HEADLINES

DJ Turner

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/3/24

December 3rd, 2024 at 7:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Sincere McCormick has seen a larger role in recent weeks as a practice squad elevation, and now the running back will be secured to the Raiders active roster. After spending the past few years hanging around the organization, the former UDFA finally made his NFL debut earlier this season. With the Raiders dealing with a depleted RB room in recent weeks, McCormick has seen an uptick in snaps, culminating in him collecting 65 yards from scrimmage on Black Friday.

Julius Wood has been hit with a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. The safety will now be sidelined for the rest of the 2024 campaign and one game in 2025. The undrafted rookie has appeared in nine games this season, with the majority of his snaps coming on special teams.

Bengals To Place CB DJ Turner On IR

November 19th, 2024 at 12:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday Turner is indeed dealing with a broken clavicle; he is headed to injured reserve as a result. That will guarantee at least a four-game absence, but Taylor did not rule out the possibility of a return later in the campaign.

NOVEMBER 18: The Bengals’ secondary was already shorthanded heading into Week 11, and the unit was dealt another blow last night. Cornerback DJ Turner exited the game after a pass breakup, and he may not return in 2024.

The team fears Turner suffered a fractured clavicle, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. A second opinion is being sought out, but a confirmation of that injury would require season-ending surgery. In any event, a lengthy absence should be expected for one of Cincinnati’s starting cover men.

The Bengals lost Dax Hill to an ACL tear last month, ending his first campaign as a perimeter corner. That injury left the team’s secondary increasingly reliant on other options, including Turner. The 2023 second-rounder made 12 starts as a rookie, posting eight pass deflections and 50 tackles. Turner surrendered four touchdowns as the nearest defender and allowed an opposing passer rating of 111.6, however, leaving plenty of room for improvement in coverage.

2024 did see a step forward in both areas, an encouraging sign for Turner’s long-term outlook in Cincinnati. For the time being, however, the 24-year-old will need to turn his attention to recovery in anticipation of a return to the lineup no earlier than Week 1 of the 2025 campaign. Cincinnati has Cam Taylor-Britt and Josh Newton set to handle starting duties on the outside at corner moving forward with veteran Mike Hilton in place as the top slot option.

Defense has been a sore spot throughout the year for the Bengals, a team which sits at 4-7 despite their league-leading passing attack. Cincinnati ranks 23rd against the pass, and the loss of Hill and now Turner will make it increasingly challenging to improve in that department. Without finding a way to do so, a postseason berth will not be feasible.

Turner has two years remaining on his rookie pact. The Michigan product’s long-term health will be a key concern on the team’s part as another contingency plan is sought out at the CB position.

Dax Hill Wins Starting CB Job; Bengals Likely To Make RB Addition

August 24th, 2024 at 11:10am CST by Sam Robinson

This year’s Bengals training camp pitted two former Michigan teammates against each other for a starting job. Despite Dax Hill changing positions this offseason, he won the matchup.

The Bengals moved Hill from safety to cornerback, and a competition with DJ Turner formed. Although Turner started 12 games as a rookie, The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. notes it will be Hill who opens the season as Cincinnati’s starting outside corner opposite Cam Taylor-Britt (subscription required).

Moved to corner to start the offseason program, Hill fared well at a position he also saw time at while with the Wolverines. The 2022 first-round pick and Turner, a 2023 second-rounder, each saw time in Jim Harbaugh‘s secondaries from 2019-21. Hill has been moved around at the pro level as well, playing both safety and in the slot. He appears to have found a home — for the time being, at least — on the perimeter.

After starting just two games as a rookie, the former No. 31 overall pick worked as a 17-game starter in 2023. This produced 110 tackles but poor coverage metrics; Pro Football Focus rated Hill as the sixth-worst safety regular last season. The Bengals also changed up their safety equation this offseason, bringing back Vonn Bell and signing ex-Raven Geno Stone.

Lou Anarumo‘s secondary will feature experience on the backend and youth on the boundary, with Taylor-Britt only going into his third season. Chidobe Awuzie left in free agency, but rather than Turner stepping in, a somewhat unexpected conclusion took shape. Turner will step into the team’s top backup role. Mike Hilton remains on the roster as a veteran presence, supplying considerable seasoning in the slot.

Additionally, Dehner continues to name Samaje Perine as a reunion candidate. The prospect of the Bengals bringing back their former backup/passing-down back surfaced this offseason, and Perine is not a lock to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster. Perine would pass straight to free agency if released, as a vested veteran, but the Bengals could also ensure they end up with the ex-Joe Mixon backup by trading for him.

