Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order
Eleven teams have punched their ticket to the playoffs with one week to go in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Colts, 49ers, Chargers, Saints, Raiders, Steelers, and (technically) Ravens all still have a shot. If you’re a fan of one of the other 14 teams, this list may be of equal interest to you. That is, if your team still owns their original first-round pick.
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.
As we look ahead to Week 18, here’s a look at the currently projected 2022 NFL Draft Order:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-14
- Detroit Lions: 2-13-1
- Houston Texans: 4-12
- New York Jets: 4-12
- New York Giants: 4-12
- Carolina Panthers: 5-11
- New York Jets (via Seahawks)
- New York Giants (via Bears)
- Washington Football Team: 6-10
- Atlanta Falcons: 7-9
- Denver Broncos: 7-9
- Minnesota Vikings: 7-9
- Cleveland Browns: 7-9
- Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
- New Orleans Saints: 8-8
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-8
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-7-1
- Las Vegas Raiders: 9-7
- Philadelphia Eagles: 9-7*
- Los Angeles Chargers: 9-7*
- Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)*
- Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)*
- New England Patriots*
- Arizona Cardinals: 10-5*
- Buffalo Bills: 10-6*
- Cincinnati Bengals: 10-6*
- Dallas Cowboys: 11-5*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 12-4*
- Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5*
- Detroit Lions (via Rams): 12-4*
- Tennessee Titans: 11-5*
- Green Bay Packers: 13-3*
* = Playoffs
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/3/22
Here are Monday’s activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Sam Tecklenburg, DE Darryl Johnson, C Matt Paradis
Chicago Bears
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Jesper Horsted, LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Darius Phillips (remains on IR), WR Auden Tate (remains on IR)
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Jordan Evans
Denver Broncos
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Brandon McManus, P Sam Martin
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Michael Brockers, WR Josh Reynolds, OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai, TE Brock Wright
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Austin Bryant, T Taylor Decker, T Penei Sewell
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: RB Rodney Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chauncey Rivers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jaire Alexander, OT Dennis Kelly, DB Darnell Savage, WR David Moore
Houston Texans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Justin Reid
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Malik Jefferson
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB James Morgan, TE Eli Wolf
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Mike Remmers (remains on IR)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Will Compton, LB Patrick Onwuasor
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: OG Lester Cotton, OG Jeremiah Poutasi
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Andrew Brown, LB Kenneth Murray
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raymond Calais (remains on IR)
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: NT John Jenkins, WR Preston Williams
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: C Spencer Pulley, DT Durval Queiroz Neto
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Patrick Jones II
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Camryn Bynum, G Ezra Cleveland, T Christian Darrisaw, LB Eric Kendricks, T Brian O’Neill
New England Patriots
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Myles Bryant
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: T William Sherman
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: K Wil Lutz, OL Landon Young
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Jalen Dalton (from IR)
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Kyle Phillips
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Andre Chachere
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Genard Avery, DT Fletcher Cox, DB Marcus Epps, G Nate Herbig, RB Jordan Howard, C Jason Kelce, DB Avonte Maddox, DB Rodney McLeod, RB Boston Scott, LB Alex Singleton, TE Jack Stoll
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Damion Willis
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raheem Mostert (from IR), CB K’Waun Williams, DB Jimmie Ward
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Alton Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Julio Jones, LB Jayon Brown, OT Kendall Lamm
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: OT Paul Adams
Washington Football Team
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Samuel Cosmi, CB Darryl Roberts
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: G Beau Benzschawel
Week 17 Playoffs Update
The playoff picture is starting to solidify. With the conclusion of Sunday’s games, 6 divisions have been decided and 2 wild card spots have been claimed. Here’s where everyone stands with one week (and one game tomorrow) left to go (not including the potential for any tie game results):
AFC
Eliminated: Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14), Houston Texans (4-12), New York Jets (4-12), Denver Broncos (7-9), Cleveland Browns (7-8), Miami Dolphins (8-8)
- Tennessee Titans (11-5) – Clinched AFC South. Can clinch a first round bye with a win over the Texans in Houston or a Chiefs loss and a Bengals loss. Can finish as low as the 3rd Seed.
- Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) – Clinched AFC West. Can clinch a first round bye with a Titans loss and a win over the Broncos in Denver. Can finish as low as the 4th seed.
- Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) – Clinched AFC North. Can clinch a first round bye with a Titans loss, a Chiefs loss, and a win over the Browns in Cleveland. Can finish as low as the 4th Seed.
- Buffalo Bills (10-6) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch AFC East with a win over the Jets in Buffalo or a Patriots loss. With a win, can finish as high as the 2nd Seed and as low as the 4th Seed. With a loss, can finish as high as the 4th Seed and as low as the 7th Seed.
- New England Patriots (10-6) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch AFC East with a Bills loss and a win over the Dolphins in Miami. Can clinch a first round bye with a win over the Dolphins, a Bills loss, a Titans loss, and a Chiefs loss. With a loss, can finish as low as the 6th Seed.
- Indianapolis Colts (9-7) – Can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Jaguars in Jacksonville. With a win, can finish as high as the 5th Seed and as low as the 6th Seed. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Jaguars.
- Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) – Can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Raiders in Las Vegas. With a win, can finish as high as the 5th Seed and as low as the 7th Seed. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Raiders.
- Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) – Can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Chargers in Las Vegas or with a Colts loss and a Steelers loss (either tomorrow vs the Browns or next Sunday at the Ravens). With a win, can finish as high as the 5th Seed and as low as the 6th Seed. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss and a Colts win or a loss and two Steelers wins.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1) – Can clinch the 7th Seed with a win over the Browns in Pittsburgh (tomorrow), a win over the Ravens in Baltimore, and a Colts loss. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Browns (tomorrow) or a loss to the Ravens or a Colts win.
- Miami Dolphins (8-8) – Eliminated.
- Baltimore Ravens (8-8) – Can clinch the 7th Seed with a win over the Steelers in Baltimore, a Colts loss, a Dolphins loss, and a Chargers loss. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Steelers or a Colts win or a Dolphins win or a Chargers win.
NFC
Eliminated: Detroit Lions (2-13-1), New York Giants (4-12), Carolina Panthers (5-11), Seattle Seahawks (6-10), Chicago Bears (6-10), Washington Football Team (6-10), Atlanta Falcons (7-9), Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
- Green Bay Packers (13-3) – Clinched first round bye.
- Los Angeles Rams (12-4) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch NFC West with a win over the 49ers in Los Angeles or a Cardinals loss. Can clinch the 2nd Seed with a win. With a loss, can finish as high as the 2nd Seed and as low as the 5th Seed.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) – Clinched NFC South. Can clinch the 2nd Seed with a win over the Panthers in Tampa Bay, a Rams loss, and a Cardinals loss. Can clinch the 3rd Seed, at worst, with a Cowboys loss. Otherwise, clinched the 4th Seed, at worst.
- Dallas Cowboys (11-5) – Clinched the NFC East. Can clinch the 2nd Seed with a win over the Eagles in Philadelphia, a Rams loss, and a Buccaneers loss. Can clinch the 3rd Seed with a win over the Eagles and a Rams loss. Otherwise, clinched the 4th Seed, at worst
- Arizona Cardinals (11-5) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch the NFC West with a win over the Seahawks in Arizona and a Rams loss. With a win, can finish as high as the 2nd Seed and as low as the 5th Seed (cannot finish as the 4th Seed).
- San Francisco 49ers (9-7) – Can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Rams in Los Angeles or a Saints loss. Can clinch the 6th seed with a win over the Rams or an Eagles loss and a Saints loss. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Rams and a Saints win.
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) – Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch the 6th Seed with a win over the Cowboys in Philadelphia and a 49ers loss or a 49ers loss and a Saints win. Otherwise, clinched 7th Seed, at worst.
