NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/22/22
Today’s lone practice squad move:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: WR Tyron Johnson
The 26-year-old found himself on the Raiders’ 53-man roster earlier this month, but was waived and quickly re-signed to the taxi squad. In 2022, his second year with the Raiders, Johnson has made two appearances, but seen just seven total snaps’ worth of action.
Lions Place WR DJ Chark On IR
DJ Chark has not seen the field since Week 3, and is not close to a return. The Lions announced on Saturday that the veteran wideout has been placed on IR. 
The move guarantees that Chark will not be able to return for another month, and adds to the disappointment of his debut season in Detroit. The 26-year-old signed a one-year deal in March, as the team made a number of moves aimed at upgrading its aerial attack. Even with first-round rookie Jameson Williams yet to be activated, that improvement has taken place so far, as the Lions rank eighth in the NFL in passing yards per game (272).
Chark, however, has played a small role in that early success. The former Pro Bowler scored a touchdown in Week 1, but was held without a catch the following week. Overall, he has totaled 98 yards on seven receptions in 2022, a year in which he looked to put availability troubles behind him after an ankle injury limited him to four contests last season.
“I’m not really too comfortable speaking too deep into the detail of [the injury], just because I’m trying to figure out everything myself,” Chark said when speaking to the media, during which time he was seen in a walking boot. “But I definitely will be back this year for sure.”
Without their top free agent signing, the Lions will move forward with Josh Reynolds and Amon-Ra St. Brown as their top wideouts, along with tight end T.J. Hockenson as a focal point of their pass-catching corps. Chark is joined by cornerback Bobby Price on IR.
In more positive news, the team also confirmed that rookie defensive Josh Paschal and second-round corner Jerry Jacobs have been activated from the PUP list. Coming off of their bye week, the Lions will look to earn their second win of the year on Sunday against the Cowboys.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/22/22
Here are the league’s minor moves going into Week 7:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Cornell Armstrong
- Placed on IR: WR Jared Bernhardt
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: CB Daryl Worley
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Devon Kennard
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: C Pat Elflein
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from PUP: LB Joe Bachie
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Tyler Shelvin
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: DT Carlos Watkins
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Malik Davis, TE Sean McKeon
- Placed on IR: OL Matt Waletzko
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: WR Maurice Alexander
- Promoted from practice squad: K Michael Badgley, WR Brandon Zylstra
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Ethan Fernea, WR Dezmon Patmon
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from reserve/suspended by commissioner: LB Willie Gay
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Dicaprio Bootle, WR Marcus Kemp
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Javelin Guidry
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: WR Michael Bandy
- Promoted from practice squad: K Taylor Bertolet
- Placed on IR: RB Joshua Kelley
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: OL Brandon Shell
- Promoted from practice squad: S Verone McKinley III, DL Ben Stille
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: OLB Quincy Roche
- Promoted from practice squad: S Landon Collins, DE Ryder Anderson
- Placed on IR: OLB Azeez Ojulari
New York Jets
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Kenny Yeboah
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Dontae Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Bruce Irvin, CB Xavier Crawford
- Placed on IR: CB Isaiah Dunn
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: T Josh Wells
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Anthony Chesley, S Nolan Turner
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Joe Schobert, WR Mason Kinsey
Washington Commanders
- Promoted from practice squad: FB Alex Armah, WR Kyric McGowan
Broncos QB Russell Wilson Ruled Out, Brett Rypien Will Start
After Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett initially asserted that quarterback Russell Wilson would be a gametime decision, the first-year head coach decided to exercise caution today and announce that the team would hold back their big-money passer in order to allow his hamstring injury to heal and prevent a lingering issue down the line, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Denver will turn to third-year quarterback Brett Rypien to start in Wilson’s absence. 
Wilson suffered the injury in last week’s overtime loss to the Chargers but was able to stay in and complete the game. Wilson felt he could play this week against the Jets, but Hackett will err on the side of caution and hold him out. Schefter also reports that Wilson’s injury will be re-evaluated next week to determine if he will even be able to return against the Jaguars when the Broncos travel to London.
Rypien will start his first game since his rookie season in 2020. Oddly enough, Rypien’s first start was also against the Jets. Rypien gave the Broncos their first win of the season that year with a performance that showcased both some good and some bad. In the lone start, Rypien completed 19 of 31 passes for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns but also gave away three interceptions. Regardless, he led the Broncos to a nine-point win over the Jets and will hope for a similar outcome tomorrow.
In a related move, the Broncos have used one of their gameday elevations on veteran, journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson to back up Rypien. Johnson started a game as recently as last year, when he subbed in on an injury-riddled Ravens offense that was without Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Johnson put forth an impressive performance in that game completing 28 of 40 pass attempts for 304 yards and two touchdowns, along with one interception.
The team will utilize their second gameday promotion on practice squad long snapper Mitchell Fraboni.
Packers Activate WR Sammy Watkins, Place WR Randall Cobb On IR
It’s one in, one out for the Packers receiving corps. Just as Green Bay is able to activate veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins off of injured reserve, the team has to place its other veteran, Randall Cobb, on IR, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The shuffle continues what has been a struggle for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense. 
Watkins was placed on the reserve list only two weeks into the season in order to deal with hamstring injuries. It was early in the season, but, after a 93-yard day against the Bears, Watkins was looking like a dangerous target for Rodgers. Through two games this season, Watkins was already on pace to have his best season since his early days in Buffalo. Rodgers should feel a bit of relief getting one of his favorite targets from early in the season back.
Cobb stepped up when Watkins went down and became the Packers’ second-leading receiver behind Allen Lazard. Just as Watkins is ready to return, though, Cobb will take his turn on IR. There was a bit of silver-lining reported yesterday as Cobb’s injury was determined not to be a broken ankle, as was initially feared, but a high ankle sprain that will keep him out for an expected “two to six weeks,” as opposed to the initial diagnosis of a season-ending injury.
With Cobb out and rookie second-round pick Christian Watson also dealing with hamstring issues, the Packers will look forward to getting Watkins back in the lineup, but they’ll likely be cautious with his return. Watkins is listed as questionable going into Sunday’s game in Landover, and he will likely have limited participation against the Commanders. Lazard and rookie fourth-round pick Romeo Doubs will be the main targets alongside Watkins with return specialist Amari Rodgers and rookie seventh-round pick Samori Toure filling in where needed.
In a couple other moves leading in the Week 7 slate, the Packers also placed offensive lineman Jake Hanson on IR and promoted outside linebacker La’Darius Hamilton as a gameday elevation.
Browns Activate LB Deion Jones
Deion Jones is set to make his Browns debut tomorrow. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports (on Twitter), the linebacker has been activated from injured reserve. The team has also promoted linebacker Dakota Allen and cornerback Herb Miller from the practice squad, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (on Twitter).
Jones was acquired from Atlanta earlier this month despite sitting on injured reserve. He was soon designated for return, allowing him to practice with his new squad for more than a week. The linebacker underwent shoulder surgery back in May, a move that ended up temporarily halting trade talks. While his salary was apparently a concern for some suitors, Jones and Cleveland later agreed to a reworked contract that will make the veteran a free agent at the end of the season.
The linebacker spent the first six seasons of his career in Atlanta, including a 2021 campaign where he collected 137 tackles. The Browns lost veteran linebacker starter Anthony Walker for the season in Week 3, leaving a major hole on their defense. Jacob Phillips has since found himself with a starting gig, and it’ll be interesting to see if he supplants usual starter Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with Jones in the lineup.
Allen has spent the majority of the 2022 season on Cleveland’s practice squad, although he’s been active for a pair of games. The linebacker got into 14 games with the Jaguars last season, collecting nine tackles. Miller has seen time in 11 games for Cleveland over the past two years, including two this year.
Commanders Place QB Carson Wentz On IR
Carson Wentz‘s broken finger will force him to miss at least the next four weeks. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Commanders have placed their starting quarterback on injured reserve.
[RELATED: Commanders Name Taylor Heinicke Week 7 Starting QB]
Rapoport notes that there’s hope Wentz can return to the lineup when first eligible. The veteran QB will be allowed to return from IR in Week 11 against the Texans, meaning he’ll miss the Week 10 MNF matchup against his former team, the Eagles.
