HEADLINES

Dashaun Phillips

NFC Notes: Fitzgerald, DeHaven, Lions, Redskins

August 14th, 2016 at 8:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Larry Fitzgerald recently signed an extension with the Cardinals that would take him through the 2017 season. However, when asked if he’d retire before completing the contract, the veteran wideout dodged the question.

“That’s kind of self explanatory, right?” Fitzgerald told Kent Somers of AZCentral.com. “I hope so. We’ve got a good thing going right now. We’ve got a really good football team. But not only that, management, Steve Keim (General Manager), Coach (Bruce) Arians, Michael Bidwill. We’ve done a great job in all phases of organization football, and it’s been fun to be around here the last couple years.”

Let’s check out some more notes from around the NFC…

  • Panthers special teams coach Bruce DeHaven is taking a leave of absence to resume cancer treatments, writes Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer. The coordinator title has been handed to assistant Thomas McGaughey, and former NFL linebacker Chase Blackburn will slide into the assistant role. DeHaven, who has been coaching for 46 years, is hoping to return for the team’s Week 2 game against the 49ers. In the meantime, he’ll serve as the Panthers’ senior special teams advisor.
  • Lions rookie running back Zach Zenner got a longer look during the team’s preseason opener than veteran Stevan Ridley. The two backs have been splitting reps in practice, and ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein believes both players will ultimately make the roster. However, the writer notes that if Zenner continues to get playing time over Ridley, the veteran could find himself on the “roster bubble.”
  • Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com writes that the Redskins were expected to only carry a pair of quarterbacks on their roster (Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy) with the hope that rookie Nate Sudfeld would end up on the practice squad. However, Tandler writes that the signal-caller is making a case to make the roster.
  • Tandler notes that cornerback Greg Toler‘s play has led to some tough decisions for the Redskins coaching staff. If the former fourth-rounder ended up on the team, the organization would either cut Quinton Dunbar or Dashaun Phillips, although the team’s lack of safeties makes the latter unlikely.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/27/15

November 27th, 2015 at 4:51pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Friday’s minor transactions, including signings and cuts, from around the NFL:

  • The Steelers have released veteran running back Isaiah Pead and elevated running back Fitzgerald Toussaint from their practice squad, tweets Missi Matthews of Steelers.com. Pead, who started the season with the Rams, was cut and then signed with Pittsburgh earlier this month when Le’Veon Bell was placed on IR. However, the 25-year-old didn’t see any action for the Steelers.
  • The Patriots opened up a spot on their 53-man roster today by waiving linebacker Eric Martin, says Mike Reiss of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports (via Twitter) that the Pats are adding tight end Asante Cleveland to their active roster from the practice squad, though that move might not become official until Saturday.
  • Having officially placed cornerback Chris Culliver to the injured reserve list today due to his torn ACL/MCL, Washington has promoted another cornerback, Dashaun Phillips, to its 53-man roster, the team announced in a press release.
  • Prior to Thursday’s game against the Cowboys, the Panthers signed long snapper Danny Aiken as an insurance policy in case starter J.J. Jansen was unable to go. Jansen played against Dallas, and Carolina cut Aiken today, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/15/15

September 15th, 2015 at 7:08pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: RB Zurlon Tipton and OL Robert Myers (via press release)

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed: OT Patrick Miller (via Mike DiRocco on Twitter)
  • Cut: DT Toby Johnson (via press release)

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

    • To be signed: RB Kevin Monangai and NT Travis Raciti (via team website)
    • To be cut: TE Andrew Gleichert

St. Louis Rams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington

Jets Put Jace Amaro On IR, Trim Roster To 75

September 1st, 2015 at 12:31pm CST by Luke Adams

After cutting 12 players on Sunday, the Jets have made three more moves to ensure that they’re only carrying 75 players on their roster. Most notably, the Jets announced today in a press release that tight end Jace Amaro has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Amaro, 23, was New York’s second-round pick in the 2014 draft, and grabbed 38 balls for 345 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign. However, he injured his shoulder in the club’s preseason opener against the Lions, and Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets that it’s a torn labrum for the tight end, who will undergo surgery.

In addition to putting Amaro on their injured reserve list, the Jets also moved veteran defensive end Kevin Vickerson to IR, and have waived/injured cornerback Dashaun Phillips.

Jets To Sign Six To Futures Contracts

December 29th, 2014 at 9:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have reportedly signed six players to reserve/futures contracts, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello (Twitter link) and Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter):

Schum was a free agent prior to agreeing to his futures deal with the Jets while Harvey, Lewis, Phillips, and Qvale were on Gang Green’s taxi squad. There’s no word yet on whether the Jets’ other practice squad members – defensive linemen Tevita Finau, Kerry Hyder, and Kona Schwenke, and running back Daryl Richardson – will be added on futures contracts.

