Cardinals sign RB Tony Jones Jr. to active roster

Jones was on the practice squad and likely will be the backup running back on Sunday against the Browns.

The Arizona Cardinals, needing running back depth, made a roster move to ensure they have players available this Sunday when they go on the road to face the Cleveland Browns.

They announced Thursday that running back Tony Jones Jr. was signed from the practice squad to the active roster. He will likely get to play this weekend.

James Conner is still on injured reserve for at least one more game. Emari Demercado, who has started the last two games, injured his toe on Sunday and was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday, putting his availability this weekend very much in doubt. Even Damien Williams, who played the last two games, getting elevated from the practice squad, is hurt and was placed on the practice squad injured reserve this week.

Before adding Jones to the roster, Keaontay Ingram was the only other running back on the roster.

Jones originally joined the Cardinals on a waiver claim. Less than a week later, he was released and subsequently signed to the practice squad.

In 22 career games with the Saints and Seahawks, Jones has 88 rushing attempts for 249 yards and two touchdowns.

To replace Jones on the practice squad, the Cardinals signed defensive lineman Kendal Vickers, a 6-foot-3, 295-pound interior defender who has played in 27 games since entering the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent.

He has two career sacks and 22 career tackles.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals cut QB Jeff Driskel from practice squad, add RB Tony Jones

Kyler Murray’s return made Driskel’s spot on the roster unnecessary.

The Arizona Cardinals announced a pair of roster moves on the practice squad on Friday. With quarterback Kyler Murray practicing again, having been designated to return from PUP, the team cut quarterback Jeff Driskel from the practice squad.

With Murray back on the practice field, the three who would get reps are him, Josh Dobbs and rookie Clayton Tune.

Driskel is no longer needed.

Replacing him on the practice squad is running back Tony Jones. Jones was released earlier in the week.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals claim RB Tony Jones off waivers

Jones had 70 yards and two touchdowns in four games for the Saints before being released.

The Arizona Cardinals added a running back to their roster on Monday. They announced they were awarded running back Tony Jones Jr., recently released by the New Orleans Saints.

Jones, 5-foot-11 and 224 pounds.

He was signed by the Saints as an undrafted rookie in 2020 out of Notre Dame. He has spent time with the Saints, Seahawks and Broncos.

In four years, he has 249 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 88 attempts and 14 receptions for 80 yards.

Through four games this season, he had 70 rushing yards and two scores in 21 attempts before being released by the Saints.

His addition gives the Cardinals a bit more depth as James Conner injured his knee on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Cardinals also added veteran Damien Williams to the practice squad last week.

They now have Conner, Jones and rookie Emari Demercado on the active roster.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

6 players cut by Broncos signing with new teams

The Chiefs are expected to sign ex-Broncos receiver/returner Montrell Washington to their practice squad.

Five players who were cut by the Denver Broncos earlier this week have found new homes, including one landing with a division rival.

After being released on Tuesday, kicker Brett Maher has signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Maher will now get a fresh start in L.A. after the Broncos brought in Wil Lutz through a trade with the New Orleans Saints.

Meanwhile, running back Tony Jones is expected to land on the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints, where he played from 2020-2022.

Elsewhere, the Minnesota Vikings are signing ex-Broncos offensive lineman Henry Byrd to their practice squad, and the Atlanta Falcons signed ex-Denver offensive lineman Isaiah Prince to their active roster.

Finally, the fifth and most disconcerting signing: the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to sign former Broncos receiver/returner Montrell Washington to their practice squad. Washington eventually making KC’s active roster and burning Denver would be quite a disappointing development for Broncos Country.

Update: Another ex-Bronco WR is signing with a division rival — the Las Vegas Raiders are adding Marquez Callaway to their practice squad.

8 ex-Saints reunited with Sean Payton on Broncos’ roster

Broncos coach Sean Payton has brought in eight former Saints who played for him in New Orleans. Here’s the full list.

Since becoming the Denver Broncos’ head coach in February, Sean Payton has signed several former New Orleans Saints. The veteran coach also traded for a former Saints during the draft, acquiring tight end Adam Trautman in April.

The ex-Saints coach has also signed seven former New Orleans players as free agents. In addition to Trautman, Payton also brought in fellow tight end Chris Manhertz, who is known for his blocking ability.

Denver has also signed former Saints wide receivers Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, plus running backs Tony Jones and Dwayne Washington. To block for those running backs, fullback Michael Burton was also signed.

On special teams, Payton signed kicker Brett Maher, who kicked for the Saints in 2021.

Additionally, the Broncos have a ninth former Saint, defensive lineman Jordan Jackson, but he played in New Orleans last fall when Payton was taking a break from coaching.

Here’s a look at each former Saint who reunited with Broncos coach Sean Payton in Denver.

Tony Jones could be a sleeper to watch for during Broncos preseason

One advantage Tony Jones has over Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin is his experience playing in Sean Payton’s offense.

The Denver Broncos are pleased with the recovery of Javonte Williams, who has bounced back from a 2022 knee injury and is on track to be ready for Week 1.

Denver’s staff is also happy with Samaje Perine, who signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the team this spring. Williams and Perine will serve as a one-two punch as the primary running backs in the Broncos’ offense this fall.

The team’s third-string running back position is still up for grabs. The candidates for the RB3 job are Tyler Badie, undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin and Tony Jones.

McLaughlin and Badie both have their strengths, and either one of them could end up making the team, but Jones has the advantage of having experience playing in a Sean Payton offense.

