Minor NFL Transactions: 11/22/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed (off Ravens practice squad: QB Trace McSorley
- Waived: LS Beau Brinkley, RB Tavien Feaster
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: G/DT Kahlil McKenzie
Cleveland Browns
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: C Nick Harris
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Robert Foster, WR T.J. Vasher
Green Bay Packers
- Waived from IR: S Will Redmond
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: P Dustin Colquitt
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jordan Brown
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Linval Joseph
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, LB Trent Harris, TE Chris Myarick, DB Steven Parker
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Breshad Perriman
Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown Accused Of Using Fake Vaccination Card
Antonio Brown is in hot water once again. The receiver’s former live-in chef told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times that Brown obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination card to avoid the NFL’s protocols.
According to screenshots obtained by Stroud, Brown’s girlfriend texted the chef offering $500 for a fake vaccination card. The chef was unable to complete the request, but he claims Brown showed off his fake card weeks later. A picture of the card was later sent by Tom Brady/TB12 guru (and trainer) Alex Guerrero to Buccaneers head trainer Bobby Slater for documenting, with neither individual being aware of the card’s lack of authenticity. It’s also worth noting that Brown and the chef had a falling out due to unpaid debts.
“After an extensive educational process conducted throughout our organization this past offseason highlighting the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines, we received completed vaccination cards from all Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and submitted the required information to the NFL through the established process in accordance with league policy,” the Buccaneers said in a statement. “All vaccination cards were reviewed by Buccaneers personnel and no irregularities were observed.”
Brown’s lawyer denied the allegations.
“Antonio Brown appreciates the severity of the pandemic, which is why he got the vaccine and supports everyone for whom it is advisable to get the vaccine,” Sean Burstyn said. “Coronavirus has hit close to home as it took him out of a game. He is healthy, vaccinated, and ready to win another Super Bowl…One of the worst parts of the pandemic has been a movement to cast doubt on our country’s vaccination programs with baseless, vindictive tabloid gossip.”
NFL’s VP of communications Brian McCarthy told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that the league is “aware of the report and have been in contact with the club” (Twitter link). The NFL is also reviewing the matter.
These are some pretty serious allegations, and the matter would be reviewed under the NFL’s personal conduct policy (per Auman). The fake vaccination card could also be “handled as a federal criminal offense.” For comparison’s sake, in the NHL, San Jose Sharks star Evander Kane was suspended a quarter of the season for using a fake card. The NFL previously handed out fines to the Packers organization and Aaron Rodgers following an investigation into their handling of COVID-19 protocols. Brown also isn’t a stranger to league discipline; he was suspended eight games last season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Brown missed a game earlier this season after testing positive for COVID-19, and per Auman, Brown had to deal with the 10-day waiting period reserved for unvaccinated players (vs. vaccinated players, who need to be asymptomatic and return two negative tests 24 hours apart).
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/17/21
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Designated for return: DE Darryl Johnson, OL John Miller
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Designated for return: OL Brandon Linder, TE James O’Shaughnessy
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: LB Patrick Onwuasor
- Placed on IR: S Tyree Gillespie
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: DE Breiden Fehoko
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Christian Covington
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: CB Jamal Perry
New England Patriots
- Waived from IR: WR Malcolm Perry
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Christian Ringo
- Designated for return: RB Tony Jones Jr.
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: LB Benardrick McKinney
- Designated for return: OT Andrew Thomas
New York Jets
- Activated off PUP: DE Kyle Phillips
San Francisco 49ers
- Designated for return: LB Dre Greenlaw, SS Jaquiski Tartt
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Designated for return: LS Zach Triner
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: DL Kyle Peko
- Designated for return: TE Tommy Hudson
Washington Football Team
- Designated for return: CB Darryl Roberts
Buccaneers Place Richard Sherman On IR
WEDNESDAY: Sherman is now on Tampa Bay’s IR list. Given his timetable, this is not a surprising transaction. Although Sherman missed time earlier this year, the Bucs did not place him on IR. This will, then, be Sherman’s 2021 IR stay. The All-Decade cornerback will miss at least three weeks.
TUESDAY: The Buccaneers will be without Richard Sherman for at least a few weeks. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the veteran cornerback suffered a grade 2 calf sprain.
According to Greg Auman of The Athletic (on Twitter), Sherman suffered the injury during pregame warmups prior to Sunday’s game against WFT. The injury should sideline Sherman for at least a few weeks, and an IR stint would presumably be a possibility.
Sherman joined the Buccaneers in late September, and he made his debut for Tampa Bay in Week 4. He started each of his three games for Tampa Bay, collecting 11 tackles and one fumble recovery. The 33-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during Week 6, and he was expected to return to the field for this past Sunday’s game against Washington.
