49ers Release CB Darqueze Dennard
Darqueze Dennard‘s stint with the 49ers has come to an end. The team announced that they’ve released the veteran cornerback.
The former first-round pick spent the first six years of his career with the Bengals, but he’s bounced around the NFL since leaving Cincy. Dennard has had stints with the Falcons, Cardinals, Colts, Giants, and 49ers since the beginning of the 2020 campaign, including time on four different squads in 2021 alone. After starting six of his eight games for Atlanta in 2020, Dennard got into two games with New York and San Francisco in 2021.
Dennard re-signed with the 49ers this offseason, and he was expected to compete for the primary nickelback role. With today’s move, the primary contenders for that gig are now Sam Womack, Dontae Johnson, and Qwuantrezz Knight, leading Matt Barrows of The Athletic to wonder (on Twitter) if the team may consider trying an outside guy like Deommodore Lenoir at the position.
As teams are required to cut down their rosters, the 49ers also waived fullback Josh Hokit, wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, and defensive lineman Tomasi Laulile. Johnson is the most notable of the bunch, having seen time in 18 games for Arizona between 2019 and 2020, hauling in 36 receptions for 360 yards and one score.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/22
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: RB Corey Clement
- Waived: CB Robert Jackson
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: LB Kamal Martin
- Waived (injury settlement): CB Devin Jones
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DE Carson Taylor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: C Ben Brown
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: WR Derrick Dillon
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: DT Austin Faoliu
- Waived (injury designation): TE Ian Bunting, FB Ryan Nall, WR Ty Fryfogle, CB Kyron Brown
Denver Broncos
- Waived (injury designation): OL Ben Braden
Detroit Lions
- Released: TE Garrett Griffin
- Waived: TE Nolan Givan, C Ryan McCollum
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): TE Nate Becker
- Waived: LB Randy Ramsey, C Cole Schneider, CB Donte Vaughn
Houston Texans
- Waived: LS Harrison Elliott, RB B.J. Emmons
- Released: WR Chad Beebe
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from PUP list: WR Mike Strachan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived (injury designation): K Elliott Fry
- Waived: RB Matt Colburn, QB Jake Luton, WR Ryan McDaniel, DE Wyatt Ray
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived (injury designation): DT Forrest Merrill, OC Isaac Weaver
- Waived: WR Maurice Ffrench, QB Brandon Peters, S Skyler Thomas
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: NT Niles Scott
- Placed on IR: CB Trill Williams (story)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DE Niko Lalos, DT Jaleel Johnson
- Placed on IR: OT Ethan Greenidge
- Waived (injury settlement): DB Bryce Thompson
- Waived (injury designation): DB Jordan Brown, S Isaiah Pryor
- Waived: DE T.J. Carter, S Jack Koerner, DE Scott Patchan, K John Parker Romo, WR Easop Winston
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Bills): CB Olaijah Griffin
New York Jets
- Waived: WR Keshunn Abram
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB James Vaughters
- Waived (injury designation): LB Tuzar Skipper
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: DT Tomasi Laulile, WR KeeSean Johnson, RB Josh Hokit
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from active/PUP list: OT Liam Ryan
- Placed on IR: WR Cody Thompson
- Waived: CB Josh Valentine-Turner, DT Antonio Valentino, OL Eric Wilson, WR Deontez Alexander
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Patrick Laird
- Placed on IR: RB Kenjon Barner
- Waived: TE Ben Beise
Washington Commanders
- Activated from active/PUP list: OT Cornelius Lucas
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/22
We will keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: DL Kingsley Keke, OL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, OL Greg Long, RB Ronnie Rivers, CB Breon Borders
Buffalo Bills
- Released: TE Jalen Wydermyer, CB Olaijah Griffin, OL Jordan Simmons, OL Derek Kerstetter
Carolina Panthers
- Released: RB Darius Bradwell, TE Nate Becker, LB Kamal Martin, OL Wyatt Miller, CB Chris Westry
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: CB Abu Daramy-Swaray, RB Shermari Jones, WR Pooka Williams Jr.
