Cowboys To Extend Randy Gregory
Shortly after Randy Gregory‘s reinstatement, the Cowboys are giving him an extension. They agreed to terms on a deal that will keep Gregory under contract through 2021, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News tweets.
Gregory’s rookie contact, which has tolled considerably due to his four suspensions as a pro, ran through 2020. The veteran defensive end will be eligible to return this season in Week 7. This deal comes with a $200K signing bonus, per ESPN.com’s Todd Archer, who adds Gregory can make up to $2.1MM in 2021.
The NFL reinstated Gregory last week. The former second-round pick had been banned under the 2011 CBA’s substance-abuse policy since February 2019. He has not played since the 2018 season. The Cowboys, who have not exactly been shy regarding defenders with checkered pasts in recent years, have acted aggressively with suspended defensive ends this offseason. Dallas’ D-line now also includes Aldon Smith, who has not played since 2015. Both Smith and Gregory were reinstated this year.
Gregory, 27, registered six of his seven career sacks in 2018. The Cowboys switched out their DeMarcus Lawrence support staff this offseason, going from Robert Quinn and Michael Bennett to Gregory, Smith and Everson Griffen. Tyrone Crawford remains on the roster as well.
Cody Parkey Lands On Browns’ P-Squad
After bringing Cody Parkey in for a workout and a subsequent visit, the Browns are indeed keeping the veteran kicker around.
Parkey agreed to join Cleveland’s practice squad. He represents kicker insurance behind incumbent Austin Seibert, whom the Browns — under the previous John Dorsey regime — drafted in the fifth round last year.
This marks a return to Cleveland for Parkey, who kicked in 14 Browns games in 2016. He made 80% of his field goals that year. The Browns have used different kickers in each of the past six seasons, though Seibert looks likely to snap that streak. He will have Parkey, a 2014 Pro Bowler with the Eagles, representing continual competition, however.
Former Titans third-round wide receiver Taywan Taylor also landed on the Browns’ practice squad. Taylor, who posted 466 receiving yards in 2018, was with the Browns last year and in training camp this year.
Following their Tuesday addition of tackle Greg Senat to the practice-only crew, here is the Browns’ squad:
- T Brady Aiello
- S Elijah Benton
- WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
- G Michael Dunn
- QB Garrett Gilbert
- CB A.J. Green
- RB Dontrell Hilliard
- CB Robert Jackson
- RB Benny LeMay
- LB Montrel Meander
- S Jovante Moffatt
- K Cody Parkey
- OL Greg Senat
- FB Johnny Stanton
- WR Taywan Taylor
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/8/20
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Angelo Blackson
- Waived: DL Michael Dogbe
Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DE Mario Edwards
- Placed on IR: K Eddy Pineiro
Denver Broncos
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Troy Fumagalli
New England Patriots
- Promoted: LB Cassh Maluia, RB J.J. Taylor
- Placed on IR: RB Damien Harris, DL Beau Allen
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: WR Penny Hart
- Waived: WR John Ursua
Falcons Cut Deone Bucannon
The Falcons released former first-round pick Deone Bucannon, per a club announcement. The move frees up a roster spot for the return of defensive end Steven Means, who has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. 
[RELATED: Falcons Cut Laquon Treadwell]
Bucannon, 28, signed with the Falcons after spending 2019 with the Buccaneers and Giants. In 14 total games, he saw limited action on defensive snaps. Bucannon was at his best in 2014, his sophomore season as a pro, when he notched 112 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception for the Cardinals. But, at this stage of his career, he profiles as a fringe player.
Means, 29, missed all of 2019 season with an Achilles injury. His 2020 camp was interrupted by his placement on the COVID-19 list, but he’ll serve as defensive end depth for the team now that he has the medical greenlight. Technically speaking, Means is one of eleven defensive ends on the Falcons’ roster, though the team is constructed to mix-and-match across the front seven.
Vikings Sign K Chase McLaughlin To Practice Squad
The Vikings signed kicker Chase McLaughlin, kicker Chase McLaughlin, linebacker Hardy Nickerson, and defensive tackle Albert Huggins to the practice squad on Tuesday. With that, the Vikes have filled out their 16-man unit:
- FB Jake Bargas
- T Blake Brandel
- QB Jake Browning
- OL Aviante Collins
- TE Brandon Dillon
- CB Mark Fields
- G Kyle Hinton
- WR Alexander Hollins
- DT Albert Huggins
- C Brett Jones
- LB Blake Lynch
- K Chase McLaughlin
- CB Nate Meadors
- S Josh Metellus
- K Chase McLaughlin
- LB Hardy Nickerson
- QB Nate Stanley
McLaughlin bounced around last year, appearing in games for the Colts, Chargers, and 49ers. He started off the 2019 season with the Vikings’ practice squad, and they’re bringing him back in 2020 to serve as extra insurance for Dan Bailey. Earlier this summer, he lost out on the Colts’ kicking job when Chris Ballard & Co. chose rookie Rodrigo Blankenship.
Browns To Sign Kareem Hunt To Extension
The Browns have reached agreement with Kareem Hunt on a two-year, $13.25MM extension, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The new deal will keep the running back under contract through the 2022 season. 
[RELATED: Saints, Kamara “Extremely Close” To Deal]
The Browns gave Hunt a second NFL chance in 2018, despite disturbing video of him striking a woman at a Cleveland hotel. In that same year, he also got into a physical altercation with a man in Ohio. Many criticized the Browns for their decision to claim Hunt, but he has delivered for them on the field. With a 4.2 yards-per-carry average in Cleveland, Hunt has shown the talent that made him a national star in Kansas City.
