NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/20/22
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB James Morgan
- Released: QB Carson Strong
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Mike Thomas
- Released: G Zack Johnson
Carolina Panthers
- Released: CB Tae Hayes
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Kuony Deng, DE Terrell Lewis
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Malik Jefferson
- Released: TE Seth Green
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Parker Ferguson, DB Devon Key
- Released: LB Harvey Langi
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Tom Kennedy
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Matt Bushman
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR DJ Turner
- Released: WR Malik Turner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: DL Jason Moore
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: OL Lester Cotton
- Released: OL Lamont Gaillard
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Terez Hall
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Nephi Sewell
- Released: LB Kenny Young
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Jarrod Hewitt
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL OL Beau Benzschawel, C Daniel Munyer
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/20/22
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Steelers practice squad: LB David Anenih
- Designated for return: TE John FitzPatrick
- Placed on IR: RB Caleb Huntley
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: LB Josh Ross
Carolina Panthers
- Designated for return: WR Andre Roberts
Chicago Bears
- Signed off Chiefs practice squad: LB Elijah Lee
- Designated for return: RB Khalil Herbert (story)
- Released: CB Justin Layne
Cleveland Browns
- Designated for return: C Ethan Pocic
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: QB Jarrett Guarantano
- Placed on IR: CB Darius Phillips
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: RB Jordan Wilkins
- Signed off Patriots practice squad: LB Cameron McGrone
- Waived: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
Kansas City Chiefs
- Designated for return: TE Blake Bell
San Francisco 49ers
- Designated for return: DT Kalia Davis
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Placed on IR: DT Bryan Mone
Washington Commanders
- Designated for return: TE Curtis Hodges
Caleb Huntley suffered a season-ending Achilles injury this past weekend, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The injury is expected to require surgery. The Falcons RB made his NFL this season and has collected 369 yards from scrimmage.
While Russell Wilson is expected to start for the Broncos on Christmas, the Broncos still decided to promote a third QB to the roster in Jarrett Guarantano. According to Troy Renck of Denver7 (on Twitter), there was enough interest from other teams (including the Cardinals) for the Broncos to decide to promote the rookie. The UDFA out of Washington State had his first professional gig with the Cardinals before catching on with the Broncos.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: G Will Hernandez
- Promoted: CB Nate Hairston, DL Manny Jones
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: LB Brandon Smith
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: TE Jake Tonges, WR Nsimba Webster
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: C Brock Hoffman
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB Devine Ozigbo, QB Jarrett Guarantano
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: RB Craig Reynolds
- Promoted: LB Jarrad Davis, QB Joshua Dobbs
- Waived: WR Tom Kennedy
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated off IR: TE Donald Parham
- Promoted: DL Christopher Hinton, S Raheem Layne
- Waived: WR Jason Moore
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed to active roster: RB Malcolm Brown
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Braylon Sanders
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: WR Kirk Merritt
- Waived: Nephi Sewell
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: OL Ben Bredeson
- Placed on IR: OL Joshua Ezeudu
- Promoted: LB Landon Collins, QB Davis Webb
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Promoted: S Will Parks, DL Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: LB Christian Elliss, P Brett Kern
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: LB J.J. Russell, WR Deven Thompkins
Washington Commanders
- Promoted: G Wes Martin
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/17/22
A handful of practice squad transactions to pass along:
New York Jets
- Signed: S Will Parks
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: RB Wayne Gallman
- Released: WR Jaylen Smith
The Jets re-signed Parks to their practice squad and immediately elevated him to the active roster, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic (on Twitter). The defensive back has bounced on and off the Jets roster this season, but he’s still managed to appear in 11 games.
Pats Activate DT Christian Barmore From IR
The Patriots are adding a key piece to their defense, but they’ve lost a notable player on the other side of the ball. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss (via Twitter), the Patriots have activated defensive tackle Christian Barmore from IR. To make room on the roster, New England has placed offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn on IR.
Barmore has been sidelined with a knee issue since mid-October. He returned to practice earlier this week, and he’ll now rejoin a defensive line just in time for a playoff push.
The 2021 second-round pick had a standout rookie campaign for New England, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after finishing with 46 tackles and nine QB hits. He got into six games this season before suffering his injury, collecting 15 tackles and one sack. Pro Football Focus has graded him as a middle-of-the-road interior defender in each of his two NFL seasons, but they gave him above-average ratings for his pass-rushing skills.
Wynn, a 2018 first-round pick, has had an inconsistent five years in New England. After missing his entire rookie campaign, he started 33 of his 34 appearances over the next three years, and he graded out as a top-35 offensive tackle in each of those seasons (including an 11th-place finish in 2020). This year, he’s bounced around the offensive line, moving from left tackle to right tackle while losing playing time in the process. He even spent some time as offensive guard before suffering a foot injury.
The offensive lineman has been sidelined since Week 11, and with his placement on IR, he can’t be activated to the active roster until at least the start of the playoffs. Wynn will be a free agent following the season.
The Patriots have also promoted linebacker Jamie Collins from the practice squad, according to Reiss. The veteran has spent the majority of the season on New England’s practice squad.
Raiders Activate TE Darren Waller, WR Hunter Renfrow
Derek Carr and the Raiders offense will be getting some significant reinforcement. The Raiders have activated tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow from injured reserve, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter).
Waller hasn’t seen the field since October but it took the front office a month to finally place him on IR, delaying his required four-game absence. After two-straight 1,000-yard campaigns in 2019 and 2020, Waller was limited to 665 receiving yards in 11 games in 2021. His hamstring injury has limited him to only five appearances in 2022, with the former Pro Bowler hauling in 16 receptions for 175 yards and one score. Waller inked a three-year, $51MM extension with the Raiders back in September.
