NFC Practice Squad Updates: 9/7/15
While many teams filled up their 10-man practice squads on Sunday, plenty of teams didn’t confirm their moves right away, or kept a few spots open on those units. On top of that, at least one club that signed 10 players to its taxi squad on Sunday has already made several changes, bringing in new players and jettisoning players who didn’t even spend 24 hours on the squad.
We’ll have updates on Monday’s NFC practice squad signings and cuts in this space, with teams listed in alphabetical order. When new moves occur, we’ll bump this post back to the top of the page. Here’s a round-up of today’s moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed (link via Josh Weinfuss):
- CB Cariel Brooks
- T Rob Crisp
- LB Gabe Martin
- G Antoine McClain
- WR Jaxon Shipley
- RB Kerwynn Williams
- CB Leon McFadden
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed (press release):
- LB Derek Akunne
- T Pierce Burton
- CB Akeem King
- QB Matt Simms
- LB Tyler Starr
Chicago Bears
- Signed (Twitter links):
- LB Lamin Barrow
- T Nick Becton
- DL Brandon Dunn
- CB Jacoby Glenn
- WR Jalen Saunders
Dallas Cowboys
Signed (Twitter link via Todd Archer):- OT John Wetzel
- S Tim Scott
- LB Dakorey Johnson
- To be signed:
- WR Vince Mayle (Twitter link via Dane Brugler)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed (press release):
- RB John Crockett
- CB Robertson Daniel
- DT Christian Ringo
New Orleans Saints
- Signed (via Evan Woodbery on Twitter):
- TE Blake Annen
- CB Don Jones
New York Giants
- Signed:
- DL Montori Hughes (Twitter link via Zach Braziller)
- TE Will Tye (Twitter link via Ralph Vacchiano)
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed:
- T Tanner Hawkinson (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco)
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed:
- DE Robert Thomas (Twitter link via Gregg Bell)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed (press release):
- T Edawn Coughman
- T Terren Jones
- WR Rannell Hall
- TE Cameron Brate
Washington:
- Signed:
- OLB Ryan Delaire (Twitter link via Zac Boyer)
Buccaneers Sign Tim Jennings
MONDAY, 11:14am: The Buccaneers have made their deal with Jennings official, placing Demar Dotson on IR-DTR to make room on the roster, the team announced today. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), the deal is believed to be a minimum salary contract, since Jennings’ old deal with the Bears included offsets. A minimum salary pact leaves the Bears on the hook for more money.
THURSDAY, 8:36pm: The Buccaneers announced (via Twitter) that they have agreed to terms with cornerback Tim Jennings. Jennings met with Tampa Bay on Tuesday and two days later, he has a deal with the team.
Jennings signing with the Bucs isn’t a real surprise, considering his connection to Lovie Smith. Smith, the current head coach in Tampa Bay, was coaching in Chicago when the team brought Jennings aboard in 2010, and oversaw the cornerback’s first Pro Bowl season in 2012. The Bears released Jennings on Sunday.
A nine-year vet, Jennings signed with the Bears back in ’10 after spending the first four years of his career with the Colts. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), Jennings posted a successful 2014 season, grading as the league’s No. 28 corner while playing more than 1,000 snaps. During his time in Chicago, Jennings, a Georgia alum, started all but six games, posting 16 interceptions during that span.
Jennings now joins a group of cornerbacks that includes Alterraun Verner, Johnthan Banks, Mike Jenkins, and Sterling Moore.
Buccaneers Place Demar Dotson On IR-DTR
MONDAY, 11:12am: The Bucs have officially placed Dotson on IR, with the designation to return, according to a team release.
SUNDAY, 2:30pm: The Buccaneers will place offensive tackle Demar Dotson on the IR/designated list, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Dotson will miss at least the first eight games of the season as a result, according to Greg Auman of the Times (Twitter link). This move will free up a spot on the team’s 53-man roster for newly signed cornerback Tim Jennings.
Dotson, who suffered a sprained MCL last month, has been a steady presence on the right side of Tampa Bay’s line, starting all but one of the team’s regular-season games since 2012. The 29-year-old has recorded a positive grade in each of the last three seasons, per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), and he ranked 28th out of 84 qualified tackles last year.
With Dotson down, fellow veteran Gosder Cherilus will start at right tackle for Tampa. The Bucs signed Cherilus after Dotson got hurt last month.
Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC South
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC South 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 Falcons, Panthers, Saints, and Buccaneers are noted below.