The Buccaneers have dealt with their fair share of cornerbacks injuries this season. Starters Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis have been sidelined for weeks, and even Dee Delaney, who filled in for Sherman on Sunday, had to exit the game due to a concussion. Fortunately, it sounds like Murphy-Bunting and Davis should be back with the team in the next few weeks.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/21
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: LS Beau Brinkley, WR Greg Dortch
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: S Juston Burris, WR Brandon Zylstra
- Promoted: OL Mike Horton
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Chidobe Awuzie
- Placed on IR: CB Ryan Smith
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
- Waived: DT Andrew Billings
- Promoted: RB Brian Hill, CB Herb Miller, WR JoJo Natson, FB Johnny Stanton
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from PUP list: DT Trysten Hill
- Promoted: K Lirim Hajrullahu
Denver Broncos
- Activated from PUP list: CB Essang Bassey
- Promoted: T Quinn Bailey, RB Damarea Crockett, T Drew Himmelman, LB Curtis Robinson
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: K Ryan Santoso
- Placed on IR: K Austin Seibert
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Isaac Yiadom
- Waived: LB LaDarius Hamilton
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from IR: CB T.J. Carrie
- Promoted: S Jahleel Addae
- Waived: CB BoPete Keyes
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on IR: T Mike Remmers
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, LB Patrick Onwuasor
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: DT Michael Pierce
- Promoted: S Myles Dorn, CB Tye Smith
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DL Tashawn Bower, TE Matt LaCosse
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: P Braden Mann, OL Conor McDermott
- Placed on IR: T Chuma Edoga
- Promoted: FB Nick Bawden, DE Ronald Blair, DE Hamilcar Rashed, TE Kenny Yeboah
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: WR Steven Sims
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Tanner Muse
- Waived: TE Tyler Mabry
- Placed on IR: DB Marquise Blair (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: TE Darren Fells, WR Breshad Perriman
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: CB Kristian Fulton
- Placed on IR: S Dane Cruikshank
- Promoted: LB Dylan Cole, WR Dez Fitzpatrick, NT Kyle Peko
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: DE Bunmi Rotimi
Poll: Who Will Earn NFC’s No. 1 Seed?
While the AFC features a deeper contender pool, the NFC brings more clarity near the top. Five teams enter Week 10 with one or two losses, bringing about a high-level second-half race for the conference’s lone bye.
The 2020 CBA reducing conference byes from two to one made the No. 1 seed more valuable. Only one team — the 2020 Buccaneers, in a season with limited attendance — has qualified for a Super Bowl without the benefit of a bye week over the past eight seasons. Week 9 certainly benefited the Cardinals, with the Rams, Packers and Cowboys joining the Buccaneers as two-loss teams. But eight weeks remain.
The Rams also made two major efforts to tilt the scales over the past week and change, trading for Von Miller and signing Odell Beckham Jr. Will that be enough to give them their first No. 1 seed since 2001? Los Angeles (7-2) is coming off a one-sided loss to Tennessee. The team has not lost one of its impact players the way the rest of the NFC’s top tier has, though Miller and Beckham are coming off injuries sustained with their previous teams. The Rams rank in the top 10 offensively and defensively and have made a major upgrade at quarterback, with Matthew Stafford sitting first in QBR after nine games. Road games against the Cardinals, Packers and Ravens remain, however.
Responsible for handing the Rams their first defeat, the Cardinals (8-1) are the NFL’s lone one-loss team and the only NFC squad to rank in the top five on offense and defense. The Cardinals, who have not earned a No. 1 seed since home-field advantage was introduced in the mid-1970s, have seen their defense make more strides under DC Vance Joseph. Arizona ranks second in defensive DVOA, though the team is now down J.J. Watt for potentially the rest of the season. The Cards, who have seen offseason additions A.J. Green and Rodney Hudson also play key roles in their early 30s, still face the Rams and Cowboys and have two Seahawks matchups — presumably each with Russell Wilson at the controls — in their final seven games.
Last earning the NFC’s top seed five years ago, the Cowboys (6-2) are coming off a strange loss to the Broncos — one in which they trailed 30-0 — and have seen Tyron Smith run into more injury trouble. The Cowboys are also down both DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, the latter being placed on IR this week. Dallas’ defense gave up a franchise-most points last season, but the arrivals of Dan Quinn and Micah Parsons have helped the NFC East leaders move toward the middle of the pack on that side of the ball. No other NFC East team has more than three wins, but the Cowboys still have games against the Chiefs, Raiders, Saints and Cardinals.
