Bills Expected To Sign LB Darron Lee
Darron Lee has not played since the 2019 season, having begun this year with a suspension. But the Bills are looking into adding the former Jets first-round pick.
The Bills are hosting Lee for a second time, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The NFL banned Lee for four games to start this season, marking the second time the once-coveted prospect has served a four-game suspension.
Lee is expected to sign with the Bills — either to an active-roster deal or practice squad agreement — soon, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Buffalo has seen starter Matt Milano bounce in and out of its lineup this season. He and Tremaine Edmunds have combined to miss four games. Both are on track to face the Patriots in Week 8, but unsigned players do not factor into the Week 8 equation anyway. UFAs must pass six COVID-19 tests six days apart before beginning practice with their new teams.
Upon being traded to the Chiefs prior to last season, Lee played in all 16 Kansas City regular-season games last year and collected a Super Bowl ring. He did not play in any of the Chiefs’ three playoff games. After being a Jets regular for three seasons, Lee played on just 14% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps. The Ohio State alum’s best season came in 2017, when he registered 94 tackles and three sacks while playing 92% of the Jets’ defensive snaps.
Cardinals Bring Back DL Josh Mauro
Plenty has changed since the Cardinals last employed Josh Mauro, but the journeyman defensive lineman is headed back to Arizona to play for Kliff Kingsbury‘s staff.
The Cardinals signed Mauro off the Jaguars’ practice squad Wednesday, bringing the former Bruce Arians-era cog back to the desert. Mauro has not played yet this season, with a five-game suspension shelving him.
Mauro initially arrived in Arizona in 2014, signing with the Cards after a stay on the Steelers’ practice squad. Similar circumstances will lead him back to Arizona. The Cardinals, who let Mauro walk in free agency in 2018, placed starting defensive end Zach Allen on IR this week.
A run-stopping defensive end, Mauro was with the Cards from 2014-17. He made 26 starts under then-DC James Bettcher and followed him to New York for a one-season Giants stay in 2018. Mauro, 29, landed with the Raiders and Jaguars in the years since. Mauro has now twice been suspended for PEDs, with his first such ban coming in 2018.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/20
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: WR Isaiah Coulter
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: S Terrell Burgess
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Cameron Dantzler
New England Patriots
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C James Ferentz
- Placed on IR: LB Brandon Copeland
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Ken Crawley
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: LB Jabari Zuniga
Bengals Expected To Sign G Quinton Spain
The Bengals’ visit with Quinton Spain will likely lead to a signing. The veteran guard has been going through coronavirus testing protocols and is on track to sign with the Bengals, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
This marks a key week for Cincinnati’s offensive line. The Bengals will soon have Spain and B.J. Finney on their roster. They acquired Finney, a former Steelers center, from the Seahawks in Wednesday’s Carlos Dunlap deal.
Spain started every game for the Bills last season, helping their run game transform from one of the NFL’s worst in 2018 to a top-10 attack. The Bills cut Spain this year, however, turning to new guards. Spain has started 66 career games, working as a first-stringer for the Titans and Bills since 2015.
The Bengals have seen Joe Burrow pressured constantly this season. He has taken an NFL-high 28 sacks. Left tackle Jonah Williams, right tackle Bobby Hart and center Trey Hopkins did not practice Wednesday due to injury, creating an even bigger need for the rebuilding team.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/28/20
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad decisions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Khalfani Muhammad, DL Daniel Wise
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Deon Lacey
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Ben Braden, CB KeiVarae Russell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: OL Bryan Witzmann
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DE Jessie Lemonier, WR Jason Moore
- Released: DT Lee Autry
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on practice squad IR: CB Donte Deayon
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: C Brett Jones
New England Patriots
- Placed on practice squad IR: TE Jake Burt
New York Jets
- Released: QB David Fales
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Alex Barrett, WR Chris Finke, DB Parnell Motley
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Quinton Bell
Washington Football Team
- Signed: WR Trevor Davis
Cowboys To Bring Back QB Cooper Rush
After cutting Cooper Rush in May, the Cowboys have seen their quarterback situation change considerably. As a result, they are bringing back Dak Prescott‘s previous backup.
Rush is on tap to join the Cowboys’ practice squad, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). COVID-19 testing protocols will prevent Rush from practicing with the Cowboys ahead of their Week 8 game against the Eagles.
The Cowboys tendered Rush as a restricted free agent in March but waived him after signing Andy Dalton. With Dalton having suffered a concussion, the Cowboys would be down to third-stringer Ben DiNucci if the veteran passer cannot clear concussion protocol this week. Garrett Gilbert would reside as DiNucci’s backup were that to be the case.
Previously, the Cowboys were thought to not be on the lookout for an outside quarterback, per Rapoport (on Twitter). But Rush is not exactly an outsider, even though he has yet to play in Mike McCarthy‘s system. With Kellen Moore still in place as offensive coordinator, Rush’s acclimation process will not take nearly as long as it would had he signed elsewhere.
A former UDFA out of Central Michigan, Rush spent three seasons with the Cowboys. He landed with the Giants via waiver claim but was cut in late September. Rush played in five games for the Cowboys, exclusively in a mop-up role, but will be back to help the franchise out in a dire time for its quarterback depth chart.
