Minor NFL Transactions: 9/1/22
Teams continue to tinker with their rosters after hundreds of players were cut earlier this week. We’ve tracked all of today’s minor moves below:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Stephen Anderson, LS Aaron Brewer, CB Mike Ford, G Colby Gossett, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, S Dean Marlowe
- Placed on IR: S Charles Washington, WR Antoine Wesley
- Waived from IR: OL Greg Long
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Abdullah Anderson,
- Placed on IR: DL Marlon Davidson, TE John Fitzpatrick, LB Deion Jones, OL Jalen Mayfield, CB Isaiah Oliver
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived from IR: DT Aaron Crawford
Chicago Bears
- Claimed off waivers (from Vikings): WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
- Placed on IR: WR N’Keal Harry
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR Mike Thomas
- Placed on IR: DE Khalid Kareem
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DB C.J. Goodwin, LS Jake McQuaide
- Placed on IR: OT Tyron Smith, WR James Washington
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Darius Phillips, DT Mike Purcell, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Released: DB Essang Bassey
- Placed on IR: TE Greg Dulcich, CB Michael Ojemudia
- Released from IR: CB Donnie Lewis
Green Bay Packers
- Released from IR: WR Danny Davis
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on IR: LB Trevor Denbow
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed off waivers (from Bears): LB Caleb Johnson
- Released: DL Adam Gotsis
- Reverted to IR: K Jake Verity
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: LB Daniel Hardy
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: S Clayton Fejedelem
- Released from IR: CB Mackensie Alexander, DB D’Angelo Ross
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: WR Tyquan Thornton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Dwayne Washington
- Placed on IR: OT Trevor Penning, DL Malcolm Roach
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Austin Calitro, TE Tanner Hudson, DL Nick Williams
- Claimed off waivers (from Ravens): G Tyre Phillips
- Placed on IR: OL Shane Lemieux, DE Elerson Smith, CB Rodarius Williams
- Released from IR: TE Dre Miller, TE Ricky Seals-Jones
New York Jets
- Signed: S Marcell Harris
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed off waivers (from Jaguars): LB Jamir Jones
- Released: LB Derrek Tuszka
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Tyler Kroft, DE Jordan Willis
- Placed on IR: LB Curtis Robinson, S Jimmie Ward
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Justin Coleman
- Placed on IR: DL LJ Collier
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: C Ryan Jensen
- Waived/injured: WR Cyril Grayson Jr.
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Cody Hollister
- Placed on IR: WR Racey McMath
Latest On Jets WR Denzel Mims
Despite his trade request last week, wideout Denzel Mims remained on the Jets as teams set their 53-man rosters. Speaking with reporters today, Mims expressed frustration at his situation and reiterated his desire to start.
“I feel like I already pretty much [showed I could start], from OTAs until now,” Mims said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “I mean, they’re pretty set on who they want.
“I feel like, yeah, I feel like [the coaches] have made their mind up, honestly. But I feel like I can change their mind on that. I feel like I’ve been doing that. Their minds are pretty made up, though.”
Mims also mentioned that he expects to be inactive for the Jets Week 1 contest against the Ravens, and he noted that he doesn’t have any issues playing special teams. However, the receiver made it clear that he wants to play, something that probably won’t be possible when he’s behind a deep wide receiver group of Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, Braxton Berrios, and rookie Garrett Wilson. Those frustrations have led the organization to surmise that Mims doesn’t necessarily want to play elsewhere.
“I wouldn’t say he wants to be somewhere else; he wants to play,” GM Joe Douglas said. “He wants to start. Denzel is very confident. He has voiced that, that he wants to be a starter. Ultimately, you want a team full of guys that feel like they should be the No. 1 guy.”
