Minor NFL Transactions: 9/10/21
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Antoine Wesley
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: WR Alex Erickson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: WR Jaydon Mickens
- Waived: S Chris Cooper
Texans Cut OL Lane Taylor, Get Roster To 53
While much of the focus in Houston is on quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Texans still needed to reduce their roster today. They did just that, making the following transactions:
Released
- TE Antony Auclair
- DB Rasul Douglas
- QB Jeff Driskel
- WR Alex Erickson
- OL Danny Isidora
- DL Jaleel Johnson
- WR Chris Moore
- LB Hardy Nickerson
- DL Derek Rivers
- LB Joe Thomas
- OL Cole Toner
Waived
- DB Shyheim Carter
- WR Keke Coutee
- OL Hjalte Froholdt
- OL Carson Green
- DB Ka’dar Hollman
- RB Buddy Howell
- TE Ryan Izzo
- OL Ryan McCollum
- DB Jonathan Owens
- FB Paul Quessenberry
- OL Jordan Steckler
- WR Jordan Veasy
Released/Failed Physical
- OL Lane Taylor
Activated from PUP
Placed on Reserve/Suspended list
- DB Bradley Roby
There’s a number of notable names on this list, including wideout Keke Coutee, who has started 10 of his 23 games over the past three years for the Texans. Perhaps the most important move is the activation of Cannon, who was acquired from the Patriots earlier this offseason. The 33-year-old is expected to provide the Texans offense with a veteran presence, and his return to practice may have bumped another veteran from the roster. The team released lineman Lane Taylor, who sat on PUP for all of the preseason while recovering from a torn ACL. The veteran has only appeared in two games since the 2019 season, and his return to the NFL will now have to take place elsewhere.
Texans To Sign WRs Donte Moncrief, Alex Erickson
Donte Moncrief is joining the Texans. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the free agent wideout is signing a one-year deal with Houston.
Moncrief spent the first four seasons of his career with the Colts, including a 2015 campaign where he hauled in a career-high 733 yards. Since leaving for the Jaguars in 2018, the veteran has spent time with five different organizations.
He joined the Jets right before the start of the 2020 season, but he was released in October without having appeared in a game with the team. He ended up getting picked up by the Patriots, and he proceeded to appear in six games for New England, compiling 19 yards from scrimmage.
While there’s uncertainty surrounding who will be under center for the Texans, the team could have a similar grouping of receivers in 2021. Other than Will Fuller, the Texans are likely to return Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb and Keke Coutee.
Moncrief isn’t the only wideout who’s joining the Texans on a one-year deal. Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston reports (via Twitter) that the team is also signing Alex Erickson. The 28-year-old had spent his entire career with the Bengals, including a 2020 campaign where he had 12 receptions for 139 yards. Erickson also has extensive experience as a return man, having returned 135 punts and 108 kickoffs.
AFC Notes: Henderson, Broncos, Bengals, Erickson, Texans, Foreman
Carlos Henderson’s Broncos career got off to a bad start and never recovered. First, he missed his entire rookie season with a hand injury. Then he was arrested, which ultimately resulted in a one game suspension for the young receiver. Then Denver drafted two more receivers in this year’s draft.
On top of it all, Henderson was away from the Broncos most of this offseason due to a personal issue. All of it resulted in the Broncos cutting Henderson, the 82nd pick of the 2017 draft, before he ever played a snap with the team. But Denver isn’t giving up on him yet, signing Henderson to their practice squad. Henderson reportedly met with John Elway just before cut-down day to plead his case, and after that the team agreed to give him another chance according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- It was reported earleir the Bengals had signed receiver Alex Erickson to an extension, and now the details are in. It’s a two-year deal for Erickson, worth $4.68MM plus incentives according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
- Texans running back D’onta Foreman was recently placed on PUP, ensuring he’ll miss the first six games of the season. But he’s “done very well in his rehab” and “should definitely be ready” to play when first eligible in Week 7 according to John McClain of The Houston Chronicle.
- In case you missed it, the Bears agreed to terms with DT Eddie Goldman on a four-year $42MM extension.
Bengals Extend WR Alex Erickson
Alex Erickson is sticking around Cincinnati through the 2020 season. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports (via Twitter) that the Bengals have signed the wideout/returner to a two-year extension.
The former undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin joined the Bengals as a rookie back in 2016. He’s served mostly as a special teamer during his first two seasons in the league, returning 61 kicks (24.1-yard average) and 67 punts (7.1-yard average).
While his averages aren’t bad, the 25-year-old has compiled a dreadful 10 fumbles in two years, including seven while returning punts. Still, the Bengals continue to go back to him as a returner, as he’s slotted in as both the punt and kick returner in 2018.
Perhaps the team sees Erickson eventually working his way into an offensive role. He showed improvements last season, hauling in 12 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown. He also added another five carries for 16 yards. He’s currently listed as the fifth wideout behind A.J. Green, John Ross, Josh Malone, and Tyler Boyd.
Bengals Announce 13 UDFA Signings
The Bengals formally announced their undrafted free agent signings this morning, tweeting out a list of 13 new rookie additions to their roster. After splitting their draft class fairly evenly between offensive and defensive players, the Bengals’ group of UDFAs leans more toward offense, with only four defenders among them. Here’s the full list:
- DE Ryan Brown (Mississippi State)
- RB Tra Carson (Texas A&M)
- G Alex Cooper (Houston)
- DT David Dean (Virginia)
- WR Alex Erickson (Wisconsin)
- WR Antwane Grant (Western Kentucky)
- LB Darien Harris (Michigan State)
- CB Darius Hillary (Wisconsin)
- QB Matt Johnson (Bowling Green) ($5K signing bonus, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- RB Dyshawn Mobley (Eastern Kentucky) ($1.5K signing bonus, per Wilson)
- C Alex Redmond (UCLA)
- WR Alonzo Russell (Toledo)
- T John Weidenaar (Montana State)