2019 August - Pro Football Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/19

August 28th, 2019 at 4:36pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s roster shuffling here as teams gear up for major cuts at the end of the week:

Buffalo Bills

Placed on IR: DE Mike Love
Waived: P Corey Carter
Waived from IR: OL De’Ondre Wesley

Carolina Panthers

Signed: LS Andrew DePaola
Placed on IR: DT Destiny Vaeao

Chicago Bears

Claimed off waivers: OL Tommy Doles

Detroit Lions

Signed: RB James Williams

Green Bay Packers

Signed: CB Jackson Porter
Waived (failed physical): LB Nicholas Grigsby

Houston Texans

Waived: DB Deante Burton, DB Derrick Jones

Jacksonville Jaguars

Waived from injured reserve: RB Roc Thomas

New England Patriots

Waived from injured reserve: WR Maurice Harris

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: OT Riley Mayfield
Placed on IR: WR Charles Johnson

Tennessee Titans

Waived: TE Cole Wick
Waive/injured: OLB Josh Smith

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: T Will Holden, DE Logan Tago
Waived: DT Jay-Tee Tiuli

Cards Trade Korey Cunningham To Patriots

August 28th, 2019 at 3:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots are sending a sixth-round pick to the Cardinals in exchange for offensive lineman Korey Cunningham, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Cunningham first broke the news himself, via Instagram.

“Arizona!! Man, it’s been a fun year and a half out in the desert!” Cunningham wrote. “Thank you to Mr. [Bidwill], Steve Keim, and the Cardinals organization for allowing me to start off my career here. Wish you guys nothing but the best of luck this season! With that being said, I was just notified that I have been traded to the New England Patriots. Beyond excited to continue my career and to get back to work!!”

Cunningham, a second-year pro, was set to serve as a backup tackle for the Cardinals after starting six games last season. Instead, the 2018 seventh-round pick will provide depth for the Patriots.

Given the Patriots’ need for offensive line support and the timing of the deal, Cunningham seems likely to make the 53-man roster as a swing tackle behind Isaiah Wynn and Marcus Cannon. Dan Skipper and Cole Croston, meanwhile, could be on or near the bubble.

Texans, Brennan Scarlett Agree To Extension

August 28th, 2019 at 3:04pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans have agreed to an extension with outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). With the new deal, Scarlett is now under contract through the 2020 season.

Earlier this year, the Texans used the restricted free agent tender to lock Scarlett down for $2.25MM in 2019. The extension will take him through the following season at a rate of $3.75MM.

Scarlett, a Stanford product, has had a strong offseason, and he has been rewarded for his efforts.

“Brennan, he has improved a whole lot, especially from last year to this year,” Texans veteran Whitney Mercilus said recently (via the Houston Chronicle). “He’s embraced his role. His pass rush has been on point. His pass coverage has been on point. I’m excited to see exactly what he does this year.”

Last year, the former UDFA was called upon to make three starts. If teammate Jadeveon Clowney gets traded, then he’ll be seeing even more time on the field.

Bills Sign Stephen Hauschka To Extension

August 28th, 2019 at 2:44pm CST by Zachary Links

Stephen Hauschka isn’t going anywhere. On Wednesday, the Bills announced a brand new two-year extension for their kicker.

Prior to the deal, Hauschka was due to hit free agency after earning $2.25MM in salary and bonuses in 2019. Now, he’s under club control through 2021 and has clear assurance that he’ll beat out Chase McLaughlin for the Bills’ kicking job.

Hauschka spent the bulk of his career with the Seahawks and had stops with the Ravens and Broncos before landing with the Bills in 2017. Since then, he’s nailed 83.6% of his field goals, though last year (78.6%) was a bit rocky.

For his career, Hauschka has converted on 86.4% of his FG tries, including a pair of 93%+ showings in Seattle. His 2018 percentage was a career low, but his new deal may give him the confidence to turn things around.

Colts Meet With Brock Osweiler

August 28th, 2019 at 12:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts are on the lookout for quarterback help following Andrew Luck’s retirement. On that front, they met with free agent Brock Osweiler on Tuesday, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Osweiler, 29 in November, first made a name for himself as he filled in for Peyton Manning during the 2015 season. The QB went 5-2 in his starts that year and parlayed that showing into a four-year, $72MM deal with the Texans in 2016. After an interception-laden Year One, he was pawned off on the Browns, who then released him before the start of the 2017 season. That led him back to Denver for a year, then over to the Dolphins in 2018. Over the last two years, Osweiler owns a 2-7 record with nearly as many interceptions (nine) as touchdowns (eleven).

Osweiler’s resume is less than sterling, but the Colts view him as a potential candidate to hold the clipboard for new starter Jacoby Brissett.

