Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/25
As rosters continue to be sorted out, here are Thursday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LS Scott Daly, WR Devin Duvernay
- Waived: LB Carl Jones Jr.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: DT Eric Gregory
Dallas Cowboys
- Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): OL Trevor Keegan
- Waived: WR Ryan Flournoy
Las Vegas Raiders
- Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): S Tristin McCollum
- Waived: S Thomas Harper
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: S Richie Grant
- Waived: DT Evan Anderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S D’Anthony Bell
Bears Place DE Austin Booker On IR
Austin Booker was available to the Bears for all 17 games during his rookie season. That will not be the case in 2025, however.
Booker, 22, was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per a team announcement. A knee injury will sideline him for a minimum of four games to start the season, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. With a Bears’ bye in Week 5, Booker won’t play until at least Week 6.
The 2024 fifth-rounder was set to backup starting defensive ends Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo after a relatively quiet rookie season. Booker’s 2025 expectations surged after a league-high 4.0 sacks in just two preseason games, but a potential second-year leap will have to wait for a while.
Booker was able to overpower the generally-lower level of competition in the preseason, but translating that success to the regular season is no guarantee. His injury could make things more difficult, though the IR stint will help him get back to full health instead of rushing a return.
In the meantime, the Bears will turn to 2022 fifth-rounder Dominique Robinson and offseason signing Tanoh Kpassagnon to rotate in behind Sweat and Odeyingbo.
Robinson recorded 1.5 sacks in his first game as a Bear and 0.5 in 33 games since, while Kpassagnon, an eight-year veteran, missed the entire 2024 season due to an Achilles tear. He followed Dennis Allen from New Orleans to Chicago this offseason but has never produced like an impact edge rusher. Booker arguably has more upside than both, so the Bears will be anxious to get him back on the field as a rotational pass rusher.
Third-stringer and 2022 seventh-round pick Daniel Hardy has primarily played special teams in his first two years but could see some defensive snaps with Booker out.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.
Chicago Bears
Claimed:
- LB D’Marco Jackson (from Saints), CB Jaylon Jones (from Cardinals)
Released:
- LS Scott Daly, WR Devin Duvernay
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Maurice Alexander, WR Miles Boykin, RB Brittain Brown, TE Stephen Carlson, DL Xavier Carlton, LB Power Echols, LS Luke Elkin, CB Tre Flowers, DL Jonathan Ford, DB Mekhi Garner, DL Tanoh Kpassagnon, DL Jamree Kromah, OL Jordan McFadden, WR JP Richardson, OL Ricky Stromberg
Detroit Lions
Signed:
Claimed:
- DT Tyler Lacy (from Jaguars), DE Tyrus Wheat (from Cowboys)
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Myles Adams, WR Ronnie Bell, C Trystan Colon, DL Keith Cooper, DB Erick Hallett, TE Zach Horton, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Jackson Meeks, OL Mason Miller, OL Michael Niese, LB Anthony Pittman, RB Jacob Saylors, S Loren Strickland, T Dan Skipper, DL Isaac Ukwu
Green Bay Packers
Signed:
- LB Nick Niemann
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- RB Israel Abanikanda, DL Deslin Alexandre, DB Johnathan Baldwin, T Brant Banks, DL James Ester, WR Mecole Hardman, LB Jamon Johnson, K Mark McNamee, DL Arron Mosby, WR Isaiah Neyor, WR Will Sheppard, DB Jaylin Simpson, LB Kristian Welch
Minnesota Vikings
Signed to practice squad:
- G Henry Byrd, WR Dontae Fleming, S Kahlef Hailassie, DL Jonathan Harris, WR Lucky Jackson, WR Jeshuan Jones, WR Tim Jones, G Vershon Lee, CB Fabian Moreau, OLB Gabriel Murphy, TE Bryson Nesbit, T Max Pircher, DL Taki Taimani, RB Xazavian Valladay, TE Nick Vannett, CB Zemaiah Vaughn
2025 NFL Waiver Order
Many of the players cut Tuesday were subject to waivers, giving teams a chance to pick them up (along with the rest of their contract). Teams can claim as many players as they want before the next team gets their remaining targets.
