HEADLINES

Year: 2024

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/23

December 19th, 2023 at 7:06pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Los Angeles Chargers

With Keaton Mitchell done for the season, the Ravens are adding a veteran to their active roster. Gordon has spent the entire season with the Ravens organization, compiling 99 yards on 16 touches in two games. He’ll now have a spot on the 53-man roster for the rest of the season, serving as the team’s RB3 behind Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.

Colts Suspend WR Isaiah McKenzie, CB Tony Brown

December 19th, 2023 at 6:51pm CST by Ben Levine

The Colts have suspended a pair of players for the rest of the 2023 campaign. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, receiver Isaiah McKenzie and cornerback Tony Brown have earned three-game suspensions for “conduct detrimental to the team.”

Holder admits that it’s uncertain what the players did to warrant the suspensions, but a source disclosed that the “nature of the violations rose to a level where severe punishment” was necessary. Both players were inactive this past weekend.

McKenzie joined the Colts this past offseason after having spent the previous five seasons in Buffalo. After finishing 2022 with career-highs in receptions (42) and receiving yards (423), McKenzie hasn’t seen nearly as big of an offensive role in Indy. In 13 games (tw0 starts), McKenzie has hauled in 11 catches for 82 yards. He’s also served as the team’s primary punt returner.

After bouncing around the NFL to begin his career, Brown joined the Colts prior to the 2022 campaign. He got into 16 games last season, compiling seven tackles and one sack. He had 10 tackles and an interception in 12 games this season, with the majority of his playing time coming on special teams.

The Colts weren’t done making roster moves today, with the team announcing that they’ve signed Tyler Goodson to the 53-man roster. The running back was promoted for each of the last three games, collecting 88 yards on 16 touches. With Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss both questionable for Week 16, Goodson could see a significant role on Sunday.

Texans Sign QB Tim Boyle To Practice Squad

December 19th, 2023 at 5:51pm CST by Ben Levine

With C.J. Stroud still sitting in concussion protocol, the Texans are adding some depth to the quarterback room. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the Texans are signing quarterback Tim Boyle to the practice squad.

Stroud suffered his concussion during Houston’s Week 14 loss to the Jets. Per Wilson, the second-overall pick still has concussion symptoms, putting his status for this weekend’s game against Cleveland in doubt. If the rookie can’t play, veteran Case Keenum is expected to get another start against his former team. Keenum started for Houston this past weekend and helped guide the team to an overtime win over the Titans.

Considering Stroud’s uncertainty, the Texans have been in the market for some QB help. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Texans tried to claim Nathan Rourke after he was waived by the Jaguars. The Patriots won the waiver claim battle, forcing the Texans to look elsewhere.

Boyle joins the Texans after having spent the first part of his 2023 campaign with the Jets. Initially brought in as a familiar backup to Aaron Rodgers, Boyle ended up getting inserted into the lineup in the middle of the season. The Jets went winless in his two starts, and in three games, the QB tossed one touchdown vs. four interceptions. After starting his career in Green Bay, Boyle went winless in three starts with the Lions in 2021. He got into one game for Chicago in 2022, tossing a pair of interceptions in eight pass attempts.

It’s unlikely Boyle sees any playing time in Houston, assuming Stroud sees the field again before the season is done. Even with the rookie out of the lineup, the veteran would be the QB3 behind Keenum and former starter Davis Mills.

Mental Health Issues Keep Patriots CB J.C. Jackson From Playing

December 19th, 2023 at 4:15pm CST by Ely Allen

DECEMBER 19: Jackson’s season is now over. The Patriots are placing the recently reacquired cornerback on the reserve/non-football illness list, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets. As this designation sidelines a player for at least four games, Jackson’s next opportunity to suit up will come in September. Jackson’s Chargers-constructed contract runs through 2026, but no guaranteed money remains beyond this year. The Patriots signed running back Kevin Harris from their practice squad to take Jackson’s roster spot.

DECEMBER 17: The Patriots were forced to start rookie cornerback Alex Austin against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs today when expected starter J.C. Jackson was an unexpected scratch on the active roster today. Jackson’s agent, Neil Schwartz, explained that his client is dealing with mental health issues, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, a problem Jackson has admitted to in the past.

“I would say, mentally, I’m getting better,” Jackson had said after missing the team’s trip to Germany. “The past year and a half, two years has been up and down for me, mentally. You see us in those little, small helmets, but as we walk out these doors, we’re dealing with reality and what a normal person has to deal with.”

