Here are Tuesday’s practice squad transactions:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OL Tyler Beach, LB David Perales
- Released: QB Trace McSorley, S Nate Meadors
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Deadrin Senat
- Released: LB Vi Jones
Monday’s taxi squad moves:
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR N’Keal Harry
New York Giants
- Released: QB Jacob Eason
New York Jets
- Signed: DT Bruce Hector
- Placed on IR: DT Perrion Winfrey
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: QB Trace McSorley
- Released: WR Jacob Copeland
With Tyrod Taylor set to return to the Giants’ lineup in the coming days, New York has cleared out a spot on the practice squad for a third passer. Eason was added last month in the wake of Taylor’s rib injury, one which – coupled with Daniel Jones being out for the year – left the Giants short on healthy bodies at the QB position. Now that Taylor is healthy, Eason will look to find a new home. He has made one brief appearance with each of the Colts (2021) and Panthers (2022) during his career.
McSorley has bounced around the league since the end of his Ravens stint. He will now return to the AFC North in the wake of Pittsburgh losing starter Kenny Pickett for at least one game. The former has made nine career appearances and one start in the regular season.
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S Andrew Adams
Chicago Bears
- Signed: QB Trace McSorley
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Mohamed Ibrahim
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Anthony Johnson
- Released: CB Kiondre Thomas
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Tyrod Cleveland, RB Zavier Scott
- Released: WR Racey McMath, WR Anthony Miller, G Dakoda Shepley
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Isaiah Moore
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: OT Jalen McKenzie
- Released: WR Malik Flowers
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Quinton Bell
New England Patriots
- Signed: OT Conor McDermott
The Patriots have cut quarterback Trace McSorley, as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports. The former Ravens draftee signed with New England in April to compete for a third-string job behind starter Mac Jones and 2022 fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe.
McSorley threw just four passes in this year’s preseason and completed only one of them. It was clear that he did not have much of a future in Foxborough, so the most intriguing aspect of his release is that it increases the likelihood that UDFA rookie Malik Cunningham will make the roster.
Like 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson, Cunningham is a Louisville product. And like Jackson, Cunningham is a dangerous dual-threat athlete, having thrown for 70 TDs against 29 picks in his collegiate career to go along with 3,182 rushing yards (on a 5.1 yards-per-carry average) and a whopping 50 rushing TDs. He is not the passing prospect that Jackson was, however, and there were plenty of concerns about Jackson’s acumen as a passer when he entered the league.
In light of that, Cunningham has taken the bulk of his reps as a receiver and special teamer in camp. He did see a bit of action as a quarterback in the preseason, completing three of six attempts for 19 yards. As a receiver, he caught just one of nine targets, but he had six carries for 40 yards and a touchdown. He is raw in most aspects of the game, but his athleticism is highly appealing, and it may be hard to sneak him through waivers and onto the practice squad. Even if the Pats were successful in that regard, another club could poach him at any time.
Since Zappe appears capable of handling the QB2 role, it would make sense for New England to dedicate a roster spot that might otherwise be used on a more traditional third-string passer on an intriguing player with unique upside. But as Jeff Howe of The Athletic cautions, the team has not made a decision on Cunningham despite McSorley’s departure.
“Malik is a really interesting player,” head coach Bill Belichick recently said (h/t Khari Thompson of Boston.com). “The kid never played receiver before or returned kicks and he’s done both, he’s returned kickoffs and played receiver. As far as playing quarterback, we’ll see how it goes. He’s certainly got some things on his resume, and so do other players so we’ll see how it all plays out.”
The Patriots are adding a third quarterback to their offseason roster. Sixth-year passer Trace McSorley is joining the team, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. It is a one-year deal, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter).
McSorley finished the past two seasons with the Cardinals, relocating to the desert after the team poached him off the Ravens’ practice squad in November 2021. McSorley also has a tie to the Patriots, with OC Bill O’Brien having recruited him as a high school prospect when he was coaching Penn State.
O’Brien never coached McSorley at Penn State, having joined the Texans weeks before the prospect committed in 2014, but was still leading the Nittany Lions during most of the QB’s recruitment. McSorley, 27, will join a Patriots team that is in a strange place at quarterback; the former Ravens and Cardinals passer will project as a third-string option behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.
