HEADLINES

Transactions News & Rumors

49ers To Activate WR Ricky Pearsall, Place K Matthew Wright On IR

October 18th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

As expected, Ricky Pearsall will make his NFL debut on Sunday. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday the first-round rookie wideout will be activated from the NFI list in time for Week 7.

The news does not come as a surprise since Pearsall began practicing this week. San Francisco had 21 days to activate him, but much less time than that will be required to bring him into the picture. The move confirms Pearsall’s impressive progress in recovering from the gunshot wound he suffered in August as the victim of an attempted robbery.

The 24-year-old’s move to the NFI list confirmed he would miss at least the first four weeks of the campaign. The team understandably took a cautious approach with his rehab process, and now he is set to handle a rotational role in San Francisco’s passing game. Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are healthy, but fellow wideout Jauan Jennings will be sidelined for Week 7. That could allow Pearsall to log a notable workload in his debut.

The Arizona State and Florida product faces high expectations as the 49ers’ top pick in this month’s draft. Aiyuk is attached to a big-ticket deal, but Samuel has only one year (without guaranteed salary) left on his pact after 2024. That – coupled with the team’s other upcoming financial priorities, including a Brock Purdy extension – have led to speculation Samuel could be cut or traded this offseason. Moving on from him would position Pearsall to operate as key, cost-controlled offensive playmaker for years to come.

In other injury news, Shanahan added kicker Matthew Wright will be placed on injured reserve. San Francisco’s Jake Moody replacement is dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered during his season debut, and an IR stint will sideline him for at least the next four games. Former Packer Anders Carlson was added to the practice squad in the wake of Wright’s injury, and he will be elevated tomorrow to take on kicking duties for, potentially, the foreseeable future.

Bringing Pearsall onto the active roster will use up one of the 49ers’ in-season activations. They will now have six available, with a number of other players eligible to be brought off IR; that will be the case for Wright down the road, although by that point Moody may be full healthy.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/18/24

October 18th, 2024 at 6:35pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Baltimore Ravens

Denver Broncos

Pittsburgh Steelers

Eagles Place LT Jordan Mailata On IR

October 18th, 2024 at 3:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

When it was first learned Jordan Mailata was set to miss time, it was unknown if he would require a stint on injured reserve. The Eagles’ longtime left tackle will indeed be sidelined for an extended period.

Mailata – who is dealing with a hamstring injury – was placed on IR Friday, per a team announcement. As a result of the move, he will miss at least the next four games. An absence of some length was already expected, but today’s news confirms Philadelphia will be notably shorthanded up front during the middle of the campaign.

The former seventh-rounder missed only one game across the past two seasons, and his durability no doubt played a role in his ability to land another Eagles extension this offseason. The sides agreed to a three-year, $66MM deal which places him sixth amongst left tackles in terms of annual average value. That commitment demonstrates Mailata’s importance to Philadelphia’s offense, and his absence will be acutely felt.

Fred Johnson could step into the left tackle role on a more permanent basis moving forward after he did so in Week 6 following Mailata’s exit. The 27-year-old has 50 starts and nine appearances to his name, nowhere near the first-team experience the blocker he is replacing has. Johnson played a full campaign with the Eagles last season, but he logged only 35 offensive snaps as the team’s O-line remained healthy. With standout right tackle Lane Johnson already missing time earlier in the year, Philadelphia’s luck on the health front has certainly taken a turn in 2024.

Another left tackle option would be Mekhi Becton. The former Jets first-rounder was tried at guard this offseason, and he beat out Tyler Steen for a starting gig on the inside. Becton does have experience on the blindside, though, and he could move there for the coming weeks while Mailata recovers. Doing that would, of course, create a vacancy at the right guard position and thus necessitate further shuffling up front.

In any case, a replacement for Mailata will need to be found as the 3-2 Eagles try to build off last week’s win. It will be interesting to see how their offensive line shakes out with a key member out of the fold for the time being.

Panthers To Release CB Troy Hill

October 18th, 2024 at 12:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Troy Hill is set to hit mid-season free agency. The veteran corner is being released by the Panthers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Carolina sits at 1-5 on the year, so it comes as little surprise the team is electing to move on from a veteran to open up playing time for younger options in the secondary. Hill’s contract was set to expire after the year anyway, but now he will be available to interested teams without a trade being necessary. Having been let go before the trade deadline, Hill will not be subject to waivers.

The 33-year-old joined the Panthers last August, landing a deal shortly before the start of the regular season. That one-year pact allowed him to reunite with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, with whom he worked during their time together with the Rams. Hill logged a 50% snap share in 2023, notching 48 tackles, six pass deflections and one interception.

That production allowed him to remain in Carolina, and he agreed to a new deal before the start of free agency. Rather than playing out that pact (which was near veteran minimum), he will try to latch onto a roster midway through the campaign. This move will generate a roughly equal amount of dead money along with salary cap savings.

Hill saw considerable time on the outside earlier in his career, but more recently he has operated more in the slot. That skillset could help his value, although the former UDFA has struggled in coverage this season. Hill has landed outside the top 55 in terms of CB PFF grading over each of the past three years, and that will continue in 2024 if he is unable to deliver stronger performances on his next team. As a veteran of 60 starts, though, he could provide experienced secondary depth at a minimum to a contending team.

