Packers Claim RB Kapri Bibbs
Potentially set to be without Aaron Jones for the final two games of the season, the Packers brought in some help.
The Packers claimed running back Kapri Bibbs off waivers from the Redskins, who cut him on Saturday. He had spent this season playing a part-time role behind Adrian Peterson, doing so while Chris Thompson battled a rib injury.
Bibbs has spent the past two seasons in Washington. He notched 20 carries for 101 yards this year and caught 13 passes for 102. The former UDFA began his career in Denver, seeing brief action for the Broncos’ 2015 Super Bowl team and playing in 12 games a year later. The Broncos traded Bibbs to the 49ers on 2017 draft weekend, but San Francisco cut him prior to the regular season.
Prior to the Bibbs addition, only Jamaal Williams resided as a healthy Packers running back. Green Bay also has Malcolm Johnson and Lavon Coleman on its practice squad.
49ers To Send Ahkello Witherspoon To IR
Ahkello Witherspoon left early during the 49ers’ upset win over the Seahawks, and his Week 15 action will be his last of the season.
The 49ers will place Witherspoon on injured reserve, Kyle Shanahan said Monday. This will wrap up the former third-round pick’s second NFL season. Witherspoon left Sunday’s game with a sprained right PCL.
San Francisco’s starting cornerback opposite Richard Sherman, Witherspoon struggled this season. Only one corner (Denver’s Jamar Taylor) has a lower grade, per Pro Football Focus, exiting Week 15. Witherspoon has started 21 games since coming to the 49ers out of Colorado.
Two seasons remain on his rookie contract, so he’ll have a chance to bounce back in 2019. The mid-round pick enjoyed a more promising rookie season and will presumably be part of San Francisco’s corner rotation next season. Rookie third-rounder Tarvarius Moore will start in Witherspoon’s place, Shanahan said.
Falcons Place RB Ito Smith On IR
The Falcons have placed running back Ito Smith on injured reserve, per a team announcement. With that, the Falcons will be forced to play against the Panthers and Bucs without the services of their No. 2 RB. 
Smith saw an unexpected spike in usage this year after the loss of star Devonta Freeman. The fourth-round rookie would up with 90 carries for 315 yards and four scores over 14 games and, at times, he flashed serious potential. His 3.5 yards per carry average isn’t anything to write home about, but part of the blame falls on the team’s inconsistent offense as a whole. Smith also got involved in the passing game and ends his year with 27 catches for 152 yards.
Coleman will become an unrestricted free agent in March, so Smith figures to continue as a major piece in the Falcons’ offense next year. While he lacks the patience and experience of Coleman, the Falcons seem prepared to give him a larger share of the workload.
“I would say Ito is best on the inside zone runs,” coach Dan Quinn said recently. “He can line a (defender) up in the hole and use his change of direction and break a guy off where Tevin often times will toss it outside and see the wide zone and stretch the defense and then try to get a vertical cut…. You’ve seen Ito enough now, it’s his change of direction when a guy is trying to size him up … where Tevin would try to use the angle and use his speed to break a guy off.”
Jaguars Place Ronnie Harrison On IR
Jaguars safety Ronnie Harrison is being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, coach Doug Marrone announced. Harrison was injured in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Redskins and tests revealed it to be a serious malady. 
The rookie third-round pick replaced Barry Church in the starting lineup on Dec. 2, influencing the club’s decision to release the veteran last week. Unfortunately, the 21-year-old will have to wait until next year to see the field again and build off of his performance.
Harrison’s rookie season ends with 32 tackles, one sack, one interception, and three passes defensed in 14 games (eight starts). Pro Football Focus ranks him as the 66th best safety in the NFL, but his limited sample size of 328 snaps makes the metrics a bit hard to read.
In any event, Harrison figures to be a key part of the Jags’ secondary in 2019. For now, they’ll soldier on without him in the final two games against the Dolphins and Texans.
