Lions Place TE Brock Wright On Injured Reserve
The Lions placed tight end Brock Wright on injured reserve after an injury to his trachea, per a team announcement.
The move comes three weeks after Sam LaPorta went down with a back injury that is expected to end his season. Wright already had a 51% snap share before LaPorta’s injury; in the last two weeks, that number has been over 80%. The fifth-year tight end has not been able to replace LaPorta’s receiving production, or even come close. On 11 targets in his last two games, Wright only has five catches for 37 yards and zero touchdowns. He is still a reliable presence in the run game and earned the two highest run-blocking grades of the season in those matchups.
The extent of Wright’s injury remains unclear. He was listed with a neck injury on this week’s practice report and described the injury as similar to Frank Ragnow‘s fractured cartilage in 2020, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Ragnow only missed two games, but Wright’s absence will be at least four.
That will force the Lions to go to the next man up once again. Ross Dwelley and Anthony Firkser are listed as the second- and third-team tight ends on the depth chart, but they have only played 100 and 18 offensive snaps this year, respectively. Dwelley saw a huge bump in playing time in Week 13, but does not offer much as a pass-catcher with just three receptions in his last three seasons and 10 in his last five.
Detroit uses plenty of offensive formations with two tight ends, so they may call on undrafted rookie Zach Horton or four-year veteran Giovanni Ricci to take on some game day action. That will not be the case in Week 14, as the Lions did not elevate either from the practice squad for Thursday’s game. They may be planning to reduce their usage of two-tight end sets and/or call on sixth offensive lineman Dan Skipper as an extra blocker.
Rather than use Horton or Ricci this week, the Lions opted to sign cornerback Nick Whiteside and elevate wide receiver Malik Cunningham from the practice squad. Whiteside has appeared in five games this season, while Cunningham will be making his Lions debut to add depth to their depleted receiving corps.
Lions Activate DE Marcus Davenport From IR
For the second year in a row, Lions pass rusher Marcus Davenport‘s season was put on pause after only two game appearances when he was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral strain that knocked him out of the team’s Week 2 contest. Unlike last year, though, Davenport will get to see the field again. The Lions announced today that they have activated Davenport from IR. 
Injuries have played a significant role in Davenport’s NFL career to this point. Now in his eighth year in the league, Davenport has never appeared in every game of a season. Despite some offseason surgery after his rookie year in New Orleans, Davenport stayed relatively healthy throughout most of his first two years as a pro. He missed three games as a rookie then started every game of his sophomore campaign up until he suffered a foot injury that put him on IR for the final three games of the year.
He got a late start to the 2020 season, missing the first four games of the season, and as a result, he came off the bench for much of the year behind Cameron Jordan and Trey Hendrickson. At that point in his career, Davenport had shown flashes but only totaled 12.0 sacks in three years. The Saints showed their confidence in Davenport, exercising his fifth-year option, and he returned to more of starting role the next year, rewarding the team’s faith with a nine-sack performance. Those sacks came despite the fact that he missed six games in 2021, including four from an IR stint due to a shoulder injury.
Davenport underwent five offseason surgeries before playing out his fifth-year option, including a partial amputation on one of his fingers, but he appeared in career-high 15 contests, starting nine of them. While his attendance was much improved, his production was not. In his contract year, Davenport logged only half of a sack. This led to him signing a one-year, $13MM prove-it contract with the Vikings in 2023, and a high ankle sprain ended his year in Minnesota after appearing in only four of the first six games of the season.
That led to his current two-year stay in Detroit which has seen him — and several other Lions pass rushers — plagued with injuries. It looked at the start of the year that Davenport and star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson would shake off their prior year injuries, but Davenport will get another chance at that as he returns to the active roster. During Davenport’s absence, outside linebacker Derrick Barnes (4.0 sacks) and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (6.0) have filled in admirably opposite Hutchinson (8.5).
The Lions made several roster moves while activating Davenport from IR. They also activated LSU fifth-round rookie offensive guard Miles Frazier from the reserve/physically unable to perform list, where he started the season due to a knee injury. To make room on the 53-man roster, they waived backup running back Craig Reynolds. Detroit signed tight end Anthony Firkser and wide receiver Tom Kennedy to its practice squad and designated center Kingsley Eguakun and tight end Zach Horton as standard gameday practice squad elevations for its Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Packers tomorrow.
