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WR Phillip Dorsett, DL Angelo Blackson Among Broncos’ Early Cuts

August 26th, 2024 at 5:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos began moving down toward the 53-man limit. Teams need to reduce rosters to the regular-season limit by 3pm CT on Tuesday. Denver has higher-profile moves in the works, aiming to trade Tim Patrick and Samaje Perine, but multiple other vested veterans are part of this initial cut contingent.

Released:

Waived:

A former first-round pick, Dorsett never looked like a 53-man candidate on a Broncos team that has made a few moves at wide receiver this offseason — to the point Patrick is no longer in its plans. This marks the second time this year the Broncos released Dorsett; they cut him in mid-May only to re-sign him days later. Dorsett, 31, joined the Broncos on a practice squad deal just after teams finalized their initial 53-man rosters last August. He played in two games and caught one pass in 2023. The Broncos were Dorsett’s seventh NFL team.

Blackson, 31, has been a D-line contributor for nine seasons. With 42 starts on his resume, Blackson has played for five NFL teams (Titans, Texans, Cardinals, Bears, Jaguars). He joined the Jaguars late last summer and played 11 games as a backup. Since signing Blackson in April, the Broncos received word of Eyioma Uwazurike‘s reinstatement from a gambling suspension. The team also traded for John Franklin-Myers since signing Blackson, who would stand to generate some interest as a late-summer free agent.

Vikings Cut 14 Players

August 26th, 2024 at 5:36pm CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings made their first wave of roster cuts today, announcing that the following 14 players have been cut:

13 of these 14 players were waived, with A.J. Green III representing the only player who was technically released. The defensive back spent the first four seasons of his career in Cleveland, collecting 40 tackles and a pair of interceptions. He caught on with the Vikings via a reserve/futures contract back in January.

Matt Corral will now look to continue his career elsewhere. The former third-round pick caught on with the Vikings earlier this month following J.J. McCarthy‘s season-ending injury, but the Vikings will temporarily move forward with a QB grouping of Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall. Corral still hasn’t gotten into a regular season game in stints with the Panthers and Patriots, although he did show some promise during his brief stint in the UFL.

DeWayne McBride was a seventh-round pick by the Vikings just last year, but he ended up spending the majority of his rookie campaign on the practice squad. There’s a chance he follows a similar path in 2024, although he’ll still only be fifth on the organization’s RB depth chart. McBride had a standout career at UAB, including 2021 and 2022 campaigns where he compiled 3,084 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Browns Cut K Lucas Havrisik, 15 Others

August 26th, 2024 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns began their journey toward a 53-man roster, cutting more than a dozen players Monday. Here is how Cleveland started its pre-cut-day odyssey:

Released:

  • LS Rex Sunahara

Waived:

Waived/injured:

  • S Chase Williams

The Browns only signed Havrisik late last week, and he kicked in their preseason finale. The team gave Dustin Hopkins an extension this offseason and moved on from Cade York — this time via trade (to the Commanders) — for a second straight summer. This left no doubt about Cleveland’s kicker situation. Havrisik kicked in nine games for the Rams last year.

Saylors and Robbins’ exits leave an injury-depleted running back room. The Browns are leaving Nick Chubb on their PUP list, shifting the Pro Bowler to the reserve/PUP; he will miss at least four games. Nyheim Hines is coming off Cleveland’s active/NFI list, making him eligible for Week 1. But he is not quite ready to practice despite his ACL tear — sustained in a jet-ski accident — occurring more than a year ago. Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong and D’Onta Foreman remain on the Browns’ active roster. Foreman also suffered a rib injury in the team’s preseason finale.

Some of these players could be practice squad candidates for the team, but Cleveland still has several players left to cut before reaching 53. Generally, the final cuts are more likely to end up on P-squads compared to the first wave.

Patriots Cut 14 Players

August 26th, 2024 at 5:17pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots have started the process of reducing their roster to 53 players. The team announced that the following 14 players have been cut:

Released:

  • TE La’Michael Pettway

Waived:

With Sam Roberts off the team, the Patriots have now officially moved on from half of their 2022 draft class (and more subtractions, including QB Bailey Zappe, are surely coming). The former sixth-round pick struggled to carve out a role during his two seasons in New England, appearing in only 12 games. He did manage to appear in a career-high 100 defensive snaps this past season, but he was still limited to only five total tackles.

