Saints Place DL Payton Turner On IR
The Saints are placing their rookie first-round pick on injured reserve. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), defensive lineman Payton Turner has been placed on IR.
Turner suffered a shoulder injury that limited him to a season-low 15 snaps during Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. The defensive lineman had just returned to the lineup after missing two games with a calf injury, so this is unfortunate timing for the rook. He’ll be out for at least the next three games.
The Houston product was selected by the Saints with the 28th-overall pick in the 2021 draft. He’s seen time in five games this season, collecting 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, three QB hits, and one sack. In his first four games of the season, Turner has appeared in at least 40 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.
Turner has mostly played defensive end since entering the NFL, and the Saints have plenty of depth at the position in Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Carl Granderson, and Jalyn Holmes.
49ers Waive WR Jalen Hurd
The 49ers cut ties with Jalen Hurd on Thursday. The former third-round pick has run into extensive injury trouble and never made his regular-season debut with the team. The 49ers waived Hurd with an injury settlement.
Hurd, 25, generated frequent offseason hype, but the ex-Tennessee and Baylor contributor could not avoid injuries. He spent the full 2019 and ’20 seasons on IR, and the 49ers placed the wide receiver hopeful on IR to start this year as well.
San Francisco chose Hurd 67th overall in 2019, doing so after he’d compiled a unique college resume. Hurd saw time ahead of Alvin Kamara as a Volunteers running back, rushing for nearly 1,300 yards for the SEC squad in 2015. He scored 14 touchdowns that year. Hurd transferred to Baylor and played as a wide receiver in 2018, amassing almost 900 yards for the Bears that year. He played in at least 12 games in three of his four college campaigns but could not stay on the field in San Francisco.
A back injury cost Hurd his rookie season two years ago, and after he recovered, an ACL tear sidelined the 6-foot-3 target in 2020. More knee trouble kept Hurd out of action this season.
Rams, Odell Beckham Jr. Agree To Deal
Well, one of the mystery teams revealed itself Thursday afternoon. The Rams have emerged at the 11th hour for Odell Beckham Jr. They are expected to sign him, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, adding that the sides are finalizing an agreement. The Rams have since announced the signing.
The star-chasing franchise was not among the initial squads linked to the free agent wide receiver, but The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue indicated earlier this afternoon momentum was developing here (Twitter link). Beckham was down to the Rams and Packers, according to NFL.com’s Kim Jones and Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).
Los Angeles won out, with USA Today’s Mike Jones indicating the Rams and Beckham have a deal in place (Twitter link). The Rams have also shared an image on their team site in anticipation of Beckham’s impending arrival (via Rodrigue, on Twitter). Beckham will follow LeBron James in going from Cleveland to Los Angeles, doing so after James dropped a #FreeOBJ hashtag to help ignite a strange separation from the Browns.
Beckham’s deal will run through season’s end, Rapoport tweets, giving him the opportunity to try and rebuild his stock ahead of a likely 2022 free agency run. OBJ committing to the Rams adds a three-time Pro Bowler to an already-strong receiving corps — one that has played a big role in the team starting 7-2. Beckham sought a contender and a high-end quarterback. The Rams supply both, with Matthew Stafford having provided a big upgrade for the franchise.
The Chiefs, Patriots, Saints, Seahawks and Packers represented the top quintet linked to Beckham this week. The Rams, who already roster the potent Cooper Kupp–Robert Woods pairing in addition to emerging second-year talent Van Jefferson, have pursued big-ticket performers for years. The franchise just sent two Day 2 picks for Von Miller. Beckham becomes a famous complementary piece in Los Angeles’ offense, which ranks in the top five in both scoring and yardage through nine games. Beckham’s fit will be interesting, seeing as the Rams just cut DeSean Jackson due to their depth at the position.
After Beckham’s three inconsistent Browns seasons, Sean McVay will have a chance to catalyze a rebound as his team vies for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Beckham, 29, moved his way out of Cleveland last week, doing so after catching one pass in the Browns’ Week 8 loss to the Steelers. A reworked contract helped OBJ clear waivers, with no team wanting to pick up his $7.25MM in base salary. The Browns saved $3MM by Beckham hitting free agency and will see him leave the AFC rather than land in Kansas City or New England.
The former first-round Giants pick has five 1,000-yard seasons on his resume, but his Pro Bowl streak stopped after the 2016 season. Injuries slowed Beckham at the end of his New York tenure, and his value dipped further with the Browns. Time is running short for the former superstar to show he can still be an impact player. Beckham has more than two receptions in just two of the six games he has played this season, though the eighth-year veteran began the year coming off ACL surgery and has run into shoulder trouble. The Rams, who acquired Miller after an ankle injury, are betting on Beckham still providing difference-making capabilities.
The Packers presented a clearer need for a No. 2 wide receiver. Davante Adams has been the team’s unquestioned WR1 for years. This season, the All-Pro wideout has a 500-plus-yard lead on Green Bay’s second-leading pass catcher. The Seahawks, Saints and Chiefs also took turns as the supposed favorites in this rare midseason sweepstakes, but the Rams — as they did for Miller, Stafford and Jalen Ramsey in recent years — won out.