Despite Jones’ first-round pedigree and having been New England’s starter (when healthy) throughout his career, Bill Belichick has not proclaimed the Alabama product his 2023 starter. Jones’ conduct last season, including a reported reach-out effort to Alabama staffers about the state of the Patriots’ offense, is believed to have rankled his current coach. Trade rumors have emerged regarding Jones, though the Pats may not be intent on moving him.
The Pats released veteran backup Brian Hoyer, who is believed to have voiced frustration about the team’s Matt Patricia experiment last year, earlier this year. Hoyer is now with the Raiders. The team has sought a mobile third QB option post-Hoyer, per Fowler; McSorley fits that bill. He totaled 23 rushing touchdowns over his final two seasons at Penn State and finished his senior season with 798 rushing yards.
A reserve throughout his NFL career, McSorley received his first starting opportunity last season. Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy‘s injuries sent McSorley into the fray. He started the Cards’ Christmas night game against the Buccaneers — an overtime loss — and finished that game 24-for-45 for 217 yards. McSorley also saw action in three other Cardinals games last season.
It should not be expected McSorley will factor into the upcoming Pats QB competition, but he profiles as an experienced third option for the team. It will be quite a roundabout reunion with O’Brien, who left for Houston nine years ago.
OCTOBER 16: Arizona has not, in fact, cut McSorley, per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network adds that the team made the announcement in error and subsequently deleted it (Twitter link). So at least for the time being, the Cards have three QBs on their active roster in Murray, McCoy, and McSorley.
OCTOBER 15: The Cardinals’ preferred backup quarterback will be available for the first time this season. The team activated Colt McCoy from IR and released quarterback Trace McSorley.
McCoy battled multiple issues in the weeks leading up to the season, dealing with arm soreness during training camp before suffering a strained calf. The Cardinals brought McCoy over from the Giants last year, and that move went a long way toward snapping Arizona’s playoff drought.
Initially signed to a one-year deal in 2021, McCoy reupped with the Cards on a two-year, $7.5MM accord this offseason. The Cardinals gave the 13th-year veteran $6MM fully guaranteed, doing well to entrench McCoy as Kyler Murray‘s top backup. McSorley impressed during the preseason and has held that gig through five games, but he is not part of Arizona’s roster for the time being. It should expected, however, that the Cardinals will circle back to McSorley via a practice squad spot next week.
McCoy, 36, started three games with the Cards last season, which included McCoy-led wins over the 49ers and Seahawks. The former Browns draftee spent much of his career in Washington and was with the Giants in 2020. He completed 74.7% of his passes in those Murray fill-in starts last season. Both of McCoy’s victories as a 2021 starter came without DeAndre Hopkins, who was out due to injury for much of last season.
The Cards also promoted running back Corey Clement to their 53-man roster. Signed to Arizona’s practice squad this week, Clement will be needed to help a decimated backfield. James Conner, Darrel Williams and Jonathan Ward. Williams suffered an MCL sprain, while Conner may be sidelined for multiple games due to a rib injury.
The Cardinals also released linebacker Devon Kennard, though they have made that move before this year. Kennard, a Phoenix native, returned to the team after being released ahead of the August 30 roster cutdown. Kennard, 31, did start last week’s game and could be brought back soon. As a vested veteran, the ninth-year linebacker will bypass waivers next week. Wide receiver Javon Wims is also now on Arizona’s active roster.
The Cardinals will begin the season without their backup quarterback. Colt McCoy landed on IR Wednesday. Arizona promoted Trace McSorley from its practice squad.
McCoy did not play during Arizona’s preseason slate. While Kliff Kingsbury said the veteran backup was dealing with arm soreness early in training camp, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets the 13th-year passer suffered a strained calf.
Although the Cardinals would hope not to need McCoy this season, given that his participation is tied to Kyler Murray‘s availability, they did need him in 2021. Making three starts for an injured Murray, McCoy helped the Cards to two wins — each over NFC West rivals — that certainly went a long way toward the team booking a wild-card berth.
Despite not seeing much time during his long-term Washington stay, the former Texas Longhorn helped the Giants to a win over the playoff-bound Seahawks in 2020. New York, however, chose to replace McCoy with Mike Glennon — which turned out to be a significant downgrade — in 2021. McCoy completed 74.7% of his passes last season, with both of his wins coming while DeAndre Hopkins was out. McCoy, who turned 36 on Monday, re-signed with the team this offseason on a two-year, $7.5MM deal.
