Patriots Cut WR Tyquan Thornton
As one of only three squads to carry seven wide receivers for much of the campaign, the Patriots are finally clearing some of their depth. The team has cut wideout Tyquan Thornton, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
A 2022 second-round pick out of Baylor, Thornton struggled to carve out a role in New England. The wideout showed some flashes as a rookie, hauling in 22 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns while starting nine of his 13 appearances. Thanks in part to inconsistent QB play, Thornton struggled as a sophomore, finishing with only 13 catches while missing a chunk of the season with a shoulder injury.
While the Patriots underwent significant changes during the offseason (including to their offense), Thornton hasn’t been able to revive his career. The wideout saw a fair share of snaps to start the season with Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte sidelined. However, as the receivers room got back to full strength, Thornton found himself on the outside looking in.
Over the past six weeks, the third-year WR has seen the field for only 13 offensive snaps (with 12 of those snaps coming in Week 8). In addition to Bourne and Boutte, Thornton also found himself behind the likes of Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and K.J. Osborn in the pecking order.
While Osborn is an impending free agent, the Patriots decided to move on from Thornton despite one year remaining on his rookie contract. Another squad could inherit that contract by making a waiver claim, and NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe notes that the receiver is healthy and “ready for his next opportunity.”
Steelers Place CB C.J Henderson On IR
C.J Henderson has yet to make his Steelers debut, and that will remain the case for an extended period. The former first-rounder corner was placed on injured reserve, the team announced Saturday. 
Henderson joined the Steelers in September, initially inking a practice squad deal. He was promoted to the active roster last month amidst interest from other teams, but he has still yet to make an appearance. A neck injury will now keep Henderson sidelined for at least the next four games as Pittsburgh looks to remain atop the AFC North.
Pittsburgh enters Week 11 with a 7-2 record ahead of a critical matchup with the Ravens. The team’s defense has remained among the league’s best units with both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson at the helm; the Steelers have allowed 16.2 points per games this year, the second-best mark in the NFL. The team’s secondary has not been as strong, as Pittsburgh sits just 19th against the pass.
Henderson’s absence will require the Steelers to continue leaning heavily on Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson as starters at the cornerback spot. The likes of undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop along with Cameron Sutton – recently reinstated from suspension – are in place to handle rotational roles in the secondary. Missed time will further hinder Henderson’s ability to carve out a role with the Steelers.
The 26-year-old entered the league with high expectations but he played only 10 games with the Jaguars before being traded during his second season to the Panthers. Henderson made 22 starts with Carolina, but his struggles in coverage continued during his time with the team. The Florida product took a one-year deal with the Texans in free agency, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. Having yet to make an impact in Pittsburgh, Henderson is no doubt looking at another tepid market this spring.
In a corresponding move, the Steelers signed running back Jonathan Ward to the active roster. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have handled the bulk of the rushing load in 2024, as expected. Ward, 27, has received only five carries so far this season but he has contributed on special teams. He will feature in that capacity tomorrow provided he is part of the gameday lineup.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/16/24
Saturday’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: LB Kristian Welch
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: TE Zach Davidson, T Richard Gouraige
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, LB Shaka Heyward
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: DT Sam Kamara, DE Elerson Smith
- Elevated: WR Kadarius Toney
- Placed on IR: DT Mike Hall Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Zach Cunningham, S Keidron Smith
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: LB Zeke Turner
- Elevated: TE James Mitchell
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: LB Liam Anderson
- Elevated: G Atonio Mafi, G Josh Sills
- Waived: DT Adam Gotsis
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Velus Jones, LB Anthony Pittman
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Elevated: CB Eli Apple, OLB Caleb Murphy
- Waived: CB Dicaprio Bootle
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: T Geron Christian, DL Jonah Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LS Tucker Addington, T Jackson Carman
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Keshawn Banks, LB Joe Giles-Harris
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: P Pat O’Donnell
- Elevated: S Tashaun Gipson, CB Nick McCloud
- Placed on IR: CB Darrell Luter Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: TE Tyler Mabry, WR Cody White
- Elevated: LB Patrick O’Connell, S Ty Okada
- Placed on reserve/retired list: C Connor Williams (story)
- Waived: NT Brandon Pili
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: C Corey Levin
- Elevated: T Isaiah Prince, S Daryl Worley
Toney is set to make his debut for the regular season. The former first-round pick out of Florida has had a rocky first four years in the league, despite coming away with two Super Bowl rings in Kansas City. He was signed to the Browns’ practice squad just after the season opener and will be eligible to see game action with Cleveland in Week 11.