- New Orleans Saints (8-8) – Can clinch the 7th Seed with a win over the Falcons in Atlanta and a 49ers loss. Can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Falcons or a 49ers win.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/1/22
The first minor moves of 2022:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: LB Tanner Vallejo
- Promoted: DL Josh Mauro, CB Kevin Peterson, TE David Wells, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: TE Parker Hesse, WR Austin Trammell, DB Luther Kirk, DB Lafayette Pitts, DE Nick Thurman
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: OT David Sharpe, DB Robert Jackson, DB Tony Jefferson, T Jayrd Jones-Smith
- Placed on IR: OLB Daelin Hayes
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted: DT Eli Ankou
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: DE Austin Larkin, RB Spencer Brown, CB Madre Harper, OL Mike Horton, TE Stephen Sullivan, TE Colin Thompson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: CB John Brannon, QB Jake Browning, WR Trent Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: WR Noah Brown
- Promoted: S Darian Thompson
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: OLB Andre Mintze
- Promoted: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, T Quinn Bailey, T Drew Himmelman, DE Marquiss Spencer, DE Jonathan Harris, LB Barrington Wade, WR Rico Gafford, CB Rojesterman Farris, RB Damarea Crockett, WR Seth Williams, WR Travis Fulgham
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: LB Tavante Beckett, G Parker Ehinger, DE Bruce Hector, WR Javon McKinley, TE Ross Travis
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: DL Abdullah Anderson, WR David Moore
Houston Texas
- Promoted: WR Jalen Camp, OT Jordan Steckler, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc, RB Jaylen Samuels, WR Jordan Veasy, DT Michael Dwumfour, LB Josh Watson
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: LS Kyle Nelson, CB Will Redmond, QB Brett Hundley, DT Chris Williams
- Released: T Greg Senat, C Joey Hunt
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: CB Lorenzo Burns, DT Doug Costin, WR Jeff Cotton, RB Nathan Cottrell, OL D.J. Fluker, DB Michael Jacquet, S Bradley McDougald, OL Badara Traore, OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from IR: RB Jerick McKinnon
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: S Jordan Brown, C Hroniss Grasu, WR Tyron Johnson, DT Damion Square
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: LB Cole Christiansen, TE Hunter Kampmoyer
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR J.J. Koski
- Promoted: CB Grant Haley, WR Brandon Powell
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: LB Brennan Scarlett
- Promoted: WR Kirk Merritt, C Cameron Tom, DB Chris Milton
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DT T.Y. McGill, DE Eddie Yarbrough, S Myles Dorn, CB Tye Smith, DE Kenny Willekes
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DL Daniel Ekuale, DB D’Angelo Ross, WR Kristian Wilkerson
- Reverted from Designated to Return back to IR: LB Harvey Langi
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: WR Kawaan Baker, C Will Clapp, G Forrest Lamp, DB Bryce Thompson
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Alex Bachman, DT Woodrow Hamilton, WR Pharoh Cooper, OT Derrick Kelly, DT David Moa, WR David Sills
New York Jets
- Promoted: DL Ronnie Blair, TE Dan Brown, CB Lamar Jackson, WR D.J. Montgomery
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DE Cameron Malveaux, LB JaCoby Stevens
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Tegray Scales (from Bengals’ practice squad)
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: TE Tanner Hudson, LB Mark Nzeocha, LB Curtis Robinson
- Released: RB Brian Hill
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: OT Jamaro Jones
- Promoted: CB Michael Jackson, S Josh Jones, LB Edmond Robinson
- Placed on IR: OLB Jon Rhattigan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: RB Kenjon Barner, WR, Cyril Grayson, P Sterling Hofrichter, LB Elijah Ponder
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: DE William Bradley-King, LB De’Jon Harris, CB D.J. Hayden, S Jeremy Reaves, RB Wendell Smallwood, G Deion Calhoun, P Ryan Winslow
- Released: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/1/22
Here are the New Year’s Day activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Brandon Copeland, QB Feleipe Franks, S Richie Grant
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: DB Mazzi Wilkins
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Brian Burns, DE Marquis Haynes, LB Shaq Thompson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Brandon Allen, LB Germaine Pratt
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Scotty Washington
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Simi Fehoko
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: T Aviante Collins
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OLB Andre Mintze
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DE Jonathan Harris
Detroit Lions
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB Steven Montez
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Corey Bojorquez, G Ben Braden, LB Oren Burks, TE Tyler Davis, TE Marcedes Lewis, LB Ty Summers (remains on IR)
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DL R.J. McIntosh
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Carson Wentz, CB T.J. Carrie, T Braden Smith
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Chris Wilcox
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Malcom Brown, DT DaVon Hamilton, TE Chris Manhertz, OL Andrew Norwell, DL Jihad Ward
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Dawuane Smoot
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Denzel Perryman, CB Casey Hayward, LB Cory Littleton, DT Darius Philon
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Nasir Adderly, S Alohi Gilman, CB Chris Harris Jr., CB Davontae Harris, K Dustin Hopkins, T Storm Norton, LS Matt Overton, T Trey Pipkins III
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Adam Butler, S Brandon Jones
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Noah Igbinoghene, S Sheldrick Redwine
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Oli Udoh
New England Patriots
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Matt Judon, LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, LB Brandon King, QB Brian Hoyer, DE Josh Uche
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Marcus Williams, C Erik McCoy
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DT Malcolm Roach
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Nick Vannett
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Julian Love
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Dante Pettis
New York Jets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Bryce Hall
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Derek Barnett
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR KeeSean Johnson, CB Craig James
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Isaiah Buggs
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: S Karl Joseph
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Mitch Wishnowsky
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Sidney Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jamel Dean, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OLB Bud Dupree, DL Denico Autry, CB Buster Skrine
- Restored from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Cody Hollister
Panthers’ Shaq Thompson, Brian Burns To Play Sunday
The Panthers will get a major boost on their defense when they take on the Saints tomorrow. Brian Burns and Shaq Thompson have cleared COVID-19 protocols and will play in New Orleans on Sunday, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).
