HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Rams TE Tyler Higbee To Begin Season On Reserve/PUP List

August 27th, 2024 at 10:29am CST by Adam La Rose

As expected, Tyler Higbee will be sidelined for at least the first four games of the season. The Rams tight end is being shifted to the reserve/PUP list, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Higbee is rehabbing an ACL tear suffered in Los Angeles’ wild-card loss. Missed time at the beginning of the campaign was always a distinct possibility as a result, and the team does not expect him to be fully healthy within the first four weeks of the season anyway. As Higbee continues to recover, the Rams will look elsewhere at the tight end spot.

The 31-year-old has been a consistent element of Los Angeles’ offense during his eight-year career. Higbee has started every game he is played in since 2017, and he has made 61 or more catches three times in a season. While 2023 was a down year in terms of production, his absence will still be felt on offense during the fall.

Los Angeles added Colby Parkinson in free agency on a two-year, $22.5MM deal. The former Seahawk will take on starting duties while Higbee is on the mend, and the Rams’ TE tandem when the latter is healthy will be an intriguing part of their offense. Los Angeles also has Hunter Long – acquired via trade last year – along with 2023 fifth-round selection Davis Allen in place on the depth chart. Those two will see elevated roles at least until Higbee is activated.

The former fourth-rounder is on the books for two more seasons, and he is due $17MM during that span. $2MM of Higbee’s 2025 roster bonus is already guaranteed, so having him back at full strength well before the start of next season will be key from the Rams’ perspective. He should be on the field at some point this year, but for now Los Angeles’ efforts to return to the postseason will take place without him in the picture.

Texans To Cut WRs Ben Skowronek, Noah Brown; CBs C.J. Henderson, Desmond King Also Released

August 27th, 2024 at 10:11am CST by Sam Robinson

For a second time this year, a team has made plans to waive Ben Skowronek. When the Rams were close to doing so in May, they found a trade partner. As of now, the Texans do not have a trade in place.

Houston is moving on from a wide receiver it acquired from Los Angeles, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reporting Skowronek will be cut. He will not be the only wideout Houston is releasing. The team is cutting Noah Brown, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz tweets. Brown totaled 567 receiving yards in his Texans debut. That said, the Texans entered the week with a crowded wide receiver room.

Additionally, the Texans are moving on from cornerback C.J. Henderson, per Wilson. The team added the former Jacksonville top-10 pick in March, bringing him in along with ex-Lions top-five CB draftee Jeff Okudah. But Henderson has struggled during his pro career, being benched by the Panthers during a rocky three-season tenure. Henderson is a vested veteran and will return to free agency.

The Texans are also moving on from Desmond King, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. King, who began a second stint with the team after the Steelers cut him last year, re-signed with the Texans this offseason. The veteran was competing for the team’s slot cornerback role.

Second-round pick Kamari Lassiter is slated to start opposite Derek Stingley. The Texans also signed ex-Patriots slot defender Myles Bryant in late March. Okudah remains on Houston’s roster, being given a one-year deal worth $4.75MM. The Texans gave Henderson a one-year, $2MM pact; only $500K was guaranteed.

Some of these players figure to be under consideration for Texans practice squad spots, but they also may have options in free agency. Brown impressed as a fill-in player for an injury-plagued receiving corps last year, and the longtime Cowboys option signed a one-year deal worth $4MM. With Brown being guaranteed $3MM, it is a bit surprising the team is moving on from a player with back-to-back 500-plus-yard seasons on his resume.

The Texans, however, acquired Stefon Diggs via trade and have Tank Dell returning from injury. The team also used a 2022 second-round pick on John Metchie. Despite the Alabama alum and leukemia survivor generating trade interest, he remains with the club. So does Robert Woods, who is tied to a two-year, $14MM deal. The Texans gave up only a 2026 sixth-round pick for Skowronek, who functioned as a utility player of sorts for the Rams.

Bears To Release QB Brett Rypien

August 27th, 2024 at 10:06am CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears’ quarterback hierarchy appeared set. At least, the team’s Nos. 1 and 2 spots did. One of the other options on Chicago’s roster entering cut day, Brett Rypien, will not be part of the team’s 53-man edition this afternoon.

Rypien received word he will be released, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. After four Broncos seasons, the former UDFA has become a journeyman. He has bounced from the Rams to the Seahawks to the Jets to the Bears in less than a year. Rypien is a vested veteran and will head straight to free agency.

Rypien, Caleb Williams and Austin Reed arrived as newcomers this offseason, as the Bears revamped their QB room. As the team builds around the No. 1 overall pick, its Justin Fields backup — Tyson Bagent — remains in its plans. The former Division II standout is on track to remain Chicago’s backup.