Jackson, once a prized free agent addition for the Chargers after his initial stint in New England, was traded back to the Patriots earlier this year after multiple injuries and a few healthy scratches in Los Angeles. Jackson was almost immediately elevated to a starting position in New England when rookie first-round pick Christian Gonzalez was lost for the year.

Despite a return to prominence with his old team, Jackson still experienced issues. His absence in Germany was the result of discipline for missing multiple “bed checks,” a punishment that he accepted, apologized for, and said he would learn from.

Today’s absence, though, proves that there is still a bit of work to be done by Jackson. The Patriots clearly thought he would be active today, leading them to list backup cornerback Shaun Wade as inactive. This resulted in the team being down two cornerbacks against one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and forced them to start a rookie seventh-round pick that they signed a month and a half ago. Things went from bad to worse when veteran starter Jonathan Jones left the game with a knee injury, leaving only Austin and slot corner Myles Bryant as the remaining healthy cornerbacks on the roster.

With the Patriots already eliminated from the playoffs, there won’t be any rush to bring Jackson back before he can handle it, or at least, there shouldn’t be. Players are people, too, and it’s been clear for a while now that Jackson is struggling. Today’s inability to play is the latest in a string of adversity for Jackson as he continues to attempt to prioritize his mental health as an NFL player.

Lions Waive Riley Patterson, Activate Hendon Hooker From Reserve/NFI List

December 19th, 2023 at 3:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

In his second stint with the Lions, Riley Patterson served as the team’s kicker for 13 games this season. The offseason trade acquisition made more than 88% of his field goal attempts, but the Lions are still moving on once again.

The Lions waived Patterson on Tuesday. This clears the path for Michael Badgley to take over. An internal competition will lead to Detroit making a full-on change. Dan Campbell said Patterson and Badgley had vied for the job over the past several weeks in practice. Despite Patterson remaining on Detroit’s active roster throughout this period, the Lions elevated Badgley to kick against the Broncos.

The job is now Badgley’s for good. Badgley operated as the Lions’ kicker to close last season. The team, however, swapped future seventh-round picks with the Jaguars to reacquire Patterson — a Lions kicker for seven games in 2021 — following Jacksonville’s Brandon McManus signing. Patterson now returns to the waiver wire.

Additionally, the Lions made the move to activate Hendon Hooker from their reserve/NFI list. Hooker suffered a torn ACL last November; the injury affected the Tennessee standout’s draft prospects. The Lions selected Hooker early in the third round but parked him on the NFI list. Tuesday’s activation will prevent Hooker’s rookie contract from tolling to 2027.

The Lions made the Patterson trade in May. Following a chain reaction that began with Sean Payton cutting McManus after a nine-season Broncos run, the Jags had discussed a trade with the Cowboys involving Patterson. But the Lions ended up sending a 2026 draft choice to reacquire the third-year specialist. The team used Badgley in 12 games last season and re-signed him on a practice squad deal after the Titans released him in August. Evidently impressive Badgley practice work will lead to the NFC North leaders shaking up their kicker situation.

Patterson has only attempted four field goals from beyond 40 yards this season; he is 3 of 4 on those kicks. Badgley was 9-for-11 from 40-49 yards last year and 2-for-3 from beyond 50. Patterson missed two PATs this season; Badgley did not miss an extra point last year with the Lions and was 6-for-6 in the team’s win over the Broncos on Saturday night.

This does mark an interesting switch for the Lions, who are on the verge of clinching their first division title in 30 years. The team initially cut Patterson to close out training camp in August 2022. Patterson ended up kicking throughout last season in Jacksonville. After the Lions went with Austin Seibert to start last season, they signed Badgley in early October. Badgley, 28, re-signed with Detroit in March but has been with three teams in 2023. Weeks after the Patterson trade, the Lions released Badgley, whom the Commanders and Titans subsequently cut. This complicated journey will lead him back into a role as the Lions’ primary kicker.

Hooker’s role suddenly looks clearer. The Lions are using Teddy Bridgewater as their backup quarterback this season, but the 31-year-old veteran is tied to a one-year contract. Bridgewater also announced over the weekend he plans to retire following the season. With Bridgewater planning to become a high school coach, the Lions have Hooker penciled in as Goff’s long-term backup.

The Lions have been cautious with Hooker, keeping him on the NFI list well into November and using his full activation window before moving him to the 53-man roster. Detroit now has three QBs on its 53-man roster and a fourth (David Blough) on its practice squad.

Dolphins Waive OLB Jason Pierre-Paul, Activate RB Chris Brooks From IR

December 19th, 2023 at 3:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jason Pierre-Paul‘s stay with his hometown team may end up being short-lived. Not long after signing Pierre-Paul off the Saints’ practice squad, the Dolphins waived him.

