Tag: Travis Bell

7 players the Titans should sign following cut day

We look at seven players the Titans should pursue.

Tuesday marked the deadline for each NFL team to cut their roster down to 53 players.

That means every team had difficult decisions to make, including the Tennessee Titans. The Titans’ final roster includes surprises and omits a few players that many fans and analysts have predicted to be on it.

For example, the team’s initial 53-man roster includes five tight ends, a whopping seven inside linebackers, and just four corners and three running backs.

Of course, this roster will change again before the regular season kicks off. With every team cutting 30+ players, the Titans will see if any of those players fit on their roster.

Now, let’s identify seven players who were released or waived who could fit on this Titans’ roster.

Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

D’Onta Foreman, RB

D”Onta Foreman was released by the Cleveland Browns, and the veteran should interest the Titans. Foreman impressed as a member of the Titans in 2021, taking 133 carries for 566 yards.

Since that time, Foreman has spent a season with the Carolina Panthers and a season with the Chicago Bears. The veteran had hoped to latch on with the Browns but was unable to secure a spot on the final roster.

The Titans only kept three RBs on the roster after Hassan Haskins and Jabari Small failed to impress. With Julius Chestnut as the lone backup option, the team should consider bringing in Foreman to bolster the depth.

Carl Lawson #58 of the New York Jets. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Carl Lawson, EDGE

Carl Lawson could not crack the Dallas Cowboys’ roster, and the veteran will once again hit the open market. Lawson once signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the New York Jets, but injuries have prevented the defender from being consistent.

In 2023, Lawson was limited to six games and accumulated just five tackles. However, he had a productive pass-rushing season as recently as 2022, when he racked up seven sacks.

The Titans only kept four edge rushers on the final roster, so Lawson would provide a solid depth addition. Shane Ray was not one of the edge rushers kept around, so a veteran presence would be nice.

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback CJ Henderson (23) and wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (10). Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

CJ Henderson, CB

The Titans gave up on one former first-round cornerback, so why not take a gamble on another? The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted CJ Henderson in the top ten of the 2020 NFL draft, and his career has not gone according to plan thus far.

Henderson was traded to the Carolina Panthers after just one season in Jacksonville, and the corner’s play never lived up to his draft pedigree. However, the Titans only kept four corners, and a young corner like Henderson may fit in perfectly behind L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie.

Cincinnati Bengals guard Jackson Carman (79). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson Carman, OL

Jackson Carman is another highly-drafted player who has disappointed to this point in the NFL. Carman was a second-round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft but has only started in six games.

The Bengals cut bait on Carman, but the Titans could be interested. On the initial roster, the team kept John Ojukwu and Jaelyn Duncan as backup tackles, which shouldn’t inspire much confidence.

Perhaps Brian Callahan saw enough during his time with Carman to take a chance.

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Travis Bell (73). Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Bell, DT

Travis Bell is another former Bengal who should interest the Titans. The defensive lineman was a seventh-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears last year but has already played on three different rosters.

However, Bell is still an intriguing prospect. The 6’0″, 310-pound DT was the first player to be drafted out of Kennesaw State and flashed preseason ability as a run-stuffer and pass-rusher.

The Titans do not have much depth on the defensive line. Keondre Coburn is the only reserve on the roster right now, so high-upside additions would be smart.

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Royce Newman (70). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Royce Newman, G

As mentioned above, the Titans’ backup offensive linemen don’t inspire much confidence. The team kept Daniel Brunskill and Andrew Rupcich to back up on the interior after Saahdiq Charles’s retirement threw a wrench in the team’s plans.

Currently, Dillon Radunz is slated to start at right guard, with Brunskill and Rupcich as backup options. Adding Royce Newman would give the team a capable option who could fill in at a moment’s notice.

Newman has delivered acceptable results in 24 career starts. The lineman would greatly improve the Titans’ depth.

Los Angeles Rams running back Zach Evans (21). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Evans, RB

Zach Evans was a surprise cut by the Los Angeles Rams. The 2023 sixth-round pick impressed in the preseason, scoring two TDs in the finale.

Evans will now hit the waiver wire after just one season in LA. As mentioned previously, the Titans could use reinforcements at RB. Even though Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears will get the bulk of the carries, having just one depth option probably isn’t wise.

Evans would be a high-upside claim by the Titans, providing insurance in case Pollard or Spears get injured.

Falcons release defensive lineman Travis Bell

The Falcons have released defensive lineman Travis Bell from their 53-man roster, the team announced on Tuesday

The Atlanta Falcons have released defensive lineman Travis Bell from their 53-man roster, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon. Bell, 25, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Kennesaw State.

The Falcons later poached Bell off the Bears’ practice squad in October. With LaCale London returning from the injured reserve list, Bell became the odd man out.

Atlanta also announced a quarterback change on Tuesday, benching Desmond Ridder for Taylor Heinicke. Check out the team’s updated depth chart heading into Week 16.

Every head coach ranked by record

Falcons Week 16 depth chart

Falcons Twitter reacts to loss

Falcons bench Ridder, again

Report: Falcons sign DL Travis Bell off Bears’ practice squad

The Falcons are signing DT Travis Bell off the Bears’ practice squad, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported Tuesday evening

The Atlanta Falcons are signing defensive lineman Travis Bell off the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported on Tuesday evening.

Bell, a seventh-round draft pick out of Kennesaw State in 2023, will join the Falcons’ 53-man roster as the team looks to replace injured defensive lineman Grady Jarrett.

