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Month: December 2024

Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday

November 25th, 2014 at 5:42pm CST by Luke Adams

Already today, we’ve passed along word on practice squad signings and cuts made by the Buccaneers and Lions. Here are the rest of Tuesday’s practice squad transactions from around the NFL, with the latest updates added to the list throughout the day:

  • According to the NFL transaction report, the Chargers added cornerback Richard Crawford to their practice squad, according to Eric Williams of ESPN.com (on Twitter). San Diego waived Crawford from the active roster late last week.
  • The Colts have signed defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles to their practice squad, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (on Twitter). Quarles, 22, was released by the Colts yesterday to make room for linebacker Victor Butler. The Colts’ practice squad is currently full, so another move should be on the way.
  • Although he auditioned for the Cardinals today, running back Kapri Bibbs will return to Denver and be added to the Broncos‘ practice squad, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
  • Linebacker Keith Pough, who was released to make room for Josh Gordon the Browns‘ roster, has been re-signed to the club’s practice squad, replacing wide receiver L’Damian Washington, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • The Cardinals released tackle Kelvin Palmer from their practice squad today, creating an opening on the unit, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • The Texans cut a tackle of their own, removing Chris Martin from their taxi squad, tweets Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle.
  • After being released from the Falcons‘ active roster, receiver Freddie Martino cleared waivers and joined the team’s practice squad, replacing wideout Ryan Spadola, per ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure (via Twitter).

Earlier updates:

  • Former Patriots linebacker Ja’Gared Davis has signed with the Chiefs‘ practice squad, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Kansas City had been carrying nine players on its squad, so Davis fills that 10th and final spot, and no corresponding move is necessary.
  • In addition to confirming the addition of wide receiver and return man Griff Whalen to their practice squad, the Colts announced today that they’ve signed Jeff Demps to the unit, releasing running back Michael Hill to make room. Demps, a former Olympic sprinter, is also listed as a running back by Indianapolis.
  • You can find the up-to-date list of all 32 practice squad rosters right here.

NFC Notes: Holliday, 49ers, Vikings

November 25th, 2014 at 4:58pm CST by Luke Adams

While much has been made of the NFC’s miserable South division, the race to the postseason is heating up in the East, North, and West, and all three divisions will be on display during this week’s Thanksgiving games — the winner of the Eagles/Cowboys contest will take over first place in the East, while the Seahawks/49ers winner will gain an advantage in the Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the Lions have lost their last two games and their hold on the NFC North, and will have an uphill battle for a Wild Card berth if they’re upset at home by the Bears.

As we look forward to what should be an entertaining slate of Thursday games, let’s check in on the latest out of the NFC….

  • Having already been cut this year by the Giants and Buccaneers, return specialist Trindon Holliday is looking for a new home, and worked out this week for the 49ers, per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). San Francisco also auditioned running back David Fluellen, who was cut by the Colts prior to the regular season.
  • While head coach Jim Harbaugh isn’t viewed as likely to return to the 49ers next season, quarterback Colin Kaepernick told reporters today he believes Harbaugh will continue on with the team beyond 2014. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the details.
  • After seeing starting right tackle Phil Loadholt go down for the season with a pectoral injury, the Vikings worked out veteran tackles Eric Winston and J’Marcus Webb, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com.
  • Sam Bradford of the Rams, Steven Jackson of the Falcons, and Dashon Goldson of the Buccaneers are among the high-priced veterans who could become cap casualties in the offseason, writes Yates in an Insider-only ESPN.com piece.
  • Bradford and Goldson earn spots on a similar list from Joel Corry of CBSSports.com, who also identifies Marshawn Lynch of the Seahawks and Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals as stars who could be released by their respective teams.
  • Running back Kapri Bibbs will ultimately end up sticking with the Broncos’ practice squad after being waived by the team over the weekend, but he did work out for the Cardinals today, as Troy Renck of the Denver Post details.

Broncos Sign Connor Barth

November 25th, 2014 at 4:47pm CST by Luke Adams

4:47pm: Klis clarifies (via Twitter) that Barth is signed for two more years after the 2014 season.

4:40pm: It’s a multiyear contract for Barth, according to Klis (via Twitter). The Denver Post report indicates that it’s a “two-year contract that last through 2016,” which seems to be conflicting info — a deal through the 2016 season would be for three years, including the current season. In any case, it appears the Broncos view Barth as a potential long-term option, which may be one reason the team signed him instead of Feely, who is 10 years older.

2:32pm: The Broncos are replacing kicker Brandon McManus, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, who reports that the team is signing veteran free agent Connor Barth. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com confirms (via Twitter) that McManus has been waived as the corresponding move to accommodate the team’s new kicker.

