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Minor NFL Transactions: 8/14/24

August 14th, 2024 at 9:20pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

  • Signed: C Cohl Cabral
  • Waived (with injury designation): DE Shaka Toney

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Cabral joins the Cowboys after UFL stints in Birmingham and Michigan. He adds more depth to the team’s offensive line after the team lost Chuma Edoga in their first preseason game and saw Earl Bostick helped off the field today. Toney suffered a groin injury, leading to this injury waiver, but could return to the team should he clear waivers.

Powers-Johnson was on some concerning ground with how much time he had missed with a concussion, but the Raiders saw him return to practice today.

The 49ers are adding some significant depth on the defensive line in Williams, who has vast starting experience in the NFL. Cutting Turner could mean that the return of Dre Greenlaw may on a better timeline than expected.

Rams Waive K Tanner Brown; Rookie Joshua Karty Wins Kicking Competition

August 13th, 2024 at 9:43pm CST by Ben Levine

The Rams have settled on their starting kicker. The team announced that they’ve waived Tanner Brown, meaning sixth-round rookie Joshua Karty has won the kicker competition.

Karty is coming off a standout career at Stanford. The kicker earned a pair of first-team All American nods while converting 85 percent of his field goal attempts and 98.6 percent of his extra point tries. That performance helped elevate him above the standard grouping of undrafted kickers, with Karty being the first kicker off the board (and one of only two overall alongside Cam Little) during the 2024 draft.

The rookie had an especially strong showing during the Rams’ preseason opener. Karty connected on both of his field goal attempts plus the game-winning extra point. Most notably, he got all of the team’s looks at the position, so the writing was on the wall for the other kicker on the roster.

Brown went undrafted out of Oklahoma State last offseason. He spent the entirety of his rookie campaign on the Rams practice squad, failing to leap the likes of Lucas Havrisik and Brett Maher. Brown should get another shot following 2021 and 2022 campaigns where he nailed 88.6 percent of his FG tries.

WR Tavon Austin Retires

August 13th, 2024 at 4:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tavon Austin‘s time in the NFL has come to an end. The veteran receiver and returner announced his retirement on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old has not played since 2021, but he continued to draw interest over the past two years. Workouts in October 2022 as well as last September did not produce agreements, however. With the start of the 2024 campaign approaching, Austin will turn his attention toward his post-playing days.

“I wasn’t sure if I was ready to give up football,” the former first-rounder’s statement reads in part, “and it has been one of the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. But after an incredible ten years, I’m retiring from the NFL… Football didn’t always love me back, but it will always be my first love! I will forever cherish the time I spent in the NFL… Just like my seasons, they come to an end, and it’s time for me to enter my next chapter in life.”

Austin entered the league with high expectations as a No. 8 overall pick of the Rams. His most productive season as a receiver came in 2016 when he posted 509 yards and three touchdowns. While his output on offense did not live up to expectations, he did carve out a notable role as an impactful returner. His third phase contributions helped land him on the PFWA’s All-Rookie team in 2013.

The West Virginia alum racked up at least 1,009 all-purpose yards in three of his first four seasons, returning one punt for a touchdown each season from 2013-15. Austin was dealt to the Cowboys ahead of the 2018 season, but his two-year tenure with the team did not produce a regular role on offense. That remained the case in 2021 during his stint with the Jaguars.

Austin caught on with the Bills in the summer of 2022, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. That resulted in a brief period on the team’s practice squad, but in October he was let go. Free agency has not produced a deal since that time, marking an end to his NFL tenure. Austin will depart the league with 118 combined regular and postseason games to his name and roughly $41MM in career earnings.

Rams Looking At Matthew Stafford As Year-To-Year Proposition

August 12th, 2024 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Much of this offseason’s Rams-Matthew Stafford negotiations appeared to stem from the quarterback wanting more security beyond 2024. The resolution brought a different result, calling the talented passer’s Los Angeles future into question.

The team moved $5MM from future years into 2024, benefiting the 16th-year veteran now rather than later. Although Stafford saw a $4MM 2025 roster bonus become part of his $40MM guarantee package on this revision, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the Rams are still viewing this partnership through a year-to-year lens. The former Lions mainstay’s contract — a four-year, $160MM deal agreed to following Super Bowl LVI — still runs through 2026.

After a concerning 2022 packed with multiple injuries, Stafford rebounded to lift what had been viewed as a retooling Rams team back into the playoffs. The team returns Stafford’s receiving corps from last season, which is poised to include a healthy Cooper Kupp, and did not let its QB’s contract matter drag into training camp like a few other NFC situations. As of now, the Rams believe Stafford is still playing at a high level and want him back beyond 2024, Fowler adds. But injuries have become a regular issue for the cannon-armed QB, making retirement a subject that will be monitored from the team’s side.