The Panthers have struggled in a number of areas this season, including against the pass (226 yards allowed per contest, 26th in the NFL). Moving on from Hill will pave the way for increased playing time for some of the team’s younger corner contributors, including fifth-round rookie Chau Smith-Wade. It will be interesting to see how much interest develops amongst teams looking to add Hill in short order.

Jets Restructure Davante Adams’ Deal

October 18th, 2024 at 12:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 18: Providing further details on the restructure, ESPN’s Rich Cimini notes nearly all of Adams’ 2024 salary ($10.45MM) was converted into a signing bonus to create the immediate cap savings. While void years are now present, no changes have been made to the 2025 and ’26 salaries at this point. Further work to the pact – including the infusion of new guarantees – will no doubt be coming this offseason if Adams is to meet his goal of remaining in New York for years to come.

OCTOBER 15: The Raiders found a team willing to pay Davante Adams‘ full remaining salary. Undoubtedly lowering the trade price, the Jets are absorbing the $10.9MM left on the All-Pro receiver’s base salary this year. As was the case with the Aaron Rodgers trade, the Jets are making a change to give themselves more breathing room.

A restructure will take place, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who indicates the revised agreement will reduce Adams’ 2024 base salary. That number stood at $16.89MM coming into the season, but with six games passing, it dropped below $11MM. While the new number is not yet known, the Jets are pushing money into the future to help defray some of the immediate cost.

Base-to-bonus restructures and the introduction of void years can help cut cap numbers, and Rapoport adds the Jets appear likely to adjust the talented wide receiver’s deal for 2025 and ’26 (no void years are on Adams’ deal prior to this restructure). Void years will now be included, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who reports the Jets have dropped Adams’ cap number to $3.21MM by adding two void years. Adams’ deal still runs through 2026, but the voids technically push it through 2028.

Adams is due nonguaranteed $35.6MM and $36.6MM cap figures, respectively, over the next two seasons. Those lofty numbers are part of the five-year, $140MM extension Adams signed upon being traded to the Raiders. That fit did not end up panning out, and the Jets had long loomed as an interested party — dating back to their April 2023 Rodgers trade.

While negotiations had pushed a deal near completion Monday, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes the salary component represented the final hurdle. The Raiders’ insistence an acquiring team pick up the full tab had loomed as a key component in this trade, and while the AFC West team probably would have received more in terms of trade compensation by agreeing to pay part of Adams’ remaining 2024 salary, the organization stood pat and sent the full number to the Jets’ payroll. That will now be stretched beyond 2024.

This transaction will make it more difficult for the Jets to move on from Adams after this year. Previously, the Jets would have taken on no dead money from a 2025 separation. Though, they would have faced a near-impossible task in attempting to trade a contract featuring a $35.6MM 2025 base salary.

Although Rodgers has described the team as all in after this trade, he has indicated an openness to playing beyond 2024. Rodgers’ uncertain future in Green Bay affected Adams’ decision to pass on a 2022 Packers extension offer, leading to the tag-and-trade maneuver, and the 11th-year wideout also was linked to hesitancy regarding the Jets due to Rodgers’ cloudy post-2024 plans in New York. Though, it appears the parties are onboard. Adams being tied to the Jets through 2026 will assuredly factor into Rodgers’ retirement considerations this coming offseason.

As part of a summer 2023 restructure, a $35MM roster bonus would come Rodgers’ way if he decides to play again next season. The 2025 season would be Rodgers’ 21st should he decide to stick around. Of course, the Jets firing Robert Saleh and having Joe Douglas on a hot seat — though, it may not be as hot as we previously thought — complicates even Rodgers’ 2025 status. Of course, QB talent is quite hard to procure, so a new Jets regime — if that is the way ownership proceeds after this already-tumultuous season — would need to factor that into the decision as well.

For the first time since 2020, Rodgers and Adams are each under contract for multiple seasons together. The Jets will hope this deal can trigger a midseason turnaround, as they have now checked off the top box on the QB’s wish list.

Giants To Sign T Chris Hubbard Off 49ers’ Practice Squad

October 18th, 2024 at 11:11am CST by Adam La Rose

In need of healthy options at the offensive tackle spot, the Giants are set to make an outside addition. Chris Hubbard is being added off the 49ers’ practice squad, head coach Brian Daboll said on Friday.

Andrew Thomas is out for the year due to his recent surgery on a Lisfranc injury. Joshua Ezeudu will take over starting blindside duties in his place, but Hubbard will represent an experienced option as at least a depth option moving forward. The 33-year-old has 94 appearances and 58 starts to his name.

Much of Hubbard’s playing time has come at right tackle, but he has seen sparse usage along the blindside during his career. After beginning his NFL tenure in the AFC North (four years with the Steelers followed by five with the Browns), the former UDFA spent a single campaign in Tennessee. Hubbard would up making nine starts at right tackle last year, although he was not able to land a free agent deal during the early portion of the offseason.