This move will send the veteran edge rusher to the waiver wire. While Pierre-Paul would be eligible to land on Miami’s practice squad if he clears waivers, the Dolphins brought back Melvin Ingram last week. JPP’s two-game stay included just five defensive snaps; he logged 17 during his one game as a Saint.

Pierre-Paul’s exit clears a roster spot for running back Chris Brooks, whom the Dolphins activated from IR on Tuesday. A rookie UDFA, Brooks has worked as a backup this season. He has logged 15 carries while playing on special teams. The Dolphins now only have one IR activation remaining. Brooks’ return may lead to Salvon Ahmed ending the season on IR, as the Dolphins recently placed starting linebacker Jerome Baker on IR with an MCL injury.

Because the Dolphins signed JPP off the Saints’ P-squad, they needed to keep him on their active roster for three weeks. Tuesday marks the three-week point. Considering Miami cut bait when first permitted to do so does not exactly point to the accomplished veteran being in the team’s plans, but we will see how the AFC East leaders proceed if he clears waivers.

Pierre-Paul, 34, angled to sign with a contender. It took the two-time Super Bowl starter until November to score a deal, with the Saints extending an opportunity. Pierre-Paul now joins ex-Ravens teammate Justin Houston on the waiver wire. While Houston fared better last season by leading Baltimore with 9.5 sacks, Pierre-Paul started over him. Despite signing the former first-rounder in-season, the Ravens used him as a 13-game starter. JPP only totaled three sacks in 2022, however, and has not eclipsed that number since the Buccaneers’ 2020 Super Bowl-winning campaign.

The Dolphins have been active in pursuing help at this position in recent weeks. The Jaelan Phillips Achilles tear provided a costly setback for a team that has seen extensive injuries impact its offensive and defensive lines. Miami, however, still has Bradley Chubb, Andrew Van Ginkel, Emmanuel Ogbah and second-year player Cameron Goode on its 53-man roster. It would seem Ingram’s return to Miami’s active roster is imminent. The former Pro Bowler tallied six sacks as a Dolphins rotational rusher last season.

Panthers To Waive OLB Justin Houston

December 19th, 2023 at 12:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Teams in need of edge-rushing help suddenly will have a new option to consider. The Panthers are cutting bait on their one-year Justin Houston contract.

Houston will hit waivers today, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. The 13th-year veteran, who had been stationed on a 2-12 team, wants to keep playing this season — but only for a contender. The Panthers have confirmed the move, which will end Houston’s Carolina tenure after just seven games on the active roster.

While Houston could conceivably clear waivers like Shaquille Leonard and Zach Ertz did, a higher likelihood exists here he will be claimed. Due to contract structure, Houston is only due $194K over the season’s remainder, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The 34-year-old defender signed a one-year, $6MM deal with Carolina late this summer. But $4.8MM of that sum came in the form of a signing bonus. Due to void years, the Panthers will be hit with approximately $4MM in dead money by releasing the former Chiefs, Colts and Ravens pass rusher.

Like Ertz, Houston is being removed from his team’s IR list. The Panthers placed Houston on IR in early November. He has not played since Carolina’s Oct. 29 game against the Texans. Houston also only has a half-sack this season. A hamstring issue sidelined the four-time Pro Bowler, but it is clear he expects to be ready to play again this season.

Last season, Houston ripped off 9.5 sacks to lead a playoff-bound Ravens team in that department. Although the Ravens entered training camp with more edge rusher questions, they let the veteran sign elsewhere. The Ravens have seen late additions Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy fare well for a rejuvenated pass rush. The Bears also considered Houston this offseason, but they traded for Montez Sweat and gave him a big-ticket extension. With Chicago not in the playoff race, Houston does not profile as a fit there at this juncture.

Houston also displayed better health in recent years. After knee trouble led the former third-round pick out of Kansas City in 2019, Houston played at least 14 games each year from 2019-22. He posted 19 sacks during a two-year Colts tenure and helped the Ravens as a stopgap fix from 2021-22. While Houston’s tenure opposite Brian Burns did not go as well, it would not surprise to see him generate interest as contenders assess their stretch-run OLB/DE contingents. Houston has experience playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes.

Packers DC Joe Barry To Remain In Place Through 2023 Season

December 19th, 2023 at 11:49am CST by Adam La Rose

The Packers’ defense had another poor outing in Week 15, a game in which Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield posted a perfect passer rating. That has led to a fresh round of questions regarding defensive coordinator Joe Barry‘s job security, but it remains intact for the time being.