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: K Ramiz Ahmed
- Released: K Gabe Brkic
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Devin Hafford
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: OL William Dunkle, LB Ali Fayad
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from active/PUP list: TE Charlie Woerner
The most notable name amongst the Cardinals’ cuts is Keke. The 25-year-old made 17 starts with the Packers over the past two seasons, and was claimed off waivers by the Texans in February. Houston cut him in May, however, leading him to the Cardinals. In the waning months of the offseason, the 2019 fifth-rounder will need to find another NFL home in time for Week 1.
Another recent Packers draftee being let go is Martin. The 2020 fifth-rounder made six appearances last season with Carolina, playing all-but exclusively on special teams. Each of the team’s other roster cuts had yet to play in for the Panthers, including Westry, who had showed potential in 2021 when briefly starting for the Ravens.
49ers OL Daniel Brunskill Suffers Hamstring Injury
49ers offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s preseason victory over the Packers on Friday, as Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area writes. Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that the ailment will keep Brunskill on the sidelines for “a few weeks.”
It will be interesting to see if this injury has a domino effect on San Francisco’s O-line plans. Brunskill started all 17 regular season games at right guard for the Niners in 2021, but he has taken all of his training camp snaps at center. He and Jake Brendel have been battling to replace the retired Alex Mack at the pivot, and though previous reports indicated that the team does not plan to sign a free agent center, Brunskill’s injury could leave the club with plenty of inexperience up front.
While nine-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams is entrenched as the blindside blocker, 2021 second-rounder Aaron Banks is the presumptive starter at LG, and he appeared in only five offensive snaps in his rookie season (though Shanahan said Banks was ready to be a starter by the end of the year). With fourth-round rookie Spencer Burford penciled in as the starting RG, San Francisco is already planning to have two very green players at the guard positions. Although the majority of his snaps have come at guard, Brunskill at least has significant recent starting experience, and he saw 546 snaps at center in the 2020 season. Brendel, meanwhile, did not play at all in the 2019-20 campaigns, and he saw just six offensive snaps in 2021. He has accumulated a grand total of three career starts, all of which came with the Dolphins in 2018.
So a Banks-Brendel-Burford triumvirate in the middle of the line would perhaps represent a less-than-ideal scenario for second-year passer Trey Lance, and Brunskill’s prognosis could speculatively compel the team to look for outside help. J.C. Tretter and Matt Paradis are the most accomplished options on the free agent market, and while neither player has received confirmed interest in their services this offseason, the lack of suitors for Tretter could be explained by the stances he has taken as NFLPA president.
Presumably, a team with a major hole at center would overlook Tretter’s union-related work in order to fill that void, although the Browns may be back in play for their five-year starter now that Nick Harris is likely done for the season.
NFC West Rumors: Seahawks OL, Jackson, Greenlaw, Humphries
With Brandon Shell departing in free agency and Duane Brown and Ethan Pocic now rostered with the Jets and Browns, respectively, the Seahawks have had a bit of work this offseason piecing their offensive line back together. Seattle may even be in the extremely rare position of bookending their offensive line with two rookie tackles, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
While Charles Cross has long been expected to start for the Seahawks on the blindside as the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, it appears that third-round pick Abraham Lucas is currently favored to man the tackle spot opposite Cross. The most recent instance of this in the NFL that I could find is back in 2012 when the Cardinals were forced to start seventh-round pick Nate Potter across from fourth-round pick Bobby Massie late in the season. That was a result of some injuries, though. The last time a team started the season with two rookie offensive tackles, I believe, was in 2009 when Jacksonville trotted out in Week 1 with first-round pick Eugene Monroe at left tackle and second-round pick Eben Britton at right tackle.
Additionally, while the Seahawks return Gabe Jackson and Damien Lewis as the starting guards from last year, backup guard Phil Haynes has reportedly been pushing both for playing time this offseason. According to a tweet from ESPN’s Brady Henderson, head coach Pete Carroll had plenty of good things to say about Haynes.
