Dolphins Had Interest In Richard Sherman
The Seahawks were known to have discussed cornerback Richard Sherman with the Patriots this offseason, but apparently New England wasn’t the only AFC East club to have inquired on the All Pro defensive back. The Dolphins also asked about Sherman’s availability, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, and while receiver Jarvis Landry was “raised” in talks, there’s no indication Landry was ever formally offered in negotiations.
Miami is no stranger to acquiring former Seattle cornerbacks, as the club picked up Byron Maxwell (after a one-year layover in Philadelphia) last season. But the Dolphins are still weak in the secondary, as second-year pro Xavien Howard and Alterraun Verner are the team’s top options behind Maxwell (Tony Lippett is out for the season, but his injury occurred after any presumptive Sherman talks). Recently, Miami went hard after free agent corner Joe Haden before he signed with the Steelers.
Sherman, who is due base salaries north of $11MM in each of the next two seasons, reportedly requested a trade out of Seattle, and the Seahawks attempted to honor his ask, but discussions seemingly never got serious with any other club. The Patriots were in the Sherman market but ultimately bowed out, possibly because of Seattle’s high asking price (a 2017 first-round pick plus a conditional mid-round choice in 2018).
Landry, meanwhile, has also been mentioned in trade rumors, although the Dolphins have refuted those reports. Scheduled to become a free agent next spring, Landry still hasn’t been offered an extension by Miami, which may prefer fellow wideout DeVante Parker. The franchise tag probably isn’t an option for the 24-year-old Landry, as the $16MM+ tender figure is likely untenable for a receiver who primarily plays in the slot.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/12/17
Tuesday’s practice squad moves…
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: QB Josh Woodrum
- Cut: TE Ryan Malleck
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Malachi Dupre
- Cut: WR Daikiel Shorts
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Mario Alford
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Johnathan Calvin, WR Devin Lucien
- Cut: WR Fred Brown, S Ronald Martin
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DL Rickey Hatley
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Daniel Lasco
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Max Valles
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: T Victor Salako, CB De’Vante Bausby
- Cut: CB C.J. Smith, WR Greg Ward
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DB Jarnor Jones
- Cut: LB Ben Boulware
Seattle Seahawks
- Cut: WR Kenny Lawler, OT Jarron Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Tim Semisch, OL Cody Wichmann
- Cut: TE Jerome Cunningham, OL Steven Moore
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/8/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: T Zach Sterup
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Hakeem Valles, WR Noel Thomas
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Dee Virgin
- Released: DE Daniel Ross
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Nick Dzubnar
New England Patriots
- Signed: DB Jomal Wiltz
New Orleans Saints
- Released: DL Kristjan Sokoli
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: K Giorgio Tavecchio
- Released: LB Max Valles
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Kenny Lawler
- Released: WR Cyril Grayson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: T Justin Murray
- Placed on IR: T Marquis Lucas
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/8/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: LB Scooby Wright
- Released: LB Philip Wheeler
Chicago Bears
- Released from IR: RB Ka’Deem Carey, QB Connor Shaw
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: LB B.J. Bello, DB Kai Nacua
Detroit Lions
- Released from IR: WR Dez Stewart
Houston Texans
- Released from IR: TE Rashaun Allen, S Lonnie Ballentine, CB Denzel Rice, DB Malik Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Josh Walker
New England Patriots
- Released from IR: DT Josh Augusta, WR Devin Lucien
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: T Bryce Harris
- Waived: RB Daniel Lasco
- Released from IR: TE John Phillips
Seattle Seahawks
- Released from IR: DT Rodney Coe
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released from IR: QB Sefo Liufau
Washington Redskins
- Released from IR: TE E.J. Bibbs, LB Ron Thompson Jr., LB Lynden Trail
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/4/17
Here are today’s minor moves.
- The Browns claimed offensive lineman Zach Banner off waivers from the Colts, who cut him despite drafting him in the fourth round this year. Cleveland made room for Banner by placing offensive lineman Rod Johnson on IR. Additionally, the Browns continued their busy offseason regarding secondary turnover by releasing former safety starter Ed Reynolds from IR.
