John

Simon

The Titans also moved on from defensive lineman Freedom Akinmoladun, linebacker Cassh Maluia, and defensive backs Nate Brooks and Clayton Geathers. Teams must get to a 53-man roster by Tuesday afternoon so expect many more cuts to come rolling in through the next few days. Simon started 16 games for the Patriots last year but only recorded two sacks. He could land with another team as a depth option at some point this year.

Simon was let go by the Colts at final cuts last season before latching on with New England a few weeks into the year. He recorded two sacks across 11 games and has always had a knack for the quarterback despite limited playing time. Simon has 15 sacks in 65 career games and will compete for a rotational gig.

Simon had been out of the league since getting waived at final cuts. The Patriots aren’t a great fit for Simon as a base 4-3 scheme, but they run enough multiple fronts to find a role for him. Simon is taking rookie LB Ja’Whaun Bentley’s (injured reserve) spot on the active roster

Simon, a defensive end at Ohio State, will make the transition to stand-up edge rusher with the Ravens. He’s already drawn comparisons to ex-Raven Jarret Johnson, but expect him to focus on special teams as a rookie.

Simon (6-1, 257) — referred to as the “heart and soul” of Ohio State’s defense by Urban Meyer — was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, racking up 43 career tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. He ran 4.62 at OSU’s Pro Day. NFL teams don’t love short, stubby pass rushers, but Simon is built like James Harrison, with a similar non-stop motor and offers plus athleticism. He’ll struggle for snaps along the Ravens’ loaded defensive line as a rookie, but is an intriguing developmental prospect.

Simon played with his hand in the dirt at defensive end in college, but he is already drawing comparisons to ex-Raven Jarret Johnson. The only knock on Simon (6-foot-1, 257) is his size, but he’ll have a similarly short edge rusher in Elvis Dumervil (5-foot-11, 248) to learn from with the Ravens.

Simon suffered a chest injury Monday night against the Raiders. Jadeveon Clowney could see more snaps at outside linebacker with Simon out, but ILB Akeem Dent will likely get the majority of the snaps.

Simon returned from a four-game absence in Week 16 but lasted only 28 snaps before aggravating his chest injury. He missed last week’s regular season finale and will sit again Saturday. Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus will continue to operate as the Texans’ top outside linebackers.

Unlike ex-GM Ryan Grigson, new shot-caller Chris Ballard is taking an economical approach to free agency. He took a flier on Barkevious Mingo and now adds Simon, a player many around the Texans believe is on the rise. Simon is short at 6'1/260, but he’s stout against the run and flashed pass-rush juice with 26 hurries on 516 snaps last season. We’ll see if he can do it without guys like Jadeveon Clowney, J.J. Watt, and Whitney Mercilus getting all the attention. Simon figures to be a direct replacement for free agent Erik Walden.

“He’ll miss some time,” were coach Chuck Pagano’s words on Monday. Simon has been one of the Colts’ best defensive players this season, so his loss will be felt in addition to playmaking FS Malik Hooker’s (ACL, MCL).