New York Notes: Jets, Giants, Ryan, Rice

October 8th, 2014 at 8:49pm CST by Zachary Links

If Michael Vick looked ill prepared on Sunday, that’s because he was. “I learned a lesson last week: Always stay ready, always be prepared,” said Vick, according to Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday. “That left a bitter taste in my mouth, that I wasn’t able to go out and put points on the board or even help this team in any fashion. This week has been a different work week for me. I think throughout the rest of the year, it’s going to be totally different for me, as far as my preparation.” It’s time to take a trip down the New Jersey Turnpike and marvel at how great that shopping mall really could have been. News on the Jets and Giants..

  • Jets coach Rex Ryan knows that he has to win to get the media off his back and quiet calls for his job, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. Meanwhile, as the tabloids hammer him, he has the support of many in the locker room. “We’ve been playing for Rex since training camp,” running back Chris Johnson said. “He’s the type of guy everyone loves around here. No one wants him gone or anything like that. We’re playing for him. We’re playing for ourselves. Just like Rex, everyone here has a job. Rex isn’t going to be the only guy in jeopardy of losing his job if things aren’t going well.”
  • The Jets‘ turmoil is a product of GM John Idzik‘s suspicious spending and failed decisions, writes Jason Fitzgerald of The Sporting News. One would have expected Idzik to hit free agency hard after the team’s cap problems were cleared up, but he didn’t do nearly enough this offseason to help Gang Green improve. Fitzgerald writes that it’s hard for the Jets right now to look in the mirror and not see the Raiders staring back. Ouch.
  • Giants president John Mara said it will be “several months” before Robert Mueller’s investigation into Ray Rice case is completed, tweets Bob Glauber of Newsday. Mara is helping to oversee the investigation and many outside observers have questioned his impartiality since he has a strong working relationship with Roger Goodell.
  • The Jets worked out Malcolm Bronson and Dashaun Phillips, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

Practice Squad Updates: Tuesday

October 7th, 2014 at 9:16pm CST by Luke Adams

With practices resuming following the weekend’s games, and teams having a better of idea of how serious its players’ injuries are, Tuesdays are often a busy day for practice squad transactions, as clubs replenish their rosters and swap in players at potential positions of need. As such, we expect to update this post plenty of times throughout the day, with the latest news of practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL. Here’s the latest:

  • Defensive tackle Joe Vellano, who was waived by the Patriots on Monday, has agreed to stay with New England on its practice squad, tweets Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Vellano is the beneficiary of the new practice squad rules that allow a second-year player to be eligible despite playing in 16 games in 2013.
  • Defensive back Chandler Fenner and wide receiver Julian Talley, both waived by the Giants yesterday, have been re-signed to the practice squad, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
  • The Eagles re-signed linebacker Brandon Hepburn to their practice squad, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter).
  • The Packers signed Joe Kruger, the brother of Paul Kruger, to their practice squad, tweets Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
  • Former Ravens defensive tackle A.J. Pataiali’i has been added to the Browns’ taxi squad, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • As noted below, cornerback Mike Harris has signed with the Lions‘ practice squad, replacing fellow defensive back Josh Victorian, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
  • The Jets have released cornerback LeQuan Lewis from their practice squad, signing another cornerback – Dashaun Phillips – in his place, the team announced today (via Twitter).

Earlier updates:

  • One wide receiver has replaced another on the Cowboys‘ practice squad, tweets Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as Tim Benford has been cut and LaRon Byrd has been signed.
  • The Rams are down to nine players on their practice squad, having cut wide receiver Justin Veltung today, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter).
  • The Lions have signed defensive back Mike Harris to their taxi squad, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Detroit had a full 10-man unit, so a corresponding cut will be necessary to finalize the move.
  • Offensive tackle Ryan Miller has been cut from the Broncos‘ practice squad, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
  • The Browns have cut long snapper Charley Hughlett from their practice squad, per agent Brett Tessler (via Twitter). Hughlett was brought in to provide competition for the team’s regular long snapper, Christian Yount, but Cleveland has opted to continue on with Yount.
  • The 49ers have swapped one offensive lineman for another on their practice squad, cutting tackle John Fullington in order to bring aboard guard Andrew Tiller, according to the club.
  • Guard William Campbell and defensive tackle Jeremy Towns are the newest members of the Bills‘ practice squad, replacing fullback Lonnie Pryor and tight end Jamie Childers, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Three days after cutting him from their active roster, the Jaguars have re-signed tight end Mickey Shuler to their practice squad, the team announced today in a press release. To make room on the squad, wide receiver Kerry Taylor has been cut.
  • Last week’s promotion of quarterback Chandler Harnish to the active roster suggested the Vikings were more confident in him than McLeod Bethel-Thompson in an emergency scenario, and the team’s moves today reflected that as well. The Vikes announced in a press release that Bethel-Thompson has been let go from the practice squad, with Harnish, wideout Donte Foster, and defensive back Pierre Warren joining the unit.
  • To keep tabs on all 32 practice squad rosters, be sure to check out our complete list.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