The team also moved on from defensive lineman Josiah Bronson, who joined the team a few days into camp. Despite Christian Barmore expected to be sidelined for the first chunk of the season, the veteran Bronson was unable to carve out a role. The 27-year-old will now look to revive his career elsewhere, but after being limited to only one game over the past two seasons, his opportunities may be running dry.

Kawaan Baker was facing an uphill battle to make the roster behind the likes of Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker. The former Saints draft pick got into a pair of games as a rookie, contributing a single special teams tackle.

Broncos To Move On From WR Tim Patrick

August 26th, 2024 at 4:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

In addition to running back Samaje Perine, Tim Patrick is no longer in the Broncos’ offensive plans. The veteran receiver will be released if no trade agreement can be worked out, Mike Klis of 9News reports.

Denver is looking to find a trade partner for Patrick, which comes as little surprise. He had struggled with season-ending injuries over the past two summers, however, a factor which should limit interest showed by outside teams. The Broncos’ depth at wideout will lead to Patrick finding a new home in any case.

Patrick, 30, missed the Broncos’ entire Russell Wilson era. He suffered a torn ACL during training camp in 2022 and went down with an Achilles tear last summer. The resilient veteran returned, however, and took a substantial pay cut to stay in Denver. The Broncos used him frequently in their second preseason game, showcasing the recovered pass catcher. Patrick worked as a Bo Nix underneath target against the Packers and scored a touchdown. But the team has made some moves since Patrick was last healthy entering a season.

Part of the Broncos’ Courtland Sutton– and Jerry Jeudy-fronted receiving corps for years, Patrick eclipsed 700 receiving yards by working as a reliable option in an injury-prone position group. Patrick ironically became the most injury-prone of this contingent, and Payton has since traded Jeudy and added other auxiliary options. The Broncos traded up for Marvin Mims in last year’s second round, and they signed Josh Reynolds (two years, $9MM) this offseason. Denver also used fourth- and seventh-round picks on receivers in this draft. Troy Franklin, a Nix college teammate, fell to Round 4; seventh-rounder Devaughn Vele also impressed during camp.

Patrick did well to sign an extension (three years, $30MM) before his injury trouble began. The longest-tenured member of the Broncos’ skill-position corps, Patrick arrived as a practice squad performer during John Elway‘s GM tenure and signed the extension during George Paton‘s first GM year. Paton remains, but Sean Payton effectively calls the shots now in Denver. Only Sutton remains as a Denver receiver acquired before the HC’s arrival.

It would cost the Broncos $6.1MM in dead money — spread over two years — to trade Patrick. The team will only save $1.1MM by making the move. This ratio, and Patrick’s potential to help Nix, illustrates the team’s current optimism surrounding its young receiving corps. It will be interesting to see if a team bites on the veteran following his two missed seasons. An acquiring team would only be tied to a $1.1MM base salary.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Lions To Release WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

August 26th, 2024 at 3:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Josh Reynolds‘ free agency exit created some questions about the Lions’ No. 3 wide receiver spot, with Jameson Williams expected to play a bigger role this season. Donovan Peoples-Jones loomed as a contender, but he will fall well short of winning the gig.

The Lions, who traded for Peoples-Jones last year, are planning to release him, veteran reporter Jordan Schultz tweets. Peoples-Jones had loomed on Detroit’s roster bubble, per the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, and he will pass straight to free agency as a vested veteran.

[RELATED: Offseason In Review: Detroit Lions]

Detroit re-signed Peoples-Jones this offseason (one year, $1.3MM) but only guaranteed the former Cleveland sixth-rounder $125K. The latter figure will turn into a small dead money hit for the Lions, who were unable to coax much from the Michigan alum. In eight games last season, Peoples-Jones caught only five passes for 58 yards.

