Today’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DT Zach Kerr
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: DL Kingsley Keke
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LS Christian Kuntz
Today’s minor transactions around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated: DE J.J. Watt (story)
- Activated: LB Ezekiel Turner
- Elevated from the Practice Squad: DL Zach Kerr and CB Kevin Peterson
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Kevon Seymour
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: DT Larry Ogunjobi (story)
- Activated from IR: OL Xavier Su’a-Filo
Denver Broncos
- Claimed off waivers (from Steelers): P Corliss Waitman
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated from the Practice Squad: S Eric Weddle (story) and DB Blake Countess
Tennessee Titans
- Designated to return from IR: FB Tory Carter
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DT Zach Kerr
- Released: DT Matt Dickerson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Austin Calitro
- Injured: K Elliott Fry
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Ben Braden
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Blake Countess, DB Sharrod Neasman, DB Eric Weddle (story)
New England Patriots
- Signed: DB Cre’von LeBlanc
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: P Ryan Winslow
- Restored from Injured: DB Doug Middleton
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: DL Zach Kerr
Denver Broncos
- Claimed off waivers (from Chargers): DB Essang Bassey
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (from Rams): DB JuJu Hughes
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: RB Jason Huntley
- Placed on IR: WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, TE Tyree Jackson, OL Brett Toth
Here are Tuesday and Wednesday’s activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Breon Borders, LB Markus Golden, OL D.J. Humphries, LB Devon Kennard
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Zach Kerr, LB Tanner Vallejo, TE Maxx Williams (from IR)
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Marlon Davidson, S Jaylinn Hawkins, TE Hayden Hurst, WR Tajae Sharpe, LB James Vaughters
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: G Willie Beavers
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Josh Oliver
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Kevin Toliver
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Darryl Johnson, LB Haason Reddick, TE Tommy Tremble, QB P.J. Walker
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Yetur Gross-Matos
Chicago Bears
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Jesper Horsted (remains on IR), OLB Charles Snowden
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Trenton Irwin, DB Trae Waynes
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Scotty Washington
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Vonn Bell, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, DE Trey Hendrickson, C Trey Hopkins, G Quinton Spain, DT B.J. Hill, RB Joe Mixon
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Elijah Lee, LB Tony Fields
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB Nick Mullens, S Tedric Thompson
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB D’Ernest Johnson, RB Dexter Williams
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: S Jovante Moffatt
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Quinton Bohanna, LB Micah Parsons (story), LB Keanu Neal
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: S Tyler Coyle, T Isaac Alarcon, CB Kyron Brown
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Josh Ball
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: DT Josiah Bronson
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE McTelvin Agim, LB Baron Browning, DB Bryce Callahan, LB Bradley Chubb, LB Jonathon Cooper, DB Mike Ford, WR Jerry Jeudy, T Bobby Massie, WR Tim Patrick, NT Mike Purcell, DB Caden Sterns, LB Stephen Weatherly
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Tyrie Cleveland
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Kalif Raymond
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Joel Heath, TE Hunter Bryant (from NFI)
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Elgton Jenkins, T Dennis Kelly, S Darnell Savage, WR Amari Rodgers, DE Kingsley Keke
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: K J.J. Molson, LB Ray Wilborn
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Billy Turner
Houston Texans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Danny Amendola, TE Antony Auclair, LB Ron’Dell Carter, T Tytus Howard, RB David Johnson, DB Lonnie Johnson, WR Chris Moore
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: K Dominik Eberle, TE Paul Quessenberry
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: Luke Rhodes
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Dan Arnold (remains on IR), TE Jacob Hollister, WR Jaydon Mickens, DT Jay Tufele
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Josh Hammond
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: P J.K. Scott
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: DB Josh Jackson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Carl Nassib, G Jordan Simmons, TE Darren Waller
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Kamaal Seymour (from NFI)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Jared Cook, LB Damon Lloyd (remains on IR)
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Nick Vigil, QB Kirk Cousins, T Brian O’Neill
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Chris Herndon, DE Tashawn Bower
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Parry Nickerson
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Ryan Ramczyk, DB Dylan Mabin
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Kevin White, TE Ethan Wolf
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Albert Huggins
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Jordan Miller
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Korey Cunningham, DE Dexter Lawrence, T Matt Peart (remains on IR), NT Danny Shelton, WR Darius Slayton
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: LB Omari Cobb, CB Ka’dar Hollman
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: NT Woodrow Hamilton
New York Jets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Tevin Coleman, TE Tyler Kroft, DE Quinnen Williams
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: G Isaiah Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR KeeSean Johnson
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR John Hightower, RB Craig James, TE Noah Togiai
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Dallas Goedert
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Zach Banner, LB Devin Bush, DB Arthur Maulet, RB Anthony McFarland, LB Joe Schobert, DE Chris Wormley
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Anthony Miller, WR Steven Sims, WR Tyler Vaughns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Joe Haden
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Dontae Johnson, DB Jimmie Ward, DB Ambry Thomas, CB Deommodore Lenoir
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Blessuan Austin
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Gavin Heslop, DE Alton Robinson, DT Myles Adams, DT Al Woods
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Jaelon Darden, P Bradley Pinion
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Monty Rice
Washington Football Team
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Tress Way, G Ereck Flowers, RB Antonio Gibson
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Deshazor Everett, DB William Jackson
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: OL Marcus Henry
- Signed: DT Zach Kerr
- Promoted: G Danny Isidora, LB Joe Walker
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived: P Cam Nizialek, LB Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
- Signed to active roster: CB Chris Williamson
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Jake Kumerow
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: QB Josh Love
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): LB Clay Johnston
- Placed on IR: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, S Brandon Wilson
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Nick Chubb, RB Demetric Felton
- Signed to active roster: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DT Sheldon Day
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Greg Zuerlein
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: G Austin Schlottmann
- Placed on IR: G Graham Glasgow
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Netane Muti
- Waived: WR David Moore, TE Caleb Wilson
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Michael Ojemudia, LB Justin Strnad
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: S Jalen Elliott
- Designated for return: QB Tim Boyle
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): RB Royce Freeman
- Placed on IR: RB Scottie Phillips
Indianapolis Colts
- Designated for return: CB T.J. Carrie
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
- Designated for return: OL Kyle Long
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: WR Jacob Harris
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DE Kenny Willekes
New England Patriots
- Activated off PUP: QB Jarrett Stidham
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: LB Chase Hansen
New York Giants
- Waived: CB Sam Beal
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: TE Tyler Kroft, S Marcus Maye (story)
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Denzel Mims
- Signed (off Eagles practice squad): S Elijah Riley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: DB Mac McCain
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: CB Breon Borders, CB Nate Brooks
Washington Football Team
- Signed: K Joey Slye
- Waived: K Chris Blewitt
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Saahdiq Charles
Dee Ford missed his first game of the season last week, and the veteran edge rusher will make another trip to IR. The 49ers moved Ford off their active roster Saturday, doing so because of a troublesome injury lingering from last year.
