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Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/24

October 7th, 2024 at 8:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are the minor moves made around the NFL on Monday:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Received one-game roster exemption: WR Zay Jones

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

  • Received one-game roster exemption: DT Mike Hall

Green Bay Packers

Philadelphia Eagles

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Both Jones and Hall were issued suspensions under the personal conduct policy leaving them sidelined for the first five weeks of the season. Their roster exemptions will allow them to make their debuts in Week 6, but after that point a corresponding move will be needed for them to be permanently activated to their respective 53-man rosters.

Lemieux served as New Orleans’ starting center in Week 4 after being promoted from the practice squad. He stepped into a first-team role in place of Erik McCoy, who is dealing with a groin injury. Losing Lemieux for at least the next four games will deal another blow to the Saints’ O-line. Connor McGovern was added to the mix recently, but Lucas Patrick has received the nod at center to begin the team’s Week 5 matchup.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/7/24

October 7th, 2024 at 7:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Monday’s taxi squad moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Colts Waive CB Dallis Flowers

October 7th, 2024 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

Part of a competition to commandeer one of the Colts’ outside cornerback jobs this offseason, Dallis Flowers has fallen out of favor with the team’s coaching staff. The backup corner has tumbled far since losing that summer position battle.

The Colts waived Flowers on Monday and opened up another roster spot by placing guard Will Fries on IR. A starting guard, Fries is set for leg surgery after being carted off during Indianapolis’ latest loss in Jacksonville.

These moves leave the Colts with some roster calls to make, as this move leaves them with only three boundary corners — leaving slot bastion Kenny Moore out of this equation — on the 53-man squad. Gus Bradley‘s defense ranks 29th against the pass.

Flowers started all four games he played for the Colts last season, before an injury shut him down. A JuJu Brents injury impacted the Colts’ CB group in Week 1; the 2023 second-round pick is out for the season. Flowers, a 2022 UDFA, had competed with 2023 seventh-rounder Jaylon Jones to start opposite Brents. Jones won the competition, and among the Colts’ top three boundary corners going into camp, he is now the last man standing.

This Flowers cut comes after he was involved in Brian Thomas Jr.‘s 85-yard touchdown reception in the Jaguars’ 37-34 win. Flowers has played 89 defensive snaps thus far this season. Flowers came to the Colts as a former Division II and NAIA standout, but he now represents the second multiyear Indianapolis CB contributor cut since the team finalized its 53-man roster in late August. Indy waived Darrell Baker to make room for a subsequent Samuel Womack waiver claim. Baker is now with the Titans.

Facing criticism for showing too much faith in their roster this offseason, the Colts resisted outside calls to add at cornerback. They did not draft one, keeping the Brents-Jones-Flowers-Baker setup in place. Three of those cogs are out of the picture now, with veteran Chris Lammons now playing a key role behind Jones and Womack. The August waiver claim moved into the starting lineup following Brents’ injury; Pro Football Focus has viewed the ex-49er’s Indianapolis start well, ranking him sixth at the position. Four corners, including former Cowboys second-rounder Kelvin Joseph, are on the Colts’ practice squad.

49ers Place DE Yetur Gross-Matos On IR

October 7th, 2024 at 11:30am CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 7: Gross-Matos is unlikely to be ready when first eligible, with Kyle Shanahan confirming Monday (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows) the free agent pickup underwent surgery that will sideline him for four to eight weeks.

OCTOBER 5: The 49ers’ defense has encountered another notable injury. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve Saturday, per a team announcement.

A knee injury will keep the free agent pickup sidelined for at least the next four games. Gross-Matos was inactive for the season opener, but he handled a regular defensive workload during each of the following three games. His absence will compound the injuries San Francisco is already dealing with in the front seven in particular.

Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is likely out for the remainder of the season due to a partial triceps tear. Along the edge, 2022 second-rounder Drake Jackson was shut down for 2024 back in August, after he was unable to recover from the knee injury which limited him to eight games last year. Jackson’s absence paved the way for Leonard Floyd and Gross-Matos to handle a notable workload in their respective debut 49ers campaigns.

