Elijah Benton - Pro Football Rumors

Titans Claim DB Lonnie Johnson Jr.

August 16th, 2022 at 9:34pm CST by Ben Levine

The Titans claimed a player off waivers and acquired a player via trade today. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter), the Titans have claimed defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. off waivers from the Chiefs. Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports (on Twitter) that the Titans have acquired safety Tyree Gillespie from the Raiders.

The Chiefs traded a 2024 conditional seventh-round pick to acquire Johnson back in May, but they ended up dumping the defensive back yesterday (while also, presumably, retaining their draft pick). The former second-round pick had spent the first three seasons of his career in Houston, but he found himself in and out of the starting lineup. He started only 19 of his 44 games during his time with the Texans, collecting 172 tackles.

This past season, Johnson started seven of his 14 games while collecting 55 tackles and three interceptions. While he played mostly cornerback to begin his career, Pro Football Focus graded him as a safety in 2021…and they graded him as the worst player at the position. However, he did show some promise in his rush defense score.

Meanwhile, Gillespie was acquired from Las Vegas for a late-round conditional draft pick, according to Wilson (on Twitter). The safety was selected in the fourth round of last year’s draft but barely saw the field as a rookie. He ended up getting into 11 games, collecting eight tackles while primarily appearing on special teams.

The Titans weren’t finished making moves today. As they trimmed their roster down to the 85-man limit, the Titans waived receiver Josh Malone, running back Jordan Wilkins, defensive back Deante Burton, defensive lineman Haskell Garrett, offensive lineman Carson Green, and defensive back Elijah Benton.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/9/22

August 9th, 2022 at 8:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s minor moves around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: CB Cortez Davis
Released: CB Nate Brooks

Atlanta Falcons

Placed on IR: DL Bryce Rodgers

Cleveland Browns

Signed: LB Jordan Kunaszyk
Waived: LB Silas Kelly

Indianapolis Colts

Released via injury settlement: WR John Hurst

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: QB EJ Perry
Waived: QB Kyle Sloter

Kansas City Chiefs

Activated from PUP list: CB Rashad Fenton

New Orleans Saints

Activated from PUP list: DE Marcus Davenport (story)
Signed: DE T.J. Carter
Placed on IR: LB D’Marco Jackson and CB Dylan Mabin

New York Jets

Signed: OL Chris Glaser
Released: DE Hamilcar Rashed and OL Parker Ferguson

Pittsburgh Steelers

Placed on IR: DE T.D. Moultry

Tennessee Titans

Signed: S Elijah Benton and S Adrian Colbert
Waived: CB Kenneth George
Waived (injury designation): S Michael Griffin

Washington Commanders

Signed: WR Matt Cole

Perry’s interesting post-draft NFL journey continues. Initially slated to join the Eagles as a UDFA, he ended up signing with the Jaguars days later. Then, in July, he was waived (with an injury designation) to make room for Sloter’s addition. Perry has obviously recovered, as the two have now swapped placed once more.

Fenton was one of four Chiefs placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp. That came as little surprise at the time, but his return to practice will be a welcomed sight in Kansas City’s secondary. NFL Network’s James Palmer tweets that Fenton’s preseason availability remains a question mark, but that he is still expected to be fully recovered in time for the regular season.

Jackson was a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft at a position which has been in flux throughout the offseason in New Orleans. The 24-year-old had a highly productive final season in particular at Appalachian State, posting 119 tackles, 20 TFLs and six sacks. He will now have to wait until 2023 to carve out a depth role in the middle of the Saints’ defense.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/30/21

December 30th, 2021 at 4:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Placed on Practice Squad IR: RB Nate McCrary

Buffalo Bills

Released: RB Antonio Williams

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed: LS Colin Holba

Cleveland Browns

Released: K Chris Naggar

Green Bay Packers

Signed: WR David Moore

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: OL Nico Falah and OL Brett Heggie

New Orleans Saints

Signed: RB Josh Adams

New York Giants

Waived: LB Trent Harris

New York Jets

Returned to Practice Squad: WR Vyncint Smith and DE Hamilcar Rashed
Released: S Elijah Benton and WR Isaiah Zuber

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: WR Darrius Shepherd

Tennessee Titans

Signed: OL Paul Adams and DB Shyheim Carter

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/25-12/26/21

December 26th, 2021 at 11:02pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the NFL moves from Christmas and today:

Arizona Cardinals

Promoted: DE Josh Mauro, DB Kevin Peterson, P Ryan Winslow, WR Greg Dortch

Atlanta Falcons

Activated from IR: LB Daren Bates
Promoted: WR Marvin Hall

Baltimore Ravens

Activated from IR: LB Daelin Hayes
Promoted: QB Kenji Bahar, DB Robert Jackson, DB Tony Jefferson, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, NT Isaiah Mack, G/DT Reginald McKenzie, TE Tony Poljan, DB Jordan Richards, LB Joe Thomas, DB Daryl Worley

Buffalo Bills

Promoted: DT Eli Ankou

Carolina Panthers

Activated from IR: QB Sam Darnold
Promoted: RB Reggie Bonnafon, DB Madre Harper, DT Frank Herron, G Mike Horton, TE Stephen Sullivan

Chicago Bears

Activated from IR: DB Duke Shelley
Promoted: DE Ledarius Mack, WR Dazz Newsome, DB Dee Virgin, WR Nsimba Webster, QB Ryan Willis

Cincinnati Bengals

Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, DT Mike Daniels, DE Noah Spence, WR Trent Taylor

Dallas Cowboys

Activated from IR: DB Maurice Canady, DB Donovan Wilson
Promoted: DB Kyron Brown, DB Darian Thompson

Denver Broncos

Promoted: T Quinn Bailey

Detroit Lions

Promoted: LB Tavante Beckett, LB Curtis Bolton, TE Shane Zylstra
Placed on IR: DB Amani Oruwariye

Green Bay Packers

Promoted: S Innis Gaines

Houston Texans

Extended: DE Ron’Dell Carter
Activated from IR: WR Danny Amendola, DE DeMarcus Walker
Promoted: WR Jalen Camp, DT Michael Dwumfour, K Dominik Eberle, G Jake Eldrenkamp, T Carson Green, DE Demone Harris, TE Paul Quessenberry, RB Jaylen Samuels, T Jordan Steckler, LB Connor Strachan, LB Josh Watson, S T.J. Green

Indianapolis Colts

Promoted: DB Anthony Chesley, WR Keke Coutee, G Carter O’Donnell, DB Brian Poole, DB Will Redmond, DT Chris Williams

Jacksonville Jaguars

Promoted: RB Nathan Cottrell, WR Josh Hammond, DB Brandon Rusnak

Kansas City Chiefs

Promoted: DB Dicaprio Bootle, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, DB Josh Jackson, P Johnny Townsend

Las Vegas Raiders

Activated from IR: DB Tyree Gillespie
Promoted: G Lester Cotton, DB Kavon Frazier, WR Tyron Johnson, NT Damion Square, QB Nathan Peterman, WR Dillon Stoner
Placed on IR: DB Johnathan Abram

Los Angeles Chargers

Promoted: WR Michael Bandy, RB Darius Bradwell, NT Andrew Brown, DB Ben Deluca, LB Emeke Egbule, WR Maurice Ffrench, DT Forrest Merrill, WR Jason Moore
Placed on IR: TE Donald Parham

Los Angeles Rams

Activated from reserve/NFI: RB Cam Akers
Activated from IR: RB Buddy Howell
Promoted: DB Grant Haley, WR Brandon Powell
Released: LB Jamir Jones, RB Mekhi Sargent

New England Patriots

Activated from IR: LB Josh Uche
Promoted: DT Daniel Ekuale, DB D’Angelo Ross, WR Kristian Wilkerson

New York Giants

Promoted: DB Darqueze Dennard, DL David Moa, CB Aaron Robinson, WR David Sill V, OL Isaiah Wilson

New York Jets

Promoted: OL Isaiah Williams, TE Dan Brown, WR D.J. Montgomery, LB LaRoy Reynolds, DL Ronald Blair, S Elijah Benton, DL Freedom Akinmoladun

Philadelphia Eagles

Promoted: S Jared Mayden

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: P Corliss Waitman
Activated from IR: C J.C. Hassenauer
Promoted: P Cameron Nizialek, OL Rashaad Coward, RB Trey Edmunds, LB John Simon

Seattle Seahawks

Promoted: DT Myles Adams, S Josh Jones, TE Tyler Mabry, OLB Edmond Robinson, WR Cody Thompson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Promoted: RB Kenjon Barner, WR Cyril Grayson, P Sterling Hofrichter, DL Benning Potoa’e

Washington Football Team

Promoted: CB D.J. Hayden, RB Wendell Smallwood, LB De’Jon Harris, DB Jeremy Reaves

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/8/21

December 8th, 2021 at 3:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: TE Parker Hesse