The Falcons officially placed Jarrett on the injured reserve list on Tuesday afternoon, but since the team traded for Eagles defensive lineman Kentavius Street, someone will have to be released from the 53-man roster to make room for Bell.

Atlanta released an updated depth chart for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday afternoon.

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6 most surprising cuts from Bears’ 53-man roster

The Bears assembled their 53-man roster, cutting many players in the process. Here are the six most surprising cuts.

Week 1 of the regular season is just around the corner, and excitement is hitting a fever pitch. The Chicago Bears will face the loathsome Green Bay Packers to kick off the season, and fans are more than ready to turn the page on the preseason and get ready for a long year of Chicago football.

Before the festivities begin, however, the Bears had to make some tough decisions to whittle down the roster to the NFL’s mandated 53 players. While the vast majority of players Chicago waived didn’t make too many headlines, the team did make a couple of surprise cuts.

From standout rookies to shocking releases that continue to strangle an already weak position, here are the team’s six most surprising cuts.

Bears waive rookie DT Travis Bell

Bears rookie Travis Bell is expected to join the practice squad if he clears waivers.

The Chicago Bears continue to trim their roster to 53 players ahead of Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT deadline.

Outside of quarterback P.J. Walker and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, there haven’t been any big surprises. But there have been some tough cuts as general manager Ryan Poles assembles his roster.

Seventh-round rookie defensive tackle Travis Bell, a feel good story from the NFL draft, has been waived, according to Tom Pelissero.

Bell, the first player to be drafted out of Kennesaw State, is expected to be brought back on the practice squad, if he clears waivers.

Bell wasn’t expected to make the 53-man roster in what’s a crowded defensive line room. Four defensive tackles are projected to make the cut in veterans Justin Jones and Andrew Billings, as well as rookies Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens.

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7 biggest storylines to watch for in Bears vs. Colts

The Bears are gearing up to take on the Colts in Indianapolis for preseason Week 2. Here are 7 big storylines to keep an eye on.

The Chicago Bears will play their second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday after collaborating on a couple of joint practices this week. The team only has a few weeks to prepare for their opening game against the Green Bay Packers, which means several concerns and questions will need to be sorted out before then. Several position groups will be looking to build off their solid game from last week, the offense will need to adjust after several starters were confirmed to be sitting out, and there’s even a position battle that still has no clear front runner.

Prepare for the game by taking a look at the seven biggest storylines to watch for in Week 2 of the preseason.

10 Bears players to watch on Saturday vs. Colts

Here are 10 Bears players to keep an eye on when they take on the Indianapolis Colts this weekend.

Preseason game No. 2 is on deck for the Chicago Bears this weekend as they prepare to take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. This week’s squad will look a bit different than the one that took down the Tennessee Titans 23-17 last weekend, however.

According to head coach Matt Eberflus, quarterback Justin Fields and a few other select starters will not suit up,  The Bears coaching staff believes Fields and others put in plenty of work this week when they held two joint practices with the Colts at their facilities in Westfield, IN.

Even with some of the starters out, there are still many intriguing players worth watching as the Bears look to solidify their team. Many backups and reserves will receive more playing time as a result of Eberflus’ decision, which will help determine the back half of the roster as the regular season inches closer.

Here are 10 players we’ll be watching when the Bears and Colts kick off on Saturday evening at 6 pm CT.

Bears rookie report card from preseason win vs. Titans

How did the Bears 2023 rookie class look during Saturday’s game? Here’s our report card.

When the Chicago Bears took the field against the Tennessee Titans for their first preseason game, it was the first chance many fans were able to see the team’s 2023 rookie class in action. After nearly four months since general manager Ryan Poles made his 10 selections, the rookies took their first test to show their progress at the professional level.

Though veteran stars Justin Fields and D.J. Moore stole the show early on in the Bears’ 23-17 win, it was the rookies who had the majority of the playing time as the game progressed. Some of them shined in their debuts, while others could have gotten off to better starts. Here is our report card of the team’s rookie class after their preseason debut.

Bears training camp: Tracking rookie progress after first week

We’re taking a closer look at the 2023 Bears rookie draft class to see how they’ve performed in training camp up to this point.

Training camp is in full swing for the Chicago Bears, who have now completed seven days of practice since reporting to Halas Hall last week. Early on, the offense stole the show with big plays in the passing game, but the defense caught up once pads came on the last couple of days.

Players like Justin Fields, D.J. Moore, Chase Claypool, Tremaine Edmunds, Jaquan Brisker, and Kyler Gordon have stolen the headlines at one time or another after each practice, but what about the Bears rookie class? General manager Ryan Poles selected 10 players in total earlier this spring, most notably tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 overall pick.

Wright has been a starter at right tackle from Day 1 and he’s been one of the more intriguing players as camp has gotten underway. There’s more to the rookies than just the first-round pick, though. Here’s an overview of each Bears rookie performance up to this point in camp.

6 Bears who stood out during Day 7 of training camp

Defense won the day during Wednesday’s Bears training camp practice. Here are the players who stood out the most.

The Chicago Bears wrapped up their longest training camp practice to date this year and it was a spirited one to say the least.

Overall, the defense won the day with key turnovers, pass breakups, and big hits during the second padded practice of camp. There was plenty of trash-talking taking place between players and even some coaches during the nearly two-and-a-half-hour session up at Halas Hall. Going into an off day on Thursday, the Bears made sure to squeeze as much out of the players as possible.

Here are the players who stood out the most during Wednesday’s practice.