A.J. Finley - Pro Football Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/26/24

November 26th, 2024 at 8:11pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

Placed on IR: CB Ka’dar Hollman (story)

Kansas City Chiefs

Placed on IR: TE Peyton Hendershot
Waived: DE Cameron Thomas

New England Patriots

Claimed off waivers (from Dolphins): G Lester Cotton
Waived: G Michael Jordan

New Orleans Saints

Designated for return: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon

Seattle Seahawks

Claimed off waivers (from Chargers): S A.J. Finley
Waived: DT Myles Adams

The Patriots moved on from one of their OL starters today. Michael Jordan started all 11 games for New England this season, although that was mostly due to necessity. The veteran lineman ranks 73rd among 77 qualifying guards on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings. A former fourth-round pick, Jordan also has starting experience with the Bengals and Panthers.

New England will be replacing Jordan with Lester Cotton, who has spent the past few seasons in Miami. The lineman started a career-high eight games for the Dolphins in 2023, but he basically split his 100ish snaps between offense and special teams in 2024. The former UDFA could have a chance at more OL opportunities with his new squad.

Chargers Place TE Hayden Hurst On IR

November 25th, 2024 at 6:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Ahead of tonight’s Harbaugh Bowl, the Chargers made a handful of changes to their roster. Most notably, the team announced that they’ve placed tight end Hayden Hurst on injured reserve.

After not being listed earlier in the week, Hurst popped up on the injury report this past Friday with a hip injury. That issue ended up being severe enough to sideline the player for at least the next four games. Hurst will be first eligible to return in Week 16.

After getting cut by the Panthers this offseason, Hurst quickly caught on with the Chargers. The veteran led the Chargers TE grouping in snaps through the first four weeks, but he’s since been passed by both Will Dissly and Eric Tomlinson on the depth chart. In seven appearances this year, Hurst has hauled in seven catches. The tight end topped 50 catches in both 2020 and 2022.

The Chargers made additional moves today, including activating Deane Leonard from IR. The cornerback has missed the past five games while nursing a hamstring injury. After garnering three starts last season, Leonard reverted back to primarily a special teams role in 2024.

The team added more defensive depth ahead of tonight’s game. The Chargers signed cornerback Eli Apple to the active roster while promoting safety Tony Jefferson and outside linebacker Caleb Murphy from the practice squad. To open extra roster space, the team waived safety AJ Finley.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/23

September 30th, 2023 at 8:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves ahead of tomorrow’s slate of Week 4 games:

Arizona Cardinals

Elevated: RB Corey Clement, DL Eric Banks

Atlanta Falcons

Elevated: DL Timmy Horne

Baltimore Ravens

Elevated: RB Melvin Gordon, WR Laquon Treadwell

Carolina Panthers

Elevated: CB Dicaprio Bootle, S Matthias Farley

Chicago Bears

Elevated: DB A.J. Thomas

Cincinnati Bengals

Elevated: TE Tanner Hudson

Cleveland Browns

Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, QB P.J. Walker

Dallas Cowboys

Signed to active roster: C Brock Hoffman
Elevated: LB Malik Jefferson, TE Sean McKeon

Denver Broncos

Elevated: LB Ben Niemann, RB Dwayne Washington

Houston Texans

Signed to active roster: DT Khalil Davis, T Austin Deculus
Released: S DeAndre Houston-Carson
Elevated: T Geron Christian, OL Jimmy Morrissey

Indianapolis Colts

Elevated: G Ike Boettger, WR Amari Rodgers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Elevated: TE Jacob Harris

Kansas City Chiefs

Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed to active roster: LB Kana’i Mauga
Placed on IR: LB Curtis Bolton
Elevated: CB Tyler Hall, OLB Malik Reed

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed to active roster: S Dean Marlowe, S A.J. Finley
Placed on NFI list: C Corey Linsley (story), S JT Woods
Elevated: WR Keelan Doss, DE Andrew Former

Los Angeles Rams

Elevated: RB Royce Freeman, WR Austin Trammell

Miami Dolphins

Signed to active roster: WR Robbie Chosen, LB Cameron Goode
Elevated: DE Chase Winovich

Minnesota Vikings

Elevated: WR N’Keal Harry

New England Patriots

Elevated: DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

New Orleans Saints

Elevated: S Johnathan Abram, CB Cameron Dantzler

New York Jets

Elevated: OL Chris Glaser

Philadelphia Eagles

Elevated: S Tristin McCollum, P Braden Mann

Pittsburgh Steelers

Elevated: P Brad Wing

San Francisco 49ers

Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield, WR Willie Snead

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Elevated: CB Keenan Isaac, LB J.J. Russell

Tennessee Titans

Elevated: CB Shyheim Carter, TE Kevin Rader

Washington Commanders

Elevated: RB Derrick Gore

Walker’s elevation comes amidst a degree of uncertainty regarding Deshaun Watson‘s Sunday availability. The latter is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he has expressed confidence he will be able to suit up. In the event he is unable to play, though, Walker will provide insurance under center. NFL Network’s James Palmer reports Watson will be a game-time decision.

Chosen, formerly Robbie Anderson, made his Dolphins debut in Week 3, scoring a 68-yard touchdown on his only catch. His performance – along with other depth wideouts currently being sidelined for Miami – will give the 30-year-old a longer look with his new team.

