Dolphins Trade TE Adam Shaheen To Texans
AUGUST 11: Shaheen has been given a failed physical designation by the Texans due to a pre-existing knee condition, and as a result, the trade has been voided (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe). The issue wasn’t serious enough to cost Shaheen any time during training camp, but he will now return to the Dolphins.
AUGUST 9: The Dolphins acquired tight end Adam Shaheen via trade and have now moved on from him in the same manner. Per a team announcement, they have sent Shaheen and a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Texans for a 2023 sixth-rounder. 
The 27-year-old was a second-round pick of the Bears in 2017. Over the course of three seasons in Chicago, he racked up 25 starts out of 55 games played, but never registered more than 12 catches in any one campaign. By sending him to Miami in 2020, the Bears managed to get a seventh-round pick in return instead of cutting him outright, but that deal nevertheless represented a disappointing end to his tenure there.
In his first season with the Dolphins, the Ashland alum set a new career-high in snaps played with 367. He also registered a PFF grade of 66, another personal watermark. That earned him a two-year extension, but he once again played a depth role on offense in 2021. Finding himself on the roster bubble again, Shaheen has now been traded in an almost identical situation to 2020.
The Dolphins have Mike Gesicki at the top of their TE depth chart. He will play on the franchise tag this year, but should be an extension priority next offseason given his production. Behind him, they still roster Durham Smythe, Cethan Carter and 2021 third-rounder Hunter Long.
In Houston, Shaheen will join a rebuilding Texans’ offense short on established pass-catchers. Veteran Pharaoh Brown was recently reported to be the team’s starting TE to begin the season; he, along with recent fifth-rounders Brevin Jordan and Teagan Quitoriano form the competition for snaps and targets Shaheen will now face in a contract year.
Patriots RB James White To Retire
Injury questions have clouded James White‘s timetable for months now. Although White re-signed with the Patriots on a two-year deal this offseason, the veteran receiving back will instead walk away from the game.
The eight-year veteran announced Thursday (via Twitter) he will retire. White, 30, sustained a severe hip injury in September 2021 and had not resumed practicing. One of the steadier Pats skill-position players of the Bill Belichick era, White was uncertain to regain the form that made him a trusted passing-down back. But he will retire as a key member of four Patriots Super Bowl teams. Three of those won championships, one doing so with significant White contributions.
White followed in the footsteps of Kevin Faulk, Danny Woodhead and Shane Vereen. While Woodhead and Vereen enjoyed nice runs as Tom Brady outlet options, White lasted much longer in the role. The Patriots valued White to the point they signed him to four contracts as a pro. The most recent, coming in March of this year, was worth $5MM.
The Wisconsin alum will be best known for his work in Super Bowl LI, arguably the signature night for the Belichick-Brady Patriots. While Brady understandably ran away with MVP honors, White scored three touchdowns in a performance that doubled as one of the greatest aerial displays by a running back in NFL history. The former fourth-round pick caught 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons. White added six carries for 29 yards and two scores — the last of which being a walk-off TD to end the only overtime game in Super Bowl history. White’s 5-yard TD reception began the Patriots’ rally from a 28-3 deficit; his 1-yard run late in the fourth quarter (preceding Danny Amendola‘s two-point conversion) sent the game to overtime.
Vereen was still in place during White’s rookie season, minimizing the latter’s role in the Pats’ Super Bowl XLIX-winning campaign, but the Pats let Vereen walk in free agency in 2015. White took over and held the gig for the better part of the next seven years. White surpassed 400 receiving yards from 2015-19, topping out with 751 during the Pats’ most recent Super Bowl year (2018). From 2015-20, no running back topped White’s 3,161 receiving yards.
But White’s 2021 signaled a clear turning point. He suffered a hip subluxation injury in Week 3 of last season and landed on the Pats’ active/PUP list to start training camp. His Week 1 availability and 2022 role altogether were in doubt because of the malady. The Pats’ final White contract only guaranteed him $500K, giving the team options in case its trusted passing-down option could not recover from the injury.
