Eagles Designate Dallas Goedert For Return
Seeing their pass offense take a substantial leap this season, the Eagles are gearing up to have another of Jalen Hurts‘ weapons back soon. They designated Dallas Goedert for return from IR on Wednesday morning.
Goedert has been down with a shoulder injury since Week 10. Having missed four games, the veteran tight end can return to action this week. Although the team has some time (three weeks) to activate the fifth-year pass catcher, a Week 15 return has been in play for a bit now.
Philadelphia has three injury activations remaining. The 12-1 squad has two other key players — C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Robert Quinn — on IR, but neither is eligible to come back. If the Eagles activate Goedert, Gardner-Johnson and Quinn, that will represent their eight-player allotment for the year. Goedert, however, represents a key piece for Philly’s offense and will give Hurts’ MVP campaign another boost.
In nine games to start the season, Goedert was on pace for a career-best slate. Beginning his first season without Zach Ertz in the picture, the highly paid tight end is averaging a career-most 60.4 receiving yards per game. He is at 43 catches for 544 yards and three touchdowns. The former second-round pick represents a key Hurts option alongside A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, though Hurts’ MVP push has not exactly lost steam during Goedert’s absence.
The Division I-FCS product has already totaled four 70-plus-yard receiving games this season, including a 100-yard performance in his most recent full game (Week 9 against the Texans). Despite missing four games, Goedert still ranks sixth among tight ends in receiving yards. In terms of yards per game, only Travis Kelce has more at this position this season.
The Eagles have Goedert tied to a four-year, $57MM deal — agreed to in November of last year. This season doubles as the first year of that pact, one that could look quite team-friendly soon. Drafted shortly after the Eagles won Super Bowl LII, Goedert is on track to help the team claim the NFC’s top seed for the first time since that season.
Browns Place LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah On IR
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah‘s season has effectively come to an end. The Browns announced that they have placed the linebacker on injured reserve.
Owusu-Koramoah suffered a foot injury during Cleveland’s loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. With only four games remaining and JOK eyeing at least a four-game absence, his 2022 campaign has come to end.
The former second-round pick started 10 of his 11 appearances this season, collecting 70 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. This came after a rookie campaign that saw him compile 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles en route to PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. Pro Football Focus ranked Owusu-Koramoah 39th among 82 qualifying linebackers this season, but he ranked top-10 at the position in 2021.
As Anthony Poisal of the team’s website points out, Owusu-Koramoah is the Browns fourth linebacker to land on injured reserve after Anthony Walker Jr. (quad), Jacob Phillips (pectoral), and Sione Takitaki (knee). That leaves Tony Fields II, Jordan Kunaszyk, and Reggie Ragland as the team’s lone LBs on the active roster, meaning at least one of practice squad linebackers Jermaine Carter, Tae Davis, Sam Kamara, and/or Storey Jackson will likely earn a promotion.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/13/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Carson Strong
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Nate Landman
- Released: OL Parker Ferguson
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Cole Beasley (story)
- Released: WR Marquez Stevenson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Tae Hayes
- Released: RB Nate McCrary
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Storey Jackson
Denver Broncos
- Released: DL McTelvin Agim
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: OT Jean Delance, C Michal Menet
- Released: DL Jack Heflin, WR Dede Westbrook
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Gerrid Doaks, WR D.J. Montgomery
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Robert Foster
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Kana’i Mauga, OT Willie Wright
New York Jets
- Signed: DL Marquiss Spencer
- Placed on IR: LB Marcell Harris
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S Anthony Harris, P Brett Kern
- Released: S Marquise Blair, WR Auden Tate
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: QB Kevin Hogan, OL Zach McCloud, G Jordan Roos, WR Jonathan Ward
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/13/22
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Brandin Bryant
- Waived: DT C.J. Brewer
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: DL Daviyon Nixon
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: RB Mike Boone
- Signed off Dolphins’ practice squad: WR Freddie Swain
Houston Texans
- Signed from practice squad: QB Jeff Driskel
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed off practice squad: TE Nikola Kalinic
- Waived: WR Keke Coutee
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed off Broncos’ practice squad: G Netane Muti
- Placed on IR: LB Jayon Brown
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: P Arryn Siposs (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed off Jets’ practice squad: DT Jonathan Marshall
- Signed: LB Olasunkanmi Adeniyi
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: LB Olakunle Fatukasi
Texans RB Dameon Pierce Expected To Miss Time
Week 14 nearly saw the Texans pull off a major upset of the Cowboys, but the more prominent storyline from the game was the exit of running back Dameon Pierce. The standout rookie is likely to miss time as a result of the ankle injury he suffered during the contest. 