Renfrow has dealt with a handful of injuries in 2022, limiting him to 21 receptions in six games before being sidelined. The 26-year-old was coming off a breakout campaign in 2021 that saw him haul in 103 receptions en route to a Pro Bowl nod. The wideout inked a $32MM deal with the organization during the offseason.
Without Waller and Renfrow in the lineup, the Raiders have been leaning heavily on Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs, with both players having already topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage. The Raiders second-leading receiver this season has been Mack Hollins, who has hauled in 47 catches for 588 yards and three touchdowns.
The Raiders made a handful of additional moves as they prepare for tomorrow’s game against the Patriots. Las Vegas promoted offensive linemen Sebastian Gutierrez and Jordan Meredith to the active roster. To make room for today’s transaction, the Raiders cut wide receiver DJ Turner and tight end Jacob Hollister.
Texans Place RB Dameon Pierce On IR
Dameon Pierce‘s season has come to an end. The Texans have placed the rookie running back on injured reserve, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter).
Pierce suffered a high ankle sprain during Houston’s Week 14 loss to the Cowboys, although initial reports indicated that the injury was mild. It was believed that the rookie RB may only have to miss a game or two, which wouldn’t necessitate a move to IR. Instead, the Texans decided to shut down Pierce for the year.
The fourth-round rookie has quickly established himself as an offensive focal point in Houston. He’s started all 13 games for the Texans, and he leads all rookies with 939 rushing yards. In total, the Florida product has contributed 1,104 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns. With Pierce out for the final four games, the Texans will likely turn to Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale to lead their RB room. Royce Freeman will also be signed to the active roster, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter).
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth are also heading to IR, per Yates. Stingley, the third-overall pick in this year’s draft, hasn’t played since Week 10 while recovering from a hamstring injury. He started each of his nine appearances for the Texans this season, collecting 43 tackles and one interception. After starting the season in Kansas City, Stallworth got into one game for Houston in 2022.
There is some good news on the injury front. According to Wilson (on Twitter), the Texans have also activated defensive lineman Jon Greenard from IR. Greenard had eight sacks in 12 starts last season, and he started each of Houston’s first four games this year before landing on IR. To round out their moves, the Texans signed defensive back Jacobi Francis to the 53-man roster and have promoted defensive back Will Redmond and tight end Mason Schreck from the practice squad.
Broncos Place DL Dre’Mont Jones On IR
Dre’Mont Jones‘ season has come to an end. The Broncos are placing the starting defensive lineman on injured reserve, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
Jones suffered a hip injury during Denver’s loss to the Chiefs last weekend. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (on Twitter), the defensive lineman traveled to see two different hip specialists over the past two days. It was determined that the defensive lineman won’t need surgery but would require four to six weeks of recovery. With Denver out of the playoff picture, the IR stint will end the player’s season prematurely.
The former third-round pick is having a career season during his four year in the NFL. Jones leads the Broncos with 6.5 sacks, and he’s also added 47 tackles and 10 QB hits. The 25-year-old is set to his free agency following the season, and Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets that Denver’s front office would like to re-sign him.
It’s been a disaster of a season for the Broncos, and that could partly be attributed to injuries. Schefter notes that Jones will be Denver’s NFL-leading 19th player currently on IR, and the team’s had 25 players hit injured reserve in total this season.
Titans Place RB Dontrell Hilliard On IR
The Titans made a number of moves today as they prepared for their Week 15 matchup against the Chargers. Most notably, the team placed running back Dontrell Hilliard on injured reserve and activated cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. from IR.
Hilliard suffered a neck injury in last Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars. The running back has turned into a reliable offensive option during his second season in Tennessee, serving as the team’s primary pass-catching back (21 receptions for 177 yards and four touchdowns). As Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky notes on Twitter, the team doesn’t really have a replacement for Hilliard on the roster. Rookies Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut will now be relied on to spell Derrick Henry.
After getting waived by the Chiefs during the preseason, Johnson caught on with the Titans. He got into eight games for Tennessee, with the majority of his playing time coming on special teams. The defensive back suffered a hamstring injury during the Titans’ Week 10 win over the Broncos, landing him on IR. The former second-round pick started 19 games for the Texans through his first three seasons in the NFL.
The Titans also signed guard Jordan Roos, cornerback Davontae Harris, and Chestnut to the active roster and promoted wideout Mason Kinsey and linebacker Andre Smith from the practice squad. Tennessee also placed wide receiver C.J. Board on IR. Board suffered a rib injury earlier this month and will now miss the rest of the regular season. Since joining the active roster in November, Board has served as the team’s primary punt returner.
Browns Place LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah On IR
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah‘s season has effectively come to an end. The Browns announced that they have placed the linebacker on injured reserve.
Owusu-Koramoah suffered a foot injury during Cleveland’s loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. With only four games remaining and JOK eyeing at least a four-game absence, his 2022 campaign has come to end.
The former second-round pick started 10 of his 11 appearances this season, collecting 70 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. This came after a rookie campaign that saw him compile 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles en route to PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. Pro Football Focus ranked Owusu-Koramoah 39th among 82 qualifying linebackers this season, but he ranked top-10 at the position in 2021.
As Anthony Poisal of the team’s website points out, Owusu-Koramoah is the Browns fourth linebacker to land on injured reserve after Anthony Walker Jr. (quad), Jacob Phillips (pectoral), and Sione Takitaki (knee). That leaves Tony Fields II, Jordan Kunaszyk, and Reggie Ragland as the team’s lone LBs on the active roster, meaning at least one of practice squad linebackers Jermaine Carter, Tae Davis, Sam Kamara, and/or Storey Jackson will likely earn a promotion.