HEADLINES

Month: October 2024

Buccaneers Sign Carl Nassib

August 15th, 2022 at 8:35pm CST by Ben Levine

Carl Nassib has found a new gig. The defensive end has signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

It’s a one-year deal worth the league minimum, Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets. Nassib’s cap number will be just $1.05MM in 2022. He will collect a $152.5K signing bonus.

After collecting 12.5 sacks during his two seasons with the Buccaneers, Nassib inked a three-year, $25MM deal with the Raiders in 2020. Following his first season in Las Vegas, Nassib made headlines when he became the first openly gay active player in the NFL. The defensive end ended up getting into 27 games during his two seasons with the organization, compiling 49 tackles and four sacks. Had Nassib played enough defensive snaps in 2021 to qualify for Pro Football Focus’ rankings, he would have been listed as a middle-of-the-road edge rusher. The Raiders ended up cutting the 29-year-old back in March, creating $8MM in cap savings.

Nassib spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Tampa Bay, and today’s move will reunite him with Todd Bowles, who served as his defensive coordinator during the 2019 campaign. While Nassib mostly served as an edge rusher during his stint with the Raiders, there’s a good chance he’ll return to linebacker in Tampa Bay.

As ESPN’s Jenna Laine writes, Cam Gill recently went down with a Lisfranc injury, and the Buccaneers were already relying on an inexperienced starting LB in former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who is slated to replace Jason Pierre-Paul. Nassib can help provide some veteran stability at the position, although there’s probably little chance he cracks the starting lineup.

49ers Release CB Darqueze Dennard

August 15th, 2022 at 8:00pm CST by Ben Levine

Darqueze Dennard‘s stint with the 49ers has come to an end. The team announced that they’ve released the veteran cornerback.

The former first-round pick spent the first six years of his career with the Bengals, but he’s bounced around the NFL since leaving Cincy. Dennard has had stints with the Falcons, Cardinals, Colts, Giants, and 49ers since the beginning of the 2020 campaign, including time on four different squads in 2021 alone. After starting six of his eight games for Atlanta in 2020, Dennard got into two games with New York and San Francisco in 2021.

Dennard re-signed with the 49ers this offseason, and he was expected to compete for the primary nickelback role. With today’s move, the primary contenders for that gig are now Sam Womack, Dontae Johnson, and Qwuantrezz Knight, leading Matt Barrows of The Athletic to wonder (on Twitter) if the team may consider trying an outside guy like Deommodore Lenoir at the position.

As teams are required to cut down their rosters, the 49ers also waived fullback Josh Hokit, wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, and defensive lineman Tomasi Laulile. Johnson is the most notable of the bunch, having seen time in 18 games for Arizona between 2019 and 2020, hauling in 36 receptions for 360 yards and one score.

Texans Release Jordan Jenkins

August 15th, 2022 at 7:35pm CST by Ben Levine

After sitting on the Texans PUP to start training camp, Jordan Jenkins will now have a chance to catch on with another squad. The defensive end/linebacker was cut by Houston today, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).

Jenkins had been dealing with a strained calf that landed him on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp. According to Wilson, the defensive lineman’s health has improved, and now he’ll have an opportunity to join another team.

The former third-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career with the Jets, collecting 22.5 sacks in 72 games (62 starts). He inked a two-year, $6MM pact with the Texans last offseason, and he exclusively played off the bench during his one season in Houston. He collected 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 11 games, and he missed a handful of contests late in the season after suffering a torn PCL.

After primarily playing linebacker during his time in New York, Jenkins served as an edge rusher with the Texans in 2021. While Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance in Houston, they did give him a solid grade for his coverage ability, perhaps hinting that a return to LB could be in the cards.

According to Wilson (via Twitter), the Texans also cut wide receiver Chad Beebe, long snapper Harrison Elliott, and running back B.J. Emmons. Beebe made a name for himself in Minnesota when he hauled in 20 catches and two touchdowns during the 2020 campaign. He spent the entire 2021 campaign on injured reserve before joining the Texans back in June.

Ravens CB Marcus Peters Activated Off PUP

August 15th, 2022 at 7:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Baltimore finally saw one-half of their feared cornerback tandem return to practice today as Marcus Peters was activated off the physically unable to perform list. After passing his physical, Peters was back out on the practice field for the first time since September of last year. 

Peters suffered a torn ACL just four days before the Ravens’ season opener last year, filing into a line of falling dominos that took out much of the Ravens’ running back and cornerback rooms. He would miss the entire season after only sitting out five games in his previous six seasons.

The Ravens will be ecstatic at the return of their ball-hawk safety. While opposite-side starter Marlon Humphrey excels at separating ball-carriers from the football with forced fumbles, Peters is a dying breed of cornerback that excels in making sure the ball never gets to the receiver. He has seven interceptions in 24 games with the Ravens and, even though he missed all of last season, no one in the league has more interceptions since Peters entered the league than his own 31 picks.

