Tag: roster moves

Commanders make one roster move for Eagles’ game

The Commanders make roster move ahead of Sunday’s game vs. Eagles.

As has become customary, the Washington Commanders made a roster move Saturday.

This time, in preparation for their Week 16 NFC East showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Commanders made two decisions ahead of tomorrow’s game at Northwest Stadium in Landover.

The roster move was DT Carl Davis’s elevation to the active roster from the practice squad. This is the third consecutive game the Commanders have elevated Davis from the practice squad. The two previous times, he played against the Titans and Saints.

In the last two games with Davis elevated to the roster, DT Phidarian Mathis has been a healthy scratch, being declared inactive both times. In the next week, the Commanders will need to determine if they will sign Davis to the roster or possibly bring Jonathan Allen back from the injured reserve list. Either could also involve a move with Mathis.

Secondly, the Commanders have decided that Zane Gonzalez will be the kicker on Sunday. The team did not elevate fellow kicker Greg Joseph, who kicked in the Saints game while Gonzalez was nursing his injured foot.

Gonzalez had already been signed to the 53-man roster following the Titans game, therefore, though the Commanders have made the decision to go with Gonzalez as their kicker against the Eagles, no actual roster move was made, other than the decision to have Joseph remain on the practice squad.

Saints sign former LSU star, ex-Chiefs first-round draft pick

The New Orleans Saints signed former LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The ex-Chiefs first-round draft pick arrives after an injury to Alvin Kamara:


The New Orleans Saints have made a move at the running back position, after Alvin Kamara’s groin injury. The team signed former LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire, adding depth to the running back room, announcing that defensive tackle Kendall Vickers was let go from the practice squad to make room.

Edwards-Helaire started his career with the Kansas City Chiefs as the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. In his first season with the team, he got off to a hot start totaling 1,100 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in 13 games. In the following year, Edwards-Helaire still proved to be productive in scoring six touchdowns in ten games but his yardage numbers would dip down a bit.

With the emergence of Isiah Pacheco in 2022, Edwards-Helaire saw his opportunities lessen significantly as a result and there would be more of the same in 2023. This season however, he would spend the majority on the NFI list as he’s battled with post-traumatic stress disorder.

At only 25 years old though, Edwards-Helaire likely has a lot of tread left on the tires and could provide some decent depth behind what will likely be Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams on Monday night in Green Bay. It will be interesting to see if he’ll fit in as a spell back potentially with Kamara possibly out this week.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Rams activate TE Tyler Higbee, sign former 4th-round OLB to practice squad

The Rams have officially activated Tyler Higbee, also making 2 other roster moves ahead of their game against the Jets

Sean McVay said last week that Tyler Higbee is on track to make his season debut against the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon and the Los Angeles Rams have made a corresponding move to support that statement.

On Tuesday, the Rams officially activated Higbee off the PUP/reserve list, adding him to the 53-man roster. To free up a spot for him on the active roster, they placed Nick Hampton on injured reserve. He tore his pec in Week 15 and will miss the rest of the season.

Additionally, the Rams signed 2021 fourth-rounder Rashad Weaver to the practice squad. Weaver is an edge rusher out of the University of Pittsburgh, going in the fourth round of the draft three years ago to the Tennessee Titans. In his career, he has 5.5 sacks, all of which came during the 2022 season in Tennessee.

Weaver will add some depth at outside linebacker with Hampton out for the year, while also providing help on special teams where Hampton was a key contributor for the Rams.

Commanders make interesting roster move ahead of Week 15

The Commanders make roster moves ahead of Week 15.

The Washington Commanders made roster moves ahead of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. That’s typical ahead of gameday, as it allows teams to elevate players from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

One move was expected. Washington placed wide receiver Noah Brown on injured reserve and activated receiver Jamison Crowder. Brown injured his kidney two weeks ago in a win over Tennessee. Head coach Dan Quinn called the injury significant but said Brown would be fine long-term.

Crowder has missed most of the season with a calf injury. He’ll likely serve as the top punt returner ahead of Olamide Zaccheaus.

The most interesting move the Commanders made on Saturday was elevating kicker Greg Joseph to the main roster. Joseph, along with defensive tackle Carl Davis, was elevated.

