Minor NFL Transactions: 9/20/25
Here are today’s minor moves and Week 3’s standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: T Jake Curhan, DE Anthony Goodlow
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: G Brandon Walton
Chicago Bears
- Signed to active roster: DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- Elevated: CB Dallis Flowers, LB Carl Jones
- Placed on IR: T Kiran Amegadjie, CB Jaylon Johnson (story)
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: WR Kaden Davis, CB Dom Jones
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: WR Jayden Reed (story)
Houston Texans
- Signed to active roster: FB Jakob Johnson
- Elevated: CB Myles Bryant, CB D’Angelo Ross
- Placed on IR: CB Jaylin Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Quintin Morris
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: CB Kevin Knowles
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, CB Greedy Vance
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: LB Emany Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: RB Cam Akers, G Henry Byrd
New England Patriots
- Elevated: CB Kobee Minor, LB Mark Robinson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: WR Kevin Austin
- Elevated: DE Fadil Diggs, TE Treyton Welch
- Waived: TE Moliki Matavao
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: OLB Tomon Fox
- Elevated: DT Elijah Garcia, LB Neville Hewitt
- Waived: WR Xavier Gipson
New York Jets
- Elevated: S Dean Clark, QB Brady Cook
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: S Marcus Epps, TE Cameron Latu
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: RB Trey Sermon
- Placed on IR: G Max Scharping (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: QB Adrian Martinez, WR Malik Turner
- Placed on IR: OL Spencer Burford
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: S Jerrick Reed II
- Elevated: S D’Anthony Bell, RB Jacardia Wright
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: T Tyler McLellan
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: CB Antonio Hamilton
- Released from reserve/retired list: OL Nate Herbig
There were some eyes on whether or not the Browns would add a kicker for the weekend after Andre Szmyt needed to undergo some MRI testing, but no such moves were made and Szmyt heads into the weekend without an injury designation. The team did report a workout with veteran kicker Matthew Wright, though, per Howard Balzer of CardsWire.
The 49ers will lose some additional offensive line depth as they place their intended swing tackle, Burford, on injured reserve. Additionally, with Martinez not getting signed to the active roster, it appears that injured starter Brock Purdy will not be active as an emergency option, as was rumored a bit yesterday. Purdy should be inactive as a result.
Herbig announced his retirement at the end of July after spending a good portion of the offseason with the Commanders. The 27-year-old was coming off a 2024 season in which he missed the entirety of the year with a shoulder injury. Washington’s release of Herbig from the reserve/retired list gives him an opportunity to sign with a new team as a free agent. There’s no guarantee that he’s headed anywhere specific, but he likely initiated the transaction in order to explore his options.
AFC Injury Updates: Stewart, Worthy, Szmyt
Despite missing most of his first offseason because of a contract dispute, Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart has impressed with his early contributions in the first weeks of the season. Unfortunately, despite his hard work to be ready to contribute early, Stewart could be looking at a multi-week absence, according to what he told Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Per The Enquirer, Stewart is “dealing with a low ankle sprain and could be out a few weeks.” The first-round pick out of Texas A&M was just outpaced by starter Joseph Ossai across from Trey Hendrickson in Week 1, but Week 2 saw Stewart earn his first start and continue to work a strong snap share before getting sidelined with an injury in the fourth quarter. Now Myles Murphy will have to step up for a few games in Stewart’s absence.
While Stewart has been ruled out, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is listed as doubtful for this weekend. Taylor-Britt seems to have tweaked a hamstring injury that had held him out for an extended portion of training camp. Cincinnati likely won’t risk anything with something as finicky as a hamstring injury.
Here are a couple other injury updates from across the AFC:
- The Chiefs are desperately hoping to see some reinforcements at wide receiver arrive soon. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, wide receiver Xavier Worthy has been classified as “50-50” to return this weekend for the team’s trip to New York. Worthy was a limited participant in Thursday and Friday practices last week and has ramped up his workload as he attempts overcome an ailing shoulder. He’s still been limited and listed as questionable this week, but there appears to be some optimism that a return could come soon.
- Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Browns kicker Andre Szmyt was sent to get an MRI performed today after he “felt something” during practice. No free agent kickers have been called for workouts or signed to the practice squad, though it only occurred earlier today, so it may just have been precautionary. The team’s efforts to bring in other kicking options tomorrow should tell us what we need to know about Szmyt’s health and availability for the weekend.
