Tag: released

Report: Detroit Lions to release safety Jayron Kearse

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions will be releasing safety Jayron Kearse.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions will be releasing safety Jayron Kearse.

After signing a one-year contract this offseason, Kearse opened the season with a three-game suspension. When he was able to return to the active roster he quickly found himself in a contributing third-safety role. By Week 9, he had taken over starting duties and remained there for seven games before being injured last week.

Like with the Marvin Hall release a few weeks back, the motives here are unclear. Did the player request his release? Are they giving him a chance to play with a playoff contender? Was there an incident behind closed doors? On social media? Was this part of the Lions’ new changing culture? Or is this a way for the Lions to give more opportunities to younger players?

We likely won’t know the answer to any of these questions, but what we do know is the Lions secondary will likely mirror last week’s snap counts, where Duron Harmon and Tracy Walker started with Will Harris in the third-safety role and C.J. Moore as the fourth option.

Kearse finishes his time in Detroit with 59 tackles, a forced fumble, two pass breakups, and a QB hit.

Dwayne Haskins thanks fans in Washington; vows to become better person and player

In a statement, Haskins said that he takes ‘full responsibility for not meeting the standards of an NFL QB’ and he will work to get better.

We are now hearing from the man himself, former Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins, not long after his release from the Washington Football Team on Monday afternoon.

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In a statement on Twitter, Haskins thanked the team and the fans in Washington and took responsibility for not living up to expectations or meeting the standards of an NFL quarterback. He also vowed to become a better player and person going forward, using this experience to grow.

Washington’s release of Haskins was not a surprise, though some may have been shocked by the timing. Just less than two years after being drafted with the 15th overall pick, the 23-year-old is now searching for a new team and is available to whoever wants him on the waiver wire.

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Lions sign veteran CB Tramaine Brock to practice sqaud, release CB Dee Virgin

The Detroit Lions announced that they have signed veteran corner Tramaine Brock to the practice squad and released corner Dee Virgin in a corresponding move.

The Detroit Lions announced that they have signed 11-year veteran corner Tramaine Brock to the practice squad and released corner Dee Virgin in a corresponding move.

Brock (6-0, 188) spent the first seven years of his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Since then, he has spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and most recently the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Brock never made it on the field in Jacksonville — he was injured in camp, placed on injured reserve, and eventually released — but he is now healthy and could be a contributor in Detroit as early as this weekend, due to the injuries at the position.

Over Brock’s 117 career games played, he has started 56, including 11 during the 2019 season. Despite him joining the team late in the week, he could be a fourth/emergency option due to his wealth of experience.

Virgin has been with the Lions the past three seasons, mostly being utilized as a dynamic special teamer. Unfortunately, the Lions exhausted his ability to be elevated to the active roster this season — calling him up in Week 2 and 12 — and he became expendable. Expect him to catch on somewhere else in the NFL quickly based on his special team promise.

Lions sign QB Jordan Ta’amu, RB Jordan Scarlett to practice squad

The Detroit Lions announced they have signed QB Jordan Ta’amu and RB Jordan Scarlett to the practice squad, releasing P Aaryn Siposs.

The Detroit Lions announced they have signed quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and running back Jordan Scarlett to the practice squad, releasing punter Aaryn Siposs and running back Dalyn Dawkins — as we reported earlier today — in corresponding moves.

With Stafford ailing this week, Ta’amu gives the Lions depth at the position, but he carries long-term value as well and could be a candidate for a futures deal at the end of the season.

Ta’amu originally signed with the Houston Texans after the 2019 draft, but after not making it out of training camp, elected to join the XFL to lead the St. Louis Battlehawks. As their starting quarterback. Ta’amu played in five games, threw for 1,050 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Additionally, he rushed for 217 yards (5.3 yards average) and a touchdown.

After the XFL ended, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs but was once again waived after training camp and this time joined their practice squad. He was released by the Chiefs in late October and received a tryout with the Lions but did not sign. After a second tryout with the Lions this week, he earned a spot on their practice squad.

With a strong arm and the anticipation to hit tough windows, Ta’amu can hit receivers on all three levels while in the pocket or on the move. His decision making is a work in progress, which is why time on an NFL practice squad could do wonders for his development.

Here’s a sampling of my draft profile of Ta’amu from our 2019 quarterback draft combine preview:

Mississippi’s system did Ta’amu no favors in preparing him for the next level but the arm talent, accuracy and mobility illustrate a Jacoby Brissett-type upside. Ta’amu’s ability to consistently hit vertical passes will make him intriguing for a team like the Lions as long as they are willing to wait for his mental processing skills to develop.

Scarlett was a fifth-round pick (154 overall) in the 2019 draft by the Carolina Panthers and played in nine games during his rookie season but only rushed the ball four times for nine yards. He finished his rookie year by being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury and then was released after 2020 training camp.

While Dawkins was more of a scatback, Scarlett leans more towards the power game. He has solid contact balance and is a rotational back at best but talented enough to get a closer look at.

Siposs deserves another shot at punting in the NFL, but with the season Jack Fox has put together, the Lions have identified their punter of the future.

Chiefs release WR Marcus Kemp from 53-man roster

Expect Kemp to return to the practice squad for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs have released WR Marcus Kemp from the 53-man roster according to the NFL’s official transaction report.

Kemp, 25, was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster back in late November after the team suffered an injury to WR Byron Pringle. As it turns out he’d fill even more shoes when Sammy Watkins dealt with injury and Mecole Hardman was on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Kemp originally joined the team as an undrafted free agent back in 2017 and has done stints on both the practice squad and 53-man roster alike.

Kemp played 34 total offensive snaps since Week 6, catching a single pass for 11 yards in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. Most of his contributions this year have come on special teams, where he’s been one of the starting gunners for Kansas City.

It’d stand to reason that Kemp would return to the practice squad for the Chiefs if he clears waivers, especially with a free spot available following the departure of Danny Isidora. This move could signal a number of different things, such as Pringle’s potential return from injured reserve or the team having a need at another position.

Kansas City already had one free spot on the 53-man roster prior to this move. This will open up a second spot for the team to fill ahead of Week 15’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

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Lions activate Darryl Roberts from IR, sign Frank Herron, and release Marvin Hall, Isaac Nauta

The Detroit Lions have activated CB Darryl Roberts from IR, signed DT Frank Herron, and released WR Marvin Hall, TE Isaac Nauta on Saturday.

The Detroit Lions announced a series of roster moves Saturday, activating cornerback Darryl Roberts from injured reserve, re-signing defensive tackle Frank Herron (who was previously on the practice squad), confirming the previously reported release of wide receiver Marvin Hall as well as releasing tight end Isaac Nauta.

Additionally, the Lions have elevated undrafted rookie safety Bobby Price to the active roster for Week 13. Assuming he is active — if only for special teams purposes — Price will be making his NFL debut on Sunday.

Roberts was injured in the Lions’ Week 8 game versus the Indianapolis Colts, was placed on injured reserve, and began practicing this week. During his seven games played in 2020, Roberts started one game — Week 4 versus the New Orleans Saints — accounted for 20 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups.

Capable of playing in the slot and on the outside, Roberts is returning to the field at just the right time, as the Lions lost Desmond Trufant to IR earlier in the week and Jeff Okudah was ruled OUT on Friday.

The Lions will enter this game with Amani Oruwariye and Justin Coleman starting, but when they shift to a base nickel, it will likely be Roberts who takes the field. Mike Ford — who recently cleared concussion protocols — will likely act as the Lions’ fourth option.

Herron has been on the Lions practice squad most of the season but was elevated to the active roster twice in Weeks 10 and 11. Having exhausted his elevation eligibility, the only way the Lions could get him back on the field this season was to sign him to the active roster.

With Danny Shelton placed on IR earlier in the week, and Da’Shawn Hand ruled OUT on Friday the Lions need Herron for depth, despite also signing Kevin Strong to the active roster earlier in the week.

The Lions will likely start Nick Williams at the 3T and John Penisini at nose tackle, with Herron and Strong backing up both spots.

Last night, it was reported that the Lions were planning on releasing Hall in order to make room for younger players on the roster and that likely means more playing time for Quintez Cephus — potentially even a starting role while Kenny Golladay remains out.

Nauta is being released in favor of Hunter Bryant for the second time this season, the other happening at roster cutdowns. With other areas of the roster needing attention, the Lions could not afford to keep a fourth tight end at this time and the team clearly prefers the talented undrafted rookie as the third option.

Price being elevated likely covers the Lions in two areas. First, he’s a highly athletic young player they will get a chance to get an extended look at in order to determine his long-term potential. Second, he will give the Lions special teams depth as safety, as Tracy Walker is questionable for this game. Walker’s wife Bella just delivered the couple’s first child, and Lions historically allow their player’s paternity leave.

49ers waive former Saints LB Kiko Alonso with failed physical designation

The San Francisco 49ers waived linebacker Kiko Alonso, who was recently acquired in a trade with the New Orleans Saints for Kwon Alexander.

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One former member of the New Orleans Saints is on the move. Veteran linebacker Kiko Alonso, acquired in a 2019 preseason trade with the Miami Dolphins and recently shipped to the San Francisco 49ers for linebacker Kwon Alexander, cleared waivers on Tuesday after being released by San Francisco on Monday, per the NFL daily transactions wire.

