Commanders Place LB Jon Bostic On IR
It looks like Jon Bostic will finish a second straight season on IR. The Commanders moved the veteran linebacker to their injured list Friday, sidelining him for four games.
A pectoral injury will sideline Bostic, who has played in all 15 Washington games this season. It is unknown if Bostic suffered a significant pec injury, like he did last season. His previous such issue cost him 13 games in 2021.
This further depletes a Washington linebacking corps that is already without Cole Holcomb, the team’s top tackler last season. The contract-year defender has been out since Week 7 and has undergone foot surgery. Holcomb’s 446 snaps are still the second-most among Washington linebackers, behind only Jamin Davis‘ total. Bostic, who signed a one-year deal for the league minimum to return to D.C., has been on the field for 263 defensive plays this season.
The Commanders have used the 10th-year defender as a part-time starter; Bostic has started in five of the team’s past seven games and has totaled 25 tackles this season. Bostic, 31, has been with the team for the past four seasons. He made his way back to Washington late this summer, after his training camp agreement with the Saints did not lead to a spot on New Orleans’ 53-man roster.
Having seen game action for five teams since being a second-round Bears draftee in 2013, Bostic has made Washington his primary NFL stop. The ex-Florida Gator has started 40 games for Washington over the past four seasons. Washington also signed linebacker De’Jon Harris from its practice squad and signed cornerback Troy Apke to its taxi squad.
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Retires
Veteran NFL safety Ha’Sean “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix reportedly joined his former team in order to retire today, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Clinton-Dix has effectively been out of the league for over a year now and has decided to hang up his cleats at 30 years old. 
Clinton-Dix was a first-round draft pick after electing to forgo his remaining eligibility at Alabama back in 2014. In the draft process, Clinton-Dix was often compared against Louisville safety Calvin Pryor for the title of the draft’s top safety prospect. After the Packers did not re-sign free safety M.D. Jennings, the team selected Clinton-Dix to come in and compete with then-second-year safety Micah Hyde for the starting spot at free safety alongside strong safety Morgan Burnett.
Hyde would win the starting job to start the season, but Clinton-Dix would receive plenty of playing time to start his rookie season as a fifth defensive back. It didn’t take long for Clinton-Dix to push Hyde for the starting role, though, earning his first start only seven weeks into the year. Clinton-Dix would refuse to relinquish the starting job from then on, starting every game for whatever team he would play on after that all the way through the 2019 season.
Clinton-Dix played nearly all of the remainder of his rookie contract as the Packers’ starting safety in tandem with Burnett. As a Packer, Clinton-Dix would haul in 14 interceptions, including a 2016 Pro Bowl season that would see him intercept five passes. He also proved himself to be a physical safety for Green Bay’s defense, leading the team in 2015 with 100 total tackles.
After exercising his fifth-year option, the Packers would trade Clinton-Dix halfway through his fifth year in the league to Washington. After playing out the remainder of his rookie deal in DC, Clinton-Dix signed a one-year contract with the Bears, with whom he would nab two more interceptions as a full-time starter. These games in Chicago would end up being the last starts, and the last significant playing time, of his career.
Clinton-Dix reunited with former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas and was expected to take over at safety for the Cowboys after the loss of Jeff Heath. Unfortunately for Clinton-Dix, he was soon passed up by Darian Thompson on the depth chart and released just prior to the regular season. After sitting out the 2020 season following his release from the Cowboys, Clinton-Dix would spend a couple weeks of the offseason in San Francisco before being released prior to the 2021 season. He would be signed to the Raiders practice squad. He would appear in two games for Las Vegas off of the practice squad, playing only on special teams. Clinton-Dix was released in December and spent the short remainder of the season on Denver’s practice squad.
Over 13 months after making his last appearance on an NFL field, Clinton-Dix announced his retirement today, signing a one-day contract to end his career in his original NFL home of Green Bay.