Titans CB Logan Ryan Suffers Broken Fibula
Titans cornerback Logan Ryan announced that he suffered a broken fibula on Sunday (Twitter link). The injury will shut him down for the final two games of the season and the playoffs, should the Titans make it, but he vows to come back strong in 2019. 
Ryan joined the Titans on a three-year, $30MM contract prior to the 2017 season and has been a fixture in the starting lineup ever since. This year, the 27-year-old recorded a career high of four sacks to go along with his 76 tackles and eight passes defensed. He presently ranks as the No. 38 ranked cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, which isn’t too far behind teammate Adoree’ Jackson.
Without Ryan, the Titans will lean more on fellow ex-Patriot Malcolm Butler. Leshaun Sims and Joshua Kalu are also on hand for support, but the Titans will probably add another CB to bolster their depth.
The Titans kept their playoff hopes alive on Sunday with their 17-0 victory over the Giants. They now have a 46% chance of making the playoffs and are still clinging to an 8% chance of overtaking the Texans for the divisional lead, according to FiveThirtyEight. They don’t technically control their own destiny, but wins over the Redskins and Colts would probably give them a Wild Card spot.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/16/18
Today’s minor moves:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Lyndon Johnson
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Leon Jacobs
Steelers Place Marcus Gilbert On IR
The corresponding move from Pittsburgh’s Eli Rogers activation will be key. Marcus Gilbert‘s season will come to a close.
The eighth-year right tackle will head to the Steelers’ IR list, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets. Gilbert has been dealing with a knee injury and has not played since October.
Matt Feiler has filled in for Gilbert, and while the former UDFA has not been quite on the level of Gilbert at full strength, the replacement has played well. Pro Football Focus has graded Feiler as its No. 39 overall tackle this season.
Unavailability has been an issue for Gilbert in recent years. Injury and suspension trouble limited him to seven games last season, and Pittsburgh saw his 2017 replacement, Chris Hubbard, defect to Cleveland in free agency. Gilbert returned to his right-edge post this year but only got in five games before the knee problem sidelined him in mid-October.
While the 30-year-old blocker is under contract for the 2019 season, his issues staying on the field may put the Steelers to a decision this offseason.
The team could save nearly $5MM by releasing Gilbert, the Steelers’ starting right tackle since his 2011 rookie season. That said, the top-tier right tackle is only in line to count $6.6MM toward the Steelers’ cap. The Steelers are also projected to hold $28MM-plus in cap space, potentially allowing them to keep Gilbert on the books and see if he can re-establish his previous form. But after the troubles the former second-round pick has experienced the past two years, that won’t be a lock.
Jaguars Place OL Josh Walker On IR
As part of yesterday’s roster shuffle, the Jaguars also lost an offensive lineman for the season. The team announced that they’ve placed offensive guard Josh Walker on the injured reserve with an ankle injury.
The 27-year-old Walker had missed that Jaguars last four games, but his placement on the IR was still a bit surprising. The lineman was a full participant at practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, and there was some optimism that he’d be able to play in this weekend’s contest against the Redskins. Ultimately, the team decided to open the extra roster spot.
The 2014 undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State had started four of his five games this season. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance in 2018. Walker, who’s listed as an offensive tackle, ranked dead last among the 78 eligible players at the position.
While Jacksonville is losing one lineman, they’ll be welcoming another one back. As part of yesterday’s moves, the team activated lineman Josh Wells. The 27-year-old could easily slide back into the starting lineup alongside Chris Reed, Tyler Shatley, A.J. Cann, and Jermey Parnell.
The Jaguars made two additional moves yesterday, as they waived safety Barry Church and tight end Niles Paul.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/14/18
Today’s practice squad updates:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: G Salesi Uhatafe
- Released: WR Deontez Alexander
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OL Kaleb Johnson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/18
Today’s minor moves will be posted here:
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Ahmad Thomas
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: LB B.J. Bello
- Placed on IR: T Jordan Mailata