“Phil could start. He plays like a starter,” Carroll extolled. He looks like a starter out there and he’s pushing Gabe, he really is. He’s our guy that’s swinging right and left side right now. If he had to start for either guy right now, I would feel absolutely comfortable…I feel like we’ve got three starting guards right now that we could play and be fine with.”
Here are a few other rumors from around the NFC West, starting with a couple rumors from the Bay Area:
- The 49ers used a second-round pick this year to select Drake Jackson, a big-bodied defensive end out of USC. But they are determined not to limit Jackson to the outside of the line, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. San Francisco has been lining Jackson up all over the defensive line this offseason, placing him not only on both ends but at defensive tackle, as well.
- When the 49ers rush an extra defensive back on the field in passing situations, one of their three starting linebackers is going to have to come off the field. When asked which starting linebacker would stay on the field with Fred Warner in those situations, Barrows posited that it had to be Dre Greenlaw. Barrows went on to say that the only way Azeez Al-Shaair would take hold over the No. 2 linebacker spot in San Francisco is if Greenlaw is injured.
- Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries recently signed a three-year, $51.76MM extension. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the deal has a guaranteed amount of $32.82MM consisting of a $17MM signing bonus, the 2022 salary of $3.82MM, $4MM of the 2023 salary, and the 2023 roster bonus of $8.24MM. Additionally, the 28-year-old tackle can earn a per game active bonus of $14,117 for a potential season total of $240,000.
NFC West Rumors: Hopkins, Brunskill, Seahawks, Rams
While there was some contention in regards to the six-game suspension handed down to Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the NFLPA considers his case a closed issue, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. There was a sliver of hope that the ban may be reduced from six to four games, and Hopkins still believes there may be, but it seems all but certain that he will be out for all six.
With Hopkins out, Arizona’s receiving room will be led by trade acquisition Marquise Brown, veteran A.J. Green, and second-year player Rondale Moore. The depth gets pretty thin behind those three with Andy Isabella, Antoine Wesley, and Greg Dortch on the roster, among a few others. The Cardinals also shopped Isabella earlier this year.
Here are a few other rumors from around the NFC West, starting with a note out of the Bay Area:
- Many have thought that former Dolphins center Jake Brendel will take over for the retired Alex Mack as the 49ers‘ starting center. But, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Daniel Brunskill has been taking all of his snaps at center this summer. This is significant as Brunskill has started the last two seasons for San Francisco at right guard. If Brunskill can fill the hole at center, the real battle on the 49ers offensive line may be for the right guard spot.
- While there’s been some discussion on the intrigue of the cornerback position group in Seattle, there’s even a bit of intrigue among the Seahawks‘ rookies. Despite being drafted in the round after his teammate, rookie cornerback Tariq Woolen out of Texas-San Antonio could likely find himself earning playing time over fellow rookie cornerback Coby Bryant out of Cincinnati, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. In a mock game that took place the week before the preseason started, Woolen stood out alongside starter Artie Burns as Sidney Jones sat out with a concussion.
- With the departure of Austin Corbett over the offseason, the Rams have been looking for a replacement at right guard. Currently, Coleman Shelton has secured a lead on the position after three years as the team’s backup center, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. Rookie third-round pick Logan Bruss will get an opportunity to play some snaps in the preseason, but the job is likely Shelton’s to lose.
