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Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/24

August 7th, 2024 at 7:38pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Claimed off waivers (from Commanders): TE Armani Rogers
  • Waived: WR Shaq Davis

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

The Packers apparently felt it necessary to add another competitor to their position battle at kicker today, signing Hale out of Oklahoma State. The former walk-on from Australia hit on 43 of his 54 field goal attempts as a Cowboy in Stillwater.

Following the retirement of Tarik Cohen, the Jets opted to sign Jackson. The former Colts rusher had some big moments in 2022 while filling in for an injured Jonathan Taylor. He and Vaughn were both participants in a recent workout with the Texans, but Cam Akers walked away from that day with the job.

Lastly, Owens’, son of NFL legend Terrell Owens, time with one of his father’s former teams has come to an end. His pedigree may have assisted in landing an opportunity as an undrafted free agent in San Francisco, but he was unable to stay rostered throughout camp.

Jets Activate WR Mike Williams From PUP List

August 7th, 2024 at 3:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Williams has reached a notable checkpoint in his ACL rehab. The free agent addition was activated from the active/PUP list by the Jets on Wednesday.

Williams was limited to three games in 2023, his final one with the Chargers, as a result of the injury. It was clear in March that being back to full speed in time for the start of training camp was not a goal for team or player in his case. Returning to health in advance of the regular season, though, was a target. Today’s move clears Williams to take part in practice.

The longtime Bolts deep threat was released in one of many cost-shedding moves Los Angeles undertook this offseason. Williams’ latest health issue limited his long-term earning power on the open market, but he managed to land $8.3MM in guarantees on a one-year pact. His Jets contract includes $5MM in incentives, so plenty will be riding on his ability to remain healthy on his new team. Today’s news is a positive step toward taking the field when the regular season starts.

The top of the Jets’ receiver depth chart is of course led by Garrett Wilson. The former top-10 picks faces high expectations for 2024 with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, but New York’s other pass-catchers are the subject of questions entering the season. Big-money 2023 free agent signing Allen Lazard did not have a strong debut Jets campaign, while third-round rookie Malachi Corley will likely face an acclimation period at the NFL level as he develops his route running in particular.

That should leave Williams, 29, in place to occupy a key role on offense this season. The Clemson alum has twice topped 1,000 yards in his career, and his yards per reception mark has ranged between 13.1 and 20.4 every year since his rookie campaign. Providing New York with a dependable deep threat would be crucial to the team’s ability to deliver a bounce-back season on offense; it would also help Williams’ free agent stock ahead of 2025.

The Jets begin their preseason slate on Saturday, and it would come as a surprise to see Williams play in that contest. The team will no doubt proceed with caution as he ramps up, but by virtue of being cleared for practice, he will have ample time to prepare for the season opener.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/6/24

August 6th, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: DE Zach Morton

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Signed: WR Dax Milne
  • Waived/injured: DT Tomari Fox

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: QB Luis Perez
  • Waived: LB Savion Jackson

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

CeeDee Lamb isn’t usually mentioned in this type of post, but the transaction involving the wideout was simply procedural. As ESPN’s Todd Archer notes, placing Lamb on the reserve/did not report list opens up a roster spot for the Cowboys, something that was necessary after the team signed three players today. This move doesn’t impact negotiations, and Lamb can be activated once he returns to practice. Lamb continues to holdout while he waits for a new deal, but the front office is working hard to get him back in the building.

Justin Herbert‘s recent foot injury necessitated some extra depth at the position. The team ended up opting for Luis Perez, who led the UFL last season in completions (225), passing yards (2,309), and touchdowns (18). Perez will soak up some temporary snaps alongside Easton Stick, Max Duggan, and UDFA Casey Bauman.

Jaguars Waive DL Adam Gotsis

August 6th, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Ben Levine

In addition to adding safety Adrian Amos today, the Jaguars made a handful of additional moves to shake up the bottom of their squad. The team announced the signing of Amos and defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall. To make room on the roster, the Jaguars waived defensive tackle Adam Gotsis and waived/injured CB Gregory Junior.

[RELATED: Jaguars To Sign S Adrian Amos]

Besides Amos, Gotsis is the most notable name on the list. The veteran defensive lineman spent the past four seasons in Jacksonville, appearing in 64 regular season games. He started 14 of his 16 games during his first year with the Jaguars, collecting 37 tackles and one forced fumble while appearing in about 50 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.

He only started 12 games for Jacksonville between 2021 and 2023, but he still saw a pretty consistent role on defense (including a pair of campaigns with 400-plus snaps). Over that stretch, Gotsis collected 5.5 sacks and 23 QB hits. Despite the production, the 31-year-old saw himself get pushed down the depth chart this offseason. The Jaguars added defensive end Arik Armstead and a trio of DL rookies (including second-round defensive tackle Maason Smith).

