Ravens Activate TE Nick Boyle
After being sidelined for the past year, it sounds like Nick Boyle‘s return is imminent. The Ravens activated the veteran tight end from injured reserve today. That means he’ll be eligible to play in Thursday’s game against the Dolphins.
The veteran suffered a severe knee injury last November, and Boyle naturally landed on injured reserve prior to this season. There was initial hope that Boyle would be ready to go toward the beginning of the 2021 campaign, but a clean-up procedure delayed his comeback. Boyle returned to practice in late October.
“Nick obviously has been a really good player for us,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman recently said (via Clifton Brown of the team’s website). “It was a big loss for us last year, but he’s been really working to get back. I mean, Nick is a guy with a unique skillset that keeps getting better. We’re just going to have to bring him into the fold gradually and get him to where he’s feeling really comfortable out there so he can be Nick Boyle.”
Boyle made a name for himself as one of the league’s premier blocking tight ends, although he’s managed to stay relevant in the passing game (including a 2019 campaign where he set career-highs with 31 receptions and 321 receiving yards). The organization showed their commitment to the 28-year-old when they inked him to a two-year, $13MM extension this past offseason.
Mark Andrews will still serve as the top tight end (and one of Lamar Jackson‘s favorite targets), but Boyle should see plenty of snaps. The team is also rostering tight end Josh Oliver.
Bears Activate David Montgomery
The Bears have activated David Montgomery, per an official club announcement. He’ll return from the injured reserve list just in time to face the Steelers tonight in Pittsburgh. 
This is good, but expected news for the Bears. Head coach Matt Nagy said last week there was a good chance that Montgomery could return this week, marking his first action since Week 4.
Montgomery, 24, tallied 309 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns up until his injury, plus six catches for 49 yards. After his career year in 2020 — 1,070 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs — he should provide a boost for the Bears’ offense tonight. They enter the national TV matchup on a three-game losing streak, with their most recent L coming against the 49ers.
Breshad Perriman won’t be on hand, however. The wide receiver was dropped over the weekend, taking him off the roster without ever having played a down for Chicago.
Browns Officially Waive Odell Beckham Jr.
The Browns officially waived Odell Beckham Jr. on Monday afternoon, per the league wire. Now, the rest of the league has a 24-hour window to claim the wide receiver. If he goes unclaimed — a possibility thanks to his remaining $7.25MM in salary for 2021 — he’ll be free to sign with any club of his choosing.
[RELATED: Saints Won’t Claim OBJ]
The league’s waiver priority is determined by the inverse of the rankings. With the worst going first, the Lions will have the first opportunity to claim Beckham. However, that won’t be happening, according to head coach Dan Campbell (Twitter link via Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com).
Beckham is hoping to land with the Saints, 49ers, or Seahawks. The Saints won’t enter a claim for him either, due to cap issues, but they could potentially sign him if he clears the wire.
“No, it’s impossible for us to put a claim in on [Beckham],” Payton said. “You just have to look at the salary cap space. And if we were going to put in a claim, it wouldn’t be something we discuss. I know it makes hit-worthy news.”
Beckham reworked his Browns deal before he was cut, making him a 2022 free agent instead of a 2024 UFA. If he’s claimed, his salary will remain the same. If he goes unclaimed, the Browns will only be on the hook for $4.25MM of that salary.
Panthers Waive Royce Freeman, Place Cameron Erving On IR
Rough day for the Panthers. In addition to Matt Paradis, the Panthers have placed starting left tackle Cameron Erving on the injured reserve list. Meanwhile, they’ve also waived veteran running back Royce Freeman.
[RELATED: Panthers Place Paradis On IR]
Erving previously missed time with a neck injury. This time around, it’s his calf. There’s no word yet on the severity or his timetable, but he’ll miss the next three games at minimum. Rookie Brady Christensen saw a couple starts earlier this year, so he could factor into the game plan more going forward.
The Panthers’ left tackle post has been a revolving door for nearly a decade. The hope was that Erving would bring stability after winning the job and becoming Carolina’s ninth LT in as many years. Unfortunately, injuries have been a recurring problem. Due to multiple knee injuries, he played in just six games (five starts) for the Cowboys last year.
Freeman totaled 297 career carries for 1,187 yards and eight touchdowns with the Broncos. The Panthers claimed him in September and used him in eight games. he totaled just 77 yards off of 21 carries. The Ravens and Raiders entered claims for him a few months ago, so they could be among those with interest this time.