Formerly a Ravens backup, McSorley wound up in Arizona in November 2021; the Cardinals signed him off the Ravens’ practice squad. The team used McSorley frequently during its 2022 preseason but opted to waive him. The former sixth-round pick stayed with the team on a P-squad agreement, but he will now be Murray’s primary backup. McSorley has attempted 10 career passes.
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These 49ers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Arizona Cardinals
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Andre Baccellia, WR Victor Bolden Jr., OL Rashaad Coward, OL Danny Isidora, DL Manny Jones, WR Jontre Kirklin, LB Jesse Luketa, QB Trace McSorley, TE Bernhard Seikovits (international player), CB Jace Whittaker, DL Antwaun Woods, LB Chandler Wooten
Los Angeles Rams
Signed to practice squad:
- T A.J. Arcuri, T Chandler Brewer, DE Earnest Brown IV, TE Roger Carter Jr.., DB TJ Carter, DE T.J. Carter, DT Elijah Garcia, DB Grant Haley, TE Jacob Harris, DB Dan Isom, G Jeremiah Kolone, TE Jared Pinkney, T Max Pircher (international player), RB Trey Ragas, DE Brayden Thomas, WR Austin Trammell, DE Benton Whitley
San Francisco 49ers
Signed:
- TE Tyler Kroft, DL Jordan Willis
Claimed:
- OL Blake Hance (from Browns)
Placed on IR:
- LB Curtis Robinson, DB Jimmie Ward
Released from IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Alex Barrett, S Tashaun Gipson, OL Alfredo Gutierrez, S Tayler Hawkins, CB Qwuantrezz Knight, WR Tay Martin, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, OL Jason Poe, WR Willie Snead, DL Akeem Spence, OL Keaton Sutherland, DL Kemoko Turay, WR Malik Turner
Seattle Seahawks
Signed:
Claimed:
- DB Isaiah Dunn (from Jets), DE Daryl Johnson (from Panthers)
Waived:
- LB Joshua Onujiogu
Placed on IR:
- DE L.J. Collier, CB John Reid
Reverted to IR:
- RB Josh Johnson
Signed to practice squad:
- WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside, LB Aaron Donkor (international playear), T Greg Eiland, WR Cade Johnson, LB Vi Jones, TE Tyler Mabry, QB Sean Mannion (story), WR Bo Melton, CB Quandre Mosely, LB Tanner Muse, S Scott Nelson, T Liam Ryan, RB Darwin Thompson
The Cardinals have set their 53-man roster, and the team naturally had to make some tough decisions as they cut down their roster:
Released:
- TE Stephen Anderson
- LS Aaron Brewer
- OL Rashaad Coward
- OL Danny Isidora
- LB Devon Kennard (story)
- OL Justin Murray (injury settlement)
- DL Christian Ringo (injury settlement)
- DL Antwaun Woods
Waived:
- WR Andre Baccellia
- WR Victor Bolden Jr.
- QB Jarrett Guarantano
- DL Manny Jones
- WR Jontre Kirklin
- LB Jesse Luketa
- QB Trace McSorley
- WR JaVonta Payton
- TE Bernhard Seikovits
- CB Jace Whittaker
- S James Wiggins
- LB Chandler Wooten
Waived/injured:
- S Tae Daley
- OL Greg Long
- OL Josh Miles
- TE Chris Pierce Jr.
Placed on IR:
Placed on reserve/suspended:
It sounded like Trace McSorley had an opportunity to stick on the roster as a third QB behind Kyler Murray and Colt McCoy, but the Cardinals decided to carry only a pair of quarterbacks through their first wave of cuts. There’s a chance that McSorley resurfaces on the practice squad. The former sixth-round pick has seen time in three career games, completing three of his 10 pass attempts for 90 yards and one touchdown.
Aaron Brewer is a bit of a surprise cut after serving as the Cardinals full-time long snapper for the past six years. However, there’s a good chance the 32-year-old lands back on the active roster once the Cardinals place players on their respective reserve lists. The same could also probably be said of tight end Stephen Anderson, who caught 24 passes across 33 games with the Chargers over the past two seasons.
Marquis Hayes was a seventh-round pick by the Cardinals in this year’s draft. The Oklahoma product will sit out his rookie campaign while sitting on injured reserve.
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