The former Pro Bowl sack artist is still dealing with the back injury that wiped out all but one game of his 2020 season. The eighth-year defender suffered a flareup against the Colts and missed the 49ers’ Week 8 game in Chicago. While Ford must miss three games, it does not sound like the 49ers are certain he will be at full strength the rest of the way.
Interestingly, Ford got in a full practice Wednesday and was on the field in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday. This workload does not usually precede an IR trip, but the 30-year-old D-lineman has an extensive injury history. In addition to the back issue, Ford is battling neck trouble and has encountered concussion-like symptoms.
“That’s never fully gone away. That’s something he’ll deal with most likely forever,” Kyle Shanahan said of Ford’s back problem. “So, something that’s on again, off again. The reason it’s mentioned for the first time is we think it came up with this concussion. Some of the symptoms presented as a concussion last week with the hit he took, but it acted up some stuff in the back that has been bothering him this week.”
The 49ers traded for Ford during the 2019 offseason and saw him play a key role in their Super Bowl LIV run, albeit with a part-time workload. But by the time this IR stint concludes, the former first-round pick will have missed at least 24 games in his three San Francisco seasons. Injuries also impacted Ford with the Chiefs. This season, Ford has three sacks and four quarterback hits as a rotational rusher. Ford’s absence follows Javon Kinlaw‘s IR trip. The interior D-lineman is out for the season.
In addition to the Ford transaction, the 49ers waived defensive lineman Zach Kerr and promoted safety Tony Jefferson and linebacker Tyrell Adams from their practice squad. Both Kerr and Jefferson were offseason adds. San Francisco also moved George Kittle and Robbie Gould from IR onto its active roster.
The 49ers moved to add some defensive line depth on Tuesday. They signed veteran interior defender Zach Kerr.
A seven-year D-line contributor who has been with three teams over the past three years, Kerr signed a one-year contract to join the 49ers. The Panthers released Kerr just ahead of free agency’s outset last week.
Formerly a Colts UDFA find, Kerr has since played with the Broncos, Cardinals and Panthers. After following Vance Joseph from Denver to Arizona, Kerr landed in Carolina on a multiyear deal. He played in 13 Panthers games last season and logged four starts. The 30-year-old D-lineman finished the season with two sacks and a career-high nine quarterback hits, playing 37% of Carolina’s defensive snaps. Kerr’s nomadic recent past notwithstanding, he played well last season. Giving Kerr the best individual grade of his career, Pro Football Focus rated the veteran as its No. 10 overall interior defender .
While Kerr has never been a regular starter in his NFL career, he has made 16 starts and played in 88 games. While he has experience playing as a defensive end as well, Kerr profiles as an inside player in San Francisco’s 4-3 scheme. He figures to join the 49ers’ Javon Kinlaw-headed D-tackle rotation.
The 49ers also re-signed defensive tackle D.J. Jones but lost Solomon Thomas, who often played inside despite being listed as a defensive end, to the Raiders early in free agency.
Today’s “minor” moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: P Andy Lee
Buffalo Bills
- Re-signed: LB Tyler Matakevich
Carolina Panthers
- Released: DT Zach Kerr
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: WR Noah Brown
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Terrence Brooks, G Justin McCray, DT Vincent Taylor, CB Tremon Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Rudy Ford
New England Patriots
- Re-signed: DT Carl Davis
New York Giants
- Re-signed: DT Austin Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-signed: Rashod Hill
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released from IR: CB Jordan Miller
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: TE Eric Tomlinson
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Zach Kerr
- Placed on IR: OL Dennis Daley
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR DeAndre Carter
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: OL Chris Hubbard
Detroit Lions
- Activated off IR: DE Julian Okwara
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Anthony Hitchens
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated off IR: LB Tanner Muse
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated off IR: DB Nick Scott
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S JuJu Hughes
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Ford
New York Jets
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Folorunso Fatukasi
- Placed on IR: LB Harvey Langi
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated off reserve/COVID-19 list: T Donovan Smith
- Waived/failed-physical: S Justin Evans