Chargers Sign Ricardo Mathews
The Chargers have made a pair of minor moves to their 53-man roster today, announcing in a press release that they’ve cut running back Marion Grice and used the newly-opened spot to sign defensive tackle Ricardo Mathews. San Diego GM Tom Telesco has some history with Mathews, who was drafted back in 2010 by Indianapolis when Telesco was part of the Colts’ organization.
Although he only started six games for the Colts during his four years with the club, Mathews was a major contributor on the team’s defensive line over the last three seasons, appearing in more than 1,300 defensive snaps during that stretch. The 26-year-old set a career-high in 2013 with 23 tackles, though Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him as below average against both the run and pass.
Mathews signed with the Texans as a free agent in April, but was released this weekend as the team cut its roster down to 53 players.
AFC Links: Manning, Mallett, Houston, Clary
Danieal Manning was cut by the Bengals yesterday, but he caught on with a familiar team this afternoon. The former All-Pro safety signed with the Texans, the team he played with the past three seasons. The 32-year-old talked about his return to Houston (all via tweets from Mark Berman of KRIV):
“Rick (Smith) kept his word, that if I ever have an opportunity to come back, he’ll talk to me about it. He did and we came back…It feels really good. I’m excited. I’m thankful. I’m grateful. This business is really funny… It seems like I took a little short vacation. This just feels right coming back home.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes out of the AFC…
- The Houston Chronicle’s Brian T. Smith has more details on the Texans–Patriots trade (via Twitter): New England will receive a conditional seventh-rounder than could improve to a sixth-round pick based on Ryan Mallett‘s snap count.
- Alex Smith‘s new extension will allow the Chiefs to franchise linebacker Justin Houston if the sides don’t come to an agreement, notes Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- Chargers guard Jeromey Clary underwent hip surgery about a week ago, and Michael Gehlkin of U-T San Diego writes that the 30-year-old could miss the entire season.
Sunday Transactions: AFC West
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four AFC West teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s AFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Denver Broncos:
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Shaquil Barrett, LB (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter), Kapri Bibbs, RB (via Wilson on Twitter); John Boyett, S (via Wilson on Twitter); Zac Dysert, QB (via Mike Klis on Twitter); Bennie Fowler, WR (via Lindsay Jones on Twitter); Nathan Palmer, WR (via Adam Caplan on Twitter); Vinston Painter, G (via Klis on Twitter); Matt Paradis, C (via Klis on Twitter); Gerell Robinson, TE (via Klis on Twitter)
Kansas City Chiefs:
- Claimed off waivers: Damion Square, DE (via Josina Anderson on Twitter)
- Cut: Richard Gordon, TE (via Terez Paylor on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Jordan Campbell, FB (via Paylor on Twitter); Ricky Henry, G (via Paylor on Twitter); Kona Schwenke, DL (via Paylor on Twitter); Darryl Surgent, WR (via Paylor on Twitter); Fred Williams, WR (via Paylor on Twitter); Ben Gottschalk, C; Nico Johnson, LB; Charcandrick West, RB; Jerry Franklin, LB (via Brad Biggs on Twitter).
Oakland Raiders:
- Claimed off waivers: Benson Mayowa, DL (via Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
- Cut: Kaelin Burnett, LB (via Burnett on Twitter)
- Signed to practice squad: Bojay Filimoeatu, LB (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter); Ricky Lumpkin, DT (via Damond Talbot on Twitter); Lamar Mady, G (via Talbot on Twitter); Scott Simonson, TE (via Mike Uva on Twitter)
San Diego Chargers:
- Signed to practice squad (officially announced): Chas Alecxih, DL; Torrence Allen, WR; Greg Ducre, CB; Javontee Herndon, WR; Cordarro Law, OLB; Ryan Lindley, QB; Adrian Phillips, S; Jeremiah Sirles, T; Craig Watts, G
Chargers Trim Roster To 53
The Chargers have announced their 53-man roster, and in doing so, parted ways with the following 18 players (via a press release):
- Victor Aiyewa (LB)
- Chas Alecxih (DT)
- Torrence Allen (WR)
- Vincent Brown (WR) (waived-injured)
- Alden Darby (S)
- Greg Ducre (CB)
- Michael Flacco (TE)
- Mike Harris (OT)
- Javontee Herndon (WR)
- Thomas Keiser (LB)
- Cordarro Law (LB)
- Adrian Phillips (S)
- Jeremiah Sirles (OT)
- Colton Underwood (LB)
- Craig Watts (G)
- Kenny Wiggins (OT)
- Khalil Wilkes (C)
- Doug Worthington (DL)
San Diego had already cut four players yesterday.
