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NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/26/24

November 26th, 2024 at 7:58pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: TE McCallan Castles

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Signed: LB Julius Welschof

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

  • Signed: DT Viliami Fehoko Jr.
  • Released: G Marquis Hayes

The Chiefs are set to roll with their third kicker of the season. With Harrison Butker on IR and Spencer Shrader sidelined with a hamstring injury, Kansas City had to add yet another leg to the roster. The team opted for Matthew Wright, who already has experience kicking with the franchise. Wright filled in for Butker twice in 2022, connecting on three field goals and eight extra points.

Wright has only got one extended look as a starter (when he got into 14 games with the Jaguars in 2021), but he’s still managed to get into at least one game per season over the past few years. Wright has already made an appearance in 2024, when he was responsible for 12 points in the 49ers win over the Seahawks last month.

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Order

November 25th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Week 12 slate of games is in the books. For many teams, attention is increasingly turning toward the offseason with a playoff berth no longer in reach.

Plenty of time remains for the draft order to change over the coming months, and it will be interesting to see which teams wind up in position to add at the quarterback spot in particular. The crop of prospects for 2025 is not held in high regard after Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, meaning the demand for potential franchise passers is set to outweigh demand at the top of the board. Of course, players like Sanders’ Colorado teammate Travis Hunter will be among the ones worth watching closely as well.

The Jets have moved on from head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, inviting questions about a reset under center as well. Aaron Rodgers wants to play in 2025, but it remains to be seen how his relationship with the organization will take shape down the stretch and if a new regime will prefer to move on at the position. The Giants, meanwhile, confirmed they will be in the market for a new signal-caller with Daniel Jones no longer in the fold.

Teams such as the Raiders have long been mentioned as a team to watch regarding a rookie QB pursuit. Jayden Daniels was a target for head coach Antonio Pierce last spring, and it would come as no surprise if Vegas were to make a push for a long-term starting option this time around. Other franchises not on track to qualify for the playoffs figure to give the Raiders plenty of competition in that department, though.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2024 standings — plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule — with playoff squads being slotted by their postseason outcome and regular-season record. Here is an updated look at the current draft order:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-9
  2. New York Giants: 2-9
  3. Las Vegas Raiders: 2-9
  4. New England Patriots: 3-9
  5. Carolina Panthers: 3-8
  6. Tennessee Titans: 3-8
  7. New York Jets: 3-8
  8. Cleveland Browns: 3-8
  9. New Orleans Saints: 4-7
  10. Cincinnati Bengals: 4-7
  11. Dallas Cowboys: 4-7
  12. Chicago Bears: 4-7
  13. Indianapolis Colts: 5-7
  14. Miami Dolphins: 5-6
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-6
  16. Los Angeles Rams: 5-6
  17. San Francisco 49ers: 5-6
  18. Arizona Cardinals: 6-5
  19. Atlanta Falcons: 6-5
  20. Seattle Seahawks: 6-5
  21. Washington Commanders: 7-5
  22. Houston Texans: 7-5
  23. Denver Broncos: 7-5
  24. Los Angeles Chargers: 7-4
  25. Baltimore Ravens: 8-4
  26. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-3
  27. Green Bay Packers: 8-3
  28. Minnesota Vikings: 9-2
  29. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-2
  30. Buffalo Bills: 9-2
  31. Kansas City Chiefs: 10-1
  32. Detroit Lions: 10-1

Titans Designate Chidobe Awuzie For Return

November 25th, 2024 at 12:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Chidobe Awuzie has been out of the Titans’ lineup since September, but he could be back in the picture soon. The veteran corner will return to practice this week, head coach Brian Callahan announced on Monday. The team has since confirmed the return designation.

Awuzie suffered a groin injury in Week 3, and he landed on injured reserve shortly thereafter. The IR designation ensured at least a four-game absence, but the 29-year-old has been unavailable well past the point when he first became eligible to resume practicing. Today’s news is a positive update regarding Awuzie’s ability to take part in the latter stages of the campaign, though.

Once the free agent pickup officially returns to practice, his 21-day activation period will begin. Awuzie will need to be moved to the active roster within that span to avoid reverting to season-ending IR. Provided that happens, he will give Tennessee another starting option in the secondary after he handled first-team duties during his opening Titans contests.