Pierce went down with a high ankle sprain, as detailed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The injury is believed to be relatively mild, which could shorten his recovery time. Wilson reports that Pierce could miss one or two games, which would of course constitute a significant portion of the remaining schedule, but still less than the usual timeframe for high ankle sprains. A three-game absence should not be ruled out, per Fox 26’s Mark Berman (on Twitter). That would introduce a shutdown into the equation, given that four games remain.
Any missed time from the Florida product would be acutely felt by the Texans. Pierce leads all rookies with 939 rushing yards, having started each contest this season and quickly establishing himself as Houston’s most consistent offensive contributor. Despite missing some of the game against the Cowboys, the fourth-rounder still managed to record 78 yards on the ground and score his fourth touchdown of the campaign.
Head coach Lovie Smith declined to provide specifics on the extent of Pierce’s injury when speaking to the media. “It will take an awful lot for him not to play, but, if it’s an injury, of course it can,” he said. “Hopefully, it’s short-term. We’ll see.”
Sitting at 1-11-1 on the year, the Texans have no reason to rush their top producer back in the waning stages of the season. They also made a pair of moves relating to the tailbacks which will fill in for him should he miss time. One is the decision to waive Eno Benjamin, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). That comes as somewhat of a surprise, given the fact that Houston claimed the former Cardinal less than one month ago, seemingly giving him a chance at increased playing time. Instead, Benjamin saw the field for just 12 snaps in his two games as a Texan.
Meanwhile, Houston is adding another back in Gerrid Doaks (Twitter link via Wilson). A seventh-round pick of the Dolphins in 2021, the Cincinnati alum has yet to appear in a regular season game. He will join veteran Rex Burkhead and journeyman Dare Ogunbowale in the backfield until Pierce is able to return.
Eagles To Sign S Anthony Harris
Shorthanded on the backend of their secondary, the Eagles are bringing back a familiar face. Philadelphia is set to sign veteran safety Anthony Harris, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
The move comes as little surprise, as Harris visited the Eagles yesterday (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). The 31-year-old played in Philadelphia last season on a one-year deal, which marked his first campaign played outside of Minnesota. His time with the Vikings (which included a league-leading six interceptions in 2019), led to significant expectations.
Harris was a full-time starter in Philadelphia in 2021, and he recorded 72 tackles, one interception and three pass breakups. The acquisition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson from the Saints pointed to Harris being let go, however. The former UDFA was released at the end of August.
That led him to Denver midway through the season, but Harris only saw special teams action. He was unsurprisingly waived by the Broncos, and has remained a free agent since. The Eagles could once again offer him significant playing time on defense, with multiple injuries at safety leaving them thin at the position. Gardner-Johnson is currently sidelined with a lacerated kidney, and Reed Blankenship exited Sunday’s win over the Giants. Garafolo tweets that the latter will not be placed on IR, meaning he is facing a short-term absence.
Still, Harris will be a familiar face for the Eagles as they weigh their replacement options. Marcus Epps is likely to remain a starter, but Harris could compete for playing time with the likes of K’Von Wallace, Andre Chachere and Josiah Scott for snaps alongside him. His first action back with Philadelphia could come as soon as Week 15 against the Bears as the NFC leaders look to move closer to a division title and a first-round bye.
Titans Cut Two Linebackers
The Titans moved on from a pair of linebackers today. The team announced that they’ve waived linebackers Ola Adeniyi and Joe Schobert.
Adeniyi joined the Titans prior to the 2021 campaign. During his first season in Tennessee, the linebacker collected 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks while playing a role on both defense and special teams. After re-signing with the organization this past offseason, the 25-year-old got into two games before being sidelined with a neck injury. He was activated for Week 13 but was a healthy scratch for Week 14, an indication that his spot on the roster could be at risk.