A Detroit native, Peoples-Jones became a solid option for a multiyear period in Cleveland. After a 597-yard 2021 season, he played well during the 2022 slate by racking up 839 receiving yards and three touchdown catches. The Browns added Elijah Moore via trade in 2023, and Peoples-Jones’ production declined. He only caught eight passes during his Browns contract year, and Cleveland moved on by collecting a 2025 sixth-round pick at the deadline.

While the Browns’ receiving corps changed from its Odell Beckham Jr.–Jarvis Landry makeup to an Amari Cooper-fronted group during Peoples-Jones’ tenure, the Lions are not making many changes this offseason. Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a monster extension, and the team is ready to see if Williams can finally take a step forward as a No. 2 option. The team has veteran Kalif Raymond as a lead WR3 candidate, though Dan Campbell said early in camp the Lions were in need of someone to step up as the clear-cut WR3.

Raymond appears the best bet to fill that role, Birkett adds, but the Lions have some questions beyond that. While Peoples-Jones would be eligible to return as a practice squad option, no indications have emerged that will be in play for the Lions.

Broncos To Waive P Trenton Gill

August 26th, 2024 at 2:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trenton Gill impressed in the Broncos’ punter-friendly confines, but he did not do enough to win the team’s punting competition. Riley Dixon has prevailed, which will lead to a roster move.

Denver is waiving Gill, according to 9News’ Mike Klis. The Broncos become the second team this year to cut Gill. The Bears did so after drafting Tory Taylor in the fourth round.

The Bears’ punter from 2022-23, Gill fared well during the preseason. He led the NFL with a 53.6-yard preseason average, but the Broncos will hold onto Dixon’s two-year contract. Dixon did not have any guarantees remaining on his deal; it would have cost the Broncos only $300K to release the more experienced option.

Dixon, who turned 31 on Saturday, was part of the Broncos’ 2016 draft class but was eventually traded to the Giants to clear a spot for Marquette King. The King deal did not lead to a long-term partnership, and the Broncos could not settle on a punter in the years that followed. Dixon punted for the Giants for four years and then served as the Rams’ punter in 2022, eventually coming back to Denver during Sean Payton‘s first season at the helm.

Gill averaged more than 46 yards per punt in each of his two Bears seasons; Dixon came in at 46.3 last season. Gill placed 26.3% of his punts inside the 20-yard line last year, while Dixon’s inside-the-20 number checked in at 34.2%. Gill is not yet a vested veteran, so a team considering a punter move could look to the former Chicago seventh-round pick via waivers.

Vikings To Place G Dalton Risner On IR

August 26th, 2024 at 2:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings will be shorthanded along the offensive line to begin the season. Veteran guard Dalton Risner is set to land on injured reserve, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

As a result of the move, Risner will be unavailable for the first four weeks of the campaign. The 29-year-old made 15 appearances in 2023, his first in Minnesota. That stretch included 11 starts, so being without him for a notable stretch will deal a blow to the team’s O-line.

Risner had a lengthy free agent spell last offseason, landing a one-year pact from the Vikings. He had been angling for a long-term commitment again this spring, but his first-team role did not generate as large of a market as he expected. In the end, the Kansas State product inked a one-year, $2.41MM contract to again compete for a starting gig with the Vikings.

Blake Brandel was the other top option in the training camp competition for the left guard role. Today’s news means he will take on first-team duties at least until Risner returns to full health. The time at which that takes place will be key for the former Broncos draftee, since playing time incentives are present in his contract. His 2025 market value will take a hit in the wake of his absence, but for now attention will be placed on a return to the field.

Center Garrett Bradbury and right tackle Brian O’Neill remain in place as full-time starters up front for Minnesota, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw landed a big-ticket extension this offseason. That trio is set to be joined by Ed Ingram at right guard in 2024, having served as a first-team option during each of his first two seasons in the league. The left guard spot could see competition once Risner is back in the fold, but that will not take place until at least Week 5.

Buccaneers To Release WR Sterling Shepard

August 26th, 2024 at 12:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sterling Shepard‘s reunion with Baker Mayfield is on hold. The Buccaneers are releasing the veteran wide receiver, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. This is unlikely to be the end of the line for the injury-prone wide receiver, however.

