Minor NFL Transactions: 11/30/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Jonathan Ward
Detroit Lions
- Waived/Injured: DL Da’Shawn Hand
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB De’Vondre Campbell
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed (off 49ers practice squad): CB Davontae Harris
New York Giants
- Signed (off Bills practice squad): QB Jake Fromm
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Keelan Cole
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: T/G Brett Toth
- Placed on IR: T/G Jack Driscoll
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed (off Saints practice squad): DT Montravius Adams
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: LS Kyle Nelson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Joe Jackson, G Hjalte Froholdt
- Released: RB Brian Hill
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OT Adrian Ealy, RB Kerrith Whyte
- Released: LB Curtis Robinson
Detroit Lions
- Released: OL Darrin Paulo
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Darius Jackson
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Thakarius Keyes, RB Devine Ozigbo
- Released: NT Niles Scott
New York Jets
- Signed: TE Dan Brown
- Released: QB James Morgan
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on injured list: WR Devin Funchess
Tennessee Titans
- Released: WR Austin Mack
Jaguars Place Dan Arnold On IR
The Jaguars have placed tight end Dan Arnold on the injured reserve list, per a club announcement. This was the expected move after Arnold was diagnosed with a grade 2 MCL sprain on Monday. 
Technically, Arnold would be eligible to return after three weeks on IR. However, given the 4-6 timeline for his recovery, this likely spells a season-ender for the 26-year-old.
The Jaguars traded for Arnold (and a third-round pick) in late September, in exchange for former first-round choice C.J. Henderson and a fifth-round selection. Since then, the tight end has reeled in 28 catches for 304 yards in eight games. Coupled with his early Carolina line, he’s recorded 35 grabs for 408 yards in eleven contests. Even in this injury-shortened season, that’s roughly in line with his entire 2020 from Arizona.
At 2-9, the Jaguars have little reason to rush the young tight end back to the field. Thanks to his two-year, $6MM deal, he remains under contract with Jacksonville through 2022.
Panthers Place Donte Jackson on IR
Cornerback Donte Jackson has been placed on injured reserve, per a club announcement. Jackson suffered a groin injury in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins and will miss the remainder of the season. 
Jackson had been a key piece in the Panthers secondary, serving as a team captain and recording 61 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
Without Jackson, Carolina will need to lean more on recently-acquired corners C.J. Henderson and Stephon Gilmore. They’ll also look to add another CB for depth, to join fifth-round rookie Keith Taylor Jr. and veteran Rashaan Melvin. In the meantime, his roster spot will be filled by guard Deonte Brown, who is returning from a knee injury.
Jackson, a 2018 second-round pick, has spent his entire pro career with the Panthers, but it’s possible that he’s played his last snap for them. The 26-year-old will be eligible for free agency in March, after the expiration of his rookie contract.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/29/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: QB Chris Streveler
- Released:QB Kenji Bahar
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Tim Harris
- Released: OL Evin Ksiezarczyk
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: WR John Brown
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: QB DeShone Kizer
Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey Done For Year
The Panthers have placed Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve, per a club announcement. Since this is his second trip to IR in 2021, the move will mark the end of the running back’s season. 
CMC previously missed five games with a hamstring injury. This time around, it’s an ankle injury that’ll require multiple months of rehab.
McCaffrey was forced out early yesterday as the Dolphins went on to win 33-10. The loss dropped them to 5-7 on the year, further crushing their slim odds of reaching the postseason.
The Panthers got off to a 3-0 start with McCaffrey in the lineup, then dropped four of five games without him. Even after his return, they’ve lost three of four contests, though the offense was clearly better with him in the backfield. His Week 10 showing performance against Arizona — 13 carries, ten catches, and 150+ all-purpose yards — propelled them to their only win in November.
Between the last two years, McCaffrey has appeared in just ten games for the Panthers. It’s hardly what anyone envisioned for CMC after he inked a $16MM-per-year extension in 2020. In 2019, his last healthy campaign, McCaffrey made a push for Chris Johnson‘s record with 2,392 scrimmage yards.