Adding Rypien on a one-year, $1.13MM deal, the Bears did not guarantee the former Broncos QB2 anything. Rypien, 28, would profile as a third-string option somewhere — especially now that the NFL’s attempt at changing the emergency third QB rule failed. Teams are no longer allowed to elevate a third-string quarterback an unlimited number of times, which stands to factor into clubs’ decisions today. Reed remains on the Bears’ roster, though it would be interesting if the team’s QB room consisted of two rookies and a 2023 UDFA from Division II.

The Rams released Rypien after he struggled in a start against the Packers, leading to Carson Wentz‘s re-emergence. Rypien has made four career starts, two of those in relief of Russell Wilson in 2022. He is 2-2 as a starter, carrying a 58.3% completion rate and just a 5.7 yards-per-attempt number. The Seahawks added Rypien to their practice squad following his Rams release, and the Jets reunited him with Nathaniel Hackett by signing him to their active roster weeks later.

Patriots To Waive QB Bailey Zappe

August 27th, 2024 at 9:49am CST by Sam Robinson

Drafting two quarterbacks in April, the Patriots did not appear to have room for Bailey Zappe on their 53-man roster. They are cutting the third-year passer, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.

As Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye vie for the New England starting job, Zappe had competed with sixth-rounder Joe Milton during the preseason. Zappe is not yet a vested vet and will need to clear waivers, though the Western Kentucky alum has been in this situation before. The Pats waived him last year as well.

Not showing growth in Bill O’Brien‘s offense last summer, Zappe received a cut notice during Bill Belichick‘s final offseason in charge. But the team circled back to the former fourth-round pick via the practice squad. Zappe made his way back to New England’s 53-man roster and eventually replaced Mac Jones as a starter. Zappe ended up making six starts last season, being responsible for two wins in a 4-13 Pats campaign.

Overall, Zappe has started eight games in two seasons. He is a 63.2% passer who holds an 11-to-12 TD-to-INT ratio. Zappe, who threw a Division I-FBS-record 62 touchdown passes during his lone season with the Hilltoppers, has averaged 6.8 yards per attempt as a pro. He has played in three Pats offenses in three years. It will be interesting to see if a team makes a claim this year; no one submitted a claim in 2023.

A cannon-armed prospect out of Tennessee, Milton arrived as a developmental player in Round 6. Milton wowed observers with his arm strength this summer, though his preseason outings have left considerable room for improvement. Milton only completed 36.7% of his passes (11-for-30) during the Pats’ exhibition slate. Zappe went 15 of 25 during his preseason work, but the Patriots have obviously seen plenty of his form. They will gauge Milton’s development moving forward.

Charles Omenihu To Start Season On Chiefs’ PUP List; BJ Thompson To Stay On NFI

August 27th, 2024 at 9:43am CST by Sam Robinson

As the Chiefs embark on their threepeat quest, they will be without one of their edge-rushing regulars. Charles Omenihu is remaining on the team’s PUP list, moving to the reserve/PUP to start the season.

The two-time reigning champions are hopeful the 2023 free agency addition will be ready to return in November, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. The former Texans and 49ers edge player suffered an ACL tear during the Chiefs’ AFC championship game win in Baltimore and had been expected to start the season off the roster.

Omenihu, who turned 27 last week, must miss only four games because of this transaction. But it appears clear the Chiefs are not expecting him back until around midseason. Considering Omenihu suffered the tear in late January, it is not surprising to see this timetable emerge.

The Chiefs gave Omenihu a two-year, $16MM deal as a free agent last year. Despite beginning last season by serving a six-game suspension — for a January 2023 domestic violence arrest — and then ending it with an ACL tear, Omenihu already proclaimed himself deserving of a new contract. He did total seven sacks in 11 games and then add an eighth during his abbreviated Ravens matchup, forcing two fumbles. But it appears he will need to wait there; the Chiefs will likely gauge Omenihu’s post-surgery form before making a move.

Kansas City has former first-rounder George Karlaftis anchoring its edge rush, and the team re-signed versatile D-lineman Mike Danna this offseason. The Chiefs did not give 2023 first-rounder Felix Anudike-Uzomah much playing time as a rookie, but Omenihu being moved off the roster opens the door for the Kansas City-area native.

Another defensive end will also begin the season off Kansas City’s roster. BJ Thompson, who went into cardiac arrest during a June special teams meeting, will begin the season on the NFI list, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes. Thompson suffered a seizure and was hospitalized. The Chiefs are expecting the 2023 fifth-round pick to play this season, however.

Giants To Release Allen Robinson, Tre Herndon, Darnay Holmes

August 27th, 2024 at 9:38am CST by Sam Robinson

Allen Robinson‘s bid to make the Giants’ initial 53-man roster will come up short. The Giants are releasing the veteran wideout, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. They are the second team to cut Robinson this year, as the Steelers did the same.

