Desmond King

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/20/24

Friday’s minor NFL transactions and some standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s games:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Thomas will hit the waiver wire once again after getting claimed off waivers by Indianapolis and failing his physical. He was first waived off of the 49ers’ injured reserve with an injury settlement, so it’s not a surprise that injury prevented him from passing his physical, but a 28th-ranked Colts pass defense was looking forward to adding an additional defensive back.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/24

Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Demercado has taken a backseat to Florida State third-round rookie Trey Benson, but he has averaged 9.3 yards per carry on 24 carries this year. Palardy will take over punting duties with Gillikin landing on injured reserve.

Jackson signed with Bills in late July, and although he was among the team’s final roster cuts he was immediately retained via a practice squad deal. This elevation means Week 15 will mark his first time spent on the active roster this season. The 36-year-old has started all but 10 of his 203 NFL games, but last season was marred by suspensions which led to his Broncos release. Jackson could suit up for Buffalo down the stretch as a gameday elevation in a bid to rebuild his stock to a degree.

With the playoffs nearly out of reach and quarterback Joe Burrow dealing with a few ailments (wrist and knee), the Bengals don’t seem to be taking any chances. Jake Browning will continue serving as the primary backup, while Woodside’s promotion will allow him to act as the emergency backup.

Adams has seen his biggest NFL roles during his time in Pittsburgh. Though he hasn’t gotten the same number of starts as he had in 2022 and 2023, he’s continued the same level of production. After missing the last four games, he’ll be looking to return to the field as early as tomorrow.

Ravens Sign CB Desmond King

The Ravens were in the market for a cornerback addition leading up to the trade deadline, with the team being outbid for Marshon LattimoreThat led to a deal being worked out which brought Tre’Davious White to Baltimore.

The team is still making moves in the secondary after the deadline. Desmond King is set to sign with the Ravens, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. This will be a practice squad agreement. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic adds King recently worked out with Baltimore. The team has since announced the move.

The 29-year-old has spent time with four teams during his career, with most of his recent games coming as a Texan. King had 28 starts and 40 appearances with Houston to his name ahead of the 2024 season, but he was among the veterans let go during roster cutdowns. He was ultimately retained on the practice squad before being elevated for one contest. King was cut once more last week, however, leaving him on the open market.

Baltimore’s secondary had a strong showing in Sunday’s low-scoring loss to the Steelers, but on the whole the unit has struggled in 2024. The Ravens rank last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (285), and the safety position has seen a rotation of players in the starting lineup. At corner, the top of the depth chart is set with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, first-round rookie Nate Wiggins and White.

King could play a depth role as part of that group, but his experience also includes considerable time spent as a returner. The former fifth-rounder earned a first-team All-Pro nod for his special teams work in 2019, the first of two straight seasons in which he recorded a punt return touchdown. King has remained involved in the return game through to his single appearance this year, and Baltimore is currently without primary returner Deonte Harty.

By virtue of signing on the taxi squad, King can be designated a gameday elevation up to three times. After that, he will need to be added to the active roster to avoid being placed on waivers.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/12/24

Today’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

  • Released: LB Cam Johnson

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

The Falcons have added a notable name to their special teams corps in Jakeem Grant. The long-time Dolphins returner has collected six ST touchdowns in his career (four via punts, two via kickoffs), and he’s even hauled in 100 catches. However, the veteran hasn’t seen the field since the 2021 campaign while spending the past few years on Cleveland’s practice squad.

With Dak Prescott done for the season, the Cowboys have added some extra QB depth. In comes old friend Will Grier, who spent the 2021 and 2022 campaigns in Dallas. The former third-round pick has since bounced around the NFL, including stops with the Bengals, Patriots, and Chargers in just 2023. Grier still only has two career appearances on his resume, both coming with the Panthers in 2019.

