NFL COVID List Updates
We are trying our best here at Pro Football Rumors to keep up with all of the updates throughout the league concerning players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. A lot of teams had high hopes during today’s testing as they were trying to get players activated in time for Sunday’s slate of games.
Here are updates as of 8:30 PM ET, Sat 12/18:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Chris Westry, WR Sammy Watkins
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Derrick Brown
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Eddie Goldman
- OC Bill Lazor, DC Sean Desai, STC Chris Tabor in COVID-19 protocols
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Takkarist McKinley
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T James Hudson
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Trysten Hill, DT Osa Odighizuwa
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB P.J. Locke
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Ifeatu Melifonwu, DB Bobby Price, DB Tracy Walker
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Jonathan Greenard, G Lane Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Zaire Franklin
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Antwaun Woods
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Odell Beckham Jr., RB Darrell Henderson, CB Donte Deayon, TE Brycen Hopkins, OL Alaric Jackson, OLB Justin Hollins
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Joseph Noteboom, CB Robert Rochell
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Jevon Holland
Minnesota Vikings
- Four Coaches in COVID-19 protocols
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Xavier McKinney
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Folorunso Fatukasi, Practice Squad LB Noah Dawkins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Breshad Perriman
Washington Football Team
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Jonathan Allen, DE James Smith-Williams, DE Casey Toohill, DE Montez Sweat
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/18/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: RB Chase Edmonds, S Charles Washington
- Placed on IR: WR DeAndre Hopkins, CB Robert Alford
- Promoted: CB Kevin Peterson, LB Joe Walker
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on IR: DB Erik Harris
- Promoted: LB Dorian Etheridge, DB Shawn Williams
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: DB Robert Jackson, S Tony Jefferson, T Jaryd Jones-Smith, C Adam Redmond, T David Sharpe
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
- Promoted: QB Reggie Bonnafon, WR Willie Snead
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: LB Ledarius Mack
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: OG D’Ante Smith, DB Trae Waynes (story)
- Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, LB Keandre Jones, WR Trent Taylor
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: LB Willie Harvey Jr., DE Porter Gustin
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: DT Justin Hamilton, RB Jaquan Hardy, DB Darian Thompson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: DB A.J. Parker
- Promoted: LB Curtis Bolton, RB Craig Reynolds, T Dan Skipper
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: S Shawn Davis, DE Abdullah Anderson, G Cole Van Lanen
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DE Jordan Jenkins
- Promoted: S Grayland Arnold, LB Connor Strachan, WR Jordan Veasy, DB T.J. Green, FB Paul Quessenberry, DL Chris Smith, OL Jordan Steckler
Indianapolis Colts
- Placed on IR: DT Antwaun Woods
- Promoted: DT Chris Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: RB Nathan Cottrell
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: LB Anthony Hines, WR Brandon Powell
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: C Greg Mancz
- Promoted: WR Tommylee Lewis
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DT Daniel Ekuale, C James Ferentz, RB Devine Ozigbo
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: TE Adam Trautman
- Placed on IR: TE Garrett Griffin (story)
- Promoted: G Forrest Lamp, WR Easop Winston
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Alex Bachman, LB Jaylon Smith, DB Jarren Williams
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: RB Michael Carter, T Chuma Edoga, DE Bryce Huff, TE Tyler Kroft
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, TE Daniel Brown, WR Vyncint Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: G Rashaad Coward
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: RB Brian Hill, DB Jarrod Wilson
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on IR: TE Tory Carter
Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order
The Chiefs (9-4) and Chargers (8-5) are getting set to kick off Week 15 in a matchup that could decide the AFC West crown. Meanwhile, more than one-quarter of the NFL’s teams have either been mathematically or effectively eliminated from playoff contention.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2021 standings, plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. For playoff teams, the order is determined by their postseason outcome and regular season record. (Ex: Washington would own the No. 19 pick if they were eliminated in the Wild Card round with the worst record of the group.)
