Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/22
Here’s today’s minor transactions from around the league:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Trevon Coley
- Waived: DT Auzoyah Alufohai, S Jon Alexander
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Lavert Hill
- Waived: CB Reggie Robinson (with injury designation)
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Anthony Barr
Detroit Lions
- Activated from active/PUP list: S C.J. Moore
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: DL Cortez Broughton (with injury settlement)
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: P Sterling Hofrichter
- Waived: P Tommy Heatherly
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: S Smoke Monday
New York Giants
- Signed: OT Will Holden
- Waived: DE Niko Lalos, CB Jarren Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on IR: TE Jaeden Graham
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: WR Taysir Mack
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Joel Dublanko
- Released: TE Jake Hausmann
Washington Commanders
- Placed on reserve/retired list: LB Tre Walker
Bears To Sign CB Davontae Harris
The Bears worked out Davontae Harris last night, and they clearly liked what they saw from him. Chicago is signing the journeyman, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter link). 
Harris, 27, was a fifth round pick of the Bengals in 2018. He only lasted one year in Cincinnati, though, signing in Denver the following season. His 23-game tenure with the Broncos remains the longest of his career with any one team, and included seven of his nine total starts.
For the most part, Harris is known for his special teams play. His third phase work (along with limited defensive duties) with the Ravens, who claimed him off waivers late in the 2020 season, earned him a new deal in Baltimore at the end of the campaign. Ultimately, though, he ended up splitting the past year between the Chargers (with whom he started one of five games) and 49ers.
In Chicago, the Illinois State product will look to provide depth behind a young group of starters at corner including the likes of Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor and rookie Kyler Gordon. Fellow veteran Tavon Young is in line to have a role in the slot, but Harris will likely continue to work primarily as a special-teamer.
The Bears entered the day with more than $18MM in cap space, little of which will have been used up by this deal. That would leave plenty of room for further additions, such as Vernon Hargreaves, who headlined yesterday’s workouts, if they remain interested.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/22
Today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Marcell Ateman
- Released: OL Eric Smith
- Activated from PUP: TE Maxx Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Tae Hayes
- Waived: LS Thomas Fletcher
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on PUP: LB Anthony Barr
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Darrius Shepherd
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Austin Trammell
- Waived/injured: TE Kyle Markway
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): DB Nate Meadors
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated off NFI: S Minkah Fitzpatrick
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: TE Jordan Matthews (story)
Washington Commanders
- Signed: CB De’Vante Bausby
- Waived (injury designation): LB Drew White
Saints To Sign LB Kiko Alonso
Despite working out multiple linebackers who have been steady starters over the past two years, the Saints are reuniting with Kiko Alonso. The well-traveled defender has not played since 2019, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) the Saints are giving him another shot. It’s a one-year deal, per ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell (on Twitter).
Going into what would be his age-32 season, Alonso looks to have shown enough at his Thursday workout to vie for a depth role. Once a longtime starter, Alonso has not played since suffering an ACL tear in New Orleans’ wild-card loss to Minnesota in January 2020.
New Orleans also worked out Anthony Hitchens and Jon Bostic on Thursday. Both players have been starters for the past several years. Alonso is the oldest member of the trio to participate in this audition. While the Oregon alum was with the Saints in 2019, he worked as a starter in just four of the 13 games he played with the team. He will follow former Vikings and Eagles defender Eric Wilson in being a Saints veteran linebacker addition this year.
Alonso stormed onto the NFL scene in 2013, producing a standout rookie season that pushed Sheldon Richardson for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors (a 23-19 vote). The first of Alonso’s two ACL tears as a pro stalled that momentum, knocking him out for all of the 2014 season. He then embarked on a rare NFL path, becoming a four-time trade piece.
The Bills traded Alonso to the Eagles, who dealt him to the Dolphins after one season. With Miami, Alonso was a steady starter. He started 46 games with Miami and signed a four-year, $28.9MM extension during the 2017 offseason. During their rebuilding year, one that later became the subject of multiple NFL investigations, the Dolphins made Alonso one of the many veteran exits by dealing him to the Saints for linebacker Vince Biegel. The Saints dealt Alonso to the 49ers in a trade that brought back Kwon Alexander; the 49ers cut Alonso shortly after that November 2020 swap.
With the Saints in 2019, Alonso made 31 tackles (two for loss). Since Alonso’s last regular-season game, the Saints drafted Zack Baun in the 2020 third round and Pete Werner in the 2021 second. The latter profiles as a better bet to start alongside Demario Davis this season. Wilson, 28, started 15 games with the Vikings in 2020 but was cut midway through his lone Eagles season. The sixth-year veteran is pushing for a starting job as well. Alexander, a regular Saints starter from 2020-21, is now with the Jets.
Steelers, Diontae Johnson Agree To Deal
Given the state of contract talks between the two sides, many felt that 2022 would be Diontae Johnson‘s final season in Pittsburgh. Instead, he will be on the books beyond that, as he has agreed to terms on a two-year, $36.71MM extension (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). 
