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Jets Place DT Leki Fotu On IR, Activate TE Kenny Yeboah

October 31st, 2024 at 5:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Allen Lazard has landed on injured reserve, sideling him for at least four games. He is joined in that respect by defensive tackle Leki Fotu, per a team announcement.

Fotu began the season on IR, and he was only activated two weeks ago. The free agent addition has therefore logged just 46 defensive snaps so far this season, and this second IR stint will further interrupt his 2024 campaign. Fotu served as a rotational member of Arizona’s D-line rotation over the past four years, and he was positioned to do the same upon arrival with the Jets.

The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $2.5MM deal to join New York. That low-risk investment has not gone as planned so far, but once healthy Fotu could be an effective contributor against the run. Fulfilling that role would be welcomed by team and player; the Jets have posted strong numbers in certain defensive categories this season, but they rank only 17th against the run. An effective showing to close out the campaign would also, of course, help Fotu’s market value.

New York also activated tight end Kenny Yeboah from injured reserve on Thursday. Like Fotu, he was listed as designated for return before the roster cutdown deadline, allowing him to see the field at some point after Week 4. Yeboah had his practice window opened last week, so it comes as no surprise he has been activated in time for tonight’s matchup against the Texans. In a corresponding move to the special teamer’s activation, fellow tight end Anthony Firkser was released.

As expected, Riley Patterson will indeed be the first kicker to get the first opportunity to take over for the injured Greg Zuerlein. Added to the practice squad (along with Spencer Shrader) yesterday, Patterson will not be a gameday elevation for Thursday’s game; rather, he has been signed to the active roster. Given Zuerlein’s struggles this season, Patterson could certainly play his way into an extended opportunity with the Jets even after the veteran is healthy.

Offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom – who has bounced on and off the Jets’ roster in recent days – has also been signed off the taxi squad to the active roster. The 26-year-old has yet to make a regular season appearance in the NFL, but he will again dress as a backup option up front for today’s game.

Jets Place WR Allen Lazard On IR, Planning To Elevate K Riley Patterson

October 31st, 2024 at 2:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Jets are midway through a wildly disappointing (thus far, at least) season, Allen Lazard has bounced back. Productive thus far in his second Jets campaign, the multi-city Aaron Rodgers target will see that stretch pause.

The Jets are moving Lazard to IR because of a chest injury, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. As this will sideline Lazard for at least four games, it will be interesting to see if it affects the Jets’ interest in trading Mike Williams before the Nov. 5 deadline.

Lazard is tied to a four-year, $44MM deal that featured $22MM guaranteed at signing. The Jets have done plenty to appease Rodgers, having added three of his former Packers pass catchers (Lazard, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams). Lazard was the first of those to arrive, having communicated with his four-year Packers teammate about playing for the Jets together. That coordinated effort preceded Rodgers’ Achilles tear four plays into last season, and Lazard bottomed out, drifting to healthy-scratch status at a point and finishing with just 311 receiving yards.

This year, Lazard already has compiled 420 yards and scored five touchdowns. Receiving the most guaranteed money of any receiver in last year’s FA class, Lazard has not justified his contract. But he has moved back to being a useful player alongside Rodgers, as opposed to a borderline sunk cost in a Zach Wilson-centered offense. Two nonguaranteed years remain on Lazard’s deal.

Williams has come up as a trade chip since the Jets’ Adams pursuit, with that effort beginning in earnest upon the intra-AFC trade being completed. Williams has struggled mightily in New York, posting only 160 yards on 11 receptions though eight games. Williams, 30, may still be moved. But with this Jets regime on thin ice, it would also make sense if the team now stood pat at receiver to see if the former Chargers 1,000-yard weapon could be useful as a WR3 alongside Adams and Garrett Wilson. The Jets will deploy Williams once again tonight and have until Tuesday to decide about moving on.

Additionally, the Jets have chosen their Greg Zuerlein fill-in. Riley Patterson will be elevated for tonight’s Texans matchup, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. By far the more experienced of the two kickers Gang Green added to its practice squad (Spencer Shrader being the other), Patterson will have another chance after being waived twice — by the Jaguars and Commanders — this year.

