NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/23/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Eugene Asante
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB M.J. Devonshire
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Michael Reid
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Thomas Gordon
Denver Broncos
- Placed on practice squad/injured: S Delarrin Turner-Yell
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Royce Freeman
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Jack Henderson
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Elijah Mitchell, WR Brandon Smith
- Released: OT Sebastian Gutierrez
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Tyler Hall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Nick Jackson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/23/25
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Designated for return from IR: OL Luke Newman
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on IR: RB Quinshon Judkins (story)
Houston Texans
- Designated for return from IR: CB Ajani Carter
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed from practice squad: RB Jaret Patterson
New England Patriots
- Signed from practice squad: OL Brenden Jaimes
- Placed on IR: DT Joshua Farmer
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Returned to practice: RB Josh Williams
Washington Commanders
- Waived: WR Jamal Agnew
Buccaneers running back Josh Williams returned to practice today after serving his six-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. According to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, the player’s suspension has been officially lifted and he’s now attached to the exempt/commissioner permission designation, which doesn’t count against the 53-man roster limit. However, Williams will need to be activated to the actual roster if the Buccaneers want him on the field before the season ends. The running back has seen time in three games this season, collecting 11 yards on four touches.
Meanwhile, Jamal Agnew won’t be joining the Commanders after he was claimed off waivers yesterday. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the veteran wide receiver was waived today with a failed physical designation.
Cardinals Sign K Joshua Karty
The Cardinals have turned to a division rival for some extra depth at kicker. The team announced that they’ve signed Joshua Karty to the 53-man roster.
Karty was previously on the Rams practice squad, where he’s been lingering since getting replaced by Harrison Mevis in late November. The 2024 sixth-round lived up to his draft billing as a rookie, converting on 85.3 percent of his field goal tries. However, he struggled as a sophomore, converting 10 of his 15 FG tries before getting benched.
Now in Arizona, Karty will provide some competition for Chad Ryland. The former Patriots draft pick has served as the Cardinals’ full-time kicker for the better part of the past two years. He had a standout performance in 2024 but has similarly struggled in 2025, missing eight field goals. That includes a showing from this past weekend when Ryland miss two of his six field goal attempts.
“It’s disappointing when it doesn’t happen for whatever reason – operation, protection, kicker, whatever,” special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said of Ryland’s performance (via the team’s website). “[The Falcons game] did start off well … there were positives and negatives. I try to not focus too much on results and being consistent on technique, process, reps. I thought last Thursday was one of [Chad’s] better days striking the ball. On game day, we’ve got to be able to make those kicks, and we have to be good around him as well.”
With two games remaining, it seems likely that Karty will get the majority of the looks at kicker over Ryland. However, considering the incumbent’s restricted free agent status after this season, there’s a good chance he sticks around the roster for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.
The Cardinals weren’t done making moves today. The team officially placed defensive lineman Walter Nolen III and cornerback Garrett Williams on injured reserve, moves that were anticipated. The team also signed cornerback Kalen King from the Panthers practice squad. The former seventh-round pick got into one game for Carolina this season.
OT Trent Williams Intends To Play In 2026
Trent Williams has been attached to retirement speculation for several years, but it doesn’t sound like the offensive lineman is close to hanging up his cleats. When asked about his status beyond the 2025 season, Williams made it clear that he’ll at least be back on the field next year.
“I’m nowhere near done, so I’ve got a few more years,” said Williams (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). “I’m not leaving. I’m not going nowhere.”
After he missed the 49ers’ last seven games of the 2024 season due to a bruise in his ankle joint, the OT once again staved off retirement rumblings. Besides being one of the league’s oldest players, there doesn’t seem to be much merit to Williams calling it a career.
For starters, the lineman has continued to perform as one of the league’s top offensive tackles. Pro Football Focus currently ranks the 37-year-old third among 83 qualifying tackles, the sixth-straight year he’s positioned to finish in the top-10. Williams was also named to his 12th Pro Bowl today. As Branch notes, this broke a tie with Anthony Munoz, Jonathan Ogden and Willie Roaf for the most in league history among offensive tackles.
Williams is also under contract through the 2026 season, and his average annual value still ranks second among offensive tackles. After inking a three-year, $82MM extension back in 2024, Williams can probably expect at least one more lucrative contract before his career is through.
To top it off, Williams has indicated that he’s interested in playing through his age-40 season. Barring an unexpected drop off, Williams shouldn’t lack for suitors, so it seems likelier than not that his plan will come to fruition.