Johnson had one year remaining on his rookie contract, so this deal will keep him in place through 2024. The relatively short term will give him an opportunity to hit the open market while still in his 20s. The extension will bring an end to the former third-rounder’s ‘hold-in’ during training camp, which has helped bring about new deals for a number of wideouts from the decorated WR class of 2019.
Garafolo adds that the contract includes $27MM in guaranteed money, and InsidetheBirds.com’s Adam Caplan tweets it includes a $17.5MM signing bonus. The deal will pay the 26-year-old $19MM in its first year (Twitter link). Overall, the annual average of $18.355MM ranks significantly lower than that of new deals signed by the likes of A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin this offseason. It was clear throughout this process that the Steelers wouldn’t match that level of compensation, with the $20MM-per-year mark being labeled a bar the team was unwilling to clear.
Pittsburgh remained able to come in short of that plateau, but still land the Pro Bowler at a reasonable rate. Having improved in each of his three seasons to date, Johnson eclipsed 1,000 yards last season as the team’s top pass catcher. Assuming he maintains that level of production going forward, a rate fractionally above that of Christian Kirk could prove to be significant value at a position which has seen a skyrocketing market in recent months.
Johnson’s new pact represents the second major extension taken care of by new general manager Omar Khan this offseason. The team already finalized a record-breaking deal with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, leaving them free to turn their attention to Johnson. The lack of substantive progress at any point this offseason – marked by the organization’s insistence that they would not deviate from their internal valuation of the Toledo alum – pointed to Johnson playing out this season and securing a new deal in free agency (which, in all likelihood, would have allowed him to earn notably more than the value of this extension).
Instead, he will continue to operate as the Steelers’ top wideout as they transition to the post-Ben Roethlisberger era at quarterback. Headlining a young offensive nucleus including fellow receivers Chase Claypool and George Pickens, along with running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth, Johnson is set to take another step forward with his financial future now taken care of.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/3/22
Today’s minor moves
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: WR Trevon Clark
Carolina Panthers
- Reverted to IR: WR Andrew Parchment
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Daylen Baldwin
- Waived: S Nate Meadors
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Max Borghi
- Placed on IR: RB Damarea Crockett, WR Tim Patrick (story)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Maurice Alexander
- Waived/injured: RB Greg Bell
Houston Texans
- Signed: LS Harrison Elliott
- Activated from PUP: DB Tristin McCollum
- Waived-injured: WR Davion Davis
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR D.J. Montgomery
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: G Beau Benzschawel
- Waived/injured: G Jared Hocker
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from NFI: DB Elijah Campbell
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: TE Brandon Dillon
New York Giants
- Placed on exempt/left squad: OT Matt Gono*
New York Jets
- Activated from NFI: RB Tevin Coleman, TE Jeremy Ruckert
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from PUP: TE Richard Rodgers
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Master Teague
- Placed on IR: RB Jeremy McNichols
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Terrell Bonds, OL Willie Wright
- Waived/injured: DB Chris Williamson
- Placed on IR: C Daniel Munyer
Washington Commanders
- Signed: CB De’Vante Bausby
- Waived/injured: LB Drew White
*Per Dan Duggan of The Athletic (on Twitter), Gono has left the squad due to an undisclosed physical issue. The lineman will meet with a doctor tomorrow, which should provide some clarity.
49ers WR/TE Jordan Matthews Tears ACL
Jordan Matthews‘ quest to change positions took a major hit this week. The 49ers wideout-turned-tight end tore his ACL during practice on Monday, reports Can Inman of the San Jose Mercury (on Twitter). The veteran will be placed on injured reserve.
Matthews announced his plan to switch to tight end last offseason, and he added 30 pounds in preparation for his new role. The 49ers decided to ease the former receiver into his new position, so Matthews ended up spending the majority of the 2021 campaign on San Francisco’s practice squad. The 30-year-old apparently made good use of his time, with Inman noting that the veteran had “made strides” in converting to the tight end position over the past year. Inman also described Matthews as a “strong contender” to make the 53-man roster. Now, the player will have to wait another year to prove he can stick at the position.
The former second-round pick made a name for himself as a receiver on the Eagles. Between the 2014 and 2016 seasons, Matthews averaged 891 receiving yards and more than six touchdowns per season. Since then, he’s bounced around the league a bit, mostly alternating stints with the Eagles and 49ers. He’s also spent time with the Bills and Patriots.
Fortunately for the 49ers, they have plenty of options behind starting tight end George Kittle. Ross Dwelley has seen time in 60 games over the past four seasons, and the team is also rostering the likes of Charlie Woerner, Tyler Kroft, Troy Fumagalli, and Tanner Hudson.
