Tag: Dennis Houston

Giants release Dennis Houston, Jalen Mayfield with injury settlements

The New York Giants have released WR Dennis Houston and OL Jalen Mayfield off of injured reserve (IR) with injury settlements.

The New York Giants have released wide receiver Dennis Houston (hand/wrist) and offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield (leg/ankle) off of injured reserve (IR) with injury settlements.

Both Houston and Mayfield were longshots to make the Giants’ initial 53-man roster and their respective injuries essentially settled that.

Houston was waived/injured on August 20 when the Giants signed safety Clayton Isbell, while Mayfield was waived/injured as a part of final cuts this past Tuesday. Both players cleared waivers and immediately reverted to IR.

The 25-year-old Houston spent the 2022 season with the Dallas Cowboys before being signed to the Giants’ practice squad in 2023. He did not appear in a regular season game for the team.

Mayfield, 24, was a third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2021 NFL draft. He was signed to the Giants’ practice squad at roughly the same time as Houston in 2023. He appeared in three games for Big Blue.

Houston and Mayfield are now free to sign with any other NFL team but can not re-sign with the Giants until after the terms of the settlement (however many weeks they agreed upon) plus three additional weeks.

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Giants release TE Tyree Jackson with an injury settlement

The New York Giants have released tight end Tyree Jackson off of injured reserve (IR) with an injury settlement.

The New York Giants have released tight end Tyree Jackson (back) off of injured reserve (IR) with an injury settlement.

Jackson was previously waived with an injury designation and reverted to IR late last week.

The 26-year-old Jackson originally signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2019 when current Giants head coach Brian Daboll was their offensive coordinator.

Jackson began his NFL career as a quarterback but later transitioned to tight end in 2021 as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Back in college as a member of the Buffalo Bulls (MAC), Jackson appeared in 33 games, completing 55.8% of his passes for 6,999 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. He also rushed for an additional 757 yards and 16 touchdowns.

After quarterback Drew Lock suffered a hip injury in a preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Jackson stepped in as the Giants’ emergency quarterback before being injured.

Additionally, wide receiver Dennis Houston (wrist) has cleared waivers and reverted to IR.

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Giants sign Clayton Isbell, waive Dennis Houston

The New York Giants have signed undrafted rookie safety Clayton Isbell and waived WR Dennis Houston with an injury designation.

The New York Giants continued tinkering with their roster on Monday, signing safety Clayton Isbell.

The Carolina Panthers signed Isbell, 24, as a rookie free agent out of Coastal Carolina following the 2024 NFL draft. He was waived on July 26.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Isbell appeared in 13 games as a senior, recording 89 tackles (49 solo, 4.5 for a loss), one sack, five passes defensed, and three interceptions.

NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein viewed Isbell as a priory free agent and believed a position change was potentially in order.

Long-limbed down safety whose pedestrian timed speed and above-average size could force a position change to linebacker. Isbell is quick to diagnose and flow downhill to the action and is a willing hitter, but his pursuit angles and tackle strength both need upgrading to eliminate missed tackles. His coverage background and ball production could give him an advantage when asked to match up against pass-catching tight ends. Isbell might need to earn his way as an undrafted free agent but he has some elements to work with as a potential practice-squad talent.

In a corresponding roster move, the Giants waived wide receiver Dennis Houston with an injury designation.

If Houston clears waivers, he will revert to injured reserve (IR).

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Daniel Jones, offense rebound on Day 2 of Giants training camp

The New York Giants’ offense came to life on Day 2 of training camp with an aerial show that featured a cadre of young, talented receivers.

After a sluggish showing on the first day of training camp on Wednesday, the New York Giants offense turned things around at Thursday’s practice.

Big Blue got a solid preview of what first-round pick Malik Nabers will be bringing to the table this season and beyond. The former LSU standout strutted his stuff with a total of three touchdown catches from quarterback Daniel Jones, who also looked much sharper.

Nabers wasn’t the only wideout who stood out on Thursday. Jones also found wideouts Jalin Hyatt, Allen Robinson II, Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, and tight end Lawrence Cager for scores during various drills.

Nabers had some face time against last year’s No. 1 pick, cornerback Deonte Banks, in one-on-one and in 11-on-11 drills. It was an entertaining matchup.

“It’s just a good matchup; I like it,” said Banks. “We’re both competing. We have the same body type. Quickness. We are both quick and fast. It’s fun… I like competing against Leek. He’s explosive.”

The stars of the day were on offense as WFAN’s Paul Dottino reports. The wide receiver group is going to be exciting this year.

Houston is a free agent the Giants signed this offseason after the Dallas Cowboys chose not to retain him. He has a long climb up the depth chart as does Myles Boykin, who also got on the board with a touchdown catch on Thursday.

