Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/23
Here are today’s minor transactions from around the league:
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on PUP: DL John Penisini
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: WR Tim Patrick (story)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Darrell Daniels, TE Daniel Helm
- Placed on PUP: CB Emmanuel Moseley
- Waived: TE Derrick Deese
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): LB Arron Mosby
- Waived: OLB LaDarius Hamilton
Houston Texans
- Released: DE Demone Harris
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from PUP: DL Tershawn Wharton
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: LB Kana’i Mauga
Miami Dolphins
- Waived/injured: S Bennett Williams
- Waived: P Michael Turk
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Christian DiLauro
- Waived/injured: OL Sam Schlueter
New England Patriots
- Waived: WR Ed Lee
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Tommy Kraemer
- Claimed off waivers (from Packers): G Chuck Filiaga
- Placed on IR: LB Andrew Dowell
- Waived/injured: T Scott Lashley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Isaiah Dunn, S Trenton Thompson
- Placed on IR: CB Cory Trice
- Waived/injured: RB Alfonzo Graham
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: C Jimmy Murray
- Waived: WR Jacob Copeland
Moseley reportedly had a small clean-up procedure on his knee the other day as he continues to come back from last year’s ACL tear. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, it doesn’t appear to be a major setback, and head coach Dan Campbell expects Moseley back on Monday.
The news on Harris’s retirement comes from KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, who reports that the two sides “are parting ways as (Harris) plans to retire.” If this is truly the end of the road for Harris, then the transaction puts a cap on a five-year career that saw Harris rack up 11 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits in the NFL.
Turk was urgently brought on as an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma to compete with free agent addition Jake Bailey, formerly with the Patriots. The punter competition may be over quickly as Bailey is the only punter on the roster now.
Trice, the Steelers’ first of two seventh-round picks this year, suffered a non-contact injury at camp yesterday. His placement on injured reserve indicates that his rookie season has unfortunately come to an end before it had the chance to begin.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/23
Today’s tender decisions from around the NFL:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Bills: CB Dane Jackson
- Patriots: CB Myles Bryant, OT Yodny Cajuste
Non-tendered:
- 49ers: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
- Lions: OL Tommy Kraemer, DB Bobby Price
- Panthers: QB P.J. Walker
- Rams: QB Bryce Perkins
- Ravens: C-G Trystan Colon-Castillo, LS Nick Moore, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, S Geno Stone, ILB Kristian Welch
- Saints: WR Marquez Callaway
- Seahawks: LB Tanner Muse
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Buccaneers: CB Dee Delaney
- Rams: DT Michael Hoecht, CB Shaun Jolly, LB Christian Rozeboom
- Titans: DT Naquan Jones
Lions G Halapoulivaati Vaitai Undergoes Back Surgery
When the Lions placed Halapoulivaati Vaitai on IR shortly after finalizing their 53-man roster, the extent of his injury was unknown. Dan Campbell provided more clarity on the matter, which now appears to have the veteran guard facing an extended absence.
Vaitai underwent back surgery this week in Dallas, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News notes. Campbell is not ruling out the seventh-year blocker for the season, but the Lions will be without their right guard starter for an extensive stretch.
This news comes during a week in which the Lions placed Vaitai’s primary backup, Tommy Kraemer, on injured reserve. Kraemer also suffered a back injury, one that caused him to miss the team’s season opener. Third-year guard Logan Stenberg started against the Eagles and is expected to remain in that role in Week 2. Stenberg, a 2020 fourth-round pick, had not started a game through two seasons. He committed two penalties and allowed a sack in his debut.
Although Kraemer (three starts as a rookie last season) did not play in Week 1, the Lions waiting until this week to place him on IR means he cannot return until Week 6. It is uncertain if the former UDFA will be ready by then. Vaitai’s timetable became clouded because of his procedure. He could be staring at his longest absence as a pro.