It’s also worth noting that relatively few players are claimed off waivers during final roster cuts each year. Waiver claims will be processed at 11am CT in the following order (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). In reverse order of the 2024 NFL standings, here is how the waiver priority sits:
- Titans
- Browns
- Giants
- Patriots
- Jaguars
- Raiders
- Jets
- Panthers
- Saints
- Bears
- 49ers
- Cowboys
- Dolphins
- Colts
- Falcons
- Cardinals
- Bengals
- Seahawks
- Buccaneers
- Broncos
- Steelers
- Chargers
- Packers
- Vikings
- Texans
- Rams
- Ravens
- Lions
- Commanders
- Bills
- Chiefs
- Eagles
Bears Activate Jaylon Johnson, Cut Roster Down To 53
The Bears made a flurry of move to trim their roster down to 53 players on Tuesday, per a team announcement, headlined by the activation of Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson from the physically unable to perform list.
Johnson missed all of training camp after injuring his leg during offseason training. Chicago is hoping that he can be ready for Week 1, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, but the 26-year-old still hasn’t returned to the practice field. Keeping him on the 53-man roster suggests that the team believe he has a good chance of coming back in the first four weeks of the season.
The Bears also activated Tory Taylor to the roster in a procedural move. The Australian-born punter was given an international exemption to give Chicago an extra, 91st roster spot during the offseason, but he cannot keep the exemption and remain on the 53-man roster.
Here are the rest of the Bears’ roster moves:
Placed on injured reserve (designated to return)
Waived/injured
- DB Tysheem Johnson
- OL Doug Kramer
- OL Bill Murray
Waived
- WR Maurice Alexander
- RB Brittain Brown
- LS Luke Elkin
- DL Jonathan Ford
- DB Mekhi Garner
- DL Jamree Kromah
- OL Jordan McFadden
- DL Zacch Pickens
- WR JP Richardson
- WR Tyler Scott
- OL Ricky Stromberg
Released
- WR Miles Boykin
- TE Stephen Carlson
- DL Tanoh Kpassagnon
Homer appeared in 10 games for the Bears in 2024, primarily on special teams. He re-signed in Chicago this offseason and will spent a minimum of four games on the sidelines to start the year as he deals with a calf injury, per Biggs. Ogbongbemiga, also a returning special teams ace, will also be out for at least four weeks after injuring his shoulder.
The Bears tried to trade McFadden before final roster cuts, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, but were unable to find a partner and waived the former Charger.
Pickens and Scott are two 2023 draft picks that will not survive the team’s coaching change. Pickett, the first pick of the third round, started three games last year and appeared in six more with minimal production. Scott, a fourth-round pick, started four games as a rookie before fading into the background with just one reception in 2024.
Richardson is a practice squad candidate after a strong training camp, per Biggs. So is Stromberg, according to Adam Jahn of CHGO Sports. The former Commanders third-round pick will provide depth at center behind Drew Dalman and Ryan Bates.
Kpassagnon followed Dennis Allen to Chicago this offseason and signed a one-year deal with no guaranteed money, making him an ideal candidate to be released and re-signed to the practice squad via a handshake agreement. That appears to be the plan, according to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, which will keep the veteran linemen available for early-season elevations to the active roster.
Bears Move CB Zah Frazier To Reserve/NFI List, Cut 11
The Bears were among the teams which moved early in beginning their roster cuts. Chicago has announced another batch of moves today while continuing to move toward the requisite 53:
Placed on Reserve/NFI list:
- CB Zah Frazier
Released:
- DB Tre Flowers
- RB Royce Freeman
- OL Joshua Miles
Waived:
- S Millard Bradford
- DL Xavier Carlton
- S Alex Cook
- LB Power Echols
- CB Kaleb Hayes
- QB Austin Reed
- RB Ian Wheeler
- TE Joel Wilson
As a result of today’s transactions, the Bears are down to 73 on their roster. Like all other teams, they have until tomorrow afternoon to reach the roster limit.
Frazier will be required to miss at least the first four weeks of the season given his spot on the non-football injury list. Losing the fifth-round rookie until at least October adds further to the injury issues at the cornerback position for Chicago. Terrell Smith was placed on injured reserve yesterday, ending his season.