O’Donnell was added to the 49ers’ practice squad earlier this week given the chance of Mitch Wishnowsky missing time. The latter is now on injured reserve, ensuring at least a four-game absence. O’Donnell, 32, is a veteran of 145 games but Week 11 will mark his first regular season action since 2022.
49ers Activate Yetur Gross-Matos, Place Mitch Wishnowsky On IR
NOVEMBER 16: As anticipated, both moves have now officially been made. San Francisco has four IR activations remaining on the year. The team’s playoff push will include another stint with one specialist on the sidelines, although the 49ers will have the option of bringing Wishnowsky back before the end of the regular season.
NOVEMBER 15: The 49ers are expected to activate defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and place punter Mitch Wishnowsky on injured reserve with a back injury, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve on October 5 after suffering a knee injury that required surgery. He returned to practice on November 5 and is eligible to play against the Seahawks in Week 11. Wishnowsky will be sidelined for at least four weeks before he can be activated from IR.
Gross-Matos was a full participant in practice this week, but is still listed as questionable on the injury report since he has not officially been activated yet. The 49ers will be hoping Gross-Matos can play if Nick Bosa is sidelined with a hip injury, though he returned to practice on Friday after missing Tuesday and Wednesday. Bosa is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Wishnowsky’s injury leaves the 49ers down yet another specialist this year. Jake Moody missed a month with a high ankle sprain, and his replacement, Matthew Wright, landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Anders Carlson then filled in for two games before Moody returned in Week 9.
The 49ers signed former Bears and Packers punter Pat O’Donnell to their practice squad on Wednesday as insurance for Wishnowsky’s back. He will likely be elevated for the game on Sunday, though the 49ers will need to make another move to promote him to the active roster since Gross-Matos will likely be taking Wishnowsky’s spot on the 53.
Jets Activate S Chuck Clark, Elevate K Anders Carlson
Chuck Clark is set to return to the Jets’ lineup in Week 11. The veteran safety was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. 
Clark has been out of the lineup for the past month due to an ankle injury. The 29-year-old missed the minimum four games before returning to practice earlier this week. Given the timing of his 21-day activation window having been opened, today’s move comes as no surprise. New York now has six IR activations remaining for the year.
Signed in free agency last offseason, Clark was set to handle a starting role upon arrival with the Jets. The former Raven was out of the fold all season due to an ACL tear, however, leaving this past September as his first game action with his new team. Having logged a snap share of 85% prior to his injury, Clark played a key role in the Jets’ secondary when healthy and he will no doubt do so again moving forward.
New York ranks second in the league against the pass with an average of 168 yards per game allowed through the air. Maintaining that success will be necessary if the team is to make a push for the postseason over the second half of the year. The Jets sit at 3-7 and their offense sits 26th in scoring, so posting strong totals on the other side of the ball will be crucial. Clark, a pending free agent, will aim to help his market value by remaining on the field the rest of the way.
The team also elevated kicker Anders Carlson from the practice squad. Carlson was let go by the Packers ahead of roster cutdowns after just one season with the franchise. The 2023 sixth-rounder had an audition period with the 49ers over a two game span while filling in for the injured Jake Moody. Carlson was ultimately added to the Jets’ taxi squad last week as part of the team’s efforts to find a suitable Greg Zuerlein replacement.
Riley Patterson handled kicking duties for one game and went three-for-three on extra point attempts in New York’s 21-13 win. He was waived after that outing, however, with Carlson being added. Spencer Shrader was also in the picture at that point, but with Harrison Butker landing on IR he was signed by the Chiefs to fill in for the time being. That leaves Carlson – who connected on all five of his field goal attempts and three of his four extra point kicks with San Francisco – to serve as the Jets’ kicker for at least one contest.
To make room for Clark’s activation, offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom was waived. The 26-year-old has found himself on and off the Jets’ roster this season, and he made his first career regular season appearance in Week 9. provided he clears waivers, Lindstrom will be a prime candidate to be retained via a practice squad deal.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/16/24
Saints Activate C Erik McCoy From IR
4:42PM: As expected, New Orleans has announced the activation of McCoy from injured reserve. The team also activated reserve linebacker Nephi Sewell off of the reserve/physically unable to perform list. To clear some roster space, the Saints waived wide receiver Jermaine Jackson. Jackson had been filling duties as a return man, appearing in the team’s last four contests.
In the announcement, New Orleans also designated wide receivers Kevin Austin and Dante Pettis as their standard gameday practice squad elevations for the second straight week.
