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Patriots Activate Cole Strange From PUP List

December 10th, 2024 at 6:14pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Patriots are activating offensive lineman Cole Strange from the Physically Unable to Perform list, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Strange suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee last December, sidelining him for almost a year. He returned to practice on November 20, so his 21-day practice window was set to close this week. Rather than allow him to revert to the PUP list for the rest of the season, the Patriots will move their 2022 first-round pick to the active roster as they determine his immediate playing future.

New England has shuffled their offensive line a number of times this season. Chukwuma Okorafor left the team in September while David Andrews, Jake Andrews, and Caedan Wallace all landed on injured reserve with long-term injuries. Andrews is out for the season, while Wallace was designated to return on Monday. Mike Onwenu has also played 329 snaps at right tackle and 522 at right guard.

Strange’s return will give the Patriots another option along the interior for the rest of the year. At 3-10, they’re no longer fighting for a playoff spot, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye could still take crucial developmental steps over their last four games. Making sure he can get the most out of his rookie year – and ensuring he’s healthy going into his first full NFL offseason – are top priorities for the a rebuilding New England franchise.

All 27 of Strange’s starts over his first two seasons came at left guard, but he could also land at right guard or center upon his return. Left guard still seems like the most likely spot; Onwenu and Ben Brown have both started at right guard and center for the team’s last six games, while Layden Robinson just moved to left guard in Week 13.

Evaluating Strange’s effectiveness coming off of last year’s injury and a lengthy recovery will be crucial to New England’s upcoming fifth-year option decision. Strange’s fully-guaranteed fifth-year option is projected to be $17.4MM after this offseason’s explosion in the guard market, per OverTheCap. That would rank eighth in average annual value among current guard contracts, a hefty sum for a player who has yet to prove that he is one of the best at his position.

Raiders Place RB Zamir White On IR, Promote QB Carter Bradley

December 10th, 2024 at 1:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Zamir White‘s 2024 season has come to an end. The third-year running back was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, the Raiders announced.

White has been limited to eight games this season, and the quad injury he is currently dealing with has left him out of the lineup since Week 12. An IR stint ensures an absence of at least four games, the time remaining in Vegas’ season. White’s attention will therefore turn to recovery in advance of 2025.

As expected, Josh Jacobs departed the Raiders in free agency, a move which allowed White to assume RB1 duties at the start of the campaign. The former fourth-rounder had a strong showing late in the 2023 season when Jacobs was hurt, suggesting he would be effective as a full-time starter. Like with most of the Raiders’ offense this year, however, things have not gone according to plan for White. The 25-year-old averaged just 2.8 yards per attempt and scored one touchdown prior to suffering the injury.

Vegas is also without Alexander Mattison at the moment, so the team will move forward with the likes of Ameer Abdullah, Dylan Laube and Sincere McCormick in the backfield. The Raiders are out of postseason contention, but an improved showing on offense down the stretch could help quell doubts about head coach Antonio Pierce‘s job security. 2025 marks the final year of White’s rookie contract, so his performance next year will be key.

In a corresponding move, quarterback Carter Bradley has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. The undrafted rookie will provide depth under center as the Raiders evaluate the status of Aidan O’Connell, who could be an option to suit up in Week 15. If that is not the case, Desmond Ridder will get the nod and Bradley will have the opportunity to dress as his backup.

Panthers To Sign Velus Jones Off Jaguars’ Practice Squad; Trenton Irwin Also Being Added

December 10th, 2024 at 12:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers are bringing in a pair of skill-position players to close out the season. Carolina is set to sign Velus Jones off the Jaguars’ practice squad, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. The team is also adding wideout Trenton Irwin on a taxi squad deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

[RELATED: Jonathon Brooks Suffers ACL Tear]

Jones had an underwhelming Bears tenure as both as receiver and a returner. Chicago attempted to use him at running back this offseason, but he made only one appearance before being waived in October. No claims were made, but in short order a new opportunity emerged. Jones signed with the Jaguars, taking a practice squad deal.

The 27-year-old was designated as a gameday elevation once by Jacksonville, but he has yet to see playing time with the Jags. Now, Jones will head to Carolina with an active roster spot in hand and therefore the opportunity to see action before the end of the year. He could play his way into an extended look with the Panthers depending on how he fares over the coming weeks.

Irwin has found himself on and off the Bengals’ roster and practice squad in recent years. The 29-year-old had spent the full 2024 campaign on the active roster until he was waived last week, a move which came after he made seven appearances in a depth role. Irwin’s most productive season came last year when he posted 25 catches, 316 yards and one touchdown. This move will allow him to reunite with offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, with whom he worked at Stanford. Rapoport notes a move to the active roster could come together in short order.