“He’s a young player,” Payton said of Jones on Aug. 3. “That had a lot to do with [signing him]. We felt somewhat positive about him in New Orleans. He had a couple of injuries — got hurt against Carolina in a game he was going to play quite a bit. We had kind of a COVID-19 [issue] with the running backs.

“He’s young, and we felt like we wanted to give him a good evaluation here. He’s smart, and I think he can be a steady back. I think the key — and I mentioned this to him before he left for the spring — he’s going to have to open some eyes in the kicking game. What else can you do? That will be important.”

Payton made it clear to Jones that if he’s going to make the team, the 25-year-old running back will have to contribute on special teams. Jones played under Payton with the Saints from 2020-2021, earning five starts during that time. He has 67 career carries for 179 yards and 10 receptions for 59 yards in 18 career games.

Jones will have to separate himself from Badie and McLaughlin during preseason if he wants to make the 53-man roster. In order to do that, Jones will have to excel not only on offense but also on special teams. He’ll get his first opportunity when the Broncos face the Arizona Cardinals on Friday.

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Watch: Notre Dame’s 10 Toughest Touchdown Runs Ever

Notre Dame has had plenty of memorable running backs who made plenty of classic runs. Did your personal favorite make this top 10 list?

In its continuing series of top-10 lists, Notre Dame released its “Top 10 Toughest Touchdown Runs” on Monday afternoon. I will not spoil the ending, but I will say it was as memorable as touchdown run as there was during my formative years.

No real knocks on the rankings in this one. My one thought would be a debate between what is “tough” versus “shifty,” but I’m not in the mood to debate that right now.

Here they are – watch them and enjoy!

One and two are both beyond debate for me, so save it in regards to those to especially. What run was too high or too low besides those two, though?

Broncos’ updated RB depth chart after 3 cuts at the position

The Broncos cut three running backs in less than a week. Where does that leave the team’s RB depth chart? Here’s our projection.

Less than a week after they cut running backs Jacques Patrick and Tyreik McAllister, the Denver Broncos also parted ways with Damarea Crockett.

Following those three roster cuts, the Broncos are now left with just five running backs on the 90-man offseason roster: Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Tony Jones, Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin.

So, why was Denver OK with cutting three RBs in less than a week? One potential possibility is that the Broncos continue to feel good about Williams’ recovery from a knee injury he suffered last October.

Denver coach Sean Payton has said that he expects Williams to be ready not only for Week 1 but even for training camp. That seems hard to believe, but actions speak louder than words and Williams has been practicing (on a limited basis) at OTAs and the Broncos have been trimming down their RB room before training camp even begins.

The team’s roster moves seem like a good sign that Williams truly is trending in the right direction.

Broncos Running Back Depth Chart

Sean Payton feels ‘really good’ about Broncos’ running back room

“I feel really good about our group of veterans,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the team’s running back room.

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The Denver Broncos are set to go into the 2023 season with four holdover running backs from last year and four new arrivals. By the time the 53-man roster is set, the new arrivals will likely outnumber the holders.

The Broncos signed Samaje Perine during free agency and he will serve as a fill-in starter if Javonte Williams (knee) is not fully recovered by Week 1. Denver also signed Tony Jones, a former New Orleans Saints backup who might be the early favorite for RB3 duties this season.

“I feel really good about our group of veterans that are here in the building,” coach Sean Payton said on May 13. “When we signed Samaje, this is a guy that gave us flexibility. We know that he can play and be an every-down back. Our current starter [Javonte Williams] is doing extremely well. I would tell you that we expect him to be ready for the start of training camp and that’s good news.”

In addition to Williams, Perine and Jones, the Broncos also have veteran Jacques Patrick, holdovers Damarea Crockett, Tyreik McAllister and
Tyler Badie, plus undrafted free agent signee Jaleel McLaughlin.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver carry four running backs on the initial 53-man roster, and the team will likely carry two more on the practice squad. Right now, Payton is pleased with how the depth chart stacks up.

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Broncos’ projected running back depth chart after NFL draft

Samaje Perine might serve as a fill-in starter for the Broncos early in the season if Javonte Williams is not fully recovered by Week 1.

The Denver Broncos did not select a running back in the 2023 NFL draft, leaving the team with an interesting RB depth chart going into OTAs.

Here’s a quick projection of where Denver’s running back depth chart stands at the moment.

Projected starter: Javonte Williams is recovering from a serious knee injury that might make him a candidate to begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which would rule him out for the first four games of the season. Williams is the obvious starter once healthy. 

RB2/Fill-in starter: Samaje Perine proved with the Cincinnati Bengals that he’s a quality RB2 who has the ability to serve as a fill-in starter. If Williams does begin the season the PUP list, Perine will start in his place.

RB3: Tony Jones seems to be the early favorite to win the third-string running back job given his familiarity in Sean Payton’s offense. Jones started four games for the Saints in 2021, rushing 54 times for 142 yards that season. Last year, he split time between New Orleans and the Seattle Seahawks.

Competing for RB4: Damarea Crockett, Tyler Badie, Tyreik McAllister, Jaleel McLaughlin and Emanuel Wilson will likely be competing for the final active roster spot and one or two practice squad spots. Crockett has the most experience in this group. Badie made one appearance last season and McAllister has spent time on Denver’s practice squad. 

McLaughlin and Wilson are expected to be among the team’s undrafted free agent signings, which are yet to be officially announced.

Unless the Broncos are comfortable with Jones potentially serving as the default RB2 if Williams is sidelined early in the season, the team could be in the market to sign a veteran free agent running back. The list of RBs still available includes Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt and Phillip Lindsay.

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