Breeland Speaks - Pro Football Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/24

August 25th, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

With roster cutdowns beginning around the league, Sunday saw a number of moves take place:

Atlanta Falcons

Waived: WR Josh Ali, CB William Hooper, LB Storey Jackson, LB Donavan Mutin, QB John Paddock, TE Austin Stogner, CB Trey Vaval
Released: OLB Bradlee Anae, OL Zack Bailey, S Lukas Denis, OL Jaryd Jones-Smith, OL John Leglue, TE Jordan Thomas

Buffalo Bills

Placed on IR: S Terrell Burgess, S Dee Delaney
Waived: DE Rondell Bothroyd, OL Kevin Jarvis, LB Shayne Simon,
Released: QB Anthony Brown, CB Kyron Brown, WR Damiere Byrd, LB Deion Jones

Indianapolis Colts

Waived: CB Clay Fields III, K Spencer Shrader, QB Kedon Slovis, WR Derek Slywka, LB Mike Smith Jr.
Released: WR Tyrie Cleveland, DE Derek Rivers, WR Greg Ward

Jacksonville Jaguars

Waived: DE Raymond Johnson, DT Jonathan Marshall, LB Andrew Parker Jr., WR Joseph Scates, WR Seth Williams
Released: CB Tevaughn Campbell, TE Chris Myarick, DE Breeland Speaks, OL Keaton Sutherland

Los Angeles Rams

Waived: WR J.J. Laap, OL Blake Larson, OL Alec Lindstrom, LB Ochaun Mathis, DB Cameron McCutcheon, OL Grant Miller, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, RB SaRodorick Thompson, QB Dresser Winn
Released: OL Matt Kaskey, DE Carlos Watkins

Miami Dolphins

Placed on IR: WR Anthony Schwartz

New York Giants

Waived (injury designation): DT Timmy Horne, DB Jonathan Sutherland
Waived: WR Ayir Asante, DL Kyler Baugh, CB Christian Holmes, DB Clayton Isbell, WR John Jiles, LB Trey Kiser, RB Lorenzo Lingard, OL Marcus McKethan
Released: CB Breon Borders, RB Joshua Kelley

Pittsburgh Steelers

Waived: WR T.J. Luther

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Waived: P Nolan Cooney, DL Judge Culpepper, OL Xavier Delgado, LB Kalen DeLoach, CB Andrew Hayes, RB Ramon Jefferson, WR Cephus Johnson, OL Ryan Johnson, WR Latreal Jones, WR Tanner Knue, DL Brandon Matterson, OLB Jay Person, OLB Shaun Peterson, DL Lwal Uguak, WR Raleigh Webb, TE David Wells
Released: TE Sal Cannella, LS Zach Triner

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.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/24

August 8th, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves around the league:

Carolina Panthers

Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Stephen Sullivan

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed: DT Carlos Davis

Cleveland Browns

Signed: LS Rex Sunahara
Waived: CB Faion Hicks

Dallas Cowboys

Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Corey Crooms

Green Bay Packers

Reverted to IR: CB Don Callis, WR Rory Starkey

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: DE Breeland Speaks
Waived (injury designation): DE De’Shaan Dixon

New Orleans Saints

Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Tommy Hudson

New York Jets

Reverted to IR: WR Hamze El-Zayat

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: S Jalen Elliott
Waived (injury designation): S Nate Meadors

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: DT Mario Kendricks, CB Willie Roberts
Waived: DT Rodney Matthews
Waived (injury designation): DT Matt Gotel

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: G Ryan Johnson
Placed on IR: G Silas Dzansi

Dixon exited Jacksonville’s Tuesday practice early, and head coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Thursday he has suffered a torn ACL. The former UDFA started his career with the Jaguars, making three appearances as a rookie in 2022. He resided on the team’s practice squad last season, and he could remain in the organization by reverting to IR in the event he goes unclaimed.

Speaks will take Dixon’s place as he aims to translate an effective UFL campaign into a return to NFL action. The 28-year-old earned Defensive Player of the Year honors while playing for the Michigan Panthers. He collected 9.5 sacks in the spring, and that production has landed him the chance to carve out a roster spot with Jacksonville. Speaks last played with the Chiefs in 2018.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/27/23

August 27th, 2023 at 10:01pm CST by Ely Allen

With the preseason over for 30 of the NFL’s 32 teams, many have begun the process of working their rosters down to the eventual 53-man rosters they will open the season with:

Indianapolis Colts

Waived: WR Tyler Adams, WR Kody Case, G Emil Ekiyor, TE Nick Eubanks, K Lucas Havrisik, TE Michael Jacobson, T Matthew Vanderslice
Released: CB Teez Tabor

Las Vegas Raiders

Placed on IR: RB Brittain Brown, TE Jacob Hollister, WR Isaiah Zuber
Waived/injured: WR Chris Lacy
Waived: CB Isiah Brown, CB Bryce Cosby, DT Doug Costin, LB Isaac Darkangelo, QB Chase Garbers, G Vitaliy Gurman, RB Darwin Thompson

Los Angeles Chargers

Waived: OLB Carlo Kemp, CB Cam Brown

Minnesota Vikings

Waived: LB Wilson Huber, T Jarrid Williams
Released: LB Tanner Vallejo

New England Patriots

Released: DT Carl Davis, CB Rodney Randle
Waived: LB Diego Fagot, S Brad Hawkins, TE Johnny Lumpkin, RB C.J. Marable, CB Quandre Mosely, DT Justus Tavai, OL Micah Vanterpool, TE Scotty Washington, LB Carson Wells

New York Jets

Released: LB Nick Vigil

Pittsburgh Steelers

Waived: WR Aron Cruickshank

San Francisco 49ers

Waived: CB Nate Brooks, OLB LaDarius Hamilton, DE Breeland Speaks, LB Kyahva Tezino, DL Spencer Waege

Seattle Seahawks

Waived: TE Sal Cannella, DE Jordan Ferguson, WR Malik Flowers, CB Benjie Franklin, WR Justin Marshall, CB Chris Steele, RB Wayne Taulapapa

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Don Gardner
Waived: OLB Hamilcar Rashed
Released: LB Ulysees Gilbert

Although never quite reaching the heights of his tenure with the Bengals, Vigil has a history as a strong contributor and potential starter at linebacker. Coming off a season that saw him only play in four games for the Cardinals before getting put on injured reserve, Vigil failed to stick in New York and will need to find his next opportunity elsewhere.

Vallejo’s tenure in Minnesota lasted a short two weeks. The special teams specialist will have to keep searching for his 2023 home.

49ers To Sign DE Breeland Speaks

August 11th, 2023 at 10:42am CST by Sam Robinson

10:42am: To make room on their 90-man roster, the 49ers placed Anthony Averett on IR, per the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman (on Twitter). A former Ravens and Raiders starter, Averett made two trips to IR during his season with Las Vegas. The 49ers have now placed two veteran cornerbacks — Averett and Terrance Mitchell — on IR over the past several days.

9:51am: The 49ers have taken a few fliers on ex-high draft choices at defensive end in recent years. Their latest such effort will involve a former second-round pick who generated interest as a USFL standout.

Breeland Speaks is signing with the team, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter). The former Chiefs draft choice worked out for the Broncos and Texans as well, but after a 49ers audition, he will attempt to become a depth piece in San Francisco.

While Speaks’ initial NFL run did not go as the Chiefs envisioned, he re-emerged on the radar with the Michigan Panthers. Speaks led the second-year league with nine sacks this year. He will join a 49ers roster that has seen more turnover among Nick Bosa‘s batch of D-end sidekicks. The 49ers lost Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam this offseason — to the Chiefs and Colts, respectively — and are currently without Bosa due to a holdout. Bosa is expected to land a monster extension soon, and the 49ers will have some new pieces in place alongside him.

The team added former No. 4 overall pick Clelin Ferrell and ex-Cowboys first-rounder Taco Charlton this offseason. This comes after well-regarded D-line coach Kris Kocurek helped the likes of Omenihu, Ebukam, Kerry Hyder and ex-Ferrell Raiders teammate Arden Key raise their values after recent free agency accords (Hyder remains with the 49ers). A Speaks reclamation project will seemingly be a longer-odds proposition, but the 49ers will kick the tires on the recent USFL success story.

Brett Veach‘s first draft choice as Chiefs GM, Speaks has not played in an NFL game since 2018. Speaks, 27, missed all of 2019 due to injury and could not make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster in 2020. The former No. 46 overall pick ended up with the Raiders, Cowboys, Giants and Bills — on practice squad agreements — through the end of the 2021 season. Speaks finished his rookie year with 1.5 sacks, starting four Chiefs games.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/27/21

December 27th, 2021 at 12:02pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Released: OT Adrian Ealy

Buffalo Bills

Released: DE Breeland Speaks

Carolina Panthers

Released: K Alex Kessman

Denver Broncos

Released: C Javon Patterson

Kansas City Chiefs

Released: P Joseph Charlton

New Orleans Saints

Signed: DT Braxton Hoyett, LB Justin March-Lillard, OT Kyle Murphy, DT Ethan Westbrooks

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: LB Tyrell Adams

Washington Football Team

Signed: DL Matt Dickerson

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/22/21

December 22nd, 2021 at 6:48pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: C Jimmy Murray
Placed on COVID-19 list: OT David Sharpe

Buffalo Bills

Signed: DE Breeland Speaks
Placed on COVID-19 list: TE Quintin Morris

Cleveland Browns

Activated from COVID-19 list: WR JoJo Natson

Cincinnati Bengals

Suspended two games: RB/KR Pooka Williams

Detroit Lions

Placed on COVID-19 list: CB Chris Williamson

Indianapolis Colts

Placed on COVID-19 list: TE Farrod Green

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: OT Paul Adams, WR Dalton Schoen

Los Angeles Rams

Placed on COVID-19 list: RB Javian Hawkins, WR Warren Jackson
Released: DB Damarious Randall

New Orleans Saints

Signed: DE Braxton Hoyett
Released: LB Chase Hansen

New York Giants

Signed: CB Darqueze Dennard, S Dwayne Johnson

New York Jets

Signed: CB Ken Webster, WR Isaiah Zuber

Washington Football Team

Released: DE Hercules Mata’afa

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/6/21

December 6th, 2021 at 8:28am CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Released: DE Breeland Speaks

Houston Texans

Signed: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: QB James Morgan

New York Giants

Signed: S Natrell Jamerson

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: WR Austin Mack, LB Curtis Robinson
Released: WR Devin Funchess, LB Justin March

Tennessee Titans

Signed: LB Tuzar Skipper

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East

September 1st, 2021 at 6:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Washington moves are noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s NFC East transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Dallas Cowboys

Signed to practice squad:

OL Isaac Alarcón, DB Kyron Brown, CB Deante Burton, S Tyler Coyle, QB Ben DiNucci, DE Austin Faoliu, DT Justin Hamilton, RB JaQuan Hardy, C Braylon Jones, WR Osirus Mitchell, FB Nick Ralston, WR Brandon Smith, DE Breeland Speaks, TE Jeremy Sprinkle, S Darian Thompson

New York Giants

Placed on IR:

WR John Ross, LB Elerson Smith

Signed:

WR C.J. Board (Board was cut (below) before getting re-signed), LS Casey Kreiter

Claimed:

LB Justin Hilliard (from 49ers), WR Collin Johnson (from Jaguars), LB Quincy Roche (from Steelers)

Waived:

WR C.J. Board, LB Trent Harris, WR Dante Pettis

Signed to practice squad:

OL Jackson Barton, OL Jake Burton, WR Matt Cole, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE Jake Hausmann, OL Brett Heggie, DL Willie Henry, LB Niko Lalos, DL David Moa, S Jordyn Peters, RB Sandro Platzgummer, WR David Sills, OL Kenny Wiggins, WR Damion Willis

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed to practice squad:

S Grayland Arnold, OL Kayode Awosika, OT Le’Raven Clark, WR Travis Fulgham, WR John Hightower, RB Jordan Howard, RB Jason Huntley, CB Michael Jacquet, CB Craig James, WR KeeSean Johnson, DE Matt Leo, G Sua Opeta, OL Ross Pierschbacher, S Elijah Riley, LB JaCoby Stevens, DT Raequan Williams

Washington Football Team

Placed on IR:

S Darrick Forrest

Signed:

LB David Mayo

Signed to practice squad:

RB Peyton Barber, OL Beau Benzschawel, DE William Bradley-King, WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, C Keith Ismael, CB Danny Johnson, LB Jordan Kunaszyk, G Wes Martin, LB Jared Norris, S Jeremy Reaves, DE Bunmi Rotimi, OT David Steinmetz, C Jon Toth, DT Daniel Wise, DT Gabe Wright

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/13/21

May 13th, 2021 at 7:03pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: TE Parker Hesse
Claimed off waivers (from Colts): C Sam Jones

Buffalo Bills

Signed: LB Mike Bell, OL Steven Gonzalez

Chicago Bears

Signed: LB Michael Pinckney

New York Giants

Waived: DE Breeland Speaks

New York Jets

Claimed off waivers (from 49ers): RB Austin Walter
Waived: RB Pete Guerriero

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: S Joshua Moon, DT Walter Palmore, DE Marcus Webb, S LaDarius Wiley

Giants Sign DE Breeland Speaks To Reserve/Futures Deal

January 21st, 2021 at 8:47pm CST by Ben Levine

A 2018 second-round pick has inked a non-guaranteed futures contract. The Giants announced today that they’ve inked defensive end Breeland Speaks to a reserve/futures deal.

Speaks was selected by the Chiefs with the 46th-overall pick in the 2018 draft. The Ole Miss product had a solid rookie campaign, appearing in all 16 games (with four starts) while collecting 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Speaks also appeared in a pair of playoff games during his rookie season, compiling a pair of tackles.

He missed the 2019 season due to a knee injury, and while sitting on IR, he was suspended four games after violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Speaks was reinstated late during the 2019 campaign and landed back on IR, and he ultimately won a ring after the Chiefs defeated the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

Speaks was waived at the end of the 2020 preseason, and he jumped around the NFL a bit during the regular season. Following a stint with the Raiders practice squad in October, the 25-year-old ended the season on the Cowboys’ taxi squad.

Speaks will sit on the Giants’ 90-man offseason roster with a non-guaranteed deal, and the pact guarantees that he won’t be scooped up by another squad. Teams are only allowed to use reserve/futures deals on players who weren’t on an active roster at the end of the 2020 regular season.