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.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/22
Today’s minor moves around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): CB Darrell Baker
Atlanta Falcons
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): DT Jalen Dalton
- Released via injury settlement: CB Cornell Armstrong
Baltimore Ravens
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): WR Slade Bolden
Carolina Panthers
- Released via injury settlement: LB Khalan Tolson
Dallas Cowboys
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): LB Christian Sam
Denver Broncos
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): T Casey Tucker
- Released via injury settlement: DE Marquiss Spencer
Detroit Lions
- Released via injury settlement: S Brady Breeze
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): WR Danny Davis, S Vernon Scott
- Released via injury settlement: OL Cole Schneider, CB Donte Vaughn
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released via injury settlement: WR Gary Jennings Jr.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): CB Tevaughn Campbell, LB Damon Lloyd, DE Ty Shelby
Miami Dolphins
- Released via injury settlement: CB Tino Ellis
New Orleans Saints
- Released: T Jerald Hawkins
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Tanner Hudson
- Claimed off waivers (from Vikings): CB Harrison Hand
- Claimed off waivers (from Ravens): WRs Bailey Gaither and Jaylon Moore
- Released: TE Jordan Akins
- Placed on IR: WRs Collin Johnson, Marcus Kemp (story)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released via injury settlement: CB Jimmy Moreland
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed off waivers (from Jets): S Elijah Riley
- Released via injury settlement: LB Tuzar Skipper, RB Master Teague
- Released: S Donovan Stiner
San Francisco 49ers
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): OL Sam Schlueter
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Ronnie Rivers
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: LB Jon Rhattigan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Reverted to IR (from waivers): WR Bug Howard
Tennessee Titans
- Released via injury settlement: CB Shakur Brown
Washington Commanders
- Claimed off waivers (from Jaguars): OL Wes Martin
- Released: CB Channing Stribling
The biggest storyline of the day for the Giants was the injury to Johnson, but they have been busy at other positions as well. Hand was a fifth-round pick of the Vikings in 2020, making 23 appearances during his time there. He primarily played on special teams, but registered an interception and three pass breakups as a rookie. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News tweets that Minnesota was interested in re-signing him had he cleared waivers.
The release of Akins is somewhat surprising, given the Giants’ question marks at the tight end position. The former Texans third-rounder signed just before the draft, where New York added Daniel Bellinger in the fourth round. The latter had a brief stint on the PUP list at the start of training camp, but, if healthy, could be the favorite to take on Evan Engram‘s vacated starting spot.
LB Shaquem Griffin Announces Retirement
Shaquem Griffin defied considerable odds by becoming a Central Florida standout and NFL regular, forging a football path despite losing his left hand at the age of 4. The 2018 fifth-round pick played three seasons with the Seahawks and spent time on the Dolphins’ practice squad.
The inspirational linebacker, however, announced Wednesday (via The Players’ Tribune) he will retire rather than pursue a fifth NFL season. The twin brother of Jaguars cornerback Shaquill Griffin, Shaquem said he aimed to catch on with the Jags last year — one featuring a few opportunities elsewhere — but after that did not materialize, he began moving toward leaving the game.
“All this traveling around, working out for teams, trying to catch on somewhere, trying to hang on — it wasn’t what I wanted. Football had already given me so much, and the only thing I still really wanted from the game was to play with my brother again,” Griffin said. “So I told my agent, Buddy Baker, thank you for grinding and bringing me these opportunities. But unless it’s Jacksonville, I’m good.”
Griffin spent the early part of last season on Miami’s taxi squad and worked out for the Cardinals, Titans and Jets. The Bills, Cowboys and Falcons also expressed interest, Griffin said, and he participated in the Broncos’ 2021 minicamp. But after the Dolphins released him from their practice squad in October, the St. Petersburg, Fla., native passed on offers that did not come from the Jags. Jacksonville signed Shaquill Griffin in March 2021, separating the twin brothers after they had played three seasons in Seattle.
For his career, Shaquem Griffin played mostly on special teams. He made 25 tackles with the Seahawks, who drafted him ahead of Shaquill’s second season. Shaquem notched 18.5 sacks over his final two college seasons and helped Central Florida finish the 2017 campaign at 13-0. He tallied one NFL sack, doing so after working his way back onto Seattle’s active roster following a September cut. Shaquem, who played with his brother for four seasons at Central Florida and three with the Seahawks, added a sack on Aaron Rodgers in Seattle’s 2019 divisional-round game.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/23/22
Tuesday marked the day teams were forced to cut down from 85 to 80 players. Here are the moves teams made made to reach the new maximum. Players who land on the reserve/PUP or reserve/NFI list must miss at least the first four regular-season games.