Carolina sits at 3-10 on the season, but the team has shown signs of improvement on offense in particular during recent weeks. Quarterback Bryce Young‘s second stint as the Panthers’ starter has included encouraging performances, and adding depth at the skill positions around him could aid his growth over the waning stages of the season.

Saints Sign QB Ben DiNucci

December 10th, 2024 at 11:49am CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of Derek Carr‘s injury, the Saints have added a quarterback. Ben DiNucci has joined the team, per a Tuesday announcement from the veteran passer himself.

Carr suffered a fracture in his non-throwing hand on Sunday, and he is considered week-to-week as a result. Surgery will not be required, and the Saints do not intend to place him on injured reserve (a move which would guarantee a four-game absence). Even though Carr could return before the end of the campaign as a result, New Orleans has sought out depth under center.

Jake Haener took over for Carr during New Orleans’ Week 14 win, and he could be in line to get the start this week. Failing that, the team will look once again to Spencer Rattler; the fifth-round rookie has made three starts this season, but his performances have left plenty to be desired. The same can also be said of Haener, but in some combination those two will be in position to handle QB duties over the coming weeks.

DiNucci’s most recent (and only) regular season NFL game action came with the Cowboys in 2020. He made three appearances and one start that year, but it has not been followed up by signficant playing time opportunities since then. The former seventh-rounder played for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023, a stint which led to practice squad time with the Broncos and Bills. DiNiucci was waived by Buffalo during roster cutdowns this summer.

Now, the 28-year-old will get the chance to see time on the Saints’ taxi squad. A promotion to the active roster will likely not be necessary as long as Haener and Rattler stay healthy over the closing weeks of the campaign, but DiNucci could audition for an offseason roster spot with New Orleans.

Buccaneers To Sign LB Deion Jones To Practice Squad

December 10th, 2024 at 11:00am CST by Adam La Rose

Deion Jones has not played in 2024, but that could change relatively soon. The veteran linebacker is signing with the Buccaneers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

To little surprise, this will be a practice squad agreement. Such moves are common amongst veteran free agents as they look to play their way onto an active roster over time. Jones could be used as a gameday elevation up to three times if Tampa Bay intends to use him as a depth contributor on defense.

The 30-year-old was a full-time starter as recently as 2021, his final year with the Falcons. Jones spent six seasons in Atlanta, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way and making an impact against the pass in particular. He had a one-year stint with the Browns in 2022, followed by a return to the NFC South with the Panthers last year. In both cases, he handled a much smaller role than he held during his Falcons years.

The LSU product made 13 appearances with Carolina in 2023, but his 38% defensive snap share represented by far the lowest mark of his career. Jones caught on with the Bills this offseason in a bid to fill at least a part-team role with Buffalo. He found himself as a longshot to make the opening day roster, however, and was released in August. This Bucs deal will give Jones the opportunity to see playing time in 2024 after a lengthy in-season free agent period.

Tampa Bay has Lavonte David and K.J. Britt in place as linebacker starters, but with SirVocea Dennis likely out for the remainder of the season, depth at the second level would be welcomed. Jones, who has 114 combined regular and postseason games to his name, would add considerable experience to the lineup if he were to see playing time down the stretch. The Buccaneers sit at 7-6 on the year and currently lead the NFC South; Jones could have a role to play late in the campaign and/or during the playoffs should the team qualify.

Patriots To Waive WR K.J. Osborn

December 10th, 2024 at 10:15am CST by Adam La Rose

After long-running speculation about his Patriots tenure coming to an end, K.J. Osborn is indeed on the way out. The veteran receiver is being waived, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter adds, to little surprise, this was a mutual decision by team and player. Osborn is among the Patriots receivers who have seen their playing time fluctuate during the campaign, and he has not suited up since November. Having been let go after the trade deadline, he will hit the waiver wire.

Osborn played out his rookie contract with the Vikings, establishing himself as a notable complementary receiver during his final three seasons with the team. His first foray into free agency saw him sign a one-year, $4MM Patriots pact, a deal which seemed to set him up as at least a rotational option in New England’s revamped WR room. Osborn saw more than three targets only twice in his seven appearances, however.

In the build-up to the trade deadline, signs pointed to the 27-year-old wanting a fresh start. That made Osborn one of many names to watch at the receiver position, and the Chargers showed interest. In the end, though, no trade was made and Osborn thus appeared set to close out the campaign with the Patriots. Instead, he will now be available to any teams willing to put in a claim for an addition over the stretch run. If that does not take place, Osborn will become a free agent.