Lions Activate CBs D.J. Reed, Khalil Dorsey From IR
A banged-up secondary in Detroit will see some reinforcements as the Lions activate both D.J. Reed and Khalil Dorsey from injured reserve. The Lions have removed both cornerbacks from their injury report, meaning they should be available for a matchup with the Giants on Sunday.
Reed was a headlining offseason pickup for the Lions, who signed the former 49er, Seahawk, and Jet to a three-year, $48MM deal after losing Carlton Davis to the Patriots. Before suffering a hamstring strain, Reed started in each of his first four games with Detroit and notched 16 tackles, four passes defensed, and an interception. He led Lions cornerbacks with an 88% snap share before missing all of October and most of November.
A week after the Lions placed Reed on IR, Dorsey joined him on the shelf. A wrist injury has held the fourth-year depth corner and special teamer to four games in 2025. He and Reed are returning to a secondary that will go without fellow CB Terrion Arnold (concussion) for the second week in a row. Reed, Amik Robertson, and Rock Ya-Sin will lead the Lions’ group of corners against Giants backup quarterback Jameis Winston, who’s starting in place of the injured Jaxson Dart.
With Reed and Dorsey back, the Lions waived safety Erick Hallett and linebacker Ty Summers. Hallett started in one of two games with Detroit this season and made eight tackles. Summers has played in five of the Lions’ first 10 contests, and all 66 of his snaps this year have come on special teams.
In an additional move, the Lions elevated tight end Anthony Firkser from the practice squad. Firkser joined the Lions’ practice squad on November 11. He’ll give the Lions a look at another option at tight end tomorrow with standout Sam LaPorta likely to miss the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/11/25
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL Ben Stille
- Released: OL Raiqwon O’Neal, LS Zach Triner
Buffalo Bills
- Released: DE Kingsley Jonathan, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB Mike White
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE K.J. Henry, DE Ochaun Mathis
- Released: DT Simeon Barrow Jr.
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Anthony Firkser
- Released: OL Jack Conley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: LS Peter Bowden
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: TE Nick Muse
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Shemar Bartholomew
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Jonathan Ward
- Released: WR Brenden Rice
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Zach Davidson, K Ben Sauls
New York Jets
- Signed: DB Tre Brown
- Released: DB J.T. Woods
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: DT Desmond Watson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR River Cracraft
The Panthers waived White from their practice squad on Nov. 8, but the team quickly brought the veteran signal-caller back. White will continue to provide experienced depth behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton. He served as the Panthers’ emergency third QB in their Week 9 win over the Packers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/30/25
Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DE Mapalo Mwansa
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: RB Malik Davis, OL Jack Anderson, LB Brock Mogensen, OL Earl Bostick
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed as UDFAs: WR Darius Lassiter (BYU), WR Dorian Singer (Utah)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: TE Anthony Firkser, LB Shaun Bradley
- Waived: TE Baylor Cupp, OL McKade Mettauer, S Jason Taylor
- Received international exemption: OT Chukwuebeuka Godrick
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed as UDFA: WR Myles Price (Indiana)
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/retired list: QB Jordan Travis (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: LB Thomas Rush
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 2/12/25
Today’s reserve/futures deals:
Atlanta Falcons
- OT Kilian Zierer
Kansas City Chiefs
Anthony Firkser brings 78 games of NFL experience. His best run came with the Titans, including a two-year stretch between 2020 and 2021 when he hauled in 73 catches. After starting the 2024 season with the Jets, Firkser spent most of the second half on the Chiefs practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/20/24
Friday’s minor NFL transactions and some standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: LB Milo Eifler
- Placed on IR: LB Jesse Luketa
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: CB Desmond King, WR Anthony Miller
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: TE Irv Smith Jr.