The latter began his career in Carolina. He played out his rookie contract while spending time as both a base end and a stand-up outside linebacker. Gross-Matos served as a full-time starter in 2022, and his 4.5 sacks that year marked a career high. He inked a two-year, $18MM pact in free agency in a bid to return to a permanent starting role. The former second-rounder logged a 46% snap share without recording a sack in his first three San Francisco contests. It will be several weeks until he returns to action and has the opportunity to make more of a statistical impact.

In the meantime, Floyd will continue handle starting duties alongside Nick Bosa on the edge. Floyd also signed a two-year pact during the spring, and the 32-year-old came to the Bay Area with high expectations after logging at least nine sacks in each of the past four seasons. He has only registered one so far, but with Jackson and now Gross-Matos out of the picture the Bosa-Floyd tandem will be leaned on heavily in the pass-rush department. Notable production from those two would help the 49ers overcome at least some of their injury problems as they look to improve from a 2-2 start.

Dolphins Activate WR Odell Beckham Jr.

October 5th, 2024 at 8:00pm CST by Ben Levine

Odell Beckham Jr. is set to make his Dolphins debut. The Dolphins have activated the wide receiver from the PUP list, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. OBJ is expected to play in Miami’s Week 5 matchup against the Patriots.

[RELATED: Dolphins Open Odell Beckham Jr.’s Practice Window]

The 31-year-old inked a one-year deal with the Dolphins back in May. The veteran was subsequently sidelined with an undisclosed injury and landed on PUP to begin the 2024 season. Following his return to practice this week, we got clarity that OBJ was dealing with a knee injury, a hint that he likely had a knee operation this past offseason.

Considering Beckham’s experience with torn ACLs, it made sense that the Dolphins took it slow with their offseason investment. Fortunately, it sounds like the wideout is past his rehab and finally ready to hit the field. While the organization will happily welcome the former star to their receivers room, he can’t be counted on to turn around a struggling offense that’s still navigating Tua Tagovailoa‘s latest concussion.

Still, Beckham provides some experienced depth behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. After sitting out the 2022 campaign, OBJ spent the 2023 season in Baltimore and proved he still has something left in the tank. In 14 games (six starts) with the Ravens, Beckham hauled in 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns.

While the Dolphins are seeking an offensive spark, they still might take it slow as Beckham works his way back into game shape. The team has mostly relied on Braxton Berrios as their third receiver in 2024, with the likes of Grant DuBose, Robbie Chosen, Dee Eskridge, Malik Washington, and Erik Ezukanma all getting looks behind the top-three WRs.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/24

October 5th, 2024 at 7:29pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Mariota returned to practice on Wednesday, which was the earliest point at which he could be designated for return. As a result, it comes as little surprise he has been brought back onto Washington’s active roster. The 30-year-old is in his first season with the Commanders, and today’s move paves the way for him to handle backup duties moving forward.

Ngakoue remained on the free agent market into the start of the regular season. He was not connected to a Ravens reunion, but one took place last week. The journeyman sack artist had a brief spell with Baltimore in 2020, and he posted three sacks in 11 games. Ngakoue, 29, had one-and done campaigns in Vegas, Indianapolis and Chicago before taking a Ravens practice squad deal. He will make his debut tomorrow and aim to provide depth along the edge.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/5/24

October 5th, 2024 at 5:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s taxi squad moves:

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

Boyle was released on Friday, but the team announced today he has been re-signed. In addition, Boyle has been elevated for tomorrow’s contest, meaning he will dress as one of the Dolphins’ quarterback options behind Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson. The return of Tua Tagovailoa will push Boyle, 30, further down the depth chart.

Texans Activate DE Dylan Horton, Place DE Jerry Hughes On IR

October 5th, 2024 at 4:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

Dylan Horton‘s road to recovery is officially complete. The second-year defensive end was activated from the reserve/NFI list on Saturday, the Texans announced.

Horton’s rookie campaign was ended by a Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis last December. He spent the spring undergoing treatment as a result, a process which was completed in May. Horton was moved to the NFI list while the Texans set their final roster, guaranteeing at least a four-game absence to begin the season. In time for Week 5, though, he has returned to the active roster.

