Giants To Add Matt Skura To Practice Squad
The Giants continue to scoop up former AFC North O-linemen. After making two trades to bolster their front, they are planning to add Matt Skura to their practice squad, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets.
Skura spent four seasons as a Ravens starter, working at center and guard. He operated as Baltimore’s starting center for most of Lamar Jackson‘s tenure, helping the team to historic rushing totals. The Ravens, however, did not re-sign him in free agency this year.
The Dolphins released Skura earlier this week, doing so after acquiring Greg Mancz from the Ravens. The Giants will give Skura, 27, another opportunity. This move comes after the Giants acquired center Billy Price from the Bengals and guard Ben Bredeson from the Ravens.
Although Skura is a Duke alum, his last year as a Blue Devils blocking cog (2015) came before Daniel Jones became the team’s starting quarterback. Still, this will bring a 51-game starter to Big Blue’s practice squad. Skura lost his starting job late last season, when Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the league’s worst centers, but he was coming off a severe 2019 setback. Skura, who started 16 games for the Ravens in 2018, tore his ACL, MCL and PCL late in the 2019 regular season.
The offensive line has been a sticking point for the Giants for years, and this preseason was no exception. At center, the team has Nick Gates in place as a starter, with Price on the active roster as a backup. Price has not been a full-time starter at center since his 2018 rookie season.
DL Jurrell Casey Announces Retirement
Jurrell Casey‘s 2020 season came to an early end, and the Pro Bowl defensive lineman will not return for an 11th NFL campaign. The former Titans and Broncos defender announced his retirement Thursday morning.
The former third-round pick’s string of Pro Bowls ran through the 2019 season, when the Titans defensive end received his fifth such nod. Casey played nine seasons with Tennessee and was a starter from the outset. One of the top interior D-linemen of the 2010s, Casey ended up making 140 career starts.
The Titans made Casey an integral defensive component throughout the 2010s, signing him to two extensions. The USC product inked his first new deal — a four-year, $36MM pact — in 2014 and continued to play at a high level to the point the Titans gave him a third contract in 2017 (four years, $60MM).
Casey finished his career with 51 sacks — second-most in the franchise’s Tennessee years, one behind Jevon Kearse‘s total — and 85 tackles for loss. Casey is by far the Titans’ TFL king, registering 20-plus more than any other player in the franchise’s 22-season Tennessee stay.
Although the Titans struggled for much of Casey’s career, he contributed on two playoff-bound teams after signing his second extension. In the 2019 slate, Casey returned from injury to factor into Tennessee’s upset wins over New England and Baltimore. He dropped Lamar Jackson for two sacks in the latter victory, which cemented the Titans’ first AFC championship game trip in 17 years.
Tennessee traded Casey to Denver in 2020, but a biceps tear ended his season after three games. Injuries to Casey, Von Miller and other starters did well to sink Denver’s 2020 season. The Broncos released Casey in February, and although he popped up on teams’ radars this offseason, the accomplished defender changed course to lead to Thursday’s announcement.
Giants Place WR John Ross On IR
John Ross is heading to the IR. The Giants placed the wide receiver on injured reserve today, keeping their offseason acquisition sidelined through at least the first three weeks of the season.
Ross is well known for being the ninth overall pick in 2017, as well as his legendary NFL Combine 40-time of 4.22. Things didn’t go as planned with the Bengals, as his four years in Cincinnati were an abject disaster. He struggled with injuries, playing in three, 13, eight, and three games during his four seasons there. He finished his run with 51 catches for 733 yards and ten touchdowns, a pitiful sum for a top ten pick.
The 25-year-old inked a one-year, $2.5MM deal with the Giants this offseason. He was sidelined throughout August with a hamstring injury, and that ailment will keep him on the shelf through September. Ross likely would have slotted in as the team’s fourth receiver behind Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, and Darius Slayton.
The Giants made a long list of moves today, including additions to their practice squad. See all of their transactions here.
Patriots Add K Nick Folk, QB Garrett Gilbert To Practice Squad
We previously learned that the Patriots had added quarterback Brian Hoyer and linebacker Jahlani Tavai to their practice squad, and the team has made two more notable additions. The Patriots added kicker Nick Folk and quarterback Garrett Gilbert to their taxi squad today, according to the team.
The Patriots parted ways with Folk earlier this week, making rookie Quinn Nordin their new starting kicker. However, the veteran, who connected on 26 of 28 field goals and 30 of 33 extra point attempts for New England in 2020, will stick around on the practice squad. Folk entered the league back in 2007 and spent his first few years as the Cowboys’ kicker, although he’s most well-known for being the Jets’ kicker for seven seasons from 2010-16.
The Cowboys moved on from Gilbert this week, and now the quarterback will land back with his former organization. The 30-year-old spent parts of the 2014 and 2015 seasons with New England. He got his first NFL start in 2020 with the Cowboys, completing 21 of his 38 pass attempts for 243 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The rest of New England’s practice squad players can be found here.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s AFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Buffalo Bills
Signed:
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- G Jack Anderson, DT Brandin Bryant, G Jamil Douglas, QB Jake Fromm, WR Tanner Gentry, LB Joe Giles-Harris, CB Ojaijah Griffin, WR Isaiah Hodgins, CB Cam Lewis, DE Mike Love, TE Quintin Morris, S Josh Thomas, QB Davis Webb, CB Rachad Wildgoose, RB Antonio Williams
Miami Dolphins
Claimed:
- DB Elijah Campbell (from Jets)
Waived:
- CB Jamal Perry
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Shaquem Griffin, QB Reid Sinnett
New England Patriots
Claimed:
- WR Malcolm Perry (from Dolphins)
Waived:
- LB Harvey Langi
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Tashaun Bower, DB Myles Bryant, C James Ferentz, K Nick Folk, QB Garrett Gilbert, QB Brian Hoyer, TE Matt LaCosse, FB Ben Mason, DT Bill Murray, WR Tre Nixon, OL Alex Redmond, CB D’Angelo Ross, G William Sherman, WR Kristian Wilkerson
New York Jets
Claimed:
- DE Tim Ward (from Chiefs)
Re-signed:
- TE Dan Brown, TE Ryan Griffin, S Sharrod Neasman
Waived:
- CB Bless Austin, DE Jabari Zuniga
Placed on IR:
- S Ashtyn Davis, LB Jarrad Davis, OL Conor McDermott
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s AFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Baltimore Ravens
Signed to practice squad:
- OT Adrian Ealy, NT Justin Ellis, LB Blake Gallagher, DB Anthony Levine, QB Trace McSorley, WR Jaylon Moore, TE Tony Poljan, DB Jordan Richards, OT Andre Smith, DE Chris Smith, P Johnny Townsend, K Jake Verity, WR Benjamin Victor
Cincinnati Bengals
Claimed:
- DB Nick McCloud (from Bills), DE Wyatt Ray (from Titans)
Released:
- WR Mike Thomas
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Joe Bachie, CB Tony Brown, P Drue Chrisman, S Trayvon Henderson, LB Keandre Jones, TE Thaddeus Moss, RB Jacques Patrick, CB Winston Rose, TE Mason Schreck, DE Noah Spence, G Keaton Sutherland, WR Trent Taylor, DT Renell Wren, RB Pooka Williams, RB Trayveon Williams
Cleveland Browns
Signed:
- DE Joe Jackson
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
-
WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DT Sheldon Day, TE Jordan Franks, DE Porter Gustin, RB John Kelly, LB Elijah Lee, S Jovante Moffatt, QB Nick Mullens (story), WR JoJo Natson, FB Johnny Stanton, OL Jordan Steckler, DE Curtis Weaver
Pittsburgh Steelers
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Daniel Archibong, WR Rico Bussey, FB Trey Edmunds, DB Mark Gilbert, OT Chaz Green, S Karl Joseph, OL John Leglue, LB Christian Miller, G Malcolm Pridgeon, TE Kevin Rader, RB Jaylen Samuels, WR Steven Sims, DB Donovan Stiner, LB Derrek Tuszka, WR Cody White
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Chicago Bears
Claimed:
- WR Nsimba Webster (from 49ers)
Signed:
Waived:
- WR Rodney Adams
Placed on IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Auzoyah Alufohai, C Dieter Eiselen, CB Thomas Graham Jr., OL Arlington Hambright, WR Isaiah Coulter, K Brian Johnson, WR Jon’Vea Johnson, OLB Sam Kamara, RB Ryan Nall, WR Dazz Newsome, RB Artavis Pierce, OLB Charles Snowden, DB Teez Tabor
Detroit Lions
Released/Waived:
- TE Darren Fells, S Dean Marlowe
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Tanner Beckett, LB Rashod Berry, DT Miles Brown, S Jalen Elliott, K Zane Gonzalez, DL Bruce Hector, G Tommy Kraemer, TE Alize Mack, WR Javon McKinley, RB Dedrick Mills, OT Darrin Paulo, RB Craig Reynolds, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, WR Sage Surratt, TE Brock Wright, TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Abdullah Anderson, QB Kurt Benkert, WR Chris Blair, G Ben Braden, OL Jacob Capra, CB Kabion Ento, S Innis Gaines, LB Tipa Galeai, TE Bronson Kaufusi, K J.J. Molson, DL Willington Previlon, WR Equanimeous St. Brown, RB Patrick Taylor, OL Cole Van Lanen, LB Ray Wilborn, WR Juwann Winfree
Minnesota Vikings
Signed:
Claimed:
- TE Ben Ellefson (from Jaguars)
Placed on IR:
- WR Dan Chisena, RB Kene Nwangwu, TE Irv Smith Jr. (story)
Signed to practice squad:
- OT Zack Bailey, FB Jake Bargas, LB Tuf Borland, TE Zach Davidson, S Myles Dorn, G Dakota Dozier, G Kyle Hinton, WR Myron Mitchell, CB Parry Nickerson, WR Whop Philyor, RB A.J. Rose, CB Tye Smith, DE Kenny Willekes
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC South
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These moves for the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC South transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Atlanta Falcons
Claimed:
- G Colby Gossett (from Browns)
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Willie Beavers, LB Quinton Bell, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, RB D’Onta Foreman, WR Juwan Green, RB Caleb Huntley, S Dwayne Johnson, OL Sam Jones, OL Ryan Neuzil, LB George Obinna, TE John Raine, DL Chris Slayton, WR Austin Trammell, TE David Wells, CB Chris Williamson
Carolina Panthers
Release from IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Omar Bayless, RB Spencer Brown, DL Frank Herron, CB Jalen Julius, WR Keith Kirkwood, CB Rashaan Melvin, OL Aaron Monteiro, QB James Morgan, S Kenny Robinson, WR C.J. Saunders, RB Rodney Smith, TE Stephen Sullivan, OL Sam Tecklenburg
New Orleans Saints
Released:
- K Aldrick Rosas; Rosas is expected to re-sign later this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets
Claimed:
- RB Adam Prentice (from Broncos)
Signed to practice squad:
- FB Alex Armah, WR Kawaan Baker, OT Caleb Benenoch, DT Josiah Bronson, DT Albert Huggins, LB Wynton McManis, DB Bryan Mills, DB KeiVarae Russell, WR Kevin White, WR Easop Winston, TE Ethan Wolf
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signed to practice squad:
- S Andrew Adams, WR Cyril Grayson, QB Ryan Griffin, WR Travis Jonsen, TE Codey McElroy, WR Jaydon Mickens, CB Herb Miller, DL Benning Potoa’e, DL Kobe Smith, RB Darwin Thompson, OL Brandon Walton, TE Deon Yelder
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Washington moves are noted below.
Here are Wednesday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.
Dallas Cowboys
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Isaac Alarcón, DB Kyron Brown, CB Deante Burton, S Tyler Coyle, QB Ben DiNucci, DE Austin Faoliu, DT Justin Hamilton, RB JaQuan Hardy, C Braylon Jones, WR Osirus Mitchell, FB Nick Ralston, WR Brandon Smith, DE Breeland Speaks, TE Jeremy Sprinkle, S Darian Thompson
New York Giants
Placed on IR:
- WR John Ross, LB Elerson Smith
Signed:
- WR C.J. Board (Board was cut (below) before getting re-signed), LS Casey Kreiter
Claimed:
- LB Justin Hilliard (from 49ers), WR Collin Johnson (from Jaguars), LB Quincy Roche (from Steelers)
Waived:
- WR C.J. Board, LB Trent Harris, WR Dante Pettis
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Jackson Barton, OL Jake Burton, WR Matt Cole, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE Jake Hausmann, OL Brett Heggie, DL Willie Henry, LB Niko Lalos, DL David Moa, S Jordyn Peters, RB Sandro Platzgummer, WR David Sills, OL Kenny Wiggins, WR Damion Willis
Philadelphia Eagles
Signed to practice squad:
- S Grayland Arnold, OL Kayode Awosika, OT Le’Raven Clark, WR Travis Fulgham, WR John Hightower, RB Jordan Howard, RB Jason Huntley, CB Michael Jacquet, CB Craig James, WR KeeSean Johnson, DE Matt Leo, G Sua Opeta, OL Ross Pierschbacher, S Elijah Riley, LB JaCoby Stevens, DT Raequan Williams
Washington Football Team
Placed on IR:
Signed:
- LB David Mayo
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Peyton Barber, OL Beau Benzschawel, DE William Bradley-King, WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, C Keith Ismael, CB Danny Johnson, LB Jordan Kunaszyk, G Wes Martin, LB Jared Norris, S Jeremy Reaves, DE Bunmi Rotimi, OT David Steinmetz, C Jon Toth, DT Daniel Wise, DT Gabe Wright
Ravens Place WRs Rashod Bateman, Miles Boykin On IR
The Ravens are placing a pair of wide receivers on injured reserve. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the team placed first-round pick Rashod Bateman and teammate Miles Boykin on IR. The team re-signed tight end Eric Tomlinson to take one of those open roster spots.
Bateman underwent groin surgery last month, and he was expected to be sidelined until some point in September. Now, he’ll sit out at least the Ravens’ first three games, but there’s a chance he could be back at some point in October. Bateman, one of several stellar WRs in the 2020 class, registered 1,219 yards and eleven touchdowns in 2019, his last full season at Minnesota. The Ravens selected him with the No. 27 in this past year’s draft.
Boykin hasn’t missed a game since being selected in the third round of the 2019 draft. The wideout has also started 24 games over his first two seasons, hauling in 32 receptions for 464 yards and seven touchdowns.
With Bateman and Boykin landing on IR, the Ravens are left with five wideouts on their roster: Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins, James Proche, Devin Duvernay, and Tylan Wallace.
Tomlinson, 29, had a three-year stint with the Jets before bouncing between the Giants (twice), Patriots, Raiders, and Ravens. He got into six games with Baltimore in 2020, earning 123 offensive snaps.