Perine is tied to a $2.83MM salary this season, and he played a key role as a Russell Wilson outlet option during the Broncos’ five-game win streak last year. But Denver may end up keeping only three backs. Javonte Williams, who may well have been battling Perine for a roster spot, has solidified himself as Denver’s starter. The team has shifty rotational piece Jaleel McLaughlin and fifth-round rookie Audric Estime in line to make the initial 53 as well.

Cincy traded Mixon to Houston for a seventh-round pick and added Zack Moss as a lower-cost replacement. The team will carry 2023 fifth-rounder Chase Brown, with Trayveon Williams still in place as a third-stringer. The Bengals, however, lost fourth-year RB Chris Evans to a season-ending patellar tendon tear recently. Brown should be expected to start over Moss, per Dehner, despite the team giving the recent Colts spot starter a two-year, $8MM deal.

Even if Perine does not make it back to Ohio, Dehner names running back as the position the Bengals will most likely try to upgrade in the coming days. Teams have until 3pm CT Tuesday to set their initial 53-man rosters.

Latest On Bengals’ Secondary

June 22nd, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Breakdowns in the secondary played a key role in the Bengals missing the postseason in 2023, and the team has made a number of moves in that area in recent months. The safety spot has seen the arrival of one veteran (Geno Stone) along with a reunion with another (Vonn Bell).

The latter was in Cincinnati from 2020-22, serving as a full-time starter alongside Jessie Bates during that time. Bell departed last offseason by inking a three-year Panthers pact, although he only wound up playing a single campaign in Carolina. Bell and the Bengals reunited on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in March.

The 29-year-old is, to no surprise, in line to reprise a starting role in his second Cincinnati stint. Bell took first-team reps during offseason practices, as detailed by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic (subscription required). He and Stone occupying starter’s workloads would relegate Jordan Battle to a depth/special teams capacity. The 2023 third-rounder logged seven starts last season, but he was one of a number of Bengals defensive backs who struggled in coverage. The additions of Stone and Bell will provide the team with experienced options, although it will be interesting to see if Battle can compete for a full-time defensive gig in training camp.

Of course, one of the other main offseason developments the Bengals have seen is the transition of Dax Hill from safety to perimeter corner. The 2022 first-rounder was lauded for his positional versatility coming out of college, but things have not gone according to plan for him so far. Hill primarily played in the slot when he was used at corner with Michigan, making this summer an important time to acclimate to spending time on the outside.

If Hill manages to get comfortable with his new position, a starting role should await him in the fall. The 23-year-old worked with the first-team defense this spring, per the Dayton Daily News’ Laurel Pfahler. Hill and 2023 second-rounder DJ Turner could be competing for a starter’s spot during camp in a cornerback room which lost Chidobe Awuzie in free agency. Veteran slot man Mike Hilton and 21-game starter Cam Taylor-Britt are still in place from last season.

Cincinnati ranked 31st in the league in passing yards allowed last season, and the play of the team’s secondary will be worth watching closely in 2024. New faces at safety could provide needed stability on the backend while Hill’s success in playing at corner will no doubt go a long way in determining the team’s willingness to pick up his fifth-year option after the season ends. With three years remaining on their respective rookie deals , meanwhile, Battle and Turner will have plenty of time to regain first-team roles if they start the year in a rotational capacity.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/18/23

November 18th, 2023 at 8:55pm CST by Ely Allen

This week’s callups and minor moves heading into Sunday:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers:

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Evans had been called up from the practice squad three times by the Cowboys, meaning he needed to be added to the 53-man roster this week to continue suiting up. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports “several teams” attempted to poach the veteran off the taxi squad, but his decision to remain with Dallas has culminated in today’s move. Evans has logged 74 combined defensive and special teams snaps with the Cowboys so far, recording three tackles.

James was out of the lineup for one game after being designated for return, but he will be eligible to suit up for the upcoming Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles. Mentioned as a trade candidate earlier this year, he will be able to add depth to a WR corps which has underperformed to date, and add to his single catch recorded in his two Kansas City games at the start of the campaign.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/23

October 30th, 2023 at 5:42pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

  • Signed to active roster: RB Devine Ozigbo
  • Promoted: OL Michael Niese

Las Vegas Raiders

New York Giants

Tennessee Titans

After getting cut by the Steelers earlier this month, Gunner Olszewski quickly caught on with New York’s practice squad. They Giants signed the receiver/returner to the active roster ahead of yesterday’s game against the Jets, and their decision to release him today was merely procedural. As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero points out, all vested vets who are released following tomorrow’s trade deadline are subject to waivers. The Giants are apparently getting ahead of that deadline with this roster machination. Per Pelissero, Olszewski is expected to re-sign with the Giants and will play in Week 9.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/13/23

