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Jets Promote Greg Joseph; K Will Play In Week 18

December 31st, 2024 at 12:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

Greg Joseph signed with the Jets last week, giving the team another kicking option for late in the year. The veteran will indeed receive a look for the season finale.

Joseph was promoted to New York’s active roster on Tuesday, per an announcement from his agent. He will handle kicking duties in Week 18, making him the fifth different kicker the Jets have used in 2024. After Greg Zuerlein was moved to injured reserve, auditions were conducted by Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader; both only received one game on the job, though.

New York has relied on Anders Carlson for the past six games (although in Sunday’s loss, he did not attempt any extra points or field goals). During his time with the Jets, the 2023 sixth-rounder has connected on eight of 10 field goal tries and nine of 11 extra point attempts. Carlson remains in the organization at this point, but Joseph will get the opportunity to compete for a spot next year.

The latter has been in the NFL since 2018, spending time with the Browns, Titans, Vikings, Giants and Commanders. Joseph’s three-year run in Minnesota included two with a field goal accuracy rate at or above 80%, but the team moved on this offseason and has enjoyed a relatively strong year with rookie Will Reichard. Joseph made six appearances in place of an injured Graham Gano this year with the Giants in addition to a single game with Washington; he has gone 15-for-19 on field goals and eight-for-eight on extra points in 2024.

Zuerlein is under contract for next season, but none of his salary for 2025 is guaranteed. The Jets could look for a replacement in the wake of his struggles prior to his injury, and Joseph will get the chance to earn a look in the offseason based on his Week 18 performance.

Patriots To Waive Yannick Ngakoue

December 31st, 2024 at 10:36am CST by Adam La Rose

Yannick Ngakoue is set to be on the move once again in 2024. The veteran edge rusher is headed to waivers today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Ngakoue was unsigned through the start of the season, but he landed a deal with the Ravens in September. That practice squad agreement allowed him to reunite with one of his former teams, but it ultimately resulted in only five games played with Baltimore. The Ravens waived the journeyman in November to create an opening on the active roster and open the door to a return on Ngakoue’s part via another practice squad deal.

That proved to be impossible, however, since the Patriots put in a waiver claim. Ngakoue was thus in position to close out the campaign with New England, but he will now hit the wire once again. In six Patriots games, the former Pro Bowler handled a rotational role and recorded nine tackles and two quarterback hits.

If a team puts in a claim, Ngakoue will again be on the move with one week remaining in the regular season. In the event he clears, though, he will be a free agent and therefore have the option of joining a contender in time for the playoffs. Given his limited production in 2024, the longtime sack artist does not figure to have a strong market, though.

Ngakoue had a four-year run with the Jaguars to begin his career, but since then he has enjoyed only short stints with the Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts and Bears in addition to his split duties in 2024. The former second-rounder posted at least eight sacks during each of his first seven years in the NFL, but that figure fell to four last year in an injury-shortened season. Chicago discussed a new deal with Ngakoue once he was healthy, but a reunion at this point in the year would serve little purpose with the Bears well out of the playoff race. Teams will have until tomorrow afternoon to put in a claim; if he becomes a free agent, Ngakoue will be able to sign with his next team at any time.

Bengals Place DT Sheldon Rankins On NFI List

December 30th, 2024 at 8:42pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bengals are going to attempt to make the playoffs next Saturday with a win over the Steelers and some help from a couple other teams. Much like they have throughout the closing stretch of the season, though, they’ll be doing it all without veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. Rankins has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list today, according to Ian Rapoport, ending his season, barring a Super Bowl appearance by Cincinnati.

Rankins battled through a hamstring injury that cost him three games early in the season, coming back to make five straight starts midseason. Ever since Week 10, though, Rankins has been ruled out with an illness designation on the injury reports. Since last appearing in a game on November 7, Rankins hasn’t even been a practice participant due to this illness.

After missing that much time, many have questioned why he’s just now being placed on an injured list. Per Jay Morrison of Sports Illustrated, “no one expected it to last this long.” Rankins has been “self-reporting symptoms” of an illness that has kept him out for nearly two months, and the Bengals’ hands have been tied in regard to his ability to play.

Rankins came to Cincinnati on a two-year, $24.5MM deal coming off a strong year in Houston. After spending the first five years of his career in New Orleans, Rankins had two productive years with the Jets before signing a one-year contract with the Texans. He’s had injury issues in the past but has appeared in double-digit games in every year since only playing nine his rookie season. He only played seven games for the Bengals this year.