Stafford, 36, has deflected retirement rumors in the past and has seen QBs play well into their late 30s and, in some cases, past 40. Sean McVay also said the Rams are content with Stafford as long as he wants to play. This might not be a matter the Rams need to worry about just yet. After all, ex-McVay staffers in Atlanta are preparing to coach a soon-to-be 36-year-old Kirk Cousins — who just received a $100MM practical guarantee — coming off Achilles surgery. But Stafford is obviously on the back nine of his career.

Only that $4MM roster bonus is guaranteed beyond 2024, but the Rams would face a $49.33MM dead money bill if Stafford retired after this season. His 2025 cap number is scheduled to be $49.67MM. That would set an NFL record, but we are close to seeing the bar move here. Deshaun Watson is on the cusp of playing on a $63.77MM cap number, while Dak Prescott — absent an extension — is at $55.13MM. Daniel Jones and Kyler Murray join Stafford in being set to play on $45MM-plus cap figures this season.

While Jared Goff has rebounded in Detroit, Stafford played the lead role in pushing Los Angeles’ 2021 effort to the mountaintop. He also received, believe it or not, his first original-ballot Pro Bowl invite last season, ranking sixth in QBR as well. The Rams should remain in good hands as long as their starter is healthy, though Fowler adds the Jimmy Garoppolo addition generated some attention — despite the former 49ers starter’s rough Raiders year — this offseason.

Taking over for Carson Wentz as the latest McVay QB2 reboot candidate, Garoppolo will have a chance to stabilize his career in L.A. Baker Mayfield‘s L.A. stint did not generate a strong free agent market, but it provided some momentum after a disastrous Panthers campaign. Garoppolo’s contract expires in March, though the 32-year-old passer becoming an immediate fit with McVay would naturally attract mutual interest in a reunion. This could depend on Stafford’s plans, as Garoppolo should still stand to have some options in 2025.

Eventually, the Rams will need a true heir apparent. For now, they are fine with Stafford. They spent big on guards (Kevin Dotson, Jonah Jackson) to help protect their centerpiece player. This situation will still be one to monitor, especially if another Stafford injury leads to Garoppolo playing time.

Rams TE Tyler Higbee Likely To Miss Regular Season Time

August 12th, 2024 at 11:10am CST by Adam La Rose

Tyler Higbee suffered an ACL tear during the Rams’ wild-card loss, and he has remained sidelined during training camp. The veteran tight end should not be counted on to recover in time for Week 1.

Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic notes the Rams expect Higbee to miss time during the fall (subscription required). That comes as little surprise given the timing of his injury; moving him to the reserve/PUP list would ensure a four-week absence at the start of the year. Higbee is projected to miss at least that much time as he continues to recover, Rodrigue writes.

Higbee has served as a full-time starter since his second season in the league. His eight-year career has been played exclusively with the Rams, and he has posted between 495 and 734 yards each year since 2019. The 31-year-old is under contract for the next two years on his current pact, so it would be logical from the team’s perspective to stick to a cautious recovery approach.

Los Angeles signed Colby Parkinson in free agency. The former Seahawk inked a two-year deal worth $22.5MM to make the intra-divisional move, and he is in line to serve as starter while Higbee is on the mend. Parkinson, 25, saw an uptick in playing time over the past two seasons after primarily being used on special teams during his first and second Seattle campaigns. He will look to offer a pass-catching option to complement Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua during the early portion of his Rams tenure.

The rest of the Rams’ tight end depth chart includes 2023 fifth-rounder Davis Allen and former trade acquisition Hunter Long. Both members of that pair are likely to see playing time at the start of the season in particular while Higbee rehabs. At some point in 2024, though, the latter will be expected to return to action as a key member of Los Angeles’ offense.

QB Nick Foles Announces Retirement

August 8th, 2024 at 10:10am CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Foles did not play last season, and the former Super Bowl MVP will not attempt to return to the league in 2024. The veteran quarterback announced his retirement after 11 seasons Thursday.

Turning 35 this offseason, Foles spent his most recent NFL campaign with the Colts. That 2022 season was far from his best work, and Indianapolis released him along with Matt Ryan in 2023. Foles will certainly be better remembered for his other stints, most notably his work in Philadelphia.

The virtuoso display the then-Carson Wentz backup offered in the 2017 NFC championship game and then Super Bowl LII led to the Eagles winning their only Super Bowl title and claiming an NFL crown for the first time since 1960. Foles did not have as much luck as a team’s preferred starter, but he also submitted a quality late-season relief effort to extend Philly’s title-defense season into the divisional round. Foles walks away having played for the Eagles, Rams, Chiefs, Jaguars, Bears and Colts.