Panthers Sign QB Cam Newton
Cam Newton will return to the Panthers. A Thursday meeting produced a quick contract agreement, one that will lead the former MVP back to Carolina.
The sides agreed on a one-year deal, USA Today’s Josina Anderson tweets, and Newton will do quite well for himself. The Panthers are giving him $4.5MM fully guaranteed, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, and the veteran passer has a chance to collect up to $10MM. Offset language was present covering $1.5MM in Newton’s most recent Patriots deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. This led Newton to hold out for more this season, and he landed such a contract from his initial NFL employer.
The Panthers have cycled through multiple starting quarterbacks since cutting Newton in March 2020. They are now down Sam Darnold, who had regressed after a strong start. With Darnold on IR, P.J. Walker is in line to start against the Cardinals in Week 10. By Week 11, the Panthers’ first-string plans are likely to change.
Newton, 32, went through two sets of meetings before committing to rejoin the Panthers. He had previously met with Matt Rhule, who had signed off on his release last offseason, to clear the air, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). A meeting with owner David Tepper, first-year GM Scott Fitterer and VP of football operations Stephen Drummond then commenced. It all led to a reunion, which ends Newton’s latest lengthy free agency stay.
Set to begin his 11th season, Newton is coming off a 15-start slate with the Patriots. That campaign did not go especially well, with Newton throwing just eight touchdown passes. Although the Pats re-signed Newton this offseason, they drafted Mac Jones and decided not to keep both QBs going into the season. This agreement also means the Patriots will add $1.5MM in cap space in 2022 (h/t Patscap, on Twitter). Since the late-August release, Newton spoke with the Seahawks about a deal amid Russell Wilson‘s injury hiatus. No agreement came to pass. Newton is now vaccinated and can rejoin the Panthers immediately.
Rhule will be the third coach Newton has played for as a pro, and the former No. 1 overall pick will be tasked with quickly digesting Joe Brady‘s offense. Newton made three Pro Bowls in his first five seasons, leading the Panthers to three playoff berths during that span. He led Carolina to a 15-1 season in 2015 and spearheaded the Panthers’ run to their second Super Bowl. A rough Newton outing against the Broncos preceded an injury-plagued second half, one that featured the dual-threat talent ranking 29th in QBR cumulatively from 2016-19. A foot injury cost Newton 14 games in 2019. The Panthers then signed Teddy Bridgewater in March 2020, signaling the end of Newton’s first stint.
Bridgewater is now in Denver, following an April trade, and Darnold is out for at least a month. Walker, who was off to a strong start in the XFL before the pandemic ended its second season early, has made one career NFL start — against the Lions last season — and completed 3 of 15 passes in relief of Darnold in Week 7. Newton has 139 starts under his belt. While Walker stands to make a second start this week, Newton will be positioned to move past 140 for his career soon. The Panthers face Washington, run by ex-Newton HC Ron Rivera, in Week 11.
Buccaneers Add TE Darren Fells To Practice Squad
The defending champs are adding a notable name to their practice squad. The Buccaneers have signed tight end Darren Fells to the p-squad, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The hope is that Fells will be promoted for Sunday’s game against WFT.
The 35-year-old signed with the Lions in May, circling back after a previous stint in 2017. While he started all five of his games with the Lions this season, he was limited to only four catches and 43 yards. The team ended up cutting the tight end earlier this week.
Fells’ most notable season came in 2019, when he notched 34 catches for 341 yards and seven touchdowns with Houston. In total, he’s hauled in 127 catches for 1,526 yards and 21 touchdowns in 109 career games (81 starts).
The Buccaneers, of course, are already loaded at tight end, rostering Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard, and Cameron Brate. Fells should temporarily help the team while Gronk looks to battle back from his current injury.
Tampa Bay made another practice squad move today, releasing wideout John Hurst to make room for the recently signed Breshad Perriman.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/10/21
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LS Kyle Nelson, WR Darrius Shepherd
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Lafayette Pitts
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: G Patrick Omameh
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Herb Miller, RB Dexter Williams
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: K Lirim Hajrullahu
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Tom Kennedy
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Demone Harris
- Released: OL Carson Green
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Jeff Badet
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DE Nate Orchard
hoNew England Patriots
- Signed: C James Ferentz
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Josh Adams
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: LB Christian Elliss
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: QB Kevin Hogan, WR Chris Rowland
Packers Activate T David Bakhtiari
David Bakhtiari is now eligible to make his 2021 debut Sunday. The Packers activated their All-Pro left tackle from the PUP list Wednesday, the team announced.
The ninth-year blocker returned to practice nearly three weeks ago, but Green Bay has been cautious with his ramp-up. Wednesday marked the last day the Packers could activate him this year. While Bakhtiari is not a lock to suit up against the Seahawks, it would certainly be a big addition for the Packers, who are coming off a loss and a rather turbulent week.
