HEADLINES

Jermaine Carter Jr.

Texans Release LB Jermaine Carter

May 16th, 2023 at 7:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Jermaine Carter‘s stint with the Texans lasted a bit more than a week. The team announced that they’ve released the veteran linebacker.

Carter was a fifth-round pick by the Panthers back in 2018 and ended up playing out his rookie contract, collecting 178 tackles in 65 games (30 starts). His best season came in 2021 when he finished with 88 tackles while starting all 17 games.

The linebacker signed with the Chiefs last offseason but didn’t make it to the regular season with his new squad. He later caught on with Cleveland and ended up getting into seven games for his new squad, collecting 16 tackles while mostly playing on special teams.

The 28-year-old was already facing an uphill battle to make Houston’s roster. The team previously signed Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton, adding to a group that already included veterans Christian Kirksey and Blake Cashman. The Texans also added a pair of linebackers in the draft in second-round edge Will Anderson Jr. and fifth rounder Henry To’oTo’o, and they signed free agent linebacker Ian Swenson following a tryout today.

Texans Sign LB Jermaine Carter

May 8th, 2023 at 6:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans have steadily signed numerous veterans to low-cost, short-term deals during Nick Caserio‘s GM tenure. This offseason, they have shown a considerable interest in the linebacker position.

After signing Denzel Perryman and Cory Littleton, Houston agreed to terms with Jermaine Carter on Monday. A former Panthers full-time starter, Carter spent last season with the Browns. His signing comes a few days after the Texans re-signed linebacker/special-teamer Neville Hewitt.

This focus on the off-ball linebacker spot will create considerable competition in training camp. The Texans still roster veterans Christian Kirksey and Blake Cashman, and the team selected Christian Harris in last year’s third round. This trio came in during Lovie Smith‘s season in charge; Hewitt joined the team under David Culley two years ago. Either way, the Texans now have five linebackers entering at least their fifth NFL season. Kirksey is in Year 10, Perryman and Hewitt in Year 9, Littleton in Year 8, Cashman in Year 5. The team also drafted Alabama’s Henry To’oTo’o in the fifth round.

Carter, 28, is attempting to play a sixth NFL season. The Panthers chose the Maryland alum in the 2018 fifth round. He started 31 games with Carolina, including all 17 during the 2021 season. Perryman and Carter were briefly teammates that year as well, but the former never played for the Panthers. After a training camp trade with the Raiders, Perryman’s quick Charlotte departure left a starting spot open that Carter ended up filling. Carter made 88 tackles (three for loss) and recovered a fumble in 2021.

Last year, the Chiefs signed Carter but did not carry him through to their 53-man roster. The Browns added him to their practice squad in September and, amid a season featuring extensive injury trouble at the linebacker spot, used the former Day 3 pick in seven games. Carter played just 93 defensive snaps last season, however.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/22

December 14th, 2022 at 7:03pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/26/22

November 26th, 2022 at 4:49pm CST by Ely Allen

The league’s minor moves and standard gameday elevations for Week 12:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Browns Activate DE Chase Winovich

November 19th, 2022 at 12:07pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns made a handful of roster moves this morning. The team announced that they’ve activated defensive end Chase Winovich from injured reserve and placed guard Michael Dunn on IR. The team also promoted linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. and safety Mike Brown from the practice squad.

Winovich had 11 sacks through his first two seasons in the NFL but was in New England’s dog house in 2021, leading to an offseason trade to Cleveland. The defensive lineman got into two games this season with the Browns before suffering a hamstring injury in September. The injury ultimately landed Winovich on injured reserve for a few months, with the defensive end returning to practice earlier this month.

Dunn has appeared in eight games (two starts) for Cleveland this year. A back issue forced the offensive lineman to miss Week 10, and the injury will now require him to miss at least four more games. Drew Forbes and Hjalte Froholdt can help soak up some of the snaps at offensive guard.

Defensive backs D’Anthony Bell and Greg Newsome are recovering from concussions, so Brown will provide some extra depth in the secondary. The former Miami (Ohio) product joined the Browns practice squad back in October. Carter had 88 tackles in 17 starts for the Panthers last season. The linebacker was promoted for Cleveland’s Week 10 loss to the Dolphins and finished with a pair of special teams tackles.

Browns Activate RB Jerome Ford, Waive DE Isaac Rochell

November 12th, 2022 at 12:37pm CST by Ben Levine

The Browns did a bit of roster shuffling this morning. The team announced that they’ve activated running back Jerome Ford from injured reserve, signed defensive tackle Roderick Perry II from the practice squad to the active roster, and promoted linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. and tight end Miller Forristall from the practice squad. The Browns also waived defensive end Isaac Rochell.

Ford is the most notable name on the list, with the rookie fifth-round pick having previously served as Cleveland’s primary returner before suffering an ankle injury in Week 4. That injury ended up landing him on injured reserve and knocking him out for more than a month.

In his four games, the rookie returned six kickoffs for 145 yards, and his 24.2-yard average is still top-10 among those with at least five returns. With Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and D’Ernest Johnson standing in his way, there’s little chance the rookie RB gets a whole lot of run on offense.