While the Jets didn’t end up trading the former second-round pick, they still fielded calls on the wideout. According to Connor Hughes of SNYtv (on Twitter), the Vikings, Cowboys, Seahawks, and Panthers were among the teams that reached out to the Jets. However, New York was seeking a fourth-round pick in return for the receiver, and no team was willing to meet that asking price.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC West
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These 49ers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Arizona Cardinals
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Andre Baccellia, WR Victor Bolden Jr., OL Rashaad Coward, OL Danny Isidora, DL Manny Jones, WR Jontre Kirklin, LB Jesse Luketa, QB Trace McSorley, TE Bernhard Seikovits (international player), CB Jace Whittaker, DL Antwaun Woods, LB Chandler Wooten
Los Angeles Rams
Signed to practice squad:
- T A.J. Arcuri, T Chandler Brewer, DE Earnest Brown IV, TE Roger Carter Jr.., DB TJ Carter, DE T.J. Carter, DT Elijah Garcia, DB Grant Haley, TE Jacob Harris, DB Dan Isom, G Jeremiah Kolone, TE Jared Pinkney, T Max Pircher (international player), RB Trey Ragas, DE Brayden Thomas, WR Austin Trammell, DE Benton Whitley
San Francisco 49ers
Signed:
- TE Tyler Kroft, DL Jordan Willis
Claimed:
- OL Blake Hance (from Browns)
Placed on IR:
- LB Curtis Robinson, DB Jimmie Ward
Released from IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Alex Barrett, S Tashaun Gipson, OL Alfredo Gutierrez, S Tayler Hawkins, CB Qwuantrezz Knight, WR Tay Martin, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, OL Jason Poe, WR Willie Snead, DL Akeem Spence, OL Keaton Sutherland, DL Kemoko Turay, WR Malik Turner
Seattle Seahawks
Signed:
Claimed:
- DB Isaiah Dunn (from Jets), DE Daryl Johnson (from Panthers)
Waived:
- LB Joshua Onujiogu
Placed on IR:
- DE L.J. Collier, CB John Reid
Reverted to IR:
- RB Josh Johnson
Signed to practice squad:
- WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside, LB Aaron Donkor (international playear), T Greg Eiland, WR Cade Johnson, LB Vi Jones, TE Tyler Mabry, QB Sean Mannion (story), WR Bo Melton, CB Quandre Mosely, LB Tanner Muse, S Scott Nelson, T Liam Ryan, RB Darwin Thompson
Seahawks Plan To Add QB Sean Mannion To Practice Squad
Sean Mannion spent part of last year’s training camp with the Seahawks, and the veteran backup quarterback agreed to return to the team Wednesday.
Seattle is adding the recent Minnesota backup to its practice squad, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The Vikings had shown interest in keeping Mannion on their P-squad, but the team essentially demoted him by trading for Nick Mullens this month. Mullens made Minnesota’s active roster, while Mannion and 2021 third-rounder Kellen Mond were cut Tuesday.
The Seahawks cut Mannion last year, and he found his way back to the Vikings’ QB2 role. But this partnership looks a bit different a year later. Going into their 2021 preseason, the Seahawks had Russell Wilson still riding a nine-season run of perfect attendance. Wilson, who missed his first NFL games last season, is now with the Broncos. Despite being connected to Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, the Seahawks are planning to use Geno Smith as their starter.
Wilson’s former backup beat out Drew Lock for the starting gig. Mannion would stand to step in behind this duo, though the Seahawks also cut Jacob Eason on Tuesday. Eason, a Washington alum, caught on with the team via an October 2021 waiver claim.
Despite being a former third-round pick, Mannion has never made inroads to being a starter in the NFL. He backed up Jared Goff primarily with the Rams and played behind Kirk Cousins with the Vikings. Mannion, 30, has started three career games. Two of those came in meaningless Week 17 situations; the third came after Cousins tested positive for COVID-19 last season. The Oregon State alum holds a 61% career completion rate but has one TD pass compared to three INTs.
Seahawks Make Final Cuts, Hope To Re-Sign CB Justin Coleman
Joining the rest of the NFL, the Seahawks made their round of cuts Tuesday. Here is how the NFC West squad reached the 53-man max:
Released:
Waived:
- WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
- S Marquise Blair
- LB Joel Dublanko
- QB Jacob Eason
- T Greg Eiland
- WR Aaron Fuller
- DT Jarrod Hewitt
- WR Cade Johnson
- LB Vi Jones
- WR Kevin Kassis
- TE Tyler Mabry
- WR Bo Melton
- LB Tanner Muse
- S Scott Nelson
- T Liam Ryan
- C Dakoda Shepley
- WR Freddie Swain
- RB Darwin Thompson
- LB Lakiem Williams
- S Deontai Wiliams
Waived/injured:
- RB Josh Johnson
Placed on IR:
- LB Tyreke Smith
After agreeing to return to Seattle this offseason, Coleman worked as the team’s starting nickel during the preseason. The veteran slot’s second Seattle stint may not be through, despite being released. Pete Carroll pointed to Coleman being brought back. Roster moves after trims to 53 frequently result in vested vets returning; Coleman certainly appears in the team’s plans.