Foles’ Eagles run began when the then-Andy Reid-run team used a third-round pick on the Arizona alum. The Eagles had traded would-be Donovan McNabb heir apparent Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals in 2011, and as injuries continued to hound free agency pickup/extension recipient Michael Vick, Foles stepped in. Foles’ first Philly stint included 24 starts, including a 2013 outing in Oakland that featured the 6-foot-6 passer tie the NFL record with seven touchdown passes, and a playoff berth. Foles was at the controls during Chip Kelly‘s 2013 debut, which produced an NFC East title and a narrow wild-card loss. Kelly’s one year in charge of personnel, however, resulted in Foles’ exit.

Kelly shipped Foles to St. Louis for Sam Bradford, whom the Eagles — after Howie Roseman regained the GM reins once Kelly was fired — traded after one season. Foles said he considered retirement following a rough Rams stint, which involved a benching and then a release. He resurfaced in Kansas City, backing up Alex Smith, and fetched a two-year, $11MM deal to back up Wentz. That turned out to be one of the most important QB2 acquisitions in NFL history.

Wentz’s ACL and MCL tears sidetracked what looked like an MVP season, and Foles struggled early in replacing the ascending starter. This led to the Eagles memorably being an underdog No. 1 seed in the divisional round. Foles silenced doubters by dominating to close out the Eagles’ banner postseason. Submitting 352- and 373-yard showings against the Vikings and Patriots, Foles threw six TD passes — and memorably caught another — to seal the Eagles’ championship. A statue now exists in Philadelphia because of Foles’ “Philly Special” offering.

Following another successful finish replacing Wentz, Foles saw his starter run end quickly. The Jaguars regretted the four-year, $88MM deal they authorized in 2019, benching him for Gardner Minshew before a 2020 trade with the Bears. Foles replaced Mitchell Trubisky early that season but was back on the bench during the stretch run. The Bears, who reworked Foles’ contract upon acquiring him, released the QB — who had become the team’s third-stringer following the Justin Fields draft choice — in 2022.

Thanks largely to the Jaguars contract, Foles earned more than $87MM in his career — a journey that included 58 starts, two trades and three releases. Although consistency eluded Foles, his Eagles accomplishments will certainly be remembered fondly.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/6/24

August 6th, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: DE Zach Morton

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Signed: WR Dax Milne
  • Waived/injured: DT Tomari Fox

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: QB Luis Perez
  • Waived: LB Savion Jackson

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

CeeDee Lamb isn’t usually mentioned in this type of post, but the transaction involving the wideout was simply procedural. As ESPN’s Todd Archer notes, placing Lamb on the reserve/did not report list opens up a roster spot for the Cowboys, something that was necessary after the team signed three players today. This move doesn’t impact negotiations, and Lamb can be activated once he returns to practice. Lamb continues to holdout while he waits for a new deal, but the front office is working hard to get him back in the building.

Justin Herbert‘s recent foot injury necessitated some extra depth at the position. The team ended up opting for Luis Perez, who led the UFL last season in completions (225), passing yards (2,309), and touchdowns (18). Perez will soak up some temporary snaps alongside Easton Stick, Max Duggan, and UDFA Casey Bauman.

Rams Sign OL Conor McDermott

August 6th, 2024 at 12:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Rams are set to receive veteran reinforcement along the offensive line. Conor McDermott is expected to sign with Los Angeles, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The deal is now official, per a team announcement.

The 31-year-old is a veteran of 17 starts during his seven-year career. 11 of those came with the Patriots over the past two seasons during his second stint with the franchise that drafted him. McDermott’s notable workload in recent times was not enough to earn him an extended stay with New England for 2024, though.

The former sixth-rounder was released in April, leaving him free to find a deal in the post-draft wave of free agency. McDermott wound up needing to wait until well into training camp to secure his next contract, one which will allow him to compete for a roster spot with the Rams. Los Angeles has been dealing with a number of injuries along the offensive line, so it comes as little surprise the team has brought in a veteran capable of filling in on at least a temporary basis.

Free agent guard addition Jonah Jackson will be sidelined for the preseason due to a shoulder injury. Missed time will also be the case for left tackle Alaric Jackson and right tackle Rob Havenstein as they recover from injuries of their own. The Week 1 availability of all three blockers is unknown at this point, but a cautious approach would be a sensible one from the team’s perspective. While they rehab, McDermott could see notable action during Los Angeles’ exhibition games.