Additionally, as of 11:00am today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. For the 2014 and 2015 seasons, changes were made to practice squad rules that allow teams to carry eight players instead of 10, and the eligibility requirements for those extra two spots were also loosened. 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 South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Atlanta Falcons
- Claimed off waivers:
- T Bryce Harris (press release)
- Signed to practice squad:
- RB Mike Gillislee (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson)
- TE Marcel Jensen (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure)
- LB Stanlsy Maponga (Twitter link via McClure)
- DT Joey Mbu (Twitter link via Tony Pauline)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to practice squad:
- DT Chas Alecxih (press release)
- WR Brenton Bertsin (Twitter link via Wilson)
- LB Brian Blechen (press release)
- WR Carrington Byndom (press release)
- WR Damiere Byrd (press release)
- DE Rakim Cox (Twitter link via Joseph Person)
- T David Foucalt (press release)
- LB Adarius Glanton (press release)
- TE Scott Simonson (Twitter link via Wilson)
- CB Lou Young (press release)
New Orleans Saints
- Claimed off waivers:
- DE Obum Gwacham (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport)
- LB Michael Mauti (Twitter link via Rapoport)
- Cut:
- DT Ashaad Mabry (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery)
- S Kenny Phillips (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo)
- Signed to practice squad:
- WR R.J. Harris (Twitter link via Katherine Terrell)
- OL Sean Hickey (Twitter link via Stephen Bailey)
- WR Seantavius Jones (Link via Woodbery)
- G Cyril Lemon (Twitter link via Wilson)
- TE Chris Manhertz (Twitter link via Woodebery)
- FB Toben Opurum
- CB Sammy Seamster (Twitter link via Wilson)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers:
- LB Kourtnei Brown (Twitter link via Rapoport)
- LB Jeremiah George (Twitter link via Rapoport)
- QB Ryan Griffin (Twitter link via Rapoport)
- LB James-Michael Johnson (Twitter link via Adam Caplan)
- C Eric Kush (Twitter link via Rapoport)
- Cut (press release):
- TE Cameron Brate
- G Kadeem Edwards
- T Reid Fragel
- WR Rannell Hall
- LB Jason Williams
- Signed to practice squad:
- DB Jude Adjei-Barimah (link via Greg Auman)
- CB Imoan Claiborne (link via Auman)
- WR Kaelin Clay (Twitter link via Auman)
- WR Donteea Dye (link via Auman)
- LB Howard Jones (Twitter link via Wilson)
- LB Josh Keyes (link via Auman)
NFC Notes: Bucs, Byrd, Brooks
After taking a peek at a few AFC notes this morning, let’s have a look at some NFC links in advance of today’s flurry of waiver claims and practice squad news:
- The Buccaneers are first in line to claim players waived by the 31 other teams in the league, and Greg Auman of The Tampa Bay Times says one position where the Bucs will likely add a player is defensive end. After placing Larry English on injured reserve and cutting backups Lawrence Sidbury and rookie Ryan Delaire, Tampa Bay currently has only three defensive ends on its roster.
- We learned yesterday that Saints safety Jairus Byrd had avoided the regular season PUP list, meaning that he is eligible to play immediately when he is medically ready. As Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune observes, it is still unclear as to exactly when Byrd will be back, but the fact that he is on the 53-man roster indicates that he could be ready to go soon.
- Ahmad Brooks will remain on the 49ers‘ 53-man roster as the league continues to monitor his criminal case, per Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle. Head coach Jim Tomsula said he expects Brooks to play next week’s season opener, and the NFL issued a statement stating that it was not appropriate to place Brooks on the Commissioner’s Exempt List at this time.
- John Keim of ESPN.com takes a closer look at some of the fallout from the Robert Griffin III drama in Washington. Keim notes that not everyone in the organization believes in Kirk Cousins, and Griffin’s biggest fan is team owner Dan Snyder. If Cousins gives Snyder a reason to believe in him, then Griffin may be traded or released. But if Cousins struggles, and there is plenty of reason to believe he will, the possible tension between ownership and the rest of Washington’s brass may be further illuminated.
- Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com looks at five Washington starting jobs that could change hands this season, including quarterback (obviously), left guard, and strong safety.
- If he goes unclaimed on waivers, the Eagles will definitely sign RB Raheem Mostert to their practice squad, according to Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Daily News (Twitter link).
- The Lions, meanwhile, plan to sign Andrew Peacock to their practice squad today, according to a tweet from Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press. Peacock cleared waivers last week.
Bucs Announce Remaining Cuts, Down To 53
The Buccaneers have confirmed a number of previously-reported transactions, including the release of kicker Connor Barth and defensive end Da’Quan Bowers, and have announced the rest of their moves to get their roster down to 53 players.
