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Minor NFL Transactions: 12/5/24

December 5th, 2024 at 7:31pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest moves from around the league, including game day elevations for Thursday Night football:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Designated to return from injured reserve: CB Elijah Jones

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Elevated to the active roster from the practice squad: CB Kalen King

Houston Texans

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

The Lions signed Adams to their practice squad on Sunday after a slew of injuries on Thanksgiving. The onetime All-Pro played 20 snaps across three games for the Titans this year before he landed on the Non-Football injury list and requested his release. Though he’s still listed as a defensive back, Adams is likely to play in the box after Malcolm Rodriguez joined three other Lions linebacker on injured reserve.

Texans, TE Brevin Jordan Agree To Extension

December 5th, 2024 at 10:53am CST by Adam La Rose

Brevin Jordan was on track for free agency, but that will no longer be the case. The fourth-year tight end worked out a Texans extension on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

This will be a one-year deal, meaning Jordan will remain in Houston for the 2025 campaign. His season was brought to an early and abrupt end by a Week 2 ACL tear, something which threatened to hinder his value on the open market. Instead, Jordan’s immediate future is now secure.

Selected in the fifth-round of the 2021 draft, Jordan has served as a key rotational figure on offense throughout his time in Houston. The 24-year-old’s role in the passing game remained consistent through his first three seasons, averaging just over 25 targets, 17 catches and 175 yards per year. That production includes five total touchdowns along with a career-best 12.9 yards per reception from 2023, so expectations were high for a step forward this season.

The ACL tear has left Jordan on the sidelines for the rest of the year, but the Texans do of course still have Dalton Schultz in place as a pass-catching option at the TE spot. The former Cowboy inked a new deal this offseason, and as a result he is on the books through 2026. Today’s move will give Houston added continuity with not only Schultz but also Jordan in place for next year.

Given the timing of the latter’s injury, he will have a strong chance of being available for the start of the 2025 campaign; Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes that is indeed expected to be the case. If Jordan can manage to remain healthy next year, he will have the opportunity to boost his free agent stock while remaining in a familiar environment.

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair Issued Three-Game Suspension

December 4th, 2024 at 10:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

DECEMBER 4: Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension has been upheld by hearing officer Ramon Foster. Foster, a former Steelers offensive guard from 2009-19, was jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA and declined to give Al-Shaair any leniency after his hit on Lawrence virtually ended the quarterback’s season.

DECEMBER 3: A decision has been made on a suspension for Azeez Al-Shaair. The Texans linebacker has received a three-game ban, the NFL announced on Tuesday. Al-Shaair will appeal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,” a letter from NFL VP of football operations Jon Runyan reads in part. “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”

As Runyan’s letter notes, Al-Shaair’s history of personal fouls in recent years played a role determining the length of the ban. This will be the 27-year-old’s first NFL suspension, one which many felt could be handed down in the wake of his hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. After the play, Al-Shaair was involved in a brawl which led to multiple players (including himself) being ejected from the game, which was another factor in the league’s suspension decision. The FAU product has since publicly apologized for his actions.

Lawrence was carted off the field following the hit, and he is now in concussion protocol. That has left his availability for the remainder of the season, while in Al-Shaair’s case today’s news will leave him sidelined until Week 18. If he were to win his appeal though, the ban would be reduced which would open the door to a return earlier in the Texans’ remaining schedule. The team’s bye will take place in Week 14 before a stretch where Houston will look to secure the AFC South.

Al-Shaair has been a full-time starter in 2024, his first season as a Texan. The former UDFA spent four seasons with the 49ers, playing under DeMeco Ryans during that time. After a single campaign with the Titans, Al-Shaair signed a three-year deal with Houston which allowed him to reunite with Ryans. He has posted 68 tackles and pair of sacks to date, and replacing that production will be challenging for the Texans over the near future.

Sitting at 8-5 on the year, a divisional title is firmly within reach for Houston. The team is on track to reach the postseason as a result, and even if Al-Shaair’s appeal is unsuccessful he will be available once the playoffs begin.

AFC South Notes: Colts, Harris, Jaguars

December 3rd, 2024 at 2:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Given a historically quick hook based on his draft status, Anthony Richardson has continued to struggle as a passer upon being reinserted into the Colts‘ lineup. He has only bumped his completion percentage up to 47.5, remaining on pace to become just the seventh QB to finish south of 50% (min. 200 attempts) this century. Still, Richardson has guided Indianapolis to two wins since returning.

The benching also came partially because of Richardson’s preparation issues. Adding more on that, ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder indicates the Colts believed their quarterback needed to invest more time into his job. This was a bigger organizational concern than Richardson’s accuracy issues, Holder notes. The benching provided a wakeup call, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, and Richardson’s literal wakeup calls have come earlier since. The QB, per Holder, is believed to be showing up at the facility around 5:30am to begin preparation.