- The Steelers re-signed linebacker Steven Johnson and waived safety Jordan Dangerfield with an injury designation. Johnson initially saw his name appear on Pittsburgh’s cut list Saturday, but the backup will return. Pittsburgh also placed cornerback Cameron Sutton, a rookie third-rounder, on IR.
- Jacquies Smith will move from the PUP list back to the Buccaneers‘ 53-man roster. The team reinstated the defensive end on Monday. A fourth-year player, Smith is expected to be a rotational player in Tampa Bay this season.
- The Dolphins re-signed tackle Sam Young. Miami cut the offensive lineman on Saturday but will keep him around for now. Miami guaranteed Young’s salary, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweets, signing Young this week instead of next because an unspecified team wanted him. This will mark Young’s eighth NFL season. The Dolphins signed him to an extension in December.
- Quarterback Jeff Driskel will land on the Bengals‘ IR list. The former 49ers sixth-rounder has yet to play in a game.
- A starter in three games last season, linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin landed on the Jets‘ IR Monday. To replace the third-year player, Gang Green re-signed linebacker Bruce Carter. Now a seventh-year veteran, Carter played a depth role with the Jets last season.
- Wide receiver Chris Matthews re-signed with the Ravens, who made room on their 53-man roster by placing cornerback Maurice Canady on IR.
- The Falcons released defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman, who resides on the Commissioner’s Exempt list as a result of misdemeanor charges from 2016. While Hageman is on that list, the Falcons will not have to pay Hageman.
- The Chargers claimed linebacker Hayes Pullard off waivers from the Jaguars. A former Browns seventh-rounder in 2015, Pullard started two games for the 2015 Jags and played in all 16 Jacksonville contests last season.
- Jelani Jenkins was expected to start for the Raiders, but the former Dolphins linebacker found himself on the team’s cut list Saturday. The Raiders, though, reached an injury settlement with the fifth-year linebacker, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports (on Twitter). Jenkins suffered a groin injury during the preseason. Oakland also reached an injury settlement with Jaydon Mickens, per Gehlken, who adds Mickens suffered an ankle injury.
- The Seahawks waived cornerback Demetrius McCray with an injury settlement, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets.
- The Redskins reached an injury settlement with center Ronald Patrick, waiving the interior blocker from IR as a result.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/4/17
NFL teams began forming their practice squads on Sunday, but they’re tinkering with them today as they will throughout the season. We’ll keep track of Monday’s practice squad moves here:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE MyCole Pruitt, G Will Pericak, LB Zach Vigil
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Sojourn Shelton, G Cole Toner
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB B.J. Bello, OL Travis Averill
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DE Earl Okine
- Cut: DT Derrick Lott
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, OLB/DE Carroll Phillips
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Gabe Wright
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: C Cornelius Edison, OT Cedrick Lang
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Demarcus Ayers
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Terrell Sinkfield, DL Patrick Gamble, OLB Geoff Gray, WR JoJo Natson, OLB Freddie Bishop, RB Marcus Murphy
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: C James Stone, DE Max Valles
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: QB Trevone Boykin, WR David Moore, LB Austin Calitro, OT Jarron Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Zach Pascal
Washington Redskins
- Signed: QB Alek Torgersen, WR Dres Anderson, OL Anthony Fabiano
McDowell's Injury Prompted Richardson Trade
- The injury to rookie Malik McDowell prompted the Seahawks to trade for Sheldon Richardson, Pete Carroll said, via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta (on Twitter). Currently on the NFI list, McDowell does not have a timetable for a return, Condotta adds (via Twitter). Carroll said the team could still look to add another defensive tackle (Twitter link, via Condotta).
- Richardson will play the three-technique position in the Seahawks’ 4-3 scheme, the fifth-year defensive lineman said Monday (via Condotta, on Twitter). He will line up inside of Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, giving the Seahawks one of the most talented defensive fronts in football. Richardson primarily played 3-4 defensive end with the Jets but also saw time at outside linebacker. He played 4-3 defensive tackle at the University of Missouri, though.
