HEADLINES

Transactions News & Rumors

Packers Suspend Romeo Doubs For Week 5

October 5th, 2024 at 1:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Romeo Doubs will not be in the Packers’ lineup for Week 5, but not due to injury. The third-year receiver was placed on the reserve/suspended list for one game on Saturday, per a team announcement.

As first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, Doubs did not practice on Thursday or Friday in the build-up to Green Bay’s game against the Rams tomorrow. He did not travel with the team today, pointing to an absence which has now been confirmed. At issue is Doubs’ role in the Packers’ passing attack this season.

The 24-year-old has, as expected, been a fixture on offense to date with a snap share of 81%. Doubs received a combined total of only five targets between Weeks 2 and 3, but in the season opener he saw seven. That figure checked in at eight during the Packers’ Week 4 loss, a contest in which Christian Watson departed due to an ankle sprain. In his absence, Dontayvion Wicks took on an elevated role and saw 13 targets; Wicks made only five catches, though, and he was charged with three drops.

Overall, Doubs ranks a close third on the Packers with 20 targets. Wicks and Jayden Reed sit tied for the lead in that department with 22, and the latter’s 336 receiving yards lead the team. Doubs is second in yardage, but his share of the offense has taken a step back compared to 2023, when he led the team in targets (96). The Nevada product was also a key contributor during his rookie year, leading to expectations he would remain a highly productive member of the Packers’ young pass-catching corps in 2024. Doubs has certainly not been an afterthought, but his reaction to his workload has resulted in team discipline.

“Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to suspend Romeo for this week’s game,” a statement from Packers GM Brian Gutekunst reads. “His decisions and actions during the week negatively impacted the team and required us to take this action. While we are certainly disappointed, we are confident that we will be able to move forward in a positive manner. Romeo is a valuable member of our team and we look forward to welcoming him back next week.”

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the matter is expected to be resolved, adding Doubs’ long-term future in Green Bay does not seem to be in doubt. Indeed, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones confirms teams calling about his availability were told a trade is not under consideration. It will nevertheless be interesting to see how team and player proceed in the wake of today’s move. Doubs remains attached to his rookie contract through 2025, making him an important figure on offense now and moving forward.

Without him in the lineup – and with Watson listed as doubtful after he did not practice at all during the week – Reed and Wicks will figure to handle a sizable workload in the passing game. Despite Jordan Love‘s missed time earlier in the year, the Packers sit at 2-2 on the season and have posted strong numbers in several offensive categories. Continuing to do so will be key against the Rams, but that will be challenging given the shorthanded nature of the receiving corps.

Cowboys Place WR Brandin Cooks On IR

October 5th, 2024 at 12:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Brandin Cooks‘ knee infection will sideline him for at least the next four games. The Cowboys have placed the veteran wide receiver on injured reserve, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. Considering the team’s upcoming bye week, Cooks won’t be eligible to return until Week 10.

[RELATED: Cowboys’ Brandin Cooks To Miss Time]

Cooks suffered his knee injury in Week 4, with the wideout opting for injections to avoid a scope. Unfortunately, that injection ended up leading to an infection, which then required its own scope to determine the impact on the player’s meniscus. When we learned of the infection earlier this week, it was speculated that Cooks would miss one to three weeks. Now, the wideout will have five weeks to recover (including the aforementioned bye).

It’s been a rough season for Cooks. The veteran was slowed by knee soreness during training camp, and he’s struggled to put up big numbers through the first month of the season. Following a Week 1 performance where he hauled in four catches for 40 yards and one touchdown, Cooks has been limited to five catches for 51 yards over the past three weeks. As our own Nikhil Mehta noted the other day, Cooks’ 0.67 yards per route run is tied for fifth-lowest among receivers with at least 10 targets in 2024.

With Cooks sidelined, the Cowboys will now be especially reliant on Jalen Tolbert behind WR1 CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys are also fortunate to have a capable pass-catching tight end in Jake Ferguson, but the team will otherwise be leaning on the likes of unproven receivers Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin, and rookie sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy.

The Cowboys, of course, have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Raiders receiver Davante Adams, although Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones was quick to shut down those rumors. Jones’ recent comments came after Cooks’ latest injury, so it’s unlikely today’s move will change the organization’s stance.

Browns Place DE Alex Wright On IR, Activate OL Michael Dunn

October 5th, 2024 at 11:43am CST by Ben Levine

The Browns are getting some reinforcement on the offensive line. The team announced that they’ve activated guard Michael Dunn from the reserve/non-football illness list. In corresponding moves, the team placed defensive end Alex Wright on injured reserve and elevated cornerback Tony Brown II and tight end Geoff Swaim from the practice squad.

Dunn landed on the NFI with an undisclosed illness as Cleveland was making their final cuts. The veteran should provide the Browns with some relief at offensive guard, where the team has been relying on rookie Zak Zinter to fill in for the injured Wyatt Teller. A former UDFA out of Maryland, Dunn has appeared in 40 career games (six starts), with all of his NFL appearances coming with the Browns.