The Giants are also cutting cornerbacks Darnay Holmes and Tre Herndon, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan. Holmes had re-signed with the team this offseason, while Herndon — a six-year Jaguars contributor — joined the team late in its offseason program.

Robinson’s stints with the Jaguars and Bears included a total of three 1,100-yard campaigns and only one season featuring signficant missed time through injury. In recent years, however, he has been unable to find a permanent home. The 31-year-old failed to live up to expectations during a single season with the Rams, leading to his trade to the Steelers. 2023 did not result in a productive campaign (280 scoreless yards on 34 catches), however, and despite a lack of proven receivers Pittsburgh moved on.

Robinson has made it clear he intends to continue his career for several more seasons, but the fact he was unable to land a 53-man roster spot in New York is certainly not an encouraging sign. He will be free to join any interested team on the open market, although without being a special teams contributor the former Pro Bowler’s path to a gig is strictly as a complementary wideout. Robinson’s only guaranteed money from the Giants was a $25K signing bonus.

In the build-up to cutdowns, it was learned New York would likely be a suitor for a cornerback addition. As a result, it comes as no surprise Holmes and Herndon are being let go to clear out space for new options. The former has spent his entire career as a Giant, making 54 appearances and 11 starts (none of which came last season). The latter, meanwhile, has only played in Jacksonville to date but his time in New York has proven to be short-lived.

Deonte Banks is a locked in CB starter for the Giants, but questions remain with respect to who will handle first-team duties opposite him in 2024. A player capable of handling a starter’s workload will likely not be available in the coming days, but a depth move or two should now be expected.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post. 

Packers To Waive K Anders Carlson

August 27th, 2024 at 8:47am CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers are moving on from their initial Mason Crosby replacement. Holding a three-man competition at camp, Green Bay still has two of those options on the roster. But the incumbent — Anders Carlson — is no longer in the picture.

Carlson received notice he will be waived today, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. This leaves Greg Joseph and UDFA rookie Alex Hale on the team. It would surprise if Joseph is not the pick here, given his experience.

Chosen in the 2023 sixth round, Carlson missed five extra points as a rookie. He missed six field goals as well, going 27-for-33. A costly miss in the Packers’ narrow divisional-round loss to the 49ers ensued as well, and Green Bay went about creating a competition. Joseph, who served as the Vikings’ kicker for the past three seasons, signed this offseason. Also jettisoned after his rookie year (in Cleveland), Joseph has stabilized his career in the NFC North.

Anders Carlson followed his brother (Daniel) by kicking at Auburn en route to being a Day 3 pick. Anders will also traverse his brother’s footsteps, transaction-wise, as an NFC North team (the Vikings) waived Daniel after a short time. Daniel Carlson has since recovered from his Vikings cut, which occurred two games into his career, having bounced back with the Raiders.

Joseph, 30, signed a one-year deal featuring no guaranteed money. If he is on Green Bay’s Week 1 roster, which seems likely, his $1.29MM salary will lock in. Despite kicking primarily in a dome, Joseph fared worse — percentage-wise, that is — than Carlson last season by going 24-for-30 on field goal tries. During the Vikings’ 2022 division-winning season, Joseph made just 78.8% of his FG attempts.

Joseph went 3-for-4 on preseason field goals, with Carlson doing the same this month. This competition spanned months, however, dating back to offseason activities. Teams have until 11am CT on Wednesday to submit waiver claims. Three years remain on Carlson’s rookie deal, making him an interesting option for a kicker-needy club.

Patriots Shift WR Kendrick Bourne To Reserve/PUP List

August 27th, 2024 at 8:34am CST by Sam Robinson

Ahead of Drake Maye‘s rookie season, the Patriots will not have one of their wide receiver regulars available. Despite re-signing Kendrick Bourne in free agency, New England will not have him on the field for a bit.

Bourne went down with an ACL tear in late October, and ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Pats will shuttle him to the reserve/PUP list. This will sideline Bourne for at least four games, pushing his recovery timetable to nearly a year. This has long loomed as a rebuilding year for the Patriots, who will give the veteran pass catcher more time to complete his rehab.

Early in what became a re-signing/extension spree for new Patriots front office boss Eliot Wolf, the team re-signed Bourne on a three-year, $19.5MM deal. That pact includes $5.5MM guaranteed. Bourne, 29, was on pace for a strong 2023 contract year. After a strange 2022 in which trade rumors engulfed a wide receiver that had seemingly fallen into Bill Belichick‘s doghouse, the former 49ers cog averaged a career-high 50.8 yards per game (37/406) and scored four touchdowns despite failing to make it past Week 8.

