Packers To Cut Jace Sternberger
The Packers are cutting tight end Jace Sternberger (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). Since he is not yet a vested veteran, he’ll be available on the waiver wire for the next 24 hours. If he goes unclaimed, he’ll be free to sign with any team.
Sternberger had some hype a couple of years ago as a third-round pick. However, he’s yet to show much at the pro level. In six games as a rookie, he failed to record a single catch. He was a bit more involved last year, securing 12 grabs for 114 yards and a touchdown. Still, Sternberger has yet to meet expectations, and his two-game ban to open the year didn’t do him any favors.
The Packers saw little reason to keep Sternberger with Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis as their top tight ends. They also have Dominique Dafney and Josiah Deguara on hand to round out the group.
Sternberger could hold appeal for other GMs who still remember his impressive finale at Texas A&M. Still, given his lack of a pro resume, he may be better suited for a practice squad deal.
Browns Place Jarvis Landry On IR
The Browns have placed wide receiver Jarvis Landry on the injured reserve list, per a club announcement. The good is that this should be a short-term IR stint as Landry recovers from his MCL sprain. 
Landry went down with a knee injury during the Browns’ opening drive on Sunday and did not return. The Browns still went on to beat the Texans 31-21, but Landry’s injured knee will rule him out for the Bears this week. Per league rules, Landry must sit out for at least the next two games before retaking the field.
On the plus side, the Browns should have Odell Beckham Jr. back in action this week. Barring any additional setbacks, he’ll make his 2021 debut alongside Rashard Higgins and the rest of the Cleveland WR contingent.
Through two games (really, one game and change), Landry has six catches off of six targets for 80 yards. He also notched a rushing touchdown — the fourth rushing TD of his career — against the Chiefs in Week 1.
In a corresponding move, the Browns have promoted defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo from the practice squad.
Steelers Sign Taco Charlton To Practice Squad
The Steelers have signed Taco Charlton to their 16-man practice squad, per an official club announcement. The defensive end will look to impress on the practice field and see his first live action of the 2021 season.
Charlton, once a highly-touted first-round pick of the Cowboys, flamed out quickly in Dallas. After just two-plus years with the Cowboys, he moved on to the Dolphins and did his best work in 2019 — five sacks in ten games. He had a decent 2020 with the Chiefs too, up until he broke his leg in November. He finished out with two sacks, four quarterback hits, and a forced fumble for KC. However, the 26-year-old (27 in November) wasn’t able to make the cut.
His first opportunity could come quicker than expected since T.J. Watt is dealing with a groin injury. Fortunately for the Steelers, the latest word is that Watt should be able to play on Sunday against the Bengals.
Eagles To Place Brandon Brooks On IR
Eagles guard Brandon Brooks has been diagnosed with a pec strain, per head coach Nick Sirianni (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). As a result, Brooks will miss several weeks as the Eagles move him to injured reserve. 
[RELATED: Eagles Place TE Zach Ertz On COVID-19 List]
On the plus side, it’s not a full-on tear — that would have been a sure season-ender for the interior lineman. Brooks lost the 2020 season to a torn Achilles, but he’s performed as one of the league’s better interior lineman when healthy. He made the Pro Bowl every year from 2017-2019, despite a previous (separate) Achilles tear and a shoulder injury. All in all, he’s lived up to the lofty expectations set by his initial five-year, $62.5MM deal – at least, when he’s on the field. The Eagles still have him for a few more seasons, thanks to his four-year, $54.2MM re-up in late 2019.
The Eagles will keep their fingers crossed for a quick recovery. Last summer, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave managed to return after just five weeks with a similar injury. For now, they’re down a key lineman as they get set for Dallas.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/20/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: QB Kyle Sloter
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: RB Javian Hawkins
- Released: RB Otis Anderson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Brandon Dillon
New York Giants
- Signed: G Cole Banwart
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Rashard Robinson
- Released: CB Herb Miller
Browns Waive WR Davion Davis
The Browns are cutting Davion Davis (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The wide receiver was set to return from a two-game suspension this week, but he’ll hit the waiver wire instead. 