- Similarly, after releasing longtime punter Johnny Hekker following the team’s Super Bowl LVI victory, Los Angeles has held a punting competition between former Broncos and Giants punter Riley Dixon and undrafted Texas rookie Cameron Dicker. According to Rodrigue, Dixon is far and away expected to win that position battle.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from active/PUP list: DT Eli Ankou
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: CB Devin Jones
Chicago Bears
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LB C.J. Avery
Houston Texans
- Released from IR with injury settlement: WR Davion Davis
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: OT Jason Spriggs
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB Nate Brooks
- Placed on IR: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR with injury settlement: CB Dylan Mabin
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: WR Keric Wheatfall
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: WR Javon McKinley
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR with injury settlement: S Leon O’Neal
Tennessee Titans
- Released from IR with injury settlement: OL Daniel Munyer
Browns To Consider Trading For Jimmy Garoppolo Pending Deshaun Watson Appeal
The sagas surrounding Jimmy Garoppolo and Deshaun Watson have run their courses simultaneously during the 2022 offseason. Events in the near future could cause them to be intertwined to a greater extent than they already have been. 
Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports that the Browns “will consider acquiring” Garoppolo in the event that Watson’s suspension “significantly increases.” The latter was handed a six-game ban for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. That fell roughly in line with what the Browns had been anticipating, leading many to believe that they would turn to backup Jacoby Brissett for the beginning of the season.
As expected, however, the league has appealed the suspension. Just as it did during Watson’s disciplinary hearing, the NFL will once again push for a year-long ban while appealing to designee Peter Harvey. That process is expected to result in a significant increase in the number of games Watson will be made unavailable for. With the Browns built for immediate playoff contention, that would add to their level of urgency in acquiring a more proven signal-caller.
The possibility of Cleveland trading for Garoppolo isn’t new, of course. It was reported last month, however, that the Browns were not considering a move to land the veteran 49er. Garoppolo, 30, has one year remaining on his current contract with a non-guaranteed salary of just over $24MM. That figure has led to recent speculation that San Francisco will hold on to him as long as possible to see if any significant trade market materializes in the coming weeks.
On that point, NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco confirms that it is “unlikely at this point” that any team would trade for Garoppolo without him negotiating a new contract lowering his 2022 cap hit. The one potential exception to that, though, remains Cleveland; with nearly $49MM in cap space, the team could comfortably absorb Garoppolo’s contract and use him as a placeholder in Watson’s absence.
With the league looking to keep Watson sidelined during the preseason, an announcement on the appeal could be coming very soon. Once it does, attention will once again turn to the Browns’ QB plans, and where Garoppolo could fit into them.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/11/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Chicago Bears
- Released from IR: LB Christian Albright
Cleveland Browns
- Released from IR: CB Reggie Robinson
Denver Broncos
- Reverted to IR: RB Tyreik McAllister
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR: WR Osirus Mitchell
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Brian Allen
- Released: DT Jaleel Johnson
- Reverted to IR: DB Bryce Thompson
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: RB DeAndre Torrey
- Waived/injured: WR Keric Wheatfall
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed:WR Christian Blake
- Waived/injured: WR Javon McKinley
- Reverted to IR: LB Ulysees Gilbert
San Francisco 49ers
- Reverted to IR: S Leon O’Neal Jr.
49ers Sign CB Ken Crawley
The 49ers have added a veteran defensive back. The team announced that they’ve signed cornerback Ken Crawley to a one-year deal. To make room on the roster, the 49ers waived/injured safety Leon O’Neal Jr.
Crawley has managed to stick around the NFL for six years despite going undrafted in 2016. He got into 38 games (23 starts) for the Saints between 2016 and 2018, including a 2017 campaign where he compiled 54 tackles and 17 passes defended. He was waived by New Orleans during the 2019 campaign, and after fishing the season with the Dolphins, he had offseason/preseason stints with the Raiders and Cardinals.
He ended up re-signing with the Saints for the 2020 season, and he saw time in 12 games over the past two campaigns in New Orleans. He had a minor role on both defense and special teams this past year.
Charvarius Ward is expected to be sidelined for the next few weeks, and Emmanuel Moseley is currently dealing with his own injury. Crawley is likely being added for some extra depth, but he could earn a roster spot with a strong training camp and preseason.
O’Neal Jr. suffered a strained groin that ultimately cost him his job. The Texas A&M product joined the 49ers this offseason as an undrafted free agent, and he could end up landing on the team’s IR if he goes unclaimed on waivers.