Lewis Cine Backs Out Of Jets Deal; S To Join Bills’ Practice Squad
Lewis Cine was available on waivers after the Vikings moved on from him. The third-year safety went unclaimed, but in short order he appeared to line up a Jets agreement. Instead, he will be joining the Bills. 
Cine is set to sign with Buffalo, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. As was the case with yesterday’s development, this will be a practice squad deal at first. Cine will attempt to rebuild his value while providing safety depth to the Bills, a team which has seen plenty of turnover in the secondary this offseason.
Buffalo no longer has either member of the Jordan Poyer–Micah Hyde tandem at the safety spot, although the latter could rejoin the team if he elected to avoid retirement. The Bills re-signed Taylor Rapp, added Mike Edwards in free agency and kept special teamer Damar Hamlin on the 53-man roster. Those three offer plenty of experience on the backend, and they are positioned to handle notable roles in 2024.
The Bills also invested in the safety position during this year’s draft, adding Cole Bishop in the second round. The Utah product was unable to remain healthy throughout his first training camp, but he has the upside to take on starting duties relatively early in his career. While the top of the depth chart gets sorted out in the fall, Cine will look to earn a promotion to the Bills’ active roster in short order.
The 24-year-old was unable to live up to expectations during his brief Vikings tenure. Cine, the final pick in the first round of the 2022 draft, has played just 10 regular season games to date. He will join veteran Kareem Jackson on the taxi squad to begin the campaign as he hopes to find a long-term opportunity. If one does not arise, Cine will be free to sign to the active roster of another team during the year if he draws interest.
Falcons Trade QB Taylor Heinicke To Chargers
Taylor Heinicke is heading to Los Angeles. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the Falcons are trading the quarterback to the Chargers. Atlanta will receive a conditional sixth-round pick in return. The conditions of that pick are based on playing time, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
[RELATED: Falcons Hoping To Trade QB Taylor Heinicke?]
We heard earlier this month that the Falcons were eyeing a Heinicke trade. While the veteran represented the team’s lone holdover at the position, his future was uncertain after the Falcons revamped their depth chart this offseason. First, the front office signed Kirk Cousins to a lucrative contract, and they later surprised many when they selected Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. That left Heinicke without a clear role on the team.
While the Falcons generally opted for three active QBs in 2023 while taking advantage of the league’s emergency quarterback spot, it sounded like the team preferred to stash their QB3 on the practice squad for the 2024 campaign. Atlanta ultimately carried Heinicke on the 53-man roster through final roster cuts, but they’ll now move forward with only a pair of QBs on their active roster.
While Heinicke was pushed off the roster in Atlanta, it’s not necessarily a reflection of his standing in the league. The former UDFA had a successful two-year stint in Washington between 2021 and 2022, guiding his squad to a 12-11-1 record as a starter. That performance helped earn him a two-year, $14MM deal with his hometown Falcons last offseason, where he was expected to provide former third-round pick Desmond Ridder with some competition. Heinicke ultimately got four starts for Atlanta, going 1-3 while completing a career-low 54.4 percent of his passes. The veteran took a pay cut from $5MM to $1.21MM to stick in Atlanta for 2024, but now he’ll be earning that reduced salary in Los Angeles.
The Chargers were only carrying a pair of QBs following final cuts, with Easton Stick lined up to be the QB2 behind Justin Herbert. Stick, a former fifth-round pick, has spent his entire career with the Chargers, and he finally got an extended look while filling in for Herbert in 2023. While the Chargers went 0-4 in his four starts, Stick still managed to complete 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Heinicke will provide the organization with a bit more starting experience behind Herbert, but it’s uncertain how the depth chart will ultimately shake out.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC West
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These 49ers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks moves are noted below.
Arizona Cardinals
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Andre Baccellia, LB Markus Bailey, LB Krys Barnes, OL Jackson Barton, RB Michael Carter, WR Dan Chisena, CB Jaden Davis, OL Marquis Hayes, OL Keith Ismael, LB Julian Okwara, WR Tejhaun Palmer, QB Desmond Ridder, TE Bernhard Seikovits, DL Ben Stille, CB Divaad Wilson
Los Angeles Rams
Signed:
- DT Neville Gallimore (story)
Claimed:
Waived:
- DT Cory Durden
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- OL A.J. Arcuri, OL Justin Dedich, B Zach Evans, TE Miller Forristall, DB Tanner Ingle, DB Shaun Jolly, TE Nikola Kalinic, DB Cam Lampkin, DT Tuli Letuligasenoa, OL Mike McAllister, DT David Olajiga, WR Xavier Smith, WR Drake Stoops, DB Jason Taylor II, OLB Keir Thomas, LB Zach VanValkenburg, WR Sam Wiglusz
San Francisco 49ers
Signed:
- OL Ben Bartch, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., TE Eric Saubert, CB Rock Ya-Sin
Claimed:
Waived:
Placed on IR:
- OL Jon Feliciano, CB Ambry Thomas
Signed to practice squad:
- DE Jonathan Garvin, DB Chase Lucas, S Tracy Walker
Seattle Seahawks
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Artie Burns
Raiders Waive DT Byron Young
The Raiders moved on from a recent draft pick today. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team has waived 2023 third-round defensive tackle Byron Young. The team also signed cornerback Darnay Holmes, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The team wasn’t done adding, as the Raiders claimed defensive tackle Jonah Laulu off waivers from the Colts and safety Thomas Harper off waivers from the Chargers, according to ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez.
Following a standout college career at Alabama, Young was selected by the Raiders with the No. 70 pick in the 2023 draft. He barely saw the field as a rookie, appearing in only 99 defensive snaps in six games. Still, after having to start his first training camp on PUP, there was hope he’d take a step forward with a full offseason program. Instead, the defensive lineman will have to resume his career elsewhere.
He’ll be replaced on the roster by Laulu, who was cut by the Colts yesterday. The rookie seventh-round pick split his college career between Hawaii and Oklahoma. The team also added Harper, a UDFA out of Oklahoma State University and Notre Dame.
Holmes’ stint with the Giants came to an end earlier this week. The former fourth-round pick had spent his entire career in New York, starting 11 of his 54 appearances. Despite getting into a career-high 16 games in 2023, the cornerback was limited to a career-low 123 defensive snaps. He re-signed with the organization this past offseason, but he didn’t end up making it through final cuts with the Giants.
In more corresponding moves, the team waived rookie CB M.J. Devonshire and placed CB Brandon Facyson on injured reserve (per Gutierrez). Facyson was at one time competing for the team’s CB2 role, but the cornerback was sidelined for most of the preseason with an undisclosed injury. The former UDFA was limited to only three appearances with the Raiders in 2023, but he had 55 tackles during his first stint with the organization in 2021.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots moves are noted below.
Buffalo Bills
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Frank Gore Jr., WR Deon Cain, WR KJ Hamler, WR Tyrell Shavers, TE Zach Davidson, OL Richard Gouraige, OL Will Clapp, OL Mike Edwards, DE Kingsley Jonathan, DE Kameron Cline, DT Eli Ankou, DT Branson Deen, CB Daequan Hardy, CB Te’Cory Couch, S Kareem Jackson
Miami Dolphins
Released:
Claimed:
- WR Grant Dubose
Signed to practice squad:
- S Jordan Colbert, WR Erik Ezukanma, DT Jonathan Harris, OL Chasen Hines, LB Dequan Jackson, CB Isaiah Johnson, T Bayron Matos, RB Anthony McFarland Jr., CB Nik Needham, TE Hayden Rucci.
New England Patriots
Signed:
Claimed:
- LB Curtis Jacobs, T Demontrey Jacobs, DT Eric Johnson, T Zachary Thomas
Released:
- DT Trysten Hill, OL Michael Jordan, WR Jalen Reagor
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- T Liam Fornadel, RB Kevin Harris, RB Terrell Jennings, WR Matt Landers, DE Jotham Russell, DB A.J. Thomas, TE Mitchell Wilcox
New York Jets
Signed:
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Sam Eguavoen, OL Obinna Eze, TE Anthony Firkser, OL Jake Hanson, DL Bruce Hector, DL Jalyn Holmes, S Jaylen Key, TE Zack Kuntz, OL Kohl Levao, QB Adrian Martinez, LB Marcelino McCary-Ball, WR Lance McCutcheon, S Jarius Monroe, CB Kendall Sheffield, WR Brandon Smith, CB Tre Swilling, RB Xazavian Valladay
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers moves are noted below.
Baltimore Ravens
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- OT Corey Bullock, RB Chris Collier, CB Bump Cooper Jr., WR Malik Cunningham, G Darrian Dalcourt, OLB Joe Evans, CB Ka’dar Hollman, TE Qadir Ismail, RB John Kelly, WR Keith Kirkwood, QB Devin Leary, WR Anthony Miller, DE C.J. Ravenell, ILB Josh Ross, WR Dayton Wade
Cincinnati Bengals
Signed:
Claimed:
- DE K.J. Henry
Released:
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Nate Brooks, WR Cole Burgess, T Devin Cochran, DT Domenique Davis, CB Jalen Davis, TE Cam Grandy, LB Shaka Heyward, C Trey Hill, WR Shedrick Jackson, S PJ Jules, WR Kendric Pryor, QB Logan Woodside
Cleveland Browns
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- DT Jowon Briggs, CB Tony Brown, WR Jaelon Darden, S Christopher Edmonds, CB Mike Ford, CB Justin Hardee, T Germain Ifedi, T Sam Kamara, T Roy Mbaeteka, WR James Proche, LB Winston Reid, LS Rex Sunahara, T Lorenzo Thompson, WR Michael Woods
Pittsburgh Steelers
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Anthony Averett, RB Boston Scott
Titans To Trade Elijah Molden To Chargers
7:35pm: The Titans are receiving a 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for Molden, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Chargers have since announced that the trade is official.
3:00pm: Another trade will come to pass a day after the 53-man deadline. Following the Saints-Commanders John Ridgeway swap, the Chargers are adding a cornerback from the Titans.
Tennessee is sending Elijah Molden to Los Angeles, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. The Titans, whose Ernest Jones trade just became official, are expected to acquire a late-round pick for Molden, who is going into a contract year.
The Titans made two big-ticket cornerback investments this offseason, signing Chidobe Awuzie and reaching a tag-and-trade agreement with the Chiefs to bring in L’Jarius Sneed. With Roger McCreary still in the fold, Tennessee is moving on from another homegrown cover man. The team cut former first-rounder Caleb Farley on Tuesday.
As Dennard Wilson‘s defense continues to see changes, the Chargers are adding another corner from the Mike Vrabel–Shane Bowen era. The Bolts agreed to terms with Kristian Fulton in March. Molden and Fulton played together for three years, with the former spending time in the slot early in his career. McCreary mans the slot in Tennessee and will be set to work alongside Sneed and Awuzie. With Molden a 2025 free agent-to-be, the Titans will acquire an asset for a player no longer in their plans.
Molden, 25, started 16 games with the Titans; eight came last season, when he played a career-high 701 defensive snaps. The Titans benched Fulton and did not have Farley’s services throughout the season. During seven of Molden’s eight starts last year, he played 100% of Tennessee’s defensive snaps. The Washington alum also saw time at safety, increasing Bolts DC Jesse Minter‘s options. Though, the Chargers have locked-in safety starters in Derwin James and Alohi Gilman.
Also transitioning to a new scheme, the Chargers have J.C. Jackson dead money on their books and are keeping costs low at corner. Fulton signed a one-year, $3.13MM. Molden remains on his third-round salary, with Asante Samuel Jr. joining him in a contract year. Samuel has played in the slot and outside in L.A. The former second-rounder, who joins Molden in being a second-generation NFL corner, is expected to play on the outside across from Fulton. Ja’Sir Taylor has been the Bolts’ slot; Molden would stand to push the converted safety.
While Asante Samuel Sr. played with the Patriots and Eagles, Molden’s father (Alex) nearly overlapped with Jim Harbaugh in San Diego. For what it’s worth, the Chargers signed the former first-round pick just after Harbaugh’s contract expired. A younger Molden will join the team his father played for from 2001-02, with a chance at using the season as a springboard to free agency.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC South
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Colts, Jaguars, Texans and Titans moves are noted below.