August 6th, 2014 at 9:00pm CST by Luke Adams

We’ll round up Wednesday’s minor transactions from around the NFL in this space, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

  • The Raiders announced that they have signed journeyman safety Larry Asante and waived/injured fellow safety Shelton Johnson. Asante joins the Raiders following stops with the Browns, Buccaneers, and Colts. For his career, the 6’0″, 210-pounder has played in 17 games and totaled 12 tackles (nine solo), one interception, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble. He played in five games last season for the Colts, seeing time primarily on special teams.
  • Saints defensive tackle Tyrone Ezell and linebacker Marcus Thompson have cleared waivers, tweets Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune.
  • Former BYU linebacker Spencer Hadley has signed with the Raiders, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, who tweets that the club has waived-injured linebacker Marshall McFadden to make room on the roster.
  • Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) passes along a couple new roster updates, reporting that the Cowboys have waived undrafted rookies Dashaun Phillips and Joe Windsor to make room for their defensive back signings (noted below). According to Wilson, the Lions also cut Cody Wilson from their IR with an injury settlement.

Earlier updates:

  • The Vikings have cut undrafted tight end A.C. Leonard, who left practice last week with a headache, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  • Just a day after signing him, the Seahawks have waived defensive back Trey Wolfe, replacing him with DB Michael Dobson, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter). Dobson participated in the club’s rookie minicamp in the spring.
  • In order to make room for new signee James Shaw, whose deal was reported yesterday, the Steelers have waived-injured wide receiver Danny Coale, tweets Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
  • Another signing reported yesterday, the Titans‘ addition of defensive lineman Lanier Coleman, was finalized today, with Tennessee also agreeing to terms with tight end Chase Coffman, per Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. To clear two spots on the roster for the new players, the Titans waived-injured tight end Dorin Dickerson and cut quarterback Tyler Wilson (Twitter links). Wilson was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by the Raiders, and was signed by the Titans off Oakland’s practice squad last season.
  • The Cowboys have added a pair of defensive backs to their roster to bolster a secondary that has been hit hard by injuries in training camp, signing Korey Lindsey and Johnny Thomas, tweets Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram had indicated yesterday that Dallas was eyeing those two free agents. The club will need to cut two players to make room for Lindsey and Thomas.

Cowboys Sign 24 Undrafted Free Agents

May 13th, 2014 at 8:43am CST by Luke Adams

No NFL team has been more active in undrafted free agency so far than the Cowboys, who announced that they’ve added two dozen new players to the roster following the draft. Courtesy of Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com, here’s the complete list of Dallas’ rookie free agent signings:

  • Josh Aladenoye, OT, Illinois State ($5K bonus, per Todd Archer)
  • Chris Boyd, WR, Vanderbilt ($3.5K bonus)
  • Brian Clarke, G, Bloomsburg ($1.5K bonus)
  • Davon Coleman, DT, Arizona State ($1.5K bonus)
  • J.C. Copeland, FB, LSU ($2K bonus)
  • Andre Cureton, G, Cincinnati ($3K bonus)
  • Casey Kreiter, LS, Iowa ($1.5K bonus)
  • Ben Malena, RB, Texas A&M ($2K bonus)
  • Cody Mandell, P, Alabama ($2K bonus)
  • Glasco Martin, RB, Baylor
  • Jordan Najvar, TE, Baylor ($1.5K bonus)
  • Ronald Patrick, G, South Carolina ($1.5K bonus)
  • Dashaun Phillips, CB, Tarleton State ($7.5K bonus)
  • Jarrod Pughsley, G, Akron ($5K bonus)
  • Marvin Robinson, S, Ferris State ($2K bonus)
  • Dontavis Sapp, LB, Tennessee ($1K bonus)
  • Jocquel Skinner, CB, Bethel ($1.5K bonus)
  • Keith Smith, S, San Jose State ($2K bonus)
  • Ryan Smith, S, Auburn ($1.5K bonus)
  • Dustin Vaughan, QB, West Texas A&M ($5K bonus)
  • L’Damian Washington, WR, Missouri ($7K bonus)
  • Chris Whaley, DT, Texas ($5K bonus)
  • Joe Windsor, Northern Illinois ($1.5K bonus)
  • Evan Wilson, Illinois State ($2.5K bonus)