The latter has seen time with the Bills and Jets in addition to his two Patriots stints. McDermott has primarily played at tackle during his career, splitting his time on the left and right side fairly evenly. He does have experience at guard as well, though. The UCLA alum’s best season in terms of PFF evaluation came during the 2021 campaign, when he earned an overall grade of 68.4 (albeit in limited action). McDermott will now spend the coming weeks aiming to do enough to make the Rams’ 53-man roster while providing injury relief in the interim.

Rams Not Looking To Trade WR Tutu Atwell

August 4th, 2024 at 1:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The top of the Rams’ receiver depth chart is set with former Triple Crown winner Cooper Kupp and 2023 rookie sensation Puka Nacua. The team’s decision to retain Demarcus Robinson leaves them with a number of familiar pass-catching options, although it could limit Tutu Atwell‘s involvement.

The latter saw the field for only 10 offensive snaps during his rookie season, but he has taken on a larger workload in the years since then. Atwell saw a 40% snap share in 2022, and that figure rose to 64% last season, one in which Kupp missed considerable time due to injury. One year remains on Atwell’s rookie contract, but any interest from an outside suitor will likely not lead to a trade.

The Rams have Atwell in their plans for at least one more season, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes. The former second-rounder has totaled 781 yards and four touchdowns to date, averaging 13.7 yards per reception. That figure demonstrated his abilities as a deep threat, although the 5-9, 165-pounder can also be used in the run game and as a returner. A strong showing in at least one capacity will be needed for him to earn a second contract with Los Angeles.

Atwell, 24, is due a base salary of $1.47MM in 2024. A trade would yield that amount in cap savings for the Rams while generating a modest dead money charge ($414K). Los Angeles is not in immediate need of financial flexibility, however, so it comes as little surprise a trade is not being sought out. Likewise, Atwell’s modest production and status as a pending free agent would stand to limit his market value.

The Louisville alum will look to take another step forward in 2024 while the Rams attempt to duplicate their offensive success from last season. A healthy Kupp and an effective follow-up campaign from Nacua would go a long way in meeting that goal, but it will be interesting to see if Atwell can carve out a regular role in his fourth Los Angeles season.

NFL Injury Updates: Rams OL, Wingard, Jackson, Oweh

August 3rd, 2024 at 5:59pm CST by Ely Allen

Earlier this week, the Rams received unfortunate news that presumed starting left guard Jonah Jackson would miss the entire preseason with a shoulder injury. The hits keep coming as we learn that two other Rams’ starting lineman are dealing with injuries this preseason, according to Rams senior staff writer Stu Jackson.

Head coach Sean McVay listed left tackle Alaric Jackson and right tackle Rob Havenstein as “week-to-week” in a recent update. Normally, a week-to-week status wouldn’t pique much interest, but with Jonah already out, the Rams will be without three starting linemen in the coming weeks.

With the Jackson’s and Havenstein all out, Los Angeles will be fielding a “Rolodex of guys” in the meantime. While McVay claims that he isn’t too concerned about the injuries, the starters’ absences in the coming weeks will take away from the potential chemistry of the group as a whole. When incorporating a new starter in Jonah Jackson and moving last year’s left guard Steve Avila to center, that lost time could prove harmful to the group’s effectiveness early in the season.

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

  • The Jaguars lost some depth in their secondary recently, per Josh Alper of NBC Sports. Head coach Doug Pederson gave an update recently informing the media that veteran safety Andrew Wingard had suffered a knee injury. While the extent of the injury is as of yet unknown, Pederson predicted that Wingard could miss “significant time” with potential to even miss regular season games. Currently second-year safety Antonio Johnson and former Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds are competing for the starting job. Wingard’s presence provides additional starting experience that Jacksonville will go without until he can return.
  • 49ers pass rusher Drake Jackson missed the second half of last season with a knee injury and is reportedly still making his way back from the issue. After the losses of Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell, and Randy Gregory in free agency, San Francisco is likely hoping to see Jackson step into a bigger role this year. That will need to wait, though, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Jackson will miss the remainder of training camp, “at a minimum,” as he continues to work his way back from injury. Free agent signing Leonard Floyd will have to hold down the spot across from Nick Bosa, in the meantime.
  • Ravens pass rusher Odafe Oweh is having an outstanding camp out in Baltimore, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, despite the fourth-year defender reportedly having undergone a minor surgery in the offseason. Oweh didn’t specify what the procedure was or what he got repaired, but it doesn’t seem to have hindered him at all. The Ravens are desperately hoping to see his impressive ability to pressure the passer turn into sacks this year after watching Jadeveon Clowney walk in free agency.
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