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: OT Cole Van Lanen
- Activated from IR: CB Jaire Alexander
Houston Texans
- Extended: S Grayland Arnold
- Placed on IR: OG Cole Turner, WR Phillip Dorsett
Kansas City Chiefs
- Designated for return: RB Jerick McKinnon
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Justin March-Lillard, LB Kyle Wilber
- Designated for return: TE Derek Carrier
Los Angeles Chargers
- Designated for return: LB Kyler Fackrell, S Mark Webb
Miami Dolphins
- Designated for return: LB Brennan Scarlett
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: QB Kyle Sloter
- Designated for return: TE Ben Ellefson
- Placed on IR: WR Adam Thielen
New England Patriots
- Designated for return: LB Harvey Langi
New York Giants
- Designated for return: LB Trent Harris
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Javin White
Texans, Phillip Dorsett Agree To Extension
Phillip Dorsett has a new deal. On Wednesday, the Texans agreed to a new extension with the veteran wide receiver that will take him through the 2022 season (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790).
The new portion of the deal carries a base salary of $1.035MM with $300K in guarantees ($100K signing bonus, $200K for skill, injury and salary cap). He’s also in line to receive a $50K workout bonus.
Dorsett, 29 in January, now stands as the Texans’ primary slot receiver following Davion Davis‘ season-ending leg fracture. Before that, he spent time with the Jaguars and Seahawks. Now, the 2015 first-round pick could see more action that he has in a while. His last season of significance came in 2019 with the Patriots when he tallied 29 grabs for 397 yards and five touchdowns. All in all, he has 125 receptions for 1,643 yards and eleven touchdowns across the last five-and-three-quarters seasons.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/21
Here is how teams finalized their Week 14 rosters:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: TE Hayden Hurst
- Promoted: RB Qadree Ollison, S Shawn Williams
- Waived: RB Wayne Gallman
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Robert Jackson, T David Sharpe
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: G Jon Feliciano
- Promoted: DE Eli Ankou, DT Brandin Bryant, LB Joe Giles-Harris
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: T Cameron Erving
- Promoted: RB Reggie Bonnafon, LB Frankie Luvu, OL Patrick Omameh
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: LB Charles Snowden
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, LB Keandre Jones
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: LB Jacob Phillips
- Promoted: DB Herb Miller, DB Jovante Moffatt, WR JoJo Natson
- Waived: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: TE Ian Bunting, RB JaQuan Hardy, S Darian Thompson
- Waived: DT Justin Hamilton
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: LB Micah Kiser, CB Michael Ojemudia
Detroit Lions
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Mark Gilbert, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Promoted: CB Corey Ballentine, LB Curtis Bolton, DE Bruce Hector, CB Parnell Motley, RB Craig Reynolds, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, RB Rodney Smith, TE Shane Zylstra
Houston Texans
- Promoted: DB Grayland Arnold, WR Phillip Dorsett, DL Chris Smith
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DB Dicaprio Bootle, DB Josh Jackson
- Placed on IR: DB Chris Lammons
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on IR: LB Kyler Fackrell
- Promoted: DB Ben DeLuca, LB Emeke Egbule, WR Jason Moore
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Salvon Ahmed
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
- Promoted: G James Carpenter, LB Chase Hansen, WR Kevin White, WR Easop Winston, TE Ethan Wolf
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, DB Jarren Williams
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: CB Brandin Echols
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, TE Dan Brown, WR D.J. Montgomery, WR Vyncint Smith
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: RB Trenton Cannon, CB Emmanuel Moseley
- Promoted: WR River Cracraft, RB Brian Hill, CB Saivion Smith, S Jarrod Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Edmond Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: S Dane Cruikshank, WR Racey McMath
- Placed on IR: TE Tommy Hudson; this is Hudson’s second IR trip, ending his season
- Promoted: WR Cody Hollister, DL Kevin Strong
- Waived: S Brady Breeze
Washington Football Team
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Darryl Roberts, DE James Smith-Williams
- Placed on IR: G Wes Schweitzer
- Promoted: DE William Bradley-King, LB De’Jon Harris, S Jeremy Reaves, C Jon Toth