August 13th, 2023 at 6:10pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions as we close the first week of the preseason:

Baltimore Ravens

  • Claimed off waivers (from Lions): CB Tae Hayes

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Reyes retires from the sport of football after only two years in the league. A former basketball player with dreams of playing in the NBA, Reyes applied for and was admitted into the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program out of Chile. Despite spending time with three teams, Reyes only suited up for regular season action in Washington, where he played 11 games, starting one. As a tight end, Reyes mostly made an impact on special teams during his career. He retires at the age of 27.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/23

August 12th, 2023 at 7:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hayes was signed one week ago as the Lions were dealing with injuries in the secondary, but he will now be on the lookout for another new team. The 25-year has appeared in 13 career regular season games while bouncing around the league.

The Raiders added one ex-Chiefs running back in Damien Williams yesterday, and they have done so again today. Thompson was part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning squad in 2019, and remain with the Chiefs the following season. He made 31 combined regular and postseason appearances in Kansas City, but he has yet to see game action since 2020. Especially until Josh Jacobs returns to the Raiders, Thompson will aim to earn a depth role in the Vegas backfield.

Bengals Finish Draft Class With Wave Of Signings

May 12th, 2023 at 7:49pm CST by Ely Allen

Trailing only the 49ers and Cowboys (who didn’t have a pick in the first two rounds to sign), the Bengals were the third team this year to announce the signing of their entire rookie class. All this despite only having signed one pick coming into today, announcing the second before noon earlier in the day. Having already agreed to rookie deals with first-round defensive end Myles Murphy and fifth-round running back Chase Brown, the team’s announcement today reveals the signing of six other draft picks.

Cincinnati double-dipped on outside playmakers on both sides of the ball in this year’s draft. They used their second-round pick to select Michigan cornerback DJ Turner and their seventh-round pick on Miami cornerback DJ Ivey. Turner provides some immediate starting ability on both the perimeter and at nickel. Ivey may not project as an immediate starter, but he has an ideal frame and can contribute if given enough opportunity. Also in the secondary, third-round safety Jordan Battle should be able to compete with Daxton Hill for a starting spot alongside Nick Scott in the defensive backfield.

They doubled-up on wide receivers, as well, selecting Purdue’s Charlie Jones in the fourth round and Princeton’s Andrei Iosivas in the sixth. The Bengals are pretty set in their starting wideouts with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, but Jones and Iosivas provide some strong backup options. Jones, a former walk-on at Iowa who led the country in receptions last year at Purdue, should have a strong path to a roster spot as a backup receiver and returner. He should be able to challenge Trent Taylor and Trayveon Williams for returning duties on both punts and kicks. Iosivas provides the Cincinnati offense with yet another tall, lengthy receiving option on the outside.

In the sixth round, the Bengals also went after Michigan punter Brad Robbins. The team relied on practice squad punter Drue Chrisman last year after moving on from long-time punter Kevin Huber. Robbins should provide some strong competition for Chrisman for the starting punter duties. Here is Cincinnati’s 2023 draft class:

Round 1, No. 28: Myles Murphy, DE (Clemson) (signed)
Round 2, No. 60: DJ Turner, CB (Michigan) (signed)
Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): Jordan Battle, S (Alabama) (signed)
Round 4, No. 131: Charlie Jones, WR (Purdue) (signed)
Round 5, No. 163: Chase Brown, RB (Illinois) (signed)
Round 6, No. 206: Andrei Iosivas, WR (Princeton) (signed)
Round 6, No. 217 (from Chiefs): Brad Robbins, P (Michigan) (signed)
Round 7, No. 246: DJ Ivey, CB (Miami) (signed)

AFC North Draft Rumors: Steelers, Ravens, Bengals

April 15th, 2023 at 6:06pm CST by Ely Allen

There have been quite a few rumors surrounding the Steelers’ potential approach to the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette held a Q&A this week to discuss his thoughts on some of those rumors.

Many fans had questions about potential options at wide receiver, and Dulac made his thoughts very clear: no higher than the third round. With Diontae Johnson and George Pickens in place, Dulac doesn’t see any need to dip into the first two rounds to add to the group. He mentions Ole Miss wide receiver Jonathan Mingo as a name to lookout for, as Mingo has been predicted to go around the third or fourth round.

Another fan asked about the possibility of Pittsburgh trading up in the first round. Dulac dismissed the rumors as just that, insinuating that looking into trades is a common occurrence for the Steelers that doesn’t always lead to action. He referenced last year, when the team reportedly looked into trading up for quarterback Kenny Pickett, who would end up falling to them at their original position, anyway.

Here are a few other draft rumors from around the AFC North:

Load More Posts