Wright’s placement on IR isn’t a surprise after we learned earlier this week that the defender suffered a season-ending triceps injury. Wright had been dealing with the issue since the summer and underwent an MRI after experiencing more pain in Week 2. He battled through the injury and saw the field for Week 3 and Week 4, but a second MRI revealed a partial tear.

The team’s two practice squad elevations bode well for the team’s OL depth heading into the weekend. Both Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin are listed as questionable, but it’s looking increasingly likely that the duo will be on the field for tomorrow’s game against the Commanders. Wills has been dealing with a knee injury since last season that’s limited him to only a single appearance in 2024. Conklin hasn’t gotten into an NFL game since last year’s season opener while dealing with a hamstring injury.

On the flip side, Swaim’s promotion may signal that David Njoku still isn’t ready to return from his ankle injury. The starting tight end hasn’t seen the field since Week 1. Swaim has appeared in two games this season while splitting time between his offensive role and special teams.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/24

October 4th, 2024 at 7:09pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves in the NFL:

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

The Rams get Murchison back in his third season with the team. The veteran defensive tackle was placed on injured reserve before final roster cuts, but thanks to the NFL’s new return designation rules, Murchison is not forced to miss the entire season. Los Angeles designated him to return when placing him on IR in August, and after opening his practice window on Wednesday, he’ll have the opportunity to debut in Week 5.

Boyle found his way to Miami’s practice squad just before the season began after spending most of his offseason in Houston. Following another concussion for starting passer Tua Tagovailoa, Boyle was called up to serve as an emergency quarterback behind Skyler Thompson and Mike White. With the arrival of Tyler Huntley from Baltimore, as well, the room became too crowded, and it appears that Boyle will be the odd man out.

Perry is being waived shortly into his second year with the Saints. The former sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest only caught 12 passes as a rookie in 10 games last year, but at 6-foot-5, he proved productive with the long ball and in the red zone, averaging 20.5 yards per reception and catching four touchdowns.

Bengals Waive Zach Carter, Activate Myles Murphy, McKinnley Jackson From IR

October 4th, 2024 at 3:48pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Bengals have activated Myles Murphy and McKinnley Jackson from injured reserve, per a team announcement, adding much-needed reinforcements to their defensive line ahead of a crucial AFC North matchup with the Ravens on Sunday.

To make room on the 53-man roster, the Bengals waived 2022 third-round pick Zach Carter, who played in all four of Cincinnati’s games this year with two starts.

Murphy and Jackson both suffered knee injuries in the preseason that forced them on injured reserve, but only Murphy received a preseason return designation, one of the two permitted under the NFL’s new IR rules. That left the Bengals with seven IR activations entering the regular season, with another used on punter Brad Robbins earlier this week. After Jackson’s activation, Cincinnati now has five activations remaining for the rest of the season.

The returns of Murphy and Jackson could not come at a better time for the Bengals, who have allowed 145.5 rushing yards per game and 0.08 EPA/rush, per NextGen Stats, both bottom-10 marks in the NFL. Cincinnati’s defense also owns the league’s fourth-lowest pressure rate (26.7%) and second-lowest sack rate (3.7%). Murphy will add to a defensive end rotation that has relied solely on Trey Hendrickson to set the edge and generate pressure this season, while Jackson will bolster a depleted defensive tackle group that is still missing Sheldon Rankins, though B.J. Hill is expected to return this week.

Murphy and Jackson are both listed as questionable on the Bengals’ Week 5 injury report, but their activation today indicates that they will be ready to play on Sunday. Murphy appeared in all 17 of the Bengals’ games last season with three sacks after being 28th overall in the 2023 draft. Jackson, a third-round rookie out of Texas A&M, will see his first NFL action this weekend.

Those additions will be vital to winning in the trenches against an explosive Ravens rushing attack that has gashed its last two opponents for 545 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Sitting at 1-3 and in last place in the AFC North, the Bengals will need to slow down Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to keep their divisional hopes alive.

Jackson will be expected to provide more consistent play than the now-waived Carter, who has struggled against the pass and the run this season. He has just two quarterback pressures on 80 pass-rushing snaps in 2024, per Pro Football Focus, and his 44.3 overall defensive grade is the 11th-worst among defenders with at least 100 total snaps on the year. Carter started 14 games across his first two NFL seasons, but recorded just 0.5 sacks in a disappointing return on the Bengals’ third-round investment.

Saints Sign Veteran C Connor McGovern Off Jets’ Practice Squad

October 4th, 2024 at 3:02pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Saints have signed veteran offensive lineman Connor McGovern from the Jets’ practice squad, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football, giving them another option at center after Erik McCoy landed on injured reserve at the end of September.

To make room for McGovern on the active roster, the Saints waived 2023 sixth-round pick A.T. Perry, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.

McGovern’s signing happened shortly after Lucas Patrick missed Friday’s practice with a new injury of his own, according to Triplett. Patrick took over at center when McCoy went down before moving to left guard in Week 4 after an injury to Cesar Ruiz. Week 1 starting left guard Landon Young moved to the right side, pressing Shane Lemieux into his first career action at center. Lemieux and Ruiz both missed practice on Thursday and Friday, so Patrick’s addition to the injury report leaves the Saints severely depleted along the interior of their offensive line. With almost 5,000 career snaps at center and several starts at right guard, McGovern was an ideal signing for a depleted New Orleans squad.