With Gotsis facing an uphill battle to make a crowded depth chart, the team decided to pivot to a developmental piece at the position. Marshall was a sixth-round pick by the Jets in 2021, but he only got into four games during his one-plus seasons in New York. He most recently spent time on the Steelers practice squad.

Junior was a 2022 sixth-round pick by the Jags. He’ll revert to the team’s injured reserve if he passes through waivers.

Panthers Claim DB Caden Sterns

August 6th, 2024 at 5:53pm CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers used their top waiver priority today on a former Broncos draft pick. According to ESPN’s David Newton, the Panthers claimed defensive back Caden Sterns from the Broncos. To make room on the roster, the team has waived/injured guard J.D. DiRenzo.

[RELATED: Broncos Waive S Caden Sterns]

Sterns was a fifth-round pick out of Texas in 2021. He quickly carved out a role in Denver, compiling 28 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions in 15 games (two starts) as a rookie. He was set to take on a larger role as a sophomore, and he started the 2022 campaign as the replacement for an injured Justin Simmons. Sterns got into five games before suffering a hip injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery.

The defensive back returned in time for the start of the 2023 campaign. However, he suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 1, ending his season early. Sterns started this year’s training camp on the active/PUP list but missed only a handful of practices before being activated. The Broncos had a few weeks to evaluate the 24-year-old before ultimately moving on yesterday.

The Panthers have been especially active in seeking depth in their secondary. Sterns will likely be penciled in as a safety, but he did get some looks at nickelback as a rookie. Sterns will be taking the roster spot previously held by DiRenzo, a former UDFA who got into three games as a rookie in 2023.

The Panthers made another move today, releasing wideout Cam Sims from the reserve-PUP list with an injury settlement, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. The receiver caught on with Carolina’s practice squad late in the 2023 campaign and stuck around during the offseason via a reserve/futures contract. The former UDFA spent five seasons in Washington to begin his career, hauling in 57 catches for 804 yards and three touchdowns.

Titans OL Saahdiq Charles Retires

August 6th, 2024 at 4:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

Instead of competing for a starting spot on the Titans’ offensive line in 2024, Saahdiq Charles will hang up his cleats. The veteran lineman was placed on the reserve/retired list Tuesday.

Charles, 25, had missed the past several training camp practices for what head coach Brian Callahan termed personal reasons. He has since informed the team of his decision to step away from the game. That move will leave the Titans in need of a depth addition up front or the remaining in-house options stepping up in Charles’ absence.

The former fourth-rounder began his career with the Commanders. Charles logged 35 games and 18 starts during that span, including 10 contests as a first-teamer at left guard in 2023. A calf injury landed him on injured reserve, but in the offseason he did not need to wait long to land a deal. Charles inked a one-year, $1.5MM pact with Tennessee in mid-March; that contract included $250K in guarantees and $75K in per-game roster bonuses.

Charles had impressed during his time with the Titans this offseason, and the team’s first depth chart listed him as the starting right guard. That position belonged to Daniel Brunskill last season, one in which Tennessee’s O-line struggled. Brunskill was listed as the backup center behind big-ticket free agent addition Lloyd Cushenberry, but today’s news could put him back in contention at the RG spot.

Tennessee listed Dillon Radunz and LaChavious Simmons second and third, respectively, on the right guard depth chart behind Charles. Both of them will no doubt get an expanded look with the first-team offense through the rest of training camp and the preseason now that Charles is no longer in the fold. The latter collected roughly $4.3MM in earnings over the course of his brief NFL career.

Jaguars To Sign S Adrian Amos

August 6th, 2024 at 2:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Veterans continue to find new deals around the league on Tuesday. Safety Adrian Amos is signing with the Jaguars, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.

Jacksonville is lacking healthy safety depth at the moment, with Andrew Wingard dealing with a knee injury. That ailment could lead to missed time in the regular season, especially considering the team’s investment in another veteran at the position. Amos split his time between the Jets and Texans last season.

The 31-year-old spent his first eight seasons in the NFC North evenly split between the Bears and Packers. While playing in Green Bay, he spent time with Darnell Savage. The latter was amongst Jacksonville’s free agent additions this offseason, and he will now reunite with Amos for at least the time being. The Jags will aim to add veteran depth on defense with this signing, although last season Amos played more on special teams.

The former fifth-rounder has 142 appearances and 125 starts to his name, and he will compete for playing time upon arrival in Duval County. One starting safety spot is accounted for in the form of Andre Cisco, who has been a first-teamer for each of the past two seasons. Cisco has racked up seven interceptions and 15 pass deflections during that span, and another productive campaign would help the pending free agent’s market value even further.

