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Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/23

August 12th, 2023 at 7:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hayes was signed one week ago as the Lions were dealing with injuries in the secondary, but he will now be on the lookout for another new team. The 25-year has appeared in 13 career regular season games while bouncing around the league.

The Raiders added one ex-Chiefs running back in Damien Williams yesterday, and they have done so again today. Thompson was part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning squad in 2019, and remain with the Chiefs the following season. He made 31 combined regular and postseason appearances in Kansas City, but he has yet to see game action since 2020. Especially until Josh Jacobs returns to the Raiders, Thompson will aim to earn a depth role in the Vegas backfield.

Browns To Sign RB Jordan Wilkins

August 12th, 2023 at 2:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns have are set to add experienced depth to their backfield. After working out with the team,  Jordan Wilkins has agreed to a deal with Cleveland, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 (Twitter link).

Nick Chubb is in place as the undisputed lead back for the Browns, but the losses of Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson have left a vacancy with respect to depth behind him. Second-year back Jerome Ford is likely to assume RB2 duties, but he is currently dealing with a hip injury which could threaten his Week 1 availability. Wilkins could represent a fill-in option if needed.

The 29-year-old has spent nearly all of his career with the Colts. Wilkins came to Indianapolis as a fifth-rounder in 2018, and he produced three consecutive seasons of consistent production to begin his career. He recorded 336, then 307 and 308 rushing yards while seeing more time on special teams than offense, then was waived midway through the 2021 campaign.

The Titans added him to their practice squad not long after, though he only made a single appearance in Tennessee. Wilkins returned to the Colts last season, playing in four games. The Ole Miss product will compete for a role alongside Demetric Felton, John Kelly and undrafted rookie Hassan Hall in the Browns’ backfield.

Cleveland has made a number of changes to their passing attack, which should help quarterback Deshaun Watson take a step forward in his first full season with the team. The ground game will still be a central element to the Browns’ offense, however, so running back depth will be crucial. Wilkins will look to find a home and playing time with his latest deal.

Browns LB Jacob Phillips To Miss Regular Season

August 12th, 2023 at 12:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Jacob Phillips‘ season has ended before it even began. The Browns linebacker has suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the regular season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).

This is a tough break for Phillips. The fourth-year linebacker was limited to only seven games last season thanks to another pectoral injury. ESPN’s Jake Trotter writes that Phillips will soon go under the knife once again.

Phillips was a third-round pick out of LSU in 2020. He missed seven games during his rookie campaign thanks in part to stints on the COVID list, and he missed two months during the 2021 campaign because of a biceps injury. The linebacker was inserted into the starting lineup in 2022 following an injury to Anthony Walker, and he proceeded to start four games for Cleveland before suffering his own injury.

The 24-year-old finished this past season with 46 tackles and a pair of sacks. Had Phillips earned enough snaps, Pro Football Focus would have graded him towards the bottom of his position, although the site did give him solid marks for pass rushing.

With Walker and Sione Takitaki atop the depth chart, Phillips was eyeing a backup ILB role in 2023. The team could be lacking some depth now at the position, with the team relying on a handful of current and former UDFAs like Matthew Adams, Jordan Kunaszyk, Mohamoud Diabate, and Cam Bright.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/11/23

August 11th, 2023 at 6:49pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the minor moves made around the league today:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Indianapolis Colts

New York Giants

  • Released from IR with injury settlement: WR Jeff Smith

San Francisco 49ers

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/10/23

August 10th, 2023 at 6:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived/injured: WR Makai Polk

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Following the addition of Shelby Harris, the Browns decided to let go of another defensive lineman. Michael Dwumfour got into nine games with the Texans and 49ers last season, compiling eight tackles. He joined the Browns earlier this offseason.

Logan Stenberg was a fourth-round pick by the Lions back in 2020. He saw a larger role in each of his three seasons with the organization, culminating in a 2022 season where he got into 16 games with four starts. The lineman also had a role on special teams in three seasons in Detroit, so there’s a chance he finds another gig elsewhere.

Players waived or released from IR often agree to an injury settlement with their team. Their previous placement on IR would have prevented them from seeing the field during the 2023 campaign; now that they’ve been released, they can sign elsewhere and play this season.

NFL Injury Updates: McGlinchey, Browns, Shaheed, Byrd

August 9th, 2023 at 9:51pm CST by Ely Allen

The Broncos endured a scare yesterday when new offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey was rolled up on in camp. According to Mike Klis of 9NEWS, it sounds like they avoided disaster as their starting right tackle only suffered a sprained knee.

Denver brought on McGlinchey, who was one of this offseason’s most prized free agents, at the open of free agency, shortly after also signing former Ravens guard Ben Powers. It showed how serious the team was about bulking up their offensive line to protect a veteran quarterback in Russell Wilson, who struggled last year in a new system.