NFL Restructures: Simmons, Johnson, CJGJ, Ward, Smith
The Titans recently gave Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons a $633K raise to rectify a miscalculation of his fifth-year option, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.
The Titans drafted Simmons with the 19th overall pick in the 2019 draft, and after 8.5 sacks and his first Pro Bowl in 2021, the team knew they had a long-term anchor for their defensive line. Tennessee picked up Simmons’ fifth-year option during the 2022 offseason and signed him to a $94MM extension the following year. That extension was meant to include the fifth-year option, but the deal undercounted his 2023 salary by one game, resulting in a $633K shortage.
Simmons’ agent discovered the error, and the Titans agreed to rectify the mistake with a signing bonus, according to Florio. The adjusted contract is not considered an extension.
A few other players from the 2019 draft class who signed extensions off their fifth-year options had a similar miscalculation in their deal. As a result, Simmons’ new deal could set a precedent around the league with other players seeking similar retroactive payments.
- The Bears restructured the contract of cornerback Jaylon Johnson to create $8MM of cap space, per ESPN’s Field Yates. $12MM of his 2025 salary was converted to a signing bonus and prorated across the three remaining years of the deal. Chicago made the move before Johnson went down with a groin injury that could end his season.
- The Texans completed a maximum restructure of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson‘s deal to reduce his cap hit to $3.1MM, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. His $7.75MM salary was reduced to the veteran minimum with the remaining $6.58MM converted into a signing bonus and prorated across the remainder of the contract, which includes void years from 2027 to 2030.
- The Browns also did a maximum restructure with cornerback Denzel Ward‘s contract, per ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. His salary was also reduced to the veteran minimum with $12.22MM converted into a signing bonus. As a result, his 2025 cap hit dropped by $9.78MM to $14.78MM, per OverTheCap.
- In another AFC North restructure, the Ravens converted $12MM of linebacker Roquan Smith‘s 2025 salary that was prorated across the three remaining years of his deal. The move cleared $8MM in cap space, according to Russell Street Report’s Brian McFarland.
NFL Minor Transactions: 9/17/25
Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions:
Houston Texans
- Signed off Browns’ practice squad: TE Brenden Bates
- Placed on IR: WR Justin Watson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed off Vikings’ practice squad: S Kahlef Hailassie
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Terrell Burgess
- Placed on IR: DT Vernon Broughton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: G Kenyon Green
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: DE DeMarvin Leal
- Placed on IR: DE Isaiahh Loudermilk
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: WR Cody White
- Released: CB Shaquill Griffin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed off Cardinals’ practice squad: DT Elijah Simmons
- Placed on IR: DT Calijah Kancey (story)
Broughton, the third-round rookie out of Texas, is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The team sought multiple opinions on the injury and was unsure about whether or not surgery would be necessary, but the “significant” hip issue will shut him down for the year.
Green rejoins the reigning champs, once again. It’s been a rollercoaster of employment for the 24-year-old guard, who failed to make the initial 53-man roster in Philadelphia, signed to the practice squad, was promoted back to the active roster, and then was waived two days after the team’s season opener.
Loudermilk had been working as a starter for the first time in his five-year career, but he will miss at least the next four games with a high ankle sprain. Leal, a 2022 third-round pick out of Texas A&M, has disappointed in his first three years of play. After moving to more of an outside linebacker role this summer, Leal failed to make the initial 53-man roster but was retained to the practice squad. He’ll take Loudermilk’s spot on the active roster for the time being.
Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, Watson has been sidelined indefinitely with a calf muscle and Achilles injury. The tendon is not torn, so it may not be season-ending, and Watson could return at some point down the line. Luckily, the receiving corps is set to return some reinforcements as head coach DeMeco Ryans announced that both Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios are expected to be back in Week 3. Wilson also reports that tight end Cade Stover had successful surgery recently for his broken foot.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/16/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Keith Taylor
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Malik Hamm
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR Kendric Pryor
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Tre Avery, WR Gage Larvadain, T Joshua Miles, T Tyre Phillips
- Released: OT Logan Brown, DT Ralph Holley, CB LaMareon James
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Malik Cunningham, TE Ross Dwelley
- Released: LB Monty Rice
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: C Jimmy Morrissey
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Cole Christiansen
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Dalen Cambre, LB Neville Hewitt, LB Curtis Jacobs
- Released: TE Qadir Ismail, DB Patrick McMorris
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Isaiah Hodgins
Washington Commanders
- Signed: G Tyler Cooper, WR Tay Martin
- Placed on IR: G Darrian Dalcourt
The Steelers added a notable wide receiver to their taxi squad in Isaiah Hodgins. The wideout bounced between the Giants practice squad and active roster in 2024, but he’s not far removed from a stretch between 2022 and 2023 when he hauled in 58 catches for 622 yards and seven touchdowns. He’ll be joining a group of practice squad WRs that includes Rakim Jarrett and rookie Ke’Shawn Williams.