Schobert, a former Pro Bowler with the Browns, joined the Titans’ practice squad in late September. He was signed to the active roster in mid-November and got into six games (one start) for his new squad, compiling 16 tackles.
The Titans added pass rusher Tarell Basham last week and immediately threw him into the fire, with the 28-year-old logging 26 defensive snaps. With Zach Cunningham eyeing a return from injured reserve, pass-rushing snaps were clearly drying up, leading to today’s moves.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/12/22
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Javelin Guidry
Houston Texans
- Released: DL Brandin Bryant
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: G Jordan Meredith
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Michael Dwumfour
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/12/22
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: WR Pharoh Cooper, TE Maxx Williams
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed from practice squad: QB Logan Woodside
- Waived: LB Nate Landman
Los Angeles Rams
- Claimed (from Titans): DL Larrell Murchison
- Placed on IR: WR Jacob Harris
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Jamie Collins, LB Cameron McGrone
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: RB David Johnson
- Waived: G Josh Andrews
Collins began his latest Patriots stint by signing with their practice squad Oct. 3, but the veteran linebacker has only played in one game this season. That also came on a Monday night — against the Bears in October. Monday will be Collins’ 87th game as a Patriot. Stints with the Browns and Lions interrupted this run, but the 2013 second-round pick has re-signed with the Patriots three times.
Marcus Mariota‘s IR move created a need for a new Falcons backup. Woodside, who was with Arthur Smith in Tennessee, will step in behind new starter Desmond Ridder this week. Ridder and Woodside are the only two QBs on Atlanta’s active roster or practice squad presently. Harris sustained a torn pectoral muscle Thursday night and will require surgery. A former fourth-round pick, Harris has bounced on and off the Rams’ active roster this season. He be retained via exclusive rights free agent tender next year.
Falcons Activate OL Elijah Wilkinson From IR, Designate OL Matt Hennessy For Return
Still in the mix for their first NFC South title since 2016, the Falcons made some moves on offense Monday. Multiple offensive linemen are moving back into the picture for the run-oriented squad.
The Falcons activated Elijah Wilkinson from IR and designated Matt Hennessy for return. Even after Wilkinson’s activation, the Falcons still have five injury-return moves remaining. Hennessy has been out of action since Week 9; Wilkinson since Week 8.
[RELATED: Falcons To Place Marcus Mariota On IR]
After a multiyear run as a Broncos spot starter, when he was primarily asked to fill in for Ja’Wuan James due to the latter’s 2019 injury and 2020 opt-out, Wilkinson landed with the Bears last season. Chicago used Wilkinson as a starter just once in 2021, but he won Atlanta’s left guard job out of training camp this year. Wilkinson, 27, has started all seven games he has played this season. A knee injury halted that stretch.
Atlanta’s starting center from 2020-21, Hennessy lost his job to Drew Dalman ahead of this season. The third-year blocker filled in for Wilkinson at guard in Week 9. The Falcons have run out four starting left guards this season. Hennessy, Colby Gossett and ex-Jet Chuma Edoga have seen time since Wilkinson’s injury. The 5-8 team will be better-positioned at this spot in Week 15, particularly if it activates Hennessy by Saturday’s deadline. The Falcons let Jalen Mayfield‘s IR-return window close last week, ending the former third-round pick’s season.
Although the Falcons are in good shape for IR activations, they released Damien Williams from their injured list Monday. The veteran running back, who joined Wilkinson in coming over from the Bears (along with ex-Chicago GM Ryan Pace) this offseason, has been out since September due to a rib injury. Williams is believed to be healthy, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Williams, 30, worked as the Chiefs’ top backfield option between Kareem Hunt and Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s Kansas City stays and played a major role in the team’s Super Bowl LIV-winning push. Williams scored 10 touchdowns between the 2018 and ’19 postseasons. The Chiefs released Williams in 2021, after a COVID-19 opt-out, and he logged 40 carries alongside David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert last season. The Falcons have turned to Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley more in Williams’ absence, and both young players will not see a Williams activation disrupt their roles.