Richardson may not be out of the woods yet regarding assurances the Colts stick with him in 2025. While the benching certainly garnered his attention, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes the quarterback may well be tied to the fates of GM Chris Ballard and HC Shane Steichen. It would seem a bit unlikely Jim Irsay would fire Steichen if the team misses the playoffs, but Ballard is in Year 8 and would be 2-for-8 in postseason berths if the 6-7 Colts miss out this season. This nugget would point to a new GM not being tied to Richardson, which would place the raw talent on shakier ground. The Ballard-Steichen-Richardson trio still has four games to prove it deserves a third season together.

Here is the latest from the AFC South:

  • Richardson may soon have a Pro Bowl center snapping to him once again. Steichen said (via CBS4’s Mike Chappell) Ryan Kelly will have a good chance of returning to practice before the Colts’ Week 15 game against the Broncos. Kelly landed on IR due to a knee injury, one that was not expected to be season-ending. With Kelly playing out an extension he signed in 2020, this Colts homestretch will be pivotal to his 2025 market. Kelly is a four-time Pro Bowler who would be a free agent — barring a deal before the legal tampering period — ahead of an age-32 season. The Colts have been a retention-heavy team under Ballard, but they have seen fourth-round rookie Tanor Bortolini hold his own in Kelly’s stead.
  • Staying on the subject of IR returns, the Texans have been without linebacker Christian Harris all season. The AFC South leaders placed Harris on IR with a return designation August 27, devoting one of their injury activations to the third-year defender in advance. Harris, however, has lingered on IR (with a calf injury) since. But GM Nick Caserio pointed to a near-future return. Harris has not seen his practice window opened, but KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds that is likely to happen soon. With Azeez Al-Shaair appealing a three-game suspension, Houston could certainly use Harris — a 23-game starter from 2022-23 — back in action.
  • Doug Pederson is following in Ron Rivera‘s footsteps as a second-chance HC playing out the string. The Jaguars are all but certain to fire the former Super Bowl-winning coach at season’s end. This will leave Pederson’s staff in limbo, and one of the staffers — running backs coach Jerry Mack — is getting out early. Kennesaw State hired Mack as head coach, the school announced. A former HC at North Carolina Central and RBs coach at Tennessee, Mack spent nearly 20 years in the college ranks before joining Pederson’s staff this year. The 44-year-old assistant will return to the college ranks months after arriving in Jacksonville.

NFL Reviewing Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair For Potential Suspension

December 2nd, 2024 at 9:45am CST by Adam La Rose

Azeez Al-Shaair was ejected from the Texans’ Week 13 win after his hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. To no surprise, a suspension could be on the table.

The NFL is reviewing the play in question, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports. Al-Shaair made contact with Lawrence’s head while the latter was sliding, and it resulted in him being carted off the field. Lawrence is now in concussion protocol. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds a ban is currently “anticipated,” with the matter of length being the only remaining question.

Al-Shaair has never been suspended in his career, but the sixth-year linebacker could be in line for supplemental discipline pending the outcome of the league’s review. Houston’s bye week is upcoming, so plenty of time remains for a decision on that front to be made before Al-Shaair would next be in line to suit up. The 27-year-old issued a statement on Monday addressing the matter.

“I’ve always played the game as hard as I could. Never with the intent to harm anyone and anybody that knows me knows that,” Al-Shaair said in part. “My goal is to hit you as hard as I can then I pray you’re still able to get up and play the next play… I genuinely didn’t see [Lawrence] sliding until it was too late. And it all happens in the blink of an eye. To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.”

The Texans secured a 23-20 win yesterday, bringing their record to 8-5 on the year. The AFC South leaders have relied heavily on Al-Shaair at the second level of their defense, with the former UDFA starting evert game he has played in to date. Al-Shaair spent last year with the Titans, but during the offseason he inked a three-year, $34MM deal which allowed him to reunite with head coach DeMeco Ryans after their time spent together with the 49ers.

The FAU product has amassed 68 tackles this season, which ranks second on the team. Al-Shaair has also matched his personal best with two sacks in 2024, and losing him for any period would deal a blow to Houston’s defense. That unit could be shorthanded depending on how the NFL proceeds.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/30/24

November 30th, 2024 at 9:34pm CST by Ely Allen

Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo is listed as questionable, but head coach Raheem Morris is confident he’ll play, calling Patterson an emergency option.

Speculation out of Baltimore was that Maulet wouldn’t require a second stint on injured reserve with his calf injury, but that intel appears to have been off. Maulet and Kolar could potentially make a return in time for the postseason, but they’ll miss four games before they do.

VanSumeren served double-duty as a fullback and linebacker. With his placement on IR, Uzomah was targeted as a possibility to fill in at fullback.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/28/24

November 28th, 2024 at 6:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Thanksgiving Day minor moves from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

Quitoriano’s injury struggles continue. The depth tight end who often appears in running plays and multi-tight end sets has yet to prove he can stay on the field for much more than half a season. After appearing in 16 games (11 starts) over his first two years in the NFL, Quitoriano was only able to appear in seven games (four starts) before hitting injured reserve this year. Signed off the Bears’ practice squad to make up for the season-ending loss of Brevin Jordan, Quitoriano’s loss leaves Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover as the only healthy tight ends on the active roster as Quitoriano joins Jordan and Dalton Keene on IR. Houston has veteran Irv Smith on the practice squad, as well.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/27/24

November 27th, 2024 at 6:50pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor transactions, including some standard gameday practice squad elevations for the Thanksgiving Day slate:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

  • Designated to return from IR: CB Myles Harden

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Vikings’ release of Murphy is disappointing one for the organization for sure. The rookie pass rusher out of UCLA was not healthy enough to be on the active roster to start the season, but Minnesota liked him enough to dedicate one of their eight IR activations on him in August. He was activated yesterday but hit waivers today. If he clears the waivers, he’ll be available to sign to the team’s practice squad.