Speaking of the Giants, they added a veteran linebacker in Neville Hewitt. The 32-year-old has appeared in 146 games in time with the Dolphins, Jets, and Texans. His best season came with New York in 2020, when he compiled 134 tackles and a pair of sacks. He mostly saw a special teams role while in Houston, but he rebounded in 2024, tallying 59 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles in 17 games (four starts).
Ravens Had Planned To Draft Shedeur Sanders In Round 5
The modern draft’s most stunning freefall has parked Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland, which circled back to the polarizing quarterback prospect via a fifth-round trade-up. That move prompted teams to ask the Browns about Dillon Gabriel, who became tied to Cleveland in Round 3.
Trading neither Gabriel or Sanders, the Browns have both backing up Joe Flacco after sending Kenny Pickett to the Raiders. Gabriel sits as the Browns’ backup, with Sanders in the third-string spot. This is certainly not what Sanders had in mind when he prepared his pre-draft plan, but he is squarely on the developmental track in an organization that will be closely tied to another QB investment come 2026.
[RELATED: Inside Browns’ Complex Path At Quarterback]
Before the Browns made a value-based play for Sanders at No. 144, the Ravens lurked as a team set to stop the ex-Colorado starter’s draft-weekend plunge. Baltimore was prepared to draft Sanders at No. 141, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, but received word the QB was uninterested in joining a team with Lamar Jackson entrenched as the starter.
It appears Sanders’ camp informed the Ravens he did not want to be drafted by Baltimore, per Schefter. That led to the Ravens drafting Alabama A&M tackle Carson Vinson at 141. The Browns then traded up (via the Seahawks) for Sanders, who had once lingered as a potential first-round option for QB-needy Cleveland. A disastrous Sanders pre-draft process nixed that, but he did join a team without a long-term starter, whereas the Ravens will be a Jackson-centered team for many years to come.
Sanders would have also hit the developmental track in Baltimore, only with no real roadmap to a starting role with that franchise. Jackson, 28, has become one of the NFL’s best players. Replacing an injured Flacco midway through the 2018 season, Jackson never gave the job back and is almost definitely on his way to the Hall of Fame. His three first-team All-Pro nods trail only Peyton Manning (seven) and Aaron Rodgers (four) for post-merger QBs, and the Ravens remain a perennial Super Bowl contender because of their historically talented dual threat.
The Ravens signed Cooper Rush to a two-year, $6.2MM deal in March. Sanders had gone from a player expected to be at worst a second-round pick to one not exactly in position to be calling his shots by Round 5. But the Ravens appear to have agreed to avoid drafting a player who did not want to be part of a plan involving a QB2 ceiling. That may be Sanders’ NFL future anyway, but he did not voice known objections to landing in Cleveland, where a rare four-man quarterback competition ensued. Of course, Sanders did not exactly factor prominently into that battle.
Gabriel played ahead of Sanders throughout the Browns’ offseason, as rumors indicated teams viewed the latter as behind the curve in terms of football intel. Sanders is believed to have made strides, but he completed the rare jump — due to Pickett and Gabriel injuries — to preseason starter after not taking a first-team rep in 11-on-11 drills in training camp. Sanders showed flashes during his start against the Panthers, but the former Cam Ward rival (for the No. 1 overall pick) did not ultimately threaten Flacco for Cleveland’s starting gig.
Baltimore has cycled through a few backups during Jackson’s tenure, going from Robert Griffin III to Tyler Huntley to Josh Johnson. Jackson missed extended stretches of time in 2021 and ’22. Even had Sanders arrived in Baltimore, Rush would have almost certainly been the fill-in option.
