Roy Mbaeteka - Pro Football Rumors

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC North

August 28th, 2024 at 7:40pm 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 Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers moves are noted below.

Baltimore Ravens

Signed:

Claimed:

Signed to practice squad:

OT Corey Bullock, RB Chris Collier, CB Bump Cooper Jr., WR Malik Cunningham, G Darrian Dalcourt, OLB Joe Evans, CB Ka’dar Hollman, TE Qadir Ismail, RB John Kelly, WR Keith Kirkwood, QB Devin Leary, WR Anthony Miller, DE C.J. Ravenell, ILB Josh Ross, WR Dayton Wade

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed:

Claimed:

DE K.J. Henry

Released:

RB Trayveon Williams

Signed to practice squad:

CB Nate Brooks, WR Cole Burgess, T Devin Cochran, DT Domenique Davis, CB Jalen Davis, TE Cam Grandy, LB Shaka Heyward, C Trey Hill, WR Shedrick Jackson, S PJ Jules, WR Kendric Pryor, QB Logan Woodside

Cleveland Browns

Signed:

Claimed:

Signed to practice squad:

DT Jowon Briggs, CB Tony Brown, WR Jaelon Darden, S Christopher Edmonds, CB Mike Ford, CB Justin Hardee, T Germain Ifedi, T Sam Kamara, T Roy Mbaeteka, WR James Proche, LB Winston Reid, LS Rex Sunahara, T Lorenzo Thompson, WR Michael Woods

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed:

Claimed:

Signed to practice squad:

CB Anthony Averett, RB Boston Scott

Browns Cut K Lucas Havrisik, 15 Others

August 26th, 2024 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns began their journey toward a 53-man roster, cutting more than a dozen players Monday. Here is how Cleveland started its pre-cut-day odyssey:

Released:

LS Rex Sunahara

Waived:

S Tyler Coyle
G Wyatt Davis
K Lucas Havrisik
CB Faion Hicks
LB Landon Honeycutt
LB Caleb Johnson
G Zack Johnson
DE Jeremiah Martin
T Roy Mbaeteka
LB Marvin Moody
T Chim Okorafor
RB Aidan Robbins
RB Jacob Saylors
DE Isaiah Thomas

Waived/injured:

S Chase Williams

The Browns only signed Havrisik late last week, and he kicked in their preseason finale. The team gave Dustin Hopkins an extension this offseason and moved on from Cade York — this time via trade (to the Commanders) — for a second straight summer. This left no doubt about Cleveland’s kicker situation. Havrisik kicked in nine games for the Rams last year.

Saylors and Robbins’ exits leave an injury-depleted running back room. The Browns are leaving Nick Chubb on their PUP list, shifting the Pro Bowler to the reserve/PUP; he will miss at least four games. Nyheim Hines is coming off Cleveland’s active/NFI list, making him eligible for Week 1. But he is not quite ready to practice despite his ACL tear — sustained in a jet-ski accident — occurring more than a year ago. Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong and D’Onta Foreman remain on the Browns’ active roster. Foreman also suffered a rib injury in the team’s preseason finale.

Some of these players could be practice squad candidates for the team, but Cleveland still has several players left to cut before reaching 53. Generally, the final cuts are more likely to end up on P-squads compared to the first wave.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/24

April 29th, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Waived: LS Matt Hembrough

Cleveland Browns

Signed: T Roy Mbaeteka

Las Vegas Raiders

Waived: S Tyreque Jones

Philadelphia Eagles

Waived: DT Noah Elliss, WR Griffin Hebert, CB Tiawan Mullen, OL Lecitus Smith

The Eagles gave reserve/futures contracts to each of these players in January. Of this lot, only Smith — a 2022 Cardinals sixth-round pick — has played in a game. The young blocker started two games with Arizona as a rookie.

Mbaeteka will receive a second crack at developing with an NFL team through the league’s International Pathway Program. A Nigerian who did not play in high school or college, Mbaeteka spent last year on the Bears’ practice squad. Chicago cut the aspiring offensive lineman in March. Mbaeteka will not count against the Browns’ 90-man roster limit.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/24

March 15th, 2024 at 10:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: DT Khyiris Tonga

Chicago Bears

Released: OL Roy Mbaeteka

Cincinnati Bengals

Re-signed: WR Trenton Irwin

Detroit Lions

Re-signed: LS Scott Daly, CB Khalil Dorsey

Green Bay Packers

Re-signed: T Caleb Jones

Houston Texans

Re-signed: T Charlie Heck
Released: WR Jesse Matthews (failed physical)

Los Angeles Rams

Re-signed: LB Christian Rozeboom

Miami Dolphins

Signed: TE Joe Fortson

Minnesota Vikings

Signed: G Dan Feeney

New Orleans Saints

Signed: WR Stanley Morgan

New York Giants

Signed: TE Chris Manhertz, TE Jack Stoll

Irwin gets a crack at a WR3 role in Cincinnati as Tyler Boyd heads to free agency. Irwin also holds experience as the team’s backup return man, filling in last year when Charlie Jones was injured.

