NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/20/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: WR Colton Dowell
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: CB David Long Jr.
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Brayden Willis
David Long Jr. brings some experience to Indy’s practice squad, as the veteran defensive back has seen time in 79 career games. This included a 13-game showing with the Colts in 2024, although all but nine of his 117 snaps came on special teams. If he finds his way to the active roster, he’ll likely be eyeing a similar role this time around.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/20/25
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: CB Arthur Maulet
- Elevated: CB Tre Flowers, S Loren Strickland
- Released: LB Ty Summers
Houston Texans
- Elevated: CB D’Angelo Ross
New England Patriots
- Claimed off waivers (from Chargers): LB Caleb Murphy
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Shaquill Griffin, S Jerrick Reed II
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: G Mike Jordan, RB Owen Wright
It didn’t take long for Arthur Maulet to earn a full-time spot on the Lions active roster. The veteran cornerback just joined the organization earlier this month, and he already had one promotion in Week 6. He’ll likely continue seeing a rotational role in Detroit’s secondary moving forward, although his addition is partly due to absences from Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed.
The Patriots snagged a linebacker from the Chargers today. Caleb Murphy has some familiarity with Mike Vrabel, as the former Titans coach added the linebacker as an undrafted free agent back in 2023. Murphy has gotten into 14 games in stints with the Titans and Chargers, compiling 17 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
WR Tyler Lockett Granted Release By Titans
Tyler Lockett‘s stint in Tennessee has unceremoniously come to an end. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the veteran wideout asked for and was granted his release by the Titans today. The move allows Lockett to sign with another team after 4pmET on Wednesday.
After spending 10 seasons in Seattle to begin his career, Lockett was released by the Seahawks this past offseason. He quickly caught on with the Titans via a one-year, $4MM deal. The hope was that the receiver would provide another experienced target for Cam Ward, but the acquisition clearly wasn’t clicking with his new offense.
Through seven games, Lockett has hauled in 10 of his 21 targets for 70 yards. While he’s garnered the third-most snaps among Titans receivers, his role has been trending downwards in recent weeks. This seemed to culminate yesterday, when the 33-year-old was firmly playing as the WR4 despite Calvin Ridley being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
This move should now work out for both sides. The 1-6 Titans will get an opportunity to get a longer look at their younger wideouts, including Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who hauled in his first-career touchdown during yesterday’s loss. Paul Kuharsky wonders if the Titans may also lean more into two tight end sets, which would presumably consist of Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm.
For Lockett, the veteran will have an opportunity to catch on with a more competitive squad, although he may be hard pressed to find a significant role with a new team. Lockett’s numbers dropped a bit during his final seasons in Seattle, including a 2024 campaign where he finished with 49 receptions for 600 yards and two touchdowns.
This was a far cry from the four-straight 1,000-yard campaigns he put up between 2019 and 2022, and his recent role in Tennessee could indicate that he doesn’t have a whole lot left in the tank. At the very least, the veteran can now ride off into the sunset with a team that’s perhaps destined for the postseason.
Commanders Sign WR Treylon Burks To Practice Squad
OCTOBER 17: The Burks deal is now official, per a team announcement. In a corresponding move, Martin has been released from Washington’s practice squad. It will be interesting to see if Burks is elevated to the gameday roster in time for Sunday.
OCTOBER 16: As the Commanders navigate a number of injuries to their receivers corps, the team is set to add a former first-round pick. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to sign Treylon Burks to their practice squad.
Per Rapoport, Burks shouldn’t last long on the taxi squad, as the team intends to add him to the active roster as soon as possible. However, it seems unlikely that the player will make his team debut as soon as this Sunday.
Star wideout Terry McLaurin hasn’t played since Week 3 while dealing with a quad injury, and after being downgraded to a non-participant during today’s practice, it seems like he’s facing an uphill battle to play in Week 7. Noah Brown is currently sitting on IR with a groin injury, while Deebo Samuel seems unlikely to play this weekend as he nurses a heel issue.
Thanks to the injuries, the Commanders currently have three healthy receivers on their active roster in Chris Moore, Luke McCaffrey, and fourth-round rookie Jaylin Lane. The team will surely dip into their practice squad options for this weekend, with that grouping featuring Jacoby Jones, Robbie Chosen, Ja’Corey Brooks, and Tay Martin.
While Burks probably won’t be an option for Week 7, he’ll likely soon find himself on the active roster, especially if McLaurin or Samuel still aren’t ready for Week 8. Burks struggled to live up to his first-round billing in Tennessee, as the wideout collected only 765 yards from scrimmage in three years with the organization. He had four catches in five appearances in 2024 before suffering an ACL injury that ended his season.
Burks was back at training camp with the Titans this past summer, but a fractured collarbone resulted in him being waived/injured. He subsequently landed on season-ending IR, but the team cut him earlier this month, allowing him to play elsewhere in 2025. The 25-year-old had an audition with the Broncos before landing in Washington.
Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave Reiterate Desire To Stay With Saints
With the Saints currently sitting at the bottom of the NFC, many of the teams veterans have been popular names in trade rumblings. The most notable of those players is Alvin Kamara, who recently stated his desire to stick in New Orleans for the rest of his career. In fact, the star running back even hinted that he’d retire instead of joining a new squad.
[RELATED: Saints Unlikely To Trade Alvin Kamara]
That report from this past weekend mentioned that general manager Mickey Loomis approached Kamara about a potential change of scenery. However, the running back told reporters today that no conversation took place, and it’s understood within the organization that the player will be staying put.
“Yeah, I don’t know where that [came from],” Kamara said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell). “We talked about [the report] and we was looking at each other like the little Spider-Man meme: ‘Did you say something? Did I say something?’ I don’t know where that came from, but I think I’ve been vocal enough that … I don’t want to go anywhere.”
Kamara also told reporters that he’s been apart of rumors “for years” and doesn’t focus much on the reports. At the same time, the two-time All-Pro acknowledged that it’s a “business” and he doesn’t “really know what happens up” in the front office. The 30-year-old is under contract through the 2026 season, although only $3MM of next year’s salary is guaranteed. For what it’s worth, Kamara’s deal doesn’t include a no-trade clause.
While Chris Olave‘s name hasn’t been connected to any definitive reports, the receiver has also been included in trade speculation. The former first-round pick said that someone within the organization even addressed the rumblings with him, and the player understands that the rumors are simply part of playing in the NFL.
“That’s part of the business, man,” Olave said (via Terrell). “It’s been like that all year, in the offseason. Even right now, I ain’t really been on social media, but I know it’s cooking right now that we’re 1-5. So, there’s always rumors, the internet trying to always create some buzz. But I had a conversation with the people in the building so I’m very confident.”
Falcons Designate S Jordan Fuller For Return
The Falcons will soon be adding some depth to their secondary. According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, the team designated Jordan Fuller for return from injured reserve today.
Fuller suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that landed him on injured reserve. The veteran only required a minimum four-game stay on IR before returning to practice. The team now has 21 days to activate Fuller to the active roster.
Fuller joined the Falcons on a one-year contract this past offseason. This followed a one-year stop in Carolina, where he started all nine of his appearances while missing a chunk of games thanks to a hamstring injury. The former sixth-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Rams, where he quickly emerged as a starting safety.
Besides an injury-plagued 2022 campaign, Fuller otherwise started all 45 of his appearances for the organization. During his final two healthy seasons in Los Angeles (2021 and 2023), the defensive back collected 207 total tackles and four interceptions, with Pro Football Focus grading him as an above-average safety during those two campaigns.
While Fuller started Week 1, he mostly played behind Xavier Watts in that contest. The rookie third-round pick has since solidified himself in the starting lineup opposite Jessie Bates, meaning Fuller is eyeing a similar backup role when he’s ready to return. Billy Bowman Jr. likely represents the veteran’s competition for snaps. Bowman saw some significant reps for the team prior to the bye (mostly at cornerback), although he was a healthy scratch when the team returned in Week 6.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/16/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DB Trevian Thomas
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Jalen Cropper
Detroit Lions
- Signed: S Loren Strickland
- Released: DL Keith Cooper
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Thomas Odukoya, DL Leonard Taylor
- Released: TE Marshall Lang, DL David Olajiga
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/16/25
Today’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Designed for return from active/NFI: CB Alijah Huzzie
Free Agency
- Suspended: DT Alex Williams
Free agent defensive tackle Alex Williams has been hit with a six-game suspension for an undisclosed violation of league rules, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The Ohio State product joined the Vikings as a UDFA this past offseason, but a fractured ankle landed him on season-ending IR. He was waived from injured reserve in September, allowing him to suit up elsewhere during the 2025 campaign, although those chances obviously took a significant blow today.
Bengals Activate G Lucas Patrick From IR
The Bengals will be getting some offensive line reinforcement for tonight’s matchup with the Steelers. According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, the team has activated Lucas Patrick from injured reserve.
Patrick landed on IR after suffering a calf injury in Week 1. He required an extra missed game beyond the minimum IR requirement, but it’s a relatively quick turnaround for the veteran lineman. Patrick returned to practice last Wednesday.
Patrick inked a one-year deal with the Bengals this past offseason and ended up winning the competition for the starting right guard spot. Dalton Risner got the first shot to replace the injured Patrick, and he garnered three starts before getting replaced by fifth-round rookie Jalen Rivers. Pro Football Focus has graded both of those players as below-average this season, so there’s a chance Patrick is immediately inserted back into the lineup.
Of course, Patrick isn’t any world beater himself. The lineman was a reserve lineman for the first three seasons of his career, but he emerged as a starter with the Packers in 2020 and 2021. He had a two-year stint as a starter in Chicago before spending the 2024 campaign in New Orleans.
Elsewhere in Cincy, star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson has been ruled out for tonight’s game with a hip injury. To add some extra depth at defensive end, the team has promoted Isaiah Foskey from the practice squad. A former Saints second-round pick, Foskey will be in line to make his 2025 debut tonight.
Potential Trade Suitors Monitoring A.J. Brown Situation
The A.J. Brown rumors are starting to heat up. Last week, we heard that the receiver was frustrated with his role in the Eagles offense, and that report was accompanied by a highly publicized meeting between Brown, Jalen Hurts, and Saquon Barkley. Following a second-straight Eagles loss, it sounds like the frustrations aren’t letting up.
While the Eagles have continually stated that they won’t trade Brown, multiple NFL executives told Dianna Russini of The Athletic that they believe the receiver will eventually be on the move. One source noted the player’s apparent indifference, which could be especially worrisome for a team that’s looking to go on a deep playoff run. Another source was more to the point, opining that the Eagles will ultimately deal the wideout because GM Howie Roseman “likes deals, especially if a player’s value overrides how Brown is being used.”
Brown actually had one of his most productive outings of the season in Week 6, finishing with six catches for 80 yards. After the loss, the veteran denied reports of a discussion with his offensive teammates, noting that he didn’t “recall a meeting” (per EJ Smith of PHLY Sports). Russini added more context, with sources claiming that the meeting wasn’t formal and was simply a “quick, honest check-in.” That could surely be taken as semantics, but either way, Brown didn’t seem particularly interested in discussing his chat.
Russini isn’t the only one noting that rival teams have their eye on the wideout. While Albert Breer of the MMQB acknowledges that this is just part of Philly’s plight while dealing with a “mercurial receiver,” he says there are teams currently monitoring the situation. One exec from an AFC contender said they expect Brown to be discussed in trade talks leading up to the deadline, especially since there doesn’t seem to be any resolution in sight.
On the flip side, Breer is skeptical if a trade will ever reach the finish line. The reporter believes the situation is manageable, at least for the 2025 campaign. Plus, teams may be a bit wary of acquiring the receiver considering his past knee issues and his hefty $29MM in guaranteed money for the 2026 season. Zach Berman of The Athletic echoes this sentiment, as the reporter expressed skepticism that Brown will ultimately be on the move. Berman notes that Roseman prefers to acquire players of Brown’s caliber, not trade them away. Plus, there’s optimism that Nick Sirianni will be able to manage all of the personalities.
In other words, it’s uncertain how this situation will ultimately play out. Either way, it will surely be a story to watch as we inch closer to the November 4th trade deadline.