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Young aspiring Cowboys WRs must display these 2 traits, or else

For any aspiring you WR prospect, these two traits are critical to making Cowboys. | From @ReidDHanson

The 2024 Cowboys have a handful of young and eager receivers heading to training camp with aspirations of making the final roster. For prospects like Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Brooks, David Durden and even Jalen Tolbert, a solid camp is critical to their survival.

Tolbert, a 2022 third-round pick, has a clear advantage over many of the down-roster competition. He has more career receptions than anyone else and he has a higher draft slot than anyone else. But even he has to prove something in camp in order to guarantee a role and roster spot on the final 53.

The vast majority of them heading to Oxnard have the physical traits needed to be an NFL WR. It’s safe to assume the Cowboys wouldn’t invite someone they think is incapable. What will ultimately separate the wheat from the chaff in this WR competition will be what’s happening between each players’ ears.

For any young aspiring WR, a full understanding of the position and consistency are two all-important traits a WR prospect must show coaches from Day 1. Knowing the route tree, the plays, the various WR positions, and the coverages are critical for making an early impression. And doing it every day on a consistent basis is a way even the longest of longshots can make a cramped roster like the Cowboys’.

In 2022, below-the-radar prospect Dennis Houston offered the perfect example of this. The unimposing WR out of Western Illinois had a limited ceiling as a pro and therefore was seen my most as nothing more than a camp body. But Houston debuted camp ultra-prepared with veteran-like consistency. He knew the plays, could line up in multiple roles and could run all of the routes. It wasn’t long before Dak Prescott and the coaching staff started to notice.

Houston never dazzled but he made headlines from the jump. He was able to slide in with the first team and execute without error. It eventually earned him a spot on the roster and 60 offensive snaps in just two games.

There were half-a-dozen more talented WRs in camp back in 2022 but none of them earned Prescott’s trust like Houston. For Houston in 2022 and these aspiring young Cowboys WRs in 2024, trust between QB and WR is critical.

Obviously special teams play is a must for any down-the-roster player, but by simply doing what he’s supposed to do and being where he’s supposed to be, a young off-the-radar prospect can catapult to the forefront of the competition, beating out more skilled players in front of him and potentially claiming a roster spot in the process.

Flashy big plays are fun to see and read about in camp but the key to making the roster for a bottom-of-the-roster guy is a full understanding of the position and consistent execution on the field.

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Giants place Lawrence Cager on IR, add Darrian Beavers to active roster

The New York Giants have placed Lawrence Cager on IR, added Darrian Beavers to the 53-man roster and elevated two from the practice squad.

The New York Giants have placed tight end Lawrence Cager on season-ending injured reserve (IR) with a groin issue. He had previously been listed as doubtful to play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Taking Cager’s place on the 53-man roster is second-year linebacker Darrian Beavers, who was signed from the team’s practice squad.

The Giants selected Beavers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft but he suffered a torn ACL in the team’s second preseason game. He avoided starting this season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list but was waived as a part of final cuts and then added to the practice squad.

If Beavers sees any snaps over the next two games, they will be his first during the regular season in his career.

Additionally, the Giants have also elevated kicker Mason Crosby and wide receiver Dennis Houston from their practice squad.

For Crosby, this will be his second elevation. He made his Giants debut last week, connecting on a 52-yard field goal while also converting both of his point after attempts.

For Houston, it will be his first elevation.

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Giants shuffle practice squad after 15-player workout

The New York Giants made six practice squad transactions following a massive 15-player workout on Thursday.

The New York Giants made several changes to their practice squad on Thursday evening, officially adding six players while releasing two others.

Offensive tackle Tyre Phillips and cornerback Gemon Green had their practice squad contracts terminated, effectively giving the Giants six open spots.

Those spots were filled by the additions of running back Taiwan Jones, cornerback Kaleb Hayes, wide receiver Dennis Houston, tight end Tyree Jackson, guard Jalen Mayfield, and tackle Jaylon Thomas.

The 35-year-old Jones, a 2011 fourth-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders, provides the most NFL experience of the group.

Jones has appeared in 137 career games, playing primarily on special teams. He has a history of returning kickoffs and could be an intriguing potential option for Thomas McGaughey down the line.

Mayfield, a former third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, is also an interesting addition. He started all 16 games at left guard in 2021 but missed last season with a lower back injury.

The roster shuffle came after the Giants hosted 15 free agents for workouts in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Thursday.

The 15 players who worked out were Thomas, Jones, cornerbacks Kalon Barnes and D’Angelo Mandell, linebackers Milo Eifler, Aaron Patrick and Ulysees Gilbert, wide receivers T.J. Luther, Reggie Roberson, Josh Vann and Dezmon Patton, edge rusher Jeremiah Martin, quarterback Adrian Martinez, offensive lineman Lecitus Smith, and safety Mark Webb.

