Transactions last week: It was a busy week on the NFL’s personnel wire for former XFL players. It began on Monday, when the Atlanta Falcons released RB Godwin Igwebuike (Dragons). On Wednesday, the team signed him to their practice squad and he was elevated to the active roster on Saturday for their week two game. Tuesday saw Igwebuike’s XFL teammate, G Michael Dunn (Dragons) get promoted to the 53-man roster of the Cleveland Browns. He had been on the practice squad. Also on Tuesday, WR Charleston Rambo (Guardians) was released from the injured reserve list of the Philadelphia Eagles. This makes him a free agent.
The same day, CB Luq Barcoo (Brahmas) and WR Jontre Kirklin (Saints) were released from the practice squads of the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints, respectively. For Barcoo, it was a procedural move, as he was re-signed on Thursday. Finally, WR Lucky Jackson (Defenders) re-signed to the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad after he had been released the week prior.
On Wednesday, the Denver Broncos brought WR Michael Bandy (Roughnecks) back to the practice squad. Also, DT Bruce Hector (Renegades), who had an impressive preseason with the New York Jets, signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans. Another practice squad signing came on Thursday, when RB Jacques Patrick (Brahmas) was signed by the Tennessee Titans, the team with whom he finished the preseason.
Tryouts last week: Two former XFL left-footed punters were brought in for tryouts by teams facing left-footed punters on on Sunday. P Brock Miller (Dragons), from XFL 2020 and later the USFL, worked out for the Broncos on Wednesday. Denver faced Washington and their lefty punter, Tress Way. On Thursday, P Brad Wing (Brahmas) earned his first tryout post-XFL, with his former team, the Steelers. He was the punter in Pittsburgh in 2014. The Steelers took on the Cleveland Browns in week two, and their lefty punter, Corey Bojorquez. Miller has made a career out of being the lefty punter of choice on the tryout circuit over the past several years. Teams bring him in to prepare their returners for how the ball reacts off the left foot, which is different from how returners usually see it off the foot of righties. NFL coaches will do anything to get a competitive advantage.
*After making two special teams tackles last week, LS Scott Daly (Guardians) had a quiet Sunday afternoon. He snapped on all punts and kicks for the Detroit Lions but didn’t register any statistics.
*Snapping on all field goals and punts, LS Christian Kuntz (Renegades) finished Monday night’s game against the Browns with no stats. He did snap cleanly on two 50+-yard field goals for the Steelers.
*Encouraging signs for S Elijah Campbell (Defenders), as though he was inactive again this week due to injury, he got in a full week of limited practices and was listed as “questionable” on the week’s injury report. It seems possible he could return for the Miami Dolphins next week.
*It was not as flashy of a game for TE Donald Parham (Renegades) compared to what he did in week one – he had just one reception for seven yards on two targets. He earned the start along with Gerald Everett in the team’s two-tight end formation. He actually finished with more offensive snaps played than Everett: 50% compared to 41% for Everett. Everett was more active in the pass game with three catches compared to Parham’s one.
*With Tyler Huntley still nursing an injury, QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats) remained active as the backup for the Baltimore Ravens but once again did not play.
*It was thought that QB Taylor Heinicke (Battlehawks) would provide a safety net for the Atlanta Falcons should first-year starter Desmond Ridder falter. However, he’s done anything but, leading the team to a 2-0 record out of the gate. His performance has kept Heinicke on the sidelines.
*RB Godwin Igwebuike (Dragons) was the lone practice squad elevation among XFL players in the NFL in week two. For the second week in a row, he played just one offensive snap. He was in on 22% of special teams snaps for the Falcons.
*It was another inconsistent performance from P Dan Whelan (Defenders), now of the Green Bay Packers. Whelan’s stat line: Four punts, 199 yds, 49.8 avg, 39.8 net, one touchback, and a long punt of 59 yards. Whelan’s first punt was his third touchback of the year, getting 38 yards gross but just 18 net. His two punts in the second half both cleared 50 yards. The final punt, his longest of the game, was received at the Atlanta 11 yard line but returned to the 27. That drive led to the Falcons’ game-winning field goal, with just 1:01 left on the clock.
*Back on the active roster of the Cleveland Browns, G Michael Dunn (Dragons) played nine offensive snaps (10%) and four special teams snaps. He was often brought in as an extra blocker along the left side of the offensive line and he had a key block that allowed RB Jerome Ford to scamper 69 yards down to the one-yard line in the third quarter.