Heck rejoins the Texans on a one-year deal worth up to $3.3MM. He’ll add some key depth at an important position.

Rozeboom was a restricted free agent who wasn’t tendered. Regardless, the two sides work out a fully guaranteed deal for 2024.

Feeney joins the Vikings on a one-year deal. Though far removed from a consistent starting role with the Chargers, Feeney has continued to find starts throughout his career as a valuable body off the bench.

The Giants bring in two tight ends without much receiving experience. Manhertz, a veteran whose played for the Panthers from 2016-20, has extensive starting experience as a blocking tight end with 53 starts in his career.

NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/8/24

January 8th, 2024 at 9:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Many teams have started signing players to reserve/futures contracts, allowing organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:

Arizona Cardinals

WR Andre Baccellia, OL Jackson Barton, WR Kaden Davis, OL Marquis Hayes, RB Tony Jones, TE Bernhard Seikovits, WR Jeff Smith, CB Quavian White

Atlanta Falcons

OL Barry Wesley

Carolina Panthers

RB Mike Boone, RB Spencer Brown, WR Jalen Camp, RB Tarik Cohen, CB Lamar Jackson, TE Jordan Matthews, CB AJ Parker, TE Chris Pierce, WR Cam Sims, OT Badara Traore, DE Raequan Williams

Chicago Bears

LB Micah Baskerville, TE Stephen Carlson, OL Jerome Carvin, DB Adrian Colbert, OL Aviante Collins, DL Michael Dwumfour, DL Daniel Hardy, OL Roy Mbaeteka, OL Bill Murray, WR Nsimba Webster

Cincinnati Bengals

DT Domenique Davis, CB Allan George, C Nate Gilliam, DE Jeff Gunter, LB Shaka Heyward, WR Shedrick Jackson, G Jaxson Kirkland, WR Kwamie Lassiter II, WR Kendric Pryor

Denver Broncos

RB Tyler Badie, QB Ben DiNucci, OT Demontrey Jacobs, S Devon Key, CB Reese Taylor

Indianapolis Colts

LB Austin Ajiake, LB Liam Anderson, WR Tyrie Cleveland, S Marcel Dabo, WR Ethan Fernea, G Arlington Hambright, TE Jordan Murray, RB Zavier Scott, TE Eric Tomlinson

Las Vegas Raiders

DE David Agoha, CB Cornell Armstrong, QB Anthony Brown, OT D.J. Fluker, TE Cole Fotheringham, S Jaydon Grant, DT Marquan McCall, RB Sincere McCormick, OT Jalen McKenzie, TE John Samuel Shenker, DT Nesta Jade Silvera, DE Elerson Smith, DE Charles Snowden, CB Sam Webb, WR Kristian Wilkerson

Minnesota Vikings

LB Abraham Beauplan, G Henry Byrd, OT Coy Cronk, WR N’Keal Harry, WR Trishton Jackson, RB DeWayne McBride, G Tyrese Robinson, WR Thayer Thomas, CB Jaylin Williams, CB Joejuan Williams, G Tyrese Robinson, WR Thayer Thomas

New England Patriots

DE William Bradley-King, LB Joe Giles-Harris, DB Azizi Hearn, DT Trysten Hill, WR T.J. Luther, OT Andrew Stueber, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

New Orleans Saints

RB James Robinson

New York Giants

DT Ryder Anderson, OT Yodny Cajuste, DB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dennis Houston, RB Deon Jackson, LB Dyontae Johnson, LB Jeremiah Martin, G Jalen Mayfield, OL Joshua Miles, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver

New York Jets

OL Obinna Eze, OL Vitaliy Gurman, CB Tae Hayes, DL Manny Jones, RB Jacques Patrick, K Austin Seibert, DL Marquiss Spencer, WR Malik Taylor

Seattle Seahawks

LB Levi Bell, NT Matthew Gotel, RB Bryant Koback, TE Tyler Mabry, S Jonathan Sutherland, WR Cody White, WR Easop Winston Jr.

Tennessee Titans

CB Shyheim Carter, DB Tay Gowan, WR Tre’Shaun Harrison, TE Thomas Odukoya, LB Thomas Rush, G Lachavious Simmons

Washington Commanders

LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, WR Davion Davis, CB D’Angelo Mandell

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North

August 30th, 2023 at 2:35pm 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 Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.

Chicago Bears

Placed on IR:

G Teven Jenkins (story)

Signed:

WR Trent Taylor

Claimed:

S Quindell Johnson, DE Khalid Kareem

Waived:

DE Terrell Lewis

Signed to practice squad:

LB Micah Baskerville, DL Travis Bell, FB Robert Burns, TE Stephen Carlson, OL Aviante Collins, LB DeMarquis Gates, DL Jalen Harris, OL Roy Mbaeteka, DB Greg Stroman, WR Nsimba Webster, DB Kendall Williamson

Detroit Lions

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

WR Maurice Alexander, G Kayode Awosika, K Michael Badgley (story), WR Dylan Drummond, T Connor Galvin, S Brandon Joseph, RB Zonovan Knight, CB Chase Lucas, LB Trevor Nowaske, T Max Pircher, DL Chris Smith

Green Bay Packers

Claimed:

DB Zayne Anderson, TE Ben Sims

Released:

LB Tariq Carpenter, DL Jonathan Ford

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

TE Austin Allen, CB Corey Ballentine, LB Keshawn Banks, WR Grant DuBose, C James Empey, S Innis Gaines, QB Alex McGough, WR Bo Melton, LB Arron Mosby, LB Kenneth Odumegwu, FB Henry Pearson, S Benny Sapp III, DL Chris Slayton, RB Patrick Taylor, T Kadeem Telfort, CB Kiondre Thomas

Minnesota Vikings

Placed on IR:

RB Kene Nwangwu

Claimed:

Waived:

WR Jalen Reagor (story)

Signed to practice squad:

OL Alan Ali, CB C.J. Coldon, DT Sheldon Day, WR Trishton Jackson, WR Lucky Jackson, RB DeWayne McBride, DL T.J. Smith, WR Thayer Thomas, LB Luiji Vilain, LB Benton Whitley, CB Jaylin Williams, CB Joejuan Williams

Bears Set Initial Roster, Waive DE Trevis Gipson

August 29th, 2023 at 4:24pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears have been slowly trimming down their squad over the past few days, and the front office has now officially landed on their initial roster. The Bears announced the following moves, some of which were previously reported:

Placed on IR:

WR Isaiah Ford

Released:

Waived:

LB Micah Baskerville
DT Travis Bell
FB Robert Burns
TE Stephen Carlson
CB Macon Clark
OT Kellen Diesch
G Dieter Eiselen
LB DeMarquis Gates
DE Trevis Gipson
DE Jalen Harris
OT Bobby Haskins
DE D’Anthony Jones
G Josh Lugg
OT Roy Mbaeteka
CB Michael Ojemudia
TE Lachlan Pitts
DT Bravvion Roy
G Logan Stenberg
LB Davion Taylor
S Bralen Trahan
CB Kindle Vildor
LB Barrington Wade
LB Mykal Walker
S Kendall Williamson

Waived/injured:

RB Trestan Ebner

The moves actually reduce Chicago’s roster to 52 players, so additions are certainly coming.

Trevis Gipson is a bit of a surprise cut after the former fifth-round pick got into 33 games (19 starts) for the Bears over the past two years. The defensive lineman showed some pass-rushing prowess during his rookie season, compiling seven sacks, seven tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. His numbers took a bit of a step back in 2022, with the Tulsa product finishing with only three sacks. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter), the Bears worked on a trade for Gipson and had “teams involved” in the bidding but couldn’t come to terms before today’s roster deadline.

Trestan Ebner was another Bears draft pick that got into 17 games last season. The 2022 sixth-round pick ended up getting 26 touches on offense, collecting 62 yards from scrimmage while coughing up two fumbles. Ebner also returned 10 kickoffs for Chicago last season. The running back has been in concussion protocol since the early parts of the preseason, and there’s a chance he reverts to the Bears’ injured reserve if he goes unclaimed.

Eight Players Join NFC North, AFC West Teams Via NFL International Player Pathway Program

May 4th, 2023 at 10:05pm CST by Ben Levine

Established in 2017, the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) program “aims to provide elite athletes from around the world with the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster.” This year, eight international players joined NFC North and AFC West teams (per the league’s website):

Bears: OL Roy Mbaeteka, Nigeria
Lions: TE Patrick Murtagh, Australia
Packers: DL Kenneth Odumegwu, Nigeria
Vikings: DL Junior Aho, France
Broncos: DL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, Nigeria
Chiefs: OL Chukwuebuka Godrick, Nigeria
Raiders: DL David Ebuka Agoha, Nigeria
Chargers: DL Basil Chijioke Okoye, Nigeria

The NFC North and AFC West were the two divisions that had yet to participate in the program, and this is the first year that the NFL is opening the program to two divisions. The IPP program allows these teams to carry an additional international player on their practice squads during the regular season.

“To see this hugely talented group of players be allocated to NFL rosters is very exciting, and a testament to the success of the NFL’s global football development programs for international athletes,” said NFL executive Peter O’Reilly. “The International Player Pathway is a critical program in identifying, supporting and enabling athletes from around the world and we look forward to seeing each players’ NFL journey unfold as they become global ambassadors for the sport.”

Per NFL.com, the six Nigerian players participated in Osi Umenyiora‘s The Uprise initiative and were participants in the NFL’s inaugural talent camp in Ghana. Alumni of the IPP program include Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata, Commanders defensive end Efe Obada and defensive tackle David Bada, and Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson.