Minor NFL Transactions: 3/19/25
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: DE Al-Quadin Muhammad
Kansas City Chiefs
- Re-signed: DT Marlon Tuipulotu
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DT Esezi Otomewo
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: RB Julius Chestnut
Al-Quadin Muhammad is inking a one-year deal to return to Detroit, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The defensive lineman got into nine games (two starts) for the Lions last season, collecting 11 tackles and three sacks while appearing in about 40 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.
Muhammad didn’t get into a game during the 2023 campaign. He spent the first part of the season on the Colts practice squad, and he was later suspended for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. Prior to his lost 2023 season, the lineman got into games with the Saints, Colts, and Bears, collecting 12 sacks across six NFL seasons.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/24
Today’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: CB Divaad Wilson
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR Chris Blair, OLB Khalid Kareem
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: WR Tyrell Shavers, WR K.J. Hamler
- Placed on IR: LB Baylon Spector
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: G Ryan Bates (story)
- Elevated: T Jake Curhan, LB Carl Jones Jr.
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: CB Josh Butler, WR Jalen Cropper
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: C Luke Wattenberg
- Elevated: FB Michael Burton, LB Zach Cunningham
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: LB Abraham Beauplan, OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
- Elevated: T Jamarco Jones, LB Zeke Turner
- Placed on IR: LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- Waived: DE Isaiah Thomas
Houston Texans
- Elevated: DT Tommy Togiai
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: WR Laquon Treadwell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen, WR Justyn Ross
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: TE Tucker Fisk
- Elevated: CB Eli Apple, OLB Caleb Murphy
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: DT Brandon Pili
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Joe Giles-Harris, TE Mitchell Wilcox
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: WR Kevin Austin, WR Dante Pettis
New York Giants
- Elevated: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Isaiah Hodgins
New York Jets
- Elevated: K Spencer Shrader
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: S Tashaun Gipson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: LS Evan Deckers
- Elevated: WR Marquez Callaway, LB Vi Jones
- Waived: LS Zach Triner
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, S Daryl Worley
Washington Commanders
- Signed to active roster: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Elevated: K Zane Gonzalez, DE Efe Obada
- Placed on IR: TE Colson Yankoff
Spector will miss at least the next four games as a result of the Bills’ move. He has remained a mainstay on special teams this year, having also done so in 2022 and ’23. The former seventh-rounder has made three starts on defense, however, so his absence will be felt moving forward. Linebacker has been a position hit hard by injuries this season, and Buffalo’s depth at the second level will now be tested even further.
Wattenberg had his 21-day practice window opened by the Broncos earlier this week, paving the way for today’s activation. The 27-year-old operated as the team’s starting center prior to going down after having won a summer competition for the gig with Alex Forsyth. Forsyth handled first-team duties over the past four games, drawing a superior PFF evaluation and therefore potentially playing his way into an extended look atop the depth chart. At a minimum, having Wattenberg back will give Denver – a team with three IR activations left – depth up front.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/2/24
Today’s minor NFL moves including standard gameday practice squad elevations for Sunday’s slate of games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Natrone Brooks, DE Demone Harris
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: NT Josh Tupou, DE Chris Wormley
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: TE Jordan Matthews
- Elevated: CB Caleb Farley, WR Deven Thompkins
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: T Jake Curhan, CB Reddy Steward
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, WR Kendric Pryor
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: DT Sam Kamara
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Kwon Alexander, FB Michael Burton
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Chris Smith
- Elevated: OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
- Released: TE Parker Hesse
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Kamal Hadden
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Elijah Cooks, WR Austin Trammell
- Placed on IR: WR Christian Kirk (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed to active roster: TE Peyton Hendershot
- Placed on IR: TE Jared Wiley
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: LB Elias Neal, P Ty Zentner
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: DT Neil Farrell, LS Matt Overton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Millard Bradford, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, RB Jordan Mims
- Elevated: CB Tre Herndon, S Roderic Teamer
- Placed on IR: WR Bub Means, RB Kendre Miller
- Waived: G Kyle Hergel
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: TE E.J. Jenkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Justin Hardee, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Bryce Oliver
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, QB Trevor Siemian
- Placed on IR: OL Andrew Rupcich
- Waived: TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/24
Saturdays minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille, CB Divaad Wilson
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Natrone Brooks, DE Demone Harris
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
- Elevated: CB Bump Cooper Jr.