Houston Texans
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- DE Solomon Byrd, OT Cameron Erving, DE Malik Fisher, FB Troy Hairston, DT Marcus Harris, WR Johnny Johnson, T David Sharpe, RB J.J. Taylor, LB Max Tooley, LB Zeke Turner, OL Kilian Zierer
Reverted to IR:
Indianapolis Colts
Signed:
Claimed:
Waived:
- CB Darrell Baker Jr.
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Austin Ajiake, LB Liam Anderson, DE Genard Avery, QB Jason Bean, S Marcel Dabo, RB Evan Hull, CB Chris Lammons, WR D.J. Montgomery, CB Jaylin Simpson, CB Ameer Speed, WR Laquon Treadwell
Jacksonville Jaguars
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- TE Shawn Bowman, CB Christian Braswell, WR Joshua Cephus, DE D.J. Coleman, WR Elijah Cooks, TE Josiah Deguara, S Terrell Edmunds, CB Tre Flowers, DE Joe Gaziano, RB Jalen Jackson, OL Steven Jones, LB Tanner Muse, QB E.J. Perry, RB Louis Rees-Zammit, WR Austin Trammell
Tennessee Titans
Signed:
Claimed:
- DE Ali Gaye, DB Julius Wood
Waived:
- TE Nick Vannett, OLB Rashad Weaver
Signed to practice squad:
- DT Abdullah Anderson, DB Tre Avery, DE Khalid Duke, DT Isaiah Iton, DB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, DB Anthony Kendall, WR Mason Kinsey, C Corey Levin, WR Bryce Oliver, RB Jabari Small, G Cole Spencer, T Leroy Watson
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Commanders, Cowboys, Eagles and Giants moves are noted below.
Dallas Cowboys
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- T Josh Ball, CB Josh Butler, WR Jalen Cropper, RB Malik Davis, DT Denzel Daxon, TE Princeton Fant, CB Kemon Hall, WR Kelvin Harmon, LB Darius Harris, S Emany Johnson, DE Carl Lawson, LB Brock Mogensen, OL Dakoda Shepley, LB Nick Vigil
New York Giants
Signed:
Claimed:
Waived:
Waived/injured:
- DT Ryder Anderson, CB Mario Goodrich, EDGE Ovie Oghoufo
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Miles Boykin, CB Art Green, WR Isaiah Hodgins, FB Jakob Johnson, C Jimmy Morrisey, LB Ty Summers
Philadelphia Eagles
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Nick Gates
Washington Commanders
Signed:
Claimed:
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Kazmeir Allen, CB Chigozie Anusiem, G Julian Good-Jones, QB Sam Hartman, DE Andre Jones Jr., DT Haggai Ndubuisi, RB Chris Rodriguez, OL Max Scharping, WR Mitchell Tinsley, WR Brycen Tremayne, TE Cole Turner, DE Carlos Watkins, RB Michael Wiley
Commanders To Sign WR Noah Brown
Questions have swirled about who the Commanders’ No. 2 wide receiver will be. Another former Cowboys cog will be part of that equation soon.
Noah Brown will be the latest ex-Cowboy to follow Dan Quinn to Washington, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reporting the recently cut Texans wideout is joining the Commanders. This is not a practice squad move; the veteran receiver is joining the active roster. It’s a one-year deal for Brown, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.
A former seventh-round pick by the Cowboys, Brown took until his fifth season in Dallas to truly break out. He finished that campaign with 43 catches for 555 yards and three touchdowns, and he parlayed that performance into a one-year deal from the Texans last offseason.
His lone season in Houston didn’t necessarily go poorly; he still finished with 33 catches for 567 yards and two scores. He re-signed with the organization earlier this offseason but was pushed further down the depth chart following the acquisition of Stefon Diggs, and he found himself among the Texans’ final roster cuts yesterday.
Now, he’ll be joining a Commanders depth chart that has some question marks behind top receiver Terry McLaurin. After trading former first-round pick Jahan Dotson to Philly, the Commanders are left with the likes of Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, Byron Pringle, Jamison Crowder, and rookie third-round pick Luke McCaffrey to fill out the depth chart. Quinn has been busy adding former Cowboys to his new roster in D.C., and while it may take a bit for Brown to get acclimated with his new squad, he should eventually have a clear path to playing time.