It is rare for a proven veteran offensive lineman to be available this late in the season, but McGovern played in just seven games in 2023 before a dislocated kneecap forced him on season-ending injured reserve. While he was sidelined, second-round pick Joe Tippmann took over at center, leaving McGovern without a clear starting job entering this season for the first time since he was a rookie.

While McGovern faces an uphill battle to play in Week 5, he has seven years of NFL experience and previously played under Saints offensive line coach John Benton in New York, so he could could have a shot at playing on Sunday. Justin Pugh famously came “straight off the couch” to start for the Giants last season, and McGovern could be in a similar position this week.

The Saints’ offense leads the NFL in under center and play action rate, two staples of Klint Kubiak‘s offense that make life easier for offensive linemen. With plenty of experience under his belt, it would not be surprising to see McGovern learn the Saints playbook and take the field if necessary in Week 5.

Waiving Perry is a somewhat surprising move by the Saints after they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. New Orleans sent Adam Trautman and a seventh-rounder to the Broncos in exchange for the pick they used on Perry, who made the 53-man roster and appeared in 10 games as a rookie. He emerged as a deep threat later in the season, averaging 20.5 yards on his 12 receptions. Perry was listed as the third wide receiver on the Saints’ depth chart, but will now have to clear waivers and potentially sign with the practice squad to stay in New Orleans.

Patriots To Place C David Andrews, T Caedan Wallace On IR

October 4th, 2024 at 10:39am CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots’ offensive line has dealt with a number of injuries this year, and a pair of expected transactions related to those ailments will take place. Head coach Jerod Mayo said on Friday both center David Andrews and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace are headed to injured reserve.

The decision comes as no surprise in either case. Andrews is set to undergo shoulder surgery which will shut him down for the remainder of the campaign. That makes an IR designation a formality which will open up a roster spot allowing depth to be added. Missing Andrews will weaken a unit which already faced questions before and during the young season, however.

Wallace is dealing with an ankle injury, and today’s news means he will miss at least four games. Mayo did say (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald) he could return at some point this season, though. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes a recovery timeline of at least six weeks could be in store for Wallace. Regardless of how long the third-round rookie is out, his absence will leave New England short on tackle depth while attempting to find a suitable combination up front.

The Patriots are of course without Chukwuma Okorafor after he departed the team following Week 1. It remains to be seen when (or if) the former Steeler will be available later this season, and his ongoing absence has left the team without its projected left tackle starter. Wallace going down will leave that position particularly thin, especially since Vederian Lowe has missed the past two games.

Mayo said the Patriots do not have a firm plan in place with respect to filling their open roster spots. These moves will create extra openings for at least short-term additions, although Kendrick Bourne, Sione Takitaki and Marte Mapu all returned to practice earlier this week. Activating the members of that trio will use up roster spots, but it would still come as no surprise if New England brought in O-line depth over the coming days.

Panthers Bring Back Marquis Haynes

October 4th, 2024 at 9:51am CST by Adam La Rose

Marquis Haynes is set to return to Carolina. The seventh-year edge rusher has a deal in place with the Panthers, as first reported by Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

Kaye notes this will be a practice squad agreement. Haynes could soon see time on the active roster, though, as he looks to reclaim the depth role he has held throughout his career. The 30-year-old has logged 71 appearances to date, all with the Panthers. He had a lengthy stay on the free agent market, a period which included a Panthers workout.

Carolina hosted a number of other veteran edge options, however, and the team did not reunite with Haynes at that point. The former fourth-rounder wound up landing a Cardinals deal in August shortly after BJ Ojulari suffered a season-ending ACL tear. In very short order, though, Haynes was let go after his Arizona pact included an injury waiver (stemming from the time he spent on injured reserve last season). Now, he will circle back to his former team in a bid to put together a healthy campaign.

Haynes played sparingly during his rookie year, but since then his snap shares have ranged from 27-41%. His most productive campaign came in 2022, when he racked up five sacks and 16 pressures. After being limited to only seven games last year, the Ole Miss product could serve as a notable depth contributor along the edge upon being promoted to the active roster. Carolina ranks 30th in the NFL with only five sacks, so production from anywhere in the organization would be welcomed.

Neither D.J. Wonnum nor Amare Barno have played this season with both spending the first four weeks of the year on the reserve/PUP list. Both players will add much-needed depth along the edge once they are activated, but in the meantime Haynes could fill in as a rotational option. Succeeding in that capacity could help his market value ahead of the 2025 offseason.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/3/24

October 3rd, 2024 at 7:33pm CST by Ely Allen

Thursday’s minor transactions from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Phillips’ spot on the 53-man roster was filled today when Miami signed outside linebacker Tyus Bowser from Seattle’s practice squad.

The young running back in Baltimore will have his 21-day practice window opened as he attempts to come back from injury after being placed on injured reserve the day of the season opener.

Load More Posts