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Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/24

November 9th, 2024 at 9:11pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Elevated: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Isaiah Hodgins

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Spector will miss at least the next four games as a result of the Bills’ move. He has remained a mainstay on special teams this year, having also done so in 2022 and ’23. The former seventh-rounder has made three starts on defense, however, so his absence will be felt moving forward. Linebacker has been a position hit hard by injuries this season, and Buffalo’s depth at the second level will now be tested even further.

Wattenberg had his 21-day practice window opened by the Broncos earlier this week, paving the way for today’s activation. The 27-year-old operated as the team’s starting center prior to going down after having won a summer competition for the gig with Alex Forsyth. Forsyth handled first-team duties over the past four games, drawing a superior PFF evaluation and therefore potentially playing his way into an extended look atop the depth chart. At a minimum, having Wattenberg back will give Denver – a team with three IR activations left – depth up front.

Patriots Claim DE Yannick Ngakoue

November 9th, 2024 at 12:15pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

SATURDAY, 12:15pm: The Bengals were the only other team to make a claim on Ngakoue, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

FRIDAY, 3:55pm: The Patriots have claimed Yannick Ngakoue off waivers after the veteran pass-rusher was waived by the Ravens on Thursday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Ngakoue recorded 1.5 sacks in 87 defensive snaps across five games with the Ravens this season, his second stint in Baltimore after arriving as a trade deadline acquisition in 2020. The Ravens needed to make room on their 53-man roster for the activation of Keaton Mitchell from the Physically Unable to Perform list, forcing them to waive Ngakoue despite his rotational role in the pass rush since signing him to the practice squad in September.

Since Ngakoue was cut by the Ravens after the trade deadline, he was subject to waivers rather than becoming a free agent and choosing his next team. Now, he will join the 2-7 Patriots, his seventh different NFL team since 2019.

The Patriots traded Josh Uche to the Chiefs last week, leaving them thin at edge rusher. Ngakoue will only cost the Patriots $656,667 – the remaining portion of his veteran minimum salary – for the rest of the season.

New England’s pass rush has struggled this season with just 16 sacks, the fourth-fewest in the league. Ngakoue’s 1.5 sacks rank fourth on the team’s active roster, behind Keion White, Deatrich Wise, and Jaquelin Roy.

NFL Injury Updates: Hurts, Coleman, Barmore

November 8th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Ely Allen

An interesting situation played out today when Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni seemed to let something inadvertently slip during his press conference. Sirianni claimed that quarterback Jalen Hurts has been limited in practice as he has been “dealing with the ankle.” This would be of no consequence, if Hurts hadn’t been listed on the injury report with a “rest” designation, per ESPN’s Tim McManus.

Per McManus, two different sources claimed that “Hurts has been dealing with a mild ankle issue for a couple weeks” and that he is dealing with “lower leg soreness.” Hurts was reportedly limited in practice on Wednesday for “load management” purposes, requiring that he be on the injury report. When asked, Hurts told the media that he just does what he’s told and was told a rest day was in the cards this week.

After two days of full participation, Hurts’ availability shouldn’t really be in question this weekend. It will be interesting, though, to see if the league follows up with an investigation on a potential injury reporting violation by the Eagles.

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

  • Bills rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman has already been ruled out for this week after sitting out the entire week of practice. When his status for the week was still up in the air, though, head coach Sean McDermott claimed that, while they were taking it “one day at a time,” there was potential that he could be out for “more than just this week,” according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg followed up with a report from McDermott this morning in which he speculated that Coleman would “probably miss multiple weeks with his wrist injury.” The good news is that McDermott clarified that Coleman would avoid injured reserve, accounting for the fact that the rookie should be back within four weeks.
  • The Patriots have yet to see defensive tackle Christian Barmore in the 2024 season after the 25-year-old was diagnosed with blood clots in late-July. When the regular season was approaching, the team began preparing for a full-season absence from their blossoming interior defender, but according to Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal, Barmore more may yet play in 2024. Head coach Jerod Mayo told the media that “we’re getting close” to a possible return to practice for Barmore earlier this week. While nothing is set in stone with that statement, it’s an encouraging sign for a young player dealing with one of the sport’s scarier diagnoses.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/24

November 8th, 2024 at 6:43pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s minor roster moves:

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Taylor was waived today in anticipation of everyone’s expectation that Christian McCaffrey will finally be coming off of injured reserve to make his season debut this week.

Virgil was previously on the Broncos but landed on waivers as part of final roster cuts before the start of the regular season. According to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, Denver tried desperately to sign him to their practice squad after he cleared waivers, but Virgil ultimately decided to sign with Buffalo’s practice squad. He’ll now get an opportunity on the team’s active roster after two standard gameday elevations this year.

Despite being a vested veteran, McMillan will need to clear waivers in order to be re-signed to the Patriots’ practice squad, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. The team already has Joe Giles-Harris and Monty Rice on the practice squad at the position.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/24

November 5th, 2024 at 9:07pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Free Agent

We don’t have a reason for Moreland’s suspension yet, but we know that it will last three weeks. He hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, but if a team were to sign him, he wouldn’t be available for three games.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/5/24

November 5th, 2024 at 6:40pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Chargers Interested In Patriots’ K.J. Osborn

November 5th, 2024 at 10:44am CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers showed interest in veteran wide receivers this offseason, doing so after cutting ties with the seven-year Keenan Allen–Mike Williams tandem. Although Jim Harbaugh is in the process of turning around yet another team, it is back in the WR market.