Here’s the full list of Tampa Bay’s transactions that weren’t included in our story from this morning, as announced by the team in a press release.
Placed on injured reserve:
- DE Larry English
Released:
- DE Lawrence Sidbury
Waived:
- CB Jude Adjei-Barimah
- WR Kaelin Clay
- T Edawn Coughman
- DE Ryan Delaire
- WR Donteea Dye
- LB Josh Keyes
- DT Caushaud Lyons
Waived/injured:
- OL Garrett Gilkey
Extra Points: Browns, Seahawks, Eagles, Bucs
Some assorted notes from around the NFL…
- The Browns are focused on adding a veteran running back via trade, waiver claim, or signing, reports Zac Jackson of ProFootballTalk.com. Besides the uncertainty surrounding the team’s current depth at the position, the team’s veterans have also told the coaching staff that an older player could be a good influence on the group.
- Browns coach Mike Pettine told Jeff Schudel of The Morning Journal that it would require a “leap of faith” for former quarterback Terrelle Pryor to stick around. Pryor, who is attempting to make the squad as a wideout, has battled hamstring tightness through most of the preseason. “It’s a project to take a guy who’s played quarterback for the vast majority of his football career (and try to change his position),” Pettine said. “Even if he had stayed completely healthy, I don’t know if we would have all the results in, if we would feel 100 percent comfortable even if he had gone the whole time and not gotten injured. So certainly it would be a leap of faith.”
- The Seahawks are exploring trades for veteran safeties, reports Conor Orr of NFL.com. Kam Chancellor is currently holding out for a new contract, and Earl Thomas is just returning from injury, so the club could use some depth at the position.
- Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com says he’d be “really surprised” if the Eagles were finished making moves (Twitter link). He passes along that they’re “open for business” when it comes to discussing trades at “numerous” positions.
- Buccaneers defensive end Larry English suffered a “significant” knee injury during the team’s preseason finale, and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says the team will be eyeing the waiver wire for defensive line reinforcement. Jacquies Smith and T.J. Fatinikun are also currently struggling with injuries.
Buccaneers Waive Patrick Omameh, Eight Others
9:42am: The Buccaneers have made another notable cut, parting ways with cornerback Isaiah Frey, per Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Frey started six games for the Bears in 2013 and saw part-time action for Chicago and Tampa Bay in 2014.
9:22am: The Buccaneers were busy yesterday, parting ways with kicker Connor Barth and defensive lineman Da’Quan Bowers. They also added cornerback Tim Jennings, but they lost wideout Kenny Bell for the season.
The organization continued being active today, as Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com passes along some other cuts by Tampa Bay:
- G Patrick Omameh
- LB Khaseem Greene
- K Patrick Murray
- LB Larry Dean
- QB Seth Lobato
- CB Brandon Dixon
- DB Chris Hackett
- WR Tavarres King
Omameh may be the most notable name on this list, as the former Michigan standout started all 16 games for the Bucs in 2014. Greene started six games for Tampa Bay during his two-year career, compiling 44 tackles and an interception.
Buccaneers’ Kenny Bell Out For Season
Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Kenny Bell will miss the 2015 season because of a hamstring injury, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune (Twitter link).
Bell, a fifth-round pick from Nebraska, suffered the injury last month. At the time, Cummings wrote that Bell was impressive for the Bucs in training camp, though he was held without a catch during the preseason. Head coach Lovie Smith was unsure then if Bell had done enough to earn a roster spot.
“Have we seen enough? No, it’s not like he’s done enough right now where we can say we definitely know which direction to go,” Smith said.
Bell had a prolific college career, catching 181 passes and 21 touchdowns in four years with the Cornhuskers.
Buccaneers To Release Connor Barth
Connor Barth‘s latest stint with the Buccaneers only lasted a little over a week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the veteran kicker is being released by the club.
Barth landed with the Buccaneers quickly last Wednesday after being released by the Broncos, and figures to be atop the list of targets for the next NFL team in need of kicking help. The 29-year-old signed with Denver last November to replace Brandon McManus, who was struggling with his accuracy. However, McManus beat Barth out for the kicking job in Denver this season, even though Barth finished the 2014 campaign by nailing 15 of 16 field goals for Denver.
According to Rapoport, Barth’s release signals that Kyle Brindza will open the regular season as the Bucs’ kicker. However, Patrick Murray remains on the team’s roster as well, so it’s not clear if that’s set in stone quite yet. We should get some more clarity when Tampa Bay officially announces its cuts, but Brindza looks like the choice, given Murray’s preseason struggles.
Barth is the second notable Buccaneer whose release has been confirmed today — the club is also parting with former second-round pick Da’Quan Bowers.