A former fifth-round Eagles pick, Vaitai signed a five-year, $45MM deal with the Lions in 2020. Detroit’s Bob Quinn–Matt Patricia regime authorized that contract. Vaitai has moved from right tackle to right guard during his time with the Lions, who drafted Penei Sewell to play right tackle last year. The high-priced acquisition has started 25 games for the Lions in two seasons, including 15 last season. Vaitai is signed through 2024, though the team can escape the contract with just more than $5MM in dead money in 2023.
The Lions were expected to feature one of the NFL’s top offensive lines this season, but they have suddenly seen that unit depleted early. In addition to Vaitai’s shutdown, center Frank Ragnow and left guard Jonah Jackson missed practice Thursday. Left tackle Taylor Decker is battling a calf injury, leaving Sewell as the only Detroit O-line starter not dealing with an ailment presently. As a result of the injury troubles, the Lions signed guard Kayode Awosika off the Eagles’ practice squad this week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/15/22
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: G Tommy Kraemer
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR: WR Malik Taylor
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: K Matt Ammendola, CB Dicaprio Bootle
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: R Jason Moore, TE Richard Rodgers
Lions Place G Halapoulivaati Vaitai On IR
SEPTEMBER 6: While the issue affecting the veteran lineman’s availability remains a mystery, it is far from certain he comes back when first eligible. Vaitai is not a lock to play in 2022, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Kraemer will be Detroit’s right guard starter, according to the official depth chart the team released Tuesday morning.
SEPTEMBER 5: Halapoulivaati Vaitai‘s third Lions season will not begin on time. The veteran offensive lineman is now on Detroit’s IR, mandating a four-game absence. The nature of Vaitai’s injury is unkonwn.
The well-paid blocker is expected to return as the Lions’ right guard starter, but the team will need to make other plans for its September slate. This will be Vaitai’s second IR trip since he signed with the Lions in 2020. The team also claimed guard Drew Forbes off waivers from the Browns on Monday.
[RELATED: Offseason In Review, Detroit Lions]
A former Eagles draftee, Vaitai missed six games in 2020 due to a foot injury but returned to play in 15 last year. Vaitai, 29, represents part of a Lions source of optimism; both he and left guard Jonah Jackson ranked as a top-30 guards (per Pro Football Focus) in 2021. Along with former first-rounders Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell, the Lions are expected to field one of the league’s top O-lines.
Detroit’s fill-ins from 2020 are no longer on the roster, though Forbes is now in the mix. The team now rosters four backup interior O-linemen — a group that also includes 2020 fourth-rounder Logan Stenberg, fifth-year veteran Evan Brown and 2021 UDFA Tommy Kraemer. Brown served as Ragnow’s primary backup last season, and Kraemer made three starts in 2021. Neither Forbes nor Stenberg has started a regular-season game.
The Lions gave Vaitai a five-year, $45MM contract in free agency two years ago. He is due to count $8.7MM on the team’s 2022 payroll.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/22
The deadline for teams to extend tender offers to their restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents looms next week. We’ll keep tabs on the latest here:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Cowboys: LB Luke Gifford
- Ravens: CB Chris Westry
- Titans: DE Derick Roberson
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Cardinals: RB Jonathan Ward, WR Antoine Wesley
- Lions: LS Scott Daly, P Jack Fox, CB Mark Gilbert, S JuJu Hughes, RB Godwin Igwebuike, WR Tom Kennedy, G Tommy Kraemer, OLB Jessie Lemonier, T Matt Nelson, K Riley Patterson, LB Anthony Pittman, CB Bobby Price, TE Brock Wright
- Raiders: TE Nick Bowers
- Ravens: C Trystan Colon-Castillo, QB Tyler Huntley, LS Nick Moore, S Geno Stone, LB Kristian Welch, RB Ty’Son Williams
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/20/21
We’ll keep track of today’s stream of minor moves right here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on IR: LB Tanner Vallejo
- Promoted: LS Beau Brinkley, RB Tavien Feaster, LB Joe Walker, LB Tahir Whitehead
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on IR: OLB Pernell McPhee
- Activated from IR: G Ben Cleveland
- Promoted: G/DT Khalil McKenzie, QB Trace McSorley, LB Joe Thomas
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: G John Miller
- Placed on IR: CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: S Deon Bush