Barth, 28, started his NFL career in 2008 with the Chiefs and moved on to Tampa Bay, where he was the Buccaneers’ kicker for four seasons. After missing the 2013 season with a torn Achilles, Barth was beaten out for Tampa Bay’s kicking job by Patrick Murray this past summer, leading to his release. The North Carolina product, who has made 84.2% of 120 career field goal attempts – including 12 of 19 from 50+ yards – also auditioned for the Lions last month before landing with the Broncos.

McManus was acquired by the Broncos at the end of the preseason from the Giants after Matt Prater received a four-game suspension. Denver ultimately elected to keep the rookie over the veteran, cutting Prater when his suspension ended, but McManus was inconsistent, making just nine of 13 field goal tries, and missing a 33-yarder against the Dolphins this past Sunday.

We first heard yesterday that the Broncos were considering a change at kicker, with Barth and fellow veteran Jay Feely coming in to try out for the team. Per Schefter (via Twitter), Feely also impressed during his workout, making 14 of 15 attempts, including a 60-yarder.

Titans Release Shaun Phillips

November 25th, 2014 at 3:33pm CST by Luke Adams

3:33pm: The Titans have officially confirmed Phillips’ release, announcing that they’ve promoted outside linebacker Dontay Moch to the roster to take his spot (Twitter links).

11:50am: The Titans will release veteran outside linebacker Shaun Phillips today, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). Because the trade deadline has passed, Phillips, like all players, will have to pass through waivers before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Phillips, 33, played nine seasons for the Chargers before joining the Broncos last season and then signing with the Titans this past March. The veteran inked a two-year, $5MM contract with the club, but wasn’t overly effective in a part-time role this season, recording just a pair of sacks after reaching double-digits in 2013. As Wyatt notes (via Twitter), with the club out of the playoff hunt, Ken Whisenhunt and his staff prefer to take a look at some younger defensive players down the stretch.

Because the deal included a $750K signing bonus, the Titans will carry $375K in dead money on their 2015 cap. However, removing Phillips’ base salary from their books creates more than $2.5MM in ’15 cap savings.

Tennessee will have an open roster spot once the release of Phillips becomes official, so a corresponding addition is likely.

Cardinals Sign Michael Bush

November 25th, 2014 at 3:05pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cardinals have signed free agent running back Michael Bush to their 53-man roster, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (via Twitter). Bush will replace fellow running back Kerwynn Williams, whom the team waived in a corresponding move.

Bush, 30, started his career with the Raiders, and spent the last two seasons in Chicago, serving as Matt Forte‘s backup, as well as a goal-line and short-yardage option for the Bears. After recording career-worst marks in carries (63), rushing yards (197), and yards per carry (3.1) last season, Bush was released by Chicago in March, and has been a free agent since then — despite his layoff from the NFL, the Cards presumably feel he’s still in football shape and can contribute down the stretch.

While Andre Ellington is the Cardinals’ primary back, Ellington isn’t exactly a bruiser, and has struggled in a featured role for Arizona this season, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. No other back on the team has received more than 25 rushing attempts in 2014, so it made sense that the Cards were on the lookout for a reliable No. 2 option, particularly one with some size. The team reportedly placed a waiver claim on Ben Tate last week, but lost out to the Vikings.

Jonathan Dwyer came into the ’14 season as the Cards’ backup to Ellington, but was placed on the non-football illness list after a domestic incident.

Bengals Place Smith On IR, Sign Meredith

November 25th, 2014 at 2:28pm CST by Ben Levine

MONDAY, 2:28pm: The Bengals have officially placed Smith on injured reserve, signing free agent tackle Jamon Meredith to replace him on the roster, the club announced today (via Twitter).

SUNDAY, 10:45pm: Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith has a tear in his tricep/bicep area, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The former first-round pick will need surgery next week, ending his season. Smith was injured in Sunday’s victory over the Texans.

Smith suffered a number of injuries early in his career, but he had seemed to have overcame those woes, missing only four games since 2011. The 27-year-old has been one of the Bengals top lineman in recent years, and Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) consistently ranked him among the top 20 tackles in the league. Those same numbers indicated that Smith was struggling this year, but it may have been a result of the ankle injury that forced him from two games this season.

The former Crimson Tide lineman was drafted sixth overall in the 2009 draft, and he signed a three-year extension worth $18MM in 2013. Offseason addition Marshall Newhouse will likely start in place of Smith.

