Ravens Release OL Alex Lewis
The Ravens have released Alex Lewis, according to a social media post from the offensive lineman. Just this week, Lewis was cleared for action, but he’s apparently not part of the team’s plans for 2019. 
The Ravens shopped Lewis before cutting him and there was trade interest in him in recent days, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. That suggests that the former starter won’t be out of work for very long, especially after passing a physical.
Before today, Lewis was expected to compete for the Ravens’ starting left guard job. Over his last two healthy years (interrupted by a torn labrum in 2017), Lewis has made 18 starts in total.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/19
Here are Sunday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Ryan Pulley
- Waived: S Kai Nacua
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DL Deyon Sizer
- Waived: WR Jamarius Way
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Tarvarus McFadden
- Waived: WR Deontez Alexander
New York Jets
- Claimed off waivers from Eagles: S Godwin Igwebuike
- Signed: TE Nick Truesdell
- Waived: CB Jeremy Clark, G Tyler Jones
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Asantay Brown
- Waived: CB Alex Brown
Jaguars To Sign Roc Thomas
The Jaguars are signing former Vikings RB Roc Thomas, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Thomas, who signed with Minnesota as a UDFA last year, had an impressive preseason in 2018 and ultimately appeared in five games for the Vikes.
However, he was arrested in March for felony drug possession, and the NFL announced several weeks ago that he would be suspended for three games. Minnesota waived him shortly thereafter, and now he will attempt to catch on with the Jags (Thomas was sentenced to probation but avoided jail time for the drug charge).
Jacksonville’s RB depth chart is currently topped by Leonard Fournette, but behind him, the situation is largely unsettled. The team added a number of backs this year, including Alfred Blue, Thomas Rawls, Benny Cunningham, Devante Mays, and fifth-round rookie Ryquell Armstead, but none of them (outside of Armstead) are slam dunks to make the roster. Thomas will have a chance to compete for touches and could at least carve out a role on special teams.
The Jags are heading to Baltimore for joint practices with the Ravens this week, and Thomas will be a part of those practices, per Schefter.
In a corresponding move, Jacksonville has waived DB Jocquez Kalili.
Texans Waive D’Onta Foreman
The Texans have waived running back D’Onta Foreman, as John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter). This is obviously a disappointing result for Foreman and for Houston, who once believed that the Texas product — the 89th overall pick of the 2017 draft — had the potential to become the club’s No. 1 back.
Obviously, that never materialized, thanks in large part to an Achilles tear Foreman suffered in the second half of his rookie campaign. He had played sparingly to that point, but he showed some promise, racking up 327 yards on 78 carries (good for 4.2 YPC) and two touchdowns. He also caught six passes for another 83 yards.
But he tore his Achilles on a 34-yard touchdown run in Week 11 and spent the rest of 2017 on IR. He spent most of 2018 on the PUP list and was finally activated in December, but he carried the ball only seven times for -1 yard.
He appears to be completely healthy now, but the Texans were not happy with his work habits, and head coach Bill O’Brien was clearly less than enamored with Foreman. A reporter recently asked O’Brien about the third RB spot on the team’s roster — the reporter assumed, fairly, that Lamar Miller and Foreman were locks for the first two spots — and O’Brien replied, “who’re the first two?” (Twitter link via McClain). O’Brien then acknowledged that Miller was the starter while the backup competition was wide open.
The Texans may look to add another RB in the coming days, but for right now, the other backs on the roster are Josh Ferguson, Buddy Howell, and Taiwan Jones, along with several UDFAs. It’s not a particularly inspiring bunch, which makes the decision to waive Foreman even more telling. McClain notes in a separate tweet that the Texans will not become a potential landing spot for disgruntled Chargers back Melvin Gordon, as the club is focused on adding a backup for Miller.
It would not be surprising to see a team put in a waiver claim on Foreman, but even if he clears waivers, he should have another opportunity soon.
In a corresponding move, the Texans have signed LB Gimel President.
Yannick Ngakoue Reports To Camp
Jaguars star defender Yannick Ngakoue still doesn’t have a new contract, but he reported to camp Sunday, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. He needed to report by Tuesday in order for 2019 to count as an accrued season towards free agency, and the 24-year-old pass rusher did not want to miss that deadline. He is now eligible for unrestricted free agency next year.
The last report concerning negotiations between Ngakoue and Jacksonville indicated that the club had offered a short-term extension to the Maryland product, which Ngakoue declined. It is currently unclear how close the two sides are to getting something done, but Ngakoue indicated that talks are not active. He said, “I don’t want to keep talking about the deal. Like I said they had a chance to sign me for a long-term deal and it didn’t get done” (Twitter link via James Palmer of the NFL Network).
However, Ngakoue’s return does restore a key piece to one of the league’s best defensive lines, a unit that includes players like four-time Pro Bowler Calais Campbell and promising rookie Josh Allen. With 29.5 sacks, 70 QB hits, and no missed games over the last three years, Ngakoue has emerged as one of the best young pass-rushers in the league, and if the Jags are to return to contention this season, he will likely be a big reason for it.