Raiders HC Pete Carroll ‘Intent’ On Keeping Job
The Raiders brought in a new regime to guide their franchise in 2025, but unless the team somehow wins their final two games of the season, they’ll finish with their worst showing since the 2014 campaign. Considering the dismal on-field product, there have been some natural rumblings about Pete Carroll‘s job security. If the head coach has his way, he’ll be sticking in Las Vegas for the 2026 season.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the 74-year-old isn’t planning to retire. Instead, Carroll is “intent on convincing” owner Mark Davis that he should keep his job.
Rapoport and Pelissero detail the various issues the Raiders have dealt with in 2025. On the coaching staff, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon were both canned. On the field, Geno Smith has tossed 14 interceptions after being acquired this offseason for a third-round pick. Meanwhile, sixth-overall pick Ashton Jeanty has been one of the least efficient RBs in the NFL, compiling 828 rushing yards on 224 carries. Individually, none of these issues are a direct indictment of Carroll. However, when combined, you can make a strong argument that the organization already requires a change.
Plus, as Rapoport and Pelissero note, Carroll wasn’t even the organization’s top choice to lead the squad. Tom Brady helped guide the search and landed his desired GM in John Spytek. However, the iconic QB saw his HC target, Ben Johnson, opt for the Bears gig. Both NFL Network reporters believe Brady will “increase his presence” this offseason as the team faces some crucial decisions.
Davis will ultimately have the final say, and the owner isn’t afraid to pull the plug if things aren’t working out. The Raiders have famously shuffled through coaches, as the team has employed five different head coaches (including interim HCs) over the past five years.
If Carroll is ultimately ousted, it will be a disappointing development for the former Super Bowl winner. His long stint in Seattle unceremoniously ended in 2023, but even then, the Seahawks never bottomed out, as Carroll still guided the team to a 9-8 record during his final season at the helm. Carroll has the track record of developing competitive squads, so perhaps the Raiders will give their head coach another season to right the ship. If not, the front office will be seeking yet another individual to lead their roster.
Raiders Place OL Jordan Meredith On IR
Jordan Meredith‘s season has ended early. The Raiders announced that they placed the offensive lineman on injured reserve today.
Meredith has been dealing with an ankle injury for most of December, and the issue led to him being questionable for yesterday’s game against the Texans. The lineman ended up being limited to only three special teams snaps yesterday, and the Raiders are now shutting him down for good.
A former UDFA out of Western Kentucky, Meredith played sparingly through his first three seasons in the NFL. He had a breakout campaign in 2024, starting eight of his 14 appearances while getting into 574 offensive snaps. Pro Football Focus was especially fond of his performance, ranking Meredith fifth among 77 qualifying guards.
This season, the website hasn’t been as bullish, although that could be due to the lineman’s switch to center. Meredith currently ranks 33rd among 40 qualifying centers, including the fourth-lowest positional grade in pass blocking. He shifted back to guard midseason when Jackson Powers-Johnson went down with an injury.
Taking his spot on the roster is Atonio Mafi. The veteran has spent most of the season on the Raiders practice squad, making one appearance in his three elevations. The former fifth-round pick started five of his 17 games as a rookie with the Patriots in 2023.
To fill the taxi squad spot previously held by Mafi, the Raiders turned to defensive end Jahfari Harvey. The rookie has spent most of this season on the practice squad, but he temporarily found himself without a job after he was cut by the big-league team the other day.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/22/25
Today’s practice squad transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: S Tysheem Johnson
Houston Texans
- Signed: DL Leki Fotu
New England Patriots
- Placed on practice squad/injured: TE Thomas Odukoya
New York Giants
- Released: P Cameron Johnston
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Tyler Hall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Nick Jackson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: NT Isaiah Raikes, LB Cam Riley
- Released: WR Kristian Wilkerson
After getting waived by the Bills in November, Cameron Johnston caught on with the Giants as insurance for Jamie Gillan. Johnston ended up getting into one game for his new squad, punting four times for 22.8 net yards per punt. The team held on to the veteran to make sure Gillan made it through his return unscathed. Apparently everything checked out, and the Giants will proceed with just one punter in their organization for the rest of the season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/22/25
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/PUP: DL Collin Oliver
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: WR Coleman Owen, G Josh Sills
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Eli Apple, LB Eric Kendricks
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed from practice squad: S D’Anthony Bell
Collin Oliver may finally make his NFL debut at some point over the final two weeks of the season. The rookie fifth-round pick was sidelined for all of training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury, and he ultimately landed on the physically unable to perform list to begin the season. He had his practice window opened earlier this month, and he’s apparently showed enough progress to earn a spot on the active roster. The Oklahoma State product finished his college career 23.5 sacks and 40.5 tackles for loss.