In addition to showing interest in reacquiring Williams, the Bolts have one of the available Patriots pass catchers on their radar. The AFC West club is believed to be in the K.J. Osborn market, per the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi. With Allen Lazard‘s injury perhaps giving the Jets cold feet on moving Williams, interested teams need to have backup plans.

[RELATED: Examining WR Market’s Final Stage]

It is unclear if a trade market will truly form, though Giardi points to other teams being open to adding the former Vikings slot receiver as well. The Patriots gave Osborn a one-year, $4MM deal in free agency. They are shopping the fifth-year veteran but have also been linked to merely cutting him after the deadline if no deal comes to fruition. For the season, Osborn has just seven receptions for 57 yards.

Were Osborn to be cut following today’s 3pm CT deadline, his vested-veteran status would no longer protect him from waivers. All players cut hit the wire if they are dropped after the deadline, opening the door to Osborn being unable to pick his next team. He is tied to just a $1.18MM base salary, which would not do too much to dissuade an interested team from claiming him. This prospect could convince a team to send a low-level compensation package the Patriots’ way.

Osborn, 27, fared better in Minnesota. He totaled 655 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2021 and nearly matched those totals in 2022 (650, five) to help the Vikings win the NFC North. Osborn caught 48 passes for 540 yards last season, one that featured four Minnesota starting QBs due to Kirk Cousins‘ midseason Achilles tear.

The Pats appear OK moving Kendrick Bourne or former second-rounder Tyquan Thornton as well. The team pursued big-ticket WR upgrades this offseason but did not add one. Still, the Pats drafted two receivers (Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker) and have Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte rostered.

The Chargers have centered their first post-Allen/Williams passing attack around second-rounder Ladd McConkey; the Pats traded down with the Bolts to give them McConkey access at No. 34. Josh Palmer is currently with the team, but the Chargers may be open to trading the former third-round pick due to the free agent-to-be not being in their 2025 plans. Los Angeles hosted a few receivers this offseason but settled on DJ Chark, who has missed much of this season due to injury.

Patriots’ Davon Godchaux, Kyle Dugger Not Expected To Be Traded

November 3rd, 2024 at 6:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

Josh Uche was recently traded away, and Sunday’s loss leaves the Patriots firmly in the seller’s category. More moves could be coming as a result, but a pair of defenders appear to be off limits for potential suitors.

Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and safety Kyle Dugger are among the players who are not expected to be dealt ahead of the deadline, Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager reports (video link). On both counts, that comes as little surprise. Godchaux and Dugger each landed new contracts in the offseason, confirming their statues as members of the Bill Belichick era who were retained with Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo now at the helm.

Godcheaux was floated as a candidate for a trade sending him to the 49ers as a run-stopping reinforcement, but he made it clear he preferred to remain in New England. Barring something unforeseen, that will indeed prove to be the case. Dugger’s name had not previously been connected to serious negotiations, although Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Hearld notes calls have come in. It would come as a surprise if teams were willing to take on his four-year, $58MM pact (especially midway through a season).

As could be expected, New England has also turned aside trade calls asking about the availability of cornerback Christian Gonzalez. The 2023 first-rounder profiles as a foundational member of the team’s defense for many years, and he is set to be joined by Jonathan Jones in terms of staying in place beyond the November 5 deadline. The receiver spot remains one to watch closely over the coming days, though.

The Patriots have been shopping Tyquan Thornton in recent weeks, and K.J. Osborn‘s tumble down the depth chart could lead to his departure. The latter may end up being released in the event no trade partner is found, but in either event New England could be active in the immediate future (including, potentially, a move yielding an addition along the offensive line). Nonetheless, Godcheaux and Dugger should not be counted among the targets for teams looking to swing a deal.

Patriots Eyeing OL Help; Latest On K.J. Osborn

November 2nd, 2024 at 10:18am CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots’ chances of making the playoffs are slim to none. However, that won’t stop the front office from seeking some reinforcement ahead of the trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots are on the lookout for some offensive line help.

Specifically, New England’s front office looked into acquiring Cam Robinson before the veteran was dealt from the Jaguars to the Vikings. The team has also reached out to free agent OL D.J. Humphries, who took a visit with the Giants last week. The Patriots probably won’t overspend on a veteran stopgap, but the team is at least looking at options that can help keep their quarterback(s) upright.

The Patriots offensive line has been responsible for allowing 27 sacks this season, the third-highest total in the NFL. While veteran seat warmer Jacoby Brissett presumably knew he’d take his fair share of hits in 2024, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Patriots are a bit more wary of their OL woes with Drake Maye guiding the offense. The third-overall pick suffered a concussion last weekend (on a scramble play), and considering the team’s investment in the QB, they’ll surely do everything in their power to keep him healthy moving forward.

While the Patriots didn’t do a whole lot to improve their offensive line this past offseason, the team also hasn’t received a whole lot of luck on the health front. New England has already turned to 11 different OL starters this season, and the different line combinations have naturally led to inconsistent play from the unit. Mike Onwenu is the only lineman who’s received a plus-grade from Pro Football Focus, so a lack of health can’t be entirely to blame for the team’s struggles.

Elsewhere in New England, Fowler says wideout K.J. Osborn is the Patriots player he’s watching closest as we approach the trade deadline. There’s been rumblings that the offseason acquisition already wants out of New England, and the veteran was recently demoted to the team’s WR4 or WR5 role following the return of Kendrick Bourne. In six games this season, Osborn has been limited to seven catches.

If the Patriots are unable to find any takers in a trade, the club may simply release Osborn, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Osborn has reportedly been a consummate professional even as his workload has decreased, and rather than have him languish on the sidelines as they seek to get a look at their younger talent, the Pats may be willing to do him a favor and let him catch on elsewhere.

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