The NFL waiver wire remained active Thursday, as four teams claimed new players following the extended aftermath of final cuts. The Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars all added talent to their respective rosters in the wake of additional tinkering by other squads.
NFL waiver wire roundup: Eagles claim RB Trey Sermon from 49ers
Earlier on Thursday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni alluded to having a secret plan for the team’s 53rd roster spot following the surprising departure of linebacker Davion Taylor on Wednesday. The Eagles, who are monitoring a hamstring injury for running back Miles Sanders, claimed former San Francisco 49ers running back Trey Sermon to fill the last spot on the roster, the team announced.
Sermon, a 2021 third-round pick of the 49ers, was waived on Wednesday. He starred at Ohio State in 2020 after playing with the Oklahoma Sooners for three years. During his tenure in Norman, Sermon was teammates with starting QB Jalen Hurts. Both the QB and the RB have shown proficiency out of shotgun formations.
Sermon serves as insurance for Sanders behind incumbent backs Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell. The Eagles also have running backs Kennedy Brooks and La’Mical Perine on the practice squad.
Last season, as a rookie, Sermon rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown. He also gained 26 yards on three receptions.
Jaguars land linebacker on waivers
Just one day after claiming linebacker Ty Summers from the Green Bay Packers, the Jaguars claimed linebacker Caleb Johnson from the Chicago Bears, according to PFN’s Aaron Wilson. Johnson was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent last offseason. He produced eight tackles in 14 games.
Johnson will join the Jaguars as a depth piece behind Foye Oluokun, first-round pick Devin Lloyd, and fellow rookie Chad Muma. Johnson and Summers will likely form a tandem on special teams.
The Jaguars released journeyman defensive lineman Adam Gotsis to make room for Johnson.
Giants enhance OL depth
The Giants have a pretty uneven depth chart along the offensive line. On Thursday, they tried to enhance the depth chart by claiming former Baltimore Ravens guard Tyre Phillips off waivers, per Wilson.
Phillips, a 2020 third-round pick by the Ravens, played two seasons in Baltimore. He appeared in 22 career games (13 starts) and will bring experience to the Giants line, which has been shuffled routinely throughout the offseason under new head coach Brian Daboll.
The Giants released veteran starting linebacker Blake Martinez to make room for Phillips. It’s a surprise move for a team lacking depth at linebacker.
Bears add to wideout room
The Bears stole from their NFC North enemies on the waiver wire, claiming former Minnesota Vikings wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette, per Wilson. The Vikings cut Smith-Marsette after acquiring former first-round pick Jalen Reagor from the Eagles for a pair of draft picks.
Smith-Marsette will fill out a Chicago wideout depth chart that just lost N’Keal Harry to injured reserve. Smith-Marsette caught five passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns last season. He could be a deep threat in the Bears’ wideout rotation.
Steelers add former Jaguars linebacker
The Steelers decided to add to their former Jaguars linebacker collection, claiming Jamir Jones on Thursday. Jones spent the summer in Jacksonville after splitting last season with the Jaguars, Steelers and Los Angeles Rams.
Now, Jones is back in Pittsburgh to fill out the depth chart and play on special teams. He is familiar with starter Myles Jack from their time together with the Jaguars last year.
The Notre Dame alum played 15 games last season with three different teams and produced 10 tackles.
The Steelers cut linebacker Derek Tuszka to make room for Jones.