Patterson served as the Jaguars’ kicker throughout the 2022 season and was the Lions’ top option for most of the ’23 slate. The Lions cut Patterson for a second time, however, pivoting to Michael Badgley in-season. Patterson caught on with the Jags via reserve/futures deal but ended up waived — following the team’s Cam Little sixth-round selection — and then washing out of Washington after a shaky preseason. Patterson has kicked in 39 career games; he made 15 of 17 field goals last season. Zuerlein, who is on IR with a knee injury, is just 9-for-15 this year.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/30/24

October 30th, 2024 at 7:34pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: CB Kendall Williamson

Miami Dolphins

  • Signed: DE Shakel Brown

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Signed: OT Garret Greenfield

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: OL Braeden Daniels

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/24

October 30th, 2024 at 7:26pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Jaguars Trade LT Cam Robinson To Vikings

October 30th, 2024 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 30: As expected, the Jaguars will pick up much of Robinson’s tab. They are paying just more than $7MM of Robinson’s remaining 2024 base salary, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. This leaves the Vikings with around $2MM of the left tackle’s salary, along with $59K per game in roster bonuses.

OCTOBER 29: For a second straight year, the Jaguars and Vikings have a deal in place involving an offensive lineman at the trade deadline. Cam Robinson is set to replace Christian Darrisaw.

The Vikings will act swiftly, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reporting they are acquiring the longtime Jaguars left tackle in exchange for unspecified draft compensation. This comes a year after the Jags acquired Ezra Cleveland from the Vikings. Here are the terms of the trade:

Vikings receive:

  • Robinson
  • Conditional 2026 seventh-round pick

Jaguars receive:

  • Conditional 2026 fifth-round pick

The 2026 fifth can upgrade to a fourth for the Jaguars based on playing time, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling. The conditional seventh the Vikings are receiving can be removed from the trade based on playing time as well, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adds.

This will wrap an eight-season run for Robinson in Jacksonville. The former second-round pick, however, is in a contract year and is not a candidate to be franchise-tagged. Like Kirk Cousins, Robinson was a two-time tag recipient and is on track for free agency. This trade sets up Robinson as a clear rental, with Darrisaw expected to reclaim his blindside post in 2025. In the short term, though, the 5-2 Vikings will prepare to have Robinson protecting Sam Darnold‘s blind side.

It is not exactly common for a starting left tackle to be available at the deadline, and Doug Pederson had thrown cold water on more seller’s trades — following the Jags’ agreement to send Roy Robertson-Harris to the Seahawks — taking place. But the Jags have dropped to 2-6 and lost Christian Kirk for the season during their most recent defeat. Jacksonville also has some LT insurance in Walker Little, who is also in a contract year.

Tuesday’s agreement certainly signals the Vikings believe they have a contending team, despite their back-to-back losses, as they just extended Darrisaw at a top-market rate. Darrisaw signed a four-year, $104MM deal to stay in Minnesota long term, but he will not reenter the Vikes’ on-field equation until next season. The fourth-year blocker went down with an unspecified knee injury — one that will require season-ending surgery — in Week 8. The Vikings losing their top O-lineman already played a role in one loss, and the team will take advantage of Darrisaw’s injury occurring before the trade deadline.

Robinson, 29, had been the Jags’ LT starter since his rookie season. He is attached to a three-year, $52.75MM extension — agreed to during his second offseason on the franchise tag. No restructures have taken place on this contract, keeping Robinson’s 2024 base salary at $16.25MM. While roughly $9MM remains on that deal, the Jaguars are probably picking up some of the eighth-year blocker’s tab. The Vikings entered Tuesday with $9.5MM in cap space.

Robinson has made 91 career starts, including seven of the Jags’ eight games this season. Pro Football Focus has the Alabama alum rated 32nd among tackles this season; Darrisaw stood 10th before his injury. While Robinson does not have a Pro Bowl on his resume and is not regarded quite on Darrisaw’s level, he had done enough to be tagged twice and earn an upper-crust extension. Though, Darrisaw’s payday helped drop Robinson down that position list. Robinson entered this season as the NFL’s 10th-highest-paid LT.

The Jags have now separated from both Robinson and four-year RT starter Jawaan Taylor in two years. Jacksonville opted to tag Evan Engram over Taylor in 2023, letting him walk toward a mammoth Chiefs deal — one that has not panned out. The Jags drafted Anton Harrison in the 2023 first round and have been playing him at right tackle. It will be interesting to see how the sudden sellers proceed at this position moving forward, as Urban Meyer-era draftee Little is playing out his second-round contract. But Little, who has 18 career starts (most of them replacing an injured or suspended Robinson), will have a chance to boost his free agency value during this season’s second half.