49ers’ Jerick McKinnon Suffers Setback

August 28th, 2019 at 11:31am CST by Zachary Links

You’ve got to feel for Jerick McKinnon. The 49ers running back suffered a setback in practice this week and GM John Lynch says it’s “not encouraging,” (Twitter link via Brian Murphy of KNBR). Details are sparse at the moment, but it sounds like McKinnon’s status is very much in doubt for 2019.

The 49ers inked McKinnon to a four-year $30MM contract in 2018, but a torn ACL wiped out his first would-be season in SF. It was a huge disappointment for the team and player alike – McKinnon flashed serious potential in Minnesota and many expected him to bust out big plays in the 49ers’ offense.

In 2017, his final year with the Vikes, McKinnon enjoyed career highs in receptions (51) and receiving yards (421). With capable hands and the athleticism to break out of early tackles, McKinnon offered the ability to go for long-distance runs and serve as a security blanket for Jimmy Garoppolo. Both players were knocked out by injuries in 2018, and it sounds like McKinnon’s sideline stint will extend into at least part of 2019.

Colts Trade Nate Hairston To Jets

August 28th, 2019 at 11:26am CST by Zachary Links

The Colts have agreed to trade cornerback Nate Hairston to the Jets, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In exchange, the Jets will send a 2020 sixth-round pick to Indianapolis.

The Jets had two sixth-round picks thanks to the Darron Lee trade, but the Colts will receive the lower of the two in the swap, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets.

The Jets’ need for cornerback help has been well-documented and they’ve addressed that need somewhat by acquiring Harrison. He’s not a star player, but he does have eleven starts to his credit over the past two years. He’s also under contract through 2020, giving Gang Green an opportunity to keep him in the fold beyond this season.

Harrison, by all accounts, had a solid camp, but the Colts’ logjam at cornerback allowed them to deal from a surplus. They’ll pick up a late-round draft choice for the 25-year-old and the Jets will plug him into their depth chart as a versatile cornerback/safety option.

Alabama LB Dylan Moses Suffers ACL Tear

August 28th, 2019 at 11:11am CST by Zachary Links

Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses, who was widely projected as a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has suffered a torn ACL, according to Matt Zenitz of AL.com (on Twitter). Needless to say, Moses will miss the entire 2019 season for the Crimson Tide and his draft stock could suffer greatly as a result.

Moses was widely regarded as the best linebacker eligible for the 2020 class by many draft experts, including Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller (on Twitter). Miller still believes that Moses can be a first-round pick, if he is able to rehab quickly. Then again, we’ve seen athletic ‘backers like Moses tumble before. Myles Jack, for instance, was on track to be an early pick in 2016 before his injury caused him to fall to the Jaguars at No. 36 overall.

Moses was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and one of the highest-ranked players in the nation. Last year, he appeared in all 15 games for Alabama and registered 86 tackles, ten tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

Latest On Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney

August 28th, 2019 at 8:56am CST by Zachary Links

Texans pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney wants out, and now we know why. The star defender planned to report this week, until he found out the team wanted to trade him, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears.

Originally, Clowney was slated to report after Week 3 of the preseason. Now, no one knows when – or if – Clowney will show up.

Trade rumors have swirled around Clowney for some time now, but, this summer, it sounds like he was operating under the assumption that he would stay put. The Texans’ recent front office shakeup undoubtedly played a role in Clowney’s situation – former GM Brian Gaine was in favor of giving Clowney a new deal, but head coach Bill O’Brien was reportedly against it. Clowney has been extension-eligible since January 2017 but, so far, the Texans have been unwilling to commit.

Clowney recently met with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and the Fins view themselves as the favorites to land the former No. 1 overall pick. Meanwhile, Clowney is reportedly eyeing the Seahawks and Eagles.

Jake Butt Headed To IR Again?

August 27th, 2019 at 9:44pm CST by Rory Parks

Broncos TE Jake Butt just can’t seem to catch a break. The Michigan product, who looked destined to be a first- or second-round draft pick in 2017 before a torn ACL suffered in his final collegiate game caused him to fall to the fifth round, is trying to battle back from another torn ACL, which came during a walkthrough practice last September.

He looked to be making progress in that regard, as he made it back to 11-on-11 drills earlier this month and played in the Broncos’ preseason game against the Rams on Saturday. Butt even indicated that he had “turned the corner.”

But head coach Vic Fangio said today that Butt has been shut down again and will not play in Thursday’s preseason finale due to renewed problems in his knee (h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk). Fangio said Butt could miss some time, and it seems that the 24-year-old may be IR-bound once again.

If Denver wants to put Butt on IR but retain the option of bringing him back at some point this season, he will need to be on the team’s initial 53-man roster before being placed on IR. We will know soon if the Broncos want to go that route.

Denver invested a first-round pick in raw but talented tight end Noah Fant this year, and Butt’s time with the Broncos may be running out. He played in three games (all starts) last year, posting eight receptions for 85 yards. That represents his only regular season action to date.