Cardinals’ Chase Edmonds To Miss Time
Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). He’ll likely land on injured reserve with an eye on returning after three or four games. 
High-ankle sprains often cost players 4-6 weeks, so Edmonds could be looking at a longer IR stay. Either way, the expectation is that he’ll suit up again in 2021.
Edmonds suffered the injury on the Cardinals’ very first offensive play against the 49ers. They went on to win 31-17, but Edmonds’ day was done. So far, the running back has 430 rushing yards to his credit this year with one touchdown. He’s also notched 30 catches for 211 yards while splitting the workload with James Conner.
The good news for Arizona is that Conner was stellar against SF. Conner scored three total touchdowns, including two via the ground to give him a league-leading ten TDs on the year.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/8/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S Jordan Richards
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Nick McCloud
Carolina Panthers
- Suspension lifted: DE Frank Herron (will remain on PS injured list)
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on COVID-19 list: OT Timon Parris
New England Patriots
- Released: C Drake Jackson, FB Ben Mason
New York Giants
- Released: RB Dexter Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DE Alex Tchangam
Washington Football Team
- Signed: C Jon Toth
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/21
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: G Ben Cleveland
- Placed on IR: S DeShon Elliott
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: S Brandon Wilson
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Herb Miller
Denver Broncos
- Activated from PUP: CB Duke Dawson
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: TE Brock Wright
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DB Myles Dorn
New England Patriots
- Waived: OL James Ferentz
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: LB Chase Hansen
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return: WR Dee Eskridge, CB Nigel Warrior
49ers’ Mike McGlinchey Done For Year
49ers right tackle Mike McGlinchey will miss the rest of the year with a torn quad (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). The Niners will place him on injured reserve today, freeing up a spot on their 53-man roster. 
McGlinchey has been here before, missing a good chuck of the 2019 slate with knee trouble. He rebounded in 2020, however, starting in all 16 of the Niners’ games. Now, he’s going to spend the rest of 2021 focusing on rehab.
This was the feared outcome after McGlinchey was forced out in the second quarter against the Cardinals. The Niners turned to Tom Compton after that and he projects to stay in that starting role. However, McGlinchey’s injury could also lead to a larger role for rookie Jaylon Moore.
McGlinchey, a 2018 first-rounder, has spent his entire pro career with the 49ers. After an impressive and healthy career at Notre Dame, he’s since started in all 52 of his games as a pro.
The 49ers, down yet another key player, will face the Rams one week from today.
Raiders To Release Damon Arnette
The Raiders will release cornerback Damon Arnette (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). This comes on the heels of a recent video which showed Arnette threatening a person while brandishing a handgun. 
Arnette is also in the midst of multiple lawsuits, including one for a car crash that resulted in injuries. In the wake of Henry Ruggs‘ fatal collision, the Raiders have decided to move on from the former first-round pick. This particular incident occurred in 2020, but the suit just came to light over the weekend. plans on fighting the allegations.
“Mr. Arnette denies the allegations in the complaint and looks forward to addressing these claims through the court process,” the player’s attorney said in a statement.
The plaintiff alleges that Arnette slammed into her car while driving 65 mph and fled the scene. And, according to the police report, Arnette’s friend tried to take the blame for the crash before the cornerback was found to be behind the wheel.
Arnette made his name at Ohio State, flashing potential opposite of Jeff Okudah. With the ability to play on the inside or the outside, the Raiders were high on his upside. Now, he’ll head to the waiver wire with slim odds of getting claimed.
Lions To Waive TE Darren Fells
The Lions will waive tight end Darren Fells (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Fells requested his release, RapSheet hears, and he’ll get his wish before the end of the business day.
Even though he’s a vested veteran, Fells will be subject to the waiver wire as a post-trade deadline cut. Fells should hold appeal for teams in need of tight end support, particularly those in need of blocking help.
Fells, 35, signed with the Lions in May, circling back after a previous stint in 2017. After his first Detroit tour, he moved on to the Browns and Texans. His most notable season came in 2019, when he notched 34 catches for 341 yards and seven touchdowns. And, between 2019 and 2020 with the Texans, Fells registered 11 touchdown receptions.
Fells has started in all five of his games for the Lions this year, but hasn’t been a big part of the offense. He has just four grabs for 43 yards, so he’s hoping to see more action with a winning team. Or, at least, a team with a single win.
If Fells goes unclaimed in the next 24 hours, he’ll be free to sign with any club.