Awuzie followed Callahan from Cincinnati to Tennessee this offseason, inking a three-year, $36MM deal. Expectations were high for the former second-rounder in particular and the Titans’ secondary overall entering the year. The trade acquisition of L’Jarus Sneed and the hiring of Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator has helped Tennessee lead the NFL in passing yards allowed per game so far (170). That success has come in spite of Sneed being limited to only five contests in 2024; he is now on IR.

While Sneed is set to continue missing time, Awuzue could return to action as soon as Week 13. He will not play a role in a postseason run given Tennessee’s 3-8 record, but remaining healthy upon activation would be a welcomed development for team and player ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/23/24

November 23rd, 2024 at 7:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves, including gameday elevations for Week 12:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Titans To Place CB L’Jarius Sneed On IR

November 22nd, 2024 at 12:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Titans’ revamped cornerback group has sustained heavy losses this season. Chidobe Awuzie has not played since Week 3, and L’Jarius Sneed will join the free agent signing on IR.

Sneed is moving to the injured list, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, due to a quad issue. Sneed has not played since Week 6; this will tack on four more absences to the highly paid cornerback’s ledger in what has been another tough season for the Titans’ CB corps on the injury front.

Tennessee rarely saw 2021 first-round pick Caleb Farley healthy, helping to lead to this overhaul. The Titans let Kristian Fulton and Sean Murphy-Bunting walk in free agency, adding Awuzie on a $12MM-per-year contract and then extending Sneed upon acquiring him from the Chiefs. Even with Patrick Surtain signing an extension and Jalen Ramsey being paid again, Sneed’s $44MM guaranteed at signing (on a four-year, $76.4MM deal) outflanks both and sits third among corners. The Titans have not seen the formerly reliable Chiefs cog justify the payday yet.

The Chiefs tagged Sneed but did so, as Chris Jones was the team’s priority in free agency, with the understanding he would be traded. Kansas City allowed the young starter to find a trade partner. After several teams checked in, the price did not dazzle. Although it only cost the Titans a 2025 third-round pick to acquire a tagged performer, the team needed to reward the player with an extension. Sneed, 27, certainly commanded a lucrative payday thanks to becoming a dependable boundary starter during the Chiefs’ past two Super Bowl-winning seasons; he just has not stayed healthy for his new team yet.

Though snubbed for the Pro Bowl, Sneed allowed just a 51% completion rate as the closest defender (at 4.8 yards per target) and a 56.2 passer rating. The Louisiana Tech alum did not yield a touchdown last season, playing an elite level for a Chiefs team suddenly unable to rely on its star-studded offense. Kansas City, however, has passed on paying cornerbacks over the past several years. The team also traded Marcus Peters and let the likes of Charvarius Ward, Kendall Fuller and Steven Nelson walk as free agents. The Chiefs have continued to churn out CBs, though Jaylen Watson‘s injury this season has exposed this plan a bit. The reigning champs are still in better shape than the Titans at this position.

Awuzie has been down with a groin injury, though he is expected to be designated for return next week. The Titans gave the ex-Cowboys and Bengals starter a three-year, $36MM deal that came with $19MM at signing. Sneed did not practice this week, and slot cog Roger McCreary has also missed both Tennessee practices leading up to its Week 12 game. Sneed had not played well before being shelved; Pro Football Focus rated the former Steve Spagnuolo lockdown option as the worst corner among qualified options this season.

As the Titans take a long-term approach during a season that has produced a 2-8 record, they will hope to see Sneed and Awuzie team up to at least establish some momentum for the future. Sneed cannot return until Week 16. The Titans have primarily used waiver claim Darrell Baker and fifth-round rookie Jarvis Brownlee on the perimeter this season.

Titans LB Jack Gibbens Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery

November 18th, 2024 at 11:15am CST by Adam La Rose

Jack Gibbens suffered an ankle injury on Sunday which knocked him out of the game. The third-year Titans linebacker will now be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Gibbens was carted off the field shortly after an air cast was placed on his leg, pointing to a long-term absence. He will now undergo surgery, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports a four-month recovery timeline is in place. The 25-year-old should be healed well before the start of the 2025 campaign, but his absence will be felt on defense in the meantime. Head coach Brian Callahan has since confirmed the procedure has taken place.

