LB Will Compton Retires
After being out of the NFL last season, Will Compton has decided to hang up his cleats. The veteran linebacker announced on Sunday that he has retired at the age of 33. 
Compton spent his first five seasons in Washington, and it was there that he saw most of his defensive playing time. The former UDFA started 33 games in the nation’s capital, including 25 between the 2015 and ’16 seasons. He eclipsed the 100-tackle mark in the latter campaign, but his stats fell off significantly after that as he worked as a backup and special teamer.
The Nebraska product bounced around the league following his time in Washington, alternating between the Titans and Raiders over a four-year span. He started only seven combined games during that span, but he established himself as a valuable special teams contributor along the way. Compton’s Vegas release last January led to a lengthy stay on the open market, though he personally announced a deal which would have seen him join the Falcons midway through the campaign.
No such agreement was ever finalized, however, and he spent the full 2022 campaign away from teams’ active rosters. Compton has not been able to find a deal this offseason as well, so he will now move on from his playing days. His time as a co-host of the popular Bussin’ With the Boys podcast is likely to continue, though, giving him a ongoing connection to the NFL.
“I truly can’t put into words how grateful I am for this game and the people who have been on this journey with me,” Compton wrote in his retirement message. “Thank you all so much.” He will leave the game with just under $6.5MM in career earnings.
Falcons To Sign LB Will Compton?
The Falcons may have added a veteran linebacker. Will Compton announced on Twitter last night that he’s signing with the Falcons. While ESPN’s Field Yates seemed to echo that announcement, Compton himself tweeted this evening that “[y]ear 10 might be in danger” … an indication that the announced deal with Atlanta may not materialize.
Compton had a two-year stretch with Washington that saw him collect more than 200 total tackles, but he’s mostly served as a backup or roster filler since that time. Since leaving Washington following the 2017 campaign, the linebacker has had two separate stints with both the Titans and the Raiders. He got into two games with Las Vegas in 2021, compiling a single tackle.
The 33-year-old, who continues to host a podcast alongside Taylor Lewan, worked out for Atlanta earlier this month. Special teams ace/linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski is currently dealing with an injury, so Compton could be a temporary fill-in.
“I could not have envisioned a better situation than signing with the Atlanta Falcons,” Compton said last night. “Ever since they blew that lead at the Super Bowl, the 28–3 lead, I knew at some point in my career, I’d have to do whatever it took to bring this city a little bit of hope.”
The Falcons did make one confirmed move today, adding Ryan Neuzil to the active roster, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Twitter. With Matt Hennessy sidelined, Neuzil has earned promotions for each of Atlanta’s last three games, with the former UDFA exclusively playing on special teams.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/11/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: DL Matt Dickerson, LB Tahir Whitehead
Detroit Lions
- WR Geronimo Allison, G Parker Ehinger, TE Nick Eubanks, OT Darrin Paulo, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, TE Ross Travis
Houston Texans
- Released: DB Cre’von LeBlanc
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DL Isaiah Buggs, TE Daniel Helm, LB Justin March-Lillard
- Released: LB Asmar Bilal, LB Will Compton, WR Javon Wims
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: K Ryan Santoso, LS Carson Tinker
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR John Hurst
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: RB Jeremy McNichols
Raiders Re-Sign LB Will Compton
He wasn’t gone for long. The Raiders have re-signed Will Compton, according to the linebacker himself (Twitter link).
Las Vegas brought in Compton, a former starter for the 2019 Oakland Raiders, when they were severely short-staffed last month. Compton saw time in one game — Week 14 against the Chiefs — before being released on Wednesday.
“I gave [head coach Rich] Bisaccia a huge hug and thanked him for absolutely everything,” Compton said (via the Las Vegas Review-Journal). “I would do anything for that man. Coach Bisaccia is the best. Everybody in that building has been so good to me these last few weeks as everything has unfolded for me personally.”
Now, with a potential playoff berth at stake, there could be plenty more hugs to go around. With a win over the Chargers this weekend, the Raiders will punch their ticket to the playoffs.
Compton, once a starter for Washington, has nine seasons of experience to his credit, spending the last four with the Titans and Raiders. So far this year, he has just 15 special teams snaps under his belt, all from that single game against the Chiefs.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/5/22
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Designated for return: S James Wiggins
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: TE Parker Hesse
- Released: QB Matt Barkley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed off Steelers’ practice squad: DE Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
- Placed on IR: LT Cameron Erving, WR Terrace Marshall
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: TE Jesper Horsted
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Dolphins’ practice squad: RB Dexter Williams
- Promoted: QB Nick Mullens
- Placed on IR: QB Baker Mayfield (story), LB Sione Takitaki
Dallas Cowboys
- Designated for return: TE Blake Jarwin
- Placed on IR: WR Michael Gallup (story)
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: QB Teddy Bridgewater, DB Kareem Jackson, G Dalton Risner
- Released: OLB Pita Taumoepenu
Green Bay Packers
- Designated for return: C Josh Myers
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: LB Will Compton, LB Justin March-Lillard (story)
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: WR J.J. Koski
Miami Dolphins
- Designated for return: RB Patrick Laird
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: QB Kyle Sloter
New Orleans Saints
- Designated for return: TE Garrett Griffin
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: LB Elerson Smith
New York Jets
- Promoted: DE Jabari Zuniga
San Francisco 49ers
- Designated for return: CB Emmanuel Moseley, WR Mohamed Sanu, S Tavon Wilson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Designated for return: G Aaron Stinnie
Tennessee Titans
- Signed off Seahawks’ practice squad: TE Ryan Izzo
- Designated for return: RB Derrick Henry (story)
- Released: DB Chris Jones, LB Joseph Jones
Raiders Cut LB Will Compton
Will Compton‘s latest Raiders stint ended with a Wednesday departure. The Raiders cut the veteran linebacker, moving on after his second tenure with the team lasted nearly a month.
Las Vegas brought in Compton, a former starter for the 2019 Oakland Raiders, last month amid sudden depth issues on its defensive second level. Compton ended up playing in one game — Week 14 against the Chiefs — with the team.
A multiyear starter with Washington in the mid-2010s, Compton has now seen NFL action in nine seasons. He has yo-yo’d between the Titans and Raiders over the past four. With Tennessee in 2020, Compton played in 12 games and started one. The 32-year-old defender caught on with the Raiders on Dec. 7.
The Raiders also waived Justin March-Lillard, a linebacker who has been with three teams this year. Although March-Lillard started five games as a rookie with the Chiefs in 2016, he has been a career special-teamer. March-Lillard did not see any game action with the Raiders but was with two teams in December, playing in one game apiece with the 49ers (Week 13) and Saints (Week 16).
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
Raiders Activate CB Mullen From IR
Trayvon Mullen is primed for a return to action as the Raiders have announced that he’s been activated from injured reserve today. Las Vegas had designated the former second-round pick to return from injured reserve a little over a week ago.
Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia had made a statement saying, “[Mullen] wants to be in a position where he feels like he’s ready to go and he’s not at 70 percent or 80 percent,” so Mullen’s activation should indicate a return to full health for the Raiders’ starting cornerback.
While the Raiders will certainly be happy to have a bit more depth to a cornerback room that was looking fairly slim with Mullen injured and Damon Arnette‘s release, Mullen’s absence has allowed Las Vegas to test out some of the corners they had available. Even after losing Mullen and Arnette after only four games, the Raiders knew they had experience in ten-year veteran Casey Hayward and liked what they saw in rookie fifth-round pick Nate Hobbs. They did take action, reaching out to sign Hayward’s former teammate, Brandon Facyson, off the Chargers’ practice squad to help fill out the room. The signing has paid off as they’ve seen Facyson start their last six games as Hobbs continues to develop as a pro.
Adding Mullen to the mix strengthens an already impressive position group for the Raiders’ defense. Mullen’s activation was joined by defensive tackle Darius Philon‘s activation off injured reserve. Las Vegas also announced the signing of linebacker Will Compton to the active roster and the release of defensive tackle Damion Square. From the practice squad wide receiver Tyron Johnson, linebacker Javin White, and running back Trey Ragas have been called up for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/8/21
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Parker Hesse
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Ito Smith
Houston Texans
- Signed: DB Cre’von LeBlanc
- Released: WR Damon Hazelton
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: WR JJ Koski
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Will Compton
- Released: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL James Carpenter, OL Jerald Hawkins
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Travis Toivonen
New York Jets
- Signed: S Elijah Benton
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: P Drue Chrisman, LS Rex Sunahara
- Released: DB Linden Stephens, WR Tyler Vaughns
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: S Tony Jefferson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: NT Niles Scott
LB Will Compton To Sign With Raiders
It sounds like Will Compton has found his next gig. The free agent linebacker announced on Twitter that he’s signing with the Raiders.
We learned earlier today that the 32-year-old was generating interest from multiple teams and a signing was imminent. Compton — the co-host of Barstool Sports’ “Bussin’ With The Boys,” — has yet to play in 2021, but now he’ll have an opportunity to revive his career in Las Vegas. The team is currently dealing with minor injuries throughout their linebackers depth chart, and that includes starters Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton. As a result, Compton could have an opportunity to contribute ASAP.
The linebacker played for the Raiders during the 2019 season, collecting 41 tackles in nine games (four starts). In 2020, he returned to the Titans for his second stint in Nashville, collecting 18 stops across 12 appearances.
Compton has appeared in 90 games over the course of his NFL career, including 40 starts. His most significant action came early in his career with Washington. From 2013 through 2017, he started in 33 of his 57 games. Compton’s on-field career has tailed off somewhat since a Lisfranc injury capped his ’17 early.