Raiders Place CB Rock Ya-Sin On IR
The Raiders’ depth at cornerback isn’t appearing to improve anytime soon after the team placed Rock Ya-Sin on injured reserve. Ya-Sin is now one of six defensive starters on the Raiders IR joining cornerback Anthony Averett, linebackers Jayon Brown, Divine Deablo, and Denzel Perryman, and defensive end Chandler Jones. 
Ya-Sin was acquired during the offseason in a rare straight-up trade with the Colts in exchange for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Ya-Sin and free agent addition Averett were going to be relied upon heavily this season as Las Vegas looked to replace two starting cornerbacks from 2021. Casey Hayward departed in free agency for the Falcons while Trayvon Mullen was traded just prior to the start of the 2022 season in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick that would only turn into a sixth if Mullen was active for the final two weeks of the NFL season. Considering he’s on the inactive list tonight for the Cowboys, it’s safe to say that the pick Las Vegas received from Arizona in the trade will remain a seventh rounder.
Ya-Sin and Averett both stepped up to the plate, starting games alongside returning starter Nate Hobbs, to start the year. Injuries would affect both athletes’ seasons, though. Averett missed four straight weeks after getting knocked out of the season opener and has missed the team’s last four contests dating back to the start of December. Ya-Sin hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury in a Week 13 win over the Chargers. With the Raiders on the brink of elimination from postseason contention, Ya-Sin’s 2022 season could be over, barring a series of miracles that find Las Vegas in the playoffs for the second straight season.
Since Ya-Sin’s recent injury, the Raiders have experimented a bit with whom to start across from Hobbs. The first game without Ya-Sin saw the team start undrafted rookie Sam Webb, utilizing Tyler Hall, an undrafted player from 2021, as a fifth defensive back when needed. The next week, Las Vegas started veteran Sidney Jones and fifth defensive back Hall, but utilized Amik Robertson the most opposite Hobbs. In their most recent game, Robertson got the start as Hall continued his fifth-man role.
In those games, the Raiders’ cornerback group hasn’t been challenged too much with games against Baker Mayfield, Mac Jones, and Kenny Pickett. Expect that to change as the Raiders are set to face the 49ers and rookie Brock Purdy, who are firing on all cylinders, and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/22
Here are today’s minor moves from around the league, including the Cowboys’ and Titans’ standard gameday elevations for the season’s last Thursday Night game:
Buffalo Bills
- Designated to return from IR: CB Christian Benford
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: C Brock Hoffman, RB Qadree Ollison
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Ravens practice squad: RB Tyler Badie
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: OLB Sam Okuayinonu, LB Andre Smith, RB Jonathan Ward
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Zack Johnson, DL Jayden Peevy
Badie is a rookie sixth-round pick that failed to make the Ravens initial 53-man roster. The 22-year-old had a breakout senior season at Mizzou that saw him rush for 1,604 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 330 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, as well. After being waived in the team’s final roster cuts before the season, Badie signed to the Ravens practice squad, where he’s remained all season. Badie adds to the quantity of the Broncos’ room of running backs that currently holds Latavius Murray, Chase Edmonds, and Marlon Mack, as well as fullback Andrew Beck.
The three Titans’ signees are filling roster spots vacated by quarterback Ryan Tannehill and linebackers Bud Dupree and Zach Cunningham, all of whom were placed on injured reserve today.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/29/22
Today’s taxi squad moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Ra’Shaun Henry
- Placed on practice squad IR: WR Emeka Emezie
Detroit Lions
- Signed: T Jarrid Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Keke Coutee
- Released: TE Dominique Dafney
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Malik Taylor
- Released: S Kai Nacua
Titans Place Ryan Tannehill, Bud Dupree, Zach Cunningham On IR
While Ryan Tannehill had been attempting to find a way to come back from his nagging ankle injury this season, the Titans are effectively shutting that effort down.
