Minor NFL Transactions: 12/21/22
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Claimed off waivers (from Bears): CB Justin Layne
Denver Broncos
- Designated for return: RB Chase Edmonds
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: DL Christopher Hinton
- Placed on IR: DL Joe Gaziano
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Daviyon Nixon
- Waived: RB Tony Jones Jr.
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: QB Josh Dobbs
Updated 2023 NFL Draft Order
Christmas Day’s Broncos-Rams matchup will pit two of the league’s most disappointing teams against one another, and the Seahawks and Lions will have a vested interest in this contest. The loser of this game will give one of the latter teams — via the Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford trades — a better chance of landing a top-three pick in next year’s draft.
At 1-12-1, the Texans are cruising home. The Bears are on their heels, potentially set to become the team that selects the 2023 draft’s first non-quarterback. But eight four- or five-win teams reside behind these two, providing some intrigue for fanbases whose squads are not moving toward the playoffs.
The NFC South’s plunge toward becoming perhaps the worst division in NFL history carries draft stakes as well. The Falcons, Saints and Panthers each have five wins, and Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia (via the Saints’ pre-draft trade this year) would see those picks land in the top 10 as of now. The division-leading Buccaneers would see their draft slot check in no higher than 19th. Should one of Tampa Bay’s challengers vault the current first-place team in the standings, the Bucs would see their 2023 first-round slot rise considerably.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2022 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is how the draft order looks entering Week 16:
- Houston Texans: 1-12-1
- Chicago Bears: 3-11
- Detroit Lions (via Rams)
- Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos)
- Arizona Cardinals: 4-10
- Indianapolis Colts: 4-9-1
- Atlanta Falcons: 5-9
- Carolina Panthers: 5-9
- Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints)
- Las Vegas Raiders: 6-8
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-8
- Houston Texans (via Browns)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-8
- Green Bay Packers: 6-8
- Seattle Seahawks: 7-7
- New England Patriots: 7-7
- New York Jets: 7-7
- Detroit Lions: 7-7
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-8
- Tennessee Titans: 7-7
- Washington Commanders: 7-6-1
- Los Angeles Chargers: 8-6
- New York Giants: 8-5-1
- Baltimore Ravens: 9-5
- Denver Broncos (via 49ers through Dolphins)
- Dallas Cowboys: 10-4
- Cincinnati Bengals: 10-4
- Kansas City Chiefs: 11-3
- Minnesota Vikings: 11-3
- Buffalo Bills: 11-3
- Philadelphia Eagles: 13-1
Next year’s draft will feature a 31-pick first round. The Dolphins’ penalty for the Tom Brady–Sean Payton tampering scandal cost them their 2023 first-round choice.
Hall Of Fame RB Franco Harris Dies At 72
Former Steelers running back Franco Harris, a Hall of Famer who helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls during the 1970s, has died. He was 72.
While Harris is best remembered for authoring perhaps the NFL’s signature play — 1972’s “Immaculate Reception” — he finished his career third on the all-time rushing list and was one of the most celebrated players of his era. The Associated Press confirms Harris died in his sleep overnight; no cause of death was provided.
Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the Steelers’ 13-7 divisional-round win over the Raiders, a game Pittsburgh won despite facing a fourth-and-10 on its own 40-yard line with 22 seconds remaining. Harris catching a Terry Bradshaw pass, which ricocheted to him after a collision between Raiders safety Jack Tatum and Steelers running back John “Frenchy” Fuqua, at his shoe-tops and sprinting for a miraculous touchdown gave Pittsburgh its first playoff win and launched one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties. The NFL is set to honor the play this weekend, when the Steelers host the Raiders on Christmas Eve. The Steelers are retiring Harris’ No. 32 on Saturday as well.
“We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and, most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet,” Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “The Hall of Fame and historians everywhere will tell Franco’s football story forever. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field.”
A first-round pick out of Penn State in 1972, Harris made the first of his nine consecutive Pro Bowls as a rookie. He finished his career with the Seahawks in 1984, having rushed for 12,120 yards — a total then topped only by Walter Payton and Jim Brown. Harris joined Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth and Mike Webster as Steelers Hall of Famers on offense from that era. Two years after Harris’ storied catch, he earned MVP honors in the first of the team’s Super Bowl wins. The bruising back rushed for 158 yards on 34 carries in the Steelers’ 16-6 victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl IX.