Luckily, it sounds like McGlinchey avoided serious injury. This shouldn’t end up anything like the torn quadriceps injury that cut his 2021 season short. Klis claims that McGlinchey should only miss two to three weeks. He’ll have to take it easy for the entire preseason, but he should be ready to make his Broncos debut in the team’s season opener against the Raiders.

In the team’s first released depth chart of the season, veteran swing tackle Cameron Fleming is listed as McGlinchey’s primary backup. He should get a good run over the next few weeks in case McGlinchey’s recovery leaks into the regular season.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the league:

  • The Browns also experienced a couple of minor scares when two second-year defensive ends went down with “significant knee injuries,” according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. Both Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas suffered injuries this week that had head coach Kevin Stefanski thinking they would each “miss an extended period of time.” Luckily, ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided an update today that, after undergoing arthroscopic surgery, both players are expected to return “early in the season.” Although Wright started five games last year, both players are considered rotational backups. The position’s depth takes a hit, but the stars are still there.
  • Cleveland is down another second-year player in running back Jerome Ford, who is reportedly “week-to-week” with a hip injury, according to Browns staff writer Anthony Polsal. Although Ford’s main contribution as a rookie came returning kickoffs, he’s been expected to take the next step at running back this year with the departure of Kareem Hunt. He had been “receiving a considerable amount of reps” in camp before limping off the practice field on Monday. The team will turn to Demetric Felton, John Kelly, and undrafted rookie Hassan Hall in Ford’s absence, but they believe there’s a chance Ford could be back by Week 1.
  • Saints second-year wide receiver Rashid Shaheed missed another practice today, according to NOF Network. The surprise rookie contributor from last year has been missing a bit of time through camp with a groin injury. The report claims that, while Shaheed is expected to miss a few weeks, he should be ready to go for the team’s regular season opener.
  • The Panthers depth at wide receiver took a hit yesterday as veteran Damiere Byrd suffered “a significant hamstring injury,” according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. New head coach Frank Reich says that Byrd could need surgery. If so, it’s expected that the wideout would “miss at least eight weeks.” The new-look top-end remains the same with free agent additions Adam Thielen and DJ Chark and second-round rookie Jonathan Mingo. Behind them, Carolina still sports a strong backup group including Terrace Marshall, Laviska Shenault, Shi Smith, and others.

Browns, DT Shelby Harris Agree To Deal

August 9th, 2023 at 5:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

A free agent visit between Shelby Harris and the Browns has yielded an agreement. The veteran defensive tackle is headed to Cleveland on a deal worth up to $5.25MM, reports Jordan Schultz of the Score (Twitter links).

Harris had been on the open market since being released by the Seahawks in March, but it took plenty of time for him to receive tangible interest. He explored the possibility of returning to the Broncos by visiting Denver, but that did not produce a deal. The 31-year-old then met with the Browns, though at that point he was not believed to be acting with much urgency to make a firm commitment.

Now, Harris has a new home for the fourth time in his career. The former seventh-rounder was included in the package Denver sent to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade last offseason. He remained a full-time starter in the Emerald City, though his production dropped compared to his days with the Broncos. Harris recorded two sacks and eight QB pressures in 2022, after posting six and 18, respectively, the year prior.

Harris should still be able to carve out at least a rotational role in Cleveland, a team which has set about re-tooling its defensive front this offseason. Their most signficant endeavor in that regard was the deal given to Dalvin Tomlinson (four-years, $57MM). The latter will be an anchor of the Browns’ defensive interior for the foreseeable future, and 2020 third-rounder Jordan Elliott graduated to a starting role in 2022. Perrion Winfrey was waived last month, though, leaving a vacancy at the DT spot.

Cleveland invested a third-round pick in this year’s draft to add further depth on the D-line by selecting Siaki Ika. Harris, who has 98 appearances and 64 starts to his name, will no doubt be counted on more than the Baylor product in 2023. As is the case with the Seahawks, the Browns are aiming to take a needed step forward with their defensive front compared to last year. Harris should aid in their ability to progress under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

A return to the Seahawks was thought to be on the table for much of the offseason in Harris’ case. As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets, however, the signing of Mario Edwards (which in turn came after the addition of Dre’Mont Jones) likely took a Harris deal off the table. Seattle will move forward with its new DT contingent, while Harris will look to put together a strong season in Cleveland ahead of another trip to free agency.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/23

August 7th, 2023 at 8:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OL LaColby Tucker
  • Activated from active/PUP list: DL Calais Campbell
  • Waived: DL Matthew Gotel

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Placed on IR: DT Devonnsha Maxwell

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Waived: OL Trevor Reid

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: LB Jordan Ferguson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Streveler is currently dealing with an injury, ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweets. The Jets used Streveler as their top backup QB to close last season, inserting him into a Week 16 game ahead of Joe Flacco. Streveler stuck around via reserve/futures contract in January. But the Jets have since traded for Aaron Rodgers and signed Tim Boyle, marking a new era at quarterback. With Zach Wilson still around, the team does not appear to have any room — potentially even on the practice squad — for Streveler, who has played for the Jets and Cardinals in a three-year NFL career.

