Tag: Joshua Kalu

Giants hosting veteran DB Joshua Kalu for a workout

The New York Giants will host veteran defensive back Joshua Kalu, who was with the team in 2021, for a workout.

The New York Giants are bringing defensive back Joshua Kalu in for a workout, reports insider Aaron Wilson.

Kalu, a 6-foot, 200-pound undrafted defensive back out of Nebraska back in 2018, played his first three seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, was in the Giants’ training camp in 2021 but missed the entire season after tearing a pec muscle during the preseason.

Kalu returned to Tennessee in 2022 where he played in 16 games, starting five. He was not signed after the season.

Last season, Kalu did not play in a regular season game, spending time with the Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins in camp and on the practice squad.

Kalu’s familiarity with new Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen — who was the Titans’ defensive coordinator in 2022 while he was last there — is the likely reason the Giants are showing interest in him this summer.

The 29-year-old would not only add depth in the secondary but bring some pop to the special teams as well.

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Commanders make multiple roster moves

The Commanders make moves on the 53-man roster and practice squad.

The Washington Commanders officially placed safeties Jeremy Reaves and Darrick Forrest on injured reserve Tuesday. This was one day after head coach Ron Rivera said Reaves and Forrest suffered injuries in last week’s loss to the Chicago Bears.

Forrest suffered a shoulder injury, but it’s unclear how long he’ll be out. Rivera said he hopes it’s more of a short-term IR stint, which would keep Forrest out a minimum of four weeks.

The news is worse for Reaves, who suffered a partially torn ACL, and the Commanders fear he’s lost for the season.

With Washington placing two players on IR, that means moves will be made. The Commanders already made one move, signing safety Terrell Burgess from the practice squad.

On Tuesday, the Commanders also signed linebacker De’Jon “Scoota” Harris from the practice squad. Harris has been with Washington since 2021, going back and forth between the practice squad and the 53-man roster multiple times.

Defensive linemen Efe Obada and Phidarian Mathis remain on injured reserve. Both players were eligible to return ahead of Week 5. Their injuries were not considered season-ending.

After elevating Burgess and Harris, the Commanders also made some moves on the practice squad. Washington signed safeties Joshua Kalu and Sean Chandler and defensive end Joshua Pryor to the practice squad.

Kalu and Pryor were with the Commanders over the summer and released during final cuts. Chandler entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent from Temple. He has played for the Giants and Panthers, appearing in 64 games with seven starts.

Washington also released safety Keidron Smith from the practice squad.

 

 

Dolphins sign DB Verone McKinley III to practice squad, release DB Joshua Kalu

McKinley was recently released.

While the Miami Dolphins season is underway, that hasn’t stopped general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel from tinkering with the group that they have in the building.

Last week, they released safety Verone McKinley III from the active roster to sign defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand from their practice squad. It was also reported earlier on Tuesday that they’ve agreed to sign defensive lineman Bryon Cowart to fill their open practice squad spot.

Now, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the Dolphins have brought McKinley back to the practice squad. However, Miami didn’t have an open spot, so they are releasing defensive back Joshua Kalu.

Kalu, 28, signed with Miami’s practice squad following the roster cuts at the end of the preseason. He had previously spent time with the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Washington Commanders.

Commanders signing former Titans DB Joshua Kalu

Former Titans DB Joshua Kalu is signing with the Commanders.

After a pair of workouts recently, former Tennessee Titans defensive back Joshua Kalu has found a new home.

According to multiple reports, Kalu has agreed to terms with the Washington Commanders. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kalu’s name has been in the mouths and minds of Titans fans and media all offseason long, as many (myself included) have been calling for Tennessee to re-sign him given the team’s lack of depth at safety.

Kalu appeared in 44 games (five starts) over four seasons with the Titans, playing mostly on special teams. He was pushed into a bigger role in 2022 thanks to Tennessee’s secondary being riddled with injuries.

The Nebraska product produced a run defense grade of 93.5 and a coverage grade of 59.0 in a career-high 494 defensive snaps last season.

The highlight of Kalu’s career in Nashville came in 2019, when he blocked a field goal against the Kansas City Chiefs to seal a 35-32 upset win.

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Commanders sign former Titans S Joshua Kalu

Washington also worked out a punter as Tress Way is dealing with tightness in his back.

As the Washington Commanders began the third week of training camp on Sunday, they were dealing with some nagging injuries.

On Monday, the Commanders worked out multiple players, eventually signing veteran safety Joshua Kalu, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, per Justin Melo of The Draft Network.

In a corresponding move, the Commanders placed defensive back Troy Apke on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Kalu, 27, played collegiately at Nebraska and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Titans in 2018. He spent three seasons in Tennessee and signed with the New York Giants ahead of the 2021 season. He tore his pectoral muscle in the first preseason game and missed the entire season.

He re-signed with the Titans in 2022, where he played 15 games, recording 16 tackles and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus gave Kalu a run-stopping grade of 93.5 in 2022 in just under 500 defensive snaps.

Washington also worked out a punter Monday. The Commanders, of course, have Pro Bowl punter Tress Way, but he’s dealing with some tightness in his lower back, and Washington was being cautious.

Head coach Ron Rivera expects Way to be ready for Friday’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.

Report: Commanders to work out former Titans DB Joshua Kalu

Former Titans DB Joshua Kalu will reportedly work out for the Commanders.

Former Tennessee Titans safety Joshua Kalu is set for yet another workout, this time with the Washington Commanders.

According to Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com, Kalu is slated to work out for Washington, although the exact date of the workout was not disclosed.

This will be the second workout Kalu has had recently, as he also got a look from the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the veteran back left Pittsburgh without a deal.

Kalu’s name has been somewhat of a popular one in Titans circles this offseason, as the team has questionable depth at safety behind starting safeties Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker, something that is particularly worrisome when you consider Hooker’s injury history.

Kalu appeared in 44 games (five starts) for the Titans over four seasons and has proven to be an excellent special teamer. He was pushed into a bigger role in 2022 and posted a 93.5 run defense grade and a 59.0 coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus.

Report: Steelers to work out former Titans DB Joshua Kalu

Former Titans defensive back Joshua Kalu is reportedly set to work out with the Steelers on Thursday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly set to take a look at former Tennessee Titans defensive back, Joshua Kalu.

The news comes from Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com, who reports that the two sides are set to meet for a workout on Thursday.

Originally an undrafted free-agent signing of the Titans in 2018, Kalu has appeared in 44 games (five starts) during his career, all coming with Tennessee.

He most recently appeared in all 16 games (five starts) in 2022 and played a career-high 494 defensive snaps thanks to an injury-riddled secondary. But Kalu proved to be effective in coverage and against the run as a safety, and was an asset on special teams, per usual.

The Nebraska product’s name has come up quite often in Titans circles during the offseason, as safety depth remains an issue, leading many to believe (myself included) Tennessee should bring him back.

Instead, the Titans reunited with 2022 free-agent acquisition A.J. Moore to fill their need. Now, Kalu will look to get his next chance in Pittsburgh.

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Titans should re-sign Joshua Kalu, who is ‘staying ready’ for next opportunity

With the Titans’ depth issue at safety, re-signing Joshua Kalu should be a no-brainer.

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One of the many questionable things about the Tennessee Titans’ offseason has been the team not re-signing veteran defensive back, Joshua Kalu.

Of course, there may be circumstances we’re not aware of that are preventing Tennessee from making such a move, but on the surface it makes no sense why he isn’t currently in the two-tone blue.

While the Titans have an impressive duo at the top of their safety depth chart in Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker, they are sorely lacking depth beyond those two, which is noteworthy with Hooker’s injury history.

Elijah Molden figures to be the best of the bunch, but he just started getting reps at the position this offseason and has never played a snap there in his career. Further, Molden is coming off an injury-plagued season, just like Hooker.

Beyond Molden, the Titans have inexperienced players like Mike Brown and Josh Thompson, along with some undrafted free agents. That’s hardly a group to feel confident about in the event one of the starters gets hurt.

Re-signing Kalu would add some much-needed experience, versatility and depth to that lackluster group. Kalu can play deep, out of the slot, and he’s a reliable contributor on special teams.

As Kalu remains without a home, he made it abundantly clear he’s ready to roll for whoever signs him — and that whoever should be the Titans.

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5 safeties the Colts can replace Daniel Scott with

Here are a few options the Colts could consider in order to replace Daniel Scott.

The Indianapolis Colts revealed some unfortunate news Wednesday, placing rookie safety Daniel Scott on the injured reserve list after he suffered a torn ACL on the final play of OTAs last week.

A fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of California, Scott was expected to contribute significantly on special teams while providing depth as a versatile player in the safety room.

Because Scott was placed on the injured reserve list before the 53-man roster has been finalized, he will miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

Here are five safeties the Colts can replace Scott with going into training camp next month:

Titans free agents still available on the open market

A look at the Titans free agents who remain unsigned going into OTAs.

The Tennessee Titans began the offseason with over 30 free agents to make decisions on, and that list grew when the team parted ways with a handful of veterans in moves that were fully expected.

While the majority of Tennessee’s free agents have been signed, there remains over a dozen former Titans still available on the open market.

Among them is defensive back Joshua Kalu, who I’ve suggested the team re-sign after going through a 53-man roster projection and seeing just how thin Tennessee is at safety behind Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker, which is a problem considering Hooker’s injury history.

Another player I’d obviously love to see the Titans bring back is Ben Jones, but I think that ship has sailed and is less realistic than a reunion with Kalu.

But that’s another story for another day. For now, here’s a look at the list of former Titans who remain unsigned and available in free agency.