When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Matt LaFleur said Barry will continue as the unit’s coordinator and play-caller through the remainder of the 2023 season. The latter is in his third season at the helm of Green Bay’s defense, and the team’s performances on that side of the ball have increasingly come under scrutiny. Sunday’s 34-20 loss marked the latest example of defensive struggles, but LaFleur remains committed to the status quo.

“If I thought that was the best solution today, then we’d make that decision,” he said, via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, of a potential DC change. “But when you’re having basic communication problems and you’re supposed to be in a certain coverage or a certain rotation and we’re not getting that communication, that’s what’s so disappointing to me is the fact that it was poor communication.”

LaFleur (who added he will have a larger hand in defensive preparations this week) has not made an in-season change to his staff during his tenure in Green Bay. He gave Barry a vote of confidence multiple times this offseason, despite a pair of campaigns with mediocre results. Expectations have been high for the Packers given their sustained draft investments on defense, but the team has once again not delivered on them in 2023. Green Bay currently sits 17th in the league in points allowed per game (21.5) and 23rd in yards surrendered (350).

Once again, run defense has been a sore spot. Green Bay has given up 139 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 30th in the NFL. The secondary – a unit which has been without cornerback Jaire Alexander for the past six games and saw Rasul Douglas traded away at the deadline – has fared better, but frustration still exists amongst the players. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell took to social media on Tuesday to voice his displeasure with his own situation, which has included playing through injury in recent weeks.

A report from the summer indicated 2023 would likely be Barry’s final season in Green Bay barring a turnaround. Improvement has not taken place in a number of areas, but the 53-year-old still has the public backing of his head coach. It will be interesting to see if that remains the case after the campaign has come to an end.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase To Miss Time

December 18th, 2023 at 10:30pm CST by Ely Allen

With Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase dealing with a separated shoulder, the Cincinnati offense will likely be forced to play without him, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. After the star wideout underwent an MRI today, the team came away with the expectation that he will miss at least one game but could miss more.

We’ve seen Chase attempt to play through a minor injury in the past last year, when a hairline hip fracture was aggravated a week later and ended up keeping him out of four games as he missed five weeks. Perhaps, with that memory as fresh as it is, the Bengals have decided to take the cautious route.

With three weeks to go in the regular season, Cincinnati remains solidly in the playoff mix. At 8-6, the Bengals currently hold the sixth seed in the AFC, holding tiebreakers over the Colts, Bills, and Texans. The remaining schedule consists of trips to Pittsburgh (7-7) and Kansas City (9-5), as well as a home matchup with the Browns (9-5).

Since the Steelers are now planning to roll with their third quarterback this year, it makes sense that the Bengals would use this opportunity to rest Chase. They’ll likely aim to make sure they have their leading receiver back in time for key matchups against the Chiefs and Browns. Still, it sounds like the Bengals are worried Chase may need to rest for longer than a single week.

So far this year, the Bengals haven’t nearly had the extremely strong, three-headed receiving attack with Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd that they had last year. Without Chase, Higgins and Boyd will take on a larger role, something they have shown they are more than capable of in the past, but filling in as the third receiver will be Trenton Irwin who is currently a distant fourth receiver on the team.

Cincinnati will hope they won’t have to rely on that threesome for too long, though. By letting Chase sit this week, the Bengals are hoping he will be able to return in time to help them close out the playoff push.

Vikings Designate OLB Jordan Hicks To Return From IR

December 18th, 2023 at 10:09pm CST by Ely Allen

After not missing a single game since 2018, Vikings outside linebacker Jordan Hicks has now missed the past four weeks of the season. Minnesota is hopeful that they will be able to start a new streak for Hicks after opening his 21-day practice window to come off of injured reserve today.

Hicks suffered a shin contusion in the team’s win over the Saints weeks ago and, as the game progressed, began feeling numbness and losing strength in his leg. The pain reportedly became excruciating, causing him to sweat profusely and lie in the fetal position, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Hicks underwent “emergency surgery” hours later and was subsequently placed on IR. Luckily, a successful surgery helped Hicks to avoid permanent damage in a situation that reportedly “often results in muscle loss or even amputation.”

Despite that, Hicks has been around the team, in the Vikings’ facility, attending meetings, rehabilitating. According to Seifert, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has expressed optimism that Hicks will be able to make a return this year, hence today’s designation.

If Hicks is able to make his comeback this year, it will provide a bit of a happy ending to what was a scary situation. If the Vikings hope to have Hicks in a potential playoff push and run, he will need to be activated with the next three weeks. Otherwise, we won’t see Hicks again until the 2024 season.

Load More Posts