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 soon.

2024 NFL Dead Money, By Team

November 27th, 2024 at 12:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants making the decision to waive Daniel Jones, rather than keep him around ahead of a potential 2025 post-June 1 cut designation, changed their dead money outlook for this year and next. Here is how their new total fits in with the rest of the teams’ numbers for dead money — cap space allocated to players no longer on the roster — entering the final third of the regular season. Numbers courtesy of OverTheCap.

  1. Denver Broncos: $85.21MM
  2. New York Giants: $79.57MM
  3. Minnesota Vikings: $69.83MM
  4. Buffalo Bills: $68.47MM
  5. Carolina Panthers: $68.28MM
  6. Green Bay Packers: $65.53MM
  7. Tennessee Titans: $62.89MM
  8. Philadelphia Eagles: $61.95MM
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $60.64MM
  10. New Orleans Saints: $59.44MM
  11. New York Jets: $59.24MM
  12. Los Angeles Chargers: $58.62MM
  13. New England Patriots: $53.37MM
  14. Miami Dolphins: $52.28MM
  15. Seattle Seahawks: $52MM
  16. Jacksonville Jaguars: $51.2MM
  17. Las Vegas Raiders: $49.37MM
  18. Washington Commanders: $42.81MM
  19. Houston Texans: $39.28MM
  20. Cleveland Browns: $38.79MM
  21. Los Angeles Rams: $34.63MM
  22. Detroit Lions: $33.71MM
  23. Pittsburgh Steelers: $30.18MM
  24. Chicago Bears: $29.65MM
  25. Arizona Cardinals: $29.35MM
  26. San Francisco 49ers: $26.91MM
  27. Dallas Cowboys: $26.79MM
  28. Baltimore Ravens: $21.35MM
  29. Kansas City Chiefs: $12.65MM
  30. Indianapolis Colts: $11.8MM
  31. Atlanta Falcons: $11.55MM
  32. Cincinnati Bengals: $9.11MM

The Jones release moved more than $13MM of dead cap onto the Giants’ 2024 payroll. More significantly, the Giants granting Jones an early exit — after a contract-driven benching — will prevent the team from designating him a post-June 1 cut next year. The Giants will take on $22.2MM in dead money in 2025, rather than being able to split that bill over two offseasons. The team also took on more than $10MM in dead money this year due to the 2023 Leonard Williams trade.

This year’s most egregious dead money offender has been known for months. The Broncos’ contract-driven Russell Wilson benching last year preceded a historic release, which saddled the team with more than $83MM in total dead money. A small cap credit is set to come in 2025 (via Wilson’s veteran-minimum Pittsburgh pact), but for this year, $53MM in dead cap hit Denver’s payroll as a result of the the quarterback’s release.

The Broncos more than doubled the previous single-player dead money record, which the Falcons held ($40.5MM) for trading Matt Ryan), and they will be on the hook for the final $30MM-plus in 2025. Beyond Wilson, no other ex-Bronco counts more than $7.5MM in dead money. In terms of total dead cap, however, the Broncos barely check in north of the Buccaneers and Rams’ 2023 totals. Denver is trying to follow those teams’ lead in rallying back to make the playoffs despite nearly a third of its 2024 payroll tied up in dead cap.

Twenty-two players represent dead money for the Saints, who have seen their total updated since the Marshon Lattimore trade. Rather than restructure-crazed GM Mickey Loomis using the Lattimore contract once again to create cap space next year, the Saints will take on the highest non-QB dead money hit in NFL history. Lattimore counts $14MM in that category this year before the contract shifts to a whopping $31.66MM in dead cap on New Orleans’ 2025 payroll. Considering the Saints are again in their own sector for cap trouble next year ($62MM-plus over), the Lattimore trade will create some issues as the team attempts to rebound post-Dennis Allen.

Two 2023 restructures ballooned the Vikings’ figure toward $70MM. Void years on Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter‘s deals combined for more than $43MM in dead money. Minnesota also ate nearly $7MM from the void years on Marcus Davenport‘s one-year contract, while the release of 2022 first-rounder Lewis Cine (currently on the Bills’ practice squad) accounted for more than $5MM.

Free from the Tom Brady dead money that comprised a chunk of their 2023 cap, the Bucs still have eight-figure hits from the Carlton Davis trade and Mike Evans‘ previous contract voiding not long before the sides agreed on a new deal. Elsewhere in the NFC South, three of the players given multiyear deals in 2023 — Vonn Bell, Hayden Hurst, Bradley Bozeman — being moved off the roster in GM Dan Morgan‘s first offseason represent nearly half of Carolina’s dead cap.

 

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