The Texans have added some experienced OL depth in Cameron Erving. The veteran is coming off a 2023 campaign where he started two of his three appearances for the Saints, and he barely played in 11 appearances with the Panthers in 2022. Still, the 32-year-old brings 98 games (58 starts) of experience to Houston, a factor that could be valuable down the stretch. To make room on the practice squad, the Texans moved on from cornerback Desmond King. The veteran has only seen time in one game for Houston this season, although he’s not far removed from a 2022 campaign where he started 13 games for the Texans.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/19/24

Today’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad callups:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Autry was hit with a six-game PED suspension in July, leaving the Texans without a key figure along the defensive line. The free agent pickup could have suited up by means of Houston using his one-week roster exemption; instead, he has been activated in time for Week 7. Autry, 34, posted a career-high 11 sacks last season and he will look to make an immediate impact during his Texans debut. Especially with Mario Edwards having been issued a four-game suspension of his own earlier this week, he should have a notable role right away.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/10/24

Today’s practice squad transactions from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

  • Signed: G Cade Mays
  • Released: T Marcellus Johnson

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

  • Signed: T Anim Dankwah

Texans Place Case Keenum On Season-Ending IR, Reduce Roster To 53

Several vested veterans hit the chopping block in Houston. Here is how the defending NFC South champions reached 53 today:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

Placed on season-ending IR:

Placed on IR/designated for return:

Placed on reserve/non-football illness list:

Placed on reserve/suspended list:

Keenum was headed into the second season of a two-year deal with his original NFL team, but a major injury will sidetrack the veteran arm. A foot injury will sideline the 36-year-old quarterback, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Keenum is expected to be down for three or four months, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini adds. Houston still has Davis Mills, who is in a contract year, as its top backup behind C.J. Stroud.

A calf injury will shut down Harris for the time being, Wilson adds. The Texans used both their allotted IR-return moves. The team used the 2022 third-round pick as a 12-game starter last season. Harris has played at least 71% of the Texans’ defensive snaps in both of his seasons, explaining his being prioritized via the NFL’s IR rule tweak. Despite being a 2022 UDFA, Hinish has been a key rotational player in Houston in each of his two pro seasons.

Horton is in remission from his bout with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The second-year player completed his final treatment this spring but did not practice with the team during training camp. The Texans’ run of WR cuts leaves 2022 second-rounder John Metchie, who missed his rookie season after a leukemia diagnosis, and Robert Woods on the roster behind starters Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. Cutting Jordan, a sixth-round pick from Louisville, leaves Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale and Cam Akers rostered behind Joe Mixon.

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

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.

DB Notes: Owens, Giants, King, Chargers

The Bears have become a rather Olympic-friendly organization in recent years. Although Marquise Goodwin did not make the U.S. long jump team three years ago, Bears coaches backed the London Olympian-turned-NFL wideout’s bid to land on the Tokyo squad. A new Bears regime appears equally into the Olympic spirit. Goodwin did not need to miss any training camp time, but one of the Bears’ new signees looks set to receive a few excused absences for Olympics purposes.

Jonathan Owens, a sixth-year safety best known as the husband of gymnastics icon Simone Biles, will be given some time to attend Paris to support his wife. Biles said (via USA Today’s Nancy Armour) the Bears intend to allow the veteran safety “a couple days off” during training camp to watch her compete. Biles, who regularly attended Texans and Packers games to support Owens, is due to compete in her third Games from July 28-August 1. Owens signed a two-year, $3.8MM deal with the Bears this offseason. Although the former Houston and Green Bay cog worked as a starter over the past two seasons, he looks set to operate as a backup behind Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in his first Chicago season.

Here is the latest from the NFL secondary ranks:

  • Saquon Barkley‘s departure and Daniel Jones remaining in place as the starting quarterback have been the lead items — perhaps along with Brian Burns‘ arrival — from this Giants offseason. But Joe Schoen also identified cornerback as one of the team’s top needs going into free agency. The third-year GM said during the Hard Knocks: Offseason debut (h/t The Athletic’s Dan Duggan) CB was a front-line need along with wide receiver and the offensive line. The Giants did invest in a corner (Dru Phillips) in Round 3 and added former Jaguars slot defender Tre Herndon in June, but the team is counting on converted slot Cor’Dale Flott to replace Adoree’ Jackson alongside Deonte Banks. Schoen’s recently revealed assessment of the position may be of note as the team finishes assessing its pre-training camp depth chart.
  • Desmond King cited the Texans‘ emergence into an AFC contender as a key reason he agreed to re-sign this offseason. The team gave King a second chance after he washed out with the Steelers last year. “I’m going on my fourth year in Houston,” King said, via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. “I’ve done seen the evolution of the team and the organization just being here for those first couple of years and seeing where it’s at now, knowing my capability and what I can bring to the team, why not be here with Houston?” King, who signed a one-year deal worth $1.8MM, has operated primarily as a slot player in Houston. He was with the team during David Culley and Lovie Smith‘s one-and-done seasons, before observing the Texans’ progress under DeMeco Ryans. With Tavierre Thomas now with the Buccaneers, King has a clear path to holding the Texans’ slot role this season.
  • A number of new faces will be part of the Chargers‘ two-deep this year. After going into last season with J.C. Jackson and Michael Davis in key roles at corner, the Bolts moved on from both. While Kristian Fulton has a path to a starting job, ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim notes another addition — fifth-round rookie Tarheeb Still — made perhaps the biggest impact among the Bolts’ rookies during the offseason program. DC Jesse Minter also offered praise for Still, a Maryland product, and it looks like he has a chance at securing a role alongside the likes of Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. in Jim Harbaugh‘s first season.

AFC Contract Details: Titans, Jeudy, Browns, Brown, Bengals, Broncos, Bills, Jets, Texans

Here are contract details from some of the latest deals agreed to around the league.

  • Calvin Ridley, WR (Titans). Four years, $92MM. In addition to his $20MM signing bonus, Ridley will see his first two base salaries ($4.5MM, $22,5MM) fully guaranteed. If on Tennessee’s roster by Day 5 of the 2025 league year, Ridley will receive a $3.02MM guarantee for his 2026 base salary ($20.24MM), per OverTheCap. If Ridley remains on Tennessee’s roster by Day 5 of the 2026 league year, he will earn a $1MM bonus. This still stands to give the Titans some 2026 flexibility.
  • Jerry Jeudy, WR (Browns). Three years, $52.5MM. The recently traded wideout’s base value, as expected, checks in lower than the initial numbers. The ex-Denver target will see guarantees into his the deal’s third year, with SI.com’s Albert Breer noting $6MM will be guaranteed for 2026. Jeudy received $41MM guaranteed at signing.
  • Curtis Samuel, WR (Bills). Three years, $24MM. The Bills are guaranteeing $5MM of Samuel’s $6.91MM 2025 base salary at signing. The entire ’25 base is guaranteed for injury, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Samuel will be due a $1MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2026 league year; his $6.51MM 2026 salary is nonguaranteed.
  • John Simpson, G (Jets). Two years, $12MM. This number is down a bit from the initial $18MM figure, which is the deal’s max value. Simpson will see $6MM guaranteed, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini notes. The Jets used three void years to spread out the cap hits; the fifth-year guard is on New York’s books at $3.2MM in 2024.
  • Folorunso Fatukasi, DT (Texans). One year, $5.2MM. The recent Jacksonville cut will receive $4.6MM guaranteed at signing on his Houston pact, Wilson tweets. The Texans tacked two void years onto the veteran nose tackle’s deal.
  • Trent Brown, T (Bengals). One year, $4.75MM. The veteran tackle will receive $2MM guaranteed, with OverTheCap indicating $1MM will be available in per-game roster bonuses with another $250K in play via a workout bonus. A bonus-laden structure is not new for Brown, who had weight clauses in his most recent two Patriots contracts.
  • Solomon Thomas, DL (Jets). One year, $3MM. The Jets are guaranteeing the former No. 3 overall pick $2.5MM, Cimini adds.
  • Mike Edwards, S (Bills). One year, $2.8MM. The former Tampa Bay and Kansas City safety can earn up to $4MM on his Buffalo deal, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan tweets. He is on the Bills’ cap at $2.8MM.
  • Cody Barton, LB (Broncos). One year, $2.46MM. The Broncos will land the veteran linebacker for more than $1MM cheaper than the Commanders did in 2023. Denver is guaranteeing $2.33MM of the deal, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson.
  • Desmond King, CB (Texans). One year, $1.8MM. Veteran slot cornerback/return man’s contract can max out at $2.2MM, Wilson tweets.