With that in mind, here’s a look at the currently projected 2022 NFL Draft Order:
1. Detroit Lions (1-11-1)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11)
3. Houston Texans (2-11)
4. New York Jets (3-10)
5. New York Giants (via Bears)
6. New York Giants (4-9)
7. New York Jets (via Seahawks)
8. Carolina Panthers (5-8)
9. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-7)
13. New Orleans Saints (6-7)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (6-7)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1)
16. Denver Broncos (7-6)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
18. Cleveland Browns (7-6)
19. Washington Football Team (6-7)*
20. Buffalo Bills (7-6)*
21. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)*
22. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)*
23. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)*
24. Detroit Lions (via Rams)*
25. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)*
26. Dallas Cowboys (9-4)*
27. Kansas City Chiefs (9-4)*
28. Arizona Cardinals (10-3)*
29. Tennessee Titans (9-4)*
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3)*
31. New England Patriots (9-4)*
32. Green Bay Packers (10-3)*
* = Playoffs
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/16/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on COVID-19 list: RB Nate McCrary
Carolina Panthers
- Released: LB Josh Watson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: CB Brian Allen, S Tedric Thompson
Houston Texans
- Placed on COVID-19 list: DB Cre’von LeBlanc
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: TE Colin Thompson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: CB Greg Stroman
New York Giants
- Signed: C Evan Boehm
New York Jets
- Activated from COVID-19 list: LB Noah Dawkins
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/16/21
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: C Rodney Hudson
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Chuck Clark
Chicago Bears
- Activated for return: OT Germain Ifedi, CB Duke Shelley
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: WR Lawrence Cager
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Terrence Brooks, DB Terrance Mitchell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: CB Dicaprio Bootle, DE Cortez Broughton, WR Daurice Fountain, LB Darius Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Scott Quessenberry
- Promoted: DB Ben Deluca
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: LB Ronnie Perkins
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Cameron Jordan
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Wes Martin
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Elijah Moore, LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
Washington Football Team
- Signed: DT Akeem Spence (story)
Ravens To Sign Josh Johnson
The Ravens are signing quarterback Josh Johnson off of the Jets’ practice squad (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The veteran will provide extra insurance for Baltimore this week if Lamar Jackson is unable to play. 
Johnson, 35, has signed with nearly half of the league at this point. His career has seen long stretches of inactivity and stints with startup football leagues. After getting into four games for Washington in 2018, he spent ’19 with the San Diego Fleet in the Alliance of American Football. In 2020, he was under center for the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats, until the league shuttered midway through it’s re-inaugural year.
This year, the Jets cycled him between the practice squad and active roster. He appeared in three games while Zach Wilson was sidelined, completing 64.4% of his throws for three touchdowns against one interception.
While Johnson will provide depth, the Ravens anticipate that Jackson will be able to go against the Packers on Sunday.
“The plans are right now, in my mind, for Lamar to be out there. So we’ll see where it goes this week. If he can go, he’ll go,” head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday. “If not, Tyler [Huntley] will be the quarterback. That’s where we’re at.”
Latest On Ravens QB Lamar Jackson
Ravens fans can breathe a sigh of relief…Lamar Jackson is going to be okay, and he could even be on the field this Sunday against the Packers. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh provided some clarity (and optimism) when discussing his quarterback’s sprained ankle earlier today.
[RELATED: QB Lamar Jackson Has Sprained Ankle]
“Lamar has an ankle sprain. It’s not a high ankle sprain, which is good news,” Harbaugh said (via Ryan Mink of the team’s website). “We’ll just have to see what it is from there and how he feels this week going forward and what it looks like.
“The plans are right now, in my mind, for Lamar to be out there. So we’ll see where it goes this week. If he can go, he’ll go. If not, Tyler [Huntley will be the quarterback. That’s where we’re at.”
The diagnosis is good news, and Jackson can now focus on pain tolerance vs. a definitive absence. Jackson exited Sunday’s loss to the Browns after only 10 offensive snaps, completing all four of his passes. Huntley took over once Jackson exited the game with the 23-year-old completing 27 of his 38 pass attempts for 270 yards and one touchdown. He also added 45 yards on six carries, although he also had two costly fumbles.