New England’s pass-catching corps has been a sore spot in 2024, and Tyquan Thornton found himself in a similar position to Osborn leading up to the trade deadline. He was cut last month, a sign of the willingness on the part of Eliot Wolf to move on from receivers who have been unable to make an impact (although New England’s inability to pull off a trade for Thornton or Osborn is notable given the team’s readiness to finish the year without them).

For the final four games of the 2024 season, New England’s WR depth chart will consist of DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Every member of that group is under contract for 2025, so they could all remain in place over the course of the offseason. Adding at the position will nonetheless be a priority during free agency and/or the draft, something which would have already been the case even if Osborn had stayed in place.

Patriots To Sign K John Parker Romo To Practice Squad

December 10th, 2024 at 9:36am CST by Adam La Rose

John Parker Romo was waived by the Vikings once he was no longer needed as a fill-in kicker. No teams put in a claim, but he has not needed to wait long to find an interested suitor.

The Patriots are expected to sign Romo, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports. This will be a practice squad agreement, he adds. Romo had a successful short-term run in Minnesota after Will Reichard landed on injured reserve. Romo connected on 11 of 12 field goal tries and seven of eight extra point attempts over a four-game span.

Reichard is healthy again, though, and his activation led to Romo being placed on waivers. The latter will head to New England for the closing weeks of the season, although an immediate path to playing time does not exist. The Patriots have veteran Joey Slye in the fold after he was signed in May and won a preseason competition over incumbent Chad Ryland.

Slye has gone 22-for-28 on field goals this season, including four of six on attempts beyond 50 yards. The 28-year-old has missed only one of his 18 extra point kicks, making his season a more successful one than Ryland’s in 2023. Since Slye is on a on-year contract, however, the Patriots could soon find themselves in need of a replacement at the position. Romo could use the coming weeks to audition for at least an offseason roster spot.

The Virginia Tech product earned first-team All-XFL honors in 2023, something which kept him on the NFL radar after he was unable to see regular season game time with the Saints and Lions. Romo was briefly with the Bears last year, but it was not until his recent Vikings spell that he found himself on an active roster and in a gameday lineup. After the success of his Minnesota stint, Romo will look to carve out a spot in New England’s kicking plans.

Chiefs Sign CB Steven Nelson

December 9th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

DECEMBER 9: Monday’s workout went ahead as scheduled, and it has produced a deal. Nelson signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad, per a team announcement. Once he is prepared to make his season debut, he will provide Kansas City with veteran depth either as a gameday elevation or as a candidate to be signed to the active roster in the near future.

DECEMBER 8: Steven Nelson announced his retirement in June, but he is in contention for a midseason return to NFL action. The veteran corner has a visit lined up with the Chiefs, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Nelson’s agent confirmed the visit will take place tomorrow, and it will open the door to a potential reunion. His playing career started with Kansas City in 2015 and lasted four seasons. Nelson played sparingly as a rookie, but he was a full-time starter after that, something which remained the case through to last season.

The former third-rounder had two-year runs with the Steelers, Eagles and Texans before electing to hang up his cleats. Nelson was on the Raiders’ radar this offseason, but he has been out of the league and has not been connected to any interest until the news of his upcoming Kansas City visit. Landing a deal with the defending champions would give them added depth in the secondary.

The Chiefs dealt away L’Jarius Sneed this offseason, and their CB room took another hit when Jaylen Watson suffered an ankle injury which will likely keep him sidelined for the rest of the campaign. Kansas City has held up well against the run this season, but the team’s secondary has been a relative weak point on defense. That informed the pursuit of Marshon Lattimore ahead of the trade deadline, but the Commanders ultimately won the bidding war for the former Saints Pro Bowler.

Kansas City has Trent McDuffie atop the cornerback depth chart, along with Chamarri Conner, Joshua Williams, Keith Taylor and Christian Roland-Wallace. Nelson could join that group as a depth contributor with plenty of experience at the NFL level (140 combined regular and postseason appearances), although he would of course not face high expectations in the event he were to sign a deal. After posting four interceptions and 12 pass deflections last year, though, Nelson could offer a degree of playmaking if he and the Chiefs were to come to an agreement.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/9/24

December 9th, 2024 at 7:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Cincinnati Bengals

New England Patriots

Patriots third-round rookie Caedan Wallace is set to return to practice for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in early October. Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the rookie lineman “stayed close” to veteran David Andrews as the two went through their respective rehabs. Considering New England’s current patchwork OL, Wallace should get some run before the season ends.

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