Now, his ’21 season will end with 442 rushing yards and one touchdown, plus 37 catches for 343 yards and one receiving TD across seven games. The Panthers will likely add another RB to the mix between now and their next game, a Dec. 12 matchup against the Falcons.
Browns’ Jack Conklin Done For Year
Browns tackle Jack Conklin is done for the year (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Now confirmed to have a torn patella tendon, Conklin will have to turn his attention to rehab with an eye on 2022. 
“That hurts to see Jack like that,” defensive end Myles Garrett said after Sunday’s game (via Cleveland.com). “I see the guy work every day, saw him work in training camp. I was part of the group that got him to come here. To see him have to deal with all these injuries, knowing what he’s going through and it’s tough to see, tough to watch and I feel for him.”
As noted by Garrett, this is just the latest malady for Conklin. In 2021 alone, he’s missed time with a dislocated elbow and a separate knee injury. It’s all amounted to a seven-game season, a disappointing follow-up to his stellar 2020. Last year, Football Focus rated him as the tenth best tackle in the NFL as he captured First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
Blake Hance filled in after Conklin’s early exit, and he’ll continue to start at RT the rest of the way. The Browns can also be expected to add another tackle for depth during their Week 13 bye.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/29/21
Today’s minor moves:
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: OL Phil Haynes
- Placed on IR: CB Tre Brown, OT Jamarco Jones
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: C Jon Toth
- Placed on IR: T Sam Cosmi
Cowboys Place OT Terence Steele On Reserve/COVID-19 List
The Cowboys are dealing with a bit of a COVID problem. Per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the club has placed right tackle Terence Steele on the reserve/COVID-19 list after a positive test. As Watkins’ colleague, Michael Gehlken, tweets, Dallas’ O-line coach Joe Philbin, O-line assistant Jeff Blasko, offensive assistant Scott Tolzien, and strength and conditioning coaches Harold Nash, Jr., Cedric Smith, and Kendall Smith are also on the list following positive tests.
Neither Steele nor the staffers (with the possible exception of Cedric Smith) will be available for the Cowboys’ game against the Saints on Thursday. La’el Collins will get the start at RT in Steele’s absence.
Steele, a 2020 UDFA, served as Collins’ primary replacement last season, which Collins missed due to hip surgery. This year, Collins was hit with a five-game PED suspension, and starting left tackle Tyron Smith has missed time with an ankle injury. So Steele has played both LT and RT in 2021, and Pro Football Focus’ metrics paint him as the 53rd-best offensive tackle out of 81 qualifiers.
To combat further spread of the virus, the Cowboys will be working virtually through Monday and will have daily testing through Tuesday. The good news is that WR Amari Cooper, who has missed Dallas’ last two games due to a positive COVID test of his own, should be back in action for the Saints game, as Watkins writes.
The Cowboy’s other top wideout, CeeDee Lamb, who missed the club’s Thanksgiving loss to the Raiders due to a concussion, is also expected to clear protocols and suit up against New Orleans (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/27/21
Here is how teams finalized their Week 12 rosters:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: LB Dorian Etheridge
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: LB Malik Harrison
- Placed on IR: S Ar’Darius Washington
- Promoted: DT Isaiah Mack, CB Kevon Seymour
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: WR Matt Cole, OL Austen Pleasants
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: TE Thaddeus Moss
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: LB La’Darius Hamilton
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: LB Jordan Jenkins
- Promoted: S Jonathan Owens, G Lane Taylor
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: C Brandon Linder, TE James O’Shaughnessy
- Promoted: WR John Brown
- Waived: RB Devine Ozigbo
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: RB Darius Bradwell, CB Kiondre Thomas
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: WR Landen Akers
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: CB Javaris Davis, S Sheldrick Redwine
- Placed on IR: DB Elijah Campbell
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: S Myles Dorn, DT T.J. Smith
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, DB Steven Parker
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: RB Michael Carter (story)
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, QB Josh Johnson, RB Austin Walter, DE Jabari Zuniga
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Jared Mayden