Bakhtiari went down with an ACL tear during a New Year’s Eve practice and has spent nearly a year rehabbing. His injury played a key role in determining the NFC’s Super Bowl entrant last season, with Buccaneers edge rushers teeing off on the Packers’ tackles. Coming into this season, the most games Bakhtiari had missed in one campaign was four. He topped that more than a month ago.
Whenever the 30-year-old edge protector returns, it stands to reshuffle the Packers’ offensive line, which has used multiple left tackles this season. Versatile standout Elgton Jenkins, who has been the team’s primary Bakhtiari sub this year, will likely be shifted back to an interior role. Bakhtiari is a four-time Pro Bowler and has made two All-Pro first teams.
It is uncertain if Aaron Rodgers will be under center for the Packers. The reigning MVP remains on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list, but he would be eligible to do so if symptom-free. Rodgers is eligible to return to the team Saturday. But the possibility the Packers could have the Rodgers-Bakhtiari tandem back would represent quite the change from how their offense looked in Kansas City.
Lions Claim WR Josh Reynolds
The Lions put their top waiver position to good use Wednesday, claiming wide receiver Josh Reynolds, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
Reynolds requested his release from Tennessee, and because this move came after the trade deadline, the fifth-year wideout went through waivers. He did not make it past team No. 1 in the priority but will head to a Lions team in need at the position.
Detroit’s offseason signings of Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman did not work out. Perriman did not make the Lions’ 53-man roster, and a Williams concussion led to an IR trip and an eventual injury settlement. The Lions parted ways with Williams last week. T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift lead the Lions in receiving yards; Kalif Raymond‘s 334 is the most among Detroit’s wideouts.
This claim will reunite Reynolds and Jared Goff, who played together for four seasons in Los Angeles. A fourth-round Rams pick in 2017, Reynolds played an auxiliary role with L.A. but saw decent run in 2020. The 6-foot-3 target caught 52 passes for 618 yards and two scores last year, helping pave a path to Tennessee in free agency. The Titans fit did not pan out; Reynolds has just 10 receptions for 90 yards this season. His one-year contract contains less than $1MM in remaining base salary.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/10/21
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Demetrius Harris
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return: OLB Dante Fowler
Carolina Panthers
- Designated for return: G Deonte Brown, WR Brandon Zylstra
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Chidobe Awuzie
Cleveland Browns
- Designated for return: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: C Nick Harris, RB John Kelly
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: K Lirim Hajrullahu
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Noah Fant
- Claimed (from Eagles): CB Mac McCain
Detroit Lions
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: DL Jashon Cornell
- Designated for return: CB Corey Ballentine, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return: CB T.J. Carrie
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: DE Darius Philon
- Signed to active roster: DE Kendal Vickers
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: C Cameron Tom
- Placed on IR: OL Greg Mancz
New England Patriots
- Designated for return: T Trent Brown
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Ken Crawley, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New York Jets
- Designated for return: OL Conor McDermott
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: RB Jordan Howard
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: RT Mike McGlinchey (story)
- Promoted: OL Colton McKivitz
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return: RB Chris Carson
Tennessee Titans
- Designated for return: CB Kristian Fulton
- Signed to active roster: CB Chris Jones
Browns Tried To Claim RB Royce Freeman
Ahead of a key AFC matchup, the Browns have run into extensive trouble at running back. They attempted to aid a shorthanded group by putting in a waiver claim for Royce Freeman, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. But the Texans’ waiver priority prevented such a move.
In reuniting the Freeman-Phillip Lindsay tandem from Denver, Houston (1-8) stopped Cleveland (5-4) from bolstering a backfield missing not just its top two cogs but down backups as well. Going into Sunday’s game against the Patriots, the Browns have only D’Ernest Johnson on their active roster.
Nick Chubb tested positive for COVID-19 this week. So did fellow backs Demetric Felton and John Kelly. These three are part of a five-man Browns contingent on the team’s coronavirus list. Chubb is vaccinated, so he still has a chance to play Sunday. While he would need only to test negative twice in a two-day period, players who have tested positive during the week have almost unanimously not played in their respective team’s upcoming game.
Kareem Hunt remains on IR, and Kevin Stefanski said this will not be the week he returns from IR. Hunt could be down until December, per ESPN.com’s Kimberley Martin (on Twitter), adding the fifth-year running back likely will not be 100% again this season due to the knee and wrist injuries he was battling before the October calf issue sent him to IR. The Browns have not started Hunt’s 21-day IR-return clock.
The Browns now have Brian Hill and Dexter Williams on their practice squad. One of the two will be in line to serve as Johnson’s primary backup against New England. In Johnson’s lone other start, against the Broncos, he totaled 146 rushing yards on 22 carries.
As for Freeman, the Panthers gave him 21 totes this season before cutting him once Christian McCaffrey returned. Freeman has 77 rushing yards and no touchdowns; the former third-round pick has not scored a TD since 2019. Nevertheless, the Oregon alum has been a popular player on the wire. The Ravens and Raiders tried to claim Freeman in August, following his Broncos departure, and the Browns came up short during Freeman’s second waiver go-round.