Tag: Steven Parker

Seahawks: These 6 practice squad players are now free agents

These six players were left off and will now become free agents.

Practice squad players who were on teams that were eliminated in the Wild Card round of the playoffs had their contracts expire today.

The Seattle Seahawks signed 10 of their practice squad guys to reserve/future contracts last week, but these six players were left off and will now become free agents.

Seahawks worked out free agent DB Steven Parker

Yesterday, the team brought in free agent defensive back Steven Parker for a workout.

The Seahawks are mostly healthy heading into their Week 13 matchup with the Rams. One exception to the rule is safety Ryan Neal, who suffered a bruised elbow in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders.

There’s still a chance Neal could play this week, but Seattle is considering their options. Yesterday, the team brought in free agent defensive back Steven Parker for a workout.

Parker (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) played his college ball at Oklahoma, then went undrafted. He’s put in time with the Dolphins, Cowboys, Giants, Commanders, Cardinals and Titans. All together Parker has appeared in 31 games, totaling 34 tackles and five pass breakups.

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Commanders released three defensive players on Monday

The Commanders began making moves Monday ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

All 32 NFL teams have until 4 p.m. ET Tuesday afternoon to trim their rosters to 53 players. That means every team must release 27 players between the final preseason game and Tuesday’s deadline.

Some teams began making moves on Monday, including the Washington Commanders.

Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reported that Washington had released veteran safety Steven Parker.

Parker was signed before the first preseason game and played well. Had the Commanders not had young safety depth, Parker could’ve easily made the roster. Parker has spent time with the Rams, Dolphins, Vikings, Cowboys and Giants. His work in the preseason should earn him another look soon.

Next, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reported defensive tackle Tyler Clark was released. The Commanders needed another body at defensive tackle after losing Tim Settle and releasing Matt Ioannidis and signed Clark.

Washington also released undrafted rookie defensive end Jacub Panasiuk. Panasiuk impressed coaches this summer, but the Commanders were likely looking for more experience at defensive end with Chase Young out at least the first four weeks. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Washington signs Panasiuk to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

We’ll keep you posted on all of Washington’s roster moves.

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Ben Bredeson, Andrew Thomas were highest-graded Giants in Week 17

New York Giants offensive linemen Ben Bredeson and Andrew Thomas earned the team’s highest grades in Week 17.

The New York Giants fell to the Chicago Bears, 29-3, in one of their worst performances of the year on Sunday. The game was over after the first play and that set the tone for all four quarters.

There was a lot of bad. A lot of ugly. And there’s no way around that, but there were some positives as well. At least in the mind of those over at Pro Football Focus.

Guard Ben Bredeson led the team with an overall grade of 94.7. He was followed by left tackle Andrew Thomas (79.5), tight end Chris Myarick (67.6) and right tackle Nate Solder (67.4).

Other notable offensive grades include running back Saquon Barkley (66.7), fullback Eli Penny (56.3) and wide receiver Kenny Golladay (53.1).

The lowest-graded Giant on offense was quarterback Mike Glennon (21.4).

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jaylon Smith led the way with an overall grade of 78.6. He was followed by linebacker Lorenzo Carter (72.0), defensive lineman Woodrow Hamilton (68.8) and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (68.0).

Other notable defensive grades include safety Logan Ryan (65.5), cornerback James Bradberry (64.9) and linebacker Azeez Ojulari (61.3).

The lowest-graded Giant on defense was linebacker Reggie Ragland (27.0).

Defensive back Steven Parker was the highest-graded Giant on special teams, checking out with an overall grade of 84.9.

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Giants injury report: Saquon Barkley returns to practice

New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley, LT Andrew Thomas and K Graham Gano all returned to practice on Thursday.

One day after being projected as a non-participant in practice, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) returned.

Also re-joining Barkley were left tackle Andrew Thomas (ankle) and kicker Graham Gano (illness).

Offensive line coach Rob Sale told reporters on Thursday that Thomas was still hampered by a lingering ankle injury.

Meanwhile, offensive lineman Ben Bredeson (ankle) and defensive lineman Austin Johnson (foot) worked off to the side with trainers.

Here’s a look at the Giants’ full injury report for Thursday:

Did not participate: OL Ben Bredeson (ankle), DB Adoree’ Jackson (quad/COVID-19), DL Austin Johnson (foot), DB Steven Parker (illness), LB Reggie Ragland (illness)

Limited participant: QB Daniel Jones (neck), OL Andrew Thomas (ankle), DL Leonard Williams (triceps), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle)

Full participant: K Graham Gano (illness)

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Giants protect Pharoh Cooper and three others

The New York Giants have protected WR/KR Pharoh Cooper and three other practice squad players ahead of a Week 13 game against Miami.

The New York Giants have announced their practice squad protections ahead of a Week 13 game with the Miami Dolphins and wide receiver/return man Pharoh Cooper was once again among the four.

The Giants signed Cooper to the practice squad in November and elevated him in each of the previous three games. He has served as their return man, returning four kicks for 67 yards and three punts for 35 yards. He’s also hauled in one reception for six yards, and rushed once for three yards.

Cooper is a lock to be elevated again on Sunday afternoon and serve as the team’s starting returner.