The move is a bit surprising on multiple fronts. For starters, Davis led the team in receiving this preseason, showing some promise for the year ahead. Meanwhile, star receiver Jarvis Landry is week-to-week with a knee injury. Davis seemed to be a shoe-in for the 53-man roster, but the Browns have other plans.
Davis should draw interest from other clubs on the waiver wire, especially since he comes with a low-cost contract. Meanwhile, this could be a promising sign for Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ has yet to play this season, but the release of Davis might mean that he’s on the verge of making his 2021 debut.
Clubs will have 24 hours to claim Davis once he reaches the waiver wire. If he goes unclaimed, he’ll be a full-fledged free agent and able to sign with any team.
Steelers Place Tyson Alualu On IR
The Steelers have placed defensive lineman Tyson Alualu on injured reserve, per a club announcement. There’s no word on his timetable just yet, but the veteran will be out for a minimum of three weeks. 
Alualu was forced out early on Sunday and fitted for a cast later that day. The Steelers went on to lose to the Raiders, 26-17. They’re now at the .500 mark heading into Week 3 when they’ll face the rival Bengals.
It’s a rough break for the Steelers’ D-Line since Alualu is their starting nose tackle. As you may recall, the 34-year-old was moments away from leaving the Steelers for Urban Meyer and the Jaguars in the spring. Instead, he had a change of heart and re-upped in Pittsburgh.
Alualu was the 10th overall pick of the Jags way back in 2010. He’s never lived up to his draft status, but he’s still been a solid player up front. That includes some quality work last year when he played on ~44% of the team’s defensive snaps and finished with 38 tackles, two sacks, and five passes defended. He received very strong marks from Pro Football Focus for his work as a run defender.
For now, the Steelers will turn to Isaiah Buggs and Carlos Davis for help. And, to further fill in, they’ve promoted defensive lineman Henry Mondeaux from the practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/20/21
Today’s minor moves:
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: LB Wynton McManis, CB Jordan Miller
New York Jets
- Promoted: S Adrian Colbert
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: DL Henry Mondeaux
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Travis Jonsen, LB Kevin Minter
Broncos’ Josey Jewell Done For Year
An MRI confirmed that Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell has a torn pectoral muscle (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). That’ll officially end Jewell’s season so the Broncos will place him on the injured reserve list.
Jewell has emerged as a bright, young standout on Denver’s defense, starting in 30 of his 49 games to date. Last year, he notched 113 tackles, two sacks, four passes defensed, and five tackles for loss in a complete 16-game slate. In 2021, his year will end after just two starts with eight stops, one pass defensed, one forced fumble, and two tackles for loss.
The timing is especially unfortunate as Jewell is in his walk year. The 2018 fourth-round pick is currently on course for unrestricted free agency in the spring. With another healthy year, Jewell would have been in line for a massive payday. Now, he may be looking at a short-term deal in order to reclaim his value.
The Broncos advanced to 2-0 after topping the Jaguars on Sunday. This week, they’ll face the Jets in Denver, sans Jewell.
Falcons To Cut Punter Cameron Nizialek
The Falcons will waive punter Cameron Nizialek, as Jeff Schultz of The Athletic tweets. This comes hours after a brutal day for the youngster against the Buccaneers.
Nizialek shanked two of his punts on Sunday. The latter of the two came in the fourth quarter when the Falcons were down by just three. Nizialek’s 33-yard punt quickly turned into a Tampa touchdown and the three-point deficit turned into a 48-25 rout.
Nizialek, a Virginia native, spent time in the Alliance of American Football before making the NFL rounds in 2019. He should be back on the workout circuit again, especially since he offers the ability to serve as both a punter and an emergency kicker. For now, he’s waiving a resume with just ten punt attempts for Atlanta.