Packers TE John FitzPatrick Suffered Torn Achilles
John FitzPatrick‘s season has come to an end. The Packers announced today that they’ve placed their tight end on injured reserve.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, tests revealed that FitzPatrick suffered a torn Achilles during Saturday’s loss to the Bears. The tight end suffered the injury while blocking in the fourth quarter. He was carted to the sideline before exiting to the locker room.
This is a tough break for an injury-riddled Packers squad. The team was already down their starting TE in Tucker Kraft, who suffered a torn ACL in early November. FitzPatrick was arguably the main beneficiary of that injury, as he soaked up most of Kraft’s reps and occasionally outsnapped fellow tight end Luke Musgrave.
A former sixth-round pick by the Falcons, FitzPatrick joined the Packers last October. He was limited reps during his first season in Green Bay, but he’s seen a much larger role in 2025. In 15 games (four starts), the 25-year-old has hauled in 12 catches for 72 yards and one touchdown. However, he’s truly earned his playing time with his blocking prowess; Pro Football Focus ranks him 14th at his position for pass blocking and 20th in run blocking.
Musgrave will continue leading the depth chart for the time being, but the Packers will need to add an extra body to the roster in the coming days. Josh Whyle is currently sidelined with a concussion, so the team will surely turn to at least one of McCallan Castles or Drake Dabney from the practice squad.
The injury also comes at a poor time for FitzPatrick, who is hitting unrestricted free agency after this season. The Achilles injury will surely require a lengthy rehab, and there’s a chance he may not return to the field until late in the 2026 season.
Two Teams Have Expressed Interest In Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick‘s return to football as head coach at North Carolina could not have gone much worse. Despite an underwhelming product on the field and an unusual amount of news off the field, Belichick is still apparently attracting some interest from the NFL.
[RELATED: Bill Belichick Expected To Draw Interest From Multiple Teams]
According to Josina Anderson, two unidentified NFL teams have recently expressed interest in the future Hall of Fame coach. This follows a report from last month that Belichick was expected to receive interest from multiple organizations.
While Anderson doesn’t mention any definitive suitors, she does note that “upper-level personnel” with the Falcons, Giants, and Browns are “still fond” of Belichick. It’s only natural to connect the Giants to the iconic head coach, as Belichick had a long and successful stint as the team’s defensive coordinator, a stretch in which he earned a pair of Super Bowl rings.
After the Giants moved on from coach Brian Daboll in November, there were some rumblings that the organization could take another look at Belichick. The coach was quick to deny any interest in the opening while restating his commitment to the Tar Heels. Similarly, there were reports that Belichick wasn’t included in the team’s “shortlist of candidates.” Either way, depending on the results of the Giants’ initial survey of coaching candidates, it wouldn’t be completely unfounded for the team to land back on Belichick.
Browns ownership doesn’t have any connection to the coach; in fact, Belichick coached the iteration of the Browns that ultimately transformed into the Baltimore Ravens franchise. The 73-year-old still represents a major “what if” for the city of Cleveland. Belichick never had the same success as he would later have in New England. In five seasons with the Browns, he only had a single winning season, and he finished his tenure with a 36-44 record. The coach did help lay the groundwork for the franchise’s future success in Baltimore, and there’s been a sentiment that he would have continued with the Art Modell-iteration of the organization had they stayed in Cleveland.
The Falcons’ lone connection to Belichick is a public flirtation back in 2024. Atlanta appeared to be the lone serious suitor for the coach following his ouster with the Patriots, but the Falcons ended up opting for Raheem Morris instead. There’s already been whispers that Morris could be on his way out in Atlanta, and perhaps Arthur Blank ends up turning back to one of his main alternatives from several years ago.
Belichick hasn’t done much in 2025 to help his case for a future NFL gig. He had a dreadful first season as North Carolina’s head coach, guiding his squad to a 4-8 record. The Tar Heels also failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time in seven years. At the same time, Belichick was embroiled in a number of off-the-field stories. From his continued pettiness with the Patriots to his handling of recruits and incumbents to his his very-public dalliance, Belichick’s legacy would have done better had the coach stayed off the field (and out of the headlines).
Of course, Belichick’s illustrious resume will always keep him in the NFL coaching cycle. It’s hard to blame teams from being enticed by Belichick’s eight Super Bowl rings, including six as the head coach of the Patriots. Even if he doesn’t garner a job this offseason, this surely won’t be the last we hear his name connected to open jobs.