In mid-May, the 49ers added Hubbard as part of their effort to land capable options up front. The UAB product was ultimately let go as part of San Francisco’s final roster cuts, however. Hubbard was retained in short order on a practice squad deal, but he has yet to see time on the active roster this season. That will change upon arrival in New York.

The 2-4 Giants have struggled on offense, and losing Thomas will deal a major blow to the unit. If Hubbard winds up landing playing time with his new team, though, he could stabilize one of the tackle positions on a temporary basis. Doing so could help his market value ahead of next offseason.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/24

October 17th, 2024 at 8:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s taxi squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts

New York Jets

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/24

October 17th, 2024 at 6:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves:

Denver Broncos 

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Watson could be claimed off waivers by any teams seeking backfield depth. If that does not take place, though, he will become a free agent. Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports a mutual interest exists for team and player to reunite via a practice squad deal provided it is possible. Watson, an undrafted rookie, has made only one appearance to date so he should have a strong chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.

Broncos Activate Damarri Mathis From IR

October 17th, 2024 at 5:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos have brought a number of contributors into the fold ahead of tonight’s game. In addition to edge rusher Baron Browning and right tackle Mike McGlinchey, Denver has activated cornerback Damarri Mathis.

The latter suffered a high ankle sprain during the Broncos’ preseason finale. That put an end to the chances of a trade taking place, although Denver preferred to hold onto the 25-year-old. While setting their initial roster, the Broncos designated Mathis for return on August 27, taking advantage of the league’s new rule allowing up to two injured players to be handled in that manner.

That left the former fourth-rounder off the initial roster during cutdowns, but it used up one of Denver’s eight allocated activations. Mathis returned to practice last week, opening his 21-day activation window and setting up an activation in time for the opening game of Week 7. He does not have a full-time starting spot in place upon returning to action, although with Patrick Surtain out for tonight’s contest Mathis could handle a notable role during his season debut.

Surtain and Riley Moss are Denver’s top perimeter corners, with Ja’Quan McMillian in place as the top slot option. Mathis logged 11 starts as a rookie but he was relegated to a rotational role on both defense and special teams last year. The Pitt product has 100 tackles and eight pass deflections to his name, and his workload moving forward will be influenced by his production when on the field.

Surtain (once he is back in action) will of course face the greatest expectations amongst Broncos defenders given the big-ticket extension he signed this summer. The team’s other cornerback options are young and cost-effective, though, and Mathis figures to have a role in that group now that he is back in the picture.

Saints Place WR Rashid Shaheed On IR; Return This Season In Doubt

October 17th, 2024 at 3:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 17: Shaheed was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per a team announcement. That move guarantees at least a four-game absence and does not offer an encouraging sign with respect to his late-season availability. Until the outcome of Shaheed’s surgery is clear, though, the Saints will remain hopeful he can return at some point in 2024.

OCTOBER 16: Already without Chris Olave, the Saints will head into their Thursday-night Broncos matchup with breakthrough wideout Rashid Shaheed sidelined as well. Shaheed will undergo knee surgery, sidelining him for the foreseeable future.

The downfield threat has a chance to come back this season, but that is not assured. The outcome of Shaheed’s meniscus surgery will determine if he misses a few weeks or the rest of the year, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Losing Shaheed would be a tough blow to a New Orleans offense that has already played without multiple offensive linemen for stretches this season. Dealing with an oblique tear, Derek Carr is also set to miss a second game.

Dennis Allen subsequently announced that Shaheed will undergo an exploratory procedure that will determine if the third-year wideout will need a meniscus trim or a full repair, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds. A full repair would knock the recently extended receiver out for the season.

Averaging 17.5 yards per catch, Shaheed has continued his transition from UDFA to starter. Olave’s top sidekick has scored three long-range TDs and exited Week 6 with 20 receptions for 349 yards. Shaheed, last season’s first-team All-Pro punt returner, also returned a punt for a score for a second straight season. While Olave is the Saints’ top receiver investment, Shaheed currently leads the team in yardage.

The Saints did well to identify Shaheed out of Division I-FCS Montana State, bringing him in as part of their 2022 UDFA class. With Michael Thomas rarely available over the previous two seasons — and when he was, the former All-Pro displayed an injury-driven decline that presently has him out of the league — Shaheed stepped in to give the team an intriguing WR2 option. Last season, Shaheed totaled 719 yards and five TD receptions in 15 games. He then entered this year as a clear-cut New Orleans starter.

Shaheed, 26, signed an ERFA tender this offseason but later inked a one-year bump that calls for a $4.2MM base salary in 2025. This transaction prevented the Saints from needing to apply a second-round RFA tender on the Weber State alum next year. But the team now risks losing a blossoming player, continuing a tough stretch that followed an explosive 2-0 start.

The Saints will again deploy Spencer Rattler as their starting QB, but he will not have any reliable wideouts to target. The team cut 2023 draftee A.T. Perry, who is now on Denver’s practice squad. Beyond Shaheed and Olave, rookie Bub Means leads Saints WRs with five receptions for 45 yards.

Load More Posts