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: P Nolan Cooney, CB Cortez Davis, TE Josh Hokit, RB T.J. Pledger
- Waived/injured: CB Darrell Baker Jr.
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: WR Geronimo Allison, CB Lafayette Pitts, WR Auden Tate
- Waived: OLB Kuony Deng
- Waived/injured: DL Jalen Dalton
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: ILB Diego Fagot, WR Bailey Gaither, T Jaryd Jones-Smith
- Waived/injured: WR Slade Bolden
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: QB Matt Corral (story), CB Duke Dawson
- Waived: TE Jared Scott
Chicago Bears
- Released: T Julie’n Davenport
- Waived: FB Jake Bargas, CB BoPete Keyes, DT LaCale London, WR Dazz Newsome
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: S Brandon Wilson
- Waived: QB Drew Plitt
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on IR: TE Jeremy Sprinkle
- Waived/injured: LB Christian Sam
- Waived: K Lirim Hajrullahu, CB Quandre Mosely, WR Jaquarii Roberson
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DB Kyron Brown, WR Ty Fryfogle, RB Ryan Nall
Detroit Lions
- Waived: LB Shaun Dion Hamilton
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: RB Kylin Hill
- Waived: WR Danny Davis
- Waived/injured: S Vernon Scott
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/non-football illness list: WR John Metchie (story)
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: C Alex Mollette, RB C.J. Verdell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: T Lucas Niang
- Placed on IR: RB Derrick Gore
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: CB Chris Jones
- Waived: WR Chris Lacy
- Waived/injured: CB Cre’von LeBlanc
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Michael Jacquet
- Waived/injured: CB Tevaughn Campbell, LB Damon Lloyd, OLB Ty Shelby
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: TE Stone Smartt
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: LB Ryan Connelly, WR Blake Proehl
- Waived: TE Shaun Beyer, CB Harrison Hand
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: LB Ronnie Perkins
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: OL Andrew Stueber
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR via injury settlement: T Sage Doxtater, DT Jaleel Johnson
New York Giants
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: OL Nick Gates, T Matt Peart
- Placed on IR: ILB Darrian Beavers (story), TE Andre Miller, TE Ricky Seals-Jones
New York Jets
- Released: OL Caleb Benenoch, LB Kai Nacua
- Waived: S Elijah Riley, OL Isaiah Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: TE Tyree Jackson, OL Brett Toth
- Waived: CB Josh Blackwell, RB DeAndre Torrey, T Jarrid Williams
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: OLB Genard Avery
- Waived: WR Christian Blake, RB Mataeo Durant, QB Chris Oladokun, K Nick Sciba
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: DT Kalia Davis, CB Jason Verrett (story)
- Released: TE Tanner Hudson
- Waived: LB Jeremiah Gemmel
- Waived/injured: OL Sam Schlueter
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Cade Brewer
- Waived: G Shamarious Gilmore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived/injured: TE Bug Howard
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on reserve/PUP list: K Caleb Shudak
Washington Commanders
- Released: T Rashod Hill
- Placed on IR: LB Nathan Gerry
- Waived: WR Kelvin Harmon
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Sammis Reyes
Drew Lock Losing Ground In Seattle?
- Drew Lock missed the Seahawks‘ second preseason game Thursday and remains away from the team. Pete Carroll said the QB trade acquisition is “really sick” with COVID-19, which the team announced he contracted Tuesday. After a solid start (minus a late-game fumble) in Seattle’s preseason opener, Lock is losing ground to Geno Smith by missing time. Smith remains in the lead for the Seahawks’ QB1 post, Eric Williams of Fox Sports writes. This seems like a situation in which both players will start games for the 2022 Seahawks, but Smith remains in pole position to get the Week 1 call.
- The Seahawks traded one of their slot options, Ugo Amadi, to the Eagles for J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. They may well call on a rookie to man the post as well. Coby Bryant is looking like he will play in the nickel role, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes. The Seahawks have not used presumptive outside starters Sidney Jones or Artie Burns during the preseason. Seattle chose Bryant in the fourth round and Tariq Woolen in the fifth; the latter worked as an outside corner in the team’s second preseason tilt Thursday.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/22
With the deadline for more roster cutdowns looming, here are today’s minor moves around the league:
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from active/PUP list: LB Shaq Thompson
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: TE Kendall Blanton, RB Raymond Calais, S Jairon McVea and RB A.J. Rose
- Waived (injury designation): WR J.J. Koski
New England Patriots
- Waived: S Jalen Elliott and CB Devin Hafford
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S Bubba Bolden, TE Cade Brewer, DL Matthew Gotel and CB Elijah Jones
- Released: LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Thompson’s return will be a welcomed sight in Carolina. The 28-year-old had his third-straight 100-tackle season in 2021, adding a pair of sacks and interceptions. Offseason knee surgery cost him time in training camp, but the fact that he passed his conditioning test today means that he can resume practicing with plenty of time before the start of the regular season. Returning to full health in time for Week 1, while expected, would be a crucial development for the Panthers’ defense.