“Justin is a really good football player and hopefully this isn’t where we’re done with him,” Carroll said, via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta.
Coleman, who played for the Seahawks in 2017-18, returned to the Pacific Northwest on a one-year deal with just $153K guaranteed. He has been expected to man the slot alongside starters Sidney Jones and Artie Burns. Jones, however, has run into more injury trouble. The former Washington Huskies standout did not play in the Seahawks’ preseason slate, and Carroll confirmed the team’s top corner is still dealing with the effects of a concussion sustained Aug. 3. The team has not ruled out Jones playing in its opener, but a short-term IR stint may also be on tap.
A former first-round talent who suffered a pre-draft injury that dropped him to Round 2 in 2017, Jones found his footing again after being traded to Seattle in 2021. He started 11 games for the Seahawks, who then lost a starting corner in free agency for the second straight offseason (D.J. Reed, Jets). In addition to Jones, Carroll said cornerback John Reid is dealing with an injury. After aggravating a groin injury in the Seahawks’ preseason finale, the third-year defender may also be a short-term IR candidate
While Coleman was in Detroit and Miami, Blair spent some time at nickel. But the former second-round pick saw knee injuries end his past two seasons. He was unable to gain traction as a safety during camp, with Condotta adding the Seahawks had stopped using him in the slot. The Seahawks kept rookie UDFA Joey Blount as a fifth safety instead. The Seahawks listed Arcega-Whiteside, obtained in a trade for DB Ugo Amadi this month, as a receiver. The Eagles had tried the disappointing draftee at tight end this offseason.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/22
We will keep track of today’s minor moves right here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: P Cameron Dicker
Chicago Bears
- Waived (non-football illness): OL Jean Delance
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: DE Curtis Weaver
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: DE Markaviest Bryant, T Amon Simon, OL James Empey, WR T.J. Vasher
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: LB Ty Summers
Las Vegas Raiders:
- Placed on IR: RT Brandon Parker, DT Tyler Lancaster, LB Tae Davis (story)
- Waived: TE Nicke Bowers, WR Justin Hall
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: DL Josh Black, RB Abram Smith, OL Khalique Washington, CB Brian Allen, T Derrick Kelly, CB Quenton Meeks
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Ka’dar Hollman
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: CB Jameson Houston, TE Cade Brewer, LB Aaron Donkor, RB Ronnie Rivers
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: CB Tre Brown
Washington Commanders
- Released via injury settlement: DE Bunmi Rotimi
Summers is a 2019 seventh-round pick who has just one career start but who has established himself as a key contributor on Green Bay’s special teams unit over his first three seasons in the league. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com expects the TCU product to generate interest on the waiver wire (Twitter link). Indeed, Packers HC Matt LaFleur said that the team made the decision to part ways with Summers now in order to give him a chance to hook on with a new club before the wave of impending cuts that will soon flood the market (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
The Seahawks’ decision to move Brown to the PUP list means that he will be sidelined for at least the first four games of the season. That marks a disappointing start to his second NFL campaign; the fourth-rounder had two separate IR stints last year. That limited him to just five games (three starts), during which he registered 10 tackles and one pass deflection. Seattle has seen plenty of roster turnover at the CB position this offseason, leaving Brown in line for at least a rotational role. In his absence, the team will rely even more on starters Sidney Jones and Artie Burns, with rookies Coby Bryant likely to play in the slot.
Geno Smith Named Seahawks Starting QB
It’s Geno Time in Seattle. After last night’s preseason game, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll announced that Geno Smith will be the team’s starting quarterback in Week 1.
[RELATED: Seahawks Still Eyeing Jimmy Garoppolo?]
Following the offseason trade of Russell Wilson, the Seahawks have spent training camp and the preseason evaluating who will guide their offense in 2022. Smith, who’s been the team’s backup over the past two seasons, was going against Drew Lock, who was acquired from the Broncos in the Wilson trade. While Lock is younger and has more recent starting experience, Smith always seemed to be the favorite for the starting gig considering his familiarity with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s system, and this was reflected in him taking first-team snaps throughout the preseason.
Lock further lost some ground when he was forced to miss the Seahawks second preseason game while he was sidelined with COVID. He didn’t do much to help his case when he returned to the field for last night’s preseason finale, tossing three interceptions. Carroll informed the team after the contest that Smith would be the starting QB to start the season, and he later passed on the information to reporters.
