Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) passes during minicamp at IBM Performance Field. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)
Tryouts
After being waived August 29 by the New York Giants following training camp, DT Kobe Smith (Brahmas) resurfaced on Tuesday in a workout with the Denver Broncos. He was not immediately signed, but could be a practice squad candidate over the last few weeks of the season should injuries strike a team’s defensive line.
Also working out on Tuesday was RB Jacques Patrick (Brahmas) with the New York Jets. Patrick had already worked out for the team a few weeks ago, on November 28. This marked Patrick’s second in-season workout and fifth overall since the end of the XFL season.
In a somewhat rare Friday tryout, LS Alex Matheson (Battlehawks) was invited to work out for the Los Angeles Rams. LA’s current long snapper is rookie free agent Alex Ward. This comes a day after the Rams’ Thursday night victory over the New Orleans Saints, so it’s possible Ward suffered an injury in that game. Kicker Lucas Havrisik has struggled for them of late, so perhaps some of that blame rests with Ward? It’s hard to say, as Matheson was the only snapper brought in to work out. This was his third workout, following two with the Baltimore Ravens this past spring.
Transactions
A day after his Jets workout, RB Jacques Patrick (Brahmas) was signed to the team’s practice squad. He joins DT Bruce Hector as former XFL players currently stationed there. Patrick had previously been a part of the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans in September and October. He is one of two running backs currently on the Jets’ practice squad.
Friday marked the release of LB Frank Ginda (NY Guardians) from the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons. He was signed just a few weeks ago. His spot was taken by P Pat O’Donnell, brought in as insurance in case Bradley Pinion, Atlanta’s regular punter, had to miss the game due to his wife going into labor. O’Donnell’s stay on the practice squad figures to be a short one, so Ginda could return soon.
While I don’t usually highlight these players in this space because they didn’t play in the XFL in 2023, it’s worth noting that several players who have recently signed letters of intent with the XFL have signed with NFL teams. In fact, three of them did so just this week:
-S Keidron Smith signed to the practice squad of the Denver Broncos (signed a LOI with the Orlando Guardians on 12/13).
-OT Badara Traore signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers (signed a LOI with the DC Defenders the day before, on 12/18).
-S Jalen Elliott signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers (signed a LOI with the Houston Roughnecks on 10/30).
It’s a reminder that former and future XFL players will continue to get signed to practice squads and then futures contracts as the NFL season winds down. This is in addition to the dispersal drafts that will take place over the coming weeks within the new merged league. Things are going to get messy.
Performances
*As the backup to starter Jake Browning, QB AJ McCarron (Battlehawks) was active for the Cincinnati Bengals, but did not see game action.
*The Pittsburgh Steelers waived RB Anthony McFarland this week, meaning RB Godwin Igwebuike (Dragons) moves up one spot on the depth chart and, pending any other transactions at the position, should be active on gamedays from here on out. Igwebuike took a touchback on all three Bengal kickoffs Saturday night and thus did not record any stats. He played on 50% of the special teams snaps on the evening.
*Steelers LS Christian Kuntz (Renegades) continued to snap on all field goals, extra points, and punts.
*After missing last week with a shoulder injury, TE Donald Parham (Renegades) did not appear on this week’s injury report, yet was made inactive for Saturday’s game for the Los Angeles Chargers against the Buffalo Bills. The coaching change in Los Angeles may have played a role in Parham’s benching.
*The Atlanta Falcons are still in the playoff hunt thanks in part to the performance of new/old starting QB Taylor Heinicke (Battlehawks) on Sunday. In his second stint as starter this season, Heinicke led Atlanta to a 29-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, who are also fighting for their playoff lives. He finished 23-of-33 passing for 229 yards and a touchdown. Heinicke also ran two times for 10 yards. It was the first win for Heinicke in three starts so far in 2023.
*Playing 32% of the defensive snaps as a reserve, DT LaCale London (Battlehawks) made one tackle on the day. It was a goal-line stop of Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor for no gain.
*One of three Falcons offensive players to play every snap on that side of the ball against Indianapolis, OT Storm Norton (Wildcats) started his third consecutive game at right tackle in place of the injured Kaleb McGary. Norton played a role in Atlanta’s dominating offensive performance. The team ran for 177 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and Heinicke was sacked just once. Per Pro Football Focus, Norton was the third-highest graded Falcon offensive player in the game, drawing the best score of any offensive lineman. It was a strong overall effort from a line that has dealt with injuries as of late.
*In his role as reserve safety, S Micah Abernathy (Renegades) played 71% of the special teams snaps for the Falcons. He did not see the field on defense.
*Elevated to the gameday roster for the first time this season, Minnesota Vikings WR Lucky Jackson (Defenders) played one snap on offense, 12 (46%) on special teams. Jackson was active due to an injury to WR Jalen Nailor, who sat out this game. WR Jordan Addison left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. Even then, the Vikings would split a tight end out wide, or even a running back (or fullback!) instead of going with Jackson. On kickoff coverage, he played the R4 position in the first half, L4 in the second half (an explanation for kickoff positions can be found here.)
*LG Joel Bitonio was able to start this week after missing much of the previous week’s game, relegating G Michael Dunn (Dragons) back to extra blocker duty. He played 11% of the offensive snaps when the team went to its jumbo package, and two snaps on special teams.
*Green Bay Packers P Daniel Whelan (Defenders) punted three times in the team’s wild 33-30 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He had a 47.3 gross and net average, raising his yearly averages in both of those categories.
*LB DeMarquis Gates (Roughnecks) tied for the team lead with 79% of special teams snaps played for the Chicago Bears against the Arizona Cardinals. He didn’t register any stats.
*It was back to special teams duty for S Elijah Campbell (Defenders) after he started last week at safety for the injured DeShon Elliott. In playing 77% of the snaps on the third unit, Campbell was in on one assisted tackle, helping to limit KaVontae Turpin to just two yards on a punt return.
*Activated to the gameday roster for the third and likely final time this season (barring injury), QB Ben DiNucci (Sea Dragons) was made inactive by the Denver Broncos in their Sunday night game against the New England Patriots.
*QB Josh Johnson (Wildcats) was once again inactive as the third quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
