Vyncint Smith

Colts Move Roster To 53

August 29th, 2023 at 4:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Some higher-profile Colts news has overshadowed their roster construction, but the Jonathan Taylor drama factors into Indianapolis’ roster construction. Here is how the team moved down to 53:

Released:

Waived:

LB Liam Anderson
S Henry Black
S Marcel Dabo
RB Jake Funk
RB Jason Huntley
DE Khalid Kareem
WR D.J. Montgomery
LB Donavan Mutin
WR Amari Rodgers
CB Darius Rush
DT Caleb Sampson
WR Mike Strachan
CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart
CB Kevin Toliver

While Funk could be a practice squad candidate, Indianapolis’ 53-man roster includes three running backs: Deon Jackson, Zack Moss and fifth-round rookie Evan Hull. Moss is rehabbing a broken arm and looms as a candidate for in-season IR. The Colts released late-summer pickup Kenyan Drake recently. The Taylor move sidelines the disgruntled All-Pro for the first four games.

Smith, Rodgers, Strachan and Winfree moving off the roster leaves only four receivers (Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs and Isaiah McKenzie) on the active. It seems likely another will be added before Week 1. Even with Brown gone, Indy’s 53-man roster houses five tight ends. Jelani Woods, Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, fifth-round rookie Will Mallory and Drew Ogletree, a second-year sixth-rounder, comprise that group. This would seem to be a place the Colts would be willing to cut into, should they be awarded any players on waivers before Wednesday’s 11am CT deadline.

The Colts added Harrison this offseason, signing the former Browns safety after the Browns brought in 2022 Colts cog Rodney McLeod. It should be expected Harrison, who is going into his sixth season, lands somewhere soon. Teams can keep up to six vested veterans on their respective practice squads, leaving the door ajar for Harrison — who only signed with the Colts on Aug. 14 — to stay. The 26-year-old defender has 45 starts on his resume.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/9/23

January 9th, 2023 at 6:45pm CST by Ely Allen

18 teams had their seasons come to an end yesterday, and their front offices have already turned the page to the 2023 NFL seaon. This started today, as a number of players were signed to reserve/futures contracts, which allows organizations to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players throughout the offseason. Here are today’s reserve/futures contracts:

Arizona Cardinals

T Julien Davenport, S Juju Hughes, LB Blake Lynch, TE Chris Pierce, TE Bernhard Seikovits, G Lachavious Simmons, WR Auden Tate, S Josh Thomas, T Badara Traore, WR Javon Wims

Atlanta Falcons

WR Josh Ali, RB BJ Baylor, OLB Quinton Bell, DL Amani Bledsoe, LB Dorian Etheridge, TE Tucker Fisk, CB Javelin Guidry, CB Matt Hankins, OL Jonotthan Harrison, WR Ra’Shaun Henry, LB Nathan Landman, DB Dylan Mabin, CB Jamal Peters, TE John Raine, FB Clint Ratkovich, CB John Reid, OL Justin Shaffer, OL Tyler Vrabel

Buffalo Bills

WR Isaiah Coulter, DE Kendal Vickers

Carolina Panthers

G Deonte Brown, RB Spencer Brown, DE Kobe Jones, LB Arron Mosby, TE Giovanni Ricci, WR C.J. Saunders, TE Stephen Sullivan, DT Raequan Williams, WR Derek Wright

Chicago Bears

TE Chase Allen, S Adrian Colbert, LB Kuony Deng, T Kellen Diesch, DE Gerri Green, TE Jake Tonges, WR Nsimba Webster

Cleveland Browns

WR Daylen Baldwin, S Bubba Bolden, WR Mike Harley, LB Storey Jackson, DE Sam Kamara, RB John Kelly, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DT Roderick Perry, WR Marquez Stevenson, T Tyrone Wheatley

Denver Broncos

WR Victor Bolden, G Parker Ferguson, CB Faion Hicks, CB Delonte Hood, S Devon Key, RB Tyreik McAllister, OLB Wyatt Ray, OL Hunter Thedford, LB Ray Wilborn

Detroit Lions

WR Maurice Alexander, WR Stanley Berryhill, T Obinna Eze, S Brady Breeze, CB Khalil Dorsey, RB Jermar Jefferson, WR Tom Kennedy, T Darrin Paulo, DT Demetrius Taylor, CB Jarren Williams

Indianapolis Colts

DT McTelvin Agim, S Henry Black, S Marcel Dabo, S Trevor Denbow, G Arlington Hambright, T Jordan Murray, LB Segun Olubi, LB Forrest Rhyne, RB Aaron Shampklin, WR Vyncint Smith, CB David Vereen, TE Jalen Wydermyer