It’s the latest tough break for Alonso, who played well in New Orleans last season before tearing his ACL in January’s playoffs loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Alonso had already suffered a series of knee injuries before this and, while optimistic about his recovery during the long offseason, was unable to return to practice after being traded to the 49ers.

Alonso was not the only asset picked up by San Francisco in the trade. The Saints also traded a future fifth-round draft pick, which will be transferred in either 2021 or 2022 depending on how often Alexander plays for New Orleans this season. He saw 61% of snaps in his first game with the Saints (ironically against his old 49ers team) before logging 74% of snaps in last week’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, so he’s likely on track to meet those incentives.

So now they’ve waived him, and no other team chose to submit a waivers claim. Alonso is a free agent and eligible to sign with a new team once his knee has healed and he can pass a physical. But it appears he’ll be a long shot to play again in 2020.

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Lions activate Jalen Elliott from reserve/COVID-19, release Khari Lee from practice squad

The Detroit Lions have activated safety Jalen Elliott from the reserve/COVID-19 list and released tight end Khari Lee from the practice squad in a corresponding move.

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The Detroit Lions announced they have activated safety Jalen Elliott from the reserve/COVID-19 list and released tight end Khari Lee from the practice squad in a corresponding move.

After activating Matthew Stafford on Saturday, Jarrad Davis on Monday, and Elliot today, the Lions reserve/COVID-19 list is once again emptied.

While the player’s list is empty, the Lions did announce on Saturday that a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. As of yesterday, the team did not have any updates on this situation.

“I think from that standpoint, I’m definitely not going to comment on anybody’s health status from those situations,” coach Matt Patrica said at Monday’s press conference. “We’ll report as we’re following all the policies and guidelines from that standpoint. I totally respect the questions, and I appreciate that, but just trying to do the best I can to follow all the guidelines, and certainly when we talk about people’s health, and just the team in general, I try to do a good job of respecting all that.”

Elliot will likely rejoin the team’s practice squad when they take the practice field again tomorrow as they begin preparation for the Washington Football Team.

Bears release former Saints WR Ted Ginn Jr.

The Chicago Bears released former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., a 3-year starter and 2007 Dolphins first-round draft pick.

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Ted Ginn Jr. is on the lookout for his next team. The 14-year NFL veteran was released by the Chicago Bears after Tuesday’s trade deadline, putting the former New Orleans Saints starter back on the market.

If this is it for his NFL career, Ginn will have appeared in 208 games for six different teams since being picked in the first round of the 2007 draft by the Miami Dolphins. He spent the last three years with the Saints before signing with Chicago as a free agent.

Unfortunately for Ginn, the Bears have found younger playmakers to fill some of the same roles. Tulane product Darnell Mooney has taken his snaps on offense, while punt returner Dwayne Harris is standing out on special teams. Ginn caught just three passes for 40 yards in Chicago before the Bears cut him.

Should the Saints bring him back for another look? They could add him to the practice squad as an upgrade over Tommylee Lewis, but he probably won’t bring much to the active roster once Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and Marquez Callaway each return. Still, no Saints position group has been hit harder by injuries than the receiving corps this year, so there’s an argument in his favor.

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Detroit Lions sign TE Khari Lee to the practice squad, release RB Dalyn Dawkins

The Detroit Lions announced they have signed tight end Khari Lee to the practice squad and released running back Dalyn Dawkins in a corresponding move.

The Detroit Lions announced they have signed tight end Khari Lee to the practice squad and released running back Dalyn Dawkins in a corresponding move. This is Lee’s second stint with the Lions organization.

Undrafted in 2015, Lee began his NFL career with the Texans but was traded to the Bears and spent his entire rookie season in Chicago. In 2016, Lee was released at cut downs and the Lions used a waiver claim to acquire him. He lasted two months on the active roster before being released and then was added to the Lions practice squad. He would be released by the Lions at cutdowns in 2017.

Lee would then join the Bills or 2017 and half of 2018, but wouldn’t see the football field again until 2019 when he joined the XFL’s DC Defenders. In 2020, Lee signed with the Falcons but was released at cutdowns with an injury settlement.

Lee has historically been viewed as a blocking tight end but he found success in the passing game with the DC Defenders. Over his five games in the XFL — before the league shut down — Lee caught all eight of his targets for 91 yards and two touchdowns, and was PFF’s highest-graded tight end in the league.

It’s worth noting that Lee’s offensive coordinator in the XFL was Tanner Engstrand, who was recently hired by the Lions as an offensive assistant coach.