- Placed on IR: CB T.J. Tampa
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: DT Eli Ankou, WR Jalen Virgil
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: RB Travis Homer, DE Jacob Martin
- Elevated: S Tarvarius Moore
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: CB Amani Oruwariye
- Elevated: RB Dalvin Cook (story)
- Placed on IR: TE John Stephens (story)
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Kwon Alexander, G Calvin Throckmorton
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Elevated: FB Troy Hairston
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Montrell Washington
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: QB Carter Bradley, TE Justin Shorter
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Jaylen Johnson, WR Jalen Reagor
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Ochaun Mathis
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Ugo Amadi
- Elevated: WR Equanimeous St. Brown, S Roderic Teamer
- Waived: RB Jordan Mims
New York Jets
- Elevated: OL Alec Lindstrom, S Jarius Monroe
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from IR: WR Ainias Smith
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: S Adrian Amos, K Anders Carlson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: S Jerrick Reed II
- Elevated: CB Faion Hicks, CB Josh Jobe
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: WR Rakim Jarrett
- Elevated: QB Michael Pratt
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, WR Mason Kinsey, T John Ojukwu
- Elevated: RB Joshua Kelley, QB Trevor Siemian
- Placed on IR: T Jaelyn Duncan
- Waived: OLB Caleb Murphy
Dolphins Working Out Potential Edge Replacements
The Dolphins received some unfortunate news yesterday as they discovered that a knee injury will sideline former first-round pick Jaelan Phillips for the remainder of the season. They filled Phillips’ vacant roster spot today with Tyus Bowser, signing him off of the Seahawks’ practice squad, but the additions may not stop there. 
In addition to reuniting Bowser with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver after their time together in Baltimore, Miami brought in a few names to work out for potential contracts. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, veterans Shaq Lawson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Cam Gill were all in South Florida today to audition for potential roster spots.
While both Lawson and Weaver have spent time with the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins, their time never lined up together. Lawson does have experience in Miami, though, starting seven games for the team in 2020 and delivering four sacks and a career-high 18 quarterback hits. Since then, he has remained in the AFC East, spending a year with the Jets and two more seasons with the Bills, who drafted him in 2016. His role in Buffalo last year was minimal as he served as an occasional sub in the defensive pass rush.
Muhammad had an impressive 2021 campaign in Indianapolis. In his first season as a full-time starter, the Miami (FL) product delivered career highs in sacks (6.0), total tackles (48), and quarterback hits (13). Rewarded with a new contract in Chicago, Muhammad struggled to find similar success in his new role with the Bears. He spent last year on the Colts’ practice squad but didn’t play, especially after a six-game suspension was levied on him by the league for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
Gill, a former undrafted free agent for the Buccaneers, fought back from his own recent injury history to play 15 games in Tampa Bay last year. He doesn’t quite have the pass rushing upside that Lawson and Muhammad bring to the table, but he remains a potential body that Miami could add on defense.
Weaver has plenty of options to try and replace Phillips as the team moves forward with its season, though none of the options will likely match the production Phillips brought to the table. Regardless, as Miami continues to be plagued with injuries on both sides of the ball, adding quality bodies continues to be the focus.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/10/24
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: T Brandon Parker
Carolina Panthers
- Signed from practice squad: RB Mike Boone, DB Lonnie Johnson
- Waived: LB Jamie Sheriff
Cleveland Browns
- Signed from practice squad: DE Sam Kamara
New York Giants
- Signed from practice squad: FB Jakob Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on IR: P Cameron Johnston (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Keenan Isaac
- Placed on IR: CB Bryce Hall (story)
Free Agent
- Suspension lifted: CB J.C. Jackson, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, WR Michael Thomas
- Suspended: WR Hayden Hatten
Not long after being a 49ers cut as the NFC champions pared set their initial 53-man roster, Parker secured another opportunity. The 49ers carried Parker on their roster this offseason and brought him back shortly after releasing him. A 33-game starter with the Raiders, Parker joins a Falcons roster housing Storm Norton as the swingman behind Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary.
Isaac went to camp with the Bucs but caught on with the Panthers, via their barrage of waiver claims, after being waived. The Panthers waived Isaac before their Week 1 game. Isaac initially signed with the Bucs as a 2023 UDFA and played in two games last season.
Hatten incurred a five-game suspension today. A Seahawks UDFA this year, Hatten did not make the team’s 53-man roster. At the same time, the NFL lifted the suspensions of the other three free agents, Jackson, Muhammad, and Thomas.
Cowboys Sign DE Al-Quadin Muhammad
AUGUST 2: Muhammad will be eligible to play in Week 1 if he makes Dallas’ roster. Shortly after his signing became official, team reporter Patrik Walker noted the NFL removed the final game from Muhammad’s 2023 PED suspension. As a result, he will not miss time in September whether he finds himself on the Cowboys or another team.
AUGUST 1: Dallas’ defensive end workout will produce an agreement with Al-Quadin Muhammad. The former Colts defensive end is joining the Cowboys after auditioning for the team today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.
Muhammad did not see any game action last season but completed a six-sack showing in the not-so-distant past. That came with the 2021 Colts. The Cowboys will see what the veteran can contribute following the news of Sam Williams‘ ACL tear.
While this marks a second Carl Lawson workout that did not lead to a deal over the past week, as the former Bengals and Jets sack artist also auditioned for the Panthers, it represents another opportunity for Muhammad, who was part of the Saints’ trajectory-changing 2017 draft class. Muhammad joined Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, Marcus Williams, Alvin Kamara, Trey Hendrickson and Alex Anzalone in that group — one that went 4-for-4 in playoff berths from 2017-20 — but was not part of those late-Drew Brees-era squads beyond his rookie year. The Saints waived Muhammad in 2018, leading to a long-term Colts partnership.
Mostly working as a rotational defender in Indianapolis, Muhammad did secure a starting role in 2021 — after the team did not re-sign Justin Houston. Playing under ex-Cowboys linebackers coach Matt Eberflus that year, Muhammad totaled six sacks, 13 QB hits and a forced fumble. This led to a Bears free agent signing (two years, $8MM), though Chicago cut bait after one season.
Should the Cowboys end up keeping Muhammad into the regular season, they would need to wait until Week 2 to deploy him. Muhammad’s return to the Colts in 2023 produced no playing time and a six-game PED suspension. That ban came down with only five games left last season, which will lead to the 29-year-old DE being sidelined for one game to start this campaign.
The Cowboys had big plans for Williams, as they let Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler follow Dan Quinn to Washington. The team did, however, use a second-round pick on Marshawn Kneeland. The rookie figures to see more playing time in the wake of Williams’ injury, though Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence remain the team’s edge-rushing cornerstones. Muhammad will attempt to mix in behind the top two, and his 2023 season on the Colts’ practice squad could also point to an emergency-stash-type role for the eighth-year vet.
Cowboys Line Up DE Workouts
In need of depth along the edge, the Cowboys have scheduled four workouts for veterans who remain on the market. Carl Lawson, Shaka Toney, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Justin Hollins are set to visit Dallas today, per Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 
Sam Williams suffered an ACL tear which will keep him sidelined for the 2024 campaign. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence remain on track to handle a heavy workload, but Williams’ absence leaves the team short on valuable depth. In the wake of his injury, the Cowboys started evaluating the available options still in free agency.
Lawson faced high expectations upon signing with the Jets in 2021, but an Achilles tear delayed his debut New York campaign by one year. He managed seven sacks upon returning to health, but last year he logged only 101 defensive snaps and did not make a statistical impact. The 29-year-old has taken visits with the Dolphins and Panthers this offseason, and he will aim to turn his Dallas visit into an agreement.
Toney entered the league as a Commanders seventh-rounder, and he played primarily on special teams during his two seasons in Washington. A gambling suspension kept the 26-year-old out of the NFL last season, but he was reinstated in April. That was quickly followed by his Commanders release, leaving him free to sign with an interested team. This is Toney’s second known visit and his first since May.
Muhammad is a veteran of 84 games and 34 starts, but he did not see any regular season game action last season. He received a six-game PED suspension late in the 2023 campaign; since the Colts did not make the playoffs, that ban will include the first week of the coming season. Muhammad did not make a strong impact during his one-year Bears stint in 2022, but he served as a full-time Indianapolis starter the previous year and collected six sacks.
Hollins, 28, has spent time with five different teams in his career. His most productive campaign came in 2022 (3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss) while playing for the Packers and Rams. Hollins made at least one appearance with three teams in 2023, playing primarily on special teams. A third phase role would likely await him in Dallas.
The Cowboys entered Thursday with just over $12MM in cap space, enough flexibility to make a low-cost addition along the edge. Each of those four players will no doubt be available on team-friendly deals, and their performances today will impact Dallas’ decision at the position.
