Patriots’ Raekwon McMillan Tears ACL
Patriots linebacker Raekwon McMillan tore his ACL while practicing earlier this week (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). That marks the second ACL tear of McMillan’s career and the end of his 2021 season. is the second torn ACL for the former #Dolphins 2nd round pick, but this time on the other knee. 
This time around, it’s McMillan’s other knee. It’s another frustrating setback for the former Dolphins second-round pick who was once ticketed for a sizable role in Miami’s front seven.
McMillan spent the early part of his career with the Dolphins before being shipped to the Raiders in August of 2020. He came off the bench in most games, finishing the year with 27 stops and one forced fumble.
Before that, he flashed at times in South Beach and even ranked as the Dolphins’ best defensive player in 2019, per to Pro Football Focus. The Dolphins considered a long-term extension for him at one point but, ultimately, they were unwilling to commit, especially at the height of the pandemic.
Despite his ups, downs, and suspect pass coverage, the Patriots were excited to add him on a one-year deal earlier this year. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to join fellow newcomer Matt Judon in the LB group – at least, not until 2022.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/21
We’ll keep track of minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Aleva Hifo
- Released: WR Isaac Whitney
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: RB Bo Scarbrough
- Waived: OT Devery Hamilton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DT Chris Okoye
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Edmond Robinson
- Waived: WR Matt Cole
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Davin Bellamy
- Retired: DL Anthony Zettel
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Jordan Roos
- Placed on IR: WR Cody Hollister
Jaguars To Sign WR Tavon Austin
The Jaguars have agreed to sign wide receiver/kick returner Tavon Austin (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Terms of the deal are not yet known, but it’s likely a low-cost, one-year deal. 
Austin signed with the 49ers in August of 2020, but was placed on injured reserve before the season started. After his release, he hooked on with the Packers. At the time of signing, the Packers didn’t seem to have much depth at WR beyond Davante Adams, but Austin didn’t see a ton of action on offense. All in all, he finished with five catches for 20 yards across four games.
Austin, the eighth overall pick of the 2013 draft, has been used more as a gadget player and returner than a true receiver in recent years. He may still offer big play ability, although at 31 he’s not quite as explosive as he used to be. Austin may get a chance to return punts for the Jaguars, but he’ll have to solidify his roster spot over the next few weeks.
Bills Sign Josh Allen To $258MM Extension
It’s a done deal. On Friday, the Bills signed Josh Allen to a six-year contract extension. The deal is worth $258MM in total with $150MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). That includes $100M fully guaranteed upon signing, the largest in the history of the sport (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).
Allen is now signed through the 2028 season with a deal to reflect his performance. Last year, the 25-year-old set the Bills’ single-season franchise records for touchdown passes (37), completions (396), completion rate (69.2), passing yards (4,544), and total TDs (46). If not for Aaron Rodgers‘ even more impressive season, Allen would have been the NFL’s 2020 MVP.
The forthcoming details of the deal will reveal Allen’s true standing among the league’s highest-paid QBs. However, it’s expected that the deal will include a team-friendly structure to help the Bills’ cap situation in the short term. He seems to have leapfrogged Cowboys star Dak Prescott in both average annual value and guarantees — Prescott’s four-year, $160MM pact puts him at $40MM per year with $126MM in guaranteed cash.
The Bills did well to lock up Allen before other QBs got their deals. Of the three quarterbacks who have landed on the extension radar this offseason — Allen, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield — Allen is coming off the best season. He didn’t start his pro career quite like Jackson or Mayfield, but he has steadily improved, leading up to last year’s dominant showing.
Allen, fresh off Second Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections, now ranks as one of the highest-paid players in NFL history.
Giants’ Zach Fulton Retires From NFL
Another day, another Giants retirement. Offensive lineman Zach Fulton has decided to step away from the game, as Tom Rock of Newsday tweets. 
Fulton joins veteran linebacker Todd Davis and fellow offensive lineman Joe Looney as recent Giants retirees. Fulton hooked on with the Giants in late March, shortly after he was cut by the Texans. He started in at least 13 games across his three Texans seasons. And, this past year, he was first-string for all 16.
Fulton didn’t set the world on fire in Houston, but he profiled as a worthwhile and experienced hand for the Giants’ offensive line. Last year, Pro Football Focus had him tied as the No. 42 guard in the NFL — good enough for a starter. And, in 2019, PFF ranked him as one of the best pass-blocking guards in the league, though his weak run-blocking marks brought down his overall score.