As a vested veteran, Shepard will pass straight to free agency. The Bucs have an emergency role in mind for the longtime Giant, with Rapoport adding the team is holding a practice squad spot. Shepard, who played with Mayfield at Oklahoma, could join the team’s P-squad Wednesday.

Shepard, 31, signed with the Bucs in June, doing so after his 2023 Giants season featured few opportunities. The Giants brought Shepard back after another major injury — an Achilles tear sustained midway through the 2022 season — but used him as a backup. Even that overstates how much Shepard played in his eighth Giants season. Shepard logged just 142 offensive snaps in 15 games last season, catching 10 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Tampa Bay will run back its Mike Evans–Chris Godwin tandem for an eighth season, re-signing the perennial 1,000-yard receiver just before free agency. The team also returns 2023 draftee Trey Palmer and used a third-round pick on Washington’s Jalen McMillan. Shepard will join Rakim Jarrett in being left off the 53-man roster; the second-year receiver is expected to be placed on IR to open the year.

Formerly an Odell Beckham Jr. sidekick in New York, Shepard received an extension and logged several more seasons after the team traded the once-dynamic wideout. Shepard has not topped 700 receiving yards in a season since 2018, though he did reach 656 in 2020. The veteran slot player teamed with Mayfield in 2015 at Oklahoma and was in communication with his former college quarterback this offseason, leading to this Bucs agreement.

Shepard will soon be tied to a lower-cost deal with Tampa Bay, should he want to accept a deal to join a P-squad. This would be a first for the former second-round pick, but given his injury history (35 missed games since 2019), a Tampa taxi squad stay might be his only option to remain in the NFL.

Lions To Place CB Emmanuel Moseley On IR

August 26th, 2024 at 11:11am CST by Sam Robinson

Emmanuel Moseley sustained a major injury in a third straight year. The veteran cornerback, who suffered ACL tears in 2022 and ’23, went down with a torn pectoral muscle early in Lions training camp. But his season is not yet over.

The Lions look to be planning to try out the NFL’s new IR wrinkle. They are placing Moseley on IR, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who adds this transaction is aimed at the injury-prone cover man being eligible to return later this year. This would mean Detroit is planning to make Moseley an IR-return player, which the league is now allowing before roster-cutdown day.

[RELATED: Offseason In Review: Detroit Lions]

In prior years, a team placing a player on IR before setting its initial 53-man roster meant that player was out of the picture for the season. IR-return players had needed to be carried through to 53-man rosters before being placed on IR. The league is now allowing teams to move up to two players to IR before the season. If the Lions designate Moseley an IR-return player immediately, he will count toward the team’s eight-activation limit whether he returns this season or not.

Detroit saw C.J. Gardner-Johnson return from a torn pec last year. Gardner-Johnson went down in Week 2 and made it back off IR by Week 18. That said, Moseley missed almost all of last season and has two major knee surgeries on his NFL medical sheet. It would then be interesting to see the Lions use one of their IR activations on him so early, but the team has shown some faith in the former 49ers starter by signing him in back-to-back offseasons.

The Lions did, however, made significant adjustments at corner this offseason. They traded for Carlton Davis, signed Amik Robertson and used first- and second-round picks on Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw. The team also re-signed Kindle Vildor, though he is not a lock to make the roster Tuesday. It took CJGJ roughly 3 1/2 months to recover from his pec tear. That timetable would leave make Moseley a candidate to return by late November, though that should not be considered a firm recovery period.

Moseley, 28, played only two defensive snaps last season. Part of the Lions’ 2023 CB overhaul, the 33-game starter was tied to a one-year, $6MM deal at that point. Following his second ACL tear, Moseley still commanded a $1MM guarantee. He is tied to a $2.88MM salary.

The Lions are also planning to move guard Christian Mahogany to the reserve/NFI list, Schefter adds. The Lions drafted Mahogany in the sixth round this year. The Boston College product is dealing with an undisclosed illness. Mahogany would be eligible to return after four games.

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