NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/19/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Jacob Slade
- Released: WR Daniel Arias
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Milo Eifler
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Matthias Farley
- Released: DB Eric Rowe
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OT Dan Skipper
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DB Darius Rush
- Released: NT Danny Shelton
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Mykal Walker
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DT Cory Durden
- Released: P Brandon Wright
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Verone McKinley
- Released: S Joshua Kalu
New England Patriots
- Signed: QB Matt Corral
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Tiawan Mullen
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DB Chris Steele
- Released: WR Matt Landers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: G Logan Stenberg
Tennessee Titans
- Released: DE Michael Dwumfour
According to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, Matt Corral has landed back with the Patriots after going unclaimed on waivers. It’s been a busy few months for Corral, who has bounced on and off the Panthers and Patriots rosters. He’ll now return to New England as the organization’s third QB behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Eric Rowe didn’t last all that long in Carolina after landing on the team’s practice squad in late August. The veteran defensive back spent the past four seasons in Miami, starting 39 of his 63 appearances. He’ll be replaced by Matthias Farley, who brings 100 games of experience to the Panthers. The safety has bounced around the league recently but didn’t miss a game between 2020 and 2022.
It took Mykal Walker a few weeks to find a new gig after getting cut by the Bears on roster deadline day. The former fourth-round pick spent the first three seasons of his career with the Falcons, including a 2022 campaign where he finished with 107 tackles. He was surprisingly waived by Atlanta in mid-August before getting scooped up by Chicago. Now, he’ll have a chance to revive his career in Las Vegas.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/23
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived from IR: CB Mac McCain
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived from IR: CB Marvell Tell
Cleveland Browns
- Waived from IR: CB Thakarius Keyes, WR Anthony Schwartz
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: OL Kayode Awosika
- Promoted: RB Bam Knight
Houston Texans
- Released: DL Michael Dogbe
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: G Arlington Hambright
- Waived: OL Ryan Hayes
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: WR Kirk Merritt
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: DL Kyle Peko
- Waived: DL Jayden Peevy
Michael Dogbe, a former seventh-round pick, got into 40 games for the Cardinals through the first four seasons of his career. This included 2021 and 2022 campaigns where he appeared in 29 games, collecting 55 tackles and one sack. He caught on with the Texans last week and proceeded to appear in about 25 percent of the team’s defensive snaps this past weekend.
Kyle Peko will bring 31 games of experience to the Titans defensive line. The veteran has already been promoted by the Titans twice this season and started both of his appearances, collecting four tackles. He’ll be taking the spot of Jayden Peevy, who got into two games across two seasons with the organization.
AFC South Notes: Skoronski, Colts, Hughes
The Titans’ offensive line was shorthanded for their Week 2 contest against the Chargers due to Peter Skoronski‘s absence. The first-round rookie was declared out in advance of Sunday’s game, but the reason why has since been revealed.
Skoronski underwent an appendectomy, as noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. That will lead to an absence of at least one week given his recovery including the team’s game today, though further missed games could ensue as well. The 22-year-old served as the Titans’ left guard starter in Week 1, confirming the team’s plans of using him on the inside to begin his NFL career. The No. 11 pick worked as a tackle in college, and his play at Northwestern has led to high expectations in the short- and long-term future for him on a Titans O-line which saw a number of changes this offseason.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC South:
- The Colts made an early commitment to Anthony Richardson as their starter during his rookie season, naming him the No. 1 after a single preseason game. That move came as little surprise given owner Jim Irsay‘s remarks hinting he would see the field early and often, along with the work the team’s new coaching staff put in during the spring and summer to tailor the offense to his skillset. As SI’s Albert Breer notes, head coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter quickly moved on from the split first-team reps approach in training camp to give full attention to Richardson (the No. 4 pick in the draft) as the focal point of the offense in part due to the limited amount of reps modern camps give teams in developing young players compared to years past.
- Indianapolis saw Zack Moss return to the backfield on Sunday, but the team’s run game was still shorthanded with Jonathan Taylor on the PUP list and Evan Hull on injured reserve. The latter is sidelined until at least Week 6, but a lengthier absence could be in store. In spite of that, the Colts do expect Hull to be back in the fold at some point in 2023, as noted by Joel A Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. With Taylor’s future still up in the air, a return to at least a depth role would be a welcomed sight in Hull’s case.
