Today’s practice squad updates:
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Andrew Parker Jr.
- Released: LB Joe Giles-Harris
Today’s practice squad updates:
New England Patriots
With roster cutdowns beginning around the league, Sunday saw a number of moves take place:
Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo Bills
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles Rams
Miami Dolphins
New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buffalo’s decision to cut Jones marks a blow to his efforts in finding a roster spot on a new team. Considering the latest report on his status, however, it does not come as a surprise. The Bills dealt with a number of injuries at the linebacker spot last season and Matt Milano will miss extended time in 2024 due to a biceps tear. In spite of that, the team will look elsewhere for depth options unless Jones is retained via the practice squad later this week.
Now in Year 3, the Doug Pederson-Trent Baalke partnership has most of its offseason roster in place. The Jaguars agreed to terms with 13 UDFAs. Here is the Jacksonville post-draft group:
A host of small-school options populate the Jags’ list. Two of the four players who do hail from Power 5 programs — Bowman and Carter — respectively transferred from Maine and Western Michigan. Jones spent six years at Oregon, starting 32 games. The 340-pound blocker’s 14-game run at right guard last season drew first-team All-Pac-12 acclaim. Proctor started 20 games for the Buckeyes and participated at the Combine this year. Between his signing bonus and salary guarantee, Proctor is locked into $215K, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.
Multiple teams offered Parker around $200K guaranteed, Wilson adds, noting the Jaguars secured his commitment for that amount. Parker transferred from Arkansas in 2022 and earned first-team All-Sun Belt acclaim last season, leading Appalachian State with 114 tackles. The Jags did not draft a linebacker but still roster 2022 third-rounder Chad Muma and 2023 fourth-rounder Ventrell Miller behind starters Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd.
Ruby will attempt to go from Division III to the NFL; he will do so after being the rare college player to record three 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Ruby’s 2022 at the D-III powerhouse jumps out; the 190-pound wideout totaled 105 receptions for 1,785 yards and 30 touchdown receptions. The 30 TDs were one shy of a D-III record. He followed that up with a second first-team All-American honor last season. Cephus also topped 1,100 yards last season, totaling 1,151 and 10 TDs — en route to first-team All-Conference USA honors — in 2023.
The Jags devoted nearly half their UDFA class to receiver, doing so despite adding Gabe Davis, Devin Duvernay and first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr. this offseason. The Jags also have 2023 sixth-round pick Parker Washington rostered. Competition for practice squad jobs figures to include this batch of UDFAs.