Apke has been with Washington since being chosen in the 2018 fourth round. He re-signed with the team in 2022 and stayed via reserve/futures contract in January. A shoulder injury, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, will move Apke to IR, which will end his chances of playing a sixth season with the Commanders this year. Kalu started five games for the Titans last season, playing 494 defensive snaps. Over his first three seasons, Kalu had never cleared the 100-snap barrier on defense.

Schoonmaker suffered a foot injury, a plantar fascia tear, during his final year at Michigan. The Cowboys’ top post-Dalton Schultz tight end investment will aim to make a push for a regular role to begin the season.

The Dolphins made Blackman part of their UDFA class this year. The former Florida State starter spent six years in college, finishing up with Arkansas State. The Dolphins swapped out Teddy Bridgewater for Mike White this offseason, but Skylar Thompson has made a push to be Tua Tagovailoa‘s backup. Regardless of that competition’s outcome, Blackman’s ceiling appeared to be practice squad QB in Miami. But the Dolphins may be looking into outside help for that developmental role — provided the team plans on stashing a fourth passer on its taxi squad.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/23

August 5th, 2023 at 8:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts 

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Signed: WR Jontre Kirklin

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

The Browns waived receiver Daylen Baldwin yesterday, and more details on his situation have emerged today courtesy of NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). Baldwin tore a tendon behind his knee, and he will undergo surgery as a result. After his recovery (which is expected to take roughly six to eight weeks), Pelissero notes that a return is the Browns’ preference.

Vigil will add considerable experience to the middle of the Jets’ defense. The 29-year-old has started 53 of his 89 career games, though he has not operated as a full-time starter in recent years as he once did. Vigil spent the 2022 season in Arizona, where he was limited to only eight games played and logged a defensive snap share of 35%. Both Vigil and Eguavoen worked out with the Giants last month, but they will instead head to New York’s other franchise for the 2023 season.

Kirklin played four games with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks, and he scored four touchdowns in the process. He will look to carry over that production at the NFL level as part of a Saints receiving corps which has plenty of uncertainty amongst its depth options.

Whittaker spent the past three seasons in Arizona, coming on and off the Cardinals’ practice squad a number of times. He was a key member of the team’s secondary last year, however, starting four of his six games played and logging a snap share of 74%. The 28-year-old will compete for a depth role behind the established starters at the CB spot in Washington.

AFC North Rumors: Browns, Steelers, Gordon

August 5th, 2023 at 4:10pm CST by Ely Allen

This offseason, the Browns gave offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt the added responsibility of quarterbacks coach. According to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com, the move was part of a concerted effort to give quarterback Deshaun Watson everything he may need in order to succeed.

The team went out this offseason and secured receiving reinforcements for the veteran passer. This offseason, the team added two speedsters of varying vintage. The younger Elijah Moore comes over from the Jets in a trade as he tries to find his footing in the NFL. He’ll have an established veteran to learn from in Marquise Goodwin, whom the team signed back in March. They also added tight end Jordan Akins in free agency and used their top draft pick on Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman in the third round.

Lastly, they gave Van Pelt the added title, a move that Watson reportedly endorsed heavily. Van Pelt has coached quarterbacks before for the Bills, Buccaneers, Packers, and Bengals, so the move isn’t completely out of left field. But the promotion of such an important coaching position shows just how far Cleveland will go to keep Watson happy.

Here are a few other rumors from around the AFC North:

  • It’s no surprise that the Steelers plan to start this year’s first-round pick, Broderick Jones, as a rookie. The surprise is that, in their efforts to start the tackle out of Georgia, they are resorting to shuffling around their offensive line configuration. Last year, Chukwuma Okorafor started every game at right tackle for Pittsburgh, while Dan Moore covered every game on the blindside for the Steelers. According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, the Steelers opened up the first team period of camp this week with Jones at left tackle, pushing Moore over to the right side of the line. Neither Moore nor Okorafor were necessarily stellar at their positions last year, hence the drafting of a tackle in the first round, but to see Pittsburgh push Moore out of position to make room for Jones shows just how much they want Jones to be in a position to succeed. Keeping Moore in the lineup shows that the Steelers are more concerned with starting the best tackles than keeping their tackles specialized on either side of the line.
  • The Ravens added some veteran running back depth last month in Melvin Gordon on a deal reportedly worth up to $3.1MM. Jamison Hensley of ESPN was able to provide us a few more details on the deal, disclosing that the contract has a base salary of $1.17MM with no reported guarantees. The remaining $1.94MM to get to the potential ceiling of the deal comes from undisclosed incentives that are not likely to be earned, meaning they won’t count against the team’s salary cap this year. If Gordon does, in fact, earn the full value of the contract, the $1.94MM will be counted against the 2024 salary cap.
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