Morrison also insinuates that with today’s designation comes the assumption that Rankins will not be returning to Cincinnati next season. Morrison claims that Rankins will “be playing for his fourth team in four years in 2025” and that the Bengals will end up saving $7.5MM by cutting him. His claim references the $2MM of dead money and $9.5MM of cap savings tied to Rankins’ contract should he be cut after only one year.

As an insider with Cincinnati, Morrison’s reporting delivers the sentiment that there is lots of frustration with Rankins in the building. There seems to be a feeling that Rankins has forced the team’s hand, and his actions will cost him a roster spot next season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/24

December 30th, 2024 at 7:30pm CST by Ely Allen

Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Detroit Lions

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

By claiming Jones, the Cardinals reunite him with his brother, wide receiver Zay Jones, for the final week of the regular season.

The Ravens are looking to return their third tight end to the fold after Kolar broke his arm a month ago. When ready, he’ll be back to close out the regular season and prepare for the playoffs behind Baltimore’s other two strong tight ends.

The Jets will be finishing the season without their starting safety in Clark. Clark, who battled back from injury earlier this season, was placed on injured reserve for an undisclosed reason today.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/30/24

December 30th, 2024 at 6:33pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Activated from commissioners/suspended list: LB Markus Bailey

Indianapolis Colts

  • Released from practice squad injured list: DT Trysten Hill

Kansas City Chiefs

Jets Claim Phidarian Mathis; Three Other Teams Attempted To Add DT

December 30th, 2024 at 5:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Washington broke up its Alabama trio at defensive tackle over the weekend, activating Jonathan Allen from IR and cutting Phidarian Mathis. This decision generated interest around the league.

Mathis did not make it far down the waiver wire, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reporting the young D-lineman is heading to the Jets. They are far from the only team to make a play for the former second-round pick, who has another season remaining on his rookie contract.

The Bengals, Lions and Texans also stepped in with waiver claims for Mathis, Rapoport adds. Sitting at 4-12, the Jets held the top waiver spot here and will almost certainly take the 2025 offseason to further assess Mathis, who came off the board early during the 2022 draft. He just has yet to justify that Commanders investment.

Despite this Washington regime change leading many Ron Rivera investments off the roster this offseason, Mathis played a career-high 34% of the playoff-bound team’s defensive snaps this year. He played in 12 Washington games but did not make much of a statistical impact, totaling only 17 tackles (two for loss). Mathis deflected a pass as well. He has yet to start an NFL game. Pro Football Focus has Mathis graded as the worst D-tackle regular (123rd overall) this season.

When Washington drafted Mathis 47th overall, questions about Daron Payne‘s long-term future loomed. Payne was set to play out his fifth-year option season; that year going well for the 2018 first-rounder led to a 2023 franchise tag and subsequent extension. With Allen signed long term and no strong consideration being given to trading the 2017 first-round pick, the Commanders’ youngest Alabama-produced DT lingered as a rotational player. Mathis also missed 16 games as a rookie due to suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1.

It is interesting the Jets have made this claim, seeing as they are without a GM and likely in the final days with interim HC Jeff Ulbrich. Mathis is set to carry a $1.8MM 2025 base salary. That price looks to have been fine for a few other teams to submit claims, but the next Jets regime will take a look at the 26-year-old defender.

Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa Out For Week 17

December 29th, 2024 at 1:41pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

DECEMBER 29: Tagovailoa is indeed among Miami’s inactives for Sunday’s game. Huntley will get the nod as the Dolphins look to keep their playoff hopes alive.

DECEMBER 28: The Dolphins have downgraded quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to doubtful for their Week 17 matchup with the Browns, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If he is unable to play, Tyler Huntley would make his fourth start of the season.

Tagovailoa suffered a hip injury in Week 15, but finished the game and played 100% of Miami’s offensive snaps in Week 16. The fifth-year quarterback wants to continue to play through the injury, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, but his mobility and athleticism are limited. Tagovailoa had surgery on the same hip when he was in college, per the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, but his current injury is affecting a different area.

The 2020 first-round pick downplayed the injury during a press conference on Thursday (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques):”I mean it’s good. It’s just like anyone else on the team and anyone else around the league. You get banged up little bit towards the ending of the year so just got to take care of that.”

Since Thursday, though, Tagovailoa has been trending down. Along with ruling him doubtful, the Dolphins elevated Skylar Thompson from the practice squad for Sunday’s game, another indication that Tagovailoa is unlikely to play.