Baltimore is currently battling for playoff positioning, and a multi-week absence for Jackson would have likely spelled doom for the team’s postseason chances. Fortunately, if the QB is forced to miss any time, it sounds like it’ll only be one week.
Ravens Sign Tony Jefferson To Practice Squad
In the midst of injury troubles throughout their secondary, the Ravens are bringing back a familiar face. The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec reports (via Twitter) that veteran safety Tony Jefferson has been signed to the practice squad. 
Originally undrafted out of Oklahoma, Jefferson signed with the Ravens in 2017 after starting his career with Arizona. That initial season in Charm City was his best, as he recorded 79 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. After missing most of the 2019 season due to a torn ACL, however, he was released.
Upon rehabbing throughout 2020, the soon-to-be 30-year-old signed with the 49ers in June. Groin and hamstring issues quickly saw him land on IR once again, however. After appearing in just two games and registering one tackle in San Francisco, Jefferson was released from the 49ers’ practice squad on Dec. 8th.
The Ravens’ season has been dominated by injury, especially in the secondary. All-Pro corners Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters are each out for the season, as is starting safety DeShon Elliott. Despite the presence of highly-trusted veteran Chuck Clark, miscommunication and big plays allowed have been a weekly occurrence.
Even with Jefferson in the fold, look for the Ravens to continue primarily using a rotation of sophomore Geno Stone and third-round rookie Brandon Stephens at safety for the remainder of the season. Baltimore hosts Green Bay in Week 15.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/13/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on COVID-19 list: WR Binjimen Victor
Denver Broncos
- Placed on COVID-19 list: WR Seth Williams
Green Bay Packers
- Released: QB Danny Etling
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on COVID-19 list: G Kyle Hinton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Mac McCain
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed DE John Simon
- Released: K Sam Sloman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: LS Garrison Sanborn
QB Lamar Jackson’s Ankle Is Sprained
After star quarterback Lamar Jackson left today’s game with an injury, Ravens’ fans braced for the worst as they’ve been dealt blow after blow with season ending injuries all year. Well, Baltimore can breathe a small sigh of relief as Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp reports that Jackson has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle.
The Ravens have been plagued all season by injuries to big name players. Before the season ever started, they saw running backs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill, cornerback Marcus Peters, linebacker L.J. Fort, and defensive end Derek Wolfe all deal with injuries that would keep them out for the entire 2021-22 season. Over the course of the season, they’ve lost offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, safety DeShon Elliott, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey all to season ending injuries, as well. Not to mention they’ve seen a litany of players like defensive end Calais Campbell, tight end Nick Boyle, and fullback Patrick Ricard miss time with injuries over the season.
As brutal as these setbacks have been, losing Lamar Jackson for the year would effectively end any chance for a successful season in Baltimore. With the only returning running back from Baltimore’s record-breaking rushing offense being former-practice squad player Ty’Son Williams, Baltimore very quickly asked the 24-year old Jackson to shoulder more of the offense than he previously had in his career. Not only does Jackson captain the passing attack and lead the team in rushing, but the next closest player on the team in rushing yards has 322 less yards than Jackson. There is arguably no player more crucial to their team’s success than Lamar Jackson and his injury status appearing to be short-term is a bit of solace for a bruised Ravens team.
In his absence, second-year undrafted free agent Tyler Huntley will be available to fill in. Huntley has seen game action a few times in his short career and earned his first career start when Jackson missed Week 11 with a sickness. Huntley led the Ravens to a win over the Bears that week utilizing a 72-yard game-winning touchdown drive with 1:33 left in the 4th quarter. When Huntley replaced Jackson today in Cleveland, the Ravens were down 10-0 and saw their deficit grow to 24-6 before Huntley led a second half comeback effort that fell short with the Ravens just out of field goal range in a 24-22 loss.
The Ravens’ schedule doesn’t let next week as the Packers visit for an afternoon matchup. Baltimore will want to give Jackson a chance to practice before announcing Huntley as the starter. And they’ll be hoping for good news as they look to close out a contentious AFC North over a daunting last four games of the season.