Damien Lewis Avoids Serious Injury
AUG 19: The Seahawks look to have dodged a bullet here. Pete Carroll said Lewis X-rays revealed only a lateral ankle sprain, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. While Lewis could miss some time, he will have a chance to play this season. Haynes would start in Lewis’ absence, Carroll added.
AUG 18: Damien Lewis appeared to have suffered a serious injury on Thursday night. The Seahawks offensive guard was carted off the field during Seattle’s preseason contest against the Bears.
Lewis suffered a leg injury during a run play in the second quarter. Lewis was down on the ground for a bit while the trainers placed an air cast on his leg. The team, including head coach Pete Carroll, huddled around the offensive lineman before he was carted off the field. Predictably, Lewis was later ruled out for the game with an ankle injury.
Lewis has been a dependable member of Seattle’s offensive line since he joined the organization as a third-round pick in 2020. He’s started each of his 29 games since entering the league, and while he was graded 57th among 82 qualifying guards in 2021 (per PFF), he ranked 13th at the position as a rookie. Thanks to that performance in 2020, he earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.
Phil Haynes ended up replacing Lewis in the lineup, and there’s a chance the former fourth-round pick could end up securing the starting gig if Lewis is out. The team could also turn to backups like Greg Eiland and rookie Shamarious Gilmore.
Lewis wasn’t the only player hurt on the play. Bears linebacker Caleb Johnson was also down for a moment, but he was eventually able to walk off the field.
Kenneth Walker Iffy For Week 1
- Seahawks rookie running back Kenneth Walker represents a key part of the team’s backfield equation, one that recently lost Chris Carson to retirement. Walker will not be available for a bit, with Pete Carroll indicating the second-round pick is battling “a little hernia thing” that may sidetrack him for the rest of the preseason. The Seahawks are now targeting Week 1 for Walker’s return, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com notes (Twitter links). Walker has already undergone surgery to address the problem, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Seattle re-signed Rashaad Penny in March, and while the injury-prone back missed time recently because of a groin issue, he returned to practice Tuesday.
- In addition to Walker being out for the Seahawks’ second preseason game, the team’s quarterback competition will see one of its members down for that contest. Drew Lock contracted COVID-19 and will miss the Seahawks’ Thursday tilt against the Bears. Already behind Geno Smith in vying to succeed Russell Wilson, with Carroll saying Tuesday that Smith remains “the No. 1 guy,” Lock will be shut down by the NFL’s current COVID protocols. Players are no longer required to be moved off the roster for virus reasons, but they must isolate for at least five days after testing positive.
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
Eagles To Trade J.J. Arcega-Whiteside To Seahawks For Ugo Amadi
Amidst a day of roster cuts and player activations and signings, a rare player-for-player swap is taking place. The Eagles are sending tight end J.J. Arcega-Whiteside to the Seahawks in exchange for safety Ugo Amadi (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero). 
Arcega-Whiteside was one of several notable draft investments the Eagles have made at the wide receiver position recently. The 2019 second-rounder came to Philadelphia with significant expectations given his size (six-foot-two, 225 pounds) and production at Stanford. Things haven’t gone according to plan, however, as he has failed to secure a full-time starting role across three seasons in the NFL.
After totaling just 16 catches in his first 40 games, the Eagles decided this offseason to move the 25-year-old to tight end. With the likes of first-rounders Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith, as well as draft-day trade acquisition A.J. Brown at the position, that transition was Arcega-Whiteside’s clearest path to playing time. The same may not be true in Seattle, however; Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets that the Seahawks plan to play Arcega-Whiteside at WR, where he will compete for a secondary role behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
The news of a trade is particularly noteworthy in Amadi’s case. ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported (on Twitter) earlier today that the 25-year-old was going to be among the Seahawks’ first round of roster cuts. By acquiring him via trade, the Eagles avoid the possibility of another team claiming him. A fourth-round pick in the same draft as Arcega-Whiteside, Amadi started 12 games between 2020 and 2021. He played a career-high 691 defensive snaps last season, and recorded 54 tackles for the second consecutive season.
The five-foot-nine, 201-pounder will add depth on the backend for the Eagles. Safety was seen as an area of need for much of the offseason after the departure of Rodney McLeod, and Amadi will now look to carve out at least a rotational role behind starters Anthony Harris and Marcus Epps.
Both players will get a fresh start in advance of a contract year, and look to build their free agent values while reinforcing potential weak points on their new teams’ respective rosters.