An absence this weekend would be Tagovailoa’s fifth this season after a four-week IR stint after his Week 2 concussion. Miami has to beat Cleveland to keep their playoff hopes alive; a loss would all but eliminate them from postseason contention.

The Dolphins also promoted wide receiver Erik Ezukanma to the active roster, placed cornerback Kendall Fuller on injured reserve, and elevated cornerback Nik Needham from the practice squad, per a team announcement.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/28/24

December 28th, 2024 at 8:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves, including gameday elevations for Week 17:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

It was already known Lamb would be out for the remainder of the year, but the same will now be true of Oruwariye. The latter made seven appearances in 2024, his debut Cowboys season. That included four starts and a defensive snap share of 62%, making him a notable contributor on a Dallas defense which has dealt with a number of injuries. Oruwariye, 28, is a pending free agent.

McCoy and Patrick suffered injuries during the Saints’ Week 16 loss, and today’s move confirms they will both miss the remainder of the season. New Orleans’ offensive line has been dealt a number of blows in 2024, and that will continue through the final two games of the season. McCoy appeared in just seven games this year, but plenty of term remains on his pact. Patrick, by contrast, is set to hit the open market this spring.

Whitehead returned to practice earlier this week, so it comes as no surprise he will be available to the Buccaneers tomorrow. He will be expected to reprise his role as a defensive starter as Tampa Bay looks to seal the NFC South over the final two games of the campaign. Bringing back Whitehead and Johnson will leave the team with two IR activations.

Vikings Activate LB Ivan Pace, Waive LB Jamin Davis

December 28th, 2024 at 7:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ivan Pace had his practice window opened earlier this week, indicating he could be available to the Vikings in Week 17. The second-year linebacker has indeed been activated, per a team announcement.

Pace was moved to injured reserve one month ago as a result of a hamstring injury. That ensured he would miss at least four games, but at the first opportunity to do so he will return to the lineup. The 24-year-old will not carry an injury designation into tomorrow’s game against the Packers, so he will reprise his starting role on defense. In a corresponding move, fellow linebacker Jamin Davis was waived.

A UDFA last spring, Pace appeared in every game as a rookie and made 11 starts. His snap share (62%) has essentially been matched in 2024, allowing him to remain a key figure for Minnesota. Despite the missed time, Pace has already set a new career high in sacks with three; he has added 59 tackles and a fumble recovery which was returned for a touchdown. His return will be welcomed by the NFL’s No. 3 scoring defense.

Davis was on the Packers’ practice squad before he made the intra-divisional move to the Vikings’ active roster in the wake of Pace’s injury. The former Commanders first-rounder saw his time in Washington come to an end this season, ending his underwhelming tenure in the nation’s capital. Davis’ move from inside linebacker to edge rusher did not last long, and during his four games with the Vikings he reverted back to his original position. With Pace back, it will be interesting to see if Minnesota retains Davis on the practice squad provided he clears waivers.

Pace’s activation leaves the Vikings with two for the remainder of the regular season. Like all teams, though, Minnesota will receive an additional two activations for the postseason. For now, attention will turn to Pace’s ability to return to his pre-injury form as the team looks to compete for the top seed in the NFC.

Eagles Activate Bryce Huff From IR

December 28th, 2024 at 5:20pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Eagles have activated defensive end Bryce Huff from injured reserve, per a team announcement.

Huff landed on IR on November 22 with a wrist injury that required surgery. He was designated to return on December 18 and suffered no setbacks in his two weeks of practice, setting him up to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Cowboys.

The Eagles will be hoping that Huff can be more effective heading towards the playoffs than he was to start the year. After a career-high 10.0 sacks in 2023 earned him a three-year, $51MM deal in free agency, Huff only recorded 2.5 sacks over his first 10 games in Philadelphia. His snap count already began to decrease before his injury, but fellow edge rusher Brandon Graham has since gone down with a triceps tear. Huff’s veteran teammate might be able to return deep in the playoffs, but until then, the Eagles will need Huff to recapture some of his 2023 form.

Huff’s activation was one of several Eagles roster moves on Saturday; the team also waived defensive end Charles Harris to make room for Huff on the 53-man roster. With Jalen Hurts sidelined, the Eagles promoted Ian Book from the practice squad to the active roster so he can serve as the team’s emergency third quarterback.

Wide receiver Britain Covey was placed on injured reserve for the second time this year, ending his regular season. Covey will be eligible to return in the playoffs if the Eagles make the NFC Championship game. Running back Tyrion Davis-Price and linebacker Dallas Gant were also elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s matchup with the Cowboys.

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