New England drafted two backs this year — Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong — and returns starter Damien Harris and second-year contributor Rhamondre Stevenson. None of these players caught more than 20 passes last season. With Brandon Bolden(41 catches in 2021) following Josh McDaniels to Las Vegas, a questions as to who will pick up White’s job will linger for New England.
White, whose top contract came in 2017 (four years, $12MM), retires as one of the most prolific pass-catching running backs in playoff history. His 59 receptions rank fourth all time for running backs in the postseason, behind only Thurman Thomas, Tony Nathan and Roger Craig. White’s 381 regular-season catches rank eighth in Patriots history, just behind Faulk — a 13-year veteran who finished with 431 career grabs.
Saints Cut RB Malcolm Brown
Malcolm Brown‘s stint with the Saints ultimately lasted less than a month. The veteran running back was released today, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter). The Saints also signed quarterback K.J. Costello (via Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football on Twitter) and safety Jack Koerner (per Sean Fazende of FOX8 in New Orleans on Twitter), and they waived/injured defensive back Bryce Thompson (via Wilson).
Brown spent the first six years of his career with the Rams, spending most of his tenure as the number-two running back behind Todd Gurley. A rookie Cam Akers and second-year Darrell Henderson led the Rams in carries in 2020, but Brown still saw the most work of his career. He finished that campaign with 581 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 124 touches. He joined the Dolphins last offseason and started three of his seven appearances, collecting 135 yards and one score. He landed on IR in late October and didn’t see the field again that season.
Alvin Kamara‘s status is still uncertain, but the Saints must feel comfortable with the rest of their RB depth. That grouping is led by Mark Ingram and also includes Dwayne Washington, Tony Jones Jr., and Devine Ozigbo.
Costello, who split his collegiate career between Stanford and Mississippi State, went undrafted in 2021. He had a brief offseason stint with the Raiders last year before joining the USFL back in May. Koerner, an undrafted rookie out of Iowa, joined the Saints earlier this offseason but was waived in May. Thompson spent much of the 2021 campaign on New Orleans’ practice squad, although he did get into two games with the Saints. A lower leg injury will likely keep him sidelined for a bit, and assuming he goes unclaimed, he’ll land on the Saints injured reserve.
49ers Sign CB Ken Crawley
The 49ers have added a veteran defensive back. The team announced that they’ve signed cornerback Ken Crawley to a one-year deal. To make room on the roster, the 49ers waived/injured safety Leon O’Neal Jr.
Crawley has managed to stick around the NFL for six years despite going undrafted in 2016. He got into 38 games (23 starts) for the Saints between 2016 and 2018, including a 2017 campaign where he compiled 54 tackles and 17 passes defended. He was waived by New Orleans during the 2019 campaign, and after fishing the season with the Dolphins, he had offseason/preseason stints with the Raiders and Cardinals.
He ended up re-signing with the Saints for the 2020 season, and he saw time in 12 games over the past two campaigns in New Orleans. He had a minor role on both defense and special teams this past year.
Charvarius Ward is expected to be sidelined for the next few weeks, and Emmanuel Moseley is currently dealing with his own injury. Crawley is likely being added for some extra depth, but he could earn a roster spot with a strong training camp and preseason.
O’Neal Jr. suffered a strained groin that ultimately cost him his job. The Texas A&M product joined the 49ers this offseason as an undrafted free agent, and he could end up landing on the team’s IR if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/10/22
Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from NFI: OL La’el Collins
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB JaQuan Hardy
- Placed on IR: WR Jakeem Grant (story), LB Silas Kelly
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB JaQuan Hardy, RB Stevie Scott
- Waived/injured: RB Tyreik McAllister
- Placed on IR: OLB Christopher Allen
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: S Micah Abernathy, RB Dexter Williams
- Released: LS Steven Wirtel
- Waived/injured: WR Osirus Mitchell
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB B.J. Emmons
- Placed on IR: RB Darius Anderson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DL Auzoyah Alufohai
- Waived/injured: DL Jeremiah Ledbetter
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Chris Lacy
- Released: WR Jordan Veasy
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: RB DeAndre Torrey
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed off waivers (from Jets): DE Hamilcar Rashed
- Waived/injured: LB Ulysees Gilbert
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Jameson Houston
- Waived: OL Keenan Forbes
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: S Michael Griffin II
Bears Activate LB Roquan Smith
Roquan Smith‘s stay on the Bears’ active/PUP list is over. The team activated the disgruntled linebacker Wednesday. This opens the door to Smith practicing or following through with his hold-in measure.