Cowboys To Cut Dontari Poe, Daryl Worley
The Cowboys continue to cut bait on veteran defenders. After failing in efforts to trade Dontari Poe and Daryl Worley, the Cowboys will release both, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Owner Jerry Jones said that Poe’s release was due to his weight and lack of performance, and he declined to say whether Poe’s decision to kneel during the playing of the national anthem before games was a consideration (via Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com).
These moves come a day after the team shipped Everson Griffen to the Lions for a conditional draft pick. While the Cowboys are a half-game out of first place in the woeful NFC East, they are coming off one of their worst performances in many years. And Dallas’ defense will feature less experience because of it.
Poe and Worley signed with the Cowboys this offseason. A former Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Poe signed a two-year deal worth $4.5MM. This release will tag the Cowboys with more than $1MM in dead money. The Cowboys added Worley on a one-year, $3MM pact and will be hit with over $1MM in dead money from this transaction as well.
A former Chiefs first-round pick, Poe has started all seven of the Cowboys’ games this season. Worley has been a first-unit player in four contests, with the Cowboys dealing with injuries at cornerback. Dallas’ defense ranks 30th in DVOA, setting the stage for one of the most disappointing seasons in modern NFL history.
While Worley has allowed 10 receptions on 12 targets, he has graded as the Cowboys’ second-best corner — in the view of Pro Football Focus. Though, that assessment still places the journeyman outside the top 80 at the position. Worley spent two seasons with the Panthers and two with the Raiders prior to his Cowboys agreement.
Poe has been on four teams now, and his two Pro Bowl appearances came early during his Chiefs tenure. The Panthers declined his 2020 option, sending the 30-year-old back to free agency. The Cowboys signed Poe and Gerald McCoy this offseason. Prior to the midway point, they will be without both and Trysten Hill from their defensive tackle rotation.
Bengals Trade Carlos Dunlap To Seahawks
First, the Bengals told Carlos Dunlap to stay home. Now, they’re shipping him across the country. The Bengals have agreed to trade defensive end Carlos Dunlap to the Seahawks, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). In exchange for the former Pro Bowler, the Seahawks will send offensive lineman B.J. Finney and an undisclosed draft pick to the Bengals. The Bengals announced the trade.
[RELATED: Lions Beat Out Seahawks For Griffen]
The Seahawks have been in the market for help on the edge, having pursued Cowboys notable Everson Griffen last week. Instead, the Lions beat them to the punch, leading them to talks with Dunlap. The 5-1 Seahawks have been flying high so far this year, but their pressure has been lacking. Now, they have some big-time support to address their weakest unit.
Dunlap has been unhappy with his role in Cincinnati, to say the least. In recent weeks, he’s ripped the Bengals on social media and he’s been seen yelling at his coaches on the sidelines. Dunlap, 32, has been with the Bengals since 2010, making 148 starts between his debut year and 2019. This year, he’s been bumped from the starting lineup with his playing time dropping week after week.
The Bengals probably should have started their rebuild in earnest last year. Instead, they held on to pricey vets like Dunlap and watched their trade value dip significantly. Dunlap likely won’t be the only player traded this week — longtime D-Line partner Geno Atkins also wants a fresh start. On the other side of the ball, speedy wide receiver John Ross continues to push for a trade.
Vikings’ Danielle Hunter Officially Done For Year
Danielle Hunter has been officially ruled out for the season after undergoing successful neck surgery to repair a herniated disc, head coach Mike Zimmer announced (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin). This was the expected move for Hunter, who has not seen the field in 2020.
Hunter recently got a second opinion from a specialist in New York, who told him to shut it down for the season. On the field, he’s been sorely missed, though the Vikings’ problems have not been limited to the edge rush. The Vikings have struggled to generate consistent pressure without Hunter, and they’re now trying to improve on that front without the services of Yannick Ngakoue, who was shipped to the Ravens earlier this month.
When the Vikings placed Hunter on injured reserve in September, they hoped that Hunter would be able to make his debut either this week or next. Instead, he’ll be shelved for the remainder of the season. Even in a best case scenario, it wouldn’t have been an easy call to activate him. At 1-5, the one-time Super Bowl contenders aren’t playing for much.
Last year, Hunter graded out as the No. 7 ranked edge rusher in the league, ahead of Cameron Jordan, Myles Garrett, Demarcus Lawrence, and a host of other big names. He notched 14.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons, bringing his career tally to 54.5. He’ll still be tied to the team for years to come, thanks to the five-year, $72MM extension he inked in 2018.
Dolphins Extend Adam Shaheen
The Dolphins have agreed to a two-year contract extension with tight end Adam Shaheen, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The deal — worth up to $7.85MM with $3.2MM fully guaranteed — will keep him in the fold through the 2022 season. 
[RELATED: Dolphins’ Ryan Fitzpatrick Hasn’t Asked For Trade]
The Dolphins acquired Shaheen from the Bears in July for the cost of a conditional 2021 seventh-round pick. That is to say, they didn’t give up much for Shaheen, who was a second-round pick just a few years ago. In Chicago, he didn’t live up to his 2017 expectations, due in large part to injuries. All in all, he had totaled 26 receptions for 249 yards and four touchdowns in 27 games, out of a possible 48.
With the Dolphins, he’s managed to stay healthy while serving as a solid blocking tight end. Through six games, he’s played on 32% of Miami’s offensive snaps.
Shaheen figures to see more time this week, when the Tua Tagovailoa-led Dolphins face the Rams in Miami.