The 24-year-old made 10 appearances last season, logging a rotational workload on defense while also chipping in on special teams. A major step forward in playing time should not be expected for Horton (especially early on during the season), but he could carve out a notable role while making his first appearances in nearly one year. Despite his return, Houston will be shorthanded along the defensive line for the time being.

Jerry Hughes was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move to Horton’s activation. The veteran will miss at least four games as a result, ending his run of durability with Houston. Hughes played all 17 games during both of his first two Texans campaigns, collecting 12 sacks over that span. It thus came as little surprise when he re-signed in July on a deal positioning him to remain a depth contributor up front.

Hughes, 36, played in each of the Texans’ first four games this year but he was held without a sack. His attention will now turn to recovery while Horton takes over a rotational role on a defense which has posted strong numbers in a number of categories in 2024.

Rams Activate CB Darious Williams

October 5th, 2024 at 3:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

Darious Williams is positioned to make his season debut in Week 5. The veteran corner was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement.

Williams was placed on injured reserve after roster cuts but before Week 1. That move ensured at least four-game absence but did not immediately use up one of the team’s eight activations. That is now the case, however, and the Rams have already used three activations relatively early in the campaign (the others being used on offensive lineman K.T. Leveston in August and defensive tackle Larrell Murchison yesterday).

The hamstring injury which left Williams sidelined during part of the offseason and the first four weeks of the campaign has healed in full, given the fact he returned to practice when first eligible. The 31-year-old is expected to handle a starter’s workload in his return, something he had during the end of his first Rams stint as well as his Jaguars tenure spanning 2022 and ’23. Jacksonville released Williams with one year left on his deal this offseason, opening the door to a Los Angeles return.

Williams inked a three-year, $22.5MM deal to rejoin the Rams, a team which has been hit hard by injuries and struggled on defense. Los Angeles ranks 31st in the league in both scoring and total defense, and John Johnson has the team’s only interception to date. Williams will look to help in that regard and in turn provide a boost to L.A’s efforts at rebounding from a 1-3 start to the season.

Tre’Davious White and Cobie Durant have handled notable defensive workloads so far at the cornerback spot. Williams should factor into the team’s plans right away now that he is officially back in the fold, and his presence could lead to improvement for the Rams’ 20th-ranked pass defense.

Patriots Activate WR Kendrick Bourne, S Marte Mapu

October 5th, 2024 at 2:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots will be dealing with a number of injuries along the offensive line moving forward, but the team’s receiving corps is set to receive a boost. Kendrick Bourne is set to be activated from the PUP list, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The move will allow Bourne to make his season debut during tomorrow’s game against the Dolphins. The 29-year-old returned to practice earlier this week (when first eligible), so it comes as no surprise he will be back in the fold tomorrow. Expectations will be in place for him to handle a notable workload early and often once on the field.

Bourne’s 73% snap share from last season was not only the highest of his Patriots tenure but also his career. He was limited to only eight games due to an ACL tear, an injury which halted an encouraging campaign. The ailment was not serious enough to dissuade New England from committing to a new three-year, $19.5MM contract, however. Bourne’s return will provide the Patriots with another pass-catching option, something which will be welcomed given their struggles on offense.

New England ranks 31st in the NFL in scoring and last in passing yardage. The timing of when rookie Drake Maye will take over at quarterback remains a key storyline surrounding the team, but for now Jacoby Brissett is atop the depth chart. Adding Bourne (who averaged a personal best 50.8 yards per game and scored four touchdowns last year) to the mix will provide a starting-caliber option alongside Demario Douglas, K.J. Osborn and Ja’Lynn Polk in a receiver room which may not include Tyquan Thornton for much longer.

The Patriots are also expected to activate safety Marte Mapu from injured reserve, as first reported by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. That move is now official, along with Bourne’s activation. Mapu entered the league with the versatility to play at middle linebacker, but the 2023 third-rounder saw time in the secondary during his rookie campaign in addition to a special teams workload. Designated for return from IR before roster cutdowns, the 24-year-old returned to practice on Wednesday, signaling his pending activation.

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