Rochelle, a former seventh-round pick, got into 51 games with the Chargers between 2017 and 2020. After appearing in 12 games for the Colts in 2021, the defensive lineman joined Cleveland this offseason. He landed on the practice squad after the preseason but eventually earned his way on to the active roster, collecting 12 tackles in six games (one start).

Carter had 88 tackles for the Panthers last season, but he’s had issues holding a job in 2022. After getting cut by the Chiefs at the end of the preseason, the linebacker caught on with Cleveland’s practice squad back in September. Forristall has seen time in five games for the Browns over the past two seasons, with the majority of his snaps coming on special teams. Perry is an undrafted rookie out of Illinois.

Chiefs To Sign LB Jermaine Carter

March 25th, 2022 at 4:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former Panthers linebacker Jermaine Carter generated interest on the market, but he has made a decision. The Chiefs are adding the four-year veteran, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal, per ProFootballNetwork.com’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).

Carter has just one season of full-time starter experience, but he is coming off a 17-start slate with Carolina. The 27-year-old defender visited the Chiefs on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, joining defensive end Arden Key in that regard.

[RELATED: Chiefs Sign WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling]

This addition is interesting for a Chiefs team that used second-round picks on off-ball linebackers in each of the past two years, selecting Willie Gay and Nick Bolton. The latter enjoyed a standout rookie year and should remain the anchor of Kansas City’s defensive second level. But Carter is poised to play a key role for the six-time reigning AFC West champions, who have operated aggressively since freeing up money by trading Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.

A former fifth-round pick, Carter drew interest from multiple teams in free agency. He made 88 tackles (three for loss) with the Panthers last season. Carter’s emergence led to Carolina trading Denzel Perryman to Las Vegas during training camp last year. The Panthers will move forward without the Marty Hurney-era investment.

Latest On LB Jermaine Carter

March 23rd, 2022 at 1:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers recently added to their linebacking corps with the addition of Cory Littleton. A mainstay at the position from last season could very well be on the move, however. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports that Jermaine Carter has generated a significant market for himself (Twitter link).

[RELATED: Panthers Sign Littleton]

Specifically, La Canfora states that Carter is “drawing interest from a multitude of teams”. The 27-year-old was a fifth-round pick of Carolina in 2018. His role has grown with each passing season, as he’s transitioned more from a special-teamer to a defensive starter. He was on the field for 78% of the unit’s snaps in 2021.

That increased playing time, not surprisingly, led to a career year in terms of production. Carter totalled 88 tackles, along with one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. His career arc has been timed well, as he is an unrestricted free agent immediately following that breakout campaign.

The Maryland product could field any number of offers from teams looking for upside at the position. Interestingly, the Panthers are currently listed among the teams with the most cap space in hand, so a return is still a possibility, at least from a financial standpoint. With significant money already invested in Shaq Thompson and the signing of Littleton, however, Carter could soon find a new home as he looks to cash in on his recent improvement.

Draft Pick Signings: 5/10/18

May 10th, 2018 at 9:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the rest of Thursday’s draft pick accords:

  • The Buccaneers signed one of their three second-round picks in cornerback M.J. Stewart (No. 53 overall), Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. They also agreed to terms with their final three picks — Kansas State safety Jordan Whitehead (Round 4, pick 117), Penn wide receiver Justin Watson (Round 5, pick 144) and Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy (Round 6, pick 202).
  • Five-sixths of this Falcons draft class is now signed. Atlanta agreed to a deal with third-round defensive tackle Deadrin Senat (No. 90 overall out of South Florida). After already signing four other selections, only first-rounder Calvin Ridley remains unsigned.
  • The Steelers signed one of the safeties they drafted last month in agreeing to terms with Penn State product Marcus Allen (Round 5, pick 148). Pittsburgh also signed Alabama defensive tackle Joshua Frazier (Round 7, pick 246).
  • The Jaguars came to terms with four of their seven draftees — the final four Jacksonville selected in this year’s draft. N.C. State tackle Will Richardson (Round 4, pick 129), Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee (Round 6, pick 203), Wisconsin linebacker Leon Jacobs (Round 7, pick 230) and Mississippi State punter Logan Cooke (Round 7, pick 247) all signed their first Jags contracts Thursday. Cooke has a clear path toward the Jags’ punter job since the team released Brad Nortman two days after the draft.
  • Beginning their signings, the Titans agreed to deals with half of their four-man draft class. Tennessee signed Arizona cornerback Dane Cruikshank (Round 5, pick 152) and Washington State quarterback Luke Falk (Round 6, pick 199). The latter will attempt to develop behind Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert.
  • Following suit in bringing aboard the back half of their draft, the Bills agreed to deals with four rookies. Jacksonville State safety Siran Neal, Virginia Tech guard Wyatt Teller (Round 5, pick 166), Clemson wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (Round 6, pick 187) and North Carolina wideout Austin Proehl (Round 7, pick 255) signed their initial Buffalo deals.
  • Second-round Panthers pick Donte Jackson (No. 55 overall) signed his rookie contract. Indiana tight end Ian Thomas (Round 4, pick 101), Ole Miss defensive end Marquis Haynes (Round 4, pick 136), Maryland linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. (Round 5, pick 161) and Miami defensive tackle Kendrick Norton (Round 7, pick 242) followed suit.