The two players were among a handful of Panthers players who landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday, putting their availability for Sunday in doubt. While Burns and Thompson will play, the Panthers will still likely be without a handful of notable defensive players, including linebacker Haason Reddick.
Burns, a 2019 first-round pick, earned his first Pro Bowl nod this season, boosting his eventual fifth-year option value from around $11.5MM to $16.6MM (per OverTheCap.com). In 15 starts, Burns has collected nine sacks, two forced fumbles, 17 QB hits, and 29 tackles. The edge rusher has also earned a top-10 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus.
Thompson, a former first-round pick, has spent his entire career with the Panthers, including 2019 and 2020 campaigns where he combined for 223 tackles. He’s had another productive season in 2021, collecting 91 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. The 27-year-old still has two-plus years remaining on the four-year, $54MM extension he inked with Carolina in 2019.
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/31/21
Here are the New Year’s Eve additions and subtractions from teams’ reserve/COVID-19 lists:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: NT Tyeler Davison
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on virus list: TE Tommy Tremble
- Activated from virus list: S Kenny Robinson, TE Brandon Zylstra
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on virus list: DT Quinton Bohanna, LB Keanu Neal
Denver Broncos
- Activated from practice squad virus list: T Drew Himmelman, LB Barrington Wade
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from virus list: S Henry Black, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, CB Kevin King, LB Tipa Galeai
- Activated from practice squad virus list: LB La’Darius Hamilton
- Placed on practice squad virus list: K J.J. Molson, LB Ray Wilborn
Houston Texans
- Activated from virus list: DL Maliek Collins
- Placed on virus list: TE Antony Auclair, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from virus list: S Jahleel Addae, RB Marlon Mack
- Placed on virus list: LS Luke Rhodes
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from virus list: LB Josh Allen, TE Luke Farrell, LB Myles Jack, WR Laviska Shenault, DE Jordan Smith, LB Damien Wilson
- Placed on virus list: CB Shaquill Griffin
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from virus list: QB Marcus Mariota, LB K.J. Wright
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on virus list: TE Jared Cook
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from virus list: OL Solomon Kindley, WR Albert Wilson
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from virus list: T Rashod Hill, QB Sean Mannion
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from virus list: WR Deonte Harris
- Placed on practice squad virus list: LB Chase Hansen, DB Dylan Mabin, TE Ethan Wolf
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on practice squad virus list: WR KeeSean Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on virus list: LB Joe Schobert, DL Chris Wormley
- Placed on practice squad virus list: DL Daniel Archibong
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from virus list: DE L.J. Collier
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from virus list: WR Mike Evans
- Placed on virus list: P Bradley Pinion
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from virus list: WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Washington Football Team
- Placed on virus list: G Ereck Flowers, RB Antonio Gibson
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/21
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted to active roster: TE Stephen Sullivan
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: DT Josiah Bronson
Houston Texans
- Extended: S Grayland Arnold and DE Ron’Dell Carter
Miami Dolphins
- Designated for return: OT Greg Little
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: S Joshuah Bledsoe
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/30/21
Here are Thursday’s reserve/COVID-19 list updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T D.J. Humphries
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on virus list: OL Jason Spriggs
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from virus list: QB Tyler Huntley, S Tony Jefferson, DL Justin Madubuike
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from virus list: OL Cody Ford, CB Cam Lewis
- Activated from practice squad virus list: TE Quintin Morris
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from virus list: CB Rashaan Melvin
- Placed on virus list: DE Darryl Johnston, S Kenny Robinson