Sanders having treated pre-draft meetings like recruitment rather than job interviews rubbed many teams the wrong way, and while it does not appear Baltimore was one of them (it is, however, worth wondering if the Ravens spent too much time on Sanders prep due to Jackson’s status), a Day 3 prospect informing a team he was uninterested adds another chapter to one of the stranger prospect odysseys in modern NFL history.
Browns Not Considering Change At QB
We’re two weeks into the 2025 season, and the Browns sit, once again, in the AFC North’s basement. The NFL season is long, lots can change, and head coach Kevin Stefanski understands that. That’s why, today, he told the media that he is not considering a quarterback change at the moment, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. 
A rough start may have been expected given a brutal opening stretch of games that started with the Bengals before heading to a string of 2024 playoff squads in the Ravens, Packers, Lions, Vikings, and Steelers. With so many high-profile matchups to open up their 2025 campaign, it was clear that veteran Joe Flacco gave Cleveland its best chance at finding some victories across that gauntlet.
After several attempts throughout the offseason to land a top-tier quarterback through trade (Matthew Stafford), free agency (Russell Wilson), and the draft (Cam Ward) the Browns ended up with the stable of Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and mid-round rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. When Pickett was traded for the second time in one offseason, many assumed that Cleveland had its eyes on the 2026 quarterback draft class, which posed a couple questions for how the Browns would handle their season.
Flacco was set in place to start the season and try to win as many games as could be expected with the early playoff slate. Though Week 1 ended in a loss, Flacco cut it loose in the one-point game, throwing for 290 yards. Today’s contest in his familiar old home of Baltimore, Flacco didn’t fare nearly as well against the Ravens. In the 41-17 route, Flacco found the bench late in the fourth quarter, and Gabriel made his NFL debut.
Though, Gabriel completed all three of his pass attempts for 19 yards and a touchdown, there will be no QB controversy as a result. Flacco’s benching appeared to be more of a safety measure, as the game was clearly out of reach and there was no point in the veteran continuing to face a defense that totaled nine quarterback hits on the day.
Based on Stefanski’s comments, Flacco will be back under center to start against the Packers next Sunday. Gabriel may see time again if things get out of hand for either team, and injuries are always possible, but it’s seemingly still too early in the season to give up Flacco, who proved two years ago that he could win games in this system and take this team to the playoffs. It’s important to realize, though, that, at 40 years old, Flacco is not the future of the position in Cleveland.
If, at any point, the season gets out of hand and the playoffs fall out of reach, then it may behoove the team’s decision makers to see what they have in their rookie quarterbacks. Gabriel and/or Sanders may end up developing into difference-makers at the position given some time and experience in NFL games, and if Flacco isn’t going to deliver the team to the playoffs, it would be worth it to see what either quarterback has to offer. At this point, though, it may do more harm than good to put Gabriel and Sanders up against a slew of playoff defenses.
Browns Activate RB Quinshon Judkins
The Browns have activated rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, setting him up to make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Ravens.
Judkins was arrested in July on charges of battery and domestic violence that were later dropped. The NFL is still investigating the incident, but for now, Judkins is eligible to play. He was a full-time participant in practice with the Browns on Thursday and Friday this week and will likely have a limited role this week, if he sees the field, as he gets up to speed with the offense.
Judkins’ arrest initially led to significant uncertainty regarding his future. At the time, the No. 36 pick had yet to officially sign with the Browns as second-rounders around the league were holding out for fully guaranteed rookie deals. The two sides agreed to put contract talks aside as Judkins’ legal issues played out, but he finally put pen to paper the day before Cleveland’s regular season opener.
The former Ohio State and Ole Miss rusher met with the NFL representatives on Wednesday in New York before returning to Cleveland. He’s on the Browns’ roster as a standard roster exemption at the moment, making him eligible to play as the league opted not to put him on paid leave via placement on the commissioner’s exempt list.
Before the Ohio State rookie’s legal troubles began, the Browns’ offensive backfield looked to feature the veteran leadership of a 40-year-old Joe Flacco juxtaposed heavily against a healthy dose of youth with two rookie rushers. Though Jerome Ford returned as the incumbent starter, having finished each of the past two seasons as Cleveland’s leading rusher, Judkins and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson looked too talented to be kept off the field early. The added fact that Ford was asked to take a pay cut in the days immediately following the draft seemed to hint at a decreased role for the 26-year-old.