A former UDFA, Gibbens handled a notable role on defense in 2022 (62% snap share) while also being a regular contributor on special teams. He was limited to only five games that year, but he made 14 appearances in 2023 while remaining a key figure in Tennessee’s linebacking corps. Gibbens made 95 tackles last season, so it came as no surprise he was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent in March.

That decision set up the Minnesota product to continue his tenure with the Titans, although his defensive workload had taken a step back in 2024 prior to the injury. Gibbens nevertheless showcased his ability against the run, totaling 29 tackles in his final two full contests of the season. Once again on track to find himself as an ERFA, this injury will hurt his value.

Tennessee sits at 2-8 on the year despite boasting the league’s No. 2 total defense. That unit will be shorthanded the rest of the way with Gibbens no longer in the fold, but he should be back in the fold for spring workouts provided he is retained by the team once again.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/16/24

November 16th, 2024 at 8:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Saturday’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Toney is set to make his debut for the regular season. The former first-round pick out of Florida has had a rocky first four years in the league, despite coming away with two Super Bowl rings in Kansas City. He was signed to the Browns’ practice squad just after the season opener and will be eligible to see game action with Cleveland in Week 11.

O’Donnell was added to the 49ers’ practice squad earlier this week given the chance of Mitch Wishnowsky missing time. The latter is now on injured reserve, ensuring at least a four-game absence. O’Donnell, 32, is a veteran of 145 games but Week 11 will mark his first regular season action since 2022.

Titans Release S Mike Edwards

November 13th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Ely Allen

It seemed hard to fathom, but Mike Edwards‘ tenure in Tennessee was even shorter than his stint in Buffalo. A week after signing with the Titans following his release from the Bills, Edwards has now been released a second time in just eight days, according to Titans senior writer/editor Jim Wyatt.

In Buffalo to start the year, the former Buccaneers and Chiefs defender was stuck behind Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin and second-round rookie Cole Bishop in the rotation at safety. The Bills attempted to make him available for the trade market shortly before the deadline but failed to offload the 28-year-old, so they decided to release him.

Edwards signed a one-year, $2.8MM deal with the Bills more than a week into free agency this offseason, despite interest that Buffalo had shown in Julian Blackmon. The agreement did not produce notable playing time, as the former third-round pick saw just seven defensive snaps in three games for the Bills over the first nine weeks of the season.

It was actually Edwards who asked for the release from Buffalo. A day later, Edwards found his next contract in Nashville, presumably coming in to replace starting safety Quandre Diggs after a season-ending Lisfranc injury. Outside of starter Amani Hooker, the Titans have two young safeties on their roster: Mike Brown and Julius Wood. Brown is a third-year player who had just 58 snaps on defense on the year before matching that season-total in a start last week. Wood is an undrafted rookie who has played exclusively on special teams.

It was presumed that Brown may take a bigger role while Edwards learned the defense, so it wasn’t a complete surprise that he got the start while Edwards remained inactive this week. Today’s release, though, is a bit surprising. He leaves Tennessee having not played a single snap. It’s unclear what the reason was for his release, and it’s unclear what his plans are moving forward, but Edwards will likely aim to stay at his next destination a bit longer.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/12/24

November 12th, 2024 at 7:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

  • Released: LB Cam Johnson

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

The Falcons have added a notable name to their special teams corps in Jakeem Grant. The long-time Dolphins returner has collected six ST touchdowns in his career (four via punts, two via kickoffs), and he’s even hauled in 100 catches. However, the veteran hasn’t seen the field since the 2021 campaign while spending the past few years on Cleveland’s practice squad.

With Dak Prescott done for the season, the Cowboys have added some extra QB depth. In comes old friend Will Grier, who spent the 2021 and 2022 campaigns in Dallas. The former third-round pick has since bounced around the NFL, including stops with the Bengals, Patriots, and Chargers in just 2023. Grier still only has two career appearances on his resume, both coming with the Panthers in 2019.

The Texans have added some experienced OL depth in Cameron Erving. The veteran is coming off a 2023 campaign where he started two of his three appearances for the Saints, and he barely played in 11 appearances with the Panthers in 2022. Still, the 32-year-old brings 98 games (58 starts) of experience to Houston, a factor that could be valuable down the stretch. To make room on the practice squad, the Texans moved on from cornerback Desmond King. The veteran has only seen time in one game for Houston this season, although he’s not far removed from a 2022 campaign where he started 13 games for the Texans.

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