- In need of some in-season financial wiggle room, the Texans recently restructured the contract of defensive end Jerry Hughes, ESPN’s Field Yates notes. The 35-year-old is in the final season of his two-year Houston deal, and the move created $2.14MM in cap space. Hughes’ 2023 cap hit now sits at just over $4.1MM, though the team is also scheduled to have a cap charge of over $2MM next season due to the void years present on his pact. The Texans currently have just under $4MM in cap space to work with.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/16/23
Today’s callups and adjustments heading into Week 2:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Godwin Igwebuike, LB Andre Smith
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Melvin Gordon, C Sam Mustipher
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: T Aviante Collins
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: CB C.J. Goodwin, C Brock Hoffman
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: CB Chase Lucas
- Promoted from practice squad: G Kayode Awosika
- Placed on IR: CB Khalil Dorsey, DE Josh Paschal
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Innis Gaines, RB Patrick Taylor
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: G Michael Deiter
- Promoted from practice squad: T Austin Deculus, S DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Waived: DE Derek Rivers
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: G Arlington Hambright, WR Juwann Winfree
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: CB Gregory Junior
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated: DT Chris Jones (story)
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Matt Dickerson, RB La’Mical Perine
- Waived: CB Darius Rush
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Isaac Rochell
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Royce Freeman, WR Austin Trammell
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: DT Da’Shawn Hand
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Cameron Goode, DE Chase Winovich
- Waived: S Verone McKinley III
New England Patriots
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Calvin Munson, WR Jalen Reagor
New York Giants
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Taiwan Jones, OLB Oshane Ximines
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Artie Burns, LB Jon Rhattigan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Pat O’Connor, LB J.J. Russell
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Eric Garror, DT Kyle Peko
Titans’ Ryan Tannehill Was Available In Pre-Draft Trade?
Much has been made about Ryan Tannehill‘s future with the Titans over the past two offseasons, given his age and contract status. The veteran signal-caller has been mentioned in trade talks with a pair of quarterbacks added in the past two drafts, and he may have come close to seeing his Tennessee tenure end this past April. 
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that “a few teams” around the league believed Tannehill was available to be acquired via trade before the 2023 draft. The 35-year-old was indeed named as a player to watch on the trade front not long before the draft began, with the Titans being linked to a number of rookie passers. They ultimately traded up to select Will Levis with the No. 33 pick, giving them a presumed Tannehill successor.
The latter had nevertheless received a vote of confidence from new general manager Ran Carthon one month earlier, putting him on track to retain his QB1 status for at least the start of the 2023 campaign. His Week 1 performance – 16-of-34 passing, 198 scoreless yards and three interceptions – in the team’s loss to the Saints was reminiscent of his 2022 struggles. Tannehill dealt with a number of injury issues last season and his drop-off in play led to speculation the team could move on despite one year remaining on his contract.
The former Dolphins top-10 pick’s deal carries a $36.6MM cap hit, and trading or releasing him would have cleared up funds while paving the way for Levis to take on starting duties right away. The latter had injury concerns of his own entering the league, however, and the Titans remain intent on keeping he and Malik Willis sidelined as developmental options for the time being. With an heir apparent seemingly in place and Tannehill set to hit free agency in March, though, it will worth watching how the team handles the veteran moving forward.
Tannehill is one of many experienced QBs who have been floated as Jets trade targets in the wake of Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear. New York did homework on the Pro Bowler this past offseason before seeing the preferred route of acquiring Rodgers come to bear. For the time being, the Jets would rather sign a street free agent than give up draft capital to add to their QB room. If that mindset changes, though, they could be among the teams who have at least recently shown interest in pulling off a Tannehill swap.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/14/23
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: S Macon Clark
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Lewis Kidd
- Placed on IR: C Jack Anderson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Luq Barcoo, RB Greg Bell
- Released: CB Anthony Brown
- Placed on IR: Josiah Scott
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: RB Jacques Patrick
- Released: G Jordan Roos
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DE William Bradley-King
2023 Offseason In Review Series
Quarterback acquisitions generated top headlines this offseason, while the slew of developments affecting the running back market moved that position’s value to a precarious point. On that note, our latest Offseason In Review series is in the books. Here are the PFR staff’s looks at how teams assembled their 2023 rosters:
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/9/23
We have our first flood of pregame transactions of the season today as teams across the league with games tomorrow utilize their two permitted practice squad elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: T Jackson Barton, S Andre Chachere
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed to active roster: RB Godwin Igwebuike
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Natrone Brooks, TE Parker Hesse
- Waived: DL Joe Gaziano
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted from practice squad: C Sam Mustipher, CB Daryl Worley
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Stephen Carlson, OLB DeMarquis Gates
- Released: LB Dylan Cole
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: CB C.J. Goodwin, C Brock Hoffman
Denver Broncos
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Phillip Dorsett, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Innis Gaines, RB Patrick Taylor
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: G Michael Deiter, P Ty Zentner
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Jake Funk, WR Juwann Winfree
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Ross Blacklock
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Isaac Rochell
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Brevin Allen
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed to active roster: LB Troy Reeder
- Promoted from practice squad: K Brett Maher, QB Brett Rypien
- Placed on IR: TE Hunter Long
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: S DeAndre Square
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Cameron Goode
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Myles Gaskin, OLB Benton Whitley
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Ryan Connelly, RB Tony Jones Jr.