Baltimore also announced the return of second-year safety Ar’Darius Washington from the PUP list. Washington impressed as an undrafted player out of TCU last year by making the Ravens’ final 53-man roster. He appeared in three games before a broken foot ended his season prematurely. Washington will return to an extremely deep safety room that currently houses Marcus Williams, Chuck Clark, first-round rookie Kyle Hamilton, Tony Jefferson, and Geno Stone.

Saints Sign LB Jon Bostic

August 15th, 2022 at 6:38pm CST by Ely Allen

New Orleans had enough faith in their linebacking corps to allow Kwon Alexander to walk in free agency this offseason. Still, the Saints have brought in veteran linebacker Jonathan Bostic to contribute alongside Demario Davis, Pete Werner, and company, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Bostic has spent the last three years as a starter in Washington. His stay in DC was his first extended tenure with a team since the two years he spent in Chicago as a second-round pick. He never quite found his footing in Chicago earning several starts but also a few healthy scratches. The Bears traded him to the Patriots, in exchange for a sixth-round pick, who played him so reservedly that he only accumulated two total tackles in New England. The Patriots traded him for a seventh-round pick to Detroit. Bostic sat all year on injured reserve with the Lions.

Finally in control of his own contract, Bostic signed an incredibly cheap one-year, $690,000 deal with the Colts. He finally started to live up to his draft status, starting 14 games in Indianapolis and nearly reaching 100 total tackles. He followed that season up with a two-year deal to join the Steelers. He failed to reach the same heights he had in Indiana and was released after Pittsburgh drafted Devin Bush to take over at inside linebacker.

When linebacker Reuben Foster was placed on injured reserve in Washington, Bostic took advantage, signing a one-year deal to join the team. An impressive 2019 season led to a two-year extension for the resurgent linebacker. He continued his work as a full-time starter, putting together the best two seasons of his career. Over the 2019 & 2020 seasons, Bostic started 31 games, topping 100 tackles in each season for a total of 223, collected 4.0 sacks, 9.0 tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits. He also showed his abilities in coverage recording two interceptions and five passes defensed.

The 31-year-old suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 4 of last season, likely leading to his availability this late into free agency, as he missed the remainder of the year in recovery. The Saints will hope that he can come in fully-recovered and ready to go.

For most of his career, Bostic has served as an inside/middle linebacker. With Davis securely in the starting role on the inside, Bostic will either serve in a backup, rotation capacity or shift to an strong side role to compete with Kaden Elliss for playing time. Regardless, Bostic provides excellent veteran depth for a Saints defense that needed some help at linebacker.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/22

August 15th, 2022 at 5:39pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

  • Waived: DE Carson Taylor

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

 Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions 

Green Bay Packers 

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts 

Jacksonville Jaguars 

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins 

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Eagles To Trade J.J. Arcega-Whiteside To Seahawks For Ugo Amadi

August 15th, 2022 at 3:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

Amidst a day of roster cuts and player activations and signings, a rare player-for-player swap is taking place. The Eagles are sending tight end J.J. Arcega-Whiteside to the Seahawks in exchange for safety Ugo Amadi (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero). 

Arcega-Whiteside was one of several notable draft investments the Eagles have made at the wide receiver position recently. The 2019 second-rounder came to Philadelphia with significant expectations given his size (six-foot-two, 225 pounds) and production at Stanford. Things haven’t gone according to plan, however, as he has failed to secure a full-time starting role across three seasons in the NFL.

After totaling just 16 catches in his first 40 games, the Eagles decided this offseason to move the 25-year-old to tight end. With the likes of first-rounders Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith, as well as draft-day trade acquisition A.J. Brown at the position, that transition was Arcega-Whiteside’s clearest path to playing time. The same may not be true in Seattle, however; Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets that the Seahawks plan to play Arcega-Whiteside at WR, where he will compete for a secondary role behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. 

The news of a trade is particularly noteworthy in Amadi’s case. ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported (on Twitter) earlier today that the 25-year-old was going to be among the Seahawks’ first round of roster cuts. By acquiring him via trade, the Eagles avoid the possibility of another team claiming him. A fourth-round pick in the same draft as Arcega-Whiteside, Amadi started 12 games between 2020 and 2021. He played a career-high 691 defensive snaps last season, and recorded 54 tackles for the second consecutive season.

The five-foot-nine, 201-pounder will add depth on the backend for the Eagles. Safety was seen as an area of need for much of the offseason after the departure of Rodney McLeod, and Amadi will now look to carve out at least a rotational role behind starters Anthony Harris and Marcus Epps.

Both players will get a fresh start in advance of a contract year, and look to build their free agent values while reinforcing potential weak points on their new teams’ respective rosters.