- Speaking of waivers, the Seahawks hoped they’d have a chance to stash wide receiver Kasen Williams on their practice squad, Carroll said (via Condotta, on Twitter), but the Browns swooped in with a claim. The Seahawks will move on without Williams and Jermaine Kearse, traded to the Jets in the Richardson deal. Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett are now Seattle’s top complementary wideouts, and Lockett (per Condotta, on Twitter) is expected to play in Week 1 after breaking his fibula late last season.
Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC West
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC 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 for the Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks are noted below.
Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. 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 NFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to practice squad:
- WR Carlton Agudosi
- G Dorian Johnson
- CB Ryan Lewis
- S Harlan Miller
- TE Ricky Seals-Jones
- RB James Summers
- DT Pasoni Tasini
- LB Scooby Wright
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed:
- C J.J. Dielman
- DT Quinton Jefferson
- C Aaron Neary
- Waived:
- LB Nic Grigsby
- TE John Mundt
- DT Louis Trinca-Pasat
- Signed to practice squad:
- DT Omarius Bryant
- OL Michael Dunn
- OL Jake Eldrenkamp
- DB Isaiah Johnson
- LB Cassanova McKinzy
- WR Paul McRoberts
- FB Sam Rogers
- OLB Carlos Thompson
- TE Travis Wilson
San Francisco 49ers
- Claimed:
- DL Xavier Cooper (story)
- Placed on IR:
- DL Ronald Blair
- Signed to practice squad:
- WR DeAndre Carter
- OL John Flynn
- TE Cole Hikutini
- CB Asa Jackson
- QB Nick Mullens
- DL Noble Nwachukwu
- WR DeAndre Smelter
- OL Darrell Williams Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to practice squad:
- RB Mike Davis
- WR Cyril Grayson
- CB Mike Tyson
- C Joey Hunt
- DT Garrison Smith
- TE Tyrone Swoopes
Browns Claim WR Kasen Williams
The Browns claimed wide receiver Kasen Williams off of waivers from the Seahawks, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets.
Williams, 24, has appeared in only three games for Seattle over the last two years. He broke out during the preseason, but, to the dismay of many Seahawks fans, he did not make the final cut. Williams finished as the team’s top receiver with nine catches, 208 yards, one touchdown, and perhaps the best August highlight reel of anyone this year.
The Browns also acquired Sammie Coates from the Steelers over the weekend to give themselves some additional depth behind Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman. Williams will presumably occupy the No. 5 or 6 WR spot on the depth chart for now, but he could play his way into a larger role.
Seahawks Now At 53
The Seahawks made some moves to get down to 53, including the release of last year’s backup quarterback. Here’s the full rundown:
Waived:
- QB Trevone Boykin
- T Darrell Brown
- LB Rodney Butler
- RB Alex Collins
- RB Mike Davis
- CB Pierre Desir
- WR Cyril Grayson
- DT Tylor Harris
- C Joey Hunt
- DT Quinton Jefferson
- WR Kenny Lawler
- DT Jeremy Liggins
- DT Greg Milhouse
- WR David Moore
- LB Kache Palacio
- C/G Will Pericak
- LB Otha Peters
- WR Darreus Rogers
- DT Garrison Smith
- WR Rodney Smith
- TE Tyrone Swoopes
- T Tyrus Thompson
- CB Mike Tyson
Waived/Injured:
- LB Christian French
- CB Demetrius McCray
- DT Rodney Coe
- WR Kasen Williams
Released:
- LB Mike Morgan
- FB Marcel Reece
Boykin has lost the backup QB job to Austin Davis and that’s not a huge surprise after Davis’ performance in the preseason. Coach Pete Carroll indicated recently that he would have liked to keep three signal callers, but it just wasn’t realistic.
“It’s a good idea if you can do it,” Carroll said. “They’re so important. It just depends on the rest of the roster.”