In addition to Cooper, the Giants also protected defensive backs Steven Parker and Jarren Williams, and defensive lineman David Moa.

Does this look and sound familiar? It’s because the same four were protected in Week 12.

For Moa, this will be the 10th time this season he’s been protected by the Giants. Parker and Williams are each being protected for the fourth time this season.

With cornerback Danray Holmes (ribs) on injured reserve, expect Parker to be elevated once again on Sunday.

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Giants’ Logan Ryan clears COVID-19 protocols, returns to team

New York Giants safety Logan Ryan has cleared COVID-19 protocols and returned to the building, plus other minor roster moves.

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On the same day the New York Giants lost cornerback Darnay Holmes (ribs) for several weeks, they welcomed back safety Loga Ryan.

Ryan, who is fully vaccinated, missed the previous two games after testing positive for COVID-19. The Giants had been hopeful in each of the previous two weeks that Ryan would test out of protocols, but that never happened.

In Ryan’s absence, the Giants went 1-1 with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He would have been particularly helpful against his former teammate, Tom Brady, but that’s not how the cookie crumbled.

Ryan announced his return in grand fashion.

Giants head coach Joe Judge also confirmed that Ryan had returned from protocols and was back in the building.

“He’s in the building today,” Judge said bluntly.

While the news was good for Ryan, it wasn’t nearly as positive for offensive lineman Kyle Murphy. Already on season-ending injured reserve with ankle injury, Murphy tested positive for the virus and was moved to the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Finally, in procedural maneuvers, return man Pharoh Cooper and defensive back Steven Parker were returned to the practice squad. Both had been elevated for Sunday’s game against the Eagles.

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Baldy Breakdown: Giants’ Xavier McKinney is ballin’

Brian Baldinger breaks down the New York Giants’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12 and singles out safety Xavier McKinney.

The New York Giants upset the Philadelphia Eagles, 13-7, on Sunday afternoon thanks in large part to a stellar performance by their secondary.

Although Big Blue struggled against the run, their cornerbacks and safeties played at the top of their game. In total, they forced four turnovers including three interceptions off the arm of Jalen Hurts.

Second-year safety Xavier McKinney was among those to haul in a pick in Week 12. And he very nearly added a second with just seconds remaining in the game.

During his breakdown of the contest, retired offensive lineman and current NFL analyst, Brian Baldinger, singled McKinney out.

“Xavier McKinney played one of his best games ever. Led the team in tackles, defensed some passes and got an interception,” Baldinger said. “I mean the guy is ballin’ right now.”

It wasn’t just McKinney who was ballin’, however. Baldy points out solid play by cornerbacks Darnay Holmes and Steven Parker, linebacker Tae Crowder and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.

Oh, and how about rookie cornerback Aaron Robinson? Despite some hiccups throughout the game, he played well down the stretch.

Although Robinson gets credit for the pass defensed against Jalen Reagor late in the fourth quarter, the reality is that it was simply a dropped pass. Robinson did have tight coverage, got his head around and made contact as the ball dropped into Reagor’s hands, but it’s a drop pure and simple.

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

The Giants’ defensive line was neither.

The Giants secondary played exceptionally well all things considered, but if they wish to beat the Eagles again later this season, the run defense absolutely must improve.

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Giants protect Pharoh Cooper, three others

The New York Giants have protected return man Pharoh Cooper and three other members of their practice squad.

The New York Giants have announced their practice squad protections ahead of a Week 12 game with the Philadelphia Eagles and wide receiver/return man Pharoh Cooper was among the four.

The Giants signed Cooper to the practice squad earlier this month and elevated him in each of the previous two games. He served as their return man, returning three kicks for 45 yards and two punts for 26 yards.

Cooper is likely to be elevated again on Sunday afternoon and serve as the team’s starting returner.

In addition to Cooper, the Giants also protected defensive backs Steven Parker and Jarren Williams, and defensive lineman David Moa.

For Moa, this will be the ninth time this season he’s been protected by the Giants. Parker and Williams are each being protected for the third time this season.

With Logan Ryan still on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and Adoree’ Jackson a little banged up, Parker and Williams could be eyed as potential practice squad elevations in Week 12.

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Giants activate Andrew Thomas from injured reserve

The New York Giants have activated LT Andrew Thomas from injured reserve and made several other roster moves.

The New York Giants have officially activated left tackle Andrew Thomas (ankle) from injured reserve.

“I’m very excited to get back out there with my teammates,” Thomas told reporters this week. “It’s never a fun time to be off the field. But I’m just doing everything I can to get back out there.

“That’s the focus that any time I’m on the field, I’m dominating, I’m doing everything I can. That just comes with watching film, understanding my technique, and making sure I don’t lose anything on the field with the reps I’ve gotten this week. Just making sure I get my technique back.”

In addition to activating Thomas, the Giants signed linebacker Trent Harris from their practice squad and elevated tight end Chris Myarick and defensive back Steven Parker from the reserve unit.

Finally, the team also activated wide receiver/return specialist Pharoh Cooper as a COVID-19 replacement (Logan Ryan). As he’s done in recent weeks, Cooper will handle all return duties.

Parker, Myarick and Cooper will return to the practice squad on Tuesday.

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