Cowboys, LB Anthony Barr Agree To Deal
Connected to Anthony Barr for a bit now, the Cowboys are moving forward with a deal for the veteran linebacker. The sides agreed to terms Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
It’s a one-year contract worth up to $3MM, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter links). The deal carries a $2MM base value, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets.
Barr, who had spent his entire career with the Vikings, did have another option. The Broncos pursued him as well, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. But the four-time Pro Bowler is heading to Dallas.
The former first-round pick had a choice between two reunions. He had Broncos GM George Paton, previously the Vikings’ assistant GM, and Cowboys assistant George Edwards — previously Minnesota’s defensive coordinator. Currently a Cowboys senior defensive assistant, Edwards was the Vikings’ DC from 2014-19. The Saints also showed interest earlier this offseason, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com tweets.
A college edge rusher, Barr transitioned to an off-ball role in Mike Zimmer‘s 4-3 defense. Barr still enjoyed some pass-rushing opportunities (17.5 career sacks), but for the most part, he operated a traditional linebacker. The early-career momentum that led Barr to four straight Pro Bowls from 2015-18 has faded. Barr, 30, missed 14 games in 2020 after tearing a pectoral muscle. He also missed six contests last year, and the Vikings’ new regime moved on.
Dallas parted ways with Jaylon Smith last season, but despite turning down Leighton Vander Esch‘s fifth-year option, the team circled back to the former first-rounder this year (via a one-year, $2MM deal). Vander Esch, however, is one of the NFL’s more injury-prone players. The Cowboys also have rookie fifth-round linebacker Damone Clark set to miss most of this season because of offseason spinal fusion surgery. Second-year ‘backer Jabril Cox is also making his way back from a rookie-year ACL tear. The combination of injury risks here likely induced the Cowboys to add a veteran.
Despite agreeing to an offseason pay cut last year, Barr still recorded a decent season in his Vikes finale. He notched 72 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions and five passes defensed. The UCLA product played a key role on stout Zimmer- and Edwards-led defenses during the latter part of the 2010s. The Vikings ranked in the top 11 defensively from 2015-19, leading to three playoff berths and one NFC championship game run. He will join a Cowboys linebacking corps headlined by Micah Parsons, a hybrid player coming off one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history.
Dallas’ injury issues notwithstanding, Denver had a more apparent linebacker need. The Broncos have not brought back top tackler Alexander Johnson, who remains a free agent. While the team did re-sign Josey Jewell, it has not invested much elsewhere at the inside linebacker spot. The team also moved 2021 ILB starter Baron Browning to outside ‘backer. The Broncos have signaled their interest in making a late-summer augmentation here via the Barr interest and a recent Joe Schobert visit. Perhaps Barr’s Cowboys decision leads the Broncos back to Schobert. Given the recent connections, it would surprise if the Broncos did not add a veteran at this spot soon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/22
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Devin Jones
- Waived: WR Andrew Parchment
Chicago Bears
- Activated from NFI: DB Dane Cruikshank, DB Michael Joseph, WR Tajae Sharpe
Cleveland Browns
- Reverted to IR: WR Isaiah Weston
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Alex Mollette
- Placed on IR: WR John Hurst, G/T Carter O’Donnell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: OL Chris Glaser
New England Patriots
- Signed: S Jalen Elliott, S Brad Hawkins, LB Nate Wieland
New Orleans Saints
- Suspended six games: WR Kawaan Baker
New York Giants
- Reverted to IR: CB Jarren Williams
Cardinals Extend LT D.J. Humphries
After extending quarterback Kyler Murray last month, the Cardinals have now locked up his left tackle. According to Darren Urban of the team’s website, offensive tackle D.J. Humphries has agreed to a contract extension. The lineman inked a new three-year deal that will keep him in Arizona through the 2025 season. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the extension is worth $66.8MM, including $34MM guaranteed.
Humphries was set to hit free agency following the season. The lineman signed a three-year, $45MM deal back in 2020, and he was attached to a $19.3MM cap hit for the 2022 campaign. Per Urban, there’s a good chance the player’s new contract will reduce that cap hit for the upcoming season.
The Cardinals selected Humphries in the first round of the 2015 draft. He’s started each of his 75 games since entering the NFL, and he made his playoff debut this past season. After being inactive for every game of his rookie season, the lineman proceeded to miss 21 games between the 2016 and 2018 seasons. However, over the past three years, Humphries has only missed a single game (last season due to COVID).
The 28-year-old earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2021 after starting each of his 16 games. He’s yet to practice during training camp thanks to “a gastrointestinal issue,” leading to the team adding offensive lineman Rashaad Coward earlier today.
As Urban writes, there’s plenty of uncertainty surround the future of the Cardinals offensive line, so it was especially important for GM Steve Keim to extend his LT. Even with Humphries extended, the front office still has to account for the expiring contracts of Justin Pugh, Will Hernandez, and Kelvin Beachum. Plus, as Urban notes, Rodney Hudson could consider retirement when the season is over.