Dallas Cowboys

Signed: RB Ito Smith

Houston Texans

Signed: DB Cre’von LeBlanc
Released: WR Damon Hazelton

Los Angeles Rams

Released: WR JJ Koski

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: LB Will Compton
Released: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

New Orleans Saints

Signed: OL James Carpenter, OL Jerald Hawkins

New York Giants

Signed: WR Travis Toivonen

New York Jets

Signed: S Elijah Benton

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: P Drue Chrisman, LS Rex Sunahara
Released: DB Linden Stephens, WR Tyler Vaughns

San Francisco 49ers

Released: S Tony Jefferson

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: NT Niles Scott

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/7/21

December 7th, 2021 at 8:42am CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: DB Cornell Armstrong
Released: CB Chris Williamson, OT Rick Leonard

Carolina Panthers

Signed: RB Jacques Patrick
Released: WR Matt Cole

Chicago Bears

Signed: FB Ben Mason
Released: LB Rashad Smith

Cleveland Browns

Signed: TE Ross Travis

Denver Broncos

Signed: WR/KR Tyrie Cleveland

Green Bay Packers

Promoted: QB Kurt Benkert

New York Giants

Signed: QB Clayton Thorson

New York Jets

Signed: K Matt Amendola, WR Tarik Black
Released: WR Keelan Doss

Seattle Seahawks

Released: DB Elijah Benton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: LS Garrison Sanborn

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/1/21

December 1st, 2021 at 8:15am CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: S Blake Countess, DB Robert Jackson
Placed on PS-IR: K Jake Verity

Chicago Bears

Signed: DB Dee Virgin

Detroit Lions

Signed: LB Curtis Bolton
Released: T Darrin Paulo

New England Patriots

Released: CB Thakarius Keyes

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: C Luke Juriga

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: LB Justin March, S Doug Middleton
Released: S Kai Nacua

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: S Elijah Benton, WR Cade Johnson

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/26/21

October 26th, 2021 at 5:19pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: S Javon Hagan, CB Lavert Hill
Released: DL Jeremiah Ledbetter

Denver Broncos

Released: C Javon Patterson, DB Saivion Smith

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: S Jahleel Addae, TE Eli Wolf
Released: G Zack Bailey

Kansas City Chiefs

Released: DE Demone Harris

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: LB Paddy Fisher
Released: G Nathan Gilliam, WR Austin Proehl

Minnesota Vikings

Signed: T Timon Parris

New England Patriots

Released: S Elijah Benton

New York Giants

Released: DT Woodrow Hamilton

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: S Jared Mayden
Released: CB Michael Jacquet

Tennessee Titans

Signed: DL Eli Ankou, RB Mekhi Sargent
Released: DL Abdullah Anderson, LB Dylan Cole, C James Murray

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/6/21

October 6th, 2021 at 6:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Detroit Lions

Signed: LB Rashod Berry, G Parker Ehinger
Released: WR Javon McKinley

Houston Texans

Signed: WR Damon Hazelton

New England Patriots

Signed: DB Elijah Benton

New Orleans Saints

Signed: RB Ryquell Armstead

Philadelphia Eagles

Released: LB Christian Elliss

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: DL Willington Previlon

Browns Set Initial 53-Man Roster

August 31st, 2021 at 1:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns became the second team to move their roster down to the required 53-man max. They began paring their roster to the regular-season limit Monday. While waiver claims could change the equation, here are the cuts Cleveland made to reach 53 Tuesday:

Released:

LB Elijah Lee
OT Alex Taylor (released from IR via injury settlement)

Waived:

Placed on IR:

G Drew Forbes

Absent from these cuts are two defensive line reclamation projects. Both Takk McKinley and Malik McDowell have made the team. The latter’s journey back represents the latest step in a long road. McDowell saw an ATV accident during his first NFL offseason sidetrack his career. Prison time followed for a DUI arrest from 2019. The No. 35 overall pick in 2017, McDowell has never played a regular-season game. McKinley bounced around last year, being jettisoned from the Falcons, Bengals and 49ers. The former first-round pick later landed on the Raiders’ IR list but caught on with the Browns this year.

Hodge should be expected to stay in Cleveland via the practice squad, but the Browns have a deep receiver group. A Browns backup wideout in 2019 and ’20, Hodge has 15 catches for 256 yards as a member of the team. The Browns added Lee last year, using him in eight games as a backup and special-teamer. He is a vested veteran and will avoid waivers. All eight members of the Browns’ 2021 draft class made the roster.