Tennessee placed Tannehill on IR on Thursday, and linebackers Bud Dupree and Zach Cunningham will join him on the league’s most populated IR list. All three players must miss a minimum of four games. Given the direction of Tennessee’s season, each is almost certainly done.
Mike Vrabel had attempted to go week to week with his starting quarterback, but a report last week indicated the ankle aggravation Tannehill suffered in Los Angeles was set to end his season. Tannehill, who missed two games with the ankle ailment earlier this year, went down again against the Chargers in Week 15 and needed to be carted off the field. He somehow managed to come back against the Bolts, scoring a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Tannehill, 34, underwent ankle surgery last week but had maintained efforts to potentially come back again. Instead, it will be Joshua Dobbs — signed last week off the Lions’ practice squad — taking the reins against the Cowboys tonight. It is uncertain if the Titans are merely going to Dobbs because of a conservation effort for a do-or-die Week 18 matchup against the Jaguars or if Malik Willis has indeed been benched. Willis has made three starts in relief of Tannehill but has struggled throughout his rookie year.
The Titans have Tannehill signed to a four-year, $118MM extension that runs through next season. The former Dolphins top-10 pick is due a $27MM base salary and is set to count more than $36MM against Tennessee’s cap. Tannehill is attached to a $38.6MM 2022 cap hit and has played with a far worse receiving situation compared to his previous Titans slates. Over the past two offseasons, the Titans have let Corey Davis walk and traded A.J. Brown. Ready replacements — a concern at this season’s outset — have not emerged, playing a major role in the team’s five-game losing streak.
Tennessee would save nearly $19MM by trading or releasing Tannehill next year, with that number rising with a post-June 1 release designation. Then again, the Titans have not exactly seen much from Willis — a third-round pick this year — to indicate he would be ready to take over. This season has marked Tannehill’s first injury-marred campaign with Tennessee. Knee injuries hounded the Texas A&M product in Miami, but since replacing Marcus Mariota in October 2019, Tannehill did not miss a game as a Titan until this season.
Dupree has been unable to escape injuries as a Titan. Signed to a lucrative deal despite coming off a November 2020 ACL tear, Dupree has missed 10 games with Tennessee. The former first-round pick has totaled just seven sacks in two seasons with the Titans, who needed more from the ex-Steeler after Harold Landry went down with an ACL tear just before the season. A chest injury will lead Dupree to IR this time.
The Titans just activated Cunningham from IR last week, bringing him back after he missed time with an elbow injury. He will head back to the injured list with an elbow injury. Tennessee claimed Dupree off waivers from Houston late last season and has used him exclusively as a starter. Injuries, however, will limit Cunningham to six games this season. The former second-round pick will likely become a cap-casualty candidate; the Titans could save more than $9MM by releasing the 28-year-old defender next year.
In addition to Tannehill, Dupree and Cunningham, Tennessee’s IR contingent includes the following players: Landry, Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, David Long, Elijah Molden, Caleb Farley, Dillon Radunz and Terrance Mitchell. Amy Adams Strunk cited the team’s recent injury problems as a reason for GM Jon Robinson‘s ouster months after his extension. After using an NFL-record 91 players last season, the Titans will end this one approaching that mark.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/22
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Pharoh Cooper, DL Manny Jones
- Placed on IR: S Budda Baker (story), DT Trysten Hill
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return: WR Jared Bernhardt
- Placed on IR: OL Chuma Edoga
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: WR Tylan Wallace
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to season-ending IR: WR Quintez Cephus
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: CB Darrell Baker Jr.
- Placed on IR: CB Isaiah Rodgers Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: DT Jeremiah Ledbetter
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: DE Isaac Rochell, LB Harvey Langi
- Placed on IR: DE Chandler Jones, LB Denzel Perryman (story)
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Cardinals): OL Wyatt Davis
- Signed off Lions’ practice squad: LB Jarrad Davis
- Placed on IR: OL Shane Lemieux
- Waived: TE Chris Myarick
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Designated for return: CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return: CB Isaiah Dunn
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: RB Jonathan Ward
Washington Commanders
- Designated for return: CB Tariq Castro-Fields, TE Armani Rogers
Vikings Designate TE Irv Smith Jr. For Return, Activate RB Ty Chandler
The Vikings pulled off one of the more notable trades during this year’s deadline to help offset the loss of Irv Smith Jr. The fourth-year tight end could be back in the fold, soon however. 
Smith was designated for return from IR on Wednesday, per a team announcement. That opened up the 24-year-old’s three-week window to be activated and allowed him to practice for the first time since October. Smith suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 8, leading to his extended absence.
That represented the latest in a long line of availability concerns for the former second-rounder, who missed the entire 2021 campaign due to a meniscus tear. It also dealt another blow to his free agent value, something of particular concern as he is a pending free agent. Most importantly, though, it drove Minnesota to swing a midseason deal with Detroit for two-time Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson to replace him.
Hockenson has been as advertised since his arrival in Minnesota. The former top-ten pick has racked up 52 catches, 444 yards and three touchdowns in eight games with his new NFC North employer. Given that level of production, not to mention to presence of wideouts Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn as competition for targets, it will be interesting to see how much of a role Smith is able to carve out down the stretch.
The Vikings will also have more depth in the backfield to close out the regular season. Minnesota activated rookie running back Ty Chandler; they needed to do so today to avoid having him revert to season-ending IR. The fifth-rounder has played in two games this season, both of which came in October. He has exclusively seen time on special teams so far, but could provide insurance behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison if necessary.
The Vikings have five IR activations remaining on the year, though Smith will account for one of those in the near future. His return will give a boost to what is already the league’s fifth-ranked passing offense as Minnesota looks to turn their relatively healthy roster into a deep playoff run.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/28/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LS Hunter Bradley, CB Jordan Miller, CB Chris Wilcox
- Activated from practice squad IR: OL Lachavious Simmons
- Placed on practice squad IR: CB Nate Hairston
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from practice squad IR: WR Jared Bernhardt, OL Justin Shaffer
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DT Christian Ringo
- Terminated: RB Tyler Badie
Chicago Bears
- Signed: CB Greg Stroman Jr.
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB David Vereen
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: C Garrison Sanborn
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DL Trent Harris
- Activated from practice squad IR: OL Vitaliy Gurman
- Released: WR Albert Wilson
Bears Claim CB Michael Ojemudia
Jettisoned by the Broncos during a rather eventful week for that franchise, Michael Ojemudia will have another chance. He did not make it too far down the waiver order, either.
The Bears used their No. 2 waiver spot to pick up the third-year defender. Ojemudia’s third-round rookie contract runs through 2023, giving the Bears an offseason to gauge his fit in Matt Eberflus‘ defense. To make room on their 53-man roster, the Bears waived veteran defensive end Taco Charlton.
Ojemudia has only one season to really measure in terms of NFL performance. A Broncos team limited at corner turned to the Iowa alum for 11 starts in 2020. The 6-foot-1 corner allowed a 103.2 passer rating as the closest defender and yielded three touchdowns. Ojemudia’s 852 defensive snaps in 16 games that season were not indicative of his NFL trajectory, with injuries largely defining his next two seasons.
A hamstring injury kept him off the field for most of last season, and a dislocated elbow cost him a chunk of this year’s campaign. Ojemudia, 25, played just one defensive snap for the Broncos this season. The Bears, however, are playing out the string at corner and could use assistance. After placing safety Eddie Jackson on IR, Chicago moved corners Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor to its injured list. All three are out for the season’s remainder.
Charlton, 28, played in five Bears games but did not record a sack. The former first-round pick has seen action with five teams over the past five seasons, moving from Dallas to Miami to Kansas City to Pittsburgh to Chicago.