The Patriots have already made a big move at wide receiver, releasing JuJu Smith-Schuster (leading him back to the Chiefs). Jerod Mayo‘s team also made aggressive pursuits of Calvin Ridley in free agency and Brandon Aiyuk via trade. Both efforts came up empty, leaving a young receiving corps in place for Maye and/or Jacoby Brissett to open the season.

New England used second- and fourth-round picks on wideouts (Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker) and signed ex-Vikings slot player K.J. Osborn. The team, which must pare its roster to 53 players at 3pm CT today, also rosters intriguing Day 3 draftee Demario Douglas, Jalen Reagor and former second-rounder Tyquan Thornton at the position.

Jonathon Brooks Lands On Panthers’ Reserve/NFI List; D.J. Wonnum Also Off 53-Man Roster

August 27th, 2024 at 8:22am CST by Sam Robinson

Looming as a player the Panthers were not planning on having to open the year, Jonathon Brooks will indeed remain out of the picture for the rebuilding team in September. He is shifting to the reserve/NFI list, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.

Brooks went down with an ACL tear in November. Seeing as the Panthers have the second-round pick signed through 2027, they were long expected to play it safe with this draft’s first running back chosen. This leaves Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders as the Panthers’ lead backs to open the season, but Brooks is expected to be heard from later in the year.

Additionally, Carolina is sliding free agency addition D.J. Wonnum — who suffered a torn quad on the same day ex-Vikings teammate T.J. Hockenson went down — to the reserve/PUP list, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Both designations will sideline these Panthers for at least four games. Hockenson is also out for at least four games, with Minnesota transferring him to the reserve/PUP list Tuesday morning.

The Panthers traded up for Brooks in Round 2, choosing him 20 spots before any other running back went off the board. With Hubbard in a contract year and Sanders part of a disappointing Carolina 2023 free agency contingent, Brooks profiles as the clear-cut long-term option in Carolina. For now, however, the former Bijan Robinson Texas backup will continue his rehab effort.

Wonnum joined the Panthers on a two-year, $12.5MM deal but received only $1.25MM guaranteed. He will need to move onto the Panthers’ active roster to collect part of his 2024 compensation, with $2.13MM of that sum coming via per-game roster bonuses. A former Danielle Hunter sidekick in Minnesota, Wonnum still enjoyed a decent market despite the quad setback. Wonnum has two eight-sack seasons (2021, ’23) on his resume, capitalizing on Hunter’s 2021 pec tear and 2023 starter Marcus Davenport‘s recent ankle injury to produce as a quality fill-in option.

Carolina is also moving third-year pass rusher Amare Barno to the reserve/PUP list, per The Athletic’s Joe Person. The team will enter the season shorthanded on the edge, placing more pressure on the injury-prone (but frequently productive) Jadeveon Clowney to justify the two-year, $20MM deal he signed. The Panthers also added former Jaguars first-rounder K’Lavon Chaisson, but the 2020 draftee has not come especially close to justifying that investment.

It would not surprise to see GM Dan Morgan active on the waiver wire — particularly at edge rusher — as the Panthers’ 2-15 2023 showing gives them the No. 1 waiver priority. Waiver claims process at 11am CT on Wednesday.

Vikings To Move TE T.J. Hockenson To Reserve/PUP List

August 27th, 2024 at 8:11am CST by Sam Robinson

Kevin O’Connell has labeled T.J. Hockenson as ahead of schedule on his rehab from ACL and MCL tears, but the standout Vikings tight end was not expected to begin the season on time. He will not do so, the team ensured Tuesday.

Minnesota is shifting Hockenson from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP list, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. This anticipated transaction will sideline the veteran pass catcher for at least the season’s first four games.

Hockenson will join J.J. McCarthy as key Minnesota offensive pieces out of the equation in September. Unlike the first-round quarterback, however, Hockenson will be expected to return this season. Hockenson nearly reached 1,000 receiving yards last year, after having signed a lucrative Vikings extension, but the knee maladies intervened. The former Lions top-10 draftee went down in Week 16, and the setback will indeed affect his 2024 slate.

Sam Darnold will still have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to target to open the season, unless the latter receives a suspension for his DUI arrest before that point, but the bridge QB should have Hockenson at his disposal before too long. The sixth-year tight end went down on Christmas Eve; this PUP transaction will move his recovery past the nine-month point. That is standard for ACL tears, with Adrian Peterson‘s historic 2012 comeback in Minnesota one of the exceptions.

Hockenson, 27, amassed 960 yards last season, doing so despite not making it through Week 16. Also getting there as the Vikings completed a season in which they started four quarterbacks, Hockenson quickly showed he was worthy of the top-market extension he signed. The Vikings will give him time to recapture that form; the Iowa alum is signed through the 2027 season. Johnny Mundt, Josh Oliver and free agency addition Robert Tonyan, who has completed the NFC North sweep by being aligned with Minnesota, headline Minnesota’s tight end group for the time being.

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