Wentz suffered a fractured finger in his throwing hand last Thursday, an injury that ultimately required surgery. The veteran was initially given a return timeline of four to six weeks, but Wentz expressed interest in playing through the injury. That clearly didn’t end up being the case; the QB was already ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Packers, and the Commanders are now putting him on the shelf for the three following games, as well.
Wentz has been inconsistent during his first season in Washington. The 29-year-old has completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,489 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions, although seven of those scores came in the first two weeks. Wentz and the Commanders offense struggled again in Week 6, with the QB only completing 12 of his 22 pass attempts for 99 yards. Coach Ron Rivera made headlines prior to that Week 6 victory when he attributed the team’s place in the NFC East standings to the “quarterback” position, although he later walked back those comments and defended his role in the team’s decision to acquire the QB from Indy.
As our own Adam La Rose previously pointed out, Wentz’s absence could end up impacting the draft picks that the Commanders sent to the Colts. The 2023 third-rounder sent to Indy will convert to a second-rounder if Wentz plays in 70% or more of the Commanders’ snaps this season. Wentz can still hit that mark if he misses four games, but the Commanders would barely have more than a game’s worth of wiggle room remaining.
Taylor Heinicke, who is in his third season with the organization, will take over under center. He dressed for only one regular season contest in 2020, but he made a name for himself in the playoffs in a one-score loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions. That landed him a two-year extension laden with playing-time incentives. He started all but one regular season contest he appeared in last year, going 7-8 and completing 65% of his passes. Washington is also rostering fifth-round rookie Sam Howell.
Texans Place DE Jonathan Greenard On IR
The Texans will be without one of their top pass rushers for the next month-plus. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Houston is placing defensive end Jonathan Greenard on the injured reserve.
The defensive end injured his calf this week during practice. The injury is expected to sideline Greenard for four to six weeks. The pass rusher missed Week 5 with an ankle injury but was expected to be back on the field after Houston’s bye week. Instead, while preparing for Week 7, Greenard suffered an injury that will keep him off the field for at least the next four games.
The 2020 third-round pick made a name for himself in 2021. In 12 starts for Houston, Greenard finished with 33 tackles, eight sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. Through four games this season, he collected 1.5 sacks and five tackles for loss, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 78th among 116 qualifying edge rushers. The 25-year-old graded out much better in the past, ranking 11th in 2021.
When Greenard was out of the lineup in Week 5, Mario Addison made his season debut and ended up playing 64 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. Rasheem Green has also seen his role grow, culminating in him seeing a season-high in defensive snaps in Week 5. The duo will likely fill in for Greenard at defensive end opposite Jerry Hughes, with Demone Harris and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo also there to soak up some snaps.
Lions Sign P Jack Fox To Extension
The Lions have extended one of their key special teamers. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Detroit has signed Jack Fox to a three-year extension.
The deal is worth $3.775MM annually, making him the highest-paid punter in the NFL. Seahawks punter Michael Dickson previously paced the position with a $3.67MM AAV. Fox will also get $7MM guaranteed, which only trails Dickson ($7.5MM) among punters.
Per Rapoport, the organization used their Week 6 bye to negotiate a new contract with Fox. The 26-year-old was set to hit restricted free agency following the season.
The 2019 undrafted free agent out of Rice originally joined the Chiefs out of college before catching on with the Lions. After sitting on the practice squad for much of his rookie year, he got into 16 games in 2020, earning himself a second-team All-Pro spot and a Pro Bowl nod. He got into 17 games for Detroit last season, averaging 48.8 yards per punt. He re-signed with the Lions after the 2021 campaign.
In five games this year, Fox’s 16 punts have traveled a distance of 48.8 yards, good for ninth in the NFL. While Pro Football Focus only ranks him 23rd among 32 punters at the moment, Fox graded much more favorably through his first two years in the league (including a #1 ranking in 2020).
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/21/22
Here are the day’s only practice squad moves:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Washington Commanders
- Signed: CB Troy Apke
Apke returns to Washington after being released just over two weeks ago. At his peak, Apke earned the starting free safety job for Washington over Sean Davis after filling in some during the prior year for injured starter Montae Nicholson. After struggling at the position, Apke lost the starting job and transitioned to cornerback. His role since losing the starting safety job has mostly been on special teams, where he had been a contributor earlier on in his career.