“We really put him up against the competition, and Drew took his shot at him all the way throughout,” Carroll said (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). “Those guys … they have gotten along beautifully, they’ve supported one another throughout. They really couldn’t have done that better and in more classy, great competitor fashion. They know that they need each other and all that, and they did it right.
“But Geno, he knows our stuff and he does really well and he understands it and he can manage everything that we’re doing and he’s good about the football. He’ll give us the best chance to play great football right off the bat.”
Smith started three games last season while filling in for Wilson, going 1-2 while tossing five touchdowns vs. one interception. He hasn’t had a full-time starting gig since 2014, when he went 3-10 in 13 starts for the Jets. Lock, meanwhile, got 21 starts for Denver over the past three years, going 8-13. Following a 2020 campaign where he tossed a league-high 15 interceptions, the 25-year-old was limited to only three starts (all losses) in 2021.
Considering the uninspiring track record of Smith and Lock, it remains to be seen if Seattle would pursue an upgrade. Mostly, if Jimmy Garoppolo eventually shakes loose in San Francisco, you’ve got to wonder if the Seahawks would jump at the opportunity to add him. Plus, assuming Jimmy G would need some time acclimating himself to the offense, Carroll could still stick with his declaration that Smith would be his early-season starter.
Seahawks Still Eyeing Jimmy Garoppolo?
5:15pm: While Lock was initially expected to get the call, Smith will in fact start tonight’s contest (video link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). That means Smith will have worked with the first-team offense in each game this summer, signalling that a Garoppolo acquisition could be the only thing preventing him from getting the nod in Week 1.
1:17pm: The Seahawks have gone through their Geno Smith–Drew Lock competition for months, and they are still not ready to name a starter. Smith is viewed as the frontrunner, though Lock will start Seattle’s third preseason game after missing the second exhibition contest due to COVID-19. But the team looks to still have Jimmy Garoppolo on its radar.
A report in July indicated the Seahawks had held internal discussions on Garoppolo and had, as should be expected given their situation, studied the veteran passer’s film. An August report pointed to the 49ers waiting on a Garoppolo release to prevent an early Seahawks arrival. That line of thinking still appears to be San Francisco’s play here. The Seahawks are interested in signing Garoppolo, former GM Michael Lombardi said on his GM Shuffle podcast this week. If no trade is in the cards, Lombardi adds the 49ers are planning to cut Garoppolo as late as possible to prevent him from assimilating quickly enough to play against them in September.
[RELATED: Which QB Will Start Most Games For 2022 Seahawks?]
The NFC West rivals’ San Francisco meeting occurs in Week 2. The 49ers holding out hope for a Garoppolo trade elsewhere or waiting until the 11th hour to cut their four-plus-year starter would do well to keep the Seahawks from trotting him out there against his former team — at least in the first meeting. The right shoulder procedure Garoppolo underwent in March pushed this situation to this point, but the two-time NFC championship game starter has been working out away from the team for weeks now.
John Lynch said during a KNBR appearance this week (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, on Twitter) the 49ers are moving closer to releasing Garoppolo. With minimal trade interest, something Lombardi indicated is still the case, the 49ers will have until the eve of their Week 1 game against the Bears to cut Garoppolo to avoid his $24.2MM base salary from becoming guaranteed. Barring a last-minute Lance injury, Garoppolo’s salary will not be on the 49ers’ 2022 payroll come Week 1. The last remaining question here is where he will go.
With the Panthers trading for Baker Mayfield in July, the Seahawks became the logical Garoppolo fit. The team showed no interest in taking on Mayfield’s fifth-year option salary and has not been linked to an intra-divisional trade for Garoppolo. The sides linking up via free agency, however, has been mentioned this offseason.
The Browns could still lurk. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the Browns’ Garoppolo interest. Deshaun Watson will miss the season’s first 11 games, leaving Jacoby Brissett as Cleveland’s fill-in. Garoppolo has proven to be a more capable passer than Brissett, and with Kevin Stefanski running a version of the Mike/Kyle Shanahan/Gary Kubiak offense, a Garoppolo learning curve would not be steep. Then again, the Seahawks have a Shanahan/Sean McVay-style offense in place thanks to second-year OC Shane Waldron. These similarities would create an interesting September free agency for Garoppolo — if, in fact, no team pulls off a late trade.
A Seattle signing would not exactly be stunning, considering the team’s current competition has pit 2021 backups against one another. Smith has not been a regular starter since 2014, while the Broncos benched Lock last year. Reported Seahawks interest in Lock as a 2019 prospect aside, his not seizing the job from Smith should point to Garoppolo interest.