The Fort Dix, N.J., native finished his career with 100 regular-season touchdowns and added 17 more in the playoffs. He led the NFL with 14 rushing scores in 1976, when he and Rocky Bleier became the second pair of teammates to each surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season. Harris was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990, in his first year of eligibility. Harris is survived by his wife, Dana Dokmanovich, and his son, Dok.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/20/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB James Morgan
- Released: QB Carson Strong
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Mike Thomas
- Released: G Zack Johnson
Carolina Panthers
- Released: CB Tae Hayes
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Kuony Deng, DE Terrell Lewis
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Malik Jefferson
- Released: TE Seth Green
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Parker Ferguson, DB Devon Key
- Released: LB Harvey Langi
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Tom Kennedy
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Matt Bushman
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR DJ Turner
- Released: WR Malik Turner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DL Jason Moore
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Lester Cotton
- Released: OL Lamont Gaillard
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Terez Hall
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Nephi Sewell
- Released: LB Kenny Young
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Jarrod Hewitt
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL OL Beau Benzschawel, C Daniel Munyer
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/20/22
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Steelers practice squad: LB David Anenih
- Designated for return: TE John FitzPatrick
- Placed on IR: RB Caleb Huntley
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: LB Josh Ross
Carolina Panthers
- Designated for return: WR Andre Roberts
Chicago Bears
- Signed off Chiefs practice squad: LB Elijah Lee
- Designated for return: RB Khalil Herbert (story)
- Released: CB Justin Layne
Cleveland Browns
- Designated for return: C Ethan Pocic
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: QB Jarrett Guarantano
- Placed on IR: CB Darius Phillips
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: RB Jordan Wilkins
- Signed off Patriots practice squad: LB Cameron McGrone
- Waived: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
Kansas City Chiefs
- Designated for return: TE Blake Bell
San Francisco 49ers
- Designated for return: DT Kalia Davis
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Placed on IR: DT Bryan Mone
Washington Commanders
- Designated for return: TE Curtis Hodges
Caleb Huntley suffered a season-ending Achilles injury this past weekend, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The injury is expected to require surgery. The Falcons RB made his NFL this season and has collected 369 yards from scrimmage.
While Russell Wilson is expected to start for the Broncos on Christmas, the Broncos still decided to promote a third QB to the roster in Jarrett Guarantano. According to Troy Renck of Denver7 (on Twitter), there was enough interest from other teams (including the Cardinals) for the Broncos to decide to promote the rookie. The UDFA out of Washington State had his first professional gig with the Cardinals before catching on with the Broncos.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/17/22
A handful of practice squad transactions to pass along:
New York Jets
- Signed: S Will Parks
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Wayne Gallman
- Released: WR Jaylen Smith
The Jets re-signed Parks to their practice squad and immediately elevated him to the active roster, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic (on Twitter). The defensive back has bounced on and off the Jets roster this season, but he’s still managed to appear in 11 games.
Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett Uncertain To Return This Season
12:06pm: The longtime Seahawk will opt for a surgery that could have him back after just one missed game, Rapoport tweets. This would obviously be a major boon to Seattle’s playoff hopes, but a firm timetable will not be established until after the procedure.
8:34am: Tyler Lockett has never faced an extended injury-related absence as a pro, missing only two games throughout an eight-year career. But the Seahawks will need to get by without him during a crucial stretch.
After Pete Carroll confirmed Lockett suffered a broken index finger during the Seahawks’ loss to the 49ers on Thursday night, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes the injury will sideline the longtime starter for at least two games. Lockett is not a lock to return this season, representing a blow the team has not had to navigate previously.
Attached to his third Seahawks contract — a four-year, $69MM deal — Lockett has missed one game due to injury. That came back in 2016. His other absence, last season, came due to COVID-19. Lockett has been a constant for Russell Wilson and now Geno Smith, but the sliding Seahawks (7-7) will need to turn to other options alongside D.K. Metcalf going forward.
Carroll said Lockett likely suffered the spiral metacarpal crack while trying to make a catch during Seattle’s final drive. Lockett will undergo surgery, and while the notoriously optimistic Carroll said there were multiple options regarding an operation — including one that could allow Lockett to play again this season — the 30-year-old target had not determined which route he would go here.
If Lockett is shut down, he will fall just short of a fourth 1,000-yard receiving season. The second-generation NFL wideout is sitting on a team-leading 964 yards and eight touchdowns, seeing his six-game TD streak come to an end against San Francisco. After leading the way as the Seahawks transitioned following Doug Baldwin‘s retirement, Lockett has been a considerable aid to Smith’s surprising season.