Robinson missed a chunk of the Jags’ run to the 2022 divisional round, having suffered a meniscus tear, and received a four-game PED suspension last summer. Robinson also sustained another knee injury, one that led him to IR for a stint, last season. The recent injuries bring risk for the Vikings, but as quality LTs are not exactly flooding the trade market, Minnesota will roll the dice on Robinson staying healthy.

It cost the Jags only a sixth-round pick to acquire Cleveland, as they resided as buyers at the 2023 deadline. Jacksonville then re-signed Cleveland before the legal tampering period. Robinson will be on track to hit the market for the first time. He will need to excel in a new scheme to solidify his place as one of the 2025 FA market’s top options. Before that, the veteran will aim to help the Vikings in a loaded NFC North.

Falcons Designate Drew Dalman For Return

October 30th, 2024 at 3:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Falcons have been without their starting center since a Week 3 Sunday-night loss to the Chiefs. It does not appear Atlanta will be missing its pivot much longer.

Drew Dalman is back at practice, receiving an official return designation Wednesday. This will start Dalman’s 21-day activation clock, giving him an onramp to return — provided an extended one should be necessary. Dalman has been down with an ankle injury. The Falcons are in good shape in terms of injury activations, holding six.

On an O-line that features three first-round picks and a second-rounder, Dalman stands out due to being a former Day 3 investment. The 2021 fourth-rounder (out of Stanford) became a Falcons starter to open his second season, replacing Matt Hennessy at center for the Falcons. Dalman, 26, has started 34 games since winning the job in 2022.

In addition to the Falcons being set to benefit from their center’s return, Dalman has a closing argument to make in terms of a second contract. The Falcons have some major investments up front, having Jake Matthews on a third contract and both Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary on second pacts. While some flexibility exists for the team — especially considering Kirk Cousins‘ post-2024 future, which some around the league classify as murky — Dalman may well be set to audition for a free agency bid.

Primary Dalman replacement Ryan Neuzil ranks as Pro Football Focus’ third-lowest-graded center this season, logging 236 snaps in relief of the starter. PFF slotted Dalman third last season, illustrating the upgrade the Falcons (5-3) could make up front as they vie for their first division title since 2016.

Ravens Place NT Michael Pierce on IR

October 30th, 2024 at 1:27pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Ravens have placed veteran nose tackle Michael Pierce on injured reserve after suffering a calf injury in the team’s Week 8 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The move will sideline Pierce for at least the Ravens’ next four games, making him eligible to return as early as Week 13 against the Eagles. This is not viewed as a season-ending injury, per John Harbaugh.

Baltimore’s defensive line depth has reached alarming levels with veteran Brent Urban also exiting Sunday’s game with a concussion and Travis Jones already limited to just 15 defensive snaps with an ankle injury. That placed a huge burden on Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington, who both saw season-high snap shares but struggled to stay fresh enough to slow the Browns’ second-half comeback. Outside linebackers Tavius Robinson and Odafe Oweh even slide inside for a handful of snaps throughout the game.

The Ravens will be hoping that Urban can quickly clear concussion protocol and Jones can return to his starting role, but even with both players fully healthy, the team will need additional depth along the interior of their defensive line. The Ravens reunited with Chris Wormley in September; after a few weeks on the practice squad, he should be ready for some game day elevations in the coming weeks.

The Ravens also signed Josh Tupou to the practice squad this week after the veteran defensive tackle spent the preseason in Baltimore alongside undrafted rookie C.J. Ravenell. Both players’ familiarity with the Ravens defense could lead to playing time in the next few weeks depending on the statuses of Urban and Jones.

Pierce’s placement on injured reserve only heightens the need for Baltimore to reinforce their league-worst passing defense. While the poor play of Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson has led to calls for safety help, general manager Eric DeCosta may now look for an addition to his defensive line to boost his pass rush and make life easier for his secondary.

Bears Designate OL Ryan Bates For Return

October 30th, 2024 at 1:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Bears have designated guard Ryan Bates to return from injured reserve, per KPRC’s Aaron Wilson, bringing reinforcements to a Chicago offensive line that has endured multiple injuries this season.

Bates now has 21 days to practice with the team before he must be added to the active roster; otherwise, he will revert to season-ending injured reserve.

Bates signed a two-year, $17MM deal with the Bears this offseason, capitalizing on a league-wide explosion in the offensive guard market. He did not earn the Bears’ starting right guard job out of training camp, but played 38 snaps to starter Nate Davis‘ 18 in Week 1 before shoulder and elbow injuries landed Bates on injured reserve. 