Chargers Begin Cutdown To 53 Players
The Chargers may not ultimately finalize their 53-man roster until tomorrow, but their move to 53 players to 75 is already underway. Listed below are the players released so far by San Diego, with any additional cuts added to the list throughout the day as they’re reported:
- Crezdon Butler, CB (via Pro Football Talk on Twitter)
- Joe Kruger, DE (via Aaron Wilson on Twitter, 4:38pm)
- Tevin Reese, WR (via Michael Gehlken on Twitter)
- Brad Sorensen, QB (via Gehlken on Twitter)
Chargers Cut Ghee, Place Three On IR
About five and a half months after signing him during the first week of the league’s 2014 free agent period, the Chargers have parted ways with defensive back Brandon Ghee, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter links). Although Ghee, who received $300K guaranteed when he signed with the team, was one of five players removed from San Diego’s active roster today, he was the only player who was cut outright.
Per Gehlken, here are the Chargers’ other transactions, which reduced their roster to 75 players:
Placed on injured reserve:
- Marcus Cromartie, CB
- Kwame Geathers, DT
- Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, DE
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
West Notes: Hill, Farwell, Hayden
Let’s look at a few notes from the league’s west divisions to wrap up this Monday evening:
- Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, in the wake of Sam Bradford‘s season-ending injury, has reiterated that St. Louis has not engaged other teams in talks regarding a potential quarterback trade.
- On a related note, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com writes that Fisher emphasized that Shaun Hill will be the Rams‘ starting quarterback going forward.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets that Colton Schmidt, who was waived by the 49ers earlier today, could draw interest from other clubs looking to make an upgrade at punter. Schmidt led all punters in net yards this preseason.
- Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes that Seahawks backup middle linebacker and special teams captain Heath Farwell will likely need surgery to repair the extensive groin damage that he suffered in Friday’s preseason game against Chicago. Farwell’s injury essentially locks up a roster spot for undrafted free agent Brock Coyle.
- Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego reports that Chargers‘ guard Jeromey Clary will begin the season on the PUP list, thereby forcing him to miss at least the first six games of the regular season.
- Bill Williamson of ESPN.com writes that the Raiders may have found a diamond in the rough in defensive back Neiko Thorpe, who was signed to a futures contract in January.
- Citing head coach Dennis Allen, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets that Raiders corner D.J. Hayden, who is recovering from foot surgery, looked a lot better today working with trainers on the sidelines. The team will not make a decision regarding whether Hayden should go on the PUP list until Saturday’s deadline.
Minor Moves: Monday
- The Bills will sign backup quarterback Jordan Palmer, recently cut by the Bears, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter).
- The Browns were awarded guards Karim Barton and Donald Hawkins on waivers from the Eagles, the team announced.
- The Chargers claimed defensive lineman Joe Kruger on waivers from the Eagles, the team announced.
- The Lions were awarded tight end Emil Igwenagu on waivers from the Eagles, per Aaron Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Bears have terminated the contract of veteran safety Craig Steltz, the team announced (via Twitter).
- The Broncos waived defensive tackle Cody Larsen, and placed receiver Jordan Norwood (ACL) on IR, the team announced (via Twitter).
- The Saints waived safety Ty Zimmerman, receiver Andy Tanner and tackle Ty Nsekhe, the team announced. Tight end Travis Beckum has also been waived, according to…Travis Beckum (Twitter link).
- The Dolphins waived/injured kicker John Potter, per Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). The team announced tackle Steven Baker and safety Demetrius Wright were also waived (Twitter link).
Chargers Waive 11 Players
The Chargers have waived 11 players, the team announced a press release. San Diego must get rid of four more players by 3pm tomorrow in order to be within the 75-man roster limit.
- Nick Becton, T
- Zach Boren, FB
- Jake Byrne, TE
- Brelan Chancellor, WR
- Adrian Hamilton, LB
- Micah Hatfield, WR
- Darryl Johnson, G
- Ryan Otten, TE
- Lowell Rose, DB
- Chase Tenpenny, P
- Kerwynn Williams, RB
AFC Notes: Hill, Burleson, Flowers, CJ2K
The Jets don’t sound like they’re ready to give up on 2012 second round pick Stephen Hill and cut him, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. “I was pleased with his progress [last year] up until he got nicked and then he got nicked again,” Mornhinweg said. “This year he was even more impressive in the offseason and through training camp, with a few exceptions. There were a couple of days there. So, he’s coming along. And in many cases, this is what happens, at all positions, but especially at the receiver position, that third year they make a pretty good jump. That’s what we’re looking for there.” More out of the AFC..
- Browns free agent addition Nate Burleson hopes that his strained hamstring won’t keep him off the final roster, writes George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal. Burleson was held out of Monday’s tilt against Washington and the plan now is for him to play Saturday against the Rams. Meanwhile, Burleson says he’s anxious to learn the outcome of Josh Gordon‘s case.
- There were rumblings that cornerback Brandon Flowers didn’t want to play on the inside in Kansas City, but he’s playing inside and out without complaint for the Chargers, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
- Some may be questioning how much new Jets running back Chris Johnson has in the tank, but you won’t find any of those skeptics in green and white. “Oh yeah, he still has it,’’ linebacker David Harris said, according to Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “We noticed it the first day when we were in Cortland. He’s still the fastest guy on the field. He’s still got a lot of juice in those legs.’’