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Jabril Cox, Isaiah Land among cut Cowboys signed by new teams

From @ToddBrock24f7: Cox goes to the Commanders; Land makes the Colts’ 53-man roster. WR Dennis Houston will suit up for the Giants’ practice squad.

Tuesday was a day for letting go of talent for NFL teams; Wednesday is a day for getting some back in the building as practice squads are assembled.

As expected, several players cut by the Cowboys yesterday have been snatched up by other clubs, including at least one promising rookie the team had very much hoped to re-sign for further in-house development.

From the first wave of new signings around the league, here are three now-former Cowboys who will be sporting enemy colors the next time they step on a football field.

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Cowboys QB Will Grier names 2 bubble WRs who have impressed during camp

From @ToddBrock24f7: Dennis Houston and Jalen Moreno-Cropper may have an inside track on the Cowboys’ remaining roster spots, if the presumed QB3 had a vote.

As the 2023 preseason winds down, the Cowboys still have 13 wide receivers in the building. That surely won’t be the case after Tuesday’s cut deadline.

CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup are locked in as the starters. KaVontae Turpin is assuredly on the team, too, thanks mostly to the return skills that made him the USFL MVP in 2022. Jalen Tolbert has made massive strides over his second offseason and appears to have kept his seat at the table. And while the MRI results aren’t back at the time of this writing, undrafted rookie David Durden figures to be out of the mix entirely after a possible ACL tear suffered on Wednesday.

Last year, the Cowboys put eight wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster, but one of them was Gallup, who the team knew would miss the start of the season. Once the dust settled a few days later, there were seven receivers on the official roster and two more on the practice squad.

If those numbers hold true again in 2023, there would be two more open roster spots and two practice squad jobs, with seven remaining receivers battling for them. More than that would be a surprise. It could be fewer. Cowboys Wire’s K.D. Drummond projected the team to keep just five receivers and three practice squadders on the initial 53.

It’s hard to say definitively which Dallas receivers have an inside track to sticking around; all have flashed in moments through training camp.

Fifth-year quarterback Will Grier, himself seemingly headed for the practice squad as QB3 behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush, has perhaps a unique perspective on this group of little-known camp bodies, as he has probably put in more reps with them than anyone.

And the 28-year-old had two names that jumped out to him when asked who has impressed.

“I think Jalen [Moreno-]Cropper’s done a great job making plays,” Grier told reporters after Wednesday’s practice at The Star, adding, “Dennis Houston’s a consistent guy every day: gets separation.”

Moreno-Cropper is in his first year in the pros, an undrafted product out of Fresno State. He turned several heads in Oxnard with speedy route-running and good hands.

Houston came to the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent last year after finishing his college career at Western Illinois. He made the initial roster in 2022, got onto the field in Weeks 1 and 2, but then was waived upon Gallup’s return. He was re-signed shortly thereafter and spent the rest of the season on the Cowboys practice squad.

Both Moreno-Cropper and Houston- along with Simi Fehoko, Dontario Drummond, Jalen Brooks, Jose Barbon, and Tyron Johnson- hope to show enough potential to stick around. Extended employment with the Cowboys could put any of them on the same track as Tolbert and give them a chance to similarly boost their stock for the future.

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Grier, like everyone else in Dallas, has noticed the quantum leap made by the youngster from South Alabama.

“I think his physicality and his approach way back in the offseason- you’re seeing pay off now,” Grier said of 2022’s third-round draft pick. “He gets open, he gets separation, he’s blocking his ass off. He’s doing a great job.”

All of the receivers vying for a roster spot have one more chance to make a lasting impression in Saturday’s preseason finale versus Las Vegas.

Grier’s advice for them? Approach it the same way he will be.

“It’s just an opportunity for guys to go out and not force it and just play how they always play and let the rest take care of itself.”

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Cowboys waive WR camp star, here’s what it could mean

Dennis Houston’s release could mean several things and it shouldn’t be assumed it’s all about the 3rd-round pick at the same position. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys swore up and down that they had found a diamond in the rough in Western Illinois UDFA Dennis Houston. QB Dak Prescott was enamored with the wideout, stating he was always where he needed to be when the QB was ready to target him. He was such a revelation that he ended up being one of a handful of UDFA’s to make the club out of camp. Even more to his credit, Houston was active on the 48-man game-day roster, ahead of third-round selection Jalen Tolbert.

Unfortunately, once the games mattered, the results weren’t there. Houston saw five targets in Week 1, catching two of them for 16 yards. That was on 39 offensive snaps. In Week 2, he saw just 21 snaps and only one target, failing to register a reception. Before Week 3, his NFL dreams had to hit the pause button for a while. Dallas waived the rookie on Tuesday.