NFL Minor Transactions: 8/25/25
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire, OT Reid Holskey, TE Baylor Cupp
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: P Oscar Chapman, T Leroy Watson
The Vikings appeared to shop around Leroy Watson before ultimately deciding to waive the OL, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. A former tight end, Watson has emerged as an offensive lineman in the NFL, garnering 11 appearances through two seasons in the league. He started all four of his appearances for the Titans in 2024.
Browns Expected To Release DeAndre Carter
The Browns are moving on from an offseason free agent acquisition. According to Jordan Schultz, Cleveland is expected to release veteran DeAndre Carter.
Back in March, the Browns handed the 32-year-old a one-year, $800K deal. Carter was expected to have a role in Cleveland as a back-of-the-depth-chart wideout and primary returner. Instead, the NFL journeyman will be looking to join yet another team.
The Browns represented the 10th team of Carter’s NFL career (not including multiple stints with the Raiders and Bears). The Sacramento State product’s best offensive season actually came relatively recently, when he hauled in 46 catches for 538 yards and three touchdowns for the Chargers. After getting into 17 games for the Raiders in 2023, Carter spent the 2024 campaign in Chicago. There, he hauled in nine catches in 13 games.
Carter has really made a name for himself on special teams, where he’s tallied 133 career kick returns and 149 career punt returns. He finished this past season with a career-high 31.9 yards-per-return mark, and he also managed to return the longest punt return (38 yards) since his sophomore season. Considering his special teams prowess, it shouldn’t take long for the veteran to find another gig.
For Cleveland, this could be a sign that UDFA Gage Larvadain has made the team, per Tony Grossi. The receiver finished the preseason with nine catches for 94 yards and one touchdown, and he also returned 10 punts.
Bills To Release QB Mike White
After spending the past year in the Bills organization, Mike White will look to continue his career elsewhere. The Bills are set to release the veteran quarterback, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
White was cut by the Dolphins at the end of the 2024 preseason and quickly caught on with Buffalo’s practice squad. He was intended to provide some extra insurance behind injured QB2 Mitchell Trubisky, and White ended up only seeing the field for a single game with the Bills. In that Week 17 cameo, White completed 3 of his 11 pass attempts for 28 yards.
After a brief stint on the Cowboys to begin his career, the former fifth-round pick has spent the rest of his career in the AFC East. He started seven of his eight appearances for the Jets between 2021 and 2022, completing 62.2 percent of his passes for 2,145 yards, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Jets went 2-5 in those seven starts.
As the Jets revamped their depth chart ahead of the 2023 campaign, White wasn’t in the team’s plans, leading to him joining the Dolphins on a two-year deal. He spent that season as Tua Tagovailoa‘s primary backup, with White tossing a touchdown and an interception in six games. After being passed on the depth chart by Skylar Thompson last preseason, White was cut.
Trubisky will now continue as Josh Allen‘s primary backup in Buffalo for the 2025 campaign. The Bills are also waiving former UDFA Shane Buechele, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, leaving the organization with only two QBs at the moment.
Steelers Cut P Cameron Johnston, 12 Others
The Steelers started moving on from some players late last week, and they continued the process this afternoon. The team announced the following transactions:
Released:
Waived:
- DL Kyler Baugh
- TE JJ Galbreath
- WR Max Hurleman
- DB D’Shawn Jamison
- OL Steve Jones
- WR Lance McCutcheon
- RB Lew Nichols
- DB Daryl Porter
- LB Mark Robinson
- K Ben Sauls
- LB Julius Welschof
- OL Aiden Williams
Cameron Johnston inked a three-year deal with the Steelers last offseason and was expected to lead the depth chart for the foreseeable future. However, the veteran suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that knocked him out for the rest of the season, allowing Corliss Waitman to secure the punting gig. It appears that Waitman won the competition between the two this preseason, and Johnston will now look to revive his career elsewhere. The team also moved on from kicker Ben Sauls, who always seemed destined to be cut considering Chris Boswell is still kicking around.
Among the team’s other notable cuts are Max Hurleman, who caught a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener and was a standout during training camp, and linebackerMark Robinson, who was believed to be competing for a spot on the Steelers defense.
Raiders Cut 18 Players
The Raiders have started trimming down their roster to 53 players. The team announced today that they’ve moved on from 18 players:
Released:
- WR Marquez Callaway
- WR Phillip Dorsett
- WR Collin Johnson
- LB Jaylon Smith
Waived:
- OT Gottlieb Ayedze
- LB Michael Barrett
- DT Tank Booker
- DE Andre Carter II
- S Hudson Clark
- OT Parker Clements
- DT Keondre Coburn
- LB Amari Gainer
- C Jarrod Hufford
- CB John Humphrey
- TE Qadir Ismail
- WR Ketron Jackson Jr.
- DE Jah Joyner
- CB Sam Webb
The Raiders’ wide receivers room has commanded headlines today, as Jakobi Meyers reportedly requested a trade before the team reunited with Amari Cooper. The team’s most notable moves in their initial wave of cuts included a handful of veteran wide receivers.
That grouping includes Phillip Dorsett, who has bounced around the NFL since his stint in New England came to an end several years ago. The veteran had 20 catches in 15 games for the Texans in 2022, but he was limited to only a pair of appearances with the Broncos in 2023. He didn’t get into a game last year. The team also moved on from former Saints standout Marquez Callaway, who has only appeared in five games over the past two years.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jaylon Smith is the biggest name among this grouping of cuts. The former Cowboys standout bounced around the NFL in 2021 before starting 11 of his 13 appearances with the Giants in 2022, a season in which he finished with 88 tackles. He was limited to one game with the Raiders in 2023 before not getting into a regular-season contest in 2024.
Patriots Believe Trey Hendrickson Cost Is “Too Much”
With no end in sight to the ongoing Trey Hendrickson saga, there were reports that the Patriots were sniffing around at a potential trade. While New England was understandably doing its due diligence, it doesn’t sound like they’re close to acquiring the star pass rusher.
[RELATED: Patriots Open To Trade Acquisition]
According to Josina Anderson, the Patriots feel the cost to acquire Hendrickson is currently “too much.” Dianna Russini of The Athletic adds that New England doesn’t appear close to acquiring the 2024 sacks leader.
There were rumblings yesterday that the Patriots had reached out to the Bengals about a potential Hendrickson trade. That report followed remarks from New England’s de facto general manager Eliot Wolf that the organization would be willing to part with a first- or second-round pick to facilitate a trade for a star player. Wolf obviously didn’t mention any names, but the timing of both reports did raise some eyebrows.
If the Patriots are indeed willing to part with a first-round pick for a hypothetical “star player,” it stands to reason that the Bengals may be asking for even more draft compensation in return for Hendrickson. An acquiring team would presumably be willing to pay the edge rusher what he’s seeking, so a trade would likely end this ongoing storyline. Instead, the Hendrickson watch continues, with the player most recently acknowledging that guarantees remain the sticking point in negotiations with the Bengals (per ESPN’s Ben Baby).
While any team would surely welcome a player of Hendrickson’s talent, the Patriots are a particularly logical landing spot after the team ranked last in sacks in 2024. The Patriots only compiled 28 total sacks, trailing the 31st-ranked Falcons by three. For comparison’s sake, Hendrickson has collected 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons.
To the front office’s credit, the organization did bring in some pass-rush help this offseason. Free agent additions Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson should provide some help on the edge, while Milton Williams has shown an elite ability to get to the QB in the middle of the defensive line. With Keion White showing promise as a sophomore, New England’s pass rush should look a whole lot better in 2025. Of course, adding Hendrickson to the grouping would transform the Patriots’ pass-rush unit to one of the best in the NFL.
Based on how the Bengals have operated throughout this entire saga, it’s not a surprise they’re not feeling any urgency to figure out a solution. If Cincy does eventually decide to move on, the Patriots would remain a logical landing spot.
Patriots Notes: Dobbs, Brown, Chism
It’s been assumed that Joshua Dobbs would serve as Drake Maye‘s primary backup in 2025, but the veteran quarterback may not have a roster spot secure. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, Dobbs is not a “lock” to make the Patriots roster.
As Volin notes, Dobbs has struggled during training camp and the preseason. He completed only five of his 12 pass attempts in the preseason opener, and he followed that up with two pick-6s during joint practices with the Vikings. Those performances prompted coach Mike Vrabel to admit that the veteran “has to be more consistent.”
Further, Dobbs doesn’t have any prior experience to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, so it’s not like the veteran can help Maye with installing the new system. Plus, the backup is attached to only a $1.7MM salary for the 2025 campaign, so there aren’t any financial hurdles that would accompany his release.
Of course, there are also a handful of things working in Dobbs’ favor. For starters, the rest of the team’s depth consists of UDFA Ben Wooldridge. Dobbs brings more experience than many backup QBs, as the 30-year-old has garnered 15 starts across seven years in the NFL (including one last year with the 49ers). He also looked much better in the team’s second preseason game, completing 11 of 16 passes for 106 yards and a score.
More notes out of New England…
- While rookie Jared Wilson once seemed prime to open the season as the Patriots left guard, that may no longer be the case. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald notes that Ben Brown has seemed to pass his rookie teammate at the position, and the veteran garnered the starting spot during the team’s second preseason contest. Brown struggled in 10 starts at center for the Patriots in 2024, but the team’s lack of OL depth may mean they don’t have a better choice.
- Much has been made of the tough decisions the Patriots will face at the wide receiver position, and an unexpected name has quickly inserted themselves into the picture. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, UDFA Efton Chism has likely played his way on to the 53-man roster. The Eastern Washington product has been a standout this preseason, hauling in 12 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Chism making the roster would seemingly push Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker off the squad.
