Kickoff Wednesday. New England plays at Seattle tonight and every team has spent the last 48 hours locking in contracts, filling practice squads and absorbing the last injuries of the summer. Here is every move that matters from Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9.
• Christian Gonzalez resets the cornerback market at $33.75 million a year
• 49ers DT Alfred Collins out for the season with a torn patellar tendon
• Cowboys put Tyler Smith on injured reserve days before the Giants game
• J.J. McCarthy opens the year as Minnesota’s third quarterback
Contracts and Extensions
| Team | Player | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | QB Baker Mayfield | Three years, $165 million through 2029, about $55 million a year |
| Patriots | CB Christian Gonzalez | Four years, $135 million, $102 million in total guarantees |
| Vikings | S Harrison Smith | One year, $12.25 million |
| Giants | QB Jameis Winston | Two year extension, terms not yet reported |
| NFL | Commissioner Roger Goodell | Four year extension approved by owners |
Mayfield had said in July he felt disrespected by Tampa Bay’s offers and would not negotiate once camp opened. The sides quietly re-engaged over the weekend and the deal was announced Tuesday, the day before the season. Gonzalez signed on the eve of the Patriots’ opener after a summer of public frustration, and his average edges past Devon Witherspoon’s $33 million a year in Seattle.
Injuries and Roster Status
| Team | Move | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | DT Alfred Collins out for the season, torn patellar tendon | Injured in Tuesday’s practice in Australia. He was a projected starter next to Osa Odighizuwa. Kevin Givens and Sebastian Valdez are the practice squad options. |
| Cowboys | G Tyler Smith to injured reserve; signed C Nick Leverett; G Laken Tomlinson to the practice squad | Dallas loses its best lineman at least four games, starting Sunday night at the Giants. |
| Vikings | Carson Wentz named QB2, J.J. McCarthy is QB3 | Kyler Murray starts. McCarthy has now lost the starting job and the backup job in the same summer. |
| Bears | Braxton Jones named starting left tackle | Ozzy Trapilo is off PUP but not ready after a torn patellar tendon in January. Ben Johnson has no timeline. |
| Chiefs | LT Josh Simmons unlikely for Monday’s opener | Patrick Mahomes returns from his ACL tear against Denver with a question mark at left tackle. |
| Rams | Aaron Donald will not travel to Australia | The comeback debut waits until the Rams are back in the United States. |
| Falcons | Tua Tagovailoa named Week 1 starter | Michael Penix Jr. is the backup. |
Practice Squad and Minor Moves
Wednesday, September 9:
- Falcons: signed DT Zacch Pickens to the practice squad, released DT Carlos Allen, waived DE Keshawn Banks from injured reserve
- Panthers: signed LB Jeremiah Moon to the practice squad, released LB Cam Gill
- Bears: signed S Keidron Smith to the practice squad, waived DB Beanie Bishop
- Packers: signed RB Damon Bankston and S Kahlef Hailassie to the practice squad, released S Murvin Kenion
- Saints: released DL Jonah Williams from the practice squad
- Chargers: waived WR Dalevon Campbell from injured reserve
Tuesday, September 8:
- Texans: signed QB Mark Gronowski and C Gavin Gerhardt to the practice squad
- Browns: signed WR Bub Means and DE Nadame Tucker to the practice squad
- Colts: signed TE Kenny Fletcher to the practice squad
- Saints: signed WR Kyrese Rowan to the practice squad
- Broncos: waived LB Drew Sanders from injured reserve
- Lions: waived C Michael Niese from injured reserve
- Falcons: terminated the contract of DB Darren Hall
- Bears: terminated the contract of DB Dontae Manning
Each practice squad carries 16 players, with a 17th spot for an International Player Pathway participant. Players can be elevated to the game day roster up to three times before they must be signed to the 53.
Also of Note
The LSU returnee saga is over for now. LSU filled its 105 man roster Tuesday, which means former NFL rookies Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris cannot join the Tigers despite winning court injunctions. Both were waived by their NFL teams to pursue a return to college and are now free agents in limbo. Full background on our NFL players returning to college page.
The season opens tonight. New England at Seattle, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, a Super Bowl LX rematch and only the second Wednesday opener in league history. See what NFL games are on today.
What’s Next
Thursday brings the 49ers and Rams in Melbourne and the first official injury reports of the year. Sunday’s 13 games mean the first wave of practice squad elevations, which must be announced by Saturday afternoon. Trade talk stays quiet until the first injuries land.
See also our roster cuts tracker, waiver claims tracker and initial 53 man rosters.
The Bottom Line
Two market setting contracts on the eve of the season: Mayfield at $165 million over three years and Gonzalez at $33.75 million a year. The 49ers lost a starting defensive tackle before their opener and Dallas lost Tyler Smith to injured reserve. Kickoff is tonight.