Saturday’s taxi squad moves:
Indianapolis Colts
Miami Dolphins
Boyle was released on Friday, but the team announced today he has been re-signed. In addition, Boyle has been elevated for tomorrow’s contest, meaning he will dress as one of the Dolphins’ quarterback options behind Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson. The return of Tua Tagovailoa will push Boyle, 30, further down the depth chart.
Today’s practice squad updates around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears
Denver Broncos
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Rams
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Commanders
The Broncos are bringing in the veteran running back Ahmed after he spent four years in Miami. Ahmed’s biggest role came in four starts as an undrafted rookie back in 2020 in which he rushed for 319 yards and three touchdowns over six games. He served as a reliable backup for the Dolphins for the past few years.
The Chargers released Jefferson yesterday, but they’ll keep him around on the practice squad with today’s signing. The veteran adds some quality depth to the roster.
Here is how the Giants moved down to the 53-man limit today:
Just as the NFL greenlit a full-on kickoff revamp, McKenzie is out of the picture in New York. Signing with the Giants this year and completing a reunion with ex-Bills staffers Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, McKenzie has been a return man and slot receiver for seven seasons. This transaction, unlike the Adams designation, will knock the 5-foot-7 cog out for the year. McKenzie only received $75K guaranteed.
McKenzie joins Hodgins among the players not currently in the mix for the team. The Giants received good value from the former waiver claim, who was a Bills teammate of McKenzie’s under Daboll earlier his career. They brought him back after non-tendering him as an RFA in March, and he and Robinson were battling for back-end receiver jobs. The Giants kept Bryce Ford-Wheaton, a 2023 UDFA, over Hodgins. Considering Hodgins’ past with Daboll, it would not surprise to see New York circle back with a potential practice squad invite. Though, the fifth-year veteran might have other options.
Beavers was viewed as a potential inside linebacker starter in 2023, but Micah McFadden ended up beating out the former sixth-round pick. Beavers played in only two games last season. Cager also was considered a contender to be one of the Giants’ receiving tight ends, but the converted wideout fell short. Daniel Bellinger and fourth-round rookie Theo Johnson are leading the way post-Darren Waller.
The Giants exited the 2024 draft with six rookies, but the team has now added to that mix. Here are the undrafted free agents New York has signed:
Of the seven players players listed above, five received a six-figure guarantee from the Giants. The largest commitment was made to Kubas, whom Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports landed $270K. That figure consists of $240K in base salary in addition to a $30K signing bonus, a strong sign the team expects him to at least secure a practice squad spot in 2024.
Rogers landed $220K in guaranteed compensation, per Duggan. The 6-4, 300-pounder transferred from Nebraska to Oregon after the 2021 campaign. During his two seasons with the Ducks, Rogers totaled 56 tackles (including six for loss) and 1.5 sacks. Jiles received $100K in guarantees, Duggan adds. That represents a strong compensation package for the Division II product.
New York gave Marcellus Johnson a $150K guaranteed base salary along with a $20K signing bonus, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports. Alex Johnson, meanwhile, secured $115K in total guarantees, per Wilson. The latter spent four seasons with the Bruins, and his ball production saw a notable increase last season. Johnson racked up the only five interceptions of his career in 2023, adding three pass deflections.
The Giants’ UDFA class also includes kicker Jude McAtamney, and he represents their international roster exemption. Each team is allowed one designated international player who can be retained without using a 90-man roster spot. McAtamney only attempted one kick last season, but in 2022 he went 12-for-18 on field goals while converting all but one of his 24 extra point attempts. He will look to earn a taxi squad spot as depth behind Graham Gano.