The tight end spot is crowded for the Bears, so Wilson being let go comes as little surprise. After leading the team in preseason receptions, though, he could remain in the Windy City through the start of the campaign. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports Chicago plans to retain the 25-year-old via the practice squad provided he clears waivers.
Bears Place CB Terell Smith On IR, Waive Six Others
As roster cuts continue the Bears get started with a placement on injured reserve and six waivings:
Waived:
- LB Swayze Bozeman
- G Chris Glaser
- TE Thomas Gordon
- S Mark Perry
- WR Samori Toure
- CB Jeremiah Walker
Placed on IR:
- CB Terell Smith (story)
The Bears lost Smith, a third-year rotation cornerback after the former fifth-rounder suffered a torn patellar tendon in the team’s second preseason game. With his placement on IR before the roster cut deadline and no designation to return, he will officially miss the entire 2025 NFL season.
Some of the players waived, like Glaser and Toure have some NFL experience here and there with other teams, but they didn’t end up sticking it out in Chicago. The Bears have a lot more work ahead of them to get the roster down to 53.
Bears To Extend QB Tyson Bagent
The Bears signed Case Keenum this offseason, but they are still taking care of one of their other quarterbacks. Chicago is extending backup Tyson Bagent, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.
It is a two-year deal worth $10MM; the contract can max out at $16MM for the former UDFA out of Division II. Because Bagent is a former UDFA, he is extension-eligible after two seasons (rather than the three for drafted players). He will take advantage of the system here and cash in, with this contract representing a QB2 commitment through 2027. AllCHGO.com first reported the extension.
[RELATED: Assessing Bears’ 2025 Offseason]
While some trade chatter involving Bagent — after the Keenum signing — being a trade candidate emerged, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo indicates the QB has started off well in Ben Johnson‘s system. This certainly illustrates a commitment, though the deal overlaps with Caleb Williams‘ rookie terms. The Bears approached Bagent over the past week about a deal, the QB said (via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin).
Known as both a long-odds success story (out of D-II Shepherd) and for having an arm-wrestling father, Bagent has been with the Bears since 2023. He joins Keenum and 2024 UDFA Austin Reed on Chicago’s 90-man roster. Bagent, who made four starts filling in for Justin Fields as a rookie before sitting for most of his second season behind Williams, will be making the Bears as their backup once again.
Bagent proved effective in spurts in Luke Getsy‘s offense two years ago, winning two of the starts he made while Fields recovered from a thumb injury. Bagent piloted the Bears to wins over the Raiders and Panthers in 2023, though a rough outing in a Sunday-night game against the Chargers also transpired during this stretch. The 6-foot-3 passer’s popularity soared after the Bears’ 30-12 win over the Raiders in October 2023 — a game that involved a 21-for-29 accuracy ledger and a touchdown pass — and he was the only Getsy QB holdover on last year’s team.
Bagent is now on his fourth play-caller since arriving in Chicago, transitioning to Johnson’s offense. He certainly is an atypical QB on any rung of an NFL depth chart but has made the most of his chances. Keenum is tied to a one-year, $2.25MM deal; Chicago guaranteed the aging backup $2.16MM. Keenum has experience with a team that also carried a much younger backup, as the Texans retained (and then extended) Davis Mills during Keenum’s two-year stay back in Houston.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/25
Here are today’s midweek minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: C Dohnovan West
- Waived: WR Kelly Akharaiyi
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Zy Alexander, RB Elijah Young, G Rush Reimer
- Reverted to IR: CB Te’Cory Couch, WR Kaden Prather
- Waived (with injury designation): RB Jarveon Howard
- Waived: K Caden Davis
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Royce Freeman
- Placed on IR: RB Deion Hankins
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DT Michael Dwumfour
- Waived: LB JB Brown
Houston Texans
- Signed: LS Blake Ferguson
- Reverted to IR: WR Xavier Johnson
- Released: TE Tre’ McKitty
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Darius Lassiter
- Waived (with injury designation): WR Joshua Cephus
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: T John Leglue, OL Mike McAllister
- Reverted to IR: WR Mario Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Activated off active/PUP: TE Darren Waller
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Chance Campbell
- Waived: WR Giles Jackson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Reverted to IR: T Gareth Warren
- Waived (with injury settlement): LB Devin Harper
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: G Michael Dunn, WR Malik Knowles
- Waived (with injury designation): RB Corey Kiner
- Released: DE Demone Harris
Washington Commanders
- Released (with injury designation): G Julian Good-Jones
- Released (with injury settlement): CB Kevon Seymour
Waller will now be able to officially return to the field today as he attempts to shake off a year’s worth of retirement. Head coach Mike McDaniel expects him back at practice “very soon,” potentially even this week, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
The Bears have landed the services of the veteran Freeman as they deal with absences from D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, and Travis Homer. Hankins had gotten the starting nod in the team’s last preseason game for that same reason, and he’ll now hand off that role to Freeman.