The Seahawks have Marquise Goodwin positioned to see his role expand because of Lockett’s injury. Given a one-year deal worth the league minimum, Goodwin sits third among Seahawks wideout production this season. The former Olympic long jumper has 27 catches for 387 yards and three touchdowns. Former second-round pick Dee Eskridge is on IR and has just seven catches for 58 yards 10 games into his second season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/15/22
Today’s minor moves:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived from IR: G Lester Cotton
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: OLB Elerson Smith
New York Jets
- Released: S Will Parks
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Godwin Igwebuike
Tennessee Titans
- Designated for return from IR: CB Lonnie Johnson
Igwebuike is being elevated for the second time this season. Starting rookie running back Kenneth Walker has returned to the lineup but running back and return man DeeJay Dallas missed a second straight week of practice, meaning Igwebuike will likely have return duties while backing up Walker and Travis Homer.
Smith will be undergoing surgery for a nagging bone spur, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. The surgery will necessitate a recovery period of about four months, so Smith’s 2022 campaign has come to an end.
Parks re-signed with the Jets this offseason after being claimed by the team last December and starting two games. Despite starting another game this season, Parks has spent most of time on special teams in 11 games this year.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/15/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Khalil Dorsey
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT McTelvin Agim
- Released: WR Robert Foster
New York Giants
- Signed: DT Jack Heflin
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Jaylen Smith
- Released: RB Wayne Gallman
NFC West Notes: Cards, Purdy, Rams, Hawks
The Cardinals will be without their 10th-year GM going forward. Steve Keim stepped away from his post for the time being, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes this health-related matter has been on the radar for months (video link). Keim’s future with the Cardinals is “up in the air,” Rapoport adds. This news comes months after Keim agreed to an extension that runs through 2027. Both Keim and Kliff Kingsbury signed add-ons this offseason, though the latter has also run into some turbulence. With Keim stepping away, Kyler Murray going down with an ACL tear and Kingsbury on the hot seat, this has been one of the more disappointing seasons in recent Cardinals history.
Here is the latest from Arizona and the rest of the NFC West:
- Brock Purdy was not throwing during the 49ers‘ Tuesday practice, but the new San Francisco starter is expected to play through his rib and oblique injuries against the Seahawks tonight, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Purdy stayed in Sunday’s game despite suffering those injuries. The 49ers, who have lost both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to major injuries this season, have journeyman Josh Johnson — recently signed off the Broncos’ practice squad — in place as their backup. Purdy and Johnson are the only two healthy QBs on San Francisco’s 53-man roster. Garoppolo remains on the active roster, for IR-management purposes, but is unlikely to return this season.
- Shifting back to the Cardinals‘ quarterback situation, Murray is not slated to have surgery until after Christmas, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweets. This is common for ACL surgeries, with the delay helping the swelling subside. Saquon Barkley ended up waiting over a month to have his ACL surgery in 2020 and was ready in time for the 2021 season. Week 1 will obviously be Murray’s goal, but given the through-2028 extension the Cardinals gave Murray this offseason, it would not surprise to see the organization play this cautionsly.
- Thought to be leaving for Matt Rhule‘s Nebraska staff, Rams assistant Jake Peetz is staying in Los Angeles. Peetz turned down an offer to head to Lincoln, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. Currently a Rams offensive assistant, Peetz was believed to have been offered the Nebraska quarterbacks coach job. He was the Panthers’ QBs coach under Rhule in 2020 and is a Nebraska native who played for the Cornhuskers during the 2000s. With Rams OC Liam Coen leaving to be Kentucky’s OC soon, it would not surprise to see Peetz rise on Sean McVay‘s staff.
- The Rams will, however, lose their running backs coach — Ra’Shaad Samples — to the college ranks. Samples is heading to Arizona State to become the Pac-12 program’s wide receivers coach and passing-game coordinator, per Matt Zenitz of On3Sports. This season marked Samples’ first in the NFL. Impressively rising to the level of an NFL position coach at just 27, Samples will return to the college ranks. He was previously SMU’s running backs coach before heading to L.A. Samples also drew coordinator interest at the college level, Zenitz adds.
- McVay’s staff has seen a run of connections to the college level in recent weeks. Prior to Arizona State and Georgia Tech hiring Kenny Dillingham and Brent Key, respectively, the schools were interested in Rams assistants. Tight ends coach Thomas Brown drew interest from the Sun Devils, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds defensive line coach Eric Henderson was on the Yellowjackets’ radar. A Georgia Tech alum, Henderson, 39, has been with the Rams since 2019. Brown, 36, has been with the team since 2020, joining the Rams after 10 seasons as a college staffer. The latter has generated praise as a rising NFL assistant, so the Rams retaining him is critical.
- The Rams used their high waiver position to claim former Titans defensive lineman Larrell Murchison, but Field Yates of ESPN.com notes the Seahawks and Lions also made claims (Twitter link). Murchison’s rookie contract runs through the 2023 season; the Rams will have a chance to evaluate the former fifth-round pick.