Gore’s elevation will give him the chance to see regular season game action for the first time since 2021. The former UDFA recorded 361 scrimmage yards with the Chiefs that season, but a subsequent IR stint marked the end of his time in Kansas City. Gore has since spent time on the Saints’, and now Commanders’, taxi squads. Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes that fellow depth back Chris Rodriguez has bee ruled out with an illness, opening the door to Gore seeing limited snaps.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/26/23

September 26th, 2023 at 8:28pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: DL Jacob Slade, LB Davion Taylor
Released: CB Quavian White

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: WR Tarik Black, WR Dontay Demus
Released: G Kyle Fuller, FB Ben Mason

Carolina Panthers

Signed: WR Matt Landers

Cleveland Browns

Signed: RB Deon Jackson
Released: RB Hassan Hall, DT Trysten Hill

Houston Texans

Signed: OT Geron Christian

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: WR Chase Cota

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: S A.J. Finley

New England Patriots

Released: CB William Hooper

New Orleans Saints

Signed: WR Matt Landers
Released: OL Jake Merritt

New York Jets

Released: DB Craig James

Pittsburgh Steelers

Released: CB Kalon Barnes

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: RB Jeremy McNichols
Released: TE Troy Fumagalli

Tennessee Titans

Signed: LB Otis Reese, WR Shi Smith

Geron Christian is back in Houston for his second stint with the team, as the lineman started eight of his 14 appearances for the Texans in 2021. The former Washington third-round pick spent the 2022 campaign with the Chiefs, where he mostly played on special teams in his 10 games.

A pair of notable running backs found jobs today. Deon Jackson joined the Browns practice squad after getting cut by the Colts last week. The RB started Week 1 for Indy, and he ultimately finished his stint with the team having collected 504 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in 27 games. Meanwhile, Jeremy McNichols is heading to San Francisco after having spent the past two seasons as one of Derrick Henry‘s backups. The former fifth-round pick got into 30 games between 2021 and 2022, collecting 655 yards from scrimmage.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/23/23

September 23rd, 2023 at 7:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are the various practice squad elevations and other minor moves from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Elevated: DL Ben Stille
Placed on IR: DL Carlos Watkins

Atlanta Falcons

Elevated: DL Timmy Horne, OL Tyler Vrabel

Baltimore Ravens

Signed to active roster: OLB Jeremiah Moon
Elevated: RB Melvin Gordon, RB Kenyan Drake

Carolina Panthers

Elevated: CB Dicaprio Bootle, QB Jake Luton

Chicago Bears

Elevated: DL Daniel Hardy, S A.J. Thomas
Placed on IR: LB Khalid Kareem

Cleveland Browns

Elevated: T Ty Nsekhe

Dallas Cowboys

Signed to active roster: CB C.J. Goodwin
Elevated: C Sean Harlow, C Brock Hoffman
Placed on IR: CB Trevon Diggs (story)

Denver Broncos

Elevated: RB Dwayne Washington

Detroit Lions

Elevated: S Brandon Joseph, OL Dan Skipper

Green Bay Packers

Elevated: CB Corey Ballentine, RB Patrick Taylor

Houston Texans

Elevated: DT Khalil Davis, T Austin Deculus
Placed on IR: CB Derek Stingley Jr. (story)

Indianapolis Colts

Elevated: G Ike Boettger, WR Juwann Winfree

Jacksonville Jaguars

Elevated: WR Jacob Harris

Kansas City Chiefs

Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen, WR Montrell Washington

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed to active roster: DE Isaac Rochell

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed to active roster: OL Zack Bailey
Elevated: S Dean Marlowe
Waived: S A.J. Finley

Miami Dolphins

Elevated: WR Robbie Chosen, LB Cameron Goode

Minnesota Vikings

Elevated: WR Trishton Jackson

New Orleans Saints

Elevated: S Jonathan Abram, CB Cameron Dantzler

New York Jets

Signed to active roster: LB Sam Eguaveon
Elevated: OL Chris Glaser

Pittsburgh Steelers

Elevated: RB Qadree Ollison

Seattle Seahawks

Elevated: LB Jon Rhattigan, S Teez Tabor

Tennessee Titans

Elevated: DL Jaleel Johnson, OL Justin Murray

Washington Commanders

Elevated: FB Alex Armah

Chargers Sign 18 UDFAs

April 30th, 2023 at 4:58pm CST by Ely Allen

After selecting seven new players in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chargers announced their undrafted free agent signings. Here are the 18 undrafted rookies who will be looking to make their mark this summer:

OLB Brevin Allen, Campebll
S Tyler Baker-Williams, NC State
C Johari Branch, Maryland
CB Cam Brown, Ohio State
WR Terrell Bynum, USC
DL Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina
RB Elijah Dotson, Northern Colorado
LB Nathan East, Samford
TE Michael Ezeike, UCLA
OLB Andrew Farmer, Lane College
S A.J. Finley, Mississippi
RB Tyler Hoosman, North Dakota
LB Mikel Jones, Syracuse
DL Terrance Lang, Colorado
T Nicolas Melsop, Delta State
CB Tiawan Mullen, Indiana
CB A.J. Uzodinma, Ball State
WR Pokey Wilson, Florida State

Clark is set to receive a $100K base salary, in addition to a $5K signing bonus, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. He was a three-year starter as a nose tackle in Myrtle Beach. He overcame quite a few obstacles to find an NFL opportunity, switching from tight end in college, gaining muscle and weight, and working through multiple injuries. He’ll work hard to earn a spot in the defensive line rotation for Los Angeles.

Lang also earned a bit over the minimum, according to Wilson. His deal includes $50K guaranteed, $30K of salary and $20K in a signing bonus. The Colorado pass rusher had 9.5 sacks and 20.0 tackles for loss for the Buffaloes over four years of play.

Mullen is the younger brother of Ravens cornerback Trayvon Mullen. He earned first-team All-American honors in 2020 but was limited due to injuries after that. He ended his career at Indiana with five interceptions, 33 passes defensed, and four forced fumbles.