Ferguson, the Dolphins’ former long snapper of the past five years, finally gets a job after his release from Miami. The Texans were really liking what they were seeing out of undrafted rookie Austin Brinkman, but a minor, short-team injury will keep him from the team’s final preseason game, requiring at least a short stay from Ferguson.
NFC North Notes: Packers, Lions, Smith
The competition between Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan had been tilted toward the incumbent, with GM Brian Gutekunst noting it would take quite the effort from the 2024 first-round pick for the Packers to make a change. It is becoming possible a change does happen, however. Walker has missed time due to a groin injury, and Morgan has benefited from increased LT work. Morgan, who missed 11 games last season, had recovered from shoulder surgery by the offseason program and has worked at left tackle — his college position — after being used primarily at guard (in a “best five” scenario) last year. Sean Rhyan has claimed Green Bay’s RG gig, leaving either Walker or Morgan set to ride the bench to open the year.
Gutekunst said (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman) Morgan has enjoyed “a good camp.” He has not allowed a QB pressure in 38 preseason snaps, per Pro Football Focus. It would be a significant setback for Walker to be demoted; the former seventh-round pick is in a contract year. (On the other hand, a first-round pick being unable to win a second-year job could sound alarm bells.) Green Bay’s Zach Tom extension, however, laid a path for Walker to leave as a free agent — and Morgan to replace him — in 2026. It is now possible the Packers start the transition early and go into the season with a 32-game starter on the bench.
Here is the latest from the NFC North:
- The Packers may see one of their draft choices start the season sidelined. Fourth-round defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell suffered an MCL sprain, via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, but does not expect to miss more than a few weeks. This timetable could convince the Packers to keep him on their 53-man roster, leaving their two IR-return spots for others. If Sorrell lands on Green Bay’s IR before next week’s roster-setting deadline, he must miss at least four games and would count against the team’s injury activation total immediately.
- A player to potentially keep in mind regarding an IR-return spot, MarShawn Lloyd is dealing with another injury. Seeing his first game action since Week 2 of last season, Lloyd left the Packers’ second preseason contest with hamstring trouble, Schneidman adds. Matt LaFleur confirmed Lloyd — a 2024 third-round pick — will miss time. Hip and hamstring issues, primarily the latter, led the way in sidelining Lloyd for 16 games last season. He also navigated appendicitis during a lost rookie year. A groin injury also surfaced earlier during this year’s training camp. The Pack could stash Lloyd on IR to open the season, but at this point, concerns about the RB’s NFL dependability are probably warranted. Lloyd going on IR would allow the Packers to keep both Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks on their active roster, but his return (per Schneidman) would likely leave room for just one of them.
- Staying on the injury subject, the Bears have lost third-year cornerback Terell Smith for the season. The 2023 fifth-rounder suffered a patellar tendon tear in Chicago’s second preseason game, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reports. Smith (six career starts) joined Josh Blackwell as a possible second-string Bears CB. Following the upcoming IR move, the Bears have some other options — in veterans Tre Flowers, Nick McCloud and Nahshon Wright. Two seasons remain on Smith’s rookie contract.
- Sixth-round Lions rookie Ahmed Hassanein will miss extended time due to a pectoral injury, Dan Campbell said (via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett). The defensive end said on Instragram he would not need surgery, but this long of an absence could create a roster issue for the Lions. At best, Hassanein appears an IR stash.
- Given safety reps, Ya-Sin could also save the Lions a roster spot due to his extensive CB past. The second-rounder-turned-nomad is a roster lock, Birkett adds. Ya-Sin started a preseason game at safety, with The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy indeed listing the seventh-year vet on a projected 53-man roster.