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck, WR Jared Wayne
- Waived: WR Steven Sims
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived (with injury designation): CB Ambry Thomas (story)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: S Deon Bush, TE Anthony Firkser
Thomas will hit the waiver wire once again after getting claimed off waivers by Indianapolis and failing his physical. He was first waived off of the 49ers’ injured reserve with an injury settlement, so it’s not a surprise that injury prevented him from passing his physical, but a 28th-ranked Colts pass defense was looking forward to adding an additional defensive back.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/24
Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: P Michael Palardy
- Placed on IR: RB Emari Demercado, P Blake Gillikin
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: DT Michael Pierce
- Elevated: CB Desmond King, LB William Kwenkeu
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: S Kareem Jackson, QB Mike White
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: RB Mike Boone, LB Jacoby Windmon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: QB Logan Woodside
- Elevated: T Andrew Coker, K Cade York
- Placed on IR: LB Joe Bachie
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: CB Andrew Booth, T Dakoda Shepley
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: G Nick Gargiulo, CB Reese Taylor
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: S Jamal Adams, LB Abraham Beauplan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: DE DJ Coleman
- Placed on IR: TE Evan Engram (story)
Houston Texans
- Elevated: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Swayze Bozeman, TE Anthony Firkser
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Laviska Shenault, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Placed on IR: WR Jalen Reagor
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: WR Grant DuBose
- Signed to active roster: DT Matt Dickerson
- Elevated: T Ryan Hayes, LS Zach Triner
- Waived: QB Skylar Thompson
New England Patriots
- Elevated: TE Jack Westover
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Placed on IR: LB D’Marco Jackson
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: QB Tim Boyle
- Placed on IR: G Jon Runyan (story)
- Elevated: DB Raheem Layne
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Elevated: TE Zack Kuntz, WR Brandon Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: FB Khari Blasingame
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: DT Montravius Adams
- Placed on IR: T Calvin Anderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Artie Burns
- Elevated: QB Jaren Hall, RB George Holani
- Placed on IR: S Jerrick Reed II
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: P Jack Browning, S Ryan Neal
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: G Arlington Hambright, TE Thomas Odukoya
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DT Carl Davis
Demercado has taken a backseat to Florida State third-round rookie Trey Benson, but he has averaged 9.3 yards per carry on 24 carries this year. Palardy will take over punting duties with Gillikin landing on injured reserve.
Jackson signed with Bills in late July, and although he was among the team’s final roster cuts he was immediately retained via a practice squad deal. This elevation means Week 15 will mark his first time spent on the active roster this season. The 36-year-old has started all but 10 of his 203 NFL games, but last season was marred by suspensions which led to his Broncos release. Jackson could suit up for Buffalo down the stretch as a gameday elevation in a bid to rebuild his stock to a degree.
With the playoffs nearly out of reach and quarterback Joe Burrow dealing with a few ailments (wrist and knee), the Bengals don’t seem to be taking any chances. Jake Browning will continue serving as the primary backup, while Woodside’s promotion will allow him to act as the emergency backup.
Adams has seen his biggest NFL roles during his time in Pittsburgh. Though he hasn’t gotten the same number of starts as he had in 2022 and 2023, he’s continued the same level of production. After missing the last four games, he’ll be looking to return to the field as early as tomorrow.
Chiefs K Spencer Shrader Out Friday; KC To Elevate K Matthew Wright
Kansas City will be employing their third kicker of the year this Sunday. After primary kicker Harrison Butker got placed on injured reserve two weeks ago, the Chiefs executed some emergency procedures, signing kicker Spencer Shrader to their active roster from the Jets’ practice squad. With Shrader not expected to play this week, Kansas City will be using one of their two standard gameday practice squad elevations on kicker Matthew Wright to fill in for Butker and Shrader. 
Shrader has filled in admirably since being signed, hitting all three of his field goal attempts and all six extra point tries. He played till the end of last week, hitting a 31-yard field goal to walk off the Panthers. Following the victory, though, Shrader has been absent from team activities. Per the team’s injury report, Shrader has not practiced all week, as he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury on his kicking leg.
To replace Shrader, Wright will continue making the rounds in the NFL. Wright has made appearances for five teams in as many years during his NFL career. He rejoins a Kansas City team that saw him kick in two games in 2022, signing to their practice squad two days ago. Wright has appeared in one game this year already for the 49ers, converting three field goals and three extra points in a Week 6 win over the Seahawks.
If Shrader continues to miss time after this week, the Chiefs can continue elevating Wright for an additional two games before he reaches his limit under a single practice squad contract. By the time Wright is out of activations, though, Butker should be eligible to return from IR, granted he’s healthy enough to play. Regardless, Kansas City should have a solid plan in place to cover the kicker position over the next few weeks.
Joining Wright as the other practice squad elevation will be tight end Anthony Firkser. The veteran tight end will be appearing in his fifth game this season, appearing in four games earlier in the year for the Jets.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/24
Saturday’s practice squad moves:
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Anthony Firkser