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Coulter, OLB Ledarius Mack
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: TE Mason Schreck
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: WR Lawrence Cager, DE Porter Gustin, CB Herb Miller
- Waived: RB John Kelly
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: CB Kyron Brown, CB Deante Burton
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Drew Lock
- Activated from IR: CB Michael Ojemudia, LB Justin Strnad
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: WR Tom Kennedy, OL Tommy Kraemer, K Aldrick Rosas
- Waived: DL Kevin Strong
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: La’Darius Hamilton, WR Juwann Winfree
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DB Terrence Brooks
- Placed on IR: LB Hardy Nickerson
- Promoted: DL Derek Rivers
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: S Jahleel Addae
- Waived: CB Anthony Chesley
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: WR John Brown
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: TE Daniel Brown
- Promoted: WR Daurice Fountain
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Roderic Teamer
- Placed on IR: FB Alec Ingold (story)
- Promoted: FB Sutton Smith
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: DL Andrew Brown, DL Forrest Merrill, CB Kiondre Thomas
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: RB Duke Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DB Myles Dorn
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: RB Tony Jones Jr.
- Waived: CB Ken Crawley, WR Kevin White
- Promoted: T Caleb Benenoch, DT Josiah Bronson, OL Will Clapp, CB KeiVarae Russell
- Placed on IR: DT Malcolm Roach
New York Jets
- Promoted: FB Nick Bawden, DE Ronald Blair
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: OL Jack Anderson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: DL Daniel Archibong, LB Delontae Scott
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: CB Gavin Heslop
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: TE Tommy Hudson
Lions Drop Daryl Worley
The Lions have released defensive back Daryl Worley from the practice squad, per a club announcement. In a related move, they’ve re-signed offensive lineman Tommy Kraemer to the 16-man unit.
Worley was on the Lions’ 53-man roster earlier this year, dressing for three games and appearing in two. His last outing came against the Rams in Week 7, when he got torched twice by Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp for touchdowns. The latter of the two proved to be the game-winning score and the last of Worley’s time on the varsity squad. The Lions brought him back on a PSQ deal, but that’s now over after one week.
The 26-year-old has bounced around the league since coming in as a 2016 third-round draft pick of the Panthers. After spending his first two seasons in Carolina, the defensive back has had stints with the Eagles, Raiders, Cowboys, Bills, Raiders (again), Cardinals, and Lions. His most recent, significant action came in 2019 when he made 15 games for the Raiders. Last year, he started in five of his 10 games, split between Dallas, Buffalo, and Las Vegas.
After their bye week, the Lions will aim for their first win of the year against the Steelers.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/4/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: OL Jacob Capra, WR Austin Proehl
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Sam Kamara
- Released: WR Jon’Vea Johnson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: FB Johnny Stanton
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Tommy Kraemer
- Released: DB Daryl Worley (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
New York Giants
- Signed: S Steven Parker
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: T/G Brett Toth
- Released: CB Craig James
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: C Brad Lundblade
NFL Minor Transactions: 10/27/21
All of today’s minor transactions in one place:
Carolina Panthers
- Designated for return: S Juston Burris
Chicago Bears
- Designated for return: OT Larry Borom
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: OL Tommy Kraemer
Houston Texans
- Designated for return: QB Tyrod Taylor (story)
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Calvin Munson (off Dolphins practice squad)
- Signed to active roster: OL James Ferentz
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Ken Crawley, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New York Jets
- Designated for return: LB Jarrad Davis, P Braden Mann, DE Kyle Phillips
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: RB Anthony McFarland
- Placed on IR: DT Carlos Davis
San Francisco 49ers
- Designated for return: DT Kevin Givens