- Placed on IR: WR Tre’Quan Smith
New York Giants
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Taiwan Jones
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Britain Covey, P Arryn Siposs
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Austin Bryant, LB Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Artie Burns, LB Jon Rhattigan
- Placed on IR: RB Kenny McIntosh
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: T Justin Murray, DT Kyle Peko
Washington Commanders
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Jamison Crowder
DeAndre Hopkins Discusses Free Agency, Contract Demands, Signing With Titans
When DeAndre Hopkins was cut by the Cardinals, a number of suitors were expected to emerge. Instead, the veteran wideout only drew serious interest from the Titans and Patriots, with Hopkins ultimately signing a two-year, $26MM with Tennessee.
[RELATED: Titans Sign DeAndre Hopkins]
In a conversation with Clay Skipper of GQ, Hopkins acknowledged that his free agent market didn’t shake out as expected, with the receiver admitting that “there were some teams that I had on my list that I gave them calls and they didn’t give a call back.” What specific teams spurned the veteran?
“Detroit Lions, they didn’t want me,” Hopkins said. “Dallas Cowboys didn’t want me. Giants didn’t want me. S***. Who else ain’t want me? San Fran ain’t want me.”
Besides the Titans and Patriots, the only teams that were definitively connected to Hopkins were the Bills and Chiefs, although it sounds like interest dropped from those potential suitors once they learned of the receiver’s asking price. Still, Hopkins told Skipper that both Buffalo and Kansas City did call when he hit free agency.
The Lions, Cowboys, Giants, and 49ers also may have been wary of the player’s financial demands, but Hopkins hinted that those organization may have passed him over because of his age. Still, the receiver did acknowledge that money partly played a role in him landing in Tennessee.
“You have to know your value and have some level of respect for who you are as a human being,” he says. “Is the possibility of you going somewhere who is a Super Bowl-caliber team, on paper, is that worth you being paid minimum? It doesn’t add up.”
The Cowboys and 49ers have deep receiver crews, so it’s not a huge surprise that those squads didn’t give a long look at Hopkins. The Lions could use a wideout behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, while the Giants don’t have a clear WR1 atop their depth chart.
Ultimately, Hopkins landed in Tennessee, where he’ll join a depth chart highlighted by 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks. Hopkins gave several reasons why he landed with the Titans, including head coach Mike Vrabel. However, the wideout revealed that one of his main reasons for signing with the organization had to do with the culture.
“I wouldn’t say it’s because of Arizona, the reason I came here, to have that 360 switch, but I would say it was definitely part of my decision to be somewhere that did have a winning culture, or a fighting culture,” Hopkins said.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/7/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Green Bay Packers
- Waived from IR: RB Lew Nichols
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: TE Matt Bushman, DT Matt Dickerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived from IR: WR Milton Wright
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived from IR: LB Ryan Smenda
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived from IR: CB Tay Gowan
Tennessee Titans
- Waived from IR: DT Tyler Shelvin
The Chiefs hinted at Travis Kelce‘s status for tonight’s season opener when they added a tight end to the active roster. Matt Bushman was undrafted out of BYU in 2021 and has spent much of the past two years on the Chiefs’ practice squad. With Kelce inactive, Bushman could make his NFL debut tonight, although he’ll be behind Noah Gray and Blake Bell on the depth chart.