Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/19
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Hayes Pullard, WR Isaac Zico, OL Parker Ehinger, OL Patrick Lawrence
- Waived: OL Tariq Cole, RB Xavier Turner
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Ronald Martin, CB Hamp Cheevers
- Waived: CB Rashard Causey, LS Kyle Vasey
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Mik’Quan Deane
- Waived/injured: WR Blake Jackson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Jamar McGloster
- Claimed off waivers from Cowboys: OL Larry Allen Jr.
- Waived/injured: LB Tre’von Johnson, OL Cole Toner
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Nick DeLuca
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: TE Alex Ellis
- Waived: LB Joey Alfieri, Godwin Igwebuike
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB D.J. White
- Waived: LS Andrew East
49ers Release TE Niles Paul
Niles Paul‘s stint with the 49ers didn’t last long. The veteran tight end is being released by San Francisco, a source told Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
In a corresponding roster move, the team claimed tight end Daniel Helm off waivers from the Chargers. Paul had just been signed last week. The former Redskins and Jaguars tight end had a connection to head coach Kyle Shanahan from their time in Washington together, but the team clearly didn’t like what they saw from the Nebraska product during his brief time in camp.
Paul has spent eight years in the league, his first seven with the Redskins and then one in Jacksonville. By far his best season as a receiver came in 2014, when he had 39 catches for 507 yards. With Garrett Celek on the shelf, and looking likely to miss some regular season time, the 49ers have been looking for some tight end depth behind George Kittle.
Helm is the latest they’ll be taking a look at, a rookie undrafted free agent from Duke. He was never a huge receiving threat for the Blue Devils, gaining between 235 and 271 yards in each of his final three college seasons.
Patriots To Sign Cameron Meredith
The Patriots are signing former Saints and Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith, a source tells NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). It’ll be a low-cost deal for New England, but one that could have tremendous upside. 
Meredith failed to meet his high expectations in New Orleans thanks to health issues, but he’s apparently healed up from the torn ACL and assorted problems suffered towards the end of his run in Chicago.
With the Saints, Meredith had just nine receptions on the year. But, in 2016, Meredith flashed major potential with 66 grabs for 888 yards and four scores in 14 games, only ten of which were starts.
The Patriots could use someone like Meredith as Julian Edelman deals with a thumb injury and Demaryius Thomas works his way back from the PUP list. Of course, Josh Gordon also remains suspended, leaving a need for talent in the WR group.
Besides those names, the Pats’ WR depth chart includes N’Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris, Jakobi Meyers, Braxton Berrios, Dontrelle Inman, Damoun Patterson, Gunner Olszewski, and Ryan Davis.
NFL Suspends Morris Claiborne
Veteran cornerback Morris Claiborne has been hit with a four-game ban for a violation of the substance abuse policy, sources tell Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Claiborne, they hear, plans to appeal the suspension in hopes that it will be overturned or eliminated. 
Claiborne stands as one of the best available free agents left at this stage of the offseason, but the impending ban could explain his extended unemployment. Recently, the Vikings kicked the tires on the cornerback, but did not sign him.
Claiborne, 29, spent the past two seasons with the Jets and has played on one-year deals for the past three seasons. He hasn’t really excelled since his 2016 season with the Cowboys, when he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 ranked corner in a limited sample of seven games. Last year, Claiborne graded out as just the No. 75 CB in the NFL out of 112 qualified players, per PFF.
Eagles To Sign Johnathan Cyprien
The Eagles have agreed to sign Johnathan Cyprien, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). When completed, it’ll be a one-year deal for the safety. 
Cyprien visited the Eagles earlier this offseason, but left town without a deal. He’s got his shot with the Eagles now, however, and an opportunity to reestablish himself after missing all of last season with a torn ACL.
Cyprien was a starter for four years with the Jaguars before joining the Titans in 2017. After an injury-shortened ten-game campaign in his first year, he finished out his time on the sidelines. In March, Tennessee bailed midway through his four-year, $25MM free agent deal.
With the Eagles, Cyprien could see time at his usual strong safety spot, but mostly projects as a depth addition who can also chip in at linebacker. Malcolm Jenkins, of course, will be the club’s starter at SS.
More Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/19
We’ve already posted one round of minor transactions, but NFL clubs keep making moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: LB Matthew Thomas
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed off waivers: TE Donnie Ernsberger
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: TE Daniel Helm
Minnesota Vikings
- Claimed off waivers: G Tyler Catalina
- Waived: G Tiano Pupungatoa
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: TE Jake Powell
- Waived: QB J.T. Barrett
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: WR Nyqwan Murray
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DL Chris Nelson, DE Jordan Williams
- Waived: DB Jonathan Crawford, LB Gimel President
Washington Redskins
- Signed: LB Garrett Sickels
- Waived: RB Elijah Wellman
Raiders Claim WR Jordan Lasley
The Raiders have claimed wide receiver Jordan Lasley off waivers from the Ravens, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Lasley, a fifth-round pick in 2018, was cut by Baltimore on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, Lasley got into a fight during practice and celebrated a touchdown by throwing a football into a pond. Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said that neither incident precipitated Lasley’s release, adding the club simply wanted to give the second-year pass-catcher a chance at finding a new team during training camp, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com and Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (Twitter links). However, the Ravens didn’t believe Lasley was improving, and he did have effort questions, tweets Zrebiec.
Lasley didn’t see a single snap during his rookie campaign. He’ll now join an Oakland wide receiver depth chart that already includes Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, Ryan Grant, and Marcell Ateman, among others.
In a corresponding move, the Raiders announced that they’ve waived wide receiver Brian Burt.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/19
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S Brynden Trawick
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: G Rishard Cook, K Joey Slye
- Waived/Injured: G Dorian Johnson, LB Brandon Chubb
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DL Dee Liner
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DT Anthony Rush
Phil Dawson Announces Retirement
Phil Dawson is calling it a career. On Thursday, the kicker announced that he is retiring from the NFL at the age of 44. 
Dawson was the second-oldest player in the NFL last year, behind only Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri. With the Cardinals, Dawson made 5-of-8 field goals and sank all of his extra points before going down with a hip injury.
Prior to that, Dawson spent most of his career with the Browns and also spent four years with the 49ers. Fittingly, his retirement press conference will take place in Cleveland, where he kicked for 14 seasons.
Dawson leaves the game with a Pro Bowl nod (2012) and a lifetime FG completion rate of 83.8%. His hip will get some well-deserved rest after 526 career attempted field goals and 305 career games.
Jets Sign Ryan Kalil Out Of Retirement
The Jets have signed five-time Pro Bowler Ryan Kalil, according to a team announcement. Kalil retired after the 2018 season, but the Jets have convinced the center to suit up at least one more time. 
It’s a one-year, $8.4MM deal for the Jets and Kalil, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). However, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets $8.4MM is the maximum value of Kalil’s pact, which contains incentives. The agreement is still pending a physical, which may be more than a formality – Kalil was limited to just six regular-season games in 2017 by a neck injury.
The former USC standout played in just 14 games between 2016 and 2017. Prior to that, he suited up for at least 15 contests six times in a seven-year span — with five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro distinctions having occurred during that time. And, in 2018, he started in all 16 of Carolina’s contests.
A second-round pick in 2012, Kalil has been one of the best players in team history. He served as the pivotman during the Panthers’ Super Bowl 50 run and played every game of the Panthers’ 2008, ’13 and ’14 playoff seasons.
With the Jets, Kalil will supplant Jonotthan Harrison as the team’s man in the middle.