Washington added the veteran kicker this week when Zane Gonzalez landed on the injury report with a left foot injury. Gonzalez has been the Commanders’ kicker in three of their last four games. He was signed last month when Austin Seibert dealt with a hip injury. After a brief return, Washington placed Seibert on IR.

Joseph’s elevation means the Commanders will carry two kickers on the roster. This may be a “just-in-case” move, and the team wanted to have Joseph available if Gonzalez can’t go.

This is the latest kicker setback for the Commanders. Washington has signed seven kickers this year, beginning with Brandon McManus in March before releasing him in June.

Commanders sign another kicker to the practice squad

Just in case, the Commanders add another kicker.

It’s been a frustrating year for the Washington Commanders and the kicking position. With Austin Seibert on injured reserve, his replacement, Zane Gonzalez, popped up on the injury report this week with a left foot injury.

So, on Friday, Washington, unlike other teams, is preparing for the event that Gonzalez isn’t 100% for Sunday’s game against the Saints, signing veteran kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad.

The Commanders will decide on Gonzalez’s status by Saturday afternoon so that they’ll know if they need to elevate Joseph to the 53-man roster for Sunday.

Washington’s kicking problems began in June when veteran Brandon McManus was released due to an off-field issue. The Commanders had just signed McManus in March. They signed multiple kickers throughout OTAs and training camp before sending a conditional draft pick to the Browns for Cade York. York struggled in the Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers and was released. Washington signed Seibert, who was excellent until he suffered a right hip injury that cost him two games.

When he returned in Week 12, he missed a field goal and two extra points, going on IR the next day. Gonzalez, who filled in for the two games Seibert missed, was signed to the 53-man roster ahead of Week 13.

Joseph, 30, has kicked for several NFL teams, enjoying his greatest success with the Vikings from 2021-23. He kicked in six games for the Giants this season in place of the injured Graham Gano. Joseph also spent time with the Packers and Lions this season.

In some good news, Gonzalez practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, but was listed as questionable for the game.

To make room for Joseph, the Commanders released wide receiver Michael Strachan from the practice squad.

Saints sign veteran quarterback after Derek Carr injury

The New Orleans Saints signed veteran quarterback Ben DiNucci after Derek Carr’s injury, rounding out the depth chart for practice this week:

The New Orleans Saints have signed veteran quarterback Ben DiNucci after an injury to Derek Carr, DiNucci announced on social media. A seventh-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys back in 2020, he started one game in his rookie year and has since spent time with the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, as well as the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons.

Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi characterized Carr’s injury as a “week to week” concern, but this development would suggest he’s unlikely to practice this week. Adding DiNucci to the rotation should keep drills moving on schedule with three able-bodied quarterbacks.

Still, we should expect either Spencer Rattler or Jake Haener to get the starting nod for Sunday’s game with the Washington Commanders.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Cowboys work out All-Pro cornerback, former 2nd-round pick, plus make practice squad additions

The cowboys worked out All Pro cornerback Xavien Howard and also sign two cornerbacks to practice squad. | From @ArmyChiefW3

Roster churning is a year-round mission, and the Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to the need in 2024. On Wednesday, they opened the door for a possible union with an All-Pro.

Cornerback Xavien Howard, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, worked out for the Cowboys at The Star in Frisco. Clearly, Dallas has an interest in the four-time Pro Bowl player who has yet to play in 2024, but the 31-year old veteran left without coming to an agreement.

Clearly having a need for depth at the position, Dallas made three additional roster moves to lesser fanfare. First, they activated CB Amani Oruwariye’s 21-day practice window. The young veteran was placed on the Reserved/Injured list after he suffered a back injury against San Francisco.

The Cowboys also signed cornerbacks Dee Delaney and Troy Pride, Jr. to fill the vacancies on their practice squad.

Pride was a 2020 fourth-round pick with Carolina with eight career starts. Delaney is a five-year veteran appearing in 52 games mainly with in Tampa Bay. Delaney is a 2018 UDFA who has played for Jacksonville, the Jets, the Dolphins, Washington and the Buffalo Bills before this.

Miami drafted Howard in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft where he picked off eight passes in his first two seasons. In year three, he recorded 10 interceptions en route to All-Pro honors.