Colts DE Al-Quadin Muhammad Receives PED Suspension
The Colts will not have practice squad defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad available for the remainder of the regular season after the veteran defender received a six-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The suspension will be without pay for Muhammad, according to Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports, and, with only five games remaining in the regular season, his absence will either bleed over into the team’s first playoff game or the first game of the 2024 NFL season if the team misses the postseason and Muhammad finds himself under contract next year.
This is the second time a Colts defensive lineman has been subject to a six-game PED suspension after defensive tackle Grover Stewart served the same punishment back in October. Stewart claimed at the time that he had unknowingly taken the banned substance but took responsibility for the mistake, nonetheless.
Muhammad is a seven-year veteran dating back to his rookie days in New Orleans. He was waived after his first year with the Saints and signed the next day by the Colts. In Indianapolis, Muhammad first found his role in the NFL. Over his four years with the team, Muhammad started 25 games, including every contest of the 2021 season. During that campaign two years ago, Muhammad set career-highs in sacks (6.0), total tackles (48), and quarterback hits (13).
Following his full year as a starter, Muhammad signed a two-year, $8MM contract with the Bears. After starting the first nine games of his tenure in Chicago, Muhammad took a backseat to then-rookie fifth-round pick Dominique Robinson. Despite losing the starting job, Muhammad still played a large role in the rotation, often playing more defensive snaps than Robinson. After the season ended, the Bears made the cost-cutting move to release Muhammad and free up a bit more cap space. Since then, Muhammad has returned to Indianapolis, signing to the team’s practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster.
Though he’s never been forced to miss time as a pro, this is not Muhammad’s first suspension. As a sophomore at the University of Miami, Muhammad was given a season-long suspension after his participation in an altercation with his former roommate at the team’s Spring Game. After coming back for an impressive 2014 season that saw him record five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, Muhammad received his second suspension for his role in a luxury rental car scandal that violated the NCAA rules at that time in college football history. He was eventually dismissed from the program and, despite having only played in 17 games as a Hurricane, was selected by the Saints in the sixth-round of the NFL Draft.
As a member of the Colts’ practice squad this year, Muhammad has failed to see any in-season game action. Set to turn 29 years old in the offseason, Muhammad is not doing himself any favors in his efforts to return to the field. He’ll miss the first full regular season in his career, and unless he finds himself getting called up as a practice squad elevation in the Colts’ hypothetical second playoff game, he’ll go a calendar year and a half without appearing in an NFL game. Muhammad faces an uphill battle when it comes to continuing his NFL career post-suspension.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC South
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Colts, Jaguars, Texans and Titans moves are noted below.
Houston Texans
Claimed:
- DB Alex Austin, G Nick Broeker
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- DT Khalil Davis, T Austin Deculus, CB Cobi Francis, DL Ali Gaye, S Brandon Hill, WR Johnny Johnson, TE Dalton Keene, OL Jimmy Morrissey, DE Adedayo Odeleye, DE Derek Rivers, WR Steven Sims, LB Garret Wallow, P Ty Zentner
Indianapolis Colts
Placed on IR:
- TE Jelani Woods (story)
Signed:
- WR Isaiah McKenzie (story)
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Liam Anderson, S Henry Black, S Marcel Dabo, RB Jake Funk, S Ronnie Harrison (story), RB Jason Huntley, WR D.J. Montgomery, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (story), LB Donavan Mutin, WR Amari Rodgers, DT Caleb Sampson, T Dan Skipper, WR Mike Strachan, CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart, CB Kevin Toliver, WR Juwann Winfree
Jacksonville Jaguars
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- OL Chandler Brewer, OLB D.J. Coleman, OL Coy Cronk, DL De’Shaan Dixon, CB Erick Hallett, LB Dequan Jackson, TE Derek Parish, QB Nathan Rourke, OL Darryl Williams, WR Seth Williams, CB Tevaughn Campbell, RB Snoop Conner, WR Jacob Harris
Tennessee Titans
Claimed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Chance Campbell, DB Shyheim Carter, DB Eric Garror, WR Tre’Shaun Harrison, WR Mason Kinsey, DB Armani Marsh, DE T.K. McLendon, TE Thomas Odukoya, T John Ojukwu, DE Sam Okuayinonu, DT Kyle Peko, T Andrew Rupcich, LB Thomas Rush, DT Michael Dwumfour, TE Kevin Rader, G Jordan Roos
Released:
- OL Corey Levin
Released from IR via injury settlement:
- CB Josh Thompson
- RB Jonathan Ward