Dolphins To Sign CB Mackensie Alexander

August 15th, 2022 at 2:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

In need of depth at the position, the Dolphins worked out a pair of free agent corners earlier today. In the case of Mackensie Alexander, that has resulted in a contract (as confirmed, on Twitter, by his agent). 

The 28-year-old was a second-round pick of the Vikings in 2016. He played sparingly during his first two seasons, though he recorded his first career interception in 2017. The following year, he registered his first six NFL starts, and totaled 10 pass deflections and four sacks. The Floridian signed in Cincinnati as a free agent in 2020, where he played the highest snap percentage (75%) of his career.

Alexander returned to Minnesota last season, but had the worst season of his career in terms of pass coverage, surrendering five touchdowns and a passer rating above 119. At the onset of free agency, it became clear that the Vikings would not be re-signing him. After nearly the entire offseason, he has now found a roster spot.

Miami has Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Nik Needham at the top of their CB depth chart, though Jones remains a question mark from a health perspective to be available by the start of the regular season. The team was very much in need of reinforcements behind that trio, especially after training camp standout Trill Williams suffered a torn ACL during their first preseason game.

Alexander will provide Miami with experienced depth at a minimum, something which was lacking at the No. 4 corner spot before today. He is also capable of stepping into a starting role, however, which could turn this signing into an effective one. Alexander’s arrival could also, notably, put 2020 first-rounder Noah Igbinoghene on the roster bubble, as noted by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (Twitter link).

In addition to Alexander, the Dolphins worked out UDFA Raleigh Texada, who had a five-year career at Baylor (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network). He likely won’t be needed now, with Alexander on the books.

Broncos Activate Randy Gregory, Billy Turner From PUP List

August 15th, 2022 at 2:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos have received some good news with respect to injuries on both sides of the ball. The team announced on Monday that they have activated defensive end Randy Gregory and offensive lineman Billy Turner from the active/PUP list. 

Gregory was initially set to re-sign with the Cowboys on a five-year, $70MM deal, but he instead inked a contract in Denver with the same terms. The 29-year-old represented a unique case in terms of his age when hitting the open market, having missed the 2017 and 2019 seasons due to suspensions. His production last year, though, with six sacks in 12 games, made him an attractive target.

The lack of wear and tear on his body, in spite of his age, helped make Gregory the Broncos’ top priority in the edge rush department, even during an offseason where a reunion with Von Miller was possible. The former second-rounder is projected to be a starter and impact player on the edge in Denver. Shoulder surgery which took place shortly after signing with the Broncos made Gregory’s regular season availability a question mark, but today’s news is an encouraging step that he could be on the field for Week 1.

Likewise, a return to full health for Turner would be a significant development along the offensive line. The 30-year-old rejoined the Broncos on a one-year deal this offseason, after three years spent with Nathaniel Hackett in Green Bay. Once he resumes practicing in full, he will compete with Tom Compton, Calvin Anderson and Cameron Fleming for the starting right tackle spot – one which has been in flux for years in Denver. With 68 career starts, and plenty of familiarity with both the new coaching staff and the franchise, Turner should have a solid chance to win the first-team role.

The team’s announcement also confirmed the signing of veteran linebacker Joe Schobert. He, along with Gregory and Turner, should each have significant roles as the Broncos look to end their playoff drought.

Latest On Saints RB Alvin Kamara

August 15th, 2022 at 12:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Saints have made a number of changes on offense this offseason, but much of the unit’s success will still depend on running back Alvin Kamara. His availability for the 2022 campaign has been in doubt dating back to February, but there is a chance he suits up for the full season. 

Kamara was charged with felony battery for his involvement in an altercation which took place during Pro Bowl weekend. As a result, he has been expected to face a six-game suspension, which would be in line with the NFL’s personal conduct policy. A ban of that length would mark the longest absence of the 27-year-old’s career.

Not long after his arrest, it was reported that Kamara is also facing a civil suit from the incident’s victim, Darnell Greene. With court proceedings representing a potential significant delay in the league’s disciplinary process, though, the chance has existed that Kamara be eligible to play in Week 1. Since the league is strictly “monitoring” the legal process at this point, those chances are growing by the day.

Indeed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that “it looks more and more unlikely” that a suspension will be handed down at least in time for the start of the regular season (video link). The possibility of a significant ban hanging over him could complicate the Saints’ RB room, which also includes Mark Ingram, Dwayne Washington, Tony Jones Jr. and Devine Ozigbo. The team was understandably reported to be on the lookout for added depth in the event of losing Kamara, but they cut Malcolm Brown last week.

Since, as Schefter adds, Kamara “may be on the field for the majority if not all of this season,” this situation is likely to remain unclear for the rest of the summer, but it will remain a key storyline surrounding the Saints.

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