Ravens Designate RB Kenneth Dixon For Return
Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon has been designated to return from injured reserve and will practice on Friday, the club announced today.
Dixon was placed on IR in early September after suffering a knee injury in Baltimore’s season opener, but there was always an expectation that he could return. A fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, Dixon hasn’t seen game action since his rookie campaign, as a torn meniscus kept him off the field in 2017. He was also handed a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, although he was able to serve that ban while on IR.
Dixon is now the second Ravens player — joining cornerback Maurice Canady — who has been designated to return from injured reserve this year. Each NFL club only gets to bring two players off IR, so other injured Ravens, such as defender Willie Henry, are now officially done for the year. Now that Dixon is back at practice, Baltimore has three weeks to decide whether to activate him to its 53-man roster, or leave him on injured reserve for the rest of the season.
If he is able to come back, Dixon — who managed 4.3 yards per carry on 88 rushes in his rookie year — would join Alex Collins, Javorius Allen, recent trade acquisition Ty Montgomery, and rookie Gus Edwards in the Ravens’ backfield.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/18
Today’s practice squad updates:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DL Aziz Shittu
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: CB Dee Delaney
- Released: LB Richard Jarvis
New York Giants
- Signed: S Kenny Ladler
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S J.T. Gray
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Cameron Malveaux
Washington Redskins
- Signed: C Casey Dunn
- Released: RB Mack Brown
Packers Activate Trevor Davis From IR
The Packers activated wide receiver Trevor Davis from injured reserve, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Davis may contribute in the return game upon his return while also providing depth behind Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (a.k.a. Scantron), Randall Cobb, Equanimeous St. Brown, and J’Mon Moore. 
A fifth-round choice in 2016, Davis hauled in 24 receptions and tallied 289 yards last season while playing on 40.5% of Green Bay’s special teams snaps. His return is well-timed for a Packers team that recently placed Geronimo Allison on IR.
Prior to the transaction, the Packers had only 52 players on the roster, so no corresponding move will have to be made before the team’s Thursday night game against the Seahawks. With a win, the Packers can keep themselves afloat in the NFC Wild Card chase while seriously damaging the Seahawks’ playoff hopes.
Colts Sign Jalen Collins To Practice Squad
The Colts signed cornerback Jalen Collins to the practice squad, per a team announcement. To make room, they released quarterback Phillip Walker from the 10-man unit. 
Collins, a 6’1″ cornerback, was a second-round pick of the Falcons in 2015. Red flags kept him from being a first-round pick that year and assorted issues kept him from realizing his potential at the pro level.
After completing his latest ban – a 10-game suspension of unknown origin – Collins auditioned for Indianapolis on Wednesday. The Colts apparently liked what they saw and jumped at the low-risk/high-reward move to stash him. In 24 career games (eight starts) with the Falcons, Collins tallied 43 tackles (40 solo), two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and ten passes defensed.
Walker, meanwhile, has been doing the Grandpa Simpson all year. This marks the end of his fourth stint on the Colts’ practice squad this year and it remains to be seen whether he’ll get a fifth shot.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/14/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Rick Leonard
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB Tyler Ervin
- Released: DB Makinton Dorleant
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DB David Jones
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OL Rees Odhiambo
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: WR Rashard Davis, WR ArDarius Stewart
Washington Redskins
Redskins Activate Trey Quinn
The Redskins activated wide receiver Trey Quinn off injured reserve on Wednesday, per a club announcement. The club has now used both of it’s IR-DTR opportunities after designating running back Byron Marshall for return earlier this year.
Quinn suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 after being selected in the seventh round of this year’s draft. The Redskins’ WR unit has been banged up this year, including the unfortunate loss of Paul Richardson, so Quinn could wind up seeing some snaps in the second half of the year.
Quinn had two catches for 12 yards before he was forced out of the Redskins’ season-opener against the Cardinals. After he caught 114 passes for 1,236 yards and 13 touchdowns at SMU in 2017, the Redskins are extremely eager to see what he can do.
Quinn’s first action since September could come on Sunday against the Texans. With a win, the Redskins can maintain or improve their divisional lead over the Cowboys and Eagles.
Panthers Claim RB Kenjon Barner
The Panthers claimed former Patriot Kenjon Barner off waivers, according to a team announcement. To make room, the club waived cornerback Josh Hawkins.
This marks Barner’s third career stint with the Panthers. He’ll provide depth behind star running back Christian McCaffrey, filling a spot vacated by the recent release of veteran C.J. Anderson.
Barner came into the league as a sixth-round pick of the Panthers in 2013 and played eight games for them as a rookie. The Panthers traded him to the Eagles in 2014, but he circled back to Carolina in the offseason. When he failed to make the Panthers’ first cut, Barner hooked on with the Patriots where he cycled through the roster for a couple of months.
Barner, 28, has 19 carries for 71 yards on the season. His best offensive seasons came in 2015 and 2016 with the Eagles when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in a limited sample of 55 total attempts.
Barner figures to serve as the fourth running back on the depth chart behind CMC, Cameron Artis-Payne, and Travaris Cadet.
Dolphins Sign WR Brice Butler
The Dolphins signed Brice Butler to fill their open roster spot, according to a team announcement. At minimum, the wide receiver should help to replenish a group that has been dinged by injuries. 
[RELATED: Dolphins Promote OL Isaac Asiata]
With DeVante Parker and Jakeem Grant sidelined, Butler may be one of four healthy receivers heading into Nov. 25th’s game against the Colts. On the plus side, the Dolphins can use their bye week to heal up.
Butler rejoined the Cowboys this year after his signing with the Cardinals did not work out. He talked a big game in free agency, but he’s appeared in just one game through ten weeks of the season.
To his credit, the well-traveled pass-catcher averaged 21.1 yards per catch last season with Dallas. That season also marked a new career high in yards (317) and matched his previous watermark for touchdowns (3).
Lions’ T.J. Lang Done For Year
Lions guard T.J. Lang has been placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury, according to a team announcement. The move will end Lang’s season and may mark the end of his time in Detroit. 
[RELATED: Vikings Claim Former Lions RB Ameer Abdullah]
Lang, 31, left the Packers in 2017 to sign with their divisional rival. At the time, the Packers were widely slammed for allowing Lang to get away, but they may have made the smart move in hindsight. Thanks to injuries, Lang missed three games last season and appeared in just six games this year.
This offseason, the Lions can release Lang to save $9MM against the cap. The move would leave them with just $2.6MM in dead money and it’s something of a no-brainer, despite the two-time Pro Bowler’s past accomplishments.
In a related move, the Lions promoted cornerback Mike Ford off the practice squad. Even after swapping Lang for Ford, the Lions have one more vacant spot to fill on their 53-man roster.
Bills Bring Back WR Deonte Thompson
The Bills signed wide receiver Deonte Thompson to a one-year contract, according to a team announcement. The deal marks Thompson’s third stint in Buffalo. 
Before Robert Foster went off for 105 yards against the Jets on Sunday, Thompson was the Bills’ most recent 100-yard receiver. Foster’s performance snapped a 19-game streak without a 100-yard performance dating back to when Thompson pulled it off on Oct. 22, 2017.
Thompson was cut by the Cowboys last week and became a free agent after clearing waivers. The Bills made a play to keep Thompson in the offseason, so they’re undoubtedly happy to have him back in the fold.
Thompson spent time with the Bills and Bears last year. Between the two clubs, he turned in the best season of his career with 38 grabs for 555 yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos also expressed interest in him in the offseason before he hooked on with Jerry Jones & Co.