Jacksonville has Savage as a safety option, although the team has also experimented with him in the slot corner role. Antonio Johnson and Terrell Edmunds are also in place on the backend. Amos will compete for a roster spot as part of that group on his latest team while attempting to continue his career as a depth/special teams contributor.

Ravens Sign WR Russell Gage

August 6th, 2024 at 1:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

Russell Gage has found his next NFL deal. The veteran receiver signed with the Ravens on Tuesday, per a team announcement.

Gage has spent his entire career in the NFC South to date. The 28-year-old was with the Falcons from 2018-21, serving as a regular in their passing game. His best season came in 2020 with a 72-786-4 statline; Gage essentially matched that production the following year.

In 2022, the former sixth-rounder inked a three-year, $30MM Buccaneers deal. That pact did not go according to plan, however. Gage was limited to 13 games in his debut Tampa campaign, totaling 426 yards on 51 catches. He missed the 2023 season altogether due to a ruptured patellar tendon, which explains why he remained on the market deep into the summer.

The Ravens’ offseason saw Odell Beckham Jr. depart in free agency after his one-year stint with the team. Baltimore did retain Nelson Agholor, though, and he is set to reprise his role as a complementary option behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. The team also has fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker along with returner Deonte Harty on the WR depth chart,

Gage will aim to return to health and in turn regain his previous form during an abbreviated stint with the Ravens during training camp. His play over the coming weeks will determine his candidacy for a roster spot either in Baltimore or with another team after cutdowns. Baltimore entered the day with roughly $5.4MM in cap space, limiting the team’s options to an extent from a financial standpoint. Given Gage’s missed time last year, though, this deal will no doubt be a low-cost investment.

Cardinals, Marquis Haynes Agree To Deal

August 6th, 2024 at 12:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cardinals are making a free agent addition along the edge. Pass rusher Marquis Haynes has agreed to a deal with Arizona, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.

The team recently worked out an extension for Zaven Collins, and the former inside linebacker will remain a key contributor on the edge for the foreseeable future as a result. Arizona lost second-year player BJ Ojulari to an ACL tear, though, creating the need for depth in the pass rush department. Haynes will look to provide that in the desert this season.

The latter had spent his entire six-year career with the Panthers, making 71 appearances during that span. Haynes only made two starts but remained consistent in terms of usage and production. The 30-year-old recorded between three and five sacks each season from 2020-22. He was limited to seven games last year, something which helps explain his lengthy stay on the open market.

Carolina recently hosted a number of veteran edge rush options, and Haynes was among them. The former sixth-rounder did not reunite with the team, however, paving the way for today’s agreement with the Cardinals. Improving on the edge will be a key 2024 priority for Arizona, and Haynes will play a role in that respect if he manages to make the team’s 53-man roster.

Aside from Collins, the Cardinals also have Dennis Gardeck, L.J. Collier, Cameron Thomas and Xavier Thomas in place as edge rush options. Arizona entered today with more than $35MM in cap space, and this addition will not eat into the figure to a large extent. Haynes will use the remainder of training camp and the preseason to compete for playing time in the wake of Ojulari’s injury.

Rams Sign OL Conor McDermott

August 6th, 2024 at 12:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Rams are set to receive veteran reinforcement along the offensive line. Conor McDermott is expected to sign with Los Angeles, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The deal is now official, per a team announcement.

The 31-year-old is a veteran of 17 starts during his seven-year career. 11 of those came with the Patriots over the past two seasons during his second stint with the franchise that drafted him. McDermott’s notable workload in recent times was not enough to earn him an extended stay with New England for 2024, though.

The former sixth-rounder was released in April, leaving him free to find a deal in the post-draft wave of free agency. McDermott wound up needing to wait until well into training camp to secure his next contract, one which will allow him to compete for a roster spot with the Rams. Los Angeles has been dealing with a number of injuries along the offensive line, so it comes as little surprise the team has brought in a veteran capable of filling in on at least a temporary basis.

Free agent guard addition Jonah Jackson will be sidelined for the preseason due to a shoulder injury. Missed time will also be the case for left tackle Alaric Jackson and right tackle Rob Havenstein as they recover from injuries of their own. The Week 1 availability of all three blockers is unknown at this point, but a cautious approach would be a sensible one from the team’s perspective. While they rehab, McDermott could see notable action during Los Angeles’ exhibition games.

The latter has seen time with the Bills and Jets in addition to his two Patriots stints. McDermott has primarily played at tackle during his career, splitting his time on the left and right side fairly evenly. He does have experience at guard as well, though. The UCLA alum’s best season in terms of PFF evaluation came during the 2021 campaign, when he earned an overall grade of 68.4 (albeit in limited action). McDermott will now spend the coming weeks aiming to do enough to make the Rams’ 53-man roster while providing injury relief in the interim.

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