Garoppolo going to Seattle would both seemingly put the team — which finished eighth in DVOA last season — in better position to contend in 2022 and re-establish the ninth-year passer’s value. These outcomes would also work against the Seahawks’ 2023 draft position, but the team does have two first-round picks as ammo ahead of what is expected to be a far superior QB draft compared to 2022.
L.J. Collier On Seahawks’ Roster Bubble?
Things haven’t gone according to plan for the Seahawks with respect to former first-rounder L.J. Collier. The defensive lineman has one year remaining on his rookie contract, but might not spend it in Seattle. 
As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes, Collier’s hold on a roster spot is “more uncertain than ever.” The team’s top pick in 2019, he made just three tackles in 11 games as a rookie. Things changed the following season, however, when he started all 16 contests, registering 22 tackles and three sacks. That led to optimism he had turned a corner, but the 2021 campaign was a different story.
The TCU product came off the bench in 10 games last season, an underwhelming point in his brief NFL tenure. As a result, he found himself in trade talks in the weeks leading up to the deadline. Seattle held on to him, but, to no surprise, they declined his fifth-year option this offseason. Training camp has been disappointing and marked by injury, leaving little in the way of optimism amongst the team’s coaches.
“Right now, I mean, it’s difficult,” defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt said when asked about seeing a fit for Collier in the team’s new 3-4 scheme. “He was doing a nice job while he was out there on the field and he was healthy. But it’s a tough deal — I tell guys all the time, ‘It’s hard to make the club when you are in the tub.’ You’ve got to be out there and ready to go. When he’s out there practicing he gives great effort. But it’s tough.”
The Seahawks could rotate the 26-year-old at end and tackle with the new alignment, but Collier would have a number of players ahead of him on the depth chart at each spot. The team’s preseason finale could represent a final opportunity to earn a 53-man roster spot, but head coach Pete Carroll indicated that it remains unclear if the elbow injury he suffered earlier this month will be healed in time for him to play.
Especially is he doesn’t suit up, Collier could become the first Seahawks first-rounder in the Carroll/John Schneider era to fail to see out his rookie deal with the team. Seattle would save $986K by releasing him, but doing so would leave them with a dead cap charge of over $2.4MM. Collier’s name will be one to watch closely when final roster cuts are made next week.
NFL Workouts: Seahawks, Jets, Commanders, Texans
The Seahawks may be close to bringing Kenny Young back to the NFC West. Seattle hosted the veteran linebacker on a visit over the weekend, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter).
The 27-year-old began his career with the Ravens in 2018. By the midway point of his second season, however, he had been traded to the Rams, with whom he made 13 starts in 32 appearances. This past October, the UCLA product found himself being traded again, this time to the Broncos.
Young’s tenure in Denver – only six games in length, but one which saw him play the second-highest snap share of his career – landed him a contract with the Raiders in May. He was released last week, however, leaving him in need of a new landing spot. The Seahawks are projected to start Jordyn Brooks and Cody Barton at linebacker this season, but they could use depth at the second level after parting ways with Bobby Wagner and electing not to reunite with K.J. Wright this offseason.
Here’s a quick round-up of some other recent workouts around the NFL:
- A pair of defensive tackles also held visits. Per Yates, the Jets hosted Sheldon Day this past weekend (Twitter link). A fourth-round pick of the Jaguars in 2016, the 28-year-old lasted less than two years in Duval County; he is best known for his time spent with the 49ers. After two-plus seasons in San Francisco, the journeyman has most recently played with the Colts and Browns.
- The Commanders likewise met with former first-rounder Malcom Brown. A consistent contributor with the Patriots to start his career (totaling 186 tackles and 8.5 sacks), the Texas alum has since spent time with the Saints and Jaguars, starting every game he appeared in along the way. His career-high 57 tackles last season point to a continued ability against the run, though Washington boasts a deep defensive line which would likely leave Brown with a diminished role.
- Lastly, the Texans could have a new kicker in the near future. Ka’imi Fairbairn has suffered a minor injury which will cause him to at least miss the team’s preseason finale tomorrow (Twitter link via Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson). In need of a short-term replacement, Houston worked out Matt Ammendola today. The 25-year-old made 11 appearances with the Jets as a rookie last year, converting 13 of 19 field goals (68.4%). He also visited the Packers earlier this week, as they remain unsure if Mason Crosby will be able to suit up for Week 1. With the Texans now in a similar situation, Ammendola could have multiple suitors.