HEADLINES

Ryan Cooper

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/26/24

November 26th, 2024 at 7:58pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: TE McCallan Castles

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Signed: LB Julius Welschof

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

  • Signed: DT Viliami Fehoko Jr.
  • Released: G Marquis Hayes

The Chiefs are set to roll with their third kicker of the season. With Harrison Butker on IR and Spencer Shrader sidelined with a hamstring injury, Kansas City had to add yet another leg to the roster. The team opted for Matthew Wright, who already has experience kicking with the franchise. Wright filled in for Butker twice in 2022, connecting on three field goals and eight extra points.

Wright has only got one extended look as a starter (when he got into 14 games with the Jaguars in 2021), but he’s still managed to get into at least one game per season over the past few years. Wright has already made an appearance in 2024, when he was responsible for 12 points in the 49ers win over the Seahawks last month.

Ravens Add 22 UDFAs

May 3rd, 2024 at 12:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens made nine selections over the course of the weekend, but that still left plenty of room for post-draft additions. That has paved the way for a large UDFA class. Here are the 22 players Baltimore has agreed to terms with:

  • Jelani Baker, WR (Limestone)
  • Beau Brade, S (Maryland)
  • Corey Bullock, G (Maryland)
  • Tre’Darious Colbert, DT (Maryland)
  • Chris Collier, RB (Lock Haven)
  • Ryan Cooper, DB (Oregon State)
  • Darrian Dalcourt, G (Alabama)
  • Joe Evans, DE (Iowa)
  • Ja’Mion Franklin, DT (Duke)
  • De’Angelo Hardy, WR (North Central)
  • Deion Jennings, LB (Rutgers)
  • Julian Pearl, T (Illinois)
  • Randen Plattner, LS (Kansas State)
  • Yvandy Rigby, LB (Temple)
  • Mike Rigerman, TE (Findlay)
  • Tayvion Robinson, WR (Kentucky)
  • Riley Sharp, TE (Oregon State)
  • Darrell Simpson, T (Tulsa)
  • Jordan Toles, DB (Morgan State)
  • Dayton Wade, WR (Ole Miss)
  • Tramel Walthour, DT (Georgia)
  • Isaiah Washington, WR (Rutgers)

It came as something of a surprise when Brade did not hear his name called on Day 3. The senior earned an Honorable All-Big Ten nod in each of the past two seasons, leading the Terrapins in tackles both years. Brade racked up 177 stops, three interceptions and 14 pass breakups across his four seasons in college. The Clarksville, Maryland native will be able to begin his pro career with his hometown team if he makes the Ravens’ opening roster.

Baltimore added a vertical threat (fourth-rounder Devontez Walker) to the passing game during the draft, but two of the team’s undrafted wideouts will receive a look in part based on their size. Hardy (6-2) and Washington (6-3) each have a larger frame than that of the Ravens’ current receiver options. The former owns the school record for career touchdowns with 58, 20 of which were scored last season. The latter, meanwhile, put up much smaller production (74 receptions, 927 yards and five seasons). Both will look to earn a depth roster spot or a place on the practice squad.

By not drafting a linebacker, the Ravens all-but assured Trenton Simpson of a starting role in 2024. That place was opened up by Patrick Queen‘s free agent departure, and the team’s other options are in line for special teams duties. The faith shown in Simpson is further illustrated by the fact Baltimore’s UDFA class only contains two linebackers. Both Rigby (who posted 5.5 tackles for loss in 2022) and Jones (who eclipsed 90 stops in each of the past two seasons) will look to carve out a spot based on third phase capabilities at a minimum.