NFC East Notes: Maclin, Giants, Washington

November 25th, 2014 at 1:52pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti retired last year, but if he were interested in continuing to work, it sounds as if he’d have no shortage of NFL opportunities. Speaking to John Canzano of the Oregonian, Aliotti confirmed that every team in the NFC East – presumably besides the Eagles – has contacted him with interest in hiring him as a consultant to help slow down Chip Kelly‘s offense.

“I have been asked by everybody in the NFC East,” Aliotti said. “The Giants asked me to come back when Chip got the first job. I didn’t feel right doing that. Some teams have called when they’re getting ready to play the Eagles and they call and have certain questions on the thing. Unless I know the guy and he’s a good friend, I don’t get involved with that.”

As the Cowboys prepare to try to slow down Kelly and the Eagles’ offense this Thursday, here’s the latest out of the NFC East:

  • Eagles wideout Jeremy Maclin has left former CAA agent Ben Dogra, and appears likely to stick with the agency, switching to agent Tom Condon, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). Maclin, who is in a contract year, ranked eighth in the first edition of our 2015 free agent power rankings.
  • Even after watching Will Hill blanket Jimmy Graham and return an interception for a touchdown for the Ravens last night, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com says the Giants weren’t wrong to cut him in the offseason following his third drug suspension is as many seasons.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap takes an in-depth look at some of the key roster and cap decisions facing the Giants for 2015 and beyond.
  • A pair of FXFL players – cornerback Kevin Fogg and linebacker Quandon Christian – worked out for Washington today, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).

Lions Waive Kellen Davis, Promote Austin

November 25th, 2014 at 11:40am CST by Luke Adams

A little over a month after signing with the team, tight end Kellen Davis has been waived by the Lions, tweets Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Offensive lineman Rodney Austin will take Davis’ spot on the 53-man roster, having been promoted from the practice squad, while linebacker Jerrell Harris joins the taxi squad.

Davis, who turned 29 last month, has grabbed 50 balls for 561 yards and 12 touchdowns during his six-year NFL career. However, he didn’t add to those totals with the Lions — he was targeted just three times during his brief stint with the team, and didn’t record a single reception.

The Lions signed Davis when the team had multiple tight ends ailing. With Eric Ebron, Joseph Fauria, and Brandon Pettigrew all healthy and back in the lineup, the club had a more pressing need for depth on the offensive line, which led to Austin’s promotion.

Bucs Sign Two TEs, Cut Marcus Thigpen

November 25th, 2014 at 11:27am CST by Luke Adams

The Buccaneers have announced a series of transactions today, making multiple changes to both their 53-man roster and their practice squad, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. In a series of Twitter links, Smith reports the following moves:

Added to 53-man roster:

Waived:

Placed on injured reserve:

Added to practice squad:

Released from practice squad:

It’s no surprise that Thigpen and Lane were removed from the 53-man roster, considering Thigpen has muffed multiple punts in recent weeks, and Lane is out for the season with a leg injury. It’s interesting though that the team added a pair of tight ends to the roster to replace the departed players — that suggests that the club may rely on an in-house option to return kicks, and that perhaps one of the tight ends will play fullback, if necessary.

Jerome Felton Considering Opting Out

November 25th, 2014 at 10:07am CST by Luke Adams

During the 2014 offseason, Vikings fullback Jerome Felton agreed to restructure his contract, and while it reduced his ’14 base salary by $500K, the move also provided Felton with the opportunity to opt out of his deal following the season. Considering his role has been reduced under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, the veteran fullback tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he’ll take the lack of snaps into account when deciding whether or not to opt out.

“Of course, that will be a factor,” Felton said. “But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time this year because I like our coaching staff and I really think this team is heading in the right direction. All of that is going to be in play.“

Felton, who made the Pro Bowl in 2012, can earn back that $500K this season if he earns another Pro Bowl nod, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rates him as the league’s second-best player at his position. For what it’s worth, Felton says he thinks he’s “the best fullback in the NFL” and believes he’s playing better this year than he did in 2012, but given the Vikings’ 4-7 record and the fact that the 28-year-old has played just 122 snaps, his strong play may not be recognized.

Assuming Felton opts into his contract for next year, he’d be owed a base salary of $2.45MM, along with a workout bonus of $50K, but none of that money is guaranteed, so Minnesota wouldn’t be obliged to keep him on the roster. As a point of comparison, the Buccaneers recently extended Anthony Sherman – the one fullback ahead of Felton in PFF’s rankings – to a three-year deal worth up to $7MM, so Felton may prefer to hit the open market and look for a team willing to commit that sort of money to a multiyear pact rather than playing out one more season with the Vikes.

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