NFL Minor Transactions: 8/19/25
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Grant DuBose
- Waived/injured: DB Te’Cory Couch, WR Kaden Prather
- Placed on IR: RB Darrynton Evans, RB Jarveon Howard
- Released from IR: LB Justin Hollins
Detroit Lions
- Activated from active/PUP: DT Mekhi Wingo
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR: DL Keith Randolph
Houston Texans
- Signed: WR Cornell Powell
- Released: RB J.J. Taylor
- Waived/injured: WR Xavier Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Jerome Carvin, RB Kevin Harris
- Waived: WR Darius Lassiter, DL Eli Mostaert
- Released from IR: CB Zech McPhearson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: OL Mike McAllister
- Waived/injured: WR Mario Williams
- Reverted to IR: LB Keir Thomas
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OL Zack Bailey, RB Xazavian Valladay
- Waived: LB Max Tooley
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Micah Bernard, DT Philip Blidi
- Waived: CB Tre Avery, DE Jereme Robinson
- Reverted to IR: DE Isaiah Iton
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Kenny Willekes
- Waived/injured: OT Gareth Warren
- Reverted to IR: LB Devin Harper
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR: RB Ameer Abdullah, WR Equanimeous St. Brown
Tennessee Titans
- Released: LB Khaleke Hudson
Ameer Abdullah landed on IR earlier this month with a rib injury, but he’ll now have an opportunity to play in 2025 following his release. The veteran is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career in 2024, when he compiled 572 yards from scrimmage in 16 games (three starts) with the Raiders. The 49ers filled his spot on the roster by signing veteran Jeff Wilson.
Equanimeous St. Brown will also have a chance to play in 2025, as the WR was previously ruled out with a foot injury. The veteran wideout only has five catches over the past two seasons.
Anthony Richardson’s Agent: Trust In Colts Is “Questionable”
Following news that Daniel Jones earned the Colts starting quarterback gig, Anthony Richardson‘s camp is starting to question his future in Indy. While speaking with ESPN’s Stephen Holder, agent Deiric Jackson expressed disappointment at the decision and hinted that his client may be looking to play elsewhere.
[RELATED: Colts Name Daniel Jones Starting QB]
“Trust is a big factor and that is, at best, questionable right now,” Jackson told Holder. “Anthony came back and made the improvements in the areas he needed to improve. And by all accounts, he had a great camp.”
While the agent didn’t explicitly mention a trade request, he did question the credibility of the organization and head coach Shane Steichen. Jackson wondered if the Colts had already made their QB decision when they handed Jones a one-year, $14MM contract back in March.
The agent also cited the team’s handling of the former fourth-overall pick during the 2024 campaign. While Richardson missed six total games last season, he was clearly benched for a pair of contests, with Steichen calling out his quarterback’s lack of preparation. Richardson was quickly inserted back into the starting lineup, but it was clear the organization wasn’t fully convinced of the player’s standing as a franchise QB.
Jackson hasn’t been the only one observing Richardson’s offseason improvements, as coaches have also lauded the player’s development since last season. The organization has also continued to state that Richardson remains in the team’s future plans, regardless of the outcome of their QB battle.
For what it’s worth, Richardson continues to say the right things, with the quarterback saying there were no “hard feelings” regarding the decision.
“[Steichen] made a decision,” he told Holder. “That’s the decision we’ve got to live with, but no hard feelings, nothing personal. I’ve just got to keep growing. I just can’t let me not being a starter stop me from going and being the person, the player that I’m supposed to be.”
Richardson is a respectable 8-7 in 15 career starts, and he’s collected 635 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. On the flip side, he’s only completed 50.6 percent of his passes, and he’s tossed 11 touchdowns vs. 13 interceptions. Jones didn’t establish himself as a winning QB during his time with the Giants, so there’s a chance the Colts eventually pivot to Richardson in 2025. Still, that might not be enough to repair the apparent broken relationship between the two sides.
49ers To Sign QB Nate Sudfeld
With Mac Jones nursing a knee injury, the 49ers are adding a familiar face to their roster. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the team is signing quarterback Nate Sudfeld. The veteran QB worked out for the team yesterday.
Sudfeld spent the 2021 campaign in the 49ers organization. After starting the season on the practice squad, he was elevated to the active roster after Trey Lance went down with a knee injury. Sudfeld stuck around for the rest of the season, although he didn’t get into a game as Jimmy Garoppolo‘s backup.
A former sixth-round pick, Sudfeld still hasn’t started a game through his eight seasons in the NFL. He did have an extended outing with the Eagles in 2017, when he completed 19 of his 23 pass attempts for 134 yards. Otherwise, the QB has attempted 14 other passes in his NFL career.
The veteran spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in Detroit, although he missed that latter campaign thanks to a torn ACL suffered during a preseason game. He was among the Lions final cuts at the end of the 2024 preseason.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes that Jones suffered his knee injury during Saturday’s loss to the Broncos, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the QB2 is out for the team’s preseason finale. Still, there’s hope that Jones will be ready to be Brock Purdy‘s primary backup for Week 1. If Jones can’t go, Sudfeld would be an option to be the QB2, although he’d have to compete with UDFA Carter Bradley. Seventh-round rookie Kurtis Rourke is expected to start the season on NFI as he works his way back from a torn ACL.