Luckily, the 2016 third-round draft choice apparently doesn’t need any time to knock the rust off. Head coach Doug Marrone said that Ngakoue has passed his conditioning test and will immediately be a full participant in practice (Twitter link via John Oehser of Jaguars.com).
The team has officially removed Ngakoue from the Reserve/Did Not Report list and has waived Fish Smithson in a corresponding move.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/19
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Tracy Sprinkle
- Waived: CB Jermaine Ponder
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Zach Conque
- Waived/injured: TE Billy Brown
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers from Eagles: LB Joey Alfieri
- Signed: DE Terrence Fede
- Waived/injured: DE Alex Jenkins
New York Jets
- Waived: TE Bucky Hodges
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: RB Mack Brown
- Waived: G Lukayus McNeil
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Jackson Harris, TE Wes Saxton
- Waived: TE Justin Johnson, TE Tyrone Swoopes
49ers Sign DT Jay Bromley
The 49ers made a handful of roster moves this morning (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner on Twitter). The team has signed wideout Chris Thompson and cut receiver Max McCaffrey. The 49ers have also added veteran defensive tackle Jay Bromley while placing lineman Kapron Lewis-Moore on the injured reserve.
Thompson, 25, went undrafted out of Florida in 2017, but he proceeded to appear in 13 games for the Texans as a rookie. He ultimately finished that campaign with five receptions for 84 yards, and he also had 23 combined kick/punt returns. After being waived by Houston last August, Thompson proceeded to play for the Orlando Apollos of the AAF.
McCaffrey has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Duke in 2015. The 25-year-old appeared in one game for the 49ers last season, and he’s collected one reception and one punt return during his brief career.
Bromley is the most experienced player of the bunch. The former third-rounder spent the first four seasons of his career with the Giants, compiling 76 tackles and a pair of sacks in 55 games. He signed with the Saints last offseason, but he was limited to only two games after suffering a torn biceps.
Kapron Lewis-Moore, 29, is a bit of a journeyman, appearing in five games during his six-year career. He signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers back in January, and the team seems to be stashing him on their IR as he recovers from a groin injury.
Saints Sign RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Waive RB Rob Kelley
The Saints have swapped one veteran running back for another. Coach Sean Payton announced today that the team has signed Jacquizz Rodgers and waived Rob Kelley (via The Athletic’s Larry Holder on Twitter).
Rodgers, 29, spent the past three seasons with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay used him as more of a traditional running back during his first two seasons with the team, including a 2016 campaign where he ran for 560 yards. In 2018, the veteran found some of the pass-catching prowess that he had displayed during his early-career stint with the Falcons. Rodgers ultimately finished last season with 38 receptions, which was his highest total since 2013.
After losing Mark Ingram in free agency, the Saints have been looking for another running back to pair with Alvin Kamara. Latavius Murray should have the first crack at the job, but if he struggles, Rodgers could easily take on a bigger role (although he’s not necessarily a complement to Kamara). The Saints are also rostering Dwayne Washington, Devine Ozigbo, and Matt Dayes.
Kelley averaged 4.2 yards per carry as a rookie in 2016, but he hasn’t shown anything close to that since. The 26-year-old only suited up for two games with the Redskins last year thanks to a toe injury, and there’s always been some questions about his weight. Still, considering his age, it wouldn’t be shocking if Kelley found another NFL opportunity.
Vikings Sign CB Bene Benwikere
One of the league’s most well-traveled players has found a new home. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets that the Vikings have signed cornerback Bene Benwikere.
The 27-year-old has bounced around the NFL since being selected in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. The San Jose State product has had stints with the Panthers, Dolphins, Packers, Bengals, Cowboys, Cardinals, and Raiders. Many fans remember his 2016 showing against the Falcons when he allowed Julio Jones to go off for 300 receiving yards.
The 27-year-old split the 2018 campaign between Oakland and Arizona, compiling 54 tackles, 0.5 sacks, four passes defended, and one interception. His best season came in 2015, when he finished with 59 tackles and nine passes defended.
The Vikings could use some additional depth at cornerback. Holton Hill was slapped with a pair of four-game suspensions this offseason, meaning he’ll likely sit out half the season. Meanwhile, Mike Hughes is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last year, and it’s uncertain if the 2018 first-rounder will be ready to go for the start of the regular season.
Texans Sign S A.J. Hendy
The Texans are swapping one safety for another. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the team is re-signing A.J. Hendy. To make room, Houston is cutting Tyvis Powell.
Hendy, a 2016 undrafted free agent out of Maryland, was signed by the Texans off the Chargers practice squad last January. He was waived by Houston last week, but the team apparently regretted their decision and brought him back. The 26-year-old has one NFL game on his resume, although he’s had consistent practice squad gigs since he entered the league.
Powell went undrafted out of Ohio State back in 2016, and he’s bounced between five different teams (including separate stints with the 49ers) over his three years in the league. The 25-year-old has appeared in 18 career games, including seven this past season with the 49ers. He finished 2018 with six tackles and one forced fumble. He joined the Texans last weekend.
The Texans have plenty of depth at safety, with Tashaun Gipson and Justin Reid slotted in as starters. Hendy will compete with the likes of Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Jahleel Addae, and A.J. Moore for backup reps.