Fulton leaves the game after seven seasons and 107 appearances (including 90 starts). Not bad for a former sixth-round pick. Meanwhile, his retirement also raises questions about the nature of the Giants’ training camp practices. However, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link) hears that Fulton, like Looney, simply felt that his body could no longer withstand the rigors of football.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/6/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Corey Taylor II
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DT Miles Brown
Titans Sign OL Brent Qvale, Place C Spencer Pulley On IR
In addition to changing course at backup quarterback Thursday, the Titans made some moves on their offensive line. They signed tackle Brent Qvale and placed center Spencer Pulley on IR.
A sixth-year veteran, Qvale worked as a part-time starter with the Texans last season. The 6-foot-7 blocker is entering his age-30 season. He has logged 18 starts as a pro, most of those coming during his five-year tenure with the Jets, but never more than six in a season.
Tennessee used two draft choices at tackle this year, adding Dillon Radunz in Round 2 and Dez Fitzpatrick in Round 4. The team also signed Kendall Lamm this offseason, reassembling a tackle group that saw 2020 first-round pick Isaiah Wilson flame out fast and replacement starter Dennis Kelly sign with the Packers.
[RELATED: Titans Sign Matt Barkley, Cut DeShone Kizer]
The Titans signed Pulley just last week. An IR designation before 53-man rosters are finalized means Pulley cannot play for the Titans this year. An injury settlement, which would allow Pulley to catch on somewhere else after he heals up, would appear likely. A former Chargers UDFA, Pulley last played for the Giants in 2019.
The team also signed former XFL tight end Donnie Ernsberger and offensive lineman Ross Reynolds, while placing cornerback Greg Mabin on IR.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Trevor Davis
- Placed on IR: TE Jaeden Graham
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: S Brian Cole, FB Rod Smith
- Waived: WR Ventell Bryant
Denver Broncos
- Reverted to IR: OT Cody Conway
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed (from Ravens): LB Chauncey Rivers
- Waived: LS Joe Fortunato
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on IR: DL Jared Goldwire
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived/injured: DB Dayan Lake
- Reverted to IR: OL Jamil Demby
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella, TE Gabe Holmes, TE Kalif Jackson; the team signed all three on Wednesday
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Cethan Carter, TE Adam Shaheen, WR Preston Williams
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: QB Case Cookus
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: DE Kendall Donnerson
New York Jets
- Reverted to IR: S Brandon White
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: CB Shakial Taylor
- Placed on IR: DB Nate Meadors
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Reverted to IR: G Anthony Coyle
San Francisco 49ers
- Reverted to IR: CB Tim Harris
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: WR Darvin Kidsy
Titans Sign QB Matt Barkley
On Thursday, Matt Barkley announced that he’s signed with the Titans (Twitter link). The quarterback will now vie for a spot on the Week 1 roster to support starter Ryan Tannehill. 
Barkley, 31 in September, has made the rounds since being drafted by the Eagles in 2013. The former fourth-rounder out of USC has made stops with the Cardinals, Bears, 49ers, Bengals, and Bills, with two tours in Arizona and Buffalo.
Barkley has just seven starts to his credit in total with a 2-5 record in those games. For his career, he’s completed 58.8% of his throwns with eleven touchdowns against 22 interceptions. His last start came in 2018, a solid showing and victory over the Jets. Over the past two years, he’s popped in for seven Bills games, lobbing four INTs with just one TD.
Still, the Titans present a decent opportunity for Barkley to get back into the mix. Before Barkley, the Titans were evaluating Logan Woodside and DeShone Kizer as their QB2 options.
Raiders Sign Gerald McCoy
Well, that was fast. Shortly after meeting with him on Wednesday afternoon, the Raiders have agreed to sign defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The Raiders have since confirmed the deal via press release.
The veteran made the most of his workout, showcasing the skills that made him a star player in Tampa. McCoy earned six Pro Bowl nods with the Buccaneers and performed as one of the NFL’s best defensive lineman in the 2010s. On the flipside, he’s 33 years old, and his last Pro Bowl selection came in 2017.
McCoy found his way to the Panthers in 2019 after his Bucs release. He appeared in all 16 games, registering five sacks — making it 59.5 for his career. McCoy would join the Cowboys in March of 2020, only to see a torn quad end his season before it began.
All in all, McCoy has 139 appearances (all starts), 352 tackles, 59.5 sacks, 79 tackles for loss, 24 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. If he stays healthy, McCoy could have an opportunity to lead the Raiders’ experienced interior group. Jon Gruden already has Johnathan Hankins, Solomon Thomas, Quinton Jefferson, and Darius Philon on hand.