Kansas City Chiefs

WR Ty Fryfogle

Las Vegas Raiders

CB Isiah Brown, CB Bryce Cosby, P Julian Diaz, S Jalen Elliott, TE Cole Fotheringham, G Vitaliy Gurman, T Sebastian Gutierrez, WR Chris Lacy, LB Kana’i Mauga, G Jordan Meredith, WR DJ Turner, RB Austin Walter, WR Isaiah Zuber

Los Angeles Rams

TE Roger Carter, DL T.J. Carter, CB T.J. Carter, S Richard LeCounte, T Max Pircher, WR Jaquarii Roberson, WR Jerreth Sterns, DE Brayden Thomas, DE Zach VanValkenburg

New Orleans Saints

G Yasir Durant, DT Prince Emili, RB Derrick Gore, CB Vincent Gray, TE Lucas Krull, QB Jake Luton, LB Nephi Sewell, DE Jabari Zuniga

New York Jets

OL Chris Glaser, CB Craig James, CB Jimmy Moreland, DL Marquiss Spencer, QB Chris Streveler, LB Chazz Surratt, WR Malik Taylor

Washington Commanders

CB Troy Apke, DE William Bradley-King, WR Alex Erickson, CB DaMarcus Fields, QB Jake Fromm, G Nolan Laufenberg, WR Kyric McGowan, T Aaron Monteiro, G Keaton Sutherland

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/22

October 17th, 2022 at 9:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s practice squad additions and subtractions:

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: LB Devon Kennard

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: Vyncint Smith, TE Jalen Wydermyer
Released: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart

Miami Dolphins

Released: RB ZaQuandre White

Tennessee Titans

Signed: WR C.J. Board
Released: WR Josh Gordon

Judging by Gordon’s minimal playing time at his fifth NFL stop, it certainly looks like he is nearing the end. Gordon signed with the Titans shortly after he did not make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster, and while Tennessee used the former All-Pro in two games, Gordon logged six snaps and did not catch a pass. Gordon, 31, has five receptions over the past two seasons. Board spent the past two seasons with the Giants; he caught 15 passes for 152 yards with the team in that span.

The Cardinals released Kennard multiple times this year, the first such transaction coming just before cutdown day. While the team circled back to the Phoenix native previously, the veteran pass rusher is now Baltimore-bound. Kennard, 31, signed a three-year, $20MM Cardinals deal in 2020 but did not deliver much production and accepted a pay cut this offseason. Kennard did not record a sack in 15 games last season, but the 11-year veteran did post back-to-back seven-sack slates during the 2018 and ’19 campaigns with Detroit. He will join a Ravens team that has added both Jason Pierre-Paul and Jeremiah Attaochu during the season.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/22

October 11th, 2022 at 7:34pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: RB Ty’Son Williams

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: WR Ra’Shaun Henry
Released: CB Ka’dar Hollman

Buffalo Bills

Signed: DB Ja’Marcus Ingram, WR KeeSean Johnson
Released: WR Jaquarii Roberson

Dallas Cowboys

Signed: TE Seth Green
Released: LS Tucker Addington

Denver Broncos

Signed: LS Mitchell Fraboni
Released: WR Darrius Shepherd, WR Vyncint Smith

Detroit Lions

Signed: K Sam Ficken

Houston Texans

Signed: DL Micah Dew-Treadway, OT K.C. McDermott
Released: TE Nick Eubanks

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: OL Ty Nsekhe

Jacksonville Jaguars

Released: DL Israel Antwine

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: CB Tyler Hall, WR Tyron Johnson
Released: DB Darren Evans

New England Patriots

Released: OL Sebastian Gutierrez

New York Jets

Signed: WR/KR Diontae Spencer
Released: OL Grant Hermanns

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: LB David Anenih

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: DT T.Y. McGill, K Sam Sloman

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: LB Ulysees Gilbert

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/5/22

September 5th, 2022 at 5:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

As Week 1 practices begin, here are the latest updates to teams’ 16-man practice squads:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: DL Khyiris Tonga

Carolina Panthers

Signed: DB Marquise Blair
Released: WR Ra’Shaun Henry

Cincinnati Bengals

Released: TE Thaddeus Moss

Dallas Cowboys

Released: DE Mika Tafua

Denver Broncos

Signed: WR Vyncint Smith

Detroit Lions

Signed: QB Tim Boyle

Green Bay Packers

Signed: K Ramiz Ahmed

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: LB Ty Summers

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: S James Wiggins

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: DT Kyle Peko

Los Angeles Chargers:

Signed: TE Richard Rodgers

Miami Dolphins

Signed: DTs Markaviest Bryant, Josiah Bronson, Christopher Hinton, T Kion Smith, CB Chris Steele
Released: DT Niles Scott

New England Patriots

Signed: WR Laquon Treadwell (story)

New York Giants

Signed: CB Fabian Moreau, WR Marcus Johnson
Released: DB Harrison Hand

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: CB Mac McCain
Released: S Anthony Harris (story)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: CB Josh Jackson

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: LB Buddy Johnson, OL Leroy Watson

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: LB Joshua Onujiogu, DE Jabari Zuniga

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: LB Kenny Young

Washington Commanders

Signed: OL Wes Martin

A former Washington starter and the primary Atlanta cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell last season, Moreau has experience playing both the slot and outside. The former third-round pick signed with the Texans earlier this offseason but did not make their 53-man roster.

The Lions attempted to keep David Blough by offering the Hard Knocks cast member a spot on their practice squad, but the three-year Detroit backup opted to head to Minnesota. He is currently on the Vikings’ 16-man taxi squad. A previous Aaron Rodgers backup, Boyle signed with the Lions last year.

Despite being a former second-round pick, Blair did not make the Seahawks’ 53-man roster this year. Knee injuries have sidelined him for most of the past two seasons. Seattle had stopped using Blair as a nickel, his primary role when on the field with the team that drafted him, during training camp.

Included as part of a 2019 trade that sent Marcus Peters to Baltimore, Young was also traded from the Rams to the Broncos last year. He started all 13 games he played in 2021 — seven as a Ram, six as a Bronco — and helped Denver fill the void created by Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell‘s season-ending injuries. Young spent most of this offseason with the Raiders but did not make their roster.

WR Dazz Newsome Auditions For Titans, Schedules Patriots Workout

August 27th, 2022 at 3:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears’ new regime cut the cord on wide receiver Dazz Newsome quickly, waiving the former sixth-round pick before his second season. Unclaimed on waivers, Newsome has generated interest as a free agency addition.

Newsome was part of a Titans workout Friday, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus tweets, and is slated to audition for the Patriots on Sunday. While the North Carolina alum would make for an interesting flier, he will soon be competing with dozens of receivers in a similar position. Teams are required to cut down from 80 to 53 by 3pm CT Tuesday.

A four-year Tar Heels contributor, Newsome joined Javonte Williams, Michael Carter and Dyami Brown in a strong nucleus surrounding Sam Howell. Despite both Newsome and Brown surpassing 1,000 yards in 2019, with Brown at 1,034 and Newsome at 1,018, Washington took the latter in Round 3 last year. Newsome fell to pick 221.

Newsome primarily worked as a punt returner for the Bears last season, one that began after he suffered a broken collarbone in the offseason, but only played in three games. Newsome also spent time on the Bears’ practice squad. With P-squads still at 16 for the 2022 season, Newsome figures to have another opportunity soon.

The Patriots are down their second-round pick, wideout Tyquan Thornton, for an extended stretch because of a collarbone injury. Even with Thornton almost certain to begin the season on IR, the Pats still have a host of veterans — Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor and DeVante Parker — in line to be regulars.

The Titans have Robert Woods atop their depth chart and have seen nice early returns from fifth-round rookie Kyle Phillips. Treylon Burks has not been as quick to assimilate, but the first-round pick obviously remains a key part of the team’s future. Spot starter Nick Westbrook-Ikhine also remains in the picture for Tennessee, which made Jets wideout Vyncint Smith, ex-Panthers cornerback Troy Pride, 2021 Broncos fifth-round corner Jamar Johnson and quarterback Kurt Benkert part of Friday’s workout, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/22

August 21st, 2022 at 5:26pm CST by Rory Parks

We will keep track of today’s minor moves right here:

Chicago Bears

Signed: FB Jake Bargas
Placed on IR: WR David Moore

Green Bay Packers

Waived: OL Ty Clary, LB Chauncey Manac

Houston Texans

Released: LB Tae Davis

Los Angeles Rams

Reverted to IR: WR J.J. Koski

New England Patriots

Waived: TE Dalton Keene

New Orleans Saints

Waived: QB K.J. Costello, RB Devine Ozigbo, K John Parker Romo

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Released: WR Vyncint Smith
Waived: S Troy Warner

Washington Commanders

Claimed (from Rams): Kendall Blanton
Placed on IR: DE Bunmi Rotimi

Moore’s placement on IR indicates that his season is over, and as James Palmer of the NFL Network tweets, a leg injury is the culprit. Moore, who signed with the Bears in April, was a useful complementary receiver in Seattle from 2018-20, and he may have had a shot to carve out a rotational role with Chicago. He was arrested on drug and weapons charges in July and could face league discipline as a result.

The Patriots made Keene the second piece of their two-tight end third round in 2020, trading up (via the Jets) to No. 104 to nab the Virginia Tech product. But neither Keene nor the No. 91 overall pick from that draft (Devin Asiasi) have made big impacts as Patriots. Keene missed all of the 2021 season due to a knee injury. In six games in 2020, Keene caught three passes for 16 yards. In the offseason following the Pats’ Day 2 tight end dive, they signed Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry to big-ticket deals. That duo remains in place in front of Asiasi.