The fifth-year defender requested a trade out of Chicago on Tuesday morning, accusing the Bears of not negotiating in good faith. Prior to Smith going on the PUP list, however, he was planning to attend practices but not participate — a tactic that is becoming standard procedure for players in negotiations or those upset about their contracts.
Indeed, Smith is not expected to practice with his teammates, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds (via Twitter). Teams can still fine players for attending practice and not practicing, but they have largely been reluctant to do so during the three-year run of hold-ins.
Bears GM Ryan Poles said the plan remains for the team to extend the standout middle linebacker, despite Smith’s trade request indicating he does not see a reasonable path back to his former role in the middle of Chicago’s defense. Smith’s Pro Bowl-less resume aside, he is one of the league’s top off-ball ‘backers. The two-time second-team All-Pro has not proven to be the best at his position, but that distinction does not stop players from commanding top dollar. It may well be pausing the Bears’ negotiations with their agent-less talent.
The Bears did shed four notable defender contracts this offseason, but they still have veterans Eddie Jackson and Robert Quinn on the payroll. The franchise, after building a top-tier defense around Khalil Mack, has decided to rebuild. Smith is undoubtedly angling to not only become the Bears’ highest-paid player but surpass Shaquille Leonard‘s $19.7MM-per-year contract, which currently tops the off-ball linebacker market.
This activation will prevent Smith from being placed on the reserve/PUP list to start the season, ratcheting up this situation. A 2023 franchise tag does not seem especially realistic, with on- and off-ball linebackers grouped together on the tag. The 25-year-old defender would generate trade interest. The Bears can also up their offer — something Smith said the team has been reluctant to do — to a player who stands to be a long-term cornerstone. Teams with receivers holding in resolved those situations recently. Deebo Samuel, D.K. Metcalf and Diontae Johnson are all back at work after signing big-ticket extensions.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/9/22
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Cortez Davis
- Released: CB Nate Brooks
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on IR: DL Bryce Rodgers
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- Waived: LB Silas Kelly
Indianapolis Colts
- Released via injury settlement: WR John Hurst
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB EJ Perry
- Waived: QB Kyle Sloter
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from PUP list: CB Rashad Fenton
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from PUP list: DE Marcus Davenport (story)
- Signed: DE T.J. Carter
- Placed on IR: LB D’Marco Jackson and CB Dylan Mabin
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Chris Glaser
- Released: DE Hamilcar Rashed and OL Parker Ferguson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: DE T.D. Moultry
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: S Elijah Benton and S Adrian Colbert
- Waived: CB Kenneth George
- Waived (injury designation): S Michael Griffin
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Matt Cole
Perry’s interesting post-draft NFL journey continues. Initially slated to join the Eagles as a UDFA, he ended up signing with the Jaguars days later. Then, in July, he was waived (with an injury designation) to make room for Sloter’s addition. Perry has obviously recovered, as the two have now swapped placed once more.
Fenton was one of four Chiefs placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp. That came as little surprise at the time, but his return to practice will be a welcomed sight in Kansas City’s secondary. NFL Network’s James Palmer tweets that Fenton’s preseason availability remains a question mark, but that he is still expected to be fully recovered in time for the regular season.
Jackson was a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft at a position which has been in flux throughout the offseason in New Orleans. The 24-year-old had a highly productive final season in particular at Appalachian State, posting 119 tackles, 20 TFLs and six sacks. He will now have to wait until 2023 to carve out a depth role in the middle of the Saints’ defense.
Saints Activate DE Marcus Davenport
Marcus Davenport has had an eventful offseason with respect to health in 2022, but the Saints defensive end took a significant step towards being available once again. Per a team announcement, he has been activated, and was back on the practice field Tuesday. 
“I want to say this was a good first day,” Davenport said, via Michael Hull of the team’s website. “It’s just one of those things on the process… I still have more to push through. At this point, I’m really just in the process of getting back, getting acclimated, seeing whatever comes up from actually playing football.”
It was revealed in June that the 25-year-old underwent a total of five offseason surgeries to fix knee, shoulder and finger issues. Those procedures added to the list of ailments Davenport has dealt with in his relatively brief NFL career; through four seasons in the league, he has played in no more than 13 contests in any one campaign.
Not surprisingly, the former first-rounder opened training camp on the PUP list. His return marks a positive development, though, as he looks to continue the form he showed in 2021. Despite playing only 11 games (and seeing the field for less than two-thirds of the team’s defensive snaps), he set new career-highs in sacks (nine) and tackles (39). Matching or improving upon those numbers would be crucial for the Saints’ defense.
A strong season would also, of course, do wonders for Davenport financially. He restructured his contract to help the Saints get cap compliant, but his future beyond this season is unclear. With 2022 being the final non-void year of his contract, the UTSA alum could play his way into a significant second deal in the event of a productive (but, more importantly, healthy) campaign. Today’s news is an encouraging sign that he will have the opportunity to put one together.
Chiefs To Sign DT Danny Shelton
One day after working out with one of their division rivals, Danny Shelton is headed to Kansas City. The Chiefs are signing the veteran defensive tackle to a one-year deal, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). 
The soon-to-be 29-year-old auditioned for the Raiders yesterday, but has landed a contract elsewhere in the AFC West. The former first-rounder had an underwhelming one-year stint with the Giants last season, where he didn’t register any starts and logged a career-low snap share of 29%.
Prior to that, he had a more true-to-form stay in Detroit, where he was a full-time starter. That came one season after he posted a career-high three sacks and 61 tackles with New England in 2019. The journeyman has established himself as a capable run defender over the course of his career, but hasn’t developed into the disruptive presence in the passing game that he was drafted to be.
Shelton – who also worked out for the Panthers this offseason – represents the second recent veteran addition to the Chiefs’ front seven. Kansas City added edge rusher Carlos Dunlap on a one-year pact worth up to $8MM less than two weeks ago. On the defensive interior, Shelton will be joined by the likes of Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi. He figures to carry a rotational workload given the presence of Jones in particular, but he has demonstrated an ability over the course of his career to log starter’s snaps as well.
With Shelton in the fold, the Chiefs have another capable piece in place as they continue to remodel their defense. They entered the day with more than $9MM in cap space, but after Shelton’s performance in 2021, this deal shouldn’t eat too much into that figure.
Cowboys To Bring Back K Brett Maher
The Cowboys’ Tuesday kicker workout has concluded, and it will lead to a transaction. The team will circle back to Brett Maher, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets.
Dallas’ kicker from 2018-19, Maher spent last season with the Saints. Kicking in eight Saints games last season, Maher lasted longer than New Orleans’ other batch of Wil Lutz replacements did last season. And the Division II product will attempt to secure a second Cowboys stint that lasts into the regular season. Maher went 16-for-18 on field goal tries during his eight-game Saints run — one that ended in February when the team released him.
To make room on their 90-man roster, the Cowboys are waiving rookie Jonathan Garibay. The Texas Tech UDFA struggled during training camp. Tuesday’s transactions will bring about a competition between two inexperienced 30-something specialists. Both current Cowboy kickers have kicked in Canada. Hajrullahu, 32, played in the CFL from 2014-19; Maher, also 32, did so from 2013-16 and again in 2018.
Maher, who joined Matt Ammendola and Cole Murphy in Tuesday morning’s workout, will vie with Lirim Hajrullahu to succeed Greg Zuerlein as the Cowboys’ kicker. Dallas cut Zuerlein in March, leading him to the Jets. The team initially cut Maher back in 2019, signing Zuerlein not long after, but the parties will link up again.
Maher, 32, did not kick in 2020, though he remained a workout-circuit fixture, but his late-2010s Dallas tenure was one of the more memorable short kicker stints in recent memory. Maher’s 63-yard field goal as a Cowboy in 2019 represents a team record. He made two other 60-plus-yard tries, making him the only kicker to boot three field goals from beyond 60 yards in NFL history. The Cowboys, however, ousted him after he made 66% of his 2019 attempts (20-for-30).