9:07AM: The Saints’ season is all but in the gutter, but the team will still welcome back their starting center for the stretch run of the season. The team is expected to activate starting center Erik McCoy from IR in time for tomorrow’s game against the Browns, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
McCoy suffered a groin injury only a few snaps into Week 3 and subsequently underwent surgery. He’s missed each of New Orleans’ last seven games, although a return seemed imminent when he returned to practice earlier this month. While the Saints sit three games out of a playoff spot in the NFC, the staff is still more than happy to slot the veteran OL back atop the depth chart.
“Should be good to go,” interim coach Darren Rizzi said of McCoy. “I thought we did the right thing here the last couple of weeks with his volume in practice, amped it up a little bit every day, and he looks like he’s ready to go. Unless we have a setback between now and Sunday, I imagine he’d be in there.”
There have been plenty of changes in New Orleans since McCoy went down with an injury. Most notably, the team moved on from head coach Dennis Allen, and the offense has lost two major pieces in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. While Derek Carr made a relatively quick return from his oblique injury, he’s had to play behind an inexperienced OL. With McCoy out of the lineup and Ryan Ramczyk lost for the season, Cesar Ruiz represented the only holdover from the Drew Brees/Sean Payton era.
A 2019 second-round pick, McCoy has been a full-time starter since joining New Orleans. After missing nine combined games between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the center managed to get into all 17 games in 2023, leading to his first career Pro Bowl nod. He’ll step right back into his starting center spot, and the Saints won’t have to juggle any additional depth after they cut fill-in Connor McGovern earlier this week.
Raiders Activate TE Michael Mayer
The Raiders will add some tight end depth for the second half of the season. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Raiders have activated tight end Michael Mayer from the non-football injury list.
[RELATED: Raiders TE Michael Mayer Returns To Practice]
Mayer landed on the NFI list in early October due to undisclosed personal reasons and has missed the Raiders’ last six games. The tight end returned to practice earlier this week, and the Raiders are expecting to throw him right into the fire.
“I think there’s obviously an opportunity there for him,” coach Antonio Pierce said (via Vic Tafur of The Athletic). “The more we can get him involved, the better.”
Through the first three weeks of the season, Mayer had appeared in 56 percent of his team’s offensive snaps. Even with the expected emergence of first-round TE Brock Bowers, there should still be a role for the second-year pro in Las Vegas. Mayer looked the part of a potential TE1 as a rookie, finishing the year with 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Harrison Bryant and John Samuel Shenker will likely slide down the depth chart with Mayer back in the lineup.
The Raiders made a handful of additional moves in anticipation of tomorrow’s matchup with the Dolphins. The team announced that they’ve waived wideout Alex Bachman, and they also promoted receiver Terrace Marshall and center Will Putnam from the practice squad as standard gameday elevations.
Seahawks C Connor Williams Retires
Seahawks center Connor Williams is retiring, as announced by head coach Mike Macdonald in a press conference Friday, per Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.
Williams tore his ACL last December, tanking his free agency stock with his availability to start the 2024 season in question. He managed to pass a physical and sign with the Seahawks eight months later and started all nine of the team’s games at center this season.
Macdonald cited “personal reasons” as the explanation for Williams’ retirement and said that his knee injury in 2023 was not a factor in the decision, according to Condotta. The first-year head coach doesn’t believe that Williams will change his mind and return to the Seahawks this year.
Williams finishes his career with 86 starts and 92 total appearances across a seven-year career. He began as a second-round pick by the Cowboys in 2018 and quickly earned the starting left guard job in Dallas.
He hit free agency in 2022 and signed with the Dolphins on a two-year deal worth just over $14MM. He started all 17 games at center for Miami in 2022, but struggled with multiple injuries in 2023 before ultimately tearing his ACL in December. Williams’ return to the field this year was viewed as impressive given the extent of his knee injury, but he opted to retire rather than finish the season. He ends his career with $22.3MM in career earnings, per OverTheCap.
Seattle will turn to Olu Oluwatimi at center moving forward. The 2023 fifth-rounder started one game with 128 total snaps at center as a rookie. Oluwatimi’s insertion into the starting unit is yet another shake-up for a Seahawks offensive line that recently lost George Fant to injured reserve for the second time this year. Abraham Lucas is set for his season debut, per Condotta, though Macdonald said the third-year right tackle would be on a snap count.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/15/24
Friday’s minor NFL moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: TE Cam Grandy
- Waived: RB Kendall Milton
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived (with injury settlement): K Matthew Wright
Wright was recently placed on injured reserve in order to make room for rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall on the active roster. He was an injury replacement for primary kicker Jake Moody before getting placed on IR himself. With Moody back, Wright’s place on the team became superfluous.