- Placed on practice squad virus list: RB Reggie Bonnafon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from virus list: DE Wyatt Ray, DT D.J. Reader
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from virus list: DT Jordan Elliott, K Chase McLaughlin, CB Greg Newsome II, C J.C. Tretter
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from virus list: CB Jourdan Lewis
- Placed on practice squad virus list: CB Kyron Brown, S Tyler Coyle
Denver Broncos
- Placed on virus list: CB Bryce Callahan, CB Mike Ford, T Bobby Massie, OLB Stephen Weatherly
Detroit Lions
- Placed on virus list: WR Kalif Raymond
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on virus list: OL Elgton Jenkins and LB Randy Ramsey
Houston Texans
- Placed on virus list: WR Danny Amendola
- Activated from virus list: DB A.J. Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from virus list: LB Darius Leonard, WR Zach Pascal, S Khari Willis
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on virus list: OL Will Richardson, S Andrew Wingard
- Placed on practice squad virus list: RB B.J. Emmons
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from virus list: WR Bryan Edwards
- Placed on virus list: DE Carl Nassib, G Jordan Simmons
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from virus list: LB Emeke Egbule, WR Mike Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from virus list: T Andrew Whitworth
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on virus list: LB Nick Vigil
New England Patriots
- Placed on virus list: T Yodny Cajuste
- Activated from virus list: DL Deatrich Wise
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on virus list: C Erik McCoy
- Activated from virus list: DE Carl Granderson, Jalyn Holmes
New York Giants
- Placed on practice squad virus list: LB Omari Cobb
New York Jets
- Activated from virus list: S Ashtyn Davis, G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, DE John Franklin-Myers, G Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Placed on virus list: RB Tevin Coleman
- Activated from practice squad virus list: DE Hamilcar Rashed, WR Vyncint Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from virus list: LB Shaun Bradley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from virus list: LB Marcus Allen
- Placed on virus list: CB Arthur Maulet
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on virus list: G Damien Lewis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from virus list: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from virus list: G Nate Davis, CB Caleb Farley; Farley remains on IR
Washington Football Team
- Placed on virus list: T Sam Cosmi, P Tress Way
- Placed on practice squad virus list: QB Kyle Shurmur
- Activated from virus list: DE Nate Orchard
- Activated from practice squad virus list: G Zack Bailey
Panthers Starting Darnold In Week 17
In one of the more intriguing depth chart decisions this late in the season, head coach of the Panthers Matt Rhule has announced that Sam Darnold will start under center for the team’s Week 17 matchup in New Orleans. The intrigue comes from a few places, namely a possible quarterback controversy and the handling of Darnold’s health.
It’s been hard to get a read on what Rhule’s thoughts are on their quarterback room. Longtime Panther Cam Newton was signed to help fill in when Darnold fractured his scapula in a loss to the Patriots and was placed on IR. Newton started 5 of the next 6 games, losing all of his starts and being benched twice for P.J. Walker. Before Newton’s most recent start, Darnold was activated off of IR. Despite Darnold’s activation, Rhule stuck with Newton to start against the Buccaneers. It didn’t take long for Newton to be benched a third time, this time for the newly healthy Darnold. Whether it was skill or health that had Darnold coming off the bench instead of starting is unclear, but 19 minutes into the game, Rhule clearly thought Darnold gave them the best chance at winning.
It certainly wouldn’t be unreasonable for Rhule to be cautious and let Darnold take the rest of the season to heal. After all, last week’s loss to Tampa Bay eliminated the Panthers from playoff contention. To take Darnold immediately from IR and throw him into the line of fire seems like a bit of an unnecessary risk.
Rhule was quoted saying, “Sam has been working hard to get back…We’re going to give him this opportunity to show what he can do.” The stance conveyed in this quote seems to show that Darnold’s grasp on the starting quarterback job in Carolina is tenuous at best. It sounds as if Rhule is giving the former first round pick one more chance over the next two games to convince him that quarterback shouldn’t be a priority for the Panthers this offseason. Road matchups against the Saints and Buccaneers won’t make this an easy task for Darnold.