While the Packers have gone through significant midseason turmoil, they are expected to have Aaron Rodgers back in Week 10. Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith remain on IR, however. The NFC North leaders (7-2) signed Whitney Mercilus and have seen Rashan Gary fare well in replacing Smith. Despite Smith and Alexander’s absences, the Packers rank sixth defensively. Summer signing De’Vondre Campbell (83 tackles, which lead the Packers by nearly 30) has bolstered new DC Joe Barry‘s unit as well. Green Bay also stands to receive a boost once David Bakhtiari returns following his ACL rehab. The All-Pro left tackle spent nine weeks on Green Bay’s PUP list and is not expected to play in Week 10. The Packers still have games against the Rams, Ravens and Browns.
Tampa Bay’s second Super Bowl run came from the No. 5 slot; the franchise has never secured the NFC’s top seed. But this Bucs edition’s bye path includes an inviting second-half schedule. The defending champions play just one team — the Bills — with a winning record over their final eight. The Bucs (6-2) brought back their full nucleus from last season but have seen some of their veterans run into injury trouble. They will again be without Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski in Week 10, and Gronk may be facing another extended absence. Cornerback unavailability has also helped define Tampa Bay’s season, but the team is getting healthier on that front.
Which of these five teams will prevail en route to the NFC’s bye? Is there another squad that could make a stealth bid? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your NFC thoughts in the comments section.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Denver Broncos
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Austin Schlottmann
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DL Eddie Yarbrough
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Kenny Willekes
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: CB Rashard Robinson
Washington Football Team
- Placed on IR: DE Montez Sweat (story)
Buccaneers’ Rob Gronkowski To Miss Time
The Buccaneers will be without Rob Gronkowski for at least a little while. The veteran tight end will likely miss Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team and could be sidelined for “about two or three weeks,” according to head coach Bruce Arians (Twitter link via SiriusXM). 
“We think in about two or three weeks, he’ll be back to normal. Gronk is gonna get better, and [we’re] just gonna make sure he’s good when he comes back,” Arians said. “We think that next week is a better time frame for him [coming back]. We kinda pushed it with the New Orleans thing. I want him ready to go the whole distance when we’re ready to go.”
Gronk has already missed five games this season with a previous rib injury. This time around, it’s a recurrence of his previous back issues, so the Bucs are playing it safe.
Before the rib injury — and related lung issues — the 32-year-old was enjoying a hot start to the season, notching four touchdowns through the first three weeks. To date, he has 16 catches for 184 yards and four scores across four games.
Despite the setbacks, Gronkowski remains one of the game’s most dangerous tight ends when he’s healthy. Last year, the veteran registered 45 catches for 623 yards and seven touchdowns in a complete 16-game slate. Later on, he showed up big in the Super Bowl, leading all receivers with six grabs for 67 yards and two TDs en route to the ‘chip.
For now, the Bucs expect to see Gronk return no later than Dec. 5, when they face the Falcons in Atlanta.
Buccaneers Add TE Darren Fells To Practice Squad
The defending champs are adding a notable name to their practice squad. The Buccaneers have signed tight end Darren Fells to the p-squad, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The hope is that Fells will be promoted for Sunday’s game against WFT.
The 35-year-old signed with the Lions in May, circling back after a previous stint in 2017. While he started all five of his games with the Lions this season, he was limited to only four catches and 43 yards. The team ended up cutting the tight end earlier this week.
Fells’ most notable season came in 2019, when he notched 34 catches for 341 yards and seven touchdowns with Houston. In total, he’s hauled in 127 catches for 1,526 yards and 21 touchdowns in 109 career games (81 starts).
The Buccaneers, of course, are already loaded at tight end, rostering Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard, and Cameron Brate. Fells should temporarily help the team while Gronk looks to battle back from his current injury.
Tampa Bay made another practice squad move today, releasing wideout John Hurst to make room for the recently signed Breshad Perriman.
Buccaneers Not Pursuing Odell Beckham Jr.
While the Buccaneers have made numerous splash additions over the past year and change, they are not going to add Odell Beckham Jr. to that mix.
Bruce Arians nixed that idea Wednesday, halting speculation the team would bring in another hired gun to join Tom Brady‘s arsenal. “We’ve already got AB; we don’t need OBJ. Too many letters,” Arians said, via the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud (on Twitter).
Since Brady arrived, the Bucs have bolstered their pass-catching corps by trading for Rob Gronkowski and signing Antonio Brown. Although Arians said last year the Bucs would not sign Brown, Brady continued to push for him until the parties agreed on terms. The presence of Brown, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin would cloud Beckham’s role, even as Brown is battling an injury.
Beckham’s suitor mix includes the Saints, Seahawks, Patriots, Packers and Chiefs, and although a mystery team is believed to be in the hunt as well, the defending Super Bowl champions are not that team.
The Bucs signed Breshad Perriman to their practice squad Tuesday and are expected to promote him to their active roster. Perriman, who topped 600 yards with the Bucs in 2019, would stand to be Brown insurance. The All-Decade wideout has missed the past two Bucs games.