With Judkins unavailable, though, the Browns leaned on Ford’s experience to open the season. While Sampson got the start, Ford played a slightly heavier snap count with 41 snaps to Sampson’s 33. In terms of production, though, Sampson dominated out of the backfield. Neither back saw much success running the ball, but Sampson’s 12 carries for 29 yards were slightly more effective than Ford’s six carries for eight yards. In the passing game, Sampson caught all eight targets from Flacco for 64 yards, while Ford’s only target resulted in a three-yard loss.
The gameplan isn’t likely to be too different against the Ravens tomorrow. Especially after watching Baltimore’s defense give up a league-worst 389 yards through the air in Week 1, Cleveland may attempt to let Flacco cut it loose in his old home stadium, which would mean a lot of checkdowns and screens for Sampson. Moving past Week 2, though, Judkins could find a lot of success working alongside Sampson, considering he’s more than used to sharing a backfield from his time at Ole Miss and Ohio State.
In their running styles, Judkins and Sampson seem like a perfect fit. Judkins runs with more of a decisive, one-cut style, attempting to get to his top speed by the time he hits the second-level defender. He’s not afraid of lowering the shoulder for contact with his strength and balance, making him difficult to bring down. Sampson plays with a bit more quickness and agility, finding his desired angle and cutting with speed. He certainly fights for every yard, but rather than lowering the boom, he’s more effective when he’s using small cuts and shakes to avoid getting hit head-on to eke out a couple more yards. Neither back was much of a receiver in college, but Sampson has clearly picked up that role quickly.
While it remains to be seen just how ready Judkins is for NFL play, just how much the Browns will be willing to utilize him, even just how long they’ll be waiting to hear on potential punishments levied by the league, tomorrow could be the start of something exciting for the Browns offense. It’s a lofty measuring stick, but visions of a 2020 Nick Chubb–Kareem Hunt duo don’t feel entirely out of reach for the two rookies’ ceilings together. While expectations for contention this year aren’t plentiful in Cleveland, if Sampson and Judkins can establish a strong rushing game for the Browns moving forward, the team’s two 2026 first-round picks could be instrumental in initiating a quick rebuild on the road back to the playoffs.
In order to make room for Judkins on the active roster, the Browns waived wide receiver Gage Larvadain.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Quinshon Judkins Meets With NFL; Browns RB’s Week 2 Status Uncertain
SEPTEMBER 11: In the wake of Judkins’ meeting with the league, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes there is no timeline on a decision regarding discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. She also confirms Judkins will practice today, so he will be in position to play in Week 2 if allowed to do so by the league.
SEPTEMBER 10: As expected, Quinshon Judkins is meeting with the NFL today. The Browns’ running back recently signed his rookie contract, paving the way for him to play in the regular season.
Judkins did not suit up for Week 1, which came as little surprise. The second-rounder could be available on Sunday, although it remains to be seen if that will be the case. Judkins’ criminal case came to an end with charges not being pursued, but an NFL investigation into his domestic battery allegations continued after that point.
A move to the commissioner’s exempt list is unlikely, but league discipline could still result from the NFL’s investigation. Today’s in-person meeting with Judkins (h/t ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi) will be key in determining how things will play out on that front. The 21-year-old is currently in the fold via a roster exemption which will expire after Week 2.
Judkins is expected to return to the Browns for practice tomorrow, per Oyefusi. The Ole Miss and Ohio State product missed all of training camp and the preseason as he remained unsigned, something which could lead to a reduced workload whenever he does first see the field. Nevertheless, the departure of Nick Chubb in free agency allowed for a committee approach to be used in Cleveland’s backfield. Jerome Ford received six carries in Week 1, while fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson handled twice as many attempts.
Judkins will be expected to handle a role alongside those two when he is cleared for game action. On Sunday, the Browns will play the Ravens in a contest of 0-1 teams. How today’s meeting plays out will no doubt go a long way in dictating if he is able to make his debut at that time.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/10/25
Wednesday’s taxi squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Channing Tindall
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Phidarian Mathis
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE K.J. Henry
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Jaylon Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: LB Cole Christiansen
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from practice squad/injured list (with injury settlement): WR Jalen Reagor
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Jacob Sykes
- Released: CB Eli Ricks
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: QB Logan Woodside
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: TE Messiah Swinson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: P Mitch Wishnowsky
- Released: TE Lawrence Cager
With regular punter Tress Way in danger of missing this week’s Thursday Night matchup in Green Bay with a back injury, Washington has signed the former 49ers veteran as insurance.