That led to the Dolphins signing him to a five-year $75.25 million deal in 2019 with $39 million in total guarantees. Four years later, Miami would double down and give him a five-year $90 million extension after leading the league in interceptions twice.

Howard played eight seasons in Miami before being released prior to the start of the new league year as a June 1 cut. 

Broncos make surprising decision on WR Josh Reynolds

The Broncos waived WR Josh Reynolds ahead of the deadline to make an injured reserve decision.

Story update: The Jacksonville Jaguars claimed Josh Reynolds off waivers on Wednesday. See our original post below.

The Denver Broncos have waived wide receiver Josh Reynolds from injured reserve, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

Reynolds had been on injured reserve since Week 5 and Wednesday was the deadline to activate him to the 53-man roster. Happy with the receivers on their roster, Denver opted to waive him instead.

Had he not been cut or activated before Dec. 4, Reynolds would have remained on IR for the rest of the 2024 season. By waiving him, the Broncos will give the receiver a chance to play again this season.

Reynolds (6-3, 192 pounds) was placed on IR after he underwent finger surgery last month. Less than a week after he went on IR, Reynolds was shot twice after leaving a nightclub in the Denver area on Oct. 18. Reynolds has since recovered from his wounds and three people have been arrested in connection to the shooting.

Reynolds, 29, hauled in 12 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown in five games with the Broncos earlier this season before injuring his finger. Denver will now move forward with Courtland Sutton, Devaughn Vele, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims at receiver.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Lions poach linebacker from Broncos’ practice squad

The Lions have signed linebacker Kwon Alexander off the Broncos’ practice squad.

The Detroit Lions are poaching a linebacker from the Denver Broncos.

The Lions have signed linebacker Kwon Alexander off the Broncos’ practice squad to their own 53-man roster. Denver could have prevented it by promoting Alexander, but the team previously opted to promote Zach Cunningham from the practice squad to the active roster earlier this week.

The news was broken by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday morning and has since been confirmed by multiple outlets. Detroit added Alexander after losing Malcolm Rodriguez to a knee injury on Thanksgiving.

Alexander (6-1, 227 pounds) used up his three practice squad elevations in Denver by rotating with Justin Strnad (6-3, 235 pounds) at inside linebacker from Weeks 7-9. Alexander even started two of those games and he got a season-high 31 snaps in Week 9. Strnad’s snaps dropped from 42 to 37 to 14 in the games Alexander played.

Alexander totaled eight tackles, forced one fumble and recovered one fumble in his three games with Denver before landing in Detroit.

Alexander, a 30-year-old veteran, and Cunningham joined the practice squad in September after the Broncos lost Alex Singleton to a season-ending knee injury. Cody Barton and Strnad have been starting at inside linebacker. Cunningham and Levelle Bailey will be the remaining depth options in Denver after the team lost Alexander.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Commanders make roster moves, bring back familiar face

The Commanders made roster moves with the health of their top running backs in mind.

Chris Rodriguez is back with the Washington Commanders.

The former Kentucky Wildcat running back, in his second season with the Commanders, was surprisingly released Saturday.

It was a surprise move because Brian Robinson had already missed three games this season. Sure enough, Robinson went down early Sunday in the loss to the Cowboys and did not return to play in the second half.

Complicating matters was fellow running back Austin Ekeler’s concussion on Sunday. This is the second time he has suffered a concussion this season. This could be rather dangerous, so the Commanders will be careful when or perhaps even if they bring him back to action this season.

So, back to Rodriquez, he and Jeremy McNichols are now the only healthy running backs on the roster. Rodriguez has carried the ball in only two games this season, including at the NY Giants, when he accumulated 11 carries and 52 rushing yards. On the other hand, McNichols has carried the ball 44 times for 217 yards, good for 4.93 yards per carry.

Michael Wiley, a rookie who played well in the preseason, is on the practice squad.

With the bye week coming in Week 14, it is possible that the Commanders could choose to sit out Robinson this week, giving him two full weeks to heal before the final four games of 2024. If they were to choose this route, the Commanders would most definitely either sign another running back or elevate Wiley to the active roster.

In two other moves Tuesday, the Commanders signed DT Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad and released G Marquis Hayes from the practice squad.