Hunt was previously slated to be a free agent after earning $3.26MM in base pay this year. In the early stages of the pandemic, an pre-season extension seemed unlikely to go down. However, the two sides were able to come to terms on a number that satisfied the 25-year-old and didn’t break the bank for the Browns.
Hunt’s ~$6.5MM/year new money average roughly ties him with Chargers tailback Austin Ekeler towards the back of the Top 10 for RBs. Both players will be nudged down the list once Alvin Kamara finalizes his megadeal with the Saints.
Cardinals, DeAndre Hopkins Agree To Record-Breaking Deal
The Cardinals and DeAndre Hopkins have agreed to a two-year, $54.5MM extension, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The new money average comes out to $27.25MM/year, a whopping sum that positions Hopkins as the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. 
[RELATED: Cardinals Rework D.J. Humphries’ Contract]
The highest-paid non-QB mantle previously belonged to Bears linebacker Khalil Mack, who’s making $23.5MM per annum. And, by topping $22MM per year on average, he’s now ahead of previous WR-watermark holder Falcons star Julio Jones. Of course, Hopkins still has three years to go on his existing deal, so it all totals up to a five-year, $95MM deal. Still, that’s far from chump change, and an average annual value of ~$19MM still puts him in the top five at wide receiver.
Hopkins – a three-time First-Team All-Pro – still managed 104 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns in a “down” 2019. Since 2013, he’s racked up 632 receptions, 8,602 receiving yards, and 54 touchdowns, while missing only two games. That’s not to say that Hopkins hasn’t dealt with injuries. Despite having a pin inserted in his surgically repaired wrist, Hopkins played through the pain and performed as one of the best offensive players in the game.
Before the deal, Hopkins had three seasons to go on his deal, all of which were non-guaranteed. The extension is expensive, but the Cardinals had this penciled in the budget before acquiring the superstar from the Texans. Ultimately, its worthwhile, especially when considering that they effectively acquired D-Hop for David Johnson and a second-round choice.
Jaguars Promote Mike Glennon
The Jaguars have promoted Mike Glennon from the practice squad to the active roster, per a club announcement. Glennon, who will serve as the team’s third quarterback behind Gardner Minshew and rookie Jake Luton, will take the place of linebacker Quincy Williams, who has been placed on IR. 
Luton, a sixth-round pick, pulled off a training camp upset over Glennon and Joshua Dobbs. Still, the Jaguars didn’t want to let the 30-year-old get away. After dropping Glennon from the roster, they quickly scooped him up and stashed him on the practice squad. It’s pretty unusual to see a player with Glennon’s experience on the p-squad, but this is an unusual year, to say the least. The Eagles just made a similar move to backstop their QBs by signing 41-year-old Josh McCown to their practice squad for extra insurance under center.
Glennon has attempted just 31 passes over the last two years combined. For his career, he’s logged 22 starts, 36 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions.
In related moves, the Jags released cornerback Tramaine Brock from IR while adding defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale and former Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones to the taxi squad.
Giants Waive CB DeAndre Baker
As expected, the Giants have officially parted ways with cornerback Deandre Baker. The 22-year-old will be available for the rest of the league on the waiver wire, but it seems unlikely that he’ll be claimed.
[RELATED: Giants Cut WR Corey Coleman]
Baker is alleged to have robbed a party at gunpoint in May. Originally, Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar was charged as his accomplice, but the Broward State Attorney’s office declined to pursue charges against him. Baker still has felony charges to face, plus allegations of bribing witnesses.
Baker, the No. 30 overall pick in the 2019 draft, appeared in all 16 of the Giants’ games last year, including 15 starts. He notched eight passes defensed, but still looked pretty green on the whole. The Giants were expecting a big leap forward from him this year, up until the incident in Florida.
If convicted, Baker could face life in prison. Meanwhile, the Giants will attempt to recoup some of Baker’s $10.5MM in guarantees.
Raiders Place Marcus Mariota On IR, Add DeShone Kizer To P-Squad
The Raiders have placed quarterback Marcus Mariota on injured reserve, per a club announcement. For added insurance, the club has added one-time Notre Dame star DeShone Kizer to the Raiders’ practice squad. 
Mariota’s strained pectoral muscle will keep him out for at least three weeks, per the league’s modified rules for 2020. Without him, the Raiders are rolling with two QBs on the active roster – Derek Carr and Nathan Peterman. Mariota’s temporary absence may take a little bit of pressure off of Derek Carr, who has certainly heard the footsteps. Mariota, who was leapfrogged by Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee, finished the year with a career-low 59.4% completion rate and just 1,203 yards.
Kizer has been on the workout trail ever since he was cut by the club in May, but those tryouts didn’t land him a deal. Now, the 2017 second-round pick will stick around in Las Vegas as he waits for his next opportunity. Kizer, 24, has made 18 appearances over the course of his NFL career, most of which came during the Browns’ winless season. All in all, he’s got eleven touchdowns against 24 interceptions.
Here’s the full rundown of the Raiders’ practice squad after Monday’s move:
- WR Marcell Ateman
- TE Nick Bowers
- S Jordan Brown
- WR Keelan Doss
- K Dominik Eberle
- LB Kyle Emanuel
- S Madre Harper
- DE Datone Jones
- QB DeShone Kizer
- C Dylan Mabin
- OL Erik Magnuson
- RB Theo Riddick
- OT: Kamaal Seymour
- DE Chris Smith
- LB Javin White