Davis only made two more starts at right guard due to a groin injury with veteran Matt Pryor taking over primary snaps at the position since Week 3. Pryor entered the season as the Bears’ backup right tackle, so Bates could push for a spot in the starting lineup upon his return. However, Chicago’s offense has improved in recent weeks with more than 35 points in Weeks 6 and 7 before scoring just 15 against the Commanders in Week 8. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron could opt to stick with his current offensive line instead of shaking up the unit once more.

Starting left guard Teven Jenkins was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury, so Bates could be a potential replacement if he can quickly assimilate back into the offense this week.

Cowboys To Activate DaRon Bland From IR

October 30th, 2024 at 11:41am CST by Nikhil Mehta

Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland is expected to be activated from injured reserve on Wednesday, according to WFAA’s Ed Werder. The activation is a go, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets.

Dallas opened Bland’s 21-day practice window on October 9, so he will need to be activated or revert to season-ending injured reserve. He required surgery to repair a foot fracture suffered in training camp, sidelining him for the Cowboys’ first seven regular-season games.

Bland was a full participant in his first two practices during Week 6, but has not practiced since after experiencing discomfort in his foot. Dallas won’t want to lose him for the rest of the season, but he may require more time to get fully healthy and back into game shape.

Rookie Caelen Carson has struggled in Bland’s place, allowing completions on two-thirds of his targets, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). A return from the 2023 first-team All-Pro alongside Trevon Diggs would help the Cowboys withstand a myriad of injuries to their pass rush. Sam Williams landed on season-ending injured reserve during training camp, and both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence have been sidelined since Week 4 with injuries of their own.

The Cowboys have missed Bland’s production after he recorded a league-high nine interceptions in 2023, including five pick-sixes. Dallas has just four interceptions this year with a 6.6% turnover rate that ranks eighth-worst among NFL defenses after forcing a turnover on 14.6% of opponent drives last season, the fourth-highest rate in the league.

Dallas currently has 54 players listed on its active roster, so they will need to clear two spots to open space for Bland’s activation.

Jets To Add K Riley Patterson, K Spencer Shrader To Practice Squad

October 30th, 2024 at 11:11am CST by Sam Robinson

11:11am: The Jets have placed Zuerlein on injured reserve, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, sidelining him for at least four games as New York will rely on Patterson and Shrader to kick in the coming weeks.

9:15am: With Greg Zuerlein struggling and now on the Jets’ injury report, the team will add multiple kickers from its Tuesday workout. Both Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader are coming aboard.

Part of a six-kicker audition, Patterson and Shrader are joining New York’s practice squad, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. One of the two will be elevated to the Jets’ gameday roster for Thursday night, though it is not yet known who will fill in for Zuerlein, who remains on the team’s 53-man roster. The Jets also worked out Cade York, Zane Gonzalez and recent Packers kicker Brayden Narveson but will go with the Patterson-Shrader combo.

Patterson, who worked out for the Jets twice this month, is accustomed to changing teams in-season. He moved from Lions cut to Jaguars waiver claim in August 2022 before being traded back to Detroit during the 2023 offseason. The Lions then cut him late last season, paving a path to Cleveland as a Dustin Hopkins fill-in. The Jags then added Patterson back via a reserve/futures contract before moving on again this summer. The Commanders claimed Patterson in July but cut him during a shaky preseason stretch.

While Patterson has kicked in 39 regular-season games, Shrader has only appeared in one. The former Notre Dame and South Florida specialist replaced an injured Matt Gay earlier this season for the Colts. Shrader hit 15 of 22 field goals for the Fighting Irish last season. His best accuracy slate came two years prior, when he hit on 11 of 13 with South Florida.

Patterson was 16-for-18 with the Lions and Browns last season, and while he lost his job to Michael Badgley after an ongoing practice competition and then saw the Jags and Commanders move on, his experience might win out for a Jets team effectively entering a do-or-die game against the Texans.

A decorated college kicker who thrived with the Rams for nearly a decade, Zuerlein has run into trouble this season. The 36-year-old kicker has made just 9 of 15 field goal tries. Only one of those misses came from beyond 50 yards, as the strong-legged specialist misfired from inside 40 twice. For all the other issues plaguing the Jets, Zuerlein’s struggles have proven costly this season.

Zuerlein moving to IR to clear a roster spot would make sense for the 2-6 team, which would take on nearly